Important: Safety Warning
This page gives first-aid or emergency advice that predates modern medicine and can make an emergency worse. Do not follow it. In any medical emergency, call emergency services and follow current first-aid guidance.
This page directs the use of hazardous substances — such as benzine, gasoline, lye, or strong acids — for household tasks. These materials are highly flammable, corrosive, or poisonous, and the practices described have caused fires, burns, and poisonings.
This page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › For the First Aid Cabinet › The Top Shelf
The Top Shelf
Poisons-Not much space is required to keep the poisons needed in a family medicine chest, but during sickness the doctor may order other poisonous compounds. All poisons should be kept on the very top shelf.
Tincture of Iodine-Of the poisons that are usually kept in the medicine cabinet, tincture of iodine is most common, and most generally used. This is used only externally and is applied as a disinfectant on cuts and lacerations and whenever the skin is broken. It should be gently applied with cotton swab or gauze and never poured on the surface. If too much is used it will blister the skin. The iodine bottle should be distinctive, clearly labeled and unmistakable.
Disinfecting Solutions-When a five per cent carbolic acid solution is kept on hand it should also be put in a distinctive and labeled bottle. This is for external use only and always in dilution of a strength not greater than half a teaspoon in a quart of water. This is used in contagious diseases, to disinfect the hands and the discharges.