broken bones, etc., the affected locality ought to be bandaged with moist earth or moist clay.
The earth is moistened with water, but saliva may also be used.
One will soon feel the coolness and the great comfort of such a bandage, and will be amazed by the striking curative effect of it.
Yes, the earth, indeed! How many are there who recognize its wondrous curative power?
The earth bandage is made by taking the earth (or clay) as moist as possible, and placing it directly on the wound (if possible into it). A linen bandage is then tied around it to keep the earth in place. The wound must not first be covered with a linen rag to prevent the earth from directly touching the wound.
Of course, people to-day will think an earth bandage much too simple. Their restless, unstable mind tries to concoct salves, by means of great scientific researches, and with the aid of complicated apparatus, although a simple bandage with earth will heal the wounds exceedingly well, and without any danger whatever, while salves are often most dangerous.
Many fear that blood-poisoning may set in from a bandage with moist earth, because the earth might be contaminated. No one will be likely to take the earth from a place where refuse and other impurities have been deposited.
But no one seems to think to-day of the impurities which are introduced into the body through unnatural food, through meat and alcohol, which cause so many diseases, and on account of which wounds often become so dangerous. One never fears the poison within, but thinks always of those that may penetrate the body from without, without the knowledge of man, although no danger whatever threatens from the latter source (not even in a bandage with moist earth).
When the earth bandage is taken off a fluid of an offensive odor generally flows away. The earth has drawn this impure matter from the vicinity of the wound; it has, therefore, kept