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Health tips: Sickness Tips Medicine Cabinet Stocklist
‑ To be nutritionally balanced a diet should include fruits, vegetables, starches, legumes, fats and animal products.
‑ A vegetarian diet is even healthier but must have a wide variety of foods.
‑ Drink lots of water. Most people do not drink enough water, especially when consuming alcohol.
‑ Buy a scale and check your weight weekly. Keep a close check on children's weight as well.
‑ Be active! People who are active and/or exercise regularly stay healthy longer, sleep better and cope with stress and illness better.
‑ To protect your back, sleep on a firm mattress; bend your knees and use your legs to lift heavy objects.
‑ Get a new toothbrush every three months.
‑ Brush your teeth at least twice a day and rinse after every meal.
‑ Have an annual dentist check‑up.
‑ Eat slowly and chew your food carefully.
‑ To avoid constipation, eat more fruits and vegetables; drink more water, and exercise regularly.
‑ Women should eat foods rich in iron and calcium: dairy products, peas, greens, liver, canned salmon, sardines
‑ A hug a day keeps the doctor away.
‑ Peace, quiet and open spaces are the only real nerve tonics.
‑ Bathe every day and wash your hair at least twice a week.
‑ Dry your toes and all other skin creases carefully.
‑ Do not wear tight shoes; walk barefoot whenever you can.
ALL THINGS IN MODERATION !
‑ Rest, peace and quiet, water, sunshine, cleanliness, and reassurance are the best medicines.
‑ Pain is a warning. Pain serves to make you stop, rest and think. Pain means you are doing something wrong.
‑ Fever is a natural response to illness: it is dangerous only if it is too high. Buy a thermometer and use paracetamol sparingly. Do not give babies aspirin in any form.
‑ Foods most likely to cause allergies: dairy products, egg whites, citrus, chocolate, fish and shellfish, tomatoes, spices, pork, nuts and seeds.
‑ Talk to the sick and more so the dying: they always have a lot that they want to say.
‑ Reassurance is very important. Ask your doctor what is wrong. If he is always too busy to talk, find another doctor.
The fundamental causes of illness are:
A poor diet, insufficient water, poor hygiene, obesity, alcohol, smoking, careless accidents, cold, damp, noise, overcrowding, pollution, worry, sloth, boredom, loneliness, envy, greed and hate.
Every now and then take a good look at your life.
(Accidents are the most common cause of death in childhood and adolescence)
‑ Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
‑ Keep poisonous household liquids locked away.
‑ Keep scissors, tools and sharp instruments out of the reach of children.
‑ Cap all electrical outlets.
‑ Keep matches out of the reach of children.
‑ Keep children away from gas stoves.
‑ Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove.
‑ Do not put boiling water on the dining table.
‑ Keep fans, toasters and other appliances unplugged.
‑ Water conducts electricity: do not handle switches or electrical equipment with wet hands.
‑ Do not give children toys with small parts.
‑ Do not let children run and climb in flip‑flops.
‑ Do not leave babies near buckets of water.
‑ Keep elderly people away from slippery stairs and floors.
‑ Do not smoke in bed.
‑ Keep a clean and tidy home.
(Keep all medicines locked away and out of the reach of children. Regularly check the contents and discard expired medicines.)
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Methylated spirits |
Anti‑histamine ointment |
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Cotton balls |
Antiseptic spray |
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Adhesive strips |
Antiseptic lotion |
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Roll of adhesive tape |
Antibiotic ointment |
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Roll of gauze |
Hydrogen peroxide |
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Roll of crepe bandage |
Gentian Violet |
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Triangular cloth (sling) |
Flavine |
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Tourniquet |
Calamine lotion |
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Sharp scissors |
Syrup of ipecac |
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Tweezers |
Activated charcoal |
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Safety pins |
Smelling salts |
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Thermometer |
Paracetamol elixir |
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Flashlight (batteries!) |
Paracetamol tablets |
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Sunburn spray |
Cotton tips |
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Gauze pads (sterile) |
Eye wash |
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Nose drops |
Eye cup |
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Throat lozenges |
Insect repellant |
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Book on First Aid |
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Snakebite kit ‑ where indicated |
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Last updated: May 26, 2007
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