On dyspepsia : with remarks, submitted in support of the opinion that, the proximate cause of this, and of all other diseases, affecting the general system, is vitiation of the blood / by John Burdett Steward.

Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On dyspepsia : with remarks, submitted in support of the opinion that, the proximate cause of this, and of all other diseases, affecting the general system, is vitiation of the blood / by John Burdett Steward. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    78/114 (page 70)
    Thougli carbonate of soda and carbonate of magnesia might seem, from their properties, equally to answer the indication required, viz., the neutralization of the acid; yet, by their in- discriminate employment, we lose much of their individual value. Each must be used with refer- ence to its particular qualities. Carbonate of magnesia acts better when added to our fluid aperients. It is chiefly serviceable during the commencement of treatment, when a tolerably free action of the bowels is required. But, when uneasiness is less constant,—when the excretions become healthy—when mild, is to supersede active treatment,—then, the best remedy is the carbonate of soda ; for, as, during this state, our object is to neutralize the acid before it passes out of the stomach, and, at the same time, to relieve that organ from the flatus, produced by the decomposition of the ingesta,—(constantly going on, when there is a want of power in the secretions of the stomach to produce a healthy cliyme,) t]ie carbonate of soda, by its solubiHty and facile decomposi- tion, best answers our purpose. The carbonic