Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dram
Tincture of Nux Vomica l to 2 drams
Compound tincture of Gentian, enough for 3 ounces
Mix and take one teaspoonful to a dessert spoonful before meals.
[106 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
NERVOUS DYSPEPSIA.--This is acquired from over work, worry, excitement,
hurried or irregular meals, or inherited. It shows itself in all sorts of
symptoms and they must be met as they come. Diet the same as for general
dyspepsia, never eat when you are tired, rest after eating.
ULCER OF THE STOMACH AND DUODENUM (Upper part of bowel).--Round or
perforating ulcer. The stomach ulcer is most common in women of twenty or
thirty; servant girls, shoemakers, and tailors are frequently attacked.
Ulcer of the duodenum is usually in males and may follow large superficial
burns. The ulcer in the stomach is usually situated near the pylorus (small
end) and in the first portion of the duodenum.
Symptoms.--Pain, local tenderness, vomiting and bleeding. These may not
show until perforation or bleeding occurs. Distress after eating, often
nausea and vomiting of very acid fluid, loss of weight and lack of blood.
Pain in the region of the stomach and the back is the most constant
symptom. It is usually sharp, increased at once by food, relieved by
vomiting. The tender spot can be located. Bleeding occurs in about
one-half the cases and is usually profuse, bright red and fluid; if
retained in the stomach the blood becomes clotted and brown. Tar-like
stools when there is blood in the bowels. They usually recover under
treatment, but may recur.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT FOR ULCER OF THE STOMACH.--1. Rest in bed most of
the time for several months.
2. Feed by the rectum at first in severe cases, then peptonized or plain
milk or buttermilk (three to four ounces) every two hours, some adding
eggs, chicken, scraped beef and farinaceous food, made of: rice, flour,
corn, potatoes, etc.
CANCER OF THE STOMACH.--Usually occurs after the age of forty.
Symptoms.--Indigestion for a few months; lack of blood and loss of weight.
Well marked case shows the following symptoms:--Distaste for food, nausea,
irregular vomiting, especially in cases where it is located near the
pylorus--the opening between the stomach and the small intestine--usually
one hour or more after eating; bleeding rarely profuse, usually of
"coffee-ground type," dragging, gnawing or burning pain in the region of
the stomach, back, loins or shoulders, usually increased by food;
progressive loss of weight and strength; peculiar sallow look, skin pale
or yellowish.
Course.--The person usually dies in twelve to eighteen months, sometimes
in three to four months.
[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 107]
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT of Cancer of the Stomach and Bowels.--There is no
cure for this trouble except by an operation. This must be done early;
even this may not cure but it, at least, prolongs life and makes the
patient more comfortable while life does last. In the line of medicine the
only thing to do is to give only such remedies as will ease the symptoms.
Diet.--Attend to this also and you will save pain and distress. Every case
should be treated as it needs and no special directions can be given here.
BLEEDING FROM THE STOMACH.--(Haematemesis).
Causes.--Cancer and ulcer of the stomach are main causes of excessive
bleeding; poisons also cause it; injuries also.
Symptoms.--The vomited blood may be fluid or clotted; it is usually of
dark color. The longer it remains in the stomach the darker it becomes.
There may be great weakness and faint feeling on attempting to rise before
a vomiting of blood. The contents of the bowels when passed look "tarry."
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Bleeding of the Stomach.--Absolute rest in bed
is necessary. The bowels should be moved by an enema and it can be
repeated carefully as often as necessary. Cracked ice in bag over the
stomach. If the patient vomits much medicine is useless. They generally
recover with rest. The extremities can be bandaged if there is great
weakness and also external heat can be applied if there is a tendency to
faintness.
Caution.--A person so afflicted, if he has ulcer, must be careful of his
diet for months after an attack. He should be careful not to lift, over
work, over eat or worry.
NEURALGIA OF THE STOMACH (Cardialgia, Gastralgia, Gastrodynia).--
This is a severe pain in paroxysms in the region of the stomach.
Causes.--The patients are of a nervous type. They may have anemia,
exhaustion from sickness and bleedings, the menstruation be at fault.
Grief, worry and anxiety.
Symptoms.--The attack comes suddenly as a rule. The pains are agonizing in
the stomach region, they may dart to the back or pass around the lower
ribs. The attack lasts from a few minutes to an hour or two. It does not
depend upon the food taken.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Neuralgia of the Stomach.--The causes should be
understood and especial treatment given for them. The patients are usually
run down and a tonic treatment is needed. Constipation and menstrual
troubles should be cured, worry, trouble and anxiety, if possible, be
removed. The following is good for nervous patients:--
Valerianate of zinc 18 grains
Valerianate of quinine 18 grains
Iron Arsenate 2 grains
Mix and make into eighteen pills and take one after meals.
[108 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Bitter tonics can be taken such as gentian, columbo, quassia. Change of
air and scene may be needed. Sometimes morphine must be given for the
attack. A physician should do this. If there is much gas, soda and
peppermint are good.
DIARRHEA:--Causes.
(a) Improper or excessive food, including green or over-ripe fruit.
(b) Poison substances; such as decomposed milk or meat either fresh or
canned: or caused by arsenic, mercury or colchicum.
(d) Exposure to cold, wet or draughts.
(c) Stomach disorder, preventing thorough digestion.
(e) Extension of inflammation from other organs.
Symptoms.--Sudden colicky pain in the bowels, moving about with rumbling
noises. The pain is not constant and is followed at intervals with a
sudden extreme desire to empty the bowels. The stools may be four to
twenty a day, watery or gruel-like in appearance and they sometimes
contain mucus or undigested food. The stools usually relieve the pain for
the time. It usually lasts two or three days or longer.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--Diarrhea.--1. "Wild Sage Tea." Wild sage tea is a
very good remedy for bowel trouble because of its astringent virtues.
Before the sage is used, however, the bowels should be thoroughly cleansed
with castor oil or salts.
2. Diarrhea, Egg and Nutmeg for.--"Beat up an egg, grate in half a nutmeg
and sweeten to taste. Repeat two or three times during the day. Remarks:
Has been known to help in chronic cases when doctors' medicine failed."
3. Diarrhea, Scorched Flour and Sugar for.--"Scorched flour in boiled milk
or scorched flour and sugar eaten dry is very good. This is a simple but a
never failing remedy if taken right at the beginning of the trouble."