Papers on Health Part 30

It can do no harm in any case, and has saved many lives.

Water on the Chest.--Sometimes a large watery swelling appears in one part or another of the chest. It is practically a bag of liquid waste, due to deficient action on the part of the kidneys or skin. Treatment should be given as recommended in Dropsy, and, besides, the four-ply moist flannel bandage should be worn over the skin. This will in many cases speedily effect a cure.

Weakness.--Often there follows, after the cure of an inflammatory disease, very great weakness. This in itself is sometimes a great danger, but can usually be removed by proper care and nursing. The common method of administering wine, brandy, or other alcoholic liquor, is the very worst that could be adopted. Hot water will prove a valuable stimulant, when a stimulant is required. Any NOURISHMENT (_see_) to be given should also be just a little warmer than blood heat. For drink, the unfermented wine made by Frank Wright, Chemist, Kensington, London, is of great value. It is simply the pure juice of the grape. If milk be given, it should always be diluted with an equal bulk of boiling water. The fomentation of the feet and legs will greatly help in restoring vigour. This should be done gently at first, where the weakness is great. Afterwards, when the patient can bear it, the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_) will be found serviceable. All this, of course, is on the a.s.sumption that only _weakness_ and no fever is the trouble. Where fever is present, other treatment is necessary.

Sponging all over with warm vinegar is also a most invigorating thing.

Do this once, and afterwards the treatment may be varied by the real stimulant of cayenne being used in the form of an infusion strong enough to rouse the nerves, as is done by the acid. This has the advantage of saving the skin, if that is tender, and keeping off eruption, which is apt to come if the acid is often used. We think it well to use the acid once or so, and the cayenne infusion as frequently as anything of the kind is required. Rubbing with olive oil is also most beneficial. But both must be done very cautiously where there is great weakness. To rub the whole body at once will then be too much.

But it may be done bit by bit, stopping whenever fatigue or chilliness is felt by the patient. _See also_ Heat and Weakness.

Weaning.--Many of the troubles which come in this process arise simply from ignorance or want of thought on the part of the nurse or mother.

Sometimes the child, having been burned with a hot teaspoon, will afterwards refuse all that is offered in such a spoon. In such a case use an egg-spoon of bone, or a small cup. Sometimes spoons of various metals, having peculiar tastes, are used, and the child refuses them.

When food is refused, it is well therefore always to see that it is not the spoon or dish which is the real reason.

Again, food ill-fitted for the child's digestion is offered. In this case the child is doing the right thing in refusing it. Milk and hot water, in equal quant.i.ties, with a very little sugar, is a mixture which can always be given with safety. In weaning, the nurse should begin by using this alone. Gradually a very little thin oatmeal jelly may be added, and the strength of the mixture increased. If there should be indigestion, a few teaspoonfuls of hot water will usually cure it. If the bowels are inactive, mix a little pure CANE SYRUP (_see_) with the food. Avoid all drugs as far as possible. If the whole process be _gradual_, there will usually be little or no trouble with the child. If, where teething and weaning are both coming together, the child should be seized with chill and shivering, a good blanket FOMENTATION (_see_) may be wrapped round the body and legs. Dry after this, and rub with warm OLIVE OIL (_see_). Generally this will induce sleep, in which case leave the child _warm_ in the fomentation until it awakes (_see_ Teething).

In weaning, the mother often suffers as well as the child. The supply of milk in the breast being over-abundant, the b.r.e.a.s.t.s become hard and painful, and feverishness comes on. In this case the b.r.e.a.s.t.s must be emptied, either by some other person, or by the various ingenious instruments sold by all druggists. Then a large, cold damp cloth should be placed over the emptied breast, and changed once or twice, rubbing afterwards with a little olive oil. This, in ordinary cases, will cause the flow of milk to cease. Where the swelling is very hard and almost inflammatory, the breast should be fomented for five or ten minutes, then emptied, and a cold cloth applied as above directed. If all this fails, a BRAN POULTICE (_see_), or hot bag with moist flannel covering, should be applied between the shoulders. While the patient lies on this, cold towels (_see_ Towels, Cold Wet) should be changed on the b.r.e.a.s.t.s. This will usually effectually stay the secretion of milk. This last treatment is rarely required, but is harmless and most efficient.

Where mother and child are both sickly, weaning must be carefully conducted. But it must ever be remembered that a child is far more healthily nourished on a bottle of good cow's milk or condensed milk (of _first-rate quality_) than on a sickly mother's milk. This is the case even if the child be ill. Only let the bottle not be too strong.

_See_ Children, numerous articles.

Weariness.--Where persistent weariness is felt, and the least exertion brings on a feeling of la.s.situde, there is evidently an undue exhaustion of nerve force in the body. Too rapid action of the heart is a frequent cause. In such a case all exciting ideas and influences should be kept from the patient's mind, and rest taken. The heart's action should also be reduced by careful lathering with soap (_see_ Lather; Soap). Where the weariness is really serious, great care must be exercised, and treatment very gradually administered. Rest must be given whenever exhaustion shows itself (_see_ Heat and Weakness; Weakness; and articles on Nerves and Nervousness). Where the heart's action is very slow, and requires to be stimulated, REST (_see_) must be taken, and treatment given as recommended in the case elsewhere.

_See_ Depression.

In other cases we find weariness arising from an irritated state of the stomach. Where there is no particular nerve exhaustion, the fiery and inflamed state of the stomach membranes forbids sleep, and causes a great feeling of tiredness. Headache (_see_), and even fainting fits, sometimes come on in such a case. All the nerves are excited, so that even touching the head or skin is most painful. Yet all can be traced to an inflamed stomach as the cause. Such a case, to be successfully treated, requires considerable resolution. In one case the treatment was as follows: First, the feet and legs up to the knees were wrapped in a large FOMENTATION (_see_). A cold wet towel was then folded lengthwise so as to be four-ply thick. The end was laid on the stomach, and _gently pressed_. In about half-a-minute it was hot. The towel was then shifted so that a fresh cool part lay over the stomach, and so on throughout the length of the towel. Handfuls of finely-wrought soap LATHER (_see_) were then prepared and laid on the stomach. Then the cold cloth was again renewed on top of the lather. For _two hours_ this was continued, and by that time the worst symptoms had abated. A little fresh oil gently rubbed over the stomach completed the treatment for that time. When the heat again arose, the same treatment was repeated, and so on till a cure was effected. Five or ten minutes' cooling would have been utterly useless. The heat evolved in the stomach required two hours steady cooling, and might have required more. The feelings of the patient are ever the best guide in such a case. As long as the cooling feels "delightful" it may safely be continued, if the heat to the feet is kept up.

If the weakness is very great, it may be necessary to keep to milk and hot water, such as an infant would thrive on, for a short time. If the weakness is not so great, it will be possible for the patient to take a little gruel or porridge made from wheaten meal, and also good fresh b.u.t.termilk. The stomach may be far from ready to take eggs and such things, but quite able to digest the "poorer" food, as it is often called. To give the really weak as perfect rest of mind and as easily digested food as possible, are conditions that must not be overlooked if we would be successful in their cure.

White Leg.--When a limb becomes swelled and white, pouring hot water very gently over it with a sponge or cloth will have a blessed effect.

It may be continued for an hour at a time for several times. If this ceases to be comforting, it should be discontinued and the limb dressed with warm olive oil, a soft cotton rag being put next the skin, and soft flannel above that. Of course absolute rest should be taken.

Whooping Cough.--The cough is a spasmodic action of nerves which are otherwise healthy enough, so that when the violent action ceases, the child's health is much as usual. Any irritation of nerves or temper will, however, bring on an attack, and should therefore be avoided, and all soothing mental influences should be encouraged. Three or four teaspoonfuls of hot water taken frequently, and given whenever an attack comes on, will give great relief. We have ourselves seen a child thought to be dying relieved at once by nothing more than this.

Therefore it should never be neglected as too simple.

Also the feet should be bathed once in two nights (_see_ Bathing Feet) in warm water (not too hot), dried and rubbed gently with olive oil. On the night when the feet are not bathed, let the back be lathered with _warm_ lather (_see_ Lather; Soap), quickly dried off, and then a little olive oil _gently_ rubbed on.

In ordinary cases, this will be sufficient to ward off all danger in the disease, but in severer attacks the feet and legs may be fomented (_see_ Fomentation) while the child is in bed, and cold towels changed along the spine while the fomentation remains on, so as to lower the nerve action over the main centres. This is best done in the morning before the patient arises. If anything like inflammation sets in in any part of the chest, treat as recommended in Bronchitis or Lungs, Inflammation of.

As far as possible, all causes of irritation to the patient must be removed or avoided. In the time of whooping cough, the sunniest way of managing the child is the best.

The other children, if any, in the house, should have the footbath and oil, and the back wash, as recommended above. This will lessen danger of infection, and make the attack lighter if they should take it.

Worms.--Where the juices and organs of the body are thoroughly healthy, worms will not appear. Before they can breed, there must be more or less of failure in the patient's health. This shows us that the cure for worms is not so much some poisonous substance which will destroy them, as such an increase of healthy action in the system as will prevent their development. The bowels must be kept open by suitable diet as it is most important to avoid Constipation (_see_). In case of worms in children, stimulus and help are specially needed by the _mucous membrane_ or inner lining of the stomach and bowels. To give this, and at the same time to neutralise and remove waste material from the membrane, a little vinegar and warm water may be frequently given, in teaspoonfuls. This is best taken from an hour to half-an-hour before meals. It is often needful to use some soothing, nourishing substance, such as liquorice, boiled with a little camomile, taken, say after meals, while the acid is taken before them: this has an excellent effect. At the same time, an enema of warm water and vinegar should be given twice a day. Where Santolina (_see_) can be procured, its use will speedily effect a complete cure. Change of air, holiday from lessons, and any other means of increasing the general health, should also be utilised.

Worry.--One of the most fruitful causes of ill-health is the habit of worrying. Many believe this to be unavoidable, and think it even an evidence of interest in their work or of consideration for their friends. But this is not real interest or real consideration. The person who faces the work of the moment without anxiety for the future or useless regret for the past will accomplish his task before the hara.s.sed careworn man has thought out how to begin it. It is not work that kills but worry. Illness is frequently brought on by worry. Worry wrinkles the face, makes us look old before our time, often makes us sour and disagreeable, always makes us more or less wanting in true politeness, and is socially a great handicap to a man, a much greater to a woman. Further, worry not only prevents cure but kills, and nothing will help us more in recovering from illness than a calm, contented spirit.

Now the first thing to do to overcome this habit is to realise that _worry is a bad habit which it is quite possible to get rid of_. The proof of this is that thousands of people for years slaves to it have got rid of it. Through some means or other they have been brought to exercise their will power and have found, sometimes to their considerable astonishment, always to their inexpressible relief, that they have regained a lost mental power and that their efficiency as workers has been enormously increased.

If any matter needs much thought, devote thought to it, reflect and weigh carefully. If it requires time, take it up at separate times.

Only make up your mind to this one thing, that you are the master and the arbitrator as to when it shall be taken up. If it intrudes, dismiss it as you would a servant from the room when you no longer require his presence. It is bound to go when you do so dismiss it. When you summon it to your consciousness concentrate your mind upon it. Want of concentration, being a dissipation of the mental powers, is a cause of worry.

Worry becomes doubly baneful when it is directed towards the "might have been." Legitimate regret should be an emotion always accompanied by the determination to learn by experience. Every aid to enable the dispossessed will to regain its rightful throne should be employed.

Properly chosen books, companions, and surroundings, are of great use, but perhaps quiet persistent self culture of the will, will be found to be the best. It matters little whether you call this "self suggestion"

or not. As a matter of fact it is simply the common-sense of the question. It is the making up of the mind to do a thing with certain aspirations, emotions, and desires towards this thing. Thousands of people do it every day, especially in religious matters. It needs an adequate motive or a great ideal to carry it out. Such a motive here, might be the realisation of the uselessness and the positive harm of worry. Actually realise this, then affirm your determination to avoid worry and you have well begun the battle. Go through this mental exercise each time you feel you are worrying again. After a while you may omit it all but the mental determination.

The mind cannot act rightly in an unsound body, and there is no doubt that good health wards off worry. Deep breathing of fresh air by producing well oxygenated pure blood, will do much to restore mental balance, especially if this want of mental balance is, as is often the case, partly due to inattention to the laws of health.

Worry is by no means a necessary concomitant of high civilisation, it is rather an accompanying mental disease due partly to low nerve power, which itself is due to erroneous methods of life--errors of diet, want of pure air, cleanliness, exercise, etc. Partly, too, is this low nerve power due to mental causes peculiarly Western. The _Asiatic_ with his power of concentration, reflection, contemplation, with his patience, endurance, calmness, knows nothing of this scourge of European and American life. Even the j.a.panese, progressive and efficient as they are, possess this native contented, sweet, calm disposition, a habit of mind which, if they can retain, will be of enormous value to them in coming years.

Wounds, Bleeding of.--After sending for a surgeon the first thing to be looked at in case of any wound is the bleeding. Sometimes this is trifling and needs no particular effort to staunch it. When, however, a vein or artery has been lacerated the flow must immediately be attended to.

If the blood be welling up from the wound and of a dark red colour it is venous blood, if it spurt up from the wound and be of a bright red colour it is arterial blood. What has to be done is to place a pressure on the vein or artery to prevent the blood escaping.

Venous bleeding may generally be stopped by putting a pad of lint dipped in cold water on the wound and tying it on with a bandage. If the blood continues to flow, tie a bandage round the limb on the side of the wound _away_ from the heart and keep the limb raised.

Arterial bleeding must be treated by tying on the pad and bandage, and if the bleeding continues, stopping the flow in the artery on the side of the wound _nearest_ the heart, and at some point where it pa.s.ses over a bone so that pressure may be efficiently applied. The bandage for thus tying an artery may be simply made by knotting a handkerchief (Diagram IV.), putting something solid inside the knot, then placing the knot on the artery at the desired point and tying tightly. If required this may be tightened by putting a stick under and twisting round, then tying the stick in position (Diagram II.).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. I.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. II.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. III.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. IV.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. V.]

If the palm of the hand is cut, put a pad inside the hand, close the fingers, and tie the bandage round the clenched fist.

If the wound is in the forearm, put a pad in the bend of the elbow, and tie the forearm firmly up on the arm. If the wound is above the elbow stop the main artery in the way above indicated. This artery runs pretty well under the inner seam of the sleeve of a man's coat. Diagram I. shows how this artery may be stopped by direct pressure of the hand; Diagram II. how a tourniquet may be applied.

For bleeding in the arm-pit, press in a pad and tie the arm down to the side. It may be necessary here to compress the artery with the thumb.

The artery here lies behind the inner bend of the collar bone lying on the first rib.

In case of arterial bleeding about the head apply the bandage as in Diagram III. The pressure is here applied right over the wound, as the skull is always behind on which to press the artery.

A wound in the leg should be treated in a similar way to a wound in the arm. Diagram V. shows the stopping of bleeding above the knee.

Do not remove the pressure until the arrival of a medical man.