Powders, such as flour, chalk, and camphor, &c., have been applied
to the erysipelatous surface, but are of little use, and, by their
irritation, frequently prove injurious on the bursting of the vesicles.
They are applied, according to some, with the view of cooling the
surface, and after all the part may be seen enveloped in folds of
flannel. Cold application, such as the spirituous and evaporating
lotions, containing vinegar and spirits, liquor acet. ammoniæ,
Goulard’s extract, &c., may, in many cases, afford temporary relief,
but their use is fraught with the utmost danger; for their direct
tendency is to produce metastasis, and if that be to an internal
organ of importance, the result is too generally fatal. Or if the
erysipelas, on leaving the part originally affected, attack another
also superficial, the local treatment has to be commenced anew. If
these lotions are to be employed at all in this disease, they must be
made tepid.
In case of the translation of erysipelas to any important part,
blisters may be applied to the surface which it has left, or to any
other in the neighbourhood, with the view of recalling the disease to
its original and less dangerous situation:[8] the actual cautery has
even been recommended. In the great majority of cases, however, such
means are unavailing.
In Hospital Erysipelas, purging cannot be carried to any great extent
with safety, and general bleeding is seldom if ever admissible unless
the patients previously robust and in good health, in whom the disease
has occurred in consequence of their being conveyed to a distance and
during hot weather, after an accident or wound, and in whom the fever
is of a violent inflammatory nature. In civil hospitals, the patients
are generally in a weak state before the accession of this disease; and
in their case, after the stomach and bowels are regulated, stimulants
are more requisite. Great attention must be paid to cleanliness, the
sores must be frequently dressed, and the same sponges must not be
used for different individuals: in order to prevent contamination by
the promiscuous use of sponges, it is better to clean the parts around
sores with lint or tow, and to destroy immediately such dressings as
have been used. The apartments must be well ventilated, and those who
are affected with the disease should be separated from the rest of the
patients. The local applications will vary according to the particular
circumstances of each case. Strong escharotics may be required to clean
the surface of the sores, and put a stop to the sloughing. The nitric
acid will answer the purpose well, and is less objectionable than some
remedies that have been used; such as the arsenical solution, or the
red hot iron.
OF FURUNCULUS AND ANTHRAX.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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