The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-08-02
EPIDEMIC DYsENTERY.
EStraet from paper read tsore tie "Malle
States Reformed Medical Society,""

EADCmAO D4oENA EN-
EStrdet from a paper read tgore the "Midllt
STATES Reformed Medical Society,""
BY. s. PRErrymAN, MD.
The inception of this disease may in q
great many instances be altogether prevent
| ed by proper attention to diet, regularity Of
habit and avoiding exposure to the sun in
the heat of the day. For this purpose /
would prescribe altogether, rich, animal di-
ct, and especially swine's flesh Such ar
ticles require for their digestion large a.
mount of the normal product of the organs
| or viscera that are connected with digestion,
and in consequence Of the continued excl
tation thereby produced, their function is de-
praved and a predisposition favorable TO the
attack is induced To those who desire to
escape (and who does not) when the epi-
demic is raging in the vicinity, a mild fari-
naceous and ripe fruit diet is imperative.
Ripe fruit in its season operates as pre-
ventive to most of the enteritic affections,
and especially SO to dysentery. 1t gently
opens the bowels and removes any excess
of the hillary secretion that may be excited
by the increased atmospheric temperature.
1t seems to be one of the wise provisions of
nature, that fruit shall ripen at the COM
mencement of the hot season when they
are so well adapted to the wants of man both
for food and medicine. Some precaution
however is necessary in using it.
Natures laws are not in any manner to
be violated with impunity and even with
this wholesome food of natures own pre-
pairing, the stomach must not be overload
ed, or you compel ii to do an undue amount
of labor which will result injuriously. Let
the indigestible portions, such as the seed,
skin, &c, be removed, and use it at meal.
time in the place of animal food and it will
prove TO be one of the most perfect prophy-
lactics that we possess.
cold shower, sponge or plunge bath
once or twice a day will also assist in the
prophylaxis.
Stimulating condiments, Sherry Coblerss
and Mint Juleps must all be avoided, and in
short, a plain, ufirritating diet must be used
in reasonable quantities and at reasonable
hours, and between these hours allow the di-
gestive organs to rest.
If these means should fail 10 secure at least
one free alvine evacuation in hventy-four
hours it will be advisable to use mild ape
rient such as the siedlitz powdos or the
compound powder of rheubarb. (R-Rhu.
Pnl. Soda Sup, Carb. a grs. XIV. Mentha
Pep. Pulv or some other aromatic grs x to
be stirred into a cup ofcold water and swal-
lowed at dose.)
If the views herein advanced in relation
to the pathology of the disease are correct,
the curative indications are readily inferred.
First, to remove the accumulated bilious ma
terial from the superior portion Of the intes-
final canal, and second, TO restore the debil-
itated tissue and the functions of the organs.
To fulfil the first indication in the curative
process, it is indispensably necessary that
catharsis should be speedily induced, and in
many cases this becomes matter of consid-
cradle difficulty in consequence of the great
irritability of the stomach, which renders it
almost impossible to secure the retention of
a sufficient quantity of medicine to effect
the desired result: Nevertheless the object
must be kept steadily in view and all the
skill of the physician brought to bear against
the difficulty. Forthe irritability have fire.
quently resorted TO emetics and must say
generally without benefit and in some in
stances they have really added too, instead
of lessened the difficulty, The reason of
this conceive is TO be found in the fact that
the cause of the nausea is not to be found
in the stomach itself, but in the superior por-
ton the small intestines which there SYM
pathetically effects the stomach and pro-
duces the irritability, and this class Of agents
do not reach it.
When free catharsis is produced and the
hillary accumulation begins to pass freely
from the bowels this symptom usually SUBJ
sides. Until this effect, then, can be pro-
duced, the nausea and vomiting must be
combatted by counterirritants, such as the
mustard poultice, or flannel cloths wrung
out of hot handy or hot lamentations, at the
same time some certain purgatives must be
administered and their action facilitated by
all the means at command. For this pur-
pose know of no more efficient remedy
than our common antibilious purge, and if
one dose is rejected or fails to operate an
other must be administered and its opera
ton assisted by copious injections of tepid
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