MEDICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18297, 13 January 1923, Page 3 (Supplement)

MEDICAL NOTES.

.:■ .; CURES BY WATER. ; r . Water \ should i play a much more important part in a laealthy dietary than is usually the case.. The benefito derived from spa treatment may be traced as much to th& extra .water, consumed as to any particular virtues in the water"A. water cure may. 'be taken in the home, and b 7ery s . oeneficiaV ; {For four or five days six to eight, pinta of water should •be drohjfc-. each dayj; none of it, however, -at .meal, times.-,,,. Jl^pint of hot ,water "can .be,, taken, on uriswgj and another '''before, goinfe iio \ :f -'frs'jf,~'JthQ rest should Jbe, takeß.half> an hour-.to 'an hour before 'each :)meul;'■ Tea,. and -coffee when hotiioo".stiong,Vand takenin moderation, Btimnlato ;the:, brain, ",th© *Yita) "centres, and.' the' heart, and stimulate the power for work. HAY FEVEB. ,'\;, • As the outcome of seven years' diligent study and experiment a Harley Street specialist is reported to have discovered a new cure for hay fever, and to have brought it so near perfection that 1% is almost always successful. This distressing trouble results from an undue irritation of the facia] skin, and most frequently this irritation '» centred in the vestibule of the nose. The new treatment -is aimed directly at that centre. The skin is rubbed with a lotion, of which the main constituent is silver nitrate, particular attention being paid to the two spots where the skin is generally tender. The chemical application hardens the skin covering those spots, and thus lessons their sensitiveness to irritation. ! ■ Extreme,, Cases.

In extreme cases of hay fever an anaesthetic solution of three British chemicals is substituted for the nitrate. In all cases a slight reaction follows this application, but with further treatment is gradually lessons, until a state of complete immunity from hay fever, attacks is reached. After a few simple nasal applications the distressing eye Sensation, the occasional blurring vision, and the general facial irritation entirely .disappear. > Experiments .have proved that patients treated about a month before the symtoms are due generally escape;attack. Further research work is being done in the hope that this treatment may be developed into a certain cure for asthma. '■:■■ .'/■, '■:'.'■::' : :'- BLISTEBS ON THE FEET. Blisters on • the heels' are often due; to friction at the heel after new shoes have been worn. They are also the result of perspiration and when so caused may be relieved by the application of spirits of camphor on a piece of cheesecloth. Genuine blisters should be painted , with collodion ito protect them from the air and the friction of the hosa An army preventive is to rub a little soap on the stocking Too short- shoes and stockings force the joint'of the large ... toe out of place, and no remedy may be hoped i for without corrective shoes—shoes that are long enough and wide enough for a normal spreading of -the; toes. In ah early stage the ; joint may be bandaged into place with; the aid of adhesivs plaster to bring it into a natural position. The following ointment ; may be applied night and - morning Ung. ■ Hydrarg U.SIP i Ung. Belladonna; of < each Joz. Sometimes even expensive shoes have-defective linings. The slightest unevehess causes discomfort, and probably a blister;. The cure iis to rub ; the uneven: place with- a thimble vigorously? or ~ the piece can :, bo cut but and ii patch put in, the edge of the i hole being first stuck down with strong adhesive, and then a piece of soft leather, such as can be cut from as. old glove, stuck over, it.