# American Pocket Library of Useful Knowledge/Health

HEALTH.
PUBLIC ECONOMY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
It has been well said, by a recent writer, that if part of the large sums expended on over-fed Hospital patients, and pampered nurses, on rents and Dispensaries, and outlay of medicine, were appropriated to the prevention of diseases among the poor, it is probable that more extensive benefits would be conferred, than can be afforded in the limited and local range of Infirmaries. If half the amount annually spent in the purchase of liquors and medicines, for charitable institutions, were early and judiciously laid out in precautionary means of preventing diseases among the indigent, the hospital would have fewer inmates, and the asylums for orphans would not be so crowded. Among these preventive means be it added, that the chief are to ward off the evil of intemperance, and to protect the system against atmospherical inclemencies.
The expense of an establishment in every village, free to the poor, or at least at a small nominal rate, where they could enjoy the advantages of warm and tepid baths, with a drying stove for their clothes, and such other auxiliary means as humanity might suggest, would be a minor consideration, when put in competition with the benefits resulting to the working classes, in warding off impending diseases, and the inevitable ruin which is almost invariably attendant in their train.
Almost every village has its alms-house. True charity ought to be displayed in preventing the necessity for such buildings. Now we hazard little in asserting that, if under the same roof were to be found public baths, a public library, and a hall for a temperance association, the poorer inhabitants of our towns and villages would be healthier than at present, and in place of being a burden, would contribute their share to the support of the slate.
DIETETIC MAXIMS.
* A healthy appetite is to be acquired by early rising, regular exercise in the open air, and abstinence from intoxicating liquors.
* The food should be eaten slowly, and well masticated.
* Animal food is sooner digested in the stomach than vegetable; but it is more stimulating or healing to the system. Flesh long salted, tried hams, beef, &c., are less easily digested and less nutritive than fresh meat.
* Farinaceous and vegetable food, generally, is slower of digestion than animal, but it is less heating.
* Solid food, or food of a certain fibrous or pulpy consistence, is more fitted for digestion in the stomach than rich soups, jellies, and all highly concentrated sauces. The latter are rendered more digestible by the addition of bread.
* Fish are not so nourishing as the flesh of land animals. The white fish are less apt to disagree with the stomach than the red.
* Roasted meat is more nourishing than boiled, but much more stimulating.
* Bread should be perfectly raised, fully baked, and one day old.
* Salt, and a moderate quantity of pepper, are safe: beyond this, all seasoning becomes injurious.
* Different dishes at one meal, interfere with digestion.
* All excess in eating should be avoided. The best guide is to be found in the calls of a healthy appetite.
* Health, and strength of body, depend upon the health of the slomach and consequent perfection of the digestive powers.
* Water is the most wholesome drink. Toast and water, sweetened water, or water with a slight addition of a vegetable acid, are useful diluents during the summer.
* Distilled and fermented liquors impede digestion; and, when drunk to any extent, invariably destroy the tone of the stomach, and of the system generally.
* When the stomach is weak, but little fluid should be taken during or after eating.
* Exercise should be used in the intervals between meals, but not immediately before or after them.
ACCIDENTS.
There are few things in relation to which people commit more egregious errors, than the proper assistance to be rendered to individuals to whom an accidental injury has occurred. In that of a wound attended with a profuse discharge of blood, the patient’s life would be destroyed by a few moments’ delay; while in every case a trifling injudicious interference in the offset, may add greatly to the subsequent danger and suffering: it is important therefore that the public generally be made aware of the proper course to be pursued, when an accident occurs, previously to the arrival of the physician.
Wounds.–The only proper dressings for these accidents are such as are best calculated to keep the wounded surfaces in contact, and to defend them from the air and external injury. The milder and softer the materials of which they are composed, the better: above all, everything of a heating or irritating nature should be avoided. A simple cut, which might have been healed perfectly in a few days, has often been converted into a serious, painful, and tedious sore, by such applications as brandy and sugar, turpentine, balsams, and the like; or by having crammed between its edges a quantity of lint, low, soot, charcoal, or cobwebs; all of which are frequently resorted to. They invariably induce a degree of inflammation, which interrupts the healing process of nature.
When a wound has been received, the first thing that claims attention is the presence of any foreign substance, as splinters of wood, portions of stone, glass, or bits of cloth, &c. These should, if possible, be at ​once extracted, and the wound washed with a soft sponge or rag and water. But when the exhaustion of the patient is considerable, or the flow of blood profuse, whatever foreign substances may be contained in the wound, must be suffered to remain until, in the judgment of the physician, it may be safe to attempt their extraction.
The bleeding from a wound, even though at first profuse, will often in a short time cease spontaneously, and, if the injured part be kept at perfect rest, will not again return. Should this, however, not be the case, and the flow of blood is very considerable, especially if it be in a continued stream or in jets, it should be arrested without delay, by making pressure upon the divided vessels, between the heart and the wound. When the injury has been received in either of the limbs, a firm broad ligature or bandage should be applied a short distance above the wound. The best plan is to place around the limb a strong broad garter, sufficiently slack to allow of a short stick being introduced under it, and by which it is lobe twisted until it is tight enough to arrest the bleeding. Of course, this is merely a temporary expedient, as the continuance of such a bandage for any length of time would be productive of injury. In wounds situated in a part of the body where the above means cannot be resorted to, the bleeding may be arrested by applying the hand firmly over the wound; or, by the finger passed within the wound, pressure may be made directly upon the orifice from which the blood proceeds.
In slight wounds, which do not penetrate much deeper than the skin, nothing better can be applied than the common sticking-plaster. This, by keeping the edges of the cut together, and preventing the contact of the air, &c., permits the process of union to go on without interruption.
Persona who have received a severe wound, or indeed a severe injury of any kind, ought always to be kept at rest, and perfectly composed. The part especially in which the wound exists, should be prevented from any degree of motion, and be kept as elevated as possible without its being placed in any constrained posture. Quiet and cheerfulness of mind are also of importance.
Sprains and Bruises.–The part in which these accidents have been received must be kept at perfect rest, elevated, and completely free from any heavy dressings or tight bandages. The best immediate applications are cloths wet with cold water or cold vinegar and water. It is a very common error, whenever any severe accident of this kind occurs, to have the individual immediately bled. In all cases of accident, much evil is liable lo be produced by the loss of blood before the system has in some degree recovered from the depression into which it is invariably thrown upon the receipt of any severe injury; it is better always to delay bleeding until the advice of a physician can be procured.
Burns and Scalds.–When of moderate extent, and occasioning only a redness of the skin, the best immediate application to a burn or scald is cold water or cold vinegar. The application or immersion should be continued for some considerable time, and without a moment’s intermission. When the skin is raised in large blisters, these should be punctured; after which a mixture of one part of linseed oil and two of lime-water, smeared over the burnt surface, will be found a very soothing application. The burnt part may then be wrapped in raw cotton. When the burn is extensive, and has completely destroyed the skin, the application of spirits of turpentine is attended with the best effects: care should be taken to confine it to the injured parts, not allowing it to come in contact with the sound skin. As the ulcer consequent on a burn is always tedious in healing, and, when mismanaged, liable to be attended with an unsightly scar, or even extensive deformity, the attendance of a physician should be procured.
TREATMENT OF DROWNED PERSONS.
As soon as the body is recovered, wipe it dry, and wrap it up in blankets, and place it in some convenient place, with the head slightly elevated; having free ventilation in hot weather, and allowing no persons to be present except those employed in operating. Let the head be wiped dry, and covered with a woollen cap. Several attendants should be employed in rubbing the body with stimulating articles, such as mustard, hot brandy, &c., and bags of hot sand, hot bricks, &c., applied to the feet and other parts of the body. While this is being done, the mucus should be removed from the mouth and nostrils, and other persons should be employed in inflating the lungs, as follows: Insert the pipe of a common pair of bellows into one nostril, close the other nostril and the mouth, then blow gently, and cause the air to escape by pressing on the chest, having first removed the finger from the nostril. This is to be continued for a long lime, the object being to imitate the process of breathing. Let this plan of treatment be pursued until the arrival of a physician.
CAUSES OF DISEASE.
Insufficient Exercise.–He who does not spend several hours everyday in some active exercise, must inevitably suffer from a diminution of bodily strength, defect of appetite, and imperfect digestion, and becomes sooner or later the subject of disease.
Late rising and late retiring.–There are few things which contribute more to shorten life, than the habit of keeping late hours, and consequently of rising from bed late in the morning. The advances of weakness and disease from this cause are, it is true, by very gradual steps, but not the less certain to be ultimately felt.
Breathing impure air.–A constant supply of fresh air is highly important. The air is rendered impure by being loaded with animal and vegetable exhalations, by its free circulation being prevented by a number of persons breathing it when confined in a close chamber, and by the processes of fermentation and combustion.
Insufficient ablutions of the body.–It is not enough for the preservation of health, that merely the hands, the feet, and the face be washed frequently, but that the whole surface of the body be repeatedly purified. To all, the frequent use of the bath is an important means of preserving health. Means for bathing should be afforded in every city, and in every extensive manufactory.
Inattention to the cleanliness of clothing and dwellings.–Independently of the injury which the health of individuals suffers from a neglect of strict personal and domestic cleanliness, the contamination of the air, from the decomposition of filth accumulated in and about a dwelling, has not unfrequently communicated disease to whole families and neighbourhoods. Repeatedly white-washing the wall of a house, and scrubbing the floors, is not merely, therefore, a source of tasteful comfort, but a direct means of preserving health.
Food rendered pernicious by modern cookery;–Adulteration in foods and drinks, and abuse of appetite.–While a moderate quantity of plain wholesome food is essential to the maintenance of life, all excess in its use, all complicated processes of cookery–keeping up the appetite beyond the wants of the system–are decidedly injurious. The health and strength of the body are not supported by the quantity of food consumed, but only by so much as is capable of being converted, by the powers of the stomach, into pure chyle and blood.
The unnecessary or imprudent use of medicine.–Domestic quackery has ruined many constitutions. A dose of medicine laken with the view of preventing an attack of disease, not unfrequently invites one which otherwise would not have occurred.
​Defective and improper clothing.–Injury to health may be caused either by the clothes being inadequate to defend the wearer from the cold, or from sudden changes in the weather, by their impeding the free motions of the limbs, or by their compressing or binding too firmly some part of the body.
The influence of cold.–Disease is produced by exposure to the night air or inclement weather, after being heated in crowded apartments, or by exercise, as dancing, &c. In the poorer and impoverished classes, cold, during winter, is a continued and fruitful source of suffering and disease.
Intense application of the mind.–Alternate rest and activity, as well of the body as of the mind, are essential to the support of health. Long continued mental application, whether to study or the cares of business, wears out the system, and exhausts the powers of life even more rapidly than protracted manual labour.
Giving way to the passions.–Experience fully proves that nothing contributes more effectually to guard the system from disease, and to prolong lite, than a calm and contented state of mind. In cultivating a peaceful and virtuous disposition, a man not only insures his happiness but promotes his health also.
Heart-Burn, Acidity of Stomach, Water Brash.–These arc some of the symptoms of indigestion. Ascertain whether the stomach does not suffer most in this way, after eating particular items of animal food, such as dried and salted meats and fish; and vegetables, such as salads, radishes, tomatoes, cabbage, and even potatoes. If no fault is found from these causes, let the inquiry next be made into drinks, and whether the accidental omission of a favourite beverage has not given relief. Has fresh bread or hot toast been habitually used with plenty of butler? and if so, has stale bread ever been substituted in its place? Is the complainer a smoker or user of tobacco in any way? If so, he ought to abandon entirely the use of this weed. Disturbed state of digestion coming on during the regular and moderate use of proper food, the next question is, does the skin perform its duty? Is it properly covered with clothes? are the feet kept dry and warm? are the pores kept free by regular ablution and friction?
Indigestion or Dyspepsia, which includes the forementioned disorders, and numerous others, as well of the stomach as of the heart, is shown by irregular palpitation; of the lungs, by asthmatic breathing; of the brain, by head-ache, ill-nature, and strange fantasies. Here the dyspeptic must ask of him or herself the same questions as in the preceding paragraph, with the additional ones respecting regular daily exercise in the open air, regular hours of sleep, early to bed and early to rise, mastery of the passions, and an especial avoidance of anxious cares, envy, or jealousy.
Bilious disorders.–If a person is bilious, it is generally owing to errors in regimen. Let these be reformed, and the complaints will cease. But if a person would be always bilious, let him be often taking calomel, or blue pill, or active purges. Lee’s antibilious, &c., and he will certainly succeed; the soundest liver will not be proof against such remedies for bile.
Costiveness.–Accidental or occasional costiveness may readily be rendered habitual by oft swallowing purgative medicines; the proposed cure will, when persisted in, inevitably bring on the disease. If this latter, by time or imprudence, has become habitual, the only safe and effectual mode of relief will be in a suitable regimen; still trying to get the proper food–mild mucilaginous and saccharine substances of the vegetable, and plain, not too much cocked, meats, among the animal kingdom. Add to this, suitable ablution, frictions of the skin, and out-door exercise and labour, and the cure will be complete.
Wakefulnes.–The cure for this is not in laudanum and opium, which, much used, constitutes a habit as pernicious to health and morals as drinking ardent spirits. If something must be swallowed before going to bed, to procure sleep, let it he half a pint of hot water: mind! as hot as it can be sipped. But the true cure will be by omitting tea or coffee, whichever has been used, in the evening; by taking plenty of exercise in the open air; working at something to produce a little fatigue; and finally, rising early in the morning, whether inclined to do so or not. Be up by times; sleep not during the day; and retiring in good time to bed, there is no danger but you will sleep soundly during the night.
Nervousness, low spirits, sick head-ache.The causes are, bad habits, false indulgences. Leave them off, and the cure will be complete. Neglect this advice, and you may be physicked until you are a shadow, and your pockets empty, and you will still be, if a female, hysterical; if a male subject, hypochondriacal–miserable yourself, and the cause of misery to others.
TOAST AND WATER.
An infusion of toasted bread in water, is one of the most salutary drinks that can be taken by the sick and valetudinary. A distinguished physician says, five or six cups of this water, with or without sugar, were more refreshing, and sooner took off any fatigue or uneasiness, than any strong wine, strong ale, small beer, warmed coffee or tea (for he tried them all), or any other liquor that he knew of.
It is seldom that toast and water is properly made, if we therefore think it proper to furnish our readers with the following recipe:
Take a slice of fine and stale loaf bread, cut very thin (as thin as toast is ever cut), and let it be carefully toasted on both sides, until it be completely browned all over, but not blackened or burned in any way; put this into a common deep stone or china jug, and pour over it, from the tea-kettle, as much clear boiling water as you wish to make into drink. Much depends on the water being actually in a boiling state. Cover the pitcher with a saucer or plate, and let the drink become quite cold. It is then fit to be used: the fresher made, the better, and of course the more agreeable.
In dyspepsia, and a disordered state of the bowels, toast and water ought to be the habitual drink.
TIGHT DRESSING–CORSETS.
The only rational form of dress is that which protects the wearer from the vicissitudes and inclemency of the weather, and allows to the limbs their natural movements, and to all the parts and organs of the system the free performance of their appropriate functions. Every kind and article of dress which has a contrary effect, is absolutely injurious to health, and ought at once to be abandoned.
The motions of the body, as well as its erect position, depend upon the action of numerous masses of flesh, endowed with the properly of active contraction, and denominated muscles. The perfection with which these perform their office in either of the above respects, is always in proportion to their strength or tone, and their freedom from every artificial restraint. Now it is an invariable rule, that if constant pressure be made on any set of muscles, by means of a tight dress or a bandage, they will soon diminish in size, and consequently lose both their power of supporting the body in its natural position, and their ability to produce the easy and natural, or in other words, graceful movements of those parts to which they belong. This is strongly exemplified by the stale of a limb that has been confined by the necessary dressings in consequence of a fracture, or by those impostors who in many of the European cities, bandage firmly their legs or arms until they are diminished frequently to one half their natural size, for the purpose of exciting commiseration and extorting alms, or of avoiding military duty. An unequivocal condemnation should be pronounced, therefore, on all those kinds of dress ​which compress, in the least degree, any part of the trunk or limbs, and which in that manner cramp the free motion of the muscles, and reduce their size and plumpness. Tight lacing, by means of corsets or bands, and laces of all descriptions, as well as tight sleeves and garters, invariably produce, more or less, these effects; and so long as their use is continued there is no means of obviating the injury which results from them: and let it be recollected that this injury is always greater, the earlier in life they are adopted.
We have not yet enumerated all the evils produced by firmly compressing the chest. Independently of the uneasiness which this compression inflicts upon the female, from the constrained position she is forced by it constantly to assume, indicated by the frequent shrugging and writhing of her shoulders, and constant restlessness when in full dress, and which, of itself, often gives the back an ungraceful twist, and throws the shoulders out of their natural position, other serious and permanent inroads upon health and beauty are effected. The pressure of the corset depriving, in a great measure, the muscles of the back, by which the upright position of the body is maintained, of their natural action, and the blood being prevented from circulating freely through their vessels, they become relaxed, and allow the body to bend ungracefully either to one side or forwards: in time, the curvature of the spine which results, becomes permanent, and the individual is often in this manner deformed for life. But this is not all: the health and vigour of the system, the freshness and brilliancy of the complexion, the very activity and cheerfulness of the mind, depend in a very great degree upon the blood undergoing a perfect purification in the lungs. This is effected by its being brought in contact, in these organs, with a sufficient amount of pure atmospheric air: whatever impedes the free expansion of the chest in breathing, and diminishes the amount of air inhaled into the lungs, prevents this purification of the blood from taking place. Now, the corset, by firmly compressing the chest and loins, does this to a very great extent; so much so, that in all females who have been in the habit of wearing it from their youth, the chest has absolutely a diminished capacity, and loses that fine arched form which constitutes the beauty of the female bust. By numerous experiments it has been found that females thus circumstanced take into the lungs a much less amount of air than those who have never worn a corset. The vigour of the whole system becomes in consequence prostrated; the skin assumes a sallow hue, and all the functions of life are performed imperfectly. The lungs and heart especially suffer, in many cases become sooner or later the seal of incurable disease. The pressure by the corset upon the stomach and liver, is also highly prejudicial to health, by impeding digestion and the free secretion of bile; in this manner, independent of the injury inflicted upon the lungs, it causes discoloration of the skin, and a haggard, wrinkled appearance of the countenance. We urge, therefore, upon all, the disuse of this ridiculous and pernicious portion of female dress, which, so far from adding any real grace or beauty to the form, is the cause of disease, suffering, and deformity. We laugh at the folly of the Chinese belles, who compress their feet until they are no longer fitted for walking; and at the African, who flatten their noses as an indispensable requisite of beauty; and yet our own females are equally ridiculous, and even more criminal, when they imagine that they improve the beauty of their chests and waists by distorting them from that form which nature has wisely imparted to them; and thus, by a perverted taste, entail disease and pain upon their daughters, or hurry them into an early grave.
TIGHT LACING.
A physician in Albany gives a heart sickening account of the decease of a fine and amiable young lady who fell a victim to fashion: she laced herself to death! Apart from the prevailing infatuation which leads females to commit elegant and refined suicide, she is said to have been an uncommonly intelligent and promising girl. The body presented a dreadful sight. The ribs were contracted, the chest was narrowed, and not half the natural room was left for the action of the heart and the inspiration of air into the lungs. The consequence was death!
CAUSES OF DEATH AMONGST WOMEN.
The Registrar-General of England reports that thirty-one thousand and ninety English women died in one year of that incurable malady, Consumption. Will not this impressive fact induce persons of rank and influence to set their countrywomen right in the article of dress, and lead them to abandon a practice which disfigures the body, strangles the chest, produces nervous or other disorders, and has an unquestionable tendency to implant an incurable hectic malady in the frame? Girls have no more need of artificial bones and bandages than boys.
CONSUMPTION.
This disease is, doubtless truly, considered more than in former years. There are reasons for this.
Half a century ago, people lived on common, simple, healthful food and drink, and were healthy. In those days the dress of men and women was plain, and suited to the climate in which they lived, and to the various seasons of the year. At this time, how different! The fashions of the pleasure-seekers of Europe are brought to this country, and females of all classes endeavour to imitate them, until Consumption follows, and death ends the short race.
In addition to a thin dress, their clothes are tight, the natural shape is crowded upon, and it is sometimes hard for them to stoop or breathe easy. A violent cold is taken, and a bad cough follows; symptoms of consumption are feared and mentioned, and at last it is seated, and the poor fashionable daughter or wife is taken away by what is called the Quick Consumption.
THIN SHOES.
The practice of wearing thin shoes is too common among American women, and cannot be too strongly animadverted upon. Let those who thus throw themselves in the suicide’s path reflect upon what they are doing.
We say to every one, wear good strong thick shoes, and overshoes whenever there is water or snow in the street. Never mind if your feet do look a little large; even if they should appear clumsy. A little-looking foot is not of so much importance to health and happiness as a good pair of lungs; and those who act the part of wisdom will dress to insure health, and let Fashion and Fashion’s fools go to destruction in the way that they love to travel.
Fasting, distinct from religious ordinances, has been frequently recommended and practised, as a means of removing incipient disease, and of restoring the body to its customary healthy sensations. Howard, the celebrated philanthropist, used to fast one day in every week. Franklin, for a period, did the same. Napoleon, when he felt his system unstrung, suspended his wonted repasts, and took his exercise on horse-back. This list of distinguished names might, if necessary, be increased.
Baglivi, the celebrated Roman physician, mentions, that during Lent, an unusually large proportion of the sick in Italy recover their health. It is indisputable, that the fashionable classes in England and this country suffer from the effects of high living and the want of proper occupation. It is one of the greatest misfortunes that can befall human beings, to live without an aim; to have no noble object constantly to draw forth the powers of the mind and the exertions of the body.
​Croup requires instant attention. It arises from colds and shows itself in lightness of the breast, difficult breathing and fever. Immediately soak the feet in warm water, bathe the throat and breast with goosegrease, to which hartshorn may be added. Give a tea-spoonful of Hive Syrup to a child two or three years old, and again in 15 minutes, until it causes vomiting. If very bad, and no Hive Syrup at hand, then use, 1. Lamp Oil. 2. Goosegrease and Molasses, with Onion Juice. 3. Wine and Molasses. 4. Apply a plaster of Yellow Snuff mixed with Lard to the breast: each are good. After the symptoms are abated, give some mild purgative. These remedies, promptly applied, can be relied on where the physician is not at band.
Piles.–1 oz. Cream Tartar, 1 oz. Salts Nitre, 1 oz. Jalap, 2 oz. Linitive Electuary. Mix stiff in molasses. Dose, 4 or 5 pills size of a pea.
Vinegar (good) is useful in inflammatory and putrid disorders; in weakness, faintings, or other hysteric affections, bathe, smell, or drink: it cools the blood, quenches thirst, extracts the fragrance from flowers, &c. That made from cider or wine is beat.
Children allowed to sleep with aged people, lose their health and decline. The same is probably also true, where the sick and the healthy habitually lie in the same bed.
Toothache is cured by powdered Alum, 2 drachms; Nitrous Spirit of Ether, 7 drachms: mix. See Brandy and Salt.
Hair is preserved by Onion Juice and Brandy, rubbed well in. Or, Tincture of Cantharides 10 parts, Hog’s Lard 90 parts: to be mingled and rubbed into the roots. Or, one part of Cantharides Powder to eight of alcohol, carefully mixed.
Polypus of the Nostril is cured by the root of the sanguinaria canadensis, or blood root. A decoction is applied to the part.
Rheumatism.–Dissolve half oz. Camphor in pint Spts. Turpentine, and rub well morning and night: then apply flannel. Good also for Burns, Scalds, and Bruises.
Frost-Bitten Feet.–Dissolve half pound Alum in 1 gallon warm water, and soak 15 minutes.
Convulsion Fits have been cured by drinking salt and water two or three times a day.
Vegetable Eating, in promoting health and longevity, has never yet been overrated. It will prolong and render much more comfortable those afflicted with cancer, aneurism, ossificition of the heart, consumption, &c.
Oxalic Acid is neutralized by two ounces of Magnesia; mix quart of water: or, by same quantity of common whiting, thrown into the stomach.
Cough.–Brown Mixture.–Stick Liquorice, 2 oz.; Gum Arabic, 1 oz.; Paregorie, 1 oz.; Antimonial Wine, 1 oz; Rock Candy, 2 oz. Take a table-spoonful 3 or 4 limes a day.
Another.–2 spoonfuls Molasses, 1 do. Sweet Oil, 1 do. good Vinegar, to which may be added a few drops Sweet Spts. Nitre. Take a tea-spoonful occasionally.
Fore Tetter, &c..–1 lb. fresh Butter, without salt, 1 oz. White Precipitate, half oz. good Turpentine: mixed and heat to an ointment.
Friction of the body is one of the most gentle and salutary kinds of exercise, cleaning the skin, dispersing stagnating humours, promoting perspiration, strengthening the fibres, and increasing the warmth and energy of the whole body.
The Complexion can only be preserved in freshness, softness and beauty, by cleanliness, regular exercise, temperance, a plain diet and pure air, and a cheerful temper.
Worms in children are by no means so pernicious as many of the quack medicines which are advertised to expel them.
Long life may safely be insured to all who enjoy good gifts without abusing any.
Brandy and Salt as a Medicine.–It is useful in the reduction of inflammation of fractured limbs or bruises, the alleviation of incurable sores, cure of ringworms, headache, toothache, inflammation in the eyes, ague, colic, pains in the side, chilblains, burns and scalds, cancers, sprains, open sores, asthmas, and complaints of the lungs. Fill a bottle three-quarters full with good Brandy, after which add as much Salt as will fill the bottle for corking; shake it together 20 minutes; let the Salt settle to the bottom, and do not shake it up before using. The clearer it is used the better. A bottle of this preparation should be constantly kept ready for use, as its virtues have been fully tested. When taken inwardly, for asthma, bowel complaints, &c., mix two spoonsful with equal quantity of warm water.
Cancer.–Five out of six cases have been cured by Brandy and Salt, described above. The pain is very severe, but temporary.
Poison, from vines, may be cured by bathing in Whiskey and Cream, and cooling with Rye Flour: if obstinate, use a strong solution of Copperas.
Reading aloud, speaking, and particularly singing, affords a healthful exercise; while wind-instruments are injurious.
Meat is so little necessary, in fact, that millions of the most robust and healthy population in Asia, Europe and other parts of the world, subsist exclusively on such articles as rice, wheat, and vegetables, alone.
Cravats or stocks should not be worn so tight as to compress the many large blood-vessels of the neck, which connect with the brain.
Impure air of theatres, ball-rooms, and other crowded and badly-ventilated buildings and sleeping-rooms, is poison to the lungs.
Eye-Sight is best preserved by a moderate light–too little strain– too much dazzles and injures. Bathing in cold water is of service.
Consumption.–Remedies.–Vigorous, daily, but not violent, exercise, and free exposure to the air, are important. As the great difficulty in medicine is in reaching the seat of this disease, frequently inhaling certain fumes may be a means of healing the lungs. Sitting and sleeping in a room through which the fumes of rosin, turpentine, or other similar gums are moderately diffused, may be of service.
Small Pox is prevented by vaccination, if well done. Never neglect vaccination.
In “training,” an English boxer, to acquire the greatest possible vigour, health, and animal spirits, lakes daily four hours exercise in the air, keeps the body and mind occupied; food of easy digestion and in small quantities; uses do ardent spirits, and sleeps eight hours, observing strict temperance in all things. By these means his appetite and digestion become good, the mind cheerful, lungs strong, and the whole system wonderfully improved.
Bed-rooms heated are pernicious to health.
Water is purified by–1, filtration through gravel, sand, or soft porous stone and charcoal. Or, 2, it may be sweetened and improved by charcoal, coarsely pulverized and thrown into a vessel of water. 3, by boiling and distillation. Water is greatly improved in wells or pumps that are frequently used.
Distilled Water, after being exposed to the air, is the most salubrious of all drinks, and its daily use is of the greatest importance in dyspepsia and similar diseases.
Feather Beds, especially in youth and in warm weather, enervate the system, destroying its vigour and health. Neither should beds be too hard. Sleeping with the head under the clothes is pernicious; so also, confined air caused by curtains.
The floor is the unhealthiest part of a room, from the tendency of impure air to descend.
Ulcers that proceed from a bad state of the body, should never be dried up till the system becomes purified by regimen or medicine.
​Midnight Studies ought to be avoided, as in the highest degree pernicious.
Bruises.–Bathe with Vinegar, and keep cloth wet with Vinegar constantly applied. If very violent, bleeding may sometimes be necessary. Poultice of Bread, Elder or Camomile Flowers, with equal parts of Vinegar and Water: renew two or three times a day. See page 20.
Burns or Scalds.–For two or three days anoint freely with Lime-water and Oil, mixed. Poultices of Bread and Milk, softened with fresh Butter, to abate the heat and inflammation. Diet, and keep the body open. See page 20.
Wounds.–No external application aids the cure in any other way than by keeping the parts soft, clean, and defending from the air. Nature alone effects the cure. See page 19.
Bleeding.–Between the heart and intended puncture apply a bandage, an inch or two off, to swell the vein and cause a free flow; which must be gradually loosened as the blood flows. In all topical affections, draw the blood as near as possible to the affected part. Have the bandage an inch or two wide and about a yard long, and a compress of one or two small pieces of linen, folded two inches square, to lay over the puncture when the bleeding is stopped. Care must be taken not to cut too deep, or over a tendon or artery. Though great advantage may be had by bleeding in the beginning of some inflammatory fevers, in apoplexy, and after severe injuries, &c., it should not be attempted by persons not skilled in anatomy.
GENERAL REMARKS
On the means of Securing Health.
In regard to receipts and “cure-alls,” however promising they may appear, it should always be borne in mind, that what for one person may have proved a positive cure in a particular disease, may prove positively injurious when tried by another for the same disease, or even when repeated for the same individual. The reason is obvious. So much depends upon the different habits, constitution, state of the humours, blood, degree of weakness or strength, &c., in different individuals, and at different periods in the same individual. The medicine which to-day would be proper, by a change in the disease, may to-morrow be the reverse;–and, in short, so many objections will occur to any reflecting mind against the indiscriminate use of remedies, that the greatest caution should be exercised, lest in tampering with disease you destroy health. There is so much adulteration in drugs, so many quack nostrums, pills and impositions, that in all cases of doubt and difficulty, the safer rule is to trust the advice of an intelligent physician.
To PRESERVE HEALTH,–to guard against disease, should be the object, on the score of economy, comfort, and safety; and this may be accomplished in all cases, unless under rare and very peculiar circumstances of exposure. A uniform state of health may be maintained until old age, by a careful observance of the rules already set forth.
These are briefly–1st. A plain, wholesome diet, bearing in mind that high-seasoned compounds, hot dough, under the name of cakes, &c., or dough and grease, under the name of pastry, will essentially ruin the best stomach; and that intemperance in food, drink, and dress, is the foundation and cause of nine-tenths of all the diseases and distress which afflict the human race.
2d. exercise, observing that while to the weakly too sudden, too violent, and long-continued exercise, may be injurious, it is otherwise of the greatest importance. Those who cannot take other and better, may secure much of the advantages of exercise by active friction of the body on retiring to bed and on rising, and by frequent exertion and change of the position.
3d. cleanliness. 4th. pure air. 5th. To guard against taking cold, which may in all cases be done by acquiring the habit of daily washing the person in cold water, especially the neck, breast, arms, feet, &c. This may be rendered easy by habit, and safe at all seasons, by commencing in warm weather, and rubbing with a rough cloth until a glow is excited. This will always be found, and under any exposure, a means of security from cold–that fruitful source of consumption and death.
6th. A due regard to the ease and comfort of clothing. See articles under these several heads, also, “training,” page 23.
Some of these points are so important, that we again say–
Observe to–1. Rise early and never sit up late. 2. Wash the body every ​morning with cold water, rubbing well with a rough towel. 3, Sleep in rooms well and thoroughly ventilated. 4. Correct symptoms of plethora and indigestion, by eating less for a few days. 5. Never eat late hearty suppers, especially of animal food. 6. Keep the feet warm, the head cool, and the body open, and the physician’s aid will be seldom required.