378 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



It has been supposed that this is in reality not true jaundice. The surface of an 

 infant at birth is often enough of a deep red colour, presenting a condition which 

 falls little short of a mild but universal bruise. By degrees the redness fades, as 

 bruises fade, through shades of yellow into the genuine flesh colour. It need never 

 occasion any alarm or anxiety. 



How long does jaundice last 1 ? It is impossible to answer the question very 

 definitely, as the time is so variable. It may last but only a day or two, or a month 

 or more. In the majority of cases it is all over in a fortnight. 



There is rarely any danger in jaundice. The result is nearly always favourable, 

 except when it depends on some structural disease of the liver, or supervenes 

 suddenly on some great mental or bodily shock. In both cases there are grounds 

 for alarm. Intense yellowness of the skin and eyes is often more hopeful than a 

 fainter tinge of yellow. The prognosis is not good in old people, when the constitu- 

 tion is impaired, and there is no obvious cause for the disease, and particularly when 

 the colour of the skin is greenish or approaching to black. 



We will now consider the treatment of jaundice. Theoretically, all treatment 

 should be directed to the cause of the jaundice, but as practically we are often unable 

 to find out what that is, Ave must be content . to prescribe for the most prominent 

 symptoms. As a rule we manage to get our patient well without much trouble. 



In the first place, the diet must be restricted. There is probably complete loss 

 of appetite, and possibly persistent vomiting. It would obviously be impolitic to 

 load the stomach with food, which would be rejected, or would set up irritation. 

 One of the best articles of diet in these cases is milk, and when there is much sick- 

 ness or nausea, nothing else should be taken. Some people like it alone, but as a 

 rule it is better to mix it with soda water. Half fill a soda water tumbler with 

 milk, in which a few pieces of ice are floating, and then fill up with the soda water. 

 Of course a considerable quantity of milk will have to be taken in the course of the 

 clay, and it should be taken at regular intervals, say every two or three hours, so as 

 to constitute meals. Many people want brandy in the milk, but they are better with- 

 out it. Lemonade cannot be substituted for the soda water, as it curdles the milk. 

 When there is no sickness there is no objection to a few biscuits with the milk. 

 Two or three sponge cakes with a tumbler or two of milk and soda water form by 

 no means a bad meal, as we can testify. In some cases a rice or sago pudding may 

 be allowed, but if there is any vomiting it is better to do without it. When even 

 the milk and soda water is not retained, milk and lime water may be tried, one part 

 of lime water to four of milk. If these are rejected, it must be given in very small 

 quantities, commencing with a table-spoonful at a time, and gradually increasing the 

 dose. As a rule in jaundice vomiting is not very troublesome, and if the diet is 

 confined to the milk and soda water no difficulty will usually be experienced. 



As jaundice nearly always depends on some form of liver disorder it is advisable 

 to apply friction over the region of that organ. The hand should be used for the 

 purpose, and not a towel or bath-glove, or anything of that kind. It is as well to 

 employ some simple liniment to rub in, such as opodeldoc, although it is the rubbing 

 that does the good. You will find it impossible to do it yourself, for the part 

 should be steadily rubbed, with short intervals of rest for a quarter of an hour, night 



