Skin Diseases.
Country Sarsaparilla (163*), Chaulmúgra (94), or Mudar (242); or where the affection occurs in debilitated, scrofulous, or leprous individuals. Fish Liver Oil (138) may be given internally. One of the following may at the same time be applied externally: Cassia alata (81), Chaulmúgra (94), Lime Liniment (225-229), Myrobalan Ointment (257), Sulphur (342), Turpentine (367), Kerosene Oil (414*), or Petroleum (411). The Vapour Bath (396) is often very useful where the skin is hard, dry, and rough. Borax lotion (57) in many instances will allay the irritation.
Sleeplessness in Head Affections.
Mustard Bath (249). A full dose of the Bromide of Potassium, 20 to 30 grains in a wineglassful of water, taken at bedtime and persevered in for days and weeks, will often be found more effectual and less hurtful than the most powerful narcotics. From pain attendant on Ulcers, Rheumatism, &c., Opium (283) or Tincture of Datura (128) at bedtime. [N.B.—Sleeplessness, arising from no evident cause, as bodily pain, mental anxiety, &c., is often dependent on an empty state of the stomach, and many a sleepless night may be prevented, and many a wakeful hour obviated, by the simple process of eating a few biscuits or a crust of bread before going to bed, or during the night as occasion may require.]
Small-pox.
Commence with a mild aperient of Castor Oil (83) or Senna (336); place the patient in a cool, well-ventilated room, and give freely Lemonade (232), Rice Conjee (322), &c., with solution of Nitre (264); sponge the surface daily with diluted Vinegar (376) or Water (385); and, still further, to allay irritation, dust the eruption freely with Rice Flour (322). The Carbolic Acid treatment promises the best results. Carbolic Acid, as an external application in Small Pox, is strongly recommended by Dr. Aitchison. He directs that from the very earliest stage of the disease the whole body be rubbed with a mixture of the Acid (one part) and Sweet Oil (ten parts) twice daily. "This application," he remarks, "relieves the patient marvellously—the oil soothing and cooling the skin, the acid deodorising the stench, and destroying the contagious influence of the particles thrown off from the skin. The oil is as much a part of the treatment as the disinfectant, and is an old Egyptian remedy for this disease. In many cases the application seems to destroy the Smallpox poison to the extent that the disease does not reach the pustular stage; the vesicles form themselves into hard lumps, dry up, and disappear, without the usual Small-pox pustular cicatrix." (See Appendix C for details of treatment.) With the view of preventing pitting, apply Lime Liniment (229). In the advanced stages, attended with great exhaustion, delirium, &c., give Camphor (74), Brandy Mixture (426), and other stimulants, with nutriment. Subsequent debility and Convalescence, treat as in Fever. (See Index).
Snake Bites.
See Appendix B.
Sneezing, when violent or prolonged.
Insert lightly into the nostrils a small piece of cotton wool. A case in which this gave instantaneous relief, when all other remedies had failed, is recorded by Dr. Bradley. (British Med. Jour., Dec. 1879.)