sed by splints in fractures.

809. Poultices

Poultices are usually made of linseed meal, oatmeal, or bread, either
combined with water or other fluids; sometimes they are made of
carrots, charcoal, potatoes, yeast, and linseed meal, mustard, &c.,
but the best and most economical kind of poultice is a fabric made of
sponge and wool felted together, and backed by Indian rubber, called
"spongio piline."

The method of using this poultice is as follows:--A piece of the
material of the required form and size is cut off, and the edges are
pared or bevelled off with a pair of scissors, so that the caoutchouc
may come in contact with the surrounding skin, in order to prevent
evaporation of the fluid used; for, as it only forms the vehicle, the
various poultices generally used can be employed with much less
expenditure of time and money, and increased cleanliness.

For example,--a _vinegar_ poultice is made by moistening the fabric
with distilled vinegar; an _alum_ poultice, by using a strong solution
of alum; a _charcoal_ poultice, by sprinkling powdered charcoal on the
moistened surface of the material; a _yeast_ poultice, by using warmed
yeast, and moistening the fabric with hot water, which is to be well
squeezed out previous to the absorption of the yeast; a _beer_
poultice, by employing warm porter-dregs or strong beer as the fluid;
and a _carrot_ poultice, by using the expressed and evaporated liquor
of boiled carrots.

Spongio-piline costs about one farthing a square inch, and may be
obtained of the chemist. As a fomentation it is most invaluable, and
by moistening the material with compound camphor liniment or
hartshorn, it acts the same as a mustard poultice.

[TO-MORROW, DIES IN ANGUISH AND DESPAIR.]

810. Mustard Poultices.

These may be made of the mustard powder alone, or in combination with
bread crumbs, or linseed meal. When mustard only is used, the powder
should be moistened with water, and the paste thus produced spread on
a piece of linen, and covered with muslin to intervene between the
mustard and the skin. When mixed with linseed the powder and the meal
may be incorporated before water is added, or the meal may be
moistened and spread on linen for application, and the mustard be then
strewn on the surface, more or less thickly according to the age of
the patient. Rigollot's Mustard leaves, wh