3.  Hiccough, Sugar Will Relieve Patient of.—­“Place a little dry sugar on the end of the tongue and hold the breath.  I have tried this remedy after others have failed and obtained instant relief.”

4.  Hiccough, Simple Remedy for.—­“Have patient hold both ears closed with the fingers, then give them three swallows cold water while they hold their breath.”

5.  Hiccough, Home Remedy to Stop.—­“Take nine swallows of cold water while holding the breath.”

6.  Hiccough.  Vinegar Stops.—­“One teaspoonful of vinegar thickened with sugar and eaten slowly.”

7.  Hiccough, Cinchona Bark in Peppermint Stops.—­“Put about one-fourth teaspoonful of cinchona bark, powdered in two ounces of peppermint water, and give one teaspoonful every five or ten minutes until relieved, or three drops of camphor and aqua ammonia in wineglassful of water,” These remedies are very good when the stomach is at fault, as they have a stimulating effect.

Physicians’ treatment.—­Sudden start may check it in the light forms.  Ice, a teaspoonful of salt and lemon juice may be tried.  Inhalations of chloroform often relieve.  Strong retraction of the tongue may give immediate relief.  Spirits of camphor, one teaspoonful.  Tincture of cayenne pepper one to two drops in water.  Ten grains of musk by the rectum.  Hoffman’s anodyne one teaspoonful in ice water is very good.

[Nervous system 303]

Injuries to the head.  Concussion or Laceration of the Brain.—­The brain may be injured by a blow on the head, or indirectly by falling fully upon the feet or sitting down hard upon the buttocks.

Symptoms.—­The person who is injured may lose his balance and fall, become pale, confused, and giddy, may have nausea and vomiting and recover.  If the injury is more severe and there is a tear of the membranes of the brain or the brain itself, the patient will fall and lie quietly with a feeble and fluttering heart, cold, clammy skin, and apparent unconsciousness; he can be roused by shouting but will not reply intelligently.  He will be able to move his limbs.  The urine and contents of the bowels will be passed involuntarily.  As he gets better he may vomit.  He may soon return to entire consciousness, but still suffer from some headache, feel wearied, and tired, and not feel like exerting himself.  This may continue for some time.  Occasionally the results are more serious even after a long time has passed, and an abscess of the brain should be watched for, sometimes epilepsy or insanity follows.  If the patient grows worse instead of recovering, either deep seeming sleep sets in or symptoms of inflammation of the covering (meninges) or the brain itself follows.  Such injuries must be carefully watched, for you can not tell at first how severe they may prove to be.