DIETETICS 



flatulency and sense of languor increase, 

 and the spasm becomes severe ; and 

 after eating, all the symptoms of dyspep- 

 sia occur, and the" pain ve.rv often is ag- 

 gravated. 



Those who, during their residence in a 

 hot climate, have been attacked by acute 

 Inflammation of the liver, not terminat- 

 ing in suppuration, are frequently found, 

 on their return to Europe, as we have 

 already observed, to have the liver en- 

 larged from die deposition of coaguluble 

 lymph in the progress of tb inflamma- 

 tion, and in its termination by resolu- 

 tion ; in the same manner as the testi- 

 cle, and particularly of the epididymis, 

 which remains for a long time enlarged 

 after the inflammation called hernia hu- 

 moralis : it is seldom, however, that 

 these symptoms will not yield to a judi- 

 cious and persevering mode of medical 

 practice. 



In affections of the stomach and other 

 chylopoietic organs from hard drinking, 

 the chief of the same symptoms will be 

 found to occur : lut those peculiarly at- 

 tendant upon this last disease, perpetual 

 lo-,-, of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, 

 when the stomach is empt\ ; an almost 

 constant pain at the pit of the stomach ; 

 a general trenmlation of the muscles, and 

 especially those of the hands and arms, 

 so that nothing can be held steady ; ver- 

 tigo, and frequent fainting fits. 



In the case of enlarged liver, from the 

 deposit or accumulation of coaguluble 

 lymph, mercury should he administered 

 so freely and reiteratedly, as to produce, 

 immediate and permanent action on the 

 liver, and rat! icr by inunction on the ah- 

 do^teii than by the mouth ; or perhaps 

 by both at the same time. Yet the exhi- 

 bition of mercury in large quuntiti' s, and 

 so as to excite ptyalism, has of Lit 

 become too indiscriminate; HIH! excepting 

 in the individual case no\r alluded to, its 

 admission in this unrestrained manner 

 will be generally doubtful, and often un- 

 questionably injurious. In all other ca- 

 ses, when its use is at all indicated (and 

 it is seldom that it is not indicated) it 

 should be administered In si;. all doses, 

 seldom exceeding tlu- quantity of half a 

 grain of calomel once or Uvi. a day : and 

 the plan thus begun should he p* 

 i:d in for weeks or months ir. 

 till a radical cure be obtained, if it be 

 obtainable at all. Into the rationale of 

 this progressive system, \ve cannot fiilly 

 enter at present: it may not, however, be- 

 inVi^s to obrrvi\ tint ' m ,-vrry case the 



chylopoietic organs have a much better 

 chance of being restored to a sound and 

 healthy state by progressive gentleness 

 than by sudden violence; that the per- 

 manent solicitation of a comparatively 

 mild stimulus will eventual.) accomplish 

 what a more forcible system can never 

 produce ; and that nence the latter should 

 he reserved for mere cases of decided 

 extremity. 



Aperient meiiicines are almost always 

 necessary, from the great irregularity of 

 the bowels, and generally an habitual 

 propensity to costiveness. Ur. Stone has 

 lately opposed the use of castor oil, 

 which has hitherto been in great vogue, 

 as well from the inaccuracy with which 

 it is generally expressed, as from its act- 

 ing cliiefly on the large, and but little or 

 not at a41 oft the small, intestines. But, 

 after all, the patient must determine for 

 himself; for though it may disagree with 

 many constitutions, it will often occur in 

 others, that tliere is no aperitive that 

 completes its purpose so pleasantly. 

 When castor oil does not agree, a little 

 rhubarb, in combination with neutral 

 salt, in the proportion of a scruple or 

 half a dram of the former, and a dram of 

 tile latter, dissolved in mint water, may 

 be resorted to, or the neutral salt alone 

 in double the quaniu now prescribed. 



Where. \\e h.ivc reason to suspect 

 schirroshy of the liver, purgatives are of 

 mure consequence than in any other 

 case : and here the more drastic kimU 

 are to be preferred ; us jalap, colocy nth, 

 and scammony. 



Peruvian bark seldom agrees with the 

 stomach in am stage of this disease; but 

 bitter tonics will usually sit easy, and of- 

 ten idli.rd considerable relief. If the 

 pain be violent, opium must necessarily 

 be had recourse to, but never otherwise. 

 \\ hen the sense of sinking in the sto- 

 mach is distressing, and particularly when 

 this symptom occurs with cardialgia, the 

 best ntimulus is the compound spirit of 

 ammonia, in camphor mixture, or in some 

 other light vehicle: this is much less in- 

 jurious, to the digestive organs than 

 xthcr, or any other strung spirituous pre- 

 paration, or than aromatic confection, or 

 am other sp.cc in large quantity ; and it 

 Ufrequenth useful in conqueringthe pa- 

 tient's habit ot taking high-seasoned 

 .IMics: it is sometimes not only useful, 

 but necess: ry, to be gradual in breaking 

 this habit, and it is commonly best to 

 allow a few glasses of gnu Tons wine, re- 

 questing the patient at the same time to 



