"As soon then as it is foreseen that an Abscess is forming (see Sec. 68) we should erode, by a light Caustic, the Place where it is expected; and as soon as it is removed, Care should be taken to promote Suppuration there. By this Means we may entertain a reasonable Hope, that the Mass of Matter will incline its Course to that Spot, where it will meet with the least Resistance, and be discharged from thence. For this Heap of Matter is often accumulated between the _Pleura_, and the Parts which adhere to it." This is the Advice of a very [23] great Physician; but I must inform the Reader, there are many Cases, in which it can be of no Service; neither ought it to be attempted, but by Persons of undoubted Abilities. [23] This is, undoubtedly, Baron _Van Swieten_, with whom he had premised, he agreed considerably, in all the Diseases they had both treated of. _K._ With Regard to the Scirrhosity, or Hardness, and to the Circumstances of Adhesions, I can add nothing to what I have said in Sec. 86 and 87. Sec. 100. It has been observed that some Persons, who have been once attacked by this Disease, are often liable to Relapses of it, especially such as drink hard. I knew one Man, who reckoned up his Pleurisies by Dozens. A few Bleedings, at certain proper Intervals, might prevent these frequent Returns of it; which, joined to their excessive Drinking, make them languid and stupid, in the very Flower of their Age. They generally fall into some Species of an Asthma, and from that into a Dropsy, which proves the melancholy, though not an improper, Conclusion of their Lives. Such as can confine themselves to some proper Precautions, may also prevent these frequent Returns of this Disease, even without bleeding; by a temperate Regimen; by abstaining from Time to Time, from eating Flesh and drinking Wine; at which Times they should drink Whey, or some of those Diet-Drinks No. 1, 2, 4; and by bathing their Legs sometimes in warm Water; especially in those Seasons, when this Disease is the most likely to return.