Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-08-17
RS ~.
Home Health
h Club
By DAVID Il. REEDER. Phi. D.. N.h
La Porte, Ind.
BLOOD POISONING.

has become quite the fad nowadays to
pronounce the general disturbance SC
caused blood poison" Only a small
percentage Of the cases so called are
blood poison, however. The disease.
when really present, is indeed a very
serious affection; but is as rule, cas-
lily overcome if properly handled.
True blood poison is, in most cases
caused by the toxic matter from an ul-
cerated condition, or from any wound
being taken up by the circulation and
carried throughout the entire system
1t may occur as the result of careless
ness, uncleanliness, or the improper
dressing of wound.
A genuine case can be determined by
the following symptoms, i, e., in the
beginning, there Is decided chill OF
slight shivering; this may become OF
frequent occurrence, while profuse per
spiratien marks the intervening inter
walls; the pulse Is very rapid, some
times reaching even as high as 15O
beats per minute; the breathing Is
Quickened, and the countenance as
cumes an apprehensive expression; the
glands swell; the sore or wound and
its immediate vicinity become red and
angry In appearance. In prolonged
cases, there is probably a hectic fever.
frequent chills, sleeplessRess, loss OF
appetite, and resulting emaciation. The
skin becomes yellow and spotted; the
Joints swollen; the tongue furred,
there is great thirst; a cough produe-
tive Of much pain In the chest, togeth-
er with prostration, mental and phys.
ical. When these symptoms present
themselves, there Is undoubtedly
case of genuine blood poisoning to deal
with, and it is serious affair.
But, first, it is better to take up those
cases which are blood poison in name
only. A small pimple or red blotch
appears on the back of the hand of
certain person, for instance, AS Is in
variably the case, the fingers Of the
other hand are called into service, and
the pimple is given a severe squeeze,
hoping thus to remove the pus. In
stead of producing the desired effect,
the patient is surprised and chagrined
to find that the place afflicted has
only become enlarged and more angry
looking. This is shown to a knowing
friend, with a recital Of the facts, and
1t is emphatically pronounced blood
poison, which is a great mistake.
The cause Of the difficulty Is inactiv'
ity of the skin. The blood comes to
the hand with its burden Of vitalizing
particles, distributing them where
needed. to find that certain minute
portion of the skin is not performing
its duty Of eliminating noxieus sub
stances, but is allowing them to accu-
mulate. Thus, a portion Of all the
blood that touches this particular spot
is itself polluted by contact. So, you
see, the skin only is at fault.
When a case is reported as blood
poisoning the first thing to be done
is to seek proof that this is the trou'
BILE. So the case is examined. The
tongue is found to be clean, smooth,
and perfectly natural; the eyes are all
right; the pulse is normal So where,
pray. is evidence of the disease that
has been 80 readily charged to the
blood? Assuming that the pimple was
first given a squeeze, and the noxious
matter thereby spread, the blood which
now reaches this point is corrupted In
larger quantities; and the case rapidly
assumes an alarming aspect. But this
is not yet blood poisoning, though the
case is in a fair way to develop into
such.
What is to be done? Upon exam
ination, it is found that the whole
trouble lies In a portion Of the skin
failing to perform its duty Of eliminat-
ing noxious or WORKOUT substance. So,
if this is the cause, the way to bring
about the result desired Is to remove
that cause. Therefore a means OF ex-
polling this corrupt and corruptins
substance must be discovered, and the
particle of skin restored to working
order.
For this purpose few better results
can be secured than the following
method: Brush the afflicted part
we'll with a soft camels hair brush,
dipped in about half a cupful of d.
luted acetic acid or good strong vine
gar. After having thoroughly eleansed
the part in this manner, apply directly
to the sore a poultice of either boiled
turnips or potatoes, mixed with a
very small quantity Of the acid. BY
this application for night or two, the
sore is thoroughly eleansed. Each time
the poultice is removed the spot should
be again treated to a gentle brushing
with the diluted acid. In the course
of a very few days, the case Will yield
rapidly to the treatment.
BY this method Of treatment the pol
sonous acid which has been playing
the whole of the havoc is removed
and replaced by one which cleanses
and restores everything to a healthy
co~dition, and is of healing nature
itself Many physicians prefer car
bOlic to aoetic acid, but l cannot un'
derstand why this is so. Strong car
bolic acid has a tendency to cal
away the sides of a sore, while acetiC
acid is healing in it's properties.
There is many and many poor suf
ferer, who reputed to be afflicted with
blood poison reluctantly accepts the
belief, and at last submits to amputa
ton Of the diseased member. Bear II
mind that all stubborn cases OF ul
ceration do not necessarily produce
blood poison.
It seems that the world to-day II
not satisfied with an ordinary dlment
but absolutely must have some dread
ed name for every Ill that flesh Il
heir to. Can't we be content with Just
plain case of refractory liberation
Isn't 1t bad enough to be afflicted wit