FORMULÆ.                                              131

                            (c) Eye ointment.

A small quantity about the size of a split pea is inserted under the upper lid.

                            (d) Eye powder.

(97) Calomel, a few grains on a camel's hair brush flicked into the
eye once daily. (Particularly useful in ulceration of the
cornea.)

Fomentations are local applications of hot water with the
object of relieving pain or promoting the healing process in any part
by increasing the flow of the blood within it. They may be employed
over small areas such as the eye, or extensive areas such as the
back. Several gallons of water must be kept heated and when a
large surface is to be fomented, such as the belly or chest, a large
common or cooly blanket furnished with six ropes, one attached
to each corner and one at the centre of each short side, long enough
to meet and be secured over the back, is the best method.

Fomentations may be applied in two ways, either (a) by first
soaking the blanket in water so hot that the hand just bears it,
wringing it out thoroughly and applying to the part at once and
tying it over the back, a second dry blanket or tarpaulin being
placed so as to envelop it and thus retain the heat ; or (b) as
Hawkes recommends, by first securing the cumbly or blanket dry,
with a layer of straw placed between it and the body. Hot water
that the hand will just bear is poured continuously from both sides.
A large quantity of water is requisite. Other parts, such as limbs,
may be similarly enveloped with pieces of blanket of suitable size.
The success of all fomentations depends on the degree and retention
of heat: if the water be too hot the skin may be scalded and if
not hot enough it is useless in allaying pain. In order to maintain
heat, the blanket should be changed at least every ten minutes until
the pain is allayed. Everything should be ready prepared, so that
the blanket may be clapped on immediately it is wrung out and to
do this satisfactorily it is desirable to have at least two blankets in
use. The relief of pain locally may be supplemented by sprinkling
over the first blanket two or three tablespoonsful of turpentine ;
this may be repeated once or twice during the day. When the
last fomentation is withdrawn, it is necessary to guard against chill
by covering the fomented area with a dry blanket for some hours,
or by rubbing the part till thoroughly dry, after which some mild