Diseases > Domestic medicine

812 BUCHAN’S
*Vnen vomiting is the effect of pregnancy, it may
generally be mitigated by bleeding, end keeping the
body gently open. The bleeding however, ought to
oe m small quantities at a time, and the purgatives
should be of the mildest kind, as figs, stewed prunes,
manna, or senna.—Pregnant women are most apt to
vomit in the morning, immediately after getting out
of bed, which is owing partly to the change of posture,
but more to the emptiness of the stomach. It may
generally be prevented by taking a dish of coffee, tea,
or some light breakfast in bed. Pregnant women
who are afflicted with vomiting, ought to be kept
easy both in body and mind. They should neither
allow their stomachs to be quite empty, nor should
they eat much at once. Cold water is a very proper
drink in this case; if the stomach be weak, a little
brandy may be added to it. If the spirits are low,
and the person apt to faint, a spoonful of cinnamon-
water, with a little marmalade of quinces or oranges,
may be taken.
If vomiting proceeds from weakness of the stomach,
bitters will be of service. Peruvian bark infused
in wine or brandy, with as much rhubarb as will keep
the body gently open, is an excellent medicine in
this case. The elixir of vitriol is also a good medi¬
cine. It may be taken in the dose of fifteen or
twenty drops, twice or thrice a day, in a glass of wine,
or water. Habitual vomitings are sometimes allevi¬
ated by making oysters a principal part of diet.
A vomiting, which proceeds from acidities in the
stomach, is relieved by alkaline purges. The best
medicine of this kind is the magnesia alba; a tea¬
spoonful of which may be taken in a dish of tea or
a little milk, three or four times a day, or ofteuer if
necessary, to keep the body open.