Remarks on the Uses of some of the Bazaar Medicines and Common Medical Plants of India With a full index of diseases, indicating their treatment by these and other agents — A Reader’s Guide

empty stomach it is almost sure to nauseate. Patients who can take it at no other time will sometimes retain a dose if given the last thing before going to bed.

_b._ For disguising the nauseous taste and preventing subsequent eructations, a good plan is to take a few grains of common salt, both immediately before and after a dose. As a vehicle, a little orange-wine, or solution of quinine, or lime juice, or hot strong coffee without milk, have been advocated by various writers. A little Omum water (317) is perhaps the best vehicle of all.

_c._ The bulk of the whole dose of the oil and vehicle together should be so small that it may be swallowed at a single draught; therefore the vehicle should not exceed a table-spoonful, with, at first, a teaspoonful of the oil, to be gradually increased to a table-spoonful. The spoon and glass used for taking it should be kept scrupulously clean, as any oil left adhering to them soon turns rancid. In taking this (as well as all other nauseous drugs) it is advisable to prevent, as far as possible, the tongue from coming in contact with it; to effect this the tongue should be projected on the surface of the glass or spoon, and the fluid thrown down as far back in the throat as can conveniently be done.

_d._ The dose, as a general rule, at the commencement is a teaspoonful three times daily, gradually increased as the stomach is able to bear it. It is rarely requisite to exceed a table-spoonful twice or thrice daily; large quantities either derange the stomach and liver, or pass off unabsorbed by the bowels.

_e._ The diet during the course of the oil should be plain and nutritious, consisting of bread, fresh meat roast or boiled, poultry, game, &c., with a fair proportion of vegetables, and fruit, and a moderate quantity of liquids. All rich articles of food, as pastry, fat meat, cream, &c., should be avoided. Wine is preferable to beer, the latter often disagreeing. Should a bilious attack come on, the oil should be discontinued, the diet lightened, and an occasional aperient administered. In a few days, when the attack has passed off, the oil may be resumed, beginning with the small doses as at the first. In all cases during the use of the oil, the bowels should be kept regular, if necessary, by mild aperients.

_f._ During its use the patient should be as much as possible in the open air, and take gentle exercise.

138. It is _in Pulmonary Consumption_ that the value of Fish-liver Oil is most manifest, but there are a large number of cases of a scrofulous character in which it proves almost equally valuable. _In Scrofulous Abscesses_, _Suppurating Glands_, _Ulcerations_, _Discharges whether from the Nose or Ears_, _and Skin Diseases_, especially when the patient is weak and emaciated, the oil is indicated and proves most beneficial. It proves equally useful in _Scrofulous Affections of the_ _Joints and Bones_, especially in _Rickets_; and in _Scrofulous Ophthalmia_.

139. _In the Mesenteric Affections of Children_ the best results often follow its use; the little patient rapidly gains strength and flesh, the tumefied belly becomes reduced, the stools lose their clayey colour and become bilious and healthy. It should not only be given internally, but should be _used as a liniment to the abdomen. The Obstinate Constipation of Children_ sometimes yields to the use of the oil, and its return is prevented while the remedy is continued. _In Stricture of the Rectum_, as an adjunct to dilatation cod-liver oil is an excellent remedy: it nourishes the patient, and softens the motions, rendering aperients unnecessary. (_Mr. Curling._) It is also well worthy of a trial in cases of _Chronic Hydrocephalus, or Water on the Brain_, occurring in children of a scrofulous habit.

140. _In the advanced stages of Hooping Cough, and in other Spasmodic Coughs, which often remain after an attack of Bronchitis_, especially when occurring in weakly children, marked benefit follows its use.

141. _Chorea_ (_St. Vitus's Dance_) _and Epilepsy_ sometimes are benefited by it when more active remedies have failed. The same remark applies to some forms of _Neuralgia_, especially _Tic Douloureux_; but the cases in which it will prove serviceable can only be ascertained by trials with the remedy.