This method will probably restore him to health; and it must be preserved with a due care afterwards; else relapses in this case are frequent. A vomit once in six weeks, and a dose of rhubarb every ten days, with a careful diet, will usually make this a very healthy constitution.
The great care is taking the defect in time; for new disorders are easily conquered; but long established ones are too obstinate for such weak bodies.
CHAP. XIV.
Of pains and inflammations.
It is proper to treat of these together, because they generally come one with the other. We need not tell the old man when he is in pain: but he must examine carefully whether there be inflammation with it.
This he will know to be the case by his pulse beating hard and quick; and by high-coloured urine: his flesh also will be hotter than usual. When pains come on without these symptoms, warmth in the part, and patience, are the remedies: they must be considered as the lot of age, and endured accordingly: but when other symptoms join with them, they threaten dangerous consequences.
The first step in this case is bleeding: and this with abstinence from all hot foods often performs the cure.
If this give no relief, the next day but one a vomit will be proper. If the body be costive, that inflames all the symptoms; and if purges be given, they increase the violent motion of the blood, and therefore do more hurt than service. Cooling and oily glysters are the proper method, and the only proper one; and they should be repeated regularly every morning.
The diet must be light and cool: all solid foods should be omitted for the first four or five days, and in their place asses milk should be taken. Chicken broth and jellies must be the chief nourishment during this period.
After this, as the disorder abates, the strength must be considered; and by degrees the usual diet, such as is here recommended for healthy old men, should be introduced. But this must be done gradually, and with great caution: otherwise, a hidden change, from low to richer diet, will certainly bring on the complaint again; with more and worse inflammation.