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

or unattached thin piece from the skin as a result of disease of the skin.

Crust. This is a dried mass as a result of fluid oozing from a diseased skin.

Excoriation. Like a scratch mark.

Fissures. This is a crack, like that found on chapped hands.

Ulcer. (Sore). Eating away of the parts.

Scar. Ulcer healed leaving a mark, like from a healed cut.

Pigmentation. Discoloration.

ACNE. (Simple Acne).—This is an inflammation of the sebaceous (fatty, cheesy) glands. It forms these pimples or pustules and these are intermingled with black-heads (comedones), flesh-worms. They vary from a pin-head to a split-pea in size, and are of a bright or dark red color. They occur for the most part on the face; also on the back, neck and chest.

Condition.—An over secretion, or alteration and retention of the fatty (sebaceous) matter, and this is followed by inflammation involving the glands, ducts of the glands, and hair follicles. Pus often forms and tissue may be destroyed.

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Causes.—These skin glands are active at the time of puberty. The active cause may be the stomach troubles, constipation, womb disorders, and poor general nutrition.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Acne.—All stomach troubles, constipation, and womb troubles should be looked into and remedied. The diet and hygiene must be regulated. Food that stimulates and is hard to digest should be prohibited. When there is dyspepsia and constipation, bitter tonics, like compound tincture of gentian, one dram before meals, or pepsin (five grains) and loosening medicines like salts should be given.

Tincture of Nux Vomica is a good stomach and bowel tonic given in doses of one to two drops before meals.

Calomel, one-half grain at night for a few nights, followed in the morning by epsom salts or some mineral water like Abilena or Hunjadi is useful. The following is a good combination by Dr. Schalek:

    Tincture of Nux Vomica 2 drams
    Dilute Nitro Muriatic Acid 4 drams
    Sherry Wine enough for 3 ounces

Mix and take one teaspoonful three times a day.

Diet.—See diet for dyspepsia and constipation. All fatty, greasy, rich foods are prohibited.

Local Treatment.—If the skin is quite red and tender, mild soothing applications should be used. Most cases require vigorous treatment. First wash the parts with warm water and the best soap, rinse with hot water and then dry carefully. Remove the black-heads by careful pressure of the fingers, or with black-head extractor; the pimples and pustules should be freely cut, to allow the matter to escape and all the matter taken out.

External Medication, Ointment and Lotions.—Lotions are to be preferred in cases of oily discharge. If the skin becomes rough and chapped, soap should not be used in washing, and a soothing ointment should be applied. Drugs used are for stimulating the skin and healing the lesions.

1. Soothing Ointment.—

    Precipitated Sulphur 1 dram
    Benzoinated Lard 1/2 ounce
    Lanolin 1/2 ounce

For local use but not in oily cases. (Dr. Schalek.)

2. The following used as a soothing lotion:

    Washed Sulphur 2-1/2 drams
    Spirits of Camphor 3 drams
    Biborate of Sodium 2 drams
    Glycerin 6 drams
    Distilled water enough for 4 ounces

Mix and shake well and apply freely so as to leave a film on the face.
(Dr. Schalek.)

[SKIN DISEASES 55]

3. Dr. Duhring's Lotion, following:

    Precipitated Sulphur 2 drams
    Glycerin 2 drams
    Alcohol 1 ounce
    Lime water 1 ounce
    Rose water 2 ounces

Mix and shake before using and apply.

4. Kummerfield's Lotion. "Oriental Lotion."

    Precipitated Sulphur 4 drams
    Powdered Camphor 10 grains
    Powdered Tragacanth 20 grains
    Lime water 2 ounces
    Rose water 2 ounces

Mix; shake well and apply every few hours.

5. Stimulating preparations.

    Corrosive sublimate 1/2 to 2 grains
    Emulsion bitter almonds 4 ounces

Mix thoroughly and use to stimulate the skin.

6. Ointment of white precipitate (five to fifteen per cent strength) can be used in place of one above.

7. The Following Hebra Lotion (I give as written).

    Hydrarg. Bichlor 1 dram
    Aqua Distill 4 drams
    Ov. Albuminis 3 drams
    Succi Citri 3 drams
    Sacchari 1 ounce

Mix and apply as directed.

Caution.—Sulphur and mercury preparations should not be used at the same time, nor immediately succeeding each other, as they will stain the skin.

BALDNESS. (Alopecia). Causes.—Hereditary and diseases. Congenital and senile (old age) baldness is incurable. Congenital (born without hair) baldness is rare.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Baldness, Well Recommended for.—"A first class hair restorative is made of sage tea and whisky in equal parts with a dash of quinine in the bottle."

2. Baldness, Vaselin and Quinine for.—

    "Vaselin 1 ounce
    Quinine 1/2 ounce"

Mix together and apply to the scalp.

3. Baldness, Good Canadian Remedy for.—"Strong sage tea. Rub the scalp frequently. I have used this with great success."

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PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Baldness.—Persons who have an hereditary tendency to baldness should pay close attention to the hygiene of the scalp, as this is very important. The hair should be shampooed two or three times a week, to remove sebaceous accumulations and other foreign materials. After the scalp has been thoroughly rinsed with clean water and dried, some oil or (tube) vaselin should be rubbed in, Fine-toothed combs should never be used, The daily wetting of the hair is injurious, Rats should be light and well aired, When the hair begins to fall, stimulating applications should be used, in the form of ointments or lotions. The following are among the best with the author's name given but in English instead of Latin.

Dr. Schalek. 1.

    Bichloride of Mercury 3 grains
    Tinct. of Cantharides 1/2 ounce
    Oil of Sweet Almonds 1 dram
    Spirits of Rosemary 1 ounce
    Rectified Spirits of Wine 2 ounces
    Distilled water enough to make 6 ounces

Mix; shake bottle well; rub thoroughly into the scalp every morning.

2. Carbolic add 15 grains Glycerin 2 drams Cologne water 1 ounce

Mix, and apply to the scalp once daily.

3. Precipitated Sulphur 1 dram
    Lanolin 2-1/2 drams
    Glycerin 2-1/2 drams
    Rose water enough to make 1 ounce

Mix well. Part the hair in different places and rub ointment into the scalp.

4. Ihle's Mixture.—

    Resorcin 1-1/2 drams
    Castor Oil 1-1/2 ounces
    Spirits of Wine 5 ounces
    Balsam Peru 10 drops

Mix. Rub into the scalp daily with a piece of flannel.

5. Bulkley's Lotion.—

    Tincture Cantharides 1/2 ounce
    Tincture Capsicum 1/2 ounce
    Castor Oil 1 dram
    Cologne Water 1 ounce

Mix and apply daily to the scalp.

6. Lassar's Ointment.—

    Pilocarpine Muriate 30 grains
    Vaseline 5 drams
    Lanolin 2 ounces
    Oil of Lavender 20 drops

Mix and apply to the scalp.

BALD PATCHES. (Alopecia Areata).—These appear rather suddenly. They are circular bald patches which may appear on any hairy part of the body, but more frequently on the scalp. It is considered a chronic trouble, but tends to final recovery.

[SKIN DISEASES 57]

Cause.—Occurs usually between the ages of ten and forty. It may be from a parasite.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.—Cod-liver oil, elixir quinine, iron and strychnine one dram three times daily. Arsenic, Fowler's solution, four drops three times daily.

Local Treatment.—Stimulating remedies, like sulphur, tar, tincture of cantharides, capsicum, in various strength in combination such as given for baldness. In old persons it may become permanent.

ANIDROSIS. (Lessened Sweat Secretion).—This means a diminution of the sweat secretion. The patient does not sweat enough, especially in certain skin diseases like psoriasis, etc.

Treatment.—Hot water, vapor baths, friction, massage, etc., should be used to increase the sweat secretion. Treat the accompanying skin disease.

FOUL SWEATING. (Bromidrosis). Symptoms.—The odor may be very disagreeable, or resemble the odor of certain flavors or fruits. It is generally found in the arm-pit and genital organs.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Offensive Sweating, Alum Water for.—"A wash made with a teaspoonful of alum and a quart of water will prevent offensive sweating. We all know how disagreeable it is to sit near a person in a street car or any crowded place, who has an odor of perspiration about them, How easy it would be to use this wash and rid yourself of this difficulty,"

2. Sweaty Feet, Borax and Alcohol for.—"Dissolve a tablespoonful of powdered borax in half a pint of diluted alcohol (half alcohol, half water) and rub the feet at night, You will find this a splendid remedy." I

3. Sweating, Simple Home Remedy to Produce.—"Place a rubber sheet or blanket under the patient. Have a simple blanket soaking in hot water and when all is ready, wring blanket as dry as possible and wrap about the patient up to the neck. After this a dry blanket is wrapped around the patient. Care should be taken not to have the blanket hot enough to burn the patient, but not too cool. After a few minutes the patient is taken out, rubbed dry gently and left to rest and sleep." This treatment will be found very beneficial and inexpensive.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Foul Sweating.—Frequent bathing, dressing powders of boric and salicylic acids, etc.

1. Salicylic Acid 1/2 ounce
     Powdered Starch 1/2 ounce

Mix and dust on the parts.

2. Boric acid powdered may also be used.

3. Powdered Boric Acid and Salicylic Acid; Equal parts.

To be used as a dusting powder on the sweating parts.

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3. One per cent solution of potassium permanganate or permanganate of potash is good applied to the parts.

CALLOSITY or Callositas.—This is circumscribed yellowish-white, thickened and horny patches of one of the layers of the cuticle (epidermis).

Causes—They come as the result of the occupation or pressure, and sometimes without any seeming cause.

Symptoms.—They occur mostly on the hands and feet and are usually sensitive.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT, for Callosity or Callositas.—Remove the cause of the horny masses. The latter is done by soaking them with prolonged hot water baths and scraping off the mass afterwards. This should be continued and done frequently.

    Salicylic Acid 30 grains
    Collodion