APERIENTS. 451 



small intestines, whilst others pass through them without affecting 

 them, and only act upon the large bowels; and others, again, act 

 upon the whole canal. There is a third point of difference in 

 purges, depending upon their influencing the liver in addition, 

 which mercurial purgatives certainly do, as well as rhubarb and 

 some others, and which effect is partly due to their absorption into 

 the circulation, so that they may be made to act, by injecting into 

 the veins, as strongly as by actual swallowing, and their subse- 

 quent passage into the bowels. Purgatives are likewise classed, 

 according to the degree of their effect, into laxatives acting mildly, 

 and drastic purges, or cathartics, acting very severely. 



17. Ordinary Physic Balls — 



Barbadoes Aloes . . . . 3 to 8 drachms. 



Hard Soap . . . . .4 drachms. 



Ginger ...... 1 di-achm. 



Dissolve in as small a quantity of boiling water as will suffice ; then 

 slowly evaporate to the proper consistence, by which means griping is 

 avoided. 



18. A Warmer Physic Ball — 



Barbadoes Aloes . , . . 3 to 8 drachms 

 Carbonate of Soda . . . . ^ drachm. 

 Aromatic Powder .... 1 drachm 

 Oil of Caraway . . . .12 drops. 



Dissolve as above, and then 'add the oil. 



19. Gently Laxative Ball — 



Barbadoes Aloes . . . . 3 to 5 drachms. 

 Rhubarb Powder . . . . 1 to 2 drachms 



Ginger 2 drachms. 



Oil of Caraway . . . .15 drops. 



Mix, and form into a ball, as in No. 1. 



20. Stomachic Laxative Balls, fob Washy Horses — 



Barbadoes Aloes . ... 3 drachms. 



Rhubarb 2 drachms. 



Ginger 1 drachm. 



Cascarilla Powder . . . .1 drachm. 

 Oil of Caraway . . . .15 drops. 



Carbonate of Soda . . . . ^ drachm. 

 Dissolve the Aloes as in No. 1, and then add the other ingredients. 



21. Purging Balls, with Calomel — 



Barbadoes Aloes ' . . . . 3 to 6 drachms 



Calomel ^ to I drachm. 



Rhubarb 1 to 2 drachms. 



Ginger ^ to 1 drachm. 



Castile Soap 2 drachms. 



Mix as in No. 1 . 



22. Laxative Drench — 



Barbadoes Aloes . , . . 8 to 4 drachms. 



Canella Alba 1 to 2 drachms. 



Salt of Tartar 1 drachm. 



Mint Water 8 ounces. Mix. 



