5690. Heartburn

5690.    Heartburn. Anxiety and pain about the region of the stomach, generally attended by a sense of gnawing and heat; hence called heartburn. Faintness, nausea, and eructation of a thin, acidulous, watery liquid, especially in the morning, are common symptoms of this complaint. The usual causes of heartburn are excess in eating or drinking, the use of improper food, and sedentary habits. A good remedy is a tea-spoonful of carbonate of magnesia, or carbonate of soda, in a glass of peppermint or cinnamon water, to which a little powdered ginger may be added with advantage. This dose may be taken 2 or 3 times daily until the disease is removed. Articles of food that easily undergo fermentation should at the same time be avoided, and a dry diet had recourse to as much as possible. Soda-water, toast and water, and weak spirits and water, are the most suitable beverages in this complaint.

5691. To Cure Water-Brash

5691.    To Cure Water-Brash. When there is a tendency to confined bowels, some aperient must bo administered occasionally until proper dieting, etc., renders it unnecessary. Fluid magnesia, or the lenitive electuary {see No. 5154 (Lenitive Electuary)), will probably be all that is necessary. The diet must bo carefully attended to in all cases; and as the disorder often arises from the use of innutritious or unwholesome food, the adoption of a more varied and generous diet, including a sufficient proportion of meat, is essential to the permanent success of any remedy.

5692. Treatment of Colic

5692.    Treatment of Colic. Let it be remembered that colic may occur as the prelude to an inflammatory attack; and that if neglected or unskillfully treated, such tendency is very considerably increased. In the treatment of colic, very great advantage results from the external application of warmth; hot fomentations, bags of hot salt or bran, or flannel wrung out of turpentine, or mustard poultices, should be diligently employed. While these means are being used, a dose of laxative medicine should be administered for, as in the great majority of cases of colic the pain depends on some obstruction in the bowels - very likely on the presence in them of some deleterious and indigestible food, etc.. - it is of essential importance that free passage should be obtained as speedily as possible. A full dose (l1/2 ounces) castor oil, is a safe and good medicine for the purpose; to be repeated in 2 or 3 hours if there has been no action of the bowels. If the medical man has arrived meanwhile, he will very likely order some stronger medicine, as, if the oil has not acted, steps must be taken to clear the bowels as soon as possible. If the pain is very severe, a tea-spoonful of powdered ginger, or a little cayenne pepper may bo added to the oil or taken after it. When free action of tho bowels is obtained, tho pain soon ceases. After such attacks great caution is requisite in the matter of diet for some time; only tho plainest and most digestible food being taken.