be given. The first
of these meets the simple dryness, the second cures the burning heat,
the third meets the case of concentrated and deranged juices in the
body. A few drops of vinegar, lemon juice, or other fruit acid (_see_
Drinks), will often greatly assist the hot water in its duty. All
alcoholic drinks are worse than useless in real thirst. Any power they
possess is either due to the effect they have on the artificial thirst
they create or to the water they contain. And the danger of rousing or
creating the dreadful desire of the drunkard is so great, that they
ought never to be given to relieve a patient's thirst.

If the cold water is known, from any cause, to be dangerous to the
patient, then hot water will do equally well. If the thirst arises from
some drug which has been taken, then hot water should always be given.

Again, the _locality_ of the dryness causing thirst indicates the best
method of quenching it. If only the mouth and tongue be dry, then it
will be sufficient to wash out the mouth with the water, or acid drink,
not swallowing, so as to avoid unnecessary loading of the stomach. If
throat and mouth are cool, and only the stomach burns, then the cold
towel above that is the best treatment.

There is no need, except in very special cases, for iced water. Tap
water is generally cool enough, unless stored in heated cisterns. In
this case a little ice may be used to bring it down to a temperature of
45 deg. or so, but not below 40 deg.

Throat Hoarseness.--This is best treated by a good large BRAN POULTICE
(_see_) on the back of the head and neck. While the patient lies on
this, cold towels must be changed on the front above the "apple" of the
throat. Do this for an hour twice a day. Or, if the feet be cold, give
treatment as in Teething. There must also be _rest from talking_.
Procure a good camel's-hair throat-brush from the druggist, and brush
the back of the throat well with weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) several times
a day, or simply gargle if there is difficulty with the brushing. The
brush must be carefully cleansed, and dipped in the _strong_ acid after
use.

Especially is it necessary to give up, in such cases, the use of
tobacco. Where the trouble has lasted for years, it may be slow to
heal, and the poulticing may be done only once a week. In ordinary
cases, a day or two's treatment should cure.

Many times we have seen a good fomentation of feet and legs alone give
very sensible reli