516 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



"slops," as, for example, strong beef -tea, milk, eggs, &c. No stimulants are as a 

 rule necessary. 



The medicinal treatment is very similar to that which we have recommended in 

 quinsy. In the early stage, when the patient is feverish, aconite (Pr. 38) should 

 be given. It is indicated when the prominent symptoms are dryness, roughness, 

 and heat in the throat, accompanied by a choking sensation. Belladonna (Pr. 39) 

 is useful when the fever has been brought down by the aconite, and when there 

 is pain on swallowing and the throat feels as if it had been scraped raw. The 

 grey powder (Pr. 71) is useful when there is a sensation of a lump in the throat, 

 or when the secretion of saliva is much increased. 



Quite at the commencement of the attack a Turkish bath will do good. The 

 constant sucking of ice or gargling with milk-and-water always proves beneficial. 

 Prs. 103, 108, 110, and 111 are useful when the acute symptoms have subsided. 



SORES, OR ULCERS. 



Ulcers are of common occurrence on the legs. They are especially liable to be 

 produced by all those circumstances that favour weakness of the circulation, and 

 lowered vitality, as, for example, exposure to cold and wet, want of food, and 

 long standing. They are common at or after the middle period of life, 

 especially in the poorer classes. In constitutions or parts predisposed to it, the 

 slightest irritation may produce ulceration. Tall people more frequently suffer from 

 sore legs than do short. When situated over bony prominences they are far more 

 difficult to heal than when they have a good thick layer of muscle or fat beneath 

 them. 



There are many varieties of ulcers, not solely being dependent on local conditions, 

 though these undoubtedly influence them greatly, but to a great extent due to 

 constitutional causes. In. fact, the aspect of a sore and the character of the discharge 

 are excellent indications of the state of health and general condition of the patient, 

 as well as of the local disease. Even the influence of sleep is well marked. After a 

 restless night a sore is commonly painful, throbbing, inflamed, and swollen, and is 

 apt to spread, whilst after a refreshing sleep it presents a much more healthy 

 appearance. The simplest form of ulcer is what is called the healthy ulcer. It is 

 usually circular or oval in shape, slightly depressed, and covered with matter. It 

 has a natural tendency to get well. Its treatment should be as simple as possible. 

 The best thing is to get some lint, cut it to the size of the ulcer, dip in a weak 

 carbolic acid lotion (1 in 400), then lay it on the sore, and cover it with a rather 

 larger piece of oiled-silk, and prevent it from getting dry. A nicely-applied 

 bandage will keep the dressing in place, and will also give support to the part. 

 When an ulcer is weak or indolent, and exhibits no inclination to get well, it is a 

 good plan to apply some stimulating lotion. One of the best is known as " red- 

 wash." It is made by dissolving forty grains of sulphate of zinc in a pint of water, 

 and then adding half an ounce of compound tincture of lavender. It is used on lint 

 in exactly the same way as the carbolic acid lotion. It is in constant use in many of 

 our London hospitals for cuts, sores, and abrasions of all kinds. When an ulcer gets 

 inflamed, a condition characterised by much redness, heat, and swelling of the 



