DISEASES OF THE SKIN. (continued 2)
Reading edition
MOTHERS' REMEDIES for Blister.—1. Linseed Oil for.—"Linseed oil used freely." This is a very good remedy because it is soothing. Any good soothing lotion or salve that will draw out the soreness and pain is helpful.
2. Blister. A Method of Raising a Blister.—"If a blister is needed take an ordinary thick tumbler, rub alcohol inside and around the rim, then invert over a piece of cotton, saturated with alcohol and ignited; after a few minutes the glass may be removed and clapped on the surface of the body. As the glass contains rarified air the flesh will be drawn up into it and a blister formed."
IVY POISONING.—The parts usually affected are the hands, face, the genitals, the arms, the thighs and neck.
Symptoms.—These usually appear soon. Red patches, with scanty or profuse watery pimples, with a watery discharge after bursting. There is swelling, intense burning and itching. The parts sometimes swell very much and look watery. The person can hardly keep from scratching.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Ivy Poisoning, Buttermilk and Copperas for.—"Wash in copperas and buttermilk three or four times a day. Have seen this used and it helped." The copperas and buttermilk is very good when applied to the parts immediately after the poison is discovered. The copperas acts very much like sugar of lead and in some cases is very much more effective.
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2. Ivy Poisoning, Cure for.—
"Bromine 10 to 20 drops Olive Oil 1 ounce
Mix. Rub the mixture gently into the affected parts three or four times a day. The bromine being volatile the solution should be freshly made."
This remedy is frequently used by physicians, and is very effective.
CHAPPED HANDS AND FACE. Mothers' Remedies.—1. Chapped Hands, Quince Seed Cream for.—"Soak one teaspoonful of quince seeds in one cup warm water over night. Strain through a cloth and add one ounce glycerin, five cents' worth bay rum, and perfume if you choose."
2. Chapped Hands, Soothing Lotion for.—"Bathe them in soft water using ivory soap and Indian meal; when dry bathe in vinegar. Have tried this treatment and my hands feel soft and easy after treatment." It would be best to dilute the vinegar with water one-half.
3. Chapped Hands, Glycerin for.—"Use glycerin freely." Glycerin is very irritating to some people, then again it works like a charm. You can tell only by trying it.
4. Chapped Hands, Carbolic Salve for.—"We always use a good carbolic salve for these, as we have found nothing better for sores of any kind." A few drops of carbolic acid added to any good salve will give you the above.
5. Chapped Hands, Glycerin and Lemon Juice for.—"Two-thirds glycerin, one-third lemon juice, mix well together; apply nights."
6. Chapped Hands, Camphor Ice for.—"Camphor ice." Apply frequently after thoroughly washing and drying the hands.
7. Chapped Hands, Remedy from a New York Lady.—
Glycerin 4 ounces Cologne 2 ounces Benzoin 1/2 ounce Rain water 1 pint
Mix thoroughly and apply to the hands after washing.
This remedy has also been used for years by a friend, and we have proved it good. If applied frequently during the winter the hands will not chap."
8. Chapped Hands, Rose Cream for.—"Get ten cents' worth of rose water, five cents' worth of glycerin and the juice of one lemon. Mix and rub on the affected parts,"
9. Chapped Hands, Preventive for.—"A little diluted honey or almond oil will restore softness and prevent chapping."
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10. Chapped Hands or Face, from a Twin Falls Idaho, Mother.—"One-fourth ounce gum tragacanth dissolved in one and half pints of soft water; then add ounce each of alcohol, glycerin and witch-hazel, also a little perfume. I find this one of the best remedies I ever used for sore or chapped hands."
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Chapped Hands.—
1. Subnitrate of Bismuth 3 drams Oleate of Zinc 3 drams Lycopodium 2 drams
Mix. Apply to the parts three times daily.
2. Powdered camphor mixed with vaselin is healing.
3. Ointment of water of roses (cold cream) is a soothing application. It can be improved by adding a little glycerin and benzoic acid—this keeps it sweet in warm weather.
4. Powdered zinc oxide, or starch as a dusting powder.
FACE CREAMS, Mothers' Preparations.—l. Cream of Pond Lilies.—"This agrees especially well with oily skins; will keep indefinitely.
Orange Flower Water, triple 6 ounces Deodorized Alcohol 1-1/2 ounces Bitter Almonds, blanched and beaten in a mortar 1 ounce White Wax 1 dram Spermaceti 1 dram Oil of Benne 1 dram Shaving Cream 1 dram Oil of Bergamot 12 drops Oil of Cloves 6 drops Oil of Neroli Bigrade 6 drops Borax 1/5 ounce
Dissolve the borax in the orange flower water, slightly warmed. Mix the wax, spermaceti, oil of benne and shaving cream in a bainmaire, at gentle heat. Then stir in the perfumed water and almonds. Strain through a clean muslin strainer, place in a mortar and while stirring gradually work in the alcohol in which the oils have been previously dissolved."
2. Face Cream, When Facing our North Winds, in Canada, I Use this.—"Honey, almond meal, and olive oil to form paste. Use after getting skin cleaned. I used it myself and find it good when going out driving."
3. Face Cream, Lanolin Cream.—
Lanolin 1 ounce Sweet Almond Oil 1/2 ounce Boric Acid 40 drops Tincture of Benzoin 10 drops
This is a good skin food to be rubbed into the skin with the tips of the fingers."
4. Face Cream, Cucumber Lotion.—
"Expressed Juice of cucumbers 1/2 pint Deodorized Alcohol 1-1/2 ounces Oil of Benne 3-1/4 ounces Shaving Cream 1 dram Blanched Almonds 1-3/4 drams
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The preparation of this is the same as for almond lotion. It is an excellent cosmetic to use in massaging the face and throat, as it not only tones any relaxed tissues, but also may be used to cleanse the skin during the day. A complexion brush is an excellent investment; one should be chosen that has fine camel's hair bristle's. It should be used in connection with good soap."
5. Face Cream, Almond Lotion to Whiten and Soften the Skin.—
"Bitter Almonds, blanched and beaten 4 ounces Orange Flower Water 12 ounces Curd Soap (or any fine toilet soap) 1/2 ounce Oil of Bergamot 50 drops Oil of Cannelle 10 drops Oil of Almonds 20 drops Alcohol (65% solution) 4 ounces
Powder or break up the soap; dissolve in the orange flower water by heating in a bain-maire, gradually work almonds into the soap and water. Strain and finish as directed above. This is a bland lotion, very cleansing, whitening and softening."
6. Face Cream. the Cold Ontario Wind Harmless When Using this.—"Wash in warm water, rub face dry with corn-meal. This takes place of bottle cream."
FROST BITES.—Keep the patient in a cold atmosphere, or put into a cold bath and the frozen part rubbed with snow or ice until sensation is felt and color returns; then discontinue the rubbing and apply ice water compresses. Stimulants such as brandy, coffee and hot drinks are given, but external heat is only gradually permitted, for the circulation returns very slowly to the frost-bitten parts, and in trying to hasten it, we run the risk of producing or, at least, increasing the tendency to gangrene of the frozen parts.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—l. Frost Bites. Remedy from Northern New York.—"Soak the parts affected in kerosene oil; this will soon draw out the frost."
2. Frost Bites, Roasted Turnips for.—"Roasted turnips bound to the parts frosted." This is a very soothing application, but should not be put on warm. Cold applications are what are needed in frost bites.
[Transcriber's Note: From the Mayo Clinic (2005): 1. Get out of the cold. 2. Warm hands by tucking them into your armpits. If your nose, ears or face is frostbitten, warm the area by covering it with dry, gloved hands. 3. Don't rub the affected area, especially with snow. 4. If there's any chance of refreezing, don't thaw out the affected areas. If they're already thawed out, wrap them up so they don't refreeze. 5. Get emergency medical help if numbness remains during warming. If you can't get help immediately, warm severely frostbitten hands or feet in warm—not hot—water.]
BUNIONS.—This is a lump over a joint usually of the big toe, usually due to pressure and a wrong position of the surfaces of the joint.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Bunions, Remedy from Your Flower Garden.—"Peel the outside skin from the leaf of 'Live Forever' and apply as a poultice. Repeat until cured. This is a very good remedy and one that should be tried if you are troubled with bunions or corns."
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2. Bunions, A Cure for.—
"Tincture of Iodine 2 drams Tincture of Belladonna 2 drams
Apply twice a day with camel's hair brush."
This mixture when applied will have a drawing effect, and care should be taken not to leave it on too long, as it will irritate the parts and make it very sore.
3. Bunions, Iodine for.—"Apply tincture of iodine to the bunion night and morning. This will reduce size; if used at first will entirely remove."
4. Bunions, Tested Remedy for.—"Take about one teaspoonful salicylic acid in two tablespoons of lard, and apply night and morning. Before doing this apply adhesive plasters to the affected parts." This is a standard remedy.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Bunions.—Rest of the part, cold applications and liniments.
CHILBLAINS. (Erythema Pernio).—This occurs usually in people with a feeble circulation or scrofulous constitution, usually seen in the young or very old. The redness shows most, as a rule, on the hands and feet. The redness may be either a light or dusky shade. It itches and burns especially when near artificial heat. The redness disappears on pressure, and the parts are cool rather than hot. It is an inflammation that follows freezing or a frost-bite. It may return for years at the return of cold weather.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Chilblains, a Cure for.—"Equal parts of extract of rosemary and turpentine. Apply night and morning until cured." The rosemary is very soothing, and the turpentine creates a drawing sensation. It has cured many cases of chilblains.
2. Chilblains, Witch-hazel for.—"Bathe feet in lukewarm water and soda and apply carbolized witch-hazel." This remedy is very soothing, and always give relief.
3. Broken Chilblains, Ointment for.—
"Sweet Oil 1/2 pint Venice Turpentine 1-1/2 ounce Fresh Lard 1/4 pound Beeswax 1-1/2 ounce
Simmer gently together in a pan water bath until the beeswax is melted, stirring until cool. When it is ready for use apply on going to bed on a soft rag."
4. Chilblains, Vinegar Cure.—"Soak the feet in a weak solution of vinegar, then rub good with vaselin or oil."
5. Chilblains, Home-made Salve for.—
Fresh Lard 2 ounces Venice Turpentine 1/2 ounce Gum Camphor 1/2 ounce
Melt together, stirring briskly. When cold it is ready for use.
6. Chilblains, Common Glue for.—"Put a little common (dissolved) glue in hot water and soak the feet in it. Repeat if necessary." This is very good and gives relief.
[Illustration: Hearth, Stomach and Appendix]
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7. Chilblains, the Onion Cure for.—"Raw onion rubbed on chilblains every night and morning." The onion seems to have a very soothing effect upon the chilblains, and this remedy has been known to cure many stubborn cases. It is always well to soak the feet well before applying this treatment, as the juice from the onion will penetrate more quickly.
8. Chilblains, the Hemlock Remedy for.—"Hemlock twigs mixed with lard and pounded until it is green, then bound on."
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Chilblains.—Thick woolen stockings, mittens and ear protections should be worn. Daily cold baths, especially of such parts, should be taken. Alcohol applied to the parts, full strength, will harden the tissues. Camphor also is good.
Internal.—Iron should be given to establish a better circulation and give strength. Tincture of iron, five drops three times a day, is good.
External.—1. Alum as a wash applied to the parts.
2. Ointment of ichthyol, one-half strength, is very good in some cases.
3. Rosin made in an ointment is also good to relieve some cases.
4. Lard and iodine ointment is excellent for some.
5. The following is also good:
Prepared Chalk 1 ounce Powdered Camphor 10 grains Linseed Oil 2 ounces Balsam of Peru 20 drops
Mix and apply.