Page:Australian enquiry book of household and general information.djvu/172

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168
MEDICAL.

To Remove Tartar from the Teeth.—Tincture of iodine, carefully used.


To Remove Insects from the Ear.—A solution of three drops of chloroform and three drops glycerine injected with a small ear syringe, or if these are not handy, drop some warm oil into the ear.


To Remove Lice and Nitts from the Hair.—Make a decoction of guassia, borax, and glycerine, rub well into the hair and brush frequently. Kerosene is also a sure cure if rubbed liberally into the head, left twelve hours, and then washed out with warm water, to which a few drops of ammonia have been added.


For Boils.—One tablespoonful of brewer's yeast taken every morning upon waking.


For an Ulcerated Throat and Mouth.—Paint the throat with glycerine and tannin, and gargle with a solution of tannin.


Those who suffer with rheumatism and rheumatic gout should drink freely of milk and not eat sugar or very much meat, or drink malt or alcoholic liquors. Mustard and oil rubbed into the joints will alleviate the pain. Two or three glasses of hot water taken during the day will do good.


Gregory's powder is the best medicine for children of all ages, and no household should be without it. Most of the ingredients are to be found in every medicine chest, and can be mixed by any mother. They are: rhubarb one ounce, calcined magnesia three ounces, ginger (ground) half an ounce. Some people add chamomile half an ounce, but for young children it can be left out.


Always eat salt with nuts, it aids digestion.


Salt and water sipped very hot is a cure for wind on the stomach.


A small new pepper box full of powdered resin should always be kept

in the nursery for cuts and grazes. Dust it into the wound or cut, bind up, and it will heal at once.


To keep the lips soft and in good colour bathe occasionally in alum water and glycerine.


Salt, heated dry in a pan and applied to the outer surface over the seat of inflammation or congestion, will often give instant relief. To a child with severe stomach ache it is most comforting, and in croup, if put into a stocking and applied to the throat it gives relief.


For toothache, headache, earache, &c., a strong hot solution of salt in vinegar will often give instant relief. Apply with a flannel or sponge as hot as possible.


People who have, or think they have, Bright's disease, should drink liberally of buttermilk.


One should never go into a sick room while in a violent perspiration, for directly the body becomes cold it is liable to absorb the germs; nor should one visit a patient suffering from a contagious disease, when the stomach is empty. When in attendance on a patient keep as much as possible where the air passes freely.


For those who have sensitive gums inclined to bleed every time the teeth are brushed nothing is better than a mouth wash of salt and water. Delicate feet can also be hardened by rubbing daily with salt and water.


For a delicate person who cannot eat much, an egg beaten until light with a little milk, sugar, and nutmeg is a good appetizer


To stop bleeding gather a few of the young tender leaves of the gum shoots (they are red and sticky) chew them, and apply to the wounds with the saliva. I have seen the blacks cover a big wound with this, and it generally stops the bleeding at once.