TREATMENT OF DISEASES, 173 



You will bear in mind that diagnosis — or determining the real condition of 

 disease is the most important part of specific medication. And that it is not 

 that rough diagnosis which will enable us to guess oflf a name for the associated 

 symptoms, at which name we will fire our Materia Medica promiscuously. 

 Hence when we question the tongue, it is not with reference to a remittent or 

 typhoid fever, an inflammation of lungs or rheumatism, but it is — I want you 

 to tell me the condition of the stomach and intestinal canal, and especially the 

 condition of the blood. 



Now let us briefly see what it will tell us, with regard to the condition of 

 the pnnuB vue (first passages — stomach, intestines, and kidneys). 



If the tongue is heavily coated with a yellowish- white fur, we know that 

 there are morbid accumulations in the stomach; and we have to determine be- 

 tween the speedy removal by emesis (vomiting), and the slower removal by the 

 alkaline sulphites (sulphite of soda is generally used), or the indirect removal 

 by catharsis (cathartics). 



If the tongue is uniformly coated, from base to tip, with a yellowish fur, 

 rather full and moist, we have the history of atony (weakness) of the small intes- 

 tine, and we give podophylin, leptandrin, and this class of remedies, with con- 

 siderable certainty. 



If the tongue is elongated and pointed, reddened at the tip and edges, 

 papillpe elongated and red, we have evidence of irritation of the stomach with 

 determination of blood. The therapeutics (application of the proper medicine) 

 is plain: get rid of the irritation ,^r5/, and be careful not to renew it by the ap- 

 plication of harsh medication. 



Again, we have a tongue that might be designated as "slick." It is vari- 

 ously colored, but it looks as if a fly should light upon it he would slip up. 

 It is an evidence of a want of functional power, (general weakness), not only 

 in the stomach and bowels, but of all parts supplied by sympathetic nerves. 

 We treat such a ca.se very carefully, avoid all irritants, and use means to restore 

 inneiwation (strength) through the vegetative system of nerves. 



The tongue tells us of the acidity and alkalinity of the blood, and in lan- 

 guage so plain, that it can not be mistaken. 



The pallid tongue (pale, or without color), with white fur, is the index ol 

 acidity, and we employ an alkali — usually a salt of soda — with a certainty that 

 the patient will be benefited. Indeed, one who has never had his attention 

 directed in this way, would be surprised at the improvement, in grave forms of 

 disease, from one day's administration of simple bi-carbonate of soda. 



The deep-red tongue indicates alkalinity, and we prescribe an acid with the 

 positive asssurance that it will prove beneficial. Grave ca.ses of typhoid fever 

 and other zymotic (epidemic or contagious) diseases, presenting this symptom, 

 have been treated with acids alone, and with a success not obtained by other 

 means. But it makes no diUcrence what the disease is, whether a recent diar- 

 rhea, or a grave t3"phoid dysentery, if there is the deep-red tongue, we give 

 muriatic acid with the same assurance of success. 



Impairment of the blood — sepsis (blood-poisoning) — is indicated by dirty 

 coating, and by dark-colored fur — brownish to black. "When we have either 

 the one or the other we employ those remedies which antagonize the septic 

 (poisoning) process. 



The bitter tonics are indicated by fullness of tissue, with evident relaxation, 

 impairment of circulation and muscular movement. The same condition will 

 be an indication of iron. We give tincture of chloride of iron, if the tongue is 

 red, iron by hydrogen if the tongue is pale. 



The pale, trembUng tongue, is a very good indication for the hypophosphites. 



The pale blueish tongue, expressionless, is the indication for the adminis- 

 tration of copper. 



The dusky, swollen tongue demands baptisia (wild indigo). 



You will notice that we have made this unruly member tell us a good deal. 



