Treating Chicken Pox With Herbal Remedies

November 6, 2009

It is likely that you may not have experience in diagnosing and treating the following medical conditions, so if in any doubt do not hesitate to contact a doctor as soon as possible.

Chicken Pox or Varicella. This, like the smallpox, is contagious, and effects persons but once during their life, and is much milder and less dangerous than smallpox; and is also communicable by inoculation, but affords no protection from variola.

The eruption commences on the breast and back; then to the face, scalp, and extremities. Chicken pox is distinguished from the smallpox by the former having no fever, or if any, it is of an uncertain continuance. About the second or third day the vesicles are filled with serum; and about the fifth day there is a crust on the pustules, while in the smallpox it is several days later. The chicken pox has been sometimes mistaken for the smallpox, and matter has been taken for that of smallpox in inoculation which has led persons sometimes to think they have been afflicted with smallpox twice in their life.

Treatment.—

Keep the patient warm in bed for a few days; use a spare regimen, and keep the bowels gently open.

Cow Pox -

Cows are subjected to an eruption on their udders, which is frequently communicated to the hands or arms of those who milk them, and those who have been afflicted with this eruption are never liable to smallpox. Dr. Jenner very satisfactorily ascertained that this eruptive pustule was a much milder disease than the smallpox, and that in general it secured those who had been affected with it from afterwards being liable to various infections. He also observed that the vaccine pox is not communicable other than by inoculation, and that on this account it might be inoculated in a family without endangering the others—a circumstance of the greatest importance.

The vaccine virus should be taken from the pox which appears on the nipples of the cow, which pox or pustules is commonly of somewhat livid colour, and is surrounded by erysipelatous inflammation.

Operation.—

The skin near the top of the arms should be punctured with a sharp-pointed crow-quill, then dip the sharp nib in the fluid, and insert under the skin. The fluid

should be transparent, as it is not to be depended upon if at all opaque. The matter, if not used immediately, should be dried gradually before it is laid by for future use; it should be well corked up in a bottle. If the fluid be taken from another child, it should be taken before the ninth day. The child should not be less than two nor more than six months before it be inoculated; and at the time of operation the child, if possible, should be in good health. The success of inoculators depends on the management of the patients while under the disease.

Treatment.—

For the first eight days the child should be kept cool and shielded from the external air. The diet should be bread, milk, light puddings, water gruel, weak broths, and white meats. Their medicine should be mild purgatives and tea made of equal parts of Ground Ivy, Bistort Root and Herb, and Agrimony; boil them in as much water as will make a strong tea. Four table-spoonfuls five or six times a day.

Measles or Rubeola .—

This disease, like smallpox, proceeds from infection, and is more or less dangerous according to the constitution of the patient, the season of the year, and the climate or locality of the resident.

Symptoms.—

Chilliness, shivering, succeeded by heat, thirst, anxiety, pains in the head, back, and loins, heaviness and redness of the eyes, with an effusion of tears, swelling of the eyelids, nausea, sometimes vomiting of bilious matter, dryness of cough, hoarseness, hurried respiration, difficulty of breathing, frequent sneezing, and a discharge of acrid matter from the nostrils; with a pulse at the same time strong and frequent.

Treatment.—

Our business is to assist Nature by throwing out the morbific matter and bringing perspiration to the surface. Cooling medicines should be given, as the infusion of Marigold or Elder Flowers; tea of Balm or Agrimony. When the violence has abated, which it ought to do about the fourth day, prepare the following: A handful each of Clovers, Peppermint, Ground Ivy, Flax Weed, Red Raspberry leaves, with Ginger Root ½ ounce. Infuse in 1 quart of hot water; strain and sweeten.
Dose.—Three or four tablespoons as often as may be required.

Herbal Medicine – Advantages Of Natural Healing

June 29, 2008

Herbal medicine - advantages and natural healing are two areas of the health care field that have caught on like wildfire over the past several years. With over 80% of the world’s population using herbs as one aspect of their primary care, it is no wonder that alternative medical techniques are gaining so much popularity. But are herbal remedies and alternative medicine techniques based on hype or are they the real deal?

Hype or fact – a closer look at herbal medicines

There are numerous herbal medicine - advantages and some obvious disadvantages such as the fact that herbs should not be used for long term care and you still need to talk to your health care provider about interactions with pharmaceutical drugs, correct dosage amounts and various other concerns. There is no doubt given the definition of the word drug, which is any substance that has a physiological effect on the body, that herbal remedies do have some effect on the body. The amount of effectiveness and the safeness of the herbal formulation is what is under scrutiny. Numerous useful drugs have been derived from plant sources but so have alkaloid and other deadly poisons. However, if you really want a more natural approach to health care, here are just a few of the reasons why herbal medicine is so popular. When it comes to herbal medicine – advantages include the fact that they are cost effective and convenient. Herbal medicines are generally less expensive than their pharmaceutical counterparts. Herbs have an absence of serious side effects when compared to pharmaceuticals, they are widely available and simple to prepare. When it comes to herbal medicine – advantages such as these make the difference. Finally when it comes to our bodies, pharmaceuticals introduce completely new molecules which can lead to problems. The effects of numerous herbal medicines have been proven through research and when you consider the fact that many of our pharmaceutical drugs have key ingredients that come from herbs in the first place, it is easier to understand that herbal medicines are more than just hype.

Is herbal medicine right for you?

Even though herbal medicine is gaining popularity today it may not be the right choice for you. The first step in making this decision is to talk to your health care provider. They know your medical history and can advise you on the best solutions. Many traditional health care providers use both alternative and traditional treatments because the role that traditional medicine typically plays is being changed as more people look for a natural approach to healing. Because so many health care providers are willing to use traditional and alternative methods it is easier than ever for people who want to use the herbal medicine – advantages as well as traditional prescription drugs to get sound advice from their medical care provider.