After they have been applied, the feet must be frequently examined to see that they do not get cold. Often more harm than good is done by the nurse neglecting this part of her duty. Burdock and cabbage leaves are frequently directed to be applied to the feet; they are prepared in the same manner, and require the same attention.
890. _Spice Plaster._--Pulverized cloves, cinnamon, and Cayenne pepper, half an ounce each; mix, and add flour and wine of galls, or diluted spirits, to form this plaster; lay it hot on the region of the stomach. It is excellent for pains and spasms.
891. _Alum Cataplasm._--Take any quantity of the white of eggs; agitate it with a large lump of alum, till it be coagulated.
892. _Cataplasm of common Salt._--Take crumbs of bread, and linseed meal, of each equal parts; water, saturated with salt, a sufficient quantity to give it a proper consistency.
This poultice may be applied to the indolent swellings of the glands, in scrofulous habits, where the patient is deprived of the benefit of the sea air and water. A constant use of it will frequently occasion great inflammation of the skin, requiring a suspension of its use for a few days; but as soon as the inflammation subsides, it should be repeated. By the use of this poultice, strumous humors, and scrofulous enlargements, of a chronic nature, have been totally dispersed.
893. _Cerate of Cantharides._--Take of spermaceti ointment, six drachms; cantharides, in fine powder, one drachm. Mix them together.
This is the proper application to keep up a constant discharge from the part to which a blister has been applied.
894. _Bark Poultice._--Take of Peruvian bark, one ounce: sprinkle it over a piece of thick muslin of the required size; take another piece of the same size; lay it over the bark, and quilt them together, to keep the bark to its place; moisten it with brandy or vinegar. Some of the aromatics may be used in conjunction with the bark, if indicated.
Let it be worn over the stomach and bowels. It has proved singularly beneficial in cases of obstinate intermittents, and debility arising therefrom.
895. _Mush Poultice._--Mush poultices are sometimes ordered; this constitutes an invaluable application in cases of violent pain in the stomach and bowels, such as colic, cramp, &c. It is made by simply boiling the corn-meal until it attains the proper consistency. It must be spread on a cloth, and applied as warm as can be endured. We have known the most inveterate cases relieved by it in fifteen minutes.--_Shore._