In a _stupor_, or defect of touching, which arises from an obstruction of the cutaneous nerves, the patient must first be purged; afterwards such medicines as excite the action of the nerves, or stimulate the system, may be used. For this purpose, the spirit of hartshorn, _sal volatile oleosum_, horse-radish, &c. may be taken inwardly; the disordered parts, at the same time, may be frequently rubbed with fresh nettles or spirit of _sal ammoniac_. Blistering-plasters and sinapisms applied to the parts will likewise be of use, as also warm bathing, especially in the natural hot baths. CHAP. XLV. OF A SCIRRHUS AND CANCER. A scirrhus is a hard indolent tumour seated in some of the glands; as the breasts, the armpits, &c. If the tumour becomes large, unequal, of a livid, blackish, or leaden colour, and is attended with violent pain, it gets the name of an _occult cancer_. When the skin is broken, and a _sanies_ or ichorous matter of an abominably fœtid smell is discharged from the sore, it is called an open or ulcerated cancer. Persons after the age of forty-five, particularly women, and those who lead an indolent sedentary life, are most subject to this disease. CAUSES.——This disease is often owing to suppressed evacuations; hence it proves so frequently fatal to women of a gross habit, particularly old maids and widows, about the time when the menstrual flux ceases. It may likewise be occasioned by excessive fear, grief, anger, religious melancholy, or any of the depressing passions. Hence the unfortunate, the choleric, and those persons who devote themselves to a religious life in convents or monasteries, are often afflicted with it. It may also be occasioned by the long-continued use of food that is too hard of digestion, or of an acrid nature; by barrenness; celibacy; indolence; cold; blows; friction; pressure; or the like. Women often suffer from the last of these by means of their stays, which squeeze and compress their breast so as to occasion great mischief. Sometimes the disease is owing to an hereditary disposition.