The Home.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 2, 1 August 1895, Page 6

The Home.

RHEUMATIC FEVER.

(By A. W.)

I*rofesßor Kirk —“ The sweet presence of a jpd diffused." As we have experienced so must we testify. I would I could in some measure express my fervent thankfulness and reverence to that lover of humanity, Professor Kirk of Edinburgh. How often have I felt the tragic pathos of mothers passively watching their anguished loved ones, yet unable, except by the doctor’s instructions, to do aught for their sick, and have blessed this dear man that he has been the means of altering all that.

My little daughter was seized with rheumatic fever. The pains in her body and limbs were so severe that she could not bear even the sheet to touch her. A large hot bran poultice was prepared, which was placed under the lower part of the back across the loins. The legs and feet were packed separately in small blankets, wrung out of boil- '.g barilla-soap water. When the blankets cooled the feet and legs were sponged, under the bed clothes, with a little acetic acid, diluted with warm water, then rubbed

with warm olive oil, and finally with guia. cum. They were then packed up warmly in cotton wool. The bran poultice, which remained hot for nearly two hours, was then removed, and the back treated in the same way as the feet and legs had been. The little head w f as repeatedly cooled with cloths wrung out of cold water and a little acetic acid. After nearly three hours of ceaseless endeavour, the little one fell into a sweet sleep. The next day the same process was repeated, and the child could move her limbs. On the third day of the treatment she was entirely free from pain, and in less than a week was playing about as usual.