should be able to afford some relief in case
of need, as well as those whose duty it is more immediately to attend
upon the sick. Uneasy symptoms are experienced at times by all persons,
not amounting to a decided state of disease, which if neglected may
nevertheless issue in some serious disorder that might have been
prevented, not only without risk, but even with greater advantage to the
individual than by an application to a positive course of medicine.
Attention to the state of the bowels, and the relief that may
frequently be afforded by a change of diet, come therefore very properly
within the sphere of domestic management, in connection with a few
simple medicines in common use. The sensations of lassitude or
weariness, stiffness or numbness, less activity than usual, less
appetite, a load or heaviness at the stomach, some uneasiness in the
head, a more profound degree of sleep, yet less composed and refreshing
than usual; less gaiety and liveliness, a slight oppression of the
breast, a less regular pulse, a propensity to be cold, or to perspire,
or sometimes a suppression of a former disposition to perspire, are any
of them symptomatic of a diseased state, though not to any very serious
or alarming degree. Yet under such circumstances persons are generally
restless, and scarcely know what to do with themselves; and often for
the sake of change, or on the supposition that their sensations proceed
from lowness, they unhappily adopt the certain means of making them
terminate in dangerous if not fatal diseases. They increase their usual
quantity of animal food, leave off vegetables and fruit, drink freely of
wine or other strong liquors, under an idea of strengthening the
stomach, and expelling wind; all of which strengthen nothing but the
disposition to disease, and expel only the degree of health yet
remaining. The consequence of this mistaken management is, that all the
evacuations are restrained, the humours causing and nourishing the
disease are not at all attempered and diluted, nor rendered proper for
evacuation. On the contrary they become sharper, and more difficult to
be discharged. By judicious management it is practicable, if not
entirely to prevent a variety of disorders, yet at least to abate their
severity, and so to avert the ultimate danger. As soon as any of the
symptoms begin to appear, the proper way is to avoid all violent or
laborious exercise, and to indulge in such only as is gentle and easy.