Are ulcers of the stomach and duodenum curable?
Ulcers of
the Stomach
Q. Are ulcers of the stomach and duodenum curable?
A. That ulcers
of the stomach and duodenum are curable is clearly shown by the fact that scars
left by healed ulcers are often found in the
stomach and duodenum after death. Numerous cases are
on record also in which patients who have suffered from severe gastric ulcer
have recovered permanently. Without doubt the
majority of cases are curable by the application of proper
means. In general the measures which are of essential service are the following:
1. The patient must rest in bed or in a horizontal
position from one to three weeks.
2. All food should be withdrawn for two or three days, sometimes even longer when severe hemorrhages have occurred.
3. If the secretion of acid continues although food is not given as shown by pain or other symptoms indicative of the presence of acid, carbonate of soda should be given in sufficient quantity to neutralize the acid. When the acid is completely neutralized, the pain will usually cease.
4. After two or three days of abstinence small quantities of bland food are given. The amount of food is increased from day to day and as the quantity is increased the interval between feedings is lengthened.
5. Olive oil and perfectly fresh sterilized and unsalted butter are used in as large quantities as the patient is capable to bear as a means of preventing the formation of gastric acid.
6. Salt is excluded from the dietary.
7. Liquids are taken only in very small quantities, a few sips at a time. When a tumblerful or more of water is taken, the effect is to cause the stomach to pour out a quantity of acid, hence large quantities of liquids must be avoided.
8. Care must be taken to move the bowels three times a day. Bowel movements may be encouraged by the use of paraffin oil and agar agar. Later sterilized bran may be used instead of agar-agar.
2. All food should be withdrawn for two or three days, sometimes even longer when severe hemorrhages have occurred.
3. If the secretion of acid continues although food is not given as shown by pain or other symptoms indicative of the presence of acid, carbonate of soda should be given in sufficient quantity to neutralize the acid. When the acid is completely neutralized, the pain will usually cease.
4. After two or three days of abstinence small quantities of bland food are given. The amount of food is increased from day to day and as the quantity is increased the interval between feedings is lengthened.
5. Olive oil and perfectly fresh sterilized and unsalted butter are used in as large quantities as the patient is capable to bear as a means of preventing the formation of gastric acid.
6. Salt is excluded from the dietary.
7. Liquids are taken only in very small quantities, a few sips at a time. When a tumblerful or more of water is taken, the effect is to cause the stomach to pour out a quantity of acid, hence large quantities of liquids must be avoided.
8. Care must be taken to move the bowels three times a day. Bowel movements may be encouraged by the use of paraffin oil and agar agar. Later sterilized bran may be used instead of agar-agar.
9. A fomentation over the abdomen three times a day followed by a cold mitten friction is
a measure of great value
in promoting the com fort of the patient.
10. The ill effects of confinement in bed may be counteracted by massage. It is also important to keep the patient
in the open air as large a portion of
the twenty-four hours as it is possible to do.