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Vomiting

Sources: Papers On Health

In many cases of severe illness, the stomach rejects all

food, and the patient comes near to dying of simple starvation. On the

slightest nourishment being taken, retching and vomiting ensue, the

stomach being irritated beyond all possibility of its doing its work.

This occurs in cancer and ulcers in the stomach, as well as in various

disorders and stomach inflammations.



"Rum and milk," "claret," and all
lcoholic drinks are most injurious

in such cases, and should never be given. To soothe the irritation,

the stomach should be soaped in the same manner as recommended in Head,

Soaping the (see also Lather). We have seen, even in very bad cases

of cancer, such an application cause all retching to cease almost at

once. When this has been carefully and gently done, give exceedingly

small quantities at first, of infants' food, or milk and boiling water.

To give any "rich" things is a fatal mistake. Oatmeal jelly may be

given also, but beginning with a teaspoonful at a time (see

Assimilation; Digestion; Nourishment). By gradually working up the

amount, a patient's life may be saved on this simple oatmeal jelly

which would be lost if richer things were given. Often the stomach

rejects food simply because it is surfeited. It may be that the liver

is out of order, having had too much to do. Abstinence from food for a

day or two, and then reducing the meals to two, taken, say, between 10

and 11, and 5 and 6 o'clock, will greatly help. Masticate the food till

it is reduced to a liquid, in this state the quantity required will be

wonderfully reduced and the work of the stomach lessened.



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