Those who are troubled with costiveness, ought, if possible, to remedy it by diet, as the constant use of medicines for that purpose is attended with many inconveniencies, and often with bad consequences[[146]]. I never knew any one get into a habit of taking medicine for keeping the body open, who could leave it off. In time the custom becomes necessary, and generally ends in a total relaxation of the bowels, indigestion, loss of appetite, wasting of the strength, and death.
When the body cannot be kept open without medicine, we would recommend gentle doses of rhubarb to be taken twice or thrice a-week. This is not near so injurious to the stomach as aloes, jalap, or the other drastic purgatives so much in use. Infusions of senna and manna may likewise be taken, or half an ounce of soluble tartar dissolved in water-gruel. About the size of a nutmeg of lenitive electuary taken twice or thrice a-day generally answers the purpose very well.
WANT OF APPETITE.
This may proceed from a foul stomach; indigestion; the want of free air and exercise; grief; fear; anxiety; or any of the depressing passions; excessive heat; the use of strong broths, fat meats, or any thing that palls the appetite, or is hard of digestion, the immoderate use of strong liquors, tea, tobacco, opium, &c.
The patient ought, if possible, to make choice of an open dry air; to take exercise daily on horseback or in a carriage; to rise betimes; and to avoid all intense thought. He should use a diet of easy digestion; and should avoid excessive heat and great fatigue.
If want of appetite proceeds from errors in diet, or any other part of the patient’s regimen, it ought to be changed. If nausea and reachings shew that the stomach is loaded with crudities, a vomit will be of service. After this a gentle purge or two of rhubarb, or of any of the bitter purging salts, may be taken. The patient ought next to use some of the stomachic bitters infused in wine. Though gentle evacuations be necessary, yet strong purges and vomits are to be avoided, as they weaken the stomach, and hurt digestion.
Elixir of vitriol is an excellent medicine in most cases of indigestion, weakness of the stomach, or want of appetite. From twenty to thirty drops of it may be taken twice or thrice a-day in a glass of wine or water. It may likewise be mixed with the tincture of the bark, one drachm of the former to an ounce of the latter, and two tea-spoonfuls of it taken in wine or water, as above.
The chalybeate waters, if drank in moderation, are generally of considerable service in this case. The salt-water has likewise good effects; but it must not be used too freely. The waters of Harrowgate, Scarborough, Moffat, and most other Spas in Britain, may be used with advantage. We would advise all who are afflicted with indigestion and want of appetite, to repair to these places of public rendezvous. The very change of air, and the cheerful company, will be of service; not to mention the exercise, dissipation, amusements, &c.
OF THE HEART-BURN.
What is commonly called the heart-burn, is not a disease of that organ, but an uneasy sensation of heat or acrimony about the pit of the stomach, which is sometimes attended with anxiety, nausea, and vomiting.