Part 7

2. Nosebleed, Alum as a cure for.--"Apply cold water to face and back of neck; snuff powdered alum." The powdered alum contracts the blood vessels, thereby shutting off the supply of blood. The cold water applied to the back of the neck affects the nervous system in such a manner that the blood vessels are contracted and so the blood supply is diminished.

[20 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

3. Nosebleed; Remedy that succeeded in a severe case.--"Put pieces of ice in cloth. Lay a piece each side of the nose and on the back of the neck. Remarks.--My neighbor's daughter had nosebleed which refused to stop until they were much frightened but this treatment soon stopped it, after which she rested quietly for a time,"

4. Nosebleed, Simple Remedy for.--"Place the finger on the side of the nose tight for ten or fifteen minutes. My mother has stopped her nose from bleeding when other remedies failed." This shuts off the circulation and helps to form a clot.

5. Nosebleed, Another Home Remedy for.--"Hold the head back as far as possible, press up the end of the nose with the end of the finger." Best to lie on the side so blood will not run down the throat and choke the patient.

6. Nosebleed, Puff-Ball for.--"Find an old brown puff-ball from the ground, pick out the soft inside part and put it in nose and let remain for some time."

7. Nosebleed, Vinegar and Water for.--"Wet a cloth in very cold water or strong cold water and vinegar and apply to back of neck, renewing as it gets warm. Have seen this tried and know it to be good."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Nosebleed.--Place the patient on his side half lying, head and shoulders raised and apply a cold compress to the forehead, nose, and to the back of the neck. Press the end of the nose firmly against the partition between the nostrils, for some minutes. This presses directly upon the bleeding point, as a rule. Also, when lying in this position, the blood does not flow into the throat so readily. Raise the arms above the head, apply cold to the spine or to the scrotum of men and breasts of women. Mustard foot baths are good, injection of cold water, or the injection of hot water, 120 F., into the nostril will often help: Cold water, Or salt water, can be gently snuffed. Alum solution on a cloth put in the nostril often helps. A piece of bacon cut to bits and placed in the nostril often stops it. Vinegar injected into the nostril is good, or you can use a cloth saturated with vinegar and placed in the nostril. White oak bark tea, strong, is effective; juice of lemon applied same way or injected is helpful.

How to plug the nostrils; (front or anterior nares).--Do this with narrow strips of sterilized gauze, by placing the first piece as far back as possible, then with a narrow pair of forceps pushing in a little at a time until the nostril is filled. The gauze should be only one-half inch wide. If the bleeding still continues the posterior opening (nares) should be plugged. This can be known by seeing the blood flowing down the throat (pharynx).

[RESPIRATORY DISEASES 21]

How this is done? Pass a soft rubber catheter, along the floor (bottom) of the nose until its end is seen passing down behind the soft palate into the throat. Grasp this with a pair of forceps and pull it forward into the mouth. Tie a stout string to the end of the catheter (about 1-1/2 feet long) and tie the other end of the string around the centre of a plug of lint or gauze, 1-1/2 inches long and three-quarters of an inch wide. Then pull the catheter back through the nostril, very gently. This will pull the plug into the posterior opening of the nose, and plug it. . Hold this same end firmly and with a pair of forceps fill the anterior nostril with strips (1/2 inch wide) of gauze, pushing them back to the posterior plug. The end of the string in the mouth may be fastened to a tooth or to the side of the cheek (if long enough) with a piece of adhesive plaster. The plug should not be left in position more than forty-eight hours, and it should be thoroughly softened with oil or vaselin before it is removed. Remove the anterior part first, gently and carefully and then with cocaine (if necessary) and more oil, the posterior plug is softened and removed by pulling the end of the string which is in the mouth gently and slowly.

SORE THROAT (Acute Pharyngitis--Acute Pharyngeal Catarrh--- Inflammation of the Pharynx--Simple Angina).--This is a common complaint especially among some adults. A predisposition to it is often due to chronic pharyngitis, chronic enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids of the wall of the pharynx as well as chronic nasal obstruction. Rheumatic persons are especially subject to it and acute articular rheumatism is often observed to be preceded by an attack of pharyngitis. Tonsilitis is said to have the same influence also.

Symptoms.--The throat is dry and feels stiff. There may be tenderness at the angle of the jaw and outside of the neck. Pains some to swallow. In a day or two there is a mucous secretion, making the patient inclined to clear the throat by hawking or coughing. The throat looks red and in the early stage this is more noticeable on the anterior pillars of the fauces, the soft palate and uvula. On the back wall you see bright red spots, the inflamed lymph follicles. It usually gets well in two to seven days. It may become chronic after repeated acute attacks.

Chronic.--This is very common in persons who smoke or drink to excess, also people who use their voice in public speaking as preachers do, or in calling loudly as hucksters, railroad brakemen, stationmen, etc.

Prevention of chronic kind.--Ascertain the cause and remove it. Too hot food or too much spiced food cause the chronic kind. Rest the voice. Remove any existing catarrh.

Prevention of acute kind.--Avoid undue exposure to cold and wet, wear warm comfortable flannel underwear. Bath the neck and chest daily with cold water. This is good cold preventive. The wearing of handkerchiefs, mufflers, around the neck is injurious unless you are driving. Accustom your neck to the cold from the beginning in the fall and winter months. Wearing a full beard is said to be a good preventive.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Sore throat, Used for Years Successfully.--"Salt pork dipped in hot water then covered thick with black pepper. Heat in the oven and lay or bind on the throat or lungs. This has been a favorite remedy with us for years." Sew the pork to a piece of cotton cloth and bind over the sore parts after you have sprinkled the pork with salt and pepper. Leave this on as long as the patient can endure it. When the pork is removed, rub the affected parts with cold cream or vaselin and put a clean muslin cloth on to keep person from taking cold.

[22 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

2. Sore throat, Splendid Liniment for.--

"Olive oil 1/2 pint Ammonia 1/2 pint Turpentine 1/2 pint One egg.

Shake till it forms emulsion. This can be used as a blister."

This is a very effective remedy, but you must watch the throat very carefully as this will blister quickly. After removing the liniment, grease the parts with oil or cold cream.

3. Sore throat, Simple Gargle for.--

"Soda 1 teaspoonful Salt 1 teaspoonful Borax 1 teaspoonful

Dissolve in pint of warm water; use as a gargle frequently."

This is a very good gargle. It contracts the parts and acts as an antiseptic and thoroughly cleanses the parts.

4. Sore throat, Home Made salve for.-

"Beeswax 1 ounce Rosin 1 ounce Camphor gum 1 ounce Lard about the size of an egg."

Mix the above ingredients together and apply to the outside of the throat. This causes the skin to become red thus drawing the inflammation out of the throat and relieving the trouble.

5. Sore Throat, Cold Packs, Sure Cure for.--"Put cold packs on the throat. Remarks: Was in Washington once and my little girl had a very sore throat. I put cold packs on the throat the first half of the night and the next day she was out seeing the sights as well as ever." Gargle with very hot water and a little soda. This makes it very effective.

6. Sore Throat, Ointment for.--

"Oil Turpentine 1/2 ounce Oil of Hemlock 1/2 ounce Oil of Peppermint 1/2 ounce Oil of Encaliptus 1/2 ounce

Mix with one cup warm lard, apply warm to the throat."

[RESPIRATORY DISEASES 23]

7. Sore Throat, Remedy from a mother in Johnson City, Tenn.--"Fat meat stewed in vinegar and bound to the neck. Kind friends:--After waiting so long I will help you what I can, and where is the mother that won't want the book? I am truly glad you have such an interest in the welfare of suffering humanity. I hope this book will soon be out on its good mission. Kind friends, I think it a wonderful kindness to the rich as well as the poor to have a friend in time of need. I think a good honest book of home remedies tried by our good mothers and grandmothers will be accepted and looked to by all mothers, for we all think mother knows best. I certainly want this book completed and in my home."

8. Sore Throat, Gargle and Local Application for.--

"Common salt 2 tablespoonfuls Strained honey 2 tablespoonfuls Vinegar 3 tablespoonfuls Camphor 1/2 teaspoonful"

Use as a gargle. External applications, wring a cloth out of salt and cold water and keep it quite wet, bind tightly about the neck and cover with a dry cloth. It is best to use this at night."

9. Mild Sore Throat, Vinegar Gargle for.--"Gargle with vinegar and hot water. This will help to sooth the irritation and in a mild sore throat is a sure cure."

10. Sore Throat, Alum and Vinegar for.--"One glass of warm water; one tablespoonful of vinegar; one teaspoonful of sugar; one-half teaspoonful of alum; dissolve well and gargle throat several times daily."

11. Sore Throat, Kerosene for.--"Dip a flannel cloth in coal oil, (kerosene) and bind on the throat. I have tried this; in fact it is what I always use. It is almost sure to cure."

12. Sore Throat and Cough, Remedy always at hand.--"Equal parts of alcohol and glycerin make a good gargle, or use three tablespoonfuls of vinegar and one of salt to a tumbler of water. Or simply hot water and salt when nothing else is to be had. The hot water alone is very good."

13. Tickling in Throat, Simple Remedy for.--"Take bread crumbs and swallow them."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Sore Throat.--1. Inhalation of steam either with or without medicine is good. (See treatment of tonsilitis-Inhaling steam) I treated a man once who had a terrific pharyngitis, All the parts were so terribly swollen, that he was unable to swallow or talk. I induced him to inhale steam from a teakettle. He was able to put his mouth over the spout of the kettle and he was relived in a few minutes. I think it saved his life. I put no medicine in the water for that case. Very few persons can inhale the steam directly from the kettle. Other method is given under tonsilitis. A dose of salts at first is good. Remain in the house for a few days.

2. Sulphur and Cream for.--Mix some sulphur with cream and put some of it on the sore membrane.

3. Good Old Mother's Remedy.--"Steep a medium sized red pepper in one-half pint of water, strain and add one-fourth pint of good vinegar and a heaping teaspoonful each of salt and powdered alum and gargle with it as often as needed. This is a very good remedy."

[24 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

1. Physicians' Local Treatment.--A wet compress on the neck is useful at the onset. Sucking ice or gargling with ice or cold water, or applying an ice bag to the throat will be found useful.

Later on, warm gargles and steam inhalation are more grateful. If there is great pain in swallowing, cocaine painted on the throat or sucking a cocaine lozenge before taking food will be found very useful.

2. When the attack is mild medicine may not be needed. When there is fever and the throat is real sore, you can use one drop doses of tincture of aconite every hour. This will frequently check it.

3. I like the following at the beginning. Give tincture of aconite and mercury biniodide, called the pink tablet, alternately. Put ten drops of the aconite in one-half glass of water and give from one-half to two teaspoonfuls everyone or two hours, alternating with one or two tablets of one-hundred grain tablet of mercury biniodide. After the first twenty-four hours stop the acoite and give the mercury biniodide every three hours.

4. For Chronic Catarrh remaining after, lozenges containing rhatany or tannin are useful.

5. Other gargles.--

Menthol 3 to 5 grains Camphor 2 to 4 grains Liquid paraffine 1 ounce

For irritable and catarrhal conditions of nasal membrane use a spray.

8. Snuff.-

Hydrochloride of Cocaine 1 grains Menthol 1 grain Sugar of Milk 2 drams

Mix very thoroughly.

When using the Menthol preparation do not use the preparation very hot.

HOARSENESS. Inflammation of the Larynx. (Acute Laryngitis) Causes.--Due to taking cold or over using the voice; hot liquids, poisons. It may occur in influenza and measles; from irritating gases; some are subject to it.

Symptoms.--Tickling in the larynx; cold air irritates, and breathing may cause some pain; dry cough; the voice may be altered. At first it may be only husky. In children breathing may be very difficult, after a day or two there may be a light expectoration and finally there may be a loose cough and a slight fever. The trouble is in the region of "Adam's Apple." There is little or no danger in these attacks if proper care is taken. The attack generally lasts two to four days.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. Hoarseness, Borax for.--"For hoarseness dissolve a piece of borax the size of a pea in the mouth and don't talk. It will work like a charm." The borax does away with the inflammation of the inflamed parts and gives relief very quickly.

[RESPIRATORY DISEASES 25]

2. Hoarseness, Egg and Lemon for.--"Beaten white of one egg, juice of one lemon, with sugar enough to thicken, then add one teaspoonful olive oil." Take one teaspoonful every hour until relieved.

3. Hoarseness, Horseradish for.--"Horseradish root; eat plenty of it. This has been tried and proved successful."

4. Hoarseness, Successful Remedy for Adults.--"Take two ounces of fresh scraped horseradish root, infuse in a close vessel in one-half pint of cold water for two or three hours; then add four ounces of acid tincture of lobelia and one-half pound of honey. Boil altogether for one-half hour, strain and take a teaspoonful four times a day. This is a very good remedy, especially for adults."

5. Hoarseness, Lemon and Sugar for Children.--"Take the juice of one lemon and saturate with sugar, take a teaspoonful several times a day. It is sure to give relief. This is very pleasant to give to children, as they most all like it."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Hoarseness.--1. Rest of the voice and if the case is severe keep in bed in a room with an even temperature and the air saturated with moisture from a steaming teakettle, etc.

2. An ice bag on the throat or cold water cloths to the front of the throat often give relief.

3. Tincture of Aconite.--This is given in the beginning when there is fever. The dose depends upon the age, and the amount of fever. You can give it to a child by putting one drop of aconite in twelve teaspoonfuls of water and then give one teaspoonful every one to three hours according to the case. For an adult you can put ten drops of aconite in ten teaspoonfuls of water and give one teaspoonful every hour or two.

4. Citrate of Potash is given every four to five hours in adults.

5. Full dose of five grains of Dover's powders at night for the irritating cough.

6. For a cough, for a child one year old you can give one-half teaspoonful, every two hours, of the following:--

Syrup of Dover's powder 1 fluid dram Tincture of Aconite 10 drops Simple syrup Enough to make two ounces

Shake before using.

TICKLING IN THROAT. Mothers' Remedies. Mullein Leaf Smoke Beneficial for.--"Smoke dried mullein leaves, just a few puffs are needed, and should be drawn into the throat. Myron H. Grinnel of Albion, Mich., says his grandmother always gathers mullein leaves for this purpose and finds them an excellent remedy. Too much would cause dizziness." Mullein leaves are good for inflamed membranes like the ear and throat. If a person does not wish to gather the leaves themselves they may buy them at a drug store.

2. Tickling in Throat, Good Northern Canada Remedy for.--"Chew some of the bark of slippery elm and gargle the throat with saliva. This stops tickling in a few minutes."

[26 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

3. Tickling in Throat, Tested Gargle for.--"Gargle from four to six times daily with following:--

Strong Sage Tea 1 pint Salt 2 tablespoonfuls Cayenne Pepper 2 tablespoonfuls Vinegar 2 tablespoonfuls Honey 2 tablespoonfuls

Mix thoroughly and bottle for use."

The above ingredients are all excellent for sore throat and it is an old tried remedy and can easily be obtained. If it is too strong dilute with warm water to the desired strength.

SWELLING OF THE GLOTTIS. (Oedematous Laryngitis. Oedma of the Glottis).--Swelling or oedma of the glottis or more correctly of the structure which forms the glottis, is a very serious affection. It may follow acute laryngitis or may be met with in chronic diseases of the larynx and from other diseases. It is dangerous.

Symptoms.--Difficulty of breathing which increases in intensity so that the condition becomes very serious in a short time. There is whistling breathing, the voice is husky and disappears.

Acute Laryngitis.--Inhalations and sprays.

Menthol 10 grains Oil of pine 1 dram Tincture of benzion 1 dram Liquid alboline 2 ounces

Make a solution. Use one teaspoonful in a pint of boiling water; inhale with a cone placed over the dish or put a shawl over the head and dish and inhale the steam. Or this one to inhale same way:

Tincture of benzoin 1 dram Oil of tar 1 drain Liquid alboline 2 ounces

Make a solution and use one teaspoonful to a pint of boiling water as above.

It may be necessary in order to save life, to have a physician make an opening by incision into the windpipe for the admission of air into the lungs. This process is called Tracheotomy.

Diet in Laryngitis.--Hard and dry toasts should be avoided, for they give pain on being swallowed, same reason applies to highly seasoned foods. Milk, custards, eggs, scraped beef may be taken. Difficulty in swallowing may be overcome by allowing the patient to lie flat on the bed, etc., with his face over the edge. Food can be sucked through the tube from a vessel placed below; or the patient can lean forward while eating.

"CHILD CROWING" (Spasm of the Glottis.)--This is usually peculiar to children.

[RESPIRATORY DISEASES 27]

Cause.--It is purely a nervous affection and it occurs between six months and three years, and is most commonly seen in children with rickets.

Symptoms.--It may come in the night or day; or when the child awakes. The breathing is arrested, the child struggles for breath, the face is flushed, and then with a sudden relaxation of the spasm, the air is drawn into the lungs with a high pitched crowing sound. Convulsions may occur. Death rarely occurs. There may be many attacks during the day.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT of Child Crowing. Preventive.--The gums should be carefully examined and if they are swollen and hot they should be lanced. The bowels should be carefully regulated, and as these children are usually of a delicate nature and afflicted with rickets, nourishing food and the treatment in diet and medicine should be given for rickets. Cod liver oil is a good general remedy. (See rickets).

Cold Sponging.--In severe cases, the child should be placed in a warm bath tub and the back and chest thoroughly sponged for a minute or two with cold water. This plan may be used even when a child is in a paroxysm, though the attack is severe and the child looks blue, it is much better than to dash cold water in the face. Sometimes the attack can be stopped by introducing the finger far back into the throat.

CROUP, Spasmodic.--This disease gives the parents a terrible shock if they have never seen any attacks of the kind. The symptoms which attend the attack are out of all proportion to the real danger. It is generally the result of exposure to cold or to the cold wind. Irritating, undigested food, often causes it.

Symptoms.--Usually the child goes to bed perfectly well, or has a slight cold and wakes up an hour or two later, coughing and gasping for breath, due to a spasm in the wind pipe. The cough is shrill, more like a bark; the cough is repeated at intervals and soon the patient breathes quickly and laboriously. It must sit up for it can breathe easier sitting. The voice is oftentimes nearly or quite lost, or at least only a hoarse whisper; the face is bluish or perspiring. The spasm lasts for a variable period, but rarely exceeds one-half hour, sometimes only a few minutes. The croupy cough and oppressed breathing may last longer than this, but these too subside after a time, after which the child drops to sleep and usually rests quietly for the rest of the night. There is a tendency to recurrence on succeeding night unless obviated by treatment.

Treatment. Preventive.--Guard against such children's exposure to cold winds and dampness, dress them warmly. The living and sleeping rooms should not be too warm. Do not give them food hard to digest at any time, especially before bedtime. Foods hard to digest frequently cause the attack.

[28 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. Croup, Cold Application for.--"Apply to throat a flannel wrung out of cold water, lay a dry cloth over it." This is an excellent remedy for a mother to try in case of an emergency when no other medicine can be obtained. This very often will relieve a child until other remedies can be secured and has been known to save many children's lives: The cold water helps to draw the blood away from the larynx and air passages and also dilates the tubes and gives relief. Take great care not to wet the child, as this will cause it to take more cold and may prove fatal.

2. Croup, Sure Cure for.--"Give child anything that will make it vomit, soak feet in hot water, apply onion drafts to bottom of feet, roast onions and put on the chest, keep warm. My mother has cured me at least one hundred times with the above remedy. She generally gave me pig's foot oil, or oil from the feet of a chicken, sometimes melted lard. Croup has to be attended to at once or it is fatal with the child." This is a very good remedy.

3. Croup, Immediate Relief from Steaming.--"Put a small shawl over the child's head to retain steam, then put a small chunk of unslaked lime in a bowl of water under shawl. The steam affords immediate relief, usually, if child inhales it." This is very good; shawl should cover the child's head and bowl in which lime is dissolved.

4. Croup, for Baby or Older Child.--"Take a teaspoonful alum, pulverize it and sprinkle it on the whites of two fresh eggs in a cup or glass, let it stand for a few minutes, until the combination has turned to water, or water is produced; then give one-half teaspoonful to a child six months old or less and increase the dose to one teaspoonful for older children, and repeat the dose in fifteen or thirty minutes as the case may require. Remarks: From personal experience in my own and neighbors' families, I have never known a case where it did not bring relief and cure. The dose must produce vomiting."