HEALTH IN THE HOME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1216, 5 March 1914, Page 4

HEALTH IN THE HOME.

A REMEDY FOR CRAMP. To those who suffer from cramp iu the leg at night, the following hint may be useful; When the cramp comes on, take a good strong string—a long garter will do—wind it round the leg over the place that is affected, and take an end iu each hand, and give a sharp puli—one that will hurt a little. Instantly the cramp will depart, and the sufferer can return to bed assured it will not come on again that night.

WATER AS A NERVE FOOD

If nervous women would only drink more water they would not be so nervous. Nearly every physician will recommend a woman who is suffering from nervous prostration or nervous exhaustion to drink lots of water between meals, but many women who do not come under a doctor s care would feel better, and look belter, if they would drink, say, a quart of water iu the course of the day. Water is a nerve food. It has a distinctly soothing effect when sipped gradually, as one can test for one’s self.

TAKING COLD. When one becomes chilled, or takes cold, the mouths of myriads of little sweat glands are suddenly closed, and the impurities which should psss out through the skin are forced back at the interior of the body, vitiating the blood and putting extra work on the lungs and other internal organs. Just beneath the surface of the skin, all over the body, there is a network of minute blood vessels, finer than the finest lace. When one is chilled, the blood is forced fiom these capillary vessels into one or mote of the internal organs, producing inflammation or conges tiou, and thus often causing disease dangerous to life.

TREATMENT OF HYSTERI CAL FITS.

This fit is most commonly seen in young women whose health is below par; it is, however, occasionally seen in the male sex. and ia each case h\: to be regarded as the result ot si.me cistu bunce of (he nervous system. If a great deal of sympathy is expended on the patient, the chances are that she will have frequent hysterical attacks. K j«. , the ,p°r line of treatment is to exercise a healthy neglect of the patient, and in her hearing to assert that there is nothing at all wrong with her, and that if she is left to herself recovery will be the more speedily accomplished. Sometimes a dash of cold water on the face may have a certain effect In terminating the nervous crisis, while, as an old doctor was wont to advise, there is a good moral effect in leaving the patient to herself, and on going out of the room to slam the door loudly.

WALKING AS A HEALTH RESTORER.

Walking, if properly and regularly followed, would become not only a restorer of health to many who are at the present time on the road to disease, but also a source of pleasure. Let (he arms swing if you feel like it, and the limbs, too ; open the nostiils and fill the lungs, and the movements wih send a gentle electric vibration through the entire body, the result of which is the awakening of new life. Never take the lazy gait, as it soon makes one tired and produces languor. Perhaps the best time to walk is in the early morning. The air is then the most highly charged with the life-giving oxygen, and the freest from dust and smoke which rise later in the day. At this time, also, the mind is liable to be freed from worry and anxiety, hence in the best condition to drink in the blessings of freshness for us on every baud.

NEURITIS

Neuritis really means inflammation of a nerve or nerves. Pain is feit iu the nerve affected, very often in the arms and legs, and is much worse at night. A slight inflammation often appears on the skin ; and the muscles, where the pain is felt, become weakened. Sometimes it is difficult to detect the cause of neuritis ; but in the treatment it is very important to see that the bowels act regularly, and that the patient has a plain non-stimulating diet. Hot fomentations or poultices should be applied to the limb. Mercury taken internally is sometimes beneficial, but this must only be given by a doctor, who will prescribe the right quantity. Another form of neuritis arises from taking certain poisons, especially arsenic. Some beer contains a great deal of this poison, and it has been the cause of mauy people having this troublesome complaint. They experience a great deal of pain in the limbs, and the muscles of the leg become so weak, that they almost become paralysed. The feet droop, and the patient has difficulty in raising them. Fever is generally pieseut and the mind often becomes unhinged. The sufferer must remain in bed, and medicines prescribed by a doctor, must be given to lower the fever and lessen the pain. Strychnine and iron may be taken as tonics, but it is much better to be guided by the advice of the medical man iu charge as to what internal medicines should be taken. Electrical applications and massage are often very efficacious and the patieut must be carefully nursed.