The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-10-04
From tie Medieat Rejormerl
Domestic Treatment OF Dyscutery.

DRs. JOHN o. fRETfYMAN - GcnIen1eft,--
May presume to ooffcr few remarks upon
| that common and troublesome complaintthe
Dysentery? have seen and nufse1 a good
many cases, and suffered several attacks
myself, and as always observe, compare,
reason, and deduce, as go through life, I
would like to lay my observations &C. upon
this particular subject before you, and the
public. And first, have observed that
dysentery is frequently the consequence of
excessive mental, or physical exertion; ex
posure 10 great heat; or sudden changes of
temperature. have never been able to
trace case of dysentery to any thing which
| the patient had eaten, though Cholera NOR
bus, and diarrhna are often thus occasioned.
The stomach seems to take no part in
dysenteric disturbance, except as it may be
sympathetically affected. In all my obser-
vations, an attack of dysentery is preceded
by hcaviness or dizziness of the head;
great weakness in the small of the back, and
lower limbs, as if the tendons were so relax
ed, and the joints SO looscned, that the mem.
bers were no longer obedient to the will
This condition is distantly related to paraIy-
sis. Consequently its scat is the brain, and
certain set of nerves are dcranged. have
known these symptoms to result in an ex.
ccssive flow of urine, OF pale whitish col
or, and disagrceable odor. In these cases
the bowels were undisiurbed, or most fre.
qucnt'y rather constipated. Ifdysentery re-
suited, the urine was always scanty, and
dark colored. And in every case the pa.
tent is leased by an irregular and capieious
fever, occasioning restlessness, and great
uneasincss. This indicates arrangement of
the nerves, which is father proven by their
morbid exciIability, and violent expulsive
action, whenever there is a downward move
ment, in the bowel while the small intes-
tines seem unnaturally torpid, from the fact,
that they do not discharge their contents in.
to tho lower portion OF the canal. Hence
conclude that the equilibrium of the ner-
vous system is temporarily destroyed, and
the excessive nervous action, or may say,
the excess of the nervous or magnetic fluid,
in the parts affected, disorganizes the blood,
and thus produces the peculiar phenomena
of dysenteric disease. THUS dysentery as
sumes the character Of a low form of typhoid
congestion.
have kept house about thirty years, have
raised several children of my own, and 9th
er peoples, and have never once had occa-
sion TO call a doctor for case of dysentery
or other bowel complaint. Every attack,
having thus far, yielded TO domestic treat
mcnt. My first aim is to equalize the cir
culatidn, by warm bathing, drafts to the feet,
and diaphorotic drinks, OF which tea of
the mingled blossoms OF white elder and
catnip is the most efficient, An application
of camphoratcd oil, oil tincturcd with spir.
its of turpcntine, or oil and hartsllorn, to the
small OF the back, and sides, by rubbing
with the hand, is also scrviccable. By these
means a free perspration, and copious flow
OF urine are induced, and an inclination TO
quie, sleep. A light and loosening diet,
plenty OF warm catnip, camomile, or slip
perry elm tea, or cold water, in which is mix
ed little raw wheat flour, abate the dysen-
teric symptoms in the discharges, and then
tea of strawberry leaves, briar root or any
other mild astringent with occasionally
new laid egg beat we'll with sugar, and
eaten raw; with quiet and repose, complete
the cure. In violent attacks, and desperate
cases, when the nervous system Is so much
disturbed as 10 produce vomiting, spasms,
and general Encouragement, have doomed
il cxpedicnt 10 administer an opiate strong
enough TO control the nervous action, until
a proper treatment, may induce them to take
on natural action.
Having great faith in the instructive de-
mands of nature for her own benefit, new
er withhold from patient any thing which
they ardently desire to cat, or dtink, except
spirituous liquors from such as may be sup
posed to feel an inebriate's desire for them
have known such food as science would
pronounce it madness TO suffer patient to
swallow, have tho effect of greatly allevia-
ting the disease by acting as stlmuIant,
sodative, or palliative, as the case might re'
quiro.
do not expect that DOCTORS will sanction
my views or adopt my regimen in these
premises but il they condemn them can
only say that have had the happiness of
seeing every case that has occurred in my
family yield TO my treatment speedily, per-
mancntly, and perfectly. Therefore--if
successful practice is q right practice, and if
a right practice must be founded ON a right
theory, am right, whoever may be
wrong,
LYDIA JANE PERSON,