There is one Paper official. It is paper coated with Mustard, used similarly to the Plasters:

Charta Sinapis . . oil-free black mustard, 4 Gm. in 60 sq. cm.

The Mustard is freed from the fixed oil by extraction with Ben-zin, and mixed with a solution of India Rubber in equal volumes of Benzin and Carbon Disulphide, and spread upon Paper. This is the well-known Mustard Plaster or Mustard Paper. When applied, the paper should be immersed in lukewarm water for a few minutes, in order to render the vesicating principle active.

Charta Cantharidis, U. S. P. 1880. - Cantharidis Paper (Blistering Paper).

Poultice or Cataplasm (Lat. Cataplasma, -atis). - A coarsely-ground substance or mixture of substances, such as flaxseed or elm-bark, made into a mass with hot water or some other liquid, spread upon cloth or filled into porous bags, and applied to the body while hot.

Fomentations (Lat. Fomentum, -i). - Porous woollen cloths saturated with hot infusion or decoction of herbs, or other hot liquids or lotions, and applied hot.

Spongiopiline. - A thick cloth covered with layers of sponge for the saturation and retention of medicinal agents intended for absorption, the exterior being composed of waterproof material, such as rubber.

Plaster-Mull. - A thin cloth made impervious with rubber or gutta-percha tissue, upon which is spread or painted medicinal agents in the liquid form, intended for local application.

Caustics or Escharotics (Gr. Escharotikos). - Substances used to destroy tissue by chemical action or by heat, either semisolid mixtures made into a paste with starch or other diluent, or chemicals fused and moulded into sticks called pencils or "crayons " (Lat. stilus, -i), to be applied directly to the skin. Moxa is the name given to small cones of combustible substances which upon incineration do not inflame, but give off an intense heat, used for cauterization when heat is desired.

Bandages; Antiseptic Dressings. - The material used for bandages is cellulose in various modifications, such as cotton, linen, jute, and other fibrous substances. Aside from the mechanical support afforded, bandages also serve to keep wounds clean by absorbing and withdrawing secretions (pus) which would otherwise prove irritating, and by protecting them against extraneous matter serve to promote the healing process.

These various substances may be used either plain or medicated, when they are called antiseptic.

Gossypium Purificatum, U. S. P.; Absorbent Cotton. - The hairs of the seed of Gossypium herbaceum L., freed from oil and resinous substances by treatment with alkalies and bleaching agents. These hairs represent microscopic ducts in which liquids are absorbed through capillarity. The freer from oily constituents, the more readily will watery liquids be taken up and retained; hence, the absorbability of cotton depends upon its purity. This is equally true with all other bandage material.

Linen in the form of thin sheets, known as Muslin or Muslingauze, or purified similarly to cotton, when it is called Lint, is made from the bast-fibres of the Linum usitatissitnum L., Flax. Hemp and Jute are the bast-fibres of their respective plants.

Medicated Dressings. - These are made by saturating the material or vehicle in a solution of certain strength of the medicinal agent, or incorporating the latter in powdered form. In the application of a dressing which has been rendered aseptic or antiseptic by impregnating it with Phenol (Carbolic Acid), Salicylic Acid, Mercuric Chloride, or similar agent, it is desired to bring in contact with the wound a solution of certain strength - for example, a 5 or 10 per cent. solution of Phenol, a 1/10 or 1/20 of 1 per cent.

solution of Mercuric Chloride, etc. The quantity of material which conveys the agent is of no consequence, as the fabric simply serves as a vehicle for the medicinal or antiseptic agent. The strengths of such dressings should therefore be designated by the percentage-strength of the solutions by which they are saturated, rather than by the percentage by weight of the medicinal agent the finished dressing may contain.

In dressings of antiseptic agents that are usually applied in substance, such as Boric Acid and Iodoform, the percentage-amount actually contained by weight in the finished dressing should be stated. Here the use of a vehicle is only a matter of convenience, and it is desirable to know just how much of the medicinal agent is contained in a certain quantity by weight or by area of the dressing.

Medicated Cottons. - Purified cotton is saturated in a solution in Water, or Glycerin and Water, of the strength desired of the medicinal agent, and thoroughly expressed.

The following are the usual strengths:

Iodoform, being insoluble in Water, should be dissolved in Ether or, preferably, in a mixture of Alcohol and Glycerin.

Medicated Gauzes; Carbasa. - The material used for making Medicated Gauzes is a muslin gauze free from sizing or other extraneous matter. The gauze is thoroughly impregnated with the solution of the particular strength required, then forcibly expressed, after which it is ready for use; or, if desired for future use, it should be tightly rolled, wrapped in parchment paper, and kept in closely covered boxes in a cool, dry place.

The following are the most commonly used Gauzes and their strengths:

The Iodoform Gauze is made in the same way as the Cotton, by saturation with a solution of Iodoform in Alcohol and Glycerin. All the others, except the Mercurial Gauze, contain Glycerin. Mercuric Chloride is dissolved in Water with a little Acid Tartaric (5 parts for 1 of Mercuric Chloride), the presence of which in the Gauze prevents the formation of insoluble albuminate of mercury when it is brought in contact with the albuminous discharges from wounds.

Plaster-of-Paris bandages are made by thoroughly incorporating Calcium Sulphate (gypsum) into linen bandages. When applied, the bandage, after being dipped in water, sets hard and firm in a few minutes.