290

OF A DIABETES.

cure. In a word, this disease may either proceed fromtoo great laxity of the organs which secrete the urine,from something that stimulates the kidneys too much,or from a thin dissolved state of the blood, whichmakes too great a quantity of it run off by the urinarypassages.

SYMPTOMS.—In a diabetes, the urine generallyexceeds in quantity all the liquid food which the pa-tient takes. It is thin and pale, of a sweetish taste,and an agreeable smell. The patient has a continualthirst, with some degree of fever; his mouth is dry,and he spits frequently a frothy spittle. The strengthfails, the appetite decays, and the flesh wastes away,till the patient is reduced to skin and bone. There i%a he-at of the bowels; and frequently the loins, testi-cles, and feet, are swelled.

This disease may generally be cured at the begin-ning; but after it has continued long, the cure be-comes very difficult. In drunkards, and very old peo-ple, a perfect cure is not to be expected.

REGIMEN.—Every thing that stimulates theurinary passages or tends to relax the habit, must beavoided. For this reason the patient should livechiefly on solid food. His thirst may be quenchedwith acids; as sorrel, juice of lemon, or vinegar. Themucilaginous vegetables, as rice, sago, and salop,with milk, are the most proper food. Of animal sub-stances, shell-fish are to be preferred; oysters,erabs,&c.

The drink may be Bristol-water. When that can-not be obtained, lime-water, in which a due propor-tion of oak-bark has been macerated, may be used.The white decoction,* with isinglass dissolved in it, islikewise a very proper drink.

The patient ought daily to take exercise, but itshould be so gentle as not to fatigue him. He shouldlie upon a hard bed or mattress. Nothing hurts the kid-neys more than lying too soft. A warm dry air, theuse of the flesh brush, and every thing that promotes

• See Appendix, White Decoction.