On the effects of the thermal waters of Ems / by N. Geisse.

  • Geisse, N.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the effects of the thermal waters of Ems / by N. Geisse. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    headache, inclination for sleep, a dry skin, want of physical power, and mental energy, and a dry cough are often experi¬ enced. This affection advances frequently to the duodenum and biliary ducts, forming icterus gastro-duodenalis. Lastly, hypochondrical, hysterical and cardialgic symptoms are noticed. Treatment: Kraenchen and Kesselbrunnen internally, luke¬ warm baths, a well chosen and punctually observed diet, slow eating, perfect mastication and moderate quantities of fluid, to enable the saliva and gastric juice to alter the starch into sugar. “ In omnibus catarrhis optimum remedium diaeta sicca.” When the bowels are bound, I add goat’s-whey to the waters, and order the application of enemas. I find it often necessary after the removal of the catarrhal affection by Ems’ waters, when weakness of the stomach remains, to order the iron waters of Schwalbach, 20 miles from Ems. Mucoenteritu Chronica.—This disorder is very seldom accom¬ panied by diarrhoea, because the secretion of the mucous membrane is rarely increased; constipation is frequent owing to the swelling of the mucous membrane and infiltration in the submucous cellular texture. The resorbtion is hindered, the nourishment diminished, the strength becomes less, and emacia¬ tion ensues. The look is pale or gray, the skin withered ; the abdomen is sometimes large, sometimes contracted, and one feels hard spots from accumulation of alimentary and faecal matters in the caecum. The stagnant mucus easily produces fermenta¬ tion and decomposition of the retained contents; a large quantity of vapour becomes free, expands the bowels, thrusts up the diaphragm, hinders respiration, compresses the bloodvessels, especially when there is constipation, and produces stagnation of the blood and hemorrhoidal symptoms. The pulse, appetite and thirst are not always affected, the tongue is white or yellow, the stomach and biliary ducts suffer often synchronously.