LINING MEMBRANE. 45 



of opium in a small quantity of warm mucilage 

 may be injected, and detained for the purpose of 

 absorption. In chronic inflammation, when 'the 

 membrane has become altered in character, or 

 when the patient is debilitated, it will be requisite 

 to improve the general health by country air, sea- 

 bathing, generous diet, quinine, the salts of iron 

 or iodine, cod-liver oil, &c. Bearing in mind that 

 acrid discharges may be retained in partictdar 

 compartments of the antrum, or adhere to the 

 membrane, it is important that the cavity should 

 be carefully washed with warm water in eveiij 

 instance prior to the application of an injection. 

 The instrument used for this purpose should be 

 bent and perforated in such a manner as to insure 

 the effectual transmission of its contents to every 

 part of the cavity. A variety of stimulating or 

 astringent injections will be necessary in the treat- 

 ment of. chronic inflammation, and the amount of 

 benefit derived from their use will greatly depend 

 upon the skill with which they are varied and 

 applied. It will be found that parts covered by 

 mucous membrane often become accustomed to 

 any particular remedy, and after a time fail to be 

 affected by its use. This is especially the case 

 with the lining membrane of the antrum, and it is 

 advisable to change the injection, or to increase 

 its strength, directly the discharge ceases to im- 

 prove. In very chronic forms of the disease, the 

 patient should be directed to lie down, and to 



