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Domestic Medicine, or, a Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases, by Regimen and simple Medicines
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LOW SPIRITS.

*2I

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of water.* In gouty cases, iie observes that tether, a glassFrench brandy, or of the aromatic water, or ginger, either takenin substance or infused in boiling water, are among the best medi-cinéis for expelling «hid.

When the case of flatulent patients is such as makes it improperto give them warm medicines inwardly, the Doctor recommendsexternal applications, which arc sometimes of advantage. Equalparts of the anti-hysteric and stomach-plaster may be spread upona piece of soft leather, of such size as to cover the greater part ofthe belly. This should be kept on for a considerable time, provid-ed the patient be able to bear it ; if it should give great uneasiness,it may be taken oft*, and the following liniment used in its stead :Take of Bate's anodyne balsam an ounce ; of the expressed oilof mace half an ounce; oil of mint two drachms. Let these in-gredients be mixed together, and about a table-spoonful well rub-bed on the parts at bed-time.

For strengthening the stomach and bowels, and consequently forlessening the production of flatulence, the Doctor recommends thePeruvian bark, bitters, chalybeates, and exercise. In flatulent ca-ses, he thinks some nutmeg or ginger should be added to the tinct-ure of the bark and bitters, and that the aromatic powder shouldbe joined witli the filings of iron.

When windy complaints are attended with costiveness, which isoften the case, few things will be found to answer better than fouror five of the following pills taken every night at bedtime :

Take of asafoetida two drachms ; succotrine aloes, salt of iron,and powdered ginger, of each one drachm ; and as much of theelixir proprietatis as will be sufficient to form them into pills.

On the other hand, when the body is too open, twelve or fifteengrains of rhubarb, with half a drachm, or two scruples of the Jap-onic confection, given every other evening, will have very goodeffect.

In those flatulent complaints which come on about the time themenses cease, repeated small bleedings often give more relief thanany other remedy.

With regard to diet, the Doctor observes, that tea, and likewiseall flatulent aliments, are to be avoided ; and that for drink, waterwith a little brandy or rum is not only preferable to malt liquor,but in most cases also to wine.

As Dr. Whyte has paid great attention to this subject, and ashis sentiments upon it in a great measure agree with mine, I havetaken the liberty to adopt them ; and shall only add to his observa-tions, that exercise is in my opinion superior to all medicines, bothfor preventing the production, and likewise for expelling of flatu-lencies. These effects, however, are not to be expected from saun-tering about, or lolling in a carriage ; but from labour, or such ac-tive amusements as give exercise to every part of the body.

Low Spirits. (Hypochondriasis.)This disease, known also by the name of the vapours, is a cer-

* Though the patient may begin with this quantity, it will be necessary to increasethe dose gradually as the stomach can bear it. ¿Ether is now given in considerablygreater doses than it was in Dr. Whyte's time. , ;