Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1875 — Core for Felons. [ARTICLE]

Core for Felons.

We have had a case of felon in our family lately, and treated it successfully by steaming the whole hand with bitter herbs. Itwas allowed toprogress, through ignorance, until badly swollen, exquisitely painful and of a livid purple color. Being in the palm of the hantl, it involved the whole hand and wrist in the swelling. A handful each of tansy, hops, catnip and wormwood was thrown in an old basin, a small quantity of tobacco and half a tea cupful of soft soap added, and sufficient water to cover. When boiling hot, the patient placed her hand over the steam, and a small blanket was thrown over the basin to retain the steam, which was applied until the mixture cooled. This was repeated day and night until the pain was entirely removed, which was in fortyeight hours. The relief from the paroxysms of pain is almost magical as soon as the steam is* applied. The mixture was only once renewed. Between the applications of steam a poultice of soft soap, thickened with slippery-elm flour, was applied, but I think it was unnecessary. After using for a day the hand was submitted to a physician, who thought it should be lanc-ed or no relief would be found in less than a week, but the next day the pain took its final leave. No anodyne was used to procure sleep, as the steaming instantly relieved the pain until the next attack. — Cor. Country Gentleman.