MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Erysipelas, Slippery Elm Bark for.—"Slippery elm used as a wash and taken as a drink." Slippery elm is a very good remedy for this on account of its soothing effect to the affected parts. It is very good to take internally, as it cleanses the system by acting on the bowels and kidneys.
2. Erysipelas, Bean Poultices for.—"White navy beans boiled soft and applied as a poultice to the affected parts and renewed frequently is a sure cure for erysipelas if taken in time." This is a very good and effective poultice, but care should be taken not to use it too long, as the parts will become too soft and might slough.
3. Erysipelas, Soda Wash for.—"Put about a tablespoonful of baking soda in one pint of water and bathe parts several times a day," This is an extremely simple remedy for such a serious disease, but has been known to do good in many cases. The baking soda is soothing.
4. Erysipelas, Easy Remedy for.—"Keep parts well bathed with witch-hazel." A good preparation should be bought. By applying this freely to the affected parts it will be found to have a very soothing effect.
5. Erysipelas, Copperas Liniment for.—"A few cents' worth of common copperas. Make a solution and keep applying it. This kills the poison as it comes on and relieves the pain. I knew of a very bad case to be cured by this treatment."
6. Erysipelas, Cranberry Poultice for.—"Take cranberries and stew them and make a poultice of them." This is a remedy that cannot be beaten for this disease. It gives relief in a very short time and saves the patient a great deal of suffering. If the whisky is used to wet the poultice it is much better, as it keeps the poultice moist longer. All that is necessary is simply to put on more whiskey and it will not be necessary to change the poultice so often.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Erysipelas.—It is best to separate the patient from the others in the family. Some people very easily take this disease. I know one who cannot be in the room where such a patient is for even five minutes without contracting it.
Local Treatment.—1. Wash the parts with a solution of boric acid, one-half teaspoonful to eight teaspoonfuls of tepid water, put this on the inflamed parts. Then apply a poultice of bruised cranberries. Wash the face each time with the solution before applying the cranberry poultice afresh.
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2. Paint thoroughly with tincture of iodine outside of the margin of the disease where the skin shows no sign of the trouble. This is very effective. If done freely it produces a slight inflammation. The stain made by it remains for some time and that is the objection to it on the face, but do not hesitate on that account if the other remedies do not work well or are not at hand.