The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English Part 31

Tonics are remedies which moderately exalt the energies of all parts of the body, without causing any deviation of healthy function. While stimulants are transient in their influence, tonics are comparatively permanent.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 139.

White Poplar. ]

WHITE POPLAR (_Liriodendron Tulipfera_), called also American Poplar, or White Wood. The part used is the inner bark. This is a mild but valuable tonic for domestic use. _Dose_--Of the infusion, from one-half to one ounce; of tincture, from one to two teaspoonfuls.

CHAMOMILE (_Anthemis n.o.bilis_). The part used is the flowers. This is a mild, unirritating tonic. _Dose_--Of infusion (one-fourth ounce of flowers to a pint of water) one-half to one ounce.

GENTIAN (_Gentiana Lutead_). The root is the part used. This is a favorite domestic tonic in many localities. _Dose_--Of powdered root, five to ten grains; of the tincture, ten to twenty drops; of the fluid extract, five to ten drops, four or five times a day.

NUX VOMICA (_Strychnos Nux Vomica_), or Dog b.u.t.ton. This is a powerful tonic. It increases innervation and is particularly valuable in cases marked by feeble circulation and general impairment of muscular power.

In overdoses it is poisonous, and hence must be employed with much caution. _Dose_--Of the tincture, three to five drops; of the fluid extract, ONE TO THREE DROPS.

WILLOW (_Salix Alba_). Willow is a tonic and an astringent. _Dose_--Of the decoction, from one to two fluid ounces; of the concentrated principle, Salicin, from two to four grains.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 140.

Dogwood.]

DOGWOOD (_Cornus Florida_). Dogwood, also known Boxwood, is tonic, astringent, and slightly stimulant. _Dose_--Of the solid extract, from three to five grains; of the infusion, from one to two ounces; of the fluid extract, from ten to twenty drops.

WAFER-ASH (_Ptelea Trifoliata_), also called Swamp Dogwood. The bark is used. This is a pure, unirritating tonic. _Dose_--Of tincture, one-half to one teaspoonful; of fluid extract ten to twenty drops; of the infusion, one to two fluid ounces.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 141.

Golden Seal. ]

GOLDEN SEAL (_Hydrastis Canadensis_). Golden Seal is a powerful and most valuable tonic. It is a valuable local remedy when used as a general injection in leucorrhea. _Dose_--Of the powder, from ten to thirty grains; of the tincture, from one-half to one fluid drachm; of the fluid extract, from ten to twenty drops; of the concentrated principle, Hydrastin, from two to three grains; of the muriate of hydrastia, from one-half to one grain.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 142.

American Colombo. ]

AMERICAN COLOMBO (_Frasera Carolinensis_). American Colombo is a simple tonic. _Dose_--Of the powdered root, from ten to fifteen grains; of the infusion one-half to one fluid ounce, three or four times a day; of the active principle, Fraserin, one to three grains.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 143.

Gold Thread. ]

GOLD THREAD (_Coptis Trifolia_). Gold Thread is a pure and powerful, bitter tonic, and is also efficacious as a wash for sore mouth or as a gargle. _Dose_--Of the decoction, from two to six fluid drachms; of the tincture, from one-half to two teaspoonfuls; of fluid extract, from ten to twenty drops.

IRON (_Ferrum_). Different preparations of iron are frequently prescribed by physicians. They are particularly valuable in anaemic conditions of the system. The following are a few of the preparations of this metal most generally used:

IRON BY HYDROGEN (_Ferri Redactum_). _Dose_--One to two grains.

CARBONATE OF IRON (_Ferri Carbonas_). _Dose_--One to three grains.

CITRATE OF IRON (_Ferri Citras_). _Dose_--One to three grains.

PYROPHOSPHATE OF IRON (_Ferri Pyrophosphas_). _Dose_--One to three grains.

TINCTURE OF MURIATE OF IRON (_Tinctura Ferri Chloridi)._ _Dose_--Three to twenty drops.

DR. PIERCE'S FAVORITE PRESCRIPTION. The Favorite Prescription, in addition to those properties already described, likewise combines tonic properties. In consequence of the never ceasing activities of the bodily organs, the system requires support, something to permanently exalt its actions. In all cases of debility, the Favorite Prescription tranquilizes the nerves, tones up the organs and increases their vigor, and strengthens the system. Directions for use accompany every bottle.

DR. PIERCE'S GOLDEN MEDICAL DISCOVERY. In addition to the alterative properties combined in this compound, it possesses important tonic qualities. While the Favorite Prescription exerts a tonic influence upon the digestive and nutritive functions, the Golden Medical Discovery acts upon the excretory glands. Besides, it tends to r.e.t.a.r.d unusual waste and expenditure. This latter remedy tones, sustains, and, at the same time regulates the functions. While increasing the discharge of noxious elements acc.u.mulated in the system, it promptly arrests the wastes arising from debility, and the unusual breaking down of the cells incident to quick decline. It stimulates the liver to secrete, changes the sallow complexion, and transforms the listless invalid into a vigorous and healthy being. At the same time, it checks the rapid disorganization of the tissues and their putrescent change, while it sustains the vital processes. It is, therefore, and indispensable remedy in the treatment of many diseases.

CHAPTER III.

BATHS AND MOTION AS REMEDIAL AGENTS.

The remedial effects of bathing are generally underrated. This want of appreciation is more often due to the improper manner in which it is performed than to an insufficiency of curative virtues. The term _bathing_ not only implies a cleaning of the body or certain portions of it, but also the application of water in such a manner as to influence the nervous system, and regulate the functions of the secretory organs.

Cleanliness, while it preserves health and promotes recovery, has reference only to the hygienic influences of water and not to its curative effects. There are several kinds of baths, the names of which indicate their character, manner of application, or the part of the body to which they are applied. Among others, we have Cold, Cool, Temperate, Tepid, Warm, Hot, Hot Air, Russian, Turkish, Vapor, Electric, Sea, Shower, Sponge, Douche, Foot, Sitz, Head, Medicated, Alkaline, Acid, Iodine, and Sulphur Baths. Temperature influences the properties of any bath; thus the sponge, sitz, and alkaline baths may be employed warm or cold, according to the effect desired.

THE COLD BATH, used at a temperature of from 40 to 60 Fahr., is powerfully sedative, and is employed for its tonic effects. If the vital powers are low, or the individual remains in it too long (two or three minutes should be the limit), the reaction is slow and its effects injurious. While it is highly invigorating to robust persons, those who have a low standard of vitality should be cautions in its employment. A local bath may be followed by beneficial results, when a general bath would be inadmissible. For these reasons we advise the general use of the

COOL BATH, at a temperature of from 60 to 75 Fahr. If, in any instance, the _reaction_ is _slow_, we recommend the

TEMPERATE BATH, at a temperature of from 75 to 80 Fahr. The time of remaining in the bath should be regulated by the strength of the invalid. As a rule, it should not exceed three _minutes_, and the colder the water the less time should the patient be immersed. Immediately after emerging from any bath, the body should be thoroughly dried and rubbed with a moderately coa.r.s.e towel until a glow is experienced and reaction is fully established. The attempt to toughen children by exposing them to low temperatures of either air or water, cannot be too emphatically condemned. This caution, however, does not apply to the employment of moderately cool water for ablutions. The cold or cool bath should be taken in the early part of the day, but _never during digestion_. Whenever reaction does not follow bathing, artificial means must be resorted to, as stimulating drinks, dry warmth, or exercise.

THE TEPID BATH, the temperature of which is from 85 to 92 Fahr., is generally used for cleansing the body. It is prescribed in fevers and inflammatory affections for its cooling effects. It is usually medicated with some acid or alkali. The latter unites with the oily secretion of the skin and forms a soapy compound easily removed by the water. The temperature should be regulated according to the vitality of the patient; and the bath may be repeated two or three times a day. It removes superfluous heat, and keeps the skin in a condition favorable for excretion.

THE WARM BATH, at a temperature varying from 92 to 98 Fahr., is always agreeable and refres.h.i.+ng. It equalizes the circulation and softens the skin, by removing all impurities. It moderates pain and soothes the whole system. It does not weaken or debilitate the person, but is in every way beneficial. It is an efficient, remedial agent in many chronic diseases, convulsions, spasmodic affections of the bowels, rupture, rheumatism, and derangement of the urino-genital organs. It should be employed immediately before going to bed unless urgent symptoms demand it at other times. It may be medicated or not, as circ.u.mstances require, but should always be taken in a warm room.

THE HOT BATH at a temperature of from 98 to 110 Fahr. is a powerful stimulant. It excites the nerves, and through them the entire system. It causes a sense of heat and a constriction of the secretory organs; but perspiration, languor, and torpor soon follow. In the sudden retrocession of cutaneous diseases, it restores the eruptions to the surface and gives speedy relief. The hot bath may be applied locally when circ.u.mstances require.

THE RUSSIAN BATH consists in the application of hot vapor, at a temperature varying from 112 to 200 Fahr. The patient is first subjected to a moderately warm temperature, which is gradually increased as he becomes inured to it, the head being surrounded with cloths wet in cold water. Upon emerging from it, the bather is plunged into cold water or receives a cool, shower bath. In rheumatic and cutaneous diseases, chronic inflammations, and nervous affections, the Russian bath is an effective remedy.

THE TURKISH BATH is a, dry, hot-air bath. The bather pa.s.ses from one apartment to another, each one being of a higher temperature than the preceding. He undergoes a thorough shampooing, and, although the person may be scrupulously clean, he will be astonished at the amount of effete matter removed by this process. The bather then returns through the various apartments, and, upon emerging from that of the lowest temperature, he experiences a delightful sensation of vigor and elasticity.

As a hygienic agent, the hot-air bath has been' constantly growing in favor. Its value is now recognized by all physicians throughout the world. The judicious use of the Turkish bath serves to secure perfect equalization of the circulation. Glandular activity is increased, elasticity and power given to the muscles, and a permanent, stimulating and tonic influence imparted to the system, a condition at once conducive to the enjoyment and prolongation of life. Dr. Erasmus Wilson, of England, says, in a paper read before the London Medical a.s.sociation: "The inhabitant of a large city would live as healthy, immured within city walls, as amid the fields and meadows of the country. His bath would be to him in the place of a country house or horse--it would give him air, exercise, freshness, health, and life."

"The bath that cleanses the inward as well as the outward man; that is applicable to every age; that is adapted to make health healthier, and alleviate disease, whatever its stage or severity, deserves to be adopted as a national inst.i.tution, and merits the advocacy of all medical men; of those whose especial duty it is to teach how health may be preserved, and how disease may be averted."

The hot, _dry_ atmosphere of the Turkish bath promotes rapid evaporation from the surface of the body, and it is well known that rapid evaporation from the surface is a cooling process. A person's finger may be frozen in one minute's time, by throwing upon it a constant, fine spray of rhigolene or sulphuric ether. The rapid evaporation of the light fluid congeals the liquids of the tissues and a film of ice is rapidly formed upon the part. In a less intense degree the same cooling process is carried on over the whole surface of a person, when in the hot room, or _sudatorium_, of the Turkish bath. The evaporation from the surface is so rapid that one can hardly appreciate the profuseness of the perspiration going on. The evaporation from the surface so rapidly carries off the heat from the body that one finds himself able, with little or no inconvenience, to remain in a room heated to from 180 to 200 or even 220 Fahr.

As a hygienic measure to be regularly or occasionally employed by persons in fair health, the Turkish or hot dry-air bath is far superior to the Russian or vapor-bath. (1.) It produces more profuse perspiration, and is therefore more depurating, or cleansing, in its effects. (2.) It does not relax the system, but rather produces a tonic effect, and fewer precautions are, therefore, necessary to guard against taking cold after employing it. (3.) The Turkish bath can be better ventilated than the Russian. While the air is heated to a high temperature, it can be readily kept pure by constant changes. In the Turkish hot-rooms, or _sudatorium_, of the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Inst.i.tute, provision is made for bringing underneath the floors a current of fresh air from without. This column of fresh air is carried under the centre of each room where it escapes from the conductor, is warmed, and rises into the room, from which extraction of air is constantly going on through registers opening into tubes, communicating with large ventilated shafts which are kept hot, summer and winter, to insure a draught through them. In this manner, thorough ventilation of our Turkish hot-rooms is insured.

The Turkish bath not only combines a most agreeable luxury with a decidedly invigorating and tonic influence, but also, by its stimulating power, induces proper glandular and cellular activity, producing a healthy condition.

Sallowness, tan, and freckles, the result of local or general increase of the pigment granules of the skin, soon disappear under the stimulating influence and regular use of the Turkish bath, which causes rapid development of new and transparent cells. The colored granules are thus gradually replaced and the skin a.s.sumes a beautiful clearness and purity of appearance, which transcends immeasurably the unhealthy hue that follows the frequent employment of the various cosmetics.

The value of an agent which thus improves the general health, insures immunity from coughs, colds, and other diseases, and at the same time produces a healthy and permanent beauty of complexion, is at once apparent. The purity of person, perfect circulation, increase of healthy nutrition and glandular activity produced by the Turkish bath, serve to make it of the most lasting utility.

The eminent Dr. Madden has said, and his experience is confirmed by every regular patron of the bath, that, "Wherever the Turkish bath was a national inst.i.tution the hair of the women was peculiarly luxurious and beautiful. I can vouch for it that the use of the bath rendered the complexion more delicate and brilliant; that the eyes became clearer and brighter; all the personal charms were enhanced. I can recommend no hygienic measure more beneficial or effectual in preserving the health and an attractive personal appearance."