This disease is frequently caused by
sedentary and indolent habits, and by occupations which confine to the sitting
position. Sitting on cushions favours the development of piles by heating the
parts. High-seasoned food, stimulating and fermented drinks and cathartic
remedies are also among the causes which give rise to this affection.
Symptoms
A sensation of fullness, heat, and
perhaps itching is felt about the anus, caused in the great measure by the
dilatation of the veins of the lower part of the intestine or rectum, and in
the anus or external passage. The swelling increases until small tumors from
which are sore and painful. These may be external and visible or internal, and
are often of a bluish color, and when inflamed they are very sore and painful
to the touch. There is frequently a discharge of bold, especially from internal
piles, and such discharges often return repeatedly until a habit is
established, and there is a feeling of fullness before and relief after such
discharges.
Treatment
If there are much inflammation,
heat, pain, soreness, and fever, give Aconite once in two hours until these
symptoms are relived. If there is hemorrhage give Nitric acid
once in two hours until it is relived, and then give a dose every morning and
dose of Nux vom. Every night for two weeks, after
which give Nux vom. At night and Sulphur
in the morning. These two remedies may be continued for several months. If not
withstanding the above remedies hemorrhage returns a dose of Calcarea carb.
Given night and morning for a few weeks will rarely fail to relive this
symptom, and also to benefit the piles. If the flow of blood is very profuse
give a dose of Ipecac every hour until it is relieved. If
there is no hemorrhage and the patient is either of sedentary habits or a high
liver, give Nux vom. At night and Sulphur
in the morning. With females Pulsatilla sometimes dose better then Nux vom.
In obstinate cases if the piles are bluish and there is burning in them, give Carbo veg
night and morning.
If the patient expects a permanent
cure of this disease, he must shun the causes which have produced it, or he can
never obtain anything more than palliative relief from the best remedies. He
must shun all stimulating drinks and spices, use brown bread, and but little
meat, and eat temperately, and take active out-door exercise. Lie with the face
downward, and sustain the weight of the body by the elbows and toes, resting on
a sofa or bed, for a few moments, and then slowly raise the hips and lower them
five or six times; this tends to relive the congestion of the veins about the
anus, and if repeated two or three times a day, but also fore felling of the
bowels, as well as for failing of the womb.
