\»

444

APPENDIX.

BOLUSES.

As boluses are intended for immediate use, volatile salts and other in»gredients improper for being kept are admitted into their composition.They are generally composed of powders, with a proper quantity ofsyrup, conserve or mucilage. The lighter powders are commonly madeup with syrup, and the more ponderous, as mercury, &c, with conserve;out those of the lighter kind would be more conveniently made up withmucilage, as it increases their bulk less than the other additions, andlikewise occasions the medicine to pass down more easily.

Astringent Bolus.—Take of alum, in powder, fifteen grains; gumkino, five grains; syrup, a sufficient quantity to make a bolus.—In anexcessive flow of the menses, and other violent discharges of blood, pro-ceeding from relaxation, this bolus may be given every four or five hours,till the discharge abates.

Diaphoretic Bolus. Take of gum guaiacum, in powder, ten grains ;flowers of sulphur and cream of tartar, of each one scruple; simple syrup,a sufficient quantity.—In rheumatic complaints, and disorders of the skin,this bolus may be taken twice a-day. It will also be of service in the in-flammatory quinsy.

Mercurial Bolus.—Take of calomel, six grains; conserve of roses, halfa drachm. Make a bolus.—Where mercury is necessary, this bolus maybe taken twice or thrice a week. It may be taken over night; and if ftdoes not operate, a few grains of jalap will be proper next day to carryit off.

Bolus of Rhubarb and Calomel.—Take of the best rhubarb, in powder,from a scruple to half a drachm; of calomel, from four to six grains ;simple syrup, a sufficient quantity to make a bolus.—This is a properpurge in hypochondriac constitutions; but its principal intention is totxpel worms. Where a stronger purge is necessary, jalap may be usedinstead of rhubarb.

Pectoral Bolus.—Take of spermaceti, a scruple; gum ammoniac, tengrains; salt of hartshorn, six grains; simple syrup, as much as will makethem into a bolus.—This bolus is given in colds and coughs of long stand-ing, asthmas, and beginning consumptions of the lungs. It is generallyproper to bleed the patient before he begins to use it.

Purging Bolus.—Take of jalap, in powder, a scruple; cream of tartar, two scruples. Let them be rubbed together, and formed into a bolus,with simple syrup.—Where a mild purge is wanted, this will answer thepurpose very well. If a stronger dose is necessary, the jalap may be in-creased to half a drachm or upwards.

CATAPLASMS AND SINAPISMS.

Cataplasms possess few or no virtues superior to a poultice, which<iay be so made, as, in most cases, to supply their place. They arechiefly intended either to act as discutients, or to promote suppuration,and as they may be of service in some cases, we shall give a specimen c-feach kind.

Discutient Cataplasm.—Take of barley-meal, six ounces ; fresh hem-lock leaves, bruised, two ounces; vinegar, a sufficient quantity. Boil