Mother's Remedies Part 86

[Ill.u.s.tration: Method of applying Bandage to the Arm.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Spiral Bandage of the Finger.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Simple Method of applying Bandage for Sprained Ankle.]

Bandaging and Photographs by DR. W. E. ZIEGENFUSS, of Detroit.

Done expressly for this book.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 385]

6. Sprains, Quick Application for.--"A poultice of stiff clay and vinegar." Add enough vinegar to the clay to make a nice moist poultice.

The clay is exceptionally good for swellings and sprains.

7. Sprains, Turpentine Liniment for.--"Equal parts of spirits of turpentine and vinegar and the yolk of one egg make a valuable liniment in cases of sprains, bruises and rheumatism poultice. Take common salt, roast it on a hot stove till dry as possible. Take one teaspoonful each of dry salt, venice turpentine and pulverized castile soap. Excellent for felon, apply twice daily until open." This is a very good liniment and if applied often will draw, which is one of the essential things for a felon.

8. Sprains, Old English White Oil.--

"Alcohol 1/4 pint.

Turpentine 1/4 pint.

Hartshorn 1/2 ounce.

Oil Origanum 1 ounce.

For sprains and rubbing around sores."

9. Sprains, Arnica Much Used for.--"Tincture of arnica." This should be diluted with water about one and one-half for adults and one and three-fourths for a child. This is one of the best known remedies for sprains that can be obtained. Apply freely to the bruise or sprain.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Sprains.--Rest for a time (for some weeks). The parts should be raised to lessen the blood supply. Hot applications, through fomentations, or cold evaporations, lotions, ma.s.sage later, and support with a pad and a firm bandage, in some cases. When there is not much swelling, a plaster of Paris bandage is sometimes applied at once in order that absolute rest can be secured.

1. Tincture of Arnica.--This is an excellent remedy for sprains When the part is much swollen and looks bluish is when it is especially beneficial.

It can be used full strength by saturating cloths and applying either hot or cold, or diluted to half strength.

2. Hot Water.--Applied with soaked cloths on the part is very grateful in some cases. It should be kept hot and plenty of water on the part all the time. This should be applied for hours. Between the soakings, the parts should be dressed with the lead and laudanum wash, and rubbed with ichthyol ointment or camphor and laudanum liniment.

3. Cold Applications.--Cold water.--Some patients are more benefited by the cold applications. The part should be elevated and a cloth wrung out of ice cold water, or an ice bag should be kept on the part.

4. Lead and Laudanum Wash.--This should not be used if the skin is broken.

Then the laudanum, three-fourths water, can be used alone. Composition of lead and laudanum wash, proportions four parts of undiluted lead water, diluted with sixteen parts of water to one of laudanum. This can be made stronger in the laudanum.

[386 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

5. Fomentations of hops, or smartweed or wormwood, etc., are also good.

6. Vinegar and Hops--Turpentine Liniment.--This can be used later, for stimulating purposes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Most efficient way of Bandaging Eyes showing how Bandage may be lifted from one eye.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Usual Spiral Reverse Bandage of the Arm.]

Bandaging and Photographs by DR. W. E. ZIEGENFUSS, of Detroit.

Done expressly for this book.

The following is a liniment made by an old gentleman I used to know. I was well acquainted with him while he was living, and I know he was a good, competent man. Following is the recipe:

"Oil of Amber l ounce.

Oil of Wormwood 1 ounce.

Oil of Tansy 1 ounce.

Camphor Gum 2 ounces.

Ammonia 2 ounces.

Oil of Spike 1 ounce.

Small piece castile soap.

Spirits of Wine 1 pint.

Rub in thoroughly. In some cases it should be diluted one-fourth to one-half strength. Full strength for much pain.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 387]

BURNS. SCALDS.--

A Burn is caused by dry heat.

A Scald is caused by moist heat.

A superficial burn, upon a young child, that involves the third of the body will almost certainly prove fatal, while a very deep burn, provided it is localized, may not be so serious, unless important nerves and blood vessels have been destroyed.

Burns may be divided into three degrees:

First degree are those burns that only affect the outer or superficial layer of the skin, producing a redness with some small vesicles.

Second degree burns: These extend through the true skin and blisters result.

Third degree burns: This goes down underneath and involves the deeper tissues. Charring and destruction of tissue takes place.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Burns, Linseed Oil for.--"Quick application of linseed oil." The oil forms a coating and is very soothing.

2. Burns, Common Soda for.--"There is nothing better than common baking soda for burns and scalds; apply a thick coating of dry soda. Bind a cloth over it, and keep on until the pain ceases, after which any good healing salve will do."

3. "Apply crushed onion poultice; cover to keep out the air. This will soon extract the heat and pain." Onions seem to possess many medicinal properties. They are very soothing, and in a case of scalds keep out the air and relieve the pain.

4. Burns, Mola.s.ses Takes Pain from.--"Apply New Orleans mola.s.ses to the burn and cover with flour. This forms a coating over the affected parts, keeping the air from it, thereby relieving the burning. This is an excellent remedy and one easily prepared."

5. Burns, b.u.t.ter a Relief for.--"Spread b.u.t.ter on the affected parts and bandage well. This is one of the remedies our grandmothers used to use and is a good one."

6. Burns, Oil of Peppermint Draws Fire Out of.--"Apply oil of peppermint; it will take the fire out almost immediately."

7. Burns, Sweet Oil and Cotton Batting Relieves.--"Saturate cotton batting in sweet oil and cover the burns and keep covered until the fire is out. I had my hand burned with steam until the skin peeled off, and this remedy relieved the smarting."

8. Burns, Vinegar Prevents Blistering from.--"Vinegar applied every few minutes will keep it from blistering." This is a remedy always at hand, and will do just what it says.

[388 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]