What is the cause of hiccough and how may it be relieved?

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Hiccough

 Q. What is the cause of hiccough and how may it be relieved?

A. Hiccough is produced by a sudden spasm of the diaphragm. It may be excited by eating too much, thus causing indigestion and irri­tation of the stomach, drinking a large quantity of cold water, or by long continued or im­moderate laughter. It also occurs, sometimes, in the last stages of wasting diseases, when it is re­garded as a very grave symptom, indicating ap­proaching dissolution.

Treatment: Hiccough can generally be stopped by taking a very small sip of very cold water or swallowing a small piece of ice. It may also generally be checked by holding the breath a long time, so as to interrupt the paroxysm, which occurs at regular intervals.

When it is very obstinate, and is evidently the result of indigestion, :the stomach should be washed out with a stomach tube.

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