The colic however is the general term for various painful sensations in the intestines; though the causes as well as the seat, and the manner of its affecting the system, is materially different.
The general cause however, is a stimulant, which irritating the inner coat of the intestines to constriction; and whence a spasmodic contraction, and a perverted peristaltic motion is produced.
If the stomach is affected with the pain of the colic, so that a nausea and reaching attends, or has been previously felt, a vomit is the first, and most expedient method to be had recourse to; for by this, not only the crudities in the stomach gets disburdened, but from the joint action on the internal canal, a stool or two is generally produced, by which frequently the offending acrimony is carried off.
When however this avails not sufficiently, and the pain rather increases, particularly if the body at the same time is costive, recourse should be had to clysters; for purges in this case, do not operate speedily enough, and in cases of costiveness, is not always safe. The clyster No. [XXIII]. may be of great benefit, and if necessity requires it, occasionally repeated.
But more frequently, it is from a nervous affection, and then carminatives prove the most effectual; in such cases give the following,
No. XLII
Take essential oil of peppermint (U), six drops on a lump of sugar; elixir proprietatis (H), five large tea spoonfuls; wine or water, half a tea cupful.
Let the patient take this immediately; a little Turlington’s balsam (W) about a tea spoonful, also is very beneficial. If the pain still continues violent; let ten or twelve drops of liquid laudanum (T), be added. Clysters should not be neglected, but plentifully administered; the same medicines as is given to the patient, may also be added to the clyster.
The dry belly-ach, is a spasmodic contraction of the intestines, and throws the patient into the greatest misery imaginable; clysters is the only recourse and anodynes, together with gentle mercurials will likewise prove beneficial; warm clothes and something that can retain the warmth should constantly be put to the bowels; and in great extremities, cold foot baths have often given immediate relief.
The bilious cholic is of a dangerous tendency, and always attended with the bilious belching and vomiting of bile. In this case vomits is the only method to be used with safety; and if properly continued, as long as the bile is brought up, will never fail of success. But bleeding in bilious complaints is ever pernicious. If a fever attends, method must be used accordingly.