Copy 1, Volume 1

The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good].

  • John Mason Good
Date:
1834
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    176/784 page 122
    et, ee ee se cL. 1.] COLIACA. TorD. I. ’ Grex. V. Lime-water, or acidulous alkaline waters, or the carbonates of soda Serc. IV. and potash, magnesia and lime, have been almost the only ones Limosis_ that have hitherto been employed, or at least the others have not Cardialgia. }.on submitted to a sufficient trial, and under a sufficient variety elaeaha of modifications, to enable us to speak of them with accuracy. It is a common belief that chalk, with an acid~in the stomach, pro- ; duces an astringent, and magnesia a laxative neutral. ‘This idea is doubted by Dr. Cullen; but it seems to have a foundation, and Occasional should regulate our practice. Chalk, however, when used in large ~ evil of quantities, and long persevered in, has an indisputable evil, which calcareous does not equally belong to soda or magnesia; and that is, its ae : Ils or calculi in some part of the intestinal ee dies, aptitude to form ba Pp canal; and thus produce a very troublesome obstruction, and occasionally colic. I have known various instances of this; and, in some cases, attended with alarming symptoms before the balls were dejected; many of which I have also known to be evacuated in masses of more than an ounce weight each. ‘There is no evi- dence, that an acid is found below the duodenum, and hence it is chiefly in the upper part of the alimentary canal, that these calcu- lous concretions are impacted and agglutinated. Dr. Parr and some others assert, that an acid formed in the stomach certainly Whether never enters the circulating fluid. It is indeed true, that we have anacidever no sensible trace of it in the course of the circulation: but the enters into benefit which has lately been discovered, and which we shall have the circu- . : : : lating fluid, OCcasion to advert to more fully hereafter, of introducing magnesia into the stomach, in habits possessing a tendency to form calculi in the kidneys and bladder from a superabundant secretion of lithic acid, seems to show, that an acid principle, or base, still passes from the stomach. into the circulation in certain cases, though too minutely divided to be detected by chemical tests; and that the introduction of magnesia into the stomach destroys or neutralises - it at the fountain-head. (See EnrERoLitruus and Liruta.) M. Perperes, in taking off acidity from the stomach, unites the cal- careous earths with a warm bitter; and recommends, as the medicine he has found most successful, columbo root with mag- nesia, in doses of ten grains of the former to twelve of the latter.* _ It is observed by Dr. Darwin that, as the saliva swallowed along with our food prevents its fermentation, considerable relief is sometimes derived from frequently chewing parched wheat, mastic, — or a lock of wool, and swallowing the saliva thus procured. Oleaginous Oleaginous preparations have also been had recourse to, and in remedies. some habits apparently with success. In such cases, it is most probable, that they act, first, by converting a part of the acid into soap; .and next, by proving aperient, and thus accelerating the passage of the acid material into the intestinal canal. The com- plaint may also be palliated by mucilaginous substances, such as 122 Dict. de Méd., &c. Paris,.1833. In gastrodynia, not apparently occasioned by any thing in the stomach, “ you find tinct. of opium an excellent remedy. In the continued form of the disease, prussic acid will answer better; but, I never saw it succeed, when it was given for immediate effect.” (Elliotson’s Lectures. ) In full habits, he advises bleeding, which he has often seen relieve gastrodynia at once. Stramonium he has also known cure gastrodynia, and, as not producing - costiveness, is preferable to opium. — Ep. _ ™® Opera citata, vol. ii. 7 = ; -
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