TETANUS. 385 



Fomentations. — In addition to the Steam Bath, as recom- 

 mended above, it may prove advantageous to apply Hot AVater 

 Fomentations along the spine. To effect this, procure a thick 

 woollen rug, which saturate with hot water, and place upon the 

 back ; and immediately above it place a dry rug, folded three or 

 four times lengthways ; then over the whole fix the article 

 called Body Sacking, such as pourtrayed at Fig. 22, page 343. 

 By this simple process, hot fomentations can be firmly secured 

 to the spine, readily changed when necessary, and retained so 

 long as they may prove beneficial. 



Local Treatment. — Having fully detailed the systemic 

 treatment of Tetanus, it is necessary to describe what is requi- 

 site locally in the traumatic forms of the malady. 



Supposing the injury to be inflicted upon one of the feet, 

 remove the shoe and pare the organ. Thin it at the sides with 

 a rasp ; and thin the sole until it springs from the application 

 of gentle pressure. Afterwards immerse the foot in a large 

 poultice, made of bran and hot Arnica lotion ; the lotion to be 

 made as directed at page 201. The poultice should be renewed 

 twice or thrice a day. 



The attendant, in going about the patient, should do so with 

 all possible gentleness. If the injury be a flesh wound, a large, 

 soft sponge, dipped in warm Arnica lotion and fixed to the part 

 injured, will be proper to apply. Should a difficulty be expe- 

 rienced in fixing the sponge to the wound, pursue the following 

 plan : — Procure a few slips of linen of sufficient length, half an 

 inch wide in the middle, and one inch wide, or more, at the 

 ends. Place the sponge in close contact with the wound, and 

 let an assistant hold it there until the ends of the linen straps 

 are secured to the skin, by means of thick glue or collodion. 

 Collodion will set the quickest, but glue will hold the best. 



2 B 



