Page:A Treatise on the Diseases of the Bones.djvu/112

96 In the treatment of interstitial absorption of the neck of the thigh-bone, the object to be held in view is, to promote a determination of the vascular action which is going on in the bone to the surface of the body.

In the early stage of the affection, perfect rest in the horizontal position should be inculcated, and along with this may be conjoined the use of tepid water poured from the spout of a tea-kettle, or from a garden forcing syringe, on the joint, together with emollient cataplasms and evaporating lotions. If these means fail, local irritants may be employed. The applications of this class are very numerous; and it may be proper, therefore, to specify those which are most worthy of consideration. Blisters, the tartar emetic ointment, ointment of corrosive sublimate, issues, seatons, moxa, and the actual cautery, are those which may be resorted to, as being at once the most easy of