Boils.
Are to be treated much in the same way as Abscesses, by Hot Water Fomentations (393), Sal Ammoniac Lotion (332), and Rice Poultices (322). Leeches (212) are rarely necessary, unless there should be much pain and inflammation. Decoction of Country Sarsaparilla (163) may be given internally if there is any constitutional disturbance. A popular and useful "drawing plaster" is a compound of equal weights of Brown Sugar and English Yellow Soap; a still better one is the ointment described in paragraph 399; a portion of either of these spread on rag should be applied over each boil. Rajah Boil. See Carbuncle.
Bones, Scrofulous Affections of.
Give Fish Liver Oil (138).
Bowel, Lower, Descent of.
The protruded part having been carefully washed, should be replaced by gentle pressure with the hand: should there be any difficulty in doing this, the forefinger well oiled should be pushed up into the anus; and it will, unless the parts be greatly swollen, carry the protruded part in with it. The patient should then remain quiet for some hours in a recumbent posture, and apply cloths saturated with Decoction of Galls (147), or Babúl Bark (9), holding Alum (25*) in solution. Subsequently enemas of the above solutions, or others containing Sulphate of Iron (179), act usefully in constringing the parts and preventing a return of the accident. In weak, debilitated subjects, Confection of Pepper (300) proves very serviceable. The bowels should be kept open by mild aperients, of which Sulphur and Cream of Tartar (344) is by far the best. All straining at stool should be carefully avoided. A person subject to this accident should wear a pad to keep the parts up.
Chronic Descent of the Bowel in Children.
May be frequently cured by making the child, when at stool, sit on a seat sufficiently high, so that its feet cannot touch the ground or have other support. (Dr. Aitchison.)
Bowels, Spasmodic, and other Painful Affections of.
Mild cases generally yield to Omum Water (318*), Lemon Grass Oil (216), or the Infusions of Ginger (155), Dill Seeds (134), or Cloves (105), with or without a single dose of Opium (284). Severe cases require the repetition of the Opium (284) in Omum Water, &c., together with either Hot Water Fomentations (393), Mustard Poultices (251), or Turpentine Stupes (362) externally to the abdomen; followed in protracted cases by an enema of Turpentine (364), or Asafœtida (36). In all cases a dose of Castor Oil is advisable when the pain has abated. In Children. See Colic. For Irregularity of the Bowels, try Bael Sherbet (45); in that of Children, Decoction of Kariyát Leaves (193). Constipation of. See Constipation. Bleeding from. See Hæmorrhage.