378 Where There Is No Doctor 2011 Green Pages
FOR THE EYES
Antibiotic eye ointment—for ‘pink eye’
(conjunctivitis)
Useful examples: oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline,
or erythromycin eye ointments
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
These eye ointments can be used for ‘pink
eye’ caused by bacteria and for trachoma. For
complete cure of trachoma, tetracycline (p. 355)
or erythromycin (p. 354) should be taken by mouth
also. Eye ointment can also be used to prevent
sties and treat corneal ulcers (see p. 224).
For an eye ointment to do any good, it must
be put inside the eyelid, not outside. Use it 3 or
4 times a day.
Use 1% tetracycline or erythromycin 0.5%
to 1% ointment to protect newborn babies’ eyes
from gonorrhea and chlamydia. (See p. 221 for
information about how to treat these diseases in
the newborn.) If antibiotic eye ointments are not
available, you can use 1 drop of 2.5% solution
of povidone-iodine or 1 drop of 1% solution of
silver nitrate in each eye. Silver nitrate (or other
“silver” eye medicines) stops gonorrhea blindness,
but does not stop the blindness that comes from
chlamydia.
WARNING: Do not use silver nitrate drops that
may have become too concentrated because of
evaporation—they can burn babies’ eyes.
FOR PAIN: ANALGESICS
Note: There are many different kinds of pain
medicine, many of which are dangerous (especially
those containing dipyrone). Use only those you are
sure are relatively safe like aspirin, acetaminophen
(paracetamol), or ibuprofen (p. 379). For a stronger
painkiller see codeine (p. 383).
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
Often comes in:
300 mg. (5 grain) tablets
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
75 mg. (1 ¼ grain) tablets for children
(or ‘child’s aspirin’)
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
Aspirin is a very useful, low-cost ‘painkiller’ or
analgesic. It helps to calm pain, lower fever, and
reduce inflammation. It also helps a little to calm
cough and reduce itching. For children under 12,
acetaminophen is safer.
Many different medicines sold for pain, arthritis,
or colds contain aspirin, but they are more
expensive and often do not do any more good than
aspirin alone.
Risks and Precautions:
1. Do not use aspirin for stomach pain or
indigestion. Aspirin is acid and may make the
problem worse. For the same reason, persons
with stomach ulcers should never use aspirin.
2. Aspirin causes stomach pain or ‘heartburn’ in
some persons. To avoid this, take aspirin with
milk, a little bicarbonate of soda, or a lot of
water—or together with meals.
3. Do not give more than 1 dose of aspirin to a
dehydrated person until he begins to urinate well.
4. It is better not to give aspirin to children
under 12 years and especially not to babies
(acetaminophen is safer) or to persons with
asthma (this may bring on an attack).
5. Keep aspirin where children cannot reach it.
Large amounts can poison them.
6. Do not give to pregnant women.
Dosage of aspirin—for pain or fever—tablets of 300
mg. (5 grains)
Take once every 4 to 6 hours (or 4 to 6 times a
day). Do not take more than 2400 mg. (8 tablets) a
day. Do not give to children more than 4 times a day.
adults: 1 or 2 tablets (300 to 600 mg.)
children 8 to 12 years: 1 tablet (300 mg.)
children 3 to 7 years: ½ tablet (150 mg.)
children 1 to 2 years old: ¼ tablet (75 mg.)