Mother's Remedies, Thomas Jefferson Ritter [reading well .TXT] 📗

to 1 ounce
     Lard 1 ounce

2. Tincture of Aconite 6 drams
     Tincture Arnica 1 ounce
     Oil of Turpentine l ounce (l or 2)
     Soap Liniment enough for 8 ounces

Use as a liniment three times a day. This can be used for some weeks.

3. Strong Water of Ammonia 6 drams
     Oil of Cajeput 1 dram
     Tincture of Belladonna 1 to 2 ounces
     Camphor Liniment enough for 8 ounces

Use as a liniment.

4. Tincture of Aconite 1 ounce
     Tincture Belladonna 2 drams
     Strong Ammonia Water 4 drams
     Chloroform Liniment 6 drams

Used as a liniment on chronic or inflamed muscles or joints.

5. Iodide of Potash 1/2 ounce
     Compound Syrup of Sarsaparilla 3 ounces
     Distilled Water 3 ounces

Mix and take a dessertspoonful in a glass of water two hours after meals for chronic rheumatism.

[Illustration: Muscular System.]

[CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES 323]

6. This is prepared by Parke, Davis & Co., and made into a syrup:

    Red Clover 32 grains
    Queen's Root 16 grains
    Barberry 10 grains
    Prickly Ash Bark 4 grains
    Burdock Root 16 grains
    Poke Root 16 grains
    Honduras Bark 16 grains
    Iodide of Potash 8 grains

This portion to each fluid ounce of the syrup.

7. The following is good:

Equal parts of each of the following:
    Blue Cohosh Root
    Black Cohosh Root
    Poke Root
    Yellow Dock Root
    Blue Flag Root
    Prickly Ash Root
    Burdock Root
    Dandelion Root

Bruise them thoroughly or grind them coarsely, steep and make a tea and drink freely of it. If you wish you can take three to five grains of Iodide of Potash to each dose. This may in time disorder the stomach and you may then stop it for a time. All these can be used in muscular rheumatism also. The food should not be rich or highly seasoned. Spices are bad for such patients. Pickles, mustard, etc., are best let alone.

MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM.—This is a very painful affection of the voluntary muscles, called also neuralgia, or according to its location, torticollis (stiff neck, wry neck), pleurodynia, lumbago (rheumatism in the back).

Causes.—Predisposed to it by previous attacks, having a rheumatic or gouty constitution (diathesis). It follows sudden exposure, hence it is most common in men.

Symptoms.—Local pain in the muscles, sharp or dull, aching constant, or caused by certain movements and is usually relieved by pressure. It lasts from a few days to several weeks and frequently recurs. The common forms are: Lumbago. This affects the muscles of the back, and usually comes on suddenly with a sharp stich-like pain, and is chiefly seen in those who labor hard, often completely disabling them for a time.

Torticollis (stiff or wry neck).—It is usually on the side or back of the neck. Comes from a draught of cold wind on the neck, etc.

Pleurodynia, pain in the chest muscles, etc.—With pain in all movements of the chest, resembling intercostal neuralgia or pleurisy.

[324 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Diet for Rheumatism from the Head Nurse of a Prominent Hospital:—

May Take—

Soups.—Mutton broth, chicken or beef tea, in small quantities.

Fish.—Raw clams or oysters, fresh fish (whiter kinds) boiled.

Meats.—Chicken, calf 's head, sweetbread, tripe, broiled fat bacon or broiled ham (all sparingly).

Farinaceous.—Whole wheat, corn or brown bread, arrowroot, rice, dry toast, milk toast.

Vegetables.—Spinach, green peas or cabbage (well boiled), celery, lettuce, cresses, radishes.

Desserts.—Milk, rice or arrowroot pudding, (all without sugar), junket.

Drinks—Tea (without sugar), buttermilk, pure water, plain with lemon or lime juice (no sugar).

Must Not Take—

Pork, veal, turkey, goose, duck, fried fish or salt meats, cooked oysters or clams, salted, dried, potted or preserved fish or meats (except fat bacon or ham), crabs, salmon, lobster, eggs, rich made dishes, gravies, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, asparagus, mushrooms, candies, rich puddings, pies, pastry, nuts, cheese, coffee, cider, malt liquors, wines.

Treatment for Stiff Neck.—Wry Neck, (torticollis).—Warmth applied either dry or moist as hot salt bag or fomentations of hops, etc. Parke, Davis & Co., Detroit, now make a preparation called capsicine. This is very good for this trouble, rubbed on thoroughly as directed. It can be bought at most drug stores. It is also good for headaches and neuralgias. The same line of treatment, hot and cold applications, can be given for pain in the chest muscles (pleurodynia) and lumbago.

A MOTHERS' REMEDY for Stiff Neck.—Hot Salt and Oil of Sassafras.—"If troubled with stiff neck, fill a bag with hot salt and sleep on it, or rub the neck with oil of sassafras which, by the way, is also excellent for lumbago and to scatter, not cure, rheumatism pains."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Rheumatism.—Preventive.—Avoid exposure as stated for other rheumatism. Rest the chest by strapping with adhesive plaster as in pleurisy. Porous plasters are good and liniments; sometimes help is obtained by rubbing freely with camphor. Hot dry or wet applications are frequently useful. Mustard plaster is very good when the space is not too great. Mix the mustard with the white of an egg and after it is taken off grease the part and keep on warm cloths. Hot foot baths and hot drinks of lemonade or teas, after which the person should go to bed and sweat and remain there for some hours.

[CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES 325]

Liniment.—

    Oil of Wintergreen 1/2 to 1 ounce
    Compound Soap Liniment 8 ounces

Mix and rub on thoroughly.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—Lumbago, Menthol Liniment for.—Apply the menthol liniment, cover with a thick cloth and put the hot water bottle next to it and go to bed. If up through the day have a cotton batting sewed to cloth and keep affected parts warm, using the liniment freely." The menthol liniment will be found an excellent remedy for lumbago, The menthol absorbs quickly and by applying the hot water bottle relief is sure to follow.

1. Weak Back, Vinegar and Salt for.—"One tablespoonful of salt and one tablespoonful of vinegar to a quart of hot water. Bathe the back, then rub well with sweet oil and relief will soon follow,"

2. Weak Back. Simple Remedy for.—"Aching may be relieved by taking a large pinch of buchu leaves, steep and drink. Sweeten if desired. Use a pint of water for steeping the leaves," This is a good remedy for a weak back, resulting from kidney trouble. The buchu leaves acts quickly on the kidneys and it is surprising to see how quickly the backache will disappear. You can purchase a two ounce package for five cents at any drug store.

3. Weak Back, Good Liniment for.—

    "Tincture of Aconite 1 ounce
    Oil of Wintergreen 1/2 ounce
    Tincture of Belladonna 1 ounce
    Tincture of Arnica 1 ounce
    Aqua Ammonia 2 ounces

Mix and use as a liniment."

This is a very good liniment.

4. Lameness, Chloroform Liniment for.—"Chloroform liniment is the best for all lameness and sore limbs."

5. Lameness, Plantain Leaves and Cream for.—"Make ointment from plantain laves, simmered in sweet cream or fresh butter. This is very cooling."

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Rheumatism, Saltpetre Good in Cases of.—"One ounce of saltpetre to one pint of water. Take one teaspoonful of the above in a large glass of water, about six times daily." The saltpetre acts on the kidneys, carrying off the impurities in this way. Care should be taken not to continue this treatment too long at a time, as continued use would result in injury to the kidneys.

2. Rheumatism, Rochelle Salts for.—"One teaspoonful rochelle salts in one-half glass water every other morning." This acts on the bowels and cleanses the system.

3. Rheumatism, Flowers of Sulphur Will Relieve Pain of.—Sciatica is sometimes very much improved by wrapping the limb for one night with flowers of sulphur."

[326 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

4. Rheumatism, Three Simple Ingredient Liniment for.—"One pint pure cider vinegar, one pint of turpentine, four fresh eggs, put the egg shells and all in the vinegar, let stand until the vinegar eats the eggs all up, then add the turpentine." This makes a fine liniment.

5. Rheumatism, Sulphur Good for.—"Cases of chronic rheumatism are often relieved by sulphur baths and sulphur tea. Dose:—Powder sulphur and mix with molasses. A teaspoonful three times a day," Sulphur is a good blood purifier and laxative.

6. Rheumatism, Horse-Radish for.—"An excellent and well-known remedy for rheumatism is to make a syrup of horse-radish by boiling the root and add sufficient sugar to make it palatable. Dose:—Two or three teaspoonfuls two or three times a day,"

7. Rheumatism, Simple Remedy to Relieve Pain of.—

    "Peppermint 1 ounce
    Oil of Mustard 1/4 ounce
    Vinegar 1 pint
    White of one egg.

Beat egg; stir all together."

8. Rheumatism, Liniment for Chronic.—

    "Olive Oil 1 pint
    Sassafras Oil 2 drams
    Camphor Gum 2 ounces
    Chloroform 1/2 ounce

Dissolve the camphor in the oil and when dissolved add the chloroform and four ounces of turpentine or rosemary. Rub the parts well night and morning. If the limbs are very sensitive to cold, add to the mixture two ounces of tincture of capsicum."

9. Rheumatism, Herb Remedy for.—

    Tincture Colchicum Seed 4 ounces
    Gum Guaiacum 4 ounces
    Black Cohosh Root 4 ounces
    Prickly Ash Berries 4 ounces
    Iodide Potash 1 ounce

Dose for adult, one teaspoonful three times a day in wineglassful of water or milk."

10. Rheumatism, Three Things that Will Help.—

    "Best Rye Whisky 2 pints
    Ground Burdock Seed 1/2 pound
    Poke Berry Juice 1/2 pint

Mix, shake well before using.

Dose for adults, one and one-half or two tablespoonfuls night and morning." In severe cases take three times a day. This is a thoroughly tried remedy and is a very successful one.

[ CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES 327]

11. Rheumatism, Good Liniment for.—

    "Alcohol 1 ounce
    Oil of Wintergreen 1 dram
    Chloroform 5 drams
    Gum Camphor 1/2 ounce
    Sulphuric Ether 3/4 ounce
    Oil of Cloves 1/2 dram
    Oil of Lavender 1 dram

Mix and apply externally for rheumatism and you will find it a very beneficial remedy."

12. Rheumatism, Camphor and Alcohol for.—"Soak cotton batting in alcohol and camphor and apply on part." Application to the affected parts will frequently give relief in some rheumatic patients, when in others no relief is obtained by this method, it being necessary to take something internally.

13. Rheumatism, Sweet Fern Tea Excellent for.—"Sweet