Volume 1

The standard physician : a new and practical encyclopaedia of medicine and hygiene especially prepared for the household / edited by Sir James Crichton-Browne [and others].

Date:: 1908-1909

Credit: The standard physician : a new and practical encyclopaedia of medicine and hygiene especially prepared for the household / edited by Sir James Crichton-Browne [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Consumption Convulsions Till': STAXDAKD PHYSICIAN' 33C and lieforc retiring acts as a sufficient stimulus for some persons. Plenty of brisk exercise, such as walking, hill-climbing, gymnastics, athletics, bic3Tle riding, etc., is advisable. See Gymnastics. Careful daily massage is also beneficial, especially the vibratory massage. See Massage. Elec- trical treatment of the intestine is to be recommended, particularly as it may be combined with massage if proper electrodes are selected. More important than this mechanical treatment is the use of a properly- selected vegetable diet. IMeat and proteid foods should be taken in small quantities only ; whereas fruit and vegetables, either raw or cooked, should be eaten three or four times a day, some early in the morning, and some before retiring. Gra])es are es})ecially to be recommended, and should be eaten at breakfast in quantities of from one-half to one pound. Of other important articles of diet for sufferers from constipaton, may l)e mentioned : hone\% buttermilk (one ])int before breakfast), sour milk, kephir, coarse bread, gingerbread, tigs, dates, tart foods and drinks, all kinds of spices, herring-salad, pickles, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. A de- tailed list should be given by the physician. Cocoa, chocolate, red wine, rice, sago, gruel, wheat l)read, etc., are less valuable. The essential feature in the nourishment is that the patient eat often and much. Not to eat for fear of hlling the intestine is an incorrect view. The diet must be coarse, linn, gritt3^ and voluminous in order to cause the intestinal muscles to con- tract, and to throw off the contents of the intestine. An excessive diet is to be recommended, especially in the beginning of the treatment. After regular movements have been established, the diet may be regulated. In connection with the treatment here outlined, cold hip-baths (48*^ to gb^F.) of two minutes’ duration may be beneficial. Enemas of water, oil, glycerine, etc., should be used only in exceptional cases, and when prescribed by the ])h\’sician. CONSUMPTION.—See Tuberculosis of the Lungs. CONTUSIONS.—Injuries brought about by blunt force, as by a blow, a knock, the falling of a heavy object upon some part of the body, squeezing, by being run over, or by a fall. The rupture of small blood-vessels nearly always taking place in such accidents, extravasations of blood under the skin (so-called “ bruises ”) are brought about ; or injuries of larger veins lead to the formation of blood-tumours. The blood that escapes from the \’essels enters the skin, and discolours it into a dark blue. Gradually, by transformation of the blood-pigment, this colour changes into brown, green, and vellow. If the h?emorrhage is very deep-seated, the colour of the skin remains unchanged. Joints affected by a contusion become swollen and ])ainful, and their movability is imj)aired. If sufficient force is used, muscles may be crushed, bones sj)lintered, and sinews and arteries torn. Con- tusions affecting the skull, chest, or abdomen, may result in shock and injuig’ of vital organs. An individual thus injured sinks to tlie ground in a$