consumption, the room
occupied by the invalid should not be used again until it has been
thoroughly disinfected. The Public Health Authorities are usually ready
to carry out this work. If not, the floor and woodwork should be wiped
with damp dusters, and then scoured with soap and water. If the walls
are papered, the paper should be well damped, stripped off, and burnt.
If the walls have been white-washed, this should be renewed with
limewash, containing a quarter of a pound of chlorinated lime to the
gallon of limewash. The quilt, pillow case, blankets, and sheets of the
patient's bed should be steeped in boiling water and then washed.

Often consumption is associated with wasting sores on the neck or other
parts, which are extremely difficult to heal. These should be soaked in
warm weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) daily, and dressed with olive oil. They
may be greatly mitigated, if not cured, by this simple means. _See_
Abscess; Bone, Diseased. The directions as to diet in cases of abscess
apply also to these cases. Besides such outward applications, the
rubbing along each side of the spine should be applied. _See_
Children's Healthy Growth. The ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_) may also be
used.

The very rapid pulse, and extreme fever, which accompany advanced and
rapid consumption, may often be greatly mitigated by cooling cloths
applied over the heart. Sponging over the whole body with vinegar or
weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) also greatly refreshes the patient. It may be
done under the bedclothes, so as to avoid all possibility of chill.
Cold cloths over the heart and chest, if they cause chilliness, may be
accompanied with fomentation of the feet and legs.

The temperature of a consumptive should be recorded three times a day,
and if above normal the patient should stay in bed till it is reduced.

When the temperature has been reduced, gentle exercise is very useful.
Gradually increasing walks should be taken each day.

Contraction of Sinews.--This often occurs at the knee, bending the
joint so that the patient cannot stretch his limb or walk properly. The
injury in such a case is usually at the ends of the sinews, where they
are inserted into the bone. If the limb be straightened and put up in
splints, so as to secure perfect rest, it is well to see that once
every twenty-four hours it be removed from its fastenings and treated
in some way to obtain a cure. Otherwise the whole limb will harden into
a straight and unbendabl