A cat sometimes goes mad, and its bite may cause hydrophobia; indeed, the bite of a mad cat is more dangerous than the bite of a mad dog. A bite from a mad cat ought to be treated precisely in the same manner-namely, with the lunar-caustic—as for a mad dog.
Hydrophobia was by our forefathers graphically called water-fright: it was well named, for the horror of swallowing water is, by an hydrophobic patient, most intense, and is the leading symptom of this fell and incurable disease.
A bite either from a dog or from a cat who is not mad, from a cat especially, is often venomous and difficult to heal. The best application is, immediately to apply a large hot white bread poultice to the part, and to renew it every four hours; and, if there be much pain in the wound, to well foment the part, every time before applying the poultice, with a hot camomile and poppy-head fomentation.
Scratches of a cat are best treated by smearing, and that freely and continuously for an hour, and then afterwards at longer intervals, fresh butter on the part affected. If fresh butter Be not at hand, fresh lard—that is to say, lard without salt—will answer the purpose. If the pain of the scratch be very intense, foment the part affected with hot water, and then apply a hot white bread poultice, which should be frequently renewed.
297. What are the best remedies in ease of a sting from either a bee or a wasp?
Extract the sting, if it have been left behind, either by means of the pair of dressing forceps, or by the pressure of the hollow of a small key—a watch-key will answer the purpose; then, the blue-bag (which is used in washing) moistened with water, should be applied to the part; or a few drops of solution of potash, [Footnote: Which may be instantly procured of a druggist.] or "apply moist snuff or tobacco, rubbing it well in," [Footnote: A Bee-master. The Times, July 28,1864.] and renew from time to time either of them: if either of these be not at hand, either honey, or treacle, or fresh butter, will answer the purpose. Should there be much swelling or inflammation, foment the part with hot water, and then apply hot bread poultice, and renew it frequently. In eating apricots, or peaches, or other fruit, they ought beforehand to be carefully examined, in order to ascertain that no wasp is lurking in them; otherwise, it may sting the throat, and serious consequences will ensue.
298. If a child receive a fall, causing the skin to be grazed, can you tell me of a good application?
You will find gummed paper an excellent remedy: the way of preparing it is as follows:—Apply evenly, by means of a small brush, thick mucilage of gum-arabic to cap-paper; hang it up to dry, and keep it ready for use. When wanted, cut a portion as large as may be requisite, then moisten it with your tongue, in the same manner you would a postage stamp, and apply it to the grazed part. It may be removed when necessary by simply wetting it with water. The part in two or three days will be well. There is usually a margin of gummed paper sold with postage stamps; this will answer the purpose equally well. If the gummed paper be not at hand, then frequently, for the space of an hour or two, smear the part affected with fresh butter.
299. In case of a child swallowing by mistake either laudanum, or paregoric, or Godfrey's Cordial, or any other preparation of opium, what ought to be done?
Give, as quickly as possible, a strong mustard emetic; that is to say, mix two tea-spoonfuls of flour of mustard in half a tea-cupful of water, and force it down his throat. If free vomiting be not induced, tickle the upper part of the swallow with a feather, drench the little patient's stomach with large quantities of warm water. As soon as it can be obtained from the druggist, give him the following emetic draught—