PAPERS ON HEALTH

By

PROFESSOR KIRK

Edinburgh

_NEW AND COMPLETE ONE-VOLUME EDITIONREVISED AND EDITED BY_EDWARD BRUCE KIRK

LondonSimpkin Marshall Hamilton Kent & Co. Paternoster Row

ManchesterAlbert Broadbent 19 Oxford Road

GlasgowT. D. Morison 240 Hope Street

PhiladelphiaThe Broadbent Press 1023 Foulkrod St. Frankford

1904

COPYRIGHTIN THEUNITED STATES OF AMERICA

_Printed by Hurst Bros. , Shaw Heath, Stockport. _

Transcriber's Note: The topic of Throat, Sore (Clergyman's) includesadvice for enunciating the vowels in their natural order ([=a], ay, ee, o, oo). The use of [=a] indicates that the a has a macron over it, since a macron cannot be represented in Latin 1 character set. 

PREFACE. 

In his later years my father often expressed to me his desire for thereduction of the eleven volumes of his "Papers on Health" to a compactone-volume edition; but as long as fresh papers were being written, he saw no use in beginning this work. In the end the project wasinterrupted by his last illness and death. Since then, circumstanceshave prevented the work being undertaken until the present time. 

Having been associated with him in his health work for some years, and having often discussed with him all his methods, I have hadconsiderable advantages in undertaking to carry out his intention inthe shape of the volume now given to the public. 

It represents as nearly as possible the book he planned himself; andthough greatly reduced in bulk, all that is of importance in theoriginal eleven volumes has been inserted in it. It is complete inevery way; and in many details of treatment, improved methods, appliedin later years by Dr. Kirk, have been substituted for the older methodshe first introduced. 

The arrangement in alphabetical order has been very carefully attendedto, and the treatment for any particular trouble within the scope ofthe work can be quickly turned up. 

This edition is sent forth in the hope that it may have even a widercirculation than the last, and may be still more largely blessed thanthat has been, to the relief of suffering humanity. 

I would appeal to those who know the value of this treatment to makethe book known to the many who would benefit by its teaching. The costof the original edition was considerable, but this one is sold socheaply that anyone may possess it. 

_EDWARD BRUCE KIRK. _

E. U. Manse, Barrhead, Scotland. _September, 1899. _

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 

In this edition of "Papers on Health" some changes, as well as someentirely new features are introduced. 

The large demand for the first one-volume edition has made it clearthat the public approve of the methods, both of arrangement and ofcondensation employed in it. 

Another edition being called for, it appeared evident that severalchanges were desirable, in order to bring the book in line with rapidlyincreasing medical knowledge, and to give full effect to more recentexperiences in the application of Dr. Kirk's treatment. 

Since the "Papers" were first written, medical, and especiallysurgical, practice has very greatly changed, and some of the practicesagainst which Dr. Kirk most vehemently protested have passed away. Hence, certain modifications introduced into this edition, for whichthe editor accepts full responsibility. For those who wish to consultthe actual writings of Dr. Kirk, the original eleven volume edition isstill available. 

Great advances have also been made in the knowledge of the causes ofdisease; and preventive methods of treatment by regulation of diet andhabits of life are much better understood. To incorporate somereference to these in a work dealing with health generally, appeared tous absolutely necessary. For these additions also the writer acceptsresponsibility. 

Where it appeared to be useful, illustrations have been introduced, which may help those to whom the treatment is quite new, to practice itmore easily and correctly, and to understand better the theories onwhich it is founded. 

These changes have enlarged the book, and somewhat increased the price, which is, however, still such as to place the volume within the reachof all classes. 

It is most gratifying to know through letters received from almost allparts of the world, that many are benefitted very greatly by thetreatments described. We have constant evidence coming before us fromour own experience with patients of the powerful effect they have inhealing the sick, and even saving life. We send out this new edition inthe hope that it may spread still more widely, the knowledge of suchsimple and yet effective means of cure. 

_EDWARD BRUCE KIRK_

E. U. Manse, Barrhead, Scotland. _July, 1904. _

INTRODUCTION. 

In this book we set forth a series of simple remedies and preventivesof many common troubles. They are all well tried and have been provedby long experience to be effective and safe. 

We give, as far as we know, the reasons why they are likely to do good, but we acknowledge that there are things which we cannot fully explain. For instance, we do not know why a well aired lather of M'Clinton'sSoap should have the soothing effect it undoubtedly possesses, or whyspreading handfuls of this lather over the stomach of a personsuffering from retching or indigestion should give such relief, we onlyknow that it does!

Some may sneer at the remedy and say it is a case of faith healing andassert that any other application, if put on with equal credulity, would have the same effect. But take a case that lately came under ournotice. Indigestion and colic had rendered a baby a few weeks oldrestless and miserable from the day of its birth. The nurse was keptnursing it all night long, trying to soothe it; at last the mother whohad frequently tried the soap lather for occasional attacks ofindigestion, and always with good effect, determined to try it on thebaby. It worked like a charm, the little one was at once soothed andslept all night, only waking once for its food. This was repeated forseveral nights, for until the lather was applied the child would notsettle to sleep. In a few days the child was quite well, the habit ofsleeping was established and the application was discontinued. Now itcannot be said that faith in the remedy had anything to do with theresult in this case. We only wish every mother would have faith enoughto give this simple treatment a fair trial, making up the lather asdescribed in this book and not, as many do, "improving" on our methodby rubbing the soap on the wet skin and making a sort of lather withthe hand. 

We may say that the soap used for making this lather is not M'Clinton'sshaving soap. The latter is specially made to give a thick durablelather; for curative purposes use the lather from M'Clinton's toilet orhousehold soap. 

Again, why should the use of the linen underwear we recommend have sucha beneficial effect on sufferers from rheumatism and various skintroubles? We have suggested possible explanations, and if these seeminadequate we can only say we know that it has these effects no matterhow they are produced. 

There are many things in nature that we cannot explain, and since thediscovery of X Rays, Radium, etc. , scientists are much less dogmatic indeclaring anything impossible. 

The diet we recommend for health and disease is as simple and cheap asour other treatment. That plain fare is good for both mind and body wasproved by the four youths at the Babylonian Court over 2, 000 years ago, but alas people squander that priceless boon, health, by lettingappetite rule their lives. 

We only ask for our treatment a fair trial on our lines. We claim thatours are common sense methods. Anyone can see that if a head is hot andfevered the application of a cold towel is likely to lower that heatand reduce the fever. But it is no use putting a little bit of wet ragon and then saying our treatment has failed. Large towels repeatedlychanged for an hour or more may be needed, and this will give moretrouble than administering some dose from the chemist's shop, but theresults are well worth the additional work. 

The day is hastening on when men and women will see what fools theyhave been, not because they had no sense, but certainly because theyhad failed to use the abundance which God has given to all. 

Not one of the remedies we have recommended can hurt any one, as theyare only those which we have for years seen used successfully byordinary persons who were willing to do their best to cure thesuffering. If we can secure one night of sound sleep, or one day ofcomfort for another, we are bound to do our very best, and it is awonderful reward to know that one has secured even this in oursuffering world. Our Heavenly Father gives no monopoly of thisblessing. 

[Illustration: 1. Vertebral Column; 2. Skull; 4. Sternum; 7. CollarBone; 15. Hip Bone; 16. Sacrum; 18. Femur; 19. Knee Pan; 21. Fibula;22. Tibia; 8. Humerus; 10. Radius; 11. Ulna. ]

_Note. _--It is earnestly requested that _the whole_ of any article, andof those referred to in it, should be read _before_ beginning anytreatment. 

PAPERS ON HEALTH. 

Abscess. --Let us suppose a swelling appears on some part of the body orlimbs, but that there is no discoloration or symptom of the gatheringof the dead material beneath it. If it be cut open, a wound is madewhich is often very difficult to heal. Avoid then, _cutting_ in suchcases. If the swelling develops under FOMENTATION (_see_), the uncutflesh through which it will then break will be in a better stateeventually for healing than if cut. Where corrupt matter is clearlypresent, and in seeking an outlet is endangering the surroundinghealthy tissue, the cutting open of the swelling will, on the otherhand, greatly relieve, and conduce to a more speedy cure. This is bestperformed by a thoroughly good surgeon. Thorough syringing of thecavity from which the matter comes out (_see_ Wounds, Syringing) is thebest means of cure, aided by thorough heating of the swelling andsurrounding parts with moist heat for an hour or more twice a day. Thisheating must embrace a large part of the limb or body, as the case maybe. If the trouble be on the hip or groin, the armchair FOMENTATION(_see_) should be employed. Other parts should be treated on the sameliberal principle of heating (_see_ Fomentation). 

Rich diet is extremely hurtful. Egg switched in cream, rum, brandy, andsuch things are to be carefully avoided. Alcoholic liquors areespecially fatal. _See_ Alcohol; Assimilation; Diet; Drinks: Foods, etc. 

Oatmeal jelly (_see_ Food in Illness), wheaten meal porridge, Saltcoatsbiscuits (_see_ Biscuits and Water), form the best nutrients in suchcases. These are really much stronger diet than the egg, brandy, etc. 

If the abscess be in the foot or leg, with indications of diseasedbone, the leg should be bathed in hot water up to the knee. Dissolve apiece of M'Clinton's soap in the water used, and let it be as hot ascan be borne. After drying, rub the limb gently yet firmly with oliveoil for five minutes. Dress with oil, lint, and a proper bandage. 

We have seen a limb which threatened the very life of the patienttreated as above. The general symptoms abated almost immediately;growth, as well as healing, set in, and the limb was quite restored toits normal condition. But patient persistence in treatment is neededfor a bad case. 

If under bathing or fomentation the abscess seems to swell, such isonly the natural progress of cure, and should not be regarded asincrease of the trouble. Where the swelling shews undoubted signs ofdiseased matter below the surface, it may be opened as above directed. We know of limbs that have been long distorted, and under rubbing andfomenting they are becoming gradually all they ought to be. No one needfear that by such treatment they will grow worse. _See_ ArmpitSwelling; Bone, Diseased; Knee; Limbs, Inflamed, etc. 

Acetic Acid. --For use in our treatment we recommend Coutts' AceticAcid. It is of uniform strength and purity, and can be had from mostdruggists. Weak acid may be understood as one part of this to twelveparts of water. In many cases, however, much greater weakness than thisis necessary, owing to the tenderness of the parts treated. As ageneral rule, the dilute acid should only cause a _gentle_ nippingsensation and heat in the sore. If it is painful, no good is done. Frequent gentle applications are always much better than a few severeones. 

Tasting the acid is a good test. If it can be swallowed withoutinconvenience, it may then be tried on a tender part, and if necessaryeven further reduced in strength. Where more convenient to get it, white wine vinegar may be used instead of this weak acid; it will doequally well. 

Acidity of the Stomach. --Often caused by unwholesome food, bad ordeficient teeth, or by too rapid eating. Where these causes exist, theyshould be first removed. Eat slowly, and not too much at a time, andsee that only _well-cooked_, easily digested food be taken. Pastry, sweets and carbonaceous foods in general should not be taken alone atthe same meal, they should always accompany some form of proteid food. If, however, pain in stomach is found after meal it will be found thatmilk can be substituted with comfort. (_See_ Diet). (_See_ Food inHealth). If this does not cure, do not take soda as a remedy. Althoughsoda neutralises the sourness, it produces other effects, and tends tocause disease of the stomach. A wineglassful of hot water, with ateaspoonful of white vinegar in it, is the best cure. Although this isitself acid, it acts so as to remove the _cause_ of the sourness in thestomach, and is most beneficial otherwise. It is still better to take atablespoonful of this hot water and vinegar every five minutes for anhour daily before dinner. Instead of the vinegar, a slice of lemon maybe put in the hot water. This will act more efficiently in some cases. In other cases a teaspoonful of Glauber's Salts, taken in a _large_tumblerful of hot water, half-an-hour before breakfast, for a fewweeks, will relieve almost entirely. 

Readers must note not to use _both_ the salts and vinegar drink atonce. They are intended to cure different sorts of stomach acidity, caused differently. 

Look also well to the warming of COLD FEET (_see_), and see that thewhole skin be cleansed daily with soap lather (_see_ Lather and Soap)and stimulated with olive-oil rubbing. 

Aconite. --Often in cases where our treatment fails to cure, the failureis due to the patient taking aconite as an allopathic remedy. Usedhomoeopathically, it may be harmless, but if taken in considerabledoses, even once a month, it prevents all cure. It gives relief inheart palpitation, and in case of extreme sensibility, but its otherpoisonous effects far outweigh the temporary benefits. A gentle, kindlysoaping with soap lather (_see_ Lather and Soap) over all the body willrelieve extreme sensibility far better than aconite, and can befrequently repeated without injury. Aconite must be avoided if ourtreatment is to be effective. 

Action, Balance of. --An excellent guide to the proper treatment of anycase is to be found in the distribution of heat in the patient's body. Hot parts are to be cooled, and cold parts warmed, often both at thesame time, so as to restore the proper balance of vital action. _Gentleprogressive_ measures are always best in this, especially withchildren. Cold feet are warmed by BATHING (_see_) and FOMENTATION(_see_). A heated head may be cooled with COLD TOWELS (_see_) or withsoap LATHER (_see_). This principle of seeking a proper balance shouldbe borne in mind throughout all our treatment. Its importance canhardly be exaggerated, as the restoration of this balance alone willfrequently effect an almost magical cure where drugs have been whollyineffective. 

After Pains. --_See_ Child-bearing. 

Air. --The Black Hole of Calcutta is an object lesson of how necessaryto life is the renewal of the air supply. Few people, however, reflectthat a deficient supply of fresh air may affect the health, though farshort of what will cause death. Many hospitable people will invite somany friends to their houses that the amount of air each can get isless than 1-20th of what the law insists shall be provided for theprisoners in our gaols. Superabundant provision is made for the wantsof the stomachs of these guests, but none at all for the more importantorgan--the lungs. The headaches and lack of appetite next morning areattributed to the supper instead of the repeatedly breathed air, foreach guest gives off almost 20 cubic feet of used-up air per hour. Noone would ask their guests to wash with water others had used; how manyoffer them air which has been made foul by previous use? Everyone knowsthat in our lungs oxygen is removed from the air inhaled, and its placetaken by carbonic acid gas. Besides this deoxydizing, the air becomesloaded with organic matter which is easily detected by the olfactoryorgans of those who have just come in, and so are in a position topromptly compare the air inside with what they have been breathing. Theexhilaration produced by deep breathing of pure air is well known. What, therefore, prevents everyone enjoying it at all times? Simply thefear of "cold"--an unfortunate name for that low form of fever properlycalled catarrh, and a name which is largely responsible for thismistaken idea. "Colds" are now known to be infectious, being oftencaught in close ill-ventilated places of public assembly. Most peoplesuppose that it is the change from the heat to the cold outside thatgives them "cold, " whereas the "cold" has been contracted inside. Thereis no lack of evidence that wide open windows day and night, summer andwinter, so strengthen and invigorate that colds are rarely taken, andwhen taken, generally in a mild form. This also applies to influenza. If delicate consumptives can stand, without any gradual breaking-in toit, unlimited fresh air, and can lie by day and night in open sheds, noone need dread at once to adopt the open-window system. Although fewwill believe it, until they try it, a wide open window does not producea draught as does one slightly opened, and it is safer and pleasanterto go in for abundant fresh air than to try what might be called amoderate course. Many think that with an open window the heat of thefire is practically wasted. They do not know that the _radiant_ heat ofthe fire will warm the person it falls on even though the temperatureof the room is very low. The Canadian hunter before his fire iscomfortably warm, though the air around him may be a long way belowzero. Extra clothing may be worn if any chilliness is felt. While thebody is warm cold air has an invigorating effect on the lungs. Indeed, the body soon gets accustomed to the colder air, and those who practisekeeping open windows winter and summer find that they do not requireheavier clothing than those who sit with windows shut. A slight or evenconsiderable feeling of coldness, when due to cold air and not toill-health, will not harm. 

This is no new idea. Dr. Henry McCormac, of Belfast, father of theeminent surgeon, Sir William McCormac, wrote forty years ago:--"Themainly unreasoning dread of night air, so termed, is a great impedimentto free ventilation by night. And yet day and night air is the samevirtually, does not differ appreciably. The air by night, whether dampor dry, is equally pure, equally salubrious with the air by day, andcalls not less solicitously for ceaseless admission into our dwellings. Air, ere it reaches the lungs, is always damp. Quite dry air isirrespirable. It needs no peculiar or unusual habitude in order torespire what is termed night air. Exposure to contact with the day airequally prepares us for exposure to the contact with the night air. Wecan multiply our coverings by night with even greater ease than we canby day, and with the most perfect certainty of producing and obtainingwarmth. Good heavens! How is it that people are so wildly mistaken asif the great wise Deity, as he does by every exquisite and perfectadaption, did not intend that we should make use of the purest, sweetest air day and night always? The prospective results of breathingpurest air by night are so infinitely desirable, the immediateenjoyment is so great that it only needs a trial to be approved of andadopted for ever. .. . Reasonable precautions--that is to say, adequatenight coverings--being resorted to, no colour of risk to the lungs, even of the most delicate, can possibly ensue. For, it is stagnant air, air pre-breathed only, and not pure unprerespired air that makes lungsdelicate. Although air, warmth, food, and cleanliness be cardinalconditions and essential to life, still the most important of allhealth factors is air--air pure and undefiled alike by day and bynight. .. . The constant uneasy dread of taking cold, which haunts theminds of patients and their friends, is doubtless the one great reasonwhy fresh air is thrust aside. And yet cold will not be caught, were itin Nova Zembla itself, by night, if only the sleeper's body beadequately covered. .. . The pulses or puffs of air that comes inceaselessly, winter and summer, through open windows by night inspirejust as if one slept in the open air, a sort of ecstasy. Gush followsgush, full of delightfulness, replacing the used-up air and purifyingthe blood. It has oftimes been said to me, 'I open the windows themoment I get out of bed;' to this I have uniformly replied, 'the momentto open the window is before you get into bed, not when you get out ofit. ' You cannot otherwise with entire certainty secure the benefit ofan ever ceaselessly renewed night air so all essential to the blood'srenewal and the maintenance of health. .. . With abundant night coveringsthere is no shadow of risk. There is none of rheumatism, none ofbronchitis, in short no risk whatever. The only, the real risk, whichwe incur, is that of closing our sleeping chamber windows, of debarringourselves of pure air during our repose. "

Appetite. --Should be an indication that food in general or some certainkind of food is needed by the body. Thus the appetite is the naturaltest of the amount and kind of food required. Over-eating andindulgence in stimulating foods and drinks, insufficient masticationand bolting of the food (_see_ Over-eating, etc. ) give us a falseappetite, thus causing over-eating once more. A return to a simple andmoderate diet will restore the natural appetite. 

Air Bath. --This may with advantage to the health of the skin and bodyin general, be indulged in every morning during some of the toiletoperations, such as shaving, or preferably, dumbell exercise or Swedishgymnastics. If exercises are done in a nude condition the utmostfreedom for the muscles is obtained. In a short time a notable changewill be observed in the skin, which will lose its pasty appearance, andbecome soft flesh and of a healthy colour. If possible have the bedroomwith windows facing the morning sun, so that the sunlight can alsoshine in. There are many sanitaria on the Continent and in Americawhere this form of "bathing" is practised. Indeed, one of the greatbenefits of sea-bathing (overlooked in this country) is the exposure ofthe skin to air and light. Consequently if the weather and socialcustom permits, as much time as possible should be spent afterimmersion, lounging on the sand. A child's natural instinct leads it toplay about after its bath in the sea instead of coming at once to bedressed. 

A young infant will enjoy lying on a rug on the floor without anyclothing and with the window open. Older children will benefit byrunning about the garden in summer time in bare feet, and with only onegarment, say a cotton frock. 

It is a great mistake to clothe children too warmly, indeed, the samemay be said of adults. Garments should always be loose and porous, soas to allow of the beneficial action of the air on the skin. One of theobjections to corsets is that they do not fulfil these conditions(_see_ Tight Lacing, Skin, Care of. )

Air-tight Covering. --The covering of oiled silk, or guttapercha, sofrequently placed over wet bandages when these are applied to any partof the body, is not only useless, but often positively hurtful. It istrue that the waterproof covering retains the moisture in the bandage, but it is also true that great heat is developed, and the wasteproducts in the perspiration are retained on the surface of the skin. The effect of this is injurious in a very high degree. A little softold linen for the wet bandage, with a piece of double new flannel overit, will leave all the pores of the skin open, and allow all wasteproducts to pass away freely, while the heat and moisture are retainedas much as necessary. 

In other cases two folds of moist flannel next to skin, and two foldsof the same, dry, above the moist ones, will make an excellent bandage. This applied all over the abdomen, in case of abdominal dropsy, willhave a most beneficial result. 

The reason why we often say new flannel is simply that few know how towash it so as to retain its soft and porous nature as it is when goodand new. That softness and porousness may be retained in a very easyway. When you have put your soiled flannel through two good washingswith soap in the usual way, dip it in clean boiling water, and finishcleaning it with that dipping. You will have it white and fine as whennew. 

M'Clinton's soap, being made from plant ashes and not from soda, ismuch less liable to shrink and harden flannel; in fact, it is best forall fine washing. 

Alcohol. --This, in various forms, as brandy, whiskey, rum, wine, cordials, beer and stout, is a frequent prescription in many troubles. In no cases have we known good effects from its use, which is moststrongly to be condemned. Various reasons for this statement will befound under the heading of troubles for which alcohol is prescribed. Here we simply give the fundamental truths as to its action on thesystem. 

In our system of treatment we ever seek to nurse and stimulate thosenerve-masses which constitute the sources of vital action. Every dropof alcohol does so much to weaken and destroy these. A certainquantity, if taken by the strongest man, will kill that man as surelyas a bullet in the brain. Half the quantity will only render himinsensible. Half that, again, only renders him incapable of controllinghis bodily movements. Half that, again, only slightly disturbs thesystem; but it affects him in the very same manner in which the fataldose affects him, though not in the same degree. It is a narcotic, andlike all such, it always _reduces_ vital action, while nothing is moreimportant in all healing than to _increase_ it. Hence alcohol is thedeadly foe of healing, and one chief preparer of the system to fallbefore disease. The so-called stimulating action of alcohol has beenthoroughly explained by the author of these papers in other writings, and shewn to be simply an indirect and temporary effect, obtained atthe price of a considerable reduction of the general vitality of thenervous system. 

Young ladies, as a class, are subject to a terrible danger. Greatnumbers of mothers actually make their daughters drunkards by ever andagain dosing them with brandy. This is done in secret, and imagined tobe a most excellent thing. For instance, if the bowels get lax, as isthe case in certain stages of disease, brandy is given as a remedy. Howlittle do those who give it know that it is lessening vital energy andmaking cure impossible! But it is doing nothing else. We have manytimes over seen the dying sufferer restless and ill with nothing butthe effects of constant small doses of brandy, or alcohol in some otherform. 

In looseness of the bowels we give a teaspoonful of lemon juice in alittle hot water and sugar. That has as much effect as is desirable, and it has no bad effect whatever. Or enema injections may be employed. (_See_ Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Enema). Even infants are treated with"brandy, " till we cannot help believing they die of the drink, andwould survive if it were put away. Gradually the cruel folly of allthis will, we doubt not, dawn upon the general mind. 

Amputations. --These are often performed in cases in which propertreatment on the lines of these papers, would save both life and limb. By all means, before consenting to such an irrevocable act asamputating a limb, let the treatment with fomentations, hot water, andacetic acid be well and thoroughly tried. Many limbs which weremedically condemned have been thus saved within our personal knowledge. In some cases the disease may be obstinate; but at least let a fairtrial be given to our treatment before giving up a limb. The treatmentwill be found under the headings of the various troubles and partsaffected (_see_ Armpit Swelling; Bone, Diseased; Knee-swelling; Pains, etc. )

Angina Pectoris. --In a variety of cases, more or less severe spasmodicpains are felt in the chest. Angina Pectoris (literally, _agony of thechest_) is one of the worst of these. All these pains, as a rule, maybe removed completely by treatment such as the following:--

Prepare a bed (long enough for the patient to lie at full length uponhis back), with a large thick sheet folded on the lower part of it. Spread over this sheet a blanket wrung out of hot water, so as to beboth moist (but not wet) and warm (_see_ Fomentation). See that theblanket is not so hot as to burn the patient and add to his pain. Itmust be tested with the back of the hand, and be just as warm as thiscan well bear. On this let the patient lie down, and wrap him uptightly in it from the feet up to above the haunches. Have two or threetowels folded so as to be about six inches broad, and the length ofthat part of the patient's spine above the hot blanket. Wring these outof cold water. Place one over the spine, so as to lie close along it;on this, place a dry towel to keep the damp from the bed, and let thepatient lie down on his back, so as to bring the cold towel in closecontact with the spine. When this towel becomes warm, another cold onemust be put in its place. After about half an hour's pack and eightchanges of the cold towel, the pain in the chest should be subdued forthe time. If the cold towel does not heat in five minutes, thepatient's vitality is low, and a _hot_ cloth should be placed along thespine, and renewed several times, and then another cold one; but as arule this will not be required. When taken out of the pack, let theskin be washed with SOAP (_see_) and warm water; then a slight spongeof nearly cold water, and a gentle rubbing with olive or almond oil. Rub the back first, and gently "shampoo" all the muscles; that is, knead and move the muscles under the skin so as to make them rub overone another. 

If the pain in the chest be of an inflammatory nature, the cold towelsmust be applied over the place where it is felt, instead of on thespine (_see_ Inflammation. )

Ankle Swelling. --When long continued in connection with disease oraccident, this sometimes leads to a partial withering of the limb up toits very root. In such a case it is best to deal first with the rootsof those nerves which supply the limb, which are, in the case of thelegs, in the lower part of the back. It is important to apply lightpressure to these roots by gently squeezing the muscles of the lowerback. This raises a feeling of gentle heat, which slowly passes downthe limbs even to the toes. Then the gentle pressure and squeezing mustbe carried all down the limb, avoiding any degree of pain, until allits muscles have had their share. While progressing _down_ the limbwith his rubbing, let the rubber be careful that the individual strokesof his hands be _upwards_, towards the hip. The blood will thus bepropelled towards the _heart_, while the _stimulus_ of rubbing isconveyed along the nerve trunks towards the foot. The squeezing shouldbe done with a grasping movement of the hands, the limb being heldencircled in both hands, thumbs upwards. Warm olive oil is used in thissqueezing, and also, if the skin be hard and dry, soap lather (_see_Lather). 

Even slight displacements of bones will disappear under such treatment, if patiently continued day after day, as the patient can bear itwithout fatigue. In such gentle remedies, perseverance plays a largepart. (_See_ Abscess; Diet; Exercise). 

Ankle, Twisted or Crushed. --Place the foot as soon as possible in warmwater, as hot as can comfortably be borne; keep it there until freefrom pain, or for an hour, or even more if necessary. If the flesh betorn, dress with cloths wrung out of vinegar or weak acetic acid beforeplacing in the water. 

When the bath has done its work, and the limb comes out of the wateralarmingly swollen, good and skilful bandaging will do excellent work. If you have at hand an old shirt, or some such thing, tear it intostrips about three inches wide, till you have as much material as willswathe the whole limb from behind the toes up to the top of the thigh. This need not be all in one piece, but only so that you may apply it insuch a way as to bring a very gentle pressure on the whole surface ofthe injured limb. It is important that the bandaging should becomfortable. The way in which bandaging is sometimes done is cruel inthe extreme. Cases that are a disgrace to humanity are constantlycoming under our notice, in which limbs are lost for life by thetreatment they receive in this respect. Skilful surgeons do it in themost gentle manner; they even swathe the limbs in soft loose cottonbefore they apply the bandages, so that a perfectly equal andcomforting pressure may be secured. Lay the limb to rest, well andsoftly supported in a horizontal position. When the swelling falls, gently tighten the bandage from time to time as required. Each time thebandages are removed for this purpose, sponge the limb with warmvinegar or weak ACETIC ACID (_see_). When the swelling subsides, theankle may be put again in the hot bath for half-an-hour, and then, ifany bones be broken, is the time for setting them right. The ankle willprobably turn black. If so, do not apply leeches, but allow the blackblood to be absorbed by natural process. 

A twisted or bruised wrist or hand is to be treated in the same way. The swelling may also be removed by gentle rubbing _upwards_ along thelimb, so as to help the blood in its course. 

Armpit Swelling. --Often this comes as the result of a chill, or ofenfeeblement of the system from various causes. In the early stage, such a swelling should not be treated so as to develop a sore. Treatment with iodine is to be avoided. 

The first thing, in this early stage, is to increase vital action inthe part, and also in the whole system (_see_ Abscess). Moist heat isto be applied. Make a BRAN POULTICE (_see_), which should come rightround from over the spine, over the swelling, and over the wholeshoulder. Let this be kept hot for an hour at least. If it can be thusapplied twice a day without too much fatigue, do so. If the swellingsoftens and becomes less under this treatment, a few cold cloths may beapplied to brace the part and aid its vitality. Do not, on any account, make the patient shiver. If the swelling increases and becomesdiscoloured, keep to the hot treatment until it bursts and discharges. For treatment then, _see_ Abscess; Wounds. 

During all this treatment the whole back should be gently rubbed dailywith warm olive oil for half an hour, if as much can be borne. 

Assimilation. --Is the process whereby the digested food is carried intothe blood stream, and thus conveyed to the different parts of the bodywhere the hungry cells are in need of it. 

[Illustration: Fig. 1. --A bit of the inner coat of the smallintestine. ]

Fine threads of blood vessels (capillaries) take it up from the stomachand intestines. Also along the intestines there are little projections(villi), through which the food passes into a blood stream leading tothe liver, where the blood is then purified. These projections alsocontain lacteals or little vessels containing blood without its redcorpuscles. A duct carries this colourless blood mixed with absorbedfood to the left side of the neck, where it empties into the bloodstream. These lacteals have a special affinity for the fat of the food. Most of the rest of the food, including the proteid and thecarbohydrate or starchy portion now in the form of sugar, passes intothe capillaries, and then is led to the liver. 

The liver will not let through more sugar than is required, storing itup for future use. It also acts as a careful guardian, by arrestingmany poisons which would otherwise pass into the general circulation. The liver requires for the proper performance of its functions plentyof pure blood, hence the necessity for fresh air and exercise, that thelungs may work well. The liver is easily influenced by alcoholicbeverages, and by getting too hard work to do through eating richfoods. A consideration of this delicate and intricate process, wherebythe digested food is absorbed, will show that badly-digested food cannot hope to be well assimilated, consequently attention should be paidto the quantity and quality of the food we eat (_see_ Digestion; Diet). 

[Illustration: Fig. 2. --Two villi containing lacteals. The white canalsare lacteals, the darker lines indicate blood vessels (capillaries). Magnified 100 diameters. (_From "Quain's Anatomy_. ")]

Whatever thus makes living substance is nourishment; whatever fails todo so is not. If food be taken, and even digested, without being thusassimilated, it becomes an injury to a patient instead of a help. Incases of fever, inflammatory disease, or wasting sores, much rich foodfeeds the fire. It is like laying rafters on the roof of a burninghouse for purposes of repair. In such a case small quantities of milk, or milk and hot water (_see_ Digestion), represent the total food whichcan be effectively used in the body. We write on this subject that intreatment our friends may watch not to injure by making the blood toorich in elements which the system cannot usefully assimilate. Suchfoods as oatmeal jelly and wheaten porridge will often furnish morereal nourishment than pounds of bread, beef, and potatoes. A littlecareful thought will guide to correct treatment in this matter. Aneasily assimilated diet is found in Saltcoats biscuits and hot water;many inveterate stomach troubles have yielded to this, when taken assole diet for some weeks (_see_ Biscuits and Water). 

Treatment may also be given for lack of assimilative power. The back, especially on either side of the spine, is rubbed with gentle pressureand hot olive oil. This pressure is so applied that a genial heatarises along the whole spinal column. This done twice a day, forhalf-an-hour at a time, and continued for several weeks, will markedlyrestore assimilative power. Cases which have been perfectly helplessfor eight and even ten years are cured by this simple method, sufficiently and carefully followed. 

We had a patient who was stout, but weak and weary, with the musclesslack and showing loss of power. The effect of back-rubbing, accompanied by easily assimilated food in small quantities and often, was to lessen his weight by a considerable amount. But the muscularpower at once began to increase, and the man was soon like one madeanew. Digestion had not been impaired in this case, but the bloodformed by it was not converted into good living substance. Sight andhearing have even been restored by these means when the failure in eyeor ear has been due to waste material accumulating, as frequently isthe case. 

In connection with many troubles, what may be called _localassimilation_ has to be considered. A foot, say, with a bad abscess ordiseased bone (_see_ Pain, Severe) is cured by hot bathing andpressure. From a shrunken and feeble limb, the leg grows to a healthyand strong one. This occurs because the heat and pressure have sostimulated its vitality that the material supplied by the blood can beutilised in the leg for purposes of healthy growth. So with any otherpart of the body. Such diet as we have indicated supplies easilyassimilated substance. The local heating, pressure, and bathing enablethis substance to be utilised where it is needed. A little carefulthought on this line will guide to proper treatment of almost any casewhere assimilation has failed, either locally or generally, and willlead the way to a method of cure. 

Asthma exists in various forms, having equally various causes. One ofthese causes, giving rise to a comparatively simple form of thedisease, is cramp of the ring-muscle of the windpipe, so contractingthe windpipe that breathing is rendered difficult. A "wheeze" is heardin breathing, though there is no bronchitis or lung trouble present. The cause of this cramp is an irritation of the ring-muscle's nerve. Itcan be relieved by pressing cold cloths gently along the spine, fromthe back of the head to between the shoulders, taking care that thepatient remains _generally warm_ during the treatment, and attending tothe feet and skin as directed below in this article. Sometimes thecause seems to lie in the air of the place where the sufferer resides. A change either to high ground or the seaside will often entirelyremove asthma, especially in the young. In any such case a trial shouldbe made of several places, if that be at all possible, and that placefixed upon where the asthma is least felt. At SEAMILL SANATORIUM(_see_) many asthmatic persons have found complete freedom from theirtrouble from the day of their arrival, and the treatment given has madethis cure permanent. 

Another cause of asthma is lack of power in the breathing muscles. Insuch a case the patient clings to a particular _attitude_, in whichalone he can breathe. This is in most cases due to a lack of vitalityin the root nerve which supply the breathing muscles. 

An attack of this may often be relieved by rubbing, with the points ofthe fingers chiefly, gently yet firmly up and down each side of thespine, close to the bone. Even rubbing above the clothing willfrequently relieve. The roots of the nerves supplying power to thebreathing muscles lie just on each side of the spine, and this kind ofrubbing stimulates these roots. It is not rubbing of the skin orbackbone which is wanted, but such gentle treatment of the nerve rootson either side of the bone as makes them glow with genial warmth. Thisrubbing is of course better done on the surface of the skin. See thatthe patient is warm, then dip the fingers in cold water, and rub asdirected. When the water makes the patient feel chilly or he tires ofit, use fresh olive oil, warmed if necessary. Avoid all alcoholicdrinks, which simply rob the nerves of the very power needed for cure. Temporary relief may be given by such drinks, but it is at the expenseof lowered life and reduced chances of recovery. 

A tablespoonful of _hot_ water every five minutes is the best curativedrink. It may be given for several hours if required. To give thisrubbing treatment and drinking hot water fair play, however, attentionmust be paid most carefully to the _feet_ and _skin_ of the patient. The feet frequently are cold, and in bad cases swell, the skin at andabove the swelling being pale and soft. In minor cases this state ofthe feet may be treated by rubbing with hot olive oil. In serious casesrubbing is to be alternated with bathing the feet in hot water, untilthe feet and limbs glow with heat. This may be done two or three timesa day, for half an hour, or even an hour. It increases very greatly thevital power for breathing. 

Again, the skin in bad cases of asthma becomes dry, hard, and a lightbrown substance forms on its surface. If the skin thus fails, severework is thrown on the already overloaded lungs, and the breathing ismuch worse. Give the patient a night's pack in the SOAPY BLANKET(_see_). If there is not strength to stand the entire treatment, keepin the blanket pack for a shorter time--one, two, or three hours. Notmore than two nights of this treatment should be needed at a time. Thesoapy blanket greatly stimulates the skin, and opens all the closedpores, immensely relieving the lungs. If feet, skin, and back betreated as we have advised, even a very obstinate case of asthma shouldbe cured. _See_ Appendix; Bathing the Feet; Rubbing; Soap; SoapyBlanket. 

Back Failures. --Often a severe pain in the toe, foot, ankle, or lowerleg has its cause, not in anything wrong with the part which ispainful, but in some failure of nerve in the patient's _back_. Blistering or other treatment of the painful part will often injure, and cannot do much, in any case, to cure. Pains even in the knee andgroin sometimes have the same cause--in back failure. In other casesthe symptoms are, weariness, stiffness, inability to stoop, or standlong without support, and pains in the stomach and thighs. 

A little thought will enable any one to distinguish between pains dueto back failure and those due to local causes. If there is noappearance of anything wrong at the part pained, then the evil isprobably in the back. It is even a good rule to consider the pain atfirst as due to back failure rather than local causes, for by treatmentof the back the local trouble, when that is present, is much helped andrelieved. 

In the case of pains in the arms or hands, the _upper_ part of the backis indicated; in leg and foot troubles, the _lower_ part. Neuralgicpains are almost always of this class. 

In any case of this kind, heat may be applied to the spine, and rubbingwith hot oil given to it, at its upper or lower part as required. Ifthe heat and rubbing increase the pain, then cold applications may beused. Sometimes heat and cold may be needed alternately; but commonsense must guide, and all irritation or chilling of the patient must becarefully avoided. 

The best manner of applying cold to the spine is described in articleon Angina Pectoris. Towels are folded as there directed. The moist one(well wrung out) is placed next the spine, either over the part desiredor the whole spine. The dry one is placed over this, and the patientlies down on his back on the top of them; or, if he cannot lie, assometimes happens, the towels are gently pressed with the hand againstthe spine until sufficient cooling has resulted. The patient shouldnever be made to shiver. If he feels chilly, hot fomentations to thefeet and legs, as described in article on Angina Pectoris, may beapplied. 

Balance, Loss of. --Cases where loss of balance in walking and standingare due to St. Vitus' Dance will be treated under that head. Othercases, where loss of power in the motor nerves causes thisunsteadiness, are treated of here. As these cases differ totally fromSt. Vitus' Dance in cause and treatment, it is well carefully todistinguish between them. In St. Vitus' Dance, then, notice that thepatient cannot lie still. In case of simple loss of power, he staggersor falls only when moving, or trying to move. Probably also in the lastcase there are cold feet and clammy skin. For this, bathe the feet atbedtime in hot water, dry, and rub them with hot oil. Then apply to theback on going to bed a warm cloth, covered with soap lather (_see_Lather), with dry towel above it. Do this each night for a week. Whentaking off the cloth, sponge the back with warm vinegar or weak acid(_see_ Acetic Acid), and rub with warm olive oil. 

After a week of this treatment, apply each night for two or three days, a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_) across the loins for an hour at bedtime, with olive oil before and after. Above all, conscientiously let thepatient _rest_. A good deal of lying in bed and on a sofa must betaken, and good nourishment given (_see_ Assimilation, etc. ). Someweeks of alternate treatment like this should effect a greatimprovement, if not a radical cure. 

Balance of Action--_See_ Action, Balance of. 

Band, Flannel. --A piece of fine new flannel made to cover the wholeback, and sewed under the usual underclothing, has a truly wonderfuleffect when worn in certain cases of illness. The same effect is notproduced by doubling the flannels that are worn. What we have speciallyto call attention to is the fact that the piece is extra to all thatwhich covers the rest of the body. The heat of the back, which is sovery important from the nerve structure of the spinal system, is madeto gather under a single ply of flannel, but much more quickly undertwo folds of the same material. When, therefore, there is anything likenatural heat in the back, this piece of new flannel makes it gatherquickly, and keeps it stimulating the parts to which it is confined. Then, if the front of the body is more thinly clad, it is very much thesame as when a hot bag or a bran poultice is applied to the back, and acold cloth in front. The effect is not so immediate, but in the courseof time it gets to be even greater. We have never been able to see muchcome of "magnetic" or "electric" belts other than would result fromwearing the woollen material they are covered with; but we have seenconstantly all the good effects ascribed to the most costly appliancesproduced by a bit of new flannel. If there can be a good rubbing givenwith olive oil, and then the extra flannel put on, the effect isdelightful. Again, when the skin has been cleansed effectually with themixture for NIGHT SWEATS (_see_), put the flannel on. It causes agathering of heat, which stimulates the spinal nerves, and producesgood effects all over the body and limbs. 

A broad band of extra new flannel round the lower half of the body issomewhat equivalent to fomentation got in the armchair, or in the hotpack of the lower body. Those who are exposed, as coachmen are, andsubject to lumbago and other troubles, will find a flannel band workwonders. This flannel band on the lower back is valuable in cases ofrheumatism, sciatica, and various kidney troubles. On the upper back itis good for bronchitis and some forms of asthma. 

It may be used in connection with the other forms of treatment givenfor these in separate articles. When linen underwear is worn, this bandshould be worn under that, next the skin. 

Bandage, Four-ply Flannel. --The four-ply flannel bandage is simply whatits name implies--a bandage of the shape and size to cover the partstreated, and at least four-ply thick. It is wrung out of cold water, and covered with a thick dry bandage while applied. 

Bandaging. --_See_ Veins, Swollen, etc. 

Barley. --If this grain is well grown and thoroughly well cooked, itwill be found to be one of the best foods for restoring an exhausteddigestive system. 

Take two or three handfuls of "pot" barley; boil this in water for twohours at least, thoroughly to burst the grain; then water and graintogether are turned into a suitable dish, and placed, covered over, inthe oven, where it may simmer for another two hours. When turned out, it may be salted to taste. After the four hours' cooking, the grain andwater are a kind of barley pudding. A dessertspoonful of this everyhalf-hour, from eight in the morning till eight at night, will helpwonderfully a weak stomach, if taken as the _only diet_. This is whatis meant when "barley pudding" is prescribed in these articles. 

Bathing. --Cold baths, while greatly to be recommended to those who arestrong, should not be taken by any one who does not feel invigorated bythem. As every one should, if possible, bathe daily, the followingmethod is worth knowing, as it combines all the advantages of hot andcold bathing. The principle is the same as explained in Cooling inHeating. Sponge all over with hot water and wash with M'Clinton's soap;then sponge all over with cold water. No chilliness will then be felt. Very weak persons may use tepid instead of cold water. These bathstaken every morning will greatly tend to prevent the person catchingcold. 

Cold bathing in water which is _hard_ is a mistake, especially inbathing of infants. The skin under its influence becomes hard and dry. Warm bathing and M'Clinton's soap will remedy this. 

Bathing the Feet. --This apparently simple treatment, if the bestresults are desired, must be gone about most carefully. A foot-bath forten or twenty minutes, though a considerable help in many cases, is notat all sufficient. It must be given, in most cases, for forty minutesto give sensible relief. Some patients faint long before this time ifthe feet are placed in very hot water from the beginning. To avoid thisfaintness, proceed as follows: Get a vessel that will hold the feeteasily, and be deep enough to reach nearly up to the knees. Put waterin this one inch deep, and at blood heat--that is, just to feel warm toan ordinary hand. Set the feet to be bathed in this, and have plenty ofhot water at hand. Let the patient be comfortably covered and seated, and wait two minutes or so. Add then a little hotter water, and everytwo minutes add a little more water, hotter every time, graduallyincreasing the quantity and temperature of the water. In half an hour agood strong heat and large deep bath will be reached, and in only avery few cases will there be any faintness. If the heat is raised toofast, give a little cold water to drink, and proceed more slowly. Thisis in cases where simple stimulus to vital action is required. 

If the bathing be for sores, or disease of joints, the sores should bedressed first with cold cream or vaseline, or covered with a clothdipped in olive oil. If the skin becomes irritated from prolongedbathing, cover before bathing with a cloth dipped in weak vinegar orvery weak ACETIC ACID (_see_). If the patient is too weak for bathing, a fomentation may be applied as described in article on AnginaPectoris, only extending, however, over the knees. Such fomentation mayalso be used whenever cold cloths applied to a diseased or inflamedpart tend to cause a chill. It will quite prevent this. 

Baths for Head. --In many cases of indigestion and brain exhaustionhead-baths are of great value. School teachers, business men, and manyothers suffering from these, will find a daily head-bath half an hourbefore dinner of the greatest value. This treatment should be given, however, only to those who are vigorous enough to bear it. Some are tooexhausted, and for these other methods must be employed. The head-bathis given by rubbing the whole head well with soap lather (_see_ Lather;Soap); then wash off and treat with cold water poured over the head fora short time--a few seconds only; then rub vigorously with a dry, warmtowel till the head glows with friction. In the case of ladies, thehair may be thrown over the front of the head while the back of thehead is treated thus, and then thrown back while the front of the headis treated also, the bulk of the hair being thus kept dry. 

Bedsores. --There are cases in which the outer skin has been taken offby long lying, or wearing wet compresses for a long time. A large partof the body is reduced, as some would say, to "red flesh"--in realityit is reduced to inner skin deprived of its outer layer. We have takena few handfuls of finely wrought soap lather (_see_ Lather; Soap), andspread them as lightly as possible over this fiery surface. There wasan instant change from severe distress to perfect comfort, and healingbegan at once. This treatment may be applied to any simple abrasions ofthe skin. Bedsores are not likely to occur if the skin is sponged dailywith water and this mild soap, and rubbed with Rectified Spirit ofWine, to which a small piece of camphor has been added. 

Beef Tea. --It is well to bear in mind that there is scarcely anynourishment even in home-made beef juice (the best form of any extractof meat). 

Home-made beef juice is prepared by scraping the meat into shreds, placing in a jar, and leaving the water to soak into the meat for abouthalf-an-hour. Then place in a saucepan on the fire for an hour, duringwhich time it must not boil. After being then brought to the boil, itshould be removed immediately, and the lump of meat removed. 

Some idea may be obtained of the relatively small amount of nourishmenteven in this form of extract when it is remembered that the thin flakymatter which sinks to the bottom in the bowl is practically the onlynutritive portion in the dish. 

All extracts and such-like preparations are inferior to home-made beeftea in value. We do not deny, then, the value of beef extracts asstimulants in certain diseased conditions, but we do not recognise themas a useful food. Further, the stimulating effect upon the heart islargely due to the hot water they are made with (_see_ Bone Diseased). 

Bile, Black. --For this take two tablespoonfuls of hot water every fiveminutes for six hours per day. A good many cases, some even given up bythe doctors, have been cured by this simple, yet efficient means. 

Bile on the Stomach. --Take half a teacupful of hot water every tenminutes for ten hours. Next day take the same every twenty minutes fora like period. The third day the same every hour. For ten days aftertake the same before each meal. We have seen a case of liver complaintof more than twenty years' standing cured thus. See also that the feetand legs are rendered healthful, and kept so. If cold and clammy, theyshould be bathed in hot water for five minutes or so, dried, and rubbedwith warm olive oil. 

Care must be taken also to give a simple diet. Oatmeal jelly, wheatenmeal porridge, barley pudding (_see_ Barley), and such foods, shouldform the staple nourishment. Avoid eggs, butter, cream, and beef. _Seealso_ Sea-Sickness. 

Biscuits and Water. --The biscuits referred to are manufactured inSaltcoats. [A] They are made from the purest whole wheaten flour. Thelate Mr. Bryden, of the Saltcoats Home, used them along with hot wateras sole diet in many serious digestive troubles, with marvelloussuccess. Where no food will lie on the stomach, one small, or half alarge, biscuit is to be taken three times a day, as a meal, and atmeal-times. This will prove amply sufficient to maintain the system insuch a case, until the stomach gains power for more. In the case ofSORES and ABSCESSES (_see_), such a diet of biscuits and water providespure blood, and makes healing by other treatment very much easier. Wehave known limbs saved from amputation largely by such diet. It willsuit equally well the delicate young lady and the strong labourer. Toomuch of ordinary food goes to increase ulceration and nourish disease. The Saltcoats biscuit provides nothing for these ends, and is ofimmense value as an aid to cure. One great advantage of this diet isthat it is a _dry_ one, and the biscuits _must_ be thoroughly chewed toenable them to be swallowed at all. The saliva is thereby thoroughlymixed with the food, which is all-important to make it digestible. These biscuits are also so plain as not to tempt the patient to eatmore than he can digest, which is the great danger in sickness. Theslops of gruel and cornflour so often given are never chewed at all, and often do nothing but harm. Such starchy foods really require to bemore thoroughly mixed with saliva than any other food, as unless, byaction of the saliva, the starch is converted into sugar it cannot beassimilated in the stomach. 

[Footnote A: By Mr. R. Black, baker. ]

Bleeding. --In any case of this pack the feet and legs as directed inLungs, Bleeding from, and press cold cloths to the place the bloodcomes from, stomach, womb (_see_ Miscarriage), or lungs. If it comesfrom the nose, apply the cold cloths to the head and back of the neck. 

Blisters. --The destruction of the skin over any painful part, by meansof blisters, is to be always avoided if possible (_see_ Burns, Knee, Pleurisy, etc. )

Blood. --A most common trouble is anĉmia, a lack of good red blood, showing itself in a waxy paleness and whiteness of lips, oftenaccompanied by exhaustion and great fatigue. To remedy this, firstsecure a supply of pure water, of which 80 per cent. Of the blood ismade up. Give this warm in dessertspoonfuls every five minutes. Givetwo tablespoonfuls, or perhaps only one, of very light food, or milkand boiling water half and half, every half-hour. This may be done insmaller portions every fifteen minutes, or in larger quantities everyhour or two hours, according to the state of the digestion. Fruit is avaluable means of quenching the anĉmia thirst, besides being verybeneficial for the blood. Green vegetables and salads are also mostvaluable (_see_ Vegetables; Assimilation; Diet; Digestion). As muchfresh air as possible is also to be breathed by the patient. Eithermuch time must be spent in the open air, or, if strength forbid this, the room must be thoroughly ventilated. Close air is the enemy of goodblood. We know of many cases cured by this simple regimen. Care mustalso be taken to increase the patient's vitality by various means. If_thoroughly good_ medical advice can be obtained, it should be taken(_see_ Air and Appetite; Balance, Loss of, etc. )

Blood Poisoning. --(_See_ Blood, Purifying; Sores). 

Blood, Purifying. --Fever arising from bad state of the blood may betreated by careful cooling of the spine and head, with towels _wellwrung_ out of cold water, frequently changed (_see_ Fever). The pulsein one case so treated was reduced from 130 to 96 by a fewapplications. If a sore exists, treat it as in article Sores. If aneruption in the skin breaks out, cover the surface at night with soaplather (_see_ Lather; Soap). Wipe that off with weak acetic acid(_see_) in the morning, and the skin will come right. Let the diet besimple and cooling (_see_ Abscess; Assimilation; Skin; Sores; Appendix, etc. ). 

Blood, Supply of. --To supply good blood in cases where it is lacking, either from indigestion or low vitality, nothing is better than milk, diluted with an equal quantity of _boiling water_. It may be less ormore diluted, as the patient's power of digestion is greater or less, but in all cases half and half can be tried first. This forms a naturalblood supply. Claret, switched egg and brandy, are to be carefullyavoided. _Boiling_ water amalgamates with the milk, and care thereforemust be taken to see that it is really boiling. Give a teacupful ofthis every two hours. If the patient is very weak, this may be the onlydiet. But often he will be going about work or business, and yetneeding fresh, good blood supply. Then the cupful may be taken everytwo hours, in addition to the usual meals. Experience will soon showhow this may be done. But two hours after a meal, the milk and watermay be given. 

Boils. --The following treatment will be found effective to heal lesssevere forms of boils, by soothing the whole fevered system of nerves, and stimulating the skin in its getting rid of waste material. 

Begin, then, by thoroughly soaping the head (_see_ Head, Soaping). Goto the back next, and soap similarly. The same process may, if desired, be carried over the whole body to the very tips of the fingers andtoes. In a delicate case, do this in portions so as not to run any riskof exposing the patient too much. 

Lay on the boil, after the soaping, and while the patient is under itssoothing influence, a large piece of thickly folded flannel, or a smallsponge, squeezed out of water as hot as the patient can bear. Continuethis, with frequent re-heating of the application for aquarter-of-an-hour, then allow the patient to rest. 

When you have soaped a patient as we have described, say twice, it isnecessary to wash off the particles that may remain on the skin withwhite vinegar or weak acetic acid. Then, if you have overcooled withthe soap and acid, it will be well to rub over with warm oil. By thesesimple methods of treatment you will banish all tendency to boils. Youwill change great suffering into comparative comfort, not only withoutexpenditure of strength, but in a way in which you add vigour to thewhole frame. One very great advantage of this treatment is that you donot need to move the patient in any distressing way. If you have onlytact and gentleness of touch, you can do all that we have describedwithout causing one moment's distress. The severe form of boil known as_Carbuncle_ is very dangerous, and in such cases good surgical aid isnecessary, in addition to above treatment (_see_ Diet). 

Bone, Diseased. --Diseased bone is not incurable. Bone is indeedconstantly being replaced as it disappears in the ordinary waste of thebody. Defective vitality in any part may cause an accumulation of badmaterial, which forms the basis of bone disease. 

To cut off a diseased foot or ankle is easy, and soon done. To cure it, may take a long time and much patience, but is worth a great deal. Weknow large numbers of limbs that are sound and good now, that weredoomed once to be amputated, but which we were able to rescue in time. 

Moreover, a very short time of well-regulated fomentation improves thegeneral health, and prevents the diseased material spreading from thefoot or ankle through the body. 

Take, then, a case in which the ankle bone has first become painful, perhaps without any perceptible cause, or it may be as the result of aninjury to the part. It then swells and becomes inflamed. At this stagetwo or three fomentations (_see_) well applied may very likely cure itentirely. But if neglected, or leeched, blistered, and the skin spoiledwith iodine, what is called disease of the bone may set in, accompaniedwith discharge of matter at one or more places on the ankle. Thisdischarge, where it is evidently lodging in the limb, may be assistedto escape by careful lancing by a good surgeon. For such a case, fomentation of as much of the limb as possible is the treatment. Let abath be procured, in which the limb may be immersed in hot water asdeeply as possible, even up to the very thigh. Let the water at firstbe comfortably warm. Increase its temperature gradually until as hot ascan be borne without pain. Keep the limb in this bath for an hour, orfor such shorter period as the patient may be able to bear it. Gentlydry, and rub all over with warm olive oil. Wipe this gently off, andcover the limb with clothing. Then syringe any sores with weak acid(_see_ Acetic Acid; Wounds), and dress with bandage (_see_ Ankle, Twisted). Do this twice each day, and persevere. 

If it cannot well be bathed, let it be fomented by a large piece offlannel soaked with boiling water, and placed round the diseased part. We have seen a wasting bone healed entirely in a few weeks by thismeans. We have seen a man with the bones of both his legs splinteringoff and coming through the skin perfectly healed in a few months. Itstands to reason that it should be so. The bathing in his case, likethe fomenting in others, were so effectually done that the bonesthemselves were heated, and strong healing action set in at once. Wesaw lately a piece of dead bone above four inches long come out of ayoung man's arm as the result of nothing else but fomentation. The armwas soon as whole and as useful as could be desired, though it had beento all appearance only fit to be taken off at the elbow. The steadysupply of moist heat does wonders in this way. 

We have seen some most remarkable specimens of what was erroneouslythought sufficient fomentation. One was a case of diseased thigh-bone. A bit of old flannel, about a quarter of a yard square, had been wrungout of water slightly tepid and laid on the skin, covered by a littlecloth scarcely equal in size. The application would not have conveyedactivity to the skin on which it was laid, though it required to conveyit to the heart of a large mass of bone. The helpless complaint of theoperator was that it did no good. How in the world could it do good?Not less than six or seven or even eight yards of a blanket arerequired. That is to be folded and rolled up so that a good quantity ofboiling water may be poured first into one end of it and then into theother. It has to be squeezed and kneaded till the heated water andsteam are fairly soaking the inside of the blanket. When this is openedup, it is far too hot to put to the skin, but a double flannel orstrong towel may be put on first, so that the heat shall go graduallythrough to the body, and by-and-by into the bone. This may be done atleast once a day--if agreeable, it may be done twice. But it must be sowell done that the heat shall effect the bone, or you cannot look forany result of importance. 

If under the bathing the skin becomes irritated, as it will often do, cover it with cloths soaked in _weak_ vinegar till the bathing is over. If the skin suffers from the fomentation, do the same thing, and ifthis does not cure, dress it, before putting on the fomentationflannels, with SOAP (_see_) lather as if for shaving, spread likebutter on a cloth, and made to shelter the skin from irritation tillthe fomenting is done. This is of great importance in many cases; theskin is often so sensitive that it cannot well be bathed without beingprotected. 

[Illustration: Preparing Blanket for Fomentation. ]

In the case of hip-joint disease, the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_) isthe best form of fomenting. For other parts, common sense will guidehow to produce an extensive and thorough heating of the diseased partand its neighbourhood by some similar means (_see_ Bathing the Feet;Pains, etc. ). It is only heating the failed tissues, only keeping onsuch heating, and all the elements of perfect cure are supplied. Evenlimbs which have shrunk and become shorter, grow out to their naturalsize under this patient heating. 

Get "steel drops" and all such-like sent down the sewer. The rats mayhave them if they are disposed. Give wheaten or oatmeal porridge, breador Saltcoats biscuits, with good buttermilk, and the poor creature, half dead with poisonous "drops, " begins ere long to have red on hislips and on his cheeks, some fresh vigour in his muscles, and healthybone in the course of formation, where bone was only wasting before. How is this explained? On the simple principle that the bodily systemcan turn wheaten meal into all the elements wanted for good bodilyhealth. Beef tea, soups, "fine things" of all descriptions, never onearth gave human beings solid strength, but in myriads of cases theyhave been successfully employed to take it away. Above all, they failto give healthy bone. 

Get the patient to take wheaten or oaten meal porridge twice a day atleast. We are not so stern as some in forbidding all else, though inthis we may fall short; but by all means let eating and drinking beconsidered in the light of what we have been writing (_see_ Food inHealth). 

Good air is important in this, as in all cases of ill-health. 

Much depends, in this treatment, on cheerfulness of mind. Let thepatient feel that he is going to be cured. Avoid opium, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, and all worry. This will actually increase the vitalexchange in the body and very much help the cure. 

Bone, Soft. --Often, in the young, the bones are so soft that they bendmore or less, and the beginning of a distressing deformity appears. 

In such a case plaster jackets and steel bands are of little use, andoften very painful. It is better to use bandages, applied so as tosupport where that is necessary. Also avoid all long sitting, such asis found at school. It is best sometimes not to permit the child towalk at all. Better far to lose two years of schooling than to bedeformed for life. Parents should see to it, with all weakly children, that school does not become a means of trouble. Continuous education isnot nearly so important as is sometimes supposed. 

For positive treatment, let the parts be well and carefully rubbed(_see_ Massage) every day with olive oil, in such a way as to direct aflow of blood to the feeble bone. It must largely be left to thehealer's common sense how this is to be done, but a little thought willshow how. At many Hydropathic Establishments it may be learned. 

This careful rubbing, with good diet and proper bandaging, willgradually effect a cure in most cases. But here, as elsewhere, patiencemust rule. Plenty of good porridge and milk, with abundance of freshair, work wonders in this disease. 

Bowels, Glands of. --Symptoms of glandular trouble in the bowelsare--weariness and pallor, lack of appetite, softness and shrinking oflimbs, with swelling of the belly. In its earlier stages, beforeconsumption sets in, this trouble may be perfectly cured. We have seeneven apparently hopeless cases recover under proper treatment. In itsessence the trouble is a failure of power in the nervous centres uponwhich health of the bowels depends. To supply this needed power, take asmall bag of cotton cloth, like a little pillow-slip, of just the sizeto cover the patient's whole back. Fill this with bran, prepared as forpoultice (_see_ Bran Poultice). Oil the back before applying this, andplace, if needed, four ply or so of cloth on the back to moderate theheat to the skin. After half-an-hour, if the patient feels desirous, renew for another hour; do this each day at bedtime for a week atleast. Rub the body all over with warm olive oil when this is takenoff; then place a bandage with only a gentle tightness in such a way asjust to help the relaxed bowels, but only just so much--not by anymeans to try and force them into what might be thought properdimensions. Give a teaspoonful of liquorice mixture (_see_Constipation) thrice a day before meals in a little hot water. Feed onwheaten porridge and generally light diet, being careful to regulate itso as to make the bowels work easily and naturally. If not too bad acase, this treatment will soon tell favourably. Enemas (_see_) ofeither cold or warm water, as required, will also greatly help. 

Bowels, Inflammation of. --This (called medically Peritonitis) is aninflammation of the membrane covering the bowels. It results from chillor strain, and sometimes, in the case of child-birth, from dirtintroduced into the parts by handling with unwashed hands. In suchcases, the utmost care must be taken to ensure cleanliness, which willsecure against one fertile cause of the disease. The hands should bealways fresh and clean, and all cloths, etc. , should be either mostcarefully washed or burnt. Where the trouble arises from strain, orchill, these lower the vitality, and the membrane becomes gorged withblood at fever heat. To regulate this heat, then, and free the membranefrom the blood which over-fills it, is to lead to a cure. Rub the backwith warm olive oil, place on it a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_), or anindia-rubber bag of hot water covered with _moist_ flannel; this mustin either case be large enough to cover the entire lower back. Anythingmay be used, if these cannot be had, which will powerfully stimulatethe back with moist heat. Wring a small thin towel out of cold water, and place it over the bowels. At first this must be _very gently_ laidon. After a little, and when several times freshly applied, this coldcloth may be very gently pressed all over the bowels. Relief willalmost certainly come ere this has been done for an hour. Then a restmay be given for two hours, and after that a large fomentation appliedto feet and legs (_see_ Fomentation). While this is on, the cold clothsmay be changed over the bowels again, and over the chest as well. Afteran hour of this, great relief should be felt. If there is great thirsta small bit of ice may be sucked, or a few drops of vinegar in watermay be taken; but the outside cooling will probably render thisunnecessary. Avoid all alcoholic drinks. 

Shivering and a feeling of cold is often the earliest symptom, and asit is of immense importance that warming measures should be promptlyapplied. Hot bricks, or bottles, placed merely to the soles of thefeet, are but poor helps: it would be vastly better to pack the feetand legs in a hot blanket fomentation at once, and, if pain at allshows itself, to apply a large fomentation to the lower part of theback. The sooner this is done the better; besides, there is theconsolation that the treatment can never do any harm even if applied ina case in which there has occurred a harmless chill. The dread whichsome medical men have of cold applications is wonderful, but we knowthat the front-rank men have no such fear. When care is taken to havethe hot application on first, there is, and can be, no possible dangerin any case in cooling down the burning circulation. One or twoapplications have sufficed in many cases we have seen. 

Bowels, Lax. --A teaspoonful of lemon juice (freshly expressed), alongwith hot water and sugar, will often relieve where the bowels areacting excessively. For infants in diarrhoea a mixture of honey andlemon juice is an excellent cure, and has been most successful in ourexperience. Avoid brandy and alcohol generally. 

Bowels, Locking of. --Sometimes when one part of the bowels is much moreactive than another, it passes into that other, and they become_locked_, like a stocking half turned inside out. This causes dreadfulpain, and if not soon relieved is fatal. Purgatives are of no use, andusually make matters worse. A surgical operation in very skilful handswill relieve, and must be quickly performed when necessary. 

In cases in which the one part of the bowels has not yet gone far intothe other, nothing more is required than a cold cloth gently pressedover the parts. We have seen relief set in on the fifth or sixth changeof such a cloth, when nothing else was used whatever. When a hot bag, or bran poultice, has been put on the back, and cold clothspersistently changed over the bowels, the whole matter has been put torights, and natural motion of the bowels has been had within an hourafter the applications have been begun. 

[Illustration: Interior of small intestine. ]

There is, however, a stronger measure than merely heating the back andcooling the front in this way. The patient may be put at once into asitting bath or small tub, and a panful of cold water poured or dashedon to the bowels; they then contract so powerfully, and shortenthemselves so much, that all invagination, as it is called, is made tocease instantly. We should be disposed to try the mildest method in thefirst instance, unless the case is one in which the lock in the bowelshad just taken place. Then it might be well to dash the pailful ofwater on so as to put all right at once, and afterwards simply to applysuch remedies as would tend to prevent a recurrence of the evil. 

It is, however, usually the case that the distress has lasted some timebefore an opportunity of doing anything occurs, inflammation, more orless, has set in, weeks may have passed, and blundering treatment mayhave done great mischief. Then it is safe to use the heat at the back, and frequently changed cold cloths in front, so as to reduce theinflammation, and contract the bowels more slowly, so as to remove theobstruction. When these have been used for some time, if theobstruction is not removed it will be well to resort to the strongermeasures. Nothing is more beautifully simple than the ordinary actionof the bowels. The healthful movement is like that by which anearth-worm moves along the ground: so long as the tube is thus movingits contents onward, by contraction and expansion, no part can passinside or outside that which is before it; but when one part losesnervous tension, and expands without contracting quickly enough, thepart behind it tends to worm itself into it, and a "knot, " as it issometimes called, is formed. No possible instrument can reach it exceptby cutting the body outright, but the action of cold is so powerful incontracting the tube that the "loop, " as it is also called, is drawnout, and the right state of things is produced. It is important toremark that there are glands near the lower bowel that swell and formtumours. The cold applications reduce these very speedily to theirusual size, and if their swelling is an obstruction, it is soonremoved. But it is the lock in the tube itself that is the real maladyof which so many die, and with which so many more narrowly escape. 

The trouble is best avoided by attention to the regular action of thebowels. It arises from great irregularity in that action. 

Bowels, Reversed. --_See_ Bowels, Locking of, above. 

Brain Exercise. --Proper exercise for the brain is most important. Butthis is not to be found in that kind of severe mental labour which issometimes mistaken for it. Children at play have genuine brainexercise. So has a man at what is called a "hobby, " such asphotography, golf, or cycling. The child at school, the man in hisoffice, are not at exercise, but at wearing work. This distinction ismost important. Exercise, again, is not found in careless dreaming, butin some form of "play" which calls for steady, but almost unconscious, and altogether enjoyable thinking. Books sometimes furnish this, whenthey lift the mind as far as possible out of its usual track, andproduce only pleasant thoughts. Tragedies, novels which end miserably, or which are pessimistic, should all be avoided. Perhaps some easyscience or art is the best exercise of all, when the brain is sufferingfrom overstrain. But taste will guide in this. The great matter is tohave pleasurable, easy, and natural employment for the brain. This andnot work is strengthening "exercise, " whether in child or man. So faras we can we should see that the weary get it. For he who procures thisfor his fellow works immense good. 

We have seen, for instance, a student attacked with dysentery while inthe hardest part of the session at the university. His whole systembecame prostrate, and muscular activity to a very small degree wouldhave killed him; so would the continued mental toil necessary to go onwith his studies. Yet his brain was in need of exercise almost from thefirst appearance of his disease. He must have this or be miserable, andnot likely soon to recover. An intensely interesting book fell into hishands, altogether away from his track of toil. He read day after day atthis book. This was his "exercise"--that is, it was the activity ofthat one only part of his physical system which needed such exercisefor the time. That exercise allowed all the other organs to recuperate. 

Brain, Inflammation of. --This arises often from over-schooling of youngboys and girls. Care should ever be taken to avoid this. Obstinateconstipation in the bowels, chills and exposure, are also fruitfulsources. Much worry and anxiety also bring on this serious illness. Allsometimes combine to produce a bad case. Pain in the head sets in, followed by convulsive attacks; yet the trouble may be cured in manycases with comparative ease. Leeches, opium, and blistering are to beavoided as most injurious. For treatment it is well to begin at thefeet; if these are clammy and cold, wrap in hot fomentation up over theknees (_see_ Fomentation). Proceed to give a pretty warm injection ofwater into the lower bowel (_see_ Enemas). This should be repeatedseveral times, allowing it to pass off each time. If this increases thepain, try an injection of cold water. This treatment of feet and bowelsis most important, and should never be neglected; it renders thetreatment of the head tenfold more effective. Cold cloths may now begently pressed for some time over the head. If the pulse is violent andfeverish, let several towels be well wrung out of cold or even icedwater, fold one so as to cover the entire head and back of the neck, and have the others ready, similarly folded. Press the first on gently, especially at the back of the head, so that the cooling cloth coversthe head all over and soothes the violently heated brain. As soon asone towel grows warm, take a fresh cold one. Relief should come in anhour at least, but longer may be required. During the cooling see thatthe heat of the fomentation on the legs is well kept up; change ifnecessary. When the more painful symptoms abate, oil the lower part ofthe back, and place on it a bran poultice (as recommended in Bowels, Inflammation of). This will go far to prevent any relapse. If thesymptoms recur, use the treatment again. _See_ Brow, Weary; Eyes, Failing Sight. _See also_, for other brain troubles: Restlessness;Sleeplessness. 

Brain Rest. --The need for this is often indicated by irritability oftemper. This coming on is generally a warning that a period of restmust be taken. An overheated brow is also another indication. If thisshows itself in a child during or after school, together withlistlessness and excitability, all idea of lessons should at once belaid aside for a time. It is nothing less than cruelty to work anoverheated brain in such a case. Let the child go free from school tillall the head trouble is removed. Also let the head be soaped (_see_Head, Soaping). 

Sometimes pain in the head sets in from overwork. Even in the young, fainting may show itself. Rest is essential, and will prove a perfectcure, together with a little brain exercise of the kind described inarticle Brain Exercise, always avoiding fatigue. Let all readersremember that it is better to lose six months in rest than becomepermanently incapable, therefore let old and young take rest in time. 

Bran Poultice. --Get a sufficient quantity of good bran in an ordinarywashhand basin. _Heat_ the basin before beginning operations. Have alsoa boiling kettle at hand. Pour the boiling water by little and littleinto the bran, and mix and stir it up until it is all a moist mass, butnot _wet_. The thing is to avoid putting in more water than the brancan easily absorb and hold. Then have ready a flannel bag of the sizeand shape required for the poultice. Fill this with the bran, and it isready. The skin to which it is applied should first be oiled with oliveoil. The poultice may be fastened on with flannel bands. In any case itmust lie tightly on the skin. The patient must lie on it, if it beapplied to the back. One or two tablespoonfuls of mustard may be addedif great power is required, not otherwise. 

Instead of this poultice, an india-rubber bag full of hot water may beused, with two or three ply of moist flannel between it and the skin. Our only reason for recommending bran is that many could not afford theindia-rubber bag. 

Bread, Wheaten. --In some cases the bran in whole wheaten bread andSaltcoats biscuits is found to irritate the stomach and bowels. As dietfor those able to digest the bran, nothing is better. Where it cannotbe digested, ordinary bakers' bread boiled in water to soft pap isfound to make a good substitute. This must not be boiled with milkunless where there is diarrhoea to be cured, as milk tends to producebile and costiveness. Oatmeal jelly (_see_ Food in Illness) is also agood substitute for biscuits and wheaten bread. 

Often the water with which bread is baked causes it to be difficult ofdigestion. Hard water is bad for this. For an invalid, bread baked withdistilled water, or pure rain water, is often a means of great comfortand help. A slight admixture of pure CANE SYRUP (_see_) or liquoricejuice in the water will tend to prevent bile and costiveness. Asufficient action of the bowels is of great importance for where goodnutrition is desired. 

Bread, especially when fresh, is made much more digestible by slowlytoasting it in the oven till it is a golden brown throughout. It isthen known as "zweibach" (twice baked). When eaten dry, it requiresconsiderable mastication, and for that reason is much better than softbread. It can be also broken up and eaten with hot milk and sugar. 

Breast with Corded Muscles. --Often a slight hardness shows itself in awoman's breast, when the muscular tissue becomes what is called"corded. " It is well, first of all, in all cases of breast trouble toavoid alarming the patient. Great anxiety is often endured through fearof cancer when there is no need. A "corded" breast may usually quiteeasily be cured, and the patient should be made perfectly easy in mindabout it. 

Take a good lather of soap (_see_ Lather; Soap). Apply this night andmorning, gently lathering the breast for some time. After this, eachtime, rub the back well with hot olive oil, so as to produce a thoroughglow of heat all over it. Sometimes the swelling will disperse underthis treatment. It may, however, grow larger and show a tendency tobreak. In this case treat as in next article. 

We shall also probably find, on examining, that the skin was failing todo its part well. If rubbed with Cayenne lotion the clean, healthy skinwill send off much more waste than was allowed to pass through itbefore. 

Breast, Swelling in. --A blow on the breast, or the drain of nursing achild, along with a chill, often produces swelling, sometimes hard andpainful. This, if left uncured, may even develop into an ABSCESS(_see_). As it sometimes arises from dirt being left on the nipples, all nursing mothers should be particular about cleanliness, whichitself prevents many ills. 

For cure, bathe the feet in hot water (_see_ Bathing Feet), rub themover with warm olive oil, and wear good cotton stockings if in bed. Ifgoing about, put a pair of woollen stockings over the cotton ones. Rubthe back as recommended above, using first a little hot vinegar, thenthe oil. The feet bathing may be every three days, and rubbing thesame. If the swelling does not yield to this, place the patientcomfortably in bed. Put a good-sized basin of hot water, which has beenboiled and allowed to cool so far, tightly under the breast, so that itmay be bathed with a sponge. Do not use too hot water, but justcomfortably hot. Keep up fresh supplies, and bathe for an hour ifpatient can bear it. If she becomes fatigued, lay her down to rest forfifteen minutes or so, and then continue treatment. No poulticing isneeded when this is well done. A thorough heating of the whole breastis what is wanted; rub gently with olive oil, and cover warmly afterbathing (_see_ Cancer). 

Breast, Sore Nipples on. --Take a little warm vinegar or weak acid(_see_ Acetic Acid). Bathe the sore nipple with this, _avoiding pain_, for about ten minutes. Every two minutes dry, and anoint gently withwarm olive oil. We have seen _one application_ cure a bad nipple; butapply twice daily as long as needed. 

Breath and Blood. --Often difficulty of breathing, especially in closeair, mistaken even for asthma, is due simply to the quality of bloodsupplied to the lungs. Sometimes giving up the use of sugar effects acure, for sugar produces an excess of carbon in the blood, whichrequires an excess of oxygen in the lungs to purify it. Thus breathingis difficult, especially where oxygen is deficient in the air breathed. Sometimes the lungs are not strong enough to stand the necessary freshair required in such cases, or other troubles may prevent a delicateperson from exposing themselves. Then it is of importance so toregulate the diet that less oxygen will do all that is needed in thelungs. "Rich" food, much fatty matter, sugar, and all sweets andsweetened things, are to be avoided. If this be done, the need for muchoxygen disappears, and the patient will have no difficulty of breathingin suitably ventilated places. 

But the best treatment is hot oil rubbing along the spine, over thestomach, and even down the limbs to the ankles. An hour of this everyday will work wonders. Or a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_) may be laidacross the back for an hour twice a day. Cultivate also all cheerfulthoughts, and banish sad ones as far as possible. Sad thoughts greatlydiminish nerve power. 

Breath, and the Heart. --Stout people are usually more or less "scant ofbreath. " Accumulations of fatty material, or changing of muscle intofat, cause this, especially if about the chest and heart. To reduce thefat, and grow healthy muscle instead, will perfectly cure thedifficulty of breath. Moderate open-air exercise and simple food, suchas Saltcoats biscuits, oatmeal jelly, and barley puddings will largelyhelp this. Avoid also all alcoholic liquors, the use of which is often_the sole cause_ of the trouble. Keep the skin active (_see_ Skin). 

The hot FOMENTATION (_see_) to feet and legs is a truly powerful remedyfor all lack of force in the system, especially if followed by themassage treatment described in MASSAGE (_see_). 

Breath, Hot. --This may be felt either because the breath is actuallyhot, or because the membranes of the tongue and mouth are unusuallytender, and _feel_ the breath hot in consequence when it is not reallyso. This latter case is usually accompanied by a sore tongue. To healthe tongue, it must be soaked freely with vinegar or weak ACETIC ACID(_see_), so diluted as to give only a very slight feeling of smartingafter even prolonged application. Apply it with a good camel's hairbrush, and brush with a little fine almond or olive oil after the acid. The mouth may be rinsed with the acid, but brushing is best. 

But where real heat is found in the breath, it arises from anoverheated state of the body internally. This frequently arises fromfailure in the stomach to digest properly. If the hot breath arisesfrom this, small drinks of hot water, frequently taken, will usuallycure it. A warm bran poultice, placed on the back at bedtime oppositethe stomach, will prove a more powerful remedy in addition to the hotwater. More powerful effect still will be found in such stimulus to theskin as washing it all over twice a week with vinegar or weak aceticacid. On other days let the patient be rubbed over with good olive oil, mixed with enough CAYENNE "TEA" (_see_) to cause a slight burningsensation. Let this also be done twice a week, and twice a week alsowash all over with M'Clinton's soap and hot water. A plain diet ofcourse, should be observed (_see_ Digestion; Dyspepsia; Food; Teeth, etc. ). 

Breath, and Muscles. --Sometimes difficulty of breathing is due, not toanything wrong with lungs or windpipe, but to failure in the diaphragm(or large muscular "floor" of the chest), and the other chest muscles, which work the lungs. A feeling of sinking and weakness round the waistindicates in such a case diaphragm failure. Gentle heat at the small ofthe back, and olive oil rubbing, form treatment for this. For otherchest muscles, give a warm washing each night with SOAP (_see_) overthe body, and rub, especially the back and chest, with hot olive oil. You soon bring the muscles into good trim. 

Breath, and Nerve. --Difficult breathing, especially in ascending ahill, is often due simply to the lack of the nerve power by which thebreathing muscles work. A teacupful of hot water half-an-hour beforeeach meal, by helping digestion, will often remove the difficulty. Rubeach evening along the spinal cord with hot olive oil. 

Breath, and the Skin. --The organs of breathing remove much waste fromthe system, but the skin also removes a very large part. If eitherfails, the other has more work thrown upon it, as we see in the severe"night sweats" which accompany chest and lung failure. In such cases, rub with CAYENNE LOTION (_see_ and Night Sweats). Avoid the use of hardwater in washing and bathing, especially with infants. 

Cold baths for the weakly, chills, damp beds, and such things, causerheumatism and colds by stopping the proper discharge of waste by theskin. After such chill, or cold in damp bed, a hot wash and good hotoil rubbing will avert all evil. This may not always be available; but, if it can be got at all, should be given as soon as possible. The useof the soapy blanket is of the utmost value in severe cases (_see_Soapy Blanket). Strict cleanliness of person and underwear should beobserved. The AIR BATH (_see_) will also give tone to the skin (_see_Skin and Underwear). 

Breathing, and Bronchia. --The _bronchia_ are the branching small tubeswhich lead from the windpipe to all parts of the lungs. Two differentstates of these often pass as bronchitis. In one of these the tubes areswelled, congested, and full of fiery heat. The whole body is alsofevered, and breathing is difficult, with cough. This is trueBRONCHITIS (_see_). But often, with difficult breathing and irritatingcough, there is no heat and fever. In this case bronchitis treatmentgives no relief. This is, indeed, only an irritated state of the liningof the tubes, and far from dangerous. A change of climate to a drieratmosphere will often entirely cure it. Often also a time spent in aroom, where the air is kept dry but fresh, and at one steadytemperature of about 60 deg. , will cure. Our chief purpose inmentioning it, however, is that this comparatively slight trouble maynot be mistaken for true bronchitis. 

[Illustration: The Lungs and other internal organs. ]

Breathing, Correct Method of. --The capacity of an ordinary pair oflungs is about 250 cubic inches. In ordinary breathing, however, weonly take in from 20 to 30 cubic inches. Hence the necessity forpractising correct deep breathing. 

Correct breathing requires cultivation and effort at first, afterwardsit will become unconscious. The head should be thrown back, theshoulders squared, and a slow deep breath gradually inspired throughthe nose till the lungs are filled throughout with air. The expirationshould be just as gradual with relaxation of every muscle. It is mostimportant that the _lower_ part of the chest should first be filled bydepressing the diaphragm (the muscular floor of the lungs). Somepractise is needed before this habit is acquired, but it is well worthcultivating. Place the hands on the sides of the abdomen whileinspiring, to feel that _this_ is expanding. Teachers of singing insiston diaphragmatic breathing, which is also of great benefit to thestomach, liver, and other organs. By the movement it gives to theintestines their action is also assisted, and constipation isprevented. 

This deep breathing may be practised several times each day (say tenbreaths at a time) till the habit of correct breathing is acquired. Itwill be found to have a wonderfully soothing and calming effect (_see_Worry). Such exercise should always be taken in the open-air, or in aroom with a widely open window. A good plan is to take them in bedbefore rising, with little or no clothes on, while lying flat on theback. 

Paleness, langour, irritability, and general ill-health result frominsufficient breathing. Furthermore, the system becomes unable toresist disease. We know no aid to beauty more effective than thepractice of deep breathing. 

Breathing, in Going Uphill. --_See_ Breath, and Nerve. 

British Cholera is to a certain extent epidemic--that is, it affects alarge number of people in a particular place, being, it is believed, conveyed mainly by the common house flies. War should be waged againstthese, and great care taken to guard food, especially that of children, against them, by using covers, etc. If this were done the appallingdeath-rate in summer from this disease among the young would be largelyreduced. Typhoid fever and other diseases are probably also spread byflies. Care should be taken to remove promptly all refuse from aboutthe house, and so prevent flies breeding on it. 

In ordinary diarrhoea, injections of cold water by the enema willusually cure, especially if a little vinegar or a few drops of aceticacid be added to the water. But in British Cholera this provesinsufficient. 

This is not an affection of merely one part of the system, but of thewhole. If, then, you brace with the cold enema one part, no doubt sofar you do good and not harm, but you cannot by this, cure an affectionof the whole system. British Cholera is a sweating from the surfaces ofthe whole alimentary organs. This internal sweat flows into the stomachand causes vomiting, and into the bowels causing purging that cannot bestayed by any application to the lower part merely. 

The problem to be solved is how to give more life force. Whenever theinjection of cold water fails, and especially when it rather increasesthe complaint, and vomiting or sickness shows that the attack is of thenature of British Cholera, you will do well to pack feet and legs in agood blanket fomentation. Put a little olive oil on before and aftersuch a packing. One application may be sufficient; but it may benecessary to repeat the packing. Give frequent sips of hot water. Itwill be well also to use the cold injection, as it will be found totake good effect whenever the vital force has been increased by the hotpacking. If cramp has shown itself, it will be needful to cool thespinal nerves (_see_ Angina Pectoris), but this only when you areeffectually heating the limbs. 

The first injection may be followed by even an excessive motion, but ifthat is followed up with another injection still of cold water, therewill be nothing experienced after but perfect comfort, and no moretrouble with the bowels. 

The violent irritation that follows after a very simple over-action ofthe lower bowel is quite prevented when this remedy is effectuallyused. In less severe cases, where fermentation of food is the cause ofthe disease, frequently a dessertspoonful of castor oil, or othersimple purgative, will prove sufficient to cure. 

Brandy often gets the credit of curing in such cases. It does so simplybecause the cases in which it _kills_ are not taken into account. Italways _lessens_ vital energy, and in British Cholera increase of thisis urgently required. 

Bronchitis. --This frequent and severe trouble results most usually fromchill to the skin throwing overwork on the lungs and bronchial tubes. These last become inflamed and swollen. A fiery heat and pain in thechest follows, the whole system becomes fevered, and breathing isdifficult, and accompanied by severe cough. 

Kneipp linen underwear, which is porous, and has a stimulating effecton the skin, assists it to perform its functions, and will thereforeprove useful to sufferers from Bronchitis. 

Abundance of fresh air will often entirely prevent Bronchitis. We haveknown people who suffered from it every winter for years who never hadit again after learning the value of the constantly open window. 

At the earliest stage, when the chill is first felt, let the patient goto bed. First sponge up and down the back quickly with hot soap andwater. Dry this off, and sponge or rub gently with hot vinegar. Drythis off, and rub with warm olive oil. This will often ward off anattack entirely. 

When the trouble has fairly obtained hold, treatment must be applied tothe back and chest as follows. Place on the upper part of the back aBRAN POULTICE (_see_), large enough to cover the entire shoulders andupper back. Let the patient lie in bed comfortably on this. Then applytowels wrung out of _cold_ water on the chest where pain andbreath-catching are felt. Let the towels be large, and at least fourply. Change for a fresh one as soon as that on the chest becomesheated. When this has been done as long as the poultice keeps hot, takeall off, rub back and chest with hot vinegar, dry off, rub with hotoil, dry off, and cover all with warm new flannel. If needful, repeatthe application. We have seldom seen it required twice. 

If the fever is very great, use no olive oil, and for a strong patientthe cold towels may be used without the poultice. But immediately thesereduce the fever, the poultice should be used as directed. 

In many cases where medical men have given up hope, this treatment haseffected a cure. 

Brow, The Weary. --Sometimes in the case of a child at school, theresult of overwork shows itself in a weariness and weight in the brow. Often parents are glorying in the school successes of their children, when these are having their brains destroyed. Careful watching shouldever be given to the young. The aim in education should be to draw outthe faculties, and teach the young to think for themselves, rather thanto cram in a mass of facts which will enable them to take prizes andpass examinations with honours. 

The results of continued overwork are fatal, but in its earlier stagesit is easily remedied. Hence the need for watching and treating such anearly symptom as head weariness. For treatment see that the feet arewarm, bathing them if necessary (_see_ Bathing Feet). Stop school atonce, and give as much exercise in the open air, at play, as possible. Then rub gently with both hands up and over the brow and sides of thehead over the ears, then up the back and over top of the head. Rub allover the head with the finger points (not nails), so as to raise a glowin the skin of the scalp. This treatment is best done while the patientsits, and the operator stands behind or beside him. Gentleness of touchthere must be, and no irritation of the patient. With abstention fromall lessons, it will soon cure. 

Bruises. --For slight bruises, such as children frequently get byfalling, a little butter or vaseline, applied immediately, is anexcellent remedy. For more serious injuries, such as bruised nails ofthe fingers or toes, or such as result from violent knocks on any part, the best remedy is hot fomentation or hot bathing, whichever may bemost convenient in application. Persistent and repeated treatment inthis way, with oil dressing, will cure in almost any case not so severeas to be beyond remedy. Even where it is thought wise to send for asurgeon, this bathing is the proper first treatment, and will do muchto relieve the inevitable pain. 

Burns. --For _slight_ burns, immerse the injured part in cold water, andkeep there till the pain abates. This is where only redness of skin isproduced. In case of a blister forming, do not break or cut it, butperseveringly cool with cold water, and leave the blister till it comesaway of itself, when the sore will be found healed beneath it. 

Where a large surface is injured, some other part of the body must be_fomented_; best the legs and feet, or the back, while the injured partis persistently cooled. Thus a dangerous chill is avoided. The ARMCHAIRFOMENTATION may be used, or a large BRAN POULTICE (_see both these_), and thus the heat of the body kept up while cold water is applied tothe burns. If these cannot be immersed, as in the case of the face, cover them with an air-tight covering, and apply iced or cold clothsabove this. The linseed oil and lime-water known as "Carron Oil" formsthe best dressing to apply. If a burn has, however, gone so far as tobecome, owing to neglect, a festering sore, then warm water treatmentis required, as recommended for ABSCESS (_see_). _See also_ Wounds. 

Buttermilk. --Where we prescribe this, either for drinking or forexternal use in poultices or bathing, it is very important it should bepure and fresh. If kept too long, it causes often terrible pain whenapplied to eruptive sores. There must be no "watering" or doctoringwith cream of tartar, if good results are desired. If the milk be toolong kept, and cannot be had fresh, it may be mixed with a little sweetmilk and all churned well together. Then it may be used. If stillpainful, mix again with more sweet milk. To soak diseased skin in goodfresh buttermilk is so powerful a means of cure, that to procure it agood deal of trouble is well spent. It is also invaluable as a dailydrink for regulating the bowels, and maintaining health. Sterilise allsweet milk used. 

If buttermilk cannot be had, acetic acid or vinegar, or the juice oflemons, may be mixed with sweet milk or even water, until the mixtureattains about the usual sourness of buttermilk. This makes an efficientsubstitute. 

Buttermilk Poultice. --Boiled potatoes beaten up with fresh buttermilkmake an excellent poultice for all eruptive sores, scabbed heads, andheated skin affections. After these always apply soap lather (_see_Lather). If buttermilk cannot be had, use acetic acid or vinegar, asabove. 

Cancer. --Swellings in the breast often arouse fear of cancer, but aregenerally very simple affairs and easily yield to treatment as inarticle Breast, Swelling in. If not, we should chill the diseasedgrowth so as to arrest it. Now this, as we have proved, may beeffectually done, and the sorely tried patient may be saved a world ofpain, and perhaps cured. We have seen more than one apparentlydesperate case, even where the breast had been cut off and the evil wasagain showing itself, in which effective cooling arrested the growthand saved the sufferer. When a growth of this kind has gone a certainlength, there is severe pain. The cooling removes this, and secures thepatient unspeakably precious rest without narcotics. But this is notall: it puts an effectual stop to the swelling. If the case has notgone very far, the swelling falls, and may disappear; but even when ithas gone too far for this, the disease is stayed, and all symptoms ofit are lessened. All swelling but the actual separate growth isremoved. For instance, when the swelling has passed from the breastinto the armpit it has been dispelled, and entirely confined to theactual substance of the tumour. This is managed simply by thepersistent and vigorous use of cold towels. They must be large enoughto allow of fourfold covering of the whole breast. They are wrung outof cold water at first, and, if possible, cooled with ice instead ofbeing wrung out after. One at a time is kindly pressed all round andover the swollen breast. It is heated in one or two minutes, and mustbe changed. The second is pressed round and all over the breast in thesame way. It is soon heated too, but you may have three of them in acircle, and if you have a bit of ice for those that are cooling, youhave cold enough. Some would put on an ice-bag, and let it lie, but wehave never been able to advise this, as it is very apt to destroy theouter skin by too severe cold. This treatment requires work--no doubtof that--but the effects are well worth it. 

When the cooling treatment, given twice a day, or oftener if it can bewithout discomfort, has reduced the swelling and put back the tumour, till it may fairly be regarded as capable of absorption, it will bewell to try the effect of hot fomentation by bathing (_see_ Breast, Swelling in). This will not do harm, but good, if it is only used sofar as to try whether the stage for hot treatment has been reached. Ifthe hot bathing is agreeable, and instead of causing pain, rathersoothes and comforts, it may be strongly tried. But this will be onlyif the effectual cooling has put back the disease, or if it has beenreally mastered. So long as it shows a tendency to increase, it will bewell to continue the cooling. 

Even if it be not possible to remove the disease, its progress may bearrested, and it may be rendered dormant for the rest of life. We knowpersons sent off to die with growths who are now quite well and havebeen so for many years, with these growths only rendered dormant. Evenif this is not possible, it may be that we render the growth so slowthat it shall come to nothing important in the remainder of even a longlife. We should never hesitate to do our utmost in any case. 

Besides the local treatment given above, vital action in the wholebodily system has to be increased on a definite line. This is theripening and removing used-up substance from the body. It is sluggishripening of substance to which we trace the morbid living growth; thatsluggishness must be overcome. The first and most important means forthis is fresher air for the lungs. The seaside home, if there are nodrugs or drinks prescribed in ignorance, nor any other drawback, willbe found of immense value here. 

Next in importance to fresh air is pure distilled water. It should beused both in preparing food and for drinking. This constant use ofdistilled water is one of the most important remedies in cases ofcancer. Comfortable clothing (_see_ Underwear) should be worn by nightand day, and damp avoided. The food should be such as can be mosteasily assimilated. Whole wheaten meal in various forms and pure waterwork wonders on "hopeless cases. "

But when all these conditions have been supplied, "pack" the whole bodyat eight o'clock at night in cloths lightly wrung out of hot vinegarand water, half and half, and covering these with dry sheets andblankets, give the patient an hour in this "pack. " On taking out ofthis, rub gently all over with hot olive oil, dry that off and put tobed. In the morning, at half-past seven or so, pack in a soapy blanketfor an hour, then sponge with vinegar and rub with oil. Take a stick ofgood liquorice, with half an ounce of senna leaves, and put these in aquart of water, boil the whole down to a pint, giving a teaspoonful ofthis in a little hot water three times a day. 

Cancer in Face. --Treat as far as possible as recommended for breastcancer. 

Cancer in Foot. --We have noted one case in which "Cancerous Gangrene"in the foot, pronounced incurable by the medical attendant, was curedby our instructions in the following simple manner. Buttermilkpoultices (_see_) were used over the whole foot to thoroughly cleansethe sores. These were then carefully lathered with soap (_see_ Latherand Soap). Vinegar or weak acid was applied with sponges and syringeafter this, and made thoroughly to penetrate all the sores to thebottom. This was done twice a day, and in one week improvement set in. In a comparatively short time the patient could walk miles withoutfatigue. This treatment may be applied to all angry sores. 

Cane Syrup. --In the original edition, good treacle was recommended as alaxative. This treacle, which was prepared from cane sugar, weunderstand is now not to be had--what is sold as treacle being largelymixed with glucose. We therefore recommend instead the use of goldensyrup made from pure cane sugar. This can be had (in tins), guaranteedby the makers to be genuine. 

Carbuncle. --_See_ Boil. 

Catarrh. --Is simply an inflammation due to impurity of the blood. Theseimpurities arise from bad air or wrong food, and remain in the bodytill a chill of some kind or other forces the blood and the impuritieswith the blood to some part, resulting in inflammation. Catarrh in themucous membrane, connected with respiration, is commonly called a"cold, " and is decidedly infectious (_see_ Air). A cold must beregarded as an effort of Nature to get rid of these impurities. Breathing of fresh, even cold air, will expedite, not hinder the cure. 

Washing the hands and face in _cold_ water, and drying vigorously, willoften cure it when beginning as "cold in the head. " Cold, applied in acertain way, cures the after effects of chill, but it must be soapplied as only to affect the part to which it is applied, while thegeneral heat of the body is kept up. Catarrh may occur in any internalmembrane of the body. If these can be reached, as the nostrils, or eventhe bowels, may be by syringing, then nothing is better to effect acure than cool water and vinegar, or weak acetic acid. Brush thenostrils often with this, and cold in the head will soon be cured. Itcan be applied still better by means of a nasal douche. Syringing thebowels with this cool acid mixture in the more serious catarrh of thesewill also cure. Patient perseverance is wanted, however, in the lattercase. Get also the external skin to act thoroughly. Where the cause ofinternal catarrh is exhaustion, through overwork or worry, the causemust be removed. Let the sufferer learn trust in a living HeavenlyFather, and cast all burdens upon Him, and the physical treatment willhave a fair chance to cure. _See_ Breath and Skin. 

Cauliflower Growths. --These begin like warts, and in the earlier stagespoulticing and soaking with weak acid almost invariably cure. Aftersome months the growth looks like the head of a cauliflower, andbecomes dangerous if on a vital region. It is not really a parasite, but rather a diseased state of the skin, which is perfectly curable. First every part is carefully cleansed with a small camel's-hair brushand weak acid (_see_ Acetic Acid). Then the buttermilk poultice isapplied all night, or even night and day (_see_ Buttermilk Poultice). Cleanse again after poulticing. Careful and persevering continuance ofthis treatment will effect a cure. 

Cayenne and Mustard. --Mustard spread on a _cold_ towel and applied tothe spine or lumbar region of the back is often an effective aid to thecold treatment. If such applications have to be made more than once, cayenne pepper is preferable to the mustard, and equally powerful. Whencold cloths alone fail, this more powerful treatment may be tried. Painand burning after cayenne are relieved by applying olive oil. 

Cayenne Lotion, or "Sweating Mixture. "--This is made with one or twotablespoonfuls of cayenne pepper (as desired weak or strong), half apint of white vinegar, and a pint of boiling water. These are mixed andinfused for half-an-hour. The mixture is then carefully strained so asto remove the pepper grains. Dilute, if too strong, with water. 

Cayenne "Tea. "--Infuse an ounce of good cayenne pepper in a pint ofboiling water. Strain out the pepper. This produces a glow of heat onthe skin when rubbed on, and may be a valuable adjunct to oil rubbingwhere that is intended to raise such a glow. 

Changing Treatment. --To wisely alter and arrange the treatment in anycase is of the utmost importance. Treatment which at first gives greatrelief will often become ineffective or even painful. Then some otherway of cure must be tried. Sometimes cold applications will becomepainfully cold. Heating for a time is then effective, and cooling canagain be given after the heating. Soapy lather on an inflamed part willdo delightful service for a while, then it may become painful. Warm oilmay then be used instead. When this becomes irritant, a return to thesoap will cure. Or the hot bathing of a sore knee may be most effectivefor a while, and then may give rise to sore pain. In such a case, ceasethe bathing, and for a time apply the soapy lather. Do not despairbecause a thing "loses its effect. " Its apparent loss of power onlyindicates a needed change of treatment. Common sense will guide inthis, and the true healer and nurse will be able to judge what is bestto do. 

We have a case in which, after long rubbing with acetic acid, the skinseemed to become so used to it that little or no effect was produced. For a few days an alkali, in the simple form of "hartshorn" (ammonia)was rubbed on instead of the acid. The acid rubbing was then resumed, and produced its usual effect. Such plans will occur to all who arethoughtful, and do not just blindly follow instructions. 

Cold-water cloths have got in certain circles to be fashionable, sothat they are used exclusively in all cases. A knee joint has gotwrong, and it is deemed the right thing to wear a cold bandageconstantly round it. But this fails to have the desired effect. It maynot fail entirely, so long as there is some vital energy on which to"come and go, " as we say, the effect of the reaction will be to give ameasure of relief. But in very many cases this vital energy isdeficient. If in such a case the person advising it has only thoughtenough to have recourse to an hour's hot fomentation once or twice aday, the effect desired may not be long delayed. Supposing somethinglike inflammation of the lungs has to be dealt with. Cold is applied onthe chest, as it is often most successfully applied, when there isstill a good deal of energy to be drawn upon. But in this case there isnot sufficient energy. Well pack the feet and legs in a thoroughly hotfomentation, such as will renew a full supply of heat all over thebody. Then you will find the cooling of the chest thoroughly effectual. In a very considerable correspondence we meet often with this resolve:"We shall continue to do as you direct till we hear from you again. " Weremember telling a young man to put a hot bran poultice between hisshoulders for a troublesome cough. We saw him no more for months, butwhen we did meet him he apologised for not continuing the application. He said, "I poulticed my shoulders for three weeks, and they began toget soft, so I stopped doing it. " We certainly thought his head hadbeen soft to begin with! Why should not sensible men and women get alittle independent thought of their own?

It may be well to remark that the cessation of all treatment is achange, and often a very beneficial one too. If you do not know what todo when any treatment is "losing its effect, " or having the oppositeeffect to that which it had, just cease to do anything till you seemanifestly what is needed. The rest of a week, or even two, may be justthe thing wanted. If it is, it will ease the pain; if it does not, youwill see that probably the opposite of what you had been doing willsuit. 

Chapped Hands. --Our idea is that this is caused by the soda in the soapused. At any rate, we have never known any one to suffer from chappedhands who used M'Clinton's soap _only_. 

It is made from the ash of plants, which gives it a mildness notapproached by even the most expensive soaps obtainable. 

If the hands have become chapped, fill a pair of old loose kid gloveswith well wrought Lather (_see_), putting these on just when gettinginto bed, and wearing till morning. Doing this for two or three nightswill cure chapped, or even the more painful "hacked" hands, where theouter skin has got hard and cracked down to the tender inner layer. 

Chest Pains. --_See_ Angina Pectoris. 

Chest Protectors. --These are often piled on the front of the body, while the far more important _back_ is left exposed. In many cases ofdelicacy and cough, particularly with women, it is far more effectiveto protect the upper back with warm extra flannel than to placecovering on the chest. This alone will sometimes cure distressingcoughs. In every case, such "protection, " whether to back or breast, should be such as to secure free escape of perspiration (_see_Underwear). A sheet of fine wadding is excellent. Where less heat isdesired, new flannel is the best. Often, also, chest trouble is besthelped by protecting the soles of the feet. If these and the back arekept warm, there is little fear or harm at the front of the chest. Letthe back covering, where it is used, come down as far as the top of thehip bones. 

Chilblains. --These occur in hands and feet where the circulative poweris feeble, either from weakness or from tight pressure of boots orgloves. The cold has power, owing to lack of circulation, to partlykill the skin, which thus becomes painfully inflamed, and swells. Toincrease and maintain circulation in the part is to cure it. In theearly stages, when heat and itching are felt, a good rubbing with hotolive oil and cayenne tea will often cure. But if this fail, pack thefoot or hand in cloths soaked with vinegar. If the pain is great, placethe packed foot or hand in hot water for a few minutes or more. Afterthis immersion repack with vinegar-soaked cloths, cover well up withdry flannel, and wear this packing all night. In cases where weaknessis the root of the trouble, rub the back once a day with hot oil untila glow of heat arises all over it. Do this daily for a fortnight _atleast_. Where tight boots or gloves are the cause, these must bediscarded for more easily fitting ones. 

Child-bearing. --Simple remedies such as we advocate are found ofimmense service in mitigating both the pains of child-birth and thetroubles coming before and after it. 

To see that the medical man is one thoroughly competent is the firstduty of those responsible in such a case. Incompetent and carelessdoctors are the cause of much trouble. Get, then, the _best you can_. Much may be done, however, to prevent trouble by very simple means. 

The sufferings usually accompanying pregnancy and the birth of childrenin civilized countries are largely confined to the higher classes. Working women escape much of the pain their more luxurious sisters haveto endure. Travellers tell us how, among the Red Indians, Negroes, South Sea Islanders and others who live more in a state of nature thanwe, the women suffer but little in childbirth, and return to theirordinary occupations almost immediately after the event. The adoptionof a simple and natural diet, healthy exercise combined with sufficientrest and rational clothing, have been found to ensure an easy deliveryas well as good health for mother and child. 

The _diet_ of the pregnant mother is of great importance. Too much foodis worse than useless. Food should only be taken of such a kind andquality as can be easily assimilated. The mother is best who takes onlyso much light food as she can easily convert into good blood. More, simply loads the system with useless waste or fat. 

The diet during pregnancy should be mainly vegetables, fruit, salad, rice, tapioca, milk, eggs in moderation, and a small amount ofwholemeal bread. A little meat or fish once a day is allowable forthose whom it suits, but rich, spicy dishes, pastry, strong tea, coffeeand all alcoholic drinks are very injurious. Three meals a day with no"snacks" of any kind between, are sufficient. For those who have reasonto dread a hard confinement, oatmeal is best avoided. To avoid fluidswhile eating is important, especially for those who have a weakdigestion. One may drink half-an-hour before meals or three hoursafter, but if plenty of fruit and salad is eaten and little salt usedwith the food there will be little thirst. Too much fluid should not bedrunk, if thirst is felt, water very slowly sipped will quench itbetter than copious draughts. During pregnancy there is often a cravingfor acid fruits, this is nature's call for what is needful at such atime. Fruits and green vegetables supply a large quantity of mostvaluable salts which go to make good blood and build up all parts ofthe body. Never force the appetite. Food that is neither relished nordigested will do more harm than good. 

It must never be forgotten that the blood of the child is beingdirectly derived from that of the mother, consequently if the diet isof such a nature as to induce over-abundance of fat, the child will beborn too fat. This does not mean a healthy child by any means, and itmay mean considerable extra pain for the mother. A mother inclined tothinness need not fear that this diet will reduce her. The taking ofcream, eggs, bacon and other fat foods often has the opposite effectfrom that desired. A thin person adopting the above light diet willgenerally get into good condition. 

Under the head of _exercise_, the first we would recommend is generalhousework, provided windows are kept open, avoiding the more laboriousparts, and always being careful not to get over-fatigued. Lightgardening, walks, if not too long, and light gymnastic exercises areall beneficial. The exercises described in the appendix, practised forten minutes at a time, once or twice a day, are quite suitable for theexpectant mother, while deep breathing (_see_ Breathing, Correct Methodof) is most valuable. 

The subject of _dress_ should be particularly studied. Garments whichare light, warm, porous, and which in no way impede or restrict themovements and natural functions of the body, should be worn. It hasbeen found that those who wear no corset nor tight band or bodice willsuffer but little, if at all, from morning sickness. Corsets, byholding immobile the waist muscles, prevent their getting strong. Anyone who is accustomed to corsets, when she leaves them off for a daywill complain of "such a tired feeling, as if she would break in two. "This is easily accounted for, the muscles, unused to the task ofholding up the body, are flabby and useless. These same muscles whencalled on, at the moment of delivery, are totally unfit for their work, hence comes a large amount of the unnecessary suffering. The remedyis--discard the corsets, bear with the tiredness for a week or two andregularly practice the exercises recommended above, especially thewaist exercises of bending and turning. The muscles will soon gainstrength, and the corset be found to be quite unnecessary and mostuncomfortable. 

In the commencement of pregnancy, when there is sickness and vomiting, we have seen it cured, even when so severe as to threaten life, byspreading over the patient's irritated stomach, a soft, fine soaplather (_see_ Lather and Soap). It acts in such cases like a charm. Thelather is well and _gently_ spread with a _soft_ brush all over thestomach. Wipe it gently off with a _soft_ cloth. Cover again with freshlather. Do this five or six times. Then treat the back in the samemanner, behind the stomach. In half-an-hour all retching should cease. When the stomach has had a rest of some hours, a small quantity oflight food may be given. Half a Saltcoat's biscuit (_see_) thoroughlymasticated, and a little milk and boiling water may be enough to takeat one time. Do not force the appetite, wait until a desire for food isfelt. Pass by degrees to ordinary food. 

If the mother, at any time, feels faint, on no account give brandy. Drop five drops of tincture of cayenne on a lump of sugar. Dissolve itin half a teacupful of hot water, and give this instead. In cases ofheartburn, take small drinks of hot water, say a tablespoonful everyfive minutes. A very great help to the expecting mother is found in thecold sitz-bath (_see_ Sitting Bath). Baths known as "Matlock Baths" maybe had, which suit very well for this purpose; but a tub for washing, of a suitable size, would do very well, or even a large sized bedroombasin will serve. Put in cold water, three inches deep, and let thepatient sit in it. In winter have the water cold, but not freezing. Therest of the body may be kept warm with a wrap, and if the patient feelscold, the feet may be placed in hot water. Taken once or twice a daythis bath will have a tonic effect on the whole system, and a markedlycheering effect on the mind. The time in the bath is shorter or longeraccording to the patient's strength and power of reaction. Feeling willbe the best guide, but even a dip of half-a-minute will do good. 

In regard to the actual birth, we repeat that those concerned shouldsee to the attendance of a _really_ skilful medical man. Chloroform inthe hands of such a doctor is of immense value, but in unskilful handsit is dangerous. Therefore let expense be no bar, where it is possible, to the obtaining the best medical aid that can be had. 

Many trivial matters greatly affect the mother during child-birth, andthe few succeeding hours. We have known a stupid remark by anincompetent nurse spoil a mother's health for months. The greatest caremust be exercised by all concerned to say only cheerful and soothingthings to the sufferer. Even the aspect of the room is important. Itshould look sunwards, if possible, and hideous pictures should beremoved, while perhaps some text speaking comfortably of the GoodShepherd, who "will gently lead those that are with young, " may be hungup. Trifles these, but their effect is no trifle. 

Do not keep the patient in too hot a room; fresh air is of great value. Do not leave her for nine days in an unchanged bed. The necessarysponging and changing should be done daily. Cleanliness means comforthere, and comfort health. It is not early sponging and washing, but anine days' steaming in unchanged bedclothes which causes chills. Aftercool sponging, a gentle rubbing under the bedclothes with hot oliveoil, over the body and limbs, will be very refreshing. All clothes, etc. , and the hands of the attendants should be most carefully washedand cleaned before they touch the patient. Too much care in this matterof cleanliness cannot be taken, as it is of the _first importance_ as apreventative of many troubles. 

What are called "After Pains" often give much distress. Drugs andalcohol should be strictly avoided. The difficulty here is in theobjection so many have to cold applications. These, after child-birth, are not dangerous, but form a short and simple road to health. Makinghandfuls of soapy lather (_see_ Lather) and rubbing these gently overthe pains, both back and front, is most powerfully soothing, and has notendency to chill. 

Where severe pains, indicating inflammatory action, are felt in thebowels, this lather should at once be applied, and followed up withcold cloths over the bowels, applied as to the chest in Bronchitis(_see_). The bran poultice should always be applied at the same time, putting it on before the cold towels, over all the lower back (_see_Bran Poultice). Sips of hot water will also powerfully help in allcases of such pain. 

Treatment on these lines will deal with even very severe cases of AfterPains. 

Children and Teachers. --Children are of the utmost value to society;through any one of them the divine light may shine which will blessmany generations. They are very easily hurt by unwise treatment andteaching. We would have the teacher and parent impressed with thepreciousness of even the most delicate child. _Health of mind andbody_, not attainment, must be the _first consideration_ in theteaching of the young. It ought to be as much the teacher's business tosee that pupils do not suffer in health as to see that lessons (oftenquite useless) are learned (_see_ articles on Brow, Weary, and Eyes, Failing Sight). We would again emphasise the truth that no child shouldbe undervalued for its delicate health. Delicate children have oftenbecome men and women without whom the world would be vastly poorer. 

Children in Fever. --Fevered children, whether in any actual fever, asscarlet, typhoid, or any other, or merely heated from some minorailment, should be treated as under Fever. Have two small towels, wringthem tightly out of cold water, fold one gently round the head. _Pressit gently_ all round and over the head. It will be heated in one minutein some cases, longer in others. Change it for the other then, andproceed alternately till the head is cooled. Perhaps that may takehalf-an-hour. The time will be less for a young infant, more for a boyor girl in their teens. Common sense, and an examination of the pulse, will guide as to the proper time. The head is the chief considerationin this treatment, but attention to the state of the stomach and bowelsis also very important. Any indigestible substance must be removed, andsips or small drinks of hot water will greatly help in this, as well asproper medicine. Castor oil is a good, simple drug for ordinary cases. If there is coldness in the feet in such fevered cases, a fomentationmay be applied over the legs, or even up to the haunches. This willgreatly reinforce the cooling of the head, and prevent any possiblechill. The water used for cooling should be about 50 deg. F. , or atleast near that temperature, in the case of infants. Water which hasstood some time in an ordinary room will do excellently. It shouldneither be icy nor warm. Typhoid fever itself has been cured with thishead cooling alone. 

Children's Clothing. --An infant's clothing should be soft, warm, andlight in weight, covering all parts of the body with equal warmth. Tight bands and long, heavy skirts should never be used, the dress andpetticoat being just long enough to keep the feet covered and warm. Iffrom the first a baby is "held out" always after being nursed, itlearns to urinate at that time, and the clumsy diapers can be dispensedwith in a few months. _No ordinary pins_ should be used, and as fewsafety pins as possible. Tapes properly arranged will keep all secure. 

Flannelette should never be used, being so very inflammable (_see_Children's Dangers). 

With infants, as with older children, it is a mistake to heap on toomuch clothing. Many children by such coddling, which is intended toprevent them catching cold, are rendered delicate and susceptible tochills. Just enough clothing should be worn to keep the little onecomfortably warm and no more. The same applies to bed-clothes; theyshould be light and not excessive, only enough to keep the childcomfortable. 

Babies thoroughly enjoy a time every day without clothes, when they cankick to their hearts' content. If this is begun by degrees, a shorttime at first, gradually getting longer every day, there will be nodanger of giving the child cold through letting it lie unclothed, on arug on the floor for half-an-hour at a time, with the window open. Theair-bath will invigorate and strengthen the system. Rubbing with thehand all over the little ones body during this time will be enjoyed, and effectually prevent any chilliness, if it is dreaded. 

Children's Dangers. --Avoidance of the causes of disease requires someidea of the dangers to which children are exposed in the usualupbringing. For instance, sitting on damp ground, cold stones, or evena cool window-sill, is a fruitful cause of bowel trouble. The remedyfor such an exposure is proper warm FOMENTATION (_see_) of the chilledparts, followed by hot olive oil rubbing and careful clothing. 

Again, _rich diet_, especially for delicate children, is a great causeof trouble. What we have written concerning food, and the articleAssimilation, should be read to guide on this. 

Again, the child is exposed to falls, and falls into water, leadingsometimes to drowning. Timely thought would prevent nearly all suchaccidents. Do not wait until the trouble comes. Protect exposed streamsand wells near the house. Shut doors and gates in time. Also thedirections of the Humane Society for the recovery of the partly drowned(_see_ Drowning) should be in every house, and as soon as possible bothboys and girls should learn to swim. 

Again, children are in danger through careless attendants. They may belet fall, or capsized in perambulators. Spinal injury is often causedby such falls. In case of any broken or disjointed limbs, the bandagingof infants should be of a gentle kind, and encasement in starch orplaster jackets should be avoided. In every way the natural growth andcirculation should be helped, not hindered by strapping and tightbandaging. The timely consulting of a _really good_ doctor will oftenprevent serious trouble in any case of a fall. 

Another source of danger is the exposure of children to the possibilityof burning or scalding. Wherever there are young children fires shouldbe guarded, and matters so arranged that they cannot come in the way ofboiling water. Much that seems impossible in such protection becomeseasy enough to a determined person, and a great deal of sore illnesscan be averted by taking a little trouble. A child should never be inthe place where there is a pan of boiling water on the floor, nor inany house should it be _possible_ for a child to pull a kettle full ofboiling water on its head. 

If, however, scalding occur, apply the cold treatment as detailed inthe article on Burns. 

In case of contracted limbs or features, occurring from severe burning, the rubbing treatment (_see_ Children's Healthy Growth), will beeffective as a cure. 

Children's clothing should never be made of flannelette, it is soliable to take fire if the child approaches the grate. At hundreds ofinquests coroners have directed attention to the terrible loss of lifefrom this cause. 

Medicines and all poisonous substances should be carefully labelled, and kept out of children's reach. If by accident a child should havetaken poison administer an antidote (_see_ Poisoning). Should a childswallow a nail, button or some such hard substance, do not give anypurgative medicine. It will pass out more safely when embedded in solidfĉces. Examine the stools carefully so that anxiety may be allayed whenthe foreign substance is seen. 

Children's Deformed Feet. --_See_ Club Foot. 

Children's Healthy Growth. --Often either the whole system or some partfails to grow properly. In this way the spine or legs may becomecurved, or generally the child is small and feeble. Growth dependslargely on the organic nerve centres. Lack of power there causes evendeformity itself. Treatment, therefore, must be such as to restore tothese centres their energy, and increase it. Do not force the child tostand or walk when wearied. If he uniformly refuses these attitudes, have patience till he gathers power. Wash all over at bedtime with warmwater and M'Clinton's soap. Dry, and rub all over with warm olive oil. Wipe this also gently off. Let the rubbing be such, along each side ofthe spine, as will bring the organic nerves into action. Gentle, slow, steady motion of the hand is best for this. All painful or irritatingrubbing is positively hurtful. Let this be done every night, and evenincipient deformity will be cured in time. 

The nerves are in some cases irritable, and great restlessness andinvoluntary movement, accompanied even with twisting of the neck, showsitself. This will yield to skilful cooling of the spinal nerves withdamp cloths. _See_ St. Vitus' Dance. 

An opposite kind of nervous failure shows itself as paralysis. The handand arm, or foot, trails helplessly, owing to motor nerve failure. Thiswill often yield to the spinal rubbing and poulticing mentioned above. Another state of failure is indicated by "numbness" in the fingers andtoes. The spinal rubbing and poulticing with bran will also beeffective for this. Sometimes lack of nerve force shows itself asfailure to walk at the proper time. The child cannot use its limbsproperly, although these are right enough in shape and size. The curefor this is persistent gentle rubbing with warm oil, as recommendedabove, over the whole body, but especially over the back. Feel for themuscles and bones, and adapt your hand to their shape, going down intothe hollows immediately on each side of the spine, and payingparticular attention to the _upper_ part in the failure of the _arms_, and the _lower_ part in failure of the _legs_. This rubbing is a mostpowerful remedy, but it must be patiently and well applied twice a dayfor a length of time. Bear in mind that gradual cures are mostpermanent. Even creeping paralysis in adult persons yields to thisrubbing. No doubt it is _work_, but it is well repaid. All troubleswhere failing nerves are concerned may be treated with somemodification of this heat and rubbing. Our readers can easily adapt itto particular needs by a little thought. _See_ Spine, Misshapen, andMassage. 

Children's Limbs. --Frequently a failure of some kind shows itself inthe limbs of some children. Usually it appears as either _bending_ orinability to walk at the proper age, or both together. To use "steelboots" and kindred appliances is to ignore the true nature of thetrouble, and most likely to increase it. What is wanted is propergrowth in the limb. To secure this, the nerve system of the spine mustbe stimulated, and there is no better stimulus to be had than"massage. " When any substance is rubbed on, it is almost always therubbing, rather than the substance, which has the good effect. Hence werecommend rubbing with simply good olive oil. For an infant, the backmust be massaged very gently, taking care not to hurt the child in anyway. It should be applied especially up and down each side of the backbone, where there is a softer region, full of important nerve centres. The limbs may also be gently rubbed. A genial heat should be raised inall the infant's body by these means, and, if rightly done, the childwill eagerly wish for it again. Half-an-hour a day may be given tothis. It is well to persevere for a long time, and never give up hope. Many a weak-limbed child has grown up a strong, healthy man or woman. _See_ Massage. 

The food in such cases should be good ordinary food. We have never beenable to see the good of cod liver oil that is so generally recommended. It seems to us a most unnatural thing for a human being, young or old. Cream and butter will supply a far more easily assimilated fat at muchlower cost. We may also say that honey is more wholesome and fatteningthan malt extract, and costs only one-fifth of the price. 

The feeding of children on corn flour, often made with but little milk, is a fruitful source of rickets. The same may be said of white bread, the flour having been largely deprived of its food salts. Givingchildren lime water, with the idea that the body can convert it intobone (as a hen makes her egg shells out of old mortar) is an entiremistake. The human system cannot use such inorganic material. The menof best bone, so far as we can judge, are those who have been nourishedin great measure on good oatmeal. 

Children's Nerves. --The nervous system of children is often damaged byshock or fright, sometimes very seriously, so that paralysis orhysterical affections come on. 

Blindness, deafness, loss of speech, every possible loss of functionmay follow a violent shock to a child's mind or bodily system. Caremust be taken to avoid this. The moment you see the child affected byany strange sight or sound have, if possible, the child removed or theaffecting object put away, or have some one who can soothe the childbrought to calm its mind. This properly done, and done quickly, willusually prevent any evil effects. If, however, these come on, treatmentcan do a very great deal to remedy the ill. If fits come on, lay thechild flat on his back, with head slightly raised. Place a piece ofcork or wood between the teeth, fastened so as to prevent thepossibility of its being swallowed, and loosen all the clothes, untilthe fit is over. Continue to soothe the mind, and instil happy thoughtssuch as God gives every Christian the right to think, even in the worsttimes of trial. Bring before the child's mind some cheery tales orinteresting objects. Allay all fears, and soothe all sorrows, as far aspossible. 

If, however, the fits come on again, with blackening of the face, _donot treat harshly_, but apply a cold towel along the spinal cord in themorning in bed. This will soothe even unreasonable passion, and removestubbornness. Or if the fit is "on, " put warmly to bed, and then applythe cold towel. Medical aid, when available, should also be summoned. If a faint comes on, that points to the need of a hot fomentation alongthe spine instead of a cold towel. It is not difficult as a rule todistinguish between the fit, with its frequent convulsive cramps andblackening of the face, and the simple faint of exhaustion. In thefirst the patient is all "strung up, " and in the last the veryopposite. 

Children's Sleep. --This most important matter of good sleep for thechild depends not only on health of body but on ease of the infant'smind. It is wrong to treat the child otherwise than through theunderstanding, where he is afraid, or in a strange place. Waking up, after being put to sleep in a strange room, the little one may receivea shock which may prevent sleep for the rest of the night. If he bepatiently soothed and matters explained, all will be well; but it is agreat cruelty to thrash or threaten in such a case. To frighten a childwith ghost stories, or "Bogies, " IS TO COMMIT A SERIOUS CRIME. It isnot dealt with by the law, but it certainly deserves to be. Never bringbefore a child's mind any _imaginary terrors_; rather teach it tounderstand them in such a way as to remove any cause of fear. But donot _force_ a child to examine an object which it fears, you may doterrible damage before you can explain. All fears should be mostcarefully dealt with, and no force employed; the little one who has noimaginary terrors, and is kindly taught to think every fearful image atbottom some innocent cloak or shadow, will sleep soundly and growhealthy in mind. 

When, however, ill-health is the cause of wakefulness, other means mustbe used. Cold feet, and chilly feelings generally, frequently keepchildren from sleep. Pack in such cases the lower limbs up to the waistin thick folded flannel FOMENTATION (_see_). This will often not onlygive sleep, but prevent more serious trouble. All soothing powders andnarcotic drugs should be most strictly avoided. 

Often the child is sleepless from feverish heat instead of coldness;then cooling applications should be used (_see_ Children in Fever). These may take the form of two caps for the head of thickest cottoncloth: one, tight fitting, to be wrung out of cold water and put on, the other, looser and dry, to be put on over the first. This alone willoften secure a night's sleep. Or the head may be soaped (_see_ Head, Soaping). It is inadvisable to rock a child to sleep, it will go tosleep if comfortable. 

Children's Strength. --The question often arises as to the ability ofchildren to bear certain kinds of treatment. It must ever beremembered, both in hot and cold applications, that the infant shouldbe _gently_ dealt with. Violent cold and burning heat must alike beavoided. 

With a gentle application of heat before bracing cold is used, considerable power of endurance is imparted. Strong blisters andviolent medicines should never be used. Very much less treatment willaffect the infant than that required for an older child. And in almostevery case the most durable cures are reached by gradual progress. 

Children's Swellings. --Sometimes these occur as merely relaxed tissuefull of blood. In this case everything about the part seems right andhealthy except the swelling. The skin is right and the temperaturealso. Treatment such as restores nerve energy will usually cure these(_see_ Children's Nerves). In other cases the tumour will be full ofwatery waste, or there may be a simple dropsical swelling owing tofailure in kidney action. This last is usually easily cured. It oughtnever to be "tapped, " as this draws off the strength desired. A simpleFOUR-PLY BANDAGE (_see_) of new flannel worn round the body will oftenbe enough to cure infants of even dropsical tumours. In other casesthis is used in conjunction with the bran poultice and rubbingrecommended above for cases of nerve failure. 

Wherever the swelling is, increase the vital force that supplies thegland, and so you will cure the whole evil at its source. Many willtell you to "purify the blood, " but there is no blood purifier like thesystem which God himself has provided, in the organs of the body madefor the purpose. Only increase the action of these, and you will havepure everything as well as pure blood. You will do it by goodfomentation, by good rubbing, by judicious clothing, and also by wisefeeding. You will do it to some extent even by good kind words. Youwill help the process by good, clean washing, such as warm vinegargives over a weakened surface. You will scarcely fail to gain your endif you use these means in time. 

Children's Teething. --_See_ Teething. 

Children's Treatment. --This should always be managed so as to sootheand not excite the little patients. They are very sensitive to heat andcold. When these are applied the child often cries, so that the"treatment" is condemned and given up. What should be condemned is thenurse's want of skill. In every case the cold or hot application shouldbe so managed as to be agreeable. Very gentle heat at first may besucceeded by stronger heat without shock. So mildly cool applicationsmay be followed by colder ones in the same way. There is no sense orbenefit in dashing a burning poultice or freezing towel on a delicateperson, either infant or adult, and sense is above all our guide inthese pages. 

Chills. --(1) Nerve or imaginary chills. These are _feelings_ of cold, where there is no real chilling; the back feels as if cold water werepoured down it, or even the whole body feels chilled, when anexamination will show that there is no real chill whatever. Nervouspatients are peculiarly liable to this, and often are greatly alarmedat it. The treatment in such cases is partly mental; let the patientknow that the chilly feeling is only a _feeling_, and nothing alarming. This will often of itself remove it; so will a cheery thought or acheery talk. Physical treatment may begin with such a rubbing of thehead as is recommended in Eyes, Squinting. Then treat the whole body toa gentle massage on similar principles. This will sometimes cause nervechills at first to increase; but the patient will soon disregard this, and the squeezing very gently of the muscles will stimulate and revivethe organic nerves. Warm olive oil used in this squeezing process willhelp greatly. It may be that a considerable time will be requiredbefore these nerve states are entirely overcome, but with anything likecareful treatment they will gradually be so. Keep the patient warm inbed the while. Give easily assimilated food (_see_ Assimilation). Amixture of milk and _boiling_ water in equal quantities may be freelytaken. This treatment will besides greatly help nervousness of everykind. 

(2) In the case of _real_ chill to the surface of the body, _shivering_is an early symptom. If the frame is strong, the shiver may pass offand no evil results follow: but frequently this is not the case, andtrouble is apt to intervene. In such a case give a thorough rubbing allover the body, and especially the back and chilled part, with warmolive oil; this, if applied early enough, will probably prevent all illconsequences, --it will at least mitigate them. If the chill has passedinto feverishness however, this treatment will not suit; but we onlydeal here with the cold shivering stage. The rubbing will be greatlyassisted by a good hot fomentation to the feet, or even up to thehaunches. The use of Kneipp linen underwear, by promoting a healthyaction of the skin, and rapidly conducting away the perspiration fromits surface, will do much to prevent chills, either real or imaginary. _See_ Angina Pectoris, Underwear, Massage. 

Chloroform. --_See_ Child-bearing. 

Circulation of the Blood. --Nothing is more important for the health orhealing of any organ or part of the body than a good supply of arterialblood. Venous blood, collected by the veins after it has done its workall over the body, or blood stagnating in congested organs, is uselessfor growth and healing. To promote a vigorous circulation of blood inany part we wish to cure is, then, of great importance; this may bedone by helping the heart in various ways, especially if that be weak. Lying down, and lying comfortably on the face, greatly assistscirculation. Placing a fainting person in this position will oftensuffice to restore him. In congestion of any part, if possible keepthat part, --head, hand, or foot, as the case may be--above the level, so that the escape of blood from it may be easy. _Raising_ an inflamedfinger or toe thus, and keeping it up, will often relieve severe pain. In inflamed kidneys, make the sufferer lie on his face as much aspossible. Other positions in other cases will be suggested by commonsense. 

Again, heat expands the vessels of the body, and cold contracts them. Cooling a congested part assists to drive excess of blood out of it, and heating some other part opens accommodation for the blood soexpelled. This explains our hot poultice and fomentation as used withcold cloths. Common sense will show us how to apply it as a principleof treatment in many cases. 

Again, a congested limb may often be very greatly relieved by properrubbing along the soft parts, the strokes being firm and steady, anddirected from the extremity of the limb towards the body. This rubbingalong the thigh relieves very much all swellings in the foot, ankle, leg and knee. This principle may be widely applied by a littlecommon-sense thought. 

Climate and Soil. --The soil on which one lives is a matter of primaryimportance; it may be a matter of life or death for a weakly person, but it is important for every one. First, as regards the subsoil onwhich a house is built. If this be clay, or impervious rock, then nopossible system of drainage can make the site a dry one; this conditionof affairs will be very bad indeed for health. No house should be builton such a soil if at all possible to avoid it. Light open gravel andsand, as subsoil, make the very best health conditions. The surfacesoil is also important. If this be such that streets and garden walksdry quickly after rain, you have elements of health; if they remainlong wet, then you have elements of unhealthiness. If the soil beright, then the climate is to be considered. The mere situation of twohouses, only half a mile apart, will make all the difference in this, and should be carefully watched. A house sheltered on the south andwest, exposed to the north and east, is badly situated; the oppositeexposure is usually good. Plenty of sun should fall upon the house allday, and on all sides, if that be possible. Yet it must be seen that nohollow or stagnant air be chosen; it is nearly as bad as stagnantwater, for in mild winds, dryness of soil and air, and abundant sun, lie much virtue for health and healing. 

Clothing. --Clothing should be light yet warm, and sufficiently free soas not to interfere with bodily movements. The clothing next the skinshould, we think, be linen, as being more porous and absorbent thanwool (_see_ Underwear). No woman who values her health should submit toany tight lacing. The organs of the body require every inch of spacefor the proper performance of their functions, and if they are undulysqueezed many serious complaints may result. Besides the skin is abreathing organ, and it is most important that air should readily reachit (_see_ Tight Lacing). 

Long trains should not be worn, as they are most effective agents forsweeping up germs of diphtheria, consumption, etc. Skirts should not behung from the waist, but from the shoulders, and should be light inweight. Tight boots and high heels are both to be condemned. 

The practice of wearing mufflers, or any tight wrapping round the neckregion, is injurious and enervating to this part of the body. Thesailor, though exposed to more rough weather than any other class, isfree from throat or chest trouble, and can stand both heat and coldbetter than soldiers. Sailors are, indeed, the only sensibly dressedmen in our country. Soldiers, in their tight-fitting tunic and stiffcollars, are the worst. They constantly die of heat and apoplexy, whenfarm labourers doing more work are nothing the worse. 

Club Foot. --Children are not unfrequently born with this deformity inone or other of its various shapes. The cause is to be sought in such adefective state of the nervous system as hinders the proper growth ofthese parts. If the nerves are treated rightly, the limbs will so growthat the defect will disappear. We speak from positive knowledge ofcases so cured. 

Treatment must first stimulate the spinal nerves; gentle, continuedrubbing on each side of the spine with hot olive oil will do this. Proceed, after some time of this, to rub and knead the haunch, thigh, and leg with the same hot oil. Continue this, gradually descending, until the defective foot is reached and similarly treated. We haveknown even adults cured in this way, with perseverance. Ten or fifteenminutes of this treatment before a fire, or in a warm room, everynight, will do wonders. A skilful surgeon can do much to remedy this, but one _really_ skilful should be chosen. _See_ Massage. 

Cold in the Head. --Infants often are prevented sucking by this form ofcold closing up the nostrils. In such a case have a small cap of cottonto fit the head. Wring this out of cold water, and fit it on thechild's head. Put on over it a rather larger and thicker cap of thesame material. Often the nostrils will open in two or three seconds, and the cold will speedily be cured, if no more be wrong. Observe thatthe child be _warm_ during this treatment. If the case is obstinate, secure good medical aid, for constitutional weakness, or even somedeformity of the nostrils, may be present as cause, where the troubleexists from birth. 

For adults similarly affected, a towel wrung out of cold water andwrapped round the head, with another _dry_ one above, will answer thepurpose. 

For severe cases, pack the feet and legs in hot fomentation for anhour, and apply a cold towel as above. This last method should alwaysbe pursued where the patient feels chilly. Cold in the head may oftenbe checked by use of dilute vinegar. _See_ Nostrils. 

Cold, Settled. --A cold is often easily overcome. At other times it"sits down, " as country people say, and refuses to be cured, a hard drycough continuing for a long time, and causing sleeplessness and generalweakness. In such a case first try to secure an increase generally ofvital energy. At night rub the feet and legs with hot olive oil. Packthem for three-quarters of an hour in a good _large_ blanketfomentation, open out, and dry well, oil and dry again, put on a pairof cotton stockings, and put the patient to bed. In the morning, placea towel tightly wrung out of cold water all round the back and breast. Cover this well with dry towels, and tuck the patient in, so that hebecomes warm and comfortable. In three-quarters of an hour open out, dry the skin, oil it and dry again. Then the ordinary clothing may beput on. The second evening it will be well to pack in the SOAPY BLANKET(_see_). Next morning the towel envelope should be repeated as before. The third evening, put a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_) between theshoulders. While this is on apply cold to the chest, as in treatmentfor BRONCHITIS (_see_). It is good to take sips of hot water at anytime if the cough is troublesome. A teaspoonful of boiled liquorice andlinseed two or three times a day has a good effect. This treatmentusually cures a pretty severe case. 

Cold, Taking. --Where cold is easily "taken, " it is the skin which isdefective in its action. The cure must therefore deal with it. Evenspasmodic asthma can be traced to the failure of the skin to throw offwaste sufficiently. Men exposed to great heats and chills, women andchildren whose nervous energy is small, are liable to this skinfailure. Kneipp linen underwear, besides being more absorbent ofperspiration than woollens, has a stimulating effect on the skin owingto a certain hardness (by no means unpleasant) of the fibre. Wearing itis an excellent preventive of skin failure (_see_ Underwear). This mayalso be treated by careful, kindly rubbing over the whole body withwarm olive oil, the patient being kept warm during the operation. Thisrubbing may with advantage come after a sponging with M'Clinton's soap(_see_ Soap). To face the wintry blast at half-past five in the morningis for many severely trying. This treatment the night before will giveimmense help to those who are so exposed. It is the best preventiveagainst taking cold known to us. 

There is one great difficulty that stands in the way of such a remedyas we have suggested--that is, the "trouble" which it implies, not somuch to ourselves as to others. Many a useful life is lost lest"trouble" should be given. It needs to be well understood that this isa temptation. If we can buy a quantity of some drug from a chemistaccording to the prescription of some medical man, and just quietlyswallow it, that "troubles" nobody. So powders to sweat us, and powdersto stop our sweating, are readily "taken, " greatly to increase alltendency to "take cold. " Our relatives and others have, as the fruit ofsuch a system, worlds of serious trouble and loss that might all besaved if only a very little trouble were given in the more natural andreasonable way. 

Cold Cloths. --_See_ Towels, Cold Wet. 

Constipation. --This trouble is often only aggravated and made chronicby the use of purgatives. Some simple change of diet, such as a ripeuncooked apple, eaten before breakfast, or a fruit diet for a day ortwo may put all right. So also with the use of wheaten meal porridge orbread. When this can be taken with pure CANE SYRUP (_see_), the twotogether will make such a change in the food as will frequently banishall inaction of the bowels. Rest must be reckoned on, especially if thepatient has been using purgatives freely. Do not act as if castor oilwere a necessary article of diet. When the constipation is moreobstinate, in the case of a child, good golden syrup may be given, ateaspoonful after each meal. A quarter of a pound of the best Spanishliquorice, costing sixpence, should be boiled in a pint of water downto three-quarters of a pint and strained. A dessertspoonful of thisafter each meal may be given instead of the treacle. It is the besttonic we know, and infinitely better than quinine and other costlierdrugs. If a stronger mixture be desired, put half-an-ounce of sennaleaf in the juice while being boiled. This may be increased to a wholeounce of senna if still stronger effect be desired. 

Some are more liable than others to attacks of constipation, butchronic constipation may generally be put down to errors in diet, orwant of sufficient exercise. Indigestible foods, such as pastry andheavy puddings, as well as foods which leave little residue in theintestine, such as white bread, puddings, arrowroot, are highlyconstipating. Tea has also a similar effect, also large quantities ofmeat. Constipation is seldom found in vegetarians, since vegetables andfruits act as a stimulus to the intestine. Brown bread and oatmealporridge have also an aperient effect. If it is suspected that milk hasbeen a cause of constipation in any particular case, it may be boiledand used with coffee instead of tea. 

Much may be done by judicious exercise to relieve chronic constipation, and help the liver to work (_see_ Appendix; Physical Culture). Deepbreathing will also affect the intestines and urge a motion. Bathingand massage of the abdomen are also useful (_see_ Massage). Clothingshould be light and loose, tight lacing being a frequent cause ofconstipation. 

Every effort should be made to keep the bowels regular, as protractedconstipation leads to many painful affections, such as headaches, piles, and even inflammation of the intestine, the various products ofputrefaction being absorbed and carried through the blood stream. Adaily motion should invariably be solicited at a regular hour. Onrising, before the morning bath, is a good time, though some preferjust before retiring to bed, and more, probably, go immediately afterbreakfast. The great thing is to get into the habit of going daily at afixed time; nothing should be allowed to interfere with this, and it ishighly desirable that children should be accustomed to this habit. Parents should, therefore, see that the schools selected havesufficient closet accommodation, as schools in private houses oftenhave but the one closet for a large number. As a result of thisrestricted accommodation, the habit of using aperient medicines isacquired with _very_ injurious results, for if the call of nature isneglected the desire passes away, and constipation is inevitable. Itsoon comes to be a settled condition and will often be the cause oflife-long ill-health. The evils from the formation of such a physicalhabit will far outweigh all the so-called accomplishments that may beacquired. 

Hot or cold water taken in sips throughout the day has often proved amost valuable cure for constipation. 

When artificial means are required to move the bowels, an enema is muchto be preferred to drugs. The way to administer it, so as to be mosteffective, is as follows: Use a fountain enema holding three quarts. Put into it two or three quarts of water as warm as can be comfortablyborne. A teaspoonful of salt added to the water will make it moreeffective, or soapy water may be used, made from M'Clinton's soap. Thefountain should be hung up as high above the patient as theindia-rubber tube will allow. The patient should lie on the right side, with knees drawn up. The tube should then be introduced into therectum, and should be three or four inches in. The water may then beturned on with the thumb valve. If the abdomen can be rubbed by anattendant in an upward direction it will be better. The water should beretained, if possible, twenty minutes or half-an-hour. 

A HOT FOMENTATION (_see_) over the liver, before using the enema, willmake it more effective. 

A bulb enema syringe may be used instead of the fountain, and lesswater--a pint or even less, and the water tepid or cold, may bepreferred by some. The disadvantage of a bulb syringe is however thatsometimes air gets in along with the water, causing pain anddiscomfort. 

Consumption, Prevention of. --This most insidious and deadly disease iscaused by a tiny vegetable growth derived from persons or animalsalready suffering from tuberculosis. The spit of consumptive patientsswarms with such germs, and when it dries and becomes dust the germsmay be stirred up and breathed, or may mix with food, _e. G. _, milk, andso enter the body. A dried handkerchief may also carry the infection. 

But these germs, though continually carried into the lungs of almostall, do not develop in all. The healthy body can resist them, and it isonly in the body which possesses little resistance, owing to a lowstate of health, that they take root, and so start the disease. 

Want of pure air, such as is caused by badly ventilated rooms, dark, damp, and dirty houses, want of good food, or bad food, alcoholicdrinks, frequent illnesses, dirty habits, are powerful causes inproducing this low state of health, which is so favourable to thegrowth of the consumptive germ. Therefore we insist on fresh air, especially for children in schools, for employees in factories, forclerks in offices. All places of public resort should be provided withproper ventilation. The breath from the lungs is loaded with poisonousorganic matter, and if continually re-breathed poisons the blood. Thesmell of a room is often an indication of whether the air is pure ornot, especially in the nostrils of one entering from the outer air. Letall windows be kept open day and night, and let fresh air and sunlightcontinually flood the room. Nothing will kill disease germs quicker. Avoid choosing a residence with but little open spaces around, such asbasement tenements and back to back houses. Have an open fireplace inthe room. Gas or oil for lighting, heating, or cooking renders the airimpure, and in need of constant renewal. _See_ Air. 

Dirt, either in the house or around, poisons the air, and refuse shouldbe removed to a distance from the dwelling. Tea leaves should besprinkled on floors before being swept. Remove dust with damp dusters, which should be boiled. Cleanliness should be strictly attended to, andschools and factories should be plentifully supplied with soap andwater. 

The food consumed by the vast majority of people is far from being asnourishing as it should be. Tea and white bread have replaced porridgeand milk. This should not be. Cocoa might with advantage replace tea, and porridge and milk by itself would make a highly nutritious meal(_see_ articles on Diet). 

Stimulants are not required by the healthy body, and intemperance is afruitful predisposing cause of consumption. Skim milk is not a suitablefood for the young. _See_ Infants' Food. 

Infectious diseases, such as Typhoid and Scarlatina, are frequentlyconveyed by cow's milk. There is also reason to believe that in certaincases of Tuberculosis the infection has been conveyed by milk fromtuberculous cows. These risks can only be absolutely avoided bysterilising the milk, _i. E. _, by placing the jug in a pan of water andbringing the water to the boil, keeping it so for twenty minutes. Ifthe milk is kept covered, and rapidly cooled by placing in another panof cold water, but little boiled taste will be felt. Sometimes, however, sterilised milk disagrees with an infant; if so, the strictestwatch must be kept on the history of the milk used. 

It should be remembered that this disease is not hereditary. It is onlythe delicacy of constitution predisposing to the disease that isinherited. This delicacy may, especially in childhood, be remedied. Wehave known hundreds of tender children made strong by liberal dailyMASSAGE (_see_). In all cases where hereditary weakness is feared thisshould be resorted to. In many cases nothing more is needed to banishconsumption out of families than the stimulation of the skin by thismassage. Wearing linen underwear (_see_ Underwear) also assists in thisdirection and prevents chills. As it is of prime importance to increasethe chest capacity, and this is most easily done in youth, greatattention should be paid to chest expanding exercises (_see_ Appendix)and deep breathing. The cultivation of singing will greatly help. 

Consumption, Treatment of. --Turning now to the case when consumptionhas actually shown itself, the above treatment is exactly the course tobe pursued. But we would emphasise the fact that unlimited fresh airand good nourishing foods are the only cure. If the patient can affordit, it is best to go to one of the Sanatoria for consumptives in orderthat he may see how the fresh air cure is practically carried out. Itmeans simply breathing every mouthful of air as pure as it can possiblybe obtained. Sleeping out in a hut, with the side completely open, andwith protection only from the rain, with abundance of clothing, and, ifnecessary, hot-water jars to supply the required heat, is stronglyrecommended, and every hour of the day, as far as possible, should bespent in the open air, reclining or taking gentle exercise. 

The food should be nourishing and abundant. Plenty of milk, butter, andeggs should form the basis of the diet. The strictest precautionsshould be taken against spreading infection, and the patient be made tounderstand that these measures are intended not only to protect thepublic and his friends, but to allow of his social intercourse withthem, and to assist his own cure. The source of danger being the spit, it should be collected in a pocket spittoon or piece of paper, and bedestroyed before it has time to dry. Spitting on floors or elsewhere ishighly dangerous. The spittoon should be boiled carefully. Aconsumptive should not swallow his phlegm, as the disease may thus beconveyed to parts of the body not already infected. Kissing aconsumptive person on the lips is attended with risk, and consumptivepatients should not wear a heavy moustache or beard, as the phlegmdrying on the hair is a source of danger. 

The bed on which the consumptive lies should not be in a corner, butout from the wall, so as to admit of cleaning and ventilation. Curtainsand carpets are dust catchers; reduce the amount of such articles asmuch as possible. In the event of a death from consumption, the roomoccupied by the invalid should not be used again until it has beenthoroughly disinfected. The Public Health Authorities are usually readyto carry out this work. If not, the floor and woodwork should be wipedwith damp dusters, and then scoured with soap and water. If the wallsare papered, the paper should be well damped, stripped off, and burnt. If the walls have been white-washed, this should be renewed withlimewash, containing a quarter of a pound of chlorinated lime to thegallon of limewash. The quilt, pillow case, blankets, and sheets of thepatient's bed should be steeped in boiling water and then washed. 

Often consumption is associated with wasting sores on the neck or otherparts, which are extremely difficult to heal. These should be soaked inwarm weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) daily, and dressed with olive oil. Theymay be greatly mitigated, if not cured, by this simple means. _See_Abscess; Bone, Diseased. The directions as to diet in cases of abscessapply also to these cases. Besides such outward applications, therubbing along each side of the spine should be applied. _See_Children's Healthy Growth. The ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_) may also beused. 

The very rapid pulse, and extreme fever, which accompany advanced andrapid consumption, may often be greatly mitigated by cooling clothsapplied over the heart. Sponging over the whole body with vinegar orweak ACETIC ACID (_see_) also greatly refreshes the patient. It may bedone under the bedclothes, so as to avoid all possibility of chill. Cold cloths over the heart and chest, if they cause chilliness, may beaccompanied with fomentation of the feet and legs. 

The temperature of a consumptive should be recorded three times a day, and if above normal the patient should stay in bed till it is reduced. 

When the temperature has been reduced, gentle exercise is very useful. Gradually increasing walks should be taken each day. 

Contraction of Sinews. --This often occurs at the knee, bending thejoint so that the patient cannot stretch his limb or walk properly. Theinjury in such a case is usually at the ends of the sinews, where theyare inserted into the bone. If the limb be straightened and put up insplints, so as to secure perfect rest, it is well to see that onceevery twenty-four hours it be removed from its fastenings and treatedin some way to obtain a cure. Otherwise the whole limb will harden intoa straight and unbendable condition, worse than its original bend. Whenthe fastenings are removed, then, each day, let the limb be rubbed andbathed for an hour. Treat the whole body with soaping and oil rubbing(_see_ Lather and Massage). While bathing the limb it is to be rubbedwith this soap, and the lather rubbed gently into all the skin. Rub, after soaping and drying, with hot olive oil. Dry this off, and wrapthe limb in warm flannel. With this treatment no splints or plasterjackets are at all likely to be required. The limb usually soon comesright. 

Sometimes this contraction affects the hip joint, and causes greatdistress and lameness. The upper end of the thigh bone is evensometimes drawn a little out of its proper position. For this, themuscles of the back, and specially of the side and hip which is lame, are rubbed with gentle pressure and hot olive oil as often and as longas may be convenient. Strong fomentations are also applied forhalf-an-hour daily (_see_ Armchair Fomentation). We know of one case inwhich this treatment has cured such contraction both of the knee andhip joint. Whether the cause be rheumatism or other trouble, or aninjury, the treatment is the same. 

Convulsions. --For an ordinary convulsive attack in the case of a child, hold the child's head over a basin and pour tepid water (blood heat, 98deg. F. ) over the head. This will usually be sufficient. If not, seatthe child in a bath of hot water nearly up to the waist. If bad, indigestible food causes the fit, give teaspoonfuls of hot water everyfew minutes for some hours. If the case is obstinate, a BRAN POULTICE(_see_) may be put over the lower back, and cold towels gently pressedover the stomach and bowels. 

Fits from children's teething are more troublesome. They may often beprevented by placing a compress wrung out of cool water along the spinewhile the infant is warm in the cradle, and changing it so as tomaintain the cooling effect. A handkerchief folded eight ply does verywell. Four or five changes may be sufficient. Rub with a little warmoil when the cloth comes off. If the fits do come on, treat as abovedirected for fits from indigestion. 

Cooking. --The cooking of vegetables requires particular care. Thevaluable salts and other nutritive ingredients they contain are easilydissolved by water, and when they are drained, and the water thrownaway, as is usually done, all this nutriment is lost. Double cookingpots are easily procurable for meat, porridge, etc. These are quitesuitable for vegetables--cabbage, turnips, carrots, peas, etc. Thevegetable should be placed, without water, in the inner pot; it willtake somewhat longer to cook than when boiled in the usual way. Theouter vessel should be partly filled with water kept boiling. Any juicewhich comes out of the vegetable should be served in the dish alongwith it. It may be thickened with a little flour and butter, or if aregular white sauce is being made, the juice should be used instead ofpart of the water. If no double boiler is procurable, an ordinary tincan, inside a saucepan will serve very well. Many who consider certainvegetables indigestible, as usually prepared, will find that whencooked in this way they agree with them perfectly. The fact that thecolour of cabbage, peas, etc. , is not so green as when boiled in agreat deal of water, is not of importance, when the flavour andwholesomeness are so much increased. In stews and vegetable soups thesalts are, of course, preserved. 

Cooling in Heating. --Often it is difficult to get a sufficient coolingeffect by means of cold cloths without unduly chilling the patient. When the head has to be cooled, as in the very dangerous diseasemeningitis, the effect must pass through the mass of the skull beforereaching the brain. A large and long continued application is neededfor this. The surface is apt then to be overcooled before the interiorof the head is affected. In such a case the surface of the head, whenthe patient feels it too cold, should be gently rubbed, as directed inEyes, Squinting, until this feeling goes off. Then the cooling may beresumed. Or if rubbing be disagreeable, a warm cloth may be applied fora short time, and cooling then resumed. In this way a succession of_waves_ of heating and cooling can for a long time be sent through thesurface, with good effect and no chill. The short heating restores thesurface, and does not interfere with the cooling effect reaching theinterior parts. The same principle applies to cooling any part of thebody (_see_ Bathing). Any _deep-seated_ inflammation is best reached inthis way. 

For instance, in the large hip-joints it is of vast importance to reachinflammatory action in parts that are not near the surface, and coldcloths, pressed constantly, produce distress in the surface, if thereis no intermission in supplying them. The patient is apt to rush to theconclusion that he must just yield to be blistered, painted withiodine, covered with belladonna plaster, or burned with red-hot irons!That is, he will yield to be made a great deal worse in every respectthan he is, because he is not aware that it is quite possible to curehim without making him worse even for a moment. 

Coughs. --These will be found treated under the various heads of Colds, Bronchitis, Consumption, etc. , but some particular cases of _merecough_ demand special attention. A tickling cough sometimes comes on, and seems to remain in spite of all efforts to get rid of it. It isworse at night, and keeps the sufferer from sleeping, causing muchdistress. Where the breathing organs are weak, this cough is caused byan extra flow of blood to them, especially on lying down, the bloodacting as an irritant by pressing where it should not. In such cases aBRAN POULTICE (_see_) applied as directed for Bronchitis, with coolingapplications to the part where the tickling is felt, should soon effecta cure. _See_ Restlessness. 

We had a case lately in which these features were very marked. Itseemed as if the patient had caught cold and this was showing itself insevere and alarming coughing. The skin was yellow, and there were othersigns of failure in the organs that purify the blood. Irritatingsubstances were passing into the lungs because of failure in the liverand kidneys, and not from anything in the lungs themselves. In suchcases the cough is merely a way of throwing off everything which oughtnot to be in the breathing organs. 

The remedy is very simple. Let the patient take about threetablespoonfuls of hot water every ten minutes for four hours. Beforethese four hours are expired, the substances causing irritation will beso diluted that they will cease to irritate, and the organs failing todo their duty will be in full working order. 

Cramp in the Limbs. --The treatment of this is to apply cold cloths tothe roots of the nerves which govern the affected limb or limbs. Forthe legs, the cold is applied to the lower spine; for the arms orhands, it is applied to the upper part. The limbs affected should alsobe rubbed briskly with the hands, or a rough towel. Often theirritating heat causing the cramp is in but a small part of the spine, and the whole body is cold, or at least too chilly to make the coldcloths a pleasant cure. In such a case FOMENTATION (_see_) of the feetand legs will supply sufficient heat to make the cure by cold pleasantand safe. 

Cramp in the Stomach. --This very severe trouble, though resistingordinary methods of treatment, is not difficult to cure by right means. If help is at hand, the patient may be placed in a shallow bath, andcold water splashed with a sponge or towel against the back. A bad casehas been cured with two minutes of this treatment. After it, thepatient must be well dried and put to bed. 

When help is not available, a substitute for the cold splashing is athick cold compress, the length of the spine, which must be laid on thebed, and the patient lie down on it. This must be changed when it growshot, and a few changes usually give relief. 

Persons who are suffering have often very strong prejudices. Forexample, one who has decided most firmly that he "cannot do at all withanything cold, " is suffering from cramp, and nothing but cold willrelieve him, but you must not even hint at any such application. Youmust in such a case consider how this prejudice took its rise. You willprobably find that cold has been unskilfully applied to this patient, and bad effects have been produced, not by the cold, but by itsunskilful application. For instance, in a case of cramp the irritationand excess of heat may be both confined to a very small space, no morethan that which is filled by the root of one nerve; the rest of thebody may be cold rather than hot. There is need first that this generalcold should be dealt with, and a general heat produced by some means orother. This is usually best done by packing feet and legs in a hotblanket fomentation. But this again is not an easy matter when crampprevails. If you move the limbs in the least the cramp comes on, andthe patient screams with pain. Still, you need not be defeated; you canlet the limbs lie, and heat them from above by placing the hot blanketover them as they lie. As soon as you get heat raised in the bodygenerally, by some such means as this, you are safe enough to apply allthe cold that is needed. That may be so little that a commonpocket-handkerchief will be enough. This wrung out of cold water, andfolded so as to cover about three inches square of the lower part ofthe spine, may be gently pressed. If this is really well done, therewill be no shivering from the cold, and there probably will be acessation of the cramp. The one thing wanted is that the cold clothshall be placed right over the root of the nerve which is irritated, and consequently overheated. The prejudice is thus overcome, and it isseen that cold is not to be absolutely avoided, because it has beenonce or twice, or many times, wrongly applied. 

To prevent the cramp returning, means must be adopted to increase vitalenergy in the system. Entire mental rest for an hour after meals mustbe taken. If the patient says "I cannot get this, " then he simply willsoon have to give up all work, and perhaps narrowly escape a departurefrom this working world altogether. 

Each morning before rising, the compress should be applied as above fora short time; the back should then be rubbed with hot olive oil beforedressing. This treatment, and proper rest, will prevent return of thecramp. If the patient falls asleep on the compress, allow this sleep tocontinue unbroken: it is invaluable. So also is the avoidance of allanxious thought, which is best secured by complete trust in a lovingGod and Saviour. 

Croup, Less Serious Form. --The less serious croup proceeds from anervous closing of the windpipe, the attack being brought on by anycauses of irritation in the nervous system. In this case, when the fitreaches a certain stage, the throat opens, and breathing proceeds asusual. This croup is a cramp of the windpipe; the cramp is caused by anirritation of the nerves controlling it, which are already in acondition to be easily irritated. The cure is to apply cooling clothsto the spine. Take the child warm in bed in the morning, and rub thelittle back with warm olive oil. Ring out a towel of _cool_, not quitecold, water; fold this into a narrow compress, and place it along thespine; place a dry towel above it and wrap up warm. Change for a freshcool towel in two or three minutes. If the child falls asleep on this, leave him till he wakes voluntarily. Rub the back again with oil beforedressing. The cooling may continue for an hour or so. If this treatmentfail, the child may be given medicine to produce vomiting, whichfrequently relieves. Before putting to bed at night wash the child allover with plenty of M'Clinton's SOAP (_see_), dry and rub over withwarm olive oil. Continue this treatment for some days. 

Croup, More Serious Form. --This is caused by an accumulation ofmaterial in the windpipe, which is coughed up in pieces of pipe-likesubstance, and which, if not removed, threatens suffocation. Fortreatment, first give sips of hot water (distilled water is best)frequently. We have seen only five teaspoonfuls of this taken by achild followed by the throwing off of such a quantity of matter fromthe throat as had nearly caused suffocation. The further treatment isthe bran poultice between the shoulders, and cold cloths on the chest, as prescribed in the article on Bronchitis. These may not cure in allcases, but will do so in many apparently otherwise hopeless. The momentthe symptoms are perceived, treatment should be begun, as this diseaseis very rapid in its progress. 

When an actual attack of croup of this kind comes on, and is severe, itis usual to put the child in a warm bath. If the water is a littlebelow blood heat, and laved on the back, this will go far to relieve;but it will not have a tenth of the effect which a cold towel willhave, if placed along the spine. It is indeed wonderful how spasms andthe various forms of cramp give way to this. When a little warm oliveoil is first rubbed on and then off, there is no danger of cold or ofany bad effect (_see_ Cramp in Stomach). If this croup is obstinate, there may be more serious disease of the throat, and good medicaladvice should be had. 

Cures Losing their Effect. --After a fortnight's treatment often mattersseem to come to a standstill in a case, and then the attendants are aptto despair. Such a state of things indicate only the need for somechange in treatment, or perhaps for a rest from treatment for somedays. Common sense must guide, and the case may be more keenly lookedinto: it may have changed its character in the time that has passed, and different treatment require to be given. It is well not to give upuntil all has been tried which in any way seems likely to suit thecase. All the various articles bearing on it should be carefully readand pondered, and no doubt the way to change the treatment will openup. _See_ Changing Treatment. 

Cures, as Self-Applied. --Often young people in lodgings are indifficulty for want of some one to apply the necessary treatment intheir own case. It is often, however, possible to treat oneself quitesuccessfully by exercising care and common sense. Help should always begot if possible, but where it cannot, it may be done without. In thecase of applying cold cloths to any part, when it is necessary tochange these frequently, a basin of cold water may stand by the bedsideso that the patient can wring out towels without getting up. A stillbetter plan is to have several towels wrung out to begin with--thesemay be hung over a rail or chairs until required. When the first hasbeen heated it must be hung over the rail or chair so as to be as muchspread out as possible. Evaporation will then cool it sufficiently tobe used when its turn comes again. Each towel is to be treated in asimilar way in turn. Four towels will give an hour's cooling with verylittle trouble in this way. So a bran poultice may be prepared and laidon the bed, so that one can lie down on it, and with the cold towelshandy, as above, most effective treatment given. Common sense is theguide here, as everywhere in our treatment, and a little thought willsolve difficulties at first apparently insoluble. 

Damp Beds. --An ordinary bed which has not been slept in for some weeks, although perfectly dry to begin with, will _become_ damp, even in a dryhouse, and, unless properly dried, will be a great danger to its nextoccupant. This is a preventable danger, and all who entertain guestsshould see that they are not exposed to it. Many a fatal illness is dueto the culpable carelessness of those who put a guest into such a bed. Ignorance in such a matter is shameful. All who have charge in a houseshould fully understand their responsibility in this matter. 

But if you are put into such a bed it is infinitely better to rise anddress, and make the best of a night of discomfort, than to sleep amongthe damp. If, however, you have so slept, and feel the bad effect, thebest cure will be the SOAPY BLANKET (_see_). If this cannot be had, agood hot footbath, with the heat kept just comfortable for half-an-houror more, will do very well. This should be done at the earliestpossible moment. 

It will add greatly to the efficiency of such treatment if hot watercan be had to drink in small quantities, and often. A few drops ofcayenne "tea" in the water will act as a gentle stimulant. Old-fashioned folk place great confidence in a "hot drink" in such acase. This is all very well if they only keep the alcohol out of it:that destroys vital resources, but never supplies them. We have knowncases in which all power was lost through a single night in a damp bed. Possibly in these cases it might not have been easy to restore the lostvitality by any amount of treatment; but we rather think that a speedyapplication of genial heat all over would have restored it. In someapparently hopeless instances it has done so. 

Deafness. --_See_ Hearing. 

Decline. --_See_ Consumption. 

Declining Limb, A. --_See_ Limbs, Drawn up. 

Delirium in Fever. --The best way of treating this truly distressingsymptom is by cooling and soothing applications to the head. We haveseen in one case large cool cloths applied to the head for some timeevery three hours or so. An almost immediate cessation of the deliriumfollowed this application, and it only returned a few minutes beforethe time for the next cooling. If the pulse becomes rather slow thanrapid, and the body rather cool than hot, while delirium stillcontinues, then hot cloths may be applied to the head. When either hotor cold appliances are removed, rub olive oil into the roots of thehair, and dry off. 

An excellent treatment is also to cover the whole head with soaplather. _See_ Head, Soaping. 

It is to be noted that the state of the patient determines thetreatment. If he is hot, cold treatment is required. If he is cool orchilly, then give the warm treatment. If he _changes_ from hot to cold, then alter the treatment accordingly. 

In some diseases delirium occurs, not because of fever, but because ofpoisonous elements in the blood supplied to the brain. This is the casein liver and kidney troubles, when waste products are not got rid of bythese organs as they should be. 

To get these organs to work, the best thing is to drink half ateacupful of hot water every ten minutes for two hours at a time. Dothis once a day for two days. Probably it will cause purging, but thatis part of the cure. If the case does not yield in any way to this, alarge hot bran poultice should be placed over the whole of the _right_side under the arm, from the spine right round to the breast-bone(_see_ Bran Poultice). This should be renewed if necessary, so as tokeep up the heat for an hour. Next day place a similar poultice overall the lower part of the back, so as to help the kidneys and bowels. Dry after these poultices, and rub gently with warm olive oil. Thedelirium will usually yield to a few days of such treatment. We haveseen the reason under such treatment return with a rapidity thatastonished the medical attendant. He had given the patient three monthsto gain what was complete in less than one. _See_ Fever. 

Depression. --This is usually a bodily illness, though often regarded asmental only. It appears in loss of interest in all that otherwise wouldbe most interesting. A mother loses interest in her children, a man inhis business, and so on. Students, and children overpressed at lessons, are apt to suffer from it. It is simply the result of a drain of energyfrom the system, until the brain has an insufficient supply. Those whohave the care of the young would do well to watch carefully againstthis state coming on. If it appears, all work should be given up, andas much play take its place as possible. No cramming of ideas into aweakening mind can ever be equal to the possession of health andenergy, as a preparation for life. 

Treatment should be such as to restore energy. The whole back should befomented with a large blanket fomentation, being rubbed with olive oilbefore and after. Let this be done for an hour in the morning; in theevening give the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_). Carry this on for aweek, and then rest for another week, only rubbing the back with alittle hot olive oil each night. Cultivate open-air life; sleep as muchas possible--eight hours at least, or better nine. Carefully preparedand easily digested food should be given, and change of company, scene, and climate are most effective helps; but rest from work is the chiefmatter. _See_ Restlessness and Worry. 

Diabetes. --There are two more or less distinct stages of this serioustrouble; the first stage is generally curable, the second stagegenerally incurable. Yet good natural means of cure will very muchalleviate even the incurable stage. The earlier as well as the laterstages are marked by extreme _thirst_. This, in the case of some poorsufferers, is enormous. Gallons of water are taken, and the more istaken the more is wanted. But this thirst is not the effect of heat, asfever thirst is. It cannot be quenched by means of cold cloths oftenchanged over the stomach, as fever thirst can. A sufferer in thisdisease will set a large pitcher down at the bedside to serve for thenight, and drink it all before morning; but there is no extra heatanywhere to account for this. The thirst is more like that which iscaused by eating very salt food. It points to the character of thejuices which are affecting the stomach, and not to any heated conditionof the stomach itself. The drinking is a desperate effort to dilutethese juices; and, at least by cold water, that cannot be done. Awineglassful of hot water taken every ten minutes for an hour, or twohours, or three, or ten hours, as is felt to be comfortable, will dowonders in the early stages of this disease. This water, when taken atthe right heat, at once mixes with the strongly concentrated juices ofthe stomach, and causes them to be easily managed by that and otherorgans. It is truly wonderful what this very simple remedy will effectby itself alone. The next thing to be noticed is the excessive hunger. The food, whatever it may be, fails to quell this hunger. Here, again, it is clearly the stomach with which we have to do. When the hunger isdeveloped we should think the case further advanced than when thirstalone is experienced. The hot water meets this symptom as it meets theother. It is also of the very greatest moment to give right food. Oatmeal and buttermilk steeped together for a time and then moderatelyboiled, a very little salt or sugar being added, produces a food whichwe do not expect to see excelled by the most costly that can be gotanywhere. Wheaten meal, or barley meal, will do as well as, and perhapsin some cases better than, oatmeal, but these may be chosen accordingto taste. The chief thing is the ease with which this food is convertedinto a large supply of the best of blood for all purposes ofnourishment. Food containing much starchy matter, as white bread, rice, and all sugar, must be forbidden. To make up for this, an abundance offat should be consumed. The bowels should be kept open by a suitablediet and exercise. 

Now we come to the excessive urinary discharge which is so strong afeature of this disease. The body seems as if it were melting away inthis. 

We can benefit the kidneys vastly through acting on the liver, as wellas on themselves. By a large hot bran poultice over the liver we canadd new life to that, and whatever does so tends to benefit thekidneys. After using this large poultice, with plenty of oil rubbed onbefore and after, say three or four times, place it over the kidneysand use it as often there. If the heat is well kept up for an hour at atime, one poultice a day would do, but, if the patient desires it, twice a day will be all the better. It is good to do the best that canbe done with the skin. By means of soap and oil rubbing, and thecleansing effects of diluted acetic acid, very considerable help may begained. Good can be done by a hot fomentation of the feet and legs tothe knees, with oiling after, so as to have these extremities in acomfortable state. Tea, coffee, and sugar _must be avoided_. 

Diarrhoea. --Sudden attacks of this, though in a mild form, are verytroublesome. An enema of _cold_ water is in such cases often animmediate cure. The first injection may be followed by even anexcessive motion, but if a second cold injection be given this willcease. But in more troublesome cases, where the patient is an infant, or very weak, this is not applicable. For such cases, mix equalquantities of honey and lemon juice (one or two teaspoonfuls of each), and add enough boiling water to dilute it for taking. Give this threeor even four times a day. It will usually and speedily cure, and isrelished by infants. 

Often the cause of diarrhoea in infants is the infection of milk byflies (_see_ British Cholera), or from dirty feeding bottles. Bottleswith tubes should _never_ be used. The india-rubber teat should besmelt to see that it is perfectly sweet and clean before the bottle isfilled. Unsuitable or too rich food will bring this trouble on. 

A tablespoonful of blackberry (or brambleberry as it is also called)jelly may be given--it is a powerful and simple remedy. In adults, adose of castor oil, with a few drops of laudanum in it, will probablyremove all trouble, if it be due to nothing more than indigestiblefood. Where the cold enema is dreaded, one of hot thin starch, withfifteen drops of laudanum in it, may be used for adults. 

Stale vegetable or animal food, also impure water, are fruitful sourcesof diarrhoea. 

The mind has a great effect on this trouble, anxiety and worry arefrequent causes. _See_ Worry. A comfortable seat by the fire, and aninteresting book, will often relieve. 

When the diarrhoea is very serious, use the four-ply flannel bandage. _See_ Bandage; British Cholera; Dysentery. 

Diet. --The composition of different articles of food varies. A turnipis not the same as a piece of cheese. It is more watery, and has morefibre in it, and we speak of it as less nutritious. There are, however, in almost all foods certain chemical substances present which havedifferent duties to perform in the body, and which are present inwidely different proportions in the various articles we use for food. 

_Water_ is the most common of these substances. Soups, vegetables, fruits, puddings, are largely water. Some foods contain less of it thanothers, but on the whole a very large, if not the largest, part of allfood consists of water. This large amount is needed. Water makes uptwo-thirds of the body, and nearly two quarts are given off daily inthe various excretions and secretions. If enough be not taken thetissues get dry, and Nature indicates her want in thirst. 

Another of these substances is _starch_, or its equivalent, sugar. Rice, bread, and vegetables in general, are largely made up of thisstarchy or sugary substance, which, as it contains a considerablequantity of carbon, we speak of as the _carbonaceous_ element in food. This is the substance which goes to feed the muscles, replacing thewaste from work done, just as fuel is required for the fires of anengine. 

Yet another substance in food is _fat_. It may be animal, such as beefor mutton fat, and butter, or vegetable, as the oils in nuts, in theolive, etc. Fat, like carbonaceous food, also goes to feed the muscles, but both are required in a healthy diet. 

Of the first importance, however, is the _proteid_ element in food. Meat, milk, cheese, eggs, peas, etc. , contain proteid in considerablequantities. Its use is to repair the exhausted tissues themselves. Themuscles and nerves get worn out in their daily work, and requirerebuilding. This is what proteid goes to do, and from this, its highimport in animal economy, is called Proteid (protos--first). Finally, in all natural foods there are certain _salts_, which also build up, _e. G. _, lime, which goes to make up bone. These salts may be seen inthe ash of any common vegetable after being burnt. 

These four kinds of food substance make up our daily food, and acertain amount of each substance is required to replace the dailyexpenditure, a proportion which varies, however, under differentcircumstances. _See_ Food in Health. 

As the relative amount of proteid, carbonaceous matter, water, andsalts, may vary considerably in different articles, we rightly havecombinations of food at our meals. A pudding of corn-flour and watercontains no building material, hence we add milk and eggs, which do. Ameal of meat and cheese requires bread and potatoes, etc. , etc. 

Appetite is a good test of the amount and also of the particular kindof food required, provided the appetite is in a healthy condition. If ahealthy man refrain from carbonaceous foods for a day or so, he feels agreat longing for them, a sign that the body really needs them. It isof immense importance, then, that the appetite should not be accustomedto over-indulgence, for then it is no guide in our selection of foods(_see_ Appetite). If disease indicates such over-indulgence, foodshould be restricted till the appetite is accustomed to a smaller diet. Bilious people, for example, may have accustomed their appetite todesire more carbonaceous and fatty foods than necessary. On thecontrary, badly-fed people often require a coaxing of the appetite toeat strengthening foods, such as oatmeal, cheese, and brown bread. 

In order to regulate our diet, it is of importance to have some idea ofthe composition of common articles of food. We get our food, aseverybody knows, from the vegetable and animal kingdoms. The majorityof the Anglo-Saxon race live on a diet of animal and vegetablecombined, but many exclude flesh from their diet. In Southern Asia, forexample, the vast bulk of the people rarely, or never, touch meat. Thevegetable kingdom supplies us largely with the carbonaceous ormuscle-forming food, whereas the animal kingdom is rich in proteid, ortissue-forming food. Much proteid, however, can be obtained from thevegetable kingdom--peas, beans, lentils, dried fruits, and nuts beingparticularly rich in it. We should endeavour to cultivate an appetitefor these vegetables containing proteid, as it is a great mistake torely entirely for this element on meat, as so many of our race do. Theanimal products--such as cheese, milk, and eggs--will also form anefficient substitute for much flesh-food. This simple diet suits boththe brain-worker and the athlete, though each will have to make aselection of those foods most required by him. Certainly much animalfood is liable to produce kidney disease, gout, and kindred troubles. If we have a tendency to corpulence (and many have this in advancingyears), to resort to an exclusive meat diet will produce thesetroubles. Far better abstain from vegetables, such as potatoes, andfrom sweet dishes, pastry, etc. , and eat largely of the green-leafvegetables and fruits with the articles of a simple diet which buildbut do not fatten the body. (_See_ Diet and Corpulence; Diet for MiddleAge, and the Aged. )

Fruit is a very useful article of food. The acid helps to keep theblood alkaline (which alkalinity is necessary for the normalperformance of its functions). It prevents acidity of the stomach. Thedried fruits, such as dates, figs, raisins, are very rich in proteid. Nuts also are rich in proteid and in fat; they require, however, careful mastication. Mills can be purchased cheaply for grinding nuts;the ground meal, either alone or made into a cream, forms a deliciousadjunct to stewed fruit. 

Green vegetables are a much neglected food. The salts they contain arevery useful. They require careful cooking. A cabbage boiled in theordinary way loses in the water its valuable salts. In case offlatulence arising from indigestion, the use of vegetables may, however, require to be restricted, at least for a time. Some vegetablesare palatable raw, such as salads and celery. Indeed, raw vegetableshave a tonic effect on the bowels. 

Bread should never be too fresh, and should be thoroughly chewed. Zwieback (twice baked) can be recommended, especially for those whosuffer from indigestion. It is made by cutting bread, preferablywheaten, in thin slices, and putting these in a slow oven tillthoroughly dry and lightly browned. Wholemeal bread should always bepresent on the table, as its use prevents constipation. Indian corn canbe made into a number of palatable cakes, and is a very nutritiousfood. Home-made jam and honey are digestible forms of sugar, but likeall sugar foods should be consumed in moderation, especially bysedentary individuals. Condiments should be avoided, the healthyappetite is better without them, and they irritate the stomach. 

Regarding animal foods, they are often spoilt by over-cooking, and itshould be remembered that when lightly done they are easiest to digest. White fish, tender steak, or juicy joint and cutlet are superior to theoily fish, and kidney, liver, and heart. These internal organs shouldbe avoided, as they contain even more than the rest of the animalcertain extracts liable to produce URIC ACID (_see_). Milk, cheese, eggs, and butter are not open to these objections. Cheese is a foodvery rich in proteid. It requires careful chewing, and may withadvantage be grated before use. Buttermilk is a valuable andstrengthening food. A generation or so ago the Scotch peasants livedalmost exclusively on buttermilk and oatmeal, and were a magnificenttype of men in every respect. Whey is a pleasant drink, and may be madea substitute for tea where the latter is prohibited. It is alsobeneficial for the kidneys. Jellies are a pleasant addition to the dietof convalescents, but have little nutritive value. 

We would strongly urge upon our readers the advantages of simple diet. We mean by this the avoidance of all those rich and spiced dishes whichare made up in so many ways to tempt the appetite, of alcohol in everyform, of meat to the extent often consumed by the well-to-do, of pastryand such indigestible food as heavy cakes, of fried food in general;and, on the other hand, the adoption of a diet largely consisting ofmilk, cheese, eggs, butter, cereals, root and green vegetables, fruits, and nuts. It will not be found an expensive diet; on the contrary, itis remarkably cheap; it will give little trouble, for but littlecooking will be needed. It may require some little effort at first, andsome breakings with social customs, but far less of both than will beimagined. Seeing that a large part of disease is ultimately traceableto a rich and stimulating diet, and to too much food in general, simplicity is imperative on all who seek for the preservation ofhealth. Eat less, eat better (or more slowly, with perfectmastication), eat simpler foods at your meals, eat at these meals onlywhen you require it, and never between your meals. Such eating willensure good digestion, good assimilation, good blood, and good health. 

Diet and Corpulence. --A tendency to obesity should always be carefullychecked by attention to diet and exercise (_see_ Exercise). Thefattening foods are those which contain either fat or carbonaceoussubstances. Carbonaceous substances are found in bread, sugar, arrowroot, puddings in general, pastry, potatoes. The fats, such asbutter, cream, and animal fat, should be much restricted in their use. As we have above indicated, however, it is not wise, as many corpulentpeople do in their efforts to get rid of this superabundance of fat, tomake up for their restriction by an increase in the quantity of meatconsumed. Cheese, peas, beans, buttermilk, and oatmeal might withadvantage be drawn upon instead. At the same time, if the circulationis good it is well with such proteid diet to increase the amount ofwater drunk during the day, as this helps to eliminate the waste whichwould otherwise overtax the kidneys. Green vegetables and fruits shouldform a large part of the diet. 

It must be remembered that it is dangerous to strike out at once allfattening foods from the diet; many have injured their healthpermanently by such injudicious haste, and brought on floating kidneys, etc. Remember, also, that exercise is a much safer reducer of fat thana very great reduction in diet, unless there has been a decidedtendency to continually overeat. All alcoholic beverages must bestrictly forbidden. 

Diet for the Lean. --To a large extent the preceding article willsuggest what is suitable here, remembering, however, that regularexercise will be also necessary in order to enable the muscles toincrease in size. Green vegetables and fruits should be largely used inaddition to the carbonaceous foods, as their FOOD SALTS (_see_) arenecessary to keep the blood in a condition to allow of properassimilation. In the case of nervous and consumptive patients, the moredigestible forms of fat, such as cream and butter, are to berecommended. Some thin people do not seem able to assimilate much fat. These cases will do better on a smaller quantity. Remember always thatit is not what is eaten, but what is assimilated, that goes to increasethe weight, therefore if any particular food is found, after a carefultrial, to constantly disagree, it must be accepted that for that one atall events, it is not a suitable article of diet. 

Diet for Middle Age and the Aged. --In advancing years when lessexercise is, as a rule, taken, a restriction in the amount of foodconsumed is highly desirable. The increasing corpulence, which oftenbegins to show itself from 30 to 40, is far from being a healthy sign;indeed, is often the premonitory symptom of serious disease. It shouldbe remembered that a lessening quantity of food is required from middlelife on. This applies to all the elements of food. It is noticeablethat a fat person seldom lives to old age, most octogenarians beingthin and wiry, and almost all attribute their long life to increasingwatchfulness over their health, and largely over what they eat. 

When a person is young and taking active exercise, a good deal ofsurplus food can be worked off, and if the excess be too great, abilious attack tends to prevent any more being taken, for a time atleast. 

But as we get on in life, the surplus food, if much is eaten, isdeposited in various parts of the body as fatty or gouty accumulations. The liver becomes deranged, and loss of health and strength are at onceapparent. 

It is then, as Sir Henry Thompson has well pointed out, that the fondbut foolish wife often does her husband incalculable harm by herefforts to "keep up his system. " She urges and tempts him to take morefood, fetching him, between meals, cups of beef-tea, soup, or cocoa, when he really would be greatly the better of total abstinence from allfood for several days. What we have said about appetite being the bestguide applies to the old especially, and if they could but realize whata very small quantity of food is necessary, they would not be perturbedto find that their appetite guided them to eat very much less than at ayounger age. 

Milk, which is the ideal food for the very young, is for that reasonoften undesirable for the old, and it is a great mistake for such todrink much of it with solid food. 

Diet for the very aged becomes mainly a question of invalid diet, andit must be remembered that much should be granted to the individual'schoice and liking. All foods for the aged should be light and easilydigested, and careful attention paid to proper cooking. 

A striking example of lost health recovered and life and activityprolonged to a great age, by strict temperance in food, is Cornaro, aVenetian nobleman of the sixteenth century, who lived over 100 years. He says:--"Our kind mother Nature, in order that old men may live tostill greater age, has contrived matters so that they should be able tosubsist on little, as I do, for large quantities of food cannot bedigested by old and feeble stomachs. By always eating little, thestomach, not being much burdened, need not wait long to have anappetite. It is for this reason that dry bread relishes so well withme. .. . When one arrives at old age, he ought to divide that food ofwhich he was accustomed to make but two meals into four, and as in hisyouth he made but two collations in a day, he should in his old agemake four, provided he lessen the quantity as his years increase. Andthis is what I do, agreeably to my own experience; therefore myspirits, not oppressed by much food, but barely kept up, are alwaysbrisk, especially after eating, nor do I ever find myself the worse forwriting immediately after meals, nor is my understanding ever clearer, or am I apt to be drowsy, the food I take being in too small a quantityto send up fumes to the brain. Oh, how advantageous it is for an oldman to eat but little! Accordingly, I, who know it, eat but just enoughto keep body and soul together. "

Digestion. --Digestion is the process whereby the food we eat is turnedinto material fit to be assimilated by the blood. It begins in themouth by the mechanical grinding and crushing of the food, and thechemical conversion of the starchy part into sugar, in which form aloneit can be assimilated. This conversion is carried out by the saliva. Hence the necessity for thorough mastication, even of sloppy foods thatdo not seem to require it, and for attention to the teeth in order thatthey may thoroughly chew. Alcohol and tobacco, as they spoil thesaliva, are very unfavourable to digestion, and should always beavoided. Twenty minutes longer to chew one's dinner is worth a wholebox of pills, and no one need expect good digestion who neglectsthorough chewing and salivation of the food. This may, with advantage, be increased to an extent which most people would think quite absurd. It has been proved that when all food is chewed until completelyreduced to a liquid, its nutritive qualities are so increased thatabout half as much will suffice. This is of immense importance in allcases of weak digestion, or indeed whenever an absence of vigoroushealth renders the economy of vital energy important. 

[Illustration: Digestive System. ]

In the stomach the food meets with the gastric juice, which has theproperty of turning proteid (_see_ Diet for the various substancescontained in food) into material ready for assimilation. The walls ofthe stomach are muscular, and their contraction churns the food withthe juice. The gastric juice is secreted by glands embedded in thewalls of the stomach, and is poured out when food is taken. 

The whole food, now in the form of a paste, passes into a pipe about 12inches long (the Duodenum), into which pours the secretion of thepancreas and that of the liver (bile). The pancreatic juice acts uponthe starch which has escaped the action of the saliva, and alsocontinues the work of the stomach. It furthermore emulsifies the fat ordivides it into extremely fine drops. 

The food passes now into a long coiled pipe--the small intestine. Thissecretes the intestinal juice which further assists the pancreaticjuice. Absorption has been proceeding from the stomach onwards (_see_Assimilation). The mass of undigested food is pushed along the smallintestine by means of muscles in its walls and passes into the largeintestine where a similar process to that of the small intestine goeson, the remains of the food ultimately reaching the vent in a semisolid form, consisting of the undigested part and the débris ofdigestion. 

During this complex process much blood and energy is needed for theabdominal region, therefore hard work or exercise should notimmediately follow a meal. It will be noticed that each stage ofdigestion prepares the food for the next stage _e. G. _, the mouthprepares the food for the stomach. Now, as the food ceases to be underour control when it leaves the mouth, every effort should, as we havesaid, there be made to prepare the food for its reception by thestomach. Chew food dry as far as possible, for that excites saliva. Itis best not to drink till after the meal. The digestive powers oftenbecome weakened in advancing years, but may be greatly preserved, andeven restored to health after long debility, by careful attention tothe above hints. 

Drinks made of lemon juice or orange juice and water are often verygood to help an invalid digestion, but nothing is better than sips ofhot water for some time before a meal. Distilled water is especially amost valuable drink. Cooling applications to a fevered stomach and warmfomentations to a cold one will often promote digestion marvellously. The feet and legs may be fomented if cold while the cold cloth ispressed over the stomach, especially if the process be long continued. Where heat is necessary it should be gradually and cautiously applied, so that sickening the patient may be avoided. (_See also_ Assimilation, Food in Health, Indigestion). 

Diet, Economy in. --Dr. Hutchison, one of our greatest authorities onthe subject of Dietetics, has well said--

"The dearest foods are by no means the best. 'Cheap and nasty' is not aphrase which can be applied to things which you eat. A pound of Stiltoncheese at 1s. 2d. Contains no more nutriment than a pound of Americancheese at sixpence. A given weight of bloater will yield more buildingmaterial than the same quantity of salmon or sole. 

"The upper classes in this country eat too much. The labouring classesare insufficiently fed--much worse fed than their brethren in America. One of the chief consequences is an undue craving for alcoholicstimulants; another is that our poor are not properly armed againsttuberculosis and epidemic disease. 

"How can this be rectified? Anyone who knows anything about the poorman's budget knows that he already spends as much on food as he isable. As it is, 50 per cent. Of a workman's wages are absorbed in itspurchase, so that half the struggle for life is a struggle for food. 

"The only remedy is to buy the things which are the most nourishing andwhich yield the most energy. Quite a good diet can be obtained forfourpence a day, yet the average working man spends sevenpence. 

"I advise the buying of more vegetable foods, particularly peas, beans, and lentils, and the cheaper varieties of fish. The working classesshould also be taught how to cook cheese, and thus make it moredigestible, as the Italians do. Cheese contains much building material, and is therefore a valuable article of diet. 

"I strongly recommend one good meal of oatmeal a day, instead of somuch bread, butter, and tea, which is the staple diet of so many poorfamilies, because it is easily prepared, and because of human laziness. 

"Skimmed milk is better than no milk at all, for it contains all theoriginal proteids, and has only lost its fat. More dripping andmargarine should be eaten, instead of jam; margarine being quite asdigestible and nourishing as butter. "

Vegetable oils are, however, more digestible than animal fats. Cocoanutbutter is a cheap and excellent substitute for margarine or butter. Asit contains no water it will go much further. 

Another instance of bad economy is the use of cod liver oil. Butter oreven cream are quite as fattening and much more digestible. 

Malt extract is much dearer than honey, which is superior to it invalue as a food. 

To supply a healthy man with the amount of proteid required by himdaily in beef extracts would cost 7s. , in milk (a comparativelyexpensive food) would only cost about 1s. 

Diphtheria. --The most striking symptom of diphtheria is the growth of asubstance in the upper part of the windpipe, which threatens to closeit entirely. Good medical skill is of first importance here, yet muchmay be done where that is not available. We have often seen theswallowing of a little hot water and treacle enable the children tothrow up the entire obstruction and make the breathing perfectly free. Mark at once whether the feet are cold or warm. If cold, oil them wellwith olive oil, and pack in a hot blanket fomentation to the knees. When the feet and knees are thoroughly warm in this, put a cold clothon the back of the neck down between the shoulders. Change this asoften as felt comfortable. The throat may be brushed out with a weaksolution of Condy's Fluid, but a strong solution of common salt will dovery well. Good white vinegar and water (_see_ Acetic Acid) is perhapsbest of all. We have never seen this fail in changing the character ofsuch growths, and if the windpipe can be washed out repeatedly with it, we should feel sure of a desirable result. Now, we have seen a humbleworking man's wife wash out the throat of her son as well as anymedical man could do it, using Condy's Fluid for the purpose with fullsuccess. When you can, have the help of a medical man, but when you areso placed that such help is impossible, you need not fear to tryyourself. If there is much fever, cold cloths may be applied to thehead to reduce the heat. As the disease is strongly infectious, careshould be taken to isolate the patient, and attendants should avoid hisbreath. Abundance of fresh air and light should be allowed to enter theroom, and one window at least should be open as far as possible. 

Douche, Cold. --In its most powerful form this is a _solid_ stream ofwater directed down on the patient's shoulders and spine. It may beapplied either by an apparatus fixed up for the purpose, or by merelypouring from a watering-can _without_ a rose. Its power depends on thegreat heating in the skin which springs up when it is withdrawn. Thisheating power again depends on the strong shock given to the systemwhen it is applied. Thus it will be seen that what is called a "Spray"or "Spray Douche" is of little use for the same purpose, as it giveslittle or no primary shock. It is with this application as with many. The patient's feeling benefit is the great and true evidence of thetreatment being right. When the douche issues in bodily comfort andcheering to the mind, all is right. If it issues in discomfort, thensome other treatment must be tried. 

"Downbearing. "--This expression will cover many troubles especiallycommon among women, where the weight of the internal organs becomesdistressingly felt. These are usually supported without our beingconscious of their weight at all. But in weakness, or after longfatigue and standing, it becomes felt as a severe downward pressure. This is often caused by the pressure of corset and skirts upon thewaist. In cases where it is troublesome, much help will be derived byadopting some device for suspending the clothes from the shoulders. This may quite cure the trouble (_see_ Tight Lacing). For more seriouscases, take daily a short SITZ-BATH (_see_) in cold water, with thefeet in hot water. Internal syringing is often required, which is bestdone with the "Fountain Enema, " and very weak acetic acid and water(_see_ Acetic Acid). A more powerful application is to have cold waterpoured over the front of the body while sitting in the sitz-bath, froma watering-can with a garden rose on the spout. This must be donegently at first, and afterwards more strongly and with colder water. This also prevents the troublesome "flooding" from the womb, which sooften accompanies "down-bearing. " The water employed in the douche mustbe _cold_, but it need not be icy cold. Ordinary cold tap water doesvery well. In serious cases medical advice should be sought, as thewomb may be displaced. A golden rule for the prevention of thisdistressing ailment is to pass water frequently. If women would alwaysdo this before pushing heavy furniture, hanging up pictures, &c. , manyinternal ailments would be prevented, as when the bladder is emptythere is little danger of the womb being displaced. 

After the system has been weakened by a miscarriage, this floodingoften occurs. Apply the above treatment: it checks the flooding, andbraces the parts. 

Drinks, Refreshing. --This is a matter of great importance to the sick. Nor is anything more important to be said on them than this, that thefoundation of all such drinks must be _water_. This water must be_pure_, and is best distilled, or boiled and filtered. Long boilingwill spoil water, and half-an-hour is long enough to boil. To add tothis pure water, we may take the juice of half a lemon, sweetened totaste. Few patients will fail to relish this. A whole orange may beused instead of half a lemon. A substitute may be made by takinghalf-a-teaspoonful of good white vinegar instead of the orange orlemon. Also in many cases where the cold drink is not relished, it maybe taken warm. 

Dropsy. --This trouble is rather a symptom than a disease. It rises fromaccumulation of watery waste in the body, owing to improper action ofthe skin, lungs, or kidneys, and sometimes follows scarlet or otherfevers and lung affections. By far the greatest danger in such casesarises from fashionable medicines. It is of the last importance thatnothing should be given to lessen life by injuring already weakenedvital action. It is when this is done by metallic preparations thatsuch cases become very grave and even hopeless. There is a prominenterror in connection with all dropsical tendencies, which should beremoved. That is the idea that the "water" which collects in suchswellings is similar to good drinking water, and that giving thethirsty patient water to drink is increasing his illness. The so-called"water" which swells the face, or the feet, or any other part of thebody, in dropsy, is used-up matter such as is, in good health, removed(imperceptibly, in greatest measure) by the organs fitted for thatpurpose. 

Water, especially if given about blood heat, is at once used for mostimportant vital purposes. This hot fresh water mingling with thepoisonous "water" of dropsy dilutes it--renders it not only so muchless injurious, but tends powerfully to its removal. The thirst of thepatient is in perfect harmony with this truth, as all natural symptomsare ever in harmony with nature. If there are convulsive attacks, theyare the result of used-up matter returning into the circulation, andreaching even the brain and central parts of the nervous system. Thecure is gained when the defective organs are brought to act well. It isshortsighted action to deal with the kidneys alone in this trouble. They often fail because they are overloaded through the failure oflungs and skin to do their part. First, it is well to act on the lungsby gentle rubbing with hot olive oil between the shoulders and over allthe back--done best in a warm room by the fire, or in bed. This may becontinued for half-an-hour or more twice daily. The skin may bestimulated by a smart sponging with vinegar or weak acetic acid, and arubbing all over with soap lather, and afterwards with hot olive oil. This lathering and rubbing to be done at another time from the firstrubbing for the lungs. Then apply a large warm bran poultice to thelower part of the back behind the kidneys. 

We have often found the following simple treatment effectual, where thepatient is not very weak. If there are any signs of heart failure, donot use it. But if the patient is fairly strong, it is most beneficial. You have a case, say, of dropsy in the abdomen: put on two folds ofsoft flannel, wrung out of cold water; put two folds dry over the moistones. Keep away all oiled silk and everything of the kind. You willvery soon have an astonishing outflow of insensible perspiration, butit passes off through the soft porous flannel without any obstructionwhatever. You will find that under this the swelling soon comes down, and even disappears entirely. It is necessary, in such treatment, torenew the bandage so as to keep all fresh and healthful, but your workis abundantly rewarded. In such a case as this the matter to be passedoff is so great that a cotton or ordinary linen bandage may fail, asbeing too impervious, when a flannel bandage will succeed. A Kneipplinen bandage is perfectly porous, and will not irritate the skin asflannel often does. Worn-out underwear can be kept for this purpose. 

If stronger heat seems to be needed, a soft cloth four-ply thick, largeenough to cover the whole lower back, should be dipped in CAYENNELOTION (_see_), slightly squeezed, and placed on the back. Over this adry cloth should be placed, and the patient should lie down on a branpoultice or hot-water bag for an hour or two. Afterwards the backshould be rubbed with olive oil, and a band of soft new flannel wornround the body. 

Even if the swelling is caused by rupture this treatment is the best. The rupture must be reduced (_see_ Rupture) and sustained by a propertruss, for which the patient should apply to a responsible surgicalinstrument maker. This treatment alone has cured many dropsicalpatients. Where failure of the heart's action complicates the trouble, this treatment will usually relieve the heart as well as kidneys. Fordrink in such cases see article Drinks. For food give whatever is mosteasily digested and passed into good blood. Wheaten-meal food, oatmealjelly, etc. , are good. _See also_ Biscuits and Water. 

Drowning. --Many valuable lives have been saved by an elementaryknowledge of what to do in the case of one apparently suffocated ordrowned. 

Commence treatment immediately in the open air, with the face down, neck and chest exposed, and all tight clothing such as braces removed. 

The points to be aimed at are--first and _immediately_, the Restorationof Breathing; and secondly, after breathing is restored, the promotionof Warmth and Circulation. The efforts to restore Breathing must becommenced immediately and energetically, and persevered in for one ortwo hours, or until a medical man has pronounced that life is extinct. Efforts to promote Warmth and Circulation beyond removing the wetclothes and drying the skin must not be made until the first appearanceof natural breathing, for if circulation of the blood be induced beforebreathing has recommenced the restoration to life will be endangered. 

[Illustration: Turning on the Chest. ]

_First_: Roll the patient over on his chest, with one of the arms underthe forehead, when the water will readily leave the mouth. _Second_: Ifbreathing does not recommence then, place him on his face, supportingthe chest on a roll of clothing. Turn the body gently on the side, thenbriskly on the face repeating these movements, about 15 times in theminute. (By placing him on his chest the weight of the body forces theair out; when turned on the side air enters the chest). Five minutes isthe longest that can be afforded to this treatment. _Third_: Turn himon his back, draw his tongue forward, keeping it forward by a bandpassing over it and under the chin, placing the roll of clothing underthe shoulder blades. Then, kneeling at his head, grasp the arms justbelow the elbows, draw them above the head, keeping them stretched forabout two seconds. Then turn down the arms and press them firmly fortwo seconds against the sides of the chest. (The outstretched positionallows air to be drawn into the lungs, the other position allows it tobe pressed out. )

[Illustration: Arms extended. ]

When a spontaneous effort to respire is observed, proceed to induceCirculation and Warmth. This is accomplished by rubbing the limbsupwards with firm grasp and pressure underneath the warm blankets, orover the dry clothing which through bystanders or other means shouldhave been already procured, apply hot flannels, hot water bottles, heated bricks, etc. , to the pit of the stomach, the armpits, betweenthe thighs and the soles of the feet. 

Allow abundance of fresh air to play about the patient. Administer ateaspoonful of warm water, and then if the power of swallowing havereturned, give hot milk, coffee, etc. , in small quantities. The patientshould be kept in bed and a disposition to sleep encouraged. 

The above treatment should be persevered in for some hours, as it is anerroneous opinion that persons are irrecoverable because life does notsoon make its appearance, persons having been restored afterpersevering for many hours. The appearances which generally accompanyDeath, are: Cessation of the heart's action, eyes half-closed, pupilsdilated, tongue approaching to the inner edges of the lips, lips andnostrils covered with a frothy mucus. Coldness and pallor of surfaceincrease. 

[Illustration: Elbows on the Chest. ]

_Cautions_: Prevent crowding, avoid rough usage; if the body is on theback have the tongue secured. Never hold up the body by the feet. Neverplace the body in a warm bath, unless under medical direction, and eventhen only momentarily. 

Dwining. --We give this name to a trouble from which we have been ableto save some patients, as expressing best the general failure andweakness which sometimes constitute a serious danger, even where allspecific symptoms are wanting. Some cases of this kind we have cured, when they were supposed to be hopelessly dying, by the use of simplesoap lather. The skin of the patient is usually dry, and the pulsefeverish. In such a case take lather, made as directed in article Head, Soaping, and spread it gently all over the stomach and heart. Repeatthis six or seven times, keeping the patient warm in bed. Then, afterdrying, do the same thing to the back. This does immense good. For thegeneral skin stimulation, rub over with the mixture for NIGHT SWEATS(_see_). The skin is rubbed over with this five or six times, once aday. 

Where there is no feverishness, but rather cold feelings, then use the_warm_ lather as directed, and rub well all over afterwards with hotolive oil. This treatment alone we know to have cured many. 

Dysentery. --This is an affection of the bowels of the nature ofdiarrhoea, but much worse, as in it _blood_ accompanies the boweldischarge. It usually begins as diarrhoea, and at this stage may becured by either warm vinegar and water or simple cold water injectedinto the bowel (_see_ Diarrhoea). Where there is any reason to suspectthe water supply, that should be boiled for half-an-hour and cooledbefore use. Attention to the diet, taking for a time _milk_ diet alone, is also important. Nothing can be better than boiled bread and milk, giving no more than the sufferer feels he needs. When the diarrhoea haspassed into true dysentery, with blood discharge, or the trouble beginsas such, then enemas of weak acetic acid, or vinegar and water, given_warm_ (_i. E. _, a little over blood heat), must be used instead of coldwater. As much vinegar should be used as will make the mixture (_see_Acetic Acid) very slightly smarting when applied to a tender part ofthe skin--say, to the corner of the eye. What is wanted is just as muchacid as will act healingly on the injured vessels, and no more. Anenema of this water mixed with acid may be repeated as long as requiredwith perfect safety and good effect every time. Even if the disease hasmade very serious progress, this will tell upon it powerfully. Thesewarm enemas should be very resolutely followed up as long as they givethe least comfortable feeling. No one who has not felt their magicaleffect can conceive how powerful they are. We have seen a patient onthe point of giving in and lying down as a helpless invalid madeperfectly fit for work in less than an hour by this mode of treatment. 

Where the trouble has passed into that stage where the patient is muchweakened, in addition to this the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_) shouldbe employed; or if the patient be too weak, the fomentation may beproperly wrapped round him in bed without rising. If the patient be tooweak for wrapping round the body, he may be first wrapped round thelegs, and so strengthened as to stand the stronger remedy. Olive oilmust be rubbed on the skin before and after fomenting. The heat may bekept up for an hour. If too weak to stand even this, the feet and legsmay be first fomented, and afterwards the body. This treatment hassaved many cases from disaster. _See also_ British Cholera; Diarrhoea. 

Dyspepsia. --_See_ Indigestion. 

Earache. --In the common form this is purely neuralgic. The nerves arein shape and distribution like some tender plant, the root in the brainor spinal cord, and the ends of the branches in the organs supplied bythem with nerve power. They are best affected, and most easily cured, by applications to the root rather than the branch ends. This isgreatly the case with earache, which is a trouble of the nerves of theear--not those of hearing, but the ordinary nerves supplying the part. The remedy is to press cold cloths on the _back of the head and neck_. This will often give instant relief. It is best done when the patientis thoroughly warm. If he be cold and clammy in feeling, the feet andlegs must be well fomented before applying the cooling. Rub all partstreated with warm olive oil when the treatment is finished. 

Ears, Running. --In this trouble there is indicated a failure somewhereof the clearance of waste from the body. This matter gathers locally inthe ear, where suppuration and discharge take place. A cure must not bedirected to the ear alone, but first the general waste-removing systemshould be stimulated with special reference to its service in the ear. Rubbing the back with hot olive oil and gentle pressure for a longtime, say forty minutes daily, will go further to cure the ears thananything which can be done to themselves. Gatherings, by thistreatment, are often quickly dissolved and dispersed. 

Where actual waste matter runs out of the ear, the treatment is to havea round camel's-hair brush and soak the interior of the ear, using thebrush, with warm weak vinegar, or weak acetic acid, just sour to thetaste; then brush with a little fine almond oil, and wipe very gentlyas dry as possible. 

Another way is to syringe the ears very gently with this dilute aceticacid; do not force the acid strongly against the internal parts of theear, but rather let it soak in. It may be continued as long as is feltagreeable. Do this twice a day; have also a good warm bran poulticeplaced at the back of the head and neck for an hour each day, oilingthe skin before and after. This is best done at bedtime. If thistreatment be pursued carefully, the ears should soon come right. 

Ears, Singing in the. --Partial deafness is often accompanied by noisesin the ear, which are very annoying. This is caused by the internalstate of the ear, and is often due especially to the state of the auralnerve. Similar noises are heard also when we place our fingers in ourears, or when we hold a shell or hollow vessel against one of them. Inthe latter case, what we hear is the rush of blood in the vessels ofthe ear. In this way, singing in the ears often arises in the course ofthe treatment recommended in the last article for running ears. If itbecome too loud, a cessation of the heating at the back of the head, and a brief cooling application, will relieve it. Therefore, in suchcases, it is well to use COOLING IN HEATING (_see_). 

Eczema. --Skin eruptions, known under this name, have very variouscauses. Treatment must vary accordingly. 

Where the cause is a failure of the skin to act properly, the _whole_skin of the body, especially the chest and back, will be dry and hard. In this case apply SOAPY BLANKETS (_see_). 

If the soapy blanket be too severe on the patient, then apply generallathering with M'Clinton's Soap. Use a badger's-hair shaving brush, andhave the lather like whipped cream with _no free water_ along with it. We have known a few of these applications cure a case of long standing. 

Where general debility is present, along with the disease, use allmeans to increase the patient's vitality. Simple diet is best (_see_Diet, Saltcoats' Biscuits, Barley, Assimilation, Digestion), andabundance of fresh air, within and without the house, by night and byday. 

Where the disease results from a parasite, some ointment should beused, and is best applied under the immediate direction of a specialistin Diseases of the Skin. 

Elbow Joint. --See Armpit Swelling and Bone. 

Enemas, Cold Water. --Prejudice often exists against _cold_ treatment ofany kind, but it must be overcome, unless the sick would lose some ofthe most precious means of relief which we possess. The Enema Syringe, or Fountain Enema, may be had from any druggist, and is used to injectliquid into the lower bowel. To inject _cold water_ by this means is amost efficient method of relief for internal heat and irritation, aswell as for DIARRHOEA (_see_). Sick headaches are also often instantlycured by this means. What we are here concerned with, however, is tosay that this remedy is as _safe_ as it is simple, so long asdiscomfort is not felt by the patient. Cold enemas may be givenrepeatedly, where they are felt to be comforting, without any dangerwhatever. If the bowels move after the first application, there is noneed to be alarmed. Repeat the cold injection, and the diarrhoea willcease. The _cold_ enema does not produce or aggravate constipation; onthe contrary, it often relieves and cures the sluggish bowels. In caseswhere medicine has to be almost constantly taken, its use, and thedisuse of the drugs, will often effect a complete cure. In manyinstances in which outward cooling cannot be borne, the thermometerwill indicate that there is excessive internal heat, and the pulse willbe quick also. In such cases it will be possible to give the mostdelightful relief by cautiously applied internal cold. 

Fever that might be relieved by cold packing and sponging with vinegar, or some such means, will be far more speedily reduced by these coldinjections, and fever which cannot be reduced by these means alone willgive way when this is added. 

There are cases in which a sort of paralysis of the lower bowel renderswhat is called "opening medicine" constantly necessary. The consequenceof these continued doses is to produce greater and greater paralysis, and ultimately death itself; in these cases the cold enema is of greatvalue. If there is lack of power in the bowel, it is well to increaseit by a warm bran poultice, or hot bag on the back, and to brace thevessels and muscles within with the cold enema. (_See_ Constipation. )

Epidemics. --The key to action in case of epidemics prevailing in thedistrict is found, when we consider that always, many residing amidinfection escape it. They do so in virtue of better resisting power, rather than because no seeds of disease ever reach them. In case ofepidemic, then, besides daily sponging with acetic acid or vinegar, and_scrupulous cleanliness_, everything should be done to increase healthand vitality in the household. Plenty of fresh air and sunlight, openwindows day and night, and good plain food, are most powerful aids toresisting disease. The milk and water used in the household should allbe boiled and _allowed to cool_ before use, the boiling lastinghalf-an-hour. The family where all this is done may expect to escapeinfection, and therefore may maintain that calmness and freedom fromfear which is itself a very important help against it. 

Epilepsy. --The first sign of such an illness is a brief and slightattack of "absence. " We notice once or twice that the person "loseshimself" for a few moments, but recovers so speedily that we scarcelyare sure whether anything of importance has occurred. He is perfectlyunaware that he has so "lost himself" or been "absent" at all. Thatpart of the brain on the activity of which consciousness depends hasbeen for the moment inactive. 

There is another symptom--that is, the "falling" which gives one of itstitles to this malady. It is called "the falling sickness. " There is apeculiarity in the falling of one who is affected in this way. In somecases consciousness partially remains, but the balancing power of thebrain is lost. A patient in this case sees the ground rise till itstrikes him violently on the forehead. We remember a friend telling usthat he was walking along a railway, when all at once the rail seemedto rise and strike him in the face: he had fallen on the rail, andseriously wounded himself. The same thing occurs to the person who hastaken enough alcohol to deprive him for the time of brain action forthe usual balancing of his body. Just as there is a certain part of thebrain which gives men consciousness, so is there a part which givesmuscular control, such as we use in balancing the body, and there is astream of vital action flowing from the nerve sources by which both aresupplied. If this stream is diverted from these organs, "absence" and"falling" are the natural and necessary result. 

There are many cases in which there are only "absence" and "falling, "but in others, symptoms much more alarming appear. The next of thesewhich we notice introduces us to a totally distinct element in ourexplanation. It is found in the "screaming" that follows instantly onunconsciousness, and precedes the "falling" generally. The sufferer isentirely unaware of all that occurs with him, and screams by novoluntary act on his part. The symptom is purely bodily, and expressesno thought or feeling, good or bad, though it is similar to the screamof terror, and makes the same impression on the uninformed hearer. Themuscles are used in the scream of epilepsy, just as the muscles ofordinary movement are used in St. Vitus' Dance, but there is nothing ofthe mind whatever in the movement. The organ of the mind is unsuppliedwith vital action, but the organs of voice are over-supplied. It isbeyond doubt this over-supply which shows itself in the scream, forthere is nothing else to account for it. 

The same thing is true of the movements of the jaw that are so terriblystrong, and so sorely wound the tongue, in the case of those sufferingin this way. The jaws open and shut with great force, and without themind regulating their movement. All the motor nerves are convulsed withstrong action, and the muscles they supply are wrought to the utmost, while all consciousness and control are entirely suspended. There issuch an overwhelming supply of activity to the mere muscular systemthat the sources of that supply are soon exhausted, and the motionceases for a time. Consciousness does not at once return fully, but theconvulsions cease, and something like a sleep follows before the brainhas its needed supply. 

How is it that vital action seizes these mere motor nerves and leavesthe brain? There is a symptom in cases of epilepsy which tends to throwsome light on this question. It is seen in the extreme activity of thebrain, indicated by the incessant talking of the patient before aseries of convulsions come on, when taken along with the extremedepression and silence that follow such a series. During whole nights, even, the sufferer will talk, till every organ is exhausted; then comesa series of violent convulsions, then a season of perfect silence andbewilderment. 

This explanation of the disease points to the remedy. That which willnurse the brain, and at the same time lessen nervous force in thesystem, will tend to cure the evil. Strong fomentations round the lowerpart of the body may be used. Soap in fine LATHER (_see_) should bemade to cover the skin at bedtime, and washed off with weak ACETIC ACID(_see_) in the morning. Easily digested food should be taken, and allso-called stimulants strictly avoided. We should endeavour to securethe soothing of the spinal system of nerves. This is done in a degreethat is incredible to those who have not actually witnessed it by apersevering use of the cold treatment of the back. The best time isearly in the morning, after the patient has had a good night's sleep. For a whole hour spinal treatment should then be used. We have no faithin any royal road to success in such a cure, but we have faith incommon sense and right good work. Taking three towels, and putting twoof them in cold water, the "operator" is ready to begin. It will bewell first to rub the patient's back gently with a little warm oliveoil. This will obviate all danger of shock or shiver when the coldcloth is placed on the skin. Then wring out one of the cold towelsthoroughly, so as to have it damp and not dripping; fold it lengthwayseight ply. Put the one over the other, place both on the centre of thepatient's back as he is sitting up in bed to receive them, keeping thedamp towel next the skin. Adjust these cloths nicely, make the patientlie down upon them, and cover him snugly up with the bedclothes. Solong as the feeling is nice, let well alone. When the towel becomeshot, wring out the second, and change it on the back. Carry this outfor a full hour, and if the patient is disposed to go to sleep again, encourage him to do so. 

Continued for weeks every morning this humble treatment, without anyaddition, has an incredibly soothing effect on an excitable system. Butit will be well to add to it some nursing of the head and feet, so thatevery encouragement may be given to a diffusion of nerve action overthe body. At night, before going to bed, the feet and legs should bebathed in hot water for a quarter of an hour, dried, rubbed gently withwarm olive oil, and a pair of soft cotton stockings drawn on. While thepatient is being treated, every possible wearing and irritation of thebrain must be avoided, and when lying on the cold towel, the headshould be soothingly rubbed by a gentle hand. If an actual violentattack comes on, loose all tight clothes, place a piece of cork betweenthe patient's teeth to prevent biting the tongue, give plenty of freshair, and keep the patient in a recumbent position. 

Everything should be done, by training, to increase the patient'sself-control, and all stimulants should be avoided as most injurious. _See_ Head, Rubbing the. 

It is important that those liable to these attacks should be keptemployed. Nothing is so harmful as idleness. Everything tending to goodhealth is of value, but the essentials of the treatment are found insoothing the spine as above, and stimulating the brain by the headrubbing. Unless in cases in which the very structure of the system hasbeen, so to speak, altered by long-continued disease of this sort, weshould look for good results from such treatment as this. Even in theworst cases it would be possible to mitigate the severity of thedistress. 

A difference in the focus of the eyes often causes a strain on thebrain in the effort to adjust them. This sometimes causes epilepsy, andwe have known many cases cured by the use of spectacles made to correctthis inequality. In all cases of this disease, therefore, an opticianshould be consulted, to see if there is any defect in the eyes. 

Other illnesses are sometimes mistaken for epilepsy: for example, theliver and kidneys in a defective state and impurities passing in theblood to the brain, will explain certain forms of that which passes asepilepsy. It is often easy to cure attacks of this nature by merelybringing the liver and kidneys into working order. If there is ayellowness of the skin, or other signs of the blood failing to bepurified in a natural way, then that should first be dealt with, andthe fits will often be removed as soon as good action is established inthe purifying organs. But in all cases in which there is anything likereal "fits, " it will be found of great importance to study theover-and-under-actions of the nerve system as by far the most essentialelements in the disease. _See_ Jaundice. 

Eruptions. --_See_ Hives; "Outstrikes;" Saltrome, etc. 

Erysipelas. --This troublesome disease is also known as St. Anthony'sFire, or the Rose. The skin becomes fiery red or even purplish in hue. A violent heat and pain in the part accompany this, and fever andgeneral disturbance of the system follow in a severe case. Swelling ofthe parts follows, with much distress and danger. _Air_ irritatesviolently the sore parts, and is usually excluded. 

In curing the trouble, regard must be had to the cause, which isusually a general failure of strength from overwork, worry, or someother disease. If a cure is to be effected, _rest_ of mind and body isnecessary, and must be secured at any possible cost. For localapplication, the sore parts are thickly dusted with fine fresh flour, and covered with soft wadding or surgeon's lint. The air is excluded, and all is kept _strictly dry_. A waterproof covering over the lintwill help this, but is not absolutely necessary. 

But, now, is there nothing that can be done to quicken that inneraction, the slowness of which has paved the way for all this mischief?This might be done in two ways. After the affected parts, say the face, have been secured in this pack of flour, it will be easy to place a hotblanket, soaked partly, but not at all _wet_, with boiling water, allround the head of the patient. As soon as the heat begins to enter thehead, a sense of comfort will be experienced. Care must be taken tokeep the _inner cloths dry_, and heat is best given by an india-rubberbag. When this cannot be had, however, the blanket may be used. Atintervals, as the patient feels it desirable, this fomentation may berenewed. It will hasten recovery as well as arrest the spreading of themalady, while it will secure such recovery as will not readily disposeto a return of the evil. The feet and legs are likely to be cold. Asthe sufferer lies still in bed, but not when the other fomentation ison, these should be wrapped in a hot fomentation, allowed to lie in itfor a good half-hour, taken out of it and dried, rubbed with warm oliveoil, and covered with a pair of soft cotton stockings. If thistreatment is at all well carried out, the feeling of comfort given willsoon tell how it is working. Of course, if the feet and legs are theparts affected, the fomentation must be applied elsewhere, say on theback, or on the haunches. 

Where erysipelas appears in connection with wounds or sores, the sametreatment is to be pursued, as far as possible consistent with dressingthe sores. These should be carefully cleansed, dusted with boric acid, and covered with a layer of wadding bandage. The limb should be raisedto a horizontal position. Simple food should be given, and the suffererkept quiet. In all cases of skin trouble, linen should be worn next theskin. _See_ Underwear. 

Exercise. --Where this is advised medically, it is often taken in amanner far from wise. For weakly people seeking strength, exerciseshould never be pursued to the extent of fatigue. Up to a certain pointit does good; beyond that, harm. The beginning of harm is indicated bythe feeling of weariness. At the same time it must be remembered thatwhat is felt as weariness may be merely laziness. This must beenergetically combated. There is no royal road to health any more thanto learning. 

In some cases this disinclination for exercise may arise from too muchor too rich food, and a more sparing diet may remove it. _See_Appendix; Physical Culture. 

When even walking is out of the question, a kind of exercise may begiven by gently massaging the limbs while the patient is in bed. Theback muscles should also be gently rubbed and kneaded, so as to causethem to move under the skin, without effort on the patient's part. Butno fatigue must be caused. The amount may be gradually increased as thepatient can stand it. _See_ Brain Exercise; Massage. 

Exhaustion. --Often very serious trouble takes the form of simpleoverwhelming weariness. The patient's system has been wrought down tillit can no longer respond even to stimulus, and life itself seems ebbingaway. In such cases treat as for DEPRESSION (_see_) avoiding tooenergetic treatment, and gradually infusing new life by massage andfomenting. 

Expectoration. --What is commonly called a "cough and spit" is sometimesdue to some serious trouble of the lungs, and in all cases a doctorshould be consulted at once. Often, however, it is due to the failureof the skin or other organs duly to carry off the waste of the body, which then accumulates in the air tubes. If we get a good revivifyingtreatment of the skin, such cough and spit will speedily be cured. Amild vapour bath, with thorough SOAPING (_see_ Soap) will usually besufficient in a slight case. 

Sometimes there is a sweating of the skin itself which does not cureexpectoration, but which must itself be cured. That is the night orearly morning sweating, which is very reducing. It is the insensibleperspiration which is needed to remove the spit. Give one good spongingover the body with acetic acid; follow this the evening after withcayenne "tea, " afterwards rubbing with warm olive oil. For two or threeevenings repeat this treatment. There should then be a loosening of thephlegm, and a lessening of the flow through the lungs. The sufferer maybe very weak, and yet these things may be so gently and kindly done, that no fatigue is experienced. 

If above treatment does not cure, the SOAPY BLANKET (_see_) may be usedonce a week, with daily sponging with vinegar or weak acetic acid, andrubbing with warm olive oil. This should cure in a few weeks, wherethere is no real disease. 

Eyes, Accidents to. --Three distinct classes of these are to beconsidered. They require very different treatment. 

When the eyeball is cut or pierced, if the cut be deep or large, asurgeon must deal with it. But if small, a drop or two of castor oillet fall into the eye will often be all that is required. Whereinflammation comes on, the tepid pouring recommended below for bad eyeswill greatly help. If more severe, the treatment for inflamed eyes maybe given. _Perfect rest_ and _thorough exclusion of light_ are veryimportant. 

If the eye is bruised, bathe with warm water, to which a little vinegaror boracic acid has been added. If after bathing, pain continues, dropin castor oil, and on the outside of the eyelid lay a pad dipped in amixture of equal parts of laudanum and water. Change this clothfrequently until the pain is relieved. 

Treat in this way also for insects stinging the eye. 

When the eye is burned, either by sparks or by some burning chemicalsubstance, cold cloths should be persistently applied to the eye. Thesoftest rags or surgeon's lint should be cut up into small pieces thatwill just cover the eye. Dip these in the coldest water, and press itout a little, so that it will not run off. Place these little bits ofwet cloth one after another on the eye or eyes affected. The patientwill not be able to endure pressure further than the weight of thecloths themselves. These can be taken off and changed for cold ones asthe feeling of the sufferer directs. After a time the cooling will befelt to have gone far enough, and the cloths may be allowed to lie;when they get too warm they can be taken off, or if the heat and painreturn they can be renewed. 

While this treatment is going on it will be necessary to open theeyelids at intervals, so as to let off the tears that collect in suchcases and cause great distress. These will flow out when in the mostgentle way you have laid one thumb on the upper eyebrow, and the otherjust below the lower eyelid, so that you can draw the lids justslightly open. 

Eyes, Cataract on. --This disease has been arrested, and in earlierstages even cured, by the treatment described in, Eyes, failing sight. By means of this treatment we have seen a totally blind eye restored ina few weeks. 

Eyes, Danger to Sight of. --Where inflammation has gone so far as tolead to suppuration, or even to ulceration of the eyes, there is gravedanger of blindness, and this is often the case with infants andchildren who have been wrongly treated or neglected. In such a case, cease at once all irritating and painful treatment and drugs. First, wash the eyes by gently dropping over them distilled water, or boiledrain water which has been cooled. The water should be used about bloodheat. 

After an hour or so, have another warm bathing by means of gentlepouring over the eyes, but do not rub the eyelids. Let there be nofriction beyond that of the soft and warm water running over the facein the bathing. Rather have patience till that washes all waste matteraway than run any risk of irritating the eyeball. All this time watchwhat the sufferer evidently likes, and follow his likings--that is, asto warmer or colder water, and so on. It will not be very long beforeyou have thoroughly cleaned the eyes, while at the same time you haveinfused fresh life into them. To the water used a little vinegar oracetic acid should next be added, or Condy's fluid may be used when itis convenient. But care must be taken that no great smarting is caused. _See_ Acetic Acid. 

As the discharge from ulcerated eyes is very infectious, care should betaken not to communicate it to other persons' eyes. Strict cleanlinessshould be observed, and all rags employed should be burnt, anddisinfectants used to cleanse the patient's and nurse's hands, etc. Towels should be boiled for half-an-hour before being washed, afterthey have been used in such a case. 

Now a most important matter must be attended to. Castor oil is the mostsoothing that can be used with the eyes. Fresh olive oil comes next, but it is usually just as easy to get the one as the other. With afeather, or fine camel's-hair brush, and as gently as possible, coverthe eyelids with this oil heated to about blood heat. Do not try toforce it on the eyeballs, but if the lids open so much as to let it in, allow it to lubricate the eyeball also. Rub it gently over the eyebrowsand all round the eyes, and dry it gently off. Cover the eyes then witha soft covering, and let them have perfect rest. 

It sometimes happens that a tiny piece of dust or iron may stick in thesurface of the eye, and refuse to be washed away by the tears. Take asquare inch of writing paper, curve one of the sides of it, and draw itlightly and quickly over the spot. Never use any sharp instrument orpin. Repeat the operation a few times if unsuccessful. 

Diet as recommended in article Eyes, Hazy Sight. 

Eyes, Failing Sight. --This often comes as the result simply of anover-wearied body and mind, without any pain or accident whatever. Itappears as an inability to see small distant objects, or to see at allin dusky twilight. The sight is also variable--good when the patient isnot wearied, and bad when he is tired. When this comes on under thirtyyears of age, the eyes have almost certainly been overworked, and needrest. Rest from all reading and other work trying for the eyes is thebest cure. If this can be had, it should be taken, with much outdoorexercise. Fresh air is a fine tonic for the eyes. Where total restcannot be had, take as much as possible, and nurse the failing nervesas follows. Apply the bran poultice, as directed for inflamed eyes, just as long as it is felt to be comforting--with one patient it willbe longer, with another shorter. Now there is a cooling of the brow andof the eyes themselves, which is as important almost as the heating ofthe back of the head. We always find, as a matter of fact, that a coldapplication opposed to a hot one produces a vastly better result thattwo hot ones opposed, or one hot one by itself alone. So we find in thecase of the eyes. We have now, as we write these lines, eyes under ourcare that are mending every day by means of a bran poultice at the backof the head and neck, and a cold cloth changed on the brow and eyes. They do not mend anything like so well if heat alone is used. Rub theback of the head and neck with hot olive oil before and afterpoulticing, and dry well. Do this for an hour at a time, _twice_, or ifpossible _three times_, a day. Continue for a fortnight, ceasetreatment for a week, and again treat for another fortnight. Thisshould make such improvement as to encourage to further perseverancewith the cure. Sometimes failing sight follows neuralgia. In this casethe rubbing described in Eyes, Squinting, given twice a day for fifteenor twenty minutes each day, will be useful in addition to abovetreatment. 

Even in cases in which "cataract" is fully formed, we find that thedisease is arrested, and the patient at least gets no worse. But wherethis malady is only threatened the haze soon passes away. We mostearnestly wish and pray that this simple treatment should be as widelyknown as there are failing eyes in this world of trial. 

Eyes, Hazy Sight. --Frequently, after inflammation, and even when thathas ceased, the sight is left in a hazy condition. The eyes may be insuch cases rather cold than hot, and not amenable to the coolingapplications. The whole system also lacks vital action. First, in sucha case, wash the back thoroughly all over at night with hot water andSOAP (_see_). Dry well and rub hot olive oil into the skin until dry. In the morning rub the back for a few minutes with vinegar or weakACETIC ACID (_see_) before getting out of bed, dry, and rub with warmolive oil. A strip of new flannel should be sewn on the underclothing, so as to cover the whole back. The feet and legs should be bathed(_see_ Bathing Feet) twice a week. All alcoholic drinks, and mostdrugs, should be avoided, while only such food should be taken as canbe converted into good blood. Half a teacupful of _distilled_ watershould be taken before each meal. The whole of this diet tends toproduce healthy blood, which is the great means of dissolving allhaziness in the lenses and humours of the eyes. 

Every drop of alcohol does so much to reduce that action. We have heardthis beautifully described by one of the foremost of living medicalmen. He began by stating, what no one can doubt, that a certainquantity of alcohol taken by the strongest man will kill that man aseffectually as if he were shot through the head with a rifle bullet. Now a certain portion of alcohol takes a man's sight entirely away. Half that quantity will only render his vision "double"--that is, unfithim to see objects as they really are. Half that again will onlyperceptibly impair the power of the eyes; but the action of thesmallest particle of the substance is the same in nature as that of thelargest quantity. Hence that action is to reduce the very efficiency ofthe nerves of the eye, which it is of such immense importance to nurseto the uttermost. No mere dictum, however strongly expressed, can holdfor a moment against this transparent reason. Hence, if a person musttake alcoholic liquor, the cure of inflammation in his eyes, and of thethickening of the transparent portions of these organs, is simply outof the question unless the disease is comparatively slight, and hisnervous constitution strong. 

The very same reason holds good of tobacco. So of opium. So of everyother narcotic, whatever it may be called. Hundreds of men lose theireyesight by the use of tobacco alone. We have seen their eyeballsgradually becoming sightless when no change could be detected in theireyes--only the optic nerve gradually lost its sensibility till theywere entirely blind. We are perfectly aware that there are those whowill scout the idea of such an effect, and prescribe these verynarcotics largely in such cases; it is because such drugs are used andordered that we are compelled thus to reason about them. In all casesof failing eyesight they should be carefully avoided. So should allfoods which are not easily converted into healthful blood. 

Eyes, Healthy. --Cheap, ill-printed literature is responsible for mucheye trouble, and it is well worth while to pay, if possible, a littleextra for books well printed, especially in the case of those who readmuch. When reading sit erect, with the back to the light, so that itfalls over the shoulder. Too fine work, dim light, wrong diet, and wantof exercise produce the dull and strained eye, which eventually becomesseriously diseased. Opening the eyes under cold water will help tostrengthen them, and massaging the muscles of the eye by passing thefinger and thumb round the socket (with scarcely any pressure on theball itself) will be found of advantage. 

Eyes, Inflamed. --For all kinds of burning inflammatory pain in theeyes, the following treatment is most effective. Place a hot BRANPOULTICE (_see_) beneath the back of the head and neck while thepatient lies on the back. Press gently fresh cool damp cloths, frequently changed, all over the eyeballs and sockets, so as to drawout the heat. No one who has not seen this done can imagine howpowerful a remedy it is. It may also be necessary, if the feet be cold, to foment up to the knees. This last fomentation is best done atbedtime, and the feet and legs should be rubbed with olive oil, and apair of cotton stockings put on to sleep in, to keep the feetcomfortable. 

If the eyes are very sensitive the treatment should go on in dim light, as may be felt necessary. The poultice and cold cloths may be used foran hour twice a day. In bad cases, where sight has been seriouslyaffected, a good rubbing of all the skin of the head with the fingertips may be given before the poultice is applied. This rubbing must notbe a trial to the patient, but gently done, with kindly good will, andit must be pursued for fifteen or twenty minutes, until the whole headis in a warm glow. 

Eyes, Inflamed, with General Eruptions over the Body. --In some casesthe eye trouble is only a part of a general skin inflammation, accompanied with heat all over the body, and an acrid, irritatingdischarge from eruptions on the face and elsewhere, especially on thehead. The cold cloths and poultice will not work in such a case. Thechief agent in the cure is fine soap lather (_see_ Head, Soaping). Letthe head be shampooed with it for half-an-hour. The whole body shouldthen be lathered and shampooed for a short time in a warm bath; this isbest done at bedtime. Much water is not needed; warm soapy lather, wellrubbed all over, is what is required. Ordinary soap will make the skinworse; only M'Clinton's will do to soothe and heal it (_see_ Soap). Ifwhite specks show on the eyes, the treatment in article on Eyes, Dangerto Sight of, will cure these. When this complaint is obstinate andrefuses to heal, medical advice should be sought, as blood poisoning isprobably present. 

Eyes, Paralysis of. --The partial paralysis of the muscles of one eyeproduces double vision, so that the patient sees two similar objectswhere there is only one. This double vision is often, however, theresult of stomach derangement. If so, it may soon pass away. The trueparalysis is more persistent. To cure this, rub the entire skin of thehead gently and steadily with the hands and finger-tips (strokingalways _upwards_) for some fifteen minutes. Then apply cold cloths tothe eyes as already directed. If the cold cloths are uncomfortable, hotones should be tried. Do this for fifteen minutes also. Continuealternately for an hour twice or three times a day. We have known onesuch day's treatment remove the double vision _entirely_, and norelapse occur, but in most cases the treatment must be persevered inand returned to until the paralysis is overcome. 

Eyes, Spots on. --These spots are of two different kinds, and yet theyare very much the same in nature and substance. What is called "acataract" is of a different character. We refer not to this, but to thespots that form on the surface of the eyeball, and those that form inthe membrane of the eyelid. When inflammation has gone on for some timeon the eyeball itself, portions of whitish matter form on the glassysurface and soon interfere with the sight. When inflammation has goneon in the eyelid, little knots like pin-heads form, producing a feelingas if sand were in the eye. Afterwards these knots grow large and swellthe eyelid, and at times the matter in them grows hard, and seems totake up a lasting abode in that tissue. Strong and destructive liquidsor powders are sometimes applied, that so affect the whole substance ofthe eye as to cause blindness. Nothing of this nature is required atall. First, the skin of the head must be dealt with. You will find thatthis is hot and dry, and somewhat hard on the skull. Rub this gentlywith the dry hands for a few minutes, then press a cloth tightly wrungout of cold water all round the head. Rub and cool alternately forhalf-an-hour or more if it continues to produce an agreeable feeling. When the head is all soothed, and good action has been secured, atleast on its surface, begin with the eye itself. The same treatment isrequired for both classes of cases. The eye will be shut at first. Youtake a fine camel's-hair brush, such as is used by artists, and somevinegar or acetic acid, so weak that you can swallow a portion of itwithout hurting your throat. This is a very good test of strength forthe acid. You carefully brush over the outside of the eyelids and allround the eye with this weak acid. This must be done most carefully andpatiently for a length of time, till all sweatiness is washed off, anda fine warm feeling is produced by the acid. The matter softens andbreaks up, so that it begins to pass away. We have seen a little ballof hard white matter break up and come away after a single brushingcarefully done. When the matter is in the eyelid, and is so situatedthat you can brush over it in the inside of the lid, it is well to doso; but this operation must be gently and carefully done. When you havebrushed with the acid long enough, dry the eyelids and cheek carefully, and rub with a little fresh olive or almond oil. It will be well tocover the eye from the cold, and from any dust that might irritate. Youwill soon find that it is as clear and sound as could be wished. 

Eyes, Squinting. --Various affections of the eyeball muscles cause this. To cure it is often easy, sometimes very difficult. The method oftreatment is to stimulate all the nerves of the head and face, and atthe same time to soothe their irritation. This is accomplished bymassaging the brow and entire head. It must be gently and soothinglydone. The open hands are drawn upwards over the brow from the eyebrows, the rubber standing behind the patient. Then both sides of the head andthe back of the head are stroked similarly. After this the whole headis rubbed briskly with the finger-points. This should be done often, even four or five times in the day. If the patient objects, it is beingunskilfully done; the right sort of rubbing is always pleasant. Asquinting eye has been cured in a few rubbings, where the case was asimple one. If the head becomes very hot, it may be cooled as directedabove for Children's Sleep. Squinting may be produced or increased bythat state of the stomach and bowels in which worms are bred. 

Face, Skin of. --To secure a healthy appearance of this is worth muchtrouble, and any eruption or unhealthy redness is a great trial, especially to ladies. To cure and prevent these, it is usuallynecessary to look first to the _diet_. A disagreeable redness of thenose, and pimples in various places, is the common result of too muchrich food, not to speak of alcoholic drink, which is always mostinjurious to the face skin. The use of corsets is another fertilesource of this trouble, and many in their desire to improve theirfigure ruin their faces. Plain, easily digested food is to be taken. Tea must only be used _at most_ twice in the day, and should beexceedingly weak. Half-a-teacupful of hot water should be taken beforeevery meal, and everything possible done to promote digestion. Thewhole skin must be brought into a healthy state by daily washing withM'Clinton's soap (_see_ Soap); no other should be used for toiletpurposes. It is far better than the boasted and expensive "complexionsoaps, " and can now be had in various forms. Many faces are injured bythe kind of soap used in washing. The use of the kind we recommend isremarkably pleasant and beneficial, and a full account of it, and ofour motives in recommending it, will be found under article Soap. If, however, the face will not stand the touch of water at all, goodBUTTERMILK (_see_) forms the best wash and cooling application. Also a_cloth mask_ may be worn all night, lined inside with soft creamy soaplather. In violent face irritation this last treatment is especiallyvaluable. 

For pimples on the face, the general treatment for the skin mentionedabove (_see_ Eyes, Inflamed) is to be used, especially applied to theskin of the back. The buttermilk wash may also be used, but the besteffect comes from the general treatment of the skin. 

Fainting. --Fatigue, excessive heat, fright, loss of blood, hunger, etc. , are common causes. 

The action of the heart is temporarily interfered with, and pallor, asweat on the forehead, with an indescribable feeling of sinking away, precede unconsciousness. 

The first thing to do is to bend down the patient's head till ittouches the knees, and keep it there for a few minutes. After he haspartially recovered consciousness, the clothing should be loosened, andall tight bands or braces removed. The face and hands should be bathedin cold water, slapping the face with a wet towel. Some stimulant, suchas hot tea, coffee, or sal volatile, may then be given. 

If there is a wound causing loss of blood, it should be attended to atonce. 

In case fainting is due to hunger, the greatest care should be taken togive only small quantities of food after recovery, as a large amountmay prove fatal. 

A sip of cold water, or bathing the face with cold water, willgenerally prevent a threatened fainting. If there appears any immediatedanger of a relapse, keep the patient in a horizontal position for sometime. 

Persons liable to fainting fits should be careful to avoid extremes oftemperature, such as very hot or very cold baths. 

Fall, A. --After a fall from a height, where there is no apparentoutward injury, there is often such a severe shock to the spinal cordand brain that continued unconsciousness occurs. In such a case, fomentthe spine at first, to remove the effects of the concussion. This maybring on serious difficulty of breathing, owing to congestion of thespinal cord. This can be removed by applying cold cloths along thespine. If the difficulty of breathing be present from the first, thenapply the cold at once. The first effect of such a fall is to deprivethe brain and spinal cord of vital force. This must be restored by_heat_. Subsequent effects due to congestion can be removed by cold. The effects of a shock in a railway accident may be similarly treated. Common sense will guide in using heat or cold by watching the effect. Where heat fails try cold. This is the simple rule. It is good also togive the patient some simple purgative medicine, and some warm drink. _Avoid all doses of alcoholic drinks. _ We have known the flickeringflame of life almost extinguished by a teaspoonful of brandy. 

Feeding, Over. --It is well to remember that over-feeding is a relativeterm. To take more than a weak stomach can digest, is to over-feed, although very little be taken. We give some invalids food every twohours but that food is only two-thirds of a teacupful of milk, mixedwith a third of boiling water. In every case we must watch to give theright amount, no less and no more. Every case will require to beconsidered by itself in the light of common sense. The amount of foodeaten should be just sufficient to supply the body with material toreplace that consumed in work, build up its wasted tissues and leave aslight surplus over for reserve store. Anything more is harmful. Inyouth, if too much be eaten, nature relieves herself by giving thetransgressor of her laws a bilious attack, during which there is noappetite, and so the excess is worked off. In later years this safetyvalve does not work, and the surplus is generally stored as uselessfat, impeding the action of the heart or other internal organs, or asgouty deposits in various parts. The Anglo-Saxon race at all eventsdoes not limit its diet as we think it should, and Sir Henry Thompson, M. D. , has stated that in his opinion more ill-health arises fromover-eating than from the use of intoxicating liquor, great a source ofillness as this last undoubtedly is. 

Temperance in diet is absolutely necessary therefore, if one would behealthy, and the avoidance of stimulating foods, with a restriction offlesh foods especially, is a precept which the great majority ofwell-to-do people need to attend to. 

Bilious attacks, headaches, indigestion, etc. , are simply nature'sprotest against the excess of food being forced upon her, and thenatural cure is to severely restrict, or still better, entirely stopthe food supply for a day or two. The idea that "the system must bekept up" is a very foolish one; people have lived for forty days andupwards on water alone, and a few days' fasting is a far safer remedyfor the troubles we have mentioned than purgative drugs. 

Those who have a stomach which quickly rebels against too much orunsuitable food, may, as Sir Henry Thompson says, congratulatethemselves on having a good janitor preventing the entrance of whatwould injure. The man who can and does eat anything, rarely lives toold age. 

The perfect appetite which comes from the moderate use of simple foodsis a relish which must be experienced to be appreciated. 

One way in which the amount of food needed to satisfy the appetite andbuild up the body may be very largely reduced, is by increasing theamount of mastication. If each bite of food is chewed and chewed untilit is all reduced to a liquid state, the amount required will be lessthan half of what is usually taken, and so much less strain will bethrown on the excretory organs. 

Feet, Cold. --Continued coldness of the feet gives rise to many moreserious troubles, and should always be attended to. There is no bettercure than daily BATHING THE FEET (_see_), followed by rubbing forseveral minutes, say five, with hot olive oil after drying. Rubbriskly, until the feet glow. Put on dry warm stockings, and see thatall foot-gear is kept as dry as possible. Another method of curing cold_sweaty_ feet is to rub the soles with CAYENNE "TEA" (_see_), andafterwards with warm olive oil. Dry carefully, and wear an extra pairof dry cotton socks or stockings. When the sweating is very abundantand obstinate, there is usually more or less failure in the nerveswhich keep the skin in order. The feet must then be properly _bathed_(_see_ Bathing the Feet), then dried and treated with cayenne lotion asabove. 

Feet Giving Way. --Where there is a great deal of standing to be done byany one, the feet sometimes yield more or less at the arch of theinstep. This becomes flattened, and even great pain ensues; lamenesssometimes follows. Young girls who have to stand much are especiallyliable to suffer in this way. In the first place _rest must be had_. Wise masters will provide due rest for their employees, foolish onesoverwork them. Rest is not against, but in favour of work; work cannotbe well done without due rest. The proper rest for feet such as wespeak of will be the most easy and comfortable position. _Comfort_ isthe test of the right treatment. Bathe the feet in hot water for a goodwhile, using plenty of soap. Rub gently with hot olive oil, pressingany displaced bones into, or near, their place. Carefully avoid givingpain. Massage similarly with oil the whole limb, and also the back(_see_ Massage). Do this every day at least once. You may have monthsto wait, but a sound limb is worth a good deal of patience. Whenstanding is absolutely necessary, strips of strong sticking plasterpassed down from above the ankle bones, and round under the instep, help greatly. 

Boots are better than shoes, and should be comfortably easy, with lowheels. 

Fever. --In all fevers, to _cool down_ the excessive heat of the patient(_see_ Heat, Internal) is the best process of treatment. This may bebest done by continued cooling of the head. Have a towel well wrung outof cold water. Fold it so as to envelop the head. Press it gently tothe head all round, changing the place of pressure frequently. Have asecond towel ready, and continue cooling with freshly cooled towelsperhaps for an hour or an hour-and-a-half. Then leave the last coldtowel on, and put a dry towel above it. The next cooling, when thefever heat again arises, may be given, if it can be managed, by placinga cold towel along the spine. Cover this with a dry one, and let thepatient lie on it. Change this, though not quite so frequently as inthe case of the head. Work _carefully and gently_, so as not to annoythe patient. If ice can be had, it may be put in the water used to coolthe cloths. If the feet be cold, foment them in a blanket (_see_Fomentation). Keep this on the feet for an hour. There will most likelybe great relief with even one course of such treatment. It must, however, be _persevered in_ until the fever be conquered. In any caseof fever, when a patient is too weak to bear the hot fomentation andcold towels, we would recommend rubbing the feet and limbs if cold withhot oil, and the stomach and chest, and if possible the back with soaplather. It is well at first to soap the stomach only, and for sometime; and each time till the last it is well to wipe off what you haverubbed on, so that the skin may be as clean as possible for the next. To do this only once is often quite sufficient to soothe, so that thepatient falls off into a gentle, natural sleep. 

Now, no one need imagine that there is any difficulty in the way ofanyone carrying out the right treatment. We have known a young sisterwho saw her brother brought home in fever. The medical man predicted along and serious illness, and the necessity of being prepared for allthe usual features of such a case. The sister heard all in thoughtfulsilence, but when the doctor went away she said to herself, "May not Ilower this flame? At any rate I will try. " So through the night she soeffectually cooled her brother's head that when the medical man camenext day he expressed his most agreeable disappointment, saying, "It isto be a very light case after all. " So it turned out to be, but itwould not have been so but for that brave sister's aid. We cannot butearnestly beseech all who have the opportunity to go and do likewise. Often, especially among the poor, dirt and hot, close air have made thefever room a source of frightful danger to all around. Absolutecleanliness, abundance of pure air, and disinfection of the stools, should always be attended to. 

Fever at Night. --Frequently, in illness, a fever sets in as nightapproaches, and increases toward midnight, passing away during the day. The treatment may be as below for Intermitting Fever. 

Fever, Delirium in. --_See_ Delirium. 

Fever, Gastric. --In this fever, now known as a form of Typhoid, thedisease spreads a sort of blight over the nervous centres, and from thefirst greatly lowers their power. The patient is too weak to bear thepowerful cooling recommended in Fever; there is also a tendency toprolonged and "low" fever. First of all, in such a case, the feet andlegs must be fomented. Watch against burning the patient, but get asgood and powerful a heat as possible right up over the knees. Thenafter about fifteen minutes the cooling of the head may proceed as infever. Both cooling and heating must proceed together. 

We must think of not merely relieving, but of curing the patient, byattacking the poisonous substance where it has lodged in the nervecentres of the bowels. Pure water, with just as much acetic acid orvinegar dropped into it as will make it taste the least sour, should begiven in tablespoonfuls (and hot) as frequently as the patient can takeit without discomfort. If possible it should be distilled water, orrain water filtered, but certainly as pure and soft as can be procured. There is no drug that can be prescribed that is equal to pure water, and no acid better than common white vinegar. These three things--thestrong fomentation of the feet and legs, the cooling of the head, andthe dissolution of the poisonous substances by means of pure water, andtheir counteraction by means of acid in very small strength--will dowonders in gastric fever. The "turn" may be secured in a week insteadof three, if these things are skilfully and persistently applied. Weshould say that the strong fomentation and cooling of the head shouldnot be done oftener than twice a day, and only once if the patientfeels too weak for twice. But as a general rule, the person who is illwill wish these things at least twice a day. The sips of water shouldbe given, say in a dozen separate tablespoonfuls at a time, at leastthrice a day--oftener if desired by the patient. 

For food there is nothing equal to good fresh buttermilk. All alcoholicdrinks are damaging in a high degree in such an illness as this. Sweetmilk, if somewhat diluted with good water, will do, but there isnothing so good as the buttermilk fresh from the churn. 

Absolute rest in bed is necessary, and no solid food should be given tothe patient until his temperature has been ten days at normal point. All food given in the illness should be liquid enough to pass throughthe meshes of a milk strainer. Care should be taken in this matter, asdeath has often followed the taking of solid food, when otherwiserecovery would have come. 

Milk should always form the largest portion of the diet, and may begiven with arrowroot or oatflour. Beef tea is of little use, and isalways to be avoided if there is a tendency to diarrhoea. Plenty ofcold water may always be given. 

In a community which is visited by gastric fever as an epidemic thisfact is striking--only a portion of the people are affected by thevisitation. Here is one man who drinks the water which gives gastricfever to another; that water goes into his stomach as it does into thatof his neighbour, and passes through his system the same, yet death isthe result in one case, and not even sickness or inconvenience in theother. In the latter case the system has the power of resistance, andour aim should be to increase this. Therefore we say by all means lookto the healthful state of the lungs and bowels when you have the leastreason to fear that bad water may bring gastric fever to you or yours. If there is any tendency to constipation get some liquorice, and boilit thoroughly with about half an ounce of senna leaves to a twopennystick. Strain well, and let all in any danger have a teaspoonful ofthis thrice a day. It will do wonders in keeping matters in a goodstate within. If possible, give a good rubbing all over once a weekwith hot vinegar, and follow that up with warm olive oil. That will doa great deal to keep things right outside. Take and give more rest thanusual to the toil-worn when such danger is near, and have as good foodprovided for all as is possible. There may be danger in the air, andstill worse danger in the water to those whose vital force has got low, while there is none in either to those whose systems are in good tune. 

You are, perhaps, ready to ask if we care nothing about bad water?Certainly; we care a great deal about it, as we do about bad air. Byall means condemn wells and streams that are corrupted, and insist onthe opening of better ones. Make it a first condition of havinganything to do with a place for habitation that it has good air andgood water. We are only pointing out the best safeguard when neitherthe one nor the other can be insured. 

In all cases where water is suspected, it should be boiled before use. 

There is, in great numbers of persons, both old and young, what may becalled the natural aptitude of healing. They are kept back from tryingto help because it is regarded as so dangerous a thing to go nearfever, and also to interfere where only professional skill is legallyallowed. To apply such a remedy as that which we have here sketched forgastric fever is perfectly safe in both senses. No medical man worthyof being regarded will find any fault with it, and there is no dangerto either the patient or the person applying it. 

The mode we have pointed out involves nothing that may not be easilyhad by the very poorest. What is wanted is only one or two who shall beChristian enough to care just a little for human bodies as well ashuman souls, and who shall study such simple and accessible remedies, and be ready to guide their fellow-creatures in a time of trouble. 

Fever, Hay. --_See_ Hay Fever. 

Fever, Influenza. --This is a slow, smouldering kind of fever. Fortreatment, pack the feet and legs in hot fomentation over the knees, and apply cold cloths over the stomach and heart, taking care inapplying the cold if the patient is weak. In such a case onlymoderately cool cloths should be used. Carry out these two processeseffectively, and a cure should soon result. Give light food--milk andwater, and milk diet generally. Give small quantities frequently ratherthan a good deal at once. 

Fever, Intermitting. --For this the treatment may be given as in gastricfever, and, in addition, the stomach and bowels should be carefullylathered over with soap lather (_see_ Lather). This has a wonderfullysoothing effect. It may be spread with the hand over the skin, andfresh supplies gently rubbed on until much of the fever is removed. Some five minutes' lathering at a time is enough--this may be doneseveral times a-day. Carefully dry after it, and let the patient rest. 

It will be well to anticipate such attacks by softening the skin whenit shows a tendency to be hard and dry. A gentle rubbing now and againwith fine lather and good olive oil will secure this. We say lather andoil because, when there is no fever heat, lather by itself is toocooling, but when mixed with a little oil the mixture is comfortingrather than chilling, and softens nicely. 

Fever, Rheumatic. --This results from severe damp chills, usuallyfollowing exhaustion from some cause. Its best treatment at an earlystage is by heat applied to the spinal nerves. If the trouble bechiefly in the legs, treat the lower back; if in the arms, treat theupper back. The heat is best applied by a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_). A teaspoonful of tincture of Guaiacum may be given before eachpoulticing, which may be done twice a day for an hour. We have known anillness that threatened to last six weeks cured in one week by thismeans. Give also teaspoonfuls of hot water from time to time. 

Where the trouble has advanced to severe fever, and swelling of thejoints, an entirely different treatment is best. Let a lather of soapbe made (_see_ Lather), and spread over the chest first, and afterwardsgradually over the whole body. After four or five coats of lather havebeen put on, wipe off with a dry cloth, and proceed to lather again. Wehave seen half-an-hour of this treatment, well done, greatly relievethe fever; it was continued twice a day, and in three days the troublewas conquered. Care must be taken not to chill the patient. The soapingcan be accomplished with only a small part of the body uncovered atonce, and, with proper precautions, the bed can be kept perfectly dry. If a proper liniment is procured and lints sprinkled with it wrappedround the joints, the pain will be wonderfully relieved. But suchliniments are only to be had on the prescription of a really goodmedical man, who will not, if he really seeks to heal, and knows hisbusiness, object to our treatment being applied. 

Sometimes, after rheumatic fever, one or more of the joints becomestiff. This stiffness varies in different cases from an apparentlycomplete solidifying of the joint to only a slight inconvenience in itsuse. We have seen many such joints, even very bad cases, completelycured by a proper use of _heat_ and _massage_. It is, however, notrifling matter to undertake the necessary work, and perseverance is anabsolute requisite. Even very obstinate stiffening will _in time_ beovercome by frequent and strong fomentation, followed by rubbing witholive oil in such a way as to squeeze gently all the muscles and sinewsof the limb, and move them under the skin. This should be followed by_gentle_ bending of the joint, back and forward as far as it will go_without pain_. It may need to be done twice a day for many weeks, yetthe result is worth even more trouble, when you literally make the"lame to walk" (_see_ Rheumatism). 

Fever, Scarlet, or Scarlatina. --As a first precaution, when an epidemicof this exists, children should be sponged twice a week all over withhot vinegar before being put to bed. This is a powerful preventive. Ifanything like sore throat appears, bathe the child's feet in hot wateruntil a free perspiration is produced. Dry well, _under a blanket_, andrub all over with hot vinegar, then put the patient to bed. If in themorning there is no evident fever, repeat the sponging with hotvinegar, dry well, rub with hot olive oil, and dry again. If the feverdefinitely develops, place the child in a light airy room, from whichall unnecessary carpets, curtains and furniture have been removed. Noone should enter this room except those on duty in nursing, nor shouldany from the house ride in public conveyances or attend meetings. Theseprecautions are just as necessary in slight as in severe cases, asinfection from a mild case may cause a fatally severe attack in anotherperson. 

Where the rash of the fever seems reluctant to appear, the SOAPYBLANKET (_see_) will bring it out very speedily. But the above simpletreatment is usually sufficient. When vomiting is almost the firstsymptom, six teaspoonfuls of hot water are to be taken every tenminutes for an hour; then treat as above with foot-bath, hot vinegar, and oil. 

In a severe case have medical aid if at all possible. Where there isgreat fever spread a large dry towel or sheet on the bed. Lay one wrungout of lukewarm water on it; let the patient lie down on this. Carefully wrap him up in the damp cloth, then over that wrap the dryone, with a blanket outside over all, and the bedclothes above. Thiswill certainly soothe for a time. It may be repeated every two hours, for twenty minutes or half-an-hour at a time, night and day, till thefever is subdued. 

For nourishment in succeeding weakness, give milk and boiling water, mixed in equal parts, every two hours. If stimulants are required, giveCAYENNE "TEA" (_see_), reduced in strength until it just _slightly_burns the mouth, half a teacupful every half-hour. Cool the head alsoif necessary, as directed for typhoid fever. 

Fever, Typhoid. --Treat as under Fever, Gastric, and Fever. In addition, great care should be taken to disinfect and destroy any stools, andespecially to prevent these getting into any drinking water. 

Keep the patient at rest in bed. 

No solid food should be given during the _whole course_ of the illness. Milk mixed with an equal quantity of boiling water is best. Give only awineglassful at a time, as often as the patient can take it. If thepatient craves solid food, it must _on no account_ be given. It isalmost certain to cause a relapse. 

Fits. --_See_ Convulsions; Nervous Attack. 

Flannel Bands. --_See_ Band, Flannel. 

Flatulence. --This is the accumulation of gases in the body, usuallycaused by fermentation of the food at some part of the digestiveprocess. A failure of the vital energy in the stomach and relatedorgans is generally the cause. Over-exertion, worry, grief, anyprolonged strain, will cause this failure. As first treatment, then, the _cause_ should be removed, if this be at all possible. Do lesswork, cultivate simple faith in God instead of worry. Do not sorrowover-much. The best material remedy is to take tablespoonfuls of hotwater every few minutes for several hours. If cold, the feet should bebathed (_see_ Bathing Feet), or fomented, for about an hour at a time. These two simple remedies will generally prove sufficient, ifpersevered in. 

Flushings, Hot. --These are often a really serious trouble, especiallyto women, at certain stages of life. Most often they come about the ageof fifty, but in weakly persons may occur at any time. A disturbance inthe nervous system, due to lack of energy, is the cause of suchfeelings. They are often accompanied by DEPRESSION (_see_). Anytreatment ought to be directed to strengthening the nervous system. Agood plain diet, easy to digest, is a most important matter. Soapingwith soap lather over all the body (_see_ LATHER) will greatly restorethe tone of the nerves of the skin. This may be done every night, andthe CAYENNE LOTION (_see_) rubbed all over every morning for a week ortwo. This treatment will usually prove successful in curing. 

Fomentation. --Some general remarks on this important treatment we givehere. First, no fomenting should be done for at least an hour after ameal. And it should usually be followed by a period of complete rest. Avery good way to foment any part of the back or front of the body is byan india-rubber bag of hot water of the proper size and shape, with twoor three ply of moist flannel between the bag and the skin. These bagscan now be had of very various sizes and shapes, and one or more shouldbe in every house. In fomenting a knee, foot, or ankle, a good sizedhalf or even whole blanket is necessary. Fold this one way until it istwenty inches broad. Lay it out on a clean floor or table, and sprinkle_sparingly_ boiling water across one end. Roll this end over andsprinkle the roll, turn over again and sprinkle again, and so on untilthe whole is rolled up. Thoroughly knead and twist it, so that all ispenetrated by the moist heat (_see_ illustration, page 32). Or it maybe prepared by soaking the blanket in boiling water, and wringing itout with a wringing machine. It may then be unrolled and unfolded so asto permit proper wrapping round the limb to be fomented. Care must betaken not to _burn_ the patient, or give any shock by applying thefomentation too hot. It must be comfortable. _See_ Heat And Weakness. 

Sometimes fomentation may seem to increase the pain, say in a swelledlimb, and yet we should persevere in the treatment. This may seem tocontradict our dictum that we should be guided by the feelings of thepatient. The reason is that if some dead matter has lodged deep down inthe limb, it will have to be brought up to the surface ere the diseasedstate can be remedied. If strong fomentation is used in such a case, itis not unlikely to increase the painfulness of the limb, and a swellingmay appear. It will at once be said that the disease is "gettingworse. " This is quite a mistake--the increased pain is arising fromsuch stirring of life as will bring about a complete cure. If thetreatment is continued, the swelling will by-and-by come to a head andburst, and can be treated as in Abcess. 

Fomentation, Armchair. --This is applied as follows. Over a largearmchair spread a folded sheet. Provide a good large blanket preparedas above in Fomentation. Then rub the haunches, thighs, lower back andabdomen of the patient with a little olive oil. Wrap these parts in awarm dry towel. Open up the hot blanket and spread it (still somethree-ply thick) on the sheet on the armchair. Let the patient sit downupon it as soon as it is cool enough not to hurt. Fold the blanket allround the patient's lower body and thighs. Draw the sheet over all, andcover up well to retain the heat. At the end of an hour, or such lesstime as the patient can endure, a smart washing with hot vinegar, and agentle rub with warm olive oil, will complete the treatment. This isbest done at bedtime, as the patient must go to bed immediately afterit. 

In cases of failure of the large hip-joints, or of the lower limbs, insciatica and lumbago, the armchair fomentation is of great use; alsowhen running sores exist from one of the hips or lower back, or even innumbness or lack of vitality in the feet and toes. It is referred tounder the headings of the troubles in which it is of advantage. 

Suppose that we are dealing with lack of vitality in some organ in thelower part of the body. We argue that the nerves supplying this organare needing in some way to be increased in force. This is to be done bygetting them heated. There is an arrangement in nature which hindersthis being quickly done. The rapid circulation of the blood which isgoing on all round these nerves tends to keep them about the sametemperature. The heat, as it is applied, passes off rapidly in thestream of the blood. But if the heating process is carried on longenough, the whole blood of the body becomes gently raised intemperature, and by-and-by the heat applied to the surface reaches theroots of the nerves, not only by means of the circulation, but bygradually passing through the skin muscles, and the bones that are nearit. New life is infused, and that where it is specially required. Theflagging organ soon shows that it responds to this true stimulant. After a few such fomentations it begins to act as perhaps it has ceasedto act for months, and even for years. We speak of what we have seenagain and again in cases where distress was caused by what is called"sluggishness" in some important organ, or when such an organ wasaltogether ceasing to act properly. The armchair fomentation is moresuccessful than the hot sitz-bath, though this is by no means to bedespised. 

Food and Mental Power. --Unsuitable or ill-cooked food has a mostserious effect on the mental powers; and when we take the case of amental worker, we see that, in order to carry this power right onthrough a long life, proper diet is of great importance. Also many goodmental workers are more sensitive than ordinary men: they are moreeasily destroyed by strong drink or opium. The nip of brandy, thesoothing draught, are terrible dangers to such. Instances of brainpower continued far into old age are always lessons in plainness ofdiet and temperance. One such temperate man will do as much work as tenwho are luxurious eaters, tipplers, and smokers. Diet for mentalworkers should be light and easily digested, with a preponderance ofproteid food (_see_ Diet). Rich, tough and fatty foods, and hotstimulating drinks should be avoided. As mental work is generallysedentary work, and consequently having a constipating tendency, someof the vegetable foods giving a stimulus to the muscles of theintestines should form a part of the diet, such as green vegetables, fruits, and oatmeal. 

Food in Health. --As will be seen from many of these articles, thequestion of diet is one of the greatest importance, in health as wellas in disease. The onset of disease is, in fact, often due tolong-continued abuse of the whole digestive system through the use ofunsuitable food. By unsuitable food, we mean not so much food that isbad in itself, but rather that which is not suited to the temperamentor work of the eater, or to the climate and circumstances in which hefinds himself. A ploughman or fisherman, for example, may thrive ondiet which will inevitably produce disease in the system of one whosework confines him to the house for the most of his time. One conditionof a healthy life is, therefore, careful consideration of our work andcircumstances before deciding on our diet. Also, a man of excitable andirritable temperament will need different diet from one of a slow andquiet nature. The food which will only stimulate the latter willover-excite the former, and may even make him quite ill. What iscommonly called bad temper is often only the result of wrong diet, andwill disappear under a milder course of food. It will, of course, beseen at once from this, that the case of every man must be consideredby itself. A decision as to proper diet can therefore only be made whenall the facts about a case are known, and in this matter the manhimself must decide a good deal for himself; nevertheless some generaldirections can be given which will help our readers to a decision intheir own case. 

In the first place, we would guard against a very common error--viz. , that a smaller quantity of food, _chemically_ of a less nutritive kind, means less nourishment to the body. On this head we refer to thearticles on Digestion and Assimilation. It may only be remarked herethat what the _body actually uses_, and what is _taken into thestomach_, are two very different things. It is often the case that foodcontaining less actual nourishment will give greater nourishment to thebody than chemically richer food, because the former fits the state ofthe digestive system better. What each one must consider is, not whatfood has most of the chemical elements needed by the body, but whatfood will give up to his own body the most of these elements. 

Another error is that the use of medicine can for long assist the bodyto use heavier food. In a case of disease, medicine often is of thegreatest value as a temporary aid to digestion, but its continual useis the parent of great evils, and at last defeats the very end forwhich it was given. If a person needs continually to use medicine, there is probably either some organic disease present, _or, morecommonly, great errors in the diet taken_. Avoiding medicine, then, except as a very temporary resource, and remembering that food is to bejudged more by the way it agrees with us than by its chemicalconstitution, what rules can we give for diet in certain common cases?

First, diet should vary in summer and winter as the season varies. Foods rich in fat, such as ham and bacon, should be for winter useonly, and should even then be more or less used as the weather is coldor mild. For summer diet, milk foods, such as milk puddings, etc. , ripefruits, and green vegetables should predominate, being varied also withthe heat or coolness of the weather. In very hot summer weather, animalfood should be very sparingly partaken of. It must also be borne inmind that warm clothing or heated rooms may convert a winter climateinto a summer one. 

Second, diet should vary according to the occupation of the eater. Thewriter and brain-worker will do best, as a rule, on little butchermeat, taking chiefly fish, eggs, and light milk foods, with vegetablesand fruits. Alcohol in any form is especially fatal to brain-workers, and must be avoided, if there is to be really good health. 

Third, food must vary according to temperament, age, etc. To give rulesunder this head is almost impossible. The growing boy will needproportionately more food than the adult, the man more than the woman. It is indeed true here that what is one man's food is another man'spoison, and that every man must find out for himself what he needs. Itmay be generally said that the food which digests without the eaterbeing aware in any way of the process is the best for him. 

It may safely be affirmed in relation to this question of food inhealth, that the middle and upper classes eat quite too much. Hence thestomach trouble and goutiness (often in a disguised form) that theysuffer from. Too much carbonaceous food will produce corpulency, andtoo much animal food URIC ACID (_see_). On the other hand, the poor, for want of knowledge of really economical nourishing foods, sufferfrom want of nutrition. 

An opportunity is always present, in case of sickness among the poor, by philanthropic persons to inculcate the value of good food. Insteadof bringing a basket of beef tea, tea, and jelly, take oatmeal, fruit, milk, and vegetables. 

What we have said should be sufficient as a hint to those who wish toregulate their diet on common-sense principles. A little carefulthought should enable any one to work out a satisfactory scheme of dietfor his own particular case. Regularity in meals is of greatimportance. There should be fixed hours for meals, with which nothingshould be allowed to interfere, no matter how pressing the business maybe. Do not assume, however, that it is necessary to eat at meal times, no matter whether appetite for food be present or not. To eat withoutappetite is an infringement of natural law, and it is far better to gowithout the meal if nature does not demand it than to yield to custom, or to imagine it necessary to eat because the dinner bell has rung. Ifnot hungry do not eat at all, wait till the next meal time; do not takea "snack" in an hour or two. Three meals are, as a rule, better thanmore, and many have found two suit them best. Probably one-half thehuman race (the inhabitants of China and Hindostan) live on two meals aday. 

Food in Illness. --Light, easily digested food is of the firstimportance in many illnesses. To know easily procured and simple foods, which are really light, is a great matter. Saltcoats biscuits (_see_Biscuits and Water) form one of the best and most nourishing foods. Sodoes oatmeal jelly, prepared by steeping oatmeal in water for a night, or for some hours, straining out the coarse part, and boiling theliquor until it will become jelly-like when cold. Oatmeal steeped inbuttermilk for a time, and then moderately boiled, makes an excellentdiet. Wheaten meal or barley meal may be used for these dishes insteadof oatmeal, according to taste. Many other dishes, with rice, arrowroot, sago, etc. , will suggest themselves to good cooks; but forsustaining the invalid and producing healthy blood, none surpass thosedescribed. 

Fright. --Some most distressing troubles come as the result of frights. In many cases much may be done to relieve such troubles, which arisefrom severe shock to the brain and nervous system. The results may bevery various--from mere stomach troubles to paralysis--but the cure inall cases lies mainly in giving fresh energy to the nervous system. 

If a blanket fomentation is placed all up and down the back, over arubbing of warm olive oil, and the excited person is laid on that, onegood step will have been taken in the way of restoration. Then this maybe aided by cool cloths very cautiously laid over the stomach andbowels, so as to cool in front, while heat is given at the back. Thiswill be specially desirable if the heat at the back is rather high. When the blanket loses its heat it need not be taken off, but apoultice of bran, highly heated, may be placed under it, so that theheat from the bran may come gradually and comfortably through, and passinto the body in that gradual way. So soon as a sense of genial comfortspreads over the back, it will be found that a right state is stealingover the organs that were threatened by paralysis through the alarm. The defect very soon disappears. 

Gangrene. --_See_ Cancer in Foot. 

Gatherings. --_See_ Abscess; Ankle; Armpit; Bone, Diseased. 

Giddiness and Trembling. --This comes very often as the result of lossof nerve power in the spinal system, due to weakness, shock, or simplyold age. A great deal may be done to relieve, and in many cases tocompletely cure, by the following simple means. Wrap the patient roundthe middle in a soapy blanket, rubbing well afterwards with hot oliveoil. Give an hour's fomentation at a time each night for a few nights;rest for a day or two, and repeat. The fomentation must be a blanketone, but should only extend from the armpits to the hips, not over thelimbs. For treatment of giddiness arising from the stomach seeIndigestion. Half a teacupful of hot water every ten minutes for fivehours is usually an effective cure. This should be done daily for threedays. Let it be kept in mind that we must not have "hard" water--thatis, water impregnated with mineral substances, such as lime or iron. Wemust have "soft" water, that is, such as rain water nicely filtered, or"distilled" water, which can be had from any good chemist for twopencea quart. 

Glands of Bowels. --_See_ Bowels. 

Glands, Swollen. --This is a very common trouble, especially in theyoung. To restore the skin to healthy action is the first importantmatter. This may be done by bathing the feet (_see_ Bathing the Feet)until free perspiration ensues, wrapping the patient meanwhile in awarm blanket. Dry well, and sponge with hot vinegar and water; dryagain, rub with hot olive oil, and put to bed. As a diet, Saltcoatsbiscuits and water for some time have of themselves formed a completecure (_see_ Biscuits and Water). The _comfort_ of the patient willregulate the amount of bathing. Do this every night for a fortnight, except on the Sabbath (when rest from all treatment seems best). If theswelling be slight, two days' treatment may cure it; if the case besevere and of long standing, a longer time will be required. 

For treatment of the neck, if there is no sore, put round it a clothdipped in hot vinegar, and a good poultice of bran or moist hot baground over this. Put this on for half-an-hour before rising in themorning. After taking them off, rub with warm olive oil, and wipe thatoff gently. Put a single band of fine new flannel round the neck forthe day. If there be suppuration, or running sores, treat in the sameway unless the vinegar prove painful, when it may be weakened withwater until comfortable. This treatment will, we know, cure even a verybad case of tubercular glands. _See_ Wounds. 

There are men so skilful in medicine that they can aid wonderfully insuch cases, and surgeons so apt at operating that they too, can do muchgood. But we should not for a moment think of leaving patients todepend on what can be swallowed, or what lancet and probe can do, whenthe very sources of life itself are neglected, and cures waited on formonths that may be secured in a week or even less. Above all, when youknow how to do it, infuse new life in the body, and promote thethrowing off of that used-up matter which is showing itself in thedisease. How many parents bow down before the idea that swollen glandsare constitutional to their children, when the fact is that thesechildren have very fine skins, and need to have these kept in extragood order, not merely in the way of washing, but so that they shallperform their part of throwing off this used-up material of the bodyefficiently. Some of the most beautiful of our race are thus lost tothe world when they might easily be saved. 

In some cases swollen glands are caused by bad teeth, running from theEAR (_see_), sores or insects on the head, or inflamed tonsils. If suchcauses are present, they should be removed. Extract bad teeth, curerunning ears, and properly cleanse the head. Gargle the throat forswollen and inflamed tonsils with warm water, in which a little salt isdissolved. 

Gout. --Some have a predisposition to this most painful disease, andrequire to keep a strict watch on their diet. Meat, specially theinternal organs, meat extracts, alcohol, tea, and coffee must beavoided, and milk, buttermilk and porridge, cheese, eggs, andvegetables, especially green vegetables, made into light and digestibledishes, should be relied on solely. Further, the diet should be a smallone, most thoroughly and slowly masticated, and plenty of pure water isadvisable, in order to help the elimination of the waste which causesthe trouble. _See_ Uric Acid. 

If the feet be affected, apply gentle heat to the lower part of thespine by Fomentation (_see_). Sometimes a cold cloth on the lower spinewill soothe, but more often heat is the true cure. Wrap the sore footin softest cotton, and foment _very gently_ through this, using only_warm_ cloths, and taking care to avoid giving pain. The cloths shouldbe just a little _below_ blood heat. Cold cloths are a serious mistake, but at a temperature a little below blood heat a gentle soothing isproduced. Care must in every case be taken to do only what the patientfeels comforting. 

Gravel. --Sometimes mere internal inflammation is mistaken for thisdisease. In the case of inflammation of the bladder, apply a large hotBRAN POULTICE (_see_) to the lower back, and change cold towels overthe front of the body where the pain is. Afterwards rub all parts overwith hot olive oil, and wipe dry. Take only plain food, oat orwheat-meal porridge, Saltcoats biscuits, etc. 

Where actual stones are formed, or a tendency to their formationexists, all water drunk should be distilled, or boiled rain water. Where stones are present the heat may be applied to the back, but _nocold in front_. The soft water tends to dissolve the stones, the heatassists in their expulsion from the body. Diet same as in GOUT (_see_). 

Growth of Body. --See Limb, Saving a. 

Guaiacum. --This drug is a West Indian gum, and is one of those remedieswe are glad to say will do no harm, while in rheumatism and gout it ismost beneficial. A teaspoonful of the tincture in a cup of hot water, or one or two of the tabloids now so easily had, may be taken threetimes a day. 

Hĉmorrhage. --See Bleeding; Wounds. 

Hair Coming off. --There are many forms of this disfiguring trouble, both in the case of young and old persons. It is chiefly due to a wrongstate of the skin of the head, which is best treated with carefulrubbing with vinegar or weak acetic acid, and finishing with good oliveoil. The acid must not be used too strong--not stronger than ordinaryvinegar. This may be done every evening, and should be rubbed on forfifteen minutes, till a comfortable feeling is aroused. Dry the head, and then rub on olive oil for five minutes. The vinegar should ratherbe dabbed than rubbed on. Wash all over in the morning with M'Clinton'ssoap. Or this treatment may be applied every other night, and onalternate nights the head may be packed up with lather (_see_ Head, Soaping). This treatment is quite safe, and will usually effect a cure, which is more than can be said of the expensive hair washes so muchadvertised. Many of these are most dangerous. As far as possible gowith the head uncovered, and brush the hair frequently. Brushingstimulates the grease glands, and causes the hair to become glossy. Probably the reason men lose their hair so much more than women is thatthe brushing and combing the latter must give it stimulates the hairroots. Massaging the skin of the scalp with the fingers night andmorning will greatly promote growth of the hair. _See_ Head, Massaging. 

Hands, Clammy. --Rub the hands and arms well twice a day with CAYENNELOTION (_see_). 

Hands, Cold. --Much more than is readily believed depends on the stateof the hands and feet. We are already familiar with the subject ofcoldness in the feet, but we meet with cases in which the coldness ofthe hands is as striking. It is not readily thought that cold handshave anything to do with such illness, for instance, as that of badaction in the stomach. There are cases in which a very great deal canbe done to relieve a congested state of the vessels of the stomach, andeven a similar state of the lungs, by only bathing the hands in hotwater and then rubbing them with hot oil till they have been thoroughlyheated and reddened, as they are when effectually warmed. Half-an-hour's bathing of hands in water just a little above blood heatproduces a wonderful effect on an invalid when there is too greatweakness to stand longer treatment. This is well known to be true ofhalf-an-hour's good feet bathing. In some cases bathing both of handsand feet is much needed. The overburdened heart finds it a vast benefitwhen by such a bathing the blood is allowed to flow easily through thevessels of the feet and hands. 

Hands, Dry and Hard. --Pack the hands in SOAP LATHER (_see_) mixed witha little fine olive oil. The soap must be finely lathered with a brush, not _melted_. Pure soft water, never too hot nor too cold, should beused, and the hands thoroughly dried after washing. _See_ ChappedHands. 

Hay Fever. --A most effective preventive and cure for this is theinhaling through the nostrils the vapour of strong acetic acid. Theacid may be on a sponge enclosed in a smelling bottle, and its vapourmay be freely inhaled. Sponge all over each night with hot acid andwater. The head also may be wet with pretty strong acid, and tied up soas to keep in the vapour. Do not, however, use a waterproof covering. 

Headache. --There is a vast variety of ailments associated with what iscalled headache. In itself, it is just more or less _pain_ in the head. When there is such pain, it means that some of the nerves in the headare in a wrong state, probably in nearly all cases a state of more orless _pressure_. This pressure hinders the free flow of vital actionalong the nerve, and this hindrance we feel as pain. To remove thepressure is, then, to relieve the pain. Pressure from overwork oftencauses headache on week-days, which goes off on Sabbath. The _rest_here removes the pressure, and so the pain. The pressure results from afailure of energy in some part of the head, slight swelling then takingplace. To increase the energy is to effect a cure. This may be done byfirst, at bedtime, soaping the back with warm water and SOAP (_see_). Then dry, and rub firmly yet gently with hot olive oil, until the wholeback glows with warmth. This may take perhaps fifteen minutes. Thengive three minutes of warm water pouring over the back. Dry again, andoil with hot oil, and put the patient to bed. Avoid much tea. Avoidaltogether tobacco and alcoholic liquors, which of themselves willoften cause the trouble. This treatment applies to all that numerousclass of headaches which arise from overwork and fag. A cure may oftenbe had by its means, without taking a holiday. But where this can bedone, it is well to take it. 

The headache, however, may be caused indirectly by the failure of someof the organs to do their duty, when other methods must be adopted. Theuse of tobacco so injuriously affects the whole system that headacheoften results, and refuses to be cured unless the tobacco be given up. It is hard to do this, but the difficulty must be faced. Cold, dampfeet are a common cause of headaches. Let these be well bathed (_see_Bathing Feet) for some days, even twice or three times a day, and manykinds of headaches will be cured. Constipation, or sluggish action ofthe bowels, frequently causes headache. The cure is obvious (_see_Constipation). Imperfect action of the kidneys also causes it. In sucha case apply a large, warm bran poultice (_see_) across the back behindthe kidneys. Oil the skin before and after poulticing. Do this once aday at bedtime for a week, if necessary, but not longer than a week ata time. Take half a teacupful of water before each meal. Use freely thelemon drink described in Drinks, Refreshing. 

Headache, Sick. --The stomach and head affect each other powerfully, anda disordered stomach causes severe headache, known as _sick headache_. In many cases a few tablespoonfuls of hot water, taken at intervals offive minutes, will effect a cure. He is himself "simple" who laughs atthis as "simple. " If a dose of hot water _cures_, and removes any needfor expensive drugs, that is a matter for thankfulness and not forlaughter. When some substance not easily dissolved has lodged in thestomach, hot water is often all that is needed to remove the trouble. But it must be remembered that over-eating, or the eating ofindigestible food, must be given up, and the food must be masticatedtill it is reduced to a liquid condition. 

Many will say they have not time for this, but time must be taken, andhalf the quantity of food well masticated will nourish better than thewhole imperfectly masticated. 

Headache on waking in the morning is a frequent result of stomachdisorder. In such a case take two teacupfuls of hot water, with aninterval of ten minutes between. In many cases a slice of lemon in thehot water powerfully aids to cure. Especially is this the case wherepains in the bowels are felt along with the headache. If lemons cannotbe had, a few drops of vinegar will form a good substitute. Continue totake half a teacupful at intervals all day. 

Sick headache may, however, arise from the head causing disorder in thestomach. The head may then be fomented gently, and if necessary soaped(_see_ Head, Skin of) or massaged (_see_ Head, Rubbing, Massage), whichshould in most cases remove the trouble if carefully and well done. 

Headaches are frequently caused by anxiety and worry, which have allthe marks of sick headache. Dull pain and heat, more or lesspersistent, also arise from this cause. The treatment for such cases isgiven in the preceding article for pressure from overwork. It is wellto see, in such cases, that the mental and spiritual cures be applied, as well as the material. Let there be resolute putting away of allworrying ideas at night, and during every leisure time. Let perfecttrust in a loving Heavenly Father relieve us of all burdens. Much maythus be done to cure even a sore head and weary brain. We are of "morevalue than many sparrows" to One whose power and wisdom are reallyinfinite. Take both sides of this great truth, the spiritual and thematerial, and you will find it a glorious help in worry anddisappointing failure. What a remedy it is when good medical treatmentand true faith in God come together to give peace to the weary one!_See_ Worry. 

Head Baths. --_See_ Baths for Head. 

Head, Massaging the. --This is so important in many cases of neuralgia, headache, and eye troubles, that we here describe it. The brow is firstgently stroked _upward_ from behind, with the palm of the hand, whilethe back of the patient's head rests against the chair or othersupport. The sides of the head are then similarly treated, using a handfor each side simultaneously. Then the back of the head is strokedupward also. After this is well done, the top of the head is strokedsimilarly from front to back. Then the whole head, except the forehead, is rubbed briskly but lightly with the tips of the fingers with ascratching motion, but _not_ using the nails. This is best done pieceby piece, taking care to do every part in turn. This treatment may beoften alternated with the cooling of the head with cold towels, withthe best results. In all cases of head uneasiness and neuralgia it is_invaluable_ (_see_ Eyes, Paralysis of; Eyes, Squinting; Massage). Frequently a small part of the head will be found where the rubbingwith the finger tips is particularly soothing. Special attention, ofcourse, should be given to this, as it is nature's guide to relief. Butif pain and uneasiness result from the rubbing, it should be stopped, and some other cure substituted. Understand that what you have to do isto gently press the returning stream of venous blood on in its coursefrom the weighted brow back over the top of the head. Rub very slowlyand deliberately, as the stream you are affecting flows slowly. Thefrequency with which you change from the rubbing to the cold cloth, andfrom that again to the rubbing, will depend a good deal on the heatthat you find persistent in the head, but usually you may rub twominutes and cool during one minute. More or less relief will come in avery short time, and in ten minutes or a quarter of an hour there willbe a very great change for the better. 

[Illustration]

We had a very curious case lately. A little girl was brought to us onemorning who had been quite blind of one eye for a fortnight. We triedthe eye with a rather powerful lens, but she could see nothing. Thateye had a squint, which was also of a fortnight's standing. The pupilof the eye was dilated, but nothing else seemed wrong. The girl wasaffected with worms in some degree, but otherwise healthy. We gave herhead a massaging, such as we have been describing, for some ten minutesor so. She was given the first of four or five doses of santolina nextmorning, which her mother said she threw up and some bilious matterbesides. She was brought to us an hour or so after, and we found thatshe had forgotten which had been the blind eye. She now saw perfectlywith both, and the squint was gone. We had not tried whether therubbing had had the curative effect before the santolina was given, orwhether it was after the latter that the sight was restored, but we aredisposed to think that the squinting and blindness both had given wayto the head's improvement by the massaging. 

Head, Skin of the. --The nerves of sensibility are very largely suppliedto the skin of the head, and many large nerves pass under it. It istherefore an important matter that it be kept in a right condition. Invarious troubles it becomes hard and dry, and even contracts andpresses very painfully upon the head, feeling as if it were driedparchment. The pain thus caused is different from neuralgia, and cannotbe relieved by cooling, but is easily cured by soaping the head (_see_Head, Soaping). This may be done every night, and the head tied up withthe soap lather until morning. It may then be sponged, dried, and alittle hot olive oil rubbed into the skin. In a serious case, where thepatient is in bed, this treatment may be given night and morning. Always, in treating such a head, be very gentle, for the least touch isoften painful to the irritated skin. The use of a pure and properpomade, such as some preparation of vaseline, is of importance wherethe skin is dry, and tends powerfully to preserve the skin and hair inhealthy condition. 

Careful brushing of the hair, and rubbing of the skin of the scalpwill, too, be of use. _See_ Hair. 

Head, Soaping. --Have a piece of M'Clinton's soap, a good shaving brush, and a bowl of warm water. Rub the wet brush on the soap, and work thelather up in the hollow of the left hand, taking more soap and water inthe brush as necessary, until the left hand is full of creamy, thicklather. Lay this on all over the patient's head. Make another handful, and lay that on also. The lather may be wrought into the mass of hairuntil it reaches the skin, the brush being dipped in the warm water, and used to work the lather well into the skin of the head. This mustbe continued until the whole head is thickly covered with fine whitelather, like a wig in appearance. You need have no difficulty with everso much hair. You only comb that nicely back at first, and place thesoap lather on the fore part of the head. Then you bring the hairforward, and soap the back part. You may work on at this process forhalf-an-hour. You will by that time have produced a most delightfulfeeling in both body and mind of your patient. Tie a soft handkerchiefover all, and leave for as long as needed--even all night if required. When removing the lather, use a sponge and warm vinegar or weak acid(_see_ Acetic Acid), and dry gently with a soft towel. This applicationcan be used with good effect in all cases of hard, dry skin on thehead, and formation of white scurf. It preserves the hair, andstimulates its growth. It also removes the painful sensitiveness totouch so often felt in the hair and head skin. Care must ever be takento do it all with a gentle hand. So done it is priceless in itssoothing and healing effects on irritable nerves. 

Head, Sounds in. --As the result and accompaniment of deafness these aresometimes most distressing, even preventing the patient from sleeping. They are often caused by chill producing some inflammation of the ear, and stoppage of the internal or external air passages. Have a largeFOMENTATION (_see_) carefully packed round the whole head. If properlydone, the patient will be comfortable in it for an hour. Thefomentation must then be taken off, the head rubbed quite dry, and awarm covering put on. Do this before bedtime for three or four nights. Then desist for three nights. After this place a hot BRAN POULTICE(_see_) on the back of the head, neck, and spine, so that the patientcan lie comfortably upon it for an hour. Oil before and after witholive oil. Give this at bedtime for three or four nights, and restagain for three or four days more. Avoid exposure during thistreatment. It is suitable for all cases of ear trouble through chill. 

It will be specially important to see that the feet are comfortable, and that health generally is looked to. _See_ Ears; Hearing. 

Health and Money. --It will be noticed that the remedies we recommendare in almost every case very cheap--even, like hot water, costingnothing, as they are in every house. This very simplicity andcommonness has turned many against our treatment. We know, indeed, ofone curious case where olive oil was derided and despised by arheumatic patient, until his friends got it labelled "Poison, forexternal use only. " It was then eagerly applied, and effected a cure. We warn our readers very seriously against this folly. It is traded inby some who sell the simplest things as secret cures at exorbitantprices, and impoverish still further those who are poor enough already. The _price_ of a drug or appliance is no indication of its value as acure. Neither is its lack of price. Nor is the price of any particularfood or drink an indication of its value. Good and nutritious foods aregenerally cheap and easily procured. _See_ Diet, Economy in. Our efforthas been to find out cures within the reach of every household; and wehave found that, as God has put water and air freely within man'sreach, so has He put those things which best cure disease within thereach of the poorest. Let us not then despise such things because theyare common. 

Hearing. --We have had so much success in helping the deaf that we feelwarranted in seeking to spread the knowledge of our methods as widelyas possible. 

Deafness is caused in many ways--very often by exposure of the head toa chill, especially in infancy. We have seen it even arise fromenclosing the head in a bag of ice with a view to extreme cooling. Whatis called "throat deafness" is a different matter, but yields to thesame treatment as the cases of chill. The process of cure is verysimilar to that used in cases of failing sight (_see_ under Eyes), forthe aural nerve has to be stimulated as the optic nerve in these cases. Rub the back of the head and neck, using hot olive oil, and continuinggently, yet firmly, until all the parts are in a glow of heat. Do thissome time during the day. At night apply the BRAN POULTICE (_see_), oiling before and after, to the back of head and neck, the patientlying down on it for an hour at bedtime. _Gently_ syringe the ears withtepid water, but only so far as to cleanse them. Rub with ACETIC ACID(_see_) behind the ears, but _not so as to cause soreness_. In anobstinate case continue treatment for a month, then rest for afortnight, and continue for another month. 

Cases of deafness arising from dryness and hardness in the ears are tobe treated differently. The ear is brushed internally with soap lather(_see_ Lather and Soap). Dip a brush, such as is used for water-colourdrawing, into hot water, rub it on the soap, and gently brush theinside of the ear. Renew the lather frequently, keeping up the heat. With another brush moisten the same parts with fine almond oil. Gently, but thoroughly, dry out the ear with a fine roll of lint or _soft_cotton. In a fortnight we have seen great benefit from this done dailyor twice a day. Be careful not to use pressure on the inside of the earwhen washing or drying, as this may cause the wax to harden into balls, pressing on the drum. The whole head may also be rubbed with aceticacid, not so as to cause pain, but simply a strong heat in the skin. Inall treatment of so delicate an organ as the ear, avoid giving _pain_. 

If the deafness proceed simply from a relaxed state of the tissues inthe tubes of the ear, the cold douche applied to the head, with carefuldrying and rubbing afterwards, will often effect a cure. But it is onlya _sudden_, _brief_, cold splash which is wanted, not a stream directedfor any time on the head, which might do serious injury. In thisconnection it may be noticed that a child should never be punished by"boxing its _ears_. " Children have had their hearing permanentlyinjured by this thoughtless practice. 

Heartburn. --_See_ Acidity in Stomach. 

Heat and Weakness. --We have over and over again shown in these papershow heat passes into vital action, and gives strength to failing organsand nerves. But the heat supplied to these organs must be at a certaintemperature. All experience goes to show that _gentle_ heating will doall that is required. Moreover, too hot a fomentation, especially if alarge one, will weaken the patient, and defeat its own ends. In such acase it is folly to throw up the treatment, and say that heat weakens, when all that is needed is to apply heat at a lower temperature. Theright degree of warmth is indicated by the comfort of the patient. Itwill vary in almost every individual case, and must be found by carefultrial. Also it may vary from hour to hour. The heat comfortable duringthe day may be found insufficient or too great by night, and so on. Wemust in these matters apply our common sense, and make a real effort ofthought, if we wish to be successful. 

Heat, Internal. --There is a usual (normal) temperature in all the bloodand tissues of the body. If the body be either warmer or colder thanthis point (98. 4 deg. Fahr. ), its health is interfered with. A"clinical thermometer" is used to ascertain whether the bodilytemperature is normal or not. It is to be had at every druggist's, andis of great importance in a household. By its means the rise oftemperature can be detected often before any serious symptoms set in, and due means taken to check trouble in its early stages. Theinstrument is used by putting it under the armpit, or, with children, between the legs, so that the mercury bulb is entirely enfolded andhidden between the arm, or leg, and the body. Left in this position forfive minutes, it is taken out and read. It may also be held in themouth, under the tongue, with lips close on it. 

Where a good deal of fever is shown, as by a rising of the mercury to101 deg. , measures to reduce it should at once be taken, as shown inthe articles on various kinds of Fever. By watching the temperature, and taking it from time to time, we can see when cooling is sufficient. Where the temperature is too low--that is, below 98-2/5 deg. --rub allover with warm olive oil, and clothe in good soft flannel. Othermethods for increasing vital action may also be tried, as given in manyof our articles. 

Heel, Sprained. --Often in sprains all attention is given to the bruisedand torn _muscles_, while similarly bruised and torn _nerves_ areoverlooked; yet upon the nerves the perfect healing of the musclesdepends. Hence, in a sprain of the heel we must be careful not todirect attention to the heel exclusively. That may be bathed (_see_Bathing Feet) and duly rubbed with oil. A good plan is to apply clothsdipped in cold water and vinegar. Keep the limb perfectly still, and donot attempt to use it for at least a fortnight. After this it may becured to all appearance, yet a weakness may be left which preventsanything like the full and free use of the limb. It may be all rightwhen resting, but suffers when used for any length of time: thisindicates pretty plainly that _rest_ is needed, and is an essentialthing for cure. But besides this rest, the foot should be packed duringthe night in soap lather (_see_ Lather and Soap). Wash the foot invinegar or weak acetic acid, rub the whole limb from the ankle_upwards_ in such a way as to draw the blood up from the foot, avoidingall down-strokes. Use a little olive oil in this rubbing. Note that thewhole limb needs treatment. The juice of _Lady Wrack_, such as is to befound on the west coast of Scotland, is an excellent remedy forsprained joints; but we only mention it, as it must be inaccessible tomany of our readers. 

Hiccup. --Though often but slight, disappearing in a few minutes by somesimple device, such as holding the breath, when long continued thisbecomes most serious. Very often it is an added distress in troublewhich is itself incurable; but while the patient's life cannot besaved, the hiccup may be relieved. In the common case of infant hiccup, a lessening of the over-supply of food may be all that is required. Oneor two teaspoonfuls of hot water given to the infant will usually giveimmediate relief. For a grown-up person with a slight attack, one ortwo teacupfuls of the same will also usually prove a remedy. Forserious cases the treatment is a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_) placed onthe back, opposite the stomach. Well oil the back before and after thepoultice, and leave it on for an hour. If this fails, after a little, prepare a blanket as directed under Fomentation. Roll it up until it isthe size of the patient's back, and let him lie down on it. (Read herearticle on Heat and Weakness. ) Then a small cold towel may be passedgently over the stomach. This will generally relieve. It may berepeated if necessary. 

Hip-Joint Disease. --Thorough heating, with moist heat is the besttreatment for this trouble. This implies time, work, and patience; butall these are well spent. Let a strong fomentation be given twice a dayto the hip joint, with oiling before and after, each applicationlasting at least an hour (_see_ Cooling in Heating; Fomentation; Heatand Weakness). In all probability a gathering of matter will come tothe surface and discharge itself. Treat this as recommended in articleon Abscess, and persevere until the joint is thoroughly renovated. Itmay take a time, and the treatment should always be intermitted onSabbath, and sometimes a few days' rest be given. The patient's_comfort_ is the safe guide in this. 

Hives. --_See_ Rash. 

Hoarseness. --This trouble we may consider in _three_ ways:--First, asthe effect of overstrain in using the voice; in this case rest must betaken from speaking or other such work. Remedies which restore thevoice without rest are very likely to do permanent injury. Forapplication to the throat, use vinegar or weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) ofsuch strength as to cause just slight smarting of the throat whenapplied as a gargle, or with a proper brush, such as any chemist willsupply. This may be done frequently, and, together with rest, willrarely fail to cure. Rubbing the throat externally with acetic acid offull strength until a rash appears is often very helpful. Those engagedin public speaking would do well, especially in youth, to cultivate thehabit of correct breathing (_see_ Breathing, Correct Method of). Articulation should be clear, and the words formed sonorously, and fromthe stomach, as it were. This, indeed, will apply to everyone. Such amethod of producing the voice will not only be harmonious, but willexercise insensibly a beneficial influence on the nervous system andmental tone of the individual. 

It is a fact that actors who study the method of voice production donot suffer from that form of sore throat known as clergymen's sorethroat, simply because they have learned to produce their voice in thisway. 

Secondly, hoarseness may arise from exposure to cold, damp air. In thiscase it is best to apply mild heat to the _roots_ of the nerves whichsupply the voice organs. This is best done by applying a bran poulticeto the back of the neck, oiling before and after with olive oil. Carefully dry the skin, and wear a piece of new flannel, for a time, over the part poulticed. This may be supplemented by brushing as abovewith the vinegar. 

Thirdly, failure of skin action, or of the proper action of otherwaste-removing organs, may be the cause of hoarseness. In addition tothe treatment recommended above, we must in this case stimulate theskin: this is best done by rubbing with Cayenne "Tea" (_see_) all overthe body at bedtime. Let this be done for four or five nights, and thethroat treatment be given in the morning, when a cure may be lookedfor. _See_ Underwear. 

Hooping Cough. --_See_ Whooping Cough. 

Hope and Healing. --The mind has always an influence on the body. Liferises and falls under the influences of ideas, so as to prove thatthese are a matter of life and death to man. To give an invalid _hope_is, then, to help mightily in healing the disease, whereas to tellpatients that they are incurable is the sure way to make them so. Butthere is, on the other hand, little good in falsehood and false hope:this has often been found to fail and leave the patient in completedespair. No one can tell the immense power for healing which is exertedwhen one who truly hopes for the patient looks brightly into his eyes, and speaks with a genuine ring of hope of the possibility of cure. Somany cases found incurable by the usual treatment have yielded to thatrecommended in these papers, that in almost all cases we may see someground for hope, if not of cure, at least of great alleviation. To givethis impression to a patient is to half win the battle. 

There are many who speak most carelessly, even wickedly, to those introuble. They think it a duty to dash their hopes and predict gloomythings. Such should never enter a sick-room, and should, indeed, changeentirely their manner of speech. To go about the world sowing doubt andgloom in men's hearts is a sorry occupation, and one that will have tobe accounted for to Him who is emphatically the "God of hope. "

Look, then, in treatment for every least sign of improvement. Discourage all doubts and encourage all hopes, and you will make whatwould be a really hopeless case, if the patient were left to despair, one that can be comparatively easily cured. "A word to the wise isenough. "

Hot Flushings. --_See_ Flushings. 

Hot-water Bags. --The flat rubber bags of various shapes, to be had fromall rubber shops, make excellent substitutes for poultice orfomentation; but care must be taken to have two or more ply of _moist_flannel between the bag and the skin of the patient. This ensures asupply of moist heat, which is in almost every case the best. 

Housemaid's Knee. --To cure a swelling on the knee-joint is, as a rule, easy. _Rest_ is a first and paramount necessity. Bathing with hotwater, not too hot for comfort, for at least an hour each day isusually sufficient. If the knee has been blistered, or leeched, it ismore difficult to cure; but a cure may be expected if the bathing becontinued for a long enough time. It is best done by wrapping a clothdipped in vinegar round the knee, and placing the foot in a bath, thenpouring hot water on the bandaged knee, lifting it from the bath in ajug. 

When pain in bending is felt in the very centre of the knee-joint, thishot pouring may be needed for a month, or even longer. During theintervals of pouring a large cold compress should be worn, first welloiling the knee. Cover the compress with oiled silk. This will softeneven a very stiff knee, so as at least to bring about ability to bendwithout pain. Of course, if there is any disjointing, good surgical aidmust be had, if possible, to replace the bones in their naturalposition. 

Hydrocele. --_See_ Dropsy. 

Hysteria. --This is usually brought on by some excessive strain upon thebrain nerves, and may show itself either in the violent or in thefainting form; it may even pass from the one to the other, faintingalternating with violent movements and cries. It may often be checkedby plunging the patient's hands into _cold_ water. 

In the silent stage, where sometimes unconsciousness continues forhours, a dry blanket should be laid on a bed, and another blanket mustbe rolled up and prepared with hot water as directed in Fomentation. Fold this until it is the size and shape of the patient's back, and layher down on it, so that the whole back is well fomented. Take care notto burn the patient: soothing heat, not irritation, is required. Consciousness will usually return almost immediately. All exceptattendants should be excluded from the room. Allow the patient to restin this comfortable warmth until signs of discomfort appear, thengently rub the back with hot olive oil, dry, and leave to rest or sleepif possible. Do all with great _steadiness of temper and kindness_;such a condition in the nurse is especially essential in these cases. Where the fit is violent, apply every mental soothing influenceavailable, and remove from the room all excited persons. Then applycold cloths to the spine to soothe the irritated nerves and brain. Twomay gently and kindly hold the patient, while a third presses on thecooling cloths. In about half-an-hour the fit should be overcome. Adifficulty in treating such cases is the terrifying effect of theviolent movements, or unconsciousness; but these should not createfear. As a rule, a little patience and treatment as above remove alldistress. Where there is a hysterical tendency, give abundance of goodfood, and let the patient live as much in the open-air as possible. 

The patient should be kept employed. God made us all to be workers, andthis sad affliction is frequently the punishment of idleness. No onehas any excuse for this, for the world is full of those who areoverworked and whose burden could be lightened. The girl whose onlytask is to exchange her armful of novels at the library will never knowwhat true happiness is, nor deserve to. _See_ Imaginary Troubles. 

Illness, The Root of. --In treating any trouble it is well to get to theroot of it. On one occasion a patient complained that the doctor neverstruck at the _root_ of his illness. The doctor lifted hiswalking-stick and smashed the brandy bottle which stood on the table, remarking that his patient would not have to say that again. This willillustrate what we mean. Liquor drinking must be given up: it is theroot of multitudinous ills; so must excessive tea drinking. Tobacco isone of the most insidious of poisons in its effects on the nerves, andis to be absolutely given up if a cure is expected in nervous cases. Chloral, laudanum, and opium in other forms, may give temporary relief;but they are deadly poisons, paralysing the nerves and ultimatelycompletely wrecking the system. The continued use of digitalis forheart disease is a dreadful danger. We mention these by name as mostcommon, to illustrate the truth that it is vain to treat a patientwhile the _cause_ of his illness is allowed to act. If any evil habitof indulgence has given rise to trouble, that habit must be given up; ahard fight may have to be fought, but the victory is sure to those whopersevere. Often dangerous symptoms appear, but these must be faced: torelieve them by a return to drugs is to fasten the chains more surelyon the patient. It is better to suffer a little than to be all one'slife a slave. 

Imaginary Troubles. --These are of two kinds, the one purely imaginary, the other where bodily trouble is mixed with the imagined. In the firstcase the patient is in agony with a pain, when nothing wrong can bediscovered in the part, or even elsewhere, to account for it. In such acase, proper treatment of the BRAIN or SPINE (_see_) will oftenrelieve. Again, a patient has set up such a standard of health thatwhat would not trouble any ordinary person at all, gives him muchdistress. An intermitting pulse often is a source of great anxiety; butwe have known people with intermitting pulses continuing in good healthfor forty years, and living to old age. So with many other heartsymptoms that need give no concern at all. Sprains to some muscles areoften taken for serious internal inflammation, and a slight cough andspit are taken for consumption. Care must be taken to resist all suchfancies, and if not otherwise removable, _thoroughly competent_ medicaladvice will often put the patient right. In such a case a medical manof undoubted high standing is best consulted, for an inferiorpractitioner may nearly kill the patient by arousing needless fears, which are afterwards difficult to remove. _See_ Hysteria. 

It must be remembered that diseases of the imagination are as actuallypainful to the patient as if they really were organic troubles. It is, therefore, useless to laugh at or pooh pooh the trouble, or suggestthat the sufferer is only humbugging. Attention must be paid to diet, exercise, and to material, mental, and moral surroundings, so as inevery way to relieve the patient from those apparent troubles that soannoy him. Great gentleness, firmness, hopefulness, and sympathy willoften bring about an almost unconscious cure. If the trouble has beenbrought about by over-work and worry, complete rest will often beneeded. If there is something in the surroundings that jars, a changemay be advisable. 

Indigestion. --(See also Digestion; Assimilation. ) This subject leadsnaturally to a consideration of _food_ in relation to it. The troubleusually is that food easily enough digested by others causes distressto the patient. Here we at once see that _cooking_ plays a mostimportant part. Potatoes, for example, when steeped for half-an-hour inhot water, which is changed before they are boiled, are much more easyof digestion. The water in which they have been steeped is found_green_ with unripe sap, which is all removed. Where _unripe_ juice ispresent in any root, this method of cookery is a good one. Eggs placedin boiling water, and allowed to remain so till the water is gettingcool--say _half-an-hour_--are often found to be much more easilydigested than as usually prepared. What we aim at in theseillustrations is to show that digestion depends on the _relation of thefood taken to the juices of the stomach which are to dissolve it_. Itmust be brought into a digestible state if weak stomachs are to dealwith it. 

Greasy, heavy dishes must always be avoided. Also unripe fruit. Thediet should be spare, as very often indigestion proceeds simply fromthe stomach having had too much to do. 

A very easily digested food is fine jelly of oatmeal made in thefollowing way:--Take a good handful of the meal and put it in a basinwith hot water, sufficient to make the mixture rather thin. Let itsteep for half-an-hour. Strain out all the rough particles, and boilthe milky substance till it is a jelly, with a very little salt. To anexceedingly weak patient you give only a dessertspoonful, and no morefor half-an-hour. If the patient is not so weak you may give atablespoonful, but nothing more for half-an-hour. In that time the verysmall amount of gastric juice which the stomach provides has done itswork with the very small amount of food given. Really good blood, though only very little, has been formed. The step you have taken is asmall one, but it is real. You proceed in this way throughout the wholeday. The patient should not swallow it at once, but retain it in themouth for a considerable time, so that it may mix with the saliva. 

By this, or by porridge made from wheaten meal, you may secure gooddigestion when the gastric juice is scanty and poor; but we should notlike to be restricted to that. We want a stomach that will not fightshy of any wholesome thing. We must treat it so that when suitable foodis offered it may be comfortably digested. 

Now, there is an exceedingly simple means for putting the glands inorder when they are not so. About half-an-hour before taking any food, take half a teacupful of water as hot as you can sip it comfortably. This has a truly wonderful effect. Before food is taken, the mucousmembrane is pale and nearly dry, on account of the contracted state ofthe arteries. In many cases the glands that secrete the gastric juiceare feeble; in others they seem cramped, and far from ready to act whenfood is presented. The hot water has the same effect on them as it haseverywhere else on the body--that of stimulating the circulation andbringing about natural action. It looks a very frail remedy; but whenwe can, as it were, see these glands opening and filling with arterialblood the instant they are bathed in this same water, and see how readythey become to supply gastric juice for digestion, the remedy does notlook so insignificant. 

We have, in scores of cases, seen its effects in the most delightfulway. Persons who have to our knowledge been ill and miserable withtheir stomachs for years have become perfectly well from doing nothingbut taking half a teacupful of hot water regularly before taking anyfood. It is true that great good is effected in cases of this kind bygiving the weakened organ light work to do for a time. Wonders are doneby feeding with wheaten-meal biscuits and water for some time, beginning with a very small allowance, and seeing that every mouthfulis thoroughly chewed. Great things, too, are accomplished with suchwheaten-meal porridge as we have already mentioned. But we feeldisposed to regard the half-teacupful of hot water regularly beforeeating as the chief means of cure. It is wonderfully cheap: it goeshard with the druggist if his customers need nothing but a little hotwater. Still, from what we have seen, and from what some of the veryhighest authorities have told us, we come more and more to look to thissimple remedy as about all that is required inwardly to cure the worstcases of indigestion. 

A little pepsin added to the hot water may be of use; also in cases ofacidity a few drops of white vinegar mixed with the water will be foundbeneficial. 

Soda, iron, lime, charcoal, even tar pills are used as remedies forindigestion; but none of them do much good, and some are highlyinjurious. If used at all, their use should be temporary, and undergood medical advice. 

If pain is felt, the stomach may be greatly soothed by soft fine lather(_see_ Lather and Soap). It acts in such cases like a charm. Spread itgently over the stomach, and wipe it off with a soft cloth. Cover againwith fresh lather. Do this five or six times, and cover up the lastcoat with a soft cloth. 

All indulgences which tend to weaken the stomach are to be avoided. Alcohol and tobacco must be given up. Over-excitement must be avoided, and abundance of fresh air breathed, if a cure is to be expected. 

Where sudden and violent pain comes on after meals, a poultice or hotfomentation applied directly over the stomach is the best remedy at thetime. _See_ Flatulence. 

Infant Nursing. --A mother who has had strength to bear a child is, as arule, quite strong enough to nurse it. Suckling is natural, and usuallymost beneficial to health. Many women have better health and appetiteat such a time than at any other. Every mother ought, therefore, unlessher health forbids it, to nurse her own child; no other food is so goodfor it as that which nature provides. We cannot too strongly condemnthe mother who from indolence or love of pleasure shirks this sacredduty. By so doing she violates the laws of nature, which can never bedone with impunity. Many troubles follow, and her constitution isseriously injured. Alas that we should ever have to say, with Jeremiah:"Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to theiryoung ones; the daughter of my people is become cruel, like theostriches in the wilderness. "

If a wet-nurse must be employed, great care should be exercised inchoosing a healthy person with a child as near as possible to the ageof the infant. 

Let mothers remember that there is great _variety_ in milk. Not onlydoes one mother's milk differ from another, but the same mother's milkvaries from time to time. Variation in health and diet affects the milkvery much. Many cases of infant trouble are traceable to the mother'smilk, which should not be overlooked as a possible cause. 

Again, an _abundance_ of milk is not always good. An infant may thrivebetter on a scanty supply of good milk than on an abundance of badmilk. Milk derived from drinking ale, porter, or alcoholic drinks ofany kind, though abundant, is very far indeed from good, that producedby plain and simple diet is always best. 

Again, the _state of the mother's mind_ has a great deal to do with thequality of her milk. A fright, or continued worry, may transform goodmilk into most injurious food for the child. 

There need be no fear caused by these ideas: it is only in exceptionalcases that nursing need be given up; the natural way is always thebest. But where necessary there need be no hesitation in putting aninfant on the bottle. The milk of a healthy cow, or condensed milk offirst-rate brand, is much to be preferred to that of a wearied, worn-out, and worried mother. 

Infants' Food. --For infants who cannot be nursed at the breast, cows'milk in the "bottle" is the best substitute. But all milk used from thecow should be sterilised and cooled before use. That is unless it isfound on trial that the child thrives better on unsterilised milk. Itis not necessary to have "one cow's milk;" but it is important to havethe milk adapted in strength to the infant's need. If the milk be toorich, the infant will often break out into spots, or will vomit. Alittle more boiling water in the bottle mixture will remedy this, andoften prevent serious trouble. The same proportion of water and milkwill not always do. One dairy's milk, and even one cow's milk, differsfrom another; and so does the digestive power of infants. We have tofind out that strength of milk to suit our own baby, and not be ledastray by the advice of other mothers. In health the young infant doesnot require food oftener than every two hours, sometimes even everythree. It may cry because of cold, wet, or discomfort, not from want offood. To overload the stomach with food is harmful and leads to seriousdisorders. Its food requires a certain time for digestion, even in aninfant, and as the child grows, the intervals between meals ought to beincreased. 

A good mixture is two parts of cow's milk to one of water. To everypint of this add four teaspoonfuls of sugar, and a tablespoonful ofcream. Barley water may be used instead of common water. The watershould be boiling, and should be poured into the milk. The bottleshould be thoroughly cleansed, and boiled in boiling water beforere-filling. It must be remembered that the saliva does not possess theproperty of turning starch into sugar till the child is six months old;therefore starchy food, such as bread, arrowroot, etc. , should on noaccount be given before that age. Preparations for weaning may thenbegin, by giving the child _small_ quantities of oatmeal jelly andmilk, or even of porridge and milk, so that the weaning comes ongradually. The time of nursing should not exceed nine months. If, however, a child afterwards be ill, there is no harm in going back fora time to the bottle, even at two years old. Common sense must guide, and not hard-and-fast rule. Easily assimilated food must ever bechosen; and as a food for children, oatmeal porridge, well boiled, holds the first place--far before bread sops. If porridge be not easilydigested, try oatmeal jelly. Most of the infant foods so largelyadvertised cannot be recommended. 

 * * * * *

It is now suspected that tuberculosis is transmitted to children mainlyfrom the milk of cows affected with this disease. Cows are exceedinglyliable to tuberculous disease of the udder. It is therefore verydifficult to get milk guaranteed free from the tubercle bacillus, andrecent examinations of that coming into Manchester and Liverpool showedthat from 18 to 29 per cent. Contained this deadly germ. (Strange tosay, tubercular disease of the mother's breast is practically unknown, and children never derive the disease from their mother's milk. ) It istherefore of the greatest importance that only the milk of cows provedfree from this disease should be used. The disease is easily detected, and if a demand were created for milk guaranteed free from the germs, dairymen would soon supply it. 

Unless it is _absolutely certain_ the cows supplying the milk are freefrom disease, the milk should be sterilised by heating to near boilingpoint, and then cooling _rapidly_. If kept twelve hours, the boiledtaste goes off it, and children soon get to like it. Though sterilisedmilk will keep for some time without getting sour, it should besterilised each day, specially if for infant use. 

This treatment makes the milk keep without the use of preservatives, such as boric acid. We regret to say the use of these is not illegal, and they are largely used in preserving milk, butter, hams, etc. Wehave seen very serious illnesses produced in children (and adults too)by the heavy doses they have got when both the farmer and milk vendorhave added these preservatives. This they often do at the season whenthe milk easily turns sour. Every care should therefore be taken to getmilk guaranteed free from these noxious drugs; and if this isimpossible, condensed milk should be used instead. As there is a greatvariety of brands of condensed milk in the market, always choose onewhich guarantees that the milk taken has been whole milk, and alsounsweetened. 

Infants' Sleep. --_See_ Children's Sleep. 

Infection. --Few things have so great and distressing effect as the fearof infection in disease. As a rule this fear is not justified by thefacts, where ordinary precautions are taken. These precautions, too, need not be costly, and involve in many cases little more than somecareful work. Where scarlet fever has shown itself in any household, the very first thing is to see to the continuous freshening of the airin the sick-room and in all the house. Ventilation is, indeed, thefirst and most important method of disinfection. Chloride of lime andother disinfecting fluids will decompose the offensive and noxiousodours, but pure air will sweep the organisms of disease themselvesaway. Fresh air kills the microbes of certain diseases, _e. G. _, consumption, and is hostile to all disease. The stools of typhoidpatients should be disinfected, and great care taken that no water orother fluid is contaminated by them through imperfect sanitation, etc. (_see_ Fever, Typhoid). Seeing that the seeds of disease are all aroundus, the best method of warding off their attacks is to keep the body ina state to resist their inroads by strict attention to diet, exerciseand ventilation. Let all be done also, by fires if necessary, tothoroughly _dry_ the room and house. See that all the family breathefresh air by night as well as by day; have open windows where and whenpossible. 

Acetic acid is as powerful a disinfectant as carbolic acid, inproportion to its strength, and has the advantage of being harmless, unless in the glacial form. 

In all cases of infectious disease these precautions are almost certainto prevent its spread, with, in addition, the special ones given underthe head of the disease. 

Inflammation, Deep-seated. --Often inflammation occurs in the centre of, or beneath, a mass of muscle, as the hip or thigh. We refer not to theformation of an ABSCESS (_see_), but to the violent, hot inflammatoryaction that often _issues_ in an abscess. For this the treatment shouldbe strong moist heat applied to the back, where the _nerve roots_ ofthe inflamed part lie, and _persistent_ cooling of the part which ispainful. The heat may be by bran poultice, fomentation, or hot-waterbag and moist flannel. The cold must not be ice, but only cold watercloths frequently renewed. 

It is curious to see how people are frightened at the only thing thatgives relief, and not at all at that which does the most damage. Agentleman wrote us once that he had had eighteen blisters on, but wasafraid to apply a cold cloth. We wrote him that if he still lived aftereighteen fly blisters, he would surely not die under a cold cloth. Theywill say they have tried so many things. We reply, that if they hadtried a million wrong things, and shrunk from the right one, they wouldbe only so much the worse. 

If there is local swelling, and signs that an abscess is forming, thentreat as recommended for Abscess. 

Inflammation of the Bowels. --_See_ Bowels. 

Inflammation of the Brain. --_See_ Brain. _See also_ Knee; Limbs, Inflamed; Lungs, etc. 

Inflammatory Outbreaks. --Sometimes a severe out-break and eruption willoccur in and around the nostrils or lips, and spread over the face. (Ifof the nature of erysipelas, treat as under that head. ) In ordinarycases, there is need for more than local treatment, as it is probablethat more or less failure in the skin exists. Also the feet will bemost probably cold and damp. Let these be bathed (_see_ Bathing Feet), and dried. Then rub them with CAYENNE LOTION (_see_) for some tenminutes, until in a glow of heat. Dry well, rub on hot olive oil, anddry again. Do this twice a day for a week. Warm and dry stockings mustbe worn. The skin of the back will probably be found dry and rough. Wash it down daily with SOAP (_see_) and hot water, and rub with warmolive oil. After a week of this treatment, probably the eruption willbe much lessened. If it is still troublesome, apply cool cloths to thewhole head, avoiding the sore parts, until it is generally cooled downand the skin softened, or the head may be, instead of this, packed inlather of the soap already mentioned. (_See_ Head, Soaping). For thesore itself, apply weak vinegar or _very weak_ ACETIC ACID (_see_), anda little olive oil after. But it is best if it can be healed in suchcases without any local application, through the general treatment offeet and skin. 

Internal Relaxation. --Pain is often felt in parts of the back or sideswhich will yield to no medicine such as usually relieves. This mostprobably arises from relaxation and swelling of some internal part ofthe body, so that there is more or less constant pressure on somenerves. It will be worse after fatigue or long standing, or any mentalworry and excitement. This shows us that one thing necessary to cure is_rest_: entire rest if possible, if not, as much as can be taken. It iswell to find out the _easiest_ posture in which to lie, and spend asmuch time as possible in that posture. Seek, also, by applying coldcloths to the painful parts, to reduce the swollen tissue. There mayalso be required fomenting of the feet and legs (_see_ Angina Pectoris)to prevent chill during this cooling. Often pain in the urinary organsis due to nothing but this relaxation, and yields to such treatment. Rest, however, is a primary necessity in all such cases. 

Itch. --_See_ Rash. 

Jaundice. --This disease, or its approach, may be known by severalsigns: a more or less yellow colour of the skin where otherwise white;a yellowness of the whites of the eyes, and failure of the bowels toact sufficiently, with lack of appetite. It may come on gradually, ormay be induced suddenly by some disgusting mouthful or sight whichaffects the nervous system, and through this the liver and stomach. Where a disgust, or, as the Scotch call it, a "scunner, " is taken atany food, especially with children, they should never be forced to eatit. Jaundice may follow if they are so forced. Those having the care ofchildren should always remember this. 

The cure is found first in nursing the sympathetic nerves, by afomentation for an hour of the whole length of the middle of the back, oiling before and after with olive oil. Four hours later treat thestomach and bowels in the same way. In another four hours foment thefeet and legs similarly. All this time give a tablespoonful of hotwater every ten minutes. Then rest for twelve hours, and repeat thecycle of treatment. During the twelve hours' rest, the hot water may betaken in sips, as desired by the patient. If there is pain in theregion of the liver, foment that region more strongly. If severe, placea bran poultice on above the liver, and keep it on all day, or even fortwenty-four hours if the patient is comfortable in it. By the secondday there should be a marked improvement. 

Kidney Complaints. --_See_ Urinary Troubles. 

Knee, Swelling of, or Pain in. --For ordinary slight injuries, completerest, and rubbing with spirit lotion, should be sufficient. But wherethere is previous weakness, or constitutional tendency, even slightpain and stiffness, caused by wet or some blow or wrench, the jointmust be treated thoroughly. Careless and wrong treatment may be given, and result in severe lameness. We wish, however, to point out that thetreatment here recommended has cured many cases where this lamenessappeared hopeless, and even restored walking power in limbs which hadbeen ordered to be amputated by surgeons. 

In the early stages of the trouble, it should be easy to cure in fiveor six days. First apply the SOAPY BLANKET (_see_) at bedtime. Then, about eleven o'clock in the fore-noon, place the leg so that the kneeis over a small tub or bath full of very hot water, as hot as can beborne without pain. Pour this over the knee with a sponge or large softcloth for an hour, adding hot water as it cools. If the patient becomessick or faint, discontinue the bathing for a time. Dry the limb, rubwith olive oil, and dry again gently. At five in the afternoon repeatthe treatment of the knee. At bedtime sponge all over with hot vinegar, rub with hot olive oil, and put to bed. If the joint has beenstiffened, gentle efforts to move it may be made during the treatment. 

Sometimes during this treatment boils will break out over the knee anddischarge a good deal, but as soon as their work in removing disease isdone, these will heal up. Generally, however, this will not occur. Thediet may be such as we recommend in cases of ABSCESS (_see_). 

In bad cases, the treatment may be continued for weeks before muchfavourable change is noted. Patience and perseverance, however, willwin the day. The soapy blanket should not be given oftener than threetimes a week, and a rest from all treatment on the Sabbath is best. _See also_ Housemaid's Knee. 

Often in cases of knee pain and trouble, when local applications havelittle power, a BRAN POULTICE (_see_) on the lower back will effect aspeedy cure. Sensible people will, of course, study and apply freshtreatment in such cases. Where the knee, for instance, is in the _hot_stage of inflammation, hot applications will be injurious. In such acase, cold cloths on the knee, with bran poultice on the lower back, will be the proper treatment. Try heat first, and if it is hurtful, vary the treatment to cold and heat, continued as above. 

Here, again, is a knee which gives its owner excruciating pain, andshows only a little swelling and no sign of diseased matter whatever. The hot fomentation and cold towels have both been tried, but there arenow and again symptoms that show us that the root of the evil has notbeen reached. We try cold cloths on this knee, but they greatlyincrease the pain. We at length suspect that it is not the knee that isseriously diseased, but the root of one or more of the nerves thatsupply the link from the lower part of the spine. By this time the painhas returned into the knee dreadfully, and everything has failed. Butvery soon after a large, thick towel, folded and wrung out of coldwater, having plenty of mustard spread on it, is placed across thehaunches, relief is given in the most charming fashion. The cold clothabsorbs superfluous heat, and superfluous vital action to a certainextent, but the mustard draws it out so much more speedily andpowerfully that the deep-seated roots of the nerves are reached andcooled down to their normal action. The pain ceases, and the poorsufferer blesses the mustard. We are just describing what actuallyoccurs. 

Sometimes a prejudice arises against heat. If, for example, an inflamedknee has been strongly heated during the hot stage of the trouble, thepains and injury will have been greatly increased. But one way or otherthat hot stage of the trouble has been got over, and now without heatit is impossible to cure. The patient, however, and probably the nursewaiting upon him, are decided against all hot appliances. These do somuch mischief that it is believed to be out of the question to try themagain. It may be that the prejudice is so strong that you simply can donothing; it may not be quite so invincible as that. If you are able topoint out that it was only because the heat was applied at a wrongtime, or in far too great strength, and that now, since theinflammatory power is spent, heat will be sure to have a good effect, if it is only carefully applied, the prejudice may be removed. We haveseen a patient in this stage, and with both knees bad, wrapped in alarge hot blanket fomentation from the ankles to above the knees; andhe was constrained to exclaim, "That's the right thing, beyond alldoubt. " Then there is no more prejudice. 

Sufferers should not be disappointed if for a week or two they are notsensibly better. In some cases the effect is apparent in four or fivedays, but generally a fortnight or three weeks pass without muchencouragement. We see great despondency sometimes just before all paindisappears. Still, as a rule, the new health is seen in the cheek andeye very soon. Where a _violent_ inflammation is obviously proceedingin the knee, the TURNIP POULTICE (_see_) is the best remedy. If therebe great heat in all the body, there will be little or no need forheating any part; judgment must be used for each individual case inthese matters. While resting as much as possible, the patient will findit best to lie on the back, with the sore knee supported a littlehigher than the body. A gently applied bandaging of the whole limb isalso very beneficial, and may be used for all weak limbs, even when thepatient is walking about. 

In the treatment of stiffened knees, even where accidental bending ofthe joint gives very great pain, it is a grave mistake to put the kneein splints to prevent bending. What is wanted is to encourage bendingas far as that can be done without much pain, so that the joint may notpermanently stiffen. Even where, by the use of splints, permanentstiffness seems to have been brought on, the warm-water treatmentrecommended above will bring about a loosening and softening of thejoint, which will permit first of a slight bending, and then, withgentle encouragement, a complete flexibility. The _complete_restoration of the limb should be the object kept in view. No case of astiffened joint, although it may be free from pain and disease, can beregarded as satisfactory, and hence treatment should be persevered inuntil all stiffness is gone. Common sense will direct as to hot andcold applications, when to apply each, and how long to continue either;the patient's comfortable feeling being the very best guide. We areglad to know of very many apparently hopeless limbs saved by ourtreatment, even where it has been imperfectly carried out. 

Lacing, Tight. --This produces such serious deformity, and in many waysso interferes with the health of women, that we are constrained towrite upon the subject. We find in cases which come before us thatlacing, both of the feet and the waist, as practised by our women, hascaused disease, and prevents our curing it. To begin with the lacing ofboots. There is a certain form and size of foot which are supposed tobe graceful. To obtain this, boots unsuitable in shape, and far toosmall in size, are used, and tightly laced down upon the foot andankle, preventing circulation of the blood in these important parts. This causes corns and misshapen toes and nails; but its bad effects arealso felt throughout all the body. We have pointed out in otherarticles the great curative power of bathing or fomenting the feet. Thetight lacing of boots produces exactly the opposite effect. It is aspowerful to injure as the other to cure. Cold feet are the cause ofmany most serious troubles. To keep tight-booted feet warm is almostimpossible. True neatness abhors all such mistaken treatment of thefeet. Moreover, no supposed good shape, in body or feet, can everproduce the impression of beauty which good health never fails to give, so that the tightly-booted high-heeled girl or woman defeats her ownobject. 

A yet more serious evil is the wearing of corsets. From this comes verymuch of the ill-health from which women suffer. The stomach, liver, andother organs are forced downward, their proper blood supply is cut off, and indigestion, constipation, headache and backache are the inevitableconsequence. The pressure of these organs causes falling of the womband the terrible troubles which employ two-thirds of the fashionablesurgeons. These have not failed to denounce the folly which brings somany patients to them. 

Dr. Herbert Snow, the great authority on cancer, and physician to theLondon Cancer Hospital, attributes almost wholly to the use of corsetsthe fact that for one man who dies of cancer two women die of it. Thecompression of the womb makes it specially liable to be attacked, whilethe rubbing of the hard edge of the corset on the breast sets up cancerthere. 

Besides its evil effects on the abdominal organs, the lungs alsosuffer, the ribs are prevented from expanding and so the wearer cannever breathe as deeply as is necessary. The muscles of the abdomen andtrunk are greatly weakened; indeed to this is due the fact that a womanwho is accustomed to corsets has great difficulty in giving them up. She feels as if she would "come to pieces" if not supported by them. 

The exercises given in the appendix will help to restore tone to thesemuscles, and with perseverance in these, vigor and health will return, and the deformities such as flat or hollow chest, drooping shoulders, and protuberant abdomen, caused by muscular weakness, will disappear. 

[Illustration: A Normal Waist. ]

[Illustration: A Corset formed Waist. ]

As we have said (_see_ Skin, Care of) clothing should be loose andporous in order that the skin may perform its functions. Corsets areboth tight and impervious. The constriction of any part of the body bytight bands, and the hanging of the clothes from the hips, are highlyinjurious. 

It is frequently urged that corsets are necessary if a woman is to havewell-fitting clothes and a neat figure, but this is by no means thecase. We illustrate a "good health waist" which has the advantage ofallowing freedom of movement and respiration, producing no constrictionof any part, and yet being well-fitting. Buttons are arranged, as shownin the illustration, to support the skirts so that their weight fallsequally from the shoulders. This waist can be had from the Good HealthSupply Department, 451 Holloway Road, London, N. , who will sendparticulars on receipt of a post card. 

[Illustration: Good Health Waist (_back view_) Good Health Waist (_front view_)]

Lancing Swellings. --See Abscess. 

Lather, How to make. --One of the most powerful soothing influenceswhich can be had, is found in the lather of M'Clinton's soap, so oftenrecommended in these pages. Applied to the skin over a stomach whichhas been rejecting all food, and even retching on emptiness, for hours, it will almost at once stop the irritation. Applied to the head it isinvaluable (_see_ Brain; Head; Hearing, etc. ), and in many cases wehave known it perform almost miracles of soothing effect. But thelather must be rightly made, and none but this soap used, if goodresults are to be got. Lather is first _Soap_, secondly _Water_, andthirdly _Air_, so wrought together to make a mass like whipped cream, or only a little more fluid. To get this, dip a _good_ shaving brush inhot water, rub it on the soap a little, take another slight dip of hotwater, and work the brush in the hollow of the left hand patiently, until you have a handful of fine creamy foam, sufficiently solid not torun like water, and yet as soft in its consistency as cream. There isin the hand just the temperature, consistency, and shape that arerequired for working the lather, and no dish can properly replace it. The lather is to be gathered from the hand with the brush (a softbadger's-hair one preferred), and laid with it on the skin of thepatient wherever necessary. Then another handful is quickly made, andso on until the required surface is covered. Or the lather may betransferred to a hot dish, placed over a bowl of boiling water, tillenough is ready. After the application, a soft handkerchief may be laidloosely on, and, if the lather is to remain on as a pack, a drycovering put over this. 

[Illustration: Lather ready for application. ]

In many cases where it is inconvenient to apply the lather direct tothe skin, it may be spread on a warm cloth of soft and clean linen orcotton, and this laid over the part to be treated before it is cold. This will also apply where the patient is too weak to sit or lie in theposition required for lathering the skin. A dry cloth must be put onthe top of the soapy one, and all fastened on by proper wrapping. Incases, however, where the skin has to be lathered in order to soothethe nervous system or to allay irritation of internal organs, it iswell, if at all possible, to apply the lather direct to the skin, asdescribed above. 

Lather of this soap, made in this way, may be spread on the mostsensitive sores (when ulcers have eaten through both outer and innerskins) with only a very slight feeling of smarting to the patient, andwith the most healing effect. It is very different with soda soap madein the usual way. When the skin of the head has got inflamed (as we sawin the case of a child the other day, where the back of the head was amatted mass of most distressing sores), it is charming to see theeffect of this lather. We took a number of handfuls of it, and soakedthe matted hair and inflamed skin till the poor child looked up with anexpression of astonished relief. 

Legs, Pricking Pains in. --Sometimes curious pricking pains are felt inthe legs, becoming so severe as even to confine a patient to bed. Nothing can be seen on the skin, and no swelling or other visible signof trouble is present. Evidently this requires treatment moreparticularly of the nerves, which go to maintain a proper balancedstate of feeling in the skin where the pricking is felt. The patientmust give up using alcohol in any form, and should rest in bed. Intreatment we do not look to the skin itself, but rather to the nerves, to effect a cure. There is a failure at the nerve roots, and indeed thepatient will usually be weak and nervous generally. A popular remedy insuch a case might be arsenic, which must be avoided, as likely greatlyto injure instead of help. The cure is in increased nutrition of thenerve substances, by rest and light dietary. _See_ Biscuits and Water, Diet. 

Limb, Saving a. --The proper growth of the body in any part depends onthe power furnished by the nervous system and the cells of that part. This power enables these cells to use the nutritive substance in theblood for the formation of new tissue. By this process, growth in thehealthy body is continuous through life, replacing equally continuouswaste. But this all depends on a due balance of power in the process. Suppose one eats more than can be changed into healthy tissue, the foodmay all go into blood, but the nervous power of the cells isinsufficient to deal with it. Sluggish living in bad air, tobacco, oralcoholic drinks, will all cause this. Then some slight wound or bruiseis received, and the overloaded blood fails to act healthfully and healthis. A sore is formed, most likely somewhere in the foot or leg, andthe limb goes from bad to worse in spite of all efforts, while this_inequality_ between the blood and the tissues continues. This goes onperhaps for years, and no effort is made to remedy it. Such a case mayoften be very easily cured, even where doctors pronounce it hopeless, if the patient will submit to proper regimen and treatment. Let thelimb be thoroughly bathed, as far above the knee as possible, withwater as hot as can be borne (_see_ Bathing Feet). Pour into the waterabout half-a-pint of strong vinegar. Keep up the heat for an hour. Repeat three times each day--at 11 a. M. , 4 p. M. , and at bedtime. Restfrom treatment on the Sabbath. When perspiration follows this bath, drythe patient all over, and rub with vinegar. Dry this off and rub witholive oil. Dry again, and put on clothes. 

When we have to foment a foot or knee in long heatings or bathings, wefind it well sometimes to cool the lower part of the spinal nerves, andremove all irritation of them. 

Then for _diet_, let the patient go on good wholesome wheaten biscuits(_see_ Biscuits and Water) three times a day as food, and pure water, with no alcohol of any kind, to drink. And let him give up the use oftobacco entirely. Many times over, when limbs have been condemned bythe medical men, we have seen them saved in this way. We have seen thesame treatment save arms and fingers, reducing them from swollen andunsightly sores to perfect shape and complete usefulness. 

Limbs, Disjointed, or Sprained. --In the case of an overstretch, orsprain, which has resulted in a hardened, swollen, and painful state ofthe muscles of the arm, bathe the arm in hot water, using plenty ofSOAP (_see_). While the arm lies in this bath, gently squeeze it withboth hands, so as to make the muscles work gently over one another, andthe blood run out and in to the stiff parts. Care must be taken toavoid hurting the patient. No such effort is needed as to require greatstrength--only so much squeezing as urges the blood out of the partsqueezed, and lets it in again when the pressure is taken off. Persevere in this for half-an-hour, dry, and rub with warm olive oil. Do this twice daily until the arm is restored. 

In the case of a broken or disjointed arm, FOMENTATION (_see_) shouldbe vigorously applied until proper surgical aid can be had to set thebones. Even where a joint has been a long time out, such fomentationpersevered in will soften the part, and permit of proper setting of thebones. Cold is unfavourable--cold water a decided mistake in such acase. 

Of course a surgeon should be employed; but if no medical aid can beobtained, a person who understands anatomy may replace a disjointedlimb by fomenting and oiling the muscles thoroughly, and then watchingfor a time when they are relaxed, and when the patient's attention isnot fixed on the joint. This is the moment to slip the bone into itsplace. If medical aid can be obtained, it is always safe, while waitingfor the doctor, to foment the broken or disjointed limb. Also a wetcompress worn over the disjointed limb will, with the fomentation, makeit much easier for him, when he comes, properly to set the bones. 

When two bones in any part of the body are disjointed, the cords andmuscles which tend to keep them firm in their ordinary position usuallydraw the ends past each other so that they overlap. To get the jointright, the bones must be drawn until the ends can pass each other, andthen they must be brought into their proper position. Compare thedisjointed bones with those same bones in a right position in someone's body, and thus you will see how they may be drawn right. There isa way of manipulating the muscles and tendons that in most casesrenders it unnecessary to use much force, therefore the inexperiencedshould never draw forcibly. Sometimes a joint will repeatedly fail inthis way. In such a case it may be supported; but means must be used byhot fomentations to strengthen the joint, and general rubbing, especially on the spine, must be used to increase vital force. 

Limbs, Drawn-up. --We have had many cases of contracted limbs, arisingfrom various causes. Some of these have been completely cured, evenwhen the tendons or _cords_ which were contracted were going to be_cut_ by medical advice. In one case, however, of which we knew, themedical man ordered the very treatment we employ. 

In the first place we must have EXERCISE (_see_). This may be given bymassaging the back and limbs with a gentle squeezing motion forhalf-an-hour twice a day (_see_ MASSAGE). Use hot olive oil for thisrubbing, and _persevere_. If the feet be sweaty, rub them with theCAYENNE LOTION (_see_). But the effective cure will be found in thecareful and persevering rubbing and pressure. 

Sometimes we find that a failure occurs in the large haunch jointitself, and that is not only shown by pain and stiffness, but by one ormore sores that discharge matter, indicating that the bone is diseased. At the same time, the sinews of the limb affected give signs ofcontraction, and the heel soon refuses to come to the ground inwalking. There is clearly a lack of vital energy, such as is wanted toheal the bone and nourish the leaders in this limb: this lack may havebeen showing itself for years. Apply the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_). Soon the sores begin to put on a healthier appearance, and ere longthey heal up. With this and the rubbing, the sinews begin to relax andlengthen out, so that the heel comes nearer the ground. The limb mayeven have become smaller than the other, but it grows so as to come upwith the healthy one: this will be the case though the fomentation isdone equally to both. It is a curious thing that the body is soconstituted that general healthy growth tends to bring on weaker partsmore rapidly than stronger ones, so as to restore proper proportions. The new force applied to the roots of nerves on both sides of the spinedoes not make the healthy limb grow so as to keep in advance of theweakened one; it makes the weakened one grow so as to come up with thehealthier. You do not therefore need to confine the fomenting to oneside; it is better to apply it equally to both sides, and to leave thelaws of the constitution to arrange all matters as to proportion. Theselaws never fail to do so perfectly. In the hands of a really skilfulsurgeon, much may be done to remedy diseased bone by the modern methodsof antiseptic treatment and operation, but where these are notavailable, the above treatment has most excellent effects, and hassometimes cured where the surgeon has failed. 

Limbs, Fractured. --It is not always easy to say definitely whether abone is broken or not. In general, however, the following are signs offracture:--(1) Loss of power in the limb; (2) Swelling or pain at theinjured spot; (3) Distortion of the limb, usually shorter than natural;gentle pulling makes it temporarily regain its natural position; (4)When the limb is gently moved, it moves at some spot between thejoints, and a grating sound is heard; (5) In case of a bone which liesnear the skin, a touch will perceive the irregularity due to thefracture. 

Pending the surgeon's arrival, if there is a fracture, do not attemptto move the patient till the limb is so secured that the broken bone isprevented from moving. If the arm bone is broken, put one splint insideand another outside the arm, and tie two bandages, one on each side ofthe fracture. Sling the arm in a small arm-sling like the strawenvelope of a bottle. 

If the thigh be fractured, get a long splint, such as a broom handle ora rifle, placing it from the pit of the arm to the foot. Bandage aroundthe chest, the hip bones, legs, and feet, and then by two bandages, oneabove and the other below the fracture. 

[Illustration: A Broken Thigh. ]

If the leg bone or bones be broken, an umbrella makes a good splint. Another splint should be applied on the inside of the leg, the twofirmly bandaged together, and finally the legs tied together. 

[Illustration: A Broken Leg. ]

If the knee-cap only be fractured, tie the leg on a splint from hip tofoot, and keep the limb raised. 

Almost any firm substance which can keep the limb at rest can be usedfor a splint, but if hard it should be padded. If the fracture isaccompanied with severe bleeding, stop the flow first before attendingto the fracture. (_See_ Wounds. )

Limbs, Inflamed. --Entirely different treatment from the above is neededfor such a thing as inflammation of the elbow, wrist, shoulder-joint orknee. 

Say it is an inflamed elbow that is to be treated. We describe this;but similar treatment, with very slight variation, such as common sensewill suggest, answers for the other joints. 

Have two large plain towels wrung out of cold water, and folded so asto wrap six ply thick round the elbow. See that the patient isotherwise warm. Place one of the towels round the joint, and gentlypress it (avoiding pain) so as to draw the heat out of every part. Whenthis is hot substitute the other, and continue with fresh cooling--foran hour if necessary. The cloth may require to be changed perhapsthirty times; but the guide to this is furnished by its heating. Whenhot, change it. This may be repeated frequently, until the inflammationis subdued. 

Limbs, Uncontrollable. --This trouble is found in the double form;first, of limbs which will not move when their owner desires to movethem; and, second, limbs moving in excessive jerks when they are notdesired to do so. These cases are often combined, the limbs being rigidat one time and jerking violently at another. There is no wasting orunhealthy appearance. We have found this condition caused by excessivewalking, running, and standing, combined with exposure to frequentwettings. The result is, in essence, that _motor_ power in the limbs isin excess, while _controlling_ power is defective: the case is indeedsimilar to St. Vitus' Dance (_see_). Bathe the feet (_see_ BathingFeet) in hot water, and apply cold towels folded and wrung out of coldwater (but not iced) along the spine. Keep this up for anhour-and-a-half at a time. By that time the hard rigid feeling in thelimbs will probably have disappeared, but great helplessness will befelt. You have removed the excess of motor energy, and must nowincrease the voluntary energy. This will be accomplished by gentlyrubbing the back and limbs with hot olive oil, as in Limbs, Drawn-up. This treatment, repeated daily, will usually soon cure. 

Liquorice. --_See_ Constipation. 

Liver, The. --Where biliousness prevails, without any symptom of realliver disease, it is well first to look to the state of the stomach andbowels. Take a teacupful of hot water twenty minutes before meals, andthe liquorice mixture (_see_ Constipation) after meals. Then give astrong blanket fomentation to the feet and legs for an hour in theevening. If there be pain or feverish heat in the region of the bowels, press cold cloths over the painful part while the feet are fomented. 

When the liver is really swollen, hardened, or painful, the pulse willeither be quick with feverish symptoms or slow with coldness. If it bea feverish case, press cold cloths over the liver, changing them whenwarm, for an hour: at the same time foment the feet and legs asdirected above. See that there is heat enough to make the patientcomfortable under the cold applications. Inflammation of the liver willreadily yield to this treatment. 

When the case is a _cold_ one with slow pulse, use no cold cloths, butapply fomentations over the liver, as well as to the feet and legs. Smoking and alcoholic drinks must be entirely given up--these habitsare peculiarly severe on the liver. The treatment will not be likely tocure in a day or in a week, but patient perseverance with thefomentations should eventually effect a cure. Too rich food throws agreat strain on the liver, and a plain and spare diet with prolongedmastication is necessary with above treatment if a cure is to beeffected. 

Locomotor Ataxia. --This disease is a most difficult one to deal with, and any healing is very slow work. Patients past middle life arespecially difficult cases, but we have known cure, or at least greatmitigation in younger persons by the following treatment. Beginning, say on a Tuesday, let the lower back be well rubbed with hot olive oil, the patient sitting with the back to the fire, and well covered, exceptwhere being rubbed. Continue this rubbing for half-an-hour and notlonger than three-quarters-of-an-hour. On Wednesday, soap the back wellwith soap lather (_see_) and after the soap rub with oil again. Nextnight, rub with acetic acid (Coutts's) full strength, until the skin isred and smarts moderately. Repeat this on Friday, and on Saturday andSabbath do nothing. On Monday rub with acid again, and on Tuesday, etc. , proceed as before. All treatment is best done at night, and thepatient must be kept warm. He should also spend as much time aspossible in the open air. 

Lumbago. --Lumbago differs from both paralysis and cramp of the lowerback in that it is not chiefly nervous, as these are, but is a troublein the muscular substance itself. The muscles are either sprained orchilled, so as to have lost for the time their elasticity. Blistering, burning, and all such irritating treatment are only so many helps tothe disease. The true method is found in gentle moist heating of thelower back by a BRAN POULTICE (_see_), not too hot, but renewed, ifneed be, for an hour each evening. Follow this up with a rubbing withhot olive oil. Wear a belt of new flannel round the body night and dayin winter, or if exposed to cold. The treatment is simple, but ifpersevered in, cures most obstinate cases. 

Lungs, Bleeding from. --This is usually taken as a most alarming, andeven hopeless, symptom. It is not necessarily so at all, and even whena considerable amount of blood is lost, the patient may recover. Therefore, let friends not be frightened when this occurs, but bendtheir energies to proper treatment, and all danger may be averted. Allalcohol must be avoided; it is most hurtful in such cases. Pack thefeet and legs in a hot blanket FOMENTATION (_see_) and press coldcloths gently and equally over the chest or back where the blood isfelt to be coming from: thus you stimulate the enfeebled nerves andbrace the relaxed lungs at one and the same time. Relief will usuallybe felt at the end of two or three minutes. Continue the applicationtill all pain and uneasiness are gone. 

_Before_ taking the legs out of the warm pack, dry the chest carefully, rub it with warm olive oil, and wrap it up in good new flannel. Thentake out the feet and dry them well; rub them gently and well with warmoil, put on a pair of soft cotton stockings, and allow the patient torest. Squeeze an orange and give him an orange drink (_see_ Drinks). 

When you have used this fomentation to the feet, and cold cloths onceor twice, it will be well to place a large bran poultice across thelower part of the back, taking care again that this is only comfortablyhot. When you have had the benefit of this once or twice, you may placea similar poultice between the shoulders; but this only after you haveso far succeeded in cooling down the inflamed lung or lungs, as thecase may be. During the whole of the treatment it will be well to watchwhat is agreeable to the sufferer. It is not only that a certaintreatment, or degree of treatment, comforts, but that it comfortsbecause it heals. Move the patient as little as possible duringtreatment, and do and say all possible to soothe the mind. 

The whole treatment should be gone over a second time within twelvehours. The second day give one application of the treatment only, andrepeat once again the third day. Except for the first time, thetreatment may be limited to half-an-hour. Avoid hot food or drink, butit is not necessary to have it positively _cold_. This treatment wehave found perfectly successful in many cases. 

Lungs, Congestion of the. --Treatment as below. Read preceding andsucceeding articles. 

Lungs, Inflammation of the. --This is a common trouble in our climate, and, fortunately, one not difficult to cure if taken in time andproperly treated. It is usually the result of a chill, and isaccompanied with pain and inability to breathe properly, distressingfever, and often delirium. To begin with, all its evils arise from therelaxing of the vessels of the lungs, so that these swell, and theexcess of blood causes inflammatory action to supervene. To guardagainst it, then, those influences must be avoided which reducevitality; where they cannot be avoided, all must be done to counteractthem. Mere exposure to cold or wet, unless accompanied by exhaustionfrom hunger, or grief, or other influence of the kind, rarely causesthis trouble. 

Where the trouble has set in, the treatment is the same as recommendedabove in Lungs, Bleeding from. If the patient be a very strong person, and the fever very great, the fomentation to the feet may be dispensedwith; but if any uncomfortable coldness is felt, or the patient notabove average strength, it should always be applied. No one who has notseen it can imagine the magical effect such treatment has. It issimple, but its efficiency has been demonstrated in a very large numberof cases of cure. 

Malaria. --Is now known to be conveyed by the bite of a certain kind ofmosquito. Those who live in a malarious district should carefullyexclude these from their houses, and by draining swamps and coveringwater butts prevent their breeding, which is always in stagnant water. If, however, exposure to infection cannot be prevented, much may bedone to strengthen the system to resist it. Firstly, note that there isa great deal in the _food and drink_ of a family compelled to live insuch a district. If they live largely on animal food, and drinkalcoholic liquors, they will seriously add to the power of malarialinfluence. The use of simple food and _pure water_ will very muchlessen it. Let us note that the very opposite of the popularsuperstition is the truth. A single glassful of gin, whiskey, orbrandy, instead of "fortifying" against such infection, actually knocksdown the "fortifications" which nature has reared against its power. These drinks, then, must be strictly avoided. 

[Illustration: Muscles of Back (Surface muscles removed on right side exposing the deeper ones). ]

[Illustration: Massaging the Back. ]

[Illustration: Massaging the Back. ]

Massage. --This seems a very simple thing to do, but is by no means easyto do right, and it is very desirable that any one who can see it doneby a qualified person should take advantage of the opportunity. Therubber must keep his attention closely fixed on the work, and thoughthis is fatiguing to body and mind, it is absolutely necessary if thepatient is to derive full benefit from the treatment. The skin shouldfirst be lightly rubbed with olive oil; except in very special cases"friction" between hand and skin is to be avoided. The hand should movethe skin to and fro over the muscles and bones beneath, and should bealways elastic, so as to go easily in and out of the hollows, and avoidviolent contact with projecting bones in the case of emaciatedpatients. The good rubber should know anatomy so far as to understandwhere bones and muscles lie (_See_ Diagram, page 216). An intelligentmoving of all the muscles of a part is almost equal in benefit togymnastic exercise, and can of course be given to those for whomgymnastics are out of the question. Yet such rubbing may fatigue a veryweak patient, and care must be taken not to carry it too far at onetime. There should also never be any hurting of the skin. Where thehands are felt too rough, the back may be covered with a soft cloth, oiled with olive oil. All _strong_ strokes in rubbing the limbs shouldbe directed _inwards_ to where the limb joins the body. The lighterstrokes should be outwards. It is always well to have a light and heavystroke, as a joiner has in sawing. 

As an instance of how to squeeze, let us take an arm that has got wrongsomehow. If you take this arm between your two hands very gently, youfeel that it is harder than it should be. The large muscles, even whenthe arm is at perfect rest, have a hard feeling to your hands, and notthe soft, nice feeling which a perfectly healthy arm has. Probably themuscles have been over-stretched, and sprained, or they have beenchilled, and so have lost their elasticity and softness. Well, it willbe so far good if you can bathe this arm in hot water. It will bebetter still if the hot water used is full of SOAP (_see_). You canmake this bathing ten times more effective, if you only know what ismeant by a proper squeezing of the muscles. You use your two hands inthe water of the soapy bath, and taking the arm between them, gentlypress the muscles between your hands, with a sort of working upon themthat makes the blood in the stiff parts rush out and in, according asyou press or relieve the pressure. If you can only get hold of theidea, it will not be difficult to do this right. It may be that thecords of the arm are not only hard, but also contracted, so that thearm cannot be straightened or bent as it ought to be, but it is stillso squeezable that you can squeeze the blood out of it, and it is stillso elastic that when you relieve it of the pressure of your hands theblood rushes back into it. If this squeezing is kindly and slowly done, it will feel very pleasant, and very soon its good effect will beperceptible. 

[Illustration: Massaging the Arm. ]

It is sometimes thought that there is some "magic" in one person'shands that is not in another's. Here is a case in which one person hasrubbed, he thinks, perfectly right, and no relief has come. Anotherbrings relief in a few minutes. It is concluded that some mysterious"gift" is possessed by the latter. This may do well enough for anexcuse when you do not care to have the trouble of curing yourfellow-creatures, but it is not true. If we are to "covet earnestly thebest gifts, " it must be possible for all of us to get them. "The giftof healing" is surely one worth "coveting, " and we think must be withinreach, or we should not be told so to covet it. _See also_ Head, Rubbing the. 

[Illustration: Massaging the Arm. ]

Measles. --An attack of this disease generally begins with a feeling ofweariness. Then it appears as running and irritation of the eyes andnostrils, at which stage it is often taken for a common cold, thesymptoms being very similar. Then this irritation spreads more or lessover all the breathing apparatus, and finally the eruption appears insmaller or larger red patches, sometimes almost covering the face andother parts. The usual advice given is to keep the sufferer warm. It isgood to do this so far as _avoiding chills_ is concerned, but if theroom be overheated and kept close and dark, only harm will ensue. Theblinds of the windows should be kept drawn up to their full height, toadmit as much _light_ as possible. _Fresh air_ should be admitted bykeeping windows open. If the patient complains of sore eyes, these maybe shaded by a screen, but not by lowering the blinds. This admissionof free air and light is a very great preventive of the "dregs" whichform so troublesome a feature in measles. The room can easily be keptsufficiently warm by fire in winter, even if the window be open. Thepatient must not be allowed to read or use his eyes much, or veryserious mischief may ensue. 

When it first appears in eyes and nose, a good large BRAN POULTICE(_see_) should be placed at the back of the neck and down between theshoulders. Cold cloths should then be pressed over the brow and upperface. Do this for an hour. Give to drink lemon or orange drinks (_see_Drinks), taken hot, and in small quantities at a time. If thistreatment is well done several times, the trouble may possibly bechecked at the beginning. Where it has gone further, and cough showsirritation of the air tubes and lungs, then foment the feet and legswhile applying cold cloths over the chest, as in BRONCHITIS (_see_). Ifthere be fever, and no signs of rash, then, to bring it out, pack inthe SOAPY BLANKET (_see_). Where this cannot well be done, a mosteffectual pack is a small sheet wrung out of warm water and wrappedround the whole body, with a blanket wrapped well round it outside toretain the steam about the skin. But the soap is better. As a rule, there is not much need for further treatment when the rash fullydevelops. If, however, fever still remains, rub all over with hotvinegar. This is best done in the evening. 

When all fever has subsided, a good rubbing of the _back only_ may begiven with warm olive oil. This may be done once a day. The feet shouldbe watched lest they get clammy or cold. 

For food, wheaten-meal porridge and milk food generally is the best. Donot give too much food at first, and keep the bowels well open. 

Medicines. --The delusion that health can be restored by swallowingdrugs is so widespread that we think it well to quote the followingwise words from the _Lancet_:--

"An eminent physician not long deceased was once giving evidence in awill case, and on being asked by counsel what fact he chiefly reliedupon as establishing the insanity of the testator, replied without amoment's hesitation: 'Chiefly upon his unquestioning faith in the valueof my prescriptions. ' It might perfectly well be contended that thisevidence failed to establish the point at issue, and that faith in theprescriptions of a physician hardly deserved to be stigmatised in sosevere a manner. But admitting this, there is still little to be saidin favour of the sagacity, even if we admit the sanity, of the numerouspeople who spend money and thought over the business of physickingthemselves, and who usually, if not indeed always, bring this businessto an unfortunate conclusion. The whole tendency of what may be calledpopular pharmacy during the last few years has been in the direction ofintroducing to the public a great variety of powerful medicines, put upin convenient forms, and advertised in such a manner as to produce inthe unthinking, a belief that they may be safely and rightlyadministered at all times and seasons, as remedies for some real orsupposed malady. All this, of course, has been greatly promoted bycolumn after column of advertisement in magazines and lay newspapers;but we are compelled to admit that the medical profession cannot beheld free from some amount of blame in the matter or from someresponsibility for the way in which drugs have lately been popularisedand brought into common use as articles of domestic consumption. Medical men have failed, we think, sufficiently to impress upon thepublic and upon patients that the aim of reasonable people should be tokeep themselves in health rather than to be always straying, as itwere, upon the confines of disease and seeking assistance from drugs inorder to return to conditions from which they should never havesuffered themselves to depart. The various alkaline salts andsolutions, for example, the advertisements of which meet us at everyturn, and which are offered to the public as specifics, safely to betaken, without anything so superfluous as the advice of medical men, for all the various evils which are described by the advertisers asgout or as heartburn, or as the consequences of 'uric acid, ' dounquestionably, in a certain proportion of cases, afford temporaryrelief from some discomfort or inconvenience. They do thisnotwithstanding persistence in the habit or in the indulgence, whateverit may be, the over-eating, the want of exercise, the excessiveconsumption of alcohol or of tobacco, which is really underlying thewhole trouble which the drugs are supposed to cure and which at thevery best they only temporarily relieve, while they permit thecontinuance of conditions leading ultimately to degeneration of tissueand to premature death. This is the moral which it is, we contend, theduty of the profession to draw from the daily events of life. Thenatural secretions of the human stomach are acid, and the acidity issubservient to the digestive functions. It cannot be superseded byartificial alkalinity without serious disturbance of nutrition; and theaim of treatment, in the case of all digestive derangements, should beto cure them by changing the conditions under which they arise, not topalliate them for a time by the neutralisation of acid, which may, indeed, give relief from present trouble, but which leaves unalteredthe conditions upon which the trouble really depends. Those who lookdown the obituary lists of the newspapers will be struck by the factthat large numbers of people, in prosperous circumstances, die assexagenarians from maladies to which various names are given but whichare, as a rule, evidences of degeneration and of premature senility, while many who pass this period go on to enter upon an eighth or ninthdecade of life. The former class, we have no doubt, comprise those whohave lived without restraint of their appetites, and who have sought toallay some of the consequences thence arising by self-medication, whilethe latter class comprises those who have lived reasonably, and who, ifannoyed by imperfect digestion, have sought relief by ascertaining andby abandoning the errors from which it sprang. "

Among the most pernicious and dangerous of all the patent medicines onthe market are the so-called "Headache Powders, " whose almostinstantaneous effects testify to the potency of the drugs they contain. Such powerful agents carry their own condemnation, for they cannot inthe nature of things _remove the cause_ of the pain; hence their actionis limited to narcotising the nerves. The disease continues, the damagegoes on, but the faithful sentinels are put to sleep. These headachepowders so increased the deaths from heart failure in New York City acouple of years ago that it became necessary to warn the public againstthem. 

Memory, Loss of. --A more or less complete suspension of this faculty isa not uncommon form of mental and bodily illness. We do not so muchmean the mere fading of past impressions as the loss of power to recallthem, so that we cannot recall what we wish to remember. This is aresult of any serious bodily weakness. It will come on through anyexhausting exertion, or prolonged and weakening illness. Stomachdisorder will also cause it. In this last case, drinking a little hotwater at intervals will usually put all right. A cup of very strong teawill so derange the stomach in some cases as to cause temporarysuspension of memory. We mention these cases to prevent overdue alarmat a perhaps sudden attack. The loss of mental power in such cases doesnot always mean anything very serious. 

Just as the stomach affects the memory, so also much use of memory andmental strain tells severely upon the stomach. Digestive failures instrictly temperate persons often arise from an overstrain of the mind. 

We explain these two actions, the one of body on mind, and the other ofmind on body, so that care may be taken, on both sides, of the complexnature we possess. If this is done, there will be little chance ofmemory failing. 

Mind in Disease. --Often a person, because of physical failure, becomespossessed of an utterly erroneous _idea_, which no reasoning can changeor remove. Indeed, reasoning in such cases is best avoided. Attentionshould rather be directed to the physical cause of the mental state, with a view to its removal. Very probably you will find there is wantof sleep, with a dry hard state of the skin of the head, and too highan internal temperature. You may then work wonders by soaping the head(_see_ Head, Soaping). The back also should be soaped similarly. If toogreat a cooling effect is produced by this, wipe off the soap and rubhot olive oil on the back instead. If this is not sufficient, rub thelimbs also with the hot oil. We have seen the most pronounced insanityyield to this treatment, where the cause has been _physical_ and notmental. The secret of success is in so balancing the heat and coolingapplications that the utmost possible soothing can be given without anychill. 

Miscarriage. --An expectant mother should lead a quiet, orderly andhealthful life (_see_ Child-birth). By this we do not mean laziness noridleness, nor treating herself as an invalid. On the contrary, plentyof work, both physical and mental, and regular exercise are mostbeneficial, but care should be taken that work should not go the lengthof over-fatigue, and excitement, worry and anxiety should be carefullyguarded against. The round of parties and other social functions intowhich many brides are drawn, frequently becomes the cause ofmiscarriage and other troubles. Any excitement, mental or physical, ismost injurious, and the husband and wife who sacrifice presentenjoyment will be richly repaid afterwards in the greater vigor andhealthiness of the child; while those who live for the present willoften have bitter regrets of what might have been. 

If any weariness, heaviness, or pain are felt in the region of theabdomen, groin, or back, half-a-day, a day, or a few days in bedshould, if possible, be taken. If any appearance of bloody discharge benoticed, there is decided danger of miscarriage, and the patient shouldimmediately go to bed, remaining, as far as possible, perfectly flat onthe back until the discharge ceases. It is even useful to raise thefeet higher than the head, by placing bricks or blocks under the feetof the bed. The covering on the bed should be light, only just what isnecessary to keep one comfortable, and the windows should be kept open. Light food should be sparingly taken for a day or two; not much liquid, and nothing hot should be drunk. A towel, wrung out of cold water, placed over the abdomen or wherever pain is felt, and changed when warmfor a fresh cold towel (_see_ Bleeding), will help to soothe the pain, allay the hemorrhage, and induce sleep. The mind should be kept atease, for such precautions, taken in time, will probably put all right. After the hemorrhage has entirely ceased, and all pain disappeared, some days should be spent in bed, and active life be only gradually andcautiously returned to. When there is danger of miscarriage, purgativesshould be avoided; a mild enema is a safer remedy, if needful, but fortwo or three days perfect rest is best, and if the food be restricted, the absence of a motion of the bowels will not do any harm. The patientshould, of course, have the bed to herself. 

Miscarriages most frequently occur from the 8th to the 12th week ofpregnancy. The time at which the menses would appear if there were nopregnancy, is a more likely time for a miscarriage than any other. 

It should be remembered that miscarriages are very weakening andlowering to the general health, and to be dreaded much more than aconfinement. The latter is a natural process, and, under healthyconditions, recovery of strength after it is rapid, while a miscarriageis unnatural, and is frequently followed by months of ill-health. Another thing to be remembered is that a habit of miscarriage may beestablished; after one, or more especially after two or three, there islikelihood of a further repetition of such accidents, resulting intotal break-up of health. 

Muscular Action, Weak. --The heart is the most important of all muscles. Sometimes the action of this is so weak that the pulse in the rightwrist is imperceptible, and that in the left extremely feeble. Theheart may be beating at the usual rate, only its stroke is much toofeeble; and the effects are found in enfeebled life generally, sometimes shown in fainting fits. If such come on, lay the patient flaton his back, and if consciousness does not return shortly, apply a hotFOMENTATION (_see_) to the spine. 

Sometimes this heart weakness is only a part of a general muscularfailure. Muscles elsewhere in the body may even swell and becomepainful. If strychnine be prescribed, refuse it. It has only atemporary power for good, soon passing into a wholly bad effect. Thoroughly good vapour baths will effect some relief, and may be takento begin with. The best remedy is found in gentle rubbing and squeezingthe muscles in every part, specially attending to any that may beswollen and painful. Squeeze gently the muscular mass, so as to pressthe blood out of it. Relax the pressure again so as to admit the blood. Where no help can be had, we have known a patient so squeeze herself asto restore action to a useless limb. But of course it is best if it bewell and frequently done, say twice a day, by a really careful operatorwho has some idea of anatomy. This may seem a simple remedy, but wehave known two inches added to the length of a shrunken limb by itsmeans, and the patient restored from apparently hopeless lameness tofair walking power. _See_ Massage. 

Muscular Pains. --These pains occur usually when a patient has been forsome time in one position, sitting or lying, and rises suddenly in aparticular way. They sometimes take such hold of the breast or backmuscles as to make it appear as if some serious disease were present;even in the limbs they may cause great distress on any sudden motion. They may arise from a gradual _overdoing_ of the muscles concerned. They are similar to what is commonly called a sprain, but as they are_gradually_ produced their cause is often overlooked, and needlessdistress of mind caused by taking the pain for that of cancer or somesuch trouble. We write to point out that pains do not always meanserious disease, and before any one becomes despairing about theirhealth, they should make sure they understand their case thoroughly. 

These pains, too, refuse to yield to ordinary hot and cold methods oftreatment. The remedy is found internally in half a teaspoonful of_tincture of Guaiacum_ in a teacupful of hot water three times a day. After two or three days, a teaspoonful of the tincture may be taken inthe cup of water. Continue until two ounces of tincture have been used. Or the tabloids of _Guaiacum and sulphur_, now found in our drug shops, may be taken, one tabloid representing the half-teaspoonful oftincture. 

Externally, rub gently yet firmly the affected muscles with warm oilfor ten minutes or so once a day for a week or ten days. Of course, rest must be taken, and the overstress which caused the trouble avoidedin future. 

Mustard Oil. --Where this is recommended the cold-drawn oil is meant, not the essential oil. The latter is a fiery blister. 

Narcotics. --The use of these to give temporary relief, oftendegenerating into a habit, causes so much serious disease that we havefelt constrained to insert an article warning our readers in regard toit. The use of tobacco we have found a fruitful source of dangerousillness. It tends to destroy nerve power, and through this to relax themuscular system. It has a most dangerous effect upon the mind, relaxingthe brain, and even causing some of its functions to cease. It hindersclear reasoning, and in many cases brings on incipient paralysis. It isa fruitful source of cancerous diseases of the mouth. It destroyskeenness of vision. It is of no use to quote exceptional cases in suchan argument. Great men have smoked, as some great men have habituallydrunk, to excess. But that is no argument for the average man of whomwe speak. The very difficulty he has in giving up the use of tobaccoindicates a diseased state of the nerves, which no wise man willwillingly bring on himself. 

The effect of the continued use of opium, chloral, and many drugs takento gain soothing or sleep is _dreadful_: so much so that we have seenpatients who were deprived of them, after some time of continuous use, perfectly _mad_ with agony. Let our readers remember that the reliefgiven in using such drugs comes from a benumbing of the vital nerves. Their influence is _deadening_, and, if strong enough, kills as surelyas a bullet. The wise medical man will, if he does administer suchdrugs, take care they are only taken once or twice. If a doctor orderstheir continual use he is to be distrusted. By all means let ourreaders avoid the terrible snare of ease and sleep obtained throughnarcotics. It is generally easy to give relief, in the various waysdescribed in these papers, without resort to any such hurtful methods. 

Suppose that you try a very hot application to the roots of the nervesaffected, if you can guess about where those roots are. The doctorshould help you to know this. The hot poultice is put on--we shall sayit fails to relieve. Well, you put on a cold application at the sameplace. That relieves slightly. Whichever of the applications relievesshould be followed up vigorously. Do not say, "Oh, it gives relief fora little, and then the pain returns. " Follow up the little relief, andchange from heat to cold as the pain or relief indicates. You can do nopossible harm by such processes, and in multitudes of cases all willsoon be right, and no opiate required at all. But you must not thinkall remedies at an end when you have tried one or two singly, andrelief does not yet come. The large hot poultice may be put on theroots of the affected nerves, and ice-cold cloths placed on thebranches of these nerves at the same time. Then the cold ice cloths maybe placed on the roots and the hot on the branches. But remedies arenot exhausted, by any means, when you have thought of two or threeapplications of heat and cold. The whole nerve system can be influencedby the rubbing of the head and spinal region, so as to wake up a strongincrease of vital action in the nerve centres there. We have seen apatient who had been for months under medical treatment, and in agonyexcept when deadened with narcotics, rendered independent of all suchthings by a little skilful rubbing alone. Perhaps you object that theseremedies are "very simple. " Well, that would be no great harm; but ifthey are so simple, you are surely a simpleton if you let your poornerves be killed with morphia, while such obvious remedies are at hand. (_See_ Massage. )

Neck, Stiff. --For this, rub the whole back with soap lather (_see_Lather; Soap), and then with acetic acid and olive oil. Rub the neckitself as recommended for Muscular Action. 

Neck, Twisted. --This arises from the undue contraction of some of themuscles in the neck. It generally shows itself first in the evening, after the day's fatigue, and if neglected, or treated with blistering, iodine, etc. , may become a chronic affliction. Yet it is not difficultto cure by right means. Opium should never be used. We have seenterrible suffering follow its use. The true cause must be attacked, which is an undue irritation of the nerve which controls one of themuscles, so that it contracts and pulls the head away. The nerves ofthe muscles which counteract this pull are also probably low invitality, so that there is a slackening on one side and a pull on theother. 

First of all, for a cure, there must be _rest_. Not more than threehours at a time should be spent in an erect posture, and between eachspell of three hours let one hour be spent lying down. Avoid _all_movement while lying, as far as possible. Secondly, soap the backthoroughly with LATHER (_see_) at bedtime. Cover the well-lathered skinwith a large, soft cloth, leaving the cloth and lather on all night, and covering over all with flannel in sufficient quantity to keep thepatient warm. If the spasmodic twitching comes on, apply cold clothsrepeatedly to the back of the neck for an hour in the morning. If thisis felt too cold, apply for a shorter time. 

If the neck has become hard and fixed in a wrong position, rub asrecommended in Muscular Action. This treatment has cured many cases. 

Nerve Centres, Failing. --Many diseases flow from this cause, but atpresent we only consider one. That is where a "numbness" begins to showitself in fingers and toes, and to creep up the limbs. No time shouldbe lost in treating such a case. It arises from failure in the spinalnerves, and these must be nursed into renewed vitality. This will begreatly helped by wearing over the back next the skin a piece of newflannel. Rub (_see_ Massage) the back with warm olive oil night andmorning, working especially up and down each side of the spine. Pursuethis rubbing gently but persistently, but do not fatigue the patient, which may easily be done. Cease rubbing the moment fatigue manifestsitself. Continue this treatment for weeks even, and also treat, as innext articles, _mind_ as well as body. (_See_ Locomotor Ataxia. )

Nerve Pain. --_See_ Pain. 

Nerve Shock. --After a fright, or some very trying experience, some partof the nervous system is frequently found to have given way. Heat isfelt in the stomach. Then, if no treatment is given, curious feelingscome on in the back of the head. Even inflammation of the stomach andbrain may come on in severe cases. In any such trouble, alcoholicdrinks, blisters, opium, and all narcotics are to be strictly avoided. These only lessen the already weak nerve power. Show the patient in thefirst place that there is no need for anxiety, the vast majority ofsuch cases being easily curable by right treatment. We have seen thisrelief of mind alone effect a perfect cure. Therefore see to giving it. Wring tightly out of cold water two ply of new flannel, large enough togo round the lower part of the body, from waist downwards to hips. Putthese round the patient, with two dry ply of the same flannel abovethem. Wear this night and day for a week or a fortnight. Keep the feetalways warm and dry. Give plain, easily digested food. If St. Vitus'Dance shows itself, treat as directed under that head. Study the casein the light of all said on nervous troubles in these pages, and youwill be able to cure almost any symptoms which may arise. 

Nerves, Shaken. --By this we mean, not the nerve trouble which follows asudden injury or fright, but the result of long-continued worry andoverwork. Sleeplessness, great irritability of temper, depressingthoughts, restlessness, and even a wish for death, are all symptoms ofthis trouble. In any effort to cure it, the _mind_ must be largelyconsidered. Thoughts of the constant care of a loving, Divine Saviourfor even the least of His children, must be encouraged. Work, which isan intolerable burden when depressing thoughts are encouraged, willbecome easy when these are removed. If you get the sufferer madehopeful for time and for eternity too, you have half won the battle. 

Again, in bodily matters, food or drink which is exciting must be givenup, or very sparingly used. Tea should only be taken weak, and _atmost_ twice a-day. Avoid long conversations, and especially discussionsand debates. Let the head be soaped (_see_ Head, Soaping) with soaplather at night, and rub all over with hot vinegar and olive oil beforerising in the morning. Many a shaken nervous system will speedilyrecover under such treatment. Take also _eight good hours_ for sleep, and allow no ideas of business or work to intrude upon them. No morevaluable habit can be formed, by the healthy as well as by the nervous, than this. The whole will should resolutely be bent to remove theattention from every trying thought, when the hours of work are past, and especially on retiring to rest. Always recollect that this _can_ be_done_; assert mentally, or if necessary, audibly, that it shall. Donot let initial failure disappoint you; persevere and a habit will beformed. When the brain gets a fair rest in its hours of leisure, it isusually equal to all demands in ordinary hours of work. 

All brain workers, in their leisure hours should let the brain rest, and if they must do something, let it be as diverse from their work, and as easy on the thinking power as is possible. (_See_ Worry). 

[Illustration: From "Furneaux's Elementary Physiology. "]

Nerves, Spinal. --The spinal cord is continuous with the back part ofthe brain. It is a mass of nerve fibres, and from it branch off inpairs, all the way down from the brain, the great nerves which move thelimbs and muscles of the body, and receive the impressions of sensationfor conveyance to the brain. It is permeated by numerous blood vessels, which supply what is needed for the upkeep of the whole mass. Whenthese relax, and become overfilled with blood, we have congestion ofthe spinal cord. This may often be easily remedied by cold clothsapplied over the spine, with fomentations to the feet if necessary(_see_ Children's Healthy Growth; Fall; Paralysis; St. Vitus' Dance). If, on the other hand, the vessels are contracted, or the blood supplydefective, we have great languor and coldness. This usually may beremedied by rubbing over the spine with hot olive oil. Violent heat, orblistering, simply destroys the skin, and hinders healthy action. Gentle heat, or gentle cooling, long continued, is the best treatment. Especially is this true in the case of little children (_see_Children's Healthy Growth). For treatment of the nervous system, peculiar attention should always be paid to the point where all thespinal nerves enter and issue from the brain. This is at the hollowusually present at the base of the back of the skull, where it isjointed on to the spinal bones. Rubbing here is most powerful, eitherwith acetic acid or olive oil, and hot or cold cloths should always bewell pressed into the hollow, when applied to the head or upper spine. (_See_ Diagram, page 234). 

Failures of muscular power are caused by failure in the spinal cord. Ifa child cannot walk, but only trails his legs, or if he cannot hold hishead erect, skilful rubbing with hot oil on the spine will often quitecure the defects. Do not rub too hard. Feel for the muscles around thespine, and gently insinuate healing influence with your fingers, so asto reach the nerves below. Use a moderate quantity of oil, and theeffects will be marvellous. 

Nerves, Troubled. --Often a state of the nerves exists, without anyapparent unhealthiness, which makes the whole system so sensitive, thatordinary sights, sounds, and smells become unbearable, and the patientfeels the ordinary round of experience, which would never be noticedotherwise, an intolerable burden. Strange feelings all over the body, and an indescribable series of seemingly "fanciful" troubles, come on. It is of no use, and indeed injurious, to treat such cases as merelyfanciful. The wrong bodily condition must be righted if the mentalcondition is to improve. The first thing needed is _quiet_. Quietnessrests the overstrained nervous system very much. Nerve-benumbing drugsare most hurtful (_see_ Narcotics). Let the light in the room besubdued, and strong smells avoided. To rest the skin nerves, wear onlyKneipp linen underclothing, and flannels _above_ this if required. Bathe the tongue and palate by taking mildly warm water into the mouthand ejecting it again. Soap the head, and all over the body, if it canbe done without chilling, three times a week. (_See_ Head, Soaping;Lather, etc. ). 

Nervous Attacks. --What we call, for want of a better name, "nerveforce, " or "nerve action, " is at any one time a definite quantity. Inhealth it is distributed to all the sets of nerves equally, so that allwork in harmony. But if its distribution be altered in certain ways, wefind "fits" or "attacks" coming on. Action is greatly exaggerated inone part, and as greatly lessened in another--hence violent movementsand complete unconsciousness co-exist. Children often have such fits. Where they arise from _indigestion_ as a result of bad food, the cureis found in teaspoonfuls of hot water, and a hot sitz-bath coming upover the bowels. Where bad blood causes the fits, poultices over thekidneys will usually help greatly. (For fits of teething children, _see_ Teething. ) _See also_ Epilepsy. 

Nervousness. --This frequent and distressing trouble is to be traced toa state of the nervous system in which sensibility has got the upperhand, and self-control is partly lost. It is difficult accurately andbriefly to describe, but is an easily recognisable state. Firstly, then, we say this is a physical trouble, and the patient must not beblamed for it, but encouraged kindly to make every effort of _will_ tothrow it off. A strong will can be cultivated, just as a strong arm, by_exercise_. Peaceful thoughts and Christian faith can also becultivated, and anxious and disturbing ideas put down. Uniform, steadyconduct on the part of all around is an enormous help to the nervous. For physical remedies, use no alcoholic drinks. These give temporaryrelief, but are fatal in their after effects. To cure nervousness isimpossible unless these are given up. The physical treatment necessarywill be found under Nerves, Shaken, and Nerves, Troubled. 

Nervous Prostration. --Persons suffering from nervous prostration haveprobably allowed the urgency of seeming duty to drive them on in worktill the vital energies have been fairly exhausted. At last they arecompletely broken down, and the very fountains of life are dried up. The brain itself has become incapable of giving sleep, or soundthought. But there is no need for despondency: this trouble isperfectly curable, only the right means must be employed. 

In every case of real "nervous prostration, " our question must be--Howshall we enable this vital element to recreate itself? The answer is, with heat. Here we may detail the process which we know to besuccessful. Dip a four-ply cotton cloth in cayenne lotion, and lightlywring out. Lay this gently over the stomach and bowels, and over thisan india-rubber bag full of hot water. All must be only hot enough tobe comfortable. This application may remain on for two hours withoutany change, then it is repeated. Where no bag can be had, a good thickfomentation should be used instead. _See_ Nerves, Shaken; Nerves, Troubled, and all articles on nervous trouble. 

Much depends on consideration of the individual case, and carefulthought and strong sense are needed on the part of all dealing withsuch cases. (_See_ Changing Treatment. )

Dessertspoonfuls of light food should be given every half-hour, andincreased in quantity as the patient can bear it. Avoid alcohol and allnarcotics. 

Nettle Rash. --This is an eruption on the skin, often coming suddenlyand going off again, but sometimes of long standing. It resembles inappearance the sting of a nettle--hence the name. It is accompanied byan intolerable itching, and is a very sore trouble where it continues, or frequently recurs. Its cause is usually defective digestion. Weshould not depend on drugs for a cure, but treat first the whole spinalsystem. Rub the whole back smartly with vinegar. Wipe this off, and rubagain with gentle pressure and warm olive oil. Put on the soapy cloth(_see_ Soap) with the lather very finely wrought (_see_ Lather), andfree from excess of moisture. Over this lathered cloth put a goodblanket Fomentation (_see_), changing it once or twice, so as to keepup the heat for half-an-hour. When all this is taken off, we should rubagain with vinegar and oil, as at first. If the case is a suddenattack, we may soak the worst parts of the eruption with weak vinegar;but if a chronic one, the rash is better left untouched. The treatmentto the spine may be continued daily. If the rash has been irritatedinto running, scabby scores by scratching, it may be cleaned with weakvinegar. A little cream of tartar or powdered rhubarb and carbonate ofsoda mixed in equal parts may be taken internally after meals--sayabout one-fourth of a teaspoonful in a little water. If this quantityexercise too great a cooling effect, smaller doses will produce verygood results. Kneipp Linen Underwear will in many cases of such skintrouble give great relief. 

Neuralgia. --This is severe pain in one part or other of the body, sometimes followed by swelling of the painful part, but frequentlywithout much sign of anything wrong at that point. It is, as the nameimplies, a trouble affecting the _nerves_ which are connected with thepainful part, and usually there is nothing whatever wrong where thepain is felt. Where, however, violent pain in the head or jaws resultsfrom chill, there is an altogether different trouble, though it isoften called by the same name. 

We have seen a man who had been in agony all night with pain all overhis head. We took a large piece of flannel, about the size of a smallblanket, rolled it up so as to get about a quart of boiling waterpoured into the heart of the roll. We kneaded the whole for a littletime, to have the heat and moisture well diffused through the flannel. We now placed a large towel fourfold on the pillow under the patient'shead, so that it could be brought as a good covering over the hotblanket when that was on. We opened up the blanket steaming hot andlaid the head in the heart of it, bringing it carefully up all round, then brought the large towel over all, and tucked him tidily in aboutthe shoulders. In less than two minutes he exclaimed, "I'm inParadise!" The pain was all gone, and in its place was a positivesensation of delight. There was nothing here but a chilled skull todeal with, and as soon as it felt the heat and relaxed, the man wasperfectly relieved. Then came the question as to how what had been gotwas to be secured, so that he might continue well. After he lay aboutthree-quarters of an hour in this hot fomentation of the head, we tookit off, and rubbed gently some warm olive oil into the roots of thehair, and all around the head and neck. We then gave all a good dryrubbing with a hard towel, and covered up his head carefully, and keptit covered for a day or two. He required no more treatment of any kind. 

But when this treatment increases the pain, or fails altogether toremove it, we have a trouble which calls for the _very oppositetreatment_. Then we have true neuralgia, which may be in any part ofthe body, and which is relieved by cooling the roots of the nerveswhich supply that part. For the face and jaws, cold must be applied tothe back of the head, neck, or brain generally. For pains in arms, coldis to be applied to the upper, and for pain in legs to the lower partof the spine; for pain in the body, cool the whole length of the spine. The cooling is done by cloths moistened in cold water and well wrungout, pressed on gently over the part, and renewed as they grow warm. Ifthe patient feels chilly, foment or bathe the feet and legs up to theknees during the process of cooling. This may require to be done for anhour. Finish by rubbing the parts cooled with hot vinegar and oliveoil, and wiping off. 

Even young people are exposed to a great deal of suffering from thissource, and we feel sure that every one of these may be at oncerelieved and cured by the vigorous use of the cold compress. When thepatient is warm in bed, the cold compress is one of the most delightfulof applications; and the warm olive oil, to keep what has been got, make up a real blessing for the sufferer. 

We have seen cases in which the cold compress has been applied up anddown the spine, but not with that full effect which could be desired. Somehow it has not power enough in the hands applying it to reach theroots of the evil. The want in such a case is generally of a personsufficiently skilful in the use of the cold towel. There is a way ofpressing it gently over all the parts under which the affected nerveslie, which secures the cooling of those roots very effectually. Butsuch skill is not always at hand when needed. Well, mustard is spreadover the surface of the cold towel, and the compress, thus increased inpower, is placed all along the centre of the back. We find that verysoon the pain begins to moderate, and ere long it has ceased. If it hasto be applied more than once, cayenne is greatly to be preferred. Thepepper does not hurt the skin, the mustard very soon does. A cold damptowel, folded at least four-ply, and placed properly, after beingsprinkled well with cayenne, has an excellent effect. 

In wild toothache, or bad nerve pain in the head, massage all over thehead for a considerable time will often cure. We know cases in whichagonising pain was thus removed years ago, and it has never returned. There was first rubbing, in a gentle soothing way, over the whole head. At a certain point, that began to lose its soothing influence. The coldtowel was then wrapped round the head, and gently pressed. As soon asit warmed it was changed. This was done for perhaps three or fourminutes, and the rubbing repeated. The whole was kept up for about anhour. All pain and uneasiness were then gone, and there was no returnof either. 

It will be seen that it is essential properly to distinguish betweenthe pain requiring heat and that requiring cold for treatment. In anycase it is safe first to try the heat. Failing relief with this, thecold may be tried. Sometimes the cooling of the head and spine succeedsin driving off several attacks, but eventually fails to relieve. If insuch a case the cold is applied over the stomach, there is frequentlyalmost instant relief. Where the attacks can be traced to indigestion, or come on always a certain time after a meal, this is the propermethod from the first. Where a decayed tooth is the cause of pain, ofcourse go to the dentist. 

Night Coughs. --These frequently remain as the so-called dregs of someillness, and are found very persistent. They are also frequently veryalarming, as they are thought to indicate some trouble in the lungs, and as immediate steps should be taken to check this, it is well toconsult a good doctor. But, though coughing at night does of courseaccompany lung disease, it is by no means a chief symptom. Also, it isevident that the treatment applicable to bronchitis and other chestinflammations will often fail to relieve a night cough, because thenight cough in question is due to nervous irritation or indigestion. Narcotics are useless and hurtful. Great relief is frequently foundfrom inhaling the smoke of burning nitre or saltpetre. Blotting papermay be soaked in a solution of saltpetre, dried and lighted. Place theburning substance near enough the patient for him to inhale the smoke, but not so near as to interfere with _easy_ breathing, especially incases where there is great weakness. 

When patients are fairly strong the back should be rubbed with warmolive oil for ten minutes or so in the morning before getting out ofbed. Then apply a cold towel, well wrung out, folded lengthwise alongthe spine, and over it a dry one. Let the patient lie on this, andrenew it when heated, continuing altogether for fifteen minutes or so. Give another fifteen minutes' rubbing with the hot oil before dressing. If the patient feels chilly during the cooling, foment the feet andlegs at the same time. 

Nightmare. --In serious cases of this trouble, the patient awakes sometime before he gains any power whatever to move, feeling held as in avice. But in common instances, the attack is entirely during sleep, andaccompanied by frightful dreams. A heavily-loaded stomach, pressing onthe solar plexus of the nerves, is a very common cause. The burdenednerves partially cease action, and this gives rise to the trouble. Anything similarly affecting these organic nerves will cause it also;but if the stomach be at fault, reduce the food and let the last mealbe light and not later than six o'clock. This followed by a cup of hotwater, before going to bed, will work a perfect cure. When it is fearedthere may be an attack, _lying on the face_ in bed will often preventit, even if the patient so lies for a very short time, and then turnson the side again. 

When students, or school children, are over-driven (_see_ Children, various articles), nightmare, very persistent, is one of the symptoms. In such cases, there is _urgent need_ of rest, or most seriousconsequences may follow. Treat as recommended in Depression, and if anynervous troubles show themselves, treat as in various articles on nerveaffections. Bad dreams, especially with children, are a sure sign ofsomething wrong with the health, and should always lead toinvestigation, that their cause may be found and removed. 

Night Pains. --If these are of the nature of _cramps_, which come onwhile lying in bed, the treatment is similar to that given above asmorning treatment for Night Coughs, only the cooling must be continuedfor three-quarters of an hour or longer, fomenting the legs if anychilliness is felt. Cold towels may also be wrung out before going tobed, and put within reach. These may be applied when the cramps comeon. They will usually relieve speedily. 

Spasmodic asthma may be relieved by the same treatment. It often comeson when lying down, and cold towels applied as above directed willgenerally relieve. Fomentations must be given to the feet and legs, ifany feeling of chill is felt. 

Where there is _difficulty in breathing_ on lying down, usually theheart is at fault. Sometimes the heart is all right, and this hardbreathing is nervous, caused by too sudden lying down. To lie down, propped up with pillows, which may be removed one by one, is oftensufficient to cure it. The treatment in the morning as in Night Coughswill also greatly help. 

Another set of night troubles are such as arise from unwise use offoods or drinks before going to bed. Tea taken at or near bedtime willoften cause sleeplessness, and will be apt also to give spasmodicasthma; so will all indigestible foods. These overpower weary organsthat need rest and sleep, and not food. Most people will do well totake their last meal four hours before retiring. Taking supper is ahabit, and in many cases a very bad one. 

Night Sweats. --This distressing symptom, which accompanies variousillnesses, can in most cases be easily cured. The whole skin is to besponged over at bedtime with CAYENNE LOTION (_see_). This is best doneunder the bed-clothes. Acetic acid, the effective essence in vinegar, has an astonishing power in healing and stimulating the skin. When itis assisted by cayenne its healing power is very great indeed. Thenerves are stimulated, the too open pores closed, the skin cleansed, and the whole system invigorated by such a mixture, and as a result thenight sweats disappear. Even where the case is hopeless, much sufferingmay be prevented by the use of this mixture. In conjunction with othertreatment, its use may even turn the scale towards recovery. 

Noise and Disease. --Perhaps nothing shows more the lack of humanfeeling in many people than the manner in which they inflict soredistress on the sick and dying by means of noise. Moreover, recovery isretarded, and has sometimes been wholly prevented, by nothing but a_noise_. It must be understood that talking, and also singing, whichare delightful to some, become intolerable pain to the delicate andweak. They really are _worn out_ by them. And the wearing out is_real_: it is a destruction of nerve substance, when the nerve of thepatient is already too feeble. Shutting doors violently, and theendless "house noises, " must be avoided. Even a long, loud prayer atthe bedside of the sick is utterly out of place. It may becomenecessary, in order to prevent such abuses, to exclude from thesick-room some who will be greatly offended thereby; but courage todefend a patient against well-meaning intruders is one essentialqualification of a good nurse. Oil doors that _squeak_, fasten windowsthat _rattle_, but above all keep quiet the tongues that _clatter_. Letall whispering in the sick one's hearing be avoided. Speak quietly butdistinctly, so that the patient may not think you are hiding anythingfrom him. Wrap the coals in pieces of paper, so that they can be put onthe fire by hand, avoiding the noise of shovel or tongs. 

No one has a right to do what distresses others, and especially whenthey are sick. This principle should guide action. Acting thus willgive untold rest and ease to the troubled. 

Nostrils, The. --The disease called Polypus, affecting the mouth ornostril with growths which are usually removed by force, is one ofthose troubles curable by proper use of vinegar or weak acetic acid. The extraction of the Polypi is painful, and we have ourselves seenthem so completely cured, that it is a pity not to make very widelyknown a method of avoiding extraction. A small glass syringe or a"nasal douche" (rubber is best) should be got, such as may easily beused for syringing the nostrils, or gums, if the growth be on these. Syringe the growths well with vinegar or ACETIC ACID (_see_), sodiluted with water as only _very slightly_ to smart when it is applied. Use this slightly warm, and force it well up the nostril, so that itgoes even back into the throat. This should be done for a considerabletime: not so as to feel painful, but long enough to produce a decidedeffect, which remains on ceasing. Dry the nostrils with a little softlint or clean rag, and force in a little fine almond oil. Do all thistwice a day for a fortnight at least. In a bad case, a BRAN POULTICE(_see_) may be applied to the back of the head and neck, coming downover the spine between the shoulders. 

Similar growths on other membranes, if accessible, may be cured by acidin a similar way. 

This treatment is excellent for an ordinary cold in the head. 

Nourishment. --Nothing is more required in healing than properly to_nourish_ the enfeebled body. In its commencement proper nourishmentdemands a proper mixture of food and saliva. In fever, if there belittle or no saliva present, food requiring much saliva to fit it fordigestion only injures. This is the case with so-called _rich_ foods, especially. Excessive thirst usually marks this deficiency of saliva. Always consider carefully the flow of saliva before feeding a patientin a weak state. Get the mouth to "water" somewhat before giving food. We have seen a cold cloth changed several times over the stomach startthe flow of saliva almost miraculously, relieving the thirst, andprepare for nourishment which could not be taken before. 

Going further into the matter, we see that very likely the stomachrequires assistance to dispose of even well-salivated food. There maybe a lack of gastric juice. In this case, frequent and small quantitiesof hot water supplied to the stomach will greatly help it. Awineglassful of hot water taken every ten minutes for two, four, or tenhours will be sufficient (_see_ Digestion; Indigestion). It is well tothink ten times of the readiness of the system to digest, for once ofthe food to be taken. If the stomach be either burning hot or cold andchilly, let it be cooled or warmed, as the case may be. Either use coldtowels or give hot water as above, as the case demands. When it isbrought into something like a natural state of feeling, you may thengive food. The hot water will often not only prepare the stomach, butwill start the flow of saliva in the mouth, and that even when thecooling cloth has failed to do so. 

A medical man will, at times, forbid water, however thirsty the patientmay be. He is not unlikely to be labouring under a serious mistake. Itmay be just the want of water which is causing the very symptoms whichhe thinks to cure by withholding it. We never saw anything butsuffering arise from withholding water from the thirsty. 

Milk is a prime element in nourishing the weak. Mixed with its own bulkof boiling water, or even with twice as much, it is immensely more easyto digest. The simple water is of vast importance, and the milk mixedwith boiling water is quite a different substance for digestion fromthe fresh pure milk. It is better to have a teaspoonful of milk andwater really digested than a pint of rich milk overloading the stomach. 

Many persons put lime-water into the milk to make it digestible. Indoing so they put a difficulty in the way, in the shape of the lime. Ifone tries to wash his hands in "hard" water, he sees how unfit thatwater is to do the proper work of water in the blood and tissues of thebody. Now, it is not difficult to meet this evil where the only waterto be had has a great deal of lime in solution. Boiling this watermakes it deposit much of its lime. If a very, very small bit of soda ismixed with it in the boiling, it lets down its lime more quickly andcompletely. 

Alcoholic drinks--wine, porter, or ale--are often given as means ofnourishment. They are hurtful in the extreme, as the spirit containedin them spoils, so far as it acts, both the saliva and the gastricjuice. Rum and milk, sack whey, and other such preparations are equallybad, and have killed many a patient. 

While suitable nourishment is necessary for the sick, great care shouldbe taken to avoid giving too much. Often the amount of food the patientrequires or can assimilate is _exceedingly small_. Injudicious attemptsto "keep up the strength" by forcing down food that cannot be digestedoften destroy the little that remains, and remove the only hope ofcure. (_See_ also Assimilation; Biscuits and Water; Blood; Bread;Buttermilk; Child-Bearing; Constipation; Diet; Drinks; Dyspepsia;Foods; Heartburn; Infants' Food. )

Nourishment, Cold in. --If a person is in fever, and is burning withinternal heat, a little bit of ice, sucked in the mouth, gives greatrelief. The relief is got in this way: the melted ice, in the form ofwater, is little in bulk in proportion to the heat which is absorbed inmelting it. To absorb the same heat by means of merely cold water, would imply a great amount of water, and an inconvenient filling of thestomach. The heat used up in melting the small bit of ice is great, andthe amount of water exceedingly small. This gives benefit withoutinconvenience; hence, to suck a bit of ice is to be much preferred insuch a case to taking a drink of cold water. 

Within proper limits, beyond all question, cold is, in certain cases, essential to nourishment. For example, in a case of thirst such as wehave noticed, the heat of the stomach extending to the mouth is dryingup all the juices that should go to secure digestion and assimilation. The saliva is dried up, and the gastric juice equally so. Cold isapplied to the pit of the stomach (not ice, but a moderate degree ofrepeated cold), and the result is, these juices begin to flow. Nourishment is the consequence, and very clearly, in such a case, it isthe consequence of cold. In other words, it is the result of reducingthe excessive internal heat, and leaving something like the properdegree behind. 

The place which cold has in nourishing is, so to speak, negative--thatis, it is useful only in reducing overheating. But when we remember howa frosty morning sharpens appetites and makes the cheeks glow withruddy health, we see that such reduction of overheat is notinfrequently required. 

Nourishment, Heat in. --Heat is absorbed in building up the bodilytissues, and given off when they are disintegrated. To rightlyunderstand this is of great importance in all treatment. When a livingsubstance is growing, it demands heat. An illustration of this is thesun's heat causing what we call "growing weather. " Again, wheresubstances are breaking up, as in burning wood, heat is given out. Inthe stomach, a certain amount of heat is needed during digestion. If itis not given, indigestion ensues. To swallow ice, where the stomach hasalready insufficient heat, is then great folly. On the other hand, totake hot water is to do the very thing which gives the stomach what itneeds, and so to relieve the indigestion. Many times, when the stomachsimply stands still from lack of energy, it will move immediately ongetting a glass of hot water to help it. Similarly, a little genialheat assists other failing organs. As we have shown how cold diminishesthe excessive action of inflammation and fever, so we now point outthat if you can find out what organs are feeble and actinginsufficiently, and stimulate them with gentle heat, you are on the wayto a cure. 

Nursing Over. --Few vital processes are more remarkable than that bywhich food fitted for adults becomes in the mother's breast food fitfor the little infant. In nursing it is well to remember that all foodis not equally fit to be so changed. Well-boiled porridge, of eitheroat or wheaten meal, is probably as good as can be got. Malt liquor, though causing a large flow of milk, most seriously deteriorates itsquality, and should be entirely avoided. But in this article we thinkchiefly of the mother, and of the necessary drain of blood and vitalforce which she bears in nursing. In most cases this drain is easilyborne, in others the child is fed at the mother's expense. The supplyof power, in such cases, is not equal to the loss of it in feeding thechild, and the reserve in the mother's body is slowly used up. Shebecomes thin and pale, and her nervous system begins to suffer. Whenthis is the case, either means must be used to increase her vitalpower, or nursing must at once be given up. Of course, where she mayhave had insufficient or unsuitable food, a change of diet may work acure; but, as a rule, the drain of nursing will have to be stopped. Tohelp her restoration, whether she ceases to nurse or not, use thefollowing mixture and treatment: Boil a stick of best liquorice forhalf-an-hour in a quart of good soft water. Add one quarter of an ounceof camomile flowers, and boil for another half-hour. Keep the water upto the quantity by adding _boiling_ water as required. Strain themixture, and give a dessertspoonful thrice a day before meals. If thedessertspoonful be found too much, a teaspoonful may be taken. Thepatient, if any heart trouble is felt, should go to bed early, and havethe feet and legs fomented, and cold cloths pressed over the heart. This may be done for three or four nights. After this, each night for afortnight the back should be well washed with SOAP (_see_) and hotwater, and rubbed with vinegar and hot olive oil. Let each be dried offbefore the other is applied. 

Oil, Olive. --A little oil only should be applied to the skin at once. Any such _smearing_ as dirties the clothes or bedclothes is quiteunnecessary. 

Since the first edition of these papers was published, the use of oilin the "massage" treatment has become so widely known that methods ofrubbing are better understood, and its results more appreciated. Henceit is now easier to procure pure oil, and our readers should be able toget it cheaply at any first-class grocer's. 

Opium. --_See_ Narcotics. 

Oranges. --Some things regarding this useful fruit require to be notedby those using them in sickness. To eat the whole substance of anorange except the outer rind is to give the digestive system some hardwork. We have known most serious stomach disturbance caused to thehealthy by doing so. Some parts of the inner rind and partitions of thefruit act almost like poison. These should always be rejected. Thejuice is most beneficial. It is best given to patients by squeezing theorange into a glass, and _straining_ it through muslin into anotherglass. Add its own bulk of water and a teaspoonful of sugar, if liked. This may be taken warm or cold, and will do where even milk and watercannot be taken. (_See_ Drinks). 

"Outstrikes. "--These appear on the skin from various causes. In thecase of infants, they often appear on the head and face duringteething. 

An experienced medical man is cautious in the extreme of quicklyhealing the distressed skin. He is afraid of "driving in" the eruptionon the brain. Perhaps he refuses to do anything whatever to heal thehead. From what we have seen, however, even in the worst cases, whenhead and face and neck were one great sore, we feel assured that thereis no need why this distress should be continued at all. It may be, atleast in many cases, safely and not very slowly healed. 

The _whole_ skin of the infant must be brought into vigorous andhealthy action. The head at first need not be touched; but the entireskin not affected should be sponged with warm vinegar, and then dried, rubbed with warm olive oil, and this wiped off carefully and gently, sofar as it does not adhere to the skin under the soft dry towel. Quiteenough remains to do all the good required; and if more is left on, achilliness and nastiness are felt, which prejudice many against the useof it altogether. 

It is well, in many cases, not to touch the child with _water_ or_soap_. The vinegar and oil cleanse the skin and do all that isrequired. Then vinegar very much diluted should be used warm to applywith a soft rag to the sores. Take a teaspoonful of vinegar in abreakfastcupful of warm water. If this causes the child to cry whenapplied, then dilute still further. Vinegar weak enough to cause hardlyany feeling when it touches the sore, will _heal_; stronger vinegarwill _injure_. 

We have known a nurse try to heal an outstricken face by means of goodvinegar at its full strength. She was instructed to use the vinegarvery much diluted, but fancied it would heal faster if much stronger. She might just as well have fancied that it is better to put one's coldhands into the fire than to hold them at some distance when wishing towarm them. The child's face was made greatly worse, of course, and thecure abandoned. It is therefore necessary to urge that a strength ofacid which secures only the most gentle sensation of smarting isessential to cure. The weak vinegar is first applied to the outer andless fiery parts of the outstrike. Try to heal from this inwards, bygradual advances from day to day. On the less affected parts the weakacid may be applied twice a day; on the sorer parts only when itchingis so distressing as to demand it. 

We have seen a child whose head, face, and neck were one distressingsore; we have taken the cloth with the diluted vinegar and daubed asquare inch or so of the skin on which the fiery eruption was so full, and in less than two minutes we have seen the colour change into ahealthy pink, and remain that colour when the olive oil was applied. The child's sores yielded gradually, till the whole illness wasremoved. 

Sometimes such eruptions, in adults as well as children, arise fromsuppressed perspiration, or from the perspiration being of an acrid andirritating nature. It is sometimes apparently the result of the rubbingoff of a little of the skin, or it comes on without any known accident. For a time it seems scarcely worth noticing, and is consequentlyneglected; but gradually it spreads on the surface and givesuneasiness, especially after the patient has been some time in bed. Itgoes on till a large portion of the skin from the knee to the ankle isreddened and roughened with a moist eruption. Now remedies of variouskinds are tried, but the evil gets worse and worse. The person affectedis often a struggling mother or widow, who has to keep on her feet allday in anxious toil, and neither gets very good food during the day norproper rest during the night. Month after month goes past, and norelief comes. The positive agony which such persons suffer isincredible to those who have not experienced anything of the kind. 

Here the great difficulty often is to get the patient the very chiefcondition for cure--that is, perfect rest for the affected limb. Ifthis can in any way be secured, all else is comparatively plainsailing. But this is sometimes impossible: the children may not be in aposition to be left, or the little business cannot be allowed to die, as it would in a month's time if not attended to, or some otherhindrance is in the way. We must just do the best in the circumstances. We shall say that we are compelled to do without the rest, probablyalso without certain other things. Rest is very desirable, and so is agentle rubbing all over the body, first with warm vinegar and then witholive oil, but there is perhaps no one capable of doing such a thingwhose services can be secured. It is easy to "order" very usefulprocesses, but among many who would not be exactly called "poor people"it is not easy to have the "order" carried out. We must often dowithout this double rubbing, and yet cure the diseased skin of theafflicted limb. Let the reader remember that it is no matter of choicethat we dispense with the rest and the rubbing. If they are possible, by all means let them be taken advantage of to the utmost. 

For treatment, unless distinct running sores are formed, bathe the limbwith warm water and M'Clinton's Soap, which will remove all crusts, scabs, &c. Then apply zinc ointment. Do not bathe or poultice after thefirst time. All secretion can be removed by a piece of cotton wooldipped in warm olive oil. If deep running sores have formed, then wemust have a water-tight box of rough deal in which the whole leg up tothe knee can be bathed for an hour in hot water. We see no reason whyit should cost much over a shilling to get this, and it would be a sorewant if it could not be procured. It is so made that the leg and footcan rest easily in it while it is nearly full of hot water. It need notbe wider than just to hold the limb easily. Some good-hearted joinerwill put five small boards together so as to meet this want. We shallsuppose that it is supplied. Now for a few cloths, such as will coverthe diseased parts, about three-ply all round. Then for vinegar oracetic acid, so diluted with water that it will just cause a slightsmarting when heated and touching the affected skin. It must not be sostrong as to cause burning, nor so weak as to give no sense of itspresence at all, but between these extremes. It can be tried when tooweak, and vinegar or other acetic acid added till a gentle smarting isfelt. The cloths are dipped in the diluted and heated vinegar, allowedto drip till no more falls off, and then laid tenderly all round thesore. A strip of dry cloth may then be wound round so as to keep theseon, and the leg thus dressed placed in the bath. It should be keptthere, with now and again a gentle movement, and the strong comfortableheat of the water kept up for an hour, unless the patient should feelsickness before that time. If this comes on, the water is too hot; but, instead of merely cooling it, the bath may cease for the time, andwater not so hot may be tried on a second occasion. Whether the hourhas been reached or not, good has been done. The leg is taken out ofthe hot water and gently dried--not rubbed, but dried without rubbing. Then as much cloth as will go twice round all is dipped in warm oliveoil, and this is pressed out a little, so that it may not run. Theoiled cloth is wrapped all round the limb. Some dry cloth is alsowrapped round, and the first treatment is completed. This should berepeated every night before going to bed, for a week at least. It maybe required for a fortnight if the case is bad and no rest at all canbe had during the day. We should say the cure may fail for want of thisrest, but this is not likely. In the morning as soon as convenient, thediseased skin should be soaked with a warm vinegar cloth, so that itshall smart just a little. It should then be dressed again with thewarm olive oil. If at any time during the day or night it getsirritated and troublesome, this morning dressing may be repeated. Itwill not be very long before the one leg is as good as the other. Thegeneral health, too, of the patient will be sensibly improved. 

It is scarcely necessary to point out that a similar treatment to thiswill cure "outstrikings" of the same sort in the arms and other partsof the body, as well as upon the legs. There is required only some suchmodification of the appliances as may meet the particular case. Forexample, we have seen the outstriking between the shoulders, so that itcould not be reached by bathing, unless by appliances utterly out ofthe question in the circumstances. But dressing with hot vinegarcloths, allowing these to remain on for twenty minutes or so, and thendressing with warm olive oil, allowing this to remain for two or threehours, is quite possible to any one who is so affected; and this willusually be sufficient for a cure. 

You have, perhaps, been cured temporarily more than once with arsenic, and the evil has returned worse and worse. In that case you may requireall the more patience and the longer application of the abovetreatment; but, once cured in this way, you will not, so far as a goodlong experience enables us to judge, be likely to have any relapse. Invery bad cases we have seen poultices of mashed potatoes made withbuttermilk cleanse the diseased parts most effectually, and then theacid takes healing effect very speedily. In these cases ordinarymedical treatment had utterly and hopelessly failed. 

Pain, Severe, in Limbs. --This is often not due to any trouble in thejoint itself, but to some disorder in the large nerves which have theirroots in the lower part of the back. In the case of severe pains in theback of the leg, ankle, or knee, when a chill to the large limb nerveshas been the cause, and has raised inflammation, the patient should beput warm in bed. Take two large towels, thoroughly wrung out of coldwater. Fold one six or eight ply thick. Gently press this, avoidingcold shock to the patient, over the lower part of the back. When thistowel gets hot, spread it out to cool, and apply the other. Continuethis with each towel alternately, and when finished, or after an hour, rub the skin with warm olive oil and cover up with new flannel. Similarcold applications to the _upper_ part of the spine will cure such painsin the wrists. If the cold application intensifies or fails to relievethe pain, it is well to try the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_). 

Sometimes light pressure in the form of squeezing the muscles of thelower back is very useful. A very gentle pressure on the right parts ismost pleasant to the sufferer. At first it simply relieves in somedegree the weary feeling of the limbs. When it is at all well done, itsoon raises a gentle heat, which slowly passes down the limbs, even tothe very toes. This is just life itself communicated to the limb. Butwe must not confine our treatment to the spinal cord. The squeezing, orgentle pressure, must be carried down the limb; and when new life hasbeen infused so far, it will be well to apply the pressure between thehands to the swollen and painful part. _See_ Massage. 

Palpitation. --Ordinarily we are not aware of the beating of the heart, enormous as is the work it does; but in certain cases this beatingbecomes distressingly violent, especially on lying down flat or inascending hills or stairs. The latter cases are the more serious, yetboth kinds we have found quite curable. In treatment, fomentation mustbe avoided, and so must doses of the nerve-damaging drug, digitalis. The best way is to _cool the heart_, and thus relieve its superabundantaction. But care must be taken that _cold be not applied to a feebleheart_, but only where action is evidently superabundant. It is usuallyeasy to distinguish the two kinds of palpitation. The cooling can bedone by pressing towels wrung out of cold water all over the heartregion of the left side. Then rub the part so cooled with olive oil, dry off, and let the patient rest. This may be done in the morningbefore rising. In cases where the heart is feeble, the followingtreatment should be carried out instead of the cold towels:--Begin atbedtime with a cloth covered with creamy soap lather, and placed quitewarm all over the body of the patient. It should be fastened on withthe body of a dress, or thin vest, so that it may be kept close to theskin during the night. In the morning the back should be gently washedwith hot vinegar, dried, and gently rubbed with warm olive oil. Inthose cases where the palpitation is only part of a generalnervousness, which causes great distress and sleeplessness at night, the back should be lathered all over with soap (_see_ Lather and Soap)at bedtime, and the cloth with lather left on all night. In themorning, dry off, rub gently with hot vinegar, and then with hot oliveoil. If the palpitation resists this treatment, then cold towels shouldbe gently pressed to the _spine_, until the whole system is quieted. The back should then be rubbed with warm olive oil. So far as thisrestless action is concerned, this is all that is required for completecure. We are writing thus in view of cases declared hopeless, but thepatients are now in perfect health. We remember one at this moment inwhich the heart's action was so bad that the head could not be raisedfrom the pillow, but the person was in a few weeks as well as any onecould wish to be. 

No one who has not seen how readily the surplus vital action passes outof the system when simple cold is rightly applied, can imagine howeasily such cases are cured. It seems to us absurd to speak of "heartdisease" in many of the cases in which people talk of it and set thecase down as hopeless. It is absurd, simply because it is not heartdisease, but only a little more action than is comfortable, and whichis reduced in a few minutes by a cold towel. No doubt care andwillingness to work a little are required, if one would relieve asufferer in such a case as this, but that care and energy are sure tohave the best of all rewards. 

Palpitation often arises from indigestion, in which case _see_Indigestion. 

Palsy. --_See_ Paralysis. 

Paralysis. --This serious trouble in slighter forms affects one side ofthe face, or even one eye only. More serious attacks involve the arm, and even an entire half of the body. It may come suddenly, or may creepslowly over the frame. In very old persons the case is usuallyhopeless, as life itself is fading. In earlier life, and in lessserious cases, a cure is to be expected from proper treatment. Cupping, blistering, or opiates must be avoided, as all tending to reduce vitalenergy. Treatment must aim at increasing this, not reducing it. Takefirst the case of paralysis slightly affecting the face. When thepatient is warm in bed, place a BRAN POULTICE (_see_) not too hot, onthe back of the head and neck. Let the patient lie on it, first rubbingthe neck and back of head with olive oil. Do this for an hour each day. At another time wash the back of head and neck with SOAP (_see_) andwater, then with vinegar, and finally rub with hot olive oil. Keep theparts warm with good flannel always. 

If the whole side be affected, foment strongly the whole spine, andtreat it in a similar way to the back of the head, as prescribed above. We have known cases of comparatively speedy cure by this simple means. The heat simply vitalises the partially dead nerves. For paralysis ofthe lower limbs, the treatment is applied to the lower part of thespine principally, but also to the whole spinal system. There is nofear of injuring the patient in this treatment, and we know of manycases of most delightful cure secured by it. What is called theARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_) is an excellent method of dealing withparalysis of the lower limbs or any part of them, and may be resortedto if the above treatment fails. Care must be taken in any case toavoid a chill after fomenting, which might make matters worse than atfirst. 

Perspiration. --By this term we mean not only the sensible perspirationwhich is felt as a distinct wetness on the skin during exertion orheat, or in some illnesses, but also, and chiefly, the constantinsensible perspiration. This latter is far more important than theformer. No one could live many hours without it, for by its meansseveral pounds weight of waste is got rid of every day. Its importancewe saw lately in the case of a child greatly swollen in dropsy. Aflannel BANDAGE (_see_) wrung out of warm water, placed round the body, reduced this swelling completely, without any _sensible_ sign ofexcretion. A very gentle treatment, increasing this insensiblesweating, will often cure without weakening, where violent perspiringmedicines or treatment cause great weakness. A damp flannel bandageplaced round the lower half of the body all night for a few nights willproduce a remarkable increase of insensible perspiration, and in manycase forms a good substitute for sweating drugs. Along with this thesoapy lather may be used at bedtime all over the skin (_see_ Lather andSoap). We have seen a swelling of the hand, which made a medical mantalk of amputation, cured by these means. Acetic acid, or white-winevinegar, rubbed over the skin, produces a similar increase ofinsensible perspiration, and may be used without fear of injury. Thisdone once a week will go far to reduce sensitiveness to cold. Indeed, the use of M'Clinton's soap and water, along with good acetic acidsponging once a week, will prevent many serious ills by securing aconstant gentle excretion of hurtful waste through the stimulated skin. 

Piles. --This very common trouble is caused by one or more of the veinsin the lower bowel losing their elasticity, so as to protrude more orless from the anus, especially when the stress of a motion of thebowels forces them out. When no blood proceeds from this swollen vein, it is sometimes called a _blind_ pile. If blood comes, it is called a_bleeding_ one. 

There are few illnesses more prevalent than this, few that seem to beless rationally dealt with, and yet few that are more easily cured. 

It is distressing to think of what some poor people have to suffer fromthis disease, while they are still compelled to go on working, and evenwalking, in the most depressing sufferings. It is still moredistressing to think of the painful operations which some have toundergo in having the relaxed portions of these veins cut out. Evenwhen the piles have got to a very advanced stage it is not difficult tocure. It will generally be found that there is Constipation (_see_), sofirst of all, the bowels must be regulated. This may be done by meansof liquorice and senna mixture, and strict attention to diet andexercise. Then the nerve action in the lower back is to be stimulatedby applying to the back below the waist a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_). Rub the back after this with hot vinegar, dry, rub with olive oil, andwipe off the oil gently. Do this at bedtime. Into the bowels may beinjected (with the fountain enema) first one or two injections of warmwater; then an injection of warm water and white-wine vinegar. Beparticular to have this mixture not too strong. A trial may be madewith one tablespoonful of vinegar to a pint of water. If any pain iscaused, inject simple lukewarm water and use the vinegar and water nexttime weaker. A very weak mixture has a wonderfully healing effect. After one pint of this mixture has been injected, an injection of coolwater (but not cold) should follow. The vinegar should be so weak thatit will cause no pain, properly speaking, --only just the slightestsensation of smarting. It will be possible to use the water colder andthe vinegar stronger as you get on with the cure, but in both, your ownfeelings and good sense will guide you. This direction will suit othercases of internal syringing, in which membranes have got relaxed, andneed to be braced with cold and weak acid. In all such troubles itshould be remembered that the warm or tepid water is used at first onlybecause the cold might be felt uncomfortable till the surfaces areprepared for it. It is the cold that does the good. After this, protruding piles may be gently manipulated by the fingers and pushedback into their place. During this the patient must press outwards, asif to discharge fĉces from the bowel. The anus will then open andpermit of the piles being pressed in. The injecting treatment may begiven twice a day. If too painful, even bathing the parts with thevinegar and cold water has great healing power. 

Let the sufferer, if at all possible, have _entire rest_ for afortnight during the treatment, and lie down as much as convenient. 

In mild cases, simply bathe the piles with cold water and press themback into their places. A daily wash of the anus with SOAP (_see_) andwarm water, followed by a cold sponging, will do much to prevent piles. 

Pimples on the Face. --_See_ Face. 

Pleurisy. --The pleura is the tender double web, or membrane, whichlines the inside of the chest on the one side and covers the lung, orrather encloses the lung with its other fold. Each of the two lungs hasits pleura in which it works, and each side of the chest is lined byone side of this sensitive organ. The slender lining passes round thegreater part of one whole side of the body with one-fold, and round thewhole of the lung with the other. Let us suppose (which often takesplace) that the front of the body is defended with what is called a"chest protector, " but the sides and back are exposed to a chillingatmosphere. Part of the pleura, and that part which is farthest fromthe surface, is sheltered, but the greater part of it, and that nearestthe surface, has no such protection. In the case especially of womenthis is the state of things. It seems as if people thought that theyonly need to keep a few inches of the breast warm--that is keeping thechest all right--though the sides just under the arms, and the backunder the shoulder-blades, are of far greater importance. The throat iseven muffled, and a "respirator" worn, so that fresh air is not allowedto get inside the lungs, while the pleura is exposed to chill at theback. The consequence of this is that vital action is so abstractedfrom the pleura that the tension of its small vessels is relaxed, andblood is admitted as it is not intended it should be. 

Severe pain is felt on one or both sides, and round under theshoulder-blade. A painful cough arises, and great fever is produced. Insuch a case the treatment is on the same principle as that given inLungs, Inflammation of the, which should be read. The inflamed partmust be cooled by applying towels well wrung out of cold water roundthe side, applying a fresh one when that on the part becomes warm. Ifthe pain does not leave in half-an-hour of this treatment, or if thepatient be weak to begin with, or if any chilliness is felt, pack thefeet and legs in a large hot fomentation. The cooling of the side maythen go on safely until a curative effect is produced. We may not beable to give the theory of action of this treatment, but we know thatin many cases it has perfectly and very speedily been successful, andthat it leaves no bad results, as blistering and drugging are apt todo. We know of one case in which it took twenty-four hours' constanttreatment to effect a cure. But it did effect it. Two friends took"shifts, " and saw that all was thoroughly done. This will give an ideaof the proper way to go about the matter. 

Poisoning. --The following are the antidotes and remedies for some ofthe more common forms of poisoning. 

Alcohol. --The patient is quite helpless, and there is usually a strongsmell of alcohol. If the patient is intoxicated at the time give anemetic. If there is evident prostration from a long bout, keep himquiet and warm. Hot tea not too strong may be given. 

Alkalis (_e. G. _, ammonia, soda or potash). --Give dilute vinegar, followed by white of egg. 

Arsenic. --Emetic, followed by white of egg. Keep very warm. 

Carbolic. --Readily identified by smell of tar or carbolic. Wash mouthwell with oil. Give an emetic. 

Chloral. --Emetic; warm coffee, and even an enema of coffee. Artificialrespiration (_see_ Drowning) may be necessary if breathing gets verylow. 

Chloroform or Ether (inhaled). --Fresh air. Pull tongue forward, andbegin artificial respiration. If heart has stopped, strike chest two orthree times over region of heart. 

Chloroform or Ether (swallowed). --Emetic; enema of hot coffee; keepawake. If necessary, artificial respiration. 

Copper. --Emetic, white of egg to follow. 

Laudanum. --There is intense drowsiness and contraction of pupils ofeye. Give an emetic and plenty of strong coffee. Walk patient up anddown. On no account allow him to give way to the desire for sleep. 

Mineral Acids and Glacial Acetic. --If any neutralising agent, such, _e. G. _, as lime, chalk, soda, or calcined magnesia, is at hand, give itat once. Or give an emetic, followed by oil or milk and water. 

Mushrooms. --Emetic; castor oil and enema. 

Nicotine (tobacco). --Emetic; stimulate and keep warm; keep patientlying down. 

Oxalic Acid. --Neutralise by chalk or lime water, but not by soda or anyalkali. Give plenty of water; apply hot fomentations to loins. 

Phosphorus. --Often caused by children sucking matches. There is aburning in the throat, and often vomiting. Give an emetic. After thissome barley water or milk may be given. 

Prussic Acid. --Almost hopeless. Emetic; artificial respiration. 

Snake Bite. --Suck the wound, and apply a drop or two of strong ammoniato the bite. Ammonia may be also inhaled. Artificial respiration oftennecessary. 

Strychnine. --Emetic; keep quiet and darken the room. Chloral or bromideof potassium may be given. If spasms threaten respiration, artificialrespiration is necessary. 

Tartar Emetic or other Antimonial Poisons. --If vomiting is not present, induce it by an emetic. Give doses of strong tea. Keep very warm by hotblankets. 

Good domestic emetics are a teaspoonful of mustard in a tumblerful ofwater, or a tablespoonful of salt in the same quantity of water. 

Poisoning, Blood. --Where this arises from a more or less putrid wound, what is aimed at in the treatment is to stop the manufacture of thepoison in the wound by cleansing and healing it. This done, the othersymptoms will subside. The wound should be carefully brushed with acamel's-hair brush and vinegar or dilute ACETIC ACID (_see_). Thisshould be followed up with a poultice of boiled potatoes or turnips, beaten up with the same weak acid. Leave this on all night. Brush againwell with the acid in the morning. In the matter of diet eat what willproduce healthy blood, and by open-air exercise seek the same end. Butthe daily brushing and poulticing, or even twice daily if necessary, will work wonders on the poisoned wound. Care should be taken where anycut or wound has been made in the flesh, that it is carefully washed, and any dirt or foreign matter removed. Especially is this to beattended to if a rusty nail or penknife has inflicted the injury. 

Polypus. --_See_ Nostrils. 

Potato Poultice. --Potatoes boiled and beaten up with buttermilk, spreadout in the usual way, make this useful poultice. Weak acid or vinegarmay also be used instead of buttermilk. The potatoes should be boiledas recommended below. 

Potato, The. --The proper cooking of this root is so important forhealth, owing to its universal use, that we here give directions which, if followed out, make potatoes a dish acceptable to even a verydelicate stomach. Difficulty of digestion often arises from thepotatoes not ripening properly, especially in cold soil, and sincedisease has become so widespread. Their unripe juice is positivelypoisonous, and when they are merely boiled is not completely expelled. The potatoes should be _steeped_ in warm water for an hour before theyare boiled. The water in which they have been steeped will be greenishwith bad juice, and must be thrown away, and the roots boiled in freshwater as usual, giving a thorough _drying_ after the boiling water ispoured or strained off. So prepared, the potatoes make a verydigestible dish. 

Poultice, Bran. --_See_ Bran Poultice. 

Prostration, Nervous. --The various articles under Nerves andNervousness should be read. Here we give simply the treatment forfailure in the digestion and bowel action. This arises from failure inthe great nerve centres near the middle of the body. External treatmentmay be given as follows:--Dip a cotton cloth, four-ply thick, and largeenough to cover the stomach and bowels, into cayenne Lotion (_see_), and lightly wring it. Lay this gently over the stomach and bowels. Overthis an india-rubber bag of hot water is laid. Take care that the heatis not _too great_ or the mixture _too strong_. All must be just hotenough to be comfortable. This application may remain on for two hours, and then be repeated. The cayenne is greatly to be preferred to mustardfor many reasons. Give the most easily assimilated food possible. Ateaspoonful of gruel each half-hour, increased to a dessertspoonful, ifthe digestion will bear it, and preceded in all cases by atablespoonful of hot water. This should be continued for twenty-fourhours. Proceed very cautiously then to increase the nourishment, on thelines of Assimilation, Diet, Digestion, etc. , giving oatmeal jelly, wheaten porridge, Saltcoats biscuits, and such diet, _gradually_bringing the patient back to ordinary food. 

Pulse, Counting the. --Most valuable information as to the nature andprogress of disease is derivable from the pulse. Every one should learnto count it, and to distinguish the broad differences in the rapidityand nature of the beat. Such a distinction as that between BRONCHITISand ASTHMA (_see these articles_), which require almost directlyopposite treatment, is at once discerned from the pulse. In bronchitisit beats much too quickly, in asthma it is natural or too slow. In manycases we have seen asthma, which in cough and spit is very likebronchitis, treated as bronchitis, with bad results. These would allhave been avoided if the pulse had been intelligently counted. Countthe pulse, if at all possible, for _half-a-minute_. This multiplied bytwo will give the rate per minute, by which it is judged. If this rateper minute be above 100, there is a good deal of feverish orinflammatory action somewhere. If below 60, there is considerable lackof vital power, requiring rest and food to restore it. 

In adults the rate for males is from 70 to 75 beats per minute, and forfemales 75 to 80. In infants the healthy pulse may be at birth 130 to140 per minute, diminishing with increase of age. In the case of anychild under five and over one year, if the pulse beats, say, 108 in theminute, it is too fast. The pulse of an adult may go down as low as 60or even 50 per minute, but there is then something wrong. 

Cooling the head is always safe with high pulse and feverishness, andoften this alone will ward off disease and restore the healthycondition. If the pulse be low, fomentations to the feet should beapplied, along with cooling action elsewhere, if necessary. 

Purple Spots on Skin. --These arise first as small swellings. Theswellings fall, and leave purple patches behind, which, if the troublecontinues, become so numerous as to spoil the appearance of the skin. This especially occurs in children or young people, whose skin isexceptionally delicate. What has occurred is really much the same asthe result of a blow or pinch, leaving the skin "black and blue. " Someof the delicate vessels in the skin have given way, and dark bloodcollects on the spot. 

The treatment is to sponge all over the body and limbs with warmCAYENNE "TEA" (_see_), only strong enough to cause a slight smarting. It should never cause pain. If it does so, the tea is too strong, andshould be diluted with warm water. The soapy LATHER (_see_) may also beused, and olive oil may with advantage be rubbed on as well. Milk andboiling water should be given to the patient every two hours during theday, with a few drops of the cayenne "tea" in it. This is a truestimulant, and worth all the whiskey in the world. The object of thetreatment is to nurse the patient's strength, and stimulate the skin. An intelligent study of many articles in this book will guide thethoughtful how to act. 

Racks from Lifting. --_See_ Muscular Pains; Sprains. 

Rash, or Hives. --Infants are often troubled with large red, angry-looking spots, breaking out over the body, and causing trouble bytheir heat and itching. These are commonly known as hives. If the waterin which a child is washed be hard, it will sometimes cause the skin toinflame and become "hivey. " If the soap has much soda in it, it willalso cause this. What is called glycerine soap, and much of what issold as peculiarly desirable, is utterly unsuitable for an infant'sskin. Soda soap will cause serious outbreaks even worse than "hives, "and will often not be suspected at all, as a cause. 

Only M'Clinton's soap, which is made from the ash of plants, should beused on tender skins. 

When the "hives" are not very troublesome, they are apt to beneglected; but this should not be, as in most cases this is the timethey may be easily cured. The true element in cure is found inattention to the _skin_, as distinct from the stomach or blood. M'Clinton's soap (_see_ Soap) applied as fine creamy lather will _cure_hives, and will never, we think, fail to do so. We know of a nurseplastering an infant's body with this soap, so that it was blistered. This is a totally wrong way of working. The right way is to work thesoap and hot water as described in article Lather, and to apply itgently with the brush to the parts affected. After applying it withgentle rubbing for some time, and leaving some on the sore places, theinfant will usually be soothed to sleep. Where over-cooling is feared, with a weak child, a little olive oil is gently rubbed on with thesecond coat of lather. In any case of itchiness the above treatment isalmost certain to cure. Often the infant is suffering from too richdiet. (_See_ Children's Food. ) In such cases, thinner milk, and alittle fluid magnesia administered internally will effect a cure. 

Remedy, Finding a. --It will sometimes occur, in the case of thoseendeavouring to cure on our system of treatment, that on applying whatis thought to be the correct remedy, the trouble becomes worse. Forexample, where there are violent pains in the legs, a bran poultice isput on the lower back, and it is rubbed with oil. The pains becomeworse instead of better, and perhaps our whole system is abandoned andcondemned. Now, all that is required here is to think and try until wefind the _true_ remedy. If the pain in the legs is rheumatic, the hotpoultice is all right. If it has been cramp, what is needed is a coldcloth on the lower back, instead of heat. In the example above given, what is needed is not to abandon the treatment, but to rectify themistake, and apply cold instead of heat. In a great many forms ofillness the same principle holds good. It is safer, where there is anydoubt, to try heat first, but not in a very strong manner. If thisgentle heating makes matters worse, gentle cooling may be tried. If theheat does good, it may be continued and increased, but never beyond thepoint of comfort. If the cold does good, it also may be continued onthe same principle. What the patient feels relieving and comforting, isalmost sure to be the cure for his trouble, if persisted in. _See_Changing Treatment. 

Rest. --In every person there is a certain amount only of force which isavailable for living. Also this force, or _vitality_, is _produced_ atonly a certain definite rate. Where the rate is very low, only perfectquiet in bed for a time can bring down the expenditure far enough toenable the vital force gradually to accumulate, and a cure to beeffected. Sitting, in such cases, may be serious overwork. 

When rest is ordered, we are often met by the reply that it isimpossible, as work cannot be given up. It is, however, often possibleto get a great deal more than is taken. Every spare moment should bespent lying down in the most restful position. It is an importantelement in nursing to give such a comfortable recumbent position to apatient as constitutes perfect rest, and the nurse who does so, does agreat deal to cure. 

There is with many a prejudice against rest. It is somehow believedthat it is a weakening thing to lie still in bed. "You must get up andtake exercise, and enjoy the fresh air. " This is a very good order fora person who has the strength for bracing exercise and fresh air. Butthis is absent in a person truly ill. That person's vital force is low, and the organs that supply it are feeble in their action. The fresh airmay enter the chest, but the lungs are not in a state to make good useof it. "Exercise and fresh air" only consume the sufferer. On thecontrary, rest and fresh air allow the weak vital force to recruit. Thesort of exercise which is wanted in such cases is given by others inmassaging or such squeezing the muscles as stimulates the organicnerves without using vital force in the sufferer. We have repeatedlysucceeded in giving new strength by some weeks in bed, when it couldnot have been given otherwise. It is all very well for a young, strongperson, only a very little out of sorts, to take a cold sitz-bath forten minutes, and then a walk of a mile or two in mountain or seashoreair. But this treatment would be death to one really ill. Perfect restin bed, with an abundant supply of air through windows open night andday, would save the life which such "exercise and air" would send outof the world. It requires only a little common sense to see this. "Hemust be weakened by lying in bed so long. " There is no such "must" inthe nature of things. On the contrary, it may be absolutely necessaryto his getting strength that he should lie still for weeks on end. Youmay, no doubt, give us instances in which a person was compelled to getup, and was thereby made to lose the delusion that he was not able todo so; but such instances in any number will not make one strong who isactually weak. Make sure first that vital energy is supplied, and whenthat supply rises to a certain degree it will not be easy to keep yourpatient in bed. 

We would also note that true rest can never be had in a forcedposition. A limb bound down is not resting. The agonising desire tochange its position shows this. True rest is found always in _freedom_and _ease_. It may be necessary to put splints on a limb, but it mustnever be done where rest is aimed at. Usually there is a position ofcomfort to be found. Let the patient find and keep that. He will thenhave rest. 

For instance, an exhausted patient is lying at full length in bed, butunder the waist there is a hollow which is bridged over by the back. This part of the back calls for a considerable amount of force to holdit over this hollow, but we get a pillow inserted under the back, themuscles relax, and the patient rests. In packing and fomenting aninflamed knee, for example, it is usually better done in a slightly_bent_ position, which is more restful than a straight one. Employ twoor three small pillows to prop it comfortably. And so on, in multitudesof cases, the earnest healer will be guided by the patient's ownrestful feelings. _See also_ Noise; Veins. 

Restlessness. --In slight cases, where the patient simply cannot sleepfor tossing about in bed, a cold towel placed along the spine, with adry one above, will usually relieve, especially if changed and cooledseveral times as it grows warm. If heat be specially in the head, thenthat may be cooled in the same manner till peace settles down in thebrain. 

But we must go on to consider those cases of restlessness in whichthere is no extra heat in either spine or brain. Tea may have beentaken in a rather strong infusion, or so late that its peculiarinfluence may be the cause of the restlessness. It is necessary toavoid this beverage if such restlessness is to be escaped; still itwill generally be found that in cases in which tea has caused seriouswakefulness and restless tossing, that there is more than the mereeffect of the herb, and that superabundant heat is present also; thenthe application already pointed out will give relief. 

Now take an instance in which it seems to be the mind that causes thetossing rather than the body. Preachers after earnest preaching are inmany cases sleepless and restless too; so are almost all persons whencurrents of exciting thoughts have been set agoing in their minds. Then, no doubt, it is necessary to get at relief from the spiritualside, by means of thought fitted to calm down the excitement that hasbeen raised. But it is never well to forget that in all such casesthere is a material as well as a spiritual aspect of the experience. Many preachers take a sitz-bath before going to bed after a day ofservice, and find that somehow when sitting in the cool water theover-driven brain begins to slacken pace. If from any cause you arerestless and cannot lie still, even after the head and spine have beencooled as we have described, it is well to take a sitz-bath in coldwater for a few minutes. Dry and wrap up well, and you will be quietafter. Certain forms of coughing apparently cause the most seriousrestlessness. A warm poultice should be placed between the shoulders, and cold cloths pressed gently on the breast. 

If there is extreme shrinking from everything in the least degree cold, then you need to go a step back in your treatment. A sponging of themost gentle kind, with CAYENNE LOTION (_see_) and water, all over thebody, given very carefully for three or four days, once a day, will putaway the shrinking to which we refer. This should be done with tepidwater at first, but as the skin freshens it will be found comfortableto do it with cool water. In tender cases the poultice or hot bag willneed to be comfortably warm, and not hot. The cool cloth must not bewintry cold, nor even at first summer cold. It is, however, necessaryto get at the hot and irritating surfaces that are causing the cough, with more or less that is cooling. We may do this ever so gradually, but we must do it, if we would succeed in giving rest from the cough. In a strong person's case there is really no difficulty. It is an easymatter to put on cloth after cloth till the irritated part is reachedand cooled. But when the patient is spent to all but a skeleton, andhas restlessness from frequent coughing, it is a very different matter. Still to the very last the irritating heat may be kept down, and longsleeps given, when otherwise it would be hard work indeed to getthrough the last stages of illness. We write thus because we know it ispossible to give precious relief even when it is out of the question tosave life. It is possible to make even the last night on earthcomparatively a peaceful one, instead of its being so very restless asit often is. This is to be done just by cooling the parts thatirritate, and these only. Generally, heat may be required rather thancold, but at the part which is irritating and keeping up the coughing, there must be cooling. The kind and capable nurse who can carry outthis cooling is beyond all price. Those only can understand this whohave been delivered from an all but incessant cough by means thatproduce no reaction. It is also well to remember that we now and againgive life by means of rest when we had no idea of giving more thantemporary comfort. We have repeatedly had cases in which there seemedno hope of doing anything further than giving relief, but that reliefhas turned out to be the commencement of cure. 

Rheumatic Fever. --_See_ Fever, Rheumatic. 

Rheumatism. --We feel urged, in first considering this sore and verycommon trouble, to quote the old adage that "prevention is better thancure. " Many people laugh at wettings, and some foolish young ones evenseek exposure. We would impress upon all such that the effects ofexposure may be, and often are, cumulative: that is, you may escape anydirect effect for years, and then find your recklessness end inrheumatism for the rest of your life. Let care, then, be taken to avoidwettings, unless these lie in the way of duty. Change clothes asspeedily as possible when they are wet, and encourage the skin to allhealthy action by proper care and exercise. Even with the skin allright, a wise man will not act in a foolhardy way, but if he must getwet and chilled, he will probably not suffer very much. 

We would strongly recommend the use of Kneipp linen underclothing(_see_ Underwear). It powerfully stimulates the skin, and, byconducting away the perspiration, prevents chills. We have known manywho suffered severely from rheumatism being quite cured by the use ofthis material. It is as comfortable as it is hygienic. 

But supposing the rheumatism does come on, it may be treated, in mildcases, by gradual and steady moist heating. For the method of applyingthis, _see_ Fomentation and Armchair Fomentation. If the case iscomparatively a fresh one, there will be need for no more than thisfomenting, repeated several times at intervals of two to four hours. 

Where the nervous system has been seriously affected, the fomentationmust be gradual, and the moist heat gently insinuated into the partsaffected. Where narcotics have been used, these _must_ be given up if acure is to be hoped for. 

In certain chronic cases, which are very largely nervous in theirorigin, a powerful soothing influence is required. This is secured bythe use of soap lather (_see_ Lather; Soap). Cover the back and head, piece by piece, with this, rubbing it on and off four or five times. Cover the fifth application with a soft cloth, and leave it on for theday in the morning, and for the night in the evening, the patient beingin bed. Hot olive oil or occasionally cold drawn oil of mustard isgently rubbed on the stiff parts; when this cloth is removed, gentlyknead or squeeze the oil into the muscles. If during the lathering thepatient feels too cold, a little olive oil should be mixed with thelather. A change to a dry climate from a damp one sometimes does apatient good, but when that is not possible, great relief, and in manycases cure, is to be had by this treatment. 

Ringworm. --This distressing and most infectious trouble is due to asmall parasite. Where that settles in the skin, a reddish _ring_ soonappears, and gradually widens, leaving a leprous white patch of skinwithin it. Care should be taken at once to cure this, as, if it spreadswidely, serious results follow. Fortunately it is slow in growth, andcan easily be checked and cured. The method of cure is to soak therings well with vinegar or weak acetic acid. Of strong acid use threetablespoonfuls to a quart of water. By even the first good soaking withthis, the developed parasites are killed, but the eggs are not. Thesehatch out by degrees, so that renewed soaking and "dabbing" with theacid and a soft cloth are required. Each application may be continuedfor fifteen minutes. If the hair, as on the head, interferes, it may becut closely, but need not be shaved. In a bad case the daily soakingwith acid may not be sufficient. Then a poultice of potatoes andbuttermilk (_see_ Buttermilk Poultice) may be applied first, andafterwards the weak acid. Secure that there be felt, before the closeof each application, a _slight smarting_, to show that the acid hasreally soaked in. It is not difficult to guard against its spreading ina family or school. All that need be done is, once a week or so, to seethat the whole skin of those exposed to infection, head included, isfreshened by a wash all over with vinegar, and then protected with agentle rub of olive oil. If this is done we should have little fear ofcontagion. Such a weekly freshening would ward off other evils as wellas this one. 

Rose. --_See_ Erysipelas. 

Rupture. --The abdomen is formed of a series of _rings_ containing thebowels, and holding them in proper position. If the muscles and tissuesholding these rings _yield_ so as to permit them to separate a little, what is called "rupture" takes place. It may be caused by violentmuscular efforts, heavy weight lifting, jumping from a height, etc. , etc. The rings are not broken, but only displaced, and especially withyoung persons, the "rupture" can soon be brought all right, but evenwith the aged, in all cases it may be mitigated, if not cured, byproper treatment. 

The first thing is to replace any part of the bowels which may haveescaped through the opening of the rings. Lay the patient flat on hisback. He must not be treated in any other attitude. Then rub theswelling gently _downwards_. It _must not_ be rubbed upwards, or itwill be made worse. This rubbing will soon bring the bowel into itsproper place. Give some time and kindly care to this treatment, whichis very important. Then get a surgical instrument maker to fit a propertruss. See that this really fits. If it hurts in any way when first puton, it does not fit well enough. Avoid for a considerable time anyeffort likely to strain the part. Take light and easily digested food;give up all alcoholic drinks and the use of tobacco. 

Saliva. --_See_ Digestion; Nourishment. 

Saltrome. --The disease known by this name in Canada breaks out in thehands, especially on the palms. The skin cracks open and refuses toheal up. Sometimes, if the hands do heal, the trouble comes out onother parts. It is probably due to the long-continued use of bad andstrongly irritating soap in washing the hands and face, conjoined, inCanada, with the great dryness of the air. 

The treatment for prevention is the regular use of M'Clinton's soap(_see_ Soap). Where the trouble has developed, the hands and face, ifinvolved, should be packed in cloths soaked in buttermilk. Then overthe packing we should foment with large hot flannel cloths (_see_Fomentation). Renew, if necessary, the buttermilk packing, and after athorough fomenting, leave the buttermilk cloths on all night, with dryones on top. Then gently anoint with OLIVE OIL (_see_). This treatment, with some rest and the use of the above-mentioned soap, should sooneffect a cure. 

Santolina. --This plant is the _Chama Cyparissos_, or ground cypress. Itis of the greatest value as a remedy for worms in the bowels (nottapeworm), and also acts as a stomach tonic of no small value. It iscut at the end of the season, made up in small bunches of six stalks orso, and hung up to dry. When required for worms, boil one of thesebunches in three teacupfuls of water until it is reduced to twoteacupfuls. Half-a-teacupful of this is given to a _child_ with worms, each morning before any food, for four days. In the evening of thefourth day an ordinary dose of liquorice powder is given to move thebowels. For a _grown-up person_ the quantity is a full teacupful eachmorning. If a child picks at his nostrils, or grinds his teeth whilesleeping, the santolina will cure him, even if no other symptom ofworms is noticed. It may with advantage be used in all cases wherethere is indication of the failure of the mucous membrane of thestomach and bowels. 

Where required as a stomach tonic, santolina should be infused withboiling water, as tea is. About half-an-ounce of the dried herb isinfused, and a small teacupful taken as hot as can easily be drunkabout an hour after each meal. Half the quantity will do for youngpeople under fourteen. Do this six days in succession. Then take nonefor six days. Then again take it for three days. This treatment may berepeated after a week. 

Sciatica. --This is a severe pain in the lower back, shooting sharplydown the back and calf of the leg. It arises from inflammation of thelarge nerve which supplies these parts of the leg with power. Mostcommonly it is caused by exposure of the hips or lower back to cold anddamp, as by sitting on the grass or a stone seat. 

The cure for it, in the earlier stages, is the application of theARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_). This may be applied for an hour, andrenewed immediately for another hour if the patient can stand it, andthen rest given for two hours, and the fomentation applied for twohours again, or at least for one, taking care to rub with oil and wrapup in comfortable flannels between and after the treatment. This may bedone again on the second day. The fomentation may then be given once aday until the pain is removed. 

Be quite sure that no trifling application will succeed with such adisease as this. It will not do to use less heat than will go throughand through the haunches of the patient; and that amount of heat is notvery small. You must have a good soft blanket if possible, your watermust be boiling hot, and you must have plenty of it. 

If the hot treatment causes increase of pain, this indicates that astage has arrived in which _cold_ is to be applied instead of heat tothe lower back, to subdue nerve irritation. Before or after this stage, cold application will do harm, so it is well always to try heat first, as in the great majority of cases that is what is required. When coldis applied, the patient _must be warm_, and if necessary the feet andlegs should be fomented. 

To keep what is got either by the soothing influence of cold or by thestimulating power of heat, it is good to rub with hot olive oil, and todry this off well in finishing, and also to wear a good broad band ofnew flannel round the lower part of the body. This band ought not to beso tight as to confine the perspiration. _See_ Changing Treatment;Remedy, Finding a. 

Scrofula. --The treatment under Glands, Swollen, should be followed. Butbesides, the whole membranous system of the glands must be stimulated. Daily rubbing briskly over the whole body with the cold-drawn oil ofmustard for a quarter-of-an-hour will have this effect, and even byitself may cure. 

Good, easily digested food must be taken (_see_ Abscess; Assimilation;Diet; Nourishment), and overwork avoided. Continued work, as with achild at school, may quite prevent a cure, while if the work ceases, the cure will be rapid. It is better to have health and holidays thansickness and school. Where there is a family tendency to scrofula, careshould be taken to treat promptly any case of glandular swelling. 

Scurvy. --Is a disease springing from disordered digestion, and causedsometimes by partial starvation, but more frequently by a deficiency ofvegetable acid in the food. It often manifests itself in skineruptions, the skin peeling off in scales. To ward off or cure thisdisease, fresh food should always be used, and salted or tinned foodsavoided. Especially should abundance of green vegetables and fruit beused, and where such cannot be obtained in sufficient quantity, lemonjuice is valuable. Too much exposure, fatigue, and impure air, aided bya wrong diet, are the causes that formerly made scurvy so prevalent inthe navy. It has almost disappeared since a regular allowance ofvegetable acid has been served out. 

Seamill Sanatorium and Hydropathic. --Very soon after the appearance ofthese "Papers on Health, " the need was felt for some establishmentwhere the treatment expounded here could be given by trained attendantsunder Dr. Kirk's personal supervision. The site was fixed on theAyrshire coast, in the parish of West Kilbride. This region was chosenbecause special advantages of soil, climate, and scenery recommendedit. The soil along the shore is almost pure sand, and dries rapidlyafter rain. The climate is extremely mild, high hills sheltering thewhole region from north and east winds, and the Arran mountains, intervening some sixteen miles over the sea to the west, collect muchof the rain. Hence, although near some very rainy districts, theSeamill neighbourhood is peculiarly sunny and dry. In winter the sunreflected from the water, and beating on the face of the hills, makesthe shore climate most genial, and when other places only a few milesaway are encased in ice, flowers will be blooming in the gardens atSeamill. In the very best part of this district a villa was secured in1880 by some gentlemen interested in the treatment, with groundsabutting on the sand of the seashore. 

Here treatment was carried on with great success, until it becameevident that larger premises were needed. In 1882 Mr. James Newbiggingwas secured by Dr. Kirk as manager and head-bathman, and worked underDr. Kirk until the latter's death in 1886. 

Mr. Newbigging then bought the establishment. Since that time, it hasconstantly increased in size and efficiency until it now accommodatesclose on a hundred patients. 

Very many have come to Seamill almost or quite hopeless, and have leftit with health restored and vigour renewed. 

It ought to be mentioned here that in all his dealings with thisestablishment Dr. Kirk never had any pecuniary interest in it, alwaysgiving his services free. Nor has the writer, or any of Dr. Kirk'sfamily, any pecuniary connection with the place. All information as tothe establishment may be had by writing to the Proprietor or Manager, Seamill Sanatorium, West Kilbride, Scotland. 

Sea-Sickness. --The cause of this is a nervous derangement of theinternal organs, by which the bile passes into the stomach instead of, as it normally does, passing down into the intestines. A tight bandageround the middle of the body, so as to oppose resistance to this, willhelp _so far_. When the sickness has come on, a teacupful of hot water, at intervals, will very largely mitigate, and will often cure it. Evenhalf a teacupful or a tablespoonful will prove sufficient in many caseswhere the teacupful cannot be taken. If this small quantity of hotwater be taken every ten minutes, the worst effects of sea-sicknesswill not be felt, and far more relief obtained than most people willbelieve until they have tried it. 

Sensitiveness. --When the nervous system is in a certain state, allimpressions on it are exaggerated, and the patient suffers from lightsounds, and various irritations, far more than is usual or healthy. This state makes treatment difficult, because either cold towel or hotflannel distresses the sufferer, and by this does more harm than good. Narcotics only do harm, without any good, and leave the patient worse. 

The nervous system may in such cases be soothed by soaping the backwith soap lather (_see_ Lather; Soap). The lather is to be blood heat, and very soft and creamy. Spread it all over a soft cloth as large asthe back (having first warmed the cloth), and then place it gently onthe back, lather side next the skin. Let this be done at bedtime. Fasten the cloth on the back with a bodice that will fasten closely, and let the patient sleep on it. Wash off in the morning with warmvinegar and water half-and-half. Rub with oil and dry off. Let thepatient take twice a-day, for eight days, a teaspoonful of well-boiledliquorice and a tablespoonful of hot water. This treatment will usuallyabate the sensitiveness in a week or so, and bring the patient withinreach of other remedies. For example, it will, after a week or so, evenin very trying cases, be possible to foment the feet and legs once aday, and rub them with warm olive oil. It will even be possible andwell to foment with a hot blanket across the haunches, and in this wayto bring on comparatively strong health. Change of air and scene willthen be desirable: it is highly refreshing to one who is in the way ofrecovering, though only harassing to one who is feeling despondent andincreasingly ill. We generally, when asked if a "change" would not begood in such cases, reply, "Yes, if once you have got health enough toenjoy it. " When that has been fairly secured, stronger measures may beused with advantage. We feel much sympathy with those who suffer fromsensitiveness, as so many do, and earnestly pray that these remarks maybe blessed to such sufferers. 

Shampooing. --_See_ Head, Soaping. 

Shingles. --Though not often fatal, this illness gives serious trouble. Its outstanding feature is a rash which comes out as a more or lessregular belt round the body, or over one shoulder. The rash forms, ifallowed to go on, into blackish scabs, and is accompanied in someinstances by severe pains shooting through the body. It arises from afailure of the digestive system, therefore the stomach must be aslittle taxed as possible. Let hot water be sipped in teaspoonfuls forhalf-an-hour at a time, several times a day. For external treatment, wring a small sheet out of cold water and vinegar, and pack the wholetrunk of the patient in this for half-an-hour. Do not use olive oil. The vinegar packing may be renewed in an hour, and as often as thepatient feels it agreeable. The mixture of vinegar and water must beweak enough not to be painful on the skin. If the pains in the bodypersist, then cold cloths may be applied, not very large at first, tothe spine, while the patient is warm in bed. Should the feet be cold, this cooling of the spine must not be done until they are wrapped in ahot fomentation up to the knees. If the scabby eruption is veryobstinate, the SOAPY BLANKET (_see_) applied daily for two or threedays should clear it away. Wheaten porridge, gruel, and milk diet isbest. A drink may be made of hot water and lemon juice, with five orsix drops of tincture of cayenne added to a tumblerful, and sweetenedto taste. _See_ Drinks. 

Shivering. --This is often a trivial matter, but sometimes it is asymptom of a serious chill. It may be only the effect of a thought, orof some mental shock, but in any case it is a nervous disturbance, andfailure of energy, causing us to lose control of the nerves whichproduce the shivering movements. 

For ordinary shivering, the result of cold, treat as in Cold, Taking. For cases where the vital action has evidently become very low, fomentthe patient as directed in Angina Pectoris. 

If pain in some part, as in a nursing breast or tender lung, indicatesinflammatory action there, cold towels may be applied to that partwhile this fomentation is on. Renew the cold cloth as often as thepatient feels it agreeable, keeping up the heat of the fomentation allthe time. Increase the size of the cold cloth if the patient finds thispleasant; stop if it becomes unpleasant. Many serious troubles arechecked in the first stage by treatment on these simple lines. 

Sick Headache. --_See_ Headache. 

Sitting (or Sitz) Bath. --This bath, in whatever form administered, isessentially a sitting in cold water with the feet out. The feet, infact, are better to be warmly covered up while the patient sits in thebath. The most important thing to be considered in all such baths isthe degree of vitality possessed by the patient. If he has muchvitality, then the bath may be deep and longer continued--as long aseven forty minutes. If the vitality be low, the bath must be brief andvery shallow--it may be even necessary to make it as short as _oneminute_, or even less. In some cases, as a beginning, a mere dip is allthat is required. This leaves a large discretion to the nurse, and is amatter which common sense should be able to decide. To try a short bathfirst, and repeat it several times, rather than to give one long one, is the safest plan. It will soon be found out how much the patient canbear. If the vitality be so low as to make the simple sitz-bath adanger, the feet may be immersed, for the one or two minutes of thebath, in a small bath of hot water, and the patient well wrapped up allover in warm blankets. 

In some cases it is necessary to _pour_ cold water on relaxed organs, which, especially with females, will sometimes not be braced up by mereimmersion. But such pouring must be done with caution. Half-a-minute ofit is _a long time_; one quarter-of-a-minute or less will usually beenough, even in important cases. If longer applications have only doneharm, then let our friends try the one-minute bath, or thequarter-minute stream of water. In many cases we have known this makeall right. Such short baths may be taken twice or thrice a day. 

Skin, Care of. --Among the vast majority of people air and water far tooseldom touch the skin. Want of water makes it unclean, and want ofwater and air make it slow in reaction. Now, a healthy skin is of theutmost value when one is attacked by disease. It can regulate thetemperature of the various organs, and the application of heat or coldto it will cause a reaction at once. Much of our treatment as given inthis book is directed towards stimulating the action of the skin. It isobvious that in health as in disease the skin can and does so act onthe internal organs. 

It should be the aim of everyone that this most important part of thebody should receive careful attention by a strict watch on the diet, bycleanliness, tonic water baths (cold, tepid, shower, as may be found tosuit), and by tonic air baths. Light clothing and porous underwear willalso be found of use. We have already drawn attention to the value ofKneipp linen as the most suitable form of underwear (_see_). 

[Illustration: Section of the Skin, showing glandular structure. Hairs Fat Cells Sebaceous Gland Sweat Gland Nutrient Artery Hair Bulb]

Skin, A Wintry. --Something like an epidemic of skin trouble is oftenexperienced in cold, wintry weather. First, the skin becomes dry andhard. A moist and sticky exudation replaces the ordinary sweat, andgreat irritation is felt when the skin is exposed to the air. If thesticky exudation be completely rubbed off, this irritation ceases. Inthis, and in the absence of inflammation, "wintry skin" differsentirely from eczema. The remedy is to rub all over every night forthree or four nights with the CAYENNE LOTION (_see_). If this does noteffectually cure, lather all over with soap and olive oil (_see_Lather; Soap), before rubbing with the cayenne lotion. If the treatmentof the whole skin at once is felt to be too severe, it may be cured bytaking it in parts. 

Skin, Creeping. --A sensation sometimes very much annoys patients, whichthey describe as like thousands of small creatures creeping over theskin. It most commonly arises from defective working of the pores. Akindred trouble may be noticed along with this creeping. It is as if astream of cold water were passing down the back. That causes greatdiscomfort in many cases. 

The cure is sponging frequently with weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) or evengood buttermilk. The skin being in such cases very sensitive, it iswell to treat it bit by bit, a small part at a time. Take one limb, then another, then part of the back, and then another part. Besidesthis sponging with acid, and before it is done, the skin should begently covered with lather (_see_ Lather; Soap). If this treatment isnot successful, a little olive oil, with cayenne lotion, may be mixedwith the soapy lather, and will make its effect more powerful. Thiscreepy feeling is sometimes the result of cold, and some extra clothingmay remove it. _See_ Underwear. 

Sleep. --No greater mistake could be made than to curtail the hours ofsleep. Eight hours should be taken as a minimum, and any weak personshould take ten hours. More and better work can be done by a person whotakes fully eight hours' sleep than by one who tries to do with less. 

Sometimes strong tea or coffee is taken to drive away sleep, and so thenervous system is injured and sleep will not come when it is desired. Tea or coffee should never be taken except _very_ weak, and the personwho accustoms himself to this will very soon come greatly to prefer it. 

Sleeplessness. --In search of sleep men do many things both dangerousand foolish--sometimes even fatal. Sleeplessness arises in so many waysand from so many causes, that it is often hard for the patient to finda cure, and he will try anything in desperation. A little thoughtshould prevent this state of mind. For instance, we have a man whotries to get sleep by fatiguing himself by long walks in the open airor hard physical work of some kind, but he only grows worse. Now, alittle thought will show that sleep requires a certain amount of brainenergy. If the supply be below this amount, the brain is _too tired_ tosleep. Violent exercise of any kind will only make matters worse. So"keeping people awake" all day is tried, to make them sleep at night. It fails from the same reason--that it _reduces_ brain power. Allnarcotics in the end fail similarly. There comes a time when they haveso reduced brain power, that even an enormous dose fails to give sleep, and the patient comes dangerously near poisoning himself--sometimes, indeed, does so outright. In all these cases, that which has worn downthe brain _must be given up_ as a first condition of cure. Whetherbrain work, over-excitement and dissipation, alcohol or tobacco, thecause must be removed, and rest taken in the open air, or in wellventilated rooms. 

This done, we come to treatment. Soaping the head (_see_ Head, Soaping), or even the application of towels wrung out of cold water, will often, when the cause has been removed, do all that is needed togive sleep. These remedies, especially the first, should be at onceapplied, if the sleeplessness is accompanied, as is usual, with _heatin the head_. Even where the fevered head is connected withindigestion, the stomach will be powerfully helped by a good soaping ofthe head at bedtime. If, on the contrary, the head is cold, then warmfomentations to it will be the proper treatment. Perhaps the very bestguide will be to aim at what will make both head and feet perfectlycomfortable, and _both_ of natural heat. If cold, the feet must bebathed or fomented, and the legs also up to the knees. Sometimes thepouring of warm water in a _douche_ over the head will act perfectly, instead of the fomentation; but pouring _cold_ water must be avoided, or only very cautiously resorted to (_see_ Sitz-Bath and Restlessness). 

Sometimes sleeplessness proceeds from the use of bad drinking water, through its effect on the stomach and bowels. In this case, of course, the first thing is to see that no bad water is drunk. People cannot betoo careful about a water supply. Usually boiling for half-an-hourrenders water safe enough, but this is not always the case. Care mustthen be taken to see that water from any corrupted source is not used. When it is given up, treatment as above may be applied. 

If the sleeplessness be caused by a nasty tickling cough, put a BRANPOULTICE (_see_), or similar FOMENTATION (_see_) on the back _behind_where the cough catches. Then change cold towels _in front_ over thesame place. Soap the head, and sleep will probably soon come. 

Where palpitation of the heart causes sleeplessness, change cold towelsover the heart, fomenting the feet if necessary, and the palpitationwill usually soon yield. _See_ Brain; Children's Sleep; Exercise; Head;Rest. 

Smallpox. --If an epidemic prevails in the neighbourhood, or a caseoccurs in the house, after _due and carefully performed_ vaccination ofthe family, the important matter to regard is _cleanliness_. Frequentand thorough washing and changing of all the clothes worn next the skinwill do much to prevent possible infection. If the clothes are oftenchanged, then, and well washed, and the skin gets a daily washing withsoap and is sponged with hot vinegar, there is little danger ofinfection during an epidemic of smallpox, or even when nursing thedisease. Acetic acid, or white wine vinegar, is even a more powerfulcleansing agent than carbolic acid, and has the advantage of beingnon-poisonous. 

It is important in treatment to attack the disease early. We have knownan attack completely defeated, and the patient cured, by a wet-sheetpack administered at the right time. The early symptoms are a greatweariness and chilliness. In this _cold_ stage, half-a-teaspoonful ofcream of tartar, in two tablespoonfuls of hot water, should be givenevery half-hour. Also (and this is important) wrap the feet and legs upover the knees in a large hot FOMENTATION (_see_). The head also may bepacked in hot cloths. If the fever does not rise, the applications maycontinue. If the fever does come on, _cold_ cloths must be persistentlychanged on the head. This we have known _reduces_ the bodilytemperature two degrees in half-an-hour, when if left alone it wouldprobably have _risen_ two degrees. The whole body may be packed in adamp sheet, covered with dry blanket, and this continued cooling of thehead still proceeded with. 

When the eruption has appeared, and the violent itching set in, theeruption must be persistently _soaked_ with weak ACETIC ACID (_see_), or good white wine vinegar and water. In this soaking, avoid giving thepatient pain by too strong acid. The necessary healing power will befound in such a mixture as will only cause the eruption slightly tosmart. 

It is not necessary to treat a patient all over at once. You will dobetter if you take one or two pimples at a time. You can then pass frompart to part slowly, getting over the whole. You can use a little oliveoil after this soaking with vinegar, and so keep off all danger ofchill such as might occur if too much of the surface were treated atonce. 

If these simple means are well applied from the first, it must be avery bad case indeed which will not be cured, and most likely withoutany marks being left on the skin. 

Snake Bites. --A snake bite is only one of a large class of injurieswhich may be considered under one title. From an insect sting upwardsto the most fatal snake bite, we need to note, first, the _blow_ or_shock_ of the bite, and then the fever symptoms which show poisonspreading in the system. The blow or shock paralyses or kills a largeror smaller part of the nervous system. The nerve of the heart may bealmost instantly so paralysed, with fatal effect. The snake poisonespecially affects the organic nervous system, and thus attacks thevery source of vitality. In smaller stings, rubbing vinegar or weakACETIC ACID (_see_) into the wound is sufficient almost instantly tocure. The same substance will cure greater evils. In the case of snakebite, first suck the wound thoroughly, watching that the lips and gumsof the person who sucks are free from wound or scratch, or use what iscalled "dry cupping. " Much may be done thus in a _few seconds_. But itmust not be continued longer, and hinder the next step. This is toinject weak acetic acid _into the bite_. Where snakes are abundant, asmall syringe, such as is used to inject morphia, with a rather bluntpoint, should be always carried, and acetic acid of the right strength. The injection must be _thorough_, and of course pain must be borne toavoid greater evil. Foment cautiously but persistently over the stomachand along the spine. Pay special attention to the lower back if bittenin the foot or leg, and to the upper part if in the hand or arm. Duringrecovery, give careful diet, and rest. Of course this treatment willfail in some cases, as any treatment may. But if immediately applied, it will save a very large number of lives. 

Soaping the Head. --_See_ Head, Soaping. 

Soap, M'Clinton's. --Those of our readers who have followed out inpractice the suggestions which we have given in these papers, will haveseen some reason to believe in the importance of soap. Probably some ofthem have laughed at patients whose chief need evidently was a goodwashing of the skin! But there is more in soap applications than merecleansing. These are found to be of immense value in cases in whichthere has been no want of perfect cleanliness--in cases even in whichthe skin has been habitually clean. For instance, in patients withnerves so sensitive that almost no application of any kind can be used, a covering of the back with a fine lather, and over this a soft cloth, has soothed the system so effectively that a great step has beensecured by this alone in the direction of cure. 

When in search of really good soap we soon find that certain soaps arevery harmful. Soaps made from "soda ash, " as nearly all hard soaps are, tend to dry and harden the skin, and if used often produce bad effects. 

Soda soap does well enough for many purposes, and if it is not usedoften, and the skin is strong, no great harm may be done; but when ithas to be used frequently, or is applied to a tender sensitive skin orto parts from which the outer skin has been removed, it will not do atall. 

For years we had been seeking for somebody who could make us hard soapwithout any mixture of soda. Once, when in Belfast, we spoke of this toa friend. He took us to a soapmaker, to whom we mentioned our desire. This gentleman at once saw what we wanted, and told us frankly that hecould not make the soap that would suit us, and that he knew only onefirm in the trade who could do so. But he assured us that that firmmade a pure hard soap which we should find exactly suitable to ourpurpose. Thus we were introduced to the manufacturers of M'Clinton'ssoap. This firm, we found, made the very soap we had been so long insearch of. 

It is made (by a process which is, we believe, a secret in possessionof this firm alone) from the ash of plants, and so it may truly be saidthat it is Nature's soap. 

There is something in the composition of this soap which makes itastonishingly curative and most agreeable on the skin. Lather made fromit, instead of drying and so far burning the skin of those using it, has the most soothing and delightful effect. 

As yet we do not feel able to explain this, not being sufficientlychemical for the work, but we have tried the matter, and feel assuredthat this soap is by a long way the best for cleansing and curativepurposes. Even soap which possesses the same chemical composition lacksthe properties of that made from plants, a fact not without parallel, as chemists know. The substances of the plant ash differ in someunknown way from even those chemically the same, which have beenartificially produced. 

We trust that our noticing the thing in this way will have the effectof calling attention to the whole question of soap-making and using. Itis one of those questions on which great ignorance prevails. Manypeople judge toilet soaps by the perfume and price. If the former ispleasant, and the latter high, they consider they must be gettingsomething specially suitable, and yet the soap itself may be veryinjurious. Before we had some cases of bad diseases of the skin arisingfrom the use of certain soaps, it did not occur to us to think much ofthe difference between one sort and another. Hence we just said, "uselather from good soap. " Now we see need for care as to the kind of soapused, and especially to warn against all soaps, however fine-looking, that burn the tender skin when lather made from them is much applied. 

Very especially is it important to distinguish between the qualities ofsoaps used on the sensitive skins of infants and invalids. If you everwash an infant in strongly caustic soap, you may look for a state ofdiscomfort in the child which will make it restless and miserablewithout your being able to tell how it is so. You may ascribe tounhappy "temper" what is due to the bad soap which you have put on theskin. So with sensitive invalids, when they have to be washed orsoaped, so as to keep off or heal the bedsores which are apt to appearon them, it is easy to see how much difference there must be betweenthe effect of a caustic soap and one really and delightfully soothing. 

M'Clinton's soap is the very best and most lasting of the soaps we knowfor washing purposes, so that in recommending it we are not promotingthe use of a merely medical thing, but of one for ordinary purposes ofa genuine and excellent character. Every grocer ought to have it instock, and if it is sought after with some vigour it will be soonbrought in general trade within reach of all. It is not one of thosethings that flame on railway stations and on the covers of magazines. The makers are most quiet, unpretending men, and one would think almostafraid to take their light from under a bushel. But they are inpossession of a most valuable secret in knowing how to make this soap. 

Several soap-makers claim to be makers of this soap, insisting thattheirs is as good as M'Clinton's. It is far cheaper. Well, we put it tothe test of use. It is not the same thing at all. It won't do, nor willit nearly do: the soda is there beyond all doubt. We are compelled torecommend our readers to make sure that they get M'Clinton's soap, withthis name stamped upon it. 

There is a strong temptation to deception, because M'Clinton's soaprequires eight days at least to make, while the fiery stuff is made inone day, or two at most. It is of great importance that the true soapshould be secured. The matter is so important that precious life andhealth depend on so humble a thing as this. 

Take care you are not cheated by a wrong substance. Do not say you havetried our remedy and found it fail. If you have applied irritating soapinstead of soothing, the so-called remedy could not but fail. Make sureyou have the right substance, and you will have the right effect. [A]

[Footnote A: To prevent an inferior article being substituted if it isasked for as barilla soap simply, it is in this edition calledM'Clinton's soap. It is now made solely by D. Brown & Son, Ltd. , Donaghmore, Tyrone, Ireland, who have purchased the business and tradesecrets of the old firm, and manufacture the soap in the same way. Ifnot stocked by the local chemist or grocer, small samples can be hadfrom the manufacturers free on receipt of 2d. To cover postage, or alarge assorted box will be sent on receipt of 2s. 6d. ]

Fortunately the makers of M'Clinton's soap are sternly honest men, andtheir soap can be relied on: that we have found out, we think, beyondmistake. We are happy to be able to say that they have not sent us evena bar of soap for our "Papers" on their behalf, but only assured usthat they will "reward" our kindness by "making a genuine article. " Ifthere is "puffing, " there is at least to be no payment for it, and thatis a safe way of keeping the "puffer" to the truth!

The curative effects of M'Clinton's soap will be found dealt with inthe directions for treatment of various troubles throughout thisvolume. See the articles on Abscess; Asthma; Blood, Purifying; Boils;Cancer; Child-Bearing; Dwining; Fever; Hands; Hives; Pimples on Face;Rheumatism; Skin; Sleeplessness; Soapy Blanket; Stomach Trouble;Vaccination Trouble. 

Soapy Blanket, The. --It seems necessary, in getting people to use thebest means for the recovery of health, carefully to consider, not thediseases to which they are subject only, but especially the processesof cure. We require to go into the very nature of things, so to speak, and to make it all palpable to the inquirer. For example, you prescribea little olive oil on the skin, and the nurse is horrified at its beingsuggested that she should "block up the pores. " Her idea is that thesepores are only little holes in the skin, so that, if you fill them upwith oil, the insensible perspiration will not get through. Now let usobserve that a pore is a complete organ in itself, and has at leastthree things that characterise it. (_See_ page 285). First of all, itis a living thing. It is so as really as a finger is a living organ, oran eye, or an ear. When it dies, it is as much an opening as ever, butit ceases to secrete the perspiration which is constantly separatedfrom the current of the blood when it was healthily alive. When it issickly, though still living in a weak degree, it secretes, but sosluggishly that the substance which it separates from the blood doesnot pass off easily--it gets, so to speak, thick and sticky, andremains in the pores. 

In the second place, the substance which a pore secretes will notcombine with certain things, and it will chemically combine readilywith other things. When the pore is sickly, it may be aided, first, bythe introduction of heat, which becomes vital action, and secondly, bythe use of such substances as will readily combine with its secretion. The heat makes it secrete more perfectly, and the chemical combinationmakes the removal of the secretion easy. It is possible to block thepores up, but it is not very easy to do so. A healthy pore will sendits secretions out through very close stuff. It is only by somethinglike very strong varnish that it can be prevented. 

There is wonderfully little danger in ordinary life of any such "block"as this. But there is very great danger of the pore being deprived ofits secretive power, and of its power to open its mouth when that is somuch wanted. Warm olive oil sets millions of pores to full worksometimes in a few seconds. 

Now let us look at the application of the soapy blanket in the light ofthese remarks. Here is a poor patient, sitting in an armchair by thefireside, labouring to get breath. It makes one feel burdened to seehim. What is wrong? Are the pores blocked up? No; but they are morethan half dead, and what they do secrete is not such an ethereal thingas it should be. Nearly all the work of getting rid of the waste of thebody has been thrown for months upon the poor lungs. The kidneys, too, have got far more than their share, just because the pores are sickly. 

The remedy is the soapy blanket. This most valuable means ofstimulating the healthy action of the skin (as prescribed in manyarticles in this volume) is prepared and applied as follows:--Have agood blanket, and plenty of M'Clinton's soap (_see_ Lather and Soap). Shear down a tablet or two into boiling water--as much water as theblanket will absorb. The blanket may be prepared as directed in articleFomentation, using these boiling _suds_ instead of water. Have thepatient's bed ready, and spread on it a double dry sheet. Soak in thesuds a piece of thick flannel large enough to go round the body underthe armpits. Wring this out and put it on the patient. Wrap the blankettightly round the patient from the neck downwards. Tie something roundthe waist to confine it close to the body. Put the patient into bed, and wrap the feet well up in the blanket. If it is not sufficient tocover them, an extra piece of soapy flannel must be used. Then wrap thesheets over the patient above the moist blanket, and cover all nicelyup. In removing the blanket, which may remain on half-an-hour, it iswell to proceed gradually, uncovering the body bit by bit, spongingeach part with hot water and vinegar or weak acetic acid (_see_ AceticAcid), and rubbing hot oil on after drying. Dry this oil off, and covereach dried part of the body either with clothing or blankets beforeuncovering a fresh part. 

There is a modification of this treatment which suits more weaklypersons, and suits also those who must do all, or almost all, forthemselves. A long flannel or flannelette nightdress is used in this, instead of the blanket. This is covered on the whole of the inner sidewith well-made soap lather. When so covered it is put on at bedtime, and a dry nightdress put on over it. Both are then fastened as closelyas possible to the skin, and the patient goes to sleep thus clothed. Ifthe night is cold, the greatest care must be taken to be well covered, and brought to as good a heat as possible. In the morning a very greatchange will have come from this treatment. When the whole body iswashed down with warm water, dried, and nicely rubbed with fresh oil, the skin is found very considerably changed, and in case of asthma thebreathing relieved. 

If cold is taken when this process is fairly gone through, it would bevery astonishing indeed; but if it is badly done, a person might getchilled instead of comforted. Therefore every care must be taken tokeep the patient thoroughly warm. The result of one effectual pack isusually sufficient to convince the poor sufferer that he is beingtreated in the right way. The effect of the second is greater, and soon to the fourth or fifth, beyond which he need not go as a rule. Hewill do well once a day to wash with hot vinegar and rub after with theoil. These should not be required more than a fortnight at most. Ifchilliness continues, it is well to put on cotton stockings on going tobed, and even to bathe the feet and oil them before doing so. Thisbathing may be continued every night for a fortnight. 

Sores. --These will be found dealt with under many headings throughoutthis book (_see_ Abscess; Bone, Diseased; Blood; Boils; Breast; Cancer;Carbuncle; Cauliflower Growth; Eruptions; Erysipelas, etc. ), thereforewe here only treat generally of two kinds of common sores. The first isthe surface sore, which eats inwards; the second, the deep-seated sore, which eats outwards. The first usually begins as a small pimple like apin's head, and, if neglected, breaks, and gradually increases in size. Its origin is something which has caused the minute vessels of the skinat the spot to give way, so that they remain congested with bad blood, which soon becomes practically poisonous, and so the sore enlarges andeats into the surrounding tissue. If such a sore appears on the leg, itis often due to over-pressure through too much standing. Rest, with theleg kept horizontal or inclined slightly upwards to the foot, willoften be enough to cure. When complete rest cannot be had, a thighbandage (_see_ Veins, Swollen) should be worn. 

To treat the sore, it should be washed twice a day with BUTTERMILK(_see_), and afterwards thoroughly soaked with weak ACETIC ACID(_see_), and dressed with antiseptic lint, or, if that cannot be had, with buttermilk cloths. A buttermilk poultice (_see_ Potato Poultice)may be used. But if no rest can be had, the sore will be extremelydifficult, if not impossible, to heal. 

The second kind of sore, arising from an abscess under the part, ordiseased bone or membrane far down beneath the skin, is to be treatedon the same principles, using weak acetic acid for the syringing, andbuttermilk only for the surface. The method of treatment is such aswill secure the contact of the weak acid with _every part_, even thedeepest, of the wound. Procure a small pointed glass syringe, whichmust be kept _thoroughly clean_. The point of this may be inserted intothe sore, and care taken that the weak acid penetrates into the verybottom, and thoroughly soaks all the diseased parts. This syringingshould be repeated until the wound is thoroughly clean in every part. If pain is set up, the acid is too strong. Syringing with lukewarmwater will at once relieve this, and then weaker acid may be used. Thistreatment may be given twice a day, and the wound properly dressedafter it. Attention must be paid in all treatment of sores or wounds tothe proper cleansing and boiling of all materials and instruments used. Wash the hands in hot water and M'Clinton's soap, using a nail-brush, before touching or dressing a sore. 

Boil some soft clean rags for five minutes, and wash the sore withthese, using water that has been boiled and allowed to cool toblood-heat, to which a few drops of acetic acid have been added, butnot so much as to be painful on the sore. 

If a syringe is used, boil it before using, and only use boiled ordistilled water in all operations. This secures the destruction of thegerms (or Bacteria), which are now known as the cause of theinflammation and suppuration of wounds and sores of all kinds. 

Spinal Congestion. --In some cases of this trouble the symptoms are veryalarming, consisting in violent convulsive movements, which seemaltogether beyond the possibility of relief. It is something to knowthat these terrible kickings and strugglings arise from simply anaccumulation of blood in the vessels of the spinal cord, irritating itviolently, as an electric current might do. Sedatives and narcoticswill be useless. Leeches applied to the spine will sometimes cure bywithdrawing the blood from it, though such treatment leaves no bracingand strengthening effect, but the very opposite. Use the cold towel, wrung out and placed along the spine, together with a hot blanketFOMENTATION (_see_) to the feet and legs, up over the knees. Thepatient must be gently held still, as far as possible, so that thetreatment may be applied. The applications will not be at oncesuccessful, but after an hour's work something like permanent reliefshould come. Above all, the nurse must keep cool and calm in mind andmanner. There is no need for hysterics, and any excitable person shouldbe kept out of the sick-room. If the skin of the back has been brokenby blistering or any such treatment, a fine lather (_see_ Lather; Soap)should be spread over all the back, and on this a soft cloth. Abovethis the cold towels may be safely and comfortably applied. It will dono harm if the treatment be continued for even two or three hours. 

Spine, Misshapen. --Often in the case of delicate infants or children, the bones of the spine fail to have the necessary hardness to bear thestrain which comes upon them, and the spine gets more or less out ofits proper shape. If this softness of bone continues, no amount ofmechanical support, or lying down, will cure the misshapen spine. Therefore means should be taken by proper diet and nourishment to helpthe production of good bone substance in the child's body. The bestbone-making food we know is good oatmeal, as well-boiled porridge(boiled for two or three hours), or as oatmeal jelly and gruel. Goodair and water are also essential, and such treatment as is described inarticle on Children's Healthy Growth. Especially should attention bepaid to constant supply of fresh air to the child's lungs. Windowsshould be wide open in all weathers, and if the child cannot walk far, it should be wheeled out for as long as possible every day the weatherpermits. Such supply of fresh air is of _vital importance_, and thewant of it is frequently the sole cause of disease. 

In other cases it is not the bones which are soft, but the muscles andligaments which hold the spine in a proper position are defective. Where the bone is felt to be good-sized and hard, and the surroundingsubstance too soft, it is a case of this kind. To proper nourishment, in this case, must be added proper _exercise_ of the muscles concerned. Immovable plaster jackets are bad, because they forbid this. Thisexercise may best be given by rubbing (_see_ Exercise and Massage). Gentle rubbing and pressure over the back, with hot OLIVE OIL (_see_), will work wonders in such a case. During the rubbing the patient shouldlie down _at full length_. It must also be done so as to be _pleasant_, or it is of no use. 

See that the patient has plenty of rest, and only as much walkingexercise as is evidently enjoyed. There may be complications with othertroubles--for example, a quick pulse and some fever heat, if thetemperature is tested. That will require to be itself treated withrepeated rubbings of finely wrought lather over the stomach and bowels. Until you have in some measure subdued this fever, you will not do muchin the way of improving the muscles of the back. In many cases you willbe able to bring the fever down completely, and then you will be freeto exercise the muscles, and so to strengthen them that they will bringthe spine to something like its proper shape. (_See_ Assimilation;Diet; Digestion; Nerves; Nourishment; Paralysis; Massage. )

Spine, Weakness of the. --_See_ Children's Healthy Growth. 

Sprains or Racks. --A sprain is usually the result of some involuntarystress coming upon the part. If the injury be to the muscular substanceonly, it is easily healed; hot fomentations should be given to thesprained parts, with perfect rest and every possible ease and comfortby position, etc. , and nature will soon effect a cure. If the injury bereally to the _nerves_ which control the muscles, as is generally thecase, the matter is more difficult. The muscle swells, but this isprimarily due to the overstrain of the nerves in the sudden effort theymake to bear a crushing load on the muscle. The pain is from pressurein the swelling, and also from inflammatory action. 

The cure, then, must be applied to the motor nerves controlling themuscles, and is best applied at their roots in the spinal cord. If thearm, hand, or wrist be sprained, rub gently the upper spinal regionwith warm olive oil, continuing the rubbing _gently_ down the arm tothe injured part (_see_ Rubbing) until the whole shoulder and arm glowwith comfortable warmth. But all rubbing such as causes pain must beavoided. If such rubbing cannot be managed, then a hot BRAN POULTICE(_see_) must be placed between the shoulders, and a warm fomentationgiven to the shoulder and arm. The treatment should be given once aday, and ere many days the sprain should be cured. For ankle and kneesprains, the lower back and leg must be treated on similar principles. 

Where the chest muscles that cover the ribs are sprained, rubbing andmoist heat should be applied over the back and round the side where thesprain is, paying especial attention to the spine opposite the sprain, and using hot olive oil before fomentation and after, as well as to rubwith. 

If the belly be sprained, similar treatment should be given lower downthe back. 

If the back muscles are sprained, then the same treatment should beapplied, taking special care to stimulate with moist heat and rubbingthe part of the spine on a level with the injury, where the roots ofthe nerves lie which supply the sprained muscles. Care must ever betaken to avoid giving pain--to give pain is to increase the injury. Toproduce a glow of heat all through the parts is to cure it. (_See_Muscular Pains. )

For a sprained heel, when there is some degree of inflammation aboutit, we should pack the whole foot in fine soap lather. Let it be inthis all night, and also during the day when resting. Wash the footwith a little weak acetic acid, after being packed in the lather, tokeep it quite clean. Now rub the whole limb from the ankle upwards insuch a way as to press the blood onwards in the veins. Use a littleoil, so that the skin may not suffer till a fine heat is raised in thewhole limb. This may be done for a quarter-of-an-hour twice or thrice aday. It relieves the heel of all congestion, and lets good arterialblood flow to it, as it would not otherwise. An elastic bandage, notvery tight, put on above the knee will help the cure. Sprained jointsand muscles should have _perfect rest_ for a fortnight, and be usedvery cautiously for some time longer. 

Spring Trouble. --Many persons are distressed by some form of eruptionor inflammation in the skin in spring. The change of atmosphere andtemperature at this time greatly increases the demands made upon theskin as an organ of perspiration, and this strain it is in many casesunable to stand--hence the trouble referred to. To prevent this, theskin must be brought into a better state of health and fitness for anyextra work, so that it can bear without injury even very great changesof air and temperature. This may be done by regular application of soaplather (_see_ Lather and Soap) to the _entire_ skin each evening forthree or four days, and then twice a week through all the season. Goodolive oil may be rubbed on before and after the lather, or even mixedwith it in rubbing on; if the cooling effect is found too great, two orthree thick coats of lather should be put on, and then gently wipedoff, and the oil applied. This, continued during the later winter andspring, should entirely prevent eruptions. But if these do appear, orhave already come on, the irritation is apt to be so great that onlyvery fine and carefully made lather can be used. It is better then touse _buttermilk_ instead of lather. But the BUTTERMILK (_see_) must be_new_, and if necessary weakened by addition of sweet milk; if old andstrongly acid buttermilk be used, harm may be done. Do not _rub_ themilk on: _soak_ it into the parts by gentle _dabbing_ with a pad ofsoft cloth. This done frequently, even twice or three times a day, willalmost always effect a cure. 

It should be remembered that no amount of washing or bathing will do inthis state of the skin. Water somehow, especially hard water, fails toproduce this fine state of the surface. When spring trouble has set in, we would keep water entirely from the skin. Nothing does so well asgood buttermilk. In some forms of spring eruption, a strong mixture ofsalt and water may be freely applied with great advantage. If thisirritates, it should at once be discontinued, but in many cases theeruption will disappear under a few applications. The salt solutionshould be gently rubbed on, and left to dry on the skin (_see_ Skin, Care of; Underwear). 

With the increasing warm weather the body ceases to require as muchfood as in the cold days. Heavy stimulating food in warm weather willcertainly cause an unhealthy skin. 

Squeezing. --_See_ Rubbing. 

Stammering. --This trouble is simply a loss of command of the vocalorgans, and is distinctly _nervous_ in its cause. Especially must welook to the _roots_ of the nerves controlling the vocal organs, if weare to see the real difficulty. There is evidently a state ofirritability and undue sensitiveness in these nerves which must besoothed down, if a cure is to be obtained. The roots of such nerves liein the back of the head and neck, and they are best soothed byapplication of soap lather (_see_ Lather; Soap). This must be wellwrought, and applied warm to the back of the head and neck in three orfour coats. Then mix some _hot_ OLIVE OIL (_see_) with the lather, andapply with the brush gently to the parts. Altogether, in applying thevarious latherings, and the final oil-and-lathering, an hour should bespent, so as to continue the soothing effect during that time. The headmay be soaped one night (_see_ Head, Soaping the), and this treatmentgiven the alternate night. Where the case is of long standing, it maytake long to cure it, or a cure may be impossible, but some mitigationwill result from this treatment. The Sabbath should in all cases be aday of rest from treatment, and generally common sense will indicatethat it be not continued too long. The patient may do a great deal forhimself by the strictest watch on his enunciation, speaking slowly anddeliberately, and breathing deeply. This will be difficult to maintainat first, but practice will make the habit unconscious. An instrumentcalled a metronome may be had from a music shop (used for keeping timein practising), if a book be read aloud by the stammerer, pronouncingone syllable only to each beat, he will soon gain complete control ofhis voice. 

Stiffness, General. --This is often an adjunct of old age, and sometimesoccurs in the young and middle-aged as the result of chills. In_neither_ case is it incurable, but for a cure _rest_ is a firstnecessity. If there be standing and working for twelve or fourteenhours a day, we should not expect a cure at all. Rest must be had, atleast twelve hours out of the twenty-four, and it is well if sixteen oreven eighteen hours' rest can be taken (_see_ Rest). Then there must beheating the spine with moist heat (_see_ Fomentation). This is done torevive the organs which supply oil to the joints, by giving freshvitality to the roots of the nerves which control these organs. But theheating requisite to do this must be gently and persistently applied. An hour's gradual heating is worth far more than half-an-hour's_half-burning_. Then, after the spine fomentation, which must beapplied in bed, rub (_see_ Massage) the back with hot olive oil for aconsiderable time--say half-an-hour, if the patient can bear it (_see_Exercise). Then the joints may be similarly fomented and rubbed atanother time, back and joints being treated, say, every other day. Ifthere be costiveness, treat as in Constipation, and give easilydigested food (_see_ Assimilation; Digestion; Nourishment). Suchtreatment daily should remove stiffness, even in very bad cases. 

Stimulants. --_See_ Alcohol; Narcotics. 

Stomach Trouble. --If you would cure thoroughly, you must first makesure that the skin is doing its part well. Very often indigestionarises from irritation of the stomach, caused by the impurities in theblood which arise from defective skin action. 

With strong people, exercise causing perspiration will often suffice tocure, in other cases where exercise cannot be had the Soapy Blanket(_see_) is effective. After the blanket, give a warm, gentle rubbingwith hot vinegar or diluted acetic acid; and, finally, a similarrubbing with warm olive oil. This rubbing may be given by itself, wherethe patient is too weak to endure the blanket, or where the lathercannot be well applied. Even the rubbing with oil alone will do much tocure. 

The problem in this case is to remove from the blood the irritatingwaste which is inflaming the stomach, and this is better done bycleansing and stimulating the skin than by means of drastic drugs. Alazy man will swallow a peck of pills rather than go through an ordealof cleansing like this, but in that case he need not be surprised ifhis poor stomach become only poorer still, while his purse will not getany heavier. Besides this cleansing, take sips of hot water asrecommended under Indigestion. A very plain and sparing diet should betaken, and great attention given to chewing all food till reduced to aliquid. For it must be remembered that the majority of stomach troubleshave their origin in abuse of this organ, through overloading withfood, or other dietetic errors. _See_ Diet; Assimilation; Biscuits andWater; Constipation; Cramp in Stomach; Diarrhoea; Digestion;Flatulence; Indigestion; Weariness. 

Stomach Ulcers. --Generally the _tongue_ will tell whether the stomachis ulcerated or not. If the tongue is fiery-looking, and small ulcersshow themselves on it, while food produces pain in the stomach, thereis little doubt of the presence of ulcers there. The tongue may atonce, in such a case, be brushed with weak acid (_see_ Acetic Acid) orvinegar, so as to cleanse the surface and produce a _gentle_ smarting. This brushing will quickly produce a healing change in the tongue, which guides us to the cure of the stomach. This will be attained byswallowing teaspoonfuls of the same weak acid. Two or three of theseshould be taken at intervals half-an-hour before food. If the case issevere, the skin over the stomach must be carefully soaped, as directedin article on HEAD SOAPING (_see also_ Lather; Soap). The four-plyflannel BANDAGE (_see_) should also be worn. Do not use drugs, such asiron, arsenic, or soda, and avoid all narcotics. Persevere with theweak acid, and a cure will come unless in very obstinate cases indeed. Care must be taken to avoid irritating food. Milk, or milk and boilingwater is the best diet. A general symptom is severe pain after eating, relieved by vomiting. 

No fluid should be taken hotter than the finger can be held in it. Thisis indeed a good rule always in matters of food and drink, which areoften taken too hot, to the injury of the stomach. 

Stone. --_See_ Gravel. 

Stoutness. --_See_ Breath, and the Heart. 

Strangulation or Hanging. --Often accidentally caused in children orintoxicated persons. Waste no time in going for or shouting forassistance. At once cut the rope, necktie, or whatever else causes thetightening. Pull out the tongue and secure it, commence artificialrespiration at once (_see_ Drowning), open the windows, make any crowdstand back. 

St. Vitus' Dance. --This proceeds from a simple irritation of the spinalnerves, and is to be cured by soothing the spine with persistentcooling. In mild cases this cooling is easily applied with towels wrungout of cold water, and folded so as to lie at least four-ply thickalong the whole spine. If narcotic drugs have been largely used, andthe nervous system spoiled thereby, a severer form of the trouble comeson, and requires a good deal of care and persistence in cooling. In allcases the cooling of the spine must only be done when the patient is_warm in bed_. 

It will be of great importance, in carrying out this process, to useolive oil in such a way, all over the body, as to help in maintainingthe general normal heat. In addition to these suggestions, it may bewell to remark that the appearances in such cases are, as a rule, worsethan the reality. For instance, the motion of the eyes and of thetongue makes one imagine that the sufferer has lost all reason, andeven consciousness of normal character. But this is not so; the brainmay not be affected at all, and the worst feeling is that of weariness. We have seen a patient smiling through the most distressingcontortions--that is, most distressing to the ordinary observer. It isof great importance that any one who treats such cases should be _cool_and _kind_. 

It will sometimes be impossible for one person to keep the patient inbed and covered with the clothes so as to keep warm. If so, two must doit. It is, however, to be remembered constantly, that the patient feelsit much more agreeable to be held within even close limits than to beallowed to throw arms and legs, and head and body about in alldirections. This is a most invaluable truth in such cases. It will notdo to hold as with an iron grasp, so that no degree of movement isallowed; but you may hold softly, so that no motion, such as will evendisturb the bedclothes, shall take place. This must be done so that allthe body shall be comfortably warm when the cold towel is laid alongthe spine and pressed gently to the centre of the back. Incomparatively mild cases, we give an hour of this cooling process everymorning only, and the warm washing and anointing with olive oil atbedtime; but in such cases as we sometimes meet with, where drugs havedone their mischievous work, it is necessary to cool much morefrequently. For instance, when the morning cooling has laid theirritation, and the patient is quiet for an hour, or, perhaps, onlyhalf-an-hour, the movement returns. The persons applying the cure areafraid to repeat it till another morning has come. But they need not beso. Or, they apply it for five minutes, and are afraid to continue itlonger. They may quite safely apply it as long as they can keep therest of the body comfortably warm. If they can keep nice, soft blanketswell round the patient, as a rule it will not be difficult to keep upall general heat. Let us suppose that, when warm in bed and asleep, thepatient wakes up, and the diseased movement begins; it will be wellthen to ply the back with the cold towel. If the movement is perfectlystill in half-an-hour, a rest may be given. If the movement soonreturns, the cold can be applied till perfect quiet is had again. Thiswill, perhaps, be secured in twenty minutes or so. A rest andcomfortable warming may be given again. If the movement still returns, it may be met by the same cooling process again. If only the heat iskept up all right, the cold towel may be used till the spinalirritation is finally gone. 

This simple mode of treatment we have found to be perfectly successful, not only in removing every symptom of nervous irritation, but in givingmost vigorous health to patients who, to begin with, were trulymiserable-looking subjects. This may be looked for, as well as the mereremoval of the malady. 

It should be noted that one outstanding feature of St. Vitus' Dance isthat the movement ceases _during sleep_. If this is not the case, othertreatment is called for. _See_ Paralysis, and articles under Nerves;Spine, etc. 

Sunshine. --Is a most valuable aid to health, acting as a physical andmental tonic. The sunbath, for either portions of the body at a time, or for the whole body, will be found very beneficial to nervoussufferers, and also to those having a tendency to certain skindiseases. Its tonic effect is very noticeable on the hair, giving itbetter growth and richer colour. Sunlight should be admitted freelyinto bedrooms and sitting-rooms, for it is hostile to the growth ofmany of those microbes which cause disease. 

Tapeworm. --The only sure sign of the presence of this parasite in theintestine is the passing from the bowels of some of its joints or ova. Its presence in the body is a serious matter, always giving rise tomore or less inconvenience and disturbance to health. We mention ithere because we know of a very good and harmless remedy which willcompletely expel the worm. This may be obtained from D. Napier & Sons, herbalists, 17, Bristo Place, Edinburgh, postage paid, for 2s. One dosewill be sufficient. 

We dislike _secret_ preparations, yet when we come across a remedywhich never fails, we confess to putting aside our dislikes and gettingit. 

The best thing is, however, to prevent the worm obtaining access to thebody. All food, especially beef and pork, should be thoroughly cooked, and all cooking processes, and all places where meat is kept should bethoroughly clean. Where this is the case, tapeworm will never occur. 

Tea. --Tea should not be infused longer than three or four minutes, andcream should be used with it. The albuminous matter in milk tends tothrow down some of the tannic acid in an insoluble form. It should notbe taken too hot, and if taken at a meat meal (which is undesirable), not till quite the conclusion of the meal. Much tea-drinking producesnervousness and indigestion. If taken _very_ weak it forms a pleasingaddition to the morning and evening meal, but taken as it usually is, and especially between meals, such as at afternoon tea, it is a seriouscause of ill-health. 

Teeth. --In order to prevent decay, the teeth should be carefullybrushed at least once a day, preferably at night, but better stillafter each meal. There is no better dentifrice than pure soap, andM'Clinton's tooth soap, being specially prepared from the ash of plantsand a pure vegetable oil, does not leave the objectionable soapy tastein the mouth which all soda soaps do. 

The prevalence of bad teeth is believed by many to be due to processesof milling, which remove the bone and enamel making properties of thegrain. So much of the natural salts of the grain are removed to makebread white that it ceases to be the staff of life. A contributorycause is the consumption of large quantities of sweets or candies, especially between meals. White bread lodging in the teeth and therebyproducing acid fermentation, is believed to have a bad effect on them, also too hot or ice-cold liquids. Remember also that the teeth cannotbe healthy if they are not exercised. The Scotch peasant when he atehard oat-cake had splendid teeth, as the Swedish peasants who eat hardrye-bread still have. Sloppy foods hastily bolted will ruin thedigestion and thereby the teeth, besides depriving them of the workessential to their good condition. If teeth do decay they should beseen to by a dentist at once, as their presence in the mouth isinjurious to the general health. 

Teething. --At the outset, it must ever be remembered that this is _not_a disease. It is a natural growth, and often is accomplished withoutany trouble at all. It is, however, a comparatively _quick_ growth, accomplishing much in a little time, as a plant in flowering. This_rush_ of growth in one place draws upon the vitality available forgeneral purposes in the child's body, and if this vitality is not verylarge, trouble ensues. Diarrhoea, cold feet, and lack of spirit andappetite thus arise. If at this stage the lower limbs and body becarefully fomented (_see_ Fomentation), all trouble may cease at once;at least a very great deal will be done to relieve it. Give threeteaspoonfuls of warm water, slightly sweetened with pure CANE SYRUP(_see_), three times a day. A little of the confection of senna will doinstead of this if desired. The fomentation must never be so hot or solong at a time as to cause discomfort. Irritation is bad for a teethinginfant, and all must be done soothingly if success is to be gained. Also it will not do to foment and rub with oil a _feverish_ child. Suchcases must be treated differently, as we shall see, and it is easy todistinguish them from cases without fever. Meantime we would say thatin many cases where vital force is low without fever, the treatment byfomentation as described is of great value. 

In regard to the artificial "cutting" of the gum by surgicalinstruments, we would say that such should only be resorted to when thetooth is very near the surface indeed, and by a careful surgeon whoknows what he is about. The irritation in the gums which makes itthought of at all can be usually allayed by simple means. Let themother dip her finger in good vinegar and water, just strong enough toslightly smart the lips, and rub it on the irritated gum. This can ofcourse be done often, and is most powerfully soothing. It may indeed doall that is required. But if more general symptoms appear, such assleeplessness and heat in the head, cooling of the head is required. Have two little caps made of _thick_ cotton cloth, one slightly larger, so as to fit on above the other on the child's head. Wring the smallerout of cold (but not ice-cold) water, and put it on. Press it gently onthe head, and if the heat and restlessness continue, cool it again, perhaps twice or three times. When the restlessness is relieved, leavethe damp cap on the head, and place the dry one on over it. If the heatreturns, repeat the process. This treatment, though a mere cooling ofthe brain, has saved ere now both reason and life, and should never belightly thought of or despised. 

Often the stomach is seriously disordered during teething, bothvomiting and purging resulting. In small degree these are notdangerous, but they are better avoided. If severe, they are thebeginning of often fatal trouble. 

To quiet the excited bowels, nothing is better than enemas of coolwater. It need not be too cold, but just a little under blood heat, with a little vinegar added. One tablespoonful of vinegar to a pint ofwater. Also a "baby's bottle, " prepared with water at blood heat (98deg. ), _without any milk or sugar_, will greatly assist the stomach ifgiven to be sucked. In such cases infants usually suck this watergreedily. It is most soothing to the stomach. Half a teacupful at atime is enough. In the evening wash the child with warm water and SOAP(_see_) rub all over with warm olive or almond oil, especially the backup and down. Then place a BRAN POULTICE (_see_) over all the back, taking care to have it just comfortably warm. When this is fastened on, an ordinary pocket-handkerchief wrung out of cold water is folded andlaid over the bowels. This is changed for a fresh one as soon asheated, and _gently_ pressed all over. The milk, if the child isbrought up on the bottle, may be given now, reduced in strength for atime. This treatment will often cure without enemas, which may then bedispensed with. Great improvement in health may be expected after a fewdays of such treatment. A cool handkerchief, similar to that on thebowels, may also be applied to the head, if that is heated. 

Some form of head eruption often comes on after a long time of heatedhead. A little sour buttermilk, vinegar, or weak acetic acid, notstronger than to cause a slight smarting _tried in the nurse'snostrils_, will relieve almost instantly the itching which accompaniesthis. If strong acid be used, matters are made worse, and great paincaused. The acid, weak as we have described, at once neutralises theirritating substance exuded from the eruption. It also prepares the wayfor a cure. If astringent lotions are employed, drying the sore, anddriving it in on the brain, serious injury may be caused. But ifhealing takes place under soaking with weak acid, no such result needbe feared, for this simply removes the unhealthy state of the part. Water, especially _hard_ water, must be absolutely kept away from sucha head. No more must be used than is necessary to dilute the acid; and, if it can be got, the acid of buttermilk is decidedly preferable. Thewhole body, when feverish, may be cooled in a tepid bath, several timesa day if necessary, having the water just at blood heat. 

Besides these outside effects, teething often causes brain disorders. (_See_ various articles on Children. ) The infant should be watchedcarefully, and if the eye be dull, and the head heavy with feverishsymptoms, the head should be cooled at once as above directed, and ifthe feverish symptoms are not marked, and the feet cold, the feet, legs, and lower body should be wrapped in a good warm fomentation. Where the trouble has gone so far that insensibility comes on, thetreatment is the same, only the cloths had better be wrung out of_iced_ water if available. It is important to not only lay the clothson the head, but to _press_ them. Take the little head in your twohands, and so bring the cool cloth close to every part of it, while youlift up a prayer for help from the Great Healer. Keep at this till yourfeeling tells you it is time to change the cloth. Take off the hot oneand put on the cool one. Go on with the gentle pressure again. It doesrequire work, but it is well worth work to save a precious life. Youmust so work that you will cause the least disturbance possible to thelittle sufferer. It may be you may require to keep this up for manyhours, but you will probably find that some signs of sense appear ereyou have gone on very long, and you may see that natural sleep hassucceeded the drowse that lay in the worn-out brain. If so, you willallow the head to lie still in the cold cloth, and change only when itgets very warm. If natural heat has been fully restored to the legs andfeet, you will let these rest also. 

We know of a case where the brain seemed gone, and the medical manabandoned hope; but the head was cooled with ice cloths, while the feetand legs were kept in a hot fomentation, for a whole night, and alldanger was passed by the morning. So that, even in very bad cases, thisshould be perseveringly tried. 

For diet, in teething, the child must get easily digested food, and all"rich" foods--brandy, beef-tea, etc. --must be avoided. 

Involuntary starting, and the manifestation of great fear on waking outof sleep, frequently arise from irritation of the spine duringteething. The cold compress applied along the spine when the child iswarm in bed will relieve this. It may be applied (_see_ Towels, Cold)twice or thrice a day. If the feet are cold, these may be fomented atthe same time. If the head is cold, it may be fomented also. If it ishot, cool it. This treatment relieves the irritation of the mouth, aswell as removes the starting. If _both_ head and feet are hot, then youneed only cool the spine. 

In all cases, common sense must be used, but we think we have givensufficient indication of principles to enable a thoughtful nurse ormother to treat successfully almost any case. Where very cold cloths onapplication cause shivering and crying, either use tepid cloths, slightly cooler than the skin, or warm the _surface_ of the cold foldedcloth by holding for a short time to a fire, and then apply to thepatient. The warm surface thus first touches the skin, and afterwardsthe cold in the body of the cloth penetrates gradually. 

Temperature (_see_ Heat, Internal). 

Tempering Treatment. --Much, if not all, of the success in any case oftreatment depends on its being properly tempered to the strength of thepatient. In putting on LATHER (_see_), for instance, a delicate andnervous child will be greatly annoyed if soaped all over at once. Butif one arm be done and finished, then the other, then the breast, andso on to the abdomen, the back, and the legs, _bit by bit_, the effectwill be soothing in the extreme. So with MASSAGE (_see_); so also withapplying a cold towel. If it chills and terrifies the patient whensuddenly "clapped on, " common sense would suggest holding it to thefire till the _surface_ is warm. This warm surface will give no shockwhen applied to the skin, and the cold in the body of the towel willgradually penetrate and do its work. Also, as we have frequentlyrepeated, the _strength_ of ACETIC ACID (_see_) must be carefullylooked to, when it is used. It must ever be remembered that some of thefinest and noblest spirits are inhabitants of frail bodies, which, withright treatment, are strong enough, but suffer terribly in rough hands. 

Thirst. --This forms a severe feature in many cases of illness, and hasto be treated variously according to its kind. It may be due first to_dryness_ in the membranes of the throat and stomach; secondly it maybe due to a _concentrated_ or _deranged_ state of the juices of thebody; thirdly, it may be the result of a _burning heat_ in the body. Itwill not be difficult for a careful person to say in any case which ofthem is the cause. The nature of the disease will indicate it. A littlecold water may be given first. If this fails, a cold cloth over thestomach (_see_ Changing Treatment) may be tried. If these are notsuccessful, a few tablespoonfuls of hot water may be given. The firstof these meets the simple dryness, the second cures the burning heat, the third meets the case of concentrated and deranged juices in thebody. A few drops of vinegar, lemon juice, or other fruit acid (_see_Drinks), will often greatly assist the hot water in its duty. Allalcoholic drinks are worse than useless in real thirst. Any power theypossess is either due to the effect they have on the artificial thirstthey create or to the water they contain. And the danger of rousing orcreating the dreadful desire of the drunkard is so great, that theyought never to be given to relieve a patient's thirst. 

If the cold water is known, from any cause, to be dangerous to thepatient, then hot water will do equally well. If the thirst arises fromsome drug which has been taken, then hot water should always be given. 

Again, the _locality_ of the dryness causing thirst indicates the bestmethod of quenching it. If only the mouth and tongue be dry, then itwill be sufficient to wash out the mouth with the water, or acid drink, not swallowing, so as to avoid unnecessary loading of the stomach. Ifthroat and mouth are cool, and only the stomach burns, then the coldtowel above that is the best treatment. 

There is no need, except in very special cases, for iced water. Tapwater is generally cool enough, unless stored in heated cisterns. Inthis case a little ice may be used to bring it down to a temperature of45 deg. Or so, but not below 40 deg. 

Throat Hoarseness. --This is best treated by a good large BRAN POULTICE(_see_) on the back of the head and neck. While the patient lies onthis, cold towels must be changed on the front above the "apple" of thethroat. Do this for an hour twice a day. Or, if the feet be cold, givetreatment as in Teething. There must also be _rest from talking_. Procure a good camel's-hair throat-brush from the druggist, and brushthe back of the throat well with weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) several timesa day, or simply gargle if there is difficulty with the brushing. Thebrush must be carefully cleansed, and dipped in the _strong_ acid afteruse. 

Especially is it necessary to give up, in such cases, the use oftobacco. Where the trouble has lasted for years, it may be slow toheal, and the poulticing may be done only once a week. In ordinarycases, a day or two's treatment should cure. 

Many times we have seen a good fomentation of feet and legs alone givevery sensible relief. Never be satisfied with putting a hot bottle orbrick to the feet. This is a lazy way of dealing with a serious case. Have the feet and legs up to the knees rubbed with vinegar and oliveoil, and wrapped in a large blanket fomentation. It is not the mere dryskin of the soles of the feet that needs warming: the whole legs, especially the muscles, require the moist heat of a thoroughfomentation. Circulation is at once accelerated just where it iswanted, so as to lessen the pressure where the vital stream is pressingtoo heavily and lodging in a dangerous congestion. It is good even ifthe feet are not very cold, but only cool, to ply this part of theremedy well. Where the patient is strong enough to sit out of bed, agood hot foot-bath will do instead of this fomentation. 

Throat, Sore. --The first question in any case of sore throat, is, Whatis the temperature of the patient? (_see_ Heat, Internal). If thiscannot be ascertained, at least we can say whether the patient isfeverish or not. 

Let us first take the case where there is no fever. Get the patientwarmly to bed. Foment (_see_ Fomentation) carefully all round the neck, first rubbing on a little olive oil. Renew the fomentation every fiveminutes for three-quarters-of-an-hour at least. Allow rest for an hour. Then foment thoroughly the feet and legs up over the knees. When thisis done, and the heat kept up, cool the throat with constant fresh coldtowels. Let this go on for an hour. Finally sponge the whole body withwarm vinegar. Rub lightly over with olive oil, dry, and allow to rest. Probably the throat will be cured. If not, repeat the treatment thefollowing day. 

Where there is fever with the sore throat, first make sure whether thefeet are hot or cold. If cold, put on fomentations as above. Even ifthe feet are only cool this should be done. While the feet and legs arethus fomented thoroughly, change cold towels on the throat every threeminutes for an hour. Sponge all over as above directed, and allow torest. If the feet are hot, cold towels alone are applied to the throat;but if the feet get at all chilled while such cooling is going on, theymust be fomented. 

If there is vomiting and sickness along with the sore throat, the othersymptoms of scarlet fever should be looked for, and medical aidobtained if possible. 

But here is a case where the most experienced eye, aided by the bestpossible instrument, sees nothing wrong in the throat itself, but thecough and difficulty of breathing point to the throat. The trouble isnot there, but in the roots of the nerves by which vital energy issupplied to the windpipe and other vocal organs. You must go to theback of the neck, and to the back between the upper parts of theshoulders, and there affect the roots that are really in a state ofdistressing over-action. If you are skilful enough in applying cold, and your patient has plenty of general warmth, you need nothing morethan a cold towel, changed pretty often, and nicely pressed over theproper parts. If this fails, have recourse to a cloth with mustardspread like thin butter on it, say about six inches broad and a footlong. Lay this gently on the spine at the back of the neck, and down asfar as it goes. Apply your cold compresses now over this as well as youcan, and the violent spasmodic symptoms will be mitigated. If one trialis not sufficient, sprinkle the cold cloth with cayenne. If the resultcan be reached by the cold cloth alone, it will be best. If mustard orcayenne must be applied, observe very carefully that they should neverdistress the patient. As much as can be borne quite easily, and nomore, should be employed. Whenever a remedy becomes seriouslydistressing, we may be pretty sure it has ceased to be remedial, forthe time at least. 

Throat, Sore (Clergyman's). --Those who are in the habit of using theirvoice much should be very careful to produce it in the proper way. Itis noticeable that actors (who learn to produce their voice properly)do not suffer from what is known as clergyman's sore throat. 

The voice in speaking should be pitched, as a rule, considerably lowerthan is usually done, especially if speaking in public. Any tighteningof the throat muscles should be avoided, and the voice sent out from afull chest well expanded. 

Those who are musical should take a note on the piano enunciating thevowels in their natural order ([=a], ay, ee, o, oo) on this note. Thenproceed to the next note; the whole of the octave may thus be goneover. Choose an octave most consonant with the range of the voice. 

Then add the consonants: b[=a], bay, bee, c[=a], cay, etc. , etc. Thus aperfect command over all the possible combinations of vowels andconsonants may be attained. 

There is absolutely no reason why any musical person should have anunmusical voice, especially since this bad production of the voiceoften strains the muscles and inflames the mucous membrane of thethroat. In connection with this question of music, it should beremembered that almost irretrievable injury to the voice may be done byallowing a boy to continue singing after his voice has begun to"break. "

It is not a good plan to be constantly "clearing" the throat whilstspeaking. One gets to imagine after a while that it needs clearing whenit really does not. 

Alcohol and tobacco are both undoubtedly injurious to the voice. Alittle honey and lemon juice will be found the best gargle if a gargleis required. 

Deep breathing is of great assistance in endeavouring to produce thelower note, in fact it is not possible to produce a full note exceptfrom a full chest. In this connection it may be said that it has beenobserved that deep-chested, deep-breathing, slow-speaking people arefrequently possessed of certain estimable points of character, such asprudence, firmness, self-reliance, calmness. If one is going to beangry, ten deep breaths might save a world of trouble. (_See_Breathing, Correct method of). 

Thumb, Bruised and Broken. --Frequently a tradesman will strike thethumb or finger a serious blow with a hammer, in missing a stroke. Ifnot treated properly, the whole hand may be destroyed, but if promptlyplunged into warm clean water and kept there, even the broken bones canbe handled quite comfortably, and all pain and uneasiness pass away erevery long. Plenty of bathing in clean warm water, and proper settingand dressing, are all such an injury requires. 

Toothache. --This trouble appears in two opposite characters. In the oneit is cured by rightly applied heat, and in the other by cold. If it ismerely the soft substance in the tooth which is affected, local coolingapplications will cure, if persisted in. If it be the nerve terminatingin the tooth which is irritated, then even the extraction of the toothmay fail to give relief. Both cold and hot applications to the tooth orcheek will then probably prove useless. 

In such a case, apply COLD TOWELS (_see_) gently pressed over the headand back of the neck. If the case be a bad one, the feet may be put ina hot bath, or fomented. Persevered in for an hour, this treatment isalmost certain to cure. It may take away all pain in a few minutes. After the pain is cured, dry well, and keep the head moderately warm. 

But if the toothache is caused by a severe chill to the head, and thatbe still cold, it should be packed in a hot fomentation. This givesalmost instant relief. Rub on a little oil when the fomentation comesoff, and keep the head warm. 

It should not be difficult to distinguish the cases requiring heat fromthose requiring cold. In any case, if the first application of eitherincreases the pain, try the other. 

Towels, Cold Wet. --A towel of the ordinary kind, and full size, issoaked in a basin of cold water and carefully wrung out until it ismerely damp. Prejudice against this treatment is often aroused byputting on the cloths wet, and in a slack, blundering way, so as tomake the patient most uncomfortable. It is then folded and applied tothe skin, as directed. While applying the first, a second towel may bein the water. It is then wrung out and applied, while the first isplaced to soak afresh. In prolonged cooling, care must be taken thatthe water in the basin does not get too warm. It should be frequentlychanged. The nurse should gently press the towels on the part, frequently changing the position of her hands. They should not merelybe laid on, but gently pressed, unless this causes pain. The towelswill need to be changed when hot, and will take from two to fiveminutes to lose their cooling effect, according to circumstances. Wherecold increases the patient's distress, it is almost always safe tosubstitute heat. _See_ Cooling in Heating; Fomentation. 

Tumours. --A large, soft, fleshy tumour is usually simply anaccumulation of waste material, which should have been excreted fromthe body if all the organs were in healthy working order. Where such aswelling exists, the first consideration is diet. For this, Barley(_see_) as chief food will do very well. Lemon and orange juice (_see_Drinks) should be the drinks. The barley must _not_ be cooked withmilk, and the drinks must be made with _pure water_. This plain dietwill help very much towards the removal of the tumour. 

Then the back should be rubbed (_see_ Massage) with hot olive oil twicea day. This treatment alone has often removed the disagreeableswellings on the neck so often afflicting women. 

Also, fine soap lather (_see_ Lather; Soap) should be gently rubbedrepeatedly over the tumour itself. This _alone_ we have known removetumours, so it is important. 

The three forms of treatment, all applied carefully, will cure all butvery obstinate cases. _See also_ Armpit Swelling; Hydrocele. 

Where fibrous tumours exist, the treatment is to _douche_ cold water onthe part affected, while the rest of the body is kept warm. In case ofsuch a growth in the abdomen, the patient sits in cold water, while thefeet are placed in hot water, and the whole body warmly wrapped inblankets. Cold water is then thrown against the spot where the tumourlies. If the tumour is discovered early, its growth may be entirelystopped by this means. Such treatment for several minutes twice a dayhas in our own experience cured cases pronounced incurable. _See_ SitzBath. 

Turnip Poultice. --Part of a raw turnip is grated down to a pulp. Asmuch of this is prepared as will cover the inflamed part. It is put onnext the skin, and covered with a soft cloth. All is then tied nicelyup in another cloth. In violent inflammation of the knee joint, this isa most valuable soothing application. Placed on discoloured andshrivelled skin, it is marvellously curative. When applied, the patientmust be _thoroughly warm_. This warmth must be maintained while thepoultice is on, as it has a powerful cooling effect. 

Typhoid Fever. --_See_ Fever, Typhoid. 

Ulcers. --An ulcer is an "eating sore": that is, a sore containingmatter which eats away the skin and flesh, thereby extending itself, and increasing in depth as well. To stop this diseased process, thevirulent matter in the ulcer must be killed or neutralised, and thiscan usually best be done by means of vinegar or weak ACETIC ACID(_see_), which is most powerfully antiseptic. The only difficulty is toavoid irritating the sore by the application of too strong acid. Thetreatment by weak acid is very effective, but it must be a fairlyprolonged and thorough soaking. Apply a little at a time to the sore. Use warm water if pain be caused. Continue the soaking for even an hourat a time, twice or even three times a day. The wound may be dressedwith good fresh olive oil after each soaking. Usually, nothing elsewill be required, but it must be thoroughly done. 

In a very severe case, mix in a teacupful of hot water as muchsaltpetre as the water will dissolve. Add to this a teaspoonful ofacetic acid, and use this to soak the sore instead of simple weak acid. Then, if healing does not come, it is probably because rest is nottaken, and most likely also because there is deficient vitality in thewhole system. Let the treatment with the lotion be given in themorning. Secure rest during the day, and in the evening, for an hour, thoroughly foment the feet and legs up over the knees. Once a week fortwo weeks give the SOAPY BLANKET (_see_) instead of this treatment, andin the morning rub all over the body with hot vinegar. This powerfullystimulates the vitality of the whole system. Even a very bad ulcershould give way under a careful course of united acid soaking, rest, and this stimulating treatment. 

Unconsciousness. --There are two opposite causes of unconsciousness. Oneis congestion of the brain, the other sheer nerve exhaustion. Eitherwill produce a prolonged suspension of consciousness very differentfrom a mere passing faint. In the case of congestion, the head will behot and the feet cold. The cure is therefore at once seen to be to coolthe head and foment the feet in a hot blanket up to the knees. This isthe treatment usually to be given to young children. When aged people, or those much exhausted from any cause, become unconscious from lack ofvitality, there will be rather a _general_ coldness, and no specialheat in the head. We have seen such a case of "coma, " which had lastedfor forty-eight hours, come all right in ten minutes, by simplyfomenting the back of the head and neck, and all down the spinalcolumn. Press a thickly-folded piece of flannel wrung out of hot watercarefully and gently over these parts, and often in a few minutes themental power comes back. Care must be taken not to scald the patient. _See_ Fomentation. 

Underwear. --There is a common and very popular error, namely, that ofputting too much clothing on our bodies, under the mistaken idea thatadditional weight means additional warmth. The fact that the mainobject of clothing is to preserve the natural heat of the body is lostsight of, and little attention is paid to the selection of propergarments for wearing next the skin. Every day the skin of an averagehealthy individual gives off so many pints of moisture, which must notbe allowed to settle on the body if health is to be maintained. Afterlong and exhaustive trials, we have come to the conclusion that thebest material for wearing next the skin is knitted linen, and the bestknitted linen of the kind, and in fact, the only pure linen meshmaterial which we have seen, is known as _Kneipp linen_, and can beobtained from all leading retailers and outfitters in this and othercountries. The name of the nearest agent may be had by sending a cardto the Kneipp Linen Warehouse, 2 Milk St. , London, E. C. In winter lightwoollen underwear can be worn over the linen if desired, thus retainingthe hygienic advantages of the linen, as well as the warmth of thewool. As the wool does not touch the skin, it will not require frequentwashing, and so will not become felted up. 

Linen is the symbol of cleanliness, the priests of old, as we read inEzekiel, being commanded to wear it, and not wool or any garmentcausing sweat. 

Our reason for specially naming Kneipp linen is that we know it is_pure linen_, whereas we know that what is sold as linen mesh isfrequently half linen and half cotton. 

Linen is the most absorbent material for underwear. It soaks upmoisture very rapidly, and dries with equal rapidity. Hence linen isalways preferred for towels and bandages. Those who use it forunderwear will not require to change the clothes after exercise, asthey would if wool were worn next the skin. The ordinary woven linen isclean but cold: Kneipp linen is so constructed as to be clean and warm. This material retains air in its meshes, and a layer of dry air nextthe body is the best method of preserving an even temperature, and thusavoiding colds and chills, which are so prevalent in a climate such asours. Wool is entirely unsuited for wearing next the skin. It does notabsorb the perspiration rapidly nor radiate it freely, and afterseveral washings it becomes felted, and in that condition is absolutelyinjurious to health. It is the material par excellence for outerclothing, but all inner garments coming in contact with the body shouldbe composed of pure linen. (_See_ Skin, Care of). 

Uric Acid. --This acid is found in persons of a gouty tendency, suchtendencies being a great deal more common than is imagined. 

It is really a waste product formed by the activity of the body cells, and should properly be mainly transformed into urea and so excreted. Ifit is not so transformed it accumulates in the blood and deposits instony formations in different parts of the body, as in the joints, kidneys and bladder, causing very serious disease. Pure air and plentyof exercise will assist its transformation. 

It is also taken into the body in various foods, particularly meat andtea, which are very rich in it or kindred chemical substances, therefore, anyone having such a tendency should avoid these. Theconsumption of sugar should also be limited. Avoid alcohol and useplenty of green vegetables and fruits. 

The tendency to a "uric acid" constitution is hereditary, and isprevalent among families who live high. Such should be continually onthe watch lest their diet should precipitate an attack. Water should befreely drunk, and plenty of bathing with subsequent rubbing of themuscles or massage is advisable. 

Drugs are to be avoided as they often result in painful heartaffection, and besides do not strike at the real root of the disease. 

Soda or lithia water may be taken either with or without milk. Brinebaths may be taken when practicable. 

Urinary Troubles. --A healthy man usually evacuates about 30-40 ozs. Ofurine daily, the excretion being greater in the winter than in thesummer, owing to the checked perspiration. The urine should be of apale straw colour and transparent. Where any irregularity in the urine, either in quantity or quality, is suspected, it is wise to use softboiled or distilled water only, for drinking, and to take frequent sipsof it throughout the day, and especially early in the morning. Eitherpure hot water, hot water and lemon juice, or whey, will help theaction of the kidneys when this is sluggish. 

Where the bladder is irritated and painfully sensitive, a large hotBRAN POULTICE (_see_) should be applied to the lower back. While thepatient lies on this, cold towels (_see_ Towels, Cold Wet) should bechanged over the bladder in front. While giving such treatment once ortwice a day, _rest_ must be taken, if a cure is to be obtained. For apatient to say that rest cannot be had, is to say that cure isimpossible. 

Where there is a tendency to stoppage of the urine, a warm sitz-bathshould be taken. The patient first sits in three inches deep ofcomfortably hot water. More water at the same temperature is pouredgradually in at intervals, until it rises well up over the abdomen. This will usually relieve even a bad case. 

Treat with bran poultice and cold towels, as above recommended, afterthe warm bath has given relief. It should be remembered that the _cold_is the healing power, bracing the bladder and all its muscles andvessels. Hence more than a slight cooling is needed. But the cooling isonly possible when good heat is kept up on the base of the back. Thistreatment also cures the swelling of the bladder which oftenaccompanies restriction of urine. 

Where a positive growth interferes with the urinary discharge, this mayoften be actually _melted away_ by soaking with weak ACETIC ACID(_see_), when it is at all possible to reach it. The power of curepossessed by acetic acid is incredible, except to those who have seenit exercised, and its persistent use would, we are use, save manylives, if people would only try it. 

We would also advise the four-ply flannel bandage, with two plies dampand two dry. This round the body has a wonderfully soothing effect. Sohas a nicely applied lathering with SOAP (_see_). As in most othertroubles, special care must be taken to keep the feet warm. 

Vaccination Trouble. --When a child is suffering after vaccination, weshould have him gently rubbed all over--thrice at least withM'Clinton's soap (_see_ Lather). No one who has not seen this well donecan believe how blessed are its effects on an irritated skin. Itsoothes incredibly. When thoroughly covered and covered again withwell-made lather of this soap, the child will sleep beautifully. Weshould soap head and all, and let the little man sleep all night in thesoap. He may be sponged in the morning with weak vinegar and water toclean off the remains of the soap, if there are any. Now, there willoccur a most important question: Is the child cold or feverish? Ifcold, then mix some good olive oil in your rubbing with the lather. Ifhot, use no oil. If cold, rub all over with warm oil before applyingthe lather. It will make no difference, or next to none, if the diseasehas broken out as a visible skin disease, only it will be necessary touse the vinegar on the unbroken parts of the skin and not to distressthe child by painful smarting. The soap will not need to be sorestricted. That cures the most tender sores, and soothes in adelightful way. 

Vegetables, Green, and Fruit. --We would strongly recommend our readersto continually have these valuable foods on their tables. It ispossible to obtain them in some form or other during the entire year. They contain very valuable salts, which are of the greatest use inpreventing disease. These salts are absolutely necessary for life, andthough found in other foods such as meat, are particularly abundant inthese vegetables. If cooked they must be carefully prepared, as thesalts are very soluble in water (_see_ Cooking). Vegetable salads andfruit salads are to be recommended. Those of gouty or corpulenttendencies will find these of especial use. By keeping the bloodalkaline they are a preventive of many diseases. Spinach, cabbage, lettuce, and all the fruits offer a variety from which at each seasonone may choose. 

It is to be observed that common salt and salt such as bi-carbonate ofsoda, do not adequately replace those food salts. Indeed, over-consumption of common salt is harmful, besides leading tounnatural thirst. 

Fresh fruits and vegetables are always to be preferred to tinned ones. 

Veins, Swollen. --The swelling of veins in the leg is a very commontrouble, especially in middle and later life. At first this may causeno pain, one vein appearing as a little blue lump. Then as the troubleincreases, knots of veins seem to rise, especially below and behind theknee. Great pain follows, and sometimes the veins burst, causing badsores, not easy to heal. 

All this generally springs from _overstrain_ upon the limbs. Longcontinued standing, in circumstances otherwise unfavourable to health, is the usual cause. 

This shows the primary necessity of _rest_. Let the patient lie down asmuch as possible, or at least sit with the sore limb or limbs supportedon a chair so as to be nearly level. If this can be done thoroughly, all work being given up for a month or so, a cure is not verydifficult. But where this rest cannot be had, an elastic band, such asis used by bootmakers to make strong boot gussets, about six inchesbroad and one foot long, should be procured. Fasten this round _above_the knee, well up the thigh. This will greatly help to relieve theblood pressure on the lower leg, and is better than elastic stockings. Before these bands are slipped on, the leg should be well rubbed orstroked _upwards_, as described at the end of Circulation. This rubbingempties the swollen veins, and gives great relief. 

We have seen a man with both legs full of swollen veins ready forbursting, and most painful, get on two such bandages, and go on diggingand working with perfect ease, while the veins sensibly contracted withno other application. But it is not necessary nor wise to confinemedical measures to the use of such bandages. Rest is in some casesabsolutely necessary. 

Even where partial rest can be had, it is important to wear these bandsand rub as described. But if possible, the patient should rest in bedfor one week. To restore power to the relaxed vessels, a large branpoultice should be applied across the haunches behind, rubbing oliveoil before and after. Apply this for fifty minutes each night duringthe week in bed. Wear a broad band of new flannel over the parts afterthe poultice. In the morning give the same treatment. If in a week theveins are not better, continue the treatment for another week. Theelastic band is, of course, not worn in bed, but may be put on onrising as a security against relapse. 

We have seen persons over sixty years of age completely cured in thisway, when the necessary rest could be had. 

If the _skin_ give signs, by dryness and hardness, that it is out oforder, instead of treatment with the bran poultice, the SOAPY BLANKET(_see_) may be applied on the first night. The patient may on othernights be lathered with soap (_see_ Lather; Soap), and the soapy clothworn on the back for a night or two, sponging all over with hot vinegarin the morning. 

Where the veins by bursting have caused sores, treat with weak vinegaras directed for Ulcers, and after each acid soaking, bandage the wholelimb (putting lint on the sores and dressing them properly) with anordinary surgical bandage, just so tightly as to give relief, and nottight enough to cause any pain. Over-pressure injures. This treatment, with the necessary _rest_, will in most cases effect a cure in a fewweeks. 

Vomiting. --In many cases of severe illness, the stomach rejects allfood, and the patient comes near to dying of simple starvation. On theslightest nourishment being taken, retching and vomiting ensue, thestomach being irritated beyond all possibility of its doing its work. This occurs in cancer and ulcers in the stomach, as well as in variousdisorders and stomach inflammations. 

"Rum and milk, " "claret, " and all alcoholic drinks are most injuriousin such cases, and should _never_ be given. To soothe the irritation, the stomach should be soaped in the same manner as recommended in Head, Soaping the (_see also_ Lather). We have seen, even in very bad casesof cancer, such an application cause all retching to cease almost atonce. When this has been carefully and gently done, give exceedinglysmall quantities at first, of infants' food, or milk and boiling water. To give any "rich" things is a fatal mistake. Oatmeal jelly may begiven also, but beginning with a teaspoonful at a time (_see_Assimilation; Digestion; Nourishment). By gradually working up theamount, a patient's life may be saved on this simple oatmeal jellywhich would be lost if richer things were given. Often the stomachrejects food simply because it is surfeited. It may be that the liveris out of order, having had too much to do. Abstinence from food for aday or two, and then reducing the meals to two, taken, say, between 10and 11, and 5 and 6 o'clock, will greatly help. Masticate the food tillit is reduced to a liquid, in this state the quantity required will bewonderfully reduced and the work of the stomach lessened. 

Water, Hot. --The frequent prescription in these papers of hot water, tobe taken often in small quantities, makes it of importance that someexplanation of its action should be given. 

We see, frequently, such a thing as this: a person is confined to bed, sick and ill; there is no desire for food, but rather a loathing at thevery idea of eating; distressing symptoms of various sorts are showingthat the work of digestion and assimilation is going on badly, ifreally going on at all. The patient is started on a course of hot waterin half-teacupfuls every ten minutes. When this has gone on for perhapssix or seven hours, he begins to be very hungry, and takes food withrelish, probably for the first time for months past. In the meantime agreatly increased quantity of water has passed from the body one wayand another, but has all passed loaded with waste material. The breathis loaded with carbonic acid and other impurities; the perspiration isloaded with all that makes it differ from pure water; the urine, especially, is loaded with waste separated from the blood and tissuesof the body. The space, so to speak, left vacant by all this washingaway of waste matter makes its emptiness felt by a call upon thestomach to furnish fresh material. Some will say that the hot watermerely passes off by the kidneys without entering the circulation atall. This is impossible, and facts, patent to everyone, demonstratethat they are in error. The substances with which the water becomesimpregnated show that it has been mingled with the circulation, and thewholesome effects produced prove that it has made itself useful. 

"Hard" water, as it is called, will not do so well as "soft" water. Distilled water is best of all. So much superior is it, indeed, thatits use cannot be too strongly insisted on. It can be had from thedruggist at twopence per quart. 

Where nourishment is given with too little water, the food will oftenfail almost entirely to enter the circulation. But a little warm water, somewhat above blood heat, but not too hot, will make all right. Thisis especially seen in nourishing infants (_see_ Infants' Food). Food, then, will not act as water does, nor will water act as food. Even alittle sugar mixed with the hot water completely alters its effect onthe body. As it has already dissolved the sugar, it cannot dissolvewhat is needed to be removed from the body. Sugar and water is not a_bad_ mixture, but it will by no means do instead of pure water in thecases we contemplate. On the other hand, a mixture of alcohol with thewater is ruinous, and that just in proportion to the quantity ofalcohol, small or great. Beer, for example, can never do what isrequired of water, nor can wine, or any other alcoholic drink. Teaadded to the water also alters its quality. The water _alone_, and asnearly perfect in purity as it can be got, is the only thing which willdo the necessary work. 

Sometimes one finds a great prejudice against hot water. You see onewho is miserable through derangement of the stomach and digestiveorgans, and you mention "hot water. " The very phrase is sufficient toput an expression of strong prejudice on the face. Yet that very hotwater is perhaps the only thing that will cure the patient. If you waita little, there will be an opening to explain that hot water is verydifferent to tepid water. Under blood heat, and yet heated, water tendsto produce vomiting; above blood heat, nothing will so well set thestomach right. This is true, however, only when the water is taken invery small quantities. You must see that the water is not smoked in theheating or otherwise spoiled. And also that it be not too hot. If itscalds the lips it is too hot. When it is comfortably warm, but nottepid, it does its work most effectively. 

Water for Drinking. --Every care should be taken to have drinking waterabsolutely pure. Diarrhoea and many infectious diseases may be conveyedby impure water. In gouty cases as much water should be taken aspossible (provided the heart is sufficiently strong) in order to washaway the waste matter. The same applies to fevers. If there is asuspicion of water being contaminated mere filtration should never berelied on, the water should be boiled. 

After many of the treatments given by us in this book, considerablethirst will be experienced. Cold water in such cases may always begiven. In fact, in any internal congested condition cold water willstimulate the nerves of these organs, and make them act on the bloodvessels. In all cases where drugs, especially mineral drugs have beenrecklessly indulged in, cold water should be taken in abundance. Caremust be taken, however, not to unduly stimulate the circulation ornervous system, and any signs of this, such as headache or want ofsleep indicate the curtailment of the amount drunk. 

Water in the Head. --In cases where this trouble is suspected, veryoften there is nothing wrong but a more or less congested state of thebrain, owing to some severe chill or some disease elsewhere in thebody. There may be violent heat in the head, and even the "drowsiness"which is so serious a symptom, without any real "water in the head" atall. Leeching and blistering in such a case are grave mistakes. Coldtowels (_see_ Towels, Cold Wet), or a gentle pouring of cool water onthe head, will often be sufficient to remove all trouble. We have seena bad case of brain congestion cured and consciousness return almostimmediately after the pouring had begun. The feet also may be fomented(_see_ Fomentation). The cold towels and pouring may be usedalternately on the head, which will give a more powerful effect. Letthe water poured be almost lukewarm, a little under blood heat. Thereis no need to cut the hair, or use any acid or drug in the water. The_cooling_ is all that is needed. Incipient water in the head may in avery large number of cases be checked and cured by the same treatment. It can do no harm in any case, and has saved many lives. 

Water on the Chest. --Sometimes a large watery swelling appears in onepart or another of the chest. It is practically a bag of liquid waste, due to deficient action on the part of the kidneys or skin. Treatmentshould be given as recommended in Dropsy, and, besides, the four-plymoist flannel bandage should be worn over the skin. This will in manycases speedily effect a cure. 

Weakness. --Often there follows, after the cure of an inflammatorydisease, very great weakness. This in itself is sometimes a greatdanger, but can usually be removed by proper care and nursing. Thecommon method of administering wine, brandy, or other alcoholic liquor, is the very worst that could be adopted. Hot water will prove avaluable stimulant, when a stimulant is required. Any NOURISHMENT(_see_) to be given should also be just a little warmer than bloodheat. For drink, the unfermented wine made by Frank Wright, Chemist, Kensington, London, is of great value. It is simply the pure juice ofthe grape. If milk be given, it should always be diluted with an equalbulk of boiling water. The fomentation of the feet and legs willgreatly help in restoring vigour. This should be done gently at first, where the weakness is great. Afterwards, when the patient can bear it, the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_) will be found serviceable. All this, of course, is on the assumption that only _weakness_ and no fever isthe trouble. Where fever is present, other treatment is necessary. 

Sponging all over with warm vinegar is also a most invigorating thing. Do this once, and afterwards the treatment may be varied by the realstimulant of cayenne being used in the form of an infusion strongenough to rouse the nerves, as is done by the acid. This has theadvantage of saving the skin, if that is tender, and keeping offeruption, which is apt to come if the acid is often used. We think itwell to use the acid once or so, and the cayenne infusion as frequentlyas anything of the kind is required. Rubbing with olive oil is alsomost beneficial. But both must be done very cautiously where there isgreat weakness. To rub the whole body at once will then be too much. But it may be done bit by bit, stopping whenever fatigue or chillinessis felt by the patient. _See also_ Heat and Weakness. 

Weaning. --Many of the troubles which come in this process arise simplyfrom ignorance or want of thought on the part of the nurse or mother. Sometimes the child, having been burned with a hot teaspoon, willafterwards refuse all that is offered in such a spoon. In such a caseuse an egg-spoon of bone, or a small cup. Sometimes spoons of variousmetals, having peculiar tastes, are used, and the child refuses them. When food is refused, it is well therefore always to see that it is notthe spoon or dish which is the real reason. 

Again, food ill-fitted for the child's digestion is offered. In thiscase the child is doing the right thing in refusing it. Milk and hotwater, in equal quantities, with a very little sugar, is a mixturewhich can always be given with safety. In weaning, the nurse shouldbegin by using this alone. Gradually a very little thin oatmeal jellymay be added, and the strength of the mixture increased. If thereshould be indigestion, a few teaspoonfuls of hot water will usuallycure it. If the bowels are inactive, mix a little pure CANE SYRUP(_see_) with the food. Avoid all drugs as far as possible. If the wholeprocess be _gradual_, there will usually be little or no trouble withthe child. If, where teething and weaning are both coming together, thechild should be seized with chill and shivering, a good blanketFOMENTATION (_see_) may be wrapped round the body and legs. Dry afterthis, and rub with warm OLIVE OIL (_see_). Generally this will inducesleep, in which case leave the child _warm_ in the fomentation until itawakes (_see_ Teething). 

In weaning, the mother often suffers as well as the child. The supplyof milk in the breast being over-abundant, the breasts become hard andpainful, and feverishness comes on. In this case the breasts must beemptied, either by some other person, or by the various ingeniousinstruments sold by all druggists. Then a large, cold damp cloth shouldbe placed over the emptied breast, and changed once or twice, rubbingafterwards with a little olive oil. This, in ordinary cases, will causethe flow of milk to cease. Where the swelling is very hard and almostinflammatory, the breast should be fomented for five or ten minutes, then emptied, and a cold cloth applied as above directed. If all thisfails, a BRAN POULTICE (_see_), or hot bag with moist flannel covering, should be applied between the shoulders. While the patient lies onthis, cold towels (_see_ Towels, Cold Wet) should be changed on thebreasts. This will usually effectually stay the secretion of milk. Thislast treatment is rarely required, but is harmless and most efficient. 

Where mother and child are both sickly, weaning must be carefullyconducted. But it must ever be remembered that a child is far morehealthily nourished on a bottle of good cow's milk or condensed milk(of _first-rate quality_) than on a sickly mother's milk. This is thecase even if the child be ill. Only let the bottle not be too strong. _See_ Children, numerous articles. 

Weariness. --Where persistent weariness is felt, and the least exertionbrings on a feeling of lassitude, there is evidently an undueexhaustion of nerve force in the body. Too rapid action of the heart isa frequent cause. In such a case all exciting ideas and influencesshould be kept from the patient's mind, and rest taken. The heart'saction should also be reduced by careful lathering with soap (_see_Lather; Soap). Where the weariness is really serious, great care mustbe exercised, and treatment very gradually administered. Rest must begiven whenever exhaustion shows itself (_see_ Heat and Weakness;Weakness; and articles on Nerves and Nervousness). Where the heart'saction is very slow, and requires to be stimulated, REST (_see_) mustbe taken, and treatment given as recommended in the case elsewhere. _See_ Depression. 

In other cases we find weariness arising from an irritated state of thestomach. Where there is no particular nerve exhaustion, the fiery andinflamed state of the stomach membranes forbids sleep, and causes agreat feeling of tiredness. Headache (_see_), and even fainting fits, sometimes come on in such a case. All the nerves are excited, so thateven touching the head or skin is most painful. Yet all can be tracedto an inflamed stomach as the cause. Such a case, to be successfullytreated, requires considerable resolution. In one case the treatmentwas as follows: First, the feet and legs up to the knees were wrappedin a large FOMENTATION (_see_). A cold wet towel was then foldedlengthwise so as to be four-ply thick. The end was laid on the stomach, and _gently pressed_. In about half-a-minute it was hot. The towel wasthen shifted so that a fresh cool part lay over the stomach, and so onthroughout the length of the towel. Handfuls of finely-wrought soapLATHER (_see_) were then prepared and laid on the stomach. Then thecold cloth was again renewed on top of the lather. For _two hours_ thiswas continued, and by that time the worst symptoms had abated. A littlefresh oil gently rubbed over the stomach completed the treatment forthat time. When the heat again arose, the same treatment was repeated, and so on till a cure was effected. Five or ten minutes' cooling wouldhave been utterly useless. The heat evolved in the stomach required twohours steady cooling, and might have required more. The feelings of thepatient are ever the best guide in such a case. As long as the coolingfeels "delightful" it may safely be continued, if the heat to the feetis kept up. 

If the weakness is very great, it may be necessary to keep to milk andhot water, such as an infant would thrive on, for a short time. If theweakness is not so great, it will be possible for the patient to take alittle gruel or porridge made from wheaten meal, and also good freshbuttermilk. The stomach may be far from ready to take eggs and suchthings, but quite able to digest the "poorer" food, as it is oftencalled. To give the really weak as perfect rest of mind and as easilydigested food as possible, are conditions that must not be overlookedif we would be successful in their cure. 

White Leg. --When a limb becomes swelled and white, pouring hot watervery gently over it with a sponge or cloth will have a blessed effect. It may be continued for an hour at a time for several times. If thisceases to be comforting, it should be discontinued and the limb dressedwith warm olive oil, a soft cotton rag being put next the skin, andsoft flannel above that. Of course absolute rest should be taken. 

Whooping Cough. --The cough is a spasmodic action of nerves which areotherwise healthy enough, so that when the violent action ceases, thechild's health is much as usual. Any irritation of nerves or temperwill, however, bring on an attack, and should therefore be avoided, andall soothing mental influences should be encouraged. Three or fourteaspoonfuls of hot water taken frequently, and given whenever anattack comes on, will give great relief. We have ourselves seen a childthought to be dying relieved at once by nothing more than this. Therefore it should never be neglected as too simple. 

Also the feet should be bathed once in two nights (_see_ Bathing Feet)in warm water (not too hot), dried and rubbed gently with olive oil. Onthe night when the feet are not bathed, let the back be lathered with_warm_ lather (_see_ Lather; Soap), quickly dried off, and then alittle olive oil _gently_ rubbed on. 

In ordinary cases, this will be sufficient to ward off all danger inthe disease, but in severer attacks the feet and legs may be fomented(_see_ Fomentation) while the child is in bed, and cold towels changedalong the spine while the fomentation remains on, so as to lower thenerve action over the main centres. This is best done in the morningbefore the patient arises. If anything like inflammation sets in in anypart of the chest, treat as recommended in Bronchitis or Lungs, Inflammation of. 

As far as possible, all causes of irritation to the patient must beremoved or avoided. In the time of whooping cough, the sunniest way ofmanaging the child is the best. 

The other children, if any, in the house, should have the footbath andoil, and the back wash, as recommended above. This will lessen dangerof infection, and make the attack lighter if they should take it. 

Worms. --Where the juices and organs of the body are thoroughly healthy, worms will not appear. Before they can breed, there must be more orless of failure in the patient's health. This shows us that the curefor worms is not so much some poisonous substance which will destroythem, as such an increase of healthy action in the system as willprevent their development. The bowels must be kept open by suitablediet as it is most important to avoid Constipation (_see_). In case ofworms in children, stimulus and help are specially needed by the_mucous membrane_ or inner lining of the stomach and bowels. To givethis, and at the same time to neutralise and remove waste material fromthe membrane, a little vinegar and warm water may be frequently given, in teaspoonfuls. This is best taken from an hour to half-an-hour beforemeals. It is often needful to use some soothing, nourishing substance, such as liquorice, boiled with a little camomile, taken, say aftermeals, while the acid is taken before them: this has an excellenteffect. At the same time, an enema of warm water and vinegar should begiven twice a day. Where Santolina (_see_) can be procured, its usewill speedily effect a complete cure. Change of air, holiday fromlessons, and any other means of increasing the general health, shouldalso be utilised. 

Worry. --One of the most fruitful causes of ill-health is the habit ofworrying. Many believe this to be unavoidable, and think it even anevidence of interest in their work or of consideration for theirfriends. But this is not real interest or real consideration. Theperson who faces the work of the moment without anxiety for the futureor useless regret for the past will accomplish his task before theharassed careworn man has thought out how to begin it. It is not workthat kills but worry. Illness is frequently brought on by worry. Worrywrinkles the face, makes us look old before our time, often makes ussour and disagreeable, always makes us more or less wanting in truepoliteness, and is socially a great handicap to a man, a much greaterto a woman. Further, worry not only prevents cure but kills, andnothing will help us more in recovering from illness than a calm, contented spirit. 

Now the first thing to do to overcome this habit is to realise that_worry is a bad habit which it is quite possible to get rid of_. Theproof of this is that thousands of people for years slaves to it havegot rid of it. Through some means or other they have been brought toexercise their will power and have found, sometimes to theirconsiderable astonishment, always to their inexpressible relief, thatthey have regained a lost mental power and that their efficiency asworkers has been enormously increased. 

If any matter needs much thought, devote thought to it, reflect andweigh carefully. If it requires time, take it up at separate times. Only make up your mind to this one thing, that you are the master andthe arbitrator as to when it shall be taken up. If it intrudes, dismissit as you would a servant from the room when you no longer require hispresence. It is bound to go when you do so dismiss it. When you summonit to your consciousness concentrate your mind upon it. Want ofconcentration, being a dissipation of the mental powers, is a cause ofworry. 

Worry becomes doubly baneful when it is directed towards the "mighthave been. " Legitimate regret should be an emotion always accompaniedby the determination to learn by experience. Every aid to enable thedispossessed will to regain its rightful throne should be employed. Properly chosen books, companions, and surroundings, are of great use, but perhaps quiet persistent self culture of the will, will be found tobe the best. It matters little whether you call this "self suggestion"or not. As a matter of fact it is simply the common-sense of thequestion. It is the making up of the mind to do a thing with certainaspirations, emotions, and desires towards this thing. Thousands ofpeople do it every day, especially in religious matters. It needs anadequate motive or a great ideal to carry it out. Such a motive here, might be the realisation of the uselessness and the positive harm ofworry. Actually realise this, then affirm your determination to avoidworry and you have well begun the battle. Go through this mentalexercise each time you feel you are worrying again. After a while youmay omit it all but the mental determination. 

The mind cannot act rightly in an unsound body, and there is no doubtthat good health wards off worry. Deep breathing of fresh air byproducing well oxygenated pure blood, will do much to restore mentalbalance, especially if this want of mental balance is, as is often thecase, partly due to inattention to the laws of health. 

Worry is by no means a necessary concomitant of high civilisation, itis rather an accompanying mental disease due partly to low nerve power, which itself is due to erroneous methods of life--errors of diet, wantof pure air, cleanliness, exercise, etc. Partly, too, is this low nervepower due to mental causes peculiarly Western. The _Asiatic_ with hispower of concentration, reflection, contemplation, with his patience, endurance, calmness, knows nothing of this scourge of European andAmerican life. Even the Japanese, progressive and efficient as theyare, possess this native contented, sweet, calm disposition, a habit ofmind which, if they can retain, will be of enormous value to them incoming years. 

Wounds, Bleeding of. --After sending for a surgeon the first thing to belooked at in case of any wound is the bleeding. Sometimes this istrifling and needs no particular effort to staunch it. When, however, avein or artery has been lacerated the flow must immediately be attendedto. 

If the blood be welling up from the wound and of a dark red colour itis venous blood, if it spurt up from the wound and be of a bright redcolour it is arterial blood. What has to be done is to place a pressureon the vein or artery to prevent the blood escaping. 

Venous bleeding may generally be stopped by putting a pad of lintdipped in cold water on the wound and tying it on with a bandage. Ifthe blood continues to flow, tie a bandage round the limb on the sideof the wound _away_ from the heart and keep the limb raised. 

Arterial bleeding must be treated by tying on the pad and bandage, andif the bleeding continues, stopping the flow in the artery on the sideof the wound _nearest_ the heart, and at some point where it passesover a bone so that pressure may be efficiently applied. The bandagefor thus tying an artery may be simply made by knotting a handkerchief(Diagram IV. ), putting something solid inside the knot, then placingthe knot on the artery at the desired point and tying tightly. Ifrequired this may be tightened by putting a stick under and twistinground, then tying the stick in position (Diagram II. ). 

[Illustration: Fig. I. ]

[Illustration: Fig. II. ]

[Illustration: Fig. III. ]

[Illustration: Fig. IV. ]

[Illustration: Fig. V. ]

If the palm of the hand is cut, put a pad inside the hand, close thefingers, and tie the bandage round the clenched fist. 

If the wound is in the forearm, put a pad in the bend of the elbow, andtie the forearm firmly up on the arm. If the wound is above the elbowstop the main artery in the way above indicated. This artery runspretty well under the inner seam of the sleeve of a man's coat. DiagramI. Shows how this artery may be stopped by direct pressure of the hand;Diagram II. How a tourniquet may be applied. 

For bleeding in the arm-pit, press in a pad and tie the arm down to theside. It may be necessary here to compress the artery with the thumb. The artery here lies behind the inner bend of the collar bone lying onthe first rib. 

In case of arterial bleeding about the head apply the bandage as inDiagram III. The pressure is here applied right over the wound, as theskull is always behind on which to press the artery. 

A wound in the leg should be treated in a similar way to a wound in thearm. Diagram V. Shows the stopping of bleeding above the knee. 

Do not remove the pressure until the arrival of a medical man. 

Wounds, Ill-Smelling. --For all such wounds, the best method is frequentcleansing with vinegar or dilute ACETIC ACID (_see_) by means of asmall glass syringe, such as may be got at any druggist's (_see_Abscess; Wounds, Syringing). We know one case where the patient wasexpelled from a curative home because of the evil smell of his wounds, three careful cleanings out with dilute acid so removed all odour thatthe patient was at once readmitted. Where the wound is very tender, soak soft cloths or lint in the dilute acid, and lay them on the woundthree or four ply thick. Remove and renew them every quarter-of-an-hourtill the smell is gone. Of course the cloths should be immediatelywashed or, better, burned. In using the syringe, care should be taken_to suck out_ the ill matter, as well as to send the dilute acid welldown into the sore. Careful cleaning of the syringe with _boiling_water before use is necessary. 

Wounds, Soothing. --During the process of _healing_, wounds often give agreat deal of pain, even when all is going well. It is this pain wehere show how to relieve. After an operation under chloroform, itselfpainless, the process of healing is often very painful. We are surethis pain need not be endured, but to prevent or cure it we need to seewhat is its cause. Two causes are specially notable--_pressure_ and_cold_. By skilful handling and bandaging, undue pressure may beavoided by the surgeon. But a great deal can be done by any one to keepcold from the seat of injury. Have a bag of soft flannel, as fine aspossible, made so as to surround the wounded part. This bag is filledwith _dry_ bran, heated in an oven or otherwise, without being wet. Ofcourse the heat must not be great enough to cause any discomfort, butsufficient to give a fine sense of relief. This application is for awound which has _not_ become inflamed, but is doing well. 

When inflammation has set in, and the patient is fevered, the oppositetreatment is applied. Over the dressing apply three or four folds ofdry cotton cloth, and over this again apply cold towels (_see_ Towels, Cold Wet) until the pain is relieved. Good sense must regulate thistreatment, of course, and excess of cold be avoided. But with ordinarycare this need never cause anxiety. 

Wounds, Syringing. --Very great good can often be done by a littlecareful syringing of internal wounds. Take, as an illustration, a caseof a kind we have often seen. It is that of a young patient with awound on the lower part of the leg, a good long way below the knee. This wound will run in spite of all that has been done to dry it up. The opening in it is very small, and one would think it ought to beeasily cured, but it is not so. The truth is that this wound is fromtwo to three inches distant from where the real sore is situated in thelimb. The wound is well down towards the ankle; the real sore is wellup towards the knee. There is a corroding matter generated in theinternal sore, and that runs down under the skin, and keeps cutting itsway out at the wound. Until this is rectified, there will be nosuccessful healing. Ointments that might do well enough on a smallexternal sore have no effect in this case. The real sore, however, iseasily reached and cured by the right use of a small pointed syringe. The kind most easily procured is made of glass, and costs aboutsixpence. Choose one that has a small smooth point, which can be easilyinserted into the hole in the wound. This should be done withoutcausing any pain. The point of the syringe should be dipped in hotwater till it is as near as possible to blood heat: that is, it shouldneither be hotter nor colder than the skin it has to touch. If you aresufficiently careful on this point, all else will be comparativelyeasy. 

Before you actually try to insert the syringe, observe in whatdirection the wound is likely to be extended under the skin. It willprobably be upwards--almost certainly it will be so, as the wastematter, by its weight, tends to fall down. The sore at the topinsertion of a muscle near the knee will send its matter down the leg, perhaps near to the ankle. Fill the syringe with warm water only, asnear blood heat as you can have it. When you have got the point of thesyringe even a very little way into the wound, you can inject a littlewater, and in doing this you will probably learn more nearly where theactual sore is to be found. The water will probably come out as fast asyou send it in, but it may not come till a good quantity has gone in. Now, as you fill your syringe a second time with water at the samedegree of heat, you will add a single drop of strong acetic acid, ortwelve drops of white vinegar to a teacupful. You must be careful thatthis is not exceeded at this stage, or you will cause great pain. Moreover, you do no good to the sore by making the acid so strong as tocause suffering. If it is only just so strong as to cause a comfortablefeeling of warmth, it will be all right for its curative purpose. Evenvery weak acid combines with the irritating waste matter that iskeeping the sore diseased, and produces the desired healing effect. Youhave only to add one drop after another of the acid to your fullteacupful of warm water, till the feeling produced by the syringing isall that could be desired. In the case of the limb that we refer to, asensible mother used the syringe and the acid so skilfully as to healthe internal sore in a very short time, and thus the external woundquickly disappeared. Of course, if the wound is so very deep that theacid cannot be got up to cleanse it thoroughly, surgical aid should besought. 

It may be well, however, to take another case or two for furtherillustration. Here, then, is a decayed tooth extracted, but the partfrom which it is taken does not heal, as is usual. The hole in the gumdoes not close, and a discharge of offensive humour flows from itconstantly. The bone of the upper jaw is evidently wasting, and thedecay has extended somehow considerably up the side of the nose. Thehole, however, is so small, that the usual glass syringe cannot enterit. We got an exceedingly small instrument, used for the injection ofmorphia under the skin. The point of this syringe is a needle with apoint that is hollow nearly to the very end. When this point was brokenoff, the hollow part was so small that it entered the hole in the gum, and so it was easy to inject the weak acid up to the bottom of thesore, which had come to be only a little under the eye. About an inchand a half of hollow had to be washed out with the acid. But in a veryshort time all discharge ceased, and the cure was perfect. Both ofthese cases are comparatively simple, but they show clearly the greatvalue of this use of acetic acid. 

Carbolic acid is much more commonly used for such a purpose. It has thedrawback of being liable itself to melt away the healthy tissue, and tomake a wound larger. Acetic acid never does this, and so heals morequickly and certainly. 

We might take a much more difficult case. It was that of an abscess andbad sore in the lower bowels. It was supposed to be necessary toperform a very dangerous operation in order to try to cure this--notmuch hope was held out of its being possible really to cure. It was, however, quite possible to reach the sore by the injection of aceticacid. The sufferer was directed to have this done regularly. In a veryshort time there was a complete cure. In such a case all that is wantedis an ordinary india-rubber enema. A much larger quantity of water isrequired, but about the same strength of acid. First of all, as muchacidulated water as can be taken up with comfort is injected: after aminute or so this is passed off. Then another is used in the same way, and passed off also. A third syringing may be employed, when abouthalf-a-teacupful is taken and retained. If the acid gives nocomfortable feeling of warmth it needs to be strengthened till it doesso, but not so that it produces any pain. The operation really welldone is not in the least painful, but, on the contrary, rathercomfortable. 

There is still one syringing which we may notice--that of suppuratingears. If an ear is discharging from some internal sore, nothing is moreimportant than syringing with acetic acid, but it must be done withvery peculiar care. The water used should be as nearly as possible ofexact blood heat, and the acetic acid of the exact strength at which itwill give a fine comfortable feeling in the ear. It must neither feelas if it were a mere wetting of the ear, nor that it gives the leastpain. The syringe, too, must be used gently, so as not to force thewater strongly against the internal parts that are so tender. It is asoaking operation rather than a forcible urging of the water into theear which is wanted. If this is nicely done, say twice a day, the acidwill reach the sore, and we may confidently look for a cure. Even whenthe bones are wasting, as we have seen in the case of the upper jaw, ifthis acid can be really brought to bear upon the sore, it will becleansed and healed. In this simple way we have seen many, both old andyoung, delivered from sore trial, and made to enjoy life and healthagain. 

PHYSICAL CULTURE. 

Much weakness might be prevented and often cured by light gymnasticexercises practised twice a day, say on rising and at bedtime, givingtone to the muscles and bringing into regular use many which inordinary daily life are seldom or never used. The various vital organsof the body owe much of their health to the proper exercise of thesurrounding muscles; it will be seen then how necessary a system ofregular exercise must be. The best way to learn this is to take acourse of Swedish Drill or other good system at one of the gymnasiumswhich are now so common in Britain and America. But as many of ourreaders live in places where such cannot be had, we shall try toindicate by diagrams some simple movements which can be practised byanyone. 

A few general rules should be borne in mind:--

Begin with a short time, say five minutes; omit at first the morefatiguing movements and gradually increase as the strength improves. 

The time spent need never be long; fifteen or twenty minutes is longenough at any one time. 

Do the movements slowly and deliberately, stretching the muscles totheir full extent. 

Fix your mind on the particular limb that is being exercised. 

Practice in a room with open window, with little clothes on, or withnone; a daily air-bath is very conducive to health. 

Each exercise need not be performed more than three times, untilstrength is fairly great. 

Never go on with the exercises so long as to be more than just a littletired. 

It is a good plan to write out the exercises clearly on a good-sizedcard or sheet of stiff paper, which can be set where it will be easilyseen while one is exercising. 

[Illustration: Fig. 1. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 2. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 3. ]

1. 

POSITION 1. --Stand before a glass with head well up, chin in, neckelongated, shoulders down and back, arms hanging straight down, abdomenin, back slightly curved, heels together, toes slightly apart. 

2. 

ARMS BEND. --While in position, bring the arms up at the sides so thatthe tips of the fingers touch the shoulders. Return to position 1. 

3. 

HIPS FIRM. --Place hands on hips, well back, fingers together, andthumbs to the back. Now, slowly bend the head back as far as it willgo, and slowly raise it again, taking care all the time to keep thechin in. Position 1 again. 

[Illustration: Fig. 4. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 5. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 6. ]

4. 

NECK REST. --Bring the arms up on a level with the shoulders, handsstraight with forearm and finger tips nearly but not quite touchingbehind the neck. Head always quite erect. While in this position, bendthe body from the waist sideways, first to one side, then to the other, as far as it will go without moving the feet. When bending to the left, _feel_ the muscles of the right stretching and _vice versa_. Return toposition 1. 

5. 

Bring arms to position 2, then extend them straight upwards, rising onthe toes at same time and drawing the body to its greatest height. Bring arms again to position 2 and then down to position 1. 

6. 

Bring arms to position 2 and extend them sideways, turning palms andhands downwards. Come back to position 2 and then position 1. 

[Illustration: Fig. 7. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 8. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 9. ]

7. 

Bring arms to position 2 and extend them forwards, return to position 2and position 1. 

8. 

Hips firm (hands placed as in 3). Raise the heels a little, bend theknees slightly outwards and keep the upper part of the body perfectlyerect. Lower the body about half-way down, then raise it again. 

9. 

Same as 8, only go down as low as possible. It is not easy at first tokeep one's balance, the upper part of the body erect all the time, especially when trying to rise. Return to position 1. 

[Illustration: Fig. 10. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 11. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 12. ]

10. 

Arms bend (_see_ 2). Place the feet sideways, about a foot apart. Nowbend the upper part of the body back, curving only the chest back, keeping the waist still. Position 1. 

11. 

Bring arms to position 2 and extend upwards as in fig. 5. Now bend thebody forwards till the hands nearly touch the floor, keeping the headbetween the arms, knees straight and arms straight and parallel to oneanother. Return to position 5, then position 2 and then position 1. 

12. 

Hips firm (_see_ 3). Raise one knee till the leg is bent as in theillustration, keep toe pointed down. Do the same with the other leg. Return to position 1. 

[Illustration: Fig. 13. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 14. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 15. ]

13. 

Same as 12, only stretch leg backward as in illustration, keeping kneesstraight. Return to position 1. 

14. 

ARMS FORWARD BEND. --Bend the arms in front of the body, as in theillustration. Extend one foot back and rest toe on ground. Position 1. 

15. 

Arms as in 14. Fling right arm out sideways and turn head to the rightas far as it will go without moving the rest of the body. Same to left. Position 1. 

[Illustration: Fig. 16. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 17. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 18. ]

16. 

Hips firm (_see_ 3). Kneel with toes extended backwards. Now bend thebody backwards from the knees, as far as possible, keeping straight andfirm as in illustration. Rise and return to position 1. 

17. 

One arm, HIP FIRM, the other NECK REST (_see_ 3 and 4). Bend the bodyas in exercise 4. Return to position 1. 

18. 

Arms bend (_see_ 2). Feet stride (_see_ 10). Now turn the body at thewaist as far as possible to right, then to left, taking care not tomove the hips. Return to position 1. 

[Illustration: Fig. 19. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 20. ]

19. 

LEAP ON THE SPOT. --Hips firm (_see_ 3). Raise the heels, slightly bendat the knees as in illustration, jump and alight on toes again withknees slightly bent. Straighten knees and let heels sink to the ground. Position 1. 

20. 

Hips firm (_see_ 3). Stand near a chair or bed and slip one footsideways under a rail. Now bend sideways as far as possible. Position1. 

[Illustration: Fig. 21. ]

[Illustration: Fig. 22. ]

21. 

As 20, only stand facing the support and bend back. Position 1. 

22. 

Kneel as in 16. Extend arms as in 6. Now turn the body from the waistas far to the right and as far to the left as possible. Position 1. 

23. 

Deep breathing (_see_ Breathing, Correct method of) should be practisedseveral times during these exercises. Stand in position 1. Now raisethe hands slowly to the level of the shoulders, keeping the armsstraight and moving them sideways. While raising the arms, slowly fillthe lungs with air, and when lowering them let it slowly out. 

DUMBELL EXERCISE. 

As an efficient and inexpensive way of developing all the muscles ofthe body dumbells have no rival. Especially are they valuable for thosewhose sedentary life forbids much active exercise, and as they onlyrequire a very short time each day for their practice, do not interferematerially with the work of the busiest. The accompanying exerciseshave been given with a view to the complete and symmetrical developmentof the body. They should be practised in their entirety every morningand evening, after rising and bathing and before retiring, in as nearlya nude a condition as practicable. And they should be practised with aserious and complete concentration of the mind upon each muscle as itis in turn exercised. This concentration is immensely fatiguing atfirst, but is necessary in order to derive full benefit from them. Justas in practising musical exercises for execution, a short time wellspent is more valuable than a longer time with a wandering anduninterested mind, so in dumbell exercise it is above all the qualityand not the quantity of the exercise which is of importance. 

Increase the number of times each exercise is done weekly or daily, beginning say at 10 or 20, according to strength, and endeavouring tobe able to be double this number in a short time. 

[Illustration: Fig. 1a. ]

1a. --Arms by side forced well back, finger nails to front. Inhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 1b. ]

1b. --Raise bells to shoulders, contracting biceps. Exhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 2a. ]

2a. --Arms by side forced well back, finger nails to rear. Inhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 2b. ]

2b. --Raise bells to shoulders. Exhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 3a. ]

3a. --Extend arms sideways in line with shoulders, finger nails up. Inhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 3b. ]

3b. --Bring bells to shoulders, contracting biceps. Exhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 4a. ]

4a. --Arms by sides, chest well out. Inhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 4b. ]

4b. --Cross arms in front, contracting chest muscles. Exhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 5a. ]

5a. --Arms extended in front level with chin. Exhale. 

5b. --Bring bells back sideways in line with shoulders. Inhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 6a. ]

6a. --Upper arms close to sides, bells level with shoulders. Exhale. 

6b. --Raise bells above head as far as possible. Inhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 7a. ]

7a. --Arms by sides forced well back, finger nails to rear. Inhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 7b. ]

7b. --Raise arms up level with shoulders rounding back. Exhale. 

[Illustration: Fig. 8a. ]

8a. --Lean over to right, left knee bent, right leg straight. 

8b. --Repeat to left. 

[Illustration: Fig. 9a. ]

9a. --Lunge out to left, right leg straight, raising left hand abovehead, right hand at side. 

9b. --Repeat to left. 

[Illustration: Fig. 10a. ]

10a. --Heels together, chest well out, hands on hips. 

[Illustration: Fig. 10b. ]

10b. --Sink on toes, raising heels from ground, gradually resume uprightposition, keeping back straight. 

SEX AND HEALTH. 

The treatment of the relations of the sexes to one another, and theenormous influence over health of both body and mind which theseexercise, cannot be attempted in a treatise such as this. Such articleswould occupy far too much space, as from the nature of the subject muchdetail must be given, and explanations must be as complete as possible. The Editor of these Papers has therefore written a book for children, and one each for boys and girls. These will be found advertised at theend. 

Numbers of persons consult us on these matters, and much has come toour knowledge which is astonishing and saddening as well, in regard tothe widely prevailing ignorance of both young and old regarding the sexfunctions. This is largely due to culpable neglect on the part ofparents and others who have charge of the young. 

Parents are often unwilling to speak of such matters, and would desirerather to place a good book on the subject in their children's hands. Many such books have been published, but none that we have seen haveseemed to us quite satisfactory. Due attention must be paid to both thephysical and moral sides of the matter. Hence our resolve to write aswe have indicated. The books will be found duly advertised at the endof this volume. 

It will no doubt be said that it is a pity to suggest ideas of sex toan innocent child, but surely those who look back on their own youthwill remember that there came a time when the problem of their ownorigin suggested itself. 

The pretty fable that the storks or angels fetch the babies cannot longsatisfy the growing mind. Children wish to understand, yet it is easyfor them to see that parents do not wish to explain the mystery. Curiosity is aroused, for the desire to know is natural and quitelegitimate, and the sad thing is that the explanation is generally leftto companions and servants who are devoid of delicacy or modesty. 

Now there is no reason for this reticence and false shame. The wholeprocess of reproduction is a wonderful example of the wisdom andgoodness of the Creator, and if properly explained the child will seethat it is so. 

Again, there are physical epochs through which all young people mustpass. These are quite natural, but unless explained and the childrenare prepared to expect them, may cause great alarm. In their distressthey are very likely to enquire from impure companions, or get some ofthe pernicious literature which is issued in quantity by the quacks whoprey upon the fears of the young, and upon their dislike to speak totheir parents on a subject which the latter have taught them by silenceis one which is unmentionable. 

It may be asked when this information should be given. No rule will fitall cases, as children vary so much in their development. We would urgethat it should be given _early_, as Miss Willard well says:--"See thatthe pure thought gets in first. " Besides, children grow up much fasterthan their parents are apt to realize. 

The evils of self-pollution are so great, and the cure so difficult, that no risk should be run of such ever being commenced throughignorance. In fact this is the main reason for our undertaking theseparate works on this subject. It is so saddening to reflect that acareer of vice is often entered upon through the child's ignorance ofthe laws of its own body, that the natural reticence in speaking of thesubject should not be allowed to prevent the information being given. 

_KIRK SEX SERIES. _

"Instruct thy son and labor for him lest his lewd behaviour be anoffence unto thee. "--_Ecclesiasticus 30, 13. _

A Talk with Boys about Themselves

BY

EDWARD BRUCE KIRK, Editor of "Papers on Health. "

Introduction by Canon Hon. ED. LYTTELTON, Headmaster of Eton College. 

Every father should see that his son is not driven for information onthe origin of life to impure companions. This book makes the impartingof this knowledge easy. Confidence will beget manliness. 

_SUBJECTS TREATED:_

Origin of Life; Puberty, its meaning and responsibilities; Evils ofSelf Pollution; Love and Marriage; Reproduction; Perfect Manhood;Health and Strength. 

Price 2/= net, Post Free, 2/3. 

Publishers:

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & Co. , London. T. D. MORISON, Glasgow. THE FOWLER & WELLS CO. , New York. 

_KIRK SEX SERIES. _

A Talk with Girls about Themselves

By EDWARD B. KIRK, Editor of "Papers on Health. "

Introduction by LADY PAGET. 

This book is intended to be given by the parent to the daughter. Besides much wise counsel about health and self-development, it givesin delicate language, a clear answer to the many questions which mustforce themselves upon the growing girl. 

_SUBJECTS TREATED:_

Hints on Health; Diet; Exercise; Pure Air; Evils of Tight Lacing, etc. ;Health and Beauty, their inseparability; Courtship; Marriage; TrueWomanhood; What Men Admire; Vice, its terrible punishment;Reproduction; Pregnancy; Reading and Education. 

Price 2/= net, Post Free, 2/3. 

 * * * * *

The Wonder of Life

A Talk with Children about Sex, By MARY TUDOR POLE, Author of "Fairies. "

Introduction by LADY ISABEL MARGESSON. 

This book is intended for young children of both sexes. It shows insimple language the analogy between the reproductive processes inplants and human beings. 

Price 1/= net, Post Free, 1/3. 

Publishers:

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & Co. , London. Thos. D. MORISON, Glasgow. THE FOWLER & WELLS CO. , New York.