The Science of Therapeutics - Classical Homeopathy Online

Full text of "The Science of Therapeutics: According to the Principles of Homeopath...Page 159 of 653had little eftect, the question may be asked whether the case wounot have turned out equally favorably without sweat ; the rapidrecovery of patients who do not resort to such means, showsthat exciting a perspiration is not absolutely necessary to a curIn bad cases an artificial perspiration is decidedly injurious. Tobject is obtained more promptly and more safely, if the patientsare kept in their beds with but little covering, and the temperatof the room increased to about fifty degrees P. At the same timewater should be allowed to evaporate in the room, by which meansthe irritating urging to cough is very much diminished. If themere act of sweating were beneficial to the patients, they oughtfeel better in summer. It is well known, however, that the bronchial catarrhs of the hot season are more obstinate and distressithan those of the cold. However, if we are anxious to avoid allconflict with the inveterate habits of the people, perspiration cbe excited by drinking in bed a glass of hot water and sugar witha few drops of lemon-juice in order to make it more palatable ;children may drink a glass of very much diluted warm milk, sweetened with a little sugar. If these simple means do not excite perspiration, other means will not excite any either, or, if they dowill be to the patient's prejudice. There is another powerful reaagainst copious perspiration. It considerably increases the dispotion to take cold, which is anyhow very gi'cat, and causes exacerbations and relapses; rising to void the urine or evacuate the bomay be sufficient to superinduce a fresh cold, nor will the patieafter recovery be able to go out again as soon as they otherwisemight, without apprehending a new attack. An effeminate modeof life which is one of the main causes of catarrh in healthy persons, is likewise the cause of frequent relapses. This remark appto little children in whose case every thing is often done to renthem unfit for the least exposure to open air. The general strengof the patients is the best indication whether they can saf Jy bepermitted to go out of doors; if they feel strong again as usual,little remaining loose cough need not deter them from going out,provided the temperature of the atmosphere and the weather generally are sufficiently inviting. In a case of tubercular bronchiother considerations will have to govern the general management.182 Diseases of the Lungs.In matters of diet, the instinct of the patient may safely be takas a guide. In bad cases the functional activity of the digestiveorgans is completely prostrated, and there is no necessity of fording the use of any kind of food ; whereas in the more unimportancases the choice of food is of very little particular consequenceAll we have to do is to see to it that the nourishment which is itroduced into the stomach, does not cause any catarrhal irritatioof this organ. As soon as the appetite returns, a simple, but nouishing diet is the best. As regards drinks, it may be well not toimplicitly gratify the desire of the patients who have a great loing for cold water. Drinking cold water is apt to excite or increthe cough, whereas it is diminished and moderated by warm beverages. As a matter of course, whatever might irritate the lungs,has to be avoided, such as continued or loud talking, mental exciments, dust, smoke, dry heat, the use of coffee, spirits, etc. Fofurther details we refer to the article on diet in the chapter onmonary tuberculosis.http://www.archive.org/stream/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog_djvu.txt