Take rhubarb (O) ten grains; stomachic powder (M) fifteen grains; essential oil of peppermint (U) three drops; calomel (N) one grain; and make it into a bolus or draught.
Let the patient take this every six hours, for the first two days. If the stools are bloody, slimy, and attended with great pain; recourse must immediately be had to clysters, such as No. [XXXVII], [XXXVIII], [XXXIX]. mentioned in the quincey; for the more nourishing they can be made the better; as thereby they will lubricate the bowels, and strengthen them. In the mean time the white decoction should be used as a constant drink, which make as follows:
No. XLVI
Take chalk (18) pounded small, three ounces; cinamon (16) bruised, two drachms; boil them in two quarts of water for one hour, and strain off the decoction.
Of this let the patient drink for his constant drink; a few drops of oil of peppermint may be dropped upon a lump of sugar, and dissolved in it.
The same decoction may also be given as a clyster when the flux is very violent. After the two first days the rhubarb should be given but sparingly; for if the flux is bloody, we may justly suppose the intestines are in a state of inflammation, and even ulceration. In such extremity, a little calomel mixed with the clyster, as also liquid laudanum, will not only correct the acrimony, but give ease to the emaciated stamina of the intestines.
By this treatment the most inveterate bloody flux may be subdued, especially with the help of patience, cautious diet, and cleanliness.