I]S'rLAMMATIO>'.] 



THE HOESE, AjSTD 



[iNFLAWMATIO'. 



Many objections have been raised against 

 the lead lotion, from its poisonous quality, but, 

 iu inflamed parts, there is an impediment to 

 absorption, and this circumstance may tend to 

 render the employment of lead a matter of 

 safety. 



Sugar of lend, with vinegar and water, as 

 follows, is the best method of applying it. 



Sugar of Lead .... 4 drachms. 



Dissolve in Vinegar . . . 4 oz. 



Then add Water .... 2 lbs. (1 quart). 



When not inclined to employ a solution of 

 lead, try the sulpliate of zinc. For this pur- 

 pose, four drachms of this metallic salt is to be 

 dissolved in a quart of water. Take a piece of 

 linen, well wetted with the lotion, and apply 

 it to the inflamed part. 



Many persons ascribe very little real eflBcacy 

 either to the acetate of lead, or sulphate of 

 zinc, contained in the above applications ; and 

 they attribute all the good that is produced, 

 entirely to the evaporation kept up from the 

 surface of the inflamed part, and to the cold- 

 ness of the fluid in which the metallic salts 

 are dissolved. Those who entertain these sen- 

 timents, think the application of cold water 

 alone, quite as eflicacious as that of any medi- 

 sated lotion whatever. 



There are particular cases of inflammation 

 m which the extravasation of blood and lymph 

 into the interstices of the inflamed part is ex- 

 ceedingly copious, while the swelling is con- 

 siderable, and the pain not particularly great. 

 In such instances, it is a grand object to rouse 

 the absorbents, in order to remove the extra- 

 vasated fluid ; and with this view, a more 

 powerful discutient lotion than the Saturnine 

 one should be employed bometimes it is 

 better to use embrocations and liniments, than 

 any sort of lotion ; and we have found it to 

 succeed in general the beat ; and for this pur- 

 pose recommend 



Oil of Turpentine , , , . 3 oz. 



Olive Oil 3 do. 



Mix, and apply to the part. 

 Or, take 

 Mustard Oil : 4 oz. 



Apply this alone, and it will be found very 

 eflicacious, especially if the disease is iu the 

 joints. 



When the part afiected is not very tender, 

 or when it lies deep, applications of hot vinegar, 

 2G0 



or the Saturnine lotion, have been applied, 

 but with little or no good effect. Alcohol and 

 ether have acquired some celebrity as local 

 remedies for inflammation. Perhaps one great 

 reason why they are not more extensively 

 used in this way, is the expense attending 

 such treatment, as these fluids evaporate with 

 great rapidity. Alcohol may possibly prove 

 useful from its astringent qualities ; but it 

 seems much more rational to ascribe its virtue, 

 as well as that of ether, to the powerful man- 

 ner in which the evaporation of such fluids de- 

 prives the inflamed part of its heat. 



WARM APPLICATIONS, EMOLLIENT POUL- 

 TICES, AND FOMENTATIONS. 



The absurdity of attempting to reconcile 

 every useful practice with a philosophical 

 theory, is, in no instance, more strikingly ex- 

 emplified than iu the opposite descriptions of 

 local applications which are deemed of service 

 in inflammation. The generality of cases un- 

 doubtedly receive most relief from the use of 

 cold sedative astringent lotions ; but there are 

 constitutions and parts which derive most 

 benefit from the local employment of warm 

 emollient remedies. 



Inflammations of the foot, broken knee, and 

 strain of the back sinews, may be specified as 

 examples in which, generally speaking, warm 

 emollient applications are better than those 

 which are cold and astringent. In all cases 

 of inflammation, however, which manifestly 

 cannot be cured without suppuration, the 

 emollient plan of treatment ought to be- at 

 once adopted, as in either fistulous withers or 

 poll-evil ; for the sooner the matter is formed, 

 the sooner the inflammation is stopped. The 

 inflammation attending gun-shot wounds, is 

 of this description ; also, injuries received from 

 the goring of cattle in the field, &c. 



Warmth and moisture together, or, in other 

 words, fomentations, are commonly had re- 

 course to, in cases of inflammation ; but when 

 the warmth is as much as the sensitive princi- 

 ple can bear, it excites action. In many 

 cases warmth does no good, and therefore it 

 might be supposed to increase the action of 

 dilatation, and do harm ; but if the pain should 

 arise from the contraction of the inflamed 

 vessels, benefit would be the result, tnough we 

 must doubt whether this change is produced, 



