To children, and such as cannot swallow the bark, or when the stomach will not bear it, it may be given by clyster. Half an ounce of the extract of bark, dissolved in four ounces of warm water, with the addition of half an ounce of sweet oil, and six or eight drops of laudanum, in the form recommended by Dr. Lind for an adult, and this to be repeated every fourth hour, or oftener, as the occasion shall require. For children the quantity of extract and laudanum must be proportionally lessened. Children have been cured of agues by making them wear a waistcoat with powdered bark quilted between the folds of it; by bathing them frequently in a strong decoction of the bark, and by rubbing the spine with strong spirits, or with a mixture of equal parts of laudanum and the saponaceous liniment. We have been the more full upon this disease, because it is very common, and because few patients in an ague apply to physicians unless in extremities. There are, however, many cases in which the disease is very irregular, being complicated with other diseases, or attended with symptoms which are both very dangerous and very difficult to understand. All these we have purposely passed over, as they would only bewilder the generality of readers. When the disease is very irregular, or the symptoms dangerous, the patient ought immediately to apply to a physician, and strictly to follow his advice. To prevent agues, people must endeavour to avoid their causes. These have been already pointed out in the beginning of this section; we shall therefore only add one preventive medicine, which may be of use to such as are obliged to live in low marshy countries, or who are liable to frequent attacks of this disease. Take an ounce of the best Peruvian bark; Virginian snake-root, and orange-peel, of each half an ounce; bruise them all together, and infuse for five or six days in a bottle of brandy, Holland gin, or any good spirit; afterwards pour off the clear liquor; and take a wine glass of it twice or thrice a day. This indeed is recommending a dram; but the bitter ingredients in a great measure take off the ill effects of the spirit. Those who do not chuse it in brandy, may infuse it in wine; and such as can bring themselves to chew the bark, will find that method succeed very well. Gentian root, or calamus aromaticus, may also be chewed by turns for the same purpose. All bitters seem to be antidotes to agues, especially those that are warm and astringent. CHAP. XV. OF AN ACUTE CONTINUAL FEVER. This fever is denominated acute, ardent, or inflammatory. It most commonly attacks the young, or persons about the prime or vigour of life, especially such as live high, abound with blood, and whose fibres are strong and elastic. It seizes people at all seasons of the year; but is most frequent in the spring and beginning of summer.