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.

    180/554 (page 168)
    pa lent much inconvenience or pain. There can be no doubt that a care- fully applied blister will often relieve pain and quiet cough in eithe of the above named affections; patients will frequently fall into a quiet sleep Large flying blisters over the chest favor the absorption of fluid In Hydrothorax ; they seem to stimulate the absorbents to action, aid m the removal of effused fluid and lessen the risk of the disease be coming chronic. Light flying blisters will usually relieve the troublesome intercostal pains which accompany Chronic Pleurisy In Pericarditis the application of a blister over the region of the heart is often followed by relief of pain and dyspnoea. In certain forms of Phthisis, especially the chronic form, in which fibroid degeneration of the lung IS to be dealt with, when the cough is paroxysmal, violent and distressing, counter-irritation over the seat of the disease will fre- quently markedly relieve the symptoms. As a rule, for this class of cases, painting the skin over the apex of the lung with iodine is a much better means of producing counter-irritation than the application of blis- ters. In weak persons the withdrawal of large quantities of serum is not free from danger. In Neuralgia a blister over the course of the affected nerve is of service, especially in some forms of Sciatica. Cantharis is superior to mustard, croton oil, iodine, etc., as a means of producing counter-irrita- tion in this condition. Some forms of Facial Neuralgia may be relieved by a small blister applied behind the ear, near the point at which the nerve makes its exit fr6m the stylo-mastoid foramen. A few flying blisters, each as large as a silver dollar, will often relieve the obscure neuralgic pain in the region of the ovaries, which is so common in nervous, hysterical women. Diseases of the Brain and Spinal Cord of an inflammatory charac- ter (e. g., meningitis), when in the subacute or chronic stage, are often benefited by the application of blisters to the nape of the neck, or along the course of the cord, a little to one side of the spinous processes of the vertebras. In carefully selected cases of serous apoplexy a blister may be of service, but in the hemorrhagic variety it is of little or no value. In all cases their effect should be carefully watched. If the effect of vesication is desired in the region of the head or neck of a restless patient it is best produced by means of the cantharidal collodion, two or three coats being painted on, the desired size, with a camel's-hair brush. A blister applied to the epigastrium is occasionally useful in allaying Pain and Obstinate Vomiting due to disease of the stomach. In Syno- vitis, the application of blisters is often restored to. The blisters should never be large, and should not be permitted to remain on long enough to produce ulceration. More advantage can be derived from small, fre- quently applied, light blisters, than from larger or more profound ones.