A half-pint bottle of carbolic acid dissolved in water (1 in 20) is the first application required. Then you want about an ounce of powdered boracic acid for dressing wounds; and an ounce pot of boracic acid and eucalyptus ointment.
To allay the pain of bruises do not use tincture of arnica; but apply the following lotion on a piece of uncovered lint: one part of spirit and one part of solution of acetate of ammonia (B.P.) to eight parts of water. When the pain of a bruise has been allayed, the absorption of the residual swelling and discoloration may be hastened by gentle massage. So much for the surgical requisites.
We are of opinion that the less you have to do with drugs the better. People cannot understand that if a drug has a powerful action in disease—if, for instance, a drug will stop convulsions—it will have an action if given to a perfectly healthy person, and that action will do harm to the body.
The drugs which we advise you to keep in your medicine chest are all perfectly safe; but at the same time they all have definite actions. The liquids should be kept in half-ounce bottles. They should be labelled with the names of the drugs, their doses, and the complaints for which they are used.
Mind you, this box is to treat emergencies. It is to serve you when you cannot obtain medical aid. Do not imagine that when you possess this box you can consider yourself independent of medical science. This box is for emergencies, and for emergencies only.
These are the preparations the box should contain:—
1. Sal Volatile.—For fainting. Half a teaspoonful in a small wineglassful of water.
2. Brandy.—A teaspoonful—not more—for collapse from poisoning after an emetic has been given and has acted. Also for fainting and colic. People always give too much brandy. A teaspoonful at a time is ample. If necessary, this dose may be repeated.
3. Ipecacuanha Wine.—For the early stages of cough. Ten to twenty drops on a lump of sugar or in water. For children two to eight drops. This is one of the very few drugs which may be given to children for cough.
4. Oxymel of Squills.—A very useful preparation for cough with profuse expectoration. Especially useful for elderly persons, the subjects of chronic winter cough. The dose is half a teaspoonful.