When one is suffering from neuralgia in the head, put him in a warm bed. Make a brick very hot and cover it with several thicknesses of flannel. Fold a coarse, thick cloth and place it on the pillow. Lay the brick on this and wet thoroughly with rum. Rest the most painful part of the head or face on the brick, and throw a blanket over the patient, covering the head. Keep covered in this way until the pain ceases. When the blanket is removed, wipe the moisture from the head, face, and neck; then bathe in alcohol or rum, to prevent taking cold.
Another remedy is to make salt very hot by stirring it over the fire in a frying-pan; then pour it into a bag, which should be securely tied. Have the patient lie down, and cover him well. Place the bag of hot salt on that part of the head or face where the pain is located. The salt will retain the heat a long time. This method is much easier than the first, but it will not relieve one so quickly nor so thoroughly.
To Keep Cracked Ice.
It often happens that a patient is obliged to take a great deal of cracked ice. In such a case make a bag of rather thin flannel, and cut a small hole in the bottom. Have a long tape run in the hem at the top. Hang this bag in a large pitcher, fastening it at the top with the tape. Fill the bag with cracked ice, and cover the pitcher with several thicknesses of flannel.
To Break Ice in a Sick Room.
Place the piece of ice on a napkin and press a large pin or needle firmly into it. It will break off smoothly at this point. If ice be scarce, it is best to put it in the flannel bag in one large piece and chip it off as required.
Mutton Broth.
1 pound of the scraggy end of the neck of mutton.
1-1/2 pints of cold water.
1 tablespoonful of barley.