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.