Liquid Forms.—­If the blisters are large, open them with a clean (sterile-boiled) instrument (scissors or knife) and absorb the fluid with a clean gauze.  Then dissolve bicarbonate of soda in water—­a saturated solution.  This term means as much soda as the water will dissolve.  Then gauze, lint or linen pads may be wrung out of this solution or the same strength of boric acid solution and applied.  Put over this a layer of clean cotton and hold in place by a bandage or strip of adhesive plaster.  (Keep parts always moist).  Baking soda will do about as well as bicarbonate of soda.

[Accidents and poisons 389]

Oil and ointments are also very beneficial.  Spread the ointments or oil over the burn thick and cover with lint or soft linen, and change frequently to keep from smelling badly.

1.  Carron oil made of equal parts of lime-water and linseed oil is good.

2.  Carbolized oil or simple pure sweet oil is good.

3.  Cosmoline, Vaselin, Pineoline (salves) are all good; they cover and protect.

4.  Cold cream is very good.

5.  Thick lather from any good pure soap spread over the part thick and then covered with the cloth dressing.  This is very good and is always at hand.

6.  Dr. Douglas, of Detroit, very strongly recommends the following simple remedy:  One teaspoonful of common salt to one pint of boiled water, used comfortably warm.  Old clean muslin or gauze cloths of several thicknesses should be dipped in this solution and spread evenly over the sores in several layers and over this oiled paper or paraffine paper should be applied to prevent evaporation or drying and bind all with a bandage.  The covering should not be too thick or it might make the part too warm.  This should be avoided in all dressings.

This salt water dressing can be moistened and changed when necessary.

7.  Beeswax ointment. (Dr. Douglas).-

“Benzoinated Lard    6 ounces. 
Yellow Beeswax       1 ounce. 
Salicylic Acid       20 grains.”

Mix the wax in a tin cup, then add the lard, when all is melted remove from the fire and stir till cool, then add the salicylic acid and continue stirring until cold.  This makes an excellent covering, excludes the air.

8.  Ointment of Oxide of Zinc is very good.  The following are the ingredients: 

“Oxide of Zinc        2 drams. 
Lanoline              5 drams. 
Alboline              1 dram. 
Salicylic Acid       10 grains.

Mix, and make ointment and apply.”

The following is not very pleasant to think about, but farmers have frequently used it:  Cow manure as a poultice.

Another:  The inner bark of elder boiled in cream.  Use the salve resulting.  This is good for burns and sores.

Another:  Slippery elm bark tea boiled down so it will be thick and oily, is very good.

[390 Mothers’ remedies]