MEDICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15930, 29 May 1915, Page 6 (Supplement)

MEDICAL NOTES.

HOME NURSING.

Many people are called upon at some time to minister to the sick, and, not having learnt the art 61 sick-nursing, often little difficulties 'I arise for them. One which may sometimes be found is how to keep a patient from slipping down in the bed when convalescent, bat still feeling very weak. After the patient sits up, arrange the pillows so that one is put well down to the Email of the bad, and the head is quite comfortable; or, perhaps, a bedrest may be used. In that case, the pillows are nicely arranged against it, then a firm pillow or a bolster is placed under the knees, a strong bandage being fastened to each end and tied at the top of the bedstead. If further support bo needed, it is a good plan to take a wooden box or hassock, or something firm and sufficiently broad to press the feet against. It can be wrapped up in some isheet wool or a soft cloth, and placed under the bottom sheet. A yet more simple method is to turn up the bottom of the mattress, and pack cushions or pillows under it. This gives the patient a good support for the feet, and" at the same time shortens the bed. SICK HEADACHE. It is scarcely too much to say that for every sufferer from sick headache there is a cure. The first thing to do is to determine the cause of the headache, if possible; and there are but few who have long been affected who do not know what indiscretions will induce attacks. Those who suffer from Bick headaches should correct every habit and avoid all indiscretions which they know are likely to be followed by an attack. They should also overcome every derangement of tho system which exists, if possible, and strengthen every part and function of the same. 'In fact, they should treat at first not the head and its aches, but endeavour to build up the general health. In the attempt' to do that they must not indiscriminately dose themselves with drugs, but rather depend upon pure air, exercise, sufficient sleep, good wholesome food, and other measures of like character. . ' DEFECTS IN MEMORY.' Who has not felt the sensation which the French call " deja vti" or "deja entendu/' meaning that he is doing or seeing or hearing something' he has experienced before. "In a perfectly new situation," writes Dr. Shepherd Ivory Franz, of America, "in a place which he has never before visited, a person believes that he has been-a visitor thore at some previous time. Those feelings of having already experienced such situations are frequently due to memory defects. It -is , probable that what takes place is that one or several elemonts in the present situation are like those which had been experienced in., the past, But that the dissimilarities in the situations aro not observed. The individual has a memory defect in that he parallels or identifies a complex present experience with a similar complex past experience, although in the present experience th« number of elements which are the same as those in the past may not be very great."

CRAMP. Any muscles of the body may be affected by the painful, spasmodic contraction known as cramp, but those of the lees and arms are most often affected. The most usual cases are the presence of indigestible food in the stomach and the pressure on the nerves of the intestines when overloaded. Cramp in the arms and fingers is sometimes due to disease of the heart. People who suffe? frequently with cramp in the legs should be particular to keep tho bowels active, taking soma aperient which suits them often enough to' prevent constipation. This, combined with care as to diet, any food known to be indigestible being avoided, will probably 'cun tho trouble. • When an attack of cramp icMiesion there is no bettor remedy thatt-lrjcjion with the hand. Keep ready a linimentf ofcsoapjor chloroform and apply this, rubbing along the line of tbe affected muscles. 4 A' mild dose of bicarbonate of soda, and sal volatile,' or a little ginger when the cramp is due to indigestion, will often give relief. It is a good plan'to spread a small blanket in the bed and to wrap this round the legs and feet before lying down, to prevent contact with the cold sheets.

RHEUMATISM AND INDIGESTION.

In cases of rheumatism it is. imperative that the skin' be kept in good condition to throw off disease and to relieve the excretory organs-of unnecessary labour. This makes it also in good condition to reabsorb tie poisonous impurities which it has just thrown -off. for this reason clothing worn at night should never.be worn in the day-time. Indigestion must bo avoided. When all the digestive powers seem to have organised a rebellion, and gases are found that must poison the blood, it is a good plan to give up entirely for a day or two the use of ordinary food, or as /ordinarily prepared. Boil rolled oats, strain and thin with good milk, tho richer the better if it does not disagree. Sweeten to taste, and drink often all you can. It is a pleasant drink either warm or cold. Break an egg into a cup, add a teaspoonful of lemon juice and a teaspoonful of water, shake over a little pepper and salt, and swallow raw. Two or three eggs every day, with plenty of oatmeal porridge, will keep the stomach nourished while it rests. After two or three days of this diet you v/iJ! wake with a good appetite for ordinary food and tho ability to digest it. A SIMPLE COUGH REMEDY. i The following is from a doctor connected with sin institution where there are many children: —" There is nothing more irritable to a cough than a cough. For some time I had been so fully assured of this that I determined, for one minute at least, to lessen tho number of coughs heard in a certain ward in a hospital of the institution. By the promise of rewards and punishments, 1 succeeded in inducing them to simply hold their breath when tempted to cough, and in a little while I was myself surprised to see how some of the children entirely recovered from the disease. Constant coughing," continues tho doctor, "is precisely like scratching a wound on tho outside of the body. So long as it is done the wound will not heal. Let a person, when tempted to cough, draw a long breath and hold it until it .warms, and soothes every air cell, and some benefit "will.. soon be received from this process. The nitrogen winch is thus refined acts as anodyne to the mucous membrane, allaying the desire to cough and giving the,, throat and lungs a chance .to heal' At the same time, a suitable medicine will aid Nature in her effort to recuperate."

FIRST AID "DONT'S." Don't lose time by overhurrying. Don't be afraid of the sight of blood.. There is more where it came from. Don't speak to the man at the wheel. When the doctor arrives to take charge, his trained senses will tell him mere than yon can. He can always ask. Don't leave a patient till you see him in safe keeping. Don't trust a loquacious helper. Don't forget that a little help in worth a lot of pity. Don't give up hope. Don't grumble because you have not got a chemist's shop in your pocket. No one has, as a rule.

Don't breathe over a wound, but turn your face sideways. Don't look anxious. Your patient may notice it.

Don't wish you were a doctor. Even he cannot always save a. case. Don't wait overlong for help, or you will require it. Just think this out. Don't despise a bunch of freshly-plucked green leaves. They make a better sponge than a doubtfully clean handkerchief. ; Don t tie a- knot over an injury' or where it, will interfere witlr comfort in lying. ' Don't forget 'that the r-reater includes ■ the,.less*_ If in doubt, treat a sprain as you would a fractr-t Don't Wet thai, your patient baa no more use for onlookers than you have.