Inunction was greatly practiced by the ancients in connection with the
Roman and Turkish baths. It consists in rubbing the skin very thoroughly
with some unctuous substance. Olive oil may be employed, but cosmoline
or vaseline, two refined products of coal oil, are in some respects
preferable. Olive oil cannot be obtained pure, except at almost fabulous
prices. That sold in the drug stores as olive oil is really cotton-seed
oil and mixtures of lard with various other vegetable oils.
A warm bath should first be administered. Then dry the patient, as
usual, and apply the unguent, taking care to rub it in thoroughly.
Simply greasing the surface is not the object sought. The skin and flesh
should be worked, rubbed, and kneaded until the oil nearly disappears
from the surface.
The object of this application is to supply the place of defective
natural secretion of oleaginous material, to increase the activity of
the skin, and to diminish susceptibility to cold. How this is
accomplished, readily appears. The oil is a simple substitute for the
sebaceous secretion, which is, in a certain class of diseases, notably
deficient. The thorough manipulation of the skin which is necessary in
applying the oil, and which is facilitated by a lubricant, directly
promotes cutaneous activity. Whether the oil itself has any direct
effect in increasing the functional activity of the skin cannot be
positively affirmed, although it is reasonably supposable that the skin
will act more nearly normal when a deficient element is supplied than
when it is wanting. Oil is an excellent non-conductor; and invalids who
are especially susceptible to cold may be rendered comfortable by the
application of the oil bath.
The class of cases to which this remedy is applicable will be
sufficiently well indicated by the purposes which the bath is supposed
to subserve. It should not be used indiscriminately. Once or twice a
week is sufficiently often to make the application, and each should be
followed by a warm bath with fine soap, two or three days after.