Part 18 (1/2)

TREATMENT.

The ”Cascade” should be used regularly, also the wet sheet pack, to promote the action of the skin, for that organ usually exhibits a marked dryness; and its temperature should be varied to suit that of the body. If fairly vigorous, the morning cold bath should be used, for its tonic qualities, or, if weak, then the tepid bath, followed, in either case, by a brisk rubbing, to promote circulation. Diet is most important. All sweets and starchy foods, which are converted into sugar by digestion, should be shunned, while whole wheat bread, lean beef, mutton and fish, together with salads made from herbs, should be eaten. Acid fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are beneficial. Soft boiled eggs and milk (in moderation) may be taken. All food should be eaten slowly and a little at a time. The only drink should be pure water, and that never at meal times, but a cup of hot water half an hour before meals will be found of service. Tea, coffee, cream, and especially alcoholic drinks, must be absolutely avoided.

LOCOMOTOR ATAXIA

Results from what is known as sclerosis, a hardening of the gray matter in the motor centres of the spinal cord. Its special symptom is the peculiar high-stepping gait, the power of locomotion not being properly under the control of the will, and when the eyes are closed, it seems impossible for the afflicted person to walk forward without falling. Like other diseases of its cla.s.s, it is primarily due to innutrition, the result of imperfect elimination, and has. .h.i.therto defied regular medical treatment. If a cure is to be effected, it is by regular use of the ”Cascade,” perfect rest, strict attention to diet, and judicious ma.s.sage; but if the case is well advanced, it is doubtful whether restoration to health can be affected.

NURSING MOTHERS.

Under the above heading, we cla.s.s the following troublesome complaints: Inflammation of the Breast, Milk Fever, Sore Nipples, Puerperal Swelled Leg, and Puerperal Fever, or Peritonitis, all of which complaints are practically unknown, under intelligent hygienic treatment.

We would point out that a simple hygienic mode of life (including careful diet and the regular practice of the ”Cascade Treatment”

during pregnancy), will not only have the effect of making the labor easy, and the recovery rapid, but will almost preclude the possibility of any of the above complaints manifesting themselves.

During pregnancy the ”Cascade Treatment” should be regularly used twice a week, by which means the absorption of the poisonous waste matters of the system into the circulation is completely avoided, and the future health of the infant a.s.sured. The body should be bathed daily, or, if impracticable, then a brisk rubbing from head to foot, with a towel, and exercise--more or less--taken every day. The diet should consist largely of vegetables and fruit, especially after the fourth month, avoiding farinaceous foods as much as possible, such as wheat, peas, beans, barley, and especially fine wheaten flour. These foods contain the bony const.i.tutents, and their avoidance tends to deossify the systems of both mother and child, and make childbirth what Nature intended it to be, a comparatively painless proceeding.

Careful attention to the foregoing hygienic mode of life, during pregnancy, will effectually prevent the appearance of those distressing complaints (before mentioned), pecu1iar to Nursing Mothers.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BREAST

Would never occur, if the ”Cascade” had been regularly used, and the treatment for it, when present, is to use the ”Cascade” thoroughly, and apply cool wet clothes, well covered with dry ones, to the b.r.e.a.s.t.s. If there is a surplus of milk, draw it off with the breast pump, or the more convenient method--the mouth.

SORE NIPPLES

Do not require anything but a little cream or olive oil applied to them, with occasional applications of cold, wet cloths when they are hot and painful, and occasional fomentations when they are cracked and sore--but do not fail to ”flush the colon.”

MILK FEVER

Is princ.i.p.ally due to over-heated, or ill-ventilated rooms, and should be treated by at once flus.h.i.+ng the colon, and if the patient is not too weak, use the wet sheet pack, otherwise tepid ablutions should be frequently used.

PUERPERAL SWELLED LEG

Should be treated as an acute inflammation. The colon should be thoroughly flushed, the wet sheet pack or tepid bath used frequently, and cold wet compresses applied to the afflicted limb. The patient may drink cold water freely, and the diet should consist mainly of Indian or wheat-meal gruel.

FISTULA.

There are two distinctly recognized forms of fistula, the complete and the incomplete: the latter, having only one opening, either external or internal; if the opening is internal, it is termed, ”blind fistula.” The complete fistula has two openings, usually, one external and one internal, but in some cases, both openings are external.

Fistula is almost invariably the sequel to a neglected abscess, therefore, any form of gathering in the b.u.t.tocks, should be promptly attended to. Fistula may result from an injury; but the large majority of cases are due to a congested or diseased condition of the sigmoid flexure and r.e.c.t.u.m.

TREATMENT.

It need scarcely be said, that scrupulous care and cleanliness are indispensable factors in promoting recovery, therefore, the colon must be kept absolutely clean, by the use of the ”Cascade” and the parts 'thoroughly bathed with warm water, at least, once daily, and the pipe of the fistula should be thoroughly cleaned three times a day, with the following solution: To half a cupful of warm water, add twenty- five drops of fluid hydrastis and one teaspoonful of finely pulverized willow charcoal. This should be mixed thoroughly and injected into the opening of the fistula, the whole of it, with a small piston syringe.

If the opening is not external, then, double the quant.i.ty should be injected into the r.e.c.t.u.m. This practice should be persisted in until the discharge ceases. In some cases, operations are absolutely necessary. All stimulants should be avoided and all highly seasoned foods.