SIMPLE MEDICINES. 137 



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

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

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

 of disease. By notiag 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 mediciaes are 

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

 attribute it to the action of the medicines, though 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 

 simple medicament, that of certainty to the mind of the 

 medical attendant as to which is the curative- or disturbing 

 agent, is to be regarded as a solid advance in the right 

 direction.* 



III. — Eemedibs. — -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 should persevere in its 

 administration ; and success in most instances where cure is 



* Lest what I write be misoonstrued, I will further 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. 

 Tincture of nux vomica is an example of the kind. Other medicines, again, 

 are made by mixing two together. Tiuoture of the muriate of iron is an 

 example of this nature ; it is composed of iron and muriatic acid. But 

 muriate of iron I class as a simple medicine, but if the tincture of nux 

 vomica was noixed with the latter, I should call the result a compound medi- 

 cine, and reject it accordingly. If it was necessary for a patient to have 

 both, I should give them alternately, aJlowing intervals of some hours, or 

 perhaps a day, to intervene between the giving of each medicine. 



