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APPENDIX.

I

private practitioner to purchase what he needs of thorn from a professcidruggist, than to prepare them himself. Such of them as are generallyused are inserted in our list of such drugs and medicines as are to beKept for private practice.

FOMENTATIONS.

Fomentations are generally intended either to ease pam, by takingoft' tension and spasm; or to brace and restore the lone and vigour ofthose parts to which they are applied. The first of these intentions maygenerally be answered by warm water, and the second by cold. Certainsubstances, however, are usually added to water with a view to heightenits effects, as anodynes, aromatics, astringents, &c. We shall thereforesubjoin a few of the most useful fomentations, that people may have it intheir power to make use of them if they choose.

Anodyne Fomentation.—Take of white poppy-heads, two ounces;elder flowers, half an ounce; water, three pints. Boil till one pint uexaporated, and strain out the liquor.—This fomentation, as its title ex-presses, is used for relieving acute pain.

Aromatic Fomentation.—Take of Jamaica pepper, half an ounce, redwine, a pint. Boil them a little, and then strain the liquor.—This isintended, not only as a topical application for external complaints, butalso for relieving the internal parts. Pains of the bowels, which accom-pany dysenteries and diarrhaeas, flatulent colics, uneasiness of the stom-ach, and retching to vomit, are frequently abated by fomenting the ab-domen and region of the stomach with a warm liquor.

Decoction for Fomentation.—Take tops of wormwood and camomileflowers, dried, of each two ounces; water two quarts. After a slightboiling, pour off the liquor.—Brandy or spirit of wine may be added tothis fomentation, in such quantity as the particular circumstances of thecase shall require; but these are not always necessary.

Emollient Fomentation.—This is the same as the common decoction.

Strengthening Fomentation.—Take of oak bark, one ounce; granatepeel, half an ounce; alum, two drachms ; smiths' forge water, threepints. Boil the water with the bark and peel to the consumption of one-third ; then strain the remaining decoction, and dissolve in it the alum.—This astringent liquor is employed as an internal fomentation to weakfarts : it may also be used internally.

GARGLES.

However trifling this class of medicines may appear, they are by„nomeans without their use. They seldom indeed cure diseases, but theyoften alleviate very disagreeable symptoms; as parchedness of the mouth,foulness of the tongue and fauces, &c. They are peculiarly useful infevers and sore throats. In the latter, a gargle will sometimes removethe disorder; and in the former, few things are more refreshing or agree-able to the patient, than to have his mouth frequently washed with somesoft detergent gargle. One advantage of these medicines is, that theyare easily prepared. A little barley-water and honey may be had anywhere ; and if to these be added as much vinegar as will give them anagreeable sharpness, they will make a very useful gargle for softeningand cleansing the mouth.—Gargles have the best effect when injectedwith a syringe.