Mother's Remedies Part 41

Treatment.--Remove cause if possible. Fomentations of hops, smartweed, wormwood are good, even hot water over the bladder. Hot hip bath is good, and also the warm foot bath. The bowels should be kept open with saline laxatives. Buchu tea is very good. Use about one-half ounce of the leaves to a pint of warm water and let it steep, not boil. Drink freely of this.

Pumpkin seed tea or watermelon seed tea is good, also flaxseed tea. Dr.

Hare recommends the following at the beginning if there is fever:

Tincture of Aconite 3 drams Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 ounce Solution of Citrate of Potash enough to make 6 ounces

Mix.

Give a dessertspoonful every four hours until all fever ceases and the pulse is quiet. The patient should be kept quiet.

Diet.--Should be milk only.

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.--Causes.--It follows repeated attacks; partial retention of urine in the bladder, decomposing there; Bright's disease, inflammation of the urethra, injury, etc.

Treatment.--Wash out the bladder with pure warm water or water containing about one to two teaspoonfuls of boric acid to the pint of warm water.

This should be given once or twice a day; or enough permanganate of potash can be put into the water to give the water a tinge of the color. An injection of golden seal, one teaspoonful to the pint of warm water, is good if there is much mucus. The best way to give the irrigation is to attach a small funnel to a soft rubber catheter and fill the bladder by raising the funnel when full of water above the patient's belly; or you can attach the rubber tube of a fountain syringe to a catheter at one end and to a funnel at the other and raise the funnel to the desired height; or you can attach a catheter to the rubber tube of a fountain syringe (clean one) and raise syringe high enough to allow the water to run into the bladder gently. The patient will stand just about so much water. The rubber can then be detached from the catheter and the water allowed to run out.

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DISEASE OF THE PROSTATE GLAND. The prostate, which both in structure and in function is rather a muscle than a gland, is situated at the neck of the bladder and around the first inch of the urethra. It is divided into two lateral (side) lobes (parts) by a deep notch behind and a furrow at the upper and lower surfaces. The so-called middle or third lobe is the portion which is between the two side lobes at the under and posterior part of the gland, just beneath the neck of the bladder. The urethra (the channel for the urine to pa.s.s through from the bladder out through the p.e.n.i.s) usually pa.s.ses through the gland at about the junction of its upper and middle third.

HYPERTROPHY OF THE PROSTATE.--This is a general enlargement of the gland in all directions. All the three lobes may enlarge and in about one-third of the men who have pa.s.sed middle life some enlargement takes place, and in about one-tenth of all men over fifty-five this enlargement becomes of importance in regard to the size. The middle lobe may enlarge so much that it may extend up into the bladder and block the opening into the urethra; the side lobes may compress the urethra into a mere slit, or may lengthen it so that the prostatic portion measures three or four inches, or may twist and distort it so that the most flexible instrument can only be made to pa.s.s through it with difficulty.

Symptoms.--The earliest symptom may be increased frequency in pa.s.sing urine, especially at night. Soon some urine is retained in the bladder, and this may increase so much that only an ounce or two can be pa.s.sed spontaneously, although the bladder contains one pint or more. The stream of urine is feeble, and will drop perpendicularly towards the feet of the patient. In some cases an inflammation of the prostate and bladder is set up, and then the symptoms felt are very distressing. There is an almost constant desire to pa.s.s urine; there is much pain and straining with it; a slight bleeding may follow and night rest is broken; the general strength fails from the continual suffering; the urine becomes foul, smells like ammonia, and is reduced in quant.i.ty; inflammation of the kidneys develops also; general poisoning occurs; and the patient dies of uraemia and in a "coma" condition.

Treatment. Preventive.--The patient should avoid taking cold in this disease. Light and easily digested diet is necessary. The bowels must be kept regular. Alcohol of any kind should not be used. The bladder should be emptied at regular intervals. Some patients keep a catheter and "draw"

their own urine. Unless the patient takes great care, the bladder and urethra will be irritated and perhaps infected through neglect of cleanliness. Medicines are not very useful in severe cases. Operation is the only reliable cure especially when some urine is always retained.

URINARY Pa.s.sAGE. Mother's Remedy.--1. Dandelion Root Will Clean.--"A decoction made of the sliced root of dandelion in white wine is very effectual for cleansing and healing inward ulcers in the urinary pa.s.sage.

If the fresh root cannot be obtained, buy extract of dandelion and give two teaspoonfuls in water once in two or three hours as the case requires.

It also acts on the liver, gall and spleen."

[KIDNEY AND BLADDER 165]

DROPSY.--Dropsy should be regarded as a symptom, which may arise from many causes, such as heart disease, lung disease or kidney disease, or it may depend upon obstruction to the normal flow of blood and lymph through the vessels and tissues.

From Heart Disease.--In heart disease dropsy is due to a weak heart. The heart is unable to supply the arteries with enough blood to maintain the normal pressure, or to damming up of blood in the venous system as the result of imperfect emptying of the heart cavities. In kidney trouble the dropsy depends more on the lack of proper nouris.h.i.+ng processes in the capillary walls and upon changes in the blood and blood pressure. If the kidneys are diseased, they may not be able to eliminate the proper amount of liquids which acc.u.mulate and finally escape into the tissues. Liver troubles cause dropsy by producing pressure upon the large blood-vessels going to the liver, and consequently the fluid is generally confined to the lower limbs and abdomen.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. Dropsy, 1. Juniper Berries Fresh or Dry for.--"The berries of the juniper tree are regarded as excellent home remedies in dropsy. They may be eaten fresh or dry, or make a decoction and drink. Two teaspoonfuls of the berries two or three times a day is considered a dose.

It is well to bruise them thoroughly by breaking the seeds with a hammer before taking." The decoction is more effective. This helps the dropsy by acting on the kidneys.

2. Dropsy, Wild Milkweed for.--"Steep the root of the wild milkweek and drink the tea in doses of a winegla.s.s three times a day. This is a sure cure if taken in early stages."

3. Dropsy, White Bay Buds for.--"White bay buds steeped in water." The white bay buds can be secured at any drug store, and are easily prepared.

Make a tea of these the same as you would make green tea for the table, only stronger. Take several times a day. This is an excellent remedy.

4. Dropsy, Canada Thistle for.--"Steep dwarf elder root, or Canada thistle root, and drink the tea." This is an old tried remedy that our grandmothers used to use, and can be depended upon. We all know that in olden times mothers had to use these herb remedies, as doctors could not be secured as easily as they can in these days.

5. Dropsy, Very Effective Remedy for.--"Make a decoction of fresh dandelion root slices, one ounce to one pint of water boiled down to one-half pint, strain, adding two drams of cream of tartar. Dose: A wine gla.s.sful two or three times a day."

6. Dropsy, Common Herb Remedy for.--"One gallon white beech bark, after the rough bark is removed, good big handful of blackberry root, cut fine, and also of sa.s.safras root. Cover with cold water and steep to get the strength; then strain. When cool, not cold, add one pint bakers' yeast and one cup of sugar. Let it stand twenty-four hours in a warm place. Then strain and set in a cool place. Take a winegla.s.sful three times a day before meals. This has been highly recommended to me by a friend in Kalkaska, Michigan."

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7. Dropsy, "Queen of the Meadow" for.--"Is a symptom of morbid conditions existing in the system, therefore nutritious diet, alkaline baths and a general hygienic regulation of the daily habits are of the greatest importance. Take one teaspoonful of powder of "Queen of the Meadow" in a cupful of water three or four times a day as the case may require. Either use tea or powder."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Dropsy.--Treat the disease that causes it.

Remedies should be given that will cause an outpouring of the liquids.

Salines, such as epsom salts in large doses. Cream of tartar and epsom salts (equal parts) taken freely is effective. If the kidneys are inactive owing to heart trouble, the following may be used: An infusion of digitalis in one to four teaspoonful doses every three to four hours. This pill is good.

Powdered Digitalis 20 grains Powdered Squills 20 grains

Mix into twenty pills and take one every five hours.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

INFECTION AND CONTAGION.--These words are often used in such a way that a wrong impression is made. A disease may be infectious but not contagious.

Malaria is an instance. Infection means an ability to enter the body from any source, wind, water, food or other persons and produce a characteristic disease. The agency doing this is known as a germ.

Contagion is properly a poisoning of one individual from contact with a diseased individual in some way known or unknown. It may be conveyed indirectly through clothes, etc., or other person; but always comes from some person sick with the same disease. Diseases may be both infectious and contagious. Nearly all the epidemic diseases of infancy are both infectious and contagious and accompanied by fever. In nursing children, suffering from infectious diseases the mother or nurse should avoid their breath and handle them as little as possible. All secretion from bowels and kidneys should fall in a vessel containing a disinfecting solution of Copperas, b.i.+.c.hloride of mercury, etc., and should be emptied into the sewer or buried. Following are the solutions as made. Copperas:--Put a lump as big as a walnut in the chamber with one-half pint of water, to receive feces, urine, sputum and vomited matter from infectious and contagious patients.

2. Solution of chlorinated soda, four fluid ounces; water ten ounces, useful for hands and dishes, not silverware. Dissolve eight corrosive sublimate tablets, also called b.i.+.c.hloride, in a gallon of water. This is used to disinfect floors, woodwork, rubber, and leather, but not metal parts. Great care must be taken to have the hands washed after handling such a patient, so as not to infect the food, eyes, mouth, or any small skin sores.

[INFECTIOUS DISEASES 167]

Diet in Infectious Diseases.--Foods that can be used: Milk, milk-water, milk and lime-water, Mellin's food, malted milk, imperial granum, alb.u.min water, rice water, oatmeal water, barley water, egg (white part), and barley water, arrowroot water, whey, whey and cream mixture, cream and rice mixture, beef tea, beef extract, mutton broth, beef juice. Chewing broiled steak and only swallowing the juice, dry toast and soft boiled eggs, milk toast, dried beef broth, soups, rice, cornstarch, tapioca, etc.

The diet must not consist of solid food in any severe case of fever. Small quant.i.ties of cold drinks can be given, frequently repeated if there is no vomiting. Frequent was.h.i.+ng with tepid water or cool water lessens the fever and produces sleep. The bowels should be kept open at least once a day, and castor oil or salts usually can be given. (See Nursing and Dietetics department.)

Table of Infectious Diseases.

Date of characteristic Whole Incubation lasts symptom. duration.

Mumps 7 to 20 days 1st day 7 days or less Whooping Cough 2 to 7 days 7 to 14 days 2 months Diphtheria 1 to 12 days 1 to 2 days 1 week to 1 month Erysipelas 2 to 8 days 1 to 2 days 1 week to 3 weeks Varioloid 10 to 13 days 1 day 1 week to 3 weeks Chicken Pox 12 to 17 days 1 day 4 to 7 days German Measles 1 to 3 weeks 1 day 3 to 4 days Measles 12 to 14 days 4 days 7 to 9 days Scarlet Fever 1 to 7 days 1 to 2 days 7 to 12 days Typhoid Fever 1 to 14 days 7 to 8 days 3 to 5 weeks Smallpox 10 to 14 days 3 to 4 days 2 to 4 weeks

SCARLET FEVER. Definition.--Scarlet fever is an acute infectious disease, with a characteristic eruption.

Modes of Conveying.--The nearer a person is to a patient the more likely one is to take or convey the disease. Clothing, bedding, etc., may retain the poison for months. Scales from the skin of a patient, dried secretions, the urine if inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) exists, the discharges (feces) from the bowels, are all means of infection. The longer a person remains near the patient the more likely he is to convey the disease. Foods handled by those sick of the disease, or by those who may have been near patients may convey the disease. This is especially true of milk. Epidemics of scarlet fever have been started by dairy-men who had scarlet fever in their family. I once attended a family where the only known cause for it in that family was a long-haired dog of a neighbor who had scarlet fever in the family. The dog was in the room with the sick ones, and visited the neighbor's family and played with the children who afterwards came down with the fever. Discharges from the ear, caused by scarlet fever, are said to be capable of giving it.

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Remains in the Room, how long?--It may remain for months in a room, and extend over two years as recorded by Murchison. We do not yet know how the poison obtains entrance to the body. Hence, the need for thorough disinfection.

Age, Occurrence, Susceptibility.--All children exposed to the disease do not contract the disease. It is less contagious than measles. A person who is exposed once, and does not take it, may take it at a future exposure.

It occurs at any age and in all countries. It occurs oftener in autumn (September) and winter (February). Isolated cases occur, and then it is called sporadic. This disease attacks nursing children less frequently than older children. It is not often seen during the first year of life.