A treatise on materia medica, pharmacology, and therapeutics / by John V. Shoemaker ... and John Aulde.

  • Shoemaker, John V. (John Veitch), 1852-1910.
Date:
1889-1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on materia medica, pharmacology, and therapeutics / by John V. Shoemaker ... and John Aulde. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    method, ■which consists in thoroughly dividing the tissues, then using emollient applications and opiates to relieve pain. Few are willing to have active operations of this kind attempted, and will suffer for months great torture, until by means of poultices the tissues have been rotted and spontaneous evacuation takes place. This is all wrong; in the treat- ment of these cases and also that of felon, the free use of the claj' will answer as a support to the indamed tissues, while reducing the active circulation, and for the time being will assuage the pain, as it can be kept moist by repeated applications of cold water. Systemic remedies ma}' be used temporaril3^ to control the circulation, and the patient should be restricted in the use of the affected hand in felon, but the continuous use of the calcium sulphide must not be omitted. By its use we prevent the formation of pus, and where pus is present the drug has the eflect of licpiefying it promptl}^ when all that is necessary for the surgeon to do is to provide a ineans of exit by a simple puncture. The escape of laudable pus is followed by the filling up of the cavitj' with healthy granulations, and in an incredibly short time all traces of the affection will be removed. Many of these cases will come under the observation of the phy- sician after great damage has been effected b}' the indiscriminate use of poultices, and in order to obtain a healthy condition of the tissues with a sufficient quantity of blood to make the necessaiy repairs clay dress- ing is demanded. No improvement can be expected when the tissues present a white, sogg}', and lifeless appearance, and the best way to secure the desired object is b}' the judicious use of the clay. Whatever antiseptic measures may be indicated afterward, this preliminary treat- ment will not affect, and it will be found that healing will go on promptl}'^ and all unfavorable symptoms rapidly disappear. In selecting a suitable clay, it is only necessary that it should be free from septic influences and all gritty substances, and, when i)roperl3' pre- pared and applied, it will not cause the least untoward symptom to the most delicate skin. BAUNSCHEIDTISMUS. The popularity' which attended the first announcement of the treat- ment of various diseases bv the use of the instrument invented by Charles Baunscheidt is of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the modern investigator who wishes to take advantage of all those measures which are calculated to advance the interests of the medical profession. Baunscheidt gave his discovery to the world in the form of a small