Whooping Cough, Worms, Worry

Papers on Health
by John Kirk

(Page 19 of 21)

Whooping Cough - The cough is a spasmodic action of nerves which are otherwise healthy enough, so that when the violent action ceases, the child's health is much as usual. Any irritation of nerves or temper will, however, bring on an attack, and should therefore be avoided, and all soothing mental influences should be encouraged.

Three or four teaspoonfuls of hot water taken frequently, and given whenever an attack comes on, will give great relief. We have ourselves seen a child thought to be dying relieved at once by nothing more than this. Therefore it should never be neglected as too simple.

Also the feet should be bathed once in two nights (see Bathing Feet) in warm water (not too hot), dried and rubbed gently with olive oil. On the night when the feet are not bathed, let the back be lathered with warm lather (see Lather; Soap), quickly dried off, and then a little olive oil gently rubbed on.

In ordinary cases, this will be sufficient to ward off all danger in the disease, but in severer attacks the feet and legs may be fomented (see Fomentation) while the child is in bed, and cold towels changed along the spine while the fomentation remains on, so as to lower the nerve action over the main centers. This is best done in the morning before the patient arises. If anything like inflammation sets in in any part of the chest, treat as recommended in Bronchitis or Lungs, Inflammation of.

As far as possible, all causes of irritation to the patient must be removed or avoided. In the time of whooping cough, the sunniest way of managing the child is the best.

The other children, if any, in the house, should have the footbath and oil, and the back wash, as recommended above. This will lessen danger of infection, and make the attack lighter if they should take it.

Worms - Where the juices and organs of the body are thoroughly healthy, worms will not appear. Before they can breed, there must be more or less of failure in the patient's health. This shows us that the cure for worms is not so much some poisonous substance which will destroy them, as such an increase of healthy action in the system as will prevent their development. The bowels must be kept open by suitable diet as it is most important to avoid Constipation. In case of worms in children, stimulus and help are specially needed by the mucous membrane or inner lining of the stomach and bowels.

To give this, and at the same time to neutralize and remove waste material from the membrane, a little vinegar and warm water may be frequently given, in teaspoonfuls. This is best taken from an hour to half-an-hour before meals. It is often needful to use some soothing, nourishing substance, such as licorice, boiled with a little chamomile, taken, say after meals, while the acid is taken before them: this has an excellent effect. At the same time, an enema of warm water and vinegar should be given twice a day. Where Santolina can be procured, its use will speedily effect a complete cure. Change of air, holiday from lessons, and any other means of increasing the general health, should also be utilized.

Worry - One of the most fruitful causes of ill-health is the habit of worrying. Many believe this to be unavoidable, and think it even evidence of interest in their work or of consideration for their friends. But this is not real interest or real consideration. The person who faces the work of the moment without anxiety for the future or useless regret for the past will accomplish his task before the harassed careworn man has thought out how to begin it. It is not work that kills but worry. Illness is frequently brought on by worry. Worry wrinkles the face, makes us look old before our time, often makes us sour and disagreeable, always makes us more or less wanting in true politeness, and is socially a great handicap to a man, a much greater to a woman. Further, worry not only prevents cure but kills, and nothing will help us more in recovering from illness than a calm, contented spirit.

Now the first thing to do to overcome this habit is to realize that worry is a bad habit which it is quite possible to get rid of. The proof of this is that thousands of people for years slaves to it have got rid of it. Through some means or other they have been brought to exercise their will power and have found, sometimes to their considerable astonishment, always to their inexpressible relief, that they have regained a lost mental power and that their efficiency as workers has been enormously increased.

If any matter needs much thought, devote thought to it, reflect and weigh carefully. If it requires time, take it up at separate times. Only make up your mind to this one thing, that you are the master and the arbitrator as to when it shall be taken up. If it intrudes, dismiss it as you would a servant from the room when you no longer require his presence. It is bound to go when you do so dismiss it. When you summon it to your consciousness concentrate your mind upon it. Want of concentration, being a dissipation of the mental powers, is a cause of worry.

Worry becomes doubly baneful when it is directed towards the "might have been." Legitimate regret should be an emotion always accompanied by the determination to learn by experience. Every aid to enable the dispossessed will to regain its rightful throne should be employed. Properly chosen books, companions, and surroundings, are of great use, but perhaps quiet persistent self culture of the will, will be found to be the best. It matters little whether you call this "self suggestion" or not. As a matter of fact it is simply the common-sense of the question.

It is the making up of the mind to do a thing with certain aspirations, emotions, and desires towards this thing. Thousands of people do it every day, especially in religious matters. It needs an adequate motive or a great ideal to carry it out. Such a motive here might be the realization of the uselessness and the positive harm of worry. Actually realize this, then affirm your determination to avoid worry and you have well begun the battle. Go through this mental exercise each time you feel you are worrying again. After a while you may omit it all but the mental determination.

Printed by Hurst Bros., Shaw Heath, Stockport. 1904.