oves that of senna.

[TO-DAY, LAYS PLANS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.]

686. An Excellent Way to Prevent the Taste of Medicines

is to have the medicine in a glass, as usual, and a tumbler of water
by the side of it; take the medicine, and retain it in the mouth,
which should be kept closed, and if drinking the water be then
commenced, the taste of the medicine is washed away. Even the
bitterness of quinine and aloes may be prevented by this means. If the
nostrils are firmly compressed by the thumb and finger of the left
hand, while taking a nauseous draught, and so retained till the mouth
has been washed out with water, the disagreeable taste of the medicine
will be almost imperceptible.

687. Giving Medicines to Persons.

Medicines should be given in such a manner that the effect of the
first dose shall not have ceased when the next dose is given,
therefore the intervals between the doses should be regulated
accordingly.

688. Doses of Medicine for Different Ages.

It must be plain to every one that children do not require such
powerful medicine as adults or old people, and therefore it is
desirable to have some fixed method of determining or regulating the
administration of doses of medicine. Now let it be supposed that the
dose for a full-grown person is one drachm, then the following
proportions will be suitable for the various ages given; keeping in
view other circumstances, such as sex, temperament, habits, climate,
state of _general health_, and idiosyncrasy.

Age. Proportion. Proportionate Dose.

7 weeks one-fifteenth or grains 4
7 months one-twelfth or grains 5
Under 2 years one-eighth or grains 7-1/2
" 3 " one-sixth or grains 10
" 4 " one-fourth or grains 15
" 7 " one-third or scruple 1
" 14 " one-half or drachm 1/2
" 20 " two-fifths or scruples 2
Above21 " the full dose or drachm 1
" 65 " The inverse gradation

689. Drugs, with their Properties and Doses.

The various drugs have been arranged according to their properties,
and the doses of each have been given. Many, however, have been
necessarily omitted from each class, because they cannot be employed
except by a medical man. The _doses_ are meant for adults.

690. Classes of Drugs.

Medici