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DOSE IN DROPS FOR DIFFERENT AGES.
If the dose is a spoonful or 60 drops for an adult, the other doses would be correct for the ages given below:
21 and over 60 drops 15 years about 33 drops A few more or less if robust or weakly 12 " " 30 drops "
10 " " 27 drops "
8 " " 24 drops "
6 " " 20 drops "
5 " " 17 drops "
4 " " 15 drops "
3 " " 12 drops "
2 " " 8 drops "
1 " " 4 drops "
Exceptions to this rule are calomel and castor oil, when half an adult dose can be given between 12 and 18.
Opium is dangerous to children and old people and should be administered by a physician or trained nurse.
"Lest We Forget."
COMMON TABLES OF MEASURES.
APOTHECARIES' WEIGHT.
Apothecaries' Weight is used in prescribing and mixing medicines
Table.
20 grains equal 1 scruple 3 scruples " 1 dram 8 drams " 1 ounce 12 ounces " 1 pound
The pound is the same as the pound Troy. Medicines are bought and sold in quant.i.ties by Avoirdupois Weight.
[NURSING DEPARTMENT 637]
1 grain equals 1 drop or 1 minim 60 grains or drops " 1 teaspoonful 1 teaspoonful " 1 fluid dram
8 drams (or 8 teaspoonfuls) make 1 fluid ounce 2 tablespoonfuls make 1 fluid ounce
1/2 fluid ounce is a tablespoonful 2 fluid ounces is a winegla.s.sful 4 fluid ounces is a teacupful 6 fluid ounces is a coffee cup 16 ounces (dry or solid) is a pound 20 fluid ounces is a pint
MEDICINE CHEST.--More important than the furnis.h.i.+ng of the house is the medicine chest. If you are beginning housekeeping let this be your first consideration. Do not put it off because it is a little trouble and costs a few dollars. Yon would not think of leaving your front room or your "spare room" half furnished. Your health is of vastly more importance than the looks of your best rooms. There may come a time when you cannot secure the doctor for several hours or get into a drug store. Be prepared for this emergency and either fix up a home-made box with shelves, etc., or buy a regular medicine chest; in either case have a lock to it and the key where you can find it but where the children cannot reach it.
We give below a few of the necessaries and you will of course add to this list. One mother writes that she went to the store and bought several tiny little bells and tied one of these bells around the neck of each of the bottles in her medicine chest that contained poison. There was no danger of her getting the wrong bottle in the dark. Contents of the Medicine Chest.
Ten cents worth of Alum.
A small bag of Burnt Alum.
A small bottle of Castor Oil.
A small vial of b.i.+.c.hloride of Mercury Tablets.
A box of Boric Acid Powder.
A $mall bottle of Glycerin: A bottle of Extract of Witch-hazel A small bottle of Syrup of Ipecac.
A bottle of Whisky and one of Brandy.
A box of English Mustard.
Medicine gla.s.s.
A small box of Cold Cream.
Soft rubber Ear Syringe.
A Clinical Thermometer.
An Eye Stone.
A pad, pencils, and labels.
A small bottle of Carbolic Acid.
A roll of Adhesive Plaster.
A small box of Pineoline Salve.
A bottle of Arnica.
Hung near the chest should be a fountain syringe with the rubber catheter for use in irrigating the bowels and a hot water bag.
[638 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
HOW TO CARE FOR THE DEAD.
The limbs should be straightened before the body becomes stiff (rigor mortis). The eyes should be closed and the jaws held in position by means of a support placed firmly under the chin; for this a roller bandage or a small padded piece of wood is generally used. Of course if the person has worn false teeth, and they have been taken out during the last hours, they should be replaced immediately after death. The nostrils, mouth, r.e.c.t.u.m, and v.a.g.i.n.a should be packed with absorbent cotton to prevent the escape of discharges after death. After this bathe the body, if so desired by the relatives, with a two per cent watery solution of carbolic acid, and if there are any wounds they should be covered with fresh cotton and neatly fastened with a bandage. The hips may be enclosed in a large triangular binder; the knees are held together by a broad bandage; the hair should be brushed smoothly, and finally stockings and a simple nightgown should be put on. If the case be one of the infectious diseases, wrap the body in a sheet wrung out of a five per cent watery solution of carbolic acid and this sheet should be kept damp.
The room where death occurs should be tidied and regulated to make it look natural and comfortable. The undertaker can be sent for as soon as desired by the family. But if such care as directed has been given, the undertaker need not be hurried.
ENEMA.--Enemata (Injections).--There are various methods used for injecting fluids into the body. When they are introduced into the intestines, we speak of giving enemata (enema is the singular). They are named according to their purpose.
1. Simple laxative or purgative enemata.
2. Nutritive enemata for the purpose of nourishment.
3. Sedative enemata for local or systemic quieting effects.
4. Astringent enemata to check bleeding and diarrhea, like hot water, ice water, solution of alum or nitrate of silver.
5. Emollient (soothing) enemata for soothing irritated and painful mucous membrane; starch and drugs are also used.
6. Antispasmodic enemata to relieve flatulence such as the turpentine enemata.
7. Anthelmintic (against worms) for destroying worms; salt, turpentine and qua.s.sia are used.
8. Antiseptic or germicidal enemata used in dysentery.
9. Stimulating enemata, like hot water, hot strong coffee, hot whisky and water, salt water.
10. To relieve thirst, water one pint or normal salt solution (one dram to a pint of water) and injected high up.
