170 A Treatise on 
or corrode the Parts. Thus, if your Intention be 
to purge ftrongly, give the Pulp well divided by 
rubbing it in a Mortar, as it is commonly ufed in 
the Form of Troches ; and it is evident from long 
Experience that it is entirely free from Danger, 
when given feafonably and in a proper Dofe. It is 
likewife often an Ingredient with other Purgatives 
in a fmall Proportion, to a£t as a Stimulus only with 
the reft. If a Purge be required that may operate 
with greater Gentlenefs, but ftill with equal Effi- 
cacy ; in this Cafe, a Decodtion of the Pulp in 
Water, an Infufion in Wine, or an Extracft pre- 
pared with Water, or with Muft wherein fome Pulp 
has been fermented, may be ufed with Succefs. We 
muft take Notice, however, that the Extradfs are 
oftener ordered, than either the Decodlion or Infu- 
(ion ; becaufe, thefe being extremely bitter, are 
Very feldom agreeable to the Patient : And the Ex- 
trad with Spirit of Wine, as we have hinted above, 
purges lefs than the Pulp in Subftance, and the 
Gripings attending its Operation are far more pain- 
ful. 
Diofcorides propofes the Pulp to be taken to the 
Quantity of four * Oboli , made into a Bole or Pills 
with Hydromel, boiled Honey, Myrrh, and Nitre \ 
and for a milder Purge, he orders a Gourd of Co- 
iocynth to be fcooped hollow, and fome Hydro- 
mel, or Raiftn-Wine, which has been boiled in it, 
to be given in a Draught. The Method Aetius 
followed was much the fame : He took a Gourd 
of a proper Size, and opening it at Top fcraped 
out the Seed, and then filling the Cavity with Grape- 
juice boiled, or fweet Wine of a good Age, let them 
Hand in Maceration a Day and Night ^ and after- 
* The Obolus was the fixth Part of an Attick Drachm, and in 
pur Weight equal to about Half a Scruple. 
wards 
