Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-07
NAL DE MER REMEDIES.
The Causes Of Seasickness and Its
Cures-Treatment Before Voyage.


cures-Treatment Before Voyage.
From London Travel
That seasickness is q malady to which
most of us succumb sooner or later. from
the seasoned globe-trotter to the modest
tripper whose experience of foreign travel
| is limited to an occasional run to Paris, Is
| a fact which Is none the less disquieting
because 1t is SO obvious.
There Is. of course. no infallible cure for
seasickness. except. perhaps, the proverbial
one of Punch. Don't go to sea- This neg
alive cure is, of course. impracticable for
many of us. But though there Is no abso-
lutte cure. there Is no doubt that a common
sense regimen before embarking on a long
voyage-cross-channe1 trips and other short
passages need not be considered-would do
much to lessen the risks of seasickness or
minimize the attack. The principal causes
of this distressing malady are: % Effusion
OF blood to the brain: ca disturbance of the
digestive system-and certainly those of
weak digestion are peculiarly susceptible to
attacks OF NAL de mer-and 90 overeating
and also undertaking.
Those who are subject to seasickness
should treat themselves for few DAYS be-,
fore the start, live very simply and take a
mild aperient In short. the preliminary
treatment rowing men undergo before be-
ginning strict training might well be fol-
lowed. Then. it is undeniable that most
people on board ship eat far too much and
take too little exercise. The Indulgence in
the usually rich and greasy cooking at the
long and elaborate meals of the first-class
saloons of the big ocean steamers-where
even at breakfast there are more courses
than most passengers are accustomed to
at dinner-fs a bad preparation for a pro-
tracted bout of seasickness. During the at
tack sufferers are naturally disincIined TO
eat at all. Consequently it is not surpris-
ing that this alienation of repletion and
starvation plays havoc with the digestive
organs.
When the patient actually succumbs drugs
are OF some use In alleYiating the. maIadv
II the attack Is severe apply a mustard
ieaI TO the stomach and hot water bottle
to the feet Three or four drops of chloro-
FORM on lump sugar often prevent vomiting
Give also tumbIer of hot milk (Which pre-
vents straln1ng on an empty stomach) or a
dose OF fifteen grains, bromide of soda and
nv. .ive grams antfpyrine TO one ounce of wa
Ter. Some doctors recommend cocaine tab
lets (one-twentieth grain) every hour.
MANY medical men consider that If drugs
must be taken. the best a1-around remedy
OF ehloralamide and bromide of potassium,
while some Din their, faith to five grains
of bromide of ammonia
POPULAR remedies are not as a rule. of
mucn use An exception may, however. be
made in favor Of ys.natas. which lis at ali
| events one OF the best pallfatiyes known
While 1t has proved eff1cacious as a preven
tive pio'ei
Is probably the, worst a seasick person can
take Iced dry champagne is about the
most suitable, though it is more useful In
the depressing and exhausting stages of a
long attack than at the beginning It must
IN snort, be regarded a preventive ra thor
than palliative. In obstinate cases it will
sometimes be found that wearing an ice belt
mlnlm1zes the feeling of nausea. or If ice
De not procurable, applying cold congresses
all along the spine is nearly as effectiua
Even Tightening an ordinary belt will some
times reduce the nausea
But NAL de mer remedies are as the sands
or the seashore in number For Instance
one experienced traveller recommends eat
ing couple OF apples directly the feeling
OF nausea Is experienced.
Ihere is no doubt that nerves have much
70 90 with seasickness With some reason
medical men declare that fear is the most
potent OF all remedies. If the ship is really
In danger seasick felix. they argue, seem
automatically cured eeA1
Ihen, no doubt. imagination is a potent
and important factor in the case while
visual Impressions certainly predisnose
travellers to NAL de mer. For this reason II
Is a good plan when on deck to shut the
eyes. 'iio