Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-15

Deadly Poisons Handled in a Reckless
Way by Inyalids,

way ny iHSdiluSs
How dangerous thing is little knowledge"
has frequently been proved, says the New York
Times. In these days, particularly when every
other person one meets has a notion or theory
to advance upon the ethics of life, mental and
physical. discretion is imperative. You have q
sore throat, perhaps, and say so to a friend you
encounter in a street car. 'Oh," she cries,
whipping open her bag, ''you want a chlorate
Of potash loLenge. / am never without
them. Whenever I feel dryness in my
throat, however slight, / pop one in my
mouth and the dryness vanishes. / don't wait
till the really sore stage is reached" She had
much better do so. for the probabilities are
that she consumes forty useless Iozenges to the
one that proves a remedial agent, and the
thlrty-nlne are not only useless, but harmful.
The same properties which act successfully
upon the inf1amed tissues of the throat act.
when they are not SO absorbed, unkindly upon
the normal tissues of the stomach.
oUININE AND ACoNITE.
Quinine, too, that most benefcent OF rem
edies in many cases, is much abused in as many
more cases. The climatic conditions of this
region do not demand its incessant consump-
ton. Yet in innumbersble households the box
OF qulnlne pellets from one grain for the chill
dren up to five and even ten for the seasoned
head of the family seems to be an essential.
QuInlno Is counted among the ten dangerous
drugs. and the statistics Of the hospital show
1t to be the most prolific cause OF deafness
And on the other hand this noble compound Is
accredited with having increased the average
length of life two and half years.
Another drug used in the hands of women
especially is aconite. Many mothers will tell
calmly of keeping supply on hand with which
to dose the children Unfortunately on the
appearance OF any abnormal condition For
tunately, most Of the aconite thus recklessly
used is in the little sugar pills of the homeo-
path, doubtless given thus judiciously because
of the habit but there are mothers who boldly
administer the mother tincture. Yet aconite is
deadly poison, used by physicians with the
most scrupulous care and nicely, and supple
mented generally with its antidote or compile
ment 1t does serious evil which must speedily
be repaired with it good.
Simpler drugs are proportionately powerful
II persisted in. So mild distillation as the es-
sence of peppermint is injurious to the digest
i've organs taken too often. All medicine, in
deed, that Is not necessary works a degree of
evil. For a slight ailing, if diet, natural sleep
and proper exercise will not remove it. the safe
plan Is to summon a physician. As the late
DIR. II. H. Hamilton said: mot every one who
wants dose of salts or of SIENNA should send
for a doctor, but every one who needs it"
WORSE THAN SEWER GAS.
In this regard much mischief is worked by
lnulscreet press paragraphs. Thoughtless
writer's, intent on advancing something
unique. or, worse, on filling space. are respon-
sibe for suggestions and directions that do
serious in jury. Sometimes, it is to be feared
these writer's realize their ignorance and do
not regard it, but often they have no concep-
ton of what may come of their confident ad-
vice. Not long ago, in a publication of repute,
was found a sewer gas disinfectant, to be used
under sinks and about set bowls. woman
reader went at once to druggist, nam
ing the article, and asking for some.
The druggist questioned her in regard
to its use. She explained that she wanted
to put it In shallow dishes and set them
about the plumbing in her bed rooms "Why,
my dear madam" said the druggist "anv
member of your family who slept where the
fumes Of this stuff could be inhaled through
the night would have pneumonia by morning,
if he were alive" The vapors, it seems, were
almost fatal if inhaled for any length of time
Yet nothing had been said in the printed para
graph about this; no hint even given as to care
in its use.
Women are most apt to be the victims of this
sort OF ignorance or carelessness. They are
much more credulous than men concerning
what they read in newspapers, and are usually
eager to TRY things" When it comes to sug-
gestions relating to their personal appearance
this Is especially true, and writer's on these
subjects will do well to weigh their words care
fully, for they may rely on securing respect
able following.