On The Treatment By Eschar And Poultice
Categories:
ON THE APPLICATION OF THESE MODES OF TREATMENT TO PARTICULAR CASES.
Sources:
Application Of The Lunar
Caustic In The Cure Of Certain Wounds And Ulcers
In many cases in which it is impossible to adopt either the mode of
treatment by the adherent or the unadherent eschar, it is of great
utility to apply the caustic first and then a cold poultice made
without lard or oil: this plan is particularly useful in cases of
punctured wounds attended by much pain and swelling, and in cases of
recently opened abscesses. By this application the pain and swelling
are much subdued a
d a free issue is secured for the secreted fluid;
and in no case have I seen the original inflammation increased by it.
It is generally necessary to repeat the application of the caustic
every second or third day, or every day if the inflammation and
swelling of the part be considerable, and the cold poultice may be
renewed about every eight hours. At length, however, the inflammation
having subsided, the attempt may be made to form an adherent eschar.
I have seen many cases, in which, by this mode of treatment, much
suffering and perhaps the loss of some of the smaller joints have been
prevented, particularly cases of deep seated inflammation of the
fingers, which, having been neglected, have issued in severe
inflammation, abscess, and terrible fungous growths. In these cases it
is not only necessary to apply the caustic to the surface of the sore,
but in every cavity or orifice which may be formed by the disease.