Course.—­The person usually dies in twelve to eighteen months, sometimes in three to four months.

[Digestive organs 107]

Physicians’ treatment of Cancer of the Stomach and Bowels.—­There is no cure for this trouble except by an operation.  This must be done early; even this may not cure but it, at least, prolongs life and makes the patient more comfortable while life does last.  In the line of medicine the only thing to do is to give only such remedies as will ease the symptoms.

Diet.—­Attend to this also and you will save pain and distress.  Every case should be treated as it needs and no special directions can be given here.

Bleeding from the stomach.—­(Haematemesis).

Causes.—­Cancer and ulcer of the stomach are main causes of excessive bleeding; poisons also cause it; injuries also.

Symptoms.—­The vomited blood may be fluid or clotted; it is usually of dark color.  The longer it remains in the stomach the darker it becomes.  There may be great weakness and faint feeling on attempting to rise before a vomiting of blood.  The contents of the bowels when passed look “tarry.”

Physicians’ treatment for Bleeding of the Stomach.—­Absolute rest in bed is necessary.  The bowels should be moved by an enema and it can be repeated carefully as often as necessary.  Cracked ice in bag over the stomach.  If the patient vomits much medicine is useless.  They generally recover with rest.  The extremities can be bandaged if there is great weakness and also external heat can be applied if there is a tendency to faintness.

Caution.—­A person so afflicted, if he has ulcer, must be careful of his diet for months after an attack.  He should be careful not to lift, over work, over eat or worry.

Neuralgia of the stomach (Cardialgia, Gastralgia, Gastrodynia).—­ This is a severe pain in paroxysms in the region of the stomach.

Causes.—­The patients are of a nervous type.  They may have anemia, exhaustion from sickness and bleedings, the menstruation be at fault.  Grief, worry and anxiety.

Symptoms.—­The attack comes suddenly as a rule.  The pains are agonizing in the stomach region, they may dart to the back or pass around the lower ribs.  The attack lasts from a few minutes to an hour or two.  It does not depend upon the food taken.

Physicians’ treatment for Neuralgia of the Stomach.—­The causes should be understood and especial treatment given for them.  The patients are usually run down and a tonic treatment is needed.  Constipation and menstrual troubles should be cured, worry, trouble and anxiety, if possible, be removed.  The following is good for nervous patients:—­

Valerianate of zinc       18 grains
Valerianate of quinine    18 grains
Iron Arsenate              2 grains

    Mix and make into eighteen pills and take one after meals.