edicines for females should not be so strong as those for males,
therefore it is advisable to reduce the doses about one-third.

678. Temperament.

Persons of a phlegmatic temperament bear stimulants and purgatives
better than those of a sanguine temperament, therefore the latter
require smaller doses.

679. Habits.

Purgatives never act so well upon persons accustomed to take them as
upon those who are not, therefore it is better to change the form of
purgative from pill to potion, powder to draught, or aromatic to
saline. Purgatives should never be given when there is an irritable
state of the bowels.

680. Use of Alcohol.

Stimulants and narcotics never act so quickly upon persons accustomed
to use spirits freely as upon those who live abstemiously.

681. Climate.

The action of medicines is modified by climate and seasons. In summer,
certain medicines act more powerfully than in winter, and the same
person cannot bear the dose in July that he could in December.

682. General Health.

Persons whose general health is good bear stronger doses than the
debilitated and those who have suffered for a long time.

683. Idiosyncrasy.

By this is meant a peculiar temperament or disposition not common to
people generally. For example, some persons cannot take calomel in the
smallest dose without being salivated, or rhubarb without having
convulsions; others cannot take squills, opium, senna, &c.; and this
peculiarity is called the patient's idiosyncrasy, therefore it is
wrong to _insist_ upon their taking these medicines.

684. Forms best suited for Administration.

Fluids act quicker than solids, and powders sooner than pills.

685. Best Method of Preventing the Nauseous Taste of Medicines.

Castor oil may be taken in milk, coffee, or spirit, such as brandy;
but the best method of covering the nauseous flavour is to put a
tablespoonful of strained orange juice in a wineglass, pour the castor
oil into the centre of the juice, and then squeeze a few drops of
lemon juice upon the top of the oil. The wineglass should first be
dipped, rim downwards, into water, so that the interior may be wetted.
Cod liver oil may be taken, like castor oil, in orange juice.
Peppermint water neutralizes, to a great extent, the nauseous taste of
Epsom salts; a strong solution of extract of liquorice, that of aloes;
milk, that of cinchona bark; and cl