COLIC, Lead.
Morphia hypodermically should be administered when the pain is very severe and persistent and does nut yield to warm poultices to the abdomen and a hot bath. The colon must be emptied by a large enema of hot water as soon as the patient comes under observation, after which a smart purge should be administered; i oz. Sulphate of Magnesia is the most suitable. Castor Oil acts satisfactorily, but the sulphate can be repeated every 3 hours in teaspoonful doses if the first dose fails to act, whilst repeated doses of the oil cannot be tolerated. Should the pain be moderately severe, any of the remedies mentioned upon the previous page may be administered with the view of giving temporary relief. After the evacu ation of the bowels the patient should be put upon a course of Iodide of Potassium to cause elimination of lead from the system. This course may be well supplemented by a morning purge caused by the Sulphate of Magnesia, the rationale of the treatment being to attack the insoluble lead stored up in the system, convert it into the soluble iodide ryhich is eliminated by the urine and by the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract, and then by meeting this in the intestines it is rapidly converted into the less soluble sulphate and at once thrown out by purging with the Epsom salt before it has time to be reabsorbed.
Olive Oil in large doses has been extolled; in addition to its laxative properties, doses of 5 oz. seem to possess some striking analgesic effect,
so that constipation and pain pass off in a few days. Where the oil is vomited, 2 or 3 grs. of Thymol given before the next dose generally suffice to prevent this. Oliver recommends the administration of Sodium Mono sulphide in to a gr. doses with Tr. Card. Co. 15 mins. in I oz. water every three hours when the colic remains after purgation.
Alum, in full doses, sometimes purges in the obstinate constipation of lead colic, and it is also said to relieve the pain when purging does not occur. It may be given in doses of ao grs.
Diluted Sulphuric Acid, in min. doses, may be taken in half a tumbler ful of water as a drink frequently during the day, or Lemonade made with sulphuric acid instead of citric and tartaric acids, as ordinarily employed by lemonade makers. This beverage is a valuable prophylactic, and may be given with the Iodide in had cases.
Sulphur, Harrogate Water, Onions, Garlic, and other sulphur-containing bodies have been used successfully with a view of causing elimination. Sulphur baths have been recommended for the same reasons, and a diet of milk in large quantities favours convalescence. (See also under Plumbism, where the prophylaxis is fully discussed.)