Chilblain

Chilblain, a localised inflammation of the skin of the fingers, toes, ears, and other parts in which the free circulation of blood is interfered with by chilling of the surface. Chilblains rarely affect adults, though those women who never take any form of exercise may be sufferers. In children they are of common occurrence in the winter months, and cause much discomfort by the tingling they produce, while in neglected cases actual breach of surface ("broken chilblains") may occur. If due attention be paid to adequately protecting the legs and feet by woollen stockings, and the hands by warm gloves, and to securing a satisfactory amount of exercise, chilblains should rarely or never occur in this climate. When children are inadequately clothed, are allowed to stand about in wintry weather, and then (when the extremities become blue with cold) are forbidden to approach a fire to warm their hands or feet, the conditions for the establishment of chilblains are effectually secured. Consequently when a child complains of chilblains the most important thing to do is to find out the cause of the mischief, and remedy it.