IS»cS3hSEc»»a:«5;::;v..Vv:. — ;"'• 'r"-"1:'-" ■■•■■ ■■•'.• "71 .Y-iV/'T V..... i't' v;Vi|i',.i ............. .j ... , :'.'• -.. . :r^«^^.:^.rJ,.;:1!;.r^.'!wi<<.:. .•.:..•■ iiTiiii>w'>k^i.»t'>'L'*'t*i,ll't?ttil1' t.' irlK.-r^ en J .: !. T . : . V mM&W>I>...M;UW>V^MJM. u.....u...-...^> mm................... (IJLu^J.l^i.WUjl.l.L... "«■ .... .....<■>-----..... . ..... .1 ii>u^>ti»J./.'i'v^t>, Drofespor of Physiology and Medical Jurisprudence in the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, and late one of the Consulting Physicians of the Homoeopathic Hospital in Philadelphia. r> ' LIB R A jh.A\ .s. .1^1 i u G o X i ^> o o IM/FL. L PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY RADEMACHER & SHEEK, 239 ARCH STREET. NEW YORK: WM. RADDE.—BOSTON : OTIS CLAPP. PITTSBURGH: J. Q. BACKOFEN.—CHICAGO: D. S. SMITH M D NEW ORLEANS: D. R. LUYTIES, M.D.-MANCHESTER, ENG.: II TURNER. 18 5 4 \* NAI6K Entered according to Act op Congress, in the year 1854, by Rade- macher & Sheek, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District op Pennsylvania. KING * BAIRD, PRINTERS, SANSOM STREET, PHILA. CONTENTS. Introduction,...............................................................Page 1 CHAPTER I. 1. Observations on Diet,..................................................... 5 Rules to be observed in the selection of aliments,............ 5 The proper times for eating, &c,................................. 6 Practical remarks,..................................................... 7 Classification of the aliments,....................................... 9 2. Articles of diet that may be allowed when under Homoeopathic treatment,.............................................,.............. 9 Remarks concerning exceptions,................................... 11 3. Articles of diet that may sometimes be allowed,.................. 11 Practical remarks,..................................................... 11 4. Articles of diet that cannot be allowed under Homoeopathic treatment,............................................................... 13 5. Table showing the time required for the digestion of some of the prominent aliments,............................................. 14 6. Nutrition table—vegetable and animal,.............................. 16 7. Observations on air and exercise,..................................... 17 Simple rules to be'observed,....................................... 19 8. Ablutions and bathing,...................._.............................. 24 Practical remarks,..................................................... 24 Rules to be observed with reference to bathing,.............. 25 9. Clothing—rules in reference to,....................................... 28 10. Observations on sleep,................................................... 30 Disposition of time, with simple rules, &c,..................... 30 Time required for repose,........................................... 33 11. Observations on occupations and professions,..................... 33 1 5 Vi CONTENTS. CHAPTER II. A General View of the Bodily Organs,............................... 34 1. Digestive organs,........................................................... 34 Mastication and insalivation,....................................... 35 Operations of the stomach,.......................................... 35 " " bile,................................................... 36 " " Pancreatic juice,.................................. 36 " " Duodenum, &c,................................... 36 " " Absorbent vessels,............................... 36 2. Organs of respiration,..................................................... 37 Changes effected in the blood by the function,................ 38 3. Circulatory organs,....................*.................................. 39 Harmonious operation of digestion, respiration and circu- lation,................................................................. 39 4. Urinary organs—kidneys, bladder and appendages,.............. 40 5. Biliary organs—liver and gall-bladder,............................... 40 The liver a purificatory organ,..................................... 41 6. The nervous system—the brain, spinal cord' and appendages, 41 7. Temperaments—definition of,........................................... 44 Sanguine, bilious, nervous, melancholic and mixed,.......... 44 Constitutions and habits............................................. 46 Distinction of moral characteristics............................... 46 CHAPTER III. 1. List of remedies—principle of applying them, &c,................ 47 2. Medicines best adapted to different temperaments, habits, &c, 48 CHAPTER IV. Observations on the Method of noting Diseases,................. 49 1. Examination of patients.................................................. 50 Constitutions—varieties and predispositions,................... 50 Periods of life,.......................................................... 50 2. Special examination of disease,......................................... 55 Rules requiring strict attention,................................... 55 A correct interpretation of facts,.................................. 55 8. Rules for the administration and repetition of remedies,.......... 65 4. The form of medicines designed for domestic use,................. 66 5. Of preserving the purity of medicines................................. 67 6. Antidotes and changing of medicines,................................. 67 7. External applications,.................................................. g§ 8. Remedies acting beneficially after the employment of others, 68 CONTENTS. Vli CHAPTER V. Diseases involving the various Organs and their treatment, 69 1. Fevers—General characteristics of,.................................... 69 General classification,.......................................... 70 2. Conditions of treatment in fevers, apartments, diet, &c,........ 71 Simple fever,............................................................ 72 Inflammatory (synochal) fever,.................................... 73 Cause and treatment,................................................. 74 Nervous fevers—causes and treatment, (slow fever,)........ 76 Putrid fevers—malignant typhus, abdominal typhus, &c.,. 77 Bilious remittent or gastric fevers—causes and treatment,. 87 Intermittent fevers—quotidian, tertian and quartan, &c.,.. 97 Remarks on diet and regimen...................................... 109 Yellow fever, &c,..................................................... 110 Eruptive fevers,........................................................ 118 Nettle rash, hives, urticaria,...................................... 118 Scarlet rash,............................................................ 121 Scarlet fever, scarlatina, three kinds,............................ 123 Measles, rubeola,...................................................... 131 Erysipelas, St. Anthony's fire, rose,............................. 138 Chicken-pox,........................................................... 142 Varioloid,................................................................ 143 Small-pox, (variola,)................................................. 143 Arthritic fevers,........................................................ 148 Gout, (arthritis,)...................................................... 148 Rheumatic fever, inflammatory rheumatism, acute do.,... 153 Chronic rheumatism,................................................. 157 Lumbago, pain in the small of the back, neck, &c,......... 159 Rheumatism of the neck, kink of the neck,.................... 160 Sciatic rheumatism, sciatica,....................................... 160 CHAPTER VI. Diseases of the Digestive Organs, or of the Alimentary Canal, 162 1. Diseases of the teeth—toothache, odontalgia,..................... 162 Ulceration of the gums.............................................. 162 2. Quinsy—sore throat, inflammation of tonsils,..................... 166 3. Malignant Quinsy, or putrid sore throat,........................... 172 4. Scurvy, or canker of the mouth, cancrum oris,................... 178 5. Inflammation of the tongue, (glossitis,)............................. 181 6. Mumps, parotitis,......................................................... 183 7. Affections of the stomach,.............................................. 181 viii CONTENTS. 8. Indigestion, dyspepsia,.................................................. 185 9. Chronic dyspepsia,....................................................... 1°" 10. Bilious or stomachic headache, neuralgic pains, &c,........... 192 Medicines required for the various ages and constitutions, 199 Suffering from dyspepsia, diet, &c,.............................. 199 11. Heartburn, waterbrash pyrosis,...................................... 201 12. Spasm of the stomach, cardialgia gastralgia,..................... 202 13. Sea-sickness, or from riding in a coach,............................ 208 14. Vomiting of mucus,...................................................... 209 15. Vomiting of blood,........................................................ 210 16. Constipation, costiveness,............................................... 212 17. Diarrhoea, looseness of the bowels,................................... 219 18. Dysentery, bloody flux,................................................. 226 19. Cholera morbus.......................................................... 231 20. Asiatic cholera—causes and treatment,............................. 235 21. Cholerine,................................................................... 241 22. Colic, Enteralgia,......................................................... 241 Wind colic,.............................................................. 242 Painters' colic,......................................................... 242 23. Flatulency,................................................................. 248 24. Inflammation of the stomach, (gastritis,).......................... 248 25. Inflammation of the bowels, enteritis,............................... 253 26. Chronic inflammation of the bowels,................................. 261 27. Inflammation of the Peritonaeum, (peritonitis,)................... 262 28. Worms, invermination, &c,........................................... 263 29. Itching of the anus,...................................................... 270 30. Determination of blood to the abdomen, ............................ 274 31. Piles or haemorrhoids,................................................... 276 32. Prolapsus ani, protrusion of the intestine.......................... 282 33. Liver complaint,........................................................... 284 34. Acute inflammation of the liver, hepatitis,........................ 284 35. Chronic inflammation of liver,......................................... 289 36. Jaundice, icterus,......................................................... 291 37. Inflammation of the spleen, splenitis,................................ 294 CHAPTER VIT. Diseases of the Urinary and Genital Organs....................... 298 1. Inflammation of the kidneys, (hepatitis,)........................... 298 2. " " bladder, (cystitis,)............................. 301 3. Chronic inflammation of the bladder,................................ 304 Irritability of the bladder,.......................................... 304 CONTENTS. IX 4. Gravel, stone,.............................................................. 305 5. Retention of urine,...................................................... 307 6. Difficulty in discharging urine, (strangury,)...................... 311 7. Suppression of urine, (anury,)......................................... 314 8. Incontinence of urine,.................................................. 3KJ 9. Wetting the bed, nocturnal eneuresis,............................... 318 10. Immoderate secretion of urine, (diabetes,)......................... 319 11. Haemorrhage with the urine, (hsematuria,)........................ 323 12. Inflammation of the urethra, clap, gleet, &c,..................... 327 13. " " glans, penis, balanitis, &c,.................. 331 14. Swelled testicle, inflammation of the testes,........................ 334 15. Dropsy of the scrotum, (hydrocele,)................................. 334 16. Venereal disease, syphilis, &c,....................................... 334 CHAPTER VIII. Diseases of the Skin, Cutaneous Affections,........................ 338 1. Boil, furunculus,........................................................ 338 2. Carbuncle, anthrax, &c,................................................ 340 3. Chilblains................................................................... 342 4. Corns...........................................................'............. 344 5. Abscesses, lymphatic tumours, diseases of the conglobate glands,................................................................ 345 Chronic abscess, scrofula, &c,..................................... 6. Itch, scabies psora,....................................................... 35!J 7. Whitlow, panaris, &c..................................................... 353 8. Itching of the skin, prurigo,........................................... 355 9. Ringworm,.................................................................. 357 10. Ringworm of the scalp................................................... 35S 11. Ulcers,....................................................................... 302 12. Hives or rash in children,.............................................. 3G8 CHAPTER IX. Organs of Respiration and their Diseases,.......................... 308 1. General description of the organs of respiration,................. 308 2. Diseases of the respiratory organs, general remarks,........... 376 3. Of colds in general,...................................................... 378 4. Cold in the head, coryza,............................................... 37'J Loss of taste and smell,.............................................. 5. Cold on the chest, catarrhal fever,.................................... 385 6. Tussis, cough,............................................................. 393 ?. Hoarseness raucitas,...................................................... 401 8. Laryngitis, acute,........................................,................ 404 1* X CONTENTS. 9. Croup, (cyanche laryngitis, cyanchu trachietis,)................. 414 10. Asthma of Millar,......................................................... 421 11. Throat consumption, chronic inflammation of larynx,......... 424 12. Pharyngitis, inflammation of the pharynx, common sore throat, 430 13. Simple inflammation of the throat,................................... 431 14. Common sore throat, Quinsy,.......................................... 432 15. Chronic diseases of the pharynx, chronic sore throat,........... 437 16. Hooping cough,............................................................ 442 17. Bronchitis, Influenza, grippe,.......................................... 447 18. Inflammation of the lungs, lung fever, pneumonia,.............. 450 19. Spurious pneumonia, peripneumonia,............................... 455 20. Typhoid or congestive pneumonia,................................... 456 21. Pleurisy...................................................................... 458 - 22. Asthma,...................................................................... 461 23. Determination of blood to the chest,................................. 466 24. Spitting of blood, hsemoptisis,......................................... 468 25. Consumption of the lungs, phthisis pulmonalis,.................. 473 CHAPTER X. Diseases of the Circulatory Apparatus,............................... 482 1. Angina Pectoris,.......................................................... 482 2. Inflammation of the pericardium, pericarditis,.................... 485 3. " of the lining membrane of the heart,.............. 489 4. Carditis, inflammation of the heart,................................. 493 5. Anuerism of the Aorta,................................................. 495 6. Inflammation of the Arteries,.......................................... 496 7. Inflammation of the veins,.............................................. 496 CHAPTER XL Diseases of the Nervous System, including the Brain and Spinal Cord. 1. Rush of blood to the nead,............................................. 497 2. Inflammation of the brain, (brain fever,).......................... 501 3. Apoplexy,................................................................... 507 4. Acute inflammation of the spinal cord and its membranes,.... 511 5. Chronic " " " " coverings,...... 513 6. Palsy, (paralysis,)........................................................ 516 7. Tetanus, (spasm,)......................................................... 517 8. Delirium tremens, (mania e potu,)................................... 521 9. Epilepsy, (fits,)............................................................ 524 10. Neuralgia, (nerve pain, face ache, tic doloreux,)................ 530 11. Chorea, (St. Vitus' dance,)............................................. 532 CONTENTS. XI 12. Stammering,................................................................ 532 13. Headache, (cephalagia, hemicranea,)...........................".... 535 14. Sick headache,............................................................ 538 15. Giddiness, (vertigo,).................................................... 538 16. Weakness or loss of memory,.......................................... 538 CHAPTER XII. Diseases involving various Organs and Regions. 1. Inflammation of the psoas muscle, (psoitis,)....................... 539 2. Pain in the hip, hip gout, rheumatism of the hip,............... 540 3. Affections of the knee,................................................... 544 4. " organs of sense,..................................... 545 Diseases of the eyes,................................................. 545 Stye—Hordeolum,...................................................... 547 Inflammation of the eye, (iritis,)................................. 548 Rheumatism affecting the eyes,.................................... 549 Gout " " ...................................... 550 Scrofulous sore eyes, scrofulous opthalmia,.................... 551 Catarrhal inflammation of the eyes,............................... 553 Syphilitic sore eyes,.................................................. 553 Gonorrhoeal inflammation of the eyes,........................... 553 Cataract................................................................... 554 Specks on the cornea, opacity of the cornea,................... 554 Squinting, strabismus,................................................ 554 Weeping or watery eye,.............................................. 551 Bloodshot eyes,......................................................... 555 Short or near-sightedness, (myopia,)............................. 555 Attacks of blindness,.................................................. 556 5. Inflammation of the ear, (earache,).................................. 556 Running of the ears, (otorrhoea,)................................. 558 Suppression of the discharge from the ear...................... 559 Deafness, hardness of hearing, (dysecoia,)..................... 559 Buzzing or noises in the ear,....................................... 560 6. Bleeding at the nose, (epistaxis,)..................................... 561 Swelling of the nose,................................................. 563 Baldness or loss of hair,............................................. 565 Dandruff,................................................................ 566 7. Offensive breath,......................................................... 566 8. Cramps in the legs,...................................................... 567 9. Goitre, (Derbyshire neck,)............................................. 567 Sweating feet,.......................................................... 068 Xll CONTENTS. 569 10. Sleeplessness, (vigilance, agrypina,.................................. Nightmare, (incubus,)............................................. 571 11. Rupture, (hernia,)..................................................... Strangulated hernia,...............................••................. ' 12. Fainting, (syncope, swooning,)........................................ bl_ 13. Pain in the loins,-(notalgia,)........................................... °'f 14. Dropsy,..................................................................... I Anasarca,.......................................................... "• ' Dropsy of the abdomen, (ascites,)............................... 580 » " chest, (hydrothorax,)............................ 582 " " brain, (hydrocephalus,)......................... 584 Acute dropsy of the brain,.......................................... 584 Chronic " " " .......................................... 586 Dropsy of the testicle, (hydrocele,)............................... 591 " «< womb, (hydrometra,)............................... 591 CHAPTER XIII. Casualties. Concussions, wounds, dislocations, bruises, sprains, fractures, &c.,. 592 Sprains............................................................................... 594 Strains,.............................................................................. 595 Wounds,...................*........................................................... 595 " lacerated,................................................................ 598 " contused, and bruises,................................................ 599 " punctured,............................................................... 600 " gunshot,.................................................................. 601 " poisoned,................................................................ 602 Dislocation, luxations,........................................................... 603 Fractures,.......................................................................... 603 Furns and scalds,.................................................................. 605 Exposure to heat, (overheating,).............................................. 607 Ptings of insects,................................................................... 608 Fatigue,.............................................................................. 609 Apparent death, (asphyxia,).................................................... 610 " " fromhunger,.................................................. 610 « a fall.................................................... 610 " " " suffocation, hanging or choking,.................. 611 . " " " lightning,............................................... 611 " " " drowning,............................................... 612 " " " cold or being frozen,................................. 613 " " " noxious vapours,...................................... 614 CONTENTS. Xiii Hydrophobia,.................................................................... 614 Mental emotion,.................................................................... 618 CHAPTER XIV. Women and their Diseases, or, Diseases of Women. Menstruation,...................................................................... 621 " obstructed, (delay of the first menses,).................... 622 Chlorosis, (greensickness,).................................................... 623 Tardy menstruation,.............................................................. 625 Suppression of the menses, (amenorrhoea,)................................. 627 Menstruation too soon or too frequent,...................................... 631 " " profuse,....................................................... 632 ' " " painful, (menstrual colic,................................ 634 Cessation of the menses, (change of life,)................................... 635 Hysterics, (hysteria,)............................................................. 638 Leucorrhoea, (whites,)........................................................... 641 Falling of the womb, (prolapsus uteri,)..................................... 643 Swelling of the womb, (physometra,)........................................ 647 Dropsy of " (hydrometra,)........................................ 648 Inflammation of the ovaries, (ovaritis,)...................................... 653 Dropsy, " " ...................................... 656 Inflammation of the labia and vagina,....................................... 656 Pregnancy........................................................................... 657 Exercise during pregnancy,..................................................... 658 Dress " " ..................................................... 659 Care of health,..................................................................... 660 Of the mental habits,............................................................. 660 Continued menstruation during pregnancy,................................ 663 Vertigo and headache,........................................................... 664 Morning sickness,................................................................. 666 Constipation,........................................................................ 667 Diarrhoea,........................... ............................................... 667 Itchings, (pruritus,).............................................................. 668 Fainting and hysteric fits,...................................................... 669 Toothache during pregnancy,.................................................. 670 Pains in the back and side during pregnancy,............................. 670 Cramps, during pregnancy,..................................................... 671 Incontinence of urine,............................................................ 671 Haemorrhoids or piles,........................................................... 671 Swelling of the veins, varicose veins,......................................... 672 Depression of spirits,............................................................. 673 XIV CONTENTS. 674 Flooding, (menorrhagia,)........................................................ Miscarriage, (abortion,)........................................................" Care of the breasts and nipples before confinement,..................... P1 . .............. 681 False pains,................................................................ Childbirth, labor, parturition,.................................................. Protracted labors,................................................................. Cramps, convulsions, spasmodic pains,...................................... Treatment after delivery......................................................... Flooding " " .................................................■■...... 687 Alter pains,......................................................................... 687 Remarks after delivery,.......................................................... 688 Of the lochia,....................................................................... 689 Coming of the milk, milk fever,................................................ 691 Suppression of the milk,......................................................... 692 Excessive secretion of milk,.................................................... 692 Diarrhoea,........................................................................... 693 Constipation,........................................................................ 693 Retention of urine, or painful urination,.................................... 694 Sore nipples,.........................................•.............................. 694 Gathered breasts, abscess in the breasts,................................... 695 Falling off of the hair,.............,............................................. 696 CHAPTER XV. Diseases of New Born Infants and Young Children. Introductory remarks,........................................................... 696 Treatment of the child, immediately after birth,.......................... 697 Apparent death of new born infants, (asphyxia,)......................... 698 Swelling of the head, (blood spots,).......................................... 700 Of the meconium,.................................................................. 700 Of nursing,......................................................................... 701 Obstacles to nursing,............................................................ 702 Mental emotions affecting the milk,.......................................... 703 Deficiency or suppression of the secretion of milk,...................... 703 Deterioration of the quality of the milk,.................................... 704 Treatment of mothers who do not nurse their children,................. 704 The choice of a nurse,........................................................... 705 Diet during nursing,.........................................*..,................ 706 Supplementary diet of infants,............................................... 707 Weaning, or period of suckling,.............................................. 709 S'eep,................................................................................. 710 Exercise,............................................................................ 711 CONTENTS. XV Maternal marks, (neavi)........................................................ 714 Deformities, monstrosities, &c,.............................................•• 714 Cyanosis, (blue disease,)........................................................ 715 Rupture, (Hernia,)............................................................... 715 Sore eyes, (opthalmia neonatorum,)....................................... 716 Crying,............................................................................... 716 Sleeplessness,....................................................................... 718 Regurgitation of milk,........................................................... 713 Obstruction of the nose, coryza, cold in the head,........'................ 713 Inflammation of the eyes,...................................................... 720 Apthae, or thrush,................................................................. 721 Excoriation, intertrigo,.......................................................... 722 The gum,............................................................................. 722 Heat spots, prickly heat,...................................................... 723 Scruf in the head,................................................................. 723 Soreness behind the ears,....................................................... 724 Milk crust,.......................................................................... 724 Erysipelas, (induration of the skin,)......................................... 725 Running from the ears, abscess in the ear,................................. 727 Rupture of the navel, umbilical hernia,..................................... 727 Soreness of the navel,............................................................ 728 Swelling of the breasts of infants............................................. 728 White discharge from the private parts, (leucorrhoea,).................. 729 Inflammation of the private.parts, (inflammation of the labia,)....... 729 Itchings and burnings in the private parts, (pruritus,)................. 729 Inflammation of the foreskin, swelling of the prepuce, (phimosis,).. 730 Retention of urine, scanty and painful urination,........................ 730 Wetting the bed, nocturnal urination........................................ 730 Discharge of blood from the anus or rectum,.............................. 731 Jaundice,............................................................................ 731 Constipation........................................................................ 732 Diarrhoea,........................................................................... 732 Summer Complaint, (cholera infantum,).................................... 734 Colic.................................................................................. 736 Infantile remittent fever,....................................................... 737 Spasms or convulsions,.......................................................... 739 749 Lock jaw............................................................................ '** Spasms in the chest, (spasmodic asthma,).................................. 743 Asthma of Millar,................................................................. 743 Hiccough,........................................................................... 745 Loss of flesh, (atrophy, marasmus,)......................................... 745 XVI CONTENTS. Head fall,................................................................. " Dentition.................................................................. " _ ._ w . ........................ 749 Weaning,........................................................... Vaccination,............................................................. CHAPTER XVI. Range of use of the more Prominent Remedies used in this Work. n . ., .................... 753 1. Acomtum,......................................................... 2. Arnica montana,.......................................................... 7^7 3. Arsenicum album,........ .............................................. '"' 4. Belladonna,................................................................ 759 5. Bryonia,..................................................................... 762 6. Calcarea carbonica,....................................................... '"4 7. Carbo vegetabilis,......................................................... '66 8. Chamomilla,..............*................................................. 76/ 9. Cina,.......................................................................... 77° 10. Coffea cruda,......,........................................................ 771 11. Colocynthis,................................................................ 772 12. Drosera..............................................................»....... 772 13. Dulcamara,................................................................. 773 14. Heleborus niger,........................................................... 774 15. Hepar sulphuris calcis,................................................. 774 16. Hyoscyamus niger,....................................................... 775 17. Ignatia amara,............................................................. 776 18. Ipecacuanha,............................................................... 777 19. Lycopodium,................................................................ 778 20. Mercurius vivus........................................................... 779 21. Nux vomica,............................................................... 781 22. Opium,....................................................................... 783 23. Phosphorus,.................................................. ............. 785 24. Pulsatilla.................................................................... 786 25. Rhus tox.,.................................................................. 787 26. Sepia succus,.............................................................. 788 27. Silicea....................................................................... 790 28. Spongia tosta,.............................................................. 791 29. Sulphur,..................................................................... 792 30. Tartar emetic,............................................................. 794 31. Veratrum album,.......................................................... 795 PREFACE. In offering to the public the following Manual of Homoeopathic Practice, the author is by no means unmindful of the responsibility he has incurred. For more than half a century the science of Homoeopathia has been gaining access to the more intelligent and reflecting classes of the community—and did not his convictions assure him of its entire truth and its perfect and satisfactory reliability, he would shudder at the thought of offering such a work as this to a patronizing people; and, moreover, he would lament that others of a like character had preceded this. But, without a shadow of doubt of the truthfulness of Homoeopathy, and its adaptation to the wants of mankind, he hesitates not to add something to the stock of popular knowledge upon the subject. The Manual of Homoeopathic Practice is herewith offered. It must pass for what it merits. It has been the endeavor of the author to point out, in a systematic way, a useful code of hygienic rules, and an explicit treatment for most of the diseases incident to the human family. It will be perceived that extensive dietetic rules are laid down for general consideration, while at the 2 (xvii) xviii PREFACE. conclusion of the given treatment for each malady, the specific diet for the case is noted. It is quite likely errors may be found, in this diet arrangement, when an application is made in particular cases; under such circumstances, any particular idiosyncrasies of the patient must be taken into account, as, for instance: some persons have a particular relish for callage, while a cracker or other kinds of bread would not be relished at all. When such a patient is sick, the callage may not be denied, if still craved, as in health. Numerous cases of this kind may be found, all of which will require an extempore prescription of diet to suit the individual, as well as the case. It will be perceived also that the dose of each remedy is explicitly stated when prescribed. In most cases the medicines are prescribed both in dilutions and globules, and in order to avoid all confusion with regard to the matter, it may be stated that the globules are generally the most convenient and useful form. They are for the most part prescribed to be dissolved in water; but it is proper to remark, that this is the most prefer- able way, but it is not always necessary, nor always to be commended. For convenience sake, powders are often required; when such is the case, about two grains of sugar of milk and three globules may serve to make a powder, and a dose of this kind may be given dry upon the tongue under all circumstances, where any medicine is otherwise prescribed, if preferred in this way—Never- PREFACE. XIX the less in acute cases a solution of the medicine in water is considered to be the best. It is better to make no rapid changes from one medicine to another; for this is not generally attended with good results. Those who have an implicit faith in Homoeopathy cannot fail of regarding it the providential means of affording them relief from suffering, and when a remedy is taken, it. is with a confident reliance, that induces the patient to wait a sufficient length of time to obtain its legitimate effects; and to those who have less faith in the practice, we would caution to exercise patience and make a fair and critical trial of the remedies as prescribed. Many of the diseases described, and the mode of treatment g;iven, have been the result of the author's experience; others have been taken from reliable sources, and put into form, so as to obviate confusion where ever the manual is used ; and it is believed that the work will give positive satisfaction where ever it is put to a practical test. The object having been to impart information in popular language a glossary of medical terms has been deemed unnecessary and is therefore omitted. For the sake -of plainness, the most common names of the various diseases have been given, as well as those per- taining to the same in nosological works. The work has been divided into chapters, so as to XX PREFACE. preserve a distinctness of classification favourable to the design of the book. Constant reference has been had in the preparation of this Manual to what is of the most positively practical value. With the hope that the book will fulfil its design and answer the requirements of the lay-practitioner as well as the novitiate members of the profession, if not, the more experienced practitioners, and, also, that it may tend to disseminate the true idea of disease and its treatment, and prove a source of benefit to the human race, the work is commended for careful perusal. It is the sincere desire of the author that it may prove acceptable and useful. INTEODUCTION. The modern achievements of science, are fast ridding the world of that exclusiveness which has so long been upheld and practised in the medical profession; and light begins to break in from all directions, enlightening society in general upon such matters, as really pertain to the solid comforts of life. It is obvious that medicine has not kept pace with other improvements since the revival of learning; and the reason is, the medical profession has labored to impress its patrons with the idea, that no one should study medicine except those who intend to follow it as a calling. For a long time it was thought that the honor and dignity of the profession required this course ; that it would prove ruinous to its interests, and the interests of mankind, to make medical learning so plain and accessible that all classes of society might study it; and the consequence has been, the stifling of medicine itself, because kept in worse than Mahomedan seclusion.— There has not been that free strife for advancement, that usually characterizes those who lead the van of the intelligent classes in the community—there has been indolence, bigotry and intolerance hoarded up among the few, under the idea that the ignorance of the com- munity did not render it necessary for them to strive for new attainments;—but that time has passed away; and the patrons as well as the profession of medicine itself seem disposed to inform themselves about the matter, 2 (1) 2 INTRODUCTION. and the result is, new life is being instilled into the profession, and every effort consistent with reason and common sense is being made to promote its correspond- ing advancement; for is it not evident that it only requires that the patrons of medicine should be kept in ignorance, in order that its condition should remain stationary ? But let the people become intelligent about the matter—yea, as intelligent as books can make them, and then the profession must start; they must advance or sink into insignificance. A school master cares about knowing but little when his pupils are ignorant,—place him over a class of intelligent pupils, and he wakes up; he strives for advancement. Therefore it may be said to the public, if a good intelligent class of physicians is desired, the people must inform themselves as correctly as possible concerning the very matters they are to preside over, and then they will be upon the lookout to keep themselves a little ahead of their customers; this is the only apology for offering another domestic work on the Homoeopathic Practice of Medicine. It matters not how fast works of the kind multiply, provided they are well calculated to impart proper instruction to those who read them. Frequent objections are urged against Domestic Manuals because they interfere so much with the legiti- mate uses of the profession; but men willing to rest on real worth will hardly offer this complaint, and those who have too much indolence to keep in advance of their patrons in the knowledge and requirements of their own profession, deserve all the obstacles that the intelligence of their patrons can throw in their way. When we look back upon the past to see the mistaken zeal that has been manifest for the honor of medicine, INTRODUCTION. 3 and the disguise and concealment of an art so much needed among men; we have not wondered that authors wrote in a foreign tongue and tried to conceal the nature of their prescriptions. Their strife was not to gain additional knowledge, but to keep away from their patrons what they had. Therefore they wrote their medical disquisitions in an unknown tongue except to themselves ; studied them in the same tongue, carefully prohibiting the promulgation of any of those secrets thus locked up from the common people: was there ever a scheme better calculated to intercept all progress in medicine ? It may be laid down as a settled rule, that intelligence among the masses, will tend to enoble and dignify the learned professions; and the better common people understand medicine the stronger will be the impetus for the profession to improve, and the same is eminently true of theology and law. There was a time when every branch of human learning was regarded the privilege of a chosen few, but now nearly every branch of science is universally studied and open to all, and we see no reason why the science of anatomy or physiology or any of the collateral branches of medicine, may not be as accessible to all, as any branch of science that tends to ameliorate the condition of the human race. In the present work every effort will be made to avoid all ambiguous terms, and to present a Manual of the Practice of Homoeopathy in plain English: and instead of being governed by the fear, that remedies will be tampered with, an effort will be made to be so explicit, that any one who attentively reads, may be led to adopt a correct course. 4 INTRODUCTION. A brief exposition of disease and its mode of treatment may be regarded as a piece of useful information for every man, woman or child in the community, and in order to facilitate the study, the work will be divided into chap- ters, with the headings rendered palpable and distinct, and moreover every paragraph will be duly marked so as to avoid confusion. In concluding our Introduction we are free to express our regret that so many entertain views adverse to medicine as a popular science. There is certainly no valid reason why valuable knowledge should be confined to a few, while all the rest are taught to wholly neglect it, if not to despise it; and it is a matter of regret, that such futile objections have been raised as the following: " That people who dip into medical knowledge become fanciful and believe themselves afflicted with every disease of which they read." This is certainly a mistake with regard to sensible people, who seldom attempt a mode of procedure until duly informed. To render the most acceptable service to mankind, is to impart to them that kind of knowledge that will aid them in well meant endeavours to eradicate dangerous and hurtful practices; that will tend to extinguish unwarrantable prejudices, and afford security against quacks and impostors, and, lastly, to show what measures are at hand to preserve health, to prevent or cure disease, and to promote in the best manner the humane and benevolent operations of society. CHAPTER I. OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, &c. 1.—Observations on Diet. It is manifest from observation that health in a great measure depends upon a judicious and well selected diet, that must be regularly supplied, and taken into the system with great care. To prevent disease or promote health is certainly as desirable as to restore it when lost. One of the efficient means of preserving health is a well regulated diet. This can only be brought about by attending to a few simple rules, such as the following : 1. The first consideration that should influence every one is, that he "eats to live" and that he merely requires such aliments as will best promote the general health and strength of the body; he should always con- sult the real wants of the system, instead of the tempo- rary gratification of the appetite. 2. In the selection of food, such articles as may be included among the common aliments, may always be regarded the best, because experience has sanctioned their use. 3. The manner in which food should be cooked in order to preserve its nourishing properties should be attentively studied. 2* (5) 6 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND 4. The mode of seasoning food should be such as to avoid any unnatural stimulation of the stomach, or such as will tend by any irritating or corroding property to impair its tone. Strong acids, peppers, mustard, and articles of kindred properties, afford no nourishment, and a craving for them only argues some morbid derangement of the appetite, which, if it does not fore- warn the approach of more serious disease, ought to be resisted. The use of such articles ought to be tolerated only in great moderation, and never unless the stomach can receive them without the remotest inconvenience or derangement. 5. The proper times for eating should be established, and regularly observed. It is usual in this country to subsist upon three meals a day, and this from experience has been found amply sufficient to sustain the vigor and tone of the bodily health. It is not merely the taking of three meals a day that is required, but the taking of them in a proper way, and at proper hours, allowing sufficient length of time to elapse between each meal. 6. The exercise of eating should be performed in accordance with the indications of nature. The teeth are the proper organs of mastication, and every particle of food that requires mastication should be subjected to this operation; not a particle, susceptible of being further reduced by the teeth should be taken into the stomach, for it is evident that the economy of the system requires that the teeth should perform faithfully their proper office, without leaving any of their appropriate work to be done in the stomach. It is true that a vigor- ous, healthy stomach will for a time perform a service that in reality should have been performed by the teeth, but it is hazarding considerable to tax this useful oro-an EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 7 in this way; for when it becomes thus burthened by labor not properly its own, it may refuse to perform any labor at all, and the consequence is a disordered con- dition of the stomach and bowels. 7. There is no practice more to be deplored on the account of the injury which it inflicts than rapid eating ; it is therefore requisite that food should be taken into the system no faster than it can be thoroughly com- minuated by the teeth, and even then it would be better if a short interval were to elapse between the times of supplying the masticatory organs. To the foregoing rules we may append a few practical remarks. It is not best to be confined to any one kind of food a great length of time, for no creature is capable of subsisting on so great a variety of food as man. He inhabits all climates, and is capable of subsisting upon the productions of them all; and if they do not suit the particular tastes which by habit he has acquired, the art of cooking is called into requisition to divest them of disagreeable qualities. The art of cooking is especially designed to prepare food, so that what is crude and hurt- ful may be rendered wholesome and salutary. As much that serves for food is derived from the animal kingdom, and much from the vegetable, it may be regarded unsafe in the present state of the world to be confined to either. Man's habits are such that he requires a mixture, duly adjusted, with regard to the proportion of each. To be confined exclusively to a diet of animal food would fever the system, and sometimes render putrescent the contents of the stomach and bowels; and bring on violent colics, dysenteries, and diarrhoeas. On the other hand, to be confined exclu- sively to a vegetable diet would deteriorate the powers 8 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND of the whole system, unless the habit of being restricted to this kind of diet had been formed from childhood. It is difficult to give any definite directions with regard to the proportion of the two kinds of aliments necessary. It cannot have escaped observation that the laboring man xequires more animal food than the seden- tary man, and one that labors in the open air than one in confined apartments. Therefore, we may lay it down as a rule, that a hard laboring man requires animal food at every meal he eats, and the sedentary not so often; not exceeding perhaps once or twice in twenty-four hours. Animal food is a great deal more stimulating than vegetable, and on this account it is prone to give rise to diseased conditions, such as scurvy. We have no better proof of the baneful effects of an exclusively animal diet, or perhaps a diet confined to bread and meat, than what is furnished by scorbutic affections, and it is well known that we have no means of curing the malady, unless the patient is allowed the free use of vegetables. Perhaps it might be regarded a safe rule to observe, not to eat animal food except with potatoes or other vegetables; there is nothing at all necessary, to fix, with regard to proportion, for this may vary according to circumstances, climate, and weather; less animal food being required in warm weather and warm climates, than in cold weather and cold climates. Certain descriptions of animal food are less to be com- mended than others, and the same remark may be made about certain kinds of vegetable food. Some are more nutritious—some are easier of digestion—some are too stimulating, while others excite unhealthy activities in the system. EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 9 It therefore becomes necessary to classify the aliments in such a way as to facilitate the selecting of those the best adapted for common use, either in sickness or in health. Most of the nutritious aliments taken when in the enjoyment of sound health, may be used as articles of diet when under homoeopathic treatment, provided they are served up without condiments, and are found not to disagree. But in preparing any article of diet for the sick, it should be a settled rule to make no use of any of the condiments except salt, and also, all flavors that savor in the least of a medicinal character should be avoided and let the cooking be of that character, the best calculated to adapt the food for the capacity and wants of the body. 2.—Articles of Diet that may be allowed under Homoeopathic Treatment. Gruel, made of oatmeal, wheat flour, corn starch, farina, powdered crackers, rice, corn meal, sago, tapioca, pearl barley. Soup or broth, made of the lean of fat mutton, beef, or chicken, to which may be added rice, vermicelli, macca- roni, young peas, pearl barley, or any other farinaceous material, but it must have no seasoning except a moderate quantity of salt. Cooked meats. Broiled beef or mutton steaks, roasted tender loin of beef, roast mutton; roasted or broiled chickens, pigeons, larks, rabbits, venison, reed birds, and quail, may be partaken of in moderation. Cooked fish. Boiled rock fish, trout, smelts, perch, and flounders, may be partaken of in great moderation, pro- vided none of them are found to disagree with the patient. The same kinds of fish fried are not so easy of 10 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND digestion, nor so well suited for invalids; yet, in some instances where the preference for the fried is very great, it may be partaken of if found to relish and agree with the stomach. . Shellfish. Oysters, roasted in the shell, or stewed in a little water, boiled with their liquor and a few crumbs of bread for a few minutes only, are not only nutritious, but easy of digestion. Vegetables. Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas, French beans, tomatoes, cauliflower, spinach, rice, ho- miny, carrots, and every kind of bean raised in gardens, when young and tender; all kinds of vegetables must be well cooked ; potatoes, if boiled, should not remain in the water after being sufficiently cooked, and, if baked, care should be exercised to remove them from the oven when they are done. French beans and peas may be cooked and served up in the gravy of meats, or with butter, or milk instead of butter. Puddings. Made of water crackers, (powdered) and of tapioca, sago, arrow root, corn starch, rice, farina, bread, and even with eggs and milk, merely sweetened with sugar. Bread and cakes. Made of wheat flour, not recently baked, and bread made of the unbolted wheat flour, simple cakes, (composed of flour or meal, eggs, sugar, and good new butter,) sponge cakes and fritters. Eggs. Served up in several ways, by being lightly boiled, poached, or made into custards. Sometimes, when the stomach has been known to reject almost every form of food, a gruel made of the flour of the yolks of hard boiled eggs has not only proved palatable, but so nutritive as to impart much vigor and strength. Fruit. Roasted apples, or apples made into sauce, or EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. . 11 preserved or baked pears, raspberries, strawberries, grapes, plumbs, or any wholesome fruit not of an acid quality fully ripe, prepared in any of the usual forms of serving up fruits. Beverages. Water, milk, cocoa, unspiced chocolate, rice water, toast water, (provided the toast is not charred) sugar and water, and any other non-medicinal beverage. Any thing mentioned in the above list that is known to disagree, must not be used. So differently constituted are individuals, that oftentimes, what is one's meat is another's poison, and besides, some people have certain peculiarities that give them an antipathy to some one or more of the most wholesome aliments. Some aliments will in some persons induce a state of disease, owing to certain congenital peculiarities. Any article known to have this effect should be avoided. Any article not relished by a patient on account of some disagreeable sensation it imparts, ought not to be forced upon him. It is impossible to form a regimen free from all excep- tions ; variations will have to be made to suit particular cases, with due reference to the circumstances that sur- round them. 3.—Articles of Diet that may sometimes be allowed under Homoeopathic Treatment. Meats. Ham, veal, tripe, the dark meat of the turkey, and other poultry, (either roasted or boiled.) Fruits. Watermelons, cantelopes, muskmelons, goose- berries, currants, whortleberries, oranges and lemons. Beverages. Tea, coffee, and bromer. It sometimes happens, that individuals have been so long accustomed to a single course of diet, that a depri- vation of it, even when under homoeopathic treatment, proves more injurious than useful. Those who have 12 . OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND formed the habit of drinking tea at breakfast and supper, and have never found it to disagree with them, may still be allowed it, when under treatment. Others who have always been accustomed to drink coffee in the morning and have never found it to disagree or produce any departure from sound health, may still be allowed it in moderation, provided they suffer for the want of it. And so with regard to meats, some persons accustomed to eat ham, and always find it to agree with them, need not be , deprived of it, unless it is found to derange the stomach. And the same remark is true of veal, tripe, and poultry. As none of the meats can be regarded injurious, only because they are more difficult of digestion, they have no property that interferes with the action of remedies, except the tax they lay upon the organs of digestion, for a little more force. Thus it will appear evident, if the stomach receives them with impunity, and suffers no inconvenience or derangement, they may be allowed; Watermelons, Cantelopes, and Muskmelons have often been allowed in certain febrile diseases with no inconvenience or injury to the patient, and some are led to believe that nature has furnished these watery materials for this purpose. Facts elicited by observation go very far to prove that ripe melons very rarely if ever prove a source of injury or disease when persons are so situated as to enjoy them; the same remark may be made in relation to all ripe fruits. They may be enjoyed with impunity in the season of them; they neither induce disease nor prove an obstacle to a return to health, provided the patient has no ailment that would render them incompa- tible. As fruits and ice cream are so nearly allied, it may be mentioned here, that the latter may very generally be allowed in fevers, provided it is not flavored with any- EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 13 thing of a medicinal property. That flavored with the orange or strawberry is regarded the best, but those base imitations and colorings resorted to for gain, are always to be avoided as pernicious. 4.—Articles of diet that cannot be allowed under Homoeopathic Treatment. Meats. Fat pork, ducks, geese, calves' head, sausages, kidney, and every kind of salted, or fat meat. Soups. Every description of seasoned soups, such as turtle, pepper-pot, and mock-turtle. Fish. Salt codfish, pickled salmon, salt shad and mackerel, eels, smoked herring, and all smoked or fer- mented fish whatever. Shellfish. Crabs, lobsters, clams. Vegetables. Cucumbers, onions, celery, asparagus, greens, cabbage, radishes, parsley, horse-radish, leeks, garlic, and every description of pickles, salads and raw vegetables of every description. Pastry of every description, whether boiled, baked, or fried. All artificial Sauces, such as catsup, pickles, condiments mustard and vinegar; spices, aromatics, distilled and fermented liquors. Rancid cheese and lutter. All kinds of nuts, such as chestnuts, filberts, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cocoa nuts, and all others of a kindred character. 5. Sometimes invalids may be allowed chestnuts, roasted or boiled, but under certain restrictions. There may be some articles in the prohibited list that under certain circumstances may be permitted—and perhaps the regulations of diet as given may be subjected to 14 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND other modifications. The design of the tables being to point out in a general way the most reasonable course to be pursued, in the absence of direct experience. For the sake of imparting further practical knowledge concerning diet we will now insert what has been ascertained by experiment, with regard to the time required for the digestion of many of the prominent aliments. These results were obtained by experiments made by Doctor Beaumont on St. Martin, who had an opportunity of observing the process through a fistulous opening into the stomach, under such circumstances as enabled him to note very accurately the time required for digesting the aliments noted in the list. h. m. Apples—sweet, raw, digested in 1 50 sour, hard, raw, !( ( ' 2 50 Barley—boiled, (( < ' 2 Broiled rock fish, (( < ' 3 Beans boiled in pod, « ( ' 2 30 Beans and green corn boiled, (suckertash,) (( ( ' 3 45 Beef, roasted or boiled, U ' 3 Beef, dried or salted, boiled, U I ' 4 15 Beets, boiled, <( ' 3 45 Bread made of wheat, u ' 3 30 Bread made of corn, u ' 3 15 Butter, melted, u ' 3 30 Cabbage, raw, [( ' 2 50 Cabbage in vinegar, cc 11 2 Cabbage, boiled, u "• 4 30 Cheese, old and strong, (( " 3 30 Chicken, stewed, (( " 2 45 Cod fish, dry, boiled, (( " 2 EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 15 h. m, Duck, roasted, digested in 4 Ea;gs, hard boiled, it " 3 30 " soft " « " 3 " raw, (C " 2 Goose, wild, roasted, u " 2 30 Lamb, broiled, u " 2 30 Liver, beef's, broiled, (C " 2 Meat and vegetables," hashed, (( " 2 30 Milk, (( " 2 Mutton, (( " 3 Oysters, raw, u " 2 55 Oysters, stewed, K " 3 30 Pork, roasted, M " 5 15 Pork, stewed, (( " 3 Potatoes, Irish, boiled, (( " 3 30 Potatoes, roasted, baked, (( " 2 30 Rice, boiled, U " 1 Sago, (( " 1 15 Salmon, salted, (( " 4 Tapioca, boiled, U " 2 Tripe, " C( " 1 Trout, " (( " 1 30 Turkey, " K " 3 55 Turnips, " (( " 2 30 Veal, broiled, (( " 4 Venison steak, (( " 1 35 Although we have in this table the comparative time required for the digestion of the aliments named, yet we are not to be governed by this consideration, but by the nature and quantity of nutritive material which each contains, as well as its adaptation to the wants of the body. A table which affords explicit information as to the 16 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND time required for the digestion of the various kinds of food, is in some respects valuable as a reference in select- ing a diet for a given case. Nevertheless, an appeal to experience with regard to the particular aliments known to relish the best, and agree the best with the individual, is the criterion, the most to be commended. The relative proportion of nutritious properties of the several kinds of aliment may be interesting to observe; the following table will show the relative amount of nitrogen contained in the aliments named, taken from Carpenter's Physiology. In the table human milk is taken as the standard of comparison.=100. In regard to the nutritious properties of different articles of food, they are to be estimated by the propor- tion of nitrogen they contain. The food of man consists in general of two distinct kinds. 1. That which contributes to the formation of animal heat,—compound of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon; the aliments containing these properties in abundance, are termed non-nitrongenized. 2. That which serves for nutrition, is composed mainly of nitrogen, and termed Nitrogenized or azotized. Nearly all kinds of food may be regarded a mixture of that which produces animal heat, and that which serves for nutrition. 6— Nutrition Table. Vegetable. Rice, 81 Barley, 125 Brown bread, 166 Potatoes, 84 Oats, 138 Peas, 239 Turnips, 106 Wheat bread, 142 Lentils, 276 Rye, 106 Wheat, 119, 144 Mushroom, 289 Maize, 100-125 Carrots, 150 Beans, 320 EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 17 Animal. Human milk, 100 Skate, boiled, 956 Cow's milk, 237 Herring, raw, 910 Oysters, 305 ■------boiled, 808 Yolk of eggs, Cheese, 331 305 ,447 Yn 1 11" HT 924 11111 v Ul« Haddock, raw, 920 Eel, raw, 434 --------boiled, 816 ----boiled, 428 Flounder, raw, 898 Mussel, raw, 570 --------boiled, 954 ■------ boiled, 663 Pigeon, raw, 756 Ox liver, raw, 570 ------boiled, 827 Pork, ham, raw, 570 Lamb, raw, 833 boiled, 809 Mutton, raw, 773 Salmon, raw, 776 ------boiled, 852 ------boiled, 610 Veal, raw, 873 Portable soup, 764 ----: boiled, 911 White of egg, 845 Beef, raw, 880 Crab, boiled, 859 ----boiled, 941 Skate, raw, 859 Ox lung, 931 7.—Observations on Air and Exercise. It is well known from observation that an ample supply of good food, without the benefit of a pure atmosphere and exercise, avails but little in the way of promoting health. An atmosphere, contaminated with noxious vapors, may frequently prove the source of disease in despite of all the resistance that the best of food and exercise can offer. We respire nearly twenty thousand times in twenty- four hours, and at each inspiration we imbibe a fresh portion of the air, and if this vast quantity possesses in the least degree any deleterious property, is it not evi- dent that the delicate and sensitive tissues of the lungs 3* 18 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AN: which it permeates, may become impaired, so as to pour the seeds of disease into the circulation, and thus throughout the whole body? It is by the aid of the atmosphere, that venous blood, which is, in the main, formed from the food taken into the stomach, becomes changed into arterial, and fitted to perform its use in the body. ■ The atmosphere is com- posed of one part of oxygen and four parts of nitrogen, and a small quantity of carbonic acid. That part, the most essential to life is the oxygen, and if this becomes diminished in quantity, the consequences are fatal, be- cause the proportion of the three elements entering into the composition of the atmosphere cannot be altered in the least, without rendering it totally unfit for respiration. It is therefore of the utmost importance to preserve the air, as nearly as possible, in that condition which promotes healthy respiration. It is at once evident, that this cannot be accomplished except by a thorough sys- tem of ventilation. When several persons are together in a closed room, the air after a while becomes vitiated; by ventilating the room the vitiated air passes out, and permits fresh air to take its place. The apartments of the sick are not to be regarded as exceptions to this rule, for no influence is more needed to facilitate restoration to health than that of fresh air. But every precaution should be exercised to prevent a draught from passing over the patient, or coming in contact with the head or any part of the body. So important is it, that a well digested system of ventilation should be observed in all departments of life, that the study of works upon the subject may be com- mended. A very ingenious apparatus for ventilating confined apartments has been invented by Prof. Espy, EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 19 which has proved of immense service in ventilating our naval ships, as well as public halls, churches, and other resorts, where the people are accustomed to come together in masses. Ventilation should always be had from the top of a room if possible. It is true that it can be had by open- ing a window from the side, but this is liable to an objection on the account of its being difficult to avoid at all times the influence which a draught might occasion by being admitted from the side. This is particularly the case in rooms for public gatherings; and many are the instances where persons, heated and perspiring, in public assemblages, have suddenly had a window opened upon them, admitting a draught of cold air that has made them uncomfortable at the time, and subjected them to serious disease afterwards as the consequence. The tendency of heated air in a room is to rise to the top, while that which is colder sinks to the bottom; therefore it will be seen that ventilation from the top of a room appears to be the most natural way of disposing of a heated and rarified air in the apartments of the sick. Whether in the house, or out of doors, it is incumbent on every one to seek pure air; whether in sickness or in health, he must inevitably suffer without it. Every thing that has a tendency to vitiate or corrupt the atmosphere, ought to be studiously avoided as far as possible, at all times, under all circumstances, and in all places. A few simple rules might aid in securing the blessing of a pure air, when otherwise it might be over- looked or heedlessly disregarded. 1. In sleeping apartments, or in apartments occupied during the day, let everything that has a tendency to deteriorate the air be removed ; let them be kept clean and free from filth of every description. 20 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND 2. In the apartments of the sick, avoid perfumery oi every description, such as cologne, otto of roses, musk, camphor, scent bags, and everything that modifies in the least degree, the pure, clean, fresh, and invigorating effects of the atmosphere. 3. Always avoid attempting to extinguish one un- pleasant odor by producing another. Some burn linen rags, some pour vinegar upon a hot shovel, others burn aromatic substances, hoping thereby to get rid of some unpleasant odor, but all these practices are pernicious. It is far better to provide for a due supply of fresh air, and if this does not prove sufficient, some disinfecting agent, as a solution of chloride of soda or lime, may have a decided preference. 4. It should always be observed as a rule, not to allow bouquets or flowers in a sick room, for it is manifest, that they soon begin to change after being plucked, and the perfume they then impart has a ten- dency to so corrupt the air as to exert a depressing, and sickening influence upon the patient. The atmosphere is often made the vehicle of convey- ing deleterious matters from bogs, swamps, or marshes, that so diffuse themselves around, as to be the occasion of much disease; therefore, it is well to avoid an atmo- sphere tainted with such miasms as these locations may engender. Damp cellars may corrupt the air of all the apartments of a house. Animal or vegetable decompo- sition will do the same for a whole neighborhood, or region of country, and prove the frequent source of disease and death. Without particularizing further, it may be remarked in general terms, that everything must be avoided that renders the air moist, and damp, or prevents its free EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 21 circulation all about us; the more pure the air, the better. In childhood, it is instinctively craved, because it pro- motes a healthy development of the system. Infants ever delight to be tossed about where they can breathe the invigorating atmosphere. It will be seen from the foregoing that exercise pro- motes health, and particularly when it is indulged in at the same time we are in the enjoyment of pure air. Gentle exercise, and a pure atmosphere, go hand in hand, in preserving man from evil; and, besides, exercise may be regarded the chief condition of animal life. It is exercise that causes the. muscle to increase in size, strength, and power, the joints to become flexible and easy of motion; that invigorates the nerves, and imparts to the blood a vigorous movement. It creates a stimulus of demand for food, and brings life and activity to every part of the system. As an example, look at the muscles of the feet of opera dancers, and the muscles of the blacksmith's arm, and behold how strong, healthy and firm they appear. Bodily exercise is required of all, whether high or low, rich or poor, in order to promote health and strength. But notwithstanding so great importance is attached to exercise, and particularly that in the open air, it may be indulged in to excess, and at improper seasons, when such conditions are present as will render it a positive evil. It therefore seems requisite to regard exercise useful only within certain bounds, and these may be set by a few appropriate rules. 1. Violent exercise should never take place either immediately before or after eating; for in the former case the system becomes too violently agitated to receive food into the stomach with impunity, and in the latter 22 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND instance the power that goes to sustain the upper and lower extremities during violent exercise, is m a measure abstracted from the power of digestion. 2. Exercise in the open air should take place at an interval of one hour after eating, provided it is prac- ticable. . 3. Exercise in any violent way should not be in- dulged in after the system has been reduced to a state of fatigue, for under such circumstances it induces fever, prostration, and rheumatic difficulties. 4. When the health is infirm, and the physical energies are prostrated by disease, it is highly detrimental to force an indulgence in exercise; by so doing, more injury can be done in one half hour, than can be repaired in weeks. When the system is laboring under the influence of fever, rest is better than exercise. 5. It should always be a rule to avoid that kind of exercise that aggravates any local irritation, such as prolapsus uteri, or falling of the womb, or any other local difficulty. 6. For persons of feeble constitution and feeble digestion, gentle walking is an exercise sufficiently vigo- rous, but those of strong constitution and feeble digestion may indulge in more active exercise. 7. Always exercise at regular intervals, if acustomed to sedentary employment, for this will regularly tend to keep the system in order. 8. It is better to exercise moderately in the morning before eating and if possible in the open air. It is not good to exercise immediately after dinner, especially after dining upon roast beef, mutton, turkey or other solid aliments: at least one hour should elapse before any considerable amount of exercise should be permitted. EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 23 9. During childhood and youth, running, romping, dancing, and other exercises of a vivacious character are not only requisite, but absolutely indispensable. 10. But in more advanced life, when the mind has to be exercised more intensely and with greater precision in the cares of life, these vivacious exercises may be supplanted by those of a more grave character, yet serving to promote the same or similar purposes. The sedentary student should regularly seek gymnastic exercises. The accountant should do the same. The operator bound up to a single kind of exercise, and one that requires sameness of position, should seek counter- acting exercises for relaxation. Violent exercises, throwing the whole system into an intense heat, and perspiration, are of but little service under any circum- stances, and should be avoided; because they too frequently become the source of rheumatic difficulties, and the occasion of exposures, fraught with serious, consequences. 11. There is an appropriate time of day for exercise, it is in the morning, before noon, because in the afternoon, towards evening, the air is damper and not so healthy, as at an earlier hour of the day. 12. Finally, it may be said that exercise must be so regulated as to accord exactly with the condition and capacity of the subject, and so must the temperature of the atmosphere; a cold air, ever so fresh, will not suit every one, neither will a hot one. A dense invigorating atmosphere may be the very thing for nervous weaknesses and debility after acute affections, but it is not beneficial for consumptives; it is too bracing and too likely to produce cough; neither is exercise always good for all descriptions of chronic ailments; some will derive 24 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND benefit and some will not; a very little exertion, beyond the capacity of the system to endure, is certainly worse than no exercise at all. Gymnastic exercises are reduced to a system; and every kind of subject may find such an one, as will suit his capacity and strength. The com- mencement should always be with light and moderate feats, gradually preparing the way, for becoming accus- tomed to those, which are more difficult and laborious. 8.—Ablutions and Bathing. None of the elements of hygiene are superfluous or of inferior consideration. Water was not only designed as a beverage, but for ablutions, and its use in this respect is as indispensable as in the other; "cleanliness promotes health" is as true as any proverb recorded in the book, and this is the chief use of water as an external agent.—While considering the various modes of employ- ing water to promote cleanliness of the body, we by no means shall render ourselves obnoxious to those who style themselves hydropathists ; for although we do not prize water so highly as some do, as a therapeutic agent, yet we are willing to recommend its use, either cold, tepid, or warm, wherever it can perform a use,—but in one or the other of these forms it is requisite, under every possible circumstance -in which a person can be placed, whether sick or well. The common practice of washing the face and hands after a season of repose, is so natural that it may almost be considered an instinctive act; but even in the perform- ance of this common ablution a few suggestions may not be inappropriate. During the warm weather the water coming from the hydrants or house-wells, without under- going any change of temperature, other than what the EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 25 atmosphere may occasion, is all that is required for the performance of this ablution; soap may be used to soften the water, provided there are no tetters or eruptions upon the skin; otherwise it is better that it should be dispensed with. In cold weather, when the atmosphere is cold and bracing, and the water from the hydrants is cold also, there are many persons who cannot stand washing even the face and hands in it, on rising in the morning, with- out becoming chilled and thrown into paroxysms of fever; under such circumstances, common sense dictates that the water should be warmed, so as to be of a tepid tempera- ture. The same rule with reference to the use of soaps, may be observed, as above. Bathing has begun to be looked upon in the light which it merits; baths are now regarded indispensable in homoeopathy, because they aid materially in preparing patients for the more certain and salutary action of remedies. There are only two of the modern appliances called baths, that can safely be recommended as being consonant with homoeopathic treatment: viz. The Fresh water bath and the Salt water bath. The former may be either cold or tepid, and the latter, only to be indulged in during the heat of summer, may be of the temperature of the salt water of the ocean. The use of these baths may form a subject of study,—how often, when to be avoided, when to be cold, and when to be warm, are severally to be determined by proper rules. 1. A cold bath should never be taken during the presence of an eruption or rash. The sponge filled with water and gently pressed, may be passed quickly over the body in such a condition, but nothing approxi- mating nearer to a bath can be recommended. 4 26 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND 2. Cold baths should be avoided if they produce headache, or any other constitutional disturbance; if they are followed by chilliness instead of a glow, or if the body is in a perspiration, or suffering from any inflam- matory disease. They should be avoided when the temperature of the atmosphere is declining, as in the evening; and when the water feels warm and the air cold, and in cold and chilling weather. 3. Cold bathing is beneficial when it is followed by a glow, in affections of a nervous character, in nearly all affections arising from indigestion, or from debility of the stomach. 4. The appropriate time for the cold bath is in the early part of the day, because the air becomes warmer than the water. In-door bathing may be kept up during the year, provided it is done in a moderately warm room. Persons that can swim may indulge in this exercise during warm weather. 5. In going into the water to swim, immerse the whole body at first, and not the lower extremities merely. It is better to lay down in the water, than to plunge, because this latter method of immersing the body, may induce headache or temporary deafness, by the shock which it occasions. 6. Do not remain in the water without exercising the limbs; do not stand still or remain too long in the water. About six minutes is allowed for a bath, and this is quite long enough to secure all the benefits to be derived. It defeats the object to remain so long as to become chilled. 7. If cramps ensue when bathing, leave the water at once, and apply a rough coarse towel, as briskly as possi- ble over the body until it becomes perfectly dry, and EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 27 then, dress immediately. Gentle exercise, after bathing, is commendable. 8. Sea-bathing is found beneficial for those who have led a sedentary life, and are somewhat inclined to dys pepsia; but if it produces anything like nausea, or derangement of the stomach, it had better be avoided. Whenever any one finds himself invariably afflicted with some constitutional disturbance when indulging in sea- lathing, it is an indication for him to refrain altogether. 9. Warm baths are generally debilitating, and should seldom be indulged in. In cold weather, they are very apt to enervate the frame, and predispose the system to colds. Under some circumstances, however, a tepid bath may be preferable to a cold one, provided it be resorted to in warm weather or in a warm room. 10. Persons should not avail themselves of the bath oftener than once a day, and then in the early part of the day. 11. It is a safe rule to observe, not to bathe when the habit produces, invariably, some constitutional disturb- ance, or gives rise to a debilitated feeling not easily overcome. 12. The cold bath for very young children should never be countenanced; generally the temperature of the water should be such as to communicate a slight sensation of warmth to the hand; for older children a bath more nearly approaching the temperature of the cold may be used with impunity, provided great caution is used to wipe them thoroughly dry, and to supply . them with warm clothing immediately after. It is very probable that experience may suggest many modifica- tions with regard to the use of the baths not hinted at in the above rules. 28 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND So far as ablutions are necessary to promote thorough cleanliness of the body, they are always to be com- mended. The wet sponge or towel may be used very generally for this purpose, provided care is always taken to dry the body with dry towels immediately, and then resume the clothing ; with regard to partial bathing, the same or similar rules are to be observed. The shower bath is so frequently attended with bad consequences that but little can be said in its favor. Vapor baths are still more objectionable, as being enervating and liable to be followed by bad results. Medicated laths may be looked upon with distrust by the patrons of homoeo- pathy ; they are strictly prohibited as belonging to that kind of practice which deserves only, to be classed among the merest quackeries of the day. 9—Clothing. Under the head of clothing there is considerable worthy of particular remark. That which is designed for the protection of the body should be of such a character as to answer the purpose; and in despite of fashion, which is too frequently regardless of the pro- tection which clothing should afford, we may lay down a few simple rules. 1. The body should be warmly clad during cold weather, and thinly clad during warm weather; this rule is imperative for the promotion of health. 2. The fashion of clothing the feet with thin soled boots or shoes in cold, damp weather, should be dis- countenanced as being destructive to health, and a fell destroyer of human life. 3. Linen or cotton fabrics may be regarded the most suitable clothing for warm and dry weather, and woolen EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 29 for cold weather; the same that is worn next to the skin in warm weather, may be continued in cold weather, provided a thicker and warmer suit of woolen clothing is worn as an external covering. 4. Persons exposed to the extremes of temperature should wear woolen flannel next to the skin, because this fabric is known to possess the power of stimulating the skin to greater action, and at the same time absorbs the perspiration; and besides, wool is a bad conductor of caloric, and on this account is better calculated to retain the natural warmth of the body in cold weather. 5. In regulating the quantity of clothing to corres- pond with the seasons, great care should be exercised not to make a change in advance of the coming season, but only after the season has fully made its appearance. It is by no means safe to dispense with the under-cloth- ing until the warm weather has fully set in. The summer clothing may be worn, until the fall weather fully justifies a change. 6. Clothing should be so constructed as to allow the greatest freedom of movement, and so as not to incom- mode the body, whether in motion or otherwise. This is particularly required for the comfort of the feet; tight boots or shoes, by hampering the feet, may cause them to smart and ache with pain, while corns, and other excrescences, may make their appearance, inflicting a severe chastisement, as well as a good and wholesome admonition to refrain from wearing them. Tight lacing is another foul practice indulged in by some ladies, for the purpose of enhancing the symmetry of the form ; but chis practice embitters their enjoyment, and too fre- quently engenders consumption or other lung difficulties. 7. The feet should be kept warm, and when wet 4* 30 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND from exposure, the sooner a change is made the better. The same may be remarked of the other clothing; a neglect on this score may be the cause of lingering disease or even death. 8. Young ladies, as they approach the period of puberty cannot be too careful in protecting the feet, and the body in general, from exposure to damp and cold. 9. Clothing should never be removed suddenly after violent exercise ; neither should any attempt be made to cool off, except in the most gradual way, keeping the body duly covered as the temperature diminishes. 10.—Observations on Sleep. When the voluntary activity of the body has been kept up a given time, it requires an interval of repose, or otherwise the organs would soon become worn out or disabled by disease. It is therefore provided in the economy of life, that a certain proportion of every twenty-four hours should constitute a season of repose. The legitimate design of sleep is to afford an opportunity for the bodily powers to become renovated and strengthened; on this account the poet has styled the phenomenon, " Tired nature's sweet restorer." When in the performance of manual labor the bodily powers gradually waste; but during sleep they become repaired, as no counteracting waste prevents. The hours of life, whether we are in wakefulness or sleep, whether feasting, in motion, or at rest, should be carefully disposed of with due regularity and order. 1. Labor of body and mind is requisite for every individual when in the enjoyment of health. EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 31 2. Eating is required to furnish materials for nutrition; and the chief meal should be taken in the after part of the day. 3. Sleep should follow eating at a given period, so as to afford an opportunity for the blood, which contains all the essential elements, to be incorporated into the diffe- rent organs of the body. Doctor Franklin recommended that the season of sleep should be between the hours of 8 p. m. and 4 A. m., but no definite rule can be laid down of this character. 4. With regard to the number of hours required for repose, they vary according to age and habits of life. It may be laid down, however, that the normal condition of certain classes requires as follows,— 1. Infants require eighteen hours of repose in every twenty-four, until they are three months old; from three to six months, about fifteen; from six months to a year, about fourteen; and for the first seven years of life, children require about thirteen hours of sleep in every twenty-four; and from seven to fourteen years of age, they require about twelve. 2. After the age of puberty, males require less sleep as a general rule than females. The former require, between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one, about nine hours in every twenty four, and the latter about ten. 3. Those that have attained adult age will require an amount of sleep corresponding to constitution, tempera- ture, and employment. Sedentary men and women do not require so many hours for sleep, as those who are subject to constant and severe exercise of body and mind; because the nervous energy becomes more exhausted in these, and of course the system requires longer intervals of repose, to repair the waste. In fleshy and lymphatic 32 OBSERVATIONS ON DIET, AIR AND persons there is not so great a demand for sleep, although in the opinion of some there is more. 4. Nervous, sanguine, or muscular constitutions may require from six to eight hours of sleep, from nine or ten o'clock in the evening, till four, five or six o clock m the morning. Females perhaps may require an additional hour For persons of bilious and sympathetic constitu- tions, six hours, or at most seven, of sound repose, are all that are required; but it should be the effort of every one to ascertain for himself what number of hours m every twenty-four is required for repose. 5. The time for sleep is evidently a matter worthy of consideration; the best period for lying in bed is during the middle portion of the night, from nine or ten o'clock in the evening to four or five in the morning. Early rising has so many advantages that it is hardly worth while to recount them; it contributes to health and happiness, and, in a certain sense, adds much to life that otherwise would be lost. 6. Sleeping rooms should not be upon the lower floor of a house, if it can be avoided, because the con- fined air during the night, in such apartments, is not so suitable for respiration. 7. Sleeping rooms should be large and well venti- lated ; during the day, their windows should be open, and the bed-clothing must be well aired. 8. Cots or beds should be, if possible, made of hair, because the hair-mattrass affords the best surface to sleep upon, and combines all the necessary qualities for the purpose. During sleep the covering ought to be suf- ficient, and so constructed as to be easy of regulation. 9. The best position for sleep is lying upon the side. This is the most healthy and natural posture ; either side EXERCISE, ABLUTIONS, ETC. 33 will suffice, though many believe the right side the best; —with the head slightly elevated by one pillow. It is impossible to lay down explicit rules in relation to sleep, without remarking as many exceptions as rules. While too little sleep does not promote the due support of the organs, too much deteriorates them; it is therefore enjoined upon every one to ascertain if possible the measure of sleep his system requires. 11.—Observations on Occupations and Professions. The particular employment or occupation of a man may have a greater or less effect on his health, mentally as well as bodily. Statistical tables have shown that the comparative longevity of persons of some occupations or professions is greater than others. We present a table of statistics made at Berlin, 1834, which we find also inserted in a work entitled, " Sources of Health," by Dr. Tarbell. Of 100 Clergymen,.......only 42 attained the age of 70 yrs. and upwards. « Farmers,............"...40........."........."........."........."........... " Commercial men,.."...35........."........."........."........."........... « Military men,......."...33........."........."........."........."........... « Lawyers,............"...29........."........"........."........."........... " Artists,..............."...2tf........"........."........."........."........... « Teachers............."...27........."........."........."........."........... « Physicians,........."...24........."........."........."........."........... We would infer from the above, that the quiet pur- suits of life, such as contribute to an evenness of temper, and a constancy of a moderate degree of mental and bodily activity, are most conducive to longevity. It will be seen that the average age attained by the clergy is the greatest of all, and the reason is, the labors of a ^ minister of the gospel, though constant and unremitting, aro by no means attended with so many irregularities 34 GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. and excitements as those of the physician, which, it will be perceived, stands lowest on the list. The table is interesting as showing the tendency of anxieties and ambitious enterprises to abridge the duration of life. A sterner adherence to duty, and less unchecked passion and ambition may often prove efficient in prolonging life. CHAPTER II. A GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 1.—Digestive Organs. As the derangement of the digestive organs is a fruit- ful source of many of our physical sufferings, a concise account of them is manifestly proper. The succession of distinct changes that occur after food is taken into the mouth, before it is suitable for the nourishment of the various parts of the body, is worthy of being well understood. 1. The food is masticated, or chewed; by this pro- cess, it becomes broken up, and finely comminated. The teeth are furnished for the consummation of this work. 2. During mastication, the food becomes intimately mixed with the saliva or spittle of the mouth, and this fluid is furnished by six glands, situated about the mouth, viz.: the parotid, one under each ear; the sub- maxillary, one under each side of the under jaw, and the sub-lingual, two small glands under the tongue. Each GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 35 of these glands has small ducts, that empty themselves into the mouth ; the motion of the jaws, and the stimulus of the food, during mastication, excites these glands to pour forth the saliva or spittle into the mouth, to mingle with the food. 3. The mastication and insalivation of the food, by the aid of the tongue, forms it into a ball, and then, by the act of swallowing, it passes into the oesophagus, or gullet, which is the passage, or tube, through which the food passes from the mouth into the stomach. 4. The stomach receives the food in the form of balls from the mouth; every mouthful of food taken at a meal forms one of these balls. As soon as received, the stomach begins to perform the work of digestion; it assumes a churning motion, that keeps the balls moving about, so as to come in contact with the walls of the stomach. In the, lining coats of the stomach are numerous little glands, called the gastric follicles, because they furnish the gastric fluid in the stomach, that dissolves the food. The motion of the balls, coming in contact with these little glands, excites them to pour this fluid into the stomach, and it acts upon the food as a solvent, and reduces the balls to a pulp, or homogenious mass of chyme, of a thick, pappy appearance. By this process, the different kinds of food and materials taken into the stomach at a single meal, become mingled together, so as to scarcely admit of recognition. 5. The stomach is a membranous bag, containing two openings; one for the ingress of the food from the mouth, the other for its egress into the intestines. The former is termed the cardiac orifice, because it is near the heart, and the latter is called the pylorus or pyloric orifice, 36 GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. because it closes the entrance into the intestinal canal. After a meal, both of these orifices become closed; the former to prevent the return of the food into the gullet and the latter, to prevent its entrance into the intestinal canal, until the stomach has reduced it to chyme. After this is accomplished, the pyloric orifice opens, and the food passes into the upper portion of the intestinal canal; this portion is called the duodenum, or second stomach. 6. In the duodenum the chyme received from the stomach, is acted upon by the bile and fluid secretion of the pancreas, (a gland that furnishes a fluid secretion resembling saliva, and on this account has been styled the salivary gland of the stomach.) The chyme is also acted upon by the secretions of several small glands embedded in the lining membrane of the intestines. 7. The change that takes place in the chyme in consequence of the action of the bile and the other secretions, is that of separation into the nutritious and non-nutritious portions. The former resembles milk, and is taken up" by the absorbent vessels and conveyed into the veins, while the latter mingled with the bile, is carried off or ejected in fasces. This process is always taking place when the body is in health, and with so much ease as to produce no sensa- tion that would lead to its detection, but if anything interrupts the progress of the work, the digestive system is thrown into derangement, and pain and suffering is the result. The great variety of diseases that assail the digestive system, renders it inexpedient to give a catalogue of them in this place. Numerous are the affections arising from over-eating and drinking — of eating improper GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 37 food — of eating at improper times, &c, while many others arise from the careless use of cathartics, and others from stimulants, and others from other sources of disease, coming in contact with the body. As the process of digestion merely prepares the food for being imbibed into the system, or rather into the blood, it has to undergo other changes through the agency of other organs before it is fully prepared to become flesh and bone. One of the most important of these, is effected by respiration, the organs of which we will now consider. 2.—Respiratory Organs. 1. We accomplish the act of breathing through the aid of the lungs. The whole cavity walled in by the ribs and breast-bone, is filled with the lungs and heart. Every time we draw in a breath, the ribs rise and expand the chest, just in proportion to the quantity of air inhaled. The air is received through the nose and mouth, and passes through the wind-pipe into the lungs. 2. The atmosphere taken into the lungs, parts with its oxygen, in exchange for carbonic acid, and this being heavier than common air, falls every time the breath is exhaled. This prevents its return into the lungs at the next breath, so it will be seen that oxygen is supplied from the air at every breath, which is exchanged for carbonic acid given off in the lungs. 3. The benefit that is done to the system by this process, is this: the food, that by the process of diges- tion, became changed so as to enter into the veins, is conveyed first to a chamber in the heart, called the right auricle, and from this, to another chamber called the right ventricle, and from this chamber it is forced through a large artery into the lungs; this artery 5 38 GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. divides and subdivides continually—spreading like a tree, until branches of it permeate every part of the lungs. The blood that is sent through this artery, is unsuited to the wants of the body, it contains too many impurities—it contains carbonic acid, which, if suffered to accumulate, will so burthen the system, as to cause disease and death. Now it will be seen that respiration is the act by which these impurities are abstracted from the blood. The quantity of air taken into the lungs, and the quantity of carbonic acid thrown off, at every breath, keeps up a perpetual renovation of the blood, and fashions it into pure blood, such as can be made to lay open its bosom and furnish material for the nourish- ment of every part of our frames. After the blood is thus prepared in the lungs, it is returned through other channels to a chamber upon the left side of the heart, called the left auricle, and from this it is forced into another, called the left ventricle, and from the left ven- tricle it is forced into the main artery of the body, which furnishes a channel for the ascent and descent of the blood throughout every part of the body. The great artery after it leaves the heart, divides into ascending and descending branches, and these branches divide and subdivide continually until millions of little branches may be counted supplying every organ; penetrating every structure; supplying a portion of the blood to bone ; a portion to muscle; a portion to nerve ; a por- tion to skin, &c, &c. 4. The blood thus prepared in the lungs, and returned to the heart, to be sent forth through arteries to replenish the body, is not all converted into the solid parts during its first round. A portion of it, after parting with what assimilates with the different tissues, is returned again GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 39 through the veins, which receive and mingle with it fresh supplies of the nutritive portion of the food from the intestinal canal, reconveying it to the heart, and thence to the lungs, to be sent on the same round as before. This is what is termed the circulation of the blood, holding an intermediate relation between diges- tion, respiration and nutrition. 3.—Circulatory Organs. The heart is the centre of the circulatory system in man. It has a double structure; one portion may be considered as the starting point of the circulation through the lungs, called pulmonic circulation; the other is the starting point of the circulation throughout the whole system, called systemic circulation. The blood is con- veyed from the heart through arteries, and conveyed to the heart through veins. The heart, the arteries, and the veins, are considered the circulatory organs. When digestion, respiration and circulation are severally going on in an orderly manner, there is com- plete harmony in their operations; when the organs of digestion are impaired, the supply of nutritive materials becomes obstructed; when the respiratory organs are impaired, the blood does not become duly renovated and vitalized; and when the circulatory organs are the seat of disease, the body fails of receiving throughout the equible distribution of the blood. The various diseases incident to these organs will be described, and the mode of treating them will be pointed out in the following chapters of this work. 40 GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 4.—Urinary Organs. The urinary organs are the kidneys, bladder and appendages; they hold an important relation to the other organs. The kidneys secrete the urine from the blood, and by this process the blood is relieved of many impurities, that if not abstracted by this defecatory process, would prove a source of disease in the system. The secretion of the kidneys is passed into the bladder, through little ducts, called the ureters, and when the bladder is filled, the urine is passed off through the urinary canal. When nature dictates, that the act of urinating should be performed, it is dangerous to dis- obey. An effort to retain, throws back upon the system, what it has attempted to reject as worthless, and derange- ment and disease may be the consequence. 5.—Biliary Organs. The liver, and the gall lladder, the largest gland of the body, located in the right hypochondrium, or right side of the abdomen beneath the right lung; the office of this gland is to secrete the bile;—it is a purificatory organ, it separates impurities from the nutritious part of the food received from the stomach and intestines. 1. It also separates impurities from the venous blood. It acts in concert with so many organs, in its work of defecation, that it will be impossible to impart more than a general idea of its office. 2. The gall bladder is the reservoir into which the dirty, black, and acrid materials, separated from the blood by the liver, are collected; this reservoir empties itself into the duodenum, where, by a peculiar affinity, it unites with the innutritious part of the chyme, and both GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 41 together, are ejected from the system, through the intestinal canal. 3. If the functions of trie liver or gall bladder are in anywise interrupted, it is manifest that impurities will remain in the blood, productive of the most serious consequences. 4. The most inveterate diseases known to humanity, result from an interruption of the defacatory process of the liver. When such interruption occurs, it is shown in the color of the skin, under the eyes, sometimes occasion- ing a dark sallow, and sunken expression of the counte- nance. 5. Biliary diseases often prove the most prostrating and violent, because the system being so burthened, is aroused to the most violent struggle to compensate for the interruption. A more particular account will be given in succeeding chapters. 6. The liver, pancreas and spleen, appear to be a class of organs associated together in the work of purifying the blood, and when the office of either is interrupted, it is reasonable to suppose that disease will be the inevitable result. The proper performance of the office of any of the organs that have been named, depends upon another class of organs which we have yet to consider. 6.—The Nervous System. This system being the central source of all the vital movements of the body, is worthy of a concise descrip- tion. 1. The nervous system in man, includes the great nervous centres, and all the nerves that proceed from them. The brain and spinal cord, are the great centres 5* 42 GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. where the nervous force is generated, that communicates through nerves, the vital endowment of all the organs. 2. The ganglionic or sympathetic system, which is dependant on the two great centres named in the prece- ding paragraph, presides over the functions of digestion, respiration and defecation. This system is sometimes called the pneumogastric or lung and stomach nerve, hence, 3. The brain is divided into the cerebrum or large brain, the cerebellum or small brain, and the medulla oblongata, by which is understood the nervous system of the senses and actions. The large brain includes all the top of the head, the small brain lies at the bottom below the point even with the top of the ears, and the medulla oblongata is the commencement of the spinal cord in the cranium. 4. There are twelve pairs of nerves that issue from the brain. One pair is the olfactory that goes to the nose and contributes to form the sense of smell; another pair supplies the eyes with power of being impressed with light; another supplies the ears; another the face; another the tongue, &c.; thus showing that the nervous system is the source from whence the special organs derive their vigor and life. 5. The spine is but a continuation of the brain all down the back, and from this centre all the nerves that supply the muscles with life and animation are derived; and the power of locomotion is promoted by this appara- tus, and the power of standing, walking, or running, is also promoted by it. 6. The skin also is endowed from the nerves with the sense of touch. Therefore it is plain that the nervous system is the source from whence we derive the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch; that it is the GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 43 power that makes the muscles act, and sets the limbs in motion; that enables us to walk, work with the hands, &c.; that causes the digestive organs to digest our food, or that causes the lungs to breathe, the heart to beat, the liver to secrete the bile and purify the blood, that causes the kidneys to perform their office. The nervous system is so perfectly present in the whole body, that if all the rest of the material of which the body is composed were abstracted, still the human shape would not be destroyed. It must be perceived from this account of the nerves, that any violence done to them, will derange the system very much. Any disease in the nervous system cuts off the supply of healthy nervous force from the body. If the optic nerve is diseased, the sense of sight is impaired; if the olfactory, the sense of smell; if the nerves that supply the stomach,—as a matter of course, the stomach is diseased; and so with every organ and func- tion of the body. An insight into diseases of the nervous system, will constitute a valuable piece of information, and a chapter will be devoted to the special consideration of them. There are other organs and apparatus that might be remarked upon concisely, but it is not in accordance with the plan of this work to give anything more than a mere outline of the organs and their functions, that the range of diseases might be better comprehended. Those who would like a farther insight into these matters, will find themselves amply repaid by perusing Esreys' Anatomy and Physiology, for sale by Raclemacher & Sheek. 44 GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 7.—Temperaments. As occasionally certain temperaments will be referred to in detailing the treatment of disease, it is proper to define what is meant by temperament. 1. By temperament is meant the modification or influence that any one of the class of organs or humors may exert, when it predominates in the system. Thus, when the blood-vessels are of large capacity, and the quantity of blood so great in the system as to show its modifying influence upon all the other parts of the body, it is called the sanguine temperament. When the biliary organs predominate, the subject is of the lilious tempera- ment. When the nervous system predominates, it is termed the nervous temperament. When the lymphatic system predominates, it is termed the lymphatic tempera- ment. We will proceed to explain each as follows :— 1. Sanguine temperament.—This may be known by the great activity of the circulation, with rather a full habit, florid complexion, blue eyes, red, auburn, or yellowish red hair, great activity of mind and body, somewhat restless and fond of change. 2. Bilious temperament.—This may be known by great firmness of the flesh, black hair, dark eyes, dark skin, sometimes of a yellow appearance, moderately full habit; a determined expression of the countenance, indicating firmness and energy of character, violent and lasting ill- will, when crossed ; strong pulse, of moderate frequency; not easily turned aside from any undertaking. Nervous temperament.—This is indicated by the pre- dominant activity of the brain and entire nervous system ; fine hair, thin skin, small muscular frame, rapid GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. 45 speech and walk, quick of decision, and somewhat changeable; head rather large, in proportion to the rest of the frame ; hasty movements, and of quick perception and judgment. Lymphatic temperament is indicated by softness of the muscular system, inactive brain, slow movement, an abundance of fatty substance throughout the entire body, fair hair, pale skin, sluggish expression of the coun- tenance, dull and inanimate expression of the eyes, quiet, and prone to lazy habits, and the circulation is cor- respondingly of a sluggish character. Besides these temperaments, others have been noted, which do not appear to be pure, but of a mixed cha- racter, as Melancholic temperament.—We see persons having all the characteristics of the bilious; black hair, dark eyes and complexion. Though less active in body and mind, of a very grave disposition, suspicious, wearing what is commonly called a long face, and very meditative. These persons may be said to be of the melancholic temperament, and they are perpetually subject to derangement of the biliary system, prone to constipation of the bowels, feeble pulse, of a wiry slow beat, and a dry skin. Other forms of mixed temperaments are very frequently found, indeed, it may be said that temperaments are oftener found of a mixed character than pure. There is the nervous-sanguine, which partakes of the character of the two, as expressed in the term. The lymphatic-sanguine, characterised by a robust constitution, sometimes termed nutritive, because the subjects are fond of good living, and care but little about anything aside from the gratification of the appe- 46 GENERAL VIEW OF THE BODILY ORGANS. tite. Such persons, appear to be characterised by selfishness, conceit, are sanguine that they can perform a great deal, but have so little perseverance, that frequently nothing is accomplished. The nervous lymphatic is indicated by large brain, and at the same time an abundance of the fatty material; somewhat active, easily fatigued, and prone to seek long intervals of rest. The nervous-bilious is indicated by large brain, active nervous system, with all the other indications of the pure bilious. There are other mixtures of the temperaments; we have only named the more frequent and prominent, but, in a practical point of view, other terms, distinguishing the variety of habits or constitutions, are preferable, as follows:— Debilitated constitution, is one characterised by feeble- ness of frame, capable of but little physical endurance. Plethoric constitution, is indicated by corpulence, full, hale and hearty appearance. Lean habit as the term implies, denotes the reverse of the plethoric. In the same manner, we make use of terms to express the predominant moral characteristics, as Melancholly disposition, mild disposition, sensitive, &c, as indicating that, which is prominent in the character. The practical utility of becoming familiar with the classification of temperaments, habits and dispositions, is with reference to the adaptation of remedies in cases of sickness. Remedies adapted to the sanguine tem- perament are not always adapted to the bilious, &c. And remedies well suited to persons of a mild disposi- PRINCIPLE OF APPLYING REMEDIES. 47 tion, are often found less serviceable to those more passionate and irritable. Medicines that act speedily upon persons of a full habit, are often found inactive upon those of spare and lean habit, even if the indications for their use in both cases are otherwise the same. The following chapter upon medicines, will contain an account of the remedies best adapted to the different temperaments, habits and dispositions, so arranged as to facilitate reference. CHAPTER III. 1.—List of remedies; principle of applying them, &c. The following list, comprises all the medicines used in this work. It is remarked that every medicine has a certain range of action in the body. Some will act upon one kind of organs in a peculiar way, and some on others;—or some medicines will always direct their energies to one locality, and others to another, therefore, it must first be ascertained, how a remedy will effect the healthy system, and this will determine the locality of its action, or in other words, it will manifest the symptoms of its effect; it is a record of these symptoms that gives us an idea of the range of a medicine. In the following list, we shall only place such medi- cines as have been thus tried, and their range of use ascertained. In the concluding chapter of this work, will be found a concise statement of the range of use of each medicine. 48 LIST OF REMEDIES. Acomtum napellus, Alumina, Ammonium carb., Antimonium crud., Apis rnelifica, Arnica montana, Arsenicum album, Aurum metallicum, Belladonna, Bromine, Bryonia alba, Calcarea carb. Cannabis sativa, Cantharis, Carbo vegetabilis, Causticum, Chamomilla, China officinalis, Cina, Cocculus, Coffea cruda, Colchieum, Colocyntbis, Conium maculatum, Crocus sativus, Cuprum metallicum, List of remedies. 27. Digitalis purpurea, 53. 28. Drosera rotundifolia. 51. 29. Dulcamara, 55. 30. Eupatorium, 56. 31. Euphrasia off. 57. 32. Ferruin metallicum, 58. 33. Graphites, 59. 34. Helleborus, 60. 35. Hepar sulph. calc, 61. 36. Hyoscyatnus niger, 62. 37. Hamameli3, 63. 38. Ignatia amara, 64. 39. Iodine, 65. 40. Ipecacuanha, 66. 41. Kali carbonieum, 67. 42. Kali biehromicum, 68. 43. Lachesis, 69. 44. Lycopodium, 70. 45. Mercurius subl. corr., 71. 46. Mercurius vivus, 72. 47. Mezereum, 73. 48. Moschus, 74. 49. Natrum muriaticum, 75. 50. Nitric acid, 76. 51. Nux vomica, 77. 52. Opium, 78. Petroleum, Phosphorus, Phosphoric acid, Platina, Pulsatilla, Rheum, Rhus toxicodendron, Ruta graveolens, Sabina, Sambucus nigra Sanguinaria. Secale cornutum, Senega, Sepia succus, Silicea, Spigelia anthelmin., Spongia marina tosta, Stannum, Staphysagria, Stramonium, Sulphur. Sulphuric acid, Tartarus emeticus, Uva ursi, Veratrum album, Zincum metallicum. Tinctures for External Use. 79. Arnica-, 82. Causticum, 85. Staphysagria, 80. Calendula, 83. Hypericum, 86. Urtica urens, 81. Cantharis, 84. Ruta graveolens, 2.—Medicines the best adapted to the different temperaments, habits, &c. 1. For the sanguine temperament.—Aeon., Arm, Bell., Bry., Calc, Hep., Merc, Cham., Nux v., Phos., &c. 2. Bilious temper anient.- Merc, Cocculus, &c 3. Nervous temper-ament.- Puls., Nux v., Chain., &c. -Bry., Nux v., Ars., Sulph., -Sepia, Coff, Platina, Ignatia, METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 49 4. Lymphatic temperament.—Ant., Am., Ars., Nit acid., Calc, Puis., Sulph., Con., Clematis. 5. Melancholic temperament.—Aurum, Ars., Nux v., Yerat., Ipec, Chin., &c 6. For plethoric habit. — Aeon., Bell., Calc, Puis., Merc, Sep., &c. 7. Debilitated habit.—Ars., Chin., Bry., Lachesis, Arn. 8. Lean habit.—Sil., Lach., Graph. 9. Melancholy disposition.—Ars., Verat., Aurum., Puis., Aeon., Bry. 10. Mild disposition.—Puis., Sep., Calc, Ignat. 11. Sensitive disposition.—Calc, Ignat., Plat., Bell., Bry., Graphites. Note.—The above affords only a partial view of the distribution of remedies according to temperaments, habits, &c.; reference will be had more fully to the subject, in detailing the treatment of specific diseases, in the following chapters. CHAPTER IY. OBSERVATIONS ON THE METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. In order to determine upon the appropriate adminis- tration of remedies, it is necessary to ascertain correctly, the condition of the patient and the nature of his malady. It is, therefore, requisite to observe certain regulations that will tend to consummate the object. 1. In learning the character of disease, the first thing requisite is, to know the general condition of the patient—the constitution and temperament—and if prac- ticable, it would be well to ascertain the hereditary constitutional character. 6 50 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 2. After noting the sex, age, and whatever is indi- vidually peculiar to the patient, inquire into the relative state of the secretions, and into the circumstances by which they become modified; and then for the part most affected—whether of long standing, or of recent date ;— and also inquire into the general habits, occupation, mode of living, diet, and other influences to which the patient has been exposed. 1.—Examination of Patients. 1. If a patient possess a full habit of body—an active circulation, great animation and energy when in health, florid complexion, full frame, and general appearance of being warm, ardent and active, we recognise a plethoric or sanguine constitution, and one peculiarly subject to inflammatory influences, and predisposed to local inflammatory difficulties. Proceeding then, from this consideration, an inquiry for the affected parts, will next be in order, and wherever an extreme local suffering is manifest, an inflammation or congestion may be appre- hended, and the treatment may be directed accordingly. 2. If on the other hand, a patient possesses o, feeble constitution, unable to bear exertion; if the breath is easily exhausted by rapid motion, or there appears to be deficiency of warmth and animation in the system; it is not difficult to infer a retarded performance of the bodily functions, and such a patient would be liable to diseases of a torpid character. The digestion might be difficult, the circulation feeble, the liver inactive, or there might be alternations of condition in the secretory organs, varying from excess to deficiency. In making further inquiry into any specific ailment, it is of course necessary to bear the tendency of the constitution in mind. METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 51 3. "When the liver is the most susceptible of any organ of the body, the skin will often wear a yellow tinge, and almost any exposure will contribute to biliary derangement, with numerous concomitant symptoms. Persons of this habit, generally have dark skin, and are subject to dark colored urine and stools, and a wiry pulse ; costiveness and piles, or else diarrhoea and pros- tration, affect the bilious constitution more readily, perhaps, than other difficulties. 4. When a person of short neck, high shoulders, thick set, or full frame, subject to flushes of blood to the brain, comes under our notice, we cannot avoid recognising an apoplectic sulject. 5. And also we recognise a nervous constitution, when we come in contact with a person whose body and mind are prone to be excitable;—whose ideas, habits, or inclina- tions, are extremely variable; with such, the pulse is also variable, and purely nervous difficulties may assume every variety of form; the slightest touch may prove sufficient to aggravate suffering, almost beyond endur- ance, and spasmodic affections and fits may occur, which cannot be referred to any definite cause. 6. Were a patient of firm, wiry muscles and tendons, swarthy complexion, sharp set features, searching glance, persistent expression of the countenance, to be presented for treatment, there would be no difficulty in recognising a fibrous constitution, and the distinct, wiry pulse, the deficiency of flesh, the want of perspiration, the scanty urine and hard stools, that under other circumstances, might indicate disease, are viewed only, as the character- istics of this kind of constitution. But a patient of this description is prone to inflammatory affections, more par- ticularly of the intestines. Yet also, any other disease 52 OBSERVATIONS ON THE may befal this constitution, as a consequence of super- abundant activity. 7. On the other hand, we find opposed to the fibrous constitution, a lax or lymphatic constitution, characterised by a fleshy, flabby appearance. Not lean, but fat; not active, but dull; fair skin, rounded frame, the whole appearance lazy, as if all the muscles and tendons were relaxed or unstrung. Such an individual is subject to chilly sensations, because sensitive to cold. Such a nor- mal condition, is sufficient to impart to every disease a sluggish character: hence, in such, we are more apt to find chronic difficulties, as persistent in their features, as the constitution is slow of action. 8. It is always well, to know something of a patient's hereditary constitution. This can only be ascertained by reference to the antecedents of the family. If he is of scrofulous or consumptive parents, whatever afflicts him may strongly tend in this direction,—and even a gouty or psoric diathesis may be inherited from parents. There- fore, in the treatment of such maladies as may afflict a patient of the kind, reference must be had to the restrain- ing or counteracting of the hereditary tendency. 9. The investigation of disease in a psoric constitution, would lead us to perceive that almost every form would be strongly attracted to the skin,—and every acute malady would be preceded or followed by general foul- ness of the skin, ulcerative sores, &c 10. Persons of a consumptive habit, which is easily determined by the clear transparent skin, bright flush spot on the cheeks, especially on the left cheek, flatness of the chest, &c, are especially subject to complications affecting the lungs, from every inflammatory or irritative process. The treatment of this class of patients must METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 53 also be with reference to restraining or subduing the consumptive diathesis. 11. By reference to what is remarked on the tempera- ments at the conclusion of Chapter II., it will be seen that patients are subject to an infinity of peculiarities, usually associated with the peculiar habits and constitu- tion of the body, which must be taken into account, in forming a correct estimate of disease. Whatever the natural condition is, must be regarded the standard by which to measure the extent of any departure caused by disease. 12. In prescribing for the sick, it is requisite to note the obvious peculiarities of each sex. The male, in gene- ral, is not so sensitive as the female,—he possesses more strength, vigor and energy, and disease, of course, may be viewed in comparison with what is regarded the natu- ral characteristics. It is obviously impossible for a weaker frame to endure so much as a stronger. 13. Human life has been divided into five distinct periods, viz : 1st. Infancy. 2d. Infancy. 3d. Adolescence. 4:th. Virility. 5th. Old-age. Each of these periods is marked by peculiar characteristics, that exert a modify- ing influence upon disease. The first period extending from birth to the age of seven years, is marked by great tenderness and excitability, consequently alive to any irritation produced by teething or other slight causes.— The second period, is from seven to fourteen years, and may also be regarded a period of life, somewhat subject to disease, in consequence of second dentition and other natural changes taking place in the system. Until the completion of the second period, but very little can be predicated of the difference between the sexes; both require nearly the same physical or medical treatment; 6* 54 OBSERVATIONS ON THE because both are subject to similar natural influences But on the approach of the third period, those natural developments appear, that mark the wide difference between the physical character of the two sexes. This period is a growing period,-the functions become more fully established, and the whole frame acquires vigor, in proportion as the constitution is good. It may be remarked of this period, which may terminate at about the age of twenty-one years, that constitutional peculi- arities will begin to show themselves; latent hereditary difficulties will very likely begin to be disclosed, and this would indicate the particular care that should be exercised, in striving to modify or overcome any consti- tutional defects; for it may safely be remarked, that these defects must be overcome during this period, if controlled at all. The fourth period, may be regarded as one of vigorous maturity of both sexes, if the constitution be good, when all the functions are well established. The fifth, is the period of old age, when, according to the course of nature, some of the functions cease, and the whole frame begins to decline. This period usually begins at an earlier period of life with the female than with the male. There are diseases incident to each of these periods of life, and many are the ailments common to the approach of old age, that require peculiar hygienic and medical treatment. 14. The importance of taking into consideration the natural constitution, age, sex and temperament of the patient, cannot fail of being recognised, when an effort is made to investigate the nature and character of disease. Having premised this, we will proceed to the second consideration in the examination of patients. METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 55 2.—The Special Examination of Disease. For the purpose of adapting homoeopathic treatment, it is necessary to become acquainted with the character- istics of disease, and we can only acquire this knowledge, by strict attention to the following rules: 1. Make particular inquiries in relation to the general, specific, or local causes of any disease. 2. Observe the general character of the disease, whether it be febrile or otherwise. 3. Note carefully the symptoms of the disease.—Ob- serve the condition of the pulse,—its varities and indi- cations. 4. Note the discharges generally. 5. Examine the condition of the mouth and tongue and the digestive system. 6. Observe the character of the respiration. 7. Note the condition of the brain, and the nervous system in general. By observing the above rules, there will be no diffi- culty in forming a tolerably correct idea of the nature and extent of disease, provided there is a correct inter- pretation of facts. That a more definite idea may be had, an illustration will be given of what is meant by "a correct interpretation of facts." 1. If in the examination of a patient, we elicit the fact that he is afflicted with a constitutional infirmity, inhe- rited from the antecedents of his family, it is safe to sup- pose, that this alone may be the cause of seasons of acute suffering, 2. If the fact be elicited that a patient has become sick about the same time that many others in the same region of country have become so, it is perfectly safe to regard the malady as endemic;—that some evil influence 56 OBSERVATIONS ON THE in the atmosphere is operating to impress disease upon all who are in an impressible condition. 3. If facts are elicited of patients becoming afflicted from over exercise, or exposure to cold, or damp weather, we must interpret them, so as to form a definite idea, of the difficulty to be overcome. 4. It is by reference to the PULSE in connection with the various manifestations of disease, that we are able to judge correctly of its character. When the nerves are the seat of pain, the pulse is not much accelerated; but when the muscles are in pain, the pulse is accelerated, often, in a very marked degree. It will be seen, then, that pain is not the criterion to be governed by, but the pulse in connection with the pain. 5. Of the urine. This secretion is regarded indicative of health, when it is clear and of the color of amber, or of a pale, or brightest yellow; and if it precipitates no sediment after standing; and is devoid of all loathsome odor. The best time to examine urine, is about six hours after a meal. 6. The urine in fevers changes its character, at each stage of the disease; at first it is clear, but after the fever has passed its crisis, it is commonly cloudy, and forms a cloud which appears to float in the chamber. 7. At the crisis of a fever, the urine precipitates a sediment, which is, for the most part, a favorable indication. 8. If the urine be of a very dark color, it indicates a putrid condition; if it be yellow, or red, it is the usual characteristic of an intermittent type of disease, or some- thing of inflammatory rheumatism; if white and gritty, it indicates some concrete substance in the canal; if irregular or disturbed, of a purple color, and muddy, it is an indication of bad health. METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 57 9. If the urine be red, when the pulse is accelerated, there is unmistakable signs of inflammatory action. If of a deep yellow hue, accompanied with fever and yellowness of the skin, it indicates jaundice; if the urine be black, or nearly so, with much sediment, it indicates the presence of gangrene, or a near approach to it in the system. 10. If the urine is bloody, turbid, and thick, with much sediment, a dropsical condition of the system may be inferred, because there is evident signs of the decom- position of the blood. If milky, as is sometimes the case, in children, it indicates worms; if it be thick, but pale, and often changeable during a fever, we have reason to decide upon the character of the fever, as being nervous; if clear, transparent, and watery, and a continual urging to pass it, the nature of the affection is spasmodic; if it be bloody or slimy, we may infer inflammation of the kidneys, or catarrh of the bladder. 11. If the discharge of urine be involuntary, it indi- cates a local paralysis, and is a serious manifestation in fevers; if the reverse condition, or difficult, painful, or impeded discharge, the indication represents some local inflammatory, or spasmodic difficulty. 12. A copious perspiration will diminish the quantity of urine, and so will a watery diarrhoea. 13. Of the Stools.—Constipation of the bowels, or defi- cient stools, indicate a febrile condition of the system, or torpidity of the bowels; very dark stools indicate a profuse quantity of bile; very light colored stools indicate a deficiency of bile, and a torpid condition of the liver. 14. Copious and relaxed stools indicate nervous irrita- bility of the intestines, or an inflammatory condition of them. If greenish, they indicate griping or acidity, as in the case of infants. 58 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 15. The stools are sometimes urgent and spontaneous when the contents of the bowels are liquid; when they are purely involuntary, they indicate paralysis of the intestines, and usually occur in the last stage of pos- trating typhoid fevers. 16. Dysenteric stools are accompanied with straining or tenesmus, and are usually mixed with bloody mucus, and sometimes of pure blood. 17. Of Flatulency.—Wind may accumulate in the stomach, from various causes; sometimes it results from bad digestion; sometimes it indicates worms in children, when the belly is distended; and in some fevers it imparts a drum-like distension of the bowels, which is painful to the touch. 18. Indications of nausea and vomiting. — Habitual nausea and vomiting indicate an organic derangement of the stomach. If food and drink are vomited up as soon as swallowed, it indicates inflammation of the organ. If vomiting is preceded by pain in the stomach, it indicates indigestion, especially if the stomach is relieved by the act. If vomiting is preceded by intense pain in the head, it may be sympathetic; if by severe pain in the right side, accompanied by cramps, it may indicate inflammation of the liver. Cramp, and habitual vomiting in the morning, may indicate gravel. 19. Yomiting may result from sympathy with the brain, or with diseased conditions of the womb, or with inflammation of the kidneys, or intestines, in which event there is a continuance, and obstinate constipation of the bowels. 20. TJie appetite.—In acute febrile diseases, the ap- petite is usually suspended; weakness of the power of digestion or any organic derangement of the stomach, METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 59 may occasion loss of appetite. Overcharging "the stomach with food and drink, may so derange and injure the organ as to create entire loss of appetite. Sudden emotions of joy or grief may take away the appetite for a time. Certain morbid conditions of the system may give rise to a ravenous appetite, and then the patient may crave food, not because the system requires it, but because some morbid difficulty stimulates his appetite. The old domestic saying, that a patient must or ought to be allowed what the appetite craves, in sickness, is entirely false; for the appetite when in a morbid state may crave the most deleterious kinds of food, not because it is adapted to the nourishment of the system, but because it accords with the morbid fancy and appetite of the individual. The state of the appetite is not always indicative of the health; for there are some severe maladies which do not impair the appetite at all. In rheumatic fever it may not be impaired. Neither is it in hectic fever; yet it may be variable in both of these diseases, on the account of other qualifying circumstances. 21. In most all cases of fever, the subjects complain of thirst. It is, therefore, probable, that a continual thirst indicates some febrile or inflammatory difficulty. But as dryness of the mouth and throat may result from other influence than fevers, it is necessary to exercise care in discriminating between that, indicating a want of the system when in health, and that which indicates a diseased constitution. 22. The kind of thirst which merely indicates a healthy demand for some diluent drink, is but the provision of nature, suggestive of what the body needs 60 OBSERVATIONS ON THE to compensate for the natural absorption of fluids con- stantly going on in the body, or for the loss of fluids constantly thrown off from the body by perspiration and the urinary secretion. 23. The hind of thirst which takes place without reference to compensation for natural losses, accom- panied with increased heat and dryness of the skin, furred tongue and accelerated pulse, may be regarded an indication of FEVER. If very intense and insatiable, with frequent and tense pulse, the FEVER is of an inflamma- tory character, and the thirst results from the deficiency of the watery constituents of the blood. 24. An acid condition of the stomach may give rise to thirst, and under such circumstances it will be accom- panied by acrid risings, &c 25. Certain spasmodic difficulties may give rise to thirst even though no fever is manifest, but rather a coldness. 26. Next in importance are the indications of disease which the tongue affords. Many are the conditions in which the tongue is found. When thickly furred with dirty or brownish white, and moist, with no other indication of derangement, it may be inferred to be recent and principally confined to the lining membrane of the mouth, and easily removed. When coated with slimy matter, leaving the tip and edges of the tongue red, it still indicates an affection of the lining membrane, but less favorable and more enduring in its character. A yellow coat upon the tongue indicates derangement of the biliary organs; a naturally moist and clean red tongue, with an unnatural prominence of the pappillae, indicates a recent derangement of the stomach, affecting METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 61 its nerves; but if the tongue be swollen and slightly furred with white, it indicates a nervous derangement of the digestive organs and a sympathetic action upon the brain. A dry, red and glassy tongue, indicates somewhat of a chronic derangement affecting the nerves of the stomach. When the tongue is swollen, furrowed or cracked, it indi- cates a severe derangement of the nerves of the stomach. When the tongue is coated with a bright white, with the edges and tip red and swollen withal, it indicates a dis- eased condition of the mucus coat and nerves of the stomach, of an obstinate character, and long standing. A condition that reacts upon the brain, and often attended with great despondency and depression of spirits. A dark colored coating upon the tongue, with dry streak in the middle, and tremulous, or paralytic, indicates a severe form of low fever, either a putrid abdominal, or typhus. The appearance which the tongue presents is always to be associated with other symptoms in determining what it indicates. 27. Yarious kinds of cough.—Coughs, in general, indicate some irritation of the lining membrane of the respiratory organs. This irritation may be of two kinds: it may have its seat in the respiratory organs themselves, or these organs may become sympathetically affected from the irritation of other organs. If produced from indigestion and derangement of the liver, it can only be removed by overcoming these diffi- culties. A short dry cough and sneezing are frequently the pre- cursor of measles and other eruptive diseases. An exceedingly painful hacking cough, accompanied with acute febrile symptoms, indicates some degree of 7 62 OBSERVATIONS ON THE inflammation of the lungs. A cough with profuse expec- toration, indicates a bronchial disease, confined principally to the mucus membrane. When the cough is hard, whistling or crowing, it indicates incipient croup. When the cough appears to be spasmodic and comes on in parox- ysms, without leaving any distinct marks of prostration, it indicates the whooping cough. When deep and hollow, attended with emaciation and expectoration of purulent matter, it indicates deep seated tubercular disease of the lungs. Many persons have a predisposition to cough, from almost any exciting cause, and this condition indicates great feebleness of the pulmonary organs, and admonishes such patients to avoid as much as possible all kinds of exposure, beyond their power of endurance. A cough with wheezing or whistling respiration, and difficulty of breathing, indicates the asthma. 28. Perspiration, and the skin.—In a state of health the skin is neither moist or dry, but of a moderate warmth, and agreeable to the touch, that is, if at rest, in a temperate climate. But exercise may induce perspiration which is of a healthy character; and disease may induce perspira- tion, which indicates morbid derangement of some of the organs. It may be the termination of some slight febrile disease that has first produced dryness of the skin. In this event it is but a favorable sequence, and only requires that it should be followed by great care to guard against exposure, &c, that no return of the disease may take place. Sweating, also, under certain circumstances, may take place without affording relief, indicating merely the progress of disease. The former takes place at the crisis of a disease, and is followed by convalescence; but the latter occurs before the crisis, and always leaves the patient more prostrated METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 63 and weighed down by the influence of the disease upon him. Of this latter kind may be mentioned, Night or morming sweats, accompanying hectic fever. > Offensive sweats, in typhus and typhoid fevers. Sour sweats, accompanying miliary fever. Sweating stage of the paroxysms of intermittent fevers. Cold sweats, attending vital prostration. Local sweats, indicating congestion to the part, as of the chest or head. Debilitating sweats, such as occur from extreme debility of the system. Wherever sweating occurs without affording relief, it is to be regarded merely as a symptom, associated with other indications of the presence of disease. The former kind of sweat which marks the crisis of disease, and is followed by convalescence, may be distinguished from the other by the general relief which it affords the sys- tem, and the subsidence of the irregularities of the pulse, and by its being warm, and leaving the skin when it subsides in a normal state of warmth, as in health. Fevers frequently run from nine to fourteen days, and terminate favorably in this way. 29. The countenance.—A well-directed observation may often detect certain diseased conditions by the appearance of the countenance alone. The physiognomy of disease is in many respects worthy of attentive study, for not a few of the morbid derangements may be detected through this channel, as for instance, An habitually Hue and livid countenance, indicates organic disease of the heart. A sallow countenance, usually indicates intestinal de- rangement. A yellow countenance, and yellowness about the eyes, denotes jaundice. 64 observations on the A red, flushed countenance, denotes rush of blood to the head. Redness, or red spots upon the cheeks of a flushed appearance, denotes a hectic predisposition. A sunken pallid countenance in children, denotes worm difficulties. A white and cold appearance of the countenance, indi- cates green sickness in young females. A pale countenance, and livid spots in persons advanced in life, may indicate an apoplectic predisposition. In estimating any disease from the appearance of the countenance, reference must be had to the attendant symptoms and condition of the system in general. 29. Of the pulse, and its indications.—The usual rate of the pulse in healthy individuals, is somewhat variable according to temperament, habits, &c, as for instance: The pulse in children one year old, will beat from 110 to 120 per minute. " five years " " " 100 to 120 " " from ten to fourteen, " 100 to 110 " A youth " fourteen to twenty, " 95 to 105 " The pulse of a healthy male adult in the prime of life, is from 70 to 80 « " of a healthy female adult in the prime life, is from 80 to 90 " In advanced life, the pulse usually declines a little in frequency in both sexes;—and in all periods of life, the pulse of the female beats from 10 to 15 times more in a minute, than that of the male. The healthy pulse may vary in the frequency of its beats, to correspond with the alternations of labor or exercise, and repose. The healthy pulse, is regular, moderately full, of a soft and yielding beat. An intermittent pulse, indicates great debility or disease of the heart. METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 65 A full, tense, jerking leat of the pulse, indicates aneu- rism near the heart. A very rapid and violent pulse, indicates fever, (when the skin is warm.) A rapid, weak pulse, indicates irritability from pulmo- nary disease. A wiry pulse, indicates inflammation of some of the internal organs. A slow and scarcely perceptible pulse, indicates a slug- gish circulation. A full, tense, and hard pulse, not much accelerated, may indicate the inflammatory stage of typhus fever. A rapid, fluttering pulse, accompanied with vomiting, often indicates the approach of severe eruptive disease, such as scarlet fever. Without associating the condition of the pulse with other conditions or symptoms, it cannot be relied upon, in determining the character of disease. 3.—Rules for the Administration and Repetition of Remedies. 1. In acute diseases, a remedy, if well chosen, may be repeated at intervals of one or two hours, until some amelioration or aggravation of the malady becomes manifest; in either case, it would be well to discontinue the remedy for awhile, to await the result. 2. If the aggravation is persistent without reaction, there is reason for change of remedy, and another should be chosen, according to indications. 3. If convalescence follow the administration of a remedy, it need not be repeated unless the patient ceases to improve before he is quite recovered; and the same rule will apply, in cases of amelioration, after an aggra- vation of symptoms. 66 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 4. When the improvement in a patient becomes inter- rup'ed, without a change of symptoms, recourse may be had to the same remedy as at first; but if such arrest is accompanied by a development of other symptoms, a more appropriate remedy must be sought for. 5. In obstinate cases, a change of remedy is admissable, when the continuance of one, has been so long as to ren- der its action doubtful. 6. In chronic cases, a well-chosen remedy need not be repeated oftener than once in one, two, or three days. 7. In the selection of a remedy, great care should be exercised, that no symptoms of the disease should be uncovered by the characteristic symptoms of the remedy. 4.—The Form of Medicines Designed for Domestic Use. The only forms, in which homoeopathic medicines are prepared, may be comprised under the head of tinctures, triturations, dilutions, and globules. The two last, are the only forms requisite for general use, the two former being only the primary or preparatory stages of the two latter. Therefore, either the dilutions, or globules saturated with them, are the only forms of medicines accompany- ing this work. When either of the forms is administered in water, contained in a tumbler or other open vessel, it should be well covered between the periods of administration, and kept in a dark place, away from any corrupting odor;— and all other medicines, teas or odors, are strictly pro- hibited during its administration. External applica- tions of anything in the form of poultices, washes, lotions, such as camphor, liniments, cologne, mustard-plasters, medicated poultices, onions, burdocks, or anything con- taining any medicinal property whatever, must be strictly avoided when taking the medicine. METHOD OF NOTING DISEASES. 67 5.—Of Preserving the Purity of Medicines. 1. The medicines should be kept in a chest constructed for the purpose. 2. The chest should be kept closed, and in a cool place, or if in a warm climate, as much so as possible. 3. In uncorking a vial, be careful to replace the iden- tical cork, or a new one, if the first should get broken or unfit for use. 4. Do not change the corks of different remedies, nor put medicine of one kind, into a phial that has contained another kind. 5. It is better to destroy empty phials, than to put any medicine in them, other than that which they originally contained. 6. Every medicine should be carefully labelled or numbered. 7. Do not prepare a solution without first being assured that the glass and spoon are perfectly clean; and if it be necessary to prepare two at a time, use separate spoons for each, and be careful to keep them apart. 6.—Antidotes, and Changing Medicines. When any medicine produces aggravation of suffering, that cannot well be endured by the patient, the adminis- tration of one drop of camphor in a spoonful of water, will generally antidote its effect. And when it is thought requisite to change a remedy, avoid doing it suddenly. A period from two, to four or six hours should elapse, before a remedy should follow one that has been given; a teaspoonful of coffee, or a few drops of wine, may also be employed as antidotes to an unfavorable medicinal action. 68 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 7— External Applications. When it is desired to hasten suppuration, a piece of lint saturated with cold water, and kept constantly moist, with a dry bandage on the outside, so as to exclude the air, will be found one of the simplest and best applica- tions that can be used. It is doubtful whether cold applications to local irritations or tension of parts, are of any use; warm applications, either of warm water or non-medicinal fomentations are better, as they may palliate suffering during the administration of internal remedies. Cold applications to the head, to counteract heat in that region, more frequently prove injurious than beneficial. Mode- rately hot water, applied by means of saturating a flannel, is by far the most preferable. The same remedies, prescribed internally for local affections, may be applied externally as a lotion, by dis- solving them in water, and applying them to the affected part. 8.—Remedies suitable to follow others, 8. In the treatment of diseases, it has been observed that some remedies act very beneficially, after others have been employed, and the following list may be referred to as a partial guide;—only, let it be understood, that the remedy must be selected, homoeopathic to the case. Aconitum Napellus, may be often followed by Calc, Petr., Puis., Sulph. Alumina, by Bryonia if indicated. Antimonium Ckud., by Puis, and Merc, if either appear to be indicated. Aknica Mont., by Aeon., Ipec, Rhus., Sulph., &c, if either be indicated. Arsenicum Album, by Chin., Ipec, Nux vom., Sulph., Verat., if specifi- cally indicated. Belladonna, by Chin., Ipec, Hep., Rhus, and Scneg.,—either if indicated. Bryonia, by Alum, and Rhus,—according to indication. DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS ORGANS. 69 Calc. Carb., by Lye, Sil., Phos., and Nit. ac, provided any one of them is indicated. Carbo. Veg., by Ars. and Merc, according to indication. China Off., by Ars., Verat., and Puis., if suitable. Cuprum Met., by Calc. and Verat., " Hep. Sulph., by Bell., Merc, and Spong." Ipec, by Am., Ars., Chin., and Nux., " Lach^sis, by Alum., Ars., Bell, Con., and Nux vom., if suitable. Lycopodium, by Graph., Phos., and Sil., " Mercurius, by Bell., Dulc, Puis., and Sil. " Nux Vom., by Bry., Puis., and Sulph., « Opium, by Calc, Petr., and Puis., " Phosphor., by Petr., Rhus., and Sulph., «» Pulsatilla, by Asa., Bryon., and Sep., « Rhus Tox., by Ars., Bry., Calc, Con., c« Sepia Sue, by Carbo v., and Sulph., " Silicea, by Hep., Lach., Lye. and Sep., «* Sponqia, by Hep. Sulph., *' Sulphur, by Aeon., Bell., Calc, and Puis., " Tart. Emetic, Ipec, Puis, and Sep., " Veratrum Album, by Ars., Am., Chin., Cuprum, and Ipec, if suitable. CHAPTER Y. DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS ORGANS AND THEIR TREATMENT 1.—Fevers.—(Febres.) Fevers in general, are characterised by chilliness and heat, functional disturbance, acceleration of the pulse, thirst, restlessness, and prostration; there are a variety of disturbances produced by fever, as many organs are involved;—sometimes, there is intense action of the blood-vessels,—sometimes, serious disturbance of the nerves,—sometimes, bilious derangement,—and some- 70 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS times, severe prostration of all the powers. The different kinds of fevers, are owing to differences of character in the tissues of the organs involved. Thus, a simple inflammatory fever is characterised by intense heat, rapid pulse, &c, because the arterial excitement is great, and the nerves are only implicated in a secondary degree. But a nervous fever may be characterised by great prostration, dulness of the senses, and stupefaction, without much alteration in the pulse, because the nerves are the most implicated, and the blood vessels or arteries, only in a secondary degree. Sometimes the inflammatory, after exhausting the sys- tem, may merge into the nervous or typhus. A simple fever by being neglected, or by improper treatment, may assume the inflammatory form, and this again may assume some other form, thus one attack may ssume a variety of forms. A simple fever may come on and run a fortunate course to its height, and then decline as it came on. Nearly all fevers are preceded by what is termed a cold stage, succeeded by a hot stage, which increases to a crisis, then decreases, and convalescence follows, if they terminate favorably. Thus, there are five stages: the commencement, increase, crisis, decrease, convalescence. When the result is fatal, some important part becomes the seat of disorganisation during the progress of the fever, or the vital energy of the patient becomes exhausted by its intensity. The value of homoeopathic treatment in fevers, consists in the power the remedies can exert over the disease, to shorten the duration of the several stages, and to ameliorate the sufferings of the patient, and in hastening ♦he crisis. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 71 Sometimes the crisis is manifested by perspiration sometimes by diarrhoea, sometimes by alteration of the secretions, either in quantity or quality, sometimes by the appearance of an eruption, and sometimes by hemor- rhage from the bowels ; after which, if the crisis brings about a reaction in favor of convalescence, the skin becomes moist, and the pulse becomes natural, as in health. Although the treatment of all varieties of fever must be in accordance with the peculiar symptoms manifest in each individual case, yet to avoid confusion, it is proper to adopt a general classification. 1. Fevers that arise without any obvious local cause in the system. 2. Fevers that are dependant upon local irritation. The first class we shall arrange for consideration as follows:— 1. Simple fever, 4. Bilious or gastric fevers, 2. Inflammatory fever, 5. Intermittent fevers, 3. Typh'd and typh's fevers, 6. Eruptive fevers. This arrangement is for the sake of convenience merely, as no fever can be treated by its name. Every attack of fever presents peculiar features, and is to be looked at as it presents itself—an individual affection, having no necessary connection with any generalisation, and to be treated according to the nature of its symptoms. 2.—Conditions of treatment in fevers. 1. A patient suffering from fever must be at rest in body and mind. 2. The apartment of the patient should be well ven- tilated, and of a medium temperature. 72 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS 3. The patient's bed should be a hair, or other kind of mattrass, when practicable, and the bed clothes should be only sufficient. 4. The drink should be water. 5. Abstinence from all kinds of food when the fever runs high, is a condition proclaimed by the voice of nature herself. 6. When the fever is somewhat abated, toast-water, weak barley or rice water, flavored with raspberry syrup or orange, may be allowed in great moderation, but even the use of these must be with great care, not to provoke a relapse. The wholesome fruits enumerated in the diet table, are very generally allowable in fevers unattended with diarrhoea. 7. Drinks ought to be given frequently and in small quantities. 1.—Simple Fever. This is usually an ephemeral disease, but as it often is the precursor of more serious disorders, it requires atten- tion. Symptoms.—Shivering succeeded by heat, thirst, gene- ral uneasiness, accelerated pulse and some degree of prostration, terminating in profuse perspiration. Treatment *—When it cannot be traced to any par- ticular cause, and particularly when the skin is hot and dry, Aconitum should be prescribed, and if it should be simple fever, this remedy will speedily dissipate the symptoms; but if it be the precursor of eruptive diseases, or typhus, the Aconite will still be the remedy as indi- * In the administration of a remedy it is not necessary that all the symp- toms that call for its use should be present; it is sufficient if some of the more prominent and unmistakable ones only are present. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT 73 cated by the symptoms; and it will tend very materially to modify the malignity of the succeeding disease. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop or four globules in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until the skin becomes moist, and the pulse begins to diminish in frequency, which result will take place in a few hours. 2.—Inflammatory Fever. Symptoms.—This fever commences with a chill of some duration followed by burning heat, strong, hard and ac- celerated pulse, dry skin, and dryness of the mouth, lips, and tongue, white coating upon the tongue, or of a bright red appearance, intense thirst, urine red and scanty, con- stipation, hurried breathing. As the pulse assumes a more regular condition many of the symptoms disappear. It runs its course in about fourteen days, progressing rapidly to a crisis, which may show itself by bleeding at the nose, or diarrhoea, or by profuse perspiration. Under homoeopathic treatment, the natural duration of the disease is abridged, and the perfect crisis takes place at a much earher period. This disease easily merges into the typhoid or typhus, from improper or care- less treatment, or it may fall upon some important organ. Cause.—Sudden check of perspiration, exposure to damp, wet, or piercing winds; intense mental emotions, high living, local inflammation, or mismanaged febrile attacks. Those of a sanguine temperament or plethoric habit, are particularly subject to this fever, previous to the age of thirty-five years. It has been regarded a kind of fever that requires the most vigorous treatment, and the allopathic physicians have hitherto resorted to bleeding and saline purgatives 8 74 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS at a very early stage. But this course has often rendered the system less able to bear the disease than before, and as a consequence the result has been unfavorable. Inflammatory continued fever not unfrequently becomes complicated with cerebral disturbances, and the reducing treatment, so far from being a barrier against this, often paves the way for, and renders such a complication more certain. Treatment.—It is at once evident that the most successful treatment of this disease would be that which will most successfully allay the arterial excitement. Aconitum is the remedy, the most likely to produce the desired effect, if the group of symptoms resemble those detailed, as marking the character of the disease. DOSE.—Dissolve two drops or six globules in six tablespoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every three hours, until a change for the better is noted in the pulse and skin, and then at intervals of six hours, until amelioration or convalescence becomes established. This disease is frequently attended with delirium, chiefly at night, and unless there is a threatening of inflammation of the brain, Aconite will prove the only remedy needed. But if inflammation of the brain becomes apparent, or in any degree threatened, Belladonna must be called into requisition. This remedy is especially useful after the previous use of Aconite. Belladonna may be prescribed in an early stage of the disease when there is a strong tendency to the head, which is manifested by violent pain in the forehead, redness of the face, violent throbbing and distension of the arteries in the temples, sleeplessness at night, with furious delirium; red shining and fiery appearance of the eyes; and general heat throughout the body, with intense thirst. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 75 DOSE.—Dissolve two drops or six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until amelioration takes place. If medicinal aggravation be apparent, the suspension of adminis- tration is recommended until the reaction has taken place. In the event of distinct improvement, the interval should be extended to six, and even to eight or twelve hours. Bryonia is indicated when the disease is concentrated in the internal of the chest, or there is a lilious complica- tion ; and the fever inclines to become continued, or of a typhoid character, and also when in addition to the usual symptoms of inflammatory fever already given, there is a heavy stupefying headache, and a feeling as if the head would burst at the temples, aggravated by movement; vertigo and giddiness on rising up or moving; burning heat of the head and face, with redness and swelling of the face. Oppression at the pit of the stomach, excessive thirst, and sometimes sickness at the stomach. Shooting pains in the limbs, hacking cough, oppressed and laborious breathing. DOSE.—One drop or six globules may be dissolved in four table- spoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every four hours until the violence of the disease has been subdued, and the patient continues to improve, then the administration may be suspended. Cantharis is indicated when the fever is very intense during the night, accompanied by burning heat of the skin, redness of the surface, dry mouth, violent thirst, and rapid pulse. It is also indicated when the patient complains of pains in the right side, attended with intense anxiety and raving. Chammomilla is especially useful when the fever is mainly irritative, with burning heat and redness of the cheeks, tremulous, anxious, palpitation of the heart; extremely irritable, acuteness of the senses ; alternations of chilliness and heat; and also if the above symptoms have been excited by anger or vexation. When the 76 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS derangement has been caused by this circumstance, a dose of Aconite may first be required. DOSE.—Six globules or one drop of either of the above medicines, may be dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water and given, a teaspoonful at a time, every three hours, until a favorable change takes place. Diet.—Water is the best drink to rely upon in inflam- matory continued fevers, and the draughts should be frequent and but little at a time. When the fever is rising, nature has indicated that no food is required; but when the fever abates, rice or barley gruel, flavored with orange stripped of the peel, or strawberry syrup, may be allowed in great moderation. When the fever disappears entirely, broth made of chicken may be allowed at first, with crums of stale bread, and as the appetite returns, the strength of the broth may be increased, and finally such articles of food and fruits may be allowed as will partially satiate the appetite. 3.—Nervous Fever.—Febris Nervosa.—Typhoid or Typhus. This fever sometimes is termed slow fever, and its general characteristics are a small, weak and unequal pulse; sometimes not much accelerated, but more fre- quently the reverse, great prostration of strength, and much cerebral disturbance. It varies in its duration from two to six weeks. It is either a continued or intermit- tent fever, and may manifest itself in either a mild or malignant form. Symptoms of the mild form, are slight shiverings at first, heavy stupefying headache, great oppression, anxious expression of the countenance, nausea, sighing, despon- dency, very drowsy, or a quiet delirium, slightly accele- rated pulse, feeble and tremulous; the patient complains ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 77 of no acute suffering, sometimes there is constipation, and at others a painless diarrhoea. Symptoms, of the malignant form, are alternations of rigors and heat, with very little if any perspiration; a tense hard pulse, sometimes quick but fluttering, at other times not much accelerated; pain over the forehead, and at the top of the head, sleeplessness and delirium, succeeded by stupor or low muttering delirium; putrid diarrhoea, bleeding from the nose, and discharges of dark bloody matter from the bowels, dark red or coppery spots upon the skin, and great tenderness of the abdomen. Sometimes this fever has received the name of conges- tive fever, because the balance or equilibrium of the circulation being destroyed, the blood determines to some of the internal organs, and the external surface of the body appears cold. Death may take place from the complete exhaustion of the vital energies, or from local congestions, as of the brain or lungs, or in consequence of a change to the putrid form. Causes.—A vitiated atmosphere arising from the decay of vegetable and animal matter, or from the crowding together of large numbers in restricted apartments on board of ships, or in work-houses where it is impossible to secure a good circulation of the air. A deleterious quantity of food, or a deficiency of wholesome nourish- ment, over exertion of body or mind, or excesses in eating, drinking and debauchery, and every circumstance tending to depress the vital energies, or to abridge the supply of the hygienic elements. Inflammatory fevers are often made to assume the typhus form by the severely prostrating treatment they receive from the heroes of the lancet and drastic purges. •8* 78 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS Blood-letting or any other severe antiphlogistic treat- ment may as certainly be classed among the causes of typhus as any other deteriorating agencies. Treatment.—The medicines employed are Aeon., Ars., Am., Bell., Bry., Chin., Coco., Camph., Calc. c, Carbo. veg., Dig., Hyos., Helleb., Lye, Lach., Nux v., Nit. ac, Nat. mur. Opium, Puis., Phosph., Phos. ac, Rhus., Stram., Sulph. and Yerat. Aconite.—When inflammatory symptoms declare themselves at the commencement in epidemic typhus, such as full, tense rapid pulse, heat in the head, thirst, and other symptoms attendant upon simple irritative fever. DOSE.—One drop or six globules in three tablespoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful every three hours until a change. Arsenicum.—Where there is extreme prostration of strength and falling of the lower jaw, open mouth, dull glassy eyes, bitter taste, inclination to vomit, dirty white coating upon the tongue, aching at the pit of the stomach, bursting headache, giddiness, low muttering delirium, or deep sleep, distension of the bowels, burning thirst, dry hot skin, tongue dry and cracked, watery, dark colored, acrid, diarrhoea, pulse extremely feeble and intermittent. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop or six globules in three table- spoonfuls of pure water, give a teaspoonful every half hour until a change or amelioration takes place, doubling or tripling the length of the intervals as soon as improvement becomes manifest. Arnica.—When the patient lies in an unconscious state, as if stunned, with half sleep, with eyes open, or delirium. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop or six globules to three tablespoon- fulb of pure water; give a desert spoonful every two hours. Belladonna.—When there is a bloated appearance of the face, alternate heat and chills, or alternations of coldness and paleness, and burning heat and redness of ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 79 the face, violent throbbing of the carotids or arteries of the neck, sparkling and protrusion of the eyes, dilitation of the pupils, extreme sensibility to light and strabismus or squinting, noises in the ears, wild expression of the countenance, violent shooting pains in the forehead, or dull heavy pain causing the patient to put his hand frequently to his head, furious delirium followed by loss of consciousness, parched lips and sores at the corners of the mouth, redness and dryness of the tongue, or foul and covered with a yellow coat, skin hot and dry, bitter taste in the mouth, intense thirst, unable to swallow liquids, nausea and pressure at the stomach, constipation or watery motions, scanty or red-colored urine, rapid breathing, pulse full, quick and wiry, inflammation of the parotid glands, and swollen. DOSE.—The same as for Arnica. Bryonia.—When after a slight cold, the patient com- plains of pains in his limbs, and aching over the whole body, throbbing headache, aggravated by turning the eyes, or opening them, tenderness of the scalp, burning heat in the head, forehead frequently bathed in cold sweat, obliged to lie or sit from languor and heaviness of the limbs, and an aversion to cold air, disturbed at night, by congestion of blood, heat and anxiety; sighing and moaning during sleep; agonizing dreams, which often arouse the patient, and that continue to haunt him while awake; bitter taste, yellow furred or dry tongue; disgust of food; nausea, and inclination to vomit; pres- sure or weight, and pricking at the pit of the stomach; sensation of distension of lower ribs ; costiveness. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop or six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a desert-spoonful every three hours, until a change; if for the better, increase the intervals to six hours. 80 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS China.—In the first stage, when there is paleness of the face; lancinating, rending, aching or pressing pains in the head; obscurity of vision; roaring m the ears, and dulness of hearing; yellow or white coating on the tongue; dryness of mouth; insipid, clammy taste; inclination to vomit; sensibility and distension of the abdomen ; thin, watery, and yellow stools ; scanty, pale, or dark colored urine ; oppression of the chest; shooting or dragging pains in the limbs; anxiety, sleeplessness, and general coldness and shivering. DOSE.—The same as for Bryonia. Cocculus.—When the patient complains of giddiness and headache, or tendency to faint, or paralysis of the limbs; when there are symptoms of bilious or gastric derangement. Yery suitable after Rhus or Camphor. DOSE.—The same as for Bryonia. Camphor.—When there is heat of the head, with con- fusion of ideas, or violent delirium; giddiness; throbbing headache; burning heat in the forehead, cold cUmmy skin; continuous coldness of the hands and feet; debili- tating and clammy sweat; tendency to diarrhoea; scanty, cloudy urine, which deposits a thick sediment; great weakness, and feeble pulse, scarcely perceptible; suitable after Rhus. DOSE__One drop of the tincture on a lump of sugar every half hour, until some change or amelioration takes place. Calc. c—When there is jerkings or twitching of the limbs, and for nose-bleed; after Phos. ac, Rhus, China. Some maintain that Calcarea is beneficial as an alter- nating remedy, with Bell., Arsenicum or Rhus, when the symptoms indicate, but there is a doubt, whether alternatives of the kind are at all useful. DOSE.—Of the solution of six globules, or a drop in four tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every six hours, until there is some indication to discontinue its use. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 81 Carbo vegetabilis.—When in critical cases there is drowsiness, with rattling respiration, face pinched, sunken and death-like ; pupils insensible to light, pulse scarcely perceptible, and the vital power rapidly sinking; cold perspiration on the face and limbs ; involuntary evacua- tions of a very putrid odor, deep red urine, with a cloud floating over it, or rising towards the surface ; burning in the abdomen, and at the pit of the stomach. DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop in three tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every half hour until a change. Digitalis.—When there is in the first stage a yellow jaundiced hue of the skin; violent bilious vomiting; spasmodic pains in the stomach; sensibility of the left side on pressure; frequent desire to urinate, particu- larly at night, with scanty, bilious urine; burning heat of the head and face, anxiety of mind, and dread of some imaginary impending misfortune; painful and difficult urination, or entirely suppressed. Hyoscyamus.—When in addition to such symptoms as indicate the use of Belladonna, there are twitchings of the tendons; strong, full pulse; fulness of the veins; burning heat of the skin.; sensation of pricking all over the body, and constant delirium, fancying wasps or other insects about the head; and frequent, but ineffectual desire to urinate. Helleborus nig.—When the disease occurs as the sequel of other febrile affections: such as scarlet fever; measles; bilious fever; worm fever and cholera, with pain as from contusion, combined with tumefaction in the integuments of the head; disposition to sleep, with confusion of ideas and extreme restlessness; dark, cloudy urine; heaviness, or feeling of stiffness and powerless- 82 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS ness in the limbs; dulness of the faculties, and depression of spirits. DOSE._Of a solution of six globules, or one drop of either of the three preceding remedies, give a desert-spoonful every three, hours until there is a change in the symptoms, that indicated the use of the remedy Lycopodium may be employed after Calc. c. in the second stage of typhus when miliary eruption is slowly and scantily developed and there is sopor with muttering delirium, confounding of words, stammering, picking of the bed clothes, twitching of the tendons, distension of the abdomen with constipation, affections of the bladder, or when there are shivering and heat alternately, circum- scribed redness of the cheeks, debilitating sweats, exces- sive debility, falling of the lower jaw, half closed eyes, slow respiration, or state of excitement without heat or congestion in the head or face, redness of the tongue, constipation, burning urine, tranquil and resigned state of the mind, or surliness .and malevolence, especially on waking. DOSE. —Six globules, or one drop in four tablespoonfuls of water, may be administered, a teaspoonful at a time every four hours until a change may indicate a new remedy. Lachesis.—When there is vertigo on rising or sitting up, low muttering delirium, falling of the lower jaw, staring expression of the countenance, sunken features, bitter taste, yellowish tongue, red about the edges, cracked tongue, smooth, furred, or white slimy tongue, heaviness of the tongue, without the power of protruding it, and inarticulate speech, seeming paralysis of the eyelids, lethargic sleep, thirst with disinclination to drink, copi- ous urine of a brownish red color. DOSE.—Three globules or half a drop may be given every three hours, dissolved in a teaspoonful of water. Nux vom.—When there are gastric or bilious symp- ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 83 toms, constipation with frequent inclination and ineffec- tual efforts to evacuate, spasms of the stomach and bowels, painful and difficult emission of urine, painful pressure and tension in the upper portion of the stomach and at the sides under the ribs, general nervousness with rest- lessness at night, and slight delirium; weakness and exacerbation of symptoms in the morning; sanguine or bilious temperament; irritable and impatient dis- position. DOSE—Three globules in a spoonful of water every four hours, or one drop in the same way. Nitric acid.—When there are hemorrhages and sen sibility of the abdomen, with diarrhoea and slimy, acrid, greenish-colored stools, tenesmus, sore mouth, ulcers in the intestines, sorenes or pressure of certain parts of the abdomen, shooting pains in the rectum, straining, and greenish slimy diarrhoea, scalding urine, tendency to collapse. DOSE.—Of a solution, six globules, or one drop in three tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours until a change. Phos. ac. is useful after this remedy. Natrum muriaticum.—When there is great debility and unquenchable thirst, dryness of the tongue, loss of consciousness, and particularly when the fever is the sequel of some previous debilitating disease. DOSE.—The same as for Nitric Acid. Opium.—When there is much stupor, drowsiness, or sleep with the eyes half closed, labored breathing, with low moaning noise, open mouth, fixed look, slight delirium, or muttering, picking the bed clothes, difficult to arouse from sleep, dry offensive stools, which, together with the urine, are passed involuntarily. DOSE—The same as for Nitric acid. 84 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS Pulsatilla.—When there are profuse bleedings from the nose in persons of a lymphatic temperament, or phlegmatic disposition. DOSE___Of a solution of six globules, or one drop in three table-spoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every hour until relieved, or change takes place. Phosphorus.—When there is great dryness of the tongue, heat of skin, small hard, quick pulse, painless diarrhoea, with rumbling in the bowels; or when there is congestion of the lungs, laborious breathing and anxiety, dulness in percussion, rattling of mucus, stitches during respiration, cough, with copious expectoration of mucus mixed with blood, or even offensive pus. Phosphoric acid.—When at the very beginning of the disease there is great prostration, with wandering, when awake; or in almost hopeless cases, when the patient is found lying on the back in a drowsy state, exhibits a vacant stare when spoken to, but no reply; or else incoherent, constant talking or low muttering; picking the bed clothes ; tries to escape from something alarming; black incrustations on the lips, dry hot skin, copious watery diarrhoea, involuntary; frequent and weak pulse, sometimes intermittent. DOSE.—When either of the above remedies are indicated, six globules, or one drop of the dilution, may be dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every three, hours until a change takes place. Rhus toxicodendron.—When there is great debility and diarrhoea; congestion to the head and chest, and great prostration; stupefying headache, as if from a bruise; dirty yellowish coat upon the tongue; violent pain in the stomach when touched. This remedy is very nearly allied in many particulars, to Bryonia. The indications for its use in nervous fevers, are in many ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 85 respects the same, and on this account, many practi- tioners use it in alternation with that remedy, still it is particularly indicated when there is hot, dark-colored urine, at first clear, but afterwards turbid; difficult swallowing, as if the throat had become too small; general trembling, debility and prostration, almost amounting to paralytic weakness of the limbs; shoot- ing pains in various parts of the body, aggravated when at rest and at night,—relieved for a time by moving the part affected; small, quick pulse, or weak and slow; anxious, depressed, and inclined to weep. DOSE.—One drop of the dilution or six globules, dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Bryonia is a valuable remedy, either to precede or follow Rhus. Rhus tox.—When exposed to a thorough wetting, which brings on a diarrhoea, Rhus is also an invaluable remedy; or if the patient is seized with a violent diar- rhoea from any other cause, accompanied by colic; chilliness, even when by the fire; aching pains in various parts of the body; stiffness of the nape of the neck and in the back. DOSE.—The same as before. Stramonium may be administered after Belladonna, when there is twitching of the muscles of the face, and of the tendons, squinting, trembling of the extremities, tremulous motion of the tongue on protruding it from the mouth, burning heat of the body, stoppages of the urine, fantastic gesticulation, and a convulsive separation of the lips. DOSE—Of a solution of six globules or one drop in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or or change. Sulphur, may follow Bryonia, Rhus, or Phos. ac, 9 86 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS when there is pale collapsed countenance, burning itching eruptions on the lips, dryness of the mouth, foul, dry tongue, bitter taste, slimy or bilious vomiting, .tenderness of the region of the stomach, and pain as from excoriation in the umbilical region, increased on pressure; rumbling in the bowels, frequent, watery, floculent, or yellow evacuations, cloudy urine, deposit- ing a reddish sediment; purulent miliary eruption, bleeding at the nose, stitches in the chest, oppressed respiration, dry cough towards evening and at night; sleeplessness, whining during sleep, dry heat during the day, with moderately quiet pulse and profuse sweating at night. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in a tablespoonful of water, and given every eight hours, until some amelioration or change. Yeratrum.—When there is coldness of the inferior or lower extremities; it is useful to follow Arsenicum. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in four tablespoon- fuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every half hour. Diet in nervous fevers. — During the inflammatory stage, abstinence. During the progress of the disease, the farinaceous gruels may be given from day to day— varying from one kind to another. After convalescence becomes established, and the appetite returns, the greatest care should be exercised in the supply of food. For, relapses often occur from over-eating, when the patient had, to all appearances, been out of danger. Therefore, as a rule, when a patient is recovering from typhus, toast and black tea, light bread puddings, mutton broth, and very little mutton steak, or surloin steak, or broiled chicken, may be allowed in great moderation, but never to the extent of the appetite. When nervous fever prevails as a pestilence, it is ORGANS, AND THELR TREATMENT. 87 sometimes termed the putrid typhus, or malignant typhus, or abdominal typhus, but does not vary in its characteristics from that already treated of as indicating the use of Arsenicum, Bryonia, Carbo vegetabilis, Rhus and Veratrum. 4.—Bilious or Gastric Fever. Remittent Fever. Bilious fever deranges the stomach, and digestive organs in general. It differs from the typhoid and typhus, (nervous fevers,) in being of a less torpid character, the nervous system not being so extensively involved. It differs also, in not being characterised by the extreme prostration, pain in the back of the head, and derange- ment of the ordinary senses. These fevers, seemingly take place without any definite duration, they do not seem to have any fixedness of character, that is determined by any particular kind of crisis. They often occur in consequences of a derange- ment of the biliary organs, and terminate in vomiting from the stomach, a quantity of bile, or in bilious diar- rhoea, and the patient being totally relieved, begins to recover. In other cases, only partial relief is gained by the vomiting and purging, and the fever continues until some other crisis marks its termination. This may be a general perspiration, or perhaps some change in the urine, or a dissipation of the febrile symptoms by the general recuperation of the system. When a mere derangement of the stomach, attended with fever, occurs, it may terminate its course in a few days. When the liver is disturbed, and the mucus coat of the stomach and bowels are severally associated with the fever, its duration may be for several weeks, and in some instances, it may assume to a greater or less 88 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS degree, an inflammatory character, and sometimes, it may degenerate into the purely nervous, especially, if improperly treated. Causes.—It may be remarked of this disease, as of many other affections, that it originates by reason of malarius influences on the one hand, and of susceptible conditions of the system on the other ; or in other words, from the conjoint action of predisposing and exciting causes. Whenever one is disposed to great heat, the perspiration may be so rapid, as to create undue excite- ment of the biliary organs and stomach; by reason of their sympathy with the organs of perspiration ; exposure to the extremes of temperature in alternation, super- induces conditions of the stomach and bowels, easily impressed ; any irritable matters taken into the stomach, or that may be undigested therein, operate to develope febrile difficulties that may assume the gastric, bilious, * or remittent character; anger, emotion, grief, care, &c, acting upon impressible subjects, or on such as are already predisposed to biliary derangement, may be recorded among the exciting causes. Symptoms.—Bilious fevers are characterised in general by a sensation of weight or fulness in the region of the stomach, with nausea or inclination to vomit; an offen- sive gulping of wind, and vomiting of acrid bile, or mucus mixed with bile from the stomach; the tongue is thickly covered with a dirty-yellow coat; the bowels appear to be soft, though constipated. In a more advanced stage of the disease, the discharges from the bowels are often quite offensive, of a thin consistence, and mixed with portions of undigested food. The Head is often afflicted with pain in the front part over the eyes. The face is pale, and the countenance organs, and their treatment. '89 distressed and sickly. The white of the eyes is more or less colored with yellow ; greater or less degree of chilli- ness, followed by heat and dryness of the skin. The pulse quick, not very tense, sometimes irregular or inter- mittent ; and the urine, dark-colored and cloudy, or of a thick, turbid appearance. The more the liver is impli- cated in the disease, the more aggravated will many of these symptoms appear. Sometimes the heat of the skin is very considerable, and the restlessness and thirst immoderate, and the coating of the tongue, which at first is of a pale yellow, often changes into that of a brown. There is an acrid, bitter taste in the mouth, and bitter risings in the throat, and the substance vomited from the stomach is of a greenish, bilious matter. When the bowels are not costive, the evacuations are either of a yellow, green, or brown color; sometimes there is burning in the region of the liver, and hardness and tension in the right hypochondrium. Fevers are termed remittent, in consequence of a remis- sion of the symptoms, which begins to take place after the disease becomes established; the remission is com- monly preceded by a gentle perspiration, after which, the patient seems greatly relieved, but in a few hours the fever returns, and there may be a succession of these remissions, alternating with more prominent febrile symptoms, and the nearer these remissions approach to a -complete intermission, the more favorable to the patient. Treatment.—Inasmuch as it has been hinted that gastric and bilious fevers are mainly dependent upon the derangement of the abdominal organs—the stomach, the liver, and the intestines, it would appear evident, that the fever might accompany various groups of symptoms, 9* 90 DISEASES involving the various and in every case, the name of the disease should be left out of the question for the purpose of acquiring a positive knowledge of the individual case. The actual symptoms in each case, must indicate the remedy. The medicines to be employed in the treatment of gastric and bilious fevers are: Aeon., Ars., Bell., Bry., Cham., Cocc, Coloc, China, Digitalis, Ipec, Mercurius viv., Nux vom., Puis., Rhus tox., Tart. emet. Aconite.—When there is bitterness in the mouth, so that every article of food tastes bitter; yellow coating upon the tongue; accelerated pulse; bitter risings in the throat; or when there is vomiting of greenish, bitter, or slimy matter; scanty stools, or constipation of the bowels; or else urging, with frequent small evacuations; swelling and tightness across the stomach; extreme tenderness in the region of the liver, and along the lower ribs; pulsating headache, aggravated by talking; sen- sation of heaviness and fulness in the forehead. When these symptoms are increased by exercise, standing or sitting, or speaking; or if they are mitigated by admit- ting the patient to a fresh atmosphere, this remedy is especially indicated. DOSE.—One drop or six globules may be dissolved in four tablespoon- fuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every three hours, until some favorable change ensues, or the disease has taken another form. Arsenicum. When there is dryness of the tongue, accompanied with severe thirst and continual desire for drink, and unable to drink but a small quantity at a time, acrid bitterish, pungent eructations, saltish or bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting of greenish or dark- colored matter, great tenderness in the stomach, unable to bear any pressure, burning, cutting and cramp-like pains in the stomach and bowels, accompanied with ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 91 anguish and chilliness; sensation as if a weight with burning at one point were in the stomach. The bowels either very torpid or continually relaxed, with violent urging, with greenish or brownish stools ; urine burning and scalding as it passes from the bladder; movement provokes the discharges from the bowels, as does the drinking of any fluid; shivering, shuddering and anxiety; oppression of the chest, headache, labored respiration in the open air, especially in the evening and after drinking ; hot, burning and stinging sensation communicated to the hand on feeling the skin. Pulse irregular, frequent, great prostration, and desire for recumbent posture. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, maybe dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every two hours, until there is a change; if the symptoms are very violent, repeat the medicine every hour or every four hours, if only manifested in a moderate degree. Belladonna.—When there is beating and throbbing of the arteries of the temples, and severe pain in the head, chiefly in the forehead above the eyebrows, with a feeling as if the head would burst, and as if the brain would fall out the forehead, and also reeling and giddi- ness ; dryness of the mouth and throat, sometimes inces- sant nausea; tongue with a thick whitish or yellowish coating; sour taste; repugnance to food of every descrip- tion, and usually to all kinds of drink; vomiting of food, or sour, slimy or bitter matters; full pulse and accelerated, evacuations of the bowels suspended, or otherwise loose with slimy evacuations; and especially if the symptoms about the head are aggravated by moving the eyes, or exercise of any kind, or by coming in contact with the fresh air. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in a half pint tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until change or mitigation of the head symptoms takes place. 92 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS Bryonia, is particularly useful in the treatment of bilious fevers, when they occur in hot weather and the atmosphere is damp and sultry, if characterised by the following symptoms: taste insipid, clammy, foul and bitter, especially on waking; mouth and throat dry, and continual thirst; tongue coated with white or yellow fur, with a number of small blisters on its surface, morbid hankering after acid drinks and stimulants, but repugnance to solid food; offensive breath; vomiting of bilious matters after drinking; ineffectual retching and straining to vomit; sensation of fulness and tightness in the stomach after eating the smallest quantity; chilly feeling and shuddering; heat in the head, with redness of the face; oppressive headache, with sensation of extreme heat, fulness, aggravated by drinking and exercise, as in turn- ing; sensation of dulness and confusion of the head, and constipation. DOSE.—One drop or six globules, dissolved in a half pint tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours until the dose is repeated three times, afterwards every six hours until a change. Chamomilla is useful in bilious fevers, when the tongue is red and fissured, or where it has a yellow coat- ing, particularly if Nux vomica, has failed of arresting the symptoms. Its use is particularly indicated when there is intense heat and redness of the face, particularly at night, restlessness and disturbed sleep, with much inquie- tude and tossing about; pressure and fulness of the head, and pain as if bruised; inflammatory redness and burn- ing of the eyes; easily provoked to tears or anger; fretful, suspicious and quarrelsome, and at times great anguish of mind; bitter taste in the mouth, and every kind of food tastes bitter; loss of appetite; nausea and bitter eructations; vomiting of sour, greenish or bitter matters; ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 93 great anxiety and weight at the pit of the stomach, extending across the stomach and under the ribs; foul breath ; ■ looseness of the bowels ; frothy evacuations; sour smelling slimy evacuations of the appearance of muddled eggs; greenish stools, or on the other hand, con- stipation and suspended evacuations. DOSE—One drop, or six globules, in a half-pint tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours until a change of the symptoms or convalescence becomes manifest. Cocculus is applicable in bilious derangements and fevers, when the patient has been treated without success, with decoctions of chamomile under allopathic treat- ment. It is particularly indicated when there is absolute loathing for food, dryness of the mouth, with or without thirst; offensive eructations; nausea and inclination to vomit when eating, talking or riding in a carriage, or after sleeping; yellow coating upon the tongue; oppressed breathing, occasioned by fulness in the region of the stomach; loose and soft evacuations, and burning in the passage, or more frequently constipation; headache or pain above the eyebrows, attended with giddiness. The least physical exertion producing weakness and sweating. DOSE.—Four globules may be given, and repeated every four hours until a change. Colocynth is particularly indicated when in connection with other symptoms of bilious derangement and fever, there is spasmodic colic and severe pain in the region of the navel, spasm of the stomach and vomiting, or loose discharges from the bowels after eating; cramps in the calves of the legs; shivering with general coldness, but with heat of the head, unattended with thirst, full and rapid pulse. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, a tea- spoonful may be given every three hours, until amelioration or change. 94 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS China is the appropriate remedy when there are fre- quent eructations, vomiting or regurgitation of food, loss of appetite, perfect satiation, as if one had eaten more than enough; offensive discharges of wind from the bowels, stools mingled with undigested food; painful sense of distension of the bowels, and weight in the region of the navel; sensation of chilliness and shudder- ing after drinking; diarrhoea, with watery slimy or bilious evacuations; hot skin; frequent and fullpuhe,sometimes headache, attended with delirium; burning sensation in the lips, red face, and dry mouth. This remedy is well adapted to those persons suffering from bilious febrile difficulties, who are naturally of debilitated constitutions. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every four hours, until amelioration or change. Digitalis often proves of great service in fevers, accompanied by biliary derangement when the following symptoms are present, viz: looseness of the bowels, attended with great loss of strength; nausea, with bitter taste in the mouth after sleeping; thirst and vomiting of phlegm. DOSE.—Give a teaspoonful every three hours of a solution of six globules, or one drop in half a tumbler of water. Ipecacuanha is very serviceable when there is a dis- position to vomit, with utter dislike to any kind of food, and especially to substances of a fatty or greasy nature; dryness of the mouth, the tongue either clean or else covered with a thick yellowish coating; bitter taste in the mouth; all food tastes bitter when taken into the mouth; offensive smell from the mouth and breath; violent gulping without raising any thing, attended with great straining; or copious vomiting of slimy matters; or vomiting food with a gush; looseness of the bowels, the evacuations of a very offensive or even putrid ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 95 character; bilious colic, weight, and sense of fulness, with severe pain in the region of the stomach; yellowish pale hue of the skin; severe headache in the forepart of the head, and a sensation as if the head were crushed; chilliness and shuddering over the whole surface of the body; cold hands and feet. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in a half-pint tum- bler of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until a mitigation or change. Mercurius viv., is particularly useful in gastric and bilious fevers, when indicated by such symptoms as the following, viz., moist tongue, loaded with a white or yel- lowish coating; dry and burning lips, sickly, putrid or bitter taste, nausea with decided inclination to vomit, or actual vomiting of slimy or bitter substances; painful tenderness on each side between the ribs and the hips, and at the pit of the stomach, and also in the region of the naval, especially in the morning, with anguish and inquietude; desire to sleep by day and sleeplessness at night; peevishness, irritability, shiverings alternately with heat, burning thirst, and sometimes with aversion to drinks. DOSE.—A teaspoonful of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in a half-pint tumbler of water, may be administered every three hours, until change, or amelioration of the symptoms. Nux vom.—This remedy is indicated when the follow- ing symptoms are present: Dry and white tongue, or yellowish towards the root; excessive thirst with burn- ing in the throat; bitter or putrid taste; bitter eructa- tions ; continued nausea, especially in the open air, or vomiting of ingesta; pain in the stomach ; pressure and painful tension in the whole abdomen, and in the sides under the ribs, or between the ribs and hips; spasmodic colic, with pinching and grumbling noise in the region of 96 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS the navel; constipation, with frequent but ineffectual desire to evacuate, or, on the other hand, small, loose, slimy or watery stools; pressive pain in the forehead, with vertigo; fretful, peevish and melancholy; great weak- ness and fatigued feeling; red and hot or yellowish and earthy face ; heat mixed with shivering and shuddering, sensation as if the limbs had been beaten; increase of the sufferings after midnight. DOSE.—Dissolve six globules, or one drop, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until the disease mitigates, or there is some change. Pulsatilla.—When there is attendant on the biliary or gastric derangement, the following symptoms, this remedy is especially indicated. Tongue loaded with whitish mucus, insipid, clammy or else bitter taste, especially after swallowing; risings, with taste of the food; aversion to food, especially to salt meat or to fat; hankering after acids and stimulants; food disposed to rise from the stomach into the mouth; disagreeable nausea, vomiting of slimy and whitish, bitter and green- ish or acid substances; vomiting of partially digested food; pressure at the pit of the stomach and difficult respiration; constipation or evacuations, which are loose, white or slimy, bilious and greenish, or like eggs beaten up; headache on one side of the head; frequent shiver- ing with flushes of heat, or dry heat with thirst; face at one time pale and at another red, or redness on one cheek and paleness on the other. DOSE.—After being very particular to dissolve one drop, or six globules, in a half pint tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until there is some change in the symptoms or the disease. Rhus tox.—When there is a great weakness and pros- tration attending the ordinary bilious and gastric derange- ments, and slight delirium and offensive diarrhoea, some- ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 97 what of a putrid character, dryness of the mouth and tongue, intense thirst, strong tendency to nervous symp- toms,— DOSE._lf the liquid is used, one drop in four tablespoonfuls of water may be given, a teaspoonful at a time, and repeated every four hours. If globules, three may be given upon the tongue every three hours, until the condition of the patient may indicate the discontinuance of their use. Tart-emet.—This remedy is particularly serviceable in such cases of bilious fever as are strongly marked with catarrhal symptoms, or loose cough, abundant secretion of mucus, and sinking respiration. DOSE.—The same as for Rhus. Diet.—In the early stage of this fever the appetite is usually suspended and there is no inclination to take food. This is a wise provision, and indicates that no food should be forced upon the patient. It is therefore improper to require the taking of any kind of solid food during the course of the fever. Wheat, barley, or rice gruel may be drank cold until convalescence has set in, when a little mutton or lamb soup, made very weak, may be given at first, and then as the fever entirely disappears a little broiled mutton or chicken may be allowed, but restricted to meagre limits ; and during the whole period of convalescence the diet should be mode- rate in order to guard against a relapse; light custards, puddings made of rice, tapioca or sago, toast and black tea, and occasionally a little meat will be found suffici- ently substantial to enable the patient to regain, in a safe and certain manner, his strength. Intermittent Fevers.—(Febris intermittens.) The peculiar characteristics of intermittent fevers may be stated in a few words. They consist of distinct periods in which the disease manifests itself; these periods are 10 98 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS called paroxysms, and between which there is a complete intermission of the disease in which no fever is present. There are several varieties of this disease— 1. There are those of which the paroxysms occur every 24 hours, called quotidian. 2. Those of which they occur every 48 hours, called tertian. 3. Those of which they occur every 72 hours, called quartan. When the paroxysms occur at longer intervals, they are very apt to be irregular. Each paroxysm of an intermittent is usually marked by three distinct stages, viz., the cold, the hot and the sweating stages. Causes.—The predisposing causes are generally believed. to be impurities in the atmosphere arising from low, boggy districts or marshes, from stagnant pools, when acted upon by the heat of summer, and from the fact that intermittents usually occur in the latter part of the warm season or early in the fall, when the temperature of the nights begins to diminish, it is very probable this is the case; living in a deteriorated atmosphere any great length of time evidently weakens or debilitates the sys- tem so that almost any exciting cause may develope the disease. After passing through the heat of a warm day, exposed to these influences, without very careful protec- tion against the change of temperature and dampness of the night, persons will be very liable to the disease. Symptoms of the cold stage.—The first indication is usually a pain in the head, weariness of the limbs, pains in the loins and back, coldness of the hands and feet, stretching, yawning, and sometimes with sickness and vomiting; to which succeed shivering and oftentimes severe shaking. organs, and their treatment. 99 Symptoms of the hot stage.—After the cold stage passes off, the body returns to a state of warmth, gradu- ally increasing, though irregular at first, by transient flushes, soon becomes a steady dry or burning heat, much augmented above the natural temperature of the body. The skin, which was before pale or bluish, becomes now puffed up and red and often very sensitive to the touch. Pains in the head, flying pains all over the body; the pulse quick, strong and hard; the tongue white; intense thirst. The urine for the most part of a high color. Symptoms of the sweating stage.—Immediately succeeding the hot stage, a moisture will break out upon the face and neck, which soon becomes universal and uniform, and the heat falls to its natural standard. The pulse diminishes and becomes full and free. The urine changes its color. The bowels become laxed, respiration becomes full and free, and the functions generally resume their natural condition, and the intermission takes place. During the intermission, the patient may feel quite well, until a given period passes away, and then a similar paroxysm of coldness, heat, and sweating occurs, and so on, until the disease is arrested. Sometimes, the cold stage is not characterised by shivering and shaking; and sometimes, though rarely, the paroxysms pass off without the general sweat. Treatment.—It is found by experience, tiiat it is best to administer the treatment in this disease, between the recurrence of the paroxysms, but under some circum- stances, the remedies may be given, either at the begin- ning or ending of the paroxysms. In the treatment, the type is to be regarded as of the utmost importance, as well as the other features of the disease. 100 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS The remedies found useful in curing this disease, are Am., Ars., Bell., Bry., Carb. veg., Cham., China, Coca, Ipec, Ign., Merc, Nux v., Nat. mur., Opium, Puis., Sep., Sulph., Rhus, Yeratrum. In the employment of any of these remedies, according to their specific indication, it must be borne in mind, that their use is curative, not to smother the disease, as has often been the case, in allopathic practice by the aid of quinine, to return again upon the slightest exposure. It is better that several paroxysms should occur during the process of a radical cure, rather than the creating of a mere suspension of them for a time, by overdoses of quinine. Therefore, when the remedy is properly selected, it is by far better to persevere with its use, until a change takes place, even though in the meantime, several paroxysms occur. The mere stopping of the chills is by no means a cure, for we often see persons that have been drugged with quinine or larks, looking pale, sickly and debilitated, and in a more deplorable and wretched state of health, from such treatment, though the chills were suspended for a time, than they would have been, had the ague been left undisturbed. It is, therefore, requisite to change the condition of the system by gentle and curative means, if a radical cure is to be expected, without such a sequel as the barks and quinine are prone to leave behind. In most cases, homoeopathic treatment will not stop the paroxysms at once, it will, however, operate to bring about a healthy condition of the system, and the paroxysms gradually become less violent until they disappear altogether, and then the patient has less to fear from a return. Whenever any remedy is selected upon such grounds, as will warrant an anticipation of a favor- ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 101 able result, it is better not to change for several days, and not at all, if the paroxysms become lighter and later in the day. Arnica is indicated as a remedy for intermittent when the paroxysm comes on in the evening, marked by the following symptoms : pressing headache, as if caused by a blow; sore rheumatic pains in the joints; weariness or soreness as if from fatigue, succeeded by.chilliness and a great deal of thirst, and also inclination to vomit; bitter taste in the mouth; stitches in the pit of the stomach, and bruised; sensation of drawing in the periosteum of all the bones, or pains in the limbs, as if bruised, succeeded by fever, but not so much thirst; bitter or putrid eructation, or vomiting of blood during the chill, or retention of the urine, with pressive sore pain in the bladder, or red or brown urine, with a brick- dust sediment. DOSE.—One drop or six globules may be put in four tablespoonfuls of water, and a tablespoonful may be given immediately after the paroxysm, or at an early stage of the same, and repeated every six hours. Not to be given during the paroxysm. Treatment to be continued perseveringly until a change. Arsenicum is indicated, when shivering and heat appear at the same time, or when shivering and heat succeed each other in rapid alternations; as well as internal shivering, with external heat, or external shiver- ing with internal heat; burning heat, as if boiling water were circulating in the veins ; dry heat and absence of perspiration, or else appearing a long time after the heat, and principally at the commencement of sleep, or when heat and shivering are slightly developed; appearance of other affections with the shiverings, such as pains in the limbs; anxiety and restlessness; transient heat on speak- ing, or on the slightest movement; oppression of the 10* 102 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS chest; pulmonary spasms; headache, &c During the sweats, humming in the ears; during the heat, restless- ness, aching in the forehead; vertigo, and even delirium; great debility, vertigo, tenderness of the liver and spleen, after the fever, or during its course; nausea; violent pain in the stomach; sores in the corners of the mouth; bitter taste in the mouth; trembling; great anxiety; paralysis of the limbs, or violent pains; disposition to dropsical affections. DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, between the paroxysms, if they occur daily ; or every four hours, if they occur every other day ; or one drop of the dilution in a half-pint tumbler of water, may be administered in the same manner, until a change. Belladonna is of great value as a remedy in those intermittents of daily paroxysms, when they are charac- terised by violent headache, dizziness, violent shivering, followed by moderate heat; or when the shivering is slight, followed by intense heat, or partial shivering and shuddering, with heat in other parts; redness and heat of the face; violent pulsation in the carotids; complete absence of thirst, or the reverse; great susceptibility and tearfulness; Tertian intermittents, or those having the paroxysms every other day, characterised by the above symptoms, are also indicative of the use of this remedy. And also those called double tertian, as when the paroxysms of one become manifest every other day in the morning, and the paroxysms of the other occurring on the intermediate days, in the afternoon or evening, provided they are accompanied by similar symptoms. DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a tablespoonful every three hours during the interim between the paroxysms until a change takes place, or there is a perceptible mitigation of the violence of the disease. Bryonia is particularly indicated when there is a ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 103 predominance of cold and shivering, with redness of the cheeks, heat in the head and yawning, or predominance of heat followed by chilliness, or with stitches in the side; headache and vertigo during the heat; thickly coated tongue, bitter taste, aversion to food, nausea or vomiting, great thirst, constipation, or else the reverse. This remedy is also applicable to the different forms o? the fever, when the symptoms indicate its use. DOSE.—The same as that of Belladonna. Carbo vegetabilis.—When the paroxysms come on in the evening, either every day, or every other day, or even every fourth day, with thirst only during the shiver- ing, profuse perspiration followed by shivering; rheu- matic pains in the teeth or limbs before or during the fever; vertigo; nausea; redness of the face during the hot stage. DOSE.—Dissolve six globules in a half-pint tumbler of water, or one drop in the same way, and give a tablespoonful every four hours until some mitigation or change in the appearance of the paroxysms. This remedy should be administered in the interim. Chamomilla, for the quotidian or daily type, when there is pressure during the paroxysm at the pit of the stomach, hot perspiration on the forehead, exasperation and tossing, or bilious vomiting, diarrhoea and colic; intense thirst; predominance of heat and perspiration. DOSE.—As soon as the paroxysm begins to subside, give four globules dissolved in a tablespoonful of water, and repeat every three hours until the period of the next paroxysm should it occur, or one drop in four table- spoonfuls of water may be given, a teaspoonful at a time every two hours until as before. China off.—In epidemic or endemic intermittents arising from the influence of marsh miasm, this remedy is indicated when the following peculiarities are present; when in the commencement, there is a sense of languor or general uneasiness of the heart, anxiety, headache, 104 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS sneezing, great thirst, bulimy or voracious appetite, or when there is nausea and pain in the bowels. It is also indicated when there is at the commencement absence of thirst during the cold stage; but thirst during the hot and sweating stages, or between the cold and the hot stage; and further, when there is swelling of the veins, with heat in the head, natural warmth of the body, or determination of blood to the head, commonly with red- ness and heat in the face, frequently with chilliness of all other parts of the body, and even external coldness with only sensation of heat in the face, cold sweat on the fore- head. This remedy in massive doses is fraught with evil consequences. DOSE.__One drop in four spoonfuls of water may be given, a teaspoon- ful every two hours in the interim, or four globules may be given every two hours until amelioration or change, or one drop of the dilution, or four globules may be given immediately before the cold stage, and the same may be given immediately after the sweat. Cocculus is indicated when in addition to the usual symptoms of ague, there is in the interim between the paroxysms, spasms of the stomach and bowels, or cramps in the stomach, or constrictive pinching, tearing, burning, colicky pains in the bowels. DOSE.—Precisely the same as directed for China, until the cramps dis- appear, then at intervels of four hours. Ipecacuanha is indicated when there is much shiver- ing, followed by moderate heat, or the reverse; or when external heat aggravates the shivering, or complete absence of thirst, or at least very little thirst during the chill, but violent thirst during the heat; or when the paroxysms are preceded by vomiting or other derange- ments of the stomach, with clean tongue, or moderately coated, and oppression of the chest; vomiting in the interim. This remedy if persevered in, will in most cases ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 105 where it is indicated, produce a speedy cure; and if it fails of this, it usually produces a favorable change, and Arnica, China or Nux vom. may complete the cure. DOSE.—Six globules maybe dissolved in three tablespoonfuls of water, or one drop may be dissolved in the same, and a teaspoonful may be given every two hours during the interim Ignatia is applicable in ague, when there is thirst only during the cold stage, or when external heat tends to mitigate in some measure the cold, or when there is only external heat and internal shivering, or when there is nausea and vomiting, pale complexion, or when the exciting cause is grief or disappointment, and there is absence of thirst during the heat and headache, vertigo or delirium, alternate paleness and redness of the face, or redness of only one of the cheeks, pain in the head during the fever, great fatigue and pain at the pit of the stomach, drowsiness or profound sleep, with snoring; eruptions on the lips, and at the corners of the mouth; nettle-rash and itching during the fever. DOSE.—Four globules may be given every two hours, on the tongue, or one drop in three tablespoonfuls of water may be given, a teaspoonful at a dose, every two hours, until a change. Nux vom. may be used to complete a cure, in the same way, if this remedy should only seem to palliate. Mercurius may be employed, when there is in addition to the ordinary symptoms of ague, flushes of heat, commingling with the shivering, or heat with great anguish and thirst, or profuse sour perspiration, or perspiration of an offensive odor, with palpitation of the heart. It is also serviceable when there are flying pains in the region of the liver. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop of the dilution, or four pellets in two table-spoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful e\ery three hours during the interim, or until a change. Nux VOM. is to be employed when the fever is pre ceded by great weakness and prostration, followed by 106 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS shivering and commingling of heat, or heat before the shivering, or external heat with internal shivering, or internal heat with external shivering. The patient should be constantly covered during the heat and per- spiration, during the shivering fit, coldness and llueness of the skin, hands and feet, face or nails, or stitches in the side, and shootings in the abdomen, pains in the back and loins, or drawing pains in the abdomen, headache, and humming in the ears; during the heat, pains in the chest, heat in the head and face, with redness of the cheeks and thirst. Sometimes, craving for malt liquors during the chill and heat, derangements of the stomach, nausea, vomiting of bilious matter, vertigo, anguish, and constipation. This medicine is often suitable after Ipec, when this remedy has had a palliative effect. DOSE.—Two drops, or ten globules may be dissolved in a half-pint tumbler of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every three hours, until better or a change. Natrum muriaticum is particularly indicated where the cold stage is marked by constant shivering, without any interruption, heat and dizziness, cloudiness of the eyes, vertigo and redness of the face, violent headache, espe- cially during the heat; pains in the bones; yellowish complexion; great debility; ulceration in the corners of the mouth; violent thirst during the shivering, and especially during the hot stage; dryness of the pit of stomach to the touch; bitter taste in the mouth, and complete want of appetite. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a teaspoonful every four hours, until better or change. Opium is particularly indicated where there is during the hot stage an inclination to sleep, or sometimes during the cold stage; snoring with the mouth open; convul- ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 107 sive twitches; hot perspiration; suppressed excretions; this medicine is better suited to aged persons or to children. DOSE. Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in a half-pint tum- bler of water; give a teaspoonful every four hours. Pulsatilla is a remedy well suited to intermittents, when in addition to ordinary symptoms, there is want of thirst throughout the entire period of the fever. Aggra- vation in the afternoon or evening; oppressive pain in the head; anxiety and oppression of the chest during shiver- ing ; redness and puffing of the face; perspiration on the face; shivering when uncovered, or redness only of the cheeks during the hot stage; gastric or bilious affections; bitter taste in the mouth; slimy, bilious or sour vomit- ing; diarrhoea; constipation; oppression of the chest; moist cough and headache during or between the par- oxysms of fever. This remedy is particularly applicable when imprudent eating or indigestion has caused a relapse. DOSE—Dissolve six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours in the interim, or one drop may be dis- solved in the same quantity of water, and given as before; it is suitable after Nux vom. or Ignat. Sepia is very useful when the usual symptoms of the ague are present, and in addition there is icy coldness of the hands and feet and numbness of the fingers. DOSE.—The same as directed for Pulsatilla. Sulphur is particularly applicable where there is suppressed eruption of the skin, which is followed by paroxysm of fever, as that following repercussion of the itch, and when there are shiverings every evening, heat and perspiration at night, especially towards the morning, or when there is fever with palpitation of the heart and violent thirst, even before the cold stage. DOSE.—Sulphur may be administered, a dose every morning, one drop in a spoonful of water, or six globules. This remedy is often useful in the 108 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS treatment of those cases that have been severely treated with quinine, until the system has become weakened, without success, especially if the counte- nance is pale and haggard, and indications of dropsy are manifest. Rhus tox. is also extremely useful in the treatment of such cases as have the cold stage commingled with heat, and when the paroxysms come on at night or in the evening, and the perspiration comes on after midnight, or towards the morning, or when there is pains in the limbs during the shiverings; headache, toothache, ver- tigo, convulsive jerks, either during the paroxysms or between them, or when there is nettle-rash, colic, diarrhoea and other derangements of the stomach, or jaundice, sleeplessness with tossing, thirst at night, palpi- tation of the heart, with anxiety; pressure at the pit of the stomach. DOSE—Of a solution of six globules in three tablespoonfuls of water; a teaspoonful may be given every four hours; or one drop dissolved in three tablespoonfuls may be given in the same manner. Yeratrum is applicable when during the paroxysm there is coldness all over, with cold, clammy sweat, especially on the forehead; shuddering and chilliness with desire for cold drink; or where there is severe chill, succeeded with little heat, slow pulse, prone to perspirations during the day, great anxiety, or when there is cutting colic, with violent painful diarrhoea. DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop of the dilution, in four tablespoonfuls of water; a teaspoonful may be given every three hours during the interim, or every two hours, if the paroxysms occur every day, until a mitigation or change. With regard to the particular type, most of the above remedies are applicable to all types when the symptoms are present that indicate their use. The quotidian or daily type, Arm, Ars., China. The tertian, or every other day, Cham., Chin., Sulph., Nux vom. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 109 Quartan, or that which occurs once in seventy-two hours, Carb. veg., Bry., Chin., Ars., Sulph. may be con- sulted, according to symptoms. The symptoms, however, are the guide, and the reme- dies, under all circumstances, should be selected to accord with them. After a remedy has been well selected, a perseverance in its continuance is generally found best, and although the process of cure may seem slow, yet the gradual change wrought in the system will be effectual, while a resort to barks and quinine, may only smother the disease for a while, to break out again and again, thus consuming more time in the end, than if the genuine homoeopathic remedy had been adhered to from the first. Diet and Regimen.—On the days which the paroxysms occur, nature generally indicates that but little food of any kind should be taken. The barley or rice gruel may be taken as a drink. In the interim, it is better not to tax the digestive organs with food of a solid character, for this alone may provoke a paroxysm. Great care should be taken, until the paroxysms disappear entirely, not to tax the digestive system. Therefore, we may regard it a rule, to take nothing, except farinaceous gruel, made of farina, flour, rice, arrow-root, or sago, on the days of the fever, or during the occurrence of a paroxysm; while in the interim, light puddings, made of bread, tapioca, arrow-root, or sago, may be indulged in; or sometimes delicate soups, made of mutton, chicken, or game, with rice boiled in them, may be allowed; as also, some delicate meats, taking the greatest care to masticate them well, may be taken. As patients are often seemingly quite well, between the paroxysms, it is requisite to guard against out-door 11 110 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS exposures; patients should not venture into a chilly or damp atmosphere. They should not fatigue themselves with exercise, or stand, or sit, in any place where there is a draft of cold air, and the clothing should be ample and sufficient. 5.—Yellow Fever. This very acute and dangerous febrile affection, is called yellow fever, because complicated in its second stage with jaundice, and at a later stage, accompanied by vomiting of black matter. Many writers on the subject, regard it as a variety of typhus; and others regard it simply a malignant bilious fever. Its regular occurrence is usually confined to tropical climates, but it has pre- vailed epidemically in the temperate regions. Some have also regarded the disease an inflammation of the mucus coat of the stomach and bowels, highly exas- perated by atmospheric heat, so that it runs through its stages with much greater rapidity than in cooler climates. The yellow color of the skin is attributed to an obstruc- tion of the gall-bladder, preventing the secretion of the liver from escaping, it is thus thrown back upon the system, and becomes universally present in the skin. Causes.—There has been much speculation in relation to the cause of this malady; it is believed, however, to be the result of exposure in hot climates, to miasms arising from decaying vegetable matter on the one hand, and to a struggle in the system to become acclimated, on the other. Symptoms.—The premonitory symptoms of yellow fever, are giddiness; wandering pains in the back and limbs; slight chills; nausea, and frequent sensations of faintness. After these symptoms have continued awhile, ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. Ill a reaction occurs, the circulation becomes excited; the face flushed ; the eyes red ; there are violent pains in the head, back, loins, and extremities; distress of the stomach, and vomiting of acid, bilious matters; the sur- face becomes dry with intense thirst, and sometimes delirium. The paroxysms continue about twenty-four hours, though sometimes they continue for a much longer period; after which there is a disappearance of the symptoms, except a distressed sensation in the stomach, with nausea and vomiting. Several hours may pass away while the patient is in this state ; after which, there is a return of the former symptoms in some degree of an aggravated form; the stomach now becomes extremely tender to the touch, and painful vomiting becomes incessant and violent; the matter vomited is darker in color ; the skin and eyes acquire a yellow tinge, and the mind becomes confused and wandering. This stage lasts from twelve to forty-eight hours, with slight remission of the symp- toms in some cases, towards the termination. The third stage usually sets in immediately, and this is characterised by the complete black vomit. At this period, there is a rapid sinking of all the powers of the system. The pulse sinks, and perhaps, intermits; the tongue becomes dry, black, and shrivelled; the breath irregular and laborious ; cramps seize the calves of the legs, and the bowels; the whole countenance loses its life-like expression; the extremities become cold; colli- quative sweats; diarrhoea; hemorrhages, and loss of intellect; and finally, death ends the scene. This is but a brief outline of some of the ordinary s}^mptoms of this malady, given merely to furnish some idea of its course. The practitioner, however, will find 112 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS this description only of general use, as each individual case will present its own peculiar character, when it comes up for treatment. Treatment.—Wherever an opportunity has offered itself for the trial of homoeopathic treatment in this fearful disease, it has signalised itself above every other mode of practice that has been brought to bear. Dr. Leon and others were eminently successful in combatting the late epidemic in New Orleans. The remedies found most successful are Aeon., Ars., Bell, Bry., Chin., Cantk, Carbo veg., Ipecac, Lachesis, Mercurius, Nux vom., Rhus., Sulphur and Veratrum. Aconite is suitable in the first and second stages when there are burning and dry skin, red cheeks, full and rapid pulse; red and sensitive eyes; tongue natural or covered with a whitish slimy coat; lips and mouth dry; vomiting of mucus and bile; urine dark red; violent febrile reac- tion; sensation of intense heat; great thirst; acute pains in the temples, forehead, or on the side of the head; vertigo on rising; the eyes weak and sensitive to light; pains and soreness in the back and limbs; nausea; general sense of debility; great heat and irritability of the stomach; short and anxious respiration. When the fever is on, great anguish, anxiety and restlessness, and for the most part delirium at night. DOSE.—Dissolve two drops, or twelve globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour or two hours until a change, or if another remedy is needed, Belladonna may often be used with advan- tage in alternation with this remedy in the first stage. Arsenicum is reported to have been used with signal success during the late siege of yellow fever at the South, and the following symptoms are believed to be indicative of its use: yellowish or bluish color of the face, eyes sunken and dull, with a mark under them; whites of the ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 113 eyes yellow; nose pointed; general coldness of the body, with cold and clammy sweat; lips and tongue brown or black; colliquative sweats; pulse irregular or quick, weak, small and frequent, or suppressed and trembling sense of extreme debility; dull, throbbing, stunning or shooting pains in the head; burning or short darting pains in the region of the liver; frequent involuntary evacuations, or with tenesmus; oppression of the chest, with rapid and anxious breathing; cramps in the calves of the legs; violent vomiting, and great oppression at the stomach, especially after drinking; drawing and cramp- like pains in the abdomen; sensation as if a weight was pressing upon the bowels; great indifference; weakness of the memory; delirium, with great flow of ideas; loss of consciousness, and loss of sense. DOSE.—Dissolve two drops, or twelve globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every half hour until some change is pro- duced in the symptoms. In cases of less violent symptoms, the remedy may be repeated every hour or two hours, &c. Belladonna may be given in the first stage when there is glowing redness and bloated appearance of the countenance, eyes red and sparkling, or fixed and glis- tening, or protruding; tongue loaded with foul, yellowish or brownish mucus; pulse variable, or when there is a dry burning heat upon the surface; sharp shooting pains in the head; violent throbbing of the arteries in the temples; cramp-like pains in the back and loins and legs, and also in the stomach, with pressure; violent vomitings, or inclination to vomit; great depression and melancholy during the remission, and when reaction comes on, with great agitation, continual tossing and anguish. DOSE.—Dissolve twelve globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, or two drops may be used instead of 11* 114 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS the globules. This remedy may be advantageously used in alternation with Aconite at intervals of two hours. Bryonia is suitable for the first stage, when there are yellowness of the skin; redness of the eyes; dry tongue, loaded with white or yellow coating; rapid and full •pulse, or else, weak and rapid; burning sensation in the stomach, with severe pain and vomiting, especially after drinking; burning thirst; pains in the back and limbs; pains in the head, aggravated by moving; eyes painful, on moving them ; fulness and oppression in the stomach and bowels; great dread of the future, with much anxiety ; loss of memory, and delirium. DOSE.—Twelve globules may be dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, or two drops; and a teaspoonful may be given every hour, or every two hours, according to the severity of the symptoms, until a change, or some other remedy is required. China is of service in the first and second stages, when there is very apparent remissions; yellowness of the skin and eyes; tongue loaded with white coating, or of a brownish color; or when there is excessive weakness and prostration, after discharges of blood from the nose or from the bowels. DOSE.—Dissolve twelve globules, or two drops, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until a change of the symptoms. This remedy is useful, after Sulphur, and may be alternated with Bry. or Rhus. Cantharis is sometimes indicated in the third stage, when there is complete insensibility, cramps in the abdominal muscles and limbs; suppression of urine; discharges of blood from the bowels; and cold sweat on the hands and feet. DOSE.—Dissolve twelve globules, or two drops, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every half hour, until there is a decided change, or a perceptible impression «nd modification of the symptoms. Carbo veg. is also one of the most useful remedies in ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 115 the third stage, and has sometimes proved curative. The symptoms that particularly indicate its use, are, putrid breath; dark colored coating, very thick, upon the tongue ; vomitings of putrid, offensive matters; and the discharge of liquid, offensive, putrescent stools. DOSE.—The same in all respects as Cantharis. Ipecacuanha is one of the most important remedies in the earliest stage of the disease, when the first symp- toms declare themselves as, dizziness; slight chills; pains in the back and limbs; uneasy sensations at the stomach, with nausea, vomiting, and fainting. DOSE.—Dissolve twelve globules, or two drops, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until there is a decided change in the symptoms. If the disease is not arrested by this remedy in the first stage, it may be essentially modified, so that an alternation with some other remedy as indicated, may so mitigate the second and third stages, as to promote the recovery of the patient. Lachesis is particularly indicated for the third stage, when there is a sunken paleness of the countenance, with eyes sunken, and a black streak beneath them; or when there is continued burning in the stomach, with inclina- tion to vomit; or vomiting of dirty, dark-colored matter; and burning discharges from the bowels, of a putrescent odor ; great prostration, and loss of consciousness. DOSE.—Twelve globules, or two drops, may be dissolved in four table- spoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every half hour, until a change. Mercurius viv. is suitable in the first and second stages, when there is yellow color of the skin; redness of the whites of the eyes ; paralysis of some of the limbs; thick, white, moist fur upon the tongue, or covered with white mucus stools, sometimes thin and watery; pulse irregular, strong and quick, intermittent, or weak and trembling; inclined to sleep, or restless from nervous irritation; sensation of fatigue and debility; rapid loss 116 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS of strength ; dizziness, or pain in the head ; violent con- vulsive vomiting of mucus and bilious matter; tenderness of the stomach ; constipation, or diarrhoea, with discharges of slime, bile, or blood; coldness and cramps of the anus and legs; great sensitiveness of all the organs; agitation; loss of memory; forebodings;, depression of spirits ; sullen, or raving. DOSE.—Dissolve twelve globules, or two drops, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, until mitigation or change; useful after Aeon, and Bell. Nux vom. is often to be consulted for the first and second stages, when indicated by yellow skin, pale yellowish appearance of the face around the mouth and nose; lower portions of the whites of the eyes, yellow; eyes inflamed, with redness of the balls, or surrounded with a dark circle and full of tears; tongue with a white or yellow fur, or dry, cracked and brown, with red edges; variable pulse; burning pains in the stomach and pressing, cramp-like pains; vomiting of bilious, acid or mucus matters; violent hiccough; sensitiveness of the eyes to light; vertigo, or pains in the head; tremors of the limbs; cramps in different parts; thirst for beer and other stimulants; spasms in the bowels, and contraction of the abdominal muscles; stools loose and slimy, or bilious with blood; burning at the neck of the bladder, with painful urination; cramps, coldness and paralysis of the limbs and extremeties; great anxiety; fear of death; muttering and moaning and loss of con- sciousness. DOSE.—Twelve globules, or two drops, may be dissolved in a half-pin< tumbler half full of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every hour or two hours; Veratrum is suitable after Nux vom. Rhus tox. is suitable when the surface is of a dirty yellow color, eyes sunken and glassy; dry and black ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 117 tongue; brownish dry lips; pulse quick and small; delirium and disposition to talk; sleepy, with noisy breathing; constant moaning; pain and distressing burn; ing in the stomach; nausea and vomiting; paralysis of the lower extremities ; spasms in the abdomen; want of power over the abdominal muscles; colic and diarrhoea - difficulty and pain in swallowing; dulness and cloudi- ness of the intellect; delirium and great inquietude. DOSE—Twelve globules, or two drops, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours ; Bryonia is suitable for alterna- tion with this remedy. Sulphur, in the first and second stages, is commended when the face is pale or yellowish; little sores in the mouth; dry, rough, reddish tongue, or coated with a brownish white; quick pulse and full; stools whitish, greenish, brownish or bloody; dizziness or sharp pains in the head; burning and itching pains in the eyes; roaring noises in the ears; nausea, with trembling and weakness; vomiting of bilious, acid, bloody or blackish matter; pressure and pain in the stomach; pains in the back and loins; melancholy, sad, timid, undecided, wan- dering. DOSE.—Dissolve twelve globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, or two drops, and give a teaspoonful every four or six hours. Yeratrum is adapted to the second and third stages, and should be resorted to when there is a yellowish or bluish color of the face; cold, and covered with cold perspiration; yellowish, watery, cloudy or dull eyes; dry tongue, brown and cracked; hiccough; coldness of the hands and feet; trembling and cramps of the feet, hands and legs; evacuations loose, blackish or yellowish; pulse slow, and almost extinct, or small, quick and inter- mittent ; general prostration of strength; confusion of the head, or vertigo; deafness; difficult swallowing 118 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS intense thirst; violent vomiting of green bile and mucus, or black bile and blood; burning in the stomach, abdo- men and limbs; diarrhoea; timid, despondent, restless, loss of sense, coma, or violent delirium. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in a wineglassful of water,; give a teaspoonful every hour. Diet and Regimen.—During the course of this fever, in any of its forms, no solid food whatever can be allowed, and even thin gruels can only be allowed in small quan- tities at a time. 1. Drinks.—Water, toast water, barley tea, or tea made of groats. 2. Food.—Gruel, made thin, or rice flour, wheat flour and sago; all food and drink should be taken in exceeding small quantities at a time, and cold, and at regular intervals, say midway between the times of giving the medicine. In the first stage the patient must avoid exercise and keep quiet; he must be exposed, if possible, to only a moderate degree of heat, in well ventilated apartments. Great attention must be paid to proper ablutions with tepid water, and the air of the apartment should be changed as often as possible. Eruptive Fevers. By this term is understood those fevers, attended by some kind of eruption on the skin, varying in its character according to the nature of the disease; under this head are included, 1. Nettle rash. 2. Scarlet rash. 3. Scarlet fever. 4. Measles. 5. Erysipelas. 6. Chicken pox. 7. Yarioloid, and 8. Small pox. 1. Nettle rash. Urticaria. Hives. This affection is by no means regarded dangerous, although the burning, stinging and itching that attends it renders it exceedingly annoying. Symptoms.—The eruption is much like that produced ORGANS, and their treatment. 119 by the sting of the nettle, from which it takes its name; a pale, red or whitish eminence, surrounded by a purple color; on making its appearance it is attended with heat, burning, tingling and itching in the spots; the blotches are constantly changing from one position to another, or disappearing in a few hours on one part, and appearing on another; cold is more favorable to their appearance than warmth. Cause.—Changes of the temperature; over-eating and drinking, by eating herring or shell-fish, or some kinds of fruit, as strawberries. Treatment.—The remedies employed in the treatment of this affection, are Aeon., Calcarea, Cham., Bryonia, Dulcamara, Ipec, Mercurius, Nux vom., Nit. acid, Pulsa- tilla, Rhus and Sulphur. Aconite.—When the eruption is attended with accele- ration of the pulse. Bryonia.—When the rash is occasioned by damp weather, and attended with shivering, and also when'the rash strikes in. Calcarea.—When the rash is of a chronic character. DOSE.—Of the two former remedies, dissolve a drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every three hours until the rash disappears. Of the latter, the same solution, and give a teaspoonful morning and evening. Dulcamara.—When the rash is produced by a cold, preceded by stinging. Ipecac.—When the rash is accompanied with nausea or a sick feeling at the stomach. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, of either of the above two remedies, may be dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every three hours. Mercurius is useful when the rash is somewhat of a chronic character, attended with burning, itching and stinging sensation. 120 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS DOSE._One drop, or six globules, in half a pint tumbler of water, a teaspoonful morning and evening. Nux vomica is useful when the rash is occasioned by indigestion of ordinary food, or fruits, oysters, or other shell-fish. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, a tea- spoonful every three hours until relieved. Nitric acid is useful when the rash is somewhat chronic, accompanied with sensation as if insects were biting, and itching and biting whenever the rash appears. DOSE—Similar to that of Nux vomica, to be given three times a day, at intervals of six hours. Pulsatilla is particularly serviceable when the rash is produced by eating fat meats, or any greasy kind of food. DOSE.—The same as directed for Nux vomica. Rhus tox. is suitable when the rash is of a red, shining appearance, accompanied with slight fever, occurring from cold or damp weather. DOSE__One drop, or six globules, dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful every four hours until relieved. Sulphur is suitable in the more chronic cases, when the rash occasions scratching, which leaves an annoying itching and burning of the skin, and also when it accom- panies any chronic derangement of the stomach. DOSE._0ne drop, or six globules, in a spoonful of water, may be taken morning and evening. Diet and Regimen.—Toast and black tea, or gruel thickened with wheat flour and milk, and other simple kinds of food, free from condiments or stimulants of any kind. When the rash is without any complication with other diseases, it will generally disappear under the above treatment in a very short time, but should any accom- panying disease be regarded the source of the rash, the treatment will be modified according to symptoms. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 121 2.—Scarlet Rash.—{Miliara purpura.) This affection consists of small granular elevations, easily felt by passing the hand over the surface; dark, red efflorescence, which leaves no white imprint from pressure of the finger. It is often mistaken for measles or scarlet fever. Symptoms.—Chilliness, alternating with heat; heavi- ness and fulness of the head; vertigo, and pain in the forehead at first, after which the eruption begins to 'appear on the covered parts and above the bend of the joints, sometimes soreness of the throat precedes the eruption, which subsides when it fully makes its appearance. This affection is not regarded dangerous unless the eruption strikes in; in such an event, the throat usually becomes sore and inflamed, and may assume a dangerous form; great caution is requisite to keep the disease out, or otherwise it may affect some of the vital organs, pro- ducing derangement of the brain, &e. The disease is evidently of a contagious character, and it may appear in the same individual several times. Treatment.—The remedies employed in the treatment of this affection are Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia, Coffea, Ipecac, and Opium. Aconite is, for the most part, the only remedy required when the disease is uncomplicated, as it will affect a speedy cure. DOSE._One drop, or six globules, dissolved in a tumbler of water, give a spoonful every three hours, but under other circumstances, Belladonna will be needed when there is fulness of the head, and the eyes seem red and suffused, and there is a proneness to start in opening and closing the eyes and pain in the forehead. 12 122 diseases involving the various DOSE._0ne drop of the dilution, or six globules, may be dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every two hours until the symptoms disappear. Bryonia will be required when the eruption is slow in making its appearance, or when it suddenly disap- pears, and there is nausea or glairy vomitings. DOSE.—The same as directed for Belladonna, until the particular symptoms disappear. Coffea will be indicated when there is a restless, whining mood, or pain in the head, back, and extremities. DOSE.—The same as directed for Aconite, and it may be administered in alternation with this remedy, at intervals of three hours. Ipecac, will be of service if there is nausea, and a retarded appearance of the eruption; or if the eruption recedes, producing sickness at the stomach. DOSE.—The same as that directed for Belladonna and Bryonia. Opium is required when there is stupor, or fulness about the head, producing an inclination to sleep, without being restless. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful every three hours, until the particular symptoms disappear. As this affection is often complicated with scarlet fever, and measles, the treatment required under such circumstances, may be the same as indicated in these diseases. Diet and Regimen.—Plain toast and black tea, or gruel made of wheat flour, arrow-root, or rice flour, or toast-water, or barley-gruel. The greatest care should be exercised, not to take cold, for a serious relapse may be the consequence, attended with symptoms of a formidable character. Overloading the stomach, may also induce a relapse, that results in a dangerous sequel. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 123 3.—Scarlet Fever. {Scarlatina.) This disease, is generally believed to be of a contagious character, and is usually regarded as the most formidable of any of the eruptive fevers among children. There are three varieties of the disease, viz: the simple, anginose, and malignant. The simple Scarlet Fever, is usually preceded by chilliness; weariness of the limbs ; peevishness and fret- fulness ; pain in the head; nausea, or sickness at the stomach, and sometimes vomiting, after which, the eruption begins to appear in patches, covering the entire body with a bright, scarlet eruption; the breath appears foul; the tongue loaded with a white coating; inflam- mation of the tonsils, but without ulceration. The anginose variety, makes its appearance with more violent symptoms; great acceleration of the pulse, and continual vomiting for hours, of green, bilious matter; when the vomiting subsides, there is an eruption of a paler appearance, that begins to manifest itself in patches; the tonsils become inflamed and swollen, and severely ulcerated; and the breath has an exceedingly offensive odor; and the tongue is loaded with a dirty, white coating, or appears red; and the papillae swollen; there is great prostration, and swelling of the parotid glands, and also the glands of the under jaw; the fever is intense, and the chest seems afflicted with catarrhal difficulty; and not unfrequently, there is a constant discharge of hot, acrid mucus from the nose; the tongue is dry and swollen. The malignant form of the disease, manifests the most violent symptoms about the head, it is sudden in its appearance, and often terminates fatally, before the eruption has fully made its appearance; but when such 124 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS is not the case, there is continual vomiting, violent pain in the head ; stupor; eyes half closed ; pale eruption in spots, of the color of brick-dust; and not unfrequently, thin, acrid, and burning discharges from the nose. These are the general characteristics of the three forms, but great variations in the symptoms, may be met with, that will call for corresponding treatment. Scarlet fever rarely attacks persons of adult age; in general, it may be regarded a disease of childhood, though, in some cases, persons of mature age have been its subjects. Treatment.—The remedies employed in the treat- ment of scarlet fever in its various forms, are, Aeon., Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Calc. carb., Chamomilla, Digitalis, Dulcamara, Hellelorus nig., Hepar sulph., Kali carb., Lycopodium, Mercurius, Nitric acid, Nux vom., Opium, Phosphorus, Phosph. acid, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox., Sulphur, Silicea. Aconite.—When the fever runs high in the first stage of simple scarlet fever, that has been preceded by chilli- ness, and there is throbbing of the temples, and vomiting of greenish matters. DOSE.—Six globules, or one drop, in half a tumbler of water, a tea- spoonful every hour, until the eruption is completely out, and then refer to Belladonna. Arsenicum is indicated when there is a heavy, fetid odor from the mouth, with continual inclination to vomit; great heat about the head, and strongly marked indications of cerebral disturbance; a discharge of hot, acrid water from the nose; fetid ulceration of the throat; great prostration, and loss of consciousness; pulse rapid, full and tense; stupor and delirium. This remedy is suited to the malignant form of the disease. DOSE._One drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, a tea- spoonful every two hours, until mitigation or change. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 125 Belladonna is useful after Aconite, in simple inflam- matory scarlet fever after the fever is somewhat subdued, and the throat appears to be seriously affected; tonsils swollen and red ; the skin of a scarlet hue ; the tongue coated, and red around the edges; the pulse quick and strong, and particularly, when the disease appears in its simple form, without any prominent febrile symptoms. DOSE.—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful every three hours, until mitigation or change. It should be administered as soon as the throat and tongue become affected with dryness and burning, provided the other indications are present. Bryonia is indicated when there is vomiting of white glairy mucus, and the eruption is slow in making its appearance; it promotes the bringing out of the eruption after it has receded. DOSE.—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful every three hours ; this remedy may also be followed by Belladonna, the same as directed for the use of this remedy. Calc. carb. is particularly indicated in the more malignant form of the disease, when complicated with scrofula, or the subject has been known previously to be affected with herpetic eruptions, that have been sup-. pressed, and also by pale, sunken expression of the countenance; stupor; swelling of the parotid and sub- maxillary glands; red, glairy appearance of the tongue; disposition to sleep; pale color of the eruption and in patches. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, maybe dissolved in four tablespoon- fuls of water, and a tablespoonful may be given first, and Belladonna may be given if otherwise indicated three hours after; Calc. carb. should not be repeated oftener than once in two days; during the interval any remedy indicated by the acute symptoms may be given every three hours. Chamomilla is indicated when there is in the com- mencement great restlessness and inquietude, and also when there is pain in the stomach, preceding the appear- ance of the eruption; fretful, wheezing and moaning; 126 diseases involving the various the eruption red and distinct; slight indications of per- spiration on some parts of the body, and particularly on the face and forehead; tossing about or throwing about the arms and legs, and also for rawness of the face. DOSE._This medicine may be given four globules at a time, every three hours, either in water or dry upon the tongue, or one drop of the dilution in four spoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful at a time, every three hours, until amelioration or change. Digitalis is particularly applicable in local affections arising from scarlet fever, such as dropsy of the chest; the symptoms which indicate its use are: small, quick, soft pulse; labored breathing, as if the patient were smothering; tumefaction of the countenance; pale, sickly appearance of the face; great debility and want of strength in the limbs; discharges of watery pus from the ears. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, a tea- spoonful every four hours ; this remedy may be used in alternation with Arsenicum, or Helleborus, or Calcarea carb. Dulcamara may be used to obviate deafness after an attack of scarlet fever, attended with pains in the ears, when there still remains heat and dryness of the skin, or when the scarlet fever has appeared suddenly after a cold. DOSE.—The same in all respects as for Digitalis. Helleborus nig. is particularly indicated when general dropsy sets in, as an after effect of scarlet fever, and may be associated with Arsenicum, Bryonia and Rhus. DOSE.—Of either remedy, one drop, or six globules, may be dissolved iu four spoonfuls of water, and one spoonful may be given three times a day. Hepar sulphur is another remedy to be consulted in obstinate dropsical difficulties, or discharges from the ears, or stoppage in the nose, when they appear as the after effects of scarlet fever. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 127 DOSE.—Four globules, or one drop of the dilution may be given twice a day, or Hepar. may be given at night, and Puis, in the morning. Kali carbonicum is indicated when there is continued inflammation of the parotid glands, and catarrhal diffi- culties implicating the chest, or sore throat, remaining after the fever has disappeared. DOSE.—The same in all respects as for Hep. Sulph. Lycopodium is suitable for internal inflammation of the ears, discharge of pus, and for obstinate dropsical difficulties, after the use of Helleborus. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, twice a day. Mercurius viv. is a good remedy against soreness of the nose and face after the fever, with swelling of the sub-maxillary glands; it may be followed with Silicea or Sulphur. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given twice a day ; twenty- four hours should elapse in all cases after the use of this remedy, before either of the others are employed. Nitric acid is a useful remedy in scarlet fever, when it assumes the typhoid form; when there is a kind of half sleep and stupor; severe and dangerous ulceration of the tonsils; snoring and difficult breathing; coldness of the lower limbs and feet. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water ; a teaspoonful may be given every hour, until the vital energies appear to be aroused, or there is some amelioration or change. Nux vomica is particularly indicated during the fever, when there is a large quantity of viscid mucus secreted from the inflamed surface of the throat, which adheres so closely that it is difficult to expel, and that sometimes threatens suffocation; it may be used in alternation with Pulsatilla. DOSE. Of either—One drop, or four globules, two or three times a day, or in alternation every four or six hours. Opium is a useful remedy to follow Belladonna when 128 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS there is burning heat of the skin; drowsiness; stupor; snoring respiration; open mouth; eyes half closed; restlessness, with vomiting and convulsions; furious delirium; restlessness, and continual movements of the hands in the commencement of the disease. DOSE__One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in four tablespoon- fuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every two hours, until the system becomes aroused, or there is some mitigation or change. Pulsatilla is decidedly indicated when the face is pale, and bloated or red, and also when the stomach and digestive organs are deranged; when there is constipa- tion of the bowels; or, on the other hand, looseness at night, and occasionally with pains in the bowels and shivering; disposition of a fretful, irritable, sensitive, melancholy character. DOSE—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop, in four table- spoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every two hours; when the patient is known to be of a scrofulous habit, one dose of four globules of sulphur may precede the use of pulsatilla. Phosphorus is an excellent remedy in the fever when there is dry and hard tongue, and lips covered with blackish scabs, loss of speech and hearing, difficulty of swallowing, inability to retain urine, excessive falling off of the hairs. DOSE.—In all respects the same as directed for Pulsatilla. Phos. acid is useful in the after-effects of the fever, when there are boils, clusters of red, fine rash pimples, gouty affection of the joints, stitching in the ears, diffi- culty of hearing, intolerance of music and noise, tough phlegm in the throat, swelling of the parotid glands, and discharge of thin pus from the ears. DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a tablespoonful morning and evening, until a change. Rhus tox. is particularly indicated if the eruption degenerates into a kind of vesicular erysipelas, with ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 129 inclination to sleep; starting and agitation; stoppage of the urine, and violent thirst. It is also useful in the after-effects of the fever, when there is a tendency to general dropsy. It may be used alone or in alternation with Bryonia, Helleborus or Arsenicum, as the particular symptoms may indicate. DOSE.—Rhus tox. may be given every three hours, four globules in a spoonful of water, or one drop may be dissolved in half a tumbler of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every three hours, or in alternation with either of the above named remedies every three hours. Sulphur may be employed in the commencement of an attack of scarlet fever, where there is any thing like a scrofulous habit, or where it is known that the patient has previously suffered from tetter or any herpetic erup- tion that has been suppressed, or where there is a head affection that will not yield to Belladonna, or lethargic sleep, starts, convulsions of the eyes or continued delirium; puffed and bright red face; obstruction of the nose; dry, cracked, red tongue, covered with brownish mucus; thirst and difficulty in swallowing, or in the after-affects when there is swelling of the glands; pains in the ears, and discharge of pus; or when there is loss of mind, or memory, or more positive indications of idiocy, it may be used in alternation with Phosphorus in this latter difficulty. DOSE.—Sulphur when used in the commencement of the fever, may be repeated every six hours, one drop, or four globules ; but in the after-effects it is sufficient to repeat a dose of one drop, or six globules, every twenty- four hours. Silicea is particularly useful in the after-affects, when there is swelling of the glands, discharge of thick pus from the ears, or chronic stoppage of the nose, inflamma- tion of the parotid glands. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, every twenty-four hours. 130 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS There are other remedies that may be employed in the treatment of scarlet fever, but the above group embraces the principal remedies. Sometimes in severe cases attended with heat in the head, cold water has been applied, but this is' seldom to be recommended; but more rarely hot or warm water applied to the head under such circumstances may be attended with favorable results; cloths dipped in very warm water may be applied to the head, while internal remedies are being administered, but they should be removed when there appears to be any mitigation of the symptoms. Diet and Regimen.—There is but little that can be taken of any kind of food during the raging of the fever; very thin rice gruel, or gruel made of arrowroot may he given in small quantities, when the mouth and throat are exceedingly dry or parched; a little warm milk and water may be given to moisten them; and also, when thick scales accumulate on the teeth and lips, or dry scabs, warm milk and water may be employed to cleanse the mouth and to moisten the scabs; after the fever has abated, and there begins to be a craving for food, great care should be exercised to avoid taxing the digestive organs; a single portion of food unsuited to the con- dition of the stomach may provoke a relapse, attended with all the dangerous sequels of the disease; swabbing the mouth in the morning with warm water, or milk and water, even after convalescence becomes established, is recommended; a little plain or milk toast may be allowed at regular intervals after the fever has disappeared and the appetite returns; when it is found that digestion goes regularly on, a small quantity of digestible meat may be allowed, with bread once a day, until the normal ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 131 strength is regained; beef or mutton, or chicken boiled, are best; the two latter may be made into a soup, with rice or barley; vegetables should be avoided for some weeks after convalescence from a serious attack of scarlet fever. 4.—Measles. {Rubeola.) This disease for the most part, rages as an epidemic, and is generally confined to children, though adults, are by no means exempt from it. It is not regarded a dangerous disease, if properly treated, but sometimes, it is made formidable, by the injudicious treatment given it. In adults it has a more critical character than in children. It rarely attacks the second time. The disease is often followed by serious consequences, and the after effects may be regarded more painful and dangerous than the disease itself. .This is sometimes termed the dreg left behind, is simply the result of improper treat- ment, for instance: It is manifestly improper to give a patient, when sickening with measles, any heating or stimu- lating teas, to Iring out the eruption ; for the practice, in one case out of three, would be productive of severe cough and the incipient seeds of consumption. Cold drinks are preferable, and by far the most to be relied upon, as fulfilling the requirements of the system. Symptoms.—Measles, as well as other species of erup- tive fevers, come on very much like a common cold, and it is not easy to discriminate the incipient stage of the disease, and that of many other maladies; when measles are prevailing epidemically, they are observed to come on with chilliness; short, dry cough; running from the eyes and nose; redness of the eyes ; and fever, more or less intense, preceding the eruption from four to five 132 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS days, which generally continues until the eruption is perfectly developed, and even throughout the disease, gradually diminishing as the eruption disappears. The character of the eruption is that of small red spots upon the skin, often found in the shape of small, irregular arcs. They usually make their appearance on the face and neck, become confluent, and gradually extend down the body. About the sixth or seventh day after sick- ening, the eruption'begins to turn pale on the parts, where it first made its appearance, and then on the remaining portions of the body, and generally about the ninth day, it entirely disappears, with a bran-like shedding of the outer skin; this is a distinguishing sign of this disease. Treatment.—The apartments of the patient should be well-ventilated. The remedies employed, are Aconite, Arsenicum, Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Cham., Calc. c, Carlo veg., China, Conium, Drosea, Dulcamara, Hyos- ' ciamus, Hepar sulph., Ignatia, Ipecac, Lachesis, Mercurius, Nux vom., Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Sulphur. Aconite may always be given in the first stage of measles, uncomplicated with any chronic difficulty when there is fever; full, tense, or bounding pulse; pain in the head, and back, and loins; dry heat of the skin; redness of the eyes ; intolerance of light; general weak- ness or prostration, and when the fever is of an inflam- matory type, this remedy may prove sufficient to effect a cure in a short time. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in six tablespoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful may be given every three hours. Arsenicum is called into requisition in the treatment of measles, when there appears to be a great struggle for the eruption to come out; when there is burning at the pit of the stomach, and vomiting of acrid matters from ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 133 the stomach, with severe and intense pain in the front part of the head, producing stupor and drowsiness; chilliness and heat simultaneously. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, a teaspoonful may be given every three hours. Arnica is indicated when the febrile stage comes on with pains in the limbs, as if bruised ; or soreness of the skin where the eruption makes its appearance; and also for swelling and inflammation of the parotid glands. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or eight globules, in six table- spoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Bryonia is a useful and efficient remedy in bringing out the eruption, when there is a short, dry, spasmodic cough, and sometimes vomiting of glairy mucus; soreness and heat in the chest; snoring respiration, as if the air- passages of the lungs were filling up; nausea; tardy appearance of the eruption. It is mostly requisite after Aconite, when the fever is of an inflammatory type. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in six tablespoonfuls of water, one tablespoonful may be given every four hours, until mitigation or change. Belladonna is useful after Aconite has been given, in the inflammatory eruptive fever, when there are strongly marked congestive symptoms, either of the head or chest; or when there is intense pain in the top of the head; throbbing in the temples; hot, dry skin; thirst; sore throat; enlargement of the tonsils; drowsi- ness ; snoring respiration; inflammation of the eyes; short, spasmodic cough, worse at night; great restless- ness, and high nervous excitement, and delirium. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. 13 134 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS Chamomilla is very useful, when there is great restlessness and anxiety, attending a short dry cough, and a disposition to be turning from side to side ; slow appearance of the eruption , and pain in the stomach, or colic; better suited to very young children, than to persons of adult age. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop of the dilution, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three houra; or in alternation with Aconite every two hours. Calc. carb. is indicated when there is any indication of measles, being complicated with scrofula; or when it becomes known that a scrofulous habit exists in the family. One or two doses of this remedy may be given at first, and afterwards, Aeon., Bell., or Bry., according to indication. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a tablespoonful, and repeat in twelve hours, afterwards use Aeon., Bry., or Bell., &c, if indicated. Carbo Yeg. is better suited to some of the after- effects, when there is great debility and aching in the lumbar region; cold feet, and great difficulty in getting warm, with hard dry cough, or cough with fetid expec- toration; ulceration of the throat; short respiration, and accelerated pulse. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in six spoonfuls of water, and a spoonful may be given three times a day, until some benefit is derived, or change. China is very suitable for great debility after the disease, attended with diarrhoea, and particularly if there are neuralgic pains in the limbs, teeth or face. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a tablespoonful three times a day, until better, or a change. Conium is suited to the after effects, when from the inflammation of the eyes, there are spots left upon the cornea; spasmodic cough, with little expectoration of ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 135 tough mucus; or when there is ulceration of the tonsils, or inflammation of the ears; accumulation of ear-wax, and purulent discharge from the nose. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be dissolved in a spoonful of water and given every twenty-four hours, at night. Drosera, in a majority of cases, when there is a cough remaining after an uncomplicated case of measles, will be specific; when the cough is violent or comes on in paroxysms, there can be but little doubt of its effecting a cure. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful every three hours. Dulcamara will often cure a cough that is left after measles, characterised by moisture, or hoarseness and much mucus expectoration, tightness of the chest, or indications of dropsy. (Hydrothorax.) DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, dissolved in half a tumbler of water, may be given a teaspoonful at a time, every six hours. Hyoscyamus, for a cough after measles, that resembles the whooping cough; or for a cough with expectoration of greenish mucus; or when there are paroxysms of deep hollow dry cough at night, affecting the head and eyes; or causing the appearance of dark spots before the eyes. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until better, or a change. Hepar Sulph., when there is a rough hoarse cough, without expectoration, dryness of the throat, and predis- posed to croup. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water twice a day, or three times a day If the cough be of a croupy character. Ignatia is suitable for an after-cough, from constric- tion of the throat pit; or when there is soreness as if a plug were in the throat; or when there is swelling of the 136 diseases involving the various parotid glands; or sensitive disposition, and a dry cough with disposition to weep. DOSE.__Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every four hours until better, or a change. Ipecacuanha, when there are bilious vomitings or nausea previous to the appearance of the eruption; or when there is a cough with retching, either before the eruption comes out, or as an after effect of the disease; this remedy may follow the use of aconite when the indications for both remedies are present. DOSE.—Dissolve six globules, or one drop, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give aieaspoonful every two hours, if preceding the eruption, or every four hours, if after, or in alternation with Bryonia, every three hours. Lachesis is particularly indicated when there is an after cough with inflammation and gangrene of the tonsils; or when there is gnawing at the pit of the stomach, or dryness of the throat and mouth; or when there is diarrhoea with putrid discharges from the bowels after measles. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, two or three times a day. Mercurius is indicated for the after effects of measles, when there is cough and derangement of the stomach; flow of watery saliva in the mouth; swelling of the parotid glands; dysenteric stools, or diarrhoea with bilous discharges from the bowels. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every three hours, until a disappearance of symptoms, or change. Nux vom. may be applicable after Aconite, when the disease is making its appearance. Its use is indicated by dry, hollow cough; pain in the head, back and limbs; nausea, chilliness and heat, or vertigo; redness of the eyes, and stoppage of the nose; tongue coated white and dry. ORGANS, and their treatment. 137 DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a teaspoonful every three hours, or in alternation with Aconite every three hours. Phosphorus is indicated if there is dry, hollow cough; pain in the chest; stitchings from one side to the other; great inflammation of the eyes and dread of light; strong tendency of the disease towards the head; rapid pulse ; eruption making its appearance irregularly, of a pale color, and also when cough and diarrhoea manifest them- selves as an after effect, and tenderness of the skin. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water ; give a teaspoonful every three hours, until better or change ; Arnica and Phosphorus may be used in alternation at intervals of four hours. Pulsatilla is one the most valuable remedies when there is derangement of the stomach, or cough, worse towards evening, or during the night, attended with rattling of mucus in the air passages, or much expectoration of thick, yellowish or white mucus, some- times followed by vomiting, or symptoms approaching suffocation; also, when the discharge from the nose is of a thick, greenish or yellowish appearance. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop", or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a teaspoonful every three hours. In scrofulous sub- jects, a dose of sulphur may be given once a day when administering the Pulsatilla, and in dark complexioned persons, of a bilious temperament, Nux vomica may be used in alternation every three hours. Sepia sue. is a valuable remedy for an after cough in females, where there is considerable debility and fulness of the head, or sick headache. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a teaspoonful every six hours. Sulphur is of great value when there is violent inflam- mation of the eyes, with slightly developed eruption, or violent pains in the ears, with purulent discharges; difficulty of hearing; tearing and throbbing in the head; 13* 138 DISEASES involving the various pains in the limbs, and paralytic weakness; or if there be typhoid symptoms with loose cough and expectora- tion of mucus of a somewhat purulent form. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a tablespoonful morning and evening. There are other remedies that may be called into requisition in the treatment of this disease, which must be selected according as they are indicated; all reme- dies, of course, must be selected in view of their appli- cability to corresponding symptoms. The treatment of the after effects of measles is generally of more difficult success than that of the disease itself. As a precaution against an attack of measles when the epidemic is abroad, Pulsatilla and Aconite may be taken in alternation, morning and evening for about two weeks; and renewed after an elapse of a few days, if the epidemic has not disappeared. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules of either may be taken in a spoon- ful of water. Diet.—In the commencement give nothing but toast water, thin flour or rice gruel, barley water, black tea, not too hot; after the disease begins to abate, toast moistened with water and a very little sweet fresh butter may be allowed; and the allowance may be increased to a light tapioca or bread pudding, and even to a moderate quantity of venison, chicken, or beef steak, once a day, until the strength is fully regained, and the whole sys- tem appears to have recovered. 5—Erysipelas.—(St. Anthony's Fire.)—"Rose. This disease is classed among the eruptive fevers, because inflammation of the skin appears to be a sequel of general fever. The inflammation is for tho ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 139 most part superficial, producing tension and swelling of the part; pain and heat more or less acute, and redness by no means circumscribed, disappearing when pressed upon by the finger, but returning as soon as the pressure is removed. The disease presents two forms, one of which is termed vesicular, and the other phlegmonous; both are evidently dependent upon the same cause, and are in fact the same disease; the former presents the appearance of small vesicles on the inflamed part; the latter extends deeper into the sub-cutaneous tissue, and is in every respect dependent upon a more highly inflammatory fever than the former. The termination of the vesicular is the drying up of the vesicles which fall off in the form of branny scales on the subsidence of the fever; the phlegmonous or that which extends deeper into the sub-cutaneous tissue, generally terminates by resolution, though in some in- stances it assumes an ulcerative or gangrenous form, which terminates in the same way as other suppurative processes. Causes.—The disease may arise from derangement of the digestive functions, exposure to cold, or in conse- quence of powerful mental emotions, biliary derange- ments, menstrual difficulties, or from eating shell-fish, lobsters, &c Treatment.—The remedies employed in the treatment are Aconite, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Lachesis, Rhus tox., and some others. Aconite is required when there is high inflammatory fever, and hot dry skin in the commencement of the disease, and also during the continuance of the disease, until the vascular action abates. 140 diseases involving the various DOSE—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every two hours, until the pulse becomes diminished in frequency, and the skin assumes its normal appearance or becomes moist; in mild cases no other remedy is necessary. Arsenicum is of great service when there is a blackish hue of the vesicles, with a tendency to degenerate into gangrene; great prostration of strength; burning in the stomach; acrid vomitings, with strong tendency towards the head; burning and stinging in the part affected. DOSE.—Six globules, or one drop, may be dissolved in four spoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every four hours until a change. Sulphur may be employed after Arsenicum to effect a cure. Belladonna is indicated when there is violent pain in the head, and when the redness extends in rays, and an acute shooting pain with heat and tingling is expe- rienced in the affected part, aggravated by motion; or when the erysipelas breaks out in the face, with burning heat, excessive swelling, so that the eyes are almost closed; hot dry skin; disturbed sleep or restlessness; delirium. DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until the peculiar symptoms disappear. Bryonia is indicated when the disease affects the joints, and particularly if the stomach is deranged, and there is great prostration, or pain in the joints, produced by motion. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six" globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, as long as required ; should the gradual recuperation of the system not be apparent, the remedy may be changed to Rhus tox. Lachesis is a most important remedy, where Bella- donna fails of completing a cure, and particularly, if the vesicles appear of a dark color, or the inflammation extends into the subcutaneous tissue, producing swelling of the parts. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 141 DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop, in four tablespoon- fuls water, give a teaspoonful every three hours; and if it should appear that this remedy only produces an alteration, instead of cure, resort may be had to Rhus tox. or Arsenicum, according to indication. Rhus tox.—This remedy is one of the principal ones, in the treatment of the disorder. When Aconite is indicated, and its use changes the form of the disease, Rhus tox. may follow to complete a cure; and also when Belladonna has been previously given, this remedy may succeed with marked benefit; or it may be used in alternation with Belladonna, or with Lachesis, or Arsenicum. It is particularly applicable after Aconite in the vesicular form, when the parts become very red, and swollen, and there is a strong tendency to the head, brain, or its membranes, and the symptoms indicate something like brain fever. This remedy is also useful when the disease is produced by eating certain kinds of shell-fish or lobster, or when any exciting cause operates upon constitutional peculiarities, which predisposes the patient to such attacks. DOSE.—Tf administered alone, six globules maybe dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every two hours in severe cases. If after Aconite, a dose every six hours ; if in alternation with Aconite, Belladonna, Arsenicum, or Lachesis, an interval of eight hours should elapse between the doses. There are other remedies that may be called into requisition in the treatment of this disease, under pecu- liar circumstances, as Caprum met., when inflammation of the brain appears to be threatened; or Graphites^ in some forms of wandering or fugitive erysipelas; or Nux vom., if the disease affect the knee, or foot, and the parts are red and swollen. It is also useful in spurious erysipelas of irritable subjects, females in particular, and even in gangrene of the subcutaneous tissue. DOSE.—The dose of either of these remedies may be as follow: Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, of Caprum Met., in half a tumbler of 142 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS water, give a tablespoonful three times a day. Of the same of Graphites, give a spoonful every twenty-four hours. Of the same of Nux vom., give a teaspoonful every four hours, until a change. Diet and Regimen.—In acute attacks, rice-gruel, or gruel made of arrow-root, tapioca, farina, or corn-starch; during convalescence, weak soups, without any seasoning; toast and black tea, cocoa, broma, light puddings, made of bread, eggs, and milk. The apartments should be well ventilated, and kept only of a moderate temperature. In chronic cases, the diet must be plain, and free from condiments, stimulants, or anything of the kind. 6.—Chicken-pox. {Varicella) This disease is characterised by vesicles or blisters scattered over the body, which are smooth and trans- parent, and of about the size of a pea; they appear in successive groups, are covered by a thin pellicle, and usually disappear about the third, fourth, or fifth day, by bursting at the tip, and concreting into small, puckered scabs, which rarely leave a pit in the skin. The disease is almost exclusively confined to childhood, and as it runs its course rapidly, it is attended with but little danger; although in some respects it resembles small-pox, yet, unlike this disease, it seldom attacks the face to any great extent, the eruption appearing more on the scalp, shoulders, neck, and breast. There is always an ephemeral fever preceding the eruption, seldom continuing more than twenty-four hours. The fever is sometimes attended with headache. The eruption is distinguished from the smallpox pustule, by having no dent on the top. Treatment. The remedies employed, are Aconite, Belladonna, Coffea, Cantharides and Ignatia. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 143 Aconite is required when there is considerable fever. Belladonna, when there is great pain in the head. DOSE.—These remedies may be given alternately. Of a solution of six globules, or one drop, of each separately, in four tablespoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful of each may be given alternately every three hours, until better. Coffea is applicable when there is restlessness, and considerable nervous excitement; disturbed sleep, with dreams, and moaning. DOSE._Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours until relieved. Cantharides is useful when there is strangury, or obstruction of the bladder. DOSE.—The same as for Coffea. Ignatia is useful with Bell, in alternation, when there are spasms in teething children attending the disease. DOSE—The same as for Aconite and Belladonna in alternation. Pulsatilla is well suited to mild cases, and abridges their duration. DOSE—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in half a tumbler of water, and a tablespoonful may be given every three hours, until better. Diet and Regimen.—As the disease almost uniformly occurs in young children, but little change from the ordinary diet is requisite. The clothing should be loose, and the apartments well ventilated. 7.—Varioloid. {Modified Small Pox.) This disease is really small pox, modified by previous inoculation or vaccination, hence it is called modified small pox, and requires very nearly the same treatment as the unmodified form of the disease which is next described. 8—Small Pox. {Variola.) This is a contagious disease, and is marked by different stages, each of which requires different remedies. 144 DISEASES involving THE VARIOUS 1. The felrile stage usually commences in ten days or two weeks after exposure, and continues several days. It sets in with chilliness and fever, heat and dryness of the skin; hard and frequent pulse; derangement and pain in the stomach; pain in the head and back; nausea and vomiting; aching in the bones; soreness of the flesh; swimming of the head, and sometimes convulsions and delirium. 2. The eruptive stage begins on the third or fourth day, and the eruption makes its appearance on the face in the form of red points, which increase in extent and eleva- tion, and at the same time on the arms, hands and whole body. 3. The suppurative stage is when the pustules com- plete their development, (usually the size of a pea,) and become filled with a yellowish fluid, which gradually changes its color, until it assumes a turbid appearance, and each pustule is surrounded by a red circle, and has on its top a dark indentation. The eruption becomes fully developed on some parts of the body, while it is only making its appearance on others. This stage gene- rally continues three or four days, with considerable degree of fever, swelling, and flow of saliva. The fourth stage is the drying up of the pustules; they present on the top a brown appearance, and some of them burst, forming scabs. The fever abates and the swelling gradually subsides. The scales peal off, leaving a cicatrice of the pustule of a deep red color. The patient is evidently better, and free from danger. The disease is termed distinct small pox when the pus- tules are all isolated, and not running into each other. It is termed confluent when the pustules run into each other, forming an immense scab. This latter variety is ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 145 regarded more severe, and is of longer duration than the former. Treatment.—The remedies employed in the treat- ment of this disease are Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Coffee, Opium, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox., Stra- monium, and Yaccinin. Aconite is applicable in the first or febrile stage of the disease, if there is severe pain in the head; full, bounding pulse; thirst; intolerance of light, and deli- rium. Belladonna may follow Aconite when there is mani- fested a strong tendency to the head, characterised by a flushed countenance, intolerance of light, headache and delirium; great thirst; nausea and vomiting; or when there is redness of the tongue at the tip and margins; abdomen tumid and painful, particularly in the upper portion of the stomach, where it is tender to the touch; great prostration; loss of strength, and stupor. DOSE.—If given separately, of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every three hours, or if in alternation, give a teaspoonful every two hours, until the eruptive stage fully sets in. Bryonia is of great use in the eruptive stage in aiding the natural course of the eruption. It is also indicated by derangement of the stomach; bitter taste in the mouth; foulness of the tongue; headache; rheumatic pains in the limbs, aggravated by motion; constipation, and irritability of disposition; also when there are occa- sional shooting pains in the chest, especially during inspiration. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or eight globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours. Coffea is useful in the febrile stage, when there is 14 146 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOU3 great nervous excitability; its use should precede that of Aconite. DOSE.__Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in two tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until the excitability is allayed. Chamomilla is also of great service in allaying the nervous excitability of the febrile stage; it is particularly applicable to this stage in children, when there are signs of suffocation, and diarrhoea with colic and vomit- ing, or when the disease is announced with starts or convulsions, or when in the advanced stage the nights are disturbed by convulsive cough, or tightness across the chest. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until amelioration or change. Opium in the eruptive stage is of great use when there are symptoms of stupor, or strong inclination to perpetual sleep. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or a change; or in alternation with Belladonna every three hours. Pulsatilla is of great utility in confluent small pox, when the eruption is preceded by an effloresence, similar to that of measles; or else accompanies it, attended with nausea or vomiting, and an aggravation of all the symptoms towards evening. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Rhus, tox, is of great service in confluent small pox when there are rheumatic pains in the back and extremities, which become worse at night, and are somewhat relieved by movement; and also when the fever assumes a typhoid character, attended with great prostration, and signs of putrid development. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until better. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 147 Stramonium is particularly serviceable in forwarding the eruption, and in shortening its duration; that is, when some pustules appear already formed, and others appear to be forming. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until the eruption begins to disappear. Yaccinin has been in clinical use in the treatment of this disease for some time. It is believed to be effectual in curing the worst forms of the uncomplicated disease, promoting the appearance of the eruption, hastening the crisis, moderating the reaction, and protecting the skin, against the disorganisation the disease is prone to inflict. It is said to prevent the pitting so commonly found to result from the affection. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until better, or a change. There are other remedies that may be called'into use in treating the disease; as for instance, Tart, emetic, Ipecacu- anha, and Arsenicum, when there are such symptoms as indicate their use, as follows: nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst and dryness of the mouth, the tongue being at the same time very foul and dark, with great prostration of strength. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, of either in three tablespoon- fuls of water, and give a teaspoonful ever}' three hours. When small pox is attended with pleurisy, or inflamma- tion of the lungs, Phosphoros may be called into use; when there is salivation, Mercurius; Sulphur will be found in these complications an invaluable remedy. When com- plicated with laryngitis, or bronchial difficulties, Hepar Sulph. and Spongia. DOSE.— For Phos. or Mercurius, when indicated, one drop or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, a teaspoonful every six hours. Sulp. Hep- Spongia, when indicated, may be repeated once in twenty-four hours. 148 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS When the eruption strikes in (repercussion) Bryonia, Sulphur, and PulsatiUa, may be resorted to; a dose of either every three hours. Diet and Regimen.—Before detailing the diet, it may be remarked, that cool fresh air is essential for the patient, warmth being incompatible with a healthy re- action. Children attacked with convulsions in the early stage of the disease, may be relieved by taking them into the open air, or a well ventilated room without fire. Great cleanliness must be observed as an essential condition, and the linen ought to be changed frequently. The room ought to be darkened when the pustules begin to form; this will be a measurable security against disfigurement from the disease. The drink should be cold water, or cold black tea. No food should be taken warm. Gruel made of barley, rice, farina, or oatmeal is all the food to be allowed until the disease has spent its force, and convalescence becomes established; when absti- nence from animal food for some length of time is required. Boiled rice, or plain rice pudding, toast, or panada, and if desired, custards or eggs boiled soft, and a slice of toast, with cocoa or Iroma, may be allowed. Gout. (Arthritis.) This disease is characterised by inflammation and pain in the joints; it usually begins in the great toe, and then passes to the other smaller joints. Often times when it has progressed no further than the toes and smaller joints; the stomach and digestive organs in general become sympathetically deranged; and after this the more important joints may become affected. The disease is remarkably fugitive, flying from place ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 149 to place, first attacking one joint, and then another, which becomes painful, red and swollen; and usually at night. The disease may be hereditary, or it may be acquired. When it is hereditary it will manifest itself at about the age of twenty-five or thirty; or if acquired, at a later period of life. It is difficult to cure the gout, and when hereditary, this constitutional tendency must be eradicated before anything approaching a permanent cure can be effected. It is equally difficult to effect a radical cure of acquired gout, especially where the system has been further depressed by such abominations as are often resorted to for relief. A luxurious living, and habitual use of wine, are regarded fruitful sources of the disease; but other ex- citing causes may bring it on: as sudden check of perspiration, mental emotions, and sedentary, studious habits, and the use of cathartics or tonics, or any kind of stimulants, irregular habits, want of rest. General Treatment.—Persons predisposed to gout should avoid all the exciting causes of the disease, as far as possible. They should use no wine, cider, or malt liquors ; they should be regular in their meals, avoiding the use of coffee and stimulating condiments; they should take no more than one substantial meal during the day, and that at noon, and a moderate breakfast, and tea and toast in the evening. Those who have acquired the disease, should break off whatever course of life has brought it on; they should avoid aperients, or tonics, or any irregularities in eating or drinking, exposure, either in relation to sleep or rest. Medical Treatment.—The remedies employed are 14* 150 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS Aconite, Arnica, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, China, Causticum, Colocynthis, Ferrum, Mercurius, Nux vom., Pulsatilla, Rhus tox. Aconite, when there is considerable fever, as at the commencement of the disease, redness and swelling of the joints; full and bounding pulse. DOSE.—One or two drops, or six globules, in a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until the fever is subdued. Arnica, when there is great soreness, as if bruised, or as if the swelling of the joints were occasioned by a sprain, or a sense as if luxated. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours. Arsenicum, is useful when the pain in the joints is a burning, tearing, violent suffering, relieved by warmth, and aggravated by cold. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours. Belladonna.—When the pains fly quickly from one part to another, and the redness spreads very much, and is very deep; may be used in alternation with Pulsatilla. DOSE.—Dissolve two drops, or ten pellets, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours. Bryonia.—When there is aggravation of the suffering from motion, or at night, coldness and shivering, with general perspiration or fever; and also when the patient is suffering from biliary or gastric derangement. DOSE—Dissolve two drops, or twelve globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours. China.—When the parts affected cannot endure con- tact with any thing, or are worse from being touched. DOSE.—The same as for Bryonia. Causticum.—When the limbs are stiff from old gouty ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 151 swellings, and when there is a sense of laceration of the joints. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, morning and evening, not to be repeated oftener than once a week. Colocynthis.—When gout has been treated with Aconite, Bryonia or Sulphur, and the joints remain stiff, this remedy may be called into requisition. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, a spoon- ful every four or six hours. Ferrum met.—When the face is very pale and haggard, the pain stinging and tearing, worse at night, and when the limbs require to be moved from one place to another continually from a restless aching. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every six hours. Rhus tox. may follow if Ferrum does not relieve, and Bryonia if the motion aggravates instead of relieving. Mercurius is suitable when there is painful swelling of the joints, without redness, very much aggravated at night, or rendered worse when turning in the bed; attended with biliary derangement and constipation. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, every six hours. Nux vomica is exceedingly valuable in obstinate cases, when the pains are increased by motion, and attended with weakness, fretfulness, moroseness of temper, and nausea and constipation, with cramps and throbbing in the muscles. DOSE.—The same in all respects as for Mercurius. Pulsatilla is decidedly beneficial when the pains are of a shifting nature, aggravated towards evening and at night in the bed, with a paralytic or torpid sensation in the part affected, and more particularly when the dys- 152 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS peptic symptoms for which this remedy is so well suited are present, and also when the pain is relieved by uncover- ing the affected limb. DOSE._0ne drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every six hours. Rhus tox. may be used when there is paralytic weak- ness and trembling of the extremities when attempting to move them, or when the pains are worse during rest. DOSE.__One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in four tablespoon- fuls of water, and a tablespoonful must be given every morning, noon and night. For further insight into the treatment of gout, that for rheumatism may be consulted; for what will suit a group of symptoms in the one, will suit a similar group in the other; the inflammatory fever of the one is very much the same as that of the other; and there is some truth in the remark of the man who attempted to point out the specific difference between the two diseases, when he said "rheumatism is as if the joint were screwed up in a vice as tight as possible, and gout is one turn more;" with this view of the case, it is proper to state that nearly every remedy that has a curative effect in rheu- matism, will prove very beneficial in gout. With regard to the administration of the medicines, they do not always require to be dissolved in water; three or four pellets may be given at a time dry, and repeated as often as directed for the solution. Diet.—In acute attacks of gout, when there is con- siderable fever, the same diet should be observed as in ordinary fevers; stronger food may be allowed after the abatement of the fever, such as is easy of digestion and nutritive; milk toast and black tea; poached eggs; the tender meat of chickens; mutton and beef, broiled. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 153 Inflammatory Rheumatism.—Rheumatic Fever.—Acute Rheumatism. Inflammatory rheumatism generally commences with ■the ordinary signs of fever; chilliness and heat alter- nately; restlessness and thirst; coldness of the extremi- ties ; constipation; after which the fever sets in and runs very high, the skin being exceedingly hot, and the pulse greatly accelerated, beating as high as 120 per minute; there is from the beginning, more or less pain and stiff- ness in the principal joints, which increases to acute suffering, so that any attempt to move the affected joints causes them to be excruciatingly painful; the affected parts are usually red, swollen, and extremely painful to the touch; sometimes, however, the pain is excessive, and yet there is no sign of any inflammation; the pain is generally worse at night, sometimes an acrid perspira- tion accompanies the disease. The larger joints of the extremities are usually affected by this disease; it is seldom confined to one, sometimes nearly all the joints of the extremities are involved, rendering the patient unable to move hand or foot; during the continuance of the disease it spends its force in one joint, leaves and goes to another; during its. absence from the joint it first affects, there is relief from pain. This difficulty is often associated with derange- ment of the heart; and sometimes when it commences in the joints the heart becomes implicated, under such a circumstance the disease assumes a more dangerous character; whenever a remission of pain in the joints is followed by anxiety, jerking or feeble and rapid pulse, and acute pain in the region of the heart, together with the physical signs, a translation of the disease to the 154 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS heart may be inferred, and the treatment must be modi- fied accordingly. Causes.—Standing or sitting in cold, damp places; sitting in a draught"; sleeping in damp sheets, or remaining long in wet clothes, or any other exposure of any part of the body to cold and moisture, especi- ally when other parts are protected or when the whole body is in a violent perspiration. There would also seem to be some hereditary predisposition to it in some persons. It may also result from the suppression of an eruption, or the striking in of measles, rash, or chicken-pox, or other eruptions, or sudden stoppage of dysentery. General Treatment.—The room should be. kept moderately warm, and quiet; the bed should be a hair mattrass; no draught should blow upon the bed; and the ventilation should be had from the tops of the windows. The remedies employed, are Aeon., Arnica, Bell., Bry., Cham., Chin., Hepar sulp., Lachesis, Mercurius viv., Nux vom., Puis., Rhus tox., Sulphur. Aconite is mostly indicated in the commencement, and especially when there is high fever ; dry, hot skin; thirst, and redness of the cheeks; violent shooting, or tearing pains, worse at night; redness or shining swelling of the part affected; the pains are aggravated by the touch; extreme irritability of temper. The remedy may be continued until the fever is reduced. DOSE._DissoIve a drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every three hours. Arnica.—When the joints feel as if bruised or sprained; hard, red, and shining swelling; sensation in the part affected, as if it were resting on some hard sub- ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 155 stance; feeling as if paralysed, and crawling in the affected part; the pains are aggravated by the least motion of the limb. DOSE.—A drop, or six globules, in two tablespoonfuls of water; a tea- spoonful every three hours. Belladonna.—When the pains are seated for the most part in the joints, and are shooting or burning in their character, worse at night and on movement; exces- sive swelling, and shining redness of the affected part; fever, with determination of the blood to the head, and redness of the face; and the pains are aggravated by lifting the limb. DOSE.—The same as for Aconite and Arnica. Bryonia.—If there are shooting or tensive pains, shifting from muscle to muscle; red, shining swelling, and rigidity of the parts affected; the pains are worse at night, and on the least movement; profuse perspiration, or coldness, or shivering; heat, with headache, and derangement of the stomach; peevish or passionate temper. DOSE.—The same as for Aconite, and may be used in alternation with that remedy. Chamomilla.—When there are drawing or tearing- pains, with a sensation of numbness, or of paralysis in the parts affected; the pains are aggravated at night; fever, with burning, partial heat, preceded by chilliness; hot perspiration; desire to remain lying down; great agitation and tossing, and general restlessness. DOSE.—The same as for Bryonia and Aconite. China is suitable against pains that are aggravated by the slightest touch; profuse perspiration; great debility from loss of blood. Hepar sulph. is useful in protracted cases, after other remedies have been tried without relief. 156 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, in a tablespoonful of water, night and morning. Lachesis is likewise a valuable remedy when Aconite, Bryonia, or other remedies, have been indicated, but have failed of success. DOSE.—The same as for Hep. sulph., repeated three times a day in extreme cases. Mercurius viv. is good for shooting, tearing, or burning pains, aggravated at night, or towards morning; and by the warmth of the bed, or exposure to damp or cold air; puffy swelling of the affected part; the pains seem to be seated in the bones or joints ; profuse per- spiration without amelioration of the sufferings; if this remedy does not relieve when indicated, Lachesis may be used afterwards. DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules, or one drop, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every four hours, until relief, or change, Nux vomica, when there are pains in the calves; swelling of the ankle-joints, and stiffness after the fever has disappeared, or after the most violent symptoms of the disease. DOSE.—The same in every respect as directed for Mercurius viv. Pulsatilla is serviceable wrhen the pains are aggra- vated in the evening, or at night in bed, and also in a warm room, or in changing the position; pains which pass quickly from one joint to another; sensation of torpor, and paralysis in the parts affected; the pains are relieved by exposure of the part to the cold air; paleness of the face and shivering. DOSE._Four globules of pulsatilla, may be given every four hours, dry; or six globules, or a drop may be dissolved in half a tumbler of water, and a teaspoonful given every three hours. Rhus tox. when there is red, and shining swelling of the joints, with rigidity and shootings when touched; organ?, and their treatment. 157 the pains worse during rest; or when there is a sense of paralytic weakness, and crawling in the limb affected; sufferings aggravated in cold or damp weather; suitable after Aconite, Arnica, or Bryonia, or may be used in alternation with either of them. DOSE.—The same in all respects as directed for Pulsatilla. Sulphur is sometimes of great service at the com- mencement of the disease, to be followed by such remedies as the symptoms indicate. It is also of great service when there is a translation of the disease to the heart; for this latter difficulty, Aconite, Arsenicum, and Spigelia, may be used in association with this remedy, according to symptoms. DOSE—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules of either, in four tablespoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful may be given twice a day. Diet and Regimen.—Crackers, or plain toast, with black tea, occasionally a boiled custard, or Blanche- mange, or puddings made of rice, sago, tapioca, or arrow- root; cocoa, chocolate, &c; but more stimulating food should be avoided, and all stimulating drink. Chronic Rheumatism. The only difference between the inflammatory and chronic form of rheumatism, is, the latter has the pain without the fever, swelling or redness, as in the former. In time, the affected limbs lose their power of motion, and lameness results; sometimes there is atrophy or emaciation of the muscles, and the limbs will diminish in size; sometimes permanent contraction of a limb may be the result, or a bony stiffness of the joint. Causes.—The same as detailed for the acute or inflam- matory kind, as the same influences will bring on the former as the latter. 15 158 diseases involving the various Treatment. — The remedies employed, are Aconite, Bryonia, Calc carb., Causticum, Dulcamara, Hepar sulph., Lachesis, Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Rhus tox., Sulphur, Silicea, Yeratrum. Aconite and Bryonia are more particularly appli- cable to the sufferings of a rheumatic subject, after taking cold; acute attacks of chronic rheumatism may be very much like the acute form of the disease, and require the same treatment so long as any fever remains; and these two remedies are suited to this condition. DOSE.__Of either one drop, or four globules, three times a day. Calc. carb. for stiffness and pain in the joints, Caus- ticum for gouty pains in the joints, as if lacerated, or paralysis of one side. DOSE—Of either one drop, or four globules, every twenty-four hours. Dulcamara.—When there is a recurrence of the suffer- ing on every exposure to cold, or from suppressed erup- tion from cold; Hepar sulp. when there is weakness of the whole spine; swelling of the knees. DOSE.—Of either one drop, or four globules, night and morning. Lachesis and Lycopodium are suitable where the acute form was the immediate source of the chronic difficulty. The former is of use when there remains an affection of the heart, and the latter when there are gouty twitches, or aching, lacerating pains ih the joints. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, of either, dissolved in a tablespoon- ful of water, may be given every night, one hour before bed-time. Phosphorus is suitable for stiffness of the neck, para- lytic weakness in the small of the back, and trembling of the extremities. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be giveu every day before breakfast. Rhus tox. is especially useful when chronic rheuma- tism is made worse and almost unbearable in bad weather. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 159 Silicea and Sulphur are also remedies to be cpnsulted when every change of weather occasions a relapse. DOSE.—Of either four globules, or one drop, every twenty-four hours, at night. Yeratrum.—When there is paralytic and pain as if bruised in the extremities; coldness of the arms and legs; violent cramps in the calves. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, morning and evetiing. Lumbago.—Pain in the small of the back, neck, &c. This is a kind of rheumatism confined to the small of the back and the loins, and although it is seldom accompanied by fever or swelling, as in inflammatory rheumatism, yet it is accompanied with very acute symptoms; the most excruciating suffering is induced by any change of posture, and it is difficult to move any part without exciting it. Treatment.—The remedies employed are Aconite, Bryonia, Belladonna, Mercurius, Nux vom., Pulsatilla, and Rhus tox. Aconite is suitable for the commencement of the dis- ease, and as it probably is accompanied by some fever. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every six hours, or four globules every six hours. Bryonia, when the pains in the back are exceedingly severe, compelling the patient to bend forward when he walks, aggravated by motion or by a draught, and generally associated with rigors and general chilliness. DOSE.—Four globules, or one drop, may be given twice a day. Belladonna is useful either after or in alternation with Aconite, when the pains are deep-seated, and cause a sensation of heaviness, gnawing or stiffness. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every six hours, in alternation with Aconite. 160 DISEASES INVOLVING THE VARIOUS Mercurius, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla are suitable when there is a sensation as if bruised in the whole lum- bar region, or as if the pain was occasioned by excessive fatigue, and when aggravated by turning in bed at night, and when accompanied by weakness, constipation and irritable temper. Mercurius and Nux vomica are better suited to bilious or sanguineo-bilious temperaments. Pulsatilla is better suited to persons of mild dispositions, and females. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or four globules, of either, in four tablespoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every four hours. Rheumatism of the Neck.—(Kink of the Neck.) The muscles of the neck sometimes become seriously affected with rheumatism and fever. Exposure to a draught of cold air, or a sudden jerk of the head, may give rise to the difficulty. Treatment. Remedies.—Aconite, Belladonna, Bry- onia, Cocculus. Aconite, when there is some degree of fever, will effect a cure in a short time; Belladonna will prove useful in alternation. DOSE.—Dissolve six globules, or one drop, of each, in two spoonfuls of water, in separate glasses, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, alter- nately. Bryonia and Cocculus may be used in the same way as Aconite and Belladonna, after these latter remedies have been used without effect. DOSE—The same as directed for Aconite and Belladonna. Sciatic Rheumatism.—(Sciatica.) This form of rheumatism may be acute and attended with some degree of fever, or it may be, and more frequently is, chronic. ORGANS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 161 Symptoms.—Severe pain in the region of the hip joint, which shoots along the course of the sciatic nerve to the ham, and sometimes it extends to the foot, and consequently the pain must be in the nerve. Causes.—The same as in acute or inflammatory rheumatism. Treatment.—The remedies used are Aconite, Cham- omilla, Colocynthis, Ignatia, Nux vom. and Rhus tox. Aconite, only in the acute form, when attended with fever. DOSE.—Dissolve six globules, or one drop, in three spoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful morning, noon and night. Arsenicum, when the pains are acute and dragging, with a sensation of coldness in the part affected; also when the pains are periodical. It is also useful in cases attended by emaciation. DOSE. —One drop, or four globules, morning and evening. Chamomilla, when the pains are aggravated at night, and the limb is very sensitive. Colocynthis is espe- cially useful when seated in the right hip. DOSE.—Of a solution of six globules of either; give a teaspoonful three times a day, One drop, of either, may be used in half a tumbler of water in the same way. Ignatia, when there are cutting pains, especially on the slightest movement of the limb; Nux vomica when the pain is attended by a sensation of stiffness or contraction of the limb; also when a feeling of paralysis or torpor, with chilliness, is experienced in the affected part. DOSE.—Of either one drop, or four globules, morning and evening. Rhus tox. is better suited when rest aggravates the suffering, and motion or warmth mitigates it. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, morning and evening. 15* 162 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Diet and Regimen.—In any of the chronic forms of rheumatism, the patient may be allowed a moderately generous diet. All condiments must be prohibited, such as vine- gar, pepper, mustard, &c Black tea, cocoa and other non-medicinal drinks are allowable. The patient must be kept warm, if this mitigates his sufferings, or mode- rately cold if warmth aggravates them, or he must be kept in bed if rest relieves him, or up and in motion if this contributes most to his comfort. CHAPTER VI. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; OB, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 1.—Diseases of the Teeth.—Toothache.—(Odontalgia.) Remarks on general treatment.—The office of the teeth is so important in preparing the food after it is taken into the mouth, for the further action of the digestive organs, it is proper to consider the best means of preserving them, as well as the best means of relieving the suffering incident to them when diseased. The only proper method of preserving the teeth is to keep them clean, and to avoid the contact of any dis- organising agent. This may be accomplished by rinsing the mouth every morning, and after every meal; by not picking the teeth with any instrument calculated to do them violence; nor by drinking very hot drinks; or OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 163 taking into the mouth very hot food, for the expansive power of heat may burst the enamel and furnish the nucleus of disease; and, on the contrary, by not subject- ing the teeth to the other extreme of temperature. The teeth may be cleansed by the aid of a brush and finely powdered sugar of milk. It is decidedly injurious to clean the teeth with char- coal or lemon juice, or with any other acid; nearly all the tooth powders and tinctures are injurious. It is far better to cleanse the teeth with luke-warm water, with the aid of a little soap; acidulated cream may be used to whiten the teeth, provided the mouth be imme- diately rinsed after using it. The teeth should not be extracted if possible to retain them, even if they are hollow from decay, unless they are ulcerated at the roots. It is always deleterious to use laudanum or kreosote to allay the toothache, for they only palliate for a brief period, when the pain returns with increased violence. It is better to obtain relief from some remedial agent that will remove the diseased condition of which the toothache is the result. The principal remedies employed are Aconite, Arnica, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Chamomilla, Mercurius, Nux vom., Pulsatilla and Sulphur. Aconite.—When the toothache is accompanied with fever and heat about the head, and results from taking cold or from nervous excitement. Arnica.—When the pain is occasioned by any mecha- nical injury, as from extracting or plugging. Arsenicum is useful when any thing cold aggravates the pain. Belladonna.—When from cold there is severe pain in the teeth involving the whole jaw, the pains extending 164 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; up the side of the face and into the ear, and worse from applying any thing hot. DOSE___Of a solution of six globules, or one drop of either of the above remedies, in half a tumbler of water ; give a tablespoonful every three hours until relieved. Chamomilla.—When the toothache is produced by drinking coffee or tea, or is attended with diarrhoea, or when there is flushed face or swelling of one cheek, or pain extending into the ears, worse when in the room than out of doors. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a spoonful every three hours until relieved. Mercurius viv.—For pains in hollow teeth, worse in the morning, extending into the head; pain in the gums, with swelling, or in the jaw-bones or ears, or swelling of the parotid gland; and also when diarrhoea accompanies these symptoms. DOSE.—Give a drop, or six globules, three times a day, if the first dose does not relieve. Nux vomica.—Toothache arising from cold, which at the same time affects the head and back; when there is chilliness and pains in the limbs; when worse after eat- ing; or when moving the mouth; or when there is swell- ing of the cheeks; or when it is aggravated by taking cold drinks; and worse in the morning from drinking ardent spirits. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, repeated if necessary every six hours. Pulsatilla is most suitable for persons of a mild, quiet, timid disposition; or for persons of a fretful tem- per ; when the pain is on one side, or when it occurs in the spring with earache and headache, or when it attends the menstrual period; and when the pains are of a jerk- ing, tearing or stinging character; or when cold air relieves the pain, or it is relieved by chewing. DOSE.—The same a3 directed for Nux vomica. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 165 Sulphur is suitable for jumping pains in hollow teeth extending to the upper jaw and into the ear; swelling and bleeding of the gums; or when it occurs in the evening, or is made worse by rinsing the mouth with cold water. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, at night, and repeated if necessary in twelve hours. Other remedies may be used under the following circumstances:—When the toothache occurs from preg- nancy, Calcarea carb.; from nursing or from debilitating losses, China; from grief, Ignatia; for sense of elonga- tion of the teeth, and excessive pain relieved by warmth, Arsenicum; for pain, with tears and excessive anguish, Coffea, &c, &c For ulceration of the gums, Mercurius, Silicea, Hepar Sulph. and Sulphur. DOSE.—Of any of the remedies mentioned above, one drop, or twelve globules, in half a tumbler of water; a teaspoonful at a tiine, repeated, if necessary, every four, six or twelve hours until relief is obtained. It is well for persons suffering from toothache to avoid holding hot acrid stimulants in the mouth, and also to refrain from the use of laudanum, creoste, oil of cloves, or any agent that interferes with the action of the reme- dies; and when it becomes apparent that any exciting cause will bring on the toothache, whether eating, drink- ing or exposure, it is always best to guard against such as far as possible; when tea or coffee invariably excites pain in decayed teeth, their use should be refrained from entirely; when there is fever, or the stomach is deranged, the diet should be light, and great care should be exer- cised at all times to keep the stomach and bowels in a healthy state. 166 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS J 2. Quinsy. Sore Throat. Inflammation of the Tonsils. Symptoms.—In ordinary quinsy, there is inflammation of the throat, redness and swelling of the back part, difficulty of swallowing, alteration of the voice, fever. At first there is a sense of constriction about the throat, and soreness which becomes manifest in the act of swallowing; unless arrested, the swallowing becomes more difficult, the tonsils and tongue become swollen and red, and occasionally with a number of little yellow eminences at the back part of the throat, particularly at the tonsils; there is considerable thirst; the pulse is high, strong and frequent; sometimes the cheeks swell and become red; the eyes become inflamed; and in very severe cases, delirium is a frequent occurrence. As the difficulty increases, the tonsils frequently become the seat of suppuration, unless the disease is made to terminate by resolution; or in other words, the inflam- mation and swelling disappears without suppuration. When the former is the case, the? pain is relieved when the abscess breaks. Sometimes both tonsils are implicated, at other times only one; in the latter event, it frequently happens, that the inflammation and suppuration of the one, has barely passed, before the same train of symptoms has to be gone through with the other. This disease is not regarded dangerous, if properly treated; but sometimes, it becomes of a putrid character, and is attended with febrile symptoms of a typhoid type; when this takes place, there is evidently a predis- position on the part of the patient, to become affected in this manner. Treatment.—The remedies employed, are Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia, Cantharides, Chamomilla, Dulca- OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 167 mara, Hepar sulph., Ignatia, Lachesis, Mercurius viv. Nux vomica, Nitric acid, Sulphur, and under some circumstances, Silicea and Arsenicum. Aconite, in the commencement when the disease is attended with fever, when the pulse is full and bounding; dry heat upon the skin; thirst; deep redness of the part affected; painful and difficult swallowing; pricking sensation in the throat, made worse by talking. DOSE.—Four globules may be taken dry upon the tongue, or one drop may be dissolved in two tablespoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every three hours, until the symptoms disappear. In severe cases, where swallowing is difficult, four globules may be given upon the tongue every three hours, or even as often as every two hours, until a change for the better. Belladonna is one of the best remedies for inflam- mation of the throat, when there is congestion of the tonsils. And when there is swelling of the outside of the throat; and drinking produces spasms in the throat, the fluids returning through the nose; constant dis- position to swallow, but difficult, with pricking pain, producing spasms; sensation of a plug in the throat; violent pressing, shooting pain in the tonsils, as if they would burst; thirst; profuse salivation; headache, and furred tongue. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every four hours, until relieved. Bryonia is a useful remedy when the throat is painful on being touched, or on turning the head; difficult and painful deglutition, as if something hard were in the throat; soreness and shooting pains, attended■ with a sensation of dryness, which renders it very difficult to speak. The occurrence of all these symptoms, are for the most part, after being overheated, or after drinking very cold, or ice-water; considerable fever usually 168 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; accompanies these symptoms, sometimes with, at other times without thirst, and great irritability. DOSE___Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours; or if the swallowing is so difficult as to render it incompatible, four globules may be placed on the tongue, and repeated at the same intervals. Cantharides is useful when the throat manifests a burning and grating sensation; when there is redness and tension in the mouth, or pressure, terminating in shooting pains on swallowing; or when there is a difficulty in swallowing liquids; the taste, sour and bitter; tongue coated; with flow of saliva; violent tickling in the larynx; dry cough, followed by dis- tressing respiration, and sometimes by expectoration of bloody mucus. It is also useful at the conclusion of what is termed inflammatory sore throat, and at the commencement of that which is catarrhal. DOSE.—Four globules may be given upon the tongue, or one drop, or eight globules may be dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful given every two hours, until relieved. Chamomilla is a useful remedy for children, when the complaint is caused by a cold from exposure to a draught of air, while in a state of perspiration; when the throat is red, and swollen, accompanied with fever, and swelling of the glands of the lower jaw; sensation of there being an obstruction when swallowing and bending the neck; sense of something in the throat difficult of removal. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or eight globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours; or three globules upon the tongue, may be repeated at the same intervals, until relieved. Dulcamara is useful in inflammation of the tonsils, which is occasioned by exposure to the wet; it may succeed the use of Belladonna or Mercurius, or be followed by them, when it is not sufficient of itself to OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 169 complete the cure, provided these remedies are indicated by the symptoms. DOSE.—The same in all respects as for Chamomilla. Hepar sulph. is a very useful remedy to promote suppuration, when it is impossible to obviate the inflam- mation without it; and the quinsy has progressed so far that bursting is desirable, to relieve the painful sense of suffocation, arising from the swollen state of the tonsils. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or eight globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful of the solution every two hours, until the abscess breaks. If Hepar proves insufficient, wait three hours, and try Silicea. Ignatia is particularly indicated when there is a feeling as if a plug were in the throat, when not per- forming the act of swallowing; and red inflammatory swelling of the tonsils or palate; burning pains during the act of deglutition, as if the substance being swallowed were passing over a raw surface, or in a measure obstructed by something in the throat; greater difficulty in swallowing liquids than solids; and also when lying still, and the mouth not in motion, shooting pains in the cheeks, thence extending to the ears ; induration of the tonsils, or the appearance of small blisters upon them. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or ten globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, or if swallowing is too difficult, four globules upon the tongue every two hours, until relieved, or another remedy is required. Lachesis is a useful remedy after Belladonna, or Mer- curius, have been used without effect; if the palate is swollen around the uvula; continual disposition to swallow; profuse flow of saliva; undue accumulation of phlegm in the throat; fetid and gangrenous ulcers; spasms, which prevent drinking; great sensitiveness of the throat on the slightest touch; unable to bear the bed clothes; aggravation of symptoms in the afternoon 16 170 diseases of the digestive organs; or immediately after sleeping in the morning. Persons who have taken much mercury may derive great benefit from this remedy. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water and give a teaspoonful every two hours, or three pellets, dry, at the same intervals. Mercurius viv.—After Belladonna has been used without effect. This remedy is often of great use, especially if the throat continues swollen, red, or merges into ulceration. When the process of ulceration is slow, or at the commencement of the disease; when the prick- ing pains are very violent, when swallowing, extending to the ears or to the glands of the throat, and to the lower jaw; when the burning in the throat is so severe that deglutition can hardly be performed; stitches in the tonsils, and a very disagreeable taste in the mouth; the gums and back part of the tongue swollen, and profuse discharge of saliva; chills in the evening, or heat followed by perspiration, which fails of relief; uneasiness, or an aggravation of all the symptoms at night; also worse in the air, accompanied with severe headache and twitching in the neck. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every six hours, until better, or there is a neces- sity for a change. This remedy may be used in alternation with Bella- donna, and the same interval should elapse between each dose of the different remedies. The remedy may be taken four globules at a time, dry, if swallowing is too difficult to take them in water. Nux vomica is a remedy that may be employed after Chamomilla or Ignatia have failed of effecting a cure; when there is a sensation of lump in the throat when swallowing, and pressing pains, aggravated by swallow- ing saliva, and when the throat feels raw and excoriated, as if scraped, and also when the uvula is swollen and red, and the cold air affects the throat so as to occasion pain. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 171 DOSE.—Of a solution of a drop, or eight globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every two hours, until relieved, or there is another remedy required; or three globules may be given dry, at the same intervals. Nitric acid.—In superficial ulcerations of the throat, after Aconite and Mercurius have been administered; when the small.white and gray ulcers refuse to put on a healing appearance, after the use of the latter remedy. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours at first for three doses, and then every six and every twelve hours, until a cure is completed. Sulphur is especially indicated in the latter stage of quinsy, when it occurs in vitiated constitutions, when the healing of the cavity, after the matter has been discharged, goes on very unfavorably, and when fresh abscesses form in succession; and also when the suppura- tion takes place slowly; it may be used after Hepar sulph., or in alternation with this remedy and Silicea. This latter remedy is useful in rapidly forwarding the suppurative process, and causing the ripened abscess to burst; and it generally promotes the healing more effectually than Hepar sulph. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, of either remedy in half a tumbler of water, and give a tablespoonful night and morning in alterna- tion, or every night singly, when indicated. Arsenicum is useful in gangrenous sore throat, and may be used in alternation with Lachesis; yet when the inflammation is of an erysipelatous character, or when the fever is of a typhoid character; great pros- tration of strength; burning heat; cold hands; great restlessness and anguish; ulceration; discharging fetid matter; it is far better to use it alone. (See malignant sore throat.) DOSE.—A drop, or four globules, every six hours. 172 diseases of the digestive organs; Diet and Regimen.—The diet must be regulated according to the degree of inflammation present. Deglu- tition being difficult, solidified food is rarely to be recom- mended, unless it partakes of the character of a custard or jelly. A plain cup custard, when only one side of the throat is suppurating, may be allowed, but when the inflammation determines to both sides, and the throat is nearly closed, only thin liquids can be taken. Warm water may be used as a gargle, and when much pain is present, inhalation of vapor from boiling water will often afford much relief. All medicinal gargles are hurtful; blisters, leeches, or other topical applications, are of no use, and homoeopathic treatment is all that can be relied upon for the best and most speedy relief. Some persons are predisposed to sore throat; Mer- curius, Graphites and Sepia have been found useful in overcoming this constitutional difficulty. 3.—Malignant Quinsy, or Putrid Sore Throat. The malignant sore throat often makes a part of that awful scourge,—the malignant scarlet fever. It is usually epidemic, and generally occurs in damp and sultry autumnal seasons. Symptoms.—It begins with shivering, followed by heat and languor; oppression at the chest; nausea, vomiting, and often with purging; eyes inflamed and watery; cheeks of a deep red color; greater or less inflammation of the tonsils, and they secrete a thin, acrid discharge, sometimes excoriating the nose and lips; pulse weak and hardly perceptible, small and irregular; tongue white and moist; swallowing painful and difficult; throat of a bright red color, and much swollen. This state soon passes away, and numerous OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 173 ulcers, varying in size, then manifest themselves upon the swollen part, which finally become covered with a livid coat. Sometimes these ulcerations are more extensive than at others, spreading to the back part of the mouth, over the entire arch, and down to the opening into the windpipe, &c, and assuming a slough- ing appearance as they increase in magnitude. Exces- sive prostration of strength immediately ensues; the lips, tongue and teeth are covered with blackish incrustations, there is more or less delirium; the breath is fetid, and the patient conscious of a disagreeable odor; the counte- nance is sunken, and there is severe purging. There is considerable swelling of the neck, and its color is livid. There are often livid spots upon the body (petechia^,) which indicate in some measure the violence of the disease. This affection carries off many children and adults, and may be regarded as exceedingly dangerous when there is the appearance of livid spots, or petechial, and other indications of a putrid character, with weak, flutter- ing pulse, sometimes intermittent; extreme prostration; bleedings from the nose, mouth, &c When there is a gentle sweat, that breaks out about the third or fourth day, and when the sloughs are thrown off in a favorable manner, leaving a clean, healthy look- ing bottom, and the countenance becomes lively and the respiration normal, and the pulse stronger and more equal, a salutary result may be expected. The fever accompanying the malignant sore throat is more frequently of a typhoid or typhus character, and calls for those remedies best adapted for these fevers in their uncomplicated form. Treatment.—Remedies, Aconite, Arsenicum, Bella- 16* 174 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS J donna, Conium, Lachesis, Mercurius, Nitric Acid, Pulsa- tilla, Rhus, Secale, and Sulphur. Aconite is only useful in the very first stage of the disease, when the fever appears of an inflammatory character; and after the use of this remedy, Belladonna may be called into requisition as soon as the patient complains of dryness, with difficulty in swallowing, and a sense of choking in the throat. DOSE.—Of either remedy, one drop, or four globules, every three hours. Arsenicum is useful when there is great prostration of strength, rapid sinking of the patient, nausea, or vomiting; or when the ulcers present a livid hue, and also, when in a more advanced stage, they are covered with dark scabs, surrounded with a livid margin; the lips and teeth encrusted with brownish scabs; the skin dry and parched; the tongue blackish, dry, cracked, and tremulous; constant muttering and delirium; unable to close the mouth; labored breathing; acrid discharges from the nostrils, causing excoriations; the eyes dull and glassy; thirst excessive, though but little is drunk at a time, and swallowing is performed with difficulty; and finally, when in addition to extreme prostration there is a rash of livid color that breaks out in blotches, inter- mingled with petechias, or livid spots. DOSE.—This remedy is of so much importance, when indicated as above, that it should be administered with the greatest promptness, as follows: One drop of the dilution, or four globules, may be given in a spoonful of water, every two hours, until three doses are given, and then, every three hours, until amelioration, or change. Conium will class very well with Arsenicum, for malignant quinsy, because it is equally energetic, and has been employed with great success, when the diseased parts have suddenly assumed an ashy gray OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 175 color, or a blackish appearance, and the ulcerations secreting a fluid exceedingly offensive and fetid, without sensible pain, the strength and also the natural temper- ature of the body have suddenly declined, the spirits of the patient have become depressed and anxious, with signs of indifference, the febrile seasons irregu- lar, sometimes commencing with chills, and concluding with heat, at others beginning with heat and chilliness simultaneously, or in rapid alternation, and concluding at night in a copious perspiration; a whitish eruption also appearing in the skin; the face grows pale, features change, and often with swelling; the tongue becomes coated with a thick dark covering, swells and is painful; the speech is difficult, and the stools are thin, watery, or bloody and involuntary. Many of these symptoms may indicate the use of Mercurius corrosivus, and if so, this remedy may precede the use of Conium. The Mercurius corr. should be given three times, in doses of four globules, or one drop, in a spoonful of water. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every two hours at first. If the patient exhibits any signs of convalescence, do not repeat the remedy oftener than once in three or four hours. Lachesis. This remedy is one of the polycrests in malignant ulceration of the throat, and will fre- quently be found useful after Arsenicum, should the patient complain of great pain in the throat, aggra- vated by the slightest external pressure; or should the scabs or sloughs seem indisposed to cast off, and the neck become much swollen and discolored; after this remedy has been used for some time, if the tendency to gangrene continues, and the patient is still affected with great prostration of strength, accompanied with 176 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; debilitating sweats, China may be called into requisition, as there is no remedy more likely to meet the existing condition of the system; or Arsenicum may come in well after Lachesis, especially if the countenance is sunken, and the eyes appear glassy, and there is the extreme sinking for which this remedy is so remarkably adapted. After the use of Arsenicum, Nux vomica may be given with great benefit, when diarrhoea is present, and only partially checked, and numerous foul, offensive, though small ulcers, are found in the mouth and throat. This remedy, again, may be succeeded by Carbo vege- tabilis, should a copious, fetid, thin, sanious fluid be discharged from the ulcers, attended with great prostra- tion, and small, indistinct, or scarcely perceptible pulse. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or eight globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every two hours until it becomes necessary to follow with one of the other remedies, then it is necessary that whatever remedy is selected to succeed Lachesis, should be dissolved in the same manner and given at the same intervals. Mercurius is more serviceable in the early part of the disease, before the ulceration has progressed so far as to present the more fetid and putrid odor; but when from the increasing size and painfullness of the ulcers, this remedy does not promise to arrest their progress or cause them to assume a healthy aspect, it will be well to call nitric acid into requisition. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop of the dilution, or eight globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every hour or two hours, until it becomes evident that a change is necessary. Nitric acid.—This remedy is particularly required after Mercurius has failed of arresting the increase of the swelling of the throat, and when the ulceration has progressed so far as to present numerous little yellow or white pustules upon the tonsils. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 177 DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or eight globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a teaspoonful every four hours, say every hour at first, until two or three doses are given, and then every two hours, and after- wards every three hours. Pulsatilla is useful when the symptoms are of a mild character, or which have been in a measure subdued by the use of Belladonna, and an increased action of the mucus membrane supplies the place of a previous dry- ness, while the patient is at the same time afflicted with nausea and bilious vomiting; bloated appearance of the face; constipation of the bowels; or on the other hand, the opposite condition or diarrhoea at night, occasionally pains in the bowels, with shivering. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given every three hours, or four globules may be given dry upon the tongue with the same frequency. Rhus tox. is particularly useful in extreme cases, where there is great muscular weakness with trembling of the extremities, especially on movement; sopor and other symptoms described under this remedy in the chapter where typhus fever is treated of. DOSE—Of a solution of one drop, or eight globules, in six spoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every three hours. Secale cornutum is exceedingly useful when the stupor is long continued, or there is lethargic sleep, or involuntary diarrhoea, and when the ulceration of the throat is of a fetid or putrid character, and there is nausea and disposition to vomit. DOSE._One drop, or four globules, may be given every three hours. Sulphur is a remedy that may be called into use in the treatment of malignant sore throat, when it becomes apparent that skin difficulties have become suppressed, and when there is swelling and suppuration of the glands; or, when there is deep and fetid ulceration of the tonsils, this remedy may be given with advantage at 178 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; the very commencement of the disease, and particularly if there is rough throat and loss of voice. DOSE._0ne drop, or four globules, of sulphur, may be given three times a day. Diet and Regimen.—It is not often that subjects of malignant sore throat can take much food of any descrip- tion, and only such as is entirely divested of every rough property, such as rice, arrowroot, corn starch, or thin flour gruel; when the mouth becomes dry, and the sloughs become dry and hard, it is well to moisten them with a little warm milk and water, and to wash the mouth very gently with the same. The room where the patient is, must be kept free from stagnated air, and if it be over a wet, damp cellar, he must be removed. It is far better to secure a good and wholesome atmosphere at first, than to rely upon remedial measures in a bad atmosphere. And when the patient begins to recover, and his appetite becomes established, be careful about overloading the stomach, as this may prove the cause of exciting the most painful sequellse. It is well to begin moderately with toast, black tea, cocoa, milk toast, bread and butter, and as strength is acquired to use some of the digestible meats in great moderation. 4—Scurvy of the Mouth.—Canker of the Mouth. (Cancrum Oris.) The peculiar characteristics of this disease are sensitive gums, hot, red and spongy; sometimes. they swell, and sometimes they shrink from the teeth, leave them loose and they fall out; at other times small ulcers make their appearance on the gums, the inside of the lips, the cheeks, on the palate, and even on the tongue; not unfrequently there is great offensivencss of the breath, and some- OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 179 times discharge of sanious tough phlegm and saliva from the gums; mastication becomes impaired because the teeth are so loose, and the power of swallowing becomes diminished because the throat is so sore, that the act becomes painful in the extreme; sometimes the glands of the throat swell and become painful, there appears to be great prostration, and oftentimes a torpid feverish condition of the system. Treatment.—The remedies employed are Arsenicum, Carbo veg., Dulcamara, Hepar sulph., Mercurius, Natrum muriaticum and Sepia. Arsenicum is particularly useful when the ulceration is very extreme, with violent burning pains; and in alternation with China, if gangrene is threatened, the gums becoming black and the patient very much reduced. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a teaspoonful every four hours. Carbo vegetabilis is in the highest degree useful when the scurvy has arisen from the abuse of mercury, or too long a subsistence on salt food, and when the gums bleed very much and smell very offensively. DOSE._0ne drop, or four globules, every six hours. Dulcamara may be given in the first onset of the disease, when the canker results from taking cold, and the glands of the throat are swollen and hard. This remedy is useful after Mercurius fails of effecting a cure. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every four hours. Hepar sulphur is for the most part a collateral remedy, and never to be used in scurvy or canker of the mouth, only when Mercurius proves insufficient, from the fact that the disease first originated from the 130 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; use of Calomel. This remedy may follow Mercurius, and also it may follow Carlo veg. when this remedy has failed. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, dissolved in a spoonful of water, twice a day. Mercurius viv. is useful in almost every case, and may for the most part be given at the commencement of the disease, unless calomel or some other form of mercury has produced the disease, in which case resort to Hepar sulph. and Carlo veg. or Nitric acid. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every three hours. Natrum muriaticum.—When the ulcers spread very slowly, and when the canker is so torpid that none of the preceding remedies seem to have any great effect in removing it. The gums appear swollen, bleeding and sensitive; every thing cold or warm, or eating or drink- ing affects them; when blisters and small ulcers appear on the tongue, which burn so as to render it painful to speak. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, two or three times a day. Diet and Regimen.—Animal food should never be taken either in the solid form or in that of broth or soup, so long as the virulence of the disease remains; food entirely of a farinaceous or a vegetable form may be used. All stimulants should be avoided, as drink. The mouth may be washed with brandy and water, or even with lemon juice in water, with a soft brush. And also, the mouth may be washed with a decoction of sage, as this is an old domestic remedy, which expe- rience proves to be generally useful. The mouth may also be washed with a solution of borax in water. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 18i 5.—Inflammation of the Tongue. (Glossitis.) This disease is announced by pain of the tongue, which becomes aggravated by moving it; the tongue being hot, red and swollen. At first the inflammation may be restricted to only a small part, but gradually it may extend to the other parts of the organ until the whole is involved. During its progress, the pain becomes more acute, burning and lancinating, and the slightest effort at motion of any kind, swallowing, speaking, spitting, &c, excites the severest suffering. Sometimes this affection is of a very formidable char- acter, and threatens suffocation; the tongue swells so enormously as to protrude from the mouth. When thus swollen it is usually furred with a thick coating; and the saliva flows copiously from the mouth. Cause.—Mechanical injuries, or chemical agents that come in contact with the tongue, so as to disorganise, or from some other exposures not observed. Treatment.—Aconite, Arnica, Arsenicum, Bella- donna, Lachesis, Mercurius, Phosphoric acid. Aconite is one of the most useful remedies in the com- mencement of the disease, when it is attended with intense inflammation and fever, and acute lancinating pains. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in four spoonfuls of water, and a spoonful may be given every four hours, until relief or change. Arsenicum is highly useful when the inflammation is disposed to become gangrenous, which is indicated by dark and greenish or black appearance of the tongue; such cases are highly dangerous. DOSE._0f a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a teaspoonful every three hours, until mitigation or change. 17 182 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS', Arnica, when the inflammation is known to have been produced by wounds inflicted by the teeth, or external bodies, and when the inflammation is mostly confined to the locality where the wound is inflicted. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every six hours, or in alternation with Aconite every three hours. Belladonna is very serviceable after Mercurius has proved inefficient and the inflammation extends to neigh- bouring parts, and assumes the character of erysipelas; and also when there appears on the tongue and gums a number of pustulous sores, and also when the tongue or any part thereof becomes indurated. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a spoonful every two hours, until amelioration or change. Mer- curius viv. may be used after this remedy. Lachesis is useful in malignant inflammation of the tongue, verging towards gangrene. It may be associated with Arsenicum in this disease, and when one fails the other may be called into requisition. Mercurius viv. is suitable after Aconite has reduced the fever and some of the more violent symptoms, or it may be used in the first commencement when there is violent pain, swelling, hardness, and flow of saliva, and also when the tongue becomes involved in ulcerations of the throat. DOSE.—Dissolve six globules, or one drop, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until mitigation of suffering, or change. Phos. acid is recommended for injury done to the tongue by biting it when asleep. When the swelling of the tongue becomes so enor- mous as to threaten suffocation, cutting the tongue so as to let it bleed freely may be necessary to save life or allow time for remedial measures. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 183 Diet.—It is only in the mild forms of inflammation of the tongue, that a diet can be prescribed at all; for in the severe forms, the patient can take neither food or drink. 6.—Mumps. (Parotitis.) This disease consists of inflammation and swelling of some of the salivary glands, the parotid and submaxillary, not usually dangerous, unless the patient is exposed when the disease is upon him, and they are thrown back upon the system, so as to involve some of the vital organs. Sometimes the whole neck is involved, so that chewing and swallowing are both obstructed. They increase for four or five days, and then they begin to disappear. Sometimes on the fifth or seventh day the swelling will leave the neck, and attack the breasts, or testicles, which become red and painful; and pain in the bowels, or other symptoms usually make their appearance. Treatment. — The patient should be kept in a moderately warm room, and great care should be exercised to prevent his taking cold; he must have no stimulants, and no external applications, with the exception of a muslin cap or handkerchief, extending around his neck. The medicines applied are Bella- donna, Carbo veg., Hyoscyamus, Mercurius. Belladonna, when the mumps assume an inflam- matory character, or the swelling is very red, resembling erysipelas; or when it recedes, and affects the brain, which may be known by the appearance of delirium, and sometimes unconsciousness, or the subsidence of the swelling. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, and give three times a day. 184 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS J Carbo Yegetabilis, when the patient has a torpid fever, and the swelling and induration of the glands appear more fixed, and when the swelling of the glands recedes, and the stomach becomes affected; and also when Merc. viv. has failed to give relief in the early stage of the disease, or the patient has been drugged with calomel. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be taken twice a day. Hyoscyamus, when Belladonna fails of affording relief, and when it appears to be the remedy indicated. This remedy is of the greatest service, and will, very likely, produce a favorable result. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours. Mercurius is regarded the principal remedy in this affection, when the disease is uncomplicated with any other diathesis in the system, a few doses only, are required to affect a cure. DOSE.—Give a drop, or four globules, three times a day. Whenever the disease occurs, in connection with other difficulties, such as scald head, measles, &c, the remedies for these affections must be consulted. Diet.—Toast and black tea, cocoa, custards without spice, and bread puddings, if the disease is not combined with some other serious malady. 7.—Affection of the Stomach. Want of appetite is sometimes associated with an impaired condition of the stomach, which may he produced by various diseases, and which requires appro- priate treatment, in order to restore the appetite, and thus enable the stomach to receive its accustomed nourishment. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 185 Sometimes there is a disinclination to take food, when there is no perceptible cause other than an inappetency. The best remedy in such cases is cold water, a copious draught of which, in the morning, before breakfast, and in the evening, before going to bed, and about two hours before each meal will overcome the difficulty. This is far better than to use artificial stimulants, barks, wine, or beer, for these only create a morbid appetite, that soon disappears, and ,a worse inappetency is likely to follow. 8.—Indigestion. (Dyspepsia.) This difficulty is so common, and manifest in so many different aspects, that but little is required in the way of description, except an enumeration of the principal exci- ting causes, and the symptoms which indicate specific remedial treatment. Exciting causes.—Irregularities in diet, over indul- gence in the luxuries of the table, partaking of rich food and stimulating soups; excessive use of wine, malt liquors, and alcoholic drinks, strong tea and coffee; imperfect mastication of food; irregularity of meals; too long fasting between meals; sedentary habits; intense study; chewing tobacco: keeping late hours; severe exercises of mind, &c It may be stated further, that much of the disorder that prevails is fairly attributable to the injurious practice of nurses and physicians, in administering calomel and other drastic purges, for various abdominal derangements in early life. The weakening of the digestive function by such means, has continued in after life; and hence much of the complaint about dyspepsia, which literally means " difficult digestion." 17* 186 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Treatment.—In adapting a treatment for the disease in question, it is proper to make a division of the subject into the acute and chronic forms: Acute form, frequently occurs in warm climates, and becomes developed under the influence of rapid atmos- pheric changes, or the use of unwholesome food. Causes.—The common cause of an attack of this kind, is taking strong food into the stomach when too weak to bear it; and also drinking cold water when the system is in a heated condition; a season of debauch, or a blow upon the stomach, and sometimes the retrocession of some eruption of the skin. Symptoms.—Repugnance to food, sense of weight and fulness at the pit of the stomach, and sense of pain, aggra- vated by pressure, nausea, and frequent eructations, which often bring up bitter or acrid fluids, or gaseous matters, tasting like rotten eggs. Sometimes attending these local symptoms, there is pain in the back, and dull pain in the front part of the head, confusion, inability to think, and depression of spirits, and also shiverings and heat. This form of dyspepsia is generally known under the common name of " bilious attacks,11 among most classes of people, but they are more properly regarded acute derangements of the digestive function. The remedies employed in treating the acute forms are Aconite, Ant. crudum, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Ipecac, Tart. emet. and Yeratrum. Aconite.—When there is fever in the commence- ment of an attack, with thirst, nausea, and clear water flows from the stomach, or when the patient vomits greenish bile, or mucous matter; when there is great weight at the pit of the stomach, and the breathing is difficult, and when there is a feeling of tightness in or, of the alimentary canal. 187 the stomach, as if from acrid substances; and more espe- cially when the fever is of an inflammatory character and runs high. DOSE—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours. Antimonium crud. is indicated when the tongue is coated with a white or yellow mucus; when there is loss of appetite; eructation, with the taste of the food, or acrid vomiting of mucus and bile; sense of fulness at the pit of the stomach or epigastrium, or spasmodic crampy pain in the part. This remedy is particularly useful when the disease dates its origin from overloading the stomach. DOSE.—A drop of the dilution, or four globules, every four hours, until relieved. Arsenicum is indicated if the vital powers become prostrated, with pale, sunken countenance and cold extremeties; when the tongue is white or of a reddish or brownish color, dry and trembling; intense thirst; ardent desire for cold water, acids and stimulants; com- plete aversion to all kinds of food; nausea and vomiting of food after eating or drinking, or at night, or vomiting of mucous or bilious matters of a yellowish or greenish color; severe pain at the pit of the stomach, with tension, and great pain on pressure; a sense of weight as from a stone; cramps and sensation of coldness in the stomach, and also burning; great prostration of strength; dark circle around the eyes; pointed nose; irregular, small, frequent and weak pulse. DOSE._Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in four teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, until relieved. Belladonna is useful when in addition to the derange- ments of the stomach there is strongly marked symptoms 188 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; of the head being affected with dullness, loss of conscious- ness or delirium. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or four globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, at first, and afterwards the inter- vals should be longer. This remedy may be used in alternation with Aconite or Nux vomica, which may be better suited to the difficulties of the digestive functions. Bryonia is very suitable after Aconite, when the patient complains of dryness of the mouth, with burning thirst; tongue covered with a white coating, or rather dirty; loss of appetite; great demand for acid drinks; morbid craving of food, or on the contrary, complete aversion to all kinds of food; vomiting the contents of the stomach, and white, glairy mucus; cutting pains in the stomach; tensive pain when coming in contact, with a feeling of heat or cold and shivering over the body. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two, three or four hours, according to the intensity of the suffering. Ipecacuanha is for the most part indicated when the tongue is furred with white or yellowish coating; insipid, clammy taste; no thirst; vomiting of undigested food, or of greenish or yellowish bilious matter. It should be used at the commencement of the disease. DOSE._0f a solution of one drop, or six globules, in six teapoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every two or three hours. Tartar emetic is indicated when there is continued nausea and inclination to vomit, with pain in the stomach, as if overloaded, with considerable anguish and pressure at the pit of the stomach, accompanied with great pros- tration and coldness of the extremities. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until relieved. Yeratrum is indicated when there is extreme cold- ness of the extremities; sudden prostration; pale and haggard countenance: craving of cold drinks, with OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 189 intense thirst; great weakness, amounting to faintness; violent vomiting and continual nausea; severe prostra- tion, preceded by coldness of the upper extremities, with shuddering of the whole body, followed by or in connec- tion with general heat, succeeded by rush of blood and heat in the hands; bitter or sour vomiting. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every two or three hours, as it may be required. Diet.—It is evident that the same rules must be observed with regard to the diet as in other acute diffi- culties, accompanied by any thing Like an inflammatory fever. After all signs of nausea or irritableness of the stomach have passed away, the patient may begin to take the lightest forms of food, and if his stomach bear these, he may gradually increase the strength of the diet until he is able to live in his accustomed manner. 9.—Chronic Dyspepsia. So numerous are the cases of chronic dyspepsia and so varied are the forms which it assumes, that a few preliminary remarks, with regard to the general char- acter of the malady, as well as its numerous complica- tions and sympathies, will not be out of place. The chronic form may arise either from the imper- fect dissolving of the aliment in the stomach, or the imperfect separation of the nutritious from the innutri- tious portion, after it has passed from the stomach into the small intestine. The symptoms referable to the stomach are those which first indicate the difficulty of digestion, and they occur at some periods without awakening the alarm of the patient or causing any painful constitutional disturbance. They are often produced by the use of certain arti- cles of diet only, or under the influence of particular 190 diseases of the digestive organs; circumstances, while at other times the taking of any kind of food is fraught with the difficulty. Towards the termination of the digestion of the food in the stomach, especially when the process has been difficult, the nervous and sanguiferous systems become frequently implicated, that is, they may cause neuralgia or conges- tions of blood in other localities, produced entirely by the struggle of the stomach to perform its function in breaking down and chymifying the food. The truth is, there is a combined operation required in the stomach to chymify or digest the food; there must be the solvent power of the gastric fluid, and the churning motion of the stomach; if either of these processes is impaired, the other, however active, cannot remedy the deficiency. The secretion of the gastric fluid may be impaired directly by influences acting upon the stomach, or by other causes which affect it through the medium of the nerves; among the former are those substances taken into the stomach, such as calomel, opium condiments, &c; and anlong the latter, which are by far the most numerous, every description of mental emotion or passion, such as fear, anxiety, &c; these first affect the nervous system, and then the stomach, through this medium. It is a common remark that depression of spirits accompanies the dyspepsia, but the reverse of this is nearer the truth. Dyspepsia accompanies depression of spirits, for when the mind is weighed down by disap- pointment or anxiety, or trouble of any kind, the energies of the nervous system undergo a corresponding depression, and of course the stomach loses, in common with other organs, a portion of its vital power, and dys- pepsia is the consequence. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 191 The stomach is also known to have close sympathy with the skin; any irritation upon the skin, if kept up for any length of time, may be transferred to the stomach and impair the tone of the organ. Pain in any part of the body, if intense and excru- ciating, and of long duration, impairs the nutritive func- tion ; and the stomach may be said to sympathise and become affected. And also the urinary organs may sympathise with the stomach and vice versa. It is well known that any diffi- culty of the kidneys may by sympathy affect the stomach. One of the attendant symptoms of inflammation of the kidneys is nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Those causes that interfere with the mechanical power of the stomach, may include every thing that distends the stomach and thereby prevents its churning motion; for any thing of this kind will palsy the efforts of the stomach. With regard to the difficulty in the process of diges- tion after the food has passed from the stomach in the duodenum or small intestine; the effects are not felt for some time after eating, and no oppression is felt in. the stomach, but at the right side, and some puffiness is fre- quently perceptible in the region occupied by the intes- tine. Sometimes in duodenal indigestion the pain com- plained of affects the back in the region of the right kidney. That headache should accompany dyspepsia cannot be a matter of surprise, when we consider the close sympathy between the nerves of the stomach and the brain; either the stomach or bowels may sympathise with the brain; if the former, there will be a languid and feeble pulse, whitish, slightly coated tongue, the edges of a pale, red color; mistiness before the eyes, and gene- 192 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; ral indistinctness of vision; dull weight or pain in the head, giddy and afraid of falling; but when the head- ache accompanies indigestion in the bowels, there is the appearance of occular spectres, which very much distress the patient; chilliness of the body; coldness and damp- ness of the hands and feet; severe pain in the head, attended with sensation of coldness and tightness of the scalp; slight giddiness; weight, distension and stiffness of the eyeballs; flatulency and a sensation of dryness and inactivity of the bowels. The last symptom is con- sidered as abundantly indicative of the derangement. 10.—Bilious Headache. (Stomachic Headache.) This affection usually occurs in the early stage of digestion, when the operation is going on in the stomach; but duodenal or that which happens after the food has passed from the stomach, takes place at a later period. Since headaches arise from congestion of the brain, as well as from sympathy with a deranged stomach, it may be noted that the former are distinguished from those of dyspeptic origin by plethoric symptoms, as by a full and oppressed pulse; by a difference in the character of the pain; in that which arises from fulness of blood there is a throbbing and a sense of action in the system, which sometimes is the cause of alarm; whilst the headache, arising from dyspepsia, is dull, aching or racking, often moving from one part to another, and attended with soreness of the scalp. In headache, arising from con- gestion, the eyes are red; but in that arising from bilious derangement, the eyes have a languid appear- ance. Another result of dyspepsia is biliary derangement, OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 193 or perhaps it may be equally proper to say another cause of dyspepsia is biliary derangement; as for instance, when the secretion of the liver is deficient, the work of duodenal digestion is impeded; and when redundant, the obstruc- tion is of a different character, when vitiated, the stomach partakes somewhat of the derangement. But it matters but little whether we speculate or not upon the mutual injury a diseased liver and a diseased stomach might inflict; one thing is quite evident, that a simple disease of the mucus membrane of the stomach, if neglected, will certainly disease the liver, and vice versa; and we have to adapt our remedies with reference to the conjoint symptoms of these two organs. The simple knowledge of the pathological condition of the organs that are prone to sympathise with each other, does not point out the precise remedy required; but if we believe in the truth of the claim set up, that medicines will cure only as their pathogenetic character corresponds with the manifestation of the disease, the remedy must in all cases be selected to correspond with a certain group of symptoms; and as dyspepsia is a disease ever varying in its manifest character, many remedies may be required to treat a single case. Treatment.—The remedies employed to meet various stages and groups of symptoms, are Antimonium crud., Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamomilla, China, Hepar sulph., Ipecacuanha, Ignatia, Lachesis, Nux vomica, Pul- satilla, Sulphur, Tartar emetic. Arnica is the remedy indicated when the affection is caused or proceeds from a blow, or by lifting or straining, with pain and cracking in the small of the back; by fatigue, much mental labor, and generally when it arises from over-excitement and irritability; when the patient 194 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; is very nervous, and has a dry tongue, or yellowish coat ing; putrid, bitter or sour taste, with a fetid odor from the mouth; an inclination for acids, eructations, sometimes with a taste as of bad eggs; a sense of fulness after meals; inclination to vomit; retching; flatulence in the bowels, which are distended; a heaviness in all the limbs; weak- ness in the legs; fulness in the head, particularly over the eyes; dull feeling and heat in the head; unpleasant warmth; wakes frequently from sleep, and starting when asleep; anxious dreams; after all the benefit is obtained that can be from this remedy, and the patient is not cured, Nux vomica or Chamomilla may be given. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every six hours. Antimonium crudum is indicated when the patient feels sick at the stomach, and has blisters or a white coating upon the tongue, and frequent eructations which tastes of the food last taken; flow of saliva from the mouth, or else much thirst, particularly at night; accu- mulation of mucus in the throat, or vomiting bile and mucus; sensation of fulness of the stomach, and soreness from contact; and also flatulency with griping, or alterna- tions of constipation and looseness of the bowels. When this remedy has been given according to the directions without producing any improvement in the condition of the patient, Bryonia is a suitable remedy to succeed.. DOSE.—Give one drop, or four globules, morning and evening. Belladonna, when Hepar or Sulphur has been given without producing any amelioration in the condition of the patient, may be given and repeated once or twice, and afterwards Sulphur may be administered again, with prospect of more favorable action. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given morning and evening, for one day; if there is a decided improvement in the condition of the OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 195 patient, the remedy need not be repeated so long as the patient continues to improve; if there is no amelioration, follow with a dose of Sulphur, twelve hours after, and then wait for twenty-four hours and do not repeat if there is manifest improvement. Bryonia, when, there is chilliness and coldness of the body, with derangement of the stomach; constipated bowels; white or yellow coating upon the tongue, or white blisters upon the tongue; continual thirst both night and day; dryness of the throat and stomach. This remedy is better suited to warm and damp weather. DOSE—One drop, or four globules, night and morning, to be discon- tinued as soon as the patient is evidently better. If after administering the remedy for two days, there is no amelioration, give Antimonium for one day, according to the directions, and wait a while for the result. Chamomilla is indicated when there is bitter taste in the mouth, immediately after eating, during an irritable or fretful state of mind; or there is, apparently,-bilious eructations, vomiting of greenish mucus, or bile; or when there is restlessness and tossing about during sleep, fre- quently waking, pain and fulness in the head, and face red and hot, the eyes burning and red, and the mind prone to be very sensitive. If this remedy fails of relief, give a single dose of Sulphur, and in twelve hours recur, to it again. DOSE._One drop, or four globules, may be given, morning and evening, for two days; if there is no sign of relief, give a dose of Sulphur the next morning, and repeat the Chamomilla in the evening, and wait twenty-four hours; if no improvement, resort to Ant. crud., and if this does not produce very soon, a favorable change, in twenty-four hours srive Bryonia. ' 6 China is suitable in those seasons of the year, when the weather is variable, and the air is filled with noxious vapors, and in those localities where there is much foo- and also for persons who are obliged to work where they have not a sufficient supply of fresh air. It frequently antidotes predisposition to agues, and some- times steels the constitution against them. The particular 196 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; symptoms indicating the use of this remedy, are sense of having eaten to satiety, and indifference to food and drink; slow and torpid digestion; constant belchings, and vomiting of undigested food; morbid craving for something strong, sharp or sour; weakness in the body, and a disposition to lie down, but unable to remain quiet; stiffness of the limbs in the morning, which require bending and stretching; flushes of heat; chilliness after every breath of air; dark colored urine, with copious sediment; wakefulness after lying down; melan- choly and morose disposition. DOSE—One drop, or four globules, twice a day, Hepar Sulph. is indicated when the greatest care in eating and drinking cannot avoid derangement of the stomach; and when there is under such circumstances, a craving for acids or wine, accompanied with nausea, sickness of the stomach, and eructations, principally in the morning; at times sour and bilious vomiting, and throwing up of phlegm, which accumulates in the throat; pain in the bowels, and hard, dry stools; and when the stomach has been rendered sensitive from taking calomel or blue pills. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every twenty-four houTS. Ipecacuanha is indicated in dyspepsia, when the tongue is not coated, although the patient is troubled with vomiting, and sickness at the stomach. It is par- ticularly indicated when habitual tobacco chewers begin to loathe the sight of the weed, as well as every description of food, and are given to easy or violent vomiting, for the most part, accompanied by diarrhoea; and also, when these symptoms come on in daily or bi-daily paroxysms, at or about the same time of the day. DOSE.—The same as directed for Chamomilla or Bryonia. OR, OF TnE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 197 IGNATIA is indicated when a protracted period of grief has brought on dyspepsia, attended with the following symptoms: when there is hiccough after eating or drinking; nausea and vomiting of food; burning in the stomach, and an empty and weak feeling in the pit of the stomach; fulness and distension of the bowels. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given morning and evening. Lachesis is indicated in cases when the difficulty is worse immediately after meals, or early in the morning; when several days pass without any evacuation. It may be called into requisition after Hepar has proved insuf- ficient. DOSE.—Lachesis should not be given oftener than a dose of four globules, every twenty-four hours, and great care should be exercised to discontinue its use immediately after there is a mitigation of the disease. One drop in a spoonful of water, may be administered, and then it would be well to wait forty-eight hours for the result. Nux vomica is indicated when dyspepsia has been brought on by dissipation and irregular hours; by drinking wine or strong coffee, and particularly if the patient has taken cold upon this condition; or as indi- cated by dryness of the mouth, without thirst; white coating upon the tongue; accumulation of phlegm in the mouth; heartburn and loss of taste, or that every kind of food and drink tastes insipid; water collects in the mouth; vomiting; pressure at the pit of the stomach; distension of the bowels; small and hard evacuations or constipation; reeling, giddiness, or dullness in the head; heaviness in the back part of the head; ringing in the ears; drawing in the jaw, teeth and limbs; want of energy and inability to think; restless, fretful and sullen; sometimes heat in the face. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given twice a day, if without good effect; follow after the elapse, of a day with Chamomilla. 18 198 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Pulsatilla is indicated when the stomach is in that condition that fat meat deranges it and produces flatu- lency; or when different kinds of food do not intermingle in the stomach without producing distress and flatulency; or when the dyspepsia is excited by any kind of rich food; when the taste is bitter or greasy, resembling putrid meat or tallow; and all kinds of food taste bitter, and there is a loathing of tobacco; and also when there is accumulation of phlegm in the mouth; eructa- tions of acrid bile or acidity from the stomach; aversion to warm food; distension of the abdomen, with rolling and rumbling; slow, troublesome and scanty evacua- tions or diarrhoea; sensation of chilliness; weakness; fretful and silent; annoyed at trifles. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of wator, and give a tablespoonful morning and evening. Sulphur is useful in those cases of dyspepsia that have been brought on by the use of aperients containing calomel or some other form of mercury; and particularly when there are neuralgic pains in the limbs, and at times soreness and tenderness of the stomach; unable to bear external pressure; constant belching of fetid flatus, and especially when some skin difficulty or tetter has preceded the gastric difficulty. DOSE.—Give a drop, or four globules, of Sulphur in a tablespoonful of water, and repeat in forty-eight hours, if there is not a decided improve- ment in the patient. Tartar emetic is particularly indicated when there is loathing of the food, and sometimes inordinate appetite and great desire for acids and fresh fruit; empty risings; eructations tasting like rotten eggs; nausea, with.incli- nation to vomit; anguish ; vomiting of mucus, and pain in the stomach, as if overloaded; colicky pains in the bowels, with great mental uneasiness, as if the bowels OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 199 would be cut to pieces; papescent stools, or mucous diarrhoea. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given twice a day. Further indications for the use of remedies in dys- pepsia from different causes, may be found in the follow- ing leading considerations: When every thing taken causes suffering on account of the weakness of digestion, Carb. veg., Chin., Nux vom., and Sulph. From cold water, if it should be found to disagree, Ars., Cham., Chin., Ferrum, Nux vom., Puis, and Yeratrum. If caused by leer, Bell., Colocynth., Rhus and Sep. When produced ly milk, Bry., Calc, Nux vom., and Sulph. From animal food, Ferrum, Ruta, Silicea and Sulphur. When caused ly fat or gravies, Nat. Mur., Puis., Sep. and Sulphur. For different ages and constitutions.—Children suffering from dyspepsia require chiefly Calc, Ipecac, Nux vom., Hyos. and Sulphur, according as the symptoms may indicate. Old people require Cicuta, Ant. cr., Carbo veg., China and Nux vom. Hypochondrical persons require for the most part Nux vom. and Sulphur. Hysterical females require Puis., Sep., Sulph., Yeratrum and others. When Irought on ly sedentary habits, Bry., Calc, Nux vom., Sep., Sulphur. When ly prolonged watching, Am., Carb. veg., Cocc, ]Sux vom., Puis., Yerat. When by excessive study, Am., Calc, Lachesis, Nux vom., Puis, and Sulphur. 200 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; When by debilitating losses, as in diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting or bleeding, China, Ferrum. When by sexual excesses, Calc, Merc, Nux vom., Phos. ac, Staphysagria. When the disease is in persons of the lymphatic tempera- ment, Chin., Puis., Sulph. When in persons of sanguine temperament, Bry., Nux vom., Bell., Phos. When in persons of bilious temperament, Cham., Cocculus, China, Sulph. When in those of melancholic temperament, Aurum, Ars., Nux vom., Puis., Sep. When in nervous temperaments, Coffea, Ignatia, Sulph., &c The habits or temperaments are by no means the guide in the selection of remedies, but they should for the most part be taken into consideration with the indicating symptoms. Diet.—Sometimes persons will suffer from difficult digestion when they take any kind of food or drink, and yet their systems cannot be sustained without food; such articles, therefore, of a non-medicinal quality, as cause the least suffering, determined by the expe- rience of the patient, must be taken in great mode- ration, but not without the most thorough mastication. Some can take a few well known articles of diet, while many other common articles disagree. Such should restrict themselves during treatment to what they know from experience is easy of digestion. Others find a larger number of kinds of food that agree— these should be governed accordingly. Any article known to disagree should in all cases be avoided. Mastication should be very thoroughly performed, and OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 201 considerable time should elapse between the taking of each morsel of food into the mouth and stomach. For the most agreeable kinds of food, to be taken without seasoning, or medicinal condiments, consult the diet table of the articles allowed under homoeopathic treatment. 11—Heartburn.—Waterbrash. (Pyrosis.) This disease is of common occurrence among persons suffering from disturbed digestion, and consists of burn- ing sensation in the pit of the stomach, followed in general by sour or acrid eructations or risings. In many instances the affection spreads over the whole region of the stomach, and is attended with disagreeable gnawing, anxiety, nausea, coldness of the extremities, debility, and sometimes even with faintness. It is in most cases so nearly allied to dyspepsia, that the range of remedies for that disease are to be regarded the best adapted to this. Nux. vom., Cham., Puis., China, Carbo veg. and Bella- donna, are remedies that seldom fail of removing the difficulty, when the accompanying symptoms otherwise indicate which is to be used. Doses.—When either of the above remedies are used in this complaint, the dose should be the same, and the repetition as frequent as prescribed for the same remedy in dyspepsia. But in cases where there is no other gastric dis- turbance, Belladonna may be given when the heartburn is attended with thirst. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, three times a day. China.—When it occurs after meals, and causes hic- cough and acrid risings. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, whenever it occurs. 202 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Staphisagria.—When produced by smoking, and attended with hiccough. DOSE._One drop, or four globules, as often as relief is required. Cocculus is particularly indicated for pyrosis in pregnant females. Sometimes it will afford complete relief, but the irritation being kept up, the disease may often' recur, and require a repetition of the remedy. Remedies used in dyspepsia, or other gastric difficulties, may sometimes afford relief in this affection, but as all remedies are to be regarded-more in the light of pallia- tives, any simple resort that will afford relief is com- mended. Sugar and water drank in the morning, or cold water drank freely, or water crackers, may be taken with advantage. But one deleterious practice must le discouraged: Chalk, Saleratus, Pearlash, Magnesia and the like, are always hurtful resorts. They may relieve for the time, but they are likely to entail more serious difficulties. 12—Spasms of the Stomach.—Cardialgia—Gastralgia. This affection is often termed cramp in the stomach, and consists in gnawing or contractive pains in the stomach, extending to the chest and back; attended by nausea and vomiting; faintness, and coldness of the extremities, and great anxiety. Sometimes the patient is relieved by belching wind, or by the discharge of a portion of burning, acrid, limpid fluid. The disease is sometimes attended with headache and constipation. In some cases the pain is not severe, but there are always anxiety and nausea, which may be increased by taking food. The disease originates in a diseased condition of the nerves of the stomach; is often associated with disease of the liver, spleen, or even both; cancer of the OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 203 stomach or intestines. It seldom occurs before the age of puberty. It may occur from gout or any chronic irritation that deranges the nerves of the stomach. Causes.—Spasm of the stomach may be brought on by persisting in the use of improper articles of diet, or by the use of stimulants. These, however, are not the only causes. Sometimes the system may gradually acquire a condition that favors the disease, and then crude, uncooked vegetable substances, salads, old cheese, new bread, sweetmeats, cherries, chestnuts, strong tea or coffee, and all other stimulating drinks, or long fasting between meals, or any indigestible food, or exposure to damp or cold, may bring on the difficulty; and when any one is aware of his predisposition to suffer from this difficulty, he should avoid all these things. The patient must also be warned against those miser- able resorts for relief that always stand in the way of a cure; laudanum, opium, morphine, brandy, Hoffman's anodyne, &c, are all hurtful, and defer a cure. Nothing can be worse, especially when it occurs in females, after the cessation of the menses, or from their interruption. Notwithstanding the disease has been regarded in- curable, under allopathic treatment, homoeopathy has in many cases been effectual, even when of long standing and of the worst kind. Treatment.—The remedies found most successful, are Belladonna, Bryonia, Calcarea, Carbo veg., Chamomilla, China, Cocculus, Coffea, Ignatia, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla. Belladonna is indicated after Chamomilla has been tried without affording relief, especially in delicate and sensitive females. When there is gnawing pressure, or spasmodic tightness of the stomach, which obliges the patient to lean back to mitigate the pain, or keep the 204 diseases of the digestive organs; breath; and also when the pain returns after dinner, so violent as to deprive of consciousness, or to produce fainting; when drinking increases the pain, and the patient cannot sleep at night. DOSE__Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every six hours, until relief, or change. Bryonia is also a remedy that may be classed with Chamomilla, and when the latter remedy fails of relieving the peculiar kind of pressure for which it is indicated, the former may be called into use; and particularly when the difficulty begins during meals, or occurs immediately after; and there is swelling of the pit and region of the stomach; and when the pressure changes to contracting, pinching, or cutting pains, which are relieved by pressing against the stomach, or by the belching of wind, or when the least motion aggravates the pain; and also when the foregoing symptoms are attended with constipation, pressure in the temples, fore- head, or back part of the head, as if the bones were rent asunder, and which is relieved by being pressed hard, or by tying a handkerchief around the head. DOSE._0f a solution of two drops, or ten globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful, according to the intensity of the pain, every three, four, six, or eight hours, until the patient is better or worse, or there is change of remedy. Calcarea is the most suitable for chronic cases, and particularly when Belladonna has afforded temporary relief. Its use is indicated by oppressive cutting, spasmodic pinching, choking pains, with anxious feelings, and frequently vomiting of food, worse after eating, and during the night, aggravated by external pressure. It is particularly suited for women, habituated to copious menstruation, and those who bleed much, and often from the nose. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, morning and evening. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 205 Carbo veg. is more particularly adapted to cases after Nux vom. has accomplished a partial cure, or has only afforded temporary relief; and when there is burning pain, or a continual, painful, agitating pressure, aggravated by touch, or when there is a contracting, spasmodic sensation, forcing the patient to bend, de- priving of breath, and becomes aggravated on lying down, sometimes attended with heartburn and nausea, loathing of food, and constipation. DOSE.__0ne drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in half a tumbler of water, and one teaspoonful may be given three times a day. Chamomilla is the remedy to be called into use when there is pressure at the pit of the stomach, as from a stone; and painful pressure at the region of the heart as if this organ would be crushed; flatulent distension at the same part; also in both sides of the abdomen and bowels, with shortness of breath, anxiety, and throbbing headache; mitigation of the above symp- toms on partaking of coffee; a distinguishing mark between the use of this remedy and Nux vomica, is the relief which the drinking of coffee gives; on the other hand, it is indicated when the symptoms as described are liable to be brought on by a fit of passion, or by any other agitation or emotion; the pain in the stomach sometimes alleviated by drawing up and lying still. DOSE-—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water,; give a teaspoonful every three hours, or if the pain is not very severe, give a teaspoonful every six hours. China.—When spasm of the stomach occurs in debili- tated persons, or in debilitated conditions of the system which may have been brought on by using emetics or cathartics, being bled or cupped frequently, or by pro- fuse loss of blood in any way, or by salivation or loss of 19 206 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; fluids by other means. When spasms occur in nursing, this remedy is of the first importance; and especially when the system is weakened by protracted nursing; when this remedy does not afford complete relief, Bella- donna is suitable to succeed; when, therefore, spasms of the bowels occur in females that have been nursing too long, this remedy is to be used first; and afterwards, if the milk is disposed to disappear, Belladonna must be used; and also, China is indicated when the digestion is not good, and much mucus acidity and acrid bile in the stomach; when the stomach feels sore, when meat and drink cause pressure and distension, and when the pains are worse during rest, and better when the patient is in motion. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop in four spoonfuls of water, or eight globules in the same quantity, and give a teaspoonful every six hours until ameliora- tion or change. Cocculus is a useful remedy after Nux vomica has been available in giving temporary relief, with recur- rence of the pain again in a short time, accompanied by hard evacuations or obstinate constipation; and when there is pressing and contractive pain in both the stomach and bowels, which is somewhat relieved by the discharge of wind, and there is sickness at the stomach, and accu- mulation of water in the mouth without waterbrash, and when the patient is sullen without any manifestation of irritability or violence. DOSE.— Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every four hours until relieved, or there is necessity for a change. Coffea is sometimes useful after Chamomilla, when the pains are very violent, and when there is extreme restlessness and inquietude, it may be used alternately with Chamomilla or with Belladonna. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 207 DOSE._ Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours if by itself, or if in alterna- tion with either of the above named remedies, three hours should intervene between the times of administration. Ignatia is useful when the disease has been of two or three days' standing, after other remedies have been tried, and particularly if the pains resemble those described under Pulsatilla or Nux vom., or when there is pressure afterv every meal, either in the throat or at the pit of the stomach; looseness of the bowels, and nausea and vomit- ing ; or when the spasm occurs in consequence of scanty supply of food or starvation. BOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every four hours. Nux vomica is of the utmost importance in the treat- ment of those cases brought on by the use of coffee or alcoholic drinks; when there seems to be a collection of wind on the left side under the ribs, worse after eating, or early in the morning, sometimes disturbing the sleep of the patient, and also when the pain in the stomach is pressing or contracting, and when the clothes seem too tight; and particularly if these symptoms are accom- panied by oppression of the chest, as if something were drawn tightly around it; sometimes the pain extending between the shoulders and to the small of the back; fre- quently attended with an accumulation of water in the mouth and nausea, or when there is a sour, bitter or acrid water rising in the throat; vomiting of food; sour or putrid taste in the mouth; flatulency; distension of the bowels and costiveness. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours until mitigation or change. Pulsatilla is particularly indicated when the pains are of a shooting character, worse when walking or making a misstep, and generally attended with nausea 208 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; or vomiting, loose stools, thirst during the most violent pains; when there is great tightness of the stomach, violent throbbing with anxiety, griping pains, relieved in a measure by eating. This remedy is most useful for persons of a lymphatic temperament, and especially if the pains are brought on or aggravated by eating rich or fatty kinds of food. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or ten globules, in a tumbler of water, and give a tablespoonful every six hours until mitigation or change. This remedy may be used in alternation with Ignatia every four hours, until better, or there are indications of a change. The character of this disease being that of neuralgia of the stomach, it would not be amiss to observe certain rules for protection: Those subject to the affection should have the feet well protected and kept warm; flannel should be worn next to the skin. Diet.—This should be exceedingly simple, weak black tea, cocoa, or broma, is allowable, stale bread, or crackers, the lean of well-fed meat, in great moderation. Wines and spices should be strictly prohibited, as well as coffee and green tea. All kinds of rich food and gravies, fresh bread, or warm cakes, preserves and cheese. 13.—Sea Sickness. For sickness of the stomach, occasioned by riding in a coach, or by the motion of a vessel at sea, and by the peculiar circumstances attending this kind of sickness, Cocculus, Colchicum, Sepia, and Staphisagria, are the chief remedies. Cocculus is the remedy usually indicated for this kind of sickness, when unattended with other difficulties. Sepia, when there is pain in the head, accompanied OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 209 with sickness at the stomach, resembling the sick headache. Colchicum is serviceable when the odor of the food, and the peculiar smell of the vessel, produces unpleasant sensations. Staphisagria is indicated if there is an offensive putrid taste in the mouth, and bleeding of the gums, and severe constipation. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules of either of the above remedies, when indicated, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until relieved ; or four globules may be taken at a dose, and repeated, if neces- sary, in four or six hours. Owing to a difference of habit and constitution, persons are differently affected by the motion of a carriage, or of a vessel at sea; hence it is necessary to adapt remedies to the peculiar constitutional habits. 14.—Vomiting of Mucus. There is a peculiar condition of the stomach in some persons, arising from debility, that causes them to vomit mucus from the throat and stomach, which accumulates there, from some disorder or derangement of the mucous coats of these organs. Symptoms.—Insipid, sweetish taste in the mouth, weak and miserable before eating, and painful uneasiness and fulness after eating. Treatment.—The remedies employed are Ipecacuanha, Rheum, and Yeratrum. Ipecacuanha is useful when there is simply vomiting of phlegm, with a disagreeable, sick feeling at the stomach. Rheum is useful if there is sickness and vomitinc attended with slimy diarrhoea, of a sourish or musty odor. 19* 210 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Yeratrum, when the symptoms are violent and attended with the vomiting of bile, or bilious discharges from the bowels. DOSE._0ne drop, or four globules, of either of the above remedies may be given when indicated, and repeated every four or six hours, unt.l a change. The appetite in this affection, is sometimes unimpaired, yet the diet should be simple, and free from irritating substances. In this affection, cold water has been found of great service, drunk copiously, several times a day. And also the washing of the mouth and throat internally, with the same, is found of great benefit. 15—Vomiting of Blood- (Hazmatemesis.) This affection proceeds sometimes from rupture of one or more of the blood-vessels of the stomach, caused by debility, produced by disease, or by poisoning, as by corrosive sublimate or arsenic, or from violent vomiting and purging, and frequently from suppression of the menses, and from a sudden check of the bleeding piles, which causes a determination of blood to the stomach. The blood evacuated is of a dark color sometimes, and at others red. In the former case, it is venous blood; in the latter, arterial. Treatment.—The remedies employed, are Aconite, Arnica, Arsenicum, China, Ipecacuanha, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Sulphur. Aconite is indicated when there is the presence of strongly marked, febrile symptoms, weight, pressure, fulness or pain in the region of the stomach, nausea, and vomiting of blood, of a bright red color. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful, at first, every thirty minutes, and then every hour, until mitigation, or change. When the premonitory symptoms of an attack begin to appear, attended with fever, a timely resort to the use of Aconite, as here directed, may obviate an attack. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 211 ARNICA is useful in severe cases, when the vomiting of blood occurs in persons of a full robust habit, and a choleric disposition; also when the patient complains of pains, as if bruised in the stomach and extremities. DOSE___Dissolve six globules, or one drop, in two tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until the patient is mani- festly better, or there is a change. Arsenicum, when the vomiting of blood is in persons of weak constitution, and when there is intense burning in the stomach, and great prostration. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until a change. China is useful when a quantity of blood has already been vomited, in restoring the weakened energies of the system from the loss. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given every four hours, until there is evident restoration of strength. Ipecacuanha is indicated when nausea and sickness of the stomach remain after an attack, or it may be used in alternation with Aconite at the commencement, when there is the presence of febrile symptoms, and also when there is vomiting of bile with the blood. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until a change. Nux vomica is particularly useful when vomiting blood occurs in persons of full and plethoric habit, with a strong tendency of blood to the stomach; when there is tendency to constipation, particularly arising from suppression of piles, or suppression of the menses; or from indulgence in stimulating drinks, such as wine or beer; and also when the patient is of an irritable temper. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every four hours, until better. 212 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Pulsatilla is particularly serviceable when the vom- iting is from suppressed menses, and also in males of the lymphatic temperament and mild disposition it is more suitable than Nux vom. DOSE—Precisely the same in all respects as for Nux vom. Sulphur is indicated when the symptoms occur after the suppression of an eruption or piles, or when there are evident signs of the vomiting of blood being but a trans- fer of some other flux to the stomach. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, three times a day. Diet.—The rules to be observed in adapting a diet in this affection are nearly the same as in spasm of the stomach, only greater strictness is required. No solid food should be taken; all drinks should be cold. Preparations of milk, light puddings or broths may be allowed, but not for several hours after an attack, and then very cautiously and in small quantity, observing that every article taken should be cold, or at least only tepid or lukewarm. From the very nature of the affec- tion, rest and quietness of mind* and body must be inferred as absolutely essential. 16.—Constipation. (Costiveness.) There is not, perhaps, any abdominal difficulty that occasions so much attention on the part of those wedded to old opinions and unenlightened notions, as costive- ness, and it may also be remarked that there is nothing of a moderately dangerous character that more frequently baffles the efforts of allopathy. The reason is, such efforts, arising from mistaken views, are directly opposed to the operations of nature. Constipation is generally dependent upon some other derangement of the organism, and on this account it is OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 213 frequently alluded to as a symptom of other derange- ments. The very means that have been resorted to obviate this difficulty have too frequently operated to fasten it upon the system. A cathartic only relieves for the time being, and then the difficulty is apt to occur in a more stubborn form. This certainly cannot have escaped observation, and the result of this course, of flying to a dose of Magnesia, Epsom salts, Castor oil, or to some one of the many kinds of pills, is a weakening of the natural force of the bowels, and constipation becomes an habitual thing. Mothers, acting upon the idea that the bowels must le kept open, frequently give their children aperient medi- cines, for the purpose, as they suppose, of keeping them from getting sick; and the result frequently is the derangement of their delicate systems, to a degree, that subjects them to dyspepsia and constipation throughout life. It is far better to leave slight cases of consti- pation to nature, or if medicines are needed, those which only force evacuations of the bowels are by no means the ones that operate a cure; these at best only remove the effect and not the cause, and this only temporarily; but as constipation results from a morbid condition of the system, reason would dictate that the successful use of remedies would overcome this condition. It is found that remedies which correct deranged conditions of the stomach, will often remove constipation, though they possess no cathartic property. We must look upon constipation as the mere result of a peculiar condition, or want of balance in the general system; it is to the changing of this that our attention should be directed, if we wish to cure constipation instead of effecting a mere temporary palliation. 214 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Causes.—Constipation results from derangement of the digestive or biliary organs, secondarily, and these may be primarily operated upon, either by disease, or deleterious medicines, or cathartics. Treatment. — A mere arrangement of a judicious diet will often prove sufficient to remove mild forms of constipation, provided great care is taken to masticate the food well before taking it into the stomach. The remedies employed are Alumina, Antim. crud., Bryonia, China, Calcarea carb., Cocculus, Lycopodium, Lachesis, Nux vomica, Opium, Pulsatilla, Plumbum, Sepia, Sulphur and Yeratrum. Alumina is indicated when there is dry, hard faeces, evacuated with considerable difficulty and exertion of the abdominal muscles, sometimes streaked with blood, and which appears to result from want of motion or activity in the intestinal canal, such as may result from travelling. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every twenty-four hours. The best time for taking it is in the evening, half an hour before retiring. Antimonium crud. is serviceable when the constipa- tion is preceded by diarrhoea, or when there is a feeling of slight derangement of the stomach, and nausea. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, once a day, at night. Bryonia is a remedy that may be employed with advantage in warm weather, when the affection occurs in persons of dark complexion and irritable or obstinate dispositions, with a tendency to chills and rheumatism; and further, it may be employed to remove the difficulty when it arises from a disordered stomach, and is attended with determination of blood to the head and severe headache. dose—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful morning and evening, and continue until complete relief is obtained. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 215 China is a remedy that may be called into requisition when the constipation arises from debilitating losses, as in miscarriage, or from diarrhoea, or from violent pur- gation, or when occurring after a protracted season of looseness and the like. DOSE___One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, to be taken every twelve hours, until better or a change. Calcarea carb. is one of the remedies to be called into use after a journey, when the constipation appears to result from travelling. It is better suited to persons of sanguine temperament. Cocculus is another remedy found exceedingly useful for costiveness resulting from sea-sickness, or from riding in a coach or in the cars, and especially if the affection is preceded by nausea or vomiting. Conium is another of the same class of remedies, and is more particularly indicated if the constipation is accom- panied with painful piles. DOSES.—It is not necessary to repeat either of the above remedies more than once a day. Calc. c. may be taken at night, one drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water. Cocculus, perhaps, it would be better to take in the morning in the same way; and Conium either at night or in the morning. Lycopodium is one of the very best remedies in chronic constipation, as proved by clinical experience, when there is determination of blood to the head, colic, flatulence, sense of weight in the lower part of the bowels. DOSE. —One drop, or four globules, in a tablespoonful of water; to be taken every night. Lachesis is indicated after the use of Nux vomica in chronic constipation, and particularly if this latter remedy has failed of fulfilling its indications. It is especially suited to those Avho take wine freely as a habit, and who 216 diseases of the digestive organs; feel a flatulent distention after meals, and ineffectual efforts to eructate. DOSE___One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, every evening until amelioration or change. Nux vomica is, for the most part, indicated when con- stipation results from too heavy a meal, or from partaking of indigestible food, or wine, or other stimulating drinks, or when it has resulted from the reaction after pro- longed diarrhoea, or after the use of cathartics; when persons have taken aperients until the bowels have become so torpid as not to move without them, this remedy in alternation with opium may sometimes over- come the difficulty. In the most obstinate cases of con- stipation which afflict coffee drinkers, or those who have been somewhat given to the use of wine or brandy, Nux vom. may be considered one of the best of remedies; it is particularly adapted to persons of irascible and vivacious temperaments, with strong tendencies of blood to the head, and headache; unfitness for exercise; disturbed sleep, and a feeling of general oppression or heaviness; frequent and ineffectual efforts to relieve the bowels, attended with a sensation of a stricture, and sometimes painful difficulty in passing urine. It is an excellent remedy for persons suffering from piles, or are subject to them. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every night, until amelioration or change. Opium.—It is thought that this remedy is chiefly to be selected in recent cases of constipation, which do not occur as being peculiar or habitual; but its use is by no means confined to cases of this kind; it is equally useful when the disease occurs in vigorous, plethoric, well- nourished subjects, and arising from inactivity in the OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 217 intestinal canal or from sedentary habits; when it occurs in aged subjects in alternation with diarrhoea, it is also an exceedingly useful remedy; and also when there is want of power to relieve the bowels, with a feeling of constriction in the anus; pulsation and sense of weight in the abdomen; dull, heavy pain in the stomach; parched mouth, and want of appetite; determination of blood to the head, with redness of the face and headache. This remedy is highly recommended for the constipation of pregnant females, which arises from pressure of the womb or abdominal tumors upon the rectum. DOSE.—Dissolve four globules in a tablespoonful of water, and take morning and evening. Pulsatilla is indicated when the patient is morose, taciturn, or soured, after eating fatty substances, and when there is constipation from sedentary habits and from drinking ardent spirits, or from eating too many kinds of food at a meal, or in consequence of surfeit or after a diarrhoea; want of appetite; disagreeable taste; the tongue coated; sickness of the stomach; tightness of the abdomen, and particularly when the constipation attends difficult menstruation. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or four globules, in a tablespoonful of water; give one half at night, and the other in the morning. Plumbum is indicated for the most obstinate constipa- tion, as from palsy of the bowels; when it may be attended by agonizing colics, contraction of the abdomen about the navel, with throbbing; sensations of heat or coldness in the abdomen; ineffectual efforts to evacuate, with painful constriction of the anus; for persons of a paralytic diathe- sis, affected with palsy, epilepsy, dropsy or emaciation, &c DOSE—Give a drop, or four globules, every six hours, until relieved. ' 20 218 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Sepia succus is particularly indicated for constipation in females, or for persons addicted to rheumatism; and in some cases it may be regarded a useful remedy after Nux vomica or Sulphur, when either of them has proved inefficacious. DOSE._0f a solution of one drop, or four globules, in two tablespoon- fuls of water ; give a tablespoonful morning and evening. Sulphur is useful in most cases of constipation, espe- cially after the use of Nux vom., for persons of a melan- choly disposition, who are subject to piles, and also when there is frequent and ineffectual effort to evacuate, with confined flatus, distention of the abdomen, and unfit- ness for intellectual labor. DOSE—One drop, or four globules, night and morning. Yeratrum is useful for obstinate constipation, with ineffectual efforts to evacuate, on account of deficient expulsive power of the large intestine; or torpidity of the rectum, attended with congestion of the head, and flushed face; or for nausea, with sour or bitter eructations, and tenderness of the abdomen to the touch; and also for bilious and gastric affections; for infants and young children, after having been drugged with quinine. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a spoonful three times a day, until there is an ameliora- tion or change. Diet.—Persons afflicted with costiveness should avoid all high seasoned food, and coffee, and green tea, and bread made of superfine flour. They may be allowed bran bread, crackers, apples and other fruits, tender beef and mutton, puddings made of rice or bread, and sauce made of prunes, peaches or plums. Patients should regularly go to stool, so as to establish the habit of regular evacuations. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 219 17.—Diarrhoea. This disease consists of loose or watery evacuations from the bowels, brought on by various causes; some- times by fright, fear or vexation; from sudden check of perspiration; from taking cold; from disordered sto- mach and bowels, and from excessive heat. Some diseases terminate in diarrhoea, and some com- mence with the same difficulty; but in all cases it may be regarded a morbid state of the functions. It is not unfrequently the case that diarrhoea is connected with affections of the liver or kidneys. As in the treatment of constipation the use of cathar- tics or aperients is discouraged on account of the pros- tration they occasion, as well as on account of their failure in producing any good effect other than an ephemeral palliation. So in arresting diarrhoea, astrin- gent drinks and other artificial means should be laid aside as having a decidedly injurious effect. The sud- den arrest of diarrhoea very often causes the disease to tend strongly towards the head, and not unfrequently, fatal consequences result. The usual consequences of suppressed diarrhoea are dyspepsia, liver complaint, and other kindred difficulties, and these affections are by far more difficult to remove after suppressed diarrhoea than before, because impuri- ties that would have passed off are retained and thrown back upon the system. It will therefore be regarded in the utmost degree dangerous to thus throw back upon the system what may prove so injurious, by sud- denly arresting a diarrhoea; besides arresting a diarrhoea is by no means curing it; it is only changing the disease into another form which may prove much more formi- dable than the diarrhoea itself. 220 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Many have supposed that the alimentary canal is a tube smooth on its inner surface, through which can be forced whatever it contains without injury or violence, but this is an erroneous idea; the intestinal tube is a living organ and needs no activity to speed its contents on their way; no force can be applied with impunity. Its very structure indicates that nature is averse to forcible evacuations of any kind, either from disease or drugs, and there never is diarrhoea only when some diseased actum, opposed to nature, is operative. When diarrhoea is produced by aperient medicines, in the attempt to rid the body of the poisonous materials, even if accomplished, it leaves the intestines very weak and relaxed. If the purgative were not a poison it would not purge at all, for only such things as the body cannot suffer, but ejects, acts as aperients. The poisonous effects of these medicines become most evi- dent when they remain in the body; for when the body has not the power to reject them they show their whole force as a poison. You will be told that it is the disease which produces these symptoms, but do not believe it, it is false; more persons die of magnesia or castor oil, or more children die of rhubarb, than of arsenic, of which every one is afraid. With costive evacuations the action of the intestines is greater, or the excrements could not be ejected, and consequently nothing can remain behind; for the hard excrements we find always to fill the intestines completely, which is never the case in diarrhoea. When the action of the intestine stops, it is true the contents remain stationary, but it can easily be excited again, as has been shown under "constipation." Doctors who dissect thousands of bodies almost always find impurities in those who have had diarrhoea, but never in those who have been constipated. OR, OF TnE ALIMENTARY CANAL. When loose evacuations relieve a patient suffering from some complaint, wait awhile\ ^^xxjtq giving him medicine, and resort to it only in case of its continuing so long as to be injurious. Although diarrhoea affords evidence of disordered action in the system somewhere, yet it does occur when it should not be meddled with, because it is nature's method of affording relief, and this obtained, the diarrhoea passes away without requiring any medical aid. Such is the case with children when teething, and it is always better to wait a day or two when it occurs before giving any medicine. With respect to the treatment of the various kinds of diarrhoea, it is partly general and partly medicinal. Medical Treatment.—The remedies used, are Arse- nicum, Antimonium crud., Bryonia, Calcarea carb., Chamomilla, China, Colocynthis, Dulcamara, Ipeca- cuanha, Mercurius, Nux vomica, Phosphoric acid, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox., Secale, Sulphur, and Yeratrum. Arsenicum is indicated when the diarrhoea is watery or slimy, whitish, greenish, or brownish, taking place principally at night, after midnight, or towards the morning, or else after eating or drinking, with grip- ing, burning, or tearing pains in the abdomen; vio- lent thirst, anorexia with nausea, or else vomiting; excessive emaciation; great weakness; sleeplessness and anxiety at night; distension of the abdomen; coldness of the extremities; paleness of the face, with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes, surrounded by a livid circle. DOSE._One drop, or six globules may be dissolved in half a tumbler of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every two hours, and in some violent cases, every hour, until a reaction, or change. Antimonium crud. may be successfully employed when there is watery diarrhoea, with disordered stomach; 20* 222 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; tongue covered with a white coating; loss of appetite; belching and nausea. It is particularly adapted for aged persons, and for females during pregnancy, or when lying in; and in some cases of diarrhoea, during denti- tion in children. DOSE___Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every two hours; or if the disease is not very violent, give a teaspoonful every three or four hours, until amelioration or change. Bryonia may be used in diarrhoea that occurs during the heat of summer, and more particularly when it is caused by cold drinks; or when it is brought on by vexation or fright, or a fit of passion, It is a valuable remedy to call into requisition after Chamomilla has proved inefficient. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Calcarea carb. is a useful remedy in diarrhoea of long standing, and especially if it occurs in scrofulous children, and seems to be attended with weakness emaciation, paleness of the face, and keen appetite. It is useful after the ineffectual employment of Sulphur. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, night and morning. Chamomilla is a most effectual remedy for watery slimy, bilious diarrhoea, of a greenish or yellow color, mingled frequently with undigested food, rumbling in the bowels, want of appetite, thirst, coated tongue, tearing colic, or griping fulness in the stomach, distension and hardness of the bowels, frequent eructations or bilious vomitings, bitter taste in the mouth. It is a useful remedy for children, and in young children, when attended with crying, agitation, tossing, constant desire to be carried in the arms. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 223 DOSE.—Children may have two globules every three hours, until relieved. Adults may require a drop, or four globules, every three, four, or six hours, until better, or a change. China is indicated in profuse, watery, and brownish diarrhoea, mingled with undigested portions of the food; at night, or soon after eating, with violent pressive con- strictive colic. It is also useful in painless diarrhoea, and great weakness in the abdomen; rumbling in the bowels; eructations; burning pains in the arms; want of appetite; violent thirst; and general debility. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every four hours, until amelioration, or change. Colocynthis is more particularly useful in bilious or watery diarrhoea, with violent spasmodic colic, especially when caused by vexation or fits of passion, and when Chamomilla has previously been used with only partial success. Chamomilla is also a good remedy to be employed after Colocynthis, when the latter has proved insufficient. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until mitigation, or change. Dulcamara is indicated when there are liquid, yellowish, slimy, or bihous evacuations; or when there are evacuations at night, composed of slimy matter, and crude undigested particles of food, with colic and griping, especially around the navel; want of appetite, and violent thirst; nausea, or else vomiting; paleness of the face; great lassitude and uneasiness; and particularly when the diarrhoea has been brought on by a cold. DOSE._One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in half a tumbler .»t water, and a teaspoonful may be given every four hours, until relief is obtained, or there is necessity for a change. Ipecacuanha is a useful remedy when nausea, and vomiting of whitish or greenish mucus, attends a watery 224 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; or slimy diarrhoea, of greenish or yellowish appearance; tearing colic, or cuttings in children, with cries, tossing and restlessness; accumulation of saliva in the mouth; distension of the bowels; weakness, with desire to con- tinue lying down; paleness of the face, with livid circle round the eyes; coldness; irritability, and irascibility. DOSE.__Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration, or change. Mercurius is called into use when the evacuations are principally at night, and are of a bilious, slimy, or frothy appearance; or sanguineous stools of a greenish, yellowish, or whitish color, sometimes attended with straining; burning and itching, and excoriation of the anus; violent colic, or griping; heartburn, nausea, and eructations; shivering, and shuddering, and perspiration, sometimes cold, with trembling and great lassitude. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration, or change. Nux vomica is more particularly useful when there are frequent but scanty evacuations, of watery, whitish, or greenish stools, with colio, and straining, or bearing down pains in the rectum; and also if there is nausea and vertigo, on rising up. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until mitigation, or change. Phosphoric acid is useful when the evacuations are involuntary, and of a dark, dirty, painless character; or when they are watery or slimy, with particles of undi- gested matter. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration, or change. Pulsatilla is indicated when the evacuations are of a pap-like consistence, or slimy, bilious or watery, and or, of the alimentary canal. 225 of a whitish, yellowish, or greenish color, or else which change their character; and also when they are liquid and fetid, with excoriations of the anus; bitter taste in the mouth; white coating upon the tongue; nausea; disagreeable eructations, or else slimy, bitter vomiting; colic and cutting pains, especially at night. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until a change. Rhus tox. may be successfully employed against diarrhoea that takes place principally at night, with pains in the limbs, headache, and colic which seems to be invariably aggravated after eating or drinking. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until complete relief is obtained, or there is mitigation, or else a change. Secale is particularly indicated in painless evacua- tions, attended with great weakness, or watery faeces, or yellow or greenish, expelled promptly and with great violence, and frequently involuntarily; and also when there are evacuations of undigested matters, attended with colic and griping, especially at night; mucous coating upon the tongue; clammy taste; frequent rumb- ling in the bowels, and much flatulency, with fulness and distension of the abdomen. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until mitigation or change. Sulphur is certainly a valuable remedy in many cases of the most obstinate diarrhoea, and is especially indicated when the evacuations are frequent, and principally at night with colic, straining, distension of the bowels, oppression of the chest, shivering, and great weakness; slimy or watery; frothy or putrid evacuations of a whitish or greenish color, mingled with undigested matters; or when the evacuations are sour or bloody; and also when 226 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; a slight cold invariably aggravates the diarrhoea or brings it on; and also when there is rapid emaciation. DOSE—One drop, or four globules, night and morning. Yeratrum is particularly indicated when the evacua- tions are of a thin watery appearance, attended with great prostration; nausea and vomiting; rapid sinking of the system and emaciation; and also when there is rice water evacuations, attended with cramps in the stomach and bowels. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every hour in violent cases, until relief is obtained, or there is amelioration or change. General Treatment and Diet.—Whenever a diar- rhoea commences, the patient should abstain from acids, coffee, tea, and every thing highly seasoned with salt; and also from fruit, either fresh or dried; eggs; chickens; but very little drink should be taken, and this should be restricted to mucilaginous drinks made of rice, barley or gum arabic, oatmeal or hominy. When the patient has an appetite for food, he may be allowed mutton broth, thickened with flour, oatmeal or rice; and also milk fresh from the cow, in moderation, if the patient is fond of it. 18.—Dysentery. (Bloody Flux.) Symptoms.—Constant straining and desire to evacuate the bowels; violent pains and burning in the lower bowels; more or less fever; and the stools are either of mucus or blood, and sometimes of both. The disease is generally preceded by loss of appetite; chilliness and fever; nausea or vomiting, or costiveness; this state is soon succeeded by dull pains in the abdomen; increase of the fever; loose evacuations, generally of OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 227 mucus at first, then mucus mixed with blood, and some- times of pure blood, with intense pains and almost inces- sant desire for a stool, with violent straining; under some circumstances the disease comes on without any previous warning. The disease may occur during any season of the year, but its occurrence is most frequently in the autumn, and very likely it is brought on by a change of the temperature of the weather during the nights, which causes a check of perspiration, and the fluids are driven inward upon the mucus surfaces; or it may be brought on by indulging in unripe fruits or vegetables, drinking cold water when the system is either in a heated state or in profuse perspiration; it frequently occurs in the autumn as an epidemic or endemic, in particular regions of country, and more particularly in low marshy situa- tions. Treatment.—When the patient first experiences any of the premonitory symptoms of the disease, he should avoid all cold drinks, unless prepared with barley or mucilage; and, in fact, the less he drinks the better; his apartments should be well ventilated, and he should rest as much as possible. The remedies employed are Aconite, Arnica, Arseni- cum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamomilla, China, Colocynth, Mercurius corr., Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Sulphur. Aconite is particularly indicated in the commence- ment of dysentery, when it is accompanied with tearing, cutting pains, resembling rheumatism in the upper and lower extremities, neck and shoulders; violent chills; excessive heat and thirst; bilious or thin watery evacua- tions, sometimes mixed with mucus slightly tinged with blood; dull or cutting pains in the bowels; it is a remedy 228 diseases of the digestive organs; often used in autumnal dysenteries, when there are warm days and cold nights. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until there is a change in the symptoms, and some other remedy is required. Arnica is useful in autumnal dysentery, when the disease makes its appearance by pains and aching in the limbs and lumbar region, as if they had been bruised or beaten; and when there is a soreness remaining after straining at stool; and also when there is an ineffectual straining and urging to stool, and contusive pains in the sides of the abdomen. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until there is a change of symptoms demanding another remedy. Arsenicum is indicated when the stools have a putrid smell, and when they pass involuntarily; when the urine becomes offensive, and there is great loss of strength and benumbing of the faculties, with a fetid odor from the mouth; and when there are red or blue spots that make their appearance here and there upon the surface of the body; and also when there is tossing about in great agony, as if there was no rest to be had; the spirits sunken, the patient looks for death, and when at the same time the breath is cool or else burning; Carbo veg. may be used after Arsenicum, if this remedy should pro- duce no amehoration; when it aggravates, Nux vomica should be given; if the putrid smell still remains after having given Carbo veg., give China, allowing an interval of two or three hours between the employment of the different remedies. DOSE.—If alone, give one drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water every four hours, allowing the same interval to elapse between the use of different remedies. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 229 Arsenicum and Carbo veg. may be given in alterna- tion every three hours, or with Nux vom. in the same way; but it is decidedly best to give each remedy by itself, until there is amelioration or indication for a change. Belladonna is indicated when there is frequent small evacuations of blood, attended with severe pain in the front of the head, and chilliness extending down the back, or when there are involuntary stools. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Bryonia is of great service in the incipient stage of dysentery, when it occurs in warm weather, and is brought on by partaking of unripe fruit, and when it is worse after drinking or eating the smallest quantities, and when there is nausea and yellow or dark colored coating upon the tongue, and bile mixed with mucus and blood in the stools. It is an excellent remedy to follow Aconite, after this remedy has reduced in some measure the febrile symptoms. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until mitigation or change. Chamomilla is very suitable after Aconite, if there is still some fever and thirst and rheumatic pains, particu- larly in the neck and head; or when there is nausea, foul tongue, bilious stools, bitter taste, &c, and particu- larly if the disease succeeded immediately after a sudden check of perspiration, or if accompanied with great agitation and tossing. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given every four hours. China is indicated for those dysenteries that appear in marshy districts afflicting many persons at a time 21 230 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; and particularly when the disease is of an intermittent form, or worse every other day. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change Colocynth. is indicated when there is extreme pain in the bowels, as if the intestines were pressed between hard substances ; the patient writhing with pain ; slimy stools, sometimes mixed with blood; the bowels much distended, sometimes like a drum; fulness and pressure of the bowels; shuddering, commencing in the abdomen and extending over the whole body; white mucus coat- ing upon the tongue. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until some relief, and then every four hours. Mercurius vivus is particularly useful when there is an urgent desire to evacuate, accompanied by a sense as if the intestines were being pressed out; after much straining a discharge of fight blood, or greenish, broken up matters, mixed with blood, and the straining aug- mented after the evacuation. This remedy is very useful for the disease in children, when accompanied with crying and screaming. Mercurius corr. is the chief remedy resorted to by some physicians in autumnal dysentery, and is particularly useful after Aconite, when attended by much straining and colic, and also when in the commencement, there is considerable discharge of mucus, bile and blood; Colocynth. is useful after Mer- curius corr., provided it has failed of affording relief. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, of either, as indi- cated ; give a teaspoonful every three hours, until the patient is better, or a change of remedy is required. Nux vomica.—Small, frequent evacuations of bloody slime with tenesmus, violent cutting about the umbilical OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 231 region, heat and thirst. Particularly useful when the dysentery occurs during the heat of the summer, and particularly when Arsenicum only aggravates the putrid smell of the evacuations. DOSE—One drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every hour. Pulsatilla is of service when the stools are chiefly mucus, streaked with blood; nausea and coated tongue; bitter taste in the mouth; and in other respects when the symptoms may indicate the use of Nux vom. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every two hours, until amelioration or change. Sulphur is of great use when the disease seems protracted, and also when any of the remedies employed in the disease fails of affording entire relief. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, of Sulphur, may be given twice a day. Diet.—During the febrile stage of the disease give barley water as a drink, and avoid the use of cold water. No solid food will be required. Boiled milk, diluted with water, may be allowed in moderation, and also weak mutton soup after the fever has subsided, but no solid food should be taken until the cessation of the dysenteric stools, and then such as is of easy digestion and of a nutritive quality. 19.—Cholera Morbus. Symptoms.—Yiolent vomiting and purging; pain in the stomach and abdomen; thirst, and sometimes cramps and coldness of the extremities; before the attack there is generally some indications of its approach. Some- times shivering, pain in the stomach, and nausea; but there are occasionally attacks of the disease, without 232 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; any premonition whatever; violent vomiting and purg- ing setting in at the same time. The contents of the stomach are first ejected, and afterwards bile. It is in the very severe forms of the disease that cramps in the muscles, paleness of the surface, pinched features, sunken eyes, cold and clammy skin, and great anxiety and depression seem to characterize the disease. The disease is of so short duration that attacks frequently come on at night, and by morning the patient may be entirely relieved, and nearly if not quite well. The disease is common to warm climates, and warm seasons, and occurs the most frequently in the latter part of summer or early part of autumn. Causes.—Improper diet, unripe fruits, or cucumbers, are generally considered as among the exciting causes; eating too much at a time, and indulging in too great a variety of luxuries, at a meal, and then exposing oneself to the heat of the weather, are also to be avoided as inducing the disease; sudden changes of temperature, great fatigue, the too free use of ice, or ice water, or ices of any kind, may also be reckoned among the exciting causes. Treatment.—The principal remedies are the follow- ing: Arsenicum, Chamomilla, China, Cuprum, Ipeca- cuanha, Nux vomica, Yeratrum. Arsenicum is indicated when the disease commences with violence, and is attended with rapid prostration of strength; insatiable thirst; excessive anxiety, with fear of approaching death; burning sensation in the region of the stomach; almost constant discharge from the bowels; or recurrence of the evacuations after drinking anything. When there is suppression of urine, or scanty discharge, followed by burning sensation; violent pain, OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 233 and vomiting; tongue and lips dry, cracked, and of a dark or blackish appearance; hollow cheeks; pinched appearance of the nose; small, weak, trembling, and sometimes nearly imperceptible pulse; severe cramps in the extremities, and clammy perspiration. DOSE___Dissolve two drops of the dilution, or twelve globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every half hour, until some mitigation of symptoms, and then, every hour until the disease appears to be further reduced, and then, one in two, three, or even four hours, until complete convalescence is established. Chamomilla is useful when the attack is induced by some severe mental emotion, or fit of passion; or if indicated by the following symptoms: severe colic; heavy pressure in the region of the navel, sometimes extending to the heart, with excessive anguish; bilious diarrhoea; cramps in the calves of the legs; yellow coating upon the tongue, and sometimes vomiting of acid matter. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, for three or four times, and then, if there is the slightest amelioration, give a teaspoonful every two or three hours, until completely relieved. China is not so much indicated during the attack, as after it, to obviate the weakness which remains. Sometimes, however, it is of use during the course of the disease, particularly when there is vomiting of food, and frequent watery and brownish evacuations, containing portions of undigested food; and when there is oppression at the chest, with eructations which afford temporary relief; Severe pressure in the abdomen, especially after partak- ing of the smallest portion of food; great exhaustion, sometimes amounting to fainting. This remedy is particularly marked when the disease has been excited by crude, indigestible substances, such as unripe fruit, &c 21* 234 diseases of the digestive organs; DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, if the attack has subsided; but every two hours if given during the attack. Cuprum is requisite when there are violent cramps in the extremities, especially in the calves of the legs, fingers and toes; it is useful also when the evacuations are very frequent and whitish, with intense pains in the bowels, bluish appearance of the skin, &c DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every half hour or hour, according to the severity of the case. Ipecacuanha is sometimes useful after Chamomilla^ in the treatment of this affection, should the vomiting continue or become aggravated; or it may be given as the principal remedy when vomiting predominates, or at least exists in as great a degree as the diarrhoea. Nux vomica is exceedingly useful after Ipecacuanha, should there be anxiety, pain in the abdomen, frequent small evacuations, and straining, with headache. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every two hours, until amelioration, or change. Nux vomica is exceedingly useful when the disease comes on suddenly, with vomiting and purging, simul- taneously, with much anxiety, and pain in the bowels; evacuations frequent and small; or ineffectual urging to stool; or cramps. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every three hours, dissolved in a spoonful of water. Yeratrum is a very useful remedy to succeed Nux vomica, provided there appears to be any increase of the disease, and particularly if there is violent vomiting, with severe diarrhoea; excessive weakness, and cramps in the calves of the legs; eyes hollow or sunken; countenance pale, and expressive of acute suffering; coldness of the OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 235 extremities; violent pain in the region of the stomach, and about the navel; tenderness of the bowels when touched; pains and cramps in the fingers; shrivelled appearance of the skin, or the palmar surfaces. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every half hour, until amelioration of the disease, and then every hour, or two hours, &c, according to the violence of the disease. 20.—Asiatic Cholera. This formidable disease, so much dreaded in the community, is generally preceded by certain sufferings, or premonitory symptoms, which have continued for several days before the more certain phenomena of the disease appears; or these premonitory symptoms may not have made their appearance three hours before the attack. These premonitory symptoms are great debility, as if the patient had suffered great loss of blood; dimness of vision, with giddiness and noises in the ears; and also much thirst, loss of appetite, and distension of the bowels. The principal symptoms are vomiting and purging; the purging commencing generally sometime before the vomiting. If the disease is not soon checked the evacuations become frequent, ultimately assuming a copious liquid, watery and inodorous character, resembling rice water, and on this account the evacuations are generally termed rice water discharges; the patient becomes very restless i as these evacuations continue; cramps attack the calves of the legs, fingers and toes, and sometimes even the muscles of the abdomen. If the disease is not arrested in this stage, a still more formidable character will soon develope itself; for the constant watery discharges must soon exhaust the body 236 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; so as to bring on collapse or the blue stage; the pulse almost imperceptible; coldness of the extremities, and thence of the body in general, including the face; the countenance seems pallid and sunken; eyes very much sunken in the sockets; and the thirst almost unquench- able, and the restlessness so excessive as to defy all efforts to obviate it; the breath becomes cold, and the skin over the hands and body become shrivelled and shrunken; the urine is suppressed; the nose becomes cold, and in some cases gangrenous; the voice husky; the breathing becomes slower and slower; hiccough precedes death. This is the course when the disease terminates fatally; but when it terminates favorably the pulse rises, the blue- ness disappears, warmth is restored to the body, and gene- ral reaction indicated by heat, fever and headache takes place; the reaction in some cases is so great that the utmost efforts of the physician are required to save the patient from the fatal efforts of congestion of some of the internal vital organs. Causes.—The nature of the malaria from which cholera originates, is unknown; but we may reckon among the exciting causes,—living in filthy, crowded and badly ventilated places; errors of diet; extreme changes of habits; excessive or habitual use of intoxi- cating drinks or purgative medicines; severe mental emotions; excesses of any kind; and even debility may act as exciting causes. When the disease prevails epidemically, many seem to predispose themselves to become its victims through fear and anxiety. The best security against the disease when it prevails, is to live on unconcerned in the regular dis- charge of the uses of life, partaking of the regular ordi- nary diet, keeping free from excitement or any thing OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 237 that depresses the spirits; in short, the best prevention of the cholera is a fearless discharge of duty, without regard to the future, and a clear conscience before God and man. Treatment.—The remedies which have been the most successful in grappling with this scourge of mankind, are Arsenicum, Carbo veg., Camphor, Cuprum., Ipecacuanha, Phosphorus, Phos. acid, Sulphur and Yeratrum. It is probable that several remedies will be required in curing any single case; some will be found useful in the first stage, some in the second, others in other stages, &c Arsenicum is particularly indicated after Ipecacuanha, when the purging and vomiting become very frequent; and when the evacuations from the bowels become very thin, watery, brownish or blackish color, and of a putrid smell; or like rice water and nearly void of smell, but accompanied by cramps in the stomach and bowels; and burning pains in the stomach, with violent thirst and great prostration of strength; also burning in the anus and rectum, with tenesmus. This remedy is also worthy of attention in the last stage of the disease. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water. and give a teaspoonful every twenty or thirty minutes, until amelioration or change, Carbo veg. is indicated when the disease has pro- gressed to a stage of collapse or asphyxia; the pulse scarcely perceptible; the surface cold and bluish; the breath cold; or when the evacuations and cramps have ceased, and congestion of the chest takes place, if reaction should ensue after this remedy has been given, and the cramps, vomiting and purging ensue, it will be necessary to recur to Veratrum or some other remedy suited to a prior stage. DOSE.—The same in all respects as for Arsenicum. 238 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Camphor is of great service in the early stage of the disease, both as a curative and preventive of a more serious stage. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be given every hour until amelioration or change; when taken as a preventive it may be repeated three or four times a day. Cuprum is very suitable after Veratrum, or it may be useful as an alternating remedy; when the latter has failed to remove the cramps, which are violent, and extend over the whole body, or change to spasms or convulsions, with constriction of the chest and difficult respiration. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in two tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every fifteen minutes at first, until there is a change in the symptoms. Ipecacuanha is indicated in the first stage of the disease, when there is nausea and sickness of the sto- mach, slight diarrhoea, and is very effectual in arresting the disease in the first stage. DOSE.—Dissolve twodrops,or twelve globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every thirty minutes, until amelioration or change. Phosphorus is indicated for the looseness of the bowels and diarrhoea, which results from the irritability or weak- ness, that often occurs after an attack of cholera. DOSE.—On^ drop, or four globules, three times a day. Phosphoric acid is of great service in the diarrhoea which generally precedes cholera. So certain and salu- tary is its effect that some regard it a specific, particu- larly if the evacuations are frequent, loose and slimy, or of a whitish gray color, or if they consist of undigested substances. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour or two hours, according to the severity of the symptoms, until amelioration or change. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 239 Sulphur is reckoned among the best remedies for the cholerine, or diarrhoea preceding cholera, especially when there is but little sick stomach, and when the patient complains of dimness of vision, giddiness, ringing in the ears and want of appetite, with tumid abdomen; the stools watery, frothy or mucous, and sometimes of a whitish or greenish color, occurring oftener at night. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a dessertspoonful every six hours, until amelioration or change. Yeratrum is a very useful remedy in cholera when it becomes fully developed; when there are rice-water discharges almost constant, with cramps in the calves of the legs, fingers, toes, and sometimes of the muscles of the abdomen and chest; great restlessness and anxiety, and cold extremities. DOSE.—Of a solution of two drops, or ten globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every fifteen minutes, until several doses are taken, or there is a decided change in the symptoms. It may sometimes be used in alternation with Arsenicum, especially when the pains are of a burning character, and when the thirst is unquenchable, and the evacua- tions increased by taking cold water. Yeratrum, Cuprum and Camphor are highly recom- mended as preventives of the disease ; to be taxen three times a day during an epidemic. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, of either. During the treatment of cholera the patient should be kept in a warm room, and the external heat of the body should be kept up as much as possible by the application of friction and bottles of hot water to the abdomen and feet. Salt, heated, and put in small bags, may be placed around the patient and over the limbs. Oats, heated, and applied in the same manner, is a very good way of keeping up artificial warmth. 240 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; To quench the intense thirst, small pieces of ice may be placed in the mouth of the patient from time to time. Cramps in the intestines, or colic, may sometimes be relieved by injections of cold water. The manner and indications for using the principle remedies in cholera, are embraced in the foregoing, but nevertheless it may be well to give an example of their use in a single case. A.____B.----, aged 25; first felt nausea and sickness at the stomach; had slight diarrhoea; was given Ipecacu- anha every thirty minutes, as directed. The nausea merged into vomiting, and the diarrhoea, instead of abating, became aggravated; the remedy was discontinued, and Veratrum substituted in its place, and given as directed for the use of that remedy; but in spite of this, the patient merged into a state of collapse, and then Carbo vegetalilis was given. It will be seen from this that a remedy must invariably be discontinued when it becomes apparent that it does not meet the case, and one better adapted to cover the symptoms must be selected. Often in the commencement, Sulphur may be used, but if it fails of success, perhaps Cuprum may be called into requisition, and if this fails, Arsenicum, if indicated, may be used, and so on. Diet and Regimen.—As soon as cholera passes off, the patient needs nourishment to aid the recuperative energies of nature in restoring strength ; but during the time the disease is raging there is no food required, and it would be decidedly better for the patient if he would take very little drink, if any; but after the disease has spent its violence, and the patient has been left in a prostrated condition, the greatest care should be exer- cised in the selection of diet, at first, when the stomach OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY 'CANAL. 241 is yet weak. Arrow root gruel may be given, or in its stead gruel made of groats, rice flour, corn starch, and then a little plain toast, and then the same with butter, and then mutton soup, not very strong; thus gradually strengthening the food as the condition of the patient can bear it, until he is able to eat and drink regularly. Care should be taken to provide suitable clothing, and to guard against the extremes of temperature. 21.—Cholerine. It may have been noticed that an affection bearing this name is treated of in the books, but it is to all appearance the beginning of cholera, and usually pre- vails in all places where the epidemic cholera is prevail- ing at the same period. The remedies suitable for this affection may be found under Diarrhoea, of which Sul- phur, Nux vomica, Phosphoric acid, &c, are among the best. 22.—Colic. (Enteralgia.) This disease consists of greater or less degree of pain; griping, cutting, tearing, gnawing pain in the abdomen, more particularly about the region of the navel; gene- rally occurs in paroxysms; sometimes the abdomen is drawn in, at other times it is distended like a drum; pressure generally relieves the pain, as the bowels are seldom painful to the touch. Sometimes the pains are accompanied with costiveness and sometimes by vomit- ing or diarrhoea. Colic may be distinguished from inflammation of the bowels by the character of the pulse, which is soft and yielding; whereas it is febrile and sometimes accelerated in the latter disease. 22 242 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; It may be distinguished from hernia or rupture by the tumor which is always present in the latter diffi- culty. Causes.—Errors of diet; constipation; flatulent food; grief; dissipation; cold, and whatever produces inaction of the bowels, or derangement of the digestive organs. It may arise from any obstruction in the intestinal canal, from cancer or intussusception, or stricture of the intestine. Flatulent or wind colic frequently occurs in children, fed on an improper diet, and in persons suffering from dyspepsia, particularly those fed upon improper food, or who are addicted to the use of ardent spirits. Bilious colic generally occurs when the patient has been suffering under symptoms of disordered stomach and intestines, such as bitter taste, yellow fur on the tongue; nausea and vomiting; severe cutting or writhing pain, with thirst and anxiety; after suffering a while from the pain, vomiting supervenes, the bowels are freely moved with bilious stools, under proper treatment, the pain abates gradually, and the patient recovers. Painter's or Lead Colic. (Colicapictonum.) This disease is brought on by being exposed to the action of lead, and is a common affection among painters, who use the white lead, and among those who work in lead mines, or lead factories, in smelting ores. The symptoms of this difficulty, are loss of appetite, restless nights, and disturbance of the nervous system. This is followed by vomiting, pain in the abdomen, at first in paroxysms, but generally increasing until it becomes continuous. There is but little fever, but there is con- OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 243 siderable headache, pain in the limbs, obstinate consti- pation, and sometimes paralysis of the extremities. When a bluish line, extending along the edge of the gums, it may be regarded a symptom of lead colic. General Treatment. — A warm bath will often produce speedy relief. Hot water sweetened with molasses, may frequently relieve flatulent colic, for a time, taken internally; placing the patient in a warm bed, or in a position to be surrounded by heat, will often afford salutary relief. Warm clothes placed over the abdomen, is a resort that frequently affords relief. The remedies employed, are Aconite, Belladonna, Chamomilla, China, Cocculus, Colocynthis, Ignatia, Mercurius viv., Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Sulphur. Aconite is indicated when in addition to violent colicky pains, and griping, rumbling, and heat of the abdomen, and pains in the small of the back, there is an affection of the bladder, with pain, and a perpetual inclination to make water, without being able to pass urine; and also when there is accompanying the difficulty of the bladder, nervousness and uneasiness, and the abdomen is excessively sensitive. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in two spoonfuls of water, to be given four hours apart; then follow with some other remedy that may be indicated. Belladonna is indicated when there is redness of the face, and tendency of blood to the head, and the pains in the abdomen, are so violent as to render the patient almost distracted; and also when there are pains under the navel, and griping, as if produced by taking hold of the parts with the finger nails, and accompanied by pains in the small of the back. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a dessertspoonful every half hour, for several times, and then 244 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; every hour, or two hours, or follow with some other remedy indicated, if necessary. Chamomilla is useful when there are pains in the stomach, and abdomen, attended with great restlessness and anxiety, with blue circles under the eyes, and much saliva in the mouth, tearing pains around the navel, and sensation as if the back were broken in the lumbar region. This remedy is suited for colic in children, and adults when attended with the above symptoms. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every half hour; in severe cases. Pulsatilla is a suitable remedy to follow, when Chamomilla fails. China is very suitable for flatulent colic in debilitated persons, when it comes on after heavy sweats, or in females when nursing, or when there appears to be a contraction of the intestines in the lower part of the abdomen, and tensive pains and tension under the short ribs, as if there was an incarceration of wind. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a spoonful every hour until relieved, or there is necessity for change. Cocculus is indicated when the colic is attended with constipation and sense of weight in the abdomen, with rolling and rumbling with great heat, and particularly when there is a contraction in the bowels downward, attended with nausea; or when there is accumulation of wind in the stomach and intestines causing distension of the upper portion of the bowels, and pain with rattling in the stomach and pressure under the ribs, which seve- rally become relieved when the wind is dislodged and passes off upwards. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or eight globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every half hour for two or three times, and then at longer intervals, until complete relief is obtained. Colocynthis is particularly indicated when the pains are intense and constant, or cease only for a short time, OR, OF TnE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 245 and then commencing of more intensity than ever; and when the most violent pain is confined to a small spot about the navel, and returns periodically about every five or ten minutes; or when it commences with a slight draw- ing pain tending to the centre, which gradually augments, and finally changes to a boring or tearing pain, so violent as to cause the patient to cry out and shriek aloud, and to twist about; is covered with perspiration; and is disposed to press against something for relief, or to press the abdo- men with the hands. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, dissolved in a spoonful of water, may be given every hour. Ignatia is useful for colic produced by any emotional excitement or grief, and for that which awakens the patient out of sleep; when there are shooting pains, which extend into the chest and sides, when the wind is discharged with much difficulty, and after which the pains become less acute; it is suitable for sensitive females; when the colic commences in the evening, and the flatu- lency causes nausea and vomiting, Pulsatilla is better. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every half hour until relieved, or there is necessity for change of remedy. Mercurius viv. is particularly indicated when there is violent writhing colic, and hardness around the navel; jerking pain in the muscles of the abdomen, which is inflamed and hard; when there is crawling in the throat; hiccoughing; voracious appetite; dislike for sweet things; nausea, with water rising in the throat; straining evacua- tions ; secretion of slime; great debility; severest attacks occur about midnight; when this remedy is indicated and fails, and the patient has an itching of the nose, take China; and if this fails after one or two doses, try Sulphur which, without doubt, will effect a cure. 22* 246 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, until amelioration or change. Nux vomica is indicated when there are costiveness, sensation of weight in the abdomen, with rolling and uneasy feeling, and great heat; when the pains are pinching, drawing, compressing, as if the intestines were severely pressed in various parts; oppression in the pit of the stomach ; the abdomen is painful when touched; the breath short and difficult; a general feeling of dis- tension ; the parts under the ribs feel as if stuffed; during the most violent paroxysms of pain the hands and feet are cold; sometimes the patient is deprived of consciousness; pain and incarcerated flatus deeply seated in the abomen; a strong pressure on the bladder and rectum, as from a blunt knife; the pain makes the patient double himself up, and is worse at every step; better when at rest, when sitting and lying; when gene- rally attended by violent headache and pain in the small of the back; a number of these symptoms are attributed by ignorant persons to the want of an evacuation, and hence they often resort to some laxative or cathartic, but this is highly pernicious. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every half hour at first, and afterwards every hour or two hours. Pulsatilla is indicated when there are stinging pains in the bowels, and throbbing at the pit of the stomach; a disagreeable tightness in the abdomen, as if it were too full; rumbling; incarcerated wind; irritation and heat of the abdomen, which is inflated; general heat and swelling of the veins on the hands and forehead; heat and tightness so disagreeable as to cause the patient to remove his clothes; the bowels are sore when touched; sensation as if bruised; all the symptoms are aggravated OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 247 when lying down; but partially relieved when up and walking about; when in attempting to rise up there is pain in the small of the back, as if bruised; and also when there is tearing and shooting pains above the navel; uneasiness; heaviness in the belly, with painful tension; when there is weakness of the stomach, white frothy saliva in the mouth, and diarrhoea; and when there are violent pains in the stomach; pale face; blue circles around the eyes, and contractions of the whole body; pressive headache, caused by overloaded stomach. If Pulsatilla proves insufficient for the relief of these sufferings, give Belladonna, which is very suitable to follow. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour until some relief, and then every two hours. Sulphur is very suitable after Mercurius, and may be resorted to under all circumstances where Mercurius has been tried, according to indicating symptoms, and failed. It is also useful after China. DOSE._One drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until a change is required. In some violent cases of colic, when there appears to be some obstruction, or excessive costiveness; injections may be necessary. If so, to a pint of tepid water add a teaspoonful of salt, and with a good syringe adapted to the purpose, inject it into the bowels. If the first trial does not produce motion of the bowels, the second may be tried. Diet.—It must be apparent to every one that food easy of digestion is required, when suffering from this disease. All articles of diet of a flatulent character must be carefully avoided, and so must any article of food 248 diseases of the digestive organs; which the patient has found to disagree with him. Mut- ton soup may be allowed if there is tendency to diar- rhoea, and if there is not, chicken broth with rice in it would be better. 21.—Flatulency. This condition of the abdominal organs may take place when there is no colic, although there may be great uneasiness from a collection of wind in the intes- tines, attended with heat and fulness of the abdomen, that interferes with respiration. This inconvenience may be felt after drinking beer or water, and after eating flatulent food or fat meats; when the latter is the case, give China, or if it occur in choleric persons, give Nux vomica. To quiet, mild persons, give Pulsa- tilla, or if caused by fat meat or pork, give Pulsatilla; should it return, frequently give Sulphur. DOSE.—Of either of the above remedies, dissolve one drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, and give three times a day. Inflammation of the Stomach. (Gastritis.) Symptoms.—Constant burning, and constrictive pain in the stomach; shortness of breath, and the pain aggra- vated by breathing, pressure or contact; intense thirst, and desire for cooling drinks, which when taken are immediately vomited; small, wiry pulse, often inter- mittent and scarcely to be perceived; scanty urine and stools. These symptoms are uniformly present in the severer forms of the disease, but the milder forms are characterised by less degree of pain, and vomiting not so frequent. Inflammation of the stomach is regarded a dangerous disease, on account of the relative position of the organ OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 249 • implicated, and should receive prompt and careful treat- ment. In the severe forms of gastritis, there are great anxiety and prostration; small, thread-like pulse; cold extremi- ties, and often fainting fits and convulsions. When the disease does not terminate in health, it may terminate in gangrene, or nervous paralysis, and consequently death. Causes.—Inflammation of the stomach may" result from mechanical injuries, corrosive poisons, as the acids. The use of cold drinks when the stomach is heated; sudden stoppage of bilious diarrhoea and suppression of eruptions; inflammation of adjoining organs, and metastasis or transfer of inflammation of other organs to the stomach. Treatment.—For the treatment of inflammation of the stomach caused by poisons, see Poisons and their Antidotes. The remedies employed in ordinary gas- tritis, are Aconite, Arnica, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bry- onia, Chamomilla, China, Hyoscyamus, Ipecacuanha, Mercurius viv., Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Sulphur and Yeratrum. Aconite is indicated at the commencement of the disease in nearly all cases, and particularly when the pain and fever are very violent, and there is great difficulty in breathing, with accelerated pulse. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every hour, until the patient is better, or there is an aggrava- tion of the sufferings, then select another remedy according to indications. Arnica is indicated when the pains are of a pressing or shooting character, and render the respiration painful and difficult; when the pains resemble those of nervous fever, or when the patient is indifferent, dull and stupid, and does not appear to realize his suffering, but on the 250 DISEASES OF TnE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; contrary insists that there is nothing the matter with him. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water,; give a teaspoonful every hour, until the patient is reheved, or the symptoms indicate the use of another remedy. Nux vomica may be given when Arnica affords no relief. Arsenicum may be regarded a very important remedy in the treatment of inflammation of the stomach, when there is rapid prostration of strength, accompanied with burning pain, vomiting, pale, sunken countenance, and coldness of the extremities. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in ten spoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every hour, until some relief is obtained, or tnere is an aggravation of symptoms, and a call for another remedy. Bryonia may be indicated after the use of Aconite, when the fever is intense and the pain violent, and especially if the disease was brought on by cold, or by taking cold drink in an overheated state of the system. it may be administered after Ipecacuanha when that remedy fails of removing the symptoms for which this remedy seems adapted. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water and give a teaspoonful every hour; after repeating several times without effect, Nux vomica may be given; but if Bryonia ameliorates, it should be resorted to as often as an aggravation of symptoms become apparent, until it ceases to have a mitigating effect. If stupor and mental aberration attends the disease, Hyoscyamus may be administered several times in succession; if this does not give relief, Belladonna may follow, give one or two doses, and wait a day, if practicable. If the extremities become cold, give Veratrum, especially if the patient seems to be sinking; or Arsenicum may be given if Veratrum seems inefficient. Chamomilla is indicated if the pains are of a dull character, and do not become increased by external pressure, or by exercise, or drawing in the breath; and if there is pressure on the stomach, tension under the ribs, difficulty of breathing, a yellow tongue, bitter OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 251 taste, yellowish skin, and seasons of oppression and restlessness. When these seasons come on frequently during the night, attended with green, slimy diarrhoea, and sickness of stomach, Pulsatilla may be used in alternation with this remedy. If, on the contrary, the bowels are costive, and the chest more affected, Bryonia may be a useful alternating remedy. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every half hour, observe the same rule with each of the remedies, whether used singly, or in alternation. China is indicated when the pain is worse, on the left side under the ribs, whence it extends downwards; and when in the beginning, there is vomiting of blood, and violent fever. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in three table- spoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, until a change. Hyoscyamus is indicated when the gastritis is attended with stupor, and the patient is insensible of his sufferings; and also when the patient speaks unconnectedly, this remedy is indicated. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a dessertspoonful every hour, until better, or a change. Ipecacuanha is especially indicated when the pains are worse in the front part of the bowels, and extend under the ribs on the left side, and thence towards the back, with swelling in the region of the stomach, great agitation and vomiting. DOSE.—One drop, or fouT globules, in a spoonful of water, may be given, and repeated in two hours, if efficacious. Mercurius viv. is particularly indicated when there is pressing pain, that forbids the patient lying on the right side, with bitter taste in the mouth and throat, constant chilliness, yellowness of the eyes and skin. 252 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, when given alone. It may be alternated with Belladonna, and in some cases of a critical character, it may be alternated with Lachesis, at intervals of one hour. Nux vomica is especially indicated for acute pain, frequently attended with throbbing and stitches, and sensitiveness of the part affected, to contact; and also when there is sour, bitter taste in the mouth, with nausea and vomiting; shortness of breath, as if the clothing were too tight; and also when the removal of the clothes aggravates the sufferings; thirst; highly colored, or red urine; and oppressive headache. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water, give a teaspoonful every hour, for two or three doses, and then change, unless the patient is relieved. Pulsatilla is particularly useful after Ipecacuanha or Bryonia, when the inflammation of the stomach arises from indigestion, or a chill in the stomach, from ice- water or ice. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful every hour, until amelioration or change. Sulphur is of great service after Nux vomica, if this remedy should prove of little effect in removing the symptoms for which it is indicated, and the stinging pains continue without amelioration. It is also of service after other remedies recommended, when they afford little relief. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every six hours, until three doses are given, and then it is better that several days should elapse before any other remedy should be given, and then, if the disease has been worse, every other day give China as directed for the use of this remedy. Yeratrum is indicated in gastritis, when there is vomiting; severe pain in the stomach; sometimes cramps or spasms; prostration of strength; and coldness of the extremities. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 253 DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or eight globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, until three doses are given, and then every two hours, until amelioration or change. The above embraces the principal remedies employed in the treatment of this disease, Opium and Camphor and Hyoscyamus are sometimes called into requisition, when the indication for their use requires them. Diet.—When the disease is in its most active stage, nearly everything taken into the stomach is vomited. A little cold water, or toast water is all that the patient can take. After the violence of the disease has subsided rice, or barley gruel may be given in small quantities, as the patient can bear it; or gruel made of arrow root or farina, may be substituted, if the patient has a preference. 25.—Inflammation of the Bowels. (Enteritis.) This disease is very similar to the preceding, exceed- ingly painful and rapid in its progress. It rarely hap- pens that enteritis sets in by itself, as it is more frequently the sequel of some other disturbance, such as the various forms of fever. Symptoms.—Inflammation of the bowels, when the peritoneal coat is involved, is characterised by intense burning pain in the region of the navel, aggravated by the slightest pressure or movement, with tightness, heat, and distension of the abdomen like a drum; sobbing; anxiety; violent thirst, with aggravation of suffering from cold drinks; obstinate constipation, and great diffi- culty in procuring a movement of the bowels; violent vomiting, sometimes slimy at first, and afterwards of a bilious character, and sometimes of excrementitious matter, and even urine; small and contracted pulse; inflammatory fever; flatulence, and frequently obstruc- tion of the urine. 23 254 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; When the peritoneal coat is not primarily the seat of the suffering, the pain is not so severely felt. It is more diffused, and consists of soreness, which is gene- rally made worse by pressure. Indigestible food or cold drinks almost invariably cause an aggravation of pain; the tongue is often very red, smooth and glossy; and generally speaking, the tongue is red at the tip and margins, however dirty or foul the centre may be. There is also loss of appetite; difficult digestion; nausea and vomiting in a greater or less degree, mainly depend- ent upon the portion of the intestinal tube affected. The vomiting is always greater when the seat of inflam- mation is near the stomach. That inflammation of the bowels which is remote from the stomach and near the large intestine, often gives rise to mucous diarrhoea, mixed with blood, and in some cases consisting of pure blood, when the inflammation and pain is severe; when the large intestine, and particularly the rectum, is impli- cated, there is considerable straining; rapid pulse; fre- quently excessive thirst; variable degree of fever and extreme prostration. Sometimes inflammation of the bowels terminates by resolution, or in other words, passes off without any disorganization, and the intestines resume their accus- tomed state of health. When the peritoneal coat is involved it often termi- nates in dropsy, (ascites,) suppuration or gangrene. When the lower portions of the intestinal tube are involved, it often terminates in induration or hardening the intestines, and lays the foundation for chronic con- stipation. Causes.—Among the exciting causes may be reck- oned the frequent use of cathartics; mechanical injuries; OR, OF TnE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 255 errors in diet; abuse of ardent spirits ; suppressed erup- tion ; cold; worms; prolonged use of acids; highly stimulating diet, &c. General and preventive treatment.—In order to guard against the disease, it is necessary to lead a regular course of life; to avoid a deteriorating atmosphere; to subsist on digestible food, and to avoid the extremes of temperature. This is especially requisite for those who are predisposed to difficulties of the kind. Medical treatment.—The remedies employed are Aconite, Arsenicum, Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamo- milla, China, Cantharis, Colocynth, Colchicum, Lachesis, Mercurius viv., Nux vomica, Nitric acid, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox., Silicea, Sulphur, Tartar emetic and Yeratrum. Aconite is uniformly indicated when the accompany- ing fever is intense, and the skin hot and parched. (See Bryonia.) DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours until the fever abates. Arsenicum is indicated when there is severe vomit- ing; intense burning pain around the navel; severe pros- tration, and constipation of the bowels. This remedy may be given alone or in alternation with Veratrum. For more full indications see the indications for the use of these remedies in gastritis. DOSE.—If used alone, dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, until the violence of the symptoms becomes modified, and then every three hours, until amelioration or change. If in alternation, dissolve the remedies separately as above, give a teaspoonful of each one hour apart, at first, and afterwards every two hours, until there is amelioration or indications for other reme- dies. Arnica may be administered without hesitation, when the exciting cause of enteritis is some mechanical injury. 256 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; DOSE._ Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours until there is amelioration of symptoms or change. Belladonna is indicated when the tongue is red and smooth, or coated with a white or yellowish fur in the centre, with intense redness of the tip and margins, and inflammatory redness of the papillae; skin hot and dry; great thirst; face hot and flushed; giddiness and occa- sional delirium at night; sensation of soreness or of excoriation in the region of the naval, or over the entire abdomen, with tenderness on pressure, and sometimes distension like a drum. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, until the violence of the symptoms cease, or there is no indication of relief. Lachesis, administered in the same manner, may follow the use of Belladonna. Bryonia may be employed after the use of Aconite, when the patient complains of severe headache, with constipation and acute pain in the abdomen, aggravated by movement and after meals. It is also indicated after Aconite, when there is redness of the tongue, or yellowish coating; parched mouth and throat; loose evacuations after taking food or drink, and nausea and vomiting after eating. DOSE—One drop, or four globules in a tablespoonful of water may be given three times a day, to allay the immediate symptoms, and then morning and evening, until permanent amelioration, or change. Chamomilla is indicated when the disease manifests itself in children, or in nervous and excitable persons, extremely sensitive to pain; when there is sensation of soreness in the abdomen, as if arising from internal excoriations, and painful tenderness on slight pressure, and slimy, whitish, watery, or greenish diarrhoea, of an offensive, or fetid smell. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, in a tablespoonful of water, every three hours, until the acute suffering is removed, and then night and morning, until there is decided amelioration, or change. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 257 China is often found of great service after the use of Aconite, or any of the remedies used in the incipient stage; when there is great distension of the abdomen; diarrhoea, with portions of undigested food, or aggra- vation after a meal; intense thirst; great debility, and extreme weakness of the digestive function. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until there is relief, or indications of change. Cantharis is indicated in severe cases, when there is discharge of pure blood at stool, and inability to pass urine; and also in advanced stages of the disease, when there are mucus evacuations; or of solid substances, like shreds of membranes. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until there is a modification of symptoms, and then every six hours, until a further change. Colocynthis is indicated when the large intestine is the seat of inflammation, attended with distension of the abdomen like a drum, with soreness, and sensibility to the touch; sense of burning, and diarrhoea, with increase of pain, followed by urgent desire to go to stool after eating or drinking; nausea, or vomiting of bilious matter, and frequent discharge of urine. DOSE—One drop or four globules, in a tablespoonful of water, every three hours, until the acute suffering has passed away, and afterwards, night and morning, until complete amelioration, or change. Colchicum is particularly useful in advanced stages of the disorder, when there is a drum-like distension of the bowels; diarrhoea, the stools consisting of white or transparent mucus, or of blood, mixed with substances of a pseudo-membranous appearance. DOSE._One drop, or four globules, in a tablespoonful of water, three times a day, until the symptoms against which it is directed, are overcome, and then morning and evening, until permanent amelioration, or change. 23* 258 diseases of the digestive organs; Lachesis is particularly useful when there is burning, aching, cutting pain; oppressed respiration; tense, dis- tended abdomen, with painful sensibility on pressure over the affected part, and inveterate constipation. Belladonna is sometimes of service after Lachesis, if indicated; and the same is true with regard to Sulphur, Nux vomica, Bryonia, and other remedies. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in half a tumbler of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every four hours, until the immediate symptoms abate, and then give a teaspoonful every night and morning, until decided amelioration, or change ; recourse may be had, however, to Belladonna and other remedies, if remaining, and distinct indications super-exist. Mercurius viv. is indicated in the most serious cases of enteritis after the use of Aconite, and other remedies. When there is foul tongue, dry, and with white or brown coating, or covered with mucus; intense thirst; hard, distended abdomen, tender to the touch; bihous and watery stools, of a fetid odor; or constant urging to stool, followed by severe straining, and meagre evacuations of mucus, tinged with blood, or of pure blood, in con- siderable quantity; great debility and prostration; chilliness and shivering, with tendency to perspire at night, which, however, is unattended with relief. This remedy may, in some cases, be used in alternation with Belladonna or Lachesis. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until the immediate symptoms are relieved, and then every twelve hours until a positive miti- gation, or change. After two days' treatment of twelve hour doses, if the disease should remain stationary, rest for twenty-four hours, and then select another remedy according to indications. Nux vomica is for the most part indicated when there is redness of the margin of the tongue, with whitish or yellowish coating upon the centre of the tongue; feeling of soreness with burning heat in the abdomen; loss of OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 259 appetite; indigestion, attended with vomiting, after par- taking of food, and aggravation of the abdominal pain after drinking; flatulence; costiveness; and sometimes alternating with looseness; stools watery, mucus, or scanty, and frequently tinged with blood, and attended with straining. When the above train of symptoms has been brought on by sudden check of the bleeding piles, this remedy is of the greatest service, and Sulphur is of great value to follow. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. It may be used in alternation with Sulphur, every six hours, after suppression of the piles. Nitric acid is indicated if there is a group of symp- toms, such as those described for the use of Mercurius, and therefore it may be used in connection with this latter remedy, when necessary to complete a cure. It is more useful in chronic cases, attended with abdominal tenderness, and pains as in dysentery. It is also indicated when the disorder occurs in mercurialized patients. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every night and morning, for a week ; after which, wait for a day, or perhaps two, and if the patient gradually improves, do not give any more, but if stationary, resort again to the remedy, as before directed, and so on, until convalescence is established. Pulsatilla is to be prescribed when acute inflamma- tory symptoms result from suppression of the catamenia, or bleeding piles, or occuring as the sequel of measles: provided Aconite proves insufficient, and particularly if the tongue is loaded with white, grayish, or yellow coating, without thirst, or on the contrary, with intense thirst; disordered digestion; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting, after partaking of the smallest quantity of nourishment; and also if the abdomen is sensitive to touch, pressure, or movement and flatulence. DOSE—One drop, or four globules may be given three times a day. 260 diseases of the digestive organs; Rhus tox. is indicated when eruptions break out around the mouth, and there is redness of the tongue, with pain, as if from soreness or ulceration in the abdomen, and sensitiveness to contact or pressure; slimy, frothy, bloody, or watery stools; slow fever, with delirium at night; and therefore it will be seen that Rhus is better adapted to enteritis, when it is symptom- atic, as in typhus fever. DOSE.__Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until amelioration, or change. Silicea is indicated when the disorder has been excited by sudden suppression of perspiration of the feet, or the too sudden healing up of some sore or ulcer; or when there is dryness of the mouth; coated tongue; intense thirst; loss of appetite; and frequently disgust for animal food, or any kind of warm food; constant desire for cold food and drinks; hardness and tensely distended abdomen, hot, and painful to the touch; costiveness, or on the contrary, watery and fetid stools; rumbling in the bowels, especially on movement; skin dry and parched during the day, and covered with sweat towards morning; pulse quick and hard. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, night and morning. Tartar emetic is indicated when there is nausea and vomiting, or constipation, with painful tenderness of the abdomen, and burning and heat around the navel; and also when there is a wiry pulse and quick; cold extremi- ties ; great prostration and anxiety. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, for three doses, and then if there is mitigation of suffering, wait for several hours, and even a day; if not, give a teaspoonful every six hours, until amelioration or change. Yeratrum is one of the principal remedies in enteritis, and should be used with great care with Arsenicum) OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 261 when there is coldness of the extremities; great prostra- tion ; severe burning in the hypogastrium, and around the navel; and also when there is nausea and vomiting; furred tongue; great thirst, &c DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every hour until amelioration or change, or in alterna- tion with Arsenicum, as directed under Arsenicum. 26.—Chronic Inflammation of the Bowels. This is only a degeneration of the usual form of the disease, and is denoted by fixed pain and a habitual fulness or uneasiness and oppression in the lower part of the abdomen, increased after meals or after cold drinks; appetite habitually impaired, or capricious; thirst usually after dinner, and at night; bowels con- stantly relaxed, or in the opposite condition, alternating with diarrhoea; skin hot, dry, harsh, and of an unhealthy hue; pulse rather quick; furred tongue, with redness of the lips and margins, and sometimes a slimy redness of the whole tongue; tendency to emaciation, weakness and languor. Among the remedies already considered under inflam- mation of the bowels, may be found those well adapted for the chronic stage, as Nitric acid, Sulphur, Arsenicum, Silicea, to which we may add Phosphorus. Each of these remedies may be employed in the chronic stage, if indicated. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, night and morning, of the remedy that may be indicated. Diet.—In acute cases of inflammation of the bowels the regimen must of course be the same as described in fever, and in the chronic stage the food should be very light and given in small quantities; raw fruit, green vegetables, and even potatoes are injurious, and 262 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; are prohibited; toast water, barley water, and rice gruel, &c, must constitute the drink. 27.—Inflammation of the Peritoneum. (Peritonitis.) There is a membrane that lines the cavity of the belly and invests the stomach and bowels, which sometimes becomes the seat of inflammation, and as this membrane is called Peritoneum the disease is called Peritonitis. Symptoms. — Painful tension and swelling of the abdomen, with a sensibility to the touch, even more acute than in enteritis, so much so that the patient cannot bear even the pressure of the bed clothes or the slighest covering; in other respects the symptoms are like enteritis. Causes. — External injury; parturition in females; chill of the abdomen, are the general causes of the inflammation. Treatment.—The remedies employed are Aconite, Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Cantharides, Chamomilla, Colocynthis, Lycopodium, Nux vomica, Rhus, &c. Aconite is the chief remedy in the commencement of the disease, until there is a mitigation of the fever and inflammation; and in many cases this remedy has proved sufficient to master the disease, and in all cases it materially modifies its violence. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until the fever is more or less reduced, (a few doses generally proving sufficient,) after which consider the remaining medicines that make up the group, if further treatment is required. Arnica is indicated when the cause of Peritonitis is an external lesion, and it may be used internally and externally at the same time. DOSE.__The same as for Aconite. If used as a lotion, add a teaspoon- ful of the Tincture of Arnica to a tumbler of water, and saturate linen OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 263 bandages and cover the affected part; frequently wet them as. they become dry. Belladonna is a useful remedy to follow Aconite, Avhen the inflammatory fever is high, with excessive local tendency. DOSE.—The same as directed for Aconite. Bryonia and Nux vomica are both indicated when the vomiting and other symptoms clearly resemble those of inflammation of the bowels; while at the same time there is extreme tenderness of the external part of the belly. DOSES, and administration.—The same as in inflammation of the bowels. Aconite and Bryonia can be employed in alterna- tion when the disease implicates the pleura and lungs. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, of either, in a spoonful of water, may be given, and followed by the same dose of the other in six hours, or in very acute cases every three hours. Cantharides may be employed when there is an implication of the bladder and stranguary. Colocynthis and Chamomilla, when there are violent colicky pains; and Lycopodium, when there is inveterate constipation, and Rhus and Arsenicum when symptomatic of puerperal fever. DOSE—Of either medicine, as selected, dissolve six globules in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hoars. Diet and Regimen.—The same as observed in inflam- mation of the bowels. 28.—Worms. (Helminthiasis, Invermination.) The existence of worms in the intestines frequently arises from a peculiar constitutional taint, which diseases the lining membrane and gives rise to worms; infants and children are more frequently affected than adults, 264 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; and this arises from the excessive nutrition in early youth. When children have been fed upon sweet things, pap or cakes, and similar articles of a hurtful nature; or when mothers overload their stomachs when nursing with meat and fat things, or pies, their children become predisposed to worm difficulties. And when children are dosed with vermifuges and purgatives, the worms will increase and come away; but this is a pernicious practice and more frequently increases the difficulty than otherwise. The appearance of worms is often the symptom of derangement of the alimentary canal, which must be relieved before the worms will cease to prosper and increase; a simple regulation of the diet is frequently all that is required to cause them to diminish, and if symptoms of their presence remain, the resort to reme- dies will prove effective. It is true that pink root, spirits of turpentine, worm seed, and other nostrum vermifuges may kill the worms, but these things will often kill the children also, or so derange the abdomen as to be the source of disease and difficulty long afterwards. Under homoeopathic treatment the various kinds of worm difficulties are easily cured without endangering life. There are three species of worms met with in the human subject, viz.:—The pin worms (ascarides); the long round worm (lumbrici); and the tape worm (taenia), which can be removed by appropriate treatment. The existence of ascarides or pin worms is indicated by itching of the anus, though sometimes the itching is pro- duced by other causes; to determine whether it is pro- OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 265 duced by the worms or not is an easy matter, for the worms will show themselve in some way, as in the stools. When the Lumbrici or long round worms are at work, there are certain symptoms that usually indi- cate their presence, especially in children, such as picking the nose, inordinate appetite, distension of the bowels, sometimes colic and inclination to vomit; parts around the navel are hard, and frequent ineffectual straining to evacuate, and nothing but slime passes. When persons are suffering from Taenia or tape worm, many symptoms are present that may characterise other difficulties, and therefore it is only when there is in connection with these symptoms portions of the worm discharged from time to time that we have any sure indication of its existence, and it has been observed that these portions usually pass away about the new and full of the moon. General Treatment.—Children who have worms should have enough to eat, but not too much bread; they should not be allowed cakes or confectionary, or pastry, unripe fruits, or sweatmeats, or raisins. The diet will be stated at the close of the medical treatment. Medical treatment.—The remedies found most use- ful are Aconite, Belladonna, Carbo veg., Chamomilla, China, Cina, Calcarea carb., Ipecacuanha, Lachesis, Mer- curius viv., Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Sulphur and Silicea. Aconite is indicated when there is considerable febrile irritation, with restlessness at night; fever and irritability of temper; continual itching and burning at the anus, and at times a sense of crawling in the throat. DOSE—One drop, or twelve globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every six hours, until there is a mitigation of the symp- toms or an evident modification of them. When the fever has abated 24 266 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; some under the use of this remedy, but not broken up, consult some other remedy. Belladonna is indicated when there is disturbance about the head; great nervous excitement; delirium at night; starting during, sleep; easily started or frightened by merely trivial causes. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a tablespoonful three times a day, until there is apparent ameliora- tion or change. Should Belladonna fail of removing the symptoms for which indicated, recourse may be had to other remedies according to indications. Carbo veg. is indicated when children are habitually passing long round worms, and when the tongue is heavily coated and there is a fetid odor from the breath. DOSE.—Dissolve a drop, or eight globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every six hours ; if this should not prove sufficient in removing these symptoms, Pulsatilla is a suitable remedy to follow. Chamomilla is a useful remedy for childhood, either at the time of teething, or at a more advanced period when worm difficulties seem to occur as symptomatic of checked perspiration; it is particularly indicated when the evacua- tions are watery, slimy, bilious, green or yellow, or fetid, resembling the odor of rotten eggs, accompanied with fulness or distension of the stomach and bowels; severe colic or spasm; pain in the bowels; bitter taste in the mouth; foul tongue; thirst; want of appetite; bilious vomiting and flatulency, particularly in infants, with rest- lessness ; screaming and drawing up of the limbs towards the stomach. DOSE—Of a solution often globules, or one drop, in half a tumbler of water; give a teaspoonful every time the bowels are moved, until positive amelioration or change; if in debilitated constitutions this remedy proves inefficient, Sulphur may be called into requisition; and even if Chamomilla partly relieves, Sulphur may be indicated to effect a cure. China is indicated in worm difficulties when there is looseness in consequence of indigestion, particularly if OP, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 267 occasioned by partaking of fruit or flatulent food, such as vegetables; profuse stools frequently attended with but little pain, for the most part occurring soon after par- taking of food, or during the night; watery and brownish evacuations, sometimes containing portions of undigested food; it is sometimes indicated when considerable spas- modic or griping pain is present, accompanied with want of appetite, thirst, flatulence and great weakness; it may be found useful after improper treatment or protracted cases of this affection, when considerable debility remains. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or ten globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every time the bowels are moved, until there is amelioration or change; this direction is better suited to casual adult cases. In similar cases for children, a double quantity of water may be employed, and given in the same manner. Cina.—This is an eminently useful remedy in worm diseases, when there is boring of the nose; obstruction of the nose; great waywardness of the temper; bashful- ness; heat and irritation; continual inquietude and restlessness; and in children, a desire for things which are rejected when offered; fits of crying when touched; paleness of the face, with livid circle round the eyes; constant inclination to take food, with craving appetite, even after meals; griping; distressive heat, and hardness in the abdomen, with discharge of thread and round worms; costiveness; constipation, or loose evacuations; fever; chills towards evening; hard, quick pulse; little sleep, restlessnes, or turning about; startings; talking, or calling out suddenly during sleep; transitory parox- ysms of delirium; heaviness of the limbs; changing of color, the face being at one time cold and pale, at another, red and hot; pupils dilated; tongue covered with tenacious mucus; disagreeable eructations; vomiting; itching in the anus, and crawling out of thread worms* 268 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; involuntary passing of the urine, which is white and turbid; occasional convulsive movements in the limbs; weakness and lassitude. This remedy is also indicated, when there is colic, produced by worms. DOSE.__Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful night and morning until the six teaspoonfuls are consumed; after which, pause for two days, and then suspend or continue treatment, with the same, or other medicines, according to circumstances. Calcarea carb. is regarded one of the remedies indicated for the tape worm, and when there is any ground for apprehending the existence of taenia in the body. This remedy may be administered with advan tage. Sometimes the tape worm is discharged after taking a few doses. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or ten globules, in four tablespoon fuls of water, give a tablespoonful morning and evening. Should this prove efficient, it is well, but if not, prepare Sulphur in the same manner, and administer it in the same way. Ipecacuanha is only indicated when there is little or no certainty of the difficulty being from worms; when there is vomiting at frequent intervals, and no nourish ment seems to yield due support to the system, and the child seems to become emaciated. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in ten teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every time the child vomits. If the tongue has a thick coating upon it, give Carbo veg. after, or else Pulsatilla. Lachesis is indicated when there is much thirst, sudden starting and fright. It may be used after Belladonna, in very bad cases. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be dissolved in a spoonful of water, and given every morning and evening. Mercurius viv. is indicated when, in addition to the common symptoms of worms, there is especially a con- stant inclination to go to stool, and diarrhoea, with tenes- mus; distension and hardness of the abdomen, and profuse flow of saliva. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANA^.. 269 DOSE___Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful three times a day, for two days, after which pause for two days, and if the patient is better, suspend the treatment altogether, or continue if otherwise. Nux vomica is indicated in worm affections, after Chamomilla or Cina, if there is considerable derange- ment of the digestive functions; irritability of temper and constipation; or great distension of the stomach and bowels, with sensibility and tendency of heat to the abdomen; inclination to vomit; increase of symp- toms early in the morning. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every night at bedtime, for three days, then miss three and begin again, unless the patient is better. Pulsatilla is for the most part indicated when there has been want of success attending the use of other remedies, especially if Ipecacuanha or Carbo veg. have not had a beneficial effect when apparently indicated. DOSE—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour until vomiting ceases, and the fetor from the breath begins to disappear. Sulphur and Silicea are indicated when there are vermicular difficulties in lymphatic children, who become frequently affected with attacks of cold, and in the head; bitter, slimy taste; aversion to meat; irresistible long- ing for sugar; variations of appetite, sometimes vora- cious, at others the reverse; frequent regurgitation of the food, together with heartburn or waterbrash; hic- cough ; vomiting and rumbling in the stomach and bowels; and also soreness and itching of the anus. The Sulphur may be used first, and afterwards the Silicea, and even after this latter remedy Calcarea carb. may be administered, after allowing sufficient time to elapse after either of the others. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful on retiring every night, until there is an evidence of improve- ment, then wait for the result. 24* 270 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; The symptoms must of course be our guide in the selection of a remedy, and moreover in the treatment of the different varieties of worm difficulties, we find nearly the same group of symptoms produced by the thread, long, or tape worms. Therefore we have some remedies that will be adapted to cure either variety, but in general, Aconite, Mercurius, Nux vomica, Sulphur, will be found the most suitable in removing (ascarides) or pin worms. Belladonna, Chamomilla, China, Cina, and Spigelia, for removing (lumbrici) long round worms. Calcarea carb., Sulphur, Lachesis and Silicea, against tape worms. In chronic cases of worms, (or invermi- nation,) great success has attended the use of Nux vomica, Mercurius, Sulphur and Calcarea. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, of each, in a spoonful of water, taken as follows: a dose night and morning of Nux vomica, to be followed the next night with Sulphur, the next with Mercurius, the next with Cal- carea, &c. Regimen.—The food in vermicular difficulties ought to be wholesome and nutritious, to consist mostly of meat, such as roast or boiled beef or mutton, sometimes chicken, and occasionally a light pudding; vegetables and fruits are not allowed, neither is milk, pastry or sweetmeats of any kind, and the utmost care should be exercised to prevent children from eating raw herbs, roots, &c, which they are prone to do in their rambles. Exercise in the open air is essential, and must on no account be neglected. 29.—Itching of the Anus. This vexatious and troublesome affection arises from some peculiar state of the system, and often indicates OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 271 the incipient stage of piles, or the presence of seat worms, (ascarides.) If caused by ascarides, which can only be ascertained by discovering them, Aconite, Nux vomica, Sulphur and Silicea are the remedies to be employed. Aconite is indicated when the difficulty occurs in children, and renders them very uneasy during the night, and is attended with fever. Nux vomica is especially indicated when the itching is seated either internally or externally, and is worse after taking stimulating food and drink, attended with costiveness, and is caused by ascarides. Sulphur and Silicea are remedies that may be employed after Aconite or Nux vomica, when these reme- dies prove inefficient, and also when the trouble returns again after having been once removed by the use of Aconite and Nux vomica. DOSE, and administration._Of Aconite, dissolve one drop, or six- globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every six hours, if partially relieved, or not al!; after two days, resort to Nux vomica, pre- pared the same way, and give a teaspoonful every six hours, until com- pletely relieved. If a return of the disorder, dissolve one drop of Sulphur or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every night, until cured, or there is necessity for the use of another remedy. Prepare and administer Silicea in the same way. When the itching is caused by dry piles, or moist and bleeding piles, or strong liquors or beer, or coffee, or in people of sedentary habits. The remedies are Nux vomica, China, Sulphur or Ipecacuanha, and sometimes in connection with other remedies. Aconite may be employed when there is fever attend- ing the itching, and when there is pain in the funda- ment. DOSE.—The same as before. Nux vomica is indicated when there is burning and 272 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; pricking sensation, and the anus appears to be so con- tracted that the natural discharges are effected with difficulty, accompanied by dull, shooting pains, and jerking in the small of the back, and around the anus, at every evacuation; or pain in the small of the back as if from a bruise, which makes the patient cry out and bend forward when walking or sitting. Ignatia is a good remedy to follow Nux vomica, if necessary, after an elapse of one or two days. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, give a teaspoonful three times a day, at intervals of six hours. If after two days there should not be decided relief, give Ignatia in the same way, after waiting twenty-four hours. Sulphur is a grand remedy in this complaint, after Nux vomica, and it may be used in alternation with this latter remedy. DOSE.—Of Sulphur alone, one drop, or six globules, in six tablespoon- fuls of water, and give a tablespoonful every morning for several mornings. Calcarea carb. may follow Sulphur, if necessary, and particularly if there is a return of the disorder after Sulphur has apparently removed it, or alter- nately with Nux vomica every morning. Ipecacuanha is indicated after the use of Aconite when in addition to the itching there is thick coating upon the tongue, nausea, and sometimes sickness at the stomach and vomiting. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every six hours, and continue as long as necessary. General treatment. — It often happens that this disorder is the occasion of so much annoyance to the patient, that immediate measures are necessary for relief. Under such circumstances such means should be em- ployed as comports well with the remedial agents. Sweet oil may be applied externally and internally to allay the itching, or a piece of fat bacon may be cut of suitable size to introduce into the rectum, attached to OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 273 a string; allowed to remain, however, only about fifteen minutes, and then to be removed. Cold water injections may be resorted to every evening in many cases, when there is not speedy abatement of the itching from the medicines; applications of this kind are not at variance with the remedies. Salt water injections, in small quantities, may be allowed when all other means fail, as may be the case in children who have an hereditary tendency to the disorder. Vinegar and water, in the form of a weak injection, has sometimes proved efficacious in allaying the itching. Lemon juice in water, in the form of an injection, has also proved efficacious, and may be resorted to twice a day. TJrtica urens, given every morning, one drop, or four globules, in a tablespoonful of water, and continued for several days, is believed to be one of the best reme- dies for children. When the itching is caused by piles, swollen, red or bluish tumors in the anus, resort must be had to Nux vomica and Sulphur, which may be used in alternation. Sulphur at night, and Nux vomica in the morning, until complete relief is obtained. It is affirmed by some that eating asparagus in its season, which is usually the season when ascarides prove the most troublesome, is of great advantage, and often removes the disorder; and undoubtedly there is truth in the statement. Diet and Regimen.—The same as stated for vermi- cular disease. 274 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; 30— Determination of Blood to the Abdomen. (Congeslio ad abdomen.) The symptoms that characterise this derangement are a disagreeable or painful sensation of weight, heat and burning, with hardness and tension in the lower portion of the bowels. Cause.—Sedentary habits, or piles; torpidity of the bowels; hypochondriacs are very often afflicted with the difficulty. The remedies found of service in removing the diffi- culty are Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Pulsatilla, Nux vomica, Rhus tox., Sulphur and Yera- trum. Arsenicum is indicated when there is determination of blood to the lower bowels, attended with diarrhoea and extreme prostration. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, in three spoonfuls of water, give a spoonful every six hours, until the three doses are taken, then cease for twenty-four hours', and repeat again, prepared in the same way, every twelve hours, until amelioration, or change. Belladonna and Bryonia are indicated, the former when there is flushed appearance of the countenance; sensation of heat and burning in the stomach; hardness and tension, accompanied by dull pain in the bowels; and the latter when there is biliary derangement and dull pain in the lumbar region accompanying the usual symptoms, and considerable debility. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, of either, dissolved in three table- spoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful every three hours, until relief is obtained, or a change is necessary. Chamomilla is suitable for children when they are prone to looseness of the bowels, and there has been a sudden check and constipation, and especially if there has been flatulency and other signs of indigestion. DOSE._0ne drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, every four hours. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 275 Pulsatilla is indicated for congestion of the bowels in females when the usual symptoms are present, and particularly when there is difficult or suppressed men- struation. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until relieved. Sepia may follow Pulsatilla, if there is nausea and uncomfortable fulness and dull pain remaining. Nux vomica is particularly indicated, and is one of the most frequent sources of relief to those of sedentary life, or who are much addicted to indulgence of the plea- sures of the table, and particularly when there is hard- ness, tension and fixed pain in the abdomen; sense of great weakness or prostration,, and difficult or almost impossible to walk about; constipation; pain in the loins; depressed spirits and irritability. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water every night at bed-time, until there is some manifest improvement, then cease for three or four days and repeat as at first; should there be little or no improve- ment after four days, resort to Sulphur as directed below. Rhus tox. is indicated when there is much hardness, burning and fulness of the abdomen, attended with great debility. DOSE—The same as directed for Nux vomica. Sulphur may be regarded in connection with Nux vomica, one of the principal remedies, and will be found of great service in effecting a cure after Nux vom. has produced amelioration; and in cases of long standing it may be selected in preference, when there are dull pains and disagreeable sensation of distension in the bowels; constipation; tendency to obstinate attacks of piles; extreme digestion. DOSE—One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water every morn- ing for a week, or until there is perceived some general change, then wait for five or six days, and repeat again in the same manner, and continue as before until there is manifest improvement or change. 276 DISEASES OF TnE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; Yeratrum may be administered when the indications are the same as for Arsenicum, when the latter remedy should fail of producing the desired relief. DOSE__The same in all respects as for the use of Arsenicum. Diet and Regimen.—When it is practicable the patient should take daily exercise in the open air, and should be very careful to abstain from all food of difficult diges- tion, and subsist upon farinaceous gruels or toast and black tea, or weak cocoa. 31.—Files. (Hemorrhoids.) Symptoms.—Discharge of blood from the anus every four or six weeks in small quantities, usually preceded by more or less sickness, and followed by a sensation as if relieved. The flux may often be regarded favorable, as prevent- ing more serious or dangerous diseases. Tumors are frequently formed in the anus, which become very painful when no blood is discharged; some- times when there is discharge it ceases in part or entirely, and at others the discharge is so profuse that it becomes alarming; very often when the bleeding from the tumors is suddenly arrested, disease of a more serious character takes its place. To relieve all these unpleasant symptoms requires a judicious treatment, both of a medicinal and dietetical character; the living should be such as to prevent the disease from assuming the dangerous form; the patient should take moderate exercise, not allowing himself to sit much on cushions, except when the tumors protrude. Persons afflicted with piles should abstain from all alcoholic drinks, wine, cider, porter, ale or coffee; water OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 277 should constitute the only beverage to be indulged in freely. The resort to the scissors for the purpose of excising the tumors can only be regarded with distrust, as it is evidently done through ignorance of the nature of the disease, although such an operation is easily per- formed; yet it is frequently attended with dangerous consequences; inordinate hemorrhages often result which cannot be arrested without recourse to the actual cautery or by the use of some powerful styptic, productive of incurable ulcers; and the only use that can under any circumstances result is temporary relief from pain, for the tumors almost universally reappear in a short time higher up in the rectum, when the pain is more violent than before, and when it is more difficult to excise them, and if the attempt is made the rectum is liable to sustain incurable injury; every operation causes their reappear- ance higher up till there is no possibility of reaching them, then the patient is obliged to be left in a worse condition than if no operations had been attempted. It is a matter of rejoicing that in homoeopathy there is for the most part a more safe and sure method of pro- curing entire relief, without the scissors; but not for those cases which have been frequently operated upon, because by the operations they have been made to assume a more obstinate and incurable character. Injections of cold water are sometimes a source of relief when the tumors are painful, but do not bleed; these may be resorted to once or twice a day, but cautiously when the tumors are in a bleeding condition inasmuch as the discharge may be suddenly arrested by them; though when they bleed too freely the water may be applied, provided proper care is exercised with regard 25 278 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; to the administration of appropriate remedies at the same time. Syringes with gum-elastic tubes should be used in giving the injections, as these will be less liable to do violence to the affected parts; the water should not be too cold, and water of moderate warmth even under many circumstances is preferable. Washing the parts with cold water, or tepid water, is sometimes of service, and particularly when the tumors are too painful to allow of injections. Sitting over the steam of hot water when the tumors are much swollen, and painful; and also the sponge saturated with tepid water, may be used with advantage; and sometimes the application of moderately warm fomentations. Remedial treatment.—The remedies most employed are Aconite, Antimonium crud., Arnica, Belladonna, Carbo veg., Chamomilla, Colocynthis, China, Hamamelis, Ignatia, Mercurius viv., Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, and Sulphur. 1 Aconite is indicated, and frequently affords relief, when the blood is discharged, and there are shooting pains and pressure on the anus; fulness of the abdomen, with tension, pressure, and griping, and the small of the back' feels as if it was broken. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every four hours, until amelioration or change. Antimonium crud. is indicated when there is a discharge of mucus from the anus, that stains the linen. It may sometimes be given alternately with Pulsatilla. DOSE.—The same in all respects as directed for the use of Aconite. Arnica is particularly useful when the tumors are swollen and sore; and when there is pain in the small of the back, as if bruised. DOSE.—The same as directed for Aconite or Antimonium crud. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 279 Belladonna is chiefly employed against bleeding piles, with intense pain in the lumbar region, as if the back were breaking. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be taken morning and evening, if insufficient after three doses, give Hepar sulph. in the same way, and after an elapse of four days, Rhus tox. may be given without hesitation, and repeated twice, and then it is better to wait for the result. Carbo veg. is indicated when there is discharge of mucus with burning pain, and particularly when there is bleeding from the nose, and great determination of blood towards the head, especially in patients who are very weak; if this remedy proves inefficient, it should be followed with Arsenicum, or the remedies may be used in alternation. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a tablespoonful every morning and evening, or if in alternation, give Arsenicum in the morning, and Carbo veg. in the evening, for two days. Chamomilla may be used when the blood flows freely, with contractive pains in the bowels, and frequent straining to evacuate; occasional diarrhoea, particularly when attended with smarting and burning, with tearing pain in the back, especially at night. DOSE—One drop, or four globules, may be given in a spoonful of water, every night and morning, until amelioration or change. Colocynthis is indicated if the piles are accompanied with colicky pains, very severe, and there are signs of determination of blood to the abdomen. DOSE—Dissolve a drop, or six globules, in two tablespoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful at night, and the other in the morning; and after twenty-four hours, if the patient is not decidedly better, repeat again, and so continue until amelioration, or change. China is indicated when there has been profuse bleeding from the tumors, followed by great weakness. It is useful after either Aconite, Ipecacuanha, or Sulphur has been employed in the first stage. 280 diseases of the digestive organs; DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful morning and evening, or in alternation with Aconite, three times a day. If Sulphur is employed, give the Sulphur at night, and the China in the morning. Hamamelis is one of the most useful remedies in bleeding piles, and may be used also when there is merely a varicose condition of the hemorrhoidal veins, and particularly, if in females subject to varicose con- dition of the veins of the lower extremities. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, may be given morning and evening, until amelioration, or change. Ignatia is indicated in piles, against violent stitches which pass upwards, with itching, and crawling in the anus; when much blood is discharged; or there is pro- trusion of the rectum at each evacuation; or when, after an evacuation, there is painful soreness and contraction, particularly when accompanied by ineffectual straining to evacuate; or a discharge of blood and mucus. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three spoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful three times a day, at intervals of six or eight hours, until amelioration, or change. Mercurius viv. is particularly indicated when patients have been injured by taking Sulphur, or other drugs or nostrums, to rid themselves of the suffering consequent upon piles; but if patients have taken much Cabmel and Sulphur, Lachesis may be given, first once or twice, and then if the symptoms seem to be aggravated again, Nux vomica may be given, two doses twelve hours apart, and then after a pause of twenty-four hours, Sulphur may be administered, and perhaps in alternation with Sepia, at intervals of twenty-four hours. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every morning and evening, and if necessity requires a resort to the other remedies, prepare, and use them in the same manner, according to the directions above given. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 281 Nux vomica is useful when there is burning, pricking pain in the tumors; the symptoms resembling those mentioned of the same remedy under "Itching of the anus," when there is much light colored blood discharged after each evacuation; or where there is constant incli- nation to evacuate; also in constipation, and during pregnancy. If Nux vomica proves of little avail, or does not afford complete relief, give fgnatia, and afterwards if the complaint returns, give Sulphur. This latter remedy, given at night, and Nux vomica in the morning, will prove of service in a majority of instances, when patients are suffering from piles. DOSE.—Dissolve -one drop, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every morning, fasting, and every evening before retiring to rest. Or when there is alternation with Sulphur, give a spoonful of Nux vomica in the morning, and one of Sulphur, prepared in the same manner, in the evening before retiring. Pulsatilla is of service when there is blood and mucus discharged with the faeces, with painful pressure on the tumors; pains in the back; pale countenance, and disposition to syncope. Mercurius is a suitable remedy to follow Pulsatilla, if the latter remedy proves inefficient, and afterwards Sulphur. DOSE.—The same in all respects as directed for Nux vomica. Sulphur, as before remarked, is one of the principal remedies for bleeding piles. It is particularly indicated when there is constant urging to stool, with ineffectual straining; when there is an acute, sore pain in the anus, internally and externally; when the tumors burn, are moist, protrude considerably, and are pressed back with much difficulty; with violent shooting pains in the back and in the small of the back, with a feeling of contrac- tion, and burning or smarting pain on passing urine. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be dissolved in a spoonful of water, and given every twenty-four hrmrs on retiring to rest at night, until 25* 282 diseases of the digestive organs; amelioration or change. It may be used in alternation with Nux vomica ur Pulsatilla, as directed above. There are other remedies that have been advanta- geously employed in this painful affection. Conium may be given with advantage, when the tumors protrude and are swollen and painful, disabling the patient from walking about, but the remedy should not be repeated oftener than once in three days. DOSE.__One drop, or four globules, dissolved in a spoonful of water. When in a case of excessive haemorrhage from the tumors, threatening life, there is call for immediate remedial measures, give Aconite; if this does not arrest the discharge at once, give Ipecacuanha in twenty minutes; and if this also fails of relief, in ten minutes, give Sulphur. DOSE.—Of each. One drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water. Or in a similar case, Aconite, Belladonna and Calcarea carb. may follow each other in rapid succession. DOSE.—The same as above. Diet and Regimen.—As "the piles" seem to be a difficulty mainly dependent upon derangement of the digestive function, the diet and habits should be regu- lated in accordance with the injunctions which have been explicitly set forth respecting derangements of the digestive functions in general. Bread made of superfine flour is not so good as that from the unbolted; and persons subject to piles should never take coffee or stimulating food or drinks of any kind. 32.—Protrusion of the Intestine. (Prolapsus ani.) This affection is sometimes termed by mothers and nurses, " the falling of the bowels," and consists of the protrusion of the mucus membrane of the rectum through OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 283 the anus. It occurs much more frequently in children than in adults, and invariably takes place from straining at stool, or when urinating. The reduction of the pro- truded portion is easily effected by pressing it gently with the thumb and fore finger, which have been softened with lard. Treatment.—The principal remedies in effecting a cure of this difficulty and of removing a tendency to the same, are Calcarea, Ignatia, Mercurius, Nux vomica, Lycopodium, Sepia and Sulphur. Calcarea is to be regarded a remedy for prolapsus ani in obstinate and inveterate cases where other reme- dies have failed, especially after Sulphur has proved inefficient. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give one of the spoonfuls every morning, and another every evening, until the four are taken. Give half the quantity to children under twelve years of age. Ignatia is particularly indicated when the difficulty occurs in children or persons of mild, sensitive tempera- ments, and is attended with constipation. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, in a tablespoonful of water, (half the quantity for children,) every twelve hours, until amelioration or change. Mercurius is well suited to children in whom the disease is attended with hardness and swelling of the abdomen, and great distension. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, one to be taken every morning until amelioration or change. Nux vomica is more particularly indicated for persons of irritable or lively disposition, and addicted to high stimulating diet, with a tendency to haemorrhoids and constipation. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, give a teaspoonful night and morning, until better, or a change. Lycopodium and Sepia are amongst the remedies that are important in treating obstinate cases, when other 284 diseases of the digestive organs; remedies have not effected a cure, and particularly after a course of Sulphur. Sulphur is regarded as one of the best remedies to effect a cure. DOSE.—One drop of either of the above remedies, or six globules, may be dissolved in six teaspoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every morning, or the same quantity may be dissolved in twelve teaspoon- fuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every morning, for children under twelve years of age. Diet and Regimen.—As this disorder is often the result of derangement of the digestive organs, or piles, the same restriction as to diet should be observed as in derangements of the digestive function in general. 33.—Liver Complaint. Under this head is comprised the different diseases to which the liver is subject, both chronic and acute; the former is what is usually termed liver complaint, a careful discrimination will often disclose the fact that the real disease is a deranged condition of the stomach and bowels; the liver however is often impli- cated, and in itself deserves considerable attention; when the disease has been unchecked for a long time, and a torpid inflammation becomes deeply seated in the sub- stance of the liver, an abscess frequently forms, bursting either internally or externally; in the former case it often proves critical, and is attended with hectic fever in most cases. 34.—Acute Inflammation of the Liver. (Hepatitis.) This disease is comparatively of rare occurrence in temperate regions, being much more common in tropical climates; and even in these regions a luxurious manner of living, and exposure to the tropical heat by day, and OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 285 to damps and dews of evening, may be recorded among the principal exciting causes; but even in our climate it may arise from violent mental emotions, stimulating drinks; suddenly suppressed evacuations; frequent use of the Hue pill, or strong emetics or cathartics, or gall stones or injuries of the brain. Symptoms.—The principal symptoms of the acute form are pain in the right side under the ribs, sometimes acute and lancinating, and at others dull and heavy, often extending to the chest and under the shoulder blade of the right side; the pain is increased by coughing, draw- ing in the breath, and by pressure, or by lying on the left side; relief is often obtained by lying on the affected side; the stools are of a grayish or ash color, resembling clay, but for the most part the bowels are constipated, the urine high colored, and tinges the linen yellow; the skin and whites of the eyes are yellowish; there is gene- rally a high fever, with a full bounding pulse and hot skin; thirst; bitter taste in the mouth; yellow furred tongue; vomiting; pain and tension in the stomach; when the inflammation is seated in the convex surface of the liver, which lies against the right wall of the abdominal cavity; the pain is acute and lancinating, and increased by coughing, drawing in the breath, and pres- sure ; when the convex surface is more effected, the pain is deeper situated and not liable to be at all augmented by pressure, and greatly aggravated by efforts at vomiting. Termination.—Acute inflammation of the liver may terminate in resolution, suppuration or gangrene, or it may merge into the chronic form; when it terminates in resolution, the symptoms gradually disappear; when it terminates in suppuration, the fever usually becomes hectic, and the patient suffers from increased sense of 286 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; weight in the region of the liver; the enlargement of the organ may be distinctly felt, and if the abscess is about to make its way to the surface, a sense of fluctuation with pointing may be perceived; when the abscess is not discharged externally, or through the stomach or intes- tines, it usually proves fatal; the termination of the inflammation in gangrene is by no means of frequent occurrence, when such is the case it rapidly proves fatal;, such a misfortune may be readily recognised by the sud- den cessation of the pain; sinking of the pulse; cold, clammy sweats; coldness of the extremities, and rapid change in the appearance of the countenance. Treatment.—The remedies employed are Aconite, Bryonia, Belladonna, Chamomilla, China, Mercurius viv., Nux vomica and Lachesis. Aconite is indicated in the commencement when the fever is high, with hot skin, with much thirst and whitish furred tongue, accompanied by moaning; great restless- ness, and dread of death; shooting pains in the region of the liver. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Bryonia is indicated when the pains are pressive, and when there is a sense of tension in the region of the liver, and when breathing, coughing, or movement of any kind aggravates the pains; when there is violent oppression of the chest with rapid and anxious respira- tion; thick yellowish coating on the tongue; constipation. DOSE.—The same as directed for Aconite. Belladonna may be employed against pains in the region of the liver, which extend to the chest and shoul- der, particularly of the right side; swelling and tightness at the pit of the stomach; oppressed and anxious respira- OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 287 tion; congestion to the head; with giddiness; dimness of vision, and occasional fainting; intense thirst; restless- ness, sleeplessness and anxiety, It may be used in alter- nation with Aconite, at intervals of three hours, or it may be used after Aconite has been tried. DOSE.__One drop, or six globules, maybe dissolved in six teaspoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every three hours. Chamomilla is indicated when the pains are of a dull character, neither susceptible of aggravation, by respiration, pressure or movement; with a sense of pressure in the stomach; tension in the right hypo- chondrium; oppression of the chest; yellow skin; and yellow coating upon the tongue; bitter taste in the mouth; and intense anxiety at times. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a spoonful every three hours, until relieved, or there is necessity for a change. China is indicated when the disease appears to come on in paroxysms; or in other words, becomes manifest periodically, and is worse every other day; with shooting and pressive pains in the region of the liver; swelling, and hardness of the hypochondria, and epigastrum; pressive pain in the head; thickly coated tongue, and bitter taste in the mouth; yellowish eyes and skin. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give one of the spoonfuls every six hours until ail are given, then wait for the result; if no better after three days, repeat the same, and so on, until amelioration or change. Mercurius viv. is of great service in hepatitis, when there are pains under the ribs of a pressive character, which do not allow the patient to lie long on the right side; bitter taste in the mouth; want of appetite; thirst; continued shivering, followed sometimes by clammy perspiration; yellowness of the skin, and the whites of the eyes; also in enlargement and hardening of the 288 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; liver; or after the formation of abscesses. This remedy may be profitably used after Belladonna, or in alternation, at intervals of three hours between the doses. DOSE.—The same as directed for China. Nux vomica is to be employed against shooting, or pulsative pains; with great tenderness of the region of the liver when touched; nausea or vomiting; sour or bitter risings which leave the same taste in the mouth; shortness of breath; and sense of pressure under the short ribs of the right side, and upper portion of the stomach; pressive pain in the head; thirst; high colored urine; giddiness, and paroxysms of anguish; constipation. EOSE.__Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Lachesis is particularly serviceable in cases in which Mercurius viv. and Belladonna seem to be indicated, but afford but partial relief; and also in obstinate chronic cases, occurring in drunkards. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules may be dissolved in half a tumbler of water, and a teaspoonful given every six hours, until amelioration or change. Sulphur is a most valuable remedy after any of the preceding remedies, whenever they fail of producing a favorable effect, or when the improvement is but temporary, and the disease still continues, though some- what diminished in violence. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, dissolved in a spoonful of water, may be given every night and morning. Diet.—The same as under fevers; modified of course, according to the violence of the disease. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 289 35.-Chronic Inflammation of the Liver. (Liver Complaint.) There are many symptoms, in the chronic and acute forms of liver affections, that have a close resemblance in every particular, except their duration. In liver, complaint, or chronic inflammation of the liver, there is continued pains, and uneasiness in the right side, which seldom leave the patient, who gradually becomes weakened in point of strength, and lean in flesh; not unfrequently there is cough, with expectoration, resembling very much, such as we find in pulmonary difficulties. By inspection of the right hypochondrium, we may see signs of considerable enlargement of the liver, which frequently remains for considerable time; or is continuous; or comes and goes periodically, attended with dyspeptic symptoms; high colored and red urine; yellow tinge of the skin and eyes; sometimes febrile symptoms; the pulse generally quick, but regu- lar, except during these attacks. The causes are chiefly those of the acute form of the disease, that perhaps as frequent as any other, may be found in the use of intoxicating drinks, and mercurial preparations, such as Calomel and the Blue pill. Treatment.—The remedies employed are Aurum, Alumina, Calcarea carb., China, Lycopodium, Nux vomica, Silicea, and Sulphur. Aurum is particularly indicated, when the patient has taken much Blue pill, and has been frequently salivated, and there are pains in the bones, and soreness of the flesh, when pressed against the bones, and there is melancholy, and propensity to suicide. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, night and morning in a spoonful of water. Alumina is particularly indicated when there are uni- 26 290 diseases of the digestive organs; formly pains in the liver, when stooping, which become relieved on assuming the erect posture. DOSE.—The same as for Aurum. Calcarea carb. is indicated when there are pains in the liver, mostly stitching, or tensive aching, and dis- tension of the abdomen. DOSE.—The same as for Alumina and Aurum. China is adapted when the pains are worse every other day. (See acute Hepatitis.) Lycopodium is indicated when there is great torpidity of the bowels attending continuous pain of the right side. (See Constipation.) DOSE.—One drop, of either of the last two remedies mentioned, or six globules, may be taken every morning before eating. Nux vomica and Sulphur are among the best remedies employed in liver complaint. For the indi- cations which require their administration, see the use of these medicines under " Acute Inflammation of the Liver." DOSE.—-One drop, or four globules, once a day. Silicea is only indicated in certain cases, when the formation of abscess is the characteristic mark of the disease. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every night. Diet and Regimen.—The diet should be light, veal or chicken broth, with stale bread, roasted apples, also French beans, sago or tapioca made into plain puddings. The drink should be confined mostly to water; and bacon, butter, eggs, milk, wine, spirits, malt liquors, should, except in rare cases, be prohibited. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 291 36 Jaundice. (Icterus.) The main features of this disease are yellow color; whitish ficces; orange-colored urine; deranged diges- tion ; sometimes pain in the region of the liver. Gene- rally preceding an attack there is loss of appetite; giddi- ness ; nausea; vomiting; flatulence, and some degree of tension in the region of the liver. There is also greater or less depression of spirits and loss of strength. There is for the most part but little fever attending the mild forms of this disease, but in bad cases there may be an unusual degree of fever, which more or less affects the brain, producing a sort of stupid sleep from which it is difficult to be aroused; when the disease assumes this form it is regarded dangerous, and death may follow in a short time from oppression of the brain. Sometimes the color of the skin changes from a yellow to a dark brown or black, giving rise to the appellation of " Hack jaundice.11 There is frequently a disagreeable itching or tingling before the discolora- tion of the skin appears. When this disease arises from some undue emotion of the mind, it may come on suddenly, but generally it makes its appearance in a gradual and often in an unobserved manner. Causes.—These are various. It may arise either from the acute or chronic inflammation of the liver, or from diseases of the stomach and bowels, or from fevers. Blows upon the head, or on the region of the liver, often produce the disease; as may also moral emotions or inveterate fits of passion; we may enume- rate also among the causes, the inordinate use of quinine, rhubarb or calomel, in certain fevers, because these agents sometimes obstruct the biliary duct. Treatment.—The remedies the most frequently found 292 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; useful are Aconite, Belladonna, Chamomilla, China, Digi- talis, Mercurius viv., Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Sul- phur. Aconite will be indicated when the jaundice is accom- panied with symptoms of acute inflammation and pain in the region of the liver, and also in the incipient stage of the fever attending the disease. It may be advantageously followed by Belladonna or Chamomilla. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be dissolved in a spoonful of water, and given every four hours, until amelioration or change; but if after taking three or four doses, there is only a partial removal of the symptoms, wait three hours, and give Belladonna, as directed for Aconite. After four doses of Belladonna, if the symptoms still remain, proceed with Chamomilla four hours after, as directed for the Aconite and Belladonna, until amelioration or change. China is indicated when the inflammatory symptoms have abated, and also in case of there being little or no fever at the commencement, and especially if marsh miasm is the cause, or if the fever is intermittent, or if the appetite is impaired, or there is general derange- ment of the digestion, and if the patient has been weak- ened by vomiting blood or by diarrhoea. DOSE. —One drop, or six globules, in two tablespoonfuls of water, and give one at night and the other in the morning, provided the disease is anti-periodic in its character. This course may be pursued until there is a positive change for the better, or there is indication for the use of another remedy; but if the disease be accompanied by a fever of an intermittent character, the same doses should be given every six hours during the respite, observing that the last dose should be given one hour before the expected attack. The remedy may be given in alternation with Arsenicum, if necessary, observing to give a dose of the former in the morning, and of the other in the evening, or China, soon after the paroxysm, and Arseni- cum about an hour before the anticipated attack. Digitalis is a useful remedy when there is nausea, retching or vomiting; tongue clean, or coated with a white fur; pressure at the pit of the stomach and region of the liver; sluggish state of the bowels, and clay- colored evacuations; alternate flushes, of heat and chills. OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 293 DOSE. —Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until there is some modifi- cation of the violence of the symptoms, and then every four hours, until there is decided improvement, or indication for change of remedy. Mercurius viv. is indicated when the disease appears to have arisen from derangement of the digestive organs, or from obstructions of the biliary duct, that have not been occasioned by the abuse of this drug, in which case China is preferable, and this in obstinate cases may be followed by Sulphur. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water; give a tablespoonful every six hours, and China in the same way, and Sulphur every twelve hours. Nux vomica is indicated for persons of an irritable temperament, when the disease arises from a fit of passion, and when there is constipation, or alternately, costiveness and looseness of the bowels; and also when sedentary habits, protracted study, or over indulgence in stimulants appear to be the predisposing or exciting causes; and in alternation with Chamomilla. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or eight, globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a tablespoonful every four hours, for two days, and then every eight hours, or in alternation with Chamomilla, at intervals of six hours between the remedies. Pulsatilla is especially indicated when there is great weakness and anxiety and lassitude towards evening; obscure pressure, and sometimes shooting or pricking pains in the region of the liver, occasionally extending upwards towards the right shoulder; and when the stools are clay-colored or white. DOSE.—Precisely the same as directed for Nux vomica. Sulphur is indicated in inveterate cases, when other remedies have failed. It may be used in alternation with Nitric acid, or Calcarea, or Lachesis, according to indications. 26* 294 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; DOSES.—One drop, or four globules, may be given in a spoonful of water night and morning, for a week, or if in alternation with either of the other remedies, at intervals of twelve hours between each remedy. Diet.—The diet should be light and free from condi- ments or stimulants of any kind. Chicken or veal soup, with stale bread, tapioca or sago, or rice, and gruels made of arrow-root, corn starch or farina. The chief drink should be water, and all stimulating or tonic bit- ters made of cider, and barks or wine; and above all, avoid any indigestible food, and eggs, butter, fat meats, milk, &c. 37 Inflammation of the Spleen. (Splenitis.) The spleen is situated on the opposite side from the liver, near the spine, and immediately under the ribs on the left side. Aristotle termed the spleen the bastard liver, because it is perhaps associated with the liver in purifying the blood. When this organ becomes the seat of disease, the symptoms that become manifest are all that we can rely upon by which to judge of its nature. Inflammation of the spleen has the following symptoms, viz: Symptoms.—Sharp, pressing or shooting pains in the region of the spleen, with, in most cases, a high degree of fever; general derangement, and sometimes enlarge- ment and tumefaction of the organ; and when the dis- order is very severe there is vomiting of blood. The disease is not of frequent occurrence in temperate regions, appearing sometimes in hot seasons, and fre- quently mistaken for other affections. It may some- times arise in individuals of debilitated constitutions, and in children in consequence of marsh miasms, and particularly when added to this exposure there is con- tinual mental disquietude; improper nutriment and OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 295 insufficient clothing, and confinement without proper exercise. From the fact that we possess but a limited amount of knowledge concerning the physiology of the spleen, it is somewhat difficult to discriminate between what is properly a disease of the organ, and some of the contiguous parts, unless the disorder is presented in the most tangible form. The best indications we can have are tenderness or sensibility on pressure in the region of the organ, with general debility, paleness of the com- plexion ; whites of the eyes remarkably free from blood; languid circulation, and tendency of the extremities to become cold. Treatment.—The principal remedies employed in this disorder are Aconite, Arnica, Arsenicum, Baryta carb., Bryonia, China, Calcarea carb., Carbo veg., Fer- rum, Lycopodium, Nux vomica, Plumbum, Platina, Rhus tox., Stannum and Sulphur. Aconite.—If there is fever present during the affec- tion, this remedy will prove of service. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in two tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful of the solution every two hours, when the febrile symptoms run high, or in less urgent cases, it may be given every six hours, until the fever abates; then pause four hours, and proceed with such of the subjoined medicines as may appear the best indicated. Arnica is indicated when there is pressive pain in the left side under the ribs, causing difficult respiration, and when the vomiting of blood is excessive, and par- ticularly when any external violence has given rise to the difficulty. (See Rhus tox) DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, at first, and during the severer stage, for four doses, and then every six hours, until amelioration or change. Arsenicum is indicated when there is an inflammation of \ho spleen accompanying the ague, and also when the patient complains of violent burning pain in'the region 296 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS; of the spleen, and a constant pulsation at the cardiac portion of the stomach, attended with great anxiety; also vomiting a dark-colored fluid; watery or sanguinous diarrhoea, and burning at the anus; excessive weakness and swelling of the feet. (See China and Arsenicum under Intermittents) DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a tablespoonful once in twelve hours, if the disease presents no positive periodical character, and the symptoms do not appear violent. But if the symptoms are severe, the dose may be repeated every six hours. If the disease comes on at regular periods, the medicines should be admin- istered one hour before an anticipated paroxysm. Baryta carb. is particularly indicated in splenitis, when the mesentery is affected, or the mesenteric glands become involved. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every twelve hours, until ameliora- tion or change. Bryonia is indicated in very mild cases, when an aching, shooting pain is felt in the region of the spleen, that becomes aggravated by movement; or when the patient complains of a constant stitch in the side, or the left side under the ribs, and general gastric derangement with constipation. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in three tablespoon- fuls of water, and one spoonful may be given night and morning, until amelioration or change. China is requisite as being indicated when the inflam- matory symptoms have passed away; or it may be indi- cated at the commencement, particularly if the disease owes its origin to marsh miasm; or if the accompanying fever presents an intermittent type, in which case it should be administered between the paroxysms, or when the fever is not present; and also if there is impaired appetite and general derangement present. It is also par- ticularly useful when the patient has been weakened by OR, OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 297 vomiting blood, or diarrhoea. If the abuse of Q-uinine has been the cause of this disease, resort to Arsenicum, or Carbo veg. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, may be dissolved in a spoonful of water, and given night and morning, twelve hours apart; if the disease appears to sustain nearly the same character from the commencement, and the symptoms are not violent; but if severe, give the medicine every six hours. If attended with paroxysms of fever, coming on at regular periods, give a dose one hour after each paroxysm, and one hour before an antici- pated return; in either case, continue the medicine, until amelioration, or change. Calcarea carb. and Carbo veg. are both indicated when there is a chronic enlargement of the spleen, or if there are indurations. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, of either, every morning for a week, and wait the result, if not favorable, proceed with the other. Ferrum, Lycopodium, and Sulphur may also be consulted for enlargement and indurations, when the mesenteric glands are implicated. DOSE.—Precisely the same as for Calcarea carb. and Carbo veg. Nux vomica is indicated when there is inflammation of the spleen, accompanied by symptoms of deranged digestion, constipation, &c, which remain after the more threatening symptoms are removed. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, and take, every night, half an hour before retiring, Plumbum, Platina, and Stannum may be consulted in chronic enlargements, or chronic inflammation and induration, and particularly if the mesenteric glands partake of the difficulty. DOSE.—The same in all respects as directed for Calcarea carb. Rhus tox. is indicated when severe corporeal exertions have been the cause of the disease, and there is difficulty of breathing. DOSE.— Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every six hours, until amelioration or change. 298 diseases of the urinary But if vomiting of blood occur, give the same dose every three hours. (See Bryonia and Arnica?) Diet.—Similar rules should be observed, with reference to food and drinks, while under treatment for diseases of the spleen, as were given for liver complaint. CHAPTER VII. DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND GENITAL ORGANS. The urinary and genital organs embrace the kidneys, the bladder, the urethra, (the penis, the testes, and the scrotum in the male;) and the female organs of genera- tion, the ovary, the uterus, and the vaginum. 1.—Inflammation of the Kidneys. (Nephritis.) Symptoms.—Pressing, pungent pain in the back, each side of the spine in the lumbar region, shooting along the ureters to the bladder; difficulty in passing urine; a complete stoppage, or suppression of the urine; when both of the kidneys are involved; the urine hot, and highly colored red; swelling of the testicle on the affected side; numbness, and spasmodic difficulties about the foot of the affected side; nausea; vomiting; colic and straining; motion aggravates the pains; and also lying on the affected part. Causes.—Blows, falls, or strains, or other external injuries; immoderate use of wine, or alchoholic drinks; lying for a great length of time upon the back; abuse of Cantharides, or deleterious drugs; suppressed piles, or menstruation. AND GENITAL ORGANS. 299 Treatment.—The chief remedies in this affection, are Aconite, Arnica, Belladonna, Cannabis, Cantharides, Cocculus, Colchicum, Hepar sulph., Mercurius, Nux vomica, and Pulsatilla. Aconite is always useful in the febrile or inflammatory stage of this affection, and should be repeated frequently in the same manner as in inflammatory fever. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until the pulse becomes reduced in frequency, and the skin moist, or covered with profuse perspir- ation, or until a change. Arnica is indicated if the kidney inflammation is produced by mechanical injuries of any kind, but more particularly such as continuous or severe concussions. It should be employed at first, whatever be the remedies indicated by after development of the symptoms. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration, or change. But if only partial relief should ensue, in the course of twelve hours, it is better to seek an affiliation of other remedies. Belladonna may be indicated when shooting pains are experienced in the kidneys, extending to the bladder; and also when the disease is attended with colic, and pain around the region of the heart; heat and distension in the region of the kidne}7s; scanty emission of urine of an orange color, or bright red; depositing red sediment, or sometimes thick whitish sediment; anxiety; restlessness, and periodical aggravation; constipation. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or eight globules, in two tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until decidedly better, or a change. Cannabis is more particularly indicated when the pain is of a dragging, aching, or pressive character; or a sensation, as if from excoriation, is experienced, ex- tending from the region of the kidneys down towards the groin, accompanied by painful and difficult urination. DOSE.—As directed for Belladonna. 300 diseases of the urinary Cantharides may be employed with advantage at the commencement of the attack, even when the accompany- ing fever is considerable, particularly when the urine passes off in drops, or is tinged with blood; or when it is exceedingly painful to pass the urine on account of the burning pain in the urethra; when there are general symptoms of shooting, cutting, and tearing pains in the region of the kidneys, and in the loins; or in cases of complete suppression of the urine. DOSE.—The same as directed for Belladonna and Cannabis. Cocculus and Arsenicum are remedies that may be required to complete a cure after other remedies have produced an amelioration, or Cocculus may be used alone after Nux vomica. If both are employed, three doses of one should be given, and after an elapse of one day, a single dose of the other. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or four globules, in a spoonful of water, and give every six hours, or one half every three hours, until there is decided improvement or change. If both remedies are used, twelve hours at least should elapse between the last dose of the first and the first dose of the last; if the patient is not relieved by the employment of these remedies, give Sulphur in the same way. Colchicum is indicated when in addition to the usual symptoms of this disease, there is excessive nausea with drum-like distension of the abdomen; painful urination, or scanty emission of urine of a bright red character. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Hepar sulph. is indicated in chronic inflammation of the kidneys, and particularly when there is induration of the glands as a consequence. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in six teaspoon- fuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given night and morning for a week, until there is some appearance of improvement or change, then pause for three days, resuming the former course again at the expiration if necessary. AND GENITAL ORGANS. 301 Mercurius VIV. is also indicated in chronic inflamma- tion of the kidneys, when in a similar condition as noted under Hepar is present, and particularly if there is diar- rhoea and tenesmus. DOSE._The same as directed for Belladonna. Nux vomica is especially useful when the difficulty can be traced to a suppression of a hemorrhoidal dis- charge ; determination of blood to the abdomen; excess of stimulants and sedentary habits; and where we find constipation ; feeling of faintness; nausea; vomiting ; distension of the abdomen, and drawing up of the testes and of the spermatic cord. DOSE.—The same as directed for Bellad nna. Pulsatilla is of great service when this disease occurs in females of lymphatic temperament, when the complaint is connected with suppression of the menses or irregu- larities of them. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until complete relief is obtained or change. Diet.—The same restrictions as to diet as in inflamma- tory fevers during treatment. Persons predisposed to the affection should strictly avoid wine, malt liquor, spirits, and also oysters and other stimulating food; good whole- some nourishment is by far the best for predisposed per- sons, but it must be free from condiments, except salt. 2.—Inflammation of the Bladder. (Cystitis.) This affection is attended with pain in the bladder, with tension, heat, and swelling externally; and also severe pains when pressed or touched; frequent and painful discharge of urine, or suppression or frequent ineffectual efforts and straining to pass urine; fever and vomiting usually attend the affection, as in Nephritis. 27 302 DISEASES OF THE URINARY Causes.—The sources of this painful difficulty are the same as Nephritis. Females may become affected with the difficulty more frequently from parturition. Treatment.—The chief remedies are nearly the same as in Nephritis, Aconite, Arsenicum, Cantharides, Digi- talis, Hyoscyamus, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla. Aconite is ever requisite in the initiatory treatment of this disease, if there be a considerable degree of fever, with hot dry skin, rapid pulse, bounding or hard. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until the pulse becomes reduced and the skin moist, and there are other indications of relief; to complete the cure, consult other medicines with which to continue treatment. Arsenicum is indicated when there is severe scalding of the urine during micturation, intense thirst and rest- lessness. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or four globules, in four spoonfuls of water, and give a spoonful every three hours, until there is a change of the symp- toms for the better, then every four or six hours according to the degree of mitigation, until complete relief is realised. Cantharides is more frequently indicated in this pain- ful difficulty than any other remedy; it almost always follows Aconite, if the disease commences with a high fever; and when such is not the case, Cantharides may be used from the commencement. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until amelioration or change that calls for another remedy. Digitalis also is valuable when in addition to the suppression of urine, a constrictive pain is felt in the bladder, (Laurie.) DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, dissolved in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change. Hyoscyamus is indicated when it is difficult to pass urine in the early stage of the disease, particularly when AND GENITAL ORGANS. 303 we have reason to apprehend that the difficulty originates from spasmodic constriction of the neck of the bladder, and when in fact the difficulty is more characteristic of a spasmodic difficulty than of inflammation. DOSE.—One drop, or six globules, dissolved in three tablespoonfuls of water, give a spoonful every three hours. Nux vomica is especially indicated when the affection is fairly attributable to habitual indulgence in wine, malt or spirituous liquors. There is no article of drink more pernicious on account of the peculiar properties of its composition than the lager beer, so much used as a com- mon beverage, and which is productive of more bladder and kidney difficulties than almost any other form of malt liquors. (Nux vomica is the best remedy that can be employed to antidote the pernicious effects of this beve- rage) ; when inflammation of the bladder springs from this difficulty, a timely administration of this remedy will arrest it; and also when it results from suppressed hemorrhoids or other habitual discharges, or from dys- peptic derangements. DOSE.— Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in four tablespsoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration or change; but if within six hours after the fourth dose the improvement should cease to progress, consult some other remedies. Pulsatilla is of great service in checking the affec- tion or of preventing its development when it arises from suppressed menstruation, and moreover it is indicated in cases arising from whatever cause in lymphatic tempera- ment, with the following symptoms:—Frequent desire to urinate; painful and scanty emission of slimy or sanguino- lent urine, which deposites a purulent looking sediment; burning and cutting pains in the lower parts of the bowels, ^Avith external heat and tumefaction; suppression of urine. DOSE—One drop, or six globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water; give a teaspoonful every six hours, until amelioration or change. 304 diseases of the urinary 3.—Chronic Inflammation of the Bladder. This difficulty is accompanied by an extremely irritable condition of the bladder, together with a profuse secretion of mucus which is discharged along with the urine; from the latter circumstance the designation of catarrh of the bladder, has commonly been given to this complaint. The most appropriate remedies for this complaint are Dulcamara, Pulsatilla and Sulphur. Dulcamara is indicated when the catarrh returns on the slightest exposure to cold. Pulsatilla, when it is produced in females at every menstrual period, and also in both sexes of phlegmatic constitutions when there is constant desire to urinate, or when every exposure seems to affect the bladder and produce pain. DOSE —Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every morning and evening; both Dulcamara and Pulsatilla may be prepared and administered in this way, and which ever is selected, continue until amelioration or change. Sulphur is very useful in chronic irritation of the bladder or catarrhal inflammation of the neck of the bladder, causing a frequent inclination to urinate, and also when there is discharge of mucus from the uretha. DOSE.—One drop, or four globules, every twenty-four hours, at night; independent of chronic inflammation of the bladder, there may be what is termed " irritability of the bladder'" in aged persons; this is attended with some pain in the region of the bladder, which apparently darts in various directions to the back of the anus, thighs, and along the urethra; and whenever the urine accumulates in the bladder the pain is aggravated, and the patient is obliged to urinate several times during a night, and frequently through the day, and not unfrequently it is accomplished with difficulty, usually drop by drop; this irritability constantly draws upon the health, the appe- tite becomes impaired, the spirits depressed, and all the functional processes seem to become more or less impaired, and the patient loses flesh and be- comes emaciated. When the irritation and pain becomes so acute as to cause a spasmodic constriction of the bladder and com- AND GENITAL ORGANS. 305 plete retention of the urine, it may become necessary to evacuate the bladder by means of a catheter, or else the straining will give rise to more formidable symptoms; great anxiety; restlessness and clammy perspiration, but without fever or soreness on pressing upon the region of the bladder. Sometimes spinal irritation may give rise to this diffi- culty, as also may disease of the prostate gland. For this condition of things in aged persons: Sulphur, Pulsatilla, Calcarea and Conium, may be useful. DOSE.—Of either, one drop, or four globules, may be given twice a day, one dose in the morning, fasting, and one in the evening at bed-time; consult also Cannabis, Cantharides, Dulcamara, Hepar, Mercurius and Nux vomica; according to indications, doses and repetition the same as Sulphur, &c. 4.—Gravel. (Urinary Calculus.—Stone.) Gravel is the formation of concretions in the kidneys, for the most part, of a calcareous character, from whence they pass along the ureters into the bladder, and when they are incapable of being discharged with the urine, they remain in the bladder, a nucleus for the depositions of a similar-character. The foundation or nucleus for the formation of stone in the bladder, may also be a drop of blood, or some extraneous substance lodged there, which receives the calculus concretion in successive accumulations, till it becomes the size and character of a stone. The chemical composition, as well as the size and color of urinary calculi, are various; some are rough, others are smooth on the surface. The greater number are of an oval shape; some are round and some of other shapes. Their size may be from that of a pea, to a hen's egg; sometimes they are white, like chalk; sometimes 27* 306 DISEASES OF THE URINARY red, or of a chocolate color; or of a yellowish brown tint; some are easily crushed by the slightest force, others resist the stroke of the hammer. These formations may exist in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate gland and urethra. But they are most commonly met with in the bladder, where they lie loose in the most pendant part of the "organ. Sometimes there is only one, at other times there are a number; hundreds have been taken from a single individual. Sometimes a stone of considerable size may form in the kidney, without occasioning any serious inconvenience to the patient; at others it may occasion severe irritation, and even suppuration of the gland. When a calculus passes along the ureter, there is frequently the most excruciating pain, causing the patient a frequent desire to urinate, with ability to pass but a few drops at a time, and these, for the most part, high colored, and mixed with blood. Sometimes the pain is so great when the calculus is passing the ureter, that the patient is unable to leave the bed, and for the purpose of gaining temporary relief, he is obliged to bend himself double. Attending the difficulty, there is commonly more or less fever, nausea, vomiting, eructation, and retraction of the testicle; as soon as the stone is passed into the bladder, these distressing symptoms subside. There is even in some instances an intermission of the pain for a few hours before the stone leaves the ureter, but a relapse afterwards. Symptoms.—Of the group of symptoms denoting the presence of stone in the bladder, one of the first is frequent desire to pass urine, and severe pain towards the last that is passed; attending which, is itching of the AND GENITAL ORGANS. S07 glans penis, and the penis itself; in order to relieve the itching, the patient acquires the habit of pulling the prepuce. Another symptom, is the sudden stoppage of the stream of urine, this is owing to the stone being carried to the inner opening of the urethra into the bladder, and blocking it up; a proof of which, is, that the flow of urine may return on lying down, or by a change of position. After a while, these symptoms continuing, there is bearing down pains in the rectum, attended with prolapsus of the intestine, which is induced by constant straining to evacuate the bladder. When there is considerable roughness of the stone, there is frequently a mixture of mucus and blood discharged with the urine. Causes.—The causes of stone are obscure, it occurs most frequently in dyspeptics, who live in variable climates, moist and cold. It appears in some instances to be hereditary, and it seems to be a peculiar affection of some families. Treatment.—The most frequent remedies called into requisition in the management of this difficulty, are Cantharides, Calcarea carb., Cannabis, Nux vomica, Nitric acid, Lycopodium, Phosphorus and Sarsaparilla. DOSE—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, of the first named remedy in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until amelioration, or change. If little or no relief is obtained, after two days, proceed with the next remedy, and so on. Diet.—Persons afflicted with stone, should subsist upon farinaceous food, and mucilaginous drinks, as much as possible. ^ 5.—Retention of Urine. (Ischuria.) When an interruption of the flow of urine occurs, and the secretion of the kidneys goes on, the bladder 308 DISEASES OF TnE URINARY becomes so filled and distended with the fluid, that it rises up above the pubis, and forms a perceptible swelling in the hypogastric region. The bowels also become somewhat swollen, and tender to the touch. There is always considerable fever present. The incli- nation to pass water, frequent and urging, but painful and ineffectual; inflammation, and consequent mortifi- cation will ensue, when this difficulty continues for any great length of time; under such circumstances, the bladder will become ruptured, and the urine will find an outlet into the abdomen, and death will be the result. Causes.—Inflammation of the urethra, or stricture; suddenly suppressed piles, or enlargement of the hemor- rhoidal veins. Over-distension of the bladder may in some instances close the internal orifice of the urethra, as also may spasm of the neck of the bladder; paralysis of the bladder as well as inflammation and hernia of the organ. Sometimes fatal retention of the urine has been the result of intoxication, or habitual use of wine, some- times by the abundant use of fly blisters, which yield their poison to the system, and sometimes from the lodgement of indurated fasces, or difficulties of the uterus, tumors on the neck of the bladder, swelling of the prostate gland, urinary calculi lodged in the neck of the bladder, or in the urethra. Treatment.—The remedies ordinarily the best adapted to afford relief, are Aconite, Belladonna, Arnica, Cam- phora, Arsenicum, Sulphur, Pulsatilla, Cantharides, Dul- camara, Nux vomica, Opium, Staphysagria, Phospho- rus, &c. Aconite is decidedly indicated when there is con- siderable pain with burning heat in the region of the AND GENITAL ORGANS. 300 bladder, externally manifest to the touch. When the difficulty occurs in children, and there is also distension of the bowels, with complete interruption of the urine, and feculant discharges, this remedy is also indicated. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and in urgent cases give a teaspoonful every half hour, until the symptoms yield. Belladonna is indicated when retention of urine results from distension of the uterus, in consequence of congestion of that organ, or of an accumulation of the menstrual fluid, or from retroversion of the uterus, or from any cause that produces the difficulty but the enlargement of this organ, causing it to press against the urethra or the neck of the bladder. This remedy may be used in connection with Sepia, Pulsatilla or Nux vomica. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in a tumbler one-third part filled with water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until ameliora- tion or change. If it should fail of relief, proceed with the other remedies as indicated. Arnica is indicated when the retention has been caused by some mechanical injury done to the bladder by the use of the catheter, or when the bladder has been distended from want of opportunity of emptying it while travelling, thereby causing the difficulty. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour until relieved, or if it becomes necessary to empty the bladder by means of a catheter. The remaining effects may be alleviated by the use of this remedy. Camphora is indicated when the retention arises from spasmodic action, and is also a valuable remedy when it is difficult to assign any particular cause of the dis- order. This remedy may be used even when there is a burning heat in the abdomen and urethra, with shivering coldness of the surface, and shivering sue- 310 DISEASES of the URINARY ceeded by a hot fit; but as soon as fever sets in, Aconite is decidedly preferable. The spirits of camphor smelled simply will often relieve the difficulty in children and persons very susceptible to impressions. In other cases, one or two drops on a small lump of sugar, repeated, if necessary, once or twice, or, until relieved, every half hour. When the retention of urine has been caused by the excision of piles, either by the knife or ligature, which is sometimes the case, the urine should be drawn off by the catheter, and the pain relieved by the alternate use of Aconite and Sulphur, or Nux vomica; if the patient has been addicted to the habitual use of intoxi- cating liquors, or in case of severe burning, Arsenicum. The repeated application of cold water to the stomach may also prove of service in relieving the sufferings that remain after emptying the bladder by the catheter. But when no assistance of the kind is at hand, Camphora or Aconite ought to be tried first, and it will be found that these remedies will often supercede the necessity of mechanical means at all. The application of hot fomentations over the region of the bladder, or injections of tepid water, or a hip bath of moderately warm water, may sometimes prove serviceable in procuring a relief. Arsenicum may be used with advantage when in conjunction with the difficulty there is a burning pain in the bladder, and even after the urine is drawn off. This remedy may be employed to remove the pain- ful burning that remains, especially when the difficulty has been caused by an operation for piles. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, until relieved or change. AND GENITAL ORGANS. 311 Sulphur, Pulsatilla and Cantharides, Phospho- rus, Lycopodium and Staphysagria are severally indi- cated when retention of the urine is caused by disten- sion of the uterus in consequence of an accumulation of the menstrual fluid, or from tumors pressing against the neck of the bladder. Phosphorus is also another t remedy to be consulted. DOSE.—Of the selected remedy, dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, but if no relief is manifest after twelve hours, proceed with the next remedy, and so on. Nux vomica, and Opium or Plumbum are remedies that may be used when the difficulty is caused by severe constipation and an accumulation of hardened faeces in the rectum. Aconite and Pulsatilla are indicated if the difficulty be occasioned by the swelling of the prostate gland. Hyoscyamus and Dulcamara, if caused by paralysis of the bladder. DOSE.—Of the selected remedy, dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, and if relief is not obtained in twelve hours, proceed to select from the other remedies. But if the remedies seem to prove inefficient, it is necessary to resort to mechanical measures for relief. The catheter should be resorted to with great caution, to prevent injuring the urethra, or doing violence to the neck of the bladder. 6.—Difficulty in discharging Urine. (Strangury. Dysuria.) This difficulty may arise- from a variety of causes, such as inflammation of the urethra, arising from gonor- rhoea, or the employment of acrid injections in inflam- mation of the kidneys or bladder; spasm in the neck of the bladder; enlargement of the hemorrhoidal veins; a collection of hardened faeces in the rectum; excess in drinking intoxicating beverages; tumor or other dis- eases of the prostate gland; the suppression of some habitual discharge, or an eruption, or exposure to cold, 312 DISEASES OF THE URINARY particularly in those of gouty habits; the lodgement of particles of gravel at the neck of the bladder, or in the urethra; and the abuse of cantharides, either as an internal remedy or in the form of blisters applied exter- nally, &c. Symptoms.—This difficulty is attended with frequent desire to urinate; smarting pain; heat, and difficulty in voiding urine, and a sense of distension or fullness in the region of the bladder. The disease is usually termed strangury, when the urine passes off only in drops, or in minute quantities. For a further account of the disease, as induced by the presence of calculus in the kidney or urethra, see Gravel, &c. Treatment.—The remedies found useful are Aconite, Belladonna, Hepar sulph., Mercurius viv., Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Sulphur. Aconite is useful when there is frequent inclination to make water, with great pain and difficulty in voiding it; the discharge being at the same time very small in quantity, often passed only in drops, and presenting a dark, red, muddy appearance ; the symptoms will gene- rally yield by this remedy, or become essentially relieved, in which case some other remedy may be called into use to effect a cure. DOSE.—Of a solution of one drop, or six globules, in four tablespoon- fuls of water; give a teaspoonful every hour, until complete amelioration or change. Belladonna is particularly indicated when there is a pricking, darting pain, extending from the lumbar region to the bladder, and when there is general agita- tion and colic. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in three tablespoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours, until there is relief of the prominent symptoms, and then wait about six hours, and if improvement continues, there will be no necessity for other remedial agents. AND genital organs. 313 Hepar sulph.—When Belladonna has given only temporary relief, this remedy has been called into requi- sition with decided good effect. DOSE—ln all respects as for Belladonna. Merucurius viv. is a remedy that may be used in alternation with Hepar sulph., or it may be used if Hepar sulph. fails of affording the desired relief. DOSE.—Dissolve one drop of each, as directed for Belladonna, or six globules, and give a spoonful at a time, alternately, at intervals of two hours, at first, afterwards every three hours, until amelioration or change. Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Sulphur, are each use- ful when the strangury has resulted from the too free use of ardent spirits or wine. DOSE.—Of the selected remedy, one drop, or six globules, in six tea- spoonfuls of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, and in severe cases every hour, until relieved. Pulsatilla is also useful when there is a sense of ful- nes in the hypogastric region, together with a cutting, burning or aching pain. DOSE.—The same as directed for Belladonna. General treatment.—As a general remedial mea- sure, resort may be had to spirits of camphor, when the strangury is bad; and at the commencement of the difficulty, when but little fever is present, it uniformly proves of service, and particularly when poisons have occasioned the difficulty. After Camphora, Aconite and Pulsatilla may be required, and in general terms we may remark that Aconite will have the preference when a chill, or the prolonged application of cold, is the cause of the strangury. And intimately associated with these remedies are Belladonna, Dulcamara, Nux vomica, Pul- satilla, Mercurius viv., Sulphur, Calcarea carb., Sarsapa- rilla. When inflammation of the prostate gland, Thuja, and PulsatiUa in particular, have the preference. The age, 28 314 DISEASES OF THE URINARY sex, and temperament of the patient have to be taken into consideration in selecting a remedy. Thus, Lycopodium and Opium are suited to the treatment of the disease in old men, perhaps in connection with other remedies. In disordered or in pregnant females, Pulsatilla, Cal- carea carb., Phosphoric acid, Conium, Sulphur or Nux vomica. In decidedly bilious temperaments, Mercurius viv. and Sulphur. In sanguine, Aconite and Belladonna, and also in children, Aconite, Belladonna, Nux vomica and PulsatiUa, are the medicines which have hitherto produced the best effects. DOSE.—We may remark at the conclusion of these general directions, about the treatment of this difficulty, that any of the above remedies may be selected according to the indications given, and one drop, or six globules, may be dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, and a teaspoonful may be given every hour, two hours, or even at longer periods, according to the severity of the case. Diet.—The diet in acute cases must be sparing, consist- ing in some instances, entirely of demulcent drinks, such as gruel, especially if there is great severity of the pain. Warm fomentations and injections of tepid water, some- times give much relief. In this difficulty, it will be well to abstain from the use of anything very salt, and there must be a complete abstinence from all acids. It has been remarked, that cold water drunk frequently through the day, affords relief in chronic cases. It is requisite to avoid all exposure to currents of air, for this is a frequent cause of bringing on the difficulty, in subjects predis- posed. 7.—Suppression of Urine.—(Anury.) This difficulty often occurs in fever and dropsy, and in inflammations of the various organs. It may arise in consequence of the loss of the secretory power by the AND GENITAL ORGANS. 315 kidneys,—and indeed the term "Anury,11 or suppression, is now almost exclusively confined to the latter form of the complaint, and we shall so consider it, in this article. The disease usually occurs with those past the middle age of life, but it is occasionally met with, at a less mature age, and sometimes, even, it is met with, in quite young children. Subjects of gout, appear to be the most susceptible to the difficulty, and particularly after being exposed to cold and wet, or on the suppression of an eruption or some accustomed discharge, such as hemorrhoids, and generally speaking, there is no inclination to make water, and moreover there seems to be no occasion, for there appears to be no tumefaction in the region of the bladder, indicating an accumulation of the urine, and therefore, the only inference to be drawn is, that there is a defective secretion of the kidneys, which may be further confirmed by the introduction of the catheter. Symptoms.—In addition to the suppression, there may be nausea, constipation, and an occasional sense of sink- ing. Sometimes a series of other distressing symptoms, such as frequent fits of vomiting, severe hiccough, pain in the back, intense headache, and restlessness. The pulse does not appear, for some time, to indicate any dis- turbance, but after awhile it becomes slower,—then it indicates danger. The skin, generally, presents a normal appearance, but profuse sweating sometimes supervenes, and the perspiration not unfrequently, or at least some- times, exhales a strong urinous odor. Sooner or later, the suppression of the urine will lead to serious consequences; for if the secretion does not go on, the blood is not properly defecated and cerebral diffi- culties will ensue, and the life may terminate in coma. 316 DISEASES OF THE URINARY Treatment.—The chief remedies employed in pr pass her nights in a chair, may be experienced; the patient suffers from unusual debility; there may be cough and constipation; excessive vomitings; even uterine contractions and watery discharges from the vagina before labor. The prognosis is much more favorable to the mother than to the life of the infant. If it survive in such cases it is mostly pale and feeble. Another form of serous exudation from the womb, sometimes occurs after delivery. There is, in place of the lochia, a discharge, at first like dirty water, after a day or two becoming more clear, and soaking through all the clothing if it be profuse. It more commonly occurs in patients who are languid, relaxed, of lymphatic constitution, and feeble. The above forms of dropsy are efficaciously treated by homoeopathy. All errors in diet must be corrected, and the constitutional condition of the patient must be care- fully considered. Bemedies will be found in Aconite, Apis mel., Arseni- cum, Bryonia, China, Calcarea, Ignatia, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Secale, Sepia and sulphur. Aconite in the commencement may often be useful, or in alternation with Calcarea, Pulsatilla, or Sulphur, when these remedies are indicated. DOSE—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in six spoonfuls of water, a spoonful every four hours, or every eight hours, will often be sufficient to modify the case, and promote a favorable change. Apis mel., if there be suppression of the customary urinary discharges; pale watery urine; or profuse urina- tion with oedema, either general or local, whether of the 56 650 WOMEN AND THEIR DISEASES; abdomen face or extremities, will be found a useful and reliable remedy. DOSE.__It may be gisen the same as Aconite, and should be continued for four or eight days, unless a change should sooner be observed, when it may be followed by Arsenicum, if necessary. Arsenicum, for symptoms similar to Apis mel, accom- panied with weakness; desire and inability to lie down; sense of suffocation; scanty and thick urine; also frequently after Nux vomica and PulsatiUa, when those remedies have been indicated. DOSE.—The same as for Apis mel. Bryonia is adapted to cases in which there is diffi- culty of breathing, or shortness of breath; vomitings; cough, with oppression; pain in the hypochondria; enlargement of the liver or spleen; constipation; for plethoric persons with dark hair and eyes, or for meagre, hypochondriacal, nervous persons, of dark complexion, with chronic hepatic complaints. DOSE.—The same as Apis mel. Calcarea carb.—For weak, cachectic, exhausted sub- jects, with tendency to scrofulosis, and for persons of lymphatic constitutions, with loose, flabby muscles, and copious mucus or menstrual discharges, subject even when in health to leucorrhcea, or blenorrhcea, Calcarea is especially adapted, to restore the general health, and incite a healthy action; and after the more prominent symptoms have been subdued by other remedies. DOSE.—One drop of the dilution, or six glohules, in a spoonful of water, may be given every morning four days, afterwards leaving its action undis- turbed two weeks, when the condition of the patient should be considered anew, and other remedies may be selected. It may often follow Pulsa- tilla. China.—When the effusion has been the result of debility, or loss of fluids, haemorrhages, or mucus dis- charges; or has occurred after severe acute diseases, OR, DISEASES OF WOMEN. 651 in which China or Quinia has not been given as a medicine, (in which case give Bryonia or Arsenicum;) or if it is the effect of want of nourishment, or the result of indigestion, dyspepsia, &c, the skin being of a yellow color, or loose and flabby. DOSE.—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in ten spoonfuls of water, give a spoonful every four hours two days, afterwards every night and morning four days, then wait its effects. Ignatia.—If it has been produced by grief, or by concealed anxiety, for sensitive, nervous persons, sub- ject to melancholy, hysteria, dysmenorrhoea, chlorosis, or dyspepsia, with scanty menstruation, and weakness of the sexual organization. DOSE—The same as China. Nux vomica.—When hepatic affections have been the producing cause, may be given after or in alternation with Bryonia; also if there is constipation; frequent or difficult urination, or frequent urgent desire; difficulty of digestion, or gastric affections, with vomitings after eating; adapted to sanguineous, choleric temperaments, as Ignatia is also to dry, nervous, melancholic, hysteri- cal subjects. DOSE.—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, give a spoonful every three hours, commencing at three o'clock in the afternoon. If in alternation, Bryonia may be given in the morning, Nux vomica in the afternoon. Pulsatilla is a valuable remedy in all the different forms of dropsy, being adapted to mild and easy tempera- ments, to persons of amiable, inoffensive dispositions, who often weep, but are seldom angry, and who are subject to leucorrhcea, and if the bowels are not costive, but generally relaxed, Calcarea carl, should often follow PulsatiUa. DOSE.—The same as Apis mel. 652 WOMEN AND THEIR DISEASES; Secale is adapted rather to the physiological and patho- logical conditions upon which hydrometra is dependent, than to the serous exudations or the dropsical condition of the womb itself. It is adapted to lymphatic, relaxed languid subjects, where exoessive tendencies to haemor- rhage exist; where there is want of contractile muscular power; abdomen excessively inflated and distended- frequent, loose, perhaps slimy or involuntary evacua- tions, or having a putrid smell; urine suppressed or scanty, hot and burning, or clear like water; with burn- ing and shooting pains in the abdomen, epigastrium and limbs. DOSE—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in ten spoonfuls of water, give a spoonful every four hours two days. It is suitable after Apis mel., Bryonia or Nux vomica, and should often be followed by Cal- carea carb. Sepia may be useful after PulsatiUa, for persons of weak constitution, tender and delicate skin; subject to herpetic eruptions, with burning itchings; or to brown- ish or liver-colored spots ; or to lassitude, or paroxysms of weakness, with distention of the abdomen as if it would burst; urine turbid or dark, or fetid, with white sediment. The pains are generally shooting, pricking or burning, with jerkings and paralysis. DOSE.—The same as Secale. Sulphur may be given at the close of the treatment, or during the progress of the disease, especially to per- sons of psoric tendencies, long subject to itchings, or eruptive diseases of the skin; waterbrash, or dyspeptic conditions, with indigestion and gripings, aggravated by eating and drinking, but mitigated by bending for- wards; and especially when Nux vomica or Bryonia have been indicated and afforded partial relief. OR, DISEASES OF WOMEN. 653 DOSE.—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in a spoonful of water, every morning. For removing the effused fluid, the remedies most appropriate are generally Apis mel., Arsenicum, Bry- onia, Pulsatilla. For the early treatment, Aconite and Sulphur, and sometimes Secale; for the constitutional dyscrasias, Calcarea, Nux vomica, Sepia and Sulphur. Begimen.—See Dropsy, page 576. Inflammation of the Ovaries. (Ovaritis.) This is not an uncommon affection, and may result from a variety of causes. It is no doubt, one of the fruitful sources of dysmenorrhea. It may be generally recognised by pain more or less acute, on one or both sides, along the groins, or in front of the hips. The pain may be shooting, burning, aching, or throbbing. If the inflammation be attended with tumefaction, a circum- scribed swelling may often be perceived by examination through the walls of the abdomen ; or at other times, if a careful examination be made through the walls of the vagina, or the rectum, a small, hard tumor or gland is detected with the finger, moving easily within the pelvis. In connection with the above symptoms, there are sometimes itchings or burnings in the private parts, gastric affections, headache, constipation, diminished urinary secretions, fever, and often derangement of the whole nervous system. It is frequently subacute or chronic, coming on insidiously, and accompanied by various derangements of the general health. Bemedies.—The most useful remedies are, Apis mel- lifica, Antimonium crud., Arsenicum, Belladonna, Cantha- ris, Cannabis, Cocculus, Conium, Graphites, Hepar sulph., Iodium, Kali carbonica, Lachesis, Nux vomica, Phos- phorus, Pulsatilla, Sepia, and Sulphur. 56*" 654 WOMEN AND THEIR DISEASES; Apis mellifica is indicated, if the pains are stinging and burning, the urinary secretion much affected, and especially in dropsy of the ovaries, the tumefaction being excessive, and urination scanty. DOSE.—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water; give a spoonful every four hours two days, afterwards, every night and morning. Arsenicum also, in ovarian dropsy, or in ovaritis with burning pains, and in patients subject to chronic eruptions, if there be sensations of weakness and faint- ness, either with profuse menses, or with almost entire suppression. DOSE.—The same as for Apis mellifica. Cantharis more especially, for the most severe, burn- ing pains in the ovarian region, extending into the thighs, with cutting pains when passing water, or after Arsenicum, when that remedy has only alleviated the symptoms. DOSE.—A drop of the dilution, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, give a spoonful every four hours, four doses; afterwards, give a dose every morning four days, or until another remedy be selected. Graphites.—Tensive or drawing pains in the region of the ovaries; swelling of the ovaries; sensation as if everything were forced downwards towards the private parts; menses slow, scanty, pale, or suppressed; during the menses, violent, cutting pains, headache, nausea, weakness, and swelling of the cheeks; immoderate ex- pulsion of fetid wind, with pinchings, and cramp-like pains. Also if there are flushes of heat in the face; livid circle around the eyes; eruptions on the face, as if the skin were raw; and especially if the dryness and burnings, the diminution of sexual desires, &c, indicate induration, with loss of function, Graphites will often be found a valuable remedy. DOSE.—One drop of the dilution, or six globules, in six spoonfuls of water, give a spoonful every four hours. In chronic cases, give a drop of the dilution, or six globules, in a spoonful of water, once a day, for one week, then omit one week, and return again to Graphites. OR, DISEASES OF WOMEN. 655 Hepar sulphur, when with the pains in the ovarian region, there is profuse menstruation, with disposition to herpetic eruptions, and to suppurations. Also, for similar symptoms, Lycopodium, and especially if there be obsti- nate constipation, and much rumbling of wind in the abdomen, tympanites, &c. DOSE__Of either of the above remedies, the same as for Graphites. Iodium, also, for dropsical ovaritis; and when there is extensive tumefaction; in scrofulous subjects; and if the menses be profuse. DOSE__One drop, or six globules, in four spoonfuls of water, give a spoonful every four hours, for one month ; if no change, give Arsenicum or Apis mellifica, and afterwards return again to Iodium, if necessary. Kali carb. — Also when accompanied by gastric affections; the menses being too feeble and too frequent; corrosive, with itching, gnawing, and burning sensations. DOSE—The same as Graphites. Kreosotum, when at each monthly period, burning pains are felt, most severe in the thighs, but also, in one or both ovaries; with constipation. DOSE—The same as Arsenicum. Lachesis ought to be found useful in ovaritis, and is indicated by tumefactions, with pressive pains; hysterical affections, especially the globus hysteria; menses feeble, tardy, and of short duration; pains from the ovary to the uterus; spasms, colic, cuttings, &c, before and during the menses; pains in the small of the back, and a sensa- tion in the hips, as if broken; pains like labor pains; pressure in the stomach; nausea and eructations; more especially if the affection be of a phlegmonous character, affecting the interior coatings of the ovaries, and fallopian tubes; and if all the sufferings are worse after sleep. DOSE—The same as for Apis mel. 656 WOMEN AND THEIR DISEASES; Dropsy of the Ovaries. (Hydrops Ovaries.) Ovarian dropsy usually commences with an uneasy sensation in one side of the abdomen, near the hip, or the groin; there may be a sense of pressure or weight; numbness; irregularity of the menses, irritation in the region of the bladder; scanty secretion of urine; or fre- quent urgent desire to urinate; nausea and fainting. There is also irregular enlargement of the abdomen; con- stipation and hemorrhoids are common; and frequently sympathetic pain or distension of the breast; swelling of the feet, or one foot, and Hysteria, are attendant symptoms. In general, if the above symptoms prevail, and if there is a sense of numbness in the thigh, on the affected side, we will be safe to conclude that the ovary is affected, although no tumor can yet be felt in the abdomen; but if while the above symptoms are present, we can plainly distinguish a circumscribed tumor in the lower portion of the abdomen, generally near the hip, moveable, the size and general appearance of which, is not affected by a change of position, there is left no reasonable doubt of the existence of an ovarian tumor, the nature of which must be learned from the general condition of the patient, and would require a kind of knowledge not attainable from a work on domestic practice. The remedies are the same as those given for hydro- metra. (See page 648.) The pathogenic indications also are nearly the same. (See also Ovaritis, page 653.) Inflammation of the Labia and Vagina. Inflammation of the labia is attended with a painful, burning, hard, dry, and red swelling of the labia; very sensitive to the touch. It is at times caused by the rupture of the hymen; at times it is the result of difficult OR, DISEASES OF WOMEN. 657 labor; or it may arise from cold, and similar causes. If from mechanical cause, give Arnica, one drop of the dilution, or six globules, in ten spoonfuls of water, a spoonful every four hours, and apply a lotion of ten parts of the tincture in one hundred parts of pure water, with which bathe the parts night and morning freely, and the inflammation will speedily subside. If the inflammation be the result of a cold, to patients subject to phlegmonous or other erysipelatous affections give Rhus tox. as directed for Arnica, omiting the lotion; and for scrofulous subjects, with glandular affections, if it does not speedily yield to Rhus tox. give Mercurius in the same manner; or Belladonna instead of Rhus tox., may at times be most efficient, when a pressing, bearing down pain is complained of, with fulness and sense of weight. DOSE.—Of Rhus tox. or Belladonna, the same as Arnica, omiting the lotion in case of Belladonna. Pregnancy. This may truly be said to be the most interesting, as well as the most responsible period in the life of woman. At this moment commences a connection between herself and her offspring, a connection so close, so intimate, and so inseparable, that her health becomes its health, her life its life, and her happiness its happiness. Even its mind, its disposition, its habits, its loves and its hates, are now being formed by her own, so that it may be said to reflect her image, to be modeled after her likeness, or to be cast in the mould which her hand has made. It is not her actions merely, her feelings, her impulses, her emotions, form into beauty or stamp with deformity, not the mind alone but also the body, the physical conformation of her future offspring. 658 WOMEN AND THEIR DISEASES; It is the duty of the mother, therefore, at this period, to pay all proper attention to herself, and a duty which has always been due to herself alone, is now rendered every way imperative by her obligations to her children, to her husband, and to the world. These duties are naturally divided into two classes, physical and mental. The physical duties or obligations embrace the sub- jects of diet, exercise, dress, and care of health, each of which will be considered in order. The diet should be simple, purely nutritious, generous but not excessive, and all stimulants should be perfectly discarded. Nothing can be more detrimental to life than the use of poisonous drugs during this interesting period. Coffee, wine, pepper, spices, spiced meat, sausages, &c, &c, cannot but exert their baneful influence at such a period when all the newly formed and delicate organs are most susceptible to impressions. But the diet should be gene- rous, good meats daily, (once a day is sufficient,) bread, milk and vegetables, with ripe and rich fruits, will always be found sufficient for persons whose taste has not already become depraved, and for those who have, it is not possible for books to place any limit to their depravity. If some ladies indulge in deleterious drugs, spices, &c, others will no doubt indulge in wines, brandy, ardent spirits, opium, &c; and others again in other forms of excitement, the names of which would fill a volume, and the deleterious influences of which can never be numbered or computed. Exercise. This is absolutely necessary during the period of preg- nancy to the enjoyment of health. Passive exercise, such as riding in a carriage, is not alone sufficient. It is a OR, DISEASES OF WOMEN. 659 mistake also to suppose that laborious avocations are inconsistent with the healthy development of the child or the condition of the mother. It is only necessary first that the labor should not be irksome; second, that it should not be too long continued after it becomes fatiguing; and third, that it should not expose to sudden strains, as in lifting or reaching, or to jars or falls, as in jumping, &c. A person in this condition falls much more frequently or from slighter cause than at other times, and a fall is attended with manifold greater danger. In addition how- ever to the usual exercise of accustomed labors, exercise should be taken regularly in the open air for amusement and enjoyment. Exercise then should be of two kinds, first for labor, and second for enjoyment; but the one is not sufficient without the other; riding on horseback would be to most women inadmissible; in a carriage would more frequently be admissible, but walking for pleasure in the open air is peculiarly healthful, especially in the morning. Dress. This should be free and open. No part of the dress should be tight, or girt about the body. The limbs should also be free, and every thing that invests them sufficiently loose to give free action to the blood. Even small shoes which pinch the feet should not be worn, and the garter should not be drawn too tightly. Artificial supports should be avoided, and the muscles generally allowed full play. Strings drawn too tightly around the waist may induce club feet and other deformities in the child, and perhaps prolapsus uteri, or other displace- ments, or lingering and protracted labors on the part of the mother. 660 WOMEN AND THEIR DISEASES; The dress should always be adapted to the season, and care should be taken to avoid catching cold. Care of Health. Every proper attention should now be given to this important particular, the preservation of health. The mother should not allow herself to be sick. The various ailments she will be told by' other women are inseparable from her condition, she should be taught to regard as contrary to nature, and demanding immediate relief. She should early consult some experienced and well educated physician, and listen implicitly to his councils, avoiding all old wives' fables, and especially should she never take any doses of any kind of drugs, any opening laxative or cathartic medicines. Magnesia, oil, senna, salts, paregoric, camphor, &c, &c, including every article brought from the apothecary should always be absolutely prohibited. They weaken the natural powers of the mother, excite undue irritations, and often materially affect the health, and even the life of her offspring, and may be the source of many of the so called hereditary diseases. Of the Mental Habits. It has already been remarked, that the habits of mind, the impulses and emotions of the mother, at this period, will influence her offspring. This is true to the highest possible degree. It will mould the features, and give form and symmetry to the body, as well as convey its impress to the mind, and stamp the character. It is the duty of the mother then, to cultivate proper intellectual habits. Her own mind should have previ- OR, DISEASES OF WOMEN. 661 ously received its education, its training, that she may have sources from which to draw images of beauty, and scenes of delight; and she should endeavor to keep it not crammed, but properly supplied with such beautiful images, combined as they are in nature, with useful objects. The mind should not now be severely taxed. It should rather be unbent, and in some degree relaxed. Yet it should be employed, usefully, actively, happily; and this employment will contribute to the intellectual, as well as physical conformation of her offspring. A state of indolence and imbecility, either of mind or body, is never to be admitted. Unsightly and unpleasant objects, should not be seen, or if seen, the mind should not be permitted to dwell upon them. Brooding over unpleasant impressions can scarcely fail of being both physically and mentally inju- rious. Not only intellectually, but morally and socially, the habits and condition of the mind of the mother, are important to the character of her child. If the beautiful and the true should engage her attention, the pure and the good should enliven and enkindle her heart. She should be and feel, during this interesting period, just as she would wish her son or her daughter to be and feel. By the unalterable decree of the Divinity, impressions indulged by the mother during this period, as they are received by her own highly impressible and delicate organization, are conveyed from each of those organs, to the corresponding organs of the child she bears, and she is thus forming, for good or for evil, for virtue or for vice, one who is hereafter to be her happiness or misery, her honor or her repoach. Enough has been said upon this delicate subject. Let her feelings be good and pure, as 57 662 WOMEN AND THEIR DISEASES; her thoughts are beautiful and true. Her sons shall sit among nobles, and her daughters among princesses. The mind should also be guarded against despondency, uneasiness about the future, or depression of spirits. Some females, whose spirits are generally good, suffer much from depression during this period, or while nursing. If, notwithstanding good resolutions, and proper mental efforts, the feeling becomes irresistible, one of the following remedies will generally be found useful. Aconite, for despondency, preceded by excitement, the skin being hot, and the pulse frequent, with presenti- ment of approaching death. Bryonia, if the inequietude and fear of the future, be attended with irrascibility and gastric derangement. Calcarea carbonica.—Excessive dejection, great lassitude; also, when there is suppression of the secre- tions, obesity and plethora; and in persons predisposed to consumption. Natrum muriaticum.—Melancholy, with weeping; uneasiness about the future; and for obstinate cases, not yielding to Nux vomica. Nux vomica.—Morning sickness and melancholy; great uneasiness ; impaired appetite ; constipation; fret- fulness. China.—Lowness of spirits during the nursing period, when the energies of the mother appear to be too severely taxed; or when nursing is continued too long; or from rearing twins; also, Aurum, Lachesis, or Pulsatilla, may at times be found useful. DOSE and Administrati# roo INDEX. 805 Headache, sick,.................................................................... 538 Head spots.......................................................................... 723 Head fall............................................................................ 745 Helleborus niger, range of use................................................. 774 Helininthiasis,..................................................................... 263 Hepar sulphuris calcis, range of use,........................................ 774 Hepatitis,............................................'.......■•........................ 284 Herpes circinnatus, herpes serpigo,.......................................... 357 Hernia,............................................................................... &71 Hernia, strangulated,........................................................-— 572 Hiccough,........................................................................... 745 Hives,................................................................................ H8 Hip disease,......................................................................... ^40 Hip gout,............................................................................ 540 Hoarseness,.......................................................................... 4m Hooping cough,.................................................................... 442 Hordeolum,.......................................................................... 547 Hydrocele...................................................................... Hydrops........................................................................ Hydrothorax................................................................... Hydrocephalus,............................................................... Hydrocele,..................................................................... Hydrometra,.................................................................. Hydrophobia,................................................................. Hydrometra,.................................................................. Hydrops ovaries,.......................................................""" Hyoscyamus niger, range of use........................................ Hysterics, (hysteria,)....................................................... 334 576 582 584 591 691 614 648 656 775 638 291 671 185 Icterus,..............•................................................... 6 Ignatia amara, range of use,....................................... " Incontinence of urine,............................................... Incontinence of urine during pregnancy....................... Indigestion,............................................... ^ 57Q Incubus,..........................*...................... ^ 319 Immoderate secretion of urine,......................... 73 Inflammatory fever..................................... ........... 153 Inflammatory rheumatism,........................... ...... 166 Inflammation of the tonsils.......................... ......... lgl Inflammation of the tongue,................................................... 24g Inflammation of the stomach,.......«»........................... 806 INDEX. 253 Inflammation of the bowels,.................................................... Oftl Inflammation of the bowels, (chronic,)...................................... 262 Inflammation of the peritoneum,............................................. 284 Inflammation of liver, acute,................................................... Inflammation of liver, chronic,................................................. 289 Inflammation of the spleen,.................................................... 294 Inflammation of the kidneys,................................................... 298 Inflammation of the bladder,................................................... 301 Inflammation of the bladder, chronic,........................................ 304 Inflammation of urethra,........................................................ 327 Inflammation, glans penis,...................................................... 331 Inflammation of the teste,....................................................... 332 Inflammation of the bronchia,.................................................. 447 Inflammation of the lungs, (pneumonia,)................................... 450 Inflammation of the investing membrane of the heart,................. 485 Inflammation of the'lining membrane of the heart,...................... 489 Inflammation of the heart,...................................................... 493 Inflammation of the brain and tissues,...................................... 501 Inflammation of the spinal cord, (acute,)................................... 511 Inflammation of the spinal cord, (chronic,)................................ 513 Inflammation of the psoas muscle,........................................... 539 Inflammation of the eye, (iritis,).............................................. 548 Inflammation of the ear,......................................................... 556 Inflammation of the ovaries,.................................................... 653 Inflammation of the labia and vagina,....................................... 656 Inflammation of the eyes, (opthalmia neonotorum,)..................... 720 Inflammation of the privates,.................................................. 729 Inflammation of the labia,...................................................... 729 Inflammation of the foreskin,.................................................. 730 Infantile, remittent fever,....................................................... 737 Influenza,............................................................................ 447 Introduction......................................................................... 1 Intermittent fever,................................................................ 97 Intertrigo,........................................................................... 722 Invermination,..................................................................... 263 Ipecacuanha, range of use,...................................................... 777 Ischuria,............................................................................. 307 Itch,................................................................................... 350 Itching of the skin................................................................. 355 Itchings, during pregnancy,.................................................... 668 Itching of the anus,.............................................................. 270 Itchings and burnings in the private parts,................................ 729 INDEX. 807 J. Jaundice............................................................................. 291 Jaundice............................................................................. 731 K. Kink in the neck,................................................................ 160 Kidneys, inflammation of,...................................................... 298 Knee, affections of the,........................................................... 544 L. Labia and vagina, inflammation of the,..................................... 656 Labor,................................................................................ 683 Labors, protracted,................................................................ 684 Lacerated wounds,................................................................ 598 Laryngitis,........................................................................... 404 ' Laryngitis, chronic,............................................................... 424 Larynx, chronic inflammation of,............................................. 424 Legs, cramps in the,.............................................................. 567 Leucorrhcea,........................................................................ "41 List of remedies.................................................................... 47 284 Liver complaint.................................................................... Liver complaint, (acute,)........................................................ 284 ooq Liver complaint.................................................................... Loins, pains in the,............................................................... &7& Lochia, of the....................................................................... 689 742 Lock-jaw,............................................................................ Loss of flesh,........................................................................ 745 „ .................. 450 Lung fever,......................................................................... T .. .................. 603 Luxations,.................................................................. , , ....................... 159 Lumbago,........................................................... Lycopodium, range of use....................................................... Lymphatic tumours,.............................................................. M. ............................... 521 Mania a potu,................................ Marasmus,..................................................... .................... Medicines best adapted to the different temperaments, habits, Ac.,. 48 Medicines, the form of, for domestic practice,............................. 66 Medicines, preserving the purity of,.......................... ■••••••• ^ Measles,................................ _ 7qq Meconium, of the,........................ ^ ggg Memory, weakness or loss of,.......................•••••• '''[[[[[[ 618 Mental emotions,............................ 808 INDEX. ........................ 621 Menstruation,.................................................. 622 Menstruation, obstructed,...................................................... 625 Menstruation, tardy,........................•.................................... Menses, suppression of the,..................................................... Menstruation, too soon or too frequent,..................................... 631 Menstruation, too profuse....................................................... 632 Menstruation, painful,............................................................ 634 Menstrual colic,.................................................................... 634 Menstrual, climacterse, (menopsia,)........................................... 635 Mental habits, of the,............................................................ 660 Menstruation, continued,........................................................ 663 Menorrhagia,....................................................................... 674 Mental emotions affecting the milk.......................................... 703 Mercurius vivus, range of use,................................................ 779 Method of noting diseases, observations on,............................... 49 Miliara purpura,.................................................................. 121 Miscarriage,......................................................................... 677 Milk fever,.......................................................................... 691 Milk, coming of the,.............................................................. 691 Milk, suppression of the......................................................... 692 Milk crust,........................................................................■•• 724 Modified small-pox,............................................................... 143 Monstrosities,....................................................................... 714 Morning sickness,................................................................. 666 Mumps,.............................................................................. I83 Myelitis, meningitis spinalis,................................................... 611 Myopia,.............................................................................. 555 N. Nephritis,............................................................................ 298 Nervous fever,..................................................................... 76 Nervous system, diseases of,................................................... 497 Nettle rash,......................................................................... 118 Neuralgia, (nerve pain,).......................................................... 530 Nightmare,.......................................................................... 570 Nocturnal enuresis,............................................................... 318 Nocturnal urination,............................................................. 130 Notalgia,............................................................................ 575 Nose, bleeding of the,........................................,.................. 561 Nose, swelling of the,............................................................ 563 Nutrition table,..........,......................................................... 16 Nux vomica, range of use,...................................................... 781 INDEX. 809 o. Observations on air and exercise,........................ 17 Observations on diet,........................................ c Observations on sleep,................................................. 3q Observations on occupations and professions,............................i# 33 Observations on the method of noting diseases,........................... 49 Obstructed menstruation,...................................................... 622 Obstacles to nursing,............................................................. 702 Obstruction of the nose,.....................................................„.. 719 Occupations and professions, observations on,............................ 33 Odontalgia, ......................................................................... 162 Of preserving the purity of medicines,....................................... 67 Of cold in general,................................................. .............. 378 Offensive breath,................................................................... 566 Of the meconium,.................................................................. 700 Of nursing,.......................................................................... 701 Opacity of the cornea,.......................................................... 554 Opium, range of use,............................................................. 783 Opthalmia, (opthalmia neonotorum,.......................................... 716 Organs, digestive,................................................................. 34 Organs respiratory,............................................................... 37 Organs, circulatory............................................................... 39 Organs, urinary,................................................................... 40 Organs, biliary,.................................................................... 40 Organs of respiration, and their diseases.................................... 368 Organs of respiration, general description of,.............................. 368 Organs respiratory, diseases of,............................................... 376 Organs of the senses, affection of,............................................ 545 Otitis,................................................................................ 556 Otalgia, .............................................................................. 556 Otorrhoea............................................................................ 558 Ovaries, inflammation of the, (ovaritis,).................................... 653 Ovaries, dropsy of,................................................................ 656 P, Pain in the small of the back, neck, &c,................................... 159 B . , , .. .................................. 242 Painter s colic,.......................................... „ . . ., . . .................................... 540 Pain in the hip,..................................... Pains in the loins,......................».......................................... Pains in the back and side during pregnancy.............................. b/O , ......................................... 516 Palsy, paralysis,......................•• 810 INDEX. Panaris paronychia,.............................................................. Parotitis,............................................................................ 183 Parturition,............. ........................................................... 684 Patients, examination of,........................................................ 50 Peritonitis,.......................................................................... 262 Perniones,........................................................................... 34^ Peripneumonia, pnumonia notha,............................................. 455 Pharyngitis, inflammation of the pharnyx.................................. 430 Phthisis pulmonalis.............................................................. 473 Phrenitis............................................................................. 501 Phimosis, ........................................................................... 730 Phosphorus, range of use,..................................................... 785 Physometra,........................................................................ 647 Piles.................................................................................. 276 Pleurisy, pleuritis,...........,.................................................... 485 Pneumonia,.......................................................................... 450 Pneumonia, typhoid or congestive,........................................... 456 Potatorum,......................................................................... 521 Poisoned wounds,................................................................. 602 Principle of applying remedies,............................................... 47 Protrusion of the intestine,.................................................... 272 Prolapsus ani....................................................................... 282 Prurigo,.............................................................................. 355 Prolapsus uteri,.................................................................... 643 Pruritus, during pregnancy,................................................... 668 Pregnancy,.......................................................................... 657 Protracted labors,................................................................. 684 Prickly heat,....................................................................... 723 Pruritus,............................................................................. 729 Profuse urination,................................................................ 73O Psora>................................................................................ 350 Psoas muscle, inflammation of, (psoitis,)................................... 539 Pulsatilla, range of use,.................................................. # 786 Putrid sore throat,...................................................... 172 Pustulo nigra, ............................................................ 34O Pustular ring-worm,......................................... or a Punctured wounds,.................................................. qqq Pjrosis,..............................................................................' 2Q1 5f!DSy'............................................................................... 166 Quinsy malignant,........................................ 17„ INDEX. 811 R. Range of use of the more prominent remedies used in this work,.....753 Rash, nettle..................................................... ,,g Rash, scarlet,........................................................ joi Bash in children, (hives,).................................................... 368 Rancitas,............................................................................ 40i Regurgitation of milk,.-.......................................................... 718 Remarks,............................................................................ 688 Remedies, rule for the administrations of,..................,.............. 65 Remedies, suitable to follow others,.......................................... 68 Remittent fever,................................................................... 87 Repetition of remedies............................................................ 65 Respiratory organs,............................................................... 37 Retention of urine, or painful urination after delivery,................. 694 Retention of urine,............................................................... 730 Rheumatism, acute,............................................................... 753 Rheumatism, inflammatory,.................................................... 153 Rheumatism, chronic,........................................................... 157 Rheumatic fever,.................................................................. 153 Rheumatism, sciatic,............................................................. 160 Rheumatism of the neck,........................................................ 160 Rheumatism of the hip,.......................................................... 540 Rheumatism, affecting the eyes,............................................... 549 Rhus toxicodendum, range of use,............................................ 787 Ringworm............................................................................ 357 Ringworm of the scalp,.......................................................... 358 Rose,................................................................................. 138 Retention of urine,................................................................ 307 Rubeola,............................................................................. 131 Rush of blood to the head,...................................................... 497 Running of the ears,............................................................. 558 Rupture,............................................................................. 571 Rupture, (hernia,)................................................................ 715 Running from the ears, (otorrhcea,).......................................... 727 Rupture of the navel,............................................................ 727 s. Scarlet rash,.................................•..................................... 121 Scarlet fjver........................................................................ 1Zo 123 Scarlatina,.................................•......................................... Sciatica,....................................................... » 812 INDEX. „ v. ........................ 350 Scabies,.......................................................... Scrofulous sore eyes, (scrofulous opthalmia,).............................. b*L Scurvy of the mouth,............................................................. ' Scurf on the head.................................................................. 723 Scanty and painful urination,.................................................. '30 Sea-sickness,........................................................................ 208 Sepia succus, range of use,..................................................... '88 Short or near sightedness,...................................................... 555 Silicea, range of use,.............................................................. 790 Simple fever,....................................................................... 72 Simple inflammation of the throat,............................................ 431 Sick headache,.................................................................... 548 Sleep, observations on,........................................................... 30 Sleeplessness,....................................................................... 569 Sleep,................................................................................ 710 Sleeplessness,....................................................................... 718 Small-pox,........................................................................... 143 Small-pox modified................................................................ 143 Sore throat.......................................................................... 166 Sore throat, putrid,............................................................... 172 Sore throat, chronic,............................................................. 437 Sore nipples,........................................................................ 694 Sore eyes,........................................................................... 716 Soreness behind the ears......................................................... 724 Soreness of the navel,............................................................ 728 Spasms of the stomach,.......................................................... 202 Splenitis,............................................................................. 294 Spurious pneumonia, (peripneumonia,)...................................... 455 Spitting of blood................................................................... 468 Spasm,................................................................................ 517 Specks on the cornea............................................................. 554 Sprains,............................................................................. 594 Spasmodic pains,................................................................. 685 Spasms or convulsions,........................................................... 739 Spasms of the chest,............................................................. 743 Spongia tosta, range of use,..................................................... 791 Squinting..................................._......................................... 554 St. Anthony's fire,................................................................ 138 Stomach, affections of,.......................................... 184 Stomachic headache............................................. I90 Stone,....................... OA- ..................................................................... 0U0 Strangury........................................................................ gll INDEX. 813 Strabismus,......................................................................... 554 Strangulated hernia,.............................................................. &72 Stye................................................................................... 547 Strains,............................................................................... 595 Stings of insects,................................................................... 608 „ . 314 Suppression of urine,..........................................................••• 01* C07 Suppression of menses,.......................................................... Suppression of the milk,........................................................ Supplementary diet of infants,................................................ 707 Sulphur, range of use,..............................•............................. Summer complaint, (cholera infantum,)..................................... 734 Sweating feet,...................................................................... Swelled testicle,................................................................... 00^ Swelling of the nose............................................................... 563 Swelling or enlargement of the womb,............................•.......... 647 Swelling of the veins.....................................................•........ 672 Swelling of the head, with echymosis........................................ 700 Swelling of the breasts,.......................................................... 728 Swelling of the prepuce...................................................•...... ,ou Swooning,............................................................................ gg4 SyphHiB.............................................................................. 553 Syphilitic sore eyes...............«................................................ Syncope,.............................................................................. T. ... 14 Table of digestion,....................................................... Table of nutrition,................................................................ Tartarus emeticus, range of use,.............................................. ..................... 625 Tardy menstruation............................................ Temperaments,............................................... "'............... 32 Testis, inflammation of,..............................••••'........'............... Tetanus,.......................................................... ^ g91 Testicle, dropsy of the,...................................' ^ 41 The nervous system,.........•................................... g5 The special examination of disease,............................... cg The form of medicines for domestic use,.....................••••••• •—" ^ Throat, simple inflammation of,........................... ...... 4g7 Throat, chronic sore,................................. ....................... 795 The choice of a nurse,..........................' ........................ 722 The gum,..................................... ""................................ 530 Tic doloreux,............................... 814 INDEX. Toothache,....................................•...................................... 162 Toothache, during pregnancy,................................................. 670 Treatment, external,.............................................................. 343 Treatment after delivery,....................................................... 686 Treatment of the child after birth,........................................... 597 Treatment of mothers who do not nurse their children,................ 704 Tussis,................................................................................. 3^3 Typhoid or congestive pneumonia,.............................................. 456 Typhus or typhoid fever,......................................................... 76 Tympanites of the womb........................................................... 647 u. Ulcers, ulcera,...................................................................... 362 Ulcers, varicose,................................................................... 366 Umbilical cord,..................................................................... 727 Urinary organs,................................................................... 40 Urticara,............................................................................. 118 Urinary organs, diseases of,.................................................... 298 Urinary calculus, ................................................................. 305 Urine, retention of,............................................................... 307 Uring, difficulty in discharging,....................,........................... 311 Urine, suppression of,............................................................ 314 Urine, incontinence of,........................................................... 316 Urine, immoderate secretion of,............................................... 319 Urine, haemorrhage with the,................................................... 323 V. Vaccination,......................................................................... 750 Varicella............................................................................. 142 Varioloid,............................................................................ 143 Variola,...............................................-.............................. 143 Varicose ulcers,.................................................................... 366 Varicose veins,..................................................................... 672 Varicose tumors,................................................................... 672 Venereal disease,.................................................................. 334 Veratrum album, range of use,.............................................. 795 Vertigo,.......................•...................................................... 538 Vertigo and headache.................................................. #_ 664 Vigilance,............................................................................ 569 Vomiting blood.............................................................. 210, 468 Vomiting mucus,............................................... 0qo INDEX. 815 Waterbrash,......................................................................... 201 Wetting the bed,............................................................ 313, 730 Weakness or loss of memory,................................................... 538 Weaning,............................................................................. 749 Weeping, or watery eye,......................................................... 554 Weaning, or period of suckling,................................................ 709 Whitlow,.............................................................................. 353 Whites, (whitish discharge from the vagina,).............................. 641 White discharge from the private parts, (leucorrhcea,)................. 729 Worms,.............................................................................. 263 Womb, dropsy of,........................................................... 591, 648 Womb, falling of the.............................................................. 643 Womb, swelling or enlargement of,........................................... 647 Womb, tympanites of the,...................................................... 647 Wounds,.............................................................................. 595 Wounds, lacerated,................................................................ 598 Wounds, contused,................................................................ 599 Wounds, punctured,............................................................... 600 Wounds, gunshot,.................................................................. 601 Wounds, poisoned,................................................................ 602 Y. Yellow fever,....................................................................... HO sP%. iip:iV.-x:r:.':.-.. *j!i?jw;^: :.::::.v NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NLfl 0E5E13E3 A '.Y.'.T.Y «§: srsr. trie::-. B8§r£ KSESis: m«t.>.