The housekeeper's companion

Prevention of Pitting. — A point in treatment to which great importance is attached is to prevent pitting or scarring. Countless have been the schemes that have been put forward with great boast and pretention as infallible preventives of the disfigurement. Having tried a great many of the plans, and seen them tried on a great scale, we cannot advise our readers to rely upon any one that has yet been put forward, except previous vaccination. This exerts such a controlling power over the disease that it, even in severe cases, may pass away without pitting. The separation of the scabs is promoted by painting them with sweet oil as soon as they are formed. Spasm, or Cramp, may be a symptom of some nervous affection, or of inflammation of some internal organ. Essentially they are the same thing, but a distinction is generally made to the effect that spasm affects internal muscular parts, as of the stomach or intestines, while cramp affects the muscles of the limbs. Internal cramp or spasm may be distinguished from inflammation by pressing on the part. Steady pressure gradually affords some relief in spasm, whereas the pain is increased thereby if its cause be inflammation. Treatment. — For immediate relief of spasms or cramp, an adult may take laudanum, 20 minims; ether, 30 minims; or, chloric ether, 30 minims, in a wineglass of water. And repeat every three or four hours. Splinters, Thorns, etc. — These should be removed, if possible, by the use of forceps. If they are left in they may cause inflammation, and the formation of abscesses, or gatherings. If the foreign body cannot be extracted, a linseed-meal or bread-poultice should be applied. Matter will probably form, and may be required to be let out by a puncture, in which case most probably the thorn or splinter will be evacuated at the same time. The inflammation will begin to subside as soon as this has occurred. Stings of Insects, etc. — Symptoms. — The stings of wasps or ants, or bees, as, indeed, do most of the bites of insects, present very much the appearance of what are called poisoned wounds. The history of the case will generally be that the patient has suddenly felt a very sharp pain in the part affected, though, perhaps, he has not noticed any unusual appearance about it. Within a short, but variable period, there is a feel- ing of irritation about the spot, which rapidly becomes red and swollen, and sometimes acutely painful. On close examination, it will be found that there is a small speck about the centre of the inflamed part, and in this the sting of the insect is sometimes found. The severity of the symptoms will of course vary, according to the state of health, or constitution of the patient. The inflammation may be confined to a small circumscribed spot, or it may spread over a whole limb, and be attended with signs of prostration. Treatment. — If the sting have been left in, as it usually is by wasps, it should be carefully extracted, if it can be got hold of, by forceps or tweezers. If there be simply a small red irritable spot, it will be sufficient to dress it with a cold evaporating lotion, such as the following: Vinegar, i ounce; spirits of wine, i ounce; water, 4 ounces. Mix. This should be kept constantly applied by means of a piece of lint, or soft linen rag.