The Cause and Cure of Seasickness.

Evening Star, Issue 7484, 31 March 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Cause and Cure of Seasickness.

At the last meeting cf the Paris Academy of Science an interesting exchange of views on the subject of sea-sickness took place. Some little time ago Dr Dupuy communicated to the Academy a paper setting forth the virtues of antipyrine as a cure for the redoubtable malady. Dr Ossian Bonnet, who has just returned from a voyage to Brazil, said he believed that les embarras gaslriques was the chief cause of sea-sickness. He had found antipyrine successful in numerous cases—in fact, it had worked wonders. Dr Chaton was sceptical. He said various alleged cures had been mentioned from time to time—such as chloral, champagne, spirits, the hypogastric belt, and others. He thought the Academy should appoint a committee to study and report on them. Dr Mericourt did not agree with Dr Bonnet that gastric derangement was the chief cause, neither did he believe in antipyrine. His experience led him to conclude that sea-sickness rose from various causes. Much depended on personal disposition and circumstances. Dr Javal declared he was subject to the malady, and always cured it with chloral lozenges. Dr Rochard contended sea-sickness was independent of the state of the stomach. The chief cause was the giddy sensation produced by the rocking of the vessel. The sensation was f' • onger in the force of sailiig vessels and in tin: stern of steamships, particularly near the screw. Ho knew of nothing better than spirits or champagne. He had heard of bromide of potassium and chloral, but had not verified their effects. Dr Bonnet admitted that the movement of the vessel might be the starting point of the sickness, but he contended that the state of the stomach, either through excess of eating or drinking, had more to do with it. Here the matter dropped. The doctors, as will be seen, disagree considerably, so who shall decide ?