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determine the degree of their operation by the pro- 

 portion or quantity that is taken. It generally hap- 

 pens that one half or two thirds of the ufual dofe 

 will have little or no effect; whereas had the full 

 quantity been taken, it would have produced a 

 larger difcharge than might be defired. In cafes, 

 therefore, where fome evacuation of the bowels is 

 neceffary, and at the fame time we might be appre- 

 henfive of any unpleafant effects from a large dif- 

 charge, it is proper to employ clyfters, which have 

 an additional advantage, that their effect takes place 

 in a much fhorter time than could be produced by 

 any purgative medicine internally taken. When 

 clyfters are adminiftered with this intent, there is 

 no great necefiity to be very particular, in their com- 

 pofition. A pint of warm gruel or broth, with 

 two fpoonfuls of fallad oil, or melted butter, a table- 

 fpoonful of common fait, and the fame quantity of 

 brown fugar, forms as efficacious and proper a 

 clyfter as the moft laboured compofition. 



It is proper, while upon this fubject, to caution 

 againft the practice of giving purgative medicines 

 internally, efpeciaily fuch as are of the heating or fti- 

 mulati ng kind, commonly called warm purgatives, 

 to people who complain of pain in their ftomach or 

 bowels; particularly if this pain be attended with 



heat a 



