SEA-SICKNESS.
A light meal at least 3 hours before experiencing the ship's motion and a large warm water enema to clear out the colon will put the patient in the best condition for struggling against this distressing malady. As soon as a susceptible patient gets aboard, he should lie down flat upon his back, or right side, with his knees up, with his head low and his eyes closed. A light abdominal binder or pressure applied to the epigastrium is useful in many case. The advice given, to keep walking about upon deck, is very good for travellers not markedly susceptible, and many such escape sickness in this way, but the very sensitive are sure to succumb if they adhere to it.
Of prophylactics there are hosts recommended, but few are of use to patients susceptible to sea-sickness. The safest remedy, and one which undoubtedly often succeeds in preventing the attack, is the Bromide of Sodium, which should be given in 3o-gr. doses for a day or two before embarking. Ilyoscyamine Hydrobromide, in perules A j gr. each, appears upon the whole to be the best drug, and the patient should take one a few' hours before going on board. Very susceptible travellers may be put under their influence for 2 or 3 days before starting on the voyage. McDougall injects hypodermically T 6 gr. Sulphate of Atropine and 4 times this amount of Strychnine at the very onset of the nausea or discomfort, and the results obtainable are very satisfactory. One dose of Chloral (20 grs.) with the Bromide may be tried when the voyage begins at night, and the Bromide may be combined with Antipyrine. Chloretone (so grs.), Chloralamide (30 grs.), Chlorobrorn a oz.), Brometone (5 grs.) and various patent or proprietary medicines as Bon Voyage, Yanatas, etc., containing Bromides, are much in use.
Pauly strongly recommends Veronal-Sodium, both as a prophylactic and as a remedy after the advent of the inal-de-mer ; 8 grs. should be given
before the starting of the ship, and half this quantity may be given every couple of hours for 4 or 5 times, when vomiting is threatening or present. The best form for the use of the drug is a tablet, to be crushed by the teeth before swallowing with a mouthful of water.
Nitroglycerin tablets gr. are often useful; even when they fail to prevent vomiting they usually greatly minimise the accompanying depression and feeling of apprehension. Nitrite of Amyl is too evanescent in its action to be of use. Cocaine in ,!; gr. doses frequently repeated often relieves the vomiting. Ice, or iced Champagne or this with Soda Water may be prescribed for vomiting. Schacht's Liq. Bismuthi Sed. (Bisedia) in teaspoonful doses is a valuable stomach sedative containing bismuth, morphia, hydrocyanic acid, and nux vomica.
Validol (menthol in valerianic acid) in to to 15 min. doses, in capsules or in wine, has proved useful, and Resorcin in 3 gr. doses has been extolled. Creosote in the form of capsule (i to 2 mins.) may be given every hour or two, and lozenges of Eucalyptus Rostrata tide over many susceptible travellers during short voyages. Hart recommends a mixture in r oz. doses, each containing 2 mins. Strong Tincture of Iodine and Dilute Prussic Acid: this is given every to minutes for 4 to 6 doses. The list of so-called cures is so extensive and varied one is forced to believe that the main element in their value is suggestion.
Sinapisms to the stomach, rectal feeding, and even Morphia hypoder mically may be needed in severe and prolonged vomiting.
The plan of preventing rolling and pitching movements by the applica tion of mechanical contrivances in the construction of the sleeping-berths, when perfected, will probably secure complete immunity against this distressing malady.