"Bees Wax 1 ounce
Rosin 1 ounce
Camphor Gum 1 ounce
Lard about the size of an egg."
The beeswax forms sort of a coating and may remain on for several hours.
This is very good.
[220 MOTHERS' REMEDIES ]
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT FOR LUNGS.--The home treatment should be to put the
patient to bed and try to produce sweating. This will cause the blood to
leave the congested lung and return to the full regular circulation. By
doing this, you not only relieve the congested lung, but also the pain. If
the patient is stout and strong, give him the "corn sweat" under La Grippe
(see index); or you can put bottles of hot water about the patient. Use
fruit jars, wrap cloths around them so that you will not burn the patient.
Always put one to the feet. If you have a rubber water bag, fill that and
put it to his affected side over the pain. After you get him into a sweat
you can remove a little, of the sweating remedy at a time and when all are
removed give him a tepid water sponging. By this time the physician will
be at hand. If you give medicine you can put fifteen drops of the Tincture
of Aconite in a glass one-half full of water and give two teaspoonfuls of
this every fifteen minutes for four doses. Then give it every one-half
hour. Water can be given often, but in small quantities; plain milk alone,
or diluted, or beaten with eggs will make a good diet and keep up the
strength.
Fomentations.--Cloths wrung out of hot hop tea are often applied to the
affected part with good effect. Be careful about wetting the patient.
Flaxseed poultices are used.
If used they must be moist and hot. Some doctors are opposed to them. An
antiphlogistine poultice is good. Apply it hot. For children you can
grease the whole side of the chest, back and front, with camphor and lard
and put over that an absorbent cotton jacket. In the early life of the
country, home treatment was necessary. Men and women were posted on herbs,
etc. Teas made of them were freely and successfully used. A great mistake
made was the indiscriminate use of lobelia in too large doses. We have
learned that the hot herb drinks in proper doses are of help. Teas made of
boneset, hoarhound, pennyroyal, ginger, catnip, hops, slippery elm, etc.,
were good and are now. They produced the desired result--sweating--and
relieved the congestion of the internal organs and re-established the
external or (peripheral) circulation. So in the home treatment of
pneumonia, etc., if you are so situated that you cannot get a physician
use teas internally for sweating, fomentations upon the painful part and
if done properly and not too excessively, they will accomplish the desired
result. With the corn sweat, I have saved many lives.
ERYSIPELAS.--Erysipelas is an infectious disease, and it is usually caused
by a germ which we call "streptococcus pyogenes." The disease shows itself
by its local symptoms, pain, swelling, etc., and also by general or
constitutional symptoms such as fever, headache, etc., as hereafter given.
Causes.--It is a disease that occurs at any time, and is sometimes
epidemic, that is, attacks many persons at a time, like La Grippe. It
occurs more often in the spring; it is contagious, and can be carried by a
third person or in bedding, etc.
Symptoms.--The type that appears upon the face is the most common. The
incubation lasts from three to seven days and it usually comes suddenly
with a chill, followed by an active fever and with the local inflammation.
In some cases the local condition appears first. There is at first
redness, usually of the bridge of the nose and it rapidly spreads to the
cheeks, eyes, ears, etc. It is red, shiny hot, drawing, but with a
distinct margin at its edges, showing how much skin is inflamed. It may
take the form of vesicles. The eyelids may be so swollen as to close, the
face and scalp greatly swollen with watery swelling of the eyelids, lips,
eyes, ears, etc. The glands under the jaw may become enlarged. The general
or constitutional symptoms may be severe. The fever may rise to 104 to 106
and terminates suddenly. The parts that were first affected become pale
and more normal, as other parts are involved. It occurs also on other
parts of the body. A sting of an insect sometimes looks like it at first;
but it does not spread like erysipelas. It seems to me to be more
dangerous around the head.
[INFECTIOUS DISEASES 221]
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Erysipelas, Slippery Elm Bark for.--"Slippery elm
used as a wash and taken as a drink." Slippery elm is a very good remedy
for this on account of its soothing effect to the affected parts. It is
very good to take internally, as it cleanses the system by acting on the
bowels and kidneys.
2. Erysipelas, Bean Poultices for.--"White navy beans boiled soft and
applied as a poultice to the affected parts and renewed frequently is a
sure cure for erysipelas if taken in time." This is a very good and
effective poultice, but care should be taken not to use it too long, as
the parts will become too soft and might slough.
3. Erysipelas, Soda Wash for.--"Put about a tablespoonful of baking soda
in one pint of water and bathe parts several times a day," This is an
extremely simple remedy for such a serious disease, but has been known to
do good in many cases. The baking soda is soothing.
4. Erysipelas, Easy Remedy for.--"Keep parts well bathed with
witch-hazel." A good preparation should be bought. By applying this freely
to the affected parts it will be found to have a very soothing effect.
5. Erysipelas, Copperas Liniment for.--"A few cents' worth of common
copperas. Make a solution and keep applying it. This kills the poison as
it comes on and relieves the pain. I knew of a very bad case to be cured
by this treatment."
6. Erysipelas, Cranberry Poultice for.--"Take cranberries and stew them
and make a poultice of them." This is a remedy that cannot be beaten for
this disease. It gives relief in a very short time and saves the patient a
great deal of suffering. If the whisky is used to wet the poultice it is
much better, as it keeps the poultice moist longer. All that is necessary
is simply to put on more whiskey and it will not be necessary to change
the poultice so often.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Erysipelas.--It is best to separate the patient
from the others in the family. Some people very easily take this disease.
I know one who cannot be in the room where such a patient is for even five
minutes without contracting it.
Local Treatment.--1. Wash the parts with a solution of boric acid,
one-half teaspoonful to eight teaspoonfuls of tepid water, put this on the
inflamed parts. Then apply a poultice of bruised cranberries. Wash the
face each time with the solution before applying the cranberry poultice
afresh.
[222 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
2. Paint thoroughly with tincture of iodine outside of the margin of the
disease where the skin shows no sign of the trouble. This is very
effective. If done freely it produces a slight inflammation. The stain
made by it remains for some time and that is the objection to it on the
face, but do not hesitate on that account if the other remedies do not
work well or are not at hand.
3. The following is a splendid local application.--Cleanse thoroughly the
inflamed part with pure castile soap and water, and then wash this off
with one to one thousand corrosive sublimate solution. Dry the skin with a
soft towel and apply a thick coating of equal parts of Ichthyol and
vaselin, and over this place antiseptic gauze or sterilized absorbent
cotton. Keep this in place with adhesive straps. If the diseased surface
is small it may not be necessary to use the gauze, etc.
4. Tincture Chloride of Iron in dose of ten to twenty drops and more if
necessary four times a day, well diluted with water. This is very hard on
the teeth and should be taken through a glass tube.
Diet.--Milk, broths, etc., liquid diet or foods. (See Nursing Dept. under
liquid diet.)
Nursing.--When you nurse any infectious patient, you must be not only
careful of your patient, but of yourself. It is not necessary in order to
do good nursing to endanger yourself; and a nurse who does not know how to
care for herself, cannot successfully nurse the sick. In erysipelas I
always watch the eruption closely. Sometimes it recedes, and the patient,
of course, is worse. Then there are some people who believe in "pow-
wowing." They have that done and then do not take care of themselves. I
have attended such cases. One case was especially striking. The "pow-wow"
person did his work and then the patient thought himself well and
proceeded to enjoy himself and caught cold. The result was the "going in"
of the eruption and a beautiful cough. I succeeded in my efforts and the
next day he had the erysipelas going along nicely, but no cough. I write
this so you will take proper care of yourself and shun conjurers and their
"pow-wow."
TOXEMIA, SEPTICEMIA; PYEJMIA.--Toxemia refers to the group of symptoms and
lesions caused by the presence in the blood of toxins (poison) usually
resulting from bacterial growths.
Septicemia refers to the condition caused by the presence in the blood of
bacteria (microbes) as well as toxin.
Pyemia refers to the same condition as septicemia with the development of
fresh places of suppuration.
Sapremia is a septic intoxication, the result of the absorption of toxins.
[INFECTIOUS DISEASES 223]
SEPTICEMIA.--The presence of bacteria in the blood, introduced from a
local lesion (wound, injury, etc.) or with no obvious local infection.
Symptom.--If there is a local infection, symptoms of this precede the
septicemia. The invasion may be sudden or gradual, with chill or chilly
feelings, followed by symptoms of active fever and later of an asthenic
(absence of strength and feeling) fever, with dry tongue and dullness or
delirium. Death may occur in one to seven days.
PYEMIA.--This means the presence in the blood of bacteria with resultant
foci (places) of suppuration.
Symptoms.--They are local at first where the lesion is. The invasion of
the general infection is marked by a severe chill, then high fever and
sweating, repeated daily or at irregular intervals.
Fever is variable with sudden falls. In some cases the fever assumes very
weakening type and the patient looks like a case of typhoid fever in the
third week, and death soon occurs.
In other cases the chills, fever and sweating are repeated at irregular
intervals. The patients are emaciated and the skin has a sallow color.
Death usually occurs eventually from exhaustion in a few days or months.
Local Treatment.--This should be attended to from the beginning. If you
injure your finger or any part and it soon looks red, and feels sore, open
it up thoroughly with a clean instrument and cover it with a clean gauze
or cotton. It must not be covered too tightly so that the discharge, if
any, can leave the wound. Enough dressing must be put on to absorb that.
Then keep the wound clean, and so it can "run" if necessary. If you
neglect this or do it carelessly and admit dirt you will make it worse.
See treatment of wounds, etc.
General Treatment.--Keep the strength up in every way. The strength should
be kept up by giving nourishing diet that will suit that special case and
medicine that will produce a tonic effect, such as quinine and strychnine.
ASIATIC CHOLERA.--This is an acute infectious disease caused by a specific
organism and characterized by profuse watery discharges from the bowels
and great prostration.
Causes.--Some inherit a weakness, making them more susceptible than others
to this disease. Other causes are intemperance, general debility,
unhygienic surroundings, exciting causes. The spirillum (cholera
asiaticus) found in the stools, watery discharges and intestines of
affected cases and its transmission by infected food and water.
[224 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Symptoms.--After an incubation period of about one to five days, the
invasion is marked either by simple diarrhea with some general ill-feeling
and prostration, or by abdominal pains, vomiting and diarrhea. Mild cases
may recover at this time. In the stage of collapse, there are frequent
watery movements resembling rice water, with vomiting, great thirst,
abdominal pains and eruptions on the legs. There is sudden collapse and
temperature that is below normal; nearly all secretions are greatly
diminished. In the so-called cases of cholera sicca (dry) death occurs
before the diarrhea begins, although a rice water fluid is found in the
intestines after death. After two to twenty-four hours those who have not
died may recover or pass into the stage of reaction in which the signs of
collapse and purging disappear. After improvement, with slight rise of
temperature at times, there may be a relapse or the patient may have
inflammation of some of the viscera (cavity organs) and suppression of the
urine with delirium, coma and death.
The prognosis is worse in infancy, old age and debilitated persons, and in
cases of rapid collapse, low temperature and great blueness. Death rate
from thirty to eighty per cent.
Treatment.--Isolate the patient and disinfect all discharges and clothing.
Use boiled water during an epidemic.
For pain, morphine hypodermically, and apply hot applications to the
abdomen.
For vomiting.--Wash out the stomach and give cocaine, ice, coffee, brandy
or water by the mouth. Intestines may be irrigated with a two per cent
solution of tannic acid.
During collapse.--Hypodermic of camphor, hot applications to the body.
Good nursing and careful diet.
YELLOW FEVER.--Yellow fever is an acute infectious disease characterized
by jaundice, hemorrhages, albuminuria (albumin in the urine).
Cause.--It is common in the West Indies and epidemic in nearby countries.
It is most common in crowded, dirty, poorly drained portions of sea coast
cities. It is probably caused by a specific organism which is conveyed
from one person to another by mosquitoes and not in clothing, as formerly
believed. One attack usually confers immunity.
Symptoms.--Incubation is about three to four days. There may be a
fore-warning period, but the attack is usually sudden, with chills,
headache, backache, rise in fever, and general feverish symptoms,
vomiting, and constipation. Early in this disease the face is flushed,
while the conjunctiva and the mucous membrane lining the eyelids is
congested and slightly jaundiced. Fever is 102 or 103 degrees, and falls
gradually after one to three days. Pulse is slow, and while the
temperature rises, it again falls. The stage of calm follows the fall of
the temperature with increased jaundice and vomiting of dark altered
blood, the "black vomit." Hemorrhages may also occur into the skin or
mucous membranes. Brain symptoms are sometimes severe. Convalescence is
usually gradual. The disease varies from great mildness to extreme
malignancy. Mortality from fifteen to eighty-five per cent.
[INFECTIOUS DISEASES 225]
Treatment.--Prevent spread of the infectious mosquitoes; use screens and
netting in infected districts. Careful nursing, food by rectum while
vomiting is frequent. For the hemorrhage opium is given; frequent bathing
will keep down the fever; and for the vomiting cocaine is given and
cracked ice.
PLAGUE (BUBONIC PLAGUE).--Plague is an infectious disease characterized by
inflammation and suppuration of the lymph nodes and cutaneous (skin)
hemorrhages. It has long been known as the Plague or "Black Death," on
account of its "flea-bite looking eruptions." This disease is becoming a
serious matter on our western coast, especially in and around San
Francisco. The disease exists in India all the time, and there is now
danger of it becoming epidemic (existing all the time) in San Francisco,
according to today's, Jan. 10th, Detroit Free Press. Mr. Merriam, chief of
the U. S. Bureau of Biological Survey, recently appeared before congress
and asked for more money to investigate this and other conditions, and how
to stamp out the carriers of this dreadful disease. European wharf rats,
introduced about San Francisco, have spread the plague to the ground
squirrels, and the gophers, rabbits, field mice, and other rodents are now
being infected. In India, fleas on the native squirrel, perpetuate the
plague. The way to stop the plague is to kill the carriers.
Causes.--The bacillus pestis (pests) is transmitted through insects, small
animals, like rats, through the air, or in clothing, bedding, and is
contained in the feces and urine. The poor in unhygienic districts are
most often attacked.
Bubonic Type.--In this type the lymph nodes, particularly in the arm-pit,
and groins show inflammatory lesions with marked overgrowth of new tissue.
Sometimes there is suppuration, hemorrhage and local death of the part.
The bacilli are formed in great numbers in the affected nodes and
secondary lesions.
Septicemic Type.--In this type all lymph nodes and nodules show signs of
toxemia and the bacilli are formed in the primary (first) lesions and in
the blood.
Pneumonic Type.--In this type there are areas of broncho-pneumania, with
lesions of the bronchial lymph nodes. The bacilli occur in these
situations and in the sputa.
[226 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Symptoms.--In the bubonic plague (the usual form) the invasion is marked
by headache, depression, pain in the back, stiffness of the extremities
and fever. This rises for three or four days, then falls several degrees
and is followed by a more severe secondary fever of the prostrating type.
At about the third to the fifth day the lymph nodes usually become
enlarged most often in the inguinal (groin) region. This is followed by a
resolution (getting better) suppuration forming pus or necrosis (local
death of the part). "A flea bite looking eruption and hemorrhages from the
mucous membrane often occur. The mild cases, which often occur at the
beginning of an epidemic, and at its close, are marked only by slight
fever and glandular swelling, which may terminate in the forming of pus in
the part. In these cases the symptoms are slight and last only a few
days."
Septicemic Plague.--This is characterized by symptoms of severe general
infection, with hemorrhages, rapid course, and death in three or four
days, without the development of swelling of the lymph nodes. Cultures
from the blood show bacteria.
Pneumonic Plague.--The symptoms are those of a severe "lobular" pneumonia,
with bloody sputum containing many bacilli. It is usually rapidly fatal.
Death rate may reach ninety per cent.
Treatment. Prevention.--Prolonged isolation, disinfection of the
discharges, cremation of plague victims, destruction of rats, and
preventive inoculation of healthy persons with sterilized cultures of the
bacillus pestis.
Immunity following this procedure is said to last from one to eighteen
months.
For pain, morphine; for weakness, stimulation; for fever, bathing; for
buboes, application of ice, injection of bichloride and excision have been
advised.
DYSENTERY.--A group of inflammatory intestinal affections, either acute or
chronic, and of infectious origin, characterized by frequent painful
passages, (containing mucus and blood) or by loose movements.
Acute Catarrhal Dysentery.--This is the most common form in the temperate
climate The colon is congested and swollen with a covering of blood-tinged
mucus on its mucous membrane.
Symptoms.--The invasion: This is usually marked by diarrhea, then
cramp-like general pain in the abdomen and frequent mucous, bloody stools,
accompanied by hard straining at stool. The temperature may reach 102 to
103 degrees. After one or two days the stools consist entirely of bloody
mucus and are very frequent. The thirst is great. In about one week the
stools may become normal.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Dysentery, Sweet Cream for.--"One or two
teaspoonfuls of thick cream every hour. Three doses is usually sufficient.
(This remedy proved successful with my baby when all others failed)."
2. Dysentery, One Ounce Dewberry Root for.--"Boil in one quart of water
one ounce of dewberry root. This should be boiled down to one-half pint
and a half wineglassful given to patient two or three times a day, or in
severe cases, a half wineglassful every two or three hours until discharge
diminishes."