Part 18 (2/2)

DISEASES OF CHILDREN.

The following simple methods of treating the ailments of childhood will be found remarkably efficacious, easy of application, and may be used with confidence.

CROUP.

This disease often runs in families, and is most frequently caused by sudden alterations of temperature. The symptoms are usually a harsh cough, hoa.r.s.eness, sore throat, and slight fever. A croupy child needs watching. To prevent it, keep the colon clean.

The treatment cannot be too prompt. Use the ”Cascade” quickly, and place the child immediately in a hot bath, and rub the lower limbs thoroughly. Wring a cloth out of cold water, and place it on the throat and chest, covering it with a thick flannel to exclude the air.

Change the cloth as often as it gets dry.

SCARLET FEVER.

This is a bacillus disease. The colon being clogged, Nature is trying to cast out the impurities by way of the pores of the skin, and when these become congested we have fever. First flush the colon, then use the hot sheet pack (see end of book), if the fever is not very high, or if the child has chills. If the fever is high, use the cold sheet pack. With this treatment the rash will soon come out, and the child be easy. If fever appears again, give another injection and a sponge bath. Feed the body with water outside, and give it all it wants to drink. Give no food until Nature calls for it, then a raw egg beaten in milk. When the appet.i.te comes back, give soft-boiled rice, or oatmeal with milk. Keep a cool head, and this treatment will save your child.

CHOLERA INFANTUM

Is a disease that can be readily cured by flus.h.i.+ng the colon--adding a little antiseptic tonic to the water. It is purely a disease of the alimentary ca.n.a.l, consequently, cleansing that pa.s.sage affords relief.

A tepid bath, covering the legs and abdomen, is of wonderful benefit when fever is present. Be very particular with the diet. A raw egg, well beaten, in boiled milk is very nouris.h.i.+ng.

DIPHTHERIA

Is a terribly fatal complaint, the result of a poison or germ produced in the body during the illness. The symptoms being difficult to identify, all cases of sore throat, if accompanied by fever, loss of strength, and white spots on the tonsils, should be regarded as diphtheretic.

Give full hot water flus.h.i.+ngs twice or four times every twenty-four hours. If the throat is of a grayish color, add a teaspoonful of borax to every quart of water. If it is of a dark red color, add a teaspoonful of acetic acid to every quart of water. If the child cannot retain it, place it in a hot hip bath, and then it will. After the discharge, induce perspiration with the hot sheet pack (if chilly), if not, in the cold pack, and apply a cold compress to the throat. Give the child all the cold, pure water it wants.

To treat the throat locally, take equal parts of fine salt, borax and common soda, pulverize, mix well, and by means of a quill blow well down the throat, using one quarter or half a teaspoonful.

SMALL-POX.

Is a very contagious eruptive fever, caused by a bacillus and fever, with aching of the limbs, in from nine to twelve germ peculiar to the disease. It commences with chills days after exposure.

After forty-eight hours the eruption usually appears. When rightly treated, it is not a dangerous disease.

In the case of a young person or child, the treatment is the same as for scarlet fever. Let the patient have all the water it wants in frequent drinks--a little cold water at a time.

After the eruption appears, no further treatment is necessary, except a daily flus.h.i.+ng of the colon and a daily sponge bath in tepid water.

If there is pain in the head, apply a cold compress. There is no appet.i.te during the progress of the disease, but when the stomach demands food, great care should be exercised. Milk may be given safely. When strength returns, toasted Graham bread, mush, boiled or broiled chicken may be given.

TO PREVENT POCKMARKS.

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