Treatment, — The parts affected should be rubbed with a mixture of equal parts of belladonna and soap liniment, or with compound camphor liniment (see External Applications), and if the pain and inflammation be very acute, as sometimes they are, turpentine fomentations should be applied. The following medicine should be taken: Iodide of potas- sium, 40 grains; bicarbonate of potash, 2 drachms; water to make ^ ounces. Mix. Two tablespoonfuls three times a day. Sciatica. — It sometimes attacks the leg, beginning at the upper part of the back of the thigh, and extending downwards to the foot. The pain of this-form of rheumatism is very acute, and it is by far the most troublesome to treat. Treatment. — The application of strong stimulating lini- ments over the seat of the pain. If the pain be severe, it may sometimes be allayed with half-grain doses of opium every six hours. Iodide of potassium and tincture of bark should also be given. (See Medicines.) Scarlatina. Scarlet Fever. — Symptoms. — This is a highly infectious eruptive fever, common to all ages, which makes its appearance sometimes almost suddenly, but generally after a day or two of general indisposition, in which vomiting almost always occurs. The rash consists of minute scarlet spots, which are scattered over the entire body. They are not raised above the surface of the skin, over which a diffuse redness commonly prevails. The characteristic appearance is presented by the tongue, which is of a bright scarlet color round the edges, the middle being furred with the papillae of a bright MEDICINAL. 361 scarlet color, standing out, and giving it the appearance of a strawberry. The throat is sore and scarlet, with difficulty in swallowing. On examining the throat it will be found that the tonsils are often swollen and ulcerated. The glands in the neck are swollen also. The pulse is rapid and small. There is great thirst, with entire loss of appetite for food. The rash lasts from five to seven days, when it gradually fades away. The skin, after a variable period, begins to peel off as fine dust or scales; sometimes large flakes come off. The entire skin of the fingers or toes sometimes comes off in one piece like the finger of a glove. The itching caused by the eruption is sometimes a source of great irritation and sleeplessness. In the active febrile stage of the disease it often happens that delirium occurs during night, which subsides with the fever. Treatment. — A hot bath should be given night and morn- ing, so as to promote the functions of the skin and bring the rash out fully. This is an important point, as when the rash is not out plenteously, the specific poison of the disease has a tendency to affect internal organs, the brain especially. The bowels should be kept open by means of saline aperients. The following mixture is useful during eruptions: Carbonate of ammonia, 40 grains; simple syrup, i ounce; water to make 8 ounces. Two tablespoonfuls to Tdc taken three times a day, one tablespoonful by children less than ten years of age, and less for infants; but it is not easy to get young children to swallow medicine or food, in consequence of the soreness of the throat. If the throat be ulcerated, small blisters should be applied outside, on the neck, under the angles of the lower jaw bone. (See Blistering).

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Treatment, — The parts affected should be rubbed with a mixture of equal parts of belladonna and soap liniment, or with compound camphor liniment (see External Applications), and if the pain and inflammation be very acute, as sometimes they are, turpentine fomentations should be applied. The following medicine should be taken: Iodide of potassium, 40 grains; bicarbonate of potash, 2 drachms; water to make ^ ounces. Mix. Two tablespoonfuls three times a day. Sciatica. — It sometimes attacks the leg, beginning at the upper part of the back of the thigh, and extending downwards to the foot. The pain of this-form of rheumatism is very acute, and it is by far the most troublesome to treat. Treatment. — The application of strong stimulating liniments over the seat of the pain. If the pain be severe, it may sometimes be allayed with half-grain doses of opium every six hours. Iodide of potassium and tincture of bark should also be given. (See Medicines.) Scarlatina. Scarlet Fever. — Symptoms. — This is a highly infectious eruptive fever, common to all ages, which makes its appearance sometimes almost suddenly, but generally after a day or two of general indisposition, in which vomiting almost always occurs. The rash consists of minute scarlet spots, which are scattered over the entire body. They are not raised above the surface of the skin, over which a diffuse redness commonly prevails. The characteristic appearance is presented by the tongue, which is of a bright scarlet color round the edges, the middle being furred with the papillae of a bright scarlet color, standing out, and giving it the appearance of a strawberry. The throat is sore and scarlet, with difficulty in swallowing. On examining the throat it will be found that the tonsils are often swollen and ulcerated. The glands in the neck are swollen also. The pulse is rapid and small. There is great thirst, with entire loss of appetite for food. The rash lasts from five to seven days, when it gradually fades away. The skin, after a variable period, begins to peel off as fine dust or scales; sometimes large flakes come off. The entire skin of the fingers or toes sometimes comes off in one piece like the finger of a glove. The itching caused by the eruption is sometimes a source of great irritation and sleeplessness. In the active febrile stage of the disease it often happens that delirium occurs during night, which subsides with the fever. Treatment. — A hot bath should be given night and morning, so as to promote the functions of the skin and bring the rash out fully. This is an important point, as when the rash is not out plenteously, the specific poison of the disease has a tendency to affect internal organs, the brain especially. The bowels should be kept open by means of saline aperients. The following mixture is useful during eruptions: Carbonate of ammonia, 40 grains; simple syrup, i ounce; water to make 8 ounces. Two tablespoonfuls to Tdc taken three times a day, one tablespoonful by children less than ten years of age, and less for infants; but it is not easy to get young children to swallow medicine or food, in consequence of the soreness of the throat. If the throat be ulcerated, small blisters should be applied outside, on the neck, under the angles of the lower jaw bone. (See Blistering).

The housekeeper's companion