The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-09-12
CHAPTER XXXIII.


HOME REMEDIEs-(continued).
A Texas paper tells good story of an Indian
horse-thief who had been converted by Next
can priest. but escaped to the woods after at
tending the first sermon. Its no use being
good" said be, with q sigh; that preacher
told us that there are million devils alter
every human soul; aud there's no sense in try
ing 20 dodge them, anyhow" With similar
dismay student OF modern pathology might
study the fact that our food, our drinking
water and even the very air we breathe are
swarming with myriads OF disease germs, ever
ready to fasten on the living organism and set
up an organic opposition party of their own.
Aud, moreover, the progeny Of those insidious
fends is by no means confined 10 invisible
"microbes." Maw-wOrms and other decidedly
visible parasites seem TO make their appearance
as soon rs the conditions of their development
are to a certain degree fulfilled; but the tend
encies Of those conditions can at least be coun-
teracted by very simple remedies. Bowel
worms can be starred out Of the system. On n
Eparing. frugal diet they thrive no more than
tuberce-microbes on a diet of fresh air. 1t is
true that natural hygiene has thus far discov-
cred no speedier mode Of dislodgment; but
fortunately the same parasites that thrive on
food unfit for the use of man can be destroy ed
by means not apt TO endAnger the health Of
the weakest child.
Mkw-woRMs.
clyster of warm water, with few drops of
cuassia is an unfailing remedy for pin-worms
Oil Of chen0pOdium six drops, with a teaspoon
ful of cRstor-oi is a specific for round-worm !;
half an ounce ofeommOn pumpkin-seed, pound
ed, and administered with pint of warm water
and sugar, will exPel tapeworms within 10
hours. Rest after meals, more fruit and less
fat meat in warm weather. an occasional foot
tour, and wide-0pen bedroom windows. will
prevent the recurrence Of the affection.
The presence OF ascarides lrornd, short
wormsl in children generally bctrays itself by
paleness, occasionally interrupted by flush
quite distinct from the glow of health, and ex
tending TO the temples, giving the eyes pecu-
liar. feverish expression also by nervousness,
twitching aud grinding Of the teeth i'm sleep;
gripping pains unexplained by any dietetic ex-
cesses, cold sweat and feverish pulse. The teres.
or long. round worm, causes peculiar itching
OF the lower bowels. Round worms have been
known to perforate the lower intestnes, and
cause life-enduring ulcers; but the symptoms
of their activity are, happily, too characteristic
60 lie easily mistaken. The presence OF tape
worms is indicated in the stools by exfoliated
fragments somewhat resembling cucumber
seeds, and frequently by nervousness and a
feyerish. tainted breath. The patient is troubled
with nausea. alternating with perfect parox-
ysms of appetite and now aud then is affected
with vertigo suddenly dimmed eyesight, and
other symptoms generally preceding q swosn-
ing-it.
Worms appear as concomitants of certain
eHteric disorders that seem to be hereditary in
some families: but the germs Of the affection
may be directly absorbed with the meat Of dis
eased animals. MS tubercle-seeds are with the
milk of cOnsumptive cows, aud trichinR with
tainted pork. Raw pork, as a component part
Of various kinds OF sausage, knocked ham,
UNDERGONE tripe, etc, may become the means Of
infesting the human body with such germs,
danger from which perhaps only yegetarians
are wholly exempt.
MIND CURES.
In the miscellaneous work Of Alexander Won
Humboldt there is astrangely- suggestive anec-
d0te from classic antiquity. A Sicilian mon
Grch, in removing the ruins Of an ancient tenn
pie, once came across curious work Of art. IL
was a sculptured tablet, representing on one
side winged genius, standing with forbidding
gestures between two groups OF youths and
maidens, whose outstretchcd hands seemed 10
indie their lmpatience Of restraint. The
reverse showed the genius PROSTATE. His wings
were folded in sleep or death, and the lovers
had rushed together.
The saees Of the palace being unable TO agree
on the significance Of those emhlenls, the King
sent the tablet 10 a certain philosopher whom
his messengers found on q sick-bed.
Hould that / knew the sculptor OF that
Etone," said the old man after long and silent
meditation. 1T is q syInbol Of Life. While
the vital principle Is still active, it interp0ses
% keep the physical elements Of the body in
their separate places. In the moment Of death
hat InterpOsition il withdrawn, and the or
Ranic elements collapse, by following the natu-
Fal bent of their affinity"
Mental influences the sustained activity OF
The brain, may, indeed, often prevent a con
summation which might be described a syn
cope. asudden and complete break down, OF the
physical energies, viz, apoplexy, announcing
its approach by drOTsiness, plcthoric Incidence
and digestive forpor.
Mental activity seems 20 yitalize the torpid
organism when all chemical stimnIants fail,
just as dying men have postponed death by
Efeer wlil-fOrce. huley IEmacl. the ruler Of
Morocco. whose approaching end had encOur-
aged the Spzniards 90 invade his domain, was
taking his lat farewell Of his friends when
messengers arrived in hot haste 10 announce
thesbFeach OF treaty. The Court physicians had
predicted his death before the evening Of that
day. but the old warrior at once arose from his
bed, assembled his troops, surprised the camp
81 the invaders by forced march and on the
following morning saved his country by q
pitched battle, fought in the last hour OF his
life. i'm the battle or Osfrulenka the heroic
Koseiasko WAS struck by nusket ball, which.
as be thought at the time, had only pierced the
heather Of his boot and perhaps seraped his
skin at one place. where be continued 10 feel a
burning pain. After the battle e. nearly
three hours later-be was surprised 10 find his
saddie-biaElket bathed with blood, and on close
examination discovered the fact that the ball
had pierced his leg and caused him 10 lose about
half the blood ia his body. besides lacerating
the siBewg and stifening the knee-ioint-all
symptoms which the excitement Of the battle
bad concealed a. completely as the most effect
i've anssthetic
Mental stirnulants IN the form Of brain-worI
have also tendency 70 countcract obesity. Con-
slant intellectual activity. such as Y0ltaire's.
Frederick the Greats aud Thomas Carlyles.
seem Incompatible with the accumulation of
sdiP0se Tissue. Lord Byron. in the last year OF
bis life, was 50 prone 10 obesity that, 20 use the
words Of bis biOgrapher, TrelaRney. every
Monlbiul Of food seemed 10 be instantly demos
Tied On the ribs in the form Of tailow" Yet he
managed 10 keep that disposition In check by
constant mental athletics
IL can do no harm, though. 10 supplement
that specific by physical exercise Active ex-
ercisc Of any kind Il more reliable tallow cure
than starvation. There are lean gluttons. but
very lew lean "st0ve-huRFeFs" (0Gel-i JeEerl, as
the Germans call stay at home people Of an easy
intermittent occupation, such as abbots and
village landlords
" l.