'2(34

OF NERVAL'S Dis EaSES

V

When the heart-burn pioceeds from debility of the storaacn. or in-digestion, the patient ought to take a dost or two of rhubarb; afterwardslie may use infusions of the Peruvian ba.k, or any of the stomachic bitters, in wine or brandy. Exercise in the open air will likewise be of useand every thing that promotes digestion.

When bilious humours occasion the heart-bum, a tea-spoonful of thespirit of nitrous ETHEit in a glass of water, or a cup of tea, willgenerally give ease. If it proceeds from the use of greasy aliments, adram of brandy or rum may be taken.

If acidity or sourness of the stomach occasions the heart-burn, ab-sorbents are the proper medicines. In this case an ounce of powderedchalk, half an ounce of fine sugar, and a quarter of an ounce of gum.arabic, may be mixed in an English quart of water, and a tea-cupful ofit taken as often as is necessary. Such as do not chuse chalk, may takea tea-spoonful of prepared oyster-shells, or of the powder called crabs-eyes, in a glass of cinnamon or peppermint-water But the safest andbest absorbent is magnesia alba. This not only acts as an absorbent,but likewise as a purgative; whereas chalk, and other absorbents of that,kind, are apt to lie in the intestines, and occasion obstructions. Thispowder is not disagreeable, and may be taken in a cup of tea, or a glassof mint-water. A large tea-spoonful is the usual dose; but it may betaken in a much greater quantity when there is occasion. These thingsare now generally made up into lozenges for the convenience of beingcarried in the pocket, and taken at pleasure.

If wind be the cause of this complaint, the most proper medicines arethose called carminatives; as aniseeds, juniper-berries, ginger, canellaalba, cardamomum seeds, &c. These may either be chewed, or infusedin wine, brandy, or other spirits. One of the safest medicines of thiskind is the tincture made by infusing an ounce of rhubarb, and a quarterof an ounce of the lesser cardamomum seeds, in an English pint ofbrandy. After this has digested for two or three days, it ought to bestrained, and four ounces of white sugar-candy added to it. It muststand to digest a second time till the sugar be dissolved. A table-spoon-ful of it may be taken occasionally for a dose.

I have frequently known the heartburn cured, particularly in preg-nant women, by chewing green tea. Two table-spoonfuls of what iscalled the milk of gum-ammoniacum, taken once or twice a-day, wil/sometimes cure the heart-burn.

CHAP. XLIII.

OF NERVOUS DISEASES.

OF all diseases incident to mankind, those of the nervous kind arethe most complicated and difficult to cure. A rolumc would not be