Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million: Containing Four Thousand Five Hundred and Forty-five Receipts, Facts, Directions, etc. in the Useful, Ornamental, and Domestic Arts
John Stuart Mill · en
427. _To cure a Felon._--A felon generally appears on the end of the
fingers or thumbs; it is extremely painful for weeks, and sometimes
for months, and, in most cases, cripples or disfigures the finger
or thumb that falls a victim to it. But it can easily be cured, if
attended to in time. As soon as the pain is felt, take the thin white
skin of an egg, which is found inside next to the shell; put it round
the end of the finger or thumb affected, and keep it there until
the pain subsides. As soon as the skin becomes dry, it will be very
painful, and likely continue so for half an hour or more; but be not
alarmed. If it grows painful, bear it; it will be of short duration
in comparison to what the disease would be. A cure will be certain.
BURNS AND SCALDS.
428. We mention several remedies which have obtained popular
reputation in these accidents, and which are valuable not only as
giving more or less relief, but as being generally at hand, or to be
readily procured in every dwelling. They are, wheat flour, which may
be thickly sprinkled over the injured parts with a common kitchen
dredger, till a perfect crust is formed--an excellent application.
Finely-scraped chalk or magnesia, applied in the same way. These
act both by excluding the atmospheric air, and absorbing the fluid
secreted by the vessels of the inflamed surface. Another application
reported to be very efficacious in allaying the pain, is a piece
of lint wetted with a saturated solution of carbonate of soda. A
poultice of grated raw turnip or potato, applied cold, is quickly
productive of ease in slight burns, but requires renewing often
enough to keep up the sensation of coldness.
429. _Burns._--Apply to, or wrap round the burnt part, some folds
of cotton bought in sheets; however severe the pain may be, it will
abate in a few hours. Should blisters arise, they may next day be
carefully pricked with a needle, so as to break the skin as little as
possible; and the cotton kept on till the cure is effected.
430. _A remedy for a Burn or Scald._--Apply immediately a thick
covering of wool to the burnt part, and bind it on tight; in the
course of half an hour very little pain will be felt, and scarcely
any blister will remain. As this remedy is so simple, no housekeeper
should be without loose wool at hand, in case of an accident. This
remedy was discovered by the child of a woolcomber having been
dreadfully scalded: its mother laid it in a basket of newly carded
wool, whilst she ran for a doctor; when she returned, she found the
child fast asleep amongst the wool, and when it awoke the excessive
pain had subsided. We have frequently tried it, and invariably with
success.
431. _For Burns and Scalds._--Plunge the injured part into cold
spring or ice water; or, lay on it pounded ice wrapped in linen.
Or, dissolve four ounces of alum in a quart of hot water; dip a cloth
into it, and lay it on the part. As soon as it becomes hot and dry,
repeat the application.