SIMPLE MEDICINES. 137 



mixing a number of drugs together, and giving tlie same in a 

 mass. The more simple czir practice, the more certain our 

 results. This may be set down as an axiom in the treatment 

 of disease. By noting well the state of our patient, and by 

 the administration of a simple medicine, we are in a condition 

 to accurately watch its effects should a change either for 

 better or worse supervene ; but, if compound medicines are 

 used, and one or other of such changes should occur, we may 

 attribute it to the action of the medicines, but we should be 

 at a loss to know to which of the ingredients it was due ; so 

 that, if no other advantage arises from the giving of a single 

 medicament, that of certainty to the mind of the attendant 

 as to which is the curative or disturbing agent, is to be 

 regarded as a solid advance in the right direction.^ 



* 



III. — Eemedies — If a remedy does not act at once, the 

 attendant should not despair. Some diseases do not yield 

 until the remedy has been given several times in succession. 

 If the attendant is satisfied, however, that he has taken every 

 precaution in accurately diagnosing the disease, and in 

 selecting the appropriate remedy, he must persevere in its 

 administration ; and success in most instances where cure is 



* Lest wliat I write be misconstrued, I will furtlier explain what I mean by 

 the term simple medicine. Many vegetable medicines consist merely of spirits 

 of wine and the juice of the plant whose name the medicine bears. Tiuctm'e of 

 nux vomica is an example of the kind. Other medicines, again, are made by 

 mixing two together. Tinctm'e of the muriate of iron is an example of this 

 nature ; it is composed of iron and mm-iatic acid. But muriate of iron I class 

 as a simple medicine, but if the tincture of nux vomica was mixed with the 

 latter, I should call the result a compound medicine, and reject it accordingly. 

 If it was necessary for a patient to have both, I should give them alternately, 

 allowing intervals of some hours, or perhaps a day, to intervene between the 

 giving of one medicine and the other. 



