Volume 1

The standard physician : a new and practical encyclopaedia of medicine and hygiene especially prepared for the household / edited by Sir James Crichton-Browne [and others].

Date:: 1908-1909

Credit: The standard physician : a new and practical encyclopaedia of medicine and hygiene especially prepared for the household / edited by Sir James Crichton-Browne [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

395/430 (page 361)

$camphor, is sold as a cure-all plaister by many druggists and quacks ; it is no more harmful than ordinary sticking-plaister, hut it is not any more efficacious either, and surely not in any internal disease. Blisienng-Plaistcrs redden and inflame the skin. If they are left in place for any length of time, they cause the formation of blisters ; sometimes even of ulcers. Irritation and reddening should be the only result sought for, as a rule. It is advisable to remove them as soon as pain becomes noticeable. To allay the discomfort, cold compresses should be employed. Miistard-PoiiUice is made by mixing one to three tablespoonfuls of mustard powder and an equal quantity of flour with sufficient lukewarm (not hot) water to make a thick pulp. This is wrapped into old, fine linen, and placed upon the skin. For small children two or three times as much flour or linseed meal may be admixed. The mustard-poultice should remain in place for about five to ten minutes. ^\dlen a mustard-jioiiltice is ]ilaced iqion the soles of the feet, upon the calves of the legs, or upon the neck of unconscious persons, great care must be taken that it should not remain too long. Mustard-Paper is unsized paper, one side of which is pasted with mustard powder. The paper surface is immersed in lukewarm water, and imme- diately put in place. Dry mustard powder enclosed in mull may also be placed upon the skin ; the fresh or soaked dry bark of mezereon or freshly grated horseradish may likewise be employed as blistering-plaisters. Salves : These are medicinal mixtures of slightly greater consistency than lard. Simple salves which may be used to allay pains when the skin is not injured are : boric acid ointment, cold-cream, rose ointment, glycerine ointment, spermaceti ointment, and salves of lead, zinc, and paraffin. Vaseline, lanoline, and ointments of boric acid, lead, or zinc, spread u])on linen, may also be used to cover wounds. Of ointments which irritate the skin to a slightly greater extent, and which possess a markedly aromatic odour, may be mentioned rosemary, juniper, and turpentine salves. Blue ointment, as well as the ointments usually applied for lice, the itch, etc., should be used only according to a physician’s directions, as with insufficient care they may give rise to extensive inflammations of the skin, and even to general poisoning. Rubbing too briskly may also injure the skin. The rubbing should be done with the palm of the hand in circular movements and with slight pressure. Sudorifics : These are medicines or other agents that produce sweating. Perspiration is often very beneficial in slight affections due to cold, such as nasal catarrh, violent pains in the limbs, or lumbago ; but it must not be exaggerated and continued for several nights. To produce perspiiation it is often sufficient, in those who are not accustomed to it, to cover them with, a feather bed. The effect is assisted by the drinking of various hot drinks, such as hot lemonade, weak tea with lemon-juice, or infusions of$