Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-01-25
MEDICAL HINTS.
FLOWERS IN SLEEPING ROOMS,

FLOWERS IN SLEEPING ROOMS.
The public are again warned against
the use of flowers i'll sleeping apart
ments, and wonderful stories are told of
the deleterious effects which have fol-
lowed their presence in limited atmos-
phere respired by invalids. Curious
enough, these appalling "instances of
the evil influences of plants do not for
the most part apply to flowers. Never
theless we agree that it is safe to Danish
growing plants and flowers from bed
rooms. They can do no good, and they
may do some harm.-Londo7a Lancet.
A DIsINFECTANT.
Probably the most effective, and as
suredly the cheapest disinfectant, costing
less than one farthin9 a gallon, is the So
luton of chloride of lead, so strongly re-
commended by the late DR.. Goolden, of
st. Thomas Hospital, as the most SIM
pie, the most powerful and economical
agent for eliminating sulphide of hydro
gen from the atmosphere, as well as
from all organic matter in state of de-
composition or putridity. 1t is pre-
pared thus: Half drachm of nitrate of
LEAD, dissolved in pint or SO Of boiling
water in which two drachms of common
salt has been dissolved. A cloth dipped
in the solution and hung up in any place
where bad odors prevail will sweeten the
foetid atmosphere instantaneously, or
thrown down q sink, water-closet or drain
or over heap of refuse, will produce
like result.
THE EYES.
Many persons injure their eyes very
seriously by using them too soon after a
severe illness. In diphtheria, measles,
and scarlatina, especially weaken the
eye, and in some instance destroy its
power of adapting itself to see objects at
different distances. At such times the
eyes should not be used, but the patient
should wait until the muscles gain tone
and strength. Every care should be
taken 20 avoid prostration Of the nervous
system, and the eyes must be sparingly
useduntil they regain the ability to work
without fatiguing effort. Whatever
wearies the eye unduly, INJURIES it, is
maxim which, if regarded, would do IS
much to preserve the eyesight as physi-
clans care. This would Danish all read
ing at twilight, all reading of fac print,
all extra exertion of the eyes after illness.
It would, in short, save the eyesight of
thousands.
FROST BITES AND CHILBLAINS,
Probably no other form of accident or
injury come upon us so unexpectedly as
to those due to excessive cold AS a
general thing we are not aware that
part is being frozen until the mischief is
already done. The old-fashioned skates,
held on by numerous tight straps
across the feet are dangerous on this ac-
count, as to keep them In place the straps
are drawn so tightly as to impede the
circulation in the feet, and frost bitten
feet are often the consequence. Though
the operation of freezing is painless,
sudden thawing is attended with inham-
nation and great pain. The thawing
should be very slow In order that the
circulation of the parts may be restored
gradually. For this reason it is advised
to rub the frozen parts with snow, or in
the absence of that, with water made as
cold as possible with ice. It is said that
in Russia when one observes that an
others nose or face is frozen, it is On act
of common politeness to catch up an
handful of snow and applyit to the face
of the unfortunate, even If he is a per-
feet stranger. In cases of severe freez-
ing, besides gradually thawing by the
use of snow or ice, physician should
be called, as it may be that proper pre-
cautions are needed to prevent NORTH
cation of the parts. It is not necessary
for the feet to be actually frozen to pro-
duce chilblains. The term frost bitten
is usually applied to such cases. Chill
dren often suffer greatly from getting
their feet very cold and then going to
the fire to warm them. The circulation
is disturbed and the parts remain ex-
ceedingly sensitive to future changes of
cold and heat. Chilblains vary from
slight inflammation to severe cases where
the skin breaks and even ulcers are
formed. OF course such cases require
special treatment. To allay the intense
itching and pain of ordinary chilblains,
O great number of applications have been
used. An ounce of sulphate of zinc
(white vitrioD, in pint of water, or an
ounce of sal ammoniac dissolved in half
pint each of vinegar and alcohol are
among the washes often used. 1t is
stated on good authority, though we
have not had occasion to try it, that the
application of ordinary kerosine oil is
very efficacious in allaying the itching
and pain. gracuitatrist.