GENERAL NEWS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 705, 7 February 1922, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

WHITLOW. Whitlow is an abscess which forms on the thumb or finder, and the bone, tendon, or fibrous tissue may be the scat of the disease It is generally set up by n? bruise, or some slight injury tlaat has been neglected. This being - the ease, no slight scratch 01 cut should be disregarded when it is situated close to the nail. It is not much trouble to din the finder or hand at once in a lotion of 1 in 2P carbolic acid and water, and so neutralise the effect of any poison that' might have found its way into the wound. Whitlow is so painful a disease that every effort ought to be made to prevent it. and nothing that may cause the slightest inflammation should be neglected. Owing to the dense nature of the covering of the linger ard thumb, and the nail affording an effectual bar to the bursting I out of the matter that accumulates un- j dor it, whitlows arc perhaps the most painful form of abscess known. The disease may spread up the finger or thumb and into the palm of the hand. When it reaches this stage it becomesvery serious indeed. The only remedy is to go to the doctor at once and have \ ihe whitlow deeply lanced, as until \ this is done'it is impossible, to cure! the disease. The matter must have a j free exit, and this can only be gained ; b. the use of the lancet. The sooner this is used the better for the patient. AW-r the abscess has been lanced poultices must be applied for some time to encourage the matter to come away, and also to keep the wound from healing until it is perfectly clean. Afterwards a suitable dressing . will make the place heal readily. Holding the hand in a bath of very hot water will sometimes ease the pain and help with the healing process, and the carrying of the hand in a sling will also help, and all movement in the part prevented by the application of a ,sp i: nt. The general condition of the health should be improved by a nu-trP-'ous diet, and a liberal allowance of fruit. Quinine and iron will also do good. Small doses of Epsom salts nr" also recommended by some doctors as being of use in ridding the blood of the poison.