Bathing the feet and legs in lukewarm water has likewise a very good effect in this disease. Opiates too are sometimes beneficial; but these must be administered with caution. Ten or twelve drops of laudanum may be given in a cup of barley-water twice a-day, and continued for some time, provided they be found beneficial.
The conserve of roses is likewise a very good medicine in this case, provided it be taken in sufficient quantity, and long enough persisted in. It may be taken to the quantity of three or four ounces a-day; and, if the patient be troubled with a cough, it should be made into an electuary with balsamic syrup, and a little of the syrup of poppies.
If stronger astringents be necessary, fifteen or twenty drops of the elixir of vitriol may be given in a glass of water three or four times a-day.
Those who are subject to frequent returns of this disease should avoid all excess. Their diet should be light and cool, consisting chiefly of milk and vegetables. Above all, let them beware of vigorous efforts of the body, and violent agitations of the mind.
VOMITING OF BLOOD.
This is not so common as the other discharges of blood which have already been mentioned; but it is very dangerous, and requires particular attention.
Vomiting of blood is generally preceded by pain of the stomach, sickness, and nausea; and is accompanied with great anxiety, and frequent fainting fits.
This disease is sometimes periodical; in which case it is less dangerous. It often proceeds from an obstruction of the menses in women; and sometimes from the stopping of the hæmorrhoidal flux in men. It may be occasioned by any thing that greatly stimulates or wounds the stomach, as strong vomits or purges, acrid poisons, sharp or hard substances taken into the stomach, &c. It is often the effect of obstructions in the liver, the spleen, or some of the other viscera. It may likewise proceed from external violence, as blows or bruises, or from any of the causes which produce inflammation. In hysteric women, vomiting of blood is a very common, but by no means a dangerous symptom.
A great part of the danger in this disease arises from the extravasated blood lodging in the bowels, and becoming putrid, by which means a dysentery or putrid fever may be occasioned. The best way of preventing this, is to keep the body gently open, by frequently exhibiting emollient clysters. Purges must not be given till the discharge is stopt, otherwise they will irritate the stomach, and increase the disorder. All the food and drink must be of a mild cooling nature, and taken in small quantities. Even drinking cold water has sometimes proved a remedy, but it will succeed better when sharpened with the weak spirits of vitriol. When there are signs of an inflammation, bleeding may be necessary; but the patient’s weakness will seldom permit it. Opiates may be of use; but they must be given in very small doses, as four or five drops of liquid laudanum twice or thrice a-day.
After the discharge is over, as the patient is generally troubled with gripes, occasioned by the acrimony of the blood lodged in the intestines, gentle purges will be necessary.