Chronic dyspepsia (Chronic Indigestion—­Chronic Gastritis—­Stomach Trouble).—­A chronic digestive disorder characterized by increased secretion of mucus, changes in the gastric juice, weakening of the stomach muscles and diseased changes in the mucous membrane.

Causes.—­The use of unsuitable and improperly prepared food, too much fat, starchy foods, New England pie, and hot meals, biscuits, cakes, etc., greasy gravies, too strong tea or coffee, and too much alcohol.  Eating too much food, eating too fast, and eating between meals.  Drinking of ice and cold water during or after meals.  Chewing, especially, and smoking tobacco.

[104 Mothers’ remedies]

Symptoms.—­Almost every bad feeling can be put under this head, both physical and mental.  It has been coming on gradually for some time and the warnings have not been heeded; The appetite is variable, sometimes good and often poor.  Among the early symptoms are feelings of distress or oppression after eating, and they may amount to actual pain; great or small.  Sometimes feels sick at the stomach, belching of gas and bitter liquids and vomiting of food immediately after eating or some hours later.  Stomach tender and painful to the touch.  Stomach and abdomen are distended, especially after meals, with costive bowels or diarrhea.  Feels weary, blue, tired, discouraged, poor sleep, bad dreams, bitter taste in the mouth, tongue coated especially on the back part, craves different things, much wind on the stomach, acid stomach, heavy feeling in the stomach, sometimes as if a stone lay there.  Stomach feels weak, it is hard to sit up.  Frequently must lie down after meals.  Urine may have sand in it, Stomach feels full after eating only a little, must open up the clothes across the stomach.  Persons are cross, irritable, discouraged, gloomy, nervous, generally look thin, haggard and sallow.  The dreams are of horrid things, nightmare.

Mothers’ remedies, Stomach Trouble, Spice Poultice for,—­1.  “Take all kinds of ground spices and make a poultice.  Heat whisky and wet the poultice with it, then apply to the stomach and bowels.”  This will always give relief.  Wetting the poultice with whisky will be found very beneficial as it will retain the heat longer.

2.  Stomach Trouble, Oil of Hemlock for,—­“The Oil of Hemlock is a superior remedy in gastric irritation of the stomach.  Dose:—­One to two drops in sweetened water every ten or twenty minutes until relief is afforded, for an adult.”

3.  Cramps in Stomach, Ginger and Soda for.—­“One teaspoonful of ginger stirred in half glass of hot water in which a half teaspoonful of baking soda has been dissolved.”  The ginger is very beneficial, as it warms up the stomach and thereby relieves the cramps, and the baking soda relieves any gas in the stomach that may be causing the trouble.

4.  Cramps in Stomach, Oil of Peppermint for.—­“Put a few drops of peppermint in a glass of warm water.  Take a teaspoonful every few minutes until relieved.”  This is an old time-tried remedy our grandmothers used to use and can be relied upon.