DIETETICS. 
ed, particularly when there appears to be a 
large collection of indurated faeces in the 
colon ; this is sometimes evident from a 
hardness in the track of this intestine, which 
may be felt in the umbilical and left iliac 
regions ; and this congestion alone has not 
unfrequently produced strong hypochon- 
driac symptoms. 
Yet injections too long and habitually 
indulged in, are, of themsrfves, apt to pro- 
duce costiveness ; and are one grand cause 
of that constitutional constipation to which 
a great part of the French nation are so 
subject. 
Aloes would be a convenient medicine, 
but that the diseased now under considera- 
tion, from a general torpidity of alviiie ac- 
tion, are peculiarly disposed to hmmorrhoids ; 
a malady which is almost always increased, 
instead of being meliorated by aloetic pur- 
gatives. Magnesia is seldom useful, whether 
alone or in combination. Calcareous earths 
often produce febrile heat, and augment the 
impediments to digestion. In some cases, 
however, of very chronic acidity, and when 
the bowels are tolerably free, considerable 
advantage may be derived from lime- 
water prepared with oyster-shells, as a 
purer form of calcareous earth than that 
which is dug out of a chalk-pit ; and from 
bark prepared with lime-water. Tlie addi- 
tion of natron, or aq. kali, to bark or other 
bitters, is sometimes advantageous, particu- 
larly if the case be complicated with glan- 
dular affection ; in the same manner soda- 
water is beneficial, and from the tonic power 
of the light carbonic acid it contains; the 
good effect of ammonia taken into the sto- 
mach, may depend in some measure on its 
alkaline nature, but seems principally to be 
produced by its grateful stimulus, both in 
the form in which it is taken, and after it 
may have been combined into a neutral 
ammoniacal salt by union with any acid it 
may meet with. Nothing, however, can be 
more capricious than the stomach in hypo- 
chondriacs, and in all these diseases where 
acidity habitually prevails : it is particularly 
to be noticed that vitriolic acid, witli bark 
or without it, is often essentially useful, and 
this, where acidity in the stomach is con- 
tinual ; the utility of this acid is certainly in 
defiance of all chemical reasoning, and may 
depend upon its astringency, whereby it 
probably prevents the secretion of acid fluid 
into the stomach, or pf such fluid as is 
ready to become acid, and in some measure 
oh its power of preventing fermentation. 
Tonics for the most part are necessary, but 
it is almost impossible to lay down any 
form of them to be pursued for any length 
of time ; tlie stomach is commonly soon dis- 
gusted with any individual preparations, 
and it is often very difficult to suit its varia- 
tion of aptitude by the most judicious 
changes of medicine, which, however, must 
always be attempted, since there is not any 
case of disease which is so frequently aggra- 
vated by neglect. 
Steel is a doubtful medicine. Where the 
head is chiefly affected it is sure to do harm. 
And even in cases in which we may con- 
ceive that some chalybeate water, as that of 
Tunbridge, or some chemical preparation of 
steel may be employed, it will be necessary 
to discontinue their use for some time, on 
the first approach or return of the affection 
of the head. When the spasm affects the vo- 
luntai-y muscles of the body the trial of 
steel is indicated, and its use appears some- 
times considerably to contribute to the pre- 
vention of the return of dyspeptic symp- 
toms and of pain in the stomach, as well a» 
to the general tone and strength. 
The spasms about the hypochondria very 
frequently cannot be relieved without 
opium, and in this case also the solid form 
of it is the best, as it is applied constantly 
by gradual solution to the parts immediately 
affected, and produces much less injury to 
the stomach and to the system than if 
given in a fluid state. Yet in neither way 
should we have recourse to it but when im- 
pelled by the supreme command of dire 
necessity ; for at best it is but a temporary 
remedy, and the irritability generally re- 
turns with augmentation from its use. In 
cases of less extremity the fetid gums in the 
form of pills, camplior, sether, and Hoff- 
man’s anodyne liquor, will be often found 
highly serviceable, and will prove innocent 
of the baneful effects of opium. Flatulency 
is often much relieved by increasing the 
muscular action of the stomach and intes- 
tines ; and mustard, horse-radish, and other 
such stimuli are useful, either in the forms 
in which they are served at table, or the 
mustard-seed may be taken whole, or the 
officinal and other preparations of horse- 
radish may be employed. In cases of sick- 
head-ach opium must, as much as possible, 
be avoided ; to increase the power of the 
stomach and regidate the bowels are here 
the principal objects. 
With regard to external remedies, blis- 
ters and otlier applications soliciting a dis- 
