The people's common sense medical adviser in plain English; or, medicine simplified / by R.V. Pierce.

  • Pierce, R. V. (Ray Vaughn), 1840-1914.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The people's common sense medical adviser in plain English; or, medicine simplified / by R.V. Pierce. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library at Emory University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, Emory University.

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    impaired, there is general debility, and the patient is nervous and irritable. The complexion becomes sallow, the skin dry and rough, the tongue dark colored, and the body emaciated. The affection may be the sequel of neglected or badly treated acute diarrhea, may arise from the injudicious use of powerful purgative medicines, may result from dissipation, unwholesome food, bad air, absence of light, long continued exposure to dampness and cold, overwork, and extreme mental anxiety. Sometimes it is associated with other diseases, such as Bright's disease of the kidneys, scurvy, or some of the various forms of scrofulous disease. The more prominent symptoms are so apparent and so char- acteristic that the most unskilled may be able to decide whether the patient has chronic diarrhea; but to determine in what por- tion of the intestinal canal the affection is chiefly seated, to decide upon the extent of its ravages, to ascertain what peculiar shade or type the affection has taken on, to investigate its com- plications and modifications, to ferret out its producing or aggravating causes, and, above all, to nicely and skillfully adjust remedies to meet the depraved conditions, is by no means an easy task, even for the educated and experienced physician. It should be born in mind that this is a dangerous malady, and one which should not be trifled with or neglected. Its tendency is to corrode and destroy the bowels, a process which if un- checked, must sooner or latter result in death. There is little tendency to spontaneous recovery, nor is a removal of the exciting cause often followed by recovery. The disease becomes so firmly seated, and the powers of life so debilitated, that nature cannot rally. Treatment. All the suggestions heretofore made with reference to the treatment of acute diarrhea, are equally appli- cable to the chronic variety; but as chronic diarrhea is more obstinate than the acute, and more frequently complicated with grave pathological conditions which must be distinguished, and properly met by special treatment, all the skill possessed by the most experienced specialist is required for its successful man- agement. A warm, salt bath, several times a week, taken at bedtime, is beneficial. Flannel should be worn next to the skin, and the sleeping-room should be warm and well ventilated.