SEA-SICKNESS.–The primary cause of sea-sickness is the motion of the vessel, but steamers, with the smell of their only machinery, have added another nauseating element.
General Treatment.–For those who suffer severely the best pain is to have a good meal before going on board, and if the voyage is short to lie down at once and remain so all the way. If the voyage is a long one the malady must be fought and conquered. The patient must take food and exercise. No matter if the food returns at once more must be taken. If the patient cannot walk alone he must take exercise supported by some one on either side. Different kinds of food will be acceptable to different patients. Soup will be the most easily taken in a general way. Some can eat raw ham highly peppered. When once a beginning is made other things can be taken.
Medicines.–The three chief remedies for sea-sickness in my experience are Arnica, Cocculus, and Petroleum. These may all be given in the third potency. Arnica is the best routine remedy. Considering that oil made from Petroleum is used for the machinery of steamers, those who are powerfully affected by the smell should take either Arnica or Cocculus.
The best way is to have a packet of powders of sugar of milk, each containing one drop of the tincture. One of these should be taken an hour before embarking; and afterwards, one every twenty- minutes, every half-hour or every hour, according to the urgency of the symptoms, until they subside.
