on the blood
vessels. In all cases where drugs, especially mineral drugs have been
recklessly indulged in, cold water should be taken in abundance. Care
must be taken, however, not to unduly stimulate the circulation or
nervous system, and any signs of this, such as headache or want of
sleep indicate the curtailment of the amount drunk.

Water in the Head.--In cases where this trouble is suspected, very
often there is nothing wrong but a more or less congested state of the
brain, owing to some severe chill or some disease elsewhere in the
body. There may be violent heat in the head, and even the "drowsiness"
which is so serious a symptom, without any real "water in the head" at
all. Leeching and blistering in such a case are grave mistakes. Cold
towels (_see_ Towels, Cold Wet), or a gentle pouring of cool water on
the head, will often be sufficient to remove all trouble. We have seen
a bad case of brain congestion cured and consciousness return almost
immediately after the pouring had begun. The feet also may be fomented
(_see_ Fomentation). The cold towels and pouring may be used
alternately on the head, which will give a more powerful effect. Let
the water poured be almost lukewarm, a little under blood heat. There
is no need to cut the hair, or use any acid or drug in the water. The
_cooling_ is all that is needed. Incipient water in the head may in a
very large number of cases be checked and cured by the same treatment.
It can do no harm in any case, and has saved many lives.

Water on the Chest.--Sometimes a large watery swelling appears in one
part or another of the chest. It is practically a bag of liquid waste,
due to deficient action on the part of the kidneys or skin. Treatment
should be given as recommended in Dropsy, and, besides, the four-ply
moist flannel bandage should be worn over the skin. This will in many
cases speedily effect a cure.

Weakness.--Often there follows, after the cure of an inflammatory
disease, very great weakness. This in itself is sometimes a great
danger, but can usually be removed by proper care and nursing. The
common method of administering wine, brandy, or other alcoholic liquor,
is the very worst that could be adopted. Hot water will prove a
valuable stimulant, when a stimulant is required. Any NOURISHMENT
(_see_) to be given should also be just a little warmer than blood
heat. For drink, the unfermented wine made by Frank Wright, Chemist,
Kensington, London, is of grea