Papers on Health Part 21

Nerve Shock.--After a fright, or some very trying experience, some part of the nervous system is frequently found to have given way. Heat is felt in the stomach. Then, if no treatment is given, curious feelings come on in the back of the head. Even inflammation of the stomach and brain may come on in severe cases. In any such trouble, alcoholic drinks, blisters, opium, and all narcotics are to be strictly avoided.

These only lessen the already weak nerve power. Show the patient in the first place that there is no need for anxiety, the vast majority of such cases being easily curable by right treatment. We have seen this relief of mind alone effect a perfect cure. Therefore see to giving it.

Wring tightly out of cold water two ply of new flannel, large enough to go round the lower part of the body, from waist downwards to hips. Put these round the patient, with two dry ply of the same flannel above them. Wear this night and day for a week or a fortnight. Keep the feet always warm and dry. Give plain, easily digested food. If St. Vitus'

Dance shows itself, treat as directed under that head. Study the case in the light of all said on nervous troubles in these pages, and you will be able to cure almost any symptoms which may arise.

Nerves, Shaken.--By this we mean, not the nerve trouble which follows a sudden injury or fright, but the result of long-continued worry and overwork. Sleeplessness, great irritability of temper, depressing thoughts, restlessness, and even a wish for death, are all symptoms of this trouble. In any effort to cure it, the _mind_ must be largely considered. Thoughts of the constant care of a loving, Divine Saviour for even the least of His children, must be encouraged. Work, which is an intolerable burden when depressing thoughts are encouraged, will become easy when these are removed. If you get the sufferer made hopeful for time and for eternity too, you have half won the battle.

Again, in bodily matters, food or drink which is exciting must be given up, or very sparingly used. Tea should only be taken weak, and _at most_ twice a-day. Avoid long conversations, and especially discussions and debates. Let the head be soaped (_see_ Head, Soaping) with soap lather at night, and rub all over with hot vinegar and olive oil before rising in the morning. Many a shaken nervous system will speedily recover under such treatment. Take also _eight good hours_ for sleep, and allow no ideas of business or work to intrude upon them. No more valuable habit can be formed, by the healthy as well as by the nervous, than this. The whole will should resolutely be bent to remove the attention from every trying thought, when the hours of work are past, and especially on retiring to rest. Always recollect that this _can_ be _done_; a.s.sert mentally, or if necessary, audibly, that it shall. Do not let initial failure disappoint you; persevere and a habit will be formed. When the brain gets a fair rest in its hours of leisure, it is usually equal to all demands in ordinary hours of work.

All brain workers, in their leisure hours should let the brain rest, and if they must do something, let it be as diverse from their work, and as easy on the thinking power as is possible. (_See_ Worry).

[Ill.u.s.tration: From "Furneaux's Elementary Physiology."]

Nerves, Spinal.--The spinal cord is continuous with the back part of the brain. It is a ma.s.s of nerve fibres, and from it branch off in pairs, all the way down from the brain, the great nerves which move the limbs and muscles of the body, and receive the impressions of sensation for conveyance to the brain. It is permeated by numerous blood vessels, which supply what is needed for the upkeep of the whole ma.s.s. When these relax, and become overfilled with blood, we have congestion of the spinal cord. This may often be easily remedied by cold cloths applied over the spine, with fomentations to the feet if necessary (_see_ Children's Healthy Growth; Fall; Paralysis; St. Vitus' Dance).

If, on the other hand, the vessels are contracted, or the blood supply defective, we have great languor and coldness. This usually may be remedied by rubbing over the spine with hot olive oil. Violent heat, or blistering, simply destroys the skin, and hinders healthy action.

Gentle heat, or gentle cooling, long continued, is the best treatment.

Especially is this true in the case of little children (_see_ Children's Healthy Growth). For treatment of the nervous system, peculiar attention should always be paid to the point where all the spinal nerves enter and issue from the brain. This is at the hollow usually present at the base of the back of the skull, where it is jointed on to the spinal bones. Rubbing here is most powerful, either with acetic acid or olive oil, and hot or cold cloths should always be well pressed into the hollow, when applied to the head or upper spine.

(_See_ Diagram, page 234).

Failures of muscular power are caused by failure in the spinal cord. If a child cannot walk, but only trails his legs, or if he cannot hold his head erect, skilful rubbing with hot oil on the spine will often quite cure the defects. Do not rub too hard. Feel for the muscles around the spine, and gently insinuate healing influence with your fingers, so as to reach the nerves below. Use a moderate quant.i.ty of oil, and the effects will be marvellous.

Nerves, Troubled.--Often a state of the nerves exists, without any apparent unhealthiness, which makes the whole system so sensitive, that ordinary sights, sounds, and smells become unbearable, and the patient feels the ordinary round of experience, which would never be noticed otherwise, an intolerable burden. Strange feelings all over the body, and an indescribable series of seemingly "fanciful" troubles, come on.

It is of no use, and indeed injurious, to treat such cases as merely fanciful. The wrong bodily condition must be righted if the mental condition is to improve. The first thing needed is _quiet_. Quietness rests the overstrained nervous system very much. Nerve-benumbing drugs are most hurtful (_see_ Narcotics). Let the light in the room be subdued, and strong smells avoided. To rest the skin nerves, wear only Kneipp linen underclothing, and flannels _above_ this if required.

Bathe the tongue and palate by taking mildly warm water into the mouth and ejecting it again. Soap the head, and all over the body, if it can be done without chilling, three times a week. (_See_ Head, Soaping; Lather, etc.).

Nervous Attacks.--What we call, for want of a better name, "nerve force," or "nerve action," is at any one time a definite quant.i.ty. In health it is distributed to all the sets of nerves equally, so that all work in harmony. But if its distribution be altered in certain ways, we find "fits" or "attacks" coming on. Action is greatly exaggerated in one part, and as greatly lessened in another--hence violent movements and complete unconsciousness co-exist. Children often have such fits.

Where they arise from _indigestion_ as a result of bad food, the cure is found in teaspoonfuls of hot water, and a hot sitz-bath coming up over the bowels. Where bad blood causes the fits, poultices over the kidneys will usually help greatly. (For fits of teething children, _see_ Teething.) _See also_ Epilepsy.

Nervousness.--This frequent and distressing trouble is to be traced to a state of the nervous system in which sensibility has got the upper hand, and self-control is partly lost. It is difficult accurately and briefly to describe, but is an easily recognisable state. Firstly, then, we say this is a physical trouble, and the patient must not be blamed for it, but encouraged kindly to make every effort of _will_ to throw it off. A strong will can be cultivated, just as a strong arm, by _exercise_. Peaceful thoughts and Christian faith can also be cultivated, and anxious and disturbing ideas put down. Uniform, steady conduct on the part of all around is an enormous help to the nervous.

For physical remedies, use no alcoholic drinks. These give temporary relief, but are fatal in their after effects. To cure nervousness is impossible unless these are given up. The physical treatment necessary will be found under Nerves, Shaken, and Nerves, Troubled.

Nervous Prostration.--Persons suffering from nervous prostration have probably allowed the urgency of seeming duty to drive them on in work till the vital energies have been fairly exhausted. At last they are completely broken down, and the very fountains of life are dried up.

The brain itself has become incapable of giving sleep, or sound thought. But there is no need for despondency: this trouble is perfectly curable, only the right means must be employed.

In every case of real "nervous prostration," our question must be--How shall we enable this vital element to recreate itself? The answer is, with heat. Here we may detail the process which we know to be successful. Dip a four-ply cotton cloth in cayenne lotion, and lightly wring out. Lay this gently over the stomach and bowels, and over this an india-rubber bag full of hot water. All must be only hot enough to be comfortable. This application may remain on for two hours without any change, then it is repeated. Where no bag can be had, a good thick fomentation should be used instead. _See_ Nerves, Shaken; Nerves, Troubled, and all articles on nervous trouble.

Much depends on consideration of the individual case, and careful thought and strong sense are needed on the part of all dealing with such cases. (_See_ Changing Treatment.)

Dessertspoonfuls of light food should be given every half-hour, and increased in quant.i.ty as the patient can bear it. Avoid alcohol and all narcotics.

Nettle Rash.--This is an eruption on the skin, often coming suddenly and going off again, but sometimes of long standing. It resembles in appearance the sting of a nettle--hence the name. It is accompanied by an intolerable itching, and is a very sore trouble where it continues, or frequently recurs. Its cause is usually defective digestion. We should not depend on drugs for a cure, but treat first the whole spinal system. Rub the whole back smartly with vinegar. Wipe this off, and rub again with gentle pressure and warm olive oil. Put on the soapy cloth (_see_ Soap) with the lather very finely wrought (_see_ Lather), and free from excess of moisture. Over this lathered cloth put a good blanket Fomentation (_see_), changing it once or twice, so as to keep up the heat for half-an-hour. When all this is taken off, we should rub again with vinegar and oil, as at first. If the case is a sudden attack, we may soak the worst parts of the eruption with weak vinegar; but if a chronic one, the rash is better left untouched. The treatment to the spine may be continued daily. If the rash has been irritated into running, scabby scores by scratching, it may be cleaned with weak vinegar. A little cream of tartar or powdered rhubarb and carbonate of soda mixed in equal parts may be taken internally after meals--say about one-fourth of a teaspoonful in a little water. If this quant.i.ty exercise too great a cooling effect, smaller doses will produce very good results. Kneipp Linen Underwear will in many cases of such skin trouble give great relief.

Neuralgia.--This is severe pain in one part or other of the body, sometimes followed by swelling of the painful part, but frequently without much sign of anything wrong at that point. It is, as the name implies, a trouble affecting the _nerves_ which are connected with the painful part, and usually there is nothing whatever wrong where the pain is felt. Where, however, violent pain in the head or jaws results from chill, there is an altogether different trouble, though it is often called by the same name.

We have seen a man who had been in agony all night with pain all over his head. We took a large piece of flannel, about the size of a small blanket, rolled it up so as to get about a quart of boiling water poured into the heart of the roll. We kneaded the whole for a little time, to have the heat and moisture well diffused through the flannel.

We now placed a large towel fourfold on the pillow under the patient's head, so that it could be brought as a good covering over the hot blanket when that was on. We opened up the blanket steaming hot and laid the head in the heart of it, bringing it carefully up all round, then brought the large towel over all, and tucked him tidily in about the shoulders. In less than two minutes he exclaimed, "I'm in Paradise!" The pain was all gone, and in its place was a positive sensation of delight. There was nothing here but a chilled skull to deal with, and as soon as it felt the heat and relaxed, the man was perfectly relieved. Then came the question as to how what had been got was to be secured, so that he might continue well. After he lay about three-quarters of an hour in this hot fomentation of the head, we took it off, and rubbed gently some warm olive oil into the roots of the hair, and all around the head and neck. We then gave all a good dry rubbing with a hard towel, and covered up his head carefully, and kept it covered for a day or two. He required no more treatment of any kind.

But when this treatment increases the pain, or fails altogether to remove it, we have a trouble which calls for the _very opposite treatment_. Then we have true neuralgia, which may be in any part of the body, and which is relieved by cooling the roots of the nerves which supply that part. For the face and jaws, cold must be applied to the back of the head, neck, or brain generally. For pains in arms, cold is to be applied to the upper, and for pain in legs to the lower part of the spine; for pain in the body, cool the whole length of the spine.

The cooling is done by cloths moistened in cold water and well wrung out, pressed on gently over the part, and renewed as they grow warm. If the patient feels chilly, foment or bathe the feet and legs up to the knees during the process of cooling. This may require to be done for an hour. Finish by rubbing the parts cooled with hot vinegar and olive oil, and wiping off.

Even young people are exposed to a great deal of suffering from this source, and we feel sure that every one of these may be at once relieved and cured by the vigorous use of the cold compress. When the patient is warm in bed, the cold compress is one of the most delightful of applications; and the warm olive oil, to keep what has been got, make up a real blessing for the sufferer.

We have seen cases in which the cold compress has been applied up and down the spine, but not with that full effect which could be desired.

Somehow it has not power enough in the hands applying it to reach the roots of the evil. The want in such a case is generally of a person sufficiently skilful in the use of the cold towel. There is a way of pressing it gently over all the parts under which the affected nerves lie, which secures the cooling of those roots very effectually. But such skill is not always at hand when needed. Well, mustard is spread over the surface of the cold towel, and the compress, thus increased in power, is placed all along the centre of the back. We find that very soon the pain begins to moderate, and ere long it has ceased. If it has to be applied more than once, cayenne is greatly to be preferred. The pepper does not hurt the skin, the mustard very soon does. A cold damp towel, folded at least four-ply, and placed properly, after being sprinkled well with cayenne, has an excellent effect.

In wild toothache, or bad nerve pain in the head, ma.s.sage all over the head for a considerable time will often cure. We know cases in which agonising pain was thus removed years ago, and it has never returned.

There was first rubbing, in a gentle soothing way, over the whole head.

At a certain point, that began to lose its soothing influence. The cold towel was then wrapped round the head, and gently pressed. As soon as it warmed it was changed. This was done for perhaps three or four minutes, and the rubbing repeated. The whole was kept up for about an hour. All pain and uneasiness were then gone, and there was no return of either.

It will be seen that it is essential properly to distinguish between the pain requiring heat and that requiring cold for treatment. In any case it is safe first to try the heat. Failing relief with this, the cold may be tried. Sometimes the cooling of the head and spine succeeds in driving off several attacks, but eventually fails to relieve. If in such a case the cold is applied over the stomach, there is frequently almost instant relief. Where the attacks can be traced to indigestion, or come on always a certain time after a meal, this is the proper method from the first. Where a decayed tooth is the cause of pain, of course go to the dentist.

Night Coughs.--These frequently remain as the so-called dregs of some illness, and are found very persistent. They are also frequently very alarming, as they are thought to indicate some trouble in the lungs, and as immediate steps should be taken to check this, it is well to consult a good doctor. But, though coughing at night does of course accompany lung disease, it is by no means a chief symptom. Also, it is evident that the treatment applicable to bronchitis and other chest inflammations will often fail to relieve a night cough, because the night cough in question is due to nervous irritation or indigestion.

Narcotics are useless and hurtful. Great relief is frequently found from inhaling the smoke of burning nitre or saltpetre. Blotting paper may be soaked in a solution of saltpetre, dried and lighted. Place the burning substance near enough the patient for him to inhale the smoke, but not so near as to interfere with _easy_ breathing, especially in cases where there is great weakness.

When patients are fairly strong the back should be rubbed with warm olive oil for ten minutes or so in the morning before getting out of bed. Then apply a cold towel, well wrung out, folded lengthwise along the spine, and over it a dry one. Let the patient lie on this, and renew it when heated, continuing altogether for fifteen minutes or so.

Give another fifteen minutes' rubbing with the hot oil before dressing.

If the patient feels chilly during the cooling, foment the feet and legs at the same time.

Nightmare.--In serious cases of this trouble, the patient awakes some time before he gains any power whatever to move, feeling held as in a vice. But in common instances, the attack is entirely during sleep, and accompanied by frightful dreams. A heavily-loaded stomach, pressing on the solar plexus of the nerves, is a very common cause. The burdened nerves partially cease action, and this gives rise to the trouble.

Anything similarly affecting these organic nerves will cause it also; but if the stomach be at fault, reduce the food and let the last meal be light and not later than six o'clock. This followed by a cup of hot water, before going to bed, will work a perfect cure. When it is feared there may be an attack, _lying on the face_ in bed will often prevent it, even if the patient so lies for a very short time, and then turns on the side again.

When students, or school children, are over-driven (_see_ Children, various articles), nightmare, very persistent, is one of the symptoms.

In such cases, there is _urgent need_ of rest, or most serious consequences may follow. Treat as recommended in Depression, and if any nervous troubles show themselves, treat as in various articles on nerve affections. Bad dreams, especially with children, are a sure sign of something wrong with the health, and should always lead to investigation, that their cause may be found and removed.

Night Pains.--If these are of the nature of _cramps_, which come on while lying in bed, the treatment is similar to that given above as morning treatment for Night Coughs, only the cooling must be continued for three-quarters of an hour or longer, fomenting the legs if any chilliness is felt. Cold towels may also be wrung out before going to bed, and put within reach. These may be applied when the cramps come on. They will usually relieve speedily.

Spasmodic asthma may be relieved by the same treatment. It often comes on when lying down, and cold towels applied as above directed will generally relieve. Fomentations must be given to the feet and legs, if any feeling of chill is felt.

Where there is _difficulty in breathing_ on lying down, usually the heart is at fault. Sometimes the heart is all right, and this hard breathing is nervous, caused by too sudden lying down. To lie down, propped up with pillows, which may be removed one by one, is often sufficient to cure it. The treatment in the morning as in Night Coughs will also greatly help.

Another set of night troubles are such as arise from unwise use of foods or drinks before going to bed. Tea taken at or near bedtime will often cause sleeplessness, and will be apt also to give spasmodic asthma; so will all indigestible foods. These overpower weary organs that need rest and sleep, and not food. Most people will do well to take their last meal four hours before retiring. Taking supper is a habit, and in many cases a very bad one.

Night Sweats.--This distressing symptom, which accompanies various illnesses, can in most cases be easily cured. The whole skin is to be sponged over at bedtime with CAYENNE LOTION (_see_). This is best done under the bed-clothes. Acetic acid, the effective essence in vinegar, has an astonis.h.i.+ng power in healing and stimulating the skin. When it is a.s.sisted by cayenne its healing power is very great indeed. The nerves are stimulated, the too open pores closed, the skin cleansed, and the whole system invigorated by such a mixture, and as a result the night sweats disappear. Even where the case is hopeless, much suffering may be prevented by the use of this mixture. In conjunction with other treatment, its use may even turn the scale towards recovery.

Noise and Disease.--Perhaps nothing shows more the lack of human feeling in many people than the manner in which they inflict sore distress on the sick and dying by means of noise. Moreover, recovery is r.e.t.a.r.ded, and has sometimes been wholly prevented, by nothing but a _noise_. It must be understood that talking, and also singing, which are delightful to some, become intolerable pain to the delicate and weak. They really are _worn out_ by them. And the wearing out is _real_: it is a destruction of nerve substance, when the nerve of the patient is already too feeble. Shutting doors violently, and the endless "house noises," must be avoided. Even a long, loud prayer at the bedside of the sick is utterly out of place. It may become necessary, in order to prevent such abuses, to exclude from the sick-room some who will be greatly offended thereby; but courage to defend a patient against well-meaning intruders is one essential qualification of a good nurse. Oil doors that _squeak_, fasten windows that _rattle_, but above all keep quiet the tongues that _clatter_. Let all whispering in the sick one's hearing be avoided. Speak quietly but distinctly, so that the patient may not think you are hiding anything from him. Wrap the coals in pieces of paper, so that they can be put on the fire by hand, avoiding the noise of shovel or tongs.