AQUA PUNCTURE

n. A‘’kwaS-pu?n?k'tu?r. From aqua, water, and punctura, à puncture. Fr., aqua puncture, Ger., Aquapunctur. It., acquapuntura. Sp., aguapuxtura, ‘1. A French method of producing counter-irritation or revulsion by forcing a fine jet of water or some other liquid into or through the unbroken skin. Mathieu’s instrument for the purpose (see AQUAPUNCTEUR) is a force-pump capable of forcing the liquid even into the subcutaneous ti ue, the delivery tube being held at a distance of about a third of an inch from the skin. A wheal-like elevation of the skin usually results, with occasionally a minute extravasation of blood at its centre. The pain is severe at first, but usually disappears in 15 or 20'minutes. e method has been used succe fully in neuralgia, muscular rheumatism, etc. [A, 819.] 2. The subcutaneous injection of water as a placebo. [B.]