Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/28

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lO INF INF peppy-heads, maybe injefted every second or third hour. It will al?o be beneficial to apply contiiuially fomentations of the same deco6tion to the lower belly, and to immerse the patient .n the tepid bath. Should the disease, however, terminate by suppuration, and the matter be discharged with the urine, it wi.l be retjuisite to use the ut- most precaution. The patient's diet ought, duriu:; the whole pro- gress or the disorder, to consist of the mildest, though nutritive, ali- ment. He should also avoid every fipecies cf food and drinlv that is stimulant, saline or acrid ; and subsist chiefly on milk, puddings, weak brolhs, fruits, butter-milk, iNFLiMMATIOX OF THE BoW- ELs, or Enteritis, an acjte, hsed, buriiing pain in the lower hejly, which IS attended with a considera- ble degree of tension in the epi- gastric region (seeAuDOMEN). The jirincipal symptoms that tharacfe- rize this fatal maindy, are obstinate coiiiveness; ahard and small pulse ; a painful, and a.most continual hic- cough, together with fever, and a constant. inclination to vomit. InHaramations of the bowels may arise in consequence of swallowing any acrid substance ; from violent passion ; drinking large draugb.ts of cold water while the body is over- heated ; from obstructed perspira- tion ; the suppression of any cu- taneous eruptions ; repulsion of the gout j external injuries ; such as ■wounds, contusions, &c. — Persons of a plethoric habit suffer more acutely from this disorder than tlicse ot a contrary temperament. Cure : If the beily be s elled, firm, and painful to the touch, while the pul.-,e is hard and con- traciedj iL will be advisable to take some blood from th^ arm, and to immerse the patient in the tepid bath : but, if this cannot be coa- veniently etfefted, flannels may be dipped in hot water, wnuig our, and applied lukewarm to the belly; A blister should next be employed as speedily as possible, and mild emollient inje6lioi>-- of barley water, gruel, &c. administered, till stools be obtained : the patient should be placed between blankets, and sup- plied moderately with diluent li- quids, such as b.irley water, rice- gruel, &c. — When the violence of the disorder is somewhat abated, opiates may be administered in clysters, which will be of great ad- vantage in mitigating the pain. As soon as the stomach is able to retain any laxative, the mildest aperients, such as tamarinds Avitli manna, or phosphorated soda, may be taken by the mouth ; but, if the disorder tend to a mortihcation, the treatment before stated should be steadily pursued ; and, if gangrene eventually take place, or the dis- ease terminate in suppuration, its course must be left to Nature, the patient being kept as quietly as possible. During the continuance of this most alarming disorder, the diet ought to be very light ; the drink- ing of all stimulating, fermented, or spirituous liquors caretully avoid- ed ; and the mind preserved in a state of ti'anquillity. Inflammation of the Female Breast, is generally occasioned by exposure to cold, repression of the milk, or external violence. It is known by the redness, heat, and pain, either of part or the whole of the breast ; and, if the disease be considerable, it is usually pre- ceded by a shivering, and accom- panied by fever. Where