cauterization

Cauterization (or cauterisation, or cautery) is a medical practice or technique of burning a part of a body to remove or close off a part of it. It destroys some tissue in an attempt to mitigate bleeding and damage, remove an undesired growth, or minimize other potential medical harm, such as infections when antibiotics are unavailable.

The practice was once a widespread wound treatment. Its utility before the advent of antibiotics was said to be effective at more than one level: To prevent exsanguination To close amputations