The Home.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 5, 1 November 1895, Page 6

The Home.

By A. W.

In the hope that some sufferer may hereby be benefited, we earnestly beg of those who may have loved ones prostrate from tliis terrible disease to give this natur.-d nethod a trial. We are sure from our own experience that the result will be a happy ono. A sitz bath (an ordinary washing bath will serve the same purpose) should Ik* prepared w ith the coldest water available. In this the patient should sit, the water reaching to the middle of the body. At the same time the feet and legs should be placed in a bucket of water as hot as is compatible with comfort. While in the sitz bath the abdomen should be constantly laved with a good-sized piece of riannel. The douche or pouring is also an excellent aid. An ordinary jug is all that is required; the water of the bath serves as supply. The method of procedure is simplicity itself. Fill the jug and pour the water quickly and continuously over the abdomen and lower part of the spine. It may be necessary to resell to this treatment two or three times a day. When

the patient is got into bed the feet should be kept warm with moist heat. If a hot-water bag is not available, a bottle of hot water wrapped in a damp cloth will serve the same purpose. Cold cloths should now be constantly applied to the abdomen ; but, as an alternative, a lather of barilla soap is wonderfully soothing. It should be made as for shaving purposes, and laid over tho abdomen, covered by a light flannel. At intervals sips of cold water should be given, Nothing to eat is required till the danger is over. When the pain has subsided warm injections, or if there be diarrhoea, cold injections should l>e given. As far as possible the treatment should be diversified. A hot soapy sitz may be prepared in the following way. Boil barilla soap in water, and add it to the hot water in the bath. Let the patient sit in the hot bath, and follow the same plan of laving ami pouring as was pursued in tho cold sitz bath. Then gradually cool the water by adding cold untii the water is quite cold, laving and pouring all the time. When the patient is taken out, the body should be gently rubbed under the bed-clothes. Again, a blanket wrung out of boiling soapy water may be wrapped round the body, extending from the armpits downwards. Over this another large and dry blanket should be wrapped to keep in the heat. When it has cooled the body should be sponged with warm vinegar and water, and gently rubbed. In conclusion, let us urge upon mothers not to fear cold water. When all else fails we know it will give relief. Change of Diet. —The diet should vary with the seasons just as clothing does. More is needed in winter than in summer. Quantities of meats, farinaceous foods, and sugar are as much out of place in summer as are furs and thick wollens.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS.