16.  Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Chamomile Tonic for Aged Persons also for Children.—­“Put about one-half ounce chamomile flowers into a jug, pour a pint of boiling water upon them, cover up the tea, and when it has stood about ten minutes pour it off from the flowers into another jug; sweeten with sugar or honey.  A cupful in the morning will strengthen the digestive organs, a teacupful in which is stirred a large dessert spoonful of moist sugar and a little grated ginger is an excellent thing to give to aged persons a couple of hours before dinner,” It is remarkable to see how this treatment aids the digestion, especially in chronic cases.  It may also be given to fretful children in small doses.

Physicians’ treatment in mild cases of acute Dyspepsia.—­These recover by themselves by giving the stomach rest, and taking a dose of castor oil.  Hot water is good to help to clean out the stomach.

Treatment in severe forms.—­Promote vomiting by drinking large amount of warm water.  This cleans the stomach of the sour, foul, decomposing food.  If warm water does not cause vomiting, give any simple emetic you may have at your hand, such as mustard, etc., one teaspoonful.  If the stomach tastes very sour, take some baking soda; subnitrate of bismuth (ten grains) is good, if you have it.  If the bowels are constipated you should take an enema (injection) or salts.  Soda water can be drank freely.  Rest the stomach for a day from food.  For the thirst cracked ice is relished.  As the patient is usually very thirsty the mouth should be rinsed frequently with cool water and some can be swallowed.  As stated before for nausea and sour belching, baking soda or bismuth subnitrate can be used when there is much gas, sour belchings; crust coffee is very good.  Burn the toast and make a hot coffee of it.

[Digestive organs 103]

Diet.—­Given us by the Lady Superior of one of the largest Catholic
Hospitals in Ohio.

May take—­

Soups—­Clear thin soups of beef, mutton or oysters.

Fish—­Oysters raw, shad, cod, perch, bass, fresh mackerel.

Meats—­Beef, mutton, chicken, lamb, tripe, tongue, calf’s head, broiled chopped meat, sweetbread, game, tender steak.

Eggs—­Boiled, poached, raw.

Farinaceous—­Cracked wheat, hominy, rolled oats, rice, sago, tapioca, crackers, dry toast, stale bread, corn bread, whole wheat bread, graham bread, rice cakes.

Vegetables—­Spinach, string beans, green peas, lettuce, cresses, celery, chicory, asparagus.

Desserts—­Rice, tapioca or farina pudding, junket, custards, baked apples, apple snow, apple tapioca, ripe fruits—­raw or stewed.

Drinks—­One cup of milk and hot water equal parts, or one glass of pure cool water, sipped after eating, Panopepton or cracked ice.

Must Not Take—­Rich soups or chowders, veal, pork, hashes, stews, turkey, potatoes, gravies, fried foods, liver, kidney; pickled, potted, corned or cured meats; salted, smoked or preserved fish; goose, duck, sausage, crabs, lobster, salmon, pies, pastry, candies, ice cream, cheese, nuts, ice water, malt or spirituous liquors.