mentation). This is done to
revive the organs which supply oil to the joints, by giving fresh
vitality to the roots of the nerves which control these organs. But the
heating requisite to do this must be gently and persistently applied.
An hour's gradual heating is worth far more than half-an-hour's
_half-burning_. Then, after the spine fomentation, which must be
applied in bed, rub (_see_ Massage) the back with hot olive oil for a
considerable time--say half-an-hour, if the patient can bear it (_see_
Exercise). Then the joints may be similarly fomented and rubbed at
another time, back and joints being treated, say, every other day. If
there be costiveness, treat as in Constipation, and give easily
digested food (_see_ Assimilation; Digestion; Nourishment). Such
treatment daily should remove stiffness, even in very bad cases.

Stimulants.--_See_ Alcohol; Narcotics.

Stomach Trouble.--If you would cure thoroughly, you must first make
sure that the skin is doing its part well. Very often indigestion
arises from irritation of the stomach, caused by the impurities in the
blood which arise from defective skin action.

With strong people, exercise causing perspiration will often suffice to
cure, in other cases where exercise cannot be had the Soapy Blanket
(_see_) is effective. After the blanket, give a warm, gentle rubbing
with hot vinegar or diluted acetic acid; and, finally, a similar
rubbing with warm olive oil. This rubbing may be given by itself, where
the patient is too weak to endure the blanket, or where the lather
cannot be well applied. Even the rubbing with oil alone will do much to
cure.

The problem in this case is to remove from the blood the irritating
waste which is inflaming the stomach, and this is better done by
cleansing and stimulating the skin than by means of drastic drugs. A
lazy man will swallow a peck of pills rather than go through an ordeal
of cleansing like this, but in that case he need not be surprised if
his poor stomach become only poorer still, while his purse will not get
any heavier. Besides this cleansing, take sips of hot water as
recommended under Indigestion. A very plain and sparing diet should be
taken, and great attention given to chewing all food till reduced to a
liquid. For it must be remembered that the majority of stomach troubles
have their origin in abuse of this organ, through overloading with
food, or other dietetic errors. _See_ Diet; Assimilation; Biscuits and
Wat