Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1884 — THE FAMILY DOCTOR. [ARTICLE]

THE FAMILY DOCTOR.

Habitual Constipation. —ln the British Medical Journal Dr. J, I Mortimer Granville offers three prescriptions which he claims are generally applicable to the treatment of all well recognized forms of habitual constipation. He sees three forms of the disease, one due to deficient peristaltic j action, one due to deficient glandular secretion and one due to interruption of the habit of periodic evacuation. For the relief of the first form he prescribes : R Sod® valerianstls gr. xxxvj. j T nctur® nucis vamic® m lx Tinctur® capsici m xlviij. Syrupi aurantii oz Isa Aqu® adoz vi. M. Ft mistura Sig.—Tablespoonful in water half an hour before meals. For the second form: R Aluminis dr iij. Tinctur® quassi® oz j. Infusi qu;i*si® oz vij. M 81g.—Dessertspoonful alter meals For the th rd fonn. R Ammoni® carbo atis dr j. 1 Tinctur® valerian® oz j. Aqu® camphor® oz v. M. Sig.—Tate one ounce as directed on arising from bed. Dr. Granville insists upon a regular hour for going to stool, at least to make an effort at evacuation. He proposes to establish in this way the normal habit, and thinks apei-ients in habitual constipation do no good.— Druggists' Circular. Scuofula.—This, in the past, was known as “King’s Evil,” probably from the fact that it prevailed in the families of royalty, among those who “fared sumptuously every day,” or were the victims of a luxurious style of living. The name is derived from the Latin Bcrofa, “a sow,” since it was long ago marked by an indolent swelling of the glands, particularly in the neck, followed by suppuration and breaking, in some instances running for a long time, because the supply of waste and putrid matters is still kept up by false habits of living, by a want of cleanliness, pure air and sunlight, the healing also proceeding slowly. From thi3 fact, and many bad habits of living, the idea lias prevailed among the ignorant, that these discharges are “running the life away,” an idea too absurd to deserve a moment’s thought. It may* be that such half-created victims of sensuality may not live, even with all that nature oan do by these discharges of putrid and poison matter, while a sudden check, this poison being thrown inward, would destroy life in a few hours; not only let this pass off, but urge its discharge by the use of poultices, or, far better, wet cloths, kept warm by bandages; and then direct attention to the removal of the causes, since such filthy suppurations nro rarely, if ever, found among the Jews, or even blotches on the surface, or humors, or indeed in any non-pork-eating nation. The first cause to be removed is the use of the most diseased of all meats found on the tables of civilization, iporic, and its concentrated filthiness—lard. Let the doubters carefully examine the entrails of the hog. the fat (deposits, the neck, and see how many (Corrupt abcesses may be found in these fatty deposits, sometimes holding a quart of “matter,” as dealers will assure yon, if the hog is very fat and thureloie very much diseased. To see, is be convinced. Or, let them a«k Moses, who was instructed by Jehovah, as seen in the eleventh chapter of Leviticus. These victims at birth are “rickety,” have large abdomens, joints, heads, flabby muscles, a clear skin filled with corruption, so filled and so slightly vitalized, that most of them, aside from a great .deal of good nursing and training, will become consumptive. To avoid this, let them be subjected to correct treatment, as well cared for as are our favorite horses by the intelligent expect, or as are the pugilists while being trained for,an ignoble, disgraceful fight! Let totem be put on to a bread and milk diet, taith eggs, fruits, potatoes, using but little meats, and then only the lean, plain fish, the bread being the gemaine article, not the impoverished fine flour product. Let them be kept clean by washings daily, if they are warm afterward, (salt may be added,) rubbed or brushed thoroughly. Let them be regular in their meals and in all respeets, sleeping as much as possible. But above all, let them have an abundance of out-door exercise, as much air and sun as possible, well clad and fed, and kept out of school till they are vigorous.—Dr. J. H. Hanaford.