Mother's Remedies Part 72

Symptoms.--Local pain in the muscles, sharp or dull, aching constant, or caused by certain movements and is usually relieved by pressure. It lasts from a few days to several weeks and frequently recurs. The common forms are: Lumbago. This affects the muscles of the back, and usually comes on suddenly with a sharp stich-like pain, and is chiefly seen in those who labor hard, often completely disabling them for a time.

Torticollis (stiff or wry neck).--It is usually on the side or back of the neck. Comes from a draught of cold wind on the neck, etc.

Pleurodynia, pain in the chest muscles, etc.--With pain in all movements of the chest, resembling intercostal neuralgia or pleurisy.

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Diet for Rheumatism from the Head Nurse of a Prominent Hospital:--

May Take--

Soups.--Mutton broth, chicken or beef tea, in small quant.i.ties.

Fish.--Raw clams or oysters, fresh fish (whiter kinds) boiled.

Meats.--Chicken, calf 's head, sweetbread, tripe, broiled fat bacon or broiled ham (all sparingly).

Farinaceous.--Whole wheat, corn or brown bread, arrowroot, rice, dry toast, milk toast.

Vegetables.--Spinach, green peas or cabbage (well boiled), celery, lettuce, cresses, radishes.

Desserts.--Milk, rice or arrowroot pudding, (all without sugar), junket.

Drinks--Tea (without sugar), b.u.t.termilk, pure water, plain with lemon or lime juice (no sugar).

Must Not Take--

Pork, veal, turkey, goose, duck, fried fish or salt meats, cooked oysters or clams, salted, dried, potted or preserved fish or meats (except fat bacon or ham), crabs, salmon, lobster, eggs, rich made dishes, gravies, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, asparagus, mushrooms, candies, rich puddings, pies, pastry, nuts, cheese, coffee, cider, malt liquors, wines.

Treatment for Stiff Neck.--Wry Neck, (torticollis).--Warmth applied either dry or moist as hot salt bag or fomentations of hops, etc. Parke, Davis & Co., Detroit, now make a preparation called capsicine. This is very good for this trouble, rubbed on thoroughly as directed. It can be bought at most drug stores. It is also good for headaches and neuralgias. The same line of treatment, hot and cold applications, can be given for pain in the chest muscles (pleurodynia) and lumbago.

A MOTHERS' REMEDY for Stiff Neck.--Hot Salt and Oil of Sa.s.safras.--"If troubled with stiff neck, fill a bag with hot salt and sleep on it, or rub the neck with oil of sa.s.safras which, by the way, is also excellent for lumbago and to scatter, not cure, rheumatism pains."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Rheumatism.--Preventive.--Avoid exposure as stated for other rheumatism. Rest the chest by strapping with adhesive plaster as in pleurisy. Porous plasters are good and liniments; sometimes help is obtained by rubbing freely with camphor. Hot dry or wet applications are frequently useful. Mustard plaster is very good when the s.p.a.ce is not too great. Mix the mustard with the white of an egg and after it is taken off grease the part and keep on warm cloths. Hot foot baths and hot drinks of lemonade or teas, after which the person should go to bed and sweat and remain there for some hours.

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Liniment.--

Oil of Wintergreen 1/2 to 1 ounce Compound Soap Liniment 8 ounces

Mix and rub on thoroughly.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--Lumbago, Menthol Liniment for.--Apply the menthol liniment, cover with a thick cloth and put the hot water bottle next to it and go to bed. If up through the day have a cotton batting sewed to cloth and keep affected parts warm, using the liniment freely." The menthol liniment will be found an excellent remedy for lumbago, The menthol absorbs quickly and by applying the hot water bottle relief is sure to follow.

1. Weak Back, Vinegar and Salt for.--"One tablespoonful of salt and one tablespoonful of vinegar to a quart of hot water. Bathe the back, then rub well with sweet oil and relief will soon follow,"

2. Weak Back. Simple Remedy for.--"Aching may be relieved by taking a large pinch of buchu leaves, steep and drink. Sweeten if desired. Use a pint of water for steeping the leaves," This is a good remedy for a weak back, resulting from kidney trouble. The buchu leaves acts quickly on the kidneys and it is surprising to see how quickly the backache will disappear. You can purchase a two ounce package for five cents at any drug store.

3. Weak Back, Good Liniment for.--

"Tincture of Aconite 1 ounce Oil of Wintergreen 1/2 ounce Tincture of Belladonna 1 ounce Tincture of Arnica 1 ounce Aqua Ammonia 2 ounces

Mix and use as a liniment."

This is a very good liniment.

4. Lameness, Chloroform Liniment for.--"Chloroform liniment is the best for all lameness and sore limbs."

5. Lameness, Plantain Leaves and Cream for.--"Make ointment from plantain laves, simmered in sweet cream or fresh b.u.t.ter. This is very cooling."

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Rheumatism, Saltpetre Good in Cases of.--"One ounce of saltpetre to one pint of water. Take one teaspoonful of the above in a large gla.s.s of water, about six times daily." The saltpetre acts on the kidneys, carrying off the impurities in this way. Care should be taken not to continue this treatment too long at a time, as continued use would result in injury to the kidneys.

2. Rheumatism, Roch.e.l.le Salts for.--"One teaspoonful roch.e.l.le salts in one-half gla.s.s water every other morning." This acts on the bowels and cleanses the system.

3. Rheumatism, Flowers of Sulphur Will Relieve Pain of.--Sciatica is sometimes very much improved by wrapping the limb for one night with flowers of sulphur."

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4. Rheumatism, Three Simple Ingredient Liniment for.--"One pint pure cider vinegar, one pint of turpentine, four fresh eggs, put the egg sh.e.l.ls and all in the vinegar, let stand until the vinegar eats the eggs all up, then add the turpentine." This makes a fine liniment.

5. Rheumatism, Sulphur Good for.--"Cases of chronic rheumatism are often relieved by sulphur baths and sulphur tea. Dose:--Powder sulphur and mix with mola.s.ses. A teaspoonful three times a day," Sulphur is a good blood purifier and laxative.

6. Rheumatism, Horse-Radish for.--"An excellent and well-known remedy for rheumatism is to make a syrup of horse-radish by boiling the root and add sufficient sugar to make it palatable. Dose:--Two or three teaspoonfuls two or three times a day,"

7. Rheumatism, Simple Remedy to Relieve Pain of.--

"Peppermint 1 ounce Oil of Mustard 1/4 ounce Vinegar 1 pint White of one egg.

Beat egg; stir all together."

8. Rheumatism, Liniment for Chronic.--

"Olive Oil 1 pint Sa.s.safras Oil 2 drams Camphor Gum 2 ounces Chloroform 1/2 ounce

Dissolve the camphor in the oil and when dissolved add the chloroform and four ounces of turpentine or rosemary. Rub the parts well night and morning. If the limbs are very sensitive to cold, add to the mixture two ounces of tincture of capsic.u.m."

9. Rheumatism, Herb Remedy for.--

Tincture Colchic.u.m Seed 4 ounces Gum Guaiac.u.m 4 ounces Black Cohosh Root 4 ounces p.r.i.c.kly Ash Berries 4 ounces Iodide Potash 1 ounce

Dose for adult, one teaspoonful three times a day in winegla.s.sful of water or milk."

10. Rheumatism, Three Things that Will Help.--

"Best Rye Whisky 2 pints Ground Burdock Seed 1/2 pound Poke Berry Juice 1/2 pint

Mix, shake well before using.