70 DISEASES OF THE AIR-PASSAGES. 



Our treatment must be such as is adapted to the cir- 

 cumstances of the case. In shght hemorrhages none other 

 but repose and abstinence will be required. Should the 

 hemorrhage be considerable, and appear to result from 

 plethora, the grand object, will be to lower the heart's 

 impetus. We must, therefore, bleed largely, and from a 

 large orifice in the vein. The best local treatment is 

 dashing buckets of very cold water upon the head, or the 

 application to the sides of the nose of ice or snow, when 

 either can be procured. Should the blood issue from one 

 nostril only, that cavity may be plugged up with tow dipped 

 in a solution of alum; or, should the patient not be able to 

 bear the plugging, the same solution — which I believe to 

 be the best styptic — may be thrown up the nostril with a 

 large-mouthed syringe. 



In a traumatic case, the injury — whatever it be, wound 

 or contusion — will require our first consideration, as being 

 the immediate cause of the hemorrhage. In so far as con- 

 cerns the bleeding, providing the loss of blood be not such as 

 to create any alarm, the patient may possibly be benefited by 

 it, in having to undergo less febrile and inflammatory action 

 afterwards; should it, however, continue beyond this, we 

 must inject and plug the nostril, and apply sudden cold, 

 and bleed or nauseate, or both, according to circumstances. 

 Such measures as slitting up the nostril, and applying the 

 actual cautery or a ligature, supposing the vessel could be 

 reached, are rarely, if ever, necessary. 



In regard to internal medicines for protracted or fre- 

 quently recurring hemorrhages, we may give, in pretty full 

 doses, the oil of turpentine, for which practice we have no 

 less authority than that of Dr. Copland.^ In the Lancet, 

 for July 11, 1826, is an instance related where prompt and 

 decided benefit was conferred, in a case of hemorrhage 

 from the bowels, by the use of Ergot of Rye, given in the 

 form of Battley's Solution of Sccale. 



In haemoptysis, hepatorrhoea, and hsematuria, Mr. Rogers, 



' Turn to his article, ' Heniorrliagc from the Lungs,' p. 125. 



