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scales from being carried about in the air and so infecting others. Vaseline is a soothing, nonirritating, and bland protective ointment for external use. It is perfectly harmless, but should not be used for severe skin disease or for internal use, unless recommended by a physician in conjunction with other means of healing. Pond's Extract.-Although the makers have claimed special virtues for this remedy, it is in reality an extract of hamamelis or witch-hazel, and probably differs little in its application or results from the ordinary marketed extract made by the average druggist. It is mild and bland, harmless when used externally, but should not be used internally unless ordered by a physician. It is soothing and healing when applied to wounds, sprains, and bruises; diluted with water it is a pleasant gargle for a sore throat, and may be applied externally on the throat by means of a flannel wrung out in a solution of it in hot water. For nosebleed it is often efficient when snuffed up the nose, or when pledgets of cotton are soaked in it and placed in the nostrils. It may be used as an application in ulcers or varicose veins, and from two to four teaspoonfuls with an equal amount of water injected into the rectum two or three times daily will often prove of great help in piles, particularly if bleeding. It gives relief when used for sore or inflamed eyes or eyelids, but in this, as in all other serious inflammations, it is not a "cure all," and the physician should be consulted if the relief is not prompt.

Listerine. Of the many mild liquid antiseptics "Listerine" is probably the best known. The remarks and recommendations concerning it, however, are equally applicable to many other remedies of a somewhat similar nature, such as glycothymoline, borolyptol, lythol, alkalol, formalid, etc.

Listerine is a solution of antiseptic substances with the addition of thymol and menthol in quantities sufficient to give it a pleasant odor and taste. It has a very strong hold on the public, and is a deservedly useful remedy.

Listerine has many helpful uses. It is potent enough to kill many germs, and is excellent for this purpose when used as a mouth wash, particularly during illness. In acute cold in the head it is soothing to the mucous membrane of the nose, if used diluted with war n water as a nasal douche. It serves a similar purpose when used as a gargle in mild sore throat.

If there is any reason to suspect that dirt or other foreign matter has come in contact with a sore or cut, the wound may be freely washed with a solution of listerine in order to clean it and render it as nearly aseptic as possible. When there are distinct signs of inflammation it should not be relied upon. Do not use it internally without a physician's advice.

Scott's Emulsion. This is a good emulsion of codliver oil, widely prescribed by physicians for the many patients who are too delicate-stomached to retain the

pure oil. For those who can take the refined oil straight, Peter Möller's brand is in a class by itself. In certain conditions cod-liver oil is one of the most valuable remedies known. As a concentrated and reconstructive food in many wasting diseases it is of great service. Weak and puny children, and all suffering from malnutrition may take it with benefit. It does help produce flesh, increase strength, and add to the body's resisting powers. It does not contain any medicinal properties, and its virtue is largely in its fat or oil, but as an aid to other remedies, or alone, when increased nutrition is desired, it is a reliable and helpful remedy.

Antiphlogistine. There are many clay poultices on the market: antiphlogistine, antithermoline, cretamethyl, sedol, unguentum, yorkelin, and the Emplastrum Kaolini of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. Antiphlogistine, being probably the most widely known, is here discussed. It is of value when a poultice is indicated. It is preferable to the homemade varieties in that it retains heat for a longer period of time and is antiseptic.

It should never be used in deep-seated inflammations, such as peritonitis, appendicitis, deep abscesses of any part of the body, or other serious conditions, unless recommended by a physician; for such ailments need more thorough treatment than can be afforded by any poultice. It is perfectly harmless, and may be used with decided benefit in aborting or preventing many inflammatory diseases. Applied in the early

stages of a boil, felon, or carbuncle it may either abort the trouble or, if the disease has already progressed too far, it will hasten suppuration and shorten the course of the disease. When a poultice is indicated in bronchitis or pleurisy it is an excellent one to use; it will afford much comfort, and often hasten recovery. In nursing mothers, when the breasts become full and tender and signs of beginning inflammation are present, antiphlogistine spread in a warm and thick coat over the breasts will often afford relief.

Platt's Chlorides.-When it is desirable to use a liquid disinfectant Platt's Chlorides will be found a useful article, as will lysol and other marketed products. The source of a foul smell or dangerous infection should never be overlooked. No disinfectant can offer a safeguard if plumbing is defective, or other unsanitary conditions exist; in fact, disinfectants are often deprecated, since they afford a false sense of security. If a contagious disease exists in a household, other means than the use of a disinfectant must be taken in order to prevent the spread of the contagion. Disinfectants do have their uses, however, and are often essential. In case of an illness of a contagious or infectious nature, a solution of Platt's Chlorides or a similar disinfectant should be kept in all vessels containing or receiving discharges from the body. Pails containing such a solution should be in readiness to receive all cloths, bedding, or washable clothes which have come, in any way, in contact with the patient.

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