Remarks on the Uses of some of the Bazaar Medicines and Common Medical Plants of India / With a full index of diseases, indicating their treatment by these and other agents procurable throughout India; to which are added directions for treatment in cases of drowning, snake-bites &c.

by Edward John Waring

Arsenic, Poisoning with.

As speedily as possible empty the stomach by an emetic of Sulphate of Copper (117) or Mustard (246), and then give copious draughts of white of eggs beaten up in milk, or a mixture of equal parts of Lime Water and Sesamum, Cocoa-nut, or other bland oil. Powdered Sugar has been advised in these cases, but if of any service, it can only act like the preceding mixtures, mechanically, by enveloping the particles of the poison; this remark applies also to Powdered Charcoal, which has also been well spoken of. When the vomiting has abated, give a full dose of Castor Oil (83) to carry off any of the poison which may have passed into the intestines, and this may be repeated every day for two or three days. Should there be great exhaustion, a little stimulant, as Brandy Mixture (426), may be given, and a dose of Opium may be advisable, to subdue any subsequent great pain and restlessness.

Asthma.

To relieve the severity of a paroxysm, try one or more of the following: Turpentine Stupes (362*), or Hot Water Fomentations to the chest (393), Camphor (70*), or Asafœtida (37) internally, and the inhalation of the fumes of Nitre Paper (268*) or of Datura (129*). A cup of hot, strong, milkless, sugarless Coffee café noir, drunk as hot as can be borne, sometimes gives great relief. Daily sponging the chest with Vinegar is thought to act in a measure as a preventive (378). A better preventive is the careful regulation of diet. Many a fit of asthma can be clearly traced to a hot supper, or some other error of diet.

Atrophy, or Wasting of the Body.

Try Fish Liver Oil (142), with tonics, as Chiretta (98, 99), and change of air.

Bed Sores.

To prevent these, bathe the parts daily with a solution of Camphor in spirit (75), or with Brandy or Eau de Cologne, or apply Alum and White of Egg (31*), and relieve the local pressure as much as possible by change of position, &c. A small circular pillow with a hollow centre (just like the pads worn by the coolies on their heads in carrying weights, only thinner) is most useful for this purpose. Should a sore form notwithstanding, it should be treated as an ordinary ulcer. See Ulcer.

Beri-beri.

Petroleum (410).