Cold water on the face with cloths. It is not necessary to wet her all
over. Ammonia or camphor near the nostrils to inhale. Lie still for some
time and do not attempt to rise while still feeling dizzy or faint.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Sea Sickness, Red Pepper and Molasses Relieves.--
"A teaspoonful of red pepper mixed with molasses and taken in one dose is
considered one of the best remedies for this trouble."
2. Sea Sickness, Peppermint an Excellent Relief for.--"A teaspoonful of
essence of peppermint put in a tumbler of hot water, sipped occasionally,
is both a preventive and cure for sea-sickness."
Sea Sickness.--Dr. Hare, of Philadelphia, says: "The bromides should be
used in the dose of five to ten grains three times a day for several days
before the patient sails to quiet the vomiting center." After sea sickness
begins the following combination is good:
(a) Citric Acid 2 drams
Distilled Water 4 ounces
Make a solution.
(b) Bromide of Potash 1 dram
Bicarbonate of Potash 1 dram
Distilled Water 4 ounces
Make a solution.
Then a tablespoonful of each of these solutions should be added to one
another and taken during effervescence. Lemon juice can be used in place
of citric acid in the first combination.
DOG BITES (Not Rabid).--Treat the same as for any torn wound, wash out
thoroughly with hot water and an ounce of salt in a pint of water. There
is no danger of hydrophobia from the bite of a dog, cat or any animal
unless that animal has hydrophobia. No one can take hydrophobia from an
animal that does not have it. (See Hydrophobia).
POISONED WOUNDS. Mosquito Bite.--Remove the sting in the wound. Diluted
vinegar applied to the bites is sometimes of help. Camphor is also good.
Snake Bite.--Naturalists have discovered twenty-seven species of poisonous
serpents and one poisonous lizard; eighteen species of these are true
rattlesnakes; the remaining nine are divided between varieties of the
moccasin, copperhead or the viper. The poisonous lizard is the Texan
reptile known as the "Gila Monster." In all these serpents the poison
fluid is secreted in a gland which lies against the side of the skull
below and behind the eye, from which a duct leads to the base of a hollow
tooth or fang, one on each side of the upper jaw; which fang, except in
the case of vipers, is movable and susceptible of erection and depression.
When not in use the fang hugs the upper jaw and is ensheathed in a fold of
mucous membrane. In the vipers the fang is permanently erect. In the case
of biting the contents of the poison sac are forcibly ejected through the
hollow fang.
[378 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Symptoms of a Snake Bite.--The symptoms are similar in bites of poisonous
snakes. Pain in the wound, slight at first, but becoming more severe, with
rapid swelling and spotted discoloration in the vicinity of the wound.
Symptoms of heart and lung depression soon show themselves by feeble and
fluttering pulse, faintness, cold sweating, mental distress, nausea and
vomiting and labored breathing. Death may occur very soon in intense
poisoned cases, but more frequently the struggle extends over a number of
hours.
Treatment.--First thing to do.--When the bite is on a limb, tie the limb
above the bite toward the body and twist the ligature so tight that the
circulation is cut off, or checked. Then cut the wound open very freely.
When the bite is on the body, make a free cut, and when this cannot be
done suck the wound vigorously, which can done without danger, if there
are no cracks or abrasions of the lips or mouth, as the poison is harmless
when taken into a well mouth. If a hot iron is at hand apply it freely
within the wound and this may take the place of the knife or suction. Salt
put in the cut wound will be of help, or fill the wound with permanganate
of potash and inject a solution of the same, diluted three-quarters with
water, around the wound. Strychnine one-fifteenth of a grain every two
hours until the symptoms are better. This is not given until the symptoms
of snake poisoning have shown themselves.
If such agents are not at hand, brandy or whisky should be given freely.
The pulse will show when the patient has had enough.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. INSECT AND OTHER BITES.--1. Simply Use Pepper for Dog
Bite.--"My son had his hand bitten by a dog and it was over a week before
it was brought to my notice. The sore was then filled with green pus and
the pain went up to his jaw, so we were afraid of lockjaw. I had him
cleanse it thoroughly in a basin of warm saleratus water, then filled and
thickly covered it with black pepper. The pain stopped almost instantly.
It seems as though pepper would smart a cut terribly, but it does not."
This is a good remedy and worth trying. The black pepper did not smart the
wound because the flesh was dead.
2. Bites, Tobacco Good for Dog.--"Immediately wash the parts with clear
water; then take leaf or cut tobacco and bind over the part bitten,
changing it two or three times a day for a week. This effectually absorbs
the poison. It is a good prevention of any future trouble."
3. Bites, Ammonia Good for Insect.--"Rub the affected parts with ammonia,
which will draw out the poison. For mosquito bites have often used baking
soda. This always gives relief and is very cooling."
4. Bites, Baking Soda for Insect.--"Cover the affected parts with baking
soda and keep moist." A mud poultice is an old tried remedy.
[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 379]
5. Bites, Hartshorn Old Time Remedy for.--"Apply hartshorn or spirits of
ammonia to part which neutralizes the formic acid, the active principle of
the poison." This is an old-time remedy and will always give relief if
applied immediately.
6. Bites, Carbolic Acid Draws Poison from.--"Bathe frequently in a weak
solution of carbolic acid." The carbolic acid is a very good remedy and
seldom fails to cure, but if you do not happen to have the acid, use
vinegar, and it will have practically the same effect.
7. Bites, Alum and Vinegar Good Remedy for.--"Alum and vinegar. Purchase
five cents' worth of powdered alum and dissolve in a pint of vinegar and
apply freely. This is a very good remedy."
8. Bites, Salt Water for Mosquito.--"Take salt and water in a little dish
and keep wetting the bite for a few moments. This will soon destroy the
poison," This will be found a very simple but effective remedy, especially
in children or small babies, as we mothers all know how very annoying a
mosquito bite is to children. The salt water will remove all the poison
and at the same time relieve the itching and swelling. Care should be
taken not to make it too strong for a small baby.
9. Bites, Spirits of Ammonia for Snake.--"Strong spirits of ammonia
applied to the wounds of snake bites or rabid animals is better than
caustic. It neutralizes the poison." Enough of the ammonia should be used
to irritate the parts. It is harmless treatment and should be used freely.
STINGS, MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Leaves of Geranium Good for Bee or
Wasp.--"Bruise the leaves of geranium and bind on the affected part. This
has proved an excellent, though simple remedy."
2. Stings, Simple Remedy for.--"Take a dresser key or any with a good
sized hole and press over the sting. If used very soon this will remove
the stinger, then cover with wet salt."
DISLOCATIONS.--A dislocation is the putting out of joint some bone, such
as the elbow or shoulder bone or bones. The bone has slipped out of its
socket. They are called after the joints involved.
General Causes.--Blows, sudden contraction of the muscles; also due to
some diseases of the joints.
General Symptoms.--There is a deformity at the joint, pain and sometimes
it is not possible to make all the joint movements.
General Treatment.--Of course it is to replace the bone, as soon as
possible, before there is much swelling, inflammation and consequent
adhesions.
DISLOCATION OF THE JAW.--It is not possible to close the mouth. The chin
is too far forward. The jaw may turn toward the other side in one-sided
dislocation.
[380 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Treatment.--Hold something hard between the teeth in front so that when
the jaw snaps in place your thumbs will not be bitten. A piece of wood as
thick as your fingers will do. Stand in front of the patient, who should
be sitting in a high chair. Put your thumbs in the mouth upon the lower
jaw two-thirds of the length backwards, and your forefingers directly
underneath the jaw; with the thumbs press down and with the fingers pull
forward.
[Illustration:
Oblique Bandage of Jaw.
Medicated Cotton can readily be applied with this
style of Bandage.
Bandaging and Photograph by
DR. W. E. ZIEGENFUSS, of Detroit.
Done expressly for this book.]
Sometimes it is necessary to hold the jaw in place for some days. For that
purpose the bandage for a broken jaw can be used.
SHOULDER JOINT DISLOCATION.--There is a depression of the skin over the
cavity. The shoulder is flattened. The bone of the arm points to where the
head of the bone is.
Treatment.--Carry the elbow to the side with the forearm at right angles
to the arm: turn the arm around until the forearm points away from the
body. Then carry the arm up from the body until it is level with the
shoulder. In this position gradually rotate the arm again and then bring
the arm to the side, with the forearm across the chest, hand pointing to
the other shoulder when it should be bandaged by pieces of bandages three
inches wide passing around the arm, elbow and body. A pad should be placed
under the hand to keep it from making the flesh sore.
FINGER OR THUMB DISLOCATION.--If the joint is dislocated forward pull the
front part forward and backward. If it is dislocated backwards, pull the
front part of the finger forward and upward. If reduced immediately this
needs no bandaging.
FRACTURES.--They are simply broken bones or cartilage, usually applied
popularly to a broken bone.
Varieties.--Simple fracture means a break of the bone only.
Compound fracture is where the broken bone sticks out through the skin.