Editorial
The Poultice Richard H. Daffner, MD, FACR
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poultice, as defined by the Google English Dictionary is “a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth.” The name derives from the Greek word “poltos”, meaning “porridge.” They are also known as cataplasms. The typical poultice is a moist concoction of herbs, bread, or flour that is typically heated and is spread on an injury, or wound, and held in place with a cloth. Poultices are sometimes known as “plasters.” They have been used as a mainstay of
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primitive medicine throughout history with various success, particularly in treating muscle and tendon injuries through their counter-irritant properties. Poultices made with moldy bread (penicillium chrysogenum) have been used to treat infected wounds. Poultices were popular medical treatments up until the 1940’s. Today, they are used to treat inflamed legs in horses. So, why mention this bygone treatment now? The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned many false narratives on the use of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial
drug, and ivermectin, a drug used to treat intestinal parasites in farm animals, as potential prophylaxis and treatment for the disease. The main purveyors of these and other conspiracy theories come from the “usual suspects:” QAnon, anti-vaxers, and telehealth companies. So far, scientific trials have shown neither of these drugs to be effective for dealing with the virus. Unfortunately, both have been shown to have serious side effects (cardiac arrythmias with hydroxychloroquine and cardiac, respiratory, and mental problems with ivermectin). So, what does this have to do with poultices?
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