Much depends on zvherc the pain is, and
of what sort. Annodvnp:s are medicines
whose action is to quell pain, l)y tlieir influ-
ence upon the brain or nerves. But we (io
not nearly always have to resort to these on
account of pain, especially when it first
begins to be felt.
4«3
20
THE FAMILY DOCTOR
To Relieve Pain.
Of all parts of the body, probably the ab-
domen is the most frequent seat of pain.
''Stomach-ache" and "colic" are very
common. The most general cause of such
attacks is indigestion, With, flaticlencc (wind
in the stomach and bowels). To make the
viuscnlar coat of the stomach and intestines
contract actively and evenly, all along their
length, will, at least if done early, be pretty
sure to give relief. For this purpose we
give warm and gentle stininlants to the
stomach, as essence of peppermint, essence
of ginger, or some other aromatic (spicy)
medicine.
But a frequent cause of irritative pain in
the stomach or bowels is the presence of
acid from indigestion. Against this we
have what are called antacids, because they
neutralize acids by combining with them.
Such are livie-watci^, soda, and magnesia.
Often there is great advantage, in cases of
colicky pain, in adding one of these to an
aromatic.
Further, the bowels are often constipated
under the same circumstances, and this
makes matters worse. It is of much import-
ance then to move the bowels, by purgatives,
or, as the milder ones are called, laxatives.
Magnesia is one of these, being also, as
above said, an antacid, thus having a double
advantage. Rlmbarb is another ; it is com-
bined with aromatics in Spiced Syrup of Rlm-
barb✪ Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb, an excellent preparation, especially
for children, and as a t^iixhig liquid or
' * vehicle ' ' for other stronger and more un-
pleasant medicines. Another, often good in
colic, though nasty, is castor-oil.
Remedy for Pain in Abdomen.
A safe and often very useful remedy for
pain in the abdomen, or, indeed, anywhere
else, is the outward application of a mustard-
plaster. When doubtful what else to do,
try that. Properly used, it can do no harm,
and will most probably do good, often a
great deal of good. A hot piece of flannel
laid over the belly will sometimes be almost
as useful as a mustard-plaster.
Colicky pain may be lessened by firm
pressure on both hip bones, near their front
edge. This can be done with one's own
thumbs and fingers, or by those of another.
484
The pressure should be pretty hard, though
steady and not enough to hurt of itself.
Gentle pressure, and still better kneading
the bowels, at the seat of pain from flatul-
ence, will often help to scatter the wind and
promote its moving and passing downwards,
which is very important to colic.
Also, rubbing over the stomach and
back with a hair-brush or clothes-brush, as
briskly as can be comfortably borne, wall
sometimes do a wonderful amount of good
for colicky pains.
Page 143 · 1 recipe record on this page
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Much depends on where the pain is, and of what sort. Anodynes are medicines whose action is to quell pain, by their influence upon the brain or nerves. But we (io not nearly always have to resort to these on account of pain, especially when it first begins to be felt.
4«3
To Relieve Pain.
Of all parts of the body, probably the abdomen is the most frequent seat of pain. ''Stomach-ache" and "colic" are very common. The most general cause of such attacks is indigestion, with flatulence (wind in the stomach and bowels). To make the viuscnlar coat of the stomach and intestines contract actively and evenly, all along their length, will, at least if done early, be pretty sure to give relief. For this purpose we give warm and gentle stininlants to the stomach, as essence of peppermint, essence of ginger, or some other aromatic (spicy) medicine.
But a frequent cause of irritative pain in the stomach or bowels is the presence of acid from indigestion. Against this we have what are called antacids, because they neutralize acids by combining with them. Such are lime-water, soda, and magnesia. Often there is great advantage, in cases of colicky pain, in adding one of these to an aromatic.
Further, the bowels are often constipated under the same circumstances, and this makes matters worse. It is of much importance then to move the bowels, by purgatives, or, as the milder ones are called, laxatives. Magnesia is one of these, being also, as above said, an antacid, thus having a double advantage. Rhubarb is another ; it is combined with aromatics in Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb, an excellent preparation, especially for children, and as a mixing liquid or ' * vehicle ' ' for other stronger and more unpleasant medicines. Another, often good in colic, though nasty, is castor-oil.
Remedy for Pain in Abdomen.
A safe and often very useful remedy for pain in the abdomen, or, indeed, anywhere else, is the outward application of a mustardplaster. When doubtful what else to do, try that. Properly used, it can do no harm, and will most probably do good, often a great deal of good. A hot piece of flannel laid over the belly will sometimes be almost as useful as a mustard-plaster.
Colicky pain may be lessened by firm
pressure on both hip bones, near their front
edge. This can be done with one's own
thumbs and fingers, or by those of another.
The pressure should be pretty hard, though steady and not enough to hurt of itself.
Gentle pressure, and still better kneading the bowels, at the seat of pain from flatulence, will often help to scatter the wind and promote its moving and passing downwards, which is very important to colic.
Also, rubbing over the stomach and back with a hair-brush or clothes-brush, as briskly as can be comfortably borne, wall sometimes do a wonderful amount of good for colicky pains.
Records on this page
Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb