and of the proper Method
of treating it; for, in his Treatise on Opium, sect. vii. he
says, "I am convinced from Experience, that most of the
Dysenteries I have hitherto met with, might have been cured
by purging mildly, but constantly; and at the same time
abating the Acrimony in the great Guts by emollient Clysters,
and in the small ones by Plenty of Absorbents, and a Diet of
Chicken Broth: But it must be observed with regard to
Purgatives, that Manna agrees best with some, Rhubarb with
others, Jalap, Mercury, and toasted Rhubarb with others;
while others are sooner cured by emollient Clysters. I use
Opium only when the Disease is mild, or after its Violence is
abated by Evacuants and Emollients."

Scammony, Aloes, and the other strong resinous and hydragogue
Purges, are hurtful, and occasion Pain. I always observed,
that those Purges answered best which made the freest
Evacuation, and acted with the greatest Ease to the Patient;
of which the Salts and Manna answered best of any I have
hitherto used.

Though Rhubarb did not answer so well in the Beginning as the saline
Purges; yet afterwards in the Course of the Distemper, when the
Patient did not complain much of Gripes, half a Drachm of Rhubarb,
either by itself or in a saline Draught, proved a good gentle Purge;
and given with six or seven Grains of Calomel, was found to be a good
Medicine, when the Disorder was attended with Worms.

In the Evening, after the Operation of the Purge, we gave an Opiate;
and repeated it at Nights, in the Intervals between the Purges; but
were obliged to be very sparing of the Dose, while the Disorder
continued in its acute State; the Opiate was only given in a Quantity
sufficient to mitigate the Pain, and to procure Rest, but never so as
to stupify the Patient, or prevent a due Discharge by Stool; though we
were often obliged to encrease the Dose, as Use made it familiar to
the Patient.

In the Intervals between the Purges, we gave in the Day, the Mindereri
Draughts with the Mithridate; or the saline Draughts with the Addition
of four Drops of the _tinctura thebaica_; or some such mild
diaphoretic, every four or six Hours; which helped to keep up a free
Perspiration, without any Danger of stopping the Purging; and for the
most part answered much better than the Diascord, or Philonium, or
other strong Astringents and Opiates commonly prescribed for this
Purp