208 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



recognise the fact ; they are sufficiently well off pecuniarily to be independent of any 

 business or profession, and they do not care to exert themselves. They fail to see the 

 necessity for work, there is nothing to rouse them up or urge them on, and the result 

 is that they do nothing. There are thousands of people in this world who are too 

 lazy even to amuse themselves. They suffer from ennui and debility, and no 

 medicine will ever cure them. The remedy is in their own hands. Really the best 

 thing that could happen to them would be a temporary reverse of fortune. When 

 they see a pressing necessity for exertion they respond to it, with manifest advantage 

 to themselves. Many a man has been cured of his indolent habits and consequent 

 debility by having to nurse a near and beloved relative through a long and dangerous 

 illness. 



It is difficult to lay down general rules for the treatment of debility, for it springs 

 from so many different causes. It is obvious that a man who has been overworking 

 himself wants rest, both mental and physical, whilst such a mode of treatment would 

 prove anything but beneficial to him whose only complaint is want of occupation. 

 There are, however, a few general principles which are applicable to all cases. In 

 the first place, lowering treatment is inadmissible. It is a good plan to have the 

 bowels regularly open, but anything like active and repeated purgation is to be 

 sedulously avoided. In the case of a delicate young woman whose health lias been 

 lowered perhaps by too frequent pregnancies or by over-suckling, an extra hour or 

 two in bed in the morning will do more good than a blue-pill. Do not forget -that a 

 fresh horse has more " go " in him than a tired one, and that, as an old writer says, 

 " roses may be cultivated in beds." A bath should be taken every morning. If you 

 iire weak and pulled down, do not attempt a cold bath at first, but be content with a 

 tepid one. Many people enjoy a cold bath in the summer, but find it too much for 

 them during the colder months of the year. If you get the opportunity of having .a 

 swim or some sea-bathing, do not neglect it, for nothing can be more invigorating. The 

 addition of sea-salt to the morning tub is undoubtedly beneficial. Out-door exercise 

 should be taken every day when it is not absolutely raining. Even should you get 

 wet it seldom does much harm, provided you walk briskly home and change your 

 wet things at once. The duration of the exercise must be in proportion to the 

 strength and previous habits. At first, a walk only of a few hundred yards may 

 seem all too much, but in a few weeks six or eight miles may be done at a stretch, 

 not only with impunity but with positive benefit. In all cases of debility a generous 

 diet is absolutely necessary, for it is very difficult to regain strength if you are not 

 living well. A fair allowance of stimulant is advisable, and it is best taken in the form 

 of a good full-bodied port or nourishing stout. A glass or two of champagne at 

 dinner, when there is much depression, is as good a medicine as we know. When 

 there is much weakness, a glass of rum and milk may be taken in the morning before 

 dressing. An hour or two's rest on the bed in the middle of the day, with an amusing 

 book, is an excellent restorative. When there is anaemia it should be treated accord- 

 ing to the rules we have already laid down (p. 92). Want of appetite and loathing 

 of food is an indication for the administration of quinine (Pr. 9) ; or the gentian and 

 acid (Pr. 15), or gentian and soda (Pr. 14) mixture may be given. Cod-liver oil is a 

 most excellent remedy. Begin with a tea-spoonful three times a day, and gradually 



