42 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



LINIMENTS AND EMBROCATIONS 



These are prescribed for application to certain parts with different 

 degrees of friction — according to their strength, and the purpose for 

 which they are employed. There are few medicaments more often mis- 

 applied by the amateur than popular embrocations, which unscrupulous 

 advertisers recommend with equal confidence for a broken knee or an 

 inflamed tendon. When used, the friction to be applied over the surface 

 to be healed should be equally distributed, and not applied vigorously at 

 one part and lightly at another. 



LOTIONS 



Under this term is included almost any outward application that is not 

 used with friction. The methods of application differ according to the 

 purpose to be served. An eye lotion may have to be simply dropped on 

 the affected part, a wound lotion to be applied on lint, an evaporating 

 lotion may be most useful when freely and repeatedly applied to the surface 

 either by simple irrigation or by means of a bandage. The full effect of an 

 anodyne bandage is best obtained under oiled silk, and the value of 

 remedies prescribed in this form very largely depends upon the intelligent 

 use of them by the nurse. 



OINTMENTS 



There are many agents of value in medical treatment which by their 

 nature are unsuitable for application except in the form of unguents. 

 These, however, are much less in vogue now than was formerly the case, 

 and the bases used by the advanced pharmacist are no longer the same; 

 lard and goose-grease have given place to vaseline and lanoline, which do 

 not become rancid. 



Whenever an ointment is prescribed, except for application to a 

 wounded surface, it is generally understood to require gentle but con- 

 tinuous inunction for several minutes. 



PLASTERS OR CHARGES 



Mustard plasters or poultices have been already spoken of under the 

 heading of poultices. Plasters or charges are either simple or medicated. 

 The former are used to afford supjDort to an injured or weakened part. 



