HEALTH COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 10 July 1890, Page 41

HEALTH COLUMN.

SICK HEADACHES.

There are undoubted proofs that megrim is in many cases hereditary, and that although it may commence very early in life, its attacks seldom come upon one after the middle period, or age of 45, in women. But the fact of megrim being constitutional or hereditary is no reason why we should not attempt to ward off attacks, or take means, wherever possible, to prevent their coming on at all. A person suffering from periodical attacks of tho complaint is by no means to be regarded as suffering from actual disease.

To be sure, it is sometimes connected with certain disorders of tho heart, else I should not have troubled to apply the stethoscope to the chest of my patients, All who suffer, therefore, from megrim, should consult a medical man, and have the heart examined, if only for the sake of enabling them to be more easy in mind.

The periodic nature of megrim causes it to be a very unpleasant ailment for anyone to be subject to. It may be said to be an enemy hovering continually on the flank of the army of life, making ever and anon another desperate attack, but usually retiring baffled after a time. Young girls under 20 are often subject to megrim, though it generally passes away in about a day or after one good night's resfc. Duriner the interval the person is generally in his or her usual health, and just after an attack even better.

The megrim is, as a rule, threatened beforehand, the stomach and system get out of order for a day or two, and these symptoms may be caused by the ailment itself, although we must not forget that they may caub'e it. Certain articles of diet or drink are almost sure to induce a " fit of megrim," as it is sometimes called.

Well, it stands to common sense that these latter should bo most rigidly abstained from, however tempting such viands are to the senses. Pork, pastry, veal, salmon, and even mutton may have to be avoided. Hot sauces, onions, and pickles should be used with suspicion, and as to drinkables, tea-drinking, if the tea be strong, may do harm by lowering the nervous system, and vinous stimulants by sending the blood to the head. The bilious form of megrim is caused by anything that interferes with the functions of the liver.

But apart from all bodily causes, the condition of the mind has to be taken into account when searching for the causes of megrim. Any kind of worry, all kinds of mental strain or overwork, and most kinds of excitement are liable to induce it. Why, we need hardly ask ; for such causes mean depression of the nervous system and the powers of life generally. I have little inclination to dwell on the symptoms of megrim or sick headache. Unfortunately for thousands, they are far too well known. There are many strange symptoms affecting the sight and sensations, which are generally very alarming to the patient, such as partial blindness, flashes of light, crackling in the brain, numbness of the limbs, pins and needles, and a heavy, stupid feeling, and these often make the sufferer fear he is to be struck with paralysis.

We must admit that the chief seat of the ailment is the head. I do not say it is always the brain itself, though it often is. It may be the brain coverings that are congested. ' Some medical men doubt whether the liver has anything to do with the trouble. I myself do not. I mean that a bilious attack may culminate in megrim, for any poison that ought to be eliminated by the great secreting orgaus, and is not so got rid of, will cau&e a species of blood-poisoning. The bile, as all know, has most important functions to perform in the animal economy, but if it is retained in the blood, the consequences are disastrous. Night hours and long hours of labour, whether mental or bodily, must be avoided. That is the first sine qua non of a return to health. Secondly, good nutritious diet must be taken, but over-eating must be strenuously guarded against. Exercise must become one of tbe daily habits of life. A hobby has ere now acted in itself as a cure. It must, however, be a hobby that keeps one out in the open air, and pleasantly engages the mind, while it exercises without fatiguing the body. Sleep will thus be got' without dangerous artificial means, and remember sleep is all-important. Whenever one's daily occupation interferes in any way with his natural resi at night he is on the brink of danger. The Turkish or Russian bath (taken under medical advice) will very often tend to ward off an attack.

The diet, though nutritious, must be plain. For drink, I have reason to believe lithia water will do good, but a cup of tea in the afternoon is a great comfort. If there be much acidity, a soda and gentian mixture ; if paleness of face and gums, iron ; but the system must be kept open by rational means. Cod-liver oil with pancreatic emulsion often does much good. Try it and see. Do everything possible to get into a healthy habit of body and a calm condition of mind, and all will go well.— A Family Doctor, in Cassell's Magazine.

—An ecclesiastical point — the church steeple.

— The minister was a great hand-shaker — shutting down like a vice. One day he shook a boy's hand, and, forgetting, gave it an awful squeeze, as he said, " My little fellow, I hope you are pretty well to-day." With* tears in his eyes, the boy answered : " I was till you shook hands with me."