HURRAH FOR OUR HERO
THE Brave family were not the only people who admired Private Brave’s
cheerful acceptance of his fate and his determination to make his left
hand learn to do the work of two hands.
One day when he was running the lawn mower over the lawn in front of
the house, Doctor Quickenquack stopped in his dollsmobile.
“Hello, how’s the ‘General’?” he called. “Can’t you jump in and take a
ride? Hope you’re not too busy to have a little holiday.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” said Private Brave, “it’s certainly kind of you to
ask me. Will you wait until I put this mower away and get my coat?”
He had to lock the door, for none of the family were home, but he
hopped into the car in a minute’s time. The doctor started the engine
and away they rode toward Painted River and Looking Glass Lake. It was
a beautiful morning and Private Brave enjoyed the ride very much.
“If you will just let me out here, I’ll walk home from this corner,”
said he as they came to River Avenue.
“Not much, sir; you’re kidnapped,” laughed the doctor as he drove on
toward the hospital.
“First, your lunch; then a visit to the boys’ ward,” said the doctor.
“That’s your program, sir.”
Private Brave was delighted with the idea, and how he enjoyed his lunch
after the ride!
When he went with the doctor to the boys’ ward, you can’t imagine how
surprised he was to see all his own family. Not only they were there,
but also the boys’ class and the girls’ class in first-aid.
Besides these, wore Miss Bossem and Miss Helpem and Doctor Surecure and
even the ambulance driver, Billy.
Doctor Quickenquack led Private Brave under an American flag which was
draped in one corner of the room.
“Dear Private Brave,” said Doctor Surecure, clearing his throat, “it is
my pleasure to present to you a gift from some of your many admiring
friends.”
Private Brave blushed at the praise, and smiled as Miss Helpem carried
forward a box which she placed on the little table beside him.
He opened the lid and lifted out a beautiful little hand-embroidered
silk flag.
“Perhaps we’d better help you open the box the rest of the way,”
suggested Doctor Surecure. “Let us step into the next room.”
When the doctors and Private Brave came back—what do you think? Private
Brave was waving the beautiful little silk flag in the hand of a new
wooden arm, so skilfully made that it had almost human action.
“Hurrah!” shouted the boys and girls in delight. “Hurrah! Hurrah for
Private Brave! Hurrah for Our Hero!”
“Hurrah! Hurrah!” they shouted together at the top of their lungs.
[Illustration: HE OPENED THE LID AND LIFTED OUT A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE
HAND-EMBROIDERED SILK FLAG]
“Hurrah for Private Brave! He’s—
Prepared for less,
Prepared for more,
Prepared for peace,
Prepared for war!
Prepared for well,
Prepared for ill,
Prepared to save
The doctor’s bill!
Prepared for calm,
Prepared for strife,
Prepared for anything
In life!
* * * * *
“Oh, Billy,” cried Mary Frances, after it was all over, “I’m so
thankful to you for your birthday present.”
“What do you mean?” yawned Billy.
“Why, for the day we’ve just spent together in the playroom,” said Mary
Frances.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” pretended Billy.
“Why, Billy!” Mary Frances laughed. “If you will just put a triangular
bandage on my hand with your handkerchief, you’ll remember.”
Billy put it on beautifully, just as you saw it shown on Mary Frances’
doll in the picture.
“Now, you remember, Mr. Ambulance Driver!” cried Mary Frances, shaking
her finger.
“I don’t seem to remember a thing about how I learned,” solemnly
declared Billy.
“Why, certainly you do. You learned in the Dolls’ Hospital,” cried Mary
Frances.
“Oh, maybe—but don’t tell anybody about it, though I must say that a
knowledge of bandaging will be most useful when the boy scouts commence
their class in advanced first-aid work.”
[Illustration: THERE THEY WERE!]
“Will Miss Bossem be their teacher?” teased Mary Frances.
“Aw! Stop talking about that doll of yours dressed up as a nurse, Mary
Frances! We boys are beyond the doll-baby age!” Billy walked away in
pretended disgust.
“Well,” said Mary Frances to herself, “if Billy hadn’t known how to put
on that bandage I would think I had been dreaming. I know what I’ll do!
I’ll go see if there are any nurses’ uniforms in the playroom.”
There they were! Each girl doll had one on, just as she wore it at the
Fourth of July celebration.
“It must have been real!” concluded Mary Frances. “It must have been!
That proves it! Besides, here is Private Brave, and in his wooden hand
he is holding the—
[Illustration]
A READY REFERENCE LIST
OF
ORDINARY ACCIDENTS
AND ILLNESSES
ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED
WITH
APPROVED HOME REMEDIES
A FEW GENERAL REMARKS
In the story part of this little book, the author has endeavored to
show that success in first-aid treatment of any open wound lies in
protecting the wound from infection.
From long years of experience, physicians have found that:
1. Every open wound should be touched with an antiseptic to kill germs
which may have entered; and that the best general antiseptic known is
_iodine_.
2. No wound should be closed entirely from the air; therefore, do not
use adhesive plaster or collodion to cover a cut or wound, but cover it
with sterile gauze after using iodine. The gauze may be held in place
at each side by adhesive plaster or by a bandage.
_When sending for the doctor, be sure to let him know what is the
matter: for instance, poison case, or drowning, or choking—so that he
may bring the articles necessary to treat the case._
N. B.—In case of wounds from powder, or punctured wounds, as from rusty
nail, see a doctor who will treat patient with anti-tetanic serum.
Read the chapters concerning bandages: Chapters XIII and XVI.
Bandages are used: 1. To hold dressings in place.
2. To support the parts. 3. To hold splints in place.
Never use wet bandages—they shrink in drying.
Never put a tight bandage over a wet compress; use a loose triangular
bandage. The _exclusion of air_ might also cause blisters.
An emetic is a medicine which causes vomiting.
To sterilize a needle or knife blade, dip into alcohol or pass through
an alcohol or gas flame; or hold in boiling waiter several minutes.
To make a saturated solution dissolve in water as much of the powder
mentioned as possible.
NOTE.—Remember that heat in the form of hot drinks and hot applications
is the best kind of stimulant.
A READY REFERENCE LIST
Reference to poisonous remedies has been carefully avoided as much as
possible.
Where dosage is not mentioned in the following, refer to List of
Remedies for the Home Medicine Closet, page 136.
Biliousness.
Give citrate of magnesia, or Epsom or Rochelle salt, or [J]castor oil.
Cracked ice slowly melted in the mouth generally relieves sick stomach.
Hot, clear coffee given after any of the above medicines counteracts
greatly the nauseating effect.
Bites of Dogs, Cats, Snakes.
If on a limb, tie a cloth tightly around limb, between wound and body.
Loosen slightly in an hour. Encourage bleeding by squeezing, to get
poison out, or suck and spit out blood from the wound, being careful to
see there are no cuts or wounds in the mouth or lips, through which the
poison may enter. _Apply iodine._
If _hydrophobia_ (rabies) is suspected, _send for doctor at once_, who
will see that correct treatment is given. This treatment is concerned
with the injection of a serum into the blood. See Chapter XVII.
Bites of Insects, Spiders, etc.
Treat as for _stings_.
These are seldom dangerous to life.
“Black Eye.”
For “black eye,” use either cold or hot water compresses immediately.
Massage gently for discoloration.
Bleeding of Gums.
Rinse mouth with alum water—1 teaspoon powdered alum in a glass of ice
water; or 1 tsp. tincture of myrrh in 1 tbsp. water.
Blood Blisters.
Do not open. Apply hot water.
Broken Bones or Fractures.
There are two kinds of fractures:
1. Simple, where the bone only is broken.
2. Compound, where the skin is broken through at point
of fracture.
_Treatment:_
Send for doctor at once. Much harm is done by unskilled handling. Do
not move patient unless absolutely necessary.
If a compound fracture, apply iodine. Bandage a sterile gauze compress
loosely over wound, tie a cloth tightly around limb, between wound and
body. See “Hemorrhage” in this list.
Using _extreme gentleness_, place limb in comfortable position on a
pillow or pad, and tie fast with strips of muslin or bandages.
If impossible to get doctor for a long time, and patient must be moved,
use extreme carefulness, and tie limb to padded splints with bandages.
Rulers, umbrellas, sticks, rolled newspapers, may be used for splints.
If an arm, after applying splints, place in sling made with triangular
bandage, or pin coat sleeve to front of shirt.
Treat for “Shock.”
Bruises or Contusions.
“Black and blue” spots from blow or fall or pinching, causing blood
vessels to rupture under skin.
Apply at first:
Ice, or ice water; or
Alcohol and water, half and half; or
Witch hazel, or arnica; or
Vinegar diluted with water.
Afterward use hot applications. Gentle rubbing or massaging helps
dispel the discoloration. If surface is scraped, as from fall in sand,
see “Wounds.”
Burns and Scalds.
There are three different degrees of burns:
1. Mere reddening of the skin (slight burns).
2. Formation of blisters (deeper burns).
3. Charring and destruction of the skin and tissues.
1. For slight burns (first degree), apply any of the following:
Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) mixed in water to the thickness of
milk, olive oil, cream, vaseline, lard, butter, white of egg, or flour
and water paste, or starch and water.
Spread gauze compress[K] with the material used, and bandage loosely in
place.
2. In deeper burns (second degree), be careful in removing clothing—cut
it off, if necessary, to prevent tearing the skin.
Bandage on loosely compresses wet in one of the following:
(_a_) Normal Salt Solution (1 level tsp. salt in 1 pint boiled water);
or
(_b_) Carron Oil (½ lime water, ½ linseed oil);
or
(_c_) Saturated Solution Bicarbonate of Soda. (Dissolve as much baking
soda as possible in a cup of boiled water;)
or
(_d_) Picric Acid Gauze Compress.
Follow any of these treatments with Boric Acid
Ointment. (See List of Medicines, No. 22).
=Blisters.= Later, puncture blisters near base with a
sharp instrument which has been sterilized by dipping
in alcohol. Mop up the watery discharge with a little
aseptic absorbent cotton, throwing it away. Never open
blisters far enough to loosen skin. Dress with gauze
compresses, dusted with boric acid. Use several small
compresses if burned surface is large.
3. In very severe burns (third degree) little can be done. _Send for
the doctor._ Do not remove clothing. Make patient as comfortable as
possible.
For burns about the eye, anoint with olive oil and wash out with boric
acid solution in eye dropper or eye cup. (See List of Medicines, No.
3.) Use compresses wrung out of ice water. See doctor.
Car Sickness.
Fresh air. Lying-down position.
Do not look out of window at moving objects. Keep eyes closed.
Chilblains.
Chilblains are the result of too rapid warming of cold parts, generally
feet or fingers. Sometimes for years after being frost-bitten, exposure
to severe cold will produce itching and burning, and perhaps swelling
and ulcers.
_Treatment:_
Rub with turpentine or alcohol. The rubbing in itself is excellent. See
doctor.
Chills.
Use heat. Apply hot-water bags under arms, on thighs and at feet. Give
hot foot bath, in which is 1 tbsp. mustard. Rub limbs toward body, to
restore circulation. Give hot coffee or tea, or hot lemonade. Wrap in
blankets and put to bed. Chills indicate oncoming illness—see doctor!
See Chapter XI.
Choking.
Slap on back. Pass finger down throat. This usually causes vomiting. If
a child, hold him up by the feet, head downward, and slap on the back.
Send for doctor, if severe.
Coal Gas, Suffocation from.
_Send for doctor._
Get patient into fresh air—loosen clothing. Keep patient warm with
hot-water bags. Rub limbs toward body. Dash cold water in face. Doctor
will probably use artificial respiration.
Colds.
At the _first sign_ of “taking a cold”—use some simple remedy, such
as inhaling camphor from time to time for several hours. Dampen the
center of a handkerchief in water, and drop on it some spirit of
camphor. _Eat a sliced onion._[L]
Take two drops of spirit of camphor on a tsp. sugar.
Or, drop five drops camphor in ½ tumbler of water. Take a tsp. every
half hour.
Ginger tea is a much valued old-fashioned remedy. Pour boiling water
over a tbsp. bruised ginger root. Let stand two hours. The dose is 1
tbsp. every hour or two.
If the “cold” continues, take a laxative, such as castor oil or
rhubarb, and follow the dose with a hot foot bath at night and hot
lemonade after getting into bed, to induce perspiration. Keep well
covered.
If a cough comes with the cold, lemon juice and sugar syrup make a
pleasant cough remedy; or molasses-and-vinegar syrup is liked by
children. Mix in the proportion of 1 tbsp. vinegar to 2 tbsp. molasses.
_Flaxseed tea_ will sometimes relieve a “tickling” cough. Pour 2 cups
of boiling water over 1 tbsp. whole flaxseeds. Stir; let simmer gently
one-half hour. Add juice of half a lemon, and sugar if desired. Take a
tbsp. as often as wished.
If the chest is sore, rub it with camphorated oil, or ammonia liniment,
which is made by shaking together in a bottle 4 tbsp. olive (sweet) oil
and 1 tbsp. household ammonia. This hardens upon standing a few days—so
it is best made as needed.
All these are simple home remedies, but if a cold is severe, see a
doctor. A neglected cold is dangerous.
Colic.
Colic pains in abdomen are generally caused by indigestible food,
overeating, constipation, etc.
_Treatment:_
Give peppermint in hot water; hot-water enema. Keep abdomen warmly
wrapped in flannel; use hot-water bottles, or turpentine stupe.
If a child—massage abdomen with warm olive oil.
Convulsions of Children.
Caused by indigestion, constipation or oncoming illness. Child becomes
stiff, pulse is weak and rapid. Breathing is feeble, face is pale at
_first_, afterward livid.
_Treatment:_
Send for doctor. Place child in warm bath, with ice bag (or ice-water
cloths) on head.
Corns.
For soft corn, apply vaseline.
For hard corn, apply iodine and remove pressure by using corn plaster.
For a very sore corn, use a bread poultice at night. (See “Plasters and
Poultices” at end of this list, page 134.)
Croup.
Croup is generally more alarming than dangerous.
Give 1 teaspoon syrup of ipecac to make child vomit.
Apply cloths wrung out of hot water on neck and chest.
A boiling tea kettle, in which there are 2 tbsp. compound tincture of
benzoin, will afford relief. Direct the steam toward the child so that
some of it may be inhaled.
Keep the child in the same warm room forty-eight hours, maintaining the
atmosphere at an even temperature.
The day after the attack, give the child castor oil or simple syrup of
rhubarb.
If croup does not clear up in twenty-four hours, see the _doctor_ for
membranous croup or diphtheria.
[Illustration: HOW TO STRAP A CUT FINGER]
Cuts (Slight).
Touch with—
_Tincture of iodine, or if iodine is not at hand_,
Alcohol, or
Vinegar and water—equal parts.
If edges are spread far apart, strap together with narrow _strips_ of
adhesive plaster _across_ wound. Wrap with sterile gauze.
If cut is larger, after applying iodine, fasten on a gauze compress—cut
½ inch larger than wound—with a bandage, or with _strips_ of adhesive
plaster.
_Caution._—Never cover a wound or cut airtight. (See also Chapter VII.)
Diarrhea.
Usually caused by indigestion, impure water, etc. Home remedies are raw
flour and water paste; a raw egg in a cup of hot tea; spiced syrup of
rhubarb.
Give a dose of castor oil to clear the digestive tract of the
irritating material. If there is much pain, keep abdomen warm with
flannel and hot-water bag. If a small child, restrict diet to barley
water and white of egg in water.
Give adults milk and other liquid foods. If persistent, see doctor.
Earache.
Caused sometimes by bad teeth, but generally by cold or hardened ear
wax.
Hold ear over cloth wrung out of hot water, on which are several drops
of alcohol. Syringe ear with warm bicarbonate of soda water—1 tsp. to a
cup; or peroxide of hydrogen water—1 tbsp. to a cup of water.
One drop laudanum, or one drop arnica to three drops very warm olive
oil, dropped into ear with a medicine dropper, often relieves pain;
or cotton may be saturated with the warm olive oil and placed in the
ear and covered with dry cotton. To prevent hardening of wax: keep ear
anointed with ordinary red vaseline (unbleached vaseline). For watery
discharge of ear, dust with dry boric acid.
Fainting.
Caused by too small a quantity of blood to the brain.
To prevent: Fresh air; drink of cold water; ½ tsp. aromatic spirit of
ammonia in water; bending head over between knees.
If the person has fainted:
Keep crowd back; place in lying-down position.
Dash face with cold water.
Let patient inhale smelling salts or household ammonia.
Rub limbs toward body.
Remember: An unconscious person cannot swallow. Medicine may enter
windpipe and cause strangulation. After patient becomes conscious, give
stimulants; such as aromatic spirit of ammonia or hot coffee.
Fever Blisters (Cold Sores).
Apply boric acid ointment,[M] or touch frequently with spirit of nitre
or spirit of camphor.
Fits.
There are two kinds:
1. _Hysterical_—sobbing, crying and laughing without cause, jerky
movement of the limbs.
_Treatment:_
Let patient quietly alone.
2. _Epileptic_—convulsive movements and unconsciousness.
_Treatment:_
Keep patient from biting tongue by putting a piece of wood or folded
cloth between teeth. Lay on side; loosen clothing; turn face to side so
that secretions may not strangle.
After the fit, let patient sleep.
Do _not_ give stimulants.
Foreign Body in Ear.
If an insect, drown out with warm olive oil, or pour a little pure
alcohol into ear.
Do not probe ear.
Foreign Body in Eye.
Wink. Do not rub.
Lift upper lid down over lower, blowing opposite nostril.
If these means fail, turn lid back over a toothpick, removing foreign
body gently with the pointed corner of a handkerchief. For bits of
plaster, use dilute vinegar in eye cup. For acids, use very dilute
bicarbonate of soda solution. (See Chapter XI.)
Frost Bites.
Parts frozen turn whitish or waxy looking.
Do not bring patient into a warm room.
Use cold applications. Keep in cold room. (See Chapter VII.)
Rub with snow’ or ice-water cloths, _very gradually_ applying heat.
“Gum Boils” or “Canker Sores.”
So-called “gum boils” or “canker sores” are little ulcer-like sores
which at times appear in children’s mouths, caused by disarrangement
of the stomach. Local applications, such as borax or powdered alum,
shrink the sores and give a little relief; but the child should be
given a dose of calcined magnesia at night or citrate of magnesia in
the morning. (Never give a small dose of citrate of magnesia; a child
of twelve years should take a tumblerful.)
Heat Exhaustion. (Collapse Due to Excessive Heat.) Dangerous!
In heat exhaustion, the symptoms and treatment are similar to
_shock:_ pale face; weak, feeble heart beats; great weakness, but not
unconsciousness; shallow breathing; cold, clammy perspiration on face.
_Treatment:_ Send for doctor. Remove to cool place.
Do _not_ use cold applications. Give stimulants—hot coffee, tea,
aromatic spirit of ammonia, etc. Cover with blankets and use hot-water
bottles.
Hemorrhage (Severe Bleeding).
Send for doctor. While waiting, try to staunch flow of blood.
If wound is in a limb:
If blood is _red_, and comes in _spurts_ (_arterial_)—
Elevate wounded part, tie cloth tightly around limb
between _wound_ and _body_, or use a tourniquet,[N]
loosening it in one hour. If not loosened, there is
danger of gangrene.
If blood is _dark_, and comes in slow flow (venous)—
Tie a cloth around between _end_ of limb and wound. Or
use a tourniquet, loosening it in one hour.
[Illustration: USING A TOURNIQUET]
In either case, bandage a clean gauze compress against wound. If unable
to use these methods because of too rapid bleeding, press fingers into
wound, but have another person tie as described. Do not use finger
pressure if possible to avoid, for the wound should be kept clean.
Any of the following tend to stop bleeding:
Ice or ice water.
_Very hot_ water.
Vinegar, 1 tbsp. to 4 tbsp. water.
Salt, 1 tsp. to 4 tbsp. water.
Wet a compress (several thicknesses of gauze) in any of these and
bandage on wound.
For hemorrhage of lungs, place ice-bag on chest.
DO NOT GIVE WHISKEY OR BRANDY!
For slight wounds, see “_Cuts_.”
Hiccough.
Generally caused by indigestion.
Nine to fifteen swallows of water without taking a breath, or one or
two soda-mint tablets, will generally give relief. If persistent, cause
vomiting by tickling throat with fingers, or by swallowing a cup of
warm water in which ½ tsp. mustard is dissolved. (See Chapter XI.)
Hives (Nettle Rash).
For itching, rub into them common table salt, or bathe with equal parts
vinegar and water.
Hives indicate stomach trouble. Give citrate of magnesia.
If hives persist, give ½ tsp. table salt in water or ¼ tsp. cream of
tartar in ¼ glass of water three times a day for three days.
If hives still persist, consult doctor. (See Chapter X.)
Indigestion.
Hot water. Soda mints. Aromatic spirit of ammonia. Bicarbonate of soda
(baking soda). Hot applications to the stomach.
Itching.
For itching which affects the whole body, give a bath; apply sulphur
ointment.
Sulphur ointment is made by rubbing 2 tbsp. flowers of sulphur into a
dessertspoonful of lard.
Lice in Hair (Pediculosis).
Wash hair with kerosene, leaving it on over night; or use tincture of
_larkspur_[O] in the same way.
Perhaps the best remedy is _fishberries_.[O]
Five cents worth of the berries may be boiled in 1 pint water for ten
minutes.
Wash hair next day after using any of these remedies.
Nails (Ingrowing).
Scrape surface—a piece of glass is good for this purpose. Cut in
V-shape. Pack absorbent cotton under affected side. Paint with iodine.
Nausea (Sick Stomach).
Give small bits of cracked ice. Soda mint. Lime water.
To crack ice: wrap a piece in a cloth, and hammer.
Nosebleed.
Head in upright position. Raise arm on bleeding side. Loosen collar.
Apply ice in a cloth to bridge of nose and back of neck. A roll of
paper under upper lip. Snuff cold tea up nose, or salt water, 1 tsp. to
cup water, or the same of powdered alum.
If bleeding continues, tie a small wad of cotton with thread; dip it
into peroxide of hydrogen, and plug nostril by pushing the cotton
gently with a pencil. The thread is used to withdraw cotton.
If these means fail, send for doctor.
Perspiration.
For deodorizing—use a paste of borax and water.
Poison Ivy Rash.
The poison ivy plant has _three_ leaves in clusters.
Do not scratch.[P] Mop on rash a saturated solution of Epsom salt (as
much as can be dissolved in a cup of water); or, wash with saturated
solution boric acid. Allow it to dry in the air.
Lime water may be used in place of boric acid.
Wash the affected surface every day, dry and repeat treatment.
Sweet fern tea is very good. Steep the sweet fern in boiling water an
hour, and apply to rash.
Poisoning—Treatment and Antidotes.
Send for doctor, but work immediately.
If you do not know what caused the poisoning, make patient vomit as
soon as possible by giving 1 tsp. mustard in a cup of warm water,
or 1 tsp. salt in a cup of warm water, or 2 tsp. ipecac. Repeat if
necessary.
After vomiting, give white of egg stirred in water; milk; or boiled
starch. Give hot coffee as stimulant.
There are three divisions of poisons:
(_a_) Those that affect the nervous system; as opium,
aconite, alcohol.
(_b_) Those that irritate; as arsenic, tainted food.
(_c_) Those that corrode (burn); as carbolic acid,
oxalic acid, bichloride of mercury (which is corrosive
sublimate), lye, caustic alkalies.
In any case of poisoning, remember that the first-aid treatment is to—
1. Remove the poisonous material, or
2. Neutralize its further action.
3. Remedy the ill effects already produced.
1. To remove the poison, give emetic (to produce vomiting); as mustard
and water or ipecac or salt and water.
An emetic is _not usually used, however, in corrosive_ poisoning (see
(_c_) above) except in the case of bichloride of mercury, for which see
special direction below.
2. To neutralize the further effect of poison, give something to
destroy its action; for instance, if lye is swallowed, give dilute
acid, as vinegar and water.
3. To remedy the ill effects, give stimulants; as strong coffee.
SOME ANTIDOTES
_For Carbolic Acid._—In case of poisoning from _carbolic acid_, give
alcohol and _water_; or, if alcohol is not at hand, 1 tbsp. Epsom salt
in a glass of water, or beaten whites of eggs in milk. Use hot-water
bottle.
_Treatment of Poisoning from Any Other Acids than Carbolic_
(_Corrosives_).—Give alkalies—baking soda, 1 tsp. in a cup water. Lime
water, magnesia, whitewash diluted with water; even a tbsp. of strong
soapsuds. Follow with beaten white of egg and milk, olive oil, coffee.
_Treatment of Poisoning from Alkalies_ (_Lye_, _Household Ammonia_,
_etc._). (_Corrosives._)—Do not cause vomiting. 1 tbsp. vinegar in a
cup of water; lemon juice and water, half and half; orange juice;
follow with whites of egg in milk, olive oil; flour and water; hot
coffee.
_For Bichloride of Mercury_ (_Corrosive Sublimate_).—Give beaten whites
of eggs in water; emetic—warm mustard water (1 tsp. to cup); hot
coffee. Keep patient warm.
_For Iodine._—Give boiled starch, or starch and water, or flour and
water. Give hot coffee. Keep patient warm.
_For Arsenic_ (_Irritant._ _See (b)_.).—Give an emetic; tincture of
iron, white of eggs, coffee.
_For Laudanum_ (_Affects Nerves._ _See (a)_.).—Keep patient awake by
walking. Give strong black coffee.
Powder Wounds.
Dangerous because powder carries germs of “lockjaw.”
Wash the skin. Paint with iodine.
Apply vaseline. This loosens any bits of powder, which may be washed
off the next day.
_Absolutely every wound of this character must be treated by a doctor,
who will inject anti-tetanic serum._ (See Chapter XII.)
Prickly Heat.
Rash, especially on young children, caused by heat. Wash with warm
water and soap. Apply alcohol (one part to three of water). Dust with
talcum powder. (See Chapter X.)
Ptomaine Poisoning.
Symptoms: Severe nausea, purging diarrhea. See doctor.
_Treatment:_ Vomiting is necessary. Give cup warm water in which 1 tsp.
mustard is dissolved, or give 2 tsp. ipecac. Give castor oil.
Apply external heat—hot-water bags.
Give 1 tsp. paregoric, if you have it.
Sea-Sickness.
Cracked ice. The best preventive is to see the doctor a week before
going on ocean trip.
Shock.
The word “shock” refers to the condition of nervous depression which
follows any accident, or sometimes the sight of one’s own wound. The
breathing is feeble; the face pale. Send for doctor. Place patient in
lying-down position. Use hot-water bottles. Give hot coffee; aromatic
spirit of ammonia. Gently massage or rub limbs toward body.
Keep body covered and _warm_. (Sec Chapter III.)
Sore Throat.
At night wrap a cloth wet in alcohol around outside of throat. Gargle
with salt and water (1 tsp. to a glass), or borax and water in same
proportion, or hot tea, or with the following—
Gargle:
2 tbsp. vinegar,
1 tbsp. salt,
Water to fill a tumbler.
If persistent, see doctor.
Splinters.
Open wound with sterile needle. Pull splinter out from the direction it
entered. Apply iodine or turpentine.
If under nail, cut nail in V-shape at point where splinter entered,
before extracting splinter. Use tweezers. Paint the place with iodine.
A pair of extracting tweezers cost little, and should be in every
household.
To make needle or tweezers sterile, dip in alcohol or pass through a
flame.
Sprain.
If at all severe, send for doctor.
Elevate limb. Apply cloth wrung from ice water, or an ice bag, for
several hours, then apply heat. Bandage to keep limb at rest.
Stiff Neck.
Rub with sassafras oil or with capsicum vaseline.
Stings.
Extract sting if it remains imbedded in flesh. Apply household ammonia,
diluted with a little water, or solution of bicarbonate of soda (1 tsp.
soda to 1 cup water).
Mud, wet salt, slice of onion, arnica, witch hazel, camphor are
soothing. If there is much swelling, apply cracked ice. Apply spirit of
camphor or alcohol to mosquito bites.
Strain of Muscles.
Apply ice-water cloths or an ice bag. If the cold fails to give relief
in an hour, apply heat. Bathe with arnica, alcohol and water, and rest
the parts.
Sunburn.
To prevent: Anoint exposed parts with cold cream, vaseline, or use
toilet powder before going out.
_Treatment:_ Never wash sunburn. Never open blisters.
Apply—
1 part lime water, 3 parts olive oil, shaken together
in a bottle.
Sunstroke (Collapse Due to Exposure to Rays of Sun).
Distinguish between sunstroke and heat exhaustion.
In sunstroke the symptoms are: red face; rapid heart beats; headache;
vomiting; fever; noisy breathing and sighing; stupor; no perspiration;
unconsciousness.
_Treatment:_ Send for doctor. Remove to cool place. Loosen clothing.
Apply ice in a cloth, or cloths wrung out of ice water to entire body.
Give NO STIMULANTS—NO WHISKEY OR BRANDY.
Toothache.
See dentist.
Hot applications. Iodine painted on gums. Oil of cloves on cotton in
tooth. (Be careful in using this.) (See Chapter XI.)
Warts.
Apply a “corn cure” containing “cannabis indica.” Nitric acid may be
applied, but it is so dangerous a poison that it is unsafe for children
to handle.
Wounds.
See “_Hemorrhage_” for deep, bleeding wounds.
If surface is scraped, as from a fall in sand, wash wound with hot
water (which has been boiled) and pure soap, such as Castile, and paint
with iodine. Fasten a sterile gauze compress in place over scraped
surface with a bandage or adhesive plaster.
See also “Cuts,” “Powder Wounds.”
FOOTNOTES:
[J] Use one of the proprietary (patent) preparations of castor oil,
pleasant to taste.
[K] A compress is several thicknesses of gauze or other clean material.
[L] If to the onion is added a tbsp. or two of water, a tbsp. vinegar
(and olive oil, if desired), pepper and salt, it will be found a
palatable salad with bread and butter, and will be liked by most
children.
[M] See List of Medicines No. 22.
[N] A tourniquet (pronounced turn-e-ket) is a constricting band used to
stop bleeding. Usually a triangular bandage is folded into cravat form
(see page 83) and tied loosely about the limb; then twisted as shown in
this picture. A rubber band, necktie, garter or a piece of rope may be
used in emergency.
[O] _Poison._
[P] Mothers who find it difficult to keep children from scratching this
rash at night may cover hands with small triangular bandages.
PLASTERS, POULTICES AND STUPES
Moist heat, in the form of plasters, poultices, and stupes, is more
penetrating than dry heat, and is often employed in cases of severe
inflammation.
Mustard plasters are in such common use that it seems unnecessary to
mention their value as counter-irritants.
_To Make a Mustard Plaster._—For an adult, mix together in the
proportion of 1 tbsp. mustard and 3 or 4 tbsp. flour, and rub into a
smooth paste with _warm_ water—not _hot_ or _cold_ water.
For a child, use from 4 to 6 tbsp. flour to ½ tbsp. mustard.
Spread the paste on muslin, turning each edge over about an inch. Cover
with gauze or a piece of thin muslin.
To prevent blistering, it is well to add beaten white of egg in making
the plaster, and to anoint the skin with vaseline or olive oil before
applying the plaster.
After removing plaster (in about fifteen minutes), cover skin with thin
muslin.
If much inflamed, apply olive oil or vaseline.
* * * * *
Flaxseed is the favorite material for making a poultice, because the
oil in the seed retains heat longer than most other materials.
_To Make a Flaxseed Poultice._—Into a cup of boiling water, stir as
much ground flaxseed as it will “take up.” Spread on muslin; fold edges
over one inch or more, and cover with one layer of gauze. Poultice is
applied as hot as possible to the surface. Replace in one hour.
A bread poultice is made by laying a slice of bread in a sieve, and
pouring hot water over it. It is placed on muslin and applied direct.
Poultices are not used as much as they were a number of years ago, but
stupes give such relief to pain in the abdomen that mention should be
made of the
_Turpentine Stupe._—To 1 pint boiling water, add 2 tsp. oil of
turpentine. Dip a large piece of flannel into this. Wring out by
twisting in a towel—lay wet flannel in center of towel, fold edges of
towel over the flannel and twist ends of towel until the flannel is
quite dry. Apply hot! Cover with a large dry towel. Watch that it does
not blister. Anoint with vaseline or olive oil before applying stupe if
skin is very sensitive.
An easier method is to mix together equal parts oil of turpentine and
olive oil. Heat by setting the cup containing the mixture in very hot
water. Apply by rubbing. Cover with woolen cloth wrung out of hot
water, as described above.
LIST OF REMEDIES FOR THE HOME MEDICINE CLOSET
In every home there should be a certain closet or shelf high above
_little_ children’s reach, where the medicines and articles needed in
emergencies are kept. Among these should be found, plainly labeled, the
following:
1. Tincture of Iodine.
2. Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia.
3. Boric Acid Powder.
4. Stearate of Zinc.
5. Pure Alcohol.
6. Lime Water.
7. Carron Oil.
8. Epsom Salt.
9. Soda-Mint-and-Pepsin Tablets.
10. Baking Soda.
11. Household Ammonia.
12. Adhesive (Zinc Oxide) Plaster.
13. Tube Vaseline.
14. Capsicum Vaseline.
15. Peroxide of Hydrogen.
16. Castor Oil.
17. Witch Hazel.
18. Essence of Ginger.
19. Syrup of Ipecac.
20. Spirit of Camphor.
21. Sweet Spirit of Nitre.
22. Boric Acid Ointment.
23. Powdered Alum.
24. Borax.
25. Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb.
26. Picric Acid Gauze.
27. Aromatic Smelling Salts.
28. Oil of Cloves.
29. Normal Salt Solution.
30. Powdered Mustard.
31. Essence of Peppermint.
32. Tincture of Arnica.
33. Oil of Turpentine.
34. Aseptic Absorbent Cotton.
35. Sterile Gauze.
36. Triangular Bandages.
37. Roller Bandages.
38. Rubber Ear Syringe.
39. Fountain Syringe.
40. Measuring Glass.
41. Eye Dropper.
42. Hot-Water Bottle.
For description of the above remedies and dosage, see the following
pages.
IMPORTANT NOTE.—All bottles containing medicines which are poisonous
when swallowed, such as iodine, should be labeled with red ink and
should be tied with a rag about the neck, in order that even in the
dark, no mistake may be made.
_Read labels three times_ before giving or taking medicine:
Before taking from closet;
Before measuring dose;
Before giving to patient.
Have amount given for a dose written on each label.
MEASURES.
30 drops ½ tsp. (teaspoon)
60 drops 1 tsp., or 1 dram.
2 tsp. 1 dessertspoon.
4 tsp. 1 tbsp. (tablespoon)
1 tbsp. ½ ounce.
2 tbsp. 1 ounce.
1. Tincture of Iodine.
(One ounce in a large-mouthed glass-stoppered bottle.)
_This should be in every household_ and every member above ten years
of age should know where it is kept. Any open wound or cut should be
immediately touched with this antiseptic.
Iodine is a _poison_ if swallowed, but is the best household remedy
in cases of cuts or wounds. It should be applied to such injuries
immediately, for it destroys germs. Iodine may be applied direct by
pouring on wound; or with a small wad of absorbent cotton fastened to a
toothpick.
If iodine is swallowed by accident, give cornstarch and water, or
boiled starch, or bread softened in water.
To take iodine stains out of materials, use strong household ammonia.
2. Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia.
(One ounce in glass-stoppered bottle.)
Dose:
Children, 10 drops in ¼ glass of water.
Grown people, ½ tsp. in ¼ glass of water.
Dose may be safely repeated every hour for several hours.
This is used for nervousness, headaches, indigestion, fainting, etc.
(Remember that an unconscious person cannot swallow, so do not give an
unconscious person medicine, for it may cause choking.)
3. Boric Acid Powder.
(One-half pound.)
Boric acid is not an acid, but a simple harmless alkali.
Useful in solution as a mouth wash; also for stings and for sore eyes.
Dissolve as much as possible in a cup of freshly boiled water. For sore
eyes, use in an eye-dropper or an eye-cup. It is both harmless and
safe. Sometimes the dry powder is dusted on the blistered surface of
a burn to dry blisters. Talcum powders contain a great deal of boric
acid, which is cooling and healing.
4. Compound Stearate of Zinc.
(One ounce.)
A simple, excellent dusting powder for skin irritations.
5. Pure Alcohol.
(One pint in glass-stoppered bottle. The glass stopper prevents
evaporation.)
Useful for bathing in case of fever—to reduce temperature. Dip needle
into alcohol before taking a splinter out—to “sterilize” or remove
germs from needle. If iodine becomes too strong because of evaporation,
add a little pure alcohol.
NOTE.—“Wood” alcohol is a poison, sometimes causing blindness; even
used for bathing, it injures the eyes.
“Denatured” alcohol is a poison.
6. Lime Water.
(Five cents’ worth.)
Dose: 1 to 2 tbsp. or more in water or milk.
Used for acid indigestion, for poisoning from acids, and in making
carron oil.
7. Carron Oil.
(One-half pint.)
Carron oil is excellent for burns. It may be purchased at the drug
store, or made by shaking together in a bottle equal parts of linseed
oil and lime water; for instance: one-quarter cup linseed oil, one
quarter cup lime water.
8. Epsom Salt.
(One-half pound.)
Useful as a laxative.
Dose: 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. in a glass of water.
To relieve the skin in ivy poisoning, dissolve as much Epsom salt as
possible in a quarter cup boiled water. When cool, bathe skin and allow
to dry in the air.
9. Soda-Mint-and-Pepsin Tablets.
A simple remedy for indigestion.
10. Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda).
(Two ounces in a box or glass.)
Useful in solution in case of scalds or burns, and stings of insects.
For indigestion: dose ½ tsp. in ½ glass hot water.
11. Household Ammonia.
(Label, “POISON.”)
In case of fainting, hold a little distance from patient’s nose. Useful
for stings of insects.
12. Adhesive (Zinc Oxide) Plaster.
(One yard, one-half inch wide.)
Useful for holding dressings in place or for fastening end of bandages,
etc.; for support in sprains in place of bandages; for strapping a cut,
but should _not_ be used to _cover_ a cut or wound.
13. Tube Vaseline.
Useful for burns, chapped hands, granulated eyelids. Do _not_ put
vaseline on _fresh_ cuts or wounds.
If a glass stopper is oiled with vaseline, it will not “stick” fast.
14. Tube Capsicum Vaseline.
Used for stiff neck, and in place of mustard plaster when only a mild
irritant is needed.
15. Peroxide of Hydrogen.
(Four ounces.)
Do not use on cuts! Cotton saturated with peroxide of hydrogen will
generally stop severe nosebleed. Used sometimes for burns. Keep bottle
in a _dark_ closet; it deteriorates in the light.
NOTE.—Peroxide of hydrogen is recommended by State Boards of Health as
a protection against Infantile Paralysis. Use as a spray for nose and
throat, or as a gargle, in the proportion of one part peroxide to three
parts water.
16. Castor Oil.
(Two ounces.)
Dose: Children, 1 to 2 tsp.; adults, 1 to 2 tbsp.
A mild purgative, clearing the intestines of undigested food in case of
acute indigestion.
It may be given in capsules; or one of the patent (“proprietary”)
preparations may be given. There are one or two of these which are not
at all unpleasant to take. An easy method of taking castor oil: hold
a piece of ice in the mouth before taking; and after, rinse the mouth
with ice water.
17. Witch Hazel.
(Ten cents’ worth.)
For sprains, stings, bites of insects.
Best applied in wet compress.
18. Essence, or Tincture, or Spirit of (Jamaica) Ginger.
(One ounce.)
Dose: ½ tsp. in a tbsp. hot water. Less for children.
For colic and indigestion.
19. Syrup of Ipecac.
(Two ounces.)
Dose: As expectorant, 5 to 10 drops; as emetic, 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp.,
according to age.
Used as an emetic—to produce vomiting—in croup, in cases of poisoning,
etc.
Useful in small doses in bronchitis and asthma.
20. Spirit of Camphor.
(Two ounces.)
This may be made by pouring pure alcohol on pure gum camphor.
It is useful for colds when they first appear. Dose: 2 drops on a tsp.
sugar.
Excellent for mosquito bites.
21. Sweet Spirit of Nitre.
(Two ounces.)
Dose:
Children, 3 to 10 drops in ¼ glass of water.
Adults, 20 drops to 1 tsp. in ¼ glass of water.
For fever and colds. Apply to fever blisters (cold sores) to allay
inflammation.
22. Boric Acid Ointment.
Excellent for fever blisters (cold sores). Made by rubbing 1 tbsp.
boric acid powder into 1 tsp. vaseline.
23. Powdered Alum.
(One ounce.)
Useful for bleeding gums, canker spots, as a gargle in sore throat, etc.
Dissolve a tsp. in a glass of water.
24. Borax.
(One pound.)
Useful as a gargle or mouth wash—one tsp. in a glass of water; or as a
deodorant of perspiration, and for general cleansing purposes.
25. Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb.
(Two ounces.)
Dose:
Children ½ to 1 tsp.
Adults 2 tsp.
For pain in abdomen, indigestion, diarrhea.
26. Picric Acid Gauze.
(One small package.)
This is excellent as a compress for burns, but it leaves a stain on
clothing which cannot be removed.
27. Aromatic Smelling Salts.
Inhaled for faintness, headache, etc.
28. Oil of Cloves.
(One-half ounce.)
For toothache. Saturate a piece of cotton and pack in the tooth after
cleaning out the cavity. Cover with dry cotton.
29. Normal Salt Solution.
Excellent for burns.
To make: Add 1 level tsp. table salt to 1 pint water which has boiled
20 minutes. Do not use more salt than directions call for.
30. Mustard (Powdered).
(One-quarter pound.)
One tsp. in a glass of lukewarm water will cause vomiting. Useful as an
emetic in cases of poisoning, and in form of mustard plaster.
31. Essence of Peppermint.
(Two ounces.)
Dose:
Children, 3 to 10 drops in ¼ glass of water.
Adults, 10 to 20 drops in ¼ glass of water.
For colic, flatulence (gas), heart-burn.
Sometimes used externally for slight burns.
32. Tincture of Arnica.
(Four ounces.)
Applied externally as a remedy for strains, sprains, and bruises.
33. Oil of Turpentine.
(Two ounces.)
Useful for chilblains, and in “stupes.” See Ready Reference List, page
136.
(Buy this at the drug store—it is not the kind used in paint.)
34. Aseptic (Sterile) Absorbent Cotton.
(Small package.)
“Aseptic” means clean, or free from germs. Keep clean in package,
opening end only as needed. Throw away all used cotton.
35. Sterile Gauze.
(Buy a one-yard package at the drug store. Keep it wrapped.)
“Sterile” means clean in a medical sense—free from germs. Do not
handle. Hands are seldom clean in a medical sense. Never use old rags
or pieces of handkerchiefs unless freshly laundered, but if possible
use sterile gauze for wrapping cuts or wounds.
36. Triangular Bandages.
The triangular bandage is the bandage used for first-aid emergencies.
The roller bandages are for more permanent use.
It is most convenient to have on hand one of the Red Cross First Aid
Outfits, the contents of which are so packed as to keep them free from
dust.
The simplest of these outfits contains all material necessary in
ordinary household accidents:
A triangular muslin bandage.
A gauze bandage.
Two safety pins.
On the triangular bandage are printed pictures showing the way in which
it is used. (See Chapter XIII.)
To a gauze bandage a pad of gauze is sewed. This pad may be tied over a
wound without being touched with the hands.
The safety pins are to hold bandages in place, but a stitch is better.
37. Roller Bandages.
In addition to the above, in every medicine closet there should be:
Three gauze roller bandages, 1 inch wide (for bandaging fingers).
Three gauze roller bandages, 2½ inches wide (for bandaging arms, etc.).
It is best to buy roller bandages, wrapped ready for use, at the drug
store. Never use a wet bandage, for it shrinks as it dries, and stops
free circulation of the blood. (See Chapter XVI.)
38. Rubber Ear Syringe.
39. Fountain Syringe.
[Illustration: GRADUATE MEASURING GLASS]
40. Graduate Measuring Glass, marked with dosage—teaspoonful,
tablespoonful.
[Illustration: EYE DROPPER]
41. Eye Dropper, which can be used to drop medicine.
42. Hot-Water Bottle.
While this list of contents of the Home Medicine Closet may seem long,
the cost is but little, and the timely use of some of the remedies may
prevent serious illness and save doctors’ bills.
* * * * *
Transcriber’s note:
Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. However, many times the
text goes straight from dialogue to instruction, and a closing
quotation mark is absent.
Page 74, “tinest” changed to “tiniest” (tiniest real ones)
Page 87, “blame” changed to “blamed” (you will be blamed)
Page 131, “Gentle” changed to “Gently” (Gently massage or)