Herbal Remedies and Recipes and some others

Table of contents :
Herbal Remedies and Recipes... and some others - Binding Strip......Page 1
Short Title......Page 3
[Lineart] Rose Hips......Page 4
Title Page......Page 5
Printer's Imprint......Page 6
Foreword......Page 7
Contents......Page 15
Illustrations......Page 16
A--......Page 19
B--......Page 29
[Lineart] Wild Strawberry......Page 37
B-C--......Page 56
[Lineart] Coltsfoot......Page 57
[Lineart] Camomile......Page 79
D--......Page 87
E--......Page 90
F--......Page 96
G--......Page 98
[Lineart] Anemone......Page 99
H--......Page 101
I--......Page 110
I-L--......Page 111
M-......Page 115
[Lineart] Lime or Linden Tree......Page 119
N--......Page 128
O--......Page 138
[Lineart] Garlic......Page 143
O-P--......Page 145
P-Q--......Page 150
Q-R--......Page 151
[Lineart] Purple Clover......Page 153
S--......Page 160
S-T--......Page 174
[Lineart] Stinging Nettle......Page 177
V--......Page 180
W--......Page 185
Beverages......Page 195
[Lineart] Blackthorn......Page 205
Soups and Broths......Page 210
Fish......Page 218
Meat and Poultry......Page 222
Vegetables and Salads......Page 233
Sweets and Savouries......Page 239
[Lineart] Bramble or Blackberry......Page 241
Common Accidents and First Aid......Page 255
Index......Page 267

Citation preview

Herbal Remedies and and

some

others

Recipes

ROSE HIPS Rosa canina. Nat. Ord.

Rosaceae

WJarj

Thorne

,Quelch

HERBAL REMEDIES and

and

with

Recipes

some

drawings b

others

Irene Hawkins

Faber and Faber Limited London

First published in Mcmxlv by Faber and Faber Limited 24 Russell Square, London, W.C.1 Printed in Great Britain by

Western

Printing Services Limited, Bristol All rights reserved

This book is produced in

complete conformity

with the authorized economy standards

Foreword You Must’ ‘Don’tbe Ill—Unless Almost

exactly two hundred years ago John Ray published Compleat English Proverbs where, amid much that is wise and a great deal that is foolish, is a forgotten axiom which deserves to be remembered: ‘GodWho gives the wound gives the salve.’ The words state a literal fact and also hold an inspiring than our thought which refers to much—to very much—more needs. is laid us—whatever Whatever burden physical upon poison infects our lives—whatever pain we are called upon to bear—the power which lightens our burdens by adding to our the antidote which robs the poison of its sting, the strength, which cures, or, at least, alleviates our pain, is somewhere remedy at hand and will be found if we look for it aright. Thinking purely of our bodily needs it will be found that remedies for most of our ills are waiting to our hands in herb garden and shop and kitchen cabinet, as well as in the chemists’ stores. Herbs, fruit, cereals, vegetables, simples of every type, his collection of

are

the salves which God has sent to heal

use

them

aright

since to

neglect

our

ills. It is for

us to

them is to throw away

our

health. greatest treasure—good All of us, however young and strong

we may be, suffer from illness at times and the first symptoms, even if they are just minor aches or ‘offcolour’ feelings should be taken as warnings

and due

care

exercised to prevent the trouble developing. suggested the sufferer should be plunged

Most certainly it is not

into

panic. That would lead to his becoming a hypochondriac, brooding over his ailments and nursing them until he is a 5

Foreword nuisance

to himself and everyone around. The exercise of ordinary

required. Simple remedies are necessary, and, humanly speaking, should do all that is necessary. The possibility of self-hypnotism is not to be ignored. Just as thousands of sufferers have benefited by following the advice of Professor Coué and assuring themselves: ‘Iam better, much better in every way. I am getting better and better every day’, caution is what is

others, perhaps those whose complaints at the outset were very minor indeed, have allowed themselves to become seriously so

ill

know I am by dweffing on the fear: ‘Iam going to be ill—I be am ill—I to bad indeed—I am going to die— going very very me And so on, and so on. Since will do any good.’ nothing they insist on pushing themselves downhill it is very unlikely they will gain the top.

This is not set down in the alarmist

effort to

sense. Far

from it. It is

an

out from what direction trouble may come and

point hope to avert it. Nor is this a ‘doctor’sbook’in the ordinary acceptation of the words. It is a series of straight talks from a woman who has nursed many patients in many illnesses and knows how often blind ignorance or crass carelessness may allow what should be a passing ailment to develop into a serious how we may

disease. Another of old John

stumbling-block:

Ray’s proverbs exactly describes ‘What is

one

man’s poison.’ Never mind what has to other

people, help to

a common

man’s meat is another

happened or is happening slight or grave,

whatever your ailment, be it

your past experience of your body and its If idiosyncrasies. you have reached that nebulous period known as the Age of Discretion you ought to possess a great deal of useful knowledge on the subject. Do not worry over your

look for

your doctor should

not disobey symptoms—do

called in—but decide in the

light

one

have been

of past experience which foods

and drinks, and, to a certain extent, what medicines agree with you and what do not. If you are dealing with a doctor and think, from your past experience, that his prescriptions will not suit you, you should tell him

so.

6

Foreword Under the

same

rule, it is worse than useless to follow blindly

neighbour or your dearest friend, example who may have attained perfect health by living solely on tea and toast while tea gives you indigestion and you need fatforming foods. Or vice versa. Perhaps the neighbour or friend of your next-door

the

can

vouch for

by miracle

only

a cure,

to be described as

miraculous, performed

other of the patent medicines. That such a worked there may be no denying, but whether the

one or

was

preparation will suit you equally well is problematical. That you can discover only by trial and error. As for patent medicines in general, the mere fact that this or that preparation has held the market for a long period may be taken as proof of its excellence. No amount of money spent on advertising will bolster up inferiority for any length of time. Advertising brings an article before the public but only its own excellence keeps it on the market. The great trouble with such medicines is that the sufferer diagnoses his own ailment and frequently does so wrongly, thus taking a preparation never meant for

such

medicine. No

a case as

draught

his. The failure is not the fault of the

pill, recipe,

whether it has been

prepared at prescribed by the doctor, or bought over a chemist’s counter, can cure everything and everybody. A case in point is that of a nerve-racked patient whose home from some old

or

or

condition may be likened to that of an overstrained violin, with every string drawn to the verge of breaking-point. What is needed is a sedative to relax those strained and tortured most nerves, to calm, to soothe, but often he or she—in instances it is a ‘she‘—is persuaded to swallow a nerve tonic instead with the result the trouble is intensified.

boasting that noindigestion but that he had completely cured himself by—over-eating. It did not seem a probable cure, though I do not know the particular type of dyspepsia from which he suffered, but he seems to have lived to a good old age persisting in his extraordinary treatment to the end. And as an opposite type there was an old lady who refused A man I used to know was in the habit of

one

had

ever

been

a

greater martyr

7

to

Foreword to see a doctor or to do

anything

to alleviate the

pain

she

bore because the embrocation she rubbed into her ankles did no

preparations were frauds, she said. When nothing was wrong with her ankles— suffering from an obscure form of hip disease. Her

good.

she died it she

was

All such was

discovered

obstinacy had shut the door against all hope of cure. When she failed to get the relief for which she hoped from the embrocation, she ought to have realized she needed skilled attention to discover the real seat of pain. The words with which this chapter is headed—’ Don’tbe ill— a unless you must’—are quotation from a very old man, the son of a doctor in, I think, Cheshire. In his youth this old gentleman had suffered from

a serious disease, then considered incurable, with the result that his father and all the latter’s medical

gave him up. Somewhere he discovered a note-book in which an ancestress of long ago had written lists of her herbal

colleagues

simples and particulars

of the various treatments she had

to the members of her

family

they were ill. succeeded, though

when

given village He set to work to cure himself and evidently and to the

his methods

refused all medicine,

seem to

people

of the

have been drastic. He

simple herbal infusion, trusting entirely to diet to work the miracle. Literally he sought the cure in the kitchen and in the kitchen alone. Having no special scientific knowledge and knowing nothing of the calories, proteins, and vitamins which are common words with us, he weighed and measured and studied his food, keeping strictly to the rules he laid down for himself, and in the end not only was he cured of the disease that ought to have killed him, but he

seems to

was a

even

the most

have warded off other illnesses

pleasant

member of the household

as

well. Whether he

during

this time I do

not know, but certainly his perseverance deserves praise. He must have been helped considerably by whoever it was acted as his cook, since the wrong food, or the right food cooked, would have completely upset his scheme.

just been written to add quotation heading this chapter is

It is no contradiction of what has

that

an

important part of the

wrongly

8

Foreword in its last words, ‘unless you must’. In spite of all efforts and knowledge and precautions certain diseases may attack and conquer, clean and

almost conquer, in spite of a brave defence. Yet a healthy life lived beforehand will strengthen the resistance.

or

At the first definite appearance of the foe the defence properly organized and carried out without delay or

must be

hesitation. Hints for this

are

to

be found

throughout

these

pages as well as under the heading, ‘Inthe Sick Room’. When the complaint is diagnosed as very serious the patient generally

hospital or, if money is plentiful, a trained nurse given here should be useful under all circumstances, though they are not intended to apply specially in the latter case. They will help in minor illnesses and in the first stages of a disorder which has not been fully diagnosed. Both in the early stages and during convalescence the is removed to

a

is installed at home. The hints

‘Cookeryfor Invalids’, should be studied. Very much depends upon the amount of nourishment supplied and the digestibility of the food. In a case where a woman lay almost dying from gastric trouble, the doctor suggested she might be given a little steamed fish. Later he was recalled in haste and section,

rushed to the house to discover that the

patient

on a

Fatal results

boiled mackerel

were

nurse—she was

as

‘she

nurse

thought

had fed her

it would do’.

averted, but it was

not

a narrow escape. And that of the ‘trained’variety, of course—was the

mother of ten children! In this respect, we of the present era are fortunate. Never cookery became an art has there been such widespread

since

knowledge of food values, thanks to the Ministry of Food and frequent broadcasts from the B.B.C. If the lessons given are acted upon and remembered our national health will improve and the old reproach that Englishwomen cannot cook will be the

removed once and for ever.

following pages will be found a list of the ailments we everyday life, together with such remedies as should be at hand in any ordinary household, or, at least, should be easily In the

meet in

within reach. And here, by way of ending this Foreword, is a list 9

Foreword of simple rules. If they are followed the danger of illness will be very much decreased: (1) Decide for yourself what foods and drinks agree with you and what do not. Avoid anything that causes indigestion.

slowly and at regular hours. Masticate every mouthful thoroughly. Do not drink anything until you have quite finished eating. Never drink tea with, or near, a meat meal. Coffee, after Eat

a

meal, will do

no

harm.

(2) See to it that every bodily function works regularly. Constipation will bring a whole train of disasters if neglected. Free

kidneys is of equal importance. The intense pain accompanies women’s periods should not be taken as a matter of course. Constipation may be at the root of the evil, or chill. In nearly every case it is the result of neglect. (3) Be sure the teeth show no sign of decay. Periodical visits to the dentist and a thorough overhaul are a necessity. Decayed teeth not only cause unpleasant breath but pour into the system a poison whose results will be far-reaching. Use an antiseptic mouth-wash at least once a day, preferably at night. Twice or three times a day is better. If there is any trace of soreness of the throat or difficulty in swallowing or loss of voice, gargle freely. (4) Have frequent baths. (5) Do not overload yourself with clothing but guard against chills. Keep the feet warm and dry. Perfectly healthy people need not be afraid of draughts, but there are many to whom sitting in a rush of cold brings trouble, though they may appreciate fresh air in the open. Plainly, these people should avoid draughts. (6) If you are in contact with an invalid or are obliged to go to any place where humanity is herded and sneezing and coughing is heard, keep an antiseptic lozenge (cinnamon or eucalyptus) in your mouth and sprinkle disinfectant on your handkerchief. Be doubly careful with the gargle and mouthwash night and morning. Dangerous germs enter by the mouth action of the

which at times

10

Foreword and

bay. (7)

nose

and it is most

Do not

get sufficient

important they

keep absurdly late hours. sleep for your needs.

should be

In any

case see

kept

at

that you

point of fact, if you use care and common sense you will congratulate yourself on the strides you have made in fit. keeping In

be able to

II

Contents FOREWORD

page

EVERYDAY AILMENTS AND COMMONSENSE CURES

5

17

COOKERY FOR INVALIDS

193

COMMON ACCIDENTS AND FIRST AID

253

INDEX

265

13

Illustrations ROSE HIPS

frontispiece Ministry of Health has an appreciation of the rose hips, as the berries

Rosa canina. Nat. Ord. Rosaceae. The

educated

us to

called. The syrup obtained from them is rich in the allimportant vitamins that are needed for children. A ‘tea’ are

made

by pouring boiling water over the hips and sweetening woolly down surrounding seeds is said to expel round worms.

to taste, is a wholesome drink. The

the

page 35 Fragaria vesca. Nat. Ord. Rosaceae. The infusion of the leaves is a gentle astringent, useful in children’s diarrhoea or bed-

WILD STRAWBERRY

wetting. page 55

COLTSFOOT

Tussilago farfara.

Nat. Ord.

Compositae.

The leaves of this

little plant form one of the most popular remedies for coughs,

difficulty the main

freely is

breathing, and indeed, all chest troubles. It is ingredient of herbal tobacco. Drinking coltsfoot tea in

claimed to

cure

scrofulous

sores.

CAMOMILE

Anthemis nobilis. Nat. Ord. the herb

are

teacupful

Compositae.

page 77 Both the flowers and

used in medicine. Camomile ‘tea’taken in half-

doses half

an

hour before meals will aid the

and is said to be the best drink for old

digestion

people. page 97

ANEMONE Anemone

Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae. Often called

the

from the tradition it

pulsatilla. Pasque Flower

always

blooms at

Easter, or the Wind Flower because it is said the flowers never open except when there is a high wind. Valuable in

14

Illustrations medicine but

plant is poisonous handling the leaves.

not for home use. The

forms of eczema may follow

and

page 117 Ord. Liiaceae. An infusion Nat. of the Tiia Europaea. and strained nerves relieves Recommended soothes headache. flowers to sufferers from indigestion and hysteria.

LIME

OR LINDEN TREE

page 141

GARLIC

of all the

original family. A syrup prepared from the raw bulb and treacle is recommended for the relief of whooping-cough. An ointment of bruised garlic mixed with lard is an accepted remedy for gout or rheumatic pains and should be massaged into the chest and back of a child suffering from bronchitis or whooping-cough. Allivum sativum. Nat. Ord. Liiaceae. The

onion

PURPLE CLOVER

page 151

An infusion of

Nat. Ord.

Leguminosae. Trfolium pratense. freshly gathered flowers gives relief in asthma or bronchitis, and is particularly recommended for whooping cough. A poultice of the flowers is prescribed in cases of cancer or other malignant sores. the

page 175 Nat. Ord. dioica. Urticaceae. and seeds Urtica Flowers, leaves, seeds the used recommended are medicinally, being strongly to sufferers from tuberculosis in its early stages. An infusion

STINGING NETTLE

of the leaves is

an

boiled, the leaves

excellent are a

purifier

of the blood, while, if exceptionally wholesome

delicious and

vegetable. page 203

BLACKTHORN Prunus

spinosa.

Nat. Ord. Rosaceae. An infusion of the

flowers, either fresh or dried, The fruit (sloes), though very

and sloe

gin

is

a

good liqueur.

is

a

tart,

gentle laxative. excellent jam, leaves are perhaps

safe and make

The dried

an

the best of all substitutes for tea and may be used to eke out the tea ration. 15

Illustrations page 239

BRAMBLE OR BLACKBERRY

Rubusfruticosus. Nat. Ord. Rosaceae. Blackberry wine, blackberry cordial, and blackberry jam are excellent remedies for sore throats. Blackberry jelly has been prescribed to sufferers from dropsy. A strong infusion of blackberry leaves is an excellent dye for grey hair.

16

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Bverjda

Abscesses and Blood

Impurities

Whenever any form of skin disease is present, be it an eruption of the slightest type, such as the appearance of blackheads or pimples, or a serious outbreak of boils or abscesses, it may be

taken for granted that What

are

in the

some

impurity is poisoning the blood.

called ‘blood purifiers’—or ‘spring medicines’

loosely language

of

our

needed, grandmothers-—are

with

tonics to tone up the system later on. These troubles may quite as easily arise from weakness and poorness of blood as from grossness and high living. As in all other ailments, the first

thing to do is to decide what

is the cause, but to clear the blood and

diet

must be studied. It should consist

get rid of the poison,

largely of milk and milk

dishes, wheatmeal bread, vegetables, and raw salads. Cress should be eaten freely, especially in the morning. Tomatoes,

beetroot,

and rhubarb

are

excellent if there is

no

taint of rheumatism,

but many skin disorders have a rheumatic origin, and should there be any suspicion of this, the vegetables just named must be avoided. If there is

debility a generous diet is needed. Butter, eggs, bacon, meat, and margarine must be taken as freely as possible, while dried beans and lentils will help. Amongst vitamins that marked C is the most important. ‘Breakings out’,as any form of abscesses, pimples or sores is commonly described, frequently afflict young men and girls in their teens and

heals others

are most

are

apt

difficult to remove, since

to appear. In some

will be told that it is of no use taking any trouble 17

as soon as one

parts of the country you over

these outB

Everjidaj

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

breaks. They just have

to be allowed to take their course, and

as soon as one hundred have

developed,

no more, no

less,

no

will appear. What cold comfort for young peop who have been afflicted possibly with half a dozen painful and unsightly others

be told they could not hope for clear and healthy they had suffered from ninety-four others! Fortunately we know better now. Proper medicine, fresh air, baths, outdoor exercise, clothing that does not restrict the circulation, are what is required. Given these the sores should cease before they have ieached any great number. Yet these ‘breakings out’ are safety valves. Through them the poison in the blood is striving to escape. Thus, though it is necessary to heal sores, to

skins until

and to

prevent others from forming, there

must be no

attempt

is until it has done closing the sore until it is quite clean—that its work by discharging all poisonous matter. at

Abscesses first show as hard, angry-looking swellings under the skin which become more painful every hour. Hot fomentations, or

linseed

or

bread

or

marshmallow

or

slippery elm poultices

will encourage the abscess to ‘break’.Watch must be kept to ensure that the poultice has been removed before the actual

‘breaking’occurs, lint or soft linen

and the sore

lightly covered

with

antiseptic

that the pusmay discharge freely. When the discharge is over, the wound should be covered with an antiseptic dressing which the chemist will supply, and this dressing so

should be renewed

once a

day. It is important the wound should

heal from the bottom.

spite of poulticing the abscess will not break, it will have opened and this had better be done by a doctor. In very

If in to be

cases or where no medical aid is available, the operation may be performed by the nurse, but only if every possible care is taken. A plate should be washed in disinfectant and after being dried placed where it will not be touched. The needle to

mild

be used must be made red-hot in

a

flame, then laid

on

the disinfected

plate to cool. Any needle which has been in contact with a poisonous germ will infect the wound and cause serious complication. When it is quite cold use it to pierce the swelling. 18

Abscesses and Blood The over

it will

of the

period

within

a

Impurities

varies considerably. It may be may continue for days. If all is well thick and oily, then clear gradually until

discharge

few hours

begin by being only water.

or

it appears

ordinary abscess but there are having tubercular origin. In all such cases the skill of a doctor is imperative but so far as home treatment is concerned it will be on the lines just laid down. That is the treatment of an

many types,

some

A boil differs from

an

abscess in that it is

an

inflammation

surrounding dead flesh and therefore is gangrenous. When an abscess has begun to discharge the relief is instantaneous, but a boil will continue to discharge for days and there will be no is the dead flesh—has respite from the pain until the core—that been ejected or removed. Boils are a sign of intense debility. Change of air will be beneficial, but tonic medicines and nourishing food are necessary. When the first signs of a boil appear, the part should be washed with warm water and coal tar soap, dried very gently with a soft towel

or

piece

of old linen, and the skin around painted on the back of the neck, take special

with iodine. If the boil is care

that there is

no trace

of dandruff on the

scalp.

Acidity This arises from

general neglect and lack of care in eating. It is accompanied by pain and often by water brash, a fluid which rises in the mouth, appearing to come from the pit of the stomach, sometimes it is quite tasteless, at others acridly bitter. Nearly all who suffer from acidity eat too fast and probably take too much fat. The treatment is to lie down on the right side and take magnesia in some form. Often there is sickness, acute internal

more or

less violent. Should blood be vomited

must be consulted without

It may

delay. pain is the result of an internal complication. 19

mean

a

doctor

that the acute

Everjdaj Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Adenoids Recently in an official medical report I read: ‘Adenoids came in with the “comforter”—the solid teat given to children to suck to

I

“keepthem quiet”.’ advocate for the ‘comforter’,for which I find

am no

no

good word to say, but so far as I gather from what old folk have told me, I understand that adenoids existed very long ago, only then they were called ‘enlarged tonsils’. Whatever name was given, the condition was most cruelly neglected until quite recent years. Children had

a

vacant

look, they snored when

slightly deaf, and possibly suffered from perpetual colds in the head. ‘It’s nothing to worry about—it’s just a habit—I’ve tried stopping it but it’sno use so I let it go.’ Such

asleep, they

were

the reactions of most parents, with the result that many children grew to adolescence with the trouble unchecked. Deafness, bed-wetting, asthma, slowness of thought, and tuberculosis were

are a

few of the conditions which may result from the neglect. being technical, it can be said that adenoids are

Without caused

by

the

back of the

sweffing

and inflammation of the tissue at the

and round the tonsils. When the

sweffing appears temporary, disappearing almost as soon as it has developed. Country people maintain, with great show of reason, that if a gargle of wild thyme is used regularly at this early stage the trouble will not return. Probably medical opinion will be against this treatment but it must be emphasized it is recommended only when the first symptoms have developed. When once the inflammation has appeared it will become more and more frequent unless checked. The growths may become long and slender in the shape of fingers, or round projecting lumps. In either shape they will increase in size until they block the passages to the ear and nose. When thus developed an operation should be performed as early as possible. It is quite simple and generally the tonsils are removed as well. After the operation it is usual to keep the child in bed for two nose

first, it maybe

20

Adenoids

days and for him to remain in the bedroom for another During that time give him cold water to sip and occasionally a piece of ice to suck. Ice cream will be much appreciated. The food should consist of semi-liquids that are to be swallowed easily, such as arrowroot, comfiour, tapioca, and some of the patent milk foods. Nothing should be given that is more than lukewarm. The mouth should be rinsed frequently with an antiseptic wash. Quite a good one is borax and water. When the wound has quite healed, say in eight or ten days, the after-care must begin in good earnest. It has been definitely stated by a high medical authority that when the adenoid operation has not been completely successful it is because of a failure or

three

five

or

six.

to carry out the after-care at home with sufficient perseverance and thoroughness. Twice a day the child must cleanse the nose, and must not be left to do it alone. A grown-up must supervise. The child should stand erect, holding the bridge of the nose tightly—the

bridge, piece

a

not the soft

blow hard on to cartilage near the tip—and

of paper. The paper should be burnt. This must be repeated until the nose is perfectly clear. Simple breathing exercises

must follow. Keeping the mouth closely shut, his hands resting on his hips, his body upright, his feet together, he should rise slowly to his toes, drawing a deep breath through his nose as he does so. As long as he can he should stand on his toes, holding his breath, then sink slowly back on his heels, expelling his breath in the process. The mouth must be kept shut throughout. This should be repeated half a dozen times. Another excellent exercise is for the child to stand upright, heels together, arms stretched straight above the head. He bends slowly until the tips of his fingers touch the ground—or if that is impossible, till they nearly touch. He must keep his knees motionless and breathe through the nose. Then he draws himself slowly erect again. The exercises given on the B.B.C. Home Service at twenty minutes to eight every morning are beyond praise, and the child should be encouraged to follow them, always breathing through

21

Everjiday Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

the nose. Skipping too is strongly advised, but it should be skipping backwards, not with the rope coming forwards. Every schoolgirl knows that the backward skipping is the far more difficult form, but it is a habit well worth cultivating. After the adenoid operation the child will be run down. He should have as much milk as possible, in addition to one or other of the preparations of fish oil. The syrup of rose hips, of which as

we

have heard

so

much, will be

most

beneficial,

as

well

the juices of oranges, beetroot, and black currants. The purée

of black-currant juice on strongly recommended.

sale in tins at most chemists may be

Agar-agar gentle laxative that has considerable nutritive value. It is a vegetable isinglass, being a dried seaweed found in Eastern waters, Sand may be bought either as a powder or in semi-transparent sheets. One ounce to a pint of boiling water to which flavouring may be added, makes an excellent jelly. Or the powder sprinkled over a plate of stewed fruit or milk pudding is a means of relieving constipation. A

form of

Albumin W’7ater An extremely soothing and nourishing drink. Suitable patients of any age suffering from the serious diseases of bowels

or

for the

digestive organs and for young children. Separate the

yolk of a new-laid egg and beat thewhite lightly, sufficiently to make it froth. Strain. By degrees add a quarter of a pint of water which has been boiled and allowed to go

white from the not

cold. Beat all the time. Sweeten to taste. If allowed, add orange or lemon juice as flavouring. For infants a pint of water should be the

proportion and no flavouring added except sugar. 22

Almonds

Almonds That

lovely

tree which bears its blossoms before the leaves

are out and is found

every and

frequently

in

in

English gardens,

nearly

bears the bitter almond that is not to be eaten, although quite recently a periodical advised its readers to gather

case

save

the almonds for

use

in

statement cookery—a

which

was contradicted in feverish haste. The truth appears to be that

though the bitter almond is poisonous taken in any quantity, it may be eaten safely if only a small proportion is mixed with old recipe for Christmas pudding gave other ingredients—the ‘two ounces of sweet almonds and half

an ounce

of bitter almonds’.

Ratafla, that very delicious flavouring, I believe is obtainable from the oil of the bitter almond combined with alcohol. And of that also, a very small

quantity must be used. quantity giddiness, dimness

If the bitter almonds are eaten in any

of vision, sickness, and convulsions may be caused, hence it is obvious that except in certain measured quantities the kernel should be taboo. Jordan Almonds’as Sweet almonds—’

they

have

nothing to

they are called though

Jordan, the word being

do with

a

perversion

of

completely ‘jardin’ or garden, implying cultivation—are different. The sweet almond is highly nourishing and I

think it is

an Eastern

proverb

any distance without food if Ground almonds

or

which tells

only

us

‘Aman

his

pockets

are

used in the

almond flour

are

can

travel

full of almonds’.

preparation

ofbread for diabetics, and other almond recipes under ‘Cookery for Invalids’ will soothe and relieve

coughs.

Almond Oil The most no

equal

soothing and healing of all oils. As a cosmetic it has dry and suffering from exposure to

when the skin is

23

Everjidaj Ailments sun or

cold

and Commonsense Cures

wind. The oil may be used alone or as an ingredient in The oil is more expensive than olive oil but it is

cream.

well worth the extra

price.

Anaemia Not

so

long ago anaemia was known as ‘poorness of descriptive since the condition is one in which becomes thin and watery owing to a lack of red corpuscles. very

blood’which was

the blood

It attacks people of any age, either sex, and in any walk Mercifully it is not nearly so prevalent as it was a generation or two ago. In Victorian times people refused to wash, they loaded themselves with unventilated, dust-collecting garments, they barricaded their rooms with heavy curtains and sandbags

of life.

at the windows to make sure no fresh air could enter. Without

lungs cannot freshen and strengthen the blood and develops, the other disposing conditions being helped by the poison poured into the system by constipation. fresh air the

in the result anaemia

patients have complexions pallor with white lips, the paleness taking an ugly greenish tinge if chiorosis develops. This is not the case always. Some sufferers from anaemia have what is called a high colour, many indeed have beautiful complexions with very red lips. In such circumstances doctors look at the gums and inside the eyelids for proof of anaemia. Chiorosis is a form of anaemia commonly met with in girls from fourteen to twenty, indeed it There is

an

idea that all anaemic

of unwholesome

may be said it attacks no other age or sex. Older women, men, and boys are quite free from it. Anaemia, on the other hand,

develop in patients of any age or condition and either sex. Frequently it follows illnesses, operations, or accidents where

may

there has been great loss of blood. With pernicious worst form of all,

middle all—are anaemia

more men

aged. was

than

Not much classed

women suffer

than ten years ago pernicious incurable disease. The suf24

more

as an

anaemia, the

and most—not

Anaemia ferer

was

doomed to die, painlessly it is true, but slowly, lingeringly. came the discovery of what is known as the Raw

Then

Liver treatment and

hope

dawned. Now it is

on

record that 90

a complete recovery if the treatment has been begun in the early stages of the disease. The symptoms of anaemia are general weakness, a feeling of

per cent of the sufferers make

lassitude, shortness of breath, heart palpitation, giddiness, and perhaps attacks of fainting, headaches, sickness, variable appetite, specks floating before the eyes, singing in the ears, constipation, and general indigestion. Except in very advanced cases all these symptoms would not be in evidence together, but one by one they may be expected to develop. A visit to the dentist is important. All teeth that are suspect must be extracted and the regular use of an antiseptic mouthwash and gargle insisted upon. Every effort must be made to maintain the strength and let the sufferer have sufficient rest. Heavy sleep is another frequent symptom. Often the patient will stagger about half-asleep long after leaving bed, while the eyes will be puffy. Sometimes the whole face, but particularly the lips, will swell, until the mouth loses its natural shape and resembles that of a negro. Within an hour or two of rising the swelling will disappear, particularly after bathing the face freely with warm water, but it may occur regularly each morning.

Fresh air and sunshine

are

of vital

importance.

The bedroom

window should be open all night and curtains flung back unless the black-out rules prohibit. Breathing newly turned earth was believed

by

our

forefathers

a

sovereign remedy for

all forms of

weakness, for ‘falling sickness’, which was the old name for anaemia, in particular; and the belief seems justified. Therefore if

a

sufferer

granting

can

obtain work

on

the land it will

help, always

that the labour is not too strenuous.

The rules laid down for the

prevention

or cure

of

constipa.

tion must be followed and the diet should be generous. In normal times oranges taken very freely, either eaten or the juice

drunk,

will work

a

cure

providing

the disease is not far ad25

.Everjdqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

vanced. And the orange

treatment though not cheap, has the being extremely pleasant to those it suits. Unfortunately there are some people with whom oranges disagree. Personally I knew a young man who was extremely delicate in his boyhood. His parents had little hope that he would live. He drank orange juice in large quantities, while every night his father massaged chest and back with olive oil. And a complete

advantage

cure was

of

the result.

Failing orange juice, some

the juice of beetroot is excellent, indeed a perfect substitute. Pineapple

authorities maintain it is

juice is recommended also, but it must be the juice of a fresh pine, not of the tinned variety, as cooking destroys the medicinal value. Spinach is recommended also, particularly the juice, as well as black currants and rose hips. To sum up the ordinary rules for the care of those suffering from anaemia, it is to be remembered that the main foods required must contain fats and iron. Eggs, milk, butter, modern

margarine,

dripping, and the fruits and vegetables mentioned, supply these, but they must be taken regularly

beef

will

and the treatment continued for the

improvement

the

care.

fight

a

very

long

time. Even when

no relaxing of danger of relapse remains, but if the untiring patience there should be complete

seems

marked there must be

For months the

is carried

on

with

victory in the end.

Asparagus Being strongly diuretic in its action, asparagus is useful in many forms of kidney and bladder disease, especially when there is suppression of the urine. Also it calms heart palpitation in all— and has a soothing effect generally. In many cases—not it is allowed to diabetics, while patients suffering from rheumatism are put on an asparagus diet when under certain forms of

treatment. The root has greater medicinal power than the stalks, though often the entire plant is used. The following recipe will 26

Asparagus be found useful in any of the diseases mentioned and it has been recommended to sufferers from biliousness or jaundice.

Take twenty-five heads of asparagus (the thin stalks that are quite cheap will do), cut into inch long pieces. Put into a jar with a tablespoonful of water, set a saucer on the top, and stand

pan of boiling water. Keep the water in the pan boiling for four hours, adding more as it wastes, but do not uncover the in

a

asparagus at all. Allow to get cold, when strain through muslin, squeezing well. A tablespoonful of the juice to be taken every four hours. Dr. Fernie in his most interesting work, Herbal Simples, says that asparagus first came into use as food about 200 B.C. and that it was a favourite dish of Augustus Caesar’s. He adds another

interesting note: ‘Theberries are attractive to small birds, who swallow them whole and afterwards void the seeds, which germinate when thus scattered about. Thus there is some valid the

vulgar corruption “sparrowgrass”.’

reason for

of the title

“asparagus”into

Babj’s Clothes During the greater part of the forty weeks of pregnancy the layette will loom large in the mind of the mother-to-be. Fortunately simplicity is the order of these days of common sense, though until quite recently no baby was considered launched properly into the world without a collection of garments which needed not only careful washing but starching, ironing, and goffering as

compiled

well. I have before for the

guidance

me a

list of ‘absolute necessities’

of middle-class

only a few handsomely

women

years ago, and amongst the ‘necessities’ are two embroidered robes, six ‘monthly gowns’ otherwise less elaborate

robes, six night-dresses, six long flannels, a bonnet and cloak, and goodness knows how much besides. Now a soft

woolly shawl will take the place of the cloak while if the nightdresses are daintily made there is no reason they should not act 27

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Everjidaj

at the end day gowns as well. By the end of the month—not of six months as fashion once decreed—short clothes can be as

worn. Here is an up-to-date list. You will see it includes many knitted garments. Six night-dresses of fine white flannel—not flannelette. These

should have touches of

embroidery at the neck and on the yards of flannel will be sufficient. In wartime twenty will be required.

sleeves. Ten

coupons Four vests should be knitted in the softest wool. These must be

amply large,

not

which should not

only

occur

if

the vests should last until little

readjustment

possible shrinkage— because properly washed—but

to allow for

they

at the neck.

are

Baby is

a

year old, with only

Therefore, allow

a

two ounces of

wool to each vest which is a very liberal allowance. Four coupons will be

buy

required. If you need a pattern the shop where you supply it. And here is a useful hint. To make

the wool will

sure the garment will not shrink it is advised sometimes that the wool should be scalded in very hot water before being knitted.

Personally

I do not agree,

natural oil which

as

the

gives special

scalding destroys value to

much of the

woollen garment. and if you decide to scald a

However, it is a matter of opinion, the wool, begin by winding it on to one of the wire trays we use for cakes that have just come out of the oven. Plunge the tray

with the wool

it into

a bath of hot water, moving it to and thoroughly soaked. Then hang the tray up in a good draught to drip and to dry. The open mesh of the wire assists the drying and when that is complete the wool can be easily wound into a ball. Two petticoats will be required. These may be of good quality flannelette or one of the many ‘woolly materials’ that are not wool at all but look like it and wash well. Two and a half yards of twenty-seven-inch material should be sufficient and, in wartime, on

fro so that the wool is

that will mean five coupons. For the shawl any soft wool may be used but I think the best is real Shetland if it can be procured. And here is another hint.

28

Babj’s Clothes If you want to

knit that shawl in a

really ‘lacy’pattern that will

your friends to find out how it is done, use that very, very fine wool with large needles. Size 5 or 6 will not be too large. Cast on the desired number of stitches loosely, then knit

puzzle

backwards and forwards in size is reached. Cast off

plain garter stitch until the right loosely. You will be surprised at the

beauty of the shawl and even expert knitters will believe it was by a very elaborate and difficult stitch. Half a pound of wool will be needed—Shetland weighs very light, you know— made

and that

means

Two matinée

four coupons. jackets in either

knitting

or

crochet should be

made, tied with ribbon or soft cord at the neck. Of course you have heard the tradition that all ribbons and ‘tieups’ for a boy should be blue and for

If you ribbons

girl pink.

going to follow trimmings until after the arrival, though if you have everything all white you will be on the safe side and white is always dainty. Be sure these little jackets are fully large because they should last while the young person is growing up. Four ounces of wool—two be enough. coupons—will Knit four pairs of leggings complete with feet. Any wool shop will supply the pattern. The footed leggings are easy to wash, they take the place of flannel pilches and with them there is no danger of one little foot kicking the bootee from its fellow. The complete leggings should take about three ounces of wool each a

that fashion it is wiser not to

buy

are or

other

ounces in all—which will mean six coupons. Or, if you —twelve make four pilches either knitted in soft wool or of

prefer it,

pairs of bootees will be needed. knitting or crochet using soft knitting cotton. These are so much more easily washed than the quilted affairs sold in shops. So you will have your layette complete excepting for the napkins and of these by far the best are of Turkish towelling. They are so much more easy to wash than the diaper ones. It is well to have four dozen napkins but though I hope the need of coupons will have passed before long, at the moment of writing it flannel. With these at least four

Also make four bibs in either

29

Everydqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

has to be considered. Each napkin would need one coupon, which is out of the question as the supply of coupons is limited. So I suggest as many napkins of Turkish towelling as can be managed and the number made up by soft butter muslin, which is

coupon-free.

A small

pad of wadding will

increase their

usefulness.

-

The

all-important drapery which used

‘basket’is better without the

padding and

to be considered necessary, and the best way to add its contents is to ask the chemist for a sealed packet containing what is required, all clean and sterilized ready for use.

Such

a

packet

should have the list of its contents

outside and need not be

printed opened until Baby is in the world. Even

one or two other articles must be purchased, as, for instance, the sponge which needs careful soaking. So here is a list of everything that ought to be in the basket:

if that

packet is bought,

specially made for babies’ heads; a good supply of safety-pins of all sizes but

A soft hairbrush of the kind

box

or

cushion with

a

pins of any other kind; a ‘housewife’with assorted needles; small scissors; larger scissors, blunt-pointed and very sharp; white cotton; a hank of linen thread; box with talcum powder no

puff; pot of vaseline; roll of lint; packet of absorbent wool; good make of soap, preferably unscented; a soft face flannel, and one or two sponges which have been carefully soaked to make sure all grit has been removed. Also see that

and

cake of

there is

a

small blanket

with several soft

pieces

other square of flannel in readiness of linen. Old handkerchiefs are excellent.

or

A piece of roller towelling three or four yards long should bought also, though that is for the mother’s benefit—not Baby’s. be

Babj’s Exercise Exercise is of the greatest first weeks of his life the

Naturally

importance to any child and in the only exercise Baby can take is by crying.

that should not be allowed to continue indefi30

Babj”s Exercise nitely, but

so long as it is certain nothing is really wrong with the young man, no effort should be made to stop him. He is just indulging in exercise for his lungs. After the end of the first

month he may begin another form of exercise. When he has beenbathed and dried andpowdered, layhim naked on a blanket

in his cot and let him kick to his heart’s content. Make sure there are no draughts. This is easy if you hang a sheet or blanket

round the edge of the cot, but

long as the room is reasonably advantage. Later on give him accompany his morning kick, but so

warm, an open window will be an

woolly or rubber toy to always let the latter continue for half an hour at least before you a

dress him.

Having been dressed and given a feed, he should be left to sleep. Lay him down on his right side but if he wakes or is restless, turn him to

on to

sleep

on

his left side. No child should

his back and

alone in the room in that

ever

be

encouraged

young baby must be left whether asleep or awake. no

position possible get rid of the abomination of long clothes. Keep his night-dresses as night-dresses only and give him little garments of the ‘romper’type for day wear. Do not overburden As

soon as

him with clothes. Indoors two cotton garments should be sufficient apart from his vest, but woollies must be added for outdoor wear unless the weather is very warm indeed. A sheet and one warm,

but have

light

an

blanket should be sufficient for bed

eiderdown

or a

second blanket

handy.

covering

If he feels

during the night he will let you know by his restlessness. In daytime when he is indoors his arms and legs should never

cold the be

covered.

Babj’s Food Baby has made his debut the nurse will see to his being right hours but the mother should know the rules as well. She must never forget that punctuality is important. Care. lessness may lead to serious digestive troubles. When

fed at the

31

Everjdqy Ailments and First day: Second day: Third day: Fourth day: The feeding every two the

day

Commonsense Cures

feed every feed every feed every feed every

8 6 4 2

hours. hours. hours. hours.

hours should be continued

throughout given the morning if

to the end of the month. The last feed should be

night and the next at two in Baby is awake. There should be another feed at six and the first of the regular day feeds at eight. During the second month feed every three hours during the day. Stop the night feeds altogether. Clockwork regularity is of great importance. The same thing must be done at the same time each day to get the young person at ten o’clock at

into good habits. From the first he should sleep in his cot, in bed with his mother. If he cries make

sure

he is

never

warm

and

may be hurting him, a ‘nick’may have formed in the bedclothes on which he is lying, often are. In the latter case a teaspoonful or he may be thirsty—babies

comfortable. An unfastened

there is

do not

safety-pin

of tepid water will satisfy him. So long as you are sure nothing amiss do not worry about his crying. Above all take him up and nurse him. Rocking and petting are a

mistake. If he is healthy he will pass the first few months of his life eating and sleeping withveryfew intervals between. His best and most natural food is his mother’s milk but, if she is unable to nurse

him, other foods

must be found—there are many on the

market which are excellent. If she can

partially

nurse

breast and bottle feeds should be given alternately, breast

by day

and the bottle at

feed at two in the

at ten at

night

morning

night.

him, the not the

If it is convenient the

may be from the bottle but those

and six in the

morning

must be from the

breast.

only two capacity is doubled and by the end of the first year has been multiplied by nine. A Nurse’s Do not overfeed. At birth the little stomach holds

tablespoonfuls.

In

a

fortnight

this

32

Babj’s Food Manual gives four simple rules by which it may be ascertained if the child is thriving. 1. He should sleep a great deal. 2. He should seldom cry. 3. He should not take longer than twenty minutes over his food. 4. He should increase in

a

quarter of

an

hour

or

weight steadily and at the end of the a whole pound.

first month should have increased

And here, from the same manual, is an interesting record of the progress and development of the normal child: ‘Atthe age of two months he will smile when earlier stages his smiles have no such meaning. ‘Atthree months he

pleased.

In his

begins to make definite movements with

hands, though quite often when he tries to put something into his mouth he succeeds only in hitting his eye. Gradually his

his

sense of direction develops. Then comes the power to take hold inteffigently and to retain his grasp.

‘At the fourth month he is able to lift his head from the

pillow and will

try to sit up. Not very

successfully at

first but

intention, and he will make progress. ‘Atthe end of six months he should literally “situp and take notice”. ‘Between eight months and his first birthday he begins to there is no doubt of his

creep, to

help.

try

to

pull himself to his feet,

to walk

a

few steps with

He knows what many words mean and tries to

speak.

‘Atthe end of fifteen months he should be able to walk without

help,

and

by the time he is

two years old to talk

Babj”sFood

freely.

Later On

Even when mother’smilk is available, feeding Baby is a problem because time passes quickly and when the young person is

something more than milk is needed. Here, by kind permission, I quote from the Ministry of Food’s bookC

five months old

33

Everjdqy Ailments and let. The rules

Commonsense Cures

revolutionary judged by the standards of that I must have the authority of a doctor the statements. The following was written expressly in giving for wartime needs, yet that does not really count. The advice is just as valuable whatever the condition of the world at large. ‘Thefifth month is the month of extras. We give gruel or porridge before the ten o’clockfeed, starting with a couple of tablespoonfuls. A week later, in addition, we give a few spoonfuls of or sprouts, or vegetables before the two o’clockfeed—cabbages carrots or turnips, mashed and if necessary sieved. No potatoes till Baby is a year old. ‘Aweek later we give gruel before the six o’clock feed. The next month is devoted to replacing the three feeds by the extras, leaving only the early morning and late night breast feeds. We replace the ten o’clock breast feed by gruel made with milk, plus about six ounces of milk as a drink. ‘By the time the baby is twelve months old the time of suction has gone and chewing has begun. The ten o’clock feed is breakfast now, with a plate of gruel, a lightly boiled egg or a little chopped bacon, a crust of bread with butter on it, and a the older

are so

generation,

cup of milk. ‘Thetwo o’clockfeed becomes dinner with vegetables, minced or

steamed fish, or brains or liver or tripe. ‘Thesix o’clockfeed becomes tea. Wholemeal bread and butter, a crust

with

honey or jam,

and milk to drink.’

And here, somewhat condensed, are the same summing up of the diet for a child up to a year old:

authority’s

‘Thereare four vitamins that we know about. Vitamins A, B, C, and D. Shortage of A may mean eye troubles and ulceration of the mucous membranes. Shortage of B may mean nerve troubles and skin disorders.

Shortage of C may mean scurvy. while a slight Shortage of D may mean rickets and bad teeth. insufficiency of vitamins may not mean serious disease, it certainly means the difference between being really fit and just jogging .

along. Remember,

.

A for eye troubles; B for

troubles; C for scurvy; D for rickets. 34

nervous

f./YJ-

WILD STRAWBERRY

Fragaria

vesca.

Nat. Ord. Rosaceae

Everjdqy Ailments and ‘Nowlet’s apply it

Commonsense Cures

to the child. If the mother’s

breast milk contains all the vitamins. Cow’s milk,

properly fed, even though

pasteurized or boiled, contains them, although vitamin C is partly destroyed by the boiling. Dried milk contains them, but again drying destroys some of the C. But for safety’s

it has been

sake every child should have extra supplies of A, C, and D from month old. After all, rickets is still found in both breast- and bottle-fed babies even to-day.

a

‘Fish oil, whether from the cod or the halibut, is rich in both A and D. With cod-liver oil start with a teaspoonful at a month old. Increase it to two

teaspoonfuls at two months old and keep With halibut going until the child is running about. find the instructions on the you will need less—you’ll

the fish oil oil

.

.

.

bottle. ‘Vitamin C is three

or

four

more

difficult. Before the

war we

could

give

teaspoonfuls of orange juice or tomato juice every

day. That’s difficult rich in vitamin C.

now.

They

The swede and the potato are fairly be mashed or crushed, pressed

can

through muslin, and the raw juice given in place of orange juice.

But, better still, America is sending us under the Lease-Lend Act, concentrated orange juice. The Ministry of Food has put Both are rich in by quantities of black-currant purde. .

.

.

vitamin C. ‘One last word. A child who is having every day a pint of milk, plus some meat or fish or cheese, some wholemeal bread and butter, or margarine, and something raw in the way of

vegetables

or

fruit, that child is probably well fed. And it can be

done on the rations. If it isn’t having these

things

it

probably

isn’twell fed.’ That last

paragraph evidently is

intended to

apply to practically

any child from a year upwards, not to the babies whose diet has been given in detail.

36

Babj”s Teeth

Baby’s Teeth According to all the rules and regulations of theory, teething give any trouble at all. It is a perfectly natural process and I suppose it is unwise feeding through generations

should not

which has founded and

perpetuated

its terrors. I do not doubt

if we persevere through the next half-dozen generations in providing our babies with ample supplies of vitamin D those young persons will cut their teeth without trouble, but the age of that millennium is not yet. as we find it and recognize and various are troubles which must be that many the faced when the first teeth begin to make their way through the

Therefore

we

have to take the world

tender gums. The pain naturally makes Baby restless and fretful, sometimes he will be peacefully asleep or playing happily

only

to start

screaming

as

if for

no reason.

When this

happens

he must be comforted and his gums rubbed gently with the finger, a way of conveying to his poor puzzled little mind that

you quite understand he has been hurt by a stabbing pain which has attacked him unexpectedly. At other times the pain is incessant,

tormenting him till the tooth is ‘through’.Giving him a rubber ring on which he may bite will do much to help. Do not one of the old-fashioned ‘corals’with their sharp spike and mass of little bells. The bells are all right but the spike

let him have

danger. He may injure his eye with it. The rings generally quite a large silver bell attached, which is excellent, but if the bells are small make sure they are securely fastened, otherwise they may be swallowed. The insistence that Baby’s first toy should be made of coral or that a string of coral beads should decorate his small neck, survived until practically our own times, and is interesting because is

a

have

it is

so very ancient. Coral was sacred to Isis, the mothergoddess, countless ages ago, and above everything else was the

mascot of

child-bearing women and of children. A string of a baby’s neck kept away evil influences, in addition

coral about

37

Everjdqy Ailments and to

curing,

or

preventing,

all

Commonsense Cures

teething troubles, fits,

and

whooping-cough.

a water which Frequent small drinks—about teaspoonful—of

get cold, will cool the heated gums. Bowel trouble, either in the form of constipation or diarrhoea, is nearly always present and the former must be carefully has been boiled and allowed to

guarded against. If the diet rules already laid down are followed and the baby has been given plenty of fruit or tomato juice from birth, it should not occur. If need be, however, give olive oil in teaspoonful doses. If diarrhoea is the trouble give a teaspoonful of castor oil. Afterwards albumen water should take the place of ordinary food if Baby is very young. If he is over ten months, arrowroot made with equal parts of milk and water should be given. Sometimes the pain spreads from the gums to the ear and there may be discharge from the latter. Holding a hot flannel to the ear will relieve the pain, but a doctor should be consulted. This is particularly important if there is a discharge. Colds in the head or on the chest are frequent complications and these may be caused by the child ‘dribbling’till its bib is saturated and lies cold against the chest. It is important to make sure the bib is dry but the dribbling—according to old nurses— is a blessing in disguise. They say that no child who dribbles freely will have convulsions and these are perhaps the worst of all teething troubles. Almost always they arise from improper feeding and lack of fresh air. The child’s eyes become fixed, the limbs stiffen and unconsciousness is complete. The child should be undressed and put into

being bathed with cold

a warm

Even if the child has not

be

bath, the head and forehead

water. Five minutes in the bath is sufficient.

regained consciousness it should

dried and put to bed, still quite naked but rolled in a blanket. It should lie flat in the bed. As a rule the attack is short

gently

and is followed

by

intense drowsiness

during

which the child

must not be disturbed, but in severe cases one convulsion may follow another with very brief intervals between. Ordinarily no 38

Babji’s Teeth serious results follow, but when the attacks

are

persistent they

may lead to serious complications. Again, strict attention to diet must be insisted upon, with plenty of fruit juice and cod-liver or other fish oil. The age at which the teeth begin to arrive depends on the child’s general health. When rickets is present the baby may be

year old before the first tooth is cut. The correct is time-table .for the two front teeth at the bottom to show at the seventh month, between the seventh and eighth month the two

well

over a

corresponding teeth at the top come through. By the end of the tenth month there should be four teeth at the bottom and four at the top, all ‘incisors’or front teeth as we say. By the time be is a year old the first of his back teeth, or molars, should have

begun

to appear, one on either side. hard crusts will to

Gnawing help bring the teeth through and probably he will enjoy the exercise. The following quotation from an Encyclopaedia of Health and Home Medicine is of interest: ‘Though it is difficult to avoid altogether the use of cereals in a child’s diet, it is advisable they should be used in moderation and

replaced by giving more eggs, butter, vegetables, and milk. The islanders of Tristan d’Acunha, who use no cereals in their dietary, have been found completely free from dental disease. Potato, fish, their diet.’

vegetables,

and eggs

constitute

Another trouble apt to occur during the early months of a little life is that known as ‘scalding’.The lower part of the

body becomes cruelly inflamed and in severe cases no application of soothing salves or powdering with starch—the usual remedies—has any effect. Yet the remedy is simple. Get a few pennyworth of bran, or some sawdust which should cost nothing, and place a sufficient quantity between the folds of the napkin. Renew frequently and the trouble will cease. little

39

Everjidaj Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

Backache Backache may be classed with headaches in that both are the symptom of disease and not the disease itself. Influenza and fevers almost always begin with pains in the back and limbs. The ‘sweating out’treatment should be given and if there is no improvement a doctor must be seen. Menstrual disorders, especially irregularities and suppressions probably caused by either cold or constipation or a combination of the two, are a very common cause of backaches amongst young girls and women, often the pain becoming very severe indeed. There should be no waiting for the pain to develop. Before the period is due, aperient medicine should be taken, there should be hot baths or at least hot footbaths, and the wearing of a strip of flannel across the loins will give relief

almost be

certainly. These are simple precautions that should not neglected. Given proper care with attention to the general

health at all times, there should be no more unless there is something very wrong indeed.

Frequently

backache is

a

sign

of

‘monthly pains’

general weakness, particularly

in young people. Rest is required, with sunshine, tonic medicine, and good food. Sometimes the doctor will prescribe

that the back should be bathed with cold water to which sea salt has been added—or

Spartan

water

treatment should be carried out with

if the patient is

sea

if that is available. That

discretion, particularly

young girl. Lumbago, possibly the most common of all pains in the back, is dealt with under Rheumatism, and other pains may be dismissed a

They mean a doctor must be consulted. pain in the back near the lower rib maybe a sign of catarrh of the stomach. A pain high up near the right shoulder may indicate gallstones. And that pain across the loins which in all probability is lumbago, may possibly be a warning of kidney trouble, especially if the sufferer is no longer young. In addition there are strains and sprains to be considered. with a few words.

For instance, a

40

Backache These may be the result of any physical effort and the

frequent

use

should work

or

of a fall. Rest

good embrocation, violently applied, though watch must be kept for developments pain will not yield to simple treatment a

of

not

a

a cure,

and if the

doctor must be consulted.

Balm The herb which is familiar in

or may be bought Italian herbalist, greengrocer, warehouseman, is known generally as lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) from its

dried from

lemon-like

which

gardens or

fragrance.

The

name

comes from the Hebrew

is

an

and

abbreviation of ‘balsam’, ‘thechief of sweet-

means

despairing cry of the prophet Jeremiah, ‘Is proof of the high esteem in which

smelling

oils’. The

there

balm in Gilead?’ is

no

our

a

held, though it is believed the word referred to the except in are we told—until Jericho—so the Turks, having conquered the

the herb was

balsam of Judea which grew nowhere in the world

Holy Land, transplanted the precious plant to Cairo. An infusion of our lemon balm in the proportion of an ounce of the herb (either fresh or dried) to a pint of boiling water, will drive out a cold and stay an incipient attack of influenza if taken very hot the last thing at night. Also it will allay menstrual pains if caused by suppression. A similar infusion may be taken instead of ordinary tea (when a smaller proportion of the herb will be required). Milk and sugar may be added if preferred. It will be found

an

excellent tonic and restorative when

tired and exhausted. Also balm is a nerve tonic which may be recommended to sufferers from nervous headaches and hysteria. The infusion of of the herb to

a pint of water must be prepared, but boiling, water must be used. Heat destroys many of the aromatic properties which are required. Balm of Gilead (Populus candicans) is a yellow, aromatic gum

an ounce

in this

case

cold,

not

obtained from the buds of trees found in the East and in

Abys41

Evetydqy Ailments sinia. Both solid and fluid

and Commonsense Cures

extracts can be

bought.

It is of value

in many chest and kidney disorders. An ointment of which it is the chief ingredient is massaged into the chest and back to relieve

bronchitis. Also it is

prescribed for rheumatism and

gout.

Balsam Actually

the word ‘balsam’is

any form of

healing

one our ancestors

ointment. In

pharmacy

used to describe

it

means a

gum which is obtained from various shrubs and trees. See Benzoin.

Baths In

preparing

a

bath it is

important

the cold water should be

first and the hot added, not the other way round. A thermometer should be used to test the temperature. If you have turned

on

not one, test with your elbow. The hand is worse than useless. From five to ten minutes should be the time for an invalid to remain in

a

bath.

are advised to relieve rheumatism, for nettle rash, and many other skin diseases. Add half an ounce of bicarbonate of soda to each gallon of water.

Alkaline Baths

Bran Baths for skin irritation. Allow two

ounces

of bran to

thin paste before adding. Mustard Bath. Mix the mustard thinly with cold water before

each

gallon

of water. Mix to

a

adding to the bath. Allow an ounce Generally this is a footbath given

of mustard to each

gallon.

to relieve headache or to

‘sweat out a cold’. In the latter case the

patient

should go

straight to bed, sleeping between blankets. Sulphur Bath. For sufferers from skin diseases. Add half of flowers of sulphur to each

an

gallon. Turpentine Bath. Relieves rheumatic pains. Add a tablespoonful of turpentine to each gallon. Another method, possible to those who live in a pine-growing country, is to collect sufficient

ounce

42

Baths pine needles in a

a

fir

plantation,

saucepan and simmer for

the bath. A considerable

but the

remedy is

an

tie

lightly

in muslin, put into

hour, then add the decoction

quantity

of the needles will be

excellent. Or

a

may be soaked in the decoction and laid

pad on

of linen

or

to required

flannel

the seat of the pain.

Beetroot In the diets advised—or should it be

the ‘commanded’?—by

of Food, beetroot ranks as of almost the first importance. It is a fruitful source of vitamins, almost as valuable as

Ministry

oranges, and drinking beetroot juice regularly is recommended to all suffering from anaemia, tuberculosis, and other wasting diseases. To extract the juice,

beetroot should be

peeled, cut into mincing machine. Be careful to set a basin underneath to catch the juice that escapes. thin

a raw

slices, and these passed through

Put the minced beetroot into

a

a

colander that has been lined

piece of strong muslin. Gather up the edges of muslin with the the beetroot in the middle, and wring till all juice is extracted. Take in wineglassful doses three or four times a day. with a good-sized

Another method, not so suitable for an invalid who is seriously ill, but excellent for those who require a pleasant drink with moderately strengthening qualities, is to mince the beetroot as directed and put it in a jug, sprinkle lightly with salt and add enough cold water to cover it. Leave for six hours. Then pass through a strainer. It is a pleasant drink as it is or may be further

diluted with plain water

or

soda water.

slight modification vegetable juices.

The same process with

practically all fruit and

43

is used to extract

Everjdqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Benoin A gum obtained from a shrub found in southern India (Styrax Benzoin), much used as a healing astringent. An excellent

lotion to be

applied to the skin after washing is one drachm simple tincture of benzoin B.P.C. in five ounces of rosewater. An astringent lotion, particularly valuable to close enlarged pores, removing lines and wrinkles and tightening the skin generally, is half an ounce of simple tincture of benzoin, two ounces of witch hazel, and ten ounces of rosewater. Massageinto the skin after washing, always moving in an upward direction. Benzoin is the chief ingredient of friars’ balsam, the name being a survival of the times when monks and friars were the doctors and nurses of the sick. Being astringent it checks haemorrhage and is a popular remedy for small cuts and wounds. Paint it on the injury after the place has been well cleansed. As an antiseptic dressing it is used for bed sores and sore nipples. Above all it has great value as an inhalant. Sufferers from sore throat, hoarseness, loss of voice, tightness of the chest and difficulty in breathing, should put a teaspoonful of the balsam into

ajug with a pint of boiling water and breathe

the steam as it rises. When a bronchial kettle is in use add the balsam to the water.

Bicarbonate Often called

of Soda

‘baking soda’ because

of baking powder. A lotion of half a to

a

wineglassful

it is the chief ingredient teaspoonful of bicarbonate

of warm water will relieve the irritation of

many skin diseases or the pain of an insect bite or sting. A thick paste of bicarbonate and water laid on a burn scald will relieve the pain. If

a

pinch

make it

more

of bicarbonate is added to

easy of digestion. 44

a

glass

or

of milk it will

Bicarbonate A teaspoonful of bicarbonate

of Soda

to a tumbler of water

helps

a

gastric ulcer. An excellent remedy for flatulence consists of a teaspoonful of ground ginger and half the quantity of bicarbonate of soda mixed to a thin paste with a little cold water. Add enough boiling water to half-fill a teacup. Stir well and drink very slowly. Half-teaspoonful of bicarbonate in a tumbler of hot water will relieve a hard cough and loosen the phlegm. It should be sufferer from

sipped slowly.

Biliousness Biliousness—with jaundice which is its occurs

when the contents of the

result that the be.

Normally

gall gets

more severe

gall-bladder overflow,

into the blood where it has

no

form—

with the

right

to

it should pass into the intestines. A general disorganization of the digestive process follows and even if the

condition is not serious, the sufferer is ihdined to insist that it is. Few disorders cause a stronger sensation of hopeless illness

than that which is light-heartedly described—by other people— as

‘justa touch of biliousness’. The symptoms

or

are

violent headache, sickness, either actual a general dimness of

threatened, specks before the eyes, and

vision, black shadows showing under the eyes and a yellow tint on the skin. With jaundice the skin becomes deep yellow and the condition may last a considerable time, while an ordinary bilious attack should soon yield to treatment. A strong dose of cascara or

other reliable

purgative

sufferer lie down in a darkened

room

should be taken, and the with a good supply of cold

water within reach. If the

pain in the head is very acute, menthol be rubbed lightly over the temples, or sprigs of freshly may mint laid on the forehead. Menthol is a product of gathered mint. Another excellent

remedy

ginger and cold water, spread

is

over

a

paste made of ground

the brows.

Nothing else can

be done except to leave the sufferer alone. Above all, those well45

Everj’dqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

meaning persons who will creep into the

they tea and

a

have

tiptoe announcing just a nice cup of treated as public dangers. The room on

‘the poor dear

brought

bit of toast’ should be

patient must have no food or drink except cold water until the purgative has acted, and the worst of the headache has gone. Fasting is Nature’s remedy. The stomach and bowels must be emptied and rested before being asked to do more. bilious

Blackberry Being astringent and tonic

or

Bramble

the leaves of the American blackberry

(and to a lesser extent those of the English variety) are a remedy for diarrhoea. If freshly gathered wash the leaves well, and to each ounce add a pint of boiling water. Allow to get cold

and strain. The dose is

a

wineglassful four times a day.

Blackheads and Blackheads and

Enlarged

Pores

one enlarged pores—the generally follows nearly so frequent as when women wore unventilated clothing. But constipation remains

not the other—are

tight

corsets and

with

us

and is

a

very

common cause. In

fact it has been

said that the best method of

treating blackheads is to take a small dose of salts every morning. When the ugly black spots are established on the face or shoulders they must be removed by local treatment, but that does not mean they must be squeezed out in haphazard fashion. The squeezing will remove them, certainly. They will come out of the pores looking like little white worms with black heads— hence their popular name, more correctly they are ‘comedones’ —but the pores they have evacuated remain open, leaving ugly pits in the skin. To avoid that, the skin must be softened before any

is made to remove the blackheads. 46

This is done

attempt

by wringing out

Blackheads and

Enlarged Pores

a towel in very hot water and laying it on the face. Make sure the towel has been wrung quite dry, then there will be no fear of

begins to cool, then apply another hot then another. Cover the face with cold cream or almond towel and scalding.

Leave till it

oil and massage

with the

tips

of the

fingers, squeezing wipe the face with a warm wet towel, then with a soft dry one, doing this with a gentle ‘patting’movement. When quite dry, dab the parts where the blackheads have been with

thoroughly

out the blackheads as you do so. When all are removed,

a

little ball of cotton-wool which has been soaked in the benzoin

and witch hazel lotion. After

should be burnt at

being applied

once. There must be no

the cotton-wool

using

it

a

second

time.

pad of cotton-wool reminds me that any lotion applied by that means, and the wool, having been once used, should be burnt. Many skin diseases are caused by unclean powder puffs, particularly if they are lent indiscriminately to other people. Hence the use of wool instead of a puff Mention of that is better

is to be

preferred.

In the cloakroom of

whose face

a

covered

West End theatre, I

unpleasant general use! After she had gone out another lady used the same puff. Never under any circumstances use one of these ‘public’puffs. There is no knowing what germs they carry. And do not be too ready to saw a

woman

pimples

come

in and use the

was

by

most

puff provided for

lend your own.

Bladderwrack That familiar seaweed which is

humps

or

distinguished by

the little

all

along our

‘bladders’on its fronds and is

common

coasts, is largely used in the treatment of obesity. Pills containing it, often described as seaweed pills, may be obtained from

most chemists. As

a diuretic it frees the body from superfluous reducing the weight. When the obesity arises rheumatic tendency bladderwrack is particularly valu47

moisture, from

a

thus

Everjdaji

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

able; indeed it is largely employed in the

treatment of rheumatism.

The dried herb may be obtained from herbalists and an

prepared, but the draught is so incredibly unpleasant people have the courage to swallow it and prefer the pills against which no such charge can be brought. Also the herb provides an embrocation that acts as magic on strains and infusion

few

sprains

and rheumatic

those who live

near

the

pains.

from the rocks. Wash in

salt,

cut into

The dried herb may be used but advised to get the ‘wrack’fresh

sea are

pieces,

running about

water to clear away superfluous

an

inch

long, being careful

to

open all ‘bladders’.Put into a jar. Allow three-quarters of a pint of boiling water to each ounce and pour it over the herb. Then add a

into

a

quarter of a pint

of vinegar. Allow to get cold. Pour

wide-mouthed bottle and

Massage gently

on

keep well corked, do not strain. or lay on pads of flannel or

the seat of pain,

linen that have been soaked in the infusion.

Amongst other virtues that preparation has the reputation of curing bow legs in children. Sponge down the spine and bathe the legs freely. Also excellent for strengthening weak ankles.

Blood-pressure High blood-pressure is a condition of which we hear much in days and of this severe headache is an important symptom. I have heard it said by quite educated people that this is a modern disease which was unknown in those vague ‘goodold times’. That is wrong. The only difference between then and now is these

that

previously people spoke

head’. Quite

of the trouble

good description. Everyone living has blood-pressure.

as

‘blood to the

a

Without it the blood

pumped through the veins, but the pressure becomes too high as the result of a sudden shock, prolonged worry, obstinate constipation, nerve strain, excessive drinking of alcohol or strong tea, constant smoking, intense cold, violent exercise such as running, straining, or lifting heavy weights.

could not be

48

Blood-pressure Women in middle life

particularly liable to suffer from it they predisposing causes—if can. In addition they should see to it that they wear no tight bands or corsets or anything that could restrict the free circulation are

and should be careful to avoid

of the blood. are headaches, restless nights with insomnia, shortness of breath, giddiness, noises

The most usual symptoms a

tendency

to

in the

ears, a general feeling of lassitude, with irritability and annoyance over trifles. Probably all these symptoms will not be present at the same time in the early stages, but any one may be

taken as

a

warning.

Unless relief is obtained others will follow.

The treatment is matter.

give up being

advise. Following quite easy—to

it is

another

The sufferer must on no account worry and must irritable. There must be no overworking, and rest

must be taken

directly that tired feeling is experienced. So easy to advise, as I have said, but how can a man with the cares of business upon him take rest in office or workshop as soon as he feels he needs it? Or

a

mother with the

family upon her, perhaps

with the

can she cease from overseas—how

position from that point of view, almost

an

of

a

home and

she loves in

danger worrying? Realizing the

the advice seems so futile it is

insult.

Fortunately worked

cares

man

there

worried

are

precautions and

that

even

the most hard-

Constipation kidneys should act freely, the food be simple and eaten at regular hours. Even if the sleep is broken it will become more peaceful if the rules for general health in the first chapter are followed and hints given later on nervous troubles will help. Diet is of importance. Alcohol should not be touched. Probably barley water is the best drink, with freshly made tea or or

must be

fought,

man

woman can take.

the

soda and milk. No red meat such as beef must be taken in any or form, indeed the less meat of any kind the better.

shape

White fish may be eaten

freely.

Salt meat and salt fish

are

forbidden

very small amount of salt may be used in cookery. No salt must be added on the plate. Vegetables of all and

D

only

a

49

Everydqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

kinds, especially green vegetables, most fruit, and milk and milk dishes may be taken freely. Of low blood-pressure the chief symptoms are headaches, intense depression, and an obstinate determination to look on the black side of everything. There is

general indifference to what a persistent feeling of cold. The treatment consists of frequent tepid baths, light but nourishing food, and plenty of outdoor exercise. Every effort must be made to rouse the patient, to ‘get him out of himself’ as the saying is. If only he will think of the troubles of other people instead of concentrating on his own, is

going

on, a lack of

the battle will be

a

interest, and

won.

Borax A useful

antiseptic, powdered borax should be used freely in unpleasant perspiration, especially of the feet. Tincture of myrrh and borax (a teaspoonful of myrrh and a quarter of a teaspoonful of borax to a tumbler of warm water) all

cases of

forms

one

of the best mouth washes when there is

soreness

of

the gums or decayed teeth. When a child suffers from thrush or other soreness of the mouth, borax and honey mixed to a stiff paste is the accepted remedy. It may be gently smeared on the lips and gums. A teaspoonful of the same preparation added to a

third of a tumbler of warm

water

is

an

excellent mouth-wash

gargle. Added to water in which the hair is shampooed, borax helps to clear away dandruff. It brightens the hair, giving a faint reddish tint. Glycerine and borax is excellent for whitening the skin. It will keep the hands smooth and soft. and

Boracic acid is obtained from steam which rises from fissure in

Tuscany.

a

volcanic

Added to warm water it is excellent for

bathing sores while with rosewater it is a soothing lotion for the eyes. It is largely used for internal treatment but should not be taken except under the orders of a doctor. If too large a dose is swallowed it may be

dangerous. 50

Breath, Unpleasant

Breath, Unpleasant Unpleasant

breath

probably

arises from

constipation

teeth. Have the teeth overhauled and

use a

or

decayed

mouth-wash

Keeping Fit should be followed and it is wise to eat charcoal after meals. If the unpleasantness is persistent and the dentist can do nothing, consult a doctor. There frequently.

The rules for

may be internal trouble.

Brimstone and Treacle by Dickens the brimstone and treacle administered by Mrs. Squeers must have been particularly unpleasant and the use of one wooden spoon by all the pupils at Dotheboys Hall was unhygienic, to put it mildly. Yet properly prepared As described

the old-fashioned laxative had much to recommend it, and was claimed to have special properties which cleared the skin and the

complexion. To prepare: Mix one and a half ounces of flowers of sulphur with half an ounce of cream oftartar and half a pound of black treacle. Golden syrup may be used instead of treacle, or honey. To be taken before breakfast every alternate day in doses of from a teaspoonful to a dessertspoonful according to age. It is claimed that the modern sulphur lozenges have superseded this old-world simple.

improved

Bronchitis and Asthma Bronchitis and asthma, two complaints which are often confused because they have many symptoms in common though different in themselves, invariably arise as much from the stomach as the chest. Most sufferers refuse to believe this and

by disregarding rules

of diet and

unnecessary trouble. 51

digestion generally, give themselves

Everjdaji Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

With bronchitis every The diet should be

care should be taken to aid the digestion. light and nourishing and the wearing of

chest protector is advised. This protector should be of the ‘double’variety, one part covering the back and the other the

a

chest. Massaging with camphorated oil is

given elsewhere,

or

the Four Oils of

will

help, while if the difficulty of breathing becomes very great, linseed poultices to the chest and back should be applied. Probably the sufferer will find

which the

he gets

recipe

more ease

if he does not attempt to lie down. In such a plenty of pillows to support his back.

it that he has

case see to

A wrap should be round his shoulders, well covering his It is better for the window of the

remain

arms.

little open but the temperature should not sink below 600 F. A coal fire in the room is preferable to any other type of heat, and a bronchitis room to

kettle will keep the air moist, particularly if a of friars’ balsam is added to the water.

By warmth and

a

teaspoonful

proper diet and the taking of suitable medicine, and diuretics, an acute attack of

particularly aperients

bronchitis should be relieved and cured. When the bronchitis becomes chronic as is the case with many older sufferers, it is at once more serious and yet less dangerous. Constant and unceasing are necessary. The light indefinitely and there must be no diniinution of the warmth and general care. When asthma is the cause of the difficulty in breathing, the first thing to do is to think out the irritant which is the cause of the trouble—advice equally important to the victims of hay fever, another complaint which need not be endured if the reason for its development is discovered. The trouble is that most sufferers do not know what is making them ill. If it were possible to collect a hundred victims into a room and ask them what they suspected, most of them would laugh at the suggestion. They just ‘had’hay fever or asthma, they would say, there was no more to it than that. Only a very few would reply naming the irritant care

in the direction described

diet must be continued

that

was to

A very

blame.

near

relative of my own suffered 52

appaffingly

from

Brimstone and Treacle asthma for practically the whole of the first thirty-five years of his life. Then he happened to read a medical article which advised all victims to search for the irritant

the trouble.

causing

He took the advice. He watched, he experimented, and after many months discovered he had asthma only when there were feathers in his bedroom. From the moment of that

discovery

of his death, when he was well over eighty, he never suffered from asthma again. His banning of feathers was

until the

day

thorough. He would have neither pillow nor eiderdown in his bedroom, very

feather-filled cushion

on

the house that he

likely to enter.

A very old began to

was

chair

or

feather bed

nor

feather

and would not allow

divan in any other

room

a

in

friend, hearing of the absolute relief he had found,

experiment

on

the

same

lines. She found that feathers

harm. In any case she suffered only in the summer and at last discovered she was attacked by asthma about three did her

no

morning if at any time during the day she had approached privet hedge in full flower. Rather strangely the scent of the privet was one by which she was particularly o’clock in the a

attracted. When

suffering

from asthma the victim is not

able to lie down and

probably will not

likely

to be

even remain in bed.

The

smoke from nitre papers will give relief, so will breathing the steam of hot water to which friars’ balsam has been added.

This may be or

given by aid of the bronchial kettle as just advised holding his head over a jug containing the hot water balsam. Burning coffee or camphor in the room may help

by

and

his

if the other remedies fail. The great trouble in asthma is that all remedies lose their effect in time. When that happens something else must be tried and the first remedy returned to in due course.

Smoking herbal tobacco

or

stramonium in

should be tried also. For for

some

a

pipe

unexplained

or as a

cigarette

reason stramonium

impossible to procure a little while ago, but chemists and herbalists had plentiful supplies of the cigarettes. The

pipe-smoking

general rules

was

of health must be followed and the diet be 53

Everjdaj light. Barley

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

water is

particularly recommended as a beverage qualities. Many sufferers find they are

because of its diuretic

they have no supper whatever, others benefit by light food the last thing at night. Again it is a case of experimenting better if and of

acting

on

the

can

be avoided there will be

The modern method of treating asthma is understand the

serum

Above

knowledge gained by experience.

all, discover the irritant and if it more asthma.

no

by injections, and I

is altered or modified according to the suspected

procedure, proof of the by the medical profession within the last few years.

cause, which is a wise and sensible

strides made

Bunions Bunions

are an

evil of civilization, not to say of fashion, since

they are the result of wearing shoes which distort the natural that are too small either in length or shape of the foot—shoes in width and high heels are the culprits. When the first sign of a bunion appears, that is, when the joint of the great toe becomes enlarged and inflamed, the shoes which have caused the trouble must be put away and others which are wide-fitting and worn in their have low—or comparatively low—heels place. At all good shoe shops appliances can be purchased which will force the great toe back into its normal position. The bunion should be painted with iodine and the foot given as nearly complete rest as possible, being kept in a raised position. Should this home care give no relief a chiropodist should be consulted. A bunion must not be neglected. An abscess may form, needing a serious operation, while permanent deformity may be experienced.

Cabbage Cough Wash

a

red

any water, set

cabbage

and slice

a saucer on

thinly.

Cure Put into a

jar

the top and stand the jar in 54

without a

pan of

‘p— p

COLTSFOOT

Tussilagofarfara.

Nat. Ord.

Compositae

Everj’daj Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

boiling water for three hours, keeping the

water in the pan boiling

through muslin, squeezing well, and add juice enough honey to form a thick paste. The dose is whenever the cough is troublesome. fast. Strain

to the a teaspoonful

Calamine Roughly speaking,

calamine and oxide of zinc

are

the

same.

Calamine may be bought as a powder, lotion, or ointment. Lightly dusted on the skin the powder allays irritation and often cures a

mild

case

of eczema. The lotion is

an

excellent

antiseptic,

in many prescriptions. The ointment soothes and heals and may be applied to the skin after

an

important ingredient

sunburn or as a

dressing to

minor wounds.

Cantharides Or

Spanish Fly.

Obtained from

which is found in the skin in any

a

beetle, the Cantharis vesicatoria,

most Continental countries.

strength,

cantharides first

causes

Applied

to

redness and

was largely employed when blistering was practice, but so far as home medicine is known now only as an important ingredient of

then raises blisters. It common

in medical

concerned, is many hair restorers. A well-known restorer to which the name

of Sir Erasmus Wilson, the celebrated skin specialist, was given consisted of two ounces of eau de Cologne, two ounces of rose water and two drachms of cantharides. In many instances it is

extremely successful in stopping falling hair and increasing the growth, but its prolonged use makes the hair extremely dry, an effect produced by many hair tonics.

56

Carawaj Julep

Carawaj Julep An old

remedy for the relief of flatulency.

Bruise

an ounce

of

caraway seeds, put them into a bottle and add half a pint of water which has been boiled and allowed to get cold. The dose

is

teaspoonful

a

when

required.

Do not strain and

keep

the

bottle well corked.

pestle and mortar the bruising is easy but few of our kitchenettes contain such implements. Failing that, wrap If you possess

a

the seeds in white paper and fold in a cloth. Lay on the hearthstone or the doorstep and bring a flatiron into play. It will be found

quite satisfactory.

Carron Oil Traditionally

invented in the First Aid

department

of the

is a Carron Ironworks—hence the name—it

for burns and scalds but should not be

popular remedy applied if the skin is

equal parts of linseed oil and limewater dessertspoonful of oil of eucalyptus to each pint. A good general embrocation for sprains, strains, and rheumatism.

broken. It consists of

with

a

Carrot Tea It is

the

interesting to note how often the old ways of thought and ground. Modern dietitians are eloquent on the of advantages eating carrots, and recently a well-

new meet on common

known doctor told sufferers from gout or arthritis that carrots should be eaten by them three times a day. And here is an old

remedy

for gout: Take

large carrot or two small ones and peel. Cut into slices and put into a jar with rather less than half a pint of water. Cover closely. Stand the jar in a pan of boiling water and keep the water boil57 one

wash well. Do not scrape or

Everj’daj Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

ing for three hours. Remove from the fire, strain the carrot, and divide the infusion into two equal parts, of which one must be taken the last

thing at night and the other the first thing in the morning, fasting. Repeat till four morning doses have been taken, then wait for three days and repeat. The ‘tea’must be prepared freshly every day.

Cascara

Sagrada

Perhaps the best and safest laxative for general use. The name ‘sacred bark’, and the story goes that when the Spaniards landed in America they found the Indians worshipped a certain shrub, a species of alder (PJzarnnus pursiana). When asked why, the natives replied the tree conferred health upon them. Naturally the Spaniards experimented, with the result that when they returned to Spain they brought their knowledge to spread amongst their countrymen. As a remedy for persistent constipation, an adult should take twenty drops daily after food, gradually decreasing the dose. I believe medical authorities agree that the American preparation is inferior to the fluid extract of the bark of the English buckthorn alder. This extract may be obtained from the leading chemists and the dose is from a half to a whole teaspoonful. In the olden times a decoction of the bark was prepared in cottage homes, but the practice is not to be recommended. Unless the bark is allowed to dry for two means

years its action is After the requisite

so

violent that serious results may follow. safe and reliable medicine.

drying it is a

Castor Oil The oil is obtained from the seeds of the castor oil bush

or

palma Christi (Ricinus communis) cultivated here as a garden shrub. The oil is a quick-acting purgative that may be given to delicate people and children, but it is a medicine for an emer58

Castor Oil not for frequent use. When there has been prolonged stoppage of the bowels, castor oil is the best remedy. Also if there is ptomaine poisoning a dose of castor oil is the right medicine. When there is persistent diarrhoea the oil will clear the

gency,

bowels of whatever irritant is after-effects

the

same

setting up the trouble and as its constipation it will be doubly efficacious. At must not be given when there is acute pain in

cause

time it

the abdomen, except under medical advice. The great drawback to the oil is its nauseous it

causes

in many

people.

It may be

taste

bought

and the

in

revulsion

capsules

or as an emulsion, but probably coffee is the best vehicle in which it can be swallowed. Have ready two cups each half-filled with strong, black, hot, unsweetened coffee. Slip the dose of oil into the middle of the first cup so that it forms a ball. The

patient should drink a little of the contents of the second cup, keeping the coffee in his mouth for a minute. Directly it has been swallowed he must literally ‘bolt’the oil in the first cup without breaking the ball. At once he drinks the contents of the second cup, thus washing away any taste that may remain. A mixture of one an

old

recipe

part

to cure

castor oil to two

dryness

parts of bay

rum was

of the hair and has much to

recommend

it.

When there is inflammation of the eye a drop or two of castor oil, applied with a perfectly clean fountain-pen ifiler, is a good

remedy.

Camomile The camomile flowers their faith

are

of camomile

on

which other

generations pinned

little used in modern medicine. Yet

an

infusion

pint), taken in wineglassful doses day, will calm hysteria, soothe the nerves, relieve flatulency, and allay many forms of indigestion and vomiting. The infusion at half strength (half an ounce to a pint of boiling water) is given in teaspoonful doses to young children when teething.

three times

(an

ounce to a

a

59

Evetydaj Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

A swollen face caused by toothache, neuralgia, will be soothed and the heads and camomile is it

applied

the

earache

to the face in a hot fomentation. The relief will be

temporary, the only cause

or

swelling reduced if an infusion of poppy prepared and flannel or linen soaked in

and

cure

remove

is for

a

doctor

dentist to

or

diagnose

it.

shampoo of camomile flowers is said to prevent fair hair from becoming dark. To prepare, put into a basin a tablespoonful of any good brand of soapflakes, a teaspoonful of borax, and half an ounce of powdered camomile flowers. Add half a pint of hot water and beat with the hand till a thick lather is A

formed. Wet the hair with

water, then massage with the scalp. Afterwards rinse thoroughly.

warm

lather, working well into the

Another method is to wash the hair with then rinse in

warm water

in which half

ordinary shampoo,

an ounce

of camomile

flowers has been boiled for twenty minutes.

Charcoal An excellent one

remedy

for flatulence and other forms of indigestion,

of the most valuable of

antiseptics.

Taken after

meals in the form of biscuits, lozenges, or powder, it assists digestion and prevents flatulence. The biscuits are the most

chemists pleasant—all and

as

the stock them—but

effective. Also charcoal is

cleanse the mouth

as

well

as

powder

is

cheaper

excellent dentifrice, it will the stomach. an

Chelsea Pensioner Traditionally this remedy for rheumatism was evolved by one pensioners in Chelsea Hospital, hence its name. Take one ounce of flowers of sulphur, one ounce cream of tartar, half an one ounce rhubarb, dracbm gum guiacum, and sixteen ounces of honey. Mix thoroughly. A tablespoonful to be taken night and morning in a tumbler of hot water. of the

60

Cherrj Cough

Cure

Chery Cough

Cure

Put the cherries, which should be black ones and very ripe, preserving-pan with enough cold water to prevent burning.

into the

Stew

slowly till the fruit is quite soft.

Strain

through coarse

muslin, squeezing well, till only the stalks, skins, and

stones remain

pound of the pulp add two tablespoonfuls of vinegar and honey to make all the consistency of thick cream. Pour into jars and tie down. If stored in a cool place it will remain good for a considerable time. The dose is a teaspoonful when the cough is troublesome. Cherry stalks provide a tonic draught. An ounce should be in the muslin. To each

a saucepan with a quart of cold water. Simmer for an hour, then strain. The dose is a tablespoonful three times a day.

put into

The stalks of any of the used.

ordinary

varieties of cherries may be

Chilblains A chilblain is treatment is the

a

mild form of frostbite and to

an extent

the

Sufferers from chilblains should not approach the fire suddenly when coming in out of the cold, and same.

friction which restores the circulation is the first remedy to be employed. Later soak the hands or feet in hot water to which a good supply of kitchen salt has been added. Dry very carefully.

If you a

can

get an onion (or a leek will do as

a

makeshift) cut off

slice, dip it in salt, and rub the chilblain, not too violently. Or

paint with iodine,

or

apply an iodine

ointment.

That treatment is for unbroken chilblains

chilblain should be

only.

A broken

carefully bathed in warm water and zinc applied on lint. If the sufferer can remain in bed for a day or two so much the better. With warmth and complete rest the sore should heal quickly. If lying in bed is out of the question protect the sore from all pressure or possible injury by packing it in cotton-wool and lint. ointment

61

Everjdaj Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Sufferers from chilblains should wear woollen gloves,

not unventilated

stockings and tight garments,

leather ones, with woollen socks or

shoes that

are fully large. They should have no restricting corsets or garters, and should be particularly careful to guard against constipation. Nourishing, health-giving food is a necessity. Eggs, milk, butter, and green vegetables, especially spinach ,should be taken very freely, with cod-liver or halibut-liver oil and malt after meals. Black-currant purde or rose hip syrup, both on sale at all chemists, are excellent.

no

Chloride

of Lime

A disinfectant for outside drains, largely used in bleaching. teaspoonful put into a bottle with half a pint of water and

A

well shaken is useful for case with all

be

poured

removing

stains from linen. As is the

any of the solution which remains shoulddrain at once.

poisons,

down

a

Chorea More

generally

known

as

Saint Vitus’s dance. It attacks

children between five and fifteen years of age and may follow scarlet fever or measles or arise from an inherited tendency to rheumatism. Indeed many authorities are convinced that rheumatic conditions are present always.

Often the symptoms are very slight and never increase in violence. There may be no more than a twitching of the fingers or possibly a weakness of the grip so that the child is scolded for

being clumsy

or

is

punished

for

dropping something given

it to hold. cases the whole body may be affected. The face twitches, the body twists this way and that, even when lying down. Later the symptoms increase in violence. The limbs may

In serious

be

paralysed,

the power of

speech 62

lost.

Fortunately,

these

Chorea extreme conditions seldom last

the

jerky

in

long though

movements may continue for some

danger of recurrence

even

when the

lesser

a

degree

time, and there is

cure seems

complete.

A doctor must be consulted, though drugs do not seem to have much effect. Rest, both physical and mental, is the chief part of the treatment. The child should be

effort made

put

to

bed, every

keep it there and see that it is contented. If there is a longing to get up it must be gratified though quiet and freedom to

from excitement must be maintained.

During

convalescence the diet must be

light

and

nourishing

and the child should be in the open air as much as possible. All violent games and strenuous exercise must be strictly forbidden until the doctor is satisfied there is to

Although

no

heart weakness,

a complication

be feared.

the sufferers from chorea do make

jerky

movements

which resemble grotesque efforts at dancing, it is by no means certain this is the disease which our forefathers called the dance of Saint Vitus.

Anciently there seems to have been a mysteriouscomplaintcausedno-onecansayhow,whichappeared in different parts of Europe. According to the particular district or country it was known as Saint John’s dance, Saint Anthony’s dance, or Saint Vitus’s dance, the symptoms being the same though the name differed. In each case it was believed the only hope of cure lay in a pilgrimage to the shrine of the particular saint, with prayers and pious offerings. Why Saint John and Saint Anthony should have been named in that connection no-one can

tell, but Saint Vitus

the patron saint of He was the son of a

was

dancers, though no-one knows why. Sicilian nobleman, a bitter opponent to

Christianity.

Saint

Vitus, however, was converted by a woman who had been his nurse and suffered martyrdom with her during the Diocletian

persecution (A.D. 303).

He is

prayed

to for

protection against

hydrophobia and sudden death. Also there is, or was, a widespread belief that good health for twelve months, together with

special protection against diseases of the nerves, will be granted chapel where his picture hangs,

to those who visit any shrine or

63

Everjdqy Ailments and dance before it

and Commonsense Cures

his festival (June 15th). From that

on

custom

possibly the term Saint Vitus’ dance became a familiar phrase, which later, in a manner not very clear, was confused with the complaint chorea.

Chrj’santhemum Leaves parts of the country

In many

an

infusion of

chrysanthemum

leaves (an ounce to a pint of water) taken in tablespoonful doses four times a day is considered a certain cure for asthma. Or the dried leaves may be smoked as tobacco. Probably the leaves of the oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) would be even more

efficacious.

asthma,

They are

and certain

a

remedy for whooping-cough, complaints. Many of the

standard

nerve

wild herbs have greater medical attributes than their relations which have been under cultivation for generations.

Cinnamon The inner bark of

a

tree

flourishing

in

Ceylon.

It

gives

a

delicate flavour to many dishes that would be insipid in themselves, and being stimulating and digestive, forms an ingredient in

prescriptions for allaying sickness

or

strengthening the digestive

organs.

Citric Acid Crystals prepared from the juices of citric fruit—lemons, grape-fruit, etc. Thirty-five grains of citric acid (a small teaspoonful) added to two tablespoonfuls of water equals the juice of one lemon. It may be used in preparing lemonade or lime,

other sick-room drinks, but its constant use is not advised, and there are many serious conditions in which it would not be suitable for the

patient. 64

Cloves

Cloves The flower-bud of aplantwhichflourishes in Malaya. Various preparations are obtained from the buds, but they are used chiefly in connection with other remedies. Oil of cloves may be mentioned as giving temporary relief from toothache, it acts

as an

warm

anaesthetic. When added to articles of food, cloves digestion. Hence they are cooked with stewed

and aid

apples and other fruit.

As a

simple home remedy to relieve flatulency, trying. Put half a dozen cloves into a teacup, which half-fill with boiling water. Leave to infuse for five minutes and drink while hot. Though excellent as an occasional remedy it would not be wise to drink it frequently. clove tea is worth

Cod-liver Oil Cod-liver oil and halibut-liver oil

are

extremely

valuable for

delicate children, invalids suffering from wasting diseases, and convalescents. The oils can be purchased as emulsions which

easy to take. Delicate children

are

patients of any age who are threatened wasting disease should have the following treatment night and morning. Sponge the patient down the spine with hot water, dry quickly, then massage with cod-liver or

or other with “T.B.”

oil till all the oil has been absorbed in the skin. Treat the chest and stomach in the same manner. By this means the lungs and indeed the whole

body are fed with oil without fear of deranging

the

digestion. tablespoonful of cod-liver oil mixed with an equal amount of honey and the juice of a lemon or two tablespoonfuls of vinegar, taken night and morning or whenever the cough is A

troublesome, will relieve many disorders of the chest. Particularly valuable in whooping-cough. E

65

Everjdqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Colds and Frequently common to

a

Coughs

cold in the head is looked upon

be treated

as an

ill too

seriously, though neglected

colds may cold may be

breed the seeds of many diseases. At the best, a slight in itself but has a tendency to weaken the

body,

to increase

it were, invitingly hold open a door by which deadly germs may enter. Yet how often we come across a sufferer who is a nuisance—and a the non-resistance to infection

all danger—to

around

by

and,

his continual

as

sniffing

and

sneezing

and who, on being remonstrated with, replies brightly that he always has a cold so takes no notice of it. As if criminal carelessness were

anything

of which to be

proud.

I do not know the

poet whose masterpiece confronts travellers in London’s buses, but his lesson, if not his name, deserves to be

name of the

remembered:

Coughs and sneezes Spread diseases, he has written. Then relapsing into prose adds the salutary advice that the handkerchief should be used to trap germs. Exactly! It is the first duty of everyone who is suffering from any health trouble that affects the breathing and so may disseminate

its germs to be armed with

a

good supply

of handkerchiefs

sprinkled with disinfectant. This is particularly time necessary when travelling in a public vehicle or—in into an air-raid shelter. of war—crowding that have been

suffering from a cold the cause of the trouble should sought and when discovered every care should be taken towards not only bringing about a cure but also of guarding against a return of the trouble. If you are in good health, a cold icy blast whistling round the corner where, snap in the air—an contaminated air maybe, you are waiting for your bus—the from closely packed humanity which holds the greatest danger not bring about an illness unless it is helped by some of all—will When

be

66

Colds and

Coughs

Fifth Columnist within the citadel of your

which welcomes the

body, some condition play. to function freely the whole of the the body is put out of gear—the

invading germs

If any organ is unable wonderful machinery of

and

ensures them full

spanner has been thrown into the wheel. Hence it is useless for those who suffer from iecurrent colds to expect local remedies alone to bring about the cure. The digestion must be considered and the rules of health followed.

Kidney

trouble and

decayed

both very common sources of the ordinary cold. In such cases the cold is an effect, not a cause, and as such must be

teeth

are

treated. Other

frequent

‘catching cold’ are: the wearing of especially ill-ventilated ones; the avoidance

causes

too many clothes,

of

of fresh air; the lack of frequent baths. As regards clothes the present generation

placed than I happen to

their

are

far

more

fortunately

and

great-grandparents. possess some silhouette portraits of more than a century ago of gentlemen whose necks were enveloped in horsehair-lined

were

‘stocks’ that

breathing difficult,

grandparents

swathed

the throat to make

and whose ‘netherlimbs ‘—they would have

been shocked had it been encased in the made

suggested they possessed legs—were tightest possible ‘small clothes’ that must have

walking difficult and sitting down a work of art. The period were rather more fortunate. They encased

ladies of that

themselves in dreadful stays but left neck and shoulders bare as often as possible, and their skirts, though collectors of germladcn dust from the streets, did not exclude all ventilation. In the the Victorian age which followed matters grew worse—for women.

Men

became

sufficiently emancipated

to wear comparatively

comfortable trousers, later in the era loose

shirts, flannels, and sweaters were allowed, at least in the country, but the women continued to torture themselves by tight lacing, and even

after the blouse

was

introduced—which was

not

much

necks were swathed before the present century, I think—their with high collars and skirts remained dust-collectors. To-day, whatever

we

may think of bare

legs

67

and

skimpy

skirts from

an

Everjidqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

artistic point of view, there is

no doubt they are beneficial to they may be a doubtful blessing, yet on the whole most certainly they are blessings in disguise. Baths are of the greatest importance. They clear the pores of the skin and keep it healthy and able to ‘breathe’because, in a sense, we do breathe through the skin as well as through the nose and mouth. If the pores are stopped, clogging matter which ought to escape is forced back into the blood. Colds in the head are frequent results, so are pimples, blackheads, and

health. In

some

directions

sores.

The fact that

fifty per cent

of our houses have bathrooms—I

from recent statistics, which included old houses cleanliness and cottage property all over the country—makes far more easy than it was even twenty or thirty years ago. The am

quoting

swimming baths

people frequent during the summer though overcrowding may suggest dangers. It is an unpleasant fact that our immediate ancestors were appallingly dirty. Until the present century few houses had bathrooms agd the majority of quite well-to-do and educated people did not bathe at all except possibly during an annual holiday by the sea. During a recent sale of an historic mansion the newspapers reported that the house contained eighty rooms but only one bathroom. For an old or even a middle-aged person who for years has been in the habit of muffling the entire body in voluminous wraps, to appear suddenly as a hiker in shorts or a bathing beauty, would be the height of dangerous absurdity. Yet by exercising common sense it should be possible to discard those wraps by degrees until cold air or even draughts may be faced with impunity. Most opera singers set a good example by seldom wrapping up their precious throats though there are exceptions months

are

our

young

of value also,

to this rule. All day and every day those who make efforts to tone up the

are

liable to colds should

body and give it strength to resist the threatening germs. Ordinarily when going about your usual employment there should be no need for special wrapping up. 68

Colds and

Coughs

happy confidence it will justified if you have functioning freely and the skin

Face every wind that blows with the

do you

no

harm. That confidence will be

seen to it that all the organs are is clean. And if the cold is very intense remember that hot food, even a cup of coffee or a small plate of soup, will do more to

promote warmth than

a

scarf wound round the neck

or an

extra coat. a severe cold has developed, the sufferer will aching head and limbs and the nose stuffed up with mucus, or streaming with what is called water. The best treatment is the one our grandmothers described as ‘sweating out’.The patient should have a hot bath or at least put the feet

When, however,

return home with

into hot mustard and water, then go to bed between the blankets with a hot-water bottle. A strong aperient should be taken and

a

In the

hot drink

morning

medicine that will promote perspiration. there wifi be intense lassitude probably or a

but the fever and other symptoms of a bad cold should have disappeared. If possible, remain indoors all day, with light

nourishing food. Should the staying at home be out of the question, sponge the body with tepid vinegar and water in equal parts. This will close the pores that have been opened to allow the perspiration to escape. And during the day remember hot food and drinks at fairly frequent intervals will be beneficial. If, however, when morning comes the feverish symptoms persist, there must be no attempt at getting up or going out. It is wise to send for a doctor. Probably that which seemed ‘just a cold’

was

the first symptom of influenza, measles, or scarlet begin with running of the eyes and nose, pains

fever. These all

in the back and limbs, with sore throat and feverish headache. Even should one of these be developing, the ‘sweating out’ process will have

helped to

Everyone knows,

lessen the attack.

should know, that a cough is infectious. Even if the actual spreading of germs is avoided there is the or

question of nerves to be considered. Have you never sat in a railway carriage opposite some unfortunate whose persistent cough has roused in you an almost uncontrollable im69

Everjidqy Ailments and pulse

cough

to

impulse

Commonsense Cures

likewise? It may be almost

his. Nervous coughs such

as

these imitative

strong as the stranger consult

as

to look at your own watch if you see a

ones

may be checked

by will power, though that will be helped by the sucking of a lozenge to allay local irritation. Coughs are divided into two categories, the coughs which help and those that do not. Helpful coughs bring away phlegm and other choking matter so that after the paroxysm is over the chest is cleared and the breathing becomes more easy. Of the other type is the cough that drags and rasps and strains but brings no ease. Indeed the soreness and aching of the chest is intensified. Many of these dry coughs rise from the stomach or may be the first symptoms of bronchitis. In the latter case the character of the cough alters before long. It is ‘dry’no longer, and as the bronchitis progresses will bring away the phlegm. Practically the treatment for all coughs is to follow the rules of health, eat light food, of the broth, white fish, and milk dishes type, and try inhalants and ‘cough medicines’ till you find the one that suits you best. It is most important to keep up

strength and to make sure there is no clogging of the organs. leaving the subject of colds and coughs a few words must be added as to the special precautions against chill or infection which should be taken under exceptional circumstances. At the time I am writing this the Great War is in progress and I have air-raid shelters specially in my mind, not so the

Before

much those of the indoor type, or the Andersons that go in back gardens, or the public shelters with sanitation and special

plans and probably a trained nurse or even a doctor They are beside the question. The shelters of I which am thinking are those in cellars or basements built for ordinary storage purposes and totally unfit to contain the crowds who go to them at night. Ill ventilated, often with brick

ventilation

in attendance.

and stone floors on which

women and children crouch, their germs increase and multiply till the places become the hotbeds where infectious diseases have their being.

70

Colds and

Hoping

as

we

all

Coughs

do that dawn will follow the darkness

quickly and peace

come to the distracted world, the mention of

air-raid shelters is

only

in

passing. What precautions

I

am

going

to add in

to be taken will the way of advice as to to those who travel in crowded trains or buses. When

apply

equally people are

herded into any small space, particularly if they are and cold and tired, with damp garments or streaming mackintoshes, there is danger of germs making their presence wet

felt. Once, very much in pre-war days, I saw a crowded excursion train leaving a popular seaside resort in the evening. All a cruel and steady downpour with the result ‘daytrippers’ arriving in the morning had found most of the shelters on the parade filled to suffocation. As many as could find space at all crowded into those places, women grumbling, children crying miserably, while others could stand only under shop blinds or in doorways getting more and more cold and wet every minute. At last, in the evening, thoroughly depressed, they crammed themselves into the train for the long journey home. How many escaped being ill after that experience I do not know. The picture of their discomfort was one of the saddest sights I have ever seen. Naturally those poor souls, starting out from home in the morning, would not be able to take any special precautions against cold. To the last they would hope against hope the day

day

it had rained

that the

would be fine, but if there is any

reason to expect overcrowding and chill and damp and general discomfort here are a few of the

special precautions that should be taken. It is important to keep the feet warm and dry. To that end woollen socks or stockings should be worn, and if rubber boots are obtainable they are ideal. Should they be a size or two too large so much the better. Lamb’s-wool socks are excellent for making them fit and adding to the warmth. If the shops do not stock lamb’s-wool socks, cut a piece of strong linen or cardboard into the shape of a sole, cover it with glue and press a thick layer of wadding upon it, afterwards trimming off the edges. That will ensure warm feet. 71

Everjdaji Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Older people, or those who for any desire to avoid chills, would do well to

reason

have

wear a

pad

of cotton-

wool across the loins. Sufferers from rheumatism in

practically

a

special

any of its many forms, but particularly lumbago, will benefit by this, but also it is strongly advised to women and girls who suffer internal will take

pain

a course

as

the result of

suppression.

of aperient medicine to make

If these

sure

girls

there is

no

constipation and wear this cotton-wool pad across the back, the possibility of pain will be halved at least. The pad need not be very large, sufficient to cover the small of the back comfortably, and over it a piece of linen should be placed, such as a good-sized handkerchief. This should be kept in position by strips of adhesive plaster. Once the wool has been applied it must not be left off immediately the danger from which it protects has gone. When one pad is taken off

as a matter

of cleanliness, another must be put

on at

When, finally, the need for it is over, small pieces should be removed day by day. By thus allowing it to become ‘small once.

by degrees and beautifully less’ there is being missed too suddenly.

no

fear of its

protection

And here’s another hint. If there is any tendency to rheumatism, powder the insides of the stockings with dry mustard. Healers in other

advised such

a

days, knowing nothing of cotton-wool, bandage as I have described being worn round

the loins, but insisted it must be made of scarlet flannel. When the time for its removal came they said a strip an inch wide should be torn off every

day

so as to ensure

its removal

by

degrees. The insistence

on

the flannel

being

red is

interesting.

The

belief in what may be called ‘healing by colour’ is very, very ancient, and though in the last century the world sneered loftily at such ‘benighted superstition’ modern medical science is

changing

its views.

The earliest record of English medical work

by

John of Gaddesdon,

France, wife of Edward I. He

physician was

72

practice, to

I believe, is

a

Queen Margaret of

called in when the Prince of

Colds and

Coughs

Wales, afterwards Edward II, developed smallpox, and has left this account of his treatment: ‘Iordered the prince to be

enveloped in scarlet cloth and all the furniture in his chamber bright red in colour, which practice not only cured him

to be but

prevented

his

I treated the sons of some being marked. England with the red system and made .

.

.

of the noblest houses in

good

cures

of them all.’

The belief in the medicinal powers of red are world-wide. Red stripes were woven into the garments of Chinese children

to

safeguard

time

our

them from illness, and until practically our own wore necklaces of red coral to help them in

babies

teething troubles.

In the West Indies it

was

believed that

a

strip

of red cloth, however narrow, would ward off whooping-cough. In the Scottish Highlands the same idea obtained. And in many parts of rustic England a red cord tied in nine knots around the neck to stop bleeding of the nose. In

a

very old number of the Antiquary

‘Wehave evidence of even the recent

purpose in the

testimony

of

use

was an

was worn

article

stating:

of scarlet with

a

sympathetic

to Notes

correspondent and Queries who writes: “WhenI was a pupil at Saint Bartholomew’s forty years ago, one of our lecturers used to say that within a recent period there were exposed for sale in a shop in Fleet Street, red tongues—i.e. tie tongues of red cloth—to round the throats of patients smitten with scarlet fever.’” In the same way garments and draperies of mauve or purple were believed to cure neuralgic pains and nervous affections, just as tiLe amethyst was credited with the same virtues and the emerald with power to strengthen the sight. Pliny wrote: ‘Ifthe sight be dimmed or hath wearied with intense poring over anything, the beholding of an emerald doth refresh and restore it again.’ Old legends, old superstitions, dismissed by the Victorians as unworthy a second thought. Yet recently high medical authorities have stated that red has value, and I have heard of a nursing a

home for infectious diseases where red blinds windows of the

rooms

were

fitted to the

occupied by patients suffering 73

from

Everjdaj Ailments smallpox

and Commonsense Cures

scarlet fever. There is

or

a

from London where the wards for

have

mental institution not far

acutely

nervous

patients

curtains, while practically all eye hospitals

mauve

are

decorated in shades of green. It seem agreed that the wearing of a necklace of amber beads will

cure or

prevent goitre, and I know

who believes that the steadiness of her

a

very sensible

nerves

woman

and her freedom

from headaches is

And this is not

owing to her wearing an amethyst necklace. superstition, at least in the ordinary sense. It is a

belief that the vibrations of the stones have

body. Certainly must have a

A

amber

being

so

effect

an

highly charged

with

on

the

electricity

strong influence.

by a whole band of medical men has: study of the mind has led to some new conclusions about colour which are of considerable interest. and experiments have been made in mental hospitals to test the effect of colour upon patients suffering from various forms of mental disease. Thus blue glass has been used in the windows of rooms occupied by patients suffering from acute mania, and red glass recent work written

‘Themodern

.

.

in those quarters allotted to melancholiacs. Some relief has been obtained in spite of many failures. Apart from these aspects of the question there is one respect in which colour has a direct effect on the health of the individual, and that is in regard to protection from solar heat. Red wards off the actinic

rays of light.’ Again, in the same work we are told: ‘When white men are compelled to work under a tropical sun, a thin

strip of yellow and red silk should be sewn into the shirt along Women anxious to preserve their complexions spine..

the

.

.

orange- or red-tinted veils.’ Who shall say that within another decade the lessons

should

wear

by John

of Gaddesdon may not be

74

amply justified?

taught

Colisfoot Coltsfoot Sufferers from bronchitis or almost any chest trouble— be ‘T.B.’,difficulty in breathing, hacking coughs, etc.—will relieved by the following: Put an ounce of coltsfoot leaves into

saucepan with three pints of cold water. Simmer till reduced to half. Strain, sweeten if desired. Take in teacupful doses when required. Also see Herbal Tobacco. a

Comfrej A valuable herbal ounce

remedy

for

of the crushed root into

of milk and water in minutes. A

wineglassful

a

pulmonary

saucepan with

If

only

pint

eaten with

a

a

pint

and

a

an

half

and simmer for twenty to be taken when the cough is troublesome.

equal parts

Or water alone may be used and lemon a

disorders. Put

of water is used

a

jelly

flavouring added.

will result that may be

spoon.

and Cosmetics

Complexion

Everyone, every woman at least, wants to secure a good complexion, and a great many unfortunately make do with the poor imitation supplied by cosmetics instead of striving for the real effort would be thing. Not that I condemn all make-up—the useless if I did—but I do want to insist that if the skin is flabby or

pitted by enlarged pores

or

blackheads,

with

a

layer

or

disfigured by pimples

smart dress over a set of

And

or

blotches

is colourless and drab, to cover these defects of make-up is tantamount to putting a particularly or

ragged,

personal pride, Therefore, to

not to say

dirty,

in her senses, if she had would be guilty of that.

no woman

secure a

underclothes.

an atom

of

good complexion ask yourself wherein 75

Everjdaj

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

the shortcomings lie. If ill-health is the read what is written about anaemia, The latter

are

important.

Cleanliness

cause, as probably it is, constipation, and baths. is the key to both beauty

and health, and cleanliness must be internal as well as external. Wash the face at night, removing all trace of make-up and for use warm water with a soap that you know suits your skin. Rinse thoroughly and then sponge with cold water. This will tone up the skin generally. Night cream should follow,

preference

massaged into the skin with the tips of the fingers, forget that this massage should be always in an upward direction. In the morning wash in warm water and dry carefully before applying whatever make-up you use. And do, please, realize that the purpose of make-up is to improve upon nature. The skin should be the pure pink and white which romantically is called the ‘rose blush complexion’, the eyebrows should be arched or straight according as they best suit the shape of the face, and the lips must be prettily tinted pink and drawn to the right shape. Many young women wholly forget the reasons for using make-up. They plaster their faces with red and white in patches that imitate the grotesqueness of clowns at circuses, they give themselves eyebrows of any pattern that suggests itself, and hide their mouths under splashes of crimson or scarlet. The other day I saw a girl whose mouth naturally was large, whose lips were thick. Surely common sense should have told her to apply the lipstick so that her being

well

and do not

mouth appeared smaller. Instead she put the colour on so lavishly that she seemed to have a crimson gash extending from ear to ear. Surely, if she had given the smallest thought to the matter, she must have seen that her make-up by no means added to her beauty. At a very smart restaurant I saw a lady whose emerald green! On one occasion I fingernails—were lips—and was asked: ‘How can I make my eyebrows grow again? You see, I knew three years ago that I am too short to wear eyebrows so I had them taken off. Now fashion has changed and

I think

they would

suit

me.

What

ought I to do?’ completely destroyed,

As she had had the roots of the hair

76

I

CAMOMILE Anthemis

nobilis. Nat. Ord.

Coinpositae

Everjdqy Ailments and could only tell her the

Commonsense Cures

hopeless. Imagine being so ought to have be of to the happened pocket-Venus

case was

enslaved by passing fashions that she believed she no

eyebrows type!

because she

lipstick, its use in moderation is beneficial in that

To return to

it prevents those sore and frostbitten lips which used to afflict women in the winter. The lips are kept soft and healthy whatever the weather. In the even

same

good night cream will nourish the skin, and though many makes are too drying for their uses. If a real ‘skin tightener’ is required

way

vanishing

a

cream,

most skins, have

to remove lines and

wrinkles, the following will be found

excellent: Half an Two Ten

ounce

ounces

simple

tincture of benzoin.

witch hazel.

ounces rosewater.

following recipe for cold cream will be found excellent. Practically any skin will be improved by it and though the almond oil is expensive it will be found well worth the extra The

cost. Half an

ounce

of spermaceti.

Half an

ounce

of white

wax.

Four ounces of almond oil. Shred the waxes,

put into

a

jar

and add the oil. Stand

on

the

pan of hot water till the waxes are melted. Stir and leave to get cold, when it will be ready for use. Scent may be bob

or

in

a

added if desired. That is the most are

simple

form of

the addition of two

quantities.

a

ounces

well-known

This must be put into the jar

the waxes are

recipe.

Variations

of rosewater to the above a

drop

at a time when

melted, the mixture being beaten with

a

fork all

Naturally it is not easy to bring about a smooth and of oil and water. When cold, the result amalgamation perfect in many cases resembles clarified dripping, a hard cake of white the while.

fat above and clear water below. In that case the whole method 78

Complexion and must be

repeated.

If care and

Cosmetics

patience are

used

a

perfect result

will be attained in the end. Another variation

gives two ounces of rosewater and two glycerine added to the wax. If the bottle is well shaken before the addition to the jar the mixture will be managed far more easily. At the moment of writing we are at war still and neither glycerine nor white wax is available. A double quantity of spermaceti should make good the deficiency. A thin calamine lotion, which any chemist will supply, is an excellent powder base and has a beneficial effect on the skin. ounces of

Constipation Constipation is at the root of the large majority of our health troubles. When it is not the actual makes matters In most

a

cases

great deal

the condition is

suffer will not take it

ordinary

worse

woman.

Men

it is

an

effect which

they need be. neglected because those

who

This is the outlook of the

seriously. as a

cause

than

rule show

more common sense.

ignore constipation, taking it as the ordinary state of things. Others content themselves with swallowing strong purgatives at uncertain intervals. And there are many who cling to the belief that somewhere there exists a magic potion of which a single dose will bring about a complete cure once and for always. And they appear to be content to wait until that Most women

potion materializes. That is absurd. When

constipation is well established only patient care can it be overcome. Even in normal times the struggle must be long and unceasing and the position is complicated when there is any shortage of special foods or the market is disorganized otherwise. Quite recently a wellknown

by long

and

doctor wrote: ‘To cure

of far

more

bread with

value than

plenty

drugs.

or

prevent constipation diet is

It should consist of wholemeal

of fat in the 79

shape

of butter,

margarine,

Everjdqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

bacon, dripping or lard, eggs, and green vegetables. But above all there should be plenty of fruit. Not that all fruit is laxative. Some, notably the American blackberry, has quite the opposite effect. And the English blackberry is an astringent also.

Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, apples, pears, nuts (particularly Brazil nuts), currants, cherries, figs, dates, and all plums are excellent. With plums, see that they are fully ripe or serve them stewed.’ That advice should be to follow it

of

our

fully.

reach for

a

kept

in mind even if it is not

possible

Certain of the fruits named may remain out long while, yet other fruits come to us and it

is up to us to make the most of them. Apples, for instance, are seldom out of reach even if we do not possess apple trees, and we

have been told that An

apple a day Keeps the doctor away,

which

probably

was

intended to convey the information that

eating apples will prevent or cure constipation. That is not true invariably. There are people who suffer from acute indigestion after eating apples either raw or cooked, and in some extreme cases declare the fruit actually causes constipation. However, most people realize their own limitations and can decide for themselves whether to eat

apples

or not.

Nearly all vegetables should be taken freely and the water in which cabbage or indeed any green vegetable has been cooked should be saved and drunk fasting in the early morning. In case there should be any hesitation over the swallowing of this is no reason, why there should be, since the taste draught—there me add that this is far from unpleasant—let early morning draught may be described as a step towards beauty culture. Frequent and regular drinking of such water, which

means

the

taking of vegetable juices, will improve the complexion, give brightness to the eyes, and colour to the lips. Also, all who suffer from constipation should drink much clear water, either hot

or

cold. A doctor 80

once

told

me

that

no

Constzpation water-drinker ever suffered from constipation, but as he added that the minimum amount of water to be taken daily must amount to fourteen pints, he

might be described as an extremist. He gave me, however, one practical hint that I have never heard elsewhere. A plate of oatmeal porridge is an ideal breakfast dish for those who are constipated, as most people know, but its effects are intensified if a tablespoonful of raw, coarse oatmeal is scattered over the porridge just before serving. This, he said, supplies the roughage that is required. Green vegetables are of the greatest importance, yet it is a mistake to expect them to act violently and immediately. I know of a girl who was advised to eat salads for her breakfast but who, a day or so later, said salads were no good. She had eaten a whole lettuce one morning but there was no change in her constipation. If she had eaten half a lettuce or a little cress or nasturtium leaves every morning for a month, her experience might have been different. Though the right type of food is and

important in forming body and its functions, firmly established it may

most

the correct balance of the

maintaining when constipation

has become

not be cured without the aid of that medicine should take is

medicines. What form

some

largely

a

question

for the individual.

person will fail with another. The dose of salts in a tumbler of warm water or in

That which suits

one

regular morning the early cup of tea, is the standby of many, though it is doubtful if its continued use over a prolonged period is to be advised. Prepared paraffin is claimed to be a sovereign remedy, though many authorities dispute its value on the ground that being purely mineral it cannot be digested. In any event, it is only .a lubricant.

Whatever is taken should be should be decreased

altogether.

Violent

as

gentle

time goes

purgatives

on

in its effects and the dose

until it

of the

can

be done without

blue-pil -at-night-andblack-draught-in-the-morning, great-grandfathers

to which our

pinned their faith, defeat their own ends. Excellent in an emergency, they clear the bowels only to bind them afterwards, so p

81

Everjidaj Ailments and that constipation

Commonsense Cures

returns and the last

stage is

worse

than the

first. Diet, however, is of more importance than medicine. Figs and dates and prunes are amongst the most valuable

Usually they

fruits.

are

right, but often they

are

served

as

dessert, which is wise and

added to cakes

or

boiled

puddings,

when the flour is apt to counteract the laxative benefits. Thus, if required for the medicinal purpose, these dried fruits are

better

simply

stewed.

Wholemeal bread should be eaten in kind which does not appear to be

white. Certain loaves have had oatmeal added to their

longer other

preference to the usual particularly laxative albeit no

I believe, and these can be recommended. Oatmeal, whether taken in the form of porridge, oatmeal water, oatcake, or bread, is one of the most valuable home laxatives

ingredients,

we have. Patent cereal foods, of which so many are on the market, have their uses and should be eaten freely. Honey, jam, golden syrup, and treacle are excellent also.

Fat, as the doctor I have quoted was careful to remind us, is most important, and should butter and cream remain difficult to obtain there

are

emulsions and other

preparations

of fish

oils—cod-liver oil, halibut-liver oil—which may be bought without

difficulty.

Corns comparatively minor ills to which we have been by civilization, corns are some of the most frequent. Ill-fitting boots, which cause pressure in the wrong place, are the chief causes, though I have heard it stated that heredity has Among

the

condemned

to be taken into account.

by protecting them with the nightly soaking in hot water to which a mixture of kitchen salt and Epsom salts has been added. Though the shield will prevent pain being felt, the treatment must continue for a long time before the corn can be removed Hard

circular

corns

corn

are

best treated

shields and

82

Corns with the fingers. Should

a quicker cure be needed only a visit chiropodist or a foot clinic is recommended. Cutting the corn, even if a safety razor is employed, is dangerous, as very serious results may follow even the slightest cut or scratch that draws blood. Many corn solvents are on the market and are excellent if applied with sufficient care. Failing that a gathering may appear on the foot and be so painful that the original corn

to

a

very minor ill indeed. Soft corns form between the toes and

must seem a

generally afflict persons sign of such a corn powder talcum powder and insert a scrap of cotton wool between the toes. This should be renewed daily. The nightly bathing in salt and water as just recommended is important. Another type of corn, or callosity, appears on the soles of the feet, often in great numbers. Bathing the feet regularly, massaging with iodine ointment, and wearing loofah socks in the shoes should give relief. If these fail consult a doctor. who

perspire very freely. with prepared chalk or

At the first

Cramp The usual treatment of cramp is massage, the

application of gentle warmth, such as that given by a hot-water bottle, or stretching the leg if the cramp is situated in the calf, by trying to stand on the toes or putting the sole of the foot against the wall while lying in bed and pushing hard. The usual rules of health must be followed and the feet kept warm and dry. All that is what may be described as ordinary knowledge and common-sense treatment, but there is another treatment which comes into neither category. I cannot pretend to say whether

practical foundation, but I do know notably in the East Riding, a it was few received with implicit belief. A even years ago, considerable number of corks—small corks, large corks, new it is a charm or had any

that in many parts. of the country,

be collected, tied loosely in muslin corks, old corks—should 83

or

Everj’dqy Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

some other thin material and put into bed with the sufferer. That is all. Another form of the same recipe is that instead of

being put loose into a bag the corks should be strung together after the fashion of twists of paper in the tail of a boy’s kite. And it was important that the string should be red and not be any form of silk such as ribbon or twist. ‘Utter nonsense’ may be the verdict, yet a doctor of very high standing prescribed this string of corks to a relative of his

(with what effect I do not know). That the string must be suggest superstition, yet already mention has been made of the use of colour in medicine. That the string must not own

red does

be of silk may have a scientific foundation.

Silk is a nonconductor

and if corks should generate a curative do not say that they do—the influence—I presence of silk would interrupt the flow. of

electricity,

Who can say what discoveries may not be made in the future? What traditions we scoff at as superstitions, may not be proved

living memory Gladstone electricity would be of any practical use, and within the present century to even mention telepathy was to be branded as a person of weak intellect. Not until wireless taught the possibility of ‘tuning in’ to certain wavelengths did the man-in-the-street acknowledge there might be something in it. Now the existence of telepathy is an indisputable and scientific undoubted facts? Almost within

asked whether

fact.

Cream

of Tartar

deposit found in grape juice purified, is called cream of tartar. A

various illnesses as

a

and the lees of wine, when In small doses it is given in

laxative and diuretic. It is

hardly

a

home

medicine, since it should be taken under the orders of a doctor, yet it is found in many recipes, as those given here for Imperial

Drink and Chelsea Pensioner.

84

Dandelion

Dandelion Sufferers from sluggish liver or kidney disorders will benefit by eating salad to which the young leaves of the dandelion have been added. Or

an

infusion may be

prepared

of the leaves and

flowers. Taraxacum coffee (prepared from the dandelion root) is much to be

preferred

to ‘real’coffee,

bitter it is far from

and though the

taste is

slightly

It will stimulate and aid the

unpleasant.

digestion generally. The ‘coffee’may be bought from any good Italian warehouseman and from many herbalists. The other day I was given a recipe by which I am assured it may be prepared at home. I have not tried the

recipe: ‘Digup a

experiment, but here is the long, carrot-like root

dandelion and wash the

well. Bake for five

or six days in the oven. Take a hammer and pound the root, which will be very dark and very hard, to a powder. Then pass through a coffee mill. Make the coffee by pouring boiling water on it. It is delicious.’ During the spring and early summer the dandelion provides

the best and safest

cure

for warts. Gather

a

leaf

or

flower and

squeeze the broken stem. A drop of milky juice will appear. Touch the wart with that and leave it to dry on. Repeat as often as

convenient. In

a

short time the wart will turn black and then

will fall off, leaving clear skin where it has been. Unfortunately, in the autumn and winter dandelion juice becomes scanty and

changed in character.

It is of no

use

applying it then.

Dandruff One of the most obstinate

complaints which,

if

neglected, scalp,

will result in loss of hair and continual irritation of the not to name more serious

possibilities.

the first consideration and it is brushes which have been in

as

use

85

Absolute cleanliness is

well to burn all combs and and

buy

new

ones.

These

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Everjidqy

should be washed in household ammonia and

water at least

once a week if not more often. The hair must be

very

frequently.

The best

preparation

is the

shampooed following, which

any chemist will make up: Three

ounces

of green soft soap.

Three

ounces

methylated spirit.

One drachm

precipitated sulphur.

A makeshift alternative is to

use the old-fashioned soft soap and very occasionally adding a tablespoonful of ammonia to the rinsing water. As a lotion for daily use, castor oil, jaborandi,

and cantharides will be found useful. Tonic medicine is required.

Dover’s Powder An old

remedy

for the

common

cold which takes its

name

from Thomas Dover (1660— 1742), who seems to have been the first physician to prescribe it. Nearly fifty years after his

recognized by the Royal College of Physicians. opium, ipecacuanha, and sulphate of potassium, but by a special clause in the Dangerous Drugs Act it is exempt from its provisions. It is of the utmost importance that the prescribed dose should not be exceeded. death it

was

It contains

Dspepsia One of the most common ills which arise from or

which it

which is the

cause

constipation

that it is difficult to say and which the effect, is indigestion, or

accompanies

so

regularly

to use the more correct name. The word

dyspepsia coming from the Greek, means exactly explains the situation. The

causes

far-flung malady may arise are constipation is first and foremost. That may

from which this

many, but of these

‘dyspepsia’, digest with difficulty’, which

‘I

86

Djspepsia introducing poison into the system, or so may decayed teeth. Eating unsuitable food, or eating it too fast, are other frequent reasons for indigestion, particularly when the complaint takes the form known as acidity. Worry, nerve strain, overwork, lack of fresh air, keeping late hours, want of sleep, are apt to disturb the digestion and take their toll of the general

be

health. All who suffer from

dyspepsia in any form should undereat overeat. The rather than great Doctor Abernethy is said to his have told patients they should rise from the table feeling hungry.

Uncomfortable

as

that rule must have been to follow,

great deal to be said for it. If there is flatulence, all must be served without food should be as dry as possible—meat there is

a

gravy, there must be no soups or stews or meat extracts. Hard

dry

biscuits

are

better than bread

toast are allowed.

if

Fruit, either

raw, make sure it is

taken

only

freely.

if boiled

though

raw or

fully ripe)

stale bread and

dry

cooked, is excellent (but

and green

vegetables

may be

Potatoes should be eaten with moderation and

baked in their skins, and carrots are particularly Turnips, either the white kind or the swede,

or

valuable.

should be avoided.

Strong tea is injurious. constipation and dyspepsia in all forms was given recently by a well-known physician, which has the extra• merit of being cheap. It was: ‘See that you have a hearty laugh at least once a day’. That was all the physician said, but recently I found an amplification of the same idea in a magazine article advocating extremely modern views on health: ‘Areally good laugh exercises the diaphragm, expands the lungs, shakes up the liver, benefits the heart, and practically every gland and organ in the body. People who are “liverish” would benefit to an extraordinary extent if they cultivated a really good laugh every morning before setting foot out of their bedrooms.’ (And, incidentally, so would other members of the family.) A ‘cure’for

.

87

.

.

Everj’dqy Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

Earache It has been said, truthfully, that of all the aches and pains we have to bear that which is loosely described as earache is the

worst. And it is treated

one

the teeth

are

may have hardened in the

ear.

Often the tonsils wax

of the ills that must never be

neglected nor

lightly. or

the

cause

of the trouble,

or

Or boils or abscesses form

in the ear and set up inflammation. Whenever earache is persistent,

lasting more than a few hours, a doctor should be consulted. particularly important when ear trouble develops in young people. If there is a ‘gathering’in the ear the application of heat will assist it to break. When the discharge escapes, the pain will be relieved. If half a teaspoonful of almond oil is slightly warmed and dropped into the ear it will help. Another method is to make kitchen salt hot, put it into a muslin bag and apply to the back of the ear; also there is an application which has the advantage of retaining the heat for a long time. This is a large potato boiled, wrapped in muslin, and laid on the back of the This is

ear.

was to roast an onion, take out cooked, and slip the ‘clove’into the

The old-fashioned method

the middle as soon as it was

application of external poultices is to be preferred. discharge, do not block it up with cotton-wool. The more freely the discharge comes away the better. At the same time do not be led away by the belief that so long as the discharge flows freely all is well. If there is an undue amount of wax in the ear put a few drops of peroxide of hydrogen (ten-volume strength) into the ear, using a perfectly clean fountain-pen filler or a camel-hair brush. The latter is better. Repeat twice a day for two or three days, then wipe the ear clean with a little plug of cotton-wool. A few ear.

The

If there is

drops

of almond oil

or castor

not attempt to remove the And if syringing with warm

oil will facilitate the removal, Do

wax

with

water

88

is

matchstick

hairpin. prescribed by doctor, see a

a

or

Earache

only tepid and that the syringe is used employed. children, living up to Doctor Watts’s statement

to it that the water is

most

gently.

No force must be

Sometimes small

that ‘Satanfinds take

an

some

unholy delight

in

mischief still for idle hands to do’, small articles, such as pellets

putting

peas, or beads, into their ears or up their noses. In the latter case a sniff of snuff or even of pepper will induce a violent sneeze which will bring the obstruction back. Should it of paper,

or

fail in its purpose, see a doctor at once. There must be no delay. The ear, however, is far too delicate an organ for any unskilled treatment. The most that can be done is to ‘ifil’the ear with olive

or

almond

or castor

oil when there is

just

a

hope

the

obstruction will float to the top, whence it may be easily removed. This will be most certainly the case if an insect has made its way into the

attempt

ear.

Should

nothing happen,

no

to find or remove the cause of the trouble. Make the

child lie down with the affected ear next the a

make

doctor. Untold harm may be done

by

pillow and send for

unskilled treatment.

Baston’s Jyrup A tonic which should be taken

The

prescribed

dose must

only on the orders of a doctor.

on no account

be exceeded.

Bccma One of the most common forms of skin disease,

exact

cause

hereditary,

though

the

appears unknown. Many authorities believe it is and often it is obscurely associated with asthma.

In addition, certain trades cause the condition, and thus bakers, tar workers, gardeners, and photographers—a list by no means

complete—are subject. decaying teeth or other The first symptoms

A

general condition of ill-health poison are suspect also.

and

forms of

are

intense irritation of the skin, which 89

Everjdqy

Ail#zents and Commonsense Cures

later becomes red and

swelling develops. The parts begin to sticky serum While the weeping stage continues no grease must be applied. a

which dries into crusts.

exude a

The part must be bathed with warm water, or better still, with milk and water. No soap must be used. Dusting with oxide of zinc is

generally

allowed. When the

the crusts have formed,

of olive oil

ounces

must be

weeping is quite over and remedy was two parts and a teaspoonful of oxide of

old-fashioned

to one of lime-water

zinc to three

poultice

an

of the lotion. In

applied.

severe

cases

a

starch

It is seldom internal medicine is prescribed,

though it is of great importance that the bowels should freely. The diet must be strictly watched. All alcohol should be avoided, as also rich foods and highly spiced condiments, milk, boiledwhite fish, omelets, poachedor scrambled eggs, green vegetables, and fruit being taken freely. Sugar should not be touched in any form. The best drink is barley water. Of this the patient should drink as much as possible. act

Elderfiowers Elderfiower tea is a pleasant drink which may be served as a table beverage and has the reputation of soothing the nerves and alleviating headaches. It is excellent in the sickroom. Cut the flowers from the stalks and put into

a jug. Add enough boiling water to cover. Allow to get cold, then strain. Very little,

if any, sugar will be required. Elderflower ointment is a healing salve, excellent

as a cosmetic

forms of first-aid. Gather the flowers

on a dry day and cut off the stalks. Line a jar or basin with coarse muslin,

and in most

put in the flowers and add enough vaseline

to cover them when

jar in hot water for two hours. Lift out the muslin and wring thoroughly, letting the oil extracted fall back into the jar. Throw the flowers away. Put more flowers into the muslin and return to the jar. Again stew for two hours. Repeat the whole process for the second time. Pour into small jars and

melted. Stand the

90

Elderfiowers allow to get cold. If required as a face cream vaseline must not be used, it encourages the growth of superfluous hair. Use almond oil and spermaceti instead (four ounces of oil to half an ounce

of spermaceti).

Elderfiower water is

excellent cosmetic. That

bought in a prepared by pouring a very little boiling water over freshly gathered and well-washed flowers, covering the basin and leaving them in a slow oven

shop

for

is distilled, but

an

a

an

substitute may be

hour. Allow to get cold but do not strain. A little of the sponged over face and hands after washing, leaving

water to be

It may be used also to bathe cuts or other small it is very healing. Though this recipe really belongs to the cookery section it may be added that the berries are an

it to

dry

wounds

on.

as

excellent substitute for currants in

puddings.

Gather the whole

bunches, tie the stalks together and hang them up in the kitchen near the stove or in some other warm place. When they are

quite dry strip

from the stalks and store in tins. These dried

a ‘tea’which, if taken hot the last thing at night, promotes perspiration and will ward off colds. Also recommended in cases of suppression or painful menstruation.

berries also make

Emetic poisoning the first emetic at hand should be tablespoonful of ‘made’mustard stirred into half a pint of water is satisfactory as a rule. While it is being prepared an effort to induce sickness should be made by putting the fingers down the patient’s throat. The sickness which follows the emetic always leaves a state of great exhaustion. Brandy, whisky, or strong coffee should be kept in readiness. Sufferers from croup (children) or bronchitis (elderly persons) In

cases

of

administered. A

get relief from the sickness which removes the obstruction respiratory passages. Wine of ipecacuanha should be

of the

given.

The dose for

a

child is

a

tablespoonful. 91

teaspoonful,

for

an

adult

a

Everjdaj

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Salts

Epsom

A safe aperient that has been a household standby for generations, though the practice of taking a small dose every morning is not to be recommended generally. At the same time that many women of middle age have declared they owe their passing through the ‘critical period’ in safety thanks to their daily dose of salts cannot be ignored. Salts should be taken in in hot tea,

warm water or

never

in cold water.

important ingredient in an old-fashioned ‘spring medicine’. Mix two ounces of Epsom salts with one ounce of cream of tartar and an ounce of powdered camomile The salts

are an

a quart of boiling water and let it get cold. Stir thoroughly. Half a wineglassful should be taken in an equal

flowers. Add

quantity

of hot water,

fasting,

for three

mornings.

Then omit

morning and repeat. Epsom salts (one ounce) mixed with two ounces of kitchen salt in half a gallon of hot water makes an excellent footbath for the relief of corns or aching feet. The feet should be well soaked in the solution, then carefully dried and powdered with

one

boracic

powder, especially

between the toes.

Eucaljptus Obtained from the leaves of two Australian gum trees. The as a remedy for colds, influenza, and bronchial

oil is excellent

catarrh, and is

generally administered as a nasal spray or by by sprinkling on the handkerchief. If suffering from a cold, from asthma, or incipient ‘T.B.’,it is advisable to sprinkle the pillow with the oil before going to bed. Lozenges

inhalation,

or

containing eucalyptus

excellent for bronchitis and shortness

should be

kept in the mouth while visiting a or entering any place where there may be a source of

of breath and sickroom

are

one

infection. 92

Eiicaljptus Oil of

good

eucalyptus

mixed with

an

equal part

of olive oil is

a

embrocation for rheumatism.

profuse haemorrhage from a comparatively small as bleeding of the gums after the extraction of fluid extract of eucalyptus shoukl be applied locally.

If there is

such

injury,

teeth, the

Eyes If the eyes boracic acid in

tired

inflamed, dissolve

a teaspoonful of tepid water and use with an eye bath. When the eyes ache persistently it is a sign of eyestrain—. or it may be the head will ache and the eyes only seem tired. Spectacles are needed, or if they are being worn already, something are

a

or

tumbler of

wrong with them. Consult an oculist. If the eyes ache after being concentrated on close work, relief will be found by gazing at a distant object. Those whose work is

eye-strain should keep some green object handy—a piece a necktie, a fountain-pen, a cigarette-case, a pincushion—and

causes

of ribbon,

possible. Sty

let the eyes rest on that for a minute or Green soothes the eyes and relieves strain.

in the eye is the name are

anaemia

or

when

to a small abscess which

eyelid particularly liable, especially if there

forms on the

people

given

so

at the base of the lashes. Children and young

other constitutional weakness. In

swelling may develop

in front of the

infection has spread

to a

ear as

is any trace of some cases a hard

well, proof that the

gland. Normally the sty comes to a a and few days head in bursts, discharging pus. After that the complete cure is rapid. The treatment consists in removing the affected lashes and bathing the eye frequently with warm water to which boracic acid has been added. Nourishing food should be given and a course of fish oil or oil, and malt is advised. There is no truth in the superstition that if eyelashes are cut they will not grow again. On the contrary, they will grow longer than before. 93

.Everjidaj Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Flowers that Poison Most of

us

love flowers and taken

on

the whole there is

no

plant more popular than the geranium. Yet in some cases the handling of geraniums causes a very obstinate form of eczema on

the hands. Anemones, the romantic ‘wind flowers’ with colourings, are equally dangerous. Cases of acute

their rich

blood-poisoning the

anemone

have been known to

has entered

through

a

occur

scratch

when the or

juice

of

other wound.

Again, only an individual here and there suffers. Most of us can handle any of these plants without ill effects. Chrysanthemums and primulas should be treated with caution also, and there are many other plants in the same category. These are exceptional instances, but the exception proves the rule and the warning remains. Also, as has been described when dealing with asthma, the fragrance of many of our flowers will set up irritation. Hence, no sufferer from a chest trouble should or growing flowers in the room unless there has proof that the scent is not harmful in that particular

have either cut

been definite case.

Fomentations A fomentation is the

application

of lint

or

flannel that has

been wrung dry after being immersed in very hot water. It is used to alleviate rheumatic pains, for dressing wounds (when

antiseptic should be added to the water), or to reduce inflammation of the throat. To prepare: Lay a large towel in a basin so that the ends hang well over the edge. In the middle of the towel place the lint or flannel you mean to apply. Pour boiling water over all. Quickly gather up the ends of the towel and wring hard. Make sure the lint is thoroughly dry, then there will be no fear of scalding. Apply as hot as possible. To relieve pain,

an

two or three poppy heads should be boiled in the water. The 94

Fomentations opium in the poppies will is

suffering

before

anodyne. When the patient sprinkle turpentine on the lint

act as an

from rheumatism

applying.

Forty Weeks’ Cough time the

‘forty weeks’ cough’ was believed to afflict throughout the whole forty weeks of pregnancy, hence its popular name. In these days of pre-natal care, of corsets which support but do not compress, and of the generally healthy life lived by most women, the cough does not appear in very many cases. Still, some women do suffer from it. They should pay particular care to the rules of general health given in the Foreword and should take the linseed and wild thyme cough mixture of which the recipe is given under Linseed. At

one

all mothers

Four Oils One of the best embrocations for general use, especially for the relief of strains and sprains, for rheumatic pains and stiffness Ask the chemist to make up fourpennyworth of cloves, oil of camphor, and oil of oil each of olive oil, turpentine. Shake before using. The preparation is very greasy but soon disappears as it is quickly absorbed into the skin. of the

joints.

Freckles,

to

Remove

Freckles are the bane of many girls though they are rather becoming than otherwise, and are a sign of youth in spite of the fact old people often develop them. It is the middle-aged who escape. Few beauty troubles are more difficult to I am inclined to think that no application is really

Probably the best that can be suggested is: 95

remove and

satisfactory.

Everjdaj

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Two parts peroxide of hydrogen. One part toilet vinegar. Four parts rosewater or elderfiower

water.

simple remedy is just saltpetre, but you will have difficulty in finding a shop that can supply it just now. If you can run a small quantity to earth, put your finger in your An even more

mouth, then dip it into the saltpetre and afterwards gently massage the freckles. I wonder what part the saliva plays in this old remedy?

Garlic Ointment A remedy for tightness of the chest, bronchitis, and coughs, particularly whooping-cough. Chop a garlic small and put into a jar with an equal quantity of vaseline. Stand on the hob till

the vaseline has melted. Stir and allow to get cold. Do not strain. To be massaged freely into the chest and back. Onion may be used instead of garlic but the latter is to be preferred. Medical authorities recommend that garlic, raw or stewed,

should be

eaten

by

sufferers from

pulmonary

disorders and

internal ulcers.

Gooseberries gooseberries are claimed to be a cure for jaundice. Put ripe berries into a basin, which cover with a plate. Add no water. Stand the basin in a pan of boiling water for an hour. Strain through muslin and add sufficient gelatine, previously soaked in a little cold water, to form a stiff jelly. A teaspoonful Red

the

to be taken after each meal. The young leaves of a

give

gooseberry bush eaten before breakfast gravel. The leaves should

relief to sufferers from stone and

be served in salads also. 96

‘:

—1 If.

ANEMONE

Anetnonepulsatilla. Nat. 0

Ord. Ranunculaceae

Everjdqy Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

Goose-fat Of all ointments, that made from goose-fat penetrates the deeply through the skin, and many preparations containing

most

it appear in the Pharmacopoeia. For household use it has the drawback of being difficult to keep sweet for any length of time, though I have heard of an ointment composed of one part

spermaceti and four parts fresh goose-fat which

was

stored

goose has been roasted it is wise to keep some of the fat from making pastry and use to massage the chest and back of any sufferer from a pulmonary disorder. A

satisfactorily.

When

a

very old-fashioned remedy for croup was to give a child a teaspoonful of goose-fat, and I know a very young infant who

suffered from congestion of the lungs and was saved, humanly same remedy. Our grandmothers had little

speaking, by the

idea of hygiene and it was and

commonly said no matter how rancid

goose-grease might be, its virtues were unimpaired. considered a valuable emetic also. That can be

evil-smelling It

was

understood.

Growing Pains complain of dull aching pain in the shins, or thighs may be affected. A general discomfort is experienced and the child sleeps badly. In what we are told were the good old days, any complaints were dismissed with: ‘There’s nothing the matter with you. It’s only growing pains and you’ve got to put up with them.’ Which held a grain of truth amid a great deal of misapprehension. The diagnosis may have been correct, it was from ‘growing pains’ the child was suffering, but the rest of the attitude was entirely wrong. Actually ‘growing pains’ arise from a germ which attacks highly strung, extremely sensitive children, especially those who have difficulty with their teeth. The origin is rheumatic, Often children

the

arms or

98

Growing and

a

Pains

doctor should be consulted without

delay. Probably

he

will order the child to go to bed and stay there until, thanks to warmth and rest, the pain has ceased. Afterwards special care must

all a

be taken. The child must not be overworked at school and

cause of

fear

or

worry—no grown-up

can

worry

more

than

sensitive child—must be removed. Fresh air is essential, exercise is needed, but all strenuous games must be strictly forbidden

until the doctor is satisfied

as to

the condition of the

heart.

Hair, Care of the Strict cleanliness is the golden rule for securing a good growth of healthy hair. Should a tonic be required, any of the following will be found good, though all will not be equally suitable to any individual case. The herb rosemary is an acknowledged hair restorer. Few

falling hair will not benefit if the scalp is massaged with the following lotion: Put an ounce of rosemary, freshgathered or dry, into a jug with a teaspoonful of borax and a piece of camphor the size of a nut. The camphor should be crushed. Pour a pint of boiling water over all, stir well. When cases

of

cold, strain and bottle. Use freely. Chop a slice of onion small and

put into a bottle. Add an of and two ounces of rosewater. Do not ounce eau-de-Cologne strain.

too

Keep

sticky

well corked and shake the bottle before

add

using.

If

more rose water.

A strong infusion of garden sage (half a ounce) is an excellent hair tonic and has a

pint of water to an tendency to darken

grey hair.

good tonic which the chemist will make up is: Six bay rum, three drachms of tincture of cantharides, and one ounce spirit of rosemary. This has the drawback of being expensive. Whatever tonic is applied will be found to have a drying effect on the hair after a time. A good brand of brilliantine or a A very

ounces

of

99

Everjdqy Ailments and little

coconut oil or a

Commonsense Cures

preparation

of vaseline will

supply

the

grease needed. Naturally, if the hair is greasy it requires more shampoos than very dry hair. Yet I have heard of a

frequent girl with very fine, dry hair who declared that unless she shampooed it once a week it began to fall out at a quite alarming rate. If it had the weekly wash and afterwards the scalp was massaged with a good hair cream, it throve and grew thick and long. It is a case for individual experiment, and only by trial and error can you hope to find out exactly what your hair needs. In normal times many excellent shampoos are on the market and it is easy to buy the exact brand you fancy, but in these days it is a common experience to be told that your chemist will have no further supplies for a week or a month or whatever the period may be. An alternative has to be found and here it is: Ask at the oil shop if the tins of the old-fashioned soft soap are on sale. Some shops seem to have them in stock while at others can

get

no-one a

appears to

even

know what soft soap is. If you

tin, you will find that, used carefully, it will last

a

very

long time and that hair washed with it is soft and silky. The shampoo must finish with a thorough rinsing, however, so that all soap is removed. This is important because even at its best soap is apt to clog the pores. Soapless shampoo preparations are to be preferred, but if it is a case of needs must, this oldfashioned soft soap should be tried. Failing that, use a good make of soapflakes, or soap jelly. It is not a pleasant subject, but when there is any difficulty in keeping the hair free from living pests the best possible shampoo is a mixture of soft soap and quassia, which is put up in tins for gardeners who use it to spray roses and other bushes on which green flies (aphides) swarm. It is an excellent cleaning shampoo. Afterwards massage the scaip with an infusion of quassia. After any shampoo the hair should be dried thoroughly, preferably by rubbing the scalp heartily with a succession of hot towels—massage promotes the growth of the hair by drawing 100

Care

the blood

of the

Hair

to its roots. Then brush until all trace of

dampness

has been removed. If the hair is weak and inclined to fall out, follow the brushing with one of the tonics of which the recipes

have

just been given. Very dry hair requires a somewhat greasy dressing. Coconut oil is good and there are excellent patent preparations on the

market in normal times. Should you be unable to get any of these, the use of a very little ordinary vaseline will help. If for any reason a shampoo is impossible, cover a fairly stiff brush with soft muslin

or a

very thin handkerchief. Whatever bristles penetrate. Brush the

is used should be

so

hair

It will be found that the material collects the

thoroughly.

flimsy that the

dust and grease and the process will leave the hair cleansed. I knew of a paralysed old lady who possessed the most wonderful

snow-white hair. This

was

never

washed.

Periodically

covered it with French chalk and then used

nurse

which the bristles

were

covered

as

a

her

brush of

directed, until the hair

was

clean. Whatever the

shampooing process

it is of the utmost

that the brushes and combs should be

importance scrupulously clean.

frequently in warm water with a little soap and add a dash of household ammonia to the rinsing water. How to change the colour of the hair is a problem that besets many women, not necessarily from vanity. When a woman is earning her living grey hair is a handicap and from every point of view she is justified in darkening it. It is not wise for her to attempt to do so at home if she decides to use a dye. Many of Wash them

these

are

excellent,

no

doubt, but in the majority of cases expert

very popular preparations contain poisonous ingredients which may have serious effects if there is the slightest break in the skin—others are quite harmless, but unless properly applied streakiness will result, or the colour attained may be quite different from that intended. I know personally to of a young man who endeavoured to dye his hair—or bleach it—with the result that it became positively emeraldgreen. care

is

needed.

Some

101

Everjdqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Henna, obtained from white flowers of

an

Eastern shrub, is

ingredient of most preparations intended to give a warm, reddish glow. If used alone the colour is brilliant red, almost scarlet, but generally it is mixed with indigo in varying proportions. One part henna to two parts indigo gives a medium the chief

one part henna hair almost black, and so on.

brown shade,

to three

parts indigo makes the

Darkening grey hair is more simple than changing an actual colour to another, and though it is wiser in all cases to consult a hairdresser and get expert treatment, here are two recipes which may be used at home with success. Save

all tea-leaves and tea left in the pot after tea has been a saucepan with some dried sage (about one

served. Put into

of sage to four of the tea-leaves) and add water to make up a pint. Simmer for half an hour. Strain and throw away the leaves. A little of the infusion to be massaged into the

tablespoonful

scalp and used to damp the grey hair, four or five times a week. Very gradually the greyness will disappear. After that the use of the infusion more

once or

twice

a

week will be sufficient. This will do

than darken the hair, it will

improve

the

growth in every

way. Walnut stain is

perfectly harmless and imparts a warm brown unfortunately it dyes everything it touches, darkening the scalp as well as the hair. Great care should be taken to guard the fingers while using it or they will be stained also. tint, but

To prepare: Take two

ounces

of walnut leaves

or

husks

or

equal parts of each and soak in a quart of water for twenty-four hours. Boil till the amount is reduced to half and strain. If

a

tablespoonful of spirit is added the lotion will remain good a long while. The husks, which can be supplied by any fruiterer, are obtainable only in the autumn when the fruit is ripe. The leaves may be gathered from the spring onwards but if they are used alone the infusion is far weaker than if husks

were

added.

Alopecia is a skin disease in which the hair falls out in patches, large or small, the skin on the bald places having a silvery appearance. If tonics and rest and fresh air are available 102

Care

of the

Hair

the trouble may pass without local treatment.

The application of of the eau-de-Cologne—or eau-de-Cologne and rosewater—or jaborandi tonic, will help. Frequently, alopecia is the result of

shock

or nerve

strain.

Halibut Oil huge fiatfish, which has been known to reach hundred pounds. Its greatest value is in the

The halibut is the

weight

of

a

a

liver, the oil of which is very rich in vitamins. It will take the place of eggs when the latter are ordered but cannot be obtained.

Hands, Care of the Care of the hands is hands

of the slattern and, if youth has

the hands,

of them is of double

sign betray the age doing work in factories

hands are

important as care of the face. Neglected passed, those so cruelly. In these days when many girls as

the

are

or on

the land that tends to discolour

importance. damp a bit of cotton-wool or old linen with peroxide of hydrogen and rub the stains until all trace has care

If the skin is stained,

gone. Afterwards prepare a strong lather with warm water and soapflakes, if your ration allows it, if not save all the odds and ends of soap you can collect and make a jelly with them. A little of this added to the water forms a good lather. Thoroughly soak

the hands, rinse and

dry,

the nails till half-moons cream

palms

and and

Carry

sleep

press back the skin at the bottom of

are

in old

formed,

gloves

cover

the hands with cold

from which you have cut the

finger-tips.

out this

is all perfect cleansing—that

it amounts to—

every night and all you need to do besides is to use your manicure set for five minutes one morning and for ten minutes one

evening

a

week. The

use

of

a

little nail

polish—if you

these beauty sessions is advised. it—during 103

can

get

Everj’daj Ailments The best lotion I have and white and

and

healing

and Commonsense Cures for

keeping the hands soft preventing chapping in the winter,

ever met

is the lemon-and-milk wash, which, indeed, is round application for the face as well. As lemons so frivolous

recipe

are not to a

lemon will be at hand can

war

seem

will end

again.

rather cruel to

some

day

In the meantime

give

the

and the milk and an

excellent substitute

be found in citric acid and rosewater. The chemist

will make it up in the right proportions. There of strength to be considered so I will not

the actual

excellent all-

be had and milk must not be used for

purpose, it may

in full. But the

an

recipe

here. The lotion is not

to the skin but is

are some

attempt

only extremely

absolutely harmless

variations

to

give

beneficial

in every way.

Headache A headache is not

sign

of biliousness

a or

disease. It is

other

a

symptom which may be

digestive trouble,

of

a

a

form of

or a nervous disorder, all of which proves that local remedies for headaches, though not to be ruled out altogether, will never get to the root of the trouble and effect a cure.

rheumatism

Herbal Tobacco a pipe or as cigarettes, or piled loosely in a saucer alight, this is a standard remedy for asthma or any difficulty of breathing. The mixture may be bought from a herbalist, but most smokers, finding some of the ingredients are not to their taste, prefer to prepare their own, omitting some herbs and increasing the proportion of others. Any such alteration

Smoked in

and set

may be made, providing always that the amount of coltsfoot’ that of all the other herbs together. Take half an ounce

equals

eyebright, buckbean, betony, rosemary, wild thyme, lavender, and camomile flowers. Mix with three and a half

each of

ounces

of coltsfoot and store in

a

104

tin.

Herbal Tobacco Stramonium is another recognized herb for smoking, to

recommended

sufferers from bronchitis, etc.

Herpes as shingles, is a disease of the by a chill at a time when the nerves are weakened and depressed by mental strain. The first symptom is neuralgic pain, generally near the spine, though it may occur at any nerve centre, especially in the head or down the leg. Soon reddish patches appear on the skin. If the pain has begun

Herpes, commonly

at the

known

which is caused

nerves

back, these patches will pass under the

arms

towards the

middle of the chest. The temperature rises, there is sickness, a general feeling of extreme illness with the exhaustion caused by

pain. As the rash increases across the chest, occasionally indulge in a perverted sense of shake humour. Sighing, they their heads gravely and say: ‘That rash is going further and further. If it meets round your waist intense

so-called friends of the sufferer

you are sure to die.’ The point of the ‘joke’lies in the fact that the never been known to extend

more

eruption has body,

than half round the

albeit the full name, ‘herpes zoster’, comes from the Greek, meaning a girdle. The patient must have rest and light food. No alcohol

coffee must be taken. Wherever the

eruption protected by a layer of antiseptic lint held in place by adhesive plaster. Calamine lotion is applied or an antiseptic powder. When the pain is very acute the doctor will inject morphia. occurs

or

it must be

Honey Cough Put into

a

basin two

teaspoonfuls

Mixture of honey and the juice of a

lemon (or a tablespoonful of vinegar) and a teaspoonful of codliver oil. Mix thoroughly. Particularly advised for whooping105

Everjdqy cough

or

whisky

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

bronchitis. If the sufferer is

elderly

a

teaspoonful

of

should be added.

As

a heat producer one pound of honey is stated to equal pounds of fresh butter. And in cases where cod-liver oil is ordered a patient but is rejected, it has been claimed that honey will prove a perfectly satisfactory substitute.

two

Pillow

Hop Sufferers from insomnia

pillows,

ought to sleep on one of these sleep should result. Make a

when sound and natural

bag of soft muslin,

about twelve inches square, and half-fill with

dried

hops. Baste up the opening and secure the bag to the ordinary pillow. This may be done by safety-pins but tackingthreads are better. Two bags should be made so that one may be washed while the other is in use, the hops being passed from one to the other. The hops must be renewed every month or six weeks.

Tonic

Hop Put an ounce of water. Allow to

hops

into

a

jug

and add

a

pint

of

boiling

get cold, stir well, and strain. A wineglassful

three times a day will prove a general tonic, calm the nerves, and

strengthen the appetite.

Horseradish To relieve flatulent of

scraped

seed. Add

indigestion:

horseradish and half a

little salt and

Put into

an ounce

enough hot,

a

bottle two

ounces

of crushed mustard

not

boiling, vinegar

to

well corked. To use, take out a teaspoonful of the horseradish and put into a teacup, which three-parts fill with

cover.

Keep

boiling

water. Stir and drink

slowly. 106

Horseradish Sufferers from dropsy will benefit if

two ounces of

scraped

horseradish and half

an ounce

into

of boiling water added. Allow to get cold,

a

and

jug

a

pint

of bruised mustard seed

are

when strain. A wineglassful should be taken three times

a

put

day.

Ji5isteria Of hysteria,

of the most common of nerve troubles, there are many different forms, some so nebulous in their early stages

that

they

may be

are

so

one

difficult to

slow that

even

recognize

define. Mental

changes closely in touch with the getting lazy’, they say if a

or

those most

sufferer do not understand. ‘She is

patient is listless. ‘Has one of her fits of the blues’, if she is depressed. ‘Isin a fiend of a temper’, if she is irritable. I have given the typical case as a woman’s, not because men are immune from hysteria but because they are far less subject to it than women, especially those between forty and fifty years of age and girls from fourteen to twenty. In bad cases the patient’s condition will become worse, though that by no means follows. If care of the general health is taken in the early stages and there are baths and outdoor exercise and companionship, the distressing symptoms will pass and the sufferer become normal if there is from

a

no

once more.

On the other hand,

improvement, hallucinations will begin. Returning

walk, the patient may give

a

circumstantial account of

terrible accident she says she has witnessed, or she will recount some scandalous story concerning a neighbour, declaring some

it has been told her

by a mutual friend whom she will name.

It may not be until weeks

there

or even

months later that it is discovered

the slightest foundation for either story. naturally and convincingly that her hearers reason for doubting.

was not

She had

spoken

had not

seen

so

any

newspapers report how young women have tied themselves to chairs and deceived the police and everyone else

Frequently

with the story of how

a

gang of 107

burglars

had been at work.

Everjda (These

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

are not cases

and

staged

a

in which

sham

girls have stolen money or valuables robbery to account for the disappearance.

Then there is a definite, if sordid, motive and the whole affair comes into another

against perfectly

innocent

category.)

Accusations of assault

is another

phase. Kleptomania shopping and come twopence-halfpenny for which they men

is another. When well-to-do

women

go

away with goods worth have not paid, it will be found the thieves

are at

what is known

critical age in almost every instance. When articles of value have been stolçn or where the thief is admittedly short of money, or when mean advantage has been taken of the no-wrapping as a

order,

the

question

of

Another symptom, is

a

hysteria

one

does not

which

apply. develops chiefly in young girls,

craving for unwholesome or unnatural food. These girls will raw bacon rind, cinders, potato peelings, and indeed

devour

almost

anything

that

generally

is considered uneatable.

Such patients need to be treated with firmness, but there must be no harsh punishment for their moral lapses. Their health should be

carefully guarded, they

should have

ample

exercise

in the open air, and efforts must be made to find some fresh interest to occupy their thoughts. Gardening or other land work is believed to be

particularly

beneficial. All alcohol should be

avoided.

Iodine Tincture of iodine

ought

to be in every house. Undiluted it

scratches, particularly those which have been inflicted while gardening. If iodine is applied should be

applied

to cuts and

sign of an abrasion or sore, no whitlow will develop. teaspoonful of iodine added to a pint of warm water is an

at the first

A

excellent wash for wounds and around iodine

our coasts are

are

the

sores.

source

obtained.

108

The various seaweeds

from which most forms of

Irritation

of the

Skin

of the

Irritation

Skin

complaints are heard of intense irritation of the skin particularly annoying when in bed. Ordinary ointments have no effect, in fact it is better not to apply grease, nor even soap to the part. Bathing with warm vinegar and water or calamine or tar lotion will most probably give ease. Often

which is

Laxatives for Children tablespoonful of raisins, currants, figs, or dates (the chopped small) or a mixture of any of the fruits. Put into a cup and add enough boiling water to cover. Leave till next morning when the fruit should have swelled and the water Take

a

two latter

have been absorbed. Cut sandwiches with bread and butter— or

use margarine—and

the soaked fruit

as

ifihing.

An excellent

breakfast dish for children, which will act as a gentle laxative. If something stronger is needed, add a teaspoonful of Epsom salts and half the

put

quantity

of

ground ginger to the fruit when morning, then serve as a sandwich. fruit will effectually disguise the

to soak. Leave till the next

The sweetness of the flavour of the salts.

Lemons Here

are a

few of the

may be put. Citric majority of cases.

uses to

which lemons and lemon

acid may be used

as

a

juice

substitute in the

To stop the hair falling out and to cure dandruff, massage a lotion of one part lemon juice to two parts water.

with

stung by a wasp or bee apply lemon juice. Neuralgic pains and severe headaches are soothed if the face is rubbed gently with a slice of lemon. Or a handkerchief soaked in an infusion of citlic acid is applied. If

109

Evetydqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

After bathing the foot

on

which

bunion has developed,

a corn or

wrap in linen soaked in lemon juice or citric acid. A teaspoonful of lemon juice in half a cupful of warm water will whiten the nails. A wart touched frequently with lemon juice or citric acid will disappear in time. A few spoonfuls of warm milk poured on a slice of lemon

makes

an

excellent skin softener. It heals and whitens

chapped

hands.

Lettuce Most

people

know that

a

lettuce

provides

vitamins A and C

and has strong antiscorbutic properties which make it of special value to sufferers from abscesses or any form of blood

impurity.

Hence it should be eaten

Those who suffer from

boiled,

though

as

when

raw

freely. constipation should

they are apt to

eat lettuce stalks

prove difficult of

when cooked the lettuce loses

some

digestion,

of its value

as

is

the way with most green vegetables. The nutriment remains—if it is properly cooked in very little water or in a steamer—and it

easily digested it is very suitable for a convalescent. To palates a boiled lettuce is unpleasantly bitter, though others enjoy the distinctive flavour. Eating lettuce the last thing at night is advised for the relief of insomnia, but, if raw, it must be without the usual dressing, since vinegar is apt to induce wakefulness. An old country recipe is to drink a breakfast-cupful of lettuce tea hot on going to bed. To prepare, take the outside leaves of a large lettuce and put into a saucepan, where half a pint of water is boiling fast. is

so

some

Add

a

little salt and simmer for twenty minutes. Strain and

serve.

110

Linseed Tea

Linseed Tea In the whole range of domestic medicine probably linseed heals and softens and place as a demulcent—it

holds the first has

gentle to

laxative action. Linseed tea may be strongly recommended all sufferers from hacking coughs, tightness, or soreness

of the chest, old

or

is internal inflammation. Also—here

it is gipsy recipe—if

taken

regularly

in

an

large quantities by

an expectant mother it will do much towards ensuring safe and easy childbirth. Whole linseed must be employed, not the crushed linseedused

poultices. One of the many advantages of the herb is its cheapness. The price varies at different shops. I have known it as cheap as fivepence a pound and as high as tenpence, and as it is very light a pound goes a long way. It is sold by all chemists. The most simple manner of preparing the tea is as follows: Put two tablespoonfuls of whole linseed into a jug and add a pint of boiling water. Allow to get cold, when stir well and

for

strain. That is all that need be done, but if preferred,

a

sliced

lemon may be put into the jug with the linseed, or a tablespoonful or two of lemon squash added after it has been strained; or cinnamon or whole ginger may be boiled with the water; and sugar, honey or other sweetening may be added. A more elaborate recipe, particularly advisable when the

‘tea’is to be used

tablespoonful into a saucepan with a quart of water, a piece of whole ginger, and half an ounce of liquorice juice (the ‘stick’).Simmer till reduced to a pint, strain and allow to get cold, or at least lukewarm. Lemon is an excellent addition and so is a spoonful of blackcurrant jam. If the latter is used omit the liquorice. Sometimes the herb wild thyme is added to the recipe, an ounce being placed in the jug with the linseed. Many coughs which have resisted all other remedies have been completely cured by this. It is specially recommended for the ‘fortyweeks’ cough’ as well as for whooping-cough. as a

cough

cure: Put a

ill

Everjdqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Liver Cure The most modern treatment of

pernicious anaemia is that patient must take equivalent in liver

liver cure, by which the at least half a pound of liver every day or its known

as

the

extract to be

only under

raw

bought

from

the orders of

a

a

chemist. The latter must be taken

doctor. (See under Raw Beef. The

process is the same.)

Lucerne Recently

the Colonial Press

Australian Food Council is

published

the

following:

‘The

considering the inclusion in Australian

soldiers’ diet of lucerne, which contains four times as much Vitamin C as orange juice. The lucerne would be added to soups, canned vegetables, and even chocolate, and it is claimed

it would make them

even

more

nutritious. The Council for

Scientific and Industrial Research says that in lucerne are two pounds of Vitamin C.’

one

ton

of

In England, the herb is grown as food for cattle, who, it is said, thrive better on it than on any other fodder. The usual infusion (an ounce of the herb to a pint of boiling water) taken in teacupful doses, has been recommended for increasing the weight. In view of the Australian decision it seems that the infusion might be taken freely by sufferers from any form of malnutrition. It may be procured from a good herbalist.

Lumbago Lumbago is a form of rheumatism which may be intensely trying. As a rule it develops quite suddenly and the unfortunate victim, conscious of intense pain across the loins, finds himself unable to rise from his chair. After successful in that, but the

a

few efforts he may be

pain continues. 112

Lumbago Lumbago afflicts men far more frequently than women, especially men who are employed in hard manual labour, which causes them to lift heavy weights. Athletes also are liable to the attacks, for them the danger lying chiefly in sudden chill following strenuous exercise. Some patients say they suffer only when the wind is in the east, others again declare that with them the cause is sitting in a draught. Cold wet weather and the wearing of damp clothing may be taken as the most usual causes, while it is believed that

develop

even

if the trouble is at hand, it will not ground in which the germs can

unless there is fertile

grow. Such ‘ground’will be found in the teeth, the tonsils, or the nose, or as the result of constipation. What is written elsewhere concerning rheumatism should be read, and every care taken of the general health. When an attack develops relief may be obtained by a bag of hot bran or hot salt

will

placed against the small of the back.

serve

the

same

purpose. If the sufferer

the blankets and take assist the

a

A hot-water bottle can

dose of sweet

‘sweating out’ process

he should be

go to bed between

spirits

of nitre to

soon on

the road

to recovery. Massage with the Four Oils or some other good embrocation will help and the warm bandage across the loins should be worn,

particularly

when

going

out for the first time

after an attack. An incident which happened in a London county court a few months ago and was duly reported in the newspapers is worth repeating. A witness summoned to give evidence sent a

It was impossible for him to attend, he wrote, suffering from lumbago. ‘Nonsense,’was the comment of the judge. ‘Allhe has to do to put sulphur in his socks and he will be cured. I’vetried it.’

written

since he is

excuse. was

Manna A gum exuded from a species of ash which flourishes in southern Europe. It may be obtained from any chemist and is H 113

Everjidaj one

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

of the safest and most

nursing mothers are seriously ill.

gentle

and young infants

of laxatives, prescribed for as well as for patients who

Marshmallow The rustic

name

of the marshmallow is ‘mortification root’,

speaks for itself. It is healing and antiseptic of herbs. The root, either alone or mixed with an equal quantity of slippery elm, is of the utmost value as a poultice for septic and other sores. I know of a case in which such poultices cleansed and cured an appalling bed-sore. An infusion of the leaves in the usual proportion (an ounce of the herb to a pint of boiling water taken in wineglassful doses frequently) will relieve sufferers from cystitis or meaning one

‘anti-mortification root’, which

of the most

almost any form of internal inflammation.

Measles Probably few illnesses have been so tragically misunderstood measles was by the older generation. A child developed a severe cold in the head with rise in temperature and persistent running of the eyes and nose. The mother or a friend diagnosed measles correctly, but they did not send for the doctor or prepare as

for room at

of

an

ambulance to take the little

away,

or

arrange

a

the top of the house with a sheet soaked in permanganate over the door to secure complete isolation. On

potash

the contrary the mother and her friends a

one

nuisance, but everyone

agreed that measles was period of

must suffer from it at some

their lives (a quite erroneous idea), so the better. On that the child with the high

sooner it was over

temperature

the

and the

the other children of streaming eyes, was put to bed and—all the family were tucked up in bed with him. ‘They’llall take it if I’mlucky,’ was the mother’s argument.

‘So I shall get all the trouble

over at

114

once.’

Measles It

was seldom a

doctor was consulted. Medicine apart from an

aperient is not of much use, and all that is really keep the child warm and on light diet; which is but the

necessary is to perfectly true,

of infection is very great and skilled advice is spoken of as a children’s disease, but, as is with whooping-cough, it may attack adults, when the

danger

needed. Measles is the

case

condition may become very serious indeed. When a child has been in contact with others who may be a source of infection, the mother should take precautions at once.

freely and at least twice a day antiseptic gargle and nose douche.

She must see that the bowels act

the child should

use

an

When it is realized that the infectious germs of measles and many other diseases enter the body through the mouth and nostrils, the importance of these precautions will be understood. The child must be taught to gargle, then to rinse the mouth

and

nose

thoroughly.

Unless under medical

supervision it is not

any form of nose syringe. If the least violence is used there is danger of the fluid passing into the wrong passages. It is far safer to take a small quantity of whatever solution

wise to

use

you are using in the palm of the hand and ‘snuff’it up the nose. If in spite of all precautions the child develops the cold in the

head, with headache,

nose, and

rising temperature, streaming

eyes and

the first definite

possibly a stiff neck, which are symptoms of measles, give aperient medicine and keep him away from other children. A warm bath and a hot drink, such as

milk

is

a

whey, will promote perspiration. If the trouble simple cold, the morning should see an improvement and or

lemon

care all will be well. But should the symptoms have become worse, look for the appearance of the rash, dusky red in colour and slightly raised. It starts behind the ears,

with continued

to the neck and face. At the appearance of the rash there is no doubt as to the nature of the disease. A doctor

spreading

should be summoned and he will see to it that the child is removed to

hospital

or

satisfy himself that the home conditions

allow proper nursing and isolation. But the danger of infection is present before the rash appears, 115

Everjdaj Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

which is not until the fourth day. Infection starts with the first sign of that ‘cold in the head’ and at once the child should be kept from school and not allowed to associate with other children.

Medicinal Herbs Almost it might be said that every herb growing from this earth has medicinal value of one type or another, though that is not to suggest that all are fitted to be used as home medicine and

dispensed by unskilled hands. Quite the reverse is the fact. A very large proportion of herbs are poisonous, yet from them valuable drugs are distilled, but they can play no part in such a

book

as

this.

Of those herbs which

are

safe,

as

well

as

valuable in their

very short and incomplete separate ways, I am giving a short—a —list here. I mention only a very few, but here at least will be a brief guide to those people, and they are many, who are anxious to try the effect of herbal medicines but to take for their particular ailment.

are not sure

which herbs

medicines which alter and

improve the general exactly how they act. At present, vitamins are the most important alteratives, though the word is rapidly becoming obsolete as knowledge increases. Popular Alteratives

are

health, though no-one

knows

are burdock, red clover, sarsaparilla, and yellow dock, all purifiers of the blood. Astringents. Medicines which stay looseness of the bowels and certain discharges. Blackberry (particularly the American), nettle, and witch hazel. Carminatives. Medicines that aid the digestion and give relief from flatulence and pain in the bowels. Balm, cinnamon, cloves,

herbs which fall into this category

ginger, peppermint. Demulcents. Medicines which soothe and heal, useful in cases of internal ulcers or inflammation, bleeding from the lungs, and shortness of breath or hacking coughs. Arrowroot, comfrey, Iceland moss, Irish moss, linseed, marshmallow, 116

slippery

elm.

LIME OR LINDEN TREE

Tilia

Europaea.

Nat. Ord. Liiaceae

Everj’dqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Diaphoretics promote perspiration, sweating

out colds and

Balm, catmint, lemon, yarrow. Diuretics, acting on the kidneys and bladder.

fevers.

Asparagus,

wild carrot.

barley, parsley-piert, pellitory-on-the-wall, Emetics. Remedies that induce sickness.

Ipecacuanha,

mustard,

salt.

Expectorants. Medicines that clear the chest and relieve difficulty in breathing by bringing away the phlegm. Benzoin, borehound, lungwort. Laxatives. Gentle remedies for constipation. Agar-agar, cascara, dandelion, Iceland

moss, Irish moss, manna, linseed.

Tonics. Medicines which

give tone or vigour to the system. Camomile, centaury, gentian, hops, quassia, wormwood.

Middle

its Age—and

Troubles

Not to women alone, but to men also, the years round about middle age may be described as the critical period when certain

constitutional

changes are to be expected. It may be that the seeds of disease, which have lain fallow heretofore, wake to life, needing added care, perhaps added courage. Not that I am an alarmist. Still less do I wish to suggest that everyone who reaches middle age must expect to be ill. That idea was exploded

long ago.

But I do want to make it plain that when middle life is

reached extra

care

should be taken

over

food and the conditions

generally; and over dress and personal appearance also. It is a duty of every woman to look her best and a lack of care which is justifiable in the young is inexcusable in middle age, and later.

High blood-pressure and hysteria, the latter in any of its many forms, are the chief troubles which beset those of middle life. Both conditions have been treated earlier. What is required is

a

regular habits and plain living. Meat sparingly and alcohol not at all. very important that the teeth should be overhauled and

quiet,

normal life with

should be taken

It is

118

Middle

its Age—and

fresh dentures replace any that

are

Troubles

extracted. Unbelievable

as

it

must appear, there are still people who are convinced dentures are worn only as a matter of appearance. Nothing could be more erroneous.

use the older term—do That false teeth—to

the appearance goes without saying, but it is as an aid to health that they are regarded by sensible people. Yet you will

improve find

middle-aged women who, when told they should wear dentures, will

woman

reply:

before

‘What in the world for? I shall be

long

Which makes their foolishness the

more

old

to

hopeless.

Teeth

are

food, and without expect good digestion or good health.

necessary for the proper mastication of

them it is useless

an

and it won’tmatter how I look.’

our

of being well without them. question of good looks should be ignored. Young girls maylook charming with bare legs andpicturesquely tousled hair, wearing little cotton frocks that are becoming, though they shout their cheapness. But a woman who has left her first youth behind would look revoltingly untidy in the same get-up. She must stand before her mirror, studying her bad points as well as her good ones, and deciding how she may look her best. Few sights are more tragic than an old, or even an elderly woman, dressed as a young girl, particularly if she tries to ‘kitten’in keeping with her clothes. The older a woman gets the more need she has to take care of her appearance, to making sure that she dresses as well and as becomingly as her means will allow. ‘Becomingly’is the all-important word, referring to her clothes and general demeanour. What is knownsomewhat unkindly as ‘themiddle-age spread’ is one of the signs of vanishing youth. In moderation this may be accepted as unavoidable and, on the whole, not unbecoming, but when she becomes unwieldy it is a different matter altogether. (See Slimming.)

There is little

hope

Not that the

119

Everjdqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Migraine recurring headache, is a mysterious illness neuralgia. Both are connected with the nerves, and of both the actual cause is unknown, though attacks Migraine,

a

form of

that resembles

apt to follow worry, excitement, any great strain whether physical or mental, fatigue, smoking on an empty stomach, going without food too long, constipation, eye-strain caused by

are

visiting the

cinema, or long journeys by coach or train. A sensation of fullness in the head and face is the usual of

room

migraine,

and the victim should lie down in

a

warning

darkened

and rest until the attack passes off. Its duration is uncertain. may last an hour or two or three days. In any case it is

It

of no

use

it and

fighting against

trying

to carry on. As the

symptoms increase the patient becomes deadly pale and of cold—a hot-water

provided.

complains

bottle and extra blanket should be

generally only in one eye, seeing queer, metallic taste in the mouth, develop. these symptoms pass off and it is then the pain in the Dimness of vision

flashes of light, and

a

Generally head begins. It is situated on the temple just above the eye— curiously not the eye in which the dimness of vision was experienced. ‘Adull, boring sort of pain which increases to real agony’ is the description and generally this is accompanied by vomiting. As will be seen, migraine emphatically is one of the complaints of which it may be said that prevention is better than cure. Great care of the teeth and general health must be maintained, and particularly there must be no constipation. And,

naturally,

all and any of the

predisposing

causes

must

be

avoided.

Moles A

question

mole? I have

often asked is: ‘What can one on

I use to

my face that worries me.’ 120

get rid of

a

Moles The only

undergo

a

nothing

answer is: ‘There is

surgical operation,

to be done

except

and unless the mole is

great disfigurement that is not to be advised.’ Moles are birthmarks. Often they grow larger with

a

to

very

increasing

years, occasionally they change colour, but in one form or another they are always there. Try to forget all about them. A very grave warning, however, is necessary. On no account must a mole be injured. If tampered with in any way, if scratched or cut or

otherwise

injured,

a

very, very serious

Morning Morning mothers

sickness is

were

a

sore

may

develop.

Sickness

trouble from which all expectant

said to suffer in the old

days. Now it is not being unknown

but it is far from

by any means generally develops between

universal

and

the fifth and sixteenth week of

pregnancy. If she feels any symptoms, the mother should not attempt to get out of bed until she has had something to eat and

drink,

a

little milk

bread and butter.

or a

cup of tea with

Having

a

biscuit

or a

until the sensation of sickness is over. Avoidance of

and

care as to

piece

of

taken the food she should lie down

diet will

help

to

constipation

prevent the trouble.

Motherhood Curiously enough, when it is known a young woman is expecting her first child, certain ladies belonging to an older generation become the wettest of wet blankets, persisting in regaling her with stories of women who have died in childbirth and of the torments those unfortunates endured before the end. These

despondent ladies are hopelessly behind the times and gloomy prognostications should be forgotten. Most of those foiebodings have a queerly distorted foundation in Holy Writ. We all know there are people who decorate their walls their

121

Everj’dqy Ailments and with illuminated

Commonsense Cures

texts so bereft of context that

Or if

they

are

nearly

remains it may be distorted. That fulmination of Divine Wrath, ‘Insorrow shalt thou bring forth

meaningless.

meaning

children’, has been read to mean that all labour pains are a direct punishment for Eve’s sin. ‘And’,said those of the older

generation whose views, if not their words, these ladies echo to-day, ‘ifany mother does have a fairly comfortable “time” she’s not quite human. Just an animal is what she is.’ Which showed an ignorance of natural history, since many animal births are extremely painful and deaths are far from unknown. I have heard a very old lady repeat stories she had heard from her mother of the days when Queen Victoria was young. The girl-queen was a national darling, women of all ranks enthused, not to say gushed, over her, and her betrothal and marriage were occasions of honest interest and heartfelt happiness. She held a

place in all hearts which was never lost even when she shut herself away from her people to nurse her sorrow in the lonely grief of her widowhood.

Yet that affection

to its limit when her children have

a

were

was

born, and

strained almost

never once

did she

‘bad time’. On each of the nine occasions she made

a

rapid recovery, insisting on leaving her room and showing herself in public before the six weeks, or whatever it was on which convention insisted, had expired. It says a great deal for the personality of the young queen that she did not lose her place in the hearts of other women. Honestly, they were shocked at her good health. And to an extent this insistence on considering childbirth a grave and terrible illness was sheer snobbery. In those Victorian days poor women were expected to have children as best they could without anyone making a fuss over them. There were stories of cottagers’ wives being back working in the fields after women at the less than a week’s retirement—of coal-pits who were pushing trucks at the end of a day or two. Only a generation or so earlier there had been no ‘cages’at the coal mines and the coal the men hewed was carried in baskets on the shoulders of women who climbed horizontal ladders fixed to 122

Motherhood the sides of the shafts, leaving their babies, a day or two old, wherever they could. The chain-makers and needle-makers in the Black Country could have told similar stories of harsdhip. Bringing children into the world without much trouble by such rough

creatures

social

sphere,

might

be

expected,

said the

women

in another

but ladies of refinement must expect to be very ill indeed and to suffer accordingly. Really, Her Majesty was

being false to her own class by being so extremely well. Both pictures are equally misleading. That women doing the hardest manual work did bear children with very little preparation and hardly any rest is true, but we have no statistics to

show how many poor souls died from the conditions under which they lived. We do know, however, that the mortality amongst women who were better off was high, and remembering that, we may forgive the elderly ladies who preach despair. Lack of proper surgical care at the time of birth, and of hygienic conditions generally, took their toll, while the tight corsets in which their bodies were encased added to the

this the

prospective

mother

awaited her and soon she

was

began to

danger.

With all

assured untold torments

believe it. Because ‘swoons’

the fashion she

brought herself to the last ‘vapours’ depths of despondency, gloating over the ills she had to bear in the present and dwelling on the certainty that worse was to and

were

come.

As there

were no

merciful anaesthetics to be administered at

crucial moments, and as nurses were utterly incompetent judged by our modern standards of efficiency, the mother really had an

ordeal before her. From all almost any rich or

we can

‘lying-in’were appalling,

poor. No-one

can

gather

the conditions of

whether the

say Dickens

was

patient was

sentimental

over

expectant mothers only to jeer, by birth in the Marshalsea. Who, today, can read his description of Little Dorrit’sentrance into the world without a qualm of physical sickness? Yet child-bearing is a natural function, and given proper care there should be no fear of complications. In this connec123

child-bearing. but

even

he

He mentioned

was

horrified

Everjidqy Ailments and tion I

Commonsense Cures

allowed to quote from a booklet issued by the Ministry of Food entitled Your Baby’s Food in War Time. Written by

a

am

doctor whose voice is known to thousands

broadcasts, procured by any bookseller if he

this little book costs

by his practical only threepence. It can be

has not got it in stock.

‘Themother-to-be needs food for

the growing child. Charity begins

one

and

a

bit, the bit being

at home and infant

feeding feeding of the expectant mother. ‘There is nothing special about her needs. Pregnancy needs no pills or potions or patent medicines. It doesn’tneed a bottle of stout or a life of leisure. Pregnancy isn’tan illness—it’s something natural and healthy. What the expectant mother really needs is peace of mind and an ample mixed diet, with an emphasis on certain foods. ‘Thechild is forming blood, so mother needs iron. It is forming bone, so she needs lime. It is forming flesh, so she needs flesh-making foods. She needs vitamins in abundance, for these are the keys of the healthy life. That’s how a doctor would put it. begins

a

with the

‘Nowfor how the housewife would put it. She needs at least pint of milk a day, and Lord Woolton has made it certain she

liver quite will get it. She needs meat, but not too much—with often. Cut meat down in later months. She needs cheese and

butter

or full ration, with no-one else poaching margarine—her it. She needs wheatmeal bread, with its vitamin and its iron. a week. She needs She needs fish—sea fish—twice eggs, and

on

here she

can

borrow her husband’s rations. He

them. His food’s not

supporting

two human

‘Sheneeds the vitamins and salts that

come

can

do without

beings

from

anyway.

vegetables

and fruits, some of them uncooked. Remember the vitamin virtues of black currants and tomatoes, of broccoli tops, watercress, mustard and cress, cabbage, sprouts, and spinach. She needs salt with her meals.

‘Lastly, she

nipper’s body

needs three is

mainly

pints

of water

a

day. Remember,

the

water. She does not need alcohol—and 124

Motherhood she shouldn’t have it. She shouldn’t have strong

tea or fried

foods.’

speaks the voice of unimpeachable authority, but I forgiven if I venture to suggest linseed tea takes hope the place of much of that three pints of water daily. There

I may be

Mumps As

a

disease in itself mumps is not serious, but unless

care

is

complications may ensue. It is emphatically a complaint of young children though it may attack those who have only just left childhood behind. Their elders are very, very rarely taken

affected. The child

complains

appear in front

of the

perhaps shows a distaste always. Soon swellings should be kept in a warm

of feeling cold and

is not the for food—this ears.

case

The child

but well-ventilated room, isolated from other children and fed on ‘slops’,since the swelling will make all swallowing painful.

Custards, jellies, blancmanges, poached should be the chief articles of diet and it is

or

scrambled eggs

good

to remember

that most brands of dried milk are as rich in vitamins as fresh

milk, and dried eggs are as valuable as the new-laid. As a rule, no medicine is required excepting a

aperients, such

as a

course of but when convalescence sets in a tonic is advisable, course of fish oils. The danger to others of infection

begins with the first development and lasts for at least days after the complete disappearance of the swelling.

seven

Myrrh A

teaspoonful

warm water

of tincture of

should be used

myrrh added to a tumbler of freely as a mouth-wash and gargle

if there is ulceration of the throat

application

for

sores

or gums. Also and many eruptions. 125

an

excellent

Everjdqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Nerves A generation or two ago it was the fashion for women to suffer from ‘nerves’.To be unable to face up to a strain either

physical or mental, to sink gently into a swoon whenever a knotty problem had to be tackled was proof of the ‘tender sensibility of the female sex’ as an old medical work has it. In these days we women take pride in our endurance, we want to be the helpmeets and comrades of our men, not the clinging vines who are an unmitigated nuisance, not to say danger, to those to whom they cling. Yet even the strongest and bravest of both men and women have nerves and suffer bitterly when those nerves are overwrought. Shellshock is a case in point. All victims of nerve troubles, whatever their particular type, should get the rules for keeping well fixed in their minds, then use

all their

strength

of will in

a

determination to

forget

or to

conquer whatever the cause of their breakdown may have been. I am not thinking of nerve weaknesses which have been

brought about by brooding

on

troubles and

giving way weakly

when difficulties arise. To such victims—the word is used

advisedly because

victims

would say: ‘Thinkless of they are—I people and you will not suffer as you are doing now.’ Self pity is not only the most contemptible of weaknesses, itis also one of the most dangerous, since probably it will bring its own punishment. As an object-lesson as to what may be done in conquering

yourself and more

nerve

of

the troubles of other

often is another word for cowardice— weakness—which

I will quote the case of a lady, no longer being very young, who being overtaken by the blackout on a night when fog added to the

obscurity, came very near panic as she waited for a bus at a considerable distance from her home. She was trembling when the bus loomed up in the black mist and to make matters worse some foolish person in the crowd waved his torch so that the

light

fell

on

the driver’s face. The bus lurched

women screamed, the driver swore, 126

on to

hysteria

the pavement, in the

was

Nerves air, and hysteria is infectious. Mercifully there but many found a seat and

was no

accident

escapes, and the lady collapsed when she was borne towards her home.

narrow

Afterwards, safe by her fireside, she looked back and was ashamed of her weakness. ‘Other women, working for the country, have to face such conditions every night,’ she reminded herself. ‘Iwill show I can do the same.’ Circumstances

prevented

her

undertaking

war

work and it

was seldom she had to travel any distance from her home. That her her did not prevent nerves to the test and making putting sure

they

a

again. Every night, whatever the exactly eleven o’clock, not even carrying

would not fail

weather, she left home at

torch, and walked through tree-shaded

streets near her

was in 1941, the time of the Blitz, midnight. and during the fiercest of the raids she continued her lonely

That

house until

walks, often having bombs fall quite near or shrapnel spattering round. But her

nerves were

steadied and she declared her health

generally improved! Naturally, the two improvements went together. Steadiness of nerve depends very largely indeed on sound physical health. That does not mean that many who are extremely ill may not show the greatest fortitude, but they will have to endure the was

after-effects of the strain to No-one eat

a

far greater extent than others.

to be free from nervous trouble unless

they sensibly, take care of the general health, and get a sufficiency can

hope

of sleep. How much

sleep

any individual

requires

is

a

question

no

second person

can answer. We are told Sir John Hunter, the great surgeon, found four hours’ sleep out of the twenty-four quite sufficient and presumably there was nothing amiss with

his nerves.

Possibly he did not possess any. The rule laid down King George III has become a classic—of absurdity. ‘Sixhours’ sleep is enough for a man,’ he said. ‘Seven may be allowed for a woman, eight for a child, and nine for a fool.’ Yet avery celebrated oculist told me not long ago that he could

by

old

never

go to

a

theatre

nor

accept 127

an

invitation to dinner unless

Everydaj

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

the function

were fixed for a Saturday night. ‘As I never perform operation on Sundays, I indulge in a little recreation on Saturday nights,’ he said. ‘Allother evenings I go to bed at nine and remain there till nine the next morning. Only by securing practically twelve hours’ rest can I be ready for what I have to

an

do.’

Sleep being

important to all sufferers from disturbed saying that insomnia is a frequent symptom of their trouble. Every effort should be made to secure sleep but there must be no taking of drugs except under medical advice. Drug addicts are the most tragic of human derelicts, and in a large proportion of cases their downfall may be traced doses which directly to taking narcotics in small doses—small lose their effect and have to be increased. Hop or pine pillows are a safe and simple remedy for insomnia and a few experiments will show whether it is better to go to bed without having taken anything in the way of food for some hours, or if a light supper or a cup of ‘milkfood’ prevents that ‘night starvation’ which may cause restlessness. Even a glass of hot water the last thing at night may do what is required. Definitely it must be realized that all who suffer from highly overstrung nerves should be allowed to sleep as long as nature requires. Unfortunately, no hard-and-fast rule can be laid down. Often after a restless night the victim longs to sleep in the morning, so

nerves, it goes without

and if the call of work that has to be done necessitates

early rising it may retard recovery and set up complications. It can be suggested that these unfortunates should try to sleep whenever such rest is

possible,

but that is

individual to decide for himself. So much

a

matter

depends

on

for the circumstances.

Nervous Children ‘She always

policeman’, said a mother in a police-court, according to a casereportedin the newspapers some little time ago. A group of young girls had been gossiping at a was

afraid of

a

128

Nervous Children

policeman, quite civilly, had asked them to obeyed but one began to scream so violently the policeman had to arrest her as a public nuisance. Her appearance in the dock followed and her mother’s explanation.

street corner when a

‘move on’. The others

‘Afraid of

a

policeman?’ said

the

magistrate.

appeared rather proud of what she was saying. ‘Whenshe was so high I could always stop ‘Ever so afraid, sir.’ The mother

her

being naughty if I

said the

policeman would

take her away

and put her in the black hole, sir.’ ‘inthe black hole,’ came a wail from the dock.

Apparently

magistrate had never heard of such a case, girl home with her mother after paternally hoped she would never behave in so foolish a

the

but he sent the

telling

her he

manner

far

as

The

again.

And there is the end of that

particular

case so

I know.

girl

general

was a

nuisance and the condition to which

reduced may well become more pitiable as years go by. Yet the real fault lay with that foolish mother or whoever it was she

was

brought the girl up. ‘Ifyou are not good a policeman will put you in a black hole,’ was the lesson which had been impressed upon her young mind.

who had

In consequence, if she had

happened to be lost the last person applied was a policeman, that guardian angel of lost little girls. In the same way another threat is heard sometimes: ‘Ablack man’s hiding in the dark. He’lljump out and grab you if you’re not good.’ So the seeds of terror are

to whom she would have

sown.

The child views darkness

as

a

cloak which shrouds

she grows older she may learn to put these fears aside, their influence will lie fallow at the back of her mind to spring into renewed life if she happens untellable horrors. And

though

as

subjected to fresh nerve strain or any form of ill health. being sensibly brought up is put to bed in the dark from its earliest infancy and later is encouraged—not compelled—to

to be

A child who is

walk about in darkened

fear. So trained, I

a

rooms

with

never a

hint of

child will grow up free from haunting terrors, 129

Everj’dqy Ailments but unfortunately there

are

and Commonsense Cures many

people

whose sole idea of

the infant mind is to instil fear, and few grown-ups can fathom the depths of anguish the little one may be called

influencing

this harm has been done the child should upon to bear. When be allowed a night-light in the bedroom and should never enter lies the gist of the treatment—the being afraid of anything so commonplace as darkness should be ignored. At every opportunity such a child should be encouraged to enter unlighted places in company with a grown-up who should talk cheerfully the whole time. Get a child to laugh at some little joke while in total

a

dark

herein room alone. But—and

possibility

of

darkness and the battle is won. Night terrors, a form of nightmare which attacks

strung children,

is

a common

experience, unfortunately.

highly Cases

have been known in which the sufferers were mere infants when the terror, I suppose, must have been some form of inherited

Generally, however, these terrors attack children from violently, the child wakes from a heavy sleep and is found cowering in a corner of the room crying out that a wolf or a black man or some terrible creature born of its imagination is there. Every effort must be memory.

three to nine years old. Screaming

made to soothe and comfort. There must be

hint of impatience,

no

of

punishing the poor little mortal for ‘silliness’.That would be absolute cruelty. In future, take care that the bowels act freely and that no indigestible food is eaten no

suggestion

for some hours before bedtime, if at all. All nerve troubles are aggravated by constipation and indigestion. Worms are a frequent cause of nerve weakness with children and with them I shall deal later. In addition, children must be

experience

or

guarded against

threat which is calculated to

inspire

any story

or

fear. In one

happen to know, the story of Red Riding Hood is forbidden because of the double tragedy with which the older versions end. Yet, rightly or wrongly, in the nurseries

very modern nursery I

of our into

grandmothers

the story

was

enjoyed, being

transferred

slapstick comedy as we should call it. The children shrieked 130

Nervous Children with happy laughter when the after the historic

dialogue,

nurse,

impersonating

rolled them over and

the wolf, In the

over.

revised version woodcutters arrived conveniently in time to

Riding Hood, so all ends well. old lady does not appear to count.

Red

save

The fate of the unfortunate

Which goes to prove it is not so much the story told which as the manner of its telling.

matters

Any attempt

at

deceiving

child is little short of criminal.

a

should be told the truth

Little

ones

never

be allowed to hear their

unfalteringly, they

parents tell

dishonest action, and from the moment

language I once knew

a

or act a

lie

they begin

should or

do

a

to understand

at all should be treated as reasonable

very small

girl

whose mother had

beings. arranged to

day, but just before the date compelled to postpone the outing for a week. Instead of its being pointed out that the treat was only put off through unavoidable circumstances but certainly would take place a few days later, the child was told the visit on the original day was impossible because ‘the lions might get out’. A very absurd explanation, but it seemed convincing to that unfortunate little girl. When the visit was paid she was sick with terror, expecting a devouring beast to leap out at her from every flower bed while nothing would induce her to approach the lions who were playing ball in their huge cages. Her little treat was spoilt. take her to the Zoo on a certain

fixed the mother

was

Nettles and Nettle Seeds Stinging

nettles

are a

very excellent vegetable. They should without any water except that clinging

spinach is, washing. The juice obtained after the cooking be divided into two doses, the one taken the last thing should and the other the first thing in the morning, and will at night an excellent ‘spring medicine’, which will purify the prove clear and blood the complexion.

be cooked

as

to the leaves after

131

Everjdqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

A decoction of nettle seeds (an ounce of the seeds in a quart of water simmered till the quantity is reduced to a pint) is a very

remedy for tuberculosis. Traditionally it comes from the days of the Roman occupation of Britain. The dose is a wineglassful four times a day. Any herbalist will supply the seeds.

old

Nettlerash A

fairly

individual

common as

complaint

the result of his

which attacks

having

an

unfortunate

eaten some

particular

article of food. (The rash may arise from other causes. For instance, the sting of a jelly-fish while bathing, the after-effects of certain drugs,

or

large majority of

sudden exposure to heat or cold, but in the food is the source from which the

cases

springs.) Strawberries, ripe,

sweet, delicious strawberries, be to or blame, may perhaps they are eaten by the sufferer with impunity, though either shellfish or veal, pork,

trouble

or eggs may be suspect. Everything in the most condition and of the best quality.

honey, oatmeal,

perfect

Other people

them,

but the to

enjoyed the good things and benefited by eating

one

disagree,

unfortunate with whom was

attacked

by

some

nettlerash. In

article

happened patches the

skin on any part of his body began to irritate, and rubbing or scratching in his efforts to gain relief caused weals to rise and

perhaps become sores. Often sickness and fever supervene, though in other cases the symptoms are purely local. The treatment consists of a dose of castor oil or the taking of strongly purgative pills, and the application of tar or zinc ointment. Bathing the part with a strong solution of bicarbonate of soda and warm water will help, or a bath to which bicarbonate has been added. (See Baths.) Following such an experience it would

seem quite unnecessary having suffered from one attack, the victim should be at pains to find out the irritant and to avoid the food containing it for the future, particularly as there is constant

to add

that

132

Nettlerash danger of recurrence a

of

the rash in like circumstances. But not

bit of it. In nine cases out of ten the victim

takes the risk

again.

lightheartedly why effect, and quite possibly the strawberries—or not harm special poison may be—do

‘Other

shouldn’t I?’ he says in whatever his

people

eat strawberries so

him the next time to return.

they are eaten. But later on the trouble is sure Safety only in avoidance of the danger. lies

Neuralgia Neuralgia, is

which used to be described

as Tic

Douloureux,

trouble very apt to follow exposure to cold. The pain is acute, resembling the stabbing by red-hot needles, but there is consolation in the knowledge that great though the agony is, a nerve

complications seldom follow. Rarely attacking both keeping to one side only, it is more frequently met amongst women than men. Children have hardly ever been known to suffer from it. Though not considered hereditary, serious

sides of the face but

it is certain those who come from

parents with highly

it attacks the face and

liable.

Though majority of cases, practically any part of the body may suffer. Neuralgia of the womb is most agonizing. To guard against it all women who are liable to be exposed to damp or cold should wear the warm pad or bandage across the loins already advised. (See Colds.) The advice given on sciatica should be read, the two complaints being very closely allied. At the same time, no-one seems to know exactly from what neuralgia springs. Frequently it is an after-effect of influenza, or decayed teeth may be more than For care of the general health and the taking treatment, suspect. of tonic medicines are necessary. If the attacks are frequent or persistent a doctor must be consulted. Dry heat, such as is produced by a bag of hot bran or salt, often gives relief. The bran or salt should be made thoroughly hot in the oven, then put into muslin and applied to the face. If the muslin is covered by strung

nerves are most

head in the

133

Everj’dqy Ailments and a

fold

or two

retained

a

of flannel

or

Commonsense Cures

other thick material, the heat will be

very long time.

Nzghtmare Nightmare probably arises from constipation and indigestion, though nerve strain of one type or another is almost sure to be present. The nerves have no chance of becoming steady if either of those evils clogs the machinery of the body. Take what medicine is needed to prevent constipation and then decide out of the wealth of your experience which foods do not agree. Traditionally, the haunting dreams we call nightmare are brought about by the spells of a particularly unpleasant spirit called Mare, who worked in darkness, according to Norse mythology. In the Middle Ages, long after any professed belief in Mare had ceased, lingering traditions asserted that a pierced stone or a piece of iron hung over the head of the bed prevented charms nightmare—by

though I saw

worked with stones and metals the influence

of Mare was exorcised. Nor is the tradition obsolete, it lingers vaguely. Quite recently in a Yorkshire farm

a stone

with

a

hole in it

dangling

above

a

manger. When

there, he replied rather shamefacedly why he didn’t but his father and his grandfather that know, in had kept such stones stable and byre so he thought there I asked the farmer

must be

something

it

in it.

was

Dimly

he had

an

idea it

prevented

sickness amongst cattle, perhaps it was a way of avoiding footand-mouth disease, though that was only a guess. He had never heard of Mare nor knew that amongst her other wickednesses

taking horses through the dark

was her habit of

from their stalls at

night

and

hours without mercy. Dawn riding would find them back in their stalls, lathered, trembling, dark with sweat, unable to be worked by their master for many them

hours. Also Mare

their

wove

preventing giving Those pierced stones

particularly unpleasant spells

on cows,

milk. are common on almost every

134

pebbled

Nightmare beach, and again and again I have heard from

a

child. ‘I’vefound

a stone

with

a

a

hole

shout of

triumph right through it,’

he has called. ‘I’ll take it home for luck.’ And his elders have

agreed. Unconsciously they were following the faith of long ago when Mare had to be propitiated or repulsed. In the New Forest a gipsy told me that to carry either a pierced stone or a moss agate will protect a traveller from harm, and an old lady in the shadow of King Arthur’s castle at Tintagel gravely presented me with a stone on which a fernlike piece of seaweed was growing. It would keep all illness away, she said. I have seen many pierced stones hanging in cottage bedrooms and have been told that bad dreams and sleeplessness were prevented by the charm. If any benefit has been experienced, probably it is the result of a faith cure. Faith cures are particularly potent when the complaint is hysteria or other purely nervous affection.

Nitre

Papers

To relieve asthma and bronchitis. Get two ounces of saltpetre

(a form of nitre) and into

the

a

sheet of white

blotting-paper.

Put

breakfast cup which nearly fill with boiling saltpetre water. Stir till as much as possible of the salt has dissolved. a

Cut the

blotting-paper into strips, roughly about three inches long Dip each piece into the solution and lay on a dish to dish dry—the may be put into a slow oven. When quite store the papers in a tin for use as required. To use, fold a dry and two wide.

paper in two corner

with

a rather

a

that it will stand up in a saucer and touch a lighted match. It will smoulder away, giving out

so

pungent smoke which the sufferer should breathe.

Nitre, Sweet Spirits of An excellent

remedy to

‘sweat out a cold’ and promote profuse Tell chemist for what the dose is required the perspiration. 135

Everj’dqy Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

and the age of the patient. To be taken in hot water the last

a

small

quantity

of

thing at night.

Old

Age

In middle life, and after, personal cleanliness is as important though few can emulate a gentleman with whom I am

as ever,

acquainted. At eighty he kept up his daily swim which he had enjoyed all the year round for sixty years, often having to break the ice before he could enter the water. Recently he has given up the habit with reluctance. He had an illness and his wife said she would have him certified to

tepid

as a

lunatic if he did not take

baths at home instead. He had the

good

sense to see

right.

she was

It is fatal to say to

age happens

yourself that you are old, whatever your help old age claiming us, that

to be. We cannot

will come to all who live to the allotted span or over, but if we maintain a cheerful, active outlook, the drawbacks of old age may be kept at bay for a very long time.

Besides, what exactly is old age? ‘Aman is as old as his arteries’, an authority wrote and most certainly age is not to be reckoned by years. Some people are in the

heyday

an age when others are completely remember people who were old

of their faculties at

broken down. I

can

very little child—or perhaps who seemed old to that if a girl was not married, or at least me—maintaining engaged, by the time she was twenty-five, she was hopelessly on the shelf, while a woman of forty was described as ‘quite elderly’. At sixty she was expected to be doddering with one foot in the grave. Buiwer Lytton went further. In one of his novels he described a lady who ‘although she was thirty had not left all youthful interests behind’. How pitiably short the when I

was a

lives of most

women must

have been when that outlook

was

when all zest of life

was

yellow

leaf

common.

Womanhood had just

expected

to be over and the era of the sere and

begun

136

Old

Age

we take no count of age as told in years. very young or very old we may have birthdays and birthday-cakes, but we do not have candles on the latter

attained. Unless

To-day

we are

to

give

as

old

our

as

age away. We

he feels,

Men and

women are

whether of mind at

ignore

a woman

is

as

it. The

old

alike in or

proverb,

‘A man is

she looks’, cuts no ice. exactly the age their activities, as

being suggest. A relation of my own easy chair listening to the broadcast of of body,

ninety-two sat in her University Boat Race

the

before the war. When the observer

counted the strokes of the rival crews she

swayed in time

to his

counting and made pungent criticisms on the cox, who was sending his men along too fast according to her ideas. ‘You’reright every time,’ said a man who had called on her and had stayed to hear the broadcast. ‘I’m a rowing woman, you see’, returned the old lady. It was years since she had been in

a

boat, but her brain

was active as

her interests alive. Little that went on around

kept escaped her shrewd comments and well-balanced judgement. That is growing old gracefully. No irritability, no grumbling at the hard knocks life had dealt her, no peevish fault-finding with the modern generation. Instead, a wide tolerance for the changing world with, as was natural, a tender sentimentality towards ever and she

the vanished world which had been when she was young.

who are old brought against old people—people whatever their actual age—that they are bad-tempered and selfish, always discontented, always making those around them Often it is

miserable. There is no human being so trying, so difficult for younger folk to endure, as those of this type. Yet always it seems to me that these faults and failings are not the result of old age. Their seeds

lady

were sown in middle life, if not in actual youth. The old who is selfish in her latter years was consumed with discontent

and self-pity in her girlhood. She of her

‘wrongs’to

any

living soul,

might

not have

spoken

but she nursed them, she them, and, as years went

counted them up, she brooded over on, they increased and multiplied in her memory. When she 137

Everjidqy Ailments and Commonsense became old she had

no store

Cures

of sweet recollections

on

which to

except this conglomeration of wrongs and ill-usage and injustice, most of which had been no more draw, than

nothing

to recall

pinpricks which should have

her

self-pity assumes

her

own

back

suffer for the

on

been

forgotten.

In the result

dimensions and she tries to get those who happen to be near, by making them enormous

of others long ago. Therefore, unless you, who are middle-aged now, wish to be lonely and unloved when you are old, make up your minds to count your blessings, to dwell on the pleasant side of life and

peccadilloes

never, never, never to be sorry for yourself. That is not a moral lesson; it is a piece of plain common sense that will make your closing years much more happy if you will follow it. Care of your health is

as important as care of the mind, the depends upon the other. So begin in good time. This is quite a different matter from dwelling on increasing age and

one

making up your mind to be old. In fact, it is the other way round. Tell yourself: ‘Imust do this or that or the other to

keep myself from growing

old.’

the cold far more say the elderly?—feel than the young, therefore they are wise to wear wool next the skin. Exercise is needed, so they should go out of doors as much as possible, because such exercise is of the mind as well as the body. Shut up in the house, even if actively engaged all shall The old—or

we

people, hearing the same voices elderly person tends to become expressing more self-centred and to have the brain stultffied. Going out enables him or her to see fresh scenes, to meet fresh people even if only shop-assistants from whom purchases are made, and so the time,

seeing the

to

gain

a

the

same

same

views,

an

wider outlook.

feeding of good with the diet of the very old. It is a mistake to think that old people should be fed on ‘slops’.Let them have normal food, rather hard and dry for preference, if only they To

a

great

extent what has been written about the

children holds

have the dentures which enable them to eat such food with comfort. 138

Old Age

Naturally, foods which help in building the body are not required, but those which promote warmth and give general protection are. Just before the war a well-known doctor wrote: ‘No-oneneed grow old in the broken-down sense of the words keep themselves clean inside and out. Diet is important,

if they

of course. Let them have plenty of apples—raw apples—cooked which is apple juice. And there’s spinach. That’s apples—cider the stuff to prolong life and keep you in good health. You can make an entire meal of spinach if you add a pat of butter or margarine, or a poached or scrambled egg (dried eggs scramble well), or grated cheese. Quantity for quantity, spinach contains more iron than the yolk of an egg and that has more iron than a slice of roast beef. There’s honey. It’s amazing how much warmth and energy that can bestow. And oatmeal. And garden sage. And give old people beetroot juice and swede juice as well as young ones. That will keep them going.’ The belief that eating apples will keep old age at bay is very, very ancient. In Norse mythology, when the gods realized they were growing old, they adopted a diet of apples, convinced their youth and energy would be restored. That apples could possess any such power was scoffed at in the last century, but now the pendulum is swinging the other way, and modern

analysis has shown that apples contain a larger proportion of phosphorus than any other fruit, and phosphorus renews and strengthens the nerves of body and brain. in middle life, if not before, to retain the In brief—begin faculties and keep at bay the most cruel features of old age. Be absolutely clean in all things, lead a life filled with interests of many kinds, thinking more of others than of yourself, take care of your appearance, and eat suitable food. Even if all precautions are taken, it is possible the enemy we are fighting will

make

a

counterattack that may give him the victory, but his infinitely smaller than if surrender were made at

chances will be once.

During their tour of the Hebrides, Johnson and Boswell met old woman living in a poor little cottage, of whom their

an

139

Everjdaj

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

word-picture gives perhaps the ideal old age

middle-aged,

most

perfect description

of

ideal that all of us, young, or written-—an old, may keep before us as a model we hope to

ever

or

attain: ‘She spun a yarn, had the company

to

no

of a

cat

and

was a

trouble

one.’

Olive Oil Olive oil is of

a

gravel

gentle laxative and also is important in the treatment and stone. Sufferers from those diseases

are

told

very large quantity of the oil every day. (See under Onions). With many forms of chest trouble, olive oil massaged into the chest and back will be found to give relief.

to swallow

a

Onions Mention has been made of medical authorities advising a diet composed largely of garlic or onions as a cure for pulmonary disease, and recently the newspapers announced that a Russian scientist claimed to have cured patients in the last stages of consumption by an extract of garlic. Further details were not given. What lends special interest to the story is that, in many parts of England, country people have maintained for generations that tuberculosis

can

be cured if the sufferer will eat

raw

onions with every meal. That onions have strong

antiseptic and germ-defying properties Keeping peeled and cut onions in every room in a house has prevented infection spreading to the inmates, though fever or smallpox may be raging all around. is beyond dispute.

The onions should be removed every day and burnt, others taking their place. Bruised or cut onions should never be eaten

they have been allowed to remain for even a few hours. Every germ in the neighbourhood will have flown to them, rendering them hotbeds of any infection that may be near.

if

140

GARLIC Aiium sativum. Nat.

Ord. Liiaceae

Everydaj Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Those germs would take possession of those the onions.

An onion is

an

the onion in half, chilblain.

dip

onion

foolish

in kitchen salt, and rub

To relieve shortness of breath an

so

as to eat

the germs are destroyed. excellent cure for an unbroken chilblain. Cut

By burning

or

garlic, put

into

a

or

lightly

on

the

hoarseness, peel and slice

soup-plate,

treacle. At the end of

and cover each slice

hour

or so syrup will have formed. Take in teaspoonful doses. Sufferers from insomnia should try eating a boiled or baked onion for supper. Often sound and healthy sleep ensues, though

with

honey

or

an

sleep is too heavy, accompanied by dreams, and unpleasant taste in the mouth in the morning. In it is plain the onion has caused indigestion, so the

sometimes the there is

an

such cases

remedy has failed. If stung by a bee or wasp apply a slice of raw onion to the injury. Onions are a recognized remedy for stone and gravel, and here is an old recipe which it is claimed will give relief if eaten twice a day: Two large or three medium-sized English onions should be peeled and sliced and put into a saucepan with a small teacupful of water. Sprinkle with a little salt, keep the lid on the pan, and cook slowly till the onions are quite soft. Put the onions in the oven to keep warm. Mix a teacupful of olive oil with sufficient cornfiour to form

in which the onions stir

over

the fire till

were a

a thin paste. Add the water cooked. Return to the saucepan and

thick white

sauce

is formed. Pour this

sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve very hot. Onions, olive oil, and parsley are all accepted remedies, and by this method they can be taken without much danger of their causing nausea. over

the onions,

142

Orange-peel

Tonic

Orange-peel

Tonic

Cut the peel of an orange into fairly small pieces and put into jug with two or three cloves and a teaspoonful of sugar. Add half a pint of boiling water. Cover and leave for twenty-four hours, when strain. Do not throw away orange pips. Plant them in a flower-pot

a

and when the little trees appear allow them to grow till about three inches in height. Cut off the leaves and add to a salad.

They are

delicious.

Paraffin Prepared paraffin

is often

prescribed

assists the action of the bowels.

as a

it

lubricant which

Certainly though some authorities condemn mineral oil, it is not digested. It should never be

satisfactorily in

seems to act most

many cases,

it because, as a taken on an empty stomach. Paraffin is used in

for

some

preparations

the

increasing growth of the hair, but the custom of ordinary paraffin is not to be advised. Apart from the

applying danger of fire, which is very real, it appears to cause irritation of the scalp.

Parsley-piert Of this herb the usual infusion (an ounce to a pint of boiling should be taken in teacupful doses three times a day by

water)

sufferers from

gravel or stone. The rustic name for the herb, ‘parsleybreakstone’, shows the estimation in which it was held. For most disorders of the bladder and kidneys, including stone and gravel, three herbs are commonly given in combination—parsley piert, pellitory-of-the-wall, and wild carrot. An ounce of each should be put into ajug and three pints of boiling water added. The dose is a wineglassful four times a day. 143

Everj’daj Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

Peppermint Either in the form of the cordial

or as the familiar lozenge, popular remedy for flatulent indigestion. It is not so generally known that mint tea is an excellent alternative. Put half a dozen sprigs of mint, or a teaspoonful of dried mint, into a cup and fill with boiling water. Allow to

peppermint

is the most

infuse for five minutes, then drink slowly. Mint tea, prepared in the usual manner in a teapot and served with milk and sugar, is a wholesome and pleasant substitute for ordinary tea.

Peppermint cordial is made from the distilled essence of mint, a substitute may be prepared at home. Put half a pound of sugar into a jug and add a pint of boiling water. Stir till the

but

sugar is

dissolved, then add sixpennyworth of essence of mint.

Stir. When cold, pour into a bottle and keep closely corked. If a tablespoonful of gin is added it will remain good almost indefinitely.

Without the

gin

it will be

quite satisfactory

for

some

weeks.

Permanganate of Potash A most useful disinfectant and deodorizer for household

Sufficient of the used

frequently

enough

use.

crystals to colour the water pale pink should be to flush drains. A very weak

to colour the water at

all, may be used

mouth-wash when the breath is

solution, barely as a

unpleasant or injection in the

gargle

and

the throat is

case of septic. Also of great value as an many discharges. A footbath to which enough permanganate has been added to just colour the water should be used daily when there is offensive perspiration, and the same strength should be used for sponging under the arms. When an infectious disease is in the house, a sheet dipped in a rather stronger solution should be hung over the door of the sick room. All bedroom utensils

should be washed in it. 144

Permanganate of Potash When the hands need in the solution but, not

to be sterilized

unfortunately,

certainly

should be washed so must

solution is used to darken grey at the first two or three applications gives the

be used often. Sometimes

hair and

they

it darkens the skin

a

hair a rich shade of chestnut brown. In course of time the colour

orange-red however, and the hair is scanty and brittle from the loss of its natural oil, therefore this method of changing becomes

the colour is not to be recommended. A solution of permanganate may be used for washing wounds but the application should be followed at once by bathing in clear water.

Peroxide

of Hydrogen

One of the most

powerful and most useful of all disinfectants. non-poisonous it is suitable for all domestic purposes. As a mouth-wash and gargle use two teaspoonfuls (tenvolume strength) to half a tumblerful of tepid water. To stay bleeding, or as an antiseptic wash for cuts and wounds, dilute with an equal amount of water.

As it is

If the nose bleeds, plug the nostrils with cotton-wool soaked in equal parts of peroxide and cold water. To remove wax from the ear put in a few drops of undiluted

peroxide with a clean camel-hair brush. then clean the

ear

with

a

Leave for a few minutes

little wad of cotton-wool.

For burns and scalds, bathe in

equal parts

of

peroxide

and

water. For

at

stings

and bites of insects

or

snake bites

apply undiluted

once. To remove

soak

stains from the hands and to whiten the nails,

little cotton-wool in undiluted

peroxide and rub lightly. peroxide every day. damped This will not remove the hair but it will make it first golden, then quite white, when it will not be seen so easily. There is a very slight tendency to check the growth. To bleach dark hair: Wash with an ordinary shampoo a

Superfluous

K

hair may be

with

145

Everjidaj Ailments and powder and

warm water

Afterwards once or

twice

a

in which

a

little soda has been dissolved.

peroxide with a sponge The colour will change to the fashionable

apply

week.

Commonsense Cures

undiluted

gold but,

in course of time, the roots of the hair will show dark and the hair become harsh and brittle. When the metallic

hair is dull it may be brightened by dipping a toothbrush in and lightly touching the waves with it. Again, though

peroxide

the effect is excellent at first, the hair soon becomes harsh and dry. The growth is ruined by the destruction of the natural oil.

Pine Pillow A hop pillow to induce sound sleep has been described already, but by many a pine pillow is preferred. It not only assists natural sleep but helps the breathing in bronchitis and relieves soreness of the chest. A small pillow should be loosely filled with the pine needles that lie so thickly under the trees in fir plantations, the needles being carefully dried. Or deal shavings that will be given away in almost any carpenter’s shop

may be used. The shavings must be of deal, no other wood will do, and have been freshly cut by the plane. Both the needles and the shavings need to be renewed once a week.

Poultices All poultices should be applied as hot as possible, though scalding must be avoided. A thermometer should be used to test the heat. It is better to prepare the poultice in the sickroom, failing that it should be carried from one room to the other between two warmed plates. No poultice should remain on the patient after it has begun to cool. When applying, cover the poultice with a thick pad of cotton-wool, and hold in place by a bandage. When a poultice has been removed, wipe the skin gently with soft linen and cover with absorbent lint. Over that

146

Poultices put flannel

or

cotton-wool. If the skin is red

apply

vaseline

or

zinc ointment. The

following

are

Bread poultice is

the

poultices

most

usually prescribed:

cleansing and may be applied to sores. It retaining heat long. Break sufficient

has the drawback of not

bread into a saucepan and add enough boiling water to about half cover it. Beat with a fork tillfree from lumps and very hot.

piece of muslin, spread smoothly, and apply. Charcoal poultice may be prepared with either bread or linseed—the latter is to be preferred. The charcoal should be mixed with the other ingredient in the proportion of one-fifth charcoal to four-fifths of the other. Mix well. Add sufficient boiling water to form a thick paste and turn on to muslin. The poultice should be applied directly without intervening material. Used when there is severe ulceration or gangrenous sores, particularly bedTurn on to

a

sores.

Linseed poultice is the most generally efficacious of all. Sprinide crushed linseed through the fingers into a well-warmed basin and mix with boiling water. Stir till the mixture comes away cleanly from the side. Turn out, smooth with the blade of a knife, cover with thin muslin, and apply. If a stronger poultice

is required, sprinkle the linseed with ground ginger

or a

dry mustard, just before applying. Marshmallow poultice. The crushed root may be bought from any herbalist. R. C. Wren, in his Cyclopaedia of Botanical

little

Herbs, says: ‘This poultice may be relied upon to remove the most obstinate inflammation and prevent mortification. .

The addition of should be

elm is

slippery applied to the part

an

advantage.

as

hot

.

.

as can be

.

The

poultice

borne, being

removed when dry.’ Soda poultice relieves rheumatism. A linseed poultice should be prepared as directed, but instead of plain water use boiling water to which a handful of

washing-soda

has been added to

each

pint. Parsnip poultice

and potato poultice 147

are

recommended for

Everjidqy Ailments application

and Commonsense Cures

to sores and to relieve rheumatism. Their chief

advantage seems vegetable should

to be their power to retain the heat. Either be boiled to a pulp in as little water as possible,

strained, mashed, and applied very hot. Starch poultices are used in skin diseases,

particularly in septic

eczema and erysipelas, when crusts have formed. Also for

tablespoonful of finely powdered starch and a teaspoonful crystals into a basin. Mix to a thin paste with cold water which should be added drop by drop. Then add rather less than a pint of boiling water, stirring constantly till a jelly is formed. Spread thickly on lint and apply. A starch poultice must never remain on a patient for more than twenty sores. Put a

of boracic

minutes. After that time it will have set hard and removed the

only patient.

with great

difficulty, causing

intense

can

suffering

be to

The old-fashioned mustard poultice has been the

more

is to be

cleanly

applied

mustard leaf. If it is

to a very delicate

egg. This will prevent

superseded by prescribed, however, and

skin,

smear

it with white of

blistering.

Powder Base An excellent base for powder to be applied to the washing is calamine lotion A.P.C. with equal part Sponge and leave to dry on.

skin after

of water.

0Quassia from

chemist and to each

add

a

of cold water. Leave to infuse for at least six hours. As

a

Buy quassia chips

pint

bitter tonic take recommended

Children

injections

a

ounce

wineglassful three times a day. Particularly when there is general debility and failing appetite. suffering from threadworms should be given a

of the infusion. 148

Quince

0Quince Those with gouty tendencies are allowed to eat quinces saccharine, not sugar, should be used in cooking. seeds yield healing mucilage, recommended as a

freely but Quince

mouth-wash when there is ulceration of the throat and gums. To prepare, put a heaped teaspoonful of the seeds into ajar with half a pint of cold water. Set a saucer on the jar and stand in a pan of boiling water for six or eight hours. infusion should resemble white of egg. Strain. that time the

slow

oven or in a

By A teaspoonful,

taken

if mixed with double

application

for tired

internally, will relieve gastric catarrh, or the quantity of rosewater it is a soothing

or

strained eyes.

Raspberrj

Leaves

An infusion of freshly gathered raspberry leaves makes a pleasant and cleansing mouth-wash. The same infusion taken hot in teacupful doses is a remedy for feminine ailments and relieves internal pains caused by suppression.

Red Clover freshly gathered flowers of the red (or purple) clover, are valuable remedy for bronchitis and spasmodic coughs, particularly whooping-cough. The usual infusion should be prepared and taken freely. The

a

Like the violet, the red clover is used for the alleviation of With the violet the leaves are employed but with clover

cancer. a

pint

of

boiling

water should be

poured on an ounce of the ready for use. To violet

flowers and when cold the infusion is

leaves cold water should be added and left to infuse for twentyfour hours. To use either infusion, slightly warm and use to

149

Everjdqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

bathe the part. Or lint may be soaked in it and laid

on

the seat

of pain. Both infusions may be taken internally with advantage. Sometimes a poultice of either is prepared and applied hot.

Rheumatism It has been computed that rheumatism,

or at

least complaints

of all the ills from which we, in the British Isles, are liable to suffer. Numerous of rheumatic

origin,

number at least

fifty per cent

the embrocations and lotions advised to relieve the

pains, strongly insisted that no external remedy is sufficient. Indeed, I read the other day of a high medical authority who went further. ‘No known medicine, injection or are

but it cannot be too

no fanciful diet or much advertised patent medicine, has any curative influence upon chronic rheumatism’, was what he was reported to have said.

liniment,

authority cannot be actually contradicted, yet his surely may be taken with a grain of salt. In the extract

Such an

statement I read

we were not

told the context, which must have been of

importance. No doubt he was speaking of rheumatism of long standing and in its advanced stages, but it is indisputable that in many instances where extreme pain has been endured over a number of years, care as to the diet, simple medicines, and certain embrocations have been of the greatest value. It is from that standpoint I am dealing with the scourge of

rheumatism here. When there is

an

hereditary tendency

to rheumatism extra

getting wet, but emphatically there must be no ‘coddling’.The advice given as to wearing warm socks and a bandage of cotton-wool or flannel across the loins applies with special force. These precautions, together with care as to the diet, should be adopted from the time the earliest twinge is felt. If in spite of all precautions rheumatism persists, the same rules must be followed more stringently. care should be taken to avoid chills and

150

PURPLE CLOVER

Trfoliumpratense.

Nat. Ord.

Leguminosae

Everjdqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Decaying teeth or other unwholesome condition of the mouth or

breathing apparatus may

be

admitting

the

poison

into the

system. Thus a visit to the dentist is of prime importance. Kidney trouble in one form or another is a frequent source of rheumatism, as is constipation. Either condition will discharge into the blood matter which should pass away naturally.

seeing the dentist make it a rule to use a mouth-wash gargle regularly. The sage and vinegar, of which the recipe is given elsewhere, will be found very useful. Medicine should be taken when necessary to ensure the perfect working of all organs, and the very frequent drinking of barley water is strongly advised. Barley water is almost a specific for kidney and bladder troubles, and therefore is prescribed for patients suffering from rheumatism. When suppression causes great pain After

and

with inflammation, the curative value of barley

water is increased

if an ounce of gum arabic is added to each

straining. Old-fashioned folk prescribed spruce beer

as an

quart aftei alternative

barley water, and in those days, which were not so long ago, village shops all over the country displayed special advertisements of their spruce beer. The beverage seems to have gone completely off the market, however. It is easy to understand that the spruce, the young shoots of a Norwegian pine, are not easily obtainable. No book of recipes of which I am aware gives details as to the preparation, and I have not found spruce mentioned in the catalogue of any herbalist. As regards food, all meat should be eaten very sparingly and to

red meat not at all. Which

means

there must be

no

beef,

no

beef extract. Mutton, lamb, chicken, rabbit, and game may be taken in moderation, but for the greater part the menus should contain white fish, milk and all milk dishes, with beef tea or

of green vegetables. Sugar in all its forms should be avoided. In most cases saccharine does no harm. Lemons,

plenty

grapefruit, and oranges, when they can be obtained, should be freely, but beetroot, figs, dates, and rhubarb are forbidden.

taken

There is

an

old rule which says all fruit whose 152

name

Rheumatism ends in ‘berry’is taboo. Pears

seem

beneficial

on

the whole and

authority prescribes quince marmalade to patients suffering from gout—presumably it would have to be prepared with one

sugar substitute. Baths to which

turpentine has been added (see Baths) and sprinkled with turpentine are recommended pain. Asparagus, a powerful diuretic, should

hot flannels that have been to

be eaten

relieve

freely

and the water in which it has been cooked

should be drunk in cress

wineglassful

and horseradish

Celery

are

doses between meals. Garden

recommended also.

is considered the main herbal

remedy

for all forms of

rheumatism, and sufferers for whom it holds no ill effects should eat it at least three times a day, either raw or stewed,

during the whole time it is in

season.

If cooked it is better

stewed in milk and water in

equal parts. This may be thickened with margarine and flour, and poured over the celery, or may be taken as a medicine in wineglassful doses. It should never be thrown away. When fresh celery is unprocurable, celery seeds, to be bought from any good grocer or Italian warehouseman, may be used. They should be stewed very slowly in water for at least six hours. The proportion is a tablespoonful of the seed to a pint of water. The latter must be replenished as it boils away. After straining add an equal quantity of milk to the water. Drink freely. Unfortunately, a serious warning must be added. To some people celery is an active poison. That fact raises an interesting point. Wild celery is classed among the dangerous plants of Britain, though it is generally stated that cultivation destroys its poisonous qualities. Evidently that is not so always. Acting on certain constitutions the latent poison becomes manifest, though others eating the same dish of celery will suffer no harm. The danger is for the individual, hence the effects of celery should be carefully watched. As in most instances, the symptoms do not develop until quite two hours after the meal, the celery may escape suspicion for

a

time unless the

sufficiently severe to necessitate consulting a

poisoning

is

doctor. The symp153

Everjdaj Ailments and toms for which watch should be

Commonsense Cures

kept are difficulty in breathing,

skin irritation, swelling of the hands and feet, headache, pain in the back, black spots before the eyes, dimness of vision, and giddiness. It is improbable all these will be present at once, at least at first, but if any one is severely left alone for the future. The

of

necessity

taking

a

experienced celery

regular

diuretic medicine has been mentioned. the

patient

course

Many

of

should be

aperient

or

doctors recommend

to take a small dose of Glauber salts every

in warm water or in the first cup of tea—all salts should be taken warm. As a rule, this regular taking of drugs

morning is

not to be advised. The

to act

bodily

functions should be induced

food and exercise instead, but with rheumatism the rule seems to be relaxed in favour of Glauber or some other

by

salts.

regards embrocations or liniments experience must be the experiment until they discover which the most effective preparation. Before leaving the subject of rheumatism it is impossible to As

teacher. Sufferers should

is

omit some mention of the almost worldwide belief—or superstition—that the

pain will be prevented, even if the disease is not

cured, if a raw potato is carried, preferably in a little bag that is hung next the skin near the seat of the pain! The potato will

shrivel up but its virtue will remain. The statement

seems

ridiculous, but it has been accepted by educated people for generations. In the eighteenth century ladies of fashion. had special pockets made in their voluminous petticoats for carrying these potatoes. During the nineteenth century the idea was

laughed

at

generally, though

in remote

villages

and humble

cottages the faith remained. Now very modern doctors are not quite sure whether there was not considerable truth in the superstition.

They talk of the sulphur and potash a potato contains. Dietitians advise sufferers from rheumatism to eat potatoes freely, and a poultice of hot potatoes soothes rheumatic pains.

154

Rickets

Rickets Rickets is

a

disease which attacks small children and is caused

the absence of sunshine and lack of fresh air, while a diet deficient in the necessary vitamins is another cause. Fortunately

by

the disease is fast

dying

out

better living conditions, and

owing more

to the clearance of

slums,

balanced food. Not that it

exclusively. Until quite recent times injudiciously fed and became undernourished in consequence. Lack of air and light were predisposing causes. That does not necessarily mean that the child was brought up in a cellar. Many imposing mansions had otherwise well-equipped nurseries where the windows were seldom opened, with sandbags and heavy curtains to shut out the draughts, while the children were muffled in heavy clothing that effectually prevented the life-giving air reaching their limbs. However plentiful food may be, if it is not correctly balanced it will not give the necessary nourishment. The first signs of rickets may be so slight they are easily overlooked and for a long time the disease may continue unsuspected. One of the earliest symptoms is profuse perspiration of the head and neck at night. The child is restless, persistently rubbing its head on the pillow, which will be found quite damp in the morning. Delay in cutting the teeth is another symptom. Often the baby is well over a year old before the first tooth belonged

to the slums

children of all classes were

appears. The child should have fresh air,

sea

air if

possible,

and be

encouraged to run about in the sunshine wearing the smallest possible amount of clothes. Encourage him to laugh and play, let him have happy surroundings and all will be well. Rickets must not be neglected. Though not dangerous in itself, it may lead to serious complications.

155

Everjdqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Rose Not so very

long

Hz)s

ago children

were

between the clusters of scarlet berries

taught to decorating

discriminate our autumn

hedgerows. The vivid haws on the hawthorn bushes might be eaten, they were told, but the larger hips of the wild roses were poison. At least one naughty little girl, being of an inquiring them. mind, experimented by eating rose hips and—enjoyed Now we are told that the once condemned hips contain a large amount of the valued vitamins A and C. All over the

the berries

country

being picked and sent to local centres, where syrups, extracts, and jams are prepared. The superstition that they were poisonous arose from the fact that the seeds should not be swallowed. They cause irritation. In harvesting the hips, it is important that only ripe fruit should be gathered, and scissors should be used to cut it from the hedge, as it is easily damaged. After the first frost is the best time for picking. And as it is patriotic duty to make use of these once neglected berries I give two recipes. I have tried neither, so cannot give a personal recommendation, but have are

taken them from reliable

sources.

be used fresh in

making jam, sauces, soups, and they can be dried, stored, and used for tea and for making into jam at a later date. All recipes should be followed (1) Hips

can

creams, or

with the greatest care as Vitamin C is a very delicate substance and easily damaged. Use only stainless steel or chromium-

plated knives for cutting, wooden spoons, earthenware or china bowls, and undamaged enamel saucepans. For jam, take whole and undamaged hips, top and tail and quickly

wash in lukewarm water. Put the

hips

into

an

enamel

saucepan and cover with boiling water in about the proportion of five and a half pounds of hips to three and a half pints of water.

Bring quickly to the boil and simmer for fifteen minutes. hips through a fine hair or stainless steel wire with a wooden spoon. (Straining through muslin would

Rub the cooked

sieve

156

Rose be

an

hips

Hips

alternative method.) Mix well two pounds of the mashed a pound of sugar, return to the saucepan, and stir

with

on the fire for twenty minutes. Cook this sweetened jam for ten minutes after it begins to simmer and pour into warm earthenware

containers. Allow the

jam

to

cool, then

cover

it with

waxed paper. Cover the paper with about half an inch of castor sugar. The jar should be sealed down in the ordinary way and stored in

a

cool, dark place. (Food Department News

Bulletin issued

by

the Women’s

Voluntary

Services

for

in the

Civil

Defence.) (2) ‘Areader from Hautanoa’, writing to the Weekly News, Auckland, New Zealand, ‘suggests that many mothers might be glad to have the following recipe, as scientists state this syrup is twenty times as rich in Vitamin C as orange juice. Wash four pounds of ripe hips in lukewarm water and put into an enamel pan. Cover well with water and bring to the boil. Simmer till tender and mash with a wooden spoon. Put into a flannel

jelly-bag

and squeeze out the juice. Return the pulp to quantity of water as you did at first.

the pan and add the same

Bring

to the boil and simmer for from five to ten minutes. Put

jelly-bag again and squeeze. Empty the jelly-bag and thoroughly. Mix the two lots of juice and pour into the clean bag. This time do not squeeze but hang up over a basin and leave to drip all night. By this method perfectly clear juice into the

wash it

is obtained, free from all harmful seeds and hairs. It is very important the juice should be thus carefully strained. Return

the juice to the saucepan and boil till it is reduced to three pints. Add two and a quarter pounds of sugar, stir till dissolved, then

boil for five minutes. Bottle while hot and seal down immediately. Store in a dark cupboard. Fifteen drops divided into two

take

portions is the daily dose for a baby. a teaspoonful at least twice daily.’

157

Older children should

Everjdaj Ailments

and Commonsense Cures

Sage Garden sage is a digestive tonic valuable in anaemia and general debility. Prepare the usual infusion (an ounce of the herb to a pint of boiling water) and take a wineglassful three times a days When there is an unpleasantness of the breath, ulceration of the throat and gums, hoarseness or loss of voice, the following mouth-wash and gargle is advised: Put half an ounce of sage into a jug and add a teacupful of vinegar that has been made

though not quite boiling. Allow to get cold. Stir thoroughly and strain. To use, take half a wineglassful of the infusion and add an equal quantity of hot water. The more freely this is employed as a gargle the better. The recipe for sage to darken grey hair has been given under very hot

Hair.

St. The old

remedy

known

John’s Oil by

this

name

is

an

excellent

application

for rheumatism, strains, and sprains, as well as a valuable first-aid application for burns and scalds providing the skin is

not broken, and for cuts, sores, abscesses, and swellings, and similar injuries. Take the freshly gathered flowers and leaves of the Saint John’swort, wash thoroughly, and

dry in a clean cloth.

Chop small and put into a bottle with enough olive oil to them. Do not strain. Cork and leave till required.

cover

Sarsaparila An excellent

remedy

for skin diseases that have

a

rheumatic

origin, or for rheumatism in any form. Put an ounce of the root into a saucepan with a quart of cold water and simmer till reduced to a pint. Strain. To be taken frequently in wineglassful doses. One of the best of all herbal 158

purifiers

of the blood.

Sciatica

Sciatica Actually a disease of the nerves, this belongs to the rheumatic is after-effect of some illness, particularly group, though often it the of influenza. Of the actual

cause

little is known, but there poison which has

believe it is connected with

is every reason to entered the blood. The is clear and

I believe the

and

necessity

care over

of aperient and diuretic medicine

the diet must not be relaxed.

name is derived from the

Greek, meaning ‘hip’,

the

pain centres in the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, which starting at the hip passes down the entire limb to the sole of the foot, it will be seen that either the whole leg or any part of it may be affected. In severe cases, complete inability to move may result for a time. Fortunately, though causing intense agony, sciatica is not dangerous, and in the majority of cases yields to treatment. Men are more subject to as

it than women and it may be described as a disease of middle life. It is seldom found in those under twenty years of age and

old people seem immune, unless they have suffered from intermittent attacks for years. The left leg is more subject to be affected than the

time. In the

right. Very rarely are both affected at the same

rare cases

in which this double attack occurs

doctor must be consulted. There is

a

grave

possibility

diabetes may be the cause of the poisoning. Until a few years ago it was believed the complaint

solely

to exposure to cold or

damp.

a

that

was due

Now it is held that

though patient who has suffered from it previously, and may change a slight attack into a serious one, it is never the actual cause. Always poison in the exposure to cold may reawaken sciatica in

a

blood is that.

Many unfortunate animals, suffer from it, and should have lameness.

particularly horses and dogs, special care at the first sign of

Generally, the first symptoms are so slight they may ignored. There may be a tingling sensation or a feeling 159

be of

Everjdqy numbness

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

thighs; later pain develops, shooting, burning pain. The leg affected feels cold alike to the patient and to the touch, and any movement increases the agony. Often lumbago develops, or shingles has been known to add to the torment. In ordinary cases the attack a

at the back of one of the

gnawing

or

may last from one to two weeks, but proper care and treatment will shorten the period. The

patient

should go to bed after

a

aperient should be taken. The hot salt

hot bath and or bran

a

strong

mentioned for

should be

applied, or a hot-water bottle, or constant poultices often give relief and the old-fashioned treatment was—ironing. The seat of the pain was lumbago

hot fomentations. Linseed

by a sheet of thick brown paper and to this a very hot applied. Care must be taken that the iron is not hot enough to scorch the paper and it must not be kept stationary but must be passed quickly to and fro. Very modern medical opinion has agreed that this old treatment is well worth a trial. Apart from this local application of warmth and care of the general health, there is nothing to be done in the way of home remedies. In very severe cases the doctor may give injections to relieve pain and sometimes the application of mustard-plasters covered

iron

was

is ordered. When the worst symptoms have subsided massage may do much to complete the cure, but this is impossible until

the extreme

pain

and the tenderness of the limbs

are over.

Senna popularity because, griping pains. No such drawback will be experienced after taking either of the following recipes: This safe and reliable laxative declined in

if prepared in the usual manner, it

(1) and

a

Put into

a

saucepan

half long and

a

a

causes severe

piece of whole ginger about an inch

pint and

a

half of water.

Bring to

the boil

and simmer for half an hour. Remove from the fire and allow it to become

quite cold.

Have two 160

ounces

of senna leaves

ready

Setma in

and add the cold water and

ginger. Leave for twelve wineglassful the last thing at night with another the first thing in the morning if the constipation a

jug

hours, then strain. The dose is

a

is obstinate. (2) Put four or six senna pods into a tumbler with half a teaspoonful of ground ginger. Half-fill the tumbler with cold water and leave till next taken

morning,

when stir well and strain. To be

fasting.

Sick Room, It is

upon

the

impossible to lay down detailed directions

as to

the furnishing

and management of sickrooms, since much depends the nature of the illness. Should it be acutely infectious, a

or smallpox for instance, the patient should be moved to the top of the house, into an attic, if possible, and practically

fever

all furniture and certainly all draperies should be taken away. The bed should be of the ‘single’type, there must be no carpet the necessity of on the floor, no curtains at the window—unless no cushions or the black-out makes them imperative—and upholstered

chairs. Outside the door with water coloured or one

a

a bath should be placed filled deep pink with permanganate of potash,

of the excellent patent disinfectants. Into this bath a dipped and wrung out, then fixed as a curtain

sheet should be

outside the door. Care must be taken to

keep it damp.

With chest troubles, such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, and so on, bare boards stained with permanganate or other disinfectant solution are far better than carpets. In any case the carpet must not extend under the bed nor into the corners of the room. The greatest care must be taken that no dust accumulates

anywhere. Sweeping

is better done with

an

electric

or

suction sweeper. If that is not to hand, rub floor and carpet with a damp duster. In all illnesses a coal fire is the best, but keep a little bag made of black material in the coal scuttle and when the fire needs

replenishing slip the L

hand into the 161

bag as

if it

were a

glove, pick

Everjdqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

the coal up a lump at a time and put it gently into the grate. So you will prevent any noise that might be disturbing or distressing to the

patient.

A thermometer should be

hung in the room and consulted atmosphere is of the right temperature. The window should be open if only a little way at the top. Draughts may be dangerous but fresh air is a necessity. The room must be kept sweet and wholesome. Those rules hold good in practically every illness but there regularly

to make sure the

must be modifications. For instance, if the illness is chronic and the patient is tied to the room for weeks or months on end,

cheerful surroundings

necessity and bare boards and curtainless uplifting. In such cases linoleum may cover the floor, with a rug by the bedside which is easily taken outside for a daily beating, and bright curtains of the kind that can be taken down and laundered without difficulty may drape the windows. The laundering should be frequent. Flowers are cheering in a sickroom, but often the most beautiful flowers give off irritation and actually cause asthma and bronchitis. When there is any suspicion of their being harmful, all flowers should be banished ruthlessly. Even when flowers have no ill effect, they must be taken out of the room at night. See to it that the water in which cut flowers stand is changed daily and decaying leaves or stalks are removed. All crockery used in a sick room should be washed separately, not mixed with the cups and plates used by the healthy members windows

are a

are not

of the household. Visitors to drink while

they

are

in the mouth.

lozenge ought to When

a

sickroom should

there but should

Kissing the patient,

keep

a

never eat or

disinfectant

whatever the illness,

be avoided.

administering medicine, regularity

is of great

and the doses must be measured with

importance scrupulous care.

Teaspoons and tablespoons vary in sizes and cannot be trusted. A properly marked glass or the lines on the medicine bottles are the only safe guides. If a poisonous draught is prescribed it should be kept apart 162

Sick Room, the from other medicine, indeed it is wise any drugs

or

to

keep

lotions for external

all bottles

application

contaming

at a different

end of the room from the shelf or table on which the harmless medicines are

placed.

We know that

poisonous

preparations

put up in specially shaped bottles to prevent mistake, yet errors are made, often with tragic results. A simple precaution is to thread on ribbon a little bell such as decorates are

an infant’s ‘coral’or the collar of a cat or a

bottle whose contents

If medicine has

to be

dangerous. given in drops,

dog,

and

hang

it

on

are

ifiler will be found

a

perfectly

clean fountain-pen

satisfactory.

Sleep-walking Sleep-walking, otherwise somnambulism, is believed by modern authorities to be a form of dual personality, far more common amongst children than adults. The window of the bedroom in which the sufferer sleeps should be provided with a special screw will do—so that though it may opened to a moderate extent it will not be the cause of danger. If a second person is sleeping in the room with the

fastening—an ordinary be

somnambulist, which is desirable, a chain on the door will make for security. Another method is to lock or bolt the door on the

outside, but if that is done the greatest care should be exercised to make sure there are no matches or other means of striking a

light in the room and no gas-jets or any type of fire. In spite of the belief that to rouse a sleep-walker suddenly

would have serious results, an old-fashioned method of preventing nocturnal wanderings was to put a bath of cold water beside the bed, in the expectation that the sleeper would step into it. It is obvious there could be no guarantee he would do

anything of the sort, unless the bath Far

A

very large indeed. he would bark his shins and upset the water.

probably manageable

more

more

linoleum

or

oilcloth

version of the on

were

same treatment

is to have

the bedroom floor instead of carpet 163

Everjdqy

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

bedside mat). Getting out of a warm bed on to the cold might do what is required. When sleep-walking occurs, every effort must be made to tone up the general health and precautions taken to prevent the victim coming to harm. Probably care on these lines will work a complete cure, though the trouble may return if any shock is experienced or great nerve strain is undergone. Dual personality is best treated by the method given in the following greatly condensed extract from a medical work:

(and

no

floor

‘Dualpersonality is

a term

used when the

different times appears to be in the disposition and character. .

same

possession .

individual at

of

entirely

different

The condition may be or disturbances of sight

.

slight and show itself in day-dreaming, hearing. In serious cases it leads to a complete change of personality. In some cases this dual personality may be revealed by somnambulism. A young girl who had nursed her dying mother began to fall into somnambulistic attacks after the funeral or

and acted all the events which had occurred at her mother’s death without over

omitting

the least detail.

the lost memories of the normal

and the events of the dissociated state

.

.

.

When the attack is

personality are restored are forgotten. Thus, the

young girl referred to, forgot during her normal state all the events connected with her mother’s death. She was callous and all her filial love seemed to have

quite vanished.’ authority adds that the cases of lost memory so often reported in the newspapers are of this character. There exists a form of mental exhaustion which particularly attacks those who are possessed of what is known as the artistic temperament, and which is frequently found in sleepThe

same

walkers. Authors, artists, poets, actors, and musicians are the chief sufferers and the result may be a complete breakdown.

Often the condition is inherited. Children with artistic parents may suffer though they are not particularly gifted themselves. Change of scene and companionship and mental rest are essential. Those who where the

can

afford it should go to special nursing homes is of use, though it may be irksome. One 164

discipline

Sleep-walking home to my

knowledge is devoted to a treatment to expected to submit themselves for at patients months. least three During that time they are not allowed to receive a single visitor, they must not write or be given a letter, such

nursing

which all

are

newspaper, or listen to the wireless. When I heard of that treatment I thought that way madness lies. Think of the strain see a

of being

entirely cut

off from all news, from all you

war-riven world. But I knew well,

came

love, in the

wrong. The patient, whose back to the world completely cured. was

case I

Slimming Quite apart from the fashion—now fortunately passing

out

of favour—which induced many women to take drastic measures

give them the silhouette of a hop pole, there cases of large obesity which cause discomfort, to it and are a sign of ill health. To sufferers probably put mildly, of this type some form of slimming may be described as a necessity. Exactly when obesity begins is not easy to determine. It is all very well to study the rules printed on weighing machines or in some medical works, telling us that a man of such-and-such a should so much and a woman so much, height weigh according to her height also. But the proportions vary with individuals and it often happens that people who are over or under the stated weights are in perfect health. Age also is an important factor. After middle life an increase in weight is natural but it should be gradual. Any sudden increase—or decrease—means a doctor must be consulted without delay, whatever the age of whose result would

number of

are a

the

patient.

Often rage for

heredity is at the root of the trouble. I believe when the slimming swept through the country during the last

century, Punch gave advice which was considered a classic. ‘How can I avoid becoming too stout?’ he was asked in effect. ‘Don’thave a fat father or

mother,’ was his reply. 165

Everydqy Ailments and Yet

stoutness is no

inconvenience it

subject

Commonsense Cures

for

jesting.

The discomfort and

may verge on tragedy. Nor should it be The diet must be watched but it cannot be too causes

neglected. strongly stressed that very very seldom do the Quite the

is the

sufferers overeat.

often than not,

gourmands extremely thin. They overeat because the foods with which they overload their digestive organs give them no nourishment. Those who show sign of their weight increasing beyond the normal should avoid fats and starchy foods, should take no reverse

case. More

are

sugar in any form (saccharine will do no harm), and drink as little liquid as possible. Beyond that, unless under the the orders of a doctor, the general rules of health must be followed. Probably the safest slimming preparation is bladderwrack, which solid

can

or

be obtained in the form of

pills

or extracts

fluid. The herb has been dealt with under

either

separate heading. It is particularly valuable when the obesity arises from a

a

rheumatic

tendency. obesity arises must be sought.

Often advice

from disease of the

help is occasionally.

No other

glands.

Medical

of any use. Extreme Did not the papers

of this type are seen years ago fill their columns with accounts of the Fat Boy of Peckham, whose proportions were gigantic? And I knew a schoolboy, entering his teens, whose height was six feet two and

cases

some

weight

fourteen stone. Both these

were

typical ‘gland cases’

apparently. Recently I read the following rules laid down by a

doctor for

reducing the weight: ‘Sugarin every form must be omitted altogether. All fat must be excluded but lean meat or non-oily fish may be eaten once a day. Potatoes, root vegetables, peas, beans, and starchy food, such as rice, etc., are better done without, but may be allowed in very small quantities. All green vegetabies, fruit, stale bread, and dry biscuits, may be eaten ad jib. Water may be taken freely. The popular idea that drinking water will increase the weight is wrong.’ My mention of the slimming craze of the last century brings me to William Banting, the man who started it, and the story 166

Slimming of his remarkable ‘cure’.Though it may not be follow his rules

possible to gathered

at least useful hints may be

exactly,

from them. In 1863

a

book

was

published entitled A Letter on Corpulence by William Banting, and it at once leapt

Addressed to the Public into

being what we

should call

a

best-seller. Indeed it did

more

rage for slimming which caught those of and introduced a new verb ‘to bant’ and condition every age to our language. It appears Mr. Banting was an undertaker than that. It started

a

carrying on business in Saint James’ Street, London, a tubby fussy little man, barely five feet in height. According to the ‘weighingmachine’rules, he should have been something under ten stone, yet when he was sixty-six he weighed ‘well over fourteen stone’. His ‘Letter’becomes quite pathetic: ‘Fewmen have led

a more

active life,’ he tells his readers. ‘So that my

and

subsequent obesity were not through neglect corpulence of necessary bodily activity nor from excessive eating, drinking or I could not stoop to self-indulgence of any kind. tie my shoe; I have been compelled to go downstairs backwards to save the jar of increased weight on the knee and ankle joints, and been obliged to puff and blow at every slight .

.

.

exertion.’ At last he consulted

a

doctor who

prescribed

no

drugs

but

put him on strict diet. At once he began to improve. From which it would seem the cure ought to have been credited to the doctor rather than the

patient.

The

following

was

the diet

prescribed: ‘Breakfast (between eight and nine o’clock): six ounces of lean meat, either beef, mutton, or kidneys. Or an equal amount of lean bacon. Or some fish. A biscuit or slice of dry bread or

dry

toast.

Cup

of tea

‘Dinner (between

or

one

coffee without sugar. and two): six ounces of any lean meat

except pork or veal. Or fish, except eels, salmon, or herrings; or six ounces of poultry or game. Any vegetable except parsnips,

turnips, piece

or carrots.

Stewed fruit unsweetened. A

of toast. Two or three

glasses 167

of

sherry

or

dry

rusk

madeira.

or

Everj’daj Ailments and ‘Tea (between five and six): sugar. A little stewed fruit and

Commonsense Cures cup of tea without milk rusk.

a a

or

‘Supper (between ten and eleven): the same as dinner excepting that only half the quantity of everything was allowed.” At first sightthis diet chart may appear generous, butonlysmall portions of most foods, and particularly of bread, were allowed and the liquid was rationed very strictly. Within little more than a year (between the 6th of August 1862 and the 12th of September 1863) he lost more than three stone in weight and reduced his waist measurement by twelve and a half inches. So far from suffering by this drastic reduction he assured ‘the Public’ he was so completely restored to health that he could walk up and down stairs like an ordinary man, could tie his shoelaces and dispense with the ‘knee bandages’ he had been obliged to wear He added: ‘Numerous reports sent by for twenty years. strangers as well as friends show the system is a great success.’ He lived for fifteen years after the publication of his book, dying in 1878 at the age of eighty-one. Soon after his name became famous he gave up

dieting,

but at

long

intervals

returned to it if he found any sign of increasing weight. the increase was easily checked and he was able to

Always resume

normal diet. Since then many systems have been introduced, some on the same lines, some at variance, all apparently proving

successful in individual that be

no

cases.

Medical men, however, agree or the way of living should

sudden alteration in the food

adopted excepting under

skilled advice.

Slipcry

Elm

of a tree, sometimes called the

elm, which flourishes throughout North Africa. Traditionally, its virtues were discovered by the earliest British settlers in Canada. The

ground bark

moose

for the bitter winter, many of these poor adventurers were faced with starvation, dragging out existence

Tragically unprepared as best

they could on such leaves

and berries

168

as

remained in the

Slippery

Elm

snow-bound forests. A large proportion died, yet presently it was

observed that

gained

in

weight

a

little band had not

and health.

Inquiries

only

survived but had

showed that these few

had learned from the Indians the virtues of the elm bark, and had subsisted right through the winter on a gruel prepared from

it. In his Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs, the author, R. C. Wren, F.L.S., has the following notes: ‘Slippery elm is one of the most valuable articles in the botanic practice. The finely an excellent gruel or food and may be of weakness, inflammation of the stomach, bronchitis, bleeding of the lungs, consumption, etc. It has a wonderfully soothing and healing action on all parts it comes in

powdered

bark makes

used in all

cases

contact with, and in addition possesses as much nutrition as is contained in oatmeal—a very wholesome and sustaining food The coarse for infants. powder forms the finest poultice to be

surfaces, ulcers, wounds, burns, boils, prurient ophthalmia, chilblains, etc. It soothes the parts, disperses inflammation, draws out impurities and heals speedily. obtained

for

all inflamed

Inflammation of the bowels of infants and adults has been cured when all other remedies have failed, by the injection into the bowels of one ounce of the powdered bark to a pint of

boiling water, used when warm.’ The following are recipes for its use: For adults: mix a level tablespoonful of the food with three tablespoonfuls of cold water to a smooth paste. Take haifa pint of boiling milk, or milk and water, or water, and add a quarter paste, stirring fast. When the mixture has the consistency of cream add the rest of the milk or water, stirring all the time. Sugar and flavouring, such as cloves, etc., may be boiled with the milk or water.

to the

infants under

month: Mix

teaspoonful with three tablespoonfuls of cold water to smooth paste. Bring to the boil half a pint of milk and water in the proportion of one part milk to three parts water. Pour a quarter over the paste, stirring For

one

a

a

fast. When all is smooth add the rest of the milk and water, 169

Everjdqy still stirring. Up

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

gradually increase the proportion Up to nine months increase until it is two teaspoonfuls in half a equal parts. Over nine months the

to four months

of milk till it is half and half.

proportion of the food pint of milk and water in the

child should be able to take the food

prepared with milk alone.

Sloes The wild plum of the blackthorn bush is used largely by country folk as an ordinary ingredient of fruit pies and puddings, though only when fully ripe. Until after the first frosts

the sloe is

hard and

so

Its medicinal

sour as to

uses are

many in

be almost uneatable.

practically

every stage of its

growth. The blossoms, gathered in the early spring (the flowers are before the leaves appear), make a gentle laxative draught.

over

Well wash

handful of the flowers, cut them from the stalks, saucepan with half a pint of water. Bring to the

a

and put into

a

boil and simmer for ten minutes. Allow to

A teacupful

get cold, when strain.

fasting in the morning. The infusion may be warmed with advantage and taken instead of an early cup of tea. The old recipe adds: ‘Repeatfor two other mornings, then wait four days and repeat.’ It is claimed the most obstinate cases of constipation will be relieved by this treatment. An astringent can be prepared from the unripe fruit. Put the fruit into a jar with not more than a tablespoonful of water and cover with a saucer. Stand the jar in a saucepan of boiling water and keep the water boiling for six hours, adding more as it wastes. Squeeze the sloes thoroughly, the juice should be quite thick and if put into a jar and closely tied down it is claimed it will keep good for a year. A tablespoonful is an old remedy for to be taken

diarrhoea.

Traditionally, the juice of the ripe berries that have been gently stewed is an excellent mouth-wash, cleansing and hardening the gums. 170

Sloes If a pen is plunged into a ripe sloe, an excellent will be ready for use. No heating is required. The

use

of the leaves

Sloe syrup is

as a tea

marking-ink

substitute is dealt with elsewhere.

valuable cordial. The

recipe hardly suits times prohibitive price, but if a small quantity obtainable it is well worth trying. Gather the sloes on a dry day, wipe them clean and put into a jar, pricking each four or five times with a large darningneedle. Fill the jar three-quarters full with the sloes and complete with a layer of loaf sugar. Add a teaspoonful of gin, brandy, or other spirit to a two-pound jar and close down. By Christmas a rich red syrup will have formed and be ready for a

when

spirits are at of gin or brandy is

a

use.

Strawberries with a large number of herbs, in its wild state has stronger medicinal properties than when cultivated. The cultivated strawberry is a gentle laxative and is

As is the

the

case

strawberry

recommended to sufferers from biliousness, jaundice, and gout. a sickroom where the patient is suffering from fever or a

In

catarrhal sore throat, strawberries are particularly welcome. A ripe strawberry applied to the face at night and the juice

left to

dry on, has the reputation smoothing away lines and wrinkles.

of

removing

From the wild berry, chemists prepare

a

freckles and

tincture which is

highly recommended for use in erysipelas, nettlerash, and allied diseases of the skin, and it may be concluded that eating the fresh cultivated fruit will have similar effects. The root of the

plant has very strong astringent qualities. An old country tradition declares that if a piece no more than an inch long is

wild

bleeding of the nose will stop. An infusion of the leaves of the cultivated strawberry in the

held in the mouth

usual

ounce of the leaves to a proportions—an pint of boiling gargle and mouth-wash, cleansing

an excellent water—makes

171

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

Everjdqy

the mouth, healing

soreness of

the throat, and

gums. In Walton’s Compleat Angler, Dr. Boteler is

‘Doubtless God but doubtless he

Almighty never

hardening

the

quoted as saying: a better berry,

could have made

did’!

Sulphur Sufferers from minor skin troubles, such as small pimples and blackheads, should take a teaspoonful of flowers of sulphur in a wineglassful of milk in the morning, fasting, for a week,

refrain for a week, and then repeat. Dusting the inside of socks or

stockings

with

sulphur

is

a

remedy

for

lumbago.

See Brimstone

and Treacle.

Sunflower

Cordial

Put two ounces of sunflower seeds into

quart of cold water and

a

saucepan with

a

ginger. Simmer till reduced to a pint and a half. Add sugar or honey to taste. When cold, strain. The original recipe says a tablespoonful of whisky should be added, but that can be omitted. Without it the cordial should be freshly made every two or three days. An excellent decoction to relieve bronchitis or a hacking cough. Sunflowers growing close to a house are believed to prevent damp walls. an inch or so of whole

Tinned Food When fresh fruit is difficult to obtain, there is the canned to fall back upon, and the bottled, as well as the dried,

variety

and various forms of jam which is fruit in another form. As for

the cannned

variety, there is one point that should not be forgotten. days when strict supervision is kept over those

In these

172

Tinned Food who prepare and pack our food, there is very little fear of any tin containing injurious matter. At the same time the slender

possibility does exist, so it is well to be prepared. Before they are opened, all tins should be examined to make sure there is no sign of a bulge. Indentations do not matter. They are caused by pressure or blows from the outside, but a bulge shows gas has generated within and, roughly speaking, is pushing the tin outwards. Such tins must go for salvage. Under no possible conditions should their contents be eaten. Also, it is an old rule that directly a tin has been opened its contents must be emptied into a glass or earthenware vessel. Only the other day I saw an article deriding such a practice as superstition. ‘What can there be dangerous in tin?’ the writer asked. Not being an analytical chemist, I am not prepared to reply, but agree it is possible a modification in the manufacture of the tins may have brought about an alteration. Still, it is certain that a few years ago the newspapers contained frequent reports of fatal cases of ptomaine poisoning caused by eating fish, or meat, or fruit that had remained in opened tins throughout the night. As I prefer to play safety, I suggest the old rule is followed and that all tins should be emptied as soon as opened. or tinned, is eaten which has any effects, medical advice should be sought unless the symptoms are very slight indeed. Those symptoms are headache, giddiness, sickness, and perhaps diarrhoea. Often they are accompanied

If any food, whether fresh

ill

by intense lassitude. Any or all of these symptoms may occur directly the poison has been swallowed or may not develop until some hours later. Another result of the poisoning, though it is not present in all cases, is that the victim’s face and hands become bright scarlet. Sometimes the condition is very marked,

giving

the appearance of

a

vividly

red mask and

gloves being

worn.

If

no

doctor is at hand

or

if the condition is not serious, the

very strong dose of purgative medicine, preferably castor oil, and going without food for at least twenty-four hours. During that time the patient must have treatment consists of

taking

a

173

Everjdaj

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

nothing of any kind

to eat or drink

except cold

water and of

every hour should be swallowed. The stomach and bowels will be cleared and the irritant literally

that at the least a

washed away. There is another

pint

danger with tins if their contents have to be danger of explosion. The labels of most

heated and that is the tins

give

directions. In

in the tin before

some cases we are

standing

it

upright

in

a

told to

punch

a

hole

pan of boiling water,

in others no mention of that ventilation is made. It is easy to discover whether it is necessary or not. Shake the can well. If there is any sound or movement within, the hole must be made before heating. On the other hand, if nothing is heard, it is

proof the

contents

are

solid and there is

no

need of the ventilation.

point is that any liquid when heated generates steam, the steam expands and will burst the tin, possibly with dangerous or even fatal results, to those who happen to be near. No steam will be generated if the contents are solid. Certain soups may be ‘set’in firm jellies, however, which will become liquid under the influence of heat, and these must be regarded as fluid all the time. Again playing safety, I suggest when a tin has The

been

opened

over a fire

its contents

are

turned into

a

saucepan and stirred

till heated.

Toothache Toothache may arise from any one of a great number of ills. Yet from the home medicine point of view defective teeth alone need be considered. Even if there is no visible sign of the decay, the mere fact that

toothache has been

experienced is a warning and a visit to a imperative. Unwholesome teeth not only cause pain, they discharge poison into the system which brings about digestive troubles if nothing worse, and are a reason for unpleasant breath. The mouth must be kept clean if the general health is to remain good, and all forms of decay must be guarded against. dentist is

174

STINGING NETTLE Urtica dioica. Nat.

Ord. Urticaceae

Everjdqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Many forms of eye disease, especially cataract, may be directly traced to neglected teeth. few years ago people, in general, seldom took toothache seriously, or showed sympathy for the sufferer. The Yet

even a

swollen face, possibly caused by an agonizing abscess at the root of a tooth, was considered the fit subject for the

sight of a of

pencil

a

comic artist, almost as humorous as the sight of an with his foot in bandages because of the

elderly gentleman

tortures of gout. When anyone complained of toothache the quite general reply was: ‘Fill your mouth with cold water and sit

on

the fire till it boils.’

Even when well-meant advice

was given, it was not much recipe was to get two pennyworth of oil of cloves, soak a fragment of cotton-wool in it, and insert into the cavity of the tooth. Undoubtedly that treatment might ease more

helpful.

A

common

pain for a time, but the relief would be only temporary. Using a strong solution of common salt in warm water is useful

the

and any of the mouth-washes may be used with advantage, particularly that of sage and vinegar. When there is much

swelling, indicating the presence of an abscess, apply a hot fomentation of poppy heads. Any antiseptic mouth-wash will promote cleanliness and so will help even if it does not cure. The fomentation should not be resorted to too

frequently without

medical advice.

Thrush A queer superstition was accepted in Victorian days with regard to the disease known as thrush. It was stated quite gravely that every human being was doomed to suffer from it once in a lifetime, either at birth or death, however long the latter might be delayed. No-one ever escaped and no-one

suffered twice. Hence those who did not suffer at birth

expect

might

to be attacked in their last hours or last moments, since

weird stories were told of the disease

developing with astonish176

Thrush ing suddenness when death had been brought about by accident. Those stories were absurd, of course. Thrush is a fungus that appears in the mouth in the shape of little white sores, in extreme cases it may spread to the intestines. The chief sufferers are new-born babies, though it attacks adults who are exhausted

by prolonged illness, but that does not mean they are going to die. In these days, when all nurses know it is their duty to keep the mouths of their charges, young or old, scrupulously clean, thrush is almost unknown and probably will disappear altogether in the course of a few years. The old remedy was borax and

honey mixed to was

form

a

stiff paste, and of this

a

small quantity

put into the sufferer’s mouth. No doubt its value

consisted

antiseptic qualities of the borax and it may be used and strict cleanliness is at once a prevention but absolute still, and a cure. in the

Thj’me, W/ild Wild

otherwise mother o’

thyme, which possibly extremely valuable ingredient in many preparations. The following is perhaps the best of all remedies for spasmodic coughs, sore throat, shortness of breath, whooping-cough, and catarrh: Into a saucepan putatablespoonful means

thyme,

‘mother’sthyme’, is

an

of whole linseed and simmer for half of wild

an

hour. While it is

thyme pint of the water, draw back from the fire, and pour into a jug where a sliced lemon or equal amount of lemon substitute has been placed.

boiling

add

an ounce

to each

Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey. When cold, strain. Take tablespoonful whenever the cough is troublesome. In an emergency,

a

ordinary lemon thyme preferred.

may be used, but the wild

is much to be

M

177

thyme

Everj’dqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Varicose Veins Many women after childbirth are afflicted with varicose though seldom after the coming of the first child. It is the women with large families who are the martyrs, as a rule, though there are exceptions. Quite young girls may develop the veins as the result of tight lacing, or wearing very high-heeled veins,

shoes. When the veins she

wears a

showing the sufferer must see to it that suspenders instead of garters—supposing

are

belt with

to make anyone is foolish enough to wear those articles—and sure that none of her clothing is restrictive. It is very important there is no constipation. She should sleep with a pifiow under so that they are raised quite high and on waking in the morning should put her hands on either side of the ankle and, pressing closely, should draw them up the entire length of the leg. This must be done slowly at least seven times. Care should be taken not to rub the leg up and down but only in the upward

her feet

direction. Afterwards, if the veins are serious, she should bind crêpe bandage closely and firmly round the entire length of

a

leg, not removing it until night. During the day she should rest for at least two hours, keeping

the

her feet well up on a sofa or another chair. When the veins are very persistent the doctor may effect a cure by injections, or an

operation may be considered advisable.

Vegetable Juices Never has the value of vegetables as food and medicine been appreciated as it is now when one of the lessons learnt from the war is that vegetables are rich in vitamins and that their juices may take the place of fruit and eggs. The juices of beetroot and swedes contain vitamins equal to those of orange juice, hence should be taken freely by sufferers from anaemia, tuberculosis,

178

Vegetable Juices and many other forms of debility. Green vegetables are rich in iron, particularly spinach. Unfortunately, cooking destroys much of the value of all

vegetables, especially

when

a

large quantity

of water is used

and the contents of the saucepan are allowed to boil very fast with the lid off. The old rule in the kitchen—’vegetables that

grow above ground should be boiled with the lid off, vegetables that grow below the ground should be boiled with the lid on’— has been proved all wrong by the modern science of the kitchen. If any vegetable, green or otherwise, must be cooked, use just much water as will keep it from burning, and do not throw

as

that water away when the cooking is over. Either use it as stock for soup or drink a cupful before breakfast in the morning.

constipation and clear the complexion, improve the appearance generally. Directions for extracting beetroot juice have been given under the heading ‘Beetroot’, because that is not only the most palatable of the juices to my way of thinking, but it is perhaps the most valuable and certainly is the most easy to extract. Practically the same method is employed with all vegetables. In a magazine article the other day the writer said that the only really satisfactory method of extracting beetroot or any other juice was to chop the vegetable and pass it through a mangle! I have not tried the experiment. The following are stated to be the vegetables which yield the juices of the greatest medical value: broccoli tops, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, celery, French beans, garlic, kale, leeks, lettuce, onions, spinach, spring

Doing

so

will

help

to relieve

indeed it will

greens, swedes, tomatoes,

turnip tops, and watercress. To these especially the apple

may be added almost any fresh fruit, but and the blackberry and pineapple. It is stressed that in all cases the

of raw

vegetables and to reply that in my experience it is impossible for an ordinary housewife with no special appliances to extract sufficient juice to be of use from most of them. Manufacturing firms with their elaborate machinery are a different proposition, and the tinned purées

fruit alone

are

juices

recommended, and with regret I have

179

Evetydaj sold by

most chemists are excellent. With soft fruits and tomatoes

there is no

with

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

coarse

difficulty. They

can

be mashed in

a

basin lined

muslin, the ends of the latter gathered up, and the

contents wrung as

dry as possible.

in the muslin and the clear juice is For the green vegetables my

them well and put into

an

Seeds and skins

are

retained

expressed.

only workable method is to wash

iron saucepan with

no water

except

what is clinging

to their leaves. Leave over a very low gas for half an hour or so, shaking the pan frequently to make sure the contents are not

burning.

At the end of that time the

should be soffened but not cooked.

They

the muslin-lined basin and strained

as

can

be

vegetables poured into

directed. Quite

a

fair

maybe extracted by this method but how far its medicinal properties are reduced by heat I cannot say. Onions, garlic, and leeks may be chopped small, put into a amount of juice

basin, and sufficient water, which has been boiled and allowed get cold, added. The water should not be sufficient to cover them. Leave for twelve hours, stirring once or twice, then strain. While the vegetables are soaking be careful to keep a

to

plate

or

lid

on

the basin.

Raw swedes should be

chopped finely and treated in the same

manner.

It is

usually

said that these

juices

should be taken diluted in

water, one to two tablespoonfuls of any juice being added to three tablespoonfuls of water. If the juice is prepared in the manner

I have

the process, less.

so

suggested a certain amount of water is added in proportion with which it is served should be

the

The medicinal values of the various juices differ

considerably they are palatable. To my taste, onion juice is horrible, swede juice is drinkable when you get used to it. Beetroot, tomato, and spinach juice are very nice as

does the extent to which

indeed.

180

Vitamins

Vitamins The word ‘vitamin’is modern. It

was

introduced into

our

‘It language in 1912, having for its root the Latin vita—life. represents’, says the Oxford Dictionary, ‘the necessary food factors which occur normally in many foodstuffs and are regarded as essential to normal growth.’ When first the existence of these factors was discovered—as long ago as 1881—a Cambridge professor named them ‘accessoryfood substances’. Certainly ‘vitamins’is more convenient. Vitamin A is found in the leaves of green vegetables, in some root vegetables, and in the fats of animals that are vegetable feeders. With these animals, and with fish, the vitamins they extract from their foods are stored chiefly in the liver. Hence the raw liver treatment for pernicious anaemia and the value of the oils extracted from the livers of the cod and the halibut.

vegetable feeders, they live on small fish, but they fry that eats marine growths and thus obtain the vitamin. Lacking sufficient Vitamin A, children lose weight, they are subject to infection—’the sort that catch are everything that’s going’, as nurses say—and subject to These fish

are

not

in turn devour the

various forms of eye trouble, including to some authorities, cataract is caused

being made good. Night-blindness,

efforts

are

inflammation. Accord-

by

this

deficiency,

and

to discover how the lack may be made an inability to distinguish objects in the

dusk, is attributable to the trained for night flying are

defect. I believe

pilots being given a diet particularly rich in this vitamin. The following foods, in addition to liver, contain it: The fat of beef and mutton, dripping, spinach, carrots, cabbages, peas, beans, herrings, and margarine. Pork or bacon fat does not contain this vitamin unless the pig has been given a large proportion of green stuff in its food. Cod-liver oil or halibut-liver oil is rich in it and should be taken in frequent doses. Vegetable oils, such as almond, olive, and cottonseed, do same

not contain the vitamin. 181

Everjdqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

Vitamin B strengthens the digestion and helps the

nervous

hysterical disorders are due to a lack of this vitamin. It is found chiefly in fish roes, yolk of eggs, wheatmeal, oatmeal, green vegetables, peas, beans, lentils, and, to an extent, in unpolished rice. There is a quite erroneous idea afloat that the whiter the rice the better it is. During the last century a scientist visiting Java discovered the inmates of a native prison suffering from a form of paralysis and that the fowl kept about the place were ill also. Inquiries showed only system

to function.

white rice

was

Probably

given

most

scientist

rice and

were

fed

on

the

saw a

grain.

The

brown,

unpolished

same

began giving the fowl marked improvement at

He

experimented.

their chief

was prisoners—rice

to the

the fowl article of food—and

once. After

prisoners with the result complaint was conquered. Vitamin C exists in those drugs and articles of food which are known as antiscorbutics because they clear the blood of the taint of scrofula and other impurities. Scurvy is caused almost entirely by the absence of this vitamin, which also protects against infection. Milk, though so valuable in other respects, contains very little, which is why babies are given fruit or tomato juice. Dried fruits contain none, nor does cabbage when

that the same rice was served to the

that in

a

little while the

it has been overcooked

water. Best

green

sources

or root

of

or

when soda has been added to the

supply are

fruit of

practically

any kind,

vegetables either raw or steamed, and potatoes. In

herbal practice the herb brooklime,

or water

pimpernel, and the

scurvy grass are strongly recommended. Sufferers from sores, pimples, and other signs of blood impurities should prepare an

infusion of either herb (brooklime in proportion of an ounce to a pint of boiling water, scurvy grass in the proportion of two ounces to a

pint)

and take in

wineglassful

doses four times

a

day. Vitamin D forms bone and

gives strength generally.

It is

found in fish oils and animal fats. In their booklet, Food Facts, the Ministry of Food states that half a pound of carrots and four ounces of cabbage

by eating

182

Vitamins (presumably raw) daily we obtain our necessary supply of Vitamin A. Four

ounces

of oatmeal and four of wheatmeal bread

day’s ration of Vitamin B. Half a pound of potatoes and one ounce of properly cooked cabbage supply our Vitamin C. Regular doses of fish oil, taken according to the directions on

give

the

a

bottles, will give the necessary Vitamin D.

W’alnuts The medicinal value of walnuts is very high. As is the case with so many of our customs in eating, the fashion of taking

heavy meal was founded on medical digestion and rightly or wrongly remove the heady effects the wine might

walnuts and wine after

a

facts. The walnuts aided the were

supposed

possess. Now

to

our

modern dietitians tell

us

that useful

ordinary ripe walnut may be, it is the green, which possesses the most useful qualities.

unripe

as

the

walnut

Ministry of Food says that unripe walnuts ‘containVitamin large quantities. An ounce of orange contains twelve milligrams of the vitamin, but an ounce of unripe walnut contains the astonishing amount of from two hundred and sixty to two hundred and eighty milligrams.’ Remembering the great value of orange juice, higher praise than that can hardly be given. The vitamin content is at its highest just when the peel is first forming. It is not always easy to obtain the fruit at this stage—unless you have an obliging The

C in

friend who possesses a walnut tree—but a fruiterer can procure a in most cases if him fair notice. supply you give And we are told—by a the Food Ministry—that single walnut

willsupplyfivefulldays’requirementsofVitaminCforoneperson who may thus hope to keep influenza and many other ills at bay. A strong decoction of the unripe fruit—half a dozen walnuts in

a

left pint of water simmered till reduced to half a pint—then

to become

tepid,

is used in

some

to remove worms. 183

country districts

as an

injection

Everjdaj Vinegar in should

a

Ailments and Commonsense Cures

bottle which has contained

pickled

walnuts

be thrown away. Keep well corked, and when necessary, add to a tablespoonful an equal quantity of hot water and use as a gargle. Invaluable in cases of hoarseness, loss never

of voice, and soreness of the throat. Green walnuts boiled in syrup and stored in jars cure

for costiveness. One

or two

are an

excellent

should be taken at

night

required.

as

A medicinal

spirit

is distilled from

upripe walnuts,

which is

sale from most chemists. It is said to relieve almost any form of sickness but particularly the ‘morning sickness’ which may on

accompany pregnancy. An infusion of walnut leaves mixed with

the dried bark is recommended in a

an equal quantity of wineglassful doses four times

the latter it is shingles or eczema—for proportion should be an ounce of the mixed leaves and bark to a pint of boiling water. The same infusion may be used to bathe skin eruptions. A remedy for ulcers and other sores is half a pint of water brought to the boil and while boiling poured over an ounce of

day

to sufferers from

almost

a

specific.

The

walnut leaves and then two

ounces of sugar added. Stir till the sugar is dissolved. Lint soaked in this should be laid on the sore. The walnuts become black when boiled, but they will not be

any the

worse

for that.

JJ7arts Warts should

never

be cut

or

bruised

or

serious injured—very

trouble may follow. If simple home treatment does not succeed, a chemist will touch the wart with acid. Or a doctor must be

consulted should the wart be obstinate. If the wart is rubbed

lightly

of the shell of

fluffy lining black and disappear. Even better is the juice

a

of

but

persistently

broad bean, it will a

with the white

gradually

turn

dandelion. Gather either the leaf 184

Warts the flower and squeeze the broken stem. A drop of milky Touch the wart with that and leave to dry on.

or

juice will appear. Repeat

four

five times. The wart will become black and

or

disappear, leaving the clear skin where it has been. Unfortunately, this remedy is only effectual during the late spring and while the herb is flowering. Later in the summer—practically year the juice becomes scanty and loses its acrid quality. The peel of a fresh pineapple laid on a wart the inner side downwards often will work attributed to the

peel

of

succeeds. The dandelion

a

a cure.

very

I have heard the same power apple, but cannot say if it

sour

I can

remedy

praise

from

experience.

W’atercress Most

of

people

know watercress

as one

of the most wholesome

by

salad herbs and agree it should be eaten freely, especially those who suffer from impurities of the blood or who wish

to

improve

our

the

complexion.

Its

use

in medicine does not end

there, however. As a remedy for headache, wash a handful of cress and put into a jug. Add a pint of boiling vinegar, allow to get cold, then stir, strain, and bottle for use. When the headache occurs, wet a handkerchief with the vinegar and lay it on the forehead. It will

be found far

more

efficacious than menthol

or

eau-de-Cologne.

An old cure for eczema consisted of an infusion of watercress.

large handful, put into a saucepan and add enough cold cover the cress. Bring to the boil and simmer slowly tender. Strain quite through muslin, squeezing well, and

Wash a

water to till

allow to get cold. The part should be bathed with this infusion frequently. Use a piece of soft linen or lint for the purpose and burn immediately, taking another piece for the next application. The

infusion is excellent for

roughness of the skin, to the weather. by exposure Unless watercress has been grown in pure water it may be a source of danger. That which comes from watercress farms is same

caused

185

Everjdaj Ailments and above suspicion, but it is

Commonsense Cures

not wise for hikers and others to eat

the wild watercress which is to be found in ditches and streams that

possibly have been contaminated by drainage

or

fouled

by

cattle.

W’7hitc Oils A standard embrocation for rheumatism used in thatched cottages in the days of our ancestors. Wash a new-laid egg and put it into a

pint

with

a

of turpentine and double the

basin with of

a

quarter of

vinegar.

Cover

plate and leave for a week, by which time the egg should

have disappeared. The shell, a

a

quantity

fork for three

or

at

least, will have gone. Beat with

four minutes. Then add

household ammonia and

a

a dessertspoonful of piece of camphor the size of a hazelnut.

This last should have been crushed. Pour all into a bottle, which cork lightly—if the cork is driven in the bottle may burst. Shake every day till the camphor is dissolved, when the embrocation is ready for use. has been

It one

must be as

suggested

that

that is new-laid. If the

a

dried egg may take the place of is tried, an empty eggshell

experiment

put into the basin with the vinegar and turpentine,

the lime and other constituents of the shell are of importance.

W7hooping-cough Whooping-cough, which is terribly infectious and may reach epidemic proportions if there is no attempt at isolating the victims, is one of the most distressing of childish ailments. Not that no adult can suffer from it. When the cough does develop a grown-up, it may be very serious indeed, though the old am not sure whether there is superstition—I any real foundation one attack for it—that gives immunity for the rest of the

in

life, may be true. If that is so, there is little

since

danger to be feared,

most of us have suffered in childhood. 186

Whooping-cough The great trouble is that the complaint may start as an ordinary cough and a whole fortnight pass before the unmistakable

‘whoop’develops. of incubation the child is

Yet

during practically all

a source

of infection. The

that time

use

of disinfectant

frequent sucking of antiseptic lozenges is necessary, not only for the coughing child but for everyone else who is brought into contact with it. Older generations believed that whooping-cough was entirely a disease of the nerves which could be ‘frightened out’ of the sufferer, and through the country traditions linger of brutalities practised with that idea. In Devon and Cornwall the child was dragged from its bed in the middle of the night to be carried through the darkness to some spot where a ‘rivenash’tree grew an ash that had been torn asunder —i.e. by lightning, therefore on

it

the handkerchief and the

the witches’ haunt,

was

a

As midnight struck the little

spot where all evil spirits gathered. one was

passed nine times through

the tree, or rather between the jagged opening in its shattered trunk, doubtless amid a tangle of briars and nettles. Add to this

possible hauntings of which whispers. It is not difficult to imagine

the terror of the dark and of the

the child must have heard

cruelty of such treatment. Passing the child nine times comparatively harmless idiocy, the

under

which

a

piebald

was

very

she-ass

was

popular

in

Dorset. In the Midlands the

A

mouse was

cruelty was

mental rather than

physical.

killed, skinned, and roasted, then given

to the

child for supper with the information that because he had been

good boy he was having a roasted sparrow by way of a When the meal had been eaten the tone changed. He was

such a treat.

told: ‘You dirty

boy, you’ve eaten

were

to taunt him. Whether his

was

encouraged

cured

or not

child to believe

it must have been

anything

a mouse!’ Other children

tragically

whooping-cough difficult for that

else his mother told him.

A dramatic story is told of a Yorkshire cure, practised at Lythe Head, the gigantic cliff which towers over the little town

of Sandsend,

nestling

at its foot. The

187

steeple

of

Lythe church,

Everj’dqy Ailments and

Commonsense Cures

crowning the height, is almost as important a landmark to ships

light on Flamborough Head away to the south. days the Lythe cure is impossible, but in my own childhood I have heard it spoken of by old people as if it had been accepted when they were young. Deep in the heart of the head a cavern of terrific length existed, a dark and grisly tunnel at the best, doubly terrible at sea as the

In these

because it

was

the home of Hob the Goblin, who must have south-country Jack o’ Lantern. Hob issued

been related to the from his

many a darksome night to seek the moors, dancing lantern led unwary travellers astray. Little trace of his long and gruesome cavern remains. Throughout the greater part of the seventeenth and all the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the ‘alum men’ cut and scraped away the face of the headland to burn the earth at the headland’s foot. Visitors to Whitby or Sandsend in pre-war days remember the remains of the old alum works. Thus the cave became gradually lessened in depth, though in much cavern on

where his

reduced form it could be traced until recent times, if indeed it quite obliterated now. The story of the ‘cure’goes

has been

back to the

days

when the full

length

of the black tunnel

remained, leading into the heart of the cliff. If a child developed obstinate ‘chin cough’ (which is Yorkshire for whooping-

cough) the mother took it in her arms at dead of night to grope through the eerie blackness of the cave, over slippery stones, among dank and clinging weeds where obscene creatures of the deep might lurk, till she reached the extreme end. There she waited and called aloud, her voice flung back by a hundred distorting echoes. and stumble

‘Hob, Hob, him.’

ma bairn’s

gotten chin cough. Cure him, Hob,

cure

till the last of the echoes died, She stayed waiting—waiting waiting in fear of unknown horrors. Complete stillness was taken as a good omen, evidently Hob’s silence was of the type that meant consent. Whatever his other wickednesses, he must have had some good points, an appreciation of a woman’s 188

Whooping-cough courage amongst them. If the mother made her way in the open air

again

she

was

safety to

convinced her child would be

completely

cured. So it may have been, but the

disappearance of the

guarantee that the child did

not become an idiot

cough was

no

after the ordeal. Our modern treatment is less drastic. The child must not

children, he must be kept warm and away does not mean he must not have fresh draughts—which air—his diet must be light and medicine must ensure that his associate with other

from

bowels or

are

open. Massaging back and chest with cod-liver oil

the Four Oils will

Thyme.

help.

For medicines, see Red Clover and

When he is convalescent

give

a course

of cod-liver or

halibut-liver oil.

W’intergreen A shrub which grows wild in Northern America and is berry because it was used as a tea substitute

called the tea

during the

American Civil War. A combination of wintergreen

chemist, is successful in relieving rheumatic pains when other remedies have failed. Or small doses of the herb in gelatine capsules are taken internally. and menthol to be

bought

from

a

W’itch Ha