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110 DENTAL MEDICINE.
harder than ointments, especially where wax is substituted for the
lard.
Oleates are medicinal ointments. (See Medicinal Oleates.)
Pills are simple or compound medicinal agents, of a firm con-
sistence, spherical or globular in shape, and generally not exceed-
ing five or six grains in weight.
Plasters are preparations of a solid glutinous composition,
which, at the ordinary temperature of the body, adheres to the
part on which it is placed.
Powders are dry substances in minute subdivision.
Poultices are preparations for applying continuous heat and
moisture and softening the tissues. Their effects are to cause
an afflux of blood to the part, dilate the vessels and soften the
tissues by the influence of both heat and moisture, and render the
diffusion of the fluids easy. In inflammatory conditions, the
stasis of the vessels implicated is relieved, the tension of the parts
lessened and resolution brought about. Where the stage of ex-
udation is present, these preparations promote the increase and
migration of the white corpuscle and facilitate the escape of
purulent matter. Poultices also relieve the pain of inflamed
parts by relaxing the tissues, and thereby removing pressure
from the sensory nerve filaments ; they relieve pain in parts
distant from the points where their applications are made, and
have both a local and systemic effect. Poultices are generally
composed of such substances as flaxseed meal, powdered slippery-
elm bark and corn meal ; also bread and milk are sometimes
employed.
The substance dissolved in hot water is spread upon soft mus-
lin of such a size as to allow one free end to fold over the mass
and intervene between it and the surface of the skin ; or it may
be inclosed in a small bag of muslin. Glycerin spread over the
surface of a poultice will prevent its drying. Laudanum is
often added to mitigate the pain, if necessary; also charcoal in
the form of powder. A yeast poultice is made of brewer's yeast
with enough of flaxseed to give it a proper consistence. Poultices
should not be allowed to remain too long, as their effect will
cause the skin to become white, wrinkled and pulpy, and lead to