SCOURING, &c. 345 



are at length rapid in fucceffion, large in quan- 

 tity, darlc in colour, foetid in fmell; bearing 

 the appearance of impregnation with greafe, 

 as if with feme foul oily lubllance in the intef- 

 tines, limilar to the laft difcharge after the 

 injr(5i:ion of a glyfler. Nature, in the prefent 

 iaftunce, generally performs her own work 

 with fo much eaie, that the leaft 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 afFedl more or lefs, according to cir- 

 cumftances and the ftate of the fubjed aded 

 upon) to debilitate the frame, it will be moft 

 prudent to give the following laxative drinks 

 and affift Nature in carrying off what it would 

 be highly improper to reftrain : 



Take fenna and cream of tartar each two ounces; 



Epforii ialts three ounces ^ 



Ginger bruiled 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 ope- 

 ration encouraged by frequent fmall quantities 

 of gruel water. 



On the contrary, fhould this plan be rejedled 

 as unneceiTary, and the loofenefs or fcouring 



continue 



