Notes

Notes[1]Of all these the Schoolmasters,with us, may seem the most reasonably exempted from this Duty.[2]See the Author's Preface, immediately following this Dedication.[3]Le Socrate rustique, a Work, which every Person should read.[4]This Preface is indeed premised to thisFrenchEdition, but a Translation of it was omitted, to avoid extending the Bulk and Price of the Work. Dr.Tissotmust then have been ignorant of this Addition, when firstpublished atLyons.[5]The Reasons for omitting the Priceshere, may be seen Page23of this Translation.[6]The Marquis of Mirabeau.[7]This oeconomical Information was doubtless very proper, where our judicious and humane Author published it; but notwithstanding his excellent Motives for giving it, we think it less necessary here, where many Country Gentlemen furnish themselves with larger or smaller Medicine Chests, for the Benefit of their poor sick Neighbours; and in a Country, where the settled parochial Poor are provided with Medicines, as well as other Necessaries, at a parochial Expence. Besides, tho' we would not suppose our Country Apothecaries less considerate or kind than others, we acknowledge our Apprehension, that in such Valuation oftheir Drugs(some of which often vary in their Price) might dispose a few of them, rather to discountenance the Extension of a Work, so well intended and executed as Dr.Tissot's; a Work, which may not be wholly unuseful to some of the most judicious among them, and will be really necessary for the rest.K.[8]This supposes they are not greatly heated, as well as fatigued, by their Labour or Exercise, in which Circumstance free and sudden Draughts of cooling Liquors might be very pernicious: and it evidently also supposes these Drinks to be thus given, rather in Summer, than in very cold Weather, as the Juice of the unripe Grapes, and the other fresh Fruits sufficiently ascertain the Season of the Year. We think the Addition of Vinegar to their Water will scarcely ever be necessary in this or the adjoining Island, on such Occasions. The Caution recommended in this Note is abundantly enforced by Dr.Tissot,§ 4: but considering the Persons, to whom this Work is more particularly addressed, we were willing to prevent every Possibility of a Mistake, in so necessary, and sometimes so vital a Point.K.[9]This good Advice is enforced in a Note, by the Editor ofLyons, who observes, it should be still more closely attended to, in Places, where Rivers, Woods or Mountains retain, as it were, a considerable Humidity; and where the Evenings are, in every Season, cold and moist.—It is a very proper Caution too in our own variable Climate, and in many of our Colonies in NorthAmerica.K.[10]Thus I have ventured to translateEtés(Summers) to apply it to this and the neighbouring Islands. Their Harvests inSwisserlandperhaps are earlier, and may occur inAugust, and that of some particular Grain, probably still earlier.K.[11](1,2)The Abuse just mentioned can scarcely be intended to forbid the moderate Use of good Pastry, the Dough of which is well raised and well baked, the Flower and other Ingredients sound, and the Paste not overcharged with Butter, even though it were sweet and fresh. But the Abuse of Alum and other pernicious Materials introduced by our Bakers, may too justly be considered as one horrible Source of those Diseases of Children, &c. which our humane and judicious Author mentions here. What he adds, concerning the Pastries being rendered still more unwholesome by the sour Fruits sometimes baked in it, is true with Respect to those Children and others, who are liable to Complaints from Acidities abounding in the Bowels; and for all those who are ricketty or scrophulous, from a cold and viscid State of their Humours. But as to healthy sanguine Children, who are advanced and lively, and others of a sanguine or bilious Temperament, we are not to suppose a moderate Variety of this Food injurious to them; when we consider, that the Sharpness and Crudity of the Fruit is considerably corrected by the long Application of Fire; and that they are the Produce of Summer, when bilious Diseases are most frequent. This suggests however no bad Hint against making them immoderately sweet.K.[12]This Word's occurring in the plural Number will probably imply, theSwissmake more than one Species of this small Drink, by pouring Water on the Cake or Remainder of their other Fruits, after they have been expressed; as our People in the Cyder, and perhaps in the Perry, Counties, make what they callCyderkin,Perkin,&c.It should seem too from this Section, that the laborious Countrymen inSwisserlanddrink no Malt Liquor, though the Ingredients may be supposed to grow in their Climate. Now Beer, of different Strength, making the greater Part of our most common Drink, it may be proper to observe here, that when it is not strong and heady, but a middling well-brewed Small-beer, neither too new, nor hard or sour, it is full as wholesome a Drink for laborious People in Health as any other, and perhaps generally preferable to Water for such; which may be too thin and light for those who are unaccustomed to it; and more dangerous too, when the labouring Man is very hot, as well as thirsty. The holding a Mouthful of any weak cold Liquor in the Mouth without swallowing 'till it becomes warm, there, and spurting it out before a Draught is taken down would be prudent; and in Case of great Heat, to take the requisite Quantity rather at two Draughts, with a little Interval between them, than to swallow the Whole precipitately at one, would be more safe, and equally refreshing, though perhaps less grateful.K.[13]The bad Quality of Water is another common Cause of Country Diseases; either where the Waters are unwholesome, from the Soils in which they are found, as when they flow through, or settle, on Banks of Shells; or where they become such, from the Neighbourhood of, or Drainings from Dunghills and Marshes.When Water is unclear and turbid, it is generally sufficient to let it settle in order to clear itself, by dropping its Sediment. But if that is not effected, or if it be slimy or muddy, it need only be poured into a large Vessel, half filled with fine Sand, or, for want of that, with Chalk; and then to shake and stir it about heartily for some Minutes. When this Agitation is over, the Sand, in falling to the Bottom of the Vessel, will attract some of the Foulness suspended in the Water. Or, which is still better, and very easy to do, two large Vessels may be set near together, one of which should be placed considerably higher than the other. The highest should be half filled with Sand. Into this the turbid, or slimy muddy Water is to be poured; whence it will filter itself through the Body of Sand, and pass off clear by an Opening or Orifice made at the Bottom of the Vessel; and fall from thence into the lower one, which serves as a Reservoir. When the Water is impregnated with Particles from the Beds of Selenites, or of any Spar (which Water we call hard, because Soap will not easily dissolve in it, and Puls and other farinaceous Substances grow hard instead of soft, after boiling in it) such Water should be exposed to the Sun, or boiled with the Addition of some Puls, or leguminous Vegetables, or Bread toasted, or untoasted. When Water is in its putrid State, it may be kept till it recovers its natural sweet one: but if this cannot be waited for, a little Sea Salt should be dissolved in it, or some Vinegar may be added, in which some grateful aromatic Plant has been infused. It frequently happens, that the publick Wells are corrupted by foul Mud at the Bottom, and by different Animals which tumble in and putrify there. Drinking Snow-water should be avoided, when the Snow is but lately fallen, as it seems to be the Cause of those swelling wenny Throats in the Inhabitants of some Mountains; and of endemic Cholics in many Persons. As Water is so continually used, great Care should be taken to have what is good. Bad Water, like bad Air, is one of the most general Causes of Diseases; that which produces the greater Number of them, the most grieveous ones; and often introduces such as are epidemical.E. L. i.e.the Editor of Lyons.[14]Many Persons, With a Design to preserve their Wines, add Shot to them, or Preparations of Lead, Alum, &c. The Government should forbid, under the most severe Penalties, all such Adulterations, as tend to introduce the most painful Cholics, Obstruction, and a long Train of Evils, which it sometimes proves difficult to trace to this peculiar Cause; while they shorten the lives of, or cruelly torment, such over credulous Purchasers, as lay in a Stock of bad Wines, or drink of them, without distinction, from every Wine Merchant or Tavern.E. L.This Note, from the Editor atLyons,we have sufficient Reason for retaining here. K.[15]This Word, which must be of German, not of French Extraction, strictly signifies,Drink for a Fall, as we sayPulvis ad Casum, &c. Powder for a Fall, or a supposed inward Bruise. Dr.Tissotinforms me, it is otherwise called the vulnerary Herbs, or the Swiss Tea; and that it is an injudiciousFarragoor Medley of Herbs and Flowers, blended with Bitters, with stimulating, harsh and astringent Ingredients, being employed indiscriminately in all their Distempers by the Country People inSwisserland.K.[16](1,2)It is pretty common tohearof Persons recovering from Inflammations of the Bowels, or Guts, which our Author more justly and ingenuously considers as general Passports to Death: for it is difficult to conceive, that a real andconsiderableInflammation of such thin, membranous, irritable Parts, lined with such putrescent Humours and Contents, and in so hot and close a Situation, could be restored to a sound and healthy Stateso oftenas Rumour affirms it. This makes it so important a Point, to avert every Tendency to an Inflammation of these feculent Parts, as to justify a Bleeding directed, solely, from this Precaution, and which might have been no otherwise indicated by a Disease, attended with any Symptom, that threatened such an Inflammation. But when a Person recovers, there can be no anatomical Search for such Inflammations, or its Effects, the real or imaginary Cure of which may well amaze the Patient, and must greatly redound to the Honour of his Prescriber; so that there may be Policy sometimes in giving a moderate Disease a very bad Name.K.[17]This Direction of our Author's, which may surprize some, probably arises from his preferring a small Quantity of the marine Acid to no Acid at all: For though a great Proportion of Salt, in saving and seasoning Flesh and other Food, generally excites Thirst, yet a little of it seems to have rather a different Effect, by gently stimulating the salivary Glands: And we find that Nature very seldom leaves the great diluting Element wholly void of this quickening, antiputrescent Principle.K.[18]The most allowable of these are Whitings, Flounders, Plaice, Dabbs, or Gudgeons; especially such of the last as are taken out of clear current Streams with gravelly Bottoms. Salmon, Eels, Carp, all the Skate kind, Haddock, and the like, should not be permitted, before the Sick return to their usual Diet when in Health.K.[19]We have known many who had an Aversion to Water, and with whom, on that very Account, it might probably agree less, find Water very grateful, in which a thoroughly baked and hot, not burnt, Slice of Bread had been infused, untill it attained the Colour of fine clear Small-beer, or light Amber coloured Beer, and weneversaw any Inconvenience result from it. Doubtless pure, untoasted elemental Water may be preferable for those who like, and have been accustomed to it.K.[20]We should however, with the greater Circumspection (of how much the longer standing the Disease has been, and by how much the more difficult the viscous Humours are to be melted down and dislodged) attend to the Coction of the Matter of Expectoration; which Nature does not often easily effect, and which she effects the more imperfectly and slowly, the weaker he is. Her last Efforts have often been attended with such high Paroxysms, as have imposed even upon very competent Physicians, and have made them open a Vein a few Hours before the Patients' Death, from their Pulses being strong, hard and frequent. Excessive Weakness is the Sign, by which we may discover such unavailing Efforts to be the last.E. L.[21]The Use of Acids, in Inflammations of the Breast, requires no little Consideration. Whenever the sick Person has an Aversion to them; when the Tongue is moist, the Stomach is heavy and disordered, and the Habit and Temperament of the Patient is mild and soft; when the Cough is very sharp without great Thirst, we ought to abstain from them. But when the Inflammation is joined to a dry Tongue, to great Thirst, Heat and Fever, they are of great Service. Slices of China Oranges sprinkled with Sugar may be given first; a light Limonade may be allowed afterwards; and at last small Doses ofthe Mixture,Nº. 10. if it becomes necessary.E. L.—I have chosen to retain this Note of the Editor ofLyons, from having frequently seen the Inefficacy, and sometimes, I have even thought, the ill Effects of Acids in Peripneumonies and Pleurisies, in a Country far South ofSwisserland; and where these Diseases are very frequent, acute and fatal. On the other hand I shall add the Substance of what Dr.Tissotsays on this Head in a Note to his Table of Remedies, wherein he affirms, that he has given in this Disease very large Doses of them, rising gradually from small ones, and always with great Success; intreating other Physicians to order this Acid (the Spirit of Sulphur) in the same large Doses which he directs in this Chapter, and assuring himself of their thanks, for its good Consequences—Now the only ill Effect I can surmize here, from shewing this Diversity of Opinion in these two learned Physicians, and my own Doubts, is, that the Subjects of this Disease in Country Places may prove somewhat confused and irresolute by it, in their Conduct in such Cases. But as all of us certainly concur in the great Intention of doing all possible Good, by the extensive Publication of this Treatise, I shall take leave to observe that in this Disease, and in Pleurisies, more solid Benefit has been received inCarolina,Virginia, &c. from the Use of theSenekaRattle-snake Root, than from any other Medicine whatever. Bleeding indeed is necessarily premised to it; but it has often saved the Necessity of many repeated Bleedings. This Medicine, which is termed in Latin, thePolygala Virginiana, is certainly rather of a saponaceous attenuating Quality, and betrays not any Marks of Acidity, being rather moderately acrid. There will be Occasion to mention it more particularly in the subsequent Chapter, as such a Liberty can need no Apology to any philosophical Physician.K.[22]That is, into the Cavity of the Breast, rather than within the Substance of the Lungs.[23]This is, undoubtedly, BaronVan Swieten, with whom he had premised, he agreed considerably, in all the Diseases they had both treated of.K.[24]This, with great Probability, means that small black Substance often visible in a rotten Egg, which is undoubtedly of a violent, or even poisonous Quality. Dr.Tissotterms it expressly—la suie dans un Oeuf. K.[25]Dr.Lewis, who has not taken Notice of this Species of Wormwood in his Improvement ofQuincy'sDispensatory, hasmentioned it in his lateMateria Medica. K.[26](1,2)This being a proper Place for directing the Seneka Rattle Snake Root, I shall observe, that the best Way of exhibiting it is in Decoction, by gradually simmering and boiling two Ounces of it in gross Powder, in two Pints and a half of Water, to a Pint and a quarter; and then giving three Spoonfuls of it to a grown Person, every six Hours. If the Stitch should continue, or return, after taking it, Bleeding, which should be premised to it, must be occasionally repeated; though it seldom proves necessary, after a few Doses of it. It greatly promotes Expectoration, keeps the Body gently open, and sometimes operates by Urine and by Sweat; very seldom proving at all emetic in Decoction. The Regimen of Drinks directed here in Pleurisies are to be given as usual. Dr.Tennant, the Introducer of this valuable Medicine, confided solely in it, in Bastard Peripneumonies, without Bleeding, Blistering, or any other Medicines.K.[27]TheEnglishavail themselves considerably, in this Disease, of a Mixture of equal Parts of Sallad Oil, and Spirit of Sal Ammoniac; or of Oil and Spirit of Hartshorn, as a Liniment and Application round the Neck. This Remedy corresponds with many Indications; and deserves, perhaps, the first Place amongst local Applications against the inflammatory Quinsey.E. L.[28]Dr.Pringleis apprehensive of some ill Effects from Acids in Gargarisms [which is probably from their supposed repelling Property] and prefers a Decoction of Figs in Milk and Water, to which he adds a small Quantity of Spirit of Sal Ammoniac.E. L.[29]In Diseases of the Throat, which have been preceded by such Excesses in Food or strong Drink, as occur too often in many Countries, when the Patient has very strong Reachings to vomit, and the Tongue is moist at the same Time; we should not hesitate, after appeasing the first Symptoms of the Inflammation [by sufficient Bleedings, &c.] to assist the Efforts of Nature, and to give a small Dose of Tartar emetic, dissolved in some Spoonfuls of Water. This Remedy in this Case, promotes the Dispersion of the Inflammation, beyond any other.E. L.[30]This seems to have been the same kind of Quinsey, of which Drs.Huxham,Fothergil,Cottonand others wrote, though under different Appellations.K.[31]I reserve some other interesting Reflections on this Disease, for the second Edition of my Treatise on Fevers; and the Editor atParishas very well observed, that it has some Relation to the gangrenous sore Throat, which has been epidemical these twenty Years past, in many Parts ofEurope.——This Note is from Dr.Tissothimself.[32]It frequently happens, that the Bathings alone remove the Head-ach, and the Cough too, by relaxing the lower Parts, and the entire Surface of the Body. If the Patient is costive, he should receive Glysters of warm Water, in which some Bran has been boiled, with the Addition of a little common Soap or Butter.E. L.[33]Under these Circumstances of a tickling Cough from a Cold, without a Fever, and with very little Inflammation, I have known great and very frequent Success, from a Dose ofElixir paregoricum, taken at Bed-time, after a very light thin Supper. If the Patient be sanguine, strong and costive, Bleeding in a suitable Quantity, and a gently opening Potion, or purging Glyster, may be prudently premised to it. Grown Persons may take from 30 to 80, or even 100 Drops of it, in Barley Water, or any other pectoral Drink; and Children in the Chincough from five to twenty Drops; half an Ounce of it by Measure containing about one Grain of Opium, which is the Quantity contained in less than quite six Grains of the Storax Pill; this last being a very available pectoral Opiate too in Coughs from a Distillation, in more adult Bodies, who may also prefer a Medicine in that small Size, and Form.K.[34]This seems but too applicable to the very popular Use ofSpermaceti, &c. in such Cases, which can only grease the Passage to the Stomach; must impair its digestive Faculty, and cannot operate against the Cause of a Cold; though that Cure of it, which is effected by the Oeconomy of Nature in due Time, is often ascribed to such Medicines, as may rather have retarded it.K.[35](1,2)A small Blister behind the Ear of the affected Side, or both Ears, has very often removed the Pain, when from a Defluxion. It is pretty common for the Subjects of this Disease to be very costive, during the Exacerbations of it, which I have sometimes experienced to be pretty regularly and severely quotidian, for a Week or two. The Custom of smoking Tobacco very often, which the Violence of this Pain has sometimes introduced, often disposes to a Blackened and premature Decay of the Teeth, to which the Chewers of it are less obnoxious: and this Difference may result from some particles of its chemical Oil rising by Fumigation, and being retained in the Teeth, which Particles are not extracted by Mastication. But with Regard to the habitual Use of this very acrid and internally violent Herb, for, but chiefly after, this Disease, it should be considered well, whether in some Constitutions it may not pave the Way to a more dangerous one, than it was introduced to remove.K.[36]I have been very authentically assured of the Death of a hale Man, which happened in the very Act of pouring out a large Quantity of distilled Spirits, by Gallons or Bucketfulls, from one Vessel into another.K.[37]Vomits which are so pernicious in the sanguineous Apoplexy, where the Patient's Countenance and Eyes are inflamed; and which are also dangerous or useless, when a Person has been very moderate in his Meals, or is weakened by Age or other Circumstances, and whole Stomach is far from being overloaded with Aliment, are nevertheless very proper for gross Feeders, who are accustomed to exceed at Table, who have Indigestions, and have a Mass of viscid glairy Humours in their Stomachs; more especially, if such a one has a little while before indulged himself excessively, whence he has vomited without any other evident Cause, or at least had very StrongNauseas, or Loathings. In brief, Vomits are the true Specific for Apoplexies, occasioned by any narcotic or stupifying Poisons, the pernicious Effects of which cease, the Moment the Persons so poisoned vomit them up. An attentive Consideration of what hasoccurredto the Patient before his Seizure; his small natural Propensity to this Disease, and great and incessant Loathings, render it manifest, whether it has been caused by such Poisons, or such poisonous Excesses. In these two Last Cases a double Dose of Tartar emetic should be dissolved in a Goblet or Cup of Water, of which the Patient should immediately take a large Spoonful; which should be repeated every Quarter of an Hour, till it operates.E. L.[38]These Blisters may be preceded by Cupping with Scarification on the Nape of the Neck. This Remedy, often used by the ancient Physicians, but too little practiced in France, is one of the most speedy, and not the least efficacious, Applications in both sanguine and serous Apoplexies.E. L.[39]As some may think an Apology necessary for a Translation of this Chapter on a Disease, which never, or very seldom, exists in this or the adjacent Island, I shall observe here, that, abstracted from the Immorality of a narrow and local Solicitude only for ourselves, we are politically interested as a Nation always in Trade, and often at War (and whose Subjects are extended into very distant and different Climates) to provide against a sudden and acute Distemper, to which our Armies, our Sailors and Colonies are certainly often exposed. A Fatality from this Cause is not restrained to our Islands within the Tropic, where several Instances of it have occurred during the late War: but it has also been known to prevail as far Northward asPensylvania, in their Summers, and even in their Harvests. I once received a sensible Scald on the Back of my Thumb, from the Sun suddenly darting out through a clear Hole, as it were, in a Cloud, after a short and impetuous Shower in Summer; which Scald manifestly blistered within some Minutes after. Had this concentrated Ray been darted on my bare Head, the Consequence might have been more dangerous; or perhaps as fatal as some of the Cases recorded by Dr.Tissot, in this Chapter.K.[40]See Note16to Page59.[41]This, according to our Author's Estimation of the Pot-Measure atBerne, which is that he always means, and which he says contains exactly (of Water we suppose) fifty one Ounces and a Quarter (though without a material Error it may be computed at three Pounds and a Quarter) will amount at least to nine Pounds and three Quarters of Matter, supposing this no heavier than Water. By Measure it will want but little of five of our Quarts: a very extraordinary Discharge indeed ofPusat once, and not unlikely to be attended by the Event which soon followed.K.[42]Half a Pint of a pretty strong Infusion of the Leaves of Buckbean, which grows wild here, taken once a Day rather before Noon, has also been found very serviceable in that Species of a chronical Rheumatism, which considerably results from a scorbutic State of the Constitution.K.[43]Another very good Purge, in this Kind of Rheumatism, may also be compounded of the best Gum Guiacum in Powder from 30 to 40 Grains; dissolved in a little Yolk of a fresh Egg; adding from 6 to 10 Grains of Jallap powdered, and from 3 to 5 Grains of powdered Ginger, with as much plain or sorrel Water, as will make a purging Draught for a stronger or weaker grown Patient. Should the Pains frequently infest the Stomach, while the Patient continues costive, and there is no other Fever than such a small symptomatic one, as may arise solely from Pain, he may safely take, if grown up, from 30 to 45 Drops of the volatile Tincture of Gum Guiacum, in any diluting Infusion, that may not coagulate or separate the Gum. It generally disposes at first to a gentleDiaphoresisor Sweat, and several Hours after to one, and sometimes to a second Stool, with little or no Griping.K.[44]Gum Guaiacum, given from six to ten Grains Morning and Night, is often very successful in these Cases. It may be made into Pills or Bolusses with the Rob of Elder, or with the Extract of Juniper.E. L.[45]This Advice is truly prudent and judicious; Hope, as I have observed on a different Occasion, being a powerful, though impalpable, Cordial: and in such perilous Situations, we should excite the most agreeable Expectations we possibly can in the Patient; that Nature, being undepressed by any desponding melancholy ones, may exert her Functions the more firmly, and co-operate effectually with the Medicines, against her internal Enemy.K.[46]I knew a brave worthy Gentleman abroad, who above forty Years past thus preserved his Life, after receiving the Bite of a large Rattle-Snake, by resolutely cutting it and the Flesh surrounding it out, with a sharp pointed Penknife.—Perhaps those who would not suffer the Application of the actual Cautery, that is, of a red hot Iron (which certainly promises well for a Cure) might be persuaded to admit of a potential Cautery, where the Bite was inflicted on a fleshy Part. Though even this is far from being unpainful, yet the Pain coming on more gradually, is less terrifying and horrid. And when it had been applied quickly after, and upon the Bite, and kept on for 3 or 4 Hours, the Discharge, after cutting theEschar, would sooner ensue, and in more Abundance, than that from the actual Cautery; the only Preference of which seems to consist in its being capable perhaps of absorbing, or otherwise consuming, all the poisonousSalivaat once. This Issue should be dressed afterwards according to our Author's Direction; and in the gradual healing of the Ulcer, it may be properly deterged by adding a little Præcipitate to the Digestive. Neither would this interfere with the Exhibition of theTonquinPowderNº. 30, nor the antispasmodicBolusNº. 31, if they should be judged necessary. And these perhaps might prove the most certain Means of preventing the mortal Effects of this singular animal Poison, which it is so impossible to analyze, and so extremely difficult to form any material Idea of; but which is not the Case of some other Poisons.K.[47]It seems not amiss to try the Effects of a solely vegetable Diet (and that perhaps consisting more of the acescent than alcalescent Herbs and Roots) in this Disease, commencing immediately from the Bite of a known mad Dog. These carnivorous Animals, who naturally reject all vegetable Food, are the only primary Harbingers or Breeders of it; though they are capable of transmitting it by a Bite to graminivorous and granivorous ones. The Virtue of Vinegar in this Disease, said to have been accidentally discovered on the Continent, seems not to have been hitherto experienced amongst us; yet in Case of such a morbid Accident it may require a Tryal; tho' not so far, as to occasion the Omission of more certainly experienced Remedies, with some of which it might be improper.K.[48]The great Usefulness of mercurial Frictions, we may even say, the certain Security which they procure for the Patients, in these Cases, provided they are applied very soon after the Bite, have been demonstrated by their Success inProvence, atLyons, atMontpellier, atPondacherry, andin many other Places.Neither have these happy Events been invalidated by any Observations or Instances to the contrary. It cannot therefore be too strongly inculcated to those who have been bitten by venomous Animals, to comply with the Use of them. They ought to be used in such a Quantity, and after such a Manner, as to excite a moderate Salivation, for fifteen, twenty, or even thirty Days.E. L.Though this Practice may justly be pursued from great Caution, when no Cautery had been speedily applied to, and no such Discharge had been obtained from, the bitten Part; yet wherever it had, this long and depressing Salivation, I conceive, would be very seldom necessary; and might be hurtful to weak Constitutions.K.[49]As far as the Number of inoculated Persons, who remained entirely uninfected (some very few after a second Inoculation) has enabled me, I have calculated the Proportion naturally exempted from this Disease, though residing within the Influence of it, to be full 25 in 1000. See Analysis of Inoculation, Ed. 2d. P. 157. Note*.K.[50]It has sometimes been observed (and the Observation has been such, as not to be doubted) that a very mild distinct Small-Pocks has sometimes invaded the same Person twice: But such Instances are so very rare, that we may very generally affirm, those who have once had it, will never have it again.E. L.——In Deference to a few particular Authorities, I have also supposed such a repeated Infection. (Analysis of Inoculation, Ed. 2d. P. 43.) though I have really never seen any such myself; nor ever heard more than two Physicians affirm it, one atVersailles, and another inLondon; the last of whom declared, he took it upon the Credit of a Country Physician, thoroughly acquainted with this Disease, and a Witness to the Repetition of it. Hence we imagine the Editor of this Work atLyonsmight have justly termed this Re-infectionextremelyrare, which would have a Tendency to reconcile the Subjects of the Small-Pocks, more generally, to the most salutary Practice of Inoculation. Doubtless some other eruptive Fevers, particularly, the Chicken Pocks, Crystals,&c.have been often mistaken for the real Small-Pocks by incompetent Judges, and sometimes even by Persons better qualified, yet who were less attentive to the Symptoms and Progress of the former. But whoever will be at the Pains to read Dr.Paux' Paralléle de la petite verole naturalle avec l'artificielle, or a practical Abstract of Part of it in the Monthly Review. Vol. XXV. P. 307 to 311, will find such a just, clear and useful Distinction of them, as may prevent many future Deceptions on this frequently interesting Subject.K.[51]The same Appearances very often occur in such Subjects by Inoculation, before actual Sickening, as I have observed and instanced, Ed. 1st. P. 62, Ed. 2. P. 75, 76.K.[52]As Pustules are, and not very seldom, visible on the Tongue, and sometimes on the Roof, even to its Process called the Palate, which I have plainly seen; it seems not very easy to assign any insuperable Obstacle to the Existence of a few within the Throat; though this scarcely ever occurs, in the distinct Small-Pocks. Doubtless however, a considerable Inflammation of that Part will be as likely to produce the great Difficulty of Swallowing, as the Existence of Pustules there; which our learned Author does not absolutely reject, and consequently will forgive this Supposition of them; especially if he credits the ocular Testimony of Dr.Violante, cited in the Analysis, Ed. 2d. p 71.K.[53]A Negro Girl, about five or six Years old, under a coherent Pock, stole by Night out of the Garret where she lay, into a Kitchen out of Doors, where she drank plentifully of cold Water. How often she repeated these nightly cooling Potions I never could certainly learn, though they occurred in my own House inSouth-Carolinain Summer. But it is certain the Child recovered as speedily as others, whose Eruption was more distinct, and who drank Barley-Water, very thin Rice or Indian Corn Gruel, Balm Tea, or the like. In fact, throughout the Course of this Visitation from the Small Pocks inCarolinain 1738, we had but too many Demonstrations of the fatal Co-operation of violent Heat with their Contagion; and not a very few surprizing Instances of the salutary Effects of being necessarily and involuntarily exposed to same very cooling Accidents after Infection, and in some Cases after Eruption too: which I then more particularly mentioned is a small controversial Tract printed there.K.[54]We must remember that Dr.Tissotis treatinghereof the higher or confluent Degrees of this Disease; for in the distinct Small-Pocks, it is common to find Persons for several Days without a Stool, andwithout the least perceiveableDisorder for Want of one (their whole Nourishment being very light and liquid) in which Cases, while Matters proceeded well in all other Respects, there seems little Occasion for a great Solicitude about Stools: But if one should be judged necessary after four or five Days Costiveness, accompanied with a Tightness or Hardness of the Belly, doubtless the Glyster should be of the lenient Kind (as those directed by our Author are) and not calculated to produce more than a second Stool at the very most. Indeed, where there is Reason to apprehend a strong secondary Fever, from the Quantity of Eruption, and a previously high Inflammation, it is more prudent to provide for a Mitigation of it, by a moderately open Belly, than to suffer a long Costiveness; yet so as to incur very little Hazard of abating the Salivation, or retarding the Growth or Suppuration of the Pustules, by a Superpurgation, which it may be too easy to excite in some Habits. If the Discharge by spitting, and the Brightness and Quantity of Suppuration, have been in Proportion to the Number of Eruptions; though the Conflict from the secondary Fever, where these have been numerous, is often acute and high; and the Patient, who is in great Anguish, is far from being out of Danger, yet Nature pretty generally proves stronger than the Disease, in such Circumstances. As theElect. Catholicon, is little used, or made here, the lenitive Electuary of our Dispensatory may be substituted for it, or that of theEdinburghDispensatory, which was calculated particularly for Glysters.K.[55]This Practice which I had heard of, and even suggested to myself, but never seen actually enterprized, seems so very rational as highly to deserve a fair Trial in the confluent Degrees of the Small-Pocks [for in the distinct it can scarcely be necessary] wherein every probable Assistance should be employed, and in which the most potent Medicines are very often unsuccessful. We have but too many Opportunities of trying it sufficiently; and it certainly has a more promising Aspect than a Practice so highly recommended many Years ago, of covering all the Pustules (which is sometimes the whole Surface of the Patient) in Melilot, or suppose any other suppurating, Plaister; which will effectually prevent all Perspiration, and greatly increase the Soreness, Pain and Embarrassment of the Patient, at the Height of the Disease. I can conceive but one bad Consequence that might possibly sometimes result from the former; but this (besides the Means that may be used to avert it) is rather remote, and so uncertain, until the Trial is repeatedly made, that I think it ought not to be named, in Competition with the Benefits that may arise from it in such Cases, as seem, otherwise, too generally irrecoverable.K.[56]The Use of Opiates in this Disease undoubtedly requires no Small Consideration, the greatSydenhamhimself not seeming always sufficiently guarded in the Exhibition of them; as far as Experience since his Day has enabled Physicians to judge of this Matter. In general our Author's Limitations of them seem very just; though we have seen a few clear Instances, in which a light Raving, which evidently arose from Want of Sleep (joined to some Dread of the Event of the Disease by Inoculation) was happily removed, with every other considerable Complaint, by a moderate Opiate. In sore and fretful Children too, under a large or middling Eruption, as the Time gained to Rest is taken from Pain, and from wasting their Spirits in Crying and Clamour, I have seen Suppuration very benignly promoted byDiacodium. But in theCrisisof the secondary Fever in the confluent or coherent Pock, when there is a morbid Fulness, and Nature is struggling to unload herself by some other Outlets than those of the Skin, which now are totally obstructed (and which seems the only Evacuation, that is not restrained by Opiates) the giving and repeating them then, as has too often been practised, seems importantly erroneous; for I think Dr.Swanhas taken a judicious Liberty of dissenting from the great Author he translates, in forbidding an Opiate, if the Spitting abates, or grows so tough and ropy, as to endanger Suffocation. As the Difference of our Oeconomy in the Administration of Physic from that inSwisserland, and Dr.Tissot'sjust Reputation may dispose many Country Practitioners to peruse this Treatise, I take the Liberty of referring such Readers, for a Recollection of some of my Sentiments of Opiates, long before the Appearance of this Work in French, to the second Edition of the Analysis from P. 94 to 97,&c.K.[57]That I have long since had the Honour of agreeing with our learned Author, in this Consideration for the Benefit of the Body of the People, which is the Benefit of the State, will appear from p. 288 of Analys. Ed. 1st. and from p. 371, 372 of the Second.K.[58]The Substance of this Section flows from the Combination of an excellent Understanding with great Experience, mature Reflection, and real Probity; and fundamentally exposes both the Absurdity of such as universally decry any Preparation of any Subject previous to Inoculation, (which is said to be the Practice of a present very popular Inoculator inParis) and the opposite Absurdity of giving one and the very same Preparation to all Subjects, without Distinction; though this was avowed to have been successfully fully practised inPensylvania, some Years since; which the Reader may see Analys. Ed. 2d, from p. 329 to 331and the Note there.K.[59]There may certainly be an inflammatory Acrimony or Thinness, as well as Thickness of the Blood; and many medical Readers may think a morbid Fusion of the red Globules to be a more frequent Effect of this Contagion, than an increased Viscidity of them. See Analys. Ed. 2d. p. 75 to 83. But this Translation, conforming to the Spirit of its Original, admits very little Theory, and still less Controversy, into its Plan.K.[60]Our Author very prudently limits this Discharge, and the Repetition of it, in this Disease (§ 225) as an erroneous Excess of it has sometimes prevailed. I have seen a very epidemical Season of the Measles, where Bleeding was not indicated in one third of the infected. And yet I have known such an Abuse of Bleeding in it, that being repeated more than once in a Case before Eruption (the Measles probably not being suspected) the Eruption was retarded several Days; and the Patient, a young Lady of Condition, remained exceeding low, faint and sickish; 'till after recruiting a very little, the Measles appeared, and she recovered. In a Youth of a lax Fibre, where the Measles had appeared, a seventh or eighth Bleeding was ordered on a Stitch in the Side, supervening from their too early Disappearance, and the Case seemed very doubtful. But Nature continued very obstinately favourable in this Youth, who at length, but very slowly, recovered. His Circulation remained so languid, his Strength, with his Juices, so exhausted, that he was many Weeks before he could sit upright in a Chair, being obliged to make Use of a Cord depending from the Ceiling, to raise himself erectly in his Seat.K.[61]Bristol Water will be no bad Substitute for any of these, in such Cases.K.[62]The only Account I have read of this Practice, is in the learned Dr.Home'sMedical Facts and Experiments, published in 1759, which admits, that but nine out of fifteen of the Subjects of this Practice took. Cotton dipt in the Blood of a Patient in the Measles was inserted into the Arms of twelve; and three received the Cotton into their Nostrils, after the Chinese Manner of infusing the Small-Pocks; but of these last not one took, and one of those who had taken, had the Measles again two Months after. We think the sharp hot Lymph distilling from the inflamed Eyes of Persons in this Disease, a likelier Vehicle to communicate it than the Blood, especially the dry Blood, which was sometimes tried; since the humanSerumseems the Fluid more particularly affected by it; and this must have been evaporated when the Blood grew dry. A few practical Strictures on this Work, and particularly on this Practice described in it, appeared in the Monthly Review Vol. XXI. P. 68 to 75.K.[63]That is about two Ounces more than a Pint and a half of our Measure.[64]About three Ounces.[*]As our Jail, Hospital,and Camp Feversmay often be ranged in this Class, as of the most putrid Kind, and not seldom occasioned by bad Food, bad Air, unclean, unwholesome Lodging,&c.a judicious Use may certainly be made of a small Quantity of genuine, and not ungenerous, Wine in such of them, as are not blended with an inflammatory Cause, or inflammable Constitution, or which do not greatly result from a bilious Cause; though in these last, where there is manifest Lowness and Dejection, perhaps a little Rhenish might be properly interposed between the Lemonade and other Drinks directed§ 241. Doubtless Dr.Tissotwas perfectly apprized of this salutary Use of it in some low Fevers; but the Necessity of its being regulated by the Presence of a Physician has probably disposed him rather to omit mentioning it, than to leave the Allowance of it to the Discretion of a simple Country Patient, or his ignorant Assistants.K.[65]The French Word isGriettes, whichBeyerenglishes,the Agriot, the red or sour Cherry; andChambaud, the sweeter large black Cherry or Mazzard—But as Dr.Tissotwas recommending the Use of Acids, it is more probably the first of these: so that our Morellas, which make a pleasant Preserve, may be a good Substitute to them, supposing them not to be the same. Our Berbery Jam, and Jelly of Red Currants, may be also employed to answer the same Indication.K.[66]Observation and Experience have demonstrated the Advantage of the Bark, to obviate a Gangrene, and prevent the Putrefaction of animal Substances. We therefore conclude it may be usefully employed in malignant Fevers, as soon as the previous and necessary Evacuations shall have taken Place.E. L.—Provided there be very clear and regular Remissions at least.K.[67]This admirable Medicine was unknown in Europe, till about one hundred and twenty Years past; we are obliged to the Spaniards for it, who found it in the Province of Quito in Peru; the Countess of Chinchon being the first European who used it in America, whence it was brought to Spain, under the Name of the Countesses Powder. The Jesuits having soon dispensed and distributed it abroad, it became still more publick by the Name of the Jesuits Powder: and since it has been known by that ofKinkinaor the Peruvian Bark. It met with great Opposition at first; some deeming it a Poison, while others considered it as a divine Remedy: so that the Prejudices of many being heightened by their Animosity, it was nearly a full Century, before its true Virtue and its Use were agreed to: and about twenty Years since the most unfavourable Prejudices against it pretty generally subsided. The Insufficience of other Medicines in several Cases; its great Efficaciousness; and the many and surprizing Cures which it did, and daily does effect; the Number of Distempers; the different kinds of Fevers, in which it proves the sovereign Remedy; its Effects in the most difficult chirurgical Cases; the Comfort, the Strength and Sprits it gives those who need and take it, have at length opened every Persons Eyes; so that it has almost unanimously obtained the first Reputation, among the most efficacious Medicines. The World is no longer amused with Apprehensions of its injuring the Stomach; of its fixing, orshutting upthe Fever (as the Phrase has been) without curing it; that it shuts up the Wolf in the Sheepfold; that it throws those who take it into the Scurvy, the Asthma, the Dropsy, the Jaundice. On the contrary they are persuaded it prevents there very Diseases; and, that if it is ever hurtful, it is only when it is either adulterated, as most great Remedies have been; or has been wrongly prescribed, or improperly taken: or lastly when it meets with some latent, some unknown Particularities in a Constitution, which Physicians term anIdiosyncrasy, and which prevent or pervert its very general Effects.Tissot.[68]It happens very seldom that intermitting Fevers require69no Purge towards their Cure, especially in Places, which are disposed to generate Putridity. There is always some material Cause essential to these Fevers, of which Nature disembarrasses herself more easily by Stools, than by any other Discharge: And as there is not the least Danger to be apprehended from a gentle Purge, such at those ofNº. 11or23, we think it would be prudent always to premise a Dose or two of either to the Bark.E. L.[69]Yet I have known many in whom no Purge was necessary, and have seen some rendered more obstinate and chronical by erroneous Purging. But a Vomit is very generally necessary before the Bark is given.K.[70](1,2)I have seen several Cases in very marshy maritime Countries, with little good drinking Water, and far South ofSwisserland, where intermitting Fevers, with Agues at different Intervals, are annually endemic, very popular, and often so obstinate as to return repeatedly, whenever the weekly precautionary Doses of the Bark have been omitted (through the Patient's nauseating the frequent Swallowing of it) so that the Disease has sometimes been extended beyond the Term of a full Year, and even far into a second, including the temporary Removals of it by the Bark. Nevertheless, in some such obstinate Intermittents, and particularly Quartans there, wherein the Bark alone has had but a short and imperfect Effect, I have known the following Composition, after a good Vomit, attended with speedy and final Success,viz.Take of fresh Sassafras Bark, of Virginia Snake-root, of Roch-Allom, of Nutmeg, of diaphoretic Antimony, and of Salt of Wormwood of each one Drachm. To these well rubbed together into fine Powder, add the Weight of the whole, of the best and freshest Bark; then drop in three Drops of the chemical Oil of Mint, and with Syrup of Cloves make it into the Consistence of an Electuary or Bolus, for 12 Doses for a grown Person, to be taken at the Distance of three or four Hours from each other, while the Patient is awake, according to the longer or shorter Intermission of the Fever.I have also known, particularly in obstinate autumnal Aguesthere, an Infusion of two Ounces of the best Bark in fine Powder, or two Ounces and a half in gross Powder, in a Quart of the best Brandy, for three or four Days (a small Wine Glass to be taken by grown Persons at the Distance of from four to six Hours) effectually and speedily terminate such intermittent Agues, as had given but little Way to the Bark in Substance. This was certainly more suitable for those who were not of a light delicate Habit and Temperament, and who had not been remarkable for their Abstinence from strong Liquors: the inebriating Force of the Brandy being remarkably lessened, by the Addition and long Infusion of the Bark. These Facts which I saw, are the less to be wondered at, as in such inveterate, but perfectly clear and distinct Intermittents, both the State of the Fluids and Solids seem very opposite to their State in an acutely inflammatory Disease.K.[71]These, in some Parts of America, are called Muskito Hawks; but we do not recollect their biting there.K.[72]Pounded Parsley is one of the most availing Applications in such Accidents.E.L.[73]The Seneka Rattle-Snake root, already recommended in true Pleurisies, will, with the greatest Probability, be found not less effectual in these false ones, in which the Inflammation of the Blood is less. The Method of giving it may be seen P.118, N. (26.) By Dr.Tissot'shaving never mentioned this valuable Simple throughout his Work, it may be presumed, that when he wrote it, this Remedy had not been admitted into the Apothecaries Shops inSwisserland.K.[74]Glauber or Epsom Salt may be substituted, where the other is not to be readily procured.K.[75]Pullet, or rather Chicken Water, but very weak, may often do instead of Ptisan, or serve for a little Variety of Drink to some Patients.E. L.—K.[76]Bleeding should not be determined on too hastily in this Sort of Cholic, but rather be omitted, or deferred at least, till there be an evident Tendency to an Inflammation.E. L.The Propriety or Impropriety of Bleeding in a Cholic from this Cause should be determined, I think, from the State of the Person it happens to: So that Bleeding a strong Person with a firm Fibre, and a hard Pulse, may be very prudent and precautionary: But if it be a weakly lax Subject with a soft and low Pulse, there may be Room either for omitting,or for suspending it.K.[77]The Experience of all Countries and Times so strongly confirms these important Truths, that they cannot be too often repeated, too generally published, whenever and wherever this Disease rages. The Succession of cold Showers to violent Heats; too moist a Constitution of the Air; an Excess of animal Food; Uncleanliness and Contagion, are the frequent Causes of epidemical Fluxes.E. L.I have retained the preceding Note, abridged from this Gentleman, as it contains the Suffrage of another experienced Physician, against that Prejudice of ripe Fruits occasioning Fluxes, which is too popular among ourselves, and probably more so in the Country than inLondon. I have been also very credibly assured, that the Son of a learned Physician was perfectly cured of a very obstinate Purging, of a Year's Continuance (in Spite of all the usual officinal Remedies) by his devouring large Quantities of ripe Mulberries, for which he ardently longed, and drinking very freely of their expressed Juice. The Fact occurred after his Father's Decease, and was affirmed to me by a Gentleman intimately acquainted with them both.K.[78]Our learned Author, or his medical Editor atLyons, observes here, ‘that in the Edition of this Treatise atParis, there was an essential Mistake, by makingBoerhaaverecommend the Addition of Brandy,Eau de vie,instead of stumming or sulphurizing it,’for which this Note, and the Text too use the Verbbranter, which Word we do not find in any Dictionary. We are told however, it means to impregnate the Casks in which the Water is reserved, with the Vapour of Sulphur, and then stopping them; in the same Manner that Vessels are in some Countries, for the keeping of Wine. He observes the Purpose of this is to oppose Corruption by the acid Steams of the Sulphur.K.[79]A first or second Dose of Glauber Salt has been known to succeed in the epidemical Summer Fluxes of the hotter Climates, when repeated Doses of Rhubarb and Opiates had failed. Such Instances seems a collateral Confirmation of Dr.Tissot'srational and successful Use of cooling opening Fruits in them.K.[80]I have seen a pretty singular Consequence from the Abuse of mercurial Unction for the Itch; whether it happened from the Strength or Quantity of the Ointment, or from taking Cold after applying it, as this Subject, a healthy Youth of about sixteen, probably did, by riding three or four Miles through the Rain. But without any other previous Complaint, he awoke quite blind one Morning, wondering, as he said, when it would be Day. His Eyes were very clear, and free from Inflammation, but the Pupil was wholly immoveable, as in aGutta serena. I effected the Cure by some moderate Purges repeated a few Times; by disposing him to sweat by lying pretty much in Bed (it being towards Winter) and by promoting his Perspiration, chiefly with Sulphur: after which the shaved Scalp was embrocated with a warm nervous Mixture, in which Balsam ofPeruwas a considerable Ingredient. In something less than three Weeks he could discern a glowing Fire, or the bright Flame of a Candle. As his Sight increased, he discerned other Objects, which appeared for some Days inverted to him, with their Colours confused; but Red was most distinguishable. He discovered the Aces sooner than other Cards; and in about six or seven Weeks recovered his full Sight in all its natural Strength, which he now enjoys.K.[81]Sea water, and those ofDulwich,Harrigate,Shadwell, &c. will be full as effectual.K.[82]TheFrenchWord here,Opiat, is sometimes used by them for a compound Medicine of the Consistence of an Electary; and cannot be supposed, in this Place, to mean any Preparation, into whichOpiumenters.K.[83]Too great a Fulness of Blood is undoubtedly the Cause of all these Complaints; but as there are different Methods of opposing this Cause, the gentlest should always be preferred; nor should the Constitution become habituated to such Remedies, as might either impair the Strength of the Mother, or of her Fruit. Some Expedients therefore should be thought of, that may compensate for the Want of Bleeding, by enjoining proper Exercise in a clear Air, with a less nourishing, and a less juicy Diet.E. L.This Note might have its Use sometimes, in the Cases of such delicate and hysterical, yet pregnant Women, as are apt to suffer from Bleeding, or any other Evacuation, though no ways immoderate. But it should have been considered, that Dr.Tissotwas professedly writing here to hearty active Country Wives, who are very rarely thus constituted; and whom he might be unwilling to confuse with such multiplied Distinctions and Directions, as would very seldom be necessary, and might sometimes prevent them from doing what was so. Besides which, this Editor might have seen, our Author has hinted at such Cases very soon after.K.[84]The Use of Hemlock, which has been tried atLyons, by all who have had cancerous Patients, having been given in very large Doses, has been attended with no Effect there, that merited the serious Attention of Practitioners. Many were careful to obtain the Extract fromVienna, and even to procure it from Dr.Storckhimself. But now it appears to have had so little Success, as to become entirely neglected.E. L.Having exactly translated in this Place, and in the Table of Remedies, our learned Author's considerable Recommendation of the Extract of Hemlock in Cancers, we think it but fair, on the other Hand, to publish this Note of his Editor's against it; that the real Efficacy or Inefficacy of this Medicine may at length be ascertained, on the most extensive Evidence and Experience. As far as my own Opportunities and Reflections, and the Experience of many others, have instructed me on this Subject, it appears clear to myself, that though the Consequences of it have not been constantly unsuccessful with us, yet its Successes have come very short of its Failures. Nevertheless, as in all such Cancers, every other internal Medicine almost universally fails, we think with Dr.Tissotit should always be tried (from the meer Possibility of its succeeding in some particular Habit and Circumstances) at least till longer Experience shall finally determine against it.K.[85]This Method (says the Editor and Annotator ofLyons) is useful, whenever the Mother does not suckle her Child. Art is then obliged to prove a Kind of Substitute to Nature, though always a very imperfect one. But when a Mother, attentive to her own true Interest, as well as her Infant's, and, listening to the Voice of Nature and her Duty, suckles it herself, these Remedies [he adds] seem hurtful, or at least, useless. The Mother should give her Child the Breast as soon as she can. The first Milk, theColostrum, orStrippings, as it is called in Quadrupeds, which is very serous or watery, will be serviceable as a Purgative; it will forward the Expulsion of theMeconium, prove gradually nourishing, and is better than Biscuits, or Panada, which (he thinks) are dangerous in the first Days after the Birth.E. L.This Syrup of Succory being scarcely ever prepared with us, though sufficiently proper for the Use assigned it here, I have retained the preceding Note, as the Author of it directs theseStrippings, for the same Purpose, with an Air of certain Experience; and as this Effect of them seems no Ways repugnant to the physical Wisdom and Oeconomy of Nature, on such important Points. Should it in fact be their very general Operation, it cannot be unknown to any Male or Female Practitioner in Midwifery, and may save poor People a little Expence, which was one Object of our humane Author's Plan. The Oil OfRicinus, corruptly calledCastorOil (being expressed from the Berries of thePalma Christi) is particularly recommended by some late medical Writers fromJamaica,&c.for this Purpose of expelling theMeconium, to the Quantity of a small Spoonful. These Gentlemen also consider it as the most proper, and almost specific Opener, in the dry Belly-ach of that torrid Climate, which tormenting Disease has the closest Affinity to theMiserere, or Iliac Passion, of any I have seen. The Annotator's Objection to our Author's verythin lightPanada, seems to be of little Weight.K.[86]Or, for Want of it, the solutive Syrup of Roses.K.[87]TheMagnesiais an excellent Substitute in Children, for these Oils Dr.Tissotso justly condemns here.K.[88]That Part of the Head where a Pulsation may be very plainly felt, where the Bones are less hard, and not as yet firmly joined with those about them.[89]There is however a certain Degree of Weakness, which may very reasonably deter us from this Washing; as when the Infant manifestly wants Heat, and needs some Cordial and frequent Frictions, to prevent its expiring from downright Feebleness; in which Circumstances Washing must be hurtful to it.Tissot.[90](1,2)I have seen a Child about three Years old, whose Navel, after swelling and inflaming, suppurated, and through a small Orifice (which must have communicated with the Cavity of the Gut or the Belly) discharged one of these Worms we callteretes, about three Inches long. He had voided several by Stool, after taking some vermifuge Medicines. The Fact I perfectly remember; and to the best of my Recollection, the Ulcer healed some Time after, and the Orifice closed: but the Child died the following Year of a putrid Fever, which might be caused, or was aggravated, by Worms.K.[91]This Word occurs in none of the common Dictionaries; but suspecting it for theSemen Santoniciof the Shops, I find the learned Dr.Bikkerhas rendered it so, in his very well received Translation of this valuable Work intoLow Dutch.K.[92]This very important Consideration, on which I have treated pretty largely, in theAnalysis, seems not to be attended to in Practice, as frequently as it ought.K.[93]The Misfortune of a young Man drowned in bathing himself, at the Beginning of the Season, occasioned the Publication of this Chapter by itself inJune, 1761. A few Days after, the like Misfortune happened to a labouring Man; but he was happily taken out of the water sooner than the first (who had remained about half an Hour under it) and he was recovered by observing Part of the Advice this Chapter contains; of which Chapter several Bystanders had Copies.—This Note seems to be from the Author himself.[94]I saw a very similar Instance and Event in a Lady's little favourite Bitch, whole Body she desired to be opened, from suspecting her to have been poisoned. But it appeared that a small Needle with fine Thread, which she had swallowed, had passed out of the Stomach into theDuodenum(one of the Guts) through which the Point had pierced and pricked and corroded the concave Part of the Liver, which was all rough and putrid. The whole Carcase was greatly bloated and extremely offensive, very soon after the poor Animal's Death, which happened two or three Months after the Accident, and was preceded by a great Wheezing, Restlessness and Loss of Appetite. The Needle was rusty, but the Thread entire, and very little altered.K.[95]I knew a Man of the Name ofPoole, who being taken in the same Ship with me, 1717 or 18, by Pirates, had swallowed four Ginueas, and a gold Ring, all which he voided some Days after without any Injury or Complaint, and saved them. I forget the exact Number of Days he retained them, but the Pirates staid with us from Saturday Night to Thursday Noon.K.[96]Many fatal Examples of this Kind may be seen in thePhilosophical Transactions; and they should caution People against swallowing Cherry-stones, and still more against those of Prunes, or such as are pointed, though not very acutely.K.[97]This, Dr.Tissotinforms me, is a Solution of white Vitriol and some other Drugs in Spirit of Wine, and is never used in regular Practice now. It has its Name from the Author of the Solution.K.[98]This seems just the same ascoming on the Parish, or being received into an Alms house here; in Consequence of such an incurable Disability happening to the poor working Father of a Family.K.[99]The Reason of the Fatality of Heat, in these Cases, and of the Success of an opposite Application, (See§ 459) seems strictly and even beautifully analogous to whatHippocrateshas observed of the Danger, and even Fatality, of all great and sudden Changes in the human Body, whether from the Weather or otherwise. Whence this truly great Founder of Physick, when he observes elsewhere, that Diseases are to be cured by something contrary to their Causes, very consistently advises, not a direct and violent Contrariety, but a gradual and regulated one, aSub-contrariety.K.[100]Chilblains may also be advantageously washed with Water and Flower of Mustard, which will concur, in a certain and easy Manner, both to cleanse and to cure them.E. L.[101]This is or should be, the same with theBitumen Judaicum, formerly kept in the Shops; but which is never directed, except in that strange Medley theVeniceTreacle, according to the old Prescription. The best is found inEgypt, and on theRed Sea: but a different Sort, fromGermany,France, andSwisserland, is now generally substituted here.K.[102]Pieces of Ice applied between two Pieces of Linen, directly upon the Rupture, as soon as possible after its first Appearance, is one of those extraordinary Remedies, which we should never hesitate to make immediate Use of. We may be certain by this Application, if the Rupture is simple, and not complicated from some aggravating Cause, to remove speedily, and with very little Pain, a Disorder, that might be attended with the most dreadful Consequences. But the Continuance of this Application must be proportioned to the Strength of the Person ruptured, which may be sufficiently estimated by the Pulse.E. L.[103]These Creatures perhaps are fatter inSwisserland, than we often see them here.K.[104]Our Garden Purslain, though a very juicy Herb, cannot strictly be termed milky. In the hotter Climates where it is wild, and grows very rankly, they sometimes boil the Leaves and Stalks (besides eating them as a cooling Salad) and find the whole an insipid mucilaginous Pot-herb. But Dr.Tissotobserves to me, that its Juice will inflame the Skin; and that some Writers on Diet, who disapprove it internally, affirm they have known it productive of bad Effects. Yet none such have ever happened to myself, nor to many others, who have frequently eaten of it. Its Seeds have sometimes been directed in cooling Emulsions. The Wart Spurge is a very milky and common Herb, which flowers in Summer here.K.[105](1,2)Dr.Tissotinforms me, that inSwisserland, they call a volatile Salt of Vipers, or the volatile Salt of raw Silk,Sel. d'Angleterre, of which oneGoddardmade a Secret, and which he brought into Vogue the latter End of the last Century. But he justly observes at the same Time, that on the present Occasion every other volatile Alkali will equally answer the Purpose; and indeed the Smell of some of them, as the Spirit of Sal Ammoniac with Quicklime,Eau de Luce,&c.seem more penetrating.K.[106]Our sweet Spirit of Vitriol is a similar, and as effectual a Medicine.K.[107]I have seen this actually verified by great and disagreeable Surprize, attended indeed with much Concern, in a Person of exquisite Sensations.K.[108]La Braise.[109]Charbon.Dr.Tissotinforms me, their Difference consists in this, that the Charcoal is prepared from Wood burnt in a close or stifled Fire; and that the small Coal is made of Wood (and of smaller Wood) burnt in an open Fire, and extinguished before it is reduced to the State of a Cinder. He says the latter is smaller, softer, less durable in the Fire, and the Vapour of it less dangerous than that of Charcoal.[110]See Note105Page495.[111]Une Quartette.[112]How shocking is this! and yet how true in some Countries! I have been most certainly assured, that Bleeding has been inflicted and repeated in the last sinking and totally relaxing Stage of a Sea-Scurvy, whose fatal Termination it doubtless accelerated. This did not happen in our own Fleet; yet we are not as yet Wholly exempt on Shore, from some Abuse of Bleeding, which a few raw unthinking Operators are apt to consider as a meer Matter of Course. I have in some other Place stigmatized the Madness of Bleeding in Convulsions, from manifest Exhaustion and Emptiness, with the Abhorrence it deserves.K.[113]This makes an agreeable Drink; and the Notion of its being windy is idle; since it is so only to those, with whom Barley does not agree. It may, where Barley is not procurable, be made from Oats.[114]In those Cases mentioned§ 241,262,280, instead of the Barley, four Ounces of Grass Roots may be boiled in the same Quantity of Water for half an Hour, with the Cream of Tartar.[115]These Juices are to be procured from the Herbs when fresh and very young, if possible, by beating them in a Marble Mortar, or for Want of such [or a wooden Mortar] in an Iron one, and then squeezing out the Juice through a Linen Bag. It must be left to settle a little in an earthen Vessel, after which the clear Juice must be decanted gently off, and the Sediment be left behind.[116]Some Friends, says Dr.Tissot, whose judgment I greatly respect, have thought the Doses of acid Spirit which I direct extremely strong; and doubtless they are so, if compared with the Doses generally prescribed, and to which I should have limited myself, if I had not frequently seen their Insufficience. Experience has taught me to increase them considerably; and, augmenting the Dose gradually, I now venture to give larger Doses of them than have ever been done before, and always with much Success; the same Doses which I have advised in this Work not being so large as those I frequently prescribe. For this Reason I intreat those Physicians, who have thought them excessive, to try the acid Spirits in larger Doses than those commonly ordered; and I am persuaded they will see Reason to congratulate themselves upon the Effect.117[117]Our Author'sFrenchAnnotator has a Note against this Acid, which I have omitted; for though I have given hisNotePage84[with the Substance of the immediately preceding one] to which I have also added some Doubts of my own, from Facts, concerning the Benefit of Acids in inflammatory Disorders of the Breast; yet with Regard to the ardent, the putrid, the malignant Fever, andErisipelas, in which Dr.Tissotdirects this, I have no Doubt of its Propriety (supposing no insuperable Disagreement to Acids in the Constitution) and with Respect to their Doses, I think we may safely rely on our honest Author's Veracity. Dr.Fullerassures us, a Gentleman's Coachman was recovered from the Bleeding Small Pocks, by large and repeated Doses of the Oil of Vitriol, in considerable Draughts of cold Water.K.[118]This, our Author observes, will work a strong Country-man very well: by which however he does not seem to mean an Inhabitant of the Mountains inValais. See P.547.[119]This Ointment should be prepared at the Apothecaries; the Receipt of it being given here, only because the Proportions of the Quicksilver and the Lard are not always the same in different Places.[120]This Medicine is known by the Name ofCob'sPowder; and as its Reputation is very considerable, I did not chuse to omit it; though I must repeat here what I have said§ 195—That the Cinnabar is probably of little or no Efficacy; and there are other Medicines that have also much more than the Musk; which besides is extremely dear for poor People, as the requisite Doses of it, in very dangerous Cases, would cost ten or twelve Shillings daily. The Prescription,Nº. 31, is more effectual than the Musk; and instead of the useless Cinnabar, the powerful Quicksilver may be given to the Quantity of forty-five Grains. I have said nothing hitherto in this Work of the red blossomed Mulberry Tree, which passes for a real Specific, among some Persons, in this dreadful Malady. An Account of it may be seen in the first Volume of the Oeconomical Journal ofBerne. It is my Opinion however, that none of the Instances related there are satisfactory and decisive; its Efficacy still appearing to me very doubtful.[121]When this is preferred toNº. 30, of which Musk is an Ingredient, the Grain of Opium should be omitted, except once or at most twice in the twenty-four Hours. Two Doses of Quicksilver, of fifteen Grains each, should be given daily in the Morning, in the Interval between the other Bolus's.[122]This Medicine makes the Dogs vomit and slaver abundantly. It has effected many Cures after theHydrophobia, the Dread of Water, was manifest. It must be given three Days successively, and afterwards twice a Week, for fifteen Days.[123]When People are ignorant of the Strength of the Tartar emetic (which is often various) or of the Patient's being easy or hard to vomit, a Dose and a half may be dissolved in a Quart of warm Water, of which he may take a Glass every Quarter of an Hour, whence the Operation may be forwarded, or otherwise regulated, according to the Number of Vomits or Stools. This Method, much used inParis, seems a safe and eligible one.[124]The medical Editor atLyonsjustly notes here, that these eighty Drops are a very strong Dose of liquid Laudanum; adding that it is scarcely ever given atLyonsin a greater Dose than thirty Drops; and recommending a Spoonful of Syrup of Lemon-peel to be given with it—But we must observe here in answer to this Note, that when Dr.Tissotdirects this Mixture in the Iliac Passion§ 318, to appease the Vomitings,Art. 3, he orders but one spoonful of this Mixture to be taken at once, and an Interval of two Hours to be observed between the first and second Repetition, which reduces each Dose to sixteen Drops, and which is not to be repeated without Necessity.[125]This Medicine, which often occasions Cholics in some Persons of a weakly Stomach, is attended with no such Inconvenience in strong Country People; and has been effectual in some Disorders of the Skin, which have baffled other Medicines—The Remainder of this Note observes the great Efficacy of Antimony in promoting Perspiration, and the extraordinary Benefit it is of to Horses in different Cases.[126]The PrescriptionsNº. 54,55,56, are calculated against Distempers which arise from Obstructions, and a Stoppage of the monthly Discharges; whichNº. 55is more particularly intended to remove; those of54and56are most convenient, either when the Suppression does not exist, or is not to be much regarded, if it does. This Medicine may be rendered less unpalatable for Persons in easy Circumstances, by adding as much Cinamon instead of Aniseeds; and though the Quantity of Iron be small, it may be sufficient, if given early in the Complaint; one, or at the most, two of these Doses daily, being sufficient for a very young Maiden.[127]I chuse to repeat here, the more strongly to inculcate so important a Point, that in Women who have long been ill and languid, our Endeavours must be directed towards the restoring of the Patient's Health and Strength, and not to forcing down the monthly Discharges, which is a very pernicious Practice. These will return of Course, if the Patient is of a proper Age, as she grows better. Their Return succeeds the Return of her Health, and should not, very often cannot, precede it.[128]Our learned and candid Author has a very long Note in this Place, strongly in Favour ofStorck'sExtract of Hemlock, in which it is evident he credits the greater Part of the Cures affirmed by Dr.Storckto have been effected by it. He says he made some himself, but not of the right Hemlock, which we think it very difficult to mistake, from its peculiar rank fetid Smell, and its purple spotted Stalk. After first taking this himself, he found it mitigated the Pain of Cancers, but did not cure them. But then addressing himself to Dr.Storck, and exactly following his Directions in making it, he took of Dr.Storck'sExtract, and of his own, which exactly resembled each other, to the Quantity of a Drachm and a half daily; and finding his Health not in the least impaired by it, he then gave it to several Patients, curing many scrophulous and cancerous Cases, and mitigating others, which he supposes were incurable. So that he seems fully persuaded Dr.Storck'sExtract is always innocent [which in Fact, except in a very few Instances, none of which were fatal, it has been] and he thinks it a Specific in many Cases, to which nothing can be substituted as an equivalent Remedy; that it should be taken with entire Confidence, and that it would be absurd to neglect its Continuance.The Translator of this Work of Dr.Tissot'shas thought it but fair to give all the Force of this Note here, which must be his own, as his Editor atLyonsseems to entertain a very different Opinion of the Efficacy of this Medicine; for which Opinion we refer back to his Note,§ 375, of this Treatise, which the Reader may compare with this of our Author's.K.[129]Our Author attests his seeing the happiest Consequences from this Application, which M.Brossard, a very eminentFrenchSurgeon, first published; and declared his Preference of that Agaric which sprung from those Parts of the Tree, from whence large Boughs had been lopped.[130]To spread this upon Lint as directed,§ 456, it must be melted down again with a little Oil.

Notes[1]Of all these the Schoolmasters,with us, may seem the most reasonably exempted from this Duty.[2]See the Author's Preface, immediately following this Dedication.[3]Le Socrate rustique, a Work, which every Person should read.[4]This Preface is indeed premised to thisFrenchEdition, but a Translation of it was omitted, to avoid extending the Bulk and Price of the Work. Dr.Tissotmust then have been ignorant of this Addition, when firstpublished atLyons.[5]The Reasons for omitting the Priceshere, may be seen Page23of this Translation.[6]The Marquis of Mirabeau.[7]This oeconomical Information was doubtless very proper, where our judicious and humane Author published it; but notwithstanding his excellent Motives for giving it, we think it less necessary here, where many Country Gentlemen furnish themselves with larger or smaller Medicine Chests, for the Benefit of their poor sick Neighbours; and in a Country, where the settled parochial Poor are provided with Medicines, as well as other Necessaries, at a parochial Expence. Besides, tho' we would not suppose our Country Apothecaries less considerate or kind than others, we acknowledge our Apprehension, that in such Valuation oftheir Drugs(some of which often vary in their Price) might dispose a few of them, rather to discountenance the Extension of a Work, so well intended and executed as Dr.Tissot's; a Work, which may not be wholly unuseful to some of the most judicious among them, and will be really necessary for the rest.K.[8]This supposes they are not greatly heated, as well as fatigued, by their Labour or Exercise, in which Circumstance free and sudden Draughts of cooling Liquors might be very pernicious: and it evidently also supposes these Drinks to be thus given, rather in Summer, than in very cold Weather, as the Juice of the unripe Grapes, and the other fresh Fruits sufficiently ascertain the Season of the Year. We think the Addition of Vinegar to their Water will scarcely ever be necessary in this or the adjoining Island, on such Occasions. The Caution recommended in this Note is abundantly enforced by Dr.Tissot,§ 4: but considering the Persons, to whom this Work is more particularly addressed, we were willing to prevent every Possibility of a Mistake, in so necessary, and sometimes so vital a Point.K.[9]This good Advice is enforced in a Note, by the Editor ofLyons, who observes, it should be still more closely attended to, in Places, where Rivers, Woods or Mountains retain, as it were, a considerable Humidity; and where the Evenings are, in every Season, cold and moist.—It is a very proper Caution too in our own variable Climate, and in many of our Colonies in NorthAmerica.K.[10]Thus I have ventured to translateEtés(Summers) to apply it to this and the neighbouring Islands. Their Harvests inSwisserlandperhaps are earlier, and may occur inAugust, and that of some particular Grain, probably still earlier.K.[11](1,2)The Abuse just mentioned can scarcely be intended to forbid the moderate Use of good Pastry, the Dough of which is well raised and well baked, the Flower and other Ingredients sound, and the Paste not overcharged with Butter, even though it were sweet and fresh. But the Abuse of Alum and other pernicious Materials introduced by our Bakers, may too justly be considered as one horrible Source of those Diseases of Children, &c. which our humane and judicious Author mentions here. What he adds, concerning the Pastries being rendered still more unwholesome by the sour Fruits sometimes baked in it, is true with Respect to those Children and others, who are liable to Complaints from Acidities abounding in the Bowels; and for all those who are ricketty or scrophulous, from a cold and viscid State of their Humours. But as to healthy sanguine Children, who are advanced and lively, and others of a sanguine or bilious Temperament, we are not to suppose a moderate Variety of this Food injurious to them; when we consider, that the Sharpness and Crudity of the Fruit is considerably corrected by the long Application of Fire; and that they are the Produce of Summer, when bilious Diseases are most frequent. This suggests however no bad Hint against making them immoderately sweet.K.[12]This Word's occurring in the plural Number will probably imply, theSwissmake more than one Species of this small Drink, by pouring Water on the Cake or Remainder of their other Fruits, after they have been expressed; as our People in the Cyder, and perhaps in the Perry, Counties, make what they callCyderkin,Perkin,&c.It should seem too from this Section, that the laborious Countrymen inSwisserlanddrink no Malt Liquor, though the Ingredients may be supposed to grow in their Climate. Now Beer, of different Strength, making the greater Part of our most common Drink, it may be proper to observe here, that when it is not strong and heady, but a middling well-brewed Small-beer, neither too new, nor hard or sour, it is full as wholesome a Drink for laborious People in Health as any other, and perhaps generally preferable to Water for such; which may be too thin and light for those who are unaccustomed to it; and more dangerous too, when the labouring Man is very hot, as well as thirsty. The holding a Mouthful of any weak cold Liquor in the Mouth without swallowing 'till it becomes warm, there, and spurting it out before a Draught is taken down would be prudent; and in Case of great Heat, to take the requisite Quantity rather at two Draughts, with a little Interval between them, than to swallow the Whole precipitately at one, would be more safe, and equally refreshing, though perhaps less grateful.K.[13]The bad Quality of Water is another common Cause of Country Diseases; either where the Waters are unwholesome, from the Soils in which they are found, as when they flow through, or settle, on Banks of Shells; or where they become such, from the Neighbourhood of, or Drainings from Dunghills and Marshes.When Water is unclear and turbid, it is generally sufficient to let it settle in order to clear itself, by dropping its Sediment. But if that is not effected, or if it be slimy or muddy, it need only be poured into a large Vessel, half filled with fine Sand, or, for want of that, with Chalk; and then to shake and stir it about heartily for some Minutes. When this Agitation is over, the Sand, in falling to the Bottom of the Vessel, will attract some of the Foulness suspended in the Water. Or, which is still better, and very easy to do, two large Vessels may be set near together, one of which should be placed considerably higher than the other. The highest should be half filled with Sand. Into this the turbid, or slimy muddy Water is to be poured; whence it will filter itself through the Body of Sand, and pass off clear by an Opening or Orifice made at the Bottom of the Vessel; and fall from thence into the lower one, which serves as a Reservoir. When the Water is impregnated with Particles from the Beds of Selenites, or of any Spar (which Water we call hard, because Soap will not easily dissolve in it, and Puls and other farinaceous Substances grow hard instead of soft, after boiling in it) such Water should be exposed to the Sun, or boiled with the Addition of some Puls, or leguminous Vegetables, or Bread toasted, or untoasted. When Water is in its putrid State, it may be kept till it recovers its natural sweet one: but if this cannot be waited for, a little Sea Salt should be dissolved in it, or some Vinegar may be added, in which some grateful aromatic Plant has been infused. It frequently happens, that the publick Wells are corrupted by foul Mud at the Bottom, and by different Animals which tumble in and putrify there. Drinking Snow-water should be avoided, when the Snow is but lately fallen, as it seems to be the Cause of those swelling wenny Throats in the Inhabitants of some Mountains; and of endemic Cholics in many Persons. As Water is so continually used, great Care should be taken to have what is good. Bad Water, like bad Air, is one of the most general Causes of Diseases; that which produces the greater Number of them, the most grieveous ones; and often introduces such as are epidemical.E. L. i.e.the Editor of Lyons.[14]Many Persons, With a Design to preserve their Wines, add Shot to them, or Preparations of Lead, Alum, &c. The Government should forbid, under the most severe Penalties, all such Adulterations, as tend to introduce the most painful Cholics, Obstruction, and a long Train of Evils, which it sometimes proves difficult to trace to this peculiar Cause; while they shorten the lives of, or cruelly torment, such over credulous Purchasers, as lay in a Stock of bad Wines, or drink of them, without distinction, from every Wine Merchant or Tavern.E. L.This Note, from the Editor atLyons,we have sufficient Reason for retaining here. K.[15]This Word, which must be of German, not of French Extraction, strictly signifies,Drink for a Fall, as we sayPulvis ad Casum, &c. Powder for a Fall, or a supposed inward Bruise. Dr.Tissotinforms me, it is otherwise called the vulnerary Herbs, or the Swiss Tea; and that it is an injudiciousFarragoor Medley of Herbs and Flowers, blended with Bitters, with stimulating, harsh and astringent Ingredients, being employed indiscriminately in all their Distempers by the Country People inSwisserland.K.[16](1,2)It is pretty common tohearof Persons recovering from Inflammations of the Bowels, or Guts, which our Author more justly and ingenuously considers as general Passports to Death: for it is difficult to conceive, that a real andconsiderableInflammation of such thin, membranous, irritable Parts, lined with such putrescent Humours and Contents, and in so hot and close a Situation, could be restored to a sound and healthy Stateso oftenas Rumour affirms it. This makes it so important a Point, to avert every Tendency to an Inflammation of these feculent Parts, as to justify a Bleeding directed, solely, from this Precaution, and which might have been no otherwise indicated by a Disease, attended with any Symptom, that threatened such an Inflammation. But when a Person recovers, there can be no anatomical Search for such Inflammations, or its Effects, the real or imaginary Cure of which may well amaze the Patient, and must greatly redound to the Honour of his Prescriber; so that there may be Policy sometimes in giving a moderate Disease a very bad Name.K.[17]This Direction of our Author's, which may surprize some, probably arises from his preferring a small Quantity of the marine Acid to no Acid at all: For though a great Proportion of Salt, in saving and seasoning Flesh and other Food, generally excites Thirst, yet a little of it seems to have rather a different Effect, by gently stimulating the salivary Glands: And we find that Nature very seldom leaves the great diluting Element wholly void of this quickening, antiputrescent Principle.K.[18]The most allowable of these are Whitings, Flounders, Plaice, Dabbs, or Gudgeons; especially such of the last as are taken out of clear current Streams with gravelly Bottoms. Salmon, Eels, Carp, all the Skate kind, Haddock, and the like, should not be permitted, before the Sick return to their usual Diet when in Health.K.[19]We have known many who had an Aversion to Water, and with whom, on that very Account, it might probably agree less, find Water very grateful, in which a thoroughly baked and hot, not burnt, Slice of Bread had been infused, untill it attained the Colour of fine clear Small-beer, or light Amber coloured Beer, and weneversaw any Inconvenience result from it. Doubtless pure, untoasted elemental Water may be preferable for those who like, and have been accustomed to it.K.[20]We should however, with the greater Circumspection (of how much the longer standing the Disease has been, and by how much the more difficult the viscous Humours are to be melted down and dislodged) attend to the Coction of the Matter of Expectoration; which Nature does not often easily effect, and which she effects the more imperfectly and slowly, the weaker he is. Her last Efforts have often been attended with such high Paroxysms, as have imposed even upon very competent Physicians, and have made them open a Vein a few Hours before the Patients' Death, from their Pulses being strong, hard and frequent. Excessive Weakness is the Sign, by which we may discover such unavailing Efforts to be the last.E. L.[21]The Use of Acids, in Inflammations of the Breast, requires no little Consideration. Whenever the sick Person has an Aversion to them; when the Tongue is moist, the Stomach is heavy and disordered, and the Habit and Temperament of the Patient is mild and soft; when the Cough is very sharp without great Thirst, we ought to abstain from them. But when the Inflammation is joined to a dry Tongue, to great Thirst, Heat and Fever, they are of great Service. Slices of China Oranges sprinkled with Sugar may be given first; a light Limonade may be allowed afterwards; and at last small Doses ofthe Mixture,Nº. 10. if it becomes necessary.E. L.—I have chosen to retain this Note of the Editor ofLyons, from having frequently seen the Inefficacy, and sometimes, I have even thought, the ill Effects of Acids in Peripneumonies and Pleurisies, in a Country far South ofSwisserland; and where these Diseases are very frequent, acute and fatal. On the other hand I shall add the Substance of what Dr.Tissotsays on this Head in a Note to his Table of Remedies, wherein he affirms, that he has given in this Disease very large Doses of them, rising gradually from small ones, and always with great Success; intreating other Physicians to order this Acid (the Spirit of Sulphur) in the same large Doses which he directs in this Chapter, and assuring himself of their thanks, for its good Consequences—Now the only ill Effect I can surmize here, from shewing this Diversity of Opinion in these two learned Physicians, and my own Doubts, is, that the Subjects of this Disease in Country Places may prove somewhat confused and irresolute by it, in their Conduct in such Cases. But as all of us certainly concur in the great Intention of doing all possible Good, by the extensive Publication of this Treatise, I shall take leave to observe that in this Disease, and in Pleurisies, more solid Benefit has been received inCarolina,Virginia, &c. from the Use of theSenekaRattle-snake Root, than from any other Medicine whatever. Bleeding indeed is necessarily premised to it; but it has often saved the Necessity of many repeated Bleedings. This Medicine, which is termed in Latin, thePolygala Virginiana, is certainly rather of a saponaceous attenuating Quality, and betrays not any Marks of Acidity, being rather moderately acrid. There will be Occasion to mention it more particularly in the subsequent Chapter, as such a Liberty can need no Apology to any philosophical Physician.K.[22]That is, into the Cavity of the Breast, rather than within the Substance of the Lungs.[23]This is, undoubtedly, BaronVan Swieten, with whom he had premised, he agreed considerably, in all the Diseases they had both treated of.K.[24]This, with great Probability, means that small black Substance often visible in a rotten Egg, which is undoubtedly of a violent, or even poisonous Quality. Dr.Tissotterms it expressly—la suie dans un Oeuf. K.[25]Dr.Lewis, who has not taken Notice of this Species of Wormwood in his Improvement ofQuincy'sDispensatory, hasmentioned it in his lateMateria Medica. K.[26](1,2)This being a proper Place for directing the Seneka Rattle Snake Root, I shall observe, that the best Way of exhibiting it is in Decoction, by gradually simmering and boiling two Ounces of it in gross Powder, in two Pints and a half of Water, to a Pint and a quarter; and then giving three Spoonfuls of it to a grown Person, every six Hours. If the Stitch should continue, or return, after taking it, Bleeding, which should be premised to it, must be occasionally repeated; though it seldom proves necessary, after a few Doses of it. It greatly promotes Expectoration, keeps the Body gently open, and sometimes operates by Urine and by Sweat; very seldom proving at all emetic in Decoction. The Regimen of Drinks directed here in Pleurisies are to be given as usual. Dr.Tennant, the Introducer of this valuable Medicine, confided solely in it, in Bastard Peripneumonies, without Bleeding, Blistering, or any other Medicines.K.[27]TheEnglishavail themselves considerably, in this Disease, of a Mixture of equal Parts of Sallad Oil, and Spirit of Sal Ammoniac; or of Oil and Spirit of Hartshorn, as a Liniment and Application round the Neck. This Remedy corresponds with many Indications; and deserves, perhaps, the first Place amongst local Applications against the inflammatory Quinsey.E. L.[28]Dr.Pringleis apprehensive of some ill Effects from Acids in Gargarisms [which is probably from their supposed repelling Property] and prefers a Decoction of Figs in Milk and Water, to which he adds a small Quantity of Spirit of Sal Ammoniac.E. L.[29]In Diseases of the Throat, which have been preceded by such Excesses in Food or strong Drink, as occur too often in many Countries, when the Patient has very strong Reachings to vomit, and the Tongue is moist at the same Time; we should not hesitate, after appeasing the first Symptoms of the Inflammation [by sufficient Bleedings, &c.] to assist the Efforts of Nature, and to give a small Dose of Tartar emetic, dissolved in some Spoonfuls of Water. This Remedy in this Case, promotes the Dispersion of the Inflammation, beyond any other.E. L.[30]This seems to have been the same kind of Quinsey, of which Drs.Huxham,Fothergil,Cottonand others wrote, though under different Appellations.K.[31]I reserve some other interesting Reflections on this Disease, for the second Edition of my Treatise on Fevers; and the Editor atParishas very well observed, that it has some Relation to the gangrenous sore Throat, which has been epidemical these twenty Years past, in many Parts ofEurope.——This Note is from Dr.Tissothimself.[32]It frequently happens, that the Bathings alone remove the Head-ach, and the Cough too, by relaxing the lower Parts, and the entire Surface of the Body. If the Patient is costive, he should receive Glysters of warm Water, in which some Bran has been boiled, with the Addition of a little common Soap or Butter.E. L.[33]Under these Circumstances of a tickling Cough from a Cold, without a Fever, and with very little Inflammation, I have known great and very frequent Success, from a Dose ofElixir paregoricum, taken at Bed-time, after a very light thin Supper. If the Patient be sanguine, strong and costive, Bleeding in a suitable Quantity, and a gently opening Potion, or purging Glyster, may be prudently premised to it. Grown Persons may take from 30 to 80, or even 100 Drops of it, in Barley Water, or any other pectoral Drink; and Children in the Chincough from five to twenty Drops; half an Ounce of it by Measure containing about one Grain of Opium, which is the Quantity contained in less than quite six Grains of the Storax Pill; this last being a very available pectoral Opiate too in Coughs from a Distillation, in more adult Bodies, who may also prefer a Medicine in that small Size, and Form.K.[34]This seems but too applicable to the very popular Use ofSpermaceti, &c. in such Cases, which can only grease the Passage to the Stomach; must impair its digestive Faculty, and cannot operate against the Cause of a Cold; though that Cure of it, which is effected by the Oeconomy of Nature in due Time, is often ascribed to such Medicines, as may rather have retarded it.K.[35](1,2)A small Blister behind the Ear of the affected Side, or both Ears, has very often removed the Pain, when from a Defluxion. It is pretty common for the Subjects of this Disease to be very costive, during the Exacerbations of it, which I have sometimes experienced to be pretty regularly and severely quotidian, for a Week or two. The Custom of smoking Tobacco very often, which the Violence of this Pain has sometimes introduced, often disposes to a Blackened and premature Decay of the Teeth, to which the Chewers of it are less obnoxious: and this Difference may result from some particles of its chemical Oil rising by Fumigation, and being retained in the Teeth, which Particles are not extracted by Mastication. But with Regard to the habitual Use of this very acrid and internally violent Herb, for, but chiefly after, this Disease, it should be considered well, whether in some Constitutions it may not pave the Way to a more dangerous one, than it was introduced to remove.K.[36]I have been very authentically assured of the Death of a hale Man, which happened in the very Act of pouring out a large Quantity of distilled Spirits, by Gallons or Bucketfulls, from one Vessel into another.K.[37]Vomits which are so pernicious in the sanguineous Apoplexy, where the Patient's Countenance and Eyes are inflamed; and which are also dangerous or useless, when a Person has been very moderate in his Meals, or is weakened by Age or other Circumstances, and whole Stomach is far from being overloaded with Aliment, are nevertheless very proper for gross Feeders, who are accustomed to exceed at Table, who have Indigestions, and have a Mass of viscid glairy Humours in their Stomachs; more especially, if such a one has a little while before indulged himself excessively, whence he has vomited without any other evident Cause, or at least had very StrongNauseas, or Loathings. In brief, Vomits are the true Specific for Apoplexies, occasioned by any narcotic or stupifying Poisons, the pernicious Effects of which cease, the Moment the Persons so poisoned vomit them up. An attentive Consideration of what hasoccurredto the Patient before his Seizure; his small natural Propensity to this Disease, and great and incessant Loathings, render it manifest, whether it has been caused by such Poisons, or such poisonous Excesses. In these two Last Cases a double Dose of Tartar emetic should be dissolved in a Goblet or Cup of Water, of which the Patient should immediately take a large Spoonful; which should be repeated every Quarter of an Hour, till it operates.E. L.[38]These Blisters may be preceded by Cupping with Scarification on the Nape of the Neck. This Remedy, often used by the ancient Physicians, but too little practiced in France, is one of the most speedy, and not the least efficacious, Applications in both sanguine and serous Apoplexies.E. L.[39]As some may think an Apology necessary for a Translation of this Chapter on a Disease, which never, or very seldom, exists in this or the adjacent Island, I shall observe here, that, abstracted from the Immorality of a narrow and local Solicitude only for ourselves, we are politically interested as a Nation always in Trade, and often at War (and whose Subjects are extended into very distant and different Climates) to provide against a sudden and acute Distemper, to which our Armies, our Sailors and Colonies are certainly often exposed. A Fatality from this Cause is not restrained to our Islands within the Tropic, where several Instances of it have occurred during the late War: but it has also been known to prevail as far Northward asPensylvania, in their Summers, and even in their Harvests. I once received a sensible Scald on the Back of my Thumb, from the Sun suddenly darting out through a clear Hole, as it were, in a Cloud, after a short and impetuous Shower in Summer; which Scald manifestly blistered within some Minutes after. Had this concentrated Ray been darted on my bare Head, the Consequence might have been more dangerous; or perhaps as fatal as some of the Cases recorded by Dr.Tissot, in this Chapter.K.[40]See Note16to Page59.[41]This, according to our Author's Estimation of the Pot-Measure atBerne, which is that he always means, and which he says contains exactly (of Water we suppose) fifty one Ounces and a Quarter (though without a material Error it may be computed at three Pounds and a Quarter) will amount at least to nine Pounds and three Quarters of Matter, supposing this no heavier than Water. By Measure it will want but little of five of our Quarts: a very extraordinary Discharge indeed ofPusat once, and not unlikely to be attended by the Event which soon followed.K.[42]Half a Pint of a pretty strong Infusion of the Leaves of Buckbean, which grows wild here, taken once a Day rather before Noon, has also been found very serviceable in that Species of a chronical Rheumatism, which considerably results from a scorbutic State of the Constitution.K.[43]Another very good Purge, in this Kind of Rheumatism, may also be compounded of the best Gum Guiacum in Powder from 30 to 40 Grains; dissolved in a little Yolk of a fresh Egg; adding from 6 to 10 Grains of Jallap powdered, and from 3 to 5 Grains of powdered Ginger, with as much plain or sorrel Water, as will make a purging Draught for a stronger or weaker grown Patient. Should the Pains frequently infest the Stomach, while the Patient continues costive, and there is no other Fever than such a small symptomatic one, as may arise solely from Pain, he may safely take, if grown up, from 30 to 45 Drops of the volatile Tincture of Gum Guiacum, in any diluting Infusion, that may not coagulate or separate the Gum. It generally disposes at first to a gentleDiaphoresisor Sweat, and several Hours after to one, and sometimes to a second Stool, with little or no Griping.K.[44]Gum Guaiacum, given from six to ten Grains Morning and Night, is often very successful in these Cases. It may be made into Pills or Bolusses with the Rob of Elder, or with the Extract of Juniper.E. L.[45]This Advice is truly prudent and judicious; Hope, as I have observed on a different Occasion, being a powerful, though impalpable, Cordial: and in such perilous Situations, we should excite the most agreeable Expectations we possibly can in the Patient; that Nature, being undepressed by any desponding melancholy ones, may exert her Functions the more firmly, and co-operate effectually with the Medicines, against her internal Enemy.K.[46]I knew a brave worthy Gentleman abroad, who above forty Years past thus preserved his Life, after receiving the Bite of a large Rattle-Snake, by resolutely cutting it and the Flesh surrounding it out, with a sharp pointed Penknife.—Perhaps those who would not suffer the Application of the actual Cautery, that is, of a red hot Iron (which certainly promises well for a Cure) might be persuaded to admit of a potential Cautery, where the Bite was inflicted on a fleshy Part. Though even this is far from being unpainful, yet the Pain coming on more gradually, is less terrifying and horrid. And when it had been applied quickly after, and upon the Bite, and kept on for 3 or 4 Hours, the Discharge, after cutting theEschar, would sooner ensue, and in more Abundance, than that from the actual Cautery; the only Preference of which seems to consist in its being capable perhaps of absorbing, or otherwise consuming, all the poisonousSalivaat once. This Issue should be dressed afterwards according to our Author's Direction; and in the gradual healing of the Ulcer, it may be properly deterged by adding a little Præcipitate to the Digestive. Neither would this interfere with the Exhibition of theTonquinPowderNº. 30, nor the antispasmodicBolusNº. 31, if they should be judged necessary. And these perhaps might prove the most certain Means of preventing the mortal Effects of this singular animal Poison, which it is so impossible to analyze, and so extremely difficult to form any material Idea of; but which is not the Case of some other Poisons.K.[47]It seems not amiss to try the Effects of a solely vegetable Diet (and that perhaps consisting more of the acescent than alcalescent Herbs and Roots) in this Disease, commencing immediately from the Bite of a known mad Dog. These carnivorous Animals, who naturally reject all vegetable Food, are the only primary Harbingers or Breeders of it; though they are capable of transmitting it by a Bite to graminivorous and granivorous ones. The Virtue of Vinegar in this Disease, said to have been accidentally discovered on the Continent, seems not to have been hitherto experienced amongst us; yet in Case of such a morbid Accident it may require a Tryal; tho' not so far, as to occasion the Omission of more certainly experienced Remedies, with some of which it might be improper.K.[48]The great Usefulness of mercurial Frictions, we may even say, the certain Security which they procure for the Patients, in these Cases, provided they are applied very soon after the Bite, have been demonstrated by their Success inProvence, atLyons, atMontpellier, atPondacherry, andin many other Places.Neither have these happy Events been invalidated by any Observations or Instances to the contrary. It cannot therefore be too strongly inculcated to those who have been bitten by venomous Animals, to comply with the Use of them. They ought to be used in such a Quantity, and after such a Manner, as to excite a moderate Salivation, for fifteen, twenty, or even thirty Days.E. L.Though this Practice may justly be pursued from great Caution, when no Cautery had been speedily applied to, and no such Discharge had been obtained from, the bitten Part; yet wherever it had, this long and depressing Salivation, I conceive, would be very seldom necessary; and might be hurtful to weak Constitutions.K.[49]As far as the Number of inoculated Persons, who remained entirely uninfected (some very few after a second Inoculation) has enabled me, I have calculated the Proportion naturally exempted from this Disease, though residing within the Influence of it, to be full 25 in 1000. See Analysis of Inoculation, Ed. 2d. P. 157. Note*.K.[50]It has sometimes been observed (and the Observation has been such, as not to be doubted) that a very mild distinct Small-Pocks has sometimes invaded the same Person twice: But such Instances are so very rare, that we may very generally affirm, those who have once had it, will never have it again.E. L.——In Deference to a few particular Authorities, I have also supposed such a repeated Infection. (Analysis of Inoculation, Ed. 2d. P. 43.) though I have really never seen any such myself; nor ever heard more than two Physicians affirm it, one atVersailles, and another inLondon; the last of whom declared, he took it upon the Credit of a Country Physician, thoroughly acquainted with this Disease, and a Witness to the Repetition of it. Hence we imagine the Editor of this Work atLyonsmight have justly termed this Re-infectionextremelyrare, which would have a Tendency to reconcile the Subjects of the Small-Pocks, more generally, to the most salutary Practice of Inoculation. Doubtless some other eruptive Fevers, particularly, the Chicken Pocks, Crystals,&c.have been often mistaken for the real Small-Pocks by incompetent Judges, and sometimes even by Persons better qualified, yet who were less attentive to the Symptoms and Progress of the former. But whoever will be at the Pains to read Dr.Paux' Paralléle de la petite verole naturalle avec l'artificielle, or a practical Abstract of Part of it in the Monthly Review. Vol. XXV. P. 307 to 311, will find such a just, clear and useful Distinction of them, as may prevent many future Deceptions on this frequently interesting Subject.K.[51]The same Appearances very often occur in such Subjects by Inoculation, before actual Sickening, as I have observed and instanced, Ed. 1st. P. 62, Ed. 2. P. 75, 76.K.[52]As Pustules are, and not very seldom, visible on the Tongue, and sometimes on the Roof, even to its Process called the Palate, which I have plainly seen; it seems not very easy to assign any insuperable Obstacle to the Existence of a few within the Throat; though this scarcely ever occurs, in the distinct Small-Pocks. Doubtless however, a considerable Inflammation of that Part will be as likely to produce the great Difficulty of Swallowing, as the Existence of Pustules there; which our learned Author does not absolutely reject, and consequently will forgive this Supposition of them; especially if he credits the ocular Testimony of Dr.Violante, cited in the Analysis, Ed. 2d. p 71.K.[53]A Negro Girl, about five or six Years old, under a coherent Pock, stole by Night out of the Garret where she lay, into a Kitchen out of Doors, where she drank plentifully of cold Water. How often she repeated these nightly cooling Potions I never could certainly learn, though they occurred in my own House inSouth-Carolinain Summer. But it is certain the Child recovered as speedily as others, whose Eruption was more distinct, and who drank Barley-Water, very thin Rice or Indian Corn Gruel, Balm Tea, or the like. In fact, throughout the Course of this Visitation from the Small Pocks inCarolinain 1738, we had but too many Demonstrations of the fatal Co-operation of violent Heat with their Contagion; and not a very few surprizing Instances of the salutary Effects of being necessarily and involuntarily exposed to same very cooling Accidents after Infection, and in some Cases after Eruption too: which I then more particularly mentioned is a small controversial Tract printed there.K.[54]We must remember that Dr.Tissotis treatinghereof the higher or confluent Degrees of this Disease; for in the distinct Small-Pocks, it is common to find Persons for several Days without a Stool, andwithout the least perceiveableDisorder for Want of one (their whole Nourishment being very light and liquid) in which Cases, while Matters proceeded well in all other Respects, there seems little Occasion for a great Solicitude about Stools: But if one should be judged necessary after four or five Days Costiveness, accompanied with a Tightness or Hardness of the Belly, doubtless the Glyster should be of the lenient Kind (as those directed by our Author are) and not calculated to produce more than a second Stool at the very most. Indeed, where there is Reason to apprehend a strong secondary Fever, from the Quantity of Eruption, and a previously high Inflammation, it is more prudent to provide for a Mitigation of it, by a moderately open Belly, than to suffer a long Costiveness; yet so as to incur very little Hazard of abating the Salivation, or retarding the Growth or Suppuration of the Pustules, by a Superpurgation, which it may be too easy to excite in some Habits. If the Discharge by spitting, and the Brightness and Quantity of Suppuration, have been in Proportion to the Number of Eruptions; though the Conflict from the secondary Fever, where these have been numerous, is often acute and high; and the Patient, who is in great Anguish, is far from being out of Danger, yet Nature pretty generally proves stronger than the Disease, in such Circumstances. As theElect. Catholicon, is little used, or made here, the lenitive Electuary of our Dispensatory may be substituted for it, or that of theEdinburghDispensatory, which was calculated particularly for Glysters.K.[55]This Practice which I had heard of, and even suggested to myself, but never seen actually enterprized, seems so very rational as highly to deserve a fair Trial in the confluent Degrees of the Small-Pocks [for in the distinct it can scarcely be necessary] wherein every probable Assistance should be employed, and in which the most potent Medicines are very often unsuccessful. We have but too many Opportunities of trying it sufficiently; and it certainly has a more promising Aspect than a Practice so highly recommended many Years ago, of covering all the Pustules (which is sometimes the whole Surface of the Patient) in Melilot, or suppose any other suppurating, Plaister; which will effectually prevent all Perspiration, and greatly increase the Soreness, Pain and Embarrassment of the Patient, at the Height of the Disease. I can conceive but one bad Consequence that might possibly sometimes result from the former; but this (besides the Means that may be used to avert it) is rather remote, and so uncertain, until the Trial is repeatedly made, that I think it ought not to be named, in Competition with the Benefits that may arise from it in such Cases, as seem, otherwise, too generally irrecoverable.K.[56]The Use of Opiates in this Disease undoubtedly requires no Small Consideration, the greatSydenhamhimself not seeming always sufficiently guarded in the Exhibition of them; as far as Experience since his Day has enabled Physicians to judge of this Matter. In general our Author's Limitations of them seem very just; though we have seen a few clear Instances, in which a light Raving, which evidently arose from Want of Sleep (joined to some Dread of the Event of the Disease by Inoculation) was happily removed, with every other considerable Complaint, by a moderate Opiate. In sore and fretful Children too, under a large or middling Eruption, as the Time gained to Rest is taken from Pain, and from wasting their Spirits in Crying and Clamour, I have seen Suppuration very benignly promoted byDiacodium. But in theCrisisof the secondary Fever in the confluent or coherent Pock, when there is a morbid Fulness, and Nature is struggling to unload herself by some other Outlets than those of the Skin, which now are totally obstructed (and which seems the only Evacuation, that is not restrained by Opiates) the giving and repeating them then, as has too often been practised, seems importantly erroneous; for I think Dr.Swanhas taken a judicious Liberty of dissenting from the great Author he translates, in forbidding an Opiate, if the Spitting abates, or grows so tough and ropy, as to endanger Suffocation. As the Difference of our Oeconomy in the Administration of Physic from that inSwisserland, and Dr.Tissot'sjust Reputation may dispose many Country Practitioners to peruse this Treatise, I take the Liberty of referring such Readers, for a Recollection of some of my Sentiments of Opiates, long before the Appearance of this Work in French, to the second Edition of the Analysis from P. 94 to 97,&c.K.[57]That I have long since had the Honour of agreeing with our learned Author, in this Consideration for the Benefit of the Body of the People, which is the Benefit of the State, will appear from p. 288 of Analys. Ed. 1st. and from p. 371, 372 of the Second.K.[58]The Substance of this Section flows from the Combination of an excellent Understanding with great Experience, mature Reflection, and real Probity; and fundamentally exposes both the Absurdity of such as universally decry any Preparation of any Subject previous to Inoculation, (which is said to be the Practice of a present very popular Inoculator inParis) and the opposite Absurdity of giving one and the very same Preparation to all Subjects, without Distinction; though this was avowed to have been successfully fully practised inPensylvania, some Years since; which the Reader may see Analys. Ed. 2d, from p. 329 to 331and the Note there.K.[59]There may certainly be an inflammatory Acrimony or Thinness, as well as Thickness of the Blood; and many medical Readers may think a morbid Fusion of the red Globules to be a more frequent Effect of this Contagion, than an increased Viscidity of them. See Analys. Ed. 2d. p. 75 to 83. But this Translation, conforming to the Spirit of its Original, admits very little Theory, and still less Controversy, into its Plan.K.[60]Our Author very prudently limits this Discharge, and the Repetition of it, in this Disease (§ 225) as an erroneous Excess of it has sometimes prevailed. I have seen a very epidemical Season of the Measles, where Bleeding was not indicated in one third of the infected. And yet I have known such an Abuse of Bleeding in it, that being repeated more than once in a Case before Eruption (the Measles probably not being suspected) the Eruption was retarded several Days; and the Patient, a young Lady of Condition, remained exceeding low, faint and sickish; 'till after recruiting a very little, the Measles appeared, and she recovered. In a Youth of a lax Fibre, where the Measles had appeared, a seventh or eighth Bleeding was ordered on a Stitch in the Side, supervening from their too early Disappearance, and the Case seemed very doubtful. But Nature continued very obstinately favourable in this Youth, who at length, but very slowly, recovered. His Circulation remained so languid, his Strength, with his Juices, so exhausted, that he was many Weeks before he could sit upright in a Chair, being obliged to make Use of a Cord depending from the Ceiling, to raise himself erectly in his Seat.K.[61]Bristol Water will be no bad Substitute for any of these, in such Cases.K.[62]The only Account I have read of this Practice, is in the learned Dr.Home'sMedical Facts and Experiments, published in 1759, which admits, that but nine out of fifteen of the Subjects of this Practice took. Cotton dipt in the Blood of a Patient in the Measles was inserted into the Arms of twelve; and three received the Cotton into their Nostrils, after the Chinese Manner of infusing the Small-Pocks; but of these last not one took, and one of those who had taken, had the Measles again two Months after. We think the sharp hot Lymph distilling from the inflamed Eyes of Persons in this Disease, a likelier Vehicle to communicate it than the Blood, especially the dry Blood, which was sometimes tried; since the humanSerumseems the Fluid more particularly affected by it; and this must have been evaporated when the Blood grew dry. A few practical Strictures on this Work, and particularly on this Practice described in it, appeared in the Monthly Review Vol. XXI. P. 68 to 75.K.[63]That is about two Ounces more than a Pint and a half of our Measure.[64]About three Ounces.[*]As our Jail, Hospital,and Camp Feversmay often be ranged in this Class, as of the most putrid Kind, and not seldom occasioned by bad Food, bad Air, unclean, unwholesome Lodging,&c.a judicious Use may certainly be made of a small Quantity of genuine, and not ungenerous, Wine in such of them, as are not blended with an inflammatory Cause, or inflammable Constitution, or which do not greatly result from a bilious Cause; though in these last, where there is manifest Lowness and Dejection, perhaps a little Rhenish might be properly interposed between the Lemonade and other Drinks directed§ 241. Doubtless Dr.Tissotwas perfectly apprized of this salutary Use of it in some low Fevers; but the Necessity of its being regulated by the Presence of a Physician has probably disposed him rather to omit mentioning it, than to leave the Allowance of it to the Discretion of a simple Country Patient, or his ignorant Assistants.K.[65]The French Word isGriettes, whichBeyerenglishes,the Agriot, the red or sour Cherry; andChambaud, the sweeter large black Cherry or Mazzard—But as Dr.Tissotwas recommending the Use of Acids, it is more probably the first of these: so that our Morellas, which make a pleasant Preserve, may be a good Substitute to them, supposing them not to be the same. Our Berbery Jam, and Jelly of Red Currants, may be also employed to answer the same Indication.K.[66]Observation and Experience have demonstrated the Advantage of the Bark, to obviate a Gangrene, and prevent the Putrefaction of animal Substances. We therefore conclude it may be usefully employed in malignant Fevers, as soon as the previous and necessary Evacuations shall have taken Place.E. L.—Provided there be very clear and regular Remissions at least.K.[67]This admirable Medicine was unknown in Europe, till about one hundred and twenty Years past; we are obliged to the Spaniards for it, who found it in the Province of Quito in Peru; the Countess of Chinchon being the first European who used it in America, whence it was brought to Spain, under the Name of the Countesses Powder. The Jesuits having soon dispensed and distributed it abroad, it became still more publick by the Name of the Jesuits Powder: and since it has been known by that ofKinkinaor the Peruvian Bark. It met with great Opposition at first; some deeming it a Poison, while others considered it as a divine Remedy: so that the Prejudices of many being heightened by their Animosity, it was nearly a full Century, before its true Virtue and its Use were agreed to: and about twenty Years since the most unfavourable Prejudices against it pretty generally subsided. The Insufficience of other Medicines in several Cases; its great Efficaciousness; and the many and surprizing Cures which it did, and daily does effect; the Number of Distempers; the different kinds of Fevers, in which it proves the sovereign Remedy; its Effects in the most difficult chirurgical Cases; the Comfort, the Strength and Sprits it gives those who need and take it, have at length opened every Persons Eyes; so that it has almost unanimously obtained the first Reputation, among the most efficacious Medicines. The World is no longer amused with Apprehensions of its injuring the Stomach; of its fixing, orshutting upthe Fever (as the Phrase has been) without curing it; that it shuts up the Wolf in the Sheepfold; that it throws those who take it into the Scurvy, the Asthma, the Dropsy, the Jaundice. On the contrary they are persuaded it prevents there very Diseases; and, that if it is ever hurtful, it is only when it is either adulterated, as most great Remedies have been; or has been wrongly prescribed, or improperly taken: or lastly when it meets with some latent, some unknown Particularities in a Constitution, which Physicians term anIdiosyncrasy, and which prevent or pervert its very general Effects.Tissot.[68]It happens very seldom that intermitting Fevers require69no Purge towards their Cure, especially in Places, which are disposed to generate Putridity. There is always some material Cause essential to these Fevers, of which Nature disembarrasses herself more easily by Stools, than by any other Discharge: And as there is not the least Danger to be apprehended from a gentle Purge, such at those ofNº. 11or23, we think it would be prudent always to premise a Dose or two of either to the Bark.E. L.[69]Yet I have known many in whom no Purge was necessary, and have seen some rendered more obstinate and chronical by erroneous Purging. But a Vomit is very generally necessary before the Bark is given.K.[70](1,2)I have seen several Cases in very marshy maritime Countries, with little good drinking Water, and far South ofSwisserland, where intermitting Fevers, with Agues at different Intervals, are annually endemic, very popular, and often so obstinate as to return repeatedly, whenever the weekly precautionary Doses of the Bark have been omitted (through the Patient's nauseating the frequent Swallowing of it) so that the Disease has sometimes been extended beyond the Term of a full Year, and even far into a second, including the temporary Removals of it by the Bark. Nevertheless, in some such obstinate Intermittents, and particularly Quartans there, wherein the Bark alone has had but a short and imperfect Effect, I have known the following Composition, after a good Vomit, attended with speedy and final Success,viz.Take of fresh Sassafras Bark, of Virginia Snake-root, of Roch-Allom, of Nutmeg, of diaphoretic Antimony, and of Salt of Wormwood of each one Drachm. To these well rubbed together into fine Powder, add the Weight of the whole, of the best and freshest Bark; then drop in three Drops of the chemical Oil of Mint, and with Syrup of Cloves make it into the Consistence of an Electuary or Bolus, for 12 Doses for a grown Person, to be taken at the Distance of three or four Hours from each other, while the Patient is awake, according to the longer or shorter Intermission of the Fever.I have also known, particularly in obstinate autumnal Aguesthere, an Infusion of two Ounces of the best Bark in fine Powder, or two Ounces and a half in gross Powder, in a Quart of the best Brandy, for three or four Days (a small Wine Glass to be taken by grown Persons at the Distance of from four to six Hours) effectually and speedily terminate such intermittent Agues, as had given but little Way to the Bark in Substance. This was certainly more suitable for those who were not of a light delicate Habit and Temperament, and who had not been remarkable for their Abstinence from strong Liquors: the inebriating Force of the Brandy being remarkably lessened, by the Addition and long Infusion of the Bark. These Facts which I saw, are the less to be wondered at, as in such inveterate, but perfectly clear and distinct Intermittents, both the State of the Fluids and Solids seem very opposite to their State in an acutely inflammatory Disease.K.[71]These, in some Parts of America, are called Muskito Hawks; but we do not recollect their biting there.K.[72]Pounded Parsley is one of the most availing Applications in such Accidents.E.L.[73]The Seneka Rattle-Snake root, already recommended in true Pleurisies, will, with the greatest Probability, be found not less effectual in these false ones, in which the Inflammation of the Blood is less. The Method of giving it may be seen P.118, N. (26.) By Dr.Tissot'shaving never mentioned this valuable Simple throughout his Work, it may be presumed, that when he wrote it, this Remedy had not been admitted into the Apothecaries Shops inSwisserland.K.[74]Glauber or Epsom Salt may be substituted, where the other is not to be readily procured.K.[75]Pullet, or rather Chicken Water, but very weak, may often do instead of Ptisan, or serve for a little Variety of Drink to some Patients.E. L.—K.[76]Bleeding should not be determined on too hastily in this Sort of Cholic, but rather be omitted, or deferred at least, till there be an evident Tendency to an Inflammation.E. L.The Propriety or Impropriety of Bleeding in a Cholic from this Cause should be determined, I think, from the State of the Person it happens to: So that Bleeding a strong Person with a firm Fibre, and a hard Pulse, may be very prudent and precautionary: But if it be a weakly lax Subject with a soft and low Pulse, there may be Room either for omitting,or for suspending it.K.[77]The Experience of all Countries and Times so strongly confirms these important Truths, that they cannot be too often repeated, too generally published, whenever and wherever this Disease rages. The Succession of cold Showers to violent Heats; too moist a Constitution of the Air; an Excess of animal Food; Uncleanliness and Contagion, are the frequent Causes of epidemical Fluxes.E. L.I have retained the preceding Note, abridged from this Gentleman, as it contains the Suffrage of another experienced Physician, against that Prejudice of ripe Fruits occasioning Fluxes, which is too popular among ourselves, and probably more so in the Country than inLondon. I have been also very credibly assured, that the Son of a learned Physician was perfectly cured of a very obstinate Purging, of a Year's Continuance (in Spite of all the usual officinal Remedies) by his devouring large Quantities of ripe Mulberries, for which he ardently longed, and drinking very freely of their expressed Juice. The Fact occurred after his Father's Decease, and was affirmed to me by a Gentleman intimately acquainted with them both.K.[78]Our learned Author, or his medical Editor atLyons, observes here, ‘that in the Edition of this Treatise atParis, there was an essential Mistake, by makingBoerhaaverecommend the Addition of Brandy,Eau de vie,instead of stumming or sulphurizing it,’for which this Note, and the Text too use the Verbbranter, which Word we do not find in any Dictionary. We are told however, it means to impregnate the Casks in which the Water is reserved, with the Vapour of Sulphur, and then stopping them; in the same Manner that Vessels are in some Countries, for the keeping of Wine. He observes the Purpose of this is to oppose Corruption by the acid Steams of the Sulphur.K.[79]A first or second Dose of Glauber Salt has been known to succeed in the epidemical Summer Fluxes of the hotter Climates, when repeated Doses of Rhubarb and Opiates had failed. Such Instances seems a collateral Confirmation of Dr.Tissot'srational and successful Use of cooling opening Fruits in them.K.[80]I have seen a pretty singular Consequence from the Abuse of mercurial Unction for the Itch; whether it happened from the Strength or Quantity of the Ointment, or from taking Cold after applying it, as this Subject, a healthy Youth of about sixteen, probably did, by riding three or four Miles through the Rain. But without any other previous Complaint, he awoke quite blind one Morning, wondering, as he said, when it would be Day. His Eyes were very clear, and free from Inflammation, but the Pupil was wholly immoveable, as in aGutta serena. I effected the Cure by some moderate Purges repeated a few Times; by disposing him to sweat by lying pretty much in Bed (it being towards Winter) and by promoting his Perspiration, chiefly with Sulphur: after which the shaved Scalp was embrocated with a warm nervous Mixture, in which Balsam ofPeruwas a considerable Ingredient. In something less than three Weeks he could discern a glowing Fire, or the bright Flame of a Candle. As his Sight increased, he discerned other Objects, which appeared for some Days inverted to him, with their Colours confused; but Red was most distinguishable. He discovered the Aces sooner than other Cards; and in about six or seven Weeks recovered his full Sight in all its natural Strength, which he now enjoys.K.[81]Sea water, and those ofDulwich,Harrigate,Shadwell, &c. will be full as effectual.K.[82]TheFrenchWord here,Opiat, is sometimes used by them for a compound Medicine of the Consistence of an Electary; and cannot be supposed, in this Place, to mean any Preparation, into whichOpiumenters.K.[83]Too great a Fulness of Blood is undoubtedly the Cause of all these Complaints; but as there are different Methods of opposing this Cause, the gentlest should always be preferred; nor should the Constitution become habituated to such Remedies, as might either impair the Strength of the Mother, or of her Fruit. Some Expedients therefore should be thought of, that may compensate for the Want of Bleeding, by enjoining proper Exercise in a clear Air, with a less nourishing, and a less juicy Diet.E. L.This Note might have its Use sometimes, in the Cases of such delicate and hysterical, yet pregnant Women, as are apt to suffer from Bleeding, or any other Evacuation, though no ways immoderate. But it should have been considered, that Dr.Tissotwas professedly writing here to hearty active Country Wives, who are very rarely thus constituted; and whom he might be unwilling to confuse with such multiplied Distinctions and Directions, as would very seldom be necessary, and might sometimes prevent them from doing what was so. Besides which, this Editor might have seen, our Author has hinted at such Cases very soon after.K.[84]The Use of Hemlock, which has been tried atLyons, by all who have had cancerous Patients, having been given in very large Doses, has been attended with no Effect there, that merited the serious Attention of Practitioners. Many were careful to obtain the Extract fromVienna, and even to procure it from Dr.Storckhimself. But now it appears to have had so little Success, as to become entirely neglected.E. L.Having exactly translated in this Place, and in the Table of Remedies, our learned Author's considerable Recommendation of the Extract of Hemlock in Cancers, we think it but fair, on the other Hand, to publish this Note of his Editor's against it; that the real Efficacy or Inefficacy of this Medicine may at length be ascertained, on the most extensive Evidence and Experience. As far as my own Opportunities and Reflections, and the Experience of many others, have instructed me on this Subject, it appears clear to myself, that though the Consequences of it have not been constantly unsuccessful with us, yet its Successes have come very short of its Failures. Nevertheless, as in all such Cancers, every other internal Medicine almost universally fails, we think with Dr.Tissotit should always be tried (from the meer Possibility of its succeeding in some particular Habit and Circumstances) at least till longer Experience shall finally determine against it.K.[85]This Method (says the Editor and Annotator ofLyons) is useful, whenever the Mother does not suckle her Child. Art is then obliged to prove a Kind of Substitute to Nature, though always a very imperfect one. But when a Mother, attentive to her own true Interest, as well as her Infant's, and, listening to the Voice of Nature and her Duty, suckles it herself, these Remedies [he adds] seem hurtful, or at least, useless. The Mother should give her Child the Breast as soon as she can. The first Milk, theColostrum, orStrippings, as it is called in Quadrupeds, which is very serous or watery, will be serviceable as a Purgative; it will forward the Expulsion of theMeconium, prove gradually nourishing, and is better than Biscuits, or Panada, which (he thinks) are dangerous in the first Days after the Birth.E. L.This Syrup of Succory being scarcely ever prepared with us, though sufficiently proper for the Use assigned it here, I have retained the preceding Note, as the Author of it directs theseStrippings, for the same Purpose, with an Air of certain Experience; and as this Effect of them seems no Ways repugnant to the physical Wisdom and Oeconomy of Nature, on such important Points. Should it in fact be their very general Operation, it cannot be unknown to any Male or Female Practitioner in Midwifery, and may save poor People a little Expence, which was one Object of our humane Author's Plan. The Oil OfRicinus, corruptly calledCastorOil (being expressed from the Berries of thePalma Christi) is particularly recommended by some late medical Writers fromJamaica,&c.for this Purpose of expelling theMeconium, to the Quantity of a small Spoonful. These Gentlemen also consider it as the most proper, and almost specific Opener, in the dry Belly-ach of that torrid Climate, which tormenting Disease has the closest Affinity to theMiserere, or Iliac Passion, of any I have seen. The Annotator's Objection to our Author's verythin lightPanada, seems to be of little Weight.K.[86]Or, for Want of it, the solutive Syrup of Roses.K.[87]TheMagnesiais an excellent Substitute in Children, for these Oils Dr.Tissotso justly condemns here.K.[88]That Part of the Head where a Pulsation may be very plainly felt, where the Bones are less hard, and not as yet firmly joined with those about them.[89]There is however a certain Degree of Weakness, which may very reasonably deter us from this Washing; as when the Infant manifestly wants Heat, and needs some Cordial and frequent Frictions, to prevent its expiring from downright Feebleness; in which Circumstances Washing must be hurtful to it.Tissot.[90](1,2)I have seen a Child about three Years old, whose Navel, after swelling and inflaming, suppurated, and through a small Orifice (which must have communicated with the Cavity of the Gut or the Belly) discharged one of these Worms we callteretes, about three Inches long. He had voided several by Stool, after taking some vermifuge Medicines. The Fact I perfectly remember; and to the best of my Recollection, the Ulcer healed some Time after, and the Orifice closed: but the Child died the following Year of a putrid Fever, which might be caused, or was aggravated, by Worms.K.[91]This Word occurs in none of the common Dictionaries; but suspecting it for theSemen Santoniciof the Shops, I find the learned Dr.Bikkerhas rendered it so, in his very well received Translation of this valuable Work intoLow Dutch.K.[92]This very important Consideration, on which I have treated pretty largely, in theAnalysis, seems not to be attended to in Practice, as frequently as it ought.K.[93]The Misfortune of a young Man drowned in bathing himself, at the Beginning of the Season, occasioned the Publication of this Chapter by itself inJune, 1761. A few Days after, the like Misfortune happened to a labouring Man; but he was happily taken out of the water sooner than the first (who had remained about half an Hour under it) and he was recovered by observing Part of the Advice this Chapter contains; of which Chapter several Bystanders had Copies.—This Note seems to be from the Author himself.[94]I saw a very similar Instance and Event in a Lady's little favourite Bitch, whole Body she desired to be opened, from suspecting her to have been poisoned. But it appeared that a small Needle with fine Thread, which she had swallowed, had passed out of the Stomach into theDuodenum(one of the Guts) through which the Point had pierced and pricked and corroded the concave Part of the Liver, which was all rough and putrid. The whole Carcase was greatly bloated and extremely offensive, very soon after the poor Animal's Death, which happened two or three Months after the Accident, and was preceded by a great Wheezing, Restlessness and Loss of Appetite. The Needle was rusty, but the Thread entire, and very little altered.K.[95]I knew a Man of the Name ofPoole, who being taken in the same Ship with me, 1717 or 18, by Pirates, had swallowed four Ginueas, and a gold Ring, all which he voided some Days after without any Injury or Complaint, and saved them. I forget the exact Number of Days he retained them, but the Pirates staid with us from Saturday Night to Thursday Noon.K.[96]Many fatal Examples of this Kind may be seen in thePhilosophical Transactions; and they should caution People against swallowing Cherry-stones, and still more against those of Prunes, or such as are pointed, though not very acutely.K.[97]This, Dr.Tissotinforms me, is a Solution of white Vitriol and some other Drugs in Spirit of Wine, and is never used in regular Practice now. It has its Name from the Author of the Solution.K.[98]This seems just the same ascoming on the Parish, or being received into an Alms house here; in Consequence of such an incurable Disability happening to the poor working Father of a Family.K.[99]The Reason of the Fatality of Heat, in these Cases, and of the Success of an opposite Application, (See§ 459) seems strictly and even beautifully analogous to whatHippocrateshas observed of the Danger, and even Fatality, of all great and sudden Changes in the human Body, whether from the Weather or otherwise. Whence this truly great Founder of Physick, when he observes elsewhere, that Diseases are to be cured by something contrary to their Causes, very consistently advises, not a direct and violent Contrariety, but a gradual and regulated one, aSub-contrariety.K.[100]Chilblains may also be advantageously washed with Water and Flower of Mustard, which will concur, in a certain and easy Manner, both to cleanse and to cure them.E. L.[101]This is or should be, the same with theBitumen Judaicum, formerly kept in the Shops; but which is never directed, except in that strange Medley theVeniceTreacle, according to the old Prescription. The best is found inEgypt, and on theRed Sea: but a different Sort, fromGermany,France, andSwisserland, is now generally substituted here.K.[102]Pieces of Ice applied between two Pieces of Linen, directly upon the Rupture, as soon as possible after its first Appearance, is one of those extraordinary Remedies, which we should never hesitate to make immediate Use of. We may be certain by this Application, if the Rupture is simple, and not complicated from some aggravating Cause, to remove speedily, and with very little Pain, a Disorder, that might be attended with the most dreadful Consequences. But the Continuance of this Application must be proportioned to the Strength of the Person ruptured, which may be sufficiently estimated by the Pulse.E. L.[103]These Creatures perhaps are fatter inSwisserland, than we often see them here.K.[104]Our Garden Purslain, though a very juicy Herb, cannot strictly be termed milky. In the hotter Climates where it is wild, and grows very rankly, they sometimes boil the Leaves and Stalks (besides eating them as a cooling Salad) and find the whole an insipid mucilaginous Pot-herb. But Dr.Tissotobserves to me, that its Juice will inflame the Skin; and that some Writers on Diet, who disapprove it internally, affirm they have known it productive of bad Effects. Yet none such have ever happened to myself, nor to many others, who have frequently eaten of it. Its Seeds have sometimes been directed in cooling Emulsions. The Wart Spurge is a very milky and common Herb, which flowers in Summer here.K.[105](1,2)Dr.Tissotinforms me, that inSwisserland, they call a volatile Salt of Vipers, or the volatile Salt of raw Silk,Sel. d'Angleterre, of which oneGoddardmade a Secret, and which he brought into Vogue the latter End of the last Century. But he justly observes at the same Time, that on the present Occasion every other volatile Alkali will equally answer the Purpose; and indeed the Smell of some of them, as the Spirit of Sal Ammoniac with Quicklime,Eau de Luce,&c.seem more penetrating.K.[106]Our sweet Spirit of Vitriol is a similar, and as effectual a Medicine.K.[107]I have seen this actually verified by great and disagreeable Surprize, attended indeed with much Concern, in a Person of exquisite Sensations.K.[108]La Braise.[109]Charbon.Dr.Tissotinforms me, their Difference consists in this, that the Charcoal is prepared from Wood burnt in a close or stifled Fire; and that the small Coal is made of Wood (and of smaller Wood) burnt in an open Fire, and extinguished before it is reduced to the State of a Cinder. He says the latter is smaller, softer, less durable in the Fire, and the Vapour of it less dangerous than that of Charcoal.[110]See Note105Page495.[111]Une Quartette.[112]How shocking is this! and yet how true in some Countries! I have been most certainly assured, that Bleeding has been inflicted and repeated in the last sinking and totally relaxing Stage of a Sea-Scurvy, whose fatal Termination it doubtless accelerated. This did not happen in our own Fleet; yet we are not as yet Wholly exempt on Shore, from some Abuse of Bleeding, which a few raw unthinking Operators are apt to consider as a meer Matter of Course. I have in some other Place stigmatized the Madness of Bleeding in Convulsions, from manifest Exhaustion and Emptiness, with the Abhorrence it deserves.K.[113]This makes an agreeable Drink; and the Notion of its being windy is idle; since it is so only to those, with whom Barley does not agree. It may, where Barley is not procurable, be made from Oats.[114]In those Cases mentioned§ 241,262,280, instead of the Barley, four Ounces of Grass Roots may be boiled in the same Quantity of Water for half an Hour, with the Cream of Tartar.[115]These Juices are to be procured from the Herbs when fresh and very young, if possible, by beating them in a Marble Mortar, or for Want of such [or a wooden Mortar] in an Iron one, and then squeezing out the Juice through a Linen Bag. It must be left to settle a little in an earthen Vessel, after which the clear Juice must be decanted gently off, and the Sediment be left behind.[116]Some Friends, says Dr.Tissot, whose judgment I greatly respect, have thought the Doses of acid Spirit which I direct extremely strong; and doubtless they are so, if compared with the Doses generally prescribed, and to which I should have limited myself, if I had not frequently seen their Insufficience. Experience has taught me to increase them considerably; and, augmenting the Dose gradually, I now venture to give larger Doses of them than have ever been done before, and always with much Success; the same Doses which I have advised in this Work not being so large as those I frequently prescribe. For this Reason I intreat those Physicians, who have thought them excessive, to try the acid Spirits in larger Doses than those commonly ordered; and I am persuaded they will see Reason to congratulate themselves upon the Effect.117[117]Our Author'sFrenchAnnotator has a Note against this Acid, which I have omitted; for though I have given hisNotePage84[with the Substance of the immediately preceding one] to which I have also added some Doubts of my own, from Facts, concerning the Benefit of Acids in inflammatory Disorders of the Breast; yet with Regard to the ardent, the putrid, the malignant Fever, andErisipelas, in which Dr.Tissotdirects this, I have no Doubt of its Propriety (supposing no insuperable Disagreement to Acids in the Constitution) and with Respect to their Doses, I think we may safely rely on our honest Author's Veracity. Dr.Fullerassures us, a Gentleman's Coachman was recovered from the Bleeding Small Pocks, by large and repeated Doses of the Oil of Vitriol, in considerable Draughts of cold Water.K.[118]This, our Author observes, will work a strong Country-man very well: by which however he does not seem to mean an Inhabitant of the Mountains inValais. See P.547.[119]This Ointment should be prepared at the Apothecaries; the Receipt of it being given here, only because the Proportions of the Quicksilver and the Lard are not always the same in different Places.[120]This Medicine is known by the Name ofCob'sPowder; and as its Reputation is very considerable, I did not chuse to omit it; though I must repeat here what I have said§ 195—That the Cinnabar is probably of little or no Efficacy; and there are other Medicines that have also much more than the Musk; which besides is extremely dear for poor People, as the requisite Doses of it, in very dangerous Cases, would cost ten or twelve Shillings daily. The Prescription,Nº. 31, is more effectual than the Musk; and instead of the useless Cinnabar, the powerful Quicksilver may be given to the Quantity of forty-five Grains. I have said nothing hitherto in this Work of the red blossomed Mulberry Tree, which passes for a real Specific, among some Persons, in this dreadful Malady. An Account of it may be seen in the first Volume of the Oeconomical Journal ofBerne. It is my Opinion however, that none of the Instances related there are satisfactory and decisive; its Efficacy still appearing to me very doubtful.[121]When this is preferred toNº. 30, of which Musk is an Ingredient, the Grain of Opium should be omitted, except once or at most twice in the twenty-four Hours. Two Doses of Quicksilver, of fifteen Grains each, should be given daily in the Morning, in the Interval between the other Bolus's.[122]This Medicine makes the Dogs vomit and slaver abundantly. It has effected many Cures after theHydrophobia, the Dread of Water, was manifest. It must be given three Days successively, and afterwards twice a Week, for fifteen Days.[123]When People are ignorant of the Strength of the Tartar emetic (which is often various) or of the Patient's being easy or hard to vomit, a Dose and a half may be dissolved in a Quart of warm Water, of which he may take a Glass every Quarter of an Hour, whence the Operation may be forwarded, or otherwise regulated, according to the Number of Vomits or Stools. This Method, much used inParis, seems a safe and eligible one.[124]The medical Editor atLyonsjustly notes here, that these eighty Drops are a very strong Dose of liquid Laudanum; adding that it is scarcely ever given atLyonsin a greater Dose than thirty Drops; and recommending a Spoonful of Syrup of Lemon-peel to be given with it—But we must observe here in answer to this Note, that when Dr.Tissotdirects this Mixture in the Iliac Passion§ 318, to appease the Vomitings,Art. 3, he orders but one spoonful of this Mixture to be taken at once, and an Interval of two Hours to be observed between the first and second Repetition, which reduces each Dose to sixteen Drops, and which is not to be repeated without Necessity.[125]This Medicine, which often occasions Cholics in some Persons of a weakly Stomach, is attended with no such Inconvenience in strong Country People; and has been effectual in some Disorders of the Skin, which have baffled other Medicines—The Remainder of this Note observes the great Efficacy of Antimony in promoting Perspiration, and the extraordinary Benefit it is of to Horses in different Cases.[126]The PrescriptionsNº. 54,55,56, are calculated against Distempers which arise from Obstructions, and a Stoppage of the monthly Discharges; whichNº. 55is more particularly intended to remove; those of54and56are most convenient, either when the Suppression does not exist, or is not to be much regarded, if it does. This Medicine may be rendered less unpalatable for Persons in easy Circumstances, by adding as much Cinamon instead of Aniseeds; and though the Quantity of Iron be small, it may be sufficient, if given early in the Complaint; one, or at the most, two of these Doses daily, being sufficient for a very young Maiden.[127]I chuse to repeat here, the more strongly to inculcate so important a Point, that in Women who have long been ill and languid, our Endeavours must be directed towards the restoring of the Patient's Health and Strength, and not to forcing down the monthly Discharges, which is a very pernicious Practice. These will return of Course, if the Patient is of a proper Age, as she grows better. Their Return succeeds the Return of her Health, and should not, very often cannot, precede it.[128]Our learned and candid Author has a very long Note in this Place, strongly in Favour ofStorck'sExtract of Hemlock, in which it is evident he credits the greater Part of the Cures affirmed by Dr.Storckto have been effected by it. He says he made some himself, but not of the right Hemlock, which we think it very difficult to mistake, from its peculiar rank fetid Smell, and its purple spotted Stalk. After first taking this himself, he found it mitigated the Pain of Cancers, but did not cure them. But then addressing himself to Dr.Storck, and exactly following his Directions in making it, he took of Dr.Storck'sExtract, and of his own, which exactly resembled each other, to the Quantity of a Drachm and a half daily; and finding his Health not in the least impaired by it, he then gave it to several Patients, curing many scrophulous and cancerous Cases, and mitigating others, which he supposes were incurable. So that he seems fully persuaded Dr.Storck'sExtract is always innocent [which in Fact, except in a very few Instances, none of which were fatal, it has been] and he thinks it a Specific in many Cases, to which nothing can be substituted as an equivalent Remedy; that it should be taken with entire Confidence, and that it would be absurd to neglect its Continuance.The Translator of this Work of Dr.Tissot'shas thought it but fair to give all the Force of this Note here, which must be his own, as his Editor atLyonsseems to entertain a very different Opinion of the Efficacy of this Medicine; for which Opinion we refer back to his Note,§ 375, of this Treatise, which the Reader may compare with this of our Author's.K.[129]Our Author attests his seeing the happiest Consequences from this Application, which M.Brossard, a very eminentFrenchSurgeon, first published; and declared his Preference of that Agaric which sprung from those Parts of the Tree, from whence large Boughs had been lopped.[130]To spread this upon Lint as directed,§ 456, it must be melted down again with a little Oil.

Notes[1]Of all these the Schoolmasters,with us, may seem the most reasonably exempted from this Duty.[2]See the Author's Preface, immediately following this Dedication.[3]Le Socrate rustique, a Work, which every Person should read.[4]This Preface is indeed premised to thisFrenchEdition, but a Translation of it was omitted, to avoid extending the Bulk and Price of the Work. Dr.Tissotmust then have been ignorant of this Addition, when firstpublished atLyons.[5]The Reasons for omitting the Priceshere, may be seen Page23of this Translation.[6]The Marquis of Mirabeau.[7]This oeconomical Information was doubtless very proper, where our judicious and humane Author published it; but notwithstanding his excellent Motives for giving it, we think it less necessary here, where many Country Gentlemen furnish themselves with larger or smaller Medicine Chests, for the Benefit of their poor sick Neighbours; and in a Country, where the settled parochial Poor are provided with Medicines, as well as other Necessaries, at a parochial Expence. Besides, tho' we would not suppose our Country Apothecaries less considerate or kind than others, we acknowledge our Apprehension, that in such Valuation oftheir Drugs(some of which often vary in their Price) might dispose a few of them, rather to discountenance the Extension of a Work, so well intended and executed as Dr.Tissot's; a Work, which may not be wholly unuseful to some of the most judicious among them, and will be really necessary for the rest.K.[8]This supposes they are not greatly heated, as well as fatigued, by their Labour or Exercise, in which Circumstance free and sudden Draughts of cooling Liquors might be very pernicious: and it evidently also supposes these Drinks to be thus given, rather in Summer, than in very cold Weather, as the Juice of the unripe Grapes, and the other fresh Fruits sufficiently ascertain the Season of the Year. We think the Addition of Vinegar to their Water will scarcely ever be necessary in this or the adjoining Island, on such Occasions. The Caution recommended in this Note is abundantly enforced by Dr.Tissot,§ 4: but considering the Persons, to whom this Work is more particularly addressed, we were willing to prevent every Possibility of a Mistake, in so necessary, and sometimes so vital a Point.K.[9]This good Advice is enforced in a Note, by the Editor ofLyons, who observes, it should be still more closely attended to, in Places, where Rivers, Woods or Mountains retain, as it were, a considerable Humidity; and where the Evenings are, in every Season, cold and moist.—It is a very proper Caution too in our own variable Climate, and in many of our Colonies in NorthAmerica.K.[10]Thus I have ventured to translateEtés(Summers) to apply it to this and the neighbouring Islands. Their Harvests inSwisserlandperhaps are earlier, and may occur inAugust, and that of some particular Grain, probably still earlier.K.[11](1,2)The Abuse just mentioned can scarcely be intended to forbid the moderate Use of good Pastry, the Dough of which is well raised and well baked, the Flower and other Ingredients sound, and the Paste not overcharged with Butter, even though it were sweet and fresh. But the Abuse of Alum and other pernicious Materials introduced by our Bakers, may too justly be considered as one horrible Source of those Diseases of Children, &c. which our humane and judicious Author mentions here. What he adds, concerning the Pastries being rendered still more unwholesome by the sour Fruits sometimes baked in it, is true with Respect to those Children and others, who are liable to Complaints from Acidities abounding in the Bowels; and for all those who are ricketty or scrophulous, from a cold and viscid State of their Humours. But as to healthy sanguine Children, who are advanced and lively, and others of a sanguine or bilious Temperament, we are not to suppose a moderate Variety of this Food injurious to them; when we consider, that the Sharpness and Crudity of the Fruit is considerably corrected by the long Application of Fire; and that they are the Produce of Summer, when bilious Diseases are most frequent. This suggests however no bad Hint against making them immoderately sweet.K.[12]This Word's occurring in the plural Number will probably imply, theSwissmake more than one Species of this small Drink, by pouring Water on the Cake or Remainder of their other Fruits, after they have been expressed; as our People in the Cyder, and perhaps in the Perry, Counties, make what they callCyderkin,Perkin,&c.It should seem too from this Section, that the laborious Countrymen inSwisserlanddrink no Malt Liquor, though the Ingredients may be supposed to grow in their Climate. Now Beer, of different Strength, making the greater Part of our most common Drink, it may be proper to observe here, that when it is not strong and heady, but a middling well-brewed Small-beer, neither too new, nor hard or sour, it is full as wholesome a Drink for laborious People in Health as any other, and perhaps generally preferable to Water for such; which may be too thin and light for those who are unaccustomed to it; and more dangerous too, when the labouring Man is very hot, as well as thirsty. The holding a Mouthful of any weak cold Liquor in the Mouth without swallowing 'till it becomes warm, there, and spurting it out before a Draught is taken down would be prudent; and in Case of great Heat, to take the requisite Quantity rather at two Draughts, with a little Interval between them, than to swallow the Whole precipitately at one, would be more safe, and equally refreshing, though perhaps less grateful.K.[13]The bad Quality of Water is another common Cause of Country Diseases; either where the Waters are unwholesome, from the Soils in which they are found, as when they flow through, or settle, on Banks of Shells; or where they become such, from the Neighbourhood of, or Drainings from Dunghills and Marshes.When Water is unclear and turbid, it is generally sufficient to let it settle in order to clear itself, by dropping its Sediment. But if that is not effected, or if it be slimy or muddy, it need only be poured into a large Vessel, half filled with fine Sand, or, for want of that, with Chalk; and then to shake and stir it about heartily for some Minutes. When this Agitation is over, the Sand, in falling to the Bottom of the Vessel, will attract some of the Foulness suspended in the Water. Or, which is still better, and very easy to do, two large Vessels may be set near together, one of which should be placed considerably higher than the other. The highest should be half filled with Sand. Into this the turbid, or slimy muddy Water is to be poured; whence it will filter itself through the Body of Sand, and pass off clear by an Opening or Orifice made at the Bottom of the Vessel; and fall from thence into the lower one, which serves as a Reservoir. When the Water is impregnated with Particles from the Beds of Selenites, or of any Spar (which Water we call hard, because Soap will not easily dissolve in it, and Puls and other farinaceous Substances grow hard instead of soft, after boiling in it) such Water should be exposed to the Sun, or boiled with the Addition of some Puls, or leguminous Vegetables, or Bread toasted, or untoasted. When Water is in its putrid State, it may be kept till it recovers its natural sweet one: but if this cannot be waited for, a little Sea Salt should be dissolved in it, or some Vinegar may be added, in which some grateful aromatic Plant has been infused. It frequently happens, that the publick Wells are corrupted by foul Mud at the Bottom, and by different Animals which tumble in and putrify there. Drinking Snow-water should be avoided, when the Snow is but lately fallen, as it seems to be the Cause of those swelling wenny Throats in the Inhabitants of some Mountains; and of endemic Cholics in many Persons. As Water is so continually used, great Care should be taken to have what is good. Bad Water, like bad Air, is one of the most general Causes of Diseases; that which produces the greater Number of them, the most grieveous ones; and often introduces such as are epidemical.E. L. i.e.the Editor of Lyons.[14]Many Persons, With a Design to preserve their Wines, add Shot to them, or Preparations of Lead, Alum, &c. The Government should forbid, under the most severe Penalties, all such Adulterations, as tend to introduce the most painful Cholics, Obstruction, and a long Train of Evils, which it sometimes proves difficult to trace to this peculiar Cause; while they shorten the lives of, or cruelly torment, such over credulous Purchasers, as lay in a Stock of bad Wines, or drink of them, without distinction, from every Wine Merchant or Tavern.E. L.This Note, from the Editor atLyons,we have sufficient Reason for retaining here. K.[15]This Word, which must be of German, not of French Extraction, strictly signifies,Drink for a Fall, as we sayPulvis ad Casum, &c. Powder for a Fall, or a supposed inward Bruise. Dr.Tissotinforms me, it is otherwise called the vulnerary Herbs, or the Swiss Tea; and that it is an injudiciousFarragoor Medley of Herbs and Flowers, blended with Bitters, with stimulating, harsh and astringent Ingredients, being employed indiscriminately in all their Distempers by the Country People inSwisserland.K.[16](1,2)It is pretty common tohearof Persons recovering from Inflammations of the Bowels, or Guts, which our Author more justly and ingenuously considers as general Passports to Death: for it is difficult to conceive, that a real andconsiderableInflammation of such thin, membranous, irritable Parts, lined with such putrescent Humours and Contents, and in so hot and close a Situation, could be restored to a sound and healthy Stateso oftenas Rumour affirms it. This makes it so important a Point, to avert every Tendency to an Inflammation of these feculent Parts, as to justify a Bleeding directed, solely, from this Precaution, and which might have been no otherwise indicated by a Disease, attended with any Symptom, that threatened such an Inflammation. But when a Person recovers, there can be no anatomical Search for such Inflammations, or its Effects, the real or imaginary Cure of which may well amaze the Patient, and must greatly redound to the Honour of his Prescriber; so that there may be Policy sometimes in giving a moderate Disease a very bad Name.K.[17]This Direction of our Author's, which may surprize some, probably arises from his preferring a small Quantity of the marine Acid to no Acid at all: For though a great Proportion of Salt, in saving and seasoning Flesh and other Food, generally excites Thirst, yet a little of it seems to have rather a different Effect, by gently stimulating the salivary Glands: And we find that Nature very seldom leaves the great diluting Element wholly void of this quickening, antiputrescent Principle.K.[18]The most allowable of these are Whitings, Flounders, Plaice, Dabbs, or Gudgeons; especially such of the last as are taken out of clear current Streams with gravelly Bottoms. Salmon, Eels, Carp, all the Skate kind, Haddock, and the like, should not be permitted, before the Sick return to their usual Diet when in Health.K.[19]We have known many who had an Aversion to Water, and with whom, on that very Account, it might probably agree less, find Water very grateful, in which a thoroughly baked and hot, not burnt, Slice of Bread had been infused, untill it attained the Colour of fine clear Small-beer, or light Amber coloured Beer, and weneversaw any Inconvenience result from it. Doubtless pure, untoasted elemental Water may be preferable for those who like, and have been accustomed to it.K.[20]We should however, with the greater Circumspection (of how much the longer standing the Disease has been, and by how much the more difficult the viscous Humours are to be melted down and dislodged) attend to the Coction of the Matter of Expectoration; which Nature does not often easily effect, and which she effects the more imperfectly and slowly, the weaker he is. Her last Efforts have often been attended with such high Paroxysms, as have imposed even upon very competent Physicians, and have made them open a Vein a few Hours before the Patients' Death, from their Pulses being strong, hard and frequent. Excessive Weakness is the Sign, by which we may discover such unavailing Efforts to be the last.E. L.[21]The Use of Acids, in Inflammations of the Breast, requires no little Consideration. Whenever the sick Person has an Aversion to them; when the Tongue is moist, the Stomach is heavy and disordered, and the Habit and Temperament of the Patient is mild and soft; when the Cough is very sharp without great Thirst, we ought to abstain from them. But when the Inflammation is joined to a dry Tongue, to great Thirst, Heat and Fever, they are of great Service. Slices of China Oranges sprinkled with Sugar may be given first; a light Limonade may be allowed afterwards; and at last small Doses ofthe Mixture,Nº. 10. if it becomes necessary.E. L.—I have chosen to retain this Note of the Editor ofLyons, from having frequently seen the Inefficacy, and sometimes, I have even thought, the ill Effects of Acids in Peripneumonies and Pleurisies, in a Country far South ofSwisserland; and where these Diseases are very frequent, acute and fatal. On the other hand I shall add the Substance of what Dr.Tissotsays on this Head in a Note to his Table of Remedies, wherein he affirms, that he has given in this Disease very large Doses of them, rising gradually from small ones, and always with great Success; intreating other Physicians to order this Acid (the Spirit of Sulphur) in the same large Doses which he directs in this Chapter, and assuring himself of their thanks, for its good Consequences—Now the only ill Effect I can surmize here, from shewing this Diversity of Opinion in these two learned Physicians, and my own Doubts, is, that the Subjects of this Disease in Country Places may prove somewhat confused and irresolute by it, in their Conduct in such Cases. But as all of us certainly concur in the great Intention of doing all possible Good, by the extensive Publication of this Treatise, I shall take leave to observe that in this Disease, and in Pleurisies, more solid Benefit has been received inCarolina,Virginia, &c. from the Use of theSenekaRattle-snake Root, than from any other Medicine whatever. Bleeding indeed is necessarily premised to it; but it has often saved the Necessity of many repeated Bleedings. This Medicine, which is termed in Latin, thePolygala Virginiana, is certainly rather of a saponaceous attenuating Quality, and betrays not any Marks of Acidity, being rather moderately acrid. There will be Occasion to mention it more particularly in the subsequent Chapter, as such a Liberty can need no Apology to any philosophical Physician.K.[22]That is, into the Cavity of the Breast, rather than within the Substance of the Lungs.[23]This is, undoubtedly, BaronVan Swieten, with whom he had premised, he agreed considerably, in all the Diseases they had both treated of.K.[24]This, with great Probability, means that small black Substance often visible in a rotten Egg, which is undoubtedly of a violent, or even poisonous Quality. Dr.Tissotterms it expressly—la suie dans un Oeuf. K.[25]Dr.Lewis, who has not taken Notice of this Species of Wormwood in his Improvement ofQuincy'sDispensatory, hasmentioned it in his lateMateria Medica. K.[26](1,2)This being a proper Place for directing the Seneka Rattle Snake Root, I shall observe, that the best Way of exhibiting it is in Decoction, by gradually simmering and boiling two Ounces of it in gross Powder, in two Pints and a half of Water, to a Pint and a quarter; and then giving three Spoonfuls of it to a grown Person, every six Hours. If the Stitch should continue, or return, after taking it, Bleeding, which should be premised to it, must be occasionally repeated; though it seldom proves necessary, after a few Doses of it. It greatly promotes Expectoration, keeps the Body gently open, and sometimes operates by Urine and by Sweat; very seldom proving at all emetic in Decoction. The Regimen of Drinks directed here in Pleurisies are to be given as usual. Dr.Tennant, the Introducer of this valuable Medicine, confided solely in it, in Bastard Peripneumonies, without Bleeding, Blistering, or any other Medicines.K.[27]TheEnglishavail themselves considerably, in this Disease, of a Mixture of equal Parts of Sallad Oil, and Spirit of Sal Ammoniac; or of Oil and Spirit of Hartshorn, as a Liniment and Application round the Neck. This Remedy corresponds with many Indications; and deserves, perhaps, the first Place amongst local Applications against the inflammatory Quinsey.E. L.[28]Dr.Pringleis apprehensive of some ill Effects from Acids in Gargarisms [which is probably from their supposed repelling Property] and prefers a Decoction of Figs in Milk and Water, to which he adds a small Quantity of Spirit of Sal Ammoniac.E. L.[29]In Diseases of the Throat, which have been preceded by such Excesses in Food or strong Drink, as occur too often in many Countries, when the Patient has very strong Reachings to vomit, and the Tongue is moist at the same Time; we should not hesitate, after appeasing the first Symptoms of the Inflammation [by sufficient Bleedings, &c.] to assist the Efforts of Nature, and to give a small Dose of Tartar emetic, dissolved in some Spoonfuls of Water. This Remedy in this Case, promotes the Dispersion of the Inflammation, beyond any other.E. L.[30]This seems to have been the same kind of Quinsey, of which Drs.Huxham,Fothergil,Cottonand others wrote, though under different Appellations.K.[31]I reserve some other interesting Reflections on this Disease, for the second Edition of my Treatise on Fevers; and the Editor atParishas very well observed, that it has some Relation to the gangrenous sore Throat, which has been epidemical these twenty Years past, in many Parts ofEurope.——This Note is from Dr.Tissothimself.[32]It frequently happens, that the Bathings alone remove the Head-ach, and the Cough too, by relaxing the lower Parts, and the entire Surface of the Body. If the Patient is costive, he should receive Glysters of warm Water, in which some Bran has been boiled, with the Addition of a little common Soap or Butter.E. L.[33]Under these Circumstances of a tickling Cough from a Cold, without a Fever, and with very little Inflammation, I have known great and very frequent Success, from a Dose ofElixir paregoricum, taken at Bed-time, after a very light thin Supper. If the Patient be sanguine, strong and costive, Bleeding in a suitable Quantity, and a gently opening Potion, or purging Glyster, may be prudently premised to it. Grown Persons may take from 30 to 80, or even 100 Drops of it, in Barley Water, or any other pectoral Drink; and Children in the Chincough from five to twenty Drops; half an Ounce of it by Measure containing about one Grain of Opium, which is the Quantity contained in less than quite six Grains of the Storax Pill; this last being a very available pectoral Opiate too in Coughs from a Distillation, in more adult Bodies, who may also prefer a Medicine in that small Size, and Form.K.[34]This seems but too applicable to the very popular Use ofSpermaceti, &c. in such Cases, which can only grease the Passage to the Stomach; must impair its digestive Faculty, and cannot operate against the Cause of a Cold; though that Cure of it, which is effected by the Oeconomy of Nature in due Time, is often ascribed to such Medicines, as may rather have retarded it.K.[35](1,2)A small Blister behind the Ear of the affected Side, or both Ears, has very often removed the Pain, when from a Defluxion. It is pretty common for the Subjects of this Disease to be very costive, during the Exacerbations of it, which I have sometimes experienced to be pretty regularly and severely quotidian, for a Week or two. The Custom of smoking Tobacco very often, which the Violence of this Pain has sometimes introduced, often disposes to a Blackened and premature Decay of the Teeth, to which the Chewers of it are less obnoxious: and this Difference may result from some particles of its chemical Oil rising by Fumigation, and being retained in the Teeth, which Particles are not extracted by Mastication. But with Regard to the habitual Use of this very acrid and internally violent Herb, for, but chiefly after, this Disease, it should be considered well, whether in some Constitutions it may not pave the Way to a more dangerous one, than it was introduced to remove.K.[36]I have been very authentically assured of the Death of a hale Man, which happened in the very Act of pouring out a large Quantity of distilled Spirits, by Gallons or Bucketfulls, from one Vessel into another.K.[37]Vomits which are so pernicious in the sanguineous Apoplexy, where the Patient's Countenance and Eyes are inflamed; and which are also dangerous or useless, when a Person has been very moderate in his Meals, or is weakened by Age or other Circumstances, and whole Stomach is far from being overloaded with Aliment, are nevertheless very proper for gross Feeders, who are accustomed to exceed at Table, who have Indigestions, and have a Mass of viscid glairy Humours in their Stomachs; more especially, if such a one has a little while before indulged himself excessively, whence he has vomited without any other evident Cause, or at least had very StrongNauseas, or Loathings. In brief, Vomits are the true Specific for Apoplexies, occasioned by any narcotic or stupifying Poisons, the pernicious Effects of which cease, the Moment the Persons so poisoned vomit them up. An attentive Consideration of what hasoccurredto the Patient before his Seizure; his small natural Propensity to this Disease, and great and incessant Loathings, render it manifest, whether it has been caused by such Poisons, or such poisonous Excesses. In these two Last Cases a double Dose of Tartar emetic should be dissolved in a Goblet or Cup of Water, of which the Patient should immediately take a large Spoonful; which should be repeated every Quarter of an Hour, till it operates.E. L.[38]These Blisters may be preceded by Cupping with Scarification on the Nape of the Neck. This Remedy, often used by the ancient Physicians, but too little practiced in France, is one of the most speedy, and not the least efficacious, Applications in both sanguine and serous Apoplexies.E. L.[39]As some may think an Apology necessary for a Translation of this Chapter on a Disease, which never, or very seldom, exists in this or the adjacent Island, I shall observe here, that, abstracted from the Immorality of a narrow and local Solicitude only for ourselves, we are politically interested as a Nation always in Trade, and often at War (and whose Subjects are extended into very distant and different Climates) to provide against a sudden and acute Distemper, to which our Armies, our Sailors and Colonies are certainly often exposed. A Fatality from this Cause is not restrained to our Islands within the Tropic, where several Instances of it have occurred during the late War: but it has also been known to prevail as far Northward asPensylvania, in their Summers, and even in their Harvests. I once received a sensible Scald on the Back of my Thumb, from the Sun suddenly darting out through a clear Hole, as it were, in a Cloud, after a short and impetuous Shower in Summer; which Scald manifestly blistered within some Minutes after. Had this concentrated Ray been darted on my bare Head, the Consequence might have been more dangerous; or perhaps as fatal as some of the Cases recorded by Dr.Tissot, in this Chapter.K.[40]See Note16to Page59.[41]This, according to our Author's Estimation of the Pot-Measure atBerne, which is that he always means, and which he says contains exactly (of Water we suppose) fifty one Ounces and a Quarter (though without a material Error it may be computed at three Pounds and a Quarter) will amount at least to nine Pounds and three Quarters of Matter, supposing this no heavier than Water. By Measure it will want but little of five of our Quarts: a very extraordinary Discharge indeed ofPusat once, and not unlikely to be attended by the Event which soon followed.K.[42]Half a Pint of a pretty strong Infusion of the Leaves of Buckbean, which grows wild here, taken once a Day rather before Noon, has also been found very serviceable in that Species of a chronical Rheumatism, which considerably results from a scorbutic State of the Constitution.K.[43]Another very good Purge, in this Kind of Rheumatism, may also be compounded of the best Gum Guiacum in Powder from 30 to 40 Grains; dissolved in a little Yolk of a fresh Egg; adding from 6 to 10 Grains of Jallap powdered, and from 3 to 5 Grains of powdered Ginger, with as much plain or sorrel Water, as will make a purging Draught for a stronger or weaker grown Patient. Should the Pains frequently infest the Stomach, while the Patient continues costive, and there is no other Fever than such a small symptomatic one, as may arise solely from Pain, he may safely take, if grown up, from 30 to 45 Drops of the volatile Tincture of Gum Guiacum, in any diluting Infusion, that may not coagulate or separate the Gum. It generally disposes at first to a gentleDiaphoresisor Sweat, and several Hours after to one, and sometimes to a second Stool, with little or no Griping.K.[44]Gum Guaiacum, given from six to ten Grains Morning and Night, is often very successful in these Cases. It may be made into Pills or Bolusses with the Rob of Elder, or with the Extract of Juniper.E. L.[45]This Advice is truly prudent and judicious; Hope, as I have observed on a different Occasion, being a powerful, though impalpable, Cordial: and in such perilous Situations, we should excite the most agreeable Expectations we possibly can in the Patient; that Nature, being undepressed by any desponding melancholy ones, may exert her Functions the more firmly, and co-operate effectually with the Medicines, against her internal Enemy.K.[46]I knew a brave worthy Gentleman abroad, who above forty Years past thus preserved his Life, after receiving the Bite of a large Rattle-Snake, by resolutely cutting it and the Flesh surrounding it out, with a sharp pointed Penknife.—Perhaps those who would not suffer the Application of the actual Cautery, that is, of a red hot Iron (which certainly promises well for a Cure) might be persuaded to admit of a potential Cautery, where the Bite was inflicted on a fleshy Part. Though even this is far from being unpainful, yet the Pain coming on more gradually, is less terrifying and horrid. And when it had been applied quickly after, and upon the Bite, and kept on for 3 or 4 Hours, the Discharge, after cutting theEschar, would sooner ensue, and in more Abundance, than that from the actual Cautery; the only Preference of which seems to consist in its being capable perhaps of absorbing, or otherwise consuming, all the poisonousSalivaat once. This Issue should be dressed afterwards according to our Author's Direction; and in the gradual healing of the Ulcer, it may be properly deterged by adding a little Præcipitate to the Digestive. Neither would this interfere with the Exhibition of theTonquinPowderNº. 30, nor the antispasmodicBolusNº. 31, if they should be judged necessary. And these perhaps might prove the most certain Means of preventing the mortal Effects of this singular animal Poison, which it is so impossible to analyze, and so extremely difficult to form any material Idea of; but which is not the Case of some other Poisons.K.[47]It seems not amiss to try the Effects of a solely vegetable Diet (and that perhaps consisting more of the acescent than alcalescent Herbs and Roots) in this Disease, commencing immediately from the Bite of a known mad Dog. These carnivorous Animals, who naturally reject all vegetable Food, are the only primary Harbingers or Breeders of it; though they are capable of transmitting it by a Bite to graminivorous and granivorous ones. The Virtue of Vinegar in this Disease, said to have been accidentally discovered on the Continent, seems not to have been hitherto experienced amongst us; yet in Case of such a morbid Accident it may require a Tryal; tho' not so far, as to occasion the Omission of more certainly experienced Remedies, with some of which it might be improper.K.[48]The great Usefulness of mercurial Frictions, we may even say, the certain Security which they procure for the Patients, in these Cases, provided they are applied very soon after the Bite, have been demonstrated by their Success inProvence, atLyons, atMontpellier, atPondacherry, andin many other Places.Neither have these happy Events been invalidated by any Observations or Instances to the contrary. It cannot therefore be too strongly inculcated to those who have been bitten by venomous Animals, to comply with the Use of them. They ought to be used in such a Quantity, and after such a Manner, as to excite a moderate Salivation, for fifteen, twenty, or even thirty Days.E. L.Though this Practice may justly be pursued from great Caution, when no Cautery had been speedily applied to, and no such Discharge had been obtained from, the bitten Part; yet wherever it had, this long and depressing Salivation, I conceive, would be very seldom necessary; and might be hurtful to weak Constitutions.K.[49]As far as the Number of inoculated Persons, who remained entirely uninfected (some very few after a second Inoculation) has enabled me, I have calculated the Proportion naturally exempted from this Disease, though residing within the Influence of it, to be full 25 in 1000. See Analysis of Inoculation, Ed. 2d. P. 157. Note*.K.[50]It has sometimes been observed (and the Observation has been such, as not to be doubted) that a very mild distinct Small-Pocks has sometimes invaded the same Person twice: But such Instances are so very rare, that we may very generally affirm, those who have once had it, will never have it again.E. L.——In Deference to a few particular Authorities, I have also supposed such a repeated Infection. (Analysis of Inoculation, Ed. 2d. P. 43.) though I have really never seen any such myself; nor ever heard more than two Physicians affirm it, one atVersailles, and another inLondon; the last of whom declared, he took it upon the Credit of a Country Physician, thoroughly acquainted with this Disease, and a Witness to the Repetition of it. Hence we imagine the Editor of this Work atLyonsmight have justly termed this Re-infectionextremelyrare, which would have a Tendency to reconcile the Subjects of the Small-Pocks, more generally, to the most salutary Practice of Inoculation. Doubtless some other eruptive Fevers, particularly, the Chicken Pocks, Crystals,&c.have been often mistaken for the real Small-Pocks by incompetent Judges, and sometimes even by Persons better qualified, yet who were less attentive to the Symptoms and Progress of the former. But whoever will be at the Pains to read Dr.Paux' Paralléle de la petite verole naturalle avec l'artificielle, or a practical Abstract of Part of it in the Monthly Review. Vol. XXV. P. 307 to 311, will find such a just, clear and useful Distinction of them, as may prevent many future Deceptions on this frequently interesting Subject.K.[51]The same Appearances very often occur in such Subjects by Inoculation, before actual Sickening, as I have observed and instanced, Ed. 1st. P. 62, Ed. 2. P. 75, 76.K.[52]As Pustules are, and not very seldom, visible on the Tongue, and sometimes on the Roof, even to its Process called the Palate, which I have plainly seen; it seems not very easy to assign any insuperable Obstacle to the Existence of a few within the Throat; though this scarcely ever occurs, in the distinct Small-Pocks. Doubtless however, a considerable Inflammation of that Part will be as likely to produce the great Difficulty of Swallowing, as the Existence of Pustules there; which our learned Author does not absolutely reject, and consequently will forgive this Supposition of them; especially if he credits the ocular Testimony of Dr.Violante, cited in the Analysis, Ed. 2d. p 71.K.[53]A Negro Girl, about five or six Years old, under a coherent Pock, stole by Night out of the Garret where she lay, into a Kitchen out of Doors, where she drank plentifully of cold Water. How often she repeated these nightly cooling Potions I never could certainly learn, though they occurred in my own House inSouth-Carolinain Summer. But it is certain the Child recovered as speedily as others, whose Eruption was more distinct, and who drank Barley-Water, very thin Rice or Indian Corn Gruel, Balm Tea, or the like. In fact, throughout the Course of this Visitation from the Small Pocks inCarolinain 1738, we had but too many Demonstrations of the fatal Co-operation of violent Heat with their Contagion; and not a very few surprizing Instances of the salutary Effects of being necessarily and involuntarily exposed to same very cooling Accidents after Infection, and in some Cases after Eruption too: which I then more particularly mentioned is a small controversial Tract printed there.K.[54]We must remember that Dr.Tissotis treatinghereof the higher or confluent Degrees of this Disease; for in the distinct Small-Pocks, it is common to find Persons for several Days without a Stool, andwithout the least perceiveableDisorder for Want of one (their whole Nourishment being very light and liquid) in which Cases, while Matters proceeded well in all other Respects, there seems little Occasion for a great Solicitude about Stools: But if one should be judged necessary after four or five Days Costiveness, accompanied with a Tightness or Hardness of the Belly, doubtless the Glyster should be of the lenient Kind (as those directed by our Author are) and not calculated to produce more than a second Stool at the very most. Indeed, where there is Reason to apprehend a strong secondary Fever, from the Quantity of Eruption, and a previously high Inflammation, it is more prudent to provide for a Mitigation of it, by a moderately open Belly, than to suffer a long Costiveness; yet so as to incur very little Hazard of abating the Salivation, or retarding the Growth or Suppuration of the Pustules, by a Superpurgation, which it may be too easy to excite in some Habits. If the Discharge by spitting, and the Brightness and Quantity of Suppuration, have been in Proportion to the Number of Eruptions; though the Conflict from the secondary Fever, where these have been numerous, is often acute and high; and the Patient, who is in great Anguish, is far from being out of Danger, yet Nature pretty generally proves stronger than the Disease, in such Circumstances. As theElect. Catholicon, is little used, or made here, the lenitive Electuary of our Dispensatory may be substituted for it, or that of theEdinburghDispensatory, which was calculated particularly for Glysters.K.[55]This Practice which I had heard of, and even suggested to myself, but never seen actually enterprized, seems so very rational as highly to deserve a fair Trial in the confluent Degrees of the Small-Pocks [for in the distinct it can scarcely be necessary] wherein every probable Assistance should be employed, and in which the most potent Medicines are very often unsuccessful. We have but too many Opportunities of trying it sufficiently; and it certainly has a more promising Aspect than a Practice so highly recommended many Years ago, of covering all the Pustules (which is sometimes the whole Surface of the Patient) in Melilot, or suppose any other suppurating, Plaister; which will effectually prevent all Perspiration, and greatly increase the Soreness, Pain and Embarrassment of the Patient, at the Height of the Disease. I can conceive but one bad Consequence that might possibly sometimes result from the former; but this (besides the Means that may be used to avert it) is rather remote, and so uncertain, until the Trial is repeatedly made, that I think it ought not to be named, in Competition with the Benefits that may arise from it in such Cases, as seem, otherwise, too generally irrecoverable.K.[56]The Use of Opiates in this Disease undoubtedly requires no Small Consideration, the greatSydenhamhimself not seeming always sufficiently guarded in the Exhibition of them; as far as Experience since his Day has enabled Physicians to judge of this Matter. In general our Author's Limitations of them seem very just; though we have seen a few clear Instances, in which a light Raving, which evidently arose from Want of Sleep (joined to some Dread of the Event of the Disease by Inoculation) was happily removed, with every other considerable Complaint, by a moderate Opiate. In sore and fretful Children too, under a large or middling Eruption, as the Time gained to Rest is taken from Pain, and from wasting their Spirits in Crying and Clamour, I have seen Suppuration very benignly promoted byDiacodium. But in theCrisisof the secondary Fever in the confluent or coherent Pock, when there is a morbid Fulness, and Nature is struggling to unload herself by some other Outlets than those of the Skin, which now are totally obstructed (and which seems the only Evacuation, that is not restrained by Opiates) the giving and repeating them then, as has too often been practised, seems importantly erroneous; for I think Dr.Swanhas taken a judicious Liberty of dissenting from the great Author he translates, in forbidding an Opiate, if the Spitting abates, or grows so tough and ropy, as to endanger Suffocation. As the Difference of our Oeconomy in the Administration of Physic from that inSwisserland, and Dr.Tissot'sjust Reputation may dispose many Country Practitioners to peruse this Treatise, I take the Liberty of referring such Readers, for a Recollection of some of my Sentiments of Opiates, long before the Appearance of this Work in French, to the second Edition of the Analysis from P. 94 to 97,&c.K.[57]That I have long since had the Honour of agreeing with our learned Author, in this Consideration for the Benefit of the Body of the People, which is the Benefit of the State, will appear from p. 288 of Analys. Ed. 1st. and from p. 371, 372 of the Second.K.[58]The Substance of this Section flows from the Combination of an excellent Understanding with great Experience, mature Reflection, and real Probity; and fundamentally exposes both the Absurdity of such as universally decry any Preparation of any Subject previous to Inoculation, (which is said to be the Practice of a present very popular Inoculator inParis) and the opposite Absurdity of giving one and the very same Preparation to all Subjects, without Distinction; though this was avowed to have been successfully fully practised inPensylvania, some Years since; which the Reader may see Analys. Ed. 2d, from p. 329 to 331and the Note there.K.[59]There may certainly be an inflammatory Acrimony or Thinness, as well as Thickness of the Blood; and many medical Readers may think a morbid Fusion of the red Globules to be a more frequent Effect of this Contagion, than an increased Viscidity of them. See Analys. Ed. 2d. p. 75 to 83. But this Translation, conforming to the Spirit of its Original, admits very little Theory, and still less Controversy, into its Plan.K.[60]Our Author very prudently limits this Discharge, and the Repetition of it, in this Disease (§ 225) as an erroneous Excess of it has sometimes prevailed. I have seen a very epidemical Season of the Measles, where Bleeding was not indicated in one third of the infected. And yet I have known such an Abuse of Bleeding in it, that being repeated more than once in a Case before Eruption (the Measles probably not being suspected) the Eruption was retarded several Days; and the Patient, a young Lady of Condition, remained exceeding low, faint and sickish; 'till after recruiting a very little, the Measles appeared, and she recovered. In a Youth of a lax Fibre, where the Measles had appeared, a seventh or eighth Bleeding was ordered on a Stitch in the Side, supervening from their too early Disappearance, and the Case seemed very doubtful. But Nature continued very obstinately favourable in this Youth, who at length, but very slowly, recovered. His Circulation remained so languid, his Strength, with his Juices, so exhausted, that he was many Weeks before he could sit upright in a Chair, being obliged to make Use of a Cord depending from the Ceiling, to raise himself erectly in his Seat.K.[61]Bristol Water will be no bad Substitute for any of these, in such Cases.K.[62]The only Account I have read of this Practice, is in the learned Dr.Home'sMedical Facts and Experiments, published in 1759, which admits, that but nine out of fifteen of the Subjects of this Practice took. Cotton dipt in the Blood of a Patient in the Measles was inserted into the Arms of twelve; and three received the Cotton into their Nostrils, after the Chinese Manner of infusing the Small-Pocks; but of these last not one took, and one of those who had taken, had the Measles again two Months after. We think the sharp hot Lymph distilling from the inflamed Eyes of Persons in this Disease, a likelier Vehicle to communicate it than the Blood, especially the dry Blood, which was sometimes tried; since the humanSerumseems the Fluid more particularly affected by it; and this must have been evaporated when the Blood grew dry. A few practical Strictures on this Work, and particularly on this Practice described in it, appeared in the Monthly Review Vol. XXI. P. 68 to 75.K.[63]That is about two Ounces more than a Pint and a half of our Measure.[64]About three Ounces.[*]As our Jail, Hospital,and Camp Feversmay often be ranged in this Class, as of the most putrid Kind, and not seldom occasioned by bad Food, bad Air, unclean, unwholesome Lodging,&c.a judicious Use may certainly be made of a small Quantity of genuine, and not ungenerous, Wine in such of them, as are not blended with an inflammatory Cause, or inflammable Constitution, or which do not greatly result from a bilious Cause; though in these last, where there is manifest Lowness and Dejection, perhaps a little Rhenish might be properly interposed between the Lemonade and other Drinks directed§ 241. Doubtless Dr.Tissotwas perfectly apprized of this salutary Use of it in some low Fevers; but the Necessity of its being regulated by the Presence of a Physician has probably disposed him rather to omit mentioning it, than to leave the Allowance of it to the Discretion of a simple Country Patient, or his ignorant Assistants.K.[65]The French Word isGriettes, whichBeyerenglishes,the Agriot, the red or sour Cherry; andChambaud, the sweeter large black Cherry or Mazzard—But as Dr.Tissotwas recommending the Use of Acids, it is more probably the first of these: so that our Morellas, which make a pleasant Preserve, may be a good Substitute to them, supposing them not to be the same. Our Berbery Jam, and Jelly of Red Currants, may be also employed to answer the same Indication.K.[66]Observation and Experience have demonstrated the Advantage of the Bark, to obviate a Gangrene, and prevent the Putrefaction of animal Substances. We therefore conclude it may be usefully employed in malignant Fevers, as soon as the previous and necessary Evacuations shall have taken Place.E. L.—Provided there be very clear and regular Remissions at least.K.[67]This admirable Medicine was unknown in Europe, till about one hundred and twenty Years past; we are obliged to the Spaniards for it, who found it in the Province of Quito in Peru; the Countess of Chinchon being the first European who used it in America, whence it was brought to Spain, under the Name of the Countesses Powder. The Jesuits having soon dispensed and distributed it abroad, it became still more publick by the Name of the Jesuits Powder: and since it has been known by that ofKinkinaor the Peruvian Bark. It met with great Opposition at first; some deeming it a Poison, while others considered it as a divine Remedy: so that the Prejudices of many being heightened by their Animosity, it was nearly a full Century, before its true Virtue and its Use were agreed to: and about twenty Years since the most unfavourable Prejudices against it pretty generally subsided. The Insufficience of other Medicines in several Cases; its great Efficaciousness; and the many and surprizing Cures which it did, and daily does effect; the Number of Distempers; the different kinds of Fevers, in which it proves the sovereign Remedy; its Effects in the most difficult chirurgical Cases; the Comfort, the Strength and Sprits it gives those who need and take it, have at length opened every Persons Eyes; so that it has almost unanimously obtained the first Reputation, among the most efficacious Medicines. The World is no longer amused with Apprehensions of its injuring the Stomach; of its fixing, orshutting upthe Fever (as the Phrase has been) without curing it; that it shuts up the Wolf in the Sheepfold; that it throws those who take it into the Scurvy, the Asthma, the Dropsy, the Jaundice. On the contrary they are persuaded it prevents there very Diseases; and, that if it is ever hurtful, it is only when it is either adulterated, as most great Remedies have been; or has been wrongly prescribed, or improperly taken: or lastly when it meets with some latent, some unknown Particularities in a Constitution, which Physicians term anIdiosyncrasy, and which prevent or pervert its very general Effects.Tissot.[68]It happens very seldom that intermitting Fevers require69no Purge towards their Cure, especially in Places, which are disposed to generate Putridity. There is always some material Cause essential to these Fevers, of which Nature disembarrasses herself more easily by Stools, than by any other Discharge: And as there is not the least Danger to be apprehended from a gentle Purge, such at those ofNº. 11or23, we think it would be prudent always to premise a Dose or two of either to the Bark.E. L.[69]Yet I have known many in whom no Purge was necessary, and have seen some rendered more obstinate and chronical by erroneous Purging. But a Vomit is very generally necessary before the Bark is given.K.[70](1,2)I have seen several Cases in very marshy maritime Countries, with little good drinking Water, and far South ofSwisserland, where intermitting Fevers, with Agues at different Intervals, are annually endemic, very popular, and often so obstinate as to return repeatedly, whenever the weekly precautionary Doses of the Bark have been omitted (through the Patient's nauseating the frequent Swallowing of it) so that the Disease has sometimes been extended beyond the Term of a full Year, and even far into a second, including the temporary Removals of it by the Bark. Nevertheless, in some such obstinate Intermittents, and particularly Quartans there, wherein the Bark alone has had but a short and imperfect Effect, I have known the following Composition, after a good Vomit, attended with speedy and final Success,viz.Take of fresh Sassafras Bark, of Virginia Snake-root, of Roch-Allom, of Nutmeg, of diaphoretic Antimony, and of Salt of Wormwood of each one Drachm. To these well rubbed together into fine Powder, add the Weight of the whole, of the best and freshest Bark; then drop in three Drops of the chemical Oil of Mint, and with Syrup of Cloves make it into the Consistence of an Electuary or Bolus, for 12 Doses for a grown Person, to be taken at the Distance of three or four Hours from each other, while the Patient is awake, according to the longer or shorter Intermission of the Fever.I have also known, particularly in obstinate autumnal Aguesthere, an Infusion of two Ounces of the best Bark in fine Powder, or two Ounces and a half in gross Powder, in a Quart of the best Brandy, for three or four Days (a small Wine Glass to be taken by grown Persons at the Distance of from four to six Hours) effectually and speedily terminate such intermittent Agues, as had given but little Way to the Bark in Substance. This was certainly more suitable for those who were not of a light delicate Habit and Temperament, and who had not been remarkable for their Abstinence from strong Liquors: the inebriating Force of the Brandy being remarkably lessened, by the Addition and long Infusion of the Bark. These Facts which I saw, are the less to be wondered at, as in such inveterate, but perfectly clear and distinct Intermittents, both the State of the Fluids and Solids seem very opposite to their State in an acutely inflammatory Disease.K.[71]These, in some Parts of America, are called Muskito Hawks; but we do not recollect their biting there.K.[72]Pounded Parsley is one of the most availing Applications in such Accidents.E.L.[73]The Seneka Rattle-Snake root, already recommended in true Pleurisies, will, with the greatest Probability, be found not less effectual in these false ones, in which the Inflammation of the Blood is less. The Method of giving it may be seen P.118, N. (26.) By Dr.Tissot'shaving never mentioned this valuable Simple throughout his Work, it may be presumed, that when he wrote it, this Remedy had not been admitted into the Apothecaries Shops inSwisserland.K.[74]Glauber or Epsom Salt may be substituted, where the other is not to be readily procured.K.[75]Pullet, or rather Chicken Water, but very weak, may often do instead of Ptisan, or serve for a little Variety of Drink to some Patients.E. L.—K.[76]Bleeding should not be determined on too hastily in this Sort of Cholic, but rather be omitted, or deferred at least, till there be an evident Tendency to an Inflammation.E. L.The Propriety or Impropriety of Bleeding in a Cholic from this Cause should be determined, I think, from the State of the Person it happens to: So that Bleeding a strong Person with a firm Fibre, and a hard Pulse, may be very prudent and precautionary: But if it be a weakly lax Subject with a soft and low Pulse, there may be Room either for omitting,or for suspending it.K.[77]The Experience of all Countries and Times so strongly confirms these important Truths, that they cannot be too often repeated, too generally published, whenever and wherever this Disease rages. The Succession of cold Showers to violent Heats; too moist a Constitution of the Air; an Excess of animal Food; Uncleanliness and Contagion, are the frequent Causes of epidemical Fluxes.E. L.I have retained the preceding Note, abridged from this Gentleman, as it contains the Suffrage of another experienced Physician, against that Prejudice of ripe Fruits occasioning Fluxes, which is too popular among ourselves, and probably more so in the Country than inLondon. I have been also very credibly assured, that the Son of a learned Physician was perfectly cured of a very obstinate Purging, of a Year's Continuance (in Spite of all the usual officinal Remedies) by his devouring large Quantities of ripe Mulberries, for which he ardently longed, and drinking very freely of their expressed Juice. The Fact occurred after his Father's Decease, and was affirmed to me by a Gentleman intimately acquainted with them both.K.[78]Our learned Author, or his medical Editor atLyons, observes here, ‘that in the Edition of this Treatise atParis, there was an essential Mistake, by makingBoerhaaverecommend the Addition of Brandy,Eau de vie,instead of stumming or sulphurizing it,’for which this Note, and the Text too use the Verbbranter, which Word we do not find in any Dictionary. We are told however, it means to impregnate the Casks in which the Water is reserved, with the Vapour of Sulphur, and then stopping them; in the same Manner that Vessels are in some Countries, for the keeping of Wine. He observes the Purpose of this is to oppose Corruption by the acid Steams of the Sulphur.K.[79]A first or second Dose of Glauber Salt has been known to succeed in the epidemical Summer Fluxes of the hotter Climates, when repeated Doses of Rhubarb and Opiates had failed. Such Instances seems a collateral Confirmation of Dr.Tissot'srational and successful Use of cooling opening Fruits in them.K.[80]I have seen a pretty singular Consequence from the Abuse of mercurial Unction for the Itch; whether it happened from the Strength or Quantity of the Ointment, or from taking Cold after applying it, as this Subject, a healthy Youth of about sixteen, probably did, by riding three or four Miles through the Rain. But without any other previous Complaint, he awoke quite blind one Morning, wondering, as he said, when it would be Day. His Eyes were very clear, and free from Inflammation, but the Pupil was wholly immoveable, as in aGutta serena. I effected the Cure by some moderate Purges repeated a few Times; by disposing him to sweat by lying pretty much in Bed (it being towards Winter) and by promoting his Perspiration, chiefly with Sulphur: after which the shaved Scalp was embrocated with a warm nervous Mixture, in which Balsam ofPeruwas a considerable Ingredient. In something less than three Weeks he could discern a glowing Fire, or the bright Flame of a Candle. As his Sight increased, he discerned other Objects, which appeared for some Days inverted to him, with their Colours confused; but Red was most distinguishable. He discovered the Aces sooner than other Cards; and in about six or seven Weeks recovered his full Sight in all its natural Strength, which he now enjoys.K.[81]Sea water, and those ofDulwich,Harrigate,Shadwell, &c. will be full as effectual.K.[82]TheFrenchWord here,Opiat, is sometimes used by them for a compound Medicine of the Consistence of an Electary; and cannot be supposed, in this Place, to mean any Preparation, into whichOpiumenters.K.[83]Too great a Fulness of Blood is undoubtedly the Cause of all these Complaints; but as there are different Methods of opposing this Cause, the gentlest should always be preferred; nor should the Constitution become habituated to such Remedies, as might either impair the Strength of the Mother, or of her Fruit. Some Expedients therefore should be thought of, that may compensate for the Want of Bleeding, by enjoining proper Exercise in a clear Air, with a less nourishing, and a less juicy Diet.E. L.This Note might have its Use sometimes, in the Cases of such delicate and hysterical, yet pregnant Women, as are apt to suffer from Bleeding, or any other Evacuation, though no ways immoderate. But it should have been considered, that Dr.Tissotwas professedly writing here to hearty active Country Wives, who are very rarely thus constituted; and whom he might be unwilling to confuse with such multiplied Distinctions and Directions, as would very seldom be necessary, and might sometimes prevent them from doing what was so. Besides which, this Editor might have seen, our Author has hinted at such Cases very soon after.K.[84]The Use of Hemlock, which has been tried atLyons, by all who have had cancerous Patients, having been given in very large Doses, has been attended with no Effect there, that merited the serious Attention of Practitioners. Many were careful to obtain the Extract fromVienna, and even to procure it from Dr.Storckhimself. But now it appears to have had so little Success, as to become entirely neglected.E. L.Having exactly translated in this Place, and in the Table of Remedies, our learned Author's considerable Recommendation of the Extract of Hemlock in Cancers, we think it but fair, on the other Hand, to publish this Note of his Editor's against it; that the real Efficacy or Inefficacy of this Medicine may at length be ascertained, on the most extensive Evidence and Experience. As far as my own Opportunities and Reflections, and the Experience of many others, have instructed me on this Subject, it appears clear to myself, that though the Consequences of it have not been constantly unsuccessful with us, yet its Successes have come very short of its Failures. Nevertheless, as in all such Cancers, every other internal Medicine almost universally fails, we think with Dr.Tissotit should always be tried (from the meer Possibility of its succeeding in some particular Habit and Circumstances) at least till longer Experience shall finally determine against it.K.[85]This Method (says the Editor and Annotator ofLyons) is useful, whenever the Mother does not suckle her Child. Art is then obliged to prove a Kind of Substitute to Nature, though always a very imperfect one. But when a Mother, attentive to her own true Interest, as well as her Infant's, and, listening to the Voice of Nature and her Duty, suckles it herself, these Remedies [he adds] seem hurtful, or at least, useless. The Mother should give her Child the Breast as soon as she can. The first Milk, theColostrum, orStrippings, as it is called in Quadrupeds, which is very serous or watery, will be serviceable as a Purgative; it will forward the Expulsion of theMeconium, prove gradually nourishing, and is better than Biscuits, or Panada, which (he thinks) are dangerous in the first Days after the Birth.E. L.This Syrup of Succory being scarcely ever prepared with us, though sufficiently proper for the Use assigned it here, I have retained the preceding Note, as the Author of it directs theseStrippings, for the same Purpose, with an Air of certain Experience; and as this Effect of them seems no Ways repugnant to the physical Wisdom and Oeconomy of Nature, on such important Points. Should it in fact be their very general Operation, it cannot be unknown to any Male or Female Practitioner in Midwifery, and may save poor People a little Expence, which was one Object of our humane Author's Plan. The Oil OfRicinus, corruptly calledCastorOil (being expressed from the Berries of thePalma Christi) is particularly recommended by some late medical Writers fromJamaica,&c.for this Purpose of expelling theMeconium, to the Quantity of a small Spoonful. These Gentlemen also consider it as the most proper, and almost specific Opener, in the dry Belly-ach of that torrid Climate, which tormenting Disease has the closest Affinity to theMiserere, or Iliac Passion, of any I have seen. The Annotator's Objection to our Author's verythin lightPanada, seems to be of little Weight.K.[86]Or, for Want of it, the solutive Syrup of Roses.K.[87]TheMagnesiais an excellent Substitute in Children, for these Oils Dr.Tissotso justly condemns here.K.[88]That Part of the Head where a Pulsation may be very plainly felt, where the Bones are less hard, and not as yet firmly joined with those about them.[89]There is however a certain Degree of Weakness, which may very reasonably deter us from this Washing; as when the Infant manifestly wants Heat, and needs some Cordial and frequent Frictions, to prevent its expiring from downright Feebleness; in which Circumstances Washing must be hurtful to it.Tissot.[90](1,2)I have seen a Child about three Years old, whose Navel, after swelling and inflaming, suppurated, and through a small Orifice (which must have communicated with the Cavity of the Gut or the Belly) discharged one of these Worms we callteretes, about three Inches long. He had voided several by Stool, after taking some vermifuge Medicines. The Fact I perfectly remember; and to the best of my Recollection, the Ulcer healed some Time after, and the Orifice closed: but the Child died the following Year of a putrid Fever, which might be caused, or was aggravated, by Worms.K.[91]This Word occurs in none of the common Dictionaries; but suspecting it for theSemen Santoniciof the Shops, I find the learned Dr.Bikkerhas rendered it so, in his very well received Translation of this valuable Work intoLow Dutch.K.[92]This very important Consideration, on which I have treated pretty largely, in theAnalysis, seems not to be attended to in Practice, as frequently as it ought.K.[93]The Misfortune of a young Man drowned in bathing himself, at the Beginning of the Season, occasioned the Publication of this Chapter by itself inJune, 1761. A few Days after, the like Misfortune happened to a labouring Man; but he was happily taken out of the water sooner than the first (who had remained about half an Hour under it) and he was recovered by observing Part of the Advice this Chapter contains; of which Chapter several Bystanders had Copies.—This Note seems to be from the Author himself.[94]I saw a very similar Instance and Event in a Lady's little favourite Bitch, whole Body she desired to be opened, from suspecting her to have been poisoned. But it appeared that a small Needle with fine Thread, which she had swallowed, had passed out of the Stomach into theDuodenum(one of the Guts) through which the Point had pierced and pricked and corroded the concave Part of the Liver, which was all rough and putrid. The whole Carcase was greatly bloated and extremely offensive, very soon after the poor Animal's Death, which happened two or three Months after the Accident, and was preceded by a great Wheezing, Restlessness and Loss of Appetite. The Needle was rusty, but the Thread entire, and very little altered.K.[95]I knew a Man of the Name ofPoole, who being taken in the same Ship with me, 1717 or 18, by Pirates, had swallowed four Ginueas, and a gold Ring, all which he voided some Days after without any Injury or Complaint, and saved them. I forget the exact Number of Days he retained them, but the Pirates staid with us from Saturday Night to Thursday Noon.K.[96]Many fatal Examples of this Kind may be seen in thePhilosophical Transactions; and they should caution People against swallowing Cherry-stones, and still more against those of Prunes, or such as are pointed, though not very acutely.K.[97]This, Dr.Tissotinforms me, is a Solution of white Vitriol and some other Drugs in Spirit of Wine, and is never used in regular Practice now. It has its Name from the Author of the Solution.K.[98]This seems just the same ascoming on the Parish, or being received into an Alms house here; in Consequence of such an incurable Disability happening to the poor working Father of a Family.K.[99]The Reason of the Fatality of Heat, in these Cases, and of the Success of an opposite Application, (See§ 459) seems strictly and even beautifully analogous to whatHippocrateshas observed of the Danger, and even Fatality, of all great and sudden Changes in the human Body, whether from the Weather or otherwise. Whence this truly great Founder of Physick, when he observes elsewhere, that Diseases are to be cured by something contrary to their Causes, very consistently advises, not a direct and violent Contrariety, but a gradual and regulated one, aSub-contrariety.K.[100]Chilblains may also be advantageously washed with Water and Flower of Mustard, which will concur, in a certain and easy Manner, both to cleanse and to cure them.E. L.[101]This is or should be, the same with theBitumen Judaicum, formerly kept in the Shops; but which is never directed, except in that strange Medley theVeniceTreacle, according to the old Prescription. The best is found inEgypt, and on theRed Sea: but a different Sort, fromGermany,France, andSwisserland, is now generally substituted here.K.[102]Pieces of Ice applied between two Pieces of Linen, directly upon the Rupture, as soon as possible after its first Appearance, is one of those extraordinary Remedies, which we should never hesitate to make immediate Use of. We may be certain by this Application, if the Rupture is simple, and not complicated from some aggravating Cause, to remove speedily, and with very little Pain, a Disorder, that might be attended with the most dreadful Consequences. But the Continuance of this Application must be proportioned to the Strength of the Person ruptured, which may be sufficiently estimated by the Pulse.E. L.[103]These Creatures perhaps are fatter inSwisserland, than we often see them here.K.[104]Our Garden Purslain, though a very juicy Herb, cannot strictly be termed milky. In the hotter Climates where it is wild, and grows very rankly, they sometimes boil the Leaves and Stalks (besides eating them as a cooling Salad) and find the whole an insipid mucilaginous Pot-herb. But Dr.Tissotobserves to me, that its Juice will inflame the Skin; and that some Writers on Diet, who disapprove it internally, affirm they have known it productive of bad Effects. Yet none such have ever happened to myself, nor to many others, who have frequently eaten of it. Its Seeds have sometimes been directed in cooling Emulsions. The Wart Spurge is a very milky and common Herb, which flowers in Summer here.K.[105](1,2)Dr.Tissotinforms me, that inSwisserland, they call a volatile Salt of Vipers, or the volatile Salt of raw Silk,Sel. d'Angleterre, of which oneGoddardmade a Secret, and which he brought into Vogue the latter End of the last Century. But he justly observes at the same Time, that on the present Occasion every other volatile Alkali will equally answer the Purpose; and indeed the Smell of some of them, as the Spirit of Sal Ammoniac with Quicklime,Eau de Luce,&c.seem more penetrating.K.[106]Our sweet Spirit of Vitriol is a similar, and as effectual a Medicine.K.[107]I have seen this actually verified by great and disagreeable Surprize, attended indeed with much Concern, in a Person of exquisite Sensations.K.[108]La Braise.[109]Charbon.Dr.Tissotinforms me, their Difference consists in this, that the Charcoal is prepared from Wood burnt in a close or stifled Fire; and that the small Coal is made of Wood (and of smaller Wood) burnt in an open Fire, and extinguished before it is reduced to the State of a Cinder. He says the latter is smaller, softer, less durable in the Fire, and the Vapour of it less dangerous than that of Charcoal.[110]See Note105Page495.[111]Une Quartette.[112]How shocking is this! and yet how true in some Countries! I have been most certainly assured, that Bleeding has been inflicted and repeated in the last sinking and totally relaxing Stage of a Sea-Scurvy, whose fatal Termination it doubtless accelerated. This did not happen in our own Fleet; yet we are not as yet Wholly exempt on Shore, from some Abuse of Bleeding, which a few raw unthinking Operators are apt to consider as a meer Matter of Course. I have in some other Place stigmatized the Madness of Bleeding in Convulsions, from manifest Exhaustion and Emptiness, with the Abhorrence it deserves.K.[113]This makes an agreeable Drink; and the Notion of its being windy is idle; since it is so only to those, with whom Barley does not agree. It may, where Barley is not procurable, be made from Oats.[114]In those Cases mentioned§ 241,262,280, instead of the Barley, four Ounces of Grass Roots may be boiled in the same Quantity of Water for half an Hour, with the Cream of Tartar.[115]These Juices are to be procured from the Herbs when fresh and very young, if possible, by beating them in a Marble Mortar, or for Want of such [or a wooden Mortar] in an Iron one, and then squeezing out the Juice through a Linen Bag. It must be left to settle a little in an earthen Vessel, after which the clear Juice must be decanted gently off, and the Sediment be left behind.[116]Some Friends, says Dr.Tissot, whose judgment I greatly respect, have thought the Doses of acid Spirit which I direct extremely strong; and doubtless they are so, if compared with the Doses generally prescribed, and to which I should have limited myself, if I had not frequently seen their Insufficience. Experience has taught me to increase them considerably; and, augmenting the Dose gradually, I now venture to give larger Doses of them than have ever been done before, and always with much Success; the same Doses which I have advised in this Work not being so large as those I frequently prescribe. For this Reason I intreat those Physicians, who have thought them excessive, to try the acid Spirits in larger Doses than those commonly ordered; and I am persuaded they will see Reason to congratulate themselves upon the Effect.117[117]Our Author'sFrenchAnnotator has a Note against this Acid, which I have omitted; for though I have given hisNotePage84[with the Substance of the immediately preceding one] to which I have also added some Doubts of my own, from Facts, concerning the Benefit of Acids in inflammatory Disorders of the Breast; yet with Regard to the ardent, the putrid, the malignant Fever, andErisipelas, in which Dr.Tissotdirects this, I have no Doubt of its Propriety (supposing no insuperable Disagreement to Acids in the Constitution) and with Respect to their Doses, I think we may safely rely on our honest Author's Veracity. Dr.Fullerassures us, a Gentleman's Coachman was recovered from the Bleeding Small Pocks, by large and repeated Doses of the Oil of Vitriol, in considerable Draughts of cold Water.K.[118]This, our Author observes, will work a strong Country-man very well: by which however he does not seem to mean an Inhabitant of the Mountains inValais. See P.547.[119]This Ointment should be prepared at the Apothecaries; the Receipt of it being given here, only because the Proportions of the Quicksilver and the Lard are not always the same in different Places.[120]This Medicine is known by the Name ofCob'sPowder; and as its Reputation is very considerable, I did not chuse to omit it; though I must repeat here what I have said§ 195—That the Cinnabar is probably of little or no Efficacy; and there are other Medicines that have also much more than the Musk; which besides is extremely dear for poor People, as the requisite Doses of it, in very dangerous Cases, would cost ten or twelve Shillings daily. The Prescription,Nº. 31, is more effectual than the Musk; and instead of the useless Cinnabar, the powerful Quicksilver may be given to the Quantity of forty-five Grains. I have said nothing hitherto in this Work of the red blossomed Mulberry Tree, which passes for a real Specific, among some Persons, in this dreadful Malady. An Account of it may be seen in the first Volume of the Oeconomical Journal ofBerne. It is my Opinion however, that none of the Instances related there are satisfactory and decisive; its Efficacy still appearing to me very doubtful.[121]When this is preferred toNº. 30, of which Musk is an Ingredient, the Grain of Opium should be omitted, except once or at most twice in the twenty-four Hours. Two Doses of Quicksilver, of fifteen Grains each, should be given daily in the Morning, in the Interval between the other Bolus's.[122]This Medicine makes the Dogs vomit and slaver abundantly. It has effected many Cures after theHydrophobia, the Dread of Water, was manifest. It must be given three Days successively, and afterwards twice a Week, for fifteen Days.[123]When People are ignorant of the Strength of the Tartar emetic (which is often various) or of the Patient's being easy or hard to vomit, a Dose and a half may be dissolved in a Quart of warm Water, of which he may take a Glass every Quarter of an Hour, whence the Operation may be forwarded, or otherwise regulated, according to the Number of Vomits or Stools. This Method, much used inParis, seems a safe and eligible one.[124]The medical Editor atLyonsjustly notes here, that these eighty Drops are a very strong Dose of liquid Laudanum; adding that it is scarcely ever given atLyonsin a greater Dose than thirty Drops; and recommending a Spoonful of Syrup of Lemon-peel to be given with it—But we must observe here in answer to this Note, that when Dr.Tissotdirects this Mixture in the Iliac Passion§ 318, to appease the Vomitings,Art. 3, he orders but one spoonful of this Mixture to be taken at once, and an Interval of two Hours to be observed between the first and second Repetition, which reduces each Dose to sixteen Drops, and which is not to be repeated without Necessity.[125]This Medicine, which often occasions Cholics in some Persons of a weakly Stomach, is attended with no such Inconvenience in strong Country People; and has been effectual in some Disorders of the Skin, which have baffled other Medicines—The Remainder of this Note observes the great Efficacy of Antimony in promoting Perspiration, and the extraordinary Benefit it is of to Horses in different Cases.[126]The PrescriptionsNº. 54,55,56, are calculated against Distempers which arise from Obstructions, and a Stoppage of the monthly Discharges; whichNº. 55is more particularly intended to remove; those of54and56are most convenient, either when the Suppression does not exist, or is not to be much regarded, if it does. This Medicine may be rendered less unpalatable for Persons in easy Circumstances, by adding as much Cinamon instead of Aniseeds; and though the Quantity of Iron be small, it may be sufficient, if given early in the Complaint; one, or at the most, two of these Doses daily, being sufficient for a very young Maiden.[127]I chuse to repeat here, the more strongly to inculcate so important a Point, that in Women who have long been ill and languid, our Endeavours must be directed towards the restoring of the Patient's Health and Strength, and not to forcing down the monthly Discharges, which is a very pernicious Practice. These will return of Course, if the Patient is of a proper Age, as she grows better. Their Return succeeds the Return of her Health, and should not, very often cannot, precede it.[128]Our learned and candid Author has a very long Note in this Place, strongly in Favour ofStorck'sExtract of Hemlock, in which it is evident he credits the greater Part of the Cures affirmed by Dr.Storckto have been effected by it. He says he made some himself, but not of the right Hemlock, which we think it very difficult to mistake, from its peculiar rank fetid Smell, and its purple spotted Stalk. After first taking this himself, he found it mitigated the Pain of Cancers, but did not cure them. But then addressing himself to Dr.Storck, and exactly following his Directions in making it, he took of Dr.Storck'sExtract, and of his own, which exactly resembled each other, to the Quantity of a Drachm and a half daily; and finding his Health not in the least impaired by it, he then gave it to several Patients, curing many scrophulous and cancerous Cases, and mitigating others, which he supposes were incurable. So that he seems fully persuaded Dr.Storck'sExtract is always innocent [which in Fact, except in a very few Instances, none of which were fatal, it has been] and he thinks it a Specific in many Cases, to which nothing can be substituted as an equivalent Remedy; that it should be taken with entire Confidence, and that it would be absurd to neglect its Continuance.The Translator of this Work of Dr.Tissot'shas thought it but fair to give all the Force of this Note here, which must be his own, as his Editor atLyonsseems to entertain a very different Opinion of the Efficacy of this Medicine; for which Opinion we refer back to his Note,§ 375, of this Treatise, which the Reader may compare with this of our Author's.K.[129]Our Author attests his seeing the happiest Consequences from this Application, which M.Brossard, a very eminentFrenchSurgeon, first published; and declared his Preference of that Agaric which sprung from those Parts of the Tree, from whence large Boughs had been lopped.[130]To spread this upon Lint as directed,§ 456, it must be melted down again with a little Oil.

Of all these the Schoolmasters,with us, may seem the most reasonably exempted from this Duty.

See the Author's Preface, immediately following this Dedication.

Le Socrate rustique, a Work, which every Person should read.

This Preface is indeed premised to thisFrenchEdition, but a Translation of it was omitted, to avoid extending the Bulk and Price of the Work. Dr.Tissotmust then have been ignorant of this Addition, when firstpublished atLyons.

The Reasons for omitting the Priceshere, may be seen Page23of this Translation.

The Marquis of Mirabeau.

This oeconomical Information was doubtless very proper, where our judicious and humane Author published it; but notwithstanding his excellent Motives for giving it, we think it less necessary here, where many Country Gentlemen furnish themselves with larger or smaller Medicine Chests, for the Benefit of their poor sick Neighbours; and in a Country, where the settled parochial Poor are provided with Medicines, as well as other Necessaries, at a parochial Expence. Besides, tho' we would not suppose our Country Apothecaries less considerate or kind than others, we acknowledge our Apprehension, that in such Valuation oftheir Drugs(some of which often vary in their Price) might dispose a few of them, rather to discountenance the Extension of a Work, so well intended and executed as Dr.Tissot's; a Work, which may not be wholly unuseful to some of the most judicious among them, and will be really necessary for the rest.K.

This supposes they are not greatly heated, as well as fatigued, by their Labour or Exercise, in which Circumstance free and sudden Draughts of cooling Liquors might be very pernicious: and it evidently also supposes these Drinks to be thus given, rather in Summer, than in very cold Weather, as the Juice of the unripe Grapes, and the other fresh Fruits sufficiently ascertain the Season of the Year. We think the Addition of Vinegar to their Water will scarcely ever be necessary in this or the adjoining Island, on such Occasions. The Caution recommended in this Note is abundantly enforced by Dr.Tissot,§ 4: but considering the Persons, to whom this Work is more particularly addressed, we were willing to prevent every Possibility of a Mistake, in so necessary, and sometimes so vital a Point.K.

This good Advice is enforced in a Note, by the Editor ofLyons, who observes, it should be still more closely attended to, in Places, where Rivers, Woods or Mountains retain, as it were, a considerable Humidity; and where the Evenings are, in every Season, cold and moist.—It is a very proper Caution too in our own variable Climate, and in many of our Colonies in NorthAmerica.K.

Thus I have ventured to translateEtés(Summers) to apply it to this and the neighbouring Islands. Their Harvests inSwisserlandperhaps are earlier, and may occur inAugust, and that of some particular Grain, probably still earlier.K.

The Abuse just mentioned can scarcely be intended to forbid the moderate Use of good Pastry, the Dough of which is well raised and well baked, the Flower and other Ingredients sound, and the Paste not overcharged with Butter, even though it were sweet and fresh. But the Abuse of Alum and other pernicious Materials introduced by our Bakers, may too justly be considered as one horrible Source of those Diseases of Children, &c. which our humane and judicious Author mentions here. What he adds, concerning the Pastries being rendered still more unwholesome by the sour Fruits sometimes baked in it, is true with Respect to those Children and others, who are liable to Complaints from Acidities abounding in the Bowels; and for all those who are ricketty or scrophulous, from a cold and viscid State of their Humours. But as to healthy sanguine Children, who are advanced and lively, and others of a sanguine or bilious Temperament, we are not to suppose a moderate Variety of this Food injurious to them; when we consider, that the Sharpness and Crudity of the Fruit is considerably corrected by the long Application of Fire; and that they are the Produce of Summer, when bilious Diseases are most frequent. This suggests however no bad Hint against making them immoderately sweet.K.

This Word's occurring in the plural Number will probably imply, theSwissmake more than one Species of this small Drink, by pouring Water on the Cake or Remainder of their other Fruits, after they have been expressed; as our People in the Cyder, and perhaps in the Perry, Counties, make what they callCyderkin,Perkin,&c.It should seem too from this Section, that the laborious Countrymen inSwisserlanddrink no Malt Liquor, though the Ingredients may be supposed to grow in their Climate. Now Beer, of different Strength, making the greater Part of our most common Drink, it may be proper to observe here, that when it is not strong and heady, but a middling well-brewed Small-beer, neither too new, nor hard or sour, it is full as wholesome a Drink for laborious People in Health as any other, and perhaps generally preferable to Water for such; which may be too thin and light for those who are unaccustomed to it; and more dangerous too, when the labouring Man is very hot, as well as thirsty. The holding a Mouthful of any weak cold Liquor in the Mouth without swallowing 'till it becomes warm, there, and spurting it out before a Draught is taken down would be prudent; and in Case of great Heat, to take the requisite Quantity rather at two Draughts, with a little Interval between them, than to swallow the Whole precipitately at one, would be more safe, and equally refreshing, though perhaps less grateful.K.

The bad Quality of Water is another common Cause of Country Diseases; either where the Waters are unwholesome, from the Soils in which they are found, as when they flow through, or settle, on Banks of Shells; or where they become such, from the Neighbourhood of, or Drainings from Dunghills and Marshes.

When Water is unclear and turbid, it is generally sufficient to let it settle in order to clear itself, by dropping its Sediment. But if that is not effected, or if it be slimy or muddy, it need only be poured into a large Vessel, half filled with fine Sand, or, for want of that, with Chalk; and then to shake and stir it about heartily for some Minutes. When this Agitation is over, the Sand, in falling to the Bottom of the Vessel, will attract some of the Foulness suspended in the Water. Or, which is still better, and very easy to do, two large Vessels may be set near together, one of which should be placed considerably higher than the other. The highest should be half filled with Sand. Into this the turbid, or slimy muddy Water is to be poured; whence it will filter itself through the Body of Sand, and pass off clear by an Opening or Orifice made at the Bottom of the Vessel; and fall from thence into the lower one, which serves as a Reservoir. When the Water is impregnated with Particles from the Beds of Selenites, or of any Spar (which Water we call hard, because Soap will not easily dissolve in it, and Puls and other farinaceous Substances grow hard instead of soft, after boiling in it) such Water should be exposed to the Sun, or boiled with the Addition of some Puls, or leguminous Vegetables, or Bread toasted, or untoasted. When Water is in its putrid State, it may be kept till it recovers its natural sweet one: but if this cannot be waited for, a little Sea Salt should be dissolved in it, or some Vinegar may be added, in which some grateful aromatic Plant has been infused. It frequently happens, that the publick Wells are corrupted by foul Mud at the Bottom, and by different Animals which tumble in and putrify there. Drinking Snow-water should be avoided, when the Snow is but lately fallen, as it seems to be the Cause of those swelling wenny Throats in the Inhabitants of some Mountains; and of endemic Cholics in many Persons. As Water is so continually used, great Care should be taken to have what is good. Bad Water, like bad Air, is one of the most general Causes of Diseases; that which produces the greater Number of them, the most grieveous ones; and often introduces such as are epidemical.E. L. i.e.the Editor of Lyons.

Many Persons, With a Design to preserve their Wines, add Shot to them, or Preparations of Lead, Alum, &c. The Government should forbid, under the most severe Penalties, all such Adulterations, as tend to introduce the most painful Cholics, Obstruction, and a long Train of Evils, which it sometimes proves difficult to trace to this peculiar Cause; while they shorten the lives of, or cruelly torment, such over credulous Purchasers, as lay in a Stock of bad Wines, or drink of them, without distinction, from every Wine Merchant or Tavern.E. L.

This Note, from the Editor atLyons,we have sufficient Reason for retaining here. K.

This Word, which must be of German, not of French Extraction, strictly signifies,Drink for a Fall, as we sayPulvis ad Casum, &c. Powder for a Fall, or a supposed inward Bruise. Dr.Tissotinforms me, it is otherwise called the vulnerary Herbs, or the Swiss Tea; and that it is an injudiciousFarragoor Medley of Herbs and Flowers, blended with Bitters, with stimulating, harsh and astringent Ingredients, being employed indiscriminately in all their Distempers by the Country People inSwisserland.K.

It is pretty common tohearof Persons recovering from Inflammations of the Bowels, or Guts, which our Author more justly and ingenuously considers as general Passports to Death: for it is difficult to conceive, that a real andconsiderableInflammation of such thin, membranous, irritable Parts, lined with such putrescent Humours and Contents, and in so hot and close a Situation, could be restored to a sound and healthy Stateso oftenas Rumour affirms it. This makes it so important a Point, to avert every Tendency to an Inflammation of these feculent Parts, as to justify a Bleeding directed, solely, from this Precaution, and which might have been no otherwise indicated by a Disease, attended with any Symptom, that threatened such an Inflammation. But when a Person recovers, there can be no anatomical Search for such Inflammations, or its Effects, the real or imaginary Cure of which may well amaze the Patient, and must greatly redound to the Honour of his Prescriber; so that there may be Policy sometimes in giving a moderate Disease a very bad Name.K.

This Direction of our Author's, which may surprize some, probably arises from his preferring a small Quantity of the marine Acid to no Acid at all: For though a great Proportion of Salt, in saving and seasoning Flesh and other Food, generally excites Thirst, yet a little of it seems to have rather a different Effect, by gently stimulating the salivary Glands: And we find that Nature very seldom leaves the great diluting Element wholly void of this quickening, antiputrescent Principle.K.

The most allowable of these are Whitings, Flounders, Plaice, Dabbs, or Gudgeons; especially such of the last as are taken out of clear current Streams with gravelly Bottoms. Salmon, Eels, Carp, all the Skate kind, Haddock, and the like, should not be permitted, before the Sick return to their usual Diet when in Health.K.

We have known many who had an Aversion to Water, and with whom, on that very Account, it might probably agree less, find Water very grateful, in which a thoroughly baked and hot, not burnt, Slice of Bread had been infused, untill it attained the Colour of fine clear Small-beer, or light Amber coloured Beer, and weneversaw any Inconvenience result from it. Doubtless pure, untoasted elemental Water may be preferable for those who like, and have been accustomed to it.K.

We should however, with the greater Circumspection (of how much the longer standing the Disease has been, and by how much the more difficult the viscous Humours are to be melted down and dislodged) attend to the Coction of the Matter of Expectoration; which Nature does not often easily effect, and which she effects the more imperfectly and slowly, the weaker he is. Her last Efforts have often been attended with such high Paroxysms, as have imposed even upon very competent Physicians, and have made them open a Vein a few Hours before the Patients' Death, from their Pulses being strong, hard and frequent. Excessive Weakness is the Sign, by which we may discover such unavailing Efforts to be the last.E. L.

The Use of Acids, in Inflammations of the Breast, requires no little Consideration. Whenever the sick Person has an Aversion to them; when the Tongue is moist, the Stomach is heavy and disordered, and the Habit and Temperament of the Patient is mild and soft; when the Cough is very sharp without great Thirst, we ought to abstain from them. But when the Inflammation is joined to a dry Tongue, to great Thirst, Heat and Fever, they are of great Service. Slices of China Oranges sprinkled with Sugar may be given first; a light Limonade may be allowed afterwards; and at last small Doses ofthe Mixture,Nº. 10. if it becomes necessary.E. L.—I have chosen to retain this Note of the Editor ofLyons, from having frequently seen the Inefficacy, and sometimes, I have even thought, the ill Effects of Acids in Peripneumonies and Pleurisies, in a Country far South ofSwisserland; and where these Diseases are very frequent, acute and fatal. On the other hand I shall add the Substance of what Dr.Tissotsays on this Head in a Note to his Table of Remedies, wherein he affirms, that he has given in this Disease very large Doses of them, rising gradually from small ones, and always with great Success; intreating other Physicians to order this Acid (the Spirit of Sulphur) in the same large Doses which he directs in this Chapter, and assuring himself of their thanks, for its good Consequences—Now the only ill Effect I can surmize here, from shewing this Diversity of Opinion in these two learned Physicians, and my own Doubts, is, that the Subjects of this Disease in Country Places may prove somewhat confused and irresolute by it, in their Conduct in such Cases. But as all of us certainly concur in the great Intention of doing all possible Good, by the extensive Publication of this Treatise, I shall take leave to observe that in this Disease, and in Pleurisies, more solid Benefit has been received inCarolina,Virginia, &c. from the Use of theSenekaRattle-snake Root, than from any other Medicine whatever. Bleeding indeed is necessarily premised to it; but it has often saved the Necessity of many repeated Bleedings. This Medicine, which is termed in Latin, thePolygala Virginiana, is certainly rather of a saponaceous attenuating Quality, and betrays not any Marks of Acidity, being rather moderately acrid. There will be Occasion to mention it more particularly in the subsequent Chapter, as such a Liberty can need no Apology to any philosophical Physician.K.

That is, into the Cavity of the Breast, rather than within the Substance of the Lungs.

This is, undoubtedly, BaronVan Swieten, with whom he had premised, he agreed considerably, in all the Diseases they had both treated of.K.

This, with great Probability, means that small black Substance often visible in a rotten Egg, which is undoubtedly of a violent, or even poisonous Quality. Dr.Tissotterms it expressly—la suie dans un Oeuf. K.

Dr.Lewis, who has not taken Notice of this Species of Wormwood in his Improvement ofQuincy'sDispensatory, hasmentioned it in his lateMateria Medica. K.

This being a proper Place for directing the Seneka Rattle Snake Root, I shall observe, that the best Way of exhibiting it is in Decoction, by gradually simmering and boiling two Ounces of it in gross Powder, in two Pints and a half of Water, to a Pint and a quarter; and then giving three Spoonfuls of it to a grown Person, every six Hours. If the Stitch should continue, or return, after taking it, Bleeding, which should be premised to it, must be occasionally repeated; though it seldom proves necessary, after a few Doses of it. It greatly promotes Expectoration, keeps the Body gently open, and sometimes operates by Urine and by Sweat; very seldom proving at all emetic in Decoction. The Regimen of Drinks directed here in Pleurisies are to be given as usual. Dr.Tennant, the Introducer of this valuable Medicine, confided solely in it, in Bastard Peripneumonies, without Bleeding, Blistering, or any other Medicines.K.

TheEnglishavail themselves considerably, in this Disease, of a Mixture of equal Parts of Sallad Oil, and Spirit of Sal Ammoniac; or of Oil and Spirit of Hartshorn, as a Liniment and Application round the Neck. This Remedy corresponds with many Indications; and deserves, perhaps, the first Place amongst local Applications against the inflammatory Quinsey.E. L.

Dr.Pringleis apprehensive of some ill Effects from Acids in Gargarisms [which is probably from their supposed repelling Property] and prefers a Decoction of Figs in Milk and Water, to which he adds a small Quantity of Spirit of Sal Ammoniac.E. L.

In Diseases of the Throat, which have been preceded by such Excesses in Food or strong Drink, as occur too often in many Countries, when the Patient has very strong Reachings to vomit, and the Tongue is moist at the same Time; we should not hesitate, after appeasing the first Symptoms of the Inflammation [by sufficient Bleedings, &c.] to assist the Efforts of Nature, and to give a small Dose of Tartar emetic, dissolved in some Spoonfuls of Water. This Remedy in this Case, promotes the Dispersion of the Inflammation, beyond any other.E. L.

This seems to have been the same kind of Quinsey, of which Drs.Huxham,Fothergil,Cottonand others wrote, though under different Appellations.K.

I reserve some other interesting Reflections on this Disease, for the second Edition of my Treatise on Fevers; and the Editor atParishas very well observed, that it has some Relation to the gangrenous sore Throat, which has been epidemical these twenty Years past, in many Parts ofEurope.——This Note is from Dr.Tissothimself.

It frequently happens, that the Bathings alone remove the Head-ach, and the Cough too, by relaxing the lower Parts, and the entire Surface of the Body. If the Patient is costive, he should receive Glysters of warm Water, in which some Bran has been boiled, with the Addition of a little common Soap or Butter.E. L.

Under these Circumstances of a tickling Cough from a Cold, without a Fever, and with very little Inflammation, I have known great and very frequent Success, from a Dose ofElixir paregoricum, taken at Bed-time, after a very light thin Supper. If the Patient be sanguine, strong and costive, Bleeding in a suitable Quantity, and a gently opening Potion, or purging Glyster, may be prudently premised to it. Grown Persons may take from 30 to 80, or even 100 Drops of it, in Barley Water, or any other pectoral Drink; and Children in the Chincough from five to twenty Drops; half an Ounce of it by Measure containing about one Grain of Opium, which is the Quantity contained in less than quite six Grains of the Storax Pill; this last being a very available pectoral Opiate too in Coughs from a Distillation, in more adult Bodies, who may also prefer a Medicine in that small Size, and Form.K.

This seems but too applicable to the very popular Use ofSpermaceti, &c. in such Cases, which can only grease the Passage to the Stomach; must impair its digestive Faculty, and cannot operate against the Cause of a Cold; though that Cure of it, which is effected by the Oeconomy of Nature in due Time, is often ascribed to such Medicines, as may rather have retarded it.K.

A small Blister behind the Ear of the affected Side, or both Ears, has very often removed the Pain, when from a Defluxion. It is pretty common for the Subjects of this Disease to be very costive, during the Exacerbations of it, which I have sometimes experienced to be pretty regularly and severely quotidian, for a Week or two. The Custom of smoking Tobacco very often, which the Violence of this Pain has sometimes introduced, often disposes to a Blackened and premature Decay of the Teeth, to which the Chewers of it are less obnoxious: and this Difference may result from some particles of its chemical Oil rising by Fumigation, and being retained in the Teeth, which Particles are not extracted by Mastication. But with Regard to the habitual Use of this very acrid and internally violent Herb, for, but chiefly after, this Disease, it should be considered well, whether in some Constitutions it may not pave the Way to a more dangerous one, than it was introduced to remove.K.

I have been very authentically assured of the Death of a hale Man, which happened in the very Act of pouring out a large Quantity of distilled Spirits, by Gallons or Bucketfulls, from one Vessel into another.K.

Vomits which are so pernicious in the sanguineous Apoplexy, where the Patient's Countenance and Eyes are inflamed; and which are also dangerous or useless, when a Person has been very moderate in his Meals, or is weakened by Age or other Circumstances, and whole Stomach is far from being overloaded with Aliment, are nevertheless very proper for gross Feeders, who are accustomed to exceed at Table, who have Indigestions, and have a Mass of viscid glairy Humours in their Stomachs; more especially, if such a one has a little while before indulged himself excessively, whence he has vomited without any other evident Cause, or at least had very StrongNauseas, or Loathings. In brief, Vomits are the true Specific for Apoplexies, occasioned by any narcotic or stupifying Poisons, the pernicious Effects of which cease, the Moment the Persons so poisoned vomit them up. An attentive Consideration of what hasoccurredto the Patient before his Seizure; his small natural Propensity to this Disease, and great and incessant Loathings, render it manifest, whether it has been caused by such Poisons, or such poisonous Excesses. In these two Last Cases a double Dose of Tartar emetic should be dissolved in a Goblet or Cup of Water, of which the Patient should immediately take a large Spoonful; which should be repeated every Quarter of an Hour, till it operates.E. L.

These Blisters may be preceded by Cupping with Scarification on the Nape of the Neck. This Remedy, often used by the ancient Physicians, but too little practiced in France, is one of the most speedy, and not the least efficacious, Applications in both sanguine and serous Apoplexies.E. L.

As some may think an Apology necessary for a Translation of this Chapter on a Disease, which never, or very seldom, exists in this or the adjacent Island, I shall observe here, that, abstracted from the Immorality of a narrow and local Solicitude only for ourselves, we are politically interested as a Nation always in Trade, and often at War (and whose Subjects are extended into very distant and different Climates) to provide against a sudden and acute Distemper, to which our Armies, our Sailors and Colonies are certainly often exposed. A Fatality from this Cause is not restrained to our Islands within the Tropic, where several Instances of it have occurred during the late War: but it has also been known to prevail as far Northward asPensylvania, in their Summers, and even in their Harvests. I once received a sensible Scald on the Back of my Thumb, from the Sun suddenly darting out through a clear Hole, as it were, in a Cloud, after a short and impetuous Shower in Summer; which Scald manifestly blistered within some Minutes after. Had this concentrated Ray been darted on my bare Head, the Consequence might have been more dangerous; or perhaps as fatal as some of the Cases recorded by Dr.Tissot, in this Chapter.K.

See Note16to Page59.

This, according to our Author's Estimation of the Pot-Measure atBerne, which is that he always means, and which he says contains exactly (of Water we suppose) fifty one Ounces and a Quarter (though without a material Error it may be computed at three Pounds and a Quarter) will amount at least to nine Pounds and three Quarters of Matter, supposing this no heavier than Water. By Measure it will want but little of five of our Quarts: a very extraordinary Discharge indeed ofPusat once, and not unlikely to be attended by the Event which soon followed.K.

Half a Pint of a pretty strong Infusion of the Leaves of Buckbean, which grows wild here, taken once a Day rather before Noon, has also been found very serviceable in that Species of a chronical Rheumatism, which considerably results from a scorbutic State of the Constitution.K.

Another very good Purge, in this Kind of Rheumatism, may also be compounded of the best Gum Guiacum in Powder from 30 to 40 Grains; dissolved in a little Yolk of a fresh Egg; adding from 6 to 10 Grains of Jallap powdered, and from 3 to 5 Grains of powdered Ginger, with as much plain or sorrel Water, as will make a purging Draught for a stronger or weaker grown Patient. Should the Pains frequently infest the Stomach, while the Patient continues costive, and there is no other Fever than such a small symptomatic one, as may arise solely from Pain, he may safely take, if grown up, from 30 to 45 Drops of the volatile Tincture of Gum Guiacum, in any diluting Infusion, that may not coagulate or separate the Gum. It generally disposes at first to a gentleDiaphoresisor Sweat, and several Hours after to one, and sometimes to a second Stool, with little or no Griping.K.

Gum Guaiacum, given from six to ten Grains Morning and Night, is often very successful in these Cases. It may be made into Pills or Bolusses with the Rob of Elder, or with the Extract of Juniper.E. L.

This Advice is truly prudent and judicious; Hope, as I have observed on a different Occasion, being a powerful, though impalpable, Cordial: and in such perilous Situations, we should excite the most agreeable Expectations we possibly can in the Patient; that Nature, being undepressed by any desponding melancholy ones, may exert her Functions the more firmly, and co-operate effectually with the Medicines, against her internal Enemy.K.

I knew a brave worthy Gentleman abroad, who above forty Years past thus preserved his Life, after receiving the Bite of a large Rattle-Snake, by resolutely cutting it and the Flesh surrounding it out, with a sharp pointed Penknife.—Perhaps those who would not suffer the Application of the actual Cautery, that is, of a red hot Iron (which certainly promises well for a Cure) might be persuaded to admit of a potential Cautery, where the Bite was inflicted on a fleshy Part. Though even this is far from being unpainful, yet the Pain coming on more gradually, is less terrifying and horrid. And when it had been applied quickly after, and upon the Bite, and kept on for 3 or 4 Hours, the Discharge, after cutting theEschar, would sooner ensue, and in more Abundance, than that from the actual Cautery; the only Preference of which seems to consist in its being capable perhaps of absorbing, or otherwise consuming, all the poisonousSalivaat once. This Issue should be dressed afterwards according to our Author's Direction; and in the gradual healing of the Ulcer, it may be properly deterged by adding a little Præcipitate to the Digestive. Neither would this interfere with the Exhibition of theTonquinPowderNº. 30, nor the antispasmodicBolusNº. 31, if they should be judged necessary. And these perhaps might prove the most certain Means of preventing the mortal Effects of this singular animal Poison, which it is so impossible to analyze, and so extremely difficult to form any material Idea of; but which is not the Case of some other Poisons.K.

It seems not amiss to try the Effects of a solely vegetable Diet (and that perhaps consisting more of the acescent than alcalescent Herbs and Roots) in this Disease, commencing immediately from the Bite of a known mad Dog. These carnivorous Animals, who naturally reject all vegetable Food, are the only primary Harbingers or Breeders of it; though they are capable of transmitting it by a Bite to graminivorous and granivorous ones. The Virtue of Vinegar in this Disease, said to have been accidentally discovered on the Continent, seems not to have been hitherto experienced amongst us; yet in Case of such a morbid Accident it may require a Tryal; tho' not so far, as to occasion the Omission of more certainly experienced Remedies, with some of which it might be improper.K.

The great Usefulness of mercurial Frictions, we may even say, the certain Security which they procure for the Patients, in these Cases, provided they are applied very soon after the Bite, have been demonstrated by their Success inProvence, atLyons, atMontpellier, atPondacherry, andin many other Places.Neither have these happy Events been invalidated by any Observations or Instances to the contrary. It cannot therefore be too strongly inculcated to those who have been bitten by venomous Animals, to comply with the Use of them. They ought to be used in such a Quantity, and after such a Manner, as to excite a moderate Salivation, for fifteen, twenty, or even thirty Days.E. L.Though this Practice may justly be pursued from great Caution, when no Cautery had been speedily applied to, and no such Discharge had been obtained from, the bitten Part; yet wherever it had, this long and depressing Salivation, I conceive, would be very seldom necessary; and might be hurtful to weak Constitutions.K.

As far as the Number of inoculated Persons, who remained entirely uninfected (some very few after a second Inoculation) has enabled me, I have calculated the Proportion naturally exempted from this Disease, though residing within the Influence of it, to be full 25 in 1000. See Analysis of Inoculation, Ed. 2d. P. 157. Note*.K.

It has sometimes been observed (and the Observation has been such, as not to be doubted) that a very mild distinct Small-Pocks has sometimes invaded the same Person twice: But such Instances are so very rare, that we may very generally affirm, those who have once had it, will never have it again.E. L.——In Deference to a few particular Authorities, I have also supposed such a repeated Infection. (Analysis of Inoculation, Ed. 2d. P. 43.) though I have really never seen any such myself; nor ever heard more than two Physicians affirm it, one atVersailles, and another inLondon; the last of whom declared, he took it upon the Credit of a Country Physician, thoroughly acquainted with this Disease, and a Witness to the Repetition of it. Hence we imagine the Editor of this Work atLyonsmight have justly termed this Re-infectionextremelyrare, which would have a Tendency to reconcile the Subjects of the Small-Pocks, more generally, to the most salutary Practice of Inoculation. Doubtless some other eruptive Fevers, particularly, the Chicken Pocks, Crystals,&c.have been often mistaken for the real Small-Pocks by incompetent Judges, and sometimes even by Persons better qualified, yet who were less attentive to the Symptoms and Progress of the former. But whoever will be at the Pains to read Dr.Paux' Paralléle de la petite verole naturalle avec l'artificielle, or a practical Abstract of Part of it in the Monthly Review. Vol. XXV. P. 307 to 311, will find such a just, clear and useful Distinction of them, as may prevent many future Deceptions on this frequently interesting Subject.K.

The same Appearances very often occur in such Subjects by Inoculation, before actual Sickening, as I have observed and instanced, Ed. 1st. P. 62, Ed. 2. P. 75, 76.K.

As Pustules are, and not very seldom, visible on the Tongue, and sometimes on the Roof, even to its Process called the Palate, which I have plainly seen; it seems not very easy to assign any insuperable Obstacle to the Existence of a few within the Throat; though this scarcely ever occurs, in the distinct Small-Pocks. Doubtless however, a considerable Inflammation of that Part will be as likely to produce the great Difficulty of Swallowing, as the Existence of Pustules there; which our learned Author does not absolutely reject, and consequently will forgive this Supposition of them; especially if he credits the ocular Testimony of Dr.Violante, cited in the Analysis, Ed. 2d. p 71.K.

A Negro Girl, about five or six Years old, under a coherent Pock, stole by Night out of the Garret where she lay, into a Kitchen out of Doors, where she drank plentifully of cold Water. How often she repeated these nightly cooling Potions I never could certainly learn, though they occurred in my own House inSouth-Carolinain Summer. But it is certain the Child recovered as speedily as others, whose Eruption was more distinct, and who drank Barley-Water, very thin Rice or Indian Corn Gruel, Balm Tea, or the like. In fact, throughout the Course of this Visitation from the Small Pocks inCarolinain 1738, we had but too many Demonstrations of the fatal Co-operation of violent Heat with their Contagion; and not a very few surprizing Instances of the salutary Effects of being necessarily and involuntarily exposed to same very cooling Accidents after Infection, and in some Cases after Eruption too: which I then more particularly mentioned is a small controversial Tract printed there.K.

We must remember that Dr.Tissotis treatinghereof the higher or confluent Degrees of this Disease; for in the distinct Small-Pocks, it is common to find Persons for several Days without a Stool, andwithout the least perceiveableDisorder for Want of one (their whole Nourishment being very light and liquid) in which Cases, while Matters proceeded well in all other Respects, there seems little Occasion for a great Solicitude about Stools: But if one should be judged necessary after four or five Days Costiveness, accompanied with a Tightness or Hardness of the Belly, doubtless the Glyster should be of the lenient Kind (as those directed by our Author are) and not calculated to produce more than a second Stool at the very most. Indeed, where there is Reason to apprehend a strong secondary Fever, from the Quantity of Eruption, and a previously high Inflammation, it is more prudent to provide for a Mitigation of it, by a moderately open Belly, than to suffer a long Costiveness; yet so as to incur very little Hazard of abating the Salivation, or retarding the Growth or Suppuration of the Pustules, by a Superpurgation, which it may be too easy to excite in some Habits. If the Discharge by spitting, and the Brightness and Quantity of Suppuration, have been in Proportion to the Number of Eruptions; though the Conflict from the secondary Fever, where these have been numerous, is often acute and high; and the Patient, who is in great Anguish, is far from being out of Danger, yet Nature pretty generally proves stronger than the Disease, in such Circumstances. As theElect. Catholicon, is little used, or made here, the lenitive Electuary of our Dispensatory may be substituted for it, or that of theEdinburghDispensatory, which was calculated particularly for Glysters.K.

This Practice which I had heard of, and even suggested to myself, but never seen actually enterprized, seems so very rational as highly to deserve a fair Trial in the confluent Degrees of the Small-Pocks [for in the distinct it can scarcely be necessary] wherein every probable Assistance should be employed, and in which the most potent Medicines are very often unsuccessful. We have but too many Opportunities of trying it sufficiently; and it certainly has a more promising Aspect than a Practice so highly recommended many Years ago, of covering all the Pustules (which is sometimes the whole Surface of the Patient) in Melilot, or suppose any other suppurating, Plaister; which will effectually prevent all Perspiration, and greatly increase the Soreness, Pain and Embarrassment of the Patient, at the Height of the Disease. I can conceive but one bad Consequence that might possibly sometimes result from the former; but this (besides the Means that may be used to avert it) is rather remote, and so uncertain, until the Trial is repeatedly made, that I think it ought not to be named, in Competition with the Benefits that may arise from it in such Cases, as seem, otherwise, too generally irrecoverable.K.

The Use of Opiates in this Disease undoubtedly requires no Small Consideration, the greatSydenhamhimself not seeming always sufficiently guarded in the Exhibition of them; as far as Experience since his Day has enabled Physicians to judge of this Matter. In general our Author's Limitations of them seem very just; though we have seen a few clear Instances, in which a light Raving, which evidently arose from Want of Sleep (joined to some Dread of the Event of the Disease by Inoculation) was happily removed, with every other considerable Complaint, by a moderate Opiate. In sore and fretful Children too, under a large or middling Eruption, as the Time gained to Rest is taken from Pain, and from wasting their Spirits in Crying and Clamour, I have seen Suppuration very benignly promoted byDiacodium. But in theCrisisof the secondary Fever in the confluent or coherent Pock, when there is a morbid Fulness, and Nature is struggling to unload herself by some other Outlets than those of the Skin, which now are totally obstructed (and which seems the only Evacuation, that is not restrained by Opiates) the giving and repeating them then, as has too often been practised, seems importantly erroneous; for I think Dr.Swanhas taken a judicious Liberty of dissenting from the great Author he translates, in forbidding an Opiate, if the Spitting abates, or grows so tough and ropy, as to endanger Suffocation. As the Difference of our Oeconomy in the Administration of Physic from that inSwisserland, and Dr.Tissot'sjust Reputation may dispose many Country Practitioners to peruse this Treatise, I take the Liberty of referring such Readers, for a Recollection of some of my Sentiments of Opiates, long before the Appearance of this Work in French, to the second Edition of the Analysis from P. 94 to 97,&c.K.

That I have long since had the Honour of agreeing with our learned Author, in this Consideration for the Benefit of the Body of the People, which is the Benefit of the State, will appear from p. 288 of Analys. Ed. 1st. and from p. 371, 372 of the Second.K.

The Substance of this Section flows from the Combination of an excellent Understanding with great Experience, mature Reflection, and real Probity; and fundamentally exposes both the Absurdity of such as universally decry any Preparation of any Subject previous to Inoculation, (which is said to be the Practice of a present very popular Inoculator inParis) and the opposite Absurdity of giving one and the very same Preparation to all Subjects, without Distinction; though this was avowed to have been successfully fully practised inPensylvania, some Years since; which the Reader may see Analys. Ed. 2d, from p. 329 to 331and the Note there.K.

There may certainly be an inflammatory Acrimony or Thinness, as well as Thickness of the Blood; and many medical Readers may think a morbid Fusion of the red Globules to be a more frequent Effect of this Contagion, than an increased Viscidity of them. See Analys. Ed. 2d. p. 75 to 83. But this Translation, conforming to the Spirit of its Original, admits very little Theory, and still less Controversy, into its Plan.K.

Our Author very prudently limits this Discharge, and the Repetition of it, in this Disease (§ 225) as an erroneous Excess of it has sometimes prevailed. I have seen a very epidemical Season of the Measles, where Bleeding was not indicated in one third of the infected. And yet I have known such an Abuse of Bleeding in it, that being repeated more than once in a Case before Eruption (the Measles probably not being suspected) the Eruption was retarded several Days; and the Patient, a young Lady of Condition, remained exceeding low, faint and sickish; 'till after recruiting a very little, the Measles appeared, and she recovered. In a Youth of a lax Fibre, where the Measles had appeared, a seventh or eighth Bleeding was ordered on a Stitch in the Side, supervening from their too early Disappearance, and the Case seemed very doubtful. But Nature continued very obstinately favourable in this Youth, who at length, but very slowly, recovered. His Circulation remained so languid, his Strength, with his Juices, so exhausted, that he was many Weeks before he could sit upright in a Chair, being obliged to make Use of a Cord depending from the Ceiling, to raise himself erectly in his Seat.K.

Bristol Water will be no bad Substitute for any of these, in such Cases.K.

The only Account I have read of this Practice, is in the learned Dr.Home'sMedical Facts and Experiments, published in 1759, which admits, that but nine out of fifteen of the Subjects of this Practice took. Cotton dipt in the Blood of a Patient in the Measles was inserted into the Arms of twelve; and three received the Cotton into their Nostrils, after the Chinese Manner of infusing the Small-Pocks; but of these last not one took, and one of those who had taken, had the Measles again two Months after. We think the sharp hot Lymph distilling from the inflamed Eyes of Persons in this Disease, a likelier Vehicle to communicate it than the Blood, especially the dry Blood, which was sometimes tried; since the humanSerumseems the Fluid more particularly affected by it; and this must have been evaporated when the Blood grew dry. A few practical Strictures on this Work, and particularly on this Practice described in it, appeared in the Monthly Review Vol. XXI. P. 68 to 75.K.

That is about two Ounces more than a Pint and a half of our Measure.

About three Ounces.

As our Jail, Hospital,and Camp Feversmay often be ranged in this Class, as of the most putrid Kind, and not seldom occasioned by bad Food, bad Air, unclean, unwholesome Lodging,&c.a judicious Use may certainly be made of a small Quantity of genuine, and not ungenerous, Wine in such of them, as are not blended with an inflammatory Cause, or inflammable Constitution, or which do not greatly result from a bilious Cause; though in these last, where there is manifest Lowness and Dejection, perhaps a little Rhenish might be properly interposed between the Lemonade and other Drinks directed§ 241. Doubtless Dr.Tissotwas perfectly apprized of this salutary Use of it in some low Fevers; but the Necessity of its being regulated by the Presence of a Physician has probably disposed him rather to omit mentioning it, than to leave the Allowance of it to the Discretion of a simple Country Patient, or his ignorant Assistants.K.

The French Word isGriettes, whichBeyerenglishes,the Agriot, the red or sour Cherry; andChambaud, the sweeter large black Cherry or Mazzard—But as Dr.Tissotwas recommending the Use of Acids, it is more probably the first of these: so that our Morellas, which make a pleasant Preserve, may be a good Substitute to them, supposing them not to be the same. Our Berbery Jam, and Jelly of Red Currants, may be also employed to answer the same Indication.K.

Observation and Experience have demonstrated the Advantage of the Bark, to obviate a Gangrene, and prevent the Putrefaction of animal Substances. We therefore conclude it may be usefully employed in malignant Fevers, as soon as the previous and necessary Evacuations shall have taken Place.E. L.—Provided there be very clear and regular Remissions at least.K.

This admirable Medicine was unknown in Europe, till about one hundred and twenty Years past; we are obliged to the Spaniards for it, who found it in the Province of Quito in Peru; the Countess of Chinchon being the first European who used it in America, whence it was brought to Spain, under the Name of the Countesses Powder. The Jesuits having soon dispensed and distributed it abroad, it became still more publick by the Name of the Jesuits Powder: and since it has been known by that ofKinkinaor the Peruvian Bark. It met with great Opposition at first; some deeming it a Poison, while others considered it as a divine Remedy: so that the Prejudices of many being heightened by their Animosity, it was nearly a full Century, before its true Virtue and its Use were agreed to: and about twenty Years since the most unfavourable Prejudices against it pretty generally subsided. The Insufficience of other Medicines in several Cases; its great Efficaciousness; and the many and surprizing Cures which it did, and daily does effect; the Number of Distempers; the different kinds of Fevers, in which it proves the sovereign Remedy; its Effects in the most difficult chirurgical Cases; the Comfort, the Strength and Sprits it gives those who need and take it, have at length opened every Persons Eyes; so that it has almost unanimously obtained the first Reputation, among the most efficacious Medicines. The World is no longer amused with Apprehensions of its injuring the Stomach; of its fixing, orshutting upthe Fever (as the Phrase has been) without curing it; that it shuts up the Wolf in the Sheepfold; that it throws those who take it into the Scurvy, the Asthma, the Dropsy, the Jaundice. On the contrary they are persuaded it prevents there very Diseases; and, that if it is ever hurtful, it is only when it is either adulterated, as most great Remedies have been; or has been wrongly prescribed, or improperly taken: or lastly when it meets with some latent, some unknown Particularities in a Constitution, which Physicians term anIdiosyncrasy, and which prevent or pervert its very general Effects.Tissot.

It happens very seldom that intermitting Fevers require69no Purge towards their Cure, especially in Places, which are disposed to generate Putridity. There is always some material Cause essential to these Fevers, of which Nature disembarrasses herself more easily by Stools, than by any other Discharge: And as there is not the least Danger to be apprehended from a gentle Purge, such at those ofNº. 11or23, we think it would be prudent always to premise a Dose or two of either to the Bark.E. L.

Yet I have known many in whom no Purge was necessary, and have seen some rendered more obstinate and chronical by erroneous Purging. But a Vomit is very generally necessary before the Bark is given.K.

I have seen several Cases in very marshy maritime Countries, with little good drinking Water, and far South ofSwisserland, where intermitting Fevers, with Agues at different Intervals, are annually endemic, very popular, and often so obstinate as to return repeatedly, whenever the weekly precautionary Doses of the Bark have been omitted (through the Patient's nauseating the frequent Swallowing of it) so that the Disease has sometimes been extended beyond the Term of a full Year, and even far into a second, including the temporary Removals of it by the Bark. Nevertheless, in some such obstinate Intermittents, and particularly Quartans there, wherein the Bark alone has had but a short and imperfect Effect, I have known the following Composition, after a good Vomit, attended with speedy and final Success,viz.Take of fresh Sassafras Bark, of Virginia Snake-root, of Roch-Allom, of Nutmeg, of diaphoretic Antimony, and of Salt of Wormwood of each one Drachm. To these well rubbed together into fine Powder, add the Weight of the whole, of the best and freshest Bark; then drop in three Drops of the chemical Oil of Mint, and with Syrup of Cloves make it into the Consistence of an Electuary or Bolus, for 12 Doses for a grown Person, to be taken at the Distance of three or four Hours from each other, while the Patient is awake, according to the longer or shorter Intermission of the Fever.

I have also known, particularly in obstinate autumnal Aguesthere, an Infusion of two Ounces of the best Bark in fine Powder, or two Ounces and a half in gross Powder, in a Quart of the best Brandy, for three or four Days (a small Wine Glass to be taken by grown Persons at the Distance of from four to six Hours) effectually and speedily terminate such intermittent Agues, as had given but little Way to the Bark in Substance. This was certainly more suitable for those who were not of a light delicate Habit and Temperament, and who had not been remarkable for their Abstinence from strong Liquors: the inebriating Force of the Brandy being remarkably lessened, by the Addition and long Infusion of the Bark. These Facts which I saw, are the less to be wondered at, as in such inveterate, but perfectly clear and distinct Intermittents, both the State of the Fluids and Solids seem very opposite to their State in an acutely inflammatory Disease.K.

These, in some Parts of America, are called Muskito Hawks; but we do not recollect their biting there.K.

Pounded Parsley is one of the most availing Applications in such Accidents.E.L.

The Seneka Rattle-Snake root, already recommended in true Pleurisies, will, with the greatest Probability, be found not less effectual in these false ones, in which the Inflammation of the Blood is less. The Method of giving it may be seen P.118, N. (26.) By Dr.Tissot'shaving never mentioned this valuable Simple throughout his Work, it may be presumed, that when he wrote it, this Remedy had not been admitted into the Apothecaries Shops inSwisserland.K.

Glauber or Epsom Salt may be substituted, where the other is not to be readily procured.K.

Pullet, or rather Chicken Water, but very weak, may often do instead of Ptisan, or serve for a little Variety of Drink to some Patients.E. L.—K.

Bleeding should not be determined on too hastily in this Sort of Cholic, but rather be omitted, or deferred at least, till there be an evident Tendency to an Inflammation.E. L.

The Propriety or Impropriety of Bleeding in a Cholic from this Cause should be determined, I think, from the State of the Person it happens to: So that Bleeding a strong Person with a firm Fibre, and a hard Pulse, may be very prudent and precautionary: But if it be a weakly lax Subject with a soft and low Pulse, there may be Room either for omitting,or for suspending it.K.

The Experience of all Countries and Times so strongly confirms these important Truths, that they cannot be too often repeated, too generally published, whenever and wherever this Disease rages. The Succession of cold Showers to violent Heats; too moist a Constitution of the Air; an Excess of animal Food; Uncleanliness and Contagion, are the frequent Causes of epidemical Fluxes.E. L.

I have retained the preceding Note, abridged from this Gentleman, as it contains the Suffrage of another experienced Physician, against that Prejudice of ripe Fruits occasioning Fluxes, which is too popular among ourselves, and probably more so in the Country than inLondon. I have been also very credibly assured, that the Son of a learned Physician was perfectly cured of a very obstinate Purging, of a Year's Continuance (in Spite of all the usual officinal Remedies) by his devouring large Quantities of ripe Mulberries, for which he ardently longed, and drinking very freely of their expressed Juice. The Fact occurred after his Father's Decease, and was affirmed to me by a Gentleman intimately acquainted with them both.K.

Our learned Author, or his medical Editor atLyons, observes here, ‘that in the Edition of this Treatise atParis, there was an essential Mistake, by makingBoerhaaverecommend the Addition of Brandy,Eau de vie,instead of stumming or sulphurizing it,’for which this Note, and the Text too use the Verbbranter, which Word we do not find in any Dictionary. We are told however, it means to impregnate the Casks in which the Water is reserved, with the Vapour of Sulphur, and then stopping them; in the same Manner that Vessels are in some Countries, for the keeping of Wine. He observes the Purpose of this is to oppose Corruption by the acid Steams of the Sulphur.K.

A first or second Dose of Glauber Salt has been known to succeed in the epidemical Summer Fluxes of the hotter Climates, when repeated Doses of Rhubarb and Opiates had failed. Such Instances seems a collateral Confirmation of Dr.Tissot'srational and successful Use of cooling opening Fruits in them.K.

I have seen a pretty singular Consequence from the Abuse of mercurial Unction for the Itch; whether it happened from the Strength or Quantity of the Ointment, or from taking Cold after applying it, as this Subject, a healthy Youth of about sixteen, probably did, by riding three or four Miles through the Rain. But without any other previous Complaint, he awoke quite blind one Morning, wondering, as he said, when it would be Day. His Eyes were very clear, and free from Inflammation, but the Pupil was wholly immoveable, as in aGutta serena. I effected the Cure by some moderate Purges repeated a few Times; by disposing him to sweat by lying pretty much in Bed (it being towards Winter) and by promoting his Perspiration, chiefly with Sulphur: after which the shaved Scalp was embrocated with a warm nervous Mixture, in which Balsam ofPeruwas a considerable Ingredient. In something less than three Weeks he could discern a glowing Fire, or the bright Flame of a Candle. As his Sight increased, he discerned other Objects, which appeared for some Days inverted to him, with their Colours confused; but Red was most distinguishable. He discovered the Aces sooner than other Cards; and in about six or seven Weeks recovered his full Sight in all its natural Strength, which he now enjoys.K.

Sea water, and those ofDulwich,Harrigate,Shadwell, &c. will be full as effectual.K.

TheFrenchWord here,Opiat, is sometimes used by them for a compound Medicine of the Consistence of an Electary; and cannot be supposed, in this Place, to mean any Preparation, into whichOpiumenters.K.

Too great a Fulness of Blood is undoubtedly the Cause of all these Complaints; but as there are different Methods of opposing this Cause, the gentlest should always be preferred; nor should the Constitution become habituated to such Remedies, as might either impair the Strength of the Mother, or of her Fruit. Some Expedients therefore should be thought of, that may compensate for the Want of Bleeding, by enjoining proper Exercise in a clear Air, with a less nourishing, and a less juicy Diet.E. L.

This Note might have its Use sometimes, in the Cases of such delicate and hysterical, yet pregnant Women, as are apt to suffer from Bleeding, or any other Evacuation, though no ways immoderate. But it should have been considered, that Dr.Tissotwas professedly writing here to hearty active Country Wives, who are very rarely thus constituted; and whom he might be unwilling to confuse with such multiplied Distinctions and Directions, as would very seldom be necessary, and might sometimes prevent them from doing what was so. Besides which, this Editor might have seen, our Author has hinted at such Cases very soon after.K.

The Use of Hemlock, which has been tried atLyons, by all who have had cancerous Patients, having been given in very large Doses, has been attended with no Effect there, that merited the serious Attention of Practitioners. Many were careful to obtain the Extract fromVienna, and even to procure it from Dr.Storckhimself. But now it appears to have had so little Success, as to become entirely neglected.E. L.

Having exactly translated in this Place, and in the Table of Remedies, our learned Author's considerable Recommendation of the Extract of Hemlock in Cancers, we think it but fair, on the other Hand, to publish this Note of his Editor's against it; that the real Efficacy or Inefficacy of this Medicine may at length be ascertained, on the most extensive Evidence and Experience. As far as my own Opportunities and Reflections, and the Experience of many others, have instructed me on this Subject, it appears clear to myself, that though the Consequences of it have not been constantly unsuccessful with us, yet its Successes have come very short of its Failures. Nevertheless, as in all such Cancers, every other internal Medicine almost universally fails, we think with Dr.Tissotit should always be tried (from the meer Possibility of its succeeding in some particular Habit and Circumstances) at least till longer Experience shall finally determine against it.K.

This Method (says the Editor and Annotator ofLyons) is useful, whenever the Mother does not suckle her Child. Art is then obliged to prove a Kind of Substitute to Nature, though always a very imperfect one. But when a Mother, attentive to her own true Interest, as well as her Infant's, and, listening to the Voice of Nature and her Duty, suckles it herself, these Remedies [he adds] seem hurtful, or at least, useless. The Mother should give her Child the Breast as soon as she can. The first Milk, theColostrum, orStrippings, as it is called in Quadrupeds, which is very serous or watery, will be serviceable as a Purgative; it will forward the Expulsion of theMeconium, prove gradually nourishing, and is better than Biscuits, or Panada, which (he thinks) are dangerous in the first Days after the Birth.E. L.

This Syrup of Succory being scarcely ever prepared with us, though sufficiently proper for the Use assigned it here, I have retained the preceding Note, as the Author of it directs theseStrippings, for the same Purpose, with an Air of certain Experience; and as this Effect of them seems no Ways repugnant to the physical Wisdom and Oeconomy of Nature, on such important Points. Should it in fact be their very general Operation, it cannot be unknown to any Male or Female Practitioner in Midwifery, and may save poor People a little Expence, which was one Object of our humane Author's Plan. The Oil OfRicinus, corruptly calledCastorOil (being expressed from the Berries of thePalma Christi) is particularly recommended by some late medical Writers fromJamaica,&c.for this Purpose of expelling theMeconium, to the Quantity of a small Spoonful. These Gentlemen also consider it as the most proper, and almost specific Opener, in the dry Belly-ach of that torrid Climate, which tormenting Disease has the closest Affinity to theMiserere, or Iliac Passion, of any I have seen. The Annotator's Objection to our Author's verythin lightPanada, seems to be of little Weight.K.

Or, for Want of it, the solutive Syrup of Roses.K.

TheMagnesiais an excellent Substitute in Children, for these Oils Dr.Tissotso justly condemns here.K.

That Part of the Head where a Pulsation may be very plainly felt, where the Bones are less hard, and not as yet firmly joined with those about them.

There is however a certain Degree of Weakness, which may very reasonably deter us from this Washing; as when the Infant manifestly wants Heat, and needs some Cordial and frequent Frictions, to prevent its expiring from downright Feebleness; in which Circumstances Washing must be hurtful to it.Tissot.

I have seen a Child about three Years old, whose Navel, after swelling and inflaming, suppurated, and through a small Orifice (which must have communicated with the Cavity of the Gut or the Belly) discharged one of these Worms we callteretes, about three Inches long. He had voided several by Stool, after taking some vermifuge Medicines. The Fact I perfectly remember; and to the best of my Recollection, the Ulcer healed some Time after, and the Orifice closed: but the Child died the following Year of a putrid Fever, which might be caused, or was aggravated, by Worms.K.

This Word occurs in none of the common Dictionaries; but suspecting it for theSemen Santoniciof the Shops, I find the learned Dr.Bikkerhas rendered it so, in his very well received Translation of this valuable Work intoLow Dutch.K.

This very important Consideration, on which I have treated pretty largely, in theAnalysis, seems not to be attended to in Practice, as frequently as it ought.K.

The Misfortune of a young Man drowned in bathing himself, at the Beginning of the Season, occasioned the Publication of this Chapter by itself inJune, 1761. A few Days after, the like Misfortune happened to a labouring Man; but he was happily taken out of the water sooner than the first (who had remained about half an Hour under it) and he was recovered by observing Part of the Advice this Chapter contains; of which Chapter several Bystanders had Copies.—This Note seems to be from the Author himself.

I saw a very similar Instance and Event in a Lady's little favourite Bitch, whole Body she desired to be opened, from suspecting her to have been poisoned. But it appeared that a small Needle with fine Thread, which she had swallowed, had passed out of the Stomach into theDuodenum(one of the Guts) through which the Point had pierced and pricked and corroded the concave Part of the Liver, which was all rough and putrid. The whole Carcase was greatly bloated and extremely offensive, very soon after the poor Animal's Death, which happened two or three Months after the Accident, and was preceded by a great Wheezing, Restlessness and Loss of Appetite. The Needle was rusty, but the Thread entire, and very little altered.K.

I knew a Man of the Name ofPoole, who being taken in the same Ship with me, 1717 or 18, by Pirates, had swallowed four Ginueas, and a gold Ring, all which he voided some Days after without any Injury or Complaint, and saved them. I forget the exact Number of Days he retained them, but the Pirates staid with us from Saturday Night to Thursday Noon.K.

Many fatal Examples of this Kind may be seen in thePhilosophical Transactions; and they should caution People against swallowing Cherry-stones, and still more against those of Prunes, or such as are pointed, though not very acutely.K.

This, Dr.Tissotinforms me, is a Solution of white Vitriol and some other Drugs in Spirit of Wine, and is never used in regular Practice now. It has its Name from the Author of the Solution.K.

This seems just the same ascoming on the Parish, or being received into an Alms house here; in Consequence of such an incurable Disability happening to the poor working Father of a Family.K.

The Reason of the Fatality of Heat, in these Cases, and of the Success of an opposite Application, (See§ 459) seems strictly and even beautifully analogous to whatHippocrateshas observed of the Danger, and even Fatality, of all great and sudden Changes in the human Body, whether from the Weather or otherwise. Whence this truly great Founder of Physick, when he observes elsewhere, that Diseases are to be cured by something contrary to their Causes, very consistently advises, not a direct and violent Contrariety, but a gradual and regulated one, aSub-contrariety.K.

Chilblains may also be advantageously washed with Water and Flower of Mustard, which will concur, in a certain and easy Manner, both to cleanse and to cure them.E. L.

This is or should be, the same with theBitumen Judaicum, formerly kept in the Shops; but which is never directed, except in that strange Medley theVeniceTreacle, according to the old Prescription. The best is found inEgypt, and on theRed Sea: but a different Sort, fromGermany,France, andSwisserland, is now generally substituted here.K.

Pieces of Ice applied between two Pieces of Linen, directly upon the Rupture, as soon as possible after its first Appearance, is one of those extraordinary Remedies, which we should never hesitate to make immediate Use of. We may be certain by this Application, if the Rupture is simple, and not complicated from some aggravating Cause, to remove speedily, and with very little Pain, a Disorder, that might be attended with the most dreadful Consequences. But the Continuance of this Application must be proportioned to the Strength of the Person ruptured, which may be sufficiently estimated by the Pulse.E. L.

These Creatures perhaps are fatter inSwisserland, than we often see them here.K.

Our Garden Purslain, though a very juicy Herb, cannot strictly be termed milky. In the hotter Climates where it is wild, and grows very rankly, they sometimes boil the Leaves and Stalks (besides eating them as a cooling Salad) and find the whole an insipid mucilaginous Pot-herb. But Dr.Tissotobserves to me, that its Juice will inflame the Skin; and that some Writers on Diet, who disapprove it internally, affirm they have known it productive of bad Effects. Yet none such have ever happened to myself, nor to many others, who have frequently eaten of it. Its Seeds have sometimes been directed in cooling Emulsions. The Wart Spurge is a very milky and common Herb, which flowers in Summer here.K.

Dr.Tissotinforms me, that inSwisserland, they call a volatile Salt of Vipers, or the volatile Salt of raw Silk,Sel. d'Angleterre, of which oneGoddardmade a Secret, and which he brought into Vogue the latter End of the last Century. But he justly observes at the same Time, that on the present Occasion every other volatile Alkali will equally answer the Purpose; and indeed the Smell of some of them, as the Spirit of Sal Ammoniac with Quicklime,Eau de Luce,&c.seem more penetrating.K.

Our sweet Spirit of Vitriol is a similar, and as effectual a Medicine.K.

I have seen this actually verified by great and disagreeable Surprize, attended indeed with much Concern, in a Person of exquisite Sensations.K.

La Braise.

Charbon.Dr.Tissotinforms me, their Difference consists in this, that the Charcoal is prepared from Wood burnt in a close or stifled Fire; and that the small Coal is made of Wood (and of smaller Wood) burnt in an open Fire, and extinguished before it is reduced to the State of a Cinder. He says the latter is smaller, softer, less durable in the Fire, and the Vapour of it less dangerous than that of Charcoal.

See Note105Page495.

Une Quartette.

How shocking is this! and yet how true in some Countries! I have been most certainly assured, that Bleeding has been inflicted and repeated in the last sinking and totally relaxing Stage of a Sea-Scurvy, whose fatal Termination it doubtless accelerated. This did not happen in our own Fleet; yet we are not as yet Wholly exempt on Shore, from some Abuse of Bleeding, which a few raw unthinking Operators are apt to consider as a meer Matter of Course. I have in some other Place stigmatized the Madness of Bleeding in Convulsions, from manifest Exhaustion and Emptiness, with the Abhorrence it deserves.K.

This makes an agreeable Drink; and the Notion of its being windy is idle; since it is so only to those, with whom Barley does not agree. It may, where Barley is not procurable, be made from Oats.

In those Cases mentioned§ 241,262,280, instead of the Barley, four Ounces of Grass Roots may be boiled in the same Quantity of Water for half an Hour, with the Cream of Tartar.

These Juices are to be procured from the Herbs when fresh and very young, if possible, by beating them in a Marble Mortar, or for Want of such [or a wooden Mortar] in an Iron one, and then squeezing out the Juice through a Linen Bag. It must be left to settle a little in an earthen Vessel, after which the clear Juice must be decanted gently off, and the Sediment be left behind.

Some Friends, says Dr.Tissot, whose judgment I greatly respect, have thought the Doses of acid Spirit which I direct extremely strong; and doubtless they are so, if compared with the Doses generally prescribed, and to which I should have limited myself, if I had not frequently seen their Insufficience. Experience has taught me to increase them considerably; and, augmenting the Dose gradually, I now venture to give larger Doses of them than have ever been done before, and always with much Success; the same Doses which I have advised in this Work not being so large as those I frequently prescribe. For this Reason I intreat those Physicians, who have thought them excessive, to try the acid Spirits in larger Doses than those commonly ordered; and I am persuaded they will see Reason to congratulate themselves upon the Effect.117

Our Author'sFrenchAnnotator has a Note against this Acid, which I have omitted; for though I have given hisNotePage84[with the Substance of the immediately preceding one] to which I have also added some Doubts of my own, from Facts, concerning the Benefit of Acids in inflammatory Disorders of the Breast; yet with Regard to the ardent, the putrid, the malignant Fever, andErisipelas, in which Dr.Tissotdirects this, I have no Doubt of its Propriety (supposing no insuperable Disagreement to Acids in the Constitution) and with Respect to their Doses, I think we may safely rely on our honest Author's Veracity. Dr.Fullerassures us, a Gentleman's Coachman was recovered from the Bleeding Small Pocks, by large and repeated Doses of the Oil of Vitriol, in considerable Draughts of cold Water.K.

This, our Author observes, will work a strong Country-man very well: by which however he does not seem to mean an Inhabitant of the Mountains inValais. See P.547.

This Ointment should be prepared at the Apothecaries; the Receipt of it being given here, only because the Proportions of the Quicksilver and the Lard are not always the same in different Places.

This Medicine is known by the Name ofCob'sPowder; and as its Reputation is very considerable, I did not chuse to omit it; though I must repeat here what I have said§ 195—That the Cinnabar is probably of little or no Efficacy; and there are other Medicines that have also much more than the Musk; which besides is extremely dear for poor People, as the requisite Doses of it, in very dangerous Cases, would cost ten or twelve Shillings daily. The Prescription,Nº. 31, is more effectual than the Musk; and instead of the useless Cinnabar, the powerful Quicksilver may be given to the Quantity of forty-five Grains. I have said nothing hitherto in this Work of the red blossomed Mulberry Tree, which passes for a real Specific, among some Persons, in this dreadful Malady. An Account of it may be seen in the first Volume of the Oeconomical Journal ofBerne. It is my Opinion however, that none of the Instances related there are satisfactory and decisive; its Efficacy still appearing to me very doubtful.

When this is preferred toNº. 30, of which Musk is an Ingredient, the Grain of Opium should be omitted, except once or at most twice in the twenty-four Hours. Two Doses of Quicksilver, of fifteen Grains each, should be given daily in the Morning, in the Interval between the other Bolus's.

This Medicine makes the Dogs vomit and slaver abundantly. It has effected many Cures after theHydrophobia, the Dread of Water, was manifest. It must be given three Days successively, and afterwards twice a Week, for fifteen Days.

When People are ignorant of the Strength of the Tartar emetic (which is often various) or of the Patient's being easy or hard to vomit, a Dose and a half may be dissolved in a Quart of warm Water, of which he may take a Glass every Quarter of an Hour, whence the Operation may be forwarded, or otherwise regulated, according to the Number of Vomits or Stools. This Method, much used inParis, seems a safe and eligible one.

The medical Editor atLyonsjustly notes here, that these eighty Drops are a very strong Dose of liquid Laudanum; adding that it is scarcely ever given atLyonsin a greater Dose than thirty Drops; and recommending a Spoonful of Syrup of Lemon-peel to be given with it—But we must observe here in answer to this Note, that when Dr.Tissotdirects this Mixture in the Iliac Passion§ 318, to appease the Vomitings,Art. 3, he orders but one spoonful of this Mixture to be taken at once, and an Interval of two Hours to be observed between the first and second Repetition, which reduces each Dose to sixteen Drops, and which is not to be repeated without Necessity.

This Medicine, which often occasions Cholics in some Persons of a weakly Stomach, is attended with no such Inconvenience in strong Country People; and has been effectual in some Disorders of the Skin, which have baffled other Medicines—The Remainder of this Note observes the great Efficacy of Antimony in promoting Perspiration, and the extraordinary Benefit it is of to Horses in different Cases.

The PrescriptionsNº. 54,55,56, are calculated against Distempers which arise from Obstructions, and a Stoppage of the monthly Discharges; whichNº. 55is more particularly intended to remove; those of54and56are most convenient, either when the Suppression does not exist, or is not to be much regarded, if it does. This Medicine may be rendered less unpalatable for Persons in easy Circumstances, by adding as much Cinamon instead of Aniseeds; and though the Quantity of Iron be small, it may be sufficient, if given early in the Complaint; one, or at the most, two of these Doses daily, being sufficient for a very young Maiden.

I chuse to repeat here, the more strongly to inculcate so important a Point, that in Women who have long been ill and languid, our Endeavours must be directed towards the restoring of the Patient's Health and Strength, and not to forcing down the monthly Discharges, which is a very pernicious Practice. These will return of Course, if the Patient is of a proper Age, as she grows better. Their Return succeeds the Return of her Health, and should not, very often cannot, precede it.

Our learned and candid Author has a very long Note in this Place, strongly in Favour ofStorck'sExtract of Hemlock, in which it is evident he credits the greater Part of the Cures affirmed by Dr.Storckto have been effected by it. He says he made some himself, but not of the right Hemlock, which we think it very difficult to mistake, from its peculiar rank fetid Smell, and its purple spotted Stalk. After first taking this himself, he found it mitigated the Pain of Cancers, but did not cure them. But then addressing himself to Dr.Storck, and exactly following his Directions in making it, he took of Dr.Storck'sExtract, and of his own, which exactly resembled each other, to the Quantity of a Drachm and a half daily; and finding his Health not in the least impaired by it, he then gave it to several Patients, curing many scrophulous and cancerous Cases, and mitigating others, which he supposes were incurable. So that he seems fully persuaded Dr.Storck'sExtract is always innocent [which in Fact, except in a very few Instances, none of which were fatal, it has been] and he thinks it a Specific in many Cases, to which nothing can be substituted as an equivalent Remedy; that it should be taken with entire Confidence, and that it would be absurd to neglect its Continuance.

The Translator of this Work of Dr.Tissot'shas thought it but fair to give all the Force of this Note here, which must be his own, as his Editor atLyonsseems to entertain a very different Opinion of the Efficacy of this Medicine; for which Opinion we refer back to his Note,§ 375, of this Treatise, which the Reader may compare with this of our Author's.K.

Our Author attests his seeing the happiest Consequences from this Application, which M.Brossard, a very eminentFrenchSurgeon, first published; and declared his Preference of that Agaric which sprung from those Parts of the Tree, from whence large Boughs had been lopped.

To spread this upon Lint as directed,§ 456, it must be melted down again with a little Oil.

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