Now, in order to be most successful in the treatment of catarrh, it is necessary that the remedy should reach and be thoroughly applied to all the affected parts. This can be accomplished in only one way, which is by hydrostatic pressure. The anatomy of the nasal passages, and the various chambers and tubes that communicate therewith, is such that they cannot be reached with fluid administered with any kind of syringe or inhaling tube, or with any instrument, except one constructed to apply it upon the principle above stated. Such an instrument is Dr. Pierce's Nasal Douche.
By the use of this instrument, the fluid enters every portion of the air-passages of the head by its own weight, no snuffing being required.
DIRECTIONS FOR USING DR. SAGE'S CATARRH REMEDY WITH THIS INSTRUMENT.
To cleanse out the passages previous to applying the Catarrh Remedy fluid, take one quart of soft water, add to it two large tablespoonfuls of common salt, and shake it up occasionally until all is dissolved. Before use heat it until blood warm, or, in other words, until it gives a pleasant, mild warmth to the inserted finger. Put the reservoir on a shelf, or hang it up, so that it will be a little higher than the head: fill the reservoir with salt and water, pressing the tube between the thumb and finger so as to prevent the fluid from escaping through it; introduce the nozzle at the end of the tube into one nostril, pressing it in far enough to close the entrance of the passage so that no fluid can escape by the side of the tube, breathe through the mouth, avoid swallowing, and allow the fluid to flow. The soft palate, by the act of breathing through the mouth, is elevated so as to completely close the passage into the throat, and thus the fluid is made to flow up one nostril in a gentle stream, to pass into and thoroughly cleanse all the sinuses, or cavities, connected with the nasal passages, and to flow out of the other nostril. The douche should not be employed unless both nostrils are open and the flow is free. If the head is "stopped up," snuff up the warm liquid from the hand occasionally, until the passages are open and you can breathe freely through both nostrils.
Do not forget that the instrument will not work properly unless you breathe through the mouth and avoid swallowing while the fluid flows.
Fill the reservoir a second time with the simple salt and water, and, inserting the nozzle into the nostril out of which the fluid flowed on using it the first time, pass the current through in the opposite direction; that is, so that it will flow out of the nostril into which it flowed the first time of using it.
After having thus thoroughly cleansed the passages, fill the instrument half full or more with the "Catarrh Remedy Fluid," prepared as heretofore directed, and warmed to a moderate temperature, and pass this through the nose in the same manner as directed for the salt water. The salt water is not curative, but is milder than simple water, and is, therefore, preferable for cleansing the passages.
On first commencing the use of the instrument, it is best to hang it only a very little higher than the forehead, but after using it a few times, put it up about as high as the length of the tube will admit.