G'h e 
phYSICIAK 
j r- • 
•*'* / • 
e. THE 
HOME PHYSICIAN 
A SUMMARY OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE AND SURGERY 
FOR THE USE OF TRAVELLERS, AND OF 
FAMILIES AT A DISTANCE FROM 
PHYSICIANS 
BY 
LUTHER M. GILBERT, M.D. 
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN TO THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL HOSPITAL 
AT NEW HAVEN, PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL BOARD 
OF THE SAME, ETC. 
NEW YORK 
G. T. PUTNAM'S SONS 
27 & 29 WEST 23D STREET 
1883 Copyright by 
LUTHER M. GILBERT, M.D. 
1883 INTRODUCTION. 
It is the intention of this book to give useful and 
available information regarding diseases and medi- 
cines to seamen and persons situated at a distance 
from physicians. 
Simplicity and brevity have been studied and 
theory and reasons avoided, for the purpose of 
making the matter as distinct as possible, and 
avoiding confusion. 
The leading medical and surgical works of the 
day, such as those of Flint, Bartholow, Da Costa, 
Hamilton, Aitkin, and others have been freely 
consulted and used; and the methods of treatment 
suggested are such as are largely used by physicians. 
The teaspoon is often mentioned as a measure ; 
if preferred a minim glass may be substituted ; and 
a drachm of dry or liquid medicine measured in this 
may be considered more exact. IV 
INTRODUCTION. 
List of Medicines. 
No. 
1. Elixir of Vitriol. 
2. Nitric Acid. 
3. Sulphate of Zinc. 
4. Oxide of Zinc. 
5. Alum. 
6. Acetate of Lead. 
7. Chlorate of Potassium. 
8. Bromide of Potassium. 
9. Iodide of Potassium. 
10. Tincture of Iodine. 
11. Iodoform. 
12. Subnitrate of Bismuth. 
13. Oxalate of Cerium. 
14. Lime. 
15. Bicarbonate of Soda. 
16. Bitartrate of Potash. 
17. Aloes. 
18. Croton Oil. 
19. Laudanum. 
20. Solution of Morphine (Ma- 
gendie's, with two drops of 
No. 
Carbolic Acid to the 
ounce.) 
21. Compound Rhubarb Pow- 
der. 
22. Tincture of Aconite Root. 
23. Tincture of Digitalis. 
24. Fluid Extract of Ergot. 
25. Hydrate of Chloral. 
26. Tincture of Nux Vomica. 
27. Cinchonidia Pills (2 grs.). 
28. Alkaloid Cinchonia. 
29. Pyrophosphate of Iron. 
30. Salicylic Acid. 
31. Oil of Turpentine. 
32. Ammonia Water. 
33. Cantharides Cerate. 
34. Carbolic Acid. 
35. Copaiba. 
36. Alcohol. 
37. Vaseline. 
When these medicines are procured for a moder- 
ate-sized family, or for a number of persons less 
than eight, an ounce of each medicine is a suitable 
quantity to buy; except in case of iodoform, 
oxalate of cerium, croton oil, alkaloid cinchonia, 
and compound rhubarb powder half an ounce is 
sufficient; and of vaseline and alcohol four ounces INTRODUCTION. 
V 
would be suitable. Cinchonidia pills come in bottles 
of one hundred. Elixir of vitriol, nitric acid, tinct- 
ure of iodine, and ammonia water require glass- 
stoppered bottles, if they are to be kept for any 
length of time. Salicylic acid may be kept in a tin 
box, in which it sometimes comes. Cantharides 
ointment may be kept in a box. Vaseline comes 
in wide-mouthed bottles ; the other medicines, both 
fluid and dry, are more conveniently kept in bottles, 
which may be stopped with corks; but in the case 
of liquids, rubber or glass stoppers are preferable. 
Other conveniences to keep are: a glass medicine 
tube, a dropping tube, a camel's-hair brush, court- 
plaster, adhesive plaster, needles, silk, wax, cotton- 
wool, bandages, syringes, bougies, and a curved 
bistoury, or slender-pointed knife. CONTENTS. 
PAGE 
Introduction . iii 
Uses of Medicine i 
General Observations on Symptoms and Remedies ... 30 
Description of Diseases and Treatment 34 
Surgerygg 
Poisons . . . . . . . . . . .121 USES OF MEDICINE. 
No. I. Elixir of Vitriol.-Dose, ten to thirty 
drops in a wineglass of water. It should be taken 
through a tube, or the mouth should be rinsed 
after taking it. 
The symptoms that indicate a need for it in 
fevers are flushed cheeks, hot skin, dry tongue, 
diarrhcea, hemorrhage or profuse sweats. It may 
be used iq fevers as a drink much weakened with 
water, say fifteen drops or more to a glass, and 
sweetened. It is useful in diarrhoea with abundant 
and watery stools, particularly in chronic diarrhcea. 
If there is pain with diarrhcea, solution of morphine 
may be added. Give fifteen to thirty drops in 
water every two hours if the bowels move that 
often, or after each movement if they are less 
frequent. 
For lead colic, give half a teaspoonful in a pint of 
water for a drink two or three times a day. In this 
disease it may be combined with alum. 
1 2 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
For gonorrhoea, add three drops to a gill of water 
for injection. 
For itch, mix a teaspoonful to a lump of lard 
the size of an egg, and apply every night for an 
ointment. 
No. 2. Nitric Acid.-Dose, two to six drops 
in half a glass of water. It should be taken 
through a tube, or the mouth should be rinsed 
after taking it. 
In typhus fever, a few drops may be added to a 
glass of water, to make it pleasantly sour. 
In whooping-cough, add ten drops to water enough 
to make it about as sour as lemon juice, and then 
add sugar enough to make a syrup. A child a 
year old may take a teaspoonful every hour while 
awake. 
In dyspepsia, itching eruptions, or for milky or 
smoky sediment in the urine, give three drops in 
water two or three times a day. Given in this way 
it is a tonic, and may be added to nux vomica or 
taken with other bitters. 
It may be used externally to slow ulcers, twelve 
drops to a pint of water. As a caustic in warts, 
moles, small venereal sores, apply pure on a pointed 
stick with great care. 
No. 3. Sulphate of Zinc.-For chronic diarrhoea 
or dysentery, dissolve one fourth of a teaspoonful USES OF MEDICINE. 
3 
in a glass of water, and give one or two table- 
spoonfuls every four hours. In doses of a tea- 
spoonful of the powder every fifteen minutes, fol- 
lowed by free drinks of warm water until vomiting 
occurs, it is used as an emetic after laudanum, mor- 
phine, or other sedatives in poisonous quantity. 
It answers in croup, but alum is preferable. 
For slow ulcers, discharging felons or abscesses, 
make a wash by adding one quarter to half a tea- 
spoonful to a pint of water in a bottle. If too 
strong, it causes smarting. In gonorrhoea, a weak 
solution, as just mentioned, is used by injection. 
For sore eyes, a drop may be placed in the eye by 
dipping a pencil in the weaker solution, just men- 
tioned, and holding it to the edge of the lower lid. 
In discharge from the car, wash the ear with warm 
water with a syringe, and then drop in a little of 
the solution warm. For proud flesh, spreading sores, 
open cancers of the surface, sweating feet or armpits, 
the zinc may be dried and sprinkled on the surface. 
Where the skin is off it acts as a caustic, and should 
be followed by a poultice. 
No. 4. Oxide of Zinc.-For pain in the stomach 
after taking food, nausea, diarrhoea, asthma, night- 
sweats, indigestion and trembling after the use 
of strong drink, and to diminish the appetite for 
the same, take one tenth of a teaspoonful three 4 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
or four times a day; or add half a teaspoonful of 
the powder to twelve teaspoonfuls of cream or 
condensed milk, and give a teaspoonful or two 
every four hours. The same may be used for 
epilepsy with the bromide of potassium, or a tea- 
spoonful may be added to a gill of the solution 
of bromide. For itching or burning eruptions and 
surfaces, for piles or cracked nipples, mix one tea- 
spoonful with a lump of lard the size of an egg, 
and apply as an ointment. For chafed stirfaccs, or 
for baby powder, mix one part of oxide of zinc 
with ten of corn starch or rice flour. A wash may 
be made for similar purposes, or for a red or shiny 
face, by adding a teaspoonful to a pint of lime-water. 
No. 5. Alum.-For bleeding from the stomach, 
lungs or bowels, mix it with an equal quantity of 
sugar, and take one sixth of a teaspoonful of the 
mixture every two hours. This mixture may be 
used for zilccrs of the mouth, or falling of the palate. 
In croup, give a teaspoonful of alum with molasses 
every half hour until it produces vomiting. For 
bleeding piles, or falling of the bowel, or womb, dis- 
solve a teaspoonful in a gill of water for injection, or 
mix with a piece of lard the size of an egg, for an 
ointment. The ointment may be used for bedsores. 
For lead colic see elsewhere. For persistent and 
severe uterine hemorrhage, it may be placed against USES OF MEDICINE. 
5 
the womb on a sponge, or in a small muslin bag, with 
a string tied to it, to assist in removal. 
No. 6. Acetate of Lead.-For diarrhoea and 
dysentery of children and adults, or .diarrhoea of 
consumption, add one half a teaspoonful to a gill of 
water, and add sugar if required for taste, and give 
a small teaspoonful with a drop of laudanum, to a 
child a year old ; or a tablespoonful, with from four to 
ten drops of solution of morphine, to an adult, every 
two hours if needed. If the stomach is irritable, it 
may be combined with bismuth. Give the solution 
without the morphine, if pain, diarrhoea, and anxiety 
are absent in bleeding from the stomach, lungs, bow- 
els, or womb. It may be combined in these trou- 
bles with ergot. In diarrhoea, it is sometimes better 
to give it with laudanum or solution of morphine by 
injection, so as to save the stomach for food ; and 
in dysentery, injections more quickly reach the 
disease. Lotions and ointments of acetate of lead 
made with half a teaspoonful of the powder to a tea- 
cup of water or half a teacup of lard are much used 
in cracked nipples, moist eruptions, discharges from 
the car, piles, leucorrhoea, and gonorrhoea. 
No. 7. Chlorate of Potassium.-For saliva- 
tion, scurvy, sore gums, sore mouth, sore throat, 
diphtheria, croup, coughs, quinsy, bronchitis, neuralgia 
of the face, scarlet-fever, and other low fevers, jaun- 6 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
dice, and chronic diarrhoea,Vac chlorate of potash is 
an excellent remedy. In all these diseases the sali- 
cylic acid is a decided, and in some of them a very 
important, addition. Add two thirds of a teaspoon- 
ful of chlorate of potash, and one fifth as much 
salicylic acid, to a glass of water, and give a tea- 
spoonful every hour, if the affection is in the mouth 
or throat; otherwise give a tablespoonful of the so- 
lution four times a day. For children use half the 
quantity of chlorate and salicylic acid in the same 
way. If it loosens the bowels the strength of the so- 
lution may be diminished. 
No. 8. Bromide of Potassium.-Make a solu- 
tion by adding two teaspoonfuls to a gill of 
water, and give one to four teaspoonfuls two or 
three times a day, or as often as every two hours, if 
needed. For sleeplessness, give a teaspoonful of the 
solution after supper and again at bedtime. If this 
does not produce any effect, double or treble the dose 
the next night. When sleep is procured, give the same 
dose for two nights ; and afterward less, and keep the 
solution convenient to the bedside for a while. There 
is no other remedy so safe or useful for this trouble. 
The same may be said of it in deliritim tremens. In 
this disease one may add a teaspoonful of the oxide 
of zinc to a gill of the solution, and give two to four 
teaspoonfuls every four hours. For neuralgia with USES OF MEDICINE. 
7 
a flushed face and cold feet, for a person under great 
excitement, even delirious, insane, low-spirited, in St. 
Vitus' dance, epilepsy, hysteria, asthma, sexual excite- 
ment, convulsions, or whooping-cough, it may be used 
as required to relieve the symptoms. For a child a 
year old, give one sixth of the dose or less, by add- 
ing one teaspoonful of the solution to six or eight 
of water, and sweeten it if preferred, and give a tea- 
spoonful of the weaker solution. 
No. 9. Iodide of Potassium.-Make a solu- 
tion the same as with bromide of potassium. 
Children a year old may take one tenth the quantity 
required for an adult. For salivation by mercury, 
or slow poisoning by mercury or lead, for enlarge- 
ment of joints, or <A. glands of neck, breast, testicles, liver, 
or spleen, for dropsy, hydrocephalus or dropsy of the 
head with great enlargement in children, in rheuma- 
tism of the muscles, or chronic rheumatism of the 
joints, in too free secretion of milk, or to dry up the 
milk, in chronic bronchitis and pleurisy, in paralysis, 
in syphilitic eruptions, ulceration, paralysis and pains 
in the bones, the solution may be given, a teaspoon- 
ful three or four times a day with water. In asthma 
it may be given every hour. When it relieves this 
disease it usually does so promptly. For any of 
these purposes increase the medicine to three or 
four teaspoonfuls, if a smaller dose does not relieve. 8 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
A large quantity of this medicine may cause the ap- 
pearance of an eruption. If the patient is pale and 
thin, it is well to give iron at the same time. 
No. io. Tincture of Iodine.-The tincture of io- 
dine is used most externally. It is applied with a 
brush ; and may be used once or twice a day over a 
place three or four inches square, until it brings re- 
lief, or becomes painful; in which case the part may 
be greased with lard or sweet oil. It is useful in swell- 
ings of the joints, in enlarged glands, ring-worm, warts, 
soft corns, moles, for hoarseness, coughs, pleurisy, neu- 
ralgia, to prevent pitting in small-pox, and in chil- 
blains, where the skin is not broken. It may also be 
diluted with water and injected into large abscesses ; 
add a teaspoonful of tincture of iodine, and half the 
quantity of iodide of potassium, to half a pint of 
water, for this purpose. For catarrh of the head 
with or without deafness and loss of voice, add ten 
drops to a bowl of hot water, and breathe the steam. 
In vomiting of pregnancy or from other causes, it 
may prove useful in one-drop doses, with two table- 
spoonfuls of water. 
No. II. Iodoform.-Iodoform has the disadvan- 
tage of a strong smell, but for most of the purposes 
named it is superior to most medicines. It may be 
dusted in powder over bad conditioned wounds, sores, 
ulcers, chancroids, and syphilitic tilccrs. In hoarseness USES OF MEDICINE. 
9 
or loss of voice with great pain in swallowing, it may- 
be blown in with a tube, while the patient takes a 
deep breath. For discharge from the ear, wipe out 
the discharge with dry cotton, and blow in a little of 
the powder once a day. In piles ox ulcers of the lower 
part of the bowels, it may be used as an ointment, by 
mixing one fourth of a teaspoonful with a piece of lard 
the size of a small egg. It is taken internally for 
chronic cough, for inflammation of the bladder, for 
chronic skin diseases with large crusts and a tendency 
to ulcerate. For internal use, add one third of a 
teaspoonful to'twelve of cream, and give two or three 
teaspoonfuls a day. 
No. 12. Sub-Nitrate of Bismuth.-Dose, what 
would round up on a silver three-cent piece. It 
may be taken dry on the tongue; or an even tea- 
spoonful may be added to ten of water, and after 
being stirred, a teaspoonful given to an adult every 
two hours; after improvement, three or four times 
a day. An infant may take one half as much. In 
thrush, sore mouth, or ulcers of the mouth due to in- 
digestion, in painful digestion, ulcer of the stomach, 
vomiting of pregnancy, vomiting of teething children, 
sour stomach, hiccough, and wind, it is found very 
useful. In chronic diarrhoea, diarrhoea of typhoid 
fever or consumption, it is necessary to give it in 
doses of one fourth to one half teaspoonful four 10 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
times a day. It may be given with other remedies 
when they do not suit the stomach. It is used 
sometimes dry externally, for moist eruptions, chafing, 
and for a baby powder. For gleet of long standing, 
add a tablespoonful to a gill of thin boiled starch, 
prepared as for starching clothes, for injection. In 
inveterate cases of this disease, the oxide of zinc, 
one fourth the amount, may be used with bismuth. 
No. 13. Oxalate of Cerium.-It is best taken 
dry, in about the same quantity and frequency as 
bismuth. It is useful for vomiting of pregnancy, or 
from other causes, particularly so in painful diseases 
of the stomach, with or without vomiting, in trouble- 
some cough, and in diseases for which bismuth is 
used. 
No. 14. Lime.-Slacked lime may be added to a 
glass jar of water, and when it settles the clear por- 
tion is lime-water. As the water is poured off, the 
jar may be filled up until a suitable quantity is used. 
A quantity of lime the size of a butternut is suffi- 
cient to make five gallons of lime-water. It is par- 
ticularly useful in vomiting, and diarrhoea, and in 
green stools of children, and should be given with 
milk ; one part lime-water to two or more parts of 
milk, as required. It assists digestion of the milk, 
and relieves inflammation of the stomach and bow- 
els. It is an excellent drink in diarrhoea of adults. USES OF MEDICINE. 
11 
In chronic diarrhoea it may be given with bread, 
crackers, toast, or rice. It is used in chronic cough, 
in inflammation of the bladder, and stone in the blad- 
der. Lime-water is applied externally to tilcers and 
moist eruptions ; and if added to sweet oil in equal 
parts it forms a creamy liniment for burns, and the 
eruptions of small-pox. 
No. 15. Bicarbonate of Soda.-Give one fourth 
of a teaspoonful in water three or four times a day 
after meals, for acid stomach with pains after eating, 
in diseases of the bladder, and private diseases, when 
the water scalds, or has to be made frequently, and 
when the urine is high-colored, with brick-dust sedi- 
ment. It is also used externally, dusted on burns ; 
and is applied every hour with the finger and in so- 
lution, to quinsy. Use a teaspoonful to a bowl of hot 
water for sponging in measles, scarlet-fever, and 
itching eruptions. 
No. 16. Bitartrate of Potassium.-In small 
doses, half a teaspoonful two or three times a day, 
it acts on the kidneys, and makes the urine lighter- 
colored, and increases the quantity. In doses of 
two to four teaspoonfuls, it causes loose and watery 
movements of the bowels. It can be given with 
sugar and lemon, and made a pleasant drink, for the 
purpose of removing water from the system, in 
general dropsy, in dropsy of the chest, abdomen, or 12 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
limbs. It is used in pleurisy and dropsy, after scar- 
let-fever. Unless the symptoms are urgent and the 
patient strong, it is better to get a moderate effect 
on the kidneys, thana rapid one on the bowels. In 
pale persons, or if there is no fever, and the tongue 
is clean, it is well to use iron at the same time. 
No. 17. Aloes.-A convenient way to mix this 
medicine, is to add a teaspoonful of the powdered 
aloes and three teaspoonfuls bicarbonate of soda to 
half a gill each, of water and whiskey ; put the 
bottle in the sun for ten days, shaking it thor- 
oughly every day. This modifies the bitter taste. 
The flavor may be improved, if desired, with a tea- 
spoonful of essence of lemon or Wintergreen. The 
dose of this mixture should be one to three tea- 
spoonfuls at bedtime. It should not be used when 
the stomach is irritable. Aloes is sometimes needed 
as a purgative, for constipation in old persons, in 
jaundice, or when the tongue is yellow and furred. 
Small doses are useful in piles. When used for con- 
stipation, the dose should be as small as will procure 
a movement, and a teaspoonful of tincture of nux 
vomica may be added to a gill of the mixture. In 
free menstruation with constipation, small doses may 
be given ; and in deferred menstrziation, small doses 
may be given with iron. Half a teaspoonful of aloes 
mixed with two tablespoonfuls each, of water and USES OF MEDICINE. 
13 
whiskey, makes a good substitute for certain so-called 
balsams, of which aloes is an ingredient, and used for 
cracks, or fissures of the skin, or nipples, and for 
slow ulcers. 
No. 18. Croton Oil.-Dose, one to three drops. 
It may be given rubbed into sugar or butter; and, 
in this way, a drop may be divided, if desired. It 
produces violent evacuation of the bowels. It is 
given in congestion of the brain, and immediately 
after apoplexy, if the face is red and the patient un- 
conscious. It is convenient to give to the insane, 
from the smallness of the dose. It is sometimes 
used in dropsy when the strength is good. Constipa- 
tion from lead sometimes requires it. For pain in 
the chest, with severe cough of bronchitis, or con- 
sumption, it may be rubbed on externally, and in 
this case it causes a severe eruption. 
No. 19. Laudanum. 
No. 20. Solution of Morphine (Magendie's).- 
Laudanum is the tincture of opium. The dose for 
adults is from fifteen to twenty-five drops: for an 
infant a year old, one half drop to four drops cau- 
tiously given. A drop additional may be given for 
each year of age. 
Morphine is prepared from opium and represents 
a part of its sedative or quieting principles. The 
solution should contain sixteen grains to the ounce 14 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
of water, and two drops of carbolic acid. An av- 
erage dose for an adult is five drops. If it is required 
to be used for an infant, add one drop to eight tea- 
spoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful. 
Morphine and laudanum do not agree with the 
nerves of some persons, but cause sleeplessness, 
headache, and other unpleasant symptoms. Such 
persons may generally get good effects without the 
unpleasant symptoms, from a solution of codeia 
made in the same strength as the morphine solution, 
and taken in doses about one half as large again. 
The interval between the doses of these prepara- 
tions should generally be at least two hours; and if 
greater effect is needed the dose may be increased. 
In all painful diseases of an acute character, with in- 
flammation and fever, and in surgical diseases, it is 
applicable. But in chronic diseases, except those 
that are likely to end fatally, such as consumption 
and cancer, there is danger of bringing on the mor- 
phine, laudanum, or opium habit. And whenever 
these medicines are used for acute diseases, they 
should be diminished and stopped as soon as the 
condition of the patient will allow. In neuralgia, 
and pains without fever and inflammation, it is 
better to use aconite, tincture of iodine, and blisters. 
In sleeplessness, bromide of potassium should be 
preferred. In acute diarrhoea, cholera-morbus, and USES OF MEDICINE. 
15 
dysentery, four to ten drops of the solution of mor- 
phine may be given, with the acetate of lead, every 
two hours, if needed. In pleurisy, it may be used 
with bitartrate of potash, or with salicylic acid, or 
with both ; in meningitis, and acute diseases of the 
brain, with ergot ; in lead colic, with alum. For cold 
in the head, with soreness or sneezing, ten drops may 
be mixed with a teaspoonful of pulverized sugar, and 
used as snuff. In the passage of gall-stones, gravel, 
lock-jaw, and hydrophobia, it may be given in doses of 
ten drops, with two or three teaspoonfuls of solution 
of chloral every two hours. In cholera, peritonitis, 
and injuries of the bozvels, it is required in large, 
perhaps thirty-drop, doses. These doses contract 
the pupil of the eye, and reduce the rate of breath- 
ing. They should not be given to reduce the rate 
of breathing to less than eight or ten breaths in a 
minute ; and in large doses it should be closely 
watched. In pneumonia, and bzerns, morphine should 
be given moderately; only to relieve severe pain. 
In dropsy with scanty urine, it should be used cau- 
tiously, or not at all. 
No. 21. Compound Rhubarb Powder.-This 
is a combination of equal parts of powdered rhu- 
barb, Dover's powder, and calomel. It is useful 
for typhoid fever, and certain disorders of children's 
bowels. The dose is about as much as would make 16 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
the size of a grain of wheat, once or twice a daj 
When the movements are of bad odor, or green and 
somewhat loose, or when the child cries with indiges- 
tion and wind, a few doses should improve the color 
and odor. In round or pin-worms, three times the 
quantity mentioned may be given at breakfast-time, 
and the same two hours after ; followed by a dose 
of aloes mixture in molasses, if the bowels do not 
move in two hours. In typhoid fever of children, 
give the dose first named night and morning; and 
in typhoid fever of adults, four times that quantity 
night and morning. 
No. 22. Tincture of Aconite Root.-Dose, one 
half to one drop every hour, until improvement of 
painful symptoms, and then less frequently. For a 
child give half the quantity. In recent colds, with 
high pulse and feverishness, in the hot stage of fever 
and ague, in sore throat, in the early part of measles, 
and scarlet-fever, in peritonitis, given with morphine 
it moderates the pulse and the fever. In painful men- 
struation, it is specially useful, and maybe given two 
or three times a day for two days previous to the re- 
turn. Aconite is also particularly useful in neu- 
ralgia, and in painful disorders without inflammation ; 
in toothache, earache, pain in the head, chest, back, or 
limbs; and it may frequently be used externally in 
painful affections, where the skin is whole. There is USES OF MEDICINE. 
17 
objection to its prolonged use in pneumonia and con- 
tinued fevers, because it weakens the action of the 
heart. In prostration or faintness it should not be 
used. A feeble pulse, weakness of the muscles, and 
tingling in the tongue and extremities are indica- 
tions to stop the use of the medicine. 
No. 23. Tincture of Digitalis.-Dose, five to 
twenty drops three times a day. In children one 
fourth the quantity. In hemorrhage from the 
lungs with fever, in hemorrhage from the ziterus, 
it may be combined with ergot and lead. In 
disease of the heart, with weakness and a ten- 
dency to dropsy, it may be combined with iron, or 
iodide of potassium. It is useful in chronic cough 
of short-winded, puffy persons. In scarlet-fever, 
it should be preferred to aconite, after the first 
week, or when there is a tendency to swelling 
of the eyelids or extremities, and when the urine is 
scanty. In this last condition it may be applied 
to the small of the back, on hot moist flannel. In 
rheumatism with fever, and in delirium tremens with 
bloated face, it is also indicated. It may be consid- 
ered an indication that digitalis is suitable, if under 
it the pulse lowers and the urine is increased. 
No. 24. Fluid Extract of Ergot.-Dose, ten 
drops to a teaspoonful; for children, one fourth as 
much. In bleeding piles and falling of the bowels, 18 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
in piles after confinement, in wetting the bed of 
children, and difficulty of holding ivater, it is useful; 
and it may sometimes be increased in effect by giv- 
ing with nux vomica, for these troubles, three or 
four times a day. It is also used for bleeding from 
the nose, stomach, lungs, bozvcls, kidneys, or womb; and 
in these troubles it may be combined with lead, 
digitalis, or morphine, or all may be given at once, 
every two hours. In epidemic cerebro-spinal menin- 
gitis, it is required in large doses, a teaspoonful 
every two to four hours, with bromide of potassium 
or other medicines. It is used in mania or great 
excitement with intervals of calm, and in mania after 
epilepsy. In too free hemorrhage after delivery it 
is indicated. It should not be used in labor before 
delivery, if there is any thing to hinder delivery 
from taking place within half an hour. 
No. 25. Hydrate of Chloral.-Dose, five to fif- 
teen grains; for children, one fifth as much. Make 
a solution by adding half a teaspoonful to fifteen 
teaspoonfuls of water; for a child a year old, add 
one teaspoonful of the solution to five of water, and 
give one or two teaspoonfuls every half hour until 
effects are seen. For sca-sickncss and vomiting of 
pregnancy, give a teaspoonful of the solution once in 
four hours. In St. Vitus' dance it may be needed at 
night to procure sleep ; iron and tonics are generally USES OF MEDICINE. 
19 
needed in this disease. In cholera, and cholera-morbus, 
with cramps, cold skin, and breath, give two or three 
teaspoonfuls of the solution, with moderate doses of 
laudanum, every tw® or three hours. In fevers, and 
inflammations with excitement and restlessness, in de- 
lirium tremens of persons with good circulation, and 
in acute mania, it produces refreshing sleep. In mus- 
cular cramps it is suitable. In whooping-cough, or 
convulsions of children, from teething or other cause, 
give half a teaspoonful of the solution, or less, every 
half hour if bromide of potassium does not answer. 
In convulsions during confinement, give three or four 
teaspoonfuls of the solution every two hours, with 
the same quantity of solution of bromide. In lock- 
jaw and hydrophobia, it should be given in large 
doses, preferably by injection. In labor, when the 
pains are continuous, and the patient is uneasy and 
fretful, give chloral in small and frequently repeat- 
ed doses. It is sometimes used in asthma. In spas- 
modic cough, with a tendency to vomit, and in zvry 
neck, apply a solution to the windpipe, or neck, or 
give it internally. Used externally, as a wash, for 
ulcers and cancer, it corrects the bad odor and pro- 
cures comfort. Hydrate of chloral may be used to 
draw a rapid blister, for purposes similar to canthar- 
ides cerate, by sprinkling the powder on adhesive 
plaster and warming it before application. 20 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
No. 26. Tincture of Nux Vomica.-Dose, one 
to fifteen drops. In paralysis after apoplexy, or 
from lead-poisoning, syphilis, rheumatism, or diph- 
theria, it is important, and may be given with other 
remedies. In habitual constipation it is very valu- 
able. In •wetting the bed and difficulty of holding 
the urine, it may be used with or after ergot. For 
a tonic it can be used alone, or with other remedies. 
It assists digestion and improves the appetite in 
weakness of stomach and loss of appetite. A very 
frequently used combination is iron, cinchonidia, 
and nux vomica. Half a teaspoonful or a teaspoon- 
ful of tincture of nux vomica should be added to a 
gill of solution of iron ; and a teaspoonful of this 
may be taken, with a cinchonidia pill, at each meal- 
time. 
No. 27. Sulphate of Cinchonidia Pills (2 grs.).- 
Cinchonidia is used to represent the most important 
bitter tonic and fever medicine, Peruvian bark. It 
is chosen here in preference to quinine principally 
because it is only about half as expensive, and the 
effects are so similar that it is difficult to distinguish 
between them. There is no objection to quinine 
being used in all cases where cinchonidia is men- 
tioned, and in the same way. Two-grain pills are 
recommended as most convenient for general use. 
If the pills cause nausea or vomiting, they may be USES OF MEDICINE. 
21 
given with bismuth. Bromide of potassium will 
prevent, or stop, the ringing in the ears. In debility, 
or weakness of the stomach, and in diseases accom- 
panied by weakness or fever, as erysipelas, typhus, 
typhoid, or scarlet-fevers, small-pox, measles, pleurisy, 
pneumonia, rheumatism, diphtheria, croup, and surgi- 
cal affections, it may be used in doses of one to three 
pills, three times a day, to keep up the strength and 
assist in throwing off the disease. In the beginning 
of cerebrospinal meningitis in pleurisy, in pneumonia, 
in bronchitis, in ncrtralgia, and some claim in typhoid 
fever, it may be given in one dose of ten to twenty 
pills, with aconite if the pulse is high, or with mor- 
phine, or other medicine appropriate to the condi- 
tion, for the purpose of breaking up the disease. In 
malarial fevers it is the surest and best remedy 
known to break up the attacks. The use of it for 
these diseases is described in another place. It is 
equally adapted to cure neuralgias and other period- 
ical complaints that prevail in malarial neighbor- 
hoods. It should be continued a week or two after 
the symptoms of malarial disease disappear, and be 
followed with iron or other tonic for some time 
longer. The bitter taste of cinchonidia or quinine 
in powder may be concealed from children by add- 
ing to it an equal quantity of bicarbonate of soda, 
and giving a grain in a glass of milk. Or it may be 22 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
swallowed with a chocolate caramel. There is an- 
other preparation of Peruvian bark, called 
No. 28. Alkaloid Cinchonia, that has similar 
properties, and very little bitterness, unless taken 
with something sour. It is suitable for children who 
cannot take pills. A quantity of the light powder 
about the size of a small pea will have about the 
same effect in a child a year old that the pill would 
have on an adult. It may be given with a tea- 
spoonful of cream, or mixed with potato or other 
food that is not acid. 
No. 29. Pyrophosphate of Iron.-Dose, two to 
five grains. It will be convenient to dissolve a 
heaping teaspoonful of iron in half a gill of water, 
and then add the same quantity of whiskey. Or 
dissolve the iron in a gill of water and add sugar 
enough to prevent from spoiling. The dose of the 
solution of iron should be one or two teaspoonfuls 
after meals. A child may take half a teaspoonful 
or less. It increases the appetite and strength, and 
is useful for all forms of debility. In erysipelas, 
boils and abscesses, malarial diseases after the fever is 
broken, in unhealthy sores and discharges, in syphilis, 
after fevers and diseases that leave one weak, it is 
suitable to build up the system. It benefits rheu- 
matism and neuralgia in pale and delicate persons. 
When the menstruation is small or deferred, and in USES OF MEDICINE. 
23 
diseases of the kidneys and dropsies, it may be com- 
bined with other remedies. 
No. 30. Salicylic Acid.-Dose, one sixth tea- 
spoonful to an even teaspoonful every four hours. 
A child may take one third the quantity. If com- 
bined with an equal quantity of bicarbonate of soda, 
it dissolves in water; and it may be given in this way, 
or dry from a spoon and washed down with coffee. If 
preferred, it may be cut with a few drops of whiskey. 
If given with iron it forms a purple solution and 
is less efficient. In malarial and continued fevers, 
erysipelas, pneumonia, pleurisy and consumption, it 
diminishes the fever. In rheumatism the larger 
doses should be given, and they frequently give ex- 
cellent results. The medicine should be continued 
in full doses for two days after the pain and fever 
are removed, and then it may be given in half the 
dose for two or three days more. This treatment is 
also sometimes adapted to the rapid cure of pleurisy. 
In sores in the mouth, or sour stomach, in vomiting 
or spitting up of sour frothy water, called water 
brash, one dose, of one fourth of a teaspoonful a 
day may be given for two or three days. In diph- 
theria, add one sixth teaspoonful of salicylic acid, 
and one half teaspoonful of chlorate of potash, to a 
glass of water ; and give a teaspoonful every hour. 
For small children use it one half or one third this 24 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
strength. A similar combination may be used for 
colds, and whenever chlorate of potash is used. The 
salicylic acid maybe applied dry to moist eruptions, 
to cancers, to remove odor, and to heal ulcers. A use- 
ful ointment for these purposes, and for keeping 
wounds and burns clean, is made by mixing what 
would round upon a three-cent piece, of salicylic 
acid, with a heaping teaspoonful of lard or vaseline. 
No. 31. Oil of Turpentine.-Dose, five drops to 
a tablespoonful. It is given for tape-worm in the 
largest dose named, with a third of a glass of milk, 
and should be followed in half an hour with another 
dose, and a drop of croton oil; and the croton oil 
should be continued, a drop every half hour, until 
the bowels move. In hemorrhage, with depression 
of the system and weak heart, give fifteen drops in 
milk every three hours. In typhoid fever, with en- 
larged abdomen, or hemorrhage, or in any fever 
when the dry tongue cleans off in spots, leaving a 
shiny red surface, particularly in yellow fever and 
lying-in fever, ten drops may be given in milk four 
times a day. In chronic bronchitis \N\t\\ considerable 
expectoration, and in pneumonia with depression of 
the vital powers, turpentine is indicated. For colic 
ten drops may be taken on sugar. It may be used 
by injection, a teaspoonful with two tablespoonfuls 
of oil or melted lard, for colic. A teaspoonful of USES OF MEDICINE. 
25 
turpentine may be sprinked on flannel wrung out of 
hot water, and applied externally for enlarged abdo- 
men in typhoidfever, for painful diseases of the bowels 
or chest, or for nciiralgia. It should be removed when 
it has produced redness of the skin, and dry flannel 
or cotton put on in its place. A few drops mixed 
with lard, is a good application for burns or chil- 
blains. 
No. 32. Ammonia Water.-Dose, ten to thirty 
drops in water, every two hours. A child may take 
one fifth as much. In nervous or tired headache, 
with sour stomach, give ten drops. As a quick stim- 
ulant to the heart in faintness or after hemorrhage, 
in wry neck and muscular pains, give fifteen drops, 
The same, with as much chlorate of potash as would 
equal a small bean, may be used every two hours 
for pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, with free secretion, 
scarlct-fevcr, smallpox, erysipelas, and delirium. In 
typhus and typhoid fevers other means are probably 
more useful. Ammonia should be applied at once to 
the stings of insects, and the bites of snakes and mad 
animals. Bites of poisonous snakes should be cut 
out, and, if on an extremity, a ligature should be 
tied tightly above the bite until this is done. One 
part to three or four of sweet oil or yolks of eggs 
and turpentine are sometimes mixed for a warming 
liniment. 26 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
No. 33. Cantharides Cerate.-It is used by 
being spread upon cloth, adhesive plaster, or stiff 
paper; and then it is applied to the surface and left on 
four or five hours, or until blistering begins. A flying 
blister is an application of the plaster, and removal 
of it before blistering occurs. A blister may 
be made more rapidly by hydrate of chloral in 
urgent cases. Blistershave been much used in <?«//<? 
rheumatism, by placing a number of blisters about 
an inch square around a joint. In chronic rheuma- 
tism, it is a good plan to keep up a sore spot two 
inches square, by applying a blister once in four or 
five days. In chronic pleurisy and pneumonia follow 
the same plan, or apply flying blisters every day. 
In severe chronic neuralgia make a blister as near 
as possible to the point of greatest pain. Blisters 
are used behind the ears in meningitis and inflamma- 
tion of the brain. In acute inflammation, preg- 
nancy, scurvy, or debility, they should not be used. 
If scalding of the water follow blisters, give bicar- 
bonate of soda in water. 
No. 34. Carbolic Acid (Pure).-Dose, one fourth 
of a drop to a drop. If it solidifies it may be melted 
with moderate heat. For nausea and vomiting wth 
gas on the stomach, it may assist bismuth ; it is used 
also in cholera-morbus, or cholera infantum with 
rumbling of the bowels. Mix two drops of carbolic USES OF MEDICINE. 
27 
acid with an even teaspoonful of sub-nitrate of bis- 
muth and sixteen teaspoonfuls of water ; and shake 
and give a teaspoonful to a child a year old every 
three hours, or a tablespoonful to an adult. If there 
is pain, laudanum or solution of morphine may be 
added to it in doses mentioned elsewhere. Carbolic 
acid may be inhaled for whooping-cough, hay asthma, 
chronic catarrh of the head, or consumption. It may 
be held to the nose in a bottle several times a day ; 
or it may be put upon a small sponge, and breathed 
through an inhaler made for the purpose. This plan 
is recommended when the odor of the breath is 
offensive, from destruction of the king in cancer or 
gangrene. Pure carbolic acid can be applied to un- 
healthy ulcers, to chancroids, venereal zvarts, chronic 
crusty sores, and superficial moles. Carbolic acid, a 
teaspoonful to a pint of water, well shaken, is a usual 
wash for sores, wounds, chilblains, and to inject in 
suppurating passages and cavities. It may be ap- 
plied with oil vaseline or lard by mixing ten to 
thirty drops to a quantity the size of an egg. 
No. 35. Copaiba.-Dose, five to thirty drops. It 
is used especially in gonorrhoea, after the acute 
symptoms have disappeared, and the discharge be- 
come thin. It is also beneficial in chronic catarrh 
of the head, throat, lungs, and bladder, and for dropsy, 
especially for the bowels. In all these complaints 28 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
except dropsy, the remedy may be combined with 
cubebs and licorice. Copaiba and cubebs each half an 
ounce, and licorice ball in powder, enough to make 
a solid paste, flavored with eight drops of oil of 
anise, make a pleasanter remedy. A piece the size 
of a hazel-nut may be taken after each meal. If it 
causes distress in the stomach or bowels, or greatly 
diminishes the amount of urine, it should not be 
taken. 
No. 36. Alcohol.-The doses mentioned here 
apply to ninety-five per cent, alcohol. Whiskey is 
the commonest and purest alcoholic liquor. Of 
whiskey or brandy the dose should be about twice 
as much. Brandy is more astringent, and suitable 
when there is diarrhoea. In feeble digestion and 
weakness of old age, one to four teaspoonfuls with 
meals, or in the middle of the morning with milk or 
an egg and sugar, make a suitable stimulant. In 
fevers, acute inflammations, pleurisy, pneumonia, or 
diarrhoea with weakness or depression, one to four 
teaspoonfuls, or more, every two hours may be 
needed. In infants three to six drops may be given 
with milk. In consumption or chronic wasting 
diseases, it may be combined with cod-liver oil. 
When it suits the patient, it improves the appetite 
and other symptoms; and should not affect the 
head or cause dizziness. It is better to give it at USES OF MEDICINE. 
29 
meal-time, or with milk or other food. When it is 
used in acute disease, it should be stopped, as soon 
as the condition of the patient will allow. Weakened 
with water it is used as a wash to prevent bedsores. 
Its bulk prevents its being kept in a chest in large 
quantity. 
No. 37. Vaseline.-This is a preparation from 
petroleum, of about the consistency of jelly, that is 
only slightly irritating, and that never gums or be- 
comes rancid. It is not superior to fresh lard or 
fresh sweet oil for most purposes ; but, as it never 
spoils, it is convenient sometimes for preparing 
ointments, for application to burns, chapped hands, 
and various surgical purposes. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON SYMPTOMS 
AND REMEDIES. 
The consideration and interpretation of symp- 
toms, and the application of remedies, are so largely 
matters of judgment, on account of the many ele- 
ments that require consideration, due to peculiari- 
ties of the patients, and the type and intensity of the 
disease, that absolute rules cannot be given ; and it 
is not to be expected that problems that cause phy- 
sicians, who are accustomed to consider such ques- 
tions, much thought, and often care and anxiety, 
will be easy for others. Owing to the variable nature 
of diseases and of patients, the practice of medicine 
cannot be an exact science. Still, if the nature of 
the symptoms is suitably interpreted, and if reme- 
dies are properly chosen and given, satisfactory re- 
sults, in hastened recovery, or in prevention of 
serious results, may follow. Some acquaintance 
with the pulse and other matters of observation is 
essential. To judge the pulse of disease, one should 
become familiar with that of health, by feeling the 
30 SYMPTOMS AND REMEDIES. 
31 
pulse of others, and noticing its qualities. The pulse 
is usually felt at the wrist. The natural rate of the 
pulse of a small infant is about one hundred and 
twenty beats a minute, that of a child a year old, 
from ninety to one hundred, and of an adult, from 
sixty-five to eighty. Conditions of fever, feebleness, 
or excitement increase the rate of the pulse, while 
pressure on the brain, and coldness, or shock, make 
it less frequent. The pulse is spoken of as full, 
small, contracted, hard, soft, rapid, slow, corded, 
tense, wiry, intermittent, regular, or irregular. The 
meaning of the condition of the pulse is stated by 
Da Costa, as follows : 
"A hard, full, frequent pulse occurs in active in- 
flammations, and in most of the acute diseases of 
robust persons. 
"A hard pulse, full or small, bounding or not, if 
unconnected with acute symptoms, leads to the 
suspicion of cardiac (heart) disease, or of an affection 
of the artery itself. 
" A tense, contracted, and frequent pulse is met 
with in a large group of inflammations below the 
diaphragm, as in enteritis (inflammation of the 
bowels), peritonitis, gastritis (inflammation of the 
stomach). 
" A very frequent pulse, but feeble and compres- 
sible, is the pulse of debility, of prostration, of col- 
lapse. 32 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
" A pulse, frequent and changeable in its rhythm, 
is produced, for the most part, either by disease of 
the heart or of the brain." 
The rate of breathing, in adults, is from sixteen to 
twenty in a minute ; and in infants it is about twice 
as frequent. Inflammation of the lungs or pleural 
cavity, or of the cavity of the abdomen, increase 
the rate of breathing more than other diseases do. 
The appearance of the tongue is a valuable indi- 
cation of other conditions. Slowness in putting it 
out, and trembling of it, may occur in great debility, 
in nervous disorders, or in low fevers. Imperfect 
control of it may indicate paralysis, or some diffi- 
culty with the brain. The size of the tongue is al- 
tered in disorders of digestion, and disorders of the 
circulation of the blood. Dryness of it may be caused 
by sleeping with the mouth open, or it may occur 
as a symptom in fevers and other acute diseases; 
and in them it is a bad indication, especially if the 
color is dark. A wet tongue is usually favorable. 
Paleness of the tongue is an indication of watery 
blood. A coating on the tongue is natural to some: 
it may be caused by the condition of the teeth or 
stomach. Yellowness of the tongue may show a 
difficulty with the liver. As a rule, a coating on 
the tongue indicates a fever or an inflammation of 
the lungs ; an increase of the coating indicates an SYMPTOMS AND REMEDIES. 
33 
increase of the trouble; and a return to the natural 
condition is favorable. A very red shiny tongue 
occurs in the later stages of low fevers, and is not a 
good indication. 
Acute diseases are attended with severity of 
symptoms ; these soon come to a crisis, and then 
improve Chronic diseases linger, and change 
slowly. Acute diseases require sedative treatment; 
chronic diseases when curable require pushing or ir- 
ritating remedies. 
All symptoms of a disease do not occur with the 
same prominence in different persons. Some symp- 
toms may not appear at all. Average cases are de- 
scribed, and average doses mentioned. 
When in doubt about whether to give a medicine 
or not, give a very little of it, and observe the effect 
closely; or wait and consider the matter until the 
conditions become clearer. 
Avoid sickness as far as possible, by temperate 
manners of life, and regularity of habits, by comfort- 
able clothing, by cleanliness of person,and neatness in 
all surroundings ; in cellar, garret, and bedrooms ; in 
the hold and forecastle, and where dirt will not be 
liable to be observed, as well as where it can be 
seen ; by attention to the purity of drinking-water, 
by ventilation of sleeping apartments, and by pro- 
curing as far as possible an abundant supply of fresh 
air, cheerfulness, and sunshine. DESCRIPTION OF DISEASES AND TREAT- 
MENT. 
Typhoid Fever.-Typhoid fever has a developing 
period of about five days, during which the symp- 
toms are : pain in the head and bones, mental cloudi- 
ness, loss of appetite, and sometimes nose-bleed 
and looseness of the bowels. During the fever, 
diarrhoea, with enlargement of the abdomen, and 
soreness and gurgling on pressure in the neighbor- 
hood of the right groin, are common; the face 
appears somewhat flushed; a slight eruption similar 
to the bite of a flea comes on the stomach at about 
the tenth day; the pulse is increased in frequency 
to ninety or a hundred and twenty, and the fre- 
quency and feebleness of it indicate the danger. 
Delirium is usual, and the mind is apt to be dull 
when not in delirium. The tongue is coated. 
Hemorrhage from the bowels may occur. There is 
usually a slight dry cough, and occasionally pneu- 
monia. The fever generally lasts about three 
weeks. It is not usually contagious. The fever 
34 DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
35 
poison is taken into the system from drinking-water 
or air, where the discharges have found their way 
into the soil. It seldom occurs after the age of 
forty, or more than once to a person. 
Treatment.-A good supply of air is required, 
and simple, nutritious liquid food' as milk, flour 
gruel, and beef tea. Solid food, and especially 
meat, should be withheld. Give as a drink the 
elixir of vitriol [No. i], half a teaspoonful to a glass 
of water, and sweetened to the taste, two or three 
glasses in the twenty-four hours. If sickness at the 
stomach occur, the drink should be limited. Give 
one or two cinchonidia pills [No. 27] three times a 
day, and as much of the compound rhubarb powder 
[No. 21] as the size of a small kernel of corn, for 
the first two weeks, night and morning. For diar- 
rhoea, add one fourth of a teaspoonful of acetate of 
lead fNo. 6] and a small teaspoonful of solution of 
morphine [No. 20] to a gill of water and give one 
or two teaspoonfuls every three hours if needed. 
For hemorrhage from the bowels, in addition to the 
lead and morphine, give a teaspoonful of fluid ex- 
tract of ergot [No. 24] at once, and a fourth of a 
teaspoonful every three hours, for nine hours after 
the bleeding stops; and then continue it four times 
a day for two or three days. Sponging the body 
slowly and lightly for half an hour at a time with 36 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
lukewarm water reduces the fever, and frequently 
produces quiet and sleep. It may be repeated every 
hour if it makes the patient comfortable. If spong- 
ing does not relieve sleeplessness, give bromide of 
potassium [No. 8], one to four teaspoonfuls of the 
solution at night. It may be used with morphine 
if the bowels are loose, or if sleep is not procured. 
When the pulse rises above one hundred, or if the 
patient feels week upon exertion, from a teaspoonful 
to a tablespoonful of whiskey may be given every 
four hours or oftener. Stimulants may be combined 
with milk, or white of egg if preferred. For bloating, 
apply a teaspoonful of turpentine [No. 31] to the 
outside, and give one sixth of a teaspoonful of bis- 
muth [No. 12] every four hours. Purgative medi- 
cine should not be used in this disease ; but if the 
bowels fail to move for four or five days, they may 
be assisted by an injection of half a pint or more of 
water, with a teaspoonful of salt. Should pneu- 
monia occur, it would call for increase of stimulating 
and supporting measures, as whiskey and cincho- 
nidia. See pneumonia. 
Typhus Fever.-Compared with typhoid fever, 
this disease has a shorter period of development, 
two or three days, and it lacks the symptoms due 
to the intestines; diarrhoea, tenderness near the 
right groin, gurgling, bloating, and hemorrhage; DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
37 
and the prostration is greater. The complexion is 
dusky, the eyes are congested, the tongue is thickly 
coated and often brown and dry, and shown with 
difficulty. Livid spots may come on all parts of 
the body. A cough may be prominent. The pulse 
ranges higher than in typhoid, and the duration of 
the disease is shorter. It is contagious. 
Treatment.-This should proceed on the same 
principles as of typhoid fever. Fresh air, food given 
every three or four hours, cinchonidia, whiskey, 
elixir of vitriol, or nitric acid [No. 2], and sponging; 
and if the cough is troublesome give the solution of 
chlorate of potash and salicylic acid [No. 7], a tea- 
spoonful every hour. 
Yellow Fever.-The onset is usually sudden, 
beginning in average cases with chilliness and pain in 
the back, head, and loins, burning of throat and 
stomach ; and frequently vomiting appears early. 
As the coldness disappears, fever with moderate 
pulse follows, and lasts from ten to thirty hours. 
The expression of the face is changed by the watery 
condition of the eyes and the anxiety of the flushed 
countenance. The bowels are natural, and there is 
great thirst, with tenderness over the stomach. 
Following the fever comes a period of calm; and in 
favorable cases this is the termination of the disease. 
In more serious cases, after a few hours of calm, the 38 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
symptoms that are peculiar to the disease appear. 
These are vomiting, which becomes black with a sedi- 
ment like coffee grounds, and yellow skin ; the urine 
is scanty and dark; the pulse is slow, easily compressed 
and irregular; livid spots come on the body; the 
hands and feet become cold ; and the general con- 
dition is that of great prostration and collapse. If 
recovery from this condition appears, it is tedious. 
More severe forms of the disease occur, in which 
the patient suddenly dies, perhaps in the street. 
The period of development from exposure to the 
first symptoms varies from two to ten days; the 
whole course of the disease is about a week. 
Treatment.-The very mildest cases should rest 
in bed for several days. In severe cases the result 
of treatment is often unsatisfactory. The food 
should be plain, as sago, barley, farina, corn starch, 
oatmeal, gruel and milk, in such quantity as the 
stomach will bear. Give one or two pills of cincho- 
nidia [No. 27] three times a day, and whiskey or 
brandy regularly, in teaspoonful or tablespoonful 
doses, or a larger quantity of champagne, if slight 
prostration appears. The stimulant may be given 
with food if preferred. Lime-water [No. 14] with 
milk may be retained. Vomiting may be further 
relieved by a mustard paste or by a blister two inches 
square to the pit of the stomach. For black vomit DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
39 
the solutions of lead and morphine [No. 20] may 
be combined, but if the urine is very scanty the 
morphine should be used cautiously. Injections of 
salt and water, half a teaspoonful to half a pint, may 
be given in the bowel to relieve thirst; and if whiskey 
is vomited it may be given in this way. 
Malarial Fevers.-These fevers are sometimes 
called swamp, coast, or lake fevers ; or are named 
from places, as African, Roman, or Java fever. 
They are also called periodical fevers. The malarial 
fevers always have the distinguishing character of 
periodicity. They may be intermittent; that is, 
with a period of entire freedom from fever between 
the attacks; and remittent, that is with partial and 
regular but not complete disappearance of the fever. 
Other diseases may be dependent on or combined 
with malarial influence ; as periodical neuralgia in 
its numerous forms, hiccough, asthma, summer 
catarrh, diarrhoea, dysentery, jaundice ; and if 
periodical appearance or increase of symptoms 
happens in any disease, it may be considered and 
treated as malarial. In malarial districts one should 
stay under cover after nightfall, and seamen should 
prefer the windward side of malarial coasts if 
possible. 
Intermittent Fever.-Intermittent fever begins 
with a chill, frequently shivering, blueness of mouth 40 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
and finger nails, and great pain in the head, back, 
and bones. The chill is followed by heat and thirst, 
and by sweating. In different cases the severity of 
each of these symptoms varies greatly. As a rule, 
children do not have a chill. Sometimes hemor- 
rhage from the bowels or in the water occurs. When 
attacks come every day it is called quotidian ; if the 
attacks come every other day it is called tertian ; if 
once in three days quartan. When two periods 
come regularly at different hours, different days, it is 
called double; for instance, if the attacks come at 
ten and four on alternate days, it would be called 
double tertian. 
Treatment.-Give one or two pills of cinchonidia 
[No. 27] three times a day, and six hours before the 
chill is expected give four more pills. If uncertain 
whether the fever is quotidian or tertian, treat it as 
though the chill were expected to return at the 
same hour of the day, for three days. If a chill 
should occur after this treatment is under way, as 
severe as the last one before treatment, give eight 
pills six hours before the next chill is expected. If 
a moderate chill should occur after the treatment is 
under way, the probability is that if the treatment 
is continued the same, the next chill will be pre- 
vented. A teaspoonful of solution of bromide [No. 
8] and a drop of aconite [No. 22] may be given DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
41 
every hour to relieve the pain and distress of the 
active stage, or the ringing of the ears from the 
medicine. Should vomiting occur, give one sixth of 
a teaspoonful of bismuth [No. 12] with each dose of 
the pills, or oftener. After the chills are broken, 
give two pills three times a day until the appetite 
and strength return, and then less frequently. Give 
as generous food as the patient will take, all through 
the-sickness. A teaspoonful of iron solution [No. 
29] greatly assists in the recovery of strength ; and, if 
taken for a considerable time, it diminishes the 
probability of a return of the disease. 
Remittent or Bilious Fever.-This is usually 
preceded by a feeling of unwellness for a few days. 
It begins with coldness, which is followed by fever 
of greater or less degree, which may abate in the 
course of eight hours or more, but does not disap- 
pear. This is called the remission, and after a vari- 
able period the fever increases again, and so on. The 
most common variety is double tertian. The tongue 
is usually coated, and severe headache and nausea 
and vomiting may be additional symptoms. 
Treatment.-Give five cinchonidia pills [No. 27] 
night and morning, and if the fever does not yield 
the second night, add ten drops of digitalis to each 
dose, and continue this treatment until the fever 
abates. Give nutritious food, and after the fever 42 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
abates give iron solution [No. 29]. If the fever 
changes to intermittent it is favorable, and more 
speedy effect may be expected from the medicine. 
Pernicious Fever, or Congestive Chill.-When, 
from the condition of the patient, or from the de- 
gree of malarial poisoning, the fever is very severe, 
and delirium, a stupid state, or a great increase of 
the chill, of the fever, or of the sweating appears, 
the fever is called pernicious. The danger is in- 
creased with the intensity of the disease, and the 
patient sometimes dies in the second or even the 
first chill. Pernicious fever may be intermittent or 
remittent. 
Treatment.-Give ten pills of cinchonidia [No. 
27] every four hours, until the ringing in the ears 
becomes uncomfortable, and then give a sufficient 
quantity every six hours to keep the patient under 
the full influence of the medicine, until after the 
time for the next attack. Two hours before this 
time give five drops of solution of morphine [No. 
20], and keep the patient warm and quiet. For 
restlessness, or great pain during the attack, the so- 
lution of morphine may be used ; for active delirium, 
solution of chloral [No. 25] ; for feebleness, give 
whiskey, a tablespoonful every hour; for high fever, 
give the sponge bath ; for great coldness, apply hot 
bottles and blankets. DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
43 
Small-pox.-Small-pox begins with chills, severe 
pains in the small of the back, headache, sickness of 
the stomach and restlessness; all of which symptoms 
increase greatly at night. The tongue becomes 
coated, the throat dry, and the pulse frequent and 
bounding. The eruption comes out the third day; 
first on the face ; and, in the next three or four days, 
all over the body. The eruption appears as red 
spots which feel like shot in the skin. The spots 
become pimples, and then a head appears on each, 
which fills with a thick milky fluid by the fifth day 
of its appearance. These pustules are peculiar, in 
having in the centre of each a darkish depression or 
dimple. When the eruption comes out, the fever 
abates, and comes on again with the later inflamma- 
tion. About a week from the time of eruption, the 
pustules break; and for three or four days the flow 
of matter is free. The odor of the patient now be- 
comes rank and disagreeable, and the appearance 
sickening. The' sores gradually crust over, and, 
about four weeks from the beginning of the attack, 
the crusts fall off, and leave the surface swelled, blue, 
and pitted. When the eruption begins in large and 
hard red surfaces, and the pustules join each other, 
the disease is called confluent. Varioloid is a mild 
form of small-pox that runs a more rapid and shorter 
course, without fever in the later stages. 44 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
Treatment.-Fresh air should be abundant. Give 
two or more pills of cinchonidia [No. 27] at each 
meal-time. For the eruption, spread on with a 
knife-blade the ointment of oxide of zinc [No. 4] ; 
or make a wash of acetate of lead [No. 6], and add a 
teaspoonful of solution of morphine [No. 20] to each 
pint. Other symptoms may require additional 
remedies, which may be given together as they are 
needed ; for prostration or weak and rapid pulse 
give whiskey [No. 36] with milk or eggs. For sickness 
of stomach, give bismuth ; for headache give solu- 
tion of bromide of potassium [No. 8] ; for high fever 
and great thirst, give cooling acid drinks [No. 2]. The 
odor may be diminished, by hanging up one or two 
cloths, six inches square, wet with tincture of iodine 
[No. 10]. To persons who have never been vacci- 
nated the danger of death is so great-one in three- 
and prevention of the disease is so easy, that every 
person should be, and keep, protected. This may 
be done by vaccination, at three or four months, at 
the age of nine years, and at the age of twenty-one; 
and if vaccination does not succeed the first time, 
it should be repeated two or three times with fresh, 
active virus. The colder part of the year is the best 
season for vaccination, but if small-pox prevail at 
any season, all who are not so protected should be 
vaccinated. A perfect scar is not an indication of 
perfect protection. DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
45 
Chicken-pox.-This is a disease with an eruption 
similar to small-pox, which appears the second day, 
and on the body as much as on the face. The erup- 
tion is filled with a watery fluid, and the fever is 
lighter. If it needs any treatment it may be treated 
with a cooling drink, or light sponging with solution 
of bicarbonate of soda [No. 15]; and the itching 
may be relieved by the oxide of zinc ointment [No. 
4]. 
Scarlet-Fever.-Scarlet-fever begins with great 
heat of the skin, sore throat, vomiting, high pulse- 
one hundred and twenty or more ; and frequently, 
in children, with convulsions. The eruption usually 
appears within twenty-four hours, in large scarlet 
patches, and remains four or five days. After about 
a week the skin peels off. The tongue at first is 
coated, with bright-red raised spots, and them it be- 
comes uniformly-red, and similar in its surface to a 
ripe strawberry. The strawberry tongue seldom oc- 
curs in other diseases. The fever keeps up during 
the eruption. Thirst is prominent; restlessness and 
delirium are usual. The urine is scanty and high- 
colored. During the latter part of the disease the 
kidneys become inflamed, and dropsy or pleurisy 
may appear. A discharge from the ear may happen, 
and be followed by deafness. Abscesses may form 
in the neck. 46 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
Treatment.-For the fever and restlessness, the 
body should be frequently sponged in warm water ; 
or the patient should be wrapped in a wet sheet, and 
then in dry blankets once or twice a day. This is 
called the wet pack. Give one or two cinchonidia 
pills [No. 27] three times a day, with tincture of 
aconite [No. 22] the first few days ; and, afterward, 
give tincture of digitalis [No. 23] instead of aconite. 
For the throat, give the solution of chlorate of pot- 
ash and salicylic acid [No. 7], and let the patient 
breathe steam from a bowl of hot water every hour 
or two. If the glands of the neck swell, let them 
be painted with tincture of iodine [No. 10] ; and, if 
abscesses form in the neck they should be poulticed 
a day or two after they begin to discharge, and then 
dressed with a solution of sulphate of zinc [No. 3], 
or carbolic acid [No. 34]. If the restlessness is not 
relieved by the wet applications, or if delirium and 
sleeplessness continue, or if startings indicate a ten- 
dency to convulsions, give a teaspoonful or more of 
solution of bromide of potassium [No. 8] every three 
hours; and if this does not answer the purpose, 
give, in addition, solution of chloral hydrate [No. 25]. 
A discharge from the ear calls for the use of an in- 
jection of solution of sulphate of zinc [No. 3], or car- 
bolic acid [No. 34], used warm, and with care. For 
dropsy, with scanty urine, keep the patient warm, DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
47 
apply poultices to the small of the back, and give 
ten drops of tincture of digitalis [No. 23] twice a 
day, and a small teaspoonful of bitartrate of potash 
[No. 16] in a glass of water two or three times a day, 
but not enough to cause more than one free stool a 
day, unless the symptoms are urgent. When the 
fever abates give solution of iron [No. 29] three 
times a day. The food should be milk, gruel, and 
porridge ; and if weakness occurs, give one to four 
teaspoonfuls of whiskey every four hours, and in- 
crease the quantity of cinchonidia. 
Measles.-Measles begins with fever, redness of 
the eyes, frequent sneezing, and cough. The erup- 
tion appears about the fourth day, on the face and 
neck, and in two or three days spreads over the 
body, and disappears in about nine days. It is 
slightly elevated, and disposed to form in curves. 
The cough is usually the most troublesome symp- 
tom, and pneumonia may set in. 
Treatment.-Give a teaspoonful of solution of 
chlorate of potash and salicylic acid [No. 7] every 
two hours, with half a drop of tincture of aconite 
[No. 22]. A high fever may call for cinchonidia [No. 
27]; itching of the surface and restlessness may re- 
quire the sponge with hot water ; solution of iron 
[No. 29] may be needed after the fever disappears. 
Rose Rash has an eruption similar to measles, 48 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
with moderate fever and slight sore throat. It lasts 
about four days, does not form in circles, and needs 
little treatment. In break-bone fever there are pain, 
stiffness, swelling of the joints, fever, and an erup- 
tion similar to scarlet-fever, which appears about the 
fifth day. It is contagious but not dangerous. 
Erysipelas.-Erysipelas begins with chills, fol- 
lowed by fever. Soon a hard red spot appears on 
the face and spreads until it covers it. The face 
swells, the eyes close, blisters frequently form, the 
nostrils are closed, the tongue is dry, there are great 
thirst and restlessness, and the pulse is high-from 
ioo to 120, or more. 
Treatment.-Spread the ointment of oxide of 
zinc [No. 4] on the inflamed surface with a knife. 
Give one or two pills of cinchonida [No. 27] three 
times a day ; and if there is no sickness of the stom- 
ach, give a teaspoonful of solution of iron [No. 29] 
three times a day ; and continue the iron until the 
return of strength is complete. 
Diphtheria.-Diphtheria begins with severe pain 
in the bones ; a high pulse, usually 120 or more; 
flushed face, frequently shaded toward orange. 
One or more spots or surfaces appear, on the tonsils, 
back part of the throat, or mouth, covered with a 
whitish membrane ; and when the membrane falls 
off, in the course of about four days, an ulcer takes DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
49 
its place. The throat can be examined while the 
patient faces the light, opens the mouth as widely 
as possible, and breathes through it. If the whole 
of the throat cannot be seen in this way, a spoon 
may be used to press down the back part of the 
tongue. If lamp-light is used, the lamp should be 
held behind the ear of the examiner by another per- 
son. Pain in swallowing, and swelling and tenderness 
of the glands under the jaw, are usual. The danger 
is according to the frequency of the pulse, more than 
according to the size of the white surfaces. Paraly- 
sis of the throat, or of other parts of the body, may 
follow the disease. Diphtheria lasts about a week. 
Recovery of strength may be slow. The disease is 
contagious; one should not kiss a person with this 
disease, and funerals should be private, in case of 
death. 
Treatment.-Give solution of chlorate of potas- 
sium and salicylic acid [No. 7], a teaspoonful every 
hour. It should be taken after food rather than before 
food. If the disease is in the passage of the nose, 
the solution may be injected, warm, up the nostril. 
It should be continued for a day or two after the 
throat improves, and then given less frequently for 
several days. If the pulse does not rise above 
120, this medicine is sufficient ; and if after the first 
twenty-four hours of its use the symptoms are no 50 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
worse than at the beginning, they may be expected 
to improve. If the pulse rises above 120, give one 
or two pills of cinchonidia [No. 27] three times a day, 
and a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful of whiskey or 
dilute alcohol as strong as can be conveniently swal- 
lowed, every four hours. For great dryness and pain 
in the throat, steam may be inhaled from a kettle, 
placed near the patient, with a lamp under it. The 
steam may be conducted from the kettle to the pa- 
tient by a folded paper or pasteboard, or strip of 
tin made like a trough, and laid upside down. No 
food is better than milk, and this may be used with 
lime-water [No. 14], three parts milk to one of lime- 
water. If one cannot take milk, beef tea or gruel 
may be substituted. For paralysis, give one cincho- 
nidia pill [No. 27], a teaspoonful of solution of iron 
[No. 29], and five drops of tincture of nux vomica 
[No. 26] together at each meal-time. Continue the 
iron until complete return of health. Give a teaspoon- 
ful of the solution of chlorate of potassium and 
salicylic acid above mentioned, at morning, noon, 
supper, and bedtime, to others who have been 
exposed, as a preventive. 
Whooping-Cough.-Whooping-Cough begins as 
a hard cold with some fever. The whoop shows 
after a week or more. The patient gives a succes- 
sion of coughs until out of breath, and then despen DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
51 
ately draws in the breath with a ringing sound. The 
face becomes red, swelled, and anxious, the eyes fill 
with tears, vomiting and nose-bleed often follow, 
and sometimes convulsions. The attacks are harder 
and more frequent at night than during the day. 
The disease lasts six weeks or more. Bronchitis of 
the small air tubes, or pneumonia, may set in. 
Treatment.-Give a teaspoonful or more of the 
solution of bromide of potassium [No. 8] three or 
four times a day, and if this does not moderate the 
cough, give solution of chloral [No. 25] in addition, 
a teaspoonful or two at night. If the appetite and 
strength fail, or if fever occurs, give one or two 
cinchonidia pills [No. 27] at each meal-time. The 
usual amount of out-door air is not harmful but 
beneficial. Such food should be given as can best 
be retained ; sometimes it is well to give food after 
a coughing spell. Nitric acid [No. 2], carbolic acid 
[No. 34], and remedies for bronchitis are suitable in 
later stages. 
Pneumonia.-Pneumonia is a solidification of the 
substance of the lung, by a filling up of the air-cells. 
It begins with chills or hot flashes, then follow a 
pain in the side, painful cough, glairy expectoration, 
rapid breathing-thirty or forty or more per min- 
ute,-a flushed face, sometimes swelled and livid, 
high fever, thirst, prostration, delirium, and high- 52 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
colored, scanty urine. As the expectoration becomes 
more abundant, fine snuff-colored or reddish flecks 
appear in it; and then the whole becomes more or 
less rusty. On putting the ear against the chest, a 
crackling sound may be heard as the breath comes 
in, that may be imitated by holding a lock of hair 
close to the ear, and rubbing it between the thumb 
and finger. This is called the crepitant rale, and it 
seldom occurs in any other disease. The disease 
lasts two or three weeks, turning from the fifth to 
the twelfth day, after which the fever and distress- 
ing symptoms rapidly improve. The danger is in 
proportion to the frequency and weakness of the 
pulse, and the frequency of breathing. 
Treatment.-If this is begun early, give two 
teaspoonfuls of bitartrate of potassium [No. 16] at 
once, and one drop of tincture of aconite (see No. 
22) every fifteen minutes, until the pain and fre- 
quency of breathing are relieved. If this fails, cover 
the chest with a jacket of oiled cotton or silk well pad- 
ded with cotton batting. Paint tincture of iodine 
[No. 10] over the painful part, say a spot four inches 
square, twice a day until it produces soreness. Give 
one or two cinchonidia pills [No. 27] at each meal- 
time, and solution of morphine [No. 20] two to six 
drops every three hours if needed to relieve pain. 
The food should be as nutritious as can be taken: DISEASES AND TREATMEN 
53 
one or two quarts of milk in twenty-four hours, strong 
beef tea, or whites of eggs; and if indications of 
weakness appear, or if the pulse rises above no, or 
becomes feeble, increase the cinchonidia and give 
one or two tablespoonfuls of whiskey [No. 36] every 
four hours. This may be given with the food if 
preferred. 
Pleurisy.-Pleurisy is an inflammation of the sur- 
face of the lung, and of the cavity that contains it. 
In the space between the wall of the chest and lung, 
a quantity of serum is poured out which sometimes 
fills it. Chilly feelings occur, usually less marked 
than in pneumonia ; also a sharp pain in the side, 
that increases as one draws in the breath or coughs ; 
moderate fever, raised pulse and breathing, thirst, 
and a small quantity of stringy, frothy expectoration. 
The cough is restrained, on account of the pain 
which it causes. The patient usually prefers to lie 
on the healthy side, or on the back. The amount 
of fluid in the chest may be found by placing the 
fingers of the left hand on the chest and striking 
them with the fingers of the right hand, while-the 
patient sits up. A horizontal line of dulness is 
shown, which indicates the height of fluid. This 
line is changed when the patient lies down. When 
the chest is full the dulness comes nearly to the 
top, and is not changed upon lying down. The dura- 54 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
tion of the disease is variable; a pain in the chest 
usually remains a long time. 
Treatment.-Give a tablespoonful of bitartrate of 
potassium (No. 16), and, after the bowels have moved, 
give from four to ten drops of solution of morphine 
[No. 20] every three hours, if needed to relieve pain. 
If tincture of aconite [No. 22] externally will answer 
this purpose, it may be used. Put on a padded 
jacket of oiled muslin. The amount of drink 
should be as limited as convenient. Solid food is 
preferable, but if this cannot be taken, milk may 
be allowed, and some of this may be given in any 
case for a drink. Give half a teaspoonful of sali- 
cylic acid [No. 30] three times a day; or if this 
does not remove the fever, give it as often as every 
three hours, and moisten each dose with seven drops 
of tincture of digitalis [No. 23]. The side may be 
painted daily with tincture of iodine [No. 10], a 
place the size of the hand, until it becomes sore, 
and if the trouble becomes chronic, a blister [No. 
33] two inches square may be put on the chest 
once or twice a week. Enough bitartrate of potas- 
sium [No. 16] may be given to keep the bowels 
regular, but not to produce weakness. The strength 
should be kept up with as good food as can be 
taken, and, if necessary, cinchonidia [No. 27], one or 
more pills three times a day, and a tablespoonful 
of whiskey besides. DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
55 
Bronchitis.-Bronchitis usually begins with sore- 
ness of the throat, or a cold in the head ; with mod- 
erate fever, and soreness of the muscles and bones. 
Then comes a cough with expectoration, which con- 
tinues a variable time after the fever disappears. 
Treatment.-A bowl of hot lemonade, with 
three drops of tincture of aconite [No. 22], the first 
night, may break the disease. Solution of chlorate 
of potassium [No. 7] and salicylic acid is useful dur- 
ing most stages of this disease, a tablespoonful four 
times a day, or if the throat is sore, a teaspoonful 
every hour. For soreness in the muscles, or pain in 
the throat, add ten drops of tincture of aconite to a 
glass of the solution. If the appetite is good and 
the fever moderate, no other medicines may be 
needed, otherwise cinchonidia pills [No. 27] may be 
added. For chronic cough with pain in the chest, 
tincture of iodine [No. 10] or blisters [No. 33] may 
be used. Other remedies for this disease are men- 
tioned elsewhere (see index). 
Vomiting.-This symptom may occur from vari- 
ous causes : as in the eruptive fevers, in disease or 
injury of the brain, in disease of the kidneys, from 
sea-sickness, pregnancy, sick headache, bilious at- 
tacks, ulceration of stomach, sympathy with diar- 
rhoea, or from cancer of the stomach. The treat- 
ment of these conditions may be found under the 56 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
head of medicines ; they are mentioned here as sug- 
gestions to assist in learning the cause of the symp- 
tom. 
. Inflammation of the Stomach.-This disease is 
usually preceded by great thirst, and tenderness at 
the pit of the stomach ; and is accompanied by 
vomiting of food, and then of sour, watery, and 
afterward bitter greenish fluid. Drink does not sat- 
isfy thirst, but it increases the vomiting and pain. 
Pickles and fruit cause pain. 
Treatment.-If this disease follows a debauch, it 
should be treated with one part lime-water [No. 14] 
to three of milk, given in such quantities as can be 
retained. Broken ice may also be allowed. If re- 
quired, one-sixth of a teaspoonful of subnitrate of 
bismuth [No. 12] should be given every two hours, 
and if the pain is severe, a few drops of solution of 
morphine [No. 20] may be added. Emetics should 
not be used. Drinks should be as limited as possi- 
ble. When thirst comes from inflammation of the 
stomach the thirst disappears sooner without drink 
than with it. 
Gravel.-This is the passage to the bladder of 
sand or gravel, that may have formed in the kid- 
neys, through the tube that carries urine. The pain 
is usually very severe, and extends from the small 
of the back on one side toward the groin. Desire to DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
57 
make water, with little result, accompanies it. It 
usually appears and disappears suddenly, and leaves 
a feeling of soreness. 
Passage of Gall-Stone.-This is attended with 
a very severe pain in the neighborhood of the navel. 
It begins suddenly and ends suddenly, leaving a 
soreness; and it maybe accompanied with nausea 
and vomiting. These symptoms are similar to cer- 
tain cases of colic; it is not necessary to distinguish 
between them here. 
Treatment.-The treatment of these two diffi- 
culties is the same. Give eight drops of solution of 
morphine [No. 20], and a teaspoonful of solution 
of chloral [No. 25], and repeat them hourly if neces- 
sary. If vomiting follow, they may be given by 
injection. Apply very hot cloths to the outside, 
with a teaspoonful of turpentine [No. 31] sprinkled 
on. After the attack, the condition of the urine 
should be noticed, and if sediments appear they 
should be attended to. After an attack of gravel, 
the patient should pass water while on the hands 
and knees, and stop the stream by pressure with 
the hand, and let it come in gushes, for the purpose 
of voiding the gravel stone. 
Peritonitis.-Peritonitis is an inflammation of the 
covering of the bowels, and of the lining surface 
of the abdomen. It may include a part or the 58 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
whole of these surfaces. The pain in the abdomen 
is continuous and severe, and is increased by breath- 
ing or cough. The abdomen bloats; and there may 
be vomiting and looseness of the bowels, or not. 
The patient lies upon the back and draws up the 
knees. Peritonitis may happen in child-bed, or 
after exposure to cold, or injuries, or strong.drink. 
Treatment.-The principal medicine should be 
solution of morphine [No. 20] given every three 
hours, in sufficient quantity to relieve pain. Sprinkle 
spirits of turpentine [No. 31] on a flannel and lay 
it on the abdomen until the surface becomes red, 
and afterward cover it with cotton wool and oiled 
muslin. Moderate doses of cinchonidia [No. 27] 
may be needed, and perhaps small quantities of 
whiskey to keep up the strength. The diet should 
be the mildest; milk and lime-water, or gruel of 
flour, corn starch, sago, or arrow root. Purgatives 
should not be used ; the bowels may be occasionally 
moved by injections. 
Constipation.-Constipation may generally be 
prevented and frequently cured, by the habit of 
going to stool regularly about the same time, per- 
haps after breakfast, each day. If the practice of 
going to stool regularly is not sufficient, give in ad- 
dition from eight to twelve drops of tincture of 
nux vomica [No. 26] at each meal-time, until regu- DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
59 
larity of movement is obtained ; and then gradually 
diminish the quantity of each dose, until the medi- 
cine is no longer needed. Unless the habit is con- 
tinued the trouble will return. If the nux vomica 
does not prove sufficient, after a trial of at least a 
fortnight, moderate doses of the aloes mixture [No. 
17] may be added for a while. 
By a faithful trial of this method habitual consti- 
pation can generally be cured. The habit of taking 
pills and purgatives, that is so much encouraged by 
manufacturers and almanac advertisers, is useless and 
harmful. Persons that are in good health otherwise 
should not require purgatives. Constipation is a 
prominent symptom of lead poisoning; colic accom- 
panies this disease, and a blue line may be seen 
where the gums meet the teeth: paralysis of the 
wrist and other parts of the body, and other symp- 
toms due to the nervous system may follow. The 
drink supply should be investigated if the cause of 
this disease is not known. The treatment is referred 
to under the head of medicines. 
Diarrhoea.-In diarrhoea, the movements of the 
bowels are too frequent, loose, often watery, strong 
in odor, and are usually accompanied by thirst, and 
by pain which increases greatly at short intervals. 
Vomiting, and gurgling in the bowels, may also occur. 
The pulse is small, and if above one hundred and 60 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
twenty, denotes great weakness ; fever is slight and 
tongue dry. Severe cases of this trouble with 
watery discharge are known as cholera morbus. 
Treatment.-Unless the bowels have been al- 
ready emptied, give two teaspoonfuls of bitartrate of 
potassium [No. 16], or an injection of a pint of water 
with a teaspoonful of salt. Then give four to ten 
drops of solution of morphine [No. 20], and after 
the first few doses add one or two teaspoonfuls of 
solution of acetate of lead [No. 6], These may be 
continued every two hours if the pain or movements 
continue. When a dose is vomited, put a mustard 
paste to the stomach, and give another dose at once. 
If in doubt whether to give the medicine or not, 
place the hand upon the abdomen and if gurgling is 
felt it is an indication to give the medicine. If the 
tendency to looseness continue, the elixir of vitriol 
may be used [No. 1], or the oxide of zinc [No. 4] 
and bismuth. Feed moderately with crackers, toast, 
rice, or milk and lime-water [No. 14]. Do not give 
water in larger quantities than a teaspoonful every 
fifteen minutes. Ice may be allowed instead. Keep 
the patient lying down, and cover the abdomen 
warmly with flannel. 
Dysentery.- Dysentery usually begins as a diar- 
rhoea, with pain in the lower part of the bowel or 
back. A frequent desire to go to stool and to strain, DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
61 
with small, slimy, or bloody movements, follows. 
Other symptoms are similar to diarrhoea. 
Treatment.-This is similar to that of diarrhoea, 
except that the medicine is more useful if given by 
injection. Four to ten drops of solution of mor- 
phine [No.20] with a teaspoonful of solution of acetate 
of lead [No. 6] maybe injected up the bowel after 
each movement. Or the solution of morphine and 
one sixth of a teaspoonful of oxide of zinc [No. 4] 
may be mixed with a teaspoonful of melted lard or 
olive oil, and used in the same way. One should 
resist the inclination to a movement as much as 
possible. A large injection of water, or a dose of 
bitartrate of potassium [No. 16], may be given every 
three or four days, to procure a natural movement 
of the bowels. 
Cholera.-A diarrhoea may precede this disease, 
which becomes greatly increased in quantity, often- 
est in the night. The discharges are very abundant, 
appear like rice-water, and have a faint alkaline 
smell. Vomiting is frequent, and the bowels gurgle 
and roll. Collapse follows ; that is, the hands and 
feet become blue and cold, the muscles cramp, the 
skin shrinks, the voice becomes feeble and husky, 
the breath is cold, the pulse is small and frequent, 
and there is great thirst. 
Treatment.-If the patient is seen before collapse 62 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
give at once half a teaspoonful of solution of mor- 
phine [No. 20], with a teaspoonful of solution of 
chloral [No. 25]. If the dose is vomited, repeat it 
immediately. Keep the patient quiet upon the 
back, and do not let him get up under any circum- 
stances. Urge him to resist the inclination to a 
movement. Apply a mustard paste to the abdomen, 
and then hot flannel. Give twenty drops more of 
the morphine solution every forty-five minutes, until 
the noises in the bowels cease. Ice may be allowed, 
or a teaspoonful of water every fifteen minutes, if it 
do not cause vomiting. After collapse the treat- 
ment is less satisfactory. Solution of chloral may 
be given every hour (it is especially useful for the 
cramps), with smaller quantities of morphine solution, 
two to four drops. Hot bottles may be placed under 
the clothes. Injections of a tablespoonful of brandy 
or whiskey, in four of tea, may be given ; orbrandy, 
whiskey, or ginger tea may be swallowed, if they 
do not cause vomiting. If reaction comes on, feed 
as during diarrhoea; and give for diarrhoea, bismuth 
[No. 12], one fourth of a teaspoonful, and half as 
much oxide of zinc [No. 4], and add four drops of 
solution of morphine every two hours, if needed. 
The sick should be separated from the well; and 
solution of commercial carbolic acid-one pint to 
twenty of water-should be used in all vessels that DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
63 
catch the passages or vomit of the sick. In a season 
when cholera prevails, drinks should not be largely 
indulged in when unusual thirst appears, and moder- 
ate diarrhoea should be treated early, with rest and 
medicine. 
Apoplexy.-The patient may complain of pain or 
pressure in the head, and then become rapidly uncon- 
scious, with slow, snoring breathing, and flapping of 
the lips and cheeks. Rigidity or convulsions may 
follow, on one or both sides of the body. The pulse 
is slow and full, and one pupil may be larger than 
the other. In severe cases the breathing is difficult 
and irregular. If consciousness returns, numbness 
and inability to move a part of the body follow, and 
startings of the paralyzed part may appear; sensa- 
tion returns before power of motion. If the face is 
paralyzed, the cheek is liable to be bitten in chewing 
food. When the tongue is paralyzed, it is pushed 
out toward its paralyzed side. The mouth is drawn 
away from its paralyzed side. In paralysis of the 
throat, it is difficult to swallow ; and liquids at- 
tempted to be swallowed may come out through the 
nose. In paralysis of the tongue it is difficult or 
impossible to talk. Sometimes it is impossible to 
talk from pressure on the brain. If the bladder is 
paralyzed, a catheter may be needed. 
Treatment.- Loosen the clothing about the 64 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
neck, and place the patient in an airy place, with 
the head and shoulders raised. Apply cold to the 
head and warmth to the feet. A convenient way 
to apply cold is to wrap ice in flannel and oiled 
muslin. Give two or three drops of croton oil 
[No. 18], and if the bowels do not move in three 
hours repeat the dose. If pain in the head and 
flushed face continue after consciousness returns, 
continue the cold applications, and give twelve 
drops of fluid extract of ergot [No. 24] every two 
hours for a day. Good diet and, if needed, cincho- 
nidia [No. 20] assist recovery. If the catheter is 
needed, it should be used three or four times a 
day; and if the water becomes strong in odor and 
stringy, wash the bladder out by injecting it with 
a solution of carbolic acid [No. 34], half a tea- 
spoonful to a pint of warm water, after drawing 
the urine. For paralysis, rubbing is useful; and 
after a few days give five drops of tincture of nux 
vomica [No. 26] with a teaspoonful of solution 
of iron [No. 29] three times a day. When syphilis 
has preceded paralysis, the iodide of potassium 
[No. 9] should be given. After a month or so, 
electricity may assist in removing paralysis: it is 
particularly useful after lead-poisoning, and may be 
used earlier in this disease. 
Sunstroke.-The attack of this disease is similar DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
65 
to that of apoplexy. Delirium may follow ; paraly- 
sis does not follow it. It may be caused by other 
heat than that of the sun, and exhaustion and 
weariness predispose to it. It usually leaves the 
patient in a weak condition, with head trouble and 
susceptibility to heat, that remain a long time. 
Treatment.-If the face is red and the veins 
swelled, give croton oil as in apoplexy; otherwise 
do not, but give a tablespoonful of brandy by 
mouth, or by injection if the patient cannot swal- 
low, once in two hours. Give also two teaspoonfuls 
of solution of bromide of potassium [No. 8] and 
twenty drops of fluid extract ergot [No. 24] every 
two hours until the patient is comfortable. Place 
the patient in a cool location with the head raised, 
and apply cold to the head ; if the feet are cold, 
apply hot bottles ; and if the skin is hot and dry, 
sponge the body with whiskey and water. 
Epilepsy.-The attack begins by the patient 
groaning and drawing in his breath. He then 
throws up the hands, falls forward, and becomes 
rigid. Active convulsions set in with grinding of 
the teeth, biting the tongue, frothing at the mouth, 
twisting the face, which becomes turgid with blood, 
and forcible movements of the arms, legs, and body, 
and perhaps escape of the urine. The attack may 
last a few minutes; then the patient becomes 66 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
drowsy, and goes into a heavy sleep, from which 
he awakes confused and without knowing what has 
occurred to him. Sometimes the attacks amount 
to little more than a temporary dizziness. Some- 
times active delirium or mania follows them. When 
convulsions occur in the night, they may be inferred 
from a tired feeling in the morning and a bitten 
tongue. 
Treatment.-Prevent the patient from injuring 
himself during the attack, but do not try to keep 
him entirely still by force. Give the solution of 
bromide of potassium [No. 8], two or more tea- 
spoonfuls three or four times a day, as may be 
required to prevent the attacks. Oxide of zinc 
[No. 4], and other remedies mentioned in the other 
part of this book, may assist in making them less 
frequent. If any other disease exists with epilepsy, 
the cure of that disease may remove the epilepsy. 
Meningitis.-The symptoms are severe pain in 
the head, sensitiveness to light and sound, vomiting, 
flushed face, constipation, fever, delirium, and con- 
vulsions. These symptoms are followed in severe 
cases, which are more common than light ones, by 
drowsiness, heaviness, stupor, and perhaps paralysis. 
Cerebro-spinal Meningitis.-This disease may 
prevail in epidemics, and be known as spotted fever. 
Headache, pain in back, stiffness in neck, and DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
67 
trembling are early symptoms. The pain in the 
head and back becomes intense, and is greatly in- 
creased by movement ; the head is thrown back- 
ward ; the spine may be rigidly curved to the back 
or sideways, delirium and sometimes convulsions 
occur. The skin is dry; the pulse is slow the first 
three or four days, and then rapid, as exhaustion 
appears. Sensitiveness to noises is an early symp- 
tom ; and stupidity, dilation of pupils, and deafness 
are later ones. Danger from severe cases of these 
diseases is very great, and complete recovery is 
slow. 
Treatment.-Cold to the head is used in these 
diseases. Ice wrapped in flannel and oiled muslin 
is convenient for this purpose. If necessary, the 
hair may be cut for the application. Large doses 
of fluid extract of ergot [No. 24], with bromide of 
potassium [No. 8], aconite [No. 22], and solution of 
morphine [No. 20], are probably the most suitable 
medicines for these diseases. Morphine should not 
be given during the heavy stupor. In the slow re- 
covery from the disease, tincture of iodine may be 
painted along the spine. 
Delirium Tremens.-This is a form of timid de- 
lirium, in which terrible forms and faces harass the 
hard drinker. Other symptoms are thirst, unsteadi- 
ness of the muscles, sleeplessness, and loss of 
appetite. 68 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
Treatment.-The patient is to be kept as quiet 
as possible; and if he can eat moderately, and 
sleep two or three hours in twenty-four, he needs 
very little medicine, and, by abstinence from liquor, 
he may be expected to recover in a few days. If 
no sleep is obtained, give two teaspoonfuls of solu- 
tion of bromide of potassium [No. 8] and ten drops 
of tincture of digitalis [No. 23] about every four 
hours. If this does not answer, chloral hydrate 
[No. 25] may be added, for robust healthy persons. 
Two parts of milk to one of lime-water [No. 14], in 
small quantities frequently repeated, make the best 
diet until more substantial can be borne by the 
stomach. Nux vomica [No. 26] is a useful tonic for 
the nerves in this disease. 
Rheumatism.-In acute or inflammatory rheu- 
matism the joint becomes swelled, hot, red, and very 
painful. It is accompanied by fever, with rapid, full 
pulse, coated tongue, loss of appetite, highly colored 
urine, and sour perspirations. It is liable to affect 
one large joint after another, and sometimes two or 
more at a time. Pain is greatly increased by motion 
of the joint, and frequently by the slightest jar in 
the room. 
Treatment.-Wrap the joint in cotton-wool, or 
new flannel, and give half a teaspoonful or more of 
salicylic acid [No. 30] every four hours. If the DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
69 
disease yields to this medicine in three or four days, 
continue it in the same dose for two or three days ; 
and then give half the dose for a few days more. 
For severe pain apply tincture of aconite [No. 22] 
externally, and, if this is not sufficient, give as mod- 
erate doses of solution of morphine [No. 20] as will 
answer the purpose. If the water continues red, 
give the bitartrate of potassium [No. 16] as a drink, 
in such quantity as the bowels will bear, without 
moving more than once a day. Blisters [No. 33] 
two inches square may be used once or twice a 
week, or tincture of iodine [No. 10] may be applied 
externally. If the strength fails, give one or two 
cinchonidia [No. 27] pills three times a day. The 
food should be as nutritious as can be taken ; but 
meat food should be used sparingly. The symptoms 
of chronic rheumatism are less severe, and generally 
similar medicines may be used, except morphine. 
Tonics will be found useful, and these and external 
treatment should be followed as far as possible. 
Scurvy.-Scurvy is slow in coming on. Debility, 
poor appetite, craving for vegetables and sour 
things, paleness, weariness, a dark ring about the 
eyes, pain in various parts of the body, weak pulse, 
dry skin, swollen gums and tongue are symptoms. 
Purple spots come on the body; nose bleed, and 
bleeding from the gums or from the internal organs 70 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
follow. Purpura is a similar disease in respect to 
the spots and bleeding. 
Treatment.-One or two ounces of orange, 
lemon, or lime juice daily is a preventive of scurvy. 
Vegetables and fruit should be obtained if possible. 
Potatoes, corn, cabbage, onions and apples may be 
mentioned, in addition to fresh meat and milk. 
Give one or two pills of cinchonidia [No. 27] at each 
meal-time to improve appetite, and a teaspoonful of 
solution of iron [No. 29]. Chlorate and bitartrate 
of potassium [Nos. 7 and 16] may be also given. 
In purpura give acetate of lead [No. 6] and oil of 
turpentine with tonics. 1 
Dropsy.-This is an unnatural amount of water 
through the tissues, and in the cavities of the body. 
When on the surface it is indicated by pitting after 
firm pressure. It is a symptom of disease of the 
heart, the kidneys, or the liver, or of general weak- 
ness of the system. When dropsy exists all through 
the system it is called anasarca; and in a portion of 
it it is called oedema. 
Dropsy from heart disease usually begins at the 
feet. Other symptoms may be shortness of breath, 
dizziness on exertion, cold feet, and weak spells, 
with redness of face, and lips, irregular pulse, palpita- 
tion, cough, and pain in the chest. This condition 
is frequently relieved by iron [No. 29] and cincho- DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
71 
nidia [No. 27], with perhaps digitalis [No. 23J, or 
iodide of potassium [No. 9]. 
Dropsy from disease of the kidneys affects the 
general system sooner. It appears in the hands and 
face, under the eyes, as well as in the feet. Per- 
sistent headaches, sickness of the stomach, dimness 
of vision, and occasional watery diarrhoea, without 
indiscretion of diet, which generally relieves the other 
symptoms. In the later stages of the disease, 
shortness of breath may indicate dropsy of the 
chest and lungs. Convulsions and delirium may 
appear. The urine is scanty, and generally has to 
be made frequently. If it is filtered, and boiled in 
a glass tube that is closed at one end, it becomes 
flaky with albumen, which settles to the bottom on 
standing. Albumen also appears on adding a small 
quantity of nitric acid [No. 2] to the urine, and 
holding it toward the light. Both tests should be 
used. In disease of the kidneys with a small 
amount of urine, the bitartrate of potassium [No. 
16] should be given, to increase the action of the 
kidneys, and to keep the bowels regular. Iron [No. 
29] and cinchonidia [No. 27], in moderate doses, 
are also important. Vomiting may perhaps be re- 
lieved by bromide of potassium [No. 8], or by bis- 
muth [No. 12], given every two hours. Bromide of 
potassium is also useful for delirium or convulsions ; 72 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
and oxide of zinc [No. 4]. for diarrhoea that is fre- 
quent enough to cause Weakness. Morphine should 
be used with caution when the water is scanty, or if 
there is a tendency to stupor. The clothing should 
be very warm. 
Dropsy from disease of the liver usually begins in 
the abdomen. It is accompanied by digestive 
troubles of long duration ; enlarged veins of the ab- 
domen, and piles, are liable to accompany. A free 
use of alcoholic beverages is supposed to lead to 
this disease. Fifteen drops of balsam copaiba [No. 
35] will sometimes relieve this form of dropsy. 
Iodide of potassium [No. 9] also may answer a good 
purpose. The bitartrate of potassium [No. 16] in 
suitable quantity to moderately regulate the bowels 
may be given. The diet should be plain, and such 
attention to food as will keep the bowels easy may 
relieve uncomfortable symptoms and save the neces- 
sity for much medicine. 
Dropsy from general weakness needs iron [No. 
29] and tonics. Swelling of the legs alone may be 
caused by pressure on the blood-vessels, as by a 
tumor in the groin or abdomen, or more commonly 
by enlarged veins in the legs. For enlarged or 
varicose veins apply a bandage smoothly every 
morning from the foot up to the knee, or procure 
at a surgical instrument or drug store an elastic DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
73 
stocking, and wear it through the daytime. A band- 
age should be three or four inches wide, and three 
yards or more long. 
Syphilis.-The first appearance of syphilis, when 
it is caught by connection, is a pimple or fissure 
upon the private parts. When the top or head of 
this pimple comes off, it leaves a small ulcer, with 
hard and sloping edges, called a chancre. In women 
this ulcer is often difficult to find. The glands in 
the groin become enlarged, and remain so for a long 
time. When caught by kissing the first sore appears 
in the mouth. The sore appears in from two to six 
weeks after exposure. The other glands of the 
system enlarge and harden, the more noticeable of 
which are under the jaw, in the armpit, and behind 
the ear and the elbow. Eruptions of a deep red 
color, or pimples which leave behind them copper- 
colored spots, appear; more particularly around the 
nose, forehead, breast, and the inner surfaces of the 
limbs. Falling of the hair and persistent sore- 
throat with hoarseness are other symptoms. Later on 
gummy tumors may appear under the skin and in 
various parts of the body, from the size of a pea to 
that of a filbert, which may ulcerate and cause ugly 
sores. When these affect the bones they cause 
ulceration of the bone; or they may come on the 
internal organs, as the brain, the heart, the liver, or 74 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
the lungs. Rheumatic pain in the shins, collar 
bones, or other long bones, which is greatly in- 
creased at night, may also be prominent. Many 
cases of syphilis naturally run a mild course, and 
never show the more serious results. But the 
disease remains in the system a long time, and 
usually wears greatly on the patient's strength. 
Treatment.-Touch the sore on its appearance 
with strong nitric acid [No. 2], which may be ap- 
plied on a small pointed stick. Let stimulants be 
avoided, the clothing warm, the manner of living 
plain ; and keep up the strength and health with 
tonics as iron, cinchonidia, and nux vomica [No. 
26], and wait for symptoms. For the eruptions use 
the oxide of zinc ointment [No. 4], or a lotion of oxide 
of zinc, an even teaspoonful to a pint of lime-water 
[No. 14]. A wash of sulphate of zinc [No. 3], or 
the powder or ointment of iodoform [No. 11], may 
be substituted, if ulcers form and are slow in heal- 
ing. For all the later forms of this disease, the 
iodide of potassium [No. 9] may be employed, and 
if it is known that a person has had syphilis, iodide 
of potassium will be found useful in most obscure 
symptoms that may follow. The average of cases 
do better without mercury than with it, and this 
remedy is not recommended for general use. Per- 
fect cleanliness is an important preventive of this 
disease. DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
75 
Chancroid.-Chancroid, or soft chancre, com- 
mences on the private parts a few days, usually 
within three days, after exposure. It begins as one 
or several pimples, or in a small crack in the skin. 
Ulceration rapidly follows. The discharge is free, 
and the edges of the ulcer or ulcers become rough 
and ragged. Unless treated this sore is slow to 
heal, and may acquire a large size. 
Treatment.-Apply pure carbolic acid with a 
pointed stick to the sore ; and when the crust falls 
off dust on iodoform [No. u] twice a day, after 
washing the surface clean with the wash of sulphate 
of zinc [No. 3]. If the iodoform adheres closely and 
forms a crust it should not be removed. 
Gonorrhoea.-Gonorrhoea appears in from two to 
five days after exposure, in an uneasy, itching, or 
burning in the end of the penis, which appears red 
and swollen at the opening of the urethra, and first 
secretes a colorless, and then a milky fluid. This 
lasts from two to four days ; and then the whole 
end of the organ swells and becomes tender, and the 
discharge is greatly increased, and yellow or green- 
ish. Making water is painful. If erections occur, 
they are very painful, and the organ tends to curve 
downward-this symptom is chordee, and it may 
greatly hinder the cure of the disease. The glands 
in the groin may enlarge, and form buboes, which may 76 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
break and ulcerate. The discharge from the penis 
keeps at its height from one to three weeks, and 
gradually diminishes and grows thinner, and disap- 
pears entirely in the course of a few weeks or per- 
haps months. The mind is anxious and depressed 
during the disease, and .in the active part of it there 
is fever. 
Treatment.-Injections are generally sufficient 
to cure this disease. The warm solution of sulphate 
of zinc [No. 3], half a teaspoonful to a pint of 
water, should be injected five times a day, after 
making water. The syringe for this purpose should 
be rubber, and hold half an ounce, and the point 
should be short and smooth. After injection, hold 
the end of the organ between the finger and thumb, 
and run the finger of the other hand along the un- 
der side from behind toward the end with moder- 
ate pressure. If the wash cause smarting for more 
than a minute, it should be weakened by adding 
more water. A weak wash is better than a strong 
one. If the discharge shows a tendency to continue 
a long time, give the balsam of copaiba [No. 35], 
one fourth of a teaspoonful after each meal. For 
great scalding of the water give half a teaspoonful 
of bicarbonate of soda [No. 15] in a glass of water 
three times a day : the solution of bromide of potas- 
sium [No. 8] may relieve this symptom; it is also DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
77 
used for chordee, a teaspoonful or more three or four 
times a day. It is sometimes necessary to give mor- 
phine [No. 20] at night fo. chordee. To prevent 
this symptom the supper should be light, and one 
should sleep on the side and keep cool. If buboes 
form, paint them with tincture of iodine [No. 10], 
and if they break, wash them clean with a solution 
of sulphate of zinc [No. 3], and dust them with the 
powder of iodoform [No. nJ. Gleet may be treated 
in case of failure with the wash of sulphate of zinc, 
by injections of a mixture of a teaspoonful of sub- 
nitrate of bismuth [No. 12], one sixth teaspoonful of 
oxide of zinc [No. 4] in a gill of boiled starch pre- 
pared as for starching clothes. During gonorrhoea 
the diet should be rather light the first few days, and 
one should keep quiet. Afterward, one may eat 
more freely, but should not indulge in much salt, or 
such vegetables as cabbage, asparagus, greens, or 
vinegar, or in food that causes indigestion. If one 
becomes weak, give iron [No. 29] and cinchonidia 
[No. 27]. If the foreskin swell up, use the oxide of 
zinc ointment. If the testicles swell, one must keep 
quiet and support them in a comfortable position, 
and apply tincture of aconite [No. 22] to them once 
or twice a day, or often enough to relieve pain ; if the 
aconite fails, morphine solution [No. 20] may be 
required internally. Another useful application for 78 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
swelled testicle is an ointment made with half a tea- 
spoonful of iodoform [No. n] and a piece of lard as 
large as an egg. When treatment is begun early, 
cold applications may prevent trouble, but later, hot 
ones are more comfortable. Keep the bowels 
regular with bitartrate of potassium [No. 16] or 
warm injections if needed, and support the 
strength with one or two pills of cinchonidia 
[No. 27] at each meal-time, and if the tongue is 
clean, with solution of iron [No. 29]. When the 
patient gets up he should wear a suspensory band- 
age, which may be bought at the store, or made of 
the toe of a stocking, and rigged to give support, 
by tying it with several tapes to a bandage around 
the hips. 
Inflammation of the Bladder.-This disease is 
accompanied by pain and tenderness in the region 
of the bladder, and by frequency of making water. 
The urine is more or less stringy, and is passed with 
effort and suffering. 
Treatment.-This comprises hot hip baths, poul- 
tices with laudanum [No. 19] on the lower part of 
abdomen, bicarbonate of soda [No. 15], a teaspoon- 
ful in a pint of oatmeal gruel, and one tenth of a 
teaspoonful of iodoform [No. 11] twice a day. 
Iodoform maybe found more useful given by injec- 
tion in the bowel with melted lard. The food should DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
79 
be principally milk, rice, oatmeal, and but small quan- 
tities of fresh meat, and very little or no salty food. 
In the later stages give solution of iron [No. 29]. 
Retention of Urine.-In this painful difficulty 
the urine may come away in drops, after the bladder 
becomes over-full. The form of the bladder may 
be felt, when the patient lies on the back, with the 
knees drawn up. The obstruction or spasm of the 
neck of the bladder may be relieved by an injec- 
tion of forty drops of laudanum in the bowel, 
and a hot bath or hot flannels. If these measures 
do not bring relief it may be necessary to draw the 
urine. To do this, hold the end of the penis in the 
left hand, and, with gentleness and steadiness, push 
down the catheter, which should be warm and 
well oiled. If it comes to a stop, keep a steady pres- 
sure on the instrument, and slightly turn it. The 
water may need to be drawn two or three times 
a day. The soft catheters are recommended as safer 
for this purpose. If stricture exists, a surgeon 
should be consulted-as soon as it is discovered ; and 
it should be dilated to a large size, and kept so 
for a year, by the occasional passage of a large in- 
strument. Sometimes a persistent gleet is an indi- 
cation of stricture, and the need of dilation. 
Sediments in the Urine.-Red or brick-dust 
sediment in the urine indicates acidity of it. It is 80 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
caused from eating much meat, and is more common 
in persons of full habit, with irritable dyspeptic 
stomachs. It should be treated by plainer diet, less 
meat, more starchy food, no stimulant, and, if 
needed, by half a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda 
[No. 15] now and then. The whitish sediments 
come in pale, nervous persons, with weak stomachs 
who eat much bread, and in those who are worn by 
study, care, or anxiety. They should eat more meat, 
take exercise, and if necessary take three drops of 
nitric acid [No. 2] in water after meals. There is a 
less frequent form of deposit which is usually of a 
brownish smoky color, which is relieved by nitric 
acid used in the same way. 
Varicocele.-Varicocele is an enlargment of the 
veins that take the blood from the testicle. It 
causes a hanging down of the bag, and feels like a 
bag of angle worms. It may be relieved by a wash 
of a teaspoonful of acetate of lead [No. 6] in a 
pint of water ; and may require a suspensory band- 
age or a bag made as described on page 78. 
Spermatorrhoea.-This subject is referred to be- 
cause so many advertisements appear with the in- 
tention of misleading and swindling the young. 
Emissions that occur once or twice a fortnight, or 
sometimes oftener, are not unnatural, and do not in- 
dicate disease. They will occur less frequently if DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
81 
one eats a light supper, sleeps cool, and lies on the 
side. Temperance and chastity are advised. Solu- 
tion of bromide of potassium may give some 
relief. 
Hemorrhage in Different Forms.-Soreness of 
the nose or nasal passage usually precedes nose- 
bleed ; and children may cause nose-bleed by pick- 
ing the nose. The blood may run into the throat 
and be expectorated, or it may be swallowed and then 
vomited. By holding the head forward it will run 
out of the nose. To stop nose-bleed give half a 
teaspoonful of fluid extract of ergot [No. 24] every 
half hour, apply cold to the back of the neck, 
and use as snuff the acetate of lead [No. 6]. If 
these measures fail it may be necessary to plug the 
nose by pushing in rolls of cotton. The passage 
of the nose is horizontal while the head is erect. 
To prevent further attacks let salt and water, a tea- 
spoonful to the pint, be snuffed up once or twice a 
day; a weak solution of sulphate of zinc may also 
be used for this purpose. 
In hemorrhage from the kings blood mixed with 
mucus is expectorated. It is preceded by a sense 
of weight on the chest. The blood is light red, and 
frothy. It generally indicates a serious disease of 
the lungs. In treating this symptom keep the pa- 
tient cool and quiet; and give half a teaspoonful 82 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
of fluid extract of ergot [No. 24] every hour, and if 
the pulse is full and bounding, give ten drops of 
tincture of digitalis [No. 23], four drops of solution 
of morphine [No. 20], and a tablespoonful of solu- 
tion of acetate of lead [No. 6] every four hours be- 
sides. 
Hemorrhage from the stomach is preceded by 
a feeling of uneasiness and nausea. The blood 
when vomited appears dark and clotted, and is 
often mixed with food. What is passed by is 
black and tarry. Iron and bismuth color the move- 
ments similarly. It should be treated similarly to 
the hemorrhage from the lungs. Acetate of lead 
[No. 6] and turpentine [No. 31] are here useful, with 
ergot [No. 24] and digitalis [No. 23]. 
Bloody urine may be the result of some fever ; as 
typhus, small-pox, scarlet-fever, or malarial fever, or 
of scurvy or purpura, or it may be caused by 
such medicine as cantharides or turpentine in large 
doses, or by some growth in the kidneys or bladder. 
If from irritant medicines the bicarbonate of soda 
with oatmeal gruel or milk should be used; if 
from other causes it may be treated like hemor- 
rhage from the lungs ; and when malarial trouble 
exists large doses of cinchonidia are needed. 
Bleeding piles may be treated with a weak wash 
of acetate of lead [No. 6], or oxide of zinc [No. 4] DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
83 
and lime-water, or by an ointment of acetate of lead 
or of oxide of zinc. If these do not give relief, 
give in addition to the wash or ointment, one fourth 
of a teaspoonful of fluid extract of ergot and ten 
drops of tincture of digitalis two to four times a 
day. 
Leucorrhcea.-A discharge from the vagina just 
before or after the monthly sickness is not an indi- 
cation of disease. A discharge which appears every 
day requires attention. If treated early it can gen- 
erally be cured by injections. These should not be 
used within two days of the monthly sickness. A 
bulb syringe is commonly used for the purpose. The 
syringe should be filled with water first, and the 
tube should pass up the back part pf the passage, 
and be movable, and the wash should be kept from 
flowing right out. Half a teaspoonful of sulphate 
of zinc [No. 3] to the pint of water may be used 
each night, and if no effect is noticed, the amount 
of zinc may be increased until some improvement is 
seen, unless the wash is uncomfortable. 
Gonorrhoea in Women is a discharge that comes 
on suddenly, with soreness, pain, swelling, and red- 
ness. There is usually pain in making water, and 
there may be swelling of the glands in the groin. 
Treatment.-This includes, at first, hot baths, 
plain food, rest, and, if needed, regulation of the 84 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
bowels by bitartrate of potassium [No. 16]. The in- 
jection may be used twice a day as soon as the con- 
dition of the parts will allow, and may be made sim- 
ilar to that for leucorrhoea. Hot injections are more 
suitable than cold ones. The ointment of oxide of 
zinc may be used for soreness in the external parts. 
The irritability of the bladder may be treated as men- 
tioned on page 78. 
Scanty Menstruation.-The natural amount of 
the monthly sickness varies greatly with different 
persons. When it becomes less free than usual, or 
if the time for it is put off, it may be an indication 
of weakness; and the cause should be studied. In 
young girls, if the passage is not closed, and if 
the health is good in other respects, delay, in begin- 
ning the function, should not be regarded. Iron 
[No. 29], cinchonidia [No. 27], and nux vomica 
[No. 26], are generally suitable under such circum- 
stances. And if any other indication arises, it should 
receive attention. 
Profuse Menstruation.-Prominent causes of pro- 
fuse menstruation are congestion of the womb, ul- 
ceration, tumors, imperfect return to natural condi- 
tion after confinement, or to retained products of 
conception. In treating this condition, the patient 
should be kept cool and quiet. The drinks should 
be cool. Give fifteen drops of elixir of vitriol [No. 1] DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
85 
in a glass of water as a drink. If required, one 
fourth of a teaspoonful of fluid extract of ergot 
[No. 24], eight drops of tincture of digitalis [No. 23], 
and fifteen drops of laudanum [No. 19] may be 
given in addition, every four hours. All of these 
may not be required. In most cases medicines will 
answer; if not, take a sponge the size of a goose egg, 
tie a string to the small end of it, wet it, and pour 
on it a teaspoonful of vinegar, or sprinkle on the 
large end some powdered alum [No. 5], and place it 
inside the vagina against the womb and let it remain 
a day, when it may be removed by the string. If 
needed, it may be kept in by a bandage fastened to 
a waist-band. 
Falling of the Womb,-Falling of the womb may 
be caused by lifting, reaching, or falling; and it 
may be influenced by an increase in size of the 
organ. It is indicated by a dragging weight or 
bearing-down pain .in the back and loins, by diffi- 
culty in lifting, in standing, and in walking. It may 
be accompanied by leucorrhoea, or by profuse 
menstruation. In pregnancy it may produce abor- 
tion ; which may occur at or before the third month. 
If noticed early, this and some other displacements 
of the womb may be rectified by position. The pa- 
tient should kneel on the floor or mattrass, and, 
keeping the thighs perpendicular and slightly scpa- 86 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
rated, should rest the shoulders as low down as pos- 
sible, so that the back may slant straight down from 
the buttocks toward the head. If then one breathes 
deeply, and kneads the lower part of the abdomen 
slowly, the womb will usually take its natural posi- 
tion. This may be repeated every night, and the 
patient should lie down as much as possible until 
the womb is disposed to keep its natural position. 
An injection of a teaspoonful of alum [No. 5] in a 
pint of water may be used to assist. In chronic 
diseases of the neighborhood of the womb, accom- 
panied by pain and discharge, injections as hot as 
can be borne conveniently are often useful. 
Pregnancy.-In the first and second months, the 
prominent indications of pregnancy are, stopping of 
menstruation, nausea and headache in the morning, 
and slight fulness and warmth of the breasts. 
In the third month, a slight tumor may be felt in 
the lower part of the abdomen, when one lies on the 
back and draws up the knees. At the end of the 
fourth month, the tumor is as large as a child's head 
of a year old. The sickness of the stomach dis- 
appears. The breasts grow, and the color around 
the nipple deepens. At four and a half months life 
is felt. At the end of the fifth month the tumor 
reaches within a finger's breadth of the navel. It 
continues to rise until about tvzo weeks before con-. DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
87 
finement; when it usually falls, and the waist be- 
comes longer. Confinement may generally be ex- 
pected in from two hundred and seventy to two 
hundred and eighty days, from the end of the last 
menstruation. The management of some of the 
more usual troubles of pregnancy will be referred to 
here. To relieve morning sickness the patient may 
find it sufficient to take a crust of bread and cup of 
coffee before rising. If not so, give one sixth of a 
teaspoonful of oxalate of cerium [No. 13], or subni- 
trate of bismuth [No. 12], and repeat every two 
hours if it is required. For swelling of the feet or 
general dropsy, give a teaspoonful of solution of 
iron [No. 29] three times a day, and as much bitart- 
rate of potassium [No. 16] as the bowels will bear, 
without more than one movement a day. If the 
patient is quite strong, the iron may not be needed. 
For frequency of making water, or sleeplessness, 
give the solution of bromide of potassium [No. 8]. 
Neuralgic pains may occur and be treated by the 
external application of tincture of aconite root [No. 
22j. 
Abortion.-Abortion comes on with a feeling as 
if one were about to be unwell, or with a sudden 
hemorrhage, or by shiverings and hot spells, loss of 
appetite, thirst, paleness, and sinking at the stom- 
ach. Pains low down or a slight show require one 88 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
to keep quiet, and to take solution of morphine to 
control the pain ; four to twelve drops every two 
hours, may be needed. The quiet should be kept 
up for several days, and if the strength is delicate, 
iron [No. 29] and cinchonidia [No. 27] may be 
added. If the rest and morphine fail to control the 
pains, and the abortion proceeds notwithstanding, 
fluid extract of ergot [No. 24] may become useful, 
to diminish the hemorrhage, and possibly the inser- 
tion of a sponge, as mentioned on page 85. 
Labor.-The first pains come on moderately, 
perhaps one or two an hour, and then a glairy dis- 
charge appears, and some dark color. The pains 
gradually increase in frequency and severity, until 
the membrane breaks, and the waters come away in 
gushes. It is estimated that at the coming of the 
waters, the duration of labor is about two thirds 
through ; though this sometimes occurs at the very 
beginning, and then the labor is called dry. When 
the mouth of the womb is dilated to the diameter 
of three inches, the bag or membrane may be broken 
by scratching it with the finger nail during a pain. 
When the womb is dilated to this diameter, the pa- 
tient may be encouraged in efforts to strain, or bear 
down, which the nature of the pain seems to sug- 
gest. She may then take hold of a person's hands, 
or a sheet fastened to the foot of the bed, and brace DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
89 
the feet against the foot of the bed, and assist her- 
self by holding her breath and pulling during the 
pain. After the birth of the head, the attendant 
should feel if the cord is around the neck, and if so, 
should disengage it by slipping the loop or loops 
over the head. If, during the labor, the pains are 
continuous and very tedious, or if the patient worry 
much, and toss, or complain of a severe dizzy 
headache, give a teaspoonful of weak solution of 
chloral [No. 25] now and then. When the head of 
the child is born, one hand of the attendant should 
be placed on the abdomen, and press the womb 
down with some firmness, and the other hand may 
be placed under the child and receive it. The pres- 
sure upon the womb should be kept up, until the 
binder is put on. Soon after the child is born, tie a 
string tightly around the cord about an inch from 
the child's body, and cut the cord just beyond ; and, 
if the womb is not diminished to the size of a child's 
head about a year old, tie the cord twice and cut it 
between. After fifteen minutes of pressure from 
above, and one or two pains, the after-birth usually 
appears. Coughing a few times assists the delivery 
of this. If the child does not begin to breathe at 
once, leave the cord uncut a few minutes, and roll 
the child upon its face, and pass the finger into its 
mouth; then slap it on the body with the corner of 90 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
a handkerchief wet in cold water, and raise up its 
arms and press its chest alternately about fifteen 
times a minute. In persons who have been pre- 
viously confined, and in those who show a tendency 
to free hemorrhage, give half a teaspoonful of fluid 
extract of ergot [No. 24], and repeat it every 
two hours if required for hemorrhage. After the 
delivery of the after-birth, a bandage half a yard 
wide may be pinned around the body from be- 
low the hips to the waist. For severe after- 
pains, give four to eight drops of solution of mor- 
phine [No. 20] every three hours. The outside parts 
may be washed off every day ; and if the discharges 
become strong in odor, give vaginal injections of 
carbolic acid [No. 34], a teaspoonful in a pint of 
warm water, or use the sulphate of zinc as for 
leucorrhcea. If the bowels do not move in four 
days, give a teaspoonful of bitartrate of potassium 
[No. 16], or an injection of a teaspoonful of salt in 
a pint of water. Let the food be plain until the 
bowels move, and then meat may be allowed. Oat- 
meal and hominy are suitable food, and stewed 
prunes assist in keeping the bowels regular. If 
severe after-pains occur give four to eight drops of 
solution of morphine [No. 20] every two hours as 
required. 
In washing the child; let the greasy coating that DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
91 
covers it be softened with lard or sweet-oil, and 
then wiped off with a towel; and as little soap as 
convenient should be used, particularly about the 
eyes. Put the stump of the navel string through a 
hole in a burnt linen cloth four inches square ; wrap 
it up, and bind it against the body, toward the chest, 
with the flannel bandage. Keep the child in a warm 
place, preferably next its mother, and if it show a 
tendency to turn blue, lay it on its right side, with 
the head slightly elevated. After the mother has 
had a few hours' rest, the infant may be put to the 
breast, and nursed or fed about every two hours. 
When very young infants cry it may be from 
hunger, and if the milk is not sufficient the first few 
days feed it with milk one part, water three parts, 
and a little sugar. If, after the first few days, the 
milk does not prove sufficient, let the mother eat 
crushed wheat or oatmeal, milk, and substantial 
plain food, including beef, and take solution of iron 
[No. 29] and cinchonidia [No. 27]. 
Thrush.-Thrush, or sprue, appears as small white 
spots in the mouth, and causes the child to be fret- 
ful, and makes difficulty in nursing. It can usually 
be quickly relieved by giving a fourth of a teaspoon- 
ful of weak solution of chlorate of potassium and 
salicylic acid [No. 30] every hour while the infant is 
awake. The jaundice and eruptions that appear 
early do not often need medicine. 92 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
The frequency of movement of an infant's bowels 
varies greatly within the limits of health. For the 
first month or two the movements may occur as 
often as every two hours, but if the color, odor, and 
consistence are suitable, it is best not to give medi- 
cine. On the other hand, the movements may not 
come oftener than once in two or three days, but if 
they do not cause pain, medicine is not required. 
A convenient way of procuring a movement in pain- 
ful constipation, is to push up the bowel a piece of 
hard soap, an inch long and as large as a pencil. If 
the movements are green and slightly loose, give 
about as much compound rhubarb powder [No. 21] 
once a day as the size of a grain of wheat. When 
small babes vomit after nursing, it indicates that 
their wants are more than satisfied. It is not 
necessary to nurse them to this degree. When they 
become older, it is not as well for the infants, or for 
their mothers, that they should get the habit of 
holding the nipple all night. 
Vomiting in Infants.-If severe vomiting comes, 
it may indicate inflammation of the stomach, and 
when fever accompanies, it is sometimes called 
gastric fever. For vomiting, give one tenth of a 
teaspoonful of subnitrate of bismuth [No. 12] every 
two or three hours; and if there is pain or looseness 
of the bowels, give a drop of laudanum with each DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
93 
dose. Give food in very small quantities until the 
stomach can hold it; sometimes a teaspoonful of 
water every fifteen minutes is all that should be 
allowed for a few hours. If there is feverishness 
with the vomiting, give one fourth of a drop or less 
of tincture of aconite [No. 22] with each dose of 
bismuth. 
Bronchitis in Infants.-The pulse rises to one 
hundred and twenty or more, the skin feels hot, 
there is usually restlessness, the breathing becomes 
rapid, the discharge from the head may stop the 
nostrils and interfere with nursing, the expectora- 
tion is swallowed and may cause vomiting or 
diarrhoea. 
Treatment.-Make a solution of chlorate of 
potassium and salicylic acid [No. 30] one third 
strength, and give a teaspoonful every hour. If 
there is high fever, add five drops of tincture of 
aconite [No. 22] to the glass, or for pain with a 
tendency to looseness of the bowels, add eight drops 
of laudanum [No. 19] to each glass of the solution. 
If the appetite is lost, give half a grain or a grain of 
cinchonidia [No. 27] or alkaloid cinchonia [No. 28] 
two or three times a day. If the nose stops up 
or discharges very freely, apply some fresh lard to 
the inside of the nostrils, at bedtime, with a camel's- 
hair brush or a small feather. The chest and body 94 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
should be kept warm ; and if there is much rattling 
or wheezing in the chest, mix one part of turpentine 
and three of lard or sweet-oil, and apply it to the 
breast or back on a woollen cloth, and let it remain 
until it causes redness of the surface, and then cover 
the surface with cotton batting. If the cough be- 
comes chronic, give a solution of iodide of potassium 
[No. 9], an even teaspoonful in a glass of sweetened 
sugar, and give a teaspoonful three or four times a 
day. 
Croup.-A child may have a cough for a day or 
two, and wake up in the night struggling for breath. 
Hoarseness of the voice and a ringing cough are 
additional symptoms. This variety of croup is 
called spasmodic; it lasts two or three days, or 
nights rather, and is not particularly dangerous; 
when the child has vomited it is relieved. Children 
who are disposed to this kind of croup may have it 
as a part of almost every cold. The rapidity of its 
coming on and reaching its height, the habit of the 
child, and the intermittent character of it, are points 
in which it differs from that more dangerous disease, 
true or membranous croup. This latter disease 
comes on gradually, with a cold that is hardly no- 
ticed for several days, and mild fever, and, perhaps, 
diminished appetite. Then hoarseness and slight 
difficulty of breathing appear, and steadily increase, DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
95 
without being absent at any time. As the case pro- 
gresses, the difficulty of breathing and pulse in- 
crease until the membrane is loosened, and swallowed 
or coughed up, a period of at least four to six 
days. 
Treatment.-In addition to the remedies spoken 
of under bronchitis, let the patient breathe the 
steam from hot water, or, if it can be procured, the 
steam from the slacking of lime, for fifteen minutes 
of every hour. Put a poultice on the neck, and give, 
at ten and six o'clock each day, a pill of cinchonidia 
[No. 27], or its equivalent of alkaloid cinchonia 
[No. 28]. If suffocation threaten, give a teaspoon- 
ful of powdered alum [No. 5] in syrup every half 
hour, until vomiting occurs. For the first kind of 
croup described, the treatment for bronchitis will 
probably be sufficient. 
Cholera Infantum.-This disease may be preceded 
several days by a slight looseness of the bowels, and 
then set in with great thirst, vomiting, pain, and fre- 
quent watery or slimy movements. The color may 
be green, drab, or clay-colored, with lumps of white 
curdled milk in it. Small, frequent, painful move- 
ments, principally slimy matter, indicate a tendency 
to dysentery, and in this case blood may appear in 
the stools. 
Treatment.-If the bowelshave freed themselves 96 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
a purgative is not needed; but it is sometimes used 
to begin with. It is generally better to give at once 
a tenth of a teaspoonful of subnitrate of bismuth 
[No. 12], with .a drop of laudanum [No. 19], to a 
child a year old. If, after one or more doses, the 
pain and the movements are partly checked, and 
there are signs of stupor, with contraction of the 
pupil of the eye, continue the bismuth without the 
laudanum, or give half a drop of laudanum at a 
time. If, with this treatment, the discharges show 
a tendency to continue, give with each dose of bis- 
muth one fourth as much oxide of zinc [No. 4], or 
the solution of acetate of lead [No. 6]. When the 
movements grow less frequent and more consistent, 
discontinue first the laudanum, then the zinc or 
lead, and bismuth. If the child is living on the bot- 
tle, add one part of lime-water [No. 14] to two parts 
of milk; and, as the movements improve, and other 
medicines have been diminished, this may be dimin- 
ished to a teaspoonful or a tablespoonful to the cup 
of milk. For a tendency to dysentery, or, if the 
stomach do not bear the medicines well, the lead 
and laudanum may be given by injection. While the 
vomiting continues, the drinks should be limited 
perhaps to a teaspoonful of cold water every fifteen 
minutes for a few hours ; and a mustard paste over 
the stomach, made with one part of mustard to six DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 
97 
of flour, may assist. The stomach should be kept 
warmly wrapped in flannel. 
Convulsions.-Convulsions are frequently symp- 
toms of other diseases, and may be caused by pain, 
fever, the coming of the teeth, indigestion, constipa- 
tion, weariness, and other causes. 
Treatment.-Give at once a warm injection, and 
let the patient take a small teaspoonful of solution 
of bromide of potassium [No. 8] every hour, while 
the twitching of the muscles about the eyes, or 
mouth, or in the tendons of the wrist, continue; 
and then give it less frequently. If the bromide 
does not control the convulsions, give, with each 
dose, half a teaspoonful of solution of chloral [No. 
25], with sugar. Find the cause of the convulsions, 
if possible, and give, in addition, suitable treatment 
for it. 
If a child wake up in the night, screaming and 
frightened, it may be from nightmare, or from 
causes just named for convulsions. Small infants 
sometimes sleep quietly through the day, and cry a 
good deal in the night. In such cases the room 
should generally be kept dark at night. For these 
troubles, and for sleeplessness in infants, the bromide 
of potassium is useful, given occasionally, and may 
be given at bedtime, and once or twice in the night, 
if the trouble requires it. Before the teeth come 98 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
through, they may cause swelling and pain ; at such 
times it is well to press the gums firmly every morn- 
ing. 
The best food for an infant less than a year old is 
provided by nature. If the mother is strong enough 
the child may be nursed through its second summer. 
When the child cannot be nursed, it may be fed 
with milk two parts and water one part, with a small 
teaspoonful of sugar to each cupful for the first 
month; and, if the stomach and bowels bear it, the 
water may be very gradually diminished, until at 
eight months, milk alone may be fed. 
When milk and water are not fully digested, and 
curds appear in the stools, a tablespoonful or more 
of lime-water [No. 14] maybe added to each cupful 
of milk. Barley water, made by boiling for an hour 
or more a tablespoonful of barley in a pint of water 
and straining, sometimes answers better than water 
for diluting the milk, and prevents the formation of 
hard curds. When there is a tendency to constipa- 
tion, the milk may be diluted with Graham-flour 
water, prepared like barley water. All dishes and 
bottles that are used for infants' food should be 
kept perfectly clean, and scalded every day, and 
washed with solution of bicarbonate of soda [No. 15]. SURGERY. 
Management of Wounds.-When an artery- 
bleeds, the flow comes out in jets. If the artery is 
larger than that of the finger, it is not safe, until 
both ends of it are tied in the wound. Bleeding may 
be sometimes controlled by pressure on the artery, 
on the side toward the heart. Free bleeding from 
wounds may be stopped, for a short time, by tying 
a bandage loosely around the limb above the wound, 
and then putting a stick under the bandage, and 
twisting it. After the arteries are tied, oozing may 
be stopped by hot water, or, if this is not conven- 
ient, by cold water or ice. Then all dirt should be 
removed. When the edges of the wound are brought 
together, stitches may be needed to keep them in 
place. After these are put in, cover the edges with 
ointment of salicylic acid [No. 30], spread on cotton- 
wool, or a soft, clean, damp sponge, and apply a 
bandage evenly around it. Bandages should be 
made of new, or clean, unstarched cloth; and if for 
the finger one inch wide, and for the arm or leg 
wider; three yards is a convenient length. They 
should be rolled up before being put on. If swell- 
99 100 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
ing of the wound makes the bandage too tight, 
make it looser by cutting it two thirds through on 
its opposite edges, here and there. The first dress- 
ing may be left on several days, unless there comes 
a strong odor, or pain, or swelling, or a dark appear- 
ance and numbness of the limb beyond the bandage. 
Then the wound should be undressed, with the aid 
of warm water, and looked at. Dead tissues may 
be separated with scissors. The whole surface 
should be kept clean, by washing in warm water, 
and then pouring over it a solution of carbolic acid 
[No. 34] or sulphate of zinc [No. 3]. Then dress 
it with the ointment of salicylic acid, spread 
upon clean cloth. The food should be substantial. 
For severe paint give solution of morphine [No. 20]. 
For fever, or a coated tongue give cinchonidia. 
For weakness, after the tongue becomes clean, give 
iron [No. 29]. Wounds in special regions may need 
variable attention. 
In wounds of the face and scalp avoid stitches, 
if possible, and close them with court-plaster. To 
enable court-plaster to adhere to the scalp, the hair 
must be shaved off. Scalp wounds may sometimes 
be closed, by tying with locks of hair on opposite 
sides. When wounds are closed with plasters, a 
small place should be left uncovered at the lower 
part, for drainage. SURGERY. 
101 
In wounds of the neck, every bleeding vessel 
should be tied. 
When the windpipe is wounded, keep its edges 
together by stitches in the membrane that covers 
it, instead of in the cartilage itself. 
In wounds of the muscles and tendons, keep the 
parts in such a position, as will bring the ends as 
close together as possible. Tendons may be stitched 
if the ends do not meet. 
In wounds that enter the abdomen, give twelve 
drops of solution of morphine [No. 20] at once, and 
keep the patient quiet and free from pain with mor- 
phine, if necessary, for several days. Food should 
not be swallowed for a week. The patient may be 
fed with injections of strong beef tea, milk, and 
eggs, and perhaps whiskey. If the intestine is seen 
wounded, stitch it up with the edges turned inward, 
and return it to the abdomen. If the intestine is 
supposed to be wounded, without being where it 
can be seen, let the patient lie with the wound 
downward so that discharges from the bowel may 
have drainage. 
Fractures.-Fractures are known by an unnatural 
motion in the part; by a grating sound, upon rub- 
bing the broken ends of bone together; and by an 
inability of the parts to keep their place after being 
put there. There is also pain at the seat of fracture, 102 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
swelling, and discoloration of surface. In the long 
bones, there is usually shortening. After the bones 
have been put in place, they should be kept there 
by external appliances. Splints may be made from 
thin pieces of board, sole-leather, firm paste-board, 
or perforated sheet metal. They should be rather 
longer than the broken bone, and fitted to the limb 
so as to make even pressure at all parts of it, but 
less or none on bony prominences; and padded with 
tow or cotton, and covered with cloth, which should 
be sewed on. The bandages that are put on to keep 
the splint in position may be sewed to it, and 
should be watched closely to see that they do not 
become too loose, or too tight, and prevent the cir- 
culation in the limb below the splints. The union 
of fractures is a slow process, and the patient should 
be made as comfortable as possible. Callus or car- 
tilage is thrown out and surrounds the fracture 
from the twelfth to the twentieth day. In favor- 
able cases this becomes firm in from three to six 
weeks, and is converted into bone in five or six 
months. Splints may be removed from the upper 
extremity in three or four weeks ; from the lower, 
in six to twelve weeks. The limb should be treated 
carefully and watched for a while after splints are 
removed. No time should be lost in reducing fract- 
ures before swelling and inflammation set in, while SURGERY. 
103 
the parts can be perfectly replaced. In compound 
fractures, the skin and other tissues are broken at 
the seat of fracture, and the bone usually projects 
through. In these dress the opening with ointment 
of carbolic [No. 34] or salicylic [No. 30] acid, and 
a pad of cotton-wool, after replacing the bone. 
Fractures of the Fore-Arm.-There are here two 
bones, and one or both may be broken. When 
near the wrist the displacement is easily seen. In 
fracture of the middle and upper parts, grating may 
be felt, by bending the elbow at right angles, and 
holding it with one hand and turning the wrist for- 
ward and back with the other. These fractures are 
set while the elbow is bent and close to the body, by 
having one person take hold of the arm above the 
elbow, and another take hold of the hand and 
pull steadily, while the operator places the bones 
straight and applies a splint to the front and one to 
the back of the forearm, and then puts on a band- 
age. The inside splint should reach from the 
elbow to the end of the fingers, the outer one to the 
wrist. When the upper bone is fractured the hand 
should be kept lowered by bending the wrist down, 
and if the lower bone is fractured the hand should 
be raised. The arm should be carried in a sling. In 
fracture of the point of the elbow the arm should be 
kept straight by a splint on the inside of the arm. 104 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
Fractures of the Arm.-These may be known 
by the signs already named. To set them, bend the 
elbow at a right angle, and place it near the body, 
and let one person pull down steadily, while an- 
other places the splints and puts on the bandage. 
An outside splint is needed with a right angle fitted 
to the elbow, and if the fracture is in the upper 
part the splint should extend over the shoulder 
also. The inside splint should be straight. The 
arm should be bandaged from the hand up. A pad 
may be needed under the arm to keep the bone 
straight. 
Fracture of the Collar-Bone.-The projection of 
this fracture is detected by feeling along the edge of 
the bone, and comparing it with the bone opposite. 
The shoulder and arm should be kept in such a posi- 
tion as will keep the bone in place. This may done by 
a figure eight bandage, which passes over the shoul- 
der and under the arm of one side, and then across 
the back and over the shoulder and under the arm 
of the other side, crossing on the back, and holding 
the shoulders well backward. A sling should also 
be worn. If this does not answer, put a pad under 
the armpit of the injured side large enough to fill it, 
and fasten the arm to the body in a broad sling that 
holds the elbow and the forearm down to the wrist. 
Then place a stuffed collar over the shoulder and SURGERY. 
105 
under the arm of the opposite side, and keep the 
arm of injured side in proper position, by bandages 
sewed to the sling and to the collar. 
Fracture of the Thigh.-In fracture of the long 
portion of this bone, the lower part is displaced 
backward and toward the opposite side, the foot is 
turned outward, and there is shortening of the limb. 
To keep the bone in place have two splints, five 
inches wide, and long enough to reach from the arm- 
pit to below the feet, with tops like crutches, which 
should be well padded and fitted to the body and 
limbs. A cross-piece is fastened from one splint to 
the other, just below the feet, and, after setting the 
limb, the feet are fastened to the cross-piece by 
handkerchiefs or by gaiters and bandages. Several 
bandages are then tied around the body and limbs, 
including the splints, and the hips and feet should 
be kept at the same level. Short side splints may be 
needed also on the injured thigh from the front and 
inside of the limb to the knee. In fracture near the 
hip-joint there is shortening of the limb, the foot is 
usually turned outward, and there is a grating sound 
made by pulling the limb and bringing the broken 
surfaces together. The limb can be easily moved 
by another person, which is not the case with dislo- 
cation. Persons over fifty years of age are liable to 
a variety of fractures of the thigh near the hip-joint 106 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
that do not heal by bony union. Here the limb is 
not noticeably changed at first, but becomes shorter 
in time and always remains so. If the patient 
is old and the shortening not very great, he should 
be kept in bed for two or three weeks in a comfort- 
able position, with a pillow under the knee. After 
that time he may be allowed to sit up or make 
other changes in position. To compare the length 
of the limb in injuries of it, let the patient lie flat on 
the bed, with the large bones of the hips placed 
even, and the limbs parallel and in the line of the 
body, and measure with a tape from the prominences 
of the hips to those of the knees and to the inner 
ankles. 
Fracture of the Kneepan.-In this fracture the 
broken parts are separated by the action of the 
muscles, leaving a hollow place between them. The 
patient should lie upon the back, with a padded 
board placed under the whole limb, from the buttock 
to below the foot, and the lower end of the board 
should be raised about a foot and a half. Then the 
limbs should be bound to the board in such a way 
that the parts of the bone are kept as near together 
as possible, by bandages, which should be kept from 
slipping by notches on the board. 
Fracture of the Leg.-There are here two bones, 
of which the inner one is the principal and the outer SURGERY. 
107 
one about as thick as the finger. When both of these 
bones are broken, the shape of the limb is changed, 
and the fracture of the large bone may be felt along 
the shin. If the inner bone only is broken, the 
shape of the limb may not be changed, but, upon 
handling, the grating sound and some motion in the 
separate parts of the bone are usual. When both 
bones or the inner one is broken, a splint should be 
made of wood, and padded to fit the outer side of the 
leg, with an extension opposite the foot, and an el- 
bow to extend up one third the length of the thigh, 
with a moderate bend in the knee. In padding this 
a deep hollow should be made to relieve the ankle 
from pressure. Another shorter splint may be made 
for the opposite side of the leg, to extend from the 
knee to the ankle. The limb should be set with the 
knee bent ; and if the bone has come through the 
skin, which it is very liable to do, the skin should be 
stretched over it, or if then it cannot be replaced, 
the point of the bone may be sawed off, and the 
opening should be dressed with ointment of carbolic 
[No. 34] or salicylic [No. 30] acid. The splints 
should be kept in position by bandages tied around 
them at short distances. The proper direction of 
the foot should be preserved by padding under the 
side of it; and the limb may be laid on the side, 
with the patient lying partly or wholly on the side. 108 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
When the outer bone is broken, it may be known 
by its being bent in toward the other bone; the 
grating is usually felt by grasping the leg and mov- 
ing the foot sideways, back and forth; and when 
the fracture is in the lower part, as it usually is, 
about four inches from the ankle, by discoloration 
above the ankle. This fracture is dressed with a 
long, straight, inside splint extending from just be- 
low the knee to below the foot, to which it should 
be fastened by a bandage just below the knee, and 
another just at the lower end of the ankle and along 
the foot. 
Fracture of the Rib.-Here motion is discovered 
by pressing on the rib near the breastbone with one 
hand, while the other hand is placed along the curve 
of the rib and near the back. Grating may be felt 
by placing the hand on the injured spot while the 
patient takes a long breath. To dress these fract- 
ures, pin a broad bandage firmly about the chest; 
and if the broken ends of the rib press inward, 
put a pad upon the front of the chest. If the 
broken ends project outward, place a pad upon each 
side of the fracture. 
Fracture of the Skull.-Unevenness of surface, 
or rough bone, may sometimes be felt with the fin- 
ger in injuries of the head. In fracture of the base 
of the skull there is usually bleeding from the ear, SURGERY. 
109 
followed by a free watery discharge. A weak pulse, 
vomiting, paleness, a heavy condition of the mind, 
and symptoms like apoplexy may follow ; and the 
treatment should be similar to the treatment of that 
disease. 
In fracture of the displacement, it should 
be raised into shape by a pencil from within, and 
pads and plaster may be needed to preserve its 
form. 
In fracture of the Sower jaw, bind a dampened paste- 
board under and against the chin, with a four-tailed 
bandage. This is a bandage three inches wide, torn 
from the ends nearly to the middle, which should 
have a slit cut in it for the chin. This is placed on 
the chin ; and the two tails from in front of the chin 
are tied behind the neck; and the two tails from 
under the chin are tied on top of the head. The 
bandages are then fastened together behind. If 
teeth are loosened they may be placed back in their 
sockets. 
Dislocations.-The indications of dislocation are 
loss of motion in the joint, a change of the or axis 
of the bone, a change in the length of the limb, and 
an unnatural creaking when the limb is moved. 
The treatment includes the setting of the limb by 
pulling on it with a steady and increasing force, 
while the dislocated bone is directed toward the 110 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
socket; and keeping the joint at rest, until the in- 
jured parts are restored. Pulleys are sometimes 
needed to get sufficient force ; and in cases where 
these are not at hand several lengths of clothes line 
may be fastened to a staple and to the limb, and 
shortened by twisting with a stick. Chloroform may 
be inhaled, or in absence of this chloral [No. 25] 
may be taken, to produce insensibility to pain and 
relaxation of the muscular system. 
Dislocation of the Lower Jaw.-In this disloca- 
tion the mouth is fixed open, and the chin is promi- 
nent. To reduce it, place a cork between the back 
teeth on each side, and take hold of the chin and 
press it upward and then backward. Another plan 
is to place a cork between the front teeth, and then 
press down on the back teeth with the thumbs, and 
be careful that they do not get bitten. 
Dislocation of the Collar-Bone. - This may 
occur at either end, and is recognized easily. It 
may be replaced by movement of the shoulder and 
by pressing the prominent end of the bone toward 
its place. Keep it in place, if possible, by a figure 
eight bandage, described under fracture of the col- 
lar-bone, and by pads, or by a shoulder-brace firmly 
applied. 
Dislocation of the Shoulder.-This dislocation 
is indicated by a want of roundness of the shoulder SURGERY. 
111 
as compared with the other side, a change of direc- 
tion of the bone, and by the impossibility of having 
the hand placed well up on the opposite shoulder, 
and the elbow at the same time pushed down upon 
the chest. To reduce it, seat the patient upon a 
chair, stand behind the chairand toward the injured 
side, and place the foot up on the side of the chair, 
with the knee in the armpit of the patient. Then 
place one hand upon the shoulder, and with the 
other hand take the elbow and press it down. An- 
other method is to put the patient upon his back 
upon the floor, sit by his side facing him, and pull 
down upon the arm, while, having removed the 
shoe, the heel of the foot next the patient is pressed 
up into the arm-pit. Then a movement of the arm 
back and forth may be made. Additional force to 
pull may be obtained by fastening a sheet around 
the arm of the patient, just above the elbow and 
tying the ends behind the neck or shoulders of the 
operator. 
In dislocation of the elbow, place the knee in the 
bend and press firmly against it while pulling upon 
the hand, and bending the elbow upon the knee. 
Dislocation of the Hip.-The hip may be dislo- 
cated in four directions: Upward, backward, down- 
ward, and forward. 
In dislocation of the hip upward, the limb is 112 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
shortened, the knee is drawn in toward the oppo- 
site, and the foot rests upon the the opposite foot. 
The patient cannot move the limb, and the opera- 
tor cannot move it from the opposite limb or 
straighten it. To reduce it, fasten pulleys toaband 
just above the knee, and pull in the direction which 
the limb takes, having a strong towel between the 
limbs, in the crotch, fastened in the opposite direc- 
tion. When the limb is lengthened by pulling, the 
operator should turn the thigh so as to bring the 
foot away from the other, and pull the head of the 
bone away from the socket. Another method which 
may be tried first for reducing the first three dislo- 
cations, is given after the downward dislocation. 
The dislocation backward presents a similar appear- 
ance to the former, only less in degree ; the great 
toe rests upon the ball of the other great toe. The 
direction of the pulling should be arranged so as to 
bring the thigh across the middle of the opposite 
thigh, instead of across the lower third, and a towel 
should be passed in the crotch and fastened in the 
opposite direction. When the pulleys are ready, 
the upper part of the thigh should be pulled outward 
by a third party, with a jack-towel in the crotch so as 
to elevate the head of the bone from the notch into 
which it has fallen. 
In dislocation of the hip downward, the limb is SURGERY. 
113 
lengthened and directed from the central line of 
the body, and cannot without difficulty and pain be 
brought near the other limb. To reduce it, place 
the patient on the sound side, and fasten the hips 
down ; and then let one person place a jack-towel 
in the crotch and lift with it directly upward, while 
another takes hold of the ankle and presses down- 
ward. 
These three dislocations may frequently be re- 
placed without the use of pulleys, as follows: Put a 
staple in the floor opposite each hip, and one 
between the thighs, and fasten the patient on his 
back with a strong towel; then stand over the limb, 
facing the patient, with the foot of the patient 
between your thighs, and pass your forearms under 
the patient's knee, and grasp your elbows with your 
hands; and, with your arms in this position, lift 
strongly upward. In case this does not reduce the 
bone, sway the leg toward the patient's head, then 
toward the uninjured side, then toward the head, 
then outward, and stepping backward, lay the limb 
with a sweep beside its fellow. In the third dislo- 
cation a towel, on which an assistant pulls sideways, 
should be passed high up between the thighs. 
In dislocation of the hip forward, there is short- 
ening to the extent of an inch, the knee and foot 
are turned outward, and the knee is drawn for- 114 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
ward, and away from the other. The limb is 
nearly immovable, and the head of the bone may 
be felt in the groin. To reduce the limb, put the 
patient on a dining-table, and stand between his 
thighs, facing the joint. Grasp the ankle, and bend 
the leg behind your back. Now turn your body 
away from the patient, and press the head of the 
bone toward the socket. If the pulleys are needed, 
the body should be held by a towel in the crotch 
attached toward the head, and the direction of the 
pulling should be downward. While an attendant 
pulls upward with a towel between the thighs, the 
operator should turn the thigh inward, in such 
a way that the foot may turn toward its fellow. 
In dislocation of the kneepan, the kneepan is 
felt at the side. The patient should sit on the 
floor, with the leg straight and foot raised, while 
the bone is slipped into place. 
Dislocation of the Knee.-In this dislocation an 
assistant should pull upon the leg, while the oper- 
ator directs the bone to its place. 
In dislocation of the ankle, the patient should lie 
upon his back with the thigh bent at right angles to 
the body and the knee bent at right angles to the 
thigh, so as to be lengthwise of the body ; and while 
one assistant pulls upon the foot and another pulls 
on the lower part of the thigh upward, the operator, SURGERY. 
115 
taking the foot in one hand and the ankle in the 
other, directs the bone to its place. 
In dislocation of the spine in the neck or back, 
one person should pull the head upward while 
another presses on any unusual prominence that 
may be felt while the patient lies on the back. 
The patient should keep quiet on the back for 
some time. 
Burns.-The different degrees of burns range 
from a slight irritation of the skin to the charring 
of the parts. Burns of a mild degree may be 
dressed with wet cloths or with bicarbonate of soda 
[No. 15]. When blistering occurs, dress with the 
ointment of oxide of zinc [No. 4], or with equal 
parts of lime-water [No. 14] and linseed or sweet 
oil. When burns get a bad odor, they may be 
washed with solution of carbolic acid [No. 34] or 
sulphate of zinc [No. 3]. 
Boils, Abscesses, and Carbuncles.-These are 
collections of matter with -death of tissue. The 
formation of matter is detected by a softening of 
the centre and bulging of it, and by the impulse 
given to the finger placed on a soft spot when 
another part is lightly struck with another finger. 
The patient also feels a throbbing when matter is 
forming. An abscess in the deeper tissues of the 
finger is called a felon. An abscess in the neighbor- 116 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
hood of the opening of the bowel is liable to cause 
a small side-opening from the bowel to the surface, 
called fistula. Carbuncles oftener come upon the 
back or back part of the neck. They grow large, 
and have several openings. 
Treatment.-In these affections, there is an indi- 
cation for strengthening remedies, and iron [No. 29] 
may always be given, and perhaps cinchonidia 
[No. 27] and nux vomica [No. 26]. A good oint- 
ment for use in them is made with carbolic [No. 34] 
or salicylic [No. 30] acid. Abscesses should gen- 
erally be opened as soon as matter has formed. 
Openings should be in a lower part so as to favor 
drainage. Abscesses should be frequently squeezed 
and kept empty of matter, in order that they-may 
heal from the bottom. If they do not show a 
disposition to heal, they may be injected with a 
weak solution of sulphate of zinc [No. 3], tincture 
of iodine [No. 10], or carbolic acid [No. 34]. 
Felons may be prevented sometimes by painting 
them with pure carbolic acid. Long poulticing is 
generally injurious. 
Rupture, or Hernia.-The usual neighborhood 
of rupture is that of the groin. The bowel escapes 
through a passage into the tissues outside of the 
abdomen, during a strain. If the hand is placed on 
a rupture while the patient coughs, an impulse will SURGERY. 
117 
be felt. A rupture should always be returned at 
once, and kept back by a truss, which should be 
worn while the patient is on his feet, for a year after 
the rupture has ceased to appear. By this means, be- 
gun from the first, it may sometimes be permanently 
cured. To return a rupture, let the patient lie down 
on the back and elevate the feet in a chair, and 
apply steady pressure to it, while with the fingers at 
the base he slowly moves it back and forth, and 
coaxes it back. If it refuse to return after twenty 
minutes, let a bag of ice or a cloth wet in cold water 
be kept on for a while and then try again. Rupt- 
ures in children can generally be cured if treated 
early. 
Foreign Bodies in the Eye.-Particles of hot 
steel and cinders may strike the eyeball, and burn, 
or force themselves into the surface. These may 
be seen when the patient sits in the light and looks 
in different directions. To remove them, stand be- 
hind the patient and hold the lids apart, and steady 
the eyeball with the fingers of one hand, and with 
the point of a knife held in the other hand make a 
light dig or scrape at the particle with a single quick 
curved motion. If the particle is not seen on the 
eyeball or under lid, turn over the upper lid, by 
taking hold of the eyelashes with one hand and 
turning the lid up over the point of a pencil or a 118 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
match held sideways against the lid with toe other 
hand while the patient looks downward. On the 
under side of this lid foreign bodies most usually 
lodge. After the lid is turned wipe it off with a 
clean, soft, moist handkerchief on the end of a 
pencil. 
When foreign bodies get in the ear they may 
generally be removed by injecting warm water into 
it. This is done best while the top of the external 
ear is stretched toward the crown of the head. The 
direction of the current should be somewhat up- 
ward, and the patient may hold a bowl just under 
the ear in such a way as to catch all the water that 
comes out, and avoid wetting the clothing. 
Asphyxia.-Marshall Hall's ready method : 
1st. Treat the patient instantly on the spot, in the 
open air, freely exposing the face, neck, and chest to 
the breeze, except in severe weather. 
2d. In order to clear the throat, place the patient 
gently on the face, with one wrist under the fore- 
head, that all fluid and the tongue itself may fall 
forward and leave the entrance into the windpipe 
free. 
3d. To excite respiration, turn the patient slightly 
on his side, and apply some irritating or stimulating 
agent to the nostrils, as veratrine, dilute ammoniat 
etc. SURGERY. 
119 
4th. Make the face warm by brisk friction; then 
dash cold water upon it. 
5th. If not successful, lose no time ; but, to im- 
itate respiration, place the patient on his face and 
turn the body gently but completely on the side, 
and a little beyond; then again on the face, and so 
on alternately. Repeat these movements deliber- 
ately and perseveringly fifteen times only in a 
minute. (When the patient lies on the thorax, this 
cavity is compressed by the weight of the body, and 
expiration takes place. When he is turned on the 
side, this pressure is removed and inspiration oc- 
curs.) 
6th. When the prone position is resumed, make a 
uniform and efficient pressure along the spine, re- 
moving the pressure immediately, before rotation on 
the side. (The pressure augments the expiration ; 
the rotation commences inspiration.) Continue 
these measures. 
7th. Rub the limbs upward, with firm pressure 
and energy. (The object being to aid the return of 
venous blood to the heart.) 
8th. Substitute for the patient's wet clothing, if 
possible, such other covering as can be instantly 
procured, each by-stander supplying a coat or cloak, 
etc. Meantime, and from time to time, to excite 
inspiration, let the surface of the body be slapped 
briskly with the hand. 120 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
9th. Rub the body briskly till it is dry and warm, 
then dash cold water upon it, and repeat the rub- 
ing. 
Avoid the immediate removal of the patient, as it 
involves a dangerous loss of time ; also the use of 
bellows, or any foreign instrument ; also the warm 
bath, and all rough treatment. POISONS. 
In cases of narcotic and non-corrosive poisoning, 
the stomach should be first emptied and washed 
out. In dealing with poisoning from corrosive 
liquids or substances, it is better not to empty the 
stomach. 
Mustard water, made by adding a teaspoonful of 
powdered mustard to a glass of water, and solution 
of sulphate of zinc [No. 3], followed by large 
draughts of warm water, may be used for this pur- 
pose. If these cannot be given, or if they do not 
produce vomiting, a stomach-pump should be used. 
A rubber tube four feet long answers if a stomach- 
pump is not handy. To introduce the tube, place 
a wedge between the teeth, throw the patient's head 
back and pass the tube about eighteen inches. 
Then raise the end of the tube, and pour in water 
through a funnel. Let the water run out by lower- 
ing the end of the tube. 
Inflammation of the stomach and other symp- 
toms may be treated as they occur. • 
The following is a list of the more usual poisons, 
symptoms, and antidotes. 
121 122 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
Nitric, Sulphuric, Oxalic Acids.-Nitric acid 
stains the mouth and lips yellow, sulphuric acid 
black, and oxalic acid white. They cause severe 
burning pain in the mouth, throat, and stomach, 
of which they destroy the surface. The symptoms 
of inflammr.tion follow. 
The antidotes are soap-water, chalk, ashes, egg- 
shells, whitewash scraped from the wall, calcined 
magnesia, or add two teaspoonfuls of lime [No. 14] 
and ten of sugar to a pint of water and drink freely. 
The nearest remedy is the best. 
Carbolic Acid -Inflames the stomach, gives its 
odor to the breath, colors the urine smoky or 
greenish, and causes stupor and perhaps convulsions. 
Poisoning by it should be treated freely by the lime 
syrup just mentioned. 
Ammonia, Soda, Potash, Iodine, or Iodide of 
Potassium.-Ammonia, soda, potash, and iodine 
are irritants, and produce inflammation. 
Poisoning by the first three may be treated by 
vinegar or lemon juice diluted with water, or by 
castor, olive, linseed, or almond oil. The antidotes 
for iodine and iodide of potassium are starch and 
water in large quantity. 
Antimony.-Causes symptoms similar to cholera. 
Antidotes, strong green tea or a tea of oak bark, 
with remedies used for cholera morbus. POISONS. 
123 
Arsenic.-Symptoms: burning in stomach, thirst, 
vomiting, bloody and offensive stools, scanty, dark, 
or bloody urine, rapid feeble pulse, restlessness, 
agitation, shrunken features, involuntary evacua- 
tions, collapse without loss of consciousness. A 
less common line of symptoms is similar to opium 
poisoning. 
Treatment: give oil, butter, milk, or equal parts 
of lime-water [No. 14] and oil in large quantities, 
and procure at the store four ounces of dialysed 
iron, and give a tablespoonful every fifteen minutes. 
Blue or White Vitriol, Corrosive Sublimate, 
Salts of Tin.-Give large quantity of milk, or white 
of eggs, or wheat flour mixed with water. 
Green Vitriol or other Salt of Iron.-Give 
bicarbonate of soda [No. 15] with drinks just men- 
tioned. 
Nitrate of Silver.-Table salt and water, and 
above drinks. 
Salts of Lead.-Elixir of vitriol [No. 1] and 
water or weak lemonade. 
Phosphorus.-Empty the stomach ; and for this 
purpose use one-sixth of a teaspoonful of blue vitriol 
in water if convenient; then give thirty drops of oil 
of turpentine [No. 31] every fifteen minutes until 
five doses have been taken. 
Gases.-Use artificial breathing by Marshall 124 
THE HOME PHYSICIAN. 
Hall's method, and tie a band around the arm, and 
open a vein in the bend of the elbow. 
Alcohol.-Vomiting may sometimes be produced 
by seating the patient on a chair and bending him 
well forward and back a few times. To relieve the 
stupor, add slowly to a tablespoonful of ammonia 
water [No. 32] vinegar until it stops bubbling and 
give a tablespoonful of the combination every ten 
minutes. 
Morphine, Opium, Laudanum, Hydrate of 
Chloral, Belladonna, or Other Narcotic-Treat- 
ment.-The first three cause insensibility, with a 
feeble pulse, slow breathing, moist surface, face 
flushed at first, and then pale or blue, and con- 
tracted pupils of the eyes. In this and alcohol- 
poisoning attention must be given to the odor of 
the breath, and all the surroundings of the patient, 
for similar symptoms may be caused by diseases. 
Belladonna causes dryness of the throat and surface 
of body, enlargment of the pupils of the eyes, con- 
vulsions, stupor, and lethargy. Give active emetics 
as sulphate of zinc [No. 3] or warm mustard water, 
and if necessary use the stomach-pump or tube. 
Then give strong coffee, and keep the patient in 
motion, and if the breathing fails, follow Marshall 
Hall's method. 
Strychnine or Nux Vomica.-Symptoms: spasms, POISONS. 
125 
with rigidity of the body, bending backward of the 
spine, and drawing back the corners of the mouth ; 
the skin becomes blue, and the mind is not affected. 
The paroxysms follow rapidly and increase in 
severity, and death usually occurs within two hours, 
from exhaustion, or from fixation of the muscles of 
breathing. These symptoms are similar to those of 
lockjaw, in which the tendency to fixation of the 
jaw, and rigidity of the muscles, persist between the 
spasms, and the progress of the disease is slower. 
Treatment.-Give sulphate of zinc [No. 3], or 
mustard water, or use the stomach-pump. Then 
give solution of hydrate of chloral [No. 25], a tea- 
spoonful or more every fifteen minutes, if required 
to relieve spasms. Artificial respiration. 
Aconite.-Causes prostration, dimness of vision, 
shallow breathing, very small and feeble pulse, cold- 
ness, sweating, and anxiety. 
Give fifteen drops each of ammonia water [No. 
32] and tincture of digitalis [No. 23] every half 
hour; also give alcohol [No. 36], and apply heat 
externally. INDEX. 
When more than one remedy is mentioned for a symptom it is intended that 
the one first mentioned be first used. 
Abortion . s7 
Abscess115 
Acetate of lead .... 5 
Acid, carbolic .... 26 
" " poisoning by . . 122 
Acid stomach, subnitrate of bis- 
muth 10 
Acid stomach, bicarbonate of soda 11 
" " carbolic acid . . 27 
" '• nux vomica . . 20 
Aconite, tincture of ... 16 
" poisoning by . . . 125 
Acute diseases .... 33 
Alcohol 28 
" poisoning by . . , 124 
See also delirium tremens. 67 
Alkaloid cinchonia .... 22 
Aloes12 
Alum4 
Ammonia25 
" poisoning by . . .122 
Antimony, poisoning by . . 122 
Apoplexy64 
Armpits, sweating of, sulphate of 
zinc 3 
Arsenic, poisoning by . . . 123 
Asphyxia118 
Asthma, iodide of potassium . . 7 
" bromide of " . . 7 
" hydrate of chloral . . 19 
" oxide of zinc ... 3 
" carbolic acid ... 27 
Use also remedies for bronchitis. 
Avoid sickness .... 33 
BABY powder, subnitrate of bis- 
muth. ... IO 
Baby powder, oxide of zinc . . 4 
Bandages99 
Barley-water98 
Bed-sores, alum .... 4 
" " alcohol and water pre- 
vents 28 
Belladonna poisoning . . .124 
Bicarbonate of soda . . . 11 
Bilious fever41 
Bismuth, subnitrate of . . . 9 
Bitartrate of potassium . . .it 
Bites of snakes and animals, am- 
monia 26 
Bladder, inflammation of . .78 
Bleeding, see hemorrhage . . 8t 
" piles .... 8a 
Blister26 
Aying26 
' rapid, hydrate of chloral . 19 
Blue vitriol poisoning . . .123 
Boils ns 
Bottles for medicines . . . v 
Bowels, falling of . . . .4 
" injuries of, morphia . . 15 
Brain, inflammation of, see men- 
ingitis 66 
Bromide of potassium ... 6 
Bronchitis55 
" nux vomica ... 20 
" ammonia ... 25 
" copaiba ... 27 
" digitalis ... 17 
" in infants . . . 02 
Bubo71. 7? 
BurnsIXj 
" morphia sparingly . . 15 
/"'ANGER, hydrate of chloral . 19 
V., " carbolic acid . . 27 
" sulphate of zinc . 3 
" salicylic acid . . 24 
" of lung, carbolic acid 27 
Cantharides cerate .... 26 
Carbolic acid26 
" " poisoning . . .122 
Carbuncles 
Catarrh of head, carbolic acid . 27 
" tincture of iodine 8 
" chronic, of throat, lungs, 
or bladder, copaiba . . 27 
See also bronchitis. 
Catheter, passing the ... 79 
Cavities, suppurating, carbolic 
acid . . . . . .27 
Cerebro-spinal meningitis . . 66 
127 128 
INDEX. 
Chafed surfaces, oxide of zinc . 4 
Chancre 73 
Chancroid 75 
Chapped hands, vaseline . . 29 
Chicken-pox . . . . , 45 
Chilblains, sulphate of zinc . . 3 
" oil of turpentine . . 24 
" carbolic acid . . 27 
Chlorate of potassium ... 5 
Cholera 61 
" infantum .... 95 
" morbus .... 60 
Chordee 75 
Chronic diseases .... 33 
Cinchonia alkaloid .... 22 
Cinchonidia, 20 
Clap, see gonorrhoea ... 75 
Codeia 14 
Cold in the head, morphia . . 15 
Colds, see bronchitis. 
Colic, oil of turpentine ... 24 
" morphine .... 15 
" see lead, gall-stone, and 
gravel. v 
Compound rhubarb powder . . 15 
Congestion of brain, see meningi- 
tis 66 
Congestive chill .... 41 
Constipation 58 
" in infants ... 92 
Consumption, alcohol . ■ . .28 
" cough of, carbolic 
acid 27 
Consumption, morphine . . 14 
" diarrhoea of, subni- 
trate of bismuth .... 9 
Consumption, diarrhoea of, oxide of 
zinc 3 
Consumption, fever of, cinchonidia 21 
" " " salicylic 
acid 23 
Conveniences iv 
Convulsions in infants ... 97 
" " labor, hydrate of 
chloral 18 
Convulsions, see epilepsy . . 65 
Copaiba 27 
Corns, soft, tincture of iodine . . 8 
Corrosive poisons . . . .121 
" sublimate poisoning . 123 
Cough, see bronchitis. 
Cracked nipple, oxide of zinc . 4 
" " acetate of lead . 5 
" " aloes ... 13 
" skin, " ... 13 
Cramps, see muscular rheuma- 
tism. 
Croton oil 13 
Croup 94 
Crusty skin diseases, iodoform . 9 
DEAFNESS, tincture of iodine . 8 
Debility, iron .... 22 
" cinchonidia . . 21 
Delirium, bromide of potassium . 7 
" tremens . . 67 
Diarrhoea 59 
" of infants (see cholera 
infantum) 95 
Difficulty of holding water, ergot. 18 
" " " " nux 
vomica 20 
Digitalis 17 
Diphtheria 48 
Discharge from ear, see ear. 
Discharges, unhealthy, iron . . 22 
Dislocation ..... 109 
" of ankle . . . 114 
" " collar-bone . - no 
" " elbow . . . in 
" " hip . . . .111 
" " knee . . . .114 
" " kneepan . . . 114 
" " lower jaw • . no 
" " shoulder . . . no 
" " spine . . .115 
Dropsy 70 
Dysentery 60 
" in infants ... 95 
Dyspepsia, nitric acid ... 2 
" nux vomica ... 20 
" from strong drink, ox- 
ide of zinc 3 
Earache, aconite . . . 16 
. Ear, discharge from, acetate 
of lead 5 
Ear, discharge from, sulphate of 
zinc 3 
Ear, discharge from, iodoform . 9 
" foreign bodies in . . . 118 
Elixir of vitriol . ... z 
Emetic, sulphate of zinc . . 3 
" alum 4 
Enlargement of glands or joints, 
tincture of iodine .... 8 
Enlargement of glands, iodide of 
potassium 8 
Epilepsy 65 
Ergot 17 
Eruptions, burning or itching, ox- 
ide of zinc 4 
Eruptions, burning or itching, 
nitric acid 3 
Eruptions, crusty, iodoform . . 9 
" " carbolic acid . 27 
" moist, acetate of lead . 5 
" " subnitrate of bis- 
muth 10 
Eruptions, moist, lime-water . 11 
' syphilitic, iodide of po- 
tassium 7 
Erysipelas 48 
'' with delirium, ammonia 25 
Excitement, bromide of potassium 7 
ergot .... 18 
hydrate of chloral . 19 
Eyes, foreign bodies in . , . 1x7 INDEX 
129 
Eyes sore, sulphate of zinc . . 3 
Faintness, ammonia . . 25 
Falling of bowel, ergot . . 18 
" " " alum . . 4 
" " womb ... 85 
Fceble digestion of old age, alcohol 28 
Feet sweating, or bad odor of, 
sulphate of zinc .... 3 
Felons 115 
F issure of nipple or skin, oxide of 
zinc 4 
Fissure of nipple or skin, aloes . 13 
Food of infants .... 98 
Foreign bodies in ear . . . 118 
" " " eye . . . 117 
Fractures 101 
Fracture of arm .... 104 
" " collar-bone . . . 104 
" " forearm . . . 103 
" " kneepan . . . 106 
" " leg .... 106 
" " lower jaw . . . 109 
" " nose .... 109 
" " rib .... 108 
" " skull .... 108 
" " thigh .... 105 
Fretfulness in labor, chloral . . 19 
GALL-STONE .... 57 
Gangrene of lung, carbolic 
acid 27 
Gases, poisoning by . . . 123 
Gastric fever 92 
General observations on symp- 
toms and remedies ... 30 
Gleet ...... 77, 79 
Gonorrhoea 75 
" in women ... 83 
Gout, iodide of potassium . . 7 
Gravel 56 
Green stools of infants,lime-water, 10,92 
Green vitriol, poisoning by . . 123 
Gulping of wind, bismuth . . 9 
HALL'S method in asphyxia . 118 
Hay fever, see asthma. 
Headache, see neuralgia. 
Heart weakness, digitalis . . 17 
Hemorrhage 81 
" from artery . . 99 
Hernia . . ... 116 
Hiccough, bismuth ... 10 
" bromide of potassium . 7 
Hoarseness, chlorate of potassium 5 
" iodide " " . 7 
" tincture of iodine . 8 
" iodoform ... 8 
Hot vaginal injections . . 84, 86 
Hydrate of chloral .... 18 
" " " poisoning by . 124 
Hydrocephalus, iodide of potas- 
sium 7 
Hydrophobia, hydrate of chloral . 19 
Hydrophobia morphia . . .15 
Hysteria, bromide of potassium . 7 
INDIGESTION, nitric acid . 2 
1 Inflammation of bladder . . 78 
" " stomach . . 56 
" with great weak- 
ness, alcohol 28 
Insanity, bromide of potassium . 7 
Intermittent fever .... 39 
Introduction v 
Iodide of potassium ... 7 
" " " poisoning . 122 
Iodine, tincture of .... 8 
" " " poisoning . 122 
Iodoform 8 
Iron, pyrophosphate of ... 22 
Itch, elixir of vitriol ... 2 
JAUNDICE, chlorate of potas- 
sium 5 
Jaundice, aloes .... 12 
" in infants. ... 91 
Joints, enlargement of, tincture of 
iodine 8 
Joints, enlargement of, iodide of 
potassium .... 7 
KIDNEYS, diseases of, iron . 23 
See also dropsy ... 70 
I ABOR 88 
1 j Laudanum .... 13 
Laudanum poisoning . . . 124 
Lead colic, elixir of vitriol . . t 
" " solution of morphia . 15 
" " alum, a teaspoonful in 
half a pint of water daily . . 4 
Lead colic, croton oil . . . 13 
" paralysis, nux vomica . . 20 
" poisoning .... 59 
" " iodide of potassium 7 
Also the above remedies. 
Leucorrhoea . _ . . . .83 
Lime . . ' . . . .10 
List of medicines . . . . vi 
Lockjaw 125 
" hydrate of chloral . . 19 
" morphia .... 15 
Loss of appetite, nux vomica . 20 
" " cinchomdia . 21 
" voice, iodide of potassium 7 
" '' tincture ol iodine . 8 
" " iodoform . 9 
Also remedies for bronchitis. 
Low spirits, bromide of potassium 7 
Lying-in fever, oil of turpentine . 24 
Malarial fevers ... 39 
Management of wounds . 99 
Mania, bromide of potassium . 7 
" ergot 18 
" chloral 19 
Measles 47 130 
INDEX. 
Measures, teaspoon and minim 
glass v 
Meningitis 66 
Menstruation 84 
" free, with constipa- 
tion, aloes . . . . .12 
Menstruation, painful, aconite . 16 
Mercury, poisoning, iodide of po- 
tassium 7 
Milk, to dry up or diminish . . 7 
Moles, carbolic acid ... 27 
" tincture of iodine . . 8 
" nitric acid .... 2 
Morphia, solution of . .13 
" poisoning . . . 124 
Mouth,ulcers of, salicylic acid and 
chlorate of potash . . . 5 
Mouth, ulcers of, alum ... 4 
Muscles, rheumatism of, iodide of 
potassium 7 
Muscles, rheumatism of, ammonia 25 
Muscular cramps, hydrate of 
chloral .. J ... 19 
Narcotic poisons . . .121 
Nausea, see vomiting. 
Neuralgia, tincture of aconite . 16 
" cinchonidia . . . 21 
1 iron .... 22 
" chronic, tincture of io- 
dine 8 
Neuralgia, chronic, oil of turpen- 
tine 25 
Neuralgia, chronic, blisters . . 26 
" of the face, chlorate of 
potassium 5 
Neuralgia, with flushed face, bro- 
mide of potassium ... 6 
Night-sweats, oxide of zinc . . 3 
Nipples, see fissure. 
Nitrate of silver poisoning . . 123 
Nitric acid 2 
" poisoning . . . 122 
Nux vomica 20 
" poisoning - . . . 124 
OINTMENTS, vaseline . . 29 
Old age, alcohol ... 28 
Opium poisoning .... 124 
Oxalate of cerium .... 10 
Oxalic acid poisoning . . .122 
Oxide of zinc 3 
I)AINFUL digestion, bismuth . 9 
" " oxalate of 
cerium 10 
Painful diseases of bowels or 
chest, oil of turpentine . . 25 
Pains in the bones, iodide of po- 
tassium 7 
See also neuralgia. 
Paralysis 64 
" syphilitic, iodide of po- 
tassium 7 
Paralysis, syphilitic, nux vomica . 20 
Passages, suppurating, carbolic 
acid 27 
Passing the catheter ... 79 
Peritonitis 57 
Pernicious fever . . . .42 
Phosphorus poisoning . , .123 
Piles, acetate of lead ... 5 
" oxide of zinc ... 4 
" iodoform .... 9 
" after confinement, add ergot 17 
" bleeding 82 
Pleurisy 53 
Pneumonia ..... 51 
Poisoning 121 
Potash poisoning .... 122 
Pox, see syphilis . . . .73 
Pregnancy 86 
Purpura 70 
Pyrophosphate of iron ... 22 
QUANTITY of medicine to buy vi 
Quinsy, bicarbonate of soda . 11 
Quinsy, chlorate of potassium and 
salicylic acid .... 5 
Remittent fever . 4r 
Retention of urine . . 79 
Rheumatism 68 
" of muscles, iodide of 
potassium 7 
Rheumatism of muscles, ammonia 25 
" with fever, digitalis . 17 
" " paralysis, nux 
vomica . . . . . .20 
Rheumatism with weakness, iron . 22 
Rhubarb powder, compound . 15 
Ring-worm, tincture of iodine . 8 
Rose rash 47 
Rupture 116 
SALICYLIC acid ... 23 
Salivation, chlorate of potas- 
sium 5 
Salivation, iodide of potassium . 7 
Scalding of water, bicarbonate of 
soda 11 
Scarlet-fever 45 
Screaming in infants ... 97 
Scurvy 69 
Sea-sickness, morphine ... 15 
" " bromide of potassium 7 
" " hydrate of chloral . 18 
Sediments in urine . . . , . 79 
Sexual excitement, bromide of po- 
tassium 7 
Skin diseases, see eruptions. 
Sleeplessness, bromide of potas- 
sium 6 
Small-pox 43 
Soft corns, tincture of iodine . 8 
Sore eyes, sulphate of zinc . . 3 
" mouth and throat, chlorate 
of potassium and salicylic acid . 5 INDEX. 
131 
Sores, venereal, carbolic acid . 27 
" " iodoform . . 8 
" nitric acid . . 2 
" spreading, sulphate of zinc 3 
" iodoform . . 8 
Sour stomach, bismuth ... 9 
Spermatorrhoea .... 80 
Spotted fever66 
Stings of insects, ammonia . . 25 
Stomach, inflammation of , .56 
" pain in, bismuth . . 9 
" oxalate of cerium 10 
" salicylic acid . 23 
" oxide of zinc . 3 
" pump . . . .121 
Stricture79 
Strong drink, to diminish appetite 
for, oxide of zinc .... 3 
Strychnine poisoning . . . 124 
St. Vitus' dance, bromide of potas- 
sium 7 
St. Vitus' dance, hydrate of 
chloral18 
Subnitrate of bismuth ... 9 
Sulphate of cinchonidia ... 20 
Sulphate of zinc .... 2 
" " (white vitriol) poi- 
soning 123 
Sulphuric acid poisoning . . 122 
Sunstroke64 
Sweating feet or armpits, sulphate 
of zinc3 
Swelling of foreskin . . .75, 77 
" " legs .... 72 
' " testicle.... 77 
Symptoms variable 
Syphilis 
Tetanus, see lockjaw 
Thrush 
Tic douloureux, see neuralgia. 
Tongue 
Tonic, nitric acid .... 2 
" iron 
" nux vomica .... 20 
" cinchonidia .... 21 
Toothache, tincture of aconite . 16 
Turpentine, oil of . . . . 24 
Typhoid fever34 
Typhus fever . ', . . .36 
ULCERS, foul, hydrate of 
chloralI9 
Ulcers, foul, carbolic acid . . 27 
" of lower bowel, iodo- 
form 
Ulcers of mouth, salicylic acid . 23 
Ulcers of mouth, subnitrate ot 
bismuth 9 
Ulcers, slow, ca'bolic acid . . 27 
" sulphate of zinc . 3 
" lime-water . . n 
" iodoform ... 8 
" salicylic acid . . 24 
" nitric acid . . 2 
" aloes.... 13 
" syphilitic, iodoform . . 8 
iodide of po- 
tassium 7 
Urine, difficulty in holding, ergot. 18 
nux 
vomica20 
Urine, retention of . , . . 79 
" sediments in . . . .79 
VAGINAL injections, hot . . 86 
Varicocele .... 80 
Varioloid43 
Vaseline29 
Venereal sores, see sores, also 
syphilis 
Vitriol, elixir of .... 1 
Vomiting as a symptom ... 55 
Vomiting, bismuth .... 9 
" oxalate of cerium . . 10 
" tincture of iodine. . 8 
*' carbolic acid ... 27 
" salicylic acid ... 23 
" of infants ... 92 
WARTS, tincture of iodine . 9 
" nitric acid ... 2 
" syphilitic, carbolic 
acid27 
Wasting diseases, alcohol . . 28 
Water-brash, salicylic acid . . 23 
Wetting the bed, ergot ... 18 
" " " nux vomica . 20 
Whites, see leucorrhoea ... 83 
White vitriol poisoning . . . 123 
Whooping-cough .... 50 
Wind, bismuth10 
" nux vomica .... 20 
Womb, falling of . . .85 
Worms, round or pin, compound 
rhubarb powder .... 16 
Worms, tape, oil of turpentine . 24 
Wounds99 
Wry neck, hydrate of chloral . 19 
" " ammonia water . . 25 
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