First lines of the practice of physic (Volume 2).

William Cullen

Date:: 1805

Credit: First lines of the practice of physic (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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1125.] In persons who pretty earlv in life show the pre- disposition to apoplexy, it is probable that a low diet, with a good deal of exercise; might entirely prevent the disease; but, in persons who are advanced in lire before they think of taking precautions, and are at the same time of a cor- pulent habit, which generally supposes their having been accustomed to full living, it might not be safe to put them upon a low diet; and it may be enough that their diet be rendered more moderate than usual, especially with res- pect to animal food; and that, at supper, such food should be abstained from altogether. In drinking, all heating liquors, are to be abstained from, 2s much as former habits will allow and the smallest ap- proach to intoxication is to be carefully shunned. For or- dinary draught, small beer is to be preferred to plain wa- ter, as the latter is more ready to occasion costiveness, which in apoplectic habits is to be carefully avoided. The large use of tobacco in any shape may be hurtful; and except in cases where it has been accustomed to, occasion a copi- ous excretion from the head, the interruption of which might not be safe, the use of tobacco should be avoided; and even in the circumstance mentioned, where it may be in some measure necessary, the use of it should at least be rendered as moderate as possible. 1126] Evacuations by stool may certainly contribute to relieve the plethoric state of the vessels of the head ; and, upon an appearance of any unusual turgescence in these, purging will be very properly employed: but, when no such turgescence appears, the frequent repetition of large purging might weaken the body too much ; and, for preventing apoplexy, it may for the most part be enough to keep the belly regular, and rather open, by gentle laxatives.* In the summer season, it may be useful to drink, every morning, of a gentle laxative mineral wai- ter, but never in'large quantity. 1127.] In the case of a plethoric state of the system, it might be supposed that blood-letting would be the most effectual means of diminishing the plethora, and of pre- venting its consequences; and, when an attack of apo- * Gentle laxatives have been often enumerated in the preceding notes. In these cases how- ever, there is no danger to be apprehended from the use of the resinous drastics, provided that they are not given in sucb dmcs as may weaken lie patient too much. They ought not lo be used for the purpose of purging, bm only for keeping ihe body moderately open : and this effect may he safely produced by rive or eight grains of Rufutlpjlls t.iken occasionally at bed time or by a tea-spoonful or two of the Tmct. jalap, or a tab e-spoonful of the elixir senna; in the mor»- tng. The same end may, in many cases, be answeiedby a due attention to diet

First lines of the practice of physic (Volume 2).

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