Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/31

Rh leisure or his inclination may not permit him to consult; while it exercises the mind of the writer in habits of close reasoning and accurate investigation. The attention which, in works of a complicated or extensive nature, is often distracted by brilliancy of style or variety of materials, is, by a short and faithful analysis, fixed to the merits of the subject, and to the truth of its contents. The chief end of abridging is rather to convey ideas, than multiply words, and to retrench superfluous expressions.

To offer any positive instructions for exercising this useful and valuable talent, is almost unnecessary; since taste, judgment, and critical discernment, are the safest guides. A few suggestions, however, may afford some illustration of the subject.

In attempting to give an analysis or abridgement of any particular production, it will be requisite to read it with proper attention; to examine the design of the author, and to discover the leading features and plan of the whole. Having perused and digested the work, it will be proper to transcribe only such parts as tend to convey definite ideas, or explain its immediate purpose: omitting all such remarks as are either inconsistent with, or inapplicable to, the subject.

In works of a more abstruse and comprehensive nature, it will be preferable to convey, as far as possible, the exact expressions of the author; but in those of a lighter description, such as works of imagination, public lectures, orations, essays, &c. it will be sufficient to give an outline of the substance; without directing the attention to the embellishments of style, or the structure of periods.

Abridgement is used also in a more circumscribed sense; to signify a short analysis of reference; by which, from a few abstracted particulars, we recur to any subject which has been either neglected or forgotten; and thus recall it to our recollection. This is particularly useful to those engaged in a variety of literary pursuits, as it preserves a free and unfettered application.

Works of history, in which the leading facts are merely detailed, are often happily abridged for the use of the student. See the article.  ABSCESS is a soft, circumscribed tumor, containing matter, generally attended with fluctuation, and sometimes, though not always, with considerable pain. It is the consequence of some previous inflammation, and is often a critical effort of Nature to relieve the patient from superfluous or noxious humours, and to remove an acute disease.

The mode of treatment, to be adopted in the cure of an abscess, will be to assist its complete suppuration, and promote a free discharge of matter; for which purposes, all remedies that have a tendency to soften the skin, and encourage perspiration, are eminently useful. In languid habits, however, and where the suppuration proceeds but slowly, it will sometimes be necessary to open it either by caustic applications, or the lancet.

Warm fomentations, and emollient cataplasms made either with bread and milk, or oatmeal, renewed several times a day, are the usual poultices for an abscess. In large tumours, from which the discharge of matter has been considerable, and especially in those of the lower extremities, it will often be necessary to have recourse to such internal 