the act of burning or searing some morbid part, by the application of fire either actual or potential. In some places they cauterize with burning tow, in others with cotton or moxa, in others with live coals; some use Spanish wax, others pyramidal pieces of linen, others gold or silver; Severinus recommends flame blown through a pipe; but what is usually preferred among us is a hot iron.

Cauterizing irons are of various figures; some flat, others round, some curved, &c. of all which we find draughts in Albucasis, Scultetus, Ferrara, and others. Sometimes a cauterity is applied through a capsule, to prevent any terror from the sight of it. This method was invented by Placentinus, and is described by Scultetus. In the use of all cauterities, care is to be taken to defend the neighbouring parts, either by a lamina, defensive plaster, or lint moistened in oxycerate. Sometimes the hot iron is transmitted through a copper cannula, for the greater safety of the adjoining parts. The degrees and manners of cauterizing are varied according to the nature of the disease and the part affected.