Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

that the changes of growth and repair pass
with greater activity. A cut or wound kept
moist by antiseptic dressing heals in half
the time it would if left with dry bandage.
The endemic use of cocaine for the relief
of obstinate neuralgias is of interest both
for its own purpose and as suggesting COS
metic application. The epideimis is re-
moved BY the use of vescating collodion, i.
e.. by blistering, and covering the denuded
sur ace with an India-rubber membrane
whose edges are securely glued to the sur
rounding skin. The rubber membrane is
provided with metal shield through which
2 per cent solution of cocaine is introduced
beneath the rubber on the bare skin directly
affecting the nerves.
The use of yesicating collodion might
solve the problem how to remove superfuous
hair in obstinate cases. have lately seen
lady's face which was a constant distress
to its owner on which various forms of
dipilatory treatment have been tried with
out avail improved by similar treatment.
Milder means failing to meet her wishes,
she was provided with a lotion to be used
with care, quantity and time of application
being strictly set down. But woman-like,
she could think of nothing but the desired
improvement in her face, and used months
blistering, which took days to heal and she
was very wroth about it. She came to COM
plain in high state OF dudgeon, of the re-
suits of her own'mistake, to put it mildly,
but with face pinkly white,
SOFT AND CLEAR AS A cHILD's.
The lotion had done its work, though at
cost of needless suffering. The details of
the case would be highly amusing to the
fn ha for .1,,
and friends, afflicted with the care of
hysteric and utterly ungovernable woman.
But similar cases prove that if women want
heroic cure for superfuous hair they can
get it by blistering till the outer skin peels
off. 1t is less painful than electrolysis, and
surer With the cocaine and India rubber
membrane the suffering might be greatly
reduced. I beg to be excused, however,
from personally recommending the treat
ment.
Among the curiosities of disease, DIR. Fry
reports IAN interesting and valuable case"
of young woman of 80 who had run a
heavy sewing machine 10 or II hours daily
for IL years till she was taken with muscu-
lar spasms during which the patient exc
cuted tramping movements with great rapid
ity, her heels making "a great clatter on the
floor" Now this is not fro,h a work ON the
condition of the poor, but none the less in the
cool recital of a medical report, 1t strikes one
as a shameful horror. The human being had
done the work of machine until its move
ments had become mechanical and passed
from voluntary control. Imagine, If you can,
the stress of that ten hours grind day at a
heavy sewing machine for IL years, and re-
member how many creatures live by turning
themselves into machinery in the same way
at a cost of the same suffering.
ADMINISTERING EXERCISE.
A treatment for sciatica used for years in
England and France with much success is
to envelop the leg in powdered sulphur
during the night. DR.. Duchesne has seen a
permanent cure of sciatica by single appli-
cation, and another reports severe case
cured in two nights. A new mode of ad-
Gartner describes an apparatus for ''thera-
peutic application OF muscular work, which
consists of handle to be turned by the
patient through large circle, it being pos
sible to increase or diminish the resistance
offered by the handle" The therapeutic
application of muscular work" is phrase
which expresses good deal, and plain folks
may feel satisfaction in taking their exer-
else without being condemned to a genteel
therapeutic treadmilI, neither more nor
less.
The good doctor might push his idea
farther by projecting machine which with
out the vulgar interference of actual useful
ness would present all the movements Of
brushing, sweeping making beds and mold
ing bread, running up and down stairs,
scrubbing doorsteps and the routine OF
household work without the drawback of
being of the least use. By taking the curse
off in this way, and going through the mo-
tions merely, with resistance graduated to
the dynamic force of the patient, it would
undoubtedly find great favor, and be intro
duced into the public schools in two or
three of our largest and most ideal cities.
THE TREATMENT OF INSOMNIA.
The treatment of insomnia without drugs
is of interest to women, the loss of sleep
being the great cause of their nervous ness
and fading. The fine condition of the skin
depends greatly on the nerves. which directly
control the circulation OF the blood. The
night bath, in which the patient is i'm
mersed, except the head, in water $50 F.,
quickly raised to HOO, for Is minutes, and
returning, wrapped in blankets, to warm
bed, would insure nights refreshing rest
to many fatigued women, and tone to their
complexion wonderfully. DIR. Eccles' body
compress serves a similar purpose, eight
yards OF heated bandage swathing the hips,
the first layer being wet when applied.
Both these methods dilate the blood ves-
sells of the trunk, slowing the hearts beat,
and reducing the supply of blood to the
whole of the brain, inducing complete rest.
Rest that smooths out the fine lines in the |
roseleaf and fills its issue with moisture,
that feeds the pigment Of the eye with color,
and renders it liquid and clear, which
curves the lip ready for a smile and frees |
the nerve of fear or agitation. May it be |