The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-08-01
DYSENTERY.

Dysentery is literally difficulty among
the intestines;" it is a discharge of blood
from the bowels, accompanied with what
has been apty called ''an atrocious PAIN
You feel as if you would be relieved by an
evacuation, but when the attempt Is made
there is a fruitess straining termed tenese-
mas, and nothing comes of it, unless it be
blood. The rectum, or last foot of the
lower bowel, is the main seat Of dysentery,
which is commonly called "bloody fux."
1t should be always considered dangerous
disease. At first the discharges are odor-
less; but as the parts become more under
the influence of the disease, they become
disorganized, rotten, and insuferably often
siVe. Dysentery most abounds in hot, dry
weather, and is oftenest caused by bad air,
sudden check of perspiration, or by what
ever makes the skin of the body cold. In
fact, dysenIery may be considered an exag-
gerated or aggravated dlarrhea-the latter
is water, the former blood. The great dis
tinguishing features of dysentery are bloody
passages, with a frequent, fruitless, aud
painful effort to stool. Il is one of those
diseases which are very apt to go on to a
fatal termination, if let alone; a disease which
is often made more speedily fatal, by being
ignoranIly tempered with; and whether
blood is passed from the bladder or bowels,
a skillful physician should be called in as
promptly as possible, as promptly, indeed,
as if it were an attack of cholera; but, while
be is coming, there are several things which
may be safely done for the comfort of the
sufferer, if not for his cure. Tie patient
should not sit up a moment; should keep as
quiet as possible; should eat absolutely
nothing but boiled rice, or -four porridge,
and swallow bits of ice to the complete
quenching of the thirst A little cold flax
seed tea may may be swallowed from time
to time. A favorite prescription of some
of the old physicians of past generation,
and which is now said TO be In vogue in
Russia for several forms Of diarrhea and
dysentery, is the use of raw meat: thus,
take fresh beef from fat, scrape it into a
pulp with a knife, season 1t with salt to
make it more palatable, or with sugar for
children, to whom begin with one teaspoon
full three times day, gradually increasing
the amount as they become fond of it.
Adults may use it by spreading 1t between
two slices Of stale bread. Its merit consists
in It's being easily digested, very nutritious,
of small bulk, and readily assimilated to the
system. It is well known that children
having the summer complaint will raven
ously eat, or rather chew or grind between
their gums. piece of the rind of bacon or
ham, to which is attached half an inch of
fat. and begin to improve in few hours.
The whites of forty eggs "whipped.' and
then sweetened with white sugar, and drank
largely through the day, without any other
food, is an admirable remedy in these all
ments. Or, for dysentery or protracted
diarrhea, take half a teacup of vinegar, with
as much salt as it will take up. leaving
little excess of salt at the bottom; then add
boiling water till the cup is tWo-thirds full,
remove the scum, let it cool, and take one
tablespoonful three times day Till relieved.
1t has not failed of cure in many hundred
trials.-RaV's Journal Of Health.