The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-15
Medical Notes.

1t IS not usually supposed that any ex-
ercise of the VIII power can be made eff-
cient In checking cough or a sneeze; but
DR.. Brown -Sequard I'm one of his lectures
said Of the subject: Coughing can be
stopped by pressing on the nerves Of the
lips in the neighborhood OF the nose.
Sneezing may be stopped by the same
mechanism. Pressing in the neighbor-
hood of the ear. right in front of the
ear may stop coughing. 1t is also truo
of hiccoughing, but much less 50 than for
sneezing or coughing. Pressing very
hard en- the top of the mouth is also q
means Ct stopping coughing and many
say the Will has immense power. There
are many other affections associated with
breathing which can be stopped by the
same mechanism that stops the hearts
action. In spasms OF the CLOTHS which
is q terrible thing in children and also
in whcoping cough. 1t is possible to aG-
ford relief by throwing cold water on
the feet or by tickling the soles Of the
feet which produces laughter and at the
same time arrests the Spasn3 almost at
once. l would not say that We al
ways prevent cough by our will but in
many instances these things are possible
and IL you remember that IN bronchitis
and pneumonia or any acute affection OF
the lungs hacking or coughing greatly
increases the trouble, at times you can
easily see how important 1t IS for the
patient to try to avoid coughing as best
he can
In the writing of prescriptions one Of
the greatest dangers is from abbreviation
which is In some cases Que to hurry,
not to call it laziness. and in some cases.
sad to say. 1t due to ignorance. The
vital objection to abbreyi6tion is that
mistakes may be made In filing them,
mistakes which may render the prescrip-
ton useless for the purpose intended and
may lead TO death Acid, hydro. might be
hydrocyanic acid. fprussic acid hydro
chloric acid or hyGrobroHnic acid, this be
ing an example OF hundred similar con
fusion of meanings that may result from
authorizations. The danger from such
short cuts is still further increased by
ilIeSibility in writing. In filing many
prescriptions the most expert decipherer
of hieroglyphIcs often resorts to guess
work, sometimes with fatal results for
which, according to the courts the ply
stefan and druggist are equally guilty
OF mansiaughter. A physician writing Of
| the language of prescriptions says that
some which he has seen were less legiblc
than Il baby's first crude scrawl and he
suggests to physicians who cannot write
fair hand to use a typewriter or even
have certain often usel prescriptions
printed in advance which may be a ma
| chire-made practice, but is certainly a
safe one.
As medicinal fruit grapes come flrst.
especially black grapes. which are most
nutritious and at the same time purify
the blood. Grape cures are quite the
fashion in some parts Of the continent
and are said TO work miracles at times.
Peaches are the most hygienic to the
human system, as well as being one Of
the most exquisite fruits In nature.
Nothing indeed. Is more palatable, whole
some. and medicinal than a good ripe
peach. Peaches should not. however. be
eaten over ripe. They may be eaten at
meals OF between meals; they are par
ttculdrly hygienic when eaten at break
| fast. An orange eaten before breakfast
will 1t Is said, cure dyspepsia sooner
than anything else Apples are also very
hygtenic. especially when baked or
stewed. They are excellent in MANY
cases Of illness ard are far better than
salts. oils, and pills. The Juice of
oranges, as OF lemons. is most valuable
to make drinks in cases Of fever To-
some liver and gastric complaints and
are certainly more pleasant than medi-
cine. Figs, raspberries Strawberries.
cur-arts, and cherries. are all cooling and
purifying to the system, while being nu-
tritious at the same time.
The baby's bath IS very important ia
his welfare, and its temperature is very
! important to his comfort. Many people
determine the temperature like the old
woman who said when the baby turned
red she knew the bath was too hot, and
II he turned blue she knew Il was toe
cold A bath thermometer can be easily
made by fastening an ordinary thermom.
eter into a large cork, so that 1t can fOai
upright in the water. At birth the Their.
mometer should show the temperature Of
the bath as 100 degrees F.; during the first
| month, 81 degrees F.; one to six months
30 degrees F.: twelve months, 80 degrees
F.; one to two years, Sc degrees T. The
! quality of the soap used Is also of great
Importance, as that containing an excess
/ of alkaH initiates the delicate skin and
causes eczema. After the bath no dust
ing powder is necessary. If the skin is Fl
normal condition and Is properly dried
its chief objection being that nurses are
apt to neglect proper drying of the skin
relying upon the powder as an absorbent
Properly used, however. there Is no OBJ
lection to the powder and It may add
to the comfort OF the child.
Here are some practical hints for tn.
cure of an ordinary cold in the head
tsE'irsf writes pr william -or,a.