The century cook book

Cholera Infantum, popularly known as "summer complaint" is very destructive to children during the hot weather. The period of dentition is particularly liable to this disorder ; it seldom occurs after two or three years of age. In the early stage, these powders will be found quite useful: Take of calomel, two grains; bicarbonate of sodium, one scruple; powder of ginger, twelve grains; mix, and divide into twelve powders, and give one three or four times a day. Or take of mercury with chalk and powder of cinnamon each twelve grains; mix, and divide into twelve powders. Give one three times a day. To check diarrhoea, give this: Take of tincture of krameria, paregoric, each a fluid drachm; sugar and gum arable, each Yz drachm; cinnamon water enough to make two fluid ounces; mix, and give a teaspoonful every two, three or four hours. The food should be limewater and fresh milk, arrowroot, farina, chicken water, and beef tea. So long as vomiting continues, keep over the stomach a spice poultice wet with brandy. Ice may be given to quench thirst. The Family Doctor 301 Chronic Rheumatism is most common in those advanced in age, although any one may have this affection. It is a sort of slow inflammation of the fibrous tissues, investing the joints and muscles, following exposure to cold and wet. The thighs especially exposed to the rain during a stormy ride are the common seats of chronic rheumatic pains. If the pains are restricted to the collar-bone, humerus, and the shin, they suggest the probability of a syphilitic factor. One thing pretty certain in cases of chronic rheumatism is that they are almost invariably accompanied by an inactive condition of the skin. Consequently, a distinct part in the treatment is to make use of those remedies which act on the skin, and known in medical term as diaphoretics. Guaiac is perhaps the most typical of these. Muriate of ammonia is another They form an excellent combination in the rheumatism of young men and women: Take of muriate of ammonia, two drachms; guaiacum mixture, eight ounces; mix, and take a tablespoonful three or four times a day. Whenever there is a history of exposure in elderly persons, especially associated with florid complexion, the following prescription forms a capital remedy: Take of bicarbonate of potash, two and one-half drachms; iodide of potassium, four scruples; guaiacum mixture, eight ounces. Mix, and take a tablespoonful three or four times a day. At the same time, the skin must be kept warm and covered with flannel. Warm drinks are always indicated, and should largely take the place of solid food. Another prescription which is often useful is the following: Take of nitrate of potassium, an ounce and one-half; sulphur an ounce; guaiacum half an ounce; add two nutmegs, and a half pint of molasses; mix. Take a teaspoonful or two at night. In addition to the general measures, it is customary to use local applications; they generally do more good than medicine. They consist of hot irons, plasters and liniments. Take of oil of sassafras two fluid drachms; water of ammonia, a tablespoonful; camph- 302 The Family Doctor orated soap liniment, three fluid ounces; mix, use as liniment. Should the pain be considerable, chloroform or aconite liniment may be applied. Blisters are sometimes advisable in bad cases.