[166 Mothers’ remedies]

7.  Dropsy, “Queen of the Meadow” for.—­“Is a symptom of morbid conditions existing in the system, therefore nutritious diet, alkaline baths and a general hygienic regulation of the daily habits are of the greatest importance.  Take one teaspoonful of powder of “Queen of the Meadow” in a cupful of water three or four times a day as the case may require.  Either use tea or powder.”

Physicians’ treatment for Dropsy.—­Treat the disease that causes it.  Remedies should be given that will cause an outpouring of the liquids.  Salines, such as epsom salts in large doses.  Cream of tartar and epsom salts (equal parts) taken freely is effective.  If the kidneys are inactive owing to heart trouble, the following may be used:  An infusion of digitalis in one to four teaspoonful doses every three to four hours.  This pill is good.

Powdered Digitalis    20 grains
Powdered Squills      20 grains

Mix into twenty pills and take one every five hours.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

Infection and contagion.—­These words are often used in such a way that a wrong impression is made.  A disease may be infectious but not contagious.  Malaria is an instance.  Infection means an ability to enter the body from any source, wind, water, food or other persons and produce a characteristic disease.  The agency doing this is known as a germ.  Contagion is properly a poisoning of one individual from contact with a diseased individual in some way known or unknown.  It may be conveyed indirectly through clothes, etc., or other person; but always comes from some person sick with the same disease.  Diseases may be both infectious and contagious.  Nearly all the epidemic diseases of infancy are both infectious and contagious and accompanied by fever.  In nursing children, suffering from infectious diseases the mother or nurse should avoid their breath and handle them as little as possible.  All secretion from bowels and kidneys should fall in a vessel containing a disinfecting solution of Copperas, bichloride of mercury, etc., and should be emptied into the sewer or buried.  Following are the solutions as made.  Copperas:—­Put a lump as big as a walnut in the chamber with one-half pint of water, to receive feces, urine, sputum and vomited matter from infectious and contagious patients.

2.  Solution of chlorinated soda, four fluid ounces; water ten ounces, useful for hands and dishes, not silverware.  Dissolve eight corrosive sublimate tablets, also called bichloride, in a gallon of water.  This is used to disinfect floors, woodwork, rubber, and leather, but not metal parts.  Great care must be taken to have the hands washed after handling such a patient, so as not to infect the food, eyes, mouth, or any small skin sores.

[Infectious diseases 167]