Chapter VII: Part 7

Sometimes, after rheumatic fever, one or more of the joints become stiff. This stiffness varies in different cases from an apparently complete solidifying of the joint to only a slight inconvenience in its use. We have seen many such joints, even very bad cases, completely cured by a proper use of _heat_ and _massage_. It is, however, no trifling matter to undertake the necessary work, and perseverance is an absolute requisite. Even very obstinate stiffening will _in time_ be overcome by frequent and strong fomentation, followed by rubbing with olive oil in such a way as to squeeze gently all the muscles and sinews of the limb, and move them under the skin. This should be followed by _gentle_ bending of the joint, back and forward as far as it will go _without pain_. It may need to be done twice a day for many weeks, yet the result is worth even more trouble, when you literally make the "lame to walk" (_see_ Rheumatism).

Fever, Scarlet, or Scarlatina.--As a first precaution, when an epidemic of this exists, children should be sponged twice a week all over with hot vinegar before being put to bed. This is a powerful preventive. If anything like sore throat appears, bathe the child's feet in hot water until a free perspiration is produced. Dry well, _under a blanket_, and rub all over with hot vinegar, then put the patient to bed. If in the morning there is no evident fever, repeat the sponging with hot vinegar, dry well, rub with hot olive oil, and dry again. If the fever definitely develops, place the child in a light airy room, from which all unnecessary carpets, curtains and furniture have been removed. No one should enter this room except those on duty in nursing, nor should any from the house ride in public conveyances or attend meetings. These precautions are just as necessary in slight as in severe cases, as infection from a mild case may cause a fatally severe attack in another person.

Where the rash of the fever seems reluctant to appear, the SOAPY BLANKET (_see_) will bring it out very speedily. But the above simple treatment is usually sufficient. When vomiting is almost the first symptom, six teaspoonfuls of hot water are to be taken every ten minutes for an hour; then treat as above with foot-bath, hot vinegar, and oil.

In a severe case have medical aid if at all possible. Where there is great fever spread a large dry towel or sheet on the bed. Lay one wrung out of lukewarm water on it; let the patient lie down on this. Carefully wrap him up in the damp cloth, then over that wrap the dry one, with a blanket outside over all, and the bedclothes above. This will certainly soothe for a time. It may be repeated every two hours, for twenty minutes or half-an-hour at a time, night and day, till the fever is subdued.

For nourishment in succeeding weakness, give milk and boiling water, mixed in equal parts, every two hours. If stimulants are required, give CAYENNE "TEA" (_see_), reduced in strength until it just _slightly_ burns the mouth, half a teacupful every half-hour. Cool the head also if necessary, as directed for typhoid fever.

Fever, Typhoid.--Treat as under Fever, Gastric, and Fever. In addition, great care should be taken to disinfect and destroy any stools, and especially to prevent these getting into any drinking water.

Keep the patient at rest in bed.

No solid food should be given during the _whole course_ of the illness. Milk mixed with an equal quantity of boiling water is best. Give only a wineglassful at a time, as often as the patient can take it. If the patient craves solid food, it must _on no account_ be given. It is almost certain to cause a relapse.

Fits.--_See_ Convulsions; Nervous Attack.

Flannel Bands.--_See_ Band, Flannel.

Flatulence.--This is the accumulation of gases in the body, usually caused by fermentation of the food at some part of the digestive process. A failure of the vital energy in the stomach and related organs is generally the cause. Over-exertion, worry, grief, any prolonged strain, will cause this failure. As first treatment, then, the _cause_ should be removed, if this be at all possible. Do less work, cultivate simple faith in God instead of worry. Do not sorrow over-much. The best material remedy is to take tablespoonfuls of hot water every few minutes for several hours. If cold, the feet should be bathed (_see_ Bathing Feet), or fomented, for about an hour at a time. These two simple remedies will generally prove sufficient, if persevered in.

Flushings, Hot.--These are often a really serious trouble, especially to women, at certain stages of life. Most often they come about the age of fifty, but in weakly persons may occur at any time. A disturbance in the nervous system, due to lack of energy, is the cause of such feelings. They are often accompanied by DEPRESSION (_see_). Any treatment ought to be directed to strengthening the nervous system. A good plain diet, easy to digest, is a most important matter. Soaping with soap lather over all the body (_see_ LATHER) will greatly restore the tone of the nerves of the skin. This may be done every night, and the CAYENNE LOTION (_see_) rubbed all over every morning for a week or two. This treatment will usually prove successful in curing.

Fomentation.--Some general remarks on this important treatment we give here. First, no fomenting should be done for at least an hour after a meal. And it should usually be followed by a period of complete rest. A very good way to foment any part of the back or front of the body is by an india-rubber bag of hot water of the proper size and shape, with two or three ply of moist flannel between the bag and the skin. These bags can now be had of very various sizes and shapes, and one or more should be in every house. In fomenting a knee, foot, or ankle, a good sized half or even whole blanket is necessary. Fold this one way until it is twenty inches broad. Lay it out on a clean floor or table, and sprinkle _sparingly_ boiling water across one end. Roll this end over and sprinkle the roll, turn over again and sprinkle again, and so on until the whole is rolled up. Thoroughly knead and twist it, so that all is penetrated by the moist heat (_see_ illustration, page 32). Or it may be prepared by soaking the blanket in boiling water, and wringing it out with a wringing machine. It may then be unrolled and unfolded so as to permit proper wrapping round the limb to be fomented. Care must be taken not to _burn_ the patient, or give any shock by applying the fomentation too hot. It must be comfortable. _See_ Heat And Weakness.

Sometimes fomentation may seem to increase the pain, say in a swelled limb, and yet we should persevere in the treatment. This may seem to contradict our dictum that we should be guided by the feelings of the patient. The reason is that if some dead matter has lodged deep down in the limb, it will have to be brought up to the surface ere the diseased state can be remedied. If strong fomentation is used in such a case, it is not unlikely to increase the painfulness of the limb, and a swelling may appear. It will at once be said that the disease is "getting worse." This is quite a mistake--the increased pain is arising from such stirring of life as will bring about a complete cure. If the treatment is continued, the swelling will by-and-by come to a head and burst, and can be treated as in Abcess.

Fomentation, Armchair.--This is applied as follows. Over a large armchair spread a folded sheet. Provide a good large blanket prepared as above in Fomentation. Then rub the haunches, thighs, lower back and abdomen of the patient with a little olive oil. Wrap these parts in a warm dry towel. Open up the hot blanket and spread it (still some three-ply thick) on the sheet on the armchair. Let the patient sit down upon it as soon as it is cool enough not to hurt. Fold the blanket all round the patient's lower body and thighs. Draw the sheet over all, and cover up well to retain the heat. At the end of an hour, or such less time as the patient can endure, a smart washing with hot vinegar, and a gentle rub with warm olive oil, will complete the treatment. This is best done at bedtime, as the patient must go to bed immediately after it.

In cases of failure of the large hip-joints, or of the lower limbs, in sciatica and lumbago, the armchair fomentation is of great use; also when running sores exist from one of the hips or lower back, or even in numbness or lack of vitality in the feet and toes. It is referred to under the headings of the troubles in which it is of advantage.

Suppose that we are dealing with lack of vitality in some organ in the lower part of the body. We argue that the nerves supplying this organ are needing in some way to be increased in force. This is to be done by getting them heated. There is an arrangement in nature which hinders this being quickly done. The rapid circulation of the blood which is going on all round these nerves tends to keep them about the same temperature. The heat, as it is applied, passes off rapidly in the stream of the blood. But if the heating process is carried on long enough, the whole blood of the body becomes gently raised in temperature, and by-and-by the heat applied to the surface reaches the roots of the nerves, not only by means of the circulation, but by gradually passing through the skin muscles, and the bones that are near it. New life is infused, and that where it is specially required. The flagging organ soon shows that it responds to this true stimulant. After a few such fomentations it begins to act as perhaps it has ceased to act for months, and even for years. We speak of what we have seen again and again in cases where distress was caused by what is called "sluggishness" in some important organ, or when such an organ was altogether ceasing to act properly. The armchair fomentation is more successful than the hot sitz-bath, though this is by no means to be despised.

Food and Mental Power.--Unsuitable or ill-cooked food has a most serious effect on the mental powers; and when we take the case of a mental worker, we see that, in order to carry this power right on through a long life, proper diet is of great importance. Also many good mental workers are more sensitive than ordinary men: they are more easily destroyed by strong drink or opium. The nip of brandy, the soothing draught, are terrible dangers to such. Instances of brain power continued far into old age are always lessons in plainness of diet and temperance. One such temperate man will do as much work as ten who are luxurious eaters, tipplers, and smokers. Diet for mental workers should be light and easily digested, with a preponderance of proteid food (_see_ Diet). Rich, tough and fatty foods, and hot stimulating drinks should be avoided. As mental work is generally sedentary work, and consequently having a constipating tendency, some of the vegetable foods giving a stimulus to the muscles of the intestines should form a part of the diet, such as green vegetables, fruits, and oatmeal.

Food in Health.--As will be seen from many of these articles, the question of diet is one of the greatest importance, in health as well as in disease. The onset of disease is, in fact, often due to long-continued abuse of the whole digestive system through the use of unsuitable food. By unsuitable food, we mean not so much food that is bad in itself, but rather that which is not suited to the temperament or work of the eater, or to the climate and circumstances in which he finds himself. A ploughman or fisherman, for example, may thrive on diet which will inevitably produce disease in the system of one whose work confines him to the house for the most of his time. One condition of a healthy life is, therefore, careful consideration of our work and circumstances before deciding on our diet. Also, a man of excitable and irritable temperament will need different diet from one of a slow and quiet nature. The food which will only stimulate the latter will over-excite the former, and may even make him quite ill. What is commonly called bad temper is often only the result of wrong diet, and will disappear under a milder course of food. It will, of course, be seen at once from this, that the case of every man must be considered by itself. A decision as to proper diet can therefore only be made when all the facts about a case are known, and in this matter the man himself must decide a good deal for himself; nevertheless some general directions can be given which will help our readers to a decision in their own case.

In the first place, we would guard against a very common error--viz., that a smaller quantity of food, _chemically_ of a less nutritive kind, means less nourishment to the body. On this head we refer to the articles on Digestion and Assimilation. It may only be remarked here that what the _body actually uses_, and what is _taken into the stomach_, are two very different things. It is often the case that food containing less actual nourishment will give greater nourishment to the body than chemically richer food, because the former fits the state of the digestive system better. What each one must consider is, not what food has most of the chemical elements needed by the body, but what food will give up to his own body the most of these elements.

Another error is that the use of medicine can for long assist the body to use heavier food. In a case of disease, medicine often is of the greatest value as a temporary aid to digestion, but its continual use is the parent of great evils, and at last defeats the very end for which it was given. If a person needs continually to use medicine, there is probably either some organic disease present, _or, more commonly, great errors in the diet taken_. Avoiding medicine, then, except as a very temporary resource, and remembering that food is to be judged more by the way it agrees with us than by its chemical constitution, what rules can we give for diet in certain common cases?

First, diet should vary in summer and winter as the season varies. Foods rich in fat, such as ham and bacon, should be for winter use only, and should even then be more or less used as the weather is cold or mild. For summer diet, milk foods, such as milk puddings, etc., ripe fruits, and green vegetables should predominate, being varied also with the heat or coolness of the weather. In very hot summer weather, animal food should be very sparingly partaken of. It must also be borne in mind that warm clothing or heated rooms may convert a winter climate into a summer one.

Second, diet should vary according to the occupation of the eater. The writer and brain-worker will do best, as a rule, on little butcher meat, taking chiefly fish, eggs, and light milk foods, with vegetables and fruits. Alcohol in any form is especially fatal to brain-workers, and must be avoided, if there is to be really good health.

Third, food must vary according to temperament, age, etc. To give rules under this head is almost impossible. The growing boy will need proportionately more food than the adult, the man more than the woman. It is indeed true here that what is one man's food is another man's poison, and that every man must find out for himself what he needs. It may be generally said that the food which digests without the eater being aware in any way of the process is the best for him.

It may safely be affirmed in relation to this question of food in health, that the middle and upper classes eat quite too much. Hence the stomach trouble and goutiness (often in a disguised form) that they suffer from. Too much carbonaceous food will produce corpulency, and too much animal food URIC ACID (_see_). On the other hand, the poor, for want of knowledge of really economical nourishing foods, suffer from want of nutrition.

An opportunity is always present, in case of sickness among the poor, by philanthropic persons to inculcate the value of good food. Instead of bringing a basket of beef tea, tea, and jelly, take oatmeal, fruit, milk, and vegetables.

What we have said should be sufficient as a hint to those who wish to regulate their diet on common-sense principles. A little careful thought should enable any one to work out a satisfactory scheme of diet for his own particular case. Regularity in meals is of great importance. There should be fixed hours for meals, with which nothing should be allowed to interfere, no matter how pressing the business may be. Do not assume, however, that it is necessary to eat at meal times, no matter whether appetite for food be present or not. To eat without appetite is an infringement of natural law, and it is far better to go without the meal if nature does not demand it than to yield to custom, or to imagine it necessary to eat because the dinner bell has rung. If not hungry do not eat at all, wait till the next meal time; do not take a "snack" in an hour or two. Three meals are, as a rule, better than more, and many have found two suit them best. Probably one-half the human race (the inhabitants of China and Hindostan) live on two meals a day.

Food in Illness.--Light, easily digested food is of the first importance in many illnesses. To know easily procured and simple foods, which are really light, is a great matter. Saltcoats biscuits (_see_ Biscuits and Water) form one of the best and most nourishing foods. So does oatmeal jelly, prepared by steeping oatmeal in water for a night, or for some hours, straining out the coarse part, and boiling the liquor until it will become jelly-like when cold. Oatmeal steeped in buttermilk for a time, and then moderately boiled, makes an excellent diet. Wheaten meal or barley meal may be used for these dishes instead of oatmeal, according to taste. Many other dishes, with rice, arrowroot, sago, etc., will suggest themselves to good cooks; but for sustaining the invalid and producing healthy blood, none surpass those described.

Fright.--Some most distressing troubles come as the result of frights. In many cases much may be done to relieve such troubles, which arise from severe shock to the brain and nervous system. The results may be very various--from mere stomach troubles to paralysis--but the cure in all cases lies mainly in giving fresh energy to the nervous system.

If a blanket fomentation is placed all up and down the back, over a rubbing of warm olive oil, and the excited person is laid on that, one good step will have been taken in the way of restoration. Then this may be aided by cool cloths very cautiously laid over the stomach and bowels, so as to cool in front, while heat is given at the back. This will be specially desirable if the heat at the back is rather high. When the blanket loses its heat it need not be taken off, but a poultice of bran, highly heated, may be placed under it, so that the heat from the bran may come gradually and comfortably through, and pass into the body in that gradual way. So soon as a sense of genial comfort spreads over the back, it will be found that a right state is stealing over the organs that were threatened by paralysis through the alarm. The defect very soon disappears.

Gangrene.--_See_ Cancer in Foot.

Gatherings.--_See_ Abscess; Ankle; Armpit; Bone, Diseased.

Giddiness and Trembling.--This comes very often as the result of loss of nerve power in the spinal system, due to weakness, shock, or simply old age. A great deal may be done to relieve, and in many cases to completely cure, by the following simple means. Wrap the patient round the middle in a soapy blanket, rubbing well afterwards with hot olive oil. Give an hour's fomentation at a time each night for a few nights; rest for a day or two, and repeat. The fomentation must be a blanket one, but should only extend from the armpits to the hips, not over the limbs. For treatment of giddiness arising from the stomach see Indigestion. Half a teacupful of hot water every ten minutes for five hours is usually an effective cure. This should be done daily for three days. Let it be kept in mind that we must not have "hard" water--that is, water impregnated with mineral substances, such as lime or iron. We must have "soft" water, that is, such as rain water nicely filtered, or "distilled" water, which can be had from any good chemist for twopence a quart.

Glands of Bowels.--_See_ Bowels.

Glands, Swollen.--This is a very common trouble, especially in the young. To restore the skin to healthy action is the first important matter. This may be done by bathing the feet (_see_ Bathing the Feet) until free perspiration ensues, wrapping the patient meanwhile in a warm blanket. Dry well, and sponge with hot vinegar and water; dry again, rub with hot olive oil, and put to bed. As a diet, Saltcoats biscuits and water for some time have of themselves formed a complete cure (_see_ Biscuits and Water). The _comfort_ of the patient will regulate the amount of bathing. Do this every night for a fortnight, except on the Sabbath (when rest from all treatment seems best). If the swelling be slight, two days' treatment may cure it; if the case be severe and of long standing, a longer time will be required.

For treatment of the neck, if there is no sore, put round it a cloth dipped in hot vinegar, and a good poultice of bran or moist hot bag round over this. Put this on for half-an-hour before rising in the morning. After taking them off, rub with warm olive oil, and wipe that off gently. Put a single band of fine new flannel round the neck for the day. If there be suppuration, or running sores, treat in the same way unless the vinegar prove painful, when it may be weakened with water until comfortable. This treatment will, we know, cure even a very bad case of tubercular glands. _See_ Wounds.

There are men so skilful in medicine that they can aid wonderfully in such cases, and surgeons so apt at operating that they too, can do much good. But we should not for a moment think of leaving patients to depend on what can be swallowed, or what lancet and probe can do, when the very sources of life itself are neglected, and cures waited on for months that may be secured in a week or even less. Above all, when you know how to do it, infuse new life in the body, and promote the throwing off of that used-up matter which is showing itself in the disease. How many parents bow down before the idea that swollen glands are constitutional to their children, when the fact is that these children have very fine skins, and need to have these kept in extra good order, not merely in the way of washing, but so that they shall perform their part of throwing off this used-up material of the body efficiently. Some of the most beautiful of our race are thus lost to the world when they might easily be saved.

In some cases swollen glands are caused by bad teeth, running from the EAR (_see_), sores or insects on the head, or inflamed tonsils. If such causes are present, they should be removed. Extract bad teeth, cure running ears, and properly cleanse the head. Gargle the throat for swollen and inflamed tonsils with warm water, in which a little salt is dissolved.

Gout.--Some have a predisposition to this most painful disease, and require to keep a strict watch on their diet. Meat, specially the internal organs, meat extracts, alcohol, tea, and coffee must be avoided, and milk, buttermilk and porridge, cheese, eggs, and vegetables, especially green vegetables, made into light and digestible dishes, should be relied on solely. Further, the diet should be a small one, most thoroughly and slowly masticated, and plenty of pure water is advisable, in order to help the elimination of the waste which causes the trouble. _See_ Uric Acid.

If the feet be affected, apply gentle heat to the lower part of the spine by Fomentation (_see_). Sometimes a cold cloth on the lower spine will soothe, but more often heat is the true cure. Wrap the sore foot in softest cotton, and foment _very gently_ through this, using only _warm_ cloths, and taking care to avoid giving pain. The cloths should be just a little _below_ blood heat. Cold cloths are a serious mistake, but at a temperature a little below blood heat a gentle soothing is produced. Care must in every case be taken to do only what the patient feels comforting.

Gravel.--Sometimes mere internal inflammation is mistaken for this disease. In the case of inflammation of the bladder, apply a large hot BRAN POULTICE (_see_) to the lower back, and change cold towels over the front of the body where the pain is. Afterwards rub all parts over with hot olive oil, and wipe dry. Take only plain food, oat or wheat-meal porridge, Saltcoats biscuits, etc.

Where actual stones are formed, or a tendency to their formation exists, all water drunk should be distilled, or boiled rain water. Where stones are present the heat may be applied to the back, but _no cold in front_. The soft water tends to dissolve the stones, the heat assists in their expulsion from the body. Diet same as in GOUT (_see_).

Growth of Body.--See Limb, Saving a.

Guaiacum.--This drug is a West Indian gum, and is one of those remedies we are glad to say will do no harm, while in rheumatism and gout it is most beneficial. A teaspoonful of the tincture in a cup of hot water, or one or two of the tabloids now so easily had, may be taken three times a day.

Hæmorrhage.--See Bleeding; Wounds.

Hair Coming off.--There are many forms of this disfiguring trouble, both in the case of young and old persons. It is chiefly due to a wrong state of the skin of the head, which is best treated with careful rubbing with vinegar or weak acetic acid, and finishing with good olive oil. The acid must not be used too strong--not stronger than ordinary vinegar. This may be done every evening, and should be rubbed on for fifteen minutes, till a comfortable feeling is aroused. Dry the head, and then rub on olive oil for five minutes. The vinegar should rather be dabbed than rubbed on. Wash all over in the morning with M'Clinton's soap. Or this treatment may be applied every other night, and on alternate nights the head may be packed up with lather (_see_ Head, Soaping). This treatment is quite safe, and will usually effect a cure, which is more than can be said of the expensive hair washes so much advertised. Many of these are most dangerous. As far as possible go with the head uncovered, and brush the hair frequently. Brushing stimulates the grease glands, and causes the hair to become glossy. Probably the reason men lose their hair so much more than women is that the brushing and combing the latter must give it stimulates the hair roots. Massaging the skin of the scalp with the fingers night and morning will greatly promote growth of the hair. _See_ Head, Massaging.

Hands, Clammy.--Rub the hands and arms well twice a day with CAYENNE LOTION (_see_).

Hands, Cold.--Much more than is readily believed depends on the state of the hands and feet. We are already familiar with the subject of coldness in the feet, but we meet with cases in which the coldness of the hands is as striking. It is not readily thought that cold hands have anything to do with such illness, for instance, as that of bad action in the stomach. There are cases in which a very great deal can be done to relieve a congested state of the vessels of the stomach, and even a similar state of the lungs, by only bathing the hands in hot water and then rubbing them with hot oil till they have been thoroughly heated and reddened, as they are when effectually warmed. Half-an-hour's bathing of hands in water just a little above blood heat produces a wonderful effect on an invalid when there is too great weakness to stand longer treatment. This is well known to be true of half-an-hour's good feet bathing. In some cases bathing both of hands and feet is much needed. The overburdened heart finds it a vast benefit when by such a bathing the blood is allowed to flow easily through the vessels of the feet and hands.

Hands, Dry and Hard.--Pack the hands in SOAP LATHER (_see_) mixed with a little fine olive oil. The soap must be finely lathered with a brush, not _melted_. Pure soft water, never too hot nor too cold, should be used, and the hands thoroughly dried after washing. _See_ Chapped Hands.

Hay Fever.--A most effective preventive and cure for this is the inhaling through the nostrils the vapour of strong acetic acid. The acid may be on a sponge enclosed in a smelling bottle, and its vapour may be freely inhaled. Sponge all over each night with hot acid and water. The head also may be wet with pretty strong acid, and tied up so as to keep in the vapour. Do not, however, use a waterproof covering.

Headache.--There is a vast variety of ailments associated with what is called headache. In itself, it is just more or less _pain_ in the head. When there is such pain, it means that some of the nerves in the head are in a wrong state, probably in nearly all cases a state of more or less _pressure_. This pressure hinders the free flow of vital action along the nerve, and this hindrance we feel as pain. To remove the pressure is, then, to relieve the pain. Pressure from overwork often causes headache on week-days, which goes off on Sabbath. The _rest_ here removes the pressure, and so the pain. The pressure results from a failure of energy in some part of the head, slight swelling then taking place. To increase the energy is to effect a cure. This may be done by first, at bedtime, soaping the back with warm water and SOAP (_see_). Then dry, and rub firmly yet gently with hot olive oil, until the whole back glows with warmth. This may take perhaps fifteen minutes. Then give three minutes of warm water pouring over the back. Dry again, and oil with hot oil, and put the patient to bed. Avoid much tea. Avoid altogether tobacco and alcoholic liquors, which of themselves will often cause the trouble. This treatment applies to all that numerous class of headaches which arise from overwork and fag. A cure may often be had by its means, without taking a holiday. But where this can be done, it is well to take it.

The headache, however, may be caused indirectly by the failure of some of the organs to do their duty, when other methods must be adopted. The use of tobacco so injuriously affects the whole system that headache often results, and refuses to be cured unless the tobacco be given up. It is hard to do this, but the difficulty must be faced. Cold, damp feet are a common cause of headaches. Let these be well bathed (_see_ Bathing Feet) for some days, even twice or three times a day, and many kinds of headaches will be cured. Constipation, or sluggish action of the bowels, frequently causes headache. The cure is obvious (_see_ Constipation). Imperfect action of the kidneys also causes it. In such a case apply a large, warm bran poultice (_see_) across the back behind the kidneys. Oil the skin before and after poulticing. Do this once a day at bedtime for a week, if necessary, but not longer than a week at a time. Take half a teacupful of water before each meal. Use freely the lemon drink described in Drinks, Refreshing.

Headache, Sick.--The stomach and head affect each other powerfully, and a disordered stomach causes severe headache, known as _sick headache_. In many cases a few tablespoonfuls of hot water, taken at intervals of five minutes, will effect a cure. He is himself "simple" who laughs at this as "simple." If a dose of hot water _cures_, and removes any need for expensive drugs, that is a matter for thankfulness and not for laughter. When some substance not easily dissolved has lodged in the stomach, hot water is often all that is needed to remove the trouble. But it must be remembered that over-eating, or the eating of indigestible food, must be given up, and the food must be masticated till it is reduced to a liquid condition.

Many will say they have not time for this, but time must be taken, and half the quantity of food well masticated will nourish better than the whole imperfectly masticated.

Headache on waking in the morning is a frequent result of stomach disorder. In such a case take two teacupfuls of hot water, with an interval of ten minutes between. In many cases a slice of lemon in the hot water powerfully aids to cure. Especially is this the case where pains in the bowels are felt along with the headache. If lemons cannot be had, a few drops of vinegar will form a good substitute. Continue to take half a teacupful at intervals all day.

Sick headache may, however, arise from the head causing disorder in the stomach. The head may then be fomented gently, and if necessary soaped (_see_ Head, Skin of) or massaged (_see_ Head, Rubbing, Massage), which should in most cases remove the trouble if carefully and well done.

Headaches are frequently caused by anxiety and worry, which have all the marks of sick headache. Dull pain and heat, more or less persistent, also arise from this cause. The treatment for such cases is given in the preceding article for pressure from overwork. It is well to see, in such cases, that the mental and spiritual cures be applied, as well as the material. Let there be resolute putting away of all worrying ideas at night, and during every leisure time. Let perfect trust in a loving Heavenly Father relieve us of all burdens. Much may thus be done to cure even a sore head and weary brain. We are of "more value than many sparrows" to One whose power and wisdom are really infinite. Take both sides of this great truth, the spiritual and the material, and you will find it a glorious help in worry and disappointing failure. What a remedy it is when good medical treatment and true faith in God come together to give peace to the weary one! _See_ Worry.

Head Baths.--_See_ Baths for Head.

Head, Massaging the.--This is so important in many cases of neuralgia, headache, and eye troubles, that we here describe it. The brow is first gently stroked _upward_ from behind, with the palm of the hand, while the back of the patient's head rests against the chair or other support. The sides of the head are then similarly treated, using a hand for each side simultaneously. Then the back of the head is stroked upward also. After this is well done, the top of the head is stroked similarly from front to back. Then the whole head, except the forehead, is rubbed briskly but lightly with the tips of the fingers with a scratching motion, but _not_ using the nails. This is best done piece by piece, taking care to do every part in turn. This treatment may be often alternated with the cooling of the head with cold towels, with the best results. In all cases of head uneasiness and neuralgia it is _invaluable_ (_see_ Eyes, Paralysis of; Eyes, Squinting; Massage). Frequently a small part of the head will be found where the rubbing with the finger tips is particularly soothing. Special attention, of course, should be given to this, as it is nature's guide to relief. But if pain and uneasiness result from the rubbing, it should be stopped, and some other cure substituted. Understand that what you have to do is to gently press the returning stream of venous blood on in its course from the weighted brow back over the top of the head. Rub very slowly and deliberately, as the stream you are affecting flows slowly. The frequency with which you change from the rubbing to the cold cloth, and from that again to the rubbing, will depend a good deal on the heat that you find persistent in the head, but usually you may rub two minutes and cool during one minute. More or less relief will come in a very short time, and in ten minutes or a quarter of an hour there will be a very great change for the better.

We had a very curious case lately. A little girl was brought to us one morning who had been quite blind of one eye for a fortnight. We tried the eye with a rather powerful lens, but she could see nothing. That eye had a squint, which was also of a fortnight's standing. The pupil of the eye was dilated, but nothing else seemed wrong. The girl was affected with worms in some degree, but otherwise healthy. We gave her head a massaging, such as we have been describing, for some ten minutes or so. She was given the first of four or five doses of santolina next morning, which her mother said she threw up and some bilious matter besides. She was brought to us an hour or so after, and we found that she had forgotten which had been the blind eye. She now saw perfectly with both, and the squint was gone. We had not tried whether the rubbing had had the curative effect before the santolina was given, or whether it was after the latter that the sight was restored, but we are disposed to think that the squinting and blindness both had given way to the head's improvement by the massaging.

Head, Skin of the.--The nerves of sensibility are very largely supplied to the skin of the head, and many large nerves pass under it. It is therefore an important matter that it be kept in a right condition. In various troubles it becomes hard and dry, and even contracts and presses very painfully upon the head, feeling as if it were dried parchment. The pain thus caused is different from neuralgia, and cannot be relieved by cooling, but is easily cured by soaping the head (_see_ Head, Soaping). This may be done every night, and the head tied up with the soap lather until morning. It may then be sponged, dried, and a little hot olive oil rubbed into the skin. In a serious case, where the patient is in bed, this treatment may be given night and morning. Always, in treating such a head, be very gentle, for the least touch is often painful to the irritated skin. The use of a pure and proper pomade, such as some preparation of vaseline, is of importance where the skin is dry, and tends powerfully to preserve the skin and hair in healthy condition.

Careful brushing of the hair, and rubbing of the skin of the scalp will, too, be of use. _See_ Hair.

Head, Soaping.--Have a piece of M'Clinton's soap, a good shaving brush, and a bowl of warm water. Rub the wet brush on the soap, and work the lather up in the hollow of the left hand, taking more soap and water in the brush as necessary, until the left hand is full of creamy, thick lather. Lay this on all over the patient's head. Make another handful, and lay that on also. The lather may be wrought into the mass of hair until it reaches the skin, the brush being dipped in the warm water, and used to work the lather well into the skin of the head. This must be continued until the whole head is thickly covered with fine white lather, like a wig in appearance. You need have no difficulty with ever so much hair. You only comb that nicely back at first, and place the soap lather on the fore part of the head. Then you bring the hair forward, and soap the back part. You may work on at this process for half-an-hour. You will by that time have produced a most delightful feeling in both body and mind of your patient. Tie a soft handkerchief over all, and leave for as long as needed--even all night if required. When removing the lather, use a sponge and warm vinegar or weak acid (_see_ Acetic Acid), and dry gently with a soft towel. This application can be used with good effect in all cases of hard, dry skin on the head, and formation of white scurf. It preserves the hair, and stimulates its growth. It also removes the painful sensitiveness to touch so often felt in the hair and head skin. Care must ever be taken to do it all with a gentle hand. So done it is priceless in its soothing and healing effects on irritable nerves.

Head, Sounds in.--As the result and accompaniment of deafness these are sometimes most distressing, even preventing the patient from sleeping. They are often caused by chill producing some inflammation of the ear, and stoppage of the internal or external air passages. Have a large FOMENTATION (_see_) carefully packed round the whole head. If properly done, the patient will be comfortable in it for an hour. The fomentation must then be taken off, the head rubbed quite dry, and a warm covering put on. Do this before bedtime for three or four nights. Then desist for three nights. After this place a hot BRAN POULTICE (_see_) on the back of the head, neck, and spine, so that the patient can lie comfortably upon it for an hour. Oil before and after with olive oil. Give this at bedtime for three or four nights, and rest again for three or four days more. Avoid exposure during this treatment. It is suitable for all cases of ear trouble through chill.

It will be specially important to see that the feet are comfortable, and that health generally is looked to. _See_ Ears; Hearing.

Health and Money.--It will be noticed that the remedies we recommend are in almost every case very cheap--even, like hot water, costing nothing, as they are in every house. This very simplicity and commonness has turned many against our treatment. We know, indeed, of one curious case where olive oil was derided and despised by a rheumatic patient, until his friends got it labelled "Poison, for external use only." It was then eagerly applied, and effected a cure. We warn our readers very seriously against this folly. It is traded in by some who sell the simplest things as secret cures at exorbitant prices, and impoverish still further those who are poor enough already. The _price_ of a drug or appliance is no indication of its value as a cure. Neither is its lack of price. Nor is the price of any particular food or drink an indication of its value. Good and nutritious foods are generally cheap and easily procured. _See_ Diet, Economy in. Our effort has been to find out cures within the reach of every household; and we have found that, as God has put water and air freely within man's reach, so has He put those things which best cure disease within the reach of the poorest. Let us not then despise such things because they are common.

Hearing.--We have had so much success in helping the deaf that we feel warranted in seeking to spread the knowledge of our methods as widely as possible.

Deafness is caused in many ways--very often by exposure of the head to a chill, especially in infancy. We have seen it even arise from enclosing the head in a bag of ice with a view to extreme cooling. What is called "throat deafness" is a different matter, but yields to the same treatment as the cases of chill. The process of cure is very similar to that used in cases of failing sight (_see_ under Eyes), for the aural nerve has to be stimulated as the optic nerve in these cases. Rub the back of the head and neck, using hot olive oil, and continuing gently, yet firmly, until all the parts are in a glow of heat. Do this some time during the day. At night apply the BRAN POULTICE (_see_), oiling before and after, to the back of head and neck, the patient lying down on it for an hour at bedtime. _Gently_ syringe the ears with tepid water, but only so far as to cleanse them. Rub with ACETIC ACID (_see_) behind the ears, but _not so as to cause soreness_. In an obstinate case continue treatment for a month, then rest for a fortnight, and continue for another month.

Cases of deafness arising from dryness and hardness in the ears are to be treated differently. The ear is brushed internally with soap lather (_see_ Lather and Soap). Dip a brush, such as is used for water-colour drawing, into hot water, rub it on the soap, and gently brush the inside of the ear. Renew the lather frequently, keeping up the heat. With another brush moisten the same parts with fine almond oil. Gently, but thoroughly, dry out the ear with a fine roll of lint or _soft_ cotton. In a fortnight we have seen great benefit from this done daily or twice a day. Be careful not to use pressure on the inside of the ear when washing or drying, as this may cause the wax to harden into balls, pressing on the drum. The whole head may also be rubbed with acetic acid, not so as to cause pain, but simply a strong heat in the skin. In all treatment of so delicate an organ as the ear, avoid giving _pain_.

If the deafness proceed simply from a relaxed state of the tissues in the tubes of the ear, the cold douche applied to the head, with careful drying and rubbing afterwards, will often effect a cure. But it is only a _sudden_, _brief_, cold splash which is wanted, not a stream directed for any time on the head, which might do serious injury. In this connection it may be noticed that a child should never be punished by "boxing its _ears_." Children have had their hearing permanently injured by this thoughtless practice.

Heartburn.--_See_ Acidity in Stomach.

Heat and Weakness.--We have over and over again shown in these papers how heat passes into vital action, and gives strength to failing organs and nerves. But the heat supplied to these organs must be at a certain temperature. All experience goes to show that _gentle_ heating will do all that is required. Moreover, too hot a fomentation, especially if a large one, will weaken the patient, and defeat its own ends. In such a case it is folly to throw up the treatment, and say that heat weakens, when all that is needed is to apply heat at a lower temperature. The right degree of warmth is indicated by the comfort of the patient. It will vary in almost every individual case, and must be found by careful trial. Also it may vary from hour to hour. The heat comfortable during the day may be found insufficient or too great by night, and so on. We must in these matters apply our common sense, and make a real effort of thought, if we wish to be successful.

Heat, Internal.--There is a usual (normal) temperature in all the blood and tissues of the body. If the body be either warmer or colder than this point (98.4 deg. Fahr.), its health is interfered with. A "clinical thermometer" is used to ascertain whether the bodily temperature is normal or not. It is to be had at every druggist's, and is of great importance in a household. By its means the rise of temperature can be detected often before any serious symptoms set in, and due means taken to check trouble in its early stages. The instrument is used by putting it under the armpit, or, with children, between the legs, so that the mercury bulb is entirely enfolded and hidden between the arm, or leg, and the body. Left in this position for five minutes, it is taken out and read. It may also be held in the mouth, under the tongue, with lips close on it.

Where a good deal of fever is shown, as by a rising of the mercury to 101 deg., measures to reduce it should at once be taken, as shown in the articles on various kinds of Fever. By watching the temperature, and taking it from time to time, we can see when cooling is sufficient. Where the temperature is too low--that is, below 98-2/5 deg.--rub all over with warm olive oil, and clothe in good soft flannel. Other methods for increasing vital action may also be tried, as given in many of our articles.

Heel, Sprained.--Often in sprains all attention is given to the bruised and torn _muscles_, while similarly bruised and torn _nerves_ are overlooked; yet upon the nerves the perfect healing of the muscles depends. Hence, in a sprain of the heel we must be careful not to direct attention to the heel exclusively. That may be bathed (_see_ Bathing Feet) and duly rubbed with oil. A good plan is to apply cloths dipped in cold water and vinegar. Keep the limb perfectly still, and do not attempt to use it for at least a fortnight. After this it may be cured to all appearance, yet a weakness may be left which prevents anything like the full and free use of the limb. It may be all right when resting, but suffers when used for any length of time: this indicates pretty plainly that _rest_ is needed, and is an essential thing for cure. But besides this rest, the foot should be packed during the night in soap lather (_see_ Lather and Soap). Wash the foot in vinegar or weak acetic acid, rub the whole limb from the ankle _upwards_ in such a way as to draw the blood up from the foot, avoiding all down-strokes. Use a little olive oil in this rubbing. Note that the whole limb needs treatment. The juice of _Lady Wrack_, such as is to be found on the west coast of Scotland, is an excellent remedy for sprained joints; but we only mention it, as it must be inaccessible to many of our readers.

Hiccup.--Though often but slight, disappearing in a few minutes by some simple device, such as holding the breath, when long continued this becomes most serious. Very often it is an added distress in trouble which is itself incurable; but while the patient's life cannot be saved, the hiccup may be relieved. In the common case of infant hiccup, a lessening of the over-supply of food may be all that is required. One or two teaspoonfuls of hot water given to the infant will usually give immediate relief. For a grown-up person with a slight attack, one or two teacupfuls of the same will also usually prove a remedy. For serious cases the treatment is a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_) placed on the back, opposite the stomach. Well oil the back before and after the poultice, and leave it on for an hour. If this fails, after a little, prepare a blanket as directed under Fomentation. Roll it up until it is the size of the patient's back, and let him lie down on it. (Read here article on Heat and Weakness.) Then a small cold towel may be passed gently over the stomach. This will generally relieve. It may be repeated if necessary.