_Take rhubarb_ (O) _one scruple; ipecacuanha, ten grains; stomach powder_ (M) _fifteen grains; calomel_ (N) _three grains; mix them and make it into a draught or bolus, with sugar and water._ This probably will vomit a few times, and then occasion a few stools; but as the rhubarb has an astringency as well as cathartic quality, it will in general, after the purging has gently carried off the acrimony, act as an astringent; particularly if after the above draught, the following paragoric is taken. No. XLIV _Take oil of peppermint_ (U) _four drops upon a lump of sugar; liquid laudanum_ (T) _eight drops; sweet spirits of nitre_ (D) _twenty drops; mixt in a glass of wine._ But if the patient still continues after these medicines, with great griping, a succession of stools, together with a _tenesmus_, (that is a perpetual inclination to go to stool) then give the following: No. XLV _Take rhubarb_ (O) _ten grains; stomachic powder_ (M) _fifteen grains; essential oil of peppermint_ (U) _three drops; calomel_ (N) _one grain; and make it into a bolus or draught._ Let the patient take this every six hours, for the first two days. If the stools are bloody, slimy, and attended with great pain; recourse must immediately be had to clysters, such as No. XXXVII, XXXVIII, XXXIX. mentioned in the quincey; for the more nourishing they can be made the better; as thereby they will lubricate the bowels, and strengthen them. In the mean time the _white decoction_ should be used as a constant drink, which make as follows: No. XLVI _Take chalk_ (18) _pounded small, three ounces; cinamon_ (16) _bruised, two drachms; boil them in two quarts of water for one hour, and strain off the decoction._ Of this let the patient drink for his constant drink; a few drops of oil of peppermint may be dropped upon a lump of sugar, and dissolved in it. The same decoction may also be given as a clyster when the flux is very violent. After the two first days the rhubarb should be given but sparingly; for if the flux is bloody, we may justly suppose the intestines are in a state of inflammation, and even ulceration. In such extremity, a little calomel mixed with the clyster, as also liquid laudanum, will not only correct the acrimony, but give ease to the emaciated stamina of the intestines. By this treatment the most inveterate bloody flux may be subdued, especially with the help of patience, cautious diet, and cleanliness. ------------------------------------------- SECT. V. _Of the Scurvy_ If I was to write as much on that subject, as I have already written in this treatise, the whole would only amount to this, that the scurvy is a state of putrifying corruption in the living human body.