Spine Misshapen
Sources: Papers On HealthOften in the case of delicate infants or children,
the bones of the spine fail to have the necessary hardness to bear the
strain which comes upon them, and the spine gets more or less out of
its proper shape. If this softness of bone continues, no amount of
mechanical support, or lying down, will cure the misshapen spine.
Therefore means should be taken by proper diet and nourishment to help
the production of good bone
bone-making food we know is good oatmeal, as well-boiled porridge
(boiled for two or three hours), or as oatmeal jelly and gruel. Good
air and water are also essential, and such treatment as is described in
article on Children's Healthy Growth. Especially should attention be
paid to constant supply of fresh air to the child's lungs. Windows
should be wide open in all weathers, and if the child cannot walk far,
it should be wheeled out for as long as possible every day the weather
permits. Such supply of fresh air is of vital importance, and the
want of it is frequently the sole cause of disease.
In other cases it is not the bones which are soft, but the muscles and
ligaments which hold the spine in a proper position are defective.
Where the bone is felt to be good-sized and hard, and the surrounding
substance too soft, it is a case of this kind. To proper nourishment,
in this case, must be added proper exercise of the muscles concerned.
Immovable plaster jackets are bad, because they forbid this. This
exercise may best be given by rubbing (see Exercise and Massage).
Gentle rubbing and pressure over the back, with hot OLIVE OIL (see),
will work wonders in such a case. During the rubbing the patient should
lie down at full length. It must also be done so as to be pleasant,
or it is of no use.
See that the patient has plenty of rest, and only as much walking
exercise as is evidently enjoyed. There may be complications with other
troubles--for example, a quick pulse and some fever heat, if the
temperature is tested. That will require to be itself treated with
repeated rubbings of finely wrought lather over the stomach and bowels.
Until you have in some measure subdued this fever, you will not do much
in the way of improving the muscles of the back. In many cases you will
be able to bring the fever down completely, and then you will be free
to exercise the muscles, and so to strengthen them that they will bring
the spine to something like its proper shape. (See Assimilation;
Diet; Digestion; Nerves; Nourishment; Paralysis; Massage.)
More
-
Remedy Finding A
It will sometimes occur, in the case of those endeavouring to cure on our system of treatment, that on applying what is thought to be the correct remedy, the trouble becomes worse. For example, where there are violent pains in the legs, a bran poultic... Rest
In every person there is a certain amount only of force which is available for living. Also this force, or vitality, is produced at only a certain definite rate. Where the rate is very low, only perfect quiet in bed for a time can bring down the expen... Restlessness
In slight cases, where the patient simply cannot sleep for tossing about in bed, a cold towel placed along the spine, with a dry one above, will usually relieve, especially if changed and cooled several times as it grows warm. If heat be specially in ... Rheumatic Fever
See Fever, Rheumatic. ... Rheumatism
We feel urged, in first considering this sore and very common trouble, to quote the old adage that "prevention is better than cure." Many people laugh at wettings, and some foolish young ones even seek exposure. We would impress upon all such that the... Rich Foods Brandy Beef-tea Etc
must be avoided. Involuntary starting, and the manifestation of great fear on waking out of sleep, frequently arise from irritation of the spine during teething. The cold compress applied along the spine when the child is warm in bed will relieve t... Ringworm
This distressing and most infectious trouble is due to a small parasite. Where that settles in the skin, a reddish ring soon appears, and gradually widens, leaving a leprous white patch of skin within it. Care should be taken at once to cure this, as,... Rose
See Erysipelas. ... Rupture
The abdomen is formed of a series of rings containing the bowels, and holding them in proper position. If the muscles and tissues holding these rings yield so as to permit them to separate a little, what is called "rupture" takes place. It may be caus... Saliva
See Digestion; Nourishment. ... Saltrome
The disease known by this name in Canada breaks out in the hands, especially on the palms. The skin cracks open and refuses to heal up. Sometimes, if the hands do heal, the trouble comes out on other parts. It is probably due to the long-continued use... Santolina
This plant is the Chama Cyparissos, or ground cypress. It is of the greatest value as a remedy for worms in the bowels (not tapeworm), and also acts as a stomach tonic of no small value. It is cut at the end of the season, made up in small bunches of ... Sciatica
This is a severe pain in the lower back, shooting sharply down the back and calf of the leg. It arises from inflammation of the large nerve which supplies these parts of the leg with power. Most commonly it is caused by exposure of the hips or lower b... Scrofula
The treatment under Glands, Swollen, should be followed. But besides, the whole membranous system of the glands must be stimulated. Daily rubbing briskly over the whole body with the cold-drawn oil of mustard for a quarter-of-an-hour will have this ef... Scurvy
Is a disease springing from disordered digestion, and caused sometimes by partial starvation, but more frequently by a deficiency of vegetable acid in the food. It often manifests itself in skin eruptions, the skin peeling off in scales. To ward off o... Sea-sickness
The cause of this is a nervous derangement of the internal organs, by which the bile passes into the stomach instead of, as it normally does, passing down into the intestines. A tight bandage round the middle of the body, so as to oppose resistance to... Seamill Sanatorium And Hydropathic
Very soon after the appearance of these "Papers on Health," the need was felt for some establishment where the treatment expounded here could be given by trained attendants under Dr. Kirk's personal supervision. The site was fixed on the Ayrshire coa... Sensitiveness
When the nervous system is in a certain state, all impressions on it are exaggerated, and the patient suffers from light sounds, and various irritations, far more than is usual or healthy. This state makes treatment difficult, because either cold towe... Shampooing
See Head, Soaping. ... Shingles
Though not often fatal, this illness gives serious trouble. Its outstanding feature is a rash which comes out as a more or less regular belt round the body, or over one shoulder. The rash forms, if allowed to go on, into blackish scabs, and is accompa... Shivering
This is often a trivial matter, but sometimes it is a symptom of a serious chill. It may be only the effect of a thought, or of some mental shock, but in any case it is a nervous disturbance, and failure of energy, causing us to lose control of the ne... Sick Headache
See Headache. ... Sitting (or Sitz) Bath
This bath, in whatever form administered, is essentially a sitting in cold water with the feet out. The feet, in fact, are better to be warmly covered up while the patient sits in the bath. The most important thing to be considered in all such baths i... Skin A Wintry
Something like an epidemic of skin trouble is often experienced in cold, wintry weather. First, the skin becomes dry and hard. A moist and sticky exudation replaces the ordinary sweat, and great irritation is felt when the skin is exposed to the air. ... Skin Care Of
Among the vast majority of people air and water far too seldom touch the skin. Want of water makes it unclean, and want of water and air make it slow in reaction. Now, a healthy skin is of the utmost value when one is attacked by disease. It can regul... Skin Creeping
A sensation sometimes very much annoys patients, which they describe as like thousands of small creatures creeping over the skin. It most commonly arises from defective working of the pores. A kindred trouble may be noticed along with this creeping. I... Sleep
No greater mistake could be made than to curtail the hours of sleep. Eight hours should be taken as a minimum, and any weak person should take ten hours. More and better work can be done by a person who takes fully eight hours' sleep than by one who t... Sleeplessness
In search of sleep men do many things both dangerous and foolish--sometimes even fatal. Sleeplessness arises in so many ways and from so many causes, that it is often hard for the patient to find a cure, and he will try anything in desperation. A litt... Smallpox
If an epidemic prevails in the neighbourhood, or a case occurs in the house, after due and carefully performed vaccination of the family, the important matter to regard is cleanliness. Frequent and thorough washing and changing of all the clothes worn... Snake Bite
Suck the wound, and apply a drop or two of strong ammonia to the bite. Ammonia may be also inhaled. Artificial respiration often necessary. ... Snake Bites
A snake bite is only one of a large class of injuries which may be considered under one title. From an insect sting upwards to the most fatal snake bite, we need to note, first, the blow or shock of the bite, and then the fever symptoms which show poi... Soap M'clinton's
Those of our readers who have followed out in practice the suggestions which we have given in these papers, will have seen some reason to believe in the importance of soap. Probably some of them have laughed at patients whose chief need evidently was ... Soaping The Head
See Head, Soaping. ... Soapy Blanket The
It seems necessary, in getting people to use the best means for the recovery of health, carefully to consider, not the diseases to which they are subject only, but especially the processes of cure. We require to go into the very nature of things, so t... Sores
These will be found dealt with under many headings throughout this book (see Abscess; Bone, Diseased; Blood; Boils; Breast; Cancer; Carbuncle; Cauliflower Growth; Eruptions; Erysipelas, etc.), therefore we here only treat generally of two kinds of com... Spinal Congestion
In some cases of this trouble the symptoms are very alarming, consisting in violent convulsive movements, which seem altogether beyond the possibility of relief. It is something to know that these terrible kickings and strugglings arise from simply an... Spine Misshapen
Often in the case of delicate infants or children, the bones of the spine fail to have the necessary hardness to bear the strain which comes upon them, and the spine gets more or less out of its proper shape. If this softness of bone continues, no amo... Spine Weakness Of The
See Children's Healthy Growth. ... Sprains Or Racks
A sprain is usually the result of some involuntary stress coming upon the part. If the injury be to the muscular substance only, it is easily healed; hot fomentations should be given to the sprained parts, with perfect rest and every possible ease and... Spring Trouble
Many persons are distressed by some form of eruption or inflammation in the skin in spring. The change of atmosphere and temperature at this time greatly increases the demands made upon the skin as an organ of perspiration, and this strain it is in ma... Squeezing
See Rubbing. ... St Vitus' Dance
This proceeds from a simple irritation of the spinal nerves, and is to be cured by soothing the spine with persistent cooling. In mild cases this cooling is easily applied with towels wrung out of cold water, and folded so as to lie at least four-ply ... Stammering
This trouble is simply a loss of command of the vocal organs, and is distinctly nervous in its cause. Especially must we look to the roots of the nerves controlling the vocal organs, if we are to see the real difficulty. There is evidently a state of ... Stiffness General
This is often an adjunct of old age, and sometimes occurs in the young and middle-aged as the result of chills. In neither case is it incurable, but for a cure rest is a first necessity. If there be standing and working for twelve or fourteen hours a... Stimulants
See Alcohol; Narcotics. ... Stomach Trouble
If you would cure thoroughly, you must first make sure that the skin is doing its part well. Very often indigestion arises from irritation of the stomach, caused by the impurities in the blood which arise from defective skin action. With strong peo... Stomach Ulcers
Generally the tongue will tell whether the stomach is ulcerated or not. If the tongue is fiery-looking, and small ulcers show themselves on it, while food produces pain in the stomach, there is little doubt of the presence of ulcers there. The tongue ... Stone
See Gravel. ... Stoutness
See Breath, and the Heart. ... Strangulation Or Hanging
Often accidentally caused in children or intoxicated persons. Waste no time in going for or shouting for assistance. At once cut the rope, necktie, or whatever else causes the tightening. Pull out the tongue and secure it, commence artificial respira... Strychnine
Emetic; keep quiet and darken the room. Chloral or bromide of potassium may be given. If spasms threaten respiration, artificial respiration is necessary. ... Sunshine
Is a most valuable aid to health, acting as a physical and mental tonic. The sunbath, for either portions of the body at a time, or for the whole body, will be found very beneficial to nervous sufferers, and also to those having a tendency to certain ... Tapeworm
The only sure sign of the presence of this parasite in the intestine is the passing from the bowels of some of its joints or ova. Its presence in the body is a serious matter, always giving rise to more or less inconvenience and disturbance to health.... Tartar Emetic Or Other Antimonial Poisons
If vomiting is not present, induce it by an emetic. Give doses of strong tea. Keep very warm by hot blankets. Good domestic emetics are a teaspoonful of mustard in a tumblerful of water, or a tablespoonful of salt in the same quantity of water. ... Tea
Tea should not be infused longer than three or four minutes, and cream should be used with it. The albuminous matter in milk tends to throw down some of the tannic acid in an insoluble form. It should not be taken too hot, and if taken at a meat meal ... Teeth
In order to prevent decay, the teeth should be carefully brushed at least once a day, preferably at night, but better still after each meal. There is no better dentifrice than pure soap, and M'Clinton's tooth soap, being specially prepared from the as... Teething
At the outset, it must ever be remembered that this is not a disease. It is a natural growth, and often is accomplished without any trouble at all. It is, however, a comparatively quick growth, accomplishing much in a little time, as a plant in flower... Tempering Treatment
Much, if not all, of the success in any case of treatment depends on its being properly tempered to the strength of the patient. In putting on LATHER (see), for instance, a delicate and nervous child will be greatly annoyed if soaped all over at once.... Thirst
This forms a severe feature in many cases of illness, and has to be treated variously according to its kind. It may be due first to dryness in the membranes of the throat and stomach; secondly it may be due to a concentrated or deranged state of the j... Throat Hoarseness
This is best treated by a good large BRAN POULTICE (see) on the back of the head and neck. While the patient lies on this, cold towels must be changed on the front above the "apple" of the throat. Do this for an hour twice a day. Or, if the feet be co... Throat Sore
The first question in any case of sore throat, is, What is the temperature of the patient? (see Heat, Internal). If this cannot be ascertained, at least we can say whether the patient is feverish or not. Let us first take the case where there is no... Throat Sore (clergyman's)
Those who are in the habit of using their voice much should be very careful to produce it in the proper way. It is noticeable that actors (who learn to produce their voice properly) do not suffer from what is known as clergyman's sore throat. The v... Thumb Bruised And Broken
Frequently a tradesman will strike the thumb or finger a serious blow with a hammer, in missing a stroke. If not treated properly, the whole hand may be destroyed, but if promptly plunged into warm clean water and kept there, even the broken bones can... Toothache
This trouble appears in two opposite characters. In the one it is cured by rightly applied heat, and in the other by cold. If it is merely the soft substance in the tooth which is affected, local cooling applications will cure, if persisted in. If it ... Towels Cold Wet
A towel of the ordinary kind, and full size, is soaked in a basin of cold water and carefully wrung out until it is merely damp. Prejudice against this treatment is often aroused by putting on the cloths wet, and in a slack, blundering way, so as to ... Tumours
A large, soft, fleshy tumour is usually simply an accumulation of waste material, which should have been excreted from the body if all the organs were in healthy working order. Where such a swelling exists, the first consideration is diet. For this, B... Turnip Poultice
Part of a raw turnip is grated down to a pulp. As much of this is prepared as will cover the inflamed part. It is put on next the skin, and covered with a soft cloth. All is then tied nicely up in another cloth. In violent inflammation of the knee joi... Typhoid Fever
See Fever, Typhoid. ... Ulcers
An ulcer is an "eating sore": that is, a sore containing matter which eats away the skin and flesh, thereby extending itself, and increasing in depth as well. To stop this diseased process, the virulent matter in the ulcer must be killed or neutralise... Unconsciousness
There are two opposite causes of unconsciousness. One is congestion of the brain, the other sheer nerve exhaustion. Either will produce a prolonged suspension of consciousness very different from a mere passing faint. In the case of congestion, the he... Underwear
There is a common and very popular error, namely, that of putting too much clothing on our bodies, under the mistaken idea that additional weight means additional warmth. The fact that the main object of clothing is to preserve the natural heat of the... Uric Acid
This acid is found in persons of a gouty tendency, such tendencies being a great deal more common than is imagined. It is really a waste product formed by the activity of the body cells, and should properly be mainly transformed into urea and so exc...