If the ingredients suggested cannot be had, substitute sumach bark, leaves or berries, red raspberry or witch-hazel leaves, marsh rosemary, or either of the other articles mentioned before. This may be prepared in the same manner.
When the violence of the disease requires a course of medicine, add five grains of No. 2, fifteen grains of No. 1, and an equal amount of No. 8. This dose is to be given three times, at intervals of fifteen minutes, and the same combination in a quart of warm water, by the Internal Bath. This course of
72 THOMSONIAN SYSTEM
medicine may be repeated if found necessary. If mortification is known to exist, suspected or feared, a teaspoonful of No. 6, may be added to the combination for the Internal Bath.
After the patient has recovered sufficiently from the operation of the medicine, which is usually in two or three hours, give the steam or pack bath. This is heroic treatment and indicated in severe illness and when the aid of a physician is not to be secured. It is in no sense a dangerous procedure and in many instances will save life.
This operation is sufficient for one time, and must be repeated each day, or every other day, as the circumstances of the case require, until the disorder is removed. Three times will generally be sufficient, and sometimes once or twice will answer the purpose, but in severe cases it may be necessary to continue to carry the sufferer through a regular course two or three times a week, for a considerable length of time.
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