HINTS FOR HEALTH.

TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM BURNING.

Add one ounce of alum to the last water used to rinse children's dresses, and they will be rendered uninflammable, or so slightly combustible that they would take fire very slowly, if at all, and would not flame. This a simple precaution, which may be adopted in families of children. Bed curtains, and linen in general, may also be treated in the same way.

TO AVOID DANGER FROM WET CLOTHES.

Keep if possible in motion, and take care not to go near a fire or into any very warm place, so as to occasion sudden heat, till some time after you have been able to procure dry clothes.

Cod-liver oil is neither more nor less than cod oil clarified; and consequently two-thirds of its medicinal qualities are abstracted thereby. Cod oil can be purchased pure at any wholesale oil warehouse, at about one-thirtieth part of the price charged for the so-called cod-liver oil.

TO DETECT ARSENIC.

AND LOW SPIRITS.

The Causes, Symptoms, and Rational Treatment.

"Dr. Yeoman has published a People's Edition' of his sensibly written description of one of the most general evils that flesh is heir to. There is much of use to be learned from this little work; and as the Doctor is an enemy to quackery, his opinions may be safely consulted."-Blackburn Standard. Price 4d., by post, 6d.

HEADACHES. Their Varieties, Causes, Symptoms, and

Rational Treatment.

ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, INFLUENZA, and CATARRH;

the Causes, Symptoms, and Rational Treatment. "Dr. Yeoman, in his admirable little treatise on Consumption, has already very satisfactorily proved that in certain cases medical knowledge may be A solution of blue vitriol dropped into any liquid in which popularised with safety. This is an excellent sequel to the former work."arsenic has been put will turn it green. Weekly Times, January 19, 1848.

.9 66 GROCERS' ITCH."

THE

Volume I. is now ready, price 4s., in strong and elegant cloth, HE PEOPLE'S MEDICAL JOURNAL and FAMILY PHYSICIAN. This work contains complete monographs on Diseasesof the Chest (except "Consumption" and "Asthma," which are now publishing in Vol. II.); Diseases of the Heart; the Diseases of Women and Children; Diseases and Management of the Teeth; Rheumatism; Gout; Indigestion; Headache; Worms; the Anatomy and Physiology of the Organs of Sense, &c. &c.

This is a disagreeable disease attending grocers, who have much to do in handling sugar. The hands first become chapped, pustules appear upon them, and if they continue to handle sugar, a settled callous ulceration follows. We recommend the use of gloves made of parchment to prevent the disease, as well as to Those affected with it should every night assist in curing it. keep their hands in warm water for half an hour, then touch the parts with diluted citron ointment, and put on a pair of soft leather gloves, in which they should sleep. In the morning the proper gloves above alluded to should be put on, and the hands by no means allowed to come in contact with the sugar until the and all Booksellers and Newsvendors. It is requested that all orders for disease is quite removed.

THE EFFECT OF TOWN LIFE ON THE HEALTH.

The impurities in the air of large towns, existing both within and without the dwellings of their inhabitants, tend to modify the state of health of those who are reputed healthy, and to render them liable to a class of diseases distinguished from those of rural districts by an absence of power or tone, no less than by the different and even opposite treatment which they require. Thus a disease, which in the country will bear and require bloodletting, will, in large towns, scarcely admit of any amount of depletion, and may even demand an opposite mode of treatment. This depressing and debilitating effect of the atmosphere of large towns, displayed in the pallid aspect of those who are esteemed healthy, and in the want of power accompanying the diseases to which they are subject, is a fact of great practical importance, and one which ought always to be borne in mind

at the bed-side.

of conducting a journal of this nature.
"Dr. Yeoman's large practical experience renders him eminently capable
We most heartily recommend this
work, as its price places it within the reach of all, while the matter of which it
is constituted, touching on organic and other diseases incidental to humanity,
is of the most invaluable kind.”—Weckly Dispatch, June 23, 1850.
London published by the AUTHOR, 25, Lloyd Square; and sold by
GEORGE VICKERS, Strand; EFFINGHAM WILSON, 11, Royal Exchange:
copies to be sent by post may be forwarded to the Author, so as to insure
punctual dispatch.

EVILL'S PATENT FLOUR OF LENTILS,Is the produce of the ARABIAN LENTIL, possessing natural restorative properties which will prevent the use of medicine for Indigestion, Constipation, and all other derangements of the Stomach, Intestines, Liver, &c. Recommended by medical men for persons advanced in age, Invalids, and delicate

Children.

Sold by most respectable Shopkeepers in the Kingdom, in lb. and 1 lb. Packets, at 6d. and 1s. each; in Family Canisters of 6lbs. and 12lbs., 5s. 6d. and 10s. 6d. each. Manufactured by NEVILL and Co., 16A, Chichester Place, Gray's Inn Road, London; sold at 78, Gracechurch Street.

A TRUSS MAKER (Finsbury). - Omentum is not "fat," although it is frequently loaded with fat. The omentum is a fold or reflexion of the peridtoneum, a serous membrane: it is popularly known by the name of "caul" and covers the intestines as an apron, dipping down between their convolutions. A butcher will show you what it is-or you may observe it covering a well-dressed lamb. The delicate filmy tissue is the omentum, the fat is merely a deposit on it. You should know what omentum is, if you are, as you say you are, a truss maker, and a truss adapter, and a truss inventor.

JOHN PADDOCK (Limehouse).—Take, the sulphuret of potash and white soap. of each two drachms; spirits of wine, one ounce. Mix for a lotion; to be applied to the parts affected night and morning. Take a warm bath at 96 twice a week, and a saline purge occasionally.

THOMAS JACKSON (Birkenhead).—Curries are wholesome; in many cases of slow digestion they afford a grateful and healthy stimulus to the stomach. For directions to prepare curry powder, see page 151, Vol. 1, (No. 19.)

WILLIAM TT (Belper).-A minim is the sixteenth part of a fluid drachm: it definitely and correctly denotes that quantity which was vaguely termed a drop."

S. N. P. (Leicester).-If you will tell us the cause of the "blotches," we
will tell you a remedy. In all probability they arise from a disordered
stomach, and an impure, or too gross, state of the whole system. Per-
haps there may be some specific cause for their appearance which you
must first remove, and then counteract its constitutional effects. Your
second question puzzles us. We cannot suggest a remedy for "the A
hair growing low on the forehead;" that it should do so in some persons
is as natural as a snub nose or red hair. We can alter neither. We

should not attempt to do so-'tis nature; whatever is natural is, and
ought to be esteemed, beautiful. Sorte tua contentus abi-Go your
way contented with your lot.

W. R. (Clapham).-Call in Lloyd Square. Your anxiety need not be of long duration if you will strictly follow the instructions moral, medical, and dietetical which we shall give you.

T. J. HORBURY (Wakefield).—For a lotion for WEAK EYES, see No. 3, page 23, Vol. I.

A MECHANIC (Northampton Street, Islington).-See the Editor's small work on INDIGESTION.

JOHN SMITH (Weymouth).—We cannot make you an exception to our general rule.

J. J. TOWNEND (Margate).-You will find the " Physiology of the Brain and the Nervous System" continued in Nos. 33, 35, and 36. 'The Influence of the Passions on the Health" in No. 37 and in subsequent Numbers; "The Physiology of the Senses" in Nos. 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24,-are all to be considered as articles under the title of THE NERVOUS

SYSTEM.

H. (London).-See answer to JOHN SMITH (Weymouth) in this Number. ONE WHO HAS NOT FAITH IN HER PRESENT MEDICAL ATTENDANT.— Were you that delightful creature, "a Constant Reader," you would know in how much we object to such signatures, and in how much we object to interfere with the treatment of patients whilst under the care of other practitioners. The only advice we can give you in this column is, wean the child.

LETA writes," Will you inform me, and others also, which you consider to be the best medical dictionary for popular use, and adapted to the use of heads of families, and those who wish to minister (as far as a private person can safely go) to the relief of the ordinary maladies of their poorer neighbours?" We know one work that will, when completed, fulfil all the requirements asked for by ZETA; it is called THE PEOPLE'S MEDICAL JOURNAL AND FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

A TRADESMAN (Walworth).-You live too well, and eat too much.

It was Sir Astley Cooper who said, with great truth,— -we may dig our graves with our teeth.

R. D. (Dover Street).-Kousso is sold in bottles, each of which contains one dose.

A CITIZEN.-Nothing is so conducive to health as walking out into well-
cultivated fields and gardens early in the morning. It is at this time
that vegetables throw off a quantity of oxygen, or vital air, which is
highly invigorating to the constitution. It is to the abundant inspira-
tion of this gas that must be referred that ruddy appearance, and im-
proved health which we generally witness in artisans after a short resi-
dence in the country.

R. W.-You are much too sensitive. Call. We fear we cannot insert your
communication in the Journal: many readers might suppose we had
dictated it, if we did not write it. We wish not to be accused of egotism:
CHARLES JENKINS.-The treatment of your case depends more on moral
management than upon the bad habit of "taking physic." Take exercise
daily, eat brown bread, take a basin of gruel prepared with Nevill's
Flour of Lentils, and solicit nature at regular periods. See the chapter
on CONSTIPATION in Dr. Yeoman's small work on "Indigestion."
D. HUGHES (Windsor).-The hour you mention will be very inconvenient,
but we will not disappoint you, if you write a day previous to your visit.

D.

WHARFINGER (Rotherithe).-We are obliged to receive patients on
Sunday morning. You may call.

R. S. (Uxbridge).—If you will send your address, we will forward to

you the introduction you require. Tuesdays are the days on which "inpatients" are received. Probably there may be more urgent cases than yours, so that you must not be too confident of being admitted. CHARLES HALL (Scarborough).—Take, iodide of mercury, three grains; serpentary root, in powder, one drachm; syrup of orange peel, sufficient to form a mass, which divide into twenty-four pills, of which take one three times a day.

MERCUTIO (Fenchurch Street).-We will insert a short article on CRAMP in our next number.

F. HOOPER (Maddox Strect).—Read Dr. Little's excellent work on Deformities, Club Foot, &c.

Z.

(Paternoster Row).-Prepare five ounces of strong coffee, by percolation, from half an ounce of recently ground coffee, add to it twenty-four grains of sulphate of quinine, and half an ounce of sugar. Take a tablespoonful twice a day. Coffee conceals the bitterness of quinine admiW. PETERS (York).-Diminish the quantity of your food, but take care rably. that it is more nourishing in quality. Do not eat cold meats, nor meats prepared a second time, hashes, stews, &c.

ABEL HARRIS (Exeter).-See the articles on INFLUENZA, in Nos. 5, 6, and
7, or obtain the Editor's work on COUGHS, COLDS, ASTHMA, &c.

D. R. (Portman Market). We do not wish to have any controversy on
Teetotalism. We only maintain our own opinion, the result of our own
experience. We again repeat-a pint, aye, a pint and a half, of good beer,
taken in the sixteen or eighteen hours of his labour, will benefit a labour-
ing man; and we heartily wish every labouring man had it to drink.
A BRASS TURNER.-All in good time; the diseases peculiar to your occu-
pation, will be noticed with those which afflict artisans who have to
inhale deleterious particles-as knife-grinders, glass-grinders, jet tur-
ners, lapidaries, &c.

A

MOTHER-Remove the "bones" from the corset, and let the girl's dress be properly loose. You had better submit her to the examination of any physician in whom you have confidence.

GEORGE W. (Strand).-You have not described the case with sufficient exactness; and as you reside within hail of us, we must see you before giving an opinion.

L.

LEE (Nottingham).-Change of air will do the child more good than drugs. We have frequently known children, who "hooped" incessantly in their accustomed abodes, become entirely free from cough merely by changing the residence to the distance of a mile or two. Give her the following mixture:-Take antimonial wine, two drachms; syrup of squills, three drachms; tincture of valerian, two drachms; water, to make up three ounces. Mix. Dose, a tea-spoonful occasionally.

PARR'S GHOST.-We believe the proprietors of the Illustrated News can tell you who are the proprietors of the quack nostrum that has griped you so severely.

HEALTH OF LONDON.-In the week ending Saturday, the 21st September, the deaths registered in the London districts were 858; a result which, comparatively, must be considered as a favourable indication of the state of the public health.

London: Printed by CHARLES ADAMS, at his Printing Office, 8 St. James's Walk, Clerken well, and published, for the Proprietor, by GEORGE VICKERS, Strand.

PEOPLE'S MEDICAL JOURNAL,

No. 41.-VOL. II.

AND

FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

EDITED BY THOMAS HARRISON YEOMAN, M.D.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1850.

ON THE DISEASES OF WOMEN
AND CHILDREN.

BY THE EDITOR.
No. V.

(Continued from page 58.) DYSMENORRHEA.-DIFFICULT OR PAINFUL MENSTRUATION. DYSMENORRHEA is one of the most painful and distressing maladies to which woman is subjected; the woman thus afficted is deprived of that encouraging balm-hope; for she knows that her misery must return periodically, and that the frequency of its return embitters her life, and forbids all hope of becoming a mother. The disease, moreover, is peculiarly obstinate, and, in some instances, defies the best exertions of medical science, and yields to time alone, and the natural cessation of the discharge.

[ONE PENNY

almost living on her sofa for months, or even years, from a con-
stant pain in the uterus, which renders her unable to sit up and
take exercise; the uterus, on examination, is found unchanged
in structure, but exquisitely tender; even in the recumbent pos-
ture always in pain, but subject to great aggravation more or less
frequently." A patient of Dr. Gooch thus described an attack
of what she called her spasms.
domen, or a little lower even than that, internally, she felt first a
"In the lowest part of the ab-
sense of heat, to this was speedily added a sense of throbbing, then
a sense of distension, as if there were a tumour within, which
gradually expanded till it felt ready to burst, then began the
spasms; these she described as shootings or electric shocks,
darting from the tumour up into the abdomen; they recurred
every five or ten minutes, making her start with such violence
as to shake the bed. I have been in the adjoining room when
she has been in this state, and have perceived the shock. Between
the spasms she felt what she called a convulsive pain." This
patient was a young lady, 25 years of age, chlorotic, nervous,
and hysterical, who had long been subject to dysmenorrhoea.
Naturally delicate, her proneness to disease had been increased by
much mental distress and anxiety. At the time when her spasms
afflicted her she was reduced to a mere skeleton. Her appetite
was capricious; her stomach constantly rejected a portion of the
food taken at every meal. She suffered also from profuse
leucorrhoea. Ultimately, however, the patient regained a toler-
able amount of health and strength.

The patient who labours under dysmenorrhoea may not in other respects perform the function irregularly. The flow need not exceed nor fall short of the standard quantity; its physical appearances need not in any way undergo change. The essence of the disorder is an extraordinary degree of pain attending the monthly secretion. At this period the patient suffers the direst torture. Her back aches as though it would break, and the loins, inner side of the thighs, and lower part of the abdomen are affected with intense pain; and this pain does not of necessity subside immediately with the cessation of the secretion, but In addition to the symptoms already named and described not unfrequently torments the patient for days, or even weeks so accurately in the case of Dr. Gooch's patient, we can only afterwards. Sometimes it becomes permanent, embittering the add, that the disorder is invariably attended with tenderness of the whole existence of its victim. When it assumes this form, the whole abdomen, which is materially increased by pressure; that permanent pain usually localises itself more exactly, and particu- pains, not unlike those of colic, are constantly flying about the larly affects the uterus. Hence, this condition, to which the at- abdomen, as well as the lower part of the body; and that the tention of the profession was first directed by Dr. Gooch, has feeling of "bearing down" and tenesmus (straining or irritation been named "irritable uterus." It is thus described by this at the fundament) is sometimes unbearable. In many instances author: A patient who is suffering from the irritable uterus, the character of the secretion is scarcely changed; in others, it is complains of pain in the lowest part of the abdomen, along the scanty in quality, and is sometimes accompanied by a tenacious brim of the pelvis, and also often in the loins. The pain is worse secretion which resembles films of membrane; in other cases the when she is up and taking exercise, and less when she is at rest secretion passes away in clots. Difficulty and pain in passing in the horizontal position, although never quite absent. Hence the water is a constant attendant on the complaint, and occashe soon learns to relieve herself by lying on the sofa, and at sionally the bowels are relaxed to such a degree as greatly to length spends nearly her whole time there. Notwithstand- diminish the remaining strength of the patient. These symping this precaution, there is always a considerable degree of un- toms increase in severity until the appearance of the accustomed easiness, and this frequently increases to severe pain. These secretion, when they happily subside suddenly, or gradually paroxysms generally come on either a few days before menstrua-pass off. The nervous system is generally more or less affected, tion, or (as is the case in many instances,) a few days afterwards. and hysteria in a variety of forms is often present. If the paroxysm is properly treated, its subsides in a few days THE CAUSES of this affection are many and various; a pleto the ordinary and even moderate uneasiness. The general thoric state of the system occurring in females of a nervous health is not of necessity much affected. To embody these temperament, must always be considered as a predisposing cause. symptoms in one view, let the reader fancy to himself a young Amongst the exciting causes may be named,-sudden and vioor middle-aged woman, somewhat reduced in flesh and health,lent mental emotions; increased determination of blood to the

Q

uterus; exposure to cold; local injury from a fall or blow,-all causes which tend to diminish the discharge; irritation from neighbouring parts, especially that arising from constipation, is a very frequent exciter of the complaint; spinal disease, &c. The late Dr. Gooch, in describing this disorder, says, “In one patient it came on after an enormous walk during the menstrual period; in another, it was occasioned by the patient going out shooting with her husband not many days after an abortion; in a third, it came on after standing for several hours many successive nights at concerts and parties; in a fourth, it originated in a journey in a rough carriage over the paved roads of France; in a fifth, it was attributed either to cold, or an astringent lotion, by which a profuse lochia was suddenly stopped, followed by intense pains in the uterus; in a sixth, it occurred soon after matrimony. Although, however, the disease followed, and was apparently excited by these several causes, yet the patients had previously manifested signs of predisposition to it; they were all sensitive in mind and body; many of them had been previously subject to the ordinary form of painful menstruation."

In the TREATMENT of this complaint we must endeavour, first, to relieve the urgent and painful symptoms during the menstrual period, and secondly, to prevent their return by medicines administered in the interval.

When the patient is of full habit of body the application of a few leeches, or cupping glasses, to the loins may be necessary, but the abstraction of blood should always be directed with great caution; the warm hip-bath is one of the best means of procuring some alleviation of the pain, and the use of this immediately before retiring to rest, conjointly with eight or ten grains of Dover's powder and five of camphor, will in many cases enable the patient to pass a comfortable night. During the intensity of the pain the lower part of the body should be fomented with flannels saturated with boiling water, or the lower body may be buried in a bran poultice; small doses of laudanum and tartarised antimony-in the proportion of eight or ten drops of the former, and fifteen drops of antimonial wine-should be taken every five or six hours, and the bowels shall be gently moved by castor oil or some cooling laxative. The diet should be plain, and devoid of all that can stimulate; rest in the recumbent position should be obtained, and the patient, if married, should occupy a separate chamber; in fact, every thing that has a tendency to produce local excitement must be systematically abstained from.

joined the advantages of travelling, change of air, and a new stimulus given to both the mind and the body by novelty of scene, novelty of company, amusing and animating conversation, and exercise of various kinds.

In those cases in which iron disagrees with the stomach or proves too exciting, zinc may be tried in one-grain doses, combined with extract of hyosciamus, (see page 46, vol. ii. No. 32.) With the exception of senega (see page 76, vol. i., No. 10,) which has been strongly recommended by Dr. Chapman of Philadelphia, vegetable tonics promise little benefit.

During the intervals of the periodic discharge, the use of cold and slightly anodyne injections may in some cases assist to restore the organs to a healthy state, and a cold shower-bath, or local douche, may be conducive to the general vigour and health of the frame.

When painful menstruation is, as is sometimes the case, complicated with rheumatism, guaiacum and colchicum have in many instances cured both disorders.

To recapitulate, the general health must be improved; the bowels gently acted upon so as to avoid and remove any local irritation; the patient must avoid all violent exertions; the mind must be kept as tranquil and composed as possible; and and at about the anticipated period, warm baths, warm fomentations, and the use of remedies that relax or diminish spasm should be persisted in. And by way of necessary caution, nowa-days, the use of that abominable instrument, the speculum, should not be permitted.

(To be continued.)

DISEASES OF THE CHEST.
SECOND SERIES.

No. III.

BY THE EDITOR.

COMPLICATIONS OF INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. (Continued from page 107).

ABSCESS of the lung, independent of, or unconnected with, tubercle, and gangrene, or mortification of the lung, are of rare occurrence. When, however, these diseases are observed, they are either in companionship with inflammation of the lungs, or follow as an immediate result.

Laennec states, that among several hundred dissections of The second indication is fulfilled by a careful attention to peripneumonic subjects, he did not meet with a collection of pus the stomach aud bowels; by giving strength and activity to the in an inflamed lung more than five or six times, and in three ingeneral circulation; and by removing every cause that can act stances they were not of large extent, nor numerous in the same injuriously to the general health or local organs. The prepara- lung. Broussais declares that he never saw ulceration in the tions of iron have obtained a well merited fame, from their power lungs, without tubercles, more than once, and then the inflamof influencing uterine disorders; but in painful menstruation they mation resulted from a musket-ball, which was tantamount to a should be prescribed with much caution, inasmuch as their in- tubercle. The reason assigned by Laennec for the rarity of abdiscriminate use might over-stimulate the uterus and aggravate scess in the lungs is, that the disease is cured by art, or destroys the complaint. Dr. Locock, a great authority on all uterine life before it proceeds to the length of destroying the pulmonary affections, says, he prefers the wine of iron to other preparations tissue;-that death takes place before the disease advances so of this drug, and prescribes it in doses of from half a drachm to far as for matter to be formed in the lung in an abscess. a drachm conjoined with the same quantity of the compound Gangrene of the lungs is an exceedingly rare disease, as the spirits of sulphuric æther; the compound iron, or Griffith's mix-severest inflammation of the lungs seldom induces mortification. ture, (see page 54, vol. ii. No. 33,) and the compound iron pill, When the disease exists it may be readily detected by the fœtor (see idem.) are equally proper. One excellent form is the fol- of the breath, and the expectorated matters; the sputa are at first lowing-compound soap pill, a scruple; sulphate of iron, twelve white and opaque, but they soon change, and become sanious, grains; compound extract of colocynth, a scruple. Mix, and purulent, brown, and greenish, and they are from the first nearly divide into twelve pills, one of which is to be taken twice or as fetid as when the foetor becomes gangrenous. The general three times a day. There can be no question but that the pre- signs of gangrene vary; for they may be of exactly opposed characferable way of administering iron is, by drinking of the natural ters; thus, when the disease attacks the young and the plethoric, chalybeate springs, the more so as with this there is usually con- it may be accompanied by all the symptoms of inflammatory fever;

The disease is always more intense in young persons of sanguine temperaments, of vigorous and plethoric habits; yet it occurs much more commonly in old people, in whom, according (Under the care of Mr. Stanley, in St. Bartholomew's Hospital) to Laennec, it runs sooner into the suppurative stage. Pneu- [Periostitis is inflammation of the periosteum, or the membrane that immemonia very frequently attacks infants; it is then usually in the diately covers the bones.] lobular form, and the disease is generally fatal to them in the Ir is interesting to observe what serious mischief can be set up stage of engorgement. The previous occurrence of the disease in scrofulous constitutions by slight exciting causes, and this cirseems more than any other circumstance to predispose to pneu- cumstance is particularly remarkable as regards affections of bone. monia. Rush describes the case of a German, living in Phil- Intense inflammation of the periosteum is easily produced, espeadelphia, who had the disease twenty-eight times. Andral gives cially in young strumous subjects, by injuries which in others a case in which it recurred the sixteenth time within eleven would have passed unnoticed, and the severe inflammation of the Dezoteux treated seven times a pneumonia in a subject investment of the bone is not unfrequently followed by either who had suffered from it fifteen times; and Chomel alludes to death of the osseous structure, or by that unhealthy ulceration its recurrence the tenth time in the same individual. Perhaps which has been denominated caries.* These facts are well the only other circumstance that can be fairly viewed as a pre-known, but the exciting causes vary ad infinitum. We have disposing cause, is the presence of turbercles in the lungs.