An Anodyne Glyster.
Take new Milk half a pint; Brandy 2 ounces; Oil of Aniseed half a dram; Diascordium 6 drams; let it be given lukewarm, just before Sleep and retain'd if possible all Night.
When the Intestines are besmear'd over will a glutinous Slime, and thereby refrigerated, relax'd and tortur'd with Spasms, Wind and Gripes: This warms, comforts, eases and reduces them to a sound Crasis.
'Twould make one Smile and Vex both at the same time, to see the silly Pride and Malignity of some of our pert Scorners, who, though they have neither Read, Seen, nor Thought much in Physick, are yet continually setting up for Judges, and condemning all, but their own dear selves, and Notions. Such Insolents are these, I expect may fall severly on me, for prescribing such quantities of vinous Spirits and chymical Oils in Glysters. But were they to make due trial of the same, there's no doubt on't, but Observation would teach'em better, and happy Success would command them to applaud, what they now oppose.
And though this be not a very vulgarly establish'd Practice, yet they know its not mine only, nor a new one either. For Rondeletius (born above 200 Years ago, p. 895) cured a Woman of a grievous Colic Fit with a Glyster of nothing but Hippocras Wine, in which were infused Cinnamon, Pepper, Ginger, grains of Paradis. And Sanchez (p.123) orders the same.
Dr. Stubbs (Philo. Transac. No 37. p.271) relates, that in the Colic Bilious, they (in Jamaica) usually give Glysters of a pint of Brandy, which will make them as drunk and as mad, as if they had taken it at their Mouth. He observe'd, that less Brandy would sox them in a Glyster, than if drank by them. He try'd a quarter of a pint in a Glyster on himself, and it made him not dead Drunk, but raging Mad. And he saith, he remembers still how unruly he was, so as to be held in Bed, his Reason being depraved by these Fumes.
Upon this observation, I would scarce ever exceed 2 or 3 ounces of Brandy, and I declare, so far I have often gone, with safety and Success.
As to chymical Oils, I find Duretus (de Morbb. (186, 187) Internis cap.41 p. 410.) commends Oil of Juniper distill'd half an ounce,
in Malvatic Wine. And Claudius Deodatus prescribes boldly thus.
Take Malvatic Wine, Oil of Walnuts, each 3 ounces; Spirit of Wine 1 ounce; chymical Oils of Juniper and of Rue, each 2 drams; mix and put it up very hot.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710