CH^ \^ 4^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 11.25 l^|28 |2^ m ■ 2.2 ■ 4.0 MMU Photographic Sciences Corporalion 23 WBT MAM STRliT WIBSTIR,N.Y. 14SM (716)S7a-4S03 ^^V^' ^V' ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, ore checlced below. 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Tl sli Tl w M di er b4 ri< re m This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmA au taux de rMuction indiqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy film«d h«r« hat b««n raproductd thanks to tha ganarosity of: Metropolitan Toronto Library Scionoe & Technology Department Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality possibia contidaring tha condition and iaglblllty of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spaclflcatlona. Original copias In printad papar covars ara fllmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or lllustratad Impraa- slon, or tha back covar whan approprlata. All othar original coplaa ara fllmad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or lllustratad impraa* slon, and anding on tha last paga with a printad or llluatratad Impraasion. L'axampiaira film* f ut raproduit grica k la ginirosltA da: IMetropolitan Toronto Library Science & Technology Department Las imagas suivantas ont *ti raprodultas avac la plus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da l'axampiaira film*, at an conformity avac las conditions du contrat da fllmaga. Las axamplalras orlginaux dont la couvartura 9n papiar ast Imprimte sont fllmte an commandant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant solt par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Impraasion ou d'lllustration, solt par la sacond plat, salon la cas. Tous las autras axamplalras origlnaux sont fllmis an commandant par la pramlira paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Impraaalon ou d'lllustration at an tarminant par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una talla amprainta. Tha last racorded frama on aach microflcha sha. Jiiintain tha symbol — ^ (moaning "CON- TIN JF^i}"} cr tha symbol y (moaning "END"), whichav " -ippli^s. Un das symbolaa suivants apparaitra sur la darnlAra imaga da chaqua microfiche, salon la cas: la symbols — ► signifia "A SUIVRE". la symbols y signifia "FIN". Mapa, platas, charts, ate, may ba fllmad at diffarant raduction ratios. Thosa too larga to ba antiraly included in ona axposura ara fllmad beginning in tha upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams Illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tsbleaux. etc., peuvent Atre f llmAs A des taux da rMuction diff Grants. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reprodult en un soul clichA, il est f llmA A partir da Tangle supArleur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en baa, en prenant la nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammas suivants iilustrant la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 li T TILL THE DOCTOR COMES, ! AND HOM^ TO HELP HIM. BY 9 E ORGE J^. Jio PE, M.D., M.R.O.S.B. TORONTO: THE CANADIAN NEWS AND PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1871. sialic morbi CONTENTS. PAGE siatic cholera, or cholera morbus 65 lad smells 11 Jaths, bathing, etc 86 teds aud bedding 13 bedsores 80 deeding, and how to stop it, 33 Uow or fall, wounds from a.. 32 toils 78 {owel complaints 67 broken bones — Arm, above the elbow 89 Armj below the elbow 40 Collar-bone 38 Elbow joint 40 General remarks 42 Hand, foot, or ankle 40 Head 37 Hip joint 41 Knee, cap of the 41 Leg, below the knee 42 Ribs, with a wound 39 Ribs, without a \(ound .... 38 Thigh 41 hims and scalds 26 arbunclfs 78 'autions against common er- rors 94 PAOE Chilblains 85 Choking 82 Cholera 65 Cold bath 86 Colic 69 Common cold and influenza.. 72 Croup 71 Cuts on the head 31 Diarrhoea 67 Dislocations, or limbs out of joint — Elbow 44 Hip 46 Jaw 44 Neck 43 Shoulder 44 Thumb 45 Wrist, knee, or ankle 45 Drowning, how to restore from 63 Dysentery 68 Ear-ache 80 Eye, things in the.. 80 Fever 66 Fire, persons on 26 Fish - hooks and crochet- needles, to get out 32 ^ w CONTENTS. PAGE Fits 76 Frost-Litt!s 84 Frozen, people being 83 Hooping-cough 70 How to bear pain 7 Infant, how to help with an. 98 Influenza 74 leeches, how to use 89 Lungs, bleeding from 36 Measles C2 Medicine chest, the 22 Miscellaneous 77 Nose and ears, things in 81 Nose, bleeding from the 33 Nurses and nursing 14 Pain in the face 80 Poisons and poisoning 47 Presence of mind 6 Rheumatic fever 88 Scalds 26 Scarlet fever 60 Shin, wounds on the 32 PAOEJ Shower bath, the 87 1 Sick-room, the lol Small-pox 6o| Splinters and nails, wounds from 311 Sprains 45 Stomach, bleeding into 53! Taking thi ngs quietly 5 1 Thrush lOf) Toe-nails, ingrowing 79 1 Tooth ache.. 30 Tooth-rash, 108 Ulcers of the leg 77 Useful hints 88 Vapour bath, the S7| Varicose veins 37 Veins, enlargement of 371 Ventilation 12| Vomiting blood 35| "VVaria bath 87 V/hitlow 79] Worms 105 Wounds 30 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. . ,■%.' Vy">./'\r> ' TAKING THINGS QUIETLY. 4 SHORT tirue since a inan met "wlJi an accident, having ■^^ his wrist cut with a piece of a broken jug. This man, residing in one of the hn'gcst cities in tlie worki, surrounded by thousands of people, the largest hospitals, and the best doctors, was allowed to bleed to death, and his wife had to stand her trial for murder, all for the want of a little know- ledge, a little common sense, used at the proper time. The occurrence much impressed my mind with the need of a few hints and instructions, as to wliat is best to be done in the case of accident or sudden illness, especially by those who reside at a distance from the nearest surgeon. I there- fore propose to write, in the very plainest langunge, a few directions and suggestions. But no one can always foretell whether a matter will prove serious or not. What I may write, therefore, is nob to take the place of the advice or care of a doctor, bub merely that people may employ the time profitably v.diile thoy are waiting till the doctou c.'o:ii:s. As lie is not likely to come till he knows he is wanted, the first thing will be to send to him, and while the messenger is away, let its consider what to do. Well, then, let us suppose an accident has liai;)pened, what U the first thing we want? Presence of mind, self-control, TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. '■ and the power of keeping silent when it is best to do so. Of all the miserable hindering nuisances, there is nothing worse than persons who, just at the time when their services are most required, begin to scream, run wildly about, put them- selves in every one's way, hinder other people, not able to give a sensible answer, perhaps faint, or go into hysterics, or pretend to do so. Every one knows that all have not the same gifts, all have not the same strength of nerve. Most people have naturally a xeeling of dread and of nervous horror at the sight of blood ; and this is quite natural, for blood always suggests to the mind suffering or death. Still much can be done by mere force of will, determination, facing the thing bravely. Not that we should be hard-hearted, and have no sympathy with our fellow-creatures when suffering. But by a deter- mination to conquer oneself, in plain language, to make oneself go through it ; this can be done, and is done by Imndreds every day. Some ignorant people will tell you that a doctor has no feeling for his patient, but they know little of the truth. Ask those who live with them and know them, and hear their remarks about the painful operation they have had to perform, and how nobly the poor patient bore it. Ask Florence Nightingale and the noble women who, without pay or reward, attend in our hospittils, and in the dwellings of the poorest of the poor, who witness and dress every description of wound and accident. Almost every description of loathsome disease is nursed by these tenderly brought up ladies — accidents by machinery tearing the body to pieces ; accidents by fire, where not only is the poor sufferer a frightful object, but where the peculiar sicken, ing smell of burnt flesh seems to cling to the person and TAKING THINGS QUIETLY. : A clothing for days afterwards. Do tliey not suffer when others are in paini Yes, truly; but thoy have taught themsolves to bear it, so that thoy can overcome their feel, ings. Lot us all strive to conquer ourselves, to bo calm when accidents happeu or sudden illness comes on, so that we may be useful to others in their distress. There is a wonderful difference in the way in v/hich pain affects individuals. The injury which will bo borne by one with scarcely a word of complaint, will force another to cry out and writhe about. A sailor, or a man acci:stomed to labour in the open fields, or any person taken suddenly from an active life, cannot be expected to bear confinement to bed, or even to one position, as well as another who has been employed sitting at some indoor occupation. It is well for nurses and friends to bear this in mind, and not to be easily made cross or impatient. For many years I had to do with one of our largest hospitals. I scai-ceJy ever had a healthy sailor come into the house with a broken limb, who did not manage to kick off splints, bandages, and so on, regularly the first few nights. iJut it is only for a short time ; they soon become quiet and obedient. Let all who have to suffer, remember a few simple truths. When they give way, they add greatly to the distress and confusion of those who arc with them, they very much hinder their own recovery, and when the pain is over reflect upon themselves for not having been braver. It is indeed wonderful what ca i be done, when a person makes wp his mind to grin and bear it, as the soldiers say. I have mar- velled how any one could possibly bear up under slow cutting operations or accidents. A curious instance, but a very instructive one, occurred to me some years ago, before chlorc- ■ :>■: i ,'•». I 8 TILL THE DOCTOll COMES. form was inventfid. A large, well-made, liealtliy seaman was bror.glit into ilie hospital with his legfio terribly crushed that it v/iis necess.nT to tako it off BOine distance above the knee. I said to him, "Jack, I am very sorry to have to toll you, that the only thing which cm be done with this unfortunate leg is to take it o(V; we cannot save it, you know we cannot splitje it or fish it like a mast." " No," he replied, *' I can see that ; well, it must be done, it '11 never be scav/ortliy any more ; how long will it take doing it?'' Sol told him only a very short time. " Oli, well," he said, '' cut th(3 wreck adrift, and fit a timber one ; I'll bear it." {?o the limb v/as taken off without one groan or one word of complaint. But as the house-surgeon was putting on ji bandage, he accidentally pricked him with a pin, when he immediately cricid out, " Hallo, Mr. Surgeon, the point of that marliug-spike's rather sharp ; that's too bad." So I said, " Why Jack, hovr is this ?— 'you bore having your leg taken off, like a brave fellow as you are, without speaking one word, and nov/ when only the point of a pin touches you, you call out ?" " Ah, sir," he said, ** don't you see, I made up my mind I to have my leg cut on'? I told you I'd bear it, but I made no bargiiin about the pin-sticking business " This is a most excellent example of wh:it I nieau by " making up the mind to bear it." Dut, alas lor us poor nicn, we do not as a general rule bear [;ain well ; we are used t) an active, busy, out-of-door life, more so than women; we are apl to be cvohs wlien suffering or compelled to be still, and need a good deal of coaxing and petting to behave pro- perly ; but let us try cur best, and if we meet with any TAKING THINGS QUIETLY. accident to wliicli man's occupation makes him liable, let us always bear in mind that the nioat terrible accidents which tear a man to pieces arc not the most paiiiful. TIio larrjer the surface b.irned or scalded the less the }):iin, and the disoaser; which canso the greatest sr.ncrin;; are not by any means the most fatal. Pain is in every case the rcniilt of aonicthiug boing wrong either in mind or body, and though it may be hard to bear, it is not entirely an evil. It is a merciful provision to warn us of dajiger, or to tell us we are committing some error. If a child puts its hand into tlio ilame of a candle, the pain teaches it to snatch it awny in a moment, before it has time to do serious inj'iry. A person using a knife, and cutting into the finger, is i^istantly warned to stop ; ho is doing wrong. Or suppose the clothing of a very aged or infirm person Avcre to take fire, when left alone and asleep, the cry of suffering will bring assistance, whereas, if there were no j)ain he might be burned so severely as to cause death, and not be avrare of what w^as going on. Bo, in a higher sense, if a person commits a sin, and brings sorrow and suffering upon himself and otiiers, it is a warning to him not to repeat that sin. One other remark, and I finish this part of the subject, and this I address particularly to husbands. When you feel inclined to bo cross and think yourself very badly used, look at your wife, or if i.ot married, look upon your mother, and reflect that each time a child v/as born she suffered an agony of pain such as you can have no conception of, such as you have never felt, and never can feel. And yet in a few- minutes after this anguish she will greet you with a sweet aniiling countenance. Let us do our best, and in our time ^:'i 1' kjjm 1 v'LJH| f :^iii ^;|jfil -'■ '."> £!■■ .i i^jKl A M <. fl^H ■f ) y^H 1 /.'IJm ■ ' ''^N fWt ■^m 1 f y 10 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. of siifFering let us 1)8 gentle and kind to those who are doing their best for us. A great deal may be done by trying. I have not said anything here about i)i'aycr to God to give us strejigth and cour-ige, patitmce and calmness. Bui I have seen suffering of all kinds in all parts of tlio vrorld, amongst sailors and landsmeu, amongst Christians, infidels, and pagans, and I can toll you that nothing will help you to bear pain, to meet danger, or to keep cool and collected, like faith in God and prayer to ITiin. Till the doctor comes, and when he has come, and even when he can do no more for you, cry io God, and he will help you out of your trouble or help you to bear it. And now having brought patients and attendants together, I will endeavour in the next chapter to see how they can best employ tte time till the doctor comes. I f THE SICK ROOM. IF you are so fortunate as to have a choice of rooms, do not put your patient into one which is dark and gloomy, but let it be light and cheerful, and with a fireplace if possible. If the illness be fever, something wrong with the eyco or brain, or other sickness re(piiring quiet, a back room away from the family will answer best ; the patient will not care to look at anything or to speak much, and quietness is necessary. But if he be suffering from an accident, let him be near the rest of the family where you can speak to him. This will help to keep him contented and cheerful, for it THE SICK ROOM. 11 Olllg (give lave |>ngst antl Ibeax' kith and for le or will be an amusement to liim to watch your movements while you are going on with your work, and it will save time in waiting upon him. Do not fix upon a room near a cesspool or a pigsty; or other bad-smelling place. A pig is a capital thing for a cottager to have. It gives liim something to look after, and it saves many scraps from being wasted. A flitch or two of good bacon is excellent furniture in a house-place, but how- ever useful our curly-tailed friend may be in his proper place, he is not a nice neighbour for a sick room. Never have the window so fastened that you cannot open it. Be careful not to have much furniture in the room, particularly if the disease be infectious. Bear in mind that woollen articles hold smells niuch longer than cotton or linen, therefore do not have woollen curtains. It is better to have no curtains at all, but if you think the room looks bare and cheerless use light muslin or something which will easily wash. Have no woollen-covered sofa or chairs , cane-bottomed or plain wood are preferable, and a clean boarded floor, kept sweet by scrubbing and elbow-gi-ease, is infinitely better without any carpet, excepting, perhai)S, a narrow strip for you to walk upon just to prevent noise. In case of accident the bed may be placed where the patient feels most comfort- able, only it should be where there is a good light to see and dress the wound ; bu'; in fever and small-pox let it be between the door and the fire-place. The reason for this is, that as the fire cannot burn without air there must be a draught to feed it, and as this becomes heated and rushes up the chinmey, it is replaced by a fresh supply drawn in through the door and window. In this way the chimney '-iii'i 12 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. ! acts as a ventilating shaft, carrying away the impurities of the room, and so helps to prevent the disease .spieading. It is clear, therefore, that if a person stands hetvrecn the bed and the fireplace, he must get the air after it has been con- taminated by passing over the patient ; wliereas, on the otlier side — that is, between the bed and the door — lie breathes the air pure. If from the form of the room the bed cannot be placed in this position, let there (dways be sulHcicnt space left between the window and the bed to stand in. If the room has not been used for some time, do not put the patient into it until you have lit the fire and seen if the chimney draws well. If it be damp and cold most likely it will not, and it is too late to discover this after the sufferer is put to bed. I remember an instance wliere an old gentle- man was taken suddenly ill with a chest complaint ; he was carefully placed in bed, a blister put on the chest, and medi- cine given to promote perspiration. This was just at the commencement of winter, and a fire was required, but on endeavouring to kindle it every particle of smoke seemed to pour into the room. In a few minutes it was filled; my poor patient, with the difiiculty of breathing from the disease and the smoke combined, was in a miserable plight. Doors and windows had to be thrown wide open, and then, to complete the confusion, a 2)oor terrified swallow, which had built its nest in one of the flues, forced its way down the chimney, its feathers of course covered with soot. The poor bird, so rudely disturbed out of its sleep, dashed wildly about the room, leaving plenty of black marks against walls, if not also against our characters for our want of forethought. A smoky chimney may often be cured by holding a lighted newspa causes Asl but as use it, feathei that ii perly. right of It led )n- ler les ^ot ice ] -V TEE SICK ROOM. 13 newspaper a little way up the flue. Tins warms the air and causes it to ascend. As to tlie hi^d itself. 1'lie best is no doubt a hair-mattress, Lut as tliir^ is so expensive I shall n:ierely say if you have one use it, but, unleris you fire obliged, do not use one made of feathers. It is too soft, and the patient sinks into holes, so that in case of wounds or burns you cannot get to them pro- perly. I>e.':ide,s, if the feathers get wet you cannot put them right agii.iii. Good clean straw or chaff, well and evenly - packed ii), is far better. It cost«i much less to begin with, it is more comfortable and very much superior in point of health, .'ind has tills i^-rinit advantage, that in case of being spoiled it can be emptied, the cover washed and refilled with- out loss of time and at a very iriliing expense. It is a disadvantage to have the bed too wide. If the patient be lying in the middle and needs help, tlie nurse is obliged to lift either kneeling on tlie bed or at arm'fc length, a position which takes aAvay all her strength and causes a very painful strain on the muscles. If you are obliged to use a wide bed, a good plan is to make a division down the middle with a board a few inches high covered with the under bed-clothes. This not only prevents the invalid slip- ping away ftom you but answers the purpose in some degree of two beds. When you want to change the clotlies of a bed and the patient cannot get up, proceed in this way : roll up the clothes to be changed tiglitly to the middle lengthwise, not across the bed ; put on the clean tilings with half the width rolled up close to the other roil, lift the patient on to the newly made part, slip off the clothes he has just been lifted tlVi 111 ^:M u TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. from, unroll the clean ones, and it is finisliecl without any difficulty. If you have time before you put the patient to bed to scour the floor right well, anu then wash it with hot water, with two pennyworth of chloride of lime mixed with it, or if you cannot get this use a good-sized piece of quicklime, and rub well up into the cracks and corners. Do not bo anxious to remove the whole of the lime. If you leave a little sticking in the crevices and pores of the wood it will prevent insects, give a clean, sweet smell to the place, and help to keep away infection. Now dry it thoroughly, aud the room is ready for the invalid. NURSES AND NURSING. IT is a great error to suppose that only women can nurse. I have frequently met with men, particularly husbands, who have been quite as gentle in their touch, quite as thoughtful about little wants, and far more tender and con- siderate than almost any woman. A man's strength is a great advantage. Ask a wife who requires lifting from the bed, and she will tell you what a comfort it was to feel her husband's str^ . irms under her : she felt so safe. It is a dreadful feeliicj^ for a patient not to have perfect confidence in the power of the person assisting ; the dread of being let fall may give a fright which will take days to recover from. Lot every man put away the foolish idea that it is only a woman's work. Now there are five qualifications which we require in a y NURSES AND NURSING. 15 |any to ite?*, p or line, It be ^e a IwiJl land and nurse — Sobriety, Cleanliness, Firmness, Gentleness, and Patience. t^ohriety. — All I shall say on this point is, if unfortunate- ly you cannot resist temptation, do not come near us — the sick room is no place for you, we dare not trust you. Cleanliness. — Be always very clean yourself, and keep the room sweet. A very little thing will spoil the appetite of a person already sick. Never let anything offensive, no dress- ings from a wound or burn, remain in the room. Let every vessel be emptied directly it is done with, well washed out, and left in the open air. Change the air frequently by open- ing the window ; remember bad air will poison a person as surely as bad food. The poison of fever is dangerous or not according as you weaken it with fresh air — just as you make spirit weaker by adding water. Do not leave food in a room if the patient cannot eat it. Do not let the drinking water stand long without being changed, as it absorbs whatever gases there are in the room ; so that when the patient drinks it you are actually putting back into his stomach the poison which had been thrown out through the skin. Why do p(»oj)le put buckets of water into a place newly painted ? — because they know that the water takes up the smell of turpentine and oil as it escapes from the walls. Fmnness. — Eemember fiimness is not rudeness. You cannot expect a suffering patient to know as well what is best for him as those whose brains are clear. Therefore if a certain thing is best to be done, do it ; do it kindly, but do it, he will thank you for it afterwards. Gc7itlenes8. — Whatever you have to do for the patient, be gentle. In cases of rheumatism or broken limbs you must change the clothes, however painful the process, but do it 16 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. gently, and not cause needless snfTering. With care all jerks and knocks may be avoided. And Iii:>tly, Patience. — Never forget the diffcreiico bytv/een yourself and the person under your ctiro. Did you never yourself feel irritable and restless even when you were well 1 Have there not been seme days w^lien you had been so easily put out, so cross that vou have been almost ashamed of yourself] How, then, must it be with the person taken suddenly from an active life and compelled to lie still in one pasition, or with one whose whole body is racked with pain I Never lose patience, however sorely tried ; bear with those trials for a while, and by-and-by you will have your reward. Few people are aware of the great value of a good niu-se, or of the number of valuable lives saved by good nursing. On the other hand, few are aware of the number of lives actually thrown away, and their chance of recovery lost, by the want of faithful, careful nursing. E\cry doctor can tell you how^ he has been disappointed, vexed, and his best efforts rendered useless by want of knowledge, and that stupid obstinacy which almost always goes hand in hand with i-fniorance. He v/ill also tell vou that it was the honest, sensible nurse wlio saved his patient by faithfully carrying out his directions. It is not every one who is fit for a nurse : not because they wilfully do wrong, but they are not cut out for it. Nursing is, in a great measure, a natural gift, cither in man or woman; just as music, painting, and other things are. There are many good-hearted yQ>t thoughtless people who, with all the training in the world, would never make good, handy nurses. The French have a saying that " Some people's fingers are til ive lit |f? lor fer Ills I NURSES AND NURSING. 17 all thumbs," — what we should call awkward people, people who are everlastingly getting into some trouble. Here is on "3 of them. If she is going up-stairs Avith her hands full, she steps on to the bottom of her dress, and cither drops what she is carrying or goes down herself. If the fire wants coals she throws on a whole boxful, a good part of which comes thundering down on the fender, and terrifies the poor patient so that he will not be at rest for hours ; or she has a hole in her dress, or a bit of braid loose, which catches the end of the fire-arms as sho passes, and rattles them down. If she is of an ago to wear caps, slje v/ill have the strings so long that when she stoops over the patient to catch his whisper, the ends v/ill tickle his face. You will generally find p.t least one of hor lingers bound up with rag tied on with black cotton. If a little bread-and-butter is wanted, she will bo siu'e to fix upon the knife that has been used for peeling onions. If there be any cookery going on in the nexb room, you may feel pretty sure the doer will be left open, so that a good strong smell of frying bacon, or what- ever it may be, will fill the patient's room, making him feel quite sick ; and then she will be grieved because he says ho ran't eat a morsel of food. Sui)pose he wishes for a drink of water; r.lie first of all fills the glass up to the brim, jaits her hand under his head, bends his neck till his chin touches his breast, then puts the glass to his lips, trickles a good part of it on to his clothes, and thinks he is very awkward to choke over a mouthful of water. If slie has occasion to light a candle she sticks it between the bars, whicli soon fills the room witli a rank smell of burning fat, and when she takes it out the tallowy is melted off, till the wick is a couple of inches long, and coated over with fine ash like the head of a i?i \ i\\ \ i iR! 18 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. bulrush; or if it ba gas, she takes a short bit of paper, turns the gas full on, makes a sudden blaze like a flash of lightning, forgets the bit of paper while she is turning the gas lower, burns her fingers, thi'ows tlie lighted paper on the floor, and puts her foat on it. The patient, watching all this, gets so nervous and frightened that he loses his night's rest. When the patient is sufficiently well to sit up in bed to take his food, she will of course, put the tray on his knees, then pro- ceed to raise him to a sitting posture, and if the things are not upset all over the counterpane, it is certainly more by good luck than good management. Yet she is not a had tooman, but certainly she is a had nurse. Then we have the fussy nurse. I know a most kind- hearted, loving creature, who is one of tliis sort. She wishes so much to benefit her patient that she sadly overdoes it ; she bustles in and out of the room every few minutes, wearies her patient with constantly asking him if he cannot eat something, which she would willingly walk miles to get if wanted, raising him up, tucking the bed in, dmwing up and lowering the blinds : one, in short, who never can be happy to sit down quietly and wait patiently, but must be constantly on the move; and yet it is her very goodness which makes her weary the patient, till he says to himself, the first chance he has of getting her out of the room, " You're a good creature ; but if you would only be quiet, what a relief it would be !" Then we have t'lz careless^ slovenly nurse. The doctor never feels sure that his patient has really had the proper quantity of medicine ; if she happened to remember it he would get it but if not slie would make up for it by giving a double when wi it, it is the bed on a grs with cii in the e bad sm matters quence finding comfor thing has no awakei The from I law is the m* to the instar tlie pi answ( and 1 hone! comf A the CI pret^ tells the LS Id 30 lis NURSES AND NURSING. 19 a double dose next time. There is never a clean glass or cup when wanted. Food is taken to him, and if lie cannot eat it, it is left there for hours. There are so many crumbs in the bed that it feels to the poor rheumatic sufferer like lying on a gravel walk. The fire is black, and the hearth covered with cinders. The slops, that ought to have been removed in the evening, are hid under the bod, filling the room with bad smells. Bits of meat, crums of potatoes, and other matters, are let fall on the floor and left there; the conse- quence is, that being winter, the mic3, and perhaps rats- finding a warm room and something ty eat, think it a very comfortable place and use it accordingly, which proves any, thing but comforting to the helpless creature in l)ed, wlio has not power to raise his arms, nor sufficient strength to awaken the nurse. Then we have the cruel nnrse^ who does her duty, but not from love ; she carries out the doctor's orders exactly. Her law islike that of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not; if the medicine has to be taken at a certain time, she brings it to the minute, and worries tlie patient into taking it on the instant. If she says the bedclothes must be changed, and tJie patient says it hurts him so much to be moved, she answers, "Can't help that; the doctor said it was to be done, and 1 can't go against his orders." She may be perfectly honest in all her dealings, but there is no tenderness, no compassion. And lastly, we have what I trust is a very rare character, the dishonest nurse. She drinks most of the wine, and eats pretty freely of the food intended for the sick person, and tells the doctor the patient ought to get better according to the quantity of nourishment he gets through. But she is ill ■ ■:! t^;' III •III 20 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. (llBiionesb in auothar way; she fiiids it a great trouble to compel the patient to take the medicine, so she just empties it away a regular dose at a time, so that whenever tlie doctor happens to call, his eye rests on the bottle, he sees it is gradually becoming empty, and feels satisfied. Now those are not characters I have heard of or read of, but every one of them hag been v/ith me in the sick room. The awkward nurse has been carrying a trayful of things, caught her foot in a bit of carpet, and made a sma.sh. I have seen the careless nurse snatch a cliild out of bed with its skin wet with prespiration, and set it on a chair with no extra covering, and make the bed. I had once a little patient so ill as to require a blister on the cliost. 1 put it on myself, and then hift him in charge of one who turned out to be a careless nurse. AVlien I called the next day, I found he had been so neglected, that instead of being con- lined to the chest, he had worked it round to his back, where it wa« left hours longer than it should have been, causing such a sore that the po^r little boy could nol lie on his back fjr a week afterwards. I had an instance of a dishonest nurso who broke the bottle containing the medicine, filled another with gngar-an;l-v.'ater, and p^it the label upon it- Fort unately for her the child did not die, or lier reflections Avould not have been at all pleasant. It is not absolutely necessary that a person wishing to help the doctor should be higlily educated. She must, however, possess the qualitication of ^' cojmr.on sense." This kind of sense, howei'^er, is not by any means common. It is the knowledge of common and e very-day affairs. The helper should bo able to read writing and to write fit for reading, or she may be led by the appearance of drugs and vials to make di senses i: smell, t Siyhi to the J] or. NURSES AND NURSING. 21 make dreadful mistakes. She ought also to have all her five senses in a healtliy, active condition — sight, hearing, feeling, smell, taste. Siyhty that she may he able to read directions, or read uloud to the patient, and watch the change of countenance. A quick - sighted nurse will not need to wait till the sufferer has asked *or anything in words. She will from the motion of an eye, or the lips, or a finger, see in a moment what is wanted. Hecf/rbi^, that she may catch the faintest whisper, and not oblige a weak patient to exert the voice, and to repeat every request. Feeling^ that she may detect any change in the heat or dryness in the skin of the patient, and not to use any application which will either scald with heat or cause a chill with cold. Smell f that she may detect the least imi^urity in the atmosphere of the room, or in giving medicine to notice if there be any mistake. Tastey that she may not offer food luifit to be used, or good in itself, but cooked in such a way as to be disgusting to the patient. Now, if she possesses these qualities, she will very soon, with a little instruction, be able to " help the doctor." But there is one caution required here : she must not have such a very high opinion of her own skill as to cause her to use it in opposition to the wishes of the doctor. She is at perfect liberty to suggest anything she likes. We have no objection to her saying, "Don't you think such a thing would be good ]" or, " Don't you think we might safely do without such a thing ?" But we do object to her asking the opinion of the doctor, and then acting in opposition to it. Because if he is fit to be trusted with the life of a fellow-creature, he ought to be trusted and dealt with fairly. 99 THE MEDICINE CHEST. IN cases of accident or sudden sickness, time is of the utnio&t impoi'ttinco. A very simple remedy ai)i)lied ut tlie mo- ment may often save from a long illness. It is therefore de- sirable to have readv at hand whatever is likely to lio wanted jn a hurry. Got a small box. Keep it always locked and out of the way of the children. Use it for medicines and no- thing else. Let it stand M'hore you can lay your hand upon it in a moment. Do not have too many things in it, or tljoy •will confuse you. Just put into it what you are most likely to waul. A roll of old linen, of calico, and liannel, the older the bet- ter, but clean and dry. A little lint and some stickin;^- plastor. The calico and llannel may be in strips, so as to nerve for bandages. Fasten each roll with a i)in. A pair of scissoi's, some pins, tape, and a few largo needles ready threaded. Some castor-oil, ipecacuanha wine, paregoric, l*'riar's bal- rsam. Turner's cerate, turpentine senna leaves, Epsom salts, carbonate of soda, a small bottle of laudanum, marked POISON, and a pint bottle of linseed-oil and lime-water. I have not put simple ointment into this li,3t, because it •will not keep good, and a little clean lard will do as well. Nor have I named mustard, because it soon loses its sti-ength, and turi)entine will serve the same purpose, is very (piickly mid easily applied, and if well corked will keq) good for a long while. Then wo want a measuring-glass. Nearly all liquid medi- cine is given by ''spoonsful." Now, a "spoon" is a very un- certain measure, and differs in size ; therefore better buy a THE MEDICIKE CHESt. 23 glass marked correctly, teiispoons on the cue side aud table- spoons on the other. , liiiatly, a feeding-cup. In cases of broken thigh, and some other illnes!=>es, the patient cannot lie raised, and it is impos- sible to give liquids with any degree of comfort while lying down. I have myself known a case, lately, of a lady who was in a very weak state, being niised, in opposition to the ordei*s of the doctor, as the nurse said, "Just for a minute, to give her a drink ;" but that minute did all the mischief, fur lier heart had not power to continue its work in that position: it stopped, and she fell back dead. If you have not one of these cups, a small teu-pot, or anything with a narrow spDut, will answer. If the ]K)or sufferer, parched with fever, is crying out piteously, as thoy frequently do, *' Oh, please give me a huj cliinky" get a clean straw, bend one end of it gently into the glass, find the other into the mouth. This you can always get easily in the country,— but the best thing for the purpose is about a foot of small india-rubber tubing, such as is used for infants' feeding-bottles. It costs about twopence or threepence, can be bent in any direction, is not easily broken, and will last for years. In some cases ib is desirable to give only a small quantity of fluid at a time ; and not only with children, but adults, it is a painful, tantalizing thing to offer a drink, and insist ui». on the patient taking only a portion of it, or to make tlio quantity appear smaller by putting it in a large glass. This may be entirely avoided hy having a cup or glass to hold just what may be taken. You will find by experience that a child who could not by any amonnt of argument be induced to leave pai-t of what is in the glass, or be put off with a few spoonfuls in a large one, will be quite contented and happy I'll II ii I ! •'i I'i 11 24 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. il n if you let it have its own particular glass quite full, and with liberty to drink it all, though it perhaps does not contain as much as what appeared such a very small allowance in a larger vessel. The cost of the whole of our stock will be only a few shil- lings. Prices vary according to v/Iiore you make your pur- chases ; but do not confouiid low price and cheapness together. They are very different, especially in important things like medicines. If you insist on paying a very low price for an article, you drive the seller to give you either what is kept till it has became useless, or what is adulfcerato.l. I vrill tell you an anecdotij. I was writing a prescription in a chemist's shop, when a child came in with a small packet in her hand, and said, " Please, mister, mother says you've cheated her shameful with this magnesia, she can get twice as much for a penny at the other druggist's." So he gav*o her double the quantity, and said to her, '* Do sure and tell your mother that the other was stronger, and so I gave her less of it." When she was gone, he said to me, '' Now here is a diilicult case. You doctors blame us for not selling pure drugs. I gave her as much p,ure magnesia for her penny as I could af- ford, but she must have more bulk, so I am compelled to mix a quantity of chalk with it ; and now she goes away boasting that she has taught the druggist a lesson not to try and cheat people." The consequence of this system is. that if the patient takes only the dose the doctor ordered, the medicine has not the proper effect, and in case of serious illness the time for doing good may be gone by, and a life bo lost in consequence. You must be very careful about the size of the do3e, especially if yuu give it without a doctor's orders. Medicine given at random is as likely to kill as to cure. THE MEDICINE CHEST. 9I1 Almost all medicines may be divided into two classes, — one in wliicli the dose seems to be stored np, to accumulate in the system, and where the quantity taken must be gradually decreased. In the other class, the body appears to get used to tlie medicine, it loses its effect, and the dose has to be gradually increased. Of this class is opium. If it be taken regularly f-^r a length of time, the quantity which at first was sufficient to remove tlie pain has to be increased to such an extent, that if it w^ere taken at the commence- ment before the apprenticeship were gone tlirough, it would certainly produce death ; or if the patient who lias taken it for a length of time gives it up for a season and returns to a full dose, it Vvill prove f:ital. A case vvdiicli should be a warning to all who are in chai'ge of the sick occurred lately. A gentleman v. Iio su fibred from a very painful nervous disease, had prescribed for liim a medicine containing a pre- paration of opiinn. lie was watched over by a kind and affectionate wife, who in every case carefully measured the dose and administered it herself. After taking it for some weeks in gradually increased quantities, the complaint left him, and Jie discontinued the medicine. Some time after this the pain returned suddenly in the night ; his wife measured out and gave liim the same quantity at which he left off. He soon fell into a deep sleep, from which lie never awakened. Now tlie lesson which this ought to teach is this : When you have to give for a length of time a medicine containing any i)rcparation of opium, or any other soothing drug, which is intended to relieve pain and procure sleep, give it u[) for a season and return to it, do not begin, again with tlie quantity at wliich you left off, but with the dose you gave at the commencement of the illness. '1 i ll 1 i ■ 1 1 ; \ \ \ \ ! i ■i ^1 26 i 'i B BURNS i-ND SCALDS. THESE are constantly occiu-riiig, not only in poor families, but in every clasa of society. The number of children who die from these causes is dreadful ; but when we consider the love of playing with fire common to children, the absurd and dangerous fashion of having the dross swelled out witli crinoline when cooking or doing anything near a fire, the careless manner in which lucifer matches are carried loose in pockets and dropped on to floors, or the way in which hot liquids are placed in the way of children, the wonder is that they do not happen more frequently. Putting out the Fire. — Take this case, a description of what is unfortunately happening every day : — A female's clothes take fire ; she is wrapped in flames ; her arms and hands, her neck and face, ar;^ scorched witli the heat ; her hair is in a blaze; the smoke is snfTocating her. She becomes utterly confused, and rushes to and fio, so creating a cur- rent of air which increases the fire. The best thing she could have done would have byen instantly to roll upon the floor. But how few would have presence of mind to do this ! The more need for a fiicnd to do it for her. Seize her by tlie hand, or by some part of the dress which is not burning, and throw her on the ground. Slip off a coat or shawl, a bit of carpet, anything you can snatch up quickly, hold tliis before you, clasp her tightly with it, which will protect your hands. As quickly as possible fetch plenty of water; make everything thoroughly wet, for though the flame is out, there is still the hot cinder and the half-burnt clothing eating into the flesh ; carry her carefully into a waim room, lay her on a tabh^ or on a carpet on the floor— »• not the the do( Rem cidentf identic — one them. knife : sawin There t f sa\ pletel the 1 bliste Ti oxcli 'N linei and put seen oil J pari If of wa' coil has vo BURNS AND Sr".LDS. 27 II Qiot the bed — give lier some warm stimulating drink, send for tlie doctor, and proceed to tlio next operation — Removing the Clothes. — Perhaps in the whole course of ac- cidents there is not one with requires so much care and iCentleness as this. We want onlv three people in the room — one on each side of the patient, and one to wait upon them. Oh, for a good pair of scissors or a really sharp knife ! What miseiy you will inflict upon tl^e sufferer by sawing through slTings, etc., with a rough-edged blunt knife. There must be no dragging or pulling off; do not let the hope ( f saving anything influence you. Let everything be so com- pletely cut loose that it will fall off; l)ut if any part stick to the body, let it remain, and be careful not to burst any blisters. Treatment. — The treatment of burns or scalds in the firFt, singe consists of v>'et, warm, but not sour applications, ami excluding the air. Now our medicine-chest comes into use. Get out the old linen or calico ; wet a piece of this well with the linseed oil and lims-water, and as soon as an injured part is exposed, \n\t this on ; cover it with another dry rag or flannel, and secure it with a bandage. If yo\i have not the mixture of oil and lime w.ater, get a pint of hot water and milk (equal parts), with a small teaspoonful of carbonate of soda in it. If you have no milk at hand, use warm water with plenty of common soap in it; or if you have no soap, use plain warm water with the carbonate of soda, or a little morsel of common washing soda, not more than the size of a small hazel-nut, to a pint of water, dissolved in it ; but whatever vou use, keep the parts thoroughly wet and well covered. I ! I I |l i J ti il "1 !^ III 'i' 28 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. If you have a wateri)roof sheet or coat, or a piece of oil- cloth, lay this over the mattress, and then a blanket over it. As soon as you have removed all the clothing, and applied the dressings, lift her gently into bed, and cover her as warmly as possible. In after-dressings large surfaces must not be exposed to the air ; either leave a thin covering and wet it with the lotion, or if you are using an ointment, remove only a small portion of the dressing at a time, have everything in readiness, and cover again as quickly as pos- sible. If there be much pain and fretfulness, you may safely give to an adult thirty drops of laudanum in a little water, and repeat this in an hour, and even a third time if needful. To a child ten years of age give in like manner only three dwps, but beware of giving any to an infant. You must not attempt to manage this case further by yourselves. You have now done your best for her till the doctor comes. When you read an account of one of these dreadful acci- dents in the papers which has ended fatally, you will almost invariably find they conclude with something of this kind — "after enduring great agony for some lioui*s, death relieved her from her sufferings." Now, it may be a great consola- tion to sorrowing fx'iends to know positively, that in nearly every case this is a mere newspaper phrase, and is not time. Those of us who are accustomed to see these accidents know well that when the surface injured is sufficiently large to cause death, there is not much suffering ; the person seems to die from the shock. Friends are constantly deceived by this, and suppose that because there is not much pain, and the patient appeara calm and comfortable, there cannot be much A r( ^m BURNS AND SCALDS. 29 i '1 danger, whereas it is really the absence of pain, or more , truly the want of power to feel pain, which constitutes the danger. Especially is this the case with a child, if the burn be large, particularly on the chest, and the little one remains perfectly quiet, ucters no complaint, sighs deeply, and asks frequently for cold vraler, it is almost certain that life is fast drawing to a close. For smaller burns use the sanio remedies till the inflam- mation has subPiided, or as people sny, till the Jive is out; then spread some 'i'luiier's cerate on tlie woolly side of lint, and dress the sores \nt\i it. They will generally get well without much trouble. You can make a capital ointment yourselves of common whiting (which you use for polishing tins) and lard without any salt. If the burn be small, and the person can stay indoors, try tlie following recipe : — Take chalk (whiting) and linseed or common olive oil, and mix them to the consistency of hone}'^, then add vinegar so as to reduce it to the tliickness of treacle ; apply with a soft brush or feather, and renew the application from time to time. Each renewal brings fresh relief and a most gratefu^. coolness. But if the patient is compelled to go about, you can use the ointment at once, or dust the part thickly over with flour, kept on with rag and bandage ; but I am greatly in favor of wet applications, as they do not stick to the raw surface, which is most painfully sensitive. Unless the burn or scald be very small you will almost always find warm dressings much more grateful to the patient than cold. If a person fall into lime, use vinegar and water instead of, or rather before, the other dressings ; and if any get into the eye, wash it well with weak vinegar and water. But if vitriol or any other strong acid has caused the burn, apply it! ill hi tm^um^iSmmM 30 TILL THR DOCTOR Cr 'ES. quickly lime-vvater,'" chalk or whiting and water, carbonate Oi soda, or some of your common washing soda and water, or even old mortar and watei*. If a burn be near a joint or on the face, even if small, let the doctor see it, and do not be in any hurry to have the wound healed. Remember that with all the care and skill which can be used, contractions will sometimes take place. The danger to life from a burn or scald is not in pi'oportion to its severity, but to its extent -that is, a small part, such as a hand, or a foot, or a face may be burned so deeply as to cripple it for life, and yet not much endar»ger the general health, but a slight amount ot burning, a mere scorching over tv,'o-thii*ds of the body, may prove fatal. WOUNDS. THESE are of various kinds, and are generally dangerous from their position more than from their size, and re- quire treatment suitable for each case. In all cuts, before you begin to dress them, notice the kind of bleeding. If the blood be dark-colored, and flows regularly, yo - v/ill be able to manage ; but if it be bright scarlet, r d spurts out in jets, however small the wound may be, send at once for the doctor. Do not forget this ; it is very important. vou d( * To make liine-wat. r, put a piece of luislacked lime, the size of a very large walnut, into a comnion-sizfid wine l»oltle full of coM water, shake it up a few limes, then let it settle. Vou need not fear making it too strong ; the water will take up only a certain quantity of the lime, however much you may put into it, WOUNDS. 31 If the cut be made with a clean knife or some such wea- pon, and the person be in good health, it will generally do well. Unless the bleeding be very profuse, do not be in a hurry to stop it. Wash the part well with cold water, dry the skin, bring the edges of the wound together, and keep them there with strips of sticking-plaster ; lay a bit of lint wet with Friar's balsam on the cut, and secure it with a bandage. Perhaps in a few hours you will find it a little swelled and painful, from being too tight; if so, remove the bandage, and with a pair of scissors cut through the plaster, not near the wound, — that will relieve it. If it be comfortable after this, you may leave it three or four days ; but if there be great pain and redness, soak well with v/arm water, remove all the dressings, and if the wound gape open, and matter be found, let the doctor take charge of it. Cuts ox the Head cannot be dressed with plaster, unless you shave a large space, and in small injuries this is not needful. Cat the hair very close just round the wound, after washing with cold water, dip a fold or two of lint in Friar's balsam, press it on the cut for a few minutes, and leave it there. When it is dry it will stick without any trouble. If, however, it becomes painful, and there be headache and the face Hushed, hand it over to the care of the doctor. Wounds from Splinters, Nails, etc. — Stabs or wounds from splinters of wood or nails, broken glass, or from wad- ding or shot from a gun, should not be closed, but rather kept open with a poultice or water dressings, so that any- thing in the wound may be thrown out. When it is quite clean dress it as a common cut. When there is any splinter , and it can be removed easily, of course gi' "7- i !3 32 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. much poking in tlie wound will do harm. Take it to a doc- tor, and let him tell you whether it is better to cut it out or to leave it to nature, "Wounds on the Shin, where there is scarcely any flesh covering the bone, are often very troublesome to aged peo- ple. As soon as possible wet a few folds of linen with spirit — any sort of spirit will do — lay this on the wound, and keep it wet for three or four hours; don't be afraid of the smarting; it will soon pass off. Then dress it with Tur- ner's cerate spread on lint. If the person can spare the time to sit with the leg up, it will heal in a much shorter time than if employed in walking or standing. Wounds caused by a Blow, or by a person falling on to cinder or gravel, must be treated in the same way as a sj)lin- tor, that is, by poultice or warm water till quite clean ; but if the person is compelled to go out, yo\i will find nothing so useful as the basilicon ointment spread on lint : this will keep soft and moist the whole day. If any of the little ones run a fish-hook into a finger, do not attempt to draw it out backward. Cut the line quite from it, turn the point upwards and push it through. Ac- cidents Avith crochet-needles are constantly occurring, and if one be pushed deeply into the flesh you had better not try to pull it out ; the hook at the point Avill tare and inflame the part. A surgeon with proper instruments will take it out safely without any difiiculty. If you should be at a great distance from a surgeon, the best thing you can do is, — first be quite sure on which side the hook is, then push a smooth ivory knitting-needle, or something of that sort, down th(! wound till it touches the hook, then pull out l)oth together, 33 BLEEDING, AND HOW TO STOP IT. IT is well to boar in miiirl that cuts about tlie head and face, especially the nose, bleed profusely. Many a mo- ther has had a terrible fright by a child running in with its clothes, hands and face all smeared with blood. It is aston- ishing what a mess a child will manage to make with a spoonful or two of blood. Try to keep cool and collected. You will find, most probably, when you have washed with cold water, that the amount of injury is a mere trifle. It it is difficult to stop the bleeding, a most invaluable remedy, and one you will find in almost every cottage, is the common whiting or pipe clay. Put a thick covering of either of these on the wound, then a bit of dry lint, and press*it closely for a few minutes ; let what sticks to the wound remain there, and cover with a bit of plaster. A troublesome leech-bite can be stopped in the same way, without giving the child any pa.in. Bleeding fhoji the Nose, unless it goco too far, need not alarm you : nay, in many cases may prevent something much more serious ; but ^\ hen it requires to be stopped, let. the person sit upright, bathe the neck and face with cold water, and if you can get a little alum, dissolve that in water, and squirt it up the nostrils. If this does not succeed, send for the doctor, I would not advise you to plug the nostrils, for unless it be done properly you may think the bleeding has ceased, whereas it is only finding its way to the top of the throat, and being swallowed. Bleeding Fiioii a Wound in an Arm oh Leg, if se- vere, must bo stopped by pressure. Make a pad of rag a good thickness, place this on the part, and bind a handker- 1 ' fBi- |{ !;B u TILL THE DOCTOR COMKS. chief or anything of that sort tightly around the limb. If that be not siiflicient, slacken it a little, push a strong stick or a large fork under it, and twist it round ; by this means you can get any amount of pressure. If the wound be in the wrist or arm, let it bo held up over the head, or if in the leg let the person lie down, and suj)port the foot on a chair. If you bo by yourself in the tields, and get a severe cut with a scythe or reaping-liook, or in any sudden emergency, such as a railway accident, use the remedy thiit has saved many a life on the iield of battle, — take a handful of dry earth, put this on to the wound, and grasp it tightly, till you can have some assistance. One of the most difficult situations in which to manatjc a wound is about the wrist or thick part of the thumb, par- ticularly if it be deep. If this accident should ever occur when near a surgean lot him attend to it directly, but if not lose no time in dressing it yourself. Two people are required to do this properly. If you turn your hands with the palm upwards, and luy your linger on the wrist a littlo to the outer side, in a line with the thumb, you will feel the pulse beating ; nov/ let one person stand alongside the patient (not opposite to him) take hold of his arm with both hands, place one of his thumbs on this spot, but a little higher up the arm than the cut, and the other on the little finger side, and squeeze tightly. While one is by this plan arresting the bleeding, let the other bring the edges of the wound together, place over it a thick layer of whiting or pipe-clay, or a large table-spoonful of flour, or if away from home, com- mon clay, then a pad of lint or rag of any description, and secure this in its place' witli a bandage or handkerchief, so put on as to press firmly on the spot. The thumbs may now BLEEDING, AND HOW TO BTOP IT. 35 be removed, but the hand must not be allowed to hang down. If the blood should continue to force its wny through, you must, in addition to these dressings, Liy a small pad on tho artery where you felt the pulse-, and keep it in its place with a bandage, or what is very much better, a strong elastic band. If these means are not suiHcient, you must obtain the assist ance of a surgeon at once. It is very desirable that every one, even young jjeople, should understand that in all cases of severe bleeding, bo the wound ever so small, the only thing that can bo safely depended ujion is in'essure. Three youths lately wore walliing through some tields, wlien one of them, who had an open knife in his hand, fell, and the blade w^as forced into his thigh. His com[)anions, terrified at the sight of the blood, ran off to procure assistance, while the unfortunate sufferer did his best by holding his handkerchief to the wound. Long before they could return his chance of life was gone. Hero way a fiira healthy young man cut off suddenly, who might liave been saved by the most sim})le contrivance. Even situated as they were in the open fields, a cork, a stone, a potatoe cut in half, a handful of soil, a bit of rag, or a bunch of grass rolled up into a ball, and put into a handkerchief or necktie, or a stocking, and tied very tightly round the limb so as to press upon the wound, would have arrested the bleeding, or at any rate linve lessened it, till it could have been properly secured. Bj.eedinc; into the Stomach, on Vomiting Blood. — It is a frightful sight to sec a person vomit a quantity of blood, one whicli tries the nerves severely, but is not always so dangerous as it appears. The blood is of a dark color, and 36 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. frequently mixed witli some portion of food. Give two tea- spoonfuls of vinegar or lemon juice, and one teaspoonful of Epsom salts in a wineglassful of cold water, and repeat this every half-hour till the bleefling stops or the doctor comes. Give nothing more, excepting very small (piantities of cold water, or if you can get ice crush a teispoonful, and let it be swallowed before it melts. Bleeding from the Luncjs, or Spitting of Blood, U always a very serious afHiction, a warning which must not be trifled witli. You will know that it does not come from the stomach, by being coughed np rather than vomited, it being frothy, a briglit scarlet colour, and most probably much smaller in quantity. Give one teaspoonful of vinegar and one of paregoric in a little cold water, and repeat this in half an hour. Sponge the chest with a little cold vinegar and water. Do not allow the person to talk or nse any exertion, but try to soothe and comfort the patient till the doctor comes. Bleeding from Slight Causes. — Some persons have such a tendency to bleed, that even the smallest cut or scratch endangers life, particularly liaving a tooth extracted. I have seen persons brought very near death from this cause. Such people should always mention this to a dentist when they have a tooth drawn, so that he may be prepared. If you meet with a case of this sort, get a little whiting or pipe- clay, or powdered chalk, roll this up in a bit of lint, like a cork, di[) this in spirits of turpentine and press it firmly into tlie hole left by the tooth. If it does not stop the bleeding in fifteen minutes, change this plug for a fresh one, and press that iu steadily. Do not remove this for at least twelve T BROKEN SOKES, »r hourB, and even then do not pull it out, but wash the mouth with cold water till it is loose. Enlargement op the Veins, or as doctors name it, varicose veins, is very frequent in the lower limbs of persons who have to stand many hours in the day, such as Laun- dresses. Sometimes they become so large, and the coverings so thin, that they burst, and though the bleeding may not perhaps endanger life, it causes great debility. There are two things which people afflicted in this way should attend to. In the first place, whenever it is possible even for a few minutes let the limbs be horizontal, either by lying down, or by having then* raised, and secondly, to give support by bandages put on smoothly and evenly in the morning before the legs have time to swell. This should be done if possible by another person, for the leg is altered in shape by being bent. But the best plan of giving support is by elastic stockings, which can be purchased of the exact size required. They can be drawn on over a well-fitting cotton stocking, without any trouble, give tqual and gentle support to every part of the limb, and if good will last a long while. BROKEN BONES. THESE accidents often happen where surgical help cannot be got at once, perhaps not at all. A broken bone is easily detected by the person not being able to raise the limb, by its bending where it ought not, and by the pain. Let us commence at the top of the body and go regularly down, wards. Head. — Any accident sufficiently severe to break the bones of the head or face, or to cause the person to remain 8 n 38 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. insensible, needs immediate medical attendance. Let tlie head bs raised, apply cold vrater, particularly if there be bleeding, and keep down all noise and excitement. Th^. Collar-bone runs from the top of the breast-bone to the shoulder. This is generally broken near the middle. On the sound side the bone is smooth and even ; on the in- jured side you will observe the lump caused by the broken ends rising one over the other ; and if the shoulder be brought forward, you will see the parts move, and the person will suffer pain. There is the same difference in the way in which bones break as there is in a branch of a growing tree and an old one. In a child the bone will bend to some ex- tent, and then not break right through ; but in an aged person it snaps off with a clean fracture, like a dry stick. It is of consequence to remember this ; for you will not perceive the ends of a bone move as they do in an adult. Get a round pad the thickness of a man's arm and five inches long. Push the shoulder backwards, and press with the other hand on the fracture till you get it in its place; put the pad into the armpit, and secure it with a bandage across the back and opposite fe^^oulder ; raise the arm well up in a sling, and keep it steady with a bandage arouncl the chest. Take the patient to a sui^geon, and ask him to show you how to fix it ; for you will have to watch over it for a month, and it must not be allowed to slip outof its place. Ribs Broken, without a Wound. — Symptoms. — Pain on taking a deep breath, or on pressure where the injury has taken place. If you press suddenly on the ends of the ribs near the back-bone you will give pain, not where you press, but where the bone is broken. BROKEN bones;. 39 If there be spittinpt of blood, keep the patient quiet, and give no stimulants. If there be a bruise, apply hot fomen- tations, or a large hot poultice ; then a bandage of flannel six inches wide round the chest (of course over the injured part) ', draw this tight, and sew it on with large stitches, not placed opposite each other, but riiore like what is called the " herring-bone stitch ;" tighten it from day to day as 1 1 required. If the accident happen away from the house, tie a handkerchief firmly over the clothes till you reach home. KiBS Broken, with a Wound. — If it be merely a scratch after your fomentation use a bit of lint and plaster, and your bandagt^ as before , but if the wound be at all deep, if even you do^not tlunk it has gone through into the chest, put on some folds of wet rag and a bandage. Let the per- son lie on the had side, and keep him as quiet as you can till the doctor comes. Do not forget this rule. In all cases of a wound to the chest the person must lie on the wounded side. Arm, above the Elbow. — There is only one bone here. We want four splints, with a soft pad to each, to reach from the shoulder to the bend of the arm. Place one behind, one before, and one on eacli side, and secure them with a band- age. Use the sound arm as a model to shape your splints by. Carry the arm in a sling. In a few days, when all swelling has gone, take off the splints and put on a starch bandage, in this way : — First, put on a soft calico or linen bandage from the fingera tu the arm-pit (mind to keep it smooth and even) ; next, take another bandage, soak it well in hot starch, and put this on over the other, from the bend m f 40 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. of the elbow to the top of the arm. When this is quite dry it forms a complete case exactly the shape of the arm, and may be left on till the bone ia Hvm. If it gets too slack, cut ifc off and apply a iresh one. Elbow Joint. — ^The bono which projects at the back of the elbow is broken by a fall or blow. The person cannot use the arm. Compare the two arms togetlier, and you will find the point of the elbow is gone and is drawn up into the back of the upper arm. Keep the arm quite straight ; place a splint on the inside, well padded; bring the broken bib of bone down to its place ; put on two bandages like the figure 8, and sew them to the splint. Arm, below the Elbow. — Hero you have two bones* and one or both may be broken. If you try to raise the arm by taking hold of the wrist you will easily detect it. Hold the arm bent, with the thumb uppermost — as if the person were going to lay it flat against his chest ; place one splint along the palm of the hand to the bend of the arm, the other along the back of the hand to a little beyond the elbow ; apply a bandage to keep them steady, and carry the arm in a sling for a month. After all fractures there is a swelling. Always allow for this in bdndaging the first two or three days. Hand, Foot or Ankle. — Those bones are solid and are almost always wounded by such an accident as breaks or crushes the bone — such as by machinery, threshing-machines, etc. — and are always seritus. Cover the whole hand in several fokk< of rag, or handker- chiefs, dipped in cold water. If you cannot find water. w BROKEN BONES. 41 e dry , and s, cut ack of ;annot J ►u will ito the inside, to its V them bones' aise the tit. IS if the [ace one he arm, Dnd the xrry the lere is a ( first two and are )reaks or lachines, handker d water, i wrap it up in a good' handful of damp grass. If there be much bleeding, dip it into cold water if you find any on the road. Hold the hand on the top of your head. Hip Joint. — The bone here is liable to be broken in aged people from very slight causes. Very frequently the person feels something crack in the hip, and cannot stand or rise i'rom the ground. If placed upright, you will find the in- jured limb slioi-ter than the other and the foot turned out- wards. Remove the clothes cai'efully and keep in bed till the doctor comes. Thigh. — The fracture is ascertained by the person not being able to raise the leg, and by pain when he attempts to do so. The greatest trouble you will have in this case ia from the violent spasms of the muscles^ which draw the broken bone out of its place and cause great suffering. If in the fields or away from home, get some stiff straw, reeds, biti of very thin board, or if anyone has a rather stiff hat, knock the crown out, split up the body, and bind thia rather tightly with braces, handkerchiefs, etc., round the injury. On reaching home, if the spasms be severe, put a strong bandage round the ankle, cross it over the instep, and bring the ends together under the foot, and to this sling a brick or any convenient article about eight pounds weight. Let this hang over the foot of the bed, so as to draw down the leg. This will give great relief. Cap of the Knee. — This fracture is commonly caused by falling on the knee, or in tryuig to prevent falling. As soon as it happens, the person has lost all power of standing on that leg ; and if placed upright, drops down instantly. m Uii 42 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. The bone is split across, and has left a gap, just as we found at the elbow when that bone was broken. Keep the leg quite straight, and treat it exactly as we described at the elbow, and when the patient is obliged to move, pass a strong bandage round the neck and under the foot, and draw it so tight that it will entirely support the weight of the leg. Leg below the Knee. — Here we have two bones, as in the arm. If the small one be broken, you may have great difficulty in finding it, and it is of no consequence, for the large one will act as a splint; but if the larger one be broken, it is so little covered with flesh that you cannot fail to kn jw it. Get a broom handle, cut it into two pieces, which will reach from the knee to a little past the foot ; take a pillow- slip, or piece of calico about the same size, roll each end round a piece of the brush-handle, and sew it on ; lay a soft pillow lengthways in thi^, place the leg comfortably upon the pillow, bring up the sticks (rolling the calico round them) till it allows them to come just half-way up the knee-joint and half-way up the foot ; pass two or three pieces of tape under, bring up the sides of the pillow against the leg, and tie them ; keep the foot pointing directly upwards. General Remarks. — The object you have in view is not to cure broken bones, but to put the broken ends in their proper placts, and keep them there. Nature will do the rest. In fractures of the lower limbs, occurring at a distance from home, the jolting of a carriage should be avoided, and the person carried, A door, a broad plank or shutter, a, ) to DISLOCATIONS. 43 large sack cut open, a sheet or blanket or piece of tarpaulin, fastened at tlie four corners to two strong hay-forks, mjikes a capital hammock, carried by four men. In any case of injury to the arm or hand, you need a splint. Any man can make one in a few minutes. Get a piece of thin board or stiff cardboard, or an old bandbox cut into slips the breadth of your hand, or a little wider ; or if you are in the country, you can make an excellent, strong, light splint with six or eight willow twigs (such as are used for making baskets) tied together in and out with tape ; but whatever you use, let it be long enough to reach from a lit- tle beyond the elbow to a little beyond the ends of the fingers. Cover this with a pad of soft hay, hair, or anything soft, and then not only the arm, but the hand, will rest com- fortably. You can now use anything you like to suspend it round the neck, only bearing in mind that the hand must not hang lower than the elboAV. DISLOCATIONS ; OR, LIMBS OUT OP JOINT. "VTEVER attempt to do anything unless you are quite sure •^ it is a case of being " out of joint." It would be a dreadful mistake to pull about a fracture instead. Except- ing the one case which I now give you, it will be far better to wait till a surgeon makes a proper examinatioa. Broken Neck, or Neck out of Joint. — This is caused by a heavy fall on the side of the head. The head is turned to one side and fixed, In this case you 7nu8t act at once. 11 M •"r,--1J m f I m 'I U TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. Lay the person on his back, plant one knee against each shoulder, grasp the head firmly, pull gently, and at the same time turn the head into >^. proper place. Jaw. — This is sometimes thrown out of joint by opening the mouth too wide, as in gaping ; you cannot possibly mis- take it. The mouth is fixed wide open, and of course the person cannot speak. Place a bit of strong stick- a thin walking-stick will do very well — across che mouth, exactly like a horse's bit. Push it far back, then pr'ibb downwoids and backwards till you feel the jaw slip into its place, or you may push it into its place with your thumbs protected with a towel. Shoulder. — The arm cannot be raised. You will see the depression on the top of the shoulder, where the bone ought to be, and will most likely feel it in the armpit. Lay the person flat on his back, and sit down beside hiin on the injured side. Pull off your boot, place your heel in the armpit, take hold of the arm, either simply with your hands or with a long towel fastened to it, and passed round your neck, and pull steadily. After you have done this some time, tell the person to turn round ; while he is trying to do this, give a sudden strong pull, jerk your heel against the head of the bone in the armpit, and you will hear it return to its place with a snap. Elbow. — One or both bones may be driven backwards b falling heavily on the hands. Let the person sit on a low seat or on the ground, place your knee inside the bend of the elbow, grasp the arm firmly with one hand above the elbow and the other the wrist, or let another person take the wrist. Pull firmly, at the same time bend the arm gently. t T 1 SPRAINS. 45 Thumb. — ^You cannot possibly mistake this ; but, small as the joint is, you will find it exceedingly difficult to master, take it to a surgeon, if possible. But if you should be a long way from assistance, try the following : — Let one strong man hold the wrist, or, if you are by your- self, let the person lie on the floor. Powder a little chalk or resin on ihe hand to prevent slipping. Pull steadily at the thumb for some time, then turn tlie thumb backwards, and at the same time, with the other hand, push it into its place. Fingers may he managed in the same way. Hip. — The leg is shortened, and tlie foot turned Inwards ; but unless you feel sure it is out, do not attempt to do any- thing. In case of need act in the same way as you would do in the case of the shoulder, only placing your foot between the legs, protecting the parts with the folds of a towel. Wrist, Knee or Ankle. — These are always such severe accidents that they should be at once placed under the care of a surgeon ; but if you cannot obtain advice, the principle of action is the same in all cases. By stretching the muscles by pulling, till they become so relaxed that they will allow you to push the joint back again into its place. SPKAINS. A Sprain is a very painful and a very serious thing. When you C9nsider that from the tips of the fingers to the wrist, or from the ends of the toes to the leg, there are not less than thirty separate bones, all tied together with straps, cords, and elastic bands, and about twenty hinges, all to be kept in good working order, you will not wonder at sprains being frequent and sometimes serious. You will have little difficulty in knowing a sprain, m '^ 46 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. But there is tlio danger of bones being broken or displac- ed, as well as the mere sprain. Therefore, as soon as possi- ble, before swelling takes place, see if the joint looks natural; compare it with the other one, and notice if any bone be loose or pushed out of its place. If so, go to a surgeon at once. If it is only a sprain, wrap up the part in several folds of flannel, dipped in water as hot as it can be borne with comfort, and cover it with a dry bandage : if possible, with a piece of oiled silk or sheet gutta percha. If it be very painful, wet a ])iece of rag with laudanum, place this next the skin, then cover with the wet flannel. All sorts of poultices are used in the country for sprains. So long as they are wet, soft, and warai, they do good ; but there is nothing so cleanly, so easily applied and soothing, as the laudanum and hot water. The part must be kept quiet, not only while painful, but even after the pain is gone ; for if you exercise the joint too soon, you may do great mischief. Keep the warm applica- tions on constantly till all pain and inflammation are gone, then, twice a-day, hold the joint under a tap or stream of cold water for a few minutes, till it begins to feel painful ; then bind it up with a common bandage, and bring it back to its work very gradually. A great deal of pain and swel- ling can be avoided by keeping the limb in a proper position. Whether wrist or ankle, it must not hang down. If it be the wrist, let it be comfortably supported in a sling; if the ankle, let the person lie or sit with the foot raised as high as is comfortable. The Tendon at the back of the Heel is sometimes broken by jumping, carrying too heavy weight up steps, etc., or may be cut by a scythe, and the person is " houghed,* V f J. POISONS AND POISONING. 47 If the accident happen away from home, and you have no conveyance, bend the knee, and secure it with a strap or cord, passed under the instep and around the neck. Then with a pair of crutches, which you can make with two hay- rakes or hay-forks cut to the proper length, the patient can walk. Let the sling.be six inches broad for the instep to lie in comfortably with the toes, almost in a line with the leg, and fasten it either round the sholder or the waist. The leg must not be put down with the sole of the foot on the ground for two weeks, and when walking is first practised, let it be on a level, but do not try to walk up-stairs for a month. There is no occasion to confine a person to the house with this accident. Get a pair of crutches at once, secure the leg, and let him enjoy the fresh air. POISONS AND POISONING. SO many substances of a poisonous nature being used in manufactures, amongst farmers, and also in private houses, it will be useful to have a guide to refer to in case of accident ; for in almost every case of poisoning the remedy must be given immediately, or we cannot expect to succeed. I give here the names in common use, and under one head I include various articles made from the same substance. For instance, to the word mercury you will find calomel, corro- sive sublimate, white precipitate, vermilion, which are all mercury, but in different forms. Arsenic : Scheele's green, ague drops, rat poison, etc. — Symptoms : Pain and burning heat of stomach, dryness of throat, cramps, purging, vomiting. — Treatimnt ; Give large 1 48 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. quantities of milk and raw eggs, lime-water or flour-and I: water. Then castor oil. Antimony : Butter of antimony, tartar emetic, etc. — . Symptoms : Severe vomiting, cramps, faintness, purging. — Treatment : Plenty of strong tea. Jf you have no common tea at hand, use an infusion of oak, elm, sloe, currant, or blackberry bark and leaves. Or for butter of antimony, use the treatment given below for Acids. Support the strength. Acids: Oxalic, sulphuric (vitroil), nitric (aquafortis), ' mui'iatic (spirit of salt, but not prussic acid. — Symptom$ : Horribly burning sour pain from the mouth downwards, j The skin of the lips, mouth, and throat, is dissolved. Purg- ing of blood, great thirst. — Treatment: Put an ounce of I calcined magnesia into a pint of water, and give a wineglass- ful every two or three minutes. If the magnesia is not I ready, use whiting, chalk, soda, or lime-water, or knock a piece of plaster off the wall, pound it small, and give it in milk or water. While one person attends to this, let another cut some common soap into small bits, and give a teaspoonful \ with water, or a tablespoonful of soft soap. Bad Fish : Mussels, etc. — Symptoms : Pain in stomach, I headache, flushed face, feeling of choking, scarlet erupt, on of I skin. — Treatment: Empty the stomach by an emetic (as in (poisoning by laudanum), then give a full dose of castor oil [with some warm spice. A mustard plaster to the pit of stomach if needful. ji Bite of Viper, or of any animal supposed to be mad. — I I Treat nunt : Tie a string tightly above the wound, wash the I j bite well, let the person bitten suck the wound if he can. IJIf you can get lunar caustic, rub it well in, to the very bot- jtom of the wound, or take a ver^ small poker^ or, much i T POISONS AND POISONING. 49 better, a steel used for sharpening knives ; make the point of this quite red-hot — to a white heat if you can — and press this for a moment into the wound. This is not such a dread- ful operation as it seems to be ; if the steel, or whatever article you use, is i-eally hot enough, one moment's applica- tion is sufficient, and gives scarcely any pain at the time. t I wish here to draw attention to a most absurd, ridiculous superstition which exists ; that is, if a person be bitten by a dog which is in perfect iiealth, but afterwards goes mad, the person also will be affected ; so they insist upon the dog being destroyed, for fear it should go mad at any future period. Instead of this, the dog should be carefully taken care of; patients Vv^ould then have the satisfaction of know- ing that there was nothing wrong with it, and their minds would be at rest. Chloride of Tin : called Muriate by dyers. Symptoms : ,| Vomiting, pain in stomach, purging, convulsive twitchings. — Treatment ; Give large quantities of milk with magnesiaj jj chalk, or whiting in it ; also raw eggs beaten up with water :l or milk. Chloride op Zinc : Burnett's disinfecting fluid, white vitriol. — Symptoms: Same as chloride of im.— Treatment : Plenty of milk, with white of eggs in it. 1 Copper : Blue copperas, blue verditer, mineral gree», i verdigris, food or confectionery cooked in foul copper ves- if sels, pickles made green by copper. — Symptoms: Coppery;* taste in mouth, tongue dry and parched, very painful colic, Ji bloody motions. Treatment : Large quantities of milk and white of eggs, afterwards strong tea. Corrosive Sublimate : See Mercury. 4 60 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. it i } i \ t ( 1 i I CoccuLUS Indicus : See Poisonous Plants. Green Vitriol : Sulphate of Iron. — Symptoms ; Pain, sickness, burning heat of stomach. — Treatment : Give an emetic, afterwards magnesia and water. Iodine : Iodide of potassium, or soda, or iron. — Symp- toms ; Burning pain in throat, heartburn, vomiting, very- likely salivation. — Treatment ; Large quantities of cold starch-and-water, or flour-and-water. Lead : Acetate, or sugar of lead, rod lead, white lead. — SymptomSy if taken in large quantity : Metallic taste in the mouth, pain in stomach, painful vomiting, often bloody, hickup. — Treatment : Put two ounces of Epsom salts into a pint of water, and give a wineglassful every ten minutes, till it operates freely. Taken in small quantities, either by drinking water out of a new lead cistern, or one newly re- paired with white lead, or by working amongst it, lead produces colic, loss of power in the limbs, especially wrist drop, and a blue line along the gums ; in this case you will not require to do anything till the doctor comes. Laudanum : Opium paregoric, soothing syrup, syrup of poppies, etc., etc. — Symptoms : Giddiness, stupor, the pupil of the eye very small, lips blue, skin cold, heavy, slow breath- ing. — Treatment : Empty the stomach as quickly as possible by vomiting. For an adult give fifteen grains of sulphate of zinc in a little water ; to a young person half the quantity, to an infant a teaspoonful of ipecacuanha wine. If you can- not get drugs, use mustard and warm water, salt-and-water, and tickle the top of the throat. After vomiting give plenty of very strong coffee, put a mustard plaster round the calf of each leg, and if cold and sinking give a good quantity of spirit-and-water. Keep the patient roused until the effect POISONS AND POISONING. 51 ' " worked off by beating the soles of the feet, walking, or 4,shing cold water on the face. Remember if the patient goes to sleep at this stage, it will be the sleep of death. Lunar Caustic, or Nitrate of Silver, has been swal- lowed by accident when used for touching a sore throat, etc. Symptoms: Burning pain, similar to arsenic. — Treatment: Give a large teaspoonful of common salt in a glass of water, and repeat this in ten minutos. Then a doso of castor oil and linseed tea, or barley-water for a drink. Mercury : Calomel, corrosive sublimate, red precipitate, rmilion, etc. — Symjitoms: Metallic taste in mouth, bum- i^Ag pain in throat, stomach, and bowels, vomiting, very painful purging, and cramps. — Treatmeuc: Give the white of an egg in a little water, repeat this twice more with five minutos between each time, give large quantities of milk or ilour-and-water, then linseed tea. Nitre, or Saltpetre. — Symptoms : Similar to arsenic. — Treatment : Give plenty of flour- an d-watcr, then linseed or sweet oil. Opium : See Laudanum. Phosphorus : Lucifer matches. — Symptoms : Great ex- citement of the whole system ; other effects like arsenic. 2Vcatment: Give lai?ge quantities of warm water with magnesia, chalk, or whiting, or even flour, stirred in it; encourage vomiting, but give no oil or fat of any description. Poisonous Plants or Seeds : False mushrooms, or any- thing of the kind picked up by children, but which you can- not tell at tlie time. — Treatment : Empty the stomach by any emetic you have at hand : warm water, mustard, salt, or soap, warm camomile tea, etc. If there be no purging, >ii:i ^ •c 52 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. ! i& . r V n < '■ ^ give a good close of castor oil or olive oil. If the patient be faint or sinking, give stimulants. Potash ; Soda, ammonia, sal volatile, salt cake, disinfect- ing fluids of concentrated solutions of soda or potash. — Symptoms: Heat, pain in stomach, vomiting, and purging. — Treatment : Vinegar-and-water, oranges, lemons, sour beer or cider, or sour fruit. Afterwarus, olive, linseed, or any wholesome oil. Prussic Acid . Oil of bitter almonds, laurel-water, cyanide of potassium, used by photographers and others. — SymptoniB: If the quantity be large, death takes place instantly, but smaller quantities produce giddiness, loss of sight, and faint- ing. — Treatment : Give sal volatile and water, and c'lpply a bottle of smelling salts to the nose, dash cold water on the face, and give stimulants. Strychnine : Rat poison, etc., nux vomica. — Symptoms : About an hour after being taken there is lockjaw, twitching of the muscles, convulsions, the body is bent backwards, so as to rest upon the feet and head only. — Treatment : Try to empty the stomach by an emetic, then give linseed-tea or barley-water, and to an adult thirty drops of laudanum oc- casionally to relieve the spasms. There are other remedies, but not such as can be used without a doctor being present. Tartar Emetic : See Antimony. Zinc Oxide : Symptoms and Treatment — As in copper. Always bear in mind that cases of poisoning admit of no delay. In many diseases and accidents an hour or two may be of no consequence, but here we must think of minutes, and the life or death of th^ patient will depend uj)on how you employ them. 1 but 53 TO RESTORE A PERSON APPARENTLY DE OWNED. rjlHE Royal Huiiifine Society soniG yeLirs ago published tlio ■*- following directions as to v/hat should be doro for people who seemed to be dead from drowning or suffocation, prepared by Dr. Sylvester and Dr. Marshall Hall : — Send immediately for medical assistance, blankets, and dry clothing, but proceed to treat the patient instantly, securing as much fresh air as possible. The points to be aimed at are — first, and immediately, the restoration of breathing ; and secondly, after breathing is restored, the promotion of warmth and circulation. The efforts to restore life must be porsovcred in until the ar- rival of medical assistance, or until the pulse and breathing have ceased for at least an hour. TREATMENT TO RESTORE NATURAL BREATHING. To maintain a Free Entrance of Air into the Windpipe. — « Cleanse the mouth and nostrils ; open the mouth ; 'iraw forth the patient's tongue, and keep it forward : an elastic band over the tongue and under the chin will answer this purpose. Remove all tight clothing from about the neck and chest. To aJjast the Patient^ s Position. — Place the patient on his back on a flat surface, inclined a little from the feet upwards ; raise and support the head and shoulders on a small firm cushion placed under the shoulder-blades. To imitate the Movements of Breathing. — Grasp the patient's arms just above the elbows, and draw the arms gently and steadily upwards, until they meet above tke kend m ;■■, a 1/ 54 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. (this is for the purpose of drawing air into the lungs) ; and keep the arms in that position for two seconds. Then turn down the patient's arms, and press them gently and firmly for two seconds against the sides of the chest (this is with the object of pressing air out of the lungs : pressure on the breast-bone will aid this). Repeat these measures alternately, deliberately, and per- severingly, fifteen times in a minute, until a spontaneous effort to respire is perceived, immediately upon which cease to imitate the movements of breathing, and proceed to in- duce circulation and warmth. Should a warm bath be procurable, the body may be placed in it up to the necl:, continuing to imitate the move- ments of breathing. liaise the body in twenty seconds in a sitting position, and dash cold water against the chest and face, and pass ammonia under the nose. The patient should not be kept in the warm bath longer than five or six minutes. To excite Inspiration. — During the employment of the above method excite the nostrils with snuff or smelling-salts, or tickle the throat with a feather. E-iib the chest and fac« briskly, and dash cold and hot water alternately on them. TEEATMENT AFTER NATURAL BREATHING HAS BEEN RESTORED. To induce Circulation and Warmth. — ^Wrap the patient in dry blankets and commence rubbmg the limbs upwards, firmly and energetically. The friction must be continued under the blankets or over the dry clothing. Promote the warmth of the body by the application of hot flanaelsy bottles or bladders of hot water, heated bricks, 1^ F TO RESTORE A PERSON APPARENTLY DROWNED. 55 and etc., to the pit of the stomach, the armpits, between the thighs, and to the soles of the feet. Warm clothing may generally be obtained from bystanders. On the restoration of life, when the power of swallowing has returned, a teaspoonful of warm water, small quantities of wine, warm brandy and water, or coffee, should be given. The patient should be kept in bed, and a disposition to sleep encouraged. During reaction large mustard plasters to the chest and beJow the shoulders will greatly relieve the dis- tressed brea riling. Great care is requisite to maintain the restored vital action, and at the same time to prevent undue excitement. Persovere for at Icaso three or four hours. Do not be discouraged if j^ou do not produce any good effect at once, but persevere. There have been cases of re- covery after suspended animation of j^i-e Jwurs. You will feel it a glorious rov/ard when you see the dead restored to life through your exertions. [The same plan may be used, except removing the clothes, when a person is suffocated with foul air of any description. And here I would give you a word of caution. Before entering any old well, sewer, or other ])lace where you may suspect the air to bo bad, let down a lighted candle into it. If this v/ill not burn, it is not fit for you to enter. Never use charcoal for warming a room when anyone is in it. The gas given off when it is burning is so deadly, that I have seen a husband and wife suffocated in bod, though tho charcoal waa placed on the hearth.] i i i ", 1 11 ii ! 56 FEVER. , WHEN nuraing a case of fever, never forget the great subject of ventilation. Change the atmosphere of the room frequently ; blow the bad air out of it, and fresh air into it, not only that the patient may have the best possible chance of recovery, but for your own sake and for the sake of others. It is quite possible that if the attack be severe, the head of the patient may require to be shaved ; but if not, let the hair be cut short, to enable you to attend to it properly, and it will also tend to keep the brain of the sufferer cool and comfortable. When a person is delirious with fever, the dreams and fancies arc almost alv/ays of a painful nature, the countenance showing plainly that the mind is troubled. There is a sense of fear, a dread of some- thing jvhich he may not have the power to explain to you. Try in every way to gain his confidence ; listen patiently to his complaints, however ridiculous they may appear to you ; do not contradict, or tease him with argument. Remember " di-eams to the dreamer are realities," and these things terrify him just as much as if they were actually in the room It is very common for some pai't of the furniture to take frightful shapes in the eyes of a fever patient. Per- haps he may be able to tell you what it is, but if not, by carefully watching the eyes, you will find liim looking stead- ily at one object, and then turn away suddenly, as if he wei*o trying to escape. When these visions are troubling the patient, the best plan, if you can do so, is to remove him into another room. The effect is wonderful. The visions disappear, the dreadful forms are all gone, and the bright \, , .-*— ^ FEVER. 57 and cheerful face tolls you better than words what a relief he feels. If you cannot change the room, change the furni- ture, and if that cannot be done, alter its position. A singular and yet uncommon thing in fever with deliri- um is a strong dislike taken by the patient to a particular person, and this generally not a stranger, l)\it a near relative, one who is greatly beloved by him when in health, and who has been for days find nights watching over him. In some cases this feeling of dislike grows into a hatred so deep that it is not safe to allow the person to remain alone in the room. This is very distressing ; it appears so ungrateful, such a poor return for all the care and kindness bestowed upon him, so unnatural, that it is hard to bear. But it should be remembered that it is unna,tural ; it is the rejsult of disease, and has no more to do with a patient's real affec- tion than taking a dislike to some particular article of food. As the mind becomes healthy this will pass off ; but it is very desirable that the person to whom the dislike is taken should bo removed as seon as possible, and not again enter the room till the mind is in a healthier state, or the feeling may become so fixed that it will require a long time to subdue it. During the great thirst of fever you will frequently find that the patient, particularly a child, will prefer pure water to any other drink ; but if you require a change, you will find what is called apple-tea cheap and refreshing. Peel the apples and cut them in very thin slices into a jug with some clean sugar, fill up with boiling water, and let stand till quite cold. The quantity cannot be fixed, as that must de- pend upon the quality of the fruit. Another pleasant drink 58 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. f r ,t!l ? IB made of the juice of three or four oranges and one lemon in a quart of water and a little sugar. For lemonade the best plan is to buy a small bottle of lime-juice ; this will keep good in a cool place for a great length of time ; it is very wholesome, and a tablespoonful, with half a pint of water, sweetened, will make a glass of good lemonade in a minute, where you cannot conveniently procure either oranges or lemons. Perfect sih^nce is not always desirable. It is not a good thing to put on list slippers, and walk about without any noise j if you go up to the bedside of a patient in this way, ho may get a severe fright. In talking, the same rule holds good ; do not whisper, it will very likely awaken the sleeper, just because it is a strange sound ; speak in your natural voice, and it will not arouse him, though it be louder than a whisper, for he hears it e\ery day, and is used to it. Therefore let all every day sounds go on as usual, unlesi complained of hy the patient, and let this re- flection comfort you — Sleep in the midst of noise is sounder and more likely to continue than in a dead silence, because slight causes are less likely to disturb ifc. Is it well to awaken a patient to give food or medicine 1 Generally you may conclude that if a patient sleeps he is doing well ; but in the sinking stage of fever, or other great debility, it may be needful to give something frequently. After days and nights of watchfulness, Avhere the mind is wandering with fever, the patient will fall into a long sleep, which may last many hours. I have one now enjoying ex- cellent health, who slept in this way thirty-seven hours. This is the turning-point of the disease, and generally the patient awakens with the mind restored, and from that time GommencoB, as it were, a new life. JjrJ-.-'-*^ FEVER. 69 m a When fever is once formed, it runs a regular course, like small-pox. Our first object must be to stop the attack before it has time to take hold of the system. If we fail in this we must try to weaken th« fever as much as possible by fresh air, and support life by suitable diet, till the fever has worn itself out. But as a person not accustomed to sucli things cannot know whether the illness be fever or not, you must act only in such a way as to do good if it be fever, and no harm if it be not. There is one consolation in the fact that fever may be cut short, and entirely thrown off, if pro- per measures be iaken at the commencement. A person, perhaps after getting wet or being exposed to cold, complains of headache, shivering, pains in the limbs, back, and throat ; put him to bed and give twenty grains of ipecacuanha powder in a little warm water. In ten minutes, or sooner if he feels sick, give plenty of warm water to pro- duce vomiting. Place hot bricks to the feet, and let him real for an hour, then let him drink plentifully of hot tea, whey, or scalded buttermilk with the curd taken out and sweetened ; cover up warmly, and in a few hours give a full dose of castor-oil, or if this be objected to, a dose of Epsom salts. After this has operated, you will probably find that every bad symptom has gone, and left only a feeling ef weak- ness, which a day's rest and good food will set right again. Now whether the attack was the beginning of typhus fever, scarlet fever, small-pox, or measles, you have done the best. If it was nothing but a bad cold you may have prevented weeks of suffering with rheumatism. If these symptoms occur in a child, use one or two teaspoonfuls of ipecacuanha wine instead of the powder. Even without the emetic, a hot bath and a dose of purgative medicine, if given sufflcl- 60 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. ently early, will frequently save a child from a serious ill- ness. If you are so situated that you cannot obtain the ipecacuanha, use mustard and warm water, warm camomile tea, or salt and water, as an emetic, but none of these are so good as the ipecacuanha. SCARLET FEVER. IT is very desirable that you should be able to distinguish between scarlet fever and measles, for the first is a in03t fatal disease, and the second, with proper care, will seldom destroy life. There are two kinds of scarlet fever : the mild form, where there is little or no sore throat, and in which the eruption does not appear till the fourth day, and which, if the child bo ko])t wiiim, generally passes off with- out doing any harm ; and tl:o malignant, with ulcerate:! sore throit, vvhich is a dreadful diseas^, often proving fatal. The difference between scarlet fever and measles i^ — In Measles — The cruiitioii is dark red colour. ' Doos not till the fourth day. Is raised. Is larger and crescent- shaped. Does not disappear. Yw.Q swelled, running from the eyes and nose. Symptoms of Scarlet Fever. -Vomiting, which frequently comes on suddenly while the cliild is at play. Headache, a feeling of depression and weakness, as if all the strength had gone, and shivering. Next day there is hoarseness, difficulty oi swallowing, hot, dry skin, great thirst, the poor child sighs frequently, and complains of pain like needles In Scarlet Fever — The eruption is l)riglit scarlet. It appears on the second day. Is quite smooth to the touch. Is in small round spots. Disappears on pressure. The face is quite dry. ">■■ ■ '- ! . J I' l-J- mmstmn^'^frmnmm^m SCABLET FEVER. ei 'ions ill- ain the iiiomile 3 are so ngnish Jt is a e, will fever : and in y, and ' with- erate:! fatal. )lour. r .d. the ently Eiche, ngfch aess, poor idles pricking all over the bod)^ Tlie rash now appears, first in ficai'let patches on the face, spreads down the neck and over the body. The tongue is a fiery bright red, like a ripe strawberry. The throat swells, and there is a great difficulty in swallowing. About the fifth day the scarlet colour fades and turns brown, and the skin peels off. You may take it as a rule that the earlier the eruption appears the more serious will be the attack. Never undertake the treatment of this yourself, if you can g( ': proper assistance. Apply hot fomentations constantly to tho throat, and give omnges, lemons, raspberry vinegar and water, black currant tea or apple tea, for drink. Above all things, keep the child well protected from cold. When the skin begins to peel off, you will find the child constantly picking the nose, lips, and tips of the fingers. It is a curious thing how children in this state seem to feel no pain, but take a delight in doing this. No coaxing or threats will have any effect ; your only remedy is to put a pair of mittens or worsted socks on the hands and secure them to the wristb.^xnds of the dress ; then the fingers and thumb will meet inside the sock without getting hold of the skin. This disease, like small-pox, is very infectious. I have known a whole family prostrated by the lady standing for two or three minutes in the lobby of an infected house. I also knew a case of a nobleman's house, where the whole of the furniture of the room was burnt, the other rooms were repainted and papered, and the house left empty for four months, yet the disease broke out again from \ising some clothing which had remained in it. Never allow any clothes of a patient to bo washed in the house, but always outside ; do not pour boiling water on them and stand over the steam. €2 TILL THE DOCTOR COMBS. Fever is not a solitary disease like rheumatism or dropsy, affecting only one person ; but when it once fixes itself, it is impossible to tell how many it will destroy before it quits the locality ; therefore, if you have it in your own house, do not allow any person to enter it, and never yourself go from idle curiosity ; but if it bo your duty to go, do your duty without fear, and leave the rest with God. MEASLES. WE come now to another infectious disease, but one which, with ordinary c:ire, is not fatal, as a general rule. Symptoms. — The child appears as if it had a cold in the head, sneezing, cough, running at the eyes and nose, itching of the face, the eyes are red and very sensitive to the light. On the fourth day small red spots appear on the face, generally in clusters, and then spread. If you examine them carefully, yow will find tliey are not round, but crescent or half-moon shape. When the rash has been out three days it turns brown, and the skin crumbles off like bran. The common paying with respect to measles is, " It is three days out, and four days in," tluit is, that the patient is ill four days before the eruption appears, and that it re- mains three days. At this stage diarrhcea frequently voccurs, and should not be interfered with unless it be too severe. Let the child be in a room shaded from any strong light. Keep the chest particularly well protected from cold. Give plenty of warm weak drinks, such as tea, arrowroot, etc., and if the breathing is difHcult, put on a mustard and oatmeal poultice to the chest, and a small dose of purgative medicine, r dropsy, lelf, it is it quits ouse, do go from iiir duty 5 which, ule. d in the itching i light, le face, examine id, but een out off like is, " It patient it it re- * v">ccurs, ert. ? light. Give ic., and atmeal dicine, SMALL-POX. 63 if needful. In general this is all that is required, if you only protect the child from getting cold. But if the disease is not running its usual course, and mere than this is need- ful, you will need good medical advice. SMALL-POX. IN the ten years from 1856 to 186G. fifty thousand pei-sons have died of small-pox in England, of which number nine thousand four hundred and twenty-five perished in one year ; that is to say, five thousand lives are sacrificed every year by stupidity and neglect. The symptoms, when small-pox first comes on, are fever, pains in the limbs and back, headache, vomiting, and pain on pressing the pit of the stomach. On the third day, small red spots appear on the face and head ; those gradually rise and enlarge, the eruption spreads over the whole body, into the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. The hanJs, feet, and face swell, there in great difS- culty in swallowing ; by the eighth day the face is a mass of pocks. In severe cases those inside the eyelids ulcerate, eat their way into the eyes, and the poor sufferer, if he does not die, is left >vith the bight utterly destroyed, and a counte- nance frightfully disfigured. On the eleventh day the sores discharge and form a dry crust, which gradually dries and falls off. This is the time when it so frequently proves fatal. In seventeen to twenty-one days the disease may be said to have run its course. Small-pox, when once taken, moves on by fixed laws, and nothing you can do will either cut it short or cure it ; it must go through its regular stages. Still, you may be Tery i ■m 64 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. iiReful. In the first place, cut the hair close, for it is impos- sible for you to brush it after the pocks have risen. To prevent pitting, you must keep the liglit from the patient's face, either by covering it with a piece of something black — say silk — with holes cut in it for the mouth and nostrils ; or by keeping the room dark. Anoint the parts with sweet oil to prevent itching. Covering the face is better than darkening the room — it is more convenient for the atten- dants, and has a better effect upon the skin. The part of the body covered by tlie clothes is scarcely marked in com- parison with the parts exposed — as the face and hands. Remember, that this disease is dreadfully infectious ; so look well after ventilation, read over carefully the directions I gave when writing about the sick room, and send for the doctor. As we know to a slight eixtcnt the ravages of this dread- ful disease, and the poverty and misery cjiused by it, it is ]>lainly the duty of every one of us to do our utmost to pre- vent it ; and the only way to do this is by vaccination. Vaccination either prevents the person taking it at all, or, if it be taken, changes it from a terribly fatal complaint into one which scarcely ever destroys life or sight, or injures the patient in any way. I have myself had numbers of patients who have been completely covered with it — inside the eye- lids, ears, nose, mouth, and in the throat — but / have never yet seen a person die^ or lose the sights or he disjiguredy wJio had been propei'ly and succe^sfidly vaccinated. This, then, is your duty. Get yourself and children vac- cinated ; let no foolish person persuade you against it ; and if small-pox breaks out near you, have it done again. It takes very little time, it gives so little pain, that it may be pam, donl not youj do, oftj hool T CHOLERA. 65 t is impos- 'iseu. To patient's ig black — 1 nostrils; tvith sweet 3tter than the atten- lie part of 3(1 in com- mds. itious ; so directions (1 for the lis dread- T it, it is st to pre- jcination. it all, or, aint into jures the 'l)atients the eve- ive never redf wJio ren vac- it; and lin. It may be done without awaking a child out of its sleep, and it need not keep you from your usual employment. Let me entreat you not to neglect this, the only known precaution ; if you do, you commit a great crime, for you not only run the risk of taking the disease yourself, but of infecting the neighbour- hood in which you live. CITOLERA. ASIATIC CHOLERA, OR CHOLERA MORBUS. rrillS t6rriblo disease sweeps over the land at times like a ■^ destroying angel, leaving houses desolate, and hurrying thousands \inprepared into the grave. It is of the utmost importance that you should be able to distinguish between common purging and true cholera. In common looseness you have two kinds — one where the motions are a dirty pipe-clay colour, and very offensive, showing too little bile ; in the r.iliov a bright yellow colour, with some burning, Km 11, sliowing too much bile — what is called bilious S'ii iptoms of True Cholera. — The attack comes on in two wa} First, for one or }>erhaps for two days, there is gentle purging ; if not sto )od it quickly runs on to the next stage. What now passes ^ m the bowels is not offensive, it is like rice water or ver) »in gruel, and all control over the bowels is lost. It gives i. ' pain, there is no straining, though thei'e may be very severe cramps}. In a few hours all strength is gone, the body, the tongue, and even the breath are quite cold, the nails turn blue, there is great thirst, perhaps con- stant vomitiRg'j the eyes sink more in a few honrB thun they •^^' M i 66 TILL THE DOCTOE COMES. would do in months of ordinary illness, and the most re- markable change takes place in the voice. It becomes a dmall squeaking whisper, so unnatural and so peculiar that any one who has seen much of cholera could distinguish it in a moment by the voice alone. In the second mode of attack there are no warnings. There may be no vomiting, no purging, no cramp ; frequent^ ly the patient has no idea that anything serious is going on, but merely says he feels weak, but the weakness increases wilh fearful rapidity. The person just lies down, becomes cold, and dies. I have myself had a patient who walked half a mile to Bee me, and another whom I met on the road, who were both buried before the close of ^he day. There is no cure for cholera when it once takes hold of the system ; every description of medicine likely to do good has been tried by the most skilful physicians, but so^ar we know of no remedy. The time to do good is in the early stage. Commence at once ; let the patient get to bed, apply hot bricks and fomentations, give a full dose (teaspoonful) of the powder prescribed for diarrhoea, and if you are within reach of a druggist's, get twenty grains of mercury with chalk, called blue powder : mix this with it. If th'.j bo vomited directly, repeat tl'ie dose ; but if there is no vomit- ing for an hour after, go on with the medicine, without the blue powder, every two or three hours, according to the severity of the disease, till ifc begins to moderate. For the thirst give plenty of water v/ith a little Hour stirred in it. This is the only treatment I can advise till the doctor comes. All damp, dirty places, particula.rly where the water is not good, arc most likely to be visited by it. TV. ^ most ro- ecomes a iliar that nguish it varning3. frequent' joing on, inci-eases becomes walked fche road, s hold of do good o^ar we he early ?d, apply poonful) e within ly with th'j bo vomit- lOiit the to the For the k1 in it. 1 doctor T is uot BOWEL COMPLAINTS. 67 People who are dirty and intemperate have less chance of recovery than others. The most fatal cases are those wliere there is no pain. Cramp of the bowels may be looked upon as a good sign. It is a mistake to suppose that it is the })urging which destroys life. The most quickly fatal cases h-ive been those w^here there has been little or no action of the bowels. BOWEL COMPLAINTS. TVIARRHCEA occurs every summer, and is frequently ^ fatal to young children. Becai-se it is common at the same time of the year that fruit is, it is generally thought that eating fruit is the cause of it. It is said to come in with the plum season : so it docs, but not because of the plums, or infants at the breast would not so frequently die of it. Ripe, sound fruit, in its proper season, does no harm, but great good ; but sour, unripe, or half-decayed fruit or vegetables is li^otle better than poison ; so I would say, eat of the fruit of every tree which is good for the use of man, but have patience till it is ripe, and do not use any part which is c'ecayed or rotting. When this complaint appears, it should be attended to, not always stopped immediately, for it is often an effort of nature to throw off something which is better away ; but if allowed to run on, it becomes serious. For a young child you will genei-ally find this sufficient. Two tablespoonfuls of v/arm water, a little sugar, half a tea- spoonful of carbonate of soda, and one teaspoonful of pare- goric : mix all together and give a teaspoonful every three hours till the purging stops. To an infant three or four 'Hi ■ 6S TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. 1 months old, half a teaspoonful will be sufficient, increasing the dose according to age. For grown up people and children above seven years of age, I now give you an ex. cellent receipt, v/hich you should keep ready in the house : — Confection of opium, aromatic confection, powder for com- pound chalk mixture, of each tv/o drams ; carbonate of am* monia, half a dram ; oil of peppermint, fifteen drops : mix thoroughly, and keep in a bottle well corked. This quantity will make six full doses. To a person above fourteen years of age give one teaspoonful stirred in a littlo water every three hours till better. Under fourteen vears of age give half a teaspoonful. If there is pain in the bowels, apply heat as follows : — Make a common dinner plate or small dish quite hot, lay on some folds of flannel Avrung out of hot water, place the hot plate over this, taking care that the edges do not extend beyond the flannel ; then cover with a dry towel. By having two plates, one at the fire while the other is in use, you can change them in a moment, and get any amount of heat you require without the weight of a large poultice. Now comes the important question, — How to know when to stop the action of the bowels, and when to assist them. You may take this as a good genei*al rule. If what passes from the bowels be very offensive, or if they have not been sufficiently acted upon for some days, then clear them out with a dose of castor-oil before you commence the other medicine. Dysentery commences with fever and hot dry skin. The child will perhaps scream as if in a fright, and be delirious, or have cold Bhiverings j afterwards a contimial desire to go i BOWEL COMPLAINTS. 69 icreasmg )ple and )u an ex. bouse : — for coni- le of anx" ps : mix on above a a littlv) en vear>s ) bowels, plate or ;ung out jare that ver with re while ent, and ght of a w when st them, t passes lot been lem out e other to stool, straining pain in the lower part of the bowels. What passes is very small in quantity, like jelly, streaked with blood. When you see this, have the best advice you can get. If you are obliged to act for yourself, adopt this plan : — Unless you are quite sure the bowels have acted properly within the last two days, give a dose of castor oil ; after this has operated, make the mixture of water, carbonate of soda, and paregoric, as for diarrhoea, and add twenty drops of ipecacuanha wine to it. To a child under a year old give one teaspoonful, above that age two teaspoonfuls every three hours, and apply hot flannels. But the part of the treat- ment most to be relied upon, and which should be used with the other, is this : — Make a little thin starch, and to one tablespoonful of this add one drop of laudanum, and with a small syringe squirt this up into the child's bowels, and keep it there as long as possible. This should be used two or three times in the twenty-four hours. Increase the quantity of laudanum by one drop for each year of the child's age up to five ; but, as I remarked before, for this complaint secure the assistance of a doctor if within your reach. Colic, or pains in the bowels without purging, commonly called gripes. You may generally relieve this by applying hot fomentations, and a dose of castor oil with plenty of spice, such as grated nutmeg, cinnamon, etc. n. The Blirious, re to go 70 HOOPING COUGH AND CROUP. HOOPING COUGH does not show itself decidedly in two or three days, like scarlet fever or measles. At first there are merely the symptoms of a slight cold. The child has a short dry cough, particularly when taking food. This will go on for a week, or perhaps nearly a fortnight, before you hear the peculiar sound, which you cannot mis- take. The fit of coughing is preceded by a sort of convulsive drawing in of the bi'eath, which, as it rushes into the chest, causes the whoop. The cough lasts for about a minute, and genevally ends in vomiting. The breathing is then quiet, and the child appears pretty comfortable till the approach of the next fit. In children under two years of age this disease is more dangerous than in older ones. If the child should have convulsions, seek advice imme- diately. In milder cases, you will find the plan 1 now give you safe and useful ; but do not suppose that any one remedy will suit all cases. It frequently happens that a medicine will aet like a charm in one family, and do no good in another. Rub the chest and on the back, between the shoulders, three times a day with thi^ embrocation : Oil of amber, one dram ; compound soap liniment, ten dramc ; mix, and keep in a bottle well corked. And give one teaspoonful of the following mixture four times in the twenty-four hours : Cochineal, carbonate of potash, of each twenty grams ; loaf sugar, one ounce ; water, six ounces : mix. Do not give anything sour, such as vinegar, lemonade, etc., while you are using this medicine. If the breathing be rery bad, put a good hot mustard and oatmeal poultice on the chest, and if the child is not sick after the fit of cough- inn y dedly in les. At (1. The ing food, jrtnight, iiiot mis- iivulsivo he chest, LUte, and Bn quiet, iroach of s disease ce imme- low give B remedy medicine good in veen the 1 : Oil of mix, n - > Lspoonful 1* iiours : ins ; loaf lade, etc., thing be ultice on of cougli- HOOPING COUGH AND CROUP. 71 ing, give sufficient ipecacuanha wine to cause vomiting. When the complaint has gone on for some weeks, change of air is the only thing which can be depended upon for stop- ping it. If you allow the child to get cold while it has this complaint, you cannot reasonably expect it to recover. Croup requires immediate attention, for if neglected it may destroy life in one or two days. It commences with hoarpjoness and short dry cough. The difficulty of breath- ing quickly increases, and soon becomes very distressing ; the child fights for breath, and seems to require all its strength to force the air in and out of the chest. Ti: e face is flushed, the voice and breathing make a peculiar sound, which it is almost impossible to describe, but which, if you once hear, you will never forget : it is a sort of rasping, grating, choking sound, and the voice, when the child speaks, is something like tlie noise of a fowl when caught in the hand. I would recommend all mothers who have not seen croup to do so, if there be a case of it within reach, and then they will be able to distinguish it from the choking sound of mumps or common sore throat. Night or day, send at cnce for a doctor. Till the doctor' comes, proceed in this way : Give one or two teaspoonfuls of ipecacuanha wine in a li:tle warm water, sweetened; if needful, repeat it in ten or fifteen minutes ; give warm water to drink, tickle the top of the throat, or any other plan you like best, to get the child to vomit plentifully ; put the feet into hot water and mustard till the skin is quite red, and a good largo poultice, not a plaster, but at least two inches thick, made v/ith two parts oatmeal or bran and one part mustard, well np to the throat, and keep it on as long as possible. Three hours after the vomiting, give the child a M 72 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. teaspoonful of water with two drops of ipec. wine in it, for each year of its age, up to ten drops : that is, for a child one year old, two drops ; four years old, eight drops ; and so on. Repeat this two or three times in the twenty-four houis. The object is to keep the child constantly feeling sick, just on the point of vomiting. If the breathing be not relieved the first day, you must repeat the vomiting, or the throat may close up and the child be suffocated. Mix in a tea-cup equal parts of treacle and good common vinegar ; let it stand where it will keep just warm, and give the child a small tea- spoonful frequently; you may put more or less of each article according to the strength of the vinegar, as the child finds agreeable. For croup and all descriptions of sore throat, there is no remedy equal to this old-fashioned, simple niixture. To save a child when taken ill with croup, you must attack it at once, and act decidedly. Always obtain advice if you can. Delays are dangerous, but by acting upon these directions you will have done all you can safely till the doctor comes. In any case of difficulty of breathing or pain in the chest you may always safely apply a mustard and oatmeal or bran poultice till the skin is red, but never apply leeches or a blisijr to a child without the doctor's advice. COMMON COLD AND INFLUENZA. THE best plan to adopt with a common Cold, is to restore the proper action of the skin as soon as possible. Various methods may be used : for instance, a person feels that peculiar warning, which makes him say, " Now I'm in for a cold, I feel it coming ou — ^headache, chilly, creeping '^ I it, for ild one so on. houis. ik, just elieved throat >ea-cup b stand all tea- f each e child ►f sore simple ip, you obtain acting L safely e chest )r bran !S or a restore n feels I'm in eeping COMMON COLD AND INFLUENZA. 73 feeling of the skin, and a state of miserableness'generally." If he can manage it, let him go at once and take a Turkish or common vapour bath. Or if he can spare the time, let him go to bod, take ten grains of Dover's powder, with a little sugar, put a large hot bran or oatmeal poultice all over his chest down to the waist, and in an hour after the powder a pint of hot tea, or thin gruel, and an extra blanket or two. The next morning he should be well rubbed all over with a coarse towel, and take a Seidlitz powder or a large teaspoon- ful of Epsom salts, either of them, in warm water. But suppose it comes on when business must be attended to. Let him put on an extra quantity of clothing, drink a pint of hot tea, and take a quick walk till the skin is quite damp with perspiration, then cool down gradually. If a person has a cold, not very bad, but what is called ** hanging about them," a pint of cold water at bedtime, and a little extra bedclothes, will be an excellent remedy without any medi< cine. But whichever plan you adopt, do not half do it ; if you are obliged to give way, do it thoroughly, stay in bed from twelve to twenty-four hours, and give the cold a check. If you are compelled to go out, put on plenty of clothing, work hard at your business, and bustle about as much as possible. For a common Cough, the following recipe, with a mustard and oatmeal poultice, or turpentine fomentation to the chest, will give relief : — Compound Tincture of Camphor 4 drams. Oxymel of Squills..... 2 „ Ipecacuanha Wine 1 ,, Compound Tincture of Benzoin 1 ,, Water.,, 1 ounce, I 111 r I 74 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. Mix. For an adult one teaspoonful, for a child half a teaspoonful, when the cough is troublesome. If there be soreness of the chest, and tickling in the throat, treacle and vinegar will be found very ussfiil. Influenza. — I do not know any complaint which pro- duces such depression of spirits as this. I have had strong, able men, such as " navvies," who work out in all weathers, come and ask me if they were likely to die soon, they felt so " down." Anyone attacked with Influenza should give up at once, remain in bed, and encourage perspiration by every means in his power. If it can be had, the Dover's powder should be taken, as in common colds, and repeated if needful, and either with or without this, I have found the two follow- ing preparations of milk very useful. The first is called wine- whey, made by putting tv/o v/ineglassfuls of white wine and one teaspoonful of vinegar to a pint of milk; simmer it very gently so as not to break the curd, then strain and sweeten. The other is, scald a pint of buttermilk, strain it, and then add one wineglassful of rum and one of treacle, or as much sugar as the patient likes. If you are in the country, get the whey direct from the dairy. If you are not able to get wine, use rum in the sweet milk. There is no objection to the use of a little spice to give an agree- able flavour. Either of these may be given in divided quantities very frequently, and are generally very pleasant to the patient. 75 half a lere be cle and ch pro- strong, athers, felt so e up at every powder leedfiil, follow- called white milk j d, then Brmilk, one of ^oii are If you There agree- livided easant FITS. FITS in children generally arise from teething, worms or some other substance irritating the stomach and bowels, or from something wrong with the brain. Supposing a fit has come on, and you have no physician at hand, apply cloths, dipped in hot mustard and water or turpentine, to the feet and lower part of the legs till the skin is quite in- flamed, and cold water with a little vinegar in it to the head. While doing this, have one, two, or three teaspoonfuls of ipecacuanha wine, or mustard and warm water, ready; watch for an opportunity, and get a sufficient quantity swallowed to produce vomiting. When this is over, the child may be so exhausted as to require a small quantity of wine or spirit and water, and will most likely take a long sleep. When you are sufficiently calm after your painful task, for it is very painful to see a little one in such a state, it becomes your duty to endeavour to find out the cause, and so, if pos- sible, prevent a return. If it be the teeth, lancing the gums may be needful ; if from the stomach, a dose of purgative ; if from worms, the treatment as given in page 151. But perhaps the brain is at fault. You should therefore procure the best f dvice you can, and do not take the responsibility upon yourself. But if away from medical assistance, a great deal can be done by keeping the brain free from excitement strictly attending to the digestion, and carefully guarding the child from eating any of the numerous articles called " trash," which they seem to eat from no earthly reason but that they are not fit for them. In adults, you will meet with apoplexy, epilepsy, and other seizures. In nearly every case these are so sadden. ■i m n 76 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. that it is not possible for you to procure a doctor; and, therefore, it is all the more needful for you to have an answer to the question, ** Can I do anything 1 and, if so, what is the best thing to do 1" Well, then, the best thing you can do, in a fit of any description is, first, loosen the clothing, stays, collar, necktie, cap string, or whatever there may be. Suppose it be Apoplexy. In many cases this is so quickly fatal that your services will be useless ; but, if not, you will find the face flushed — ^nearly purple, the breathing laboured, like very deep snoring ; and all power gone from the limbs. After loosing the clothes, raise the head and shoulders well up, but be careful not to bend the neck forward on to the breast. Apply cold to the head, and warmth to the feet. If you know that the person has taken a meal shortly before the attack, if within reach of a chemist, give a dose of sul- phate of zinc in warm water, or mustard and water, or any other emetic at hand. After this has operated, a dose of purgative medicine. If a sufiicient quantity of fluid cannot be swallowed, and you cannot excite vomiting by tickling the throat, etc., get from the chemist two drops of croton oil, on a small bit of sugar, and put it on the tongue, and, if possible, get it swallowed ; if you be away from a chemist, or have not the oil, you must wait till you can give some ordinary purgative. Any person, with a stout habit of body, or short neck and florid crimson countenance, should carefully avoid all descriptions of food likely to disagree with him, and never eat a heavy meal, particularly near bedtime. In Epilepsy you have convulsive working of the muscles of the face and limbs, and also very frequently biting the r^ quickly you will aboured, le limbs, lers well •n to the the feet, ly before e of sul- ', or any I dose of d cannot tickling oton oil, J, and, if chemist, ve some biabit of , should disagree ly near muscles ing the tongue — quite different from the stupid, heavy, drunken-like state of apoplexy. All that you can do during the fit is to protect the patient from injury, and get a piece of india- rubber, a towel, or handkerchief, into the mouth, so as not to stop the breathing, but to protect the tonj^ue. After recoveiy, endeavour to find if possible the cause, and let that, whether it be particular kinds of diet, occupation, or excite- ment, be abstained from. Sometimes a simple remedy, such as tying a bandage tightly round a leg or arm, will prevent an attack ; but generally the seizure is too sudden to allow time for anything to be done. The cause and treatment of this sad complaint are far beyond the limits of this little book, and the remedies are such as ought not to be used, except under the watchful care of a physician. All that you can do is to guard the patient against injury, and to avoid the cause — if vou know it. MISCELLANEOUS. ULCERS OP THE Leg. — It is not an uncommon thing in country districts to find persons who have been afflicted with ulcers for a long time. They will tell you that they have poulticed with nearly every herb that ever grew, and used ointments made of every substance which can be found either on the earth, or in the earth, or in the waters under the earth ; yet they never show the slightest inclination to heal, but gradually become worse, till at last the constitu- tion breaks down under the constant irritation, the drain, and the loss of exercise and sleep. No dressings will ever heal them without proper support. Cut strips of sticking-plaster, so long that they will nearly^ 'i I 78 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. but not quite, meet round the leg, and as broad as two fingers. See that the parts are clean and dry ; warm the plaster, take one end of it in each hand, fix one end on the sound part, pull the plaster down hard and tight across the wound, and see that it does not slip ; begin at the bottom, two inches below the wound, and go up to two inches above it, letting the edge of each piece overlap the one below it halt' | an inch, exactly like slates on the roof of a house. Then put on a bandage, rather tightly , hut evenly, from the toes to the knee, and let the leg he kept up. The plasters must be changed once a week or oftener, as soon as they become loose or offensive, but not before. If the sore looks pale and flabby wash it with a lotion of ten grains of sulphate of zinc (commonly called white vitriol), and sixteen teaspoonfuls of water. Never touch this or any other sore, when it is heal- ing, with rag, but pour the water on to it. The secret of | curing these obstinate places is in giving support by the plaster and bandage. To do this the plaster must be pulled tight across the sore. Boils and Carbuncles are considered to show poverty of the blood, and should have a good diet to cure them. But a boil, lijwever painful, is not dangerous, and seldom re- quires more than a poultice or a plaster of resin ointment, or the old-fashioned but excellent soap and sugar. A boil is a single lump, containing eitheis softer matter or a harder sub- stance called a core. When this is discharged, the place heals up, and the person feels little the worse. A carbuncle is a much larger sore, sometimes two or three inches wide, composed of cells like a honeycomb. The nape of the neck is a very frequent spot for one to appear. They are most painfully sensitive; the patient dreads the slightest touch) mm MISCELLANEOUS. 79 or even breathing upon it. If you meet with a case of this description, seek advice at once, and, in the meanwhile poultice and give the best diet you can. "Whitlow. — Though in itself a small aifair, there are few things which cause such suffering, and which are so neglected and allowed to have their own way. Surgeons are constantly meeting with people who have lost bones of the finger or thumb, and have stiff joints from this cause. At the com- mencement great relief is sometimes obtained by soaking the part in the following mixture : take half a gill of strong vinegar, and dissolve it in a tablespoonful of saleratus (car- bonate of potash). Let it be used as hot as can be borne, and repeat as often as the pain returns.^ but if matter be formed there are two ways of treating it ; one by allowing the matter to destroy the parts and find its own way out, generally around the nail : this takes from two to six weeks of severe suffering ; the other is by making a small opening down to the bone to allow the matter to escape, which takes one moment to do, gives relief in an hour, and can be done without giving any pain. It is a great pity for any one so to fear the very slight operation as to lose the use of a thumb for life, and if near a surgeon or public institution, there is in the present day no excuse. In either case a poultice must be constantly applied. In-growing Nails. — Some people are much troubled with the edges of the nail of a toe cutting into the flesh. The cause is, pressure on the nail, which is strong and round, so that the edges are driven downwards. Take a bit of broken window-glass, and scrape the arch of the nail, till it is so thin and weak that it cannot resist the pressure, and as a natural consec^uence, it will flatten and become wider. m m < ft 80 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. 'i, and pre. the back, the body o then the h the part i away all lay, bathe 3 pressure, cing little le weight, n be of no ill the ear til a little Id lay the need not irst warm r minutes she when ef and a ded to. hippings generally bodkin under the lid, press gently upon it with your finger, and pushing outwards, against the lid, with the bodkin, sweep the little nuisance into the inner corner of the eye. In steam-vessels, where cases of cinder in the eye are constantly occurring, I have found this plan almost always succeed. If you have not a bodkin, you can use the head of a smooth pin, or any small, smooth article ; or pull the lid away from the eye, put a little slip of writing paper under the lid, press gently upon it and draw it away. Sometimes a small chipping of iron gets fixed on to the ball •f the eye, and engineers are often very expert in removing them with the point of a penknife. But if you can get a good magnet, it will draw away the chip of iron without any risk of injuring the eye. Things in the Nose and Ear. — ^Anyone accustomed to children, knows how apt they are to push small articles, such as peas, beans, and pebbles into these places. If in the nose, take a pair of small pliars, or a pair of scissors with blunt points ; put the points into the nostril, and then open them gently, across the face — you Avill be able to stretch the nostril without giving pain ; at the same time, put the finger above the substance and press it downwards — not the finger and thumb, so as to pinch the nose. If this does not answer, di'aw out the scissors and tickle the inside of the nose, or give a very small pinch of snutT, so as to make the child sneeze. In either the nose or ear, after stretching them open for a fsw minutes, it may be possible for you to get a bodkin past the substance, and eo draw it out ; but if you do not succeed, take the child to a surgeon, or you may inflame the place and make it ulcerate. Peas and beans are of more conse({uence than stone or metal substances, for they soon 'm ii 82 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. swell with the moisture and warmth of the place. I have myself known a pea left in the nostril of a poor neglected child till it began to sprout ; fortunately by that time it had become so soft that it was easily broken down and remov^ed, and the ulcer prevented coming through the side. In case of any insect getting into the ear, fill it with oil, and the insect will die immediately. Choking. — Bits of meat or bone — particularly fish-bone — become fixed in the throat, and according to the size, produce either sufibcation (choking) or troublesome tickling cough. Treatment. — If the person be choking, give a smart smack with the open hand beoween the shoulders. In nine cases out of ten the sudden compression of the air in the chest will shoot the substance out of the mouth j but if not, look into the throat, and see if there be anything you can reach with your finger and thumb or a large blunt-pointed pair of scissors, and pull it out. If you do not succeed in this, take a silver or pewter tablespoon, bend it a little, and push it down the throat. Keep quite to the back of the throat, and you will do no harm. If there be a doctor near, send to him. But this is a case which admits of no delay, and the life hangs upon your coolness and quickness of action. If it be only a small substance in the throat, and the person can swallow, give plenty of bread or potato and a drink of water after it.^ If this is not sufficient, give a tea- spoonful of mustard and warm water, or any other emetic you have at hand ; and after the person has vomited, you will generally find it all right. If you do not succeed, send for a surgeon. 83 9. I have neglected ime it had 1 removed, In case il, and tlie isli-bone- :e, produce g cough. tart smack nine cases chest will look into •each with i pair of this, take id push it hroat, and id to hira. id the life and the to and a ive a tea- sr emetic ited, you 3ed, send PEOPLE BEING FROZEN. r\OLl> weather is seldom so severe in Great Britain as to ^ cause death ; but such cases do occur to persons who are much exposed, such as shepherds, watchmen, and others. Whether the whole body or only part is affected, the prin- ciple of the treatment is the same. Avoid a sudden change. If a person be found quite be- numbed with cold, if you take him direct to a fire you may perhaps destroy life ; a bam, a shed, or a room, which feels very cold to you, is warm enough at first. Remove the clothes if wet, and rub the body dry, put him into blankets, and give a little warm wine and water, or weak spirit and water, or tea ; after a while, remove him to a warmer room, but still not near a fire, and so gradually increase the warmth. If you should ever be so situated in intensely cold weather as not to be able to reach a place of shelter, and find your strength failingj look out for a snowdrift on the side of a hill away from the wind ; or if on a moor, try to find a hollow filled lip with snow ; scrape a hole large enough for your body and creep into it, then you are comparatively safe : the snow will shelter you from the wind and keep you warm. Human beings and sheep have lain for days in this way, and been saved. But never forget the first warning of danger. If you feel a desii'e to sleep, and give way to it in the open country, it will be the sleep of death ; you must keep in motion, however painful, or perish. But there is another effect of cold, which is generally caused by i;>tanding or walking against a very cold wind, which is called being nip2>e<:h I have seen a person suddenly 84 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. seized with great pain in the bowels, drawn together with cramp, the hands so swollen as to require the gloves to be cut off, and with intense headache. The same treatment answers : gradual warmth, very small quantities of warm stiijiulants, and, after a while, hot flannel to the painful parts. Fkv^st Bites attack the extremities and projecting parts of the body, hands, feet, nose, ears. They are frequently so rapid and free from pain, that a person is not aware of any- thing being wrong. In Canada, when meeting a friend in the street, I have both given and taken the caution, " Mind your nose, sir, it looks wliitish." The blood, you know, when warm, is fluid, but when it is cold forms a solid clot — and you also know that when water or other liquid freezes, it expands, and so breaks water bottles and jugs, and it also becomes lighter. Now, precisely the same thing takes place in frost bites; the blood in the part gets cold and runs slowly, then stops, all the little bloodvessels are 3hoked aud swollen, you apply heat and burst them, causing dreadful suffering and troublesome wounds ; or if you do nothing, the circulation is quite stopped, and the part dies or mortifies. Treatment. — Keep the person away from all heat j if you can, get clean snow and rub the parts constantly with it ; or if you cannot find snow get the coldest water. Let the patient himself rub if possible, for the exertion will keep him sufficiently warm. You mutit continue this rubbing for hours in severe cases, till you get the parts quite soft, and something near the natural colour. You must not allow any complaints or feeling of compassion to stop your rubbing, or to cause you to bring him into a warm room. Put on I" PEOPLE BEING FROZEN. 85 bher with ►ves to be ireatment of warm 3 painful ing parts uentljr so e of any- friend in I, " Mind u know, id clot — d freezes, id it also kes place md runs oked and dreadful hing, the irtlfies. j if you with it ; Let the ceep him bing for soft, and ot allow rubbing, Put on extra clothing, or let him have a iim for a minute, but do not come near a fire. After you have done this, anoint well with sweet oil or lard, or lime-water and oil, and wrap up well with flannel. If you should have any sores, dress them with the Turner's cerate on lint, the same as burns. We had one case on board a steamer, which happily caused more amusement than suf- fering. The men were busy in the very dirty employment of removing ashes. One of the engineers, being off duty, had dressed himself in his shore ciotlios ready for a walk. After standing some time talking, one of the men noticed the white patch on his cheek, and instantly gathering a handful of snovr, commenced rubbing vigorously. In his eagerness to benefit his friend, he had forgotten the state of his hands, till the snovr began to melt, which gave a most extraordinary mottled black and white look to the engineer's face, and little inic-like streams trickled down his best clothes. Chilblains are in trutli the same in every way as frost bites, but in a milder form. They are more troublesome than dangerous, though in persons of weak circulation, or if neglected they cause sores which last through the winter. Prevention is better than cure. The only way to prevent them is to wear warm clothing on the hands and feet, keep up the circulation by exercise, and above all things do not bring them suddenly from cold to great heat. This is the whole secret of prevention. V/hen they are formed, but not broken, rub well two or tL- -^-e times a day with equal parts of camphorated spirit and lead lotion, or Goulard's extract (this was a favoui 'te recipe with the late Sir Astley Cooper), 6 i 86 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. m ! ^ Hi! or equal parts of camphorated spirit and soap liniment, or Bweet oil and spirits of turpentine, or with an ointment made of a teaspoonful of dry mustard and an ounce of lard. Any of these are good, but if the skin be broken do not use them, but dress the sores with Turner's cerate spread on lint, just like a sore after a burn, or with the old-fashioned but excel- lent application of chalk and tallow, but it is not safe to use ^ the grease of candles, as chemicals are so much used in making them, but take a little mutton suet, melt it, and while warm mix it with whiting till it is a proper thickness for use. Either of these will give almost immediate relief. BATHS, BATHING, ETC. AMONG these miscellaneous hints I may say a few words about BATHS and bathing. Cleanliness not only helps the doctor, but would often prevent the necessity of sending for him. " Cleanliness is next to godliness" is a very old saying. To speak of a dirty Christian seems a contradiction. It is better for the body, better for the soul, and better for those around us, to be clean. I do not mean to find fault with the small particles of what you work amongst which cling to you, such as coal to the collier, or iron-filings to tlie smith. That is not dirt, but merely the livery of your trade. If you reside in a large town you can have a bath for a trifle; but if not, have a good scrub down or a swim whenever you have the chance. Cold Bathing ^should not be used directly after a meal, nor when you are wet with perspiration, nor without advice when you are ill. As soon as the bather begins to shiver, BATHS, BATHINO, ETC. 87 ment, or ent made d. Any ise tliem, lint, just ►ut excel- £e to use used in t it, and ihickness e relief. Bw words nly helps f sending very old radiction. better for ind fault jst which Lgs to the )ur trade, r a trifle; Lever you r a meal, it advice shiver, or the nails turn blue, it is time to stop. Always wet the head first, or as quickly as possible, before the feet get cold. In every ciise rub the skin after bathing till it is warm. The SiiowEii Bath can be easily made by pouring water through a cullender held above the head by anotlier person. But do not use it withoub advice, for it is a powerful i-emedy. A Vapour Bath is very useful in cutting short an attack of rheumatism or severe influenza cold ; and if applied early, may prevent weeks of sniTering, especially in grown-up peo- ple, and where there is not convenience for a warm bath. Have the bed Mnd body-linen ready, warm ; lay a bit of car- pet on the floor ; let the patient sit on a chair with a wood or cane bottom ; fasten a large blanket round hi!^ neck, to reach well down to the floor ; place a bucket, two-thirds full of hot water, under it ; have ready two bricks hot in the fire ; put one into the bucket, and cover the patient well up with the blanket, like a small tent ; let no cold air get in ; if needful, put in the other brick, and in a short time you will have the skin streamin*: with perspiration ; rub dry with hot towels ; put on night-clothes, and then to bed. A Warm Bath for a Child (nov an Infant). — Fill a tub two-thirds full of warm water, so as not to flow over when the child is put in, and wrap the child in a small blanket — keep this on while in the bath to protect it from draughts of cold air. Mothers who have not tried this plan have no idea how it takes away fear from a young child, and adds to its comfort. In trying the heat of water, poultices or fomentations for a child, do not trust to your hand, which is hardened by exposure and work ; but to some part more sensitive, such as your arm or cheek. 88 USEFUL HINTS. IN any complaint where there is much perspiration, do not go directly from a cold or frosty air to the bedside. In Kheumatic Fever the skin of a patient is particularly sen- sitive, and you may cause a chill which may have a bad effect j better wait in another room for a few minutes. There is no complaint which requires so much gentleness as this. A person in health can form no idea of the suffering. There is not only racking pain in every joint, but a dread of being touched, or of the slightest breath of air. Even when not within three or four feet of the patient, he will cry out to you not io tread upon him. The banging of a door, shut- ting a window down violently, letting anything fall, — all sud- den noises must be carefully guarded against. In changing the dress of a patient suffering from rheumatism, or any sore on the arms or upper part of the body, there is often great and unnecessary distress caused by getting the arms in and out of the sleeves of the shirt or nightdress, or even a chemise, when fitted closely to the chest. If the nursing be likely to continue long, it adds very greatly to the comfort of both patient and attendant, to cut open the sleeves and one side of the garment, and p. it on small strings of tape, just as is done with the sleeves of a man's coat when an arm is broken, but nearer together Generally with a long sleeve the wristband may be left un- cut, and the garment not opened lower them tli(j wjiist, but this must be determined by the requirements of the case. In cases of extreme debility, where it is not safe for the patient to be raised even for a moment, all risk and inconvenience be avoided by cutting open both the dress which is in may open USEFUL HINTS. 89 3. rr do not ide. In irly sen- ve a bad There as this. There of being vhen not y out to or, shut- -all Slid- ing fi'om irt of the ;aused by e shirt or !y to the g, it adds jndant, to nd p. it on eves of a together left 11 n- aisr, but case. In e patient Lvenience ich is in wear, and the fresh one, and lifting the patient on to it just as is done in changing the bed-clothes. This plan does not destroy or injure the clothes in any way ; it is merely tha seams which require to bo ripped, and they can be sewn again for ordinary use. Any one who has seen Leeches used knows how difficult it is sometimes to get them to bite readily ; and the old nurses can tell you how they seem to be possessed with a Spirit of contradiction. They will either refuse to bite at all, or will fasten anywhere but on the desired spot. All sorts of instructions are given in books, but most of them are useless. A leech partakes to some extent of the nature of a fish, that in, it lives in water ; and therefore, instead of holding them in a warm hand or a dry towel, act in this way : — First wash the place perfectly clean, then put your leeches into a wineglass, and fill it with water ; put a piece of paper over it, turn the glass upside down on to the place where you want them to fix, and draw the paper away ; you will find now that the leeches, being in their native element, are cool and comfortable, and will settle instantly, thereby saving a great amount of vexation and loss of time. As soon as they have taken hold, place a towel round the glass to soak up the water, and remove it. In this way you get them exactly where j^ou wish, either all on one spot or dis- tributed over a larger space, by putting on only one or two at a time. If you require one on a very particular spot, for instance, close to the eye, and have not a proper leech-glass, put it tail first into a small narrow phial filled with water. Where they have to be used inside the mouth, nostrils, etc., it is bet- ter to pass a needleful of thread through the tail to hold by ; it will not prevent them biting ; and if one should be swal- 90 TILL THR DOCTOR COMES. lowed, drink a little salt and water. Leeches are always ex- jiensive, but with a little care they need not be destroyed. "When they come off do not dip them into salt ; put them into a large jar of water, with an inch or two of turf or garden soil ; change the water every day for tlio first week, then once a week will be sufficient ; in this they will clear themselves and recover. Any dead ones must be removed, or they will spoil the water and destroy the others. There is a secret in handling a broken or sore limb. Never take hold with the points of the fingers as if you were afraid of it, and keep your patient in fear lest you should let it fall. Take a firm grasp, let the limb rest on the palm of your hand, and support it with your thumb and fingers. All shaking, nervous handling of a limb is misery to the sufferer. In the case of bones being broken, it is better to place one hand below and the other above the fracture to keep it level. For these and many other cases you require what surgeons call a cradle to support the weight of the bed-clothes. Any handy man can make one with two straight pieces of wood, and two or three hoops of a flour barrel. Some people are very subject to Sore Throat, and where it has once happened, a slight cause is sufficient to bring it on again, and if neglected it frequently runs on to ulceration. You may almost always check this, if at the very commence- ment you apply a wet bandage in this way : Take a piece of linen or calico the breadth of four fi nepers and three or four O feet long, dip this into cold water, then squeeze it gently and apply it round the neck, cover with a fold or two of flannel or a woollen stocking, and let it be kept on all night. And for a gargle you will find the following very valuable : — Put USEFUL HINTS. 91 ways ex- estroyed. ut them if turf or st week, ivill clear removed, RE LIMB. a if you lest you > rest on umb and s misery ceil, it is Dove the [ler cases bie weight with two f a flour 1(1 where bring it ccration. mmence- . piece of B or four ntly and •f flannel t. And e :—Put into a jug a handful of dry sage leaves, two tablespoonfuls of salt, four tablespoonfuls of vinegar, and one teaspoonful of cayenne pepper ; pour upon these a pint of boiling water, cover up close, and after standing half an hour, pour clear off through a bit of muslin into a bottle. I wish now to draw the attention of all who are trying how to help the doctor, to the subject of the first walk after serious illness. This is a far more important matter than it appears to be. It would be quite safe to say, that in ninety cases out of every hundred it is overdone, and the patient made worse instead of better, for the very simple reason, that there is no thought of the fatigue of coming back again. The usual plan is for the patient to walk away from the house till he feels tired, then turns towards home, where he arrives faint and exhausted. Never forget this simple truth : every step taken by an invalid after he is fatigued does injury. Therefore, when you are out with a patient for the first walk, instead of saying to him, " Do you feel tired now r say, " How tired will you be when you have done this over again f^ When a patient is sitfficiently luell to sit up in hedy a shawl is very inconvenient. The ends dip into the food, and are constantly irritating the patient by getting on to the little bit of work going on. Then, again, it must be either fasten- ed so tightly round the body as to confine the arms, or if they are used, it must be raised so that both they and the chest are exposed. Instead of this I would strongly recom mend an article 1 have for many years used amongst my own patients — that is, a flannel jacket, made very loose about the shoulders and arms, and to button from the neck down the front and at the wrists. The neck and wristbands should be ^s Wi IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 11.25 ■tt lii 12.2 ■IMU 1.4 11.6 Photograiiiic Sciences Corpopation ■^^ s;^ O ^^ ^V^"^ 33 WRST MAIN STMIT WliSTIR,N.Y. 14SS0 (716)S72-4S03 *% 5> ^ I t Hi 92 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. lined with a bit of silk or other soft iDaterial so as not to chafe the skin. Let there be tvv^o good pockets, one for the handkerchief and the other for the spectacles, eye-glass, pen- cil, thimble, and other small things which are always going astray. The season of tlie year, the kind of room, and nature of the illness, Avill guide you as to the v/armth, and your means as to quality. This is quite a distinct thing from the common long dressing gown used when a person is out of bed, and when neatly made of line white flannel and some little taste displayed in the binding, looks exceedingly clean, useful and becoming. If you use quite new flannel, it should be well washed with hot water and soap before being made up, or the smell may be very offensive to a per- son confined to bed. There is scarcely a week .passes without some life being lost by having given either wrong medicme or an improper dose, or some liniment, lotion, or poisonous disinfecting fluid, instead of medicine. And therefore, in every case where you undertake to help the doctor, see that the labels on the bottles are distinctly written, and that you know without any doubt which is to be swallowed. It is too late after an accident to say you did not understand. If, unfortunately, the helper cannot read, let her learn by the smell which is the rubbing bottle, and keep it separate from the medicine. If any medicines be left when an illness is over, let them be destroyed. I do not mean simples such as you make your- selves, but powders, mixtures, and other things sent from the chemists. It is quite right to be economical, but not in these matters. I once knew a lady of a saving turn of mind who used to say, *• Physic is physic, and if it does good to one, why not to another ]" and when any fresh case of sick; USEFUL HINTS. 93 r IS not to for the fass, pen- '-ys going foni, and |ntli, and ict tiling person is nnel and 3eedingly V flannel, ip before to a per- ife being improper ing fluid, ^here you s on the without after an tunatelv, which is iiedicine. them be !ve your- from the b not in of mind good to of sick- ness occurred would insist upon the old stock being used up before buying any more. I need scarcely point out to you the folly of such conduct. Supposing you could ensure it being good, which you cannot do, for even exposure to light will alter some drugs ; you could not tell if in any particular case it would be suitable ; or if the label be rubbed off and you merely guess at the quantity to be given, you may com- mit a serious mistake. Let all bottles which have contained mixtures be emptied, and both them and the corks washed carefully with hot v/ater and a little soap, then dried and put ft r ay for future use. Parti ^^Mriy ought you to be cautious not to leave them in the way of children, and never trust to their being safe because of having a disagreeable taste. No one would sup- pose there was anything tempting in the flavour of a common lucifer match, and yet we have had several cases of poisoning by children sucking the ends of them. Only a few days before this was written a boy who had frequently watched his mother administering physic, caused the death of his younger sister by giving her a teacupful of turpentine, and another has lost his own life by drinking sulphuric acid. When following out the directions of the doctor, be particu- lar even in what you may consider little things — little only to you, remember, because you do not see the reason for them, '^or instance, he will direct you when giving some powders to mix them with sugar and not with preserve, because he knows that the acid in proseiwe would destroy the medicine. In another case he will direct you to keep from your patient all bread, and almost every description of vegetable — to feed him almost entirely on animal food. You will think this very unnatural — true, it is so — but so is the 1 1 I m 1 m I. If *i 04 TILL TItE DOCTOR COMES. complaint, and requires an unnatural diet ; and in this par- ticular disease, the chance of recovery depends not upon drugs, but on the faithfulness with regard to diet in those to whom is entrusted the important question of how to help the doctor. ii . CAUTIONS AGAINST COMMON ERRORS. I FIND a very common error amongst ignorant people is to suppose that all medicine ought to act as a purgative, that is, to open the bowels ; indeed they cannot believe that it is likely to do any good if it does not do so. I remember once seeing a patient with a severe chest complaint. The doctor who had seen her before remarked that she was very much better. "Indeed!" said her mother, "I don't see what could make her better, for the pills you ordered have done nothing. I mention this for two reasons : first, that this is quite a mistake, for in many cases it would take away the patient's chance of recovery; and, secondly, to warn you against the foolish, expensive, and injurious habit many people have of taking quantities of aperient pills and other drugs. Few of you are aware of the number of lives lost by strong, hurtful medicines. I have myself seen a man die, after being a few hours in the hospital, whose history is worth recording. He told us, that when he first felt ill he read a description of some wonderful pills, which were to do great things for him; he took at first only two at a time, but soon found that he was obliged to continue taking them, and constantly increase the number, till when I saw him, his regular dose was six- CAUTIONS AGAINST COMMON ERRORS. 95 this par- |not upon those to to help people is •urgative, ieve that emember nt. The was very ion't see red have 3 quite a patient's ainst the have of Few of , hurtful ag a few ng. He 3tion of "or him; that he increase ^&a six- teen pills every second night. By that time nature could stand against the abuse no longer, and he died. Some years ago I met with an educated lady, who very highly recommended some pills, and as she expressed it (and thereby let out the secret), " Indeed, I could not live with- out tl^em : I have used them for a long time, and now take forty-two twice a week regularly !" If you read carefully some of the advertisements of these wonderful quack medi- cines, you must see that they cannot possibly be true. Ac- cording to them all diseases arise from one cause, and if you will only take their medicine you will soon be in perfect health ; in other words, you need never be ill, and never die but of old age. In some of the colonies where the inhabitants are very widely scattered, and no doctor to be found within a day's journey, there may be some excuse for buying what are called patent medicines, but not in this country, where good advice may be had by the poorest person in the land. In the same way, never consult a doctor who is obliged to publish his wondeiful skill and cui'es in a newspaper. De- l)end upon it, if a doctor be clever and understands his pro- fession as he ought to do, people will find it out without any newspaper advertisement. It is astonishing how careless some people are in taking dangerous medicines. I was once called in to a gentleman, forty years of age, whom I found lying on the floor in a most pitiable state, vomiting, purging blood, with fearful cramps and pain. I could obtain no information as to the cause of attack ; he had been at the office as usual, and walked home a distance of three miles. After adopting suitable treatment for several hours, I left him very much relieved, and the next day he was sufficiently restored to .51 I I 1 m 'i •? f 96 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. give me the history of the affair. He said, " I was in my usual health, but a little bilious, and thought a good dose of calomel would do me good. I called at a confectioner's and botight an ounce of calomel lozenges ; as I came out I asked> * what strength V * One grain,* answered tlie lady ; so I kept taking them all the way. I had not taken any food since morning. After being at home about two hours I was seized with horrible pains, and was dying when you came and saved me. That's all I can tell you about it." " Now," I said, " let me see the lozenges you have left." "When I examined them I found each one stamped " calomel one grain." By having the remainder weighed, I found that during his long walk he had eaten fourteen of them. Here is an instance of an educated man filling a high station under Government, taking this frightful quantity of a power- ful drug without first ascertaining whether each lozenge was sufficient for a dose, or whether the whole ounce was to be taken, which lie supposed was the case. Have full confidence in your doctor; never attempt to deceire him, for he is almost sure to find it out, and will certainly not respect you for it. Do not be content with simply telling the truth, and nothing but the truth, but tell him the whole truth. I once asked a lady, who had then only two more days to live, what quantity of brandy she took in a day. She said, " Three wineglassfuls ;" this was the truth, and nothing but the truth, but it was very far from being the whole ti*uth, for she had thirteen ! Do not forget that you are infinitely more obliged to the doctor for spending years of toil and study, for leaving his home at all hours, and exposing himself to the danger of infection, than he can be to you. Even though you should CAUTI0K8 AGAINST COMMON ERROBS. 97 as in my »cl dose of >ner's and I asked* so I any food irs I was ou came " Now," When I omel one und that n. Here h station a power- ^enge was v^as to be itempt to and will ent with , but tell had then mdy she this was very far d to the ving his mger of 1 should not be in a position to pay him in money, yet you can cheer him on his way by showing him a thankful, grateful spirit. I have during my life seen many thousands of what are called the working-classes, the comparatively poor, and I know how helpful you are to each other in the time of suf- fering. You feel for one another when sick ; according to your ability you strive to assist one another. Even witli very limited means yourselves, you will share with those who have still less. All this I have seen and admired ; but there is one way in which you are apt to let your kindness get the better of your judgment. I allude now to the bad habit, more particularly amongst women, of crowding into the sick room, spoiling the air, tiring the patient, and not in any way adding to her comfort. But this is not so objec- tionable as the style of conversation which too frequently takes place. Just read this, and ask yourselves if it is likely to do good. The patient, a woman, was exceedingly ill, very weak and very low. There were already three friends in the room, when two other females entered. I give you the words of one of them exactly, spoken in a whisper, but so loud that the patient could not help hearing. "Ah, poor dear, her does look bad ; her does so remind me of Mrs. Blank, as died last summer ; her won't be long here, I should think. Well, only for them poor children, it would be a mercy if she was took." I know your visit is kindly meant. You intend to sympathize and do good, but thia melancholy, de- pressing conversation is a serious evil. We are told in the Bible that " the spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity ;" be careful, then, to do all in your power to keep up that spirit : be cheerful, be hopeful, be trustful. Let your motto be, " Never despair," for in most cases while there is life I!']; 98 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. there is hope. Give your patient every opportunity of re- covering by following out all the directions of the doctor, not only by doing and giving, but what is far more difficult, by not doing and not giving, but each in its proper place. HOW TO HELP WITH AN INFANT. A BABE in a house is a well-spring of pleasure, a mes- senger of peace and love. The young husband walks about with his head some inches higher than usual, and feel- ing proud and big with his newly-acquired title of father. The young wife is smiling through her tears with the joy of having become a mother. Baby has arrived, exactly like its mother, and the very image of its father, and the doctor says, " It's a bonny little thing, sound wind and limb," and he hopes it will be a comfort to them. Now what are we do with it, the most helpless of all young creatures 1 First it is washed, then some spirits rubbed on its head, one or two caps, and perhaps some flannel are put on, and it is dressed. Then, of course, it must begin life by taking some sort of physic, either castor oil and sugar, or butter and sugar made into a thick paste ; shortly after this it is laid on its back, and some gruel is poured down its throat, and it is put to bed ; but alas ! not to sleep. In a little while it begins to cry, and it is so uneasy that some- thing has tn be given to make it sleep, or there will be no rest either for itself or others. If it has been sufficiently crammed, and unfortunately has not been sick, it is very likely to have a convulsive fit, and after a hard day*s work the doctor will be roused out of bed to find it sufiering HOW TO HELP WITH AN INFANT. 99 ifcy of re- octor, not fficult, by ice. •e, a mes- ne! walks and feel- of father. he joy of y like its ctcr says, •," and lie all young ibbed on are put in life by Jugar, or tftor this down its p. In a Eit some- 11 be no Siciently is very r's work mfferin^ misery from all this interfering with nature, or to find it already gone where thousands of infants have been sent be- fore it. Now all this is an abomination ; it is ignorance and cruelty, and it does not make it one whit less so for the helper to say she did it out of kindness : it is inflicting pain upon both mother and child when there is no occasion for it. Now let an old physician, who loves children and has watched over hundreds of them, plead for these helpless little ones. Let me tell you a few plain truths. There is no oil nor any other medicine needed for an infant that has a mother to suckle it. The first supi)ly of milk is purgative, and quite different to what comes afterwards. No infant requires food the first twenty-four hours ; no infant ever died for want of food the first day of its existence, but hundreds have died from over-feeding. And I need not say, give no spirit or soothing mixture, for if you do not abuse its stomach, but have faith and leave it to nature, you will not require any. As to the dressing, there is almost always sufficient notice for you to prepare the things, and with very little trouble, a few tapes and a needleful of cotton, you may do away with the dangerous practice of using pins. You will, perliaps, think this caution not required, but if you had seen as many torn limbs and deep scratches in an infant as I have, you would not think so. Only this last month there was an instance of a child who was very restless and uneasy, and who would, if a little older, have been scolded and punished for being cross, and on careful examination a broken needle more than an inch long was found in its side, which would have gone through had it not been turned aside by a lib, and there it had lain for a month. No. "Wash the little stranger with lukewarm water and soap, and dry the skin 100 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. •well, use no spirit, fiisten the clotlios on not too tightly with strings or a needleful of cotton. It is better not to have any cap, for the border ia very apt to tickle and rub the face ; but if you must have one, let it be as thin and light as possible. Give it nothing ; or if you cannot resist the temptation, let it have occasionally a tciispoonful of milk and warm water not too sweet, till the proper supply comes ; but no oil, no butter, no gruel, no s[)irit, no mess of any kind, but with its body clean and with its tiny breath sweet and pure, lay it in its proper warm nest, the place which God has appointed for it, and child, mother, and nurse will have a calm, quiet sleep, such as all the drugs in the world cannot give, but which you may almost always enjoy, if you will exercise good plain common sense when you aie trying how to Iielp the doctor. It is quite possible that as the infant grows, particularly if he be what the nurses call ** a hungry child," it may re- quire a little artificial food, for if it drains off the nourish- ment from its mother's breast so constantly that the milk has not got time to be properly formed, it becomes thin and watery. The consequence is, that it passes directly through the stomach, and the child is never satisfied. This comes very hard upon the mothei*. In this case it is better to help both mother and child. I do not know any thing so good for this pui-pose as biscuit powder, which you can get ready ground at the flour dealer's, or if not, all you have to do is to get a good sound common biscuit without any butter or flavour of any kind. If you are near a seaport town, the captain's biscuit is exactly what you want. Ilub a bit of this fine and simmer it in water till quite smooth, then add XQUk till it is the thickness of good cream, and sweeten a ightly with lot to have id rub the n and light resist the of milk and i\y cornea; esa of any •eath sweet lace which nurse will the world ijoy, if you ai'e trying Particularly ' it may re- he nourish- it the milk es thin and bly through This cornea bter to help ing so good I get ready ive to do is ■ butter or b town, the lb a bit of '., then add •weeten a ttOV to ^EhP WITH AN INfANT. 101 little. If you give two or iliree teaspoonfuls of this just be- fore he takes his natural food, it will give him sufficient body to be satisfying, and do the child no harm. I prefer this to almost any artificial food, and have used it for thirty years ; but for a change, bread, sago, arrowroot, and other things may be substituted. It is not of so much importance which you use as fiow you use them, only to be guided by this fact — ^that a child's natural food is milk, and if you give any- thing much thicker than this, you will do harm. It is a mistake to suppose that every time a child cries it is hungry. The only way an infant can ask for anything is by crying. It may have pain in its limbs from being cramped up too long in one position, or from a hard crumb, or a pin, or from illness ; but as yet it has no power to use words ; it can only, by crying, say it wants something, and it is the duty of those w^ho are helping the doctor to find out tvliat. Now allow me to say a few words about habits. No one who has not actually proved it has any idea how very early in life an infant can be taught a habit, particularly cleanli- ness, by a slight amount of trouble and attendance every day. If any young wife should read this, let me assure her that this is " not one of those impossible things that are all very well in books, but no one ever thinks of doing." Let her only try it, and she will soon be convinced. I have seen infants only a few months old, who gave no more trouble than a child three years old, except, of course »6quiring assistance. About rocking the cradle. It is foolish to teach a child to •expect you to work at the cradle when it goes to sleep ; it occupies time, and does the child no good. The next habit 7 V; - .. . 102 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. is even worse, that is, teaching the child to compel you to walk about with it till it chooses to fall asleep, and then to put it to bed without awakening it, which you may tiy to do five or six times without succeeding, then each time you have to begin your walk again. Begin as you intend to go on. Lay it down awake, and if nature requires it, sleep will come, and if not, no rocking will force it ; but this must be taught from the very beginning. A healthy infant ought to sleep twenty hours out of the twenty-four, during its first month, which it will do without any rocking, and it is a great pity for you to teach it anything different. Never give an infant cold castor oil, it is too thick and sticky ; put it with an equal quantity of milk into a teacup, add a little sugar, and warm il ; it will then be quite fluid ; stir it well, and the child will take it without difiiculty. When a child is cutting teeth, there is always some feverish- ness and irritation. If the bowels be a little relaxed, do not be in any hurry to interfere; but if this requires to be checked, do not fly to soothing syrup, infants' prcpervatives, paregoric, or laudanum ; they are nearly all dangerous — one drop of laudanum has killed an infant. Try the following simple remedy first, and if it does not answer, consult a doctor ; Take a large teacupful of fine flour, tie it up as tightly as vou can in a cloth, and boil it for four hours ; then hang it up in a warm room till it is dry. You will find now that the outside is quite hard, like the shell of a cocoanut ; break some of this ofi*, and scrape out from the inside as much as you require ; boil this in milk till it is the thickness of cream, sweeten a little, and feed the child with it for a day or two. HOV/ TO HELP WITH AN INFANT. 103 [el you to |d then to my tiy to time you tend to go [sleep will |s must be ought to its first id it is a thick and a teacup, lite fluid ; dilHculty. 5 feverish- id, do not s checked, paregoric, 3 drop of ig simple I doctor ; ;iglitly as a hang it now that t j bi-eak much as ikness of br a day When the toetli are coming through the gums, do not give the child any hard substance to chew, such as coral or ivory, which breaks the enamel off the points and makes them decay ; the best thing is india-rubber, which you can get made into the proper shape at the druggists' or rubber shops ; before using it the first time wash it with warm watei*, and rub it over with a little treacle or sugar ; you will find this a great comfort to the child, and it is perfectly safe. Do not give a child animal food till it has teeth to chew it with. A very frequent complaint of infiints is the Thrush or ** frog." The iuoutli is lined with white spots, exactly like fine curds of milk ; and though in this stage it may not do the child much harm, it must not be allowed to run on. The usual remedy is borax and honey. A much better one is equal" parts of borax, saltpetre, and loaf sugar, rubbed well together ; a small pinch put into the child's inouth throe times a day. Keep it in a dry place. A child is during teething subject also to an eruption of small red spots, v,duch the nurses call Tooth Rash. A few doses of calcined magnesia will generally set this right. When the gams are swollen, very red, and painful, you should let your doctor see them ; they may require to be lanced. There is not the slightesfc doubt that when this is done in proper cases and at the proper time, it will save a <;hild from days and nights of suffering, and from convul- sions; but great comfort can be given by simply rubbing the gums gently with a finger and the least morsel of butter, and a dose of cooling medicine. If convulsions should occur, put the little one's feet into hot mustard and water till the 104 TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. skin is quite red ; give a dose of purgative medicine ; apply cold water to the head ; and send for your doctor. Never frighten a child by mentioning the doctor in any way as a punishment ; one would think that a moment's reflection would convince any person of the extreme folly of doing this. How can a physician find out the true state of a child's pulse, or breathing, or the countenance, when the poor little thing is trembling with fear ] I was once attend- ing a little girl about four years of age, and as usual we got on very well together ; but after some days the child would not come to me, but was so nervous and agitated that 1 could do no good. On making inquiry, I found that her mother had told her that if she did not do as she bid her, the doctor would come and " cut her head off." Of course the child believed her own mother, and therefore no wonder she looked upon me with horror. After a while I suc- ceeded in restoring confidence. I told her I would come to see her when she was ill, nay, if she had some dreadful fever, when others could not come to her, I would never forsake her, and so on. Young as she was, she very soon discovered that her mother had told her an untruth. Now^ instead of holding up the doctor as a bugbear to terrify a child, try to impress it that he comes upon a visit of mercy,, then it will be calm and trustful, and the doctor will have a better chance of restoring his patient to health. It is dreadful to hear of the abominable cruelty practised on poor helpless children by the stupid ignorance of some parents. How often do they get a blow or get punished when they ought to have medicine and careful nursing ! I say nothing here of the numbers of infants overlain and othei'wise killed by drunken mothers — their name is legion HOW TO HELP WITH AN INFANT. 105 le; apply x>r in any moment's erne folly true state when the ce attend- al we got ild would id that 1 that her B bid her, 3f course 10 wonder le I sue- i come to dreadful lid never rery soon 1. NoWy terrify a 3f mercy,. 11 hav© a practised of some punished sing ! I lain and is legion *— but from stupidity and want of common thought. Look at this cate, which has just been published in the news- papers. A boy is talien into a yard naked, and buckets of cold water poured over him ; is beaten every day, kept without food, not allowed a bed to lie on, chained to a post, and other cruelties, till he is nearly dead. And why ? Be- cause he was not clean in his habits. "When he was taken to the hospital, it was found that the poor little thing had been suffering for months from a very painful disease, which made it impossible for him to act as a child in good health would do, and which without the brutality of its father would have destroyed it in a few days had it not been rescued. When taking an infant out, and you require to shade its face from the sun or wind, be careful that the handkerchief, or whatever you use, does uot touch the face. Few people are aware what a slight thing will suffocate a child if its hands be fastened so that it cannot use them. A very fine child lost its life in this way not very long since. A silk handkerchief was thrown over its face, and the wind blew it against the mouth and nose; so that evejy time the infant gasped for air, it sucked in the handkerchief still closer, and as it could not ciy, there was nothing to arouse its mother, till on her arrival at home she found it dead. One of the common ailments of children is the "Worms. If you notice a child grinding its teeth, rubbing its nose, and otherwise complaining of itching, and the appetite un- certain, you may conclude it is so, and the child will not thrive till they are got rid of. They sometimes cause seiious illness, which is known as " worm fever." You may prevent this by a little timely attention, without giving li i '1 i' ■■11 lOG TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. them the common worm cakes, and such like remedies, which nearly all contain calomel. For a child about four years old, first give a dose of senna tea, in this way : Put into a cup as much common tea as is sufficient, and thirty senna leaves; pour boiling Avater on them, and in ten minutes strain off, and add milk and sugar ; next day get from the chemist's a quarter of an ounce of the plant called *^ Indian Pink ;" put this into a teaciipful of boiling water, let it remain in, and give one large tablespoonful three times & day till it is all taken ; after this repeat the senna tea, or if you have any difficulty with this, you may use five to ten ^'ains of jalap on a piece of bread and treacle, or a dose of castor oil. Do not be anxious to make an infant stand or ivalk too •early. Because one child walks at a certain age it is no reason why another should ;. it must depend upon the strength and fitness of the child to do it. When the bones and muscles are sufficiently strong, the child will start of its own accord ; and if you force it before this time, you run great risk of having the limbs bent. It is perhp.ps as well for you to know that there is a disease in which the bones remain soft, and bend under the weight of a child, for years. Mothers frequently suffer a good deal of anxiety from a child having sioalloioed a marble or coin ; but it is very seldom there are any bad effects. The best plan is to give a good meal a little more solid than usual, and then a full dose of castor oil. It is very surprising how sharp-pointed articles are swallowed, and find their way not only through the stomach, but through the substance of the Ijody till they reach the surface. 1 have removed a needle from the •emedies, out four ay: Put id thirty in ten day get lit called g water, ree times la tea, or ve to ten a dose of waXh too ! it is no ipon the :he bones art of its you run )s as well jhe bones for years. J from a is V8iy to give a full dose ^-pointed through Ijody till Tom the r HOW TO HELP WITH AN INFANT. 107 arm of a young woman, who swallowed it seven years before. Do not apply a blister to a child without advice, and if ordered by a doctor, be i>articular to remove it at the proper time ; if left too long, you may cause serious trouble. Bear in mind that the eiiect of a fly blister goes on long after it m taken off. If you are obliged to use anything of the sort, musiard is LeSev and quicker. If you wish it to act directly, rub a morsel of butoer or lard on the skin ; then make a soft paste of mustard and hot water only. Do not let +he mus- tard reach within an inch of the edges of the cloth, and fold them over neatly to prevent it being scattered about. Where it is not needful to have it act immediatelv, a much better plan is to make a good thick poultice of one part mustard and two parts fine oatmeal ; apply it as hot as can be borne with comfort. This may be left on for hours, and gives great relief. It sometimes happens wlien people, but particularly chil- dren, are ill of some serious disease, when it is at the crisis, or what is called *' at the turu," they take some odd fancy in the way of food ; they will ask for some articles quite out of the common way, perhaps something which you are not aware they have ever tasted. In these cases I have always found it better to let a child have it, even at some trouble and expense. I look upon it as a craving of nature, for they not only enjoy it, but live upon it for days ; then when it has done the particular work for which it was intended, the child takes a dislike to it, and will not touch it again. There are two cautions to be observed here — first, this must not be confounded with the fanciful appetite of a disordered stomach, where a dozen different things are asked for in the TT ii \ ■ 11 ' r=# 108 TILL THR liOCYOH COMES. day, and not one of them eaten ; and se(?drid, it is well to meiii tion it to the doctor who is watching over {he child, so that jhe may suit his treatment to the particular article taken, if* jhe approves of it. One of the cravings of an invcflid is for water. I have great faith in water. There is nothing' which .the most skilful nurse can make which is relished so mliich .as pure, cold, fresh water ; and unless there be some especial a?eason against it, there should be no limit It should not •be brought into the ick room in a large quantity and left there till it becomes warm and flat, but renewed constantly. "Remember that one great difference between a grown-up iperson and a child is this — an adult has a natural dread of death, and in many cases a far greater dread of the after " death," and will therefore submit to any treatment, how- ever painful, if likely to preserve life ; whereas a child has no fear of death, but has a dread of present pain. When ways. First. — Everyljody who has to do with sick people know how much depends on a cheerful, happy disposition. When the patient gets fretful or frightened he often throws himself back and prevents his recovery. Every doctor and nurse can tell that nothing helps more in the treatment and cure of disease than that the sufferer should bear his pain patiently and hopefully. A peevish, irritable temper keeps up fever, prevents sleep, and hinders a cure in many ways. I knew a lady some years ago who had been given up by her doctora, who told her friends that they could not expect her recovery, and prepared them for the worst. But against all expectation the lady got better, and is living to this day. The medical men said afterwards that, so far as they could see, her recovery was mainly due to her cheerful, happy dis- position. She was so patient and so hopeful through months of extreme pain, that the means used did far more for her than could have been expected. Jt was religion that kept her so calm and hfippy, though suffering an agony cf pain, and in prospect of death. There is nothing like the love of God, and faith in Him, to make the mind calm and peaceful. If you know that God sends you this chastening in mercy, you can bear it with submission. A childlike trust in your heavenly Father's wisdom and goodness will keep you from fretting or mur- muring. Learn to say, " Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," and you will have peace. Second, — In the case of the lady I have just spoke of, there was another power at work of which the doctors knew nothing — it was the power of prayer. She had been very useful in the Sunday-school and in the chuixsh, and many friends met during her illness to ask God to raise her to life 8 i J 110 TILL THE DOCTOR COMJ£S. again. And God blessed the means used so wonderfully that, to the surprise of everybody, she was restored. It was not, however, quite to the surprise of everybody. Her hus- band one day met a young woman who had been in her class in the Sunday-school, and in reply to his remark that he feared they must give ui> hope, she said, " No, sir, I think not. We meet every night to pray for her, and we pray in faith. We think God will hear our prayers for her." God did hear and answer the prayer of faith. The doctor may be clever and attentive, the nurse may be as kind and watchful as love can make her, and yet without God's blessing all will be in vain. Life and death, health and sickness, are in His hands. And you have no right to expect a blessing unless you ask Him for it. *' The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man availetli much." " The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." Of course it is our duty to use all the means in our power. But we must pray God to make them beneficial to us. Without his aid " vain is the help of man." Too many people seem to think that they may live in sin and forgetfulness of God whilst they have their health, and that it is tipae enough to begin to repent and pi*ay when they are on a sick bed. But a few moment's thought will convince us how wrong and foolish this is. It is wrong : for God demands and deserves all our powers. Our health and strength come from Him, and He will require from us an account of how we use them. What would you think of a servant who neglected his duty and did only mischief all day long, and then when it was too dai^k to work come to his kind and patient master to say at such a worthless 'ry say nderfuUy I. It wa« Her hus- her class : that he I think pray in r." God je may be t without th, health ) right to le fervent ." " The ihall raise means in beneficial It ive m sm 3alth, and ivay when light will i all our , and He n. What duty and t was too ;er to say worthless CONCLUSION. Ill and unprofitable servant deserved severe punishment. And yet this is what you do to your Master in heaven. You serve the world, the flesh, and the devil as long as you have health and strength to do so. That health and strength God gives you. Life and breath and all things come from Him. And yet you resolve to waste these gifts of God in the sei'vice of sin, and hope to make up for it by repenting of your misconduct when you come to a sick bed. Can you justify such a course 1 But it is foolish as well as wicked. Religion is happiness. " Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." There is no such pleasure in a course of sin as is to be found in the service of God. To put off till some future time what would make you truly happy at once cannot be a Avise thing to do. And then a sick bed is a bad place in which tc« seek God. If you have not begun before, begin at once, even though your body be racked with pain and your strength be so ex- hausted that you can hardly speak or think. But do not leave it till then. You may not have the power to seek God. Your mind may be so confused and weak that you may be unable to attend to what is said to you. You may not have the power to pray or to lift up your heart to the Almighty. And God, i>rovoked by your long neglect and unbelief, may " take His Holy Spirit from you." He may- leave you to your hardness of heart and impenitence. With- out His help you cannot repent. It is madness to delay. " Now is the accepted time ; to-day is the day of salvation." Perhaps whilst shut up in your sick room you have begun to seek God. You have felt as you never felt before the value of the soul and your need of salvation. You hare ^ 112 TIL . THE DOCTOR COMES. thought for the first time of Christ who loved you so as to die for your sins, and have besought your heavenly Father to have mercy vipon you for His sake. Perhaps you hope that He has heard your prayer, and that the blood of Christ His Son has cleansed you from sin. In the prospect of death it was a terrible thing to feel that you were not pre- pared to die. And you have been driven by terror to seek and find mercy. Now, you are going back into the world again. You will be surrounded by your old companions and beset by your old temptations. Shall you go back into your old habits of ungodliness 1 Shall you be one of those whom the apostle describes when he says, " The dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallow- ing in the mire T You hope not. But how many there are who do this ! How few there are who in health r^em- ber the prayers they ofiered, and the vows they made in sickness ! Beware lost you, too, fall back into your old state of irreligion. This sickness has been sent in mercy. God seeks t arouse you to serious concern about your soul. He give His Holy Spirit to awaken you to repentance. Do not turn a deaf ear to the warning. Do not harden your heart against the pleadings of God's Spirit. Listen to the voice of God who now speaks to you. Pray Him for the sake of His dear Son to prepare you for that world where " there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any' more pain." TBLBORAPH rRINTINO HOUSE, BAY STREET, TORONTO. m Li SO as to ily Father i you hope 1 of Christ rospeot of e nob pre- L'or to seek the world mions and : into your lose whom { turned to ler wallow- lany there Ith r^em- y made in > your old [1 seeks i He givei )o not turn rour heart he voice of the sake of ere " there ng, neither i\^ \ 1 *- - L-. ,,. ■^HH-FB