e effusion of serum. In all cases, if this
layer of the skin is not removed, a small opening should be made in
the raised cuticle, by which the serum deposited may be removed. Under
such circumstances, never remove the cuticle, as it makes the best
possible covering for the blood-vessels and nerves of the true skin.
The cold water dressing, recommended in the preceding paragraph, may
then be applied as long as the smarting sensation continues. After the
pain has subsided, the blistered part may be covered by a patch of
cotton or linen cloth, upon which an ointment, made of lard and
bees-wax, has been spread.

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709. To what condition of the skin are the terms burns and scalds
applied? 710. What is the effect when only a small degree of heat is
applied to the skin? How can vesication be prevented? 711. What should
be the treatment when blisters are formed?

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712. If the cuticle has been removed, there will be much suffering,
because the nerves are unduly stimulated by the air. The cuticle is
the sheath or covering of the vessels and nerves of the skin, and when
it is removed, a substitute should be applied. This substitute should
be soothing, and cover the denuded surface. Linseed-meal or ground
slippery-elm bark poultice, fresh cream, or lard and bees-wax, spread
upon linen or cotton cloth, would make a good dressing. When dressings
are applied, they should not be removed until they become dry and
irritating.

713. If there is much suffering, administer to an adult from
twenty-five to sixty drops of laudanum, according to the severity of
the pain. If the patient is a child, from fifteen drops to a
tea-spoonful of paregoric may be administered. When there is much
prostration, some hot peppermint tea or other stimulant may be found
necessary to bring on reaction.

714. The hands, feet, ears, &c., are subject, in cold latitudes, to be
_frozen_, or _frost-bitten_. This may occur when the patient, at the
moment, is not aware of it. The part affected at first assumes a dull
red color, which gradually gives place to a pale, waxy appearance, and
becomes quite insensible. The first thing to be done in such cases, is
to reestablish circulation. This should be effected very gradually. If
a large quantity of blood is thrown suddenly into the chilled and
debilitated vessels of the frozen part, inflammation may be produced
that will destroy the vitality of the limb.

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