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"As stimulation of the horizontal semicircular canals is the least objectionable, passengers soon learn that the recumbent position is most comfortable. They should select the midship region of the ship, where the motion is minimal, and the weather side of the vessel, as the wind is fresher there and in small ships not so apt to convey an undesirable odor from the galley. Cases that persist in spite of simple remedial measures, demand careful examination. A slight pre-existing cardiac incompetence may be aggravated by the efforts of vomiting and may cause a passive congestion of the abdominal viscera, with deficient oxygenation of those tissues. This has been shown to be productive per se of nausea and vomiting, both experimentally and clinically. Careful questioning and search must be made to rule out chronic inflammatory foci, as well as kidney calculus and other diseases of the urinary tract. In women, diseases of the uterus, tubes and ovaries are very likely to cause prolongation of symptoms, and pregnancy in the early months may be an exciting factor, but is usually not such in the later months. It may be interesting to note here that one writer thinks the likelihood of conception is increased by a voyage in which slight seasickness is experienced. This, we think, is due rather to the exhilarating and tonic effects of the usual sea trip."
Treatment and prevention: Abundant sleep; open air exercise (horseback riding and aquatic sports before sailing are recommended); proper bowel elimination; diet restricted to such foods as appeal. For vomiting in excess: rest; the prone position. "Iced brandy, champagne or strong coffee may be given through a drinking tube, but if nausea reasserts itself it is best to continue the administration of [certain drugs]."