" To illustrate the efficacy with which cold air acts as a vehicle for the removal of moisture, it may be stated approximately, that if the outer air at a temperature of zero Fahrenheit be admitted to a cellar, and raised therein to a temperature of 60 degrees, it could absorb and carry out about 5 Troy grains of moisture per cubic foot, and if raised to lOO degrees, it could absorb and carry out about 19 grains per cubic foot." Cure for Earache. — Earache may be produced from various causes. Accumulation of wax pressing on the drum of the ear; congestions and inflammation of the inner ear ; the presence of in- sects or foreign substances ; catarrh and various affections of the brain. In cases of earache arising from an accumulation of wax, syringe the ear thoroughly with soap and water, or water in which is dissolved bi-carbonate of soda or borax, in the proportion of a tea- spoonful to a quart of water. At least a quart of water should be used and the operation repeated twice a day. Always have the water warm. After washing out the ear insert a pledget of lint or cotton soaked in glycerine ; if much pain exists a few drops of laudanum may be added. Never use a pin to pick the ears with. It is seldom that anything is necessary ; when it is, an ear spoon made for the purpose, or, what is better, a bit of sponge on the end THE PHYSICIAN IN THE HOME. 207 of a probe, such as are sold in drug stores, may be used. When there is congestion or inflammation there is likely to be a good deal of pain. Relief may be obtained by the application of poultices to the ear, or rub a little camphor liniment back of the ear. Steaming is often useful. In the absence of an instrument for that purpose, this may be done by heating a brick very hot, enveloping it with flannel, then pouring vinegar upon it and holding it to the ear. Relief has been given by wetting a pledget of cotton in chloroform, putting it into a common clay p^pe, inserting the stem into the ear and blowing through the bowl. The vapor of the chloroform is thus forced into the ear. The Prevention of Sunstroke. — To avoid sunstroke, exercise in excessively hot weather should be very moderate; the clothing should be thin and loose, and an abundance of cold water should be drunk. Workmen and soldiers should understand that as soon as they cease to perspire, while working or marching in the hot sun, they are in danger of sunstroke, and they should immediately drink water freely and copiously to afford matter for cutaneous transpiration, and also keep the skin and clothing wet with water- Impending sunstroke ;iiay often be warded off" by these simple meas- ures. Besides the cessation of perspiration, the pupils are apt to be contracted, and there is great frequency of micturition. If there is marked exhaustion, with a weak pulse, resulting from the cold water application, stimulants should be administered. The free use of water, however, both externally and internally, by those exposed to the direct rays of the sun, is the best protection against sunstroke, and laborers or soldiers, and others who adopt this measure, washing their hands and faces, as well as drinking copiously of water every time they come within reach of it, will generally enjoy perfect im- munity from sunstroke.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

" To illustrate the efficacy with which cold air acts as a vehicle for the removal of moisture, it may be stated approximately, that if the outer air at a temperature of zero Fahrenheit be admitted to a cellar, and raised therein to a temperature of 60 degrees, it could absorb and carry out about 5 Troy grains of moisture per cubic foot, and if raised to lOO degrees, it could absorb and carry out about 19 grains per cubic foot." Cure for Earache. — Earache may be produced from various causes. Accumulation of wax pressing on the drum of the ear; congestions and inflammation of the inner ear ; the presence of insects or foreign substances ; catarrh and various affections of the brain. In cases of earache arising from an accumulation of wax, syringe the ear thoroughly with soap and water, or water in which is dissolved bi-carbonate of soda or borax, in the proportion of a teaspoonful to a quart of water. At least a quart of water should be used and the operation repeated twice a day. Always have the water warm. After washing out the ear insert a pledget of lint or cotton soaked in glycerine ; if much pain exists a few drops of laudanum may be added. Never use a pin to pick the ears with. It is seldom that anything is necessary ; when it is, an ear spoon made for the purpose, or, what is better, a bit of sponge on the end of a probe, such as are sold in drug stores, may be used. When there is congestion or inflammation there is likely to be a good deal of pain. Relief may be obtained by the application of poultices to the ear, or rub a little camphor liniment back of the ear. Steaming is often useful. In the absence of an instrument for that purpose, this may be done by heating a brick very hot, enveloping it with flannel, then pouring vinegar upon it and holding it to the ear. Relief has been given by wetting a pledget of cotton in chloroform, putting it into a common clay pipe, inserting the stem into the ear and blowing through the bowl. The vapor of the chloroform is thus forced into the ear. The Prevention of Sunstroke. — To avoid sunstroke, exercise in excessively hot weather should be very moderate; the clothing should be thin and loose, and an abundance of cold water should be drunk. Workmen and soldiers should understand that as soon as they cease to perspire, while working or marching in the hot sun, they are in danger of sunstroke, and they should immediately drink water freely and copiously to afford matter for cutaneous transpiration, and also keep the skin and clothing wet with water- Impending sunstroke may often be warded off" by these simple measures. Besides the cessation of perspiration, the pupils are apt to be contracted, and there is great frequency of micturition. If there is marked exhaustion, with a weak pulse, resulting from the cold water application, stimulants should be administered. The free use of water, however, both externally and internally, by those exposed to the direct rays of the sun, is the best protection against sunstroke, and laborers or soldiers, and others who adopt this measure, washing their hands and faces, as well as drinking copiously of water every time they come within reach of it, will generally enjoy perfect immunity from sunstroke.

The hearthstone; or, Life at home