FoodNet

The housekeeper's companion

1883

Page 250 · 2 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Treatment. — No other disease is more obstinate or more difficult to treat than hysteria. The general health should be looked to in the first instance. The following medicine, taken regularly, may have considerable influence over the symptoms: Compound tincture of valerian, one-half ounce; foetid spirits of ammonia, 2 drachms; spirits of nitrous ether (sweet spirits of nitre), one-half ounce; water, to make 8 ouncesHysteria Treatment. Mix, Two tablespoonfuls to be taken three times a day. An attack of hysterical fit cannot be better treated than by a liberal application of cold water to the face and chest. The water should be applied in large quantities, and should be dashed from a height on the patient. The various antispasmodic medi- cines, such as ammonia, valerian, assafoetida, camphor, are all useful for hysteria. They exert still more power if combined with tonics, such as steel, quinine, zinc, etc. (See List of Medicines.) Incontinence of Urine occurs most commonly in young children, partly from the effects of habit, partly from the il46 MEDICitfAL effects of musculur weakness or spasm of the bladder. WheA it is met with in elder persons it is doubtless a symptom of some disease of, or injury to, the bladder. Treatment. — When it can be traced to spasm, sedatives are useful; when, however, as is more frequently the case, it is the result of weakness of the muscular fibres of the bladder, the following should be tried: Tincture of perchloride of iron, lo minims; water, i ounce. Mix. To be given twice a day. This dose is for a child of five years and upwards; for a younger child half the quantities will suffice. Indigestion (Dyspepsia). — Symptoms. — Various kinds of pains in the region of the stomach, which occur soon after meals. These pains are also sometimes felt between the shoul- ders and in the back, flatulency causing some distention of the bowels; pain that is called " heartburn," nausea, and some- times vomiting, headache, disturbed sleep, palpitation of the heart, and other sympathetic inconveniences also occur. Among the chief causes of this disorder of the stomach is the abuse of stimulating liquors, or of narcotics, such as tobacco and opium, the use of too highly seasoned or rich food, seden- tary habits, and want of proper exercise. Mere weakness of the system, in which the stomach will partake, is often a cause of indigestion. Treatment. — The main object in the treatment of indi- gestion is to find out what is the cause of the disorder. This being done, care should be taken to avoid those causes, as above named. Urgent symptoms, such as acrid eructations, heartburn, flatulency, and pain, may be relieved by bicarbonate of soda or potash, or by carbonate of magnesia, e. g.: Bicar- bonate of soda, 1 20 grains; tincture of rhubarb, 3 drachms; peppermint water, 3 ounces; infusion of gentian, to make 6 ouncesIndigestion Treatment. Mix. One tablespoonful after every meal; or two tablespoonfuls morning and evening will probably prove cura- tive. If not, the mineral acids should be tried, taken with bitters, such as gentian or calumbia. (See List of Medicines.) The diet should consist of light and easily-digested substances. Care should be taken to avoid those articles which experience has shown the sufferers to be excitants of indigestion. Infantile Remittent Fever. — (Low fever of children, worm fever). A non-infectious fever, generally due to some irrita- tion in the stomach or intestines.