172 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



separated, leaving a cavity of very irregular shape, having usually deeply under- 

 mined and jagged edges. After a time this hole is filled up, but it often leaves a 

 permanent scar. The local mischief is visually productive of a considerable amount 

 of fever and constitutional disturbance. 



We must now consider the treatment of carbuncles. Sulphide of calcium 

 is every bit as useful in carbuncles as it is in boils. The mode of adminis- 

 tration should be that indicated when speaking of the latter complaint. (See 

 BOILS, p. 144.) Or the Harrogate waters may be taken. The belladonna plaster 

 and the liniment with poulticing should be employed as already directed. When 

 there is severe inflammation and high fever, as indicated by the thermometer, 

 it may be necessary to give aconite. A tea-spoonful of the mixture (Pr. 38) 

 should be given every ten minutes for the first hour, and subsequently hourly. 

 It may, if necessary, be alternated with the sulphide of calcium : a dose of one 

 one hour, and a dose of the other the next, and so on. The medicines are never to be 

 mixed, and must not be given together. In the majority of cases we should prefer 

 giving the sulphide of calcium only. When there is great prostration, the arsenic 

 mixture (Pr. 40) may prove useful ; but visually it will be found to be inferior to the 

 sulphide of calcium. The external application of an extract of opium of the con- 

 sistence of treacle is sometimes used to ease the pain. . It is to be thickly smeared 

 three or four times a day over and around the swelling. The extension of the 

 carbuncle may sometimes be limited by tightly strapping it with strips of adhesive 

 plaster applied concentrically from the border, inwards, around, and over the 

 swelling. The plaster should be removed daily, and any discharge that may have 

 exuded sponged away with warm water. The enlargement of a carbuncle may 

 be considerably curtailed by early strapping. 



It will be gathered from what we have said that in carbuncle the attendance of 

 a doctor is desirable, and this is especially the case when the complaint makes its 

 appearance on any part of the face or scalp. 



Respecting the general treatment, it may be said that it should be essentially of 

 a sustaining character. The food should be given in as digestible a form as possible. 

 The patient should have plenty of strong beef tea, chicken or mutton broth, eggs, 

 milk, and other articles of diet of a similar nature. In the majority of cases 

 stimulants are required. Brandy and egg may be given with advantage, or brandy 

 or sherry and milk. 



CATALEPSY. 



Catalepsy is one of the strangest diseases possible. It is of -rare occurrence, and 

 some very sceptical people have even gone so far as to deny its existence. That is 

 all nonsense, for catalepsy is just as much a reality as gout or bronchitis. 



A fit of catalepsy for it is a paroxysmal disease consists essentially in the 

 sudden suspension of thought, feeling, and the power of moving. The patient 

 remains in any position in which she we say she, for it occurs mostly in women 

 happens to be at the moment of the seizure, and will moreover retain any posture 

 in which she may be placed during the continuance of the fit. For example, you 

 may stretch out the arms to their full length, and there they remain stretched out 



