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but modern practice does not admit of much dif- 

 ference in this refpect. All purgatives evacuate 

 the bowels, and, if powerful and ftimulating, pro- 

 duce a watery difcharge by the abforption they oc- 

 cafion from the lymphatic fyftem. Notwithftand- 

 ing this fimilarity in the effects of purgative reme- 

 dies, they differ confiderably with refpect to the 

 circumftances that attend their operation. Some 

 purgatives are obferved to ftimulate the body and 

 accelerate the pulfe during their operation more 

 than others, and this is an important circumftance 

 to direct our choice of them, according to the pur- 

 pofes for which they are intended. Thofe that ope- 

 rate with lead irritation to the fyftem, efpecially to 

 the circulation, are preferable in acute complaints; 

 and nothing in fuch cafes is better than a fimple fb- 

 lution of the bitter purging fait in water. It is fel- 

 dom rejected by the ftomach, however unpleafant it 

 may be to the tafte, and its operation is effectual and 

 takes place quickly; — a circumftance of great im- 

 portance in fuch cafes. From one to two ounces 

 may be fafely taken, diffolved in a pint of warm 

 water, in all inflammatory complaints where purging 

 is proper. If it mould be neceffary to repeat it in 

 the advanced ftages, when the feverifh heat begins 

 to fubfide, it may be taken diffolved in the fame 

 quantity of infufion of flowers of chamomile, which 



will 



