16. Abscessus inguinis. An abscess in the Groin, is sometimes occasioned by injuries done to the parts below, as in the knees, legs, or toes; a pestilential fever may be the cause, in which an abscess in the groin is often critical, but the venereal disease is the most frequent. See Bubo. If opened with a knife, be careful not to wound the inguinal artery. In venereal cases a caustic is preferable, as it dissolves part of the induration which too often remains after the greatest part is suppurated, and assists in digesting the remainder. If abscesses in the groin, or in the arm-pit, are from the crisis of a fever, the caustic should be employed, and the discharge kept up, till all danger from the fever is over. In glandular parts all that is hardened should be perfectly dissolved; for instances have occurred of cancers proceeding from the remaining indurations.

17. Abscessus intestinorum. An abscess in the Intestines. When an abscess in the intestines is discharged, the case is sometimes mistaken for a dysen-icry; indeed, if the ulceration continues long, its treatment will be the same as in the dysentery, though at first the methods are far from similar. Before an abscess is formed in these parts, there is always a throbbing pain felt near the part affected. At the beginning of the suppuration there are unequal shiverings, which increase and remit; and a fever, with exacerbation of the symptoms in the evening. When this accident follows an inflammation in the bowels, it begins in about four days after the attack of the inflammation, at which time a shivering comes on, which extends through the whole body; and an obtuse pain, with a sense of weight, is perceived in the part affected. After the pus is formed, the symptoms abate, and the pain nearly ceases, till the time of breaking approaches, and then the pain is renewed; but it is of a different kind, not pulsatory and shooting, but tensive, with a sense of weight. Sometimes the belly is violently constipated; and, after the discharge, a quantity of aqueous pus is thrown out by stool. Sec Aetius Tetrabib. iii. serm. i. cap. 42. In about fourteen days the pus makes its way into the cavity of the belly, and produces inconveniences similar to those arising from a discharge of the like kind from the liver: or, passing into the intestines, it runs off by stool. In this case, entire membranes are discharged, and a consumption often follows.

If, on the first attack, the means recommended against an inflammation of the intestines fail, little more is to be clone than to supply the patient with emollient and gently detergent broths, to support his strength by bark, and sheath the suppurated parts by a mixture of wax and soap. Opiates should be given, to relieve pain, and, by lessening the action of the intestines, to allow the pus to thicken, under which new granulations may form. If, by the continuance of the excretions, the dysenteric state is produced, the same means are to be employed as in a dysentery.

Musgrave, in treating of the irregular gout, observes, that sometimes a gouty dysentery degenerates into an abscess in the bowels; hence properly called Arthriti-cus. Celsus indeed observes, that large abscesses in these parts are sometimes the consequence of fevers and pains, especially of pains in the belly. If the purulent discharges are excessive, moderate them with small doses of the tinct. opii; in case of faintness, a glass or two of wine may now and then be allowed; avoid all acids, acrids, and high cordials, and let the diet chiefly consist of jellies, agglutinating broths, etc.: at last, when all appearances of purulency have vanished, the myrrh, or the bals. Peruv. in a decoction of bark, may be used, both to restore and to prevent a relapse. Warner on the Gout.

18. Abscessus peritonaei. There are some instances of apparent inflammation of the intestines, where the peritonaeum is only affected. The disease we shall particularly notice under this title, when we shall add the methods of distinguishing it, and the remedies adapted for it: at present we shall only remark, that abscess is its common termination; and, as the whole membrane is affected, even when the existence of the disease is certain, the cure is hopeless. The patient often lives for a long time, but sinks, at last, in an incurable hectic. See Peritonitis. An abscess rarely occurs in the muscular parts of the abdomen, without an affection of the peritonaeum. Should it happen, it must be rapidly brought forward, though there is little hazard of its penetrating inwards.

19. Abscessus ischiaticus. An abscess in the Hip, a species of Arthropuosis. When an abscess forms itself in the socket, or the head of the thigh-bone, there are usually a great swelling and lameness in the hip, and in time matter collects in this cavity. Instances have also occurred in which it hath passed through the bottom of the acetabulum into the belly; and in these cases, when the patient went to stool, the matter, by straining, was forced back, and through the external wound. Mr. Pott observes, that this disease originates in the hip-joint; yet, in this case, the leg of the affected side is shorter than the other, the pain begins where the disease originates, i. e. about the great trochanter. "It is (he says) a distemper of the joints and ligaments that surround it."he further adds, that, "if we see scrofulous affections of any kind, in the beginning, if there is any remedy in art, I believe it to be issues; therefore, in scrofulous hips, apply a large caustic on the part, large enough to admit of five or six peas, and keep up the discharge as long as it appears to be necessary." Alas ! though this method, if early used, is much to be depended on, like many other valuable means, it is usually applied too late. It Is distinguished from a relaxation of the hip-joint by a painful tumour, hectic fever, etc. Issues may be useful in both; but the Bath waters, recommended in cases of relaxation, would be fatal in cases of abscess.