Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/56

381 ITC an}- considerable effeft, namdy.onc in each arm, or on t':e arrj and leg of one side of the bod}'. ArtiHcial ulcers have been much recommended to the consumptive and asthmatic, though we doubt their efficacy uhen the patient's strength is already exhausted. — They have, nevertheless, often been found useful in cases of confirmed melancholy, when placed near the spine, as the unhappy viftim of that disorder can seldom be in- duced to take any internal' reme- dies. The discharge from these orifices may be promoted by the ?.pplicatio:i of issue pease, and by dressing them with mild blisteiing ointment. In order to close an issue, it is suflicient to discontinue the pea ; but in case any proud flesh should arise, it may be removed by strew- ing on it finely powdered loaf sugar, or burnt alum : ptter which the wound w ill speedily heal, if it be properly dressed. ITCH, a cutaneous afFe<Stion, in which the skin is covered -vfith small watery pustules, that appear first on the 'rist, or between the finders, then upon the arms, legs, &:c. where they are accompanied Mith an intolerable irritating sen- sation. The itch is contagious, but sel- dom prevails where due attention is paid to cleanliness, fresh air, and wholesome food. Unless it be improperly treated, it is in it- self not a dangerous disease : but if it be too long neglefted, the vhole humours become cormpted ; and if it be suddenly suppres.sed, xvitliout pro|)er evacuations, it is apt to occasion fevers, inflamma- tions, pulmonary consumptions, &c. — Hence the extreme absurdity pt' Ii'dviiJg recourse to ointments ITC which profess to cure it in a cef- tain number of days, or even hours : such imposition should be punisheci by the magistrate. When the patient is of a gross habit of body, it will be necessary first to administer one or two brisk laxatives, before he can with safety resort to the tepid bath. The parts affedcd may next be rubbed al- ternately, every second day, one half of the body, with an ointment consisting of two ounces of flour of sulphur ; two drams of crude salammoniaCjfinelypulverized} and four ounces of hog's-iard, or fresh butter. To this composition may occasionally be added a small por- tion of the essence of lemons, by which the disagreeable smeli of the sulphur will be greatly suppressed. During this treatment, the pa- tient ought to keep the body gently open, by taking cveiy morning and evening from 10 to 15 grains of the flour of sulphur in honey, trea- cle, or new milk. The same clothes ought to be worn in the whole course of the disorder, exceptii g the linen j and, when a cure is etfefted, the former should by no means be touched, till ihey have been properlv fumigated with sul- phur, as otherwise the contagion will again be communicated. There is another species, called the dry, or malignant itch, which generally arises from the scurvy, and is very difficult to eradicate. In this case, the liberal use cf anti- scorbutics, and a vegetable diet, are of equal importance. A strong decoftion of tobacco has often been found an efficacious external ap- plication. iMtrcurial ointments have hkewise been employed with ad- vantage, but theit use requireg great circumfpe6lion, as it is abso- lutely necessary to keep tiie bowels regular.