OLD SORES. (CHRONIC ULCERS.)
Under this head we may properly consider that class of affections known as Fever-sores, Running-sores, Ulcers, etc. These sores have common characteristics, yet each possesses certain peculiarities, which have led to their division into irritable, indolent, and varicose. These peculiarities are not constant, one form of ulcer often changing into another. One feature common to all, however, is their slowness in healing, which has sometimes led to the belief that they are incurable. Another popular notion is that their cure is detrimental to the health of the patient. With equal propriety we might say that it is dangerous to cure diarrhea, dysentery, consumption, or cancer. As a result of these erroneous impressions, many people suffer from chronic ulcers for years, and even for a life-time, without attempting to obtain relief. Chronic ulcers usually appear upon the lower extremities. The depth and appearance of the ulcer depend upon its character and the thickness of the tissues where it is situated. Fig. 2 shows a chronic ulcer, or fever-sore, as it appears upon the ankle.
The Irritable Ulcer is painful and tender, the slightest injury causing it to bleed. It is of a dark purplish hue, and filled with spongy, sensitive granulations. It discharges a thin, bloody matter which is sometimes very fetid and acrid, and excoriates the tissues if it comes in contact with them. The edges of this species of ulcer are shelf-like and ragged, and turn inward. The adjacent structures are red and swollen. Very often they are attended by severe constitutional disturbances, such as chills, fever, and great nervous prostration and irritability.
In the Indolent Ulcer the edges are not undermined, but turned outward, and are rounded, thick, glossy, and regular. The granulations are broad, flat, pale, insensible, and covered with a grayish, tenacious matter. The surrounding parts are not very sensitive, but the limb on which it is located is apt to be swollen. This is the commonest form of ulcer, and often remains for years.
Varicose Ulcer. This species of ulcer occasions a swollen or enlarged condition of the neighboring veins, which are very much enfeebled. It almost invariably appears below the knee, and may be either indolent or irritable. It is generally sensitive to the touch, and sometimes excessively painful. Knots of superficial veins may often be seen beneath the skin.
As we have before remarked, these various species of ulcers are merely modifications of one form of chronic sore. The patient may assert that he enjoys excellent health, but if we question him closely, we find that the sore irritates him, and that there is sufficient constitutional disturbance to prevent the healing powers of nature from effecting a cure.
Treatment. The cure of these sores is necessarily slow, and who ever expects to obtain immediate relief will be disappointed.
Constitutional treatment is of the utmost importance, and should, therefore, be thoroughly and persistently applied. The nutritive system, especially the absorbents, should be kept active, as these are the channels by which the broken-down tissue surrounding the sore is replaced by that of a higher grade of vitality. For this purpose, the best alteratives or blood cleansing remedies are required. If secretion and excretion are not normally performed, the blood becomes poisoned by the absorption of unhealthy "matter" from the sore, and various constitutional disturbances occur. If, at any time during treatment, constitutional disturbances are manifested by fullness or disagreeable sensations in the head, nausea, pain, cough, chills, or fever, a thorough cathartic should be given. If the patient be robust, a repetition of the same once a week will be very beneficial. Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery, and "Pellets" will be productive of the best results.
The local treatment should depend upon the character of the ulcer. If the sore be irritable or painful, soothing applications, such as warm poultices or steaming in a vapor of bitter herbs, as hops, boneset or smart-weed or water pepper, will be found highly beneficial. A poultice of powdered slippery elm is also very soothing, and hence well adapted to this purpose. If the ulcer be indolent, a stimulating application is necessary. The hardened, callous state of the edges should be removed by alkaline applications. A strong solution of saleratus, or even a caustic, prepared by boiling the lye from hard-wood ashes to the consistence of syrup, will prove of great utility. One or two applications of the latter are generally sufficient.
The foregoing course of treatment is intended to put the open sore or ulcer in what is known to surgeons as a healthy condition—a condition most favorable for the healing process.
But the open surface of the sore needs something more. It needs the cleansing or antiseptic and soothing influence of such a dressing as is found in Dr. Pierce's All-Healing Salve. If your dealer in medicines does not have this Salve in stock, 25 cents in stamps sent to World's Dispensary Medical Association, Buffalo, N.Y., will secure a box of this unequaled dressing. It will be sent to your address by return post. Therefore, do not allow the dealer to put you off with some inferior preparation. If he has not the All-Healing Salve in stock you can easily obtain it by sending to us as above directed.
No matter how good the local dressing applied to the open sore, or ulcer, do not discontinue the internal use of the "Golden Medical Discovery" until the affected parts are completely healed.