CHIL′BLAIN

Syn. Per′nio , L. An inflammatory swelling, of a purple or exclusively attack the extremities of the body, and are generally confined to the fingers, toes, and heels. The common symptoms are itching and irritation, more or le intense, often accompanied with shooting pains, and tenderne , and tumefaction of the parts. Children, especially those of a scrofulous habit, and elderly persons, are generally the most liable to chilblains. The common cause of chilblains is holding the hands or feet to the fire after exposure to cold. The sudden change of temperature partially destroys the vitality of the minute sur facial ve els, and thus prevents the proper flow of blood through the part. The best preventives of chilblains are woollen socks or stockings, good waterproof shoes, woollen gloves, exercise, and friction. These act by promoting the circulation of the blood in the extremities, and protecting them from vici itudes of temperature. When chilblains have once formed, the best treatment is friction with stimulants, as spirits of wine and camphor, oil of turpentine, opodeldoc, dilute spirits, camphorated oil, hartshorn and oil, . Linnæus recommends bathing the part with dilute muriatic acid, just strong enough to faintly prick the skin. When the inflamed parts have ulcerated, they are commonly called KIBES . In this state they should be dre ed with a little resin cerate or elemi ointment. If fungous granulations appear, they must be removed by touching them with nitrate of silver or blue vitriol. See Chaps , . Remedies for Chilblains. —The following have been strongly recommended by different parties, and may all prove useful in their turns, as circumstances and convenience may suggest:— 1. Sulphate of copper, 1 oz.; rosemary water, 1 pint; di olve. 2. Sal-ammoniac, 1 oz.; vinegar, 1 ⁄ 2 pint. 3. Sal-ammoniac, 1 oz.; rum, 1 ⁄ 2 pint; camphor, 1 dr. The affected part is wetted with the above night and morning, and when dry is touched with a little simple ointment, cold cream, or pomatum. 4. Soap liniment, 2 oz.; tincture of cantharides, 1 oz.; oil of cajeput, 2 dr. 5. Oil of turpentine, 2 oz.; camphor, 3 dr.; oil of cajeput, 1 dr. The application of the last two is accompanied by gentle friction. 6. (Dr Graves’ Preventive .) Sulphate of copper, 20 gr.; water, 1 oz. As the first three. 7. ( Lejeune’s Balsam. ) See Chilblain Balsam . 8. ( Linnæus’ remedy. ) Hydrochloric acid, 1 oz.; water, 11 oz. As No. 3. 9. ( Morton’s Liniment. ) Calomel and camphor, of each 1 dr.; spermaceti ointment, 4 dr.; oil of turpentine and cocoa-nut oil, of each 2 dr. As No. 5. 10. ( Wahler’s Ointment. ) Black oxide of iron, bole, and oil of turpentine, of each 1 dr.; resin cerate, 1 oz. For broken chilblains. We have found a mixture of equal parts of calamine cerate and resin cerate answer quite as well. See Cerate , Ointment . 11. ( Ru ian remedy. ) The rind of perfectly ripe cucumbers dried, with the soft parts attached. For use they are placed with the inner side, previously soaked in warm water, over the soft parts. (Med. Zeitung.) 12. ( Rhein. ) Di olve 1 oz. of tannin in a pint of water, and 74 grains of iodine in 1 3 ⁄ 4 oz. of spirit of wine; the solutions are then mixed, and enough water added to make the whole up to 2 1 ⁄ 2 pints. In applying it, which is best done at bedtime, the mixture is gently warmed over a slow fire; the affected part is dipped into it while still cold, and retained in it till the liquid, on being stirred, feels uncomfortably hot. The ve el is then withdrawn from the fire, and the affected part dried over it. The ve el must be of earthenware or porcelain, and care must be taken not to use too much iodine, especially when abrasions are present. 13. ( L′Union Médicale. ) Oxide of zinc, 2 parts; tannic acid, 1 part; glycerin, 10 parts; balsam of Peru, 8 parts; camphor, 4 parts. 14. ( Swediaur’s Paste. ) Bitter almonds, 8 oz.; honey, 6 oz.; powdered camphor and flour of mustard, of each 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; burnt alum and olibanum, of each 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; yolks of 3 eggs; beat to a paste. To be applied night and morning. 15. ( Vance’s Cream. ) Ointment of nitrate of mercury, 1 oz.; camphor, 1 dr.; oil of turpentine, 2 dr.; oil of olives, 4 dr.; mix well together. To be applied by gentle friction 2 or 3 times daily. Obs. All the preceding preparations are intended for chilblains before they break. The liniments of ammonia, camphor, opium, soap, and turpentine, as well as the compound camphor liniment of the British Pharma copœia, are also excellent preparations for the same purposes.