The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-08
ULCERS.

ULCERS.
In our last we gave case, in which
an ulcer was the means of preserving
the life and health of woman "a wears
OF age, and made some observ lions or
the danger of attempts 10 cure such 10.
cal difficulties. Il should be remember
ed that this rule will apply to but few
complaints of the surface, and it is for
the skill and discrimination of the physi-
clan to point out the cases in which his
remedies may be beneficial. To aid 10
this distinction many circumstances must
be attended to, which are too minute to
he described here. But one general
rule is TO he regarded in every case,
which is this if when applied TO treat a
disease of the surface, we find The gen
eral health good, there is strong pre-
sumption that the local alfe ction con-
tributes to the constitutional vigor: If,
on the other hand, we find general debll-
ity TO accompany cutaDeous derange-
ment, the probability in this case is, that
The local disease is source of irritation
and should be removed.
For the purpose of illustrating this
rule, we will relate strong case which
occurred in our practice a few years
ago, and which, in connection with that
detailed last week, will show the sense
in which we wish this general rule to
be regarded
Ihis was the case Of young married
woman-she bad been considered by
her friends and physicians as in a con-
sumption, and soothing medicines only
were administered. We were requested
by her friends to call, and, if we did not
consider her case hopeless, 10 do some
thing tor her relief Her cough-copi-
Gus expectoration-pain in the side and
difficult respiIation-palid lips and
weak lntermitting and almost impercep-
tIble puise-want of appetite, indiges-
lion, obstinate diarrhea, and frequent
discharge Of large quantities OF pure
blood perano-her excessive debility
and restless nights, and great emacia-
ton, the pearl wilderness Of the schlero-
tea, hectic flush on the cheeks, aud
In fact her whole appearance, gave but
too striking sanction to the opinion Of
those around her. On more accurate
examination large scrofulous ulcer was
found to cover the whole foot and the
leg up to within 6 inches of the knee (;
it discharged itself very freely by sever-
al deep sinuses-but the whole was an
open ulcer.
This was dressed with a mixture of
the ung STRAIN. and some mild escharo-
tic; and grain of acct. plumb. given
every night in 10 grs. of Dovers pow
der. When the hemorrhaee from the
bowels ceased and their discharge be-
came regular and natural, she took bark
and wine, at first in small quaint les, and
increasing till she took both very llber-
ally-she was soon able to eat broth
and beef-steak. She was ordered 10
live freely on animal diet. to continue
the bark and vine and to apply the
ointment to the ulcer twice day,
washing it as often in CASTLE soap-suds.
As the ulcer healed, the symptoms of
consumption disappeared, and when at
the end of four months the leg was en-
tlrely well, there was no one trace of
general or local disease left, and this
young woman, full of gratitude, returned
to her usual occupation, which she has
since pursued without any recurrence of
her complaints. Ibid.
Cure for a cough.--A correspondent saws.
take lump OF alum of the bigness of hens
Egg, put 1t into quart of molasses, and sim.
Lner the same over the FIRE in an eartha,, va