Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

426 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTsulphate tablets to be used as a heart tonic andnerve bracer in case of snake bite, shock, exhaustion,alcoholism, or as may otherwise be needed.The dose is 1-30 grain hypodermically or 1-20 grainby mouth.Emetics.—To treat poisoning, and some otherailments, an emetic is required. A tablespoonful ofsalt,or of dry mustard, in half a pint of lukewarmwater, will serve the purpose. Repeat if necessary.Liniments and Lotions.—Most of the "patent"liniments are humbugs, considering the claims madefor them. Treatment with heat or cold, as thecase may be, is far more curative, nine times out often, and an alcohol rub will take good care of theother tenth.An excellent astringent lotion for sprains andbruises can be prepared by dissolving in water oneor more tablets of lead acetate and opium, whichare small enough for the emergency kit.Wherever witch hazel grows, one can make hisown decoction (strong "tea") of the bark; it is alsogood as a poultice. The inner bark of kinnikinick,otherwise known as red willow or silky cornel,makes a good astringent poultice for sprains andbruises.Ointments.—^These seldom aregood applicationsfor wounds. Grease attracts and holds dirt; dirtbreeds infection. But there is proper use for somezinc ointment, resinol, unguentine, or carbolizedvaseline, in cases of skin affections, sunburn, ivypoisoning, erysipelas, blistered feet, and so on.Extemporized Dressings.—In case no regularantiseptic is at hand, there are pretty good wounddressings to be found in the woods. Balsam obtainedby pricking the littleblisters on the bark ofbalsam firs is one of them. Others are the honeylikegum of the liquidambar or sweet gum tree, rawturpentine from any pine tree, and the resin procuredby boxing (gashing) a cypress or hemlock