CONSUMPTIONS.
139
Ass's milk is generally reckoned preferable to any other ;but it cannot always be obtained ; besides, it is generallytaken in a small quantity ; whereas, to produce any conside-rable effects, it ought in a manner to make the principal partof the patient's food. It is hardly to be expected that a gillor two of ass's milk drank in the space of twenty-four hoursshould be able to produce any considerable change in thehumors of an adult ; and when people do not perceive itseffects soon they lose hope, and so leave it off. Hence itcomes to pass that this medicine, however valuable, very sel-dom performs a cure. The reason is obvious ; it is com-monly used too late, is taken in too small quantities, and isnot duly persisted in.
I have known very extraordinary effects from ass's milk inobstinate coughs, which threatened a consumption of thelungs, and do verily believe, if used at this period, that itwould seldom fail ; but if it be delayed till an ulcer is formed,•which is generally the case, how can it be expected to suc-ceed ?
Ass's milk ought to be drank, if possible, in its naturalwarmth, and by a grown person in the quantity of half anEnglish pint at a time. Instead of taking this quantity nightand morning only, the patient ought to take it four times, orat least thrice, a day, and to eat a little light bread along withit, so as to make it a kind of meal.
If the milk should happen to purge, it may be mixed withold conserve of roses. When that cannot be obtained, thepowder of crabs' claws may be used in its stead. Ass's milkis usually ordered to be drank warm in bed ; but as it gene-rally throws the patient into a sweat when taken in this way,it would perhaps be better to give it after he rises.
Some extraordinary cures in consumptive cases have beenperformed by women's milk. Could this be obtained in suf-ficient quantity, we would recommend it preferably to anyother. It is better if the patient can suck it from the breastthan to drink it afterwards. I knew a man who was reducedto such a degree of weakness in a consumption as not to beable to turn himself in bed. His wife was at that time givingsuck, and the child happening to die, he sucked her breasts,not with a view to reap any advantage from the milk, but tomake her easy. Finding himself, however, greatly benefit-ted by it, he continued to suck her till he became perfectlywell, and was subsequently a strong and healthy man.
I
II
I