Blister.—­This is a watery elevation of the outer skin.  It is caused by rubbing, for instance of a shoe, friction from anything, or from burns.  It frequently appears on the hands after working for some time at manual labor, when the hands are not accustomed to work.  It is the common blister which hardly needs much describing.

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.

[Skin diseases 93]

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.