Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03
Simple Home Remedies.

Half teaspoonful of common table
salt dissolved in a little cold water and
drunk will instantly relieve 'heart-
burn" or dyspepsia If taken every
morning before breakfast, increasing
the quantity gradually to teaspoonfui
of salt and q tumbler of water, it will
in few days cure an ordinary case Of
dyspepsia, if at the same time due at
tention is paid to the diet. There is no
better remedy than the above for con-
stipation. As a gargle for sore throat
it is equal to chlorate of potash, and is
entirely safe, 1t may be used as often
as desired, and if little is swallowed
each time it will have q beneficial eff
feet on the throat by cleansing it and
allaying irritation. In doses of one to
four teaspoonfuls in half a pint to a
pint of tepid water it acts promptly as
an emetic, and, in cases of poisoning,
is always on hand. 1t is an excellent
remedy for bites and stings of insects.
1t is a valuable astringent in hemorr-
hayes, particularly for bleeding after
the extraction of teeth. 1t has both
cleansing and healing properties, and
is therefore q most excellent applica-
ton for superficial alterations. Mus
tard is another valuable remedy. No
family should be without it. Two or
teaspoonfuls of ground mustard stirred
into half q pint of water acts as an
emetic very promptly, and is milder
and easier to take than salt and water.
Equal parts of ground mustard and
flour or meal made into paste
with warm water and spread on q thin
piece Of muslin, with another piece of
muslin laid over it, forms the indispen-
sable mustard plaster" It is almost
a specific for collie when applied for a
few minutes over the ''pit of the stom-
ach." For all internal pain and con-
gestions there is no remedy of such gen
eral utility. 1t acts as q counter-irri-
tant by drawing the blood to the sur
face; hence in severe cases of Group a
small mustard plaster should be APP
piled to the back of the child's neck.
The same treatment will relieve almost
any case of headache. A mustard plas-
ter should be moved about over the
spot to by acted upon, for if left in one
place it is liable to blister. A mustard
plaster acts as well when consider
able distance from the affected part.
An excellent substitute for mustard
plasters is what is known as mustard
leaves" They come q dozen in a box,
and are about four or five inches.
They are perfectly dry, and will keep
for 4 long time. For use it is only nee
essary to dip one in dish of water for
a minute then apply it. Common bak-
ing soda is the best of all remedies in
cases of scalds and burns. 1t may be
used at the surface of the burned place
either dry or wet. 1t is the best
applications for eruptions caused by
poison ivy and other poisonous plants,
as also for bites and slings of insects
Owing to colds, o7er-fatigue, anxiety
and various other causes, the urine is
often scanty, highly-colored and more
or less loaded with phosphates, which
settle to the bottom of the vessel on
cooling. AS much soda as can be dip
ped up with q 10-cent piece, dissolved
in half glass of cold water and drunk
every three hours, will soon remedy
the trouble. Halls Journal of Health.