INFLAMMATION OF THE OVARIES.
The ovaries are liable to affections from cold; the most frequent of which is acute or dumb aching pains, accompanied with great heat, depression of spirits, and thirst. It often seizes one while sweeping, or otherwise exercising. It not unfrequently comes on while asleep in bed, having the character of cramp, particularly after having wet or cold feet, as it is through the feet such sensations travel rapidly to those organs.
Treatment.—A pad made of hops or any soothing herbs, wet in hot vinegar, and laid over the lower part of the bowels and over the kidneys. Internally, one and a half teaspoonfuls of Epsom salts, and one-eighth as much of pulverized cinnamon, dissolved in a little warm sweetened water, observing absolute quiet, will, in most cases, give speedy relief. Opiate treatment should always be left to the discretion of a physician. It is the collections from repeated attacks of ovarian inflammation that give rise to tumors. They, too, can be cured if taken in time, but it requires total abstinence from all kinds of fish or stimulating food, or drinks, and very regular bowels.
RHEUMATISM.
Rheumatism, or nerve pain, of which there are several characters, is nevertheless caused by taking cold, in some certain condition of the system, at almost any time of life. Persons who get in cold or damp beds, or sleep in cold, ill-ventilated rooms without night-clothes, or otherwise neglect to comfortably prepare the body for the maintenance of pure blood, are mostly liable to rheumatism in some form. It may last for a few days only, then again, it may remain in the system for years. It frequently attacks one part of the body and goes off, leaving a lasting depression, remote from the seat of the attack. Ofttimes it affects the nerves that control the organs of voice and speech; more especially in those persons who use tobacco and “toddy.”
Treatment.—In nearly all cases, in full habits, having been exposed to great heat, alternating with cold, purging, sweating and extreme quiet, will relieve. Anointing the parts with warm goose oil, or boiled olive oil, is highly serviceable. In cases of long standing, with poor blood, the opposite treatment is indicated, i.e., food or medicines that create warmth, and supply principles wanting in the blood; such, for instance, as beef-juice, rare-done beefsteak, lamb chop, corn bread, pure wheat bread, milk, and stewed fruits.
Articular rheumatism, or that affecting the joints, long after the acute or first attack, can generally be cured by feeding the joints, as it were, from without. Ligaments and joints are not quickly affected by what enters the circulation, but very much can be gained by wrapping the joints with bandage, wet in some stimulating sedative of which hot water takes first rank, pulverized opium and water next. Dissolve ten grains in as much hot water as it will require to wet the bandages, apply and cover with a dry flannel. Liniments should be used with caution, as they tend to close up the pores of the skin.
Very much may be gained by taking a hot salt bath twice a week, not necessarily going to the sea-side. In all cases of rheumatism, with feelings of languor or loss of appetite, a tea of seneca, snake root and valerian is advisable, and may be drank at pleasure, cold. Also, a cold infusion of hoarhound and hops, made sweet with maple sugar, is good, if continued for quite a while. Dose—a pint during the day.
SOFT BONES.
Soft bones, or a tendency to crooked limbs, in many families, may arise from a taint of ill-humors, or rachitis in the parents, or even grandparents; likewise, weak joints. The preventive means are, not to keep the infant too hot, or closely bound, while asleep. Children born free from any imperfection may develop distorted, if allowed to creep around or sit on a cold or damp floor, be tossed into a bed between cold sheets, when the nerves are excited and the blood is warm. It would require but little outlay to provide close flannel drawers for children to creep around in; besides, the nation would be blessed, in the future, with men and women possessing firm muscles, with well-fed marrow in their bones.