COLIC, Intestinal.
Intense pain calls for immediate relief by sedatives; afterwards the cause of the attack will often afford the best indication for the nature of the treatment required. Thus the colic of infancy generally depends upon an error in feeding, and in the majority of cases will he found to depend upon the presence of indigestible milk curd, which, if not speedily remedied, may give rise to rapidly fatal enteritis. A smart purge (one teaspoonful of Castor Oil), combined with carminatives and a cham.e of diet, will give permanent relief. If the milk of the mother ur a healthy wet nurse is not available, peptonised milk or a predigested liquid food must be employed, or gr. Papain may be added to each bottleful of diluted cow's milk.
The colic of very young infants should never be treated by Laudanum. Oil of Anise, 1 to 2 drops on sugar, may be given hour. Peppermint Ii is more suitable for older children and adults. Dill Water, with a little Magnesia, is a favourite domestic remedy.
R . Mapes. Carl). gr. xx.
SyruP. Lrrgib. 3iij.
Chloral.
:lame ,Incthi Misce.
Fiat mistura. Simla, 5j. (Jinni horn si opus sit.
Ye() reconunends Gregory's Powder, 1 dr.; Fetid Spirit of Ammonia, -41 dr.; Tina. Card. Co., 3 drs.; Spt. of Chloroform, I dr.; Caraway Water tors oz. I to 2 drs. every hour.
Eustace Smith recommends Resorcin as an antiseptic administered in combination with carminatives and alkalies; he gives 2 grs. resorcin every three hours to a child 6 months old.
In adults, if the colic depends upon the presence of irritating, indiges tible, or fermenting food, a smart purge, with Opium combined, should be given. Castor Oil is the safest of all cathartics in such cases, as there is always the remote possibility of some underlying organic trouble being present.
The following is a well-tried formula: R. Of. Riche ,,iv.
Tina. kiwi Co. 5ij, xx.
Aqua' Cinnananni all Misce.
Fiat haustus statim sunIe'if(lats p.p.a.
Five grs. Calomel with 1, gr. Morphia may be placed upon the tongue washed down with a little water when castor oil is rejected by th( stomach ; it is a good plan to administer a large enema of warm water, ape ‘N hen seybaloas masses are detected in the rectum these may require to Is broken up bV mechanical means. Before the cathartic acts the !Wien, may have a lint bath (temp. leer), and a large Linseed and Mustard foul lice applied to the abdomen after- he is put to bed, or hot Turpentith sullies may be used instead of the bath. The ordinary India-rubber bottle half filled with hot water, and laid against the stomach region, afford, great comfort in all cases.
if the pain continues, a hypodermic of gr. Morphia, with r min. U Solution of Atropine, may be given in conjunction with a glassful of ho punch. Chloroform has been administered where the suffering has beer acute, but in simple colic it is seldom required. The following may b tried in chronic eases, or where the attacks recur: The tincture or Asafetida or fetid spirit of ammonia in doses of i di Sal Volatile-- In teaspoonful doses,. largely diluted or combined wit] whiskey or brandy. Ether- In teaspoonful doses of the spirit, or o lloffman's Anodyne, or even teaspoonful doses of the pure ether might b given alone or in a little spirit. Belladonna—is mins. of the tincture may be administered at one dose. Ginger or Cardamoms--In teaspoonfuls of the tinctures diluted. Essential Oils--Cajuput (5 mins.), Chamomile (3 mins.), Peppermint (5 mins.), Cinnamon, Cloves, or Caraway (3 mins.), or Camphor (3 grs.)—every two or three hours. Chlorodyne—I 5 to 3o mins.—is a popular remedy of great power and certainty of action.