the medical guide.
Treatment.——If acid be present, half a teaspoonful of carbonate of soda in warm water; if acrid bile, drink plentifully of hot water to encourage its being thrown off by vomiting.
Observations.——If costive bowels, an injection of castor oil and turpentine, a tablespoonful of the former and a teaspoonful of the latter, with thin gruel. Should the pain continue violent, a mustard poultice may be applied over the belly, also 40 to 50 drops of laudanum given. Persons subject to the attacks of colic ought to be careful what they eat and drink, avoiding acid, unripe fruits, or insufficiently cooked vegetables, also fermented drinks; and take precautions to avoid a costive state of the bowels.
CONTUSIONS (Bruises).
Causes.——External violence.
Symptoms.——Pain, discolouration, and tumefaction about the seat of injury.
Treatment.——Foment the part with hot water, or bathe it with vinegar, or apply a poultice, or cloths wrung out of hot water.
Observations.——If much inflammatory action ensue, so as to affect the pulse, bleeding and purging are proper. If suppuration takes place, evacuate the matter by puncturing with a lancet.
CONVULSIONS in CHILDREN.
Causes.——Teething, worms, repelled eruptions, flatulency, disordered bowels, injuries of the head, such as a blow, &c.
Symptoms.——Screaming, starting, twisting of the muscles of the face, rapid movement of the eyelids and often the whole body.
Treatment.——If from teething, scarify the gums; if worms, give calomel and scamony in doses proportioned to the age; if costive bowels, give an injection of salt and warm water, or castor oil and thin gruel.
