The general principles to be observed in the treatment of functional dyspepsia, as given by Hutchison, are: (1) to remove the cause; (2) to adapt the diet to the impaired functional power of the stomach; (3) to administer such drugs as are calculated to stimulate or correct the particular function or functions which happen to be impaired, or disordered. Proper diet, proper mastication of food, hygiene of the mouth, and constipation are enumerated as deserving attention. Careful attention to securing a proper diet is essential. The choice of drugs depends, of course, on the conditions that give rise to indigestion, and he calls attention to the necessity of avoiding all routine treatment and compiling one’s prescription with an eye to the special disorder or disorders of function, whether secretory, motor or sensory, believed to be present. Hutchison gives the following typical prescriptions to illustrate the use of drugs in the different disorders of function:
FOR HYPERSECRETION (HYPERCHLORHYDRIA, ACID DYSPEPSIA, ETC.)
| Sodium bromid | 10 | grains |
| Bismuth subcarbonate | 15 | grains |
| Chloroform water | 1⁄2 | ounce |
This mixture to be taken before meals.
Sodium bicarbonate.
Bismuth subcarbonate.
Heavy magnesium carbonate, of each equal parts.
A small teaspoonful of the powder to be taken mixed with a little water or milk about two hours after meals.
FOR DEFICIENT SECRETION (HYPOCHYLIA, ACHYLIA, GASTRITIS, ETC.)
| Sodium bicarbonate | 10 | grains |
| Tincture of nux vomica | 10 | minims |
| Spirit of chloroform | 8 | minims |
| Compound infusion of gentian | 1⁄2 | ounce |
This mixture to be taken before meals.
Dilute hydrochloric acid and glycerin, of each 15 minims with enough water to make half an ounce, to be taken about twenty minutes after meals.
FOR DEFECTIVE MOTILITY (ATONIC DYSPEPSIA, GASTROPTOSIS, ETC.)
Hutchison recommends the use of 10 minims of tincture of nux vomica in an aromatic vehicle, such as infusion of quassia and compound tincture of cardamom; but another aromatic bitter, such as the compound tincture of gentian, will serve quite as well, of course. This is to be taken before each meal, and for the flatulence that often accompanies this trouble he gives menthol, aromatic spirit of ammonia and spirit of chloroform, as may be needed.
FOR ACID DYSPEPSIA