his affection, though it somewhat resembles a common boil, and is by
some writers considered only such, in an overgrown state, is,
nevertheless, far from being identical with it.

While a _boil_ is only a sanitive effort of nature to eliminate the
cause of a morbid process, and tends to a spontaneous, healthy
termination, the _carbuncle_, on the contrary, is the very essence of
disease; its constant tendency being towards the dissemination of
diseased action, causing destruction of the parts affected. It, in fact,
appears like a parasite, living by the destruction of surrounding
tissues, literally absorbing them and "thriving on death." It begins
with a red, livid color, slight aching and burning pains, the part
swells and is elevated some like a boil, except that it does not
"point," but has a broad base rising like a cone and flattened at the
top. It feels soft and spongy, and will appear to fluctuate, but if
punctured, blood only flows. The pain and burning increases rapidly, and
sooner or later several openings appear upon the top, varying from three
or four to half a dozen or more, looking like the holes in a sponge, out
of which issues a fluid like thin gruel. Instead of becoming easier
after the suppuration begins, as is the case with a boil, the burning
increases to an alarming and unbearable extent; cold chills, loss of
appetite, great depression of spirits, general nervous and muscular
debility come on. The tumor continues to discharge, turns purple;
gangrene beginning in the carbuncle extends to other parts and death
follows.

The disease is nearly always confined to quite feeble persons and those
past the meridian of life; but I have seen it on younger though feeble
patients. It is generally located on the back, occasionally on the head,
where it is very dangerous from its liability to affect the brain.

TREATMENT.

If treated very early, _strong tincture of Arnica_ applied to the
surface of the carbuncle, by cloths wet and laid over the tumor, will
often arrest it so that the swelling will not be developed to the
suppurative stage. However, to reap any benefit from _Arnica_, it must
be applied while the pain is not severe, and the parts only feel bruised
and tender to pressure, like a common bruise.

After the ulceration occurs, _Arsenicum_ is the great remedy to be
relied on. It should be given at the second or third attenuation as
often as every three hours, when the pain is severe, and applied to