VERMINOUS DISEASES. 301 



article, says, " For the tape- worm, long experience 

 has taught me that the cowhage fcowitclij does 

 not prove so effectual, as against the other worms, 

 unless the quantity of setae be doubled. In very 

 obstinate cases, I sometimes find it necessary to in- 

 crease the quantity of setae even to a threefold pro- 

 portion ; for these worms will not easily be made to 

 let go their hold ; which they are as tenacious of, 

 as they are of life." A child of Mr. C. five years 

 old, swallowed by stealth, three or four ounces of 

 the syrup of co witch, "without any other inconven- 

 ience than a diarhoea, which did her more good 

 than harm." 



Though this medicine is generally perfectly 

 safe, yet there may be instances in which it would 

 be improper to give it, as in cases of inflammation 

 in any portion of the alimentary canal, and in ex- 

 cessive irritation &c. of this passage. 



In Massachusetts it is more used than formerly, 

 and is gaining reputation. It commonly proves 

 more certainly and speedily beneficial, when its use 

 is preceded by an emetic or cathartic, or both ; and 

 when a purgative, as castor oil, is occasionally in- 

 terposed. This should be done every second or 

 third day, during the exhibition of this article, if 

 there is the least costiveness. It has often been 

 regretted amon: physicians, that no anthelmintic 

 medicine, taken into the stomach, seemed to pos- 

 sess the power of fully destroying the ascaris. 

 There is much reason to believe that the cowitch, 

 as mentioned above, will prove an exception toihie 



