Salt (Sodium Chloride).—­This common household article is used in a great many different ways.  In cooking it is used to season foods.  The absence of salt gives rise to a bad state of the system, with the formation of intestinal worms.  If used too freely, it produces in some persons excess of blood and corpulency.  Salt renders the food more palatable in many instances and thus increases the flow of the gastric juice.  Salt increases the flow of saliva also.  For pin-worms, solution of salt injected is often effective.

Constipation.—­One teaspoonful to a glass of water taken on arising is very good for some people troubled with constipation.  For dyspepsia it tones the stomach and aids in digestion in some cases.  Salt alone in teaspoonful doses will produce vomiting and is good after a spree or to empty the stomach in convulsions and poisoning.  Mustard given with it makes it more effective.  A salt solution is frequently injected into the rectum to keep up the strength after operating and it is also frequently put into the breast for same purpose.

A gargle and astringent in sore throat.  For this purpose it is often of use and successful.  Taken dry in teaspoonful doses it is often given in bleeding from the lungs.  It is often used as an antiseptic to cleanse sores and wounds.  Teaspoonful to a half pint of water.  On bites of insects strong salt water or applied dry is often very good.  In bites of snakes and animals dry salt applied freely upon the wound is often of value.  It draws away some of the poison and also helps to burn out and cleanse the wound.

Fomentations.—­Used in this way it is good for sprains and bruises.

Baths.—­One pound of salt to four gallons of water forms a suitable salt water bath acting as a tonic and excitant to the skin.

[Medical uses of common articles 669]

Ague.—­Homeopathic doctors claim that salt in the attenuations will cure some cases of ague.

Abuse of Salt.—­Too much use of salt will cause a great many troubles.  It produces a peculiar eruption on the skin, sore eyes, etc.

Want of Salt.—­Domestic animals need it and may die for the want of it.  Some animals may become sterile if deprived of it.

Lemon.—­Lemons, owing to their pleasant flavor and agreeable acidity, are very useful in a sick room.  The rind yields an oil of great fragrancy.  Each lemon yields two to eight drams of acidulous juice and contains seven to nine per cent of citric acid, besides phosphoric and malic acids, in combination with potassa and other bases.  Half an ounce of lemon juice should neutralize twenty-five grains of bicarbonate of potassium, twenty grains of bicarbonate of soda or fourteen grains of carbonate of ammonia.  The rind of lemon when fresh, besides the oil above mentioned, contains a bitter crystalline glucoside.

Hesperidin.—­Uses.  Lemon juice applied to the surface of the skin removes freckles, moth spots, sunburn, pruritus, and ink-stains.