Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-01-26
THE FAMILY DOCTOR.

BCARLATEA.-A member OF the
Massachusetts Medical society sends TO
the Transcript the following remedy for
this much dreaded disease: 1t seems
very important that attention should be
often called to the prophylatic virtues
of belladonna. Many eminent physi-
clans have published their opinions in
it's favor, and there exists any amount
OF evidence, abundantly sufficient to es.
tablish its efficacy. Moreover. the
remedy is cheap, safe and comparatively
harmless. Nothing more is requisite
than tumbler of water, containing
four or five drops OF belladonna tincture,
il attainable, if not, about two grains OF
the extract, perfectly dissolved. OF this
an adult may take a teaspoonful; a child
half or quarter as much, according
to age-repeating the dose every four or
five days during the time epidemic is
in the neighborhood, or every day il
there be any known exposure to it.
The quantity taken should be less, il it
should cause dilated pupils, irascibility
and disturbed sleep. 1t is a mistake TO
suppose that this use Of belladonna will
always prevent scarIatina; it only mcdi-
iies II, as general rule, and destroys
it's malignancy. 1t has been tried in
two or three hundred cases, and never
knew one prove fatal where they take it.
BURSs AID SoDA.-We must again,
says Youths Companion, call the atten-
tion of our readers 10 the power Of bi.
carbonate of soda-the common cooking
soda--to relieve the pain OF burns. This
power is truly wonderful. aud the fact
that soda is always at hand makes it i'm
portant for every mother fully to under
stand that she has in her cupboard a
sure and inexpensive remedy fer the
suferings of her burnt child.
A friend OF ours, one morning not
long since, burned and blistered his
wrist. The length Of the blister was al
least two inches, aud the width half an
inch. Moistening the wound and spread
ing dry soda thickly over it and then
dropping just enough water upon the
soda to make it sort OF paste, he was
instantly relieved, nor did he have an
unpleasant sensation from the burn
afterward.
A writer in st. Petersburg medical
journal, speaking OF sixteen persons
who we're severely burned in efforts TO
awe their property from Il fire, all Of
whom were treated exclusively with
soda, says "he considers himself jus;i-
fed in pronouneing this remedy tho
best and most efficient in burns of all
kinds and degrees"
In one case the burns covered half
the body Of the sufferer. The whole
face was stripped Of the epidcrmis
scarf skin). The front Of the neck,
chest aud abdomen and upper part Of
the foot presented burns OF the second
degree. Barns of the third degree
we're found on the right mammAry
gland, and on the right forearm, all tho
muscles of which we're exposed, as il
prepared 10y dissection.
Soda was used and IL relieved the
pain, and g cure was effected in four
weeks, excepting that the healing OF
tho breast and arm required arother
month. The scars were insignificant.
In burns OF the first degree-the
slighter-powjered soda will do. In
burns OF the second degree cover with
linen rags and keep them moist with
solution OF soda. Ia burns OF the third
degree, the rags will need frequent
changing to wash of the pus which &C.
cumulates beneath.