Teeth, Hints on the Care of, etc. — The tooth-brush, which
should be used night and morning, should be small, and have
its not too stiff bristles arranged in separate bundles (in order
that they may pass readily between the teeth and into the natural
depressions). The outer and inner surface of both front and back
teeth should be brushed. The direction of the brushing should
be from the gums; that is, downwards for the upper teeth, and
upwards for the lower. This mode of cleaning the teeth is the best
preventive against decay, which causes toothache, and also against
the accumulation of tartar, which makes the breath foul, and in course
of time causes the teeth to loosen and fall out. If you use any tooth-
powder, you cannot go far wrong in employing camphorated chalk,
to be bought at any chemist's. Some prefer powdered chalk mixed
with castile soap. A teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda and a table-
spoonful of Eau-de-Cologne, to a quart of water, make an excel-
lent preservative rinse for the mouth and teeth at night, and after
the taking of acid medicine. If the gums need hardening use a little
borax dissolved in water.
Whooping-Cough. — Not much can be done by unprofessional per-
sons in the way of cutting short an attack of this complaint; but the
following general directions may be useful. Keep the patient in-
doors, and feed, or rather nourish well ; attend to his general health
by keeping the room warm and well ventilated, but with no cold
draughts. Keep the bowels regular, and give a drop or two drops
of tincture of belladonna in a little water every now and then. Some
much recommend a little alum dissolved in water, or a little alum to
THE PHYSICIAN IN THE HOME. 1 89
suck, or cochineal ; but the belladonna is preferable. As whooping-
cough may cause fits and other dangerous consequences, if possible,
always call in a doctor.
Bronchitis. — In case you can get no proper doctor, apply linseed-
meal poultices to the throat and chest, keeping one on, constantly
warm, and changing it when it begins to lose its heat. Maintain
also a warjn, damp atmosphere in the room; and if you have no
proper steaming apparatus, then let " Polly put the kettle on " the
fire, let it boil, and send its steam out into the room for the patient
to inhale. You may, too, from time to time, bring the boiling
kettle near the patient, and let him inhale some of the steam from its
spout; only dont bring it too near him. In case of giving medicine,
you cannot go very wrong in the following prescription, if no medi-
cal man can be had to give a better one : — Ipecac, wine, ten or fifteen
drops in three teaspoonfuls of spirits of Mindererus, that is, in the
solution of acetate of ammonia. If ipecac, wine is not to be had, then
use, instead of it, half a teaspoonful of oxymel of squills. Take
care, above everything, that your patient does not get a chill, or sit
in a thorough draught, or the consequences may be very serious.
Erysipelas. — Give a good strong saline purgative dose, such as
sixty grains of sulphate of magnesia along with ten grains of carbon-
ate of magnesia and an ounce of peppermint water (and if you cannot
get that, plain water) to begin with. In case you are where there is
no medicine chest, then take half a tumblerful of sea water before
breakfast instead.
Page 119
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Teeth, Hints on the Care of, etc. — The tooth-brush, which should be used night and morning, should be small, and have its not too stiff bristles arranged in separate bundles (in order that they may pass readily between the teeth and into the natural depressions). The outer and inner surface of both front and back teeth should be brushed. The direction of the brushing should be from the gums; that is, downwards for the upper teeth, and upwards for the lower. This mode of cleaning the teeth is the best preventive against decay, which causes toothache, and also against the accumulation of tartar, which makes the breath foul, and in course of time causes the teeth to loosen and fall out. If you use any toothpowder, you cannot go far wrong in employing camphorated chalk, to be bought at any chemist's. Some prefer powdered chalk mixed with castile soap. A teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda and a tablespoonful of Eau-de-Cologne, to a quart of water, make an excellent preservative rinse for the mouth and teeth at night, and after the taking of acid medicine. If the gums need hardening use a little borax dissolved in water.
Whooping-Cough. — Not much can be done by unprofessional persons in the way of cutting short an attack of this complaint; but the following general directions may be useful. Keep the patient indoors, and feed, or rather nourish well ; attend to his general health by keeping the room warm and well ventilated, but with no cold draughts. Keep the bowels regular, and give a drop or two drops of tincture of belladonna in a little water every now and then. Some much recommend a little alum dissolved in water, or a little alum to
suck, or cochineal ; but the belladonna is preferable. As whoopingcough may cause fits and other dangerous consequences, if possible, always call in a doctor.
Bronchitis. — In case you can get no proper doctor, apply linseedmeal poultices to the throat and chest, keeping one on, constantly warm, and changing it when it begins to lose its heat. Maintain also a warjn, damp atmosphere in the room; and if you have no proper steaming apparatus, then let " Polly put the kettle on " the fire, let it boil, and send its steam out into the room for the patient to inhale. You may, too, from time to time, bring the boiling kettle near the patient, and let him inhale some of the steam from its spout; only dont bring it too near him. In case of giving medicine, you cannot go very wrong in the following prescription, if no medical man can be had to give a better one : — Ipecac, wine, ten or fifteen drops in three teaspoonfuls of spirits of Mindererus, that is, in the solution of acetate of ammonia. If ipecac, wine is not to be had, then use, instead of it, half a teaspoonful of oxymel of squills. Take care, above everything, that your patient does not get a chill, or sit in a thorough draught, or the consequences may be very serious.
Erysipelas. — Give a good strong saline purgative dose, such as sixty grains of sulphate of magnesia along with ten grains of carbonate of magnesia and an ounce of peppermint water (and if you cannot get that, plain water) to begin with. In case you are where there is no medicine chest, then take half a tumblerful of sea water before breakfast instead.