Such as are liable to frequent returns of the bilious colic should use flesh sparingly, and live chiefly upon a light vegetable diet. They should likewise take frequently a dose of cream of tartar with tamarinds, or any other cool acid purge.
The hysteric colic bears a great resemblance to the bilious. It is attended with acute pains about the region of the stomach, vomiting, &c. But what the patient vomits in this case is commonly of a greenish colour. There is a great sinking of the spirits, with dejection of mind and difficulty of breathing, which are the characteristic symptoms of this disorder. Sometimes it is accompanied with the jaundice, but this generally goes off of its own accord in a few days.
In this colic all evacuations, as bleeding, purging, vomiting, &c. do hurt. Every thing that weakens the patient, or sinks the spirits, is to be avoided. If however the vomiting should prove violent, lukewarm water, or small posset, may be drank to cleanse the stomach. Afterwards the patient may take fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five drops of liquid laudanum in a glass of cinnamon water. This may be repeated every ten or twelve hours till the symptoms abate.
The patient may likewise take four or five of the fœtid pills every six hours, and drink a cup of penny-royal tea after them. If asafœtida should prove disagreeable, which is sometimes the case, a tea-spoonful of the tincture of castor in a cup of penny-royal tea, or thirty or forty drops of the balsam of Peru dropped upon a bit of loaf-sugar, may be taken in its stead. The anti-hysteric plaster may also be used, which has often a good effect[[117]].
The nervous colic prevails among miners, smelters of lead, plumbers, the manufacturers of white lead, &c. It is very common in the cyder counties of England, and is supposed to be occasioned by the leaden vessels used in preparing that liquor. It is likewise a frequent disease in the West Indies, where it is termed the dry belly-ache.
No disease of the bowels is attended with more excruciating pain than this. Nor is it soon at an end. I have known it continue eight or ten days with very little intermission, the body all the while continuing bound in spite of medicine, yet at length yield, and the patient recover[[118]]. It generally however leaves the patient weak, and often ends in a palsy.
The general treatment of this disease is so nearly the same with that of the iliac passion, or inflammation of the guts, that we shall not insist upon it. The body is to be opened by mild purgatives given in small doses, and frequently repeated, and their operation must be assisted by soft oily clysters, fomentations, &c. The castor oil is reckoned peculiarly proper in this disease. It may both be mixed with the clysters and given by the mouth.
The Barbadoes tar is said to be an efficacious medicine in this complaint. It may be taken to the quantity of two drachms three times a day, or oftner if the stomach will bear it. This tar, mixed with an equal quantity of strong rum, is likewise proper for rubbing the spine, in case any tingling, or other symptoms of a palsy, are felt. When the tar cannot be obtained, the back may be rubbed with strong spirits, or a little oil of nutmegs or of rosemary.
If the patient remains weak and languid after this disease, he must take exercise on horseback, and use an infusion of the Peruvian bark in wine. When the disease ends in a palsy, the Bath-waters are found to be extremely proper.
To avoid this kind of colic, people must shun all sour fruits, acids, and austere liquors, &c. Those who work in lead ought never to go to their business fasting, and their food should be oily or fat. They may take a glass of sallad oil, with a little brandy or rum every morning, but should never take spirits alone. Liquid aliment is best for them; as fat broths, &c. but low living is bad. They should frequently go a little out of the tainted air; and should never suffer themselves to be costive. In the West Indies, and on the coast of Guinea, it has been found of great use, for preventing this colic, to wear a piece of flannel round the waist, and to drink an infusion of ginger by way of tea.