When the bodily powers are in any way reduced, and the general state is one of languor and disinclination to attend to the usual duties, without there being any definite disease to account for it, this condition is called “Debility.”
The term is a useful one, though it has no very definite scientific meaning. It is persons in this condition who usually fly to “tonics” in allopathy, and, if they happen to get the right tonic, and do not take too much of it, well and good; but there are so many tonics, and the chances of selecting the wrong one are so great, that harm much more often than good results from their indiscriminate use. The best, safest, and most efficacious of all “tonics” are rest and change. But these are not always obtainable, and then other measures must be adopted. Cold or tepid sponging in the morning, early retiring, and drives in the open air are generally available. Liberal dietary is necessary in all cases. The meal-times should be regular, and there should be a period of rest before and after each. Wine is not to be relied on; but it is sometimes of temporary use. It should never be taken except with meals, and never to relieve the feeling of “sinking” at the stomach which is a frequent accompaniment of debility. Burgundy is the best wine when any is required.
Nervous Debility is usually the consequence of excesses of some kind, and among these abuse of the sexual function is the most fruitful. It is attended with sufferings of all kinds-depression of spirits, indigestion, sleeplessness, nervousness. The same
General Treatment as sketched above is applicable here, but more reliance must be placed on medicines.
Medicines.-(To be taken three or four times daily.)
China 1.-
Debility after illness, loss of blood and other fluids, discharges; nervous debility.
Arsen. 3.-
Debility, characterised by a low feverish condition, with anxiety, restlessness, thirst.
Nux. v. 3.-
Debility in nervous patients; spare habits; tendency to constipation; nervous debility.
Ignat. 3.-
With excessive nervousness and sleeplessness.
Actea r.3.-
With great melancholy, restlessness, and sleeplessness.
Ferrum 6.-
With bloodlessness, palpitation, headache.
Calcarea, Sulphur, and Lycopodium-When constitutionally indicated. See CONSTITUTIONS.
