ABSCESS. 



19 



gerant ; at the same time both body and mind should be at rest, and 

 there should be a good supply of fresh air. 



Local Remedies.— Coxn\>\QXe rest of the inflamed part. Elevated 

 position, so as to favour the return of blood. Cold applications^ 

 ice-water, solution of sugar of lead, and muriate of ammonia — 

 especially in the early stages ; for in high inflammations warmth 

 a?id 7}ioisture are very grateful to some persons — relaxing tension, 

 and assuaging pain. ^Nitrate of silver has great antiphlogistic 

 powers, as well as caustic properties, especially when applied to the 

 skin and mucous membranes. Iodine also exerts a somewhat similar 

 influence. 



Counter 'irritation. — By means of dry cupping, blisters, setons, 

 issues, caustic, and actual cautery. , 



ABSCESS. 



An abscess is a collection of pus in a part or cavity, and may be 

 either acute or chronic. 



Acute Abscess.~ls frequently called phlegmon, when occurring in 

 the subcutaneous cellular tissue. Commencing with all the symp- 

 toms of inflammation, — fever, pain, redness, and swelling. The 

 centre is firm, with CBdema surrounding it. The formation of pus 

 is indicated by rigors, an abatement of the fever, and a feeling of 

 weight, tension, and throbbing. The centre softens, which is termed 

 pointing, ax\d, fluctuation can be felt. There is a natural tendency 

 to the discharge of pus, which is more apt to be towards the skin. 

 It is less apt to open into serous than into mucous membranes. The 

 matter having been discharged, the pyogenic membrane lining the 

 cavity becomes covered with numerous small, red, vascular emi- 

 nences, called granulations. They are formed by the organization 

 of lymph. 



The cavity contracts and fills up with granulations. A white 

 pellicle extends from the circumference, gradually covers the whole 

 surface, and becomes organized into a new cutis and cuticle, called 

 a cicatrix. At first the cicatrix is thin, red, and less vascular ; it 

 afterwards contracts and becomes paler. 



The causes of abscess are mostly idiopathic ; it occurs frequently 

 after fevers ; it may, however, be caused by blows, foreign 

 bodies, &c. 



Treatment. — The indications are, in the first stage to produce 

 resolution, and prevent the formation of matter. After it has formed, 

 the indications are to cause its evacuation, and induce granulation 

 and cicatrization. There should be cold applications, and leeches 

 applied to the part, purging, and low ciiet. When matter is formed, 

 the applications should be warm fomentations and poultices. Poul- 

 tices may be made of bread, Indian meal, or ground flaxseed soft- 

 ened with water; they should be large and light, and renewed 



