[2]. In inflammations of the bowels with constipation calomel, given in the dose from ten to twenty grains after due venesection, is most efficacious; and if made into very small pills is not liable to be rejected by vomiting, which generally attends those cases. When this fails, a grain of aloes every hour will find its way, if the bowel is not destroyed; and sometimes, I believe, if it be, when the mortification is not extensive. If the vomiting continues after the pain ceases, and especially if the bowels become tumid with air, which sounds on being struck with the finger, these patients seldom recover. Opiates given along with the cathartics I believe to be frequently injurious in inflammation of the bowels, though they may thus be given with advantage in the saturnine colic; the pain and constipation in which disease are owing to torpor or inactivity, and not to too great action.
[III]. Violent errhines and sialagogues. [1]. Turpeth mineral in the quantity of one grain mixed with ten grains of sugar answers every purpose to be expected from errhines. Their operation is by inverting the motions of the lymphatics of the membrane, which lines the nostrils, and the caverns of the forehead and cheeks; and may thence possibly be of service in the hydrocephalus internus.
Some other violent errhines, as the powder of white hellebore, or Cayan pepper, diluted with some less acrid powder, are said to cure some cold or nervous head-achs; which may be effected by inflaming the nostrils, and thus introducing the sensorial power of sensation, as well as increasing that of irritation; and thus to produce violent action of the membranes of the nostrils, and of the frontal and maxillary sinuses, which may by association excite into action the torpid membranes, which occasion the head-ach.
[2]. A copious salivation without any increase of heat often attends hysteric diseases, and fevers with debility, owing to an inversion of the lymphatics of the mouth, see Class [I. 1. 2. 6]. The same occurs in the nausea, which precedes vomiting; and is also excitable by disagreeable tastes, as by squills, or by nauseous smells, or by nauseous ideas. These are very similar to the occasional discharge of a thin fluid from the nostrils of some people, which recurs at certain periods, and differs from defective absorption.
[IV]. Violent diuretics. [1]. If nitre be given from a dram to half an ounce in a morning at repeated draughts, the patient becomes sickish, and much pale water is thrown into the bladder by the inverted action of the urinary lymphatics. Hence the absorption in ulcers is increased and the cure forwarded, as observed by Dr. Rowley.
[2]. Cantharides taken inwardly so stimulate the neck of the bladder as to increase the discharge of mucus, which appears in the urine; but I once saw a large dose taken by mistake, not less than half an ounce or an ounce of the tincture, by which I suppose the urinary lymphatics were thrown into violent inverted motions, for the patient drank repeated draughts of subtepid water to the quantity of a gallon or two in a few hours; and during the greatest part of that time he was not I believe two entire minutes together without making water. A little blood was seen in his water the next day, and a soreness continued a day longer without any other inconvenience.
[3]. The decoction of foxglove should also be mentioned here, as great effusions of urine frequently follow its exhibition. See Art. [IV. 2. 3. 7]. And an infusion or tincture of tobacco as recommended by Dr. Fowler of York.
[4]. Alcohol, and opium, if taken so as to induce slight intoxication, and the body be kept cool, and much diluting liquids taken along with them, have similar effect in producing for a time a greater flow of urine, as most intemperate drinkers must occasionally have observed. This circumstance seems to have introduced the use of gin, and other vinous spirits as a diuretic, unfortunately in the gravel, amongst ignorant people; which disease is generally produced by fermented or spirituous liquors, and always increased by them.
[5]. Fear and anxiety are well known to produce a great frequency of making water. A person, who believed he had made a bad purchase concerning an estate, told me, that he made five or six pints of water during a sleepless night, which succeeded his bargain; and it is usual, where young men are waiting in an anti-room to be examined for college preferment, to see the chamber-pot often wanted.
[V]. Cold sweats about the head, neck, and arms, frequently attend those, whose lungs are oppressed, as in some dropsies and asthma. A cold sweat is also frequently the harbinger of death. These are from the inverted motions of the cutaneous lymphatic branches of those parts.