Though the knife operations for the removal of carbuncle are always injurious, the chemical effect of Potash is frequently most beneficial. I have, in repeated instances, applied to the ulcerated surface, caustic potash freely, allowing the dissolved caustic to penetrate to the very "core" by running into the orifices. At first it would produce some smarting, but the pain is different from that of the carbuncle, and the change is agreeable rather than otherwise. Soon after the application all pain ceases, and the tumor, under the use of a poultice, begins to slough off in a few days, leaving a raw surface, disposed to heal kindly. Occasionally, however, the healing process is tardy, when Arsenicum, at the third, applied and taken internally, will soon effect a cure.
I have occasionally used Hepar Sul. with good effect in the latter stage.
Felon—Whitlow.
For this disease, in the early stage, when the sensation is that of sharp, sticking pain, feeling as though a brier or thistle was in the finger, immerse the part in water as hot as possible, into which put common salt as long as it will dissolve; hold it in this hot salt bath for an hour or more at a time, and when removed, apply finely pulverized salt, wet in Spirits of Turpentine; bind on the salt with several thicknesses, and keep it constantly wet with the sp'ts turpt. for twenty-four hours, when, if all symptoms of felon are gone, no further treatment is necessary. As a general rule, the hot bath should be repeated three times a day, especially if the symptoms have existed for several days and there is much pain or swelling, and the dressings should be kept on as above directed for several days, more or less, until all symptoms disappear.
I am quite confident that a large majority, if not all, of the cases if thus treated at any time before pus is formed, will be discussed and cured. If pus has begun to form before the treatment is commenced, this will not cure the felon, but it is good treatment, especially the hot bath, as it will greatly lessen the pain.
By holding it in hot water for an hour or two each day, the suppurative process will be hastened, and as soon as the pus can be felt at any point, fluctuating, puncture and let it out; then continue the hot bath, with Calendula (Marygold) flowers in the water, keeping the part all the time warm and moist.
For the restless and nervous irritability that frequently occurs, especially in females, Aconite is the best remedy. It should be given, one drop of the tincture to a gill of water, in teaspoonful doses, once in one or two hours, and the same applied to the sore.