Lotions.—­Lotions are medicated moist applications, and may be either hot or cold.

Counter—­Irritants are agents applied externally to produce irritation or inflammation in order to relieve a diseased condition in an adjacent or deep-seated part of the body.  Mustard foot-bath relieves pain in the head by drawing the surplus blood away from the head.  The mildest mustard counter-irritant is the mustard poultice.  It can be made with one part mustard to six of linseed meal.  Never use boiling water with mustard.

Mustard Poultice.—­Use of ground mustard, one-fourth to one-eighth of the amount of meal used.  Make into a paste and stir this into the linseed, after it has been prepared for the poultices.  The white of an egg is used in this poultice as it may keep the poultice from blistering.

Yeast Poultices.—­These stimulate ulcers, gangrene and sloughing conditions.  Mix eight ounces of soft yeast with as much water.  Add enough flour to make a sponge, but not too stiff.  It should be kept warm until fermentation begins; then apply every day.  Finely powdered charcoal can also be added.

[634 Mothers’ remedies]

For Soothing Effect.—­Hop bags or bran bags, dipped in hot water, may be applied, protected and kept in place with a bandage.

Spice Poultice.—­This is very good for pain in abdomen in children especially.  Equal parts of ground cinnamon, cloves, allspice and ginger, one-quarter part cayenne pepper, if needed very strong.  Place all together in a flannel bag and spread equally.  Wet with alcohol or brandy.  When dry, re-wet.  This is a mild warming dressing.

Spice Poultice from a Stanlyton, Va., Mother.—­“Take one teaspoonful each of mustard, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, or as many ground spices as one has in the kitchen; mix them well in a bowl while dry, adding boiling water slowly and stir constantly until it is of the consistency of soft putty; spread between soft thin cloths and apply to the affected parts as hot as the patient can bear it.  When it is cool heat it again and apply.”

Mother’s Flour and Water Poultice.—­“Make a thick poultice of flour and water; bake soft and apply hot.  Have another ready for change, if necessary.  This is good for any pain.”

Poultice of Peach Tree Leaves from our Mother’s List.—­“Put a handful of peach leaves in a vessel and let boil well; add enough meal to thicken, spread between thin muslin cloth and apply to parts affected.  This is a splendid poultice.”

Mild Plaster for Children.—­“Two teaspoonsful of flour, three teaspoonsful of mustard, a little fresh lard and a few drops of turpentine, Mix up with warm water.”