The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-06-15

consider all things before attempting
to apply the remedy. so that when it is
lapplied it will be done correctly.
| A sponge or soft cloth is used. The
acid is diluted until it is just strong
enough to cause slight smarting when
touched, say to an eyelid. This sponge
Tor cloth is then thoroughly saturated
with the solution, and is applied to the
afflicted finger by patting. Shis may
have to be continued for fifteen minutes
before the acid reaches the under skin,
where the affection is rooted.
| The way to determine when the treat
ment has been administered sufficiently
long is by the smarting of the affected
portion. When the cults, where the ring.
worm is, begins to smart rather pain
fully, then it is well to discontinue the
treatment. 1t need not be repeated for
twenty -four hours. 1t may require as
much time for the second application to
bring desired results, and it may not.
Under this treatment the ringworm soon
disappears.
In cases where the difficulty is on the
head the treatment is very similar, eX-
cept that the parts affected are not so
easily accessible. TO treat case of
this sort it is necessary to remove the
hair from over the favus. but | do not
| think it necessary to shave it. Some
hold it is best to shave the whole head
but | cannot see any plausible reason for
| it. After the hair has been carefully
| removed, the acidulated wash is pre-
pared and applied to the affected por
ton, as in the case on the finger. until
the smarting is produced. The treatment
is again discontinued for about twenty
four hours, when it is repeated. This
soon produces the desired effect.
The treatment cited has been only for
ordinary cases. 1t often occurs that
the trouble is so severe that some other
remedial agent is necessary to cooperate
with the acetic acid Then the affect
ed portions should be treated to warm
poultice of potatoes and buttermilk. The
potatoes should be boiled without salt:
then remove the skins and beat to a
batter in buttermilk or weak white
vinegar. BY applying this warm poultice,
in thin bag for an hour or so TO the
ringworm the portion is thoroughly
cleansed. After this, the acid is used as
in the milder forms.
In each case it is necessary that tho
acid should penetrate so deeply and the
effect maintained as to allow it to per-
form its duty. To do this, after the
smarting has been produced with the
vinegar rub over well with olive or al
mond oil.
There is no good reason why favus
should be allowed to affect whole fami-
lies, and even schools, because of trans
mission by infection, if the proper me.
thods are employed to prevent contagion.
This can be done by sponging the body
with good strong white wine vinegar,
followed by thorough rubbing with
olive oil about twice per week during
times of epidemic. If this is done there
will never be an epidemic of favus-and
not only it, but this method is elfec-
tive in many other diseases.
What about the old copper coin? You
ask; where does it come in? Well. YOU
can use one if you wish; it will do no
harm. A modern copper coin will do
just as well, however, and the psychic
effect will be almost as good
When you treat case of ringworm on
the hand of some one who is in the habit
of running for a doctor every time any
little thing happens, you will find it
necessary to use something more than
common vinegar-the name is too home
ly. But when you say acetic acid. and
add the charmed coin. then you secure
the mental cooperation of your patient
and get practical illustration of men
tai healing.