Neuralgic headache is sometimes also much relieved by the external application of sedatives. The Bella- donna liniment of the British Pharmacopoeia applied freely over the surface of the forehead, or on the back of the neck, frequently gives great relief. Care must be taken that the skin is entire. It would not do, for instance, to apply any sedative or narcotic if the skin be tender from a blister, or leechbites. Whooping Cough (Chin Cough). — Symptoms. — A contag- ious or infectious disease, beginning as a common cold, and, after a few days, when the febrile symptoms have disappeared, showing a spasmodic or paroxysmal character. The cough comes in distinct fits, each of which consists of a series of forcible expirations or cough noises, followed by an inspiration, or hard drawing in of the breath, with a sound almost exactly like the word "whoop," hence the name. The fits are accom- panied with great distress to the patient — the face becomes red, the eyes bloodshot, and at times bleeding from the nose and mouth takes place. These fits are terminated generally by vomiting. During an attack, a child will exhibit great fear, and will run to its nurse or mother, to whom it will cling tightly for protection as it were against the cough. Treatment. — For children of two years old and upwards, the following mixture may be given: Tincture of cantharides, I drachm; compound tincture of camphor (Paregoric), one and one-half drachms* compound tincture of bark, 3 drachms; MEDICINAL 345 •7 syrup of Tolu, to make 2 ounces.- Mix. One teaspoonful to be given three times a day. The chest should be rubbed freely with compound camphor liniment, or oil of turpentine, or Roche's embrocation. If the cough is very troublesome, and prevents sleep at night, the following will be found useful for children above one year of age: Hydrate of chloral, 24 grains; syrup of orange peel, one-half ounce; water to make 2 ounces. Mix. One tea- spoonful to be taken at bedtime. The patient should be con- fined to one room if the disease comes on during the latter end of autumn, or the beginning of winter, or whenever the weather is cold. If, however, it comes on in the summer, or when the weather is warm, the restriction is less necessary. Hysteria. — Symptoms. — The following are among common indications of hysteria: Flatulency; the feeling of a lump or ball at the front of the throat, causing a sense of choking; a pain in the left side, just below the ribs, as of something sharp, like a nail, running in; and uncomfortable impulse to laugh or cry without sufficient provocation, this going on until it becomes what is known as an ^'hysterical fit," in which the patient tosses herself about violently, and, unless protected, would injure herself. The causes of hysteria are manifold; constitutional peculi- arity, irregular menstruation, luxurious living, or want of some- thing to occupy the mind and body, or mental troubles. A condition very similar to hysteria sometimes attacks persons of the male sex; when this is the case, the chances are that the nervous system is in a weakened state, and will, before long, manifest more serious signs of its condition.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Neuralgic headache is sometimes also much relieved by the external application of sedatives. The Belladonna liniment of the British Pharmacopoeia applied freely over the surface of the forehead, or on the back of the neck, frequently gives great relief. Care must be taken that the skin is entire. It would not do, for instance, to apply any sedative or narcotic if the skin be tender from a blister, or leechbites. Whooping Cough (Chin Cough). — Symptoms. — A contagious or infectious disease, beginning as a common cold, and, after a few days, when the febrile symptoms have disappeared, showing a spasmodic or paroxysmal character. The cough comes in distinct fits, each of which consists of a series of forcible expirations or cough noises, followed by an inspiration, or hard drawing in of the breath, with a sound almost exactly like the word "whoop," hence the name. The fits are accompanied with great distress to the patient — the face becomes red, the eyes bloodshot, and at times bleeding from the nose and mouth takes place. These fits are terminated generally by vomiting. During an attack, a child will exhibit great fear, and will run to its nurse or mother, to whom it will cling tightly for protection as it were against the cough. Treatment. — For children of two years old and upwards, the following mixture may be given: Tincture of cantharides, I drachm; compound tincture of camphor (Paregoric), one and one-half drachms* compound tincture of bark, 3 drachms; •7 syrup of Tolu, to make 2 ounces.- Mix. One teaspoonful to be given three times a day. The chest should be rubbed freely with compound camphor liniment, or oil of turpentine, or Roche's embrocation. If the cough is very troublesome, and prevents sleep at night, the following will be found useful for children above one year of age: Hydrate of chloral, 24 grains; syrup of orange peel, one-half ounce; water to make 2 ounces. Mix. One teaspoonful to be taken at bedtime. The patient should be confined to one room if the disease comes on during the latter end of autumn, or the beginning of winter, or whenever the weather is cold. If, however, it comes on in the summer, or when the weather is warm, the restriction is less necessary. Hysteria. — Symptoms. — The following are among common indications of hysteria: Flatulency; the feeling of a lump or ball at the front of the throat, causing a sense of choking; a pain in the left side, just below the ribs, as of something sharp, like a nail, running in; and uncomfortable impulse to laugh or cry without sufficient provocation, this going on until it becomes what is known as an ^'hysterical fit," in which the patient tosses herself about violently, and, unless protected, would injure herself. The causes of hysteria are manifold; constitutional peculiarity, irregular menstruation, luxurious living, or want of something to occupy the mind and body, or mental troubles. A condition very similar to hysteria sometimes attacks persons of the male sex; when this is the case, the chances are that the nervous system is in a weakened state, and will, before long, manifest more serious signs of its condition.

The housekeeper's companion