Mother's Remedies Part 77

Symptoms.--The heart is weak. The pulse is rapid, small and irregular, palpitation and fainty sensations come on suddenly during the course of diseases mentioned. The outlook is serious and life may end suddenly.

Treatment.--The same as that given for endocarditis. Absolute rest is necessary. A good nouris.h.i.+ng diet must be given and a doctor is always needed.

PHLEBITIS, INFLAMMATION OF THE VEINS.--Causes.--Some irritation of the vein, as a puncture or any other injury accompanied by infection.

Symptoms.--Pain and tenderness along the course of the vein with discolored skin and acute swelling (watery) below the obstruction. Pulse rapid, high temperature, chills, dry and brown tongue and pain.

Treatment.--Absolute quiet is necessary, with the affected limb elevated.

Lead and laudanum wash should be applied, or hot antiseptic fomentations if an abscess is forming. An abscess should be opened, keep up the patient's strength.

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VARICOSE VEINS (Varix).--This term means an enlarged, elongated, tortuous, knotty condition of the veins. The term "varicose veins" is restricted in general use to the veins of the extremities, and especially those belonging to the lower extremity. The disease begins with a slow dilation of the vein, which gradually becomes thickened and tortuous. The inner lining membrane or coat of the vein is altered, the valves are shortened and thus rendered insufficient to support the column of blood. The outer coat becomes thickened. The varicose conditions affect chiefly the superficial veins.

Predisposing Causes.--They are most frequent in the female s.e.x. The tendency increases as the age advances. Obstruction. Anything that obstructs the full return of blood in the veins, as tight garters below the knee, etc. Standing work may bring it on.

Exciting Causes.--Tumors in the pelvis; diseases of the heart and lungs; pregnancy. These all obstruct the full return of blood in the veins.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT FOR VARICOSE VEINS.--Palliative.--Remove the cause if possible. Treat the heart and lung troubles. Remove the pelvic tumors.

In pregnancy, the woman afflicted with this trouble should not be much on her feet, but should remain lying down in bed as much as possible. This position removes the weight of the pregnant womb from the veins and allows a free return of the venous blood. An elastic bandage, or a perfectly fitting elastic stocking, supports the veins, equalizes the circulation and turns the flow to the deeper veins, which do not, as a rule, become varicose. This silk stocking should be made to order. This treatment gives much comfort in chronic varicose veins.

DISEASES OF THE EYE AND EAR

The first thing we notice in looking at the eye may be the lids and at each edge are the eyelashes. When this edge becomes inflamed it is called Blenharitis Marginalis or inflammation of the margin of the eyelids. It is called thus from the name of the eyelid "Blepharon;" It is always means inflammation.

If we turn down the lower lid and turn up the upper, we see a red membrane called the conjunctiva (connecting). This is the mucous membrane of the eye. It lines the inner surface of both lids and is reflected over the fore part of the Sclerotic and Cornea--two other coats of the eye, The palpebral or eyelid portion of the conjunctiva is thick, opaque, highly vascular (filled with blood vessels) and covered with numerous papillae.

It turns back (reflects) over the Cornea, but it consists only of a very thin structure (epithelium) forming the anterior layer of the cornea and is, in health, perfectly transparent. Upon the sclerotic it is loosely attached to the globe. When the conjunctiva becomes inflamed it is called (Conjunctiv(a)itis) conjunctivitis. The sclerotic-cornea forms the external tunic (coat) of the eyeball, the sclerotic being opaque and forming the posterior five-sixths of the globe; the cornea, which forms the remaining sixth (the front white part that is plainly seen) being transparent. The sclerotic (means dense and hard) serves to maintain the form of the globe, the eyeball.

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The cornea.--This is almost circular in shape. It is convex anteriorly and projects forward from the sclerotic in the same manner that a watch gla.s.s does from its case. This layer covers what we call the pupil.

The second tunic or coat (membrane) is formed from behind forward by the Choroid, the ciliary body and the Iris. The choroid is the vascular and dark coat covering the posterior five-sixths of the globe. The ciliary body connects the choroid to the circ.u.mference of the iris. The iris is the circular muscular septum (division) which hangs vertically behind the cornea, presenting in its center a large rounded opening, the pupil.

The choroid is a thin highly vascular membrane of a dark brown or chocolate color and is pierced behind by the optic nerve and in this situation is firmly adherent to the sclerotic.

The ciliary body comprises three muscles for its make-up and connects the choroid to the circ.u.mference of the iris.

The Iris (rainbow) has received its name from its various colors in different individuals. It is a thin, circular shaped, contractile curtain, suspended in the aqueous (watery) humor behind the cornea and in front of the lens, being perforated a little to the nasal (nose) side of its centre by a circular opening, the pupil, for the transmission of light. By its circ.u.mference it is continuous with the ciliary body, and its inner or free edge forms the margin of the pupil. The anterior surface of the iris is variously colored in different individuals and marked by lines which converge toward the pupil.

The Retina.--This is a delicate membrane, upon the surface of which the images of external objects are received. Its outer surface is in contact with the choroid; its inner, with the vitreous (gla.s.s) body. Behind it is continuous with the optic nerve; it gradually diminishes in thickness from behind forward. The retina is soft, semi-transparent and of a purple tint in the fresh state. Exactly in the centre of the posterior part of the retina corresponding to the axis of the eye, and at a point in which the sense of vision is most perfect, is an oval yellowish spot, called after its discoverer, the yellow spot or Macula lutea of Sommering.

Refracting Media.--The aqueous humor completely fills the anterior and posterior chambers of the eyeball. The anterior chamber is the s.p.a.ce bounded in front by the cornea; behind by the front of the iris. The posterior chamber is a narrow c.h.i.n.k between the peripheral part of the iris, the "suspensory ligament" of the lens and the "ciliary processes."

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The vitreous body forms about four-fifths of the entire globe, It fills the concavity of the retina and is hollowed in front, forming a deep cavity, for the reception of the lens. It is perfectly transparent and of the consistency of thin jelly. The fluid from the vitreous body resembles nearly pure water. The crystalline lens enclosed in its capsule is situated immediately behind the pupil, in front of the vitreous body. The lens is a transparent, double-convex body. It is more convex on the posterior than on the anterior surface. The rays of light go through this body and converge to a point at the back of the retina.

BLEPHARITIS MARGINALIS.--This means a chronic inflammation of the margin or edge of the eyelids accompanied by congestion, thickening and ulceration of the parts and the formation of scales and crusts.

Causes.--The underlying cause is often an inflammation of the conjunctiva where the proper care is not taken in cleansing the roots of the lashes when the discharge collects.

Other causes are keeping late hours, smoke and dust.

Symptoms.--The red swelling along the roots of the lashes is often the only symptom. This comes and goes at the least excuse, such as eye strain, late hours, dust and wind. Scales and dust form in the severe forms, of the disease. It is most common in children, extends over many years and may finally result in the loss of the lashes, with the edge of the lid, thickened, reddened and turned out.

Treatment.--This is tedious. Fit gla.s.ses if there is eye strain, reform the mode of life and attend to any const.i.tutional disease that may tend to make it worse.

Local treatment.--Keep the parts thoroughly clean. The edges of the lids should be washed carefully with soap and warm water or mild solution of borax or soda until the crusts are all cleaned off and then use at night an ointment composed of the following ingredients:

Yellow oxide of Mercury 2-1/2 grains Petrolatum 2-1/2 drams

Mix and make an ointment and rub on the edge of the lids every night, first cleaning them. The conjunctivitis must be cured.

STYE (HORDEOLUM).--This is a swelling beginning in a gland or glands at the edge of the lid and pus forms finally.

Causes.--Inflammation of the edge of the lid, stomach trouble, run down condition, poorly fitted gla.s.ses, when gla.s.ses should be worn to relieve the eye strain.

Symptoms.--Itching and burning feeling followed by a red swollen area (lump) at the edge of the lid. Later it comes to a point and discharges.

Cause.--Styes usually run their course in a few days or a week; another frequently follows. When it does not reach the pus stage, it often leaves a hard swelling (blind stye).

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MOTHER'S REMEDY. 1. Stye.--Home Method to Kill.--"To hasten the pointing of a stye apply hot compresses for fifteen minutes every two hours. As ill health may be the cause, a tonic may be needed; gla.s.ses properly fitted should be worn and a boric acid eyewash used until long after the stye has disappeared." Applying hot compresses will relieve the congestion and gives much relief. Ill health produces a poor circulation of the blood and a good tonic will be found beneficial. Styes are frequently produced by need of gla.s.ses.

Treatment.--Treat the stomach and system if necessary. Ice or cold cloths against the stye may abort it. If it goes on, hot fomentations will hasten it. It should then be opened up and sc.r.a.ped out. It will soon heal then and will not leave a lump.

ACUTE CATARRHAL CONJUNCTIVITIS (Pink Eye).--Definition.--This is an acute inflammation of the mucous membranes under the eyelids, and there is congestion (too much blood), swelling and a discharge of mucus and pus.

Causes.--Exposure to wind, dust, smoke, or irritating foreign substance, cinder, sand, etc. It may occur in epidemic form and then is contagious and is called "pink eye."

Symptoms.--The lids appear stiff to the patient, the light causes discomfort and the patient fears it. Burning feeling as if there was some dirt, etc., under the lid, not much pain, but discomfort especially in the evening. The lids look swollen and red. The conjunctiva on the cornea is reddened and that on the lid is thickened, reddened and rough. The discharge collects at the roots of the lashes or lies on the conjunctiva.

The lids are stuck together in the morning. The sight is slightly affected by the discharge on the cornea, which is otherwise clear. Sometimes little (minute) ulcerations are seen.

Course.--It may run into a chronic conjunctivitis. One eye is usually attacked a few days before the other. The first stage lasts a few hours or a day and then the discharge follows which may last a few days or a week or more.

Treatment.--First: Use gauze or cotton and dip in ice or cold water and apply to the eyelids. A wash of hot water can be used to cleanse the eye or ten to sixty grains (one teaspoonful) of boric acid to an ounce of water can be used as a wash also.

The following remedies are good in combination as follows: