VALUABLE ADVICE TO MOTHERS

Emetics are useful under various circumstances. In cases of croup, and some other diseases, and also to relieve the stomach of any irri- tating substance which has been swallowed, such as indigestible food or poison. There are several articles used for this purpose that can be obtained readily anywhere. Ground mustard, common salt and warm water. If a child or any member of the household has accidentally swallowed any poison there are two things to be done, dilute the poison and get it out of the stomach as quickly as possible. A few minutes' delay may settle the question of life or death. There are various anti- dotes to particular poisons, but in many cases the nature of the poison is not known, and we must act upon what is called general principles. There are two kinds of poison which are distinguished by their action, viz., corrosive and insensible. Corrosive poisons destroy the coating of the tongue, throat and stomach, and occasion great pain, with great prostration. Hartshorn or ammonia is an example of this class. Insensible poisons produce insensibility and are not generally attended with any pain. Laudanum and the various preparations of opium are examples of this class. In the first class of cases give a teacupful of warm (not hot) milk ; in two or three minutes another ; continue until the stomach is full and then insert a feather or a finger into the throat

260 MEDICAL.

and vomiting will ensue. If milk is not at hand don't wait, but use cold water. After vomiting has taken place give the whites of half a dozen eggs or a tumbler of sweet oil, which will tend to neutralize any poison remaining in the stomach.

In the second class of cases, mustard, salt and warm water are the best emetics. Mix a tablespoonful of mustard with a tumbler of water and give half of it ; follow it immediately with a cup of warm water. Repeat every two minutes until vomiting occurs. If mustard is not at hand use common salt, as much as will dissolve in a cup of water. To be given in the same way. After vomiting has occurred, instead of white of eggs, give strong coffee. If there is a tendency to sleep pour a stream of cold water on the head and shoulders from a height of five or six feet. In all cases send for your physician the first thing, but con- tinue active treatment until he arrives. Persons are somtimes poisoned from inhaling noxious gases, which escape from stoves into sleeping rooms. When such an accident occurs, open all the windows, pour cold water on the head from a height and apply hartshorn to the nose. If able to swallow give a stimulant — a few spoonfuls of whisky or brandy and water. The sting of a wasp or a bee is an irritant poison applied to the skin, and serious results may come from it. A prompt applica- tion of a little hartshorn to the wound and three drops diluted with half a tumbler of water and swallowed will afford speedy relief. If that is not at hand, a little wood ashes stirred in a cup of water will make a good substitute for the hartshorn.

A disease in which emetics are often used is croup. This disease is alarming in its symptoms, and is dreaded more perhaps than any other. It is the result of cold, especially if connected with damp clothing and wet stockings. A child becomes overheated and stands in a draft or sits on a cold stone, the perspiration becomes suddenly checked and croup is apt to follow. It generally comes on at night after going to bed. The child will seem restless and feverish v/iih a quickened respi- ration, and then suddenly comes the cough that is the direful forerunner of croup. Put the child's feet into a bath of hot water with red pepper in it, grease it on the abdomen, chest and throat and wrap up carefully in blankets. In severe cases goose grease and molasses a little warmed is given, a spoonful at a time, but not oftener than once an hour