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Soap

What are germs?

Germs are microorganisms. This means that they can be seen only through a microscope. They can be found everywhere - in the air, soil, and water. There are also germs on your skin and in your body. Many germs live in and on our bodies without causing harm. Some even help us to stay healthy. But some germs can make you sick. Infectious diseases are diseases that are caused by germs.

The main types of germs are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

How do germs spread?

There are different ways that germs can spread, including:

  • Through touching a person who has the germs or making other close contact with them, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups or eating utensils
  • Through breathing air after a person with the germs coughs or sneezes
  • Through touching the feces (poop) of someone who has the germs, such as changing diapers, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • Through touching objects and surfaces that have germs on them, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • From mother to baby during pregnancy and/or childbirth
  • From insect or animal bites
  • From contaminated food, water, soil, or plants
How can I protect myself and others from germs?

You can help protect yourself and others from germs:

  • When you have to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow
  • Wash your hands well and often. You should scrub them for at least 20 seconds. It is important to do this when you are most likely to get and spread germs:
    • Before, during, and after preparing food
    • Before eating food
    • Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
    • Before and after treating a cut or wound
    • After using the toilet
    • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
    • After handling pet food or pet treats
    • After touching garbage
  • If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Practice food safety when handling, cooking, and storing food
  • Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects


WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Felter's Materia Medica on Soap

ALOEALOE
   The dried juice of the leaves of several species of Aloe: (1) Aloe Perryi, Baker; (2) Aloe vera, Linné; (3) Aloe ferox, Miller. (Nat. Ord.... / ...derable griping and often rectal fullness and heat. These may be modified by giving it in pill with soap or an alkaline carbonate, or with hyoscyamus, belladonna, or carminatives. Sulphate of iron sli...1

GAULTHERIA
   The leaves of Gaultheria procumbens, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ericaceae). Damp woods and sandy soils of eastern third of the United States. Common... / ...cially useful upon rheumatic joints. (3) Oil of Gaultheria, 3 fluidrachms; Chloroform Liniment and Soap Liniment, 2 fluidounces each. Mix. Shake when used. For painful surfaces. (4) Oil of Gaultheria... / ...of infants. Gaultheria is an agent of special value as a flavoring agent and preservative for water-dispensed medicines in the summer season. Fo1

HAMAMELIS
   The leaves, bark and twigs of Hamamelis virginiana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Hamamelidaceae), collected in the autumn. Common in the United States.... / ...ne or combined with an equal quantity of bay rum they form an elegant face wash to remove excess of soap and heal abrasions after shaving. Witch-hazel is one of the most comforting applications for pa...1

OLEUM CADINUM
   Oil of Cade, Cade Oil, Juniper Tar Oil, Oleum juniperi Empyreumatilcum. A product of the dry distillation of the wood of Juniperus Oxycedrus,... / ...iasis, and prurigo, and in parasitic disorders, as favus and various types of ringworm. For favus a soapy embrocation composed of four parts each of alcohol and soft soap and one part of oil of cade i...1

OLEUM CAJUPUTI
   Oil of Cajuput, Oil of Cajeput. A volatile oil distilled from the leaves and twigs of several varieties of Melaleuca Leucadendron, Linné (and... / ...uputi Compositum, Compound Cajuput Liniment (oils of cajuput, sassafras, and hemlock, 1 ounce each; soap, an adequate amount to form a liniment). Action and Therapy.—The compound liniment of cajuput ... / ...being used by Eclectic practitioners oftener than any other medicine, except in severe cases when the conjoint use of morphine is necessary.1

OLEUM OLIVAE
   ... surfaces of infants. Poured over the surface it mitigates the pain and unites to chemically form a soap in cases of external poisoning by caustic alkalies. It is sometimes comforting in sunburn and o...... may affect the solution of cholesterin outside the body. In the intestines it is converted into a soap, and saponaceous particles have been mistaken for expelled gall-stones. Notwithstanding, it is ...1

SAPO
   Soap, Hard Soap, White Castile Soap. Soap prepared from Sodium Hydroxide and Olive Oil. Description....... Soluble in water and alcohol—, more readily by the aid of heat. Preparation.—Linimentum Saponis, Soap Liniment (Opodeldoc), (Soap, Camphor, Oil of Rosemary, Alcohol, and water). This liniment is an......nt is an ingredient of Linimentum Chloroformi (Chloroform Liniment). Action and Therapy.—External. Soap enters into the formation of some pills, as of aloes, rhubarb, gamboge, podophyllin, and other ...1

SAPO MOLLIS
   Soft Soap, Green Soap. Made by heating Hydroxide of Potassium and Cotton Seed Oil, Water, and Alcohol. De......ater. Dose, 5 to 30 minims, well diluted. Preparation.—Linimentum Saponis Mollis, Liniment of Soft Soap (Tincture of Green Soap). (Soft Soap, Oil of Lavender, Alcohol.) Action and Therapy.—External.......Tincture of Green Soap). (Soft Soap, Oil of Lavender, Alcohol.) Action and Therapy.—External. Soft soap is detergent and more irritating than hard soap, being more alkaline and containing some free c...1

URTICA
   The leaves and root of Urtica dioica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Urticaceae). Common in Europe and the United States. Dose, 20 to 40 grains. Common Names:... / ... eczema of the face and scalp. The crusts should first be removed by means of olive oil and asepsin soap. Its internal use should accompany its external application. Internal. Profuse choleraic and ex... / ...and eructations, and vomiting. Chronic cystitis, with large mucous diuresis, is also asserted to have been benefited by it.1


WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Physician's Materia Medica on Soap

LEAD PLASTER (Diachylon)
   An impure oleopalmitate of lead, the coinmon base in medicinal plasters, e. g. Opium Plaster, Resin Plaster, Soap Plaster.2

SOAP
   Antacid and so used as an antidote in poisoning by acids. Locally it is of use as a detergent and for relief of cutaneous irritation; in suppository or enema it acts as a laxative.2

SOAP-TREE (Quillaja)
   The bark of QUILLAJA SAPONARIA, Mol. Stimulant expectorant resembling Senega, alterative, detergent; used chiefly as an emulsifier.2

SOAPWORTSAPON
   The root of SAPONARIA OFFICINALIS, Lin. Diaphoretic, diuretic alterative; also a stimulant expectorant and reputed emmenagoguc Much used as an alterative in Germany.2


WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Soap

BED SORES
   When threatened, harden skin by frequent use of astringent lotions, lead water, tannin dissolved in dilute alcohol, 2 grs. to fl. oz.; whiskey and salt (2 drachms to pint); Antiseptine diluted with wa ter or whiskey. When ulcers have formal, protect with soap plaster and use antiseptics. especially Iodosyl ointment. Sustain patient’s strength with nourishing and predigested food. Iron in form of the tincture is generally of service.2

DANDRUFF
   Among the more eflicient remedies for local application are; Antiseptine (full strength), resorcin (20 grs. to fl. oz. of 25% alcohol). potassium arsenite (5 to 10 grs. to the pint), tar soap, applied at night and washed out in the morning.2

ECZEMA
   Improve general health of patient by hygienic measures. See that the diet is simple and substantial. Fats, salted meats, pastry and all indigestible... / ...rly stages, apply zinc ointment or zinc oxide or oleate as a dusting powder. Later, use more stimulating remedies—ointments of tar, resorcin, green soap, ichthyol, salicylic acid or oil of cade.2


References

1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.