The Red Cloud chief., 1882-01-05

should be lost, or the pOulI1ce VIII Dc
cold when made. and. by stirring the
meal gradually into the water, a thor
ough admixture is ensured. Apoultice
made by adding water TO the meal is
apt to be lumpy, and is then less COM
Portable and soothing 10 the patient.
Next, spread the dough rapidly and
evenly on the linen. leaving an edge
of linen at least a couple of inches Wild
all round uncovered. and then turn this
edge over the meal in order to prevent
its escape and thus protect the bed
clothes and dress of the patient. Last
ly, cover the face of the poultice with
a bit of old muslin-a couple of LAYERS
Of white mosquito netting Will door.
if this be not at hand. another piece oil
old linen, for the sake OF cleanliness
and apply. .os
Cut the bread into ra.herthick siices.
put it into a basin, pour boL." ;re for
over it, and let it soak ~ og the water.
NJ Iash boiling water, aud place II Oh
the back of the stove for a few minutes;
next drain the bread, beat up with a
fork. and spread precisely according TO
the directions given for a ilax-seed poui-
tlce. Add enough cOid water to the
starch to blend the two substances, and
then add enough boiling water to make
a poultice of the required consistency;
spread in the manner described and ap-
ply. A poultice envcloping the whole
chest is very useful in severe bronchitis
or pneumonia in children. The linen
should be cut large enough to 90 round
the whole chest, and tapes should be
sewed to it in such a way that they can
be tied in front and Over each shoulder.
Young children are often so restless
and toss about so much when sick that
an ordinary poulticc becomes ruckei
mp, leaves part OF the surface which it
Is intended 10 cover exposed, and thus
involves risk of taking cold, to say
nothing of partly defeating its object.
A thick flaNsecd poultice of this kind
is. of course, pretty heavy. and it is for
children particularly that an outer lay
er of cotton wool is applicable. The
poultice can then be spread thinner and
yet retain its heat well. while its weight
will not hamper the breathing.
A poultice should be applied as hot
as il can be borne and very frequently
rencwcd-at least once in two hours.
The more severe the pain. the oftener
should the poultice be changed. but
never take of the old until a fresh one
is quite ready To replace it.
After poulticing has been stopped. it
is often wise 10 cover the part with
flannel. having previously, of course,
wiped it dry and clean; this will obviate
anv risk of taking cold, and also tend
to supplement the action of the poul-
tice. Local perSpiration may be fur
thered by covering the flannel with
oiled silk or lndia-rubber paper.
Flaxseed and oatmeal make compact
poultices which retain heat and moist
ure longer than other knds, and are
thus often to be preferred. Some very
delicate skins are irritatcd b. ilaNSeed,
which contains a slightly acrid prin-
ciple. and in such cases oatmeal may
be substituted.
Bread poultices are also unirritating.
but being more porous do not retain
heat and moisture 50 well; and they are
also somewhat liable to break ND and
make the patient very uncomfortable
by falling about his bed and clothes.
They are lighter than linsecd, and may
be rendered more tenacious by using
hot milk instead of water in the second
soaking.
Starcn poulticcs are very umirritating.
and may be used on the most delicate
skin, even if there be an eruption on it
also retain heat well, ahd I i DE.
than linseed.
The bran poultice may also bc men
toned. 1t is made precisely like that
of flaxseed, is lighter but docs not re-
tain heat as well.
COMBINATIONS
OF flannel wrung out of hot water have
the same purpose as poulticcS in afford
ing heat and moisture, but, being far
lighter, are more applicable TO a part
which is very tender or sensitive 10
pressure. The abdominal organs are
not, as are those of the chest, protected
from pressure by an unfolding wall of
bone, and cartilage, and are consequent
ly less tolerant of anything heavy when
inflamed.
The flannel should be dipped in hoil-
ing water. placed in a towel and then
well wrung out; the hands are thus
protected from the hot water, and. if
the flannel is thoroughly wrung, there
is no danger of scalding the skin. Apply
the flannel as quickly as possible. and
cover it over with several thicknesses
of warm, dry towel, warm COTTONWOOD,
Or-better still-oiled silk, and faSten
it in place with a bandage.
The object of covering the flannel IS,
of course. to enable it to retain It's heat
and moisture for a longer time. Fo-
mentations must he frequently re-
newed and, after they are finally re-
moved, the part should be tfea'ad in
the same way as after a poultic1
action of a fermentation can b~~.
enea ey sRrla.SH.asnhss Owe its face. Fo.
mentatiOns relax spasms of internal or
gans more than pouitices. and are hence
of more use in any kind of collie.
Severe pain in the back like that of
lumbago, or down the back of the thigh,
like that in sciatica, may often be ad-
vantageouslytreated by ironing. Sew
eral t~hicknesseS of flannel should be
laid over the part and a hot latiron
applied with pressure, just rs in IRON
ing clothes. The heat should be as
great AS can be well borne, and after
the ironing is over the flannel should be
left on the part and held in place by a
bandage or otherwise. -Frederick c.
Shattuck, N. d., i1 Youths Companion.