cold, as a cold northern wind, when it falls upn any part of the naked surface of the body, and is luminous.
I have blown it upon a burn from a hot iron; and it hath immediately eradicated the fire from the part.
I have used it on the eyes, when sore, and having a sensation of being filled with sand; and it gives relief in one minute.
I have never used it upon a cancer that was corroded, nor on any other; though, from its effects on sores,
I think it may answer a valuable purpose: but inasmuch as the part must be uncovered, in order to make the application,
it must be done in a warm, very warm room, especially if it be within a few days of the person's taking shocks,
or else they will take cold by being uncovered.
The manner of performing the operation is thus: Take a metallic rod, or the largest kind of wire; let one end be brought to a point,
and the other end, by a hook, connected to the prime conductor:
the pointed end must be brought within an inch, or two inches, of the part on which the aura is to be diffused.
If the operation is to be made on the eye, great care must be had that the point is not struck into the eye:
the person's head must be steadied by a careful hand, and spectators kept at a distance from the operator.
It will often make a person sneeze; on which occasion they must be cautioned to throw their heads on one side of the pointed instrument.
When this is blown upon the eye, it will cause the lachrymal to discharge freely; this is supposed to be done by the astringency of the aura,
in contracting the parts.
It may be observed, that the aura is not an expansion of elementary fire, but so great a density, as to render it cold;
which is one reason of my supposing cold to consist in a density of elementary fire.
After the body of humours in a cancer is sufficiently diffused, I think it is probable that the aura, diffused freely upon the part, must contribute
considerably in cleansing and healing the sore.
The aural diffusion is kept up by a continual turning of the cylinder, or constant promotion of friction.
The machine should be large: Best of all to be carried by water-works.
A cancer that is thoroughly formed, and virulent, will require some months to complete a cure;
wherefore, much patience must be exercised by the operator, as well as by the patient.
N. B. I should have mentioned, that the pointed end of the aural rod (for so I call it) must be supported by a goose-quill,
either bent round the rod, or the rod inserted through the end of the quill, a waxed thread being first drawn lightly round the end of the quill, to prevent splitting quite to the end.
The fire, or effluvia, will not pass off upon the quill; and
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