236 On Chronic Debility 



8. Acidity and wind in the prima via of children pro- 

 duce convulsions. 



9. Foul air being mixed with the saliva, and thus taken 

 into the stomach, has produced a total^cessation of all 

 the animal functions, and apparent death. 



II. The effects of morbid action, in other parts of the 

 body, upon the healthy stomach, evince the existence of 

 the sympath}^ contended for, as will appear from the fol- 

 lowing considerations. 



1. Compression upon the brain, or a severe concus- 

 sion of the head, usually produces nausea and vomiting. 



2. Obstructed perspiration in the head sometimes oc- 

 casions nausea, acidity, and wind in the stomach. I know 

 a gentleman, who, whenever he puts pom.atum and pow- 

 der upon his head, experiences all these unpleasant 

 symptoms, unless they are prevented by brisk exercise, 

 and they continue till the pomatum and powder are 

 combed out.* 



3. Teething in children, which is wholly a local dis- 

 ease, often induces vomitings, acidity in the stomach, gri- 

 ping in the bowels, choler, cough, convulsions, and fe- 

 ver. Cutting the swollen gums alone, frequently gives 

 great relief, and the cutting through of the teeth as usu- 

 ally perhaps, puts an entire stop to all the morbid symp- 

 toms. 



4. Immediate vomiting may in many instances be ex- 

 cited, by tickling the throat and fauces with a feather. 



5. Severe vomiting, owing to great irritability of the 

 stomach, may be frequently relieved, when other means 

 are ineffectual, by cloths dipped in laudanum, and appli- 

 ed to the Epigastric Region. 



6. A blow upon the epigastric region, or pit of the 

 stomach, will sometimes produce instantaneous death. 



7. Dashing cold water upon the feet, will in some in- 

 stances, procure an evacuation from the bowels, of a per- 

 son obstinately costive. I know a gentleman who, when- 

 ever he wets his feet in the winter season, and suffers 

 them to continue wet a sufficient length of time to pro- 

 duce slight chilliness, experiences a copious evacuation 

 from the bowels. In several instances from walking a 



*See Note A. 



