Papers on Health Part 19

Suppose one eats more than can be changed into healthy tissue, the food may all go into blood, but the nervous power of the cells is insufficient to deal with it. Sluggish living in bad air, tobacco, or alcoholic drinks, will all cause this. Then some slight wound or bruise is received, and the overloaded blood fails to act healthfully and heal this. A sore is formed, most likely somewhere in the foot or leg, and the limb goes from bad to worse in spite of all efforts, while this _inequality_ between the blood and the tissues continues. This goes on perhaps for years, and no effort is made to remedy it. Such a case may often be very easily cured, even where doctors p.r.o.nounce it hopeless, if the patient will submit to proper regimen and treatment. Let the limb be thoroughly bathed, as far above the knee as possible, with water as hot as can be borne (_see_ Bathing Feet). Pour into the water about half-a-pint of strong vinegar. Keep up the heat for an hour.

Repeat three times each day--at 11 a.m., 4 p.m., and at bedtime. Rest from treatment on the Sabbath. When perspiration follows this bath, dry the patient all over, and rub with vinegar. Dry this off and rub with olive oil. Dry again, and put on clothes.

When we have to foment a foot or knee in long heatings or bathings, we find it well sometimes to cool the lower part of the spinal nerves, and remove all irritation of them.

Then for _diet_, let the patient go on good wholesome wheaten biscuits (_see_ Biscuits and Water) three times a day as food, and pure water, with no alcohol of any kind, to drink. And let him give up the use of tobacco entirely. Many times over, when limbs have been condemned by the medical men, we have seen them saved in this way. We have seen the same treatment save arms and fingers, reducing them from swollen and unsightly sores to perfect shape and complete usefulness.

Limbs, Disjointed, or Sprained.--In the case of an overstretch, or sprain, which has resulted in a hardened, swollen, and painful state of the muscles of the arm, bathe the arm in hot water, using plenty of SOAP (_see_). While the arm lies in this bath, gently squeeze it with both hands, so as to make the muscles work gently over one another, and the blood run out and in to the stiff parts. Care must be taken to avoid hurting the patient. No such effort is needed as to require great strength--only so much squeezing as urges the blood out of the part squeezed, and lets it in again when the pressure is taken off.

Persevere in this for half-an-hour, dry, and rub with warm olive oil.

Do this twice daily until the arm is restored.

In the case of a broken or disjointed arm, FOMENTATION (_see_) should be vigorously applied until proper surgical aid can be had to set the bones. Even where a joint has been a long time out, such fomentation persevered in will soften the part, and permit of proper setting of the bones. Cold is unfavourable--cold water a decided mistake in such a case.

Of course a surgeon should be employed; but if no medical aid can be obtained, a person who understands anatomy may replace a disjointed limb by fomenting and oiling the muscles thoroughly, and then watching for a time when they are relaxed, and when the patient's attention is not fixed on the joint. This is the moment to slip the bone into its place. If medical aid can be obtained, it is always safe, while waiting for the doctor, to foment the broken or disjointed limb. Also a wet compress worn over the disjointed limb will, with the fomentation, make it much easier for him, when he comes, properly to set the bones.

When two bones in any part of the body are disjointed, the cords and muscles which tend to keep them firm in their ordinary position usually draw the ends past each other so that they overlap. To get the joint right, the bones must be drawn until the ends can pa.s.s each other, and then they must be brought into their proper position. Compare the disjointed bones with those same bones in a right position in some one's body, and thus you will see how they may be drawn right. There is a way of manipulating the muscles and tendons that in most cases renders it unnecessary to use much force, therefore the inexperienced should never draw forcibly. Sometimes a joint will repeatedly fail in this way. In such a case it may be supported; but means must be used by hot fomentations to strengthen the joint, and general rubbing, especially on the spine, must be used to increase vital force.

Limbs, Drawn-up.--We have had many cases of contracted limbs, arising from various causes. Some of these have been completely cured, even when the tendons or _cords_ which were contracted were going to be _cut_ by medical advice. In one case, however, of which we knew, the medical man ordered the very treatment we employ.

In the first place we must have EXERCISE (_see_). This may be given by ma.s.saging the back and limbs with a gentle squeezing motion for half-an-hour twice a day (_see_ Ma.s.sAGE). Use hot olive oil for this rubbing, and _persevere_. If the feet be sweaty, rub them with the CAYENNE LOTION (_see_). But the effective cure will be found in the careful and persevering rubbing and pressure.

Sometimes we find that a failure occurs in the large haunch joint itself, and that is not only shown by pain and stiffness, but by one or more sores that discharge matter, indicating that the bone is diseased.

At the same time, the sinews of the limb affected give signs of contraction, and the heel soon refuses to come to the ground in walking. There is clearly a lack of vital energy, such as is wanted to heal the bone and nourish the leaders in this limb: this lack may have been showing itself for years. Apply the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_).

Soon the sores begin to put on a healthier appearance, and ere long they heal up. With this and the rubbing, the sinews begin to relax and lengthen out, so that the heel comes nearer the ground. The limb may even have become smaller than the other, but it grows so as to come up with the healthy one: this will be the case though the fomentation is done equally to both. It is a curious thing that the body is so const.i.tuted that general healthy growth tends to bring on weaker parts more rapidly than stronger ones, so as to restore proper proportions.

The new force applied to the roots of nerves on both sides of the spine does not make the healthy limb grow so as to keep in advance of the weakened one; it makes the weakened one grow so as to come up with the healthier. You do not therefore need to confine the fomenting to one side; it is better to apply it equally to both sides, and to leave the laws of the const.i.tution to arrange all matters as to proportion. These laws never fail to do so perfectly. In the hands of a really skilful surgeon, much may be done to remedy diseased bone by the modern methods of antiseptic treatment and operation, but where these are not available, the above treatment has most excellent effects, and has sometimes cured where the surgeon has failed.

Limbs, Fractured.--It is not always easy to say definitely whether a bone is broken or not. In general, however, the following are signs of fracture:--(1) Loss of power in the limb; (2) Swelling or pain at the injured spot; (3) Distortion of the limb, usually shorter than natural; gentle pulling makes it temporarily regain its natural position; (4) When the limb is gently moved, it moves at some spot between the joints, and a grating sound is heard; (5) In case of a bone which lies near the skin, a touch will perceive the irregularity due to the fracture.

Pending the surgeon's arrival, if there is a fracture, do not attempt to move the patient till the limb is so secured that the broken bone is prevented from moving. If the arm bone is broken, put one splint inside and another outside the arm, and tie two bandages, one on each side of the fracture. Sling the arm in a small arm-sling like the straw envelope of a bottle.

If the thigh be fractured, get a long splint, such as a broom handle or a rifle, placing it from the pit of the arm to the foot. Bandage around the chest, the hip bones, legs, and feet, and then by two bandages, one above and the other below the fracture.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A Broken Thigh.]

If the leg bone or bones be broken, an umbrella makes a good splint.

Another splint should be applied on the inside of the leg, the two firmly bandaged together, and finally the legs tied together.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A Broken Leg.]

If the knee-cap only be fractured, tie the leg on a splint from hip to foot, and keep the limb raised.

Almost any firm substance which can keep the limb at rest can be used for a splint, but if hard it should be padded. If the fracture is accompanied with severe bleeding, stop the flow first before attending to the fracture. (_See_ Wounds.)

Limbs, Inflamed.--Entirely different treatment from the above is needed for such a thing as inflammation of the elbow, wrist, shoulder-joint or knee.

Say it is an inflamed elbow that is to be treated. We describe this; but similar treatment, with very slight variation, such as common sense will suggest, answers for the other joints.

Have two large plain towels wrung out of cold water, and folded so as to wrap six ply thick round the elbow. See that the patient is otherwise warm. Place one of the towels round the joint, and gently press it (avoiding pain) so as to draw the heat out of every part. When this is hot subst.i.tute the other, and continue with fresh cooling--for an hour if necessary. The cloth may require to be changed perhaps thirty times; but the guide to this is furnished by its heating. When hot, change it. This may be repeated frequently, until the inflammation is subdued.

Limbs, Uncontrollable.--This trouble is found in the double form; first, of limbs which will not move when their owner desires to move them; and, second, limbs moving in excessive jerks when they are not desired to do so. These cases are often combined, the limbs being rigid at one time and jerking violently at another. There is no wasting or unhealthy appearance. We have found this condition caused by excessive walking, running, and standing, combined with exposure to frequent wettings. The result is, in essence, that _motor_ power in the limbs is in excess, while _controlling_ power is defective: the case is indeed similar to St. Vitus' Dance (_see_). Bathe the feet (_see_ Bathing Feet) in hot water, and apply cold towels folded and wrung out of cold water (but not iced) along the spine. Keep this up for an hour-and-a-half at a time. By that time the hard rigid feeling in the limbs will probably have disappeared, but great helplessness will be felt. You have removed the excess of motor energy, and must now increase the voluntary energy. This will be accomplished by gently rubbing the back and limbs with hot olive oil, as in Limbs, Drawn-up.

This treatment, repeated daily, will usually soon cure.

Liquorice.--_See_ Constipation.

Liver, The.--Where biliousness prevails, without any symptom of real liver disease, it is well first to look to the state of the stomach and bowels. Take a teacupful of hot water twenty minutes before meals, and the liquorice mixture (_see_ Constipation) after meals. Then give a strong blanket fomentation to the feet and legs for an hour in the evening. If there be pain or feverish heat in the region of the bowels, press cold cloths over the painful part while the feet are fomented.

When the liver is really swollen, hardened, or painful, the pulse will either be quick with feverish symptoms or slow with coldness. If it be a feverish case, press cold cloths over the liver, changing them when warm, for an hour: at the same time foment the feet and legs as directed above. See that there is heat enough to make the patient comfortable under the cold applications. Inflammation of the liver will readily yield to this treatment.

When the case is a _cold_ one with slow pulse, use no cold cloths, but apply fomentations over the liver, as well as to the feet and legs.

Smoking and alcoholic drinks must be entirely given up--these habits are peculiarly severe on the liver. The treatment will not be likely to cure in a day or in a week, but patient perseverance with the fomentations should eventually effect a cure. Too rich food throws a great strain on the liver, and a plain and spare diet with prolonged mastication is necessary with above treatment if a cure is to be effected.

Locomotor Ataxia.--This disease is a most difficult one to deal with, and any healing is very slow work. Patients past middle life are specially difficult cases, but we have known cure, or at least great mitigation in younger persons by the following treatment. Beginning, say on a Tuesday, let the lower back be well rubbed with hot olive oil, the patient sitting with the back to the fire, and well covered, except where being rubbed. Continue this rubbing for half-an-hour and not longer than three-quarters-of-an-hour. On Wednesday, soap the back well with soap lather (_see_) and after the soap rub with oil again. Next night, rub with acetic acid (Coutts's) full strength, until the skin is red and smarts moderately. Repeat this on Friday, and on Sat.u.r.day and Sabbath do nothing. On Monday rub with acid again, and on Tuesday, etc., proceed as before. All treatment is best done at night, and the patient must be kept warm. He should also spend as much time as possible in the open air.

Lumbago.--Lumbago differs from both paralysis and cramp of the lower back in that it is not chiefly nervous, as these are, but is a trouble in the muscular substance itself. The muscles are either sprained or chilled, so as to have lost for the time their elasticity. Blistering, burning, and all such irritating treatment are only so many helps to the disease. The true method is found in gentle moist heating of the lower back by a BRAN POULTICE (_see_), not too hot, but renewed, if need be, for an hour each evening. Follow this up with a rubbing with hot olive oil. Wear a belt of new flannel round the body night and day in winter, or if exposed to cold. The treatment is simple, but if persevered in, cures most obstinate cases.

Lungs, Bleeding from.--This is usually taken as a most alarming, and even hopeless, symptom. It is not necessarily so at all, and even when a considerable amount of blood is lost, the patient may recover.

Therefore, let friends not be frightened when this occurs, but bend their energies to proper treatment, and all danger may be averted. All alcohol must be avoided; it is most hurtful in such cases. Pack the feet and legs in a hot blanket FOMENTATION (_see_) and press cold cloths gently and equally over the chest or back where the blood is felt to be coming from: thus you stimulate the enfeebled nerves and brace the relaxed lungs at one and the same time. Relief will usually be felt at the end of two or three minutes. Continue the application till all pain and uneasiness are gone.

_Before_ taking the legs out of the warm pack, dry the chest carefully, rub it with warm olive oil, and wrap it up in good new flannel. Then take out the feet and dry them well; rub them gently and well with warm oil, put on a pair of soft cotton stockings, and allow the patient to rest. Squeeze an orange and give him an orange drink (_see_ Drinks).

When you have used this fomentation to the feet, and cold cloths once or twice, it will be well to place a large bran poultice across the lower part of the back, taking care again that this is only comfortably hot. When you have had the benefit of this once or twice, you may place a similar poultice between the shoulders; but this only after you have so far succeeded in cooling down the inflamed lung or lungs, as the case may be. During the whole of the treatment it will be well to watch what is agreeable to the sufferer. It is not only that a certain treatment, or degree of treatment, comforts, but that it comforts because it heals. Move the patient as little as possible during treatment, and do and say all possible to soothe the mind.

The whole treatment should be gone over a second time within twelve hours. The second day give one application of the treatment only, and repeat once again the third day. Except for the first time, the treatment may be limited to half-an-hour. Avoid hot food or drink, but it is not necessary to have it positively _cold_. This treatment we have found perfectly successful in many cases.

Lungs, Congestion of the.--Treatment as below. Read preceding and succeeding articles.

Lungs, Inflammation of the.--This is a common trouble in our climate, and, fortunately, one not difficult to cure if taken in time and properly treated. It is usually the result of a chill, and is accompanied with pain and inability to breathe properly, distressing fever, and often delirium. To begin with, all its evils arise from the relaxing of the vessels of the lungs, so that these swell, and the excess of blood causes inflammatory action to supervene. To guard against it, then, those influences must be avoided which reduce vitality; where they cannot be avoided, all must be done to counteract them. Mere exposure to cold or wet, unless accompanied by exhaustion from hunger, or grief, or other influence of the kind, rarely causes this trouble.

Where the trouble has set in, the treatment is the same as recommended above in Lungs, Bleeding from. If the patient be a very strong person, and the fever very great, the fomentation to the feet may be dispensed with; but if any uncomfortable coldness is felt, or the patient not above average strength, it should always be applied. No one who has not seen it can imagine the magical effect such treatment has. It is simple, but its efficiency has been demonstrated in a very large number of cases of cure.

Malaria.--Is now known to be conveyed by the bite of a certain kind of mosquito. Those who live in a malarious district should carefully exclude these from their houses, and by draining swamps and covering water b.u.t.ts prevent their breeding, which is always in stagnant water.

If, however, exposure to infection cannot be prevented, much may be done to strengthen the system to resist it. Firstly, note that there is a great deal in the _food and drink_ of a family compelled to live in such a district. If they live largely on animal food, and drink alcoholic liquors, they will seriously add to the power of malarial influence. The use of simple food and _pure water_ will very much lessen it. Let us note that the very opposite of the popular superst.i.tion is the truth. A single gla.s.sful of gin, whiskey, or brandy, instead of "fortifying" against such infection, actually knocks down the "fortifications" which nature has reared against its power.

These drinks, then, must be strictly avoided.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Muscles of Back (Surface muscles removed on right side exposing the deeper ones).]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ma.s.saging the Back.]