ness, swelling, and
pain of the flesh at the root of the nail, which extends all about the
nail and may be slight and soon subside, or there may be great pain
and increased swelling, with the formation of "matter" (pus), and
result in the loss of the nail, particularly in the weak.

Whitlow or felon is a much more serious trouble. It begins generally
as a painful swelling of one of the last joints of the fingers on the
palm side. Among the causes are a blow, scratch, or puncture. Often
there is no apparent cause, but in some manner the germs of
inflammation gain entrance. The end of the finger becomes hot and
tense, and throbs with sometimes almost unbearable pain. If the
inflammation is chiefly of the surface there may be much redness, but
if mainly of the deeper parts the skin may be but little reddened or
the surface may be actually pale. There is usually some fever, and the
pain is made worse by permitting the hand to hang down. If the felon
is on the little finger or thumb the inflammation is likely to extend
down into the palm of the hand, and from thence into the arm along the
course of the tendons or sinews of the muscles. Death of the bone of
the last finger joint necessitating removal of this part, stiffness,
crippling, and distortion of the hand, or death from blood poisoning
may ensue if prompt surgical treatment is not obtained.

=Treatment.=--At the very outset it may be possible to stop the
progress of the felon by keeping the finger constantly wet by means of
a bandage continually saturated with equal parts of alcohol and water,
at night keeping it moist by covering with a piece of oil silk or
rubber. Tincture of iodine painted all over the end of the finger is
also useful, and the hand should be carried in a sling by day, and
slung above the head to the headboard of the bed by night. If after
twenty-four hours the pain increases, it is best to apply hot
poultices to the finger, changing them as often as they cool. If the
felon has not begun to abate by the end of forty-eight hours, the end
of the finger must be cut lengthwise right down to the bone by a
surgeon to prevent death of the bone or extension of the inflammation.
Poultices are then continued.

"Run-around" is treated also by iodine, cold applications, and, if
inflammation continues, by hot poulticing and incision with a knife;
but poulticing is often sufficient. Attention to the general health by
a physician will frequently be of service.