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REMEDIAL AGENTS. 95
Included as suppurants are croton oil, antimonial ointments,
etc., etc.
EscHAROTics, called also Cauterants or Caustics^ are medicinal
agents capable of destroying the structure and vitality of the parts
with which they come in contact, producing an eschar or slough,
which is followed by inflammation and suppuration of the neigh-
boring tissues to such a degree that the slough separates from the
living parts. The mode of action of an escharotic is as follows
After being applied to the skin, so as to chemically disorganize
it, or destroy its vitality, a new action is set up in the vessels
beneath the slough, so as to cause it to be thrown off. The ex-
cavation resulting is then kept open by inserting some irritant,
which maintains a copious secretion of pus from the ulcerated
surface. Escharotics are divided into Jctual and Poterjtial ; the
actual being fire itself, while the potential are substances which
destroy the living solids, either by excessive stimulation, or by
producing a chemical decomposition.
Iron heated to a white heat and the Jiioxa (cones or cylinders
of inflammable substance) represent the actual cautery ; and
caustic potash, nitrate of silver, burnt alum, chloride of zinc,
chromic, sulphuric and nitric acids, and the nerve or arsenical
paste employed in dental practice, represent the potential cautery.
A sub-class is composed of what are known as Issues and Setons;
the blister issue^ where the skin is removed by a blister, and the
discharge promoted by means of stimulating applications, as the
cantharidal ointment, for example ; also, the pea issue^ where an
incision made by the lancet is kept open by means of a pea, beet,
or piece of orris root. The Seton is prepared as follows A seton
:
needle, to which is attached a skein of silk, is passed completely
through the part chosen for the operation, after which it ^ is
removed, and the ends of the silk left hanging from the wound.
It is dressed once, or several times a dav, with some mild oint-
ment; or, if this is not sufficient to keep up the discharge, a more
stimulating ointment is used. Escharotics are employed to de-
stroy morbid growths, warts, polypi, condylomata, fungous gran-
ulations, etc. ; also to relieve violent inflammation by their sub-
stitutive action ; to stimulate indolent ulcers, sinuses, etc. ; to
REMEDIAL AGENTS. 95
Included as suppurants are croton oil, antimonial ointments,
etc., etc.
EscHAROTics, called also Cauterants or Caustics^ are medicinal
agents capable of destroying the structure and vitality of the parts
with which they come in contact, producing an eschar or slough,
which is followed by inflammation and suppuration of the neigh-
boring tissues to such a degree that the slough separates from the
living parts. The mode of action of an escharotic is as follows
After being applied to the skin, so as to chemically disorganize
it, or destroy its vitality, a new action is set up in the vessels
beneath the slough, so as to cause it to be thrown off. The ex-
cavation resulting is then kept open by inserting some irritant,
which maintains a copious secretion of pus from the ulcerated
surface. Escharotics are divided into Jctual and Poterjtial ; the
actual being fire itself, while the potential are substances which
destroy the living solids, either by excessive stimulation, or by
producing a chemical decomposition.
Iron heated to a white heat and the Jiioxa (cones or cylinders
of inflammable substance) represent the actual cautery ; and
caustic potash, nitrate of silver, burnt alum, chloride of zinc,
chromic, sulphuric and nitric acids, and the nerve or arsenical
paste employed in dental practice, represent the potential cautery.
A sub-class is composed of what are known as Issues and Setons;
the blister issue^ where the skin is removed by a blister, and the
discharge promoted by means of stimulating applications, as the
cantharidal ointment, for example ; also, the pea issue^ where an
incision made by the lancet is kept open by means of a pea, beet,
or piece of orris root. The Seton is prepared as follows A seton
:
needle, to which is attached a skein of silk, is passed completely
through the part chosen for the operation, after which it ^ is
removed, and the ends of the silk left hanging from the wound.
It is dressed once, or several times a dav, with some mild oint-
ment; or, if this is not sufficient to keep up the discharge, a more
stimulating ointment is used. Escharotics are employed to de-
stroy morbid growths, warts, polypi, condylomata, fungous gran-
ulations, etc. ; also to relieve violent inflammation by their sub-
stitutive action ; to stimulate indolent ulcers, sinuses, etc. ; to
