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Carbuncle.If pressure be made, thick unhealthy-looking matter escapes. These openings enlarge and spread toward each other, and finally meet, making a large raw surface. Carbuncles seem to proceed from essentially the same causes as boils. The patient is usually in a debilitated condition, and requires tonics and careful attention to the general health. The carbuncle seems to exert a very depressing effect upon the patient's strength ; if it be large, and especially if situated upon the head or neck, it is liable to be attended with severe fever and perhaps delirium. Such cases often result fatally. Treatment.-The first object of treatment in every case is to support the patient's strength. For this purpose he should take tonics, alcoholic stimulants and a good diet. The following prescription may be given : Quinine, ----- One drachm. Tincture of the chloride of iron, - One ounce. Tincture of nux vomica, - - One ounce. Water, ------ Two ounces. Mix, and let a teaspoonful be taken in a wineglassful of water four times a day. The patient should be liberally supplied with whisky or brandy, which can best be administered as egg-nog. This can be taken as the patient is inclined. Care must be taken that the patient eats sufficient food. The appetite is usually much impaired, and unless especial attention be given to this point, he will suffer further increase of his weakness ^by neglect to take a sufficient quantity of nourishment. It is well to prepare bland and unirritating food, such as eggs, milk, soups, and the like. In some cases the pain is so intense as to require the administration of opium ; fifteen drops of laudanum may be taken in water three or four times a day, if necessary to relieve the pain. Locally, the treatment consists in the application of hot poultices to promote the formation of matter and the separation of the cores. So soon as this production of matter has taken place, free incisions must be made, after which gentle pressure may be applied to the tumor to promote the escape of the matter. Poultices should then be again applied for several days until the dead skin and the matter which surrounds it have been thrown off. In some instances it becomes necessary to repeat the incisions. After the discharge has ceased to a great extent, the wound may be dressed with vaseline. Aside from the affection which is ordinarily meant by the term carbuncle, there is an infectious disease which has also been designated by that name. This disease affects cattle primarily, causing the destruction of immense numbers of cows, sheep and horses in many European districts. It may also be so communicated to man, to whom it is frequently a fatal affection. This disease is variously known as anthrax, malignant pustule, wool-sorters' disease, and chart on. The disease is contracted by men whose occupation compels them to come into intimate contact with living or dead cattle ; for the germs of the disease retain their vitality after the death of the animal, and may be transported around the world in the hides, or the hair, or the flesh of animals which have died of the disease. So frequent is the disease among the workmen engaged in handling wool that it is commonly designated in England as " wool-sorters' disease." It has also been communicated to workmen who were engaged in repairing furniture stuffed with horsehair, even after that furniture had been in use for many years. It can, of course, and has been communicated to those who partake of the flesh of animals which have died of this affection. This disease is very common in certain districts of Europe, especially in France, Germany and Russia. It is known to exist in the United States, though to what extent is as yet unknown, since veterinary surgeons here have not scrutinized cattle with especial reference to this disease. The affection begins usually with the formation of a small dark-red blister, which develops in a few hours to a lump of considerable size, containing a little matter or bloody fluid. In a short time the animal gives evidence of severe constitutional disturbance. It becomes weak and feverish. The appetite is lost, and within three or four days death occurs. In most cases the pustule, through which the matter was introduced into the animal, enlarges extremely, so as to produce an enormous swelling of the skin and tissues beneath it. The carcasses of such animals contain the contagious principle ; those who handle the bodies or the hides run the risk of contracting the affection, if they happen to have any cuts or abrasions on the skin. The soil over which such animals have grazed or on which their bodies have lain, becomes saturated with the virus, so that cattle which graze upon it subsequently are frequently affected in the same way. Treatment.-If the nature of the disease be recognized early, the primary sore through which the virus enters the system should be at once cut out. If several days have elapsed, however, this treatment will probably prove unavailing ; in such cases hot fomentations should be applied to the sore, and the individual should take quinine and whisky. Three grains of quinine may be taken in a tablespoonful of whisky mixed with as much milk, every three or four hours. Fortunately the disease is less dangerous to man than to cattle ; the majority of cases in the human subject recover. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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