qf the Stomach. 295 



These things are not to be considered as the great 

 means of efFectuating a cure, but rather as aids in the 

 curative process. The disease when obstinate is not to 

 be cured by medicines merely ; and they who rely upon 

 them solely or chiefly, will be disappointed. Still, when 

 discreetly used, they are of great service. Some cau- 

 tions relative to the manner of administering medicines, 

 may not be improper. By persons having debilitated 

 stomachs they should never be taken mixed with sweet- 

 meats, but in the simplest state which circumstances will 

 admit ; that they may exert their full influence upon the 

 stomach, and that their operation may not be counterac- 

 ted or impeded by the acid and flatulence which sweet- 

 meats occasion. 



Previous to the commencement of a course of tonic 

 medicines it will be proper to prepare the stomach for 

 their reception by the administration of a cathartic. 

 When the use of any medicine which is to be taken for 

 some length of time, is about to be commenced, it will 

 always be proper to begin with moderate doses. Large 

 doses when the stomach is extremely irritable, excite ir- 

 regular action, stimulate too highly, and thus fail of pro- 

 ducing the whole of that efficacy which might have been 

 in other circumstances expected. The quantity may be 

 increased gradually as the case requires. While benefits 

 are looked for from medicines, all other aids, those which 

 have been mentioned, and those which remain to be men- 

 tioned, should be made to unite their whole force in 

 counteracting the disease. 



The curative process should be begun in the early sta- 

 ges of the disease, and pursued vigorously, before the 

 secreting vessels have acquired such an inveterate habit 

 of wrong action as they often do, where these directions 

 are neglected. All persons admit that, when an ulcer 

 has long secreted an acrid matter, vigorous measures 

 are necessary to restore the vessels to healthy action, so 

 when the vessels of the stomach have long secreted mor- 

 bid fluids, very vigorous measures are likewise necessa- 

 ry to give relief. 



The last and the great thing, which the patient is to 

 depend upon for relief, is exercise. Connected vvith this 



