Fisticuffs

pl. [ Fist and cuff.] Blows or a combat with the fists; a boxing-match; a pugilistic encounter. "My invention and judgment are perpetually at fisticuffs." -Swift. Fis'tinut, n. Same as PISTACHIO, q. v. Fis'tuca, n . Among the Romans, an instrument used for ramming down pavements and threshing-floors, and the foundations of buildings, . (Called, in modern phraseology, a monkey.) Fistula, ( fist'yu - la ,) n. [Probably from Gr. physão, to blow, to puff, from phys a , a pair of bellows, phyō , to bring forth.] A shepherd's pipe: a water-pipe. (Zool.) The intermediate sub quadrangular pipe, in insects, formed by the union of the two branches of the anthia, which conveys the nectar to the pharynx (Surg.) A long and sinuous ulcer, having a narrow opening, sometimes leading to a larger cavity, and which has no disposition to heal. The most common form of this disease is the fistula in ano , the sinus extending into the cellular substance about the anus, or into the rectum itself. It is the result of absce es formed in the cellular ti ue around the rectum, and which, having burst or been opened, are preven.ed from healing by the action and irritation of the sphincter ani. They are divided into two kinds - complete, and incomplete or blind; the former having two openings or outlets, the one externally, the other into the rectum; the latter having only one, and being divided into blind external and blind internal, according as the opening is external or internal. This disease is commonly attended with intense pain, especially when pa ing the fæces, and there is an irregular discharge of purulent metter, which is sometimes mixed with blood. The treatment consists in making a complete division with the knife of the whole of the parts between the fistula and the bowel, and the edges of the wound are kept apart by lint, in order to allow the cavity to fill up by granulation. A fistula lacrymal is is a disease of the lacrymal sac, caused by an obstruction to the flow of tears along the nasal duct. The symptoms of this disease are a watering of the eye, with a dryne of the corresponding nostril, a distention of the lacrymal sac, and a discharge of muco-purulent fluid mixed with tears. from the puncta lacrymal i a, when the sac is compre ed. In the earlier stage of this disease, when there is only a distended state of the lacrymal sac, a cure may be effected by the application of leeches and fomentations to the eye, with the use of astringent ointment to the edges of the lid. In the more advanced stages, however, where there is inflammation and suppuration of the sac, or where a fistulous opening has been formed in it, by the escape of purulent matter, an operation becomes nece ary for its removal. This is effected by making an incision with a sharp-pointed knife into the lacrymal sac, and then pa ing a probe downwards into the nasal duct, after which a silver instrument called a style is inserted, and allowed to remain until the inflammation which produced or accompanied the absce has subsided. Salivary fistula is a fistulous aperture in one of the salivary ducts, opening externally, and through which the saliva escapes. It is generally caused by a wound, which, if recent, may be cured by merely bringing together and uniting the edges of the wound; but if of some standing, a free canal ought to be formed for the discharge of the saliva into the mouth. In fistula in perinco, which is almost always accompanied with a stricture of the urinary pa age, the fluid pa ing out of the external opening of the sinus, an operation is nece ary, which will require the aid of a competent surgeon. Fistulas generally require very skilful treatment, and are often extremely difficult to close; and though not in themselves dangerous, they are not unfrequently attended with fatal results, arising out of the constitutional depre ion, which they occasion by the long-continued wearing pains, and the drain upon the system, in consequence of the protracted discharge. Fistula in ano is often observed in consumptive patients. Fistular, ( fist'ü -lar,) a. [Lat. fistular is .] Hollow, like a pipe or reed. Fistular i a, n. [From Lat. fistula.] (Zool.) A family of acanthopterygious fishes, of which the genus Centriscus, including the Trumpet-fish, may be given as the type. See CENTRISCUS. IMG:content-0160.png:[graphic] fistula. Fist'ulate, v . n. [It. fistolare.] To become a pipe or Fistuli'dan, n. [Fom Lat. fistula.] (Zool.) A tribe of animals, cla Echinoderm at a , comprehending those which have an elongated cylindrical tube-like body. Fistuliform, a . [Lat. fistula , and form a , form.] Having a fistula or tube-like form; pipe-shaped. Fist'ulose, a . Hollow, like a reed. Fist'ulous, a. [Lat. fistulosus .] Having the nature of a fistula; as, a fistulous ulcer. - Reed-like; fistulose; hollow, like a pipe.