190 DR. CEASE'S RECIPES 



Treatment. — "WTien the abscess is completely formed, and there is no 

 longer any doubt of the presence of matter, it should be opened at once. To 

 let out the confined pus alleviates the pain and lessens the inflammation. If 

 the matter lie close to the bone, the opening should be made without delay. 

 The opening should be large enough to let the matter out freely. It is a rule 

 to keep the incision open till the cavity of the abscess is so far filled up that 

 another collection of pus is not likely to occur. 



If the matter do not readily get to the surface through the opening, it 

 may burrow itself in the flesh, in a long narrow channel called a sinus. To 

 relieve this the opening must be extended in such a way as to give vent to the 

 new collection. 



An abscess is sometimes indisposed to heal at the bottom, and pus continues 

 to be formed a long time, and is discharged through an opening smaller than 

 the sack which contains it. This is a fistula; and the opening to it should be 

 enlarged bo as to let out the matter more freely. A little soft lint may then be 

 gently pressed into the wound to prevent its healing before the cavity below. 



An abscess from acute inflammation requires to be poulticed for a time 

 after it has been opened. When the swelling and inflanunation are gone, the 

 poultices are to be laid aside, and a bandage put on. When the inflammation 

 is gone, let the diet be improved; and if the discharge of matter be large, give 

 wine and tonics. 



ATBOPHY, OB SHRINKING OP THE HEART— The heart, 

 like any other organ, is liable to defective nutrition, and in consequence of it, 

 may become small; it shrinks in some cases to the size of an infant's heart. 



The complaint is generally caused by whatever reduces the general flesh, as 

 in consumption, diabetes, chronic dysentery, cancer, and excessive loss of 

 blood. 



It can hardly be called a disease. Persons who have it are less subject to 

 inflammatory diseases than others, though they faint from slight causes, and 

 have nervous affections. 



Treatment. — If its causes can be discovered, treat them; if not, the treat- 

 ment should be the same as for dilatation. 



DELIRnJM TREMENS. — This is often mistaken for brain fever; 

 but it is quite a different disease. It is not the result of inflammation of the 

 brain, but of irritation. It is important to distinguish it from inflammation, 

 because the remedies which are employed for that would be injurious if used 

 for this. 



Treatment. — Opium and its preparations are the sovereign remedies. 

 Give %" of a grain of morphia; if this does not quiet the patient, give 30 drops 

 of laudanum every two hours, till sleep is produced. Sleep will cure him, 

 and nothing else will. A draught or two of his accustomed drink, brandy, 

 gin, or whatever it may be, will also generally dispose him to sleep. 



Recently, a very effectual remedy has been found in the use of tepid baths, 

 prolonged from four to ten hours, in connection with cold applications to the 

 bead. In connection with this, small doses of opium are required ; but the 



