Page:Boating - Woodgate - 1888.pdf/205

 now: boat cushions had much to do with them, Few oarsmen in these days use cushions. Raws are best anointed with a mixture of oxide of zinc, spermaccti and glycerine, which any chemist can make up, to the consistency of cold cream. It should be buttered on thickly, especially at bed-time.

Blisters should be pricked with a needle (zezer with a pin); the water should be squeezed out, and the old skin left on to shield the young skin below,

Festers are only another version of boils. ‘The internal remedies, to rectify the blood, should be the same as for boils. Cuts or wounds of broken skin may be treated like raws if slight ; if deeper, then wrapped in lint, soaked in cold water, and bound with oilskin to keep the lint moist,

Abdominal strains sometimes occur (i,c, of the abdominal muscles of recovery) if a man does a hard day’s work before he is fairly fit. A day’s rest is the best thing ; an hour's sitting ina hot hip bath, replenishing the beat as the water cools, gives much relief, ‘The strain works off while the oarsman is warm to his work, but recurs with cxtra pain when he starts cold for the next row, If there is any suspicion of hernia (or ‘ rupture’) work should instantly stop, even ten miles from home ; the patient should row no more, walk gently to a resting-place, and send fora doctor. Once only has the writer known of real hernia in a day’s row, and then the results were painfully serious. Inspection of the abdomen will show if there is any hernia.

Diarrhea isa common complaint. Ft is best to call in a doctor if the attack does not pass off in half a day. If a man has to go to the post while thus affected, it is a good thing to give him some vez arrowroot (three or four table-spoonfuls) in cold water. The dose should be well stirred, to make the arrowroct swill down the throat. To put the arrowroot into hot water spoils the effect which is desired.

Many doctors have a tender horror of consenting to any patient rowing, even for a day, so long as he is under their care, though only for a boil which does not affect his action.

Professional instinct prompts them to feel that the speediest