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"THE; 
 
 FAMILY DOCTOR 
 
 OR 
 
 DISEASES 
 
 AND 
 
 How to Treat Them 
 Their Prevention, Cause, and Cure 
 
 
 THE ARMSTRONG MEDICAL COMPANY 
 Battle Creek, Mich., U. S. A. 
 
 NEW YORK, LONDON, E. C, 
 
 ) Bond Street. 59 Paternoster Row. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 189; 
 
 by The Armstrong Medical Company, 
 
 In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 All Rights Reserved. 
 
 Entered also at Stationers' Hall, London, England. 
 
THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
»"! 
 
 \ ; 
 
PREFACE 
 
 THE character of the information which this vol- 
 ume is intended to impart, needs no argument to 
 place its importance before the public. The preserva- 
 tion of health and the treatment of disease are ques- 
 tions that reach the heart of every thinking man and 
 woman. The middle as well as the higher classes are 
 thinking and investigating for themselves at the pres- 
 ent time on health subjects in preference to all other 
 matters. And there is no reason why every man and 
 woman of intelligence should not be well posted on 
 all matters pertaining to their physical well-being. 
 
 It is not the aim of this work to set aside or under- 
 value the services of the wise physician. In fact, it is 
 the greatest desire of the promoters of this enterprise 
 to work and act in harmony with the educated phy- 
 sician, and to place in the hands of the people the 
 means of primarily warding off disease, to inculcate 
 habits of health, and to impart knowledge regarding 
 health, which will enable the possessor of that price- 
 less boon to retain it. 
 
 It has been sometimes urged that works of this char- 
 acter tend to make the people rely on themselves 
 instead of calling the services of a physician ; but in- 
 
 [51 
 
6 PREFACE. 
 
 telligent physicians are already recognizing the fact 
 that their best success lies with the people that are the 
 best informed. 
 
 The aim of the author is not to give a treatise on 
 physiology, anatomy, and the various uses of medi- 
 cine, but rather to present in a concise and intelligible 
 form information relating to the laws of health and 
 their violation ; and the means within reach of the 
 common family whereby health may be retained, and 
 diseases treated in their incipiency in such a way that 
 the system may be left free from the effects of delete- 
 rious drugs. 
 
 Especial attention is called to that portion of the 
 work relating to the causes of disease and the means 
 of prevention. It is an undeniable fact that preven- 
 tion is better than cure. What is termed health may 
 be likened to capital. If we can maintain that unim- 
 paired, and by wise living and proper habits increase 
 its store, happiness and long life are the certain lot of 
 the possessor. Diseases in their incipiency are always 
 amenable to simple treatment; and it is the special 
 object of this work to place the means of treatment 
 within reach of those of even ordinary intelligence, so 
 that in the absence of the physician, or when one can- 
 not be called, they may feel competent, and with con- 
 fidence undertake to care for the patient. The old 
 adage, " Tall oaks from little acorns grow," has its 
 counterpart in disease. With the ready means of 
 treatment at hand, the first symptoms, as noticed by 
 the father or mother, can easily be controlled. The 
 lack of information on these matters often leads to 
 
PREFACE, 7 
 
 neglect or perhaps to loss of valuable time in sum- 
 moning a medical adviser, who may be miles away, 
 and may result in fatal consequences. That which 
 could have been so easily controlled in the beginning, 
 by the lapse of a few hours becomes unmanageable, 
 and weeks and months of sickness result, with perhaps 
 the loss of a dear member of the household. 
 
 It will be noticed that the uses of water are relied 
 upon to a very great extent for the alleviation and 
 :ure of disease. The accompanying case of remedies 
 can be used in connection with the treatments de- 
 scribed ; and while one can be used independently of 
 the other, yet by their combined use the best effects 
 will be obtained. While we do not advocate the use 
 of powerful drugs, we believe that the use of simple 
 remedies for the purpose of assisting nature will have 
 no permanent injury upon the constitution. The rem- 
 edies contained in the case are such as are in daily use 
 by the most intelligent physicians. We have no se- 
 cret or startling remedies, nor do we desire that these 
 shall be classed among what are known as " patent 
 medicines." Every formula used in our remedies is 
 the prescription of an eminent practitioner, and the re- 
 sult of years of experience. While these formulas 
 may be filled by any druggist, yet in our extensive 
 laboratory we have means of compounding from pure 
 ingredients, enabling us to supply our patrons by re- 
 filling such portions of the medicine case as may be- 
 come empty from time to time, at a price much below 
 that at which they can be obtained at drug stores. 
 We furnish with each medicine case a number of en- 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 velopes with the printed address of the company; and 
 should any of the bottles in the case become empty, 
 send an order in one of our printed envelopes, and we 
 will send by return mail any of the desired medicines, 
 post-paid, for thirtyfive cents each. 
 
 The Publishers. 
 Battle Creek, Michigan, U. S. A. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. Introduction 15 
 
 What is health — Nature its own healer — Source of 
 disease — Disease germs — Cause of constipation — 
 Constitutional defects — Disease an effort of nature — 
 Effects of drugs — An overworked liver — Effects of 
 condiments — Care of children — Effects of water. 
 
 CHAPTER II. Causes of Disease 30 
 
 Stomach the starting place — Nature's laws — Flesh 
 food not a necessity — A vegetarian diet — Effects of 
 hasty eating — The saliva — Iced drinks — Eating too 
 frequently — Effects of drugs — Nature the restorer. 
 
 CHAPTER III. Remedies for disease 38 
 
 Pure air — Disease germs neutralized — Defective ven- 
 tilation — Air bathing — Action of the lungs — Effects 
 of contaminated air — Importance of sleep to the 
 sick — Importance of water for treatment of disease — 
 Office of the skin — Breathing by the skin. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Food and Diet 45 
 
 Importance of the subject — Composition of food — 
 Nutritive value of various foods — Proper combina- 
 tions — Trichina — Flesh food stimulating — Beef-tea. 
 
 CHAPTER V. Digestion 51 
 
 Relation of digestion to health- — Complex process — 
 Effect of air on digestion — Process of digestion — 
 Action of saliva on the food — Work of the stomach — 
 Bile — Pancreatic juice — Intestinal fluid. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. Water in Health and Disease 59 
 
 Amount of water in the body — Pure water — Proper- 
 ties of water — Neglect of bathing — Importance of 
 baths and treatments — The use of water. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. Care of Infants and Children 63 
 
 Privilege of being born well — Effects of violation of 
 laws of health — Responsibility of parents — Nursing 
 period — Proper food — Foundation of good health — 
 Cakes and candies — Babes should have pure air. 
 
 [9] 
 
IO CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. Care of the Sick 71 
 
 Ventilation — Even temperature — Benefits of fresh air 
 — Visitors — Watchers for the sick — Necessity for 
 quiet — Directions for attendants — Dainties for the 
 sick — Proper food for the sick — Success in detect- 
 ing disease — The pulse — How to ascertain the na- 
 ture of disease — General rules. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. Pure Medicines 79 
 
 Disease and antidote — Necessity for pure medicines 
 — Causes of unreliability in medicines. 
 
 CHAPTER X. Special Directions 81 
 
 Remedies in tablet form — Accuracy of doses — Dose 
 for adults — Dose for children — Description. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. Baths and Treatment 85 
 
 Effects of water upon the system — Temperature of 
 water for bathing — Directions for various baths — 
 Directions for treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XII, Fevers 102 
 
 Fever a cleansing process — Germs — Period of incu- 
 bation — How fever heat is produced — Chills — Treat- 
 ment for fever — Importance of the thermometer — 
 Elevation of temperature during chill — Diet for fever 
 patients — Beef-tea — Critical period — Effects of drink- 
 ing cold water — Directions for cold applications. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. Typhoid Fever in 
 
 How the infection is carried — Milk contamination — 
 Symptoms — Treatment — Remedies to use — The cold 
 compress — Disinfecting fluids. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. Malaria 118 
 
 Malaria prevalent in marshy districts — The malarial 
 germ — Impure drinking water — Effect on the blood 
 — Symptoms — Treatment — Prevention and elimina- 
 tion — Diet — Bilious Fever — Typho-Malarial Fever. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. Typhus Fever 125 
 
 Difference between typhus and typhoid fevers — Ac- 
 tion of typhus poison upon the system — Peculiar 
 symptoms — Treatment — Special attention necessary. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. Measles 128 
 
 Its contagious character — Period of incubation — The 
 
CONTENTS. It 
 
 peculiar eruption — Treatment — High fever — Scaling 
 process — Black measles. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. Scarlet Fever 132 
 
 An eruptive fever — Special precautions necessary — 
 Description of rash — Other symptoms — High tem- 
 perature — Treatments and remedies — Disinfection. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. Smallpox 139 
 
 Symptoms — Distinct and confluent types — Secondary 
 fever — Vaccination — Remedies — To avoid pitting. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. Chicken-pox 145 
 
 Resemblance to Smallpox — Treatment and diet. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis 147 
 
 Cause of this disease not known — Sanitation not a 
 preventive — Description — Treatment and remedies. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. Erysipelas. . . 150 
 
 Two classes of this disease — The cutaneous form — 
 The surgical type — Treatment — Remedies — Diet. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. Acute Catarrh 153 
 
 Congestion of the mucous surfaces — Accompanied 
 by fever — Treatment — For children. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. Catarrhal Fever 155 
 
 Prevalence — How it differs from catarrh — Treatment 
 and remedies. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. Nosebleed 156 
 
 Usually trivial — Sometimes serious — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER. XXV. Canker — Thrush — Nursing Sore 
 
 Mouth - 157 
 
 Occurs in children — Symptoms — Cause — Remedy. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. Toothache 158 
 
 Usual cause — Cold — Remedy. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. Brain Fever 159 
 
 Causes — Symptoms — Treatment and remedies. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. Concussion of the Brain 161 
 
 How received — Effects — Symptoms — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. Sunstroke. 163 
 
 Cause — Prevention — Description — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. Headache 166 
 
 Various causes — Description — Treatment — Relief. 
 
12 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. Sleeplessness 172 
 
 A serious disorder — Causes — How to relieve it. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. Hysteria 174 
 
 A nervous disorder — Causes — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. Convulsions 177 
 
 Common in infancy — Various causes — Description of 
 symptoms — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. Nine-day-Fits 179 
 
 Cause — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. Neuralgia 180 
 
 What neuralgia is — Causes — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. Lockjaw 182 
 
 How caused — Progress of the disease— Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. Face-ache 185 
 
 A species of neuralgia — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. Inflammation of the Eye. . . 187 
 Causes — Precautions — Directions for treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. Granulated Lids 189 
 
 Description — How to examine the eye — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XL. Styes and Cold-sores 191 
 
 Cause — Cure — Cold-sores — Location — Remedy. 
 
 CHAPTER XLI. Foreign Bodies in the Eye 192 
 
 What composed of — How to remove them. 
 
 CHAPTER XLII. Inflammation of the Ear 194 
 
 Most common ailments — How caused — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XLIII. Foreign Substances in the Ear and 
 Nose 197 
 
 Children's habits — How to remove obstructions. 
 
 CHAPTER XLIV. Mumps 199 
 
 Symptoms — Duration — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XLV. Tonsilitis or Quinsy 201 
 
 What it is — Symptoms — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XLVI. Choking, and Foreign Bodies in 
 
 the Esophagus 204 
 
 Partial closure — Treatment — Nutritive enemas. 
 
 CHAPTER XLVII. Diphtheria 206 
 
* CONTENTS. 13 
 
 Its great malignity — Highly infectious — Predispos- 
 ing causes — Description — Treatment — Diet. 
 
 CHAPTER XLVIII. Fainting or Swooning. . .211 
 
 Causes— Assist nature — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER XLIX. Colds and Coughs 213 
 
 Why people take cold — How to prevent — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER L. Croup 215 
 
 Two kinds — Descriptoin of each — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER LI. Bronchitis 218 
 
 What it is — Different degrees — Remedy. 
 
 CHAPTER LII. Whooping-cough 219 
 
 Disease of childhood — Duration — Remedy. 
 
 CHAPTER LIII. Pleurisy; Pneumonia; Lung Fever. 22 1 
 Description of pleurisy — Treatment — Pneumonia — 
 Its dangerous character — Symptoms — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER LIV. Colic 225 
 
 A derangement — Colic in infants — How relieved — 
 Colic in adults — Pain in stomach. 
 
 CHAPTER LV. Inflammation of bowels 227 
 
 Description of the complaint — Causes — Remedies. 
 
 CHAPTER LVI. Peritonitis 229 
 
 Symptoms — Causes — To control the inflammation. 
 
 CHAPTER LVII. Cholera Infantum 231 
 
 Causes — Specific germ — Symptoms — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER LVIII. Cholera Morbus 234 
 
 First symptom — Progress of the malady — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER LIX. Asiatic Cholera 236 
 
 How different from cholera morbus — First approach 
 — Collapse — Symptoms — Treatment and remedies. 
 
 CHAPTER LX. Diarrhea 239 
 
 Cause — Treatment for children — For adults. 
 
 CHAPTER LXI. Dysentery; Flux; Bloody Flux. .240 
 Description — Rest and quiet necessary — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER LXII. Constipation 241 
 
 Common causes — Neglectful habits — Purgatives — 
 Cold water — Diet — Kneading the bowels — Enemas. 
 
14 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER LXIII. Worms 244 
 
 Names and descriptions — Prescriptions and remedies. 
 
 CHAPTER LXIV. Inflammation of Bladder 249 
 
 Causes — Treatment and remedies — Fountain syringe. 
 
 CHAPTER LXV. Inflammation of the Kidneys 253 
 
 Causes — Symptoms — Stimulation — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER LVI. Retention of Urine 255 
 
 Causes — The catheter — Suppression — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER LXVII. Rheumatism, Inflammatory. . .257 
 Predisposing causes — Symptoms — Danger — Course 
 of treatment — Care in diet. 
 
 CHAPTER LXVIII. Freezing 260 
 
 Sensations — Cold treatment — After treatment — Chil- 
 blains — How caused — Prevention — Remedy. 
 
 CHAPTER LXIX. Suspended Animation — Suffocation 
 — Drowning 262 
 
 Causes — Suffocation — Drowning — Instructions. 
 
 CHAPTER LXX. 'Burns and Scalds 267 
 
 What to do for slight burns — Blisters — Scalds — Se- 
 rious burns — Clothes catching fire. 
 
 CHAPTER LXXI. Wounds 270 
 
 Contused wounds — Hemorrhage — Antiseptic treat- 
 ment — Bruises — To prevent discoloration. 
 
 CHAPTER LXXII. Bites of Snakes— Poisoning from 
 
 Vines and Shrubs 273 
 
 Effect of snake poison on the blood — Antidotes — Lig- 
 ature — Poisoning from vines and shrubs — Treatment. 
 
 CHAPTER LXXIII. Disinfection 276 
 
 Deodorants vs. disinfectants — The best germicide — 
 Rules for disinfection — Fumigation. 
 
 CHAPTER LXXIV. Poisons and their Antidotes. .281 
 Nature of poisons — Treatment — Antidotes. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 WHAT is health ? This might seem to be a ques- 
 tion very easily answered, but we find that 
 opinions differ very widely. If one is asked in regard 
 to his condition of health, he may assert that he is in 
 good health, only that he suffers with a little indiges- 
 tion now and then. Another one is healthy, though 
 occasionally troubled with rheumatism. This may 
 lead us to think that different portions of the body act 
 independently of each other, but such we find is not 
 the case. If a single portion of the system is in trouble 
 from any cause, all other portions of the body are af- 
 fected and are in sympathy with it. This is easily de- 
 monstrated by the fact that if one has a sliver in his 
 finger, all other parts of the body are in sympathy, and 
 the cry comes up from all portions for relief, though 
 the finger may cry the loudest. So in the treatment 
 of disease; often the remedies are applied at points 
 that seem remote from the seat of disturbance and yet 
 with beneficial results. A perfectly healthy body can 
 only be in that condition when all its members are in 
 perfect health, and do the work that is assigned to 
 them without pain or pressure or special attention. 
 But we find that such conditions unfortunately are ex- 
 tol 
 
l6 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 tremely rare. We meet frequently what are called 
 strong, healthy persons; yet we find that even these 
 are subject at intervals to occasional disturbances of 
 their equilibrium. Under these circumstances we are 
 lead to inquire into the cause of these disturbances in 
 the system. We can lay down in the beginning a 
 proposition which does not seem to be successfully 
 controverted, — that the presence of foreign matter in 
 the system is the cause of all disease. When the sys- 
 tem is entirely free from all foreign matter, one can 
 certainly be said to be in a state of perfect health. 
 The principal mode of entrance of foreign matter into 
 the system is by the mouth, or in other words, by what 
 we eat and drink. And this general head may prop- 
 erly be subdivided into What we eat, How we eat, and 
 the Frequency of eating. 
 
 The human system is a complicated, delicate piece 
 of machinery, calculated in its normal condition to per- 
 form its various operations with wonderful exactness; 
 but through our own perverted methods of living, this 
 wonderful machine becomes clogged, hampered, and 
 finally broken down. However, the Author of our be- 
 ing has placed within us the source of recovery from 
 the effects of ill-advised methods of living; or, in other 
 words, nature is its own healer. It is a well recog- 
 nized fact among physicians, that unless there is 
 enough vitality left in the patient to react on the rem- 
 edies given, recovery is impossible. Nature itself must 
 be roused from its dormant, or lethargic condition to 
 throw off the disease which has fastened upon the 
 system. 
 
INTRODUCTION. ■ 1 7 
 
 We have just stated that foreign matter is the source 
 of all disease, and by tracing to its source, we find but 
 one cause, which simplifies our methods of treatment, 
 in that we may need to use but one treatment. It is 
 true that disease is manifested in a variety of phases, 
 and therefore our treatment will need to be given in 
 a variety of forms; still we recognize the oneness of 
 disease and oneness of treatment and the one fact that 
 nature itself must be the healer. Every remedy must 
 therefore be an aid to nature in the effort to recover 
 the equilibrium called health. 
 
 Under the headings of Food, Digestion, etc., we shall 
 take up these various topics at greater length, but we 
 desire in the beginning to lay down a few principles 
 for the guidance of those who may have the care of the 
 sick, that they may be able in the outset to trace 
 the cause of disease to its true source. We believe if 
 the source of disease were better known among the 
 people, there would be little use for doctors, medicines, 
 or drug stores; but so long as people are wilfully igno- 
 rant, and what is worse, wedded to perverted appetites, 
 we presume the present conditions will prevail, al- 
 though here and there are those who are seeking to 
 become informed on these matters and endeavoring to 
 conform their lives to the laws of nature. Nature has 
 laws, and exacts inexorable penalties for their infrac- 
 tion. We may cheat ourselves into the delusive hope 
 that we can live as suits our taste or convenience, but 
 sooner or later the penalty must be paid. 
 
 This book and medicine case which is placed before 
 the public, must necessarily find its way into families 
 2 
 
1 8 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 of different conditions, different habits, and different 
 tastes. Yet amid all these varied conditions we trust 
 that the principles of proper living here laid down may- 
 be such as to restore to health those who have become 
 diseased, and to enable those who are in health to re- 
 tain it. While the primary object of this information 
 and these remedies is to place within the reach of ev- 
 ery family, remedies for every case of emergency, it is 
 believed that many who are only partially enjoying 
 health may be benefited by following out the instruc- 
 tion and information herein given. 
 
 In taking up the source of disease (the presence of 
 foreign matter in the system), it might be well to in- 
 vestigate how this condition arises. When every 
 organ of the human body performs its functions in a 
 normal manner under normal conditions, we have that 
 state of being termed " health." One of the most im- 
 portant organs of the body is the stomach, and to it 
 must all other parts of the body be tributary, although 
 it is true that one may live for days and even weeks 
 without the use of the stomach, i. e., without food. 
 Yet the system during this time is feeding on that 
 which has previously passed through the stomach. 
 Therefore the beginning of these deposits commences 
 with the stomach, and is usually attributable to im- 
 proper food or overloading. Overloading may be 
 caused by eating too much at one meal or by eating 
 between meals, thus causing fermentation by the re- 
 tention of the food for too long a period. Some of 
 these matters will be alluded to farther on in this work 
 under the subjects of Diet and Digestion. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 1 9 
 
 Everything that passes into the stomach must be 
 taken care of by the system, and the system can only 
 assimilate that portion which is sufficient for its actual 
 needs, and which is possessed of the proper elements 
 which the system requires. We can use for an illus- 
 tration the building of a brick wall, the materials for 
 which should be brick, lime, sand, and water. If we 
 supply the mason with other materials, perhaps chunks 
 of coal, ashes, and little if any water, we shall fail to 
 get the brick wall. If we fail to supply the stomach 
 with the proper materials for the building up of the 
 body, we shall find it in an unhealthy condition, or in 
 other words, diseased. Then, again, if we supply the 
 stomach even with healthy foods but in immoderate 
 quantities, so that the system cannot utilize it all, it 
 either imposes extra work on the organs of excretion, 
 or the balance unused remains in the system. When 
 the body is composed alone of healthy, living organ- 
 isms, there is little room and no soil for disease germs 
 to feed or thrive upon; but the presence of this foreign 
 matter furnishes the conditions under which these foes 
 to the human family subsist. Under normal, healthy 
 conditions the body is able to ward off these intruders, 
 and they find no congenial soil to fasten upon. This 
 accounts for the fact that some persons seem impervi- 
 ous to contagious diseases, while others, as the saying 
 is, "catch everything." The eliminative organs of the 
 system, the bowels, kidneys, skin, and lungs, have to 
 be called upon to do more than they were designed 
 for, and through our false methods of eating and living 
 they are oftentimes, in fact, generally, overworked; 
 
20 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 and as with the body, these organs cannot maintain 
 this condition of overwork for any considerable period 
 of time without breaking down. The loss of power in 
 the bowels gives rise to that condition known as con- 
 stipation, and other kindred disorders. Loss of power 
 in the lungs produces asthma, consumption, and many 
 other diseases. These largely are the result of the 
 overwork that these portions of the system are obliged 
 to undergo through the conditions that are forced 
 upon the stomach. 
 
 It is the privilege of every one to be born well, but 
 few of us have been able to avail ourselves of that 
 privilege, through constitutional defects, the results of 
 improper habits of our progenitors. There are but 
 few who come into the world as the Creator designed 
 they should; and this gives rise to another class of 
 ailments known as constitutional or inherited dis- 
 orders. It is not the scope of this work to treat of 
 these at any length; we must take the system as we 
 find it, whether incapacitated in the beginning, or later, 
 by other circumstances, from properly performing the 
 functions of life. 
 
 We may take, for example, the case of one who has 
 been born of consumptive parents, and by ignorance of 
 the laws of health has placed within his body the con- 
 ditions that invite disease, which is unfortunately not 
 an uncommon occurrence. This person has a love of 
 life, and perhaps family surroundings and everything 
 to make existence pleasurable, with the exception of 
 bodily health. The lack of this one thing clouds all 
 the rest. It sits as a specter at every banquet, it 
 
INTRODUCTION. 21 
 
 haunts the sleeper at night, and is a companion by 
 day; and yet these conditions, so unhappily promi- 
 nent, can very frequently by simple remedies and a 
 right course of living be averted, and life made worth 
 the living. As has been stated, these cases may 
 properly be termed chronic; but all chronic diseases 
 originate primarily in the digestive organs, hence it is 
 easily seen what an important bearing the subject of 
 food in its various phases must occupy. The reader, 
 therefore, must see why we lay so much stress upon 
 this topic. The man is simply what he eats and 
 drinks. 
 
 Disease in its various phases is an effort of nature 
 to rid itself of incumbrances, and it is astonishing 
 how, in all these various forms, disease can be re- 
 solved to its oneness of origin. Therefore, if disease 
 has but one origin, it must necessarily follow that it 
 can have but one form of manifestation, and that this 
 may be varied in its character. Disease is the out- 
 ward sign of an effort of nature to regain a healthy 
 condition; and this originally is in the form of some 
 acute manifestation. It may be measles, scarlet fever, 
 dysentery, or typhoid fever; yet with every mani- 
 festation there is a oneness of indication, the one 
 prominent symptom manifested being fever. This 
 statement is made advisedly and after much patient 
 research, namely, that there is no manifestation of 
 disease in the human system without the accompani- 
 ment of fever. Fever cannot exist in the body 
 without something to feed upon. Therefore, if we 
 eliminate from the system that which will support 
 
22 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 fever, we get rid at once of the cause. This is what 
 nature endeavors to do, and the most that can be 
 done by any method of treatment whatever is to assist 
 nature. The introduction of powerful drugs into the 
 system to avert any abnormal condition, is simply to 
 change that condition or deaden nature in her effort 
 to help herself, and so lower the vitality that this 
 acute manifestation or crisis is prevented. But how? 
 — By driving the disease back into the body, thus 
 giving rise sooner or later to what are known as 
 chronic diseases, which are manifested in varied forms; 
 rheumatism, heart-disease, dyspepsia, consumption, 
 etc. We can seethe importance, in the beginning, of 
 man's knowing himself. It has been truly expressed 
 that " the greatest study of mankind is man," and yet 
 how few have pursued this wonderful theme ! 
 
 We have alluded to the condition of sickness as be- 
 ing out of equilibrium; and we might illustrate this by 
 two vessels of water joined together at the bottom by 
 a tube permitting free access of water from one to the 
 other. Now, if we take water out of either of the ves- 
 sels, the remainder will immediately regain the same 
 level in both vessels, and maintain this constant level 
 as long as there is any liquid left. In the human body 
 the vital forces endeavor always to maintain a constant 
 equilibrium. Thus, if one portion of the body be- 
 comes diseased, this condition naturally affects all 
 other parts of the body to a greater or less extent, 
 and draws from the system what is termed vitality; 
 consequently we find the expression, " the vitality is 
 lowered," so that one is unable to throw off a certain 
 
INTRODUCTION. 23 
 
 disease. This is simply an effort of nature to main- 
 tain an equilibrium of forces, although the vital force 
 may be at its normal condition, or any point between 
 that and total extinction. Now it must follow that, if 
 we can succeed in raising the vital force in any por- 
 tion of the organism without doing it at the expense 
 of some other portion, the total standard of equilibrium 
 must correspondingly respond to it. In our method 
 of treatment, it is the aim in every case to assist nature 
 in raising the standard. Many forms of medication, 
 on the contrary, deplete nature, or thwart it in its 
 effort to throw off disease. These are sometimes 
 called cures, in fact frequently so, while the true re- 
 sults are seen later in life in the appearance of chronic 
 disease, which is in reality but a manifestation of that 
 which had previously been treated but not eliminated 
 from the system, the conditions only being changed 
 and the disease still left in the body. In getting at 
 the source of disease, which we have stated usually 
 originates in the stomach, we might trace the ac- 
 tion of an excessive quantity of food placed in the 
 stomach. This at once produces indigestion, the 
 overtaxed organs being unable properly to digest a 
 surplus quantity. This delays the food in the diges- 
 tive canal, and results in irritation by the decay which 
 takes place in that which was originally healthy food. 
 Acids are developed, which produce inflammation of 
 the delicate lining of the stomach and intestines. 
 Gases are formed, which are absorbed by the system, 
 and being of a poisonous nature, contaminate other- 
 wise healthy tissues with which they come in contact. 
 
24 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 These gases even of themselves, unless eliminated 
 from the system, must inevitably produce disease. 
 The overplus of food not being able to be eliminated 
 from the body because of the extra tax on the ex- 
 cretory organs, also finds a lodgment in the system. 
 This usually, in the beginning, leads to an accumula- 
 tion of flesh; but later, the condition frequently 
 changes to emaciation, even though large quantities of 
 food are eaten. Such persons are frequently affected 
 with what is known as biliousness, but what is really 
 the result of an overworked liver. Apoplexy and 
 paralysis are really the results of excessive eating. 
 Any intelligent person can readily see that this mode 
 of living must inevitably lead to the breaking down of 
 the system, when all the eliminative organs are taxed 
 to their utmost by the enormous burdens that are 
 laid upon them. Very few cases are found where 
 persons eat too little; but in such cases an insufficient 
 supply of food simply results in a weakening of the 
 system. 
 
 Another source of disturbance of the digestive 
 organs is the use of condiments, among which are 
 salt, mustard, vinegar, pepper, and spices. By a 
 careful chemical analysis of these articles, it is estab- 
 lished that there is not a single particle of nutriment 
 in any of them, or in other words, there is nothing in 
 them that tends to build up the system and take the 
 place of the matters that are worn out. Consequently 
 these articles, when taken into the stomach, are 
 treated as intruders. While the system may by habit 
 and use become accustomed to these things, they must 
 
INTRODUCTION. 2$ 
 
 forever be treated as intruders and as of no possible 
 benefit to the body. Salt is the least objectionable of 
 these, and yet is found in the system in exactly its 
 normal condition, having undergone no change by 
 digestion. It has been abundantly proved by experi- 
 ment that man can live perfectly well without salt, 
 although it is an article that is in use in almost every 
 family. Salt, while not being as irritating to the 
 mucous coatings of the alimentary canal as the other 
 articles, has a tendency to delay and prevent the 
 digestion of food. Pepper, mustard, and spices excite 
 the delicate coatings of the stomach and bowels to an 
 unnatural condition. By the constant use of these 
 exciting substances these delicate organs become 
 permanently impaired in their functions. To show 
 that this statement is not overdrawn, it is only neces- 
 sary for one who does not use in any degree these 
 condiments, to partake of mustard pickles, and watch 
 the results. The alimentary canal is about thirty feet 
 long, and the experimenter will have no difficulty in 
 tracing the pickles throughout the entire length of the 
 digestive system, being able at any time to locate 
 their exact whereabouts, and at their expulsion will 
 feel, indeed, as if an intruder had taken his departure. 
 Owing to the artificial methods of living into which 
 the American people have fallen, it is extremely diffi- 
 cult to find a table at which one may partake of a 
 really healthful meal. This is unfortunate, because 
 unnatural, and easily solves the problem of the exist- 
 ence of patent medicines, drug stores, physicians, and 
 medical colleges without number. Some of the posi- 
 
26 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 tions taken in this work may seem radical, yet they 
 will bear the closest investigation, being the results of 
 the work of students in the line of health reform, a 
 work that has been in progress for many years. It is 
 a fact that the Creator designed that men should be in 
 health, and has placed within their reach everything 
 necessary to maintain that condition; yet we find but 
 few who are really healthy. The sure way to obtain 
 health is by studying nature and nature's laws, and 
 living in compliance with them. 
 
 It has often been remarked that our forefathers lived 
 to a good old age, and there must have been a reason 
 for it. That reason we find lay in their simple meth- 
 ods of living, simple diet, plenty of exercise, and fresh 
 air. As the population has increased and become 
 more dense, methods of living have changed, and the 
 people of to-day live in an artificial condition. So, in 
 pointing the way to health, we must not be deemed 
 extremists if we emphasize the fact that the way leads 
 through simple diet, simple habits, and an adherence 
 to nature's laws. 
 
 It is not expected that every one can at the outset 
 so change his manner and methods of living as to con- 
 form to the true principles of health, but every step 
 tending in that direction is a gain; and if people will 
 but use as much common sense in caring for them- 
 selves as they would for their domestic animals, the 
 question will be easily solved. There are many into 
 whose hands this book will fall who have the care of 
 horses/cattle, and sheep. What one is there of them 
 but has studied what is best for their care, mainte- 
 
 
INTRODUCTION. 2? 
 
 nance, and protection? Every farmer knows that in 
 deviating from the simple diet which nature indicates 
 is best for the animal's need, only evil results follow. 
 Why are we so perverse in the treatment of ourselves 
 and the loved ones who have been placed in our care? 
 Can it be that we love our animals better than we 
 love our children? Such may sometimes seem to be 
 the case by our manner of living. The food set before 
 our children is, as a usual thing, highly improper, con- 
 sisting of meats, gravies, rich pastry, cakes, and pick- 
 les, the whole seasoned more or less with pepper, 
 mustard, and spices. No restrictions are placed upon 
 the quantity to be used, and very frequently the chil- 
 dren are allowed to eat between meals, and late at 
 night, and then we wonder why they are sick. This 
 result rests entirely upon parents. In the chapter 
 on Food this question will be more fully discussed, 
 We simply wish here to point out some of the ex- 
 isting evils. 
 
 The human family may be said to be surrounded by 
 dangers on every side, many of them unseen, and a 
 great number of them unknown to the general public. 
 Investigators in bacteriology show conclusively that 
 the mouth and stomach and the digestive organs are 
 continually invaded by an immense number of living 
 organisms, capable of producing various poisonous 
 conditions, some of them powerful in their effects. 
 These conditions continually exist in the system. 
 When the liver, stomach, and kidneys are in a healthy 
 condition, and perform their work as they should, they 
 are capable of counteracting any bad effect these mi- 
 
28 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 crobes may exert; but when forced into a diseased 
 condition by any of the causes we have previously 
 mentioned, these microbes and their products may be 
 increased to an enormous extent. It is a well-settled 
 fact, so far as the investigations have been pursued, 
 that very many diseases to which the human family 
 are subject are brought about by specific germs within 
 the system. Thus, we have the typhoid-fever germ, 
 diphtheria germ, consumption germ, and many others. 
 These, when introduced into the system, find a ready 
 means of propagation if by improper living the body 
 has been placed in condition to afford them a camp- 
 ing-ground. 
 
 Our large cities all have very extensive and more 
 or less perfect systems of sewerage. When from any 
 cause any of these sewers become clogged or sluggish, 
 what is known as flushing is employed, simply turning 
 water in and washing them out. While the outlets of 
 the body may not strictly be sewers, yet we can use 
 this as a simile, and rid the body of many of its en- 
 cumbrances simply by flushing. The organs of the 
 body, such as the bowels and kidneys, are capable of 
 carrying off enormous quantities of matter, and usually, 
 if aided by simple treatment, can avert threatened 
 disease. 
 
 Water in its various uses as applied to the human 
 system is becoming better known continually; and 
 the more the public become educated on this method 
 of treatment, the greater seems the desire for more 
 perfect knowledge. The methods recommended in 
 this work are such as are easily available and readily 
 
INTRODUCTION. 29 
 
 applied. While extremely powerful in their effects, 
 yet with the information gained from these pages and 
 the exercise of a little common sense, no harmful re- 
 sults can possibly happen. If the many errors of our 
 ways of living alluded to under the subjects of Food 
 and Digestion, should be corrected, and the general 
 public could have a fair knowledge of the importance 
 of pure air, sunlight, exercise, proper diet, and proper 
 dress, and should put this knowledge in practice, the 
 treatment of disease would be unnecessary, and drug- 
 gists and physicians would need to seek other oc- 
 cupations. There are those in the world who are 
 endeavoring to obtain just such knowledge, and hav- 
 ing obtained it, health and its inseparable companion, 
 happiness, are assured them. It is among these that 
 the author expects his reward, and not among those 
 who shall examine this as a literary production, or 
 who will argue as to the validity of the principles set 
 forth and language employed, or the practicability of 
 the methods. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 CAUSES OF DISEASE. 
 
 DISEASE never comes without a cause, any more 
 than any other phenomenon in nature. In treat- 
 ing of the cause of disease, we shall endeavor to make 
 our points brief and clear, confining them to the princi- 
 pal sources from which diseased conditions originate. 
 As we have previously stated, the stomach is originally 
 the starting-place of the various disorders that afflict 
 the human family, and we must note that everything 
 which we put into the stomach has to be taken care 
 of in some manner by the system, and even the 
 healthy stomach is limited in its capacity for diges- 
 tion to a certain quantity of food. Anything exceed- 
 ing this quantity becomes foreign to the system. The 
 next point is, What becomes of this which we term 
 foreign matter ? The system attempts to expel it. 
 Nature has provided several ways for this purpose: we 
 breathe it through the lungs directly into the air, the 
 stomach and bowels convey it to the outside, or it is 
 taken into the blood and carried out of the system 
 through the skin, kidneys, and lungs, as sweat, urine, 
 and the breath. The system endeavors to accommo- 
 date itself to all the conditions which we impose upon 
 it, but we should not require too much. Ifweover- 
 [30] 
 
CAUSES OF DISEASE. 3 1 
 
 burden the system with extra work, it will finally be- 
 come unable fully to perform its functions, and the 
 result is that the foreign matter is left in the body. 
 This morbid matter is not only useless for the building 
 up of the body, or renewing its waste, but is positively 
 harmful, as it clogs the circulation, and hence deprives 
 the system of its proper nutrition received through the 
 blood. These foreign substances are gradually depos- 
 ited, usually in the neighborhood of the organs of se- 
 cretion first, through the inability of these organs to 
 properly care for this morbid matter. When the be- 
 ginning is made, these accumulations increase rapidly 
 unless a change in the mode of living be soon effected. 
 Nature has established inexorable laws for the gov- 
 ernment of our being. If we violate these laws, we 
 must sooner or later pay the penalty. The laws of 
 our being cannot be more successfully violated than 
 by crowding upon the stomach unhealthy food, large 
 quantities of food, or food too frequently. To eat to 
 ex'cess of even simple food will eventually break down 
 the digestive organs; but to eat too great an amount 
 of food, and that unwholesome, is greatly to in- 
 crease the evil. All should be capable of understand- 
 ing the wants of their own systems. The philosophy 
 of health should compose one of the most important 
 studies for our children. If people would reason from 
 cause to effect, and would follow intelligent counsel, 
 the way to health would be assured, and disease would 
 be far less. One of the most prolific causes of dis- 
 ordered digestion is improper food. The opinion 
 largely prevails that different foods are required for 
 
32 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 different persons, occupations, and locations. While 
 this may be true to a certain extent, it is unquestion- 
 ably true that human bodies are composed of the same 
 substance throughout the world, and the difficult task 
 is imposed upon the digestive apparatus of picking up 
 these peculiar substances from the ingredients fur- 
 nished. In the introductory chapter we made mention 
 of the attempt to build a brick wall from improper 
 materials; and the problem of how to get that which 
 will nourish the system must often, indeed, be a 
 puzzling one to our poor bodies. 
 
 One of the articles of food most generally in use in_ 
 America is flesh; and with the majority of people the 
 idea prevails that this is indispensable, yet experience 
 has amply demonstrated this to be untrue. Some of 
 the greatest thinkers and the hardest workers and 
 brightest minds have been vegetarians, and unques- 
 tionably the vegetarian diet conduces to long life. 
 The idea of meat being necessary to maintain strength 
 is a popular error. The Scotch and their oatmeal 
 have become proverbial; the native Irish are almost 
 exclusively vegetarians, subsisting largely on potatoes; 
 the ancient Greek athletes all fed on a vegetable diet; 
 so with the Japanese athletes. It is related that 
 a celebrated Japanese wrestler, on being questioned 
 regarding his methods of living, stated he lived ex- 
 clusively on a vegetable diet, rice being his principal 
 food. Having a contest with a noted foreigner, he 
 was induced while training to partake of flesh. The 
 result was that he lost the contest and ever after 
 adhered to his original mode of living. A vegetable 
 
CAUSES OF DISEASE. 33 
 
 diet conduces to life, a meat diet predisposes to 
 disease. The internal parasites frequently inhabiting 
 the system are derived from the lower animals, and 
 are introduced into the body by meat eating. Almost 
 all meat is diseased, especially if fatty. Decay and ex- 
 cretion are constantly taking place in animals. When 
 the animal is slaughtered, this process is interrupted, 
 and the decayed matter is left in the tissues. Very 
 frequently the flesh of animals is in a decayed and un- 
 wholesome condition before it undergoes the process 
 of cooking. All of these noxious substances have to 
 be eliminated from the system or remain in it as 
 poisons. 
 
 By a well-selected vegetarian diet these unwhole- 
 some substances are avoided, while all of the nutrient 
 ingredients of meat are found in a better condition in 
 a vegetable diet. Hence in the treatment of disease, 
 one of the first steps should be the exclusion of meat. 
 Flesh food is stimulating, and the organism makes a 
 violent attempt to rid itself of stimulating substances. 
 All stimulants are injurious and produce depression, 
 and the habit of flesh eating leads to the craving for 
 other stimulants, and naturally tends to drunkenness. 
 All stimulants have an effect to shorten life. There 
 is no doubt but improper diet, improper methods of 
 eating, and the quantity and quality of food are the 
 principal causes of disordered digestion; and if these 
 faults can. be corrected, a cure can most generally be 
 effected. One of the most prevalent errors is hasty 
 eating. This results in several evils; the food not 
 being properly masticated is not sufficiently divided, 
 
 3 
 
34 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 and this prevents the action of the digestive juices 
 upon all its parts; and being in a coarse condition, it 
 naturally irritates the lining of the stomach, and fre- 
 quently produces gastric catarrh and dyspepsia. If 
 food is not retained in the mouth a sufficient length of 
 time, the proper amount of saliva is not mixed with 
 it. The saliva fills an important place in the disges- 
 tion of food, particularly the starchy portion, and also 
 acts as a stimulus to the secretion of gastric juice. 
 
 The habit of drinking at meal-time is injurious for 
 several reasons: It tends to hurry eating, as it rinses 
 down the food by artificial moisture; it weakens the 
 digestive fluids by dilution, and greatly impairs their 
 strength, and is the frequent cause of slow digestion 
 and the difficulties which arise in consequence. The 
 practice, which has come into use within a few years, 
 of using iced tea at meals is a very pernicious one; in 
 fact, iced tea, iced milk, iced water, and ice-cream 
 should never be partaken of at meal-times, as the 
 lowering of temperature retards digestion. The ab- 
 sence of teeth or a diseased condition of the teeth, 
 is frequently the cause of poor mastication. This 
 should be corrected by a visit to a dentist. 
 
 Another cause of digestive trouble is that of eating 
 too frequently. Healthy digestion requires at least 
 five or six hours, and there should be a period of rest 
 before partaking of another meal. Six hours at least, 
 should intervene between each meal; for if food is par- 
 taken of more frequently than this, the digestive organs 
 must inevitably suffer for want of rest; and other dis- 
 turbances are liable to occur from the reception of new 
 
CAUSES OF DISEASE. 35 
 
 material into the stomach before that which is in the 
 stomach has been digested and passed out. The 
 temperature of the stomach being about 100?, its 
 contents, if retained too long, undergo fermentation, 
 and develop acids and germs which render the system 
 liable to permanent injury. Thus, eating between 
 meals can only result in evil. The chapter on Foods 
 will deal more particularly with what is proper in 
 kind, quality, and quantity for the preservation of 
 health. 
 
 These principles above mentioned show the true 
 causes of disease. To be sure, one might say that 
 this does not cover infection, germs, colds, catarrh, 
 and other manifestations. These are not properly 
 causes, they are manifestations and conditions. The 
 true cause of disease, as we have already stated, lies 
 originally in disordered digestion and the presence of 
 morbid matter in the system. A cold is not properly 
 a disease. It is invariably caused by a check of per- 
 spiration. A contraction of the pores and the sus- 
 pension of secretion through them, affect the inner 
 surfaces known as the mucous membranes, the usual 
 manifestation of a cold being first in the head or 
 throat. These manifestations will be taken up later 
 on under their proper headings, but are not strictly 
 causes of disease. 
 
 It is usually taught and believed that disease is 
 something foreign to the human system, and an enemy 
 to the life principle. This is not the case. Disease 
 is the life principle battling with an intruder— it is a 
 process of purification. Sickness and disease are 
 
36 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 really very different in their conditions. Disease is 
 an effort to remove foreign and offensive materials 
 from the system, and to repair the damages it has 
 sustained. It is an effort of remedy, and therefore not 
 some matter to be cured, but that which should be 
 directed and regulated. Every attempt to cure or 
 subdue disease with drug poisons is unnatural, and 
 every such "cure." but forces back upon nature that 
 which must some day in the future appear in a chronic 
 form. Drugs do not act upon the system. All the 
 action is on the part of the living organism, and it 
 casts out or expels by different methods these various 
 poisons. This is the reason why in the treatment of 
 diseases with drugs, the course pursued is always 
 necessarily an experimental one, thus giving rise to 
 the many new remedies constantly placed upon the 
 market. Unless the original cause of any disease be 
 removed, there is no successful way of obtaining a 
 permanent cure; and by the removal of the original 
 cause, in perhaps more than nine cases out of ten, 
 nature itself will remove the difficulty without the aid 
 of any kind of medicine. 
 
 The medicines used in our treatment are not power- 
 ful, and are used simply as an aid to nature. It is 
 useless to prescribe medicine for the cure of disease 
 while the cause that produced it is not abandoned. 
 If it has been produced by improper methods of living, 
 improper habits, as the use of tobacco, tea, or coffee, 
 or any other stimulant, it would be nonsense to en- 
 deavor to effect a cure without the abandonment of 
 the cause. These habits in all cases must be given up, 
 
CAUSES OF DISEASE. 37 
 
 or the sacrifice of life is an inevitable consequence. 
 Drugs never cure disease; they only change the form 
 and location. Nature alone is the effectual restorer, 
 and usually would perform the cure if the hindering 
 causes were removed. Cure lies only in that which 
 the organism uses in its normal state, such as food, 
 water, air, light, temperature, exercise, and rest. The 
 best safeguard against disease is to be well and habit- 
 ually observe the laws of health. Health resists all 
 causes of disease, and is the most substantial safe- 
 guard against diseases of a contagious character. 
 Real healthy people do not have epidemics; those 
 who are strong enough do not die of them; and those 
 who have the conditions and treatment that all ought 
 to have, recover in a large majority of cases. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 REMEDIES FOR DISEASE. 
 
 A MONG the remedies for disease, perhaps pure 
 air acts as important a part as any which we 
 know. Though we usually eat three times a day, we 
 breathe twenty-five thousand times every twenty-four 
 hours. With every breath we draw we take into our 
 lungs about one pint of air. The truth, then, is that 
 breathing may be considered as one of the primary 
 necessities of the body. The stomach may suspend 
 its operations for days without serious detriment to 
 the system, but the work of respiration cannot be in- 
 terrupted for six minutes without fatal consequences. 
 Pure air is the best and most thorough disinfectant in 
 existence. The disease germs of smallpox, scarlet 
 fever, diphtheria, cholera, etc., are all made harmless 
 and neutralized by immersion in pure air. Many spells 
 of sickness would be considerably shortened if the pa- 
 tient could be supplied with pure air. 
 
 Defective ventilation is undoubtedly responsible for 
 many of the ailments to which we are subject ; but 
 air that is not pure and beneficial, by exposure to the 
 rays of the sun, is freed from contaminating elements. 
 It needs to be shone through daily, actinized, vivified 
 by the sun. Sunshine exercises a wonderful influence 
 
 [38] 
 
REMEDIES FOR DISEASE. 39 
 
 over every living organism, and is as beneficial for hu- 
 man blood as it is for the tree or the plant. A sleep- 
 ing apartment shut out from the sun and fresh air, is a 
 chamber of pestilence. It is of the greatest impor- 
 tance that our dwellings should be so situated and 
 constructed as to admit of perfect ventilation in every 
 part, that our bedrooms in particular should be large 
 and airy, and that too many persons should not sleep 
 in the same room. 
 
 It is also of importance that every person should 
 have frequent access to the pure open air, and should 
 be capable of drinking in the pure air and of in- 
 flating the lungs full and deeply. The effect of such 
 respiration of pure air is truly wonderful. The tired 
 housewife, worn by days of domestic duties, and on 
 the verge of nervous depression, with head aching, by 
 spending even a few minutes in the pure open air, 
 feels new life and a new spirit entering into the blood 
 and tissues throughout the whole body. Her eye be- 
 comes bright and sparkling, her step more elastic, and 
 she returns to her duties almost a new creature. If 
 she is a nursing mother, her baby will be almost 
 equally benefited by the consequent improvement of 
 its natural food. But these advantages are not con- 
 fined to a mother; every person, and every invalid 
 that is able to move or be moved into the open air, 
 should endeavor to be abroad in it as frequently as 
 possible. 
 
 Many have practiced what is known as " air bath- 
 ing," submitting the whole body, usually morning and 
 evening, freely to the air, exercising the skin with a 
 
40 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 flesh brush or towel, or rubbing with the hands, such 
 exercise proving very beneficial. It should be remem- 
 bered that man was made for the open air. It is his 
 natural dwelling-place, and the custom of living in 
 close rooms must necessarily be detrimental to the 
 human system. Pure air can only be obtained from 
 out of doors, and no sleeping apartment or sick-room 
 should be closed to its admission. The air in a sick- 
 room or in a bed-room should be in such a condition 
 that one entering the room from the outer air would 
 not notice any difference in odor. While there should 
 be free circulation of air through the sick-room, drafts 
 should be avoided by means of screens or otherwise, 
 but on no account shut out nature's purifier and rem- 
 edy, pure air. 
 
 The lungs consist of an infinite number of small 
 cells. Connected with these are small tubes branch- 
 ing out from the bronchial tubes, and the bronchial 
 tubes branch from the trachea, or windpipe. At every 
 inspiration of air these cells become filled, and at every 
 expiration of air they are nearly emptied. When air 
 is received into the lungs, the blood sent from the 
 right ventricle of the heart meets it. Here the carbon 
 of the blood is thrown off in the form of carbonic-acid 
 gas, while the oxygen of the air taken into the lungs 
 is received into the circulation of the blood and car- 
 ried to every part of the body. The amount of nour- 
 ishment derived from food bears a close relation to the 
 amount of oxygen received into the circulation. The 
 oxygen is also essential to give heat to the body; 
 therefore the amount of natural heat depends upon the 
 
REMEDIES FOR DISEASE. 41 
 
 amount of oxygen received into the lungs, and the 
 amount of carbon of our food, which by uniting with 
 the oxygen of the air, at once generates animal heat. 
 
 It can easily be seen from these facts how important 
 to the welfare of the whole system is the breathing of 
 good air. If the atmosphere which we breathe is con- 
 taminated, the influence is carried by the blood to 
 every part of the body. If we are shut up in a close 
 room, especially at night, we use up all the vital prop- 
 erties of the air in the room, consume all the oxygen, 
 and give off carbonic-acid gas, so that it is very offen- 
 sive to one entering the room and very unhealthful to 
 the individual occupying it. We cannot be too care- 
 ful to have a free circulation of air in our sleeping 
 apartments. The function of the lungs may be con- 
 sidered as twofold: as cleansing organs they eliminate 
 the impurities of the blood, and as organs of nutrition 
 they digest the air, and convert a portion of it into the 
 substance of the blood. 
 
 Sleep acts a very important part in the recovery of 
 the sick; in fact, there are some advocates of rest and 
 sleep as being the cure for all diseases. Dr. Young 
 styled it " tired nature's sweet restorer," and was cor- 
 rect in so doing. It is a panacea for all ailments, and 
 there is no economy of time or life, and certainly not 
 of health, in abbreviating the period of repose. Pa- 
 tients should never be awakened from sound, natural 
 sleep to give them food or medicine; the sleep is more 
 precious than either. Much of the benefits of early 
 rising, so heartily enjoined, are humbug. During the 
 period of sleep the body repairs the wasted tissues, 
 
42 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 the mind is soothed, anxiety relieved, and tranquillity 
 restored. In sleep the sick become convalescent; and 
 persons of unsound mind are in a fair way to recovery 
 when they can sleep naturally. 
 
 Among agents for the treatment of disease, water 
 probably fills the most important position. As a solv- 
 ent and purifier or tonic it is beyond all praise. It is 
 richer in oxygen than atmospheric air. It allays in- 
 flammation, stimulates the blood-vessels of the mucous 
 membrane, and by expelling the blood from them, re- 
 lieves internal congestion. It creates appetite, and 
 helps to eliminate the cause of disease by exciting ir- 
 ritation of the skin, and putting in action the kidneys, 
 which are the recognized scavengers of the system. It 
 is the best drink in illness, cooling the heat of fever, 
 and helping nature to throw off in perspiration the 
 morbid influences which oppress her. It is ever calm- 
 ing to the nervous system and a great aid to digestion. 
 It should be drunk the first thing in the morning and 
 the last at night, and should be imperatively the only 
 drink at meal-times, if drinks are used. The coating 
 of the stomach is capable of drinking in considerable 
 quantities of water by absorption, and the colon also 
 will take up considerable water introduced by enema. 
 
 Water, to be of the highest benefit and use, either 
 by the healthy or sick, should be pure and soft. By 
 purity is meant freedom from mineral substances or 
 earthy salts or the infusion of vegetable matter, either 
 or all of which render it more or less unfit for external 
 or internal application. The idea that water im- 
 pregnated with earthy and medicinal substances is 
 
REMEDIES FOR DISEASE. 43 
 
 more valuable than water which is entirely free from 
 them, is a great mistake. Water, therefore, which is 
 to be used for bathing or drinking should be as free 
 from all substances which are not a part of its essential 
 composition, as possible. Soft water is wonderfully- 
 susceptible to the influence of its surroundings, and is 
 capable of taking up and holding in solution large 
 quantities of foreign matter; hence in the treatment of 
 disease, the water used for its elimination should be as 
 soft as it is possible to obtain. 
 
 It is not only for its effects upon the skin and in- 
 directly upon the organs lying immediately subjacent 
 to the skin, that the water should be pure and soft, 
 but for its effects upon the internal structure of the 
 body when taken as a drink, rendering it more im- 
 peratively necessary that pure and soft water should 
 be used. Eighty per cent, of the human body is made 
 up of water. Not only is hard water productive in 
 many instances of diseased kidneys, irritation of the 
 bladder, mucous dyspepsia, and scrofulous ailments, 
 but its effects on the skin are to leave it rough, caus- 
 ing it to put on a dry, scaly appearance, and making 
 it crack; but its effects upon the mucous membrane 
 are often worse, creating an irritation of that texture, 
 and tending to introduce dyspeptic conditions, sore 
 throat, nasal catarrh, inactivity of the liver, costive- 
 ness, and headache. Many persons affected with con- 
 stipation of the bowels, are immediately relieved by 
 the use of pure soft water as a drink. But this is only 
 half its value. Its power as a solvent as well as a 
 tonic, its gentle and invigorating effect on mucous 
 
44 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 surfaces, thus indirectly securing the healthy aid of all 
 the senses whose action depends on the health of the 
 mucous tissues, are evidences of its value as a hygienic 
 agent. 
 
 The skin is also an organ of respiration. As the 
 arterial blood flows out through the arteries into the 
 capillary vessels, which empty the arteries and veins, 
 it then gives off a part of its elements to the atmos- 
 phere. It gives off a portion of carbon in carbonic- 
 acid gas, and receives a portion of oxygen from the 
 surrounding air. The healthful condition and action 
 of the skin is greatly essential to health. Bad air will 
 have its influence. If the action of the skin be re- 
 tarded by having its pores and capillaries obstructed, 
 there will at once be disturbance throughout the whole 
 system. There is great sympathy between the skin 
 and the internal organs. When the functions of the 
 skin are deranged, there is disturbance in the action 
 of the kidneys, which secrete from the blood, elements 
 which are not further needed. It also influences the 
 liver, whose office is the secretion and carrying off of 
 matter collected from the blood circulating in the 
 veins. The lungs, too, have a close sympathy with 
 the action of the skin. The whole system feels when 
 the skin suffers, hence the importance of keeping 
 the pores unclogged, by suitable bathing, and open, 
 but not stimulated beyond their normal action. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FOOD AND DIET. 
 
 THERE is no doubt but that this subject is one of 
 the most important which concern the human fam- 
 ily, as it is evident that every person is made of what 
 is received into the body. There are many foods and 
 definitions of food, but true food is that which, when 
 introduced into the system, supplies in every par- 
 ticular the losses made by the natural wastes of the 
 body. It is not our purpose to enter into a technical 
 analysis of the different constituents of food. Prac- 
 tically they are composed of three elements, — albumen, 
 or nitrogen, starch, or sugar, and fats. The white of 
 an egg is a sample of nearly pure albumen. In wheat 
 this is represented by gluten, and is present in oat- 
 meal, peas, beans, etc., in nearly the same form. Most 
 animal tissues contain albumen. It is also found in 
 milk under the name of caseine. These are all practi- 
 cally the same. All grains, vegetables, and fruits con- 
 tain starch, this sometimes forming two thirds or three 
 fourths of the whole weight of the article of food. Of 
 the animal fats, butter, lard, and suet are the most 
 important. Most of the grains, some vegetables and 
 fruits, more especially nuts, contain fats, but the 
 
 [45] 
 
46 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 elements are essentially the same as those of the 
 animal fats. 
 
 There are, in addition to these elements, certain 
 phosphates and carbonates of potash, lime, soda, etc., 
 which are used in the system, but to a minor extent 
 to the first three named. There are also certain 
 woody, innutritious substances which, while not sup- 
 plying nourishment, are useful in giving the required 
 bulk of food, and in producing a certain mechanical 
 irritation which is necessary for the proper secretion 
 and muscular action of the digestive organs. Foods 
 vary greatly in their nutritive value, rice and wheat 
 each having 87 per cent, graham flour 85, wheat flour 
 88, rye and barley flour 85, oats 91, corn 84 and buck- 
 wheat 86 per cent; while of bread, that which is made 
 from whole-wheat flour is 82 per cent, and that made 
 from fine white flour but 55 per cent. This latter, 
 while it is the bread most in general use, cannot sup- 
 port life. Experiments in feeding dogs have shown 
 that while confining them to a diet of fine-flour bread, 
 they lived but fifty days, but if fed on whole-wheat 
 bread, they might live indefinitely. 
 
 It is essential that our food should be composed of 
 a proper proportion of these various elements. Many 
 experiments have shown that the proper proportion is 
 about seven of the carbonaceous elements to one of 
 the albuminous, or nitrogenous. Whole-wheat flour 
 or bread made from this flour, contains these exact 
 proportions. This shows that it is a perfect food, and 
 meets all the requirements of the system perfectly; 
 yet we desire variety, and therefore would not choose 
 
FOOD AND DIET. 47 
 
 to use this one article of diet exclusively. Beef and 
 eggs have the albuminous element to excess, while 
 potatoes, rice, and most vegetables are deficient in 
 this respect. Oatmeal has a light excess of the albu- 
 minous element, but is nearly a perfect food. 
 
 By mixing food substances which are deficient in 
 one class of elements with those which have a larger 
 proportion of the other elements, the two classes can 
 be combined in just the right proportion for the system; 
 and while flesh contains a large amount of the nitrog- 
 enous element, it is not necessary that this should be 
 combined with vegetable food in order to secure the 
 proper proportions, as there are many vegetable foods, 
 such as peas and beans, which can supply this pro- 
 portion, or eggs and milk can be used. It is under- 
 stood, of course, that bread (not that made from fine 
 flour) is always a perfect food. It will be noticed 
 that the dietary advised practically excludes meat. 
 This is done purely for hygienic reasons. The scope 
 of this work is to make sick people well, and well 
 people better, consequently we must advise only the 
 use of such foods as are known to have health-giving 
 qualities. Baron Cuvier, one of the most learned men 
 that ever lived, stated that "the natural food of man, 
 judging from his structure, appears to consist of fruits, 
 grains, and esculent parts of vegetables." 
 
 It is a fact that domestic animals which are used for 
 food are rarely found in a perfectly healthy condition. 
 This is especially the case with the hog. It is esti- 
 mated that not more than one out of twelve hogs is 
 free from trichina. Trichina poisoning is an incurable 
 
48 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 malady; and if for no other reason than the presence 
 of these worms in its flesh, pork should be avoided. 
 We need not enter into a description of the habits of 
 the hog, for these are well known; and it seems strange 
 that human beings will use this scavenger for food 
 when there is such a plenty of healthful articles that 
 are far superior in nutrient qualities. Meat contains 
 the dead matter which was in process of elimination 
 when death overtook the animal. This cannot be 
 used by the human system, but must be expelled; and 
 it is largely the presence of this morbid matter that 
 gives to meat its stimulating effects. It is a well- 
 established fact that the pulse of a person who eats 
 flesh is more rapid than that of the vegetarian. An 
 excessive meal of flesh has been known to produce all 
 the effects of intoxication. 
 
 It is a common practice with many persons and 
 some physicians to recommend beef-tea for those who 
 are supposed to need concentrated nutriment. Be- 
 cause a pound of extract of beef is made from thirty 
 pounds of beef, it is supposed to contain all the nutri- 
 ment of the thirty pounds of meat ; but instead of this, 
 it contains scarcely a particle of the nutritive elements 
 but nearly all the stimulant elements of the flesh. 
 Liquors, fermented wine, cider, or beer, should never 
 be used even as medicines. There is danger of cre- 
 ating an appetite for their use; and besides this they 
 are stimulants. They impart no nourishment to the 
 system, and the idea that they promote digestion is an 
 error. They give to the stomach an unnatural and 
 forced action which, while in health, it does not need ; 
 
FOOD AND DIET. 49 
 
 and the longer it is continued, the weaker the organs 
 become. There is no such thing as temperance in the 
 use of ardent spirits ; for he who drinks a little is a lit- 
 tle drunk, and he who drinks largely is more drunk. 
 To be temperate in the use of bad things or things out 
 of place is to let them entirely alone. Temperance in 
 eating or drinking that which is good is moderation; 
 temperance in regard to stimulants and narcotics is 
 total abstinence. 
 
 Coffee is objectionable for the same reason. It is a 
 stimulant bearing some resemblance to opium in its 
 narcotic qualities, and should never be used as a bev- 
 erage. Children especially should never be allowed its 
 use, as it undermines their constitutions and creates 
 a taste for other stimulants. Tea is also objectionable 
 for the same reasons. It is an active stimulant. Its 
 effects are very similar to alcoholic drinks, and it also 
 has its corresponding reaction. 
 
 As a general thing, we drink too much at our meals. 
 Before the food is sufficiently masticated, we wash it 
 down with some table drink. This not only dilutes 
 the saliva but weakens the action of the gastric juice 
 after the food gets into the stomach. Some persons 
 take a swallow of liquid with almost every mouthful 
 of food, especially if the time for eating is limited. 
 It is far better to eat a less quantity and have it thor- 
 oughly masticated and insalivated, than to put a lar- 
 ger quantity of food into the stomach in an improper 
 condition; for the effect of the latter is sooner or later 
 to produce dyspepsia, constipation, and many other 
 diseases. The use of liquid at meals should be very 
 
 4 
 
50 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 limited, if any, water being the most preferable. 
 There are many substitutes for tea and coffee on the 
 market, which, if carefully selected, can be used with- 
 out unfavorable results. Hot water or hot milk fill 
 the place of tea or coffee if one does not choose to use 
 these articles. It is far better to exclude drink en- 
 tirely at meal-times, especially if there is any disease 
 of the stomach. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to speak of the use of tobacco, 
 as it is supposed that one who desires to regain health 
 or retain it, would recognize the fact, which has so 
 many times been placed before the public, that only 
 harm comes from the use of this vile narcotic. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 DIGESTION. 
 
 THE process of digestion in its relation to health, 
 occupies so important a place that a chapter 
 devoted to some of its physiological features is neces- 
 sary for us to obtain an understanding of the various 
 changes that food undergoes in becoming a part of the 
 living organism. The processes essential to life and 
 its varied manifestations, are those of nutrition and 
 secretion. These processes are very complex. Not 
 only are digestion and assimilation necessary, but 
 likewise the circulation of the blood, respiration, secre- 
 tion, and excretion. Without these functions being 
 performed in a normal manner, perfect health is im- 
 possible; and we find that the proper digestion and 
 assimilation of food is dependent upon the circulation 
 and the respiration, the air having a very important 
 part to perform in the work of complete digestion. 
 
 By a proper understanding of digestion in all of its 
 stages, the one who has the care of the sick will be en- 
 abled to determine with more exactness the causes 
 that lead to the various complications manifested in 
 disease, and will be competent to assist the system to 
 return to its healthy condition in the order in which it 
 
 [51] 
 
$2 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 became deranged, as the road from sickness to health 
 is always a backward track. 
 
 All foods are made up of the elements, carbon, 
 hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, combined with cer- 
 tain minerals. As they are designed to replace the 
 wornout elements of the body, they must necessarily 
 contain the same constituents that these elements 
 possessed in the beginning. The quantity of food is 
 regulated to a great extent by the amount and purity 
 of the air that we breathe. In looking up the best 
 food required for supplying the wastes of the body, we 
 must have regard to the chemical elements which are 
 combined to form blood, tissues, and bones. We must 
 also have regard for the air which we breathe and the 
 manner of eliminating the waste products; thus, in the 
 human body albuminous, or nitrogenous, fatty, and 
 mineral elements are required. Every kind of food 
 that is proper for building up the human body must 
 contain these three principal elements. Food com- 
 posed wholly or exclusively of albumen will not sus- 
 tain life. Also, if the elements that make fat or oil 
 are excluded, the glandular organs are insufficiently 
 nourished. These elements also nourish the brain and 
 bones and the soft fiber, but the bones assimilate the 
 mineral portions largely. 
 
 More food is required when the oxygen in the at- 
 mosphere is abundant. This is noticeable particularly 
 in cold weather. In warm weather or in warm rooms 
 where the air is vitiated, less food is required. 
 
 Exercise also increases a necessity for food, as this 
 
DIGESTION. 53 
 
 causes a waste of tissue, and from the increased breath- 
 ing a large amount of oxygen is added to the blood. 
 Active persons, therefore, require more food than 
 those who lead a sedentary life. 
 
 The process of digestion is of an exceedingly inter- 
 esting character. While chemistry may not be able 
 to explain why certain changes take place, digestion 
 is so exact under normal conditions that certain foods 
 will almost invariably produce certain results. By 
 giving a physiological description of digestion and the 
 various functions of the digestive organs, we trust that 
 our readers may obtain a better understanding of that 
 wonderful piece of mechanism— the house we live in. 
 
 The process of digestion begins with the mouth; and 
 every part of the alimentary canal, even including the 
 mouth, is capable of absorbing and assimilating por- 
 tions of the food as it is brought in contact with them. 
 By the action of the teeth, jaws, and tongue, the food 
 is broken up, or masticated. At the same time it is 
 brought in contact with the saliva, and should be 
 thoroughly moistened by this fluid in order to fit it for 
 further digestion. Starch, which forms a large part of 
 our food, is acted upon by the saliva, which transforms 
 it into sugar. The salivary glands which secrete this 
 fluid are largely controlled in their action by the 
 nerves. Emotion will frequently arrest the flow of 
 saliva altogether, and various articles of food fre- 
 quently increase the quantity. This can easily be 
 tested by cutting a lemon, as merely the sight of the 
 lemon or its juice will almost invariably start the flow 
 
54 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 of saliva. This is due to the action of the optic nerve. 
 Other nerves communicating with the mouth also con- 
 trol the salivary secretion. 
 
 The more thorough the mastication of the food, the 
 better it is prepared for the action of the stomach. 
 The saliva also seems to have the effect of stimulating 
 the secretion of the gastric juice. Rapid eating is a 
 common cause of indigestion, as the food is not suf- 
 ficiently broken up, and there is an insufficient amount 
 of saliva mixed with it for proper digestion. After 
 mastication the food is passed through the esophagus 
 to the stomach. The upper opening of the stomach 
 admits the food and then closes tightly. Immediately 
 on the entrance of the food to the stomach, there be- 
 gins an action of that organ that brings the food into 
 contact with every portion of its interior surface. The 
 stomach is lined with a peculiar membrane, which 
 contains multitudes of minute glands which secrete 
 the fluid known as the gastric juice. This is secreted 
 in greater or less quantities according to the amount 
 of saliva mingled with the food. An insufficient quan- 
 tity of saliva will also restrict the flow of gastric juice. 
 In health about fourteen pounds of gastric juice are 
 daily secreted and used, and about three and a half of 
 saliva. The peculiar movement of the stomach is 
 called the " vermicular motion," and is continued un- 
 til the entire contents is reduced to a semi-liquid 
 mass denominated "chyme." If the food is not 
 thoroughly masticated in the mouth, that portion of 
 the work falls upon the stomach; thus we can see the 
 importance of thorough mastication. During the pro- 
 
DIGESTION. 55 
 
 cess of digestion in the stomach, its contents are re- 
 tained with great tenacity, only the finest portion of 
 the chyme being allowed to pass through. 
 
 The stomach is a very complex organ, being full of 
 little folds and convolutions, and these act in a meas- 
 ure distinctly by themselves. Every operation, there- 
 fore, of the entire stomach is the result of the combined 
 action of all these minute stomachs. Quite a large 
 portion of the food elements taken into the stomach 
 is absorbed while in this organ. The fluid matters 
 and more refined constituents of the food are carried 
 at once to the veins leading to the liver. 
 
 The process of digestion is further carried on in the 
 intestines. The small intestine extends from the 
 stomach some fifteen to eighteen feet, and is lined 
 with mucous membrane abounding with vessels which 
 are full during the digestive process. The intestines 
 are full of folds so numerous as to render its inner 
 surface about twice as long as the tube itself. The 
 surface of this mucous membrane is filled with ves- 
 sels, nerves, and lymphatic glands. This large ex- 
 tent of surface renders digestion and absorption much 
 more thorough. 
 
 When the chyme leaves the stomach, it becomes 
 mixed with bile, which is a secretion of the liver, and 
 pancreatic juice, which is the secretion of a gland 
 known as, the pancreas, situated behind the stomach. 
 The peculiar offices of these fluids have been a matter 
 of much discussion among scientists. It is known cer- 
 tainly that the bile arrests the tendency to putrefac- 
 tion, and that it also facilitates the digestion of fats. 
 
56 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 The secretion of the bile illustrates one of the great 
 economies of nature, being drawn from the blood by 
 the liver, and almost entirely composed of refuse 
 material. 
 
 The pancreatic juice, like the bile, saliva, and gas- 
 tric juice, is principally secreted when the food first 
 enters the stomach. During the intervals of par- 
 taking of food its secretion is suspended. The essen- 
 tial use of the pancreatic juice is to help the digestion 
 of fats. Starch and hydro-carbons are also acted upon 
 by this juice. 
 
 Another secretion which comes from the glands in 
 the mucous membrane of the intestines is known as 
 "intestinal juice." The office of this secretion seem- 
 ingly is to finish up the work which has been left un- 
 done by the other digestive fluids, as it acts upon al- 
 bumen, meat, and starch. The offices of each of these 
 secretions are seemingly dependent upon one another; 
 thus, the saliva stimulates the secretion of the gastric 
 juice, and this in turn the flow of the bile and the 
 pancreatic and intestinal juices. These are so de- 
 pendent on one another that a permanent disturbance 
 of one secretion is an imminent source of disease. 
 
 While the food is in the small intestine, that organ 
 is in constant motion, forcing its contents forward and 
 backward, reducing the chyme by the action of the 
 pancreatic and intestinal fluids to a molecular con- 
 dition. It is then absorbed by the chyle vessels in 
 the walls of the intestines. The portion remaining in 
 the intestine which cannot be assimilated, consisting 
 usually of the innutritious parts, is conveyed to the 
 
DIGESTION. 57 
 
 extremity of the small intestine where the large in- 
 testine, known as the colon, begins. This is from four 
 to six feet long, with many convolutions and pockets, 
 which enlarge its area to a great extent. The colon, 
 commencing at the lower portion of the abdomen on 
 the right side, rises up, passes over to the left side, 
 and thence down to the rectum. 
 
 The rejected contents of the small intestine are 
 passed into the colon, and sometimes remain here for 
 a considerable time, but are usually carried forward 
 by muscular contraction, accumulating until the proper 
 time for their discharge. The fecal substance con- 
 sists of the waste matters of the food and blood; and 
 when retained longer than is proper, the fluid portions 
 are taken up by the coating of the colon and are car- 
 ried into the blood. This produces many disorders, 
 some of which are very dangerous and even fatal. 
 The remaining portions becoming hardened, are some- 
 times incapable of removal. 
 
 We have noticed that the contents of the small in- 
 testine is reduced to a molecular condition. The next 
 operation is its removal to the circulation itself. The 
 mucous membrance of the small intestine is in folds, 
 making almost double the extent of the intestine, 
 affording a large absorbing surface. This surface is 
 covered with an immense number of minute, hair-like 
 points. Over these is a layer of minute cells. The 
 fluid contents of the intestine is absorbed through 
 the walls of these cells. Each cell by a peculiar pro- 
 cess transforms this fluid into a milky substance 
 termed " chyle." This consists in a large degree of 
 
58 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 the fatty emulsion created by the action of the pan- 
 creatic juice. There are none of these absorbing cells 
 only beyond the place where the pancreatic juice 
 enters the intestine. Therefore, if this juice is de- 
 ficient, there is no emulsion and consequently no 
 chyle. This has a very important effect upon the 
 blood corpuscles. 
 
 The small, projecting, hair-like points of the mucous 
 lining of the intestine are termed " villi." These com- 
 municate with the chyle-ducts which pass into the 
 lymphatic glands surrounding the intestine. The 
 lymphatic glands secrete or form the corpuscles of 
 the blood. The chyle vessels carry the chyle to the 
 glands, where this fluid deriving substances from the 
 neighboring blood, combines with it, and is finally 
 passed to the lungs and taken into the general cir- 
 culation. 
 
 By noting this intricate process, and the complex 
 mechanism employed, we may, perhaps, have a greater 
 regard for these organs and give them better treat- 
 ment. It is wonderful the amount of ill treatment 
 they will undergo before breaking down and giving up 
 the battle, and how quickly they will respond to kind 
 treatment and hygienic methods for recovery. 
 
 > 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 WATER IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. 
 
 WATER constitutes about four fifths of the hu- 
 man body, and is one of the most abundant 
 elements in nature. Absolutely pure water is very 
 difficult to obtain, and is not found in nature; distilled 
 water and pure rain-water being the purest forms ob- 
 tainable. It is evident that for the uses of the human 
 body the purest water obtainable should always be 
 used. One of the properties of water is its power to 
 dissolve or take up other substances; and it is this 
 property which renders it valuable in the treatment of 
 disease, its solvent properties enabling it to take up 
 the foreign matters in the body and carry them out 
 through the exits that nature has provided. One of 
 the offices of the skin is that of carrying off worn out 
 matters of the system, and for this purpose it is cov- 
 ered with minute openings estimated at over two mil- 
 lion in number in each individual. The inner surface 
 of the body is covered with what is known as mucous 
 membrane, which very closely resembles the skin in 
 structure. The skin and mucous membrane both ex- 
 crete and absorb. They eliminate refuse matter, and 
 absorb air and fluids. 
 
 Water sustains a very important relation to the liv- 
 ing system. It constitutes a large proportion of our 
 
 [59] 
 
60 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 food even in what is termed solid food. Water under- 
 goes no change in the body, but is essential to every 
 function, as none of the vital organs are able to per- 
 form their functions without it. This is especially true 
 of the blood. By its aid the nutriment is conveyed to 
 every portion of the body. As the system is con- 
 stantly giving out water, by the air breathed through 
 the lungs, by evaporation by the skin, and the opera- 
 tion of the kidneys and bowels, it is evident that this 
 loss must be supplied in order to preserve the proper 
 conditions for nature to perform its work. The de- 
 mand of the system is manifested by thirst. Custom 
 and habit exert strong influences in the matter of 
 thirst; some people drink very little and others a great 
 deal. If a moist diet is used, consisting largely of 
 vegetables, less drink is required. Where the food is 
 dry and concentrated, larger quantities of water are 
 needed. It is undoubtedly true that the majority of 
 people do not drink sufficient water. The evil of too 
 much water drinking is rarely encountered. 
 
 With the external use in washing and bathing, the 
 neglect is often more apparent. The majority of peo- 
 ple do but little bathing. To keep the body in health, 
 it should be bathed at least once or twice a week. 
 This is necessary to rid the skin of its accumulations 
 and prevent the clogging of the perspiratory ducts. 
 If a daily tepid bath were indulged in, the skin would 
 never become clogged and enfeebled, and its natural 
 color would be maintained. In no way can the health 
 of the skin be maintained but by the frequent use of 
 water. Many persons hold to the idea that bathing 
 
WATER IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. 6 1 
 
 produces a liability to take cold, but this is an error. 
 One who makes a practice of daily bathing is almost 
 impervious to colds. While it is true that colds are 
 sometimes taken after bathing, this is the result of 
 some neglect of the proper precautions to prevent it. 
 
 The system may be affected by water, by its modi- 
 fication of the temperature, by its dilution of the fluids 
 of the body, and by its solvent properties. Water 
 possesses the power of abstracting heat ; and if hot 
 water is applied to the body, it causes its heat to be 
 added to the body. If applied cold, it will absorb 
 heat. It is by means of the variation in the tempera- 
 ture of water and the susceptibility of the system to 
 its action, that disease is so easily controlled. The 
 various baths and treatments set forth in this work, 
 if closely adhered to, will arrest and remove disease in 
 a very brief period. Long continued " spells " of sick- 
 ness can become a thing of the past. 
 
 If mankind conformed strictly to the laws of hygiene 
 in eating, drinking, clothing, exercise, and tempera- 
 ture, the physiological necessity for bathing would be 
 greatly reduced ; but under the present conditions of 
 society, the laws of life and health are transgressed in 
 a thousand ways. This is manifested in the body by 
 internal congestion, deficient external circulation, and 
 obstruction of the excretory glands of the skin. We 
 suppose these conditions will exist to a greater or less 
 extent until the people become better acquainted with 
 the laws of health. But to counteract this morbid 
 condition, there is no better agent than water, no pro- 
 cess more effectual than bathing. 
 
62 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 As a general rule, a daily bath should be as regular 
 as are the daily meals. For hygienic purposes there 
 are various methods of bathing, but these are a mat- 
 ter of convenience. The tub bath, plunge bath, 
 shower bath, and the sponge bath are all equally use- 
 ful. The one most readily accessible to all persons is 
 the towel, or sponge bath. This can be had at all 
 times where a towel and a quart of water are obtain- 
 able, and requires but a few minutes for its application. 
 One point which should be borne in mind is, that in 
 whatever manner the bath is applied, the whole body 
 afterward should be thoroughly rubbed dry with a 
 coarse towel. There are many varieties of baths, and 
 special baths are applied for specific purposes. Under 
 the heading of Baths, while not endeavoring by any 
 means to cover all the various kinds that are known, 
 specific directions will be given for those that are 
 readily available in the home of any family, and such 
 as are needful and can be used in the treatment of 
 any disease. 
 
 Too much stress and importance cannot be laid 
 upon the use of water in the treatment of disease. 
 Many chapters might be written upon its various uses, 
 but as it is the aim of the publishers to make this 
 work concise and brief in every particular, only those 
 points will be noted which are of particular conse- 
 quence. Therefore we trust the reader will not admit 
 that any of the rules laid down or the methods advo- 
 cated are of slight consequence. We can assure them 
 that invariably the way to health may be found by 
 careful adherence to the rules and treatment given in 
 this work. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CARE OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN. 
 
 WE have previously stated that it is the privilege 
 of all to be born well, but the realization of 
 that privilege is due very largely to the parents. 
 Children at the present time are suffering more or less 
 the penalty of the violation of the laws of health by 
 their parents, and the course pursued with children 
 from their infancy is usually in opposition to the laws 
 of health. The inheritance of disease and the disa- 
 bilities attending children from birth are made worse 
 by the parents' following a wrong course in the phys- 
 ical training of their children. 
 
 There is astonishing ignorance, indifference, and 
 recklessness in regard to the physical health of chil- 
 dren, which often results in destroying the vitality 
 which the infant had, and consigning it to an early 
 grave. Many mourn over the mysterious dispensa- 
 tions of Providence, when the real cause is that the 
 parents have not acted in accordance with the laws 
 of health. 
 
 A great responsibility rests with the parents, both 
 before the birth of their children and afterward, to give 
 them that soundness of constitution which is the real 
 preparation for their future well-being. The wise 
 
 [63] 
 
64 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 farmer takes time and devotes especial thought as to 
 the best manner of managing his stock. He is partic- 
 ular that they shall not be overworked, overfed, or 
 fed when they are heated, lest they be injured. He is 
 careful that they are not hurt by neglect, exposure, or 
 any improper treatment, and is very particular regard- 
 ing his young stock, that they have the proper care 
 and training. But many children are left by their 
 parents to come up with less attention than a good 
 farmer devotes to his dumb animals. If parents could 
 realize the important bearing that proper food and 
 training have upon their children, corresponding to 
 the care manifested by farmers for their cattle, in that 
 degree that the lives of the children are more valuable 
 than that of dumb animals, there would be a decrease 
 in misery and ill health, and a corresponding increase 
 in the future prosperity of the race. 
 
 Too much stress cannot be laid upon prenatal in- 
 fluences. Much can be said upon this subject, but our 
 space is too limited for a lengthy discussion. We will 
 merely point out a few existing evils which should be 
 avoided. One principal cause of weak infants is over- 
 work on the part of the mother before the birth of her 
 child. This is a period which should be to her of all 
 others a time of rest, but her cares and burdens are 
 seldom lessened, and oftentimes are increased. The 
 result is, she deprives her offspring of that nutrition 
 which nature has provided for it. By unhealthful liv- 
 ing her blood is vitiated, and this is aggravated by 
 overheating. This has a very bad effect upon the 
 infant, robbing it both of physical and mental strength. 
 
CARE OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN. 65 
 
 Women should act with reason regarding these mat- 
 ters; they should not exhaust their energies unneces- 
 sarily, but should exercise temperance in eating, in 
 drinking, and in work. Mothers should understand 
 that their constitutional strength, their mental facul- 
 ties, and the physical state of their own being will be 
 in great measure represented in their offspring. They 
 should encourage constantly a happy, cheerful, con- 
 tented disposition. The father can in a large degree 
 contribute to this by making every surrounding pleas- 
 ant, and the parents will be repaid by a better physical 
 and moral development in the child. 
 
 The period of nursing the infant is also very im- 
 portant. Mothers should not overwork, and should 
 not heat their blood, as by so doing the blood becomes 
 fevered, and the nourishment received by the infant is 
 also fevered. The diet, also, of the mother has a very 
 important effect upon the babe. She should, by very 
 strict attention to the laws regulating diet, partake 
 only of such food as will build up the infant in a 
 healthy condition, special attention being given to 
 those articles of food which produce strong, healthy 
 bones and lay the foundation for sound, healthy teeth. 
 If parents, during the early years of their children, 
 would feed them largely upon grains and whole-wheat 
 products, banishing from the table that bane of health, 
 white bread, our children would not need to seek the 
 dentists for the filling of teeth before those teeth are 
 hardly formed. 
 
 The proper manner of feeding infants is generally 
 very little understood. If the child is fretful, it is fed 
 
 5 
 
66 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 to keep it quiet, when very frequently its fretfulness is 
 caused by its having already received too much food; 
 and when the stomach is overloaded, additional food 
 only makes the matter worse. 
 
 A systematic diet should be adopted at the very 
 birth of the infant. It is rare that an infant should be 
 fed at all until the mother is able to supply it with its 
 natural food, but usually fears are entertained that the 
 babe will starve before the flow of milk takes place. 
 Accordingly, some unnatural fluid is poured into its 
 stomach, prepared with sugar, which the babe cannot 
 digest properly, and so it enters upon its life of suffer- 
 ing. After the first few days, babies should be nursed 
 but three times a day. This may seem a radical de- 
 parture from the usual methods, but it is altogether 
 proper. The digestive capacity of the infant is not 
 any stronger than that of a grown person, and its food 
 requires about the same length of time for digestion 
 and assimilation, as the various steps are the same in 
 all persons. 
 
 It is not the amount of food taken into the system 
 that sustains it, but the amount properly digested and 
 assimilated. If five hours are required to complete 
 the process of digestion in the grown person, it will 
 need the same length of time for the child, and this 
 process should not be disturbed until it is finished. 
 The child should have its regular hours for breakfast, 
 dinner, and supper, and these should not be interfered 
 with. If this course were followed, infants would not 
 be subject to vomiting, colic, or fits; for the cause of 
 these troubles is overloading of the stomach. The 
 
CARE OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN. 6j 
 
 idea that a child will suffer hunger if it does not take 
 food oftener than once in five hours during the day is 
 all nonsense. The *' little and often" system is con- 
 trary to the laws of health and contrary to reason, and 
 should not be practiced. With infants, habits of sleep 
 are very easily formed; and if care is taken in the 
 beginning, there is no reason why infants should not 
 sleep well through the night. The principal cause 
 of their wakefulness is improper food eaten by the 
 mother, and too frequent feeding of the infant. 
 
 When children are old enough to take solid food, 
 they should have but three meals a day. No child 
 can take food oftener than once in five hours without 
 interfering with the previous meal. If children were 
 brought up in this manner, they would be found to be 
 more than ordinarily strong and healthy, and would 
 escape a host of ailments which are common to the 
 young. If children were confined to regular habits in 
 their eating, their appetites would be regular. An 
 irregular appetite is not natural, but is unhealthful. 
 If the habit of eating but three times a day is once 
 established, children will want food only so many 
 times. This rule may seem rigid, but we profess to 
 love and cherish our children. In no way can we give 
 better evidence of our affection than by giving to them 
 the greatest heritage possible to possess, namely, 
 health. The foundation for it should be laid at the 
 birth of the infant, and should be carried out during 
 the years of childhood. Cakes and candies should be 
 rigidly excluded from the diet of children, especially 
 between meals. The use of cakes and candy causes 
 
68 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 the liver to become inactive and the blood impure, 
 and makes the children sickly, and difficult to control. 
 
 There are many erroneous ideas prevailing regard- 
 ing the dress of infants as well as that of older people. 
 Many have the idea that because the new-born infant 
 is weak, it should be tightly bandaged in order to 
 support it and give it strength. Looseness is very 
 important in an infant's dress; no tight bandages or 
 bands should be allowed. These are purely an inven- 
 tion of modern civilization, and are the cause of much 
 discomfort and ill health. When a babe that has been 
 tightly bandaged during the day becomes wearied 
 and fretful at evening, what relief is experienced when 
 the tight bandage is removed, and it has the oppor- 
 tunity of throwing its arms and limbs about, which 
 have been restrained by this " civilized " mode of 
 dress! All confinement distresses the child, and when 
 it amounts to tightness, will occasion deformity before 
 the evil is suspected. 
 
 Infants' clothes should not be buttoned, but tied with 
 strings or tapes; and after tying, should be examined 
 to see that the strings are not drawn too tight. 
 Young babes should have an abundance of pure and 
 invigorating air. While it is necessary to protect 
 them from draughts, yet the fresh air should be ad- 
 mitted at all times. The vitiated air so frequently 
 found in bedrooms and nursing rooms greatly en- 
 feebles the action of the heart and lungs, and affects 
 the whole system. This is more dangerous to the 
 feeble infant than to a grown person. The practice 
 of covering the heads of infants is radically wrong. 
 
CARE OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN. 69 
 
 It excludes the pure air, necessitating the breathing 
 over again of air which has already passed through 
 the lungs, and which is vitiated with the odors from 
 the body. This is a frequent cause of colds in little 
 children. Owing to the necessity of labored breath- 
 ing because of the lack of pure air, perspiration is in- 
 duced; and when the child is taken from beneath the 
 covering, it is almost sure to take cold. Infants' arms 
 and legs should be covered, as such exposure renders 
 them liable to colds and congestions. Underclothing 
 should be frequently changed, and on retiring at night 
 every portion of the clothing worn during the day 
 should be removed, putting on the nightdress, which 
 should have been previously aired during the day. 
 
 Above all things, from the earliest childhood give 
 the children outdoor life. Pure air and sunshine are 
 of the utmost importance. The natural instinct of the 
 infant as soon as it is able to walk is to get outside the 
 house, and it never consents to live in the house until 
 its instincts are subdued. 
 
 The practice of loading skirts upon young girls, 
 hanging them from the hips, is a sure foundation for 
 untold misery. The custom of corset-wearing should 
 never be indulged. Healthful waists to support the 
 clothes are much better. 
 
 Another matter which should not be overlooked is 
 that of attending to the wants of nature in children. 
 They should be taught from their earliest days the 
 importance of prompt attention to nature's calls. 
 Much false delicacy exists upon this subject, which 
 should be overcome. Many lifelong invalids owe their 
 
70 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 condition to lack of education upon the importance of 
 this matter. We have endeavored in the article on 
 digestion to point out the effects of retention of the 
 excreta in the bowels. Much harm results also from 
 the retention of the urine. Regular habits in attend- 
 ing to these calls should be formed, and the importance 
 should be taught to our children and made a special 
 feature in their health education. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 CARE OF THE SICK. 
 
 IN the preceding part of this work, general laws are 
 laid down for the preservation of health. If this 
 portion of the work was adhered to, this latter portion 
 of the book could be omitted ; but the natural tend- 
 ency of mankind is to follow habit, and take physic. 
 
 Sickness, however unwelcome a visitor it may be, 
 frequently finds its way into the family; therefore 
 some instruction in the care of the sick is a necessity. 
 When sickness enters the family, the members should 
 give attention to diet and personal cleanliness, and 
 use every precaution to keep themselves from disease. 
 Ventilation is very important for the well members of 
 the family and especially beneficial to the afflicted. 
 
 It is of importance to maintain an even temperature 
 in the sick-room, avoiding uncomfortable heat, and 
 endeavoring to suit the ideas of the patient as far as 
 possible. Extreme changes of temperature should be 
 guarded against, as the sick are sensitive, and life may 
 be imperiled in consequence. Endeavor to supply the 
 sick with plenty of fresh air. If from the construction 
 of the room the opening of the windows would expose 
 the patient to a direct draught, fresh air should be 
 supplied from an adjoining room. Fresh air will prove 
 
 [7i] 
 
72 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 of more benefit to the sick than even food or medicine. 
 Many invalids would make rapid recovery if they could 
 have a full supply of pure, invigorating air. The oxy- 
 gen of the air, combining with the blood, is an effect- 
 ual germicide in the body, destroying the germs and 
 bacteria of disease. We trust the importance of this 
 matter may be impressed upon the minds of those 
 who care for the sick. 
 
 Nurses should pay attention to their own health, es- 
 pecially in cases of prolonged illness of the patient. It 
 is better to have two or three to depend upon, thus 
 changing and sharing the care and confinement. To 
 this end, the nurse should have exercise in the open 
 air as often as possible. 
 
 When fever enters a family, it frequently occurs that 
 more than one suffer from it. There is no necessity 
 for this if the family will live according to correct 
 principles. It is very important to search out the 
 cause of the illness; and if due to anything about the 
 premises, the cause should be removed. 
 
 The sick, as a general thing, need quiet and undis- 
 turbed rest. Frequently this cannot be obtained on 
 account of visitors and callers. It is a mistaken kind- 
 ness that leads so many to visit the sick. During a 
 visit the patient becomes more or less excited, and the 
 reaction is too great for their enfeebled energies, and 
 frequently brings them into a dangerous condition. 
 Those who cannot make themselves useful should be 
 very cautious in visiting the sick. If they can do no 
 good, they may do harm. Sympathy can be shown 
 for friends and relatives in sickness without visiting. 
 
CARE OF THE SICK. 73 
 
 The custom of having watchers for the sick at night 
 is not, as a usual thing, to be commended. In critical 
 cases it may be necessary, but usually more harm than 
 good is done the sick by this practice. The watchers 
 usually make more or less noise moving about, which 
 disturbs the sick ; and where there are two watchers, 
 their whispering and talking is very trying to the 
 nerves of the patient. 
 
 By far the better plan is for the attendant to occupy 
 an adjoining room from which the slightest noise may 
 be heard, leaving the patient in darkness as far as 
 possible. Rest and quiet through the night are the 
 best inducements to sleep to the patient, and great 
 importance should be attached to the fact that sleep 
 is a great restorer. Attendants should be thoughtful 
 and judicious regarding noise or excitement in the 
 sick-room or in the house. Everything should be 
 kept as quiet as possible. Doors should be opened and 
 shut with great care. Frequently doors will creak 
 when moved upon their hinges. A drop or two of oil 
 applied to the hinge will remedy this annoyance. 
 
 The attendant should not move about hurriedly, but 
 preserve a calm and unexcited demeanor. Do not 
 wear a starched garment or anything that rustles. 
 Avoid all little noises. Sometimes the rocking of a 
 chair, the creaking of a shoe, or the turning over of 
 the leaves of a book or newspaper will cause misery to 
 the patient. Do not jar the room by a heavy tread, 
 nor the bed by leaning or kicking against it, and above 
 all, never sit on the bed. 
 
 Never wake a sleeping patient unless under the 
 
74 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 physician's special orders. Keep the mind of the 
 patient as quiet as possible. Allow no whispering; 
 talking is less objectionable than whispering. Ask no 
 more questions than are absolutely necessary, and 
 avoid asking the patient to repeat a remark. Do not 
 speak to him suddenly, and do not tax him to make a 
 decision upon anything that can be avoided; but 
 quietly make what changes you may think are neces- 
 sary. It should be born in mind that the weakness of 
 the patient extends to the mind as well as to the body. 
 In preparing food for the patient, do not consult him 
 in regard to it. Never let him see, smell, or hear any- 
 thing of the food, until it is brought to him. Let each 
 meal be a pleasant surprise, and by all means serve 
 everything with a dainty neatness. 
 
 If possible let the patient be placed so he may see 
 out of the window. The sick-room should be the 
 brightest in the house, and so arranged as to give all 
 the sunlight that the patient can bear. 
 
 It is important that the nurse should have a place 
 for everything and everything in its place, so that in 
 case of emergency, one can find what is needed in a 
 moment. Do not mislay things so as to be obliged to 
 hunt for them when wanted. 
 
 Flowers are often beneficial in the sick-room, but 
 those of powerful odor should be excluded. The 
 flowers should be removed and burned at the first 
 symptoms of withering. 
 
 If possible, the bed should not be pushed against 
 the wall. Let there be room for free circulation of air 
 all around it, and space to go in and out without 
 
CARE OF THE SICK. 75 
 
 jarring the patient. Do not allow reading aloud un- 
 less specially requested by the patient, and it should 
 be discontinued the moment it seems to cause weari- 
 ness. 
 
 A cheerful countenance should be insisted upon in 
 the sick-room. The nurse may be tired and worn- 
 out, and perhaps feel far from cheerful, but this should 
 be concealed from the patient. 
 
 It is a very common practice for friends to tempt 
 the appetite of those who are sick, with dainties. 
 This is a very pernicious habit. As a general thing, 
 patients, in the beginning of sickness, should abstain 
 from all food; and the use of broth, that favorite in- 
 valid diet, which is only concentrated meat, should be 
 absolutely prohibited. But little if any animal food 
 should be partaken of in health, and none in sickness. 
 With our system of treatment there is no necessity for 
 " high " nourishment. Vegetables, bread, rice, tapioca, 
 fruit, and milk are the proper foods for the sick. 
 Water is the best drink in health, and must therefore 
 be the proper drink in sickness. Let it be abundant, 
 as pure as can be obtained, and let it be changed fre- 
 quently that it may not become warm and tasteless. 
 
 Whenever it is practicable, the patient should have 
 exercise out-of-doors. This possibly may not be more 
 than sitting on the porch in an arm-chair or wheel- 
 chair; but the fresh air and sunshine are great tonics. 
 Even in disagreeable weather, if the patient is suffi- 
 ciently protected, no harm can arise from a ride or a 
 walk in the open air. It is not only by contact with 
 the outer air that the patient receives benefit, but 
 
76 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 the change of scene brings change of thought, and 
 this proves beneficial. 
 
 Those who have the care of the sick should train 
 the senses of observation, and be able to detect the lit- 
 tle differences which may not seem of consequence to 
 the ordinary observer. By the ability to detect these 
 seeming insignificant changes, will come the success 
 in detecting disease. While it is not advisable to be 
 continually worrying for fear something may ail our 
 friends or children, or to be continually dosing, it is of 
 extreme importance to be able to detect the changes 
 which are the signals of approaching disease. 
 
 It is important to be able to make what physicians 
 term a " correct diagnosis," or, in other words, to be 
 able to know what ails your patient. This may be de- 
 termined by a close observation of the patient by 
 means of the pulse, temperature, etc. The pulse is an 
 indicator of the circulation. While this varies indif- 
 ferent individuals even in perfect health, yet the pulse 
 constitutes a very good sign of the action of the heart. 
 It averages about seventy beats a minute in adults, but 
 it is much more frequent in children. In old persons 
 it grows more slow and feeble, owing to the decreased 
 energy of the heart. The pulse is increased both in 
 strength and frequency by running or walking, by 
 singing, speaking, etc., and is diminished by fear, want 
 of nourishment, excessive evacuations, or whatever 
 tends to debilitate the system. The usual place to 
 look for the pulse is at the wrist, although it may be 
 found in the temple, just before, and close to, the ear. 
 In feeling the pulse of sick persons, allowance should 
 be made for the causes of variation, and an additional 
 
CARE OF THE SICK. 77 
 
 test should be made after the temporary effects have 
 ceased. 
 
 A full, tense, and strong pulse is when the artery 
 swells boldly under the finger and resists the pressure 
 more or less. If, in addition to this, the pulsation be 
 very rapid, it is called quick ; if slow, the contrary. 
 A hard, corded pulse is that in which the artery feels 
 like the string of a violin, giving considerable resist- 
 ance to the pressure of the finger. The soft and inter- 
 mitting pulses are easily known by their names. In 
 cases of extreme debility, on the approach of death, 
 and in some particular diseases, the artery vibrates 
 under the finger like a thread. In feeling the pulse 
 three or four fingers should be laid upon it at once. 
 
 To ascertain the nature of disease, we may use the 
 following rules : — 
 
 i. Take note of the temperature and dryness of 
 the skin. 
 
 2. Find whether the pulse beats slow or quick, 
 weak or strong. 
 
 3. Inquire as to the state of the bowels and 
 kidneys. 
 
 4. Inquire concerning the patient's appetite. 
 
 5. Examine the patient's tongue. 
 
 6. General appearance of the patient. 
 
 7. Changes of color or skin. 
 
 8. If the patient is in bed, observe the position, 
 manner of lying, — whether on the back or side, — 
 whether quiet or restless. 
 
 9. If the patient is out of bed, observe his pos- 
 ture, gait, stiffness, loss of power in his limbs, etc. 
 
 10. The sensations of the patient. 
 
^8 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 In prescribing medicine or treatment, the following 
 circumstances should always be kept in view : Age, 
 sex, temperament, habit, climate, the condition of the 
 stomach, and general appearance. 
 
 Sex. — Women require smaller doses than men. 
 They are more rapidly affected by treatment than 
 men, and the condition of the uterine system should 
 never be overlooked. 
 
 Temperament. — Stimulants and purgatives more 
 readily affect the sanguine than the phlegmatic, and 
 consequently the former require smaller doses. 
 
 Habits. — The knowledge of habits is essential, for 
 persons who habitually use stimulants or narcotics re- 
 quire larger doses to affect them while laboring under 
 disease. 
 
 Climate. — Medicines act differently on the same in- 
 dividual in summer from winter, and in different cli- 
 mates. Narcotics act more powerfully in hot than in 
 cold climates, hence smaller doses are required in the 
 former. 
 
 Condition of the Stomach. — The least active reme- 
 dies operate very quickly on some individuals, owing 
 to conditions of the stomach or peculiar disposition of 
 the body. This is usually discovered ; and when it is 
 known, it should also have attention by the attendant. 
 
 Much more might be said in the way of general 
 advice, but by close adherence to these leading prin- 
 ciples, and by paying careful attention to the symp- 
 toms of the various diseases as given in this work, 
 with the judicious use of the remedies recommended, 
 the attendant may feel confident to attend to any of 
 the ordinary ailments of the family. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 PURE MEDICINES. 
 
 IN order to reduce the practice of medicine to an 
 exact science, it is necessary to understand each 
 disease and antidote. To do this, it is absolutely 
 negessary that physicians should be supplied with 
 medicines that are invariable and unchangeable. No 
 physician can hope to practice with any degree of 
 certainty or satisfaction while medicines of different 
 strength are upon the market. The general public 
 are not aware of the various causes that produce so 
 great an unreliability in medicines. The great ma- 
 jority of medicines are compounded from roots, vegeta- 
 bles, barks, and herbs. Among many causes which 
 produce unreliability are the following: They are not 
 collected at the right season of the year, they are not 
 properly cured, and differences in soil and climate pro- 
 duce great differences in the strength and quality of 
 the articles. Many articles become inert or worthless 
 through age or other causes. Also chemical changes 
 take place on account of light, heat, and the atmos- 
 phere. Many pharmacists are deficient in knowledge 
 of how to make their selections, and many vegetable 
 remedies are easily adulterated. Physicians and phar- 
 macists are usually unable to tell whether the crude 
 
 C79] 
 
80 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 articles are pure or not, and they are not sufficiently 
 skilled to test those which they purchase, and to know 
 that they are of proper quality and properly com- 
 pounded. Patients lose their lives for want of this 
 knowledge on the part of their medical advisers. The 
 result is that the physician is often disappointed in 
 his prescription. 
 
 The prescriptions used in our remedies, and the 
 remedies themselves can be relied upon. We pur- 
 chase only the purest drugs from the largest dealers 
 in the world, and in very large quantities. With our 
 methods of purchasing and testing we are enabled to 
 place before the public medicines that can be abso- 
 lutely relied upon. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 SPECIAL DIRECTIONS. 
 
 THE remedies contained in the medicine case are 
 put up in tablet form for convenience in use, as 
 well as for accuracy in doses, They will retain all 
 their active properties for years if the bottles are kept 
 tightly corked. They contain no harmful ingredi- 
 ents, and can be used freely for the conditions for 
 which they are recommended. For adults they can 
 be administered dry or in water, as is most agreeable. 
 They are carefully arranged by number, each num- 
 ber indicating the symptom or condition for which it 
 is used ; and if the directions are carefully followed in 
 each instance, no mistake can result, and much good 
 will be accomplished by their administration. 
 
 The dose given in every instance in the book is for 
 adults, unless otherwise specified. The dose for chil- 
 dren is as follows : Dissolve twelve tablets (or the 
 same proportion ) in twelve teaspoonfuls of pure water. 
 The dose for a child fifteen years of age is one tea- 
 spoonful, as directed ; for a child of ten years, two 
 thirds of a teaspoonful ; for a child of five years, one 
 half teaspoonful ; for a child two years old, one fourth 
 teaspoonful ; for a child one year old, fifteen drops ; for 
 an infant six months old, ten drops ; for an infant three 
 months old, five drops. 
 
 6 [81] 
 
82 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 Remedy No. i is a Fever Tablet, and is indicated 
 when there is an elevation of bodily temperature, when 
 the pulse is quick, strong, and full; skin dry and hot. 
 It should not be used if the pulse is weak and ex- 
 tremely rapid, skin moist, or cold and clammy. 
 
 Remedy No. 2 is a general systemic Sedative, and 
 is especially indicated when there is a low grade of 
 fever, or where there is a great deal of nervous excite- 
 ment ; for headache, restlessness, and a sleepless con- 
 dition. It is useful to allay irritation when children 
 are teething, and for infants' convulsions, and spasms. 
 
 Remedy No. 3 is valuable for all forms of Diarrhea, 
 and is specially valuable in infantile diarrhea when the 
 discharges are watery and accompanied by a disagree- 
 able odor, as in cholera infantum ; winter cholera ; and, 
 in fact, whenever there is a looseness of the bowels 
 that needs regulating. 
 
 Remedy No. 4 is for Constipation, is useful in all 
 chronic cases, and for all bilious conditions, or where 
 there is a clogged-up condition of the alimentary 
 canal. 
 
 To overcome constipation, give one tablet every 
 night. For a brisk cathartic, give two tablets. This 
 remedy is not intended for infants, or for children un- 
 der the age of five years ; for such, the enema should 
 be depended upon solely. 
 
 Remedy No. 5 is a Tonic. This is a general sys- 
 temic tonic, and is indicated in all forms of general de- 
 bility or where the general tone of the system is below 
 the normal ; should be used during the convalescing 
 period of all acute diseases or whenever a strengthen- 
 
SPECIAL DIRECTIONS. 83 
 
 ing or invigorating medicine is needed. The dose as 
 atonic is one tablet three times a day, children in pro- 
 portion to their age. 
 
 Remedy No. 6 is an Antiseptic and Germicide ; is 
 valuable in all germ diseases, such as typhoid fever, 
 diphtheria, scarlet fever, catarrh of the stomach, bow- 
 els, or bladder. It is useful in cholera infantum. The 
 dose for an adult is one tablet every two or three 
 hours until patient is much better, then take three 
 times a day; children in proportion. 
 
 Remedy No. 7 is for Pain, and is indicated in all 
 forms of acute pain, such as colic, cramp in the stom- 
 ach, cholera morbus, neuralgia of the stomach or bow- 
 els. The dose for adults is one tablet every half hour 
 until pain is relieved; children in proportion. As this 
 remedy is only to relieve pain, no more should be 
 given than is needed to ease the sufferer. 
 
 Remedy No. 8 is for Nausea and Vomiting, and is 
 useful in all cases where these conditions are present. 
 To settle the stomach, the dose for adults is one tablet 
 every hour until the desired effect is obtained; children 
 in proportion. 
 
 Remedy No. 9 is for Coughs and Colds, and is 
 a valuable cough remedy; is useful in all forms of 
 coughs, croup, asthma, pneumonia, la grippe, etc. 
 For severe, intractable coughs, take for adults twelve 
 tablets, and dissolve in twelve teaspoonfuls of water; 
 take half teaspoonful every half hour until relieved. 
 For ordinary colds, one tablet every hour or two; dose 
 for children according to age. For chronic coughs 
 or bronchitis, one tablet three to six times a day; 
 
84 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 for croup and asthma, repeat often until patient is 
 relieved. 
 
 Remedy No. 10 is for Neuralgic and Rheumatic 
 pains. It is useful in all forms of neuralgia, rheuma- 
 tism, and muscular pain of all kinds. Dose for an 
 adult, when the pain is severe, is one tablet every 
 hour until relieved. For rheumatism, one tablet four 
 to six times a day; children in proportion. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 BATHS AND TREATMENT. 
 
 THE effects of water upon the system are very- 
 marked. The results differ greatly as the ap- 
 plication is brief or prolonged. The effects of local 
 and general application are also different. When ap- 
 plied to special organs, special results are produced. 
 The operation of water which is cool in temperature, 
 coming in contact with the body, is to abstract the 
 heat from the body. This is true whether applied to 
 all or a portion of the body. The small arteries being 
 brought in contact with the cold are made to con- 
 tract, thus diminishing the circulation, and also the 
 production of heat. The same result is also produced 
 upon the heart, lessening the rapidity of its movement. 
 The prolonged application of cold water has two ef- 
 fects, — that of abstracting the heat and lessening the 
 circulation. 
 
 When the cold bath is applied for a very short 
 period, it excites the nerve-centers which control the 
 circulation and the heat-producing functions, and 
 through reaction the opposite effect is obtained from 
 that of a prolonged application. 
 
 Thus cold water can be used either as a stimulant 
 or to diminish the animal heat and the circulation. 
 
 [85] 
 
86 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 The effects of the hot bath are equally marked upon 
 the system. A brief application will cause an in- 
 creased circulation and increased heat. It produces 
 an acceleration of the pulse, and increases the animal 
 heat according to the temperature of the bath. The 
 effects of the hot-air baths and vapor-baths are the 
 same, although more heat can be applied in this way 
 without injury than by the use of water. 
 
 The temperature of water used in bathing varies 
 greatly, and what may seem warm to one would be 
 cold to another, also the sensations of temperature 
 vary in the same individual at different times. The 
 only accurate method of testing the temperature is by 
 means of the thermometer. In the absence of a regular 
 thermometer, the clinical thermometer, which we fur- 
 nish with the medicine case, can be used for this pur- 
 pose, care being taken to jar the column of mercury 
 below what the supposed temperature of the water 
 may be. 
 
 For convenience the bath has been divided into six 
 temperatures: — 
 
 1. Cold Bath 33 degrees to 60 degrees F. 
 
 2. Cool Bath 60 
 
 3. Temperate ... -75 
 
 4. Tepid 85 
 
 5. Warm .92 
 
 6. Hot 98 
 
 Full Bath. — With the modern conveniences of liv- 
 ing, nearly every family possesses a bath-tub. It can 
 be made very easily by an ordinary carpenter. The 
 dimensions should be about 6 ft. long x 2 ft. wide x 18 
 
 a a 
 
 7$ 
 
 << li 
 
 85 
 
 u t< 
 
 92 
 
 11 a 
 
 98 
 
 <t it 
 
 112 
 
BATHS AND TREATMENT. Zj 
 
 in. deep, making it about three inches wider at the 
 top than at the bottom. This should be lined with 
 zinc or tin by a tinner. In the absence of this, how- 
 ever, two or three coats of paint inside and out will 
 make it water-proof. 
 
 Sufficient water should be placed in the tub to cover 
 the patient excepting the head. The warm bath 
 should be taken for cleanliness or soothing effects, and 
 the temperature should be cooled a little by the addi- 
 tion of cold water before leaving the bath. This is 
 one of the most refreshing of baths, and every family 
 ought to possess a bath-tub, which should be used, at 
 least once a week, by every member of the family. 
 
 Hot Bath. — This is used to excite action of the skin, 
 and open the pores to relieve the system of foreign 
 accumulations. Fill the tub sufficiently with water at 
 98 , put the patient in, carefully add hot water until the 
 temperature reaches 108 or no Q . Allow the patient 
 to continue in the bath from ten to twenty minutes; 
 should faintness occur, apply a towel wet with cold 
 water around the head. The patient should then be 
 removed, placed in bed, wrapped with warm blank- 
 ets, and allowed to sweat for an hour or two. 
 
 The cold bath is frequently used to lower the tem- 
 perature in fevers, but the temperature is not so easily 
 controlled in this manner as it is by means of the 
 sponge-bath, therefore we shall in our fever treatments 
 advise the employment of the sponge-bath. 
 
 Steam-Bath. — The steam-bath is one of the best 
 methods for stimulating the skin to that activity which 
 is indispensable to perfect health, and is one of the 
 
88 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 most efficient methods of relieving internal conges- 
 tion, and eliminating the morbid matter which is the 
 cause of disease. The apparatus required is so simple 
 that it has a tendency to belittle the effects in the 
 minds of many people; but we trust that due impor- 
 tance will be given to this method of treatment, which 
 is really one of the most efficient aids to nature that 
 has ever been devised. The neccessary articles are a 
 couple of blankets, a pan or kettle, and a chair. With 
 this simple apparatus the most marked effects upon 
 the human body are obtainable. 
 
 To apply the steam-bath, sufficient water should be 
 had, boiling hot. The patient should be disrobed, 
 placed in the chair, and the blankets pinned closely 
 around the neck, one in front and the other behind, 
 both falling upon the floor in such a manner as to ex- 
 clude all air. The blanket should be lifted and the 
 water placed under the chair in the kettle or pan, care 
 being taken that the air is entirely excluded. A 
 bucket should be provided, partly filled with water 
 from 100° to 105 °, into which put the feet of the 
 patient, care being taken to prevent the steam from 
 the hot water escaping. As some persons do not per- 
 spire very readily, it may sometimes be necessary in 
 the beginning to put the patient entirely under the 
 blankets. This will not cause any unpleasantness, but 
 is frequently very beneficial, especially in case of colds 
 in the head. Care should be taken in changing the 
 blankets from the head to the neck, not to allow the 
 vapor to escape. 
 
 Sometimes faintness occurs, in which case a towel 
 
BATHS AND TREATMENT. 89 
 
 wrung out of cold water should be wrapped about the 
 head. Usually the sensation of thirst occurs almost 
 at the beginning of the bath. The drinking of water 
 may be freely indulged in, as it has a beneficial effect. 
 
 Care will need to be taken in administering this bath, 
 as persons of some temperaments perspire much more 
 easily than others. Those that are robust are able to 
 take the bath for much longer periods than those who 
 are sickly or seriously ill. 
 
 Sometimes the steam-bath is needed especially for 
 the abdomen and upper parts of the body, in which case 
 the patient should sit facing the back of the chair, and 
 an additional vessel filled with boiling water placed 
 between the patient and the back of the chair, care 
 being taken that it does not touch the body. 
 
 It is frequently necessary, where the time of the bath 
 is prolonged to fifteen or twenty minutes, to change 
 the water, replenishing with that which is boiling hot, 
 or a half brick may be heated red hot and put into the 
 water already in use. 
 
 On leaving the bath, the patient should be cooled 
 by the hip- or sitz-bath, (p. 91), dripping-wet sheet, 
 (p. 92), or by the following method: Have ready a basin 
 of cool water and a towel. Withdraw the water from 
 under the chair, have patient uncover one arm, and 
 let the attendant dip his hand in the cool water and 
 apply it briskly to the arm. Rub dry with towel, 
 repeat the same for the other arm. Drop the blanket 
 down from over the chest, wet this with the cool water 
 by the hand in the same manner, wipe dry; proceed on 
 the back in the same way. Throw something over 
 
90 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 the arms, chest, and shoulders of the patient, then 
 wet and dry the hips, and then each leg. The patient 
 should then, if vigorous enough, dress warm and take 
 a brisk walk, or if feeble, may be placed in bed. 
 
 Spirit Vapor-Bath. — This is the same in all re- 
 spects as the steam bath, except that in place of hot 
 water, alcohol is used. Under the chair put a coffee- 
 cup one-third full of alcohol. This should be placed 
 in a pan or on a plate. The patient should be placed 
 the same as in the steam bath, with the feet in a pail 
 of warm water. Place the cup containing the alcohol 
 in the pan under the chair, and light the alcohol care- 
 fully with a match. The further instructions are the 
 same as for the steam bath. In using this bath, should 
 the temperature become too high, it can be lowered 
 by raising the bottom of blankets a little, care being 
 taken to avoid chilling the patient. Headache, high 
 pulse, and flushed face are indications of too high 
 temperature. 
 
 The spirit vapor-bath can be administered to the 
 patient in bed. The necessary articles are a rubber 
 bag, hot water, and alcohol. Fill the bag partly full 
 with boiling water, and close. If filled completely, it 
 does not adapt itself to the parts in contact. The bag 
 should be covered with flannel buttoned on with cloth 
 buttons. This makes it much more pleasant to the 
 touch. In using it for the vapor-bath, after filling with 
 the hot water, pour on a tablespoonful or two of 
 alcohol. Have the patient in bed, and place the bag 
 between the feet or knees; cover warmly with blan- 
 kets, tucking them in about the patient very carefully, 
 
BATHS AND TREATMENT. 91 
 
 that the alcoholic vapor may not escape. In a short 
 time the skin becomes flushed, and a gentle perspira- 
 tion follows. It is a most important and efficacious 
 method of overcoming local inflammation. 
 
 Hip- or Sitz-bath. — The sitz-bath tub is usually made 
 for the purpose, and has the back raised eight or ten 
 inches higher than the front. In case this cannot be 
 had, a common wash-tub may be used, and should 
 have a support placed under one edge, two or three 
 inches thick. 
 
 Place enough water in the tub to a little more than 
 cover the hips. Usually four to six gallons will be 
 sufficient. The temperature of the water should be 
 according to the results desired. During the bath the 
 hips and trunk should be well rubbed by the patient 
 or attendant. The patient should be covered with a 
 sheet or blanket. Very hot or very cold sitz-baths are 
 not advisable. It is usually best to begin the bath 
 with water at from 90 to 95 °, After the patient has 
 been in the bath a few minutes, it can be cooled to 
 70 or 8o° by adding cold water, taking out some 
 that is in the tub if desirable. 
 
 Towel- or Sponge-Bath. — This is the simplest method 
 of applying water to the body. The appliances re- 
 quired are very simple. A cotton or linen cloth or a 
 soft sponge and a couple of towels are all that is neces- 
 sary. The quantity of water required may vary from 
 a pint to a few quarts, The temperature of the water 
 should be from 90 to 95 °, although it can be used as 
 low as 75 or 8o°. Beginning with the face, the neck, 
 arms, and shoulders should be wet with a sponge, then 
 
92 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 rubbed vigorously with a dry towel until the skin is 
 red; continue the process over the remaining portions 
 of the body, not wetting too large a space at one time. 
 The upper portion of the body should be occasionally 
 rubbed to prevent chilling. If possible, the tempera- 
 ture of the room should be nearly that of the body. 
 It is well at the conclusion of the bath to go over the 
 body again with a dry towel, in order that the skin 
 may be thoroughly dried. The time consumed in 
 bathing should not be more than ten or fifteen minutes. 
 It will sometimes be necessary to cover the portion of 
 the body not being bathed, in order to prevent chilli- 
 ness. When this bath is used for cleanliness, as it 
 should be frequently, a little good toilet soap should 
 be occasionally used. 
 
 Sponge-Bath for Fever Patients. — The articles 
 necessary for this bath are the same as used for towel-, 
 or sponge-bath. The patient, lying in bed, should 
 have the clothing removed, but only a portion of the 
 body should be uncovered at a time. Two bath towels 
 or towels that are soft and loose in texture should be 
 used. Let the patient uncover an arm; the attendant 
 should then apply the water to it with a sponge or 
 cloth, at a temperature of 70 to 8o°, wetting the sur- 
 face briskly several times, using care that the water 
 does not drip on the bed. Take the towel and wrap 
 it loosely about the arm, leaving it there until the 
 second arm can be wet in the same manner. Take 
 the towel from the first arm and apply it in the same 
 manner to the second; then wet the neck and chest, 
 going over it very rapidly, with a light touch, avoid- 
 ing friction as much as possible both with the sponge 
 
BATHS AND TREATMENT. 93 
 
 and with towel, as the object to be sought is not that of 
 exciting the surface, but the evaporation of the water 
 and the lowering of the temperature by the absorp- 
 tion of the heat of the patient. The abdomen should 
 next receive attention, being very careful to avoid 
 irritation, if there is soreness of the bowels. Then, 
 placing one of the towels under the leg, raise it up by 
 bending the knee; go over it rapidly with a wet cloth, 
 using the drying towel as before; proceed with the 
 other leg, then have the patient lay on his side, turn- 
 ing well to the front. The back may now be gone 
 over in the same manner as the rest of the body. 
 Care should be taken to avoid any unnecessary ex- 
 posure of the body, covering it as rapidly as it is gone 
 over. This bath should not occupy more than five or 
 ten minutes, and can be repeated every half hour or 
 oftener if necessary. 
 
 The object of this bath being to lower the tempera- 
 ture, extreme care should be taken not to excite the 
 skin by friction, either in applying the water or by 
 drying with the towel. The surface should not be 
 rubbed with the towel, but it should be applied gently, 
 to absorb the surplus moisture. The heat of the body 
 will rapidly dry the remainder. 
 
 Foot-Bath. — A pail or tub large enough to receive 
 the feet and sufficient water to cover them, is all that 
 is required for this bath. The feet and ankles should 
 be rubbed during the bath. When used as a cold 
 bath, the water should be about one half inch deep. 
 
 Pouring- He ad Bath. — The patient should bend the 
 head over a tub to catch the water or in some other 
 convenient place, when the attendant pours a steady 
 
94 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 though moderate stream of warm, cool, or cold water, 
 according to the effect desired, over the front and top, 
 and then sides, and lastly back of the head, rubbing 
 the fingers through the hair until it is well wet. The 
 water must not be poured upon the head from a 
 heighth of more than a few inches. A common half- 
 gallon pitcher is a convenient vessel for giving this 
 bath. 
 
 Dripping-Wet Sheet. — A sheet of ordinary thick- 
 ness, linen or coarse cotton (linen preferred), large or 
 small, according to size of person, to reach from head 
 to foot, is made dripping wet with tepid water. The 
 patient should stand in a tub of warm water; the at- 
 tendant, standing behind the person, takes the sheet 
 in such a manner as to throw it quickly around the 
 subject. It is doubled in front and should be wrapped 
 between the legs, pinning it in front at top. The at- 
 tendant then briskly rubs over the whole person with 
 the hands from the outside of the sheet until the sheet 
 is warm. This should be done energetically with those 
 that are robust, but the more delicate will require 
 gentler treatment. After two or three minutes of 
 rubbing, the sheet should be quickly dropped into the 
 tub, allow the patient to step out, and quickly envelop 
 him in a dry sheet, rubbing dry as rapidly as possible, 
 to prevent chilling. Be particular to see that every 
 part is thoroughly dried. The attendant should give 
 particular attention to the instructions, in order to 
 enable himself to give this bath well. 
 
 Wet- Sheet Pack. — Spread two or three comfortables 
 or thick blankets upon the bed, covering with a woolen 
 
BATHS AND TREATMENT. 95 
 
 blanket, which should be drawn down a little below 
 the others. Next take the sheet (which should be 
 large enough to go around the patient twice), spread 
 this, lightly wrung out of tepid water, upon the bed. 
 The patient lying down flat on the back, with arms 
 drawn down to the sides, is quickly enveloped in the 
 sheet. This should be well tucked in, then followed 
 in the same manner with the blanket, care being taken 
 to adjust them so that the air will be excluded. A 
 pillow should be placed under the patient's head, and 
 the upper end of the coverings should be arranged so 
 as not to exclude the air from the face or discommode 
 the patient. The hot-water bag should be placed at 
 the feet, and a cold cloth kept upon the head. On 
 coming out of the pack, the dripping-wet sheet (p. 92), 
 or the sponge-bath (p. 91) may.be employed, and the 
 patient dried with a towel. The wet-sheet pack is 
 not a sweating process, as is generally supposed, al- 
 though patients can be made to sweat and quite co- 
 piously. It is both a cooling and heating process. 
 When the object is to reduce fever or inflammation, 
 the patient should be lightly covered. When the in- 
 tention is to produce sweating and develop the exter- 
 nal circulation, an additional quantity of blankets 
 should be employed. Ordinarily the pack should be 
 continued from one half to three quarters of an hour, 
 but the time of its continuance should be regulated by 
 the condition of the patient, and the effects desired. 
 If there are any unpleasant or unfavorable symptoms 
 manifested, the patient should be removed at once. 
 Sometimes the pack may induce sleep. In this case 
 
g6 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 the patient may remain an hour or longer if strong. 
 
 Compresses. — The compress is made of cloth in three 
 or four thicknesses, preferably of flannel, but any ma- 
 terial may be used. A towel folded lengthwise and 
 then across is generally the most available. The 
 compress may be used either to cool or retain heat. 
 If it is to be used for cooling, the compress should be 
 wet with cold or ice-water as directed, wringing it so 
 it will not drip, then placing it upon the part. It 
 should not be allowed to remain longer than from 
 three to five minutes without changing. The cold 
 may be increased by placing snow or ice between the 
 folds of the compress. This will not need to be re- 
 newed so frequently, but should be carefully watched, 
 as injury may be done by allowing it to remain too 
 long. Compresses and fomentations take the place of 
 the old-fashioned poultice, and are much more agree- 
 able both to nurse and patient. 
 
 Fomentations. — A fomentation is similar in its char- 
 acter to the compress; in fact, it may be called a 
 hot compress. It is usual to use a large, soft flannel 
 for this purpose, which should be from two and one 
 half to three feet square, folding it so that it will be of 
 three or four thicknesses. Wet the flannel in water, 
 wring it moderately dry, lay it between the leaves of 
 a newspaper, and place it on top of a moderately hot 
 stove. Allow it to remain a moment, turn the paper 
 over to heat through the other side, open the paper, 
 fold the flannel together, and apply quickly. 
 
 These should be used upon the patient as hot as can 
 be borne. The cloth should remain three to five min- 
 
BATHS AND TREATMENT. 97 
 
 utes, then be replaced with a second one; two cloths 
 being employed, so that the second can be applied as 
 soon as the first one is removed. During the applica- 
 tion it should be covered with another flannel or cloth, 
 to retain the heat. 
 
 Wet-Towel Night-Cap. — A small towel folded, and 
 wet in cold water, laid on the forehead and eyes, will 
 relieve the tired worker, induce sleep, and unclog the 
 brain better than any nerve tonic that can be given. 
 This can be worn through the night, and can be fast- 
 ened with tapes. 
 
 Enema. — The internal application of water to the 
 lower bowel by means of the syphon-, or fountain-syr- 
 inge, is very beneficial in controlling the temperature. 
 The syphon-syringe is the preferable way of adminis- 
 tering; the, bulb- or hand-syrin'ge frequently admits 
 air, which causes pain in the bowels. 
 
 The patient should lie upon the back or side. Warm 
 water should be used when the object is to soften hard 
 fecal masses and remove them. A small cool enema 
 when the object is to stimulate action in the lower 
 bowel, and a large hot enema when it is desired to re- 
 lieve inflammation. Cold enemas are useful in fevers. 
 
 There has no cathartic or laxative ever been dis- 
 covered that is more useful for removing fecal accu- 
 mulations in the lower bowel than the warm enema. 
 The results are so much quicker and superior to the 
 old cathartic process, that it is to be wondered at that 
 the enema is not used exclusively. 
 
 To relieve constipation the water should be about 
 blood warm. From one to three quarts should be 
 
 7 
 
98 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 used. The water should be retained from ten to fif- 
 teen minutes, and it will be beneficial to knead the 
 bowels during this time. Should there be any diffi- 
 culty in retaining the water, a sponge or folded cloth 
 should be tightly held against the anus. 
 
 During a high fever, a large cool enema is very val- 
 uable in lowering the temperature. The temperature 
 of the water employed should be from 70 to 8o°. 
 Frequently from two to three quarts can be used. 
 This should be injected very slowly, and should be re- 
 tained from ten to fifteen minutes. After evacuation, 
 a small enema of half a pint of water at about 6o° may 
 be put into the bowel and allowed to remain. The 
 mucous coating will absorb it. 
 
 The use of the enema for constipation should not be 
 continued for any considerable time, as this method of 
 relief may, in course of time, be the cause of aggravat- 
 ing the trouble. The relief of constipation by enema 
 should be but temporary. Permanent relief can only 
 come through change of diet and habits. of eating. 
 
 Hot- Water Bag. — No family should be without the 
 rubber bag. If not readily found at your drug stores, 
 we can supply you with a superior article at a low 
 price. (See advertisement in the back part of this 
 book.) The rubber bag is invaluable for local inflam- 
 mations, disturbed circulation, and cold feet. With 
 the rubber bag is furnished a long rubber tube which 
 can be used for the enema, and also for vaginal 
 douches. 
 
 In the preceding paragraphs we have indicated the 
 general methods of bathing. There are some direc- 
 
BATHS AND TREATMENT. 99 
 
 tions to which we would call especial attention. A 
 full bath should not be taken less than three hours af- 
 ter a full meal. This does not apply to compresses or 
 fomentations. Do not take any cold bath when in a 
 state of chilliness or fatigue. Always have the feet 
 comfortably warm before taking any cold bath. If in- 
 clined to headache, wet the head in cool water before 
 bathing. Do not apply very hot or very cold treat- 
 ment to aged or feeble patients. Never drink cold 
 water just before bathing. Do not eat soon after bath- 
 ing. An hour should elapse after a full bath, and 
 half an hour after a local bath, before taking a meal. 
 Patients who are able should exercise before and after 
 bathing. If not able to exercise and inclined to chilli- 
 ness, they should cover up in bed for an hour after 
 bathing. No strong shock should ever be given to the 
 patient. After bathing, do not sit in a draught of 
 cold air nor allow the feet to become cold. Avoid all 
 cold or very hot baths in all cases of great debility or 
 local congestions, also all processes which disturb the 
 circulation, as douche, shower, or plunge baths. All 
 full baths, except the warm, are better in the morning 
 or forenoon than in the afternoon or evening. When 
 baths are taken regularly every day, they should be 
 omitted occasionally, that the patient may not become 
 dependent upon them. Very cold or very hot baths 
 are seldom required. The best way is to use water of 
 a milder temperature. Baths for sick persons should 
 always be made of a temperature agreeable to their 
 feelings. The temperature of the bathing room should 
 always be comfortably warm. For invalids the tern- 
 
100 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 perature should be from 70 to 8o°. Attendants 
 should be very careful in giving proper attention to 
 patients during a bath, that they may not be appre- 
 hensive that they are forgotten. If any unusual or 
 unexpected symptoms are manifested, the patient 
 should be removed from the bath at once. In case of 
 faintness, which may sometimes appear in feeble 
 patients during a hot bath, apply cold water to the 
 head, give cold water to drink, and lower the tempera- 
 ture of the bath. If possible, place the patient in a 
 horizontal position. 
 
 There is a certain delicacy which should be main- 
 tained toward the patient by the attendant in giving 
 baths and treatment ; therefore do not expose the 
 person of the patient any more than is absolutely 
 necessary. Avoid any remarks which can possibly 
 convey any idea of indelicacy. While the patient 
 may be in the hands of the nurse, the nurse should 
 consider the person of the patient as sacred. 
 
 We would impress upon the various members of the 
 household into whose care this book may come, to be- 
 come thoroughly familiar with its contents. It is the 
 aim of the author to make the information concise 
 and practical, and the subjects treated should be 
 thoroughly understood. The book is not intended as 
 an ornament but for practical use, together with the 
 outfit contained in the case. As the instructions con- 
 tained in this work are very practical, and many times 
 may be required in an emergency, it can readily be 
 seen that a good practical knowledge of the subjects 
 
BATHS AND TREATMENT. 101 
 
 herein treated is a necessity. The better acquainted 
 people become with these matters, the more self-reliant 
 they will feel, and the better able they will be to cope 
 with the various emergencies that may arise. We 
 emphasize it : Become thoroughly familiar with the 
 book. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 FEVERS. 
 
 ALL medical writers admit that the presence of 
 morbid matter in the system produces fever. 
 Therefore fever is in reality a sort of cleansing pro- 
 cess, the system thus manifesting its endeavor to rid 
 itself of the foreign substances contained therein. 
 
 As we have previously noted, these foreign sub- 
 stances are at first chiefly deposited in the abdomen, 
 but finally spread through the whole body and impede 
 the normal operations of the organs. This matter 
 may remain for a long time inactive, or it may sud- 
 denly change into a state of activity. It consists al- 
 most exclusively of soluble substances which are 
 subject to decomposition, or which can be used to 
 build up new tissues, according to the condition of the 
 system. 
 
 This morbid accumulation needs only the proper 
 cause to set it into a state of activity resembling in 
 some respects fermentation. Such a cause may be a 
 sudden change of weather, or undue exposure, giving 
 rise to what are known as " colds." The cause may 
 also be improper food, or indigestion, causing active 
 fermentation in the organs of digestion, which infects 
 the morbid mass in the system. 
 [102] 
 
FEVERS. 103 
 
 We have previously mentioned that among the foes 
 to which the human race is exposed, the germ oc- 
 cupies one of the most important places. Eminent 
 workers in bacteriology have shown that the air we 
 breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink con- 
 tain in greater or lesser numbers these minute organ- 
 isms. There is not much doubt but that all of the 
 contagious and infectious diseases, such as diphtheria, 
 typhus and typhoid fever, and many others are pro- 
 duced by these agents. It is not always possible to 
 detect the presence of these germs in the air, but it 
 can generally be considered that wherever foul odors 
 exist, germs are also present, as these are almost in- 
 variably associated together. 
 
 The reception of these germs into the system when 
 it is in a healthy condition, usually does but little 
 harm; for in its healthful state it is impervious to 
 the attacks of these invaders. When the body con- 
 tains the proper soil for the reception and propagation 
 of these minute organisms, their development is usu- 
 ally exceedingly rapid. Sometimes it may take only 
 a few days, while at other times weeks are required. 
 This is called the period of incubation. This process 
 of infection from disease germs cannot exist without 
 the presence of foreign matter in the system. When 
 we remove this deposited matter, the individual be- 
 comes healthy, and these specific disease germs disap- 
 pear of their own accord. 
 
 When this morbid substance in the body is set in 
 motion, it has a tendency to spread toward the surface. 
 A condition of friction arises in the living tissues, and 
 
104 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 heat is developed. This is the explanation of fever 
 heat. The rapid increase of the circulation brings the 
 blood too frequently in contact with the oxygen of 
 the air, causing a drying up of the fluids, closing the 
 pores, suspending digestion, secretion, assimilation, 
 and excretion. If this condition continues for suffi- 
 cient time, death is the result. If we succeed in open- 
 ing the vents, and in equalizing the circulation, the 
 danger is removed ; for then the disturbing matters 
 find an exit, the interior of the body is relieved, and 
 the heat and tension of the skin subside immediately. 
 
 Usually before the beginning of the heat, another 
 symptom is noticed, seemingly the opposite of the 
 first, — a feeling of chilliness. This may precede the 
 fever for several days, sometimes only a few hours. 
 This is occasioned by these foreign deposits in the ex- 
 tremities, causing a partial clogging of the blood-ves- 
 sels, especially in the smallest branches, so that the 
 blood does not circulate properly at the surface. This 
 causes cold feet and hands and a sensation of chilliness 
 all over. This chilly feeling is the advance sign of fe- 
 ver, and should receive attention in the beginning. If 
 proper treatment is immediately applied, the disease 
 will be checked before development. 
 
 For this condition the following treatment may be 
 used: The steam-bath (page 87), applied from twenty 
 to thirty minutes; then, if the patient is an adult, use 
 the sitz-bath (page 91 ), at a temperature of about 70 , 
 or the dripping-wet sheet (page 94) can be used for 
 children. Another good treatment, instead of the pre- 
 ceding, is the wet-sheet pack (page 94), with the 
 
FEVERS. 105 
 
 sheet wrung from very hot water, applying the rubber 
 bag to the feet, using a full supply of blankets. Perspi- 
 ration ought to continue for about an hour, unless the 
 patient shows signs of weakness. In connection use 
 remedy No. 1, as follows: One tablet every two hours 
 while temperature is above 102° and surface is dry 
 and flushed. When temperature drops and moisture 
 ensues, use one tablet of No. 6 three times daily. 
 During the convalescent period, use one tablet of No. 
 5 three times a day. The doses prescribed in this 
 book are for adults. For children's doses, see labels 
 on the bottles. Read carefully Chapter X entitled 
 "Special Instructions." This chapter gives a full de- 
 scription of the Remedies and the methods of using 
 same. 
 
 The thermometer will be found an invaluable aid in 
 the detection of fever. Frequently it is only by means 
 of this instrument that an increase of temperature 
 may be noticed. Care is necessary in the use of the 
 thermometer to secure correct results. The usual 
 method of taking the temperature is to place the bulb 
 of the thermometer under the tongue of the patient, 
 the lips being kept tightly closed around the tube for 
 five or ten minutes. Or it may be taken by placing 
 the instrument in the armpit. The arm should be 
 drawn close to the body, so as to cover the instrument 
 as completely as possible. The natural temperature 
 of the body in these places is 98.6 . With young in- 
 fants the thermometer should be introduced into the 
 rectum. The temperature here is about one degree 
 higher than in the mouth or armpit. It will be neces- 
 
106 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 sary before using the thermometer to shake the mer- 
 cury down to 90 or 95 °. This may be done by taking 
 the bulb end of the instrument in the hand, holding it 
 downward, grasping it firmly yet carefully, then strik- 
 ing the hand upon the knee, or upon the other hand 
 closed. Two or three rather sharp blows will bring 
 the column of mercury down. These are self-register- 
 ing instruments, the mercury remaining in the glass 
 in the position indicated by the temperature, until it 
 is forcibly changed as described above. 
 
 Unless the attendant is experienced in the use of 
 the thermometer, a little practice will be necessary to 
 read it correctly. When held in the proper position 
 toward the light, the mercury can readily be seen, 
 much magnified in appearance. The normal temper- 
 ature (98.6 ) is marked upon the thermometer. A 
 variation from this can readily be seen. In the use of 
 this instrument, ample time should be allowed, when 
 it is in position in the mouth or otherwise, that the 
 true heat of the body may be indicated. Five min- 
 utes at least are necessary. 
 
 It is generally supposed that the temperature is low- 
 ered during a chill, but the thermometer will show an 
 elevation of temperature during the chill as well as 
 during a fever. The thermometer is usually the only 
 method of detecting this rise of temperature. In fe- 
 vers the temperature usually does not rise above 103 
 to 105 . It sometimes reaches 107? or io8 Q . Above 
 this, the disease usually proves fatal, though not al- 
 ways. The opposite condition from fever — depres- 
 sion — is indicated by a temperature below normal, 
 
FEVERS. 107 
 
 sometimes as low as 94 or 95 °. A very low temper- 
 ature is as serious a condition as a very high one, but 
 does not occur so frequently. 
 
 Too much stress cannot be laid upon the importance 
 of dealing with these early symptoms as indicated by 
 the thermometer. Nearly all fevers are very similar 
 in their earliest stages, and readily yield to treatment. 
 Many times the full hot bath can be employed with 
 the best of results. Frequently one of the early symp- 
 toms of fever is diarrhea. This symptom should not 
 be confounded with ordinary diarrhea, which is the 
 result of local disturbance. In all cases of suspected 
 fever, whether accompanied by diarrhea or not, a co- 
 pious enema should invariably be used. Full direc- 
 tions for this treatment are found on page 97. 
 
 The object in our medication and treatment should 
 be to start nature in the work of elimination as soon 
 as possible, and to carry this work forward until the 
 cause is removed. In no case of suspected fever 
 should a meat diet be allowed the patient. A total 
 abstinence from all food for a day or two is of very 
 great importance. Copious drinking of water, cold 
 but not iced, should be prescribed. The use of fruits, 
 either fresh or canned, is permissible, but these should 
 be as free from sugar as possible. 
 
 The question of diet for fever patients is a very im- 
 portant one, as very much depends upon this portion 
 of the treatment. Animal foods should be strictly in- 
 terdicted. The food should consist wholly of nutri- 
 tious gruels, made from oatmeal, graham, or barley, 
 and should be strained. Ripe fruit of any kind can be 
 
108 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 partaken of freely if only the juice is swallowed, the 
 pulp and seeds being carefully excluded. Milk can 
 sometimes be partaken of to advantage, but should be 
 boiled and combined with the gruels. While it is nec- 
 essary that the patient should partake of nourishment, 
 excessive feeding should be carefully avoided, and 
 food should not be partaken of oftener than three or 
 four times a day. The practice of feeding every hour 
 or every half hour is injurious, unless the patient is so 
 weak that only a spoonful or two can be taken at a 
 time. Beef-tea should not be used, on account of its 
 stimulating qualities, and above all, do not feed the 
 patient with the dainties that are brought in by sym- 
 pathizing friends. These may be accepted out of 
 courtesy, but do not feed them to the patient. A 
 small amount of toast made from whole-wheat or 
 graham bread, softened with hot water and slightly 
 salted, but without butter, may be given to the patient 
 by way of variety. 
 
 As the patient approaches convalescence, and na- 
 ture seeks to regain her losses by an urgent demand 
 for food, the supply may be gradually increased, but 
 the intervals of feeding should not be lessened. Great 
 care should be exercised in the amount and kind of 
 food given. Very many lives are sacrificed through 
 indiscretion in eating at this critical period. Do not 
 allow the patient, under any consideration, to eat an 
 excess of food, or to eat more frequently than three or 
 four times a day. The food should be of the plainest 
 description, but that which will nourish. Avoid meat 
 and its products, and the use of anything which is 
 fried or greasy. 
 
FEVERS. 109 
 
 In the general treatment of fever, of whatever na- 
 ture, the measures employed will need to be of much 
 the same kind. The greatest danger is from the great 
 increase of temperature. It is due to this, also, that 
 the tissues are rapidly destroyed; and at the same 
 time, the assimilative functions of the body are sus- 
 pended, which accounts for the rapid loss of weight 
 and strength. The high temperature also has a very 
 depressing influence upon the heart and nervous sys- 
 tem. It is very important that attention should be 
 paid to the remedies which tend to lower the tempera- 
 ture. What is termed high temperature is where the 
 thermometer indicates I02 p and higher. It is not nec- 
 essary that the attendant should feel alarmed or resort 
 to heroic treatment when the temperature does not 
 reach this point, as the temperature when below 102 
 can usually be relieved by means of the sponge-bath 
 (page 92) and the cool enema (page 97). Incases 
 where the temperature runs high, any or all of the 
 following treatments may be used : Wet-sheet pack 
 (page 94), cool sponge-bath (page 92), cold com- 
 presses to the abdomen and head (page 96), cold or 
 cool enemas (page 97), and plentiful drinking of cold 
 water. 
 
 The drinking of cold water is very beneficial, and 
 has considerable influence upon the heat of the body. 
 Sometimes weak lemonade without sugar may be used 
 instead. Should there be any distress occasioned by 
 taking too much cold drink, it can be relieved by ap- 
 plying a hot fomentation ( page 96) over the stomach. 
 Sometimes the thermometer will indicate a rise of 
 temperature internally when the surface of the body 
 
110 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 is cold. When this occurs, cold should not be applied 
 to the body. Instead, use the alcoholic vapor-bath, 
 applied in bed (page 90), or the hot-water bag, or hot 
 fomentations to the abdomen, or the hot foot-bath. 
 
 Cold should never be applied to the skin when there 
 are any chilly sensations or when the surface is blue. 
 Neither should cold be applied when the skin is in a 
 state of perspiration. Cold should only be applied 
 when the surface is dry and hot. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 TYPHOID FEVER. 
 
 THIS fever is also known as nervous fever, and 
 abdominal fever. It rarely attacks very young 
 or very old people. The middle-aged of both sexes 
 are the principal sufferers. This disease is not usually 
 considered contagious, although several persons may 
 be attacked in one locality or it may become epidemic. 
 This disease is infectious, and is usually spread by the 
 poison contained in the discharges from the patient's 
 bowels. The infection, however, may be carried in 
 other ways. It is generally conceded that the disease 
 is produced by a specific germ, which is propagated in 
 the intestines. If the discharges from the bowels are 
 placed in a water-closet, cesspool, privy or ash-pit, or 
 pass through the drains of houses, these germs per- 
 meate the whole mass and become the means of dis- 
 seminating the disease. By soakage from drains or 
 other places which these discharges have affected, the 
 water in wells has frequently become contaminated, 
 thus rendering them directly the means of spreading 
 the disease. 
 
 Milk has also been known to be contaminated with 
 typhoid-fever germs, and is a fruitful medium for con- 
 veying the disease. Milk can become contaminated 
 
112 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 by washing the pans, or by diluting the milk, with 
 water infected with the germs. It has also been de- 
 termined that the disease may be carried to the milk 
 by cows drinking infected water. It has even been 
 demonstrated that the flesh of animals has produced 
 typhoid fever when the animals themselves have suf- 
 fered with the disease. Typhoid fever is more prev- 
 alent in the rural districts than in our large cities, 
 owing to neglect of sanitary conditions. The out- 
 houses in rural districts are frequently neglected, and 
 the contents allowed to accumulate year after year. 
 Sometimes these communicate with the water supply, 
 and sickness is the result, very frequently in the form 
 of typhoid fever. Prevention is much better than cure, 
 and any place about the premises which emits a foul 
 odor should receive careful and prompt attention. 
 
 Typhoid fever is clearly preventable, and in case of 
 an outbreak in any family, the source of infection 
 should be hunted out, and removed, if possible, and 
 strict measures should be taken to prevent the in- 
 fection of others. The means of prevention are 
 boiling of the milk and the drinking water, and a care- 
 ful avoidance of any source of contamination. Espe- 
 cial care should be taken with the milk supply. 
 
 Symptoms. — In the beginning, the one affected is 
 aware only of mental and physical depression, some- 
 times headache, and usually failure of appetite, and a 
 careworn expression of countenance. There is a 
 failure of the nervous energies, and as this continues, 
 there are alternate sensations of heat or cold, while 
 sometimes a distinct chill is manifested. Fever now 
 
TYPHOID FEVER. 113 
 
 sets in, and the patient is compelled to take to his bed. 
 As the disease progresses, the fever can readily be 
 distinguished. The headache increases, there is loath- 
 ing of food, and thirst, and the skin increases in heat 
 one or two degrees in the evening. The abdomen 
 becomes tender, particularly in the lower part of the 
 right side. There is gas in the bowels, and the 
 abdomen has a hollow, or drum-like, sound when 
 rapped with the ends of the fingers. Offensive diar- 
 rhea occurs, of a dark brown or yellow color, and an 
 eruption occurs upon the abdomen of little small spots 
 resembling the bites of an insect. 
 
 From the second to the third week all the symptoms 
 increase in intensity. The thermometer will indicate 
 a temperature of 103 or more. There is extreme 
 thirst, the diarrhea becomes more frequent, and the 
 tongue and gums become coated with thick crusts. 
 Frequently delirium and unconsciousness are mani- 
 fested, the patient has great restlessness through the 
 night, and the urine and stools may escape involun- 
 tarily. Sometimes the patient will manifest perfect 
 quiet and indifference to surroundings, or again will 
 be exceedingly restless, with much mental agitation, 
 throwing the hands about, removing the bedclothes, 
 or leaving the bed when not able to stand upon the 
 feet. The duration of the fever may be from a week 
 or two to two or three months. Sometime complica- 
 tions occur such as pneumonia, mumps, or hemorrhage 
 of the bowels. 
 
 There are other debilitating diseases that may have 
 many of the symptoms of typhoid fever, and care 
 8 
 
1 14 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 should be used to distinguish the difference. We 
 have presented all of the marked characteristics of 
 this malady through its various stages. 
 
 The line of treatment indicated is to relieve the con- 
 gestion of the surface, lower the temperature, over- 
 come the brain symptoms, and relieve the inflammation 
 of the bowels and diarrhea should they occur. In the 
 very beginning, vigorous perspiration should be ex- 
 cited, and the steam-bath ( page 87) should be given, 
 together with the hot foot-bath, followed by the 
 dripping-wet sheet ( page 94). A large warm enema 
 (page 97) should be administered. For internal treat- 
 ment, take remedy No. 1 : One tablet every two hours 
 during the first twenty-four hours, or occasionally when 
 temperature ranges above 102°; afterward, one tablet 
 of No. 6 three times each day. During the stage of 
 convalescence give tablet No. 5 three time each day. 
 
 If there are indications of delirium or sleeplessness, 
 these can be relieved by cold compresses to the head. 
 These may be wrung out of ice-water with the folded 
 towel (page 97), and wrapped about the head and over 
 the eyes. The towel should be quite large, preferably 
 a bath towel. Fold it lengthwise, about four thick- 
 nesses ; place the center of it under the back of the 
 head, and bring each end over the forehead, tucking it 
 down tightly at the sides. These should be changed 
 every three or four minutes, not allowing them to be- 
 come warm. Continue this until the head becomes 
 perfectly cool. A piece of rubber or a mackintosh 
 should be placed on the pillow under the head to pre- 
 vent wetting the pillow. If the temperature runs very 
 
TYPHOID FEVER. 115 
 
 high, that is above ioo° or I02 Q , the cold compress 
 to the head will be efficient in reducing the heat. The 
 cold compress should also be applied to the bowels to 
 reduce the fever, changing every four or five minutes. 
 When there is pain or gas in the bowels, this may be 
 relieved by a hot fomentation applied occasionally. 
 The sponge-bath ( page 92) will be found an efficient 
 method of controlling the fever. This, in connection 
 with the cold compress to the head and bowels, and 
 the cool enema (page 97), when pursued thoroughly 
 and systematically from the start, can be relied upon 
 to control the temperature. 
 
 The treatment outlined in the chapter on fevers is 
 particularly applicable to typhoid-fever patients, and 
 the diet outlined should be strictly adhered to. The 
 giving of stimulants, if you value the life of your 
 patient, should be prohibited. To give wine, whiskey, 
 or beef tea is to destroy your patient. 
 
 In administering treatment for the reduction of 
 temperature after the fever has become well estab- 
 lished, the effort should never be made to bring the 
 temperature below 99° to ioo°. In case of much 
 weakness or debility on the part of the patient, the 
 circulation might be reduced below the desirable 
 point. Should such a contingency arise, the action of 
 the heart can be accelerated by placing a hot fomen- 
 tation over it, or by applying hot fomentations to the 
 spine. During the critical period of the disease, the 
 temperature should be carefully and frequently noted, 
 and should the pulse become weak and attenuated, 
 fomentations should be applied as above, together 
 
Il6 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 with the hot-water bag between the knees, and dry, 
 hot blanket to the feet. 
 
 Frequently the patient will be troubled with defect- 
 ive circulation, the hands and feet becoming cold. 
 This can easily be relieved by the use of the hot- 
 water bag. 
 
 The disinfection of everything connected with the 
 typhoid patient should be very thorough. The lives 
 of others may be endangered by carelessness in this 
 important matter. As we have pointed out, contami- 
 nated drinking water is one of the usual methods by 
 which the poison of typhoid fever is conveyed. The 
 most certain way of destroying this contamination is 
 to destroy the poison contained in the discharges as 
 they are passed by the patient. 
 
 A very effective disinfecting fluid may be made by 
 using one half dram of corrosive sublimate to one gal- 
 lon of water. This should be tinged strongly with 
 laundry bluing, that it may be readily perceptible by 
 its color, and it also should be very carefully labeled 
 " Poison," as this is a very poisonous mixture. Care 
 should be taken to keep it out of the way of careless 
 servants and of children. It should be kept in glass 
 or stoneware jugs as it is very corroding to metals. 
 Another disinfectant can be made by using two pounds 
 of blue vitriol to one gallon of water. This, however 
 is not as efficient a germicide as the former. 
 
 Disinfectants should be placed in the chamber uten- 
 sil before use; and immediately after being used, more 
 disinfectants should be added. The use of disinfect- 
 ants should be frequent and abundant. The expecto- 
 
TYPHOID FEVER. WJ 
 
 rations of the patient ought also to be received in 
 some vessel containing a disinfectant. 
 
 All sheets, towels, etc., which have been used by 
 the patient should be thoroughly disinfected, and aft- 
 erward washed. In all infectious diseases it would 
 be well for the patient to use rags or old pieces of 
 linen instead of pocket-handkerchiefs. These rags 
 could afterward be burned. In case of soiling the 
 bed or body linen, the soiled spots should be sprink- 
 led with some of the disinfecting fluid. The attend- 
 ants should wash their hands freely in disinfecting 
 water after performing any duty about a patient. 
 
 Do not place the discharges, if it can be avoided, 
 in the privy or water-closet, but disinfect them thor- 
 oughly, and bury them deeply in the ground, using 
 caution that they are not near any drain, well, or wa- 
 ter-course. Under no circumstances should they be 
 thrown on any ash pile, dunghill, or into any cesspool. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 MALARIA. 
 
 IT is proved by the experience of all ages that there 
 is an intimate connection between marshy dis- 
 tricts and certain diseases, especially the various forms 
 of intermittent and remittent fever. There is little 
 doubt but that the cause of these disorders is a minute 
 animal parasite, termed the malarial germ. The 
 method of access of this germ to the human body is 
 undoubtedly through the stomach, and is doubtless, in 
 the majority of cases, received by impure drinking 
 water or water inhabited by these malarial parasites. 
 These minute organisms permeate the blood, and de- 
 stroy the red blood-corpuscles. The effect of this 
 upon the system is very serious, although a person by 
 long exposure may become inured to these conditions 
 without manifesting the active symptoms. In these 
 cases chronic dyspepsia, enlargement of the liver and 
 spleen, and sallow complexion are the predominating 
 characteristics. One of the common forms of mani- 
 festation of malarial disease is, — 
 
 Intermittent Fever — Chills and Fever — Ague — 
 Dumb Ague. 
 
 This fever is typical of all malarial fevers. It is 
 divided into three stages; chill, fever, and sweat. The 
 [118J 
 
CHILLS AND FEVER. 119 
 
 chill is decided and irresistible. The skin becomes 
 bluish or purplish, and is shrunken, having the appear- 
 ance commonly known as "goose-flesh." The body 
 shakes ; the teeth chatter ; there is restlessness, with 
 headache, thirst, and loss of appetite. Frequently the 
 shaking will be so great as to impart a trembling 
 motion to the bed or lounge on which the person lies. 
 This continues from half an hour to an hour. As 
 it ceases, the feverish stage appears, the surface be- 
 comes heated, the headache intensified, the pulse more 
 rapid, the throat and tongue dry, the urine scanty, and 
 bowels constipated. This period may last for several 
 hours, and its duration and the intensity of the bodily 
 heat, as indicated by the thermometer, are evidence of 
 the severity of the attack. When the fever abates, 
 which it does of its own accord, the secretions are 
 unlocked, and the sweating stage commences. Moist- 
 ure appears first upon the face and afterward upon 
 the body, occasionally being very profuse. These 
 three stages of the disease constitute a paroxysm, and 
 unless interrupted by medication and treatment, the 
 paroxysms will follow each other with great reg- 
 ularity. There is usually freedom from all symptoms 
 of the disease between the paroxysms. 
 
 These phenomena may occur twice in one day, 
 daily, or every other day ; the last two forms being 
 the most common. Sometimes paroxysms occur on 
 the first and third, first and fourth, first and fifth day, 
 and so on. 
 
 Intermittent fever is susceptible of a great variety 
 of manifestations. Thus, we may have the chill with- 
 
120 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 out any marked fever or sweat, the regularly appear- 
 ing fever without any marked chill, or fever and sweat 
 with only the slightest chilly sensation. This latter is 
 popularly known as dumb ague. Still it will be noticed 
 that, with some regularity, some signs of the stages 
 appear daily, or more commonly every other day. In 
 malarious districts this regularity of approach is not 
 only a mark of fever but of other diseases, particularly 
 those dependent upon congestion. Pernicious fever, 
 or congestive chills, is a malignant form of this disease. 
 
 The treatment indicated is such as to relieve at once 
 the particular stage in which the patient is suffering, 
 to stop the fever, break up the periodicity, to relieve 
 congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys, and to 
 eliminate from the system the malarial poison that is 
 in the blood. If the paroxysm has commenced, mani- 
 fested by chills, the patient should be placed in bed, 
 warmly covered, the hot-water bag with a tablespoon- 
 ful of alcohol poured upon it, placed between the 
 knees, and bottles of hot water placed at the feet and 
 sides. Careful watch should be kept upon the patient 
 that this treatment does not continue too long, other- 
 wise it may greatly increase the fever. When the 
 sensations of chilliness begin to abate, the covering 
 should be diminished, the bottles and hot-water bag 
 should be gradually removed, care being taken not to 
 expose the patient to the air, otherwise there may be 
 a recurrence of the chill. 
 
 When the chilly sensations have ceased, and the 
 fever is sensibly felt, tepid sponge-baths (page 92) 
 
CHILLS AND FEVER. 121 
 
 should be used every few minutes. The cold com- 
 press (page 96) should be applied to the head. Cau- 
 tion should be used not to cool the patient too rapidly, 
 as there may be a recurrence of the chill. When the 
 temperature lowers, so that there is any indication 
 of perspiration, the sponge-bath and cold compress, 
 should be discontinued. The patient should be wiped 
 with dry cloths during the progress of the sweating 
 stage, and at its termination a tepid sponge-bath 
 should be used. 
 
 During the cold stage of the paroxysm, hot drinks 
 may be used, such as hot lemonade without sugar, but 
 avoid the use of ginger tea, or anything of this char- 
 acter. During the hot stage cold water or cold lem- 
 onade may be used. In case of much nausea it is well 
 to empty the stomach by using a copious warm-water 
 emetic. 
 
 To prevent a recurrence of the paroxysms, and to 
 eliminate the disease, the following treatment is rec- 
 ommended ; In the afternoon the patient should take 
 a wet-sheet pack (page 94), with the sheet wrung out 
 of hot water, be covered plentifully with blankets, and 
 allowed to sweat about an hour. This should be fol- 
 lowed by the dripping sheet (page 94), after which a 
 plentiful warm enema (page 97) should be adminis- 
 tered, the patient placed in bed, and hot fomentations 
 applied to the abdomen. This should be continued 
 for about one hour. During the next forenoon the 
 steam-bath ( page 87) should be taken, after which the 
 dripping sheet should be used, and a hot fomentation 
 
122 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 placed over the liver and abdomen. This should be 
 followed in the evening with the same treatment as 
 before, with the exception of the enema, unless the 
 patient is constipated. 
 
 As this disease is due to impurities in the system, 
 its cure will depend upon the elimination of the poison 
 through the skin. The treatment here outlined should 
 be continued until the color of the skin is restored, and 
 the brown coating disappears from the tongue. The 
 white of the eye usually has a peculiar dingy color in 
 malarial patients. This will disappear as the poison 
 is removed. 
 
 The diet must receive careful attention, and should 
 be very plain and simple. The use of meat, fried 
 foods, grease, and pastry should not be indulged in. 
 Cooked fruit of almost any kind, with little or no 
 sugar, together with oatmeal gruel, preparations of 
 barley or rye, and graham or whole-wheat toast, 
 should be the diet. This ought to be continued un- 
 til all symptoms of the disease disappear. 
 
 Where the system becomes thoroughly saturated 
 with malarial poison, oftentimes the only permanent 
 cure is removing to a locality free from these disease- 
 producing germs. There is increased liability to at- 
 tack after the first infection. Persons who are obliged 
 to live where malaria is prevalent should be very cau- 
 tious about their diet; and as the disease is believed 
 to be received mainly by the drinking water, this 
 should be boiled and filtered. The use of meat, es- 
 pecially pork, should be avoided, and rich sauces and 
 pastry should not be indulged in. 
 
BILIOUS FEVER. 123 
 
 Remittent or Malarial Fever — Bilious Fever. — Like 
 the previously described fever, this also has three 
 stages. While its periodicity is not so marked as the 
 former, yet there is regularity in the increase and de- 
 crease of the fever. It begins with a slight chill, at- 
 tended with sickness at the stomach, headache, pain 
 in the limbs, some thirst, and commonly nausea and 
 vomiting. These symptoms are soon followed by 
 high fever, the pulse rising rapidly, the temperature 
 increasing, with restlessness, increased headache, and 
 pain in the back and limbs, nausea or vomiting, and 
 disgust for food. The urine is scanty and highly col- 
 ored, and the bowels closed. This fever runs its course 
 in from six to ten hours, and then gradually subsides. 
 With this remission all the symptoms decrease in se- 
 verity. The skin may become moist, and the patient 
 may sleep. The day following the attack, or more 
 commonly the second day, the pulse is again acceler- 
 ated, the fever increased, and all the symptoms ag- 
 gravated, to be again followed by abatement. In this 
 fever there is no interval of complete freedom, as in 
 the preceding variety. There is constantly present 
 some ache or fulness of the head, some coating of the 
 tongue, some distress of the stomach; and the biliary 
 disorder commonly shows itself in tinging the eyeball 
 and the skin yellow, to a greater or less extent. The 
 chill seldom reappears, the first being the only one. 
 
 There may be a complication in remittent fever with 
 typhoid fever, constituting what is known as typho- 
 malarial fever. This is really a union of both typhoid 
 and malarial fevers, and is a much more serious dis- 
 
124 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 ease than either of the above mentioned. It can be 
 distinguished by a mixture of the symptoms that are 
 peculiar to each variety. 
 
 The treatment of this disease should consist first of 
 a copious enema ( page 97) to relieve the bowels ; and 
 if there is nausea present, a warm-water emetic should 
 be employed to relieve the stomach. During the 
 fever stage, the wet-sheet pack ( page 94) should be 
 used for the reduction of the temperature, followed by 
 the sponge-bath (page 92). During the remission of 
 the fever, the steam-bath ( page 87) should be used, 
 sweating the patient profusely. During its applica- 
 tion, should there be headache, a cold compress (page 
 96) should be applied to the head, and the patient 
 should be allowed to drink freely of cold water. Dur- 
 ing the progress of the fever, the tepid sponge-bath 
 should be used frequently, together with tepid com- 
 presses applied to the abdomen and cold compresses 
 to the head (page 96). These should be changed fre- 
 quently. If the fever is high, cold enemas should be 
 employed (page 97). 
 
 During the fever, use remedy No. 1 as follows : One 
 tablet every two hours. During the intermission rem- 
 edy No. 10 should be used, giving one tablet every 
 three hours. 
 
 The course of diet to be followed is essentially the 
 same as that described in the treatment for intermit- 
 tent fever. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 TYPHUS FEVER. 
 
 UNTIL comparatively a few years ago, there was 
 but little distinction recognized between typhus 
 and typhoid fevers. While there is a great deal of 
 similarity between these two forms of fever, yet ty- 
 phus fever is quite distinct in its characteristics. 
 
 Typhus fever sometimes commences to show itself 
 by certain premonitory symptoms due to the depress- 
 ing action of the poison upon the nervous system be- 
 fore it begins to affect the circulation. The patient in 
 these cases is listless, unwilling to make any bodily 
 or mental exertion, loses appetite, feels wandering 
 pains over the body, is drowsy during the day, and 
 restless at night. More commonly, however, the dis- 
 ease begins suddenly, a shivering fit being the first 
 symptom. Severe headache, especially across the 
 forehead, is another common early symptom. The 
 muscular power becomes rapidly enfeebled, and the 
 patient very soon feels compelled to take to his bed. 
 In the first week, in addition to the symptoms already 
 noticed, the heat of the skin becomes increased, and 
 the pulse, which at first is hard, becomes soft and 
 weak, and more frequent than in health, often now ris- 
 ing to 120, and in severe cases reaching 130 or 140 
 beats in a minute. 
 
 [125] 
 
126 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 There is considerable thirst ; the tongue becomes 
 clammy and dry, and its center is covered with a 
 white fur, which is often divided by a straight brown 
 streak, which is the first step in the blackness of that 
 organ which afterward ensues. The intelligence is 
 blunted, but on being sharply spoken to, the patient 
 still gives rational answers. As the week advances, 
 the strength is so reduced that he lies on his back, 
 and is unable to turn about in bed without assistance. 
 The pulse becomes more frequent, weaker, and the 
 tongue grows darker and browner. The teeth and 
 lips are covered with a dark secretion, and the weak- 
 ness is now so extreme that the patient sinks down in 
 his bed. His voice becomes very feeble, and in bad 
 cases he cannot swallow nor can he put out his tongue. 
 
 Usually, during the second week, delirium will re- 
 place the headache, and about the ninth day will 
 appear the characteristic eruption. This may show 
 itself as early as the fifth day, but more commonly 
 appears at the beginning of the second week, some- 
 times a little later. The characteristics of the rash 
 vary with its age. At the beginning it consists of 
 very slightly elevated spots of a dusky pink color. In 
 two or three days these spots undergo a marked 
 change. They no longer remain elevated above the 
 surrounding skin. They become darker and more 
 dingy in color. From this stage they usually grow 
 paler, passing into reddish brown stains, and finally 
 disappear. These spots are generally very numerous, 
 close together, and occasionally almost covering the 
 skin. The mulberry rash of typhus fever is usually 
 
TYPHUS FEVER. 12/ 
 
 situated on the trunk and extremities, differing from 
 the rose spots of typhoid fever, which appear upon the 
 abdomen. 
 
 The treatment for typhus fever is essentially the 
 same as for typhoid fever. As there are greater de- 
 rangements with the brain, that is, more tendency to 
 stupor and delirium, special attention should be given 
 to the application of cold compresses to the head. As 
 this fever is more sudden in its attack, with more 
 pronounced symptoms in the beginning than typhoid, 
 the treatment should be more vigorous. The cool 
 sponge-bath ( page 92) and the cold enema ( page 97) 
 will be of special benefit. Internally use remedy 
 No. 6 as follows : One tablet every three hours. When 
 patient begins to convalesce, give one tablet of No. 5 
 three times each day. The same attention to diet, 
 ventilation, etc., should be used as has been previously 
 directed for typhoid fever. This disease being very 
 contagious, disinfectants should be used during the 
 progress of the disease, and special care should be 
 taken that the disease is not communicated to other 
 members of the family. After recovery, the room in 
 which the patient has been sick, and everything used 
 about the patient, should be disinfected in a most 
 thorough manner. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 MEASLES. 
 
 MEASLES is an eruptive fever. It is communi- 
 cable from person to person, and seldom occurs 
 more than once in the same individual. It attacks all 
 ages, principally the young. On account of its con- 
 tagious character, the invalid should be carefully iso- 
 lated. The time that elapses between the exposure 
 to the contagion and the first appearance of the fever- 
 ish symptoms which precede the eruption, is usually 
 about a fortnight. For a few days prior to the begin- 
 ning of fever, there is noticeable a feeling of languor, 
 uneasiness, oppression, and want of appetite. The 
 most noticeable symptom, however, is that of a cold 
 with a discharge from the nose, as in acute catarrh, 
 and occasionally watery congestion of the eyes. 
 
 The eruption which is characteristic of the disease, 
 usually appears upon the fourth day from the com- 
 mencement of the fever symptoms and the catarrh. It 
 is a rash consisting, at first, of minute red spots which 
 soon run together and form crescent-shaped patches, 
 with clear skin between. They do not fill with fluid 
 as in smallpox. The rash is two or three days in 
 coming out, beginning on the face and neck, and 
 gradually traveling downward. The rash fades in the 
 [128] 
 
MEASLES. 129 
 
 same order as it occurs; and as it begins to decline 
 three days after its appearance, its whole duration is 
 about a week. The red color gives way to a some- 
 what yellowish tint, and the cuticle crumbles away 
 in a fine, bran-like powder, the process being often 
 attended with considerable itching. The catarrh is 
 characteristic; there is a discharge accompanied with 
 sneezing, which may linger after the disease has 
 passed away, sometimes developing into bronchitis 
 or consumption. 
 
 There are two important points in which it differs 
 from smallpox, with which in its earliest stage it may 
 be confounded; these are, (1) that the fever does not 
 cease or even abate when the eruption appears, but 
 sometimes increases in intensity; and (2) that the dis- 
 ease is not more severe or more dangerous because 
 the eruption is plentiful or early. The character of 
 the eruption after the first day will serve to remove 
 all doubt regarding these two diseases; and the com- 
 parative prevalence of either disease in the neighbor- 
 hood will materially assist in forming the diagnosis. 
 It is distinguished from scarlet fever or scarlatina, (1) 
 by the presence at the outset of catarrhal symptoms, 
 which do not occur in the latter disease, at any rate 
 prior to the eruption; (2) by the absence of the throat 
 affection, which always accompanies well-marked ca- 
 ses of scarlet fever; (3) by the character of the rash. 
 In measles it presents somewhat the tint of the rasp- 
 berry, and in scarlet fever that of a boiled lobster; in 
 measles it appears jn crescent-shaped patches, and in 
 scarlet fever it is universally diffused; in measles the 
 
 9 
 
130 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 rash usually appears on the fourth day, and in scarlet 
 fever on the second day of the disease. 
 
 The treatment indicated for this disease, is an im- 
 portant one, namely, to bring out the eruption. The 
 alcoholic vapor-bath, given in bed (page 90), is usu- 
 ally all that is necessary in the beginning. Should the 
 eruption recede after it has once appeared, a warm 
 blanket pack (page 94) should be administered. In 
 mild cases little treatment is required. Good nursing 
 is about all that is really necessary. Attention should 
 be paid to the diet to see that it is plain, not very 
 plenteous, and unstimulating. 
 
 Should the fever run high, it should be reduced by 
 the sponge-bath ( page 92), cool compresses to the head 
 and abdomen, and also the cool enema (page 97). 
 
 It is well in the beginning to evacuate the bowels 
 with a plentiful tepid enema ( page 97). In mild cases 
 internal remedies will not be needed. Should the 
 disease become more pronounced, use remedy No. 2, 
 one tablet every three hours. 
 
 Frequently, at the termination of measles, an active 
 diarrhea may take place. This need give no alarm, 
 and should not be checked unless it becomes trouble- 
 some, in which event use a cool enema two or three 
 times a day. 
 
 At the termination of the disease, during the scal- 
 ing process, the irritation of the skin may be relieved 
 by oiling the surface two or three times a day with 
 vaseline, fresh butter, or sweet oil. No apprehensions 
 need be felt that the eruption will be driven in by the 
 application of cold water to the surface during the 
 
MEASLES. IJI 
 
 prevalence of the fever. After recovery, the room 
 and everything that has been used about the patient 
 should be thoroughly disinfected. 
 
 Black, or Putrid, Measles. — This disease differs 
 from the other only in its intensity and the darker 
 color of the eruption. There is more prostration of 
 the strength of the system, more headache, and more 
 active fever. This depression of the nervous system 
 is because of deficient power or vitality to throw off 
 the disease and bring about reaction. The stomach 
 and bowels become congested, and there is liability to 
 a hemorrhage from their lining membranes. Compli- 
 cations sometimes occur, such as croup, pneumonia, 
 bronchitis, and inflammation of the bowels. The treat- 
 ment for this form of disease is the same as the other, 
 but should be more thorough. The internal remedies 
 should be No. 6, one tablet every two hours; and when 
 the patient begins to convalesce, one tablet of No. 5 
 three times a day. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 SCARLET FEVER. 
 
 THIS disease is also called scarlatina, and in some 
 parts of the country canker-rash. It is an erup- 
 tive fever, infectious, contagious, and sometimes epi- 
 demic. It is remarkable for its easy propagation, and 
 special precautions are necessary to limit its ravages. 
 Infection is contained in all discharges from the body 
 during the progress of the disease and recovery, and 
 more especially from the skin during convalesence, 
 when the dry scales are being shed. These latter are 
 scattered through the air, and become attached to 
 articles of furniture, bedding, and clothing. By inhal- 
 ing this infected air, the disease may be readily con- 
 veyed to another, and may also be carried by those 
 who are not themselves suffering from it. While 
 measles may attack a second and even a third time, 
 persons have rarely been known to have a second 
 attack of scarlet fever. The young are principally 
 affected, and seldom does a case occur after the age of 
 twenty or under that of two years. 
 
 The disease is generally milder the older the pa- 
 tient. The largest number and most malignant cases 
 occur between the second and seventh years, and a 
 much smaller number after the eighth year. Scarla- 
 
 [132] 
 
SCARLET FEVER. I$3 
 
 tina prevails at all seasons, but a close air and foggy 
 atmosphere seem favorable to its dissemination. The 
 period between exposure and the appearance of the 
 fever varies from a single day to several weeks. The 
 disease in any form is the dread both of the physician, 
 and family or friends. An attack slight at the com- 
 mencement, may terminate speedily and violently in 
 dissolution. On the contrary, a violent beginning may 
 develop milder symptoms during its progress, and re- 
 covery be complete. This disease is followed by more 
 organic diseases than measles. Recovery is much 
 slower and attended with greater hazard because a re- 
 lapse from sudden cold or other cause may produce 
 death even after the patient is supposed to be entirely 
 free from any symptoms or traces of the disease. 
 
 It is divided into three varieties. Scarlatina Sim- 
 plex is the mildest form, and is ushered in with a chill, 
 followed by rapid pulse, hot skin, loss of appetite, sore- 
 ness of throat, and difficult swallowing. The eruption 
 appears in about twenty-four hours; first upon the 
 neck and chest; but in a short time the rash is equally 
 diffused over the whole skin — scarlet in color, present- 
 ing an appearance like that of a boiled lobster. Some 
 parts are deeper colored than others, as the neck, 
 outer surface of the lower extremities, and hands. The 
 rash consists of an infinite number of small red points 
 situated upon a rose-colored base, with here and there 
 a small pimple containing a colorless fluid. The whole 
 surface burns and itches. The throat is sore and 
 swollen, but inflammation does not reach to the extent 
 noticed in the second variety of this disease. On the 
 
134 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 fifth or sixth day after the appearance of the eruption, 
 it commences to fade, with considerable abatement of 
 the fever. The appetite speedily returns, and the 
 patient soon feels well. 
 
 Scarlatina Anginosa. — The symptoms in this form 
 of disease are more violent than in the preceding. 
 Vomiting and even convulsions may occur at the out- 
 set. The tongue, instead of being covered with raised 
 red points, has a grayish coat, with interspersed red 
 patches. All the violent effects of the blood-poison 
 seem to center in the throat. The neck appears stiff 
 on the next day ; there is hoarseness, and pain in 
 swallowing; the tonsils and palate are red, swollen, 
 and covered with false membrane. Suppurating ulcers 
 are noticed in the throat. The throat and tongue are 
 parched, the thirst great, and the breath offensive. 
 With the fading of the eruption, by the fifth or sixth 
 day, the fever and inflammation of the throat com- 
 mence to abate, although the throat may remain sore 
 for some time after the disappearance of the rash. 
 
 Scarlatina Maligna. — This disease differs from the 
 preceding only in the symptoms being more aggra- 
 vated. The fever assumes a malignant or typhoid 
 condition, with restlessness and a low muttering delir- 
 ium. The tongue is dry, brown, tender, and chapped ; 
 the lips, teeth, and gums are covered with sores. 
 The mucous and salivary glands in the mouth and 
 throat are much enlarged and inflamed, causing con- 
 striction and obstruction to the passage of food and 
 sometimes of air. The eruption is irregular in appear- 
 ance, dusky, or of a dark, livid, reddish hue. There is 
 
SCARLET FEVER. 135 
 
 great prostration of strength and the tendency to, if 
 not the development of, insensibility and other brain 
 complications. 
 
 In addition to the eruption and sore throat, other 
 characteristics of scarlatina are the very rapid pulse, 
 and the exceeding high temperature. The pulse will 
 often be as high as one hundred and forty or more in 
 a minute. The temperature ranges higher than in 
 any of the eruptive fevers, often reaching i io°, and 
 continuing at this height in most cases until the erup- 
 tion disappears. 
 
 Scarlet fever is distinguished from measles and 
 smallpox by having an eruption peculiar to itself, 
 which spreads rapidly ; by the reddened points upon 
 the tongue, the frequent pulse, high temperature, and 
 sore throat. In measles there is a constant catarrh, 
 and inflammation of the eyes. In smallpox there is a 
 great pain in the back ; the eruption first appears upon 
 the forehead, which soon develops pustules. 
 
 With children it will be noticed almost invariably 
 that for several days before being taken down with 
 scarlet fever, there will be more or less disturbance and 
 irritation of the digestive organs. If there is scarlet 
 fever in the neighborhood, this early symptom ought 
 to be watched for, and on its appearance the enema 
 and steam-bath ( page 87) should be resorted to. At 
 such times too much caution cannot be used. 
 
 The treatment indicated for scarlet fever is such as 
 to bring out the eruption, moderate the fever, neutral- 
 ize and eliminate the poison, relieve the throat, and 
 sustain the strength. 
 
136 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 The treatment for scarlet fever is essentially the 
 same as that recommended for measles; but owing to 
 the gravity of this disease, it should be carefully 
 watched, and no neglect should be allowed in employ- 
 ing prompt treatment. Where the disease is mani- 
 fested in a mild form, good nursing and simple diet, 
 with thorough ventilation and the use of the sponge- 
 baths and cool compresses, are usually all that will be 
 required. Particular attention should be given to the 
 condition of the eruption. If this does not make a 
 ready appearance, warm drinks should be given and 
 vapor-bath given in bed (page 90). As other compli- 
 cations are apt to occur, the attendant should keep 
 close watch of the patient. The throat is usually 
 more or less affected, sometimes with strong diphthe- 
 ritic indications. When these symptoms occur, ice 
 compresses should be applied to the throat, and small 
 pieces of ice held in the mouth. The medication for 
 the throat difficulties should be a gargle or spray, used 
 every two hours, of equal parts of listerine and water. 
 If throat and tonsils are badly swollen, use solution of 
 alum with the atomizer, every few hours. 
 
 The tendency in this disease is for the fever to as- 
 sume a very high temperature. This is best controlled 
 by means of the sponge-bath (page 92), cold com- 
 presses (page 96), and the cold enema (page 97). 
 These cold applications will not have the effect of in- 
 terfering with the eruption. Occasionally there will 
 be a retention of the urine. This should receive care- 
 ful attention, as its neglect may lead to serious conse- 
 quences. It may happen that the bedding is found to be 
 
SCARLET FEVER. 1 37 
 
 wet with urine, and the mother or nurse infers that the 
 bladder has been evacuated. A mistake may be made 
 here, and the real condition can only be discovered 
 by applying pressure upon the bladder just over the 
 pubic bone. It may be greatly distended, and the urine 
 that has escaped be simply an overflow. If by manip- 
 ulation it is discovered to be large and firm, a hot 
 fomentation should be applied over the organ, and re- 
 newed as often as necessary, until the confined fluid 
 wholly or partially escapes. 
 
 The use of meat should be wholly discontinued dur- 
 ing the progress of this disease, and for some time 
 after, until all indications of kidney trouble are past. 
 The food should be mainly of gruels, with fruits, and 
 toast without butter, made from whole-wheat or gra- 
 ham flour. This should be moistened with water. 
 The free drinking of -water is recommended, which can 
 be varied with weak lemonade containing little or no 
 sugar. 
 
 Internal remedies used in this complaint should be 
 Remedy No. i, one tablet every two hours while fever 
 is high. If patient is weak, give remedy No. 10, one 
 tablet every four hours. 
 
 Scarlet fever is very infectious. A very mild case 
 may give rise to a very severe one. No child should 
 be permitted to go to school from an infected house, 
 and the intermingling of such with healthy children, 
 in play or otherwise, should be prevented. 
 
 When a person has had the disease, he should not 
 be permitted to mix with others until he has perfectly 
 recovered, and has had his clothes thoroughly disin- 
 
138 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 fected; and not even then without the permission of 
 his medical attendant. Nor is it advisable that any 
 one who has had the slightest communication with a 
 person suffering from the disease should go to any 
 church, meeting, or public gathering of any descrip- 
 tion. Neglect of these precautions is a prolific cause 
 of the spread of this disease. 
 
 Attendants on persons suffering from scarlet fever 
 should be chosen, if possible, from those who have al- 
 ready had the disease. It is believed that the disper- 
 sion of contagious dust from the patient's skin is 
 impeded by keeping his entire body ( including limbs, 
 head, and face) constantly anointed with vaseline or 
 fresh butter. When the patient's convalescence is com- 
 plete, the final disinfection of his skin should.be ef- 
 fected by warm baths, with abundant soap of a quality 
 that will noN irritate the skin, taken on three or four 
 successive days, till no trace of roughness of the skin 
 remains. After this process, and with clean clothes, 
 he may be deemed again safe for association; but pre- 
 vious to this, however slight may have been the at- 
 tack, he ought always to be regarded as dangerous to 
 persons susceptible to scarlet fever. 
 
 The methods of disinfection recommended for ty- 
 phoid fever should be adopted for this disease. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 SMALLPOX. 
 
 THIS is one of the most formidable of febrile dis- 
 eases. All cases of regular smallpox are divisi- 
 ble into three stages; viz., (i) the initial or eruptive 
 fever; (2) the progress and maturation of the eruption; 
 and (3) the decline. The first stage begins with chill, 
 or chilliness followed by heat and dryness of the skin, 
 a quickened pulse, furred tongue, loss of appetite, pain 
 in the pit of the stomach, with nausea, vomiting, head- 
 ache, and often pains in the back and limbs. The 
 violence of the pains in the back, and the obstinacy of 
 the vomiting are frequently very well marked and 
 characteristic symptoms. In children the disease is 
 often ushered in by convulsions; while delirium some- 
 times attends its outset in adults. On the third day 
 minute red specks begin to come out, first on the face, 
 then on the neck and wrists, and on the trunk of the 
 body, and lastly on the lower extremities. The fever 
 usually begins to subside as soon as the eruption ap- 
 pears, and by the beginning of the fifth day, when the 
 eruption is generally completed, the fever has en- 
 tirely disappeared. The second stage commences 
 when the eruption is fully out. 
 
 Upon the second or third day of the eruption, a lit- 
 tle clear lymph is seen in each pimple which has in- 
 
 [139] 
 
140 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 creased considerably in size since its first appearance, 
 and which is thus converted into a vesicle. The vesi- 
 cles gradually increase in breadth and become con- 
 verted into pustules, which are at first depressed in 
 the center, but by the fifth day of the eruption become 
 turgid and hemispherical. The suppuration on the 
 face is complete by about the eighth day from the 
 commencement of the fever, and the same process 
 rapidly follows in the other parts of the body. The 
 pustules then break, and scales, or crusts, form over 
 them, which usually fall off after four or five days' ex- 
 istence, The number of pustules in any special case, 
 and the severity of the disease stand in a direct ratio 
 to each other. The progress of the pustules is usually 
 accompanied with swelling of the skin of the face, 
 with a painful sensation of heat and tension. The 
 scalp is often swollen, soreness of the mouth and sali- 
 vation usually supervene, and the patient exhales a 
 peculiar and disagreeable odor. 
 
 About the eighth or ninth day of the disease, a 
 recurrence of the fever, known as the "fever of matura- 
 tion," sets in, with varying degree of intensity, accord- 
 ing to the number and arrangement of the pustules. 
 When the pustules are numerous, they run together; 
 when they are few, they keep separate. Hence the 
 division of smallpox into the two great varieties of 
 distinct and confluent. This division is of the highest 
 importance, because the distinct form of the disease, 
 in which the pustules are isolated, is scarcely ever 
 dangerous; while the confluent form, in which they 
 coalesce, is never free from danger. 
 
SMALLPOX. 141 
 
 The third, or declining stage, is in the distinct vari- 
 ety, little more than a period of convalescence. About 
 the eleventh or twelfth day, the pustules on the face 
 become brown and dry at the top, or some of them 
 break, and the fluid that oozes out solidifies into a 
 yellowish crust, and from this time the process of des- 
 iccation goes on. The swelling of the face subsides, 
 and at last only dry scabs remain, which gradually fall 
 off about the fourteenth day. It is not till three or 
 four days after the scabs are formed on the face that 
 the same process is completed over the whole body. 
 The scabs are usually completely gone by the twenty- 
 first day, leaving behind them blotches of a reddish 
 brown color, which sometimes continue for some 
 months before they quite disappear; and some of the 
 pustules, by the ulceration of the true skin, leave pits, 
 especially on the face, which remain permanently. 
 
 The period of scabbing is accompanied by various 
 symptoms of improvement; the tongue becomes clean, 
 the appetite returns, and by the time the scabs have 
 fallen off, the patient may be regarded as restored to 
 health; so that the entire course of a case of distinct 
 or discrete smallpox occupies about three weeks. In 
 the confluent form of the disease, the eruptive fever is 
 more violent, the pain in the back is more severe, and 
 the sickness more obstinate. The eruption comes out 
 earlier and less regularly than in the distinct variety, 
 which we selected for description as representing the 
 more natural course of the disease. Moreover the pus- 
 tules do not fill so completely, nor are they of the 
 normal yellow, purulent hue; being whitish, brown or 
 
142 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 even purple. But the most important difference be- 
 tween the two forms is in the secondary fever, which 
 sets in when the pustules are mature. This fever, 
 which is but slight in distinct smallpox, is usually in- 
 tense and highly dangerous in the confluent form; 
 and it is at this period of the disease that death most 
 commonly occurs. The eighth day of the eruption is 
 the most perilous day, and the second week the most 
 perilous week. 
 
 The above are the essential symptoms of smallpox, 
 both in the distinct and confluent forms. This disease 
 is, however, often accompanied by other symptoms, 
 which we have merely space to name; such as sore 
 throat (which often depends upon pustules situated 
 there), salivation, and (in the confluent form, during 
 the secondary fever) erysipelas inflammations, leading 
 to the formation of abscesses, glandular swellings, 
 sloughing sores on the lower portion of the back, etc. 
 
 Although in the majority of cases vaccination affords 
 the fullest protection against smallpox, it not very in- 
 frequently happens that vaccinated persons, when ex- 
 posed to the contagion of smallpox, get the disease in 
 a modified form, very much milder than the natural 
 disease. This modified smallpox is called varioloid. 
 Varioloid assumes a variety of forms. There is every 
 shade between the slightest symptoms, scarcely hav- 
 ing an affinity with smallpox, and the nearest possible 
 approach to the regular disease. In whatever form 
 varioloid appears, it lacks the peculiar odor of small- 
 pox, and secondary fever is very rare. The constitu- 
 tional disturbance which, for the first week, may have 
 been as severe as in the true disease, usually subsides 
 
SMALLPOX. 143 
 
 entirely when the eruption has reached its height; and 
 the patient is convalescent at the period when, if he 
 had not been vaccinated, he would have been in the 
 greatest danger. Vaccination, when performed, should 
 be done with pure bovine virus, never under any cir- 
 cumstances using that from the human subject. 
 
 It is impossible to break up or avert this disease 
 when it becomes established; but if our treatments 
 and remedies are faithfully used, its severity will 
 be greatly modified, and the danger correspondingly 
 lessened. 
 
 The method to be pursued is such as will develop 
 the eruption, relieve the brain disturbance, eliminate 
 the poison, reduce the fever, support the system, and 
 prevent pitting of the face. 
 
 At the outset, the bowels should be emptied by 
 means of a copious enema (page 97); the full, hot bath 
 (page 8?) should next be administered for from thirty 
 to forty-five minutes. Should the conveniencies for 
 administering the full bath not be at hand, the steam- 
 bath (page 87) should be employed for thirty minutes, 
 if the condition of the patient is such as to stand it 
 for this length of time; the head should be kept cool 
 by the cold compress. 
 
 If there is any symptom of delirium or stupor, the 
 pouring-head bath ( page 93) should be employed, or 
 ice compresses used instead. The patient ought to be 
 kept very quiet; and in order to disturb him as little 
 as possible, the cold compress should be used for the 
 reduction of the temperature. The compress should be 
 made very large, and changed very frequently, as it 
 may become warm. The surface of the patient ought 
 
144 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 to be kept as nearly as possible at the natural heat 
 (or colder), which prevents the disease from striking 
 in. The patient may drink all the cold water desired, 
 which can be varied with three or four glasses of un- 
 sweetened lemonade during the day. The diet should 
 consist of graham or oatmeal gruel with the juice of 
 ripe fruits, carefully excluding the seeds and pulp. 
 
 For medication use remedy No. 2, as follows: When 
 there is high fever, give one tablet every two hours; 
 if patient is weak and exhausted, give in addition one 
 tablet of No. 5 every four hours. The above treat- 
 ment will not only alleviate the severity of the disease, 
 but will shorten its duration fully one half. 
 
 Heat and sunlight will increase the irritation and 
 itching sensations, therefore the room should be par- 
 tially darkened, and kept at a temperature of from 6o° 
 to 65 °. By all means have plenty of fresh air night 
 and day, as good ventilation is very important. 
 
 The irritation of the skin will be greatly relieved by 
 anointing the body once or twice a day with vaseline 
 or sweet oil; and when the crusts begin to loosen, the 
 body should be sponged with tepid water in which a 
 little soda has been dissolved. 
 
 To prevent pitting, take equal parts of glycerine 
 and collodion and a few drops of carbolic acid, and 
 with this paint the whole surface of face and hands. 
 
 As this disease is highly contagious and infectious, 
 the greatest caution should be observed that others do 
 not become exposed to its influence, the directions 
 given for disinfection in the articles on Typhoid and 
 Scarlet Fever should be carefully carried out. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 CHICKEN-POX. 
 
 MEDICAL authorities differ in regard to this 
 disease, some classifying it with smallpox, 
 others making it entirely separate. It resembles 
 smallpox in some particulars, but is much more mild 
 even than varioloid. It is distinguished by an erup- 
 tion of vesicles which rarely become pustular or 
 yellow, and leave only a very slight incrustation, 
 which falls off in a few days without any permanent 
 mark or pit as in smallpox. There is a little fever, 
 and the eruption appears in successive crops, and is 
 confined mostly to the body. Attention to diet, the 
 bowels, and kidneys, protection from draughts of air 
 and sudden change of temperature are about all the 
 care that is necessary. 
 
 The disorder commences with a slight cold or fever, 
 sometimes both, and red pimples upon the face. A 
 copious enema should be given in the beginning, to- 
 gether with a hot full bath (page 86), for fifteen or 
 twenty minutes, or the vapor-bath (page 90) can be 
 used for ten or fifteen minutes. The patient should 
 then be placed in bed for an hour or two, and after- 
 ward carefully kept from change of temperature. 
 Both hot and cold water should be drunk freely, and 
 
 10 [145] 
 
146 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 the body sponged with tepid water every day or two 
 during the continuance of the disease. The diet 
 should be the same as is recommended for all fevers. 
 The internal remedy is No. 6, which should be used, 
 one tablet every three hours. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS, 
 OR SPOTTED FEVER. 
 
 THIS disease is infectious, and in its more violent 
 form, contagious. It is an affection of the cov- 
 erings of the brain and spinal cord. While other 
 fevers may be traced directly to miasm, defective 
 drainage, impurities in drinking water, sewer gases, 
 etc., the specific poison in this disease has not yet 
 been discovered. It prevails in localities that are 
 damp and unwholesome, but does not make any ex- 
 ception on account of any care or precaution taken in 
 reference to preserving the best sanitary conditions. 
 It also attacks the young and vigorous as well as the 
 scrofulous, debilitated, or infirm. In the cerebral type 
 the brain symptoms are the most prominent, commenc- 
 ing with dizziness and headache, and progressing 
 with the fever until delirium or spasms follow. Nau- 
 sea and vomiting are present, accompanying any mo- 
 tion of the head. There is a sinking sensation at the 
 pit of the stomach, great prostration, pain in the spine 
 and limbs, and an acute sensitiveness of the skin, 
 which is painful upon pressure. 
 
 The characteristic sign of the disease, which is de- 
 veloped later, is the spasm of the back, by which it 
 
 [1471 
 
148 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 permanently curves forward and by which the head is 
 thrown backward as far as possible, and there kept. 
 The attacks vary; in some, delirium and other of the 
 worst features of the disease develop in the first day 
 or two; in others the fever may not reach its hight in 
 a week; some recover within ten days, and in others 
 convalescence is protracted for weeks and perhaps 
 months. So with the peculiar eruption of this disease; 
 it may appear upon the first, second, or third day, or 
 it may be entirely absent. This varies also in char- 
 acter, color, and position, closely resembling flea bites 
 and ranging from scarlet to brown. When the disease 
 is of long duration, there may be almost complete loss 
 of muscular power, also blindness or deafness, insanity, 
 idiocy, and softening of the brain. The bowels are at 
 first constipated, but diarrhea may finally develop. 
 The bladder is troublesome, showing a tendency to 
 retain its contents. 
 
 It is occasionally difficult to distinguish this malady 
 from typhoid fever as its indications are quite similar. 
 It can be distinguished, however, from typhoid fever 
 by the violence of the attack, the brain being so speed- 
 ily overcome by the sudden prostration, while in ty- 
 phoid the person may be ailing for days before being 
 compelled to go to bed. In cerebro-spinal meningitis 
 the pulse is much slower, and the temperature rises but 
 little. There is pain in the head and back; the head 
 is bent backward and firmly held in this position. 
 These last symptoms will also distinguish it from 
 typhus fever. 
 
 The course of treatment indicated is to relieve the 
 inflammation in the cerebral membranes, to prevent 
 
CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS. 149 
 
 effusion, or if it has occurred, to promote absorption, 
 to neutralize the blood poison, to relieve the pain in 
 the spine and back of the head, and the rigidity of the 
 muscles of the back, and to tone up the system dur- 
 ing prostration. 
 
 Active measures should be taken in the beginning 
 of this disease ; and while this is considered a very 
 grave disease, if the line of treatment be followed out 
 which is here recommended, recovery may almost cer- 
 tainly be relied upon. During the stage of chill the 
 steam-bath (page 87) should be applied, with very 
 cold compresses to the head. When the fever be- 
 comes established, this can be alleviated by the fre- 
 quent application of the cool sponge-bath (page 92), 
 with a cold compress to the abdomen. The great ten- 
 dency to headache and delirium can be greatly relieved 
 by the frequent application of the pouring-head bath 
 (page 93). This can be alternated with ice com- 
 presses to the head, neck, and spine. If the contin- 
 ued cold application should produce depression, which 
 will be indicated by slow pulse or chilliness, the pa- 
 tient should be placed in a warm blanket-pack ( page 
 94), and the cold applications discontinued for a time. 
 The internal treatment recommended is, when there 
 is high fever, one tablet of No. 1 every two hours; 
 when there is restlessness, give, in addition, one tab- 
 let of No. 2 every three hours. Further treatment is 
 the same as recommended in the chapter on Typhoid 
 Fever, which read carefully. 
 
 As this disease is contagious, we would advise the 
 same precautions in regard to disinfection as have 
 been given under Typhoid and Scarlet fevers. 
 
CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 ERYSIPELAS. 
 
 THIS affection is divided into two classes: one 
 produced by the general causes of fever, and 
 the other the result of wounds and injuries which re- 
 quire surgical operations. It is a peculiar form of un- 
 healthy inflammation, attacking the skin and cellular 
 tissue, having a strong tendency to spread itself with 
 great rapidity over the surface. It may affect any 
 surface, either external or internal. Adults are most 
 generally attacked by it, the face being its most com- 
 mon location. It is undoubtedly a blood poison, and 
 is an effect of debility. 
 
 The cutaneous, or simple, is the mildest form of the 
 disease, commencing with chill and flushes of heat, 
 followed by headache, nausea, hot skin, quick pulse, 
 and coated tongue. In from twenty-four to forty- 
 eight hours, the rash makes its appearance, though 
 sometimes it comes out simultaneously with the other 
 symptoms. The rash is of a uniform, vivid, rosy-red 
 hue, sometimes becoming dusky, and is accompanied 
 by puffy swelling caused by serous effusion into the 
 tissues, severe burning, stinging pains, and dropsical 
 swelling. The ordinary duration of the simple form 
 of erysipelas is from seven to fourteen days. 
 
 [150] 
 
ERYSIPELAS. 15 1 
 
 Erysipelas very frequently occurs in wounds, espe- 
 cially in those of a surgical character. Where the 
 system is predisposed to this disease, it frequently 
 arises from a very trivial injury, sometimes even from 
 the stings of insects. In whatever way it arises, it is 
 characterized by the rapidity and extent of the slough- 
 ing of the affected tissues, and by great depression of 
 the powers of the constitution. A rapidly increasing 
 swelling appears, its surface tense, shining, and usually 
 pale, hard, and resisting, but frequently yielding a 
 semi-elastic sensation. There is severe pain of a burn- 
 ing, throbbing, or heavy character; tensive pulse, fre- 
 quently sharp and jerky, having no force or steadiness. 
 The countenance is anxious and haggard, mind irri- 
 table, and at times delirious. The disease contracted 
 from an injury is much more dangerous than the forms 
 noticed above. 
 
 The treatment should consist of those measures 
 which will relieve the system of impurities, neutralize 
 the blood poison, relieve the local pain and swelling, 
 and tone up the system. 
 
 The vapor-bath ( page 90) should first be used when 
 the attack begins to come on, and should be continued 
 until free perspiration is induced. The extent of this 
 will need to be governed by the condition of the 
 patient. If weak and debilitated, the treatment will 
 need to be milder and of a shorter duration than if the 
 patient is robust. The bath should be followed by the 
 enema ( page 97), giving the bowels a thorough cleans- 
 ing. Afterward, inject a half pint of cool water into 
 the bowel. The fever with which this disorder is 
 
152 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 always accompanied, should be treated with cool 
 compresses (page 96), and cool sponging (page 92), 
 together with cool enemas. The eruption can be 
 greatly relieved by the application of cold, or ice com- 
 presses. The application of the compresses should be 
 -carefully watched ; and if the affected parts should 
 change their color to a purple or bluish tinge or a 
 bright scarlet, the cold compresses should be changed 
 for hot ones, until the proper circulation is again re- 
 stored. For internal treatment, use No. 1, as follows : 
 When fever is high, give a tablet every two hours ; 
 during stage of convalesence, give one tablet of No. 
 5 three times each day. 
 
 The diet during this disease should be of a very un- 
 stimulating character. The use of meats, especially 
 fat or grease of any description, should be entirely 
 abandoned. The various preparations which can be 
 made from whole-wheat, corn, rye, or barley, should 
 be used. Coarse vegetables should also be excluded. 
 A careful attention to diet by those who are predis- 
 posed to this malady will have a more beneficial effect 
 than that which the so-called blood-purifiers can ever 
 accomplish. Especially should the use of pork prod- 
 ucts be avoided. 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 ACUTE CATARRH — SNUFFLES. 
 
 ACUTE catarrh, or cold in the head, is an inflam- 
 mation and congestion of the mucous surfaces 
 of the nasal cavities. It is indicated by chilliness, 
 aching of the forehead, flushed face, drowsiness, sneez- 
 ing and snuffing, discharge from the nose, watery at 
 first, afterward becoming thick and yellow; watery 
 eyes, and the thermometer showing fever. In severe 
 cases the mucous membrane swells, closing the nasal 
 passages, and compelling respiration by the mouth. 
 This disease, which in adults is usually only an incon- 
 venience and annoyance, in infants may become very 
 serious, owing to the closing of the nasal passages. 
 Nursing infants will need to be fed with a spoon until 
 the air passages can be cleared. 
 
 The treatment for adults should be either the va- 
 por- or steam-bath (pages 87 and 90), continued for 
 fifteen or twenty minutes, keeping the head covered 
 during the first few minutes of its administration. 
 The cold-water application at the termination of the 
 bath, as given in the directions, should not be omitted. 
 It is preferable that this bath should be given at night 
 just before retiring; or if taken during the daytime, the 
 patient should lie in bed for an hour or two, and then 
 
 [i53] 
 
154 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 be extremely careful not to expose himself to draughts 
 for some time afterward. The atomizer which is fur- 
 nished with this work will be found extremely useful 
 for clearing the nasal passages. With each atomizer, 
 we furnish a variety of prescriptions and instructions 
 for home treatment. These are furnished separate 
 from the book for convenience in taking to the drug 
 store for preparation. 
 
 For children, oil the nose and forehead thoroughly 
 with glycerine, sweet oil, or fresh butter. This also 
 should be inserted into the nostrils, and the child 
 held before the fire closely wrapped, in order to pro- 
 duce heat and perspiration. This will usually bring 
 relief in a few moments. 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 CATARRHAL FEVER, INFLUENZA, 
 LA GRIPPE. 
 
 THIS is a disease which is largely prevalent at dif- 
 ferent seasons of the year. It is infectious in its 
 character, and sometimes large portions of the country 
 will be visited with it at the same time. It is a disease 
 which usually lasts but a few days, and rarely proves 
 fatal. The symptoms are very similar to those of 
 acute catarrh, but there is more pain connected 
 with it and a higher degree of temperature, although 
 there is not the thickening up of the nasal passages 
 and the difficulty of breathing as in catarrh. The 
 bronchial tubes are more or less involved. 
 
 The treatment for this disease is essentially the same 
 as that recommended for catarrh, with the addition 
 that there should be more attention to the fever in the 
 way of sponge-baths and compresses. For internal 
 treatment use the following: No. 2, one tablet every 
 three hours while there is much fever. Follow this 
 up with one tablet of No. 6, every three hours. 
 
 [155] 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 NOSEBLEED. 
 
 BLEEDING from the nose is usually a trivial 
 matter, and ordinarily stops in a short time of 
 itself; but where there are predisposing causes, and 
 the bloodvessels of the head are weak or congested, 
 the bleeding frequently becoms a serious matter. 
 
 Treatment: First remove all known causes, and 
 remain perfectly quiet, with head elevated. Do not 
 allow the patient to stoop with head over a basin. 
 Keep the head up, and place cloths under the nose to 
 catch the blood. Place two or three thicknesses of 
 blotting-paper or other soft paper under the upper lip. 
 Pass a cord around the head beneath the nose and 
 over the ears, fixing it tightly behind the head. If 
 tannin is obtainable, take a quill and blow some of the 
 dry powder into the nostrils, or burn a cork, powder it, 
 and use the powder the same way. Soak the feet in 
 hot water, and apply cold compresses to the back of 
 the neck. 
 
 [iS6] 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 CANKER— THRUSH— NURSING SORE 
 MOUTH. 
 
 THIS occurs principaly in nursing children. The 
 glands of the mouth become inflamed, and throw 
 off whitish, curdy flakes or scabs. At first they are 
 not very numerous, but soon multiply and run to- 
 gether, covering the cheeks, gums, and tongue, and 
 may extend down the throat and digestive canal, af- 
 fecting the whole tract. The mouth is dry and hot, 
 the child feverish and restless. A greenish diarrhea 
 sets in, with vomiting, and the flesh and strength di- 
 minish. Cankered mouth appears occasionally in 
 adults suffering from dyspepsia. 
 
 The primary cause of this malady is indigestion, and 
 is induced by bad food, bad air, and unhealthful con- 
 ditions. The condition of the mother should receive 
 attention, if nursing, and the character and quality of 
 the food should be examined. The first steps toward 
 recovery should be the removal of the causes. The 
 mouth should be rinsed very frequently with cold 
 water. Make a solution of one dram of boracic acid 
 dissolved in a cup of warm water, and apply to the 
 mouth several times a day with the atomizer. For 
 the diarrhea, administer internally one tablet of No. 
 6, every three hours. 
 
 [157] 
 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 TOOTHACHE. 
 
 THIS arises from exposure of the nerves of the 
 teeth or from pressure upon the nerve, which fre- 
 quently occurs from ulceration at the root. The teeth 
 should receive careful attention, and when badly de- 
 cayed beyond the possibility of filling, should be 
 extracted. Toothache is frequently brought on by 
 taking cold, the cold seeming to settle in the diseased 
 tooth. Children are frequently troubled in this way, 
 the trouble usually manifesting itself during the night 
 and becoming a very serious cause of disturbance. If 
 the tooth is hollow, a piece of cotton should be wet 
 with laudanum and heated over the flame of a lamp 
 and inserted in the tooth. If the trouble is caused by 
 a cold, the vapor-bath ( page 90) will generally give 
 relief. Should the trouble be persistent, take a piece 
 of cotton cloth about one inch long and one half inch 
 wide, make a small bag, place in this a half teaspoonful 
 of dry mustard, and sew up the opening. This is to be 
 placed by the side of the aching tooth between the 
 gum and cheek, and there held. It should be removed 
 occasionally to prevent blistering. Should there be a 
 determination of blood to the head, a hot foot-bath 
 will afford additional relief. 
 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 BRAIN FEVER. 
 
 THIS is an inflammation of the substance of the 
 brain or of its coverings. It may be brought 
 about by violent mental emotions, by sun heat, by in- 
 juries, or by the use of alcoholic stimulation. It is of- 
 tener met with as a complication or consequence of 
 other fevers. A marked feature of the disease is the 
 strong tendency of blood toward the head. The symp- 
 toms are high fever, hard and rapid pulse, headache, in- 
 creasing in severity, flushed face and eyes, contracted 
 pupils, coated tongue, ringing in the ears, and intoler- 
 ance of light and sound. The patient is irritable and 
 sleepless, and in the earilier stages we have violent 
 delirium, afterward low and muttering, with jerking of 
 the muscles, picking at the bedclothes, gradually laps- 
 ing into insensibility. 
 
 The patient should be placed in a dark room and 
 kept very quiet. The bowels should be evacuated by 
 means of the enema (page 97). If the stomach is irri- 
 table, apply a hot compress over the region of this 
 organ. Give internally one tablet of No. 1 every two 
 hours while there is much fever; and give one tablet 
 of No. 4 every four hours, until the bowels have moved 
 thoroughly. Then begin with No. 6, one tablet every 
 four hours, for a few days. 
 
 [I59J 
 
l60 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 The surface of the body should be cooled by means 
 of the sponge-bath (page 92). The condition of the 
 head should receive the most careful attention. Ice 
 compresses should be applied to the head, particularly 
 to the base of the brain. These should be renewed as 
 often as there is any indication of their becoming 
 warm. Careful nursing and attention in this disease 
 are very essential. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 CONCUSSION OF THE BRAIN. 
 
 FROM external injuries or blows, as in falling from 
 a hight, or having some weighty substance strike 
 the head, the brain and nervous centers are shocked. 
 Unconsciousness succeeds immediately, and may be 
 more or less protracted according to the amount of 
 internal disturbance. When simply stunned, the per- 
 son will recover his senses in a short time, and be able 
 to stand and walk. Not so, if the shock has been 
 severe. The comatose condition continues, the breath- 
 ing is labored, pupils contracted, and pulse weak and 
 irregular. If not revived, the insensibility becomes 
 deeper, the surface cold, and dissolution approaches. 
 In recovery from this condition, consciousness slowly 
 returns, and the power of motion still more tardily, 
 consuming hours or days in its completion. 
 
 The shock or stun has but one effect; there are other 
 and more serious complications. The blow may have 
 been so heavy as to rupture a bloodvessel, when the 
 symptoms of apoplexy appear. Or the skull may be 
 fractured and a portion of bone press upon the brain, 
 producing a condition known as compression of the 
 brain. The symptoms are still apoplectic; uncon- 
 sciousness, jerky, noisy breathing, nausea, and fre- 
 quently vomiting. 
 
 ii [161] 
 
l62 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 In concussion of the brain the object should be to 
 restore as speedily as possible to the brain its lost 
 stimulus — the blood. The body should be placed at 
 an angle of forty-five degrees, with the hips elevated, 
 and the head dependent. Sprinkle water on the face, 
 and apply to the nostrils ammonia or smelling-salts. 
 A pint of water at from no°to 115 should be injected 
 into the bowels; a hot fomentation should be applied 
 to the head. Compression can only be relieved by 
 the aid of a surgeon. 
 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 SUNSTROKE. 
 
 THIS affection is caused by exposure either to the 
 direct rays of the sun or to an intensely heated 
 atmosphere. Persons engaged in indoor occupation 
 are overcome by heat as well as those directly exposed 
 to the sun's rays. The brain becomes congested and 
 its membranes inflamed, or the lungs are congested, 
 or there is nervous exhaustion, with failure of the 
 heart. The skin is hot and dry, the pulse quick and 
 feeble, the face flushed or pale, the tongue red or 
 brown, the pupils contracted, the eyes bloodshot, the 
 vision dimmed, the breathing difficult, and the evacua- 
 tions involuntary. The attack is preceded by dull- 
 ness, headache, and a general feeling of uneasiness; 
 even these are sometimes wanting, and the patient 
 falls suddenly and expires. However mild the stroke, 
 it is not unattended with danger, and for years after- 
 ward the patient is easily overcome by heat during the 
 summer, by walking or working in the sun, especially 
 if fatigued. Persons that are addicted to the use of 
 intoxicants are more susceptible to its attacks than 
 those of abstemious habits. 
 
 Sunstroke can usually be prevented by the constant 
 application of cold to the head. Persons exposed to a 
 
 [163] 
 
164 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 scorching sun should wear in their hats a sponge, 
 handkerchief, or large leaf, which ought to be fre- 
 quently wet, and as a further precaution, should not 
 take large draughts of cold water, and should avoid 
 the use of spirituous drinks. 
 
 It is distinguished from apoplexy by a feeble, not 
 full pulse: by less complete insensibility, it being often 
 possible to arouse the invalid by speaking in a loud 
 voice; by dizziness and feebleness of motion, but not 
 paralysis. In most instances sunstroke is attended 
 with headache, apoplexy seldom. There are two con- - 
 ditions of sunstroke, and the treatment will need to be 
 varied according to the condition presented. First, 
 there may be congestion of the brain, with the face 
 flushed and the outer veins prominent. The patient 
 should be carried to a cool, shady place, and laid upon 
 the back, the head higher than the feet. Loosen or 
 remove the clothing about the neck, and apply the 
 pouring-head bath (page 93), very cold. Give no 
 remedies internally. If there is nausea or vomiting, 
 apply a hot compress over the stomach. Pieces of ice 
 or the ice compress may be packed around the head. 
 The temperature frequently rises very high, sometimes 
 to uo° This should be reduced by cold compresses 
 and the cold enema. Should the patient shiver or 
 show indications of becoming chilled, cold applications 
 should be discontinued and plenty of warm covering 
 supplied. 
 
 Second, should the face be pale and symptoms of 
 exhaustion predominate, hot fomentations should be 
 applied to the head, over the region of the heart, and 
 
SUNSTROKE. l6$ 
 
 to the spine, and the body should be rubbed vigor- 
 ously. If the patient can swallow, a glass of hot water 
 will be beneficial. 
 
 When the temperature rises, showing indications of 
 fever, this should be reduced by a cool sponge-bath 
 (page 92). Rest and quietness are needed until the 
 attack passes off. 
 
CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 HEADACHE. 
 
 THIS is a symptom of a disease rather than a dis- 
 ease itself, and is often presented in a variety of 
 conditions. It is as often due to a disorder in other 
 organs as in the brain itself. Headaches vary as much 
 in character as in cause ; the pain may be sharp, dull, 
 throbbing, darting, light, or intense; may affect one 
 part of the head, several parts, or the whole; may be 
 continuous, as in diseases or tumor of the brain, or 
 periodical, which is the more common form. The 
 latter are less dangerous and more susceptible to 
 treatment. Headaches are, in some families, heredi- 
 tary. Disorders of the stomach, bowels, liver, womb, 
 and nervous system, are the most frequent causes. 
 Slight headaches are experienced more or less fre- 
 quently by everybody. 
 
 The popular names given to the different kinds of 
 headache are used indiscriminately. What one calls 
 nervous headache another calls sick-headache ; be- 
 sides, either one or the other may be entirely mis- 
 named, and be either congestive or dyspeptic headache. 
 We will endeavor to describe them by names which 
 are more accurate, or by which they are more com- 
 monly designated by the intelligent. 
 [166] 
 
HEADACHE. l6? 
 
 In dyspeptic headache we have chilliness, cold feet, 
 flushed face, hot forehead, dull pain in the front or 
 sides of the head, furred tongue, loss of appetite, dry 
 skin, nausea, and vomiting. It seems as though one 
 would go crazy, or the head would split open. The 
 bowels may be constipated, although irritation may 
 exist in the stomach, and the bowels may continue to 
 move. This form may be accompanied with neuralgia. 
 
 As we have indicated, headache is a symptom of 
 disease usually, therefore the cure of headache must 
 come through the eradication of disease. Dyspeptic 
 headache usually occurs periodically, and frequently 
 the relief sought for can be obtained by commencing 
 the treatment before the appearance of the headache. 
 
 The bowels should be evacuated with a large enema 
 (page 97), then administer the vapor-bath (page 90), 
 which should be followed by the sitz-bath (page 91). 
 In case of severe pain in the head, use the pouring- 
 head bath ( page 93), or cold or ice compress ( page 96). 
 The diet should receive special attention, as this con- 
 dition is brought about by errors in diet. A careful 
 study of the articles on Food and Digestion, in this 
 work, and the following out of the principles laid 
 down, will tend to alleviate the difficulty, and is the 
 only method of permanent relief. 
 
 Sick-headache is similar in character, and differs 
 only in the character of the pain, which is sudden, 
 sharp, and piercing at times. It increases in severity 
 up to and through the nausea and vomiting, which 
 latter seem to be an effort of nature to rid the system 
 of irritation, eliminate the secretions, and equalize the 
 
l68 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 circulation. The bowels are more likely to be con- 
 stipated in this form. 
 
 Bilious headache is like sick-headache; but there is 
 a jaundiced hue of the skin, the tongue is coated 
 yellow, and there is a bitter taste in the mouth. 
 Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea follow. When the 
 symptoms of either bilious or sick-headache first 
 appear, a warm-water emetic should be taken. Re- 
 lieve the bowels by a copious warm-water enema ; 
 afterward inject a half pint of cool water into the 
 bowel. The steam bath should next be taken, with~ 
 cold compress to the head. The patient should after- 
 ward rest quietly in bed for an hour or two. The 
 severity of the attack can be greatly lessened if this 
 treatment is pursued when the symptoms first appear. 
 Permanent relief from this complaint can only come 
 by an adherence to strictly hygienic diet. 
 
 Nervous headache closely resembles sick-headache. 
 It is an affection of the feeble, debilitated, and brain- 
 working classes. Females suffer most frequently. 
 They are subject to attacks, upon nervous excitement, 
 excesses, or shopping. It is also a symptom of uterine 
 disease. There are dizziness, sharp pains,and consti- 
 pation. It usually begins in the morning with a dull 
 heavy feeling, with rapidly increasing pain on one 
 side of the head ; the eyes are sensitive to light, and 
 the attack usually ends with nausea and vomiting. 
 This form of headache is usually attributed to a variety 
 of causes, but almost invariably proceeds from errors 
 in diet. The patient should scrupulously abstain from 
 tea and coffee, fats and grease, and the use of tobacco. 
 
HEADACHE. 169 
 
 Relief during the attack may be obtained by hot 
 applications to the affected side of the head, and hot 
 compresses applied to the back of the neck. Vomiting 
 may be relieved by sipping small pieces of ice, and the 
 application of the hot-water bag over the region of the 
 stomach. Where the attack promises to be of long 
 continuance, it can frequently be cut short by the full 
 warm bath (page 86), or the sitz-bath (page 91), either 
 of which will prove beneficial. 
 
 Neuralgic headache is a species of nervous headache. 
 It is a type found in the delicate, asthenic, and en- 
 feebled. The paroxysms are periodical, and may con- 
 tinue to occur for years. The subject is afflicted with 
 neuralgia in other parts of the body. The pains are 
 sudden and darting, and may pass to the face or run 
 along the jaws. Decayed teeth may be the cause. 
 The best results will be obtained in this form of head- 
 ache if the attack can be frustrated. The vapor-bath 
 (page 90), taken in bed, with hot fomentations to the 
 head, will often give the desired relief. If the bowels 
 are constipated, they should be relieved in the be- 
 ginning by an enema. The treatment prescribed 
 under the heading of Neuralgia will be found beneficial 
 in this form of headache. Permanent relief can only 
 be obtained by a change in the habits of living and 
 strict compliance with the laws of health. The reader 
 is referred to those chapters on Diet, Digestion, etc. 
 
 In rheumatic and gouty headache there is little or 
 no heat in the head, the pulse is seldom disturbed, 
 and the pain is sometimes relieved by pressure. The 
 urine will be found scanty and high-colored. The 
 
170 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 structure of one of the coverings of the brain is of the 
 peculiar character of that in which rheumatism be- 
 comes seated. Rheumatic pains are felt in other parts 
 of the body, and usually the patient has had acute 
 rheumatism. Such being the case, and the symptoms 
 corroborating, the headache may be suspected to be 
 rheumatic. Inactivity or congestion of the kidneys, 
 which produces scanty and high-colored urine, may 
 give rise to headache closely resembling the rheumatic 
 variety. Dull pain and lameness in the small of the 
 back are associated with this condition. 
 
 The treatment for this form of headache should be 
 eliminative. The steam-bath (page 87), should be 
 used for from fifteen to thirty minutes according to the 
 strength of the patient, followed by the cool sitz-bath. 
 The full enema (page 97) should be used, together 
 with a copious drinking of soft water. If the patient 
 is robust, this treatment should be applied every other 
 day for several days, not waiting for a recurrence of 
 the attack. If the patient is feeble, the treatment 
 should be of less duration, and two or three days 
 should elapse between baths. 
 
 Congestive headache is a species not so familiar, but 
 exceedingly common. It is not so easily distinguished 
 because of its appearing in two forms which differ 
 widely in appearance. In one, the face is red and 
 flushed, in the other, pale. In both there is an abnor- 
 mal tendency of blood to the head. When the arteries 
 are congested, the former appearance prevails ; when 
 the veins are filled and sluggishly return the blood to 
 the heart, the patient is pale. Both may result from 
 
HEADACHE. 171 
 
 stooping, fatigue, exposure to the sun, etc. In one 
 the pulse is hard, face flushed, eyes suffused. The 
 opposite is oftener met in those of spare habit. The 
 face is pallid, eyes dull, pupils of the eyes dilated, 
 extremities cold, and pulse soft and feeble. The sen- 
 sation is described as that of a cord tightly bound 
 around the head. 
 
 As the most frequent cause of congestive headache 
 is errors in diet, and the use of tea, coffee, condiments, 
 liquors, and tobacco, relief can only come through a 
 change in this respect. The treatment should consist 
 of the pouring-head bath (page 93), or cold com- 
 presses (page 96) applied to the head. The hot- water 
 bag applied to the stomach, and the hot foot-bath 
 (page 93) will tend to equalize the circulation. If the 
 patient is robust and plethoric, an eliminative treat- 
 ment should be used consisting of the hot full-bath 
 (page 86) or the steam-bath (page 87). Careful at- 
 tention to diet will do much toward affording com- 
 plete relief. 
 
CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 SLEEPLESSNESS. 
 
 THIS is hardly a disease of itself. It frequently re- 
 sults from fevers, excesses of different kinds, 
 and accompanies general debility and many chronic 
 diseases. It is a serious symptom of nervous disorder, 
 and is a precursor of insanity. The habit of sleepless- 
 ness should not be allowed to continue, as it frequently 
 becomes more aggravated by continuance. 
 
 Whatever causes tend to a condition of congestion 
 of the brain or irritation of the nervous system, will 
 produce sleeplessness. Eating late or just before re- 
 tiring is a fruitful cause of this condition. Very fre- 
 quently there is an " all-gone" feeling at the stomach 
 before retiring, and relief is sought for by eating. 
 This may temporarily bring the desired result, but 
 eventually aggravates the complaint. Relief of the 
 faint feeling can be obtained by drinking a glass of hot 
 or cold lemonade with little or no sugar, and the after 
 evil effects be thereby avoided. 
 
 One of the most effective methods of alleviating 
 sleeplessness, after attention to improper habits, is by 
 means of the wet-towel night-cap ( page 97). The 
 cool sponge-bath (page 92), just before retiring, or a 
 vigorous rubbing of the body with the hand, will often 
 
 [172] 
 
SLEEPLESSNESS. 173 
 
 prove beneficial. Thorough ventilation of the bedroom 
 without draughts should be insisted upon, and the use 
 of feather-beds discarded. Regular hours for retiring 
 should be adhered to, and the effort made to retain 
 regular hours of sleep. Should the person sleep dur- 
 ing the fore part of the night and afterwards have long 
 periods of wakefulness, as is frequently the case, the 
 habit can be broken up by the patient immediately 
 jumping out of bed on awaking, taking a brisk walk 
 around the room, with the hand rub as above, and the 
 application of the wet napkin to the forehead (page 97). 
 Frequently sleeplessness is caused by cold extrem- 
 ities. This can be temporarily relieved by the use of 
 the hot-water bag, but should not be persisted in. 
 Permanent relief should be looked for in a general ton- 
 ing up of the system and an equalization of the circu- 
 lation. This can be obtained through adherence to 
 hygienic diet, and the use of vapor baths. The pa- 
 tient can use internally, three tablets of No. 2 at bed- 
 time. If sleep is not produced, repeat dose in two 
 hours. This is a temporary remedy, and should not 
 be persisted in. Seek for permanent relief by change 
 of habits. 
 
CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 HYSTERIA. 
 
 THIS is a nervous affection, remarkable for the 
 numerous forms it assumes and the number of 
 serious maladies it simulates. There is a diseased 
 condition of the mind as well as of the nervous system, 
 a greater susceptibility to emotions, and an inability of 
 the will to control them. This disease usually occurs 
 in females, and between the ages of fifteen and twenty- 
 five. In a very large proportion of cases, hysteria has 
 been found to accompany diseases or displacements of 
 the generative organs. An attack is usually caused 
 by mental anxiety or excitement, grief, dissapoint- 
 ments in love, fits of anger, jealousy, etc. Those of 
 nervous temperament, the precociously developed, and 
 those brought up amid the excitements and luxuries 
 of city life are most susceptible. The attack is some- 
 times preceded by fits of yawning, sighing, and irre- 
 pressible laughter. There is difficult breathing and a 
 choking sensation, as if a solid ball were ascending 
 from the abdomen to the throat; weeping, laughing, 
 vomiting, and palpitation of the heart. This generally 
 passes off with sobbing, copious discharges of urine, 
 followed by great depression of spirits. When the at- 
 tack is severe, we may have some one or more of the 
 
 [i74] 
 
HYSTERIA. 175 
 
 following difficulties: headache, gas in the intestines, 
 with pain and bloating, obstinate vomiting, lancing 
 pains in the chest as in pleurisy; neuralgia, rheumatism 
 in joints, paralysis of motion or sense, convulsions of 
 the eyes, limbs, or whole body, and delirium. 
 
 It is to be distinguished from most diseases which it 
 may in its course resemble, by the previous symptoms 
 of weeping, laughing, and the "ball" in the throat. A 
 test in cases where pain, soreness, swelling, etc., are 
 complained of, is that firm pressure can be made with- 
 out causing pain if the attention of the patient be di- 
 verted for a moment. When the thoughts are upon 
 the part supposed to be affected, a feather has unbear- 
 able weight. In pleurisy a full inspiration is avoided, 
 in hysteria the chest is expanded freely. In hysteria 
 the respiration is natural, the pulse regular, the pu- 
 pils respond to light, and the patient is seldom totally 
 unconscious. These symptoms are exactly opposite 
 in the unconsciousness of apoplexy. In epilepsy or 
 fits there is no stricture in the throat, in hysteria, no 
 foaming at the mouth. Epilepsy is sudden and invol- 
 untary; hysteria comes on gradually, and the spasms 
 are partly under control. In the former the patients 
 injure themselves, bite the tongue, etc.; in the latter 
 they seldom do themselves any injury. 
 
 Where the cause is uterine disease, the cause must 
 be removed before recovery can be expected. The 
 nervous and general system should be toned up by an 
 adherence to nature's laws. Anything that will tend 
 to excite the nervous system must be avoided. The 
 patient should be induced to exercise habits of self- 
 
I?6 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 control, and the thoughts should be taken away from 
 self. To relieve the attack, the most effective means 
 is the pouring-head bath (page 93), with the water 
 very cold. The application of the cold compress to 
 the spine is very beneficial. Abundant exercise in 
 the open air should be taken, and occasionally the 
 vapor-bath (page 90), followed by the sitz-bath (page 
 91), at a temperature of about 90 . Reading matter 
 of a sensational or trifling character should be care- 
 fully avoided. For internal treatment we. would rec- 
 ommend the use of remedy No. 2, as follows: One - 
 tablet four times a day, and of No. 5, one tablet after 
 meals. 
 
 The use of opium, alcoholic stimulants, and all 
 strong medicines should be avoided. During the at- 
 tack and for some time after, the patient should be 
 kept perfectly quiet. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 CONVULSIONS. 
 
 THIS is a common disease in infancy, but may 
 occur at any age. A supersensitiveness of the 
 nervous system in the young, and debility in the adult, 
 predisposes to the attack. It can hardly be considered 
 a disease of itself, but is rather a symptom of disease. 
 Some point or points become the seat of irritation, 
 which is reflected back to the spinal cord or brain 
 when the spasm or convulsion proceeds. Most people 
 are aware of the danger of death to horses from lock- 
 jaw, when a nail has entered the foot. The irrita- 
 tion beginning in the foot culminates in the brain; so 
 in the subject under consideration. Particular atten- 
 tion is directed to this matter, in order that in every 
 case of convulsions the cause may be ferreted out and 
 removed. This is not always practicable, as when the 
 blood is poisoned with malaria, or a child is taken with 
 convulsions at the beginning of a fever. But when 
 arising from the presence of worms, indigestible food, 
 retention of urine, surface irritation, teething, etc., at- 
 tempts to avoid the convulsions are almost fruitless 
 unless the local difficulty is abated. 
 
 Convulsions accompany some of the diseases of 
 adult life, such as St. Vitus's dance, epilepsy, Bright's 
 disease of the kidneys, hydrophobia, hysteria, and the 
 parturient state. 
 
 12 [177] 
 
1^8 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 The premonitory symptoms of infantile convulsions 
 are sometimes called inward fits. They demonstrate 
 the presence of irritation. There are twitching of the 
 arms or legs, drawing down the corners of the lips, the 
 half-open eyelids, upturned eyes, grinding of the teeth, 
 and sudden starts. The convulsion comes suddenly, 
 with unconsciousness, agitation of the limbs, flushed 
 or purplish face, fixed or rolling eyes, and the head 
 thrown back. 
 
 Infants should be placed in a warm bath, and cold 
 compresses placed upon the head, if the head is hot. 
 Should the soft spot at the top of the head protrude, 
 showing evidence of severe congestion, cold applica- 
 tions to the head should be applied very freely. If, on 
 the contrary, the soft spot should show a depression, 
 the infant should be held for a few moments with head 
 downward, and the cold applications to the head 
 should be omitted. Very frequently relief can be ob- 
 tained by the use of a half teaspoonful of chloroform, 
 poured upon a handkerchief and held an inch or two 
 from the nose, allowing the mixture of fresh air and 
 the vapor of the anesthetic. 
 
 Should the convulsion occur in larger children or in 
 an adult, givG f if possible, a warm-water emetic, and if 
 the extremities are cold, warm them. Should the 
 whole body be cold, the patient should be placed in a 
 hot bath. If the head is hot, apply the cold compress 
 (page 96). Should there be danger of the patient bit- 
 ing the tongue, insert between the teeth a wedge of 
 wood or a cork. When the convulsion is over, seek 
 out and remove the cause. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 NINE-DAY FITS. 
 
 THESE occur in children under two weeks of age, 
 as the name implies. This is caused by im- 
 pure air, improper diet, or the use of alcoholic liquors 
 by the mother, but more frequently is traced to irrita- 
 tion of the cord. This may arise from rubbing, or from 
 wet or filthy dressing to the umbilicus or navel. Ap- 
 ply to the spine a small strip of cotton wet in chloro- 
 form. This stops the spasm, and when the smart- 
 ing from the chloroform ceases, the child will sleep. 
 Cleanse the cord and parts surrounding, with soap and 
 water, and see that the clothes are dry. Spread on an 
 old piece of linen some antiseptic ointment, and secure 
 it with adhesive strips. This should be removed and 
 new applied as often as it becomes wet. Should the 
 cause be unsanitary conditions, improper food, or the 
 habits of the mother, these of course must be corrected 
 in order to obtain permanent relief. 
 
 [179] 
 
CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 NEURALGIA. 
 
 NEURALGIA is a common term signifying pain 
 in the nerve. It is sharp, sudden, piercing, al- 
 ternately ceases and reappears, and follows the course 
 of a nerve and its branches. It attacks the nerves dis- 
 tributed to the forehead and temple, the cheek and 
 eye, the teeth and jaws, the arms, the heart, the ribs, 
 the stomach, the liver, the kidneys, the testicle, the 
 leg, and other parts. It is experienced by the strong 
 and full-blooded as well as by the feeble and delicate. 
 Among the latter it is frequent, particularly if inhabit- 
 ing malarial districts. By many people neuralgia is 
 called rheumatism, and it is sometimes difficult for a 
 physician to distinguish between the two. In the jaws 
 it may be mistaken for toothache, and many sound 
 teeth have been extracted without relief. Nursing 
 long continued, and consumption induce neuralgia of 
 the ribs. Exposure to cold and damp produce neural- 
 gia of the back and testicle. Neuralgia arises from 
 dyspepsia, from uterine disease, and from other organic 
 affections. Often it is due to irritation, and may be 
 sympathetic. 
 
 From a moment's consideration of the many condi- 
 tions in which neuralgia appears and the many causes 
 [180] 
 
NEURALGIA. l8l 
 
 which produce it, it is evident that the only way to 
 eradicate it is by a thorough course of treatment and 
 medication which will correct the abnormal condition 
 of the system and its fluids. That this is obstinate 
 all physicians declare, and particularly so when it is 
 hereditary. 
 
 To relieve the pain, if the surface is cold, apply hot 
 fomentations; if hot, apply the cold compress. Lay 
 aside whichever increases the pain, and use the other. 
 Sometimes this can only be ascertained by trial. Lit- 
 tle is gained by burning or blistering the part with 
 mustard or similar applications. If local heat relieves, 
 apply the rubber bag filled with boiling hot water to 
 the back; to the lower part of the spine if the pain 
 is in the abdomen or legs; or between the shoulder- 
 blades if the neuralgia is in the head or chest. 
 
 There are many remedies recommended for internal 
 administration for this disease, but as it is due prima- 
 rily to errors in diet and living, permanent relief can 
 only be obtained by a return to those health principles 
 which will build up the system, and fortify it against 
 the attack of disease. As a tonic, to increase the tone 
 and vitality of the system, give No. 5, one tablet every 
 three hours, for two or three weeks. 
 
CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 LOCKJAW. 
 
 THIS disease results from a wound, and seems to 
 spend the most of its force upon the lacerated 
 nerve or nerves, and through the nervous system the 
 whole frame becomes involved. The appearances, 
 however, are confined chiefly to the muscles, which 
 being contracted and rigid, would indicate that they 
 alone were affected. The magnitude of the injury is 
 in no proportion to the severity of this malady. A 
 blow which will affect the flesh to a considerable ex- 
 tent may occasion it, and it has been known to de- 
 velop from so slight a cause as pricking the finger with 
 a tack. In horses it is frequently developed by a nail 
 puncturing the foot. From a sense of soreness about 
 the wound, there quickly follows a stiffness of the ad- 
 joining muscles. This rigidity progresses toward the 
 head, including all the muscular structures in its way. 
 Soon the neck and face are involved, and although 
 consciousness is retained until the last, the counte- 
 nance has a ghastly appearance. The jaws in turn are 
 locked fast, swallowing is impossible, the pain extreme, 
 and the whole body rigid. 
 
 The treatment indicated is such as will overcome 
 the tension, or rigidity, and allay the intense irritation 
 [182] 
 
LOCKJAW. 183 
 
 of the nerves at the seat of injury; and secondarily, 
 heal the wound if extensive. 
 
 The treatment should by all means be begun, if pos- 
 sible, before the neck and jaw are involved, as the 
 chances for success are then much more favorable. 
 Administer the vapor-bath ( page 90), after which put 
 the patient to bed, and give the spirit vapor-bath 
 (page 90), which should be prepared during the ad- 
 ministration of the first. The water bag, filled with 
 ice-cold water, should be applied to the spine. Inter- 
 nally give No. 6, one tablet every two hours. 
 
 About the injury, and including much of the sur- 
 rounding part, should be applied a slippery-elm poultice 
 which is thoroughly saturated with equal parts of 
 laudanum and tincture of aconite root. This allays 
 pain and irritation, the opium acting as an anodyne 
 and the aconite as a benumber. This treatment should 
 be continued for several days. Should the surface be 
 much lacerated, it should first be washed with a solu- 
 tion of boracic acid. 
 
 If the jaws are locked at the time of beginning treat- 
 ment, and the patient can swallow, the internal rem- 
 edies may be poured into the mouth between the 
 teeth and the cheek, and will find their way into the 
 stomach. Liquid nourishment may be administered 
 in the same manner. If the patient is unable to 
 swallow, nutritive injections should be employed. The 
 room should be kept dark, and all noise in and about 
 the house avoided. There should be free ventilation, 
 as there is usually diminished respiration, but all 
 draughts of cold air must be avoided. The attendant 
 
1 84 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 should be careful not to touch the patient with cold 
 hands, or allow anything cold to come in contact with 
 the patient after the first application of the cold-water 
 bag, as the shock is liable to produce spasm. A 
 general opinion prevails that cases of this nature are 
 incurable, but we are confident that by the treatment 
 here recommended a majority may be successfully re- 
 lieved. 
 
CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 FACE-ACHE. 
 
 THIS is one of the most common forms of neural- 
 gia. The pain passes to the cheek, lower eyelid, 
 upper lip, and side of the nose, sometimes to the fore- 
 head and upper lid, and the eyeball. In dental neural- 
 gia the lower jaw is affected, the teeth, gums, and 
 tongue. The face or eyelids twitch, and frequently 
 become red and swollen and painful to the touch. 
 The pain is interrupted and intermittent, face flushed 
 or pallid, tongue coated, bowels constipated, appetite 
 poor, and rest and sleep disturbed. The face may 
 ache between paroxysms. If the teeth are involved, 
 no particular one aches, but all on one side in either 
 the lower or upper set are painful. There may be 
 headache. Sometimes the eye becomes bloodshot, 
 tears are copious, and flow down the cheeks, or the 
 saliva is increased in quantity. The pains may mi- 
 grate from the forehead to the cheek or lower jaw, and 
 occasionally one side of the head is left and the other 
 attacked. 
 
 For the treatment of this complaint, the general out- 
 lines given for neuralgia should be followed. If the 
 teeth are decayed, have them extracted or at least 
 consult a dentist. If the teeth appear sound and are 
 
186 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 painful, fill the mouth with either hot or cold water, 
 whichever affords relief. A hot sitz-bath (page 91) or 
 a hot foot-bath ( page 93) will sometimes give the de- 
 sired relief. That however which gives the best results 
 is the steam-bath (page 87), keeping the head envel- 
 oped with the blanket. The predisposing causes of 
 this complaint are treated of under the head of Neu- 
 ralgia. For relief of pain, give No. 2, one tablet every 
 hour until relieved. 
 
CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. 
 
 A DELICATE mucous membrane covers that part 
 of the ball of the eye that can be seen, and is 
 the same upon the inside of the lids. Kept continually 
 moist, it allows the lids to move and the eyes to turn 
 without friction. When this becomes inflamed, it is 
 red and painful, the lids are swollen, with red edges, 
 and there is great intolerance of light. During the 
 night, the eyelids are glued together by the mucous 
 discharge. The subject turns from the light, keeps 
 the lids closed, or the face covered with the hand, or 
 seeks the dark. There is an unpleasant feeling as if 
 dust was in the eye. 
 
 Such a condition as we have described may result 
 from cold, from substances getting into the eye, burn- 
 ing by cinder, and from blows. The lids should be 
 frequently bathed with hot water, and in the mean- 
 time a wet but light compress bound on. In the 
 morning bathe the lids until the glue softens and per- 
 mits their easy separation. 
 
 In inflammation of the eyes constant care is neces- 
 sary to keep the eyes free from matter. It is poison- 
 ous and must be so regarded. It will give the disease 
 to others by contact or will involve the well eye, if but 
 
1 88 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 one is affected. All cloths used for washings or com- 
 presses must be burned upon removal. Brushes and 
 towels must be handled with care, and thoroughly 
 washed in hot water containing sulphate of zinc or 
 carbolic acid. The patient should be kept in a dark- 
 ened room, and thin compresses wet in cold water 
 should be laid upon the eyes, being changed very fre- 
 quently so that they may not become warm. A 
 greater efficiency may be secured by laying the com- 
 presses upon blocks of ice. The room should be well 
 ventilated, but care should be taken that the patient's 
 eyes are not exposed to draughts of air. The edges 
 of the eyelid may be anointed with vaseline, fresh 
 butter, or pure sweet oil ; but great care should be 
 taken not to irritate them by friction. 
 The following solution maybe used to advantage: — 
 
 Boracic acid, 20 grains, 
 
 Sulphate of zinc 8 grains, 
 
 Fluid extract of golden seal, 2 drams, 
 
 Water 4 ounces. 
 
 Mix. 
 A few drops of this should be put into the eye every 
 day. In case of excessive discharge from the eyes, 
 they should be washed every two or three hours with 
 this solution. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 GRANULATED LIDS. 
 
 THE inner surface of the eyelids, from the above dis- 
 ease and other causes, may become covered with 
 little fleshy elevations or excrescences looking very 
 much like fish eggs. They keep the color of the mem- 
 brane, but when the upper lid is everted, look pale or 
 purplish. They irritate the eye and cause it to become 
 inflamed. The flow of tears and mucus is increased, 
 but as the inflammation abates, this is diminished. 
 The vision is cloudy and sensitive. Drooping lids are 
 often the result of granulations, which arise largely 
 from neglect of treatment of inflammation of the eyes. 
 In treatment, the profession agree that caustics are 
 necessary for the removal of the granulations. Take 
 a piece of blue vitriol, wet it, and rub it smooth on the 
 hand; then with the smooth side of the piece, touch 
 the ends of the granulations. This should be done 
 carefully, with the lid everted as described below. In 
 about a week the operation should be repeated. In the 
 interim the solution mentioned in the treatment for in- 
 flammation of the eyes, may be used to advantage as 
 a wash. This solution should be applied directly to 
 the affected lids. The mucous membrane of the lower 
 lid may be readily examined by instructing the patient 
 
 [189] 
 
190 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 to glance upward, while the lid is drawn downward. 
 It will be found necessary in examining the upper lid, 
 however, carefully to take the lashes in the thumb and 
 fingers of the hand, and draw the lid out and down- 
 ward. Then with the other hand press lightly with 
 the fore-finger upon the center of the outside of the 
 lid, and turn upward slowly. After two or three trials, 
 one can become quite efficient, and readily turn the lid. 
 This practice proves serviceable in assisting to remove 
 particles from the eye, such as dirt, cinders etc. 
 
 Particular attention should be given to diet during 
 this treatment, as laid down in the chapter on this sub- 
 ject. Give one tablet of No. 5 three times a day, as 
 a systemic tonic. 
 
CHAPTER XL. 
 
 STYES AND COLDSORES. 
 
 THE stye is a small, boil-like tumor, located upon 
 the edge of the eyelid. In aggravated cases the 
 whole eyelid becomes affected. They usually return, 
 and frequently there are several after the first one. 
 They are commonly the result of disordered digestion. 
 In the beginning of the difficulty, hot fomentations ap- 
 plied over the stye will frequently cause them to dis- 
 appear without coming to a head. In connection 
 with this the steam-bath (page 8?) can be used to ad- 
 vantage. By this means the poisonous elements are 
 eliminated from the system, preventing a recurrence 
 of the styes. The edges of the lids should be anointed 
 with vaseline or sweet cream. Attention to the diet 
 is, of course, essential. 
 
 COLD SORES. 
 
 These consist of an eruption of patches of little blis- 
 ters around the mouth. They are sometimes called 
 fever blisters. The eruption is usually accompanied 
 by smarting and itching, together with fever and in- 
 flammation. This can best be checked in the begin- 
 ning by the application of spirits of camphor to each 
 blister. Hot fomentations laid over the eruption will 
 take the fever and soreness out. The hot steam-bath 
 (page 87), enveloping the head also, will frequently 
 
 prove very beneficial. 
 
 [191] 
 
CHAPTER XLI. 
 
 FOREIGN BODIES IN THE EYE. 
 
 FINE dust will float in the atmosphere, will become 
 moistened, and collect in the corner toward the 
 nose, where it can be removed by the finger-tip. 
 Sand and cinders are more obstinate, do not soften 
 with moisture, and hence each particle must be sepa- 
 rately removed. They will be found upon the ball or 
 lid. The motion of the upper lid causes their sharp 
 edges to cut and scratch both the lid and the ball. 
 Pressure upon the lid, while it relieves this motion, 
 fastens the object more firmly in the delicate tissues. 
 The lower lid can be easily everted by placing the 
 finger upon the cheek, just below the lid, and drawing 
 downwards. A fine camel's-hair brush or the folded 
 end of a handkerchief drawn across it, will usually 
 sweep them out. If this does not remove all the par- 
 ticles, those remaining should be disturbed by some 
 sharp instrument, like the blunt end of a needle, and 
 the brush again used. 
 
 Most articles collect under the upper lid. This 
 should be turned back according to the directions 
 given for granulated lids. The particles may then be 
 easily seen, and can be removed as above described. 
 
 Steel points, emery, and the like, which are thrown 
 with much force against the eye, usually penetrate the 
 [192] 
 
FOREIGN BODIES IN THE EYE. 193 
 
 membrane, and are with difficulty removed. In the 
 case of the former, a magnet is the best instrument for 
 removing them. In the latter case they should be im- 
 mediately removed by the point of a sharp penknife, 
 holding the lids apart with the thumb and fore-finger. 
 Great care must be taken lest the eye be injured by a 
 jerk or other sudden movement of the patient. Some 
 persons are unable to keep the ball quiet while under- 
 going this operation. Under such circumstances a 
 physician should be consulted, and an anesthetic 
 should be administered. Bodies penetrating beyond 
 the cornea require the surgeon's care. 
 
 When a piece of lime enters, it should be removed 
 instantly, and the ball be thoroughly washed. This is 
 more important if the lime is unslacked. The wash 
 should consist of simple water, or may consist of one 
 part of vinegar to three of water, which is better. 
 
 13 
 
CHAPTER XLII. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR. 
 
 THE ear is one of the wonders of the body, so deli- 
 cate and intricate is its mechanism. It is subject 
 to numerous diseases, but few of which are amenable" 
 to domestic treatment. Some of these will be briefly 
 mentioned. 
 
 Inflammation of the ear may involve any part of the 
 structure, or beginning in one part, may spread and af- 
 fect others. Most commonly it is the result of a cold. 
 It is characterized by pain in the ear, which is in- 
 creased by pressure, and by noise, as well as by the 
 motions of the head and of the lower jaw, and by ex- 
 posure to cold air. Headache, uneasiness, some fever, 
 and ringing of the ear, accompany it. 
 
 If this is caused by a recent cold, the steam-bath 
 (page 8?) should be administered for twenty or twenty- 
 five minutes, the patient keeping the head under the 
 blanket as much as he can conveniently. The patient 
 should be placed in bed, with a hot blanket wrapped 
 around the lower limbs, and a hot compress, sprinkled 
 with spirits of camphor and secured by a bandage, 
 may be applied to the side of the head, completely 
 enveloping the ear. In severe cases the fomentation 
 should also be applied to the throat. Pouring into 
 
 [i94] 
 
INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR. 1 95 
 
 the ear laudanum, sweet oil, etc., is of no benefit, but 
 is rather liable to do harm. 
 
 Earache. — In a majority of cases, this is due to in- 
 flammation, and may be treated in the way just de- 
 scribed. After treatment for inflammation or earache, 
 the opening to the ear should be closed for a time with 
 cotton wool, dipped in a mixture of equal parts of 
 olive oil and laudanum. This should be warmed be- 
 fore applying. 
 
 Running from the Ear. — This results from long- 
 standing inflammation, or may be occasioned by an 
 abscess in the auditory canal. It may follow measles 
 or scarlet fever, may arise in any portion of the ear, 
 and is more prevalent in the debilitated and scrofulous. 
 The discharge is sometimes of a mucus nature, and 
 sometimes purulent or bloody, and may find its way 
 into the throat or outward through the external open- 
 ing. When the disease is located in the middle ear, 
 the drum is frequently perforated ; there is severe pain 
 in the ear, and a sense of fullness, ringing noises, in- 
 flamed drum, impaired hearing, usually accompanied 
 with nasal catarrh. The popular treatment of nasal 
 catarrh by the douche is a frequent cause of this com- 
 plaint. 
 
 The ear should be washed out daily with tepid, 
 slightly soapy water, by means of the fountain syringe. 
 Care should be taken not to use any force, as the 
 membrane of the ear maybe injured. If the discharge 
 from the ear is offensive, a few grains of boracic acid 
 in the water should be used. The atomizer is a valu- 
 able aid in the treatment of the ear, and the following 
 mixture may be used with it as a spray: — 
 
196 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 Glycerine 1 ounce, 
 
 Tannin 2 grains. 
 
 This may be applied with the atomizer in the form 
 of a spray. 
 
 In the chronic form, the treatment must be con- 
 tinued regularly, and for a long time, and even then the 
 disease may be intractable. Use two or three times a 
 day, with the atomizer, boracic acid, 10 grains, added 
 to 4 ounces each of water and glycerine, alternating 
 every third day with sulphate of zinc, 5 to 10 grains, 
 warm water, 4 ounces. 
 
 The vapor-bath (page 90), in recent cases, should 
 be taken in the beginning, and in cases of long stand- 
 ing, should be taken about twice a week. 
 
CHAPTER XLIII. 
 
 FOREIGN SUBSTANCES IN THE EAR 
 AND NOSE. 
 
 CHILDREN have quite a habit of putting peas, 
 beans, cherry-stones, beads, and the like, in the 
 nose and ears. To most who have not considered the 
 subject, the removal seems difficult. The great fault 
 seems to lie in using instruments for the purpose of 
 pulling out the obstruction, the result being that it is 
 pushed in until it presses upon the drum, causing great 
 pain. Nothing should be introduced, unless perhaps 
 two or three drops of oil. Place the child upon your 
 knees, with the ear containing the article downward, 
 and by a sudden blow upon the head just above the 
 opposite ear, it will usually fall to the ground. Some- 
 times a second blow is necessary. Should this fail, a 
 thin wire loop may be passed with gi eat care behind 
 the substance, and by this means the object be re- 
 moved. Insects are best removed by filling the ear 
 with warm oil, when they will float to the surface. 
 
 Substances introduced into the nose may be re- 
 moved by several methods. One is to place the child, 
 face downward, upon your lap, closing the mouth with 
 one hand, and striking a sharp blow upon the back of 
 the head with the other. Another is, closing the free 
 
 [197] 
 
198 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 nostril with the finger (which compels the child to 
 breathe through the mouth), take a deep inspiration 
 and suddenly and forcibly blow into the child's mouth. 
 Extreme care should be taken if the attempt is made, 
 as a last resort, to extract the object with instruments. 
 
CHAPTER XLIV. 
 
 MUMPS. 
 
 THIS is a tumerous swelling and inflammation of 
 the parotid glands, situated just under the ear. 
 This gland secretes saliva, which is carried by a minute 
 canal to about the center of the cheek, and emptied 
 into the mouth. One gland or both may be affected. 
 This is usually a disease of childhood, but occasionally 
 adults are attacked. It is generally believed to be 
 contagious, and is frequently epidemic. The period 
 of time which usually elapses after exposure before the 
 symptoms of the disease appear, is from six to four- 
 teen days. It usually comes on with a slight chill, fol- 
 lowed by light fever, continuing for two or three days. 
 The swelling of the gland then appears, behind the 
 angle of the jaw. Usually one side is first affected, the 
 swelling then extending to the other side. The pa- 
 tient suffers little or no pain when at rest, but there is 
 considerable pain and difficulty experienced when eat- 
 ing. The disease usually lasts from a week to ten 
 days, unless suppuration takes place, in which case the 
 gland becomes of a dark red color, very much inflamed, 
 and pus forms, which is discharged through the outer 
 opening of the ear, or through the salivary duct into 
 the mouth. This disease has one peculiarity; it may 
 
 [199] 
 
200 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 change location. From exposure or other cause, it 
 may locate in the breast of the female, or in the testi- 
 cles of the male. 
 
 Keep the person from exposure, give warm enema, 
 then administer the vapor-bath (page 90) for fifteen 
 or twenty minutes. For relief of the fever, the sponge- 
 bath ( page 92) should be taken at least two or three 
 times a day. Cool or cold compresses should be ap- 
 plied to the neck, varying the temperature according 
 to the intensity of the inflammation. These should be 
 alternated occasionally for fifteen or twenty minutes" 
 at a time, that the cold may not become painful. 
 Plenty of cold water should be drunk, varied occasion- 
 ally with weak, unsweetened lemonade. The diet 
 should consist wholly of fruits, grains, or gruel. If 
 there is any tendency to constipation, it should be re- 
 lieved with the enema. If there is an indication of the 
 forming of pus in the swollen gland, the cold applica- 
 tions should be discontinued, and hot fomentations 
 only applied. When pus has formed, it should be re- 
 lieved by means of the lancet. The formation of pus 
 will be indicated by the middle of the swelling feeling 
 soft to the touch. If there is much fever, give one 
 tablet of No. 1 every two hours, for thirty-six hours. 
 
CHAPTER XLV. 
 
 TONSILITIS OR QUINSY. 
 
 AS the name implies, this is an acute inflammation of 
 the glands above the roots of the tongue and on 
 either side of the throat. But one is usually affected, 
 though both maybe, and sometimes are. There is pain 
 and swelling, both increasing in severity as the dis- 
 ease advances. Sometimes the pain will dart upward 
 toward the ear or forward along the jaw. As the 
 swelling increases, swallowing becomes more difficult, 
 and occasionally respiration is impeded. The person 
 becomes feverish and complains of headache. If the 
 swelling is so great as to interfere with the circulation 
 of the blood to and from the head, the aching is more 
 severe. Later, pronounced throbbing is perceived, 
 due to the presence of pus. If the pus is in the front, 
 a white spot is easily seen. Coughing may be present. 
 On attempting to swallow anything, a spasmodic ac- 
 tion of the throat repels it. The inflammation may 
 spread to both the hard and soft palate. The tongue 
 is coated, the secretions of the mouth tenacious, and 
 the breath offensive. 
 
 It is distinguished from diphtheria by a greater in- 
 crease in the size of the tonsil, and by the false mem- 
 brane of diphtheria spreading in all directions, while in 
 
 [201] 
 
202 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 tonsilitis only the white spot or spots, which show the 
 location of the pus, appear, and these are stationary 
 and do not spread. 
 
 The treatment indicated is such as to relieve the 
 inflammation, and, if possible, prevent the formation of 
 pus, and if matter does form, to relieve the gland. 
 
 There are some persons who are subject to periodic 
 attacks of this disease, and who are therefore able to 
 note its approach in its earliest stages. If these very 
 early symptoms of feverishness and redness and swell- 
 ing of the tonsils, with difficulty of swallowing, be no- 
 ticed, a large enema should at once be taken, and the 
 steam-bath ( page 8?) should be administered for from 
 twenty to thirty minutes, according to the vigor of the 
 patient. The head should be held under the blankets, 
 and the steam inhaled to a considerable extent. Small 
 pieces of ice should be held in the throat after the pa- 
 tient has been cooled from the bath, and the ice com- 
 press ( page 96) should be applied about the neck. A 
 tea made from slippery elm may be drunk, or the 
 throat may be gargled with it. This will relieve its 
 dryness. After the first stages of the disease, the cold 
 applications should be discontinued, and alternate hot 
 and cold applications be made to the throat. The 
 sponge-bath ( page 92) should be applied to the body 
 to lower the temperature, the same as in other fevers. 
 Should there be indications of suppuration, the cold 
 applications should be discontinued, and hot fomenta- 
 tions only be employed. Should the white spots in 
 the throat become prominent, showing the presence of 
 pus, the termination of the disease may be hastened 
 
TONSILITIS. 203 
 
 by lancing the spots, and allowing the pus to escape. 
 During the progress of this disease, the patient will 
 find extreme difficulty in swallowing solid food. The 
 strength may be kept up by the use of graham gruels, 
 or soft food of like nature. Give one tablet of No. 1 
 every two hours for about two days, or while patient 
 has high fever, and for a gargle, use equal parts of salt 
 water and vinegar. The throat may be sprayed with 
 same solution with the atomizer. 
 
CHAPTER XLVI. 
 
 CHOKING, AND FOREIGN BODIES IN THE 
 
 ESOPHAGUS. 
 
 FOREIGN bodies in the esophagus are not very, 
 rare. Sometimes false teeth are swallowed, 
 which usually lodge near the stomach. In case of 
 thickening of its walls, even food may be stopped. 
 When the canal is partly closed, fluids will pass with 
 pain and difficulty; but when the closure is complete, 
 swallowing is impossible. Cancer of the stomach, 
 about the end of the esophagus, causes stricture and 
 eventually closure. Foreign bodies may be dislodged 
 by full draughts of slippery elm tea. If they pass into 
 the stomach, keep on giving the tea, and administer a 
 cathartic. If the drink has no effect, give an emetic, 
 or with the head dependent, tickle the fauces until 
 vomiting results. In dangerous cases the surgeon 
 employs tongs shaped for the purpose, or a probe with 
 flexible handle and stem long enough to reach into the 
 stomach. At the end of the stem is a ball to which a 
 circle of bristles is tied, with ends directed backward 
 and outward. It is readily passed into the stomach; 
 the reverse motion, it is evident, must carry all before 
 it. In case of stricture, only fluid food can be taken. 
 When meat closes a strictured esophagus, it may be 
 
 [204] 
 
CHOKING. 205 
 
 digested where it is by pepsin. In complete closure, 
 the food must be fluid and must be forced into the rec- 
 tum. In this way life has been prolonged for months. 
 
 Persons who have taken poison may be able to swal- 
 low, but will not. Tie their hands behind them, pry 
 open the mouth, and pass an emetic through a cathe- 
 ter into the esophagus. The catheter will answer the 
 same purpose if introduced through the nostril. 
 
 Spasmodic stricture, or temporary inability to swal- 
 low, is a symptom of some disease. Among those may 
 be named, flatulence, angina of the heart, hysteria, and 
 spinal irritation. 
 
 False teeth, fishbones, pins, needles, coins, etc., 
 lodged in the throat, may be removed by pounding 
 upon the upper part of the back while bending the 
 body forward. Another way is to open the mouth 
 wide in a strong light, grasp the tongue with a nap- 
 kin, pull well forward, and use forceps or pinchers. A 
 hook may do to carry it to the mouth, where it is un- 
 der control 
 
CHAPTER XLVII. 
 
 DIPHTHERIA. 
 
 ON account of the malignity of this disease, its 
 great prevalence, and the mortality it causes 
 among children, we devote considerable space to its 
 consideration and description. This disease is highly 
 infectious, and extreme caution should be used in 
 isolating the patient, and in the use of disinfectants. 
 The predisposing causes to this disease are to be found 
 in the general habits of life which are common to the 
 people of our country. There is a wonderful similar- 
 ity in the diet of children, the food being essentially 
 the same and also its manner of preparation. The use 
 of flesh meats and fried foods, with fats and sweets and 
 condiments, prepare the system for the ravages of this 
 disease. Added to this are the evils of confinement 
 for many hours in improperly heated and poorly ven- 
 tilated schoolrooms. To these predisposing causes 
 must also be added that of dress. Statistics show that 
 the disease is prevalent among females in the ratio of 
 about three to one as compared to males. 
 
 The method of dressing girls undoubtedly has much 
 
 to do with this. Boys usually have warm stockings 
 
 and heavy shoes, whereas the stockings of girls are 
 
 thin, and the shoes light. The drawers and skirts 
 
 [206] 
 
DIPHTHERIA. 207 
 
 reaching but to the knee, leave the lower limbs ex- 
 posed to change of temperature, and frequently the 
 neck and upper part of the body are in a similar ex- 
 posed condition. 
 
 The tendency of these conditions is to drive the 
 blood from the external surface to the inner surfaces, 
 producing congestions of the mucous membrane, which 
 terminate in diphtheria. It is true that the active 
 cause of diphtheria is a specific germ, but unless the 
 germ finds a congenial soil in which to thrive, it cannot 
 exist and multiply. 
 
 This disease, in many respects, closely resembles 
 membranous croup, erysipelas, or scarlet fever. We 
 have endeavored, however, in our description of these 
 maladies, to point out wherein these diseases differ. 
 In the first stages the person experiences fever or chill 
 or alternate chill and heat and great physical depres- 
 sion. The tongue is coated, breath offensive, and 
 throat sore. In slight cases, the sore throat may con- 
 stitute the whole difficulty. In a short time little 
 whitish spots appear upon the inflamed surface, which 
 spread rapidly, covering the whole mucous surface with 
 a tough thready membrane. This differs from the 
 membrane in membranous croup, as the latter is de- 
 tachable. In diphtheria the false membrane forms 
 in the mucous surface, and is firmly attached to it. 
 When detached, it often leaves a bleeding surface. 
 This false membrane is white at first, but soon becomes 
 gray, and then black, on account of atmospheric action 
 and the admixture of blood. In severe attacks it is 
 spread over the larynx downward through the air pas- 
 
208 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 sages, sometimes reaching the minute bronchial tubes, 
 and may be generated upon all mucous surfaces and 
 canals, even lining the bloodvessels. This shows that 
 the germs may find lodgment and affect different parts 
 of the system, but the disease is usually manifested in 
 the throat and air passages. 
 
 On the first suspicion or indication that the person 
 has this disease, prompt measures should be taken for 
 its relief. Much depends on being prompt in the be- 
 ginning. There can no harm arise from the methods 
 used in the treatment of this disease, even if the diag- 
 nosis should be incorrect, and the disorder develop 
 into something else. 
 
 The patient should be placed in the hot full bath 
 (page 86), or in the absence of facilities for this, use 
 the steam-bath (page 87). The duration of the bath 
 should be governed by the age and vitality of the pa- 
 tient. After the bath, the surface should be rubbed 
 briskly, the patient placed in a warm bed, and cold 
 compresses placed around the neck. The soreness in 
 the throat can be greatly alleviated in the beginning 
 by keeping small pieces of ice in the mouth or swal- 
 lowing them. 
 
 As diphtheria is pre-eminently a local disease, local 
 treatments are very important in its management. 
 The atomizer which is furnished with this outfit, is 
 an article that ought to be in every family, as it is 
 invaluable for use in the treatment of this disease. 
 There are numerous articles which may be recom- 
 mended for gargling or spraying the throat with the 
 atomizer. A half pint of equal parts of good vinegar 
 
DIPHTHERIA. 209 
 
 and water, with a teaspoonful of common salt added, 
 or the clear juice of a lemon, may be used. If a drug 
 store is near, a few drams of chlorate of potash can be 
 secured, and a strong solution made by pouring on hot 
 water. When cooled sufficiently, use with the atom- 
 izer, or gargle the throat. In the absence of an 
 atomizer, if the patient is a child, this can be used with 
 a soft swab. The mouth and throat should be well 
 cleansed with the chlorate of potash solution previous 
 to taking medicine, food, or drink. 
 
 In this disease there is great tendency to congestion 
 of the head, throat, and inner surfaces. Therefore, in 
 the treatment means should be employed to equalize 
 the circulation. The extremities should be kept warm 
 by means of the hot-water bag and warm blankets. 
 The vapor-bath, as given in bed (page 90), can be 
 used to good advantage in this disease. It may be ap- 
 plied once or twice a day for several days, or until the 
 disease is eliminated. 
 
 For removal of the false membrane, the following 
 may be used: — 
 
 Canada pitch, 1 dram, 
 
 Hot water, 1 ounce. 
 
 Dissolve by stirring, and use when cold, every half 
 hour. This may be applied preferably with the atom- 
 izer or by the use of a swab made by tying to a stick 
 a soft piece of linen, the edge of which has been 
 raveled. It will do no harm to swallow this mixture. 
 Great care should be taken in applying it with the 
 swab, do not attempt to tear the membrane loose, as 
 the mucous surface may be injured, in which case the 
 
 [14] 
 
2IO THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 membrane will surely form again. In addition to other 
 local applications, the throat may be sprayed with 
 equal parts of tincture of iron and water three or four 
 times each day. 
 
 The inhalation of hot steam will be very beneficial 
 in relieving the tension and sense of fullness in the 
 throat. A teakettle filled with boiling water may be 
 placed near the patient, and a paper made into a cor- 
 nucopia or cone placed over the spout with the small 
 end in the patient's mouth. Care should be taken, of_ 
 course, that a direct draught is not made upon the hot 
 steam. 
 
 The drinking of pure soft water should be encour- 
 aged as much as possible. It is better to give little 
 or no food during the first day or two. After this, the 
 food should be of a very nutritious character, such as 
 graham, corn-meal or rice gruels, or soft graham toast 
 without butter. The juices of ripe fruit may be used 
 freely, but there should be little or no sugar added. 
 Unsweetened lemonade may be used freely. 
 
 The patient should be kept very quiet, as free from 
 all disturbance as possible, the room darkened, and 
 kept well ventilated. There should be the utmost 
 care taken in the isolation of the patient and in the 
 use of disinfectants. The same rules should be fol- 
 lowed out in this respect as noted in the chapter on 
 Scarlet Fever. While the patient has much fever, 
 give remedy No. I, one tablet every two hours for 
 twenty-four hours; then give remedy No. 6, one tablet 
 every three hours; and during convalescence give 
 remedy No. 5, one tablet three times a day. 
 
CHAPTER XLVIIL 
 
 FAINTING, OR SWOONING. 
 
 THIS is caused by the blood leaving the brain or 
 by its not being supplied properly. The person 
 suddenly becomes pale and falls, losing sensation and 
 the control of the muscles. The heart beats feebly, 
 and the breathing appears to be suspended or is car- 
 ried on tardily. It is a symptom of a weak condition 
 of the nervous system, and finds its cause in whatever 
 tends to produce this debility. Protracted fever, great 
 loss of blood in labor or by other means, will some- 
 times cause alarming fainting. Some are so consti- 
 tuted that they cannot bear the sight of blood, the 
 smell of disagreeable odors, or any unusual surprise or 
 other source of mental emotion, without fainting. Se- 
 vere pain will sometimes produce faintness. 
 
 The effort should be made to assist nature to restore 
 the circulation of blood. This is best accomplished by 
 laying the patient down upon the floor, ground, or any 
 level place that is near by and convenient. Do not 
 keep a fainting person sitting in a chair and expect by 
 vigorous fanning to resuscitate. Place upon the back 
 the first thing, and they will revive in less than half 
 the time. A place near a window or door or in the 
 open air is preferable. Water sprinkled upon the face 
 
 [211] 
 
212 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 is effective. Ammonia applied to the nostrils is also 
 of value. Stimulants may be administered as soon as 
 the patient is able to swallow. In common cases this 
 will not be necessary, but in repeated faintings, follow- 
 ing loss of blood, every effort must be made to sustain 
 the flagging vitality. 
 
CHAPTER XLIX. 
 
 COLDS AND COUGHS. 
 
 IN the chapter entitled " Causes of Disease," we have 
 endeavored to place before the reader the predis- 
 posing causes which render one liable to take cold. 
 Persons that live healthfully as regards diet and bath- 
 ing are almost exempt from colds. It is much better 
 to try to avoid those conditions which render us sus- 
 ceptible to colds. 
 
 Almost without exception colds are the result of 
 carelessness. A little care, even if the system is pre- 
 disposed to colds, would save much trouble and sick- 
 ness. Colds come from the sudden lowering of the 
 temperature of the body, either in whole or in part. 
 Perhaps there has been vigorous exercise or labor 
 sufficient to bring about sensible perspiration. On 
 account of clothing, the feeling is uncomfortable ; we 
 seek a draught of air or shady retreat for rest and 
 cooling, and the result is a cold. Perspiration should 
 be evaporated but slowly. Do not endeavor to cool 
 off suddenly, avoid draughts of air when heated, do 
 not stand still in the winter so as to become chilled, 
 but keep up a circulation by walking. The wearing 
 of mufflers about the neck is a pernicious habit. It 
 makes the throat tender, and on their removal one is 
 
 [213] 
 
214 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 extremely liable to take cold. Cold is frequently 
 taken by inhaling cold air through the mouth. Keep 
 the mouth shut, and breathe through the nose. Be 
 careful of your feet in cold, damp weather, have thick 
 soles on your shoes, and in cold, wet, slushy weather 
 wear overshoes. 
 
 All colds affect the system but in one way, namely, 
 by contracting the skin. The blood is drawn from 
 the surface, and some internal organ congested. The 
 congestion usually takes place in the weakest organ, 
 whether it be the throat, the lungs, kidneys, or else- 
 where. In the beginning, the congestion is very easily 
 removed. Later, it becomes more difficult as the 
 tendency is toward inflammation. The severest cold 
 can be relieved in a few minutes if taken right at the 
 beginning. Delay generally means danger, therefore 
 we emphasize the early treatment of colds. The 
 patient should take the steam-bath (page 8?) from 
 twenty to thirty minutes, with the feet in hot water, 
 drinking three or four glasses of hot, unsweetened lem- 
 onade. If the cold settles in the head, and there is a 
 feeling of tightness in the forehead, the head should 
 be kept under the blankets as much as possible during 
 the administration of the bath. After the bath, if 
 possible, the patient should lie in bed a few hours with 
 the hot-water bag to the feet. Should there be cough 
 in connection with the cold, use remedy No. 2 as fol- 
 lows : One tablet every two hours for first day ; then 
 if cough continues, and becomes tight, give one tablet 
 of No. 9 every hour or two until it loosens up, and the 
 mucus begins to be raised. Follow this for a few days 
 with remedy No. 6, one tablet every three hours. 
 
CHAPTER L. 
 
 CROUP. 
 
 CROUP is of two kinds, the false and the true. In 
 the former there are feverish symptoms, hot skin, 
 flushed face, and frequent coughing, which is hoarse, 
 as noticed usually with a heavy cold, but in addition, 
 is accompanied with a loud shrill noise at each inspira- 
 tion. This sound, so peculiar, is the characteristic of 
 the disease. The paroxysm comes on without warn- 
 ing, except it maybe a slight indisposition, manifested 
 by restlessness upon retiring, the child waking up sud- 
 denly, alarmed and distressed for breath. After awhile 
 this spasmodic action of the larynx subsides, and the 
 child falls asleep. The attack may be repeated later 
 in the night or at the same hour the following night. 
 In the mean time all symptoms of the disease disappear. 
 True croup is better known as membranous croup. 
 There is some spasm, but the principal feature is the 
 amount of inflammation in the throat, which causes a 
 false membrane to be formed. This membrane not 
 only covers that part of the throat which can be seen, 
 but extends downward into the bronchial tubes. The 
 symptoms, particularly at the outset, are identical with 
 those of false croup, but differ in intensity. The hoarse 
 voice, the difficult breathing, the ringing cough, the 
 
 [215] 
 
2l6 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 crowing expiration, and high fever are present. As 
 the disease advances, appetite is lost; the voice, hoarse 
 at first, becomes less and less distinct, until finally it 
 is lost. The cough may at times dislodge pieces of the 
 membrane, but, unless relief is had, the air passage is 
 closed, and the child dies of suffocation. 
 
 This disease can be distinguished without difficulty 
 from diphtheria by the sharp cough, the husky voice, 
 and the paroxysm of difficult breathing. The steam- 
 bath (page Sy) should be applied in the beginning, 
 together with hot fomentations to the throat. Inter- 
 nally administer a large warm-water enema, then give 
 two tablets of remedy No. 4. Repeat the dose in an 
 hour. This is for the purpose of evacuating the bow- 
 els freely. 
 
 This treatment will be applicable whether the dis- 
 ease is true or false. Place the patient in bed after 
 rubbing thoroughly dry, and put the hot-water bottle 
 to the feet. In false croup this is usually all that is 
 necessary to do. If there is considerable fever, the 
 membranous variety may be suspected. In this case 
 use the following internal treatment. Give of No. 2, 
 one tablet every two hours. If the child chokes badly, 
 it is oftentimes beneficial to give an emetic of pulver- 
 ized alum. Give one half teaspoonful, and if it does 
 not have the desired result in a half hour, repeat the 
 dose. Continue the application of the hot compresses 
 thoroughly. Should this not afford quick relief, the 
 hot compresses should be exchanged for cold ones, 
 and even the ice treatment may be used, as recom- 
 mended for diphtheria. Relief will also be obtained 
 
CROUP. 217 
 
 by the inhalation of steam, as recommended for the 
 same disease. The chlorate-of-potash solution, ap- 
 plied by means of the atomizer, is an excellent 
 remedy for separation of the false membrane; or the 
 solution of Canada pitch can be used, as directed 
 for diphtheria. 
 
CHAPTER LI. 
 
 BRONCHITIS. 
 
 THIS is an inflammation of the lining membrane of 
 the air tubes connecting the throat and lungs. 
 A cold on the chest may be a slight bronchitis; it may 
 be acute and severe, dangerous in infancy and ad- 
 vanced age, or chronic, lasting for years, and termi- 
 nating in consumption. The cold settling in this 
 locality differs from others in the deep-seated pain and 
 feeling, the greater amount of coughing required to 
 dislodge mucus, and the hoarseness. The acute dis- 
 ease is more formidable. There are chilly sensations, 
 fever, headache, constipation, loss of appetite, thirst, 
 difficult and noisy breathing, hoarseness, with dry, 
 harsh, and painful cough, followed in a few days by 
 expectoration of mucus, sometimes streaked with 
 blood, and general depression. It sometimes follows 
 scarlet fever. 
 
 Acute attacks should be treated the same as colds 
 (which see), with the addition of hot fomentations to 
 the chest. Internally use remedy No. i, one tablet 
 every two hours for one day, then give No. 6, one tab- 
 let every three hours until relieved. For the relief of 
 the obstinate cough that usually accompanies this 
 complaint, use one tablet of No. 9 every two hours. 
 [218] 
 
CHAPTER LII. 
 
 WHOOPING-COUGH. 
 
 THIS is a cough peculiar to infancy and childhood, 
 and rarely attacks adults. It is considered con- 
 tagious, but fortunately seldom occurs but once. A 
 cough having no uncommon symptom at first, is 
 noticed in a week or ten days to become severe and 
 protracted. The child appears unable to get breath 
 for a painfully long time. The face is bloated and red 
 with blood during the paroxysm, blood-vessels dis- 
 tended, eyes prominent. The child runs and grasps 
 its parent or nurse and, after several convulsive ex- 
 piratory efforts, a deep, peculiar, noisy inspiration fol- 
 lows, and perhaps a little mucus is raised. This rapid 
 and sonorous inspiration is called a whoop, and gives 
 the name to the disease. These paroxysms, so dis- 
 tressing both to the patient and observer, may occur 
 only in the evening, or three or four times daily, if the 
 case is a mild one, or when severe, every half hour or 
 oftener. It lasts one or two months, and gradually 
 wears away. It is seldom dangerous, and only be- 
 comes so when some complication, like pneumonia, 
 sets in. It racks and strains the system severly, and 
 may lay the foundation for lung and brain diseases, 
 although it may not actually produce them. 
 
 [219] 
 
220 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 If whooping-cough is prevalent in the neighborhood, 
 and you have reason to believe your children have 
 been exposed, on the first appearance of colds the 
 vapor-bath (page 90) treatment should be employed. 
 This frequently may avert the malady. After it has 
 become established, the use of the chlorate-of-potash 
 solution with the atomizer, as recommended in diph- 
 theria, can be used to advantage in dislodging the 
 mucus from the throat. Warm fomentations may be 
 applied to the throat and chest. 
 
 The most efficient remedy for whooping-cough is a 
 strong tea made from the red-clover plant and blossom. 
 This maybe used either in the green or dried form. 
 It should be prepared by steeping, and sweetened, 
 with the addition of a little milk if preferred, and taken 
 as a drink four or five times a day. It usually cures 
 the disease in a few days. With infants it will be 
 necessary to make the tea weaker, and use a smaller 
 quantity. Also give one tablet of No. 2 every three 
 hours and repeat oftener if needed. 
 
CHAPTER LIII. 
 
 PLEURISY ; PNEUMONIA ; LUNG FEVER. 
 
 WE place pleurisy and pneumonia under the same 
 heading, and will describe the symptoms sepa- 
 ately, but the treatment should be the same practi- 
 cally for either. Pleurisy is an inflammation of the 
 lining membrane of the chest, results from colds and 
 exposure, suddenly checked respiration, and other 
 causes which constrict the skin and congest internal 
 parts. In some instances the disease is confined to 
 that part covering the internal walls of the chest ; but 
 being so closely connected with the lungs, these organs 
 seldom escape the effects of the spreading inflamma- 
 tion. The principal symptom of pleurisy is a sharp, 
 cutting pain just within the ribs, not always constant 
 but occurring always upon taking a long breath or 
 coughing, and sometimes upon attempting to speak. 
 With this pain there are generally feverish symptoms 
 (though slight in comparison with pneumonia), feeble 
 but hurried respiration, and usually a short, dry, hack- 
 ing cough. Should a part of one or both lungs become 
 affected, the expectoration may change from a frothy 
 to a mucous character, and even be streaked with 
 blood. When both the membrane and the lungs are 
 involved, we have to a greater or less extent the corn- 
 eal] 
 
222 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 bined symptoms of pleurisy and pneumonia. This is 
 what is termed pleuro-pneumonia. 
 
 As the pleuritic inflammation continues, one or both 
 of two things may happen. Either these portions 
 which touch and slip upon each other in health, ad- 
 here, or dropsy may supervene. In the first instance, 
 upon applying the ear to the chest, a sound as of fric- 
 tion will be noticed. In the second, the side becomes 
 enlarged, the space between the ribs less distinct, and 
 from the density of the fluid, respiration in the lung 
 may be lost to the listening ear. 
 
 It is distinguished from pneumonia by having its 
 characteristic sharp pain, its dry cough, and the 
 swollen side. 
 
 Pneumonia, or acute inflammation of the lung sub- 
 stance, is a serious disorder, though its fatality has 
 been diminished by improved methods of treatment. 
 The disease is commonly ushered in by restlessness. 
 This may be sometimes overlooked by the patient, 
 but at the end of one to three days is followed by a 
 marked chill, soon followed by nausea, cough, pain in 
 the side, distressed breathing, a pulse reaching to 140 
 or even 160 beats in a minute, burning heat of the 
 skin, thirst, loss of appetite, prostration, headache, 
 and sometimes transient delirium. Each case of pneu- 
 monia may be said to consist of four stages : First, 
 congestion of the pulmonary membrane, with dryness ; 
 second, the affected part of the lung becomes seriously 
 congested with blood, the air passages and small bron- 
 chial tubes become coated with a sticky mucus, which 
 produces a crackling sound, easily heard if the attend- 
 
PNEUMONIA. 223 
 
 ant listens with the ear over the lung. This is always 
 accompanied with pain in the portion affected. In the 
 third stage, the air cells become filled with a tenacious 
 mucus, the spongy character of the lung is changed, 
 and the texture becomes hard and solid. On percus- 
 sion, the sound is dull over the whole of the affected 
 parts. 
 
 Advancing still further we have the fourth stage of 
 pneumonia, or that of purulent infiltration. In this 
 condition the matter in the air cells becomes liquefied 
 and is absorbed, parts of the lungs, however, remain- 
 ing dense and solid. There are no physical signs of 
 this stage until parts of the lungs break down, and the 
 pus is expectorated. If the inflammation subsides be- 
 fore this fourth stage, as it fortunately often does, then 
 the fever disturbances decrease, the temperature drops 
 toward its normal standard, the cough becomes less 
 irritable, the general distress is mitigated, and recov- 
 ery is assured. 
 
 Pneumonia may affect one or both lungs, or techni- 
 cally speaking, it may be double or single. The right 
 lung suffers nearly twice as often as the left. The 
 lower lobes are more subject to inflammation than the 
 upper. The treatment necessary for these cases is 
 such as will reduce the inflammation, open the organs 
 of secretion, control the fever, and prevent the harden- 
 ing of the lungs. During the chilly period the patient 
 should be placed in the warm, full bath (page 86), for 
 twenty or thirty minutes. A large, warm enema 
 should be given to relieve the bowels, and three or 
 four glasses of hot lemonade should be drunk. After 
 
224 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 coming out of the bath, the patient should be placed 
 in bed, with the hot-water bag to the feet. 
 
 Should the period of the chill pass without giving 
 the patient treatment, the hot water should be omitted, 
 the patient placed in bed, and the treatments used 
 which will reduce the fever. The cool sponge-bath 
 (page 92) should be used, or the wet-sheet pack (page 
 94). The bowels should be emptied by means of a 
 copious enema, afterward injecting from half a pint to 
 a pint of cold water into the bowels. The cold enema 
 should be largely relied upon in this malady for the 
 reduction of the temperature. The temperature of 
 the water should be from 40 to 6o°. If the surface 
 becomes cold, apply hot fomentations. The use of 
 alternate hot and cold compresses over the lungs will 
 greatly facilitate the loosening of the mucus. Inter- 
 nally administer remedy No. 1, one tablet every hour 
 for first two days, while fever is high. During the 
 second stage, give remedy No. 6, one tablet every 
 three hours ; and when fever subsides, if patient is 
 weak, give one tablet of remedy No. 10 every four 
 hours. Also give remedy No. 5, one tablet three times 
 each day. 
 
 The patient should have plenty of warm lemonade 
 to drink, without sugar. At night a large linseed- 
 meal poultice, made by pouring boiling water on the 
 meal, should be applied to the chest and side affected. 
 This should be repeated for two or three nights. 
 
 Thorough ventilation is of importance, and the room 
 should be kept cool. The diet should be the same as 
 recommended for Fever. 
 
CHAPTER LIV. 
 
 COLIC. 
 
 THIS is not so much a disease as a symptom of 
 some painful derangement of the stomach or 
 bowels. The treatment, therefore, is largely confined 
 to the relief of the pain. The pains are sharp and oc- 
 casional, may be in any part of the bowels, but are 
 mostly around the navel. There may be nausea, vom- 
 iting, bloating from wind, some tenderness, cramping 
 of the muscles into hard knots, or cold sweats; more 
 than one of these symptoms being present in every 
 attack. Colic in infants is produced by wind, indiges- 
 tion, or improper and indigestible food. Flatulent, or 
 wind colic in adults is of the same nature, the wind 
 sometimes accumulating so as greatly to disturb the 
 abdomen. Bilious colic depends upon the presence of 
 bile in large quantities. It flows back into the stom- 
 ach, causing heat, a burning sensation, and vomiting 
 of a yellow or greenish matter. Painters' colic arises 
 from the absorption into the system of the lead used 
 in painting, or from the handling of the same metal. 
 There is also a species of colic due to obstruction in 
 the bowels, in which case vomiting is always present, 
 and the constipation is obstinate. The presence of 
 worms in children may lead to colic. 
 
 15 [225] 
 
226 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 Colic in infants may be relieved by the sipping of 
 hot water and the application of hot fomentations to 
 the bowels. As infantile colic is due to indiscretions 
 in diet, the specific cause should be sought out and 
 remedied. The most common cause is that of too fre- 
 quent feeding. Infants should be fed but three or 
 four times a day. The adoption of this rule, with the 
 use of proper food, will render the infant free from 
 colic. 
 
 For flatulent colic in adults, give a glass of hot lem- 
 onade or hot water, apply hot fomentations to the ab- 
 domen, and give a copious hot-water enema. Bilious 
 colic may be treated in the same way. In case of 
 vomiting, the hot-water drinking should be repeated. 
 When vomiting is obstinate, the hot-water enemas 
 will relieve it. Should there be suspicion of obstruc- 
 tions in the bowels, caused by hernia or the swallow- 
 ing of some indigestible substance, a competent 
 physician should be summoned without delay. For 
 relief of pain, give a few doses of remedy No. y, one 
 tablet every hour until patient is easy, then dis- 
 continue its use. 
 
 Pain in the Stomach. — This may frequently be re- 
 lieved by drinking a glass of hot water. Should it 
 not readily respond to this, apply hot fomentations 
 ( P a g e 96) over the part affected, and give remedy No. 
 7, one tablet every hour until relief is obtained. 
 
CHAPTER LV. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 
 
 THE chapter entitled Digestion will give the reader 
 a general idea of the construction of the surface 
 of the bowels. An inflammation of the mucous coating 
 of the bowels gives rise to such conditions as are dis- 
 cussed under the titles of Diarrhea and Dysentery. 
 The symptoms of inflammation of the bowels are acute 
 and constant pain in the abdomen, usually about the 
 navel, aggravated at intervals, tenderness upon pres- 
 sure, chill sometimes, high fever, and great thirst. 
 There is loss of appetite, nausea, and perhaps vomit- 
 ing. The passages from the bowels vary; may be 
 coated with mucus, offensive, or bloody, or constipa- 
 tion may be present. The most alarming cases are 
 those which result from obstructions in the bowels, 
 when labored breathing, bloating of the abdomen, hic- 
 cough, exhaustion, and death may follow. It can be 
 distinguished from colic by the tenderness of the ab- 
 domen and the increased pain on pressure, both absent 
 in colic. This disturbance may be caused by cold, in- 
 jury, or inflammation of some of the glands connected 
 with the bowels, or may be caused by long-continued 
 colic. Hernia or other obstructions may be the source 
 of difficulty. The cause should be carefully sought 
 
 [227] 
 
228 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 out, and if occasioned by either of the two latter, should 
 have the immediate attention of a competent physician. 
 
 The patient should have absolute rest. The spirit 
 vapor-bath (page 90) should be administered in bed, 
 and if the abdomen is not too tender, hot fomentations 
 should be applied. These should afterward be changed 
 for the cold compress wrung out of ice-cold water and 
 changed frequently. The patient should take inwardly 
 No. 6, one tablet every two hours. 
 
 The bowels should be cleansed with a copious warm- 
 water enema; afterward cold water should be injected 
 into the bowel, from four to six ounces being used. 
 The diet should consist entirely of liquid substances — 
 gruels, or rice boiled until very soft. 
 
CHAPTER LVI. 
 
 PERITONITIS. 
 
 THIS is an inflammation of the membrane lining 
 the abdominal walls and covering the intestines. 
 It is more dangerous and more frequently fatal than 
 enteritis or inflammation of the bowels, which we have 
 just described. It bears a close resemblance to this 
 latter disease. The prominent symptoms are exten- 
 sive and severe pain in the abdomen and tenderness, 
 the former increased by the slightest motion or pres- 
 sure, its distention by gas, and afterward also by fluids. 
 There are throbbing headache, great thirst, nausea 
 and vomiting sometimes, high fever, with rapid, wiry 
 pulse, dry skin, and short respiration, limited to pre- 
 vent disturbance of the bowels and hence the increase 
 of pain. The course of the disease is rapid. In a few 
 days the distention of the abdomen has reached its ex- 
 treme limits, and dissolution succeeds delirium and 
 coma. Peritonitis not unfrequently follows upon delivery 
 and abortion, but may originate in injuries or expos- 
 ure, or the effects of other diseases, as the perforation 
 of the bowels in typhoid fever, or of the stomach in 
 ulcer, etc. In these latter cases, collapse is precipi- 
 tated and inevitable. 
 
 [229] 
 
230 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 We begin with an examination for obstructions of 
 the bowels, and if discovered or strongly suspected, 
 we treat accordingly. In case of recent labor, we treat 
 puerperal fever. If it is a clear case of peritonitis, the 
 treatment must be active. The course to be pursued 
 in this disease is much the same as that for inflamma- 
 tion of the bowels. The bowels should be evacuated 
 by means of a large enema. Internally, No. 6, one 
 tablet every two hours. 
 
 To control the inflammation, we must depend chiefly 
 upon the vapor sweat (page 90). This should be 
 continued for several hours. Also use cold injections 
 to the bowel of four to six ounces of water, every 
 hour or two. Absolute quiet of the patient must be 
 insisted upon, and for the first twenty-four to forty- 
 eight hours, little if any food should be given. The 
 same diet prescription as given for inflammation of the 
 bowels should be followed. 
 
CHAPTER LVIL 
 
 CHOLERA INFANTUM. 
 
 THIS is the most fatal disease among infants in 
 cities during the summer, and is due largely to 
 the food, the air, and the surroundings. The babe is 
 nursed too frequently, and too irregularly; and where 
 not nursed naturally, too little heed is paid to the con- 
 dition of the nursing bottle or the character of its 
 contents. 
 
 Cholera infantum is undoubtedly due in many cases 
 to a specific germ found in decayed milk. This forms 
 very rapidly in hot weather. With infants who are 
 fed by artificial nursing, too much care cannot be 
 taken in the thorough cleansing and sterilization of 
 everything connected with its food. 
 
 Infantile cholera usually accompanies the cutting of 
 teeth. The diarrhea first appears, and may be slight 
 or profuse; the discharges are thin and light-colored, 
 or greenish, seldom yellowish. They soon increase in 
 frequency, and become frothy and offensive. The 
 stomach is irritable, with nausea and vomiting. Con- 
 stant vomiting soon follows, and purging, with great 
 loss of flesh and strength. Fever and thirst are great, 
 pulse rapid, skin dry, head and abdomen hot, and ex- 
 tremities cold. The face becomes thin and pale, the 
 
 [231] 
 
232 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 eyes sunken, the child restless, dull and drowsy, or 
 delirious. With dark, offensive evacuations, cold sur- 
 face, bloated bowels and insensibility, the fatal termi- 
 nation approaches. 
 
 The treatment indicated is such as will change the 
 acrid character of the evacuations, quiet the stomach, 
 stop the fever, restore normal circulation, subdue irri- 
 tations, and supply nourishment. 
 
 In the beginning the child should be made to drink 
 freely of warm water to rinse the stomach. All food 
 should be withheld, particularly that containing milk, 
 for possibly twenty-four hours. This will give time 
 for the poisonous matters in the alimentary canal to 
 be evacuated. A copious warm enema should be 
 given, and repeated in one or two hours. Should the 
 vomiting be persistent, it may be relieved by giving 
 the child, if large enough, small bits of ice to swallow, 
 or an infant may sip ice-water from a spoon. The 
 warm vapor-bath (page 90) can be used to advantage; 
 the patient should be kept warm, and the circulation 
 equalized by means of hot blankets and the hot- water 
 bag. Frequently hot fomentations will relieve vomit- 
 ing. If the head is hot, apply the cold compress. 
 
 Pure air and a uniform temperature are very desir- 
 able. Ventilation is very essential, but changes of 
 temperature should be avoided. The use of opium in 
 any form should not be allowed. For internal treat- 
 ment use remedy No. 6, as follows: One dose every 
 two hours, if diarrhea is persistent and severe, also 
 give remedy No. 3, one dose every hour, until the 
 movements become natural. 
 
CHOLERA INFANTUM. 233 
 
 As the cause of this disease, as before noted, is gen- 
 erally due to the diet, great care will need to be 
 taken as the patient convalesces. If fed from the 
 breast, the mother should be extremely careful in her 
 diet. If fed artificially, pure milk must be obtained. 
 If this cannot be relied upon for a certainty, use fresh 
 condensed milk, one part to thirty parts of warm 
 water. It is sufficiently sweetened in its preparation. 
 If the gums are reddened, hot, and swollen they should 
 be lanced. 
 
CHAPTER LVIII. 
 
 CHOLERA MORBUS. 
 
 THIS is a disease usually occurring during hot 
 weather, although carelessness in eating or drink- 
 ing may bring on an attack at any season. This dis- 
 order may be placed between cholera and colic. It 
 usually occurs during the night, the first symptom be- 
 ing a feeling of heaviness at the pit of the stomach, 
 which is followed by nausea and vomiting. There are 
 darting pains through the bowels, and sometimes 
 cramps, or a slight diarrhea may be the only premoni- 
 tory symptom. Bile in considerable quantities flows 
 into the intestine and stomach, when nausea, vomiting, 
 and purging follow. In severe cases these symptoms 
 may develop simultaneously. The surface is generally 
 cold and clammy, the pulse weak, and the thirst ex- 
 cessive. The discharges from the bowels are first 
 pulpy in character, soon becoming liquid, and great 
 quantities of fluid are passed from the body. Griping 
 is intermittent, but severe, the limbs are drawn up, the 
 abdomen recedes, and the patient suffers intense pain. 
 There is much prostration of strength, as in all pain- 
 ful affections of the bowels. It is distinguished from 
 colic by the purging ; in colic the bowels are usually 
 
 constipated. 
 
 [234] 
 
CHOLERA MORBUS. 235 
 
 At the commencement of this disorder, the patient 
 should drink liberally of warm water to cleanse the 
 stomach. A large enema of warm water should be 
 taken, and hot fomentations should be applied to the 
 abdomen. These should be changed frequently. An 
 injection of four or six ounces of water at 105 to no° 
 temperature should be made to the bowel frequently. 
 For internal treatment administer the following : For 
 pain give remedy No. 7, one tablet every hour until 
 relieved ; and for vomiting give a few doses of No. 8, 
 one tablet every half hour. Follow this up with No. 3, 
 one tablet every three hours, until patient is much 
 improved. 
 
CHAPTER LIX. 
 
 ASIATIC CHOLERA. 
 
 This is an epidemic and affects districts more or less 
 extensive, sometimes sweeping over whole coun- 
 tries. The symptoms are very similar to those of a 
 severe case of cholera morbus. It is distinguished 
 from cholera morbus, however, by the rice-water dis- 
 charges. Where the epidemic is known to be preva- 
 lent, great care should be taken with the diet, and all 
 exposure to sudden changes of temperature carefully 
 avoided. The first approach of the disease is charac- 
 terized by uneasiness, headache, lassitude, and diar- 
 rhea. The latter may be painless and slight, and 
 attract little notice. This may lead to a fatal mistake, 
 as many a person has lost his life in consequence. The 
 patient next complains of nausea and an inclination to 
 vomit. The pulse is quick but feeble. These symp- 
 toms last but a short time, when the dreaded prostra- 
 tion or collapse follows. The discharges from the 
 bowels are colorless, inodorous, frequent, resembling 
 rice-water or whey, and signify destruction of the 
 mucous membrane and decomposition of the blood. 
 The vomiting becomes more severe, and has the same 
 rice- or water-gruel character. Cramps seize the toes 
 and fingers, soon involving the hands, arms, and legs. 
 [236] 
 
ASIATIC CHOLERA. 237 
 
 Thirst is intense. Although complaining of heat, the 
 skin and tongue are cold, the cramps severe, the skin 
 and lids blue, eyes sunken, urine suppressed, and pulse 
 almost imperceptible. The discharges are thin and 
 continue, and the patient rapidly sinks. 
 
 This disease at the outset is easily arrested, but 
 should meet with prompt treatment. Especially 
 should the earlier symptoms be attended to if there is 
 suspicion of the presence of the dreaded malady in the 
 neighborhood. 
 
 Upon the approach of the first symptom, the diar- 
 rhea, the large hot enema ( page 97) should be admin- 
 istered; the patient should then be placed in the steam- 
 bath (page 8?) for about twenty minutes. After this, 
 place the patient in bed, and apply hot fomentations 
 over the bowels. Hot water should be drunk as long 
 as the vomiting occurs, and hot enemas, of six to 
 eight ounces of water, should be administered fre- 
 quently, as long as the diarrhea continues. For inter- 
 nal use, the following should be administered : No. 6, 
 one tablet every two hours, alternately with dose every 
 two hours of No. 3, until the movements are natural. 
 
 If collapse threatens or has occurred, every effort 
 must be employed that will produce perspiration. 
 Copious drinking of hot water, and the use of the 
 vapor-bath in bed ( page 90) are the most efficient 
 agents. The intensity of the vapor-bath may be in- 
 creased by the addition of hot bricks wrapped in cloths, 
 upon which alcohol has been poured, or bottles of hot 
 water may be used. When perspiration is fully re- 
 stored, and kept up for some time, the patient is safe. 
 
238 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 The food should be of the most unirritating character, 
 as the alimentary canal is in a very sensitive condition, 
 with maybe a portion of its lining badly damaged from 
 the effects of the disease. The water from toasted 
 graham bread, or rice boiled until thin and strained 
 through a fine cloth, may be used. This diet should 
 continue for several days, according to the severity of 
 the attack. Gradually make additions to the diet as 
 the digestive organs regain their normal condition. 
 
CHAPTER LX. 
 
 DIARRHEA. 
 
 THIS is a disease of the intestines where the evacu- 
 ations are too frequent, too liquid, and too co- 
 pious. It is caused chiefly by irritation from indigestible 
 food, such as unripe fruit, decaying vegetables, irritat- 
 ing medicines, morbid biliary secretions, and taking 
 cold. It may be present in children from irritation 
 caused by teething, in which case take the follow- 
 ing: Remedy No. 3, one tablet every two hours until 
 bowels are regulated. Rinse the bowels with a warm- 
 water injection, and keep the child quiet. 
 
 For older patients, where the difficulty arises from 
 food, copious drinking of hot water should be pre- 
 scribed, after which administer a large enema, place 
 the patient in bed, and apply hot fomentations to the 
 bowels. These may be continued according to the 
 severity of the case, Should the complaint arise from 
 the contraction of a cold, the hot vapor-bath should be 
 administered for from fifteen to thirty minutes, accord- 
 ing to age and condition of patient, the subject then 
 placed in bed, and hot fomentations applied to the ab- 
 domen. Hot-water injections, of six to eight ounces 
 of water, should be administered every half hour. 
 For internal treatment use the following remedy: 
 No. 3, one tablet every two hours until bowels are 
 
 regulated. 
 
 [239] 
 
CHAPTER LXI. 
 
 DYSENTERY; FLUX; BLOODY FLUX. 
 
 DYSENTERY differs from diarrhea in two par- 
 ticulars; it is confined to the lower bowel, and 
 is attended with hemorrage. A diarrhea may extend 
 along the whole tract of the intestines, but bleeding is 
 rare. There may be costiveness in dysentery, located 
 above the inflammation. The liver is congested and 
 the circulation blocked up, hence the veins in the 
 lower bowel are congested. Especially is this the case 
 in malarial districts. 
 
 Rest and quiet are necessary in all diseases of the 
 bowels, and are an important element here. The dis- 
 ease is generally quite easy to manage if taken in time. 
 The treatment is essentially the same as that recom- 
 mended for diarrhea. Should there be indications of 
 undigested food in the stomach, this should be evacu- 
 ated by means of a large, warm-water emetic. Follow 
 the treatment recommended for diarrhea, being care- 
 ful to protect the patient from changes of temperature. 
 For internal treatment use Nos. 6 and 3 combined, one 
 tablet of each every two hours until relieved. The 
 patient should abstain from eating for a day or two, or 
 use only non-irritating food. The chapter on Food 
 will give additional information. 
 [240] 
 
CHAPTER LXIL 
 
 CONSTIPATION. 
 
 CONSTIPATION, or costiveness, may be defined 
 as irregular and tardy movements of the bowels. 
 Commonly the excessive use of fine wheat flour in 
 bread or cake, and a scarcity of fluids, are the chief 
 causes. The use of narcotics and stimulants have the 
 same tendency ; but the great majority suffer from 
 neglectful habits. The call of nature may be slight or 
 imperative, but on account of some engrossing labor 
 or other trivial affair that presents a plausible excuse, 
 the answer is delayed until a more convenient season. 
 The inclination may not return until twelve or twenty- 
 four hours have elapsed. One oversight begets an- 
 other, and in a short time irregularity is the rule, and 
 constipation is more or less firmly seated, with usually 
 an aggravating case of piles as an accompaniment. 
 
 The treatment is simple or complex according to 
 the severity of the disease. Regularity in the move- 
 ments of the bowels is the foundation of health, and 
 the sooner the people understand this the better. In- 
 activity of the bowels is generally an accompaniment 
 of dyspepsia. The use of purgatives in the shape of 
 highly advertised pills is also a frequent cause of this 
 condition. 
 
 16 [241] 
 
242 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 Much can be done to overcome this condition by 
 regularity in habits. A regular hour each day should 
 be set apart for the calls of nature, say immediately 
 after breakfast is finished, and nothing should be 
 allowed to prevent the attention to such an important 
 duty. One of the best aids in this matter and the best 
 physic by far is cold water. Immediately on arising 
 in the morning, the throat should be gargled with 
 water, then half a glass of pure cold water should be 
 swallowed. This has the effect of rinsing the stomach 
 and upper intestines, dissolving the excrement, and 
 impelling it forward; and by the time breakfast is 
 finished, it has reached the exit. An attempt should 
 be made to relieve the bowels at the same hour every 
 morning whether there is inclination or not. The diet 
 should receive careful attention. As graham flour is 
 somewhat irritating, the use of bread made from whole- 
 wheat flour should be adopted. A very superior 
 article is manufactured at Wheelock's Mills, Battle 
 Creek, Mich. Cracked wheat, oatmeal, barley, or rice 
 may also be employed. Little or no animal food 
 should be taken. Cheese, pastry, and fried foods 
 should be avoided. One meal of the day should con- 
 sist largely of fruits and grains. A fruit that can be 
 had in most latitudes and countries is the apple. Raw, 
 it disagrees with some dyspeptics, but stewed, it is 
 relished by all. There is no fruit served that is better 
 to relieve constipation than the apple. Sedentary 
 habits have a very unfavorable influence, hence some 
 exercise, if only walking, is necessary. Vigorous 
 
CONSTIPATION. 243 
 
 kneading of the bowels four or five times a day for 
 about five minutes at a time will prove of value. 
 
 In case the patient has for some time depended 
 upon cathartics to relieve the bowels, warm enemas 
 should be used for a time. This practice, however, 
 should never become habitual. Should the contents 
 of the bowels have become hardened by long reten- 
 tion, relief should be obtained by the use of the enema. 
 Where the patient is troubled with piles, a warm sitz- 
 bath (page 91) should be taken before going to stool. 
 By persistent adherence to the above methods the 
 most obstinate cases of constipation can be perma- 
 nently relieved. 
 
CHAPTER LXIII. 
 
 WORMS. 
 
 THERE are in this country four kinds of worms 
 that infest the alimentary canal ; first, the long 
 round-worm, closely resembling the common earth- 
 worm, tapering at both ends, from four to eighteen 
 inches in length, and white or pinkish in color. It in- 
 habits principally the small intestines, but sometimes 
 ascends to the stomach (some people call them stom- 
 ach worms), from which it is ejected by vomiting. 
 Sometimes it creeps out of the mouth or nostrils, and 
 occasionally travels to the rectum and passes away 
 with the excrement. A large quantity of mucus seems 
 necessary to its existence, and its presence is a sign of 
 indigestion, fermentation, or some other deficiency in 
 the functions of the stomach or bowels. Once in 
 possession, they must be expelled ; for no improve- 
 ment in diet or general health will destroy them. 
 
 Second, the pin-worm. It is from one quarter to 
 one half an inch in length, and about the size of a fine 
 thread. It inhabits chiefly the large intestine, but is 
 principally felt in the rectum, as it goes there to de- 
 posit its eggs. It is found in large numbers, producing 
 great irritation of the anus, particularly at night. 
 
 [244] 
 
WORMS. 245 
 
 Third, the long threadworm. This is like the former 
 variety, except that it is three or four inches in length 
 and enlarged at its posterior extremity. 
 
 Fourth, the tapeworm. This worm is of a flat ribbon- 
 like shape, from one quarter to one half an inch in 
 width at the widest place, and tapering down to a 
 mere thread. It has a head, is made up of numerous 
 joints, and is from five to fifty feet in length. It is 
 seldom that more than one worm exists in the same 
 individual at the same time. The tapeworm inhabits 
 the small intestines. 
 
 The roundworm and pin-worm are most frequently 
 found, particularly in children. Adults, however, do 
 not escape, and many unpleasant feelings might be 
 spared if they would occasionally direct their atten- 
 tion to this matter as a possible cause. We are not 
 of the opinion that everybody has worms, nor do we 
 believe nobody has them, or that, if present, they 
 amount to nothing. 
 
 The symptoms are mainly those of irritation of the 
 stomach and bowels ; variable appetite, sometimes 
 voracious, fetid breath, acid eructations, and pains in 
 the stomach ; grinding the teeth during sleep, picking 
 the nose, hardness and fullness of the abdomen, slimy 
 stools with griping pains, short, dry cough, and ema- 
 ciation. In children this irritation produces a fever- 
 ish state, and is popularly termed " worm fever." To 
 these may be added a puffy or bloated appearance of 
 the face and a peculiar expression of the eyes. Under 
 these circumstances the passages should be watched, 
 
246 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 and if worms or segments or joints are passed, we are 
 positive of the complaint. 
 
 When certain of the presence of worms and knowing 
 the kind, their expulsion is not difficult. In case of 
 the long roundworm, or stomach worm, if they are 
 accustomed to rise in the mouth or nose when sleep- 
 ing, or to tickle the throat when lying down, an emetic 
 should begin the treatment. A large glass of warm 
 water, in which a quarter of a teaspoonful of mustard 
 has been dissolved, will prove sufficient. After the 
 emetic take: — 
 
 Podophyllin, 10 grains, 
 
 Santonin, 1 dram, 
 
 Pulverized sugar 1 ounce. 
 
 Give five to ten grains every three hours, according 
 to age of patient. This medicine will not require dis- 
 guising as it is almost tasteless. After three days' use 
 of this remedy, give a teaspoonful of calcined magne- 
 sia in milk or water and. an hour after, a glass of lem- 
 onade. In a few days begin the use of the medicine 
 again, follow for three days, and repeat the magnesia. 
 This plan should be continued for ten or fifteen days 
 at least. Only in this way can they be effectually de- 
 stroyed and expelled. To guard against a second gen- 
 eration go through the same routine after the lapse of 
 a month. 
 
 The same treatment will destroy the long thread- 
 worm. 
 
 The pin-worm must be managed in a different way. 
 As it is an inhabitant of the lower bowel, it can only 
 be reached and eradicated by flushing or washing out. 
 
WORMS. 247 
 
 The warm enema ( page 97) should be administered, 
 using from two to four quarts of water, according to 
 age of patient. A small proportion of castile soap 
 should be added to the water. The next day the 
 enema should be repeated. Instead of using the soap, 
 however, boil a handful of quassia chips in the water, 
 and then strain. These alternate enemas should be 
 used for several days. Keep the anus well oiled with 
 vaseline or fresh butter. By this means the worms 
 are unable to deposit their eggs, as they seek the anus 
 for propagation. 
 
 The tapeworm is a more formidable adversary. 
 Treatment for its expulsion should not be commenced 
 unless there is positive evidence of the presence of the 
 worm, as many people have imagined themselves to 
 be infected with tapeworms when they were entirely 
 free from them. It is necessary in order to effect a 
 cure, that the head of the tapeworm should be passed, 
 otherwise it will be likely to grow again. Portions or 
 segments give no idea of the size of the worm, and 
 their loss has little effect upon its life or the distress 
 caused the patient. The segments grow from the 
 head and push the others before them. A few inches 
 may be lost every day for years, and yet a very long 
 worm may be expelled. The stomach and bowels 
 must be prepared for the operation either by fasting 
 for twenty-four hours or by eating very sparingly of 
 white bread, crackers, and milk. Anything that will 
 produce much residue in the bowels should be avoided. 
 One of the best articles recommended is kousso. The 
 dose for an adult is from five to seven drams; for chil- 
 
248 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 dren the quantity should be smaller, according to age. 
 This should be taken in capsules. Two hours after 
 the administration of the medicine, take two teaspoon- 
 fuls of castor oil, or a dram of fluid-extract of jalap. 
 The simplest remedy is pumpkin seeds. Take off the 
 hulls from a pint, pulverize, and make into a mush with 
 warm water. Salt to taste. Divide, and take one 
 half two hours after the other. This should be re- 
 peated daily for several days in succession, Dis- 
 charges from the bowels should be examined with 
 great care so as to find the head of the worm. 
 
CHAPTER LXIV. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF BLADDER. 
 
 INFLAMMATION of the bladder is not always 
 confined to the organ in question. In the be- 
 ginning it is local, but it may spread upward toward 
 the kidneys, and downward along the urethra or urinal 
 canal ; may involve the membranous lining of the ab- 
 domen, the prostate gland of the male, or the vagina 
 and uterus of the female. This inflammation may 
 arise from external or internal causes. Among the 
 former, the principal is from injuries. Internal irrita- 
 tion may arise from the presence of stone and, which 
 is most general, from irritating urine, particularly that 
 confined by stricture. Certain substances, as turpen- 
 tine, taken internally may inflame the bladder. 
 
 The symptoms are local and always attended with 
 more or less pain. The pain is seated low down and 
 to the front, immediately above the pubic bone. 
 There is pain and more or less scalding upon pass- 
 ing water. The desire to urinate is frequent, attended 
 with little flow, and preceded and followed by violent 
 contractions of the bladder. The urine is scant, high- 
 colored, and deposits a cloudy or milky substance, 
 sometimes tinged with blood. 
 
 It is distinguished from inflammation of the kidneys 
 principally by the locality of the pain, that of the kid- 
 
 [249] 
 
250 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 neys being in the small of the back; from inflammation 
 of the womb, by the greater bloating and by the 
 higher fever in the latter, together with menstrual 
 irregularities. Occasionally the falling forward of the 
 womb causes direct pressure upon the bladder, in- 
 flaming it. 
 
 Chronic inflammation of the bladder is more com- 
 monly known as catarrh of the bladder. It is of long 
 standing, develops more tardily, and is recognized by 
 the frequent desire to urinate, the small amount escap- 
 ing, and the continual presence of a thickly viscid de- 
 posit in the water. The pain is not so great as in 
 acute attacks, but though less severe in character, is 
 almost constantly present. 
 
 The treatment necessary to pursue is to ascertain 
 and remove the physical causes of irritation, if any ex- 
 ist; to change the character of the urine and preserve 
 its normal standard ; and to relieve the inflammation 
 and to prevent its spreading. 
 
 If calculus, or stone, has already formed, a surgeon 
 must be consulted for its removal. The same also may 
 be said of the falling forward of the womb. If gravel 
 in fine particles is passing, the adoption of a proper 
 diet and the employment of the following treatment 
 will be sufficient. 
 
 The following prescription will change the character 
 of the urine, stimulate the bowels to activity, and as- 
 sist in removing morbid matter from the bladder: — 
 Citric acid, 4 drams. 
 
 Pulverize and divide into eight parts, put in blue 
 papers, also: — 
 
INFLAMMATION OF BLADDER. 25 1 
 
 Bicarbonate of potash, 1 ounce. 
 
 Divide into eight parts, put in white papers. 
 
 The above are administered the same as Seidlitz 
 powders. In a half tumbler of water dissolve a pow- 
 der in the white paper. To one of the tumblers add a 
 teaspoonful of sugar. When each is well dissolved, 
 pour together, and drink rapidly. The effervescence is 
 but momentary, and it is during its action that the 
 drink should be taken. This should be repeated every 
 two hours. 
 
 For the inflammation the hot sitz-bath (page 91), 
 for thirty or forty minutes, should be employed, after- 
 ward hot fomentations should be applied over the 
 lower part of the abdomen. The fomentations should 
 be changed frequently and applied for some length of 
 time. In male patients, large warm enemas would be 
 beneficial, and in females the hot vaginal douche, pro- 
 longed for some length of time, will be of benefit. 
 
 In case the above treatment is not sufficiently suc- 
 cessful, the bladder should be washed out with the fol- 
 lowing mixture :— 
 
 Glycerine, 1 ounce. 
 
 Fuid extract golden seal, 2 drams. 
 
 Mix and add to a quart of warm water, two table- 
 spoonfuls. Fill the bladder with this mixture every 
 three or four hours. This can easily be done by 
 means of the fountain syringe which is advertised in 
 the back pages of this work. The end of the smallest 
 tube should be well oiled and warmed, and inserted 
 into the entrance of the urethra. The flow of the 
 liquid can be regulated by the stop that is on the tube. 
 
2$2 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 When the latter is opened, the water usually pene- 
 trates into the bladder without the patient's being 
 conscious of its entrance. As soon as he feels the de- 
 sire to urinate, the stop can be turned as the bladder 
 is then full. The patient can now empty the bladder 
 at once or can retain the fluid some little time. The 
 water employed should be warmed to about ioo°. 
 The best time for employing the injection is just before 
 going to bed. A single injection in acute inflamma- 
 tion will frequently be sufficient. If not, however, it 
 can be repeated. Give No. 6, one tablet every three 
 hours while the trouble exists. 
 
CHAPTER LXV. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 
 
 THIS malady is usually the accompaniment of 
 some other disease, such as measles, scarlet 
 fever, diphtheria, typhus fever, some heart and lung 
 diseases, and sometimes inflammations, colds, rheuma- 
 tism, and pregnancy. Occurring independently, it 
 may be the result of injuries, exposure to cold, calcu- 
 lus, or the use of alcoholic beverages. Congestion af- 
 fects both, and inflammation generally but one kidney, 
 otherwise their symptoms are the same except in in- 
 tensity. There is dull or sharp pain in the small of 
 the back, tenderness upon pressure, feverish pulse and 
 skin, numbness of the thighs, and urine passes with 
 difficulty or may be entirely suppressed; that passed 
 is scanty and dark-colored. The urine may be bloody 
 and sometimes may contain matter. 
 
 Those remedies which stimulate the kidneys should 
 be avoided, and the effort should be made to give them 
 rest. Their eliminative work should be performed 
 by the skin and bowels. Place the patient in bed and 
 administer the spirit vapor-bath (page 90), for from 
 two to three hours, changing the water in the hot- 
 water bag as it becomes cooled. Induce the drinking 
 of pure, soft water. Hot fomentations should be ap- 
 
254 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 plied to the small of the back. The subject should be 
 kept warm, and on getting out of bed, should avoid 
 changes of temperature. The food should be plain 
 and unstimulating; the use of condiments, tea, coffee, 
 and spirituous liquors should be avoided. Meat should 
 be but sparingly used, if at all. 
 
CHAPTER LXVI. 
 
 RETENTION OF URINE. 
 
 THIS is a common complaint, occurs in all ages, has 
 many and various causes. It will be necessary 
 to notice these in order that a rational treatment may 
 be used. It arises from obstructions, such as stone in 
 the bladder, enlarged prostate gland (which is a com- 
 mon affection of the aged), stricture of the urethra, 
 and displacements of the womb; from irritation by 
 drugs, turpentine, etc. It is frequent in some diseases, 
 particularly scarlet fever, attends hysteria, some affec- 
 tions of the brain, and paralysis. The water may be 
 held until by over-distention contractility is lost, and 
 the retention is complete. In most instances, what is 
 at first incomplete, may become complete. One of the 
 most efficient means of relief is by means of a pro- 
 longed sitz-bath (page 91). The water should be at a 
 temperature of about ioo°. Hot fomentations should 
 afterward be applied to the small of the back and the 
 lower part of the abdomen. With females the warm 
 vaginal douche will frequently give relief. Should 
 these mild treatments fail, it will be necessary to pass 
 a catheter into the bladder. Unless the person has 
 knowledge of the use of this instrument, it would best 
 
 be done by a physician. 
 
 [255] 
 
2$6 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 SUPPRESSION OF URINE. 
 
 This condition should not be confounded with reten- 
 tion, where the bladder is full, but the urine is not 
 voided. In suppression of urine there is disease of 
 the kidney, and the secretion is impaired or discon- 
 tinued. The bladder is empty, and no urine passes. 
 This is dangerous because the blood becomes poisoned 
 with the impurities and waste material which should 
 find exit through the urinary tract, and as a conse- 
 quence the brain is overwhelmed. This occurs in dis- 
 eases of the kidneys and during or following fever. 
 
 The congested condition of the kidneys should be 
 relieved, and the suppressed fluids and impurities 
 should be eliminated through other channels. The 
 spirit vapor-bath ( page 90) should be used for twenty 
 or thirty minutes, afterward hot fomentations should 
 be applied to the small of the back. These should be 
 continued for an hour or two, changing frequently. If 
 the patient is costive, a large, warm enema should 
 be given ( page 97), and hot water should be drunk 
 frequently. 
 
CHAPTER LXVII. 
 
 RHEUMATISM, ACUTE OR INFLAMMATORY. 
 
 THIS disease is due to the presence of lactic acid 
 in the blood. The system has previously been 
 placed in a condition favorable to the development of 
 this disease by improper methods of diet, and by neg- 
 lect of bathing, as the excess of lactic acid is generated 
 within the system by some derangement of the nutri- 
 tive and alimentary processes. All secretions and ex- 
 cretions, even to the perspiration, give indications of 
 the acid presence. The fever is high, and the pain in 
 some instances considerable. The larger joints, nota- 
 bly the knees, ankles, and wrists, are more frequently 
 attacked. One joint only is involved at a time, and 
 the characteristic of the disease is that without pre- 
 monition it may in a few hours center upon another, 
 leaving the first comparatively free. The joint at- 
 tacked becomes red, hot, swollen, tender, and the least 
 motion aggravates the pain. In some cases this sen- 
 sitiveness is so great that touching the bedclothes or 
 walking across the floor will jar sufficiently to disturb 
 the invalid. Pain is continually depicted upon the 
 countenance. The invalid is restless, sleepless, and 
 thirsty, has a high fever, thickly coated tongue, and 
 there is deficient action of the kidneys and of the skin. 
 17 [257] 
 
258 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 Occasionally there will be free perspiration, having the 
 characteristic sour odor. Sometimes the elbows, hips, 
 or shoulders are invaded. A peculiarity of inflamma- 
 tory rheumatism is that it expends its force upon the 
 fibrous tissue. In this peculiarity lies its danger. 
 The walls and valves of the heart are fibrous, and a 
 change from a joint to this organ hazards life. While 
 the heart is free from attack, there is little if any 
 danger. 
 
 The course of treatment followed should be to re- 
 move, as far as possible, the acid from the system ; 
 chemically to neutralize that which remains ; and to 
 stop the fever and relieve the pain in the joints. 
 
 As soon as possible after the commencement of the 
 attack, the hot pack ( page 94) should be administered. 
 This should be continued for several hours, and may 
 be repeated two or three times within twenty-four 
 hours. The patient should be encouraged to drink 
 freely of hot or cool lemonade made without sugar, or 
 but slightly sweetened. At or near the beginning of 
 the treatment, the bowels should be emptied by means 
 of the large enema ( page 97). After coming out of 
 the pack, the joints or parts affected should have hot 
 fomentations applied; this should be continued for 
 some time. 
 
 For internal treatment use the following : No. 6, one 
 tablet every two hours, and for adults give eight drops 
 of oil of wintergreen (children in proportion) on a 
 lump of sugar every three hours. This may be con- 
 tinued for several days. 
 
RHEUMATISM. 259 
 
 The eliminative treatment should be continued for 
 several days by means of the vapor-bath in bed (page 
 90) and the free drinking of water, or preferably, lem- 
 onade without sugar. The diet should be simple, con- 
 sisting wholly of fruits and grains ; all animal food and 
 tea and coffee should be avoided. For some time after 
 convalescence, the patient should be very careful about 
 diet, as a return to former habits may cause a relapse. 
 
CHAPTER LXVIII. 
 
 FREEZING. 
 
 FROM exposure, either of long or short duration 
 according to the intensity of the cold, different 
 parts of the body, particularly the nose, ears, fingers, 
 and toes, are liable to become frozen. The first sen- 
 sation is that of cold and pain, with bluish color of 
 the skin, which is soon followed by a white or blood- 
 less cast and insensibility of the part. The frozen 
 portion should, as soon as discovered, be rubbed with 
 snow or ice-water, the friction being followed up until 
 there are positive signs of an active circulation; red- 
 ness, warmth, and pliability. Warm rooms and the 
 fire are to be shunned ; for a too sudden change of 
 temperature may result in mortification of the affected 
 member. If a considerable portion of the body has 
 been frozen, the person should be taken to a cool 
 room, and the affected portions rubbed with snow or 
 ice-water until they become pliable. This may take 
 considerable time, but the results attained are well 
 worth the trouble. After the portions have become 
 thawed, they should be rubbed with sweet oil or vas- 
 eline, and the temperature of the room gradually 
 raised. Should the frost-bitten parts afterward ulcer- 
 ate, the same treatment can be applied as that pre- 
 scribed for burns. 
 [260] 
 
FREEZING. 26l 
 
 CHILBLAINS. 
 
 Chilblains are very similar to frost-bites. Both are 
 caused by exposure to cold. Chilblains are more 
 likely to be chronic, and affect more particularly 
 scrofulous constitutions. The heels, fingers, and toes 
 are the parts most predisposed. The pain is not con- 
 stant but rather pungent and shooting at particular 
 times, and an insupportable itching attends. If the 
 exposure has been long continued, the inflammation 
 may be severe and the surface mortify, leaving an 
 ulcer. Frozen parts sometimes remain sensitive to 
 cold and wet weather for years, and from their di- 
 minished vitality, the complaint recurs with greater 
 facility. 
 
 Prevention consists of the use of warm clothing, and 
 exercising care when exposed to inclement weather. 
 The remedy for this complaint is the alternate hot 
 and cold foot-bath, as follows : Take two pails of wa- 
 ter, one hot and the other cold. Dip the feet in the 
 hot water, as hot as can be borne, for about one half 
 minute, then into the cold water for the same length 
 of time, This should be continued for fifteen or twenty 
 minutes, and repeated night and morning for several 
 days. 
 
CHAPTER LXIX. 
 
 SUSPENDED ANIMATION — SUFFOCATION — 
 
 DROWNING. 
 
 SUSPENDED animation results from some obstruc- 
 tion to the access of air to the lungs, as a portion 
 of food lodged in the throat closing the air passages, 
 constriction about the neck, as in strangling, or by the 
 inhalation of poisonous gases; the effect in all cases 
 being that the blue blood in the lungs is not converted 
 into the red and life-sustaining arterial fluid. 
 
 It occurs by drowning, smothering, strangling, and 
 hanging. Poisonous gases are prolific causes of as- 
 phyxia. The heavy carbonic-acid gas settles in old 
 wells, mines, and brewers' vats. A person lowered 
 into this suddenly becomes insensible. If not imme- 
 diately rescued, death ensues. Another should be 
 sent to the rescue at once. Care should be exercised 
 that the second person is not submerged in the gas for 
 a longer time than a person can hold his breath, or he, 
 too, may be stricken. If unsuccessful in securing the 
 victim, it is better to return to the surface and try 
 again. Fresh, dry charcoal is a powerful absorbent of 
 this gas. The well may be purified by lowering a bas- 
 ket of charcoal into the gas for ten or fifteen minutes. 
 This should then be withdrawn and a fresh supply sub- 
 [afe] 
 
DROWNING. 263 
 
 stituted, or the first lot be heated and again used. 
 When a lighted candle can be let down to the bottom 
 without extinguishing the flame, no gas is present. It 
 is best in all cases to try this simple test before making 
 the descent. 
 
 Suffocation not infrequently follows the escape of 
 the common burning gas into unventilated sleeping 
 apartments. People in our northern latitudes in win- 
 ter are poisoned and sometimes asphyxiated by closing 
 the drafts of stoves too closely at night, which renders 
 liable an escape of gas into the room. The fumes 
 from burning charcoal are still more dangerous. Life 
 is oftener lost in burning buildings from the suffocation 
 produced by the smoke than by the flames themselves. 
 Firemen frequently rescue from rooms yet untouched 
 by fire, persons in an insensible condition caused by 
 this agent. 
 
 In the case of persons apparently dead by drowning, 
 the condition may be suspended animation, and life 
 may still exist. The treatment for restoring persons 
 apparently drowned is applicable in most respects to 
 all cases of suspended animation. We give the follow- 
 ing condensation of the rules prepared by the State 
 Board of Health of Michigan, which have been pub- 
 lished for general circulation. 
 
 ''RULE i. Remove all obstructions to breathing. 
 Instantly loosen or cut apart all neck and waist bands; 
 turn the patient on the face, with the head down hill; 
 stand astride the hips, with your face toward his head, 
 and locking your fingers together under his belly, raise 
 the body as high as you can without lifting the fore- 
 
2C4 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 head off the ground, and give the body a smart jerk to 
 remove the mucus from the throat and water from the 
 windpipe; hold the body suspended long enough to 
 slowly count one, two, three, four, five, repeating the 
 jerk more gently two or three times. 
 
 " Rule 2. Place the patient face downward, and 
 maintaining all the while your position astride the 
 body, grasp the point of the shoulders, by the clothing, 
 or if the body is naked, thrust your fingers into the 
 armpits, clasping your thumbs over the points of the 
 shoulders, and raise the chest as high as you can with- 
 out lifting the head quite off the ground, and hold it 
 long enough to slowly count one, two, three. Replace 
 him on the ground, with his forehead on his flexed arm, 
 the neck straightened out, and the mouth and nose 
 free. Place your elbows against your knees, and your 
 hands upon the sides of his chest over the lower ribs, 
 and press downward and inward with increasing force 
 long enough to slowly count one, two. Then suddenly 
 let go, grasp the shoulders as before and raise the 
 chest; then press upon the ribs, etc. These alternate 
 movements should be repeated ten or fifteen times a 
 minute for an hour at least, unless breathing is re- 
 stored sooner. Use the same regularity as in natural 
 breathing. 
 
 "Rule 3. After the breathing has commenced, re- 
 store the animal heat. Wrap him in warm blankets, 
 apply bottles of hot water, hot bricks, or anything to 
 restore heat. Warm the head nearly as fast as the 
 body, lest convulsions come on. Rubbing the body with 
 warm cloths on the hand, and slapping the fleshy parts, 
 
DROWNING. 265 
 
 may assist to restore warmth, and the breathing also. 
 If the patient can surely swallow, give hot coffee, tea, 
 milk, or a little hot sling. Give spirits sparingly, lest 
 they produce depression. Place the patient in a warm 
 bed, and give him plenty of fresh air; keep him quiet. 
 
 "Avoid delay. A moment may turn the scale for life 
 or death. Dry ground, shelter, warmth, stimulants, 
 etc., at this moment are nothing, — artificial breathing 
 is everything — is the one remedy ', — all others are 
 secondary. 
 
 " Do not stop to remove wet clothing before efforts 
 are made to restore breathing. Precious time is wasted, 
 and the patient may be fatally chilled by exposure of 
 the naked body, even in summer. Give all your atten- 
 tion to restore breathing, by forcing air into, and out 
 of, the lungs. If the breathing has just ceased, a smart 
 slap on the face, or a vigorous twist of the hair will 
 sometimes start it again, and may be tried incident- 
 ally, as may also pressing the finger upon the root 
 of the tongue. 
 
 "Before natural breathing is fully restored, do not 
 let the patient lie on his back unless some person holds 
 the tongue forward. The tongue by falling back may 
 close the windpipe and cause fatal choking. 
 
 " If several persons are present, one may hold the 
 head steady, keeping the neck nearly straight; others 
 may remove wet clothing, replacing at once clothing 
 which is dry and warm; they may also chafe the limbs, 
 and thus promote the circulation. 
 
 " Prevent friends from crowding around the patient 
 and excluding fresh air; also from trying to give stim- 
 
266 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 ulants before the patient can swallow. The first 
 causes suffocation; the second fatal choking. 
 
 "Do not give up too soon. You are working for life. 
 Any time within two hours you may be on the very 
 threshold of success without there being any sign 
 of it." 
 
CHAPTER LXX. 
 
 BURNS AND SCALDS. 
 
 A SLIGHT superficial burn may be treated by 
 covering the part with any thickish fluid that 
 will exclude the air ; for instance, molasses, glycerine, 
 warm glue, linseed, olive, or castor oil ; or the part 
 may be immersed in water a little below the tempera- 
 ture of the body. This latter treatment may be con- 
 tinued for a considerable length of time with much 
 benefit. Blisters should be pricked, the outer skin 
 gently smoothed down, and some simple ointment or 
 oil smeared over it so that the dressing will not stick 
 to it when removed. The burn may now be covered 
 with cotton wadding, and a bandage used to keep it in 
 place. A healing application is made of olive or lin- 
 seed oil, three or four ounces, and carbolic acid, ten 
 to thirty drops. This is poured upon the skin from 
 above the wound, and permitted to run down between 
 the cotton and the skin, thereby moistening both, 
 bathing the injured surface, removing foul odors, less- 
 ening the discharge, and promoting healing. Common 
 baking soda well powdered, may be sprinkled upon a 
 scald or burn, and over this a wet compress placed. 
 The compress must be kept moist with water, or 
 a solution of the soda in water. It relieves pain 
 promptly and permanently. 
 
 [267] 
 
268 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 The white of an egg applied over a burn or scald is 
 good, in fact, almost anything that will exclude air. 
 Linseed oil and carbolic acid, or glycerine and carbolic 
 acid, are preferable, on account of their healing quali- 
 ties. In case of suppuration or deep sores, this treat- 
 ment should be followed by the use of an antiseptic 
 ointment. When the burns are serious, as in cases 
 where the clothes take fire, great care. must be taken 
 not to remove the skin, which has but little hold upon 
 the flesh and is quite likely to be somewhat firmly 
 attached to the clothing. If it sticks ever so little, 
 leave the piece that sticks in its place, and cut away 
 the remainder. It is a good plan in every instance of 
 extensive burns or scalds not to attempt to remove 
 the clothes, but carefully cut them up, particularly 
 those garments next the flesh. Thoroughly sponge 
 the piece with the saturated solution of baking soda 
 until it is easily removed. Oil may be used for the 
 same purpose. After the ointment and cotton are 
 applied, the patient may be wrapped in sheets and 
 blankets. 
 
 The clothes catching fire, whether by accident or 
 carelessness, is a fearful disaster. The natural impulse 
 seems to be to run for help instead of helping one's 
 self. The tendency of the flames is to shoot upward, 
 burning the clothing above, and enveloping the head, 
 so there is extreme danger of breathing the fire into 
 the lungs; therefore the individual should immedi- 
 ately lie down upon the floor and roll toward water 
 or, what is far better, woolens, either clothing, mat- 
 ting, or bedcovers. Wrapping in these completely 
 
BURNS AND SCALDS. 269 
 
 excludes the air and the fire is extinguished. Call 
 for assistance if you will, but do not run for it. Many 
 lives might be saved by this means, and it requires 
 but a moment's thought. If you are called for assist- 
 ance, throw down the sufferer, and cover with what- 
 ever woolen is most handy — the head and shoulders 
 first. Envelop the body completely for one or two 
 minutes, and then apply the remedies as described 
 above. 
 
CHAPTER LXXI. 
 
 WOUNDS. 
 
 THE simplest form of a wound is a cut made with a 
 sharp instrument. The parts may be replaced, 
 and will fit each other exactly. But when the objecf 
 or instrument doing injury is blunt or rough-edged, 
 the skin is torn or lacerated, and the surface cannot 
 always be put together as before. This does not bleed 
 as freely as a cut, but has its greater danger in the 
 occurrence of hemorrhage at a later period and when 
 unexpected. 
 
 Much depends upon the character and amount of 
 hemorrhage, the part involved, and the location. If 
 the blood spurts from a wound, an artery has been 
 severed. This must be tied, or if the cut is not too 
 extensive, it may be closed and pressure used to stop 
 the bleeding. If some time is to elapse before an 
 attempt is made to apply treatment, as, for instance, 
 in waiting for a surgeon, better bind the limb on the 
 side of the cut next to the heart, increasing the pres- 
 sure of the ligature until the spurting is perceptibly 
 lessened or stopped. Another method is by bending 
 the limbs. If the foot is injured, a handkerchief or 
 other cloth made into a pad can be placed under 
 the knee, the calf brought to the thigh, and the thigh 
 
WOUNDS. 271 
 
 to the body. This cuts off the circulation to the foot 
 to a great extent. In the case of the hand or forearm, 
 the forearm should be bent upon the upper arm, the 
 roll inserted into the armpit, and the upper arm held 
 closely to the side of the body. 
 
 The local treatment is by astringents, such as pow- 
 dered alum, burnt cork, persulphate of iron, either in 
 solution or in powder. If the artery is large, it must 
 be tied. Find it in the wound, grasp with a forceps, 
 and while some one holds the instrument, tie with a 
 silk thread. The ends of the thread should not be 
 clipped, but left outside of the wound for removal. In 
 tying the artery, look carefully for the nerve which 
 accompanies it, and do not include this in the tying, 
 as it will cause trouble, and perhaps lockjaw. In a 
 cut in which no arteries are severed, or only small ones, 
 bring the edges together and secure with adhesive 
 strips. The adaption is simplified, if the strip is first 
 well secured on one side; the edges are then pushed 
 together, and when in place, let the strip catch and 
 hold the other side. If the skin is badly torn or partly 
 lost or destroyed, the edges after removing all foreign 
 substances, like dirt, hair, clots, etc., should be drawn 
 together by stitches; silver wire makes the best, but 
 silk may be used. Remember that the closer the 
 edges approach, the less prominent the scar; or if they 
 are trimmed with scissors to prevent irregularities, the 
 scar will be much less noticeable. An antiseptic dress- 
 ing should be applied, composed of ten drops of car- 
 bolic acid to one ounce of vaseline. This should be 
 spread upon a linen cloth and placed upon the injured 
 
272 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 parts. If no antiseptic dressing can be obtained, take 
 a strip of dry cloth, dip it in fresh blood, fit this snugly 
 upon the wound and make the blood itself exclude the 
 air. If the parts are carefully brought together, and 
 well secured, this is all sufficient. Do not disturb for 
 a week, then remove, after soaking in warm water un- 
 til the strips unwind without using force. This treat- 
 ment is especially adapted to mashed or crushed 
 fingers or toes. 
 
 BRUISES. 
 
 To bruises and other injuries by which the blood 
 accumulates under the skin, apply continuous hot fo- 
 mentations and gentle massaging with the fingers as 
 far as the injury of the part will permit. This should 
 be continued until all discoloration has departed. 
 Those parts of the surface which are very spongy are 
 more easily infiltrated and are with greater difficulty 
 restored to the natural color. The flesh immediately 
 surrounding the eye is of this character. Notwith- 
 standing the disadvantage in position, the hot water 
 treatment should be continued for some time. When 
 completely discolored, bathing in very cold water 
 should be the treatment. This will prevent the fur- 
 ther flow of blood into the tissues, subdue inflamma- 
 tion, and cause rapid healing. 
 
CHAPTER LXXII. 
 
 BITES OF SNAKES — POISONING FROM VINES 
 
 AND SHRUBS. 
 
 WHEN the bite of a snake occurs, it is not always 
 that poison is injected into the wound, as it 
 is frequently absorbed or taken up by the clothing. 
 There are but few snakes in this country whose bite 
 is poisonous. They are the rattlesnake, copperhead, 
 chicken-snake, and water-moccasin. The fang of the 
 snake is hollow, and the poison is injected into the 
 flesh through this canal; and although the wound may 
 not be deep, there is extreme danger of the poison be- 
 ing taken into the circulation. The poison renders 
 the blood pasty and stops the circulation. It is only 
 for its interference with this process that alcohol or 
 whiskey is of any value. Their tendency is to keep 
 up the circulation, prevent exhaustion, and abate in 
 some measure the shock to the nervous system. A 
 solution of ammonia has a similar effect, or tincture 
 of iodine may be used in four-drop doses. 
 
 The person bitten should himself, or by the assist- 
 ance of a companion, place around the limb a short 
 distance from the wound, between the wound and the 
 heart, a cord, string, strap,or anything that can be used 
 for a long ligature. This should be tied as tight as 
 
 18 [273] 
 
f 74 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 possible in order to cut off the circulation. To make 
 this tight, it may be necessary to pass a small stick 
 through the cord and twist it. If the attendant's 
 mouth is free from ulcers or breaks of the skin, apply 
 it to the wound and suck the poison out. The poison 
 is harmless unless taken into the circulation. The 
 part bitten should be immediately cut away, being 
 sure to include all the poisoned portions. The wound 
 should then be cauterized with a hot iron or a live 
 coal. Should the patient be chilly, the circulation 
 should be kept up by the application of hot blankets 
 and bottles of hot water, or the hot-water bag. 
 
 There are occasional poisonings from different vines 
 and shrubs, which are exceedingly irritating and pain- 
 ful. The more common are the poison oak, poison ivy, 
 poison sumach, swamp sumach, poison elder, and 
 poison dogwood. The symptoms are pain, redness, 
 eruptions, swelling, and severe itching. The face and 
 hands, particularly between the fingers, are first in- 
 volved. This rash may appear in spots on different 
 parts of the body, and is always accompanied with the 
 most painful itching, sufficient sometimes to deprive 
 the person of sleep. Its duration is from a few days to 
 two or three weeks. Occasionally it will produce a 
 feverish condition, and so disturb the constitution as 
 to require medical treatment If there is fever, give 
 of No. i, one tablet every two hours until fever 
 subsides. 
 
 Washing frequently with soft water in which is dis- 
 solved common baking soda, will allay the itching and 
 
POISONING FROM VINES AND SHRUBS. 275 
 
 pain, and give relief for an hour or two. If more effi- 
 cient means are needed, apply bandages, wet with 
 equal parts of lime-water and a strong decoction of 
 oak bark. These should be changed as often as they 
 become dry. Frequently relief from distressing symp- 
 toms and feverish conditions will be obtained by the 
 use of the vapor-bath in bed ( page 90). 
 
CHAPTER LXXIII. 
 
 DISINFECTION. 
 
 THERE are many articles used as disinfectants 
 which do not disinfect. Many of them are sim- 
 ply deodorants, that is, they have the power of de- 
 stroying the odor, but do not destroy the germs of 
 infection. Undoubtedly the best germicide and dis- 
 infectant is corrosive sublimate. The full directions 
 for its use are found in the chapter devoted to typhoid 
 fever (page 116), to which we refer the reader. 
 
 For directions for the prevention of the spread 
 of infectious diseases, we quote the following from 
 Dr. Maclagan : — 
 
 " Rule i. — I. Isolate the person affected as much 
 as possible from the other inmates of the house. 
 
 " This is most readily effected by at once removing 
 him to an upper room, if circumstances permit. The 
 room selected should be large and airy, and the means 
 of ventilating it, which shall be presently mentioned, 
 at once adopted. 
 
 "2. Before removing the patient, all superfluous cur- 
 tains, carpets, woolen articles, unnecessary clothing, 
 in short, everything likely to retain infection, should 
 be at once removed. 
 
 "3. The patient's bed ought to be so placed as to al- 
 low of a free current of air around it, but not so as to 
 place it in a draught. 
 [276] 
 
DISINFECTION. 2/7 
 
 " 4. The room must be kept well ventilated, under 
 the physician's directions, by means either of fire 
 (when required), or of an open fireplace and chimney, 
 and of windows open to the external air. By means 
 of the latter, ventilation is most effectually procured 
 so as to avoid draughts, in the following manner: — 
 
 " Raise the lower sash of the window three or four 
 inches, then procure a piece of wood to fit accurately 
 into the lower opening, and place it there. By these 
 means free outward and inward currents of air, with- 
 out causing any draughts, are obtained through the 
 vacant space between the two sashes. When a win- 
 dow is merely opened from the upper or lower sash, 
 draughts are invariably caused. 
 
 " 5. Placing a small piece of oilcloth, mackintosh, or 
 other waterproof material beneath the upper blanket 
 on which the patient is to rest, effectually prevents the 
 bed from being soiled by any discharges, etc. 
 
 " RULE ii. — i. After removal of the patient to the 
 room in which he is to remain, the outside of the door 
 and door-posts should be completely covered by a 
 sheet kept constantly wet with some disinfecting fluid, 
 such as carbolic acid, etc. 
 
 " 2. The room must be kept scrupulously clean. Be- 
 fore being swept, which should be done daily, if possi- 
 ble, the floor should be sprinkled with a weak solution 
 of the disinfecting fluid. 
 
 " 3. Vessels containing disinfecting fluids should be 
 placed in the room for the reception of all bed and 
 body linen, towels, handkerchiefs, etc., immediately on 
 being removed from the patient, and on no account 
 
378 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 should they be washed along with other household 
 articles. 
 
 "4. Disinfectants should also be placed in all the 
 chamber utensils used by the patient, and, after use, 
 more disinfecting fluid should be added, and the whole 
 contents, if possible, should be immediately buried. 
 No chamber vessel should be allowed to remain in the 
 room after having been used. 
 
 "5. All plates, cups, glasses, etc., which have been 
 used by the patient, should be rinsed with some disin- 
 fectant before being washed; and on no account should 
 any vessels used in the sick-room be washed along 
 with other things, unless previously thoroughly dis- 
 infected. 
 
 " 6. Attendants on the sick should not wear woolen 
 dresses, but only those made of washable materials. 
 
 " 7. Basins containing water, to which some disin- 
 fectant has been added, should always be at hand for 
 the benefit of the attendants on the sick, who should 
 not be sparing of their use. 
 
 " 8. No article of food or drink from the sick-room 
 should be consumed by other persons. 
 
 " 9. Visitors to the sick-room, except in the case of 
 clergymen and medical men, should be peremptorily 
 forbidden ; and they, when necessarily present, should, 
 on leaving, wash their hands in water to which a dis- 
 infectant has been added, and should have as little 
 immediate communication with others as possible. 
 
 "Rule in. — 1. When a death from infectious dis- 
 ease occurs, the body should be at once placed in a 
 coffin and sprinkled with some disinfecting fluid or 
 
DISINFECTION. 279 
 
 powder, such as chloride of lime, etc., and buried with 
 the least possible delay. 
 
 " 2. On no account whatever should the body be al- 
 lowed to remain in a room occupied by living persons. 
 
 "Rule iv. — i. On the termination of a case of in- 
 fectious disease, either when the patient is pronounced 
 free from infection, or, in the event of death, after re- 
 moval of the body, the sick-room and its contents 
 should be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. 
 
 " 2. The bed and bedclothes, and all wearing apparel 
 used by the attendants or patient, should be thoroughly 
 disinfected. 
 
 "Rule v. — i. In houses where a case of infectious 
 disease occurs, no washing, tailoring, dressmaking, or 
 any similar occupation, ought to be carried on. 
 . "2. No milk or food of any kind should be supplied 
 from the infected house. 
 
 " 3. Children from infected houses should not be al- 
 lowed to attend schools, and all persons from infected 
 houses should have as little communication as possible 
 either in private houses or in public places, such as 
 railways, omnibuses, public-houses, churches, etc. 
 
 "4. Any accumulation of filth or refuse of any kind 
 should be at once removed from or about the premises, 
 and disinfectants freely used. 
 
 "Rule Vl. — i. During the prevalence of epidemic, 
 infectious, or contagious diseases, it becomes specially 
 important that the general laws regarding the pres- 
 ervation of health should be rigidly attended to. 
 
 " 2. Implicit trust should not be placed in so-called 
 'disinfectants.' They are very useful when judi- 
 
280 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 ciously employed, but are by no means certain ' pre- 
 ventatives of disease.' 
 
 " 3. Pure air, pure water, warm clothing, and good 
 food should always be obtained if possible. By their 
 constant use less chance is afforded for an invasion of 
 disease." 
 
 HOW TO DISINFECT ROOMS ; FUMIGATION. 
 
 Rooms which have been occupied by a person suf- 
 fering from an infectious disease should, on the ter- 
 mination of the illness, be at once disinfected. To 
 effect this thoroughly, all crevices around windows and 
 doors and the fireplace should be closed by pasting 
 pieces of paper over them. Lumps of sulphur (brim- 
 stone), one pound for every five hundred cubic feet of 
 space, should then be put into a metal dish, placed by 
 means of tongs over a bucket of water. This being 
 set fire to, the doors should be closed, and the room 
 should be allowed to remain without interference for 
 three or four hours. After this time, the windows 
 should be thrown open, and when the fumes have 
 disappeared, all the woodwork and walls should be 
 thoroughly washed with soft soap and water to which 
 carbolic acid has been added (one pint of the common 
 liquid to three or four gallons of water), and the paper 
 from the walls stripped off. In whitewashed rooms 
 the walls should be scraped, and then washed with hot 
 lime to which carbolic acid has been added. The 
 windows should then be kept open for thirty-six or 
 forty-eight hours. 
 
CHAPTER LXXIV. 
 
 POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES. 
 
 POISONS are substances of an animal, a vegetable, 
 or a mineral nature, which produce effects in- 
 jurious to the system when they are taken into the 
 stomach in certain doses ; and in some instances even 
 when they are applied to the surface of the body. 
 Many poisonous substances, however, are daily em- 
 ployed as medicines. Writers who professedly treat 
 of poisons, have arranged the substances which they 
 regard as such, according to their effect on the human 
 body. 
 
 Narcotic poisons have their operations confined to 
 the brain and spinal marrow, causing headache, dizzi- 
 ness, sleepiness, paralysis, and occasionally lockjaw. 
 
 Irritant poisons, for the most part, belong to the 
 mineral kingdom. They produce, in ordinary doses, 
 speedy vomiting and purging, accompanied by intense 
 pain in the abdomen. 
 
 Narcotic-irritants, as the name implies, have a com- 
 pound action. Soon after being swallowed they give 
 rise to diarrhea and vomiting, and, sooner or later, 
 they produce the same effect as the narcotic poisons, 
 — stupor, [paralysis, etc. They are all derived from 
 the vegetable kingdom. 
 
 [281] 
 
282 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 Every person ought in some measure to " be ac- 
 quainted with the nature and cure of poisons. They 
 are generally taken unawares, and their effects are 
 often so sudden and violent as not to admit of delay, 
 or to allow time to procure the assistance of physicians. 
 
 Happily, indeed, no great degree of medical knowl- 
 edge is here necessary; the remedies for most poisons 
 being generally at hand, or easily obtained, and noth- 
 ing but common prudence needful in the application 
 of them. The general idea that every poison is cured 
 by some counter-poison as a specific, has done much 
 hurt. People believe they can do nothing for the pa- 
 tient unless they know the particular antidote to that 
 kind of poison which he has taken; whereas, the cure 
 of all poisons taken into the stomach, without excep- 
 tion, depends v chiefly on discharging them as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 There is no case wherein the indications of cure are 
 more obvious. Poison is seldom long in the stomach 
 before it occasions sickness, with an inclination to 
 vomit. This shows plainly what ought to be done. 
 Indeed, common sense dictates to every one that if 
 anything has been taken into the stomach which en- 
 dangers life, it ought immediately to be discharged. 
 Were this duty regarded, the danger arising from poi- 
 sons might generally be avoided. The method of pre- 
 vention is obvious, and the means are in the hands of 
 every one. 
 
 Poisons either belong to the animal, vegetable, or 
 mineral kingdoms. Mineral poisons are commonly 
 of an acrid or corrosive quality, as arsenic, cobalt, the 
 
POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES. 283 
 
 corrosive sublimate of mercury, etc. Those of the 
 vegetable kind are generally of a narcotic or stupefac- 
 tive quality, as poppy, hemlock, henbane, berries of 
 the deadly nightshade, etc. Arsenic is the most com- 
 mon of the mineral poisons; and as all of them are very 
 similar both in their effects and method of cure, what 
 is said with respect to it will be applicable to every 
 other species of corrosive poison. 
 
 Arsenic. — Symptoms: When a person has taken 
 arsenic, he soon perceives a burning heat and a violent 
 pricking pain in his stomach and bowels, with an in- 
 tolerable thirst and an inclination to vomit. The 
 tongue and throat feel rough and dry; and if proper 
 means be not soon administered, the patient is seized 
 with great anxiety, hiccoughing, fainting spells, and 
 coldness of the extremities. 
 
 On the first appearance of these symptoms, give im- 
 mediately from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful ( ac- 
 cording to age) of ground mustard and the same quan- 
 tity of common salt, in half pint or less of water, warm 
 or cold, warm being the best, which usually makes the 
 patient vomit almost immediately, and which may be 
 repeated every five or ten minutes. If no mustard is 
 at hand, give large quantities of new milk and salad 
 oil, or oil and warm water, or fresh butter melted and 
 mixed with warm water; or if none of these are at 
 hand, three or four grains of tobacco ( a small quid) 
 will usually operate as a ready emetic. Some of these, 
 or other emetics, are to be taken as long as the incli- 
 nation to vomit continues, or until the stomach has 
 become entirely empty. 
 
284 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 Lest there be any remnant of the poison, however 
 small, or its effects, left in the stomach, let the patient 
 take a dose of the best antidote at hand; and if noth- 
 ing better can be had, give the white of an egg t or a 
 cup of strong coffee. 
 
 Should there be any delay, from any cause, in ad- 
 ministering an emetic, give immediately a dose of the 
 best antidote you have at hand for the poison taken. 
 It is sometimes best to give an antidote first, and then 
 an emetic, and after thorough vomiting, when the 
 stomach has become thoroughly quieted, give another 
 portion of the antidote. But above all things, give an 
 emetic as soon as possible, as life may depend on a 
 prompt and thorough cleansing of the stomach. 
 
 Niter — Nitrate of Potass a. — Symptoms: When it is 
 taken in doses of half an ounce to an ounce, which has 
 too frequently happened from the salt being sold by 
 mistake for sulphate of soda, it excites nausea, and 
 vomiting, bloody stools, excruciating cramps of the 
 lower bowels, the sensation of fire in the stomach, la- 
 borious respiration, cold extremities, insensibility, con- 
 vulsions, and sometimes death. If the patient lives, 
 he may remain paralytic. Treatment : Empty the 
 stomach, and dilute freely with milk and sweet oil or 
 slippery elm tea. Give plenty of flour and water or 
 linseed oil. 
 
 Chloride of Tin. — A corrosive metallic poison. 
 Symptoms ; An austere, metallic taste, constriction of 
 the gullet, impeded respiration, violent vomiting, with 
 cramp of the stomach and excruciating colic pains, 
 convulsions, sometimes paralysis and death. Treat- 
 
POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES. 285 
 
 ment: Drink copiously of milk, which appears to de- 
 compose the chloride; then excite vomiting by large 
 draughts of tepid water; warm water bath; administer 
 opiates. 
 
 Chloride of Antimony. — This is a highly corrosive, 
 poisonous liquid, varying from a light yellow to a dark 
 red color. Symptoms: Severe vomiting, cramps, 
 faintness, purging, colicky pains, etc. Treatment: 
 Give plenty of strong tea, or an infusion of oak bark, 
 elm, aloes, currant or blackberry bark or leaves. 
 
 Carbonate of Lead or White Lead. — An astringent 
 metallic poison. Symptoms: Obstinate costiveness; 
 violent colic, with retraction of the abdomen; vomit- 
 ing; the pulse small and hard; laborious breathing, and 
 tremors; the gums assume a blue tinge. Treatment : 
 Administer cathartics; particularly castor oil, and sul- 
 phate of magnesia combined with opium or extract of 
 hyoscyamus; use the warm bath, and throw up repeat- 
 edly injections of linseed oil and slippery elm tea. 
 The patient should drink very freely of mucilaginous 
 liquids. Some alkaline sulphate mixed with vinegar, 
 or some weak vegetable acid, such as lemon-juice, will 
 prove highly useful. Emetics and the stomach-pump 
 should also be employed. When convalescent, the pa- 
 tient should live almost entirely on a milk diet. 
 
 As the symptoms produced by poisoning by lead put 
 on one of the three forms, irritant poisoning, lead colic, 
 or paralysis, our treatment must be governed accord- 
 ingly. In cases of irritant poisoning, we would imme- 
 diately administer dilutents holding in solution some 
 sulphate, as of soda, magnesia, or potassa, so that a 
 
286 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 sulphate of lead may be formed. Vomiting should be 
 excited by sulphate of zinc, tickling the throat, or the 
 contents of the stomach may be evacuated by the 
 stomach-pump. In lead colic, the best remedy is alum, 
 though it is generally treated successfully by means of 
 purgatives and opiates, with venesection, leeching, etc. 
 
 The action of acetate of lead and of red oxide of 
 lead, or litharge, on the animal economy, is nearly the 
 same as that of the carbonate of lead; consequently 
 the above observations apply to all the salts of lead, 
 which, as already stated, are converted into the car- 
 bonates after being taken into the stomach. 
 
 Nitrate of Silver. — A corrosive metallic poison. 
 Symptoms : Nearly the same as those produced by 
 corrosive sublimate; in general, the pain in the stom- 
 ach is more severe; respiration greatly embarassed. 
 Tests: If the poison has taken place in solution in 
 water, it is detected by the arsenious acid mixed with 
 ammonia precipitating a yellow arsenite of silver. A 
 stick of phosphorus placed in it precipitates the silver 
 in a metallic state. Treatment: Administer in- 
 stantly, a strong solution of common salt, to form an 
 insoluble chloride of silver in the stomach. Then evac- 
 uate the stomach by an emetic, and if symptoms of in- 
 flammation nevertheless supervene, employ tepid baths 
 and emollient fomentations and enemas. 
 
 Opium. — Symptoms: Drowsiness and stupor, which 
 are followed by delirium, pallid countenance, sighing, 
 deep and stentorious breathing, cold sweats, sleepiness, 
 and unless relieved, death. Treatment : If you can- 
 not get drugs, use mustard and warm water, or salt 
 
POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES. 2%7 
 
 and water; after vomiting, give plenty of very strong 
 coffee, put a mustard plaster around the calf of each 
 leg, and if cold and sinking, give a good quantity of 
 spirits and water. Keep the patient roused till the 
 effects have passed off, by beating the soles of the feet; 
 dash cold water in the face. Remember, if the patient 
 goes to sleep at this stage, it will be the sleep of death. 
 
 Fox- glove; Digitalis.— Symptoms: Giddiness, im- 
 paired vision, sickness, hiccough, cold sweats, delirium, 
 syncope, convulsions, and finally death. Treatment: 
 Administer emetics, cordials, brandy, or whisky; ap- 
 ply a blister to the pit of the stomach; give opium or 
 strong coffee; keep the body in motion. 
 
 Phosphorus. — A corrosive poison. Symptoms: Phos- 
 phorus, taken even in moderate quantities, produces 
 immediate death; and as it has been exhibited as a 
 remedy, in this manner it may prove poisonous. The 
 symptoms are violent pain of the stomach, with a hot 
 alliceous taste in the mouth; great excitement of the 
 arterial system, and horrible convulsions, which are 
 the forerunners of death. Treatment: Dilute largely, 
 so as to fill the stomach with liquid, by which the com- 
 bustion of the phosphorus is impeded, and vomiting 
 induced, without increasing the irritation of the stom- 
 ach. Magnesia mixed with the fluid neutralizes 
 the acid. Give chalk or even whiting or even flour 
 stirred in. Give no oil or fat of any description. 
 
 Nux Vomica. — Symptoms: Sensation of inebriety, 
 dizziness, twitching of the muscles of the mouth, stiff- 
 ness of the arms and limbs, extreme difficulty of breath- 
 ing, with excruciating pain. Treatment : Evacuate the 
 
288 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 stomach and bowels, and then dilute freely with vin- 
 egar and water and other acidulous drinks, cold baths* 
 strong coffee, tannin, purgatives, spirits of camphor. 
 
 Laudanum. — Symptoms : Stupor, pulse small, weak, 
 and irregular; skin warm and livid; pupils contracted 
 in the early stage; smell of opium in the breath. Treat- 
 ment: Cold effusions to the head, strong coffee, tan- 
 nic acid, sulphate of zinc. Keep the patient in contin- 
 ual motion; slap the surface of the body with wet 
 towels. 
 
 Colchicuml {Meadow Saffron). — An acro-narcotic~ 
 poison deriving its powers from colchici. Symptoms : 
 Sickness and vomiting, violent purging, rapid sinking 
 of the pulse, and cold sweats. Treatment: Evacuate 
 the contents of the stomach with a teaspoonful of mus- 
 tard in water; injections of hot water; blisters to the 
 pit of the stomach. Rub the spine briskly with a 
 stimulating liniment. Cold applications to the head; 
 afterward, cordial stimulants. 
 
 Verdigris. — Symptoms: Colic pains, constant vom- 
 iting and purging, violent pains in the throat, with 
 tension of the abdomen. Indeed, all the symptoms of 
 irritant poisoning. Treatment : Magnesia, carbonate 
 of soda, and emetic if necessary. 
 
 Vermin Poison. — Various powders for destruction of 
 vermin, etc., contain arsenic, and are frequent sources 
 of poisoning. The symptoms come on about half an 
 hour after the dose has been taken, and are, nausea, 
 and burning pain in the stomach, violent vomiting, 
 intense thirst, purging, and pain in the stomach on 
 pressure. Treatment: Excite vomiting as much as 
 
POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES. 289 
 
 possible by the administration of a scruple of sulphate 
 of zinc and ipecac, and plenty of warm water; apply 
 the stomach-pump as soon as possible. The hydrated 
 sesquioxide of iron, given in large quantities, is also 
 useful; and a mixture of linseed meal, castor oil, and 
 water, made to the consistency of molasses, may also 
 be given to protect the stomach. 
 
 Tartar Emetic— Tartar emetic has been taken in 
 mistake for Epsom salts. Symptoms: A livid coun- 
 tenance, violent pain in the stomach, spasmodic con- 
 tractions of the muscles, particularly of the arms, and 
 violent abdominal pains. Treatment : Excite vomit- 
 ing, give strong tea, quinine, or gall-nuts. 
 
 Stramonium. — Symptoms: Vomiting, giddiness, de- 
 lirium, sometimes furious madness, stupor, convulsions, 
 paralysis, cold sweats. Death follows if no help is ob- 
 tained. Treatment: Administer tannic acid, cold 
 affusions to the head, and strong coffee. Keep the 
 patient in continual motion, the surface of the body 
 being slapped with wet towels. 
 
 Blue Vitriol. — When taken, it causes such severe 
 vomiting as to be an antidote to itself. When this is 
 not effectual, then pains in the abdomen, purging, and 
 convulsions take place. Treatment: Encourage vom- 
 iting with warm water, and give milk, flour and water, 
 coffee, and white of an egg. 
 
 Muriatic Acid. — A corrosive mineral poison. Symp- 
 toms: Sensation of burning in the throat, the esopha- 
 gus, and the stomach; styptic taste in the mouth; great 
 thirst; the eyes red and sparkling; the pulse very fre- 
 quent and tense; the skin hot and dry; the tongue red 
 19 
 
29O THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 and glazed; the lips black; vomiting of blood and yel- 
 low matter having the pungent odor of the acid; cold 
 sweats, and delirium. Death results unless the patient 
 is relieved. There are also the symptoms attending 
 poisoning by Orfila; when hydrochloric acid is the 
 poison, a thick white fume, of a penetrating odor, sim- 
 ilar to that exhaled by the acid, issues from the mouth. 
 Treatment: Administer calcined magnesia, flaxseed 
 tea, lime and demulcent drinks; soap-suds, bicarbonate 
 of soda. 
 
 Sulphuric Acid. — Symptoms: Intense burning pain 
 in the throat, gullet, and stomach, vomiting of sub- 
 stances like coffee grounds, mixed with shreds of mucus 
 and blood. Treatment: Lime, magnesia, bicarbonate 
 of soda, soap-suds, infusion of wood ashes, white of 
 eggs, oil, or any mild dilutent. 
 
 Cantharides. — Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, and 
 purging; the matter ejected in either case being fre- 
 quently bloody and purulent; writhing colic; great 
 heat and irritation of the bladder and urinary organs. 
 Treatment : Copious dilution with milk and demulcent 
 fluids, the warm bath, opiate, frictions; camphor in- 
 ternally administered and externally applied. 
 
 Corrosive Sublimate. — This is a corrosive metallic 
 poison. Symptoms: An acrid, styptic, metallic taste, 
 with the sensation of fullness and burning in the throat; 
 copious salivation, but not always; tearing pains of the 
 stomach and intestines; nausea, and frequent vomiting 
 of a fluid occasionally mixed with blood; diarrhea; 
 convulsions, resulting in death. Treatment: Give large 
 quantities of white of egg, diluted in water, in repeated 
 
POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES. 29 1 
 
 doses. The albumen decomposes the corrosive subli- 
 mate, and reduces it to a state of calomel and the pro- 
 toxide, which, acting on the bowels, carries itself off 
 by purging. The poison is also reduced to calomel by 
 a mixture of soap and the gluten of wheat flour. The 
 warm bath may also be employed; and during conva- 
 lescence, the patient should subsist altogether on 
 gruels, milk, and demulcent fluids. 
 
 Creosote. — An acrid poison. Symptoms: It acts as 
 a powerful topical excitant, causing inflammation of 
 the tissues with which it comes in contact, and de- 
 stroying life by the nervous sympathy it induces. 
 Treatment : Administer freely white of eggs, then give 
 direct emetics. The prostration is to be counteracted 
 by ammonia and other stimulants, oleaginous and mu- 
 cilaginous drinks. 
 
 Aconite. — Symptoms: Numbness at the point of the 
 tongue, with a sensation of burning in the throat, fol- 
 lowed by tremors and a feeling of coldness in those 
 parts; sickness and violent vomiting; giddiness; cold 
 sweats; delirium; and convulsions which terminate in 
 death. Treatment: Administer freely acidulous fluids 
 and cordials. Cause vomiting by administering a 
 tablespoonful of mustard in water, and plenty of strong 
 coffee, without milk or sugar. 
 
 Morphia. — Symptoms: Morphia in poisonous doses 
 causes nearly the same symptoms as opium; the 
 acetate and hydrochlorate, in doses of three to six 
 grains, cause headache, vertigo, dimness of sight, con- 
 traction of the pupils, vomiting, colic, diarrhea suc- 
 ceeded by obstinate costiveness, retention of urine, 
 
292 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 great itching of the skin, sometimes accompanied with 
 a papular eruption and profuse sweats; convulsions, 
 sometimes of a tetanic, sometimes of an epileptic char- 
 acter. The acetate, in particular, causes tetanic 
 twitching, resembling electric shocks. This is not a 
 fatal symptom; but in these large doses the symptoms 
 of this poison terminate in death. Treatment : Give 
 strong coffee, without milk or sugar, after which induce 
 vomiting with mustard mixed in warm water, or 
 grease in warm water. Keep the body in constant 
 motion. 
 
 Cyanide of Mercury. — Symptoms: Weight and 
 pain in the head, giddiness, nausea, quick pulse, loss 
 of muscular power, foaming at the mouth, strong odor 
 of bitter almonds. Treatment : Cold affusions to the 
 head and spine; carbonate of ammonia internally; in- 
 halation of chlorine gas; small doses of chloride of lime 
 or soda. The chemical antidote, if there is time for its 
 administration, is peroxide of iron. 
 
 Belladonna. — Symptoms : A sense of great dryness 
 and constriction of the pharynx and esophagus, sick- 
 ness, vertigo, dilated pupils and dimness of sight, 
 laughter, delirium, redness and tumefaction of the face, 
 convulsions. The stomach and bowels become some- 
 times so paralyzed that vomiting can scarcely be pro- 
 duced by the most powerful emetics, and death follows. 
 Treatment : Give emetics of sulphate of zinc or of cop- 
 per; then evacuate the bowels by active purgatives 
 and enemas; and follow this by large doses of vin- 
 egar and water, or other vegetable acids. The use of 
 vinegar has been previously recommended, and it is 
 
POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES. 293 
 
 said that emetics act with more certainty after its use; 
 after the vomiting, strong coffee proves very effi- 
 cacious. 
 
 Prussic Acid. — Symptoms : If the quantity be large, 
 death takes place instantly, but smaller quantities pro- 
 duce giddiness, loss of sight, and fainting. The pecul- 
 iar smell is often perceptible about the mouth. Treat- 
 ment: Give ammonia and water, and apply a bottle of 
 smelling-salts to the nose; dash cold water in the face, 
 and give stimulants, as whisky, etc. 
 
 Hemlock. — A narcotic vegetable poison, deriving its 
 poisonous properties from an alkaline principle called 
 conia. Symptoms: Sickness, difficulty of respiration, 
 great anxiety, vertigo, delirium, which often rises to 
 maniacal frenzy, dilatation of the pupils, stupor, con- 
 vulsions resulting in death. Treatment ; Take twenty 
 grains of sulphate of zinc and two tablespoonfuls of 
 water, and administer at once. Make your patient 
 vomit; pour cold water on the head, give freely of vin- 
 egar and water or any other acidulous liquid. 
 
 Strychnia. — Symptoms : This is lockjaw; the body 
 is bent backward like a bow so as to rest on the feet 
 and head only. Treatment : Empty the stomach by 
 an emetic, then give linseed tea, barley water, and lau- 
 danum to relieve the spasms; about thirty drops of the 
 tincture to an adult. Give plenty of powdered char- 
 coal suspended in the water. If the spasms have set 
 in, chloroform should be given, or large doses of 
 chloral. 
 
 Chloroform. — In threatened death from chloroform, 
 the tongue should immediately be pulled forward with 
 
294 THE FAMILY DOCTOR. 
 
 hooked forceps, and the stomach forcibly pressed up; 
 artificial respiration should be resorted to without de- 
 lay, and galvanism; the patient should be placed in a 
 current of cold air, and the chest and extremities 
 slapped with a wet towel. The head, if the face is pale, 
 should be lowered; if turgid, should be raised. Arti- 
 ficial respiration should be kept up for a long period, 
 even after all appearance of life has ceased. 
 
 Poisonous Insects. — The Tarantula, Scorpion, Hor- 
 net, Wasp, Bee, Gnat, Gad-fly, Sand-fly, etc., are some 
 of these, In general, the sting or bite of these insects 
 causes only a slight degree of pain and swelling; but 
 occasionally the symptoms are more violent, and sick- 
 ness, fever, and sometimes death, result in consequence. 
 Treatment ; Ammonia and oil may be rubbed on the 
 affected part, and a piece of rag moistened in the same, 
 or in salt and water, may be applied till the pain is re- 
 lieved. Small doses of spirits of ammonia may also 
 be given internally, with warm dilutents, or wine and 
 water. The sting may often be removed by making 
 pressure over it with the barrel of a watch key. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 A. 
 
 Abdominal fever in 
 
 Absorbtion by the stom- 
 ach 55 
 
 Absorption in intestines. 57 
 Absorbtion of nutrient flu- 
 ids 58 
 
 Abstinence from food .... 107 
 Acids in the stomach .... 23 
 Aconite, poisoning, anti- 
 dotes, 291 
 
 Action of drugs on the 
 
 system 36 
 
 Acton of fever upon the 
 
 system 109 
 
 Acute Catarrh, treatment 
 
 for 153 
 
 Acute rheumatism 257 
 
 Adhesive plaster for 
 
 wounds. 271 
 
 Ague 118 
 
 A healthy body 15 
 
 Air bathing 39 
 
 Air cells 40 
 
 Air, fresh in sick-room . . 71 
 Air in sleeping apart- 
 ments 41 
 
 Air, in the sick-room, 
 
 pure 40 
 
 Air, pure 38 
 
 Albumen 45, 52 
 
 Albuminous elements, 
 
 proportion of in food . . 46 
 
 Alimentary canal 25 
 
 Americans, artificial 
 
 method of living of , . : . 25 
 
 An economy of nature ... 56 
 
 Animal food 75 
 
 Animals, domestic, care, 
 
 of 26 
 
 Antiseptics 83 
 
 Apoplexy 24 
 
 Appetite, tempting the . . 75 
 
 Apples, value of 242 
 
 Arsenical poisoning, anti- 
 dotes 283 
 
 Artery, to stop bleeding 
 
 from 270 
 
 Artery, to tie, 271 
 
 Artificial methods of liv- 
 ing 26 
 
 Asiatic cholera 236 
 
 Asiatic cholera, first sym- 
 
 toms 236 
 
 Asiatic cholera, treat- 
 ment for 236 
 
 A species of neuralgia. . . 185 
 
 Asphyxiation 263 
 
 Asthma, remedy for 83 
 
 Atomizer 54 
 
 Attendants, instructions 
 
 to 73 
 
 Attention to patients .... too 
 
 Bacteriology 27 
 
 Baking soda for burns . . . 267 
 
 Baron Cuvier 47 
 
 Bathing 44 
 
 Baths and treatment.. .. 85 
 
 Bath, cold 85, 87 
 
 Bathing daily 61 
 
 Bathing frequent 60 
 
 Bath, full 86 
 
 Bath, hot 86, 87 
 
 Baths, hot-air 86 
 
 Bath, plunge 62 
 
 Bath, shower 62 
 
 Bath, sponge 62 
 
 Bath, steam 87 
 
 [295] 
 
296 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Bath, temperature of . . . . 86 
 
 Bath, tub 62 
 
 Baths, vapor 86 
 
 Bed, position of 74 
 
 Beef tea 48 
 
 Beef tea stimulating 108 
 
 Belladonna, poisoning, 
 
 antidotes 292 
 
 Black, or Putrid measles. 131 
 
 Bladder, catarrh of 250 
 
 Bladder, inflammation of 249 
 
 Bleeding from the nose. . 156 
 
 Blood, circulation of . . . . 44 
 
 Bloody flux 240 
 
 Blue Vitriol, poisoning, 
 
 antidotes, 289 
 
 Bile, action of 55 
 
 Bilious colic 225 
 
 Bilious headache 168 
 
 Bilious fever 123 
 
 Biliousness, cause of . . . . 24 
 
 Bites of snakes 273 
 
 Brain fever 159 
 
 Brain fever, cause of . . . . 156 
 
 Brain fever, symptoms . . 159 
 
 Brain fever, treatment . . 160 
 
 Bronchitis 218 
 
 Bronchitis, description of 218 
 
 Bronchitis, remedy for . . 83 
 
 Bronchitis, treatment for 218 
 
 Bruises 272 
 
 Bruises, to prevent dis- 
 coloration from 272 
 
 Burns and scalds 267 
 
 Burns, treatment for. . . . 268 
 
 c. 
 
 Canker 157 
 
 Canker, cause of 157 
 
 Cantharides, poisoning, 
 
 antidote 290 
 
 Carbonic acid gas .... 40, 262 
 
 Carelessness in eating. . . 234 
 
 Care of the sick 71 
 
 Caseine 45 
 
 Catarrh, acute 153 
 
 Catarrhal fever 155 
 
 Catarrh of bladder 250 
 
 Catarrh of the bowels, 
 
 remedy for 83 
 
 Catarrh of the stomach, 
 
 remedy for 83 
 
 Cathartic, a brisk 82 
 
 Catheter, to use 255 
 
 Cause of accumulation of 
 
 flesh 24 
 
 Cause of apoplexy 24 
 
 Cause of biliousness .... 24 
 
 Cause of cold 35, 102 
 
 Cause of colds in infants. 69 
 
 Cause of disease 30 
 
 Cause of fermentation. . . 18 
 
 Cause of hysteria 174 
 
 Cause of paralysis 24 
 
 Cause of sleeplessness. . . 172 
 Cerebro-spinal meningitis 147 
 Cerebro-spinal meningi- 
 tis, characteristic symp- 
 toms 147 
 
 Cerebro-spinal meningi- 
 tis, remedies for 149 
 
 Cerebro-spinal meningi- 
 tis, spasm 147 
 
 Cerebro-spinal meningi- 
 tis, symptoms 147 
 
 Cerebro-spinal meningi- 
 tis, to distinguish 148 
 
 Cerebro-spinal meningi- 
 tis, treatment for 149 
 
 Cheerfulness 75 
 
 Cheese, objectionable . . . 242 
 
 Chicken-pox 145 
 
 Chicken-pox, diet 145 
 
 Chicken-pox, mildness. . . 145 
 Chicken-pox, resemblance 
 
 to small-pox 145 
 
 Chicken-pox, symptoms. . 145 
 Chicken-pox, treatment 
 
 for... 145 
 
 Chilblains 261 
 
 Chilblains, prevention... 261 
 Chilblains, treatment for. 261 
 
INDEX. 
 
 297 
 
 Children, care of 53 
 
 Children, out door life 
 
 for, 59 
 
 Children's teething, to al- 
 lay irritation 82 
 
 Children versus coffee ... 49 
 
 Chills and fever 118 
 
 Chills, a precursor of 
 
 fever 107 
 
 Chloride of antimony, 
 
 poisoning, antidote. ... 285 
 Chloride of tin, poisoning, 
 
 antidote 284 
 
 Chloroform, over dose, 
 
 antidotes 293 
 
 Choking 204 
 
 Cholera infantum . . . .82, 231 
 Cholera infantum, cause 
 
 of 231 
 
 Cholera infantum, symp- 
 toms 231 
 
 Cholera infantum, treat- 
 ment for 232 
 
 Cholera morbus 234 
 
 Cholera morbus, remedy 
 
 for 83 
 
 Cholera morbus, symp- 
 toms of 234 
 
 Cholera morbus, treat- 
 ment for 235 
 
 Chronic diseases, origin 
 
 of 21 
 
 Chyle 57 
 
 Chyme 54 
 
 Circulation defective.... 116 
 
 Circulation, to increase . . 115 
 
 Clothes catching fire. . . . 268 
 
 Coffee 49 
 
 Combinations of foods ... 47 
 
 Common sense 26 
 
 Compresses 96 
 
 Concussion of brain ..... 161 
 Concussion of brain, 
 
 symptoms 161 
 
 Concussion of brain, 
 
 treatment for 162 
 
 Condiments 24 
 
 Congested kidneys 256 
 
 Congestion a cause of 
 
 diphtheria 207 
 
 Congestion, internal .... 61 
 
 Congestive chills 120 
 
 Congestive headache. ... 170 
 
 Constipation 43, 241 
 
 Constipation, causes of.. 241 
 Constipation, remedy for 82 
 Constipation, treatment 
 
 for 242 
 
 Constitutional diseases . . 20 
 Contaminated drinking 
 
 water 116 
 
 Contaminated milk 11 1 
 
 Controlling the tempera- 
 ture 87 
 
 Convalescence 108 
 
 Convulsions, a symptom. 177 
 Convulsions, causes of. . . 177 
 Convulsions in adults, ... 178 
 Convulsions, infantile... 178 
 Convulsions, treatment 
 
 for. 178 
 
 Colchicum, poisoning an- 
 tidote 288 
 
 Cold enemas 97 
 
 Cold feet 104 
 
 Cold in the head 153 
 
 Colds 213 
 
 Colds, cause of. . .35, 102 213 
 
 Coldsores 191 
 
 Colds, to cure 214 
 
 Cold treatment for frost 
 
 bites 260 
 
 Cold water as a stimulant 85 
 
 Colic 225 
 
 Colic a symptom of de- 
 rangement 225 
 
 Colic in adults, treatment 
 
 for 226 
 
 Colic in infants 225 
 
 Colic in infants, treat- 
 ment for 226 
 
 Colic, remedy for 83 
 
298 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Colic, symptoms 225 
 
 Collapse in Asiatic cholera 237 
 
 Colon, length of 57 
 
 Colon, the 57 
 
 Cooling after bath 89 
 
 Corrosive sublimate as a 
 
 disinfectant 276 
 
 Corrosive sublimate, poi- 
 soning, antidotes 290 
 
 Corset wearing 69 
 
 Costiveness 241 
 
 Coughs 213 
 
 Cough, remedy for 83 
 
 Covering heads of infants 68 
 Creation, God's design in 26 
 Creosote, poisoning, anti- 
 dotes 291 
 
 Croup 215 
 
 Croup, remedy for 83 
 
 Croup, symptoms 215 
 
 Croup, treatment for. ... 215 
 Curability of lockjaw. . . . 184 
 Cyanide of mercury, poi- 
 soning, antidotes 292 
 
 D. 
 
 Daily bathing 60 
 
 Dainties for the sick .... 75 
 
 Danger from fevers 109 
 
 Deficient circulation. .61, 116 
 
 Delirium, to relieve 114 
 
 Deodorants 276 
 
 Depression 116 
 
 Depression of nerves in 
 
 measles 131 
 
 Desire for knowledge .... 28 
 
 Diagnosis 76 
 
 Diarrhea , 239 
 
 Diarrhea an early symp- 
 tom 107 
 
 Diarrhea, causes of 239 
 
 Diarrhea in measles 130 
 
 Diarrhea, remedy for. ... 82 
 
 Diarahea, treatment for. 239 
 
 Diet, a moist 60 
 
 Diet, concentrated 60 
 
 Diet during convalescence 108 
 
 Diet for chills and fever. 122 
 
 Diet for fever patients. . . 107 
 Diet for infants in cholera 
 
 infantum 233 
 
 Diet in Asiatic cholera . . 238 
 
 Diet in constipation 242 
 
 Diet in scarlet fever 137 
 
 Diet of sick 75 
 
 Digestion 51 
 
 Digestion, time of 34 
 
 Digitalis, poisoning, anti- 
 dote 287 
 
 Diphtheria 206 
 
 Diphtheria, causes of . . ... 206 
 
 Diphtheria germ 207 
 
 Diphtheria most preva- 
 lent with girls 206 
 
 Diphtheria, symptoms . . . 207 
 
 Diphtheria, treatment for 208 
 
 Directions for baths .... 99 
 Directions for disinfecting 
 
 fluid 116 
 
 Directions to evert eye- 
 lids 190 
 
 Disease an effort of na- 
 ture 21 
 
 Disease, cause of 16, 30 
 
 Disease, conditions of. 19, 20 
 
 Disease germs 19 
 
 Disease, inherited 63 
 
 Disease not an enemy. . . 35 
 
 Disease, remedies for. . . 38 
 
 Disease, signals of 76 
 
 Disease, source of. 17, 18, 35 
 Diseases,. rules for ascer- 
 taining nature of 77 
 
 Disease, what is it.. ..21, 36 
 
 Disinfection 276 
 
 Disinfecting fluids, to 
 
 make 116 
 
 Disinfection, rules for. . . 276 
 Disposition, hereditary . . 65 
 Dogs, experiments in feed- 
 ing 46 
 
 Dress of infants 68 
 
INDEX. 
 
 299 
 
 Drinking at meal times . 34, 49 
 
 Drinks for fever 107 
 
 Dripping-wet sheet 94 
 
 Drowning 262 
 
 Drowning, to restore from 263 
 
 Drugs 22, 36 
 
 Dumb ague 118 
 
 Duration of pack 95 
 
 Duration of whooping 
 
 cough 219 
 
 Dysentery 240 
 
 Dysentery, treatment for . 240 
 Dyspeptic headache .... 167 
 
 Earache 195 
 
 Ear, a wonder of the 
 
 body 194 
 
 Ear, inflammation of . .. 194 
 Ear, foreign substances in 197 
 
 Early rising 41 
 
 Early symptoms 107 
 
 Early treatment for diph- 
 theria 208 
 
 Eating between meals ... 27 
 
 Eating, errors in 31 
 
 Eating, frequent 34 
 
 Eating, hasty 33 
 
 Eating, rapid 54 
 
 Effects of air on disease 
 
 germs 38 
 
 Effects of drugs on the 
 
 system 22 
 
 Effects of ignorance.... 17 
 Effects of meat eating ... 33 
 
 Effects of pure air 39 
 
 Effects of typhus poison . 125 
 Elimination of foreign 
 
 matter. 107 
 
 Emaciation 24 
 
 Emotion, effect of on sa- 
 liva 53 
 
 Enema, the 97 
 
 Equalizing circulation. . . 104 
 
 Equilibrium 22 
 
 Erysipelas 1 50 
 
 Erysipelas, cutaneous, 
 
 symptoms 1 50 
 
 Erysipelas, diet, impor- 
 tance of 152 
 
 Erysipelas, remedies.... 152 
 Erysipelas, surgical, 
 
 symptoms 151 
 
 Erysipelas, treatment for 151 
 Erysipelas, two classes.. 150 
 Excrement, danger of re- 
 tention of in bowels ... 70 
 
 Excessive feeding 108 
 
 Exercise 52 
 
 Exercise for the sick .... 75 
 
 Eye, inflammation of . . . . 187 
 
 Eyelid, to evert . . 190 
 
 F. 
 
 Face-ache 185 
 
 Fainting 211 
 
 False croup 115 
 
 False delicacy 69 
 
 False membrane to re- 
 move 209 
 
 Farmer, care of for stock 64 
 
 Fats 45 
 
 Fats in food 45 
 
 Fats, nutritive value of . . 46 
 
 Fever, contagiousness of. 72 
 
 Fever heat, how made. . . 104 
 
 Fever, how to get rid of . . 22 
 
 Fever, origin of 102 
 
 Fevers 102 
 
 Fever tablet 82 
 
 Fever, treatment for ... 104 
 
 Fever, what it is 21 
 
 Flesh, accumulation of.. 24 
 
 Flesh food 32 
 
 Flour, whole-wheat 46 
 
 Flowers in sick-room .... 74 
 Fluid, absorption of in 
 
 the stomach 55 
 
 Flux 240 
 
 Fomentations 96 
 
 Food and diet 45 
 
 Food, best for body 52 
 
3oo 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Food chemistry of 52 
 
 Foods, combinations of. . 47 
 Food, constituents of . . . . 45 
 
 Food elements 52 
 
 Food elements, propor- 
 
 tionment of 47 
 
 Food for the sick 74, 75 
 
 Food, quantity of 52 
 
 Food, rich, effect of 27 
 
 Food, true 45 
 
 Foot-bath 93 
 
 Foreign bodies in the 
 
 esophagus 204 
 
 Foreign bodies in the eye 192 
 Foreign matter, accumu- 
 lation of 30 
 
 Foreign matter, mode of 
 
 entrance 16 
 
 Foreign substances in the 
 
 body 102 
 
 Fountain syringe for treat- 
 ing the ear 195 
 
 Fox-glove, poisoning, anti- 
 dotes 287 
 
 Fractured skull 161 
 
 Freezing 260 
 
 Fruits 107 
 
 Fumigation 280 
 
 GL 
 
 Gases in the stomach ... 23 
 
 Gastric juice 54 
 
 Gastric juice, amount of, 
 
 secreted daily 54 
 
 General debility, remedy 
 
 for 82 
 
 Germicide 83 
 
 Germicide, oxygen as a . . 72 
 
 Germicide, the best 276 
 
 Germs 28, 103 
 
 Germs of diphtheria 207 
 
 Gluten 45 
 
 Gouty headache 169 
 
 Granulated lids 189 
 
 Granulated lids, treat- 
 ment for 189 
 
 Greek athletes 32 
 
 H. 
 
 Habits, regular 67 
 
 Headache 166 
 
 Headache, Bilious, sick-, 
 
 treatment for 168 
 
 Headache congestive, 
 
 treatment for 170 
 
 Headache, diet 171 
 
 Headache, dyspeptic, 
 
 treatment for 167 
 
 Headache, neuralgic, 
 
 treatment for 169 
 
 Headache, nervious, 
 
 treatment for 168 
 
 Headache, rheumatic, 
 
 treatment for 170 
 
 Health 18 
 
 Health a safeguard 37 
 
 Health, what is it , 15 
 
 Heat, animal 40 
 
 Heavy skirts 69 
 
 Hemlock, poisoning, anti- 
 dotes 293 
 
 Hemorrhage from wounds 270 
 
 Hereditary headaches. . . 166 
 
 Hernia 227 
 
 High fever 98 
 
 High temperature during 
 
 chill 106 
 
 Hip- or Sitz-bath 91 
 
 Hog, trichina in the 47 
 
 How colds affect the sys- 
 tem 214 
 
 How to apply the steam - 
 
 bath 88 
 
 How to disinfect rooms . . 280 
 
 How to get rid of fever. . 22 
 
 Hot water bag 90, 98 
 
 Hysteria 174 
 
 Hysteria, symptoms 175 
 
 Hysteria, treatment for . . 176 
 
 I. 
 
 Ices 34 
 
INDEX. 
 
 301 
 
 Immunity against colds. . 61 
 Importance of attending 
 to diarrhea in Asiatic 
 
 cholera 236 
 
 Importance of disinfection 116 
 Importance of keeping the 
 
 pores open 44 
 
 Importance of use of water 62 
 
 Improper food 27, 31 
 
 Indigestion 23 
 
 Indiscretion in eating... 108 
 Infantile diarrhea, rem- 
 edy for 82 
 
 Infant, nursing 65 
 
 Infants, care of 63 
 
 Infant's convulsions, rem- 
 edy for 82 
 
 Infant's, dress of 68 
 
 Infants, errors in feeding 65 
 
 Infants, fresh air for. ... 68 
 
 Infants, sleep of 67 
 
 Infants, systematic diet of 66 
 
 Infants, time of meals for 66 
 
 Infection 103 
 
 Infection of inflamed eyes 187 
 
 Inflammation of bladder. 249 
 Inflammation of bladder, 
 
 causes of 249 
 
 Inflammation of bladder, 
 
 treatment for 251 
 
 Inflammation of bowels. 227 
 Inflammation of bowels, 
 
 treatment for 228 
 
 Inflammation of brain. . . 159 
 Inflammation of the ear. . 194 
 Inflammation of the ear, 
 
 cause of 194 
 
 Inflammation of the ear, 
 
 treatment for 194 
 
 Inflammation of the eye. 187 
 Inflammation of the eye, . 
 
 symptoms 187 
 
 Inflammation of the eyes, 
 
 treatment for 188 
 
 Inflammation of kidneys. 253 
 Inflammation of kidneys, 
 
 cause of 253 
 
 Inflammation of kidneys, 
 
 treatment for 253 
 
 Inflammation of stomach 23 
 
 Inflammatory rheumatism 257 
 
 Influenza 155 
 
 Inherited disorders 20 
 
 Insects in the ear, to re- 
 move 197 
 
 Instructions for use of 
 
 thermometer 105 
 
 Instructions to attendants 73 
 
 Intermittent fever 124 
 
 Internal congestion 61 
 
 Interval between meals . . 34 
 
 Intestinal juice, action of 56 
 
 Intestine, length of ... . 55 
 
 Intestines, digestion in.. 55 
 
 Intestines, structure of.. 55 
 Intoxication from meat 
 
 eating 48 
 
 Irish vegetarians 32 
 
 Irritant poisons 281 
 
 Japanese athletes 32 
 
 Japanese wrestler 32 
 
 K. 
 
 Kneading the bowels .... 243 
 
 Lacerated wounds 270 
 
 Lactic acid 257 
 
 La grippe 155 
 
 La grippe, remedy for . . 83 
 Laudanum, poisoning, 
 
 antidotes, 288 
 
 Laws of health, transgres- 
 sion of 61 
 
 Lemonade 109 
 
 Liability to cold 61 
 
 Lime in the eye 193 
 
 Liquors, medicinal use of 48 
 Liver, effects of pure air 
 
 on 44 
 
 Lockjaw 182 
 
 Lockjaw, treatment for. . 183 
 
302 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Longevity of our ancestors 26 
 
 Low temperature 107 
 
 Lung fever 221 
 
 Lungs, the 40 
 
 Lymphatic glands 58 
 
 Malaria 1 18 
 
 Malarial fever 123 
 
 Malarial germ, the. ..... 118 
 
 Malarial poison 122 
 
 Man's natural dwelling 
 
 place 40 
 
 Mastication 53 
 
 Mastication, incomplete. 33 
 Meals, number of, for 
 
 children . . . , 67 
 
 Measles 128 
 
 Measles, differ from small- 
 pox 129 
 
 Measles, how distinguished 129 
 Measles, period of incuba- 
 tion 128 
 
 Measles, symptoms 128 
 
 Measles, treatment for. . . 130 
 
 Meat diet during fever. . . 107 
 
 Meat stimulating 33 
 
 Medicines, cause of unre- 
 liability 79 
 
 Medicines, how to pre- 
 scribe 78 
 
 Medicines, pure. 79 
 
 Medicines, regulation of 
 
 doses of 78 
 
 Medicines, special direc- 
 tions for taking. ...... 81 
 
 Membranous croup 215 
 
 Milk 108 
 
 Mineral poisons 282 
 
 Mineral waters 43 
 
 Moist diet 60 
 
 Morbid matter. . 31 
 
 Morphine, poisoning, an- 
 tidotes 291 
 
 Mothers, overwork of . . . . 65 
 
 Mouth, the 53 
 
 Mucous membrane, the 57, 59 
 Mufflers 213 
 
 MumpS igg 
 
 Mumps, symptoms of... 199 
 Mumps, treatment for. . . 200 
 Muriatic acid, poisoning, 
 
 antidotes 289 
 
 Muscular pain, to relieve 84 
 
 IN. 
 
 Narcotic poisons 281 
 
 Natural food of man .... 47 
 Natural temperature of 
 
 body ! . . 105 
 
 Nature its own healer. . ^ 16 
 
 Nature of poisons 281 
 
 Nature's doctor. ........ 29 
 
 Natures laws 17, 31 
 
 Nausea and vomiting, 
 
 remedy for 83 
 
 Neglect of outhouses .... 112 
 
 Neglect of bathing 60 
 
 Nervous excitement, rem- 
 edy for 82 
 
 Nervous fever in 
 
 Nervous headache 168 
 
 Neuralgia 180 
 
 Neuralgia, causes of. ... . 179 
 Neuralgia of the stomach. 83 
 Neuralgia, peculiar forms 
 
 180, 185 
 
 Neuralgia, remedy for. . . 84 
 Neuralgia, to relieve pain 
 
 of.. 181 
 
 Neuralgia, treatment for. 181 
 
 Neuralgic headache 169 
 
 Nine-day fits 179 
 
 Niter, poisoning, antidote 284 
 Nitrate of silver, poison- 
 ing, antidotes 286 
 
 Noise in sick-room 73 
 
 Nosebleed 156 
 
 Nose, foreign substances 
 
 in 197 
 
 Nurses, health of 72 
 
 Nursing sore mouth 157 
 
INDEX. 
 
 303 
 
 Nux vomica, poisoning, 
 antidotes 287 
 
 o. 
 
 Object of sponge-bath. . . 93 
 Opium, poisoning, anti- 
 dotes 286 
 
 Origin of chronic diseases 
 
 21, 22 
 
 Overloading stomach. ... 18 
 Overwork of the digestive 
 
 organs 20 
 
 Oxygen . . ..40, 52 
 
 Oxygen as a germicide . . 72 
 
 R. 
 
 Pain, acute, remedy for. 83 
 
 Pain in stomach 226 
 
 Painter's colic 225 
 
 Pain, to relieve 83 
 
 Pancreas, the 55 
 
 Pancreatic juice, action 
 
 of 56 
 
 Paralysis, cause of 24 
 
 Parasites in meat 33 
 
 Parents, responsibility of 63 
 
 Patient, food for 74 
 
 Patient, position of 74 
 
 Patient, should two nurse 
 
 a 72 
 
 Period of incubation. ... 103 
 
 Peristalsis 56 
 
 Peritonitis 229 
 
 Peritonitis, causes of . . . . 229 
 
 Peritonitis, symptoms . . . 229 
 
 Peritonitis, treatment for 229 
 
 Pernicious fever 120 
 
 Pernicious habit. ....... 213 
 
 Phosphorus 46 
 
 Phosphorus poisoning, 
 
 antidotes 257 
 
 Pickles 25 
 
 Piles . 243 
 
 Pills, cause of constipa- 
 tion m . 241 
 
 Pin-worm 244 
 
 Pitting, to prevent 144 
 
 Pleurisy 221 
 
 Pleurisy, symptoms 221 
 
 Pleurisy, treatment for . . 223 
 
 Pleuro-pneumonia 222 
 
 Pneumonia. 221 
 
 Pneumonia, remedy for . . 83 
 
 Pneumonia, symptoms. . . 222 
 Pneumonia, treatment 
 
 for 223 
 
 Poisoning from vines and 
 
 shrubs 274 
 
 Poisonous gases ..." 262 
 
 Poisonous insects, bite of 294 
 Poisons and their anti- 
 dotes 281 
 
 Poisons, nature of 281 
 
 Pouring-head bath 93 
 
 Practical information . . . 100 
 Precautions in applying 
 
 cold no 
 
 Precautions in scarlet 
 
 fever 138 
 
 Prenatal influences 64 
 
 Prevention of sunstroke. 163 
 Prompt treatment in Asi- 
 atic cholera 237 
 
 Proper amount of nourish- 
 ment 108 
 
 Proper combinations of 
 
 food 47 
 
 Properties of water 42 
 
 Prussic acid, poisoning, 
 
 antidotes 293 
 
 Pulse, rate of 77 
 
 Pulse, the 75, 76 
 
 Pure water 42, 59 
 
 Purgatives cause of con- 
 stipation 241 
 
 Q- 
 
 Quinsy 201 
 
 R. 
 
 Rain-water 59 
 
 Regularity of the bowels . 241 
 
304 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Relieving internal conges- 
 tion 88 
 
 Remedies an aid to nature 17 
 Remedies for disease .... 38 
 
 Remittent fever 123 
 
 Respiration, full, need of 39 
 Restlessness, remedy for. 82 
 Results where disease is 
 
 not eliminated 23 
 
 Retention of urine 255 
 
 Retention of waste mat- 
 ters 57 
 
 Rheumatic headache. . . . 169 
 
 Rheumatism ... 84 
 
 Rheumatism, acute 257 
 
 Rheumatism, cause of . . . 257 
 Rheumatism, inflamma- 
 tory 257 
 
 Rheumatism, symptoms. 257 
 Rheumstism, treatment 
 
 for 258 
 
 Round- or stomach worm 244 
 
 Rules for bathing 99 
 
 Rules for disinfection .... 276 
 Running from the ear. . . 195 
 
 Saliva, the 34, 53 
 
 Salt 25 
 
 Scarlatina 131 
 
 Scarlatina anginosa 134 
 
 Scarlatina maligna. 134 
 
 Scarlatina simplex 133 
 
 Scarlet fever 132 
 
 Scarlet fever, diet 137 
 
 Scarlet fever, how distin- 
 guished 135 
 
 Scarlet fever, how propa- 
 gated 132 
 
 Scarlet fever, premonitory 
 
 symptoms. 135 
 
 Scarlet fever, symptoms. 133 
 Scarlet fever, treatment 
 
 for 136 
 
 Scotch vegetarians 32 
 
 Sedative 82 
 
 Severed artery 270 
 
 Severity of smallpox mod- 
 ified 143 
 
 Sewerage 28 
 
 Sick, care of 71 
 
 Sick, diet of 75 
 
 Sick, exercise for the. ... 75 
 
 Sick-headache 167 
 
 Sick, rest of 72 
 
 Sick-room, flowers in. . . . 74 
 
 Sick-room, order in 74 
 
 Sick-room, sunlight in. . . 74 
 
 Sick-room, temperature of 71 
 
 Sick-room, whispering in 74 
 
 Sick, visitors for 72 
 
 Sick, watchers for 73- 
 
 Size of fomentation cloths 96 
 
 Skin, cleanliness of 44 
 
 Skin, the pores of 59 
 
 Skin, the 44 
 
 Sleep 41 
 
 Sleep as a remedy 41 
 
 Sleep as a restorer 73 
 
 Sleep, importance of for 
 
 patient 73 
 
 Sleeplessness 172 
 
 Sleeplessness, treatment 
 
 for 173 
 
 Slightburns, treatment for 267 
 
 Slow digestion, cause of. 34 
 
 Smallpox 139 
 
 Smallpox, disinfection ... 144 
 
 Smallpox, remedies. .... 144 
 
 Smallpox, symptoms .... 139 
 
 Smallpox, three stages.. 139 
 
 Smallpox, treatment for. 143 
 
 Snake bites, antidotes . . . 273 
 
 Snuffles 153 
 
 Special directions. ...... 81 
 
 Spirit vapor-bath 90 
 
 Spirit vapor-bath in bed . 90 
 Sponge-bath for fever pa- 
 tients 92 
 
 Spotted fever 147 
 
 Spraying throat in diph- 
 theria 210 
 
INDEX. 
 
 305 
 
 Source of recovery 16 
 
 Starch, digestion of 53 
 
 Starch, proportion of in 
 
 food 45 
 
 Steam-bath for abdomen . 89 
 Stimulants in fever . ... 115 
 Stimulating remedies to 
 
 be avoided 253 
 
 Stimulating the skin .... 87 
 
 Stimulation 33, 48 
 
 Stomach, cramp in, rem- 
 edy for 83 
 
 Stomach, digestion in . . . 54 
 Stomach of infants, over- 
 loading 66 
 
 Stomach, structure of . . . 55 
 Stomach, temperature of 35 
 Stone in the bladder. . . . 250 
 Stramonium, poisoning, 
 
 antidotes 289 
 
 Strichnine, poisoning, an- 
 tidotes 293 
 
 Styes 191 
 
 Substitutes for tea and 
 
 coffee 50 
 
 Suffocation 262 
 
 Sulphuric acid, poisoning, 
 
 antidotes 290 
 
 Sunlight , 38 
 
 Sunlight in sick-room ... 74 
 
 Sunstroke 163 
 
 Sunstroke, prevention of 163 
 Sunstroke, symptoms . . . 163 
 Sunstroke, treatment for 164 
 Suppression of urine .... 256 
 Suspended animation . . . 262 
 
 Sweetmeats 67 
 
 Swooning 211 
 
 Sympathy between skin 
 
 and internal organs. ... 44 
 System, mechanism of 
 the human 16 
 
 Table of nutritive values 46 
 
 Tapeworm 247 
 
 Tapeworm, to remove . . . 248 
 Tartar emetic, poisoning, 
 
 antidotes 288 
 
 Tea and coffee substitutes 50 
 Teeth, food necessary for 
 
 the development of . . . 65 
 
 Temperance 49 
 
 Temperature of fever .... 106 
 
 Temperature of sick-room 71 
 
 Temperatures, table of.. 86 
 
 The human system ...... 16 
 
 Thermometer, use of. 86, 105 
 The stomach, its impor- 
 tance 18 
 
 The system invaded by 
 
 germs 27 
 
 Thirst 60 
 
 Thorough mastication ... 49 
 
 Thread-worm 245 
 
 Thrush 157 
 
 Tight bands for infants . . 68 
 
 Time for sponge-bath... 91 
 
 Time of digestion 66 
 
 Tobacco 50 
 
 To control temperature . . 109 
 
 To increase circulation . . 115 
 
 Tonic 82 
 
 Tonsilitis 201 
 
 Tonsilitis, symptoms .... 201 
 
 Tonsilitis treatment for . . 202 
 
 Toothache 158 
 
 To prevent colds 213 
 
 To prevent pitting in 
 
 smallpox 144 
 
 To produce sweating. ... 95 
 To remove foreign bodies 
 
 in the throat 205 
 
 To remove obstructions 
 
 in the ear 197 
 
 To remove substances 
 
 from the eye 192 
 
 To remove obstructions in 
 
 the nose 197 
 
 To restore from drowning 263 
 
 To relieve constipation . . 97 
 
306 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 To ventilate a sick-room . 297 
 To wash out the bladder. 251 
 Towel- or sponge-bath. . . 91 
 Treatment for chills and 
 
 fever 121 
 
 Treatments for fever. ... 104 
 Treatment for typhoid 
 
 fever 114 
 
 Treatment for men and 
 
 animals 26 
 
 Trichina 47 
 
 True croup 215 
 
 Typhoid fever 111 
 
 Typhoid fever, treatment 
 
 for 114 
 
 Typhoid germ in 
 
 Typhoid germs in cattle. 112 
 
 Typhoid infection 1 1 1 
 
 Typhoid symptoms 112 
 
 Typho-malarial fever. ... 123 
 
 Typhus fever 125 
 
 Typhus fever, eruption'. . 126 
 Typhus fever, symptoms 125 
 Typhus fever, treatment 
 
 for 127 
 
 u. 
 
 Underclothing of infants . 69 
 Urine, danger of reten- 
 tion of 70 
 
 Use of hot-bath 87 
 
 V, 
 
 Vaccination 142, 143 
 
 Varioloid 142 
 
 Vegetarian diet 33 
 
 Ventilation 38 
 
 Ventilation of sick-room . 277 
 Verdigris, poisoning, anti- 
 dote 288 
 
 Vermicular motion 54 
 
 Vermin poison, poisoning, 
 
 antidote, 288 
 
 Villi 58 
 
 Vitality 22 
 
 Vititated air 68 
 
 w. 
 
 Wants of nature 69 
 
 Water as a solvent .... 44, 59 
 Water drinking during 
 
 fever 107 
 
 Water, effects of on the 
 
 skin 43 
 
 Water, effects of on the 
 
 system 85 
 
 Water essential to the 
 
 body 60 
 
 Water, hard 43 
 
 Water in health and dis- - 
 
 ease 59 
 
 Water, per cent of in the 
 
 body 43 
 
 Water, soft 43 
 
 Water, treatment with. . . 61 
 
 Water, use of 28, 42 
 
 Way to health 31, 62 
 
 Wet-sheet pack 94 
 
 Wet-towel night-cap.... 97 
 What produces fever .... 102 
 
 Wheelock's Mills 242 
 
 Whisky for snake bites . . 273 
 White bread, effects of . . 65 
 White lead, poisoning, an- 
 tidotes 285 
 
 Whole- wheat flour 242 
 
 Whooping-cough 219 
 
 Whooping-cough, remedy 
 
 for 220 
 
 Why patent medicines 
 
 exist 25 
 
 Worm colic 225 
 
 Worms 244 
 
 Worms, treatment for. . . 246 
 Wounds 270 
 
 Y. 
 
 Young, Doctor 41 
 
 
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