First, see that the bowels are loose--if not, a cathartic should be given.
If the digestive powers are impaired, they should be corrected and the
general health looked after. If the system is in a good condition, give
internally five drops of gelseminum every two hours. The first thing to be
thought of is to pluck the disease in its bud, which is best done by
injections. The best of these are: tinct. hydrastis, one drachm; pure
water, four ounces; to be used three times a day after urinating. Zinc,
sulphate, ten grains; pure water, eight ounces; to be used after urinating
every morning and night. Equal parts of red wine and pure water are often
used, and are of high repute, as also one grain of permanganate of potash
to four ounces of water.
If the above remedies are ineffectual, a competent physician should be
consulted.
General Treatment.--One of the best injections for a speedy cure is:
Hydrastis, 1 oz.
Water, 5 oz.
Mix and with a small syringe inject into the penis four or five times a day
after urinating, until relieved, and diminish the number of injections as
the disease disappears. No medicine per mouth need be given, unless the
patient is in poor health.
SYPHILIS (Pox).
1. This is the worst of all diseases except cancer--no tissue of the body
escapes the ravages of this dreadful {468} disease--bone, muscle, teeth,
skin and every part of the body are destroyed by its deforming and
corroding influence.
2. SYMPTOMS.--About eight days after the exposure a little redness and then
a pimple, which soon becomes an open sore, makes its appearance, on or
about the end of the penis in males or on the external or inner parts of
the uterus of females. Pimples and sores soon multiply, and after a time
little hard lumps appear in the groin, which soon develop into a blue tumor
called _bubo_. Copper colored spots may appear in the face, hair fall out,
etc. Canker and ulcerations in the mouth and various parts of the body soon
develop.
3. TREATMENT.--Secure the very best physician your means will allow without
delay.
4. LOCAL TREATMENT OF BUBOES.--To prevent suppuration, treatment must be
instituted as soon as they appear. Compresses, wet in a solution composed
of half an ounce of muriate of ammonia, three drachms of the fluid extract
of belladonna, and a pint of water, are beneficial, and should be
continuously applied. The tumor may be scattered by painting it once a day
with tincture of iodine.
5. FOR ERUPTIONS.--The treatment of these should be mainly constitutional.
Perfect cleanliness should be observed, and the sulphur, spirit vapor, or
alkaline bath freely used. Good diet and the persistent use of alteratives
will generally prove successful in removing this complication.