ITCH.

291

The best medicine yet known for the itch is sulphur, which oughtto be used both externally and internally. The parts most affect-ed müy be rubbed with an ointment made of the flour of sulphur,two ounces; crude sal ammoniac finely powdered, two drachms ;hog's lard, or butter, four ounces. If a scruple or half a drachmof the essence of lemon be added, it will entirely take away thedisagreeable smell. About the bulk of a nutmeg of this may berubbed upon the extremities at bed time, twice or thrice a-week.It is seldom necessary to rub the whole body ; but when it is, itought not to be done all at once, but by turns, as it is dangerous tostop too many pores at the same time.

Before the patient begins to use the ointment, he ought, if he beof a full habit, to bleed or take a purge or two. It will likewisebe proper, during the use of it, to take every night and morningas much of the flour of brimstone and cream of tartar, in a littletreacle or new milk, as will keep the body gently open. He shouldbeware of catching cold, should wear more clothes than usual, andtake every thing warm. The same clothes, the linen excepted,ought to be worn all the time of using the ointment ; and suchclothes as have been worn while the patient was under the disease.are not to be used again, unless they have been fumigated withbrimstone, and thoroughly cleansed, otherwise they will communi-cate the infection anew.*

I never knew brimstone, when used as directed above, fail tocure the itch ; and I have reason to believe, that, if duly persistedin, it never will fail ; but if it be only u^ed once or twice, and clean-liness neglected, it is no wonder if the disorder returns. Thequantity of ointment mentioned above will generally be sufficientfor the cure of one person; but, if any symptoms of the diseaseshould appear again, the medicine must be repeated. It is bothmore safe and efficacious when persisted in for a considerable time,than when a large quantity is applied at once. As most peopledislike the smell of sulphur, they may use in its place the powderof white hellebore root made up into an ointment, in the samemanner, which will seldom fail to cure the itch.

People ought to be extremely cautious Jest they take othereruptions for the itch ; as the stoppage of these may be attendedwith fatal consequences. Many of the eruptive disorders to whichchildren are liable, have a near resemblance ; and I have oftenknown infants killed by being rubbed with greasy ointments thatmake these eruptions strike suddenly in, which nature had thrownout to preserve the patient's life, or prevent some other malady.

As the external use, however, of sulphur is frequently attendedwith much inconvenience from the dirtiness of the application, aswell as its disagreeable smell ; other remedies are frequently sub-stituted. The most efficacious of these are a solution of arsenicor oxymuriate of mercury,t different combinations of sulphuric

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* Sir John Pringle observes, that though this disease may seem trifling, there is noone in the army that is more troublesome to cure, as the infection often lurks inclothes, &c. and breaks out a second, or even a third time. The i-runr- incon\(?niencyoccurs in private families, unless particular regard \*c paid to the cha.Pi.ung or cleaningof their clothes, which last is by no means an easv operation,

t Take Oxymuriate of Mercury, 6* grair.s.Muriate of Ammonia. 10 grains.

Miki

DistiileJ Watera lotion.

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