SCOURING, Sec. 345 



are at length rapid in fucceffion, large in quan- 

 tity, dark in colour, fcetid in fmell; bearing 

 the appearance of impregnation with greafe, 

 as if with fome foul oily fubftance in the intef- 

 tines, fimilar to the laft difcharge after the 

 injedion of a glyfler. Nature, in the prefent 

 inflance, generally performs her own work 

 wdth fo much eafe, that the leail: appearance of 

 pain is hardly perceptible. In preference to 

 the cuftom of waiting day after day for its ter- 

 mination, thereby giving it an opportunity, 

 by its acrimonious quality, (which may irri- 

 tate and aftedl more or lefs, according to cir- 

 cumflances and the ftate of the fubjedl acled 

 upon) to debilitate the fram.e, it will be moll 

 prudent to give the following laxative drink, 

 and afiift Nature in carrying off Vv'hat it would 

 be highly im.proper to retain ; 



Take fenna and cream of tartar each two ounces ; 



Epfom falts three ounces ; 



Ginger bruifed half an ounce. — Boil in a pint of 

 thin gruel for ten minutes; then ftrain and let it 

 be given a little warm, and the gentle operation 

 encouraged by frequent fmall quantities of gruel 

 water. 



On the contrary, fliould this plan be rejedled 

 as unneceffary, and the loofenefs or fcouring 



continue 



