HEALTH HINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 15

HEALTH HINTS.

——-■ m ' ~"~ THE I-CIT-B-vETTTENT HEADACHE. A headache which comes on at periodical intervals of either a few days, a week, a fortnight, or longer intervals, and is confined to one side of the head, is certain to be migraine or hemicrania— as it is sometimes called because con- i fined to the one side. Its advent is j usually pre=ajred by a day or two of | discomfort—cold or chilliness, or general ! depression, quickly followed by some dis- j turbance of vision which may either be j bright spots of light, luminous zig-zags,! or "fortifi tions," Catherine wheels, or | simply a gv .era! haze or veil. In many | case.s"onlv one half of an object can be seen, and"some have pricking of the arm right down to the finger tips or even numbness of the lip. Shortly thereafter pain and sickness appear, tne pain usually being i-o violent that the patient is quite unable to attend to her duues, and is compelled to seek repose and quiet in a dark room. After the sickness the patient often break, into a perspiration, falls adeep, and awakes quite well, although this rarely occurs before 24 hours have elapsed. A cure of such a condition is inipos=ible until the cause has been and in many cases an error oi refraction of the eyes termed astigmatism is present, and must be corrected by spectacles. It is marvellous how soon in such circumsuincej. a cure can be brought about. In many cases, however, no ?uch cause can 'be discovered, and then we are compelled to fall back on .general treatment to effect a cure. The- ) most careful attention mti_t be paid to ohe diet, all malt liquors, sweet wines, or. indeed alcohol of any kind being carefully avoided. Regular exercise iv the open air is advisable, and all our work and worry must be avoided, these instructions being especially applicable to ladies. Frequent aperients are of great service, one of the best be.ng Pie Colocynth and Hyosoyamus two grains and a half, Iridin one grain, Calomel half a grain, Extract of Belladonna one-sixth of a grain, Extract of Camomile sufficient to make a pilL This should be followed in the morning by a dose of Epsom Salts or Sulphate of Soda. Anaemic patients may take the following mixture for a week or two at a time:—Citrate of Iron and Ammonia ten grains. Bromide of Potassium ten grains, rial Volatile ten drops. Chloroform Water half an ounce three times a day after meals in water. Many drugs have been used duiin"- tbe attack to give relief. The following is useful, but should alwayt, be taken under the supervision of a physician.—Salicylate of Soda five grains. BronJde of Potassium ten grains. Liquid Extract, of Liquorice ten drops. Water half an ounce, every four hours.