Persons are liable to have the rheumatism from taking cold in the
winter. Where the pain is most violent, put on plasters of Burgundy
pitch, spread on leather. Persons that are subject to it, should always
keep pitch in the house to use, as it will give relief; a silk
handkerchief tied round the joint, keeps it warm and relieves stiffness.
If the pain is in the back part of the head, put a blister on the neck,
by all means. When persons have a bad spell of rheumatism, they should
always take medicine, and avoid eating meat for a few days. Equal parts
of rhubarb and castile soap, made into pills, with a little water, is a
valuable medicine for rheumatism, and suits aged persons; the pills
should be taken at night on going to bed. They are easily made, and
should always be at hand: it is valuable as a cathartic in almost every
case where mild medicine is necessary. The use of the shower bath is
also beneficial. Flannel should always be worn next the skin, and the
feet kept dry. Bathing with camphor sometimes relieves the pain, but
there is a danger of driving it to a more vital part. Salt and water is
useful to bathe for the rheumatism, when it is of long-standing.
Deafness, Remarks, &c.
A remarkable case of deafness was cured by the following remedy: (An
aged person, whose hearing had been very good, gradually became so deaf
as not to be able to hear common conversation; after suffering some
months, the patient thought of trying the following remedy:) of honey,
brandy and sweet oil, each a tea-spoonful, warm and mix well together;
sew a soft linen rag to the eye of a strong darning needle; dip this mop
in the mixture while warm, and put it in the ear; hold it in till cold,
when renew and move it gently about; by so doing, wax that had
accumulated, hardened, and stopped the cavity, was discharged, and the
hearing of the patient restored. Wool should be worn in the ears, and an
occasional use of the mixture; also flannel round the head at night. A
young person was relieved by the persevering use of the following
remedies: Put a small blister of Spanish flies behind the ears, very
high up on the hard part, so as to be clear of the leaders (or it will
occasion pain); when drawn, dress them in the usual way, and as soon as
healed renew them; repeat this several times, keeping wool in the ears
dipped in sweet oil, and at night put in small pieces of fat bacon that
has been boiled, and tie a handkerchief around to keep them warm. When
the blisters are healed, the hair should be cut short, to enable the
patient to bathe the head in cold water, which should be poured from a
pitcher; begin with it a little warm and gradually get it colder; this
should be persevered in, even in cold weather; wipe the head and tie it
up till dry. I have been induced to make these remedies public, by
seeing several interesting young persons suffering from deafness, with a
hope that they may be of use.
Remedy for Sick Head-ache.
A table-spoonful of table salt; dissolved in a pint of water, as warm as
you can drink it; take at two doses, and drink freely of luke-warm
water, until it causes vomiting; put a hot brick to the feet, and avoid
the air, which will check the perspiration.