Mother's Remedies Part 20

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Lice.--1. Ointment of mercury, blue ointment.

This is to be used frequently. It is rather unclean and may create a severe inflammation so be careful of it.

2. Solution of corrosive sublimate, from one to four grains to one ounce of water. This is good and can be used once or twice a day; rub thoroughly into the parts. It will cause redness and inflammation may follow if too much is used. It is very effective. Kerosene with an equal quant.i.ty of balsam of peru is a good remedy.

[SKIN DISEASES 79]

BLISTER DISEASE, (Pemphigus).--This is an acute or chronic skin disease in which there are blisters of various sizes and shapes, and these usually occur in crops.

Symptoms.--The disease may attack any part of the body. The blisters range from the size of a pea to a large egg. They contain at first a clear fluid, which soon becomes cloudy and looks more or less like pus. They last several days and then dry up. They do not rupture of themselves very often. It is not catching.

Causes.--These are obscure and not understood. A low state of the system is usually found.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Blister Disease.--General treatment should be given. a.r.s.enic is the best remedy and can be given in the form of Fowler's solution, five drops after meals at the beginning far an adult. This should be increased until some poisonous symptoms, such as bloating in the face is produced.

Elixir Quinine, Iron and Strychnine is good as a tonic, one teaspoonful after meals. Regulate the diet, give nourishing and easily digested food.

Local Treatment.--Puncture the blisters. Then put on a mild ointment like vaselin; bran and starch baths can be given in some cases. The length of the time of the disease is uncertain.

THE ITCH DISEASE. (Psoriasis) (not Common Itch). Definition.--This is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, in which there appear upon the skin thick, adherent, overlapping, scales of a shiny, whitish color, and these are situated upon a reddish, slightly raised and sharply outlined (defined) base.

Symptoms.--They begin as small reddish spots, sharply defined against the healthy skin. They may be elevated slightly and soon became covered with whitish pearl colored scales. If the scales are picked off, there is left a smooth red surface, and from this, small drops of blood ooze out. No watery or pus-like discharge escapes at any period of this disease. These spots extend at the circ.u.mference (periphery), reaching the size of the drops, or of the coins, or they may run together and form ring-shaped, or crooked wavy lines of patches, with a center that is healing up. A few scattered spots may be present, or large areas may be involved. In rare cases the whole skin is affected. These spots or patches may occur an any part of the body, but involve the extending part of the limbs, especially the elbows and knees. There may be slight itching present at times.

Course of the Disease.--It is chronic; patches may continue indefinitely or they may disappear in one place, while new crops appear elsewhere. This disease usually appears far the first time between the ages of ten and fifteen; it may then return at various intervals during a lifetime. It is usually worse during the winter.

[80 MOTHERS' REMEDIES.]

Causes.--Are usually unknown, it may occur in all cla.s.ses and kinds of people.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Itch Disease.--Remedies for the general symptoms are demanded. The general health must be looked after. Stimulating foods and drinks and the use of tobacco are forbidden.

a.r.s.enic in the form of Fowler's solution from three to ten drops three times a day; or the a.r.s.enious acid in pills of 1/50 of a grain three times a day. This medicine must not be used in the acute form, but only in chronic cases.

Local Treatment.--1. Remove the scales first and follow this by stimulating applications unless there is much inflammation. In such cases soothing lotions should be applied. Dr. Schalek of New York, recommends the following:

2. Remove the scales thoroughly with hot water and soap and then apply:

Chrysarobin 1 dram Ether, Alcohol Equal parts of each and enough to dissolve the first remedy Collodion 1 ounce

Mix and apply with a brush to the parts affected.

This solution may cause inflammation and great swelling, and on that account it should not be used on the face, it stains the skin. Dr. Hare recommends a bath only before the application. In that way some scales remain and there is not so much inflammation and swelling resulting. The stain can be removed with a weak solution of chlorinated lime.

3. Tar Remedy.--Tar is also a good remedy in ointment forms. The skin should be closely watched to find out how sensitive it is to the tar's action, not only in this but in all skin diseases. Drugs should be changed occasionally, for they lose their efficiency.

4. Tar and Sulphur Remedy for.--Never use tar on the face, it stains.

Ointment of Tar 1 ounce Ointment of Sulphur 1 ounce

Mix thoroughly and apply at night.

5. Precipitated Sulphur 6 drams Tar 6 drams Green Soap 2 ounces Lard 2 ounces Powdered Chalk 4 drams

Apply frequently.

If necessary more lard can be used, especially if the skin is very tender.

[SKIN DISEASES 81]

6. Another good local application. It is composed of the following ingredients:

Resorcinol 1 dram Zinc Oxide 1 dram Rose Water Ointment 10 drams

Apply twice a day to the part affected.

After mixing the ointment heat it until the resorcinol crystals melt to prevent any irritation of the skin from them.

Ichthyol 2-1/2 drams Salicylic Acid 2-1/2 drams Pyrogallic Acid 2-1/2 drams Olive Oil 1 ounce Lanoline 1 ounce

Mix thoroughly and apply.

The result of the disease is always favorable as to life and general health. It yields to treatment, but it has a tendency to recur.

ITCH. Common Itch (Scabies).--Itch is a contagious disease, due to the presence of an animal parasite. There is intense itching in this disease.

The parasite seeks the thin, tender regions of the skin, the s.p.a.ces between the fingers, wrists and forearms, the folds in the arm-pit, the genitals in men and the b.r.e.a.s.t.s in women.

Cause.--It is always transmitted by contagion. An intimate and long contact is usually needed. A person occupying the same bed with one who has it is liable to take it. The female parasite lives from six to eight weeks, during which time she lays fifty eggs, which, when hatched out, become impregnated in their turn.

MOTHERS' TREATMENT for Common Itch. 1. Mustard Ointment for.--"Make an ointment of cup of fresh lard (without salt) and a tablespoonful of dry mustard, work to cream and apply." This is very soothing.

2. Itch, Grandmother's Cure for.--"Sulphur and lard mixed; rub on at night, then take a good bath, using plenty of soap, every day." The above ingredients are always easily obtained and anyone suffering with this disease will find relief from the itching by using this remedy. It is very soothing.

3. Itch, Herb Ointment for.--"Mix the juice of scabious with fresh lard and apply as an ointment. A decoction made from the same herb might be taken at the same time to purify the blood. It is always well to take some blood tonic together with any outward application you may use." Some who read the above may know scabious by other names as the "morning bride" or "sweet scabious" or "devil's bit," etc.

4. Itch, Elecampane Root Ointment for.--"Boil elecampane root in vinegar, mix with fresh lard, beating thoroughly." This is an excellent remedy for itch, having a very soothing effect and relieving the itching.

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5. Itch, Oatmeal for.--"A poultice of oatmeal and oil of bays; cures the itch and hard swellings." Oatmeal poultices are more stimulating and draw more rapidly than those made of linseed meal.

6. Itch, a Mother at Parma, Michigan, Sends the Following.--"Make a salve of sulphur and lard and each night apply it to the whole body; also one tablespoonful internally for three mornings, then skip three and so on.

This is the only thing I know of that will cure itch. I have tried it with success."

7. Itch, Kerosene for.--"Apply kerosene oil, undiluted, to the parts several times a day. Apply nitrate of mercury ointment to the body."

8. Itch, Splendid Ointment for Common Itch.--

"Lac-Sulphur 160 grains Napthaline 10 grains Oil Bergamot 4 drops Cosmoline 1 ounce