POULTICES. 151 



Poultices are beneficial to use as local applications in 

 strangles and sore throat, to tumours situated within the sub- 

 maxillary space, and in inflammation of the parotid gland ; also 

 in diseases and injuries of the feet, in broken knees, and to 

 injuries of almost every kind and degree. 



Sometimes when applying poultices to the limbs and feet, 

 it is proper to combine with them a substance to act as a 

 corrective. This is occasionally required in Grrease, Eunning 

 Thrushes, Canker, and even to Broken Knees. Yeast and 

 powdered charcoal are articles of this kind. "When yeast is 

 required, it should be prepared as follows : — Measure four or 

 five spoonfuls of yeast into a basin, then add a similar measure 

 of flour, and a little tepid water ; stir the contents of the basin 

 well together, and when fermentation begins, pour the mass to 

 the poultice, the temperature of which should be low, otherwise 

 the heat of the latter will destroy the fermenting power of the 

 yeast. When charcoal is used, all that is required is simply to 

 mix it with the poultice at any temperature the operator may 

 choose. 



In using poultices, attend to the following essentials : — 



I. — Have them bulky ; otherwise the moisture and the 

 high temperature of the mass are speedily gone, without the 

 patient receiving the least benefit from their apphcation. 



II. — To produce their full effect, poultices should be 

 changed every six or eight hoiu's. 



III. — Poultices should be applied and secured to the part 

 diseased, by means of a thick substantial medium. Leather 

 boots are made for this purpose, when poultices are required 

 to the feet ; but an excellent medium to secure a poultice to 



