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Home Medical and Vet Remedies, as Recommended by 19th and 20th century Doctors and Vets! |
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Home Medical and Vet Remedies, as Recommended by 19th and 20th century Doctors and Vets! |
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Passage of Gall-Stones.These stones are collections of substances which have been depos ited from the bile while retained in the gall-bladder. They may vary in size, from that of a pin-head to that of a hickory nut. So long as they remain in the gall bladder they may occasion no difficulty ; but if they are carried into the little tube which leads from the gall-bladder into the intestine - the biliary duct -they occasion intense pain by stretching this duct, as well as by preventing the bile from passing through. Such spasms rarely occur, although it is a frequent occurrence to find gall-stones in the bodies of indi viduals who have never been known to suffer from such attacks. The paroxysms attending the passage of gall-stones often occur in individuals in perfect health, without apparent cause. The attack is sudden, beginning with extreme pain in the right side, just under the ribs, spreading over to the left side. The pain is sporadic, occurring with the greatest severity at intervals. There is usually nausea and vomiting ; the bowels are constipated ; if the attack be a long one, the skin may acquire a yellow hue. The duration of the pain varies from a few minutes to several hours, according to the time required for the escape of the stone 'into the intestine. Finally the symptoms suddenly cease, leaving merely the exhaustion and soreness. This sudden cessation of the pain indicates the escape of the stone into the intestine, which, because of its large size, affords ample room for the accommo dation of the gall-stone. These attacks are apt to recur in the same individual after intervals varying from years to days. In some cases a series of paroxysms is experienced in rapid succession, prostrating the patient and seriously deranging his digestive organs. The paroxysm usually terminates by the passage of the gall- stones into the intestine ; yet, in some cases, the stone is too large to escape in this way, and remains permanently in the gall-blad der. The result of this may be an ulceration through the wall of the gall-bladder and a general inflammation of the abdominal cav ity. If this accident occur, the symptoms of peritonitis super vene. Treatment.- During the passage of gall-stones nothing can be done except to palliate the severity of the suffering. For this purpose opium is employed, as described under the treatment of ordinary wind colic ; if the pain be excessive, relief can be obtained from 1he inhalation of chloroform. Hot applications over the abdomen, or immersion in a hot bath, may also be employed. To obviate subsequent attacks, nothing better can be done than care ful attention to the digestion and the general health. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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