211 MCDIOAL COMMON AILMENTS AND TfSKIR TREATMENT Coiitinved from pa^t SS, Part i JN this section of " Woman's Medical Book " all the ordinary diseases and ailments will be -* dealt with in alphabetical order. When all the parts of Every Woman's Encyclop>edia have been published^ this section will form an authoritative reference work. It should be distinctly understood that the information given in this sub-section is to be mainly applicable to cases of emergency. A doctor should be called in in all cases of illness or accident. Bedsores are due to pressure over the promi- nent parts, associated with lowered vitality in the sick and aged. First, a local patch of red- ness appears, followed by an abrasion of the skin, which becomes eczematous, and a slough forms. The treatment will be described in the series of Home Nursing articles. " Bilious " Attacks are caused by a sudden disturbance of the digestion, which is very often associated with errors in diet. Certain people have a peculiar tendency to these attacks, although they may be perfectly healthy in other respects. The symptoms are sudden pain and discom- fort over the stomach. Sickness and vomiting are usually present, whilst headaches, depression of spirits, and constipation are frequent symp- toms. There is generally a history of previous attacks of the same description, which may or may not be prevented by careful diet. An attack lasts two or three days, and the patient feels very ill and prostrated, whilst the know- ledge that they must regularly appear at intervals is very disheartening. Many people very un- wisely reconcile themselves to what they imagine to be inevitable. They declare that they are of a bilious temperament, and are satisfied" if they cut short an attack with seidlitz powders. The great majority of people who suffer from bilious attacks are unnecessary martyrs. By finding out the cause and dealing with that they might prevent the attacks coming on, and thus do away with needless suffering and discomfort to themselves. What are the causes of biliousness ? First, errors in diet or taking more than the system can digest. Excess of food, or the eating of indigestible food, means that an excess of toxins, or poisons, are produced in the stomach and intestines, and the stomach naturally rebels. The sickness and vomiting are evidences of this rebellion. When vomiting has continued for some time the stomach is empty, and some of the contents of the small intestine may be vomited up, including bile, and that is the reason why people call this acute dyspepsia " bilious- ness." The second cause of " bilious attack " is septic teeth. A certain number of people who suffer from these attacks, by examining their mouths would discover several decayed teeth dis- charging septic matter. Now, this is swallowed into the stomach, and when the toxins accumu- late the digestive system reacts against them, and a bilious attack supervenes. The third cause of biliousness is the custom of eating when fatigued. When a person is ^atigued, the stomach and all the other organs, lack tone. These people take a little alcohol when they have no appetite, which stimulates the stomach for the time being, and produces a false appetite. A large meal is taken, and acute dyspepsia, or biliousness, is the result. The last cause of biliousness is some error in refraction. Astigmatism will cause regular bilious attacks by fatiguing the eyes and brain, and causing reflex vomiting. In such cases the only cure is to have the error of refraction corrected by suitable glasses. During an attack, sips of hot water and hot poultices over the stomach will relieve the sickness. A dose of calomel, followed by a seid- litz powder, will get rid of the toxins causing the condition. Milk diet for a day or two is necessary. To cure the condition permanently, the cause must be discovered. When it is due to bad teeth, all septic stumps must be removed, necessary stopping done, and in bad cases false teeth must be procured to provide the patient with a clean mouth, and to enable him to chew the food. When dietetic errors have been practised, careful perusal of the article on " Sensible Dietetics " will provide guidance for a wiser mode of life. Those who are subject to bilious attacks, in spite of every care in the matter of diet and habits, should have the eyes examined for any error of refraction which may exist. The headache associated with biliousness is sometimes called migraine, but true migraine, or sick headache, may be due to other causes. (See " Migraine.") Blackheads are little plugs of sebaceous matter in the skin, associated with inflamed papules, the affection being called acne vulgaiis. It appears on the face, shoulders, and back, and is very chronic and difficult to get rid of. The skin is generally greasy, and loses its fine texture unless the condition is treated. The disease occurs in youth, and is sometimes associated with indigestion. Unhygienic conditions of life, such as errors of diet, ill-ventilated rooms, and lack of exercise predispose to the condition, and aggravate it when present. The best treatment for blackheads and the pimples associated with acne is, first, thorough cleanliness, to counteract the greasy condition ; and, secondly, the application of sulphur oint- ment. The face should be thoroughly washed with hot water and dried briskly to stimulate the sluggish circulation. Steaming the face over boiling water helps to soften the skin, and then the blackheads can easily be removed by pressing with a watchkey or a comedo extractor, which can be purchased for a few pence from a chemist. Sulphur oint- ment in the strength of lo to 20 grains to the ounce should be applied after this treatment at bedtime, left on all night, and removed with
