Mix well in a mortar, and divide into twelve powders.
Now, suppose the dysentery has for several days persisted, and that, during that time, nothing but mucus and blood—that no real stool—has come from the bowels, then a combination of castor oil and opium [Footnote: My friend, the late Dr Baly, who had made dysentery his particular study, considered the combination of opium and castor oil very valuable in dysentery.] ought, instead of the medicine recommended above, to be given:—
Take of—Mucilage of Gum Acacia, three drachms;
Simple Syrup, three drachms;
Tincture of Opium, ten drops (not minims);
Castor Oil, two drachms;
Cinnamon water, four drachms:
Make a Mixture. A tea spoonful to be taken every four hours, first well shaking the bottle.
A warm bath, at the commencement of the disease, is very efficacious; but it must be given at the commencement. If he has had dysentery for a day or two, he will be too weak to have a warm bath; then, instead of the bath, try the following:—Wrap him in a blanket, which has been previously wrung out of hot water; over which envelope him in a dry blanket. Keep him in this hot, damp blanket for half an hour; then take him out, put on his nightgown and place him in bed, which has been, if it be winter time, previously warmed. The above "blanket treatment" will frequently give great relief, and will sometimes cause him to fall into a sweet sleep. A flannel bag, filled with hot powdered table salt, made hot in the oven, applied to the bowels, will afford much comfort.
What NOT to do.—Do not give aperients unless it be, as before advised, the castor oil guarded with the opium; do not stuff him with artificial food; do not fail to send for a judicious and an experienced medical man; for, remember, it requires a skilful doctor to treat a case of dysentery, more especially in a child.
105. What are the symptoms, the causes and the treatment of Nettle-rash?
Nettle-rash consists of several irregular, raised wheals, red at the base, and white on the summit, on different parts of the body; but it seldom attacks the face. It is not contagious, and it may occur at all ages and many times. It comes and goes, remaining only a short time in a place. It puts on very much the appearance of the child having been stung by nettles—hence its name. It produces great heat, itching, and irritation, sometimes to such a degree as to make him feverish, sick, and fretful. He is generally worse when he is warm in bed, or when the surface of his body is suddenly exposed to the air. Rubbing the skin, too, always aggravates the itching and the tingling, and brings out a fresh crop.
The cause of nettle-rash may commonly be traced to improper feeding; although, occasionally, it proceeds from teething.
What to do.—It is a complaint of no danger, and readily gives way to a mild aperient, and to attention to diet. There is nothing better to relieve the irritation of the skin than a warm bath. If it be a severe attack of nettle-rash, by all means call in a medical man.