Mother's Remedies - Thomas Jefferson Ritter (guided reading books .txt) 📗

in the chest. It is well in children to put a layer of cotton cloth over the chest keeping them warm and getting better results from the remedy."

2. Bronchitis, Grandmother's Remedy for.—

"Hoarhound 5 cents worth
Hops 5 cents worth
Wild cherry bark 5 cents worth
Licorice root 5 cents worth

"Boil and simmer altogether in two quarts of water long enough to get the strength out of the ingredients, strain, add three cups sugar, then add enough good whisky to keep from souring, say a half pint." This combination is not only good for bronchitis, but for the cough left from the effects of bronchitis. The hoarhound, wild cherry bark and licorice root have a very soothing effect on the bronchial tubes, and the hops quiets the nervous system. This is also good for a common cough.

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3. Bronchitis, Antiphlogistine Plaster for.—"Antiphlogistine is fine for bronchitis, where there is any inflammation, pleurisy, any kind of a scratch, especially rusty nails; pneumonia, Set can in water long enough to heat, but not hot, spread on with case knife as thick as a silver dollar, spread cotton batting over it, keep on twenty-four hours, before changing. This is a very useful remedy to keep on hand." Antiphlogistine is very good to apply to the body wherever inflammation is present, as it withdraws the blood from the organ or part of the body that is affected. It does this by drawing the blood into the external circulation. It has the same effect upon the diseased parts as the old-fashioned mustard, but does not blister. In using the mustard plaster you are in fear of blistering, and then having the outward blister and inward inflammation to contend with. The antiphlogistine can be purchased at drug stores. Set the can in warm water until it is warm, then spread on a piece of cotton cloth and apply to the affected parts, where it may remain for twenty-four hours, then repeat if necessary. Should always be put on warm, but not hot. It usually drops off when dry and no longer effective.

4. Bronchial, or any Severe Cough. One of the best Home Remedies.—

"Hoarhound (herb form) 1 ounce
Irish moss 1 ounce
Flax Seed (the seed not pulverized) 1 ounce
Boneset 1 ounce
Licorice Root (cut up fine) 1 ounce

Place the above in some suitable pan or dish for such purpose in a gallon of cold water, and put it on the back of the stove, so that it will simmer slowly until reduced to one-half gallon, which may require one day or more, then strain and place in a bottle, or bottles. Dose.—One wineglassful three times a day. Add a little sugar if desired." This is a very fine cough remedy, as the hoarhound loosens the cough, the flax seed soothes the membrane, and the boneset by its general action on the system produces sweating. The Irish moss is a sort of food for the whole system and helps to build a person up.

5. Bronchitis, Camphorated Oil and Steaming for.—"Bathe the chest and throat up around the head with camphorated oil; drink water and steam the throat and mouth over hot water. Have tried this recipe and found it effectual. Have a bronchial cough now and am treating it myself." The camphorated oil seems to have a very soothing effect upon the chest, in fact it acts about the same as camphor and lard, only is more pleasant to use, and can be bought already prepared. Drinking plenty of water cleanses the system by acting upon the stomach, bowels and kidneys, carrying off the impurities. The breathing of steam is very soothing and healing to the throat and air passages.

6. Bronchitis, General Relief for.—"Dose of castor oil every night; one teaspoonful for child. Grease well with camphorated oil or any good oil." The castor oil is very good for carrying off the phlegm from the stomach and bowels that children always swallow instead of coughing up like an older person. It is well in addition to the above remedy to give a little licorice or onion syrup to relieve the bronchial cough.

7. Bronchitis, Lard Poultice for.—"Take a piece of cotton batting large enough to cover chest and fit up close to the neck; wring out of melted lard as hot as the patient can stand it, and apply. Change as often as it gets cold. Also give dose of castor oil."

8. Bronchitis, Mustard Plaster for.—"Mustard plasters are very good." This acts as a counter-irritant, as it draws the blood to the surface and relieves the inflamed bronchial tubes.

[RESPIRATORY DISEASES 33]

9. Bronchitis, Well-Known Remedy for.—

"Cod Liver Oil 2 ounces
Ginger Syrup 2 ounces
Mucilage of Gum Arabic 2 ounces
Oil of Cloves 6 drops

Dose :-Teaspoonful before meals and at bedtime."

This is a very good remedy, as the cod liver oil by its general action tones up the whole system. The ginger tones and stimulates the stomach and takes away the sickening effect of the cod liver oil.

10. Bronchitis Remedy and General Tonic.—"Take small doses of glycerin and one teaspoonful three times a day of codfish oil." This remedy, though simple, is very effective. The glycerin and codfish oil are both soothing to the affected parts, and the codfish oil is a very good tonic to tone up the general system.

1. PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Bronchitis. Sweating Remedy for.—Take a hot bath and then go to bed, and take hot drinks after. See that the bowels are open. Nourishment is especially important in infants and old age. You can sweat them as directed under la grippe. Drink hot drinks, such as hoarhound, ginger, flaxseed, hot lemonade or slippery elm. These will produce sweating and will give much relief. An onion poultice applied over the breastbone where the pain and tightness are, will do good.

2. Steaming Remedy.—Inhaling steam from plain boiling water is good, or you can add one to two teaspoonfuls of compound tincture of benzoin or turpentine. The steaming will be more effective if you make a tent, by fastening four sticks to the cradle or bed and cover with a sheet, introducing the steam underneath this at the foot of the bed, etc. A rubber tube can be fastened to the kettle. In this same way you can produce, if you wish, sweating by putting the end of the tube under the clothes elevated a little above the patient. Be careful not to scald the patient.

3. Steaming With Pitcher.—If the soreness of the bronchial tubes is not relieved by this means, inhalations of steam arising from boiling water may be practiced, either through a cone, one end of which covers the top of a pitcher, and the other end of which covers the mouth and nose of the patient, or by covering the head and pitcher with a towel. The usefulness of this method may be much increased by the addition of from two teaspoonfuls to one tablespoonful of compound tincture of benzoin to each pint of water in a pitcher. This latter method can also be used in tonsilitis, pharyngitis and quinsy.

4. Rub the chest with a camphor liniment and give the following:

Tincture of Aconite 10 drops
Sweet Spirits of Nitre 2 drams
Distilled water to make 4 ounces

Mix—One-half teaspoonful to a child, or dessert spoonful to an adult in water every hour.

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5. For Adults.—Compound licorice mixture one to two drams every three to four hours; or five grains of Dover's powders every three to four hours.

Diet in Bronchitis (similar to Laryngitis).—Drinks are useful in the dryer forms, such as hot flaxseed tea sweetened and flavored with lemon juice. It should be taken in large quantities. Hot milk and lemonade are also useful.

CHRONIC BRONCHITIS. Causes.—People over middle age are more liable to it. It comes chiefly in winter, in changeable, cold and damp climates. It may follow repeated acute attacks.

Symptoms.—These are variable and are present chiefly in winter and damp weather. The cough is worse at night, and in the morning, expectoration is usually great. There may be slight fever at times. Often the patients are entirely free from the trouble during the summer.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Chronic Bronchitis. Preventive.—Warm equable climate, such as southern California, Florida, or the south of France, especially in the colder months; warm clothing, avoid exposure and fatigue.

1. First you can take three grains of ammonium chloride three to four times a day.

2. Ammonium Chloride 2 drams
    Fluid Extract of Licorice 2 drams
    Distilled water brought to 3 ounces

Mix and take one teaspoonful every three hours.

3. If the cough is troublesome the following is good:

    Ammonium Chloride 2 drams
    Hive Syrup 4 drams
    Fluid Extract Licorice 1 ounce
    Paregoric 6 drams
    Distilled water enough to make 2 ounces

Mix. Teaspoonful every three to four hours.

COUGHS. Causes.—There are many causes; inflammation of the larynx, bronchial tubes, lungs, also stomach and liver; and a nervous cough is present in our day. Remove the cause when possible. There are many good cough medicines now put up, and they can be bought at any drug-store. Cough lozenges of all kinds are plenty, and a sure cure is claimed by each.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. Dry Cough and Tickling.—l. "Raspberry Tincture. Take one-half pound of honey, one cup water; let these boil; take off scum; pour boiling hot upon one-half ounce lobelia herb and one-half ounce cloves; mix well, then strain and add one gill of raspberry vinegar. Take from one teaspoonful to a dessertspoonful four times a day. Pleasant to take,"

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2. Cough, Honey and Vinegar for.—"Honey and vinegar." This is an old and tried remedy and a good one. The vinegar cuts the phlegm in the throat and bronchial tubes, and the honey is very soothing.

3. Cough of Long Standing, Excellent Syrup for.—

    "Carbonate Ammonia 40 grains
    Syrup Senega 6 drams
    Paregoric 4 drams
    Syrup Wild Cherry 6 drams
    Syrup Tolu 4 ounces"

This is a very good syrup, and is especially good for chronic cough or chronic bronchitis. Dose.—One teaspoonful every three hours.

4. Cough, Reliable Mixture in Severe Cases.—

    "Oil of Anise 1/2 ounce
    Syrup of Balsam of Tolu 1/2 ounce
    Black Stick Licorice 1/2 ounce
    Best Rye Whisky 1 pint

Shake well before using. Dose:—One teaspoonful at intervals of one hour or oftener; if cough is very bad."

5. Cough, Mullein Leaf Tea for—"Mullein leaves steeped with loaf sugar cures a cough." Take four ounces of mullein leaves and boil for ten minutes in water: then add the loaf sugar. This is very soothing to the sore parts and also helps to loosen up the secretion so it can be raised easily.

6. Cough, Lemon Juice and Sugar for.—"Lemon juice and sugar