If the Wound hath Corners, the Surgeon begins to sow there; and before the Knot is made, causeth the Lips of the Wound to be drawn exactly close one to another: The Knots must be begun with that in the middle, and a single one is first made on the side opposite to the running of the Matter; laying upon this Knot (if it be thought convenient) a small Bolster of waxed Linnen, on which is tied a Slip-Knot, to the end that it may be untied if any bad Accident should happen. If a Plaister be apply'd to the Wound after the Stitching, a small Bolster is to be laid over the Knots, to prevent their sticking to the Plaister. In case any Inflammation happens in the Wound, the Knots may be loosen'd and ty'd again when the Symptoms cease: But {140} if the Inflammation continue, the Threads are to be cut by passing a Probe underneath: When the Wound is clos'd, the Threads are cut in like manner with a Probe; and in drawing 'em out, a Finger must be laid near the Knot, lest the Wound should open again. To make the second sort of Stitch for the Hare-Lip, a small streight Needle is pass'd into the sides of the Wound, and the Thread is twisted round the Needle, by crossing it above at every Stitch. To form the _Dry Stitch_ in very superficial Wounds, a piece of new Linnen-Cloth is to be taken, wherein are made Digitations, or many Corners; the Selvedge or Hem ought to be on the side of these Corners or Digitations; and a small Thread-Lace is ty'd to every one of 'em. Afterward this Cloth is dipt in strong Glue, and apply'd about a Finger's breadth from the Edges of the Wound; so that a piece thereof being stuck on each side, the Laces may be ty'd together, to cause the Lips of the Wound to meet. To make the _Glover's Stitch_, the Operator having drawn together the Lips of the Wound, holds 'em between two Fingers, passeth a Needle underneath 'em, and soweth 'em upward all along, after the manner of _Glovers_. * * * * * {141} CHAP II. _Of Wounds in general._ _What is a Wound?_ A Wound is a recent, violent, and bloody Rupture or Solution of the Natural Union of the soft Parts, made by a pricking, cutting, or bruising Instrument. _What ought to be observ'd before all things in the curing of Wounds?_ It is requisite to take notice of their differences, as well as of the Instruments with which they were made; to the end that Consequences may be drawn from thence for the Application of proper Remedies. _From whence arise the differences of Wounds, and which be they?_ They are taken either from their Figure or Situation: With regard to their Figure, they are call'd Long, Broad or Wide, Triangular Great, Little, Superficial, or Deep; and with respect to their Situation, they are term'd Simple, Complicated, Dangerous, or Mortal. _What is a Simple and a Complicated Wound?_