Health on the Farm: A Manual of Rural Sanitation and Hygiene

by H. F. Harris

Guarding against Sunstroke and Heat-Prostration.—Excessive heat is the basis of both of these conditions, but there are many contributing causes which play a more or less important part in their production. Notwithstanding the fact that they are regarded as being different, and that the treatment and symptoms of the two conditions vary widely, there can be no doubt that certain depressing influences, in every way similar, play an important part in their causation.

Foremost among such influences alcohol claims first place, and unquestionably not only predisposes to all diseases brought on by heat, but lends much greater gravity to an attack—the drunkard rarely recovering from true sunstroke, and frequently dying from the much less dangerous heat-prostration. It is said that the latter condition is particularly prone to occur after freely indulging in beer or other malt liquors. Not only does alcohol predispose to these morbid states, but other influences that depress the general vitality are more or less apt to predispose to the production of both, such as loss of sleep, overwork, worry, excessive eating, and insufficient food. The danger is greater when there is excessive moisture in the air, so that at such times we should particularly avoid excesses of all kinds, and as far as possible, keep out of the direct rays of the sun.

Frost-bite.—In the extreme northern and northwestern portions of the United States frost-bite is not uncommon in winter. The part attacked becomes suddenly bloodless, presenting much the appearance of the skin after death. The victim is usually not aware of the fact as at first there is no pain. As soon as a condition of this kind is observed,—and in cold countries persons are quick to inform the victim when they notice it,—the place should be vigorously rubbed with a piece of ice, or with a handful of snow, and this should be continued until the circulation again returns as evidenced by the parts becoming reddened. A rapid warming of the affected parts is not advisable, the result being not unlike that of a burn.

Chilblains.—Many persons suffer during the winter from chilblains—this being a state in which more or less pain and itching is produced in a part as the result of poor circulation. Such a condition is usually the result of a combination of cold with the affected part being more or less compressed, and as a consequence, we find that troubles of this kind are more frequently in the feet—particularly where tight shoes are worn. The remedy for troubles of this character is to wear loose-fitting shoes, and to thoroughly protect the parts by appropriate woolen socks. It is particularly of importance to change the socks often, since as soon as they become moistened with perspiration a tendency to a recurrence of the trouble is very great. Drugs are of no particular use in conditions of this kind. Chilblains are more commonly suffered in Europe than in America. One young American lady in Paris acquired them one winter, and “knowing no better,” as she told the writer, cured herself by “boiling the chilblains”—soaking her feet in the hottest water she could endure. The affliction did not return; and the novel recipe was delightedly followed by all the art-students of the neighborhood.

Blisters.—Small blisters on the feet are not uncommon as the result of wearing tight, or ill-fitting shoes. Wherever possible, they should be quickly relieved from all compression, and should under no circumstances be opened.

The treatment is very simple and quite efficient, provided it be instituted while the skin is still intact, and consists simply in placing over the affected area a small piece of mole-skin plaster, which should extend for a short distance out on the normal skin surrounding the blister; the same sort of plaster should here be used as was recommended for supporting sprained joints, and is an article so useful that it should be kept in every house. Where blisters have ruptured, the better plan is to apply some antiseptic, like tincture of iodine, and after having allowed it to dry, stick on some plaster as already directed. If no antiseptic be at hand the plaster should be used any way, but it should be frequently removed in order to see that no suppuration is occurring beneath. Small blisters, the result of burns, may be treated in a similar way with good results.

Tooth-ache.—Tooth-ache is a condition for which there is no excuse in the present state of knowledge. As soon as decay begins in a tooth it should receive the attention of a competent dentist, and where this is done a true tooth-ache never occurs. Where one has been so neglectful as to permit the exposure of the nerve of a tooth, he can only be saved from much suffering by going at once to a dentist. In the meantime, various measures may be adopted to diminish the pain. A piece of cotton dipped in dilute carbolic acid and thrust into the cavity will almost immediately relieve the suffering for the time being. Oil of cloves, or a mixture of this substance with chloroform, applied in a similar way will bring about a like result. The reader cannot be too often reminded of the fact that bad teeth not only cause much suffering, but likewise lead to many digestive disturbances, and as a consequence little could be of more importance to the health of the body than to see to it that they be kept in perfect order. Where teeth are knocked out, they will often grow back and render good service for many years afterwards if replaced immediately in their sockets.

Bites of Animals.—Wounds of this character, particularly those produced by dogs and cats, are not at all uncommon. Where it is definitely known that the animal is not rabid, the treatment should be that of punctured wounds,—to the chapter on which the reader is referred for further information.

Where there is reason to suspect that the animal has hydrophobia, it should be, if possible, at once confined, and watched for developments. Under no circumstances should it be killed. If the animal is rabid, it will be unable to eat or drink, and will die in the course of a few days; should it survive not the least fear need be felt as to it having had hydrophobia, as no instance is on record where the disease was followed by recovery. For further information on this subject, the reader is referred to the special article on hydrophobia ([page 211]).

Hiccough.—Hiccough is a condition caused by a spasm of the diaphragm. All methods for the relief of this somewhat annoying condition are based upon the idea of having the patient hold his breath as long as is possible. The remedy is best applied by the sufferer holding his breath and leaning as far backward as is possible, and in the meanwhile distracting the attention by pointing the index finger of one hand towards the nose, and bringing the former toward the latter as slowly as is possible. Sticking the tongue out and holding the breath at the same time will often relieve hiccough, or if the victim can be induced to sneeze the distressing symptom will at once cease. The slow swallowing of a few sips of water will frequently put an end to the trouble.