Gum Camphor 1 dram
Calomel 12 grains
Vaselin 1 ounce
Mix thoroughly and apply freely around the anus and in the rectum on the
piles.
The external parts should always be bathed with hot water, thoroughly,
before using.
2. Gum Camphor 2 drams
Chloretone 1 dram
Menthol 20 grains
Ointment of Zinc Oxide 1 ounce
Mix and apply directly to the piles.
3. When there is a slight bleeding, water of witch-hazel extract, one to
two ounces to be injected into the rectum. This witch-hazel water freely
used is good for external piles also. This is good and well recommended.
[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 151]
4. If the protruded pile is inflamed and hard to push back, the following
is good and recommended highly:--
Chloretone 1 dram
Iodoform 1 dram
Gum Camphor 1 dram
Petrolatum 1 ounce
Mix and use as a salve.
5. An ointment composed of equal parts of fine-cut tobacco and raisins,
seedless, chopped fine and mixed with enough lard, makes a good ointment
to apply on both external and internal piles.
6. Tea of white oak bark, boiled down so as to be strong, and mixed with
lard and applied frequently, is good as an astringent, but not for the
very painful kind. It will take down the swelling.
7. Take a rectal injection of cold water before the regular daily stool.
This will soften the feces and decrease the congestion.
Preventive Treatment.--This is very important and includes habits and
diet and other diseases. If the patient is thin and pale give tonics.
Correct any disease of any neighboring organ. Attend to any disease that
may be present.
For Constipation.--Take a small dose of salts or hunyadi water so as to
have one semi-solid stool daily. If necessary remove any feces that may
even then be retained, by injections of soap suds or warm water containing
oil. Discontinue injections as soon as a daily full stool can be had
without it.
Habits.--Full-blooded people should not use upholstered chairs as the heat
of the body relaxes the tissues of the rectum. A cane seated chair is best
or an air cushion with a hollow center. It is best to rest in bed, if
possible, after stool for the rest relieves the congestion and soreness.
An abundance of out-door exercise, when the piles are not present, or bad,
consisting of walking or simple gymnastics may usually be indulged in;
violent gymnastics and horseback riding must be avoided. A daily stool
must be secured.
Diet.--Such patients should avoid alcoholic beverages, spiced foods,
strong coffee, and tea, cheese, cabbage, and old beans.
Foods Allowed.--Potatoes, carrots, spinach, asparagus, and even salads,
since they stimulate intestinal action and thus aid in keeping the stool
soft. Stewed fruits, including grapes, oranges, pears, and apples. Water
is the best to drink. Meats: tender broiled, boiled or baked beef--do not
eat the inside part to any great amount. Other meats, but no pork or ham,
fresh fish, chicken. The foods should not be too highly seasoned; vinegar
is not to be used to any extent and this excludes pickles, etc.
PERIPROCTITIS. Abscess Around the Anus and Rectum. (Ano-rectal) (Ischio-
rectal Abscess).--This is an inflammation of the tissues around the rectum
which usually terminates in the above named abscess. It occurs mostly in
middle-aged people. Men are affected more often than women.
[152 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Causes.--Sitting in cold, damp hard seats; horseback riding, foreign
bodies in the rectum such as pins, fish-hooks, etc., blows on the part,
kicks, tubercular constitution, etc.
Symptoms.--Inflammation of the skin, like that of a big boil, some fever,
throbbing pain, swelling of the part, heat and fullness in the rectum,
these symptoms increase until the pus finds an outlet into the rectum.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Periproctitis.--Little can be done in a
palliative way. It generally terminates in an abscess. Make the patient as
comfortable as possible, by applying cold or hot things to the part, rest
in bed, mild laxatives to keep the bowels open. Cut it open as soon as
possible, and it should be laid wide open, so that every part is broken
up. Then it should be thoroughly washed and scraped out. Sometimes it is
necessary to use pure carbolic acid to burn out the interior. The dressing
should be as usual for such wounds and removed when soiled and the wound
washed out with boiled water and then gauze loosely placed in the bottom
and in every corner of the wound. The dressing should be continued until
all has been healed from inside out. Be sure to leave no cotton in to heal
over it. Such patients should be built up with nourishing foods, and
should remain quietly in bed. Cod liver oil is good for some patients.
Iron, etc., for others. Keep the bowels regular. Outdoor life and
exercise. If treated right it should not return.
FISTULA IN ANUS.--This usually follows the abscess. It has two openings,
one upon the surface of the body near the anus, and the other in the
rectum. There are a great many varieties of fistula, but it is unnecessary
to name them. What can be done for them?
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.--If the general health is good an operation is the
best thing to do, but patients in the last stage of consumption,
nephritis, diabetes, or organic heart disease, are not apt to receive much
benefit from an operation. The patient in poor condition should be given
the treatment suitable to his condition, according to the advice of a
trusted physician.
[KIDNEY AND BLADDER 153]