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

surrounding vessels and promotes absorption of the blood in the bruise. [392 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

CUTS. WOUNDS.—They are named cut (incised); contused, such as made by a blunt instrument.

Lacerated or torn, when the tissues are torn or ragged.

Punctured, stab-wounds, when made by a pointed instrument.

Treatment.—There may be pain, gaping (opening) of the edges and bleeding. In order to gape, the cut must pass through the deep skin. Cuts or wounds that do not go deep leave little or no scar. Such require only a little antiseptic dressing like this remedy:

    "Boric Acid 1/2 ounce.
    Boiled Water 1 pint."

Wash the cut thoroughly and cover with gauze or clean linen. Cuts or wounds should always be washed first with boiled water, cooled enough to use. Do this with absolutely clean muslin, absorbent cotton or gauze and boiled water. After being thoroughly cleansed and washed with hot water and cloths, a thick pad of muslin, absorbent cotton or gauze thoroughly soaked with the boric acid solution, (strength one-half ounce of boric acid to a pint of boiled water) should be applied on the wound, and for an inch or two around it. Over this lay a thick layer of absorbent cotton or muslin, bandage all securely with a bandage or adhesive strap, so the dressing cannot slip.

[Illustration: Hand Arteries.]

Gaping Wounds generally need stitches. These should be put in deep enough to draw the deep edges together. If that is not done, a pocket will be left where the parts are not together and "matter" may form there. Plaster will not draw the deeper parts of wounds together. They should then be covered the same way as superficial wounds; of course the wound should be thoroughly cleansed in the same way before the stitches are put in. Such wounds unless they are large, need not be dressed for a day or two, unless there is soreness or pain. If the wound is sore and throbs it should be redressed immediately. Some discharge will no doubt he found penned in, and needs a drain through which to escape. This does not usually happen, and if it does, the wound was infected (poisoned) and then needs dressing once or twice a day, and full vent given to any discharge that may be present. The dressing immediately over the wound should then be thick and soft so as to absorb the discharge that may be present. The stitches are usually removed in small wounds the third or fourth day. This is easily done, with a sharp pointed scissors or knife; put one point underneath the stitch next to the knot, cut it off and with the forceps take hold of the knot and pull it out gently. It comes away easily as a rule.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 393]

Torn Wounds should be trimmed. That is, cut away the torn pieces and then stitch together as for other wounds. Of course all the tissue possible should be saved and only ragged flesh should be cut away. This would die anyway, and prove a foreign body, and would be very apt to cause pus. These wounds should be dressed the same way as previously directed.

Sometimes bleeding may cause trouble. Usually, hot water constantly applied will stop it. Pressing above the part will often stop bleeding. If an artery is cut it will spurt red blood. The artery should be tied and pressure made upon the limb above the cut toward the body; or tying the limb tight. If a finger or toe is cut and bleeds much, press on each side. The arteries are there. Put the limb high and the head low. Bandaging a limb tight, beginning at the end, often stops bleeding. Stimulants' are sometimes necessary for a time.

Punctured Wounds.—From a sharp pointed instrument, nail, etc. The first thing to do is to cleanse the wound thoroughly with hot water and about one-half ounce of salt to a pint of water. Keep this up constantly for one-half hour. Then if it is from a nail, put on a bread and milk poultice hot, and keep changing it every ten minutes to keep it good and hot. Keep this going for at least an hour. Salt pork can then be put on and kept on; or a cloth dipped in hot salt water can be applied, and kept on for a few hours when it can be dressed as other wounds are. There should be no throbbing pain the next day. A wound of this kind should be dressed every day, with great care in the matter of cleanliness. It is lack of cleanliness that usually causes trouble, either the poison that gets into the wound at the time of injury or that is allowed to get in and infect the wound afterwards. Clean hands, tools, basins, dressings and boiled water are essential to a quick healing.

Rusty Nail Wound, Simple Guard Against Serious Results from.—"Every little while we read of someone who has run a rusty nail in his foot or some other part of his person, and lockjaw has resulted therefrom. All such wounds can be healed without any fatal consequences following them. It is only necessary to smoke such wounds or any wound or bruise that is inflamed, with burning wood or woolen cloth. Twenty minutes in the smoke will take the pain out of the worst case of inflammation arising from any wound I ever saw." Put on a poultice of bread and milk, changing every five or ten minutes. After this bind on salt pork and keep on for several days.

[394 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Cuts, Iodoform and Vaselin Salve for Barb Wire.—

    "Iodoform 1 teaspoonful.
    Vaselin 1 ounce."

Before applying the above salve it is very necessary to cleanse the affected parts with a solution made of one teaspoonful of salt to a pint of water. If the iodoform is offensive to some people, you may use the vaselin alone, although the iodoform is known to be one of the best healing remedies that can be obtained.

2. Cuts, Turpentine Good in Small Quantities for.—"For cuts and any open wound pour turpentine in and put a piece of absorbent cotton on and soak well with the liniment, tie up, and leave it so until dry, then pour on some more." Care should be taken in using turpentine, not to put too much on the wound, as it may cause proud flesh in some people; a little of it is very healing and effective.

3. Cuts, Tincture of Myrrh for Fresh.—"Use freely of the tincture of myrrh by saturating a cloth and applying to the parts affected." This tincture of myrrh may be purchased at, any drug store, and is a very effectual remedy for fresh wounds of any description. It is slightly contracting, and has great healing qualities.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Bleeding, Unusual Way to Stop.—"If fresh, sprinkle full of black pepper. It will not smart, and is soon healed. If not fresh, clean with a weak solution saleratus and cover while wet with pepper. This has been tried many times in our home and has never failed."

2. Bleeding, Cobwebs to Stop.—"Make a pad of cobwebs and apply to cut. I have never found anything to equal this remedy." This simple remedy has been known to save many lives, and can always be obtained. As most housekeepers know; cobwebs are easily found in every home, and perhaps after reading this remedy they will not seem such a pest as heretofore, if we stop to think that at some future date our baby's life might be saved by using them.

3. Bleeding, Powdered Alum and Hot Water Stops.—"A heaping teaspoonful of powdered alum, placed in a teacup of water will stop the flow of blood in ordinary wounds, where no large artery has been cut. This will be found very beneficial for children, when their finger has been cut and bleeding badly." Alum is something that should always be kept in the home, using it in a case of emergency when there is no time to run to the drug store.

4. Bleeding, Salt and Flour Successful Remedy for.—"Equal parts of fine salt and flour placed on cut. I have seen this tried and it proved successful." The salt will stop the bleeding by its astringent action and mixed with flour forms a coating over the cut.

5. Bleeding, Boracic Acid Excellent for.—"Bind up in boracic acid powder." The boracic acid is very healing and a good antiseptic, which is one of the important things to be attended to in a bad cut or wound.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 395]

6.—Bleeding, Tobacco Will Stop.—"Bind in tobacco." Very few people know that the nicotine in tobacco is very healing, and by applying it to a cut, not only stops the flow of blood, but heals.

THINGS IN THE EAR; Buttons, Beads, etc.—The bent hairpin is good to use for removing these objects, unless it is too far in. Sometimes the object can be washed out with a stream of water. This will kill and destroy insects. A small stream from a pitcher will do, if there is no fountain syringe handy. Water should not be used for corn, peas or beans, for if they are not removed the water will cause them to swell up and enlarge. A competent person should then be called, but no injury will be done for a few hours.

GAS from wells, cisterns, mines, illuminating gas and coal gas.

Treatment.—Fresh pure air. Open all windows in the house and remove patient from a house filled with coal gas. Artificial respiration: Inject salt enemas; teaspoonful of salt to one pint of warm water.

FITS. (Convulsions).—Loosen all clothing. Put something hard between the teeth to keep the patient from biting his tongue. Allow plenty of sleep afterward.

IN-GROWING TOE-NAILS. Causes.—Pressure from improperly fitting shoes, or a wrong way of cutting the nails. The flesh along the nails becomes inflamed. Toe-nails should be cut straight across, and not trimmed too closely at the corners.

Treatment.—Wear broad-toed shoes with low heels. The high heels push the toes against the shoe and besides are unhealthy and dangerous in walking.

Hot poultices will relieve the inflammation and pain. Soak the toe in hot water and push the flesh back from the nail. Cotton under the edge and corner of the nail helps to keep it away. Dust a boric acid powder, mixed with an equal quantity of starch flour, on the parts. Mennen's borated talcum powder is good.

MOTHER'S REMEDY. 1. In-growing Toe-Nail, Popular Remedy for.—"Shave a little common laundry soap and mix with a little cream and pulverized sugar, work to the consistency of salve and apply to the affected part night and morning. It will take off the proud flesh in about ten days and then heal. This is a good salve for bed-sores or cuts, that, have dirt in them, and will also draw out a splinter. To prevent in-growing toe-nails, scrape the center of the nail very thin and cut a V in the top. This will allow the nail to bend and the corners will have a chance to grow up and out. Avoid short shoes and stockings." Anyone suffering from this dreaded thing will be willing to try anything that will give relief. The above treatment is always at hand, and has been known to cure in severe cases.

[396 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

FALLS.—If one has had a severe fall and is wholly or partially conscious, move as little as possible, in case of broken bones. Remain in a comfortable position until proper aid can be given. If unconscious stimulation may be necessary.

FIRE in Clothing.—Keep quiet, and away from a draught. Wrap anything handy around him and roll him. Leave only the head and face uncovered. Keep mouth closed.

CHOKING. (Foreign bodies in the larynx).—Produce vomiting. Give an emetic, warm water, melted lard, vaselin or one teaspoonful of mustard in one-half glass of warm water and drink. Tickle the throat with your finger or a feather. For a child, sometimes by taking hold of the feet with the head down and give a few slight jerks frequently expels the foreign body. Slap patient's back. The last resort is an operation,—tracheotomy.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Choking, Fish Bone to Stop.—"A fish bone stuck in the throat can often be dislodged by swallowing a raw egg or raw oyster."

2. Choking, Simple Remedy to Stop.—"Hold both hands high above the head. If necessary tap gently between the shoulders."

3. Choking, Pennyroyal Tea and Lard Relieves.—"Pennyroyal tea and hog's lard; drink hot." The