It ought to be mentioned here as a fact of great consequence, though very little known, and never, I believe, published before, that the juice of limes and lemons is the best detergent of any external application that has yet been tried in scorbutic ulcers. Nothing was found so effectual in preventing these from spreading, and in disposing them to heal, as an emollient poultice with[120] lemon or lime juice sprinkled on its surface; or it was applied by soaking in it the lint with which the sore was dressed, and also as a lotion, in which case it was used diluted with two or three times its quantity of water; for if used pure, it was found too irritating, and was apt to bring on a fungous disposition. This precaution is particularly necessary with regard to limes, the juice of which is a much more concentrated acid than that of lemons. Mr. Lucas, surgeon of the Conqueror, favoured me with several valuable remarks in proof of this practice. A poultice was always found a good application in these cases, by its power of absorbing the acrimonious discharge, which would otherwise irritate the neighbouring parts. I have been informed by a navy surgeon, who served in the former war, that he has known the most obstinate ulcers cured by applying a paste of oatmeal and water, the surface of which was sprinkled with Goulard’s preparation of lead. The fleet was furnished with essence of malt; but its powers were so inconsiderable, that some of the surgeons denied that it had any. In trials, however, that were made in an early state of the disease, it was found to have a sensible effect in checking and removing it. It was also found of evident use in the bad ulcers so apt to arise in scorbutic habits, and in this intention was superior to the Peruvian bark as an internal alterative. Indeed, in those ulcers that were truly scorbutic, the bark was found to be of very little use; and, next to what has been already mentioned, joined to the advantages of diet, opium was found of the greatest service in disposing these, as well as all other ill-conditioned sores of hot climates, to heal.