A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    157/554 (page 145)
    BOUGINARIA. Phlegmonous Tonsillitis. The large superficial tortuous veins which lie at the base of the tongue in old people are opened with benefit in Chronic Pharyngitis. Intra laryngeal scarification is occasionally employed in Acute Laryn- gitis of high grade, accompanied with products of infiltration. The incisions for the relief of CEdema of the Glottis incidentally relieve by the moderate loss of blood which follows upon the incision. Diseases of the Eye.—General bleeding is not often called for in the treatment of diseases of the eye, but the local abstraction of blood is useful in many cases. It is accomplished by means of leeching or by the use of the artificial leech of Heurteloup. From two to four leeches may be applied to the temple; not too near the eye and never on the lids, as they produce oedema and ecchymosis of the delicate and loosely attached skin, and the bites sometimes excite excessive irritation. The artificial leech is really a cupping instrument in which a long glass cylinder is substituted for the ordinary cup, and the air is exhausted by a piston worked with a screw. It draws blood much more rapidly than do leeches, and is considered more efficient than leeching, particularly when it is desired to affect the deeper circulation of the eye. The patient should be kept quiet in a darkened room for some time afterward. Fre- quent repetitions are often necessary. The effect of local bleeding is most marked in Iritis, but it is often useful in Acute Choroiditis and Retinitis. Repeated applications of the artificial leech are recom- mended by some surgeons in the treatment of the Choroiditis of Pro- gressive Myopia. In case of rapid increase of myopia with symptoms of irritation, one or two ounces of blood may be taken every three or six days for several weeks, the patient abstaining from all use of the eyes, and remaining in a darkened room or going about with smoked glasses. BOUGINARIA. Bougies. General Surgery.—Medicated bougies will be found of service in the treatment of certain inflammatory conditions of the mucous mem- branes, especially those of the genito-urinary tract, and of the rectum. They will often succeed when other methods fail. The object of the use of bougies is to keep the mucous surfaces apart, and at the same time to apply the selected medicament to advantage. For this purpose Charles L. Mitchell, Manufacturing Chemist of Philadelphia, has introduced to the drug trade various forms of medicated gelatine bougies. As a base gelatine is preferable to cocoa-butter, since it does not become rancid, and, owing to its animal nature, is more readily absorbed. Urethral bougies are manufactured for use in the treatment of Gonorrhcea, Gleet, etc., in two sizes, six and one-half inches and three inches. The diameter is