ACCESSORY MEANS.– Hot fomentations to relieve pain. If inflammatory action persist, the finger becoming hard, and there be no signs of early suppuration, a free incision should be made to relieve tension and prevent sloughing, and, possibly, disease of the bone. In opening Thecal Abscesses the incision should be made strictly in the middle line to avoid the digital arteries which run along the sides of the fingers. The opening should be also made between, but not over, the joints.
ONYCHIA is Inflammation of the nail-matrix ( the substance from which the nails grow); it may be induced by similar causes to these of Whitlow, and especially by an in-growing nail, or cutting the nail down to the quick.
IN-GROWING OF THE NAIL may be remedied by softening it in warm water, then paring it thin on the upper surface, and cutting it down as far as may be at the middle part of the extremity, avoiding cutting the parts which tend to grow in. By these means the growth is diverted from the sides; since a nail will grow most where it is cut most. Painting daily with a solution of Ferr-Perchlor, is also of great service. A small surgical operation may be necessary.
215.–Corn (Clavus).
DEFINITION.– A hard bony mass of the superficial layer of the skin (epidermis) with a deep growing conical centre, which pressed on the tender parts of the sensitive layer of the skin. A corn may be hard, dry, and scaly, or, if situated in places where the secretions of the skin are confined, soft and spongy. When inflammation or suppuration takes place underneath a Corn, the Corn becomes excessively painful.
CALLOSITY is a hard, thickened condition of the skin covering a larger extent than a Corn, and may sometimes be seen on the front of both shins.
CAUSES.– Pressure from ill-fitting boots or shoes.
TREATMENT.– As soon as the Corn appears, the surroundings skin should be softened by a warm foot-bath, the hard head of the Corn gently extracted with some convenient instrument, and the thickened skin pared off, wounding the adjacent parts as little as possible. The Corn should then be dressed nightly with a mixture of Arnica O twenty drops, Glycerine one ounce, water one ounce.
The most essential part of the treatment is to relieve pressure from the corn by applying a plaster with hole punched out to receive the corn and so protect it from pressure. This treatment is continued till the corn is cured.
If internal treatment be necessary, Calcarea and Sulphur are generally suitable medicines. Calcarea may be administered every morning and night for a week or ten days; then, after waiting a day or two, Sulphur, in the same manner. Afterwards, if necessary, the course may be repeated. See also Verat-Vir.
SOFT CORNS are best treated by carefully cutting off the thickened skin with sharpened scissors, then applying a drop or two of diluted tincture of Arnica, or rubbing in the above mixture of Arnica, Glycerine and water, and always wearing a layer of cotton wool between the toes, changing the wool daily.
ACCESSORY MEANS.– Corns can only be permanently cured by wearing properly fitting boots, which should be straight along the inner border of the foot, often washing the feet, and frequent change of stockings.
216.–Enlarged Bursa–Housemaid’s Knee–Miner’s Elbow.
DEFINITION.– Inflammation of a bursa, with increased accumulation of synovial fluid. The bursae most commonly involved are those over the metatarsal joint of the great toe, called “Bunion”;in front of knee-cap, called “Housemaid’s Knee”; and of the elbow, called “Miner’s Elbow.”
CAUSES.– Constant irritation from kneeling or reclining on hard damp stones, pressure, blows, excessive use, and oblique traction of the skin in moving from side to side –i.e., friction, with probably some toxic agent.
SYMPTOMS.– Swelling and tenderness. In acute cases the pain is very severe, and there is much effusion, swelling, and fever; even suppuration may result. In chronic cases, a permanent swelling, from the size of a small egg to that of a large orange, gradually forms, The swelling is at first soft, but if neglected, the sac may thicken, be interspersed with fibrinous bands, and the bursa gradually pass into the form of a solid fibrous tumour.
REMEDIES.– Ruta graveolens as lotion, liniment (I:12), and internally is the remedy par excellence.
Apis.– In general.
Arnica.– Cases arising from friction or bruises.
Aconitum.– Much febrile disturbance.
Belladonna.– Considerable heat, redness and selling with lancinating pains.
Rhus.– Pain worse when sitting, and when warm in bed.
Ledum.– Pain, etc. with chilliness.
Iodium.– Chronic Bursitis in patients subject to glandular enlargements.
Kali Hydroid.– With rheumatic complications. Graphites(chronic cases with redness); Agaricus (itching); Hepar sulph. or Sil( tendency to suppuration): Bryonia (shooting pains).
A lotion of Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia, Ledum, Rhus., Iodium, Agaricus, or Arnica, should be used when the same remedy is being administered internally.
SURGICAL TREATMENT.– Operation is seldom necessary in homoeopathic practice. When it is called for the best plan is to have the bursa excised.
217.–Bunion (Bunion).
DEFINITION.– An enlargement of the bursa over the metatarsal joint of the great toe, with more or less deformity of the joint. This deformity takes the form of deviation of the great toe towards the middle line of the foot (hallux valgus); it develops slowly and is attributed to the wearing of improperly shaped boots. The boot which favours the occurrence of hallux valgus is one which displaces the great toe outwards from the line of the inner border of the foot. It is a common affection in civilized communities.
CAUSE.– The pressure of ill-shaped boots or shoes, throwing the great toe over or under the contiguous toes; in this way a sharp angle is made on the inner side of the joint of the great toe, on which the Bunion is formed.
SYMPTOMS.– Pain, redness, and swelling of the part, which soon subside on removal of the cause. Should, however, undue pressure be continued, the symptoms increase until pressure becomes unendurable. After this, on discontinuing the offending boot or shoe, the pain subsides; nevertheless a permanent Bunion has been formed, and inflammatory symptoms are at any time available to recur from irritation.
TREATMENT.– The direction of the toe must be changed by wearing properly-shaped boots, made with the inner side of the sole straight from the toe to the heel. If irritation be accidentally excited in the part, a warm footbath should be used, and afterwards a lotion (twenty drops of Arnica O to two tablespoonfuls of water continuously applied for two or three days, or one of Ruta may be substituted; at the same time, Hepar- S. may be given every four hours.
The treatment of bunion varies with the severity of the deformity. In mild cases a great deal can be done by wearing properly-shaped boots, with toe-prop to keep the great toe straight. At night the attitude of the toe may be corrected by a properly-applied splint. In aggravated cases only an operation can correct the deformity.
Verbascum-Vir., painted on Bunions, generally gives rapid and perfect relief. There is no agent comparable to Verbascum-Vir. for Bunions of inflamed corns (Dr. J.G. Wilkinson).
PREVENTION.– If the Arnica or Verbascum-Vir, lotion be used immediately the first inflammatory symptoms arise, and all undue pressure be at once discontinued, the formation of a Bunion may be altogether prevented.
218.– Naevus (Naevus)–Port-wine-Stain– Mother’s Mark; and Naevus Pilaris–Mole.
DEFINITION.– A Naevus is a tumour consisting of bloodvessels, and frequently takes the form of slight flat elevations of a bright red or purplish color, occupying an extent of surface varying from the size of a pin’s head to many inches.
Naevus pilaris is a Naevus covered by hair of variable length, and, like ordinary Naevus, is liable to occur in any part of the body.
Naevi are usually congenital; they are popularly called “Mother’s marks” from the assumption that they are produced on the child before birth through some fear or fancy of the mother; and are variously named according to their apparent resemblances.– “cherry-,” “strawberry-,” or “mulberry-stain,” etc. and if the Naevus be hairy, it is called a “mouse-mark,” etc.
In many cases no inconvenience results except the deformity; but occasionally, more especially when the growth is at all prominent, there is a great disposition to unwealthy ulceration. When bleeding occurs, it is usually in a trickling stream, and without any degree of force. Naevi often die away without interference.
TREATMENT.– When treatment is desirable, the internal and external use of Thuja, as recommended for Warts, is sometimes successful.
When surgical treatment is called for, the best results are got from the application of carbon dioxide snow.
219.– Sebaceous Cyst–Wen.
DEFINITION.– A swelling under the skin, composed of fatty matter enclosed in a sac. It results from obstruction of the duct of a sebaceous gland.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."