DYSPEPSIA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 34, 26 August 1893, Page 142

DYSPEPSIA.

HOW TO CURE IT WITHOUT MEDICINE. A PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBES TREATMENT TO BE TAKEN IN YOUR OWN ROOM. In my hospital and dispensary practice I have found that nine patients out of every ten have as the cause of their poor health some form of stomach trouble. Also in examining apparently healthy people for gymnastic work, I find very few who are totally unconscious of tneir digestive apparatus. Even children have tales of woe to tell. < »ne or another has bad gastric fever, back and shoulder ache, rough and pimply skin, or show some other evidence of failure on the part of the stomach to do its duty. There are cases of ‘nervous stomach.’ An.emia may cause it or hysteria or over stimulation, when the resulting hyperacidity is so great as to attack the stomach walls for want of anything else to act upon. Fright or any sudden emotion will stop digestion as effectually as overwork. The mind is the controlling agent of every movement, and as it grows weary or excited it registers its condition upon whatever organ or tissue is most susceptible. A tired stomach may receive from an overwrought mind incalculable harm. But whatever the cause, or whatever the form, no dyspeptic is fitted for good work of any kind. And if the patient be a tired woman, overburdened with steady tasks, she worries in addition and draws often and heavily on her resen e energy. In dyspepsia drugs are a makeshift, untrustworthy, by no means specifics. They are helpful at times to supplement nature. Nature, assisted by exercise and self-denial, makes surer cures ; she does not work by accident, nor is there anything accidental about indigestion. Any dyspeptic not in the last stage of real starvation can be benefited by active exercise. Remember that the natural instincts of every well man, woman and child are for free movement. Why check these impulses and rely upon doctors and druggists to keep you alive for three-score years ? ROUSING LIFELESS MUSCLE. What movements shall you take if those natural instincts have become lifeless ? The activity of the abdominal muscles must be increased. This can be brought about by active bendings of the body, rotation of the trunk on the hips, leg movements both sitting and standing, and passive kneadings of the muscles of the abdomen. Long carriage drives over rough roads, horseback riding or bicycling for those who have money and time will work wonders for a sour dyspeptic. For those who must think of self last, who ‘ slave for the family, for the church or for society,’ and who feel able to give themselves only the time which no one else wants, there can be arranged a set of exercises to be taken at home. HOME MASSAGE. If you cannot get a masseuse to knead your stomach tor you, you must knead it yourself, and very much as you would knead bread. You must work your stomach deeply with your fist, from left toward right, slowly and firmly. Give it vibrations, that is, hold your stomach between both hands and make it tremble rapidly. Take these exercises nightly, after resting a little while from the day’s work. 1. Stand in walking position, one foot in advance of the other, your hands on your hips, and twist the trunk to the side of the rear foot as far as possible ; then change feet and twist to the opposite side. Repeat fifteen times to each side. Do the same twisting with your hands clasped behind your neck, your shoulders well held back. 2. Stride standing. Rise on your toes and bend your knees outward and downward. Repeat ten times slowly. 3. Stand on one foot, your hips firm, and slowly raise your other leg, extended in front; keep a steady balance. Change feet and repeat.

4. Stand with your heels together, your hands on your hips. Bend your body forward, to the side, backward, and to the opposite side ; then forward, to complete the circle. Repeat, and rotate your body in opposite directions. 5. Lie on your face, with your hips firm and your feet held under a bureau, try to raise your head and shoulders as far as possible with deep inspirations. Repeat, turning your body.

6. Bend your body over a bar in the doorway, or your stair-railing, backward, forward, and sideways, with your hands clasped behind your neck. 7. Place your bar low ; hang under it with your body extended stiffly and resting on your heels. Slowly draw your chest up to touch the bar by bending your elbows outward. Repeat. Combine these movements with deep respiration, opening a window for good pure air ; make each exercise as useful to the muscles as possible ; they are corrective exercises—not merely amusing. Rub your stomach with cool water after the exercises. This treatment persevered in, with self-restraint at the table, is the best I have found for dyspepsia. Kate Campbell Hurd, M.D.