Papers on health / by Professor Kirk.

  • Kirk, John, 1813-1886.
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Papers on health / by Professor Kirk. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/248 (page 10)
    We have seen a limb which threatened the very life of the patient treated as above. The general symptoms abated almost immediately ; growth, as well as healing, set in, and the limb was quite restored to its normal condition. But patient per- sistence in treatment is needed for a bad case. If under bathing or fomentation the abscess seems to swell, such is only the natural progress of cure, and should not be regarded as increase of the trouble. We know of limbs that have been long distorted, and under rubbing and fomenting they are becoming gradually all they ought to be. No one need fear that by such treatment they will grow worse. See Armpit Swelling ; Bone, Diseased ; Knee : Limbs, Inflamed, etc. Acetic Acid.—For use in our treatment we recommend Coutts’ Acetic Acid. It is of uniform strength and purity, and can be had from most druggists. Weak acid may be understood as one part of this to twelve parts of water. In many cases, how- ever, much greater weakness than this is necessary, owing to the tenderness of the parts treated. As a general rule, the dilute acid should only cause a gentle nipping sensation and heat in the sore. If it is painful, no good is done. Frequent gentle applications are always best. Tasting the acid is a good test. If it can be swallowed without inconvenience, it may then be tried on a tender part, and if necessary even further reduced. Where more convenient to get it, white wine vinegar may be used instead of this weak acid ; it will do equally well. Acidity of the Stomach.—It is a mistake to take soda for this trouble. Although soda neutralises the sourness, it pro- duces other effects, and tends to cause ruinous disease of the stomach. A wineglassful of hot water, with a teaspoonfui of white vinegar in it, is the best cure. Although this is itself acid, it acts so as to remove the cause of the sourness in the stomach, and is most beneficial otherwise. It is still better to take a tablespoonful of this hot water and vinegar every five minutes for an hour daily before dinner. Look also well to the warming of cold feet (see), and see that the whole skin be cleansed daily with soap lather (see Lather and Soap) and stimulated with olive-oil rubbing. Aconite.—Often in cases where our treatment fails to cure, the failure is due to the patient taking aconite as an allopathic remedy. Used homoeopathically, it may be harmless, but if taken in considerable doses, even once a month, it prevents all cure. It gives relief in heart palpitation, and in cases cf extreme sensibility, but its other poisonous effects far outweigh the temporary benefits. A gentle, kindly soaping with soap