The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-24
Medical Notes.

Among the ancients bIJjoysnAss ~. :
doubtless just as prevalent as TODAY II
| not more so, and the b lie formed a verx,
iiIrpoElanl factor In the crude early idea
or the. causation of disease. They va
one form of its evil results upon the svs-
tenn the name of melancholIa. a com
pound Greek word meaning black bile. a
~ora tnat mas survived in modern times.
out Is now applied to another form Of
clsease not necessarily connected with
bile
BlIe IN itself is not poisonous to the sys-
tenn, but any change in its normal Dro-
auction or elimination leads to uncon-
portable results. For example if ton
much food, especially Of a very fatty.
oily or sweet nature, be eaten; or the
person does not exercise sufficiently to
keep the respiratory and circuIatory
| system In normal condition or the
external atmosphere is temporarily or
permanently rarefed by heat so that
there is insufficient oxygen for supplying
the vital need Of the perspIratory func-
lions of the skin are interfered with the
person becomes languid, sleepy and gid
dy; there is headache, the appetite Is
poor the tongue is coated the mouth
tastes foul and there is general feeling
of low-Spiritedness, which continues until
the system is relieved by the removal Of
| the cause, either by vomiting or purging
of the bile
A knowledge of the cause suggests the
| prevention and cure Bile is separated
from the dark or venous (vitiated) blood
| by the liver, which puriffes the blood, re-
| moving from 1t large amount of carbon
! The bile is then discharged into the intes-
! tines, where among other properties it
| has the power of aiding In the digestion
| or absorption of fat and stimulates the
! functions Of the intestines. It IS then re-
| absorbed into the body at least in part,
| and probably supports the process Of VI
! tai combustion (respiration). If health is
! to be maintained it is evident that the
| secretion and action ef bile, the assimi-
! lation of food, and the process of resp1ra-
ton, must be in a certain ratio properly
| balanced that the blood may be freed
! from actually poisonous principles Any
| disturbance of this balance or any other
| interference with the action of the bile
! leads to the accumulation of an excess or
carbon in the blood too great for proper
oxidation and a bilious attack results
To prevent such an attack is not SO
| much a question Of medicine as regime.
Fatty substances, even butter, in some
! cases. must be entirely avoided or used
| In very small quantities. Animal food
| should be used in moderation and never
at night Much sugar strong tea or cof-
fee, chocolate, malt liquors, anu uedVy
wines, such as port or sweet wines, are
all injurious.
The proper diet should comprise plain
meat. bread well-boiled vegetables fari-
nacious food, fruits, ripe or cooked, and
if stimulants are required little sherry
or gin and water.
Regular exercise in the open air is OF
the utmost Importance and the skin
should be kept clean and active. If the
bowels are not performing their func-
tons properly a cathartic should be
taken, such as a calomeI and rhubarb
pill, containing calomel, 1-3 grain; ex-
tract of colocynth compound, u grain;
extract Of rhubarb II grain; and ex-
tract of hyoscyamus, Is grain. This
may be repeated at intervals of several
hours until a mild movement Of the
bowels is obtained, and followed by cas-
tor oil to thoroughly evacuate the bow
els as we'll as wash out all traces of
mercury. If blue mass is preferred take
a small dose, say one-grain pill fol-
lowing it with an infusion of SIENNA
leaves, II ounce infused in a teacupful
of hot water, but not boiled. When the