[ 838 ] 
feems not to lay much ftrefs on it as an anthelmintic, 
recommending it only as ferving to line the infide of 
the inteftines, and to relax fpafms in them; and there- 
fore as a proper preparative to be given before any 
acrid purgatives are ventured on. 
The medicines commonly prefcribed, and moft 
depended on, are either of a virulent and draftic na- 
ture, or fuch as are fuppofed to be able to deftroy 
thofe animals by fome mechanical qualities e. g. to 
cut, tear, or othervvife affed their tender bodies, and 
yet not have force enough to lacerate or injure the 
ftomach or inteftines. Of the former kind are the 
leaves and juice of helleborafter, the bark of the In- 
dian cabbage-tree, coloquintida, refin of jalap, glafs 
of antimony, and the like ; the effeds of which are 
commonly violent and dangerous, and fometimes 
fatal. Of the latter clafs are crude mercury, and the 
milder preparations of that mineral, aloes and other 
bitters, tin filings, neutral falts, and vitriolic acids. 
Every one converfant in pradice too well knows, how 
often thefe medicines are adminiftred ineffedually. 
When I had therefore attentively confidered the 
hiftory of the Norfolk Boy, I determined to try the 
efficacy of oil in fuch cafes, as it feemed capable of 
producing great effeds, and yet could not be attended 
with any hazard or danger. 
The firft perfon, to whom it was given, with this 
view, was * , a patient of our Infirmary, 
vel ^ij circa Iefti introitum vel fummo mane pueris pra?fcripfi fu- 
mendum, fubjungendo aliquot horas port pilulas ex extra&o pan- 
chyniagogo Crollii, refina jalappae, et mercurio dulci paratas. 
Hoffmann. Supplement, ad Med. Syjhmat. de Infant. Alorb. 
cap. 10. de Vcrrnibus. 
who 
