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Inflammation of the StomachWhile the acute inflammation of the stomach alone is thus a comparatively rare affection, an acute catarrh involving the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine is a frequent incident, attributable to indulgence in food of improper quality or quantity; this catarrh is the condition commonly termed " biliousness," and will be discussed hereafter. An acute inflammation of the stomach occasions intense burn ing pain in the region commonly termed the " pit " of the stomach ; this pain is increased during breathing, so that the patient often carefully avoids any movement which would require more active breathing. But the most prominent symptoms are violent and obstinate nausea and vomiting, the stomach rejecting everything, even water in small quantities; the matter vomited is thick and ropy, of a yellowish green color and bitter taste; there is often, also, blood to be seen. There is usually intense thirst, and the patient constantly gratifies it by drinking water or other liquors, although he knows that this act will be followed by painful vomiting. The constitutional symptoms, also, are severe. While the fever may not be very intense, yet the patient's countenance exhibits great depression and anxiety. The skin is usually at first warmer than natural, though it may be later cool and clammy. The disease is usually fatal within a few days. The acts of vomiting become more frequent and exhausting, the matter ejected resembling coffee- grounds, an appearance due to the large admixture of blood. In the latter days of the disease, violent hiccough becomes a promi nent symptom. If the patient ultimately recover, the convalescence is slow and protracted, and the stomach usually remains extremely susceptible for a long time afterward. Treatment. Acute inflammation of the stomach will proba bly never be met by the reader, except as the result of attempts to destroy life by swallowing poison, or by the accidental introduction of poisonous substances into the stomach; the treatment of such cases will be discussed at length under the head of poisons. It may suffice to say here, that the first object is always to remove the offending substance from the stomach, and that this can be done best and quickest by the use of the so-called " stomach pump. " This con sists merely of a rubber tube, one-half or three-quarters of an inch in diameter, which is introduced through the mouth and oesophagus into the stomach, and thus constitutes a channel whereby the stomach can be thoroughly washed out. In this way, by the use of large quantities of warm water, the poisonous matters may be rinsed out of the stomach, and any medicines which may be deemed necessary can be applied. Although the introduction of this tube into the stomach is a comparatively easy and simple procedure to one who has been properly instructed, yet it is a somewhat formidable and dangerous operation in the hands of an inexperienced person. Aside from the use of the stomach pump, comparatively little can be done in the treatment of acute inflammation of the stomach. To quench the intense thirst small pieces of ice may be held in the mouth, or minute quantities of ice water may be swallowed at short intervals. An opiate should be administered preferably as one- eighth of a grain of morphine injected under the skin. If this be impracticable, the same quantity may be placed dry upon the tongue, where a certain amount of it will be absorbed. A mustard plaster or a light Spanish fly blister may be placed over the stomach, with the hope of relieving the vomiting ; but nothing should be administered by the mouth except the small pieces of ice or quanti- ties of ice water, as already mentioned; for during the acute inflammation, nothing will be retained by the stomach, and any attempt to introduce substances, no matter how bland and unirri- tating, will merely aggravate the already obstinate vomiting. The patient's nourishment must be provided for by injections into the rectum. For this purpose several preparations are recom mended, the best perhaps being a mixture of milk and beef tea or broth in equal parts. If the patient's strength be failing, a table- spoonful of whisky may be added to this mixture and administered every two hours. Chronic inflammation of the stomach may follow the acute affection, but is more frequently the result of long-continued errors of diet. It is especially apt to occur in habitual drinkers, but may also be found in those addicted to excesses in diet. In the earlier stages it is indicated by tenderness over the region of the stomach, and by a tendency to vomit after meals. There is usually consid erable pain, too, during the first half hour or hour after the con sumption of food. In the later stages it becomes merged into the condition popularly known as " dyspepsia," which is really in many cases merely a symptom of a chronic inflammation of the stomach. The treatment consists chiefly in the regulation of the diet, especially in the avoidance of excessive consumption of food. The diet should consist only of bland articles of food ; in obstinate cases the habitual use of ki;myss is found extremely beneficial. In gen eral, the diet may consist of milk, eggs, rice, oatmeal, and similar articles of food. Heat, alcoholic stimulants, and all highly-seasoned food should be avoided. It will be, also, found advantageous to take food in small quantities and at shorter intervals than usual, so that the patient partakes of food five or six times per day. But few medicines can be used with profit in this affection ; subnitrate of bismuth may be taken in twenty-grain powders half an hour be fore eating. 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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