380 Where There Is No Doctor 2011 Green Pages
Use lidocaine without epinephrine for sewing
tears after childbirth, and for wounds on fingers,
toes, penis, ears, and nose. This is important
because the epinephrine can stop the flow of blood
to these areas and cause great damage.
Another use of lidocaine with epinephrine: For
severe nosebleed, soak a little into some cotton
and pack it into the nose. The epinephrine will
cause the veins to squeeze shut and help control
bleeding.
FOR GUT CRAMPS:
ANTISPASMODICS
Belladonna (with or without phenobarbital)
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Often comes in: tablets with 8 mg. belladonna
There are many different antispasmodic
preparations. Most contain belladonna or
something like it (atropine, hyoscyamine) and often
phenobarbital (phenobarbitone). These medicines
should not be used on a regular basis, but can be
used occasionally for treatment of pain or cramps
(colic) in the stomach or gut. They may help
calm the pain of a bladder infection or inflamed
gallbladder. They are sometimes useful in the
treatment of ulcers.
Dosage for belladonna—for gut cramps—tablets
with 8 mg. belladonna
adults: 1 tablet, 3 to 6 times a day
children 8 to 12 years: 1 tablet, 2 or 3 times
a day
children 5 to 7 years: ½ tablet, 2 or 3 times
a day
do not give to children under 5 years
WARNING: These medicines are poisonous if too
much is taken. Keep out of reach of children.
Persons with glaucoma should not take
medicines that contain belladonna or atropine.
FOR ACID INDIGESTION, HEARTBURN,
AND STOMACH ULCERS
Aluminum hydroxide or magnesium
hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)
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Often comes in: tablets of 500 to 750 mg., or in
mixtures with 300 to 500 mg. in 5 ml.
Sometimes these are mixed together or with
magnesium trisilicate. If simethicone is added, it
helps control gas.
These antacids can be used occasionally for
acid indigestion or heartburn or as a regular part
of treatment of a stomach (peptic) ulcer. The most
important time to take antacids is 1 hour after meals
and at bedtime. Chew 2 or 3 tablets. For severe
stomach ulcers, it may be necessary to take 3 to 6
tablets (or teaspoons) every hour.
CAUTION: Do not use these medicines if you are
also taking tetracycline. Antacids with magnesium
sometimes cause diarrhea, and those with aluminum
may cause constipation.
Sodium bicarbonate (bicarbonate of soda,
baking soda)
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Comes as a white powder
As an antacid, this should be used in a very
limited way, when someone has an occasional
stomach upset, with ‘heartburn’ or acid indigestion.
It should not be used in treating chronic
indigestion or stomach (peptic) ulcers. Although
it seems to help at first, it causes the stomach
to produce more acid, which soon makes things
worse. ‘Soda’ is also useful for the ‘hangover’ of
a person who has drunk too much alcohol the
night before. For this purpose (but not for acid
indigestion) it can be taken with acetaminophen
or aspirin. Alka-Seltzer is a combination of sodium
bicarbonate and aspirin. As an occasional antacid,
mix ½ teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate with water
and drink it. Do not use often.
For cleaning teeth, baking soda or a mixture of
‘soda’ and salt can be used instead of toothpaste
(see p. 230).
WARNING: Persons with certain heart problems
(failure) or with swelling of the feet or face should
not take sodium bicarbonate or other products
high in sodium (like salt).