It is in following this method only, (§ X, XI, XII.) that these
fomentations, so much recommended both by the antients and moderns,
will be found truly serviceable and efficacious. Mr. Heister has
collected a sufficient number of these forms, in treating of
mortifications, in his excellent system of surgery, which is in every
body's hands. It will be an easy matter for a surgeon, who understands
the nature of the ailment and the quality of the medicines, to select
such as will be most suitable to the case he happens to treat. Thus,
for example, the fomentation consisting of a _pint of lime water,
three ounces of camphorated spirit of wine, and an ounce or half an
ounce of sal ammoniac_, is very useful in mortifications which are
the consequences of high inflammation, as it relieves the inflamed
parts that lie round those which are already mortified. The same
effect may be obtained from the fomentation made with the _balsam of
life_; namely, _soap, salt of tartar, and oil of turpentine, mixed and
dissolved in lime-water_; and from the _cataplasm_, composed of the
herbs called _species pro cataplasmate_, and _venice soap and saffron_
added thereto[9].
If, without any considerable inflammation preceding, a part is found
mortified, or a beginning mortification appears attended with a
swelling, which frequently happens to dropsical people, to those
afflicted with œdematous tumours, and to aged persons, and whenever
the ailment proceeds from a defect rather than an excess of the vital
motions; the following fomentations are more proper.
1. _Take of water germander, wormwood, southernwood, rue, of each two
handfulls; chamomile flowers, one handfull: Boil them together, and
to two pints of the strained liquor add four ounces of treacle
spirit, two ounces of venice soap, and half an ounce or even an ounce
of sal gem._
2. _Take of water germander, wormwood, feverfew, of each two
handfulls; of mint and southernwood, of each a handfull: Boil them
together in oxycrate, so as to have four pints of the strained
liquor, to which may be added half an ounce of sal gem, and
afterwards from two to four ounces of treacle spirit._
3. _Take of martial ball[10] two ounces, sal ammoniac one ounce;
dissolve them in about eight pints of spring water, and add two pints
of rectified spirit of wine._
4. _Take of crude alum, and white vitriol, each two ounces and two
drams; lytharge of silver and myrrh, each an ounce; Aleppo galls, two
ounces; juniper and bay berries, each an ounce; savin and rue, each
two pugils; oak leaves, a handfull and a half; verdegris, half an
ounce; camphor, two drams; calamin, six drams[11]. After having mixed
and reduced all these ingredients to powder, let two ounces of the
composition be boiled with four pints of water, or with two of water
and two of vinegar._
The following embrocations applied to parts already mortified, will
stop the further progress of the mortification; where it is just
beginning they will prevent it, and will also help nature to separate
the dead parts from the sound.
1. _Spirit of wine, three ounces; myrrh and aloes powdered, of each
half an ounce; Ægyptian ointment, three drams[12]._
2. _Vinous decoction of scordium, twelve ounces; vinegar of rue and of
roses, of each four ounces; spirit of treacle, three ounces; and one
ounce of sal ammoniac._
3. _Lime water, four pints; treacle spirit, or that of feverfew, two
pints; white wine vinegar, one pint; elixir proprietatis, six ounces;
Ægyptian ointment, two ounces._
4. _Decoction of elder flowers, six ounces; wine, eight ounces;
vinegar, camphorated spirit of wine, treacle spirit, or that of
feverfew, each two ounces; spirit of salt, two drams._
Lastly, in order to soften the parts, separate the sloughs, and promote
suppuration, the following application may be used.
_Water germander, two handfulls; mallows and marshmallows, each
a handfull; flower of linseed, three ounces; Venice soap and sal
ammoniac, of each two ounces; linseed oil, an ounce. Let these
ingredients be boiled together, in vinegar and water, to the
consistence of a poultice._
It may be in general observed with regard to fomentations, that such
as are emollient are serviceable, when hard dry crusts prevent a
discharge; those which abound with acid, when there is a considerable
degree of putrefaction; and, lastly, those which are spirituous, saline
or strengthening, are most proper when swellings are flabby, and the
body abounds with aqueous humours.