One of the safest and best all around medicines to carry in the field is liquid Maalox, either regular or extra strength. A few of the many illnesses and discomforts it can relieve...
1. Poison Ivy--rub a small amount of Maalox on the affected areas and it will neutralize the poison, dry it, and stop the itching within minutes.
2. Jock Rash or "Great Balls of Fire"--rub some Maalox on the affected area and you'll soon be relieved of the burning, itching, and discomfort.
3. Athlete's foot or "Swamp Foot"-- rub a small amount of Maalox on the foot, including in between the toes, and the itching, irritation, and odor will soon be neutralized.
4. Blisters, Scalds, Abrasions, and Cuts--will heal quicker if treated daily with a little bit of Maalox, just rub on a small amount and let dry.
5. Sunburns and Windburn-- rub Maalox on like a lotion and it will quickly relieve the pain, discomfort, and irritation.
6. Hemmoroids and Rectal Irritation (Due to Diarrhea)-- pour a small amount of Maalox on a small piece of toilet paper, wipe or rub on the effected area and the bleeding, itching, and irritation should subside within minutes.
7. Feeling Constipated?-- take several (3-5) teaspoons of Maalox and your stomach should settle down in no time, also works as a laxative too.
8. Got a cut that won't Stop Bleeding?-- put a few drops of Maalox on it and cover with a bandaid or bandage.
Always carry in your rucksack a small bottle of olive oil, the type that comes with an eye or nose dropper, because it can always be used...
a) To prevent foreign matter from entering the eyes and ears should you need to dive or swim in slaty of filthy water and you don't have a mask or a paitr of earplugs for protection.
Just place a few drops in the eyes and ears before entering the water and the salt and foreign matter won't stick to the surface of the eyes or enter the sensitive areas of the inner ear.
b) works great for relieving earaches. Simply warm up the bottle of olive oil with a match or lighter, just slightly above body temperature, and place a drop or two in the effected ear. To keep it in place, use a piece of cotton, tissue, and even a gun cleaning patch. Should it become infected and very painful, just add 1x drop of iodine to 5x drops of olive oil and you have an excellent field remedy.
