Treatment.—­A foot bath or sitz bath is very good, with free drinking of pennyroyal tea after the bath, and when in bed.  Place warmth to the feet, moist heat over the abdomen, such as a hot water bag or fomentations.  Remain quietly in bed.  If constipated, take an enema.  Frequently a free bowel movement gives much relief in this trouble.  During the interval doctor the patient for the trouble causing the headache for which see another part of this book, “Diseases of Women.”

[272 Mothers’ remedies]

Mothers’ remedies, 1.  Headache, Paregoric and Soda for.—­“A teaspoonful of paregoric, with one-half teaspoonful of baking soda in a tumbler of water, May be taken all at once or sipped slowly.”

2.  Headache, Hops Good for.—­“Make a strong decoction of hop tea, and take a wineglassful every half hour until relieved.”  This is an old tried remedy and a good one.

3.  Headache, Mustard Excellent for.—­“Place a mustard plaster on the back of the head, also bathe the feet in mustard water and stay in a darkened room, and avoid all excitement and noise.”  The one essential thing is to get the nerves quieted; take as little food as possible for twenty-four hours, giving the stomach an opportunity to rest, as most of the headaches come from a disordered stomach.

4.  Headache, Peppermint Beneficial for,—­“Bathe the head in strong peppermint.  Then apply cloths wrung from water as hot as can be endured.”  Hot or cold applications are known to be very beneficial.  After the cloths are taken off, the soothing effect can be further enhanced by gentle rubbing of the forehead.

5.  Headache, Cold Application in Case of.—­“Apply cold applications on the forehead and over the eyes.”  These cold applications have been known to give relief in a very few minutes to many people suffering with severe headaches.  It is well to continue the treatment; even after relief has been obtained, for at least a half hour.  Gentle rubbing of the head is very good, also.

6.  Headache, Castor Oil Will Relieve.—­“One tablespoonful of castor oil.  Have used this and found relief.”  This remedy gives relief as the castor oil carries off the food that is distressing the stomach.  It is well to take two tablespoonfuls of lime-water in a glass of milk three times a day for about a week after the castor oil has operated.

Sick headache. (Migraine.  Hemicrania).—­Migraine is a peculiar form of severe paroxysms of unilateral (one side) headache often associated with disorders of sight.

Causes.—­It is frequently hereditary, and it has occurred through several generations.  Women and members of nervous families are usually attacked.  Many of the headaches from eye-strain are of this type, It is often inherited, and may last from puberty to the menopause.  Some authors claim that decay of the teeth without toothache will cause it.  Adenoid growths in the pharynx and particularly abnormal