COSTIVENESS, &c.

299

the frequent use of cathartics,* and a blister applied to the head orits immediate vicinity.

The preceding cautions are of far greater importance than suchpersons may be aware of. The circulation, which is slower dur-ing sleep than when awake, is farther clogged by a fulness of theEtomach. The low posture of the head not only favours, butseems to invite stagnation ; and tight ligatures round the neck,impede the return of the blood from the vessels of the brain, sothat an apoplexy, not only very naturally, but almost inevitablvfollows. Instead of being astonished at the number of those whogo to bed in apparent health, and are found dead in the morning,we should consider it as a matter of much more surprise for a per-son of a plethoric habit, after unchecked indulgence in the pleas-ures of the table, to go to rest without any regard to the inclina-tion of his head or the tightness of his collar, and ever to riseagain.t

costiveness, and other affections of the stomach andBowels.

We do not here mean to treat of those astrictions of the bowelswhich are the symptoms of diseases, as of the cholic, the iliac pas-sion, &c, but only to take notice of that infrequency of stools whichsometimes happens, and which in some particular constitutionsmay occasion diseases.

Costiveness may proceed from drinking rough red wines or oth-er astringent liquors ; too much exercise, especially on horseback.It may likewise proceed from a long use of cold insipid food,which does not sufficiently stimulate the intestines. Sometimes itis owing to the bile not descending to the intestines, as in the jaun-dice ; and at other times it proceeds from diseases of the intestinesthemselves, as a palsy, spasms, torpor, tumours, a cold dry stateof the intestines, &c.

Excessive costiveness is apt to occasion pains of the head,vomiting colics, and other complaints of the bowels. It is pecul-iarly hurtful to hypochondriac and hysteric persons, as it gener-ates wind and other grievous symptoms. Some people, however,can bear costiveness to a great degree. I know persons who en-joy pretty good health, yet do not go to stool above once a-week,and others not above once a fortnight ; indeed I have heard ofsome who do not go above once a-month.

Persons who are generally costive should live upon a moisten-ing and laxative diet ; as roasted or boiled apples, pears, stewedprunes, raisins, gruels with currants, butter, honey, sugar, andsuch like. Broths with spinage, leeks, and other soft pot-herbs,are likewise proper. Rye-bread, or that which is made of a mix-ture of wheat and rye together, ought to be eaten. No persontroubled with costiveness should eat white bread alone, especially

'Take Submuriate of Mercury, 6 grains. or

Compound Extract of Colocynth, Take Wine of Aloes, 2 ounces.

15 grains. Tincture of Jalap, 2 drachms •

Make 4 pills for a dose. Infusion of Senna, 1 ounce.

Make a cathartic draught.i Persons inclined to apoplexy derive great benefit from cupping. This operado»should never be omitted once or twice a-yeat. Ed.

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