If there is a general fever pervading the body it is evidence of an abnormal condition of the stomach; and hence at the very inset of fever, the use of emetics is particularly indicated. Whenever a fever arises from the cause of undigested food, worms in the intestines, the stomach's energies sunken or its
*"From Mother Nature learn wisdom," is one of God's greatest commands. For instance, watch the action of a sick animal, especially the dog. First of all, it refuses all food; next it will eat grasses or herbs until it is able to empty its stomach, then it rests until the normal functioning of the organ is established, when it will again accept food. Animals who follow this plan seldom die of disease.
42 THOMSONIAN SYSTEM
functions prostrated by poisonous influences or previous exposure to cold, emetics are indicated.
In measles, scarlet fever and smallpox the disease will be rendered more mild in character, less dangerous, and frequently of shorter duration by the early administration of emetics to thoroughly cleanse the stomach.
In the disease of children, emetics constitute by far the most efficient remedy. Vomiting is Nature's method of relieving the stomach in infancy. The vomiting of a child after feeding is the most certain indication that its digestive organism is functioning properly. We can not do wrong in giving emetics to sick children, more especially at an early stage of disease. In sudden attacks of fever, croup, convulsions, or in cases of acute indigestion (so-called heart failure), Lobelia should be given, either in powder in warm teas, in tablet form with warm water, the tincture in warm water, or the third preparation of Thomson. The latter is particularly adapted to cases of spasms, and where the heat of the system is very low, as also in advanced stages of disease. No danger need be apprehended from vomiting a child too much in croup, nor in any other form of violent attacks of disease.
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