Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why: What Medical Writers SayAllen, Martha Meir
Science
Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why: What Medical Writers Say
Allen, Martha Meir
Alcohol -- Physiological effect; Temperance
"If any of our readers have occasion to cross the ocean in the
stormy season, we recommend three things; keep horizontal, with
the head low; put an ice-bag to the back of the neck, keep the
stomach clean, free from greasy foods and meats, and eat nothing
till there is an appetite for food. A habitually clean dietary
before going on board is doubtless a good preparation for such a
voyage, as well as for any other nerve strain, or test of
endurance. It pays to be good--to your stomach, as well as in
other ways."
The following is guaranteed by a Russian physician to be an effective
cure and a means of avoiding sea-sickness when the symptoms first make
their appearance. Take long and deep inspirations. About twenty breaths
should be taken every minute, and they should be as deep as possible.
After thirty or forty inspirations the symptoms will be found to abate.
This is recommended for dyspepsia also.
SORE NIPPLES:--"Alum water, or tannin, used for several months
in advance will harden as effectually as brandy. If there is
soreness on commencing to nurse, put a pinch of alum into milk,
and apply the curd to the nipple."
SPASMS:--"These are caused by flatulence, as a result of
indigestion. A little hot ginger tea, or capsicum tea, may do
all that is required. If these are not at hand, loosen every
tight band, rub well the region of the heart and stomach, slap
the face with the corner of a wet towel, and give sips of cold
water."
SHOCK:--"In shock, or collapse, the state is similar in some
respects to that which is present in fainting. Every function is
almost at a standstill; absorption from the stomach and
elsewhere is at its lowest point, because the circulation of the
blood is so much interfered with. Hence much of the brandy which
is so often given, and to such a wonderful amount, with very
little apparent effect of intoxication, is really not absorbed
at all, and is very often rejected from the stomach by vomiting,
when reaction does occur, if not before.
"The patient should be wrapped up warmly, and put to bed as soon
as possible. The limbs may be rubbed with hot flannels, and hot
water bottles put to hands and feet. In some cases, also, towels
wrung out of hot water may be wrapped around the head. Hot milk
and water, hot water slightly sweetened, or with a little
peppermint water in it, should be given as soon as the patient
can swallow. Hot beverages will warm the skin more rapidly and
powerfully than any alcoholic liquor.
"If the patient cannot swallow, an enema of hot water, or hot,
thin gruel, should be administered, and may be of use in
addition to hot drinks. Beef extract may be added to the hot
water with advantage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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