Natural antispasmodics are warmth and moisture. The medicinal ones are lobelia, Indian hemp, castor musk, ginseng, assafœtida, pleurisy root, Virginia snakeroot, camomile, wormwood. The above are only specimens. There is no limit to the number and variety of articles in the vegetable kingdom that will act as antispasmodics or relaxants. They may be given internally or applied externally: the effect is the same.

FOMENTATIONS.

This class of remedies is usually composed of relaxants, &c., of several kinds, combined with tonics, stimulants, and anodynes. They are very useful to relieve pain, to remove rigidity, to restore tone, and to stimulate the parts to which they are applied.

Common Fomentation.

Wormwood,equal parts.
Tansy,equal parts.
Hops,equal parts.

Moisten them with equal parts of boiling water and vinegar, and apply them blood warm.

Use.—For all kinds of bruises and sprains. They should be confined to the injured parts, and kept moist with the superabundant fluid. When it is not practicable to confine a fomentation to the injured parts, as in shoulder or hip lameness, constant bathing with the decoction will answer the same purpose.

Anodyne Fomentation.

Hops,a handful.
White poppy heads,1 ounce.
Water and vinegar,equal parts.