320 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



ministered : that which is given at the oiitset appearing to have 

 a decided advantage over anything exhibited late in the 

 attack. 



Bracy Clark prescribes for colic a tincture of pimento, 

 with the following directions for its composition and use : — 



" Infuse Tbj of pimento in Oiss of water, and the same 

 quantity of spirit, for several days ; strain the infusion, or 

 let it stand until it be required for use. Give four ounces 

 of it, mixed with common or peppermint water, immediately, 

 and repeat the dose in half an hour, and every succeeding 

 hour until the symptoms be relieved." 



Professor Coleman^s specific for colic used to be, oil of 

 turpentine, given in doses of two ounces in a pint of tepid 

 water, beer, or gruel, two or three hours, according to the 

 demands of the case. 



My Father's favorite remedy was, one ounce of lauda- 

 num combined with two ounces of oil of turpentine, in a 

 pint of some tepid bland fluid. 



Other Practitioners are very fond of the aethers. For 

 my own part, I must say I think a combination of sulphuric 

 aether and laudanum, in from two to three ounces each, in a 

 pint of warm water, forms a potent and eff'ectual antispas- 

 modic drench ; at the same time I am quite ready to repeat 

 what I said before, that it matters less "what we give than 

 when we give it." And, furthermore, I can affirm, I have 

 in numerous instances seen all these various remedies suc- 

 ceed, and on some few occasions have been present when 

 one and all of them have totally failed to afford relief. I 

 consider that opium holds the first place among antispas- 

 modics ; and I put more trust in it when given in substance ; 

 though the objection to this is, the greater length of time 

 required for such effect to manifest itself, and its consequent 

 unfitness in such form for the urgent necessities of the case 

 before us. A very effectual antispasmodic ball, combining 

 the three properties, narcotic, stimulant, and terebinthinate, 

 which I keep made up for the use of non-professionals, is 

 composed of one drachm of opium, of two drachms of Cayenne 

 pepper or half an ounce of ginger, and of a sufficiency of 



