362 ON THE CABBAGE BANK TREE OF JAMAICA. 



it must be continually stirred, as otherwise the resinous part 

 rises to the top, and on this probably its efficacy depends. 



The powder of well-dried bark is easily made, and looks 

 like jalap, though not of equal specific gravity. 



This bark, like most other powerful anthelmintics, has a 

 narcotic effect ; and, on this account, it is always proper to 

 begin with small doses, which may be gradually increased till 

 a nausea is excited, when the dose for that patient is ascer- 

 tained. But, by frequent use, we can in common determine 

 the dose, though we choose to err rather on the safe side. 



A strong healthy grown person may at first take from four 

 table- spoonfuls of the decoction or syrup, three grains of the 

 extract, or thirty grains of the powder for a dose. 



A youth, three table-spoonfuls of the decoction, or syrup, 

 two grains of extract, or twenty grains of powder. 



A person of ten years of age two table-spoonfuls of the de- 

 coction or syrup, one grain and a half of extract, or fifteen 

 grains of the powder. 



Children of two or three years old, a table-spoonful of the 

 decoction or syrup, one grain of extract, or ten grains of the 

 powder. Children of a year old, half the quantity. 



These may be increased, as above observed, till a nausea 

 is excited, which will depend on the strength, sex, and habit 

 of body of the patient. 



Care must be taken that cold water be not drank during 

 the operation of this medicine, as it is in this case apt to occa- 

 sion sickness, vomiting, fever and delirium. When this hap- 

 pens, or when an over-large dose has been given, the stomach 

 must be washed with warm-water ; the patient must speedily 

 be purged with castor-oil, and use plenty of lime-juice beve- 

 rage for common drink ; vegetable acid being a powerful an- 

 tidote in this case, as well as in an over-dose of opium. 



The decoction is what is mostly given here, and seldom fails 

 to perform every thing that can be expected from an anthel- 



