I just looked through the archives and found a few responses to this question, but needed something more comprehensive. We've started building our medical supplies, but want to make sure we're not missing anything. Any further suggestions for OTC, RX, herbal, homeopathic, and miscellaneous supplies?

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), March 14, 1999

Answers

Our local pharmacist said that topical antibiotics such has Neosporin should have a long shelf life. Consequently we have purchased several tubes of equivalent generic brands.

-- No No (nono@nogo.com), March 14, 1999.

Might I suggest St. Johns Wort. When it becomes clear to eveyone that Y2K will be no more than an inconvenience, I suspect a lot of people here will be mighty depressed.

-- Smart Guy (2@??????????.com), March 14, 1999.

what we keep around all the time- and plan on making sure we have sufficient quantities of is the following( this is just my list-I'm no expert of course)

bandaids, paper tape, gauze, ace bandage antibiotic ointment, calendula salve and tincture echinacea goldenseal tincture, capsules complete "home" homeopathic kit(and book) hydrogen peroxide(lots), alchohol, iodine (diluted type) cough meds, aspirin, tylenol, ibuprofen, epsom salts first aid book- plus we know first aid and CPR (former EMT) many miscelaneous herbs that we grow- St. J's,, hyssop, milk thistle, yarrow, peppermint, chamolmile, calendula,etc- all useful for different stuff- a good herb book too

hope this helps- if you have little kids- add in stuff for them as well- diaper ointment, teething remedies, earache stuff, etc. Also- kaopectate or similar, pedialite or similar stuff a good idea as well.

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), March 14, 1999.

Antacids, PeptoBismol, vitamins, hyrdrogen peroxide, cold meds, cough med, asa, tylenol, advil, Benadryl, and topicals.

-- Moore Dinty moore (not@thistime.com), March 14, 1999.

Don't forget things like tweezers, nail clippers, barber scissors, nail files, toothbrushes etc. Plenty of soap is a #1 priority. Remember things like syrup of ipecac and charcoal for poisoning (do some homework to know ahead of time what to use when).

Don't just concentrate on "stuff" but get some training and experience along the way too. Take a first aid course, a CPR course, or go through the EMT Basic program (still time... ) for example. Books like the Merck Manual, Where There is No Doctor/ Where There is No Dentist, Medicine For Mountaineering etc. are good. Some herbals are in order too.

-- (li'ldog@ontheporch.com), March 14, 1999.

You guys, I found this guy recently who teaches 'field medicine' -- we're talking about, how to deal with not having doctors and hospitals again, possibly forever -- and I asked him about a certain book et al. I'm pasting in his email response:

Thank you for writing. Odd, I never considered that anyone would contact me when I wrote the review. Hugh Coffee's book is one of the texts we use in our Field Medicine schools. He has even taught airway for us once. He is a friend and a devoted professional.

As for books... there is no all-in-one book for Medical. Even if there was you wouldn't be able to carry it. I would suggest getting the following: 1) Ditch Medicine 2) US Army Special Forces Medical Handbook 3) Where There is No Doctor 4) Where There is No Dentist 5) Merck Manual 6) Nursing Drug Handbook 7) A good Medical Dictionary

There are other titles, but the above would do in just about any situation.

Also, sounds like you need some schooling if your concern is what to when the lights go out. Medical Corps (that's us) teach people exactly what to do when the hospitals go away---even forever. Our students range from Nuns to Welders to Doctors. We teach Special Forces Medicine. All of it is hands-on and the school lasts for 3 days. At the class we also carry the type of Medical equipment you mentioned. Just a thought.

If you want to prepare for anything, always prepare for a worse-case scenario and you will never be surprised. You will need suture, minor surg instruments, casting gear (plaster, padding, stockinette), bandages, medicines, extra food, drapes, books, etc.

Well, all of the above should give you something to think about. More importantly it should give you something to do-about. If you have more questions then don't hesitate to write. Also, if Y2K is a for-real problem then time is growing short.

Chuck Fenwick Medical Corps

For what it's worth.

PJ

-- PJ Gaenir (fire@firedocs.com), March 14, 1999.

Neosporin is good but you become allergic to it for no reason,my mother did and what a mess,try Bag balm it was made for cows but it works on people to just as good,everyone in Maine knows about bag balm and it cost much less,10 ounce can for $5.99 to $7.99.i've used it and so has my family. Darlene

-- Darlene (boomer@tdstelme.net), March 14, 1999.

oh yes- a second for the Bag Balm- how could i ever forget that. And- very important- an aloe plant. I keep mine on a kitchen windowsill- just break of a piece and apply to any burns- we can't do without it here- burns heal without blisters, etc- also works good for sunburn, iritations, etc. Also- if you have kids that haven't had chicken pox yet- keep baking soda and oatmeal around- use in the bath to soothe them. (keep baking soda and oatmeal around anyway-)

also- garlic will cure what ails you!

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), March 14, 1999.

Boy are you right about the neosporin, I got my ears pierced and they got infected. I kept putting the neosporin on my ears and they got worse...I was allergic to it! Ended up on an antibiotic and it took me a month to get rid of the infection...never again...but keep some on hand for those that aren't allergic to it.

-- pierced (pierced@pierced.com), March 14, 1999.

I also have in a gel form Natural Aloe Burn Aid it's 100% aloe gel,10 oz. for $4.00 and it does work,(got wood stoves!)you can also wash your face with it does not dry it out,I have a 15 year old and she loves it.Manufactured by Nature's Earth CO.,INC SIMI VALLEY,CA. I bought a ton of this stuff.But I got mine from a friend who runs her own shop selling things like this.

Also do not forget Q-Tips,cotton balls and cleaners for the house to keep the germs away.Any old clothes you have can be cut up for rags or saved for growing kids or used to trade with,plastic for windows,doors or to keep things dry,try a Sherwin Williams store it's cheap and you can get it as thin or thick as you want.

I also have some good books on herbs,tells howto grow,find,pick,cook and use over 1000 herbs,flowers,weeds and plants. If anyone wants to know the names you can drop me aline that is my real email.

Darlene

-- Darlene (boomer@tdstelme.net), March 15, 1999.

Pedialyte is only good for 48 hours REFRIGERATED after opening. Get Kaolyte instead--comes dried, 4 packs to a box. Still only good 48 hours refrigerated after mixing, but quantities are smaller, wastage much less. Shelf life is short, though. Anyone have the recipe for this stuff? Doesn't seem very complicated--water, dextrose, potassium citrate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate. What about Gatorade? Does it last longer?

Butterfly bandages--for keeping edges of lacerations together. Can take place of stitches.

Aquarium antibiotics and suture kits, available at Drs. Foster & Smith, on-line, don't have URL handy. They also have pet first-aid kits.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 15, 1999.

I have a few recipes for rehydration fluid,I used the sugar based solution when my oldest was just a baby,worked fine-got it from my doctor at the time.

Sugar based solution-1qt water-1/2 teaspoon salt-8 teaspoons sugar

Starchbased solution-1qt of water-1/2 teaspoon salt-2 ounces of babyrice cereal

Karobase-3 cups of boiling water-1 tablespoon clear karo syrup-pinch of salt-1 teaspoon lemon juice-mix thoroughly

It has been along time and I could not for the life of me think of how this was made so I looked it up,the last 3 I never made but like I said before I did use the sugar based recipe and that recipe sounds just like the one I made.

Have some time on my hands today because of bad weather.

Darlene

-- Darlene (boomer@tdstelme.net), March 15, 1999.

In view of recent events concerning our treasonous President and the passing of nuclear technology to Red China, you might want to acquire a supply of potassium iodate. Potassium iodate has only one use that I know of --in the event of nuclear war it can greatly enhance your survival prospects should you escape death in the initial blast of a missile landing in your vicinity. It does this by preventing your thyroid from absorbing large quantities of radioactivity from fallout. I know this sounds shocking and depressing, but I do believe that a nuclear exchange involving America is a distinct possibility in the next couple of years. We have no defense against incoming missiles. Russia has too many to mention still pointed at us, we now know that China has a number that can hit us, and North Korea may soon have them too. Meanwhile our First Rapist is unable to explain why he failed to even fire a known spy passing nuclear secrets to the Chicoms.

Got potassium iodate?

-- Tom Knepper (thomas_knepper@intuit.com), March 15, 1999.

One of you mentioned a homeopathic kit. Have you found anyone supplying these. I just found a company supplying homeopathics and herbs for virus, bacteria, pneumonia,bronchitis, flu, cough,headaches, injury, dehydration, insect bites, wound healing salve etc. I have just received the kit and am very pleased with it. It has good directions and has a long shelve life, minimum 5-10 years. They also have a 10 year storing multiple vitamin which is alot easier then putting up a bunch of different vitamins and our stored food will be lacking alot of nutrients. Which we especially burn up when under stress. They are not on the internet but can be reached at 417-754-8469. Hope this is of some help. J

-- J (dragonhollow@tri-lakes.net), June 02, 1999.

- Gotu Kola (herb) for mental clarity and peace of mind - Rescue Remedy (A Bach Flower Essence) for traumas of all kinds - Other flower essences for fear, anxiety, dealing with change, etc. - colloidal silver Making our own. - Turmeric, perhaps most healing herb on plant. Antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antimold, antiinflammatory, antihistamine, good for poisonous bites and stings, burns, wounds, bruises, strengthening t-cells, inhibiting tumor growth, cleansing liver, potentizing low insulin, lowering blood pressure if high...... - Arniflora gel (homeopathic Arnica montana gel) is amazing for bruises and sore muscles. - Califlora gel (calendula) for cuts, scrapes, burns... - Astragalus to boost immune system.

-- Shivani Arjuna (S Arjuna@aol.com), June 05, 1999.