The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-13
HYGIENE FOR HOME.
New Drug for the Cure Of
Sleeplessness.
ABUSES OF VARIOUS DRUGS.
An Invalid's Hygienic Butter-Hew to
Treat the Skin-The Detection Of
Impure Drinking Water.

Hysterical patients and those suffering
from insomnia seem in fair way to OBJ
tain cure for their nervous disorders.
In Europe and America the best medical
experts have been searching for some
cure which will quiet the nerves and in
duce sleep without producing any of the
bad results which are so common with
most of the drugs now used for this pur-
pose After experimenting with many
new drugs, an English physician of great
eminence has secured exceptional results
in the use of chloralamide. The hypnotic
action is so good that it will probably be
substituted for morphia, cocaine and
similar drugs In his own words DIR.
Gordon SAYS: with the smaller dose
there was no evidence of any sleep-in-
ducing power, but when doses of twenty
grains and upward were given and the
subject placed in favorable surroundings
for sleep, the hypnotic influences became
evident. The sleep induced was pleasant,
tranquil and easy, awakening was gradual
and without mental confusion, headache
or depression. As rule sleep came on in
half an hour after the dose" A great
number of experiments were made and OBJ
seryations taken. 1t was observed that
after the drug was used once or twice 1t
was followed by several nights of peaceful,
quiet sleep, and the patient would fire.
quently get in the habit OF falling asleep
so that no recourse TO artificial methods
for the drug was developed when it was
administered nightly for weeks, nor was
there any drowsiness or depression during
the day time In cases of senile insomnia,
hysteria and pulmonary diseases the very
best results were obtained. The possibili
ties of relief to those suffering from in
somnia are still great, and chloralamide
seems TO answer the purpose.
USE AND ABUSE OF DRUGS.
But speaking about drugs naturally sug-
gests the great use and abuse of them
which has occurred in the past, and is
happening today. Certain drugs have
their day, and during that time they are
used in extravaganza manner, indicting
great evils upon the human race. At one
time mercury was used extensively and
abused correspondingly by thousands of
people. Quinine and morphia are the
drugs now most abused. The former is
employed now for nearly everything from
a cold to a serious fever, although great
danger from the long-lasting effects of the
drug is apparent to ALL The great thing
in medicine is proper hygiene and diet,
but that the people at large do not realize,
or at least live up to their knowledge, is
apparent from the great sums of money
invested in drugs and patent medicines.
The figures taken from a recent medical
census would be startling. A few years
ago there was invested in the drug trade
sos, SOC, 600, with products to the value of
$4,000, 90; SIC, 500, 900 capital, and $14 500,-
600 of products in the patent medicine
business or total in both of 500 600 900 for
drugs and medicine. The true physician
is now giving less and less medicine, and
attending more to the surroundings and
diet of the patients. On the other hand
the water cure people, the hydropaths and
vegetarians go too far to the other extreme
in not using enough medicine. Drugs are
useful IN their place, but they should be
prescribed by physician and used, but
not abused. Using drugs in this way will
help to improve your system and save
money for You. Indiscriminate uses of
them will rob your purse and ruin your
health.
AN INvALID's BUTTER.
A great many invalids are prohibited
from eating butter, and yet they would
greatly relish little of it on their toast
The true invalid's butter, which meets all
hygienic requirements, has been made
from the milk of the cocoanut. In addi-
ton to this, it is far superior to animal fat
and butter, as well as any of their substi-
tutes, as far as flavor and quality are con-
cerned. DIR. Schlenck, German chemist,
has the credit of discovering the butter,
and French and American authorities sup
port him IN his great claims for the cocoa
nut butter. But the natives OF many of
the South Sea isles have at least been
pioneers in this industry, and many
of them have been accustomed to
make peculiar sort of compound
out of the milk of the cocoanuts
which might be styled primitive butter"
Ihey often use IT as sauce or relish to
their breadstutf in the same way that we
use our butter. But, of course, their crude
product Is very different from the product
now manufactured from the cocoanuts i'm
ported from India and sold TO civilized
nations all over the globe This butter is
white, transparent mass, of the consist
ency of lard, without granular texture. 1t
may not be used generally as a substitute
Tor good creamery butter, thus crowding
the cows out of their business, but it viii
very probably be sold as an invalid's but
ter, and for those whose systems are so
delicate that ordinary cows butter cannot
be eaten with pleasure.
HOW TO TREAT THE SKIN.
If the skin is properly kept in order the
general system Will, as rule, be free from
disease. As soon as the physiology of the
skin is interfered with the general health
is endangered. These two assertions NAV
be memorized as two unalterable laws of
nature. Modern civilization tends TO run
counter to them, and TO ignore their exist
ence, hut like all other laws of nature the
people have to suffer for their ignorance.
The aim OF hygiene, proper diet. and med
lcal work Is 10 give proper resistance
power 10 the system so THAT disease can be
thrown Oft or prevented attacking the
body. The skin is thus the great rampart
OF the body, and the strongest fertilization
that we have. Nearly all diseases come in
through the pores of the skin, and they
can only get out through the same chan
neis. Good tonics can be obtained by let
ting pure air come In through the skin.
and ventilation 10 the skin is inst "a
essential as 10 the lungs. The tendency
Is TO overdress, and to prevent the skin
from working properly, and To clothe the
body with garments that prevent the air
from circulating properly over the large
surface oil the skin. Frequent baths are
not sufficient 10 keep the skin in healthful
condition. Clothes in hot weather should
not be used which Will prevent the air
from circulating freely around the skin.
Napor baths should be used occasionally
10 open the pores. Put half a gill of alco-
hol IN an iron cup, light il. place il under
chair, and then set over il with blanket
wrapped around the shoulders and waist
This will make you perspre freely. After
TINS operation Jump into the bath tub and
rub the SKIN thoroughly with coarse
towel. Besides washing ont the skin free
~ TINS VIII act ike strong tonic and
make new man of you
HOW TO 1xTEcr IMPURE DRINKING WATER.