, 1886-08-04
rHg TOPICAL USES OF eAarAs.


Medical Counsel rs to the Application OF
Eartl,s for Fevers. Etc.
DIR. Hewson. of Philadelphia, read be-
fore the Medical society of the state of
Pennsylvania, at the last meeting, an in
teresting paper on this subject. For six
teen years he has used different kinds of
earths as topical applications in various
diseases which invade the skin-small-
pox, measles, scarlet fever, erysipelas,
etc. He has used it in form of paste,
and busted dry upon the surface. Clay
has proved to be the best application,
either dry or in paste. The reports of
cases made show the ~undoubted efficacy
of the application on the local and on
stitutional conditions. To quote from
his article:
which have fallen under my care since
1872, l have without discrimination al
ways used applications of clay, and fol-
lowing these applications l have always
noticed: First-A direct and rapid re-
duction of temperature. Secondly-An
allaying, or, more positively, a dissipa-
ton of pain or distressing local sensa
tons whice belong to each of these dis
eeses. Thirdly-A diminution of the
duration which is characteristic of each.
Fourthly-The allaying of the intensity
of the general or constitutional symp-
toms belonging to each. Fifthly-The
prevention of the complications which
occur so frequently as to have long been
recognized as characteristic of each
special disease. Sixthly-The destruc-
ton of all contagiousness and power of
propagation of each.
ut is but right that / should here state
my mode of application, which will ex-
plain my association of measles with
scarlet fever, and smallpox with cry
sipelas. Thus in the various forms of
scarlatina and rubeola, as well as German
and French measles, l have always pur-
sued the plan of busting the powdered
earth all over the surface.
There has always followed a rapid reduc-
ton of temperature, as shown by the
thermometer in the patients mouth, as
well as in the axilla or groin. This reduc-
ton has generally been about 8 degrees
Fahrenheit when those diseases were in
the stages of invasion, and 10 degrees, or
even as much as 10 degrees, when the
applications of the earth were not made
until those diseases had progressed be-
yond hat stage.
an erysipelas and smallpox, l have
always applied the cay directly to the
skin in the form of a smooth paste, made
by mixing it freely with water in a glass
or china mug by means of a wooden
spatula, for the reason that l wished it to
hold fast and constantly to the part, a
result which is always commensurate to
the full whipping given to the paste. The
water is here 80 rapidly devoured by the
earth that there is always at first a
marked increase of temperature of the
dressing. This warmth, which is APP
preciable by the patient as well as by the
attendant who has made the application,
lasts over an hour; indeed, until the clay
has become dry.
ALLOWING for the difference due to the
mode of application, my results show a
most positive and continuous reduction
of temperature following the application.
The preliminary temperature-that taken
before the first dressing was applied
has always been recognized by me as in
dicative of the severity of the disease &C
cording to its stage; and l have always
been satisfied with that taken at the end
of the first twenty-four hours as showing
the effects of the earth on the disease
the greater reduction showing the
greater destruction of the morbid pro-
cess, or its influence on the patients con-
dition. This reduction, during the first
period of twenty-four hours has always
been greatest in measles, next in
e%rysipelas, scarlet fever and, last,
in small-pox-that of measles averaging
10 degrees, OF erysipelas 8 degrees, scarlet
fever 6 degrees, and of smallpox . de-
grees, a difference occurring in all of
them according to their being, when this
application is made, in their initiative, full
or fading stages.-Journal of Health.