The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-10-13
!.
Home Health
| Club
By DAVID q. FEEDER. Ph. D..n.n
GALL STONES.


GALL STONES.
1recently gave you talk on Jaundice,
and the subject of Gall Stones is so
closely allied that they should be dis
cussed at about the same time
The accumulation of hardened bile
within the gall-bladder or bile duct is
technically called "Biliary Caluxli."
PERSONS in middle life and old age are
most liable. especially those who are
OF a bilious temperament, who have
lived in malarial sections. or who have
been troubled by constipation or liver
troubles, or who have eaten largely of
animal foods. Their origin may be due
to simply drying out Gnspisation) of the
bile, altered characteristics of the fluid
or accumulation about nucleus of mu-
cous or other material. The size of the
stones vary from that of grain of
wheat to that of hickory nut If large,
there are rarely more than two or three
present, and if very small, there may be
200. They usually develop very slowly,
and give but little trouble until they
irritate the passages or become lodged
in the gall duct.
The symptoms of gall stones are not
hard to recognize by physician of ex-
perience, although mistakes are fire.
Quently made. The paroxysms Of pain
which occur when the gall stones are
striving to leave the bladder are ex-
cruciatirg in character and very ex-
hausting. They may come on regularly
every few days or weeks or months.
Sometimes they result in excavations,
and at other times the calculi are un-
able to pass through the duct. An at
tack commeHces with dull pain under
the right ribs, usually after eating or ex-
ertion. The pain soon grows sharp and
intense, of a gripping and boring charac-
ter extending to the abdomen and
shoulder. There may be vomiting of
food and mucous. and occasionally chills
and commissions, but no fever. The
face is pale. and when the calculi be-
comes fastened in the passages there
will be jaundice; often the whole sur
face of the body is cold and covered with
perspiration.
Such symptoms may last for hours or
for days before the stones are eyacu-
ated, and then when they enter the
small intestine iduodenum) the pain
suddenly ceases and the jaundice dis
appears and intense relief is expert
enced, although there is great prostra-
ton and weakness. Occasionally gall
stone may be of such large size or of
such rOughened character as to become
firmly lodged in the duct. and thus cause
suppuration and death. unless surgical
interference is prompt.
Gall stones are usually green or brown,
but may he varied in color. They may
be soapy and greasy to- the touch, or
hard or triable; they may be round or
fiat or oval and smooth or roughened
or warty. A very small angular calculus
may cause great pain. and one large one
may be followed by numerous small
ones. The discharges from the bowels
after a paroXysm should be carefully
searched for the gall stones
The simplest. safest and mos, effec
tive method Of home treatment is some
what similar to that which was given in
Club Notes some weeks ago and consists
in drinking one wineg of sweet
oil-pure olive oil is pleasant to take
at bedtime. This should be followed
the next morning with a cathartic, such
as sedlitz powders or cream of tartar and
phosphate OF soda. teaspOonful each
morning in 4 wiaeglassful of water.
This system should be continued for
several weeks until relief is experienced
by the passing Of the stones.
In addition to the above there should
be placed over the region of the liver. a
large fermentation of lobelia seed and
flax seed. equal parts. keeping it hot
or at least warm for an hour or two,
especially during an acute attack This
fermentation relaxes the tissues and
makes it easier for the stones to pass
out
After the stones have passed out of
the body. new ones will form unless the
bowels are kept open and the Home
Health Club methods of avoiding bill
ious attacks are rigidly followed.