Inflammation of the breast, and milk abscess / by Thomas William Nunn.

  • Nunn, T. W. (Thomas William), 1825-1909.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Inflammation of the breast, and milk abscess / by Thomas William Nunn. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    63/68 (page 51)
    The peculiar resiliency of the gland renders the early recognition of an abscess placed beneath it a matter of considerable difficulty, and the obscurity as to where the pus will spontaneously attempt to escape by no means simplifies the cases. It is fortunate when the abscess forms near the circumference of the gland, so that the matter may escape from beneath its edge, rather than perforate its substance, in which case a sinus, troublesome to heal, generally remains. I have thus endeavoured to show that the in- dividuality of each case has to be minutely studied. This study of minute particulars leads to success in treatment, by affording rational grounds for the modification of therapeutic measures. In administering brandy to a person who has fainted, it is well to see that there is no chance of its running into the windpipe: so, with almost anjr of the remedies proposed for the treatment of inflammation of the breast. Compression, no doubt, accelerates absorption, and hastens thereby the cure ; but such a result is not to be obtained unless the proper moment for its adoption be chosen. At a particular stage of suppuration, nothing is better than poulticing ; but this, long continued, produces