FoodNetArchive

The household cook book

1902

Page 464

Presented as published in 1902. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
NETTLE RASH.— This comes usually from indigestible food. In an acute attack take an emetic to get rid of the otfending sub- stance. This should be followed by a laxative (see " Fruit Laxa- tive " ) and a light diet, and the article which caused it should be avoided thereafter. A few grains of rhubarb, or of rhubarb and magnesia mixed, taken daily just before breakfast and dinner has often cured chronic cases of long standing. NEURALGIA. — The following remedy has often proved success- ful : Take 25 grains of bromide of potassium ; 1 draclim of syrup of orange; 10 drops tincture of nux vomica; 1^ oz. water; mix and take 3 times a day. Take also a i)ill containing 2 grains of quinine with each draught. See also " Headache." NOSE, BLEEDING FROM.— (1) Put the feet in water as hot as can be borne. This will usually stop it. Or (2) roll up a piece of linen, saturate it with hamamelis or alum and stuff it up the nostril (3) Chew something, shutting the jaws tightly together. (4) Apply cold water or ice to the back part of the neck, the forehead and root of the tongue. — Do not bend the head over the basin as that favors the bleeding, but receive the blood on a wet sponge or cloth. FOREIGN BODIES IN THE NOSE.— Have the child draw a deep breath, then ]3lace one hand over his mouth and a finger against the empty nostril, and strike a sharp blow on his back, thus suddenly forcing the air from the lungs through his nose. It will usually force the substance out. MEDICAL HINTS 629 POISONS.— The first effort should usually be to rid the system of the poison, if possible, and then try to overcome its effects. Send for a physician at once, and in the meantime treat as follows: For acids, like carbolic acid, oxcdic acid, salts of sorrel, salt of lemon, acetic acid, etc., or for creosote, give an emetic (see "Emetics," page 879,) followed by chalk or whitmg in water, or lime water, and white of egg. For alkalies, like ammonia, lime, pearlash, potash, smelling salts, etc., give water containing vinegar or lemon juice, then salad or sweet oil, milk, white of egg, gruel. For opium, laudanum, paregoric, morphine, and other jjrepara- tions of opium, or henbane, or belladonna, give an emetic, (see " Emetics," page 879), then strong coffee; keep av/ake with active motion. For arsenic, parts green, rough on rats, etc., phosphorus, matches, scdtpetre, turpentine, or furniture polish, give an emetic, (see " Emetics," page 879), then white of egg, flour and water, or milk. POISON DOGWOOD — When the skin is poisoned by this, apply a weak solution of sugar of lead, or dilute citric acid. POSSON IVY — When the skin is poisoned with ivy, apply a weak solution of carbolic acid, or sugar of lead. Dilute citric acid or sweet spirits of nitre applied freely are also good. Water as hot as it can be borne, applied freely as often as the itching returns, will afford relief. PRICKLY HEAT, — This occurs in hot countries, and in extreme- ly hot weather. The treatment is to open the bowels, eat temper- ately, dress lightly, and keep quiet during the heat. To relieve the itching, especially in children, bathe the skin with warm water con- taining .a little common baking soda. PROUD FLESH. — Apply pulverized loaf sugar, or pulverized burnt alum.