Family Medicine Chest

Here is a list of useful medicines and dressings with a description of their uses. All are quite cheap and worth stocking at home in readiness for minor illnesses.

Keep them in a box or cupboard with a lock - or store them well out of the reach of children.

SOLUBLE ASPIRIN TABLETS:

Good for headaches, colds, sore throats (gargle with the solution), and pains in general. Aspirin should NOT be given to children under 16.

PARACETAMOL MIXTURE:

For relief of pain or fever in young children.

SEDATIVE COUGH MIXTURE:

For dry or painful coughs - but not coughs caused by common colds.

MENTHOL CRYSTALS:

Add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.

VAPOUR RUB:

Again, for steam inhalations. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub on the chest and nose.

EPHEDRINE NOSE DROPS:

For runny noses in children over one year old. Use before meals and at night but not for more than four days.

ANTISEPTIC SOLUTION:

One teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes.

ANTISEPTIC CREAM:

For treating septic spots, sores in the nose amd grazes.

CALAMINE LOTION:

For dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites, stings and sunburn.

DRESSING STRIPS:

For minor cuts.

3" WIDE CREPE BANDAGE:

To keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints.

COTTON WOOL:

For cleaning cuts and grazes.

THERMOMETER:

For fevers.

TWEEZERS:

For removing splinters.

Remember that your local chemist can give you advice about medicines.