Mother's Remedies by Thomas Jefferson Ritter (positive books to read txt) 📕

not be neglected. A lump in the breast should be examined early. The womb should be examined if there is a discharge from the vagina that continues. In such a case the family doctor can determine what should be done. A sore on the lip, tongue, face, etc., that continues and refuses to heal should cause suspicion and be shown to a physician.

PLEURISY.—"Water in the chest" sometimes follows pleurisy. This, if not absorbed, must be drawn off and is quite easily done. After some cases of pneumonia the lung does not clear up properly and pus forms in it. An operation is sometimes necessary to evacuate it. This should be performed before the patient becomes very much exhausted. Some people allow it to continue too long and thus lessen the chances of recovery when an operation is at last performed.

SQUINT.—There is no need for any person being cross-eyed if attention is early given to the trouble. Sometimes properly fitted glasses will correct this trouble, but an operation is often necessary and is very successful and not serious or painful.

[OPERATIONS 665]

TRACHEOTOMY AND INTUBATION.—The operation of tracheotomy, opening of the wind-pipe, is performed where there is choking from a foreign body in the wind-pipe or when it has become suddenly closed in diseases such as croup and diphtheria. It is always an emergency operation and is only resorted to when it is evident that unless severe measures are taken the patient will choke to death. Intubation is more frequently practised in disease when the breathing has become difficult owing to the growth of membrane in the larynx. A tube of the proper size is placed in the wind-pipe and allowed to remain there until the disease has lost its force and the membrane no longer obstructs the air passage. This tube allows the patient to breathe freely as it furnishes an opening for the air and an attendant notices the change immediately. Intubation should be performed before the patient has become weak.

TONSILS.—A person who is subject to enlarged tonsils should watch them carefully. If they contain pus for any length of time they should be removed, for they not only obstruct the breathing, but are a menace to the health. Enucleation is usually the best method of removal. Enucleation means the operation of extracting a tumor in entirety after opening its sac, but without further cutting. Removal of the tonsils is a simple operation, usually not requiring the use of anesthetics and most physicians advise the removal of an enlarged or troublesome tonsil.

CALCULI OR STONES.—Calculi or stones are removed from the gall bladder, gall ducts, kidneys, ureter and bladder by operations, when it has been ascertained that the patient cannot "pass them." Many physicians prefer to locate the calculus by use of the X-rays before deciding to operate, and there can be no doubt as to the wisdom of this. In these, as in all operations, success depends largely upon the general condition of the patient. They are not considered dangerous operations, but the final decision as to their necessity should rest, in each case, with a competent physician or surgeon.

KIDNEYS, STOMACH, PROSTATE, ETC.—Little can be said in this brief paragraph concerning the many operations that are now performed upon the different organs. What applies to one applies, in general, to all. Operations are now performed, and successfully, for pus in the kidney, floating kidney, etc. Ulcers and cancers are removed from the stomach and reproductive organs. In some cases it has been necessary to remove the organs in their entirety. Pieces of the intestines have been removed with gratifying results in cases of ulcers and injuries. Enlarged prostate nearly always necessitates an operation before relief can be expected. It is impossible here to say much concerning the chances for recovery in each individual case, since they are decided by the strength and temperament of the patient, the care and skill of the surgeon and nurses, and whether the patient has submitted to the operation soon enough in the course of the disease. Let it suffice here to say that the majority of the above-mentioned operations are successful and result in the relief and often the complete recovery of the patient.

[666 MOTHERS' REMEDIES] THE HOT SPRINGS OF ARKANSAS.

Government Ownership.—The ownership and control of the Hot Springs of Arkansas by the United States Government is absolute, and its endorsement of them for the treatment of certain ailments is unequivocal. After due investigation, congress took possession of the springs in the year 1832, and it retained around them a reservation ample to protect them from all encroachments, It was the first National park reservation of the country. They are set apart by this act as "A National Sanitarium for all time," and "dedicated to the people of the United States to be forever free from sale or alienation."

The Army and Navy Hospital at Hot Springs.—In the year 1883 the United States Government built a hospital known as the army and navy hospital at Hot Springs, Arkansas, on the Southwestern slope, near the base of Hot Springs mountain, since which time the soldiers and sailors of the army and navy have been sent there for treatment for such ailments as the waters may reasonably be expected to cure, or relieve. In his circular for the guidance of the officers of the army in sending the sick there, the surgeon-general of the United States enumerates the ailments for which the sick should be sent to the army and navy hospital at the Hot Springs. It says, "Relief may be reasonably expected at the Hot Springs in the following conditions: In the various forms of gout and rheumatism after the acute or inflammatory stage; neuralgia, especially when depending upon gout; rheumatism, metallic, or malarial poisonings, paralysis, not of organic origin; the earlier stages of locomotor ataxia; chronic Bright's disease (early stages only), and other diseases of the urinary organs; functional diseases of the liver; gastric dyspepsia, not of the organic origin; chronic diarrhea; catarrhal affections of the digestive and respiratory tracts; chronic skin diseases, especially the squamous varieties, and chronic conditions due to malarial infection." Approved, GEO. H. TORNEY, Surgeon-General U. S. Army. J.M. DICKERSON, Secretary of War.

Privileges of Ex-Soldiers of the Civil and Spanish-American
Wars.—Honorably discharged soldiers of thc Civil war, and the
Spanish-American war, can obtain admission to the army and navy hospital
at Hot Springs in the following manner, and under certain conditions:

First.—Write to the Surgeon-General, United States Army, Washington, D. c., for blank applications and instructions.

Second.—Upon receiving the blank application, fill it out properly, and return it to the Surgeon-General, when, if there is room in the hospital, he will forward to the applicant papers entitling him to admission to the hospital. The conditions are that such ex-soldier shall pay forty cents per day during the period he remains at the hospital. Such payment entitles him to board, lodging, baths, medical treatment and medicine.

HOT SPRINGS OF ARKANSAS 667

Free Baths for the Indigent People of the United States.—By act of congress approved December 16th, 1878, the government maintains a free bath house for the indigent people of the United States of both sexes. No baths will be supplied except on written applications made on blanks furnished at the office of the bath house, making full answer to the questions therein propounded: then if the applicant is found to be indigent, in accordance with the common acceptations of the word, the manager will issue a ticket good for twenty-one baths, which may be reissued on the same application if necessary. The daily average of baths given at the free bath house for the year 1909 was more than six hundred.

The government is very broad and liberal in construing the meaning of the word indigent; and the fact that the applicant for free baths has some property, seems not to act as a bar to the privilege of free baths. Ninety per cent of the patients admitted to the Army and Navy Hospital are either cured or relieved. Taking into consideration the large number of old civil war veterans treated at the hospital, whose ailments have become chronic, this is a very remarkable showing.

Physicians' and Medical Regulations.—The United States Government, through the interior department, regulates and controls the practice of medicine in connection with the hot waters. A local federal medical board passes on the applications of physicians who wish to prescribe the hot waters. All who meet the requirements of the board are placed on the accredited list. Copies of this list are hung in all the bath houses and only those whose names appear thereon are permitted to prescribe the hot waters. For the benefit of visitors these lists are also kept at the office of the superintendent of the reservation near the Army and Navy Hospital. These regulations apply only to those who take medical treatment. Others get the baths without formalities of any kind. In addition to the Army and Navy hospital and the government free bath house, there are twenty-five bath houses operated by private parties, eleven of which are situated along the western base of Hot Springs mountains on the government reservation, and fourteen are on private property at various other points throughout the city. The relations of all the bath houses to the government are the same. They each pay the water rental to the Interior Department of the United States. The government's interests are looked after by a superintendent of the reservation, who is appointed by the President of the United States. He has charge of all improvements going on, on the reservation and enforces all government rules and regulations concerning the bath houses.

[668 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Cost of Living at Hot Springs.—Hot Springs is not located in a good agricultural section, and it is not a manufacturing city; therefore, the boarding and lodging of visitors is their only source of income. Upon nearly every house in the city is displayed the notice that board is furnished, or furnished rooms are for rent, with or without light housekeeping. A few places furnish board and lodging for $4.50 per week; the most general charge, however, is from $5.00 to $6.00 per week. Renting rooms, arranged for light housekeeping, is the cheapest method of living at Hot Springs. The above prices are intended to show the minimum cost of living.

Where to obtain additional reliable information relating to baths, board,
etc., at Hot Springs, Arkansas.—First. Apply to the superintendent of the
United States reservation, corner of Central and Reserve Avenues, Hot
Springs.

Second. The business men of the city have an organization known as the "Business Men's League," which is intended and prepared to furnish reliable information by letter or personal application to the secretary and managers of the Business Men's League. Persons visiting Hot Springs should not rely upon advice, information, or propositions from strangers either on the train or in the city.

MEDICAL USES OF SOME COMMON HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES.

SALT (Sodium Chloride).—This common household article is used in a great many different ways. In cooking it is used to season foods. The absence of salt gives rise to a bad state of the system, with the formation of intestinal worms. If used too freely, it produces in some persons excess of blood and corpulency. Salt renders the food more palatable in many instances and thus increases the flow of the gastric juice. Salt increases the flow of saliva also. For pin-worms, solution of salt injected is often effective.

Constipation.—One teaspoonful to a glass of water taken on arising is very good for some people troubled with constipation. For dyspepsia it tones the stomach and aids in digestion in some cases. Salt alone in teaspoonful doses will produce vomiting and is good after a spree or to empty the stomach in convulsions and poisoning. Mustard given with it makes it more effective. A salt solution is frequently injected into the rectum to keep up the strength after operating and it is also frequently put into the breast for same purpose.

A gargle and astringent in sore throat. For this purpose it is often of use and successful. Taken dry in teaspoonful doses it is often given in bleeding from the lungs. It is often used as an antiseptic to cleanse sores and wounds. Teaspoonful to a half pint of water. On bites of insects strong salt water or applied dry is often very good. In bites of snakes and animals dry salt applied freely upon the wound is often of value. It draws away some of the poison and also helps to burn out and cleanse the wound.

Fomentations.—Used in this way it is good for sprains and bruises.