In the administration of Clysters, for the fulfilment of any of the last
five indications, it is obvious, that the stimulus of distention should
be avoided, as being incompatible with our object; the quantity, or bulk
of the solution, ought to be also carefully graduated; to prevent, for
example, the opiate clyster from being too soon returned, Dr. Cullen has
remarked that it seldom should be made of more bulk than that of three
or four ounces of liquid, and this also of a very mild kind. In
administering a bitter decoction for the cure of Ascarides, the same
precaution is necessary, or the gut will suddenly contract and expel the
clyster, which always acts with more certainty when allowed to remain
for some time. The proportions of fluid vehicle necessary for the
different stages of life, under ordinary circumstances, may be stated as
follows:—An infant at its birth, or soon after, requires about one
_fluid ounce_; a child between the age of one and five years, from three
to four _fluid ounces_; a youth of ten or fifteen, from six to eight
_fluid ounces_; and an adult may take twelve. With regard to the dose of
the active ingredient of a _Lavement_, it may be estimated as triple of
that taken by the mouth.