In slight cases the lunar caustic may be passed over the inflamed part, and in this manner suppuration and the continuance of inflammation is often prevented.
In those cases in which the suppuration is artificial and attended with severe diffused inflammation, the pus should be evacuated and a cold poultice applied for a day or two; for the too early application of the caustic would only add to this kind of inflammation; [see p. 11]; afterwards the skin may be removed, and if there be excoriations the caustic may be lightly applied.
2. Of Inflammation of the Finger.
The following case of inflammation of the finger occurred without any assignable cause.
Case XXXI.
A young man, aged 18, came to me with a painful swelling of the middle finger of the right hand; suspecting deep-seated abscess, I made a free incision and evacuated a little pus. I then applied the lunar caustic within the cavity and directed a cold poultice to be applied with lotion.
On the fourth day my patient had returned to his occupation as a dyer.
Case XXXII.
Miss B. aged 23, had a slight scratch on the inside of the index finger, which issued in severe inflammation extending over the back of the hand. I made a free incision in the part first affected, evacuated a little pus, and directed a poultice to be applied.
On the following day, there was less pain but still great swelling at the back of the hand, which, I think, would have been removed had the caustic been used.