The diarrhoea that occurs In these disorders of the liver may be checked by mineral acids — e. g., Diluted muriatic acid, 2 drachms. Compound tincture of cardamoms, i ounce. Cinnamon water, to 8 ounces. Mix, and give an eighth part every three or four hours. In chronic biliary derangements occurring in "bilious hab- its," more may be done by abstemious living than by physic. The habit of taking so-called "anti-bilious" pills, calomel, blue pill, etc., to correct disorders of the liver, that may be avoided by avoiding there causes, is simply absurd. But where, in spite of care, the liver is habitually sluggish, an occasional small dose of blue pill at bedtime, followed by a simple aperient in the morning, may safely be taken. In some persons, however careful they may be, the proneness to biliary derangement is greater than can always be managed by even great care in dieting. In such cases the repeated use of small doses of min- eral acids, with extract of dandelion or sarsaparilla, is believed to be useful. Fresh air and outdoor exercise are also impor- tant means — horse exercise, if possible. Acute inflammation of the liver is, as already remarked, rarely met with in temperate climates. In parts of India and other hot climates, it is not unfrequently met with, owing partly to the solar heat and partly, it is said, to imprudence in dieting and exposure. An active treatment is required, such as free leeching over the region of the liver, or cupping if there be any skilled person to perform it. At the same time full doses of calomel are to be given (five to ten grains), and repeated every six hours, followed up by saline purgatives, such as Ep- som salts and senna. While these are taking effect, mercurial ointment should be rubbed into the armpits and groin night and morning. This would be the treatment for a case of acute inflammation of the liver occurring in a tropical climate, in an adult person. There is, however, some reason to believe that calomel has been somewhat too liberally given in such cases. Bite of a Venomous Serpent. — Suck the wound immedi- ately, if you can, yourself; if not, get a friend to do so (it can be done without danger, if there be no abrasure — scratch, that is— or sore on the tongue or lips), and then tie a string, if possible, tightly round the part, finger or limb, that has been bitten, be- MEDICINAL 2^^ tween the wound and the body; wash well with warm water, and apply liquor ammonise diluted to the wound, and take fifteen to twenty drops in a wine-glass of water internally, every three or four hours; keep the patient from going to sleep. Bite from a Dog Suspected to be Mad. — Soak immediately in, and wash with, water as hot as you can bear it; then apply salt to it freely, and send for a doctor to cut out the part, if practicable, or to burn it with lunar caustic, and if you cannot get one, do it yourself, only do not overdo it. If you have no lunar caustic at hand, use a good, strong solution of carbolic acid to the place. Take a Turkish bath at once if possible; it is one more chance in your favor. In all cases, if possible, send for a medical man, but if one cannot be had, the above remedies are applicable.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

The diarrhoea that occurs In these disorders of the liver may be checked by mineral acids — e. g., Diluted muriatic acid, 2 drachms. Compound tincture of cardamoms, i ounce. Cinnamon water, to 8 ounces. Mix, and give an eighth part every three or four hours. In chronic biliary derangements occurring in "bilious habits," more may be done by abstemious living than by physic. The habit of taking so-called "anti-bilious" pills, calomel, blue pill, etc., to correct disorders of the liver, that may be avoided by avoiding there causes, is simply absurd. But where, in spite of care, the liver is habitually sluggish, an occasional small dose of blue pill at bedtime, followed by a simple aperient in the morning, may safely be taken. In some persons, however careful they may be, the proneness to biliary derangement is greater than can always be managed by even great care in dieting. In such cases the repeated use of small doses of mineral acids, with extract of dandelion or sarsaparilla, is believed to be useful. Fresh air and outdoor exercise are also important means — horse exercise, if possible. Acute inflammation of the liver is, as already remarked, rarely met with in temperate climates. In parts of India and other hot climates, it is not unfrequently met with, owing partly to the solar heat and partly, it is said, to imprudence in dieting and exposure. An active treatment is required, such as free leeching over the region of the liver, or cupping if there be any skilled person to perform it. At the same time full doses of calomel are to be given (five to ten grains), and repeated every six hours, followed up by saline purgatives, such as Epsom salts and senna. While these are taking effect, mercurial ointment should be rubbed into the armpits and groin night and morning. This would be the treatment for a case of acute inflammation of the liver occurring in a tropical climate, in an adult person. There is, however, some reason to believe that calomel has been somewhat too liberally given in such cases. Bite of a Venomous Serpent. — Suck the wound immediately, if you can, yourself; if not, get a friend to do so (it can be done without danger, if there be no abrasure — scratch, that is— or sore on the tongue or lips), and then tie a string, if possible, tightly round the part, finger or limb, that has been bitten, between the wound and the body; wash well with warm water, and apply liquor ammonise diluted to the wound, and take fifteen to twenty drops in a wine-glass of water internally, every three or four hours; keep the patient from going to sleep. Bite from a Dog Suspected to be Mad.—Soak immediately in, and wash with, water as hot as you can bear it; then apply salt to it freely, and send for a doctor to cut out the part, if practicable, or to burn it with lunar caustic, and if you cannot get one, do it yourself, only do not overdo it. If you have no lunar caustic at hand, use a good, strong solution of carbolic acid to the place. Take a Turkish bath at once if possible; it is one more chance in your favor. In all cases, if possible, send for a medical man, but if one cannot be had, the above remedies are applicable.

The housekeeper's companion