Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-22
MILK FOR DROPSY.
The Wonderful DIuretic Properties of Lac
teal Fluid.

teal Fluid.
Milk acts principally by its diuretic
properties. 1t is even by the inter-
mediacy of this diuretic property that
it exhausts, so to express myself, a
certain number of hydrOpsical dis
eases. But in that complex liquid
called milk, which is the agent pos
sessing the diuretic power? It is the
sugar of milk or lactose. The other
principles contained in the milk are
ailments, but they have no diuretic
influence. In two liters of milk there
are one hundred grammes of sugar of
milk, but the diuretic action of these
one hundred grammes of sugar of
milk is impeded by the caseine and by
the fatty matter, which are also i'm
portant elements OF milk. The proof
of this is that it takes from four to
five liters of milk to produce the same
diuretic effect which is obtained with
one hundred grammes of sugar of milk
dissolved in two liters of water.
Innumerable experiments have been
made which show that by giving two
liters of water containing a dissOlu-
tion of one hundred grammes of lac
tose to patients afflicted by a dropsy
arising from a diseased heart cOnsid-
cradle polyury is provoked, with the
result of marked diminution or some
times total disappearance of the
dropsy. This treatment ought to be
followed for six or eight days. Should
the patient find this dissolution of the
sugar of milk too distasteful little
cognac may be added, or it may be
favored with a little eau de menthe.
What is particularly satisfactory
in the new treatment discovered by
NJ. German Lee is that patients
will no longer be obliged to swallow
the enormous quantities of milk to
which they have been hitherto con-
demned. but that ordinary nourish-
ment can be taken, and as a natural
result the necessary strength to strug-
gle against all troubles of the heart,
acquired or preserved.
There are patients. however. on
whom this solution or lactose fails to
exercise any favorable action, in spite
of it being administered under the
most favorable conditions. No result
is obtained, either polyury nor the dis
appearance of dropsical symptoms.
The cause of this lies in the actual
condition of the patients lOins. Thus,
in order that the solution of lactose
produce all lts effects. the loins must
be in a state of perfect health, and
consequently the patient must not be
albumenic. If, however, albumen does
exist to any extent-if. for instance,
more than 0 or. .75 of albumen is de-
tected-it would be useless TO further
persevere; all treatment must end IN
failure. Glycose produces the same
effects as the sugar of milk and may
be used to advantage in the absence Of
the latter.
These several observations show
what a vast field there still remains to
explore in the study of diuretics.
Their practical utility has been
vouched for by several physicians
worthy of credence. and there can be
little doubt that the solution OF sugar 4
of milk will sooner or later be- called /
upon to play an important role in the !
treatment of hydropsical diseases, but 4
this will only be on the condition that /.
these latter originate in some heart 1
trouble and are not the precursor OF
loin troubles.-N. Y. Herald.