b. For disguising the nauseous taste and preventing subsequent eructations, a good plan is to take a few grains of common salt, both immediately before and after a dose. As a vehicle, a little orange-wine, or solution of quinine, or lime juice, or hot strong coffee without milk, have been advocated by various writers. A little Omum water (317) is perhaps the best vehicle of all.
c. The bulk of the whole dose of the oil and vehicle together should be so small that it may be swallowed at a single draught; therefore the vehicle should not exceed a table-spoonful, with, at first, a teaspoonful of the oil, to be gradually increased to a table-spoonful. The spoon and glass used for taking it should be kept scrupulously clean, as any oil left adhering to them soon turns rancid. In taking this (as well as all other nauseous drugs) it is advisable to prevent, as far as possible, the tongue from coming in contact with it; to effect this the tongue should be projected on the surface of the glass or spoon, and the fluid thrown down as far back in the throat as can conveniently be done.
d. The dose, as a general rule, at the commencement is a teaspoonful three times daily, gradually increased as the stomach is able to bear it. It is rarely requisite to exceed a table-spoonful twice or thrice daily; large quantities either derange the stomach and liver, or pass off unabsorbed by the bowels.
e. The diet during the course of the oil should be plain and nutritious, consisting of bread, fresh meat roast or boiled, poultry, game, &c., with a fair proportion of vegetables, and fruit, and a moderate quantity of liquids. All rich articles of food, as pastry, fat meat, cream, &c., should be avoided. Wine is preferable to beer, the latter often disagreeing. Should a bilious attack come on, the oil should be discontinued, the diet lightened, and an occasional aperient administered. In a few days, when the attack has passed off, the oil may be resumed, beginning with the small doses as at the first. In all cases during the use of the oil, the bowels should be kept regular, if necessary, by mild aperients.
f. During its use the patient should be as much as possible in the open air, and take gentle exercise.
138. It is in Pulmonary Consumption that the value of Fish-liver Oil is most manifest, but there are a large number of cases of a scrofulous character in which it proves almost equally valuable. In Scrofulous Abscesses, Suppurating Glands, Ulcerations, Discharges whether from the Nose or Ears, and Skin Diseases, especially when the patient is weak and emaciated, the oil is indicated and proves most beneficial. It proves equally useful in Scrofulous Affections of the Joints and Bones, especially in Rickets; and in Scrofulous Ophthalmia.
139. In the Mesenteric Affections of Children the best results often follow its use; the little patient rapidly gains strength and flesh, the tumefied belly becomes reduced, the stools lose their clayey colour and become bilious and healthy. It should not only be given internally, but should be used as a liniment to the abdomen. The Obstinate Constipation of Children sometimes yields to the use of the oil, and its return is prevented while the remedy is continued. In Stricture of the Rectum, as an adjunct to dilatation cod-liver oil is an excellent remedy: it nourishes the patient, and softens the motions, rendering aperients unnecessary. (Mr. Curling.) It is also well worthy of a trial in cases of Chronic Hydrocephalus, or Water on the Brain, occurring in children of a scrofulous habit.
140. In the advanced stages of Hooping Cough, and in other Spasmodic Coughs, which often remain after an attack of Bronchitis, especially when occurring in weakly children, marked benefit follows its use.
141. Chorea (St. Vitus's Dance) and Epilepsy sometimes are benefited by it when more active remedies have failed. The same remark applies to some forms of Neuralgia, especially Tic Douloureux; but the cases in which it will prove serviceable can only be ascertained by trials with the remedy.
142. In Chronic Rheumatism attended with much debility and emaciation, it often proves useful; in fact, in all cases of Atrophy (wasting or emaciation), whether connected with Rheumatism, Scrofula or defective digestion or resulting from long-continued confinement in close rooms, as in jails, &c., a course of the oil offers the best prospects of success. In some form of Paralysis it is occasionally very beneficial. In Leprosy it is a remedy well worthy of careful trial; not so much as a curative agent as a means of relieving many of the distressing symptoms.