_Take Mercurial Ointment_ (P) _one ounce; Calomel_ (N) _and
Powder’d Precipitate_ (O) _of each one drachm; Oil of
Peppermint_ (U), _one drachm; Spread this upon a rag, and apply
it to the gangrenous part._
If a sphacelus has commenced, the skin turned livid, attended with a
cadaverous fœture, and seems to the touch to be rotten, it must be
scarified to the quick with the lancet, and then the above remedy
applied. But if it has already reached the bone, (which a mortification
soon will) and seems to make a rapid progress, all external remedies are
of little avail, and nothing but amputating the limb can save life. But
as that operation ought to be performed by a skilful surgeon, I shall
therefore omit it here; only observe, that there are very few cases, but
that this dreadful catastrophe may be prevented, if timely assistance is
given.
To conclude this section, I think it requisite to observe, that a
gangrene and sphacelus, or mortification, is far from being so often the
case as many from the pain they undergo, are apt to persuade themselves.
A common boil, whilst it is in an inflamed state, is sometimes so very
painful as to put the patient in a fever, and will be excessively
tender. But, notwithstanding, a suppuration is the result.
A gangrene and mortification is only to be dreaded, when a whole limb is
inflamed, such as an arm, a leg, &c. When the inflammation is dreadful,
that the blood can find no passage at all, but is obstructed on all
sides, then the part must naturally die, and become cadaverous. The
cause of this misfortune may be either a heavy contusion, a compound
fracture, a gun-shot wound, or an internal malignity of the bone itself;
and as a caution, I must also add, that pricking a tendon in bleeding
may occasion this dreadful malady.
There is another kind of mortification which proceeds from a bad habit
of body, a poorness of constitution, or when the whole mass of blood is
corrupted by the scurvy. This shall be taken notice of in its proper
place.
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