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Discussion on HOW DO THEY WORK?
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Monday, Dec 6, 2004 - 1:43 pm:
Poultices, how do they actually work.. here is a quote from your article
"It is also thought that they may help actually draw fluid out of the leg through osmosis."
ok, that being said.. in putting a over the counter poultice on a pigeon fever lump how is it helping drawing out the abscess? I understand the hot packing but applying the poultice after does what..? ( specially if the horses are out in the cold weather)
thanks as always Ann
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 7, 2004 - 4:34 pm:
This might depend on what "Poultice" you are using. A search on "Google" will yield all kinds of concoctions and applications of a poultice.
The definition of OSMOSIS is as such:
n: movement of a solvent through a semipermeable membrame into a solution of higher concentration that tends to equalize the concentrations on either side of the membrane.
For arguments sake, I will assume the semipermeable membrane is a guaze bandage  .
The definition of POULTICE is as such:
n: a soft,usually heated and medicated mass spread on cloth and applied to a sore or injury.
The difficulty may be in applying this in freezing temperatures and certain equine body parts that aren't conducive to wrapping. In short a poultice acts as a drawing agent to bring out impurities or the offending substance to the surface of the skin.
This is my wild concoction for the day  .
Susan B.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 7, 2004 - 6:04 pm:
Hello Ann,
I am not sure I get the drawing reference but this does not apply to abscesses, this is in reference to limb edema.
As susan concocts, the effects of polticing depends greatly on what poltice is used. In trying to get a abscess you want to heat things up and soften the skin. The reasons is probably the chemicals that are responsible for necrotizing the flesh work quicker when warm and the skin softened. I would recommend icthamol ointment which is specifically formulated for this use.
DrO
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 7, 2009 - 9:32 pm:
Just to clarify, (kindergarten question) the differences between hot and cold poultices?
Is the hot a reference to the temperature of the actual poltice or what the ingredients do?
I can apply something hot to draw out infection, I have something called icy blue for humans that is cold to the touch but heats up after application.
Is there a medicated poultice that is applied cold?
thank you
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Mar 9, 2009 - 10:38 am:
Yes many poultices are applied cold but there are some that are heated as part of the preparation and then applied warm before they set up. As to get the as to whether you would call it a hot or cold poultice could depend to either the physical temperature or its action. Generally poultices that have a heating action after applied are called "sweats".
DrO
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 - 11:31 am:
ok thanks
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