The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-09
Som sthing for Mothars to Road

No man living shall go before US IN res
pect and confidence in the Medical PROBES
Nevertheless it may be that custom
has made Us to lean too habltualiy upon the
Family Doctors, to the neglect OF smail
precautions and preyentives which being
used in time would far surpass any theoret-
ical skill. Ia some families, both OF the
rich, and the poor, there Is no attention paid
10 any ailment until it becomes serious
enough to reGuire-sendlng tor the Do
tor" Then, often, it is too late. In this
view we seek to gather practical information
for our readers in relation 70 dlphtherla-
meningitis. scarlet fever, and such diseases.
The Prarie ff,rn,er says Of diphtheria
1t should have at It's outset efficient
treatment. When il exists in any place
examine their chlldrens threats aud note
and attack the outset of the malady. The
slightest soreness Of the throat Is worth at
%tcntion. Il i wise for the mother To conSid-
er every white or dingy patch upon the
tonsiIs or fauces as an Indication Of diphthe-
ria. We have usually seen it first upOn the
t@onsils. or have observed a rednesE of the
throat, and that the child had a feeling OF
soreness and fullness, or that the mucous
membrane % the throat may be swollen.
The mother should not wait for white
patches to appear but attempt at once to
reduce the inflammation, and 80 check the de
development Of the malady.
At the outset diphtheria i a local malay.
but neglected, it soon becomes a general
one. 1t is a germ disease and starting into
existence BY germs or spores that lind a
proper place for growth on the intiamed
mucous membrance Of the throat extend
their multiplication to other parts OF the
system and intensity the usual results. AT
first the malady may be limited to the throat
but in a few days may appear in other parts,
a. the nose or feet, if wounded. y young
girl tripping across the floor forced a needle
through her foot. the wound healed well.
but four weeks afterwards she had dlptherla
Of the throat. On the third day a sore APP
peared upon the spot the needle ~punctured.
In a few hours il assumed a dark diphtheria
aspect, and ultimately the little patient
died.
The first thing to be done on the discov-
cry Of Indications Of diphtherla Is 10 make
some applications TO the throat that may
destroy the germs OF spores and SO check
the extension of the mala1y. We usually
In mild cases apply by a wab or brush d
saturated solution of the chlorate Of potassa
or a weak solution Of carbolic acid, ten drops
to ten teaspoons of water. Other applica
tons may be equally efficient "a chlorine
water. one part to three OF water, or a solu
ton of common salt composed OF one teas
poon of salt, two tablespoons of cider vine
gar, and four tablespoons water. Any OF
these may be used "a gargles or may De aI-
piled by a swab. Cleanse the swab aite,
each application. The patient should eN-
pectorate the mucus. that nav accumulate
IN the mouth or throat. 1t usually contain
the germs or spores aud So by >Wa.luwiu-
may be absorbed and mingled with the bl ,yd
and tissues and iIcI ease the violence OF t.
f.. NJ, ,g. my 70 ast-a e.. = H- ,t
hour a teaspoon Of he saturated solution Of
the ch!or4te of potaSsa III u teaspoon or more
OF milk. Ii is often useful 10 apply 10 the
throat tianneis wrung out OF hot water. The
fiannels should be large enough 10 cover tin
neck. The best way Ut applying hot + men
tations to the throat Is u partly fill Il Woo En-
stocking with small bits Of sponge. wiring ii
out of hot water and apply it t, the throat.
This fermentation should be so large "a to til.
all the space between the chin AMI chest.
1t i elastic and so keeps the skin always
covered. 1.-THE child bends his head 10 the
right or lett or throws it back, this former
tation follows the head aud keep the neck
always warm. 1t should fit close under the
chin. Whatever fermentation should be
used it should be renewed every five to ten
minutes or as atten as it begins to cool. In
haling vapor formed by pouriag diluted vim
egar on Unslacked lime often gives great re
lief to difficult respiration. Place the lime
In a coffee pot pour on the vinegar and wa
ter, close the pot and let the child inhale tae
vapor as it passes through the spout. 1t
may he wise to lengthen out the spout and
so cool the vapor somewhat before 1t enters
the patient mouth. In bad cases Of diph
liberia and membranous Group, inhaling lime
vapor is often very useful.
At the outset of the malady give the
x.--, l.-l,t l.,l a-l 49,, -..~ -
twice a day. Place a dry blanket upon .
bed, spread upon it another blanket wrung
from hot water, remove the patient
clothes. place him upon the upper blanket
and wrap the wet blanket about him and
keep him In them for ten tc twenty minutes,
depending upon Its quletnesS or reSties~neSS
This treatment will induce gentle pcr-pira
ton. If the temperature is high, Sponging
with tepid water once or twice a day may b,
useful.
Confined bowels may be relieved BIZ an
enema once a day. If the dingy patche,
appear upon the limbs or body, apply lint.
saturated with chlorine water or the satura-
ted solution of the chlorate Of pctassa. An
important point of treatment is To give the
child a full supply Of easy digested aud M
%tritious food oatmeal in milk OF In extrac
of beef. soups and sweet bread, tripe aud
boiled eggs, tomatoes stewed and thickenet
with crumbs of bread form a very prope
treatment for diphtheritic patients. If th'
child i, restless. give the bromide Of potls,i
In two to four grain doses to children from
tw) to tour years OF age.
DiDhtheria exhausts the child, 50 he need
d large amount of nourishment, or Il prope
amount of slim I!ants. Brandy in beef te
or in chicken tea in quantities and dilutiol
proper for each case. The mother shout,
regard the immedilte needs of each cas-
and the present strength of the patient ali
the severity of the disease and its probab.
course. A moderate quantity of any stint
liant given at re. ular intervals, is well adar
ted to maintain the strength of the patient
REMovAL OF STAINS n SPOTs.-Guu
Sugar, Jelly, etc .-Simple Washing wit