HEALTH COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 68

HEALTH COLUMN.

Hie Bursting of Varicose Veins. The following notes are given by request. A permanently dilated vein is spoken of as varicose, the name being given on account of the twist or tortuousness of such veins. Owing either to degeneracy of the wall of the vein or to increased pressure of tiie blood within the vein, the walls become stretched, and the valves which prevent the back flow of blood through these vessels no longer span them. Varicose veins do not often occur in children. Most commonly they first appear between the ages of 16 and 30. Any occupation which necessitates long standing undoubtedly predisposes to varicose veins. Pregnancy is also a frequent cause. Generally the veins chiefly affected arc those near the surface of the leg, and these arc readily recognised; sometimes, however, the deeper veins are those principally concerned. There is usually a good deal of pain and aching, especially after standing; it is therefore important that persons who suffer from vari- •, cose veins should stand as little as possible, and should spend a certain amount of every day with their feet raised on a chair or couch. The mischief may usually be prevented from proceeding further by the wearing of a properly-fitting elastic stocking or an indiarubber bandage. If this simple precaution be neglected various complications, more or loss grave, may result. Varicose eczema and ulceration of the leg are among the commoner of these. For both these conditions rest in bed is essentia!, and the. parts should be dressed twice daily with some simple antiseptic lotion, of a strength one in 40, followed by boracic acid ointment. Much the most serious complication of varicose veins, however, :s haemorrhage from the bursting of the dilated vessel. When as a result of lon g-eontinued pressure or sudden strain one of these veins bursts, the loss of blood is very rapid. Owing to the inefficiency of the valves the blood flows from both above* and below- that is, from both ends of the broken vessel. Should the patient remain standing or sitting with the leg hanging down, death is likely to result, in a very ! short time. Fortunately the haemorrhage is very easily controlled by the most simple treatment The patient should immediately i ho down and have the affected leg well j raised, if necessary at right angles to the j b>d\. 1 he stocking should be at once j removed so as to show the bleeding part. 1 and the thumb should at once apply presj sure until a pad and bandage can be ob- | tained. The thumb should be then replaced I !>v a pad fixed over the wounded vein, firm I pressure being supplied bv a bandage car- | ned from the roots of the toes to the knee. €me of Dandruff. j There seems to bo so many people suffer- | big from dandruff from the number of | queries sent in for advice that again I j give some general remarks upon this | rrouolosorno complaint. There are different kinds of dandruff—one comes from the scalp being too dry, and in spite of all the combing and brushing the dry scales of loose skin accumulate and produce great irritation. .Another kind is oily, and scorns to permeate the hair itself down to the very tips. The first step is to get a liiixtme of equal parts of soft soap and eau-de-Cologne. Any chemist will mix a 4oz bottle, which will last quite a long time. I.'vo spoonfuls of tills mixture in a halftent of warm water makes a splendid wash for the head. Be careful to rinse every particle of soap from the hair with tepid water, then dry carefully with a soft towel. I ho scalp will now he thoroughly cleaned. If you are suffering from the 'oily dandruff get the following mixture from Um chemists: —Otto of roses, 1 drop; oil of bergamot, 3 drops; tannic acid, 60 grains; pui'(‘ p-.ycfnno, «i sufficiency j white v<tsoline, 60 grains; cold cream, 1 ounce. Part the hair with a comb, and rub the dressing into the partings until yon have rubbed all the scalp; then thoroughly brush with a soft brush, when the hair will look clean ami glossy. If the dandruff consists of scaly, white, hard shiny particles, which talj over the c;othos in showers when the hair is brushed, use after washing and drying the following dressing Otto of roses. 1 drop; oil of bergamot, 3 drops; lanoline, 60 grains; cold cream, 1 ounce. At first this f i eat merit must be oont'nued daily, then as ihe dandruff Ijceomos less at longer intervals, and finally once a week. --Cause of Dandruff.— Dandruff often rises from a low and sluggish state of the constitution, so that whilst you are curing the dandruff you must try to build up your health, and keep it good. You must also bear in mind that dandruff is catching, and is easily communicated from one child to another by wearing one another s caps and fiats. There is sometimes a tendency, even in healthy and luxurious hair, to become a little too dry. There seems to ho an insufficient quantify of oil o r fat secreted in the oil glands to keep the hair in nice condition. The following dressing used just, occasionally in a very small quantity will keep (he hair in good condition:—Otto of roses, 2 drops; oil of }>org*jiinot t 6 drops ; l:iiio]ino f (30 gT£iins j J oil of sesame to make two fluid ounces. .'Vasal Catarrh. People who suffer from this complaint generally wake in the morning with a | sniffy feeling existing between the nose and | the hack of the mouth. It. is caused by u mucous secretion lying at the back of the nostrils. The sufferer should get a brittle of compressed nasal tablets. Anv chemist will order them for you if ho has not got, them in stock. Dissolve one tablet in' a wineglass of warm water, then snuff the liquid up the nostrils and let it come out of the mourn. '\ his should be done morning and evening, and, if persevered with, will in time clear away all the mucous. If j the catarrh has become chronic, the treat- | nient must be carried on for a month, | \\ hen there is tile least sign of its return- | ing. use the tablets again. It is also beneficial to snuff up the nostrils a solution of salt and water. Another j cure is that of smoking cubeb cigarettes, j and bringing the smoke down the' nostn’s I so that it wi.l como in contact with the | affected part. | V-om chronic catarrh deafness also arises, i when tlmro is at times a buzzing or singing j in tns beau and occasional]v a dizziness, j and gradually the hearing fails. This kind I of ear disease is the most common, which I brings on hardness of hearing and deafness. | As a rule no kind of drops should ho put | an ear affected with chronic catarrh, 1 as they will do more harm than good, for

the disea.se lies beyond the drum head, in the drum cavity and the Eustachian tube. The douche recommended for nasal catarrh will also be beneficial for the deafness, as the throat, ear, and nose are all closely connected. It is very important that the body should always bo kept warm with woollen clothing, and the feet kept dry, for the welfare of the throat and ears depends a great deal upon the condition of the feet. If the oars ache with the cold when out in the open air, then they must be protected by a scarf or veil or a piece of cotton wool in the car, but in no case must the cotton be worn in a running ear.