^06 PURGATION. 



confequence ; as though the body of the horfe 

 did not yield to preffure from too heavy a ftroke ; 

 that the frequency of accidents is notorious, 

 and that it is equally obvious how much eafier 

 it muft be to guide a lancet than to direft accu- 

 rately a forceful flroke with a blood-ftick. In 

 a late publication, in which are introduced a 

 number of cafes of fwelled necks, I was much 

 furprifed to find no recommendation, or even 

 mention of the lancet. The cures were gene- 

 rally effefted by Bracken's favourite method, 

 the old Arabian praftice of the cautery. I have 

 fometimes feen ill effeSls, and cures protra6led 

 from the premature or immoderate ufe of the 

 aBual cautery, particularly when in common 

 hands. 



Alterative forms. The intent of alte- 

 rants is gradually to remove chronic, or ob- 

 flru6lions of long (landing, which would not 

 fo readily give way to the brifli and tranfient 

 elFefts of a purge ; by thinning, purifying, and 

 accelerating the motion of the animal fluids. 

 The chief confiderations in the exhibition of this 

 clafs of medicines, are, that the more powerful 

 fpecies be not reforted to, unlefs the humours 

 of the animal be in a corrupted or depraved 

 ftate, that the dofes be very moderate and 

 continued a confiderable time, and that the 

 nowders be reduced as fine as pofiible ; to a 

 pinch of fnuif. Large dofes purge, and the 



medicine 



