Domestic medicine : $b or, a treatise on the prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines. With an appendix, containing a dispensatory for the use of private practitionersBuchan, William
Science
Domestic medicine : $b or, a treatise on the prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines. With an appendix, containing a dispensatory for the use of private practitioners
Buchan, William
Medicine, Popular -- Early works to 1800
Those who have strength and courage to undertake a pretty long voyage,
may expect great advantage from it. This, to my knowledge, has
frequently cured a consumption after the patient was, to all appearance,
far advanced in that disease, and where medicine had proved ineffectual.
Hence it is reasonable to conclude, that if a voyage were undertaken in
due time, it would seldom fail to perform a cure[72].
Such as try this method of cure ought to carry as much fresh provisions
along with them as will serve for the whole time they are at sea. As
milk is not easily obtained in this situation, they ought to live upon
fruits, and the broth of chickens, or other young animals which can be
kept alive on board. It is scarce necessary to add, that such voyages
should be undertaken, if possible, in the mildest season, and that they
ought to be towards a warmer climate[73].
Those who have not courage for a long voyage may travel into a more
southern climate, as the south of France, Spain, or Portugal; and if
they find the air of these countries agree with them, they should
continue there, at least till their health be confirmed.
Next to proper air and exercise, we would recommend a due attention to
diet. The patient should eat nothing that is either heating or hard of
digestion, and his drink must be of a soft and cooling nature. All the
diet ought to be calculated to lessen the acrimony of the humours, and
to nourish and support the patient. For this purpose he must keep
chiefly to the use of vegetables and milk. Milk alone is of more value
in this disease than the whole _materia medica_.
Asses milk is commonly reckoned preferable to any other; but it cannot
always be obtained; besides, it is generally taken in a very small
quantity; whereas, to produce any effects, it ought to make a
considerable part of the patient’s diet. It is hardly to be expected,
that a gill or two of asses milk, drank in the space of twenty-four
hours, should be able to produce any considerable change in the humours
of an adult; and when people do not perceive its effects soon, they lose
hope, and so leave it off. Hence it happens that this medicine, however
valuable, very seldom performs a cure. The reason is obvious; it is
commonly used too late, is taken in too small quantities, and is not
duly persisted in.
I have known very extraordinary effects from asses milk in obstinate
coughs, which threatened a consumption of the lungs; and do verily
believe, if used at this period, that it would seldom fail; But if it be
delayed till an ulcer is formed, which is generally the case, how can it
be expected to succeed?
Asses milk ought to be drank, if possible, in its natural warmth, and,
by a grown person, in the quantity of half an English pint at a time.
Instead of taking this quantity night and morning only, the patient
ought to take it four times, or at least thrice a-day, and to eat a
little light bread along with it, so as to make it a kind of meal.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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