Connecticut western news., 1875-02-05
Sea Sickness

Sea Sickness.
 When we consider the increasing number of people who, for business or pleasure, cross the ocean, and the amount of distress arising from the sea sickness to which large portion of them are subjected, 1t ere ates some surprise that the medical profes- sion has done so little towards elucidatiDg its nature, and prescribing its proper treat msnt. The sense of nausea and prostra- ton, vertigo, fainting and loathing of food. which attend so many passengers in every Sea voyage, for . few days together. and sometimes during the whole passage, ren- ders what would otherwise prove delight full season of recreation sense of distress. only endured as . necessary means of ar- irving at the desired port. Undoubtedly, any one who could discover mode Of pre- venting the horrors which attend so many travellers, would we'll merit the title of public benefactor. A volume has latel, been published In London on the subject. by Dr. John Chapman. He conceives that the irritations which produce sea sickness may arise either from movements of the nervous entres, brain and spinal marrow. CT from sturbance of the stomach and adj .cent viscera. One other and distinct cause of this disorder. 1t is thought. may exist in he inauguration, which is doubtless a fertile originator of many nervous dis eases. A predetermination to be i'll, which many persons indulge previous to sailing. will have . powerful effect in producing the dreadful result.
 It is evident that as this disorder has its source in the disturbed circulation of the nervous centres, any means which would control the circulation of the affected parts would be effective in allaying or preventing the disease. This Dr. Chapman claims to have discovered in the direct application ot cold to the spine, and the method he adopts will commend itself by it's simplicity "s we'll as by its effective operation in many tried cases. It consists in the application of ice in peculiarly constructed bags along the spine. Seven cases are cited in which tho use of these ice bags has prove d highly satisfactory in voyages of various duration. In one of these . lady who had suffered intensely at sea. had had series of epilep- lie Ats. and at one time was carried from the vessel, as the physicians declared. at the point of death. crossed the English Channel with Dr. Chapman himself. who apnlied the ice to the neck and spine as her symptoms required It. Ordinarily, sh. could not have endured the intense co d, which was now so grateful to her that she craved it during the entire journey, endur- ing none of her usual sufferings, and eat ing heartily on board the boat. Many othr' testimonials are given. some by medical men, who have used it with success in vio lent cases, and who are perhaps supposed to be less likely to be influenced hy any coloring of the imagination. In some cases .he relief from agonizing suffering was almost instantaneous. and one physi' clan of our city says, after describing N successful case, which he had superintend- ed between this city and Havana, "I see n" reason why the process may not be sue cessfully extended over twelve days as we'll as four with proper care and management. !" The bags which are used for this purpos. are made of India rubber, and divided into three compartments, respectively filled with small pieces of ice. They are applied from the top of the neck to the small of th' back. and cannot be productive of the least injury to any one unless in some few cases of chronic cough and symptoms of con- sumption, where the use of the ice might tend to increase such tendencies. The ap- plication of ice has become much mor general in the practice of all physicians than formerly. and 1t Is certainly we'll worthy trial in this distressing malady. = Philadelphia Ledger.