As soon as there are any signs of their advent, a small, flat, hollow ring of India rubber should be worn to prevent pressure from the shoe. When once formed they can be reduced by assiduous poulticing, and touching with nitrate of silver, tincture of iodine, or chromic acid. Sometimes they become violently inflamed, and then it is best to call in a surgeon, for grave injury of the joint may result, if they are neglected or ill-treated.
A sleigh ride or a skating party leaves many a delightful reminiscence, and sometimes one that is not delightful, to wit, chilblains. They are the result of frosted feet, and keep up a burning and stinging for months, whenever the foot becomes warm. There are numerous domestic remedies in vogue for their prevention and cure. Soaking the feet in water in which potatoes have been boiled, in strong brine, in bran-water containing several teaspoonfuls of muriate of ammonia, rubbing them with oil of turpentine, all have their advocates among those respectable old ladies who are rich in domestic lore, and all occasionally do wonders. A more unfailing remedy will be found in keeping the parts moist with this lotion:—
White Castile soap a drachm;
Milder solution of ammonia two drachms;
Tincture of cantharides two ounces.
Or if it is too inconvenient to keep up an application of this nature, the frost-bitten parts may be painted
