The general method of mounting the bladder on the pipe, is, by the assistance of a cork in the pipe, which is to be drawn by a string, when the clyster is injected; for my part, I found it always a hindrance; and therefore instead of the cork, I always chose to secure the whole with a string, tied with a slip knot, which when the pipe is introduced, is much more easily undrawn.
A clyster syringe of pewter, that holds at least a pint, or a pint and an half, is far more preferable at sea, and might easily be made with an additional pipe, by which a man may be the operator himself.
4. Scales and Weights: This is a requisite article, in order to proportion the doses of medicines. The scales need scarce any description, as they require no more than their being of an equal length, and the whole in equilibrio.
The Apothecaries weights come in the following order, and signified by these characters:
1℔—A Pound is 12 Ounces.—℥xii.
℥i.—An Ounce is 8 Drachms.—ʒviii.
ʒi.—A Drachm is 3 Scruples.—℈iii.
℈i.—A Scruple is 20 Grains.—gr.xx.
These marks are generally stampt upon the pieces. As a pound and ounce are not generally used in the proportioning of doses, they are omitted in the common little boxes prepared for that purpose. The rest, drachms, scruples, and grains, are marked upon the requisite pieces; and which at the first inspection may easily be understood.
I shall next proceed to another division of the chest or box.