HOME EEMEDIES FOR COMMON DISEASES 745 



or flannels wrung out in hot water, as directed for acute 

 catarrh of the larynx. If relief is not quickly secured, 

 exchange the hot applications for cold ones, and if some 

 relief is obtained, keep the cold constantly applied. 

 If necessary, use ice compresses. This measure must 

 be employed thoroughly to be of any value whatever. 

 Early in the disease, it may prevent the formation of 

 the false membrane. If it is not used early enough 

 or with sufficient thoroughness to accomplish this, 

 measures must be employed to secure an early sepa- 

 ration of the false membrane from the mucous mem- 

 brane of the larynx. For this purpose hot and cold 

 applications should be applied to the throat, and the 

 patient should be made to inhale the vapor of hot water, 

 as hot as can be borne and as large a portion at a time 

 as possible. The vapor may be inhaled through an 

 apparatus for the purpose, or from a teakettle or tea- 

 pot. A paper cone may be arranged in such a way 

 as to conduct the steam to the patient 's mouth. A very 

 excellent method of generating steam for this purpose 

 is to slake lime in a teapot, and have the patient inhale 

 the vapor through the nozzle. We have used this 

 method on several occasions with complete success. 

 The vapor of warm vinegar is also sometimes useful. 

 Among the most serviceable remedies for causing sep- 

 aration of the false membrane may be mentioned lime- 

 water, vinegar, and a strong solution of chlorate of 

 potash taken by means of an atomizer. The chlorate 

 of potash solution should be hot when taken, and the 

 patient should inhale it a large part of the time. 



It is of the greatest importance that the tempera- 

 ture of the room in which the patient is placed should 

 be carefully regulated. The air should also be kept 

 thoroughly saturated with moisture by boiling water 



