LIQUIDS. 305 



useful applied in small pieces enclosed in a bladder or India-rubber 

 bag, in the form of a cap fitted to the head. 



To relieve the severe pain and vomiting in cases of ulcer or 

 cancer of the stomach a bag containing small fragments of ice 

 should be laid on the stomach. 



In inflammation of the tonsils, the sore throat of scarlatina and 

 other eruptive fevers and in diphtheria, the use of ice relieves pain 

 and arrests inflammation. Ice also modifies the secretions from the 

 throat and so obviates frequent painful efforts to detach the mucus 

 from the crypts and follicles of the tonsils. For these purposes 

 small pieces should be sucked repeatedly. 



In hemorrhages, ice is extremely valuable. In bleeding from 

 the mouth, throat or nostrils, ice applied directly to the bleeding 

 vessels or to the surface forms an efficient means of relief. When 

 hemorrhage comes from the stomach or lungs, ice should be repeat- 

 edly swallowed in small pieces, for so taken it will help to contract 

 the leaking blood-vessels. w 



The use of ice internally should be avoided after the fatigue 

 brought on by long-continued or violent exercise ; it is then too 

 lowering to the system, and instead of allowing a patient to cool 

 gradually it gives a sudden check to animal heat and to perspira- 

 tion. Drinking iced water under these conditions is even still more 

 hurtful to the system. 



" To allay local inflammation or check hemorrhages from the 

 surface, ice broken into small pieces should be enclosed in a bladder 

 or thin India-rubber bag. When one-third filled, the air should be 

 squeezed out of the bag, which should then be tied at its mouth on 

 an inserted cork, so large and long as to bear the tight pressure of 

 the twine. The bag may then be made into almost any shape, and 

 fitted to the irregularities of the body." Ringer. 



Ice is forbidden in conditions such as the following: Old age, 

 especially in feeble patients; apoplexy and insensibility in persons 

 with a feeble pulse; advanced stages of disease; extreme feebleness. 

 In such cases the great sedative powers of ice might overwhelm the 

 patient and stop the action of the enfeebled heart. It is also ad- 

 visable to avoid too great a shock to the system in any case. 



Ice often contains impurities and should never be taken from 

 stagnant pools. 



Tea affords no direct nutriment ; the sugar and cream or milk 

 usually taken with it yield the nutritious elements, but though 

 yielding no absolute aliment it retards the waste of tissues. When 

 consumed in large quantities tea acts prejudicially on the nervous 

 system; it then promotes nervous agitation, muscular tremors, pros- 

 tration and palpitation; it may also cause nausea, derangement of 

 the stomach and abdominal pains. Green tea is stronger than black, 

 possesses more active properties and is therefore to be used with 

 more caution. Both kinds, when adulterated, are more or less in- 

 jurious. 



