THE HOME PHYSICIAy. 439 



Consniuption. — (1) A correspondent in Canada writes this interesting 

 and, perhaps, useful letter to Chamf>eis' Jouriuil: " Noticiagan extract from 

 the World of t<cie nee, my^hich a physician strongly recommends hot water 

 in place of tea or coflfee as a stimulant for the use of those requiring to study 

 late at night, I would like to give my experience of it as a beneficial agent in 



consumption: Mrs. , one of a family a number of whose members had 



died of coi.sumption, was, after severe exposure to a snow storm, seized with 

 a serious cough and expectoration, accompanied with a loss of flesh. Ex- 

 amination by a physician showed that one lung was seriously affected. She 

 was wholly confined to her room, and everj-thiug that medical attendance 

 and lo^'ing care could do to mitigate her s iffering was done, but ineffectu- 

 ally. Tlio depressing night sweats continued, together with loss of rest Irom 

 repeated fits of coughing. Losing all faith in medicine some six months ago, 

 its use was wholly abandoned and the use of nourishing diet only continued. 

 About ten weeks ago the patient's attention was directed to a newspaper 

 j>aragraph recommending hot water as a remedy for consumption. Feeling 

 that little harm could ensue fh)m its use, she determined to test it. At the 

 moment of retiring a large tumbler of hot water, iu wliich the juice of a 

 lemon had been mixed to free it fi-om nausea, was taken. In a few mo- 

 ments a glow of warmth would pervade the lungs, chest, etc., quickly fol- 

 lowed by the most refreshing sleep, which would be unbroken by any cough, 

 and the patient would awake in the morning rested and strengthened. A 

 few da\-8 ago she was seized with a fit of cougliing, during which was 

 coughed up into her mouth a small stone about the size of a pea — formed of 

 sulphate of lime, I beUeve, and usually considered a symptom of the healing 

 of a cavity in the lung." 



(2) A correspondent writes as follows about the flower of a well-known 

 plant: " I have discovered a remedy for consumption. It has cured a num- 

 ber of cases after they had commenced bleeding at the lungs and the hectic 

 flush was already on the cheek. After trying this remedy to my own satis- 

 faction, I have thought that philanthropy required that I should let it be 

 known to the world. It is common muUen, steeped strongly and sweetened 

 with coffee sugar, and drank freely. Young or old plants are good, dried in 

 the shade and kept in clean bags. The medicine must be continued from 

 three to six months, according to the nature of the disease. It is very good 

 for the blood vessels also. It strengthens and btulds up the system instead 

 of taking away the strength. It makes good blood and takes inflammation 

 away from the lungs." 



(3) English physicians recommend the free use of lemons for consump- 

 tion. It has long been known that they are excellent in the cure of rheuma- 

 tism, and, fortunately, they are both cheap and grateful to the palate. A 

 Uttle sugar only should be used with them, and a dozen a day are none too 

 many. 



Felons. — (1) Felons, which are usually termed " Whitlow " by physi- 

 cians, we beUeve, are a very painful and often very serious affection of the 

 fingers, generally of the last joints, and often near or involving the nails. As 

 the fingers are much exposed to bruises, felons are quite common among 

 those who constantly use their hands at hard work. K allowed to continue 

 until matter (pus) forms, and the periosteum or l>one sheathing is affected, 

 lancing is necessary; but if taken in time, a simple application of copal var- 

 nish, covering it with a bandage, is highly recommended. If the varnish 

 becomes dry and unpleasantly hard, a little fresh yamish may be applied 



