s very doubtful; for when
the Complaint had continued long and become chronic, and the Structure
of the Intestines was much hurt, before the Sick were sent to us; or
when it continued obstinate, and yielded but little to Evacuations,
and the other Methods used in the first Stage, even Remedies esteemed
the most efficacious oftentimes proved unsuccessful, and at length
the Patient died.

[41] Dr. _Pringle_, in the _fourth Edition of his
Observations_, just published, in treating of the third or
last Stage of the Dysentery, remarks, that this is the Time
for Astringents, which ought not to be given sooner, or at
least very sparingly. And he tells us, that, in the former
Editions of his Work, he mentioned those Compositions which
he had most frequently used, but that he had now laid most of
them aside; and at present trusts to Vomits, and to a Milk
Diet, for the perfect Cure.

He says, "Whenever therefore the Patient is in this State,
and especially when his Pulse is quick, and he complains of
inward Heat, I began with giving him a Scruple of Ipecacuana;
and the next Day I put him upon the Milk-Diet; which I
continue till all the hectic Symptoms are gone, and till the
Bowels have recovered their Tone. During this Course I have
seldom had Occasion for any other Medicine, excepting the
Chalk Julep mentioned before, which I use for correcting that
strong Acid so incident to relaxed Stomachs. Sometimes also I
add an Opiate to procure Rest at Night; but after a few Days
these are likewise laid aside. All that I require (which
indeed is often hard to obtain) is a strict Perseverance in
the low Diet: and now and then a Repetition of the Vomit,
upon any new Disorder of the Stomach, or great Laxity of the
Bowels.

"Whilst the Patient continues in this Course, I forbid all
animal Food and fermented Liquors; and besides Milk, I allow
only the Preparations of Grain, Sago and Salop." See Part
iii. ch. vi. p. 289, 290.

A Spoonful of the _mixtura fracastorii_, taken after every loose
Stool; and an anodyne Draught at Night, had a good Effect with
some--Repeated Doses of the _philonium Londinense_ answered better
with others, who were low, and required a Remedy that was warm and
cordial--And others found more Benefit from the Mindereri Draughts,
with Mithridate, or the _confectio cardiaca_, or the Theriac anodyne
Boluses