Part 4 (1/2)

It should be taken at the 2d dilution, and the tincture applied to the affected part every night.

Hoa.r.s.eness.

This arises generally, from inflammation of the mucous membrane of the _Larynx_, in ordinary cases but slight. It is a frequent accompaniment of Bronchitis.

The remedies most useful, and those which will, in almost all ordinary cases, remove this affection at once, are _Arum tri._ and _Copaiva_, to be taken a dose every three hours in alternation.

If there is present a dry hacking cough, it will be well to take _Bell._ in the interval between the other medicines, for a day, or until the cough is relieved, or changed to a moist condition.

Inflammation of the Brain.

_Brain Fever._

Though this affection is not strictly what is called ”brain fever,” it is attended with more or less general fever, while in what is called ”Brain fever,” there is great irritation of the brain, requiring in many respects similar treatment. As the treatment proper for inflammation of the brain, with some slight modifications in relation to the existing fever, will be applicable to both, I shall treat of them under one head.

Some of the princ.i.p.al symptoms are delirium and drowsiness, fullness of the blood vessels of the head, beating of the temporal arteries, redness and fullness of the face, the pupils dilated, (though in the very early stage they may be contracted.) If the membranes of the brain be the seat of the disease, the pain is more intense, and frequently the limbs are in a palsied state. The patient sometimes vomits immoderately, and the pulse is slow and irregular, but full. The breathing becomes stertorous.

The fever is very considerable, and the head hot.

TREATMENT.

_Aconite_, _Belladonna_ and _Bryonia_ should be given in rotation, one dose every hour in a violent case, lengthening the intervals as the symptoms abate. Applying _hot cloths_ to the head, removing them occasionally to let the water evaporate, will greatly palliate and will not in the least, interrupt the action of the medicines. Never apply cold to the head of any person, when hot or inflamed, much less to that of a child. Children are often killed by the application of ice to the head, producing congestion and paralysis of the brain. Hot applications are h.o.m.oeopathic to the state then existing, and always beneficial.

The feet may also be placed in hot water, but children should never be put into a hot or warm bath when sick, so as to cover more than the lower extremities.

Convulsions of Children--Fits.

These generally occur, either from the irritation of worms, or as precursors of ague, or they may arise from diarrhoeal irritation, affecting the brain. They sometimes occur in hooping cough.

If convulsions occur from worms, the child appearing to be choked, give at once some salt and water, and as soon as the first paroxysm is over, give a dose of _Bell._, and after an hour a dose of _Santonine_. If they come on at the commencement of an ague chill, give _Aconite_ and _Bell._ every half hour for three or four doses alternately, then leave off the _Bell._ and give _Baptisia_. If diarrhoea is the cause, give _Bell._ and _Cham omilla_. If from hooping cough, _Bell._ alone should be used.

Measles.

This is a contagious disease, and always begins with symptoms like a cold, with high fever, and a severe dry cough, thirst and restlessness.

_Pulsatilla_ is the proper medicine to palliate and regulate the symptoms. If the fever is high, _Aconite_ should be used every two hours alternately with _Puls._ Should the eruption subside suddenly, give _Bryonia_ with _Pulsatilla_ until it reappears.

Let the child drink freely of cold water, and avoid stimulants of every kind. If the eruption is tardy in its appearance, a hot bath may be administered, being careful to have the room quite warm, and to rub the patient dry, very suddenly after the bath. Frictions by the healthy hand over the surface, will do much towards bringing out measles. After the eruption is out, quiet, freedom from sudden exposure to cold, cold water and light diet is all that is necessary. In some of the most obstinate cases, where the eruptions failed to appear in the proper time, as well as where they had receded too soon, I have been able to bring them out in a short time with an infusion of Sa.s.safras root, sweetened and taken quite warm, in doses of half an ounce in fifteen to thirty minutes. It is a remedy for measles well worth attention.

Mumps.

This is a contagious disease, consisting in an inflammation of the Parotid gland. There is, at first, a sense of stiffness and soreness on moving the jaw, soon after the gland begins to swell, and continues to be sore and painful, with more or less headache, and general fever for from six to eight days. It is not ordinarily a dangerous disease, unless translated to some other part. It may remove from the original seat to the brain, the t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es, or in females to the b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

TREATMENT.

_Mercurius_ should be given three times a day during the attack. If the brain becomes affected, use _Bell._ and _Apis mel._ in alternation.