Dried Sulphate of Iron 2 drams
Carbonate of Potash 2 drams
Syrup Sufficient
Mix thoroughly, and make forty-eight pills. Take one to three pills, three
times a day after meals.
2. Fowler's solution of arsenic is also very good remedy; three to four
drops three times a day. It must be watched for bad symptoms and should
only be taken under a physician's supervision.
Diet.--This should be good and varied to suit the special taste, and as
the stomach and bowels are usually disordered such food should be chosen
as will best agree. Diet plays a very important part.
PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA.--This is characterized by great decrease of the red
cells of the blood with a relatively high color index and the presence of
large number of germs. The causes are unknown.
Condition.--The body is not emaciated. A lemon color of the skin is
usually present. The muscles are a dark red, but all the other organs are
pale and fatty. The heart is large and fatty. The liver and spleen are
normal in size, or only slightly enlarged with an excess of iron in the
pigment. The red cells may fall to one-fifth or less of the normal number.
The rich properties of the blood are fearfully decreased.
Symptoms.--Stomach and bowels, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, or
constipation, may precede other symptoms or they may last throughout the
case. The onset is gradual and unknown, with gradually increasing weary
feeling, paleness and some difficulty in breathing and palpitation of the
heart on exertion. There is paleness of the skin and the mucous membranes,
the lips look pale, no color. The paleness becomes extreme, the skin often
having a lemon yellow tint. The muscles are flabby; the ankles are
swollen, you can see the arteries beat. Hemorrhages may occur into the
skin, mucous membrane and retina of the eye. Nervous symptoms are not
common. The pallor and weakness become extreme, sometimes with intervals
of improvement and death usually occurs. The following is Addison's
description given by Dr. Osler:
[BLOOD AND DUCTLESS GLANDS 251]
It makes its approach in so slow and insidious a manner that the patient
can hardly fix a date to the earliest feeling of that languor which is
shortly to become extreme. The countenance gets pale, and white of the
eyes become pearly, the general frame flabby rather than wasted. The pulse
perhaps larger, but remarkably soft and compressible, and occasionally
with a slight jerk, especially under the slightest excitement. There is an
increasing indisposition to exertion, with an uncomfortable feeling of
faintness or breathlessness in attempting it; the heart is readily made to
palpitate; the whole surface of the body presents a blanched, smooth and
waxy appearance; the lips, gums and tongue seem bloodless, the flabbiness
of the solid increases, the appetite fails, extreme languor and faintness
supervene, breathlessness and palpitation are produced by the most
trifling exertion, or emotion; some slight oedema (swelling) is probably
perceived about the ankles; the debility becomes extreme. The patient can
no longer rise from the bed; the mind occasionally wanders; he falls into
a prostrate and half torpid state and at length expires; nevertheless, to
the very last, and after a sickness of several months' duration, the
bulkiness of the general frame and the obesity (fat) often present a most
striking contrast to the failure and exhaustion observable in every other
respect. The disease is usually fatal.
Treatment.--The patient should remain in bed and should use a light
nourishing diet, taking food in small amounts and at stated intervals.
Rest in bed is essential. Dr. Osler treated a case in the following way: I
usually begin with three minims (drops) of Fowler's solution of arsenic
three times a day and increase the dose to five drops at the end of the
first week; to ten at the end of the second week; to fifteen at the end of
the third week, and if necessary go up to twenty or twenty-five. Symptoms
of an overdose are rare; vomiting and diarrhea occur. Then the medicine
must be discontinued for a few days.
SECONDARY ANEMIA. Causes.--Hemorrhage form (bleeding). (a) Rapid bleeding
from the rupture of an aneurism, from a blow, or eating into the blood
vessels by an ulcer. (b) Slow bleeding as from nose-bleed, flow from the
womb, piles or in "bleeders" people who bleed readily.
2. Inanition form.--Not nourished because of interference in taking food
or assimilating food, from cancer of the gullet, or disease of the
stomach.
3. Toxic poison cases; from acute and chronic diseases, such as typhoid
fever, tuberculosis, rheumatism, syphilis, malaria, nephritis; or chronic
lead poisoning, mercury, arsenic, and copper poisoning.
Symptoms.--There is pallor, dizziness, headache, palpitation and dyspnoea,
difficult breathing on exertion; there is weakness, tendency to fainting,
poor appetite, dyspepsia and constipation. The red blood cells are
diminished, also the haemoglobin. Death may occur from a single
hemorrhage.
[252 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Treatment.--Remove the cause and rest. Good fresh air, good easily
digested food. The bowels must be kept regular. Iron and arsenic are good
remedies if necessary. It is not possible to give special directions. A
person in this condition needs a good physician. There is no time to
waste. Iron and arsenic are good remedies, but they must be used
intelligently and in proper doses. Blaud's pill is good in some cases. It
contains iron. Also Fowler's solution of arsenic.
LEUKAEMIA.--An affection characterized by persistent increase in the white
blood corpuscles, associated with changes, either alone or together, in
the spleen, lymphatic glands and bone-marrow.
1. Spleen and Bone-Marrow, (Spleen-Medullary) type.--The changes are
especially localized in the spleen and in the bone-marrow while the blood
shows a great increase in elements which are derived especially from the
latter tissue.
2. Lymphatic Type.--The changes in this type are chiefly localized in the
lymphatic apparatus, the blood showing an especial increase in those
elements derived from the lymph glands.
Causes--Unknown. It is most common before middle age.
Symptoms.--Either type may be acute or chronic. The invasion may be
gradual, sometimes with disturbance of the stomach and bowels, or
nose-bleed. (a) The first type is the common one. The spleen generally
becomes enlarged; it is sometimes tender and painful, it may occupy over
half of the abdominal cavity and varies in size after a hemorrhage,
diarrhea or after a meal. There may be paleness of the face, etc., early
and late nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dysentery are common, as is also
ascites (dropsy in the abdomen). The pulse is rapid, full and soft. Fever
is usual. Hemorrhages occur in the skin, retina, pleura, peritoneum, etc.
Headache, dizziness, short breathing, and fainting may occur from the
anemia. The liver may be enlarged. The blood shows a great increase in the
white cells. Sometimes they are more numerous than the red blood cells.
(b) Lymphatic type is rare, various groups of the lymph glands are
enlarged, usually separate, but sometimes matted together; others, such as
the tonsils may become large. The blood shows an increase of the white
cells, but less than in the other form. The spleen is usually somewhat
enlarged. Recovery is rare; the lymphatic cases may last only six or eight
weeks. The course is usually progressive for two or three years.
Treatment.--The same as for Pernicious Anaemia.
FALSE LEUKAEMIA. (Pseudo-Leukaemia).--Also called Hodgkin's disease,
malignant lymphoma, and general lymphadenoma. This is a progressive anemia
and enlargement of the lymph glands and the skin, with secondary lymphoid
growth in the liver, spleen and other organs.
Causes.--Males are more affected than females, and usually young persons.
Continual local irritation causes a local enlargement of the gland, but
the actual cause is unknown.
[BLOOD AND DUCTLESS GLANDS 253]
Symptoms.--The lymph glands of the neck, arm-pit or groin are enlarged and
without any pain, followed by anemia, loss of strength and slight fever.
The glands enlarge slowly or rapidly, forming large masses, while the
growth extends to other regions. The spleen may be felt; the skin may be
bronzed. In cases with involvement of deep seated nodes the first symptoms
may be those of pressure on blood vessels, nerves, trachea, bronchial
tubes or other structures.
Treatment.--Cut them out if they are small and localized. Arsenic,
quinine, cod-liver oil are good medicines.
PURPURA.--This is not strictly a disease, but a symptom. This includes a
group of affections characterized by hemorrhages into the skin.
Symptoms.--There are hemorrhages into the skin, and this takes the form of
small blood spots underneath the skin, (petechia) and spots like the
bursting of a blood vessel shows vibices or ecchymoses. The first are in
small minute points and appear, as a rule, in the hair follicles and
unlike the erythemas (redness) do not disappear upon pressure. Another
kind occurs as streaks, while the ecchymoses are larger, but similar in
nature to the first kind. They may be larger than a split pea, and they
range from a deep red to a livid bluish tint. They assume a yellowish
brown, then a yellow color, as they fade away and finally disappear. This
eruption appears in a series of crops and the legs are the usual seat.
1. Symptomatic Purpura. (a) Infectious. Occurs in typhus fever,
endocarditis, cerebro-spinal meningitis, typhoid fever, etc. (b) Toxic;
from snake bites, iodide of potash, quinine, copaiba, bella donna, ergot,
etc., and with jaundice. (c) Cachectic; with cancer, tuberculosis,
leukaemia, false leukaemia, scurvy, etc. (d) Neurotic; with hysteria,
neuralgia, and some organic disease. (e) Mechanical; due to violent effort
and poor venous circulation.
2. Type arthritic purpura. (a) Simple Purpura. A mild form usually
occurring in children, sometimes with pains in the joints, rarely any
fever. There is anemia, disturbance of the stomach and purpuric spots on
the legs, often on the arms and trunks. (b) Rheumatic purpura; this
usually occurs in men from twenty to forty years old. There is usually
pain and swelling of several joints, temperature 101 to 103 degrees,
purpuric eruption chiefly on the legs and about the affected joints, often
with hives and digestive disturbances: (c) Henoch's purpura; usually in
children and is sometimes fatal. There are recurrent joint pains and
swelling, disturbances of the stomach and bowels, skin troubles resembling
it, and hemorrhage from mucous membrane.
[254 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
PURPURA HAEMORRHAGIC.--This is a severe form, usually seen in delicate
girls. The cause is unknown.
Symptoms.--Weakness, extensive purpuric spots (small blood spots in the
skin), eruption, hemorrhages from the mucous membranes which may cause
secondary anemia, slight fever, slow clotting of the blood. The duration
is from ten to fourteen days. Death may occur within a day in cases marked
by profuse bleedings into the skin and prostration.
Treatment.--Remove the causes. Fresh air, food and tonics, etc. This
disease is serious and needs careful treatment from a physician.
HAEMOPHILIA. "Bleeders."--This is a hereditary disorder characterized by a
tendency to persistent bleeding, spontaneously or even after a slight
injury.
Causes.--Usually hereditary through many generations. It is transmitted
through daughters, themselves usually not "bleeders," to their male
children. It is found most often in the Anglo-German races.
Condition.--The blood vessel walls are thin; the skin is delicate,
clotting of the blood is usually retarded.
Symptoms.--It comes spontaneously or after only slight wounds; the person
is extremely delicate. The bleedings occur from the skin, or mucous
membrane, or from wounds, but rarely during menstruation or confinement.
They vary from small spots to bleeding which may end fatally, or in
recovery with marked anemia. There may be pain and swelling of the joints,
etc., and this may leave deformities resembling deformed arthritis. The
result is worse the earlier the disease shows itself. They may live to old
age.
Treatment.--Avoid, as much as possible, wounds and operations in
"bleeding" families. Marriage of the women should be discouraged. For
bleeding: rest, ice, tannic or gallic acid or adrenalin locally if the
bleeding points can be reached. Plug the nostrils for nose-bleed both
behind and in front.
SCURVY. (Scorbutus).--A constitutional disease characterized by weakness,
anemia, sponginess of the gums and tendencies to bleeding.
Causes.--This disease has been called "The calamity of sailors." It has
been known from the earliest times, and has prevailed particularly in
armies in the field and among sailors on long voyages. It has become a
very rare disease in the United States.
Predisposing Causes.--Overcrowding; dark unhealthy rooms; prolonged
fatigue; mental depression.
Exciting Cause.--The lack of fresh vegetables, poisoning from slightly
tainted food, or an infection. The gums are swollen, sometimes ulcerated,
skin is spotted, bluish, etc,
[BLOOD AND DUCTLESS GLANDS 255]
Symptoms.--It comes on gradually (insidiously). There is loss of weight,
progressively developing weakness and pallor, very soon the gums are
swollen and look spongy and bleed easily. The teeth may become loose and
fall out. The breath is very foul. The tongue is swollen, but it may be
red and not coated. The skin becomes dry and rough and (ecchymoses) dark
spots soon appear, first on the legs, and then on the arm and trunk and
particularly about the hair follicles. These are spontaneous or follow a
slight injury. In severe cases hemorrhages under the periosteum (the
covering of the bones) may cause irregular swelling, especially in the
legs, and these may break down and form ulcers. The slightest bruise or
injury causes hemorrhages into the injured part. Extravasion under the
skin, especially in the lower extremities may be followed by permanent
hardness (induration) and stiffness due to connective tissue infiltration
(scurvy sclerosis). There may be pains in the joints and often watery
swelling (oedema) of the ankles. Bleeding from internal mucous membranes
is less common than from the skin. The appetite is poor, palpitation of
the heart and feebleness and irregularity of the pulse are prominent
symptoms. Owing to the sore gums the patient is unable to chew the food.
The urine often contains albumin and is scanty and concentrated. There are
weariness, depression, headache and finally delirium or coma, or symptoms
due to hemorrhages within the brain; or day and night blindness may be
present.
Recovery.--The patient will recover if the cause can be removed, unless it
is far advanced. Death may result from complications.
Treatment. Preventive.--Fresh or canned vegetables or fruit must be eaten.
Treatment for the attack.--Dr. Osler, of England, says: "I think the juice
of two or three lemons daily and a diet of plenty of meat and fresh
vegetables will cure all cases unless they are far advanced. For the
stomach small quantities of scraped meat and milk should be given at short
intervals, and the lemon juice in gradually increasing quantities. As the
patient gains in strength you can give a more liberal diet, and he may eat
freely of potatoes, cabbage, water cresses, and lettuce. A bitter tonic
may be given. Permanganate of potash or dilute carbolic acid forms the
best mouth-wash. Penciling the swollen gums with a tolerably strong
solution of nitrate of silver is very useful. Relieve the constipation by
enemas."
ADDISON'S DISEASE. Diseases of the Suprarenal (above Kidneys) Bodies.--A
constitutional disease characterized by great weakness, stomach and bowel
symptoms, heart weakness, and dark coloring of the skin.
Causes.--It usually occurs in men from twenty to forty years old. The skin
and mucous membrane and sometimes the serous, like the pleura, etc.,
membranes are pigmented (darkened).
Symptoms.--There is a gradual onset of weakness, changeable symptoms in
the stomach and bowels and darkening of the skin. There is great feeling
of fatigue and feeble irregular action of the heart; nausea and vomiting
and often absence of appetite and some diarrhea. The abdomen may be
painful and drawn back in the course of the disease. The pigmentation
(coloring of the skin) varies from the light yellow to dark brown, olive
or black. It usually begins on the skin or regions naturally pigmented; or
where pressure is exerted by the clothing. The mucous membranes are also
pigmented. Death may occur from fainting, extreme weakness, convulsions or
delirium or through tuberculosis. Usually death occurs within one year,
though this may occur in a few weeks to two years, sometimes after
intervals of improvement.
[256 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Treatment.--This must be to meet the indications as they arise. It is a
serious disease and should be under the supervision of a competent
physician.
DISEASES OF THE SPLEEN. 1. Rupture of the spleen.--This may occur
spontaneously from no apparent cause, or from hurts received in cases of
typhoid or malaria.
Symptoms.--Severe pain, and signs of intestinal hemorrhages.
2. Acute inflammation of the spleen (splenitis).--This occurs in acute
infections after injuries.
Symptoms.--They are pain, tenderness, and enlargement of the spleen.
Treatment.--Treat the cause and relieve the pain. As this is a serious and
painful affection a physician should be called. The pain is often relieved
by a mustard poultice or hot fomentations. The patient should remain in
bed for acute inflammation of the spleen no matter what the cause.
3. Chronic Splenitis. Causes.--It comes from malaria, syphilis or
leukaemia, etc.
Symptoms.--There is the feeling of weight and symptoms of pressure on the
lungs or bowel.
Treatment.--Remove the cause. If it comes from malaria, attend to that,
etc.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Blood Purifier, Molasses and Sulphur as a.--"Take a
pint of molasses to five cents' worth of sulphur, and mix well." A
teaspoonful four times a day in the spring will do wonders towards
purifying the blood.
2. Blood Purifier, Sassafras Tea, Known all over as.--"Sassafras tea made
from the root and boiled to extract the strength." Drink freely of this
for a few days in the spring. It thins the blood, and is a good tonic.