EARACHE AND NOSE BLEED

There is scarcely an ache to which children are subject that is so dif- ficult to bear as the earache. The cases, if treated as follows, will often be relieved immediately . Take a bit of cotton and soak it in glycerine and sprinkle on it a little black pepper ; insert this into the ear and put a dry piece of cotton outside, to be kept in place, if necessary, by a light bandage tied over the head.

Sometimes insects will find lodgment in the ear, causing great pain. Should this occur, turn the head on one side, and pour the ear full of sweet oil. Insects breathe through pores in their skin ; the oil obstructs these openings, causing their oeath. Children, and often those of larger growth, acquire the habit of picking their ears with a pin, hairpin, etc. It is a pernicious practice and should not be allowed. The drum of the ear is a very delicate membrane and is easily injured ; inflammation and deafness may be induced thereby. Sometimes foreign bodies from the throat, such as a piece of meat or a large bone, can be removed by blowing forcibly into the ear. It causes a powerful reflex action, dur- ing which the foreign substance may be expelled from the windpipe.

Many persons are subject to nose bleed. In robust, plethoric habits this is rather beneficial than otherwise, but in many cases it occasions inconvenience and perhaps alarm. It generally yields readily to treat- ment. Take a pledget of lint, moisten, dip in equal parts of powdered alum and gum arable and insert in the nose. Battle the forehead and nape of the neck in cold water. If alum and gum arable are not at hand, use the tea dust found in the bottom of the tea caddy.