Popular Medicine [Paperback]

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 Excerpt: ...muscles of the spine, it is best that they should then be kept in as perfect repose as possible; and this is best effected by a well made corset, calculated to support the figure as nearly in the natural position as possible. The use of tonics must be managed with some caution, and whenever febrile symptoms appear during their employment, they must be omitted for a time. The prescription which we have found most generally efficacious, is as follows:--Direct the patient to take a dose of five drops of the muriated tincture of iron, in a wine-glass half full of water, on the morning and evening of alternate days; and on the intermediatedays, let her take a wine-glassful of a mild infusion of gentian,, columbo, or quassia, on an empty stomach, twenty minutes or more before each meal. If the remedies occasion costiveness, this may be corrected by an occasional Seidlitz powder. The muriated tincture of iron appears to have a peculiar effect in giving firmness and colour to muscular fibre. The diet best calculated to increase the bulk and tone of Ihe muscular system, is one composed chiefly of the flesh of full grown animals; such as beef, venison, wild game, mutton, &c., but especially beef. The meat is best roasted or cooked on the gridiron, and dressed as plainly and lightly as the taste of the patient will allow. Some have, unfortunately, a great dislike to beef, and it is necessary to avoid pressing and annoying patients to partake of what is decidedly disagreeable either in kind or quantity. Pork is inadmissable in all forms. Local applications to increase the tonicity of the spinal muscles, often produce very important effects. Before rising in the morning and after retiring for the night, the spine should be well rubbed from end to end with a flesh br...