739. Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a purgative, astringent and stomachic.

It is _used externally_ in the form of powder to ulcers, to promote a healthy action.

It is given _internally_ in diarrhoea, dyspepsia, and a debilitated state of the bowels. Combined with a mild preparation of calomel, it forms an excellent purgative for children.

_Dose,_ of the _infusion,_ from one to two ounces; of the _powder,_ from one scruple to half a drachm as a purgative, and from six to ten grains as a stomachic; of the _tincture_ and _compound tincture,_ from one to four drachms; of the _compound pill,_ from ten to twenty grains.

740. Jalap

Jalap is a powerful cathartic and hydrogogue, and is therefore apt to gripe.

_Dose,_ of the _powder,_ from ten to thirty grains, combined with a drop or two of aromatic oil; of the _compound powder,_ from fifteen to forty grains; of the _tincture,_ from one to three drachms; of the _extract,_ from ten to twenty grains. The watery extract is better than the alcoholic.

741. Colocynth

Colocynth is a powerful drastic cathartic, and should never be given alone, unless ordered by a medical man, as its action is too violent for some const.i.tutions.

_Dose,_ of the _extract,_ from five to fifteen grains; of the _compound extract,_ from five to fifteen grains; of the _compound colocynth pill,_ the best of all its preparations, from ten to twenty grains.

742. Buckthorn

Buckthorn is a brisk purgative for children in the form of syrup.

_Dose_ of the _syrup,_ from one to six drachms.

743. Aloes

Aloes is a purgative and cathartic in large, and tonic in smaller doses.

_Dose,_ of _powder,_ from two to ten grains, combined with soap, bitter extracts, or other purgative medicines, and given in the form of pills; of the _compound pill,_ from five to twenty grains; of the _pill of aloes_ and _myrrh_ from five to twenty grains; of the _tincture_, from four drachms to one ounce; of the _compound tincture_, from one to four drachms; of the _extract_, from six to ten grains; of the _compound decoction_, from four drachms to two ounces.

[TO-DAY, HE FLOATS ON HONOUR'S LOFTY WAVE.]

744. Cream of Tartar

Cream of Tartar is a purgative and refrigerant.

It is _used internally_ in dropsy, especially of the belly, in doses of from one scruple to one drachm. As a refrigerant drink it is dissolved in hot water, and sweetened with sugar, and is used in febrile diseases, care being taken not to allow it to rest too much upon the bowels.

_Dose_, as a _purgative_, from two to four drachms, as a _hydrogogue_, from four to six drachms, mixed with honey or treacle.

_Caution._--Its use should be followed by tonics, especially gentian and angostura.

745. Scammony

Scammony is a drastic purgative, generally acting quickly and powerfully; sometimes producing nausea, and even vomiting, and being very apt to gripe.

It is _used internally_, to produce watery evacuations in dropsy, to remove intestinal worms, and correct the slimy motions of children.

_Dose_, of the _powder_, from five to sixteen grains, given in liquorice water, treacle, or honey; of the _confection_, from twenty to thirty grains.

_Caution._--Do not give it in an irritable or inflamed state of the bowels.

746. Epsom Salts

Epsom Salts is a purgative and diuretic. This medicine generally operates quickly, and therefore is extremely useful in acute diseases.

It is found to be beneficial in dyspepsia when combined with infusion of gentian and a little ginger. It forms an excellent enema with olive oil.

_Dose_, from a half to two ounces, dissolved in warm tea or water.

Infusion of roses partially covers its taste and a.s.sists its action.

_Note_, that with regard to Epsom salts, the _larger in reason_ is the amount of water in which they are taken, the _smaller_ the dose of salts required: thus, half an ounce properly dissolved may be made a strong dose. The action and efficacy of Epsom salts may be greatly increased by adding one grain of tartar emetic to a dose of salts.

747. Glauber's Salt

Glauber's Salt is a very good purgative.

_Dose_, from a half to two ounces, dissolved in warm water.

748. Sulphate of Potash

Sulphate of Potash is a cathartic and deobstruent. It is _used internally_, combined with aloes or rhubarb, in obstructions of the bowels, and is an excellent saline purgative in dyspepsia and jaundice.

_Dose_, from ten grains to one drachm.

749. Venice Turpentine

Venice Turpentine is cathartic, diuretic, stimulant, and anthelmintic.

It is _used externally_ as a rubefacient, and is given _internally_ in flatulent colic, in tapeworm, rheumatism, and other diseases.

_Dose_, as a _diuretic_, from ten grains to one drachm; as a _cathartic_, from ten to twelve drachms; as an _anthelmintic_, from one to two ounces every eight hours, till the worm be ejected.

750. Diuretics.