CHILBLAINS. 



93 



a'nnoyance. Sir Benjamin Brodie, by Fiis 

 adnnirable observations on the nature and 

 ire of corns, published in the 17th vol- 



16 of the Medical Gazette, has shown 

 hat affections, vulo^arly reputed to be be- 

 leath the dignity of the medical profess- 

 ion, may afford a legitimate and ample 

 field for our interference and assistance. 

 In order to prevent the formation of chil- 

 blains, we must endeavour to protect the 

 skin from the operation of the usual exci- 

 ting cause of the disease, and, in addition 

 to cautioning the children to avoid expos- 

 ing their hands or feet to rapid transitions 

 from cold to heat, we should endeavour to 

 render the skin capable of bearing mode- 

 Tatc changes of temperature with impuni- 

 ty. This is best effected by washing the 

 hands several times a day, at first with te- 

 pid and afterwards with cold water, mix- 

 ed with a small portion of spirits or of eau 

 de Cologne. 



Some parents do much injury by mak- 

 ing their children wear flannel or Avoolen 

 gloves, even in the house. Stimulating 

 liquids, such as strong brine, have long 

 been deservedly popular as preventives of 

 chilblains, and were recommended by Di- 

 oscorides; but none of those usually cm- 

 ployed seem to me as efficacious as one 

 which I was the first to use; viz. a solution 

 of sulphate of copper in water, in the pro- 

 portion of ten grains to the ounce. This 

 must be diligently applied to aff^ected or 

 suspected parts of the skin with a camel's 

 hair pencil; and as soon as the moisture 

 dries off", the skin should be well smeared 

 over with spermaceti ointment. 



.The sulphate of copper lotion may be 



applied two or three evenings in success- 

 ion, until it has produced a manifest effect 

 on the skin; it must be then discontinued 

 for a few nights, again however to be re- 

 sumed as soon as the natural soft and ten- 

 der texture of the skin seems about to re- 

 turn. You must be careful to enjoin the 

 application of the spermaceti after each 

 use of the lotion. By this simple plan, 

 commenced early in winter, many chil- 

 dren, previously martyrs to chilblains, 

 have been completely protected. It is pro- 

 bable that the nitrate of silver would an- 

 swer equally well, did it not discolour the 

 skin in so unseemly a way. — Dr. Graves 

 on Chilblains. 



HUNTER ON CHILBLAINS. 



Chilblains are the common effects of 

 these causes, viz. the want of power in the 

 system to generate heat. Cold is a pow- 

 erful obstructor of the natural animal 

 powers, whilst at the same lime it is ex- 

 citing action, producing irritable inflam- 

 mation and death. It is a true cause of 

 mortification. 



Indolent swellings from cold arise from 

 two diflferent modes of action: 



1st. When so gradually npplied as not 

 to excite irritable inflammation, but a gra- 

 dual, sluggishness. 



2nd. When it produces irritable inflam- 

 mation from the parts being weakened. 

 Cold does not immediately obstruct the 

 natural actions of the whole, or part, but 

 excites the whole or part to another ac- 

 tion, viz. the production of heat. The ex- 

 tremities, from their great distance from 

 the seat of the living power, and from be- 

 ing smaller, are most liable to this. Thus 

 these parts become first irritable, and 

 then inflamed; but it is an increased dis- 

 position to act, with lessened powers. 

 Hence the eflfects of cold are greater or 

 less, according to the constitution. The 

 weakly, the fair, and the delicate, have 

 the least power of generating heat. From 

 the foregoing effects of cold we are led to 

 a rational cure, first to remove the cause, 

 then to apply warmth, or rather to keep 

 the parts temperate. 



Chilblains commonly get well in sum- 

 mer. The cure, perhaps, should be divi- 

 ded according to the two stages of the dis- 

 ease, viz. the irritable and indolent; but 

 how far the treatment should correspond 

 in this way, I cannot say. They have been 

 cured when they looked purple and livid, 

 by gentle stimulants, as oleum terebinthi- 

 nas, or camphorated spirits of wine. Such 

 applications bring on the florid red of in- 

 flammation, which generally terminates 

 well, for Ihey seem to counteract the sti- 

 mulus or irritation of cold. 



Steeping the parts in warm vinegar has 

 done much good; when they ulcerate, the 

 same exciting mode seems best. But they 

 are sometimes so irritable as to require 

 quieting; for which purpose a poultice or 

 decoction of poppy heads is equal to any 

 thing. 



When the itching begins, rubbing the 



