Simple and Effective Home Treatments

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 15, 1906

Simple and Effective Home Treatments

INSOMNIA is a most distressing condition. It may be palliated by the employment of what is known as the heating compress. The heating compress is made and applied as follows:—

Take a piece of bleached cheese-cloth, two yards long, and fold it lengthwise into three thicknesses. Begin at the end and roll it into a loose roll. Wet it in cold or tepid water, and wring out the dripping surplus. Wrap it round the body, over the abdomen. Over this wrap a flannel binder, and pin it snugly down the side with a few safety-pins. Over this it will be best to pin an oiled silk or oiled muslin binder. The flannel binder should overlap the cotton one a little. The flannel and oiled silk are best sewed together in one binder. In a short time after being applied, a gentle heat is felt all through the abdomen. The gentle heat dilates the abdominal blood-vessels, reducing the tension of those in the brain, thus inducing sleep. The sleep generally continues many hours.

Sore throat is a common ailment associated with influenza, colds, and fevers. It is therefore important to know how to treat it. Nothing is better than the cooling compress. This must be properly applied. Many use this, but do not get the benefit from its use because it is carelessly applied.

The usual way it is done is to wet a cloth and put it around the neck, then to bind over it a wad of flannel three or four inches thick, and a comforter or two over that. That only makes a heating compress, and invites the blood to the throat, thus increasing the inflammation. The only way is to wet the end of a short towel for about six inches; place it across the neck, and wrap the dry part round the neck and over the wet part, pinning it fast. Evaporation will go on from such a compress all night, keeping the throat cool, and taking out the inflammation. There is no danger whatever of taking cold. This same treatment may be used in the treatment of inflamed joints, etc., with good results.—Selected.