Rheumatism

Rheumatism is improperly regarded as an inflammatory affection of the joints. The pains and inflammation there stand in the same degree to the disease as the pustules or the scarlet eruption in smallpox and in scarlet fever do to these diseases. In rheumatism the pains are merely the symptoms of a general febrile disease. It is to this, therefore, that the attention is to be turned. There is in every instance a condition of plethora which constitutes the predisposition to rheumatism, and Which renders cold, or exposure to currents of air, capable of producing the disease. Of the medical treatment it is not necessary to speak here; but with respect to the prevention of the attack, or the warding off its return after it has been relieved, the following rules should be observed:-

First

It is of the utmost importance to commence the renewal of the movements of the affected joints as early as possible after the pain is allayed. Their strength and flexibility depend solely on the early renewal of motion. On the contrary, rest tends to retard the restoration of the affected parts to complete health. They remain painful and stiff,' and resist every movement which is attempted: the more motion is cultivated, the sooner are the limbs restored to their natural functions. Their exercise recovers the balance of the circulation, prevents effusion, aids absorption, and consequently favors flexibility. If rest be indulged, from the dread of pain, the joints and the parts surrounding them become rigid, contracted, and their free action permanently impaired, while the muscles waste, and lose their power of contracting.

Second

Friction, and the daily use of the salt-water shower-bath, have a powerful effect in warding off the returns of the disease. (The salt-water shower-bath is made by the addition of a quart of salt brine to three pailfuls of water.)

Third

Flannel next the skin, and warm clothing generally, are absolutely essential. In a changeable climate, daily attention in adapting dress to the weather is required.

Fourth

Due attention must be given to diet. Bear in mind that improper food, or eating to oppression, causes indigestion. Bad digestion produces bad blood; and bad blood causes rheumatism, and ailments of every nature. Plain nourishing food is what the system demands - being regulated in quantity by the exercise taken, and time spent in the open air. Saccharine matters, pastry, sweetmeats, and whatever can contribute to a dyspeptic state of the digestive organs should be avoided; and, unless the strength be greatly reduced, water should be the only beverage.

1. Toothache Drops. - Take of tincture of opium, two fluid drachms; ether, four fluid drachms; oil of cloves, one-half fluid drachm; mix, with agitation, and shake it each time before use.

2. Take of creosote, one drachm; chloroform, two drachms; alcohol, three fluid drachms; mix, etc, as the last.

A little cotton saturated with either of the above compounds, and placed in the cavity of the decayed tooth, will often produce immediate relief.

Whooping-Cough

Dr. Howard Sargent, of Boston, states that for eight or ten years past he has used, as a remedy for whooping-cough, a tea made from red-clover blossoms. He remarks, "It is so simple that many would not give it a second, thought. I can say with truth that I never knew it fail. I generally expect a cure in ten days. Four years ago I had children in three families sick at the same time; they were all well in ten, twelve, or fourteen days. There is some care and art necessary in making the tea. I select and cure the blossoms myself, and take of the best blossoms about two ounces to a pint of boiling water, steep for four hours, and give a wineglassful occasionally during the day. Should it operate on the bowels, no harm is done; the dose, in that case, may be diminished. I ask physicians to try it before they reject it. I sometimes add a little honey to make it more palatable."

Piles

Take three grains sulphate of morphine, thirty grains extract of stramonium, sixty grains carbonate of lead, one teaspoonful olive oil, and three drachms lard cerate. Rub the extract, if not uniformly soft, with a few drops of water; add the powders and olive oil, and rub till perfectly smooth, and then incorporate them with the cerate. To be applied externally as occasion may require.

Itching Of The Anus

Take equal parts citrine ointment and simple cerate, and thoroughly rub together. The above compound applied to the part, and rubbed in, is very efficacious in allaying this troublesome complaint. It should be at least strong enough to produce some smarting, and the application continued until the itching is removed.

Pin Worms, with which children are so often troubled, are destroyed and pass from the bowels, by the external use of diluted citrine ointment, prepared as above, or made still weaker by the addition of more cerate. It should be introduced an inch or two within the rectum, and applied gently to the lining membrane.

A Valuable Liniment

A liniment which we have found most serviceable in the family and in the stable is prepared as follows:-

Alcohol (ninety-five per cent), one quart. Fluid extract of arnica, four fluid ounces. Camphor, two fluid ounces. Stronger aqua-ammonia, one fluid ounce. Tinct. opium, one fluid ounce. Water one quart.

Add to the alcohol the arnica, camphor ammonia, and tincture of opium; and, after the camphor is dissolved, the water may be added. This liniment may be applied for the relief of sprains, bruises, rheumatic and neuralgic pains, etc, with decided advantage. For use in the cow and horse stable, it will be found most efficient.