410 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



the old weary round of troubles. One of the most important remedial agents is out- 

 door life and exercise, which may be taken in any form most congenial to the individual 

 riding, walking, field sports, or what not. This is at once the most natural, and 

 often the most effectual promoter of sleep we can employ. Active bodily exertion 

 is well known to be incompatible with the maximum of intellectual work, and full 

 advantage should be taken of this fact. The only thing to avoid is excessive fatigue. 

 It is a remarkable fact that a very large number of distinguished literary and 

 scientific men have suffered severely from megrim, and it would seem that some 

 of them have succeeded in ridding themselves of the malady by the adoption of 

 some simple hygienic measure. One, for instance, cured himself by following the 

 prescription of a farrier, who advised him to drink water, eat little, and take 

 exercise. Another was cured by drinking every day a large quantity of fresh 

 water, and exchanging a highly nutritious regimen for a much lighter dietary. A 

 third got rid of his old enemy by the same means, and by taking exercise every day 

 before dinner. There can be no doubt that in many cases great benefit would be 

 derived from a thorough change of locality or climate. Long sea- voyages are not 

 unfrequently attended with excellent results, the attacks being absent for months at 

 a time. Unfortunately these are remedies not within the reach of all. 



Now as regards diet. In cases of megrim in any degree dependent on or associated 

 with indigestion, the meals should be moderate and regular, with a simple and 

 nutritious dietary, especial care being taken to avoid all articles of food that are 

 notoriously unwholesome, or are known to disagree. The great thing is to live 

 plainly. As a rule it will be found that beef and mutton digest more readily than 

 veal or pork. When indigestion is a prominent symptom, it will have to be treated 

 according to the rules already given (see INDIGESTION). Vegetable bitters, such as 

 infusion of quassia, or infusion of calumba, enjoy a high reputation for megrim 

 depending on stomach derangement. The gentian and soda mixture (Pr. 14) maybe 

 used for a similar purpose. As a rule it should be taken about half an hour before 

 meals, but when acidity is a prominent symptom it should be taken about the same 

 time after meals. It is in all cases important to regulate the bowels, for nothing goes 

 right when they are confined. When the patient is pale and anaemic, and is evidently 

 suffering from poorness of blood, iron is the best remedy, and other measures will in 

 all probability fail until it has been supplied. It may be given in the form of pills 

 (Pr. 63), or one of the iron mixtures (Pr. 1 or 2) may be resorted to. Cod-liver 

 oil will do much to improve the general nutrition, but sufferers from megrim 

 often experience great difficulty in taking it. It is well worth trying, however. 

 Pancreatic emulsion may in some cases prove useful. 



We now pass on to the consideration of what may be called the specific remedies 

 for megrim. It is difficult to say positively what drug will succeed in any individual 

 case. The patient should never despair of being cured, or at all events very 

 materially benefited, till he has tried them all. 



Grot on chloral is a valuable remedy in this complaint. It should be given in five- 

 grain doses, dissolved in water, every three hours for a week or two. This is a 

 moderate dose, and ten grains can be taken at a dose without inconvenience. We 

 have employed it in many cases with success. We usually prescribe it only in the 



