Health.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2061, 29 April 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Health.

Warts. —The arsenic treatment is well adapted for warts. The top of the wart should be either sliced off with a sharp knife, cut off with a pair of scissors, or destroyed with a drop of some caustic, such as nitric acid. It is then to be painted with the arsenic solution two or three times a day. In a short time it undergoes a change, and appears to break up into a number of pieces. It may then be removed or turned out without the slightest pain or difficulty. There are several other means of getting rid of warts. Their vitality is low, and they are usually readily destroyed by the application of the caustic or astringent. The strong acetic acid known as the “ glacial ” acetic acid is often used for that purpose. It should be applied with a glass rod until the wart is pretty well sodden with the acid. 11 may have to bo applied more than once, and care should bo taken to prevent it coming into contact with the surrounding skin, or it may cause a blister. Small warts occurring in numbers may usually be got rid of certainly and painlessly by keeping them constantly moist with a lotion made by adding two drachms of dilute nitric acid to a pint of water. Lunar caustic is sometimes used for warts, but its action is, as a rule, too superficial to be of much service. When warts or warty growths occur on the nose, lips, or any part besides the bands, chromic acid may be used. The solution is made by dissolving a hundred grains of crystalized chromic acid in an ounce of water. The solution is best applied by means cf a pointed glass rod, or when a large quantity is required by means of a small glass tube drawn to a point. Only so much should be applied as will saturate the diseased growth, and it should not be brought in contact with the surrounding tissues. Any superfluous acid is to be removed by a piece of blotting paper or wet lint. The application usually produces only a little .temporary smarting, unless indeed the part is ulcerated, when the pain is more severe and of longer duration. After the application of (ho chromic acid, it is a good plan to dress the part with lint dipped in load lotion, as it relieves the soreness and restrains the inflammation. Under the influence of this treatment the growth usually wastes, in some eases being thrown off altogether, and in others undergoing a partial though distinct diminution in size. In the majority of eases one application suffices, the cure being complete in from four to eight days. When, however, the warts are very large repeated applications may be necessary, .

Biliousness— The symptoms of biliousness arc well known. They differ in ilift'eront individuals, however. A bilious man is seldom a breakfaster. Too frequently, alas, he lias an excellent appetite for liquids, but none for solids of a morning. His tongue will hardly bear inspection at any time ; if it is not white and furred, it is rough. The digestive system is wholly out of order ; diarrlnea or constipation may be a symptom, or the two may alternate. There arc very often hemorrhoids, or loss of blood. There may be giddiness and often headache and acidity or flatulence, and tenderness at the pit of the stomach. The pain felt in the right shoulder would indicate an extra bad case, but apart from this there are aching pains and oven stiffness in the limbs, with more or less cramps in the limb muscles, or burning in palms of the bands, with hot perspiring feel. There may be drowsiness and torpor by day, and sleeplessness by night, and all sorts and conditions of mind especially irritability ; fits of bad temper that come on suddenly and go off again. Bilious people are apt to fly for relief to aperient pills, and there is no doubt that they often afford temporary relief by relieving the overgorged liver. This is antiphlogistic treatment, but it is not radical, When a fishpond overflows its banks, we may let off a portion of the wafer, but after this we ought to go to the other end and lessen the overflow.

I do not wish to surest remedies in this paper, as cases differ so. The mineral acids and bitter vegetable tonics often do good. So do mix vomica and aconite. Then there is dandelion and chloride of ammonium, and alkalies. A bine pill and colocynth, followed next day by a glass of Tallna water will often help the liver, but the patient must be careful about his diet. The podophyllin pill, from a quarter to half a grain of the extract, iu three to live of extract of hyoscyatnus, may do as well as the blue pill, if not better. Soda-water or lithia-watcr and milk should be drunk next day, and very little solid food taken, though beef tea mixed with arrowroot will ho found very nourishing. Little good will accrue from this treatment, however, if the patient returns to his nonhygenic habits of life.

“ What am Ito do, then may he asked. I will tell you what you are to do. You arc n«t to overeat; you are not to use sugar or fat to any extent, puddings, pastrvor cheese. Yon are not to touch alcohol. You are neither nor overwony yourself, and you are not to shirk the morning tub, nor plenty of exercise.

What are you to do fur the acidity f Abstemiousness, and regulation of diet and habits will entirely remove it, and you will have the pleasure of knowing that its absence is a sign of rejuvenation of the liver. I £ you but try a week of the treatment I suggest, I feel convinced you will once more'feel a p’ea'uve in life, and an interest in all your surroundinsrs.

Hot Water.—ln drinking hot water it should be sipped, and not drunk so fast as to distend the stomach and make it feel uncomfortable. From fifteen to thirty minutes may he consumed In drinking it. A period of six mouths is generally required to wash out the liver and intestines thoroughly. Xot more than half a pint of hot water should be drunk with the meals. To make the beverage palatable, or to medicate, it, aromatic spirits of ammonia, clover blossoms, ginger, lemon juice, sage, salt or sulphate of magnesia are sometimes added. When there is intense thirst or dryness, a pinch o£ chloride of calcium or nitrate, of potash may bo added to allay the thiist and leave a moistened film over the parched and dry surface. When there is diarrluea, cinnamon, ginger and pepper may he boiled in the water and the quantity lessened. For constipation, a teaspoonful of taraxacum may be used in hot water.

1 iirbricty has a deadly foe in the use of hot water. Ail thirst and dry mucous membrane disappear in a tew days, and a moist condition of the mucous membrane and skin takes place. The relaxing inllm-nco of beat inside the alimentary canal relieves spasm and colic of the bowels just as well as beat outside the abdomen. Hot water dilutes the ropy secretions of the body, and renders them loss adhesive. It dissolves the abnormal and erystaiine substances that may bo in the blood and urine. It thoroughly washes out the stomach and leaves it fresh and clean for eating. It promotes elimination everywhere. As we are, seventy-five percent, water, we need renewal to prevent stagnation. ’I be universal use of hot hoverages at meal time is based on physiological necessity. If hot water be taken between meals, there will be, but little need of takiim it at meals,