A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    182/554 (page 170)
    In Chronic Ovaritis a small blister in that region is sometimes very effectual when other measures have .failed. In Gleet the application of a blister to the penis is strongly advised by Mr. Milton. Care must be exercised that none of the blistering substance, either collodion or cerate shall escape and inflame the scrotum. It must also be borne in mind thai the delicate skin of the penis is easily vesicated. A blister applied to the perineum, along the course of the urethra, is often of service in Prosta- titis and catarrhal conditions of the prostatic ducts, frequently spoken of as Prostatorrhcea. The habit of Masturbation in Children, if early detected may often be counteracted by keeping the penis sore by frequent applications of cantharidal collodion. This should always be done under the care of a physician. In Phlebitis of the superficial veins, especially of some of the large venous trunks, such as the long saphenous, a blister applied over the course of the inflamed vessel reduces the inflammation, hastens absorp- tion or liquefaction of the coagulated blood, and assists materially in the restoration of the circulation through the obstructed vessels. In Poisoned or Dissecting Wounds of the hand, where the materies morbi has a tendency to travel along the course of the lymphatic vessels, invading each chain of glands in turn, and where its course is marked by a dark line on the flexor surface of the forearm, a blister completely encircling the arm is sometimes of service if applied early in the disease. Treatment appropriate to the local condition must be vigorously pursued. Diseases of the Skin.—Cantharis is used in the form of the ordinary blister, and also in the form of the acetum cantharidis, the tinc- tura cantharidis, and collodium cum cantharide. In Alopecia Areata blisters are used on the bald patches by the employment of one or another of the above preparations; they are repeated from time to time until the new hair begins to grow. In N^vi of small size repeated blistering often causes inflammation, with subsequent closure of the dilated blood-vessels. Old and horny patches of chronic Eczema are likewise induced to take on more acute action by the use of blisters, after which they may be cured by soothing ointments. Circumscribed patches of Tinea Tonsurans and of Tinea Circinata may be removed by blistering. As a rubefacient the tincture of cantharides, diluted with several parts of alcohol, etc., is employed in all forms of Alopecia and in Pityriasis of the scalp. The following formula, which may be strengthened by the addition of a larger proportion of the tincture of cantharides, is popular : B. Tinct. cantharidis, fsij; olei ricini, 9j ; alcoholis, ad. faj. M. This may be rubbed into the bald patches of Alopecia Areata once or twice daily.