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
For instance, if the bite should be upon the end of the finger, a
tight ligature of small cord should immediately be made beyond the
next joint of the finger.
If the bite is on any part of the hand, the ligature should be made
above the wrist, by means of a garter or cord, lapped several times
round the arm, and rendered as tight as possible, by a small stick
thrust betwixt the folds of the cord or garter, and twisted round
very hard, to prevent the circulation of the blood betwixt the part
bitten and the other part of the body. Ligatures of the same kind,
applied by any one present, or the man himself, will frequently save
a person's life, where, by accident, an artery in any of the limbs is
wounded, and no surgeon is at hand.
497. _Prevention of Hydrophobia._--As there has been hitherto no
remedy discovered which can be said to possess a specific control
over this dreadful malady, and therefore little hope can be
entertained of a cure for it, our best endeavors should be directed
to the _preventive_ treatment. This is to be commenced, then, by
completely cutting out the whole wound as soon as possible after the
bite of a suspected animal. After this, bleeding should be encouraged
by immersion in warm water, or the application of a cupping-glass.
Caustic should next be applied to every part of the wound, which
is then to be covered with a poultice, and suffered to heal by
granulation, or be kept open, and made to suppurate, by irritating
ointments. The excision should never be omitted, even though the
bitten part have healed, and let the interval since its occurrence be
what it may. As for any of innumerable so-called specifics, there is
not one that is worth a moment's trial.
498. _To alleviate the Pain occasioned by the Sting of Gnats._--The
disagreeable itching occasioned by the sting of these insects, may be
removed by volatile alkali, or immediately rubbing and washing the
part affected with cold water.
At night, to rub with fuller's earth and water, lessens the
inflammation.
499. _Simple and effectual cure for those who may accidentally have
swallowed a Wasp._--Instantly, on the alarming accident taking
place, put a tea-spoonful of common salt in your mouth, which will
instantaneously not only kill the wasp, but at the same time heal the
sting.
500. _For the Sting of a Wasp or Bee._--Spread over the part a
plaster of salad oil and common salt; if oil be not at hand, the
salt may be used, moistened with water or vinegar. Or, keep the part
constantly moist with a rag dipped in sal-volatile and cold water,
as strong as can be borne without raising the skin. Or, immediately
after taking out the sting, get an onion and bruise it, and apply
it to the stung place, and it will afford immediate relief. Or, a
washerwoman's blue-bag, applied in the same manner, will have a like
effect.
501. _Sting of a Nettle._--Rub the part affected with balm, rosemary,
mint, or any other aromatic herb, and the smart will soon cease.