If such agents are not at hand, brandy or whisky should be given freely.  The pulse will show when the patient has had enough.

Mothers’ remedies.  Insect and other bites.—­1.  Simply Use Pepper for Dog Bite.—­“My son had his hand bitten by a dog and it was over a week before it was brought to my notice.  The sore was then filled with green pus and the pain went up to his jaw, so we were afraid of lockjaw.  I had him cleanse it thoroughly in a basin of warm saleratus water, then filled and thickly covered it with black pepper.  The pain stopped almost instantly.  It seems as though pepper would smart a cut terribly, but it does not.”  This is a good remedy and worth trying.  The black pepper did not smart the wound because the flesh was dead.

2.  Bites, Tobacco Good for Dog.—­“Immediately wash the parts with clear water; then take leaf or cut tobacco and bind over the part bitten, changing it two or three times a day for a week.  This effectually absorbs the poison.  It is a good prevention of any future trouble.”

3.  Bites, Ammonia Good for Insect.—­“Rub the affected parts with ammonia, which will draw out the poison.  For mosquito bites have often used baking soda.  This always gives relief and is very cooling.”

4.  Bites, Baking Soda for Insect.—­“Cover the affected parts with baking soda and keep moist.”  A mud poultice is an old tried remedy.

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5.  Bites, Hartshorn Old Time Remedy for.—­“Apply hartshorn or spirits of ammonia to part which neutralizes the formic acid, the active principle of the poison.”  This is an old-time remedy and will always give relief if applied immediately.

6.  Bites, Carbolic Acid Draws Poison from.—­“Bathe frequently in a weak solution of carbolic acid.”  The carbolic acid is a very good remedy and seldom fails to cure, but if you do not happen to have the acid, use vinegar, and it will have practically the same effect.

7.  Bites, Alum and Vinegar Good Remedy for.—­“Alum and vinegar.  Purchase five cents’ worth of powdered alum and dissolve in a pint of vinegar and apply freely.  This is a very good remedy.”

8.  Bites, Salt Water for Mosquito.—­“Take salt and water in a little dish and keep wetting the bite for a few moments.  This will soon destroy the poison,” This will be found a very simple but effective remedy, especially in children or small babies, as we mothers all know how very annoying a mosquito bite is to children.  The salt water will remove all the poison and at the same time relieve the itching and swelling.  Care should be taken not to make it too strong for a small baby.

9.  Bites, Spirits of Ammonia for Snake.—­“Strong spirits of ammonia applied to the wounds of snake bites or rabid animals is better than caustic.  It neutralizes the poison.”  Enough of the ammonia should be used to irritate the parts.  It is harmless treatment and should be used freely.