PLEURISY.

147

may either be performed by applying a number of leeches to thepart affected, or by cupping, which is both a more certain andexpeditious method than the other.

Leaves of various plants might likewise be applied to the patient'sside with advantage. I have often seen great benefit from youngcabbage-leaves applied warm to the side in a pleurisy. These notonly relax the parts, but likewise draw off a little moisture, andmay prevent the necessity of blistering-plasters ; which, however,when other things fail, must be applied.

If the pain continue after repeated bleedings, fomentations, &c.a blistering-plaster must be applied over the part affected, and suf-fered to remain for two days. This not only procures a dischargefrom the side, but takes off the spasm, and by that means assistsin removing the cause of the disease. To prevent a strangurvwhen the blistering-plaster is on, the patient may drink freely ofthe Arabic emulsion.*

If the patient be costive, a clyster of thin water-gruel, or of bar-ley-water, in which a handful of mallows, or any other emollientvegetable has been boiled, may be daily administered. This willnot only empty the bowels, but have the effect of a warm foment-ation applied to the inferior viscera, which will help to make a de-rivation from the breast.

The expectoration may be promoted by sharp, oily, and mucil-aginous medicines.t For this purpose, an ounce of the oxyniel,or the vinegar of squills, may be added to six ounces of the pecto-ral decoction, and two table-spoonsful of it taken e\ery two hours.

Should the squill disagree with the stomach, the oily emulsionmay be administered ; or, in place of it, two ounces of the oil ofsweet almonds, or oil of olives, and two ounces of the syrup of vio-lets, may be mixed with as much sugar-candy powdered as willmake an electuary of the consistence of honey. The patient maytake a tea-spoonful of this frequently, when the cough is troublesome.Should oily medicines prove nauseous, which is sometimes thecase, two t<ïbl*Wpoonsful of the solution of gum ammoniac in bar-ley-water, may be given three or four times a-day. Expectora-tion, and a determination to the skin, may also be promoted bysmall nauseating doses of antimonials, taking care, however, notto excite vomiting ; but assisting their action by frequent smalldraughts of some mild diluent liquor, as barley water, or thingruel, &C.J

If the patient do not perspire, but has a burning heat upon his

I

* See Appendix.

f Take Oil of Sweet Almonds, 1 ounce.Syrup of Marsh-mallows,

¿ ounce.Mucilage of Gum Arabic,

2 ounces.Pure Water, 3 ounces.

Solution of the Subcarbonate ofAmmonia, £ drachm

Make a Mixture. or

Take best Olive Oil, 1 ounce.

Mucilage of Gum Arabic,

2 ounces.

Oxvmel of Squills, 3 drachms.Subcarbonate of Ammonia,

] scruple.

Make a mixture j of which take a little

often, or during the urgency of the

COUgjj.

Í Take Emetic Tartar, 2 grains.

Distilled Water, 8 ounces.

Take two table-spoonßful every three orfour hours.