FoodNet

The complete Indian housekeeper & cook

1898

Page 116

Presented as published in 1898. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
If the child be over four, a grain of calomel may be added to the Gregory’s Powder Avith advantage. Diet must be light and fluid so as to encourage perspiration. Tamarind water (/«^/^), made from tamarinds obtained from the bazaar, is very agreeable, and has laxative properties. After free perspiration has taken place, and in the absence of fever, quinine in hydrobromic acid should be given three times a day. The hydrobromic acid jjrevents tightness and other head symptoms. Convulsions very often accompany fever, or sometimes tAvitchings ; if the latter are taken in time, convulsions may be Avarded off. In such cases nothing is better than a hot bath, cold applications to the head, and i68 The Complete Indian a dose of Gregory’s Powder. The diet must be light and nourishing. Barley or oatmeal water, or rice Avater cooled with milk, are all good drinks. Croup is a very alarming illness, but it should be remem- bered that if taken at once it is seldom fatal. It is when the doctor is sent for too late that it has got beyond him, liaving reached the lungs. A mother should always keep a small bottle of best fresh ipecacuanha wine by her. Give a dose of two teaspoonfuls every five minutes till free vomiting sets in. Repeat the emetic if necessary every hour, finishing oflT Avith small doses. This is for a child of three years old. Less in proportion must be given to a younger child. A hot sponge or a mustard leaf may be applied to the throat, and a hot bath given if necessary. But this is a risk in a tent or draughty cold room. Rubbing back and chest Avell before a fire Avith hot mustard oil till the skin is red is a good substitute for the hot bath. In sore throats, the throat should be touched inside Avith solution of concentrated alum, 3 drachms to 1 oz. of Avater, or nitrate of silver solution, strength 10 grs. to 1 oz. distilled Avater. Gargles for children of hot milk, milk and alum, or alum 1 drachm to 8 oz. Avater, should be used if possible. If not, try compressed tablets of chlorate of potash and borax, Avhich can be placed in the child’s mouth, or the mouth and throat can be cleansed by a poAvder of chlorate of jjotash placed on the tongue. Mustard leaves protected by muslin, linseed poultices, Avith or Avithout mustard sprinkled on them, are all beneficial. Coughs and colds should be attended to at once. Give the cough mixture recommended three times a daj', rub back and chest at night Avith hot mustard oil, give small pieces of ipecacuanha lozenges at night to suck, and linseed and black currant tea, hot, going to bed. Bronchitis needs a doctor, as it is very fatal to young children. It needs great care and Avatching, as the child’s strength must be kept up to battle Avith the disease. I he author’s own experience j)oints gratefully to Brand’s Essence of Beef. Food in some form, e.g. cream, chicken broth, raAV-meat juice. Brand’s Essence, or even stimulants Avhen ordered, must be given every half-hour, and, as before stated, it is ahvays advisable to keep paper and pencil to mark doAvn Housekeeper and Cook 169