Sec. 328. A Purging is often neglected for a long Time, without observing the least Regimen, from which Neglect they degenerate into tedious and as it were habitual, perpetual ones, and entirely weaken the Patient. In such Cases, the Medicine No. 35 should be given first; then, every other Day for four Times successively, he should take No. 51: during all which Time he should live on nothing but Panada (See Sec. 57) or on Rice boiled in weak Chicken-broth. A strengthing stomachic Plaister has sometimes been successfully applied, which may be often moistened in a Decoction of Herbs boiled in Wine. Cold and Moisture should be carefully avoided in these Cases, which frequently occasion immediate Relapses, even after the Looseness had ceased for many Days. __Chapter XXIV.__ _Of the Dysentery, or Bloody-flux._ __Sect.__ 329. The Dysentery is a Flux or Looseness of the Belly, attended with great Restlessness and Anguish, with severe Gripings, and frequent Propensities to go to Stool. There is generally a little Blood in the Stools, though this is not a constant Symptom, and is not essential to the Existence of a Dysentery; notwithstanding it may not be much less dangerous, for the Absence of this Symptom. Sec. 330. The Dysentery is often epidemical; beginning sometimes at the End of July, though oftner in August, and going off when the Frosts set in. The great preceding Heats render the Blood and the Bile acrid or sharp; and though, during the Continuance of the Heat, Perspiration is kept up (See Introduct. P. 28) yet as soon as the Heat abates, especially in the Mornings and Evenings, that Discharge is diminished; and by how much the more Viscidity or Thickness the Humours have acquired, in Consequence of the violent Heats, the Discharge of the sharp Humour by Perspiration being now checked, it is thrown upon the Bowels which it irritates, producing Pains in, and Evacuations from them. This Kind of Dysentery may happen at all Times, and in all Countries; but if other Causes, capable of producing a Putridity of the Humours, be complicated with it; such as the crouding up a great Number of People into very little Room, and very close Quarters, as in Hospitals, Camps, or Prisons, this introduces a malignant Principle into the Humours, which, co-operating with the simpler Cause of the Dysentery, renders it the more difficult and dangerous.