Diseases > Domestic medicine

39fi buchan’s
vitiate the whole mass of humours; and, if it be
suddenly drove in, without proper evacuations, it may
occasion fevers, inflammations of the viscera, or other
internal disorders.
The best medicine yet known for the itch is sul¬
phur, which ought to be used both externally and
internally. The parts most aflected may be rubbed
with an ointment made of the flowers of sulphur, two
ounces; crude sal-ammoniac finely powdered, two
drachms ; hog’s lard, or butter, four ounces. If a
scruple or half a drachm of the essence of lemon be
added, it will entirely take away the disagreeable
smell. About the bulk of a nutmeg of this may be
rubbed upon the extremities at bed-time twice or
thrice a-week. It is seldom necessary to rub the
whole body ; but when it is, it ought not to be done
all at once, but by turns, as it is dangerous to stop
too many pores at the same time.
Before the patient begins to use the ointment, he
ought, if he be of a full habit, to bleed or take a purge
or two. It will likewise be proper, during the use of
it, to take every night and morning as much of the
flower of brimstone and cream of tartar, in a little
treacle or new milk, as will keep the body gently
open. He should beware of catching cold, should
wear more clothes than usual, and take every thing
warm. The same clothes, the linen excepted, ought
to be worn all the time of using the ointment; and
such clothes as have been worn while the patient was
under the disease, are not to be used again, unless
they have been fumigated with brimstone, and
thoroughly cleaned, otherwise they will communicate
the infection anew.
I never knew brimstone, when used as directed
above, fail to cure the itch; and I have reason to
believe, that, if duly persisted in, it never will fail 5