Locally, stimulating applications are the proper remedies; and the
strength and nature of these must depend upon the natural or acquired
delicacy of the part.
When the skin, or cellular substance, is affected with the inflammatio
assuefacta, spirit of wine by itself, or with the addition of a little
camphor, is a very useful application.
When the skin is not directly affected, but only the parts immediately
below it, as, for instance, the muscles in chronic rheumatism, or the
articulating surfaces of joints, we may sometimes, by applying cloths
dipped in laudanum, or strong diffusion of opium, propagate, from the
surface to a certain distance, the narcotic action, and alleviate
the disease; but, most frequently, we are obliged to trust entirely
to the effect of the sympathy of equilibrium, diminishing the action
of the internal parts, without any considerable change of nature, by
increasing that of the surface. Blisters and rubefacients, such as
volatile linamentol. terebrinth. cum camphora, &c. are the remedies
for this purpose.
The inflammatio assuefacta, when it affects delicate parts, covered
only with a thin skin, such as the throat, forming one of the most
frequent species of cynanche, is cured by gargling with port wine,
infusion of capsicum, and similar remedies.
When it affects the eyes, the use of stimulating and opiated
preparations have been long in use. The following is one of the best:
R. Vini Albi uncias duas.
Opii drachmam.
Pulv. Gall. scrupulum. Macera per dies tres dein cola.
A drop or two of this may be let fall into the eye three times a day.
Electricity is recommended in the cure of this kind of inflammation;
but this, as well as heat, are doubtful remedies; for both seem to
increase actions without changing them, except in so far as the change
depends upon an increased degree. Cold, on the other hand, lessens the
power of recovery, if carried to any great degree; but, when slight, it
assists the operation of other remedies, by lessening the performance
of the existing action, which is morbid. All applications, therefore,
ought in general to be a little below the temperature of the part.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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