FELON. (Whitlow).--An inflammation of the deeper structures and frequently it is under the covering of the bone, (periosteum). If under the latter it must be opened soon or the resulting pus will burrow and destroy bone, joints, etc. The pain is intense, and after the patient has passed one sleepless night walking the floor and holding his finger it should be opened. How? Place the hand with the fingers extended with the palm up (it is usually under the finger or in the palm of the hand) upon the table; stand by the side of the arm. Attract the patient to something else; have a curved two-edge knife ready and put the point, one-half inch, toward the palm, away from the felon part, press hard and the patient will jerk his hand and the cut will be made down to the bone, the membrane and tissues all opened freely, a vent given for the pus and in ten minutes very little pain. Dress as for an abscess. If opened this way, it need not be reopened. If in the Palm.--This needs a doctor, and must be opened with care. There are too many blood vessels to be careless there and one who understands it must do it. Open a true felon early before it has time to destroy the bone. SUPERFICIAL FELONS. Mothers' Remedies. 1. A Cure if Taken in Time.--"If taken in time a felon may be cured without lancing, but if poultice or liniment is used it is important that they should be bound on tightly as the mechanical compression is more essential than the application. A good remedy is finely pulverized salt, wet with spirits of turpentine bound tightly and left two or three days, wetting with the turpentine when dry without removing the cloth." 2. Felon, Treatment until time to Lance.--"If the felon has succeeded in getting a good start and pains considerably, it is well to paint it with iodine; in a few days it will become very painful, the pain being so intense that you cannot sleep. See a physician at once then, and have it lanced as the sac of pus on the bone must be opened. Then apply flaxseed poultices. Care should be taken not to have it lanced too early, as this is dangerous. 3. Felon, Strong Remedy for.--"Turpentine, yellow of egg and salt, equal parts, bind on." This is very strong and should only be allowed to remain on the finger a short time. 4. Felon, Lemon to draw inflammation from.--"Take a lemon, make a little hole, put finger in it and hold there a number of hours." Lemons have a great many healing qualities in them, and seem to be very good for felons. The acid in the lemon seems to help draw out the inflammation and serves as a poultice. 5. Felon, Hot Water Cure for.--"When you first feel it coming put the finger in a cup of hot water, just so it does not blister, keep adding more hot water as it cools for one hour. This has been tried several times and it has always stopped them." 6. Felon, Soap and Cornmeal Poultice for.--"Poultice with soft soap and cornmeal. This never fails if taken in time." [SKIN DISEASES 71]