Tools
What are assistive devices?
Assistive devices are tools, products, or equipment that can help you perform tasks and activities. They may help you move around, see, communicate, eat, or get dressed.
Who might benefit from assistive devices?You may use various assistive devices if you:
- Have a disability or injury
- Have certain health conditions such as dementia, or if you've had a stroke
- Are an older adult
You might use an assistive device for a short time or long term. Others might use them throughout their lifespan.
How can assistive devices help?Some assistive devices are high-tech tools, such as computers. Others are much simpler, like a "reacher," a tool that helps you grab an object you can't reach.
There are a variety of assistive devices or tools available that may be used to help you to:
- Communicate, see, or hear better
- Perform daily activities
- Move by using a wheelchair, walker, or another mobility device
- Cook or eat
- Dress or groom yourself
- Improve your memory or attention
- Be more active
- Participate in educational activities
Assistive devices may also be used to make changes to your physical environment so it is easier to move or care for yourself. This can include adding ramps or grab bars.
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only.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 Tools
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.... / ...ristalsis, but does not greatly increase the secretions of the intestinal glands, consequently the stools are feculent rather than watery, unless the dose be large. As it takes from 10 to 15 hours to ...1
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.... / ...ristalsis, but does not greatly increase the secretions of the intestinal glands, consequently the stools are feculent rather than watery, unless the dose be large. As it takes from 10 to 15 hours to ...1
BAPTISIA
... ulceration and decay (gangrene); sepsis, with enfeebled circulation; fetid discharges with atony; stools resembling prune juice or fetid meat washings; face swollen, bluish, and resembling on......ms will be present with the addition of the characteristic pea-soup, meat washings, or prune juice stools, or tarlike viscous evacuations, showing the admixture of decomposed blood. In fact, it is lik...1
... ulceration and decay (gangrene); sepsis, with enfeebled circulation; fetid discharges with atony; stools resembling prune juice or fetid meat washings; face swollen, bluish, and resembling on......ms will be present with the addition of the characteristic pea-soup, meat washings, or prune juice stools, or tarlike viscous evacuations, showing the admixture of decomposed blood. In fact, it is lik...1
CHELIDONIUM
...sh; hepatic congestion; jaundice due to swollen bile ducts; sluggish liver action with light pasty stools; reflex cough from hepatic pain; fullness with tensive or throbbing pain in the right hypochon......minal pain as a rule. The skin and membranes have the usual appearance of hepatic obstruction, the stools are clay-colored, the urine cloudy and pale with rather high specific gravity, or it may be lo...1
...sh; hepatic congestion; jaundice due to swollen bile ducts; sluggish liver action with light pasty stools; reflex cough from hepatic pain; fullness with tensive or throbbing pain in the right hypochon......minal pain as a rule. The skin and membranes have the usual appearance of hepatic obstruction, the stools are clay-colored, the urine cloudy and pale with rather high specific gravity, or it may be lo...1
CHIONANTHUS
...patic pains and tenderness or soreness upon deep-pressure; light claycolored, or frothy yeast-like stools; sallow, dirty-looking skin with hepatic tenderness and expressionless eyes; intense cutting p......stration; icteric coloration without pain; the urine stains the clothing yellow; colic, with green stools; jaundice, with pale watery alvine discharges and intense itching of the skin; pain simulating......range-tinted, there are occasional hectic flushes, and sometimes diarrhea, with frothy, yeast-like stools. Chionanthus is the most positive remedy for simple jaundice not dependent upon malignant or o...1
...patic pains and tenderness or soreness upon deep-pressure; light claycolored, or frothy yeast-like stools; sallow, dirty-looking skin with hepatic tenderness and expressionless eyes; intense cutting p......stration; icteric coloration without pain; the urine stains the clothing yellow; colic, with green stools; jaundice, with pale watery alvine discharges and intense itching of the skin; pain simulating......range-tinted, there are occasional hectic flushes, and sometimes diarrhea, with frothy, yeast-like stools. Chionanthus is the most positive remedy for simple jaundice not dependent upon malignant or o...1
COLOCYNTHIS
...cathartic, producing copious watery evacuations, and sometimes violent emesis, tormina, and bloody stools. It may cause death from gastro-enteritis. The powder or the tincture applied to a raw surface....... With similar symptoms minute doses act well in cholera infantum; in chronic diarrhoea with slimy stools and tympanites; in diarrhoea from overeating or improper food; and in dysentery with great tor......st certain of agents to relieve. In intestinal and hepatic torpor, with bloating and dry scybalous stools it should be given in somewhat larger doses (1/4 to 1 drop of Specific Medicine Colocynth). Wh...1
...cathartic, producing copious watery evacuations, and sometimes violent emesis, tormina, and bloody stools. It may cause death from gastro-enteritis. The powder or the tincture applied to a raw surface....... With similar symptoms minute doses act well in cholera infantum; in chronic diarrhoea with slimy stools and tympanites; in diarrhoea from overeating or improper food; and in dysentery with great tor......st certain of agents to relieve. In intestinal and hepatic torpor, with bloating and dry scybalous stools it should be given in somewhat larger doses (1/4 to 1 drop of Specific Medicine Colocynth). Wh...1
ELATERIUM
The feculence of the juice of the fruit of Ecballium Elaterium (Linné), A. Richard. (Nat. Ord. Cucurbitaceae.) A trailing vine of southern... / ...nteritis, with violent vomiting, cramps, and watery purgation. In medium doses only copious watery stools are produced, but with considerable depression. The treatment for excessive action of elateriu... / ...is preferred by some physicians, though elaterium, notwithstanding its impurities, seems to be more generally efficient than its derivative.1
The feculence of the juice of the fruit of Ecballium Elaterium (Linné), A. Richard. (Nat. Ord. Cucurbitaceae.) A trailing vine of southern... / ...nteritis, with violent vomiting, cramps, and watery purgation. In medium doses only copious watery stools are produced, but with considerable depression. The treatment for excessive action of elateriu... / ...is preferred by some physicians, though elaterium, notwithstanding its impurities, seems to be more generally efficient than its derivative.1
EUPHORBIA COROLLATA
The bark of the root of Euphorbia corollata, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). Dry fields and woods of Canada and the United States. Common Names:... / ...ion in the stomach; cholera infantum, with hot, tumid abdomen and constant desire to defecate, the stools being greenish and irritating; irritation of the respiratory tract, especially the glottis, wi... / ...from the pulmonic, gastro-intestinal, or urino-genital mucosa; or the tough, glutinous tracheo-broncho-pulmonic secretions, with irritation.1
The bark of the root of Euphorbia corollata, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). Dry fields and woods of Canada and the United States. Common Names:... / ...ion in the stomach; cholera infantum, with hot, tumid abdomen and constant desire to defecate, the stools being greenish and irritating; irritation of the respiratory tract, especially the glottis, wi... / ...from the pulmonic, gastro-intestinal, or urino-genital mucosa; or the tough, glutinous tracheo-broncho-pulmonic secretions, with irritation.1
FEL BOVIS
Oxgall, Oxbile. The fresh bile of Bos Taurus, Linné (Family, Bovidae), the Common Ox. Description.A brown-green or dark-green, disagreeably bitter, and... / ...there is a deficient supply of normal bile, particularly in chronic constipation with clay-colored stools, in jaundice and in intestinal dyspepsia, due to hepatic torpor.1
Oxgall, Oxbile. The fresh bile of Bos Taurus, Linné (Family, Bovidae), the Common Ox. Description.A brown-green or dark-green, disagreeably bitter, and... / ...there is a deficient supply of normal bile, particularly in chronic constipation with clay-colored stools, in jaundice and in intestinal dyspepsia, due to hepatic torpor.1
IRISIRIS
...esulting in enlarged lymph nodes. Hepatic torpor, splenic fullness, and jaundice, with claycolored stools are influenced for good by it, the drug acting quietly as an alterative when given in small an...... upon indigestion, and bilious headache, with nausea and sour and bitter vomiting, and claycolored stools. In fact one of the most important uses for iris is in that complex condition included in the ...1
...esulting in enlarged lymph nodes. Hepatic torpor, splenic fullness, and jaundice, with claycolored stools are influenced for good by it, the drug acting quietly as an alterative when given in small an...... upon indigestion, and bilious headache, with nausea and sour and bitter vomiting, and claycolored stools. In fact one of the most important uses for iris is in that complex condition included in the ...1
JALAPA (Ipomea jalapa)
...on and Therapy.Jalap is an irritant cathartic operating energetically and producing large liquid stools. It gripes considerably and sometimes causes nausea and vomiting. Large doses produce violent ......ation of the gastro-intestinal tract exists, and may be used where a derivative action, with full stools, is indicated. In small doses (5 grains daily) it may be employed to relieve constipation due ...1
...on and Therapy.Jalap is an irritant cathartic operating energetically and producing large liquid stools. It gripes considerably and sometimes causes nausea and vomiting. Large doses produce violent ......ation of the gastro-intestinal tract exists, and may be used where a derivative action, with full stools, is indicated. In small doses (5 grains daily) it may be employed to relieve constipation due ...1
LEPTANDRA (Veronicastrum virginicum)VEVI4
...extremities; thirst with inability to drink; diarrhea with half-digested passages, or clay-colored stools; enfeebled portal circulation, with lassitude, gloom, and mental depression. Action and Therap......ro-hepatic and intestinal stimulant. The fresh root is viciously cathartic and has produced bloody stools and abortion. Drying, however, deprives the drug of its drastic quality and it becomes a safe ......trengthens the functional activity of the intestinal glands, does not debilitate nor produce large stools, and if the circulation is feeble, with a tendency to stasis, it has a decidedly tonic effect....1
...extremities; thirst with inability to drink; diarrhea with half-digested passages, or clay-colored stools; enfeebled portal circulation, with lassitude, gloom, and mental depression. Action and Therap......ro-hepatic and intestinal stimulant. The fresh root is viciously cathartic and has produced bloody stools and abortion. Drying, however, deprives the drug of its drastic quality and it becomes a safe ......trengthens the functional activity of the intestinal glands, does not debilitate nor produce large stools, and if the circulation is feeble, with a tendency to stasis, it has a decidedly tonic effect....1
MATRICARIA
...per when menstruating; muscular twitching; fetid, greenish feculent alvine discharges, or when the stools are green and slimy, or of mixed whitish curds and green mucus, associated with flatulence, co......w and white lumps of undigested curds, giving them the wellknown name of eggs and greens. Such stools usually excoriate the child severely, and are accompanied by colicky pain of greater or less s...1
...per when menstruating; muscular twitching; fetid, greenish feculent alvine discharges, or when the stools are green and slimy, or of mixed whitish curds and green mucus, associated with flatulence, co......w and white lumps of undigested curds, giving them the wellknown name of eggs and greens. Such stools usually excoriate the child severely, and are accompanied by colicky pain of greater or less s...1
MYRRHA (Commiphora spp.)
The gum-resin obtained from one or more varieties of Commiphora (Nat. Ord. Burseraceae). Region of Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Africa, and... / ... chronic gastritis and atonic dyspepsia, with full, pale tongue and membranes, and frequent mucous stools accompanied by flatulence. It acts well with the simple bitters, especially gentian. Myrrh is ... / ...Ferri Composita) for the amenorrhea of chlorosis and other forms of anemia; and of the Compound Pills of Rhubarb (Pilulae Rhei Compositae).1
The gum-resin obtained from one or more varieties of Commiphora (Nat. Ord. Burseraceae). Region of Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Africa, and... / ... chronic gastritis and atonic dyspepsia, with full, pale tongue and membranes, and frequent mucous stools accompanied by flatulence. It acts well with the simple bitters, especially gentian. Myrrh is ... / ...Ferri Composita) for the amenorrhea of chlorosis and other forms of anemia; and of the Compound Pills of Rhubarb (Pilulae Rhei Compositae).1
OLEUM RICINI
Castor Oil. The fixed oil obtained from the seeds of Ricinus communis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). An East Indian plant;... / ...o the abdomen castor oil will also cause purgation. After the first hardened feces are removed the stools become liquid and are passed without pain or tenesmus. Castor oil seeds are poisonous, twenty ... / ...equal parts of aromatic syrup of rhubarb (or neutralizing cordial or glyconda) and castor oil may be given in doses of one to two fluidounces.1
Castor Oil. The fixed oil obtained from the seeds of Ricinus communis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). An East Indian plant;... / ...o the abdomen castor oil will also cause purgation. After the first hardened feces are removed the stools become liquid and are passed without pain or tenesmus. Castor oil seeds are poisonous, twenty ... / ...equal parts of aromatic syrup of rhubarb (or neutralizing cordial or glyconda) and castor oil may be given in doses of one to two fluidounces.1
OLEUM TIGLII
Croton Oil. A fixed oil expressed from the seeds of Croton Tiglium, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). East Indies and Molucca, and Philippine... / ...o-intestinal inflammation accompanied by pain, griping, vomiting, and hydragogue catharsis, bloody stools, and death. Usually the vomiting prevents a fatal issue. In poisoning by it free emesis should... / ...to avoid it, in children and the feeble and pregnant, nor where hemorrhoids, intestinal or renal inflammation, or peritonitis are present.1
Croton Oil. A fixed oil expressed from the seeds of Croton Tiglium, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). East Indies and Molucca, and Philippine... / ...o-intestinal inflammation accompanied by pain, griping, vomiting, and hydragogue catharsis, bloody stools, and death. Usually the vomiting prevents a fatal issue. In poisoning by it free emesis should... / ...to avoid it, in children and the feeble and pregnant, nor where hemorrhoids, intestinal or renal inflammation, or peritonitis are present.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 Therapeutics Memoranda on Tools
CHOLERA INFANTUM
Withheld milk, substituting the juice of raw beef. , If irritant un digested food is present, give castor oil (aromatic); if stools are wa tery and colorless, give podophy1lin(1-20 gr. repeated in 2 hours), to change character of stools, then give astringents and carminatives. If vomiting is severe the best remedy is calomel in small repeated doses. Irrigation of the bowels with water at 100° F. is often useful. Apply a mild mustard or spice poultice over the bowels.2
Withheld milk, substituting the juice of raw beef. , If irritant un digested food is present, give castor oil (aromatic); if stools are wa tery and colorless, give podophy1lin(1-20 gr. repeated in 2 hours), to change character of stools, then give astringents and carminatives. If vomiting is severe the best remedy is calomel in small repeated doses. Irrigation of the bowels with water at 100° F. is often useful. Apply a mild mustard or spice poultice over the bowels.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.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.