Part 48

Symptoms.--Large doses cause great excitement, sometimes convulsions, followed by weak heart and respiratory weakness, general prostration, convulsions and coma.

The cocaine habit causes emaciation, anemia, disturbances of the stomach, etc., disordered heart action, weakness of the body and mind, nervous and great depravity.

Treatment.--Same as for the morphine habit.

[374 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

CHLORAL HABIT. Symptoms.--After a slight primary exhilaration there is depression of the mind and body; skin eruptions, bad breath, spongy gums, poor appetite, indigestion, bad nutrition, permanent dilation of the cutaneous (skin) blood vessels, intermittent pulse, blunting of the higher mental faculties, restlessness, sleeplessness, irritability, sometimes dementia.

Treatment.--Same as for morphine.

LEAD POISONING. (Plumbism-Saturnism). Causes.--It is common in lead smelters and grinders, painters, glaziers, and plumbers, whose hands are not washed before eating. The lead is absorbed by the mouth, skin and lungs. It may be taken into the system by drinking water, cider, etc., in new lead pipes, or from hair-dyes or cosmetics containing lead.

Symptoms of Acute Case.--These develop rapidly from continued exposure. There is rapidly progressing anemia, with acute neuritis, epilepsy, convulsions or delirium or with severe stomach and bowel symptoms.

Chronic Cases. Symptoms. 1.--Anemia, lead line on the gums, paralysis, colic, and brain symptoms.

2. Blue-black line of lead in the gums near the teeth.

3. This is preceded by an obstinate constipation. It resembles severe intestinal colic. There may be vomiting.

4. Paralysis. This is the result of peripheral neuritis, localized or generalized. Wrist drop and many other symptoms of local and general paralysis.

TREATMENT. Prevention.--The hands and finger nails of the lead workers should always be thoroughly cleaned before eating. Use respirators if lead is present in the form of dust.

For chronic poisoning remove the cause. Potassium iodide, five to ten grains three times a day. Not to be given in acute cases or when the symptoms are very severe, until what is in the bowels is removed.

Constipation.--For this give a half ounce of epsom salts before breakfast when needed, or repeat in small doses.

For pain.--Heat over the abdomen and give morphine, if necessary.

FOOD POISONING. (Bromototoxismus).--Food may contain the specific organisms of disease, as of tuberculosis or trichinosis; milk and other foods may become infected with typhoid bacilli, and so convey the disease. Animals (or insects or bees) may feed on substances that cause their flesh or products to be poisonous to man. Meat poisoning. Eating sausage or pork pie or headcheese has caused poisoning. Poisoning from impure milk, shell fish, pellagra, from using altered maize, etc.

[INTOXICANTS AND SUN STROKES 375]

Symptoms.--Acute inflammation of stomach and bowels, with great prostration, ending in collapse. In shell fish poisoning, there are numbness, weakness, dilated pupils, rapid and feeble pulse, temperature under the normal and collapse.

Treatment.--In all cases empty the stomach by emetics or stomach tube and the bowels by cathartics. Stimulate if necessary.

HEAT STROKE.--Called also heat exhaustion; thermic fever, coup de Soleil. A condition produced by exposure to excessive heat.

Heat Exhaustion.--This is caused by continued exposure to high temperatures, especially while working hard.

Symptoms.--Prostration with cool skin, temperature often below normal, 95-96, pulse is small and frequent, sometimes restlessness and delirium. The person need not necessarily be exposed to the direct rays of the sun, but the condition may come on at night, or while at work in close, confined rooms.

Treatment of indoor heat exhaustion.--Aromatic spirits of ammonia one to two drams and strychnine; avoid alcohol. If the temperature is below normal, (98.6) a warm bath can be given. Rest in bed in a well ventilated room.

SUNSTROKE. Heat Stroke, Thermic (heat) Fever.--This occurs in persons chiefly who, while working very hard are exposed to the sun. Soldiers who are marching with their heavy accoutrements are very liable to be attacked. In large cities the most of the cases are confined to workmen who are much exposed and at the same time, have been drinking beer and whisky.

Symptoms.--The patient may be struck down and die very soon with symptoms of failure of the heart, difficult breathing and coma. This kind is most frequent in soldiers. In ordinary cases there may be failure to perspire, premonitory headache, dizziness, sometimes nausea and vomiting, colored or poor sight (vision); insensibility follows, which may be temporary or increased deep coma. The face is flushed, the skin is dry and hot, the pupils are temporarily dilated, then usually greatly contracted, the pulse is rapid and full, and the temperature ranges from 107 to 110 degrees or higher. The breathing is deep, labored and snoring (stortorous). Usually there is complete muscular relaxation, with twitchings, jerkings, or very rarely convulsions may occur. In fatal cases, coma (deep sleep) deepens, the pulse becomes more frequent and feeble, the breathing becomes more hurried, shallow and irregular and death may occur within twenty-four to thirty-six hours. In others, the consciousness returns, the temperature falls, the pulse and breathing become normal and recovery may be complete or leave bad results. The patient may be predisposed to future attacks or suffer from weakness or headache, and disturbance of the mind when ever the weather is warm.

[376 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Prognosis.--The death rate is higher when treatment is delayed, and when alcohol has been used as a beverage.

MOTHER'S REMEDY. Sunstroke, Quick Method to Relieve.--"Apply alternately hot and cold applications to forehead and base of the brain or back of the neck, place the feet in warm mustard water, and apply mustard to the stomach and calves of legs. This remedy was tried by my brother's wife, who is a trained nurse. She says it is very effective," The hot and cold applications help to draw the blood from the brain. Placing feet in warm mustard water will help to give relief.

Treatment.--Avoid exposure and alcohol. For a mild case--Rest in a cool place, cool sponging, aromatic spirits ammonia or strychnine if needed for the prostration.

For severe cases.--The temperature must be reduced as rapidly as possible. Pack the patient in a bath of ice. Rubbing the body with ice is an excellent procedure to lower the temperature rapidly. Ice water enemata (injections in bowel) may also be employed. If ice cannot be obtained strip the patient and sprinkle him with water until the temperature is reduced. Use a thermometer to see it does not go too low. Ice cap or cold water to the head. Keep working for hours.

Medicine.--Glonoin, 1/100 to 1/200 grain is of help in severe cases.

ACCIDENTS, EMERGENCIES AND POISONS

COLLAPSE.--1. Place the patient flat on his back.

2. Raise the feet and lower his head, unless blueness of the face occurs.

3. Make the patient warm by applying warm coverings and hot water bottles, bricks or wood.

4. Enema of strong coffee.

5. If necessary the legs and arms can be bandaged beginning at the feet and hands and then bandage up. Use above in order given.

FAINTING.--Place the patient on her back, with the head low and feet raised unless the face is flushed. The face is generally pale.

Loosen the clothing about the waist, throat, etc.

Plenty of air and no crowding around the patient.

ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 377

Cold water on the face with cloths. It is not necessary to wet her all over. Ammonia or camphor near the nostrils to inhale. Lie still for some time and do not attempt to rise while still feeling dizzy or faint.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Sea Sickness, Red Pepper and Molasses Relieves.-- "A teaspoonful of red pepper mixed with molasses and taken in one dose is considered one of the best remedies for this trouble."

2. Sea Sickness, Peppermint an Excellent Relief for.--"A teaspoonful of essence of peppermint put in a tumbler of hot water, sipped occasionally, is both a preventive and cure for sea-sickness."

Sea Sickness.--Dr. Hare, of Philadelphia, says: "The bromides should be used in the dose of five to ten grains three times a day for several days before the patient sails to quiet the vomiting center." After sea sickness begins the following combination is good:

(a) Citric Acid 2 drams Distilled Water 4 ounces Make a solution.

(b) Bromide of Potash 1 dram Bicarbonate of Potash 1 dram Distilled Water 4 ounces Make a solution.

Then a tablespoonful of each of these solutions should be added to one another and taken during effervescence. Lemon juice can be used in place of citric acid in the first combination.

DOG BITES (Not Rabid).--Treat the same as for any torn wound, wash out thoroughly with hot water and an ounce of salt in a pint of water. There is no danger of hydrophobia from the bite of a dog, cat or any animal unless that animal has hydrophobia. No one can take hydrophobia from an animal that does not have it. (See Hydrophobia).

POISONED WOUNDS. Mosquito Bite.--Remove the sting in the wound. Diluted vinegar applied to the bites is sometimes of help. Camphor is also good.

Snake Bite.--Naturalists have discovered twenty-seven species of poisonous serpents and one poisonous lizard; eighteen species of these are true rattlesnakes; the remaining nine are divided between varieties of the moccasin, copperhead or the viper. The poisonous lizard is the Texan reptile known as the "Gila Monster." In all these serpents the poison fluid is secreted in a gland which lies against the side of the skull below and behind the eye, from which a duct leads to the base of a hollow tooth or fang, one on each side of the upper jaw; which fang, except in the case of vipers, is movable and susceptible of erection and depression. When not in use the fang hugs the upper jaw and is ensheathed in a fold of mucous membrane. In the vipers the fang is permanently erect. In the case of biting the contents of the poison sac are forcibly ejected through the hollow fang.

[378 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Symptoms of a Snake Bite.--The symptoms are similar in bites of poisonous snakes. Pain in the wound, slight at first, but becoming more severe, with rapid swelling and spotted discoloration in the vicinity of the wound. Symptoms of heart and lung depression soon show themselves by feeble and fluttering pulse, faintness, cold sweating, mental distress, nausea and vomiting and labored breathing. Death may occur very soon in intense poisoned cases, but more frequently the struggle extends over a number of hours.

Treatment.--First thing to do.--When the bite is on a limb, tie the limb above the bite toward the body and twist the ligature so tight that the circulation is cut off, or checked. Then cut the wound open very freely. When the bite is on the body, make a free cut, and when this cannot be done suck the wound vigorously, which can done without danger, if there are no cracks or abrasions of the lips or mouth, as the poison is harmless when taken into a well mouth. If a hot iron is at hand apply it freely within the wound and this may take the place of the knife or suction. Salt put in the cut wound will be of help, or fill the wound with permanganate of potash and inject a solution of the same, diluted three-quarters with water, around the wound. Strychnine one-fifteenth of a grain every two hours until the symptoms are better. This is not given until the symptoms of snake poisoning have shown themselves.

If such agents are not at hand, brandy or whisky should be given freely. The pulse will show when the patient has had enough.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. INSECT AND OTHER BITES.--1. Simply Use Pepper for Dog Bite.--"My son had his hand bitten by a dog and it was over a week before it was brought to my notice. The sore was then filled with green pus and the pain went up to his jaw, so we were afraid of lockjaw. I had him cleanse it thoroughly in a basin of warm saleratus water, then filled and thickly covered it with black pepper. The pain stopped almost instantly. It seems as though pepper would smart a cut terribly, but it does not." This is a good remedy and worth trying. The black pepper did not smart the wound because the flesh was dead.

2. Bites, Tobacco Good for Dog.--"Immediately wash the parts with clear water; then take leaf or cut tobacco and bind over the part bitten, changing it two or three times a day for a week. This effectually absorbs the poison. It is a good prevention of any future trouble."

3. Bites, Ammonia Good for Insect.--"Rub the affected parts with ammonia, which will draw out the poison. For mosquito bites have often used baking soda. This always gives relief and is very cooling."

4. Bites, Baking Soda for Insect.--"Cover the affected parts with baking soda and keep moist." A mud poultice is an old tried remedy.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 379]

5. Bites, Hartshorn Old Time Remedy for.--"Apply hartshorn or spirits of ammonia to part which neutralizes the formic acid, the active principle of the poison." This is an old-time remedy and will always give relief if applied immediately.

6. Bites, Carbolic Acid Draws Poison from.--"Bathe frequently in a weak solution of carbolic acid." The carbolic acid is a very good remedy and seldom fails to cure, but if you do not happen to have the acid, use vinegar, and it will have practically the same effect.

7. Bites, Alum and Vinegar Good Remedy for.--"Alum and vinegar. Purchase five cents' worth of powdered alum and dissolve in a pint of vinegar and apply freely. This is a very good remedy."

8. Bites, Salt Water for Mosquito.--"Take salt and water in a little dish and keep wetting the bite for a few moments. This will soon destroy the poison," This will be found a very simple but effective remedy, especially in children or small babies, as we mothers all know how very annoying a mosquito bite is to children. The salt water will remove all the poison and at the same time relieve the itching and swelling. Care should be taken not to make it too strong for a small baby.

9. Bites, Spirits of Ammonia for Snake.--"Strong spirits of ammonia applied to the wounds of snake bites or rabid animals is better than caustic. It neutralizes the poison." Enough of the ammonia should be used to irritate the parts. It is harmless treatment and should be used freely.

STINGS, MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Leaves of Geranium Good for Bee or Wasp.--"Bruise the leaves of geranium and bind on the affected part. This has proved an excellent, though simple remedy."

2. Stings, Simple Remedy for.--"Take a dresser key or any with a good sized hole and press over the sting. If used very soon this will remove the stinger, then cover with wet salt."

DISLOCATIONS.--A dislocation is the putting out of joint some bone, such as the elbow or shoulder bone or bones. The bone has slipped out of its socket. They are called after the joints involved.

General Causes.--Blows, sudden contraction of the muscles; also due to some diseases of the joints.

General Symptoms.--There is a deformity at the joint, pain and sometimes it is not possible to make all the joint movements.

General Treatment.--Of course it is to replace the bone, as soon as possible, before there is much swelling, inflammation and consequent adhesions.

DISLOCATION OF THE JAW.--It is not possible to close the mouth. The chin is too far forward. The jaw may turn toward the other side in one-sided dislocation.

[380 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Treatment.--Hold something hard between the teeth in front so that when the jaw snaps in place your thumbs will not be bitten. A piece of wood as thick as your fingers will do. Stand in front of the patient, who should be sitting in a high chair. Put your thumbs in the mouth upon the lower jaw two-thirds of the length backwards, and your forefingers directly underneath the jaw; with the thumbs press down and with the fingers pull forward.

Sometimes it is necessary to hold the jaw in place for some days. For that purpose the bandage for a broken jaw can be used.

SHOULDER JOINT DISLOCATION.--There is a depression of the skin over the cavity. The shoulder is flattened. The bone of the arm points to where the head of the bone is.

Treatment.--Carry the elbow to the side with the forearm at right angles to the arm: turn the arm around until the forearm points away from the body. Then carry the arm up from the body until it is level with the shoulder. In this position gradually rotate the arm again and then bring the arm to the side, with the forearm across the chest, hand pointing to the other shoulder when it should be bandaged by pieces of bandages three inches wide passing around the arm, elbow and body. A pad should be placed under the hand to keep it from making the flesh sore.

FINGER OR THUMB DISLOCATION.--If the joint is dislocated forward pull the front part forward and backward. If it is dislocated backwards, pull the front part of the finger forward and upward. If reduced immediately this needs no bandaging.

FRACTURES.--They are simply broken bones or cartilage, usually applied popularly to a broken bone.

Varieties.--Simple fracture means a break of the bone only.

Compound fracture is where the broken bone sticks out through the skin.

ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 381

Comminuted is where the bone is broken into small parts.

Impacted is where one part of the broken bone is driven into the other part.

Green stick break. This is not really a break, but only a bending of the bone, seen mostly in children.

Bandages for fractures can be made of muslin. They should be six to eight to twelve yards long for large bones.

Width. For a finger one inch. For arm or head two and one-half inches. For the leg three to four inches. For the body six to eight inches.

An old sheet can be used and the ends of the strips sewed together and then wrapped tight in a roll, with the ravelings from the sides removed. The bandage should be started from the end of the limb, wrapped towards the body. They should not be wrapped so tightly as to shut off circulation,

Padding.--This should be of cotton. In case of necessity, handkerchiefs, towels, pieces of muslin, cloths; hay or grass can be used temporarily.

Splints.--In emergencies splints can be made from shingles, pasteboards or even bark.

How to Take Hold of a Broken Leg or Arm.--Never take hold of it from above, but slip the hands underneath, and then take a firm but gentle hold at two points a short distance from the break on each side, and all the while making slight extension with the hand on the end part (distal part) so as to keep the ends from rubbing together, and lift with both hands at the same time slowly and evenly until the limb is in the required position. Then apply the emergency treatment. This is to help keep the broken parts in place until proper care can be given, or to assist in safely and comfortably moving the patient to the place desired. Support the broken limb with something smooth and stiff, such as a thin narrow shingle, three inches wide perhaps, or thin board, stout pasteboard, or the bark of trees, and padded with something soft, such as cotton, wool, hay, straw, leaves, which can be held by bandages of required width, or handkerchiefs folded in triangular shape, or by strips of linen, muslin, ribbon or anything with which the splint can be temporarily held fast.

For the Forearm.--Two padded splints three to four inches wide and long enough to take in the hand also should be applied, one to the thumb, and the other to the back of the forearm, slight extension being made by pulling on the patient's hand. This pulls the broken end in place. Tie on the splints over the hand, wrist and just below the elbow. Two or three wraps of adhesive plaster or five or six wraps of a bandage or handkerchief or towel folded and pinned will temporarily hold the limb in place. Put on a sling reaching from the finger tips to beyond the elbow.

[382 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

For the Arm.--Put on two padded splints from the shoulder to the elbow, one in front and the one behind, and bind on at the bottom and top. Then place the forearm on the chest pointing to the well or sound shoulder and bind the arm with bandages or a long towel to the body.

For a Broken Leg.--Pull on the foot gently to make slight extension, and lift the leg on a pillow or some sort of pad, and tie this firmly about the leg; or broad strips of wood may be padded and placed on either side of the broken leg and securely tied.

For a Broken Thigh, Upper Leg.--The splint should extend from under the arm to the ankle, padded and bound to the body and to the leg by means of long towels or pieces of sheeting applied six inches apart. If the patient is in a wagon and no splint can be had, bags of dirt or sand applied around the thigh will hold some. But there is always something at hand to use as a splint and to bind the splint to the leg.

For a Broken Collar Bone.--Place the patient on his back if he is to be moved and put a firm pad in the arm pit and bind the arm to the side with the forearm across the chest; or if you have a roll of adhesive plaster two or three inches wide, after putting a pad in the arm pit (sometimes this is not necessary) put the adhesive strip around the arm midway to the shoulder. The arm should be lifted up and a little back. Run the strip of adhesive plaster around the body and fasten to the first part. Then put another strip fast to the band around the arm and run this down around the bent elbow and over the forearm placed on the chest, the fingers pointing to the sound shoulder. This strip can pass over the sound collar bone and fasten to the strip about the body. If it is put on properly, the injured part will feel comfortable.

Broken Ribs.--Put on a towel, about eight to twelve inches wide. This should go around the body and be pinned tightly; or, if you have a roll of adhesive plaster, two and one-half to three inches wide, use this. Start at the backbone, at the lowest point necessary, about two ribs below the broken one, and carry it straight across the chest to the breast bone; put on about eight of such strips, lapping each about one-half inch. Fasten the ends with a strip running up and down one-half on the flesh and the other half on the strip. This is to keep the strips from slipping any. The arms should be held up while the strips are being applied.

A Broken Jaw.--Take a strong piece of muslin, long enough to reach around the neck and eight inches longer. Split this through the center to within about seven inches of the center of the band. Put this unsplit part above, over and under the chin. Tie the upper tails around the neck and run the under tail pieces up in front of the ear to the crown of the head. Tie each end on the back part of the head to the pieces left over after tying back of the neck.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 383]

Broken Nose.--Put the parts in place by pressure and moulding. It is easily done. Do not hurry. Put a strip of adhesive plaster across the bridge of the nose over the break reaching to the cheek.

If the injury causes bleeding, the wound should be washed with clean linen and boiled water and covered with clean linen. To wash the wound, one teaspoonful of salt to one pint of boiled water. Salt is usually at hand.