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PAIN OF THE STOMACH, &c.

I

sedentary and luxurious life. In such persons it often proves soextremely obstinate as to baffle all the powers of medicine.

When the pain of the stomach is most violent after eating, thereis reason to suspect that it proceeds from some fault either in thedigestion or the food. In this case the patient ought to change hisdiet, till he finds what kind of food agrees best with his stomach,and should continue chiefly to use it. If a change of diet does notremove the complaint, the patient may take a gentle vomit, andafterwards a dose or two of rhubarb. He ought likewise, to takean infusion of camomile-flowers, or some other stomachic bitter,either in wine or water. I have often known exercise remove thiscomplaint, especially sailing, or a long journey on horseback, orin a carriage.

When a pain of the stomach proceeds from flatulency, the pa-tient is constantly belching up wind, and feels an uneasy disten-tion of the stomach after meals. This is a most deplorable dis-ease, and is seldom thoroughly cured. In general, the patientought to avoid all windy diet, and every thing that sours on thestomach, as greens, roots, &c. This rule, however, admits ofsome exceptions. There are many instances of persons very muchtroubled with wind, who have received great benefit from eatingparched peas, though that grain is generally supposed to be of awindy nature.*

This complaint may likewise be greatly relieved by labour, espe-cially digging, reaping, mowing, or any kind of active employmentby which the bowels are alternately compressed and dilated. Themost'obstinate case of this kind I ever met with, was in a personof a sedentary occupation, whom I advised, after he had triedevery kind of medicine in vain, to turn gardener ; which he did,and has ever since enjoyed good health.

When a pain of the stomach is occasioned by the swallowing ofacrid or poisSnous substances, they must be discharged by vomit :this may be excited by butter, oils, or other soft things, whichsheath and defend the stomach from the acrimony of its contents.

When a pain of the stomach proceeds from a translation ofgoi'.ty matter, warm cordials are necessary, as generous wines,Frenen brandy, &c. Some have drank a whole bottle of brandyor rum in this case in a few hours, without being in the least in-toxicated, or even feeling the stomach warmed by it. It is impos-sible to ascertain the quantity necessary upon these occasions.This must be left to the feelings and discretion of the patient. Thesafer way however is, not to go too far. When there is an inclin-ation to vomit, it may be promoted by drinking an infusion of cam-omile-flowers, or Carduus benedictus.

If a pain of the stomach proceed from the stoppage of custom-ary evacuations, bleeding will be necessary, especially in s;.nguineand very full habits. It will likewise be of use to keep the bodygently open by mild purgatives ; as rhubarb or senna. When thisdisease affects women in the decline of life, after the stoppage ofthe menses, making an issue in the leg or arm will be of peculiarservice.

* These are prepared by steeping or soaking peas in water, and afterwards dryingthem in a pot or kiln tilt they burst. They may be used at pleasure.