The Mother And Her Child Part 62

3. For the older child or adult, steam inhalations are to be had from the ordinary croup kettle or from a twelve- or fourteen-inch tin can which is filled two-thirds full of boiling water. Over the top is loosely spread a cheesecloth upon which a few drops of compound tincture of benzoin or eucalyptus are sprinkled. The opened mouth is brought near the top of this can and a towel is thrown over the head, can and all; the patient thus being able satisfactorily to inhale the medicated steam.

LOTIONS FOR SORE MOUTH

Boric-Acid-and-Myrrh Lotion.

Boric acid 20 grains Tincture of myrrh 1/2 fluidrachm Glycerine 1 fluidrachm Water, enough to make 1 fluid ounce

Apply frequently to the inside of the mouth for inflammation or thrush.

FOR NOSEBLEED

Tannic acid 2 drachms Glycerine 1 fluidrachm Water 2 fluid ounces

To be injected or snuffed into the nose in obstinate cases of nosebleed.

THROAT GARGLES

Dobell's solution is an excellent throat gargle. A solution of half alcohol and half water is also a splendid gargle.

MOUTH WASH

Listerine 2 teaspoons Soda bicarbonate 10 grains Water 4 ounces

Essence of cinnamon, six drops in one-half gla.s.s cold water, may also be used in brus.h.i.+ng the teeth and in cleansing the tongue and mouth.

DISINFECTANTS

1. Carbolic Acid.

Carbolic acid (95%) 6 ounces Glycerine 4 ounces Water 1 gallon

Clothes should be soaked in this for several hours, then removed in a covered receptacle and boiled thoroughly. Sheets may be wet with this and hung at the doors in case of infectious diseases.

2. Chloride of Lime.

Chloride of Lime 4 ounces Water (rain) 1 gallon

In typhoid fever, all the movements from the bowels should be thoroughly mixed with this, covered and allowed to stand several hours before pouring down the water closet. All vomited matter should be treated the same way.

POULTICES

There are a number of mush poultices recommended for different conditions--boils, felons, etc., but we find the aseptic heating compress to be as effectual as any of these dirty, mush poultices and we suggest that our readers try the boracic-acid poultice which is put on as follows: Over any infected area or abrasion of the skin a thick padding of cotton moistened by a saturated boracic-acid solution is placed. This is entirely covered with wax paper or oiled-silk, and held in place by a binder. It is sanitary and much to be preferred to any of the mush poultices of bygone days.

COUGH SYRUP

A very useful cough syrup may be made as follows: Two tablespoons of flaxseed are steeped on the stove until clear, the jelly strained and flavored quite sour with lemon juice to which is added rock candy for sweetening. This will often effectively relieve the irritating coughs of childhood.

LOTIONS FOR CHAPPED HANDS

No. 1. Glycerine 3 ounces Tr. Benzoin 1/2 ounce Water 1 ounce

No. 2. Glycerine 2 ounces Lemon juice 1/2 ounce Tr. Myrrh 1/2 ounce

No. 3. Glycerine 2 ounces Rose Water 2 ounces Acetic Acid 2 ounces

ECZEMA

We wish to submit two very useful prescriptions for that troublesome skin disease which is so annoying in childhood as well as in adult life. Prescription No. 1 is a clear fluid, and after the affected area is thoroughly cleansed with resinol soap and rinsed in soft water, the lotion is applied and allowed to dry. No. 2 is then patted on with sterile cotton and often repeated to keep the eczematous skin area moist. This has proved curative in many persistent cases.

Lotion No. 1.

Acid Carbolic 1 drachm Listerine 1 drachm Rose Water 3 ounces Alcohol q. s. 6 ounces

Apply No. 1 and allow to dry of itself.

Lotion No. 2.

Ichthyol 4 drachms Lime Water 1 ounce Oil sweet almonds 1 ounce Glycerine 1 ounces Rose Water 1 ounces

Apply No. 2 and repeat to keep moist.

CONSTIPATION

We submit the following home regime, which has proved successful to many sufferers for the treatment of constipation.

1. On rising in the morning, remove the moist abdominal bandage (mentioned above); drink two-thirds of a gla.s.s of cold water; and spend fifteen to twenty minutes in the following exercises, before dressing: Abdominal lifting with deep breathing, auto-ma.s.sage, leg raising, trunk twisting, trunk bending--forward and to sides; lying down for the trunk raising, and sitting for the trunk circ.u.mduction.

Immediately following these exercises, go to stool. Have feet raised from the floor eight or ten inches, in order to simulate the squatting position.

2. Breakfast should include bran or bran bread, and two or three of the following foods: Apples with skins, grapefruit, cranberries with skins (but little sugar), and figs. Immediately after breakfast walk fifteen minutes in the open air, practicing deep abdominal breathing.

If the results at stool before breakfast were not satisfactory, vaseline r.e.c.t.u.m and go to stool again.

3. Lunch should consist of fruit only, while dinner should include bran bread and two of the following foods: Spinach, celery, carrots, parsnips, squash, or cabbage.

4. Before retiring, walk in the open air for fifteen minutes; after undressing, exercise same as morning; and on retiring, apply the moist abdominal bandage.

TABLE OF POISONS AND ANTIDOTES

_Poison._ _Antidotes._