DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 211 



with difficulty, and attempts to press his forehead against a 

 wall or tree, or anything which comes in his way. Under 

 these circumstances the respiration is not much quickened, 

 and the pulse is of full volume, but not so accelerated as 

 when gastric pain is a prominent symptom. Such cases as 

 these were spoken of by the older writers as stomach staggers, 

 and seem to he comjparahle with that form of gastric disturb- 

 ance in man u'hich is attended uith vertigo and flatulent 

 dyspepsia. 



Prognosis. — In mild cases the prognosis is very favour- 

 able, and many recover without any treatment. In severe 

 cases the prognosis must be more guarded, as death some- 

 times ensues from rupture of the stomach owing to the great 

 distension of this organ, or from gastritis. 



Treatment. — In the treatment of acute indigestion a pur- 

 gative should be given at once in order to clear the stomach. 

 For this purpose aloes is preferable to any other aperient, 

 though oil or saline purgatives are recommended by some. 

 If there be much flatulence it will be well to give a full dose 

 of the aromatic spirit of ammonia. If there be much pain, 

 an ounce to an ounce and a half of sulphuric ether, with half 

 an ounce to an ounce of spirits of chloroform, may be ad- 

 ministered in water or gruel, every two or three hours, as 

 long as the pain continues to be severe. 



In ordinary cases a draught composed of sulphuric ether, 

 spirit of chloroform, and aromatic spirit of ammonia, given 

 three or four times dail}^, will be found very beneficial. 



Hyposulphite or sulpho-carbolate of soda may also be 

 mentioned as useful remedies in dispelling flatulence, and 

 hydrocyanic acid in 20 or 30 minim doses is very valuable 

 in subduing gastric irritation. 



Fleming's tincture of aconite is recommended in moderate 

 doses by some eminent authorities, but we cannot speak 

 very favourably of its value in this disease. In cases where 



14—2 



