528 
Uses  of  "Wood  Pulp"  Sheets. 
(Am,  Jour.  Pharrru 
\  November,  1899. 
Wood  pulp,  when  dry,  will  absorb  melted  ointments  and  oils. 
Therefore,  menthol,  thymol,  carbolic  acid  or  similar  substances  can 
be  dissolved  in  the  oil  or  ointment  and  the  sheets  of  pulp  soaked 
in  the  mixture,  giving  a  cleanly  and  convenient  way  of  applying  a 
salve  or  antiseptic  unguent.  Any  desired  degree  of  impregnation 
can  be  had  by  regulating  the  amount  absorbed  by  the  pulp;  if  an 
excess  is  not  used,  the  sheet  will  also  absorb  the  discharges  from  the 
wound  or  sore.  By  scraping  the  sheet  down  to  a  pulpy  mass,  a 
substance  is  obtained  which  can  be  used  to  hold  any  salve  or 
plaster ;  this  can  be  moulded  to  any  desired  shape,  say  for  vaginal 
tampons  or  suppositories.  The  dry  mass  may  be  used  as  a  "  sponge- 
tent,"  too,  as  pulp  is  very  absorbent. 
As  a  Splint. — Thick  sheets  of  wood  pulp,  if  soaked  sufficiently  to 
soften  them,  can  be  moulded  to  fit  any  limb  or  surface ;  when  the 
sheets  become  dry,  they  will  be  found  to  retain  their  shape  perfectly 
and  to  possess  a  remarkable  sustaining  power  and  stiffness. 
A  thin  layer  of  plaster-of-paris  may  be  sprinkled  between  two 
thin  sheets,  or  a  thick  one  split ;  by  moistening  the  surfaces  suffi- 
ciently, and  applying  them  while  moist,  a  most  excellent  plaster 
support  will  be  had.  It  can,  of  course,  be  shaped  in  any  manner 
desired,  and  when  it  is  to  be  removed,  there  will  be  very  little  of 
the  usual  pain  and  annoyance  incidental  to  the  ordinary  plaster 
bandage. 
Othe?  Uses. — In  case  of  a  shortage  of  lint  or  cotton,  the  physician 
can  scrape  down  the  sheets  of  wood  pulp  he  carries  in  his  pocket, 
and,  after  sterilizing  the  fluffy  mass  for  a  few  minutes  in  his  patient's  . 
stove,  he  has  a  most  excellent  substitute  for  the  above  articles. 
As  an  Ice-cap. — Soak  the  wood  pulp  in  ice  water,  mould  to  shape 
of  head  and  apply  ;  renew  as  with  hot  poultices.  This  method  gives 
a  very  light  and  comfortable  ice-cap,  which  will  stay  on  and  not 
fall  off. 
In  Pneumonia. — A  favorite  treatment  of  many  physicians  for  the 
early  stages  of  pneumonia  is  to  apply  a  jacket  poultice  around  the 
chest.  Cut  the  sheets  of  wood  pulp  to  size,  using  at  least  an  inch 
of  thickness,  soak  in  hot  water  until  enough  is  absorbed,  apply, 
cover  with  oiled  muslin  to  retain  heat  and  to  keep  clothes  dry,  keep 
in  place  with  a  few  turns  of  a  bandage.  As  before  mentioned,  the 
great  advantage  of  wood  pulp  lies  in  its  convenience  and  freedom 
from  "  messiness."  Any  one  who  has  ever  made  a  "  jacket  poultice  " 
will  appreciate  this  use  of  pulp. 
