GALL-STONES. (BILIARY CALCULI.)
These are concretions found in the gall-bladder or bile duct, and vary from the size of a pea to that of a hen's egg. There may be no indication of their existence in the gall-bladder until they begin to pass through the duct.
Causes. The formation of gall-stones is undoubtedly due to an unhealthy condition of the bile. Corpulent persons, and those indulging in over-stimulating diet, or in the habitual use of fermented drinks, are most liable to be troubled by them.
Symptoms. The patient is suddenly seized with excruciating pain in the right side. After a time it subsides, but is again renewed with as great severity as before. There is nausea, with vomiting, which is often excessive and severe. The pulse is sometimes slower than is natural, the extremities are cold, there is great exhaustion, together with perspiration and spasmodic contraction of the abdominal muscles. As soon as one stone has passed through the duct into the intestine, immediate relief is experienced until another commences to pass, and the larger the concretion, the greater is the pain. If the stools be washed, the gall-stones may be seen floating on top of the water.
Treatment. This consists chiefly in relieving the patient of pain and vomiting during the passage of the gall-stones. Hot fomentations made with stramonium leaves and lobelia, and applied over the painful parts, are beneficial. Small doses of lobelia may be taken, but not in sufficient quantities to produce vomiting. Doses of opium should also be taken; this anodyne must, however, be used with care. Gelseminum is often useful. Chloroform, ether, or the spirit vapor-bath generally allays the pain. Carbonate of soda, dissolved in water, often relieves the vomiting.
These distressing symptoms are apt to recur until the removal of all the gall-stones is effected. To aid in removing them, take the Golden Medical Discovery rather freely for a day or two, and continue its use with lobelia, in doses sufficiently large to produce nausea, but not vomiting. From four to eight ounces of sweet oil may be given, and, if the bowels do not respond within three hours, repeat the dose, and the gall-stones will generally be evacuated. To prevent the formation of these concretions take the Golden Medical Discovery, together with alkaline drinks made with carbonate of soda. Tone and energy will thereby be imparted to the liver, the free flow of bile will be insured and the subsequent formation of gall-stones prevented.
INTESTINAL WORMS.
We have not the space to discuss the numerous theories which have been offered to account for the presence of these parasites in the human body. We shall enumerate the principal species, describe the symptoms indicating their presence, and indicate the proper remedies.
There are five species of intestinal worms, sufficiently common to merit a description.
(1.) The round worm, termed by naturalists, ascaris lumbricoides, varies from six inches to a foot in length, and resembles the common earth-worm. It infests the small intestines, and seldom migrates into the stomach or large bowel. Instances are recorded, however, in which it has crept upward in the esophagus, larynx, nostrils, and eustachian tube; but their presence in these parts is of comparatively rare occurrence, and is generally caused by some local irritation which compels their migration. The fact that they have been found in the peritoneal sac, gave rise to the opinion that they perforate the intestine; but careful observations have proved that they can only escape through openings made by ulcers.