22 DISEASES OF THE AIR-PASSAGES. 



while an aperient (composed of half an ounce of purging mass, 

 containing 2 drachms of aloes) ought to be given at once, 

 which will gently operate on the bowels. As soon as the dung 

 has become softened, then sparing quantities of hay (but no 

 corn) may be allowed with the mashes. Should the aperient 

 produce actual purgation — which it very rarely does — then 

 let the bran mash, and the water with it, be altogether with- 

 drawn, hay alone being substituted for the one, and gruel 

 for the other, in which way any harm continued purging 

 might do to an irritable bowel will be speedily counteracted. 

 Linseed tea, should it be prepared, will answer the same 

 purpose as gruel, at the same time that it is an emollient 

 and useful drink when the throat feels sore. 



If the bowels become greatly relaxed, fever medicine may be 

 administered. This ball, Camphoris, 5J ; Antimon. 5J; Potas- 

 sio Tart., ^iss ; Potassio Nitratis, 5iij ; Thariacse q. s. m. ft. 

 bol. may be given once or twice a-day. All along, the 

 steaming operations should be steadily persisted in ; to which, 

 in cases, from glandular or other swellings requiring it, 

 fomentations and poultices even may be added. 



Soreness of throat, when annoying, is best relieved by 

 either blisters, or mustard plasters, when the repetition of 

 liniment does not answer the purpose. The mustard plaster 

 we generally prefer; because, after taking due effect, which 

 it will commonly do in about twenty minutes, it may be 

 sponged oft', so as to be repeated, if requisite, another day. 

 Blisters, become more permanent and tronblesome in their 

 operation. For the treatment of sore throat, however, in 

 the predominant and abstract form, it now and then assumes 

 in catarrh, see the account of ^' Sore Throat." And for 

 the change which must necessarily take place in the treat- 

 ment whenever the catarrh runs into bronchitis, see the 

 account of the latter disease under the heading of "Diseases 

 of the Lungs." 



