PART II. SYNOPSIS OR INDEX OF DISEASES. (continued 2)

"An addition to, and a change in the diet is of the first consequence. This is to be done by administering as drugs a daily liberal proportion of good butter, sugar, and lime-juice.

"In many parts of India, especially during the hot weather, good butter is not to be got as a fresh article of food; an excellent substitute for it is the tinned article, now so readily obtainable, which, if salt, can be carefully prepared for use by having the salt washed out of it. The lime-juice should be, if possible, in the form of fresh limes, lemons, or oranges; rather than the lime-juice of commerce. Where fresh limes, &c., or lime-juice cannot be procured, sweet mango pickles, lime pickles, or the bazaar commodity Ám-chur (see Index, Scurvy) should be employed; from the last excellent preserves and tarts can be made, which are relished as a diet.

"The water supply should be changed, and even, if necessary, condensed water be drunk, in place of the saline stuff so common along our north-west frontier, where the river water is to be preferred to that of brackish wells full of nitrates.

"Other vegetables, such as potatoes, cauliflower, and artichokes should be added to the dietary if obtainable, and when possible an immediate change of climate, even for a few days, and to another water supply is of immense importance.

"The good results in following up the above proposals can be at once seen in the rapid alteration of the conditions of the ulcer, or ulcers, which at once begin to take on a healing action. They require after this but simple dressing, and indeed disappear as if by a miracle, leaving, however, behind them a scar, a well known momento of having once lived in an unhealthy climate."—Aitchison.

Urine, to relieve pain and scalding on passing.

Nitre (269), with Rice Conjee (322), Decoction of Abelmoschus (2), or of Ispaghúl Seeds (305) and the Hip Bath (392) generally afford relief. For Retention of Urine, Opium (287*) and a Hip Bath (392), with Hot Water Fomentations to the pubes, often succeed in recent cases; if these fail, no time should be lost in placing the patient under medical care.

Uterus, Painful Affections of.

Camphor (73), Opium (289*), Datura Poultices (130), and Hip Bath (392), either alone or conjointly, are calculated to afford relief. Chronic Affections of, Borax and Cinnamon (58). For Prolapsus or descent of, use vaginal injections of Decoction of Galls (147), or of Babúl Bark (9), holding Alum (25*) in solution. Bleeding from, see Hæmorrhage, and Menstrual Discharge, Excessive.

Vaginal Discharges.

Cubebs (125), and Gurjun Balsam (160) internally (given by the mouth) and vaginal injections of Lime Water (224), Alum (30) and Decoctions of Babúl Bark (9), Galls (149), or Pomegranate Rind (313) are indicated. [Employ at first simply cold or warm water injections, regulating the temperature according to the feelings of the patient; if these do not benefit, try Solution of Sugar (one part), Water (four parts). Add Alum or other astringents, if necessary, but do not commence with them until a fair trial has been given to the simpler means.—Aitchison.] For the Vaginal Discharges of Young Children, the local application of Lime Water (224), with Fish Liver Oil (138) internally offer the best chance of success.

Vaginal Irritation.

Is often removed, like a charm, by the application to the parts of a very weak solution of Carbolic Acid (one to twenty of Sweet Oil); if used stronger it is apt to cause pain, this pain is at once removed by a free application of sweet oil alone (Aitchison).

Voice, Loss of.

Catechu (89), or any of the other measures directed for Hoarseness.

Vomiting.

Amongst the remedies to allay this, are Infusion of Cloves (105), Infusion of Ginger, (155), Lemon Grass Oil (216*), and Omum Water (318), with or without the addition of a little Opium (290). Apply Mustard Poultices (251), or Turpentine Stupes (362). In obstinate cases try Leeches (213). Lime Water (223*), though especially adapted for Vomiting arising from Acidity of the Stomach, is well worthy of a trial in all obstinate cases, especially in the Vomiting of Infants and Young Children. It is best given in milk. Vomiting in Fevers. Hot Water (358).

Warts.

Seldom resist the persevering application for a week or two of Sulphate of Copper (108); a piece of it moistened should be rubbed lightly over the wart, avoiding the surrounding skin. It may be applied once every day, or every other day.

Wasps Stings of.

See Bites, Venomous.

Water on the Brain.

See Hydrocephalus.

Water-brash (Pyrosis).

Butea Gum (62), and Lime Water (223) may often be used with advantage.

Whites.

See Leucorrhœa, and Vaginal Discharges.

Womb, Affections of.

See Uterus, Affections of.

Worms.

For Tænia, or Tape Worm, give Kamala (189), Pomegranate Root Bark (314), or Turpentine (365). When one fails another will often succeed. For Lumbricus or Common Round Worm, try Butea Seeds (64), Vernonia Seeds (373b), or Papaw Juice (295).

The best remedy in these cases is Santonin, and considering the great prevalence of these worms amongst the people of India, and the many anomalous nervous and other affections to which they give rise, it is advisable always to have on hand a supply of this drug. The dose for children under four years is from two to four grains; above twelve years from six to eight grains, rubbed up with about twice its weight of sugar repeated every six or eight hours thrice in succession. A good plan is to give the Santonin at bedtime, and a small dose of Castor Oil in the morning, three days in succession. In many cases, it has been stated, no aperient is needed, one or two stools succeeding its administration containing the worms, if any are present; still, it is safer to follow up its use by an aperient. It is of little or no use in Tape Worm; and in Thread Worm, though it will aid, often strikingly, in removing the worms, it will not prevent their reappearance. For Round Worm it is by far the most effectual remedy we possess. For Ascarides, or Thread Worm, use enemas of Lime Water (227), Asafœtida (36), or Turpentine (365).

Wounds, Ulcerated.

See Ulcers, Bleeding from. See Hæmorrhage.