Chapter 50

Rusty Nail Wound, Simple Guard Against Serious Results from.--"Every little while we read of someone who has run a rusty nail in his foot or some other part of his person, and lockjaw has resulted therefrom. All such wounds can be healed without any fatal consequences following them. It is only necessary to smoke such wounds or any wound or bruise that is inflamed, with burning wood or woolen cloth. Twenty minutes in the smoke will take the pain out of the worst case of inflammation arising from any wound I ever saw." Put on a poultice of bread and milk, changing every five or ten minutes. After this bind on salt pork and keep on for several days.

[394 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Cuts, Iodoform and Vaselin Salve for Barb Wire.--

"Iodoform 1 teaspoonful. Vaselin 1 ounce."

Before applying the above salve it is very necessary to cleanse the affected parts with a solution made of one teaspoonful of salt to a pint of water. If the iodoform is offensive to some people, you may use the vaselin alone, although the iodoform is known to be one of the best healing remedies that can be obtained.

2. Cuts, Turpentine Good in Small Quantities for.--"For cuts and any open wound pour turpentine in and put a piece of absorbent cotton on and soak well with the liniment, tie up, and leave it so until dry, then pour on some more." Care should be taken in using turpentine, not to put too much on the wound, as it may cause proud flesh in some people; a little of it is very healing and effective.

3. Cuts, Tincture of Myrrh for Fresh.--"Use freely of the tincture of myrrh by saturating a cloth and applying to the parts affected." This tincture of myrrh may be purchased at, any drug store, and is a very effectual remedy for fresh wounds of any description. It is slightly contracting, and has great healing qualities.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Bleeding, Unusual Way to Stop.--"If fresh, sprinkle full of black pepper. It will not smart, and is soon healed. If not fresh, clean with a weak solution saleratus and cover while wet with pepper. This has been tried many times in our home and has never failed."

2. Bleeding, Cobwebs to Stop.--"Make a pad of cobwebs and apply to cut. I have never found anything to equal this remedy." This simple remedy has been known to save many lives, and can always be obtained. As most housekeepers know; cobwebs are easily found in every home, and perhaps after reading this remedy they will not seem such a pest as heretofore, if we stop to think that at some future date our baby's life might be saved by using them.

3. Bleeding, Powdered Alum and Hot Water Stops.--"A heaping teaspoonful of powdered alum, placed in a teacup of water will stop the flow of blood in ordinary wounds, where no large artery has been cut. This will be found very beneficial for children, when their finger has been cut and bleeding badly." Alum is something that should always be kept in the home, using it in a case of emergency when there is no time to run to the drug store.

4. Bleeding, Salt and Flour Successful Remedy for.--"Equal parts of fine salt and flour placed on cut. I have seen this tried and it proved successful." The salt will stop the bleeding by its astringent action and mixed with flour forms a coating over the cut.

5. Bleeding, Boracic Acid Excellent for.--"Bind up in boracic acid powder." The boracic acid is very healing and a good antiseptic, which is one of the important things to be attended to in a bad cut or wound.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 395]

6.--Bleeding, Tobacco Will Stop.--"Bind in tobacco." Very few people know that the nicotine in tobacco is very healing, and by applying it to a cut, not only stops the flow of blood, but heals.

THINGS IN THE EAR; Buttons, Beads, etc.--The bent hairpin is good to use for removing these objects, unless it is too far in. Sometimes the object can be washed out with a stream of water. This will kill and destroy insects. A small stream from a pitcher will do, if there is no fountain syringe handy. Water should not be used for corn, peas or beans, for if they are not removed the water will cause them to swell up and enlarge. A competent person should then be called, but no injury will be done for a few hours.

GAS from wells, cisterns, mines, illuminating gas and coal gas.

Treatment.--Fresh pure air. Open all windows in the house and remove patient from a house filled with coal gas. Artificial respiration: Inject salt enemas; teaspoonful of salt to one pint of warm water.

FITS. (Convulsions).--Loosen all clothing. Put something hard between the teeth to keep the patient from biting his tongue. Allow plenty of sleep afterward.

IN-GROWING TOE-NAILS. Causes.--Pressure from improperly fitting shoes, or a wrong way of cutting the nails. The flesh along the nails becomes inflamed. Toe-nails should be cut straight across, and not trimmed too closely at the corners.

Treatment.--Wear broad-toed shoes with low heels. The high heels push the toes against the shoe and besides are unhealthy and dangerous in walking.

Hot poultices will relieve the inflammation and pain. Soak the toe in hot water and push the flesh back from the nail. Cotton under the edge and corner of the nail helps to keep it away. Dust a boric acid powder, mixed with an equal quantity of starch flour, on the parts. Mennen's borated talcum powder is good.

MOTHER'S REMEDY. 1. In-growing Toe-Nail, Popular Remedy for.--"Shave a little common laundry soap and mix with a little cream and pulverized sugar, work to the consistency of salve and apply to the affected part night and morning. It will take off the proud flesh in about ten days and then heal. This is a good salve for bed-sores or cuts, that, have dirt in them, and will also draw out a splinter. To prevent in-growing toe-nails, scrape the center of the nail very thin and cut a V in the top. This will allow the nail to bend and the corners will have a chance to grow up and out. Avoid short shoes and stockings." Anyone suffering from this dreaded thing will be willing to try anything that will give relief. The above treatment is always at hand, and has been known to cure in severe cases.

[396 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

FALLS.--If one has had a severe fall and is wholly or partially conscious, move as little as possible, in case of broken bones. Remain in a comfortable position until proper aid can be given. If unconscious stimulation may be necessary.

FIRE in Clothing.--Keep quiet, and away from a draught. Wrap anything handy around him and roll him. Leave only the head and face uncovered. Keep mouth closed.

CHOKING. (Foreign bodies in the larynx).--Produce vomiting. Give an emetic, warm water, melted lard, vaselin or one teaspoonful of mustard in one-half glass of warm water and drink. Tickle the throat with your finger or a feather. For a child, sometimes by taking hold of the feet with the head down and give a few slight jerks frequently expels the foreign body. Slap patient's back. The last resort is an operation,--tracheotomy.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Choking, Fish Bone to Stop.--"A fish bone stuck in the throat can often be dislodged by swallowing a raw egg or raw oyster."

2. Choking, Simple Remedy to Stop.--"Hold both hands high above the head. If necessary tap gently between the shoulders."

3. Choking, Pennyroyal Tea and Lard Relieves.--"Pennyroyal tea and hog's lard; drink hot." The pennyroyal may be purchased at any drug store for ten cents. Make a tea of this, then add the hog's lard. As we all know, that this will produce vomiting and relax the tissues so that any foreign matter will come out.

4. Choking, Grease and Meat Common Remedy for.--"Warm lard, or any kind of grease, and give the patient. Have seen it used with success." The warm grease will usually cause vomiting, and in that way remove the foreign matter.

In the Gullet.--An emetic is good to give if the body cannot be reached with the hand. Doctors use forceps or another instrument called a probang. Pennies will go down into the stomach and pass out through the bowels and usually cause no trouble. Fish bones can generally be reached with the finger or crochet hook. This is also good for foreign bodies in the nose, such as beans.

THINGS IN THE NOSE. Corn, Peas, Beans, Buttons, etc.--Children frequently get such things in their nose and also ears. They should be removed soon and then there will be no harm done. They have been known to remain for years, and they have been the cause of catarrh. A small curved hair-pin makes a good instrument to use and is always handy. Also a crochet hook, though not so good, for it will not bend as well as the hair-pin. The mother should sit facing a window or open door. The child should be placed on its back with its head resting between the mother's limbs and an assistant holds the child's hands. Its legs will be hanging down. The light now shines into the nostril and the bent hair-pin can be slipped over the foreign body and easily hooked out. The head must be held quiet by the mother. The mother can do this herself, with one hand holding the head quiet and with the other can introduce the hair-pin and remove the object. But the position of the child must be reversed with the head between her knees and the light shining in the nose; or place the child on a bench or cradle or buggy, head on a pillow, and to the light. Hold the head and legs quiet; by kneeling by the child's side, you can easily see the object and remove it. If they are too far back, they can be pushed over into the throat, but parents should never attempt to remove an object in the nose they cannot see. Sometimes causing sneezing with a feather or pepper will expel the object.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 397]

TREATMENT OF THE DROWNED, SUFFOCATED OR ELECTRICALLY SHOCKED. Accidents, etc.--The one action of first importance in the treatment of the drowned, the suffocated or the electrically shocked is to restore breathing. This must be done by expelling from the lungs the poison or water which has caused the trouble, and by establishing artificial respiration. Avoid delay. One moment may lose or save a life.

Schaefer Method of Effecting Artificial Respiration In Case of Drowning.--After an investigation and comparison of the different methods of artificial respiration, Schaefer suggests one which is by far the simplest and easiest and at the same time one of the most effective and least injurious to the patient. In describing it he says: "It consists in laying the subject in the prone posture, preferably on the ground, with a thick folded garment underneath the chest and epigastrium, (region above the stomach). The operator puts himself athwart or at the side of the subject, facing his head (see plate) and places his hands on each side over the lower part of the back (lowest ribs). He then slowly throws the weight of his body forward to bear upon his own arms and this presses upon the thorax of the subject and forces air out of the lungs. This being effected, he gradually relaxes the pressure by bringing his own body up again to a more erect position, but without moving his hands." These movements should be repeated regularly at a rate of twelve to fifteen times per minute, until normal respiration begins or until hope of its restoration is abandoned. Some claim there is no hope of restoring respiration after half an hour of artificial respiration. Others claim there is a chance of saving the patient even then, and say that artificial respiration should be kept up for two or three hours.

[398 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

TO RESUSCITATE THE DROWNED.--First: Lose no time in recovering the body from the water. Always try to restore life; for while ten minutes under the water is usually the limit, still persons have been resuscitated after being under water for thirty or forty minutes. Do not lose time by taking the body to a place of shelter--operate immediately.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 399]

Second: Quickly lay the person prone, face downward with stomach resting on a barrel or roll of clothing, so the head will be lower than rest of the body and the water will run out from the throat and lungs. Wipe dry mouth and nostrils. Wrap the corner of a handkerchief about the forefinger and clear the mouth of all mucus and slimy substance back as far as the top of the throat. Rip open the clothing on chest and back and keep the face exposed to the air. Separate the jaws and keep them apart with a cork, stone, or knot in a handkerchief.

Third: Remove the roll of clothing from underneath the stomach of the patient. Kneel by the side of or across the patient. Place your hands over the lowest ribs. Lean forward and put your weight straight over the lowest ribs. Exert this pressure for three seconds. To count three seconds, say: "One thousand and one, one thousand and two; one thousand and three,"

Fourth: Do not remove the hands from the ribs; but release the pressure from the ribs for two seconds, by squatting backward. To count two seconds, say: "One thousand and one, one thousand and two,"

Fifth: Again exert pressure straight over the lowest ribs for three seconds. Alternate thus (three seconds pressure and two seconds release), about twelve times a minute, until breathing is restored. This method of resuscitation at once expels water and produces the identical results of normal breathing.

Sixth: If another person is at hand to assist, let him do everything possible to keep the body warm, by sheltering it from the wind, rubbing hands and soles of feet, making hot applications. Warm the head nearly as fast as the other parts of the body to avoid congestion. Camphor or ammonia may be applied to nostrils to excite breathing.

Seventh: Do not give up too soon. Any time within two hours you may be on the point of reviving the patient without there being any sign of it. Send for a physician as soon as possible after the accident. Prevent friends from crowding around the patient and excluding fresh air.

AFTER-TREATMENT.--After breathing is restored, remove the patient to a warm bed where there is free circulation of fresh air. Administer in small doses stimulants (hot coffee, ginger tea, hot sling) being careful not to let the patient choke or strangle. There is danger that the patient may suffer congestion of the lungs and have great difficulty in breathing. When this occurs, a large mustard plaster should be placed over the lungs.

HOW TO KEEP FROM DROWNING.--To keep from drowning it is advisable, but not necessary, to know how to swim. The human body in the water weighs little more than a pound; so that one finger placed upon a piece of board, an oar or a paddle, will easily keep the head above water, and the feet and the other hand can be used to propel the body toward the shore. It is all important for the person in the water to breathe and keep a cool head, and the mouth closed.

[400 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

HOW TO FIND DROWNED PERSONS.--Make a board raft, ten or twelve feet square. Cut a round hole in the center, eight or ten inches in diameter. Lie down on the raft with the face over the hole, covering the head with a coat or shawl, to exclude the light. By this contrivance the rays of the light are concentrated directly under the raft, and objects of any size can be seen a considerable distance below the surface. Tow the raft over the place where the drowned person is supposed to be. If the body has just gone under and no raft can be provided at once, dive or drag the bottom with line and hooks. The important object is to rescue the body at the earliest possible moment. If the body is not rescued, it will rise to the surface within a week or ten days.

Three hundred lives are lost in Michigan every year from drowning. If by studying and learning how to carry out the directions in this article, you can be a life saver at some critical moment, the few moments spent in careful reading will be well repaid. Master the directions so that you will be able to do everything possible in case of accident.

ELECTRIC SHOCK, ETC.--In suffocation by smoke or any poisonous gas, as also by hanging if the neck is not broken, and in suspended breathing from effects of chloroform, hydrate of chloral, or electric shock, remove all obstructions to breathing, instantly loosen or cut apart all neck and waist bands, taking special pains to keep the head very low, and placing the body face downward, to prevent closure of the windpipe by the tongue falling back. Then proceed to induce artificial respiration the same as in drowning, described above.

BATHING IN SEWAGE POLLUTED WATERS IS DANGEROUS.--Cases have been reported where typhoid fever has been contracted by bathing in streams below cities and villages. Probably this occurred through accidentally or carelessly taking the infected water into the mouth. No person should bathe in an ordinary stream just below any city or village, or other source of sewage or privy drainage, or in any harbor or lake near the entrance into it of a sewer or the drainage of a privy.

POISONS

An antidote is something given that counteracts poison, such as soda, chalk, magnesia, soap, whiting, milk mixed with magnesia, soda diluted, etc., followed by whites of eggs and bland drinks such as flaxseed tea, slippery elm tea, quince seed tea, and sweet or castor oil given after regular antidote.

For Shock, inject hot black coffee into the rectum.

Emetic is some medicine given to produce vomiting. The simplest emetic is mustard and warm water. If one does not know what poison has been taken, the best thing to do is to give an emetic first.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 401]

Mustard.--One-half ounce or four teaspoonfuls for an adult, one to two teaspoonfuls for a child, of mustard to a cup of warm water may be given and repeated every ten or fifteen minutes until free vomiting is produced.

Salt and warm water may be used in the same way. Tickling the throat with a finger or a feather produces vomiting.

Goose grease, lard, lard drippings, vaselin, all in large amounts.

Other medicines: Sulphate of zinc, ten to twenty grains at a dose, in a cup of warm water; or fluid extract of ipecac fifteen to thirty drops, or syrup of ipecac one teaspoonful.

Poisons may be divided into corrosive and irritant.

Corrosive poison: This is a poison that is likely to eat or burn through organic tissue immediately.

Irritant poison acts more slowly and produces inflammation which later may result in suppuration and perforation.

An emetic or stomach pump cannot be used in some poisons, such as suphuric acid, because the tissues are quickly injured by the acid and the emetic and pump would only injure farther.

ACONITE. Symptoms.--Sudden collapse; slow, feeble, irregular pulse, and breathing; tickling in the mouth and the extremities, giddiness, great muscular weakness; pupils generally dilated, may be contracted; mind is clear.

Antidotes: Solution of tannic acid, twenty drops to a glass of water, to wash out the stomach.

Treatment.--Stimulants, whisky or brandy; digitalis, artificial respiration, warmth and friction of the body. Lie in recumbent position.

ALCOHOL. Symptoms.--Stupid, confused, giddy, staggers, drowsy, but can be aroused; full pulse, deep snoring, respiration, injected eyes, dilated pupils, low temperature.

Emetics.--Strong hot coffee, inhale amyl nitrite; hot and cold douches.

AMMONIA. Symptoms.--Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.

Antidotes.--Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.

Treatment.--Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen (white of egg) water. The oil should be used last.

ANTIMONY. Symptoms.--Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming bloody, feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery purging, becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great weakness; sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.

Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops to a glass of water.

[402 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Treatment.--Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flaxseed tea, etc.; external heat.

ARSENIC, Symptoms.--Violent burning in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, suppressed urine, cramps in the legs, intense thirst, collapse.

Antidotes.--Jeaunel's antidote.

Treatment.--Emetics freely, mustard water, salt and warm water, goose grease, etc. White of egg and milk, and then sweet oil or castor oil.

ARSENICAL POISONING, Chronic Cases, Causes.--Inhaling arsenic from dyes, in wall-paper, carpet, etc, Taking it in by the mouth in handling dyed paper, artificial flowers, etc., and in many fabrics employed as clothing. The glazed green and red papers used in the kindergartens also contain arsenic. The drug given in repeated and excessive doses causes poisoning sometimes.

Symptoms.--Dry throat, watery swelling of the eyelids, sometimes coryza, nausea, burning vomiting, and burning watery diarrhea; skin eruptions, falling off of the hair, paralysis of the arms and legs, with wasting and numbness, but little pain, The legs are most affected, causing steppage gait.

Treatment.--Remove the cause in these chronic cases and treat the symptoms. It may be best for a physician to prescribe treatment.

ATROPINE. Symptoms.--Flushed face, red eyes, throbbing head, pulse fast, dizzy, staggering, hot and dry throat, dilated pupils, scarlet rash on the skin. Patient may be delirious and wildly so.

Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops in glass of water. Emetics to produce vomiting, such as mustard water, salt and warm water, goose grease, vaselin, etc.

Stimulants.--Coffee to drink or by enema, artificial respiration.

BELLADONNA, Symptoms.--Flushed face, red eyes, throbbing head, pulse fast, dizzy, staggering, hot and dry throat, dilated pupils, scarlet rash on the skin. Patient may be delirious and wildly so.

Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops in glass of water,

Treatment.--Emetics to produce vomiting, such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, etc.

Stimulants.--Coffee to drink or by enema, artificial respiration,

BLUE STONE. Symptoms.--Vomiting and purging, taste of metal, severe pains, dizziness and headache and sometimes insensibility.

Treatment.--Emetics such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, etc. Then white of eggs, followed by milk and soothing drinks, flaxseed tea, etc.

BLUE VITRIOL. Symptoms.--Vomiting and purging, taste of metal, severe pains, dizziness and headache and sometimes insensibility.

Antidote.--Jeaunel's antidote.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 403]

Treatment.--Emetics such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, etc., then white of eggs, followed by milk and soothing drinks, flaxseed tea, etc.

CARBOLIC ACID. Symptoms.--Immediately burning pain from mouth to stomach; giddiness, loss of consciousness, collapse, partial suppression of the urine; characteristic odor and white color of lips, etc.

Antidotes. Epsom salts or glaubers salts, and water very freely to drink; drink a pint of flaxseed tea. Later strong coffee or whisky and water as stimulants.

External.--If burned externally by carbolic acid, apply immediately some oil-sweet oil, olive oil or any good oil at hand-or wash freely with baking soda water. Should the acid get into the eye continue application of oil or soda water and send for a physician. Hold lower lid down to prevent acid getting into pupil until you are sure all the acid is off of the lids.

CHLORAL. Symptoms.--Deep sleep, livid look, pulse weak, breathing slow, pupils contracted during sleep, but dilated when awake, temperature low.

Antidotes.--Permanganate of potash, four to five grains every half hour.