| MEDICAL INTRO |
| BOOKS ON OLD MEDICAL TREATMENTS AND REMEDIES |
THE PRACTICAL |
ALCOHOL AND THE HUMAN BODY In fact alcohol was known to be a poison, and considered quite dangerous. Something modern medicine now agrees with. This was known circa 1907. A very impressive scientific book on the subject. |
DISEASES OF THE SKIN is a massive book on skin diseases from 1914. Don't be feint hearted though, it's loaded with photos that I found disturbing. |
Poisoned Wounds.
There are other cases in which the course of a wound is dis turbed by the introduction of foreign substances of known origin.
The chemical poisons of various kinds are frequently introduced carelessly or ignorantly into wounds which would otherwise heal without difficulty; and as a result of such introduction, the healing of the wound is retarded, and perhaps the life of the patient is imperiled. Then there are numerous animals and insects whose bite is accompanied by the introduction of poison secreted in their bodies. A familiar example of this is the musquito ; the wound made by this pest is trifling in itself, less extensive, indeed, than the prick of a needle ; yet this wound is followed by far more irritation than can be originated by the point of a needle. The explanation lies in the fact that the musquito deposits in the wound which he makes an irritating poison. The most common variety of poisoned wounds is that which results from the introduction of putrid animal matter. The process of decomposition or putrefaction includes the formation of numerous substances which possess poisonous properties. The exact time at which these substances are formed varies under different circumstances, occurring earliest of course in warm weather. Within a few hours or days after death the carcass of an animal putrefies to such an extent that some of these poisonous substances are contained in the flesh and juices.
The introduction of this flesh under the skin of a man is followed by the most serious inflammation, and perhaps by that grave con dition known as " blood-poisoning. " It is not necessary that any wound of considerable size be inflicted in order to cause this result; in fact the most dangerous cases occur in individuals who were not aware, at the time that they came in contact with the putrid matter, that they had any wound at all. The entrance of the poison-the infection as it is technically termed-occurs most frequently through slight scratches or " hangnails," of whose existence the individual may not be aware.
The cases most frequently brought to the notice of the surgeon occur in the medical students or physicians who are infected while dissecting or making postmortem examinations, and in farmers or others wrho are poisoned while skinning or cutting up live stock.
One cannot be too careful, when engaged in such employments, to protect the hands in every possible way. The skin of the hands and arms, especially in the vicinity of the nails, should be carefully inspected to detect the existence of any slight scratches; in fact, it is advisable to place the hands in some slightly irritating solution, such as weak vinegar, in order to be sure that "o tender points have been overlooked. In this way we may sometimes detect wounds and scratches so slight that they hare escaped observation by the eye.
If any such scratch or abrasion be discovered, the safest plan is to avoid all contact with animal matter which shows the least signs of putrefaction. If it be absolutely necessary to perform such work, all scratches and abrasions should be sealed up by painting them with collodion. If the individual possess a pair of rubber gloves, these may be worn with advantage.
The danger from infection is especially great if the animal have died of some poisonous disease. One of the commonest sources of infection through handling dead animals is the disease known as "malignant pustule" or ''wool-sorter's disease," a description of which has been given on a previous page. The carcass of an animal which has died of this affection is dangerous even before putrefaction has begun, since there exists in it a poisonous principle which is quite independent of the substances formed during putrefaction.
Another common source of infection is the disease known as glanders or farcy. It is generally known to those who come into contact with horses or cattle, that the discharge from the nose of an animal suffering from this disease can communicate the affection to man ; and that this matter can be transferred by means of towels or cloths, with an equally deadly effect.
There is another source of danger for those who are compelled to be much in the vicinity of the carcasses of animals, even though they may not come into actual contact with the dead bodies ; the disease may be communicated to them through the bite of flies which have previously alighted upon the carcass.
If poison has been introduced into the skin through some slight scratch or abrasion, such as a hangnail, there first appears a painful pimple or small boil at the spot. Considerable pain is felt at and around the spot, and it may extend over the whole hand and up the arm. In a day or two the hand becomes much swollen, and red lines can often be traced up the arm. These lead to tender lumps in the armpit - the enlarged lymphatic gland. By this time the patient has had one or more severe chills which are followed by fever and great mental disturbance, perhaps even delirium.
Treatment.-So soon as suspicion is aroused that the sore results from the introduction of poisonous matter into the skin, no time should be lost in laying the inflamed surface open. A free cut should be made with a sharp knife, so as to let out any matter which may be present. Many surgeons advise that two cuts crossing each other at right angles should be made.
After the bleeding has ceased, the wound should be thoroughly washed with a solution of carbolic acid, or of listerine, such as has been described in the discussion of wounds. If the sore has been obtained from an animal suffering with an infectious disease, such as malignant pustule or glanders, it is advisable to cauterize the spot thoroughly.
The best agent for this purpose, in the hands of a non-professional person, is the strong carbolic acid, since this cauterizes the tissues thoroughly, without causing such extensive destruction of the flesh as most of the other agents employed for this purpose. A piece of soft rag should be wound around the end of a stick, and dipped in the strong carbolic acid, after which it is pressed firmly upon the raw surface.
Instead of carbolic acid, we may employ the strong nitric acid or creosote.
The objection to the use of these liquids is the fact that they are apt to run from the diseased to the healthy flesh, and cause a much larger sore than is necessary. It will be most convenient perhaps, on this account, to employ a stick of lunar caustic, or the white-hot iron. The latter agent seems formidable, but is, really, one of the least painful of all caustics. To use it, the sharp end of a poker, or a large nail, may be heated white-hot and applied immediately to the wounded surface. If it be allowed to cool so that the metal becomes red instead of white, it will occasion much more pain.
After the wound has been thus opened and cauterized, soft flaxseed poultices should be applied for two or three days, or until the swelling and redness subside. Care should be taken that no matter collects in the wound. To prevent this the sore should be thoroughly syringed three or four times a day, and incisions should be made with a knife to afford free outlet to any matter which may be formed.
The constitutional treatment is also a matter of great importance. When inflammation has spread up the arm, and has caused tenderness of the glands in the armpit, there is usually decided constitutional disturbance. This condition is in fact a form of bloodpoisoning.
The patient will require a nutritious diet in an easily digestible form. He should have eggs, milk and broths in abundance. The medicines required consist chiefly in quinine and alcohol. These should be administered freely. The alcohol may be given in the shape of whisky or brandy, an ounce of which (two tablespoonfuls) should be administered in milk as often as every two hours. There is very little danger of intoxicating the patient who is suffering from blood-poisoning. He can endure an amount of liquor which would render a healthy person " dead drunk."
The quinine should be given in the form of powder, which may be wrapped in gelatine wafers so as to conceal the taste. Three grains of the drug should be administered four times a day.
In addition to these measures it will be necessary to give the patient a warm bath every day, in order to reduce the fever.
The most serious complications are apt to arise in the immediate vicinity of the wound, especially if this be located on the hand.
Matter forms and burrows under the skin and between the muscles.
Incisions must be frequently made in different parts of the hand and arm. Sometimes the entire member below the elbow seems to be honeycombed with burrows made by the pus, and is riddled with openings, natural or artificial, through which this pus escapes.
Since such serious consequences result from poisoned wounds, it becomes a matter of much importance to prevent, so far as possible, the occurrence of such a wound ; that is, the introduction of poisonous materials into any accidental scratches. For this purpose it may be well to carry a stick of lunar caustic in the pocket, and to cauterize immediately any cut or scratch which may be discovered after the hand has been exposed to the introduction of poisonous material. It is also advisable to oil the hands thoroughly before introducing them into the carcass of a dead animal or handling any parts of the animal.
Above are some pictures of animals that can poison you.
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