TREATMENT OF DIARRHCEA. 433 



Seidlitz powder. Again, diarrhoea due to acidity in the duo- 

 denum is rationally treated by an alkali or alkaline earth, such 

 as Lime- water, Chalk, and Bicarbonate of Soda a highly 

 successful method in the intestinal dyspepsia of infants. If 

 the cause cannot be removed, its effects may be physically pre- 

 vented by coating the surface of the bowel with Bismuth. 



To counteract the irritant influence, astringent measures 

 must be employed ; and the two kinds of astringents in general 

 use for this purpose are the constringents and the nervo-muscular 

 intestinal sedatives. Of the former, Tannic Acid is less often used 

 than its allies, between which there is little to choose, such as 

 Catechu, Kino, and Krameria. With the constringent there is 

 usually combined some preparation of opium as a nervo-muscular 

 sedative, in the form of Dover's Powder, Kino, and Opium, 

 or Compound Opium Powder, which relieve pain, diminish the 

 peristaltic movements, check the secretions, and arrest tha 

 cramps or tormina. It will be found desirable in almost every 

 case of diarrhoea demanding immediate arrest, to combine a 

 certain amount of opium, however small, with the other drugs. 

 We are now in a position to understand the use of the intes- 

 tinal vascular astringents : Lead, Silver, and Diluted Sulphuric 

 Acid. These are specially indicated in inflammatory conditions 

 of the bowel, such as accompany ulceration in typhoid fever, 

 dysentery, and tuberculosis. Diluted Sulphuric Acid is given 

 when the effect is intended to be speedy and brief. A small 

 quantity of Opium or Morphia is again a powerful adjuvant ; 

 for instance, as the Lead and Opium Pill, Diluted Sulphuric 

 Acid and Laudanum, and Dilute Acetic Acid, Acetate of Lead, 

 and Acetate of Morphia combined. In certain cases these 

 remedies may be administered in an enema, the Enema Opii being 

 particularly valuable. Goto Bark is successful in some cases of 

 persistent tubercular diarrhoea. Nervous diarrhoea may be 

 relieved by Bromide of Potassium. Some forms of chronic 

 diarrhoea, and the flux of uraemia (when it can be safely 

 checked), are best treated with Persalts of Iron. 



The food is to be ordered in diarrhoea with a view to prevent 

 irritation, and thus contribute to the cure ; and dieting must be 

 regarded as of equal importance with the medicinal treatment. 

 The food must be entirely fluid, as a rule, and will consist 

 chiefly of broths and milk. The former must be carefully pre- 

 pared, without fat or seasoning, and given cold. The milk 

 must be in a form which will not yield a large indigestible 

 curd itself a source of intestinal derangement, but given with 

 effervescing alkaline waters, or lime- water, or boiled and mixed 

 with some kind of starch, such as arrowroot or rice. Eggs 

 must be used with caution. Ice is the best means of relieving 

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