XLIII.—Cramps.
Rubbing-sheets, and rubbing powerfully with wet hands, for a considerable time, particularly the feet, are efficient means of cure; after each application let the patient remain quiet. If the hands or feet become cold, apply friction again to them and the parts affected.
Mr. Brown finding patient nearly dead from Cramp, immediately administered an enema, then a rubbing-sheet with great friction, followed by a tepid bath for nearly an hour, the enema took effect whilst under the friction, rubbing-sheets and baths were repeated three times before mid-day with good effect.
In the afternoon, rubbing-sheets were used, and friction with wet hands.
Cramp-Cough.—I knew a case of this nature which was most successfully treated at Gräfenberg.
Morning, two or three packing-sheets followed by tepid bath; noon, tepid sitz-bath, quarter of an hour; afternoon, morning treatment renewed.
The Crisis was attended with inflammation and ulcers of the throat.
Tepid-baths, were administered twice a day, for ten to fifteen minutes, changing alternately from hot to cold and back to hot. To subdue fever which was very active in the night, the patient took a plunge or two into a cold bath before going to bed.
Bandage on Chest at night, in addition to that round the loins.
Cramps in the Stomach.—Patient’s complaint was cramp in the stomach, weak digestion, great nervous sensibility. Packing-sheet one hour, and tepid-bath in the morning, four minutes, with great friction; then three successive plunges into tepid, cold, and tepid-bath, to remain in the last four minutes; noon, rubbing-sheet five minutes, followed by sitz-bath ten minutes; afternoon, repeat morning treatment, wear bandage day and night, and drink twelve tumblers of water daily.
In a short time, the tepid-bath was relinquished for the cold-bath; and the douche was used for two minutes, as a longer period was found to disagree with the patient. A diarrhœa was cured by the addition of sitz-baths; at which time the douche was not persevered in.