cataplasm

/'kætəplæzm/

Thân thiện

The nurse applies a warm cataplasm to the patient's sore shoulder.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical dressing for external application: A cataplasm is a soft, heated mass of meal, clay, or other substances, spread on a cloth and applied to the skin. Its primary uses are to treat inflammation, soothe aches, or improve circulation in a localized area.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor recommended a cataplasm of mustard and flour to reduce the swelling.
  • In historical treatments, a warm cataplasm was often applied to the chest to relieve congestion.

Advanced Usage

• "To apply a cataplasm": This phrase describes the act of putting this type of medicinal dressing on the body.
  • The nurse instructed her on how to apply a cataplasm correctly to the affected joint.

Variants and Related Words

• Poultice (n): This is the most common synonym for cataplasm in modern medical and general usage.
  • A poultice made from crushed herbs can be very effective.
• Plaster (n): In some contexts, this can refer to a similar medicated dressing, though it often implies a firmer consistency.

Synonyms

• Poultice: A soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant origin or meal, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation.
• Dressing: A more general term for any material applied to a wound or affected part of the body.

Notes on Meaning

The word cataplasm is a technical and somewhat archaic term. In contemporary English, poultice is far more commonly used in both medical and everyday contexts to describe the same type of treatment.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.

Từ đồng nghĩa

• poultice
• plaster