Local Treatment.—1. Remove the scales first and follow this by stimulating applications unless there is much inflammation. In such cases soothing lotions should be applied. Dr. Schalek of New York, recommends the following:

2. Remove the scales thoroughly with hot water and soap and then apply:

Chrysarobin 1 dram Ether, Alcohol Equal parts of each and enough to dissolve the first remedy Collodion 1 ounce

Mix and apply with a brush to the parts affected.

This solution may cause inflammation and great swelling, and on that account it should not be used on the face, it stains the skin. Dr. Hare recommends a bath only before the application. In that way some scales remain and there is not so much inflammation and swelling resulting. The stain can be removed with a weak solution of chlorinated lime.

3. Tar Remedy.—Tar is also a good remedy in ointment forms. The skin should be closely watched to find out how sensitive it is to the tar's action, not only in this but in all skin diseases. Drugs should be changed occasionally, for they lose their efficiency.

4. Tar and Sulphur Remedy for.—Never use tar on the face, it stains.

Ointment of Tar 1 ounce Ointment of Sulphur 1 ounce

Mix thoroughly and apply at night.

5. Precipitated Sulphur 6 drams Tar 6 drams Green Soap 2 ounces Lard 2 ounces Powdered Chalk 4 drams

Apply frequently.

If necessary more lard can be used, especially if the skin is very tender.

[SKIN DISEASES 81]

6. Another good local application. It is composed of the following ingredients:

Resorcinol 1 dram Zinc Oxide 1 dram Rose Water Ointment 10 drams

Apply twice a day to the part affected.

After mixing the ointment heat it until the resorcinol crystals melt to prevent any irritation of the skin from them.

Ichthyol 2-1/2 drams Salicylic Acid 2-1/2 drams Pyrogallic Acid 2-1/2 drams Olive Oil 1 ounce Lanoline 1 ounce

Mix thoroughly and apply.

The result of the disease is always favorable as to life and general health. It yields to treatment, but it has a tendency to recur.

ITCH. Common Itch (Scabies).—Itch is a contagious disease, due to the presence of an animal parasite. There is intense itching in this disease. The parasite seeks the thin, tender regions of the skin, the spaces between the fingers, wrists and forearms, the folds in the arm-pit, the genitals in men and the breasts in women.

Cause.—It is always transmitted by contagion. An intimate and long contact is usually needed. A person occupying the same bed with one who has it is liable to take it. The female parasite lives from six to eight weeks, during which time she lays fifty eggs, which, when hatched out, become impregnated in their turn.

MOTHERS' TREATMENT for Common Itch. 1. Mustard Ointment for.—"Make an ointment of cup of fresh lard (without salt) and a tablespoonful of dry mustard, work to cream and apply." This is very soothing.

2. Itch, Grandmother's Cure for.—"Sulphur and lard mixed; rub on at night, then take a good bath, using plenty of soap, every day." The above ingredients are always easily obtained and anyone suffering with this disease will find relief from the itching by using this remedy. It is very soothing.

3. Itch, Herb Ointment for.—"Mix the juice of scabious with fresh lard and apply as an ointment. A decoction made from the same herb might be taken at the same time to purify the blood. It is always well to take some blood tonic together with any outward application you may use." Some who read the above may know scabious by other names as the "morning bride" or "sweet scabious" or "devil's bit," etc.

4. Itch, Elecampane Root Ointment for.—"Boil elecampane root in vinegar, mix with fresh lard, beating thoroughly." This is an excellent remedy for itch, having a very soothing effect and relieving the itching.

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5. Itch, Oatmeal for.—"A poultice of oatmeal and oil of bays; cures the itch and hard swellings." Oatmeal poultices are more stimulating and draw more rapidly than those made of linseed meal.

6. Itch, a Mother at Parma, Michigan, Sends the Following.—"Make a salve of sulphur and lard and each night apply it to the whole body; also one tablespoonful internally for three mornings, then skip three and so on. This is the only thing I know of that will cure itch. I have tried it with success."

7. Itch, Kerosene for.—"Apply kerosene oil, undiluted, to the parts several times a day. Apply nitrate of mercury ointment to the body."

8. Itch, Splendid Ointment for Common Itch.—

"Lac-Sulphur 160 grains Napthaline 10 grains Oil Bergamot 4 drops Cosmoline 1 ounce

Rub lac-sulphur into fine powder. Sift it into the melted cosmoline and stir until nearly cool, then add napthaline and oil bergamot. Stir until cool."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Itch.—If the skin is much inflamed or irritable, soothing baths and ointments should be used at first. There are three indications to be met in the treatment; first, to destroy the cause, the parasite; second, to cure the result of their work; third, to prevent a return or transmission to others.

First Thing to Do.—Soak the body thoroughly with soap (green soap if you have it) and water, this softens the outer layer (epidermis). This layer covers the female parasite which burrows under it. The male does not burrow and it is therefore easier to kill. Rub the skin thoroughly with a rough towel after the soaking. This rubbing will remove the outer skin scales and with it some of the parasites. The towel should be boiled at once to prevent it from conveying the parasite to others. Then apply the ointment, which, if thoroughly applied, relieves the patient at once. The skin should be well softened and rubbed in order to open every track (burrow) of the parasite. Allow the ointment to remain on all night and use it for three or four nights successively.

Ointments.—1. Simple sulphur ointment alone.

2. Oil of Cale (from Juniper) 1 dram Sulphur Ointment 2 drams Lanolin 5 drams

3. Flowers of Sulphur 6 ounces Oil of Fagi 6 ounces White Chalk 4 ounces Green Soap 16 ounces Lard 16 ounces

Apply at night. This is not so strong.

[SKIN DISEASES 83]

4. For children the following can be used:

Sulphur 1 dram Balsam Peru 1 dram Lard 1 ounce

Apply as usual.

5. The following for adults:

Precipitated Sulphur 2 drams Carbonate of Potash 1 dram Lard Ointment 1-1/2 ounces

Rub well into the skin.

Second:—Heal the resultant sores with soothing applications like vaselin and a little camphor in it.

Third:—Boil and disinfect all underwear and bedding or any article liable to give an abiding place to the parasite. It is easily cured with proper treatment.



DANDRUFF (Seborrhoea).—The scurfs or scales (dandruff) upon the scalp are formed from seborrhoea.

Definition.—The word seborrboea means to flow suet or fatty fluids. Seborrhoea is a functional disorder of the sebaceous gland (fatty, suet matter) and this secretion is somewhat altered in character.

Varieties.—There are three varieties. These depend upon the character of the material excreted.

1. Oily seborrhoea (seborrhoea oleosa).

2. Dry seborrhoea (seborrhoea sicca).

3. Mixed type of both.

Oily seborrhoea.—Symptoms.—This appears most frequently upon the nose and forehead and sometimes upon the scalp. The skin looks oily, glistening, with the appearance of dust adhering to it. Small drops of oil are seen to ooze out of the follicles and when wiped off it reforms at once. The ducts of the follicles appear gaping or they are plugged with black-heads (comedones). The hair is rendered unusually oily, when it appears on the scalp, and it is especially noticeable on bald heads. It is very common in the negro, almost natural or physiological.

Dry Seborrhoea.—This is a more common form and occurs upon the hairy or non-hairy parts, but chiefly upon the scalp (dandruff). The affected parts are covered with grayish, greasy scales, which are easily dislodged, the skin underneath is oily and slate gray in color. This type of the disease forms one type of dandruff. When it is of long standing the hair becomes dry and falls out.

[84 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Mixed type.—This type is common upon the scalp. The surface is covered, more or less, with scales and crusts. If the disease continues long the hair becomes dry, lusterless and falls out. Permanent baldness may result.

Causes.—These may be constitutional and local. "Green sickness" (chlorosis), disorders of the stomach and bowels are often the cause.

Local.—Uncleanness, lack of care of the scalp, heavy and airtight hats may cause it. Some writers claim parasites are the cause.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Dandruff, Home Preparation from New York State Mother.—"Into one pint of water drop a lump of fresh quick-lime, the size of a walnut; let it stand all night, pour off the clear liquid, strain, and add one gill of the best vinegar, wash the roots of the hair with the preparation. It is a good remedy and harmless."

2. Dandruff, a Barber's Shampoo for.—"Shampoo with the following:

Sassafras 5 cents worth Salts of Tartar 10 cents worth Ether 10 cents worth Castile Soap 5 cents worth

Dissolve the above in one gallon of soft water. Rinse the hair thoroughly and repeat as often as necessary. This recipe was given me by a barber and I find it very good,"

3. Dandruff, Lemon Juice for.—"Cut a lemon in two, loosen the hair and rub the lemon into the scalp. Do this in the evening before retiring, for about a week, then stop for a few nights, then use for another week, and so on until cured."

4. Falling Hair, a Brook, Ontario, Lady Prevents.—"Garden sage, make a quart sage tea, add equal parts (a teaspoonful) of salt, borax and rosewater, and one-half pint of bay rum. Wet the head with this every night."

5. Hair Restoratives, Simple and Harmless.—"A simple and harmless "invigorator" is as follows:

Cologne Water 2 ounces Tincture of Cantharides 2 drams Oil of Lavender 10 drops Oil of Rosemary 10 drops

Use twice daily. If it makes the scalp a tittle sore, discontinue for a short time."

6. Dandruff, Talcum Powder an Excellent Remedy for.—"Take talcum powder and sprinkle in the hair thoroughly, then brush," This is a very good remedy.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Dandruff.—If there are general diseases, they should be treated.

[SKIN DISEASES 85]

Local—In mild cases, shampooing with hot water and a good soap may be sufficient when the scales and crusts are thick and abundant; first soften them with olive oil and then remove them with hot water and green soap.

After the scalp has been cleaned, the remedies should be applied. The remedies should be thoroughly rubbed in and applied in the form of ointments or lotions and used once daily. Cutting the hair may be necessary. The odor of sulphur may be overcome by the use of perfume. If the scalp becomes too dry after shampooing some oil should first be applied, whatever application is used afterwards.

Remedies.—Resorcin, sulphur, salicylic acid, in combination with other ingredients. Some favorite prescriptions are now given:

1. Resorcin 1 to 2 drams Pure Castor Oil 1 dram Alcohol 2 ounces

Mix and rub well into the scalp.

2. Precipitated Sulphur 1 dram Salicylic Acid 15 grains Ointment Petrolatum 1 ounce

3. Washed Sulphur 4 drams Castor Oil 10 drams Oil of Cocoa 1 ounces Balsam of Peru 1/2 ounce

Apply twice daily.

4. Carbolic Acid 20 drops to 1 dram Oil of Almonds 4 drams Oil of Lemon 1 dram Distilled Water, enough to make 2 ounces

Apply after washing.

The oily type is best treated with lotions and powders. The disease is very obstinate, but generally gets well.

WEN (Sebaceous Cyst. Steatoma).—A wen varies in size from a millet seed to an egg, and it is due to the distention of a sebaceous gland by its retained secretions. They occur most commonly on the scalp, face and back. They cause no pain, grow slowly, and after they have grown to a certain size remain stationary for an indefinite time. Sometimes they become inflamed and ulcerate.

Treatment.—Make a free cut and take the mass out. Its covering (capsule) or sac must be removed at the same time, for if any of this membrane (capsule) is left it will fill up again. Equal parts of fine salt and the yolk of an egg beaten together and applied continuously will eat the skin open and the mass can then be taken out. This is quite painful and takes several days, while with the knife there is little pain if cocaine is injected and it will all be over in a few minutes.

[86 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

RINGWORM (Tinea Trichophytina).—Ringworm is a contagious disease of the skin, produced by the presence of a vegetable parasite. The disease affects the hair follicles of the scalp and the beard, and also of the portions of the body that, seemingly at least, have no hair.

Varieties.—Ringworm affecting the body called Tinea Circinata. Ringworm affecting the scalp called Tinea Tonsurans. Ringworm affecting the beard, etc., Tinea Barbae (barbers' itch).

Ringworm of the Body.—This type of ringworm usually begins as one or several round, somewhat raised and very small, defined congested spots and these are covered with a few branny scales. The disease extends from the circumference and, while healing in the center, assumes a shape like a ring and these rings may become as large as a silver dollar and remain the same size for months or years, or they may go together (coalesce) to form circle (gyrate) patches. Vesicle and pimples frequently crop out at the circumference.

Mothers' Remedies for Ringworm.—1. Gunpowder and Vinegar for.—"Make a paste of gunpowder and vinegar and apply. Sometimes one application will be sufficient; if not, repeat."

2. Ringworm, Cigar Ashes for.—"Wet the sore and cover with cigar ashes. Repeat frequently. This will cure if taken in time." This is a very simple and effective remedy. Cigar ashes are always easy to obtain and if applied to the ringworm at the very beginning, the nicotine in the tobacco will draw out the soreness and relieve the inflammation.

3. Ringworm, Kerosene for.—"Apply kerosene with the finger or a cloth several times a day."

4. Ringworm, Ontario Mother Cured Boy of.—"Wash head with vinegar and paint with iodine to kill germ. Cured a neighbor's boy."

5. Ringworm, Another from a Mother at Valdosta, Georgia.—"Burdock root and vinegar." Take the dock root and steep it the same as any ordinary herb tea, then add your vinegar, making the proportions about half and half. Apply this to the affected part.

6. Ringworm, Egg Skin Remedy for.—"Take the inner skin of an egg and wrap around it, and cover with a piece of cloth."

7. Ringworm, from a Mother at Owosso. Michigan.—"Take gunpowder and wet it and put it on the sores," This remedy has been tried a great many times and always gives relief when taken right at the beginning. So many people will wait, thinking the ringworm will disappear of its own accord, instead of giving some simple home remedy like the above a trial.

[SKIN DISEASES 87]

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Ringworm.—1. For infants and children simpler remedies should be used at first. Scrub each patch with tincture of green soap, or merely good soap and water may be employed. Then apply tincture of iodine to the patches, once or twice a day, enough to irritate the patches. Dilute acetic acid, or dilute carbolic acid will do the same work. A ten per cent solution of sodium hyposulphite is a good remedy also.

2. Corrosive sublimate, one to four grains to the ounce of water, is very good to put on the patches. For children the strength should be about one-half grain to the ounce.

3. Ammoniated mercury is also very good to put on. Sometimes a combination of remedies will do better, as follows:

Milk of Sulphur 2-1/2 drams Spirits of Green Soap 6 drams Tincture of Lavender 6 drams Glycerin 1/2 dram

4. Pure Iodine 2 ounces Oil of Tar 1 ounce

Mix with care gradually.

5. Creasote 20 drops Oil of Cadini 3 drams Precipitated Sulphur 3 drams Bicarbonate Potash 1 dram Lard 1 ounce

Mix, to be used in obstinate cases in adults.

Ringworm of the Scalp.—Cautions and Treatment.—Be careful that others do not catch it from you. Separate the child affected. Cleanse the diseased parts from time to time by shampooing with a strong soap. The hair over the whole scalp should be clipped short and the affected parts shaved, or if allowed, the hairs in the affected parts pulled out. The remedies are then applied if possible in the shape of ointments, which are thoroughly rubbed in. Vaselin and lanolin are better as a base for the medicine, as they penetrate deeper. Following remedies are the most valuable:

1. Carbolic acid, one to two drams to glycerin one ounce.

2. Oleate of mercury, strength ten to twenty per cent.

3. Sulphur Ointment, ten to twenty per cent strength.

4. Tincture of Iodine.

This variety lasts longer than the ringworms on the body, months sometimes are required to cure it.

BARBER'S ITCH (Ringworm of the Beard).—Mother's Remedies. 1. Standard Remedy for.—"Plain vaselin two ounces, venice turpentine one-half ounce, red precipitate one-half ounce. Apply locally. Great care should be taken not to expose affected parts to cold and draughts while ointment is in use, especially if affected surface is large." The above is a standard remedy and will be found very effective in all cases of barber's itch. The vaselin will assist in healing the sores and softening up the scabs.

[88 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

2. Barber's Itch, Healing Ointment for.—"Plain vaselin four ounces, sulphur two ounces, sal-ammoniac powder two drams. Mix and apply daily after cleansing the parts thoroughly with castile soap and soda water. This is also an almost infallible cure for common itch." The vaselin is very good and healing, while the sulphur has a soothing effect and is a good antiseptic.

3. Barber's Itch, Reliable Remedy for.—"Citrine ointment one dram, vaselin or cosmolin one ounce. Mix thoroughly. Wash the affected parts clean and apply this ointment on a soft rag three times a day." This is a standard remedy and one to be relied upon. It is very soothing and has great healing properties.

4. Barber's Itch, Sulphur and Lard for.—"Sulphur and lard mixed together and applied three or four times a day. Have found this to be the best of anything ever used for barber's itch." This remedy will be found very good if the case is not very severe. If the face is covered with sores, filled with pus and of long standing a stronger treatment should be used. See other Mothers' Remedies, also Doctors' Treatment.

5. Barber's Itch, Cuticura Ointment for.—"Apply cuticura ointment to the sores, and as it draws out the water press a clean cloth against the sore to absorb the water. This will generally draw the water out in three or four days."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Barber's Itch.—Pulling out the hairs or close shaving every day. Keep the affected parts soaking with olive oil for two successive days. The evening of the third day the shampoo is employed, the skin is washed free from crusts and scales, shave cleanly. After shaving bathe the parts for ten minutes with borated water, as hot as can be borne; while this is being done, all pustules or points where there is a mucous fluid coming out to the surface are opened with a clean needle. Sponge freely over the affected surface with a strong solution of hyposulphite of sodium for several minutes and not allow it to dry; this solution may contain one dram and perhaps more to the ounce. After a thorough and final washing with hot water, the tender skin is carefully dried and gently smeared with a sulphur ointment containing one to two drams of sulphur to the ounce of vaselin, often with the addition of from one-quarter to one-half grain of mercuric sulphide. In the morning wash the ointment off with soap and water, the sodium solution is reapplied and a borated or salicylated powder is thoroughly dusted and kept over the parts during the day and apply ointment at night. The shaving must be repeated at least the next day. As soon as there are no pustules (lumps), or they have diminished in size, the ointment at night is superseded by the use of the dusting powder. The washing with very hot water and with the solution hyposulphite is continued nightly, when the inflammation excited by the parasite is limited to the follicles that are invaded. Continue the dusting powder after the ointment is discontinued.

[SKIN DISEASES 89]

WART (Verucca). Mothers' Remedies.—1. An Application for, also Good for Cuts and Lacerations.—"Make a lotion of ten drops tincture of marigold to two ounces of water and apply." This is also good for severe cuts and lacerations. It may be applied by cloths or bandages if the case requires.

2. Warts, Match and Turpentine Wash.—"Dissolve matches in turpentine and apply to wart three or four times," This preparation helps to eat them away and if kept on too long is apt to produce a sore; care should therefore be taken in using this remedy.

3. Warts, Muriate of Ammonia for.—"Take a piece of muriate of ammonia, moisten and rub on the wart night and morning; after a week's treatment the wart, if not extra large, will disappear."

4. Warts, Turpentine for.—"Rub frequently with turpentine for a few days and they will disappear. This is a very simple remedy, but a good one, and worth trying if you are afflicted with warts."

5. Warts, to Remove.—"The juice of the marigold frequently applied is effectual in removing them. Or wash them with tincture of myrrh."

6. Warts, Milkweed Removes.—"Let a drop of the common milkweed soak into the wart occasionally, the wart will loosen and fall out. This can be applied as often as convenient; here in Canada we do not have to go far to get a plant."

7. The following is a good application:

Salicylic Acid 1/2 dram Cannabis Indicia 5 grains Collodion 1 ounce

Mix and apply to the wart.

Tincture of thuja is very good in some cases when applied daily.

HIVES, Nettle Rash (Urticaria). Causes.—Foods such as shell fish, strawberries, cheese, pickles, pork and sausages.

Medicines that may cause it.—Quinine, copaiba, salicylic acid, etc. Disorders of the stomach and bowels. Insects, like mosquito, bedbug, etc.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Hives or Nettle Rash, Slippery Elm.—"Slippery elm used as a wash and taken as a drink." Slippery elm is especially good for any skin disease, as it is very soothing to the parts and relieves the itching. If taken as a drink it acts on the kidneys and bowels, throwing off all the impurities.

2. Hives or Nettle Rash, External and Internal Home Medicine for.—"Bathe with weak solution of vinegar. Internal remedy; sweet syrup of rhubarb with small lump of saleratus (size of a pea) dissolved in it. This dose was given to a two-year-old child." The rhubarb helps to rid the stomach and bowels of its impurities, relieving the disease, as hives are usually due to some disorder of the kidneys and bowels.

[90 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

3. Hives or Nettle Rash, Tea and Powder for.—"Rub with buckwheat flour; this will relieve the itching almost immediately. Sassafras tea is a good internal remedy."

4. Hives or Nettle Rash, Catnip Tea for.—"Boil catnip leaves to make a tea, slightly sweeten and give about six or eight teaspoonfuls at bed time and keep patient out of draughts." The tea can be taken throughout the day also. If taken hot on going to bed it causes sweating and care should be taken not to catch cold while the pores are opened.

5. Hives or Nettle Rash, Mother from Buckhorn, Florida, says following is a sure Cure for.—"Grease with poplar bud stewed down until strong; take out buds, add one teaspoonful lard, stew all the water out. Grease and wrap up in wool blanket."

6. Hives or Nettle Rash, from a Mother at New Milford, Pennsylvania.—"One tablespoonful castor oil first. Then put one tablespoonful salts and cream tartar in glass of water; take one spoonful before eating. Have used this and found it excellent." The castor oil acts on the bowels and the cream of tartar on the blood.

7. Hives or Nettle Rash, Buttermilk for.—"Buttermilk applied two or three times a day. Found this to be good for nettle rash." Buttermilk is very soothing and will relieve the itching. This is an old tried remedy.

8. Hives or Nettle Rash, Baking Soda Wash for.—"Make a strong solution of common baking soda, about three teaspoonfuls to pint of water. Sponge or bathe body thoroughly." Any mother who has a child in the house knows how valuable baking soda is in case of burns, on account of its cooling properties. For this same reason it will be found excellent for above disease, as it will relieve the itching and is very soothing. Good for children if used not quite as strong.

9. Hives or Nettle Rash, Canada Blue Clay for.—"Mix up blue clay and water to make a paste. Leave until dry and then wash off."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Hives or Nettle Rash.—Remove causes. Bowels and kidneys should act freely. Abstain from eating for a day or two if necessary.

For the Itching.—Diluted vinegar, applied is effective. Also camphor.

Cream of Tartar 2 ounces Epsom Salts 2 ounces

Take three or four teaspoonfuls to move the bowels, or one teaspoonful every three hours if the bowels are regular enough. For a child one year old, give one teaspoonful in water every three hours until the bowels move freely.



SUNBURN.—When severe, sunburn may present the symptoms of inflammation of the skin. Then there will be redness, swelling and pain followed by deep discoloration of the skin.

[SKIN DISEASES 91]

MOTHERS' REMEDIES for Sunburn.—1. Lemon Juice and Vinegar for.—"An application of the juice of a lemon or vinegar."

2. Sunburn, Ammonia Water for.—"Ammonia will remove sunburn in one night." Care should be taken in using this remedy. The ammonia should be diluted half with water and not used too often.

3. Sunburn, Relief from Pain and Smarting of.—"Benzoated zinc ointment or vaselin applied to the affected parts is sure to give relief and avoid much pain and smarting."

4. Sunburn, Preparation for.—"I have found nothing better than mentholatum." Mentholatum is simply a mixture of vaselin or cosmolin and menthol. They are both very healing, and will be found beneficial.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Sunburn.—Soothing ointments and dusting powders are generally sufficient for sunburn. Talcum powder (Mennen's borated), rice powder, oatmeal powders are good and healing. The following are good:

1. Oxide of Zinc Powder 1/2 ounce Powdered Camphor 1-1/2 dram Powdered Starch 1 ounce

Mix. Dust on the parts.

2. Powdered Starch 1 ounce Powdered Camphor 1 dram

Well mixed and applied is soothing to the parts.

3. The following is a good combination:

Carbonate of Lead 1 dram Powdered Starch 1 dram Ointment of Rose Water 1 ounce Olive Oil 2 drams

Mix and apply to the inflamed skin.

GANGRENE.—This is the death of a part of the body in mass. There are two forms, moist and dry.

Dry Gangrene.—This is a combination produced by a loss of water from the tissues. The skin becomes dark and wrinkled and is often hard, like leather. Senile or old age gangrene, and really due to the arterial sclerosis, usually occurs in the lower extremities, involving the toes. A slight injury may first start up the trouble. The pain in this variety is not usually great.

[92 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Gangrene, Remedy from New York that cured a Gangrenous Case.—"A man aged 74 years had a sore below the knee for fifteen years; at last gangrene appeared in his foot and three physicians pronounced his case hopeless on account of his age. I was called as a neighbor and found the foot swollen to twice its natural size, and the man in pain from head to foot. I ordered cabbage leaves steamed until wilted, then put them over the limb from knee to foot and covered with a cloth. In about fifteen minutes they were black, so we removed them and put on fresh ones, repeating the change until the leaves did not turn black. Then the sore was thoroughly cleansed with a weak solution of saleratus and while wet was thickly covered with common black pepper and wrapped up. The saleratus water and pepper was changed night and morning until the sore was entirely healed. After the third day this man had no pain, and in four weeks was entirely healed. A year later he said he had never had any trouble with it or with rheumatism which he had had for years before."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Gangrene.—The skin should be treated. Poultices sometimes may be good, or bottles of hot water around the parts. A general tonic should be given.

Moist Gangrene. Causes.—Wounds, fractures, injuries, pressure from lying in bed and frost bite.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Moist Gangrene.—Remove the cause if possible. This kind is more dangerous, and a physician should be called as the best treatment that can be given is none too good.

BLISTER.—This is a watery elevation of the outer skin. It is caused by rubbing, for instance of a shoe, friction from anything, or from burns. It frequently appears on the hands after working for some time at manual labor, when the hands are not accustomed to work. It is the common blister which hardly needs much describing.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES for Blister.—1. Linseed Oil for.—"Linseed oil used freely." This is a very good remedy because it is soothing. Any good soothing lotion or salve that will draw out the soreness and pain is helpful.

2. Blister. A Method of Raising a Blister.—"If a blister is needed take an ordinary thick tumbler, rub alcohol inside and around the rim, then invert over a piece of cotton, saturated with alcohol and ignited; after a few minutes the glass may be removed and clapped on the surface of the body. As the glass contains rarified air the flesh will be drawn up into it and a blister formed."



IVY POISONING.—The parts usually affected are the hands, face, the genitals, the arms, the thighs and neck.

Symptoms.—These usually appear soon. Red patches, with scanty or profuse watery pimples, with a watery discharge after bursting. There is swelling, intense burning and itching. The parts sometimes swell very much and look watery. The person can hardly keep from scratching.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Ivy Poisoning, Buttermilk and Copperas for.—"Wash in copperas and buttermilk three or four times a day. Have seen this used and it helped." The copperas and buttermilk is very good when applied to the parts immediately after the poison is discovered. The copperas acts very much like sugar of lead and in some cases is very much more effective.

[SKIN DISEASES 93]

2. Ivy Poisoning, Cure for.—

"Bromine 10 to 20 drops Olive Oil 1 ounce

Mix. Rub the mixture gently into the affected parts three or four times a day. The bromine being volatile the solution should be freshly made."

This remedy is frequently used by physicians, and is very effective.



CHAPPED HANDS AND FACE. Mothers' Remedies.—1. Chapped Hands, Quince Seed Cream for.—"Soak one teaspoonful of quince seeds in one cup warm water over night. Strain through a cloth and add one ounce glycerin, five cents' worth bay rum, and perfume if you choose."

2. Chapped Hands, Soothing Lotion for.—"Bathe them in soft water using ivory soap and Indian meal; when dry bathe in vinegar. Have tried this treatment and my hands feel soft and easy after treatment." It would be best to dilute the vinegar with water one-half.

3. Chapped Hands, Glycerin for.—"Use glycerin freely." Glycerin is very irritating to some people, then again it works like a charm. You can tell only by trying it.

4. Chapped Hands, Carbolic Salve for.—"We always use a good carbolic salve for these, as we have found nothing better for sores of any kind." A few drops of carbolic acid added to any good salve will give you the above.

5. Chapped Hands, Glycerin and Lemon Juice for.—"Two-thirds glycerin, one-third lemon juice, mix well together; apply nights."

6. Chapped Hands, Camphor Ice for.—"Camphor ice." Apply frequently after thoroughly washing and drying the hands.

7. Chapped Hands, Remedy from a New York Lady.—

Glycerin 4 ounces Cologne 2 ounces Benzoin 1/2 ounce Rain water 1 pint

Mix thoroughly and apply to the hands after washing.

This remedy has also been used for years by a friend, and we have proved it good. If applied frequently during the winter the hands will not chap."

8. Chapped Hands, Rose Cream for.—"Get ten cents' worth of rose water, five cents' worth of glycerin and the juice of one lemon. Mix and rub on the affected parts,"

9. Chapped Hands, Preventive for.—"A little diluted honey or almond oil will restore softness and prevent chapping."

[94 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

10. Chapped Hands or Face, from a Twin Falls Idaho, Mother.—"One-fourth ounce gum tragacanth dissolved in one and half pints of soft water; then add ounce each of alcohol, glycerin and witch-hazel, also a little perfume. I find this one of the best remedies I ever used for sore or chapped hands."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Chapped Hands.—

1. Subnitrate of Bismuth 3 drams Oleate of Zinc 3 drams Lycopodium 2 drams

Mix. Apply to the parts three times daily.

2. Powdered camphor mixed with vaselin is healing.

3. Ointment of water of roses (cold cream) is a soothing application. It can be improved by adding a little glycerin and benzoic acid—this keeps it sweet in warm weather.

4. Powdered zinc oxide, or starch as a dusting powder.

FACE CREAMS, Mothers' Preparations.—l. Cream of Pond Lilies.—"This agrees especially well with oily skins; will keep indefinitely.

Orange Flower Water, triple 6 ounces Deodorized Alcohol 1-1/2 ounces Bitter Almonds, blanched and beaten in a mortar 1 ounce White Wax 1 dram Spermaceti 1 dram Oil of Benne 1 dram Shaving Cream 1 dram Oil of Bergamot 12 drops Oil of Cloves 6 drops Oil of Neroli Bigrade 6 drops Borax 1/5 ounce

Dissolve the borax in the orange flower water, slightly warmed. Mix the wax, spermaceti, oil of benne and shaving cream in a bainmaire, at gentle heat. Then stir in the perfumed water and almonds. Strain through a clean muslin strainer, place in a mortar and while stirring gradually work in the alcohol in which the oils have been previously dissolved."

2. Face Cream, When Facing our North Winds, in Canada, I Use this.—"Honey, almond meal, and olive oil to form paste. Use after getting skin cleaned. I used it myself and find it good when going out driving."

3. Face Cream, Lanolin Cream.—

Lanolin 1 ounce Sweet Almond Oil 1/2 ounce Boric Acid 40 drops Tincture of Benzoin 10 drops

This is a good skin food to be rubbed into the skin with the tips of the fingers."

4. Face Cream, Cucumber Lotion.—

"Expressed Juice of cucumbers 1/2 pint Deodorized Alcohol 1-1/2 ounces Oil of Benne 3-1/4 ounces Shaving Cream 1 dram Blanched Almonds 1-3/4 drams

[SKIN DISEASES 95]

The preparation of this is the same as for almond lotion. It is an excellent cosmetic to use in massaging the face and throat, as it not only tones any relaxed tissues, but also may be used to cleanse the skin during the day. A complexion brush is an excellent investment; one should be chosen that has fine camel's hair bristle's. It should be used in connection with good soap."

5. Face Cream, Almond Lotion to Whiten and Soften the Skin.—

"Bitter Almonds, blanched and beaten 4 ounces Orange Flower Water 12 ounces Curd Soap (or any fine toilet soap) 1/2 ounce Oil of Bergamot 50 drops Oil of Cannelle 10 drops Oil of Almonds 20 drops Alcohol (65% solution) 4 ounces

Powder or break up the soap; dissolve in the orange flower water by heating in a bain-maire, gradually work almonds into the soap and water. Strain and finish as directed above. This is a bland lotion, very cleansing, whitening and softening."

6. Face Cream. the Cold Ontario Wind Harmless When Using this.—"Wash in warm water, rub face dry with corn-meal. This takes place of bottle cream."



FROST BITES.—Keep the patient in a cold atmosphere, or put into a cold bath and the frozen part rubbed with snow or ice until sensation is felt and color returns; then discontinue the rubbing and apply ice water compresses. Stimulants such as brandy, coffee and hot drinks are given, but external heat is only gradually permitted, for the circulation returns very slowly to the frost-bitten parts, and in trying to hasten it, we run the risk of producing or, at least, increasing the tendency to gangrene of the frozen parts.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—l. Frost Bites. Remedy from Northern New York.—"Soak the parts affected in kerosene oil; this will soon draw out the frost."

2. Frost Bites, Roasted Turnips for.—"Roasted turnips bound to the parts frosted." This is a very soothing application, but should not be put on warm. Cold applications are what are needed in frost bites.

[Transcriber's Note: From the Mayo Clinic (2005): 1. Get out of the cold. 2. Warm hands by tucking them into your armpits. If your nose, ears or face is frostbitten, warm the area by covering it with dry, gloved hands. 3. Don't rub the affected area, especially with snow. 4. If there's any chance of refreezing, don't thaw out the affected areas. If they're already thawed out, wrap them up so they don't refreeze. 5. Get emergency medical help if numbness remains during warming. If you can't get help immediately, warm severely frostbitten hands or feet in warm—not hot—water.]

BUNIONS.—This is a lump over a joint usually of the big toe, usually due to pressure and a wrong position of the surfaces of the joint.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Bunions, Remedy from Your Flower Garden.—"Peel the outside skin from the leaf of 'Live Forever' and apply as a poultice. Repeat until cured. This is a very good remedy and one that should be tried if you are troubled with bunions or corns."

[96 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

2. Bunions, A Cure for.—

"Tincture of Iodine 2 drams Tincture of Belladonna 2 drams

Apply twice a day with camel's hair brush."

This mixture when applied will have a drawing effect, and care should be taken not to leave it on too long, as it will irritate the parts and make it very sore.

3. Bunions, Iodine for.—"Apply tincture of iodine to the bunion night and morning. This will reduce size; if used at first will entirely remove."

4. Bunions, Tested Remedy for.—"Take about one teaspoonful salicylic acid in two tablespoons of lard, and apply night and morning. Before doing this apply adhesive plasters to the affected parts." This is a standard remedy.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Bunions.—Rest of the part, cold applications and liniments.



CHILBLAINS. (Erythema Pernio).—This occurs usually in people with a feeble circulation or scrofulous constitution, usually seen in the young or very old. The redness shows most, as a rule, on the hands and feet. The redness may be either a light or dusky shade. It itches and burns especially when near artificial heat. The redness disappears on pressure, and the parts are cool rather than hot. It is an inflammation that follows freezing or a frost-bite. It may return for years at the return of cold weather.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Chilblains, a Cure for.—"Equal parts of extract of rosemary and turpentine. Apply night and morning until cured." The rosemary is very soothing, and the turpentine creates a drawing sensation. It has cured many cases of chilblains.

2. Chilblains, Witch-hazel for.—"Bathe feet in lukewarm water and soda and apply carbolized witch-hazel." This remedy is very soothing, and always give relief.

3. Broken Chilblains, Ointment for.—

"Sweet Oil 1/2 pint Venice Turpentine 1-1/2 ounce Fresh Lard 1/4 pound Beeswax 1-1/2 ounce

Simmer gently together in a pan water bath until the beeswax is melted, stirring until cool. When it is ready for use apply on going to bed on a soft rag."

4. Chilblains, Vinegar Cure.—"Soak the feet in a weak solution of vinegar, then rub good with vaselin or oil."

5. Chilblains, Home-made Salve for.—

Fresh Lard 2 ounces Venice Turpentine 1/2 ounce Gum Camphor 1/2 ounce

Melt together, stirring briskly. When cold it is ready for use.

6. Chilblains, Common Glue for.—"Put a little common (dissolved) glue in hot water and soak the feet in it. Repeat if necessary." This is very good and gives relief.



[SKIN DISEASES 97]

7. Chilblains, the Onion Cure for.—"Raw onion rubbed on chilblains every night and morning." The onion seems to have a very soothing effect upon the chilblains, and this remedy has been known to cure many stubborn cases. It is always well to soak the feet well before applying this treatment, as the juice from the onion will penetrate more quickly.

8. Chilblains, the Hemlock Remedy for.—"Hemlock twigs mixed with lard and pounded until it is green, then bound on."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Chilblains.—Thick woolen stockings, mittens and ear protections should be worn. Daily cold baths, especially of such parts, should be taken. Alcohol applied to the parts, full strength, will harden the tissues. Camphor also is good.

Internal.—Iron should be given to establish a better circulation and give strength. Tincture of iron, five drops three times a day, is good.

External.—1. Alum as a wash applied to the parts.

2. Ointment of ichthyol, one-half strength, is very good in some cases.

3. Rosin made in an ointment is also good to relieve some cases.

4. Lard and iodine ointment is excellent for some.

5. The following is also good:

Prepared Chalk 1 ounce Powdered Camphor 10 grains Linseed Oil 2 ounces Balsam of Peru 20 drops

Mix and apply.



DIGESTIVE ORGANS, DISEASES OF.

CANKER SORE MOUTH. (Aphthous Stomatitis.)—This is a variety of inflammation of the mouth where there are one or more vesicles (cankers) upon the edges of the tongue, the cheek or the lips.

Causes.—They are most common in children between two and six years of age; but are not rare in adults. Predisposing causes are spring and autumn, tuberculosis, teething, poor nutrition, stomach and bowel disorders.

Symptoms.—The vesicles soon rupture and leave the ulcer (canker). There may be a few or many, pin-head or split pea in size, along the edges of the tongue, inside the cheeks. They are very tender.

[98 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Canker Sore Mouth, Raspberry Leaf for.—"Infuse a handful of raspberry leaves in a half pint of boiling water for fifteen minutes; when cold strain and add two ounces tinc. of myrrh, rinse the mouth with a little of it two or three times a day, swallow a little each time until relieved. This is also good for spongy gums, loose teeth, bad breath and for gently correcting and cleansing the stomach."

2. Canker Sore Mouth, Oak Bark Tea for.—"Red Oak bark, a little salt and pepper." The bark should be boiled down to make a good strong tea, according to age of person. The salt has an astringent effect upon the mouth and is also a good antiseptic. The pepper should not be used when the parts are very red and inflamed. It should be used only when they are rather sluggish.

3. Canker Sore Mouth, Boracic acid for.—"Rinse the mouth with a solution of boracic acid and put some of the dry powder on the canker," This is a very good remedy as the boracic acid is a good antiseptic and is especially good for children and mild cases of canker sore mouth.

4. Canker Sore Mouth, Canker Weed Tea for.—"Apply canker weed found in the woods. A small plant with dark green leaves spotted with white." Make a tea of the canker weed by steeping it, then strain and apply to the affected parts. This is a very good remedy.

5. Canker Sore Mouth, Honey and Borax for.—"Honey and borax used as a mouth wash or swabbing is excellent." The honey is very soothing and the borax is a good antiseptic.

6. Canker Sore Mouth, Wild Turnip for.—"Dried wild turnip grated fine and put in mouth. I know this is excellent."

7. Canker Sore Mouth, Alum for.—"Take a piece of alum, rub on the canker often."

8. Canker Sore Mouth, Borax Water for.—"Rinse the mouth well with a weak solution of borax water, then put a little dry borax on the canker. They will generally heal after one or two applications."

9. Sore Mouth, Common and Effective Remedy for.—"Make an infusion of sumach bobs (not the poison ones, of course). Good for sore throat when used as a gargle and a little swallowed frequently." This is a very effective remedy and is also good for sore mouth.

10. Sore Mouth, Shoemaker Root and Borax good for.—"Take the inside bark of shoemaker root and steep it; strain, add a little borax; have known it to take off canker where doctors failed." If the above cannot be secured make a tea from common strawberry leaves. You can use this for a baby by swabbing the mouth, and I have known some mothers to throw in a small piece of alum making it stronger for an older person.

[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 99]

1. PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Canker Sore Mouth.—If from the diseases mentioned treat them. In the meantime to relieve the local conditions keep the mouth clean and use as a mouth wash boric acid, one teaspoonful to a cup of warm water.

2. Burnt alum applied directly to the part is good.

3. Nitrate of silver pencil applied directly to the canker until it turns whitish, cures in a few applications. Use twice a day.

4. A wash of sage tea is good also, but it must be strong.

5. The juice of a ripe tomato is good applied locally. Sore mouth should be kept absolutely clean. Thrush frequently comes from uncleanness.



GANGRENOUS STOMATITIS.—This is a rapidly spreading gangrenous affection of the cheeks and forms a rare occurrence and ending fatally in most cases. The trouble may extend to the jaws and lips.

Causes.—It is more common in girls and boys and usually appears between the ages of two and five years. It is worse in the low countries like Holland, but it is not contagious. It is more likely to attack the sickly children suffering from the effects of overcrowding. It may follow diseases like scarlet fever, typhoid fever, smallpox, etc.

Symptoms.—It usually affects first the mucous membrane of one cheek, near the corner of the mouth, as a dark, ragged, sloughing ulcer and spreads for two or three days before the substance of the cheek is infected. If you grasp the cheek between the thumb and finger you can then feel a hard and sensitive lump. The cheek may be eaten through by the third day, though a week generally passes before this happens. There is a burning watery discharge from the unhealthy wound. The breath smells terribly and it is almost unbearable. The gangrene may spread over one half of the face of the side affected.

TREATMENT.—The death rate is eighty to ninety per cent. This is a very dangerous disease and a doctor must be in attendance. Cut, away all the dead tissue by using burning caustics, such as fuming nitric acid, solid zinc chloride, nitrate of silver, carbolic acid on the actual canker. Sometimes mild applications like sub nitrate of bismuth, chloride of potash or the following do well:—

Sulphate of copper 2 drams Powdered cinchona 1/2 ounce Water enough to make 4 ounces

Mix and apply. Peroxide of hydrogen is good as a disinfectant or boric acid solution, etc., may be used. Keep up the patient's strength.

Fortunately this disease is rare. I have never seen a case in practice.

Salivation.—Stop the mercury, keep the bowels open and use the same antiseptic washes as directed for sore mouth.

[100 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Chlorate of Potash Solution, Soda Solutions, Boracic Acid Solutions.—Brush the ulcers with nitrate of silver sticks. Keep the mouth clean with hot water washes and some of the antiseptics put in the water as boric acid, soda, glycothymotine, listerine, etc.

ACUTE DYSPEPSIA.—(Acute Indigestion, Acute Gastritis). "Gaster" is the Greek for stomach; "itis" means inflammation,—thus acute inflammation of the stomach. It may be acute or chronic. When acute it may be called acute gastritis, acute gastric catarrh, acute dyspepsia or acute indigestion. When chronic it may be called chronic gastritis, chronic catarrh of the stomach, chronic dyspepsia or chronic indigestion.

Causes.—This is a very common complaint and is usually caused by eating foods that are hard to digest, which either themselves irritate the stomach, or remain undigested, decompose, and so excite an acute dyspepsia, or indigestion, or it may be caused by eating or taking in more than the stomach can digest. A frequent cause is eating decomposing food, particularly in hot weather. Alcohol is another great cause.

Symptoms.—In mild cases. Distress in the stomach, headache, weary feeling, thirst, nausea, belching of wind, sour food, and vomiting; the tongue is heavily coated and the saliva increased. In children there are loose bowels and colicky pains. It lasts rarely more than twenty-four hours. Vomiting usually relieves the patient.

Severe cases.—These may set in with a chill; fever 102 or 103. The tongue is much coated, breath foul and frequent vomiting, loss of appetite, great thirst, tenderness in region of the stomach; repeated vomiting of food at first, then of bile stained fluid with mucus; constipation or diarrhea. Attacks last one to five days.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Mustard and Molasses for.—"Mustard is an excellent household remedy kept in every home. A tablespoonful of white mustard mingled with two ounces of molasses and then taken once a day will act gently on the bowels and is a beneficial remedy in dyspepsia." By acting upon the bowels it relieves the stomach of any food that may have caused a disturbance and relieves the dyspepsia.

2. Flatulent Dyspepsia, Wormwood tea for.—"Wormwood, one to two teaspoonfuls, water one pint. Make a tea and take from one to four teaspoonfuls daily." This is an old tried remedy and one that should be given a trial if affected with dyspepsia.

3. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Dry salt for.—"One-half teaspoon dry salt taken before each meal. Knew a gentleman who was nearly worn out with this trouble and entirely cured himself with this simple remedy." It is always well to give these simple remedies a fair trial, before resorting to strong drugs. Salt is a good stimulant.

[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 101]

4. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Chicken Gizzard Skin for.—"Four ounces good brandy, one-fourth pound of loaf sugar, one tablespoonful pulverized chicken gizzard skin, one teaspoonful Turkish rhubarb dried on paper stirring constantly; this prevents griping; the chicken gizzard skin is the lining of the gizzard which should be thoroughly cleaned and dried then pulverized. To prepare put brandy and sugar together (crush the sugar), light a paper and set fire to the brandy; let burn until sugar is dissolved, then add the gizzard skin and rhubarb, stir together and if too thick add a little water and boil up. Dose :—Infant, one-half teaspoonful every four hours; child, one teaspoonful every four hours; adult, one tablespoonful every four hours. Have used this remedy for a great many years and given it to a great many people who have worn out all other remedies."

5. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, an Excellent Tonic for.—

"Tincture Gentian Compound 2 ounces Tincture Rhubarb 2 ounces Tincture Ginger 1/2 ounce Essence Peppermint 2 ounces Bicarbonate Soda 1/2 ounce Water to make 8 ounces

Mix.

For acute cases of indigestion where the stomach and bowels are full and distended, or sour stomach, spitting up of food. This will often relieve at once and with continued use relieves entirely."

6. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Fruit Diet Cure for.—"Persons afflicted with this disease would find great relief if they would confine themselves to a diet of fruit only for several days." This gives the stomach an opportunity to rest up and get back to its natural state.

7. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Hickory Ashes for.—"Take a swallow of hickory limb ashes and water three times a day."

8. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Salt and water for.—"Drink sal and water before eating breakfast."

9. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Slippery Elm for.—"Chew slippery elm; it aids digestion."

10. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Cold Water for.—"A glass of cold water half hour before eating."

11. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Hot Water for.—"Sip a cup of boiling hot water before eating anything."

12. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Yolk of Egg and Salt for.—"A very simple but good remedy is the yolk of one egg, with a small quantity of common salt before breakfast. This treatment has been tried and known to cure in many cases."

13. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Lemon Remedy for.—"Drink a half glass of water into which has been put the juice of a lemon (no sugar) morning and evening. This is a fine remedy."

[102 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

14. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Hops Excellent for.—"Pour one quart of boiling water over one-half ounce of hops, cover this over and allow the infusion to stand for fifteen minutes; the tea must then be strained off into another jug. A small cupful may be drank in the morning, which will create an appetite and also strengthen the digestive powers. It is an excellent medicinal drink." Hops does its work by the soothing and quieting action on the whole system, and should be taken regularly for some time.

15. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Tested Remedy for.—"A good digestive is made as follows:

Tincture of Leptandrin 1 ounce Tincture of Hydrastis 1 ounce Tincture of Colombo 1 ounce Wine of Pepsin 1 ounce

Mix. Dose, two teaspoonfuls after each meal."

The leptandrin acts on the liver, the colombo is a bitter tonic and hydrastis is a good tonic for the stomach.

16. Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Chamomile Tonic for Aged Persons also for Children.—"Put about one-half ounce chamomile flowers into a jug, pour a pint of boiling water upon them, cover up the tea, and when it has stood about ten minutes pour it off from the flowers into another jug; sweeten with sugar or honey. A cupful in the morning will strengthen the digestive organs, a teacupful in which is stirred a large dessert spoonful of moist sugar and a little grated ginger is an excellent thing to give to aged persons a couple of hours before dinner," It is remarkable to see how this treatment aids the digestion, especially in chronic cases. It may also be given to fretful children in small doses.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT in mild cases of acute Dyspepsia.—These recover by themselves by giving the stomach rest, and taking a dose of castor oil. Hot water is good to help to clean out the stomach.

Treatment in severe forms.—Promote vomiting by drinking large amount of warm water. This cleans the stomach of the sour, foul, decomposing food. If warm water does not cause vomiting, give any simple emetic you may have at your hand, such as mustard, etc., one teaspoonful. If the stomach tastes very sour, take some baking soda; subnitrate of bismuth (ten grains) is good, if you have it. If the bowels are constipated you should take an enema (injection) or salts. Soda water can be drank freely. Rest the stomach for a day from food. For the thirst cracked ice is relished. As the patient is usually very thirsty the mouth should be rinsed frequently with cool water and some can be swallowed. As stated before for nausea and sour belching, baking soda or bismuth subnitrate can be used when there is much gas, sour belchings; crust coffee is very good. Burn the toast and make a hot coffee of it.

[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 103]

DIET.—Given us by the Lady Superior of one of the largest Catholic Hospitals in Ohio.

May take—

Soups—Clear thin soups of beef, mutton or oysters.

Fish—Oysters raw, shad, cod, perch, bass, fresh mackerel.

Meats—Beef, mutton, chicken, lamb, tripe, tongue, calf's head, broiled chopped meat, sweetbread, game, tender steak.

Eggs—Boiled, poached, raw.

Farinaceous—Cracked wheat, hominy, rolled oats, rice, sago, tapioca, crackers, dry toast, stale bread, corn bread, whole wheat bread, graham bread, rice cakes.

Vegetables—Spinach, string beans, green peas, lettuce, cresses, celery, chicory, asparagus.

Desserts—Rice, tapioca or farina pudding, junket, custards, baked apples, apple snow, apple tapioca, ripe fruits—raw or stewed.

Drinks—One cup of milk and hot water equal parts, or one glass of pure cool water, sipped after eating, Panopepton or cracked ice.

Must Not Take—Rich soups or chowders, veal, pork, hashes, stews, turkey, potatoes, gravies, fried foods, liver, kidney; pickled, potted, corned or cured meats; salted, smoked or preserved fish; goose, duck, sausage, crabs, lobster, salmon, pies, pastry, candies, ice cream, cheese, nuts, ice water, malt or spirituous liquors.



CHRONIC DYSPEPSIA (Chronic Indigestion—Chronic Gastritis—Stomach Trouble).—A chronic digestive disorder characterized by increased secretion of mucus, changes in the gastric juice, weakening of the stomach muscles and diseased changes in the mucous membrane.

Causes.—The use of unsuitable and improperly prepared food, too much fat, starchy foods, New England pie, and hot meals, biscuits, cakes, etc., greasy gravies, too strong tea or coffee, and too much alcohol. Eating too much food, eating too fast, and eating between meals. Drinking of ice and cold water during or after meals. Chewing, especially, and smoking tobacco.

[104 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Symptoms.—Almost every bad feeling can be put under this head, both physical and mental. It has been coming on gradually for some time and the warnings have not been heeded; The appetite is variable, sometimes good and often poor. Among the early symptoms are feelings of distress or oppression after eating, and they may amount to actual pain; great or small. Sometimes feels sick at the stomach, belching of gas and bitter liquids and vomiting of food immediately after eating or some hours later. Stomach tender and painful to the touch. Stomach and abdomen are distended, especially after meals, with costive bowels or diarrhea. Feels weary, blue, tired, discouraged, poor sleep, bad dreams, bitter taste in the mouth, tongue coated especially on the back part, craves different things, much wind on the stomach, acid stomach, heavy feeling in the stomach, sometimes as if a stone lay there. Stomach feels weak, it is hard to sit up. Frequently must lie down after meals. Urine may have sand in it, Stomach feels full after eating only a little, must open up the clothes across the stomach. Persons are cross, irritable, discouraged, gloomy, nervous, generally look thin, haggard and sallow. The dreams are of horrid things, nightmare.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES, Stomach Trouble, Spice Poultice for,—1. "Take all kinds of ground spices and make a poultice. Heat whisky and wet the poultice with it, then apply to the stomach and bowels." This will always give relief. Wetting the poultice with whisky will be found very beneficial as it will retain the heat longer.

2. Stomach Trouble, Oil of Hemlock for,—"The Oil of Hemlock is a superior remedy in gastric irritation of the stomach. Dose:—One to two drops in sweetened water every ten or twenty minutes until relief is afforded, for an adult."

3. Cramps in Stomach, Ginger and Soda for.—"One teaspoonful of ginger stirred in half glass of hot water in which a half teaspoonful of baking soda has been dissolved." The ginger is very beneficial, as it warms up the stomach and thereby relieves the cramps, and the baking soda relieves any gas in the stomach that may be causing the trouble.

4. Cramps in Stomach, Oil of Peppermint for.—"Put a few drops of peppermint in a glass of warm water. Take a teaspoonful every few minutes until relieved." This is an old time-tried remedy our grandmothers used to use and can be relied upon.

5. Cramps in Stomach, Mustard Poultice and Eggs for.—"Make a mustard poultice with whites of eggs instead of water, and apply same to bowels. Give a teaspoonful of blackberry tea every fifteen or twenty minutes until relieved." The poultice acts as a counter irritant and will almost always relieve the cramps without further medicines.

6. Pains in Stomach, Hot Plate for.—"Hot plate laid on stomach. Use the heavy English made plates, common to us in Canada, as they will hold heat longer."

[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 105]

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Chronic Gastritis.—Most cases can be cured if the patient is willing to do the proper thing in eating and drinking and regulating the habits. It takes time to cure such cases, and plenty of grit and courage and "stick" on the patient's part. Remember it has been a long time coming, longer than it will be going if the patient does right. Diet and habits must be corrected. You cannot help the trouble if you put into the stomach what has caused it. We eat too much fat and too much improper and improperly cooked foods, our bread, etc., is half baked. Gravies are rich and greasy, everything is highly seasoned, very much like the life we lead.

Diet.—A regular time for eating and no eating between meals. Do not eat too much or too fast, or anything that you know disagrees with you. Fried foods are generally harmful, pies, cakes, hot breads, strong tea and coffee and alcohol, gravy and highly spiced foods; vinegar pickles, preserves, etc., are generally bad. If there is acid belching gas on stomach, the starch foods should be restricted, particularly potatoes and the coarser vegetables. Potatoes fried in lard or butter are always bad unless you are a hard physical worker. Dr. Osler, England, says breads, pancakes, pies, and tarts, with heavy pastry and fried articles of all sorts, should be strictly prohibited. As a rule, white bread toasted is more readily digested than bread made from the whole meal. Sometimes graham bread is better. Sugar and very sweet articles of food should be used in great moderation or avoided altogether. Ice cream frequently aggravates it. Soda water is a great dyspepsia producer. Fats, except a little good butter, very fat meats, and thick greasy soups and gravies should be avoided.

Ripe fruits are good in some cases. Bananas generally are not digested. Berries are frequently harmful. Milk is splendid diet for some people.

Cautions.—The bowels must be kept "moving" every day, try to do it by dieting, rubbing the abdomen and exercise. Bathing the abdomen in cool water is good. Go to the closet at a regular time every day and try to have a passage, as this helps. Never put off going to stool when nature calls. Dyspepsia is frequently made worse by constipation. Seek good cheerful company. Do not worry over your condition. By care and diet you will soon be all right.

Home Treatment.—1. Drink a glass of cold water an hour before breakfast, or hot water if it agrees better with you.

2. Do not eat much meat.

3. If the stomach wants tone, bitter tonics, like quassia, gentian, cardanum are good, even if drank as teas. When the tongue is coated with a white thick fur, golden seal is good. Medicines are not as essential as care and diet.

4. Charcoal in small doses is good for' a "gassy" stomach.

5. If a bitter tonic is needed the following is good:

Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dram Tincture of Nux Vomica l to 2 drams Compound tincture of Gentian, enough for 3 ounces

Mix and take one teaspoonful to a dessert spoonful before meals.

[106 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

NERVOUS DYSPEPSIA.—This is acquired from over work, worry, excitement, hurried or irregular meals, or inherited. It shows itself in all sorts of symptoms and they must be met as they come. Diet the same as for general dyspepsia, never eat when you are tired, rest after eating.

ULCER OF THE STOMACH AND DUODENUM (Upper part of bowel).—Round or perforating ulcer. The stomach ulcer is most common in women of twenty or thirty; servant girls, shoemakers, and tailors are frequently attacked. Ulcer of the duodenum is usually in males and may follow large superficial burns. The ulcer in the stomach is usually situated near the pylorus (small end) and in the first portion of the duodenum.

Symptoms.—Pain, local tenderness, vomiting and bleeding. These may not show until perforation or bleeding occurs. Distress after eating, often nausea and vomiting of very acid fluid, loss of weight and lack of blood.

Pain in the region of the stomach and the back is the most constant symptom. It is usually sharp, increased at once by food, relieved by vomiting. The tender spot can be located. Bleeding occurs in about one-half the cases and is usually profuse, bright red and fluid; if retained in the stomach the blood becomes clotted and brown. Tar-like stools when there is blood in the bowels. They usually recover under treatment, but may recur.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT FOR ULCER OF THE STOMACH.—1. Rest in bed most of the time for several months.

2. Feed by the rectum at first in severe cases, then peptonized or plain milk or buttermilk (three to four ounces) every two hours, some adding eggs, chicken, scraped beef and farinaceous food, made of: rice, flour, corn, potatoes, etc.



CANCER OF THE STOMACH.—Usually occurs after the age of forty.

Symptoms.—Indigestion for a few months; lack of blood and loss of weight. Well marked case shows the following symptoms:—Distaste for food, nausea, irregular vomiting, especially in cases where it is located near the pylorus—the opening between the stomach and the small intestine—usually one hour or more after eating; bleeding rarely profuse, usually of "coffee-ground type," dragging, gnawing or burning pain in the region of the stomach, back, loins or shoulders, usually increased by food; progressive loss of weight and strength; peculiar sallow look, skin pale or yellowish.

Course.—The person usually dies in twelve to eighteen months, sometimes in three to four months.

[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 107]

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT of Cancer of the Stomach and Bowels.—There is no cure for this trouble except by an operation. This must be done early; even this may not cure but it, at least, prolongs life and makes the patient more comfortable while life does last. In the line of medicine the only thing to do is to give only such remedies as will ease the symptoms.

Diet.—Attend to this also and you will save pain and distress. Every case should be treated as it needs and no special directions can be given here.



BLEEDING FROM THE STOMACH.—(Haematemesis).

Causes.—Cancer and ulcer of the stomach are main causes of excessive bleeding; poisons also cause it; injuries also.

Symptoms.—The vomited blood may be fluid or clotted; it is usually of dark color. The longer it remains in the stomach the darker it becomes. There may be great weakness and faint feeling on attempting to rise before a vomiting of blood. The contents of the bowels when passed look "tarry."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Bleeding of the Stomach.—Absolute rest in bed is necessary. The bowels should be moved by an enema and it can be repeated carefully as often as necessary. Cracked ice in bag over the stomach. If the patient vomits much medicine is useless. They generally recover with rest. The extremities can be bandaged if there is great weakness and also external heat can be applied if there is a tendency to faintness.

Caution.—A person so afflicted, if he has ulcer, must be careful of his diet for months after an attack. He should be careful not to lift, over work, over eat or worry.



NEURALGIA OF THE STOMACH (Cardialgia, Gastralgia, Gastrodynia).— This is a severe pain in paroxysms in the region of the stomach.

Causes.—The patients are of a nervous type. They may have anemia, exhaustion from sickness and bleedings, the menstruation be at fault. Grief, worry and anxiety.

Symptoms.—The attack comes suddenly as a rule. The pains are agonizing in the stomach region, they may dart to the back or pass around the lower ribs. The attack lasts from a few minutes to an hour or two. It does not depend upon the food taken.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Neuralgia of the Stomach.—The causes should be understood and especial treatment given for them. The patients are usually run down and a tonic treatment is needed. Constipation and menstrual troubles should be cured, worry, trouble and anxiety, if possible, be removed. The following is good for nervous patients:—

Valerianate of zinc 18 grains Valerianate of quinine 18 grains Iron Arsenate 2 grains

Mix and make into eighteen pills and take one after meals.

[108 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Bitter tonics can be taken such as gentian, columbo, quassia. Change of air and scene may be needed. Sometimes morphine must be given for the attack. A physician should do this. If there is much gas, soda and peppermint are good.



DIARRHEA:—Causes.

(a) Improper or excessive food, including green or over-ripe fruit.

(b) Poison substances; such as decomposed milk or meat either fresh or canned: or caused by arsenic, mercury or colchicum.

(d) Exposure to cold, wet or draughts.

(c) Stomach disorder, preventing thorough digestion.

(e) Extension of inflammation from other organs.

Symptoms.—Sudden colicky pain in the bowels, moving about with rumbling noises. The pain is not constant and is followed at intervals with a sudden extreme desire to empty the bowels. The stools may be four to twenty a day, watery or gruel-like in appearance and they sometimes contain mucus or undigested food. The stools usually relieve the pain for the time. It usually lasts two or three days or longer.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—Diarrhea.—1. "Wild Sage Tea." Wild sage tea is a very good remedy for bowel trouble because of its astringent virtues. Before the sage is used, however, the bowels should be thoroughly cleansed with castor oil or salts.

2. Diarrhea, Egg and Nutmeg for.—"Beat up an egg, grate in half a nutmeg and sweeten to taste. Repeat two or three times during the day. Remarks: Has been known to help in chronic cases when doctors' medicine failed."

3. Diarrhea, Scorched Flour and Sugar for.—"Scorched flour in boiled milk or scorched flour and sugar eaten dry is very good. This is a simple but a never failing remedy if taken right at the beginning of the trouble."

4. Diarrhea, Excellent Compound for.—

"Paregoric 1 ounce Tincture of Camphor 1/2 ounce Tincture of Ginger 1/2 ounce Tincture of Red Pepper 1/2 ounce Essence of Peppermint 1/2 ounce Ether 1/2 ounce

Mix.—Dose for adult, one teaspoonful to four of water every two hours if necessary. This is an excellent remedy."

5. Diarrhea, Spice Poultice for.—"Make a poultice of all kinds of ground spices, heat whisky and wet the poultice, apply to the stomach and bowels."

6. Diarrhea, Blackberry Root Tea for.—"One-half ounce blackberry root boiled in one pint water fifteen minutes, strain. Dose.—One teaspoonful every hour or two until relieved."

[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 109]

7. Diarrhea, Hot Milk, for.—"A glass of sweet milk that has been boiled well. Drink hot; use several times daily until checked."

8. Diarrhea, Castor Oil for.—"Castor oil. Dose.—One to four teaspoonfuls according to age. Wrap warm flannel around abdomen."

9. Summer Complaint, Former Canadian's Remedy for.—"Eat one blossom of the May weed every hour or two until relieved. This remedy came from Port Huron and has been used by my father with success."

10. Summer Complaint, a Goderich Lady Found this Good for.—"Powdered rhubarb, cinnamon, baking soda (one tablespoonful of each), dissolve in one pint of boiling water, add one tablespoonful of peppermint; take every hour one teaspoonful in water."

11. Summer Complaint, Inexpensive Remedy for.—

"Paregoric 2 ounces Brandy 1 ounce Jamaica Ginger 1 ounce

Have used this and found it excellent." Dose: 1/2 dram every 3 hours.

12. Summer Complaint, Fern Root Good to Relieve.—"A decoction is made with two ounces of the sweet fern root boiled in one and one-half pints water to one pint. Dose.—A tablespoonful several times a day as the case requires. Most useful in diarrhea," This may be purchased at any drug store and will be found a very good treatment for diarrhea.

13. Summer Complaint, Milk and Pepper a Common Remedy for.—"Sweet milk and black pepper once or twice a day. Dose.—Three or four swallows. Mother used to use this for us children." The milk should be warmed, for in this way it relieves the diarrhea while the pepper is stimulating.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Diarrhea.—1. Rest in bed is the best. Abstain from food, especially at first, and then only give a little milk and boiled water or milk and lime water every two hours for two days. Cracked ice is good for the thirst.

2. A dose of one-half to an ounce of castor oil to an adult is of great benefit, as it removes all the irritating matter from the bowels. This often cures a light diarrhea. Follow by a blackberry wine or blackberry cordial if it is more severe.

3. For children.—An infusion of path weed is an excellent remedy for this trouble in children; after castor oil in one to two teaspoonful doses has been given. If castor oil is too bad to take, you can use what is called "spiced syrup of rhubarb," one to two teaspoonfuls to a child one to two years old, and then follow with blackberry wine.

4. For infants.—An infusion of chamomile is good for the green diarrhea of teething babies.

[110 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

5. Another for infants.—For infantile diarrhea the root of geranium maculation or cranesbill, boiled in milk in the proportion of one or two roots to the pint, will be found of great service and is tasteless.

6. Ginger tea is frequently of good service, especially when the stomach needs "toning."

7. Infants of six months.—Chalk and bismuth mixture by Dr. Douglass, of Detroit.

"Subnitrate of Bismuth 2 drams Paregoric 2 fluid drams Chalk mixture 2 fluid drams

Mix and shake bottle. Give one-half to one teaspoonful for loose bowels in a child six months old, every two to four hours as needed."



DIET IN DIARRHEA.—From the Head Nurse of a Large Hospital.

May Take—

Soups.—Milk soup well boiled, clam juice, beef tea.

Meats.—Scraped fresh beef or mutton well broiled, sweetbread, beef juice from freshly broiled steak (all sparingly).

Eggs.—Lightly boiled or poached on dry toast.

Farinaceous.—Rice, sago, macaroni, tapioca, arrowroot, dry toast, milk toast, toasted crackers.

Desserts.—Milk puddings, plain, with sago, rice, tapioca or arrowroot (no sugar).

Drinks.—Tea, toast water, boiled peptonized milk, Panopepton.

Must Not Take—

Oatmeal, wheaten grits, fresh breads, rich soups, vegetables, fried foods, fish, salt meats, lamb, veal, pork, brown or graham bread, fruits, nuts, pies, pastry, ice cream, ice water, sugars, sweets, custards, malt liquors, sweet wines.

Infants.—Bottle-fed infants should stop milk and use egg albumen, etc. This is prepared by gently stirring (not to a froth) the white of one egg in a cup of cold water and one-fourth teaspoonful of brandy and a little salt mixed with it. Feed this cold.

[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 111]

If it causes foul or green stools it must be stopped. Dr. Koplik, of New York, recommends stopping the feeding of breast and bottle-fed infants in severe diarrhea or cholera infantum and to use the following:—Albumin water, acorn cocoa, or beef juice expressed and diluted with barley water. The white of one egg is equal in nourishing value to three ounces of milk and is well borne by infants. The albumin water can be used alternately with the solution of acorn cocoa or beef juice or barley water. Liebig's soup mixture is better liked by older children. Meat juice is made from lean beef, slightly broiled, then cutting it in squares and squeezing these in a lemon press. Rice or barley water can be added to this if the meat juice causes vomiting. Add only one or two teaspoonfuls of barley or rice water and increase, if it agrees well, in a day or two.

CHOLERA MORBUS (Acute Inflammation of Stomach and Upper Bowel).—This is most common in young people in late summer, after indiscretion in eating.

Symptoms.—Sometimes the patient feels tired, then nausea, etc. The attack though is usually sudden, with nausea, vomiting, and cramp-like pains in the abdomen. The contents of the stomach are vomited. The bowel discharge at first is diarrhea and later like rice water. Repeated vomiting and purging, with severe cramps. It looks like true cholera.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES, Cholera Morbus.—Castor Oil for.—"Castor oil one tablespoonful for an adult, one-half tablespoonful for children." This is an old, tried remedy and very good.

2. Cholera Morbus, Blackberry Root and Boiled Milk for.—"Steep the root of the long blackberry, give in one-half teaspoonful doses; alternate with teaspoonfuls of well boiled sweet milk, one-half hour apart."

3. Cholera Morbus, Blackberry Cordial for.—"Take a quantity of blackberries, strain out all of the juice. To each pint of juice add a pint of sugar. Then put in a little bag or cloth one-half ounce of cinnamon, one-fourth ounce of mace, two teaspoonfuls of cloves. Place this little bag with spices in the berry juice and boil for about two minutes, after which remove bag of spices and add one large cup of brandy or whisky to each pint of juice."

4. Cholera Morbus, Tincture Cayenne Pepper for.—"Tincture cayenne pepper, five to ten drop doses in a little hot water. Before giving this medicine it is well to drink a quantity of tepid water and produce vomiting. This can be made more effective by adding five or ten drops of camphor."

5. Cholera Morbus, Nutmeg and Jamaica Ginger for.—"Grate one teaspoonful nutmeg, put few drops Jamaica ginger in three or four tablespoonfuls of brandy, add little water." The writer says this is one of the finest remedies she has ever known for summer complaint.

6. Cholera Morbus, Home Remedy for.—"To a pint of water, sweetened with sugar, add chalk one-half dram, anise, two drams, cayenne pepper, ten grains; boil this down to one-half pint. Give a teaspoonful every hour or two until relieved. Kerosene may be applied to the abdomen with cloths. This is a very good remedy and easily prepared."

[112 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

7. Cholera Morbus, Old Reliable Remedy for.—

Tincture Rhubarh 4 ounces Spirits Camphor 2 ounces Paregoric (Tinct. opii camph.) 3 ounces Spirits Ammonia 4 ounce Essence Peppermint 1 dram

Take a half teaspoonful every two hours. This is a tested recipe; have known of its being used the last fifty years."

The camphor and paregoric will relieve the pain, while the rhubarb and pepper are stimulating and laxative.

8. Cholera Morbus, Common Remedy for.—"To check vomiting and purging, the following mixture is excellent:

Essence of Peppermint 1 ounce Water 1 ounce Carbonate of Potash 20 grains Paregoric 1 teaspoonful White Sugar or Honey 2 teaspoonfuls

Mix and shake well. Dose.—One teaspoonful every ten or twenty minutes until the patient becomes quiet. If necessary keep up bodily heat by means of hot flannels or bricks to extremities. Keep the patient quiet."

This is an excellent remedy for this trouble and may be used by anyone. The above mixture is for an adult.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Cholera Morbus.—l. Heat to the bowels and to the extremities. Give plenty of hot water to aid vomiting and to wash the stomach. It is always well to keep on drinking hot water and frequently the vomiting stops. If not, the camphor, laudanum and water can be given.

2. Morphine by hypodermic method. A doctor must give this.

3. Tincture of Camphor 15 drops Laudanum 15 drops

Mix in one-third of a cup of hot water. This is a good remedy. Mustard poultice to the stomach and bowels benefits.

[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 113]

CHOLERA INFANTUM, Symptoms.—Usually begins with a diarrhea, which is often so mild as to attract but little attention, but should be a warning. If a weakly baby has a diarrhea which persists, or is foul smelling and especially if there is a marked loss of flesh and dullness of mind, there is ground for worry. If a bright child loses interest in things and has diarrhea something is wrong. The two essential features are vomiting and diarrhea, and the vomiting is persistent. First it vomits food, then the mucus and bile. The thirst is great, but anything taken to relieve it is instantly thrown up. The stools are frequent, large and watery. They may be painless and involuntary. They may look like dirty water, but later they loose all color. They are sometimes so thin and copious as to soak through the napkin and saturate the bed. They may be without odor, and again the odor is almost over-powering. The prostration is great and rapid. The fontannelles, openings in the head, are depressed, the face becomes pale and pinched, and the eyes are sunken. It occurs usually during the summer months, oftener in babies under eighteen months and still more under a year old.

Cautions.—This book will probably find its way into homes many miles from a drug store and possibly a long distance from a physician. Should a child in that home show symptoms of cholera infantum it would be imperative for that mother to begin at once home treatments. We, therefore, give below a number of remedies which a mother can either prepare in her home or can take the precaution to have filled at some convenient time and keep constantly at hand, properly labeled so she can turn to them at any moment. On the other hand, should you have to wait even three or four hours for a physician begin one of the treatments below until he comes; you may save the child's life by doing so. Cholera infantum and pneumonia claim so many of our little ones each year, and in many cases snatch them away within a few hours of the first noticeable symptoms that we must advise you to call a physician as soon as you suspect it is serious. Cases vary and only a trained eye can detect the little symptoms and changes that may weigh in the balance the life of baby.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES for Cholera Infantum.—l. Castor oil and warm applications for.—"Give the child one teaspoonful of castor oil, then wring woolen cloths out of warm whisky and apply to the abdomen. This will most always give relief, especially after the castor oil has acted upon the bowels."

2. Cholera Infantum, First Thing to Do.—"The first thing to do is to give a teaspoonful of castor oil, so as to thoroughly clean out the bowels. Then add one tablespoonful of turpentine to one quart of hot water and wring cloths out of this and apply to the bowels to relieve the pain that is always present in this disease. The turpentine is especially good for the bowels when they are bloated and have much gas in them."

3. Cholera Infantum, White of Egg and Cathartic for.—"One teaspoonful castor oil every two hours, until the movements are natural. Give no food except albumen water, which is composed of the white of one egg (slightly beaten) and a small pinch of salt in a glass of cold water which has been previously boiled. Feed this by spoonfuls."

4. Cholera Infantum, Olive or Sweet Oil for.—"One teaspoonful sweet or olive oil three times a day and an injection of one tablespoonful of the oil at night, to be retained in the bowels. If continued this will completely cure."

5. Cholera Infantum, Spice and Whisky Poultice for.—"Take all kinds of ground spices, make a poultice. Heat whisky and wet the poultice. Apply to the stomach and bowels."

[114 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

6. Cholera Infantum, Cabbage Leaf Poultice for.—"Take a cabbage leaf, hold it over the stove until warm as can be stood on back of hand; lay it across the child's abdomen. Repeat if necessary."

7. Cholera Infantum, Herb Remedy for.—"Strawberry root, blackberry root and raspberry root, equal parts, steeped together. I have used this remedy and found it good, but it should be used in time." Make a tea of these roots and take one teaspoonful every hour until relieved. This is a mild astringent.

8. Cholera Infantum, Tomatoes Will Relieve.—"Make a syrup of peeled tomatoes well sweetened with white sugar. Give one teaspoonful every half hour." This syrup is very soothing and the tomatoes are especially good if there is some ulcerated condition of the bowels. This preparation should always be strained before using.