The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-09-24
KEROSENE COAL oIL) AS A REMEDY

KEROSENE (COhA OAhJ AS fA AsAS
 From a symposium of our readers on the remedial use of kerosene (coal OIL: Cramp in Leg
 Being of sedentary habits when go trout ing or hunting. cramps will suddeniy aeveiop during the night, prominent knot ,olne .,s in the leg muscles. I have often rolled out of bed to the floor, over to the stand anu s2S.ed the kerosene lamp. removing chimney unscrewing burner and dabbing the WICK soaked kerosene on the cramp In two or three minutes this seems to bring relief and I go back to bed serene and happy. G. Q)
 This is harmless at any rate, ana interestlns if not convincing. It is not convncihg to my mind because so many readers have reported that they obtain relief from such leg cramps bS merely pressing the balls of the rect against the foot of the bed, or by getting out or pea ana walking about on their toes TOT 1e" moments
 Eczema
 our eldest son broke out with eczema at the age of four months and in spite of med icaI care the trouble persisted-it was the weeping kind-until he was past two years old From then until last winter Che IS now twelve years old) he was free from it. But owing to the depression we used great deal of oatmeal, which, believe caused 1t break out again on both legs. We tried various cures to no effect
 Notwithstanding the depression; -..,.' but on using the kerosene noticed an inn mediate improvement. Both legs are now healed and give him no trouble so long as he remembers to grease the spots before going in swimming, If he fails to do that there IS some irritation. (Mrs J. M. O.
 Several readers have reported apparent ben- eft in obstinate eczema from application or kerosene (coal Oil refined petroleum)
 First Aid for Burns
 Kerosene oil applied to q burn will relieve the excruciating pain immediately and pre- vent blistering. The soothing effect is like magic. If the feet hands are burned sub merge them in the oil. If face or body sop burned surface wet with the oil until lieved. (Mrs C. F. S.)
 The lady may be quite right about everything except the prevention of blistering. If a\burn can prevent blistering. If a burn is a third de- gree burn, nothing can prevent scar formation. Of course intelligent treatment from the first to the last will prevent EXCESSIVE blistering. scar production In any burn. Perhaps we should explain the terms: First degree burn is merely reddening of the skin. whether from flame, sun, scalding or contact with hot sur face; second degree is bstering; third degree burn is charring destruction of skin or deeper tissues.
 Several other readers submitted legends or second hand reports of remarkable remedial uses of kerosene oil, but We must exclude hear say snd confine this symposium to first hand personal experiences.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Birthmark
 have n nevus or blrthmark on my back be- tow my right shoulder blade. Can you tell me any way to conceal this without fear of the purple showing through? Miss J. S. A)
 Answer--Why not cover 1t with d disc of black court plaster and pretend 1t Is just a beauty spot? The mark can be removed by q good physician. or rendered comparatively in conspicuous. Or perhaps you can keep n coat of flexible collodiOn on it. tinted to match the normal skin. A few drops of ichthyol may be used to tint the coodon
 Too Late
 l am 40 years old. Could not afford \ child when l first married. as 1 had to go to business Now that 1 am in a position to have my husband and family think am too old. (Mrs D. W.
 Answer-So far as childbearing Is concerned q woman Is as old as she feels Often it hap pens that when this has been put off for several years 1t Is impossible when at last the reluctant parents decide to chance 1t. l only assure you that in actual practice women 35 to 4l years of age bearing first child usually have | normal. easy delivery. Do you feel like show ng them you're not an old woman? The Ignorance of the Wiseacrc Maybe my intelligence is of low order, but must dlner with you on worms and sugar The common tapeworm prefers meat and su- gar in his diet. I suggest that the combination In quantity Of the two makes Q good culture medium for the worm to start, particularly in a weakened condition of the human body. (S E. M.) Answer--You said 1t. Your intelligence i. evidently of a high order, but your Ignorance is deep as that of all the wiseacres A tape. worm can start" only when the human hos ngests the larva of the worm in raw or under. done beef that happens to be "measly," that Is infested with the tapeworm larvae. If tape. worm is fond of sugar. 1t Is odd that the adult stage prefers thealmentary canal of mar and the larval stage the muscles of cattle Il | doesn't matter what food tapeworm prefers The quantity of food necessary to maintain tIav iA ina tAcan fr nir ,,ufo0