Tincture of opium, 2 drachms. Distilled water, enough to make 4 ounces.—M.
The lead solution mixed with the sugar of milk forms a very soothing ap plication. Hot poultices of any kind, if applied constantly, will prove valuable in relieving pain and reducing inflam mation in either variety.
In the medical treatment of hemor rhoids daily action of the bowels should be obtained. Sponging the anus and sur rounding parts with soap and cold water is a very efficient application. Less meat and more vegetable food is to be eaten and physical exercise taken daily. In jections beginning with lukewarm water and gradually changing to cold often afford great relief. Those who suffer from hemorrhoids should, if possible, give up taking stimulants entirely. Thomas (Lancet, Jan. 31, '91).
Tar warmly recommended in the treat ment of hemorrhoids. The following ointment may be used:— 1 Tar, Extract of belladonna, of each, 46 minims.
Glycerin, 1 fluidounce.
M. Sig.: To be applied locally morn ing and evening. Lacruz (Revista de Med. y Cirujica Practicas, Apr. 7, '94).
The pain and irritation accompanying inflamed hemorrhoids may be quickly relieved by local washing with a weak solution of bichloride,—about 6 ounces of a 1 to 10,000 solution. Immediately after this the patient should introduce a tampon of cotton impregnated with the following ointment:— R Lanolin, 1 V, ounces.
Vaselin, 5 drachms.
Distilled water, 1 fluidounce.
:M. Sig.: For external use.
These applications should be made a number of times each day. Minsky (Re vue Internat. de Med. et de Chir., Dec., '04).
Following ointment employed in the treatment of haemorrhoids: 2 ounces of camphor-lanolin; 3 drachms of castor oil; drachms of precipitated chalk; 30 grains of hydrobromate of cicutin. Bonin (Med. Mod., Nov. 4, '96).
External piles and anal pruritus treated by the application of collodion. This causes the pile to contract and supports the contracted pile. The collodion is applied on a little cotton-wool each morning after defecation. D. W. S. Samways (Brit. lled. Jour., Nov. 21, '96).
Calomel is curative and prevents the phlebitis which causes suffering. For
external hemorrhoids, laxatives are given and the tumors powdered with calomel; for internal haemorrhoids, calo mel suppositories or an 'ointment com posed as follows should be used:— B. Calomel, 30 grains.
Vaselin, Lanolin, of each, ounce.
Belladonna or opium may be added if desired. The anus should be washed with boric-acid water after each defecation. (Jour. de Med. de Bordeaux, Sept. 23, 1000.) Just as one raises an inflamed limb in surgical practice to diminish the in travenous pressure, so can the pressure in the hlemorrhoidal veins be lessened by raising the buttocks, until the anus (and thus the plexus) occupy a higher position than the inferior veva cava and heart. Such marked relief of distressing symptoms personally obtained by adopt ing this principle that it suggested a method of procedure which gives very satisfactory results in practice. Two wedge-shaped pillows or bolsters are placed with their bases toward the foot end, about 20 inches from the head end of the bed. The two wedges lie on top of one another, producing an eleva tion of some 16 to 18 inches. The pa tient lies with his buttocks at the high est point of the wedges, on his back, but he finds that the body-weight reduces the elevation by some 10 inches. The head must be placed against the head end of the bedstead. Practical experi ence has shown that the position is a comfortable one. It may, however, be varied by a half abdominal and half right-sided position; the left leg can then be flexed and the knee brought up on to the wedges. In ordinary cases it is sufficient to employ this position merely at night-time. The cases react well if repeated for two or three nights. In severe cases it is necessary to keep the patient in bed in this position for some days. At the same time local ap plications can be resorted to. Of course, this treatment will not do away with surgical procedure, but the patient can usually be kept quite free from distress ing symptoms by this means. G. Oeder (Brit. Med. Jour., from Zeitsch. f. diiit. u. physik. Therap., No. S. 1001).