A purgative injection in common use, and of which the materials are at hand in every family, consists of molasses, olive oil or lard, and common salt, of each a tablespoonful, and a pint of warm water. The whole is to be given at one time. The proportions may be varied to suit peculiar circumstances. Thus, the quantity of all, or of any one of the active constituents may be increased or diminished; or any one of them may be replaced by another substance deemed more effectual or appropriate; as the common salt by sulphate of soda, the olive oil or lard by castor oil, etc. Sometimes an injection of soap-suds operates very effectually.