Note 23 — PART FIRST. OF INFLAMMATION. (continued 5)

[The wounds made by the stings and bites of insects are best treated by stimulating lotions, such as salt-water, vinegar, alcohol, hartshorn, and camphorated spirits. These remedies generally afford prompt relief, and they possess the additional advantage of being always near at hand. Bleeding, purging, and opiates, may become necessary, when, besides much pain and swelling, there is a great degree of constitutional disturbance. When bees and wasps find their way, as they sometimes do, into the œsophagus, causing violent suffering and nervous agitation, almost instantaneous relief may be afforded by making the individual drink large draughts of vinegar or salt and water.

When a person has been bitten in one of his limbs by a venomous serpent, a ligature should be immediately applied, as tightly as possible, at a short distance above the wound, which is then to be carefully excised together with a portion of the surrounding structures. A cupping-glass is next applied, and after this has remained on for several hours, the sore is to be dressed with an emollient poultice or some simple unguent, or fomented with cloths wrung out of warm water and laudanum. The only internal remedy upon which the slightest reliance is to be placed, is arsenic, in the form of Fowler’s solution. It should be administered, as was first suggested by Mr. Ireland, an English surgeon, in doses of two drachms every thirty minutes until an ounce or upwards is taken, or until free vomiting and purging ensue.—ED.]