604 The Andes and the Amazons. 



• 

 the MaFafion are severe colics, arising from the ingestion 



of large quantities of indigestible foods, but which disap- 

 pear after a few hours under the administration of emetics 

 and calming agents. And, at first, some of the symptoms 

 of the present epidemic were somewhat associated with 

 this other feature of the ordinary causes of suffering ; but 

 the sequel showed the cases bore no " relation of causation." 

 In the treatment, after the uselessness of opiates had 

 been observed, though there was great toleration noticed, 

 the use of quinia was continued for two or three days reg- 

 ularly as an antiperiodic, in view of the paroxysmal char- 

 acter of the pain, as well as the frequent febrile increase 

 toward evening, and the effects were most happy, the pain 

 itself finding relief, as also the constipation ; and also the 

 stomach, which seemed. to tolerate that remedy when noth- 

 ing else would remain. Fomentations to the abdomen 

 were perfectly useless. After the violence of the gastric 

 pain had disappeared, but when there was still a gnawing, 

 disagreeable oppression at the epigastrium, very small blis- 

 ters to the pit of the stomach were excellent. Clysters 

 were serviceable in the lingering eostiveness after the se- 

 verity of the disease had passed. In convalescence there 

 was, in many cases, noticed a feeling of numbness about 

 the abdomen, a feeling of deadened sensation. Calomel 

 was, after the first few cases, given in conjunction with 

 quinia, to relieve flatulence by stimulating digestion, and 

 by preventing decomposition of whatever food might be 

 taken. It also seemed to contribute to laxative effects; 

 and although, from the materials at first vomited, it would 

 seem that the liver was sufficiently stimulated, it was evi- 

 dent, by experience in these cases, that mercury was most 

 successful in its results. The success which followed this 

 medication with quinia and calomel is the best argument 

 in their favor, the relief being steady and unexceptional. 



