Kitchen Cupboard Remedies

Baths

Warm and hot baths are remedial agents of great value in many affections.They are used to equalize the temperature of the whole body, to soothe the nervous system to control the action of the heart
to promote perspiration, to relax the muscular system and especially to to equalize the distribution of blood throughout the system. In the last instance too much blood in the internal organs is recalled to the surface and free circulation promoted. In children the warm bath is particularly useful. In the fevers of children it calms the nervous excitement - often followed by refreshing healing sleep. In infantile convulsions (fits with high fever) the application of hot water to the head often has a great calming effect. Warm baths aid the cure of inflammation of the kidneys, bladder and uterus.During the menopause a general warm bath taken for a long time cures or prevents many of the ailments by producing free action of the skin. In many spasmodic affections of the bowels, eg. colic, it is often very helpful.

Steam baths

This can be done simply at home by seating the patient on an open work chair (cane or wood) and covering them in a sheet and blanket tied round the neck. A large bucket or bowl of boiling water is put under the chair - the steam circulating freely inside the coverings. NB - CARE MUST BE TAKEN THAT THE SURFACE OF THE STEAMING WATER IS NOT TOO NEAR THE SEAT OF THE CHAIR AS THE PATIENT WOULD BE SCALDED IF THE STEAM WAS DIRECTED IMMEDIATELY UPON THE BODY.
During the bath 1-2 glasses of water should be sipped and the forehead bathed with a sponge dipped in cold water and rung out. The feet can be put into a bowl of lukewarm water which should be replaced every 15 minutes to maintain the temperature at a constant level. After the patient has perspired for 10-15 minutes he should be quickly washed with tepid water dried and at once go to bed.

The hot foot bath

Immediately before going to bed the patient should be undressed and covered with 1-2 blankets which should also cover the foot bath so the steam may have access to the body.The feet and part of the legs should then be put in the hot water 98ºF. The temperature should be increased by fresh hot water every 10-15 minutes according to the strength of the patient until free perspiration breaks out on his face. Perspiration is increased if cold water is drunk during this process. Should then be rapidly washed with tepid water, rubbed dry put into bed and warmly covered.More cold water should be drunk to encourage further perspiration. On getting up in the morning the patient (if better) should take a cold shower or quickly sponge over the whole body, then dry vigorously.

The local foot bath

This is used for many purposes and is very useful to promote speedy recovery from catarrhs, fevers, chills etc. In the UK and Europe an old tradition is to use mustard seeds or powder in the water. I have found this very effective: also with thyme infused in boiling water (2/3 teaspoons in a pint of boiling water) for 5 minutes then strained into the bath or foot bath. It has often relieved an acute asthma or croup attack and relieved the congestion in the lungs in pneumonia and bronchitis. When my father was dying from lung cancer these baths offered him great relief and he greatly looked forward to them on my arrival.

Blanket bath

This is an easy method of inducing perspiration. A blanket is wrung out of hot water and wrapped round the patient, then packed in 3-4 dry blankets and allowed to rest for 1/2 hour. The coverings are then taken off amd the body rubbed with warm towels then the patient is made comfortable in bed.

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