and lightly
wring out. Lay this gently over the stomach and bowels, and over this
an india-rubber bag full of hot water. All must be only hot enough to
be comfortable. This application may remain on for two hours without
any change, then it is repeated. Where no bag can be had, a good thick
fomentation should be used instead. _See_ Nerves, Shaken; Nerves,
Troubled, and all articles on nervous trouble.

Much depends on consideration of the individual case, and careful
thought and strong sense are needed on the part of all dealing with
such cases. (_See_ Changing Treatment.)

Dessertspoonfuls of light food should be given every half-hour, and
increased in quantity as the patient can bear it. Avoid alcohol and all
narcotics.

Nettle Rash.--This is an eruption on the skin, often coming suddenly
and going off again, but sometimes of long standing. It resembles in
appearance the sting of a nettle--hence the name. It is accompanied by
an intolerable itching, and is a very sore trouble where it continues,
or frequently recurs. Its cause is usually defective digestion. We
should not depend on drugs for a cure, but treat first the whole spinal
system. Rub the whole back smartly with vinegar. Wipe this off, and rub
again with gentle pressure and warm olive oil. Put on the soapy cloth
(_see_ Soap) with the lather very finely wrought (_see_ Lather), and
free from excess of moisture. Over this lathered cloth put a good
blanket Fomentation (_see_), changing it once or twice, so as to keep
up the heat for half-an-hour. When all this is taken off, we should rub
again with vinegar and oil, as at first. If the case is a sudden
attack, we may soak the worst parts of the eruption with weak vinegar;
but if a chronic one, the rash is better left untouched. The treatment
to the spine may be continued daily. If the rash has been irritated
into running, scabby scores by scratching, it may be cleaned with weak
vinegar. A little cream of tartar or powdered rhubarb and carbonate of
soda mixed in equal parts may be taken internally after meals--say
about one-fourth of a teaspoonful in a little water. If this quantity
exercise too great a cooling effect, smaller doses will produce very
good results. Kneipp Linen Underwear will in many cases of such skin
trouble give great relief.

Neuralgia.--This is severe pain in one part or other of the body,
sometimes followed by swelling of the painful part, but frequently
without much sign of anything