The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English Part 28

EPSOM SALTS (_Magnesia Sulphas_). Its common name is "Salts." Much used in domestic practice. _Dose_--One-fourth to one-half ounce.

DR. PIERCE'S PLEASANT PELLETS, being entirely vegetable in their composition, operate without disturbance to the system, diet, or occupation. Put up in gla.s.s vials. Always fresh and reliable. As _a laxative, alterative,_ or gently acting but searching _cathartic_, these little Pellets give the most perfect satisfaction. Sick Headache, Bilious Headache, Dizziness, Constipation, Indigestion, Bilious Attacks, and all derangements of the stomach and bowels, are promptly relieved and permanently cured by the use of Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets. In explanation of the remedial power of these Pellets over so great a variety of diseases, it may truthfully be said that their action upon the system is universal, not a gland or tissue escaping their sanative influence.

Everybody, now and then, needs a gentle laxative to a.s.sist nature a little; or, a more searching and cleansing, yet gentle cathartic, to remove offending matter from the stomach and bowels and tone up and invigorate the liver and quicken its tardy action. Thereby the "Pleasant Pellets" cure biliousness, sick and bilious headache, costiveness, or constipation of the bowels, sour stomach, windy belchings, "heart-burn,"

pain and distress after eating, and kindred derangements of the liver, stomach and bowels.

Persons subject to any of these troubles should never be without a vial of the "Pleasant Pellets" at hand. In proof of their superior excellence it can be truthfully said that they are always adopted as a household remedy after the first trial.

The "Pleasant Pellets" are far more effective in arousing the liver to action than "blue pills," the old-fas.h.i.+oned compound cathartic pills, calomel or other mercurial preparations, and have the further merit of being purely vegetable in their composition and perfectly harmless in any condition of the system. Furthermore, no particular care is required while using them.

Being composed of the choicest, concentrated vegetable extracts, their cost of production is much more than that of most pills found in the market, yet from forty to forty-four of them are put up in each gla.s.s vial, as sold through druggists, and can be had at the price of the more ordinary and cheaper made pills. Once used, they are always in favor.

Their secondary effect is to keep the bowels open and regular, not to further constipate, as is the case with other pills. Hence, their great popularity with sufferers from habitual constipation, piles and their attendant discomfort and manifold derangements.

For all laxative and cathartic purposes the "Pleasant Pellets" are infinitely superior to all "mineral waters," sediltz powders, "salts,"

castor oil, fruit syrups (so-called), laxative "teas," and the many other purgative compounds sold in various forms.

If people generally, would pay more attention to properly regulating the action of their bowels, they would have less frequent occasion to call for their doctor's services to subdue attacks of dangerous diseases.

Hence it is of great importance to know what safe, harmless agent best serves the purpose of producing the desired action.

DIRECTIONS FOR USING DR. PIERCE'S PLEASANT PELLETS.

In all cases, the size of dose to be taken must be regulated somewhat by the known susceptibility of the individual to the action of laxative and cathartic medicines. Some persons' bowels are readily acted upon by small doses, while others require more. As a general rule, the smaller doses which we recommend, are quite sufficient, and produce the best results if persisted in for a reasonable length of time.

FOR A GENTLE APERIENT, OR LAXATIVE, take one or not more than two and preferably in the morning, on an empty stomach.

FOR A GENTLE CATHARTIC, two or three are generally sufficient, if taken in the morning, on an empty stomach.

FOR A VERY ACTIVE, SEARCHING CATHARTIC, four to six may be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach.

FOR A CHILD OF TWO TO FOUR YEARS, one-half of a Pellet given in a little sauce of some kind, or soft candy, will be sufficient for a laxative, or one for a mild cathartic.

FOR A CHILD OF FOUR TO EIGHT YEARS, one for a laxative or two for a cathartic will act nicely, if given on an empty stomach.

AS A DINNER PILL.--To promote digestion and increase the appet.i.te, take only one Pellet each day after dinner.

_To overcome the disagreeable effects of a too hearty meal_, take two Pellets as soon as conscious of having overloaded the stomach.

IN ALL CHRONIC DISEASES, it is of the utmost importance that the bowels be kept _regular_, yet thorough purgation should be avoided, as it tends to debilitate the system. Small laxative doses of one or at most two Pellets, taken daily and continued for a long time, is the plan that we would recommend to produce the best results.

IN DROPSY, an occasional active cathartic dose of the Pellets of say 4 to 6, taken once in a week or ten days, will do good, if, in the interval between these doses, Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery be taken to invigorate and regulate the system.

TO BREAK UP SUDDEN ATTACKS OF COLDS, FEVERS, AND INFLAMMATIONS.--It is only in these sudden and severe attacks of _acute_ diseases that we recommend the Pellets to be taken in active purgative doses, and in these cases _only one_ large or cathartic dose of say 5 or 6 Pellets should be taken.

In colds, fevers, and inflammatory attacks, warm sweating teas should be taken freely, and hot foot baths, or a hot general bath, employed to a.s.sist in equalizing the circulation of the blood and restoring the equilibrium of the system.

SUPPRESSED MENSTRUATION.--This combined treatment of an active dose of Pellets, coupled with the use of a hot bath, foot bath, or, better still, a hot sitz-bath, will bring on _menstruation_, when suppressed from taking cold. In the latter case the effect will be insured if, in addition to the use of the Pellets and baths, a full dose of Dr.

Pierce's Compound Extract of Smart-Weed, or Water Pepper, be also used.

CAUSTICS.

_Caustics_ are substances which have the power of destroying or disorganizing animal structures. By their action they destroy the tissue to which they are applied, and form a crust, which is thrown off by a separation from the parts beneath. Their caustic property may be destroyed by dilution with other substances, to such an extent that they will only irritate or stimulate, and not destroy. Much care is necessary in their employment, and it is not expected that the unprofessional reader will have much to do with them; hence, we have deemed it best not to give a list of these agents.

COUNTER-IRRITANTS.

_Counter-irritants_ are substances which produce irritation of the part to which they are applied, varying in degree from a slight redness to a blister or pustule. They are applied to the surface with a view of producing an irritation to relieve irritation or inflammation in some other or deeper seated part. They are a cla.s.s of agents which we very seldom employ, and, hence, we shall notice only a couple of the most simple.

MUSTARD (_Sinapis_). The flour of mustard, which is best adapted for domestic use, is employed in the form of a paste spread on cloth. It takes effect in a few moments; the length of time it remains in contact with the skin and the strength of the mustard determine the effect produced.

HORSE-RADISH (_Cochlearia Armoracia_). The leaves are the parts used.

Let them wilt and bind them on the part affected. They act nearly as energetically as mustard.

DIAPh.o.r.eTICS.

_Diaph.o.r.etics_ are medicines which increase perspiration. Those which occasion profuse sweating are termed _Sudorifics_. The two terms indicate different degrees of the same operation. They const.i.tute an important element in domestic practice, on account of the salutary effects which generally follow their action. Their operation is favored by warmth externally, and warm drinks, when they are not given in hot infusion.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 127.

Pleurisy-root. ]

PLEURISY-ROOT (_Asclepias Tuberosa_), is also known as White-root, and b.u.t.terfly-weed. It is a valuable remedy, well adapted to break up inflammations and disease of the chest. _Dose_--Of infusion, one to two ounces; of fluid extract, one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful; of the concentrated principle, Asclepin, one to three grains.

SAFFRON (_Crocus Sativus_). Golden Saffron. _Dose_--Of infusion (one drachm to a pint of water), one to two ounces.

Sage (_Salvia Officinalis_). The warm infusion drunk freely is a valuable, domestic diaph.o.r.etic.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 128.

Virginia Snake-root. ]

VIRGINIA SNAKE-ROOT (_Aristolochia Serpentaria_), is an efficient agent. _Dose_--Of infusion, one to two ounces; of tincture, one-fourth to one teaspoonful; of fluid extract, one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful.

JABORANDI (_Pilocarpus Pinnatus_). Jaborandi increases the flow of saliva, causes profuse perspiration, and lowers the temperature of the body. In doses of from twenty to sixty drops of the fluid extract, administered in a cup of warm water or herb-tea on going to bed, we have found it very effectual for breaking up recent colds. We have also found it valuable in whooping-cough, in doses of from three to ten drops, according to the age of the child, given three or four times a day. The fluid extract may be obtained at almost any drug-store.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 129.

May-flower. ]

MAY-WEED (_Maruta Cotula_), is also known as Wild Chamomile, and Dog-fennel. It is not much used, though it is a powerful diaph.o.r.etic.

_Dose_--Of infusion, one to two ounces.

CATNIP (_Nepeta Cataria_). A deservedly popular, domestic remedy, always acceptable, and certain in its action. The warm infusion is the best form for its administration. It may be drunk freely.

GINGER (_Zingiber Officinale_). The hot infusion may be sweetened and drunk as freely as the stomach will bear.