127 



violent convulsions, and immediate dissolution was so strongly 

 threatened, that the nearest practitioner was sent for, from 

 fear that it might not live until my arrival. 



Frora three o'clock in the afternoon of one day, until 

 noon next day, this infant took ten doses of Calomel, each 

 containing a grain and a half, and an equal number of tea 

 spoonfuls of Castor Oil, with decided relief. In the course 

 of the ensuing three days, nearly as much more purgative 

 medicine was given. So that in four days it consumed half 

 a drachm of Calomel, and between three and four ounces of 

 Castor Oil. It 'is now well, and continues to be nursed by 

 its mother. 



I am aware that prejudices have existed against the prac- 

 tice recommended, and may possibly still exist. To infants 

 in health, I make no doubt, such doses of physic would do 

 much mischief; but where torpid bowels cannot be roused 

 into action, and irritating matter expelled by gentle means^ 

 what alternative has the most rational Physician ? can he 

 stand by and see his patient sink under painful and terrific 

 disease, because a prejudice exists against the exhibition oi 

 strong physic in infancy ? Every practitioner who has been in 

 the habit of employing mixtures of Rhubarb and Magnesia, 

 solutions of Manna in Fennel Water, Egg-shells, Musk, Vola- 

 tile Alkali, Opium and Blisters, the remedies formerly in use, 

 can be at no loss to form an opinion of the proportion of 

 convulsive cases in early infancy, which recovered under such 

 treatment. 



VOL. XI. * 1^ 



