FoodNet

The housekeeper's companion

1883

Page 222

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Mustard plasters on the pit of the stomach help to check sickness. A light diet, consisting mainly of beef-tea, with small occasional doses of brandy. If these means fail, and the case go into the stage of collapse, external warmth in every possible way should be promoted. Bottles of hot water, heated bricks, bags of hot salt, etc., should be placed about the body and limbs, over which warm blankets should be covered. Copious draughts of cold water should be allowed to allay the thirst, notwithstanding that these may be rejected by vomiting. At the same time half a drachm of spirits of salvolatile should be given every two hours. The cramps are to be relieved by friction, or by pressure on the muscles that are cramped. When reaction takes place, the treatment must be gradually modified, with greater caution in the use of stimulants. If the febrile 31:3 MEDICINAL. reaction go into the typhus state, the case then requires the treatment of typhoid fever. (Which see.) Clergyman's Sore Throat.— Symptoms.— An affection of the organs of the voice, to which public speakers are liable. It is not a sore throat in the ordinary sense of the term, but is an affection of the vocal organs extending to the surface of the throat. There is a relaxed and elongated state of the uvula. The surface of the back part of the throat has a reddish-purple and congested appearance. The throat becomes dry and the mucus tenacious, so that a constant hawking is occasioned. Hoarseness and difficulty in speaking follow. There is some pain felt in the seat of the organs of voice, and the voice becomes so altered that it is scarcely audible, or is harsh and discordant. Treatment. — As this affection depends partly upon the state of the general health, its condition should be carefully looked to. There is, however, much to be done by the care- ful management of the respiration in public speaking, so as not to admit a rush of cold air upon the organs at the instant of using them. The lungs should be filled as much as possi- ble through the nostrils, by which means the air is warmed and the force of its entry in inspiration is moderated. There are two remedies which have considerable power over the parts, viz. : the nitrate of silver, and sulphurous acid. The nitrate of silver may be freely applied with a mop of sponge on the end of a stick or piece of whalebone. Nitrate of silver, 40 grains; distilled water, 3 ounces. The sponge dipped in this solution should be applied to the congested surface of the throat. As, however, this does not effectually apply the remedy to the deeper seat of the affection, the organs of voice, a " spray apparatus " will be found much more effectual. Several convenient forms of the apparatus can be had of the surgical instrument makers, with directions for their use. The sulphurous acid solution is a very valuable means in these cases, when thus applied, twice a day, the inspiration of the spray being repeated for about twenty minutes each time.