Put bran enough in the water to make it milky, and the bath will assist in softening the skin, when it is dried and flaky. Put in a pound of rock salt to every four gallons of water and you will find the bath useful in invigorating feeble constitutions.
Thirst is Nature’s Signal that the system needs an increased supply of water just as truly as appetite shows need for food. It is relieved not only by water but by barley water, toast water and similar drinks, by small pieces of ice held in the mouth, and by drinks made from the juices of fruit. Care must be used, however, in the employment of these apparently harmless things, or injury may follow from taking them to excess.
Bed Sores are the inflamed spots which occur on the body, often as a result of carelessness during a long illness. They are not likely to occur if the bedding is kept smooth and free from wrinkles and the patient kept dry, his position varied as frequently as possible, and the proper bathing not neglected. If such sores threaten there are several remedies which will help to prevent them. Alcohol, brandy or glycerine rubbed over the parts exposed to pressure, after washing in the morning and evening, will serve to harden the place where applied. A solution of nitrate of silver, painted on threatened but unbroken skin as soon as it becomes red, will prevent sores. In the early stages of bed sores apply a mixture of equal parts of rectified spirits and white of egg. Put it on with a feather and renew as it dries till an albuminous coating is formed. For bed sores occurring in typhoid and other fevers an excellent prescription is composed of two parts of castor oil and one of balsam of Peru, which are spread on pieces of lint, laid on the sore and covered with a linseed poultice to be changed three or four times a day.
The Characteristics of Fever are a rising of the temperature, and, as a rule, increased rapidly of the circulation as shown by the pulse, and alterations in the secretions of the body, which are usually diminished. Fever diet consists in giving the patient plenty of milk, arrowroot or broth, composing a light, easily-digested fluid diet, every three hours, day and night. If milk alone is used the patient can take from three to five pints in twenty-four hours. The general treatment recommended for fevers consists in sponging off the body of the patient under the bed clothes with cool water three or four times a day, keeping him lightly covered, the room well ventilated, and its temperature from sixty-eighty to seventy degrees. He should be given plenty of cooling drinks in small quantities from fear of overloading his stomach, but frequently repeated even if he has to be coaxed to take them. The secretions of the kidneys and bowels must be kept up by such medicines as are prescribed by the physician in charge.
SIMPLE HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES, HERBS AND OTHERWISE
Those who live in the city, where a doctor can be summoned in a few minutes, if needed, cannot realize how important it is that the farmer’s wife should keep a supply of simple remedies on hand and know how to use them. It is a good plan to have an herb bed in one corner of the garden, where catnip, thoroughwort, camomile, hoarhound, pennyroyal, etc., can be grown. These are nature’s remedies and are often just as effective and always safer than strong drugs. Almost all kinds of herbs should be gathered while in blossom and tied up in bunches until dry. Then put them in bags, keeping each kind separate, and labeling them. The bags keep them clean and the labels enable one to find them quickly. In the springtime when one feels languid and miserable, a cup of boneset or thoroughwort tea, taken several mornings in succession, will arouse the sluggish liver and make quite a difference in one’s feelings.
For sprains, bruises and rheumatism steep tansy in vinegar, having it almost boiling hot; wring woolen cloths out of it and apply, changing often. Plantain grows almost everywhere and is very useful as a medicine. A strong tea made of the leaves or a poultice made of them and applied quite hot to the cheek will relieve facial neuralgia, A tea made of the seeds and taken in tablespoonful doses every ten minutes is good for sick stomach.
If it is desirable to preserve plant remedies make a strong decoction by steeping in water kept just below boiling point half an hour. Strain it and to one pint of the liquid add one gill of alcohol. Put it in bottle, cork tightly and it will retain its virtues as long as desired.
Many fruits and vegetables possess valuable medicinal properties. Tomatoes, either canned or fresh, are a pleasant remedy for constipation. Blackberry cordial is an old and well-tried remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. To prepare it get the fresh berries; mash them with a potato masher and let them stand several hours; then strain out the juice. To one quart of juice add one pound of granulated sugar and one heaping teaspoonful each of cloves, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. All the spices except the nutmeg should be tied in a cheesecloth sack before they are put in. Boil until it is a rich syrup; put it in bottles and seal while hot.
Many housewives who have used borax in various ways have never known its value as a medicine. It is almost the only antiseptic and disinfectant known that is entirely safe to use. Clothes washed in borax water are free from infection, and can be worn again without fear of contagion. A solution of ten grains of borax to one ounce of pure soft water is an excellent lotion for sore eyes. Apply it two or three times a day until it strengthens and heals them. Half a teaspoonful of borax and a pinch of salt dissolved in a cupful of water and used frequently as a gargle will cure sore throat.