Enquire Within Upon Everything Part 81

788. Tragacanth

Tragacanth is used to allay tickling cough, and lubricate abraded parts. It is usually given in the form of mucilage.

_Dose_, from ten grains to one drachm, or more.

789. Linseed

Linseed is emollient and demulcent.

It is _used externally_, in the form of powder or "meal," as a poultice; and the oil, combined with lime water, is applied to burns and scalds.

It is used _internally_ as an infusion in diarrhoea, dysentery, and irritation of the intestines after certain poisons, and in catarrh.

The best form of linseed meal is that which is obtained from seed from which the oil has not been extracted.

_Dose_, of the _infusion_, as much as the patient pleases.

790. Marsh-Mallow

Marsh-Mallow is _used internally_ in the same diseases as linseed.

The leaves are _used externally_ as a fomentation, and the boiled roots are bruised and applied as an emollient poultice.

_Dose_, the same as for linseed.

791. Mallow

Mallow is _used externally_ as a fomentation and poultice in inflammation, and the infusion is _used internally_ in dysentery, diseases of the kidneys, and the same diseases as marsh-mallow and linseed. It is also used as an enema.

_Dose_, same as for linseed and marsh-mallow.

792. Liquorice

Liquorice is an agreeable demulcent, and is given in the form of decoction in catarrh, and some forms of dyspepsia, and the extract is used in catarrh.

_Dose_, of the _extract_, from ten grains to one drachm; of the _decoction_, from two to four ounces.

793. Arrowroot etc.

Arrowroot, islingla.s.s, almonds, suet, and wax, are too well known to require descriptions. (_See par 487_, for "Almond Confection" for preparations.)

794. Diluents.

These are chiefly watery compounds, such as weak tea, water, thin broth, gruel, weak infusions of balm, h.o.r.e-hound, pennyroyal, ground ivy, mint, and sage.

795. Emollients.

These consist of unctuous remedies, such as cerates and ointments, and any materials that combine heat with moisture,--poultices of bread, bran, linseed meal, carrots, and turnips. (_See par 809_.)

796. Domestic Surgery.

This will comprise such hints and advice as will enable any one to act on an emergency, or in ordinary trivial accidents requiring simple treatment: and also to distinguish between serious and simple accidents, and the best means to adopt in all cases that are likely to fall under a person's notice.

These hints will be of the utmost value to heads of families, to emigrants, and to persons who are frequently called upon to attend the sick. We strongly recommend the Parent, Emigrant, and Nurse, _to read over these directions occasionally_,--to regard it as a duty to do so at least three or four times a year, so as to be prepared for emergencies whenever they may arise. When accidents occur, people are too excited to acquire immediately a knowledge of what they should do; and many lives have been lost for want of this knowledge.

Study, therefore, at moderate intervals, the _Domestic Surgery_, _Treatment of Poisons_, _Rules for the Prevention of Accidents_, _How to Escape from Fires_, _the Domestic Pharmacopoeia_, _&c._, which will he found in various pages of _Enquire Within_.

And let it be impressed upon your mind that THE INDEX will enable you to refer to _anything_ you may require IN A MOMENT. Don't trouble to hunt through the pages; but when you wish to ENQUIRE WITHIN, remember that the INDEX is the knocker, by which the door of knowledge may be opened.

[TO-MORROW, CRIES TOO LATE TO BE FORGIVEN.]

797. Dressings.

These are substances usually applied to parts for the purpose of soothing, promoting their reunion when divided, protecting them from external injuries, absorbing discharges, protecting the surrounding parts, insuring cleanliness, and as a means of applying various medicines.

798. Certain Instruments

Certain Instruments are required for the application of dressings in domestic surgery, viz.--scissors, a pair of tweezers or simple forceps, a knife, needles and thread, a razor, a lancet, a piece of lunar caustic in a quill, and a sponge.

799. Materials for dressings.

These consist of lint, sc.r.a.ped linen, carded cotton, tow, ointment spread on calico, adhesive plaster, compresses, pads, bandages, poultices, old rags of linen or calico, and water.

800. Rules.

The following rules should be attended to in applying dressings:

i. Always prepare the new dressing before removing the old one.

ii. Always have hot and cold water at hand, and a vessel to place the foul dressings in.

iii. Have one or more persons at hand ready to a.s.sist, and, to prevent confusion, tell each person what they are to do before you commence; thus, one is to wash out and hand the sponges, another to heat the adhesive plaster, or hand the bandages and dressings, and, if requisite, a third to support the limb, &c.

iv. Always stand on the outside of a limb to dress it.

v. Place the patient in as easy a position as possible, so as not to fatigue him.