19. The following is another very good combination: Take Aloes and Asafœtida, of each 20 grains; beat into a mass with honey, and divide into 12 pills, of which one may be taken twice daily. These pills often prove of great service to women subject to _Hysterical fits_, and _Flatulent distension of the Abdomen_, especially when at the same time there is _Constipation of the Bowels_. _In Headaches arising from the sudden stoppage either of menstrual discharge or of long-standing bleeding from piles_, these pills often prove useful. Aloes should not ordinarily be given to persons subject to piles, as they are apt to aggravate the disease.
20. _In cases of Habitual Constipation of the Bowels_ great benefit has been found from the persevering use of the following pills: Take of purified Aloes, 18 grains; Sulphate of Iron, 30 grains; beat into a mass with a little honey, and divide into 24 pills. Of these, one may be taken three times a day, immediately after the principal meals, till they begin to act upon the bowels gently and then the number may be reduced to two daily. At the end of a week or two another pill may be omitted, and within a month a single pill once or twice a week will suffice. If at any time they should act powerfully on the bowels as a purgative, they should be discontinued for a time.
Phitkarí (_Hind._), Phitkarí (_Beng._), Fatkarí (_Punj._), Fatkar, Phatkar (_Kash._), Pati-káram (_Tam._, _Tel._), Chinik-káram (_Mal._), Pati-kárá (_Can._), Patikár, Turatí (_Mah._), Sina-karam (_Cing._), Keo-khin (_Burm._), Twas (_Malay_).
22. Alum of good quality is generally procurable in all bazaars. It should be in colourless, transparent, crystalline masses, or pieces of various sizes, with an acid, sweetish, astringent taste. When mixed with impurities, as it often is, it may be rendered fit for medicinal purposes by dissolving it in boiling water, straining the solution, and evaporating it so as to obtain crystals, which should be preserved for use. Alum, whether applied externally or given internally, is a valuable astringent. Dose, from 10 to 20 grains for adults.
23. In that form of _Ophthalmia_ commonly known in India by the name of _Country Sore Eyes_, especially when it attacks children, a solution of Alum is often of great service. For children the strength of three grains to an ounce of water is sufficient; but for adults, a solution of double this strength may be used: the eyes should be freely washed with it four or five times a day, or a cloth wet with it may be kept constantly applied. If the eyelids are much swollen, especially in the morning, they should be well bathed with warm milk, the eyelids should then be carefully separated, and the Alum lotion dropped in. There is a native plan of treatment of these cases which proves in many instances effectual, but it has the disadvantage of being very painful for a short time. It is as follows: Place some finely powdered alum on a heated plate of iron, and whilst it is in a state of fusion add a small portion of lemon or lime-juice, until it forms a black, soft mass. This, whilst hot, is applied entirely round the orbit, care being taken that none of it gets beneath the eyelids, as it causes under such circumstances intense agony. One or two applications, each being allowed to remain on for twelve hours, suffice ordinarily to effect a cure.