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Diarrhea

a common disease, which consists in an increased discharge from the alimentary canal, the evacuations being but little affected, except in their assuming a more liquid consistence. This is generally preceded or accompanied by flatulence and a griping pain in the bowels, and frequently by nausea and vomiting. Most cases of diarrhœa are caused by the eating of indigestible food, especially unripe or overripe fruit, by overloading the stomach, by cold attacking the bowels or even the feet, by sudden drinking water, and also by impressions arrest of perspiration, by unwholesome on the nervous system. It is often also the symptom of some other disease. It is noticed that where drainage is imperfect and drinking water impure, diarrheal diseases are specially apt to occur (see CHOLERA); the classes of the population most apt to be affected being those who occupy low levels or who are otherwise exposed to the influence of this aqueous or gaseous poison. Infants are especially apt to suffer from diarrhœa, and a large number of the infantile deaths is this diease. caused either directly or indirectly by Besides these epidemic diarrhœas, isolated cases of simpler and more obvious origin are very frequent. In some persons diarrhea is the usual result of catching colds, i. e., they suffer from catarrh of the digestive, instead of, as is most usual, the respiratory organs; but far more fre- DIARY DIAZ from excessive indulgence even in what strong alcohol. and diluted alcohol, but insoluble in some or indigestible food or drink, or from excessive indulgence even in what would otherwise not be hurtful. In all effort of the intestines to rid themselves of their objectionable contents, and till this is accomplished should be encouraged rather than arrested. Treatment. In the treatment of diarrhœa all irritating contents of the intessimple remedy is safe and efficient, and, when well mixed with an equal quantity simple remedy is safe and efficient, and, when well mixed with an equal quantity of glycerine and a few drops of oil of checkerberry, can be taken very easily even by children. such a mixture is often quite sufficient in One teaspoonful of itself to effect a cure. can be given to infants in teaspoonful Castor oil and can be given to infants in teaspoonful doses at the outset of an attack of diartwo of Epsom salts taken in plain soda is also very useful in adults for this puralso very useful in adults for this purand rest in a horizontal position is very and rest in a horizontal position is very also to the abdomen. The simplest posalso to the abdomen. The simplest possible diet is desirable. Warm milk sterilized or boiled and perhaps thickened usually the best diet till the diarrhoea is usually the best diet till the diarrhea is entirely well. Other gruels made with milk, like arrowroot or barley, may be safely used.