Applying Medicines 135 
External Medication.—Medicines are frequently ap- 
plied by rubbing them on the skin, in the form of 
lotions, liniments, ointments or salves. Applications 
are also made in the form of poultices and fomenta- 
tions. Lotions are medicines in solution, that are use- 
ful for their healing, cooling or soothing effects to 
the part to which they are applied. Liniments are 
solutions usually containing some irritating substance, 
such as turpentine or ammonia. They are often mixed 
with oil, and are applied to a part by rubbing them in. 
If they are applied too frequently and with considerable 
friction, they may blister the part, especially if the part 
is covered by a bandage to prevent evaporation. Lini- 
ments should never be applied to fresh wounds nor 
sores, nor to parts badly inflamed, as they are very likely 
to increase the irritation of the part and to cause con- 
siderable pain. They are useful in chronic cases of in- 
flammation when a mild counter-irritation is desirable. 
Ointments are medicines mixed with a fatty or waxy 
substance, and are usually applied externally to soften, 
soothe and heal inflamed parts. If they contain irrita- 
ting substances they are usually called blisters. Poultices 
are soft, moist substances-applied to soften and soothe 
the part and to relax the tissues. They are usually applied 
as hot as can be comfortably borne and are changed 
frequently. It is not a good plan to continue the use 
of poultices very long, as the tissues become soft, flabby 
and debilitated. Poultices are very useful in severe in- 
flammation to relieve the pain and soothe the part. In 
old chronic sores they soften the tissue, allay the irrita- 
tion and hasten recovery. They should seldom he kept. 
