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RUPTURES.

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This is very proper, provided it be done immediately, and not keptin too long. But the custom of keeping the part immersed in coldwater for a long time is certainly dangerous. It relaxes insteadof bracing the part, and is more likely to produce a disease thanremove one.

Wrapping a garter, or some other bandage, pretty tight aboutthe strained part, is likewise of use. It helps to restore the propertone of the vessels, and prevents the action of the parts from in-creasing the disease. It should not, however, be applied too tight.I have frequently known bleeding near the affected part have avery good effect ; but what we would recommend above all, isease. It is more to be depended on than any medicine, and sel-dom fails to remove the complaint.*

Ruptures.

Children and old people are most liable to this disease. In theformer it is generally occasioned by excessive crying, coughing,vomiting, or the like. In the latter, it is commonly the effect ofblows or violent exertions of the strength, as leaping, carryinggreat weights, &c. In both, a relaxed habit, indolence, and anoily or very moist diet, dispose the body to this disease.

A rupture sometimes proves fatal before it is discovered. When-ever sickness, vomiting, and obstinate costiveness give reason tosuspect an obstruction of the bowels, all those places where rup-tures usually happen ought carefully to be examined. The protru-sion of a very small part of the gut will occasion all these symp-toms ; and, if not returned in due time, will prove fatal. On thefirst appearance of a rupture in an infant, it ought to be laidupon its back with its head very low. While in this posture, if thegut does not return of itself it may easily be put up by gentle pres-sure. After it is returned, a piece of sticking-plaster may be appli-ed over the part, and a proper truss or bandage must be constantlyworn for a considerable time. The method of making and apply-ing rupture-bandages for children is pretty well known. The childmust, as far as possible, be kept from crying, and from all violentexertions, till the rupture is quite cured.

In adults, when the gut has been forced down with great vio-lence, or happens from any cause to be iuflamed, there is oftengreat difficulty in returning it, and sometimes the thing is quite im-practicable without an operation ; a description of which is for-eign to our purpose. As I have been fortunate enough, however,always to succeed in my attempts to return the gut, without hav-ing recourse to any other means than what are in the power ofevery man, I shall briefly mention the method which I generallypursue.

After the patient has been bled, he must be laid upon his back,with his head very low, and his breech raised high with pillows.

* A great many external applications are recommended for strains, some of whichdo good, and others hurt. The following are such as may be used with the greatestsafety, viz. poultices made of stale beer or vinegar and oatmeal, camphorated spirits ofwine. Mindererus's spirit, volatile liniment, volatile aromatic spir\ diluted with adouble quantity of water, and the common fomentation, with the IdiUori of brandy or•pirit of wine.

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