302

HEART-BURN.

er of the stomachic bitters, in wine or brandy. Drinking a cup ofcamomile tea, with fifteen or twenty drops of elixir of vitriol in it,twice or thrice a day, will strengthen the stomach and promote di-gestion. Exercise in the open air will likewise be of use.

When bilious humours occasion the heart-burn, a tea-spoonfulof the sweet spirits of nitre in a glass of water, or a cup of tea,will generally give ease. If it proceeds from the use of greasyaliments, a dram of brandy or rum may be taken.

If acidity or sourness of the stomach occasions the heart-burn,absorbents are the proper medicines. In this case an ounce ofpowdered chalk, half an ounce of fine sugar, and a quarter of anounce of gum arabic, may be mixed in an English quart of water,and a tea-cupful of it taken as often as is necessary. Such as do notchoose chalk, may take a tea-spoonful of prepared oyster shells,or of the powder called crabs eyes, in a glass of cinnamon or pep-permint water. But the safest and best 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 inthe intestines, and occasion obstructions. This powder is not dis-agreeable, and may be taken in a cup of tea, or a glass of mintwater. A large tea-spoonful is the usual dose ; but it may be tak-en in a much greater quantity when there is occasion. Thesethings are now generally made up into lozenges for the convenien-cy of being carried in the pocket, and taken at pleasure.*

If wind be the cause of this complaint, the most proper medi-cines are those called carminatives; as aniseeds, juniper berries,ginger, canella alba, cardamom seeds, &c. These may either bechewed or infused in wine, brandy, or other spirits; but theseought never to be used, unless they are absolutely necessary, asthey are only drams in a dry form, and very pernicious to thestomach. One of the safest medicines of this kind is the tincturemade by infusing an ounce of rhubarb, and a quarter of an ounceof the lesser cardamom seeds, in an English pint of brandy. Afterthis has digested for two or three days, it ought to be strained, andfour ounces of white sugar candy added to it. It must stand todigest a second time till the sugar be dissolved. A table-spoonfulof it may be taken occasionally for a dose.

: I have frequently known the heart-burn cured, particularly inpregnant women, by chewing green tea. Two table-spoonsfulof what is called the milk of gum ammoniac, taken once or twicea-day, will sometimes cure the heart-burn. See Diseases of Preg-nancy.

As pregnant women are very subject to this uneasy sensation,they should first consider, whether it proceeds from any of thecauses already explained ; in which case the medicines prescribedander each head will probably remove it. But if the internal senseof heat be owing to the state of pregnancy itself; if it arises fromthe consent between the stomach and the womb, and is not accom-panied with much spitting or any acid eructations, the white of anegg, mixed with a little sugar and water, will often afford the onlyrelief that can be expected for some time.

* The he >t-burn, if very troublesome, may be almost immeuiately removed, bytaking fifteen or twenty drops of the purified soap lees, the aqua kali puri of the shops,in a cup of linseed tea, or of milk A. P. B-