SPRAINS

Category: Accidents, Emergencies and Poisons

Sprains or wrenches of the joints are caused by a twist or a
blow. The injury consists in the tear or rupture of a number of the fibres
of the ligaments.

Symptoms. Severe pain, the joint is practically useless for a time;
swelling, heat and later the joint discolored from effusion of the blood
into the tissues.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Sprains, Ointment for. "The bark of bittersweet
with chamomile and wormwood simmered in fresh lard make an excellent
ointment for sprains and swellings."

2. Sprains, Vinegar and Bran Poultice for. "Make a poultice with vinegar
and bran only, or with the addition of oatmeal, or bread crumbs. As the
poultice becomes dry it should be moistened with vinegar."

3. Sprains, Turpentine Most Common Remedy for. "Rub the injured part with
turpentine and keep warm and you will find this remedy to be one of the
best to keep proud flesh out that has ever been used. I always have
turpentine in my home and find that I have to use it often, and it always
does as I said above, if once used you will never be without it."

4. Sprains, Quick Relief for. "Bathe the parts with hot water as hot as
one can bear it and relief comes at once." This is an old tried remedy,
but if hot water does not give relief use cold water.

5. Sprains, Relieves Pain of. "Put warm woolen cloth over sprain, drip
hot water as hot as can be borne on cloth for half hour. Bathe with
spirits of camphor."

Bandaging and Photographs by DR. W. E. ZIEGENFUSS, of Detroit.
Done expressly for this book.

6. Sprains, Quick Application for. "A poultice of stiff clay and
vinegar." Add enough vinegar to the clay to make a nice moist poultice.
The clay is exceptionally good for swellings and sprains.

7. Sprains, Turpentine Liniment for. "Equal parts of spirits of
turpentine and vinegar and the yolk of one egg make a valuable liniment in
cases of sprains, bruises and rheumatism poultice. Take common salt, roast
it on a hot stove till dry as possible. Take one teaspoonful each of dry
salt, venice turpentine and pulverized castile soap. Excellent for felon,
apply twice daily until open." This is a very good liniment and if applied
often will draw, which is one of the essential things for a felon.

8. Sprains, Old English White Oil.

"Alcohol 1/4 pint.
Turpentine 1/4 pint.
Hartshorn 1/2 ounce.
Oil Origanum 1 ounce.

For sprains and rubbing around sores."

9. Sprains, Arnica Much Used for. "Tincture of arnica." This should be
diluted with water about one and one-half for adults and one and
three-fourths for a child. This is one of the best known remedies for
sprains that can be obtained. Apply freely to the bruise or sprain.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Sprains. Rest for a time (for some weeks). The
parts should be raised to lessen the blood supply. Hot applications,
through fomentations, or cold evaporations, lotions, massage later, and
support with a pad and a firm bandage, in some cases. When there is not
much swelling, a plaster of Paris bandage is sometimes applied at once in
order that absolute rest can be secured.

1. Tincture of Arnica. This is an excellent remedy for sprains When the
part is much swollen and looks bluish is when it is especially beneficial.
It can be used full strength by saturating cloths and applying either hot
or cold, or diluted to half strength.

2. Hot Water. Applied with soaked cloths on the part is very grateful in
some cases. It should be kept hot and plenty of water on the part all the
time. This should be applied for hours. Between the soakings, the parts
should be dressed with the lead and laudanum wash, and rubbed with
ichthyol ointment or camphor and laudanum liniment.

3. Cold Applications. Cold water. Some patients are more benefited by
the cold applications. The part should be elevated and a cloth wrung out
of ice cold water, or an ice bag should be kept on the part.

4. Lead and Laudanum Wash. This should not be used if the skin is broken.
Then the laudanum, three-fourths water, can be used alone. Composition of
lead and laudanum wash, proportions four parts of undiluted lead water,
diluted with sixteen parts of water to one of laudanum. This can be made
stronger in the laudanum.

5. Fomentations of hops, or smartweed or wormwood, etc., are also good.

6. Vinegar and Hops--Turpentine Liniment. This can be used later, for
stimulating purposes.

showing how Bandage may be lifted from one eye.]

Bandaging and Photographs by DR. W. E. ZIEGENFUSS, of Detroit.
Done expressly for this book.

The following is a liniment made by an old gentleman I used to know. I was
well acquainted with him while he was living, and I know he was a good,
competent man. Following is the recipe:

"Oil of Amber l ounce.
Oil of Wormwood 1 ounce.
Oil of Tansy 1 ounce.
Camphor Gum 2 ounces.
Ammonia 2 ounces.
Oil of Spike 1 ounce.
Small piece castile soap.
Spirits of Wine 1 pint.

Rub in thoroughly. In some cases it should be diluted one-fourth to
one-half strength. Full strength for much pain.

Next: BURNS. SCALDS
Previous: Broken Nose

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SPRAINS