Health in Africa : a medical handbook for European travellers and residents, embracing a study of malarial fever as it is found in British Central Africa / by D. Kerr Cross ; with an introduction by Sir Harry Johnston.

Date:
1897
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Health in Africa : a medical handbook for European travellers and residents, embracing a study of malarial fever as it is found in British Central Africa / by D. Kerr Cross ; with an introduction by Sir Harry Johnston. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    141/248 (page 125)
    is numb or dull and aching. The parts rapidly swell, and may remain swollen for a week. At first the discoloration maybe dark like blood, but as this undergoes change it becomes purple, pink, and then yellow. These changes are said not to come about where the parts are uninfluenced by air and light. Treatment.—If the bruise is simple, all that is wanted is restand a covering of dry cotton-wool or boracic lint. It may be necessary, however, to do something to remove the pain and the discoloration of the part. If the pain is great, put on a warm fomentation sprinkled with laudanum. If blisters form, prick them gently to let out the fluid, but on no account tear off the cuticle that forms the blister or break the skin. Dress with zinc ointment or carbolic oil. If the bruise is on the leg, give the part absolute rest and use Elliman’s embrocation. If the parts tend to mortify and die, apply hot fomentations till the dead tissue sloughs, and dress with car- bolic 1-40. Pugilists, who often suffer from bruises and black eyes, use the following rough and ready treatment. The eyes, with them, some- times swell so greatly that it interferes with vision. In such a case they puncture the eyelids to let out the serum, and apply a piece of raw beefsteak as a poultice. This has the effect of keeping out the air, and is certainly a cooling, moist application. It is against all principles to incise the skin, even when the extravasation of blood is extensive. The application of hot fomen- tations and rest, will, even in such a case, do wonders. Ulcers of every kind are common in Africa. The natives often suffer for years from unclean sores, which are a tremendous drain to the system. They may appear on any part of the body, but are seen most often on the legs and dependent parts. An ulcer is a “ sore,” or a degenerate tissue, giving off an unhealthy discharge or “ ichor.” They may appear on any surface of the body, external or internal. They are common on the mouth, stomach, or bowels ; on the eye, nose, or skin. In the present article they are restricted to the skin. An ulcer may be the direct result of an injury ; or from defective circulation, such as a varicose ulcer ; or from a constitutional cause, such as syphilis, or struma. Careful diagnosis of the cause is the key to successful treatment. A common healthy healing sore may be found on any part of the body, but is most often seen on the lower leg or shin. It is a healing, granulating wound, which is “drying up.” Usually a little pus is given off, which is of the consistency of thick cream, and not of an unpleasant odour. It is “sweet.” The edges merge gradually into the healthy skin, and are of a purplish blue tint,