[ 426 J 



dered, that opium, in both the above-mentioned 

 cafes, is only a temporary relief} and though it often 

 aflifts the paffage of the obftrufting body, yet is of 

 no fervice to prevent the return of the diforder, and 

 therefore fhould be taken only when great pain, 

 and other urgent and diftrefiing fymptoms, render 

 its ufe neceflary. 



The ufe of opium is in no inflance more ftrongly 

 manifefted, than in the violent purging and vomit- 

 ing that often comes on towards the latter part of 

 the fummer, or during the autumn, and is called 

 the Cholera Morbus. It may not be proper to give 

 opiates immediately on the accefs of the diforder, 

 but after we may reafonably fuppofe the ftomach 

 and bowels to be cleared of their proper and na- 

 tural contents, and little but bile, water, or mucus, 

 pafTes, it is time to adminifter opiates, efpecially 

 if the retching to vomit, diftentionof the ftomach, 

 and griping pains, be violent. In fuch cafes there 

 is no time to be loft, and opiates are often the only 

 refource. They may be given either in a liquid or 

 folid form. The liquid opiate takes effect fooner, 

 but is more liable to be thrown up, on which ac- 

 count we fhould endeavour to make it as acceptable 

 to the ftomach as poflible. About a fpoonful of 

 warm fimple mint-water, or of peppermint, is as 

 likely to make it ftay on the ftomach as any thing 



I know, 



