SIippery=Elm Bark has a demulcent property which makes it soothing to an in- flamed or irritated part of the body ; in ery- sipelas, for example. It is rather heavy to the stomach for internal use to advantage. Soap. — Castile soap is the kind preferred when nicety is particularly desired. This is used by some people to clean their teeth. It is an ingredient, also, in some purgative pills, and is commonly employed for laxa- tive suppositories, and to make warm suds for opening injections. A lather of soap, made as for shaving, and applied with a shaving-brush, is one of the most relieving applications for itching ; for example, in poison-vine eruption, or other affections of the skin. Soap Liniment. — Camphorated tincture of soap. An excellent bathing material, so- called ; that is, for rubbing a part, to warm and stimulate the movement of blood at and near the surface. It is good for sore-throat, sprains, etc., in this wav. 521 58 THE FAAIIL V DOCTOR Soda, — Bicarbonate of sodium is the chemical name of the article which is used. in baking and washing, as well as in medi- cine. It is an excellent and not disagree- able antacid, relieving sourness of stomach, and often nausea (sickness of stomach) bet- ter than anything else. For such a use it may be taken, in small quantities. What would cover a little finger nail, if it would hold it — a piJich we may say — is an ordinary antacid dose, although twice as much may be taken for a single time. It is often pre- scribed by physicians for gravel. Soda water, or mineral water, has no soda in it, but is made by forcing into com- mon water carbonic acid gas, given off by the bicarbonate of sodium in solution , upon the addition of an acid to it, as sulphuric or chlorohydric acid. 5pice=Plasters. — When a child's stom- ach is sick, or it is obstinately colicky, one of the most helpful things is a spice-plaster. Take of ginger, cinnamon✪ Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb, and cloves, all powdered, each one or two teaspoonfuls ; of wheat flour, the same amount. Mix all up together on a hot plate, with enough whiskey or brandy to make a pasty mass. Spread this (not too thickly, on account of its weight) on a piece of thin flannel, with the edges turned in over it all round . When applied to the abdomen (it had better be large enough to cover the whole belly), it should have laid over it a piece of oiled silk, to prevent evaporation. Then it can stay on several hours, and, when dry, may be freshened up again by adding a litle more brandy or whiskey. Like the spice-plaster in action, is the application of a piece of flannel wet with esseiice of ginger, and covered with oiled silk. This will be son].ewhat more irritating to the skin of young and delicate children than the spice-plaster. Squills, — The bulb of an onion-like plant, of which the syj'up is most used. It is an excellent cough-medicine (expecto- rant) ; rather less loosening than ipecac, and therefore suited to a later stage in a bronchial attack. Dose, from a half- tea - spoonful to a teaspoonful. This syrup should be in every medicine-chest. In pill, squill is often given as a diuretic 522 (increasing the flow of urine). Dose for this use, one or two grains, three times daily. Staphysagria. — Stavesacre. A drug used in powder as an effective parasiticide ; especially to destroy the eggs or ' ' nits ' ' of lice.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Slippery Elm Bark has a demulcent property which makes it soothing to an inflamed or irritated part of the body ; in erysipelas, for example. It is rather heavy to the stomach for internal use to advantage. Soap. — Castile soap is the kind preferred when nicety is particularly desired. This is used by some people to clean their teeth. It is an ingredient, also, in some purgative pills, and is commonly employed for laxative suppositories, and to make warm suds for opening injections. A lather of soap, made as for shaving, and applied with a shaving-brush, is one of the most relieving applications for itching ; for example, in poison-vine eruption, or other affections of the skin. Soap Liniment. — Camphorated tincture of soap. An excellent bathing material, so-called ; that is, for rubbing a part, to warm and stimulate the movement of blood at and near the surface. It is good for sore-throat, sprains, etc., in this wav. Soda.— Bicarbonate of sodium is the chemical name of the article which is used. in baking and washing, as well as in medicine. It is an excellent and not disagreeable antacid, relieving sourness of stomach, and often nausea (sickness of stomach) better than anything else. For such a use it may be taken, in small quantities. What would cover a little finger nail, if it would hold it — a piJich we may say — is an ordinary antacid dose, although twice as much may be taken for a single time. It is often prescribed by physicians for gravel. Soda water, or mineral water, has no soda in it, but is made by forcing into common water carbonic acid gas, given off by the bicarbonate of sodium in solution , upon the addition of an acid to it, as sulphuric or chlorohydric acid. Spice-Plasters. — When a child's stomach is sick, or it is obstinately colicky, one of the most helpful things is a spice-plaster. Take of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, all powdered, each one or two teaspoonfuls ; of wheat flour, the same amount. Mix all up together on a hot plate, with enough whiskey or brandy to make a pasty mass. Spread this (not too thickly, on account of its weight) on a piece of thin flannel, with the edges turned in over it all round . When applied to the abdomen (it had better be large enough to cover the whole belly), it should have laid over it a piece of oiled silk, to prevent evaporation. Then it can stay on several hours, and, when dry, may be freshened up again by adding a litle more brandy or whiskey. Like the spice-plaster in action, is the application of a piece of flannel wet with essence of ginger, and covered with oiled silk. This will be somewhat more irritating to the skin of young and delicate children than the spice-plaster. Squills, — The bulb of an onion-like plant, of which the syj'up is most used. It is an excellent cough-medicine (expectorant) ; rather less loosening than ipecac, and therefore suited to a later stage in a bronchial attack. Dose, from a half- tea - spoonful to a teaspoonful. This syrup should be in every medicine-chest. In pill, squill is often given as a diuretic (increasing the flow of urine). Dose for this use, one or two grains, three times daily. Staphysagria. — Stavesacre. A drug used in powder as an effective parasiticide ; especially to destroy the eggs or ' ' nits ' ' of lice.

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