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110
There are still parents who hold that whooping-cough may be
cured by taking a child near gas works or through a tunnel.
Whether improvement is obtained through the counter-irritant
action of the vapours inhaled, or due to the mild antiseptic effect of
the sulphuric fumes, are certainly not problems considered by the
parents, but they are more ready to adopt this dramatic remedy
than the simpler treatment of antiseptic vapours like Sanitas or
Formalin through the medium of a bronchitis kettle in a bed-room.
Other " cures'' are of a pleasanter nature. If sufferers from
measles are conducted " through a field of new-mown hay," we can
well believe that improvement may result to the health of the
patient from country air as opposed to the stuffy atmosphere of a
bed-room, where doors and windows are tightly closed " to avoid a
chill," though again the counter-irritation theory may play some
part in lessening the coryza of this complaint.
During the course of a year's work the routine examination
of children accompanied by their mothers brings to light an
astonishing number of popular beliefs.
In lung complaints there is a special value in goose grease,
it is considered far superior to other oils or medical remedies.
Possibly this is due to the energy and faith with which it is applied.
Bronchitis is held to be a necessary accompaniment of teething,
and is not supposed to respond to treatment until the period of
dentition is finished.
The eyes are a field for many observations, a squint is often
considered a hereditary distinction—" styes" may be treated by
friction applied by a wedding-ring which must be of gold, and
blepharitis is numbered among the maladies peculiar to the " spring
of the year" for which it would be contrary to Nature to attempt a
remedy.
The value of ear-rings as a cure for weak sight may have a
basis in the old treatment by counter-irritation or blistering.