Chapter 42

1. Ichthyol 1/2 to 1 ounce Lard 1 ounce

2. Tincture of Aconite 6 drams Tincture Arnica 1 ounce Oil of Turpentine l ounce (l or 2) Soap Liniment enough for 8 ounces

Use as a liniment three times a day. This can be used for some weeks.

3. Strong Water of Ammonia 6 drams Oil of Cajeput 1 dram Tincture of Belladonna 1 to 2 ounces Camphor Liniment enough for 8 ounces

Use as a liniment.

4. Tincture of Aconite 1 ounce Tincture Belladonna 2 drams Strong Ammonia Water 4 drams Chloroform Liniment 6 drams

Used as a liniment on chronic or inflamed muscles or joints.

5. Iodide of Potash 1/2 ounce Compound Syrup of Sarsaparilla 3 ounces Distilled Water 3 ounces

Mix and take a dessertspoonful in a glass of water two hours after meals for chronic rheumatism.

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6. This is prepared by Parke, Davis & Co., and made into a syrup:

Red Clover 32 grains Queen's Root 16 grains Barberry 10 grains Prickly Ash Bark 4 grains Burdock Root 16 grains Poke Root 16 grains Honduras Bark 16 grains Iodide of Potash 8 grains

This portion to each fluid ounce of the syrup.

7. The following is good:

Equal parts of each of the following: Blue Cohosh Root Black Cohosh Root Poke Root Yellow Dock Root Blue Flag Root Prickly Ash Root Burdock Root Dandelion Root

Bruise them thoroughly or grind them coarsely, steep and make a tea and drink freely of it. If you wish you can take three to five grains of Iodide of Potash to each dose. This may in time disorder the stomach and you may then stop it for a time. All these can be used in muscular rheumatism also. The food should not be rich or highly seasoned. Spices are bad for such patients. Pickles, mustard, etc., are best let alone.

MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM.--This is a very painful affection of the voluntary muscles, called also neuralgia, or according to its location, torticollis (stiff neck, wry neck), pleurodynia, lumbago (rheumatism in the back).

Causes.--Predisposed to it by previous attacks, having a rheumatic or gouty constitution (diathesis). It follows sudden exposure, hence it is most common in men.

Symptoms.--Local pain in the muscles, sharp or dull, aching constant, or caused by certain movements and is usually relieved by pressure. It lasts from a few days to several weeks and frequently recurs. The common forms are: Lumbago. This affects the muscles of the back, and usually comes on suddenly with a sharp stich-like pain, and is chiefly seen in those who labor hard, often completely disabling them for a time.

Torticollis (stiff or wry neck).--It is usually on the side or back of the neck. Comes from a draught of cold wind on the neck, etc.

Pleurodynia, pain in the chest muscles, etc.--With pain in all movements of the chest, resembling intercostal neuralgia or pleurisy.

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Diet for Rheumatism from the Head Nurse of a Prominent Hospital:--

May Take--

Soups.--Mutton broth, chicken or beef tea, in small quantities.

Fish.--Raw clams or oysters, fresh fish (whiter kinds) boiled.

Meats.--Chicken, calf 's head, sweetbread, tripe, broiled fat bacon or broiled ham (all sparingly).

Farinaceous.--Whole wheat, corn or brown bread, arrowroot, rice, dry toast, milk toast.

Vegetables.--Spinach, green peas or cabbage (well boiled), celery, lettuce, cresses, radishes.

Desserts.--Milk, rice or arrowroot pudding, (all without sugar), junket.

Drinks--Tea (without sugar), buttermilk, pure water, plain with lemon or lime juice (no sugar).

Must Not Take--

Pork, veal, turkey, goose, duck, fried fish or salt meats, cooked oysters or clams, salted, dried, potted or preserved fish or meats (except fat bacon or ham), crabs, salmon, lobster, eggs, rich made dishes, gravies, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, asparagus, mushrooms, candies, rich puddings, pies, pastry, nuts, cheese, coffee, cider, malt liquors, wines.

Treatment for Stiff Neck.--Wry Neck, (torticollis).--Warmth applied either dry or moist as hot salt bag or fomentations of hops, etc. Parke, Davis & Co., Detroit, now make a preparation called capsicine. This is very good for this trouble, rubbed on thoroughly as directed. It can be bought at most drug stores. It is also good for headaches and neuralgias. The same line of treatment, hot and cold applications, can be given for pain in the chest muscles (pleurodynia) and lumbago.

A MOTHERS' REMEDY for Stiff Neck.--Hot Salt and Oil of Sassafras.--"If troubled with stiff neck, fill a bag with hot salt and sleep on it, or rub the neck with oil of sassafras which, by the way, is also excellent for lumbago and to scatter, not cure, rheumatism pains."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Rheumatism.--Preventive.--Avoid exposure as stated for other rheumatism. Rest the chest by strapping with adhesive plaster as in pleurisy. Porous plasters are good and liniments; sometimes help is obtained by rubbing freely with camphor. Hot dry or wet applications are frequently useful. Mustard plaster is very good when the space is not too great. Mix the mustard with the white of an egg and after it is taken off grease the part and keep on warm cloths. Hot foot baths and hot drinks of lemonade or teas, after which the person should go to bed and sweat and remain there for some hours.

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Liniment.--

Oil of Wintergreen 1/2 to 1 ounce Compound Soap Liniment 8 ounces

Mix and rub on thoroughly.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--Lumbago, Menthol Liniment for.--Apply the menthol liniment, cover with a thick cloth and put the hot water bottle next to it and go to bed. If up through the day have a cotton batting sewed to cloth and keep affected parts warm, using the liniment freely." The menthol liniment will be found an excellent remedy for lumbago, The menthol absorbs quickly and by applying the hot water bottle relief is sure to follow.

1. Weak Back, Vinegar and Salt for.--"One tablespoonful of salt and one tablespoonful of vinegar to a quart of hot water. Bathe the back, then rub well with sweet oil and relief will soon follow,"

2. Weak Back. Simple Remedy for.--"Aching may be relieved by taking a large pinch of buchu leaves, steep and drink. Sweeten if desired. Use a pint of water for steeping the leaves," This is a good remedy for a weak back, resulting from kidney trouble. The buchu leaves acts quickly on the kidneys and it is surprising to see how quickly the backache will disappear. You can purchase a two ounce package for five cents at any drug store.

3. Weak Back, Good Liniment for.--

"Tincture of Aconite 1 ounce Oil of Wintergreen 1/2 ounce Tincture of Belladonna 1 ounce Tincture of Arnica 1 ounce Aqua Ammonia 2 ounces

Mix and use as a liniment."

This is a very good liniment.

4. Lameness, Chloroform Liniment for.--"Chloroform liniment is the best for all lameness and sore limbs."

5. Lameness, Plantain Leaves and Cream for.--"Make ointment from plantain laves, simmered in sweet cream or fresh butter. This is very cooling."

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Rheumatism, Saltpetre Good in Cases of.--"One ounce of saltpetre to one pint of water. Take one teaspoonful of the above in a large glass of water, about six times daily." The saltpetre acts on the kidneys, carrying off the impurities in this way. Care should be taken not to continue this treatment too long at a time, as continued use would result in injury to the kidneys.

2. Rheumatism, Rochelle Salts for.--"One teaspoonful rochelle salts in one-half glass water every other morning." This acts on the bowels and cleanses the system.

3. Rheumatism, Flowers of Sulphur Will Relieve Pain of.--Sciatica is sometimes very much improved by wrapping the limb for one night with flowers of sulphur."

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4. Rheumatism, Three Simple Ingredient Liniment for.--"One pint pure cider vinegar, one pint of turpentine, four fresh eggs, put the egg shells and all in the vinegar, let stand until the vinegar eats the eggs all up, then add the turpentine." This makes a fine liniment.

5. Rheumatism, Sulphur Good for.--"Cases of chronic rheumatism are often relieved by sulphur baths and sulphur tea. Dose:--Powder sulphur and mix with molasses. A teaspoonful three times a day," Sulphur is a good blood purifier and laxative.

6. Rheumatism, Horse-Radish for.--"An excellent and well-known remedy for rheumatism is to make a syrup of horse-radish by boiling the root and add sufficient sugar to make it palatable. Dose:--Two or three teaspoonfuls two or three times a day,"

7. Rheumatism, Simple Remedy to Relieve Pain of.--

"Peppermint 1 ounce Oil of Mustard 1/4 ounce Vinegar 1 pint White of one egg.

Beat egg; stir all together."

8. Rheumatism, Liniment for Chronic.--

"Olive Oil 1 pint Sassafras Oil 2 drams Camphor Gum 2 ounces Chloroform 1/2 ounce

Dissolve the camphor in the oil and when dissolved add the chloroform and four ounces of turpentine or rosemary. Rub the parts well night and morning. If the limbs are very sensitive to cold, add to the mixture two ounces of tincture of capsicum."

9. Rheumatism, Herb Remedy for.--

Tincture Colchicum Seed 4 ounces Gum Guaiacum 4 ounces Black Cohosh Root 4 ounces Prickly Ash Berries 4 ounces Iodide Potash 1 ounce

Dose for adult, one teaspoonful three times a day in wineglassful of water or milk."

10. Rheumatism, Three Things that Will Help.--

"Best Rye Whisky 2 pints Ground Burdock Seed 1/2 pound Poke Berry Juice 1/2 pint

Mix, shake well before using.

Dose for adults, one and one-half or two tablespoonfuls night and morning." In severe cases take three times a day. This is a thoroughly tried remedy and is a very successful one.

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11. Rheumatism, Good Liniment for.--

"Alcohol 1 ounce Oil of Wintergreen 1 dram Chloroform 5 drams Gum Camphor 1/2 ounce Sulphuric Ether 3/4 ounce Oil of Cloves 1/2 dram Oil of Lavender 1 dram

Mix and apply externally for rheumatism and you will find it a very beneficial remedy."

12. Rheumatism, Camphor and Alcohol for.--"Soak cotton batting in alcohol and camphor and apply on part." Application to the affected parts will frequently give relief in some rheumatic patients, when in others no relief is obtained by this method, it being necessary to take something internally.

13. Rheumatism, Sweet Fern Tea Excellent for.--"Sweet fern tea taken three times a day. Dose, one cupful. Father has used this successfully himself."

14. Rheumatism, Well-known Celery Remedy for.--"Celery tea several times a day with plenty of celery cooked or raw as a regular table food. Cut the celery in pieces, boil until soft in water and let the patient drink the tea, then make a stew of the remaining bits. If fresh celery cannot be obtained, celery preparations can be found at the drug store.

15. Rheumatism, Flowers of Sulphur Relieves.--"Rheumatism is effectually removed by enveloping the limb one night with flowers of sulphur." The flowers of sulphur can be purchased at any drug store, and will give great relief, especially in severe cases.

16. Rheumatism, Poultice for.--"Apply belladonna ointment to seat of pain, poultices applied very hot. Sulphur applied to painful part is very effective, after which the parts should be enveloped in flannel." The belladonna ointment acts like a fly blister, but not quite so severe. The ointment can remain on for some time without blistering. This treatment relieves by removing the inflammation from the sore parts.

17. Rheumatism, Novel Relief for.--"The best remedy is electricity. It cured me; I used medical battery." Electricity has been known to help in a great many cases, but should be applied by a competent person.

18. Rheumatism, Snake Root and Lemons Good for.--"Make use of lemon juice freely. Use decoction of black snake root, one ounce to pint of boiling water; a tablespoonful four times a day. Wet compress renewed every two hours applied to painful joints."

The black snake root is a remedy that was used by the early settlers for this trouble. The wet compresses are very soothing, but care should be taken not to wet the bed clothing, as the patient would then take cold.

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19. Rheumatism, Another Good Liniment for.--

Alcohol 5 ounces Amber 30 drops Tincture of Pinoum 30 drops Hemlock Oil 30 drops Tincture of Iron 30 drops Aconite 30 drops

DIABETES MELLITUS.--A disorder of nutrition in which sugar accumulates in the blood and is excreted in the urine, the daily amount of which is greatly increased.

Causes.--Hereditary influences play an important role and cases are on record of its occurrence in many members of the same family. Men are more frequently affected than women, the ratio being about three to two. Persons of a nervous temperament are often affected. It is a disease of the higher classes. Hebrews seem especially prone to it. The disease is comparatively rare in the colored race; women more than men in the negro,- nine to six. In a considerable proportion of the cases of diabetes the patients have been very fat at the beginning of or prior to the onset of the disease. It is more common in cities than in country districts. The combination of intense application to business, over-indulgence in food and drink, with a sedentary life, seem particularly prone to induce the disease. Injury to or disease of the spinal cord or brain has been followed by diabetes. It is much more frequent in European countries than here. Acute and chronic forms are recognized in the former.

Symptoms.--The only difference is that the patients are younger in acute forms, the course is more rapid and the wasting away is more marked. The onset of the disease is gradual and either frequent passing of urine (six to forty pints in twenty-four hours) or inordinate thirst attracts attention. When it is fully established, there is great thirst, the passage of large quantities of sugar urine, a terrible appetite, and, as a rule, progressive emaciation. The thirst is one of the most distressing symptoms. Large quantities of water are required to keep the sugar in solution and for its excretion in the urine. Some cases do not have the excessive thirst; but in such case the amount of urine passed is never large. The thirst is most intense an hour or two after meals. The digestion is generally good, but the appetite is inordinate. Pain in the back is common. The tongue is usually dry, red and glazed, and the saliva is scanty. The gums may become swollen. Constipation is the rule. The skin is dry and harsh and sweating rarely occurs. The temperature is under normal. In spite of the enormous amount of food eaten a patient may become rapidly emaciated. Patients past middle life may have the disease for years without much disturbance of the health; on the other hand I have seen them die after that age. Progress is more rapid the younger the person. Death usually occurs from coma of diabetes. This is most common in young patients.

[CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES 329]

1. There is a sudden onset after exertion of weakness, feeble pulse, stupor, coma, death in a few hours.

2. Sudden headache, coma, death in a few hours.

3. After nausea, vomiting or a lung complication, there are headache, delirium, abdominal pain, rapid labored breathing, sweetish odor of the breath, stupor, rapid feeble pulse, coma and death within a few days.

Recovery.--Instances of cure in true diabetes are rare.

Treatment. Preventive.--The use of starchy and sugary articles of diet should be restricted in families with a marked disposition to this disease. Sources of worry should be avoided and he should lead an even quiet life, if possible, in an equable climate. Flannel and silk should be worn next to the skin, and the greatest care should be taken to promote its action. A lukewarm and, if tolerably robust, a cold bath should be taken every day. An occasional Turkish bath is useful.

Diet.--Let the patients eat food of easy digestion, such as veal, mutton and the like, and abstain from all sorts of fruit and garden stuff. In Johns Hopkins' Hospital these patients are kept for three or four days on the ordinary ward diet, which contains a moderate amount of carbo-hydrates, in order to ascertain the amount of sugar excretions. For two days more the starches are gradually cut off. They are then placed on the following standard non-carbohydrate diet.

Breakfast: 7:30, six ounces of tea or coffee; four ounces of beefsteak, mutton chops without bone, or boiled ham; one or two eggs.

Lunch: 12:30, six ounces of cold roast beef; two ounces celery, fresh cucumbers or tomatoes with vinegar, olives, pepper and salt to taste, five drams of whisky with thirteen ounces of water, two ounces of coffee without milk or sugar.

Dinner: 6:00 P. M., six ounces of clear bouillon; seven and a half ounces of roast beef; one and one-half drams of butter; two ounces of green salad with two and a half drams of vinegar, five drams of olive oil, or three tablespoonfuls of some well-cooked green vegetable: three sardines; five drams of whisky with thirteen ounces of water.

Supper: 9:00 P. M., two eggs, raw or cooked, thirteen ounces of water .

The following is a list of articles which a diabetes patient may take as given by one of the best authorities in the world on diabetes:

Liquids: Soups.--Ox tail, turtle bouillon and other clear soups. Lemonade, coffee, tea, chocolate and cocoa; these to be taken without sugar, but they may be sweetened with saccharin. Potash or soda water and appollinaris, or the Saratoga-vichy and milk in moderation may be used.

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Animal Food.--Fish of all sorts, including crabs, oysters, salt and fresh butcher's meat (with the exception of liver), poultry and game, eggs, buttermilk, curds and cream cheese.

Bread.--Gluten and bran bread, almond and cocoanut biscuits.

Vegetables.--Lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, chickory, sorrel, radishes, asparagus, water-cress, mustard and cress, cucumber, celery and endives; pickles of various sorts.

Fruits.--Lemons and oranges, currants, plums, cherries, pears, apples (tart), melons, raspberries and strawberries may be taken in moderation. Nuts, as a rule, allowable.

Must Not Take--

Thick Soups and Liver. Ordinary bread of all sorts (in quantity), rye, wheaten, brown or white. All farinaceous (starchy) preparations, such as hominy, rice, tapioca, arrowroot, sago and vermicelli.

Vegetables: Potatoes, turnips, parsnips, squashes, vegetable-marrows of all kinds, beets, common artichokes.

Liquids: Beer, sparkling wine of all sorts and the sweet aerated drinks.

Medicines. Codeine.--A patient may begin with one-half grain three times a day, which may be gradually increased to six or eight grains in the twenty-four hours (under the doctor's care); withdraw it gradually when sugar is absent or reduced as far as possible.

DIABETES INSIPIDUS.--A chronic affection characterized by the passage of large quantities of normal urine of low specific gravity.

Causes.--It is most often found in young males and is probably of nervous origin. It may follow excitement or brain injury.

Symptoms.--The onset is usually gradual. The urine is pale; ten to twenty quarts a day. Thirst, dryness of the mouth and skin. Appetite and general conditions are usually normal; sometimes there are feebleness and emaciation. Death usually occurs from some other disease.

Treatment.--There is no known cure. Keep the general health in good condition according to the advice of your family physician.

OBESITY.--An excessive development of fat; it may be hereditary. It occurs most frequently in women of middle age and in children. Its chief cause is excessive eating and drinking, especially of the starch and sugar foods and malt liquors, and lack of exercise. The increase of fat is in all the normal situations and the heart and liver are often large and fatty. The condition in general may be good or there may be inactivity of the mind and body. Disturbances of digestion and symptoms of a fatty heart. There is less power to resist disease. Death may occur from fatty infiltration of the heart, resulting in dilatation or rupture.

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Treatment.--Must be in regulating the diet. The person must avoid all excess in food and drink, and avoid especially foods that contain starch and sugar. There must be regular and systematic exercise, hot baths and massages are helps. Medicines made from the poke berry are much used and are successful in some cases.

Diet.--The food of a fleshy person should be cut down gradually. Its bulk can be great, but its nourishing properties should be small. The diet for reduction of obesity should consist chiefly of bulky vegetables, but not too much of any one article or set of articles. The following list is recommended by Dr. Hare of Philadelphia:

For Breakfast.--One or two cups of coffee or tea, without milk or sugar, but sweetened with a fraction of a grain of saccharin. Three ounces of toasted or ordinary white bread or six ounces of brown bread; enough butter may be used to make the bread palatable, not more than one ounce. Sliced raw tomatoes with vinegar, or cooked tomatoes without any sugar or fats. This diet may be varied by the use of salted or fresh fish, either at breakfast or dinner. This fish must not be rich like salmon or sword-fish, but rather like perch or other small fish.

Noon Meal--Dinner.--One soup plate of bouillon, consomme julienne, or other thin soup, or Mosqueras beef-jelly, followed by one piece of the white meat of any form of fowl or a small bird. Sometimes a small piece, the size of one's hand, of rare beef, or mutton but no fat, may be allowed, and this should be accompanied by string beans, celery (stewed or raw), spinach, kale, cabbage, beans, asparagus, beets and young onions. Following this, lettuce with vinegar and a little olive oil (to make a French dressing), a cup of black coffee or one of tea, and a little acid fruit, such as sour grapes, tamarinds and sour oranges, or lemons may be taken, and followed by a cigar, if the patient has such a habit.

Supper.--This should consist of one or two soft boiled eggs, which may be poached, but not fried, a few ounces of brown bread, some salad and fruit and perhaps a glass or two of light, dry (not sweet) wine, if the patient is accustomed to its use.