222 BUKNS AND SCALDS. 



if the epidermis be intact, and the part must then be en- 

 veloped in finely carded cotton wool, which should be kept 

 on four or five days, and if the wool adheres, poul- 

 tices should be applied to favour its separation, or simple 

 water-dressing may serve. It has been recommended to use 

 stimulants, both internally and externally. Mild aperients 

 and salines are usually very beneficial. 



Caustics may produce effects analogous to those resulting 

 from hot applications. We must check their ravages by dilu- 

 tion with water in most instances, and by chemical decomposi- 

 tion in others. Thus, if nitric acid is the active agent, it may 

 be washed off; if sulphuric acid, the addition of water would 

 increase its effects, so that lime or carbonate of soda should 

 be immediately sprinkled over the surface; if potassa fusa 

 or quicklime be the active agents, their action may speedily 

 be checked by the use of dilute acetic acid; insoluble and 

 harmless acetates are formed. 



FROSTBITE. GELATIO. 



In the human subject the effects of cold on the skin are 

 well illustrated by the ordinary chilblain. In the lower 

 animals, cases are recorded of a similar inflammation attack- 

 ing the skins of the extremities, and sometimes, in very cold 

 regions, of sloughing of the skin occurring to a considerable 

 extent. The best application in cases of frostbite is a 

 stimulating ointment, such as the ordinary turpentine dress- 

 ing. 



DISEASES ARISING FKOM SPECIAL INTERNAL CAUSES. 



In man the maladies included under this head are remark- 

 able for their chronic character and obstinate resistance to 

 treatment ; the internal cause they are ascribed to is obscure, 



