Issues, employed as a local remedy, have hitherto been chiefly used in diseases of the bones and joints, and sometimes in scrophulous affections of the liver, or lungs; but it is reasonable to suppose that they ought likewise to be useful in the cure of enlargements of the glands, and other scrophulous tumors, if inserted in the immediate vicinity of the part. The only objection to their use is the cicatrix which they leave, and which, in certain situations, we would wish to avoid. When the tumor is thickly covered with the integuments, the issue may be made directly over it, by means of a blister, kept open by savine ointment[98], or any other irritating preparation; but, when the tumor is thinly covered, this will not succeed, as the inflammation consequent to the insertion of the issue will be communicated to the gland which is in immediate contact with the ulcerated surface. In this case, a small pea issue, or seton, may be inserted by the side of the tumor. In scrophulous inflammation of the glands of the neck, this remedy is not adviseable, owing to the scar which it leaves; but, in affections of the mammæ, and some other parts, it may be useful. [98] This ointment may be prepared by macerating one part of recent savine leaves bruised, in four parts of ung. resinos.; it is then to be strained. Blisters, frequently repeated, are sometimes, in slighter cases of affections of the joints, used in place of issues. Preparations of lead are frequently employed, and, where the tumor is painful, are often of service. When the lymphatic glands are inflamed, a saturnine solution[99], applied cold to the part, by means of a compress of linen, and frequently renewed, has a tendency to abate the pain and resolve the inflammation. These solutions are sometimes employed warm, particularly in affections of the bones or joints; but they do not, in these cases, seem to have any considerable superiority over fomentations with warm water. [99] The following may be used for this purpose: R. Ceruss. Acetat. drachmam unam. Aq. Rosar. uncias octo. Solve, dein cola. Cloths dipped in cold water, sea water, or weak vegetable acids, have also been used, and have a tendency to abate pain, but are inferior to the saturnine solution. Ether, applied with a pencil to the part, is also sometimes of service. Sea salt, mixed with bile, has been recommended, but has very little effect. Camphorated liniment is very frequently used, in which case the part is generally kept warm with flannel. It does not, however, appear to possess any very great power of discussing these tumors; but the friction which is made use of with these sometimes hastens the removal of these tumors, and may be usefully alternated with the use of the saturnine lotion. A mixture of ether and linimentum opiatum may be employed for the same purpose. Hemlock poultices were at one time in repute, but they have now lost their character.