Symptoms.--There is a feeling of general sickness, chilliness and some fever. The skin over the sore part is hot and painful. The several dead parts may run together until the entire mass separates in a slough. In favorable cases it proceeds to heal kindly, but in severe cases it may spread to the surrounding tissues and end fatally, sometimes by the absorption of putrid materials, or by the resulting weakness. It runs usually from two to five weeks. Causes.--It comes in middle or advanced life, usually oftener in men than in women. It occurs frequently in patients suffering from diabetes, in whom it is usually fatal. MOTHERS' REMEDIES. Carbuncles, Poppy Leaves to Draw and Ripen.--"A poultice of poppy leaves is very efficacious to draw or ripen a carbuncle." A poultice made from these leaves is very quieting and soothing, and at the same time will cause the carbuncle to ripen. 2. Carbuncle, Slippery Elm and Sassafras Root for.--"Sassafras root and slippery elm bark boiled together and the decoction thickened with cornmeal." This should be changed as often as it becomes cool. 3. Carbuncle, Sheep Sorrel Poultice for.--"Gather a bunch of sheep sorrel leaves, wrap them in a cabbage leaf and roast in the oven. Apply to the carbuncle, and it will soon ripen and break." 4. Carbuncle, Bread and Milk Poultice for.--"Keep warm bread and milk poultice on until the core comes out, then put on salve or vaselin and keep covered until all healed." 5. Carbuncle, the Common Scabious for.--"Take scabious, the green herb and bruise it. Apply this to the affected part. This has been found a very effectual remedy." The common field scabious have many hairy, soft, whitish green leaves, some of which are very small and rough on the edges, others have hairy green leaves deeply and finely divided and branched a little. Flowers size of small walnut and composed of many little ones. Sometimes called "Morning Bride," "Devil's Bit," etc. 6. Carbuncle, Snap Bean Poultice for.--"Apply snap bean leaves beat up fine. Bruise the leaves until they are real fine, then apply as a poultice." PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Carbuncles.--Keep up the strength by a nourishing diet and in some cases, stimulants. [SKIN DISEASES 61]