ENEMATA OR INJECTIONS. 231 
ENEMATA, OR INJECTIONS (CtystErs). 
The use of injections in the treatment of disease is of very 
ancient date; and when we reflect upon the position and 
cnaracter of the intestines, we can scarcely fail to see there are 
cases in which we cannot prudently do without them ; such as 
in putrid fevers, constipation and inflammation of the bowels, 
extreme debility, &c., and where the stomach can neither take 
food nor retain it when taken. Of the necessity of removing 
obstructive fecal accumulations there cannot be two opinions; 
nor of relieving the howels of whatever has a tendency to 
increase putrefaction in malignant and low fevers; nor of 
nourishing and sustaining the system im cases where the 
stomach refuses to act. ‘lo presume to reason upon their 
usefulness under such circumstances would be absolute folly, 
and yet there are professors who condemn them ; but we shall 
not be surprised at this when we remember the present 
wretched condition of medicine, and the darkness which obtains 
throughout the numerous sects and parties who practise it. 
Utxus oR Surpepery Exim Insyection.— 
Siippery Elm ..... Sis ees Baie een’ seoeesees One drachm. 
SUPaT 4 65.48 sal Weeas ahh shia the Serpe ee One ounce. | 
Mix until well insdesoeatad stat which add a half-pint of 
warm milk and water and an ounce of olive oil, gently stirring 
the whole. : 
This injection is useful in the majority of cases, and it is 
rare that any other is required. In many cases, however, the 
‘digestive food” answers every purpose, and as it is generally 
at hand there is no time lost in its preparation, all that is 
required is to mix a tablespoonful in a half-pint of warm 
water, milk and water, or milk, according to the indications of 
each particular case. Water answers every purpose where the 
object is simply to remove obstruction; but where nutrition is 
required, or the action of any particular agent, it is necessary 
to use milk, beef tea, thin gruel, rice milk, and such 
preparations as the case appears to demand. 
