222 On Diseases and Accidents of Farmers, 



Sprains. — When a limb has been sprained, and the 

 accident happens at a distance from home, the sufferer 

 should, if possible, be conveyed home in a carriage of 

 some sort ; the part is then to be bathed with cold water, 

 and kept in a horizontal position. If much inflammation 

 attend, leeches should be applied. The most absolute rest 

 is necessary to a cure, and the sufferer must make up his 

 mind to endure the confinement, unless he prefers stiff 

 joint, or to risk a fall, and increase of the complaint, by 

 walking before he ought to put his foot to the ground. 

 Even walking up and down stairs, to and from bed must 

 be avoided. After the inflammation and swelling have 

 subsided, the part must be gendy rubbed with the hand, 

 upon which a few drops of sweet oil have been dropped, 

 for ten minutes, three times a dav : the srood effects of 

 friction in removing the rigidity of a part are slow, but 

 certain. Bathing the part with warm water occasionally, 

 before rubbing it, will assist in relaxing the muscles 

 and tendons. After a severe sprain of the ancle, a laced 

 boot should be w orn to give a mechanical support to the 

 joint. 



Sore Lips, — The febrile state excited in the system by 

 the heat of the weather, the stimulating food and strong 

 drink, so freely consumed during harvest and summer, are 

 the causes of this complaint, which is very painful, and 

 often continues for weeks. Sometimes the cuticle of the 

 lips will entirely peel off. The means of cure are, first, a 

 purge of an ounce, or half an ounce of Glauber's or epsom 

 salts, or the same quantity of castor oil, a vegetable diet 

 for a few days, and a total abstinence from salt meat. The 

 lips may be bathed three or four times daily with clear 

 lead water, in the proportion of twenty grains to a pint of 

 rain or spring water, and then covered with a soft linen rag 

 smeared over with an (jntment, composed of bees' wax 

 and sweet oil, or fresh hogs' lard. If pain attend the re- 



