COLIC

(Yunanca köken — orijinale bakınız.) There are many varieties of this complaint, and it arises Irorn various causes, and exhibits different symp- •if cure are to evacuate the 11 tiv the least irritating means, and, when the lower intestines are loaded, by the use of glysters; opiates and may In' resorted to to allay spasms, and warm mentations are often nece ary. There is a peculiar disease called lbs painters' colic or dry belly is to arise from the absorption of lead into the system, and which therefore commonly attacks plumbers, painters, and makers of while paint and other ■ and preparations In which lead is used; the per- ' in the lead mines and furnaces are [ to it. It is often named from certain places in which it is peculiarly prevalent; as Poictnu, Devons hire colic, 6lc. It begins with restle ne and uneasine about the stomach, nausea, and obstinate eosUvene . There is a general spasm of the bowels, often accompanied i, which is somewhat relieved by pre ure; and ibis circumstance enables us to distinguish the complaint in question from inllammation of the bowels; into which, however, it runs, if not timely relieved by opiates, emollient glysters, warm bath, and gentle aperients, especially castor oil when it will lie on the stomach, by which mis allayed and the bowels evacuated of their hardened sad irritating foeces. This is the acute state of the: but it often occurs in a chronic form, in which as and constipation of the bowels are followed by I 1 delirium, epilepsy, paralysis, especially of the tnd wasting away of the muscles. This disease terminates fatally if not timely relieved, and above all the patlenl should be cautiously removed from all contact with lead, and allowed fresh air and a nutritious but not stimulating diet. [s. 261]