The man in the following incident underwent a painful operation to
remove marks that reminded him of unpleasant things. There is a promise
of greater blessing from one who said, “Tho your sins be as scarlet
they shall be white as snow.”
Dr. Berchon was consulted by a rich man who asked him to remove
a tattooed design that had been made in his youth and doubtless
reminded him constantly of his humble beginnings. Berchon, a
well-read man, used the ancient method of Crito, described
by Paul of Ægina. Crito washed the tattooed part with niter
and then enveloped it in resin, which was allowed to remain
several days to soften the skin. The design was then scraped
with a sharp instrument, the wound was washed and rubbed with
salt, after which a sort of plaster was applied, consisting of
frankincense, nitrate of potash, lye, lime, wax, and honey.
Several days later the marks disappeared. (Text.)--_La
Nature._
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