144 Treatise on 
Humours, which being adhefive, and generally 
acrimonious, are not to be drawn off without a 
painful Senfation. However, Phyficians try feveral 
Means to corredt this Quality, whereby it is at 
lead abated, though perhaps not totally dedroyed. 
Some mix it with Subdances which drengthen the 
Stomach and Intedines ; as Ginger, Cinnamon, or 
Spikenard : Some, with fuch Things as gently re- 
lax without griping •, as fat Broths, Prunes, Jujebs, 
Raifins, Violets, Marfh-Mallows, Polypody, &c. 
and others, with Medicines which difcufs Wind by 
inciding the vifcid Humours ; of which Sort are 
Anife, Fennel, Coriander, Salt of Tartar, of Worm- 
wood, or the like. Indeed, the purgative Virtue 
of Sena depending upon a gummo-refinous Sub- 
dance which exerts its Operation in a twofold Man- 
ner, (viz.) by dividing the thick and vifcid Hu* 
mours, and likewife principally by irritating the 
nervous Fibres of the Intedines to contradt them- 
felves ; the lefs this Refin is extended, the more it 
will adhere to the Fibres, and produce the dronger 
Irritation ; and the more it is extended, the lefs 
will be its Adhefion, and the lefs alfo its Irritation. 
Therefore, whatever can extend this refinous Sub- 
dance, will make it operate with greater gentle- 
nefs •, as a large Quantity of Liquor •, alkaline Salts, 
which have a Property of dividing refinous Bo- 
dies ; or Oils, which eafily didolve them. Thus, 
a Tindture of Sena, made in a large Draught of 
Ptifan or Broth, purges excellently, and with lefs 
Uneafinefs than in a fmall Proportion of Water. 
Mucilaginous and emollient Subftances, by involv- 
ing its refinous Parts, render their Adtion more 
gentle ; but then, as they weaken the purgative 
Force of the Medicine, its Effedts are not fo much 
to be depended on. 
3 
Sena 
