Quick Remedies for Common Disorders

ACHING TOOTH

• Add half-a-teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and rinse out your mouth with this solution every few hours as needed.
• Apply an ice bag to the side of the face where the pain is felt. If there is food debris in the tooth cavity, gently remove, and apply a wad of cotton containing clove oil to reduce the pain.

ITCHING

• For the time being, stop all medications.
• If itching has spread over large areas of the body, try an oatmeal bath: Mix one cup of oatmeal with two cups of cold water and pour this into a tub of water. Lie in this for twenty minutes twice daily. When drying yourself, be careful not to increase the irritation.
• Gently pat the skin and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine or caladryl.

PRICKLY HEAT

• Avoid scratching your skin.
• Abstain from alcoholic drinks and wear cool, light clothing.
• Have oatmeal baths twice daily, as described under the treatment for itching (above).
• Apply calamine lotion several times a day and drink plenty of water several times a day.

HANGNAILS

• Soak the finger or toe in hot water three or four times a day for at least ten to fifteen minutes.
• Apply some antibiotic ointment containing neomycin and bacitracin.
• If pus is present, it should be opened by a doctor.

FROSTBITE

• Avoid rubbing the injured part.
• Cover with a warm, dry, woollen cloth and have a warm drink.
• Gradually warm the frozen part with lukewarm water to prevent further injury.
• If no warm shelter is available, cover the frozen area with a warm bare hand and add several layers of woollen clothing.
• Avoid smoking, it increases the chances of frostbite.

SPIDER BITES

• Put the patient to bed and apply a hot water bag or other gentle heat to the abdomen.
• Call the doctor at once.

NOSE BLEEDS

• Keep the patient sitting upright in a comfortable position, with the head held back.
• Apply steady pressure to the side of the nose that is bleeding.
• Press on the nostril and hold it firmly for at least 12 or 15 minutes. The patient should breath through his mouth during this time. He must not blow his nose.
• Have someone to apply cold clothes at the nape, face.
• If bleeding is heavy call the doctor.

SPRAIN

• Apply cold clothes or ice to the injured joint. Continue this until the swelling subsides.
• One or two days later hot packs may be applied.

BRUISES

• Apply cold clothes or ice immediately to the area. Continue this for 30 minutes,
• Treat every three or four hours as needed.

DIARRHOEA

• Certain foods, such as figs, bananas, and prunes, have a strong laxative effect on the bowel.
• One should eliminate these until the loose stools are brought under control.
• A teaspoon for paregoric taken every two hours until the loose stools cease will be beneficial.

HICCUPS

• Try simple measures, such as deep breathing, or drinking a glassful of water rapidly.
• Holding the breath or breathing into a paper bag will help build up carbon dioxide within the body and may relieve the hiccup.
• Pulling on the tongue, swallowing dry bread or crushed ice, or gently pressing the eyeballs may also be tried.

BLACK EYE

• Apply cold water to the injured area at once, or wrap a small piece of ice in a thin cloth and apply this directly to the eye, keeping it there until the pain subsides and the swelling goes down.
• If the eyelids are swollen because of insect bites or infection, add one tablespoon of Epsom salts and an equal amount of ordinary salt to a pint of boiled water. Warm this solution before applying it to the eyelid. Dip a clean handkerchief in the solution and apply directly to the swollen lid, keeping it there for several minutes at a time. Repeat this treatment, four or five times a day.

STRESS HEADACHES

• Take a short nap at daytime.
• A hot foot bath for about 20 minutes will often relieve the headache.
• An ice-cold cloth to the head will also bring relief.
• Go out for a calm walk. Gently massage your neck and back.