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Colic.Flatulent colic is familiar to all from personal experience. It is due to the collection of gas in the intestine, which is, in its turn, the result of indigestion. This form of colic often follows constipation in one unaccustomed to it, and continues until the bowels are evacuated. This form of colic may follow exposure to cold, or the consumption of indigestible articles of food. It would seem also, to follow simple exposure to cold, or physical exhaustion, though these causes probably induce colic indirectly by occasioning indigestion. The symptoms are so familiar that no description is necessary. Yet it may be well to remark, that the abdomen is sometimes the seat of spasmotic pain from other causes than the collection of gas in the intestine ; thus, the passage of gall stones from the gall bladder into the intestine may occasion spasms of pain similar to those of colic, and which are, indeed, called " Hepatic (liver) colic. " Then, again, attacks resembling those of ordinary wind colic occur as an early symptom in one of the severest diseases of the nervous system-locomotor ataxia. Again, attacks of colic occur as one of the results and symptoms of a most dangerous accident- acute rupture, or strangulated hernia. The possibility of these causes for colic must be borne in mind, though, of course, the instances in which they occur are few in comparison with the numerous cases of ordinary wind colic resulting from errors 6f diet. Treatment.-In mild attacks, it will suffice to place hot cloths or a light mustard plaster upon the abdomen, and to give a little Jamaica ginger in a tablespoonful of brandy or whisky, by the mouth. If this be not efficient in relieving pain, chloroform may be administered, either by inhalation or twenty drops of it may be given in a little brandy. In most cases it will be desirable that the patient take some opium, not only to secure immediate relief from the spasm, but also to promote the evacuation of the bowels, which must happen before the patient will be entirely safe from a recurrence of the pain. Twenty drops of laudanum may be given, or if the patient be constantly vomiting, a teaspoonful of laudanum mixed with a little starch may be injected into the rectum. If the pain be not subdued within an hour, this dose may be repeated. In most cases vomiting constitutes one of the features of the attack; if this be not the case, and there be reason for supposing that the colic is the result of indigestion, an emetic should be administered in order to empty the stomach. The quickest, though not the most certain, way of securing vomiting, is to tickle the throat with the finger or with a feather; if this measure be not successful, half a tablespoonful of common salt or mustard may be dissolved in a glass of warm water and swallowed. This may be repeated in ten minutes if the vomiting be not induced within that time. The patient will not be entirely free from pain and soreness until the bowels are evacuated. To secure this object it is mucn better to rely upon injections into the rectum, than upon cathartics; an' injection of warm water containing a tablespoonful of castor oil or soap suds, will usually secure a speedy evacuation. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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