This mode of treatment is particularly useful in cases of punctured and lacerated wounds from various instruments, such as needles, nails, hooks, bayonets, saws, &c. and in the bites of animals, leech-bites, stings of insects, &c. In considerable lacerations the same objection would exist to this treatment as in large ulcers. The dreadful effects of punctures from needles, scratches from bone, or other injuries received in dissection, are totally prevented by this treatment. I have for the last five years had frequent opportunities of trying it in these cases and have the most perfect confidence in its success. The advantage of these modes of treating punctured wounds will however be best explained and established by a selection of cases, to which I can add particular remarks as they may be suggested by peculiarities in the cases themselves. CASE I. A.B. received a severe punctured wound by a hook of the size of a crow-quill, which pierced into the flesh between the thumb and fore-finger on the outside of the hand; scarcely a drop of blood followed, but there was immediately severe pain and tumefaction. The lunar caustic was applied without loss of time, deep within the orifice and around the edge of the wound; and the eschar was left to dry. The smarting pain induced by the caustic was severe for a time but gradually subsided. On the ensuing day, the eschar was adherent and there was little pain; but there was more swelling than usual after the prompt application of the caustic, owing to the mobility of the part. On the third day the swelling remained as before, and there was a little sense of heat. On the fourth day the swelling and heat had subsided, and the eschar remained adherent. On the succeeding day the eschar had been removed by washing the hand, and the puncture was unhealed but free from pain and irritation. The caustic was reapplied. From this time the eschar remained adherent, and at length gradually separated leaving the part perfectly well. It is quite certain that under any other mode of treatment this severe puncture would have greatly inflamed and have proved very painful and troublesome; and it is not improbable but that suppuration and much suffering might have ensued. All this is effectually and almost certainly prevented if the caustic be applied promptly, as in this case. When time has been lost, the case is very different as will appear hereafter; but even in these cases, the caustic proves an invaluable application. CASE II. Mrs. Middleton, aged 40, wounded her wrist, on the ulnar side, by the hook of a door post; there was a considerable flow of blood at first, but this ceased suddenly and the arm immediately became affected with great pain and swelling. The lunar caustic was applied in half an hour after the accident.