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OF THE COLIC.

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loaf sugar, may be taken in its stead- Thi anti hysteric plastermay also be used, which has often a good effect.

The nervous colic prevails among miners, melters of lead,plumbers, the manufacturers of white lead, &c. It is very commen in the cyder counties of England, and is supposed to be occasioned by the leaden vessels used in preparing that liquor. It islikewise a frequent disease in the West Indies, where it is termedthe dry belly-ach.

~ No disease of the bowels is attended with more excruciating painthan this. Nor is it soon at an end. I have known it continueeight or ten days with very little intermission, the body all thewhile continuing bound in spite of medicine, yet at length yield,and the patient recover. It generally however leaves the patientweak, and often ends in a palsy.

As the smoak of tobacco thrown into the bowels will often pro-cure a stool when all other means have failed, an apparatus for thispurpose ought to be kept by every surgi on. It may be purchasedat a small expence, and will be of service in several other cases,as the recovery of drowned persons, &c.

The general treatment of this disease is so nearly the same withthat of the iliac passion, or inflammation of the guts, that weshall not insist upon it. The body is to be opened with mild purga-tives given in small doses, and frequently repeated, and their oporation must be assisted by soft oily clysters, fomentations, &cThe castor oil is reckoned peculiarly proper in this disease. It mayboth be mixed with the clysters and given by the mouth. The doseis from one table-spoonful to two or three, if necessary, to opentiie body.

The Barbadoes tar is said to be an efficacious medicine in thiscomplaint. It may be taken to the quantity of two drachms threetimes a day, or oftener if the stomach will bear it. This tar,mixed with an equal quantity of strong rum, is likewise properfor rubbing the spine, in case any tingling, or other symptomsof the palsy, are fe'\ When the tar cannot be obtained, the backmay be rubbed with strong spirits, or a little oil of nutmegs, or o.rosemary.

If the patient remains weak and languid after this disease,, hemust take exercise on horseback, and use an infusion of the Peru-vian bark in wine. When the disease ends in a palsy, the Bathwaters are found to be extremely proper.

To avoid this kind of colic, people must shun all sour fruits, acids,austere liquors, &c. Those who work in lead ought never to go totheir business fasting, and their food should be oily or fat. Theymay take a glass of salad oil, with a little brandy or rum, everymorning, but should never take spirits alone. Liquid aliment isbest for them, as fat broths, &c; but low living is bad. Theyshould frequently go a little out of the tainted air, and shouldnever suffer themselves to be costive. In the West Indies, and onthe coast of Guinea, it has been found of great use for prevent-