nd afterward to chew the cracker, continuing to hold his
nose until he has swallowed the cracker. When the patient understands
and is ready, pour the dose in quickly as far back as possible, taking
care not to spill the last drop on the lips. This process may seem
unduly troublesome, but when castor oil is needed it is badly needed and
efforts to make it stay down are worth while. The following method also
effectually disguises the taste of castor oil: place in a glass a
teaspoonful of baking soda, add the prescribed dose of oil and then the
juice of half a lemon. Mix all together thoroughly and let the patient
take the mixture while it is effervescing. This method may be used
unless the patient is not allowed soda and lemon juice. Castor oil may
be bought in capsules, but on account of their size many people find the
capsules impossible to swallow.

SUPPOSITORIES.--Sometimes medicines are given through the rectum. For
this purpose they are combined with cocoa butter or other material, and
made into small cones called suppositories. They melt at a low
temperature and should be kept on ice until needed. A suppository
should be lubricated with vaseline, and inserted very gently as far as
the finger can be introduced, while the patient is lying on the back or
left side.

ENEMATA.--An injection of a fluid into the rectum is called an enema.
(Plural, enemas, or enemata.) Enemas are generally used to cause
evacuation of the bowels.

For a simple purgative enema one of the following is generally used:
plain water; or a solution of common salt in the proportion of one
teaspoonful of salt to one pint of water; or soap suds made with a white
soap such as castile or ivory. Unless otherwise ordered the temperature
of the enema should be between 105 deg. and 110 deg. F.

To give an enema, one should proceed as follows: First protect the bed
by placing under the patient's hips a rubber sheet, covered by a draw
sheet or large towel. Let the patient lie on the back, with the knees
flexed and head low. Bring to the bedside a commode or bedpan, and
lastly the solution contained in a fountain syringe having a long rubber
tube, stopcock and short hard rubber nozzle. The bag of the syringe may
be hung on the bed post or elsewhere, but it should not be more than
three feet at most above the patient's head. Lubricate the nozzle with
vaseline either from a tube, or removed from a jar by means of a piece
of toilet paper; never dip the nozzl