Continon Ailments, 141 



tissues, work serious harm. Often greater 

 constitutional vigor comes with maturity. 



When an abscess, one not the result of a 

 wound, appears, it may be cured in its first 

 stages by painting it lightly with tincture 

 of iodine, two or three times, at intervals of 

 three or four hours. If it does not yield to 

 this treatment readily, it should be poul- 

 ticed with flaxseed meal mixed with warm 

 water, and applied to it, renewing the poul- 

 tice when it becomes nearly dry. Continue 

 this treatment until you can readily detect 

 a soft spot, which may be discovered by 

 slight pressure of the finger, usually at or 

 near the most prominent part of the swell- 

 ing. When this place is considerably softer 

 than the surrounding parts, it should be 

 opened with a sharp knife, using great cau- 

 tion that you do not cut too deep. Do not 

 be afraid of making the opening too large, 

 as it is important that the fluid formed 

 should all be expelled. Do not, in any 

 case, squeeze or press the swelling in order 



