§ 301. An Inflammation of the Intestines, and one of the Stomach, may also terminate in an Abscess, like an Inflammation of any other Part; and it may be apprehended that one is forming, when, though the Violence of the Pains abates, there still remains a slow, obtuse, heavy Pain, with general Inquietude, little Appetite, frequent Shiverings; the Patient at the same Time not recovering any Strength. In such Cases the Patient should be allowed no other Drinks, but what are already directed in this Chapter, and some Soops made of Pulse, or other farinaceous Food.
The Breaking of the Abscess may sometimes be discovered by a slight Swoon or fainting Fit; attended with a perceivable Cessation of a Weight or Heaviness in the Part, where it was lately felt: and when the Pus, or ripe Matter, is effused into the Gut, the Patient sometimes has Reachings to vomit, a Vertigo, or Swimming in the Head, and the Matter appears in the next Stools. In this Case there remains an Ulcer within the Gut, which, if either neglected, or improperly treated, may pave the Way to a slow wasting Fever, and even to Death. Yet this I have cured by making the Patient live solely upon skimmed Milk, diluted with one third Part Water, and by giving every other Day a Glyster, consisting of equal Parts of Milk and Water, with the Addition of a little Honey.
When the Abscess breaks on the Outside of the Gut, and discharges its Contents into the Cavity of the Belly, it becomes a very miserable Case, and demands such further Assistance as cannot be particularized here.
Of the bilious Cholic.
§ 302. The bilious Cholic discovers itself by very acute Pains, but is seldom accompanied with a Fever; at least not until it has lasted a Day or two. And even if there should be some Degree of a Fever, yet the Pulse, though quick, is neither strong nor hard: the Belly is neither tense or stretched as it were, nor burning hot, as in the former Cholic: the Urine comes away with more Ease, and is less high-coloured: Nevertheless the inward Heat and Thirst are considerable; the Mouth is bitter; the Vomiting or Purging, when either of them attend it, discharge a yellowish Humour or Excrement; and the Patient's Head is often vertiginous or dizzy.
§ 303. The Method of curing this is,
1, By injecting Glysters of Whey and Honey; or, if Whey is not readily procurable, by repeating the Glyster, [Nº. 5].
2, By making the Sick drink considerably of the same Whey, or of a Ptisan made of the Root of Dog's-Grass (the common Grass) and a little Juice of Lemon, for want of which, a little Vinegar and Honey may be substituted instead of it. [75]
3, By giving every Hour one Cup of the Medicine [Nº. 32]; or where this is not to be had, half a Drachm of Cream of Tartar at the same short Intervals.
4, Fomentations of warm Water and Half-baths are also very proper.