The medical compass : containing a new and improved companion and key to the medicine chest.

  • Forsyth, J. S.
Date:
[1834]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The medical compass : containing a new and improved companion and key to the medicine chest. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    tion, given in small quantities at a time ; and the whole amount of what is taken should be small. The abdomen may be swathed with flannel so applied as not to press painfully, in order to keep up an uniform temperature. At the commencement of the disease neither opiates nor astringent medicine should be employed ; but in the second stage, when the patient is exhausted by the severity of the symptoms, and their frequent return, they will be of service, with the intermediate use of a few grains of rhubarb for the purpose of evacuating the contents of the bowels. The following may be given at bed-time :— Antimonial Powder and Opium .... 2 grains each. The next day. Take Extract of Logwood 1 drachm. Chalk Mixture 4 ounces. Tincture of Catechu 2 drachms. Spirit of Nutmeg 1 ounce. The dose of this mixture is two table-spoonsful every four hours. During the use of the above or other similar form of astringents, the patient may be allowed port wine and water, or weak brandy and water, for his ordinary drink. Tonics and bitters, such as decoctions of bark and gentian, with light nutritious diet, and moderate exercise, will restore the tone of the intestines. As dysentery is generally considered infectious, though there has been considerable discrepancy of testimony on this point, every precaution ought to be taken to prevent the disease from spreading, by means of free ventilation and cleanliness ; removing the pa- tient’s stools immediately, sprinkling the room and bed clothes with warm vinegar, after changing the body linen, and allowing the fresh air to enter at stated times. On ship-board, if the patient use the head instead of a convenience in the sick bay, two or three cleansings in the course of the day should be practised, and a bucket of water ready to be dashed down it after every dysenteric stool. If the patient be unable to go to the head, any other convenience ought to be immediately