xxxvi. INTRODUCTION, 



positions that need be kept in the charitable shop 

 of the family, which intends to relieve a neigh- 

 bourhood of poor in their greatest of all distress- 

 es, that of sickness. The diseases for which 

 these remedies are to he used will be found enu- 

 merated at large under the several heads of the 

 principal ingredients, as described in the succeed- 

 ing pages. It only remains to say a few words 

 about the manner of putting these things most con- 

 veniently together, and we then shall have pre- 

 pared for all that follows. 



CHAP. V. 



Concerning the best methods of putting medicines 

 together for present taking. 



IN the first place, although these several forms 

 of syrups, conserves, and the like, have been 

 named, as what will be sometimes necessary. The 

 great practice in the country will lie in the in- 

 fusions and decoctions of the fresh plants and 

 roots. 



The strength of these infusions and decoctions 

 is to be proportioned to the taste : for as they are 

 made to be swallowed in quantities, if they be 

 made so strong as to be very disagreeable, that 

 end will he defeated: they may "he rendered more 

 pleasant bv sweetening them with sugar, about an 

 ounce of which is to be allowed to a quart; and 

 occasionally a little white wine, or a small quan- 

 tity of some of the cordial waters mav be added 

 to them. The dose of cither decoction or infu- 

 sion, will be in general about half a pint, except 



