•458 INFLAMMATIONS. 



or (13); or sometimes ipecacuanha may be given instead of the 

 mercury, in half-grain doses ; but it requires a long time to act, 

 and will only suffice in very mild cases. The red iodide of mercury 

 may be rubbed into the side, mixed with lard (one drachm to one 

 ounce of the lard), or the embrocation (42) or (43) may be used 

 instead. Gentle exercise may be given at the same time, and 

 mild farinaceous food, with a small quantity of weak broth. 

 After a time, as the liver begins to act (shown by the yellow 

 colour of the fceces), the disease relaxes, and the mercury may be 

 dispensed with ; but it is usually some considerable time before 

 the stomach recovers its tone. A strong decoction of dandelion 

 roots (made by boiling them for an hour in as little water as will 

 serve to cover them, and then straining) may be given for this 

 purpose, the dose being half a teacupful every morning. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 



Pour varieties of this condition are met with, viz. — 1, acute 

 inflammation of the peritonseal coat ; 2, spasms of the muscular 

 coat, attended with congestion or inflammation, and known as 

 colic ; 3, inflammation of the mucous coat, attended by diarrhoea ; 

 and 4, chronic inflammation, almost always followed by constipa- 

 tion. 



Acute inflammation of the peritonseal coat is known as perito- 

 nitis and enteritis, according as its attacks are confined to the mem- 

 brane lining the general cavity (peritonceum), or to that covering 

 the intestines (enteron) ; but, as there is seldom one without more 

 or less of the other, there is little practical use in the distinction. 

 The symptoms are very severe, and are shown by shivering, fever- 

 ishness, cold dry nose, ears, and legs, breath hot, and the expres- 



