COMPRESS FOR THE THROAT-A piece of linen or flannel should be wrung out of cold water, and wrapped dint two or three thicknesses round the throat; this should be covered with oil-silk, and over all, two or three thickness of plannel to maintain the warmth. When this is applied, the patient should retire to bed, and he will generally have the satisfaction of finding his throat- difficulty much relieved by the morning.
CHEST-COMPRESSES-In Bronchitis and other inflammatory affections of the lungs or pleura, the use of wet compresses, after or before poultices, greatly aids the action of he medicines. Compresses adapted for the chest and other parts nay be obtained from most homoeopathic chemists.
Sores, ulcers, and tumours are often benefited by compresses in local forms of rheumatism, as lumbago; some inflammatory affections of the knees, ankles, and other joints; and in sprains and other injuries they hasten the cure.
The appearance of a rash or eruption of pimples after the continued use of the compress is regarded as favorable. If the rash be very troublesome, the compress may be discontinued and Glycerine and eau-de-Cologne in equal parts, smeared over the eruption.
SPINAL HOT-WATER AND ICE-BAGS-In many female derangements, Chapman’s spinal bags are of great utility when judiciously used. The ice-bag requires greater caution than the hot-water bag, especially during pregnancy, indeed medical opinion is increasingly adverse to its use.
29. Poultices.
(For this and the following section the author is mainly indebted to Ringer’s Therapeutics.)
Poultices or cataplasms are recommended on account of the warmth and moisture they convey, and are applied to the skin when it, or an underlying structure, is inflamed. They mitigate pain by relaxing tension and promotion. They mitigate pain by relaxing tension and promoting perspiration. Poultices may be made as follows-
LINSEED-MEAL POULTICES-Boiling water should be poured into a heated bowl, and into this the meal quickly sprinkled with one hand, while the mixture is constantly stirred with a knife or spatula with the other, till a thin, smooth dough is formed. If the wait be added to the meal, little knots are apt to collect. the dough should be quickly spread on warmed linen already cut to the required shape,. or put into a bad, and applied. Linseed-meal retains heat and moisture for a long time. but is liable to irritate delicate or inflamed skin. Instance of intolerance to linseed politics have been reported in which the more application has brought on almost fatal attacks of asthma.( See Homoeopathic World, vol. xx. p. 316 and vol.xxvii.p.513.)
BREAD POULTICES-Put slices of bread into a basin, pour over them boiling water, and place by the fire for a few minute, s when the water should be poured off, replaced by fresh boiling water, and this again poured and the bread pressed, beaten with a fork, and made into a poultice.
Bread poultices are valuable for their bland, non-irritating properties.
CHARCOAL POULTICES-Uniformly mix charcoal with bread poultice, and just before the application of the poultice sprinkle the surface with a layer of charcoal. Or charcoal may be sprinkled on a wound or ulcer, and a simple bread poultice applied over it. Charcoal poultices correct offensive smells from foul sores, and favour a healthier action.
CARROT POULTICES.-Boils carrots quite soft, mash them with a fork, and apply in the ordinary way. They are said to make wounds cleaner and healthier.
Poultices are chiefly useful in the following complaints- Pneumonia, Pleurisy, Bronchitis, Pericarditis, Peritonitis, Acute Rheumatism, Lumbago, and to mature and facilitate the discharge of matter an Abscesses, Boils, etc.
When used to mature Abscesses or disperse inflammation, poultices should extend beyond the limits of the inflamed tissue but after the discharge, the poultices should be very little larger than the opening through which the matter is escaping. At no time should they be continued long or be kept applied continuously. fomentation with hot Calendula lotion is generally preferable to poulticing for maturing an abscess. If continued too long, large poultices sodden, and irritate the parts, and may develop fresh boils around old ones.
In phenomena and all deep-seated inflammation, they should be renewed as soon as they become cool, and the former one not disturbed till the fresh one is ready to replace it.
Or else, after the removal of poultice, the apart should be rapidly dried with a hot towel and then covered with a sheet of hot cotton wool. Poulticing has often a better effect if it is alternate with dry applications in this way. In Bronchitis, and Pneumonia, a jacket-poultice, to go round the chest, with tapes to secure it in front and over each shoulder, is necessary to insure efficient and uniform action. Of recent inventions the preparation known as anti phlogistine has come largely into use as a substitute for poultices, and has considerable value. It can be obtained from any chemist with directions for it use.
To retain heat for a long time, poultices should be covered with oil-silk, or with a layer of cotton wool. One of these method is preferable to a very thick poultices which might cause in convenience or pain.
In acute Lumbago they must be applied thick, hot, large enough to cover the affected part, and be renewed immediately they become cool. After continuing this treatment for from one to three hours, the skin should be wiped dry and covered with flannel, and this again with oil-silk. Like the poultice, this last application promotes free secretion from the skin, to which the good result are mainly due.
30.-Fomentations.
Fomentations, by means of flannel wrung out of hot or boiling water, are employed for purposes similar to poultice, s but are lighter and less likely to increase the pain in sensitive parts. The hot flannel is placed in stout toweling, and twisted around till as much water as possible is squeezed out. If well wrung, it may be applied very hot without any danger of scalding the skin.
Fomentations with hot water are useful in relieving pain, arresting inflammation, and checking the formation of matter, a nd are often valuable adjuncts to poultices. Acne indurated and similar inflamed pimples can often be or reduced in size by them. Conjoined with poultices, they expedite the passage of matter to the surface, and favour its subsequent expulsion. In such cases the value of fomentations and poultices depends upon he heat and moisture; water for the fomentations should therefore be used hot, and fresh supplies of hot water added as it becomes cool. After well fomenting, poultices should be applied as hot as possible, and frequently renewed.
In inflammations, Spasms and pains affecting deep;y seated structures as in the chest or abdomen, great and quick relief often follows hot fomentations.
DRY FOMENTATIONS-When heat along is required, and it is desirable to avoid the relaxations of tissues which moisture would occasion, dry head substances-flannel, bran, chamomile flowers, salt, sand, etc.-are used., After thoroughly heating he substance, it should be placed in a bag made for he purpose, and which has also been previously heated. Sometimes as in Spasms and its accompanying pain, a think piece of flat tile, heated in an oven, and wrapped in arm flannel, may be employed. For mere evanescent heat, flannel strongly heated before the fire may suffice.
31.-Enemata-Injections.
An enema is a liquid injected into the large intestines, through the rectum, by means of a suitable instrument. Injections are used for various purposes, and consist of different substances, chiefly as follows-
I. To relieve the bowels-Injections act, not simply by washing away the accumulated faeces, but by distending the rectum and promoting peristaltic action more or less through the whole intestinal canal. For this purpose a large quantity-one or two pints, or even more-should be slowly injected. AFter the introduction of the fluid the patient should lie down and retain the injection for ten or fifteen minutes. So large a quantity of fluid could scarcely be introduced or retained, except by patients who have previously used injections. As a general rule, the best fluid for injection is rapid water to which a little salt should added. Warm injections relieve pain or irritation, either, the uterus, or even the kidneys. The ‘high injection (irrigation of the colon), requires an expert nurse but has a great value in long standing constipation, and some other conditions.
2. To restrain Diarrhoea-For this purpose smell injections only are necessary-one to two ounces; if copious enemata are used, the intestines are stimulated to contract and expel their contents. Starch water (tepid) is an excellent material for such a purpose; it should be made to the consistence of dream, and about two ounces used. In incurable cases, and when the Diarrhoea resists other means, a few drops of opium should be added to the starch. Starch injections are especially useful in acute, excessive, and dangerous Diarrhoea, of Enteric Fever, Dysentery, Phthisis, and the Choleratic Diarrhoea of children, but are seldom required when homoeopathic medication has been applied early.
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."