[268 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
The foregoing remedy is very effective, as spirits of camphor and the
tincture valerian quiet the nerves. The sulphuric ether also has a
soothing effect. This combination makes a fine tonic, but should not be
taken too long, as it is quite strong.
4. Nervousness, Five Ingredient Remedy That Relieves.--"In extreme nervous
debility with tendency to fainting fits, use the following:
Spirits of Camphor 1/2 ounce
Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia 1/2 ounce
Spirits of Lavender Compound 1 ounce
Tincture Valerian 1 ounce
Tincture Castor 1 ounce
Mix. Dose.--From one to three teaspoonfuls at intervals of from fifteen
minutes to three hours, according to urgency of symptoms. This mixture
should be kept on hand by all persons subject to fainting fits."
Spirits of camphor and aromatic spirits of ammonia stimulates the heart,
while the tincture of valerian quiets the nervous system.
5. Nervousness, "Lady's Slippers" Breaks up.--"A decoction is made with
two ounces of the root, sliced, to two pints of water, boiled to one and
one-half pints. Dose: One tablespoonful four times a day. Has been used
with marked success in epilepsy and in other various nervous diseases."
This is used very extensively for nervous people, and has proven very
successful.
HEADACHE.--This term means a pain in the head, all over the head, or at
one particular spot. It may be only a symptom of a general constitutional
derangement, some disease of some other organ, a temporary inability of
some organ like the stomach, liver, bowels, etc., to do work, or it may be
due to some local affection depending upon some trouble with the skull and
its contents. It is frequently but a symptom of some other trouble. It
occurs in fevers, infectious diseases, brain disease, etc. There are
different varieties depending upon the causes.
Sick Headache.
Nervous Headache.
Catarrhal Headache.
Congestive Headache.
Neuralgic or Gastric (stomach) Headache.
Bilious Headache.
"Bowel" Headache.
"Womb" Headache.
Rheumatic Headache.
[NERVOUS SYSTEM 269]
CATARRHAL HEADACHE and RHEUMATIC HEADACHE may be treated together. This is
due to exposure to a draught of air, walking against the sharp and keen
wind, by getting the feet or other parts of the body wet, sudden
suppression of perspiration about the head, or by some other exposure such
as might result from cold, influenza or attack of rheumatism. There may be
aching pains and a feeling of heavy weight in the forehead; tearing,
stitching pains above the eyes, in the cheek bones; sometimes the skull
feels as if it would fall to pieces. In the rheumatic variety the scalp is
sore and tender, tearing throbbing pains or hard aching pains. There is
some fever, dry skin, the pulse is faster.
Treatment.--Get into a sweat by hot drinks of lemonade and hot foot baths.
Apply cold or warmth to the head, lie down and keep quiet.
Medicine.--Aconite in doses of one-tenth of a drop to an adult every hour
will frequently abort it: open the bowels with salts. Remain in bed.
NERVOUS HEADACHE.--This may occur as a sick headache or be simply a
nervous headache: This occurs oftenest in a nervous person, or in persons
who are run down by different causes, such as diseases, overwork, worry,
trouble, etc. It is not periodic, and has no fixed type, but breaks out at
indefinite intervals, and is excited by almost any special cause such as
motions, mental exertions, menses, excitement, overdoing, over-visiting,
want of sleep. It is often due to eye strain in persons who have poorly
fitted, or who do not wear glasses. It appears in any part of the head,
usually one-sided, or it may be all over the head, which feels enlarged
and sometimes as if a band was around it. The least mental effort makes it
worse. Sometimes there is a feeling as if a nail was being driven into the
head; head is too big; eyes feel heavy and the lids droop; sees double;
hard to keep eyes open. This kind of headache, or sick-headache, can be
brought on suddenly by womb trouble, especially if the womb has fallen
from a jar, fall, etc. The patient often moans and cries, laments and
simply cannot stand thc pain. In some cases the menses cause it, and it
appears at every menstrual period.
Treatment.--The patient should be quiet and remain in bed in a darkish
room. Womb troubles and other diseases that cause it such as protruding
piles, etc., should be attended to. Tincture gelsemium is a good remedy.
Put ten drops in a glass half full of water, and take two teaspoonfuls
every half hour until better. A tea made from lady's slipper is also
effective in some cases, used freely. Bromide of potash in ten-grain doses
one-half hour apart, for three doses, if necessary, is quieting in many
attacks. Mustard plaster to back of the neck.
CONGESTIVE HEADACHE.--In this kind there is or seems to be too much blood
in the head. The patient may be stupid, with a flushed face. If conscious,
the brain feels as if it was rising or falling, especially upon the motion
of the head. The top of the head sometimes feels as if it would fly off.
The head throbs and beats violently. The hands and feet may be cold, the
face flushed or pale, the eyes bright, the pulse is generally heavy, full
and fast, or it may be feeble, slow and intermittent.
[270 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Treatment.--1. The patient should remain in bed in a dark room, with the
head usually high. Cold should be applied to the head and heat to the
hands and feet. Move the bowels with salts and, if necessary, give an
enema also. It is well to give the foot-bath before going to bed. If
these things do not relieve the headache a doctor should be called, for it
may mean something serious. A hot mustard foot-bath and a mustard plaster
applied to the nape of the neck are of great value. In severe cases an ice
bag or very cold water, applied to the forehead and temples will very
often give great relief.
2. Spirits of Camphor 1 ounce
Spirits of Lavender 2 ounces
Alcohol 2 ounces
Wet the top of the head with it.
3. Camphor 1 dram
Oil of Peppermint 1 dram
Chloroform 1-1/2 ounces
Alcohol enough for 3 ounces
Shake the bottle and apply a little of the liquid to the place. Horseback
riding and walking are good for nervous girls and women.
NEURALGIC HEADACHE.--This commonly comes periodically, usually, one-
sided. It may occur at the same hour for several days in succession. The
pains are of all kinds. It may start in the morning or at any time. It
involves more especially the eyes, side of the head, face, and goes into
the teeth and neck. It comes in persons subject to neuritis in other parts
or neuralgia.
Treatment.--Build up the system with tonics in the interval. Lead a quiet
restful life. Acetanilid in five-grain doses frequently relieves it. This
is a dangerous medicine to use, except under a doctor's supervision.
Spigelia in doses of one-twelfth of a drop of the tincture is good for
left-sided attacks; two doses are enough, one-half hour apart.
STOMACH OR GASTRIC HEADACHE.--This, as the name indicates, is due to some
acute or chronic trouble with the stomach. It is caused by over-loading
the stomach, or eating food that does not agree, such as fat meat,
gravies, starchy food, warm bread, pastry, etc., or it may be due to
dyspepsia. The tongue is generally coated, the mouth tastes bitter. If it
is acute and the stomach is full, take a common emetic like warm water,
salt water or mustard water. If it is due to decomposed food, drink lots
of warm water and take an enema and also a dose of salts. If there is much
gas in the stomach, take some baking soda in a glass of warm water; one
drop doses of tincture of nux vomica every half hour for three hours often
relieves.
[NERVOUS SYSTEM 271]
HEADACHE FROM CONSTIPATION.--This is frequent. There is generally a dull,
heavy feeling in the forehead, the head feels full and sometimes dizzy,
the patient feels blue and morose, the tongue is coated on its back part,
mouth tastes bitter, patient is drowsy and stupid and work goes hard. A
free passage from the bowels relieves the headache.
Treatment.--Cure the constipation as directed in another part of the book.
Take a good full enema of warm soap suds and water, and one drop of
tincture of nux vomica every hour for six hours during the attack.
BILIOUS HEADACHE.--This is so-called because the bilious symptoms are the
most prominent. It may be caused by violent anger, disputes, excessive
eating causing congestion of the liver; abuse of spirits; some persons are
of a bilious constitution and the least error in diet and habit produces
such an attack. The pain may be violent or dull, the head may throb
terribly; the whites of the eyes have a yellowish look, and the face may
be of a dark brown hue, the patient may vomit bile. The vomiting causes
more brain distress. The mouth is bitter, the tongue coated yellowish, the
breath smells badly. Bowels may be irregular.
Treatment.--A free movement of the bowels often relieves. First take an
enema and then one-half ounce of epsom salts. Do not eat anything but
drink all the water you may wish. A tea made of blue flag is often of
benefit. The diet should be regulated so as not to overload the stomach
and liver and the bowels should move freely daily.
WOMB HEADACHE.--Women who suffer from womb troubles such as leucorrhea,
torn cervix, falling womb displacements and diseases of the inner womb,
ovaries and tubes, suffer from all kinds of headache. The pain may be in
the nape of the neck, the back part of the head and on the top behind
(occiput). It may come on suddenly when the womb is displaced by a sudden
fall or over-lifting, etc. The woman should then go to bed and lie down
with her arms crossed over her chest, with the knees drawn up and weight
resting upon them and chest with the buttocks elevated, (knee-chest-
position). This replaces the womb. The other troubles should be corrected
or these headaches will keep on. The womb and its appendages are the cause
of many kinds of headaches, neuralgias, dyspepsia, and constipation;
correct the troubles and the headache will disappear.
MENSTRUAL HEADACHES.--These are very common. They may be regular every
month, and they are then caused by some trouble with the womb or ovaries,
or may be due to a run-down condition or heredity. It comes sometimes from
suppression of the menses as a consequence of some violent emotion,
fright, anger, grief, or by exposure to wet, draughts of air, privations,
over-fatigue, etc. It may last for several days. The headache may be mild
or severe.
Treatment.--A foot bath or sitz bath is very good, with free drinking of
pennyroyal tea after the bath, and when in bed. Place warmth to the feet,
moist heat over the abdomen, such as a hot water bag or fomentations.
Remain quietly in bed. If constipated, take an enema. Frequently a free
bowel movement gives much relief in this trouble. During the interval
doctor the patient for the trouble causing the headache for which see
another part of this book, "Diseases of Women."
[272 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
MOTHERS' REMEDIES, 1. Headache, Paregoric and Soda for.--"A teaspoonful of
paregoric, with one-half teaspoonful of baking soda in a tumbler of water,
May be taken all at once or sipped slowly."
2. Headache, Hops Good for.--"Make a strong decoction of hop tea, and take
a wineglassful every half hour until relieved." This is an old tried
remedy and a good one.
3. Headache, Mustard Excellent for.--"Place a mustard plaster on the back
of the head, also bathe the feet in mustard water and stay in a darkened
room, and avoid all excitement and noise." The one essential thing is to
get the nerves quieted; take as little food as possible for twenty-four
hours, giving the stomach an opportunity to rest, as most of the headaches
come from a disordered stomach.
4. Headache, Peppermint Beneficial for,--"Bathe the head in strong
peppermint. Then apply cloths wrung from water as hot as can be endured."
Hot or cold applications are known to be very beneficial. After the cloths
are taken off, the soothing effect can be further enhanced by gentle
rubbing of the forehead.
5. Headache, Cold Application in Case of.--"Apply cold applications on the
forehead and over the eyes." These cold applications have been known to
give relief in a very few minutes to many people suffering with severe
headaches. It is well to continue the treatment; even after relief has
been obtained, for at least a half hour. Gentle rubbing of the head is
very good, also.
6. Headache, Castor Oil Will Relieve.--"One tablespoonful of castor oil.
Have used this and found relief." This remedy gives relief as the castor
oil carries off the food that is distressing the stomach. It is well to
take two tablespoonfuls of lime-water in a glass of milk three times a day
for about a week after the castor oil has operated.
SICK HEADACHE. (Migraine. Hemicrania).--Migraine is a peculiar form of
severe paroxysms of unilateral (one side) headache often associated with
disorders of sight.
Causes.--It is frequently hereditary, and it has occurred through several
generations. Women and members of nervous families are usually attacked.
Many of the headaches from eye-strain are of this type, It is often
inherited, and may last from puberty to the menopause. Some authors claim
that decay of the teeth without toothache will cause it. Adenoid growths
in the pharynx and particularly abnormal conditions of the nose will cause
it. Many of the attacks of severe headaches in children are of this
nature, and the eyes, nose and throat should be examined when children or
older persons suffer from this complaint. Mental emotion, physical or
mental fatigue, disorders of the female genital organs, eye-strain, etc.,
loud noises, toothache, act as predisposing causes. Some think it a
poisonous condition due to the absorption of poisons from the stomach and
intestines, and others regard it as a nervous condition due to anemia and
all conditions which weaken the resistance of the nervous system.
[NERVOUS SYSTEM 273]
Symptoms.--The premonitory symptoms, which may last a few hours or a day
or more, are sleepy feelings of discomfort, uneasiness, weariness, chills,
vertigo (dizziness), disturbance of the sight or disturbances of the
senses. The real attack may follow quickly, beginning with the
characteristic headache, at first one sided, located in one spot in the
temple, eye or back of the head, but spreading, as it increases in
severity, until it involves all of one side of the head and occasionally
both sides. The pain is usually constant and of great severity and it is
increased by motion, noises, light, or mental strain. The skin over the
painful part is very sensitive. There are loss of appetite, nausea and
vomiting. If the stomach has a great deal of food in it, vomiting relieves
the pain sometimes. In the spasmodic form the affected side is painful,
the skin is cool, the pupil is dilated, and the flow of saliva is
increased. In the paralytic form the affected side is flushed, hot, the
vessels are dilated and the pupils are contracted. There is great
weakness, prostration and depression. The urine may be abundant or
suppressed, temporarily. The results of treatment in this disease are
uncertain, as the attacks are likely to occur in spite of treatment. They
usually cease in old age, and in women they may stop after the menopause.
The attacks in women are likely to occur at or near the menstrual periods.
First Thing to do in Sick Headache.--It is well to remain in a darkened
room away from noise, etc. If the head throbs and beats very hard, either
a cold ice bag or hot applications often bring relief. A mustard plaster
at the base of the brain with a hot foot-bath often helps. Some people by
stroking the forehead and temples have the power to ease the pain,
producing quiet and sleep. If the bowels are costive, salts should be
taken to move them, or they can be moved by an enema, if salts are not at
hand. If the stomach is full, or tastes sour, drink a lot of warm water
and vomit, or produce vomiting by tickling your throat with your finger,
after having taken a large quantity of warm water for sometimes warm water
thus taken fails to cause vomiting. If there is no food in the stomach,
but there is sour and bilious vomiting, the warm water will frequently
help. For a sour stomach or when it is full of gas, a teaspoonful of
baking soda in some hot water will often feel very pleasant and grateful.
The patient should keep absolutely quiet after these are done, and often
they fall into a refreshing sleep.
[274 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
EMERGENCY MEDICINES.--If anemia is the cause, give tonics such as iron and
arsenic. If the patient feels faint and nauseated, a small cup of strong
hot coffee gives relief, sometimes. Antipyrin, given early in doses of two
and one-half grains often relieves. Take another dose in one-half hour if
necessary. But such remedies are hard on the heart.
TREATMENT. Preventive in Sick Headache.--The patient is often aware of the
causes that bring on an attack. Such causes should be avoided. A great
many people who are afflicted with this trouble are not only careless in
their eating, eating anything and everything and at all times--at meal
time and between meals--but also careless in their habits of life.
Patients should avoid excitement, like card parties, etc., staying up
late, or reading exciting books. The meals should be regular, no food
taken that is hard to digest. Pies, cakes, puddings, gravies, ham, pork,
sausage, and fried foods must be avoided. Rich, greasy foods will not do
for such persons to eat. Strong tea and coffee are bad. Plenty of water
should be taken between meals. At meals it is better to take no water
unless it is hot water. Every morning on arising it is well to drink a
large quantity of either cold or hot water. This washes out the stomach,
bowels and kidneys, and stimulates them to better perform their functions.
The bowels must be kept regular, one or more passages a day and at a
regular hour. Sometimes, especially in younger persons, the eyes are at
fault and may need glasses. Frequently it is caused by overwork in school
in young girls, especially during their menstrual periods. Social duties
cause them in many women, and then strong tea or coffee, or headache
powders, or tablets, are taken to keep up or to stop the pain, making the
patient more liable to the attacks in the future; and then still more tea,
coffee, and headache remedies are taken until the patient is a slave to
the remedies taken to help her. A great many of these headaches can be
helped by simple measures, and the time between the attacks, in about all
cases, made longer if the patient will but work with the physician, not
only at the time of the attack, but in the interval. The clothing should
be comfortable. The feet should always be kept dry. This applies
especially to neuralgia. In fact the above measures of prevention and care
apply to all kinds of headaches and neuralgias. Prevention is worth more
than the cure.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Sick Headache, Hop Tea Will Relieve.--"Hop tea is
very good if a good strong decoction is made. A wineglassful may be taken
every half hour or hour until relieved." This is very easily prepared, as
the hops may be purchased at any drug store.
2. Sick Headache, a Favorite Remedy for.--"Aconite liniment or aconite
rubbed on the forehead will relieve the pain in the head almost instantly.
One drop of the tincture of nux vomica in a teaspoonful of water every
five or ten minutes will quickly relieve." Nux vomica is good only when
the headache comes from constipation and stomach trouble and too high
living.
[NERVOUS SYSTEM 275]
3. Sick Headache, Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia for.--"For a nervous
headache there is nothing better for immediate relief than fifteen or
twenty drops of the aromatic spirits of ammonia." This relieves the pain
and quiets the nerves and stimulates the heart.
4. Sick Headache, Camphor Application for.--"A very simple but effective
remedy is a cloth wet with spirits of camphor and sprinkled with black
pepper applied to the head gives almost instant relief."
5. Headache, Soda and Peppermint for.--"One teaspoonful (level) of soda in
two-thirds glass of hot water, add five or eight drops of oil of
peppermint and a little sugar. Drink quite warm. This has been often tried
and proven to be a success." The soda will relieve any gas in the stomach
and the peppermint aids digestion and relieves sickness of the stomach.
6. Sick Headache, Lemon Good for.--"One lemon before breakfast will help
to keep off sick headache. Have never found a remedy to cure sick
headaches. A sack of hot salt will always help the pain." The lemon will
help to tone up the stomach and the salt applied to the head will help the
pain by relieving the congestion. It is always well to take a good
cathartic after a spell of sick headache.