Counter Irritants

Agents such as mustard, pepper, turpentine, iodine, cups, blisters or caustics, which attract the blood to the points at which they are applied or irritate the nerves of the skin; are used to relieve pain, promote the absorption of fluids, or to arrest inflammation. They are usually applied over the seat of trouble or along the course of the nerve of the affected part, and act by drawing the blood to the surface and by modifying the influence of the nerves upon the nutrition of the affected part.