OF THE JAUNDICE.
3S7
sickness at the stomach, vomiting, flatulency, andother symptoms of indigestion.
If the patient he young, and the disease complicatedwith no other malady, it is seldom dangerous; hut inold people, where it continues long, returns frequently,and is complicated with the dropsy or hypochon-driac symptoms, it generally proves fatal. The blackjaundice is more dangerous than the yellow.
REGIMEN.—The diet should be cool, light, anddiluting, consisting chiefly of ripe fruits and mild ve-getables ; as apples boiled or roasted, stewed prunes,preserved plums, boiled spinage, &c. Veal or chicken-broth, with light bread, are likewise very proper.Many have been cured by living almost wholly forsome days on raw eggs. The drink should be butter-milk, whey sweetened with honey, or decoctions ofcool opening vegetables; as marsh-mallow roots, withliquorice, &c.
The patient should take as much exercise as he canbear, either on horseback, or in a carnage; walking,running, and even jumping, are likewise proper, pro-vided he can bear them without pain, and there be nosymptoms of inflammation. Patients have beenoften cured of this disease by a long journey aftermedicines have proved ineffectual.
Amusements are likewise of great use in thejauri'dice. The disease is often occasioned by a sedentarylife, joined to a dull melancholy disposition. What-ever therefore tends to promote the circulation, andto cheer the spirits, must have a good effect; as danc-ing, laughing, singing, &c.
MEDICINE.—If the patient be young, of a fullsanguine habit, and complains of pain in the right side,about the region of the liver, bleeding will be necessary.After this, a vomit must be administered; and if the dis-ease proves obstinate, it may be repeated once ortwice. No medicines are more beneficial in the jaun-dice than vomits, especially where it is not attendedwith inflammation. Half a drachm of ipecacuanhain powder will be a sufficient dose for an adult. It
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