Volume 2

The modern practice of physic : exhibiting the symptoms, causes, prognostics, morbid appearances, and treatment of the diseases of all climates / by Robert Thomas.

  • Robert Thomas
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The modern practice of physic : exhibiting the symptoms, causes, prognostics, morbid appearances, and treatment of the diseases of all climates / by Robert Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    61/596 (page 49)
    Spasmodic constriction of the diaphragm and muscles of the chest has been assigned by some as the proximate cause of incubus. The disease is not attended with danger. The complaint seems to be altogether dependent on a state of dyspepsia, and is usually accompanied with a distension of the stomach and bowels; by flatus, constipation, and acid eructations. Whenever the dyspeptic symptoms are urgent, we may administer one of the draughts prescribed below*, repeating it as the occasion may require. Costiveness is to be guarded against by some gentle aperient, such as a few grains of rhubarb with magnesia. Where there is much languor and debility, with loss of appetite, we may recommend the pilula ferri composita, together with either the decoctum cinchona?, infusum gentian, comp. vel. quassia?, or any other agreeable bitter, various formulae of which may be found under the head of Dyspepsia. The carbonate of soda mixed with ale or porter, will form a pleasant beverage for those who are liable to dyspeptic symptoms and incubus. Persons subject to incubus ought carefully to shun all kinds of food likely to prove flatulent or of difficult digestion, particularly for supper; they should be guilty of no intemperance whatever, and should avoid gloomy contemplations, a sedentary life, and par- ticularly intense study, with late hours. Moreover, they should always have some person to sleep near them, so as to be immedi- ately awakened by their groans and struggles; for the sooner a person is roused from a paroxysm of the night-mare the better, as, when in a very high degree, it differs little from a fit of epilepsy. Where medicine is not at hand, a glass of any cordial will fre- quently dispel flatulence, arid prevent the paroxysm of incubus. Acidities in the stomach are productive of the worst species of dreams; and nothing will so effectually prevent and remove such crudities as a little of the carbonate of magnesia mixed in pepper- mint water, and taken at bed-time. * Potassa? Carbon, gr. xij. Aq. Mentb. Pip. f. gj. Tinct. Card. Comp. f. 5iij. Syrup. Zingib. f. 3j. ft. Haustus. Vel, Bf, Ammonia? Sesquicarb. gr. x. Aq. Cinnam. f. 3x. Tinct. Capsic. f. 3j. Syrup. Croci, f. 3jss. M. ft. Haustus. * Take Carbonate of Potass, twelve grains. Peppermint Water, one ounce. Compound Tincture of Carda- moms, three drachms. Syrup of Ginger, one drachm. Mix them for a draught. Or, Take Sesquicarbonate of Ammonia, ten grains. Cinnamon Water, ten drachms. , Tincture of Capsicum, one dr. Syrup of Saffron, one drachm and a half. Mix them for a draught. VOL. IT. E