The mechanical remedies comprise anthelmintics, demulcents, diluents, and emollients.

2778. Anthelmintics are medicines given for the purpose of expelling or destroying worms. They are cowhage, scammony, male fern root, calomel, gamboge, and turpentine.

2779. Cowhage is used to expel the round worm, which it does by wounding it with the fine prickles.

Dose of the confection, for a child three or four years old, a tea-spoonful early, for three mornings, followed by a dose of castor oil. (Set "Domestic Pharmacopoeia," 906.)

2780. Male fern root is a powerful anthelmintic and an astringent.

It is used to kill tapeworm.

Dose three drachms of the powdered root mixed in a teacupful of water, to be taken in the morning while in bed, and followed by a brisk purgative two hours afterwards; or thirty drops of the ethereal tincture, to be taken early in the morning. {See "Domestic Phar macopoeia," 906.)

2781. Gamboge is a powerful drastic and anthelmintic.

It is used internally in dropsies, and for the expulsion of tapeworm; but its use requires caution, as it is an irritant poison.

Doss from two to six grains, in the form of pills, combined with colocynth, soap, rhubarb, or bread-crumbs.

2782. Demulcents are used to di-mininish irritation, and soften parts by protecting them with a viscid matter. They are tragacanth, linseed, marsh-mallow, mallow, liquorice, arrowroot, isinglass, suet, wax, and almonds.

2783. Tragacanth is used to allay tickling cough, and lubricate abraded parts. It is usually given in the form of mucilage.

Dose from ten grains to one drachm, or more.

2784. Linseed is emollient and demulcent.

It is used externally, when reduced to powder, as a poultice; and the oil combined with lime water is applied to burns and scalds.

It is used internally as an infusion in diarrhoea, dysentery, and irritation of the intestines after certain poisons, and in catarrh.

Dose of the infusion, as much as the patient pleases.

2785. Marsh-mallow is used internally in the same diseases as linseed.

The leaves are used externally as a fomentation, and the boiled roots are bruised and applied as an emollient poultice.

Dose, the same as linseed.

2786. Mallow is used externally as a fomentation and poultice in inflammation, and the infusion is used internally in dysentery, diseases of the kidneys, and the same diseases as marsh mallow. It is also used as an enema.

The Dose is the same as for linseed and marsh-mallow.

2787. Liquorice is an agreeable demulcent, and is given in the form of decoction in catarrh, and some forms of dyspepsia; and the axtract is used in catarrh.

Dose, of the extract, from ten grains to one drachm; of the decoction, from two to four ounces.

2788. Arrowroot, isinglass, almonds, suet, and wax, are too well known to require descriptions. (See "Domestic Pharmacopoeia," 906, for preparations.)

2789. Diluents are chiefly watery compounds, such as weak tea, water thin broth, gruel, etc.