Gasoline And Small-pox

Dr. Thomas Nioholson, of St. Louis, yrites to the RepiMican regarding the ïse of gaeoline in the treatment of imall pox. From his commuuication we extraot the following : It is a settled principie in niechanical jhilosophy that heat is but a form of nolecular energy, or simply a mode of Luotion : Why, then cunnot the heat of the inflanimation of the skin of a smallpox patiënt be transformed, on the well mown law that heat is absorbed and ;arried off on the conversión of a liquid uto a gaseous statu Y Any very light substance, whioh rapdly evaporates, would do this as ether ; out the application of any such, exoept the one to be mentioned and its relatives, to an iuflained surface, is irritating and smarting. We must also have jomething whioh will destroy the poijonous exhalations. I discovered that common gasoline was the objeot sought for. It is well known that this volatile liquid is a great refrigsrant. It is a very good disinfeotant. If the body of a sinaü-pox patiënt be jarefully sponged with it and gently fanned it quickly reduces the cutaneous heat, neutralizes the nasty odor whioh axhales froin the body, and produces a most delightful and comfortable sensation. lts rapid evaporation abstracts the excessive heat froin the tiery surfaoe. checks the ulcerative prooess of the true skin and theraby prevents pitting. The discovery of this fact alone is a godsend to millions. It also prevents other persons from takiug it by disiufeoting the room. If the treatment commenoes when the eruption makes its first appearanoe, the skin may be kept perfectly sound. The fever ñame will be quenched, and henee the pimples will not devülop to pustules. If there should be any fear of suppresiing the eruption all over the body, save the face at any rate. Cover it completely with linen gauze, and keep this satura ted with the fluid, theu gently fan as the occasion requires. The temperature can be regulated at pleasure. If tho patiënt be watched olosely and carefully attended not one fore will forra ! If anything appears it will be but a pimple which will speedily vanish under the treatment. Should the eruption be perniitted to take its natural course on the body, do not allow the sores te run together, and determine to cantrol violent signs of inflammation of the skin. Check anything that looks like confluence, tor this is the principal danger. ÍJow gasoline being one of the best refrigerauta and not inferior as a disiufectant, it is easy to understand, theoretically, why this simple remedy should aot in, at least, modifying the disease, and I am sure thttre will be no disappointment in practice. In the treatment of eleven cases it was a triutnphant success. The following is my prescription and the mode of using it : Gasoline one pint. Guui camphor, as much as it will dissolve. Pulverized sulphate oí soda one dram. Pure carbolic a3Íd, half dram. Cover the body with gauze linen and sponge the gasoline over it as occasion requires, then gently fan, continue the process until all signs of influmuiatiun have ceased. No light should be permitted near the patiënt while spouging and fanniug because gasoline is a most inflamuiable substance. I now use a somewhat similar compound as a liniment in many caseB, such as erysipelas, rheumatism, gout, boils, carbunclos, scalds, burns, and any local inflammation, there is nothing known to equal its soothing and gratefully cooling influences.