A cold water cloth has been found of great service. Dip a cloth into cold water ; let the cloth be four-fold ; apply it close, and press it to with a dry cloth : as it warms, re-dip into cold water : do this several times ; then convey into the anus some pure tallow or lard, or the Pile Ointment, described at the end of this article. A Slippery Elm Poultice, made with milk and water to a proper consistence, may also be applied, The slippery elm is both cooling and healing. Ten drops of laudanum may be added to the poultice. When there is great constipation, an Emolient Injection is indicated. Take \ pint of water, half a dessert-spoonful of salt, and an ounce of castor-oiL Retain it as long as possible. The following In- jection is recommended by Dr. Sim, mons : — Witch hazel leaves, % oz. ; cranesbill, J4 oz. ; meadow fern burrs, 1 oz. ; slippery elm, 2 drachms ; mix the powders well together, and pour upon them 1% pint of boiling water. Infuse for 4 hours, and strain it. In the morning use a pint for an injection, and at night not quite so much, and retain it, if possible, all night. Repeat as often as necessary. The marsh- mallow ointment is also very useful. — For blind piles the tincture of lobelia is very good ; so also is brandy, a little diluted, applied frequently. It is a good plan to cleanse the anus night and morning with soft soap and water ; then using tallow or the pilewort ointment, or any of the ointments for the piles. It is good to wash the anus after every evacuation. Generally speak- ing, the application of cold water is more effectual than warm water for fomenting, &c. ; but this must be decided by the patient, as warm water in some states of the piles is very soothing. To effect a cure, the bowels must be kept regularly open ; take Epsom salts, % oz ; infusion of senna, 6 drachms ; tincture of senna, 3 drachms ; decoction of bark, 1 oz. ; spearmint water, 1 oz. ; water, 4 ozs. ; best manna, 3 drachms. Mix, and take from three to six table- spoonfuls every morning, or every other day. The diet should be chiefly vege- table till the disease is gone. Or, take PIL 307 PIL a gentle aperient also every other night, and on the alternate night, the Tonic Pill, which see. Wien the constitution has become habituated to the disease, stimulants, as pepper and ginger, taken with the ali- ment often afford considerable relief. — Elecampane root, 2 ozs. ; sweet fennel seed powder, 3 ozs. ; black pepper powder, 1 or. ; milk of sulphur, 1 oz. ; purified honey, 2 ozs. ; brown sugar, and treacle, of each 1 % oz. Mix the first four ingredients ; melt the honey, sugar, and treacle, and then mix all together. About the size of a nutmeg to be taken two or three times a day. — The decoction of oak bark is said to be a good remedy for piles.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

A cold water cloth has been found of great service. Dip a cloth into cold water ; let the cloth be four-fold ; apply it close, and press it to with a dry cloth : as it warms, re-dip into cold water : do this several times ; then convey into the anus some pure tallow or lard, or the Pile Ointment, described at the end of this article. A Slippery Elm Poultice, made with milk and water to a proper consistence, may also be applied, The slippery elm is both cooling and healing. Ten drops of laudanum may be added to the poultice. When there is great constipation, an Emolient Injection is indicated. Take \ pint of water, half a dessert-spoonful of salt, and an ounce of castor-oiL Retain it as long as possible. The following Injection is recommended by Dr. Sim, mons : — Witch hazel leaves, % oz. ; cranesbill, J4 oz. ; meadow fern burrs, 1 oz. ; slippery elm, 2 drachms ; mix the powders well together, and pour upon them 1% pint of boiling water. Infuse for 4 hours, and strain it. In the morning use a pint for an injection, and at night not quite so much, and retain it, if possible, all night. Repeat as often as necessary. The marshmallow ointment is also very useful. — For blind piles the tincture of lobelia is very good ; so also is brandy, a little diluted, applied frequently. It is a good plan to cleanse the anus night and morning with soft soap and water ; then using tallow or the pilewort ointment, or any of the ointments for the piles. It is good to wash the anus after every evacuation. Generally speaking, the application of cold water is more effectual than warm water for fomenting, &c. ; but this must be decided by the patient, as warm water in some states of the piles is very soothing. To effect a cure, the bowels must be kept regularly open ; take Epsom salts, % oz ; infusion of senna, 6 drachms ; tincture of senna, 3 drachms ; decoction of bark, 1 oz. ; spearmint water, 1 oz. ; water, 4 ozs. ; best manna, 3 drachms. Mix, and take from three to six tablespoonfuls every morning, or every other day. The diet should be chiefly vegetable till the disease is gone. Or, take PIL PIL a gentle aperient also every other night, and on the alternate night, the Tonic Pill, which see. When the constitution has become habituated to the disease, stimulants, as pepper and ginger, taken with the aliment often afford considerable relief. — Elecampane root, 2 ozs. ; sweet fennel seed powder, 3 ozs. ; black pepper powder, 1 or. ; milk of sulphur, 1 oz. ; purified honey, 2 ozs. ; brown sugar, and treacle, of each 1 % oz. Mix the first four ingredients ; melt the honey, sugar, and treacle, and then mix all together. About the size of a nutmeg to be taken two or three times a day. — The decoction of oak bark is said to be a good remedy for piles.

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