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 Linctus
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 and 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.