PURGATION. 273 



fedional knowledge. An inflammatory flate 

 of the blood always forbids purging ; it is ab- 

 folutely necefTary to wait until the fever (hall 

 have ceafed. In cafe of much flefli, excefTive 

 fulnefs, heat and coftivenefs, begin to reduce 

 the fubjeft two or three days previous to the 

 exhibition of a dofe of phyfic ; warm bran 

 mafhes, falined water, and walking exercife, 

 will in general, be found fully effeftual with- 

 out bleeding, which ever ought to be referved 

 for cafes of abfolute neceflity. There are horfes 

 of habits fo naturally cofl:ive, that a double 

 dofe will fcarcely have any material efPeft upon 

 them ; no rafh attempts fhould ever be made 

 upon thefe with draftic purges, which may be 

 fuddenly attended with fatal effefts. They are 

 bed treated with a courfe of falts, or alteratives, 

 which have a gradual operation, or laxative 

 glyllers may be exhibited two or three days 

 previous to a dofe of phyfic. The old maxim 

 ought not to be forgotten, to forbear purging in 

 extremes of heat or cold, or in wet weather. 



Purges are feldom given in a liquid form, but 

 in balls, to hide the ill tafte ; thefe are of an 

 oblong fhape, and the fize of a pullet's egg. It 

 may be of dangerous confequence to attempt to 

 deliver them too large, particularly thofe balls 

 which are rofined, and neatly made up fecun- 

 dum artem ; with refpeft to my own old fafhi- 

 oned method, there is lefs danger as well as lefs 



VOL. II. T neatnefs. 



