SALT (Sodium Chloride).--This common household article is used in a great
many different ways. In cooking it is used to season foods. The absence of
salt gives rise to a bad state of the system, with the formation of
intestinal worms. If used too freely, it produces in some persons excess
of blood and corpulency. Salt renders the food more palatable in many
instances and thus increases the flow of the gastric juice. Salt increases
the flow of saliva also. For pin-worms, solution of salt injected is often
effective.
Constipation.--One teaspoonful to a glass of water taken on arising is
very good for some people troubled with constipation. For dyspepsia it
tones the stomach and aids in digestion in some cases. Salt alone in
teaspoonful doses will produce vomiting and is good after a spree or to
empty the stomach in convulsions and poisoning. Mustard given with it
makes it more effective. A salt solution is frequently injected into the
rectum to keep up the strength after operating and it is also frequently
put into the breast for same purpose.
A gargle and astringent in sore throat. For this purpose it is often of
use and successful. Taken dry in teaspoonful doses it is often given in
bleeding from the lungs. It is often used as an antiseptic to cleanse
sores and wounds. Teaspoonful to a half pint of water. On bites of insects
strong salt water or applied dry is often very good. In bites of snakes
and animals dry salt applied freely upon the wound is often of value. It
draws away some of the poison and also helps to burn out and cleanse the
wound.
Fomentations.--Used in this way it is good for sprains and bruises.
Baths.--One pound of salt to four gallons of water forms a suitable salt
water bath acting as a tonic and excitant to the skin.
[MEDICAL USES OF COMMON ARTICLES 669]
Ague.--Homeopathic doctors claim that salt in the attenuations will cure
some cases of ague.
Abuse of Salt.--Too much use of salt will cause a great many troubles. It
produces a peculiar eruption on the skin, sore eyes, etc.
Want of Salt.--Domestic animals need it and may die for the want of it.
Some animals may become sterile if deprived of it.
LEMON.--Lemons, owing to their pleasant flavor and agreeable acidity, are
very useful in a sick room. The rind yields an oil of great fragrancy.
Each lemon yields two to eight drams of acidulous juice and contains seven
to nine per cent of citric acid, besides phosphoric and malic acids, in
combination with potassa and other bases. Half an ounce of lemon juice
should neutralize twenty-five grains of bicarbonate of potassium, twenty
grains of bicarbonate of soda or fourteen grains of carbonate of ammonia.
The rind of lemon when fresh, besides the oil above mentioned, contains a
bitter crystalline glucoside.
Hesperidin.--Uses. Lemon juice applied to the surface of the skin removes
freckles, moth spots, sunburn, pruritus, and ink-stains.
Internally.--This is a very good remedy to cure scurvy. It is a constant
companion of sea-goers and scurvy is seldom seen when the regulation
ration of lemon-juice is used regularly. It also cures the scurvy skin
trouble or the form of muscular pains felt in scurvy.
Chronic Rheumatism.--In some cases several ounces of lemon-juice
administered daily affords marked relief, and it is also sometimes useful
in acute rheumatism. Lemonade is a useful drink during convalescence, as
it increases the urine and reduces its acidity.
Hot lemonade is useful as a sweating agent to break up colds in their
beginning. It satisfies the thirst and is very grateful to a stomach that
is not normal. It makes a very pleasant drink in many cases of sickness.
ONION (Allium Cepa).--It is supposed that the onion is a native of
Hungary. It is now found over the whole civilized world. It contains a
white, acrid, volatile oil holding sulphur in solution, albumen, much
uncrystallizable sugar and mucilage, phosphoric acid both free and
combined with lime, citrate of lime. The Spanish onion contains a large
proportion of sulphur and thus may be satisfactorily used in those cases
where sulphur is needed. The action of the volatile oil enhances that of
sulphur. Spanish onion boiled and eaten freely at bed-time is an excellent
laxative. Moderately used the onion increases the appetite, promotes
digestion, but in large quantities it causes flatulence, uneasiness in the
stomach and bowels. The juice mixed with sugar is useful in cough, colds,
and croup where there is little inflammation. Roasted or split it is
excellent as a local application in croup, tonsilitis and earache. Boiling
deprives the onion of its essential oil.
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SODA (Bicarbonate of Soda).--Uses. It is used in stomach fermentation and
in sick headaches arising from this condition. Useful in acidity of the
stomach. Good for gas in the stomach. It is good as a local application to
enlarged acute tonsils applied in powder. It is also used in preparing
different articles of food. The best to get is the bicarbonate of soda at
a drug store.
SULPHUR.--This is an important constituent in certain native mineral
waters. On the bowels it acts as a mild laxative. It is very good in
certain skin diseases and for itch in the form of an ointment it is often
used. It is useful in chronic acne, and for lice, itch, barber's itch,
etc. It is frequently used as a disinfectant after infectious diseases.
Burning sulphur in a room destroys bed-bugs, chicken lice, etc.
TURPENTINE (Terebinthina).--Uses. It is a valuable counter-irritant in
peritonitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, lumbago, pleurodynia, etc. Turpentine
stupes are frequently used in abdominal inflammation, for flatulence and
for bloating in typhoid fever. It is a valuable constituent of a great
many liniments. Used in excess it produces bloody urine, painful urination
and inflammation of the kidneys. The free use of barley water, hot bath
and purgative relieve its bad effects.
VASELIN.--Under the name of Petrolatum is sold a semi-solid substance
derived from certain kinds of petroleum called cosmoline or vaselin. It
has very soothing powers and does not become rancid and is used as a
soothing dressing in sores, boils, and skin affections. It is frequently
used as a base for ointments. Fluid or liquid petrolatum is much used now
in the form of a spray in the treatment of acute and chronic catarrh and
after irritant applications to the nasal cavities. It is put up now in
tubes and is much cleaner and purer. It is very soothing and healing when
used in this pure form.
ALCOHOL (Spirit of Wine).--Alcohol is a liquid composed of ninety-one per
cent by weight of ethylic alcohol and of nine per cent by weight of water.
Alcohol dissolves alkaloids, fatty and resinous substances, and is largely
used as a menstruum in obtaining the active principles of drugs in an
available form for administration. It is the basis for spirits, tinctures
and elixirs; spirits being solutions of volatile substances in alcohol;
tinctures, solutions of active principles of plants, generally obtained by
maceration and percolation. An elixir is a cordial flavored with orange
and syrup, used as a vehicle for other remedies and as a stomachic.
Its action is very extensive. It is used extensively in medical
preparations. It is a good application to prevent bed-sores. The addition
of one dram of alum to a pint makes it more effective. Hot applications
relieve pain in face neuralgia, cold in the face or toothache. It is often
used after bathing in full strength or diluted to rub on the body to
prevent taking cold. It stimulates the digestive organs, nervous system
and the circulation. It is much used in snake-bite. Its constant use is a
menace, as all know. It should never be taken for disease unless
prescribed by a reputable physician.
[MEDICAL USES OF COMMON ARTICLES 671]
ALUM (Alumen).--Dried alum is an astringent and mild "burner" for growths
such as "proud flesh." The glycerite of alum is useful in tonsilitis or
pharyngitis when it is not acute. In solution it condenses tissue by
coagulating their albumin and acts as an astringent.
Uses of the Strength.--One dram to a pint of whisky and water aids in
checking sweating in consumption when applied with a sponge. It is a good
injection for the whites. A cotton plug soaked in alum often stops
nosebleed by inserting it in the nostrils, or a solution may be thrown or
snuffed into the nostrils. It is also good as a gargle for tonsilitis and
sore throat.
Emetic for Croup.--Put a heaping teaspoonful in thirty-two teaspoonfuls of
water or syrup and give a teaspoonful every fifteen minutes until vomiting
is produced. It is often used stronger when quick action is desired. It is
a mild astringent and thus used to check mucous discharges from the
bowels, etc. Burnt powdered alum is often used to destroy "proud flesh."
BORAX (Sodium Borate).--This drug as it appears in commerce of America is
derived entirely from natural deposits found on the shores of lakes of
California and Nevada. This is purified.
Action.--It is antiseptic in its action. It renders the urine alkaline.
Gargle.--It is used as a gargle in sore mouth and throat in dose of a dram
to a pint of water. It is very good used as a wash for fetid sweating,
especially of the feet. It is often used in combination in catarrh of the
nose. It can be combined with soda for this purpose in dose of one dram of
each to two pints of pure water and used in an atomizer.
CAMPHOR.--This is distilled from the wood and bark of the camphor tree,
cinnamomum camphora, which grows chiefly in China and Japan. It should be
kept in closed bottles.
Uses.--It is good for cold in the head in the early stages. It may be
snuffed up the nostrils in fine powder, or put in boiling water and the
fumes inhaled. It is good used as a liniment in neuralgia, stiff neck,
rheumatism and for boils and sores. Used in the form of camphor ice it is
very good for sores, cuts, boils, etc. It is often of use to smell when
one feels faint. It is one of the ingredients in many liniments. Its
external use as spirits of camphor is extensive.
CASTOR OIL (Oleum Ricini).--This is derived from the beans of Ricinis
Communis, a plant in the United States.
Action.--It is bland and unirritating in its action as a purge and
generally acts in four to five hours.
Uses.--It is used whenever irritant materials such as bad food, putrid
flesh, decaying vegetables have been eaten, to move the bowels. It is good
in diarrhea produced by above causes and others, such as corn, peanuts,
cherry stones, berries. It is apt to produce piles and constipation if
used constantly. It is often given in the form of capsules containing from
one-fourth to one teaspoonful. Dip the capsules in water, as this renders
them slippery and are easily swallowed. Dose is from one to six
teaspoonfuls.
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OLIVE OIL. Sweet Oil (Oleum Olivae).--This is expressed from the ripe
fruit.
Action and Uses.--It is a lubricant. It is added to poultices as an
emollient in pneumonia and skin diseases. Internally, olive oil is
nutritious and laxative, and a purgative in infants in doses of one
teaspoonful. In adults it is a useful remedy in many irritant poisons,
excepting phosphorus. It is given in large doses for gall stones, three to
six ounces at a dose.
GINGER (Zingiber).--Ginger is the rhizome of Zingiber Officinale, a plant
of Hindostan, Jamaica and other tropical countries.
Action: It is an agreeable carminative and stimulant, in easing the
secretions and stimulating the wavelike movement of the bowels. It acts as
an irritant to the bladder and urethra.
Uses.--It is put in laxative pills to prevent griping and to disguise the
taste of the salines. It is useful in dyspepsia of aged persons and also
good in flatulence and diarrhea. For menstrual cramps, due to suppression
from exposure to cold it is useful as a warm tea and also for colds. It is
also used in the spice plasters.
HONEY (Mel).--This is a saccharine fluid deposited in combs by the honey
bee (Apis Mellifica).
Action: It is slightly laxative and a pleasant article of food. Honey and
water is used as a gargle and to relieve cough, dryness of the mouth and
fauces. When used as a gargle it increases the secretion of the mucous
membrane and so relieves the congestion. It is apt to disorder the stomach
when used too freely. Honey mixed with lemon juice and water is very good
for a cough, especially the tickling kind.
LARD (Adeps).--This is a common household article known to all. It is
frequently used as the basis for ointments and cerates and in domestic
practice as a lubricant. Tincture benzoin added to it prevents it from
becoming rancid. It can be used in corrosive poisoning as an antidote
except where phosporus and carbolic acid have been swallowed. It is also
used in preparing articles of food. It has more penetrating power than
petrolatum or vaselin. Washed lard, beaten up with an equal quantity of
lime-water, and a few drops of oil of bitter almond, thymol, or carbolic
acid added, is splendid for burns; stiffened with yellow wax it forms the
simple ointment often used. It softens the hard skin and reduces its heat,
when the natural secretion is suppressed. It also softens and removes
scabs and lessens and prevents the effect of irritant discharges. The
simple lard ointment relieves the intense heat and itching of the skin in
scarlet fever. Dissolved and given in large doses it causes nausea and
vomiting.
[MEDICAL USES OF COMMON ARTICLES 673]
MUSTARD (Sinapis).--Mustard flour, two tablespoonfuls to a glass of water,
acts as an emetic. If given largely it produces violent gastritis, and
chronic gastritis is often set up by its constant use in excess. It should
not be used in acute dyspepsia and bowel irritation.
External: It is applied for colic due to flatulence and for acute
inflammation of different organs and is also good when applied to the nape
of the neck in headache, neuralgia, etc. Lint soaked in limewater and
olive oil relieves the excessive burning from the plaster. Mustard foot
baths made by using one handful of ground mustard to half pail of hot
water is useful in colds, sleeplessness, headache, convulsions,
dysmenorrhea.
CREAM OF TARTAR (Potassii bitartras).--Uses: It is useful in kidney
diseases to remove dropsy. In large doses of four teaspoonfuls it acts as
a watery purge. It is useful where the urine is thick and alkaline to make
it clear and normal. It is sometimes combined in equal parts with epsom
salts to move the bowels, especially when an action on the kidneys is also
necessary. It is given in teaspoonful doses before breakfast for prickly
heat; it is cooling to the blood and is one of the old home remedies.
VINEGAR (Acetic Acid).--Vinegar contains from six to seven per cent acetic
acid. Dilute acetic acid contains six per cent pure acetic acid. The pure
or glacial acetic acid is a crystalline solid at 59 degrees F., takes up
moisture readily so should be kept in well stoppered bottles. Acetic acid
is a strong corrosive poison; if taken internally, causes vomiting, with
intense pain, followed by convulsions and fatal coma. If the acid remains
in the stomach for some time it may eat its way through the stomach wall.
In cases of poisoning by acetic acid, milk or flour and water should be
freely given and vomiting produced. Weak alkalies should also be given as
antidotes. Glacial acetic acid is used as an application to cancer of the
skin, ulcers, warts, growths in the nose, ringworm, lupus (Jacob's Ulcer)
and other ulcerous growths. Vinegar or dilute acetic acid is given to
check night sweats and to relieve diarrhea. It is also used in treating
painter's colic after the constipation has been relieved, as an antidote
to poisoning by caustic alkalies; externally to prevent bed sores,
relieves headaches, checks moderate bleeding from leech bites, superficial
wounds, nosebleed and in post-partum hemorrhage. It inhibits the growth of
micro-organisms. Cases of catarrhal, membranous and diphtheric croup are
benefited by the vapor of vinegar diffused through the sick room. A
compress saturated in vinegar and placed over the nose until consciousness
returns is recommended to prevent or relieve vomiting, nausea and headache
following the inhalation of chloroform.
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