Of late years much success has been claimed, especially in the severe choleric forms of Infantile Diarrhoea, for treatment by injections of isotonic sea water, after he method of Ml Rene Quinton. The use of this accessory means, however, demands an expert, for success depends largely on a knowledge of the proper dosage and repetition of dose suitable for each case.
163.-Colic-spasms of the Bowel.
DEFINITION-violent contractions (Spasms) of the muscular fibres of the large intestine.
SYMPTOMS-Severe twisting griping pain in the abdomen chiefly around the navel, relieve by pressure, so that the patient double himself, up, lies on his belly, or roll on the floor, writing in agony. The bowels are or roll of the floor, writing in agony. the bowels are generally constipated, but there is frequent desire to relieve them, although little passes but flatus; there is no fever, nor is the pulse even quickened, unless after a time it becomes to from anxiety. the paroxysms of pain are owing to the efforts of the bowel above to force downwards the mass of accumulated gas or faeces, while the lower portion is contracted.
DIAGNOSIS-Colic is sometimes mistaken for Enteritis and for Hernia; but is it may be distinguished as follows-In Colic, there is no fever, no acceleration of the pulse, no serious apprehensive anxiety the pain is relieved by pressure, and there are intervals of almost complete relief. Colic may be distinguished from hernia by the humour which exists in the latter diseases, but which is absent in the former.
CAUSES-Errors of diet, such as eating a mass of heterogeneous, acrid, indigestible good, or acid fruits; Cold, from wet feet; worms; Constipation, etc. It may also arise from Stricture of the intestines.
TREATMENT.-Colocynth-Cutting, griping, or intermittent pains, extremely severe, with flatulence or diarrhoea; followed by tenesmus.
Chamomilla-In women and children; pinching and twisting pain; soreness of the bowels; nausea.
Nux Vomica.-Spasmodic flatulent Colic, with pain as if the bowels and bladder were pressed upon with a cutting instrument; irregularity in the action of the bowels. Also to correct the tendency to recurrence.
Iris Versicolor-Severe flatulent Colic-colic often yields to this remedy after Nux V., Coloc., Chamomilla, etc., have failed.
Belladonna-paroxysmal Colic, griping, and sensation as if a ball of lump were forming; there may be distention of some part of abdomen;redness of face, with straining, especially in children.
Plumbum-Violent constrictive shooting or pinching pains in the region of the navel; constant desire to eructate and expel flatus; torpor, numbness, stiffness, and weakness in the limbs; hard abdomen; pressure and cramps in the stomach; relief by bending the body and drawing up the knees; flatulence and obstinate Constipation with stools formed like sheep’s dung;f ace and skin pale, bluish or yellow; cold extremities; melancholy, etc.
Veratrum-Severe cramping pains, with coldness of the whole body; flatulent colic especially in the night; Colic affecting the whole abdomen, with swelling and loud rumbling.
Bryonia-In less severe Colic when, in addition to fullness and distention of the bowels, there are the sharp stitching pins in the sides or in the bowels, with irascibility.
Other remedies sometimes require dare-Core. (menstrual Colic); Mercurius, Ipecac., or Podoph. (bilious Colic); Diosc. (sudden attacks with vomiting of food); Pulsatilla, Collinsonia some time ago we prescribed the last-named remedy with striking and permanent result sin an extremely severe and obstinate case, which had resisted nearly all the usual remedies. For lead-Colic see the next Section.
ACCESSORY MEANS-Hot flannels over the abdomen; or a copious enema of warm-water, is often followed by immediate relief. Food of a flatulent character, especially vegetable, s and very kind that has been found to disagree with a patient, should be avoided.
Persons subject to colic may be benefited by wearing a piece of flannel around the abdomen, and having the feet well protected from damp.
164.-Lead-Colic.
CAUSES-All the preparations of lead do not equally favour the development of Colic, the oxide of lead and white-lead being especially apt to induce it. the most dangerous modes by which lead is introduced into the system are its absorption by the respiratory apparatus, as by the continued inhalation of he must or vapour of lead by workmen, and by taking food with hands soiled with that form of the poison they are in he habit of using; this explains why workers in leadmines, and in white-lead factories, painters pattes type-maiers, and others, are particularly liable to lead colic. Less frequent causes are- indulgence in snuff wrapped in tin-foil, wine sweetened by sugar- of-lead, the preparation of food in leaden vessels, or in vessels badly glazed, and water contaminated by passing through leaden pipes.
Lead-colic has also been observed in cows feeding on the fields of the neighborhood of the Scottish leadmines, and in animals drinking water from rivers which originated in lead-mines.
TREATMENT. Opi., Alumina, Belladonna, plat., Podoph., or Ac.-Sulph. for detailed treatment, see the chapter on Poisons.
PREVENTION-As a prophylactic measure, and condition sine qua non of complete recovery, change of occupation is necessary It is important to observe that some persons are much more readily affected than others, and if one member of a family suffers from Anaemia, nervousness, and debility of the upper extremities, which while the other are in apparent health, the blue line on the gums should de looked for, and the condition of the water supply, and other possible means of lead-poisoning, carefully inquired into.
165-Constipation-Confined Bowels.
DEFINITION-A collection or impaction of excrement in the rectum- the residuum of the various processes concerned in the nourishment of the body (It has been estimated that the food taken per diem is about thirty five ounces, thirty of which are assimilated, and five left as true excreta) occasioning irregularity in the evacuations from the bowel, increase in their consistency, and often a sensation of foulness and tension in the bowels and surrounding parts.
CONSTIPATION AND PURGATIVES-While we admit that Constipation is not desirable, and may almost invariably be avoided by such measure has are pointed out further on, yet a tendency thereto is not so prejudicial as many persons suppose;indeed, persons thus predisposed are generally long-lifted, unless they inure themselves by putative medicines;l while those who are subject to frequent attacks of Diarrhoea are soon debilitated. A daily action of the bowels is not doubt desirable in most cases but by no means invariably so. an evacuation may taken place day, in persons who are equally health,. no invariable rule applying to all persons. The most erroneous and dignitaries idea on this subject is that extremely popular one, -that apparent drugs contribute to health, not only during sickness, but also occasionally in health, in asmuch as impurities are thereby expelled from he body. the fallacy of this may be easily demonstrated Let purgative be taken for a week, and however good may have been the health previously, at the termination of this period very much impurity will be discharged, especially after taking jalap and calomel.
Purgation during sickness is also generally injurious; while temporary relief is afforded by powerful purgatives the delicate mucous membrane of the intestinal induced, and the very condition sought to be removed is aggravated tenfold.
Purgation produce by drugs is an unnatural condition, a nd although temporary relief often follows the use of aperients, they tend to disorganize the parts on which their force is chiefly expanded the intestinal canal is not a smooth, hard tube, through which can be forced whatever it contains without injury; is is part of that a living organism, and needs to external. force to proper its contents on their way; nor can such force be applied with impunity. Not only does the frequent use of purgative sore-stimulate the liver and pancreas, but also and especially the numerous secretory gland which cover the extensive surface of the intestinal a canal forcing them to pour out their contents in such excessive quantities as permanently to weaken and impair the functions, m and so produce a state of generally debility. The normal action of the stomach and intestinal canal even fainting are produced. the brain and vital energies are disturbed, occasioning lowness of spirits with melancholy, alternating with with mental excitement and peculiar irritability of temper.
An important end will be gained when person can be led to regard constipation as a mere result of the causes-a want of balance in. the general system and with general and remedial measure shall be directed tot he correcting of this condition as the only adequate means of curing Constipation.
The Lancet on Purgatives-In a leading article a few years since), the Lancet, after strongly denouncing the too prevalent custom of indiscriminate purgation. cites the following conditions as illustrations of what purgatives cannot accomplish. It will be noticed that these are thee very conditions in which orthodox (?) medicine has with the greatest uniformity and pertinacity prescribed them. The editor of the Lancet now a firms that (I) Purgatives cannot eliminate morbid poisons. They have no power, except for evil, in. the eruptive remove a lot on or in the brain. Apoplexy is now known purgatives might damage, and could not possibly benefit. (3) Purgatives cannot overcome a mechanical obstruction of the bowels. After this emphatic statement, printed in italics, awe are surprised the writer shoulder have added -In cases of such obstruction they (purgatives) should be given most cautiously, and in such forms and should be given most cautiously, and in such forms and doses as to irritate as little as possible.’; If they cannot overcome the obstruction, why should they administered at all? Why should any irritation be super added tot he evil which threatens to over when the patient? (4) They re unnecessary in. he cases of lying-in women. the tendency of purgatives is to weaken the patient, lessen the amount of milk, and retard the restoration of the pars by disturbance. Even when laxatives are necessary in the lying-in chamber, ads the editor of the Lancer,. Castor-oil should be given in teaspoonfuls rather than in half ounces. This is right good teaching, a d we hail it as a most encouraging evidence of the permeating influence of the doctrine ad practice of Homoeopathy.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."