The homoeopathic domestic medicine / by Joseph Laurie.

  • Laurie, Joseph, -1865.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The homoeopathic domestic medicine / by Joseph Laurie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    58/908 (page 36)
    either denote the presence of accumulations of obstructive and obstructed matters in any of the air cells or tubes, or in the windpipe, or whence the discharge of expectorated matter proceeds, as the result of a continued irritation. (1.) If jelly-like, or sticky and rusty-coloured, it will usually indicate inflammation of the lungs. (2.) If transparent, stringy, or sticky, sometimes streaked with blood, and expectorated with much difficulty and without relief to the patient, it commonly identifies acute inflammation of the tubes of the lungs (bronchitis); in which affection a change in the expectoration to that of an opaque, yellow, or greenish-white coloured substance, which is easily coughed up, and is followed by considerable relief, gives evidence of subsiding inflammation. (3.) If it be {a a,) of the character of matter, or if whitish streaks are seen, or smal. whitish-yellow, sometimes globular, masses, connected together by or floating amongst sticky phlegm (continuously), it is usually a symptom of suppurative (the second stage of) consumption ; (b b,) again, if it consist of masses of substance of a brown or greenish- white colour, and which flatten at the bottom of the vessel, into a shape resembling a piece of coin, it is an indication of an advanced stage of consumption. (4.) If it be of pure blood, it may be the result of inflammatory action, or of con- sumption ; but is very frequently the offspring of congestion, or an overcharged state of the vessels of the lungs. If a permanent symptom (and not a critical expectoration), it is generally of much import. (5.) If yellow, and particularly if also bitterish, affection of the Liver is identified. DIET AND REGIMEN. The excellence of the homoeopathic rules on diet has wrested approbation even from our opponents, although, at the same time, they disingenuously make use of it as a handle against the science itself, by ascribing the cures effected to the observance of these rules, rather than to the efficacy of the medicines employed. To individuals unacquainted with the merits of Homoeopathy, the regimen is represented as extremely rigid: a plain statement, however, of the course to be pursued, in general cases, will at once refute this assertion; and it may also be observed, that, at first sight, the self-denial imposed seems more stringent than it will prove on being carried into eflfect. Many individuals in the Author's own experience have pursued the same system of diet, after they had no further occasion for medical assistance, thus continuing from choice what they liad begun from necessity. The homoeopathic dietetic rules consist merely in the avoidance of medicinal and indigestible substances during treatment, both as calculated to interfere with the action of the medicines and the proper functions of the alimentary system. Consequently, among liquids, the articles generally proscribed are green tea or strong black tea, coffee, malt liquors, wine, spirits and stimulants of every description; lemonade, or other acid or alkaline drinks, and natural or artificial mineral waters. On the other hand, cocoa, unspiced chocolate, toast-, rice-, or barley-water, oatmeal gruel sweetened with a little sugar, or raspberry or strawberry syrup, if desired; whey, milk and water, or pure milk not too recent from the cow, boiled milk, and, in some instances, butter-milk, or in fact, any non-medicinal beverage, is allowable. The diet should however be accommodated to the peculiarities of constitution in indi- viduals ; for instance, some persons cannot take the smallest quantity of milk without serious inconvenience; others throw out a rash after partaking of fish; and, again, others loathe the very sight of animal food. These peculiarities should also be taken into account in the selection of the remedies. Of the varieties of animal food, pork, young or salted meats, and, amongst poultry, ducks and geese, were better avoided, particularly when derangement of the digestive functions exists. Beef, mutton, venison, and most descriptions of game, if not too long kept (high), pigeons, larks, rabbits, &c., are allowable at discretion. (Refer to the Synopsis.) Fish is a wholesome article of diet, and may, in most cases, be partaken of occasion- ally, with the exception of the oleaginous species: such as eels, salmon, &c.; or shellfish: as oysters, lobsters, &c., and all kinds of salted, pickled, potted, or smoked fish. Eggs, when known to agree; butter, if free from rancid or unusual taste; cream, plain unseasoned custards, and curds, are also admissible in moderation. Stimulating soups and high-seasoned or rich-made dishes are directly opposed to