Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-06-21

all are employed either to relieve bod
lily pain or stifle the overinsistent and
worrying brain. But. as in the case of
alcohol the relief brought by, these
drugs is usually paid for alta high
rate of interest. In fact the troubles
which are temporarily forced into the
background by such indulgence seem
to grow in direct proportion to the
degree of indulgence and simply await
the reckoning day, when the long eyad-
ed life burden must be taken up with
ever terminated.
These remarks do not apply. of
course. to the intelligent and proper
administration of such remedies by a
physician. 1t is part of physicians
duty to relieve pain. both mental and
physical. but ittoo often happens that
a narcotic properly administered. in
one. instance is; carelessly. again taken
without medical advice, and the foun-
dation of a lifelong habit is laid ,-5e N
2siM 81 Headache Remedies. VI err is
A great deal of harm is done by the
self administration of headache RENE,
dies. mostly of the COAX tar class.
These remedies have their place. but
should be used under physicians
guidance, : Many Headaches; can be re
Heved by simple remedies Bathing
the forehead with a little bay rum or
rubbing with a menthol pencil, simple
rest or a dose of salts will often prove
sufficient The, constant use of head
ache remedies is more. than likely to
prove irritating to the kidneys. aside
from the depressing action on the
heart. Aromatic ammonia, strychnine
or some other heart, stimulant should
always be within the reach of those
who are so i'll advised as to use head.
ache powders more or less regularly. 4
The causes of headaches are so nu-]
merous as to cover almost the entire
range of diseased conditions. So call
ed ''biliOusneSs'' is one Of the common
causes. This is nothing other than
poisoning from the retained products
of indigestion. Bile r. may have little
or nothing to do with it. but calomel
or some other brisk evacuant will
cledT lue- system Cl the. poison duu re-
lieve the symptoms. ue5a8..sg -u
Eye strain is also a very frequent
cause Of headache The folly of swal
lowing drugs to relieve such trouble
is evident. 1t is comparable to knock
ing man insensible in order to relieve
his pain Properly fitted glasses will
| usually relieve eye strain. But in
| some cases eye strain is due to overuse
| or improper use of the eyes. Such
| cases are readily relieved by rest and
| attention to proper illumination or po-
| sition while reading .-..
Abuse of Cathartics.
AS a rule. cathartics should only be
used as emergency remedies in acute
conditions. as colds, biliousness. indi-
gestion, etc. \ tendency to costive
ness can usually he overcome by nat
ural remedies. Dragging the bowels
is very much like drugging the nerv-
Gus systematic drug becomes mas
ter. but the time comes when the, slave
will not obey the master. and a condi
ton of semi-paralysis Of the bowel
| function exists. r-aF5 .fJI@. Eclt
In treating constipation it should be
remembered that the intestine is a
long muscular tube. This muscle is
what is known as an ''involuntary'
muscle. not under the control of the
will. but acting refexly. Certain cen
tiers in the spinal cord preside over the
bowel function and respond to certain
stimuli. One of these stimuli is the
presence of q certain volume of waste
matter in the bowel,-Another~is the
tendency to rhythmical action of the
spinal center. In other words. spinal
centers form habits. just~t he same as
brain centers. and if accustomed tc
act at a particular time each day viii
contrive 70 do so if permitted.
The value of a fairly general mixed
diet is evident when the structure and
function of the bowel are considered
Concentrated. predigested food would
soon abolish the bowel function Some
people eat too little waste matter
Their food is mostly meat and pota
| toes. generous allowance Of fruit
and green vegetables. ESPECIALLY spin
| dSlI, anu sLIt~ llFe EuSt -O1 " dtel Dt,
tween meals will act like magic in suct
cases. Thesuse of! Drugs is irrationa
and positively harmful.
Tea, Coffee and Tobacco.
The use of tea. coffee and tobacco il
moderation cannot be regarded a
harmful, but even the term "modera
ton is here used in a positive sense
q No doubt much, dyspepsia and ynervou
arrangement are due to the abuse o
. these fragrant and cheering sui
stances What constitutes abuse car
only be determined by experiment i
each individual case For, the avera e
man one cup of coffee at breakfast an
q demitasse In the evening should
i sufficient Two cups of coffee or tie
contain a pretty generous dose of tn
drug caffeine and amount to .druggin
the nervous system. 80
Tobacco should also be used accord
ling to, personal susceptibility. A ciga