PART SECOND.
All the objects in the material world are divided into organic and inorganic. The principle of life is always associated with organic bodies, examples of which are animals and plants. Quite a number of inorganic substances go to make up the human body,—to wit: Water, air, lime, magnesia, iron, potassium, sulphur, sodium, phosphorous, and many more.
Through the aid of scientific researches, we are informed that the development of a being begins with a soft jelly-like substance. Later, the parts intended for bone, become cartilage or gristle, progressing with more or less uniformity from a few hours after conception, till about the seventh month of pregnancy.
Anatomists nearly agree in stating that not more than six of the bones are ossified at birth, the greater number being finished at different periods of childhood. The lower portion of the vertebræ or backbone is not usually completed until after the twenty-first year of adult life. The bonyframework of the adult man or woman is composed of about 246 bones, including the teeth. These are covered by about twice that number of muscles or fleshy supports. The muscles, cords and ligaments, which serve as so many bands for the support and protection of the body, are generally much larger and firmer in men than in women. The custom of suspending wearing apparel from the shoulders, conforms to the laws of nature; as those muscles are so arranged as to admit of considerable pressure without injury. Pressure upon the soft parts, as tying many bands around the waist, or tight lacing, is apt to cramp the internal organs of digestion, and crowd them out of their natural position, thereby inducing headache, or other unpleasant feelings.
Begins with the appearance of the monthly sickness, at which times all undue exercise of the body should be avoided. Disobedience to the rules of decorum and the laws of health at such times, may induce ovarian inflammation, dropsy, consumption, and even barrenness.
It is a great mistake to administer brandy, gin, or any alcoholic or narcotic stimulant to girls for the relief of pain, when the periods are coming on. Opiates may destroy the functions, while alcoholic drugs can only relieve by blunting the sense offeeling, through the deceptive influence of intoxication.
Hot water foments, applied perseveringly, will bring more certain and permanent relief.
Menstruation begins much earlier in some girls than in others, yet is natural from the 11th to the 18th year, depending upon the state of the health, also, climate.
An enema should never be given to infants in the presence of older children. Little girls have been lacerated, and thus injured for life, through accidents growing out of imitating mother, or “playing sick,” and giving injections. A young girl should be subject to the advice and protection of her mother or guardian, till sufficiently able to care for herself. Poverty, with chastity, is an enviable condition.
The internal organs consists of the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder, intestines, or guts; the uterus, or womb, and ovaries, or eggs.
The heart is in the centre of the breast, pointing toward the left nipple; the lungs are on each side; the stomach lies below the true ribs, in the left side; the liver, with the gall-bladder attached,is situated below the true ribs, on the right side, reaching across toward the left side.
The spleen, a spongy melt-like viscus, is attached to the stomach and liver somewhat, but situated under the left side of the stomach; the kidneys are situated on each side of the spine or backbone, just above the waist; the bladder, into which the urine drops, is situated in front, just below the umbilicus, or navel; the uterus, or womb, is situated just behind the bladder; the ovaries are situated on each side, and a little behind the womb. Their office appears to be to secrete the menstrual flow, and also to supply whatever is needful in the formation of a new being. The womb is to receive and protect the impregnated germ, together with the vessels through which it is nourished from the mother, till the ninth month, or time of labor, at which time it is dangerous to drink stimulants unless directed by a physician.
The large intestine arises on the right side of the abdomen, extends up and across in front, just above the navel, then descends, terminating in the rectum, or straight outlet, just behind the womb.
In case of dry colic in men and the aged, rubbing with the hand, and steaming with hot cloths over the right side and down the spine, will sometimes induce an operation of the bowels when other means have failed.
Blood, in all animals, is the life fluid; in man it is obtained through the mastication and digestion of his daily food and pure air. The blood is considered to be pure when we feel well, that is, can eat with pleasure, pursue vocations of livelihood, and enjoy refreshing sleep, but impure when the reverse. Physic can act beneficial only by hunting out and removing the obstructions to a natural flow of the digestive juices; but it does not, nor cannot purify blood. Blood medicines is a name used in reference to those which are employed to supply a principle wanting in the blood, but they do not make blood. Therefore, blood is supplied, and can be maintained without the intervention of art. There is scarcely a principle natural to the blood, but that can be obtained from something upon which we daily subsist.
A person may have pure blood, and yet suffer from obstruction in its circulation.
The ovaries are liable to affections from cold; the most frequent of which is acute or dumb aching pains, accompanied with great heat, depression of spirits, and thirst. It often seizes one while sweeping, or otherwise exercising. It not unfrequently comes on while asleep in bed, having the character of cramp, particularly afterhaving wet or cold feet, as it is through the feet such sensations travel rapidly to those organs.
Treatment.—A pad made of hops or any soothing herbs, wet in hot vinegar, and laid over the lower part of the bowels and over the kidneys. Internally, one and a half teaspoonfuls of Epsom salts, and one-eighth as much of pulverized cinnamon, dissolved in a little warm sweetened water, observing absolute quiet, will, in most cases, give speedy relief. Opiate treatment should always be left to the discretion of a physician. It is the collections from repeated attacks of ovarian inflammation that give rise to tumors. They, too, can be cured if taken in time, but it requires total abstinence from all kinds of fish or stimulating food, or drinks, and very regular bowels.
Rheumatism, or nerve pain, of which there are several characters, is nevertheless caused by taking cold, in some certain condition of the system, at almost any time of life. Persons who get in cold or damp beds, or sleep in cold, ill-ventilated rooms without night-clothes, or otherwise neglect to comfortably prepare the body for the maintenance of pure blood, are mostly liable to rheumatism in some form. It may last for a few days only, then again, it may remain in the system for years. It frequently attacks one part of the body andgoes off, leaving a lasting depression, remote from the seat of the attack. Ofttimes it affects the nerves that control the organs of voice and speech; more especially in those persons who use tobacco and “toddy.”
Treatment.—In nearly all cases, in full habits, having been exposed to great heat, alternating with cold, purging, sweating and extreme quiet, will relieve. Anointing the parts with warm goose oil, or boiled olive oil, is highly serviceable. In cases of long standing, with poor blood, the opposite treatment is indicated,i.e., food or medicines that create warmth, and supply principles wanting in the blood; such, for instance, as beef-juice, rare-done beefsteak, lamb chop, corn bread, pure wheat bread, milk, and stewed fruits.
Articular rheumatism, or that affecting the joints, long after the acute or first attack, can generally be cured by feeding the joints, as it were, from without. Ligaments and joints are not quickly affected by what enters the circulation, but very much can be gained by wrapping the joints with bandage, wet in some stimulating sedative of which hot water takes first rank, pulverized opium and water next. Dissolve ten grains in as much hot water as it will require to wet the bandages, apply and cover with a dry flannel. Liniments should be used with caution, as they tend to close up the pores of the skin.
Very much may be gained by taking a hot salt bath twice a week, not necessarily going to the sea-side. In all cases of rheumatism, with feelings of languor or loss of appetite, a tea of seneca, snake root and valerian is advisable, and may be drank at pleasure, cold. Also, a cold infusion of hoarhound and hops, made sweet with maple sugar, is good, if continued for quite a while. Dose—a pint during the day.
Soft bones, or a tendency to crooked limbs, in many families, may arise from a taint of ill-humors, or rachitis in the parents, or even grandparents; likewise, weak joints. The preventive means are, not to keep the infant too hot, or closely bound, while asleep. Children born free from any imperfection may develop distorted, if allowed to creep around or sit on a cold or damp floor, be tossed into a bed between cold sheets, when the nerves are excited and the blood is warm. It would require but little outlay to provide close flannel drawers for children to creep around in; besides, the nation would be blessed, in the future, with men and women possessing firm muscles, with well-fed marrow in their bones.
Treatment.—Wholesome food, frequent warm salt baths, comfortable clothing, sufficient sleep, and that in a comfortable place.
HEADACHE,
so frequently complained of by both sexes, generally denotes some irregularity, either in the manner of eating or sleeping. For instance, strong tea is binding in nature, but there are persons who “must have it,” yet, nevertheless, are usually constipated or nervous. Eating a lunch just before retiring will mostly insure headache, as will, also, over-taxation of the mind or body.
Hemorrhoids, or Piles, may be brought on by whatever irritates the folds of the rectum or back passage; as sudden cold, frequent attempts at stool with dry bowels; frequent and severe physicking, or the passage of fecal matter rendered acrid by the indulgence in highly-seasoned food, alcoholic drinks, or late suppers.
Cure.—Abstinence from heating food or medicines, bathing the lower portion of the spine with warm water, applying simple goose oil, or the simplest ointment, whether the sores extend to the opening or not. The patient should take, as a cooling potion, a teaspoonful of Epsom salts in warm water, two or three times a week. Nothing reduces the blood in the parts more speedily; and there is not the least danger, as is erroneously supposed by many, of taking cold by its use. There is a thousand times more danger in numerousother drugs and potions given under the cover of a great name, to cure the piles.
It is an error to suppose that certain remedies are only serviceable at certain times and in certain places, at certain times of the year. Every means possible should be put forth to reduce the piles before submitting to an operation; a thing that is seldom needed, but nevertheless is frequently done.
This is a very common complaint among women of all ages and conditions of life; but not more so, probably, than seminal weakness in men,—a similar complaint, by the way. It frequently comes from taking cold, after fatigue, which may run its course with some degree of fever, languor and chill; during which time ulcers may form on the membranes of the vagina, or entrance to the womb. These ulcers may remain quite a while, and cause a continuance of the discharge, or they may come off, and leave weak patches, even in virgins. This complaint is not contagious, but if allowed to remain about the parts, may become offensive and excoriating. It requires much the same treatment as catarrh; hence frequently receives the name, catarrh of the womb. It may come from getting up too soon after confinement.
Treatment.—If ulcers are known to have formed, they should be removed in the surest manner, thatthe introduction of the speculum may be dispensed with as soon as possible. After their removal in that way, the cure can be accomplished sooner, but ulcers can be removed without the introduction of the speculum in very small women. If the evidence is conclusive that ulcers have formed, the remedy for their removal can be applied with less pain and displeasure with the vaginal syringe. No astringent washes, such as alum, oak, bark, or lead, are in place while ulcers remain. When there is no unhealthy discharge from the vagina, there can be no need of using a syringe. Salt sea or home baths, nourishing food and rest; applying a wet bandage, warm, during the hours of rest, and keeping the bowels free without the use of severe physic; avoiding laborious work for a while, will give great relief.
The constant use of preparations of iron is binding; and while, at the same time, they may tone up the muscular fibre, they may but invite a renewal of the discharges, by reason of pressure upon the vaginal walls from the loaded rectum. It is a complaint which may at any time give rise to evil imaginations, therefore should be cured as soon as possible. It has been thought, that using the treadle sewing-machines has increased the liabilities to leucorrhœa; but I have yet to conclude whether it is from the use of the machines or the manner in which they are used by most women.
In the first place, the operator sits too far from the machine, thereby causing a motion of the whole body, while she leans too much forward; secondly, operates too fast; thirdly, works too long at a time; fourthly, allows herself but little time to eat or sleep. And, what is more than all, frequently gets angry with the machine, unstrings it, and gets it in as bad condition as she has her own nerves.
I would suggest, that weakly women use a sewing machine that is turned by hand. Whatever causes a discharge, should be speedily removed, as the first means of cure.
Numbers of women persist in saying their womb is down; I must admit that there are many who suffer from a partial prolapsus, or protrusion of the mouth of the womb; the causes of which are usually traceable to hasty deliveries, miscarriages, over-lifting, pressure from a distended bladder, or constipated bowels. But the most frequent cause of a bearing down or a dragging sensation, is from weakness of the whole muscular system. The walls of the canal that leads to the womb, partakes largely of this weakness, which of course is increased by the retention of urine or fecal accumulations in the lower bowels.
There are a variety of uterine difficulties thatafflict women of all classes and conditions of life. Yet it is somewhat encouraging to know that the cure of each is possible when rightly understood.
Treatment.—If the bowels are kept free by taking a teaspoonful of Epsom salts, dissolved in warm water, about three times a week, bathing frequently, and absolute rest observed, relief will be certain.
A pessary or ring should never be worn if avoidable. There are other means to resort to less unpleasant and more certain to give permanent relief. All misplacements of the womb should be rectified at once.
The appearance of the menses in girls, denotes the beginning of womanhood; but the irregularities which the periods sometimes exhibit from the ages, of 35 to 50, have given rise to the term “change of life.”
Women are considered to be in their prime at from 25 to 45, and if careful of habit, may escape any perceptible irregularity save but a few months before the entire cessation, or till after the fiftieth year of their age.
What is needful for a pleasant and healthy cessation of the turns, is a more strict observance of the rules of self-preservation. In some cases, where the menses appear early, they leave early.Climate and the state of the mind, and general health, very often influences the periodical flow; the mere change of residence for a few hundred miles, causing them to vary or disappear entirely, even in young girls. It is a great mistake for young women, thus affected, to seek a doctor or doctress who is considered an expert in “bringing the turns on again.” Probably any amount of mischief has been done by neglecting to cultivate patience in this matter.
In the decline of life, the cares become burdensome, and the system is in a more irritable condition, therefore liable to cold. The ovaries sometimes become enlarged, causing the abdomen to bloat, and sometimes present the appearance of dropsy, or tumor; or a general enlargement may take place. There may be periodical flooding of bright or dark, even black blood, and large pieces of clot may cause great pain for days, then pass away unattended by any serious change in the general health.
Very many women begin to notice the change by feelings of suffocation, flashes as of hot steam, alternating with a slight chilly feeling. If at any time perspiration is free, it should be encouraged rather than suppressed. It is better to endure the hot feelings and save the lungs, than to expose them by inhaling cold air through the tubes, or driving the perspiration in on to them. Fanning,rushing into cold air, drinking ice-water, all tends to throw the danger internally, inducing paralysis. When the feeling of suffocation comes on, it is decidedly best to sit quiet. When there is much fluttering of the heart, it is a good plan to take one or two swallows of cool water, just as it is coming on; this sometimes has the effect to retard it for weeks.
Treatment.—Avoid over-heated rooms or exciting scenes; keep the bowels free without severe physic. Use coarse plain food, drink very little of fluids, avoid spices, stimulants, and secure cheerful exercise for the mind, with an abundance of outdoor scenery; cultivate a love for the gifts of our Heavenly Father, seek to do good for those who are worse off than yourself, and all will come out right.
After the turns have ceased altogether, a woman may live to a good old age, and fill many hours of usefulness to her sex.
Should the beats of the heart interrupt sleep very much, it is a good plan to drink about a half-pint of hop tea, sweetened with brown or maple sugar, at bed-time.
If the heart beats full and heavy, three grains of Bromide of Potassium should be dissolved in cinnamon water, and drunk at noon and night, for a week at the time, then left off to watch the result; and continued, if needful. When there is greatheat of the skin without perspiration, a little mustard should be added to the daily baths for a while. Much depends upon keeping the blood in a normal state at such times, and if the luxuries of life are indulged in, the tendency is to fire the blood, so to speak.
Meats, and sweets, or pastries, induce thirst, simply by their chemical combination with the juices of the stomach; and the more water is drunk to quench the thirst, the longer will the distress continue.
It is not at all improbable that the frequent sudden deaths of women about the age of 36, is owing to taking cold through some imprudence, at this time. Great care should be taken not to have the beatings of the heart stopped too suddenly.
All women are not affected alike; many never experience any heart trouble, whilst a great number are subject to it from early maiden life. If there is much wind in the bowels, it is a good plan to take about five grains of pulverized magnesia and three of pulverized cinnamon, in a little sugar and water, every morning; it gives a gentle operation, and may be repeated at will.
Irregularities of the menses, like the event of pregnancy, very frequently occasions cramp in the stomach, for which many women boast of drinking gin, or some equally volatile stimulant; this shouldnever be done. Putting on cloths wrung out of hot water, and sipping hot water with a little mustard in it, will soon relieve. In case of pregnancy, the cramps mostly cease with delivery.
Catarrh is caused by exposure of the face and glands of the neck to sudden draught, while the blood is quite warm. The mucus that drops from the internal membranes of the head becomes dry, accumulates in flakes, pieces of which gradually drop down on the soft palate and organs of the voice, thus obstructing the air-passages. If it is permitted to go on, it is apt to cause inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
Northeast, and easterly winds, favor its development much, but, with timely aid, it may be cured.
Treatment.—In all cases of catarrh or bronchitis, means should be used to soften the glands and muscles of the neck. Warm steam should be applied to the nostrils and inhaled into the lungs. Medicines taken into the stomach, cannot reach the difficulty. Much may be gained by snuffing a little warm salt water up through the nostrils. When there is great distress from mucus in the air-tubes, about three grains of pulverized ipecacshould be added to about a gill of hot water, and the steam inhaled into the lungs. All inhalants should be boiling hot, and used repeatedly for an hour or more. Inhaling cold air after sitting in a close atmosphere, will induce an attack of bronchial inflammation, or thickening of the air-tubes, in persons of all classes and conditions. Persons who are liable to frequent attacks of bronchitis, are apt to imagine that their lungs are affected, since it prevents a free use of the voice in singing or speaking audibly. I will repeat that this complaint generally terminates with a loss of tone in the lung substance, caused by the failure of the tubes to supply them with oxygen or air; notwithstanding, one may live on for years with it. Sudden changes of air, food or medicines that contract or depress muscular or nervous vitality, may cause suffocation and death at any moment.
When there is much cough present in chronic cases, inhalations of tar, pine bark, or roasted coffee, are beneficial. I never derived any benefit from the use of preparations containing camphor, in the treatment of diseases of the air-passages; but have always succeeded with remedies that moisten, soothe, and warm.
For ordinary burns or scalds, cover the parts well with molasses, and give some internally. Ifblisters have not formed, this will prevent them; and if they have formed, the water should be let out, and the molasses well applied. It will keep out the air most effectually, and draw out the fire in a short time. Also, chilblains, skin or scalp sores, either on infants or adults. Corns, tetter, etc., may be cured by covering the parts at night with molasses, and washing it off in the morning with a weak solution of borax. In scalp sores of infants a little sweet oil should be added to the molasses.
Corns, or callous, whether on the feet of children or adults, come from wearing shoes that are too short and too wide, or otherwise ill suited, the friction of which, when walking, creates festers, the matter of which dries and becomes a corn.
Treatment.—Remove the cause, keep the feet clean, and comfortably clad.
This term is generally applied to all forms of throat troubles; but the most frequent cause of difficulty in swallowing comes from cold attended with swelling, and some degree of inflammation of the tonsils, hence tonsilitis. The palate, or curtain-likearrangement over the root of the tongue, usually partakes of the irritation. The uvula swells, or becomes inflamed, and rests on the root of the tongue, creating a disagreeable sensation in the attempt to swallow. The palate is then said to be “down,” when, in fact, it is not down, but enlarged. Ulcers frequently form on the tonsils, or almond-like glands, inducing extreme suffering for weeks, when it could be cured in a few days.
Treatment.—Apply with a quill, or hair pencil, a grain or two of bread soda (carbonate of soda), and give one teaspoonful of Epsom salts dissolved in warm water daily; at the same time, keep the neck moist during hours of sleep by the application of cloths wrung out of hot water, until relief is obtained. Epsom salts should be of the finest quality, well dissolved, and sweetened with sugar, whenever administered. The quantity should be reduced or increased to suit the age and condition of the patient.
This disease is usually ushered in by complete lassitude or loss of strength. The patient appears to lose intelligence, has no disposition to fret or laugh, the nervous powers seem to be blunted, with complete loss of appetite.
The chances of recovery are more favorable when the disease is rightly understood in theonset. This can seldom be the case, especially among the indigent, for in those instances the true nature of the complaint is overlooked, till it is too late to change the course of the malady.
Treatment.—Medicines and external baths tending to reduce and brighten the blood, are of great importance. Of the medicines, bromide of potassium, given in from three to four grain doses, or two drachms dissolved in four ounces of water, given by tablespoonful doses three or four times a day for an adult. If the body is kept wrapped in a wet blanket, and changed every twenty-four hours, having it warm when first applied, it will greatly assist the recovery. Every means possible should be employed to keep the throat open. As this dreadful disease appears to arise from cold, irritation, and poisons in the blood, affecting the whole system, it may be a question if whiskey and such stimulants are beneficial in the first stage. Stimulants may be employed throughout the disease externally with great satisfaction, alternating with water baths, for if they are going to revive the powers at all, they will do so more readily and permanently by absorption from without.
As yet the treatment of diphtheria appears to be undecided by the medical faculty; an ailment must be well understood to insure decided treatment.
SCROFULOUS OR GLANDULAR SWELLINGS
may develop by exposure to sudden atmospherical changes, but all glandular enlargements are not a sign of scrofulous taint.
Nearly all of the ordinary swellings of the neck, or of any of the glands, may be entirely removed by the continued application of salt moistened with the pulp of apple. Hot salt-water baths are scattering, as is also an occasional anointing with the ointment of helebore.
Should they fill out with pus, they should be carefully lanced and the matter encouraged to flow out by applications of warm water or a poultice of flaxseed meal; should it not run freely and appear firm, add a little honey over the surface of the poultice for a short time. When the wounds are healthy they may be healed over by the application of an ointment prepared by melting white pine resin and tallow together. The system must be kept open, and the blood well fed at the same time, as poor living both propagates the disease and retards its cure. Scrofula frequently terminates in consumption.
May develop in or on any part of the body, in either sex; but in women, most likely to form inthe uterine regions. Some of the principal causes have been mentioned in Part I. I will here advise the general management:—Avoid eating fish, eggs, oysters, pork, vegetables of a gaseous nature, or any stimulant drinks; also avoid anything that may depress or excite the mind. As much of the distress which frequently accompanies tumor is the result of wind and loaded bowels, it is best to keep them free by small but repeated doses of warm Epsom salts; frequent hot salt-water baths; anointing the entire body with ointment of helebore, or goose oil. The dress should be of comfortable material. Where there is much bloating, a decoction of water, pepper herb and horse-radish root, maybe drank at will for months; likewise, hop sweetened with brown sugar induces sleep. In this way one may live on comfortably for years with tumor.
In all cases where it is known there is a tendency of the blood to the head, the patient should be placed in a cool, quiet room. The hair should be shaved, or closely cut off; cloths wrung out of warm water may be kept continually over the scalp and back part of the neck. The feet and ankles as well as the wrists should also be kept moist during the height of the fever. Small dosesof Epsom salts, say one quarter of a teaspoonful, dissolved in a little warm sweetened water, to a child from one to five years old, will generally relieve the blood-vessels, if given long enough to produce large passages from the bowels. The same remedy should be increased for adults. Also the bromide of potassium, administered as in case of diphtheria, is excellent.
It is usually some irregularity, over-work, or undue excitement, some way or other, that induces the alarming symptoms of brain fever.
But, at all events, it shows that there is an overcharged condition of the blood-vessels, which should be promptly relieved. Efforts to this end should be both general and special. I have here inserted the general course, which is to reduce the blood in density by keeping the system open. Applications of ice, or ice-cold baths, over the head, after the fever is at its height, does not always prove beneficial to the general circulation. Ice may cause the blood to congeal in the parts, and thus prevent a chance for the removal of the pressure, through the ascending and descending blood-vessels. Cold water checks the flow of blood, while, on the other hand, warm water assists it to flow. It is just this assistance that is needed to free the system from all poisonous irritants, and when timely and rightly applied it cannot fail to relieve.
FORMULA FOR MAKING DOCTRESS CRUMPLER’S VEGETABLE ALTERATIVE.
Take of fresh Indian posy and water pepper herbs, each one ounce; white pine bark, or tops, one half ounce; horehound herb, one fourth. Simmer in two quarts of water in a covered vessel four or five hours. Have three pints when strained; then add two and one half pounds of loaf sugar. Boil briskly to a clear, thick syrup; pour out, and stir in while hot, one teaspoonful of pulverized mandrake root. Strain again through a fine cloth, and, when cold, bottle and keep in a cool, dark place. If podophyllin, the concentrated mandrake is used—which I prefer—only one half-teaspoonful is required to a quart of syrup. Dose for an adult, from one half to two-thirds of a small wineglassful once a day while resting. Dose for small children, in case of bloating, worms, cough, from half to a whole teaspoonful at bed-time for a short while. Good to remove old colds from continued exposures, morbid craving for tobacco, alcoholic beverages or other blood poisoning idols, for which the dose is one teaspoonful in a glass of cold water at every inclination to drink, chew, or smoke.
Perseverance will insure success. No remedy should be continued after relief is obtained; too much physicking impoverishes the blood.