You may give some veratrum at first; one-half drop of the extract every two hours for one day; and to allay the thirst, give cold water in which some wheat flour has been stirred.
My principal remedies if the diarrhœa mixture does not cure, is to give the sour drops (elixir vitriol), and either large or small doses of ipecac. I also use injections of starch and laudanum, and rectal suppositories. (F. 155, 160.)
You may find much benefit from some domestic remedies. Give either occasional doses of strong table tea, or spoonful doses of vinegar and table salt, or freshly prepared melted mutton suet.
Aromatic spirit of ammonia is useful in hysteria, flatulent colic and nervous debility. It is not a powerful medicine to overcome disease, but it is a medicine that ought to be at hand to relieve many little ailments that are liable to occur, when much medicine cannot be given. I advise those that are suffering from sick headache to take 30 or 40 drops of it as a stimulant antacid. It may be well also to take a teaspoonful of paregoric, and to lie down till sleep gives relief. Fainting fits or FAINTING may demand a remedy, and 15 drops ar. spts. ammonia may give the desired relief, if the sufferer lie down and a little cold water be sprinkled in her face also.
This medicine is a grateful antacid in cases of SOUR STOMACH, and it will usually give some relief in the flatulence and distress of DYSPEPSIA.
It may often be used as a slight stimulant, but as it is an alkaline remedy it should not be given conjoined with acids.
Essence peppermint and SPIRITS CAMPHOR are often used in ailments similar to those in which I use aromatic ammonia, and this may be given in combination with them. Some persons have a decided preference for essence cinnamon, or wintergreen, and these may be substituted for peppermint; aromatics also, such as sweet flag, will have a similar effect.
Spirits nitre is often a grateful stimulant to the stomach, but it is also used in febrile affections, and inflammatory complaints. Four parts of spirits nitre to one of ar. ammonia is diuretic, diaphoretic, and is well suited to certain states of febrile disease.
When given to promote the action of the kidneys, a half teaspoonful or more may be given every two hours in a spoonful of water. Scanty and high colored urine, especially when it is acrid and burning, is an indication for its use.
Syrup of ipecac is used as an expectorant and emetic in colds and coughs. If given to a child, one teaspoonful is an emetic dose, to be repeated every fifteen minutes till it operates. If given to loosen a cough, five or six drops repeated every half hour will suffice; but it may be given in much larger doses. It is often given in combination. (F. 137, 139.)