NT SYMPTOM OF GASTRALGIA is a _paroxysmal_ pain radiating from
the epigastric region, to all parts of the thoracic cavity. The pain is
sometimes lessened by walking, lying on left side, or by gentle
pressure, and usually abates after eating, but is renewed in a few
hours. The patient occasionally experiences a sense of heaviness at the
pit of the stomach, nausea, and frequent salty eructations. The tongue
is white, the appetite variable, and there is no desire for liquids. The
sleep is usually refreshing, and when not suffering from acute pain, the
patient is apparently well.

The _distinguishing_ symptom of this disease is a feeling of intense
despondency, and, sometimes, a morbid fear of death.

An effectual method of distinguishing between gastralgia and chronic
gastritis is by the administration of an alcoholic stimulant. If
gastritis be the affection the pain will be augmented; whereas, if it be
gastralgia, it will be relieved.

CAUSE. The cause of gastralgia is a local or sympathetic irritation of
the nerves distributed to the stomach.

TREATMENT. The pain of gastralgia is sometimes allayed by using half a
teaspoonful of subcarbonate of bismuth, and repeating the dose, if the
attack is not relieved. The following is a very effectual remedy: take
twenty grains of quinine, combined with one drachm of prussiate of iron,
and divide it into ten powders, and administer a powder every three
hours until the pain is completely arrested. Temporary relief may be
given by administering one-quarter of a grain of morphine, or ten to
twenty drops of chloroform in a teaspoonful of glycerine, slightly
diluted, taken in one dose. One of the most effective remedies for
preventing a return of the attacks is that invigorating tonic and
alterative, the "Golden Medical Discovery." The patient should be
careful in diet, and not eat too much food, which should not only be of
a nutritious kind, but easy of digestion. Cleanliness, suitable
clothing, bodily warmth, exercise, and rest must not be neglected.
Sometimes it is lingering and requires long persistence in hygienic and
medicinal treatment. Everything tending to promote the tone of the
digestive organs, and improve the functions of the system generally may
be considered advantageous in this neuralgic affection.

PERITONITIS.

The _peritoneum_, or serous membrane which lines the abdominal cavity
and invests the intestines, is liable to become inflamed. When this
occurs, the