DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX.

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it is commonly the symptom of some malignant disease; as tiiesmall-pox, a putrid fever, or the like. In tin's case the patient'slife depends on the liheral use of the Peruvian Lark, wine, andacids, as has already been shown.*

When there is reason to suspect an ulcer in the kidneys or blad-der, the patient's diet must be cool, and his drink of a demulcent,healing, balsamic quality, as decoctions of marsh-mallow roots 'with liquorice, solutions of gum-arabic, «fcc. Three ounces ofmarsh-maiJow roots, and half an ounce of liquorice, may be boiledin two English quarts of water to one ; two ounces of gum-arabic,and half an ounce of purified nitre, may be dissolved in the strainedliquor, and a tea-cupful of it taken four or five times a-day.

The early use of astringents in this disease has often bad conse-quences. When the flux is stopped too soon, the grumous blood,by being confined in the vessels, may produce inflammations,abscess, and ulcers. If, however, the case be urgent, or the patientseems to suffer from the loss of blood, gentle astringents may benecessary. In this case the patient may take three or four ouncesof lime-water, with half an ounce of the tincture of Peruvian bark,three times a-day; or he may take an ounce or two of the conserveof roses three or four times a-day, drinking a tea-cupful of thetincture of- roses after it ; or, if stronger styptics be necessary, adram of Armenia« bole in a cup of whey may be taken three orfour times a-day, or the annexed.f

Dysejvteky, or Bloody Flux. ( Disenteria. J

This disease prevails in the spring and autumn. It is mostcommon in marshy counties, where, after hot and dry summers, itis apt to become epidemic. Persons are most liable to it who aremuch exposed to the night air, or who live in places where the airis confined and unwholesome. Hence it often proves fatal incamps, on shipboard, in jails, hospitals, and such like places.

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Causes. — The dysentery may be occasioned by any thing thatobstructs the perspiration, or renders the humours putrid; as dampbeds, wet clothes, unwholesome diet, bad air, &c. But it is mostfrequently communicated by infection. This ought to make peopleextremely cautious in going near such persons as labour under thedisease. Even the smell of the patient's excrements has beenknown to communicate the infection.

Symptoms. — It is known by a flux of the belly, attended by vio-lent pain of the bowels, tenesmus, or a constant inclination to goto stool, and generally more or less blood in the stools. It begin«,like other fevers, with chilness, loss of strength, a quick pulse,great thirst, and an inclination to vomit. The stools are at first

• Take Confection of Red Roses, 1 oz.

Infusion of Roses, Warm, 1 pint.Macerate for half an hour, and strain.

orTake of this Strained Liquor, 13 drs.

Diluted Sulphuric Acid, 10 drps.

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Make a mixture ; to be taken three timesa-day.

t Take Purified Alum, è ser.

Kino in Powder, 5 grs.

Make a powder ; to be taken three limesa-day.

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