50 ^ Treatise 0/2 
on the contrary, from a too exalted, volatile, and 
incalefcent State of the Bile, ditfufing itfelf en- 
tirely over the whole Habit, Experience teaches us 
that Rhubarb is prejudicial, or at leaft that it does 
no good. Fallopius blames it, as being hurtful in 
Affections of the Kidneys and Bladder •, in which 
Parts it occafions Heat. And Simon Paulli obferves 
a long and frequent Ufe of it to have brought on 
a Vertigo or Giddinefs. Hence then v/e may' con- 
clude, that Rhubarb ought not to be ufed without 
Caution. 
It is prefcribed in Subftance, fometimes to be 
chewed and fwallowed before Meals, to help Con- 
coction, to ftrengthen the Tone of the Stomach, 
Inteftines, and other Parts, and to remove Gbftruc- 
tions of the Liver, Spleen, and Mefentery. In 
Cachexies of Children it is ordered in Infufion, to 
deftroy Worms and carry off the verminous Mat- 
ter. The Dofe in Subftance is from 9fs. to gj. 
and in Infufion to 3 ij. Some order it to be 
toafted, with a Defign of leffening its purgative 
Quality, and increafing its Aftringency : But in 
my Opinion fuch Management is needlefs •, becaufe 
we are furnifhed with a fufficient Number of af- 
tringent Medicines, which may either be mixed 
with it, or given when it has done purging. 
An ExtraCt is ufually prepared from it in the 
Shops, thus. 
Take of Rhubarb bruifed and cut finall ftj. pour 
upon it ifciv. of Succory- Water. Let them 
ftand together in Maceration in a gentle Heat 
for twelve Hours, and then ftrain the Infufi- 
on through Linen. Upon the remaining Mafs 
pour fbj. of Spirit of Wine, and macerate for 
fix Hours more. Afterwards evaporate the 
TinCture, decanted clear and mixed with the 
Infufion, 
