Diseases > Domestic medicine

350 buchan’s
abscess breaks, or can be opened. Afterwards the
humours may be diverted from the part by penile
laxatives, blisters, or issues ; but the discharee must
not be suddenly dried up by any exte nal application,
PAIN OF THE STOMACH. &c (Gnstrodynin.)
This may proceed from various causes; as indiges¬
tion ; wind; the ac imony of the ble; sha p acrd,
or poisonous substances taken into the stomach, &c.
It may likewise be occasioned by worms; the stop¬
page of customary evacuations ; a translation of gouty
ma'ter to the stomach, the bowels, &c.
Women in the decline of life aie very liable to
par s of the stomach and bowels, especially such as
are afflicted with hysteric complaints. It is likewise
verv common to hypochondriac men of a sedentary
and lu urious life. In such persons it often proves
so extremely obstinate as to baffle all the powers of
When the pain of the stomach is most violent after
eating, there is reason to expect that it proceeds from
some fault either in the digestion or the food. In
this case the patient ought to chan e his d et, till he
finds what kind of food agrees best with his st< mach,
and should continue chiefly to use it. If a change of
diet does not lemove the complaint, the patient may
tak- a gentle vomit, and afterwards a dose or two of
rhubarb. He ought likewise ta take an infusion of
either in wine or w,-te-. I have often known exercise
remove this complaint, especially sa.ling, or a long
jonr ev on horseback, or in a carriage.
When a pA n of the stomach proceeds from flatu¬
lency, the pat.ent is constantly belching up wind, and
feels an uneasy distention of the stomach after mealsy
This is a most deplorable disease, and is seldom