diabaetes consists in the inverted motions of the urinary
lymphatics, which is generally I suppose owing to the too great action of
some other branch of the absorbent system. The urinary branch should be
stimulated by cantharides, turpentine, resin (which when taken in larger
doses may possibly excite it into inverted action), by the sorbentia and
opium. The intestinal lymphatics should be rendered less active by
torpentia, as calcareous earth, earth of alum; and those of the skin by oil
externally applied over the whole body; and by the warm-bath, which should
be of 96 or 98 degrees of heat, and the patient should sit in it every day
for half an hour.
V. Inverted motions of the intestinal canal with all the lymphatics, which
open into it, constitute the ileus, or iliac passion; in which disease it
sometimes happens, that clysters are returned by the mouth. After
venesection from ten grains to twenty of calomel made into very small
pills; if this is rejected, a grain of aloe every hour; a blister; crude
mercury; warm-bath; if a clyster of iced water?
Many other inverted motions of different parts of the system are described
in Class I. 3. and which are to be treated in a manner similar to those
above described. It must be noted, that the medicines mentioned under
number one in the catalogue of revertentia are the true articles belonging
to this class of medicines. Those enumerated in the other four divisions
are chiefly such things as tend to remove the stimulating causes, which
have induced the inversion of the motions of the part, as acrimonious
contents, or inflammation, of the bowels in diarrhoea, diabetes, or in
ileus. But it is probable after these remote causes are destroyed, that the
fetid gums, musk, castor, and balsams, might be given with advantage in all
these cases.
III. CATALOGUE OF REVERTENTIA.
I. Inverted motions, which attend the hysteric disease, are reclaimed, 1.
By musk, castor. 2. By asafoetida, galbanum, sagapaenum, ammoniacum,
valerian. 3. Essential oils of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, infusion of
penny-royal, mentha, pulegium, peppermint, mentha piperita, ether, camphor.
4. Spirit of hartshorn, oleum animale, spunge burnt to charcoal,
black-snuffs of candles, which consist principally of animal charcoal,
wood-soot, oil of amber. 5. The incitantia, as opium, alcohol, vinegar. 6.
Externally the smoke of burnt feathers, oil of amber, volatile salt applied
to the nostrils, blisters, sinapisms.
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