The Russian people are rich in fiction, which they are happy to implement in the framework of their native language. However, over time, some words either lose their relevance at all, or are replaced by modern terms, borrowings. Young people, for example, sometimes look at “grandfather” methods of treatment with bewilderment and do not understand what a “poultice” is. It is natural, although touching traditional treatment methods, learning about their essence and possibilities is never superfluous!
From ancient times
The etymology of a beautiful word is as simple as possible. It will not be difficult to break it into a prefix and the root, as well as to find the original concept in the Old Russian language. The definition goes back to “pair", which took on very different meanings depending on the context:
At the same time there was a "steam":
Obviously, the decoding is mixed, when heating is accompanied by abundant evolution of steam and / or is based on the evaporation of the substance. Discomfort at the first contact with the skin is compensated by the effectiveness of the method.
In medical practice
Apart from philological research, the word "poultice" has the most trivial meaning.
In the first, it includes three generally accepted concepts:
- a dressing moistened in hot water or a healing solution;
- a therapeutic substance that is heated and applied in liquid or dough form;
- compress.
The word in the second meaning directly indicates the application process. High temperatures in some cases help to relieve or reduce pain, accelerate the penetration of drugs through the skin. An inhalation effect due to rapid evaporation is also possible. Very affordable, and therefore very common treatment technique, which is used to this day.
At the household level
It is strange if such a capacious and sonorous word were left without additional meanings. In colloquial style, such interpretations are found:
This could happen due to harmony. Or because of the similarity of sensations between the first - the application of a hot compress - and a good blow with a lash, belt, other instruments of punishment for the guilty.
In phraseologisms
The term is often used within the framework of an established expression about the uselessness of a poultice for the dead. And this is logical. After all, none of the meanings of the word applies to a cooled body:
- it is impossible to warm it;
- death cannot be cured;
- flogging will be abuse.
So they say about any stupid actions, as well as in situations where the zero result of even the most active activity is known in advance.
In everyday life
Leave a word in the lexicon? Of course! Poultice is a rather primitive treatment technique, it is useful for home, cottage or camping. When you do not want or not the option to call doctors. Not always effective, but useful. Therefore, it is often mentioned in the speech of contemporaries.