Thirst.--This forms a severe feature in many cases of illness, and has to be treated variously according to its kind. It may be due first to _dryness_ in the membranes of the throat and stomach; secondly it may be due to a _concentrated_ or _deranged_ state of the juices of the body; thirdly, it may be the result of a _burning heat_ in the body. It will not be difficult for a careful person to say in any case which of them is the cause. The nature of the disease will indicate it. A little cold water may be given first. If this fails, a cold cloth over the stomach (_see_ Changing Treatment) may be tried. If these are not successful, a few tablespoonfuls of hot water may be given. The first of these meets the simple dryness, the second cures the burning heat, the third meets the case of concentrated and deranged juices in the body. A few drops of vinegar, lemon juice, or other fruit acid (_see_ Drinks), will often greatly assist the hot water in its duty. All alcoholic drinks are worse than useless in real thirst. Any power they possess is either due to the effect they have on the artificial thirst they create or to the water they contain. And the danger of rousing or creating the dreadful desire of the drunkard is so great, that they ought never to be given to relieve a patient's thirst. If the cold water is known, from any cause, to be dangerous to the patient, then hot water will do equally well. If the thirst arises from some drug which has been taken, then hot water should always be given. Again, the _locality_ of the dryness causing thirst indicates the best method of quenching it. If only the mouth and tongue be dry, then it will be sufficient to wash out the mouth with the water, or acid drink, not swallowing, so as to avoid unnecessary loading of the stomach. If throat and mouth are cool, and only the stomach burns, then the cold towel above that is the best treatment. There is no need, except in very special cases, for iced water. Tap water is generally cool enough, unless stored in heated cisterns. In this case a little ice may be used to bring it down to a temperature of 45 deg. or so, but not below 40 deg. Throat Hoarseness.--This is best treated by a good large BRAN POULTICE (_see_) on the back of the head and neck. While the patient lies on this, cold towels must be changed on the front above the "apple" of the throat. Do this for an hour twice a day. Or, if the feet be cold, give treatment as in Teething. There must also be _rest from talking_. Procure a good camel's-hair throat-brush from the druggist, and brush the back of the throat well with weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) several times a day, or simply gargle if there is difficulty with the brushing. The brush must be carefully cleansed, and dipped in the _strong_ acid after use.