2.  Pearls of Amylnitrite.  Break one in a handkerchief and put the handkerchief to the patient’s nose so that he may inhale the fumes.

Stimulant.—­A person with heart valvular trouble should always carry pearls of amylnitrite.  Inhale slowly so as not to get too much of it at once.

Heart failure.—­The pulse may be slow and weak or fast and weak.

Digitalis.—­Give five drops of the tincture in a little water.  Another dose can be given in fifteen minutes.  Then another in an hour, if necessary.

Palpitation of the heart.—­Irregular or forcible heart beat action usually perceived by the person troubled.

Causes.—­Hysteria, nervous exhaustion, violent emotions or sexual excesses; overdose of tea and coffee:  alcohol or tobacco.

Symptoms.—­There may be only a sensation of fluttering with that of distention or emptiness of the heart.  There may be flushing of the skin, violent beating of the superficial arteries, with rapid pulse, difficult breathing and nervousness.  Attack lasts from a few minutes to several hours.

[338 Mothers’ remedies]

Mothers’ remedies.-l.  Palpitation of the Heart, Tea of Geranium Root for.—­“Make an infusion of geranium root, half an ounce in pint of boiling water, strain, cool, and give wine glass full three or four times a day.”  The geranium root will be found to be an excellent remedy where female weakness has caused the palpitation of the heart.

2.  Palpitation of the Heart, Hot Foot Bath and Camphor for.—­“Place the feet in hot mustard water and give two grains camphor every two or three hours, or two drops aconite every hour.  This remedy is very good and is sure to give relief.”

3.  Palpitation of the Heart, Valuable Herb Tea for.—­“All excitement must be avoided.  Where there is organic disease, all that can be done is to mitigate the severity of the symptoms.  For this take the following herb tea:  One ounce each of marigold flowers, mugwort, motherworth, century dandelion root, put in, two quarts of water and boil down to three pints; pour boiling hot upon one-half ounce of valerian, and one-half ounce of skullcap.  Take a wineglassful three times a day.  Let the bowels be kept moderately open and live principally upon vegetable diet, with plenty of outdoor exercise.”

Mothers’ remedies.—­1.  Heartburn, Home Remedy for.—­“A few grains of table salt allowed to dissolve in the mouth and frequently repeated will sometimes give relief.”  People who have too little acid in the stomach will be much benefited by this remedy.

2.  Heartburn, Soda a Popular Remedy for.—­“One-half teaspoonful soda in glass of water.  Everybody uses this in the neighborhood.”

3.  Heartburn, Excellent Remedy for.—­

“Powdered Rhubarb       1/2 ounce
Spirits of Peppermint.    2 drams
Water                     4 ounces
Bicarbonate of Soda     1/2 ounce

Dose—­One Tablespoonful after meals.”