Presidency General Hospital: Case of Abscess Treated Antiseptically, with Carbolic Acid

GtEokge Cannon, aged 18, sailor, of strumous appearance, Was admitted into hospital, December 8tli last, complaining of pain over the right iliac region. On the 23rd December a circumscribed swelling made its appearance over the right kidney. It gradually enlarged, and became red and painful, with distinct fluctuation. There wa3 tenderness, nor deformity of spine, and the urine was quite formal, though repeatedly tested. On the morning of the 4th January the abscess wa3 opened ^ Assistant Surgeon Keid in the manner recommended by lister, viz.:? The skin was smeared with an oily solution of carbolic acid (1 part carbolic acid to 4 of oil). Apiece of lint, about sis inches square, soaked in the same solution, was placed over the swelling, and a bistoury having been dipped in the carbolic acid mixture, the lower edge of the lint was raised, and an mcision of about ? inch in extent made. Three ounces of pu3 were evacuated, and allowed to flow down between the lint a?d the skin. The wound was then dressed antiseptically with a putty composed of chalk, oil, and carbolic acid (1 part carbolic acid to 4 of oil). 5th December, Morning.?Dressing, from patient's movements W bed, has become displaced, leaving the wound unprotected : copious discharge of pus, from 16 to 18 ounces since yesterday horning. Air having thus gained admission into the abscess, it was Necessary to begin the antiseptic treatment de novo. To this end, a watery solution of carbolic acid (1 c. a. to