Scald Head
of children, where there is a discharge of yellow and watery pus from the sores, and the eruption extends to the ears or face, like the disease called the crusta lactea (milk crust), the same washes as for itch, are the most effectual, while at the same time, and for a month or two, the child should have Hepar Sul. 5th at night, and Petroleum 3d in the morning. Daily ablutions of the head with warm soap suds, and keeping it covered, are absolutely essential.
Carbuncle.
This affection, though it somewhat resembles a common boil, and is by some writers considered only such, in an overgrown state, is, nevertheless, far from being identical with it.
While a boil is only a sanitive effort of nature to eliminate the cause of a morbid process, and tends to a spontaneous, healthy termination, the carbuncle, on the contrary, is the very essence of disease; its constant tendency being towards the dissemination of diseased action, causing destruction of the parts affected. It, in fact, appears like a parasite, living by the destruction of surrounding tissues, literally absorbing them and "thriving on death." It begins with a red, livid color, slight aching and burning pains, the part swells and is elevated some like a boil, except that it does not "point," but has a broad base rising like a cone and flattened at the top. It feels soft and spongy, and will appear to fluctuate, but if punctured, blood only flows. The pain and burning increases rapidly, and sooner or later several openings appear upon the top, varying from three or four to half a dozen or more, looking like the holes in a sponge, out of which issues a fluid like thin gruel. Instead of becoming easier after the suppuration begins, as is the case with a boil, the burning increases to an alarming and unbearable extent; cold chills, loss of appetite, great depression of spirits, general nervous and muscular debility come on. The tumor continues to discharge, turns purple; gangrene beginning in the carbuncle extends to other parts and death follows.
The disease is nearly always confined to quite feeble persons and those past the meridian of life; but I have seen it on younger though feeble patients. It is generally located on the back, occasionally on the head, where it is very dangerous from its liability to affect the brain.
TREATMENT.
If treated very early, strong tincture of Arnica applied to the surface of the carbuncle, by cloths wet and laid over the tumor, will often arrest it so that the swelling will not be developed to the suppurative stage. However, to reap any benefit from Arnica, it must be applied while the pain is not severe, and the parts only feel bruised and tender to pressure, like a common bruise.
After the ulceration occurs, Arsenicum is the great remedy to be relied on. It should be given at the second or third attenuation as often as every three hours, when the pain is severe, and applied to the surface of the carbuncle freely by cloths laid over it, wet in the first dilution, or by sprinkling the first trituration of the oxyde (1-10) freely upon the open surfaces, so that it may penetrate into the open mouths or orifices. Over this powder apply an emolient poultice, or soft cloths wet in water hot as can be endured. This will soon allay or greatly lessen the pain. It should be repeated as often as any of the burning pain peculiar to the carbuncle returns, until the tumor suppurates in a tolerably healthy manner; then lessen the strength of the Ars. applications, and continue them until it has the appearance of a healthy abscess, when only simple dressings are necessary. Some may suppose such strong applications injurious, but I can assure them from abundant experience, that there is not the slightest danger. The carbuncle should never be punctured or cut into. Such operations always make them worse, and induce a more rapid approach to gangrene.
The patient should have nourishing food, and good native wine may be taken in moderate quantities, by a very feeble person, with decided advantage.