120 COMMON DISEASES. 



The method is simple. One-half ounce of powdered arsen- 

 ious acid is added to two drams of caustic potash, one-half ounce 

 of powdered gum arabic and one ounce of distilled water. This 

 makes a thick syrupy mass. The mixture is kept in a wide- 

 mouthed bottle and labeled "Poison." Take a small stick of hard 

 wood and sharpen it to a point somewhat resembling the dulled 

 blade of a dagger, the tapering end bein^ made as smooth as 

 possible. An incision is made into the abscess pocket, or into- 

 the interior of the tumor, as the case may be. Then by means of 

 this piece of wood shove in small masses of absorbent cotton,, 

 carrying as much as possible of the arsenic paste. These wads 

 of cotton are placed quite deep in the substance of the tumor. 



FIG. 47. ACTINOMYCOSIS. (M. H. R.) 

 A badly diseased upper jaw. 



If the stick is smooth enough it will usually draw out and leave 

 the cotton, if not, the cotton can be shoved off the end by the 

 use of another small stick. From two to six of these pieces of 

 cotton arc inserted into the cavity. \Vithin a few days the tumor 

 swells considerably. Later on a large surface seems to become 

 insensitive, the tissues having been destroyed by the arsenic. 

 Finally 'this dead mass separates and sloughs out. 



The time required for the complete removal in this way va- 

 ries from six to ten weeks, but this operation has the advantage 

 of re(|uiriiig but one treatment. This method is of course ap- 

 plicable in cases where only soft tissues are diseased. The writer 

 has tried this method with satisfactory results, the only objection 



