CARBUNCLE (

See also:

• LAT

Lat. carbunculus, diminutive of

See also:

• CARBO

carbo, a glowing

See also:

• COAL

coal)  , in mineralogy, a garnet (q.v.) cut with a convex surface . In medicine the name given to an acute local inflammation of the deeper layers of the skin, followed by sloughing . It is accompanied by great local tension and by constitutional disturbance, and in the early stages the pain is often extremely acute . A hard flattened swelling of a deep-red colour is noticed on the back, face or extremities . This gradually extends until in some instances it may become as large as a dinner-plate . Towards the centre of the mass numerous small openings form on the surface, from which blood and matter escape . Through these openings a yellow slough or " core " of leathery consistence can be seen . Carbuncle is an intense local inflammation caused by septic germs which have in some manner found their way to the part . It is particularly apt to occur in persons whose health is depressed by mental worries, or by such troubles as chronic disease of the kidneys or blood-vessels, or by diabetes . The attack ends in mortification of the affected tissue, and, after much suffering, the core or mortified part slowly comes away . The modern treatment consists in cutting into the in-flamed area, scraping out the germ-laden core at the earliest possible moment, and applying germicides . This method relieves the pain at once, materially diminishes the risk of blood-poisoning, and hastens convalescence .

(E .