118

INTERMITTING FEVERS.

cine long enough. They are generally directed to take ittill the fits are stopped, then to leave it off, and begin againat some distance of time ; by which means the diseasegathers strength, and often returns with as much violence asbefore. A relapse may always be prevented by the patient'scontinuing to take small doses of the medicine for some timeafter the symptoms disappear. This is both the most safeand effectual method of cure.

An ounce of gentian root, calamus aromaticus and orangepeel of each half an ounce, with three or four handfuls ofcamomile flowers, and a handful of coriander-seed, all bruisedtogether in a mortar, may be used in form of infusion or tea.About half a handful of these ingredients may be put into ateapot, and an English pint of boiling water poured on them.A cup of this infusion drank three or four times a day willstrengthen the stomach, and greatly promote the cure. Suchpatients as cannot drink the watery infusion may put twohandfuls of the same ingredients into a bottle of white wine,and take a glass of it twice or thrice a day. If patientsdrink freely of the above, or any other proper infusion of bit-ters, a smaller quantity of bark than is generally used willbe sufficient to cure an ague.

There is reason to believe that sundry of our own plantsor barks, which are very bitter and astringent, would «ucceedin the cure of intermitting fevers, especially when assisted byaromatics. But as the Peruvian bark has been long approvedin the cure of this disease, and is now to be obtained at avery reasonable rate, it is of less importance to search afternew medicines. We cannot however omit taking notice, thatthe Peruvian bark is very often adulterated, and that it re-quires considerable skill to distinguish between the genuineand the false. This ought to make people very cautious ofwhom they purchase it.

Those who cannot swallow the bark in substance maytake it in decoction or infusion. An ounce of bark in powdermay be infused in a bottle of white wine for four or five days,frequently shaking the bottle, afterwards let the powder sub-side, and pour off the clear liquor. A wine glass may bedrank three or four times a day, or oftener, as there is occa-sion. If a decoction be more agreeable, an ounce of the bark,and two drams of snakeroot bruised, with a dram of salt ofwormwood, maybe boiled in a proper quantity of water, intohalf an English pint. To the strained liquor may be added