374 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



is induced by mental anxiety, over-work, or worry, bromide of potassium is the appro- 

 priate remedy (Pr. 31). Ten or fifteen grains of chloral may be added to the nightly 

 dose, and this will usually ensure a good night's rest. In alternation with the 

 chloral, advantage often results from taking from one to two drachms of coniuin 

 juice three times a day. This is the full dose, and must not be exceeded. In addi- 

 tion to this, phosphorus (Pr. 53 or 54) or cod-liver oil taken after meals may do 

 good by restoring the shattered nerve-force. Not unfrequently in young people 

 this malady is a kind of neuralgia, and then anti-neuralgic remedies will have to be 

 resorted to. A course of quinine (Pr. 11 or 9) or arsenic (Pr. 40) or phosphorus 

 (Pr. 53, 54, or 55) may be expected to prove useful. You should never forget to 

 look out for worms, and if they are present you will have to get rid of them by 

 appropriate romedies. (See WORMS.) When the itching seems to be due to piles, 

 they will have to be treated. (See PILES.) You must always remember that the 

 itching is not a purely local complaint, but a part of a general constitutional malady. 

 At the same time, you will not neglect local applications, but will resort to both 

 internal and external treatment. 



There are many applications which may be used besides the calomel ointment, 

 and when one fails you will have to try another. Only do not be in too .great a 

 hurry to change ; give one a fair trial before you go on to the next. The following 

 is a very good formula : Carbonate of soda, two drachms ; hydrochlorate of mor- 

 phia, sixteen grains ; dilute hydrocyanic acid, half an ounce ; glycerine, two ounces ; 

 water to make it up to eight ounces. Make a lotion. Dab the part frequently. 

 You must remember that this is a Poisox, so that it should be distinctly labelled as 

 such, and should not be left about. 



A chloroform pomade sometimes acts admirably. It is made as follows : 

 chloroform, two drachms ; glycerine, half an ounce ; lard, an ounce and a half. This 

 to be used frequently. If you do not like the smell of it, tell the chemist to scent it 

 with roses or elder-flowers. 



These are all very good applications, but we have by no means exhausted our 

 list. A very useful lotion is one consisting of one part of carbolic acid to a 

 hundred parts of water. Sometimes the skin becomes so red and irritable from 

 the constant scratching that even a weak lotion such as this causes considerable 

 burning and smarting. It is by no means a bad plan to make a small plug of lint, 

 or out of an old handkerchief, soak it in this lotion, and push it up the passage, 

 leaving a part outside to act as a pad. When there is any suspicion that the 

 itching might possibly depend oft some parasite such as the itch or lice, sulphur 

 ointment should be freely applied. In obstinate old-standing cases it is a good plan 

 to commence treatment by rubbing the parts thoroughly with a solution of nitrate 

 of silver of the strength of two drachms to the ounce. It usually softens the skin 

 and allays the itching. Condy's fluid, undiluted, is very useful for the same 

 purpose, and should be applied two or three times a week. A case is said to have 

 been treated most satisfactorily after all remedies had failed by a lotion composed of 

 one part of liquor carbonis detergens to three of water applied freely. Some very 

 obstinate cases had been cured by washing the affected part at bed-time with a 

 saturated solution of borax in water. 



