The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-30
DON'T NURSE A BoIL-TREAT IT

| A boil (furunce) is household size absccss produced when the common germs of suppura- ton penetrate through the hair folicle. sweat or sebaceous gland to the tissues under the skin. It isn't a boil if 1t hasn't "corc"-that is, the small slough which is extruded when the boil is 'ripc.' The "core" consists of the hair foIlicle and perhaps the sweat sebaceous gland tissue which has undergone coagulation necrosis
 We may as well acknowledge at the begin- ming that known antiseptic or germicide, short of complete destruction of the infected tissues by cauterlzing by heat chemical. is of the slightest value in tho treatment of boil, so far as the patients immediate welfare goes. However mild antiseptic lotions, baths or dressings are advisable in every case to prevent spreading of the infection to other persons or to another place on the patients own skin For this purpose believe ordinary soap and water is as effective as any remedy we can use: or as an alternative, solution of rounded tea- spoonful of boric acid in a pint of boiled water.
 If your purpose is to nurse the boil in order to get all the sympathy, time off or compcnsa- ton possible for 1t, poultice 1t with large meal poultce. This moist heat gives considerable comfort. and the warmth darkness, food and moisture provide ideal conditions for the null tplicaton of the pus-germs. With luck and persistence maybe you can grow two or scv- eral boils where only the one grew before. Or If you do not succeed in your microbiculture you will probably have the satisfaction of sec Ing someone who associates with you laid low by some serious infection.
 The comfort one derives from a pouticc is quite as readily obtained from clean, antisep- tic dressing of many crumplcd yards of washed cbees cloth (gauze) held in place with ban dage and kept constantly molstened with hot soap and water or borc acid solution. If the boil has not yet opened, if drainage has not yet been established. it is a good plan to iB- cludc with the rounded teaspoonful of boric acid two rounded teaspoonfus of common salt in each pint of boiled water used to wet the dressing. If complete immersion of the boil and dressing is convenient q prolonged hot soaking in such solution is excellent treatment.
 One with q pustule which looks or feels like q young bollc should carefully avoid touching the spot with bare fingers. If the fingers do come In contact with pustule. 1t is important to wash tho hands thoroughly with soap and water at once, lest some vrulcnt pvs-germs be carried on the fingers and planted elsewhere on ones own skin or the skin of another,f per- hapy to produce another boil or far more serl- ous septic infection. The same precaution should be followed in handling or disposing of dressings, clothing that has been In contact with the boil. As the germs enter the hair fol- lcle from the surface of the skin in the first place, 1t is logical to assume they are present on thes sskin over the sore spot before the boil breaks or is opened.
 Whether or when to open boil or let 1t run it's course is difficult question Is the question whether or when to bet the pot or fold in game of red dog You's your own judge about the, latter Wen consider the former in another talk.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 spinal Fluid Test
 Nerve specialist says should have a sample Of my spinal fluid tested. Would this he very painful to have done? Why stOuDd it bc nee. essary, and are there anysilI effects afterwards? (Mrs A. M.)
 Answer--It is as painful as having tooth filled. It is essential for the positive diagnosis of some otherwise obscure diseases of the Derv- ous system. Sometimes the patient has consid- erable headache after spinal puncture. but usu- ally there are no unpleasant after-effccts. A Burns . Burn
 Please advise what, if anything, can be done for burn from too strong lysoI solution ap- piled On a pimpIc on the forehead. Will the dis coIoratlon be permanent? Miss M. E.) Answer--If the skin was not bstered of burned away thcrc should be no permanent mark. The best remedy is 8 strictly let-alone policy, applying powder or cosmetic paint to conceal the blemish till healing Is completed
 Fat Discrimination
 1 have gaiIbladdcr trouble and have been told to use very little fat bat to nse olive oil instead. Will corn oil take tfle placcc of olive oil, or is 1t too considered q fat? tMrs NJ. J.l Answer--I know of no reason why any of the fats or oils you mention should be preferable to the tats in meat. egg yoIk cream. etc. Any fai or oil In the diet tends to cause contraction oi gaiIbladder and drainages but these fats and oils contain choiesterol which enters into the formation Of most gaIlstones and hence physi- clans sometimes advise the omission Of such foods.