Chronic Inflammation of the Bowels.

LIKE other chronic inflammations, this may follow the acute form, but it also results from various other causes, as unripe fruit, taking cold, drastic physic, and improper treatment of other diseases

Symptoms. Red end and borders of the tongue, dull pain in belly, increased by pressure and rough motion, abdomen either swelled or flat, skin dry and husky, feet and hands cold, small frequent pulse, thirst, loss of flesh, low spirits, urine scanty and high colored, and dirty, slimy discharges from the bowels, from one to four times a day.

Treatment. If the bowels are hot, bind a cold compress upon the belly over night, covering it well with flannel. The warm bath should be used twice a week. Salol, ten grains every three hours, bismuth and opium, are in this case very valuable. Washing out the lower bowel with hot water by means of a syringe often soothes and heals.
The diet must be of the most simple, unirritating kind, beginning with a solution of gum Arabic, rice water, barley water, arrowroot or sago gruel, and gradually rising, as the symptoms improve, to beef tea, mutton and chicken broth, tender beefsteak, etc.
When the strength will permit, gentle exercise must be taken in the open air, but not on horseback, or in hard, jolting carriages.
As soon as the inflammation is subdued, some mild laxative (35) may be given, in connection with an infusion of wild cherry bark, geranium, and Solomon's seal, equal parts.