Thomsonian practice of midwifery : and treatment of complaints peculiar to women and children / By J.W. Comfort, M.D.

  • Comfort, J. W. (John W.)
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thomsonian practice of midwifery : and treatment of complaints peculiar to women and children / By J.W. Comfort, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    associated with symptoms of hysteria, such as coldness in the top of the head; a copious discharge of limpid urine; and con- striction in the throat. Heartburn, sour eructations, and flat- ulency, very often attend palpitation of the heart, the derange- ment in the digestive functions heing the primary cause of all the symptoms ahove mentioned. Treatment.—When palpitation of the heart is attended with symptoms of indigestion, such as hurning at the pit of the stomach, obstinate costiveness, loss of appetite, &c, the treat- ment must be such as will rectify the constitutional derange- ment and promote digestion. If the symptoms be very dis- tressing, a course of medicine should be given, and the general course of treatment adopted, as recommended for the cure of heartburn, waterbrash and costiveness. If the patient be fe- verish, broken doses of lobelia should be taken. Sometimes palpitation of the heart is occasioned by a diseas- ed condition of the spinal nerves. In cases of this kind there is a tenderness in the spine between the shoulder blades, very readily detected by pressure. A pepper poultice, or stimulat- ing embrocations and ointments, should be employed external- ly, and such constitutional treatment as the condition of the general health requires. When irregular throbbing of the heart is accompanied with hysteric symptoms, such treatment as will be best adapted to remove the hysteric symptoms will be the treatment most likely to rectify the functional derangement of the heart. Valerian, (Thomsonian nerve powder) scull cap, gentian, Virginia snake root, or spice bitters, may be taken with benefit. Collections of gas in the stomach aggravate the symptoms, and by taking some volatile stimulant, as lavender brandy, No. 6 and hot water, camphor and water, or hot water and spirits, the gas will be expelled and the symptoms of hys- teria relieved. When palpitation of the heart is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the head, giddiness, and a flushed countenance, the warm foot bath should be employed, and sti- mulating injections containing a portion of lobelia, administer- ed as often as the symptoms may require them. In cases where the symptoms arc violent, a full course of medicine may be nc-