57 [CAT. 
OF THE DISEASES IN WHICH PURGING IS NECES- 
SARY OR USEFUL. 
This is a fruitful topic ; the practice of purging 
for disease as ancient as the earfiest efforts toward 
medical aid. Even animals are guided by instinct 
to the purgative grasses and plants. Instances 
given. Purgatives essential in all inflammatory 
diseases, in their incipient stage at least. They 
are truly antiphilogistic remedies. 
In the diseases called newroses ; eden Bd 
e im 
lepsy. In chlorosis, and those disorders generally 
which occur during, or accompany puberty of both 
sexes. Eminently useful and curative in typhus 
fever; in scartatina. In both of which the axio- 
matic observation of Dr. Hamilton is of golden 
weight: ‘*I beg to caution against the common 
association of purging, with the use of purgative — 
medicines.” Of their effect in obviating or remov- 
ing the dropsical effusions which occur in the last 
stage of scarlatina. Of purgatives in marasmus, 
occasioned by worms, effectual : when from impov- 
erished diet, of doubtful use. In hematemesis, 
when supposed reasonably, to be a vicarious he- 
morrhage. In all cases of hysteria, requisite. 
In dysentery, important, being continued. In 
exanthematous diseases, highly essential. 
In puerperal fever and common peritoneal in- 
flamation, the bowels are torpid; require brisk 
purgatives, especially in the commencement. The 
Broussaisan doctrines oppose this practice. Of 
the particular kind of purgatives, useful in acute 
rheumatism ; and the necessity of adhering to a 
certain kind in gout. Hydrocephalus internus, 
in addition to early and copious blood-letting, re- 
quires early and vehement purgatives ; of less ac-_ 
chorea, and hysteria, and in some cases 
