Page:Australian enquiry book of household and general information.djvu/164

 lack of such knowledge a child may be marked for life. It is a very simple process only requiring a little nerve at the outset. Take a very fine cambric needle with about three inches of silk thread in it. Wait till the bleeding has ceased, and then take up a stitch in the skin only, not the flesh, and be sure you draw only towards the cut right and left, so as to bring the edges together. If you draw from the cut it will open it and be a very painful operation, but properly done there should be little or no pain. Tie the threads together, that is the ends of the threads, when you have taken the one stitch. Then put in another stitch if necessary. It all depends on the length of the wound and whether it is inclined to gape or not. Sometimes it is necessary to put in two or three in a small cut, at others one is sufficient. About every quarter of an inch in a big wound should be right, then bind it up carefully and dress every day. The stitches may be taken out as soon as the cut has begun to heal. In putting stitches in a wound in a dog, cat or any other animal it is as well to use stronger silk as they are more restless than human beings and more liable to burst the wound afresh.

To Stop Hiccough.—For an adult a teaspoonful of sugar moistened with pure vinegar. For a child or an infant less accordingly. The application of a bit of ice, or a very cold flannel to the lobe of the ear will often stop severe hiccough. Or, press both fingers into the ears and take a drink of water.

Bleeding at the Nose as a rule is quite harmless, indeed, in some constitutions it counteracts other and more dangerous attacks of illness. So long as the patient feels well there is no occasion to use any preventative. But if the patient feels light-headed, headache or weakness after the attacks, then it is as well either to consult a medical man or use the remedies you know. A wet towel laid suddenly across the shoulders or on the spine between the neck and shoulders will often stop it. A key dropped down the back, or cold water poured from a jug down the spine. A piece of brown paper folded and placed under the upper lip will stop the bleeding at once.

Coffee as a Stimulant.—To the brain worker, the student, or the night nurse, coffee is a far better stimulant than all the hot spirits and water in the world. If those men who have to pore over long rows of figures late and early would only take a cup of strong well made coffee, instead of the whisky to which they fly so often, they would find their brains clearer, fresher, and more rested, while the body would be better nourished. The whisky only stimulates for a few moments, the effect then wearing off and leaving the mind heavy and the body hot and irritated. The coffee acts equally and evenly to brain and body and the effect is more lasting. Hot milk is even a better stimulant for the brain but it does not agree with every constitution.

Good Remedy for Acute Sore Throat.—Use hot water inside and out, outside by means of thick flannels wrung out and applied, with a few drops of turpentine sprinkled on. Keep a cover over the wet flannel. This can be applied twice a day, or oftener if relief is needed, and in the meantime gargle with water as hot as can be borne, and drink hot water and milk, or hot tea, till a profuse perspiration is induced.

The Pulse.—In infants the average pulse is 120 per minute. In manhood 80. At sixty or sixtyfive it is small, about 60. The pulse of females is quicker than that of males.

Scalds and Burns.—In cases of severe scalds or burns, the essential thing is to exclude the air from the injured member at once, and as completely as possible. To do this plunge the injured part into warm water, or water sun-warmed will do, but it must not be too cold. Then, as quickly as may be, cover with flour to the depth of an inch if possible, withdrawing the burned part from the water only as the flour can be applied, thus preventing the great pain. The water allays