176 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



signs of holding up, you had better wrap up well and go out for a good brisk walk 

 all the same, only mind you change your things directly you come in. Never sit. 

 down for a minute in your wet boots. The skipping-rope is an excellent institution. 

 If you have chilblains, do not be in a hurry to give it up; you are to take it 

 medicinally, and it will do you more good than cod-liver oil. 



And what about medicine 1 There are a good many applications which may be 

 advantageously used for chilblains, especially before they are broken. One of the 

 best is iodine ointment. Send to the chemist for some, and rub it well over the 

 chilblains always supposing the skin to be unbroken two or three times a day. 

 You may wear an old glove over it if you like, only it must not be tight. This is a 

 most excellent mode of treatment, and will nearly always effect a cure in two or 

 three days. 



There is another good method of treating chilblains which we can recommend. 

 The only objection to it is that the application takes a little time and trouble to 

 prepare. It is admirably adapted for people who habitually suffer from chilblains. 

 It is as follows: Make a strong tincture of capsicum-pods (chillies), by steeping them 

 for several days in a warm place in twice their weight of rectified spirits of wine. 

 Dissolve gum-arabic in water to about the consistency of treacle. Add to this an 

 equal quantity of the tincture, stirring it together with a small brush, or a large 

 camel's-hair pencil, until they are well incorporated. The mixture will be cloudy and 

 opaque. Then take sheets of silk or tissue-paper, give them with the brush a coat of 

 the mixture, let them dry, and then give another. Let that dry, and if the surface 

 is shining there is enough of the peppered gum, if not, give a third coat. This paper, 

 applied in the same way as court-plaster to chilblains that are not broken, speedily 

 relieves the itching and the pain. It acts like a charm, and effects a rapid cure. We 

 may mention incidentally that the same method of treatment proves very successful 

 in burns that are not blistered, and in discoloured bruises. 



A solution of sulphurous acid, either applied in the liquid form, or used as a 

 fumigation, by means of a spray apparatus or scent-diffuser, is very useful for 

 chilblains. A good wash for the hands when affected with chilblains is sulphurous 

 acid three parts, glycerine one part, and water one part. 



When chilblains are broken it is a good plan to poultice them. The application 

 of glycerine of starch often gives relief. A coating of collodion will serve to 

 protect them from injury. 



In connection with chilblains we will say a word on the subject of chapped 

 hands. This affection consists of slight inflammation of the skin of the part which 

 subsequently becomes cracked. It occurs most frequently in frosty weather, when it 

 sometimes gives rise to much pain and inconvenience. 



The treatment is, on the whole, similar to that adopted in the case of chilblains. 

 Glycerine, glycerine of starch, or one part of glycerine mixed with two parts of eau 

 de Cologne, will form an excellent application. Either of these will remove the 

 stinging, burning sensation, and make the parts soft and supple. When undiluted 

 glycerine is applied to a delicate skin it is apt to produce smarting and irritation. 

 Hose-water may, if preferred, be used in place of the eau de Cologne. 



Collodion is sometimes applied to chapped hands and chapped nipples, but 



