Furunculi, or Boils, most generally occur in unhealthy constitutions, particularly in those individuals who are habitually addicted to the use of ardent liquors: they seem to arise from, at least they follow, disorder of the digestive organs. Their seat is in the skin and subjacent cellular tissue. They generally occur in those parts which are possessed of little vitality, as in the back, buttocks, shoulders, the posterior part of the neck, &c. They are seldom single, are often numerous, and vary in size from a pea to a pigeon’s egg. A boil is of a conical form, elevated above the surface of the body; its base is hard and firm, whilst its apex is acute, soft, of a white colour, and exceedingly painful; the pain experienced in the tumour is severe and burning. From the comparatively trifling nature of the affection, the assistance of the surgeon is seldom required, and hence the apex of the tumour generally gives way either spontaneously, or in consequence of being scratched by the patient, or rubbed by the clothes; the purulent matter, which is generally small in quantity, and mixed with blood, is thus discharged. This, however, is attended with but little relief in bad forms of the affection; for at the lower part of the cone is situated a considerable quantity of mortified cellular tissue, which must be evacuated before the cavity can heal. In this unhealthy species of inflammation, resolution cannot be expected; on the contrary, suppuration is the natural termination of the disease, and must be hastened by poultices and fomentations. A simple or crucial opening, according to circumstances, must afterwards be made in the apex of the tumour, so that the sloughs of the cellular tissue may be permitted to escape readily. In the advanced stage, the sloughs are the irritating cause by which the inflammatory action is prolonged, and on their removal the cavity contracts speedily. If there is much derangement of the digestive organ, it may frequently be found necessary to administer an emetic. If the bowels are slow and the liver torpid, calomel and antimony are highly useful, or other mercurial preparations may be given, in combination with active purgatives; if the state of the secretions is more natural, these medicines may be administered in alterative doses. The mineral acids are often usefully administered, with the view of removing the disposition to the formation of boils. Twenty minims of the aromatic sulphuric acid may be given twice or thrice a day in any convenient vehicle. Anodynes are occasionally required. [Illustration]