Prostration Nervous
Sources:
Papers On Health
The various articles under Nerves and
Nervousness should be read. Here we give simply the treatment for
failure in the digestion and bowel action. This arises from failure in
the great nerve centres near the middle of the body. External treatment
may be given as follows:--Dip a cotton cloth, four-ply thick, and large
enough to cover the stomach and bowels, into cayenne Lotion (see),
and lightly wring it. Lay this gentl
over the stomach and bowels. Over
this an india-rubber bag of hot water is laid. Take care that the heat
is not too great or the mixture too strong. All must be just hot
enough to be comfortable. This application may remain on for two hours,
and then be repeated. The cayenne is greatly to be preferred to mustard
for many reasons. Give the most easily assimilated food possible. A
teaspoonful of gruel each half-hour, increased to a dessertspoonful, if
the digestion will bear it, and preceded in all cases by a
tablespoonful of hot water. This should be continued for twenty-four
hours. Proceed very cautiously then to increase the nourishment, on the
lines of Assimilation, Diet, Digestion, etc., giving oatmeal jelly,
wheaten porridge, Saltcoats biscuits, and such diet, gradually
bringing the patient back to ordinary food.