Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health

by S. A. D. Tissot

Nevertheless, a very small Number of Persons, who must have extremely delicate and sensible Skins, do not experience the Efficacy of this Application. It seems too active for them; it affects the Skin much like a common blistering Plaister; and by bringing on a large flow of Humours there, it increases, instead of lessening the Complaint.

§ 468. When this last Reason indeed, or some other Circumstance exists; such as the Child's Want of Courage, or its Affliction; the monthly Discharges in a Woman; a violent Cough; habitual Colics; and some other Maladies, which have been observed to be renewed or aggravated by the Influence of Cold at the Extremities, do really forbid this very cold Application, some others must be substituted.

One of the best is to wear Day and Night, without ever putting it off, a Glove made of some smooth Skin, such as that of a Dog; which seldom fails to extinguish the Disorder in some Days time.

When the Feet are affected with Chilblains, Socks of the same Skin should be worn; and the Patient keep close to his Bed for some Days.

§ 469. When the Disorder is violent, the Use of cold Water prohibited, and the Gloves just recommended have but a slow Effect, the diseased Parts should be gently fomented or moistened several times a Day, with some Decoction, rather more than warm; which at the same time should be dissolving and emollient. Such is that celebrated Decoction of the Scrapings, the Peel of Radishes, whose Efficacy is still further increased, by adding one sixth Part of Vinegar to the Decoction.

Another Decoction, of whose great Efficacy I have been a Witness, but which dies the Hands yellow for a few Days, is the Prescription [Nº. 71]. Many others may be made, of nearly the same Virtues, with all the vulnerary Herbs, and even with the Faltranc.

Urine, which some boast of in these Cases, from their having used it with Success; and the Mixture of Urine and Lime-water have the like Virtues with the former Decoctions. [¹⁰⁰]

As soon as the Hands affected are taken out of these Decoctions, they must be defended from the Air by Gloves.

§ 470. Vapours or Steams are often more efficacious than Decoctions; whence instead of dipping the Hands into these already mentioned, we may expose them to their Vapours, with still more Success. That of hot Vinegar is one of the most powerful Remedies; those of [¹⁰¹] Asphalt, or of Turpentine have frequently succeeded too. It may be needless to add that the affected Parts must be defended from the Air, as well after the Steams as the Decoctions; since it is from this Cause of keeping off the Air, that the Cerecloths are of Service; and hence also the Application of Suet has sometimes answered.

When the Distemper is subdued by the Use of Bathings or Steams, which make the Skin supple and soft, then it should be strengthened by washing the Parts with a little camphorated Brandy, diluted with an equal Quantity of Water.