714 GENEEAIi THEKAPEUTIC MEASUEES 



the part when we wish to produce a softeniag 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 bag- 

 ging 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 

 poultice. When a poultice is used merely for its continued 

 heat, in relieving heat and congestion, the material should 

 he 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 con- 

 tracting 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 employed 

 Tery 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 ganze, 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, slough- 

 ing 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. 



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