304: THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



stimulants, although we should certainly not advocate a lowering mode of treatment. 

 We want to give tone to the system, and improve the general nutrition, and not to 

 increase the debility. For the vertigo of old people nothing does better than cod- 

 liver oil taken in tea-spoonful doses three times a day. 



There are other remedies which are of use in special cases. Thus, we have some- 

 times obtained good results from the administration of tincture of gelsemiiium in 

 five-drop doses in water, every three hours. Sometimes ten drops will succeed when 

 the smaller dose has failed. In vertigo accompanied by congestion of the face, 

 belladonna (Pr. 39) often does a great deal of good. It is to be given when the 

 giddiness is worse on movement but relieved in the open air. Heavy drooping eye* 

 lids, dimness of vision, and flashes of light before the eyes, are indications for its 

 use, as are also a hot head and a sensation of burning in the eyeballs. The internal 

 administration of belladonna may be accompanied by the application of a belladonna 

 plaster over the region of the heart. 



For Meniere's disease carefully syringing the ears with tepid water does good. 

 Sometimes the application of a small blister behind the ear is attended with good 

 results. A combination of belladonna and gelseminum may sometimes be given with 

 advantage. 



GIN-DRINKER'S LIVER (CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER). 



The most frequent cause of this complaint is spirit-drinking. When alcohol 

 is introduced into the stomach in the ordinary way, it nearly all passes through 

 the liver. Undiluted spirits are much more injurious than when mixed with 

 water, and produce greater irritation. Alcohol consumed as wine or beer is far 

 less destructive to the liver than when taken in the form of ardent spirits. A 

 hot climate intensifies all the vicious effects of alcohoL 



The symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver are in the early stages often obscure, but 

 later they are sufficiently well marked. At first the liver gets slightly enlarged, and 

 the patient suffers from pain in the right side, indigestion, wind, and costive bowels. 

 He' is occasionally feverish, his skin is hot and dry, and he has a peculiar unhealthy 

 .sallow look, which he probably fails to notice, but which is sufficiently obvious to 

 his friends. The necessity for making a change in his habits is forced upon his 

 attention, and for a week or two he is under the doctor's orders, and not feeling 

 able to drink any more, he consents to follow a restricted diet, and to take a course 

 of purgatives. Soon the most prominent symptoms are relieved, he fancies himself 

 well again, and quickly returns to his old habits. Gradually, however, he notices 

 that he is getting thinner and weaker, and occasionally he has a good deal of pain in 

 the side. He is nervous and out of sorts. He has no longer the pluck he used to 

 have ; first his friends notice it, and then he gradually becomes aware of it himself. 

 He finds that he is not " fit for business," and he is afraid to see people. If a trades- 

 man, he no longer displays his old energy. He is anxious about his business, for it 

 is falling off", and things don't work as well as they used to, and yet for the life of 

 him he cannot pull himself together. Things go on like this for months and months, 

 or even for a year or two. The patient has occasional attacks of diarrhoea, his 

 appetite fails, his urine gets thick and scanty, and the emaciation and debility 



