Sometimes yields to Opium (292*) or Catechu (89) locally applied, with or without Ginger (157), or Mustard Poultices (253) externally. Extraction is the only certain cure in the majority of cases.
Tumours, Painful.
Apply Datura in one of the forms advised in Paragraph 130, and give Opium (283) or Tincture of Datura (128) at night to procure sleep. A Tobacco leaf may often be advantageously substituted for Datura.
Ulcers.
May be successfully treated by the local application of solution of Sulphate of Copper (114*). Ceromel (167*) "Oil Dressing" (338) "Water Dressing" (394), (Dr. Aitchison states that for years he has discarded Water Dressing in any form to ulcers, but has substituted for cleansing and dressing them a mixture of one part of Carbolic Acid and ten of Sweet Oil. He pronounces this a far more effectual mode of treatment), and Rice Poultices (322), varied according to circumstances; if attended with fetid discharge, Charcoal Poultices (91); if with much discharge, Catechu Ointment or Lotion (90) and Myrobalans Ointment (257). To destroy Maggots on surface of, Butea Seeds (65). Sloughing, Gangrenous, or Ill-conditioned Ulcers require Alum Ointment (31), Borax (59), Camphor (75), Ním Poultices (261), Oil of Country Nutmeg (274), Petroleum (412), Toddy Poultices (355*) Turpentine Ointment (367), Resin Ointment (372), or Sugar (408). "Irrigation" (395) is most useful in removing the slough and stimulating to healthy action. If the pain and irritation are so great as to prevent sleep, Opium (283) or Tincture of Datura (128). To excessive Granulations ("Proud flesh"), apply Sulphate of Copper (114). In all cases Country Sarsaparilla (163), Hydrocotyle (170), or Mudar (242) may advantageously be given internally; and for Ulcers occurring in Scrofulous subjects, Fish Liver Oil (137, 138) proves most useful. "Whenever in India an ulcer looks angry and is in an unhealthy and non-healing condition, as is the case with Scind boils, Multan sores, Delhi sores, &c. &c., all applications to the ulcer itself are useless until the general health of the patient undergoes a thorough alteration. The want of power to heal in the ulcer shows that the system is in an unhealthy condition and that it is incapable of putting on the healing process in the ulcer. This state of things is no doubt due to the climate, malaria, poor food, and bad water; these combined develop in the system, scurvy, or a condition of the body allied to scurvy.
"An addition to, and a change in the diet is of the first consequence. This is to be done by administering as drugs a daily liberal proportion of good butter, sugar, and lime-juice.
"In many parts of India, especially during the hot weather, good butter is not to be got as a fresh article of food; an excellent substitute for it is the tinned article, now so readily obtainable, which, if salt, can be carefully prepared for use by having the salt washed out of it. The lime-juice should be, if possible, in the form of fresh limes, lemons, or oranges; rather than the lime-juice of commerce. Where fresh limes, &c., or lime-juice cannot be procured, sweet mango pickles, lime pickles, or the bazaar commodity Ám-chur (see Index, Scurvy) should be employed; from the last excellent preserves and tarts can be made, which are relished as a diet.
"The water supply should be changed, and even, if necessary, condensed water be drunk, in place of the saline stuff so common along our north-west frontier, where the river water is to be preferred to that of brackish wells full of nitrates.
"Other vegetables, such as potatoes, cauliflower, and artichokes should be added to the dietary if obtainable, and when possible an immediate change of climate, even for a few days, and to another water supply is of immense importance.
"The good results in following up the above proposals can be at once seen in the rapid alteration of the conditions of the ulcer, or ulcers, which at once begin to take on a healing action. They require after this but simple dressing, and indeed disappear as if by a miracle, leaving, however, behind them a scar, a well known momento of having once lived in an unhealthy climate."—Aitchison.