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ÜLCERS.

363

an ulcer which is at first completely local, may in time affect thesystem so as to become constitutional ; and ulcers which derivetheir origin from some general affection of the system, may remainafter the removal of the constitutional disorder, by which theywere originally produced.

Ulcers may be the consequence of wounds, bruises, or impost-humes properly treated ; they may likewise proceed from an illstate of the humours, or what may be called a bad habit of body.

In the latter case they ought not to be hastily dried up, otherwise it may prove fatal to the patient. Ulcers happen most com-monly in the decline of life ; and persons who neglect exercise,and iive grossly, are most liable to them. They might often beprevented by retrenching some part of the solid food, or by open-ing artificial drains, as issues, setons, or the like.

An ulcer may be distinguished from a wound by its discharginga thin watery humour, which is often so acrid as to inflame andcorrode the skin ; by the hardness and perpendicular situation ofits sides or edges; by the time of its duration, &c.

It requires considerable skill to be able to judge whether ornot an ulcer ought to be dried up. In general, all ulcers whichproceed from a bad habit of body, should be suffered to continueopen, at least till the constitution has been so far changed by prop-er regimen, or the use of medicine, that they seem disposed toheal of their own accord. Ulcers which are the effect of malig-.lant fevers or other acute diseases, may generally be healed withsafety after the health has been restored for some time. The curei light not, however, to be attempted too soon, nor at any timewithout the use of purging medicines and a proper regimen. Whenwounds or bruises have, by wrong treatment, degenerated intoulcers, if the constitution be good, they may generally be u^edwith safety. When ulcers either accompany chronical diseases,or come in their stead, they must be cautiously healed. If an ul-cer conduces to the patient's health, from whatever cause it pro-ceeds, it ought not to be healed ; but if, on the contrary, it wastesthe strength, and consumes the patient by a slow fever, it shouldbe healed as soon as possible.

We would earnestly recommend a strict attention to these par-ticulars to all who have the misfortune to labour under this disor-der, particularly persons in the decline of life ; as we have fre-quently known people throw away their lives by the want of it,while they were extolling and generously rewarding those whomthey ought to have looked upon as their executioners.

Cure of Ulcers by Roller and Compresses, Sfc. on Mr. Whately'f

Plan.

Bandages are of the most essential service in healing manyhinds of ulcers ; but their efficacy is so'great in curing numerousindolent sores, that they are sometimes considered the principalmeans of cure. Mr. Whately, who is one of the most zealousmodern advocates for this mode of treating ulcers, offers the fol-lowing remarks for the application of the roller and compresses.

" The best width for a flannel roller, designed for those whe