Take of oak bark, one ounce; granate peel, half an ounce; alum, two drachms; smith’s forge water, three pints. Boil the water with the bark and peel to the consumption of one-third; then strain the remaining decoction, and dissolve it in alum.
This astringent liquor is employed as an external fomentation to weak parts; it may also be used internally.
GARGLES.
However trifling this class of medicines may appear, they are by no means without their use. They seldom indeed cure diseases, but they often alleviate very disagreeable symptoms; as parchedness of the mouth, foulness of the tongue and fauces, &c. they are peculiarly useful in fevers and sore throats. In the latter, a gargle will sometimes remove the disorder; and in the former, few things are more refreshing or agreeable to the patient, than to have his mouth frequently washed with some soft detergent gargle.
One advantage of these medicines is, that they are easily prepared. A little barley-water and honey may be had any where; and if to these be added as much vinegar as will give them an agreeable sharpness, they will make a very useful gargle for softening and cleansing the mouth.
Gargles have the best effect when injected with a syringe.
Attenuating Gargle.
Take of water, six ounces; honey, one ounce; nitre, a drachm and a half. Mix them.
This cooling gargle may be used either in the inflammatory quinsey, or in fevers, for cleaning the tongue and fauces.