MEDICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12818, 18 March 1905, Page 6 (Supplement)

MEDICAL NOTES.

AFTER DINNER.

It is unwise to resort to active employment immediately after dinner, and equally undesirable to go to sleep. A half-hour's nap in the day is a. poor compensation for the loss of several 'hours during the night, which is sure to be the result. Anyone who wishes to secure the full rest required during the twenty-four hours ought never to attempt to obtain a part of it in advance of the proper time. Yet in spite of the old proverb, which says, " After dinner rest a while," a quiet walk, provided the meal has been a proper one, and eaten with the deliberation and under the circumstances already prescribed, will be' promotive of digestion, and prevent that: tendency to somnolency the indulgence of which is neither favourable to subsequent comfort nor health.

The after-dinner cup of coffee, when once habituated to its use, is not unfavourable to digestion, but if taken only occasionally, and at a late hour, by those unaccustomed to drinking it. it is sure to deprive them of much of the night's sleep. The petit vcrre, or little glass of brandy, or some strong liqueur, should never be indulged in.

WEAK DIGESTION. Weak digestive powers are often due to muscular weakness as well as poor digestive, thuds. When such is the case, close attention should lie paid In the development of the muscular system by regular out-of-door exercise. Working in flower gardens will be especially adapted to women. If, on the other hand, it is due largely to a degeneration of the gust lie juices, much attention should be paid to dietary regimen. Regularity in eating is of lirst importance. It the stomach seems to lie overloaded, and there i.> a heavy feeling in the gastric region, it may be necessary to take a very small amount of food, and lake it four or live times a day. in winch case the food must be light and bland. If milk seems to

"set well on tin' stomach, it will often be beneficial to lake a milk diet, or bread toasted, with milk, fur a week or two. and gradually come back to other articles of food. Custard may serve to good advantage. Regular outdoor exercise must be- insisted upon while dieting. Resting with a hot-water bag on the stomach half-an-hour after each meal will..be serviceable. Rubbing the stomach ami bowels is also recommended.

Till: WET TOWEL RUB. As a means of obtaining the tonic action of water where the cold plunge is not well borne, Ke'.logg recommends the cold towel rub. The rubbing in this measure is not done with the towel, but with the hand over the towel. The towel is wrung out of water of a temperature varying from 50 degrees to 60 degrees F. and is first laid upon the chest-, the face. neck, and head having been previously cooled. The patient grasps the upper end of the towel and holds it in place, while the attendant makes long strokes over the whole length of the titmk, rubbing always downward. The rubbing is continued until the towel becomes warm, and the parts arc then dried by rubbing with the hand. After finishing with the chest, the arms and legs may bo successively bathed, and then the back. This measure is of value where it is desirable to increase the nervetone and to stimulate the surface circulation.