Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1784 edition. Excerpt: ...such strictures or adhesions in the urethra, the bougie is employed with advantage even during the progress of the cure. But these are rare occurrences, and no practitioner of experience ever thinks it right to have recourse to bougies, till the presence of some obstruction renders them altogether necessary; and in the same manner they ought never to be employed in the operation we have been describing, till the propriety of using them is pointed out by the occurrence of some degree of obstruction. When the parts composing the perinaeum have become very hard and otherwise diseased, before any operation, such as we have described, is put in practice, we are commonly directed to a long and continued use of poultices; of mercurial frictions; and the use of resolvent gum plasters. So far, however, as I have ever seen, little or no advantage is derived from any of these remedies; for any suppuration expected from their use, is, in general, very partial, and has seldom much effect in removing, or even in relieving, the disorder for which it is induced. And, And, again, when the hardened parts are extensive, and when no relief is obtained from the discutient remedies we have mentioned, we are in general directed to cut them entirely away with the scalpel. There is not, however, the least necessity for such a measure; for although it may be proper to remove the edges of the sores, when they have become callous, there is never any good cause for extirpating every part that is become hard. This would frequently be a very cruel operation; and as it couldseldom be productive of any advantage, it ought rarely, if ever, to be put in practice. When, againj, a passage into the urethra has been produced, either by external violence, or by the abrasion..."
