432 THE HOUSEHOLD. 



aud tho quieter the patient id kept the more certain and rapid is tha 

 recovery. 



(3) Take one i>int of best wine vinegar, and add half a pound of best loaf 

 sugar. Simmer them together in a pewter vessel, with a pewter top. Let 

 the i)atient drink this during the day^a small quantity at a time — either 

 clear, or diluted with water. 



DlpUtlieria — (1) Dr. Chenery, of Boston, has lately discovered that 

 hyposulphite of soda is the specific remedy against diphtheria, that so much 

 dreaded ailment, which of late years has •arried oft' many valuable lives. 

 He reports a very largo number of cases saved by the vse of this remedy. 

 The dose of the hyposulphite is from five to fifteen grains or more in syrup, 

 every two to four hours, according to ago and circumstances. It can do no 

 harm, but if too much is given it will purge; as much as tho patient can 

 bear without purging is a good rule in the severer cases. The solution or 

 mixture can be used in doses of five drops to half a drachm in mUk. Tho 

 amount for thorough stimulation is greater than can be taken in water. The 

 doctor usually gives it in such doses as can be easily taken in milk, using 

 milk besides as a food for small children. One fact, however, needs to be 

 borne in mind, namely, the hyposulphite prevents tho digestion of milk, and 

 it should not be given in less than au hour after taking the medicine. They 

 may be used alternately, however, without interference, in sufficiently fre- 

 quent doses. 



(2) The treatment consists in thoroughly swabbing the back of the 

 mouth and throat with a wash made thus: Table salt, two drachms; black 

 pepper, golden seal, nitrate of potash, alum, one drachm each. Mix and 

 pulverize, put into a teacup half full of water, stir well, and then fill up with 

 good vinegar. Use every half hour, one, two, and four hours, as recovery 

 progresses. Tho patient may swallow a little each time. Apply one ounce 

 each of spirits of tiirpentine, sweet oil, and aqua ammonia, mixed, every 

 hour, to the whole of the throat, and to the breast bone every four hours, 

 keeping flannel to the part. 



(3) A correspondent writes that he has used the following remedy for 

 diphtheria in a great many hard cases, and in not one has it failed to effect 

 a cure. It is as follows: Procure some pitch tar — not gas tar — put a little 

 on a hot iron, invert funnel over the smoke, and let the patient inhale as 

 much as ho can for a few minutes five or six times a day. During tho 

 intervals let the patient have small pieces of ice to keep as near tho root of 

 the tongue as possible. 



(4) In France lemon juice is iu high repute as a remedy for diphtheria. 

 As a local application it is preferred to chlorate of potash, nitrate of silver, 

 perchloride of iron, alum or lime water. It is iised by dipping a little plug 

 f)f cotton wool twisted around a wire in the juice, and pressing it against the 

 diseased surface four or five times daily. 



(5) A gargle of sulphur and water has been used with much success in 

 cases of diphtheria. Let the patient swallow a little of the mixture. Or, 

 when you discover that your throat is a little sore, bind a strip of flannel 

 around tho throat, wet in camphor, and gargle salt and vinegar occa- 

 sionally. 



(6) Take a common tobacco pipe, place a live coal within the bowJ, drop 

 a little tar upon tho coal, and let the patient draw smoke into tho mouth, 

 aud discharge it through the nostrils. Tho remedy is safe aud simple, anc^ 

 should bo tried wheuovor occasion may require 



