Physicians’ treatment for Sunburn.—­Soothing ointments and dusting powders are generally sufficient for sunburn.  Talcum powder (Mennen’s borated), rice powder, oatmeal powders are good and healing.  The following are good: 

1.  Oxide of Zinc Powder 1/2 ounce
    Powdered Camphor 1-1/2 dram
    Powdered Starch 1 ounce

Mix.  Dust on the parts.

2.  Powdered Starch 1 ounce
    Powdered Camphor 1 dram

Well mixed and applied is soothing to the parts.

3.  The following is a good combination: 

Carbonate of Lead        1 dram
Powdered Starch          1 dram
Ointment of Rose Water   1 ounce
Olive Oil                2 drams

Mix and apply to the inflamed skin.

Gangrene.—­This is the death of a part of the body in mass.  There are two forms, moist and dry.

Dry Gangrene.—­This is a combination produced by a loss of water from the tissues.  The skin becomes dark and wrinkled and is often hard, like leather.  Senile or old age gangrene, and really due to the arterial sclerosis, usually occurs in the lower extremities, involving the toes.  A slight injury may first start up the trouble.  The pain in this variety is not usually great.

[92 Mothers’ remedies]

Mothers’ remedies.—­1.  Gangrene, Remedy from New York that cured a Gangrenous Case.—­“A man aged 74 years had a sore below the knee for fifteen years; at last gangrene appeared in his foot and three physicians pronounced his case hopeless on account of his age.  I was called as a neighbor and found the foot swollen to twice its natural size, and the man in pain from head to foot.  I ordered cabbage leaves steamed until wilted, then put them over the limb from knee to foot and covered with a cloth.  In about fifteen minutes they were black, so we removed them and put on fresh ones, repeating the change until the leaves did not turn black.  Then the sore was thoroughly cleansed with a weak solution of saleratus and while wet was thickly covered with common black pepper and wrapped up.  The saleratus water and pepper was changed night and morning until the sore was entirely healed.  After the third day this man had no pain, and in four weeks was entirely healed.  A year later he said he had never had any trouble with it or with rheumatism which he had had for years before.”

Physicians’ treatment for Gangrene.—­The skin should be treated.  Poultices sometimes may be good, or bottles of hot water around the parts.  A general tonic should be given.

Moist Gangrene.  Causes.—­Wounds, fractures, injuries, pressure from lying in bed and frost bite.

Physicians’ treatment for Moist Gangrene.—­Remove the cause if possible.  This kind is more dangerous, and a physician should be called as the best treatment that can be given is none too good.