The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-04
RUBBER SPONGE TREATMENT OF
 NAR.COSE ULCER

Probably the best treatment fol chronic ulcer on the leg from varicosc veins k the obltera- ton of tho Varic0sc vein which supplies the ul ccrated area. The presence of varicosc ulcer or eczema is not u complication which contra indicates the injection treatment for the Vari- cOsc veins. Nowadays all good physicians who have had adequate training either give tho in- jecton treatment for varicose veins or refer | their patients to ono who does. The treatment. lis given in the doctors office and does not dc | tain the patient from his or her regular occu patton activities. Various medicines arc used for tho injections but probably the most satisfactory are solutions of common salt In | water and dexrose (suger) in water, or both | together in one solution containing 60 per cent | dextrose and 30 per cent salt in distilled wa | ter. As rule there is crAnlp in the leg in- medIately after each injection, lasting three oI | four minutes. Probably ths helps to retain tlt | solution where 1t is needed. Patients say they don't mind the cranp in view Of the gratifying | relief they get from an otherwise discouraSing trouble! Before the technic of this chemical obliteration of Varlcose veins became widely known among physicians, many of them raised theoretical objections and even advised pa- tents tho method was no good or dangerous. Then somo physicians attempted to give the treatment without troubling to receive proper clinical instruction, and their bugling amateur. ish attempts gave some bad results, which brought the method Into III repute in some quarters.
 1t is odd. but tine modern dIathermy method of extirpating tonsils has had 10 pgss through the same vicissitudes at the hands of the gem eral profession
 Tho ambulant treatment of hernia is now undergoing the same harsh reception. But believe it is destined to make the present stand ard radical operation for hernia an obsolete method.
 Some victims of chronic varicose ulcer can. not or will not gubmit to- obliteraton of the veins. A valuable treatment in such cases Is the rubber sponge treatment. This Is briefly | as follows:
 1. Cleanse the ulcer and the skin around it with benzine
 2. Pant the ulcer with 10 per cent solu. ton of silver nitrate
 3. Apply to ulcer some simple boric acid ointment.
 I. Cover with several layers of surgeons gauge, nuned.
 6. Cover this with four layers of sheet wad. ding.
 6. Apply over this an ordinary rubber sponge, the hrmest obtainablc, of size slightly larger than the raw surface.
 z. Bandage all in place with a Inch gauge bandago.
 s. Finally apply q { inch woven linen band ago from toes to just below the knee, firmly.
 Q. Renew dressing as often as discharge soils it.
 The more Inflammation and alteration the tighter this final banduge should be.
 The more the patient walks with thls dress. ing in place the better his leg will feel and the more readily the ulcer will heal. Got a new sponge as soon ns tho first loses It's sponginess and pneks 1t k tho walking that does the trick, for every step produces squeeze on tho sponge and drives the stagnAnt blood out of tho ulcer nrea letting fresh arterial blood enter to nour. Ish and heal.