The dictionary of medical and surgical knowledge and complete practical guide in health and disease for families, emigrants, and colonists / by the editor of the "Dictionary of useful knowledge" [i.e. Robert Kemp Philp], etc. [With illustrations.].

Date:
MDCCLXIV [1864]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The dictionary of medical and surgical knowledge and complete practical guide in health and disease for families, emigrants, and colonists / by the editor of the "Dictionary of useful knowledge" [i.e. Robert Kemp Philp], etc. [With illustrations.]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    ABS a head as quickly as possible. The articles chiefly used for this purpose ai’e bread; linseed mead, and bran; but as none of these possesses any vh’tue in itself, and as the onl;^ benefit afforded is derived from the moist heat, that article is the best which will longest hold the heat (see Poultices) ; and as a small bag with a few handfuls of bran is the cleanest and most expeditious, it should be generally employed: it has this advantage also over the other two articles, that it requii'es no repetition, one supply of bran lasting for a whole day. A saucepan half filled with hot water should be kept in readiness by the fii’e; the bag of bran, with the mouth sewn up, is to be soaked in the water, the excess of liquid squeezed out, and applied as hot as it can be borne to the part, and this process repeated as often as the poul- tice becomes cool: to retain the heat as long as possible, it is advisable to fold a napkin or handkerchief loosely round the poultice. The poulticing is to be continued till the top of the swelling becomes soft, and the fluctuation of the matter plainly felt beneath when pressed by the finger, and the skin at the apex becomes thin and white. The abscess is now to be opened by means of a broad-bladed lancet, or a sharp knife, care being taken to make the opening from belota upwards, so as to allow the easy and entu-e escape of aU. the matter from the cavity; a result that cannot be effected if the top of the abscess only be opened. After the escape of the pus, the smToimding parts are to be gently pressed by cfrawing the two hands together on either side of the opening, so as to force out as much as possible; the part is then to be washed, the end of a piece of lint or rag mserted into the cavity, to prevent the closmg of the opening, and another poid- tice applied, and renewed every hour or two; the lint or rag being -withdrawn mght and morning to allow of the escape of the matter, and another piece inserted after each di-essing. From being thick and yellow, tho discharge will gradually become thinner and lighter, till it assumes tho appearance of water; and finally ceases entirely, and the opening poi-rna- nently closes. Sometimes, inunediately before tho ripening of tho abscess, the pam becomes so severe as to destroy both rest and appetite; in such cases 26 drops of laudanum are to bo given to an adult at bed-time, or if there is much heat and dry- ness of skin, 10 grains of Dover’s powder, mixed with a wineglass of camphor water. is to be given instead, but at the same time. Sometimes, when the abscess is large, or the constitution of the patient weak or unhealthy, the final healing of the cavity is slow and unsatisfactory; in such cases the patmnt’s health is to be improved by the exhibition of wine and tonics, such as qur^e, and a full diet, especially of animal food; and where wine cannot be procui-ed or IS inadmissible, a small quantity of stout IS to be given thi-ee times a day; at the same time, a slightly stimulating lotion is to be applied once a day to the cavity, while the parts adjacent are to be rubbed ■with the hand night and morning, to ex- cite the vessels to a more healthy and ■rigorous action. A cloth, wetted in a little weak cold gin and water, and placed in or over the abscess, is often aU that is necessary to excite the vessels to action, and effect the heahng of the ca-vity; or a lotion of bluestone, in the proportion of 2 grains of bluestone to 1 ounce of water, wiU be sufficiently strong for aU necessaiw liui'poses. When the abscess ocem-s on the fingers, hand, or forearm, that member should be kept suspended in a sling at right angles ■with the body; and when it takes place on the lower extreimties, as much rest in the horizontal position is to be taken as pos- sible. Chboeic Abscesses.—For this form of deep-seated suppm-ation, see Lumbal^ and Psoas Abscess. ABSINTHE.—The name of a favorndte French drink, the basis of which is worm- wood. See Drinks. ABSINTHIN.—The active principle of wormwood; a resin of an intensely bitter taste, but as yet not sufficiently tested to guarantee its medical properties. ABSINTHIUM.—The botanical name of the Woimwood plant, which see. ABSOEBENTS.—A class of medicines which di-ink up, neutrahze, and render harmless, any acidity or noxious and uTitating matters in the stomach and bowels. The most important of the ab- sorbents are chalk, potass, soda, magnesia, and ammonia. See Antacids. ABSOEBENTS.—This word, which is derived from the Latin verb absorbeo, and signifies to- suck up, anatomically repre- sents a sjstem of minute vessels, whose fimction is to suck up and carry away the constantly acciunulating dibris or refuse of tho body, being opposed in their action to Avhat is understood as tho system of secretion, or the small arteries. To preserve