Inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis)

peritonitis

-SMALL A. E.,
Chronic inflammation of the bowels :

This is only a degeneration of the usual form of the disease, and is denoted by fixed pain and a habitual fulness or uneasiness and oppression in the lower part of the abdomen, increased after meals or after cold drinks; appetite habitually impaired, or capricious; thirst usually after dinner, and at night; bowels constantly relaxed, or in the opposite condition, alternating with diarrhoea; skin hot, dry, harsh, and of an unhealthy hue; pulse rather quick; furred tongue, with redness of the lips and margins, and sometimes a slimy redness of the whole tongue; tendency to emaciation, weakness and languor.
Among the remedies already considered under inflammation of the bowels, may be found those well adapted for the chronic stage, as Nitric acid, Sulphur, Arsenicum, Silicea, to which we may add Phosphorus. Each of these remedies may be employed in the chronic stage, if indicated.
DOSE. - One drop, or four globules, night and morning, of the remedy that may be indicated.
Diet

Peritonitis :
In acute cases of inflammation of the bowels the regimen must of course be the same as described in fever, and in the chronic stage the food should be very light and given in small quantities; raw fruit, green vegetables, and even potatoes are injurious, and are prohibited; toast water, barley water, and rice gruel, and c., must constitute the drink. There is a membrane that lines the cavity of the belly and invests the stomach and bowels, which sometimes becomes the seat of inflammation, and as this membrane is called Peritoneum the disease is called Peritonitis.
Symptoms
Painful tension and swelling of the abdomen, with a sensibility to the touch, even more acute than in enteritis, so much so that the patient cannot bear even the pressure of the bed clothes or the slightest covering; in other respects the symptoms are like enteritis.
Causes
External injury; parturition in females; chill of the abdomen, are the general causes of the inflammation.
Treatment
The remedies employed are Aconite, Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Cantharides, Chamomilla, Colocynthis, Lycopodium, Nux vomica, Rhus, and c.
Aconitum napellus
is the chief remedy in the commencement of the disease, until there is a mitigation of the fever and inflammation; and in many cases this remedy has proved sufficient to master the disease, and in all cases it materially modifies its violence.
DOSE. - Dissolve one drop, or six globules, in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every two hours, until the fever is more or less reduced, (a few doses generally proving sufficient,) after which consider the remaining medicines that make up the group, if further treatment is required.
Arnica montana
is indicated when the cause of Peritonitis is an external lesion, and it may be used internally and externally at the same time.
DOSE. - The same as for Aconite. If used as a lotion, add a teaspoonful of the Tincture of Arnica to a tumbler of water, and saturate linen bandages and cover the affected part; frequently wet them as they become dry.

Belladonna
is a useful remedy to follow Aconite, when the inflammatory fever is high, with excessive local tendency.
DOSE. - The same as directed for Aconite.
Bryonia alba
And nux vomica are both indicated when the vomiting and other symptoms clearly resemble those of inflammation of the bowels; while at the same time there is extreme tenderness of the external part of the belly.
DOSES, and administration. - The same as in inflammation of the bowels.
Nux vomica
And bryonia are both indicated when the vomiting and other symptoms clearly resemble those of inflammation of the bowels; while at the same time there is extreme tenderness of the external part of the belly.
DOSES, and administration. - The same as in inflammation of the bowels.
Aconitum napellus
And bryonia can be employed in alternation when the disease implicates the pleura and lungs.
DOSE. - One drop, or four globules, of either, in a spoonful of water, may be given, and followed by the same dose of the other in six hours, or in very acute cases every three hours.
Bryonia alba
And aconite can be employed in alternation when the disease implicates the pleura and lungs.
DOSE. - One drop, or four globules, of either, in a spoonful of water, may be given, and followed by the same dose of the other in six hours, or in very acute cases every three hours.
Cantharidinum
may be employed when there is an implication of the bladder and stranguary. Colocynthis and Chamomilla, when there are violent colicky pains; and Lycopodium, when there is inveterate constipation, and Rhus and Arsenicum when symptomatic of puerperal fever.
DOSE. - Of either medicine, as selected, dissolve six globules in half a tumbler of water, and give a teaspoonful every three hours.
Diet and regimen
The same as observed in inflammation of the bowels.