Perspiration
Sources: Papers On HealthBy this term we mean not only the sensible perspiration
which is felt as a distinct wetness on the skin during exertion or
heat, or in some illnesses, but also, and chiefly, the constant
insensible perspiration. This latter is far more important than the
former. No one could live many hours without it, for by its means
several pounds weight of waste is got rid of every day. Its importance
we saw lately in the case of a
flannel BANDAGE (see) wrung out of warm water, placed round the body,
reduced this swelling completely, without any sensible sign of
excretion. A very gentle treatment, increasing this insensible
sweating, will often cure without weakening, where violent perspiring
medicines or treatment cause great weakness. A damp flannel bandage
placed round the lower half of the body all night for a few nights will
produce a remarkable increase of insensible perspiration, and in many
case forms a good substitute for sweating drugs. Along with this the
soapy lather may be used at bedtime all over the skin (see Lather and
Soap). We have seen a swelling of the hand, which made a medical man
talk of amputation, cured by these means. Acetic acid, or white-wine
vinegar, rubbed over the skin, produces a similar increase of
insensible perspiration, and may be used without fear of injury. This
done once a week will go far to reduce sensitiveness to cold. Indeed,
the use of M'Clinton's soap and water, along with good acetic acid
sponging once a week, will prevent many serious ills by securing a
constant gentle excretion of hurtful waste through the stimulated skin.
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Nerves Shaken
By this we mean, not the nerve trouble which follows a sudden injury or fright, but the result of long-continued worry and overwork. Sleeplessness, great irritability of temper, depressing thoughts, restlessness, and even a wish for death, are all sym... Nerves Spinal
The spinal cord is continuous with the back part of the brain. It is a mass of nerve fibres, and from it branch off in pairs, all the way down from the brain, the great nerves which move the limbs and muscles of the body, and receive the impressions o... Nerves Troubled
Often a state of the nerves exists, without any apparent unhealthiness, which makes the whole system so sensitive, that ordinary sights, sounds, and smells become unbearable, and the patient feels the ordinary round of experience, which would never be... Nervous Attacks
What we call, for want of a better name, "nerve force," or "nerve action," is at any one time a definite quantity. In health it is distributed to all the sets of nerves equally, so that all work in harmony. But if its distribution be altered in certai... Nervous Prostration
Persons suffering from nervous prostration have probably allowed the urgency of seeming duty to drive them on in work till the vital energies have been fairly exhausted. At last they are completely broken down, and the very fountains of life are dried... Nervousness
This frequent and distressing trouble is to be traced to a state of the nervous system in which sensibility has got the upper hand, and self-control is partly lost. It is difficult accurately and briefly to describe, but is an easily recognisable stat... Nettle Rash
This is an eruption on the skin, often coming suddenly and going off again, but sometimes of long standing. It resembles in appearance the sting of a nettle--hence the name. It is accompanied by an intolerable itching, and is a very sore trouble where... Neuralgia
This is severe pain in one part or other of the body, sometimes followed by swelling of the painful part, but frequently without much sign of anything wrong at that point. It is, as the name implies, a trouble affecting the nerves which are connected ... Nicotine (tobacco)
Emetic; stimulate and keep warm; keep patient lying down. ... Night Coughs
These frequently remain as the so-called dregs of some illness, and are found very persistent. They are also frequently very alarming, as they are thought to indicate some trouble in the lungs, and as immediate steps should be taken to check this, it ... Night Pains
If these are of the nature of cramps, which come on while lying in bed, the treatment is similar to that given above as morning treatment for Night Coughs, only the cooling must be continued for three-quarters of an hour or longer, fomenting the legs ... Night Sweats
This distressing symptom, which accompanies various illnesses, can in most cases be easily cured. The whole skin is to be sponged over at bedtime with CAYENNE LOTION (see). This is best done under the bed-clothes. Acetic acid, the effective essence in... Nightmare
In serious cases of this trouble, the patient awakes some time before he gains any power whatever to move, feeling held as in a vice. But in common instances, the attack is entirely during sleep, and accompanied by frightful dreams. A heavily-loaded s... Noise And Disease
Perhaps nothing shows more the lack of human feeling in many people than the manner in which they inflict sore distress on the sick and dying by means of noise. Moreover, recovery is retarded, and has sometimes been wholly prevented, by nothing but a ... Nostrils The
The disease called Polypus, affecting the mouth or nostril with growths which are usually removed by force, is one of those troubles curable by proper use of vinegar or weak acetic acid. The extraction of the Polypi is painful, and we have ourselves s... Nourishment
Nothing is more required in healing than properly to nourish the enfeebled body. In its commencement proper nourishment demands a proper mixture of food and saliva. In fever, if there be little or no saliva present, food requiring much saliva to fit i... Nourishment Cold In
If a person is in fever, and is burning with internal heat, a little bit of ice, sucked in the mouth, gives great relief. The relief is got in this way: the melted ice, in the form of water, is little in bulk in proportion to the heat which is absorbe... Nourishment Heat In
Heat is absorbed in building up the bodily tissues, and given off when they are disintegrated. To rightly understand this is of great importance in all treatment. When a living substance is growing, it demands heat. An illustration of this is the sun... Nursing Over
Few vital processes are more remarkable than that by which food fitted for adults becomes in the mother's breast food fit for the little infant. In nursing it is well to remember that all food is not equally fit to be so changed. Well-boiled porridge,... Oil Olive
A little oil only should be applied to the skin at once. Any such smearing as dirties the clothes or bedclothes is quite unnecessary. Since the first edition of these papers was published, the use of oil in the "massage" treatment has become so wid... Opium
See Narcotics. ... Oranges
Some things regarding this useful fruit require to be noted by those using them in sickness. To eat the whole substance of an orange except the outer rind is to give the digestive system some hard work. We have known most serious stomach disturbance c... Oxalic Acid
Neutralise by chalk or lime water, but not by soda or any alkali. Give plenty of water; apply hot fomentations to loins. ... Pain Severe In Limbs
This is often not due to any trouble in the joint itself, but to some disorder in the large nerves which have their roots in the lower part of the back. In the case of severe pains in the back of the leg, ankle, or knee, when a chill to the large limb... Palpitation
Ordinarily we are not aware of the beating of the heart, enormous as is the work it does; but in certain cases this beating becomes distressingly violent, especially on lying down flat or in ascending hills or stairs. The latter cases are the more ser... Palsy
See Paralysis. ... Paralysis
This serious trouble in slighter forms affects one side of the face, or even one eye only. More serious attacks involve the arm, and even an entire half of the body. It may come suddenly, or may creep slowly over the frame. In very old persons the cas... Perspiration
By this term we mean not only the sensible perspiration which is felt as a distinct wetness on the skin during exertion or heat, or in some illnesses, but also, and chiefly, the constant insensible perspiration. This latter is far more important than ... Phosphorus
Often caused by children sucking matches. There is a burning in the throat, and often vomiting. Give an emetic. After this some barley water or milk may be given. ... Piles
This very common trouble is caused by one or more of the veins in the lower bowel losing their elasticity, so as to protrude more or less from the anus, especially when the stress of a motion of the bowels forces them out. When no blood proceeds from ... Pimples On The Face
See Face. ... Pleurisy
The pleura is the tender double web, or membrane, which lines the inside of the chest on the one side and covers the lung, or rather encloses the lung with its other fold. Each of the two lungs has its pleura in which it works, and each side of the ch... Poisoning
The following are the antidotes and remedies for some of the more common forms of poisoning. ... Poisoning Blood
Where this arises from a more or less putrid wound, what is aimed at in the treatment is to stop the manufacture of the poison in the wound by cleansing and healing it. This done, the other symptoms will subside. The wound should be carefully brushed ... Polypus
See Nostrils. ... Potato Poultice
Potatoes boiled and beaten up with buttermilk, spread out in the usual way, make this useful poultice. Weak acid or vinegar may also be used instead of buttermilk. The potatoes should be boiled as recommended below. ... Potato The
The proper cooking of this root is so important for health, owing to its universal use, that we here give directions which, if followed out, make potatoes a dish acceptable to even a very delicate stomach. Difficulty of digestion often arises from the... Poultice Bran
See Bran Poultice. ... Prostration Nervous
The various articles under Nerves and Nervousness should be read. Here we give simply the treatment for failure in the digestion and bowel action. This arises from failure in the great nerve centres near the middle of the body. External treatment may... Prussic Acid
Almost hopeless. Emetic; artificial respiration. ... Pulse Counting The
Most valuable information as to the nature and progress of disease is derivable from the pulse. Every one should learn to count it, and to distinguish the broad differences in the rapidity and nature of the beat. Such a distinction as that between BRO... Purple Spots On Skin
These arise first as small swellings. The swellings fall, and leave purple patches behind, which, if the trouble continues, become so numerous as to spoil the appearance of the skin. This especially occurs in children or young people, whose skin is e... Racks From Lifting
See Muscular Pains; Sprains. ... Rash Or Hives
Infants are often troubled with large red, angry-looking spots, breaking out over the body, and causing trouble by their heat and itching. These are commonly known as hives. If the water in which a child is washed be hard, it will sometimes cause the ... 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. ...