If the Purging, after being restrained by this Medicine, should return within a few Days, it would strongly infer, there was still some tough viscid Matter within, that required Evacuation. To effect this he should take the Medicines [Nº. 21], [25] or [27]; and afterwards take fasting, for two successive Mornings, half the Powder, [Nº. 51].
On the Evening of that Day when the Patient took [Nº. 35], or [Nº. 51], or any other Purge, he may take a small Dose of Venice Treacle.
§ 328. A Purging is often neglected for a long Time, without observing the least Regimen, from which Neglect they degenerate into tedious and as it were habitual, perpetual ones, and entirely weaken the Patient. In such Cases, the Medicine [Nº. 35] should be given first; then, every other Day for four Times successively, he should take [Nº. 51]: during all which Time he should live on nothing but Panada (See [§ 57]) or on Rice boiled in weak Chicken-broth. A strengthing stomachic Plaister has sometimes been successfully applied, which may be often moistened in a Decoction of Herbs boiled in Wine. Cold and Moisture should be carefully avoided in these Cases, which frequently occasion immediate Relapses, even after the Looseness had ceased for many Days.
Chapter XXIV.
Of the Dysentery, or Bloody-flux.
Sect. 329.
he Dysentery is a Flux or Looseness of the Belly, attended with great Restlessness and Anguish, with severe Gripings, and frequent Propensities to go to Stool. There is generally a little Blood in the Stools, though this is not a constant Symptom, and is not essential to the Existence of a Dysentery; notwithstanding it may not be much less dangerous, for the Absence of this Symptom.