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HEMORRHAGE—TREATMENT. 397

to use styptics in connection with the compress. The
following agents have been used as styptics : tannic

acid, creosote, nitrate of silver, chlorid of zinc, sul-
phate of zinc, oil of turpentine, muriate of iron. The
methods of applying these different preparations are
the same. The agent is simply to be retained in
contact with the part till it has exerted its influence.
A solution of tannin in alcohol with creosote, equal
parts, makes a very powerful styptic ; or tannin and

creosote alone is perhaps equally efficient.
The actual cautery is sometimes used to arrest
hemorrhage ; but the propriety of using it in cases
where there is a manifest hemorrhagic diathesis, is
exceedingly doubtful. When the cauterized surface
is sloughed off, the hemorrhage is liable to recur with
increased vigor, indeed, is certain to do so in almost
every case when there is a strong predisposition.

Constitutional treatment may be employed to antici-
pate hemorrhage; and it should have in view an
increase of the relative amount of red corpuscles,
albumen and fibrin, in the blood ; and also the pro-
duction of a normal tone of the system. Saline purga-
tives may be used with very decided advantage,
followed with acetate of lead, in connection with
opium ; the effect of the lead being to increase the

coagulability of the albumen and fibrin. Care should
be exercised, however, in its administration.