Household Medicine

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 20, 1876

Household Medicine.

CHILBLAINS.

This troublesome affection, though seemingly insignificant, often makes existence almost a burden by its constant irritation. It is easily cured, but not by the application of any sort of salve, ointment, liniment, or quack nostrum, no matter how highly recommended.

Just before retiring, prepare two vessels for a foot-bath. Place in one, water as hot as can be borne, and in the other, very cold water. Place the feet first in the hot water for two minutes, then in the cold water for the same time. Alternate thus four or five times, merely dipping the feet in the cold water the last time, and then wiping them dry. Repeat this treatment every night until the cure is effected. Improvement will begin at once.

Wear thin cotton stockings inside the woolen ones, and avoid exposing the feet to severe cold until they are well. A general bath twice a week is necessary.

Chilblain is usually more the result of warming the frosted part too quickly than of the cold to which it has been subjected. Hence, the best preventive is to avoid applying heat to chilled or frozen parts too suddenly. The temperature should be gradually raised, either by remaining in a cool room until the circulation is restored by rubbing, or by placing the part in cool water and allowing it to warm gradually in this way. Snow may be used to advantage, being rubbed upon the part.

The excessive irritation of frosted parts is sometimes much relieved by the application of cream or sweet oil.

DIPHTHERIA.

This disease is very common at this season, often appearing as an epidemic. It is justly regarded as a dangerous disease, though its gravity is much lessened by rational methods of treatment.

The disease may commence with a sudden chill, followed by a high fever, or its beginning may be gradual, being accompanied by feelings of general discomfort. The local manifestations of the disease are usually in the throat, upon the fauces, tonsils, and soft palate. These parts are at first reddened; then they become swollen, and whitish patches of false membrane appear upon them. Sometimes the irritation and false membrane extend over the whole inner surface of the mouth, into the nasal cavity, and down into the œsophagus and trachea, adding greatly to the gravity of the affection. Particles of mucus should not be mistaken for false membrane. The former can be easily removed, while the latter adheres quite firmly until it is loosened by ulceration.

The throat affection usually receives the chief attention, but it is, in reality, not the disease itself, but only one of the results of the disease. Proper treatment should be applied, not only to the throat, but to the whole body.

The general fever may be allayed by the employment of sponge-baths and packs. The head must be kept cool and the feet warm. The sick room should be well ventilated, in order to carry away as rapidly as possible the foul germs which result from the disease, and thus prevent their re-absorption into the blood. The diet should be plain and light, though enough should be given to sustain the nutrition of the patient. Oatmeal gruel and mild fruits are usually well received. Milk may be employed when the patient has been accustomed to its use. The same regularity in meals should be observed, as in health.

The local treatment is of much importance, though it is of little utility without general treatment. It chiefly consists in the application of cold to the outside of the throat, in the severer cases, and the use of alternate hot and cold applications in milder ones. When there is a great degree of inflammation in the throat, small bits of ice may be held in the mouth of the patient and allowed to melt gradually.

Cold may be applied by pounding ice and folding it in a towel, and then laying this upon the neck. Snow may be used in the same way.

A gargle of lemonade, or water acidulated with vinegar, is often very grateful to the patient. Permanganate of potash in weak solution may be used in the same way. Pure lemon juice should be applied directly to the patches in severe cases.—Health Reformer.