ee or four times then apply a little
oil to the head of boil."

[SKIN DISEASES 69]

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Boils.--Tonics such as iron, quinine, and
strychnine are good. Elixir, iron, quinine and strychnine from a half to
one teaspoonful three times a day is a good tonic for an adult. Sulphide
of calcium one-tenth grain four times a day is good. Paint the inflamed
spot when it first begins, with a solution of gun cotton (collodion) and
renew it every hour until a heavy contractile coating is formed.
Poultices, if used, should contain sweet oil and laudanum. Alcohol and
camphor applied over the skin in the early stages is recommended by
Ringer. This I know is good. Another, wipe the skin and use camphorated
oil. When boils occur in the external ear, the canal should be washed out
with hot water. If it is ripe it should be opened. The following is good
for the pain of a boil:

Iodoform 4 grains
Menthol 2 grains
Vaselin 1 dram

Mix and smear a cotton plug and insert in the ear two or three times a
day.

ABSCESS.--An accumulation of pus (matter) in any part of the body.

External Abscess.--Boil the knife, wash your hands in clean, hot, soapy
water. Wash the abscess and surrounding parts in hot water and good soap,
and rinse off with alcohol, a salt solution, or listerine, etc. Then make
a good deep clean cut and scrape out if necessary. Dress with a clean
linen gauze or absorbent cotton, Poultices may be used if you are careful.
Such an abscess should be dressed twice a day. The inner dressing should
be soft and thick enough to absorb all the secretion given out between
dressings.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Abscess, Beech Bark Poultice for.--"Poultice made of
red beech bark and wheat bran," A poultice made of the bark will cause a
drawing feeling, and the wheat bran will retain the heat. The proportions
for making the poultice should be about half and half.

2. Abscess, Milk and Salt Poultice for.--"Make a poultice of one cup of
hot milk and common salt three teaspoonfuls; salt added gradually so it
will not curdle. Cook until smooth and creamy, then add enough flour so it
will spread but not be dry. Divide this into four poultices and apply in
succession every half hour. This will remove the soreness and it should be
kept oiled until healed."

3. Abscess, More Good Poultices for.--"Take equal parts of rosin and
sugar, mix well and apply for several days until the abscess is broken. I