Laxative absorbent Mixture.
Rub one drachm of magnesia alba in a mortar with ten or twelve grains of the best Turkey rhubarb, and add to them three ounces of common water, simple cinnamon water, and syrup of sugar, of each one ounce.
As most diseases of infants are accompanied with acidities, this mixture may either be given with a view to correct these, or to open the body. A table-spoonful may be taken for a dose, and repeated three times a-day. To a very young child half a spoon-ful will be sufficient.
When the mixture is intended to purge, the dose may either be increased, or the quantity of rhubarb doubled.
This is one of the most generally useful medicines for children with which I am acquainted.
William Buchan
Domestic Medicine 2nd edition 1785