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1902

Page 3

Presented as published in 1902. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Change the flannels frequently. Infants are often subject to umbilical hernia, or rupture of the navel. It is cured by applying a proper bandage or truss, which, with increasing strength, effects a cure. Particular attention i should be paid to the cure of female ABD EO ABO infants that are raptured ; that they may he free from the complaint when they become adult and pregnant ; for then it often recurs from the too great distension of the abdomen, ire. During pregnancy, it is often troublesome, but after parturition, if the contents have not contracted any adhesion, they will often return into the abdomen, and may be kept there by a proper bandage. Females subject to umbilical rupture, should keep their bowels unconstipated, especially if the navel rupture be irre- ducible : and they should avoid indi- gestible food. When the tumour is returned, it should be kept in its place by a bandage or truss. By the permanent pressure of a truss upon the opening, the parts are prevented from descending, and a permanent cure is often effected. A truss may be obtained of a Surgical In- strument Maker. Dr. Beach, of America, states ; — " Most of the cases of strangulated hernia for which an operation is per- formed, might be cured by proper treat- ment In very many cases, where an operation has been proposed, the patient lias recovered by very simple means. I have been called to some, where, at first view, it has seemed impossible to return the protruded viscera without cutting down and dividing the stricture ; and yet, by prompt and energetic means, I nave succeeded in reducing it" The following directions sire founded upon the American practice : — Commence the treatment by giving a dose of castor oil ; avoid strong and irritating purgatives, — Use injections of an oily nature; as Lobelia injlata , a sufficient quantity. Infuse in half a pint of hot water, to which add as much milk and treacle, and a gill of olive or sweet oil. Repeat every hour. This is one of the most powerful relaxants that can be used in this disease. The following External Applications are recommended by Dr. Beach : — Steam and foment with bitter herbs (herbs afore mentioned). Put the decoc- tion in a tub or pail, and sit over it by means of a narrow board put across it. Place a blanket over the patient. This will cause perspiration, and reduce the Inflammation. In extreme cases, a warm bath should be taken for some tirue. An alkaline poultice may bz' applied over the rupture. Mix the slip, pery elm bark with weak ley, until a poultice of a proper- consistence is form- ed. to be. applied tepid, and often re- newed. The best effects have been produced by this application. Dr. Reese, of New York, uses the sulphuric ether for the reduction or re- turn of hernia. He wets the tumour with the liquid, and then, in order to> produce speedy evaporation, blows upon it with a pair of bellows. Fie states that- he has reduced a number of strangulated hem ire by this method alone, when they bad been doomed to undergo an operation.