POULTICES OR CATAPLASMS 503 



the smaller animals may be placed in baths at the temperature of 105° 

 F., till the temperature becomes normal. Such treatment should be 

 combined with the use of vascular and cardiac stimulants, camphor, 

 caffeine, adrenalin, atropine, digitalis and strychnine, and saline in- 

 fusions. 



MODES OF APPLYING HEAT. 



Poultices or Cataplasms* — Cataplasms are compositions for the local 

 application of heat and moisture. They are made commonly of flaxseed 

 meal, bran, oatmeal, bread, potatoes and carrots. One or other of these 

 is stirred up in boiling water until a thick, pasty consistency is produced. 

 This mass may then be applied, while very hot, directly to the part when 

 we wish to produce a softening of the tissues, as in abscess or tender feet 

 in horses, and the whole is covered by a cloth. In poulticing horses' feet 

 the material — usually bran and flaxseed meal, equal parts — is mixed in 

 a pail, with boiling water, and spread on a piece of bagging (double 

 thickness, and about two feet square), in sufficient quantity to surround 

 and cover the entire foot. The bagging is then folded and tied about 

 the pasterns, and over around the front and sole of the foot. The whole 

 should occasionally be immersed in water to prevent drying of the poul- 

 tice. When a poultice is used merely for its continued heat, in relieving 

 heat and congestion, the material should be enclosed in a flannel bag, in 

 order the longer to retain and radiate its warmth. 



A very hot poultice acts as a counter-irritant in contracting blood 

 vessels in more remote parts, besides its effect in, abating pain. A warm, 

 moist poultice causes a mild local hyperemia, softens broken down and 

 dead tissues, and aids suppuration and sloughing. Poultices are not em- 

 ployed very much, except in the treatment of horses' feet, as they are 

 clumsy, laborious contrivances, and difficult to keep in place. If long- 

 continued, they cause tissues to become swollen, sodden and macerated, 

 destroying their vitality. Antiseptic poultices are made by soaking sheet 

 cotton, gauze or other absorbent material, in hot antiseptic solutions, as 

 corrosive sublimate, 1-1000; creolin or lysol, 1-100. The material is very 

 lightly wrung out, wrapped about with dry gauze, covered with oil paper, 

 silk or rubber protective, and applied to the part with a bandage. Anti- 

 septic poultices are useful in the treatment of septic injuries, and when 

 there is much pain, destruction of tissue, sloughing and suppuration. 

 Otherwise, poultices are decidedly contraindicated in the case of wounds, 

 as dry antiseptic or aseptic absorbent dressings are far preferable in 

 securing one of the cardinal requirements in the process of healing, i.e., 

 dryness. As substitutes for ordinary poultices, we have spongio-pilene, 

 counter-irritants, stupes and fomentations. Spongio-pilene occurs in 

 sheets, about an inch in thickness, made of a mixture of sponge and felt, 

 backed with a flexible covering of gutta-percha. Its main objection is the 

 expense. It forms, when soaked in water, a cleanly and easily applied 

 poultice for non-suppurating parts. 



*Cataplasma Kaolini consists of kaolin, or porcelain clay, and is applied ex- 

 ternally as a poultice. It acts to retain the body heat and is very similar to 

 "Antiphlogistine," a substitute for the ordinary poultice. 



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