Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/161

STO Introduftion of the finger Into the anus, or of the catheter into the bladder. Causes : — ^This distressing afflic- tion may be induced by a great va- riety of circumstances, especially by improper articles of diet (see Gravel) ; though, in some coun- tries, it is endemial, where a pe- culiar disposition in the habits of the people promotes its formation. These painful concretions have, likewise, been observed to be very common in the countries provided only with hard spring waters, which constitute the daily beverage of the inhabitants : they may also arise from too copious use of acids, and certain wines, for instance, Mo- selle and Rhenish, or Old Hockj not less than from cheese, and other gross aliment. Farther, well-at- tested instances have occurred, in which this excruciating disorder was occasioned by the shot swal- lo'i-ed with game, and even by the dust from mill-stones, mixed with the flour. During the passage of stones from the kidnies into the bladder, the patient is afflided with pain, vomiting, &:c. which form the paroxysm of the gravel and stone ; being sometimes even attended with inflammation (see Kidnies). in the bladder, they are mostly pro- ductive of pain; strangury; bloody urine ; inflammation ; though in some instances they have remained in a dormant state for a considera- bJe time j and, unless removed by proper means, death closes the scene. Cure : — An er.dless variety of remedies, under the name of Li- thontriptics, have been recom- mended, for dissolving the stone ; but as an account of ail these pre- tended speciiics would be equally STO [139 tedious and useless, we shall only mention such as appear best adaptai to the purpose. A preparation, which formerly stood in great re- pute, is the caustic ley, which> however, requires mucilaginous or gelatinous drink as a vehicle : thus, it was administered with great secrecy by an empiric of the name of Chittick, to whom the patients sent a vessel containing veal-broth, which he returned with the medicine mixed in the liquor, and sp<:ured by a lock : for this ex- position M'e are indebted to Mr. Blackrie. It is evident, that great caution is requisite in the dose of so a6tive a medicine. Considerable benefit has been derived from th(* use of water impregnated with fixed air, as directed by Dr. Fal- coner. — An infusion of the seeda of wild carrot (Daucus sylvestris, L.) sweetened with honey, is a simple and much esteemed re- medy. — The late Dr. De Haen^, recommended the Bear-whortle- ben'y (Arlutus Uua ursi, L.) as a most efficacious remedy for the stone : it may be taken in doses of from one scruple to half a dram in powder, twice or three times a day ; or, in the foim of an infusion thus prepared : Take of bear- whortleberry leaves three drams, and boiling water one pint : after simmering for one or two hours, the liquor should be strained ; and from two to three table-spoonfuls may be given twice or three times a day. — Lime-water has likewise proved beneficial in this complaint, both when taken internally, and in- je^-led into the bladder. — Another bimple remedy has been prescribed with great success by Dr. Mac- bride : tliirty berries of raw cof- fee ought to be boiled in a quart gf pure water, till it acquire a dee^