First principles of medicine / By Archibald Billing.

  • Billing, Archibald, 1791-1881
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: First principles of medicine / By Archibald Billing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    78/402 (page 44)
    to imitate by analogy. Independently of the re- gulation of temperature, the usual benefit derived from a POULTICE is that of preventing premature scabbing, by the soft moisture assisting the pus to protect the granulations. The German waTEr- DRESSING has much the advantage over a poul- tice: the piece of lint dipped in water is lighter than the poultice; the oiled silk over all retains the moisture; and the whole does not spoil the sound skin, as the poultice often does. If poul- tices be too long applied, proup FLEsH will form, either from a superfluous growth of healthy granu- lations, or of such as are weak and spongy. Hxu- berant unhealthy granulations may be checked by applying an ASTRINGENT, such as nitrate of silver, or sulphate of copper, &c., which, by constringing the vessels, gives a firmer, smaller granulation ; healthy redundant granulations, by vinegar, which dissolves them; or in either case merely laying on a piece of Dry LINT, to absorb the coagulable lymph as fast as thrown out, will restrain granulation. This accounts for dry lint preventing the healing of some ulcers, and assisting others, according as the granulations require repressing or not; and what has been here stated affords an explanation why in some cases dressings should be changed fre- quently, in others as seldom as possible. Baynton’s strapping unites the advantages of keeping the gra- nulations moist, with support ; but if injudiciously applied, injury is done by the pressure. Weakened vessels want support, but cannot bear pressure. I have above used the term premature scabbing, because the crust formed is sometimes of use; as,