ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. II 
and they must generally be the form of treatment to be applied in convulsions. 
It may be necessary also to give injections of food and stimulants in cases of 
extreme debility and when the patient cannot be persuaded to take nourish- 
ment. 
Although syringes of glass, capable of holding about two tablespoonfuls of 
fluid, will commonly suffice for the giving of medicines, for general use a syringe 
made of hard rubber and of a capacity of from one-half to one cupful is the 
best, and indeed the most economical, because it cannot be easily broken. 
Water alone may relieve constipation, but soapsuds are more efficacious. Or 
olive oil may be used. The quantity of either is not important; and an ordi- 
nary syringeful may be injected, even if the instrument be quite large, for an 
injection of from half a pint to a pint cannot do any harm. Glycerin acts well 
in constipation. Of that large quantities are not required, and from two to four 
teaspoonfuls usually have the desired effect. All fluids injected should be about 
“blood-warm.” If turpentine injections are required, that medicine should be 
well beaten up with the white of one or more eggs. Any highly concentrated 
food can be given by injection if required. Milk, cream, strong beef-tea or beef 
juice, and raw eggs well beaten, are among the most suitable. Stimulants if 
needed can be given alone or with the nutriment; and a good injection is six 
tablespoonfuls of beef-tea, one tablespoonful of brandy, and the same quantity 
of cream. If nourishing injections are to be given continuously, one in five or 
six hours is often enough, and four ounces— eight tablespoonfuls — of liquid 
the largest quantity allowable. The bowel should be evacuated before nourish- 
ing injections are administered; but if they are to be given several times daily, 
an injection of warm water before the first will suffice for the day. When 
perfect quiet is enforced, the bowel soon becomes accustomed to the presence of 
the fluid injected and the expulsive tendency subsides; but for at least ten min- 
utes after an injection has been given the thumb should press firmly over the 
opening of the bowel, to prevent its contents from escaping. 
Suppositories are solid bodies for introduction into the bowel or passage to 
the uterus; and, as generally prepared, they contain a medicine the peculiar 
effect of which it is desirable to communicate to the neighboring organs or to 
the system at large. Cacao butter and wax are the substances of which sup- 
positories are principally composed, and in these are incorporated the medicines 
which it is desirable to use. When introduced into the bowel, after being well 
oiled, they should be pushed up the passage, at least one-half the length of the 
finger beyond the opening. 
