DIARRHCEA. 367 



root (should it not be found too expensive), and other 

 mucilaginous drinks, which, while they augment and dilute 

 the discharges, serve, by their emollient qualities, to soothe 

 the mucous membrane, and protect it from the acrimony 

 and irritation of the obnoxious matters. This consti- 

 tutes the grand principle of treatment of diarrhoea of this 

 class : at the same time it is a consideration which ought 

 never, in fluxes of any description, to be disregarded ; seeing 

 that a great deal of harm is likely to be done by acting, 

 without great caution and discrimination, on a contrary 

 principle. Remember, this soothing will avail nothing with- 

 out, however, change of diet, should the food be in fault, or 

 change of water, should that have done the mischief; and 

 in making this change we should endeavour to substitute 

 an astringent diet for the one of a laxative nature. Warm 

 clothing and dry comfortable stabling are useful adjuncts : 

 not merely should we be desirous to divert the blood to the 

 skin and extremities, but by warmth and dressing, likewise 

 to restore to the skin its natural exudation, smoothness, 

 and polish. In a case where such simple means prove 

 insufficient, and there be evident signs of fever, do not 

 hesitate to draw blood to the amount of a gallon in a full 

 subject — less, in a washy or weakly one; which step may 

 be followed up once afterwards, provided benefit arise from 

 it. A stimulant over the surface of the belly ordinarily 

 turns out an excellent sequence to the bloodletting. The 

 turpentine liniment is made as under : — 



R Liquor Ammoniae, 

 01. Olivac, aa jiv ; 

 Misce bene siraul et adde, secundum artem, 

 Saponis Mollis, ^ij ; 



Our Pharmacopoeia does not furnish an expellent medicine 

 well calculated for recent and acute diarrhoea. Did we pos- 

 sess any medicament that "could be trusted to act mildly and 

 safely, as castor oil does on a man, or the same as magnesia 

 and manna and rhubarb do, we would gladly in such a case 



