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

and will mutter when questioned or disturbed. The pupils are contracted or dilated, and they will dilate when the face is slapped. The urine is increased, but it is often retained. [372 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM.—This results from protracted or periodic "sprees."

Symptoms.—The face is red, the capillaries are dilated, eyes are watery, conjunctiva is congested. There is chronic inflammation of the stomach, which is characterized by morning vomiting; there is often hardening of the liver, trembling of the hands and tongue; the memory is weakened and judgment and will as well, especially until a stimulant has been taken; often the person is irritable, careless, with loss of moral sense and in extreme cases dementia. Peripheral neuritis is more common in men than in women. It begins with sharp pain and tingling in the feet and hands; paralysis affects the lower extremities, then the upper, and is most marked in the further muscles of the limbs. The pain may be very severe, with great tenderness. There is Arteriosclerosis (hardening of walls of the arteries); often heart dilation.

DELIRIUM TREMENS.—This is a brain manifestation of chronic alcoholism occurring in steady drinkers after excessive drinking or sudden withdrawal of alcohol, or after sudden excitement or accident, pneumonia or other illness, or lack of food.

Symptoms.—There are restlessness, insomnia (sleeplessness), mental depression, then active delirium with great restlessness, talking, muttering, hallucination of sight and hearing. He thinks he sees objects in the room such as rats, mice, or snakes, and fancies that they are crawling over his body, has them in his boots, etc. The terror inspired by these imaginary objects is great, and has given the popular name of "horrors" or "snakes" to the disease. You must watch the patient constantly, or he may try to jump out of the window or escape. The patient may think he hears sounds and voices, threats of imaginary enemies. There is much muscular "shakings," the tongue is coated with a thick white fur and, when protruded, trembles. The pulse is rapid and soft, sleeplessness is a constant feature. Favorable cases improve in the third or fourth day, the restlessness abates, the patient sleeps and the improvement sets in. The shakings persist for some days, the hallucinations disappear gradually, and the appetite returns. In the more serious cases, the sleeplessness (insomnia) persists, the delirium is incessant, the pulse becomes more frequent and feeble, the tongue dry, the prostration is extreme and death takes place from gradual heart failure.

Treatment.—In acute alcoholic cases special measures are seldom required, as the patient sleeps off the effect of his "spree." If there is deep profound alcoholic coma, it may be proper to wash out the stomach and if symptoms of collapse occur, the limbs should be rubbed, and hot applications made to the body.

[INTOXICANTS AND SUN STROKES 373]

Chronic Alcoholism.—This is different; withdraw the alcohol and substitute strychnine, one-thirtieth of a grain three or four times a day, nourishing food, confinement in a sanitarium if necessary. Give the bromides for the restlessness and sleeplessness. Drugging of the liquor with apo morphine or tartar emetic.

MOTHER'S REMEDY. Drunkenness. 1. Effective as Cure for.—

    "Arsenious Acid 19 grains
    Bromine Water sufficient
    Tribromide of Gold 14 grains
    Distilled Water sufficient

Ten drops of this solution for injection, which equals one thirty-second grain of gold tribromide." This is an active tonic, powerful sedative and destroys the appetite or cravings for alcoholic stimulants; the medicine is to be taken regularly four or five times a day for several weeks until the alcohol is out of the system even though he may appear cured. This is a good remedy, but should be given under the supervision of a doctor.

Treatment.—The patient must be put into a bed and carefully watched; withdraw alcohol at once unless the pulse is too feeble. Procure rest and sleep for the patient. How? In mild cases, thirty grains (one-half dram) of bromide of potassium, combined with tincture of capsicum five to ten drops, may be given every three hours. Call a doctor for the rest. One hundredth grain hyoscine hypodermically is sometimes good; one-fourth grain morphine hypodermically is sometimes given. For heart weakness: Aromatic spirits of ammonia.

MORPHINE HABIT. (Morphinomania—Morphinism).—This is usually acquired by the repeated use of the hypodermic syringe for pain. It is also used by the mouth or opium smoking.

Symptoms.—At first it causes a sense of well-being and exhilaration, but it must be gradually increased to produce the result; when the effect wears off, the person feels weary, mentally and physically; has nausea, slight distress in the stomach region or pain like intestinal colic. Another dose relieves these feelings, eventually the person becomes thin, his face is sallow, the pupils are dilated or unequal, except when he is under the influence of the drug. His appetite is poor with indigestion. Sometimes itching of the skin, restlessness; irritable, disturbed sleep, and a tendency to lie about everything.

Treatment.—The patient must be taken from home and friends and be constantly watched. The drug should be withdrawn gradually and nourishing food given at stated intervals.

COCAINE HABIT.—The drug is taken as a snuff, hypodermically, or in sprays and often the habit is formed when given as sprays, etc., in disease.

Symptoms.—Large doses cause great excitement, sometimes convulsions, followed by weak heart and respiratory weakness, general prostration, convulsions and coma.

The cocaine habit causes emaciation, anemia, disturbances of the stomach, etc., disordered heart action, weakness of the body and mind, nervous and great depravity.

Treatment.—Same as for the morphine habit.

[374 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

CHLORAL HABIT. Symptoms.—After a slight primary exhilaration there is depression of the mind and body; skin eruptions, bad breath, spongy gums, poor appetite, indigestion, bad nutrition, permanent dilation of the cutaneous (skin) blood vessels, intermittent pulse, blunting of the higher mental faculties, restlessness, sleeplessness, irritability, sometimes dementia.

Treatment.—Same as for morphine.

LEAD POISONING. (Plumbism-Saturnism). Causes.—It is common in lead smelters and grinders, painters, glaziers, and plumbers, whose hands are not washed before eating. The lead is absorbed by the mouth, skin and lungs. It may be taken into the system by drinking water, cider, etc., in new lead pipes, or from hair-dyes or cosmetics containing lead.

Symptoms of Acute Case.—These develop rapidly from continued exposure. There is rapidly progressing anemia, with acute neuritis, epilepsy, convulsions or delirium or with severe stomach and bowel symptoms.

Chronic Cases. Symptoms. 1.—Anemia, lead line on the gums, paralysis, colic, and brain symptoms.

2. Blue-black line of lead in the gums near the teeth.

3. This is preceded by an obstinate constipation. It resembles severe intestinal colic. There may be vomiting.

4. Paralysis. This is the result of peripheral neuritis, localized or generalized. Wrist drop and many other symptoms of local and general paralysis.

TREATMENT. Prevention.—The hands and finger nails of the lead workers should always be thoroughly cleaned before eating. Use respirators if lead is present in the form of dust.

For chronic poisoning remove the cause. Potassium iodide, five to ten grains three times a day. Not to be given in acute cases or when the symptoms are very severe, until what is in the bowels is removed.

Constipation.—For this give a half ounce of epsom salts before breakfast when needed, or repeat in small doses.

For pain.—Heat over the abdomen and give morphine, if necessary.

FOOD POISONING. (Bromototoxismus).—Food may contain the specific organisms of disease, as of tuberculosis or trichinosis; milk and other foods may become infected with typhoid bacilli, and so convey the disease. Animals (or insects or bees) may feed on substances that cause their flesh or products to be poisonous to man. Meat poisoning. Eating sausage or pork pie or headcheese has caused poisoning. Poisoning from impure milk, shell fish, pellagra, from using altered maize, etc.

[INTOXICANTS AND SUN STROKES 375]

Symptoms.—Acute inflammation of stomach and bowels, with great prostration, ending in collapse. In shell fish poisoning, there are numbness, weakness, dilated pupils, rapid and feeble pulse, temperature under the normal and collapse.

Treatment.—In all cases empty the stomach by emetics or stomach tube and the bowels by cathartics. Stimulate if necessary.

HEAT STROKE.—Called also heat exhaustion; thermic fever, coup de Soleil. A condition produced by exposure to excessive heat.

Heat Exhaustion.—This is caused by continued exposure to high temperatures, especially while working hard.

Symptoms.—Prostration with cool skin, temperature often below normal, 95-96, pulse is small and frequent, sometimes restlessness and delirium. The person need not necessarily be exposed to the direct rays of the sun, but the condition may come on at night, or while at work in close, confined rooms.

Treatment of indoor heat exhaustion.—Aromatic spirits of ammonia one to two drams and strychnine; avoid alcohol. If the temperature is below normal, (98.6) a warm bath can be given. Rest in bed in a well ventilated room.

SUNSTROKE. Heat Stroke, Thermic (heat) Fever.—This occurs in persons chiefly who, while working very hard are exposed to the sun. Soldiers who are marching with their heavy accoutrements are very liable to be attacked. In large cities the most of the cases are confined to workmen who are much exposed and at the same time, have been drinking beer and whisky.

Symptoms.—The patient may be struck down and die very soon with symptoms of failure of the heart, difficult breathing and coma. This kind is most frequent in soldiers. In ordinary cases there may be failure to perspire, premonitory headache, dizziness, sometimes nausea and vomiting, colored or poor sight (vision); insensibility follows, which may be temporary or increased deep coma. The face is flushed, the skin is dry and hot, the pupils are temporarily dilated, then usually greatly contracted, the pulse is rapid and full, and the temperature ranges from 107 to 110 degrees or higher. The breathing is deep, labored and snoring (stortorous). Usually there is complete muscular relaxation, with twitchings, jerkings, or very rarely convulsions may occur. In fatal cases, coma (deep sleep) deepens, the pulse becomes more frequent and feeble, the breathing becomes more hurried, shallow and irregular and death may occur within twenty-four to thirty-six hours. In others, the consciousness returns, the temperature falls, the pulse and breathing become normal and recovery may be complete or leave bad results. The patient may be predisposed to future attacks or suffer from weakness or headache, and disturbance of the mind when ever the weather is warm.

[376 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Prognosis.—The death rate is higher when treatment is delayed, and when alcohol has been used as a beverage.

MOTHER'S REMEDY. Sunstroke, Quick Method to Relieve.—"Apply alternately hot and cold applications to forehead and base of the brain or back of the neck, place the feet in warm mustard water, and apply mustard to the stomach and calves of legs. This remedy was tried by my brother's wife, who is a trained nurse. She says it is very effective," The hot and cold applications help to draw the blood from the brain. Placing feet in warm mustard water will help to give relief.

Treatment.—Avoid exposure and alcohol. For a mild case—Rest in a cool place, cool sponging, aromatic spirits ammonia or strychnine if needed for the prostration.

For severe cases.—The temperature must be reduced as rapidly as possible. Pack the patient in a bath of ice. Rubbing the body with ice is an excellent procedure to lower the temperature rapidly. Ice water enemata (injections in bowel) may also be employed. If ice cannot be obtained strip the patient and sprinkle him with water until the temperature is reduced. Use a thermometer to see it does not go too low. Ice cap or cold water to the head. Keep working for hours.

Medicine.—Glonoin, 1/100 to 1/200 grain is of help in severe cases.

ACCIDENTS, EMERGENCIES AND POISONS

COLLAPSE.—1. Place the patient flat on his back.

2. Raise the feet and lower his head, unless blueness of the face occurs.

3. Make the patient warm by applying warm coverings and hot water bottles, bricks or wood.

4. Enema of strong coffee.

5. If necessary the legs and arms can be bandaged beginning at the feet and hands and then bandage up. Use above in order given.

FAINTING.—Place the patient on her back, with the head low and feet raised unless the face is flushed. The face is generally pale.

Loosen the clothing about the waist, throat, etc.

Plenty of air and no crowding around the patient.

ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 377

Cold water on the face with cloths. It is not necessary to wet her all over. Ammonia or camphor near the nostrils to inhale. Lie still for some time and do not attempt to rise while still feeling dizzy or faint.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1.