[ 395 ] 



heat, third, or other fymptoms of fever. It is much 

 the fafer practice to inject a clyfter of the kind be- 

 forementioned, and to repeat it if neceffary, and to 

 ufe external fomentations, than to enter precipi- 

 tately on the ufe of purgative medicines, which, 

 if they do not take effect, often aggravate the mif- 

 chief, by producing or increafing a difpofition to 

 vomit, and fometimes totally inverting the periftaltic 

 motion of the inteflines. If fufficient ftools can be 

 procured by clyfters, the danger is generally over ; 

 but if that means of relief do not fucceed, it is fafer 

 to apply to fome of the profefiion, who may bed 

 determine what method may be purfued. 



It is of the utmoft confequence to mention, that 

 when any complaint of violent pain in the ftomach 

 or bowels is made, efpecially if luch pain be not ac- 

 companied by ftools, we mould enquire firft about 

 the place in which it is chiefly felt, if that can be 

 pointed out; and next, if it came on rather fuddenly, 

 or foon after performing fome laborious work, efpe- 

 cially the lifting any great weight, or indeed any 

 confiderable exertion of ftrength. If this be found 

 to be the cafe, we. mould carefully examine the belly, 

 efpecially that part neareft to the feat of the pain ; 

 and if any fwelling, or lump, however fmall, be 

 found, even of the fize of a hazel-nut, we may be 

 almoft certain, that the caufe of the complaint ori- 

 ginates 



