SIMPLE REMEDIES IN SICKNESS

One of the most common applications is that of a poultice. Most people think that they know how to make and apply them, but there are very few who are adepts at it. They are used' to arrest inflamma- tions and allay the attendant pain, also, in cases of wounds, abscesses, boils, etc., to facilitate the passage of matter to the surface and its expulsion. The object of a poultice is to supply heat and moisture, therefore, they should be applied as hot as can be borne, and should be frequently changed ; the old poultice not being removed until the new one is ready to replace it. When the application is to be made to a boil, it is better to cover the boil with a piece of opium plaster with a circular hole cut in it, and apply the poultice over the plaster, or smear

252 MEDICAL.

the edge of the inflamed part with a little zinc ointment. The object being to protect the adjacent tissues from the action of the poultice, which has a tendency to develop fresh boils. They should be spread upon a warm cloth, and the part coming next to the skin should be covered with very thin gauze or muslin, so that it will not stick to the surface and can be removed all at once. When a poultice is applied, cover it with oil silk, rubber cloth or flannel. Keep it firmly fastened to the place it is intended to cover, and replace it with a fresh one before it gets cold.

Poultices are made of various substances ; the most common are lin- seed meal, elm bark, bread, etc. To make a linseed meal poultice, rinse a bowl or basin with boiling water to heat it ; then pour in sufficient boiling water ; with one hand sprinkle the meal into the bowl and with the other stir the mixture constantly with a spoon until sufficient meal has been added to make a thin and smooth dough. This should be done rapidly, otherwise the poultice will cool in making. The meal should always be added to the water with constant stirring, for if the water be added to the meal the two ingredients will not be well blended and a lumpy mass will result. To make a bread poultice, cut stale bread into thick slices, and pour enough boiling water over it to cover ; place by the fire and allow it to simmer for a short time ; then strain off the excess of water and spread on a hot cloth.

When it is desired to produce a strong counter-irritation, a poultice of mustard mixed with equal parts of meal is a good application. By mixing the mustard with the white of an ^Z^, the result may be obtained quicker, and the application will not produce a blister, as mustard may do if otherwise mixed. Fomentations are used in cases where poultices are not available or are not easily applied. An ordinary fomentation is a thick piece of flannel immersed in boiling water, removed and wrung dry as possible, applied to the skin and covered with oil silk or rubber cloth. There is an article made for this purpose, called spongio-pialine, consisting of fine sponge and wool matted together and covered with a rubber coating. This is available at all times and can be used repeat- edly without destroying the texture.

A turpentine fomentation is made by steeping a piece of linen or lint in oil of turpentine. When applied to the skin, cover with a flannel heated as hot as can be borne, or wring a flannel out of hot water and sprinkle the turpentine upon it and apply. This is frequently more effectual than a mustard plaster.

When it is desired to apply dry heat, a thin piece of flat tile may be heated and used. If that is not at hand, a common earthenware plate, heated in the oven and enveloped in flannel, will retain its heat for some time. A heated brick will sometimes answer the purpose ; so also will stone bottles filled with hot water ; or hot salt in a bag is applied to the

HOP AND HEMLOCK FILLO WS. 253

neck in congestive headaches. Instead of hot applications, it is some- times necessary to pursue the opposite course and apply cold ones. This may be done in various ways, by cold, moist sponges or cloths, bladders filled with ice, or by means of ice bags. Where an intense cold is desired the following is a good formula : Take of nitre half an ounce, sal ammoniac two drachms, vinegar three tablespoonfuls, water one pint. To be applied by means of sponges or cloths. Where it is necessary to apply a continuous cold, the use of a water bag is advis- able. It consists of a rubber bag with a flexible tube at each end. The end of one tube is to be attached to the faucet of a water cooler and the other may hang over a pail, A constant stream of ice water passes through the bag which may be applied where desired.

Patients should be bathed often, and the bath given by nieans of a sponge is the one which will be most often used. When the bath is given in bed it can be done without disturbing the patient by having everything at hand and working quickly (not hurriedly). See that the bedding is protected by a rubber sheet or folded blanket over which is placed a sheet folded double. Slip the arms out of the nighi dress and have another warming before the fire ready to put on when the bath is finished. Take up but little water in the sponge, but return it to the basin frequently and change the water in the basin several times during the bath, having everything at hand for the purpose. Wash and dry only a part of the body at a time. It is well to use a teaspoonful of ammonii to each basinful of water. In some diseases of children it is necessary to give hot or cold baths. By stretching a blanket over the tub, placing the child on it, and gradually lowering it into the water, you will prevent them from being frightened at the sight of the water, and thus do away with the weakness that always follows fright in children.