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3      d^  :  z:2> 


I 


Ck.V  ISO     t' 


GjVEW  TO  THE 


J 


Domeftic  Medicine: 


O  R,    A 


TREATISE 


ON    THE 


PREVENTION   and    CURE 

o  F 

DISEASES 

BY 

REGIMEN  AND  SIMPLE  MEDICINES. 

WITH 

An  APPENDIX,  containing  a  DISPENSATORY 
for  the  Ufe  of  Private  Praditioners. 


By    WILLIAM    B  U  C  H  A  N,    M.  D. 

Fellow  cf  the  Royal  College  of  J'hyficians,  Edinburgh. 


THE    ELEVENTH    EDITION. 


LONDON: 

Printed  for  A,  St  rah  an;  T.  Cxdell  in  the  ScniiJ^ 
and  J.  Balfour,  and  W.  Crpech,  at  Edinbu,  !i. 

M  DCC  XC. 


Omoet  hominei  artem  tnedlcatq  nAile  oportet.  •— -  Sipieiid« 
GOgDiiionem  mcdidnc  Ibrorem  w  contabernalem  efle  puto. 

HlPFOCRATES. 

Priraoqoe  medendi  fcientiai  lipieotiz  panlisbebatur.— ^Ra- 
donalem  quidem  puto  aedicinam  cSe  dcbcre.  Ce  lsus. 

Qpemadmodum  faniui  omnium  reram  pretium  excedit,  omnif- 
que  felicitai  fandainentuin  eft,  iti  fcientia  viiz  ac  ranitatii 
tuendx  ooiDium  Dobiliffimt,  omnibur^ue  hominibus  com- 
mcndstiflipa  efle  debet>  Hoffman. 


»     T  O 


Sir   JOSEPH   BANKS,  Bart. 


PRESIDENT  OF  THE  ilOYAL  SOCIETY* 


S  I  R, 


THE  Domestic  Medicine  having 
been  honoured,  on  its  firft  appearancCf 
with  the  patronage  of  your  learned  and  worthy 
Predeceflbr,  the  late  Sir  John  Pringle,  I  beg 
leave,  in  a  more  improved  ftate,  to  dedicate  it 
to  you,  as  a  fmall,  but  fincere,  teftimony  of 
that  veneration  and  efteem  with  which  I  have 
long  beheld  the  Man  who,  born  to  eafe 
and  affluence,  had  refolution  to  encounter 
the    dangers    of   unknown    feas    jind    diftant 

a  i  climesj 


DEDICATION, 

climes,    in    puifuit   of  ufeful    Science;    and 

whofe    conllant    obje<S  has    been    to    render 

that  Science  iubfcrvicnt  to  the   happinefs  and 

civili'/vition  of  Society. 

I    have    the    honour    to    be,    with    great 
refpedt, 

SIR, 


Your  moft  obedient  iervant, 


London, 
Kov.  io>  1783. 


W.  BUCHAN. 


-t  •  \  .• 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


^T^  WE  N  T  Y  years  have  now  elapfed  fince  the 
firit  Edicion  of  this  Book  made  its  appear- 
ance. During  this  period,  the  Author,  having  been 
in  conftant  pradlice,  has  taken  occafion  to  innprovc 
feveral  articles,  which  were  with  lefs  accuracy  in- 
fcrted  in  the  more  early  impreflions.  For  this  he  has 
been  cciyurcd  by  fome,  but  the  more  candid  and 
difcerning  muft  approve  his  condu^.  It  would  be 
unpardonable  in  an  Author  to  fufFer  an  error  in  a 
book,  on  which  health  and  life  may  depend,  to 
ftand  uncorre6ted  ;  nor  would  it  be  much  Icfb  fo  to 
perceive  an  omiflion,  and  leave  it  unfupplied.  His 
improvements,  however,  are  not  the  refult  of  mer- 
cenary views..  The  fame  principle  which  prompted 
the  Author  to  write  the  Book,  will  ever  induce  him 
to  improve  it  to  the  utmoft  of  his  power. 

The  Author  has  indeed  to  regret,  that  the  limits 
of  one  volume  preclude  many  inctrefling  obferva- 
tions,  and  likewifc  deprive  him  of  the  pleafure  of 
inferting  a  number  of  very  ufeful  remarks  made  by 
his  learned  and  ingenious  friend  Doftor  DuplaniLi 
of  Paris,  who  has  done  him  the  honour  of  pub- 
liihing  an  elegant  tranflation  of  this  Work^  in  five 
volumes  octtvo,  accompaoied  wich  ^n  excellenc 
i:ommenury.  j 

The  improvemoJts  of  the   later    editions   arc 
chiefly  inferted  in  the  form  of  notes.    ,Thefe  arc 

^  intended 


yi  ADVEHTISEMENt. 

intended  cither  to  illuftrate  the  text,  or  to  put  pe'ef-« 
pie  on  their  guard  in  dangerous  fituations^  and 
prevent  fatal  miftakes  in  the  praftice  of  medicine, 
"which  it  is  to  be  regretted  are  but  too  common. 

Some  attention  has  likewifc  been  paid  to  the 
'^language.  Where  that  was  either  inaccurate  or 
bbfcure,  as  far  as  was  prafticable,  it  has  been  cor- 
t^ftcd.  Indeed,  the  Author  has  all  along  endea- 
voured to  obferve  luch  fimplicity  and  perfpicuity 
in  his  ftyle  as  might  enable  the  reader  clearly  to 
tinderftand  Ic :  a  circumftance  of  the  utmoft  im- 
portance in  a  performance  of  this  nature. 

Although  the  Domestic  Medicine  was  never 
intended  to  fupcrfede  the  ufc  of  a  phyfician,  but 
to  fupply  his  place  in  fituations  where  medical  af- 
fiftance  could  not  eafily  be  obtained;  yet  the  Au- 
thor is  forry  to  obferve,  that  the  jealoufies  and  fears 
of  the  Faculty  have  prompted  many  of  them  to  treat 
this  Work  in  a  manner  altogether  unbecoming  the 
profeflbrs  of  a  liberal  fcienCe:  notwithftanding 
'  their  injurious  treatment,  he  is  determined  to  perfift 
in  his  plan,  being  fully  convinced  of  its  utility; 
nor  fhall  intereft  or  prejudice  ever  deter  him  from 
exerting  his  bed  endeavours  to  render  the  Medical^ 
Art  more  extenftvely  befjeficial  to  Mankind. 

But  this  illiberal  treatment  of  the  Faculty  is  not 
the  only  thing  of  which  the  Author  has  caufc  to 
complain.  By  fome  of  them  his  Book  has  bcefi 
fcrved  up  mangled  and  mutilated,  and  its  title, 
type,  fize,  &:c.  fo  clofely  imitated,  that  purchafers 
arc  mifled,  and  frequently  buy  thefc  fpurious  p^o^ 
du6lions  inftead  of  the  real  one.  That  a  needy 
*  Author, 


ADVERTISfeMtNT.         vii 

Autl^orj  incapable  himfelf  of  producing  an  origi- 
nal workj  (hould  prey  upon  anotherj  and  that  a 

mercenary  Bookfellcr  Ihould  vend  fuch  produc- 
tions, knowing  them  to  be  ftolcnj  are  things  not  ac 
ail  to  be  wondered  at :  but  that  all  this  can  be  done 
with  impunity,  fhews  that  the  laws  of  this  country 
refpeding  literary  property,  are  ftiii  in  a  very  iin« 
perfed  ftate,  and  ftand  much  in  need  of  amendment. 

LoNDon^ 
Dec.  ID,  1789. 


■• .  i. 


a  2 


PREFACE. 


Vy  HEN  r  firff  frghifidd  my  intehtlon  ef  pub^* 
^^  HflTing»thtf  fo))5\Milig  (hicts,  !  was  told  by 
my  frtcnds  it  would  diriW  on  me  the  rcfcntmcnt  of 
the  whole  Fafcolty.  As  I  nevct  cottld  cntcrtairi 
fochan  uiifaf^ufafble  idea>  I  was  refolved  to  maktS 
the  evperimenr^  which  indeed  canw  our  pretty* 
much  as  might  have  been  cjcpcfted.  Many  whole 
learning  and  HberaKty  of  fcntiments  do  honour  td 
medicine  i«eceived  the  book  in  a  manner  which  at 
cnce  Ihewed  their  indulgence,  and  the  falfity  of  thi 
ofimon  f bat  evity  fkyjician  ioijhes  fo  conceal  bis  arti 
while  the  more'  flelBftt  and  narrow- minded j  gene- 
rally the  moft  numepotis'  in  every  profcffion,  have 
not  failed}  to  perftcnteboth  the  book  and  irsf  autho^r: 

The  reception^-h<lweMr,  which  this  work  has 
met  with  from  the  Public  merits  my  moft  grateful 
acknowredgments\  As  the  beft  way  of  expreffing 
thcfe,  I  have  endeavoured  to  rcndfer  it  more  gene- 
rally ufefuly'  by  enlarging  the  p'ropbylaxis,  or  thai 
part  which  treftf^  of  preventing- difeafes;  and  by 
adding  many  arttG)e$^^ich  had  be\en  entirely  omit-^ 
ted  inutile  former  impt<efnon9.  Tt  is  needlefs'  tc^ 
enumerate  chefe  addftibns ;  P  ih^ll'only  fay,  that  I 
hope  they  will  be  found  neal'  improvements; 

Theobfervationsridlaitive tb Nurfing and  the Mar- 
nagement  of  Children^  were  chiefly  fuggefted  by  an 
extenfive  practice  among  infants,  in  a  large  branch 
of  the  Foundling  Hofpitfil,  where  I  had  an  oppor- 
tunity not  only  of  treating  the  difeafes  incident  tt> 
childhood^  but  likewife  of  trying  different  plans  of 

a  3  nurfing. 


X  PREFACE. 

nurfing,  and  obfcrving  their  cfFcfts.  Whenever  I 
had  it  in  my  power  to  place  the  children  under  the 
CjMTC  of  proper  nurfes,  to  inftruft  thefe  nurfes  in 
fhcir  duty,  and  to  be  facisfied  that  they  performed 
\if  very  few  of  them  died;  but  wKen^  from  dift^nce 
Qf  place,  and  other  unavoidable  circumftances,  the 
children  were  left  to  the  fole  care  of  mercenary 
Bjurfes,  without  any  perfon  to  inftrui^  or  fuperin- 
t^nd  them,  fcarce  any  of  them  Hved, 
^,  This  vizs^  fo  apparent,  as  with  me  to  amount  to 
|i.  proof  of  the  following  melancholy  fa£k:  That  al^ 
mfijt  one  half  of  the  human /pedes  peri/h  in  infancy  ^  by 
ifitprop^r  management  or  negleSl.  This  reflexion  has 
made  me  often  wifh  to  be  the  happy  inftrument  of 
alleviating  the  miferies  of  thofe  fuffering  innocents^ 
pr  of  refcuinig  them  from  an  untimely  grave.  No 
0^^,  who  has  not  had  an  opportunity  of  obferving 
tl^m,  can  imagine  what  abfurd  and  ridiculous 
]>r^dices  dill  prevail  in  the  nurfing  and  management 
5>f  .infants,  and  .what  numbers  of  lives  are  by  that 
xti^ans  iof^  t;a  fociety.  As  thefe  practices  are  chiefly 
p)H\n%  to  ignorance,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  that  when 
lijqffes  are  better  inforrped^  their  condud  will  be 
very  different. 

:^.(The  application  of  medicine  to  the  various  oc* 
fiups^tion^  qf.life  has  been  in  general  the  refult  of 
f9^fervation<  An  extenfive  pradice  for  feveral  years, 
1^  one  of  the  largqft  nianufadturing  towns  in  £ng« 
Hpd,  afforded,  me  fufEcient  opportunities  of  ob» 
joying  the  injuries  which  thofe  ufeful  people  fuflain 
Jfrom  their  particular  employments,  and  likewife  of 
iCrying  various  methods  of  obviating  fuch  injuries* 
Xlfo  A^ccefs  which  attended  thefe  trials  was  fuffi* 
Cient  to.encoqrage  this  atteippt,  which  I  hope  will 
j|>e.  of  uCe  to  iihofe  who  are  under  the  neceffity  of 
94rning  (bcir  bread  by  fuch  employments  ^s  arc 
liafaxQiirablp  ;q  healtht 


IdQ 


P  RET  AC  Er  xi 

I  do  not  mean  to  intimidate  men^  far  lefs  to  in« 
finuate  that  even  thofe  art%  the  praAice  of  which* 
is  attended  with  fome  degree  of  danger,  fhould  noc 
be  carried  on ;  but  to  guard  the  lefs  cautious  and 
unwary  againft  thofe  dangers  which  they  have  it  in 
their  power  to  avoid,  and  which  they  often,  through^ 
mere  ignorance,  incur.  As  every  occupation  iir 
life  difpdfes  thofe  who  follow  it  to  fome  particular 
difeafes  more  than  to  others,  it  is  certainly  of  im*^ 
portancc  to  know  thefe,  in  order  that  people  may 
be  upon  their  guard  againft  them.  It  V3  always 
better  to  be  warned  of  the  approach  of  an  enemyj 
than  to  be  furprifed  by  him,  efpecially  where  thcfV 
is  a  poflibility  of  avoiding  the  danger.  ^ 

The  obfervations  concerning  Diet,  Air,  Exercift^ 
&c»  are  of  a  more  general  nature,  and  have  not 
cfcaped  the  attention  of  phyficians  in  any  age» 
They  are  fubje£ts  of  too  great  importance,  how* 
ever,  to  be  paiTed  over  in  an  attempt  of  thiskind^ 
and  can  never  be  fufficiently  recommended.  The 
man  who  pays  a  proper  attention  to  thefe,  will  fel* 
dom  need  the  phyfician;  and  he  who  does  not  will 
fcldom  enjoy  health,  let  him  employ  as  many  phy* 
iicians  as  he  pleafes. 

Though  we  have  endeavoured  to  point  out  the 
caufes  of  difeafes,  and  to  put  people  upon  their 
guard  againft  them,  yet  it  muft  be  acknowledged 
chat  they  are  often  of  fuch  a  nature  as  to  admit  of 
being  removed  only  by  the  diligence  and  a6tivity 
of  the  public  magiftrate.  We  arc  forry,  indeed, 
to  obferve,  that  the  power  of  the  magiftrate  is  fel* 
dom  exerted  ih  this  country  for  the  prefervation  of 
health.  The  importance  of  a  proper  medical  po- 
lice is  either  not  underftood,  or  little  regarded. 
Many  things  highly  injurious  to  the  public  health 
are  daily  pradtifed  with  impunity,  while  others, 
abfolutely  neceflary  for  its  prefervation,  are  entirely 

neglefted. 

a  4  Some 


m  PR  E  F  A  C  £. 

-  Sonoc  of  the  public  means  of  prcfcrving  health 
are  mentiooed  in  the  general  prophylaxis,  as  ohe 
inipcdion  of  provifions^  wideoing  the  ftreefs   of 
great  towns,  keeping  them  clean,   liipptying  the 
inbabiEants  wich  wholefome  water,  &c. ;  but  they 
arc  pafled,  over  in  a  very  curfory  manner.     A  pro- 
pe:r  attentdon  to  thefe  would  have  dwelled  this  vo- 
IviTie  to  too  large  a  fizc;  I  have  therefore  referved 
them  for  the  fubjedt  of  a  future  publication. 
'  in  the  treatment  of  difqafes^  I  hav^  been  pecu- 
liarly att-enci«ve  to   regimen.      The  generality  of 
people  lay  too  much  (brefs  upoo  M*edicine,  and- 
couft  too  lattlc  to  their  own  endeavours.     It  is  al- 
ways in    the   power  of  the  patient,   or   of  thofe 
a[jx>ut  him,  to  do  as  much  tow.ards  his  recovery  as 
can   be  efFefted  by  the  phyfician..     By  not  attend** 
log  to  this,  the  defigns  of  Medicine  are  often  fruf- 
tFSted;  amd  the  pacient,  by  purfuing  a.  wrong  plan 
of  negimen,  not  only  defeats,  the  Dolor's  endea^ 
vours,  but  renders  them  dangerous.     I  haye  ofteiv 
knowm  pajdents  killed  by  an  error  in  regimen,  when« 
they  were  ufing  very  proper  medicines^     It  will  be 
fiiid^  the  phyficiao.  always  order^^  the  regimen  when, 
he  prefcribes  a  medicine.     I  wifti.  it  were  fo,   both. 
for  the  honour  of  the  Faculty  and:  the  fafetyi  of 
their  patients.:  but  phylicians^  as  well  as  other  peo- 
ple^ are  too. little  attentive  to  this  matter. 

Though  many  reckon,  it  doubtful  whether  me- 
dicines are  more  beneficial  or  hurtful  to  mankind> 
y^et  all  allow  theneceflity  andimportance  of  a.  pro- 
per regimen  in  difcafes*  Indeed  the  very  appe- 
tites, of  the  fick  prove  its  propriety.  No  man  in 
his  fenfes  ever  imagined  that  a  perfon  in  a  fever, 
for  example,  could  eat,  drink,  or  condu6b  himfel£ 
in  the  fame  manner  as  one  in  perfect  health.  This 
part  of  medicine,  therefore,  is  evidently  founded 
iQ  Nature,  and  is  every  way  confident  with  reafon 
and  common  fenfe.    Had  men  been  more  atten-* 

tire 


c 


PREFACE.  xifi 

tivc  to  it,  and  lefe  felicitous  in  hunting  after  fc» 
crct  remedies.  Medicine  had  never  become  an  ob- 
jeft  of  ridicule. 

Indeed  this  feems  to  have  been  the  firfl:  idea  of 
Medicine.  The  ancient  phyficians  afted  chiefly  inf 
the  capacity  of  nurfes.  They  went  very  linle  be- 
yond aliment  in  their  prefcriptions;  and  even  thi» 
they  2;enerally  adminiftered  themfelves,  attending 
the  ficlc  for  that  purpofe  through  the  whole  courfe 
of  the  difeafc ;  which  gave  them  an  opportunity 
not  only  of  marking  the  changes  of  difeafes  with" 
great  accuracy,  but  Kkewife  ot  dlifcrving  the  cf- 
fefts  of  their  difltrent  applications,  and  adapting 
them  to  the  fymptonrs. 

The  learned  Dr.  Arburhirot  aflerrs,  that  by  a 
proper  attention  to  rhofe  things  which  anr  almoit 
within  the  reach  of  every  body,  more  good  and  lefs 
mifchief  will  be  done  in  acute  difeafes,  than*  by 
medicines  improperly  and  unfeafonably  adminifber- 
ed;  and  that  great  cures  may  be  cfFcflred  in  chro- 
nical drftempers,  by  a  proper  regimen  cff  the  dtet 
only.  So  entirely  do  the  Doftor's  fentiments  and 
mine  agree,  that  I  would  advife  every  perfon,  ig- 
norant of  phyfic,  to  confine  his  praftice  folely  to' 
diet,  and  the  other  parts  of  regimen;  by  which 
means  he  may  often  do  much  good,  and  can  fci- 
dom  do  any  hurt. 

This  feems  alfo  to  have  becli  the  opinion  of  the* 
ingenious  EXr.  Huxham,  who  obferves,  that  we  often 
fcek  from  Art  what  all-bountiful  Nature  mod  rea-, 
dily,  and  as.effeftualty,  offers  us,  had  we  diligence 
and  fagacity  Enough  to  obftrvc  and  make  ufe  of 
them;  that  the  dietetic  part  of  Medicine  is  not  fo' 
much  fhidied  as  it  ought  to  be;  and  that;  though 
I«fs  pompous,  yet  it  is  the  moft  natural  method  of 
curing  difeafes. 

To  render  the  book  more  generally  ufeful,  how-' 
ever,  aar  well  as  more  acceptable  to  the  inteiligentr 

part 


mw  PREFACE. 

pftft.Cf  maokind,  I  have  in  mofl:  difeafes^  b^fidea 
regimen^  rccortimcnded  fomc  of  the  moft  fimplo 
aad  approved  forms  of  medicine,  and  added  fuch 
cautions  and  direftions  as  fcemcd  neccflary  for  their 
US^  admin iftrat ion.  It  would  no  doubt  have  been 
more  acceptable  to  many,  had  it  abounded  with 
pcHnpouja  preicriptions,  and  promifed  great  curca 
ip.ipQnfequence  of  their  ufe;  but  this  was  not  my 
1^90 ;  J.  think  the  adminidration  of  medicines  aU 
Way^  .doubtful,  and  often  dangerous^  and  would 
much  rather  teach  men  how  to  avoid  the  neceffity 
q(.  ufing  them,  thnn  b>w  they  Ihould  be  ufed. 

.  Several  medicines,  and  thofe  of  confiderable  ef- 
ficacy, may  be  adminiftered  with  great  freedom  and 
£lfc^y.  PhyQcian$  generally  trifle  a  long  time 
3vith  medicines  before  they  learn  their  proper  ufe, 
lA^y  peafants  at  prefent  know  better  how  to  ub 
ipnve.or  the  moft  important  articles  in  the  materia  me^ 
di^^  than  phyficians  did  a  century  ago ;  and  doubc-^ 
lei^. the  fame  obfervatioo  will  hold  with  regard  to 
Qther3  fomc  time  hence.  Wherever  I  was  con*» 
ifinced  that  medicine  might  be  ufed  with  fafety,  or 
wbfre  the  cure  depended  chiefly  upon  it,  I  have 
taken  care  to  recommend  it;  but  where  it  was 
cither  highly  dangerous,  or  not  very  neceflaryj  ic 
iajomitted. 

r  I  have  not  troubled  the  reader  with  an  ufelefa 
parade  of  quotations  from  different  authors,  buc 
hay.e  in  general  adopted  their  obfervations  where 
my  own  were  either  defcAive,  or  totally  wanting^ 
^bofe  to  whom  I  am  moft  obliged  are,  Ramazinij, 
Acbuthnot,  and  Tiffot  j  the  laft  of  which,  in  hii 
v/w  au  Peuplf,  comes  the  neareft  to  my  views  of 
any  author  which  I  have  fcen.  Had  the  Doftor's 
plan  been  as  complete  as  the  execution  is  matterly, 
we  (hould  have  had  no  occafion  for  any  new  trea- 
tifc  of  this  kind  foon;  but  by  confining  himfelf  to 
ihe  acute  difeafes,  he  ha$  in  my  opinion  omitted 

the 


:.'-. .  '-J 


PREFACE.  ST 

the  moft  tifeful  part  of  his  fobjeft.  People'  in  aemi 
difeafcs  may  fomecimes  be  their  own  phyficiatis  i 
but  in  the  chronic^  the  cure  muft  ever  depend 
chiefly  upon  the  patient'a  own  endeavours*  Tho 
Podor  has  alfo  pafled  over  the  PropbylaxsSj  or  prc^ 
ventive  part  of  Medicine^  very  flightly>  though  it 
is  certainly  of  the  greateft  importance  in  fuch  4 
work.  He  had  no  doubt  his  reafons  for  fo  doings 
mid  I  am  fo  far  from  finding  fault  with  him,  thfati 
I  think  his  performance  does  great  honour  both  ttt 
bis  bead  and  lo  his  heart.  .     :n 

Several  other  foreign  phyficians  of   eminenMt 
have  wriuen  on  nearly  the  fame  plao  with  Tiffbt,  as 
(he  Baron  Van  Swieten,  phyfician  to  their  Imperial 
Majefties^  M.  Rofen,  firft  phyfician  of  the  king« 
dom  of  Sweden,  &c.  -,  but  thefe  gentlemen's  prQf<^ 
dui&ions  have  never  come  to  my  hand.     I  cannot 
help  wifbing,  however,  that  fome  of  our  diftini 
guilhed  countrymen  would  follow  their  examplci 
There  ftill  remains  much  to  be  done  on  this  fubjefk^ 
and  it  does  not  appear  to  me  how  any  man  could 
better  employ  his  time  or  talents,  than  in  eradicating 
)iurtfal  prejudicesj  and  diffufing  ufeful  knowledge 
among  the  people. 

.  )  know  fome  of  the  Faculty  difapprove  of  everf 
^temptof  this  nature,  imagining  that  it  muft  totally 
deftroy  their  influence.  But  this  notion  appears  to 
pe  to  be  as  abfurd  as  it  is  illiberal;  People  in  dt(^ 
trefs  will  always  apply  for  relief  to  men  of  fup^ 
rior  abilities,  when  they  h^ve  itin  their  poweri  and 
they  will  do  this,  with  far  greater  confidence  and 
readinefs  when  they  believe  that  Medicine  is  a  ra^ 
tional  fcience,  than  when  they  take  it  to  be  only 
^  niatter  of  mere  conjefkure.  '^ 

Though  I  have  endeavoured  to  render  this  Treai- 
tife  plain  and  ufeful,  yet  I  found  it  impoifible  fO 
avoid  fome  terms  of  art;  but  thofe  are  in  general 
(i;h$r  ?x|44iacd^  or  vc  fuch  as  moil  peopk  under^ 

ftand«^ 


ftittjdv  III  flroft,.  1  hate  en'dr soured  to  c^nlbt^rtt 
ifnf  Ryic/  to  rin^  capaititmd  of  mankiitd  m  gftivti^I  i 
ioBtd^  i£niyRe:adcns  d0.  DOC  flutter  eidker  c6trmfelves 
611  H^e,  .with  feme ckgres  of iuGCe^-  Oti  a  medi* 
cri<  fvbjc^  ebb  Ts  fiar  fo*  eaf^'  i(.  i^itiiiter  ai»  fotM 
va)^  ironagln^;  .  I'o  rmkcr  a  ibeM  nf  tearnPim^  14 
cafier  than  eo  wncBr  plaia-  finyfe,  ttf|)emNy(  i«P  a^  fci^ 
cdfie  Whiclr  has<torn<ktpc  ac  fiMsh  a^dift^nce  fti(MV< 
catemcth  obfrrvation.  .  ttr  would  how^vei^  be  no 
difBcuUc  ornttcer  tatprcfiXy  thac  evet^  s^ing^  v^kiiablft 
in  the  pradical  part  of  Medicine  is^  wit4lin'  t^ 
M»Jk.e^-)CorarTHNt  aBii&ie?*  <     • 

,  It  would  be  uBgi^nerousnot  Wffxpwfoiwy  waiw^ 
cA  aokiiiowldjgments^  to  chofe  Gende^tf o'  wbo  have 
cndeavQUrcdr  toj  cxttnd .  che  wfefeiHedv  of  this  P^r- 
iMHiance,  b^  t^^oflatin^  it  m>^  thr  language  6f 
their  rel|)e6iirtrttCountitws^  Moft'of  tJfefrtt  hdvc^  tk>t 
only  given  elegan:'  trairflatioiys^  of  thisi  Bootc,  biit 
h^ve  afUbt  enriched  it:  withr  matiy^  ufeflil  obfi!rva* 
tJ<Kis^;  by  which  it  Js  rendet^d^- ntope  complete^ 
and  beacB  adapted  toi  the  ciimat%  and^  the  con(li<« 
ctKlions  of  their  coamrfinen.  Ttf  the  ItsirMd  Dk 
|>^laniii  of  Flms,.  phyih:iaiv  t»  the  C^m  d'lArtcHsv 
I'lic  under  particular  obligationiTi*  ^  this' Gentlil^ 
maohaA  not  ody  cbirfideraiily:  en^rged  mf  I'l^a- 
iife^  but>.  by  his  very  ingenious*  afrid^  uftfiir  notttf^ 
fift»  rendered  it  fapopolar  on  the  Continent^  as  to 
qcisafioBUCd  beifigL0canfl[ated:intO'  alll  the  language^ 
0^  modem  EuropCi.    :  - 

1  have  only  toraddy  that  the  book  has  not  more 
Sxqeeded  nxY  expedbations  in  ios  fuceef^^  than  in  the 
fIFedtsdt  has.  produced;  Some  of  the  tno(^  pefni^ 
0fH^B  pra£tice$9*  with. regard'  to  the  treatment  of  the 
fick,  have  already  given  place  tD  a  more  rfttidnrf 
ipndudti.and  many  of  the  molt  hurtful  prejudices, 
.which  feemed  to  be  quite  infurmoutitafblej  have  in 
a  great  meafure  yielded  to:  better  information.  Of 
this  a  ftrongcr  inftaiKe  cannot  be  gi¥eQ  than  the 
,  .  .  inocu- 


P  R  E  F  A  C  E.  xvii 

inoculation  of  the  fmall-pox.  Few  mothers^  fome 
years  ago,  would  fubmit  to  have  their  children 
inoculated  even  by  the  hand  of  aPhyfician;  yti 
nothing  is  more  certain,  than  that  of  late  many  of 
them  have  performed  this  operation  with  their  own 
hands  s  and  as  their  fuccefs  has  been  equal  to  that 
of  the  mod  dignified  inoculators,  there  is  little 
reafon  to  doubt  that  the  praflice  will  become  ge* 
neral.  Whenever  this  (hall  be  the  cafe,  more  livts 
will  be  faved  by  inoculation  alone,  than  are  atpre«« 
fexit  by  all  the  endeavours  of  the  Faculiy* 


.  I 


%' 


ifi" 


an  »   •    ' 


•v.-- 


■^  T 


.  w      -   \  .    ■    ' 


t 


'•  tr 


INTRODUCTION. 


^TPHE  improvements  in  Medicine,  Tincc  the  re* 
•**  vival  of  learning,  have  by  no  means  kept 
pace  with  thofe  of  the  other  arts^  The  reafon  is 
obvious.  Medicine  has  been  ftudied  by  few,  ex- 
cept thofe  who  intended  to  live  by  it  as  a  trade. 
Such,  either  from  a  miftaken  zeal  for  the  honour 
of  Medicine,  or  to  raife  their  own  importance^  have 
endeavoured  to  difguife  and  conceal  the  art.  Me- 
dical authors  have  generally  written  in  a  foreign 
languages  and  thofe  who  were  unequal  to  this  taflc, 
have  even  valued  themfelves  upon  couching,  at 
leaft,  their,  prefcriptions,  in  terms  and  chara<5tcrs 
unintelligible  to  the  reft  of  mankind. 

The  contentions  of  the  clergy,  which  happened 
foon  after  the  reftoration  of  learning,  engaged  the 
attention  of  mankind,  and  paved  the  way  for  that 
.freedom  of  thought  and  inquiry,  which  has  fince 
prevailed  in  moft  parts  of  Europe  with  regard  to 
religious  matters.  Every  man  took  a  fide  in  thofe 
bloody  difputes ;  and  every  gentleman,  that  he 
might  diftinguifli  himfeFf  on  one  fide  or  other,  was 
inftrufted  in  Divinity.  This  taught  people  to  think 
and  reafon  for  themfelves  in  matters  of  religion, 
and  at  laft  totally  deftroyed  that  complete  and  ab« 
folute  dominion  which  the  clergy  had  obtained 
over  the  minds  of  men. 

The  ftudy  of  Law  has  likewifc,  in  moft  civilized 
nations,  been  juftly  deemed  a  neceffary  part  of  the 
education  of  a  gentleman.  Every  gentleman  oughc 
certainly  to  know  at  leaft  the  laws  of  his  own  coun- 
try :  and,  if  he  were  alfo  acquainted  with  thofe  of 

others. 


XX  INTRODUCTION- 

others,  it  might  be  more  than  barely  an  ornament 
to  him. 

The  different  branches  of  Philofophy  have  alfo 
of  late  been  very  univerfally  ftudied  by  all  who 
pretended  to  a  liberal  education.  The  advant;^es 
of  this  are  manifeft.  It  fixes  tlic  mind  from  pre- 
judice and  fupcrftition ;  fits  it  for  the  invelligation 
of  truth  i  induces  habits  of  reafoning  and  judging 
properly  i  opens  an  inexhauftible  fource  of  enter- 
tainment ;  paves  the  way  to  the  improvemf nt  of 
'arts  and  agriculture ;  and  qualifies  men  for  a^ing 
with  propriety  in  the  moil  important  ftations  of 
life. 

Natural  Hiftory  is  likewife  become  an  objeQ; 
of  general  attentions  and  it  well  defervts  to  be  fo. 
It  leadyto  difcoveries  of  the  greatcft  importance. 
Indeed  Agriculture,  the  moft  ufeful  of  all  arts,  is 
only  a  branch  of  Natural  Hiftory,  and  can  never 
arrive  at  a  high  degree  of  improvement  where  the 
Itudy  of  that  fcience  is  neglefted. 

Medicine  however  has  not,  as  far  as  we  know, 
in  any  country,  been  reckoned  a  neceflary  part  of 
the  education  of  a  gentleman.  But  furely  no  fuf- 
ficient  reafbn  can  be  afligned  for  this  omifiion.  No 
fcience  lays  open  a  more  extenfive  field  of  ufeful 
Jcnowledge,  or  affords  more  ample  entertainment 
to  an  inquifitive  rhind.  Anatomy,  Botany,  Chy- 
Yniftry,  ^and  the  Materia  Mcdicay  are  all  branches 
jof  Natural  Hiftory,  and  are  fraught  with  luch 
'amufement  and  utility,  that  the  man  who  en- 
tirely n^glefts  therfi  has  but  a  forry  claim  cither  to 
|afte  or  learning.  If  a  gentleman  has  a  turn  for 
obfervatioft,  fays  an  elegant  and  fenfible  writer  *, 
4 u rely  the  natural  hiftory.  of  his  own  fpecies  is  a 
'ir)ore  interelting  fubjedl,  and  prcfents  a  more  ample 
field  for  the  exertion  of  gtnius,  than  the  natural 
•Jiiftory  of  fpiders  and  cockle- (hells. 

•  ObG^irationfi  00  t^e  DtiUcs  and  O^ices  of  a  Phyl^ian..    * 

12  '  We 


INTRODUCTION.  xxi 

Wc  do  not  mean  that  every  man  Ihould  become 
a  phyfician.  This  would  bean  attempt  as  ridicu- 
lous as  it  is  impoifible.  All  we  plead  for  is,  that 
men  of  fenfe  and  learning  (hoiild  be  fofar  acquaint- 
ed with  the  general  principles  of  Medicine,  as  to 
be  in  a  condition  to  derive  from  it  fome  of  thofc 
advantages  ^ith  which  it  is  fraught;  and  at  the 
fame  time  to  guard  themfelvcs  againft  the  deftruc- 
live  influences  of  Ignoranccj  Superftition,  and 
Quackery* 

As  matters  (land  at  prefent,  it  is  eafier  to  cheat 
a  man  out  of  his  life  than  of  a  fhilling,  and  almofl: 
jmpoflible  either  to  detedb  or  punifh  the  offender. 
Notwithftanding  this,  people  ftill  (hut  their  eyes, 
and  take  every  thing  upon  truft  that  is  adminifter- 
ed  by  any  Pretender  to  Medicine,  without  daring 
to  a(k  him  a  reafon  for  any  part  of  his  conduA. 
Implicit  faith,  every  where  elfe  the  objeft  of  ridi- 
cule, is  ftill  (acred  here.  Many  of  the  faculty  are 
no  doubt  worthy  of  all  the  confidence  that  can  be 
repofcd  in  them;  but  as  this  can  never  be  the 
chara6ter  of  every  individual  in  any  profefTion,  it 
would  certainly  be  for  the  fafety,  as  well  as  the  ho- 
nour of  mankind,  to  have  fome  check  upon  the 
conduft  of  thofe  to  whom  they  entruft  lb  valuable 
a  treafure  as  health. 

The  veil  of  myftcry,  which  ftill  hangs  over  Me- 
dicine, renders  it  not  only  a  conjefkural,  but  even 
a  fufpicious  art.  This  has  been  long  ago  removed 
from '  the  other  fciences,  which  induces  many  to 
believe  that  Medicine  is  a  mere  trick,  and  that  ic 
will  not  bear  a  fair  and  candid  examination.  Me- 
dicine, however,  needs  only  to  be  better  knovC'n, 
in  order  to  fecure  the  general  efteem  of  mankind. 
Its  precepts  are  fuch  as  every  wife  man  would  chufc 
to  obferve,  and  it  forbids  nothing  but  what  is  in- 
compatible with  true  happinefs. 

b  Difguifing 


xxii  INTRODUCTION, 

Difguifing  Medicine  not  only  retards  its  im^ 
provcment  as  a  fciencc,  but  cxpofcs  the  profeffion 
to  ridicule,  and  is  injurious  to  the  true  intcrctts  of 
fociety.  An  art  founded  on  obfervation  never  can 
arrive  at  any  high  degree  of  improyement,  while 
it  is  confined  to  a  few  who  make  a  trade  of  it. 
The  united  obfervations  of  all  the  ingenious  and 
fcnfiblc  part  of  mankind,  would  do  more  in  a  few 
years  towards  the  improvement  of  Medicine,  than 
thofe  of  the  Faculty  alone  in  a  great  many.  Any 
man  can  tell  when  a  medicine  gives  him  eafe  as 
well  as  a  phyficianj  and  if  he  only  knows  the 
name  and  dofe  of  the  medicine,  and  the  name  of 
the  difeafe,  it  is  fufficient  to  perpetuate  the  fad:. 
Yet  the  man  who  adds  one  fingie  fadt  to  the  (lock 
of  medical  obfervations,  does  more  real  fervice  to 
the  art,  than  he  who  writes  a  volume  in  fupport  of 
fbme  favourite  hypothefis. 

Very  few  of  the  valuable  difcoveries  in  Medi- 
cine have  been  made  by  phyficians.  They  have  in 
general  either  been  the  effect  of  chance  or  of  necef- 
fity,  and  have  been  ufually  oppofcd  by  the  Faculty, 
till  every  one  elfe  was  convinced  of  their  import- 
ance. An  implicit  faith  in  the  opinions  of  teach- 
ers, an  attachnrj^nt  to  fyftems  and  eftabliftied  forms, 
and  the  dread  of  refletflions,  will  always  operate 
upon  thofe  who  follow  Medicine  as  a  trade.  Few 
improvements  are  to  be  expected  from  a  man  who 
might  ruin  his  charafter  and  family  by  even  the 
fmalltft  deviation  from  an  eftablifhed  rule. 

If  men  of  letters,  fays  the  author  of  the  per- 
formance quoted  above,  were  to  claim  their  right 
of  inquiry  into  a  matter  that  fo  nearly  concerns 
therh,  the  good  cfFefts  on  Medicine  would  foon 
appear.  Such  men  would  have  no  feparate  intereft 
from  that  of  the  art.  They  would  deteft  and  ex- 
pole  affuming  Ignorance  under  the  ma(k  of  Gravity 
II  and 


INTRODUCTION.         xxiii 

iUid  Importance,  and  would  be  the  judges  and  pa- 
trons of  modeft  merit*  Not  haying  their  under- 
ftandings  perverted  in  their  youth  by  falfe  theories, 
unawed  by  authority,  and  unbiafled  by  intereft, 
they  would  canvafs  with  freedom  the  mofl:  univcr- 
fally  received  principles  in  Medicine,  and  expofe 
the  uncertainty  of  many  of  thofe  doflrines,  of 
which  a  phyQcian  dares  not  fo  much  as  fcem  to 
doubt. 

No  argument,  continues    he,    can   be  brought 
againft  laying  open  Medicine,  which  does  not  ap- 
ply with  equal,  if  not  greater  force,  to  religion  ^ 
yet  experience  has  (hewn,  that  fincc  the  laity  have 
afficrted  their  right  of  inquiry  into  thefe  fubjefts, 
Theology,  confidered  as  a  fcience,   has  been  im- 
proved, the   interefts  of  real    religion    have   been 
pronioted,  and   the  clergy    have   begome  a  more 
learned,  a  more  ufeful,  and    a    more   rcfpe£lable 
body  of  men,  than  they  ever  were  in  the  days  of 
their  greatcft  power  and  fplendour. 

Had  other  medical  writers  been  as  honed  as  this 
gentleman,  the  art  had  been  upon  a  very  different, 
footing  at  this  day.  Mod  of  them  extol  the  merit 
of  thofe  men  who  brought  Philofophy  out  of  the 
fchools,  and  fubjefted  it  to  the  rules  of  common 
fcnfe.  But  they  never  confider  that  Medicine,  at 
prcfent,  is  in  nearly  the  fame  fituation  as  Philofo- 
phy was  at  that  time,  and  that  it  might  be  as  much 
iniproved  by  being  treated  in  the  fame  manner. 
If^decdJ.  no  fcience  can  either  be  rendered  rational 
or  ufeful,  without  being  fubmitted  to  the  common 
fcnfcand  reafon  of  mankind.  Thefe  alone  damp 
a  value  upon  fcience  j  dnd  what  will  not  bear  the 
tcftof  thefe  ought  to  be  rejcfted. 

I  know  it  will  be  faid,  that  difFufino;  medical 
Knowledge  among  the  people  might  induce  them 
totannper  with  Medicine,  and  to  trud  to  their  own 
ftill  inftcad  of  calling  a  phyfician.     The  reverfe  of 

b  2'  this 


1 ;  ''•^ 


xxiv         INTRODUCTION. 

this  however  is  true.  Perfons  who  have  mofl: 
knowledge  in  thefe  matters,  arc  commonly  moft 
ready  both  to  a(k  and  to  follow  advice,  when  it  is 
neceflary.  The  ignorant  arc  always  moft  apt  to 
tamper  with  Medicine,  and  have  the  leaft  confi- 
dence in  phyficians*  Inftances  of  this  are  daily  to 
be  met  with  among  the  ignorant  peafants,  who, 
while  they  abfolutely  rcfufe  to  take  a  medicine 
which  has  been  prefcribed  by  a  phyfician,  will  fwal- 
]ow  with  greedinefs  any  thing  that  is  recommended 
to  them  by  their  credulous  neighbours.  Where 
men  will  aft  even  without  knowledge,  it  is  cer- 
tainly more  rational  to  afford  them  all  the  light 
we  can,  than  to  leave  them  entirely  in  the  dark. 

It  may  alfo  be  alleged,  that  laying  Medicine 
more  open  to  mankind  would  leiTen  their  faith  in 
it.  This  would  indeed  be  the  cafe  with  regard  to 
fome ;  but  it  would  have  a  quite  contrary  effe6k 
upon  others.  I  know  many  people  who  have  the 
utmoft  dread  and  horror  of  every  thing  prefcribed 
by  a  phyfician,  but  who  will  neverthelcfs  very 
readily  take  a  medicine  which  they  know,  and 
whofe  qualities  they  are  in  fome  meafure  acquaint- 
ed with.  Hence  it  is  evident,  that  the  dread  arifes 
from  the  do6tor,  not  from  the  drug.  Nothing 
ever  can  or  will  infpire  mankind  with  an  abfolute 
confidence  in  phyficians,  but  an  open,  frank,  and 
undifguifed  behaviour.  While  the  leaft  fhadow  of 
myficry  remains  in  the  condudb  of  the  Faculty, 
doubts,  jealoufjes,  and  fufpicions,  will  arife  in  the 
minds  of  men. 

No  doubt  cafes  will  fometimes  occur,  where  a 
prudent  phyfician  may  find  it  expedient  to  difguife 
a  medicine.  The  whims  and  humours  of  men 
muft  be  regarded  by  thofe  who  mean  to  do  them 
fervice  j  but  this  can  never  affeft  the  general  ar- 
gument in  favour  of  candour  and  opcnnefs.  A 
man  might  as  well  allege,  bccaufe  there  are  knaves 

7*  and 


INTRODUCTION.  xx7 

and  fools  in  the  worlds  that  he  ought  to  take  every 
one  he  meets  for  fuch,  and  to  treat  him  according- 
ly. A  fenfible  phyfician  will  always  know  where 
difguife  is  neceflfary ;  but  it  ought  never  to  appear 
on  the  face  of  his  general  conduA. 

The  appearance  of  myftery  in  the  conduft  of 
phylicians  not  only  renders  their  art  fufpicious,  but 
lays  the  foundations  of  Quackery,  which  is  the  very 
difgrace  of  Medicine.  No  two  chara6fcers  can  be 
more  different  than  that  of  the  honed  phyfician  and 
the  quack ;  yet  they  have  generally  been  very  much  - 
confounded.  The  line  between  them  is  not  fuffi- 
ciently  apparent;  at  lead  it  is  too  fine  for  the  gene- 
ral eye.  Few  perfons  are  able  to  diflinguifh  fuffi- 
cieotly  between  the  conduft  of  that  man  who  ad- 
miniflers  a  fecret  medicine,  and  him  who  writes 
a  prefcription  in  myflical  characters  and  an  un- 
known tongue*  Thus  the  conduft  of  the  honefl 
phyfician,  which  needs  no  difguife,  gives  a  fane- 
tion  to  that  of  the  villain,  whofc  fole  confequencc 
depends  upon  fccrecy. 

No  laws  will  ever  be  able  to  prevent  quackery, 
while  people  believe  that  the  quack  is  as  honcft  a 
roan,  and  as  well  qualified,  as  the  phyfician.     A 
very  fmall  degree  of  medical  knowledge,  however, 
would  be  fufficient  to  break  this  fpell;  and  nothing 
clfc  can  effcftually  undeceive  them.     It  is  the  igno- 
rance and  credulity  of  the  multitude,  with  regard 
to  medicine,  which  renders  them  fuch  an  eafy  prey 
to  every  one  who  has  the  hardinefs  to  attack  them 
on  this  quarter.     Nor  can  the  evil  be  remedied  by 
5iny  other  means  but  making  them  wifer. 

The  moft  efFeftual  way  to  deflroy  quackery  in 
any  art  or  fcience,  is  to  diffufe  the  knowledge  of  it 
among  mankind.  Did  phyficians  write  their  pre- 
fcriptions  in  the  common  language  of  the  country, 
and  explain  their  intentions  to  the  patient,  as  far  as 
he  could  underlland  them,  it  would  enable  him  to 

b  3  know 


xxvi         INTRODUCTION. 

know  when  the  medicine  had  the  defired  effeftj 
vrould  infpire  him  with  abfolute  confidence  in  the 
phyfician  i  and  would  make  him  dread  and  deteft 
every  man  who  pretended' to  cram  a  fecret  medicine 
down  his  throat. 

Men,  in  the  different  dates  of  focicty,  have  very 
different  views  of  the  fame  objeft.  Some  time  ago 
it  was  tfie  pradtice  of  this  country  for  every  perfon  to 
fay  his  prayers  in  Latin,  whether  he  knew  any  thing 
of  that  language  or  not.  This  conduft,  though  facred 
in  the  eyes  of  our  anceftors,  appears  ridiculous 
'enough  to  us  -,  and  doubtlefs  fome  parts  of  ours  will 
fcem  as  ftrange  to  pofterity.  Among  thefe  we  may 
reckon  the  prefcnt  mode  of  medical  prefcription,, 
which,  we  venture  to  affirm,  will  fome  time  hence  ap- 
pear to  have  been  completely  ridiculous,  and  a  very 
high  burlefque  upon  the  common  fenfe  of  mankind. 

But  this  pradtice  is  not  only  ridiculous,  it  is  like* 
wife  dangerous.  However  capable  phyficians  may 
beof  writingLatin,  lam  certain  apothecaries  are  not 
always  in  a  condition  to  read  it,  and  that  dangerous 
ni|ftakcs,  in  confequence  of  this,  often  happen.  But 
fuppofe  the  apothecary  ever  fo  able  to  read  the  phy- 
fician's  prefcription,  he  is  generally  otherwife  em- 
ployed, and  the  bufinefs  of  making  up  prefcriptions 
IS  left  entirely  to  the  apprentice.  By  this  means  the 
greatefl  man  in  the  kingdom,  even  when  he  employs 
a  firft-race  phyfician,  in  reality  trufls  his  life  in  the 
hands  of  an  idle  boy,  who  has  not  only  the  chance 
of  being  very  ignorant,  but  likewifc giddy  and  care- 
lefs*  Miftakes  will  fometimes  happen  in  fpite  of 
the  greatefl  care  ;  but,  where  human  lives  are  con-^ 
cerned,  all  pofTible  methods  ought  certainly  to  be 
taken  to  prevent  them.  For  this  reafon,  the  pre- 
fcriptions of  phyficians,  inflead  of  being  couched 
in  mydical  characters  and  a  foreign  language^ 
ought,  in  my  humble  opinion,  to  be  conceivea  in 
the  molt  plain  and  obvious  terms  imaginable. 

Piffufing 


INTRODUCTION.        xxvii 

Diffufing  medical  knowledge  among  the  people 
would  not  only  tend  to  improve  the  art,  and  tobanifti 
quackery,  but  likewifc  to  render  Medicine  more  uni- 
verfally  ufeful,  by  extending  its  benefits  to^focicty. 
However  long  Medicine  may  have  been  known  as  a 
fcicncc,  we  will  venture  to  fay,  that  many  of  its  mofl: 
important  purpofes  to  fociety  have  either  been  over- 
looked,or  very  little  attended  to.  The  cure  of  difeafes 
is  doubtlefs  a  matter  of  great  importance ;  but  the 
prefervation  of  health  is  of  ftill  greater.  This  is  the 
concernof  every  man,  and  furely  what  relates  to  it 
ought  to  be  rendered  as  plain  and  obvious  to  all  as  pof- 
fible.  It  is  jiot  to  be  fuppofed,  that  men  can  be  fuffi- 
ciently  upon  theirguard  againft  difeafes,  who  are  to- 
tally ignorantof  their  caufes.  Neither  can  the  legifla- 
ture,  in  whofe  power  it  is  to  do  much  more  for  preferv- 
ing  the  pu  blic  health  than  can  ever  be  done  by  the  Fa- 
culty, exert  that  power  with  propriety,  and  to  the 
greateft  advantage,  without  fome  degree  of  medical 
knowledge. 

Indeed,  men  of  every  occupation  and  condition 
in  life  might  avail  themfclves  of  a  degree  of  medi- 
cal knowledge^  as  it  would  teach  them  to  avoid 
the  dangers  peculiar  to  their  refpeftivc  ftations; 
which  is  always  eafier  than  to  remove  rheir  efFcds. 
Medical  knowledge,  inftead  of  being  a  check  upon 
the  enjoyments  oT  life,  only  teaches  men  how  to 
make  the  moft  of  them.  It  has  indeed  been  faid, 
:tbat  to  live  medically  is  to  live  mi/erably:  but  it 
might  with  equal  propriety  be  faid,  that  to  live  ra- 
tionally is  to  live  miferably.  If  phyficians  ob- 
trude their  own  ridiculous  whims  upon  mankind^ 
or  lay  down  rules  inconliftent  with  reafon  or  com- 
mon fenfe,  no  doubt  they  will  be  detpifed.  But 
this  is  not  the  fault  of  Medicine.  It  propofes  no 
xules  that  I  know,  but  fuch  as  are  perfedly  con- 
£fljcnt  with  the  true  enjoyment  of  life,  and  every 

b  4  "  way 


xxviii       INTRODUCTION. 

way  conducive    to  the    real   happinefs    of  man^ 
kind. 

We  are  forry  indeed  to  obfcrve,  that  Medicine 
has  hitherto  hardly  been  confidered  as  a  popular 
fcience,  but  as  a  branch  of  knowledge  folely  con- 
fined to  a  particular  fet  of  men,  while  all  the  reft 
have  been  taught  not  only  to  negleft,  but  even  to 
dread  and  defpife  it.  It  will  however  appear,  upon 
a  more  iin&  examination,  that  no  fcience  better 
deferves  their  attention,  or  is  more  capable  of  be- 
ing rendered  generally  ufcful. 

People  are  told,  that  if  they  dip  the  leaft  into 
medical  knowledge,  it  will  render  them  fanciful, 
and  make  them  believe  they  have  got  every  difeafe 
of  which  they  read.  This  I  am  fatisfied  will 
feldom  be  the  cafe  with  fenfible  people;  and,  fup- 
pofc  it  were,  they  muft  foon  be  undeceived.  A 
Jhort  time  will  fhew  them  their  error,  and  a  little 
more  reading  will  infallibly  correft  it.  A  fingle 
inftance  will  ihew  the  abfurdity  of  this  notion.  A 
fenfible  lady,  rather  than  read  a  medical  perform- 
ance, which  would  indrudt  her  in  the  management 
of  her  children,  muft  leave  them  entirely  to  the 
care  and  condu6c  of  the  moft  ignorant,  credulous^ 
and  fupcrftitious  part  of  the  human  fpecies. 

Indeed,  no  part  of  Mediqine  is  or  more  gene- 
ral importance  than  that  which  relates  to  the  nurfing 
and.  management  of  children.  Yet  few  parents 
pay  a  proper  attention  to  it.  They  leave  the  folc 
care  of  their  tender  offspring,  at  the  very  time 
when  care  and  attention  are  moft  neccfTary,  to  hire- 
lings, who  are  cither  too  carelefs  to  do  their  duty, 
or  too  ignorant  to  know  it.  We  will  venture  to 
affirm,  that  more  human  lives  are  loft  by  the  care- 
IcfTncfs  and  inattention  of  parents  and  nurfes,  than 
are  favcd  by  the  Faculty  ;  and  that  the  joint  and 
well-condudted  endeavours^  both  of  private  per- 

fons 


INTRODUCTION.  nix 

(bns  and  the  public^  for  the  prefervation  of  infant 
lives,  would  be  of  aiore  advantage  to  fociety^  than 
the  whole  art  of  Medicine^  upon  its  prefent  foot- 
ing. 

The  benefits  of  Medicine,  as  a  trade,  will  ever 
be  confined  to  thofe  who  are  able  to  pay  for  them ; 
and  of  courfe,  the  far  greater  part  of  mankind  will 
be  every  where  deprived  of  them.  PhyGcians,  like 
other  people,  muft  live  by  their  employment,  and 
the  poor  muft  cither  want  advice  altogether,  or 
cake  up  with  that  which  is  worfe  than  none.  There 
are  not  however  any  where  wanting  well-difpofed 
people,  of  better  fenfc,  who  are  willing  to  fupply 
the  defe£t  of  medical  advice  to  the  poor,  did  not 
their  ftrar  of  doing  ill  often  fupprefs  their  inclination 
to  do  good.  Such  people  are  often  deterred  from 
the  moft  noble  and  praife-worthy  a£tions,  by  the 
foolifh  alarms  founded  in  their  ears  by  a  fet  of  men 
who,  to  raife  their  own  importance,  magnify  the 
difficulties  of  doing  good,  find  fault  with  what  is 
truly  commendable,  and  fleer  at  every  attempt  to 
relieve  the  fick  which  is  not  conducted  by  the 
precife  rules  of  Medicine.  Thcfe  gentlemen  muft 
however  cxcufe  me  for  faying,  that  I  have  often 
known  fuch  well-difpofed  perfons  do  much  good; 
and  that  their  pradice,  which  is  generally  the 
refult  of  good  fenfe  and  obfervacion,  afiifted  by 
a  little  medical  reading,  is  frequently  more  ra- 
tional than  that  of  the  ignorant  retainer  to  phyfic, 
who  defpifes  both  reafon  and  obfervation,  fhaf  be 
may  go  wrong  by  rule ;  and  who,  while  he  is  dofing 
his  patient  with  medicines,  often  negledts  other 
things  of  far  greater  importance. 

Many  things  are  neceflary  for  the  fick  befides 
medicine.  Nor  is  the  perfon  who  takes  care  to 
procure  thofe  for  them,  of  lefs  importance  than  a 
phyfician.  The  poor  oftener  perilh  in  difeafes  for 
ivant  of  proper  nurfing  than  of  medicine.    They 

are 


XXX  INTRODUCTION. 

are  frequently  in  want  of  even  the  ncceflaries  of 
life^  and  dill  more  fo  of  what  is  proper  for  a  (ick- 
bed.  No  one  can  imagine,  who  has  not  been  a 
witnefs  of  thcfc  fituations,  how  much  good  a  well- 
difpofed  perfon  may  do,  by  only  taking  care  to 
have  fuch  wants  lupplied.  There  certainly  cannot 
be  a  more  neceflary,  a  more  noble,  or  a  more  god- 
like adion,  than  to  adminifter  to  the  wants  of  our 
fellow-creatures  in  diftrefs.  While  virtue  or  reli- 
giOQ  are  known  among  mankind,  this  condudl 
will  be  approved  j  and  while  Heaven  is  juft,  it 
muft  be  rewarded ! 

Perfons  who  do  not  chufe  to  adminifter  medi- 
cine to  the  fick,  may  neverthelefs  diredl  their  re- 
gimen. An  eminent  medical  author  has  faid. 
That  by  diet  alone  all  the  intentions  of  Medicine 
may  be  anfwered.  No  doubt  a  great  many  of  them 
may;  but  there  are  other  things  befidediet,  which 
ought  by  no  means  to  be  negleded.  Many  hurt- 
ful and  deftru6tive  prejudices,  with  regard  to  the 
treatment  of  the  fick,  ftill  prevail  among  the  peo- 
ple, which  perfons  of  better  fenfe  and  learning 
alone  can  eradicate.  To  guard  the  poor  againft 
the  influence  of  th'efe  prejudices,  and  to  inftil  into 
their  minds  fome  juft  ideas  of  the  importance  of 
proper  food,  frcfh  air,  cleanlinefs,  and  other  pieces 
of  regimen  neceflary  in  difeafes,  would  be  a  work 
of  great  merit,  and  produftive  of  many  happy 
confequences.  A  proper  regimen,  in  moft  difeafes, 
IS  at  leaft  equal  to  medicine,  and  in  many  of  them 
it  is  greatly  fuperior. 

To  aflift  the  well-meant  endeavours  of  the  hu- 
mane and  benevolent  in  relieving  diftrefs;  to  era- 
dicate dangerous  and  hurtful  prejudices  ;•  to  guard 
the  ignorant  and  credulous  againft  the  frauds  and 
impoficions  of  quacks  and  impoftors ;  and  to  fticw 
men  what  is  in  their  own  power,  both  with  regard 
CO  the  prevention  and  cure  of  difeafes,  are  certainly 

objedis 


I  N  T  R  O  D  U  C  T  I  0-N- 


xxxi 


objects  worthy  of  the  phyfician's  attention.  Thefe 
were  the  leading  views  in  compofing  and  publilh- 
ing  the  following  fheets.  They  were  fuggefted  by 
an  attention  to  the  conduft  of  mankind,  with  re- 
gard to  Medicine,  in  the  courfe  of  a  pretty  long 
praftice  in  different  parts  of  this  ifland,  during 
which  the  Author  has  often  had  occaHon  to  wifh 
that  his  patients,  or  thofe  about  them,  had  been 
poflefied  of  fome  fuch  plain  dircftory  for  regu- 
lating their  conduft*  How  far  he  has  fucceeded 
in  his  endeavours  to  fupply  this  deficiency,  muft 
be  left  for  others  to  determine;  but  if  they  be 
found  to  contribute  in  any  meafure  towards  alle- 
viating the  calamities  of  mankind^  he  will  think 
hh  labour  very  well  beftowed« 


V 


CONTENTS. 


PART    I. 

Of   the    general    Canfet    of 
Difeafes. 


O 


CHAP.       !• 

F  Children  Page  < 

— Difeafed  Parents  7 

— Clothing  of  Children         9 
—Food  of  ditto'  1  ^ 

— Exercife  of  ditto  s  i 

—  Bad  Effeds  of  unwholefome 
Air  npon  ditto  -        30 

— Narfes         -        -  33 


CHAP.       II. 

Of  the  Laborious,  &c. 
^the  Sedentary 
— ihe  Studious 

CHAP.       III. 

Of  Aliment 

CHAP.       IV. 

Of  Air 

CHAP.       V. 

Of  Exercife 

CHAP.      VI. 

Of  Sleep 
-—Clothing 

CHAP.       VII. 

Of  Intemperance 

CHAP.       VIII. 

Of  Cleaniinefi 

IX. 


CHAP. 

Of  InfeaioQ 


X. 


37 
47 
54 

62 

75 
81 

87 
89 

94 
too 

106 


CHAP. 

Of  the  Paffions 
— Anger 
—Fear 

—Grief 

—Love 

—Religious  Melancholy    12b 

CHAP.       XI. 

Of  the  Common  Evacoatxons 

121 
—Stool  «  •        ib. 


Ill 

112 

-  ib. 

116 

119 


Of  Urine  -  -  Page  1 23 
-^Pcrfpiration  -  125 

—being  a£M?6led  by  Changes  ia 

the  Atmofphere  •  126 
— Wet  Clothes  -  '127 
—Wet  Feet  -  -  ib, 
— Night  Air  -  -  128 
—Damp  Beds  -  ib. 

— Damp  Houfes  •  130 
— Sudden     Traniitions     from 

Heat  to  Cold        -  131 

PART     II. 
Of  Difeafes. 

CHAP.      XII. 

Of  the  Knowledge  and  Cure  of 
Difeafes        -        •         135 

CHAP.      ZIII. 

Fevers  in  general  140 

CHAP.      XIV. 

Of    intermitting     Fevers    or 
Agues        -         -  147 

CHAP.       XV. 

Of  an  Acute  Continual  Fever 

157 

CHAP.      XVI. 

Of  the  Pleurify        -  i6| 

Baftard  ditto  169 

— Paraphrenitis  170 

CHAP.       XVII. 

Inflammation  of  the  Lungs  171 

CHAP.       XVIII. 

Of  ConfumpdoBs  174 

CHAP.       XIX. 

or  the  Slow  or  Nervous  Fever 

i8g 

CHAP.       XX. 

Malignant,  Putrid,  or  Spotted 
Fever  -  -         195 

CHAP.      XXI, 

Miliary  Fever  •        205 

CHAP.      XXII. 

Remitting  Fever        *        210 


aczziv 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.      XXIII. 

The  Small-pox  -  Page  214 
Inoculation        •        •       227 

CHAP.       XXIV. 

The  M  cades  -  240 

—Scarlet  Fever        -  245 

•^Bilious  Fever        -         247 

CHAP.       XXV. 

St.  Anthony's  Fire       -      248 

CHAP.      XXVI. 

Inflammation  of  the  Brain  254 

CHAP.     xxvii. 
Inflammation  of  the  Eyes  258 

c    HA   p.  •  XXVIII. 

The  Quinfey         -  264 

'^Malignant  ditto       -      271 

CHAP.      XXIX. 

Colds  and  Coughs  -  276 
A  Common  Cough  -  280 
Hooping-Cough        -        284 

CHAP*      XXX. 

Inflammation  of  the  Stomach 

289 
■■  I   oftheInteftines29i 

Of  the  Colic  -   ^     ,295 

Inflammation  of  theKidnies30i 

»>■  ■■    r of  the  Bladder  304 

■  ■  of  the  Liver     305 

CHAP.       XXXI. 

Of  the  Cholera  Morbus,  and 
other  exccflive  Difchargcs 
from  the  Stomach  and 
Bowels  -  -         309 

—a  Diarrhoea,  or  Loofenefs  3 1 2 

—Vomiting  -  315 

CHAP.      xxxii. 

Diforders  of  the  Kidnies  and 
Bladder  -  J 19 

Of  the  Diabetes,  or  exceluve 
Difcharge  of  Urine  ib. 

— -SupprefBon  of  ditto         322 

—the  Gravel  and  Stone     324 

CHAP,     xxxni. 

Involuntary     Difcharges  of 

Blood     .    -         -  328 

Bleeding  at  the  Nofe  33 1 

Bleeding  and  Blind  Piles  334 

Spitting  of  Blood         -  337 

Vomiting  of  ditto        -  341 


Bloody  Urine 

Flux 

Cceliac  Paflion 


Page  34i 

345 
351 

CHAP.       XXXIV. 

Of  the  Head-ach         -       3^2 

Tooth -ach       -        357 

— —  Ear-ach         -  360 

Pain  of  the  Stomach,  &c«  362 

CHAP.      XXXV. 

Of  Worms  -  365 

CHAP.       XXXVl. 

Of  the  Jaundice        -        370 
CHAP,     xxxvri. 

374 

380 
388 

393 
398 
403 

406 
410 

4H 
416 

41S 


Of  the  Dropfy 

CHAP.     xxxviii. 
Pf  the  Gout 
— Rheumatifm 

CHAP.       XXXIX. 

Of  the  Scurvy 
— —  Scrophula 
Itch 

CHAP.       XL. 

Of  the  Aahma 

CHAP.       XLI. 

Of  the  Apoplexy 

C    H    A    p.       XL II. 

OfCoflivcncfi 

— Want  of  Appetite 

— Heartburn 

c    H    A    p .     X  L 1 : 1 . 
Of  Nervous  Difeafcs  420 

—  Melanchcly  -  426 
— the  Palfy  -  430 
—the     Epilepfy,    or    Falling 

Sickoe(s             -  432 

— the  Hiccup             -  436 

— Cramp  of  the  Stomach  438 

—the  Night- mare        -  439 

— Swoonings          -  440 

— Flatulencies,  or  Wind  443 

— Low  Spirits          -  446 

—  Hyfteric  AfFe£\ions  447 
— Hypochondriac      Affcftions 

4S« 

CHAP.       XLIV. 

Diforders  of  the  Senfes       4cf> 

. of  the  Eye         -        ib. 

A  GttUa  Serena        -        45$ 


CONTENTS. 


mcTf 


A  Cataraa        -        Page  458 
Short  Sightcdncfs         -       4159 
Seeing  only  at  too  great  a  Di(- 
tance  -  -  ib. 

Squinting         -         •  ib. 

Spots  or  Specks  •         ib. 

Bloodfhot  Eye  -         ib. 

Watery  or  Weeping  Eye  460 
Of  the  Ear  -  ib. 

m  .        Tafle  and  Smell      463 
Touch  -  465 

CHAP.       XLV. 

Of  a  Scirrhus  and  Cancer  466 

CHAP.       XLVI. 

Of  Poifons            -  472 

—Mineral  Poifons      -  474 

—Vegetable  ditto  -  475 
Bites  of  poifonous  Animals  477 

•of  the  Mad  Dog  ib. 

if  the  Viper         -  48^ 

•of  poifonous  In(c£ls  486 

of  the  Rattle  Snake  488 

CHAP.       XLVII. 

Of  the  Venereal  Difeafe  489 
— —  VirolcntGonorrhoea49o 
—Gleets         -  -        500 

— Swelled  Tefticlc  -  503 
-^Buboes        -        -  504 

— Chancres  -  -  506 
—A  Confirmed  Lues  or  Pox  5 10 
General  Obfervations         5 1 5 

CHAP.       XLVIII. 

Difeafes  of  Women  -  521 
Of  theMenftrual  Difcharge  522 
—Pregnancy  -  530 

—Child-birth  -  533 

'-Barrennefs  «  542 

CHAP.      XLIX. 

Difeafes  of  Children  544. 

Of  the  Meconium       •  546 

— the  Aphthae  or  Thrulh  547 

—Acidities  -  -  548 
—^Galling and  Excoriation  550 

—Stoppage  of  the  Nofe  ib. 

-—Vomiting         -         -  551 

-^a  Loofeneia        -       *  5^2 

— -Eraptiont        -         -  554 

—the  Croup        -        •  557 

— Tttthing       m   ■    ^  553 


Of  the  Rickets    -      Page  56^ 
— Convulfions  -  565 

— Water  in  the  Head       ^  567 

CHAP.       L« 

Of  Surgery  -  569 

— Bleeding  -  570 

—Inflammations  and  AbfceEes 

573 

575 
580 

582 
-       583 


—Wounds 
— Burns 
—  Bruifes 
Ulcers 


CHAP. 


LI. 


Of  Diflocations 
Diflocation  of  the  Jaw 

of  the  Neck 

i of  the  Ribs 

—  of  the  Shoulder 

of  the  Elbow 
■  of  the  Wrill  and 

gers 
■■  of  the  Thigh 

of  the  Knees 
———•of  the  Ancles 
of  the  Toes 


586 
588 
589 
590 
ib. 

?» 

S9» 
lb. 

ib. 

ib. 

ib* 


/i 


593 

597 
598 


CHAP.       LII. 

Of  broken  Bones,  &p. 

—Strains 

— Ruptures 

CHAP.       LIU. 

Of  Cafualtics  -  600 
— Subflances  flopt  between  the 
Mouth  and  Stomach  602 
—Drowned  Perfons  608 
—Noxious  Vapours  613 
Effeds  of  Extreme  Cold  616 
-Heat  618 

CHAP.       LIV. 

Of  Fainting  ,Fits,  and  other 
Cafes  which  require  imme- 
diate Aili  (lance        -       618 

—Intoxication         -  623 

—Suffocating  and   Strangling 

626 

—Perfons  who  expire  in  Con- 
vuliion  Fits         -       -      629 

G    H    A    p.       LV. 

Cautions  concerning  Cold  Bath« 
ing,  and  drinking  the  Mine* 
ralWaieri        •        -    63^ 


zxxvi 


CONTENTS. 


CONTENTS  of  the    APPENDIX. 


TNtrodudUon 
Lift  of  Simples 


Page  649. 

654 


Medicical  Preparations. 

Balfams  -  -        657 

'Bolafes  -  -         658 

CatapIafmsandSinapifms  659 

Clyfters 

Collyria,  or  Eye-waters 

ConfedUons 

Conferves  and  Preferves 

Deco^ions 


Draughts 

Ele^uariea 

Emalfions 

Extrads 

Fomenutxons 


660 
66z 
663 
664 
665 
668 
669 
672 

%\ 


A  GLOSSARY 
INDEX 


Garflles  -  -  Page  671. 
Infimons      .  -  -         Gjo 

Jaleps  -  -  678 

Mixtures         -         -  680 

Ointments,    Liniments,    and 
Cerates        -        -         681 
Pills  -  -  684. 

Plafters  -         «         688 

Powders        -        -  690 

Syrups        -       ,      -  5^^ 

Tindures,  Elixirs,  &c.  ib. 
Vinegars  -         -        699 

Waters  by  Infufion,  &c. ,  ,  701 
Simple  diftilled  Waters  703 
Spirituous  diftilled  Waters  704 
Wheys  -  -      ib. 

Wines         -  -  705 


I 


Page  708 
7«3 


PART 


r. 


PART      I. 


O  F    T  H  £ 


GENiERAL  CAUSES  OF  DISEASES. 


CHAP.    I. 
OF    CHILDREN. 


TH  E  better  to  trace  difeafcs  from  their  original 
caufesy  we  (hall  take  a  Tie w  of  the  common 
treatment  of  mankind  in  the  ftate  of  infancy, 
tn  this  period  of  our  lives,  the  foundations  of  a  good 
or  bad  conftitution  are  generally  laid ;  it  is  therefore, 
of  importance,  that  parents  be  well  acquainted  with 
the  various  caufes  which  may  injure  the  health  of 
their  offspring. 

It  appears  from  the  annual  regifters  of  the  dead, 
that  almoft  one  half  of  the  children  born  in  Great 
Britain  die  under  twelve  years  of  age.  To  many» 
itideed,  this  may  appear  a  natural  evil;  but,  on  due 
examination,  it  will  be  found  to  be  one  of  our  own 
creating.  Were  the  death  of  infants  a  natural  evil^ 
other  animals  would  be  as  liable  todie  young  as  man; 
but  this  we  find  is  by  no  means  the  cafe. 

It  may  feem  (Irange  that  man,  notwithftanding 
his  fuperior  reafon,  fliould  fall  fo  far  (hort  of  other 
animals  in  the  management  of  his  young :  But  our 
furprife  will  foon  ceafe,  if  we  confider  that  brutesy 
guided  by  inftinA,  never  err  in  this  refpeftj  while 
Q)an,  trufting  folely  to  art,  is  feldom  right.    Were 


2  OF    CHILDREN. 

a  catalogue  of  thofe  infants  who  periQi  annu^ly  by 
arc  alone  exhibited  to  public  view^  it  would  aftonifh 
mod  people. 

If  parents  are  abave  taking  care  of  their  children, 
others  mud  be  ennployed  for  that  .purpofe :  thefc 
will  always  endeavour  to  recommend  themfelves  by 
the  appearance  of  extraordinary  fkill  and  addrefs. 
By  this  means  fuch  a  number  of  unneceflary  and  de- 
ftruftive  articles  have  been  introduced  into  the  diet, 
clothing}  &c.  of  infants,  that  it  is  no  wonder  fo 
n'lany  of  them  perifh. 

Nothing  can  be  more  prepofterous  than  a  mother 
who  thinks  it  below  her  to  take  care  of  her  own 
child,  or  who  is  fo  ignorant  as  not  to  know  what  is 
proper  to  be -done  for  it.  If  we  fearch  Nature 
throughout,  we  cannot  find  a  parallel  to  this.  Every 
other  animal  is  the  nurfe  of  its  own  offspring,  and 
they  thrive  accordingly.  Were  the  brutes  to  bring 
Up  their  young  by  proxy,  they  would  (bare  the  fame 
ftte  with  thofe  of  the  human  fpccics. 

We  mean  not,  however,  to  impofe  it  as  a  tafk, 
upon  every  mother  to  fuckle  her  own  child.  This, 
whatever  fpecqlativc  writers  may  allege,  is  in  fome 
cafes  imprafticable,  and  would  inevitably  prove  de* 
ftrudlive  both  to  the  mother  and  child.  Women  of 
ddicateconftitutions,  fubjcft  tohyfteric  fits,  or  other 
nervous  afTeftions,  make  very  bad  nurfes:  and  thefe- 
complaints  are  now  fo  common,  that  it  is  rare  to  find 
a^  woman  of  fafliion  free  from  them;  fuch  women^ 
therefore,  fuppofing  them  willing,  are  often  unable. 
to  fuckle  their  own  children. 

Almoft  every  mother  would  be  in. a  condition  to 
give  fuck,  did  mankind  live  agreeably  to  Nature: 
but  whoever  confiders  bow  far  many  mothers  deviate 
from  her  diftatcs,  will  not  be  furprifed  to  find  fomc 
of  them  unable  to  perform  that  neceflary  office. 
MotJiers  who  dp  not  eat  a  fufficient  quantity  of  folid 
foo3t  aor  enjoy  the  benefit  of  fje.e  ak  and  exercife, 

can 


OP    CHILDREN.  3 

CftQ  neither  have  wholefome  juices  chemfelves,  t\or 
afford  proper  not>rilhmenc  to  an  infant.  Hence  chiU 
dren  who  are  fuckled  by  delicate  women,  either  die 
young,  or  are  weak  and  fickly  all  their  lives. 

When  we  fay  that  mothers  are  not  always  in  a 
condition  to  fuckle  their  own  children,  we  would  not 
be  underftood  as  difcouraging  that  prai5lice.  Every 
mother  who  can,  ought  certainly  to  perform  fo  tender 
and  agreeable  an  office  *•  But,  fuppofe  it  to  be  out 
of  her  power,  (he  may,  neverthelefs,  be  of  great 
fcrvice  to  her  child.  The  bufinefs  of  nurfing  is  by 
no  means  confined  to  giving  fuck.  To  a  womaa 
who  abounds  with  milk,  this  is  the  eafieft  part  of  it. 
Kumberlefs  other  offices  are  necefiary  for  a  child, ' 
ivhich  the  mother  ought  at  lead  to  fee  done. 

A  mother  who  abandons  the  fruit  of  her  womb, 
asfooR  as  it  is  born,  to  the  fole  care  of  an  hireling, 
hardly  dcferves  that  name.  A  ctfitd,  by  being 
brought  up  under  the  mother's  eye,  not  only  fecures 
her  affedtion,  but  may  reap  ail  the  advantages  of  a 

E rent's  care,  though  it  be  fuckled  by  another, 
ow  can  a  mother  be  better  employed  than  in  fuper- 
intending  the  nurfery?  This  is  at  once  the  moft 
delightful  and  important  offices  yet  the  moft  trivial 
buGncfs  or  infipid  amufements  are  often  preferred  to 
h!  a  ftrong  proof  both  of  the  bad  tafte  and  wrong 
education  of  modern  females. 

^  Many  advantages  would  arife  to  fociety,  as  well  as  to  indi- 
fidnali,  from  mpthers  fockling  tbeir  own  children.  It  would 
prevent  the  temptation  which  poor  women  are  laid  under,  of  abas* 
Zoning  their  children  to  fuckle  thofc  of  the  rich  for  the  fake  of 
pin:  by  which  means  fociety  lofes  many  of  its  moft  ufeful  mem- 
bers, and  mothers  become  in  fome  fenfe  the  murderers  ol'  their 
own  offspring.  I  am  fure  I  fpeak  within  the  truth  when  1  fay, 
that  not  one  ib  twenty  of  thofe  children  live,  who  are  thas  aban- 
doDed  by  their  mothers.  For  this  reafoa  no  mother  ihould  bs . 
llloved  to  fuckle  another's  child,  till  her  own  is  either  dead,  or 
&  to  be  weaned.  A  regulation  of  this  kind  would  fave  many 
mres  among  the  poorer  fort^  and  coold  do  no  hurt  to  th^e  rich,  as 
noil  women  who  make  good  nur(es  are  able  to  fuckje  two  children 
Uf^ccefiion  upon  the  fame  milk. 

B2  Ic 


4  OF    CHILDREN. 

It  is  Indeed  to  be  regretted »  that  more  care  is  not 
beftowed  in  teaching  the  proper  management  of  chij'« 
dren  to  thofe  whom  Nature  hasdefigned  for  mothers* 
This,  inftead  of  being  made  the  principal,  is  fcldom 
confidered  as  any  part  of  female  education.  Is  it 
any  wonder^  when  females  fo  educated  come  to  be 
mothers,  that  they  (hould  be  quite  ignorant  of  the 
duties  belonging  to  that  character  ?  However  ftrange 
itmayappear,  it  is  certainly  true,  that  many  moebersi 
and  thofe  of  falhion  too,  are  as  ignorantj  when  they 
have  brought  a  child  into  the  world,  of  what  is  to  be 
done  for  it,  as  the  infant  itfelf.  Indeed,  the  mod  igno<> 
rant  of  the  fex  are  generally  reckoned  mod  knowing 
in  the  bufinefs  of  nurfing.  Hence,  fenfible  people  be- 
come the  dupes  of  ignorance  and  fuperdition;  and 
the  nurQng  of  children,  inftead  of  being  conducted 
by  reafon,  is  the  refult  of  whim  and  caprice  *• 

Were  the  tittic  that  is  generally  fpent  by  females^n 
the  acquilition  of  trifling  accomplifhmen  ts,  employed 
in  learning  how  to  bring  up  their  children ;  how  to 
drcfs  them  fo  as  not  to  hurt,  cramp,  or  con^ne  their 
motions;  how  to  feed  them  with  wholefome  and 
nouriftiing  food ;  how  to  exercife  their  tender  bodies, 
fo  as  beft  to  promote  their  growth  and  ftrength : 
were  thefe  made  the  objefts  of  female  inftru£tion, 
mankind  would  derive  the  greateft  advantages  from 
it.  But  while  the  education  of  females  implies  little 
more  than  what  relates  to  drefs  and  public  ihew>  we 
have  nothing  to  expe£fc  from  them  but  ignorance 
even  in  the  moft  important  concerns. 

*  Tacitos,  the  celebrated  Roman  hiftorian,  complains  greatly  of 
tbe  dtgentntcy  of  the  Roman  ladies  in  his  time,  with  regard  to  the 
care  of  their  oflfspring.  He  fays  that,  in  former  timti^  the  greateft 
women  in  Rome  ofed  to  account  it  their  chief  g1or)r  to  keep  the 
hoofe  and  attend  their  children ;  but  that  now  the  young  infant  was 
committed  to  the  fole  care  of  fome  poor  Grecian  wench,  or  other 
iB6Qtal  fervant.— We  are  afraid,  wherever  luxury  and  efieminacjr 
prevatli  there  will  be  too  much  groond  for  this  complaint. 

13  Did 


OF    CHILDREN.  5 

'  "*  DM  mothers  redtSt  on  their  own  importance,  and 
lay  it  to  heart,  they  would  embrace  every  opportunity 
of  informing'themfeivesof  the  duties  which  they  owe 
to  their  infant  oflFspring.  It  is  their  province,  not 
only  to  form  the  body,  but  alio  to  give  the  mind 
its  moft  early  bias.  They  have  it  very  much  in 
their  power  to  qiake  men  healthy  or  valetudinary, 
ufefiil  in  life,  or  the  pefts  of  fociety. 

But  the  mother  is  not  the  only  perfon  concerned 
in  the  management  of  children.  The  father  has  an 
equal  intereft  in  their  welfare,  and  ought  to  aflTill  in 
every  thing  that  refpcifts  either  the  improvement  of 
the  body  or  mind. 

'  It  is  pity  that  the  men  (hould  be  fo  inattentive  to 
this  matter.     Their  negligence  is  one  reafon  why 
females  know  fo  little  of  it.     Women  will  ever  be 
defirous  to  excel  in  fuch  accomplifhments  as  recom- 
mend them  to  the  other  fex.  But  men  generally  keep 
at  fuch  a  diftance  from  even  the  fmallell  acquaint- 
ance with  the  affairs  of  the  nurfery,  that  many  would 
reckon  it  an  affront,   were  they  luppofed  to  know 
tnv  thing  of  them.  Not  fo,  however,  with  the  ken- 
nel or  the  ftables :    a  gentleman  of  the  fir  (I  rank  is 
not  aihamed  to  give  directions  concerning  the  ma« 
nagement  of  his  dogs  or  horfes,  yet  would  blufli  were 
^  forprifed  in  performing  the  fame  office  for  that 
btitig  who  derived  its  exiftence  from  himfelf,  who 
h  the  heir  of  his  fortunes,  and  the  future  hope  of  his 
'^eotifttry. 

Nor  have  phyficians  themfelves  been  fufficiently 
.attentive  to  the  management  of  children:  this 
:A^bcen  generally  confidered  as  the  fole  province 
'  9^  old  women,  while  men  of  the  Hrft  character  in 
'Phyfic  have  refqfed  to  vifit  infants  even  when  fick, 
!.>}M(^h  coqduft  in  t|ie  faculty  has  not  only  caufed 
(iHi&branch  of  medicioe.to  be  negledted,  but  has  alfo 
encouraged  the  other  fex  to  aflume  an  abfolute  title 
^.^prcfcribe  for  children  in  the  moft  dangerous  dif- 

3  3  eafcs. 


6  OF    CHILDREN. 

ta&s.  The  confequcnce  \s,  that  a  phyficianis  &)dbm 
called  till  the  good  women  have  cxhaufted  all  their 
ikiU  i  when  his  attendance  can  only  ferve  to  diyida 
the  blame,  and  appeafethe  difconfolate  parents. 

Nurfes  ffaould  do  all  in  their  power  to  prercnt 
difeafes;  but  when  a  child  is  taken  ill,  foaic  perfon 
of  ikill  ought  immediately  to  be  (oniulted.  The 
difeafes  of  children  are  generally  acuc<:»  and  the 
leaft  delay  is  dangerous. 

Were  phyficians  more  auencive  to  the  difeafes  of 
infants,  they  would  not  only  be  better  qualified  to 
treatthem  properly  when  fick,  but  likewiie. to  give 
ufeful  dire<5lions  for  their  management  when  welK 
The.  difeaies  of  children  are  by  no  means  fa  diffi- 
cult to  be  underftood  as  many  imagine.  It  is  true; 
children  cannot  tell  the'u*  complaintss  but  thecaufrs 
o^them  may  be  pretty  certainly  difcovered  by  obferv-* 
ing  the  fymptoms,  and  potting  proper  queftidns  to 
the  nurfes.  Befides»  the  difeafes  of  infaiits  being  left 
)[X>mplicated,  are  eafier  cured  than  thofe  of  adults  ^« 

It  .is  really  aftoniihing,  that  fo  linle  attention 
fhould  in  general  be  paid  to  the  prefervation  of  in- 
fants. What  labour  and  expence  are  daily  beftowed 
t^  prop  an  old  tottering  carcafc  for  a  (cw  years, 
while  thoufands  of  thofe  who  might  be  ufeful  in  life^ 
perilh  without  being  regarded  1  Mankind  are  too  apt 
to  value  things  according  to  their  prefent,  not  their 
future,  ufefulncfs.  Though  this  is  of  all  others  the 
moft  erroneous  method  of  eftimation;  yet  upon 
no  other  principle  is  it  poflible  to  account  for  the 
general  indifference  with  refpeft  to  the  death  of 
infants, 

*  The  commoo  opinion,  that  the  di&afo  of  infaau  are  har4 
todircoveranddifitcujctocure,  has  deterred  maoy  phyiiciansfroni 
i^ftying  chacattenrion  to  them  which  they  dteferve.  I  can,  howeve^, 
from  experience  declare,  ti|at  chit  opiafton  it  without  foundation, 
and  that  the  difeafes  of  in  fan  ts  are  neither  (b  difficult  todiicoTer, 
nor  fo  ill  to  cure»  as  thofe  of  aduUst 


I.. 

.J 


•» 


OFCHlLDREN,  y 

Of  Difea/ed  Parents. 

One  great  fource  of  the  difeafes  of  children  is,  the 
VNHEA'-'^H'^K^^  o^  Parents.  It  would  be  as  rea- 
fonable  to  expedi  a  rich  crop  from  a  barren  foil,  as 
that  ftrong  and  healthy  children  (faould  be  born  o^ 
parents  whofe  conftitutions  have  been  worn  out  with 
iotcmperance  or  difeafe. 

An  ingenious  writer*  obferves^  that  on  the  con* 

ftttution  of  nv>thers  depends  originally  that  of  their 

offspring*     No  one  who  believes  this,  will  be  fur-» 

prifed^  on  a  view  of  the  female  world,  to  find  difeafes 

abd  death  fo  frequent  among  children.    A  delicate 

fonalq,  brought  up  within  doors,  an  utter  ftrange^ 

toexercife  and  open  air^  who  lives  on  tea  and  other 

flops,  may  bring  a  child  into  the  world,  but  it  will 

hsrdij  be  fit  to  live.  The  firft  blaft  of  difeafe  wHl 

nip  the^f^cnder  plant  in  the  bud:    or,  fiiould   ic 

ft^Sg^c  through  a  &w  years  exiflence,  its  feeble 

frame,  (haken  with  convulfions  from  every  trivial 

ciufe,  will  be  unable  to  perform  the  common  func* 

Uons  of  life,  and  prove  a  burden  to  fociety* 

If,  CO  the  deiicacy  of  mothers,  we  add  the  irresu* 
)tr  lives  of  fathers,  we  ihaU  fee  further  caufe  to  be- 
lieve that  children  are  ofcen  hurt  by  the  conftitutioa 
of  their  parents^  A  fickly  frame  may  be  originally 
induced  by  hardfhips  or  intemperance,  buc  chiefly 
by  thf  latter.  It  is  impoifibU  that  a  c6urfe  of  vice 
fliould  not  fpoil  the  beftconftitution:  and,  did  th^ 
^il  terminate  here,  it  would  be  a  juft  punifhment 
for  the  folly  of  the  fuffcrer  j  but  when  once  a  difeaffc 
IS  contraded  and  ri vetted  in  the  habit,  it  is  entailed 
©npofterity.  What  a  dreadful  inheritance  is  the 
S^uc,  the  fcurvy,  or  the  king's  evil,  to  tranfmit  to 
^^  offspring !  How  happy  had  it  been  for  the  heir 
a  great  eftate,  had  he  been  born  a  beggar^ 

*  Roo/f^ao. 

B  4  rather 


9  OF    CHILDREN. 

rather  than  to  inherit  his  father's  fortunta  at  the  ex« 
pence  of  inheriting  his  difeafes !   * 

No  perfon  who  labours  under  any  incurable  ma« 
lady  ought  to  itiarry*  He  thereby  not  only  fhortens 
his  own  lifcj  but  tranfmits  mifery  to  others:  but 
when  both  parties  are  deeply  tainted  with  the  fcro- 

Shula,  the  fcurvy,  or  the  like,  the  eHFedks  muft  be 
ill  worfe.  If  fuch  have  any  iffue,  they  tmift  be 
miferable  indeed.  Want  of  attention  to  thefe  thinglr, 
\n  forming  connexions  for  life,  has  rooted  .out  mor^ 
families  than  plague,  fannine,  or  the  fword ;  and  as 
long  as  thefe  connexions  are  formed  from  mtrcenarjr 
views,  the  evil  will  be  continued*. 

Inogrxnatrimonialcontrafts,  itis  amazing  folittle 
regard  is  had  to  the  health  and  form  of  tli^  objeA. 
pur  fportfmen  know,  that  the  generous  courier 
cannot  be  bred  out  of  the  foundered  jade,  nor  tiie 
fagacious  fpaniel  out  of  the  fnarling  cur.  This  is 
fettled  upon  immutable  laws.  The  man%ho  mar- 
ries a  woman  of  a  fickly  conftitution,  and  defcended 
of  unhealthy  parents,  whatever  his  views  may  be, 
cannot  be  faid  to  a^  a  prudent  part.  A  difeafed 
woman  may  prove  fertile;  ihould  this  be  the  cafe, 
tHe'famtlv  muft  become  an  hifirmary:  what  pro-? 
fpeft  of  happinefs  the  father  of  fuch  a  family  nas, 
i^  (hall  leave  any  one  to  judge  f. 

Such  children  as  have  the  misfortune  to  be  borti 
bf  difeafed  parents,  will  require  to  be  nurfed  with 
greater  care  than  others.    This  is  the  only  way  to 

ft 

:  ^  The  Lacedemoniani  condeisned  their  ]L\fk%  Archidainotfbr 
,)iavipg  married  a  weal^,  puoy  woman;  becaufe*  faid  they,  ioftea^ 
Af  propagapng  a  race  of  heroes,  yoa  will  fall  the  throne  with  a 
progeny  of  changelings. 

f  The  Jews,  by  their  laws,  were,  in  certain  tafet,  fbrUd  to 
have  any  manner  of  commerce  with  the  difeafed;  and  indeed  to 
diia  all  wiie  legiflators  oaght  to  have  a  fpecnl  regard*  In  Ibme 
€O0Ditries»f  difeafed  perfons  have  a^ually  been  forbid  to  marr]^. 
^his  is  an  evil  of  a  complicated  kiiid,  a  natural  deformity,  and 
pdli^^al  liiifchief;  and  therefore  reqi;^res  a  public  confideration. 


OF    CHILDREN,  9 

make  amends  for  the  defers  of  conftitution;  and  it 
will  often  go  a  great  length.  A  heahhy  nurfe,  whole* 
fome  air,  and  fufHcient  exercife,  will  do  wonders^ 
But  when  thefe  are  negleAed,  little  is  to  be  expcdted 
from  any  otiier  quarter*  The  defefts  of  confticu* 
f  ion  cannot  be  fupplied  by  medicine. 

Thofe  who  inherit  any  family  dife^fe  ought  to  b<l 
very  circumfped  in  their  manner  of  living.  They 
ihquld  confider  well  the  nature  of  fuch  difcafe,  and 
guard  againft  it  by  a  proper  regimen.  It  is  certain^ 
that  iamily  difeafes  have  often,  by  proper  care,  been 
kept  off  for  one  generation ;  and  there  is  reafon  to 
believe,  that,  byperfiftingin  the  fame  courfe,  fuch. 
^ifeliies  might  at  length  be  wholly  eradicated.  This 
!s"a'iiiiE>jeft  very  little  regarded,  though  of  the 
grcattft  importance.  Family  conftitutions  are  as 
capable  of  improvement  as  family  eftates;  and  the 
libertine,  who  impairs  the  one,  docs  greater  injury 
(o  his  pofterity,  than  ;he  prodigalj  who  fquander^ 
away^  the  ofhef • ' 

Of  the  Clothing  of  Children. 

The  clothing  of  an  infant  is  fo  (imple  a  matter, 
that  it  is  furprifing  how  any  pf  rfon  fliould  err  in  it| 
yet  many  children  lofe  their  Jives^  and  others  are 
deformed,  by  inattention  to  this  article. 

Nature  knows  no  ufe  of  clothes  to  an  infant,  but 
to  keep  it  warm.  AH  that  is  neceflary  for  this  pur- 
pofe,  is  to  wrap  it  in  a  foft  loofe  covering.  Were  a 
inotbcr  left  to  the  dilates  of  Nature  alone,-  (he  would 
certainly  purfue  this  courfe.  But  the  biifinefs  of 
dreffing  an  infant  has  Tong  been  out  of  the  hands  of 
mothers,  and  has  at  lad  become  ^  fecret  which  none 
•but  adepts  pretend  to  underdand. 

From  the  mod  early  ages  it  has  been  thought  ne- 
^effary,  that  a  woman  in  labour  Ihould  have  fonie 
perfon  to  attend  her.    This  in  time  became  a  bufi* 

neisi 


10  OF    CHILDREN. 

nefs;  and^  as  in  all  others,  thofe  who  were  employedl 
In  it  drove  to  ou:do  one  another  in  the  different 
branches  of  their  profeflion.  Thcdreffing  of  a  child 
came  of  courfc  to  be  confidered  as  the  midwife's 
province,  vfho  no  doubt  imagined,  that  the  more 
dexterity  (he  could  fhew  in  this  article,  the  more  her 
ftiW  would  be  admired.  Her  attempts  wure  feconded 
by  the  vanity  of  parents,  who,  too  often  defirous  of 
making  i  fhew  of  the  infant  as  foon  as  it  was  born^ 
were  ambitious  to  have  as  much  finery  heaped  upon 
it  as  pofTiblc.  Thus  it  came  to  be  thought  as  necef- 
fary  for  a  midwife  to  excel  in  bracing  and  drefTing  an 
infant,  as  for  a  furgeon  to  be  expert  in  applying 
bandages  to  a  broken  limb;  and  the  poor  cnild,  as 
foon  as  it  came  into  the  world,  had  as  many  rollers 
and  wrappers  applied  to  its  body,  as  if  every  hont 
had  been  fraftured  in  the  birth  j  while  thefe  wcrp 
bften  fo  tight,  as  not  only  to  gall  and  wound  its  ten* 
der  frame,  but  even  to  obftruft  the  motion  of  th^ 
heart,  lungs,  and  other  organs  necefTary  for  life. 

In  moft  parts  of  Britain,  the  praftice  of  rolling 
children  with  fo  many  bandages  is  now,  in  fome  mear 
iure,  laid  afide^  but  it  would  dill  be  a  difficult  rafk 
to  pcrfuadethe  generality  of  mankind,  that  the  ihape 
of  an  infant  does  not  entirely  depend  on  the  care  of 
the  midwife.  So  far,  however,  are  all  her  eadea«> 
vours  to  mend  the  fhape  from  being  fuccefsfulj 
that  they  condantly  operate  the  contrary  way,  and 
mankind  become  deformed  juft  in  proportion  tp  the 
means  ufed  to  prevent  it.  How  little  deformity  of 
body  is  to  be  found  among  uncivilized  nations?  So 
little  indeed,  that  it  is  vulgarly  believed  they  put  aU 
their  deformed  children  to  death.  The  truth  is,  they 
hardly  know  fuch  a  thing  as  a  deformed  child. 
Neither  Ihould  we,  if  we  followed  their  example. 
Savage  nations  never  think  of  manacling  tHeircniI» 
dren.  They  allow  them  the  full  ufe  of  every  organj 
carry  them  abroad  in  the  open  airj  wafh  their  bodicsi 

daily 


OF    CHILDREN;  tt 

ckriif  infold  water,  i^c.  By  this  management,  their 
(Aildren  become  fo  ftrong  and  hardy,  that,  by  tht 
time  our  pony  infants  get  out  of  the  nurfe^a  arms^ 
theirs  are  able  to  fiiifc  for  thentfeives*. 

Among  brute  animals,  no  art  is  neceflary  to  pro* 
core  a  fine  ihape.  Though  many  of  them  are  tx^ 
treoiciy  ddixraoe  when  they  come  into  the  worid, 
yet  we  never  find  them  grow  crooked  for  want  of 
fwaddling  bands.  Is  Nature  lefs  generous  to  the 
human  kind  ?  No :  but  we  take  the  buGnefs  out  of 
Nature's  hands* 

Not  only  the  analogy  of  other  animals,  but  the 
very  feelings  of  infants  tell  us,  they  ought  to  be 
kept  eafy  and  free  from  all  prefTure.  They  cannot 
indeed  tell  their  complaints;  but  they  can  (hew  figns 
of  pain ;  and  this  they  never  fail  to  do,  by  crying 
when  hurt  by  their  clothes.  No  fooner  are  they 
freed  from  their  bracings,  than  they  feem  pleafed 
and  happy;  yet,.ftrange  infatuation!  the  moment 
they  hold  their  peace,  they  are  again  committed  to 
their  chains. 

If  we  confider  the  body  of  an  infant  as  a  bundle 
of  foft  pipes,  replenifhed  with  fluids  in  continual 
motion,  the  danger  of  pre0ure  will  appear  in  the 
flrongeft  light.  Nature,  in  order  to  make  way  for 
the  growth  of  children,  has  formed  their  bodies 
foft  and  flexible;  and  left  they  fhould  receive  any 
rojury  from  preflfure  in  the  womb,  has  furrounded 
x)\tfcgtus  every  where  with  fluids.  This  fliews  the 
care  which  Nature  takes  to  prevent  all  unequal 
preflure  on  the  bodies  of  infants,  and  to  defend 
them  againft  every  thing  that  might  in  the  leaft 
cramp  or  confine  their  motions. 

*  A  friend  of  miae,  who  was  ieveral  years  on  the  coad  of 
A&kay  tells  me,  that  the  natiies  neither  put  any  cloihes  upon 
then-  children,  nor  apply  to  their  bodies  bandages  of  any  kind, 
but  lay  thecn  on  a  pallet,  and  fuifer  them  to  tumble  about  at  plot- 
(frc;  yet  thry  ai^  ail  Orait,  and  ftidQm  have  any  difeafe. 

« 

Q  Even 


12  OF    CHILDREN. 

Even  the  bones  of  an  infant  are  (o  (oft  and  ear* 
tilaginous,  that  they  readily  yield  to  the  flighted 
prtffure>  *and  eaGly  aflume  a  bad  fhape,  which  can 
never  after  be  remedied.  Hence  it  is,  that  fo 
many  people  appear  with. high  (boulders,  crooked 
fpineSy  and  Bat  breads,  who  were  as  well  propor- 
tioned at  their  birth  as  others,  but  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  be  fqueezed  out  of  (hape  by  the  application 
of  ftays  and  bandages.   . 

Preffurc,  by  obftrufting  the  circulation,  likewifc 
prevents  the  equal  diftribution  of  nourifhmenc  to 
the  diflFcrent  parts  of  the  body,  by  which  means 
the  growth  becomes  unequal.  One  part  grows  too 
large,  while  another  remains  too  fmall;  and  thus 
in  time  the  whole  frame  becomes  difproportioned 
9od  misfliapen.,  To  this  we  muft  add,  that*  when 
u  child  is  cramped  in  its  clothes,  it  naturally  (brinks 
from  the  part  that  is  hurt;  and,  by  putting  its  body 
into  unnatural  poftures,  it  becomes  deformed  by 
habit. 

Deformity  of  body  may  indeed  proceed  from 
weaknefs  or  difeafe;  but,  in  general,  it  is  the  effect 
of  improper  clothing.  Nine  tenths,  at  lea(t,  of  the 
deformity  among  mankind,  muft  be  imputed  to  this 
caufe.  A  deformed  body  fs  not  only  difagreeable  to 
the  eye,  but  by  a  bad  figure  both  the  animal  an^ 
vital  fun£l:ions  muft  be  impeded,  and  of  courfe  health 
impaired.  Hence  few  people  remarkably  misJhapen 
are  ftrong  or  healthy. 

The  new  motions  which  commence  at  the  birth, 
as  the  circulation  of  the  whole  mafs  of  blood  through 
the  lungs,  rcfpiration,  the  periftaltic  motion,  (^c» 
afford  another  ftrong  argument  for  keeping  the  body 
of  an  infant  free  from  all  prelTure.  Thefe  organs,  not 
having  been  accurtomed  to  move,  arc  eafily  ftopped; 
jbut  when  this  happens,  death  muft  enfue.  Hs^rdly 
any  method  could  be.devifed  morecffeftually  to  ftop 
thefe  motious;i  th^n  bracing  the  bo^y  too  tight  with 

rollers 


OF    CHILDREN,  ij 

Tollers^  tad  band ages«  Wore  tbcfe  to  be  applied 
in  (he  fame  manner  to  the  body  of  an  adult  for  an 
^qual  fen^h  of  tinoe,  they  could  haxdly  fail  to  b^irc 
the  digeftion  and  make  him  fick«  How  much  more 
hurtful  they  mull  prove  to  the  tender  bodies  of  in« 
fants  ^ye  (hall  leave  any  one  to  judge* 

Whoever  confiders  thefe  things  will  not  be  fui^ 
prifed)  that  fo  many  children  die  of  convulfipns  (oon 
after  the  birth.  Thefe  fits  are  generally  attributed  tt> 
.  fome  ipward  caufe ;  but  in  fadt^  they  oftener  proceed 
from  our  own  imprudent  conduA*  I  have  known^ 
child  feized  with  convulQon-fits  foon  after  the  mid* 
wHc  had  done  fwaddling  it,  who,  upon  taking  ojf 
the  rollers  and  bandages,  was  immediately  relieved^ 
and  never  bad  the  difeafe  afterwards.  Numerous  ex- 
amples  of  this  might  be  given,  were  they  neceiTary, 

It  woy^be  fa^cr  to  fix  on  the  clothes  of  an  infai^c 
with  (Inngs  than  pins,  as  thefe  often  gall  and  trritaoe 
their  tender  flcins,  and  occafion  diforders.  Pins  have 
been  found  fticking  above  half  an  inch  into  the  bqdf 
of  achild,  afterithaddiedof  convulfion  fits,  which^ 
in  all  probability,  proceeded  from  that  caufe. 

Children  are  not  only  hurt  by  the  tight nefs  qf 
their  clothes,  but  alfo  by  the  quantity.  Every  child 
has  fome  degree  of  fever  after  the  birth  i  and  if  ic 
be  loaded  with  too  many  clothes,  the  fever  mufl:  be 
increafed.  But  this  is  not  all^  the  child  is  generally 
laid  in  bed  with  the  mother,  who  is  often  likewife 
feverifh  5  to  which  we  may  add  the  heac  of  the  bed- 
chamber, the  wines,  and  other  heating  things,  too 
frequently  given  to  children  inimediately  after  the 
birth.  When  all  thefe  are  combined,  which  does  not 
fcldom  happen,  they  mud  increafe  the  fever  to  fuch 
a  degree  as  will  endanger  the  life  of  the  infant. 

*  This  ts  by  no  means  inveighing  againll  a  thing  that  dot*  hot 
happen.  In  many  part3  of  Britain  at  this  day,  a  roller,  ^ght  ^r 
tto  feet  in  length,  it  applied  tighiiy  round  the  chiid't  bddyas  (mm 
uitu  born. 

The 


14  OF    CHILDREN. 

The  danger  of  keeping  infants  too  hot  will  further 
appear,  if  we  confider  that,  after  they  have  been  for 
fome  tinie  in  the  fituation  mentioned  above,  they  arc 
often  fent  into  the  country  to  be  nurfed  in  a  cold 
houfe.  Is  it  any  wonder,  if  a  child,  from  fuch  a 
tranfltion,  catches  a  mortal  cold,  or  contrails  fome 
other  fatal  difeafe?  When  an  infant  is  kept  too 
hot,  its  lungs,  not  being  fufficiently  expanded,  are 
apt  to  remain  weak  and  Baccid  for  life;  hence 
proceed  coughs,  confumptions,  and  other  difea(es 
of  the  bread. 

It  would  anfwer  little  purpofe  to  fpecify  the  par* 
.ticular  pieces  of  drefs  proper  for  an  infant.  Thefe 
•will  always  vary  in  different  countries,  according  to 
cuftom  and  the  humour  of  parents.  The  great  rule 
to  be  obfcrved  is,  That  a  child  have  no  more  clothes 
iban  are  necejfary  to  keep  it  warm,  and  that  they  be 
quite  eafy  for  its  body. 

Stays  are  the  very  bane  of  infants.  A  volume 
would  not  fuffice  to  point  out  all  the  bad  effcfts  of 
this  ridiculous  piece  of  drefs  both  on  children  and 
iadults.  The  madnefs  in  favour  of  ftays  feems, 
however,  to  be  fomewhat  abated ;  and  it  is  to  be 
hoped  the  world  will,  in  time,  become  wife  enough 
to  know,  that  the  human  fhapc  does  not  folely  de- 
pend upon  whale-bone  and  bend-leather*. 

I  (hall  only  add  with  refpedt  to  the  clothes  of 
children,  thattheyoiighttobekept  thoroughly  clean. 
Children  perfpire  more  than  adultsj  and  if  their 
clothes  be  not  frequently  changed,  they  become  very 

*  Stays  made  of  bend-leather  are  worn  by  all  the  women  of 
lower  iUiion  in  many  parts  of  England* 

I  am  forry  to  underftand,  that  there  are  dill  mothers  mad 
cnoagh  to  lace  their  daughters  vtry  tight  in  order  to  improve 
their  fhape.  As  reafoning  would  be  totally  lo(l  upon  fuch  people^ 
I  ihall  beg  leave  jull  to  a(k  thero.  Why  there  are  ten  deformed 
women  for  one  nifeti?  andlikewife  to  recommend  to  their  perafal 
a  (hort  moral  precept,  whicii  forbids  ot  to  Reform  tht  butium 
tody, 

hurtful. 


.J 


OF    CHILDREN.  15 

hurtful.  Dirty  clothes  not  only  gall  and  fret  the 
tender  ikins  of  infants^  but  likewife  occafion  ill 
fmclls;  and,  what  is  worfc^  tend  to  produce  vermin 
and  cutaneous  difeafcs. 

Cleanlinefs  is  not  only  agreeable  to  the  eyr^  but 
tends  greatly  to  preferve  the  health  of  childr<:n.  k 
prooiotes  the  perfpiration,  and,  by  that  means,  frees 
the  body  from  fuperfluous  humours,  which,  if  re- 
tained, could  not  fail  to  occafion  difeafes.  No 
nu3ther  or  nul-fe can  have  any  excufe  for  allowing  a 
child  to  be  dirty.  Poverty  may  obljge  her  to  give  ic 
coarfe  clothe^;'  but  if  (he  does  not  keep  them  clean, 
it  muft  be  her  own  fault. 

Of  the  Food  of  Children. 

Nature  not  only  points  out  the  food  proper  for 
an  infant,  but  afbually  prepares  it.  This,  however, 
is  not  fufficient  to  prevent  lome  who  think  themfel  ves 
wifcr  than  Nature,  from  attempting  to  bring  up  their 
children  without  her  provifion.  Nothing  can  (hew 
the  difpofition  which  mankind  have  to  depart  from 
Nature,  more  than  their  endeavouring  to  bring  up 
children  without  the  breaft.  The  mother's  milk,  or 
that  of  a  healthy  nurfe,  is  unqueftionably  'the  beft 
food  for  an  infant.  Neither  art  nor  nature  can  afford 
a  proper  fubftitute  for  it.  Children  may  fcem  to 
thrive  for  a  few  months  without  the  breaft;  but, 
when  teething,  thefmall-pox,  and  other  difeafes  in- 
cident to  childhood,  come  on,  they  generally  perifh. 

A  child,  foon  after  the  birth,  (hews  an  inclination 
to  fuck;  and  there  is  no  reafon  why  it  (hould  not 
be  gratified.  It  is  true,  the  mother's  milk  docs  not 
always  come  immediately  after  the  birth;  but  this 
is  the  way  to  bring  it:  befides,  the  firft:  milk  that 
the  child  can  fqueeze  out  of  the  breaft  anfwers  the 
purpofc  of  cleanfing,  better  than  all  the  drugs  in; 
the  apothecary's  (hop,  and  at  the  fame  time  pre-. 

vents' 


i6  OF    CHILDREN. 

vents  indammations  of  the  breaft>  ferersj  and  ofttie^ 
difeafes  incident  to  mothers. 

It  is  ftrange  how  people  came  to  think  that  the 
firil  thing  given  to  a  child  fhould  be  drugs.  Thi^ 
is  beginning  wich  rh<;dicine  by  times>  and  no  wonder 
if  they  generally  end  with  it*  It  fometimes  hap* 
pensj  indeed,  that  a  child  does  not  difcharge  the 
^ecoHium  fo  foon  as  could  be  wilhed ;  this  has  in«- 
duced  phyficians,  in  fuch  cafes,  to  give  fomething 
of  an  opening  nature  to  clcanfe  the  firft  paffageS; 
Midwives  have  ilnproved  upon  this  hint,  and  never 
fail  to  give  fyrbps>  oils,  t?^.  whether  they  be  nc- 
ceflary  or  not.  Cramming  an  infant  with  fuch  indi- 
geftible  ftuflF  as  foon  as  it  is  born,  can  hardly  fail 
to  make  it  lick,  and  is  more  likely  to  occafion  dif* 
cafes,  than  to  prevent  them.  Children  are  feldom 
long  after  the  birch  without  having  palTage  both  by 
ftooi  and  urine;  though  thefe  evacuations  may  be 
wanting  for  fome  time  without  any  danger.  But  if 
children  muft  have  fomething  before  they  be  aU 
lowed  the  bread,  let  it  be  a  little  thin  water-pap, 
to  which  may  be  added  an  equal  quantity  of  new 
milk;  or  rather  water  alone,  with  the  addition  of  a 
little  raw  fugar.  If  this  be  given  without  any  wines 
or  fpiceries,  it  will  neither  heat  the  blood,  load  the 
ftomach,  nor  occafion  gripes. 

Upon  the  firft  fight  of  an  infant,  almoft  every 
perfon  is  ftruck  with  the  idea  of  its  being  weak, 
feeble,  and  wanting  fupport.  This  naturally  fuggefts 
the  need  of  cordials.  Accordingly  wines  are  univer- 
fally  mixed  with  the  5rft  food  of  children.  Nothing 
can  be  more  fallacious  than  t1)is  way  of  reafoning, 
or  more  hurtful  to  infants  than  the  conduct  founded 
upoa  it.  Children  require  very  little  food  for 
fome  time  after  the  birth;  and  what  they  receive 
fiiould  be  thin,  weak,  light,  and  of  a  cooling  qua- 
lity. A  very  fmall  quantity  of  wine  is  fufficient  to 
licat  and  ia&aait  the  blood  of  an  infant ;  but  every 

peribn 


at    CHH.DREN,  1r7 

^rToh  convcrfant  in  thcfc  matters  muft  knoW,  that 
tnoid  of  the  difeafes  of  infants  proceed  from  the  heat 
of  their  humours. 

If  the  mother  or  nurfe  has  enough  of  milk,  the 

child  will  need  little  or  no  other  food  before  the  third 

or  fourth  month.     It  will  then  be  proper  to  give  it, 

OBCe  or  twice  a  day,  a  little  of  fome  food  that  is  eafy 

ofrdigeftion,   as  water-pap,    milk-pottage,    weak' 

broth  with  bread  in  it,  and  fuch  like.     This  will 

eafc  the  mother,  will  accuftom  the  child  by  degrees 

totake  food,  and  will  render  the  weaning  both  lefs 

difficult  and  lefs  dangerous.     All  great  and  fuddeii 

tranfitions  are  to  be  avoided  in-nurAng.     For  this 

purpofc,  the  food  of  children  ought  not  only  to  be 

fimple,  but  to  refemble,  as  nearly  as  poflible,  the 

properties  of  milk.     Indeed  milk  itfelf  Ihould  make 

a  principal  part  of  their  food,  not  only  before  they 

arc  weaned^  but  for  a  long  time  after. 

Next  to  milki  we  would  recommend  good  light 
bread'.  Bread  may  be  given  to  a  child  as  foon  as  it 
Ihews  an  inclination  to  chew;  and  it  may  at  all  times 
be.allowed  as  much  plain  bread  as  it  will  eat.  The 
vory  chewing  of  bread  will  promote  the  cutting  of 
the  teethi  and  the  difcharge  oi/alivay  while,  by  mix- 
ing with  the  nurfe's  milk  in  the  ftomach,  it  will  df^ 
ford  an  excellent  nourifliment.  Children  difcover  ati 
early  inclination  to  chew  whatever  ts  put  into  their 
habds.  Parents  obferve  the  inclination,  but  generally 
iniftakc  theobjeft.  Inftead  of  giving  the  child  fome- 
thing  which  may  at  once  exercife  its  gums  and  af« 
ford  it  nourilhment,  they  commonly  put  into  its 
haads  a  piece  of  hard  metal,  or  impenetrable  coral. 
A  cruft  of  bread  is  the  beft  gum-ftick.  It  not  only 
anfwcrs  the  purpofc  better  than  any  thing  elfe,  but' 
has  the  additionalproperties  of  nourilhing  the  child  ^ 
and  carrying  thtf^fAiva  down  to  the  ftomad^^fetcU  ^ 
u  too  TOlu«lblo.tt  liquor  to  be  loft*  * 


C  Breads 


i8  OF    CHILDREN. 

Bread,  beGdes  being  ufcd  dry,  may  be  many  wayj 
prepared  into  food  for  children.  One  of  the  bcft 
methods  is  to  boil  it  in  water,  afterwards  pouring  the 
water  off,  and  mixing  with  the  bread  a  proper  quan- 
tity of  new  milk  unboiled.  Milk  is  both  more 
wholefome  and  nourifhing  this  way  thanboiled,  and 
is  Icfs  apt  to  occafion  coftivenefs.  For  a  child  farther 
advanced,  bread  may  be  mixed  in  veal  or  chicken 
broth,  made  into  puddings,  or  the  like.  Bread  is  a 
proper  food  for  children  at  all  times,  provided  it  be 
plain,  made  of  wholefome  grain,  and  well  fcr-* 
mentedi  but  when  enriched  with  fruits,  fugars,  ot 
fuch  things,  it  becomes  very  unwholefome. 

It  is  foon  enough  to  allow  children  animal  food 
when  they  have  got  teeth  to  eat  it.  They  (houk) 
never  tafte  ic  till  after  they  are  weaned,  and  even 
then  they  ought  to  ufe  it  fparingly.  Indeed,  when 
children  live  wholly  on  vegetable  food,  it  is  ape 
to  four  their  ftomachs;  but,  on  the  other  band^ 
too  much  Befh  heats  the  body,  and  occafions  fevera 
and  other  inflammatory  difeafes.  This  plainly 
points  out  a  due  mixture  of  animal  and  vegetable 
food  as  mod:  proper  for  children. 

Few  things  prove  more  hurtful  to  infants,  than  the 
common  method  of  fweetening  their  food.  It  entices 
them  to  take  more  than  they  ought  to  do,  which 
makes  them  grow  fat  and  bloated.  It  is  pretty  cer* 
tain,  if  the  food  of  children  were  quite  plain,  that 
they  would  never  take  more  than  enough.  Their; 
exceffes  arc  entirely  owing  to  nurfes.  If  a  child  be 
gorged  with  food  at  all  hours,  and  enticed  to  take  it, 
by  making  it  fweet  and  agreeable  to  the  palate^  is  ic 
any  wonder  that  fuch  a  child  fhould  in  time  be  in- 
duced to  crave  more  food  than  it  ought  to  have? 

Children  may  be  hurt  by  too  little  as  well  as  too 

,much  food.     After  a  child  is  weaned,  it  ought  to  be 

fed  four  or  five  times  a  day;    but  fhould  never  be 

accuflomed  to  eat  in  the  night>  neither  fhould  it  have 

4  tOQ 


OF    CfcEILDREN.  19 

lott  much  at  a  time.  Children  thrive  bcfl:  with  fmall 
quantities  of  food  frequently  given.  This  neither 
overloads  the  ftomach  nor  hurts  the  digeftion,  and 
is  certainly  moft  agreeable  to  Nature. 

Writers  on  nurfing  have  inveighed  with  fuch 
vehemence  againft  giving  children  too  much  food, 
that  many  parents^  by  endeavouring  to  (bun  that 
error,  have  run  into  the  oppofue  extreme,  and  ruined 
the  conftitutions  of  their  children.  But  the  error  of 
pinching  children  in  their  food  is  more  hurtful  than 
the  other  extreme.  Nature  has  many  ways  of  reliev- 
ing herfelf  when  overcharged;  but  a  child,  who  is 
pinched  with  hunger,  will  never  become  a  ftrong  or 
healthy  man.  That  errors  are  frequently  committed 
on  both  fides,  we  are  ready  to  acknowledge;  but 
where  one  child  is  hurt  by  the  quantity  of  its  food, 
ten  fufFer  from  the  quality.  This  is  the  principal 
evil,  and  claims  our  ftrideft  attention. 

Many  people  imagine,  that  the  food  which  they 
themfelves  love  cannot  be  bad  for  their  children :  but 
this  notion  is  very  abfurd.  In  the  more  advanced 
periods  of  life  we  often  acquire  an  inclination  for 
fcod,  which  when  children  we  could  not  endure. 
Befides>  there  are  many  things  that  by  habit  may 
agree  very  well  with  the  ftomach  of  a  grown  pcrfon, 
which  would  be  hurtful  to  a  child ;  as  high-feafoned, 
failed,  and  fmoke-dried  provifionsj  &c.  It  would 
aifo  be  improper  to  feed  children  with  fat  mcat| 
ftrong  broths,  rich  foups,  or  the  like. 

All  ftrong  liquors  are  hurtful  to  children.  Some 
parents  teach  their  children  to  guzzle  ale,  and  other 
lermented  liquors,  at  every  meal.  Such  a  pradlicc 
cannot  fail  to  do  mifchief.  Thefe  children  feldom 
tfcape  the  violence  of  the  fmall-pox,  mcaflcs,  hoop- 
iog  cough,  or  fomc  inflammatory  diforder.  Milk, 
^ter,  butter- milk,  or  whey,  are  the  moft  proper 
fer  children  ta  drink.  If  they  have  any  thing  ftronger, 
it  may  be  fine  fmall  beer,  or  a  little  wine  mixed  with 

C  2  water* 


a6  OF    CHILDREN. 

water.  The  ftomachs  of  children  can  digefl:  weff 
enough  without  the  afllftance  of  warm  ftimulants : 
befides,  being  naturally  hot^  they  are  eafily  hurt  by 
every  thing  of  a  heating  quality- 
Few  things  are  more  hurtful  to  children  than  un- 
ripe fruits.  They  weaken  the  powers  of  digeftion, 
and  four  and  relax  the  flomach,  by  which  means  ic 
becomes  a  proper  neft  for  infefts.  Children  indeed 
(hew  a  great  inclination  for  fruit,  and  I  am  apt  to 
believe,  thaj:  if  good  ripe  fruit  were  allowed  them  in 
proper  quantity,  it  would  have  no  bad  effeds.  Wc 
never  find  a  natural  inclination  wrongs  if  properly 
regulated.  Fruits  are  generally  of  a  cooling  nature, 
and  corre£t  the  heat  and  acrimony  of  the  humours. 
This  is  what  mod  children  require ;  only  care  fhould 
be  taken  left  they  exceed.  Indeed  the  beft  way  to 
prevent  children  from  going  to  cxcefs  in  the  ufe  of 
fruit,  or  eating  that  which  is  bad,  is  to  allow  them 
a^ proper  quantity  of  what  is  good*. 

Roots  which  contain  a  crude  vifcid  juice  Ibould  be 
fparingly  given  to  children.  They  fill  the  body  with 
grofs  humours,  and  tendto produce  eruptive  difeafcs. 
This  caution  is  peculiarly  neceffary  for  the  poor  i 
glad  toobtain  at  a  fmall  price  what  will  fill  the  bellies 
of  their  children,  they  ftuff  them  two  or  three  times 
aday  with  greafy  potatoes,  or  other  crude  vegetables. 
Children  had  better  eat  a  fmaller  quantity  of  food 
which  yields  a  wholefome  nouriihment,  than  be 
crammed  with  what  their  digeftive  powers  arc  unable 
properly  to  aflimilate.. 

*  Children  are  always  (ickly  in  the  fruit Teaicnty  wJrichniay 
be  thus  accounted  for :  Two  thirds  of  the  ^uic  which  comes  to 
market  in  this  country  is  really  unripe;  and  children  not  being 
in  t  condition  to  judge  for  themfelves,  eat  whatever  they  can  Hf 
their  bands  upon,  which  often  proves  little  better  than  m  poifoA 
to  their  tender  bowels.  Servants,  and  others  who  have  the  carr 
of  children^  fhould  be  flriflly  forbid  to  give  them  any  fruit  wuh* 
oot  the  knowledge  of  their  parents. 

1 2  Butter 


OF    CHILDREN.  ai 

Butter  ought  likewife  to  be  fparingly  given  to 
children.  It  both  relaxes  the  ftomach,  and  produces 
grofs  humours.  Indeed,  moft  things  that  are  fat  or 
oily,  havc'thiseffcft.  Butter,  when  falt^d,  becomes 
ftill  more  hurtful.  Inftead  of  butter,  fo  liberally 
given  to  children  in  mod  parts  of  Britain,  we  would 
recommend  honey.  Honey  is  not  only  wholefome, 
but  cooling,  cleanling,  and  tends  to  fweeten  the 
humours.  Children  who  eat  honey  are  feldom 
{troubled  with  worms;  they  are  alfo  lefs  fubje£t  to 
cutaneous  difeafes,  as  itch,  fcabbed  head,  Sec 

Many  people  err  in  thinking  that  the  diet  of  chiU 
dren  ought  to  be  altogether  moid.  When  children 
live  entirely  upon  flops,  it  relaxes  their  folids,  ren- 
ders them  weak,  and  difpofes  them  to  the  rickets, 
the  fcrophula,  and  other  glandular  diforders.  Re-- 
taxation  is  one  of  the  moft  general  caufes  of  the  dif- 
cafesof  children.  Every  thing  therefore  which  tends 
CO  unbrace  their  folids,  ought  to  be  carefully  avoided. 

We  would  not  be  underftood  by  thefe  obferva- 
tions  as  confining  children  to  any  particular  kind  of 
food.  Their  diet  may  be  frequently  varied,  provided 
9lway$  that  fufficient  regard  be  had  to  fimplicity. 

Of  the  Exerci/e  of  Children. 

Of  all  the  oaufes  which  confpire  to  render  the  life 
ofmanfliortandmiferable,  none  has  greater  influence 
than  the  want  of  proper  exercise  :  healthy  parents, 
wholefomefood,  and  proper  clothing,  will  avail  little, 
where  cxercife  is  neglefted.  Sufficient  exercife  will 
make  up  for  feveral  defefts  in  nurfingi  but  nothing 
canfnpply  the  want  of  it.  It  is  abfolutely  ncccflary  to 
the  health,the  growth,  and  the  ftrength  of  children. 

The  defire  of  exercife  is  coeval  with  life  itfelf, 
•Were  this  principle  attended  to,  many  difcafes  might 
be  prevented.    But,  while  indolence  and  fcdentary^ 
employments  prevent  two-thirds  of  mankind  from 
rither  taking  fufficicnt  exercife  themfclves,  or  giving 

C  3  it 


dt  OF    CHILDREN, 

ft  to  their  children,  what  have  we  to  cxpcft  but  dif- 
eafes  and  deformity  anriong  their  offspring?  The 
rickets,  fo  deftruftive  to  children,  never  appeared  in 
Britain  till  manufaAures  began  to  flouriih,  and 
people,  attrafted  by  the  love  of  gain,  left  the  coun- 
try to  follow  fedentary  employments  in  great  towns^ 
It  is  amongft  thefe  people  that  this  difeafe  chiefly 
prevails,  and  not  only  deforms,  but  kills  many  of 
their  offspring. 

The  conduct  of  other  young  animals  (hews  the 
propriety  of  giving  exercife  to  children.  Every  other 
animal  makes  ufe  of  its  organs  of  motion  as  foon 
as  it  can,  and  many  of  them,  even  when  under  no 
neccffity  of  moving  in  queft  of  food,  cannot  be  re- 
ftrained  without  force.  This  is  evidently  the  cafe 
with  the  calf,  the  lamb,  and  moft  other  young  ani- 
mals. If  thefe  creatures  were  not  permitted  to  friflc 
about  and  take  exercife,  they  would  foon  die  or 
become  difeafed.  The  fame  inclination  appears  very 
early  in  the  human  fpecies;  but  as  they  are  not  able 
to  take  exercife  themfclves,  it  is  the  bufinefs  of  their 
parents  and  nurfes  to  ailift  them. 

Children  may  be  exercifed  various  ways.  The 
beft  method,  while  they  are  light,  is  to  carry  them 
about  in  the  nurfe's  arnris*.  This  gives  the  nurfe  an 
opportunity  of  talking  to  the  child,  and  of  pointing 
out  every  thing  that  may  pleafe  and  delight  its  fancy. 
Befides,  it  Is  much  fafer  than  fwinging  an  infant  in  a 
machine,  or  leaving  it  to  the  care  of  luch  as  are  not 
fit  to  take  care  of  thcmfelves.  Nothing  can  be  more 
abfurd  than  to  fet  one  child  to  keep  anothcf:  thi^ 
condudt  has  proved  fatal  to  many  infants,  and  has 
rendered  others  miferable  fqr  life. 

When  children  begin  to  walk,  the  fafeft  and  beft 
method  of  leading  them  about,  is  by  the  bands.  The 

^  The  nurfe  ought  to  be  careful  to  keep  the  child  in  a  proper 
pofition;  as  cfeformity  U  often  the  confequence  of  ipattentiqn  to 
thh  eircamftance. 

common 


> 


vt' 


-OF'CHILDREl^.  23 

common  way,  of  Twinging  thenn  in  leading- ftrings 
fixed  to  their  backs,  has  feveral  bad  confequcnces* 
It  makes  them  throw  their  bodies  forward,  and  prcfa 
with  their  whole  weight  upon  the  ftomach  and  bread  j 
by  this  means  the  breathing  isobftrufted,  the  bread 
flattened,  and  the  bowels  compreflVd;  which  muft 
hurt  the  digeftion,  and  occafion  confumptions  of 
the  lungs,  and  other  difeafes. 

It  is  a  common  notion,  that  if  children  be  fet  upon 
their  feet  too  foon,  their  legs  will  become  crooked. 
There  is  reafon  to  believe,  that  the  very  reverfe  of 
this  is  true.  Every  member  acquires  drengrh  in 
proportion  as  it  is  exercifed.  The  limbs  of  children 
are  weak  indeed,  but  their  bodies  are  proportionally 
light;  and  had  they  fkill  to  direft  themfelves,  they 
would  foon  be  able  to  fupport  their  own  weight. 
Who  ever  heard  of  any  other  animal  that  became 
crooked  by  ufing  its  legs  too  foon  ?  Indeed,  if  a  child 
be  not  permitted  to  make  any  ufe  of  its  legs  till  a 
confiderable  time  after  the  birth,  and  be  then  fee 
upon  them  with  its  whole  weight  at  once,  there  may 
be  fomc  danger ;  but  this  proceeds  entirely  from  the 
child's  not  having  been  accudomed  to  ufe  its  legs 
from  the  beginning. 

Mothers  of  the  poorer  fort  think  they  are  great, 
gainers  by  making  their  children  lie  or  fit  while  they 
themfelves  work.  In  this  they  are  greatly  midakcn. 
By  negledting  to  give  their  children  exercife,  they  arc 
obliged  to  keep  them  a  long  time  before  they  can  do 
any  thing  for  themfelves,  and  to  fpend  more  on 
medicine  than  would  ha-ve  paid  for  proper  care. 

To  take  care  of  their  children,  is  the  piod  ufe- 
ful  bufinefs  in  which  even  the  poor  can  be  em- 
ployed: but,  alas!  it  is  not  always  in  their  power. 
Poverty  often  obliges  them  to  negledt  their  offspring, 
in  order  to  procure  the  neccflaries  of  life*  When 
this  is  the  cafe,  it  becomes  the  intered  as  well  as 
the  dyty  of  the  public  to  aflid  them.   Ten  thoufand 

C  4  times 


14  OF    CHILDREN. 

times  more  benefit  would  accrue  to  the  State^  by  eAn 
abling  the  poor  to  bring  up  their  own  children,  thar\ 
from  all  the  hofpitals  *  that  ever  can  be  erected  fop 
that  purpofe. 

Whoever  confiders  the  ftru&urc  of  the  human 
body  will  foon  be  convinced  of  the  neccflity  of 
cxercife  for  the  health  of  children.  The  body  isi 
compol'ed  of  an  infinite  number  of  tubes,  whofe 
fluids  cannot  be  pufhed  on  without  the  adtion  and 
preflureof  themufcles.  But,  if  the  fluids  remain  in-, 
^ftive,  obftruftions  muft  happen,  and  the  humour^ 
VfiW  of  courfe  be  vitiated,  which  cannot  fail  to  occa- 
fion  difeafes.  Nature  ha^  furn^flied  both  the  yefieU 
ivhich  carry  the  blood  and  lymph  with  numerous 
Valves,  in  order  that  the  aflion  of  every  mufcle 
iTiight  puih  forward  their  contents;  but  without 
action,  this  admirable  contrivance  can  hav#  no  ef-? 
feft.  This  part  of  the  animal  ceconomy  proves  tQ 
a  dcmonftration  the  neceffity  of  exercife  for  the  pre^ 
ftrvation  of  health. 

.  Arguments  to  (hew  the  importance  of  exercife 
might  be  drawn  from  every  part  of  the  animal  ceco- 
nomy: without  exercife,  the  circulation  of  the  blood 
cannot  be  properly  carried  on,  nor  the  different  fecrc- 
tions  duly  performed ;  without  exercife,  the  fluids 
cannot  be  properly  prepared,  nor  the  folids  ren- 
dered flirongor  firm.  The  aftion  of  the  heart,  the 
niotion  of  the  lungs,  ^nd  all  the  vital  functions,  are 
greatly  aflifted  by  exercife^     Bijt  to  point  out  the 

*  If  it  were  made  the  iocerefl  of  the  poor  to  keep  their  childrea 
alive,  we  (hould  lofe  very  few  of  them.  A  fmall  premium  giveo 
annually  to  each  poor  family^  for  every  child  they  have  alive  at 
the  year's  end»  would  fave  more  infant  lives  than  if  the  whole  re» 
venue  of  the  crown  were  expended  on  hofpitals  for  this  purpofe. 
This  would  make  the  poor  efieem  fertility  a  bleffing;  whereas 
many  of  them  think  it  the  greatell  curfe  that  can  befal  them ; 
and  in  place  of  wifhing  their  children  to  live,  fo  far  does  povertj^ 
get  the  better  of  natural  affedtion,  that  they  arc  often  very  happy 
!vh.en  fhcy  diip,  • 

manner 


OF   CHILDREN.  aj 

(to^nne r  In  which  thcfc  cfftfts  arc  produced,  would 
liad  us  farther  into  the  ceconomy  otthe  human  body, 
than  nnoft  of  thofe  fbr  whom  this  trcatife  is  intended 
would  be  able  to  follow.  We  (hall  therefore  only 
add,  that,  where  exercife  is  negledted,  none  of  the 
animal  functions  can  be  duly  performed ;  and  wheti 
that  is  the  cafe,  the  whole  conftitution  muft  go  to 
wreck. 

A  good  conftitution  ought  certainly  to  be  our  firft 
objedt  in  the  management  of  children.  It  lays  a 
foundation  for  their  being  ufeful  and  happy  in  life} 
and  whoever  neglefts  it,  not  only  fails  in  his  duty 
to  his  ofl^pring,  but  to  focicty. 

One  very  common  error  of  parents,  by  which 
they  hurt  the  conftitutions  of  their  children,  is  the 
fending  them  too  young  to  fchool.  This  is  often 
done  lolely  to  prevent  trouble.  When  the  child  is  ' 
at  fchool,  he  needs  no  keeper.  Thus  the  fchool- 
mafter  is  made  the  nurfe ;  and  the  poor  child  is  fixed 
to  a  feat  feven  or  eight  hours  a  day,  which  time 
ought  to  be  fpcnt  in  exercife  and  diverfions.  Sit- 
ting fo  long  cannot  fail  to  produce  the  worll  efFefts 
upon  the  bodyj  nor  is  the  mind  lefs  injured.  Early 
application  weakens  the  facultiesi  and  often  fixes  in 
the  mind  ^n  averfion  to  books,  which  continues  for 
Fife*. 

But,  fuppofe  this  were  the  way  to  make  children 
fcholars,  it  certainly  ought  not  to  be  done  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  their  conftitutions.  Our  anceftors,  who 
feldona  went  to  fchool  very  young,  were  not  lefi 
}earned  than  we.    But  we  imagine  the  boy's  educa- 

*  It  is  nndoabtedly  the  doty  of  parents  to  inilra6l  their  chil- 
jlren^  itleaft  till  they  are  of  an  age  proper  to  cake  fone  care  of 
themfelves.  This  would. teod  much  toconfirm  the  ties  of  parea* 
tal  tendernels  and  filial  affedion,  of  the  want  of  which  there  are 
at  prefent  fo  many  deplorable  inftances.  Though  few  fathers 
|uve  dme  to  ioftrad  their  children,  yet  mod  nothers  have;  and 
fiirely  they  cannot  be  better  employed. 

tion 


^(  OF    CHILDREN, 

t)oo  will  be,  quite  marred^  unlefs  he  be  carried  to 
fchool  in  bis  nurfe's  arms.  No  wonder  if  fuch 
))ot-b.ed  planes,  feldom  become  either  fchplars  or 
men! 

Not  only  the  confinement  of  children  in  public 
^hoolsj  but  their  numberj  often  proves  hurtful. 
Children  are  much  injured  by  being  kept  in  crowds 
ifkrithin  doors;  their  breathing  not  only  renders  the 
^lace  unwholefome^  but  if  any  one  of  them  happens 
(o  be  diieafedi  the  reft  patch  the  infeAion.  A  (ingle 
child  has  been  often  known  to  communicate  the 
bloody  flux^  the  hooping-cough,  the  itch,  or  other 
dife^fes,  to  almoft  every  individual  in  a  nuiperous 
fjchool. 

.  Butj  if  fafbipn  muftprevail|  and  infants, are  to  be 
fent  to  fchool,  we  would  recommend  it  to  teachers, 
as  they  value  the  intere(ls  of  fociety,  not  to  con- 
jfine  them  too  long  at  a  time,  but  allow  them  to  run 
about  and  play  at  fuch  aftive  diverQons  as  may  pro- 
mote their  growth,  and  ftrengthpn  their  conftitu- 
tions.  Were  boys,  inftcad  qf  being  whipped  for 
dealing  an  hour  to  run,  ride,  fwim,  or  the  like,  en- 
coursiged  to  employ  a  proper  part  of  their  ti^ne  in 
t|>efe  m^nly  and  ufefu|  exercifes,  it  yrould  have 
many  excellent  effefts. 

It  would  be  of  great  fervice  to  boys,  if,  at  a 

? roper  agCj  they  were  taujght  the  military  exercife. 
'his  would  ingreafe  their  ftrength,  i|)fpire  them 
with  courage,  and  when  their  country  called  for 
their  afliftance,  would  enable  then)  to  a£t  ip  her  de- 
fence, without  being  obliged  to  undergo  a  tediou^ 
and  trpublefome  courfe  of  inftru£tions,  at  a  time 
yftcn-.  ^heK,  are  Icfs  fit  to  learn  nejv  motions,  gef- 

V  *^  I  am  iiappjf 'to  find  that  the  mailert  of  aotde mie$  now  begloi 
0  pat^  in  jpfz^e-  this  advice. .  Each  of  them  ought  to  keep  a 
Imi  iirieant  for  teaching  the  boyy  the  military  exercife.    This^, 
•Bdei  cOii^biidng  to  their  health  and  vigoivr  of  body,  woiild 
lav^aiflfe^O^her  happy  effeat. 

An 


•  I  •  /- 


OF    CHILDREN*  ay 

An  eflTeminate  education  will  infallibly  fpoil  the' 
beft  natural  conftitution ;  and  if  boys  are  broughc 
up  in  a  more  delicate  manner  than  even  girls  oughp 
to  be,  they  never  will  be  men. 

Nor  is  the  common  education  of  girls  lefs  hurCr 
ful  to  the  conftitution  than  that  of  boys.  Mifs  ii 
fet  down  to  her  frame  before  (he  can  put  on  her 
clothes;  and  is  taught  to  believe,  that  to  excel  at 
the  needle  is  the  only  thing  that  can  entitle  her  to 
general  efteem.  It  isunneceflfary  here  to  infift  ppon 
the  dangerous  confequences  of  obliging  girls  to  fie 
too  much.  They  are  pretty  well  known,  and  are 
too  often  felt  at  a  certain  time  of  life.  But  fup- 
pofe  this  critical  period  to  be  got  over,  greater 
dangers  ft  ill  await  them  when  they  come  to  be  mo^ 
thers.  Women  who  have  been  parly  accuftomed  to 
a  fedentary  life,  generally  run  great  hazard  in  child- 
bed ',  while  thofe  who  have  been  ufed  to  romp 
about,  and  take  fufHcient  exercife,  are  feldom  in 
any  danger. 

One  hardly  meets  with  a  girl  who  can  at  the  fame 
time  boaft  of  early  performances  by  the  needle,  and 
a  good  conftitution.  Clofe  and  early  confinement 
generally  occafions  indigeftions,  head-achs,  pale 
complexions,  pain  of  the  ftomach,  lofs  of  appe» 
tite,  coughs,  confumptions  of  the  lungs,  and  de- 
formity of  body.  1  he  laft  of  thefe  indeed  is  nOt 
fo  be  wondered  at,  confidering  the  awkward  pof- 
tures  in  which  girls  fit  at  many  kinds  of  needle- 
work, and  the  delicate  flexible  ftate  of  their  bodies 
in  the  early  periods  of  life. 

Would  mothers,  inftead  of  having  their  daugh* 
ters  inftrudted  in  many  trifling  accomplifhmentSj 
employ  them  in  plain  work  and  houfewifery,  and 
allow  them  fufficient  exercife  in  the  open  air,  they 
would  both  make  them  more  healthy  mothers*^  and 
more  ufeful  members  of  fociety.  I  am  no  encmjr 
to  genteel  accomplifhmentSj  but  would  have  them 

only 


4»  OF    CHILDREN, 

0n)y  ^confidercd  as  fecondary,   and  always  difrc^t 
gardcd  when  they  impair  health. 

Many  people  imagine  it  a  great  advantage  for 
children  to  be  early  taught  to  earn  their  bread. 
This  opinion  is  certainly  right,  provided  they  were 
fo  employed  as  not  to  hurt  their  health  or  growth  ^ 
but,  when  thefe  fuffer,  fociety,  inftead  of  being  be- 
nefited, is  a  real  lofer  by  their  labour.  There  are 
few  employments,  except  fedentary  ones,  by  which, 
children  can  earn  a  livelihoods  and  if  they  be  fet  to 
thefe  too  foon,  it  ruins  their  conftitutions.  Thus, 
by  gaining  a  few  years  from  childhood,  we  gene* 
rally  lofe  twice  as  many  in  the  latter  period  of  life, 
and  even  render  the  perfon  lefs  ufcful  while  he  doe^ 
Jive.  * 

In  order  to  be  fatisfied  of  the  truth  of  this  ob«t 
fervation,  we  need  only  look  into  the  great  manu-» 
fafturing  towns,  where  we  (hall  find  a  puny  dege-» 
nerate  race  of  people,  weak  and  fickly  all  their 
lives,  feldom  exceeding  the  middle  period  of  life; 
or  if  they  do,  being  unfit  for  bufinefs,  they  become 
a  burden  to  fociety.  Thus  arts  and  manufadurcs, 
chough  they  may  increafe  the  riches  of  a  country,, 
are  by  no  means  favourable  to  the  health  of  its  in-? 
habitants.  Good  policy  would  therefore  require^, 
that  fuch  people  as  labour  during  life,  fhould  not 
be  fet  too  early  to  work.  Every  perfon  con- 
verfant  in  the  breed  of  horfes,  or  other  working 
animals,  knows,  that  if  they  be  fet  to  hard  la^ 
bour  too  foon,  they  never  will  turn  out  to  advanr 
tage.  This  is  equally  true  with  refpeft  to  the  human 
Ijpecies. 

There  are  neverthelefs  various  wavs  of  employ^ 
ing  young  people  without  hurting  their  health. 
The  eafier  parts  of  gardening,  husbandry,  or  any 
bufinefs  carried  on  without  doors,  are  mod  proper. 
Thefe  are  employments  which  moft  young  people 

arc 


OV    CHILDREN.  19 

Are  fond  of,  and  fome  pares  of  them  may  aUrays 
be  adapted  to  their  age,  taftc,  and  ftrength  *• 

Such  parents,  however,  as  are  under  the  necef- 
fity  of  employing  their  children  within  doors,  oughc 
to  allow  them  fufHcient  time  for  a6tive  diverfions 
without.  This  would  both  encourage  them  to  do 
more  work,  and  prevent  their  conftitutions  from 
being  hurt. 

Some  imagine,  that  exercife  within  doors  is  fuf- 
ficient ;  but  they  are  greatly  miftaken.     One  hour 
fpent   in  running,  or  any  other  exercife  without 
doors,  is  worth  ten  within.     When  children  cannot 
go  abroad,  they  may  indeed  be  exercifed  at  home. 
The  bed  method  of  doing  this,  is  to  make  them 
run  about  in  a  long  room,  or  dance.     This  lafl: 
kind  of  exercife,  if  not  carried  to  excefs,  is  of  ex- 
cellent fervice  to  young  people.     It  cheers  the  fpi* 
rits,  promotes  perfpiration,  ftrengthens  the  limbs^ 
&c.     I  knew  an  eminent  phyfician  who  ufcd  to  fay, 
that  he  made  his  children  dance,  inftead  of  giving 
them  phyfic.   It  were  well  if  more  people  followed 
his  example. 

The  COLD  BATH  may  be  conlidered  as  an  aid  to 
exercife.  By  it  the  body  is  braced  and  ftrcngth- 
cned,  the  circulation  and  fecretions  promoted,  and, 
were  it  conduced  with  prudence,  many  difeafes,  as 
the  rickets,  fcrophula,  &c.  might  thereby  be  pre- 
vented. The  ancients,  who  took  every  method  to 
render  children  hardy  and  robuft,  were  no  ftrangers 
to  the  ufc  of  the  cold  bath  j  and,  if  we  may  credit 
report,  the  practice  of  immerfmg  children  daily  in 
cold  water  muft  have  been  very  common^among 
our  anceftors. 

*  I  have  been  cold  that  in  Chba,  where  the  police  is  the  beft 
m  the  world,  all  the  children  are  employed  in  the  eafier  pare  of 
gardening  and  hulbaadry;  as  weeding,  gathering  ilonet  offth^ 
hady  and  foch  like* 

The 


j(o  OP    CklLDREK. 

The  greateft  objeftion  to  the  ufc  of  the  cold  bath 
arifes  from  the  fuperftitious  prejudices  of  hurfes. 
Thefe  are  often  fo  flrong,  that  it  is  rmpoflTible  to 
bring  them  to  make  a  proper  ufe  of  it.  I  have 
known  fome  of  them  who  would  not  dry  a  child's 
ikin  after  bathing  it,  left  it  ftlould  deftroy  the  effe6t 
of  the  water.  Others  will  even  put  cloths  dipt  in 
the  water  upon  the  child,  and  cither  put  it  to  bed, 
or  fuffcr*  it  to.  go  about  in  that  condition.  Some 
believCj  that  the  whole  virtue  of  the  water  depends 
upon  its  being  Vledicated  to  a  particular  faint: 
while  others  place  their  confidence  in  a  certain 
number  of  dips,  as  three,  feven,  nihCj  or  the  iikej 
and  the  world  could  not  perfuade  them,  if  thefe  do 
not  fuccecd,  to  try  it  a  little  longer.  Thus,  by  the 
whims  of  liurfes,  children  lofe  the  benefit  of  the 
cold  bath,  and  the  hopes  of  the  phyfician  from  that 
medicine  are  often  fruftrated. 

We  ought  not,  however,  entirely  to  fet  afide  the 
cold  bath,  becaufe  fome  nurfes  make  a  wrong  ufe 
of  it.  Every  child,  when  in  health,  fliould  at 
leaft  have  its  extremities  daily  wa(hed  in  cold  water. 
This  is  a  partial  ufe  of  the  cold  b^th,  and  is  better 
than  none.  In  winter  this  may  fuffice;  but,  in  the 
warm  feafon,  if  a  child  be  relaxed,  or  feem  ta 
have  a  tendency  to  the  rickets  or  fcrophula,  its 
whole  body  ought  to  be  frequently  immerfed  in 
cold  water.  Care  however  muft  be  taken  not  to 
do  this  when  the  body  is  hot,  or  the  ftomach  full. 
The  child  fhould  be  dipt  only  once  at  a  time,  fhould 
be  taken  out  immediately,  and  have  its  ikin  well 
rubbed  with  a  dry  cloth. 

The  bad  EffeSis  of  unwbolefome  Air  upon  Children. 

Few  things  prove  more  deftruftive  to  children 
than  confined  or  unwholefome  air.  This  is  one 
realoh  why  fo  few  of  thofe  infants,  who  are  put 
into  hofpitals,  or  pari(h  workhoufes,  live.    Thefe 

places 


Off    CttlLDRliN.  ^2 

places  are  generally  crowded  with  old,,  fickly,  and 
idBrm  people;  by  which  means  the  air  is  rendered 
fo  extremely  pernicious,  that  it  becomes  a  poifon 
to  infants. 

Want  of  wholcfomc  air  is  likewife  deftrudtivc  to 
many  of  the  children  born  in  great  towns.  There 
the  poorer  fort  of  inhabitants  live  in  low,  dirty^ 
confined  houfes,  to  which  the  frefh  air  has  hardly 
any  accefs.  Though  grown  people,  who  arc  hardy 
and  robufl:,  may  live  in  fuch  fituations,  yet  they 
generally  prove  fatal  to  their  offspring,  few  of 
whom  arrive  at  maturity,  and  thofe  who  do  are 
weak  and  deformed.  As  fuch  people  are  not  in  a 
condition  to  carry  their  children  abroad  into  the 
open  air,  we  muft  lay  our  account  with  loHng  the 
greater  part  of  them.  But  the  rich  have  not  this 
cxcufe.  It  is  their  bufinefs  to  fee  that  their  chil- 
dren be  daily  carried  abroad,  and  that  they  be  kept 
in  the  open  air  for  a  fufHcient  time.  This  will  al- 
ways fucceed  better  if  the  mother  goes  along  with 
them.  Servants  are  often  negligent  in  thefe  mat- 
ters, and  allow  a  child  to  fit  or  lie  on  the  damp 
ground,  inftead  of  leading  or  carrying  it  about* 
The  mother  furely  needs  air  as  well  as  her  chil- 
dren ;  and  how  can  ihe  be  better  employed  than  in 
attending  them? 

A  very  bad  cuftom  prevails,  of  making  children 
fleep  in  fmall  apartments,  or  crowding  two  or  three 
beds  into  one  chamber.  Inftead  of  this,  the  nurfery 
ought  always  to  be  the  largeft  and  beft  aired  room 
in  the  houfe.  When  children  arc  confined  in  fmall 
apartments,  the  air  not  only  becomes  unwholefome, 
but  the  heat  relaxes  their  folids,  renders  them  de- 
licate, and  difpofes  them  to  colds  and  many  other 
difordcrs.  Nor  is  the  cuftom  of  wrapping  them 
up  too  clofe  in  cradles  lefs  pernicious.  One  would 
think  that  nurfes  were  afraid  left  children  fhould 
fuficr  by  breathing  free  air^  as  many  of  them  ac- 
tually 


^2  OF    CHlLt)ftER 

tually  cover  the  child'sface  while  afleep,  artd  oth^r* 
wrap  a  covering  over  the  whole  cradle^  by  whicb 
means  the  child  is  forced  to  breathe  the  fame  ai^ 
over  and  over  all  the  time  it  fleeps.  Cradles  inr 
deed  are  on  many  accounts  hurtful  to  children^  and 
it  would  be  better  if  the  ufe  of  them  were  totally, 
laid  afide  *.  ^ 

A  child  is  generally  laid  to  fleep  with  all  its 
clothes  on ;  and  if  a  number  of  others  are  heaped 
above  them,  it  muft  be  overheated ;  by  which 
means  it  cannot  fail  to  catch  cold  on  being  taken 
out  of  the  cradle,  and  expofed  to  the  open  air  with 
only  its  ufual  clothing,  which  is  too  frequently  the 
cafe. 

Children  who  are  kept  within  doors  all  day,  and 
fleep  all  night  in  warm  clofe  apartments,  may,  with 
great  propriety,  be  compared  to  plants,  nurfed  in  a 
hot-houfe,  inftead  of  the  open  air.  Though  fuch 
plants  may  by  this  means  be  kept  alive  for  fome 
time,  they  will  never  arrive  at  that  degree  of 
ftrength,  vigour,  and  magnitude,  which  they  would 
have  acquired  in  the  open  air,  nor  would  they  be 
able  to  bear  it  afterwards,  fhould  they  be  expofed 
to  it. 

Children  brought  up  in  the  country,  who  have 
been  accuftomed  to  open  air,  fhould  not  be  too 
early  fent  to  great  towns,  where  it  is  confined  and 
unwholefome.  This  is  frequently  done  with  a  view 
CO  forward  their  education,  but  proves  very  hurtful 

*  It  IS  amazing  to  me  how  children  efcape  AifFocation,  confi- 
deringthe  manner  in  which  they  are  often  rolled  up  in  flannels^ 
&c.  I  lately  attended  an  infant,  whom  I  found  muAled  up  ovti 
head  and  ears  in  many  folds  of  flannel,  though  it  was  in  the 
middle  of  June.  I  begged  for  a  little  free  air  to  the  poor  babe  | 
but  though  this  indulgence  was  granted  during  my  (lay,  I  fotind 
it  always  on  my  return  in  the  fame  iituation.  Death,  as  might 
be  expeded,  foon  freed  the  infant  from  all  its  miferies;  but  it 
was  not  in  my  power  to  free  the  minds  of  its  parents  from  thofe 
prejudices  which  proved  fatal  to  their  child. 

to 


OF  'CHILDREN.  35 

to  their  health;  All  fchools  and  feminaries  of  learn* 
ing  ought,  if  poflible,  to  be  fo  ncuated  as  to  have 
frefti,  dry;*Vholefomc  air,  and  (hoold  never  be  too 
fnuch  crowded. 

Without  entering  into  a  detail  of  the  particular 
advantages'  of  whotrfoirric  air  to  children^  or  of  the 
bad  cohfe'quehces  which  proceed  from  the  want  of 
it,  I  ftrallonly  obferve,  that,  of  federal  thoufands 
of  childi^eW  which  have  b*en  under  my  care,  I  do 
not  tcmittihcr  one  inftance  of  a  firigh  child  ^ha 
continued  healthy  in  a  clofe  confined  (nuation;  btft 
have  often*  known  the  moft  obftinate  difcafe^  cxJi'ed 
hj  removing  them  from  fuch  a  fituation  tof'an  opeh 
fred  air* 

Of  Nnrjes. 

It  is  not  here  intended  to  lay  down  rules  for  the 
choice  of  nurfes.  This  would  be  wafting  timi^ 
Common  fenfc  will  direft  every  one  to  chufc  a  wor 
man  who  is  healthy,  and  has  plenty  of  milk^.  £f 
Ihe  be  at  the  fame  time  cleanly,  careful,  and  good* 
oatured,  ihe  can  hardly  fail  to  make  a  proper  nurfe. 
After  all,  however^  the  only  certain  proof  of  a 
good  nurfe,  is  a  healthy  child  upon  her  breaft.  But, 
as  the  mifcondu£t  of  nurfes  often  proves  fatal  to 
childrenj  it  will  be  of  importance  to  point  out  a 
few  of  their  mo(^  baneful  errors,  in  order  to  roufe 
the  attention  of  parents,  and  to  make  them  look 
more  ItrifUy  into  the  conduct  of  thofe  to  whoox 
they  commit  the  care  of  their  infant  offspring. 

Though  it  admits  of  fome  exceptions,  yet  we 
may  lay  it  down  as  a  general  rule,  that  every  woman 
^ko  nurfes  for  hire  ought  to  be  carefully  looked  after ^ 
^tbenot/e  fie  will  not  do  her  duty.     For  this  reafon 

parents  ought  always  to  have  their  children  nurfed 

ft 

,  *  I  ktve  often  kaovni  people  fo  impofed  opon,  as  to  gire  mi 
i&&jit  to  t  nuiie  to  b«iuckled  who  had  aot  one  drop  of  milk  ia 
kerhreaft. 

D  under 


34  OF    CHILDREN. 

under  their  own  eye^  i(  poffible  i  and  wfaem  ibji 
cannot  be  donci  they  fhould  be  extremely  circum* 
fpe£t  in  the  choice  of  thofc  perfons  to  whqm  ^y 
intruft  them.  It  is  folly  to  imagine  that  anydwo- 
tnan^  who  abandons  her  pwa  child  to  fuckle^an- 
other  for  the  fake  of  gain,  fiiould  feel,  all  the  g£^ 
fe£tions  of  a  parent  towards  her  nurfling;  yet  .ib 
neceflary  are  theie  aflfedions  in  a  nurfe^  that^^  but 
for  them»  the  human  race  would  foon  be  extin£k«4 
'  One  of  the  mod  common  faults  of  ihbfe  who 
nurfe  for  hire>  is  to  dofe  children  with  l^Mpenpic- 
tiveSf  or  fuch  things  as  lull  them  a(leep«  .iin  Ja^^- 
dolent  nurfe.  who  does  not  give^  a  child ,  fufi^tl^t 
cxercife  in  the  open  air  to  make  it  (leep>  and  f4^^ 
not  chufe  to  be  difturbed  by  it  in  the  night/^will 
Celdom  fail  to  procure  for  it  a  dofe  of  laudiWffm^ 
diacodium>  faffron,  or,  what  anfwers.t^c^ao^fiir- 
ire^  a  dram  of  fpirits,  or  other  ftrong  liqi^^ns* 
'hefe>  though  they  be  certain  poifon  txi^/ieffmis^ 
are  every  day  adminiftered  by  nuui]^  wb.0:t>9r^|te 
chara&er  of  yery  good  nurfe^  \       t   -  nj.,H 

A  nurfe  who  has  not  milk  iCnoughii^il^^tQT  u;i^- 

gine  that  this  defeft  may  be  f^^lied  bf  gfty^skl^e 

child  wines>  cordial  waters,  or  other  ftrQggtVyi4^* 

This  is  an  egregious  miftake.  The.ophr  ^ifi^i^t 

has  any  chance  to  fupply  the  plac^  oi  the  iH^'a 

nSlk,  muft  be  fomewhat  nearly  of  the  ffitpg  VMiiW» 

raa  cow'{i  milkj  afs's  milkj  or  the  like,  withijggyd 

1>read»    It  never  can  be  done  by  the  hf^f  <^i^^9fiS 

liquors*    Tbefe,  inftead  of  nourifliiqg  (^)i|^9C> 

^  l^yer  fail  itOif^roduce  the  con|rary  effe^^n  «^vnl 

.-^Childrefbgne  often  hurt  by  iiurfeis  fu^rinigiitMfp 

-tflccry  lonjg  and  ▼ehemently,   Trhi%iftr*ffs|^fir 

tender  bodies,  and  frequently  occa&qos  i(HPf)if|r$9 

^t  tinflummations  of  the  throat,  lungs,  j^^^LAjphild 


?j 


v  i;   »^  .  1  "^^ 


^^  J^  If  a  mother  on  viCting  htr  child  at  ntrfe'  fin^  it  afviiyt 
^afleiip,  i  wotUd  advift  her  ta  itmotn  it  inuMliatehr;  mhietwiie 
^'4?«Ufooi«$epiti{aft.  -    Tj  m.s.^.    :w 

.vl>         I J  w.  never 


OF/CHILDREN.  -3$ 

tiMrai*  ^^omtinues  to  cry  long  wichouffome  catiic^ 
•hich  might  always  be  difcovered  by  proper  accen« 

Ytiiti )  and  the  nuife  who  can  hear  an  infant  cry  till 

-4thai&  alfiH>ft  fpent  itfelf,  without  endeavouring  to 
pieftfo  it>M(iiuft  be  cruel  indeed^  and  is  unworthy 
Id  be  iiit/tilEcd  ^fAA  the  care  of  an^human  crea- 

•ture^   0=i  •■• 

-'^  lAnrfts^who  deal  much  in  roedtcitie  «re  always  to 
b^fufpeded;    They  truft  to  it»  and  negleft  their 

^^dutyi'  *I  never  knew  a  good  nurfe  who  had  her 
ISodftty's  *  cordials.  Daffy's  elixirs,  &c.  at  hand* 
Such  generally  imagine,  that  a  dofe  of  medicine 

'  1#iB  ntake  up  for  all  defers  in  foodj  air,  exercife^ 

'luld  ^leanlinefs. 
'    Allowing  children  to  continue  long  wet,  is  an- 

^'bthA*  'Very  pernicious  cuftom  of  indolent  nurfes. 
T&rs'  Hk<noc  only  difagreeable,  but  it  galls  and  frets 
the  1nfaht>  and^  by  relaxing  the  folids,  occalioas 
IcrothtA^  rickets,  and  other  difeafes.    A  dirty 

'mmc  is  always  tn  be  fufpeded. 

Nature  often  attempts  to  free  the  bodies  of  chil- 
dren from  bad  humours,  by  throwing  them  upon 
Ae  fldai  by  this  means  fevers  and  other  difeafes  are 
pre^ottti.    Nurfes  are  apt  to  miftake  fuch  critical 

"enqiddiislfor  an  kch,  or  Ibme  other  infeftious  dif- 
aitier.    Aeeordingly  they  take  every  method  to 

;iArive^tliem  in.    In  this  way  rtiany  children  l6fe 

'^drilivesrand  no  wonder>  as  Nature  is  oppofed 

lift  thiflP  very  method  Ate  takes  to  relieve  them.   It 

6fij^c  to  be  a  rul^^  which  every  nUrfe  Ihould  ob- 

fiarve,  never  to  ftop  any  eruption  without  proper 

^  idv&c»  or  being  well  aflured  that  it  is  not  of  a  cri* 

deal  nature.    At  any  rate,  it  is  never  to  be  done 

.'Vithout  previous  evacuations* 

libofe  ftools  is  another  method  by  which  Nature 
often  prevents  or  carries  off*  the  difeafes^  of  infants. 
If  tbtk  proceed  too  far,  no  doubt  they  ou^ht  to 
be  checked  j  but  this  is  never  to  be  done  without 

D  2  the 


3^  OP    CHILURtl^. 

the  greateft  caution.  Nurfesj  upon  the  firft  apj^eafif 
ance  of  loofe  ftools^  frequently  fly  to  the  lue  6€ 
aftringents,  or  fuch  things  as  bind  die  body.  Henotf 
inflammatory  fevers,  and  other  fatal  difeafes^  are 
occafioned.  A  dofe  of  rhubarb,  a  gentle  vomiiy 
or  fome  other  evacuation,  (hould  always  precede 
the  ufe  of  aftringent  medicines  *.  -  .        '".. 

One  of  the  greateft  faults  of  nurfes  is,  conceial* 
ing  the  difeafesof  children  from  their  parents.  This 
they  are  extremely  ready  to  do,  efpecially  when  the 
difeafe  is  the  efleft  of  their  own  negligence.  ^Many 
infl:ances  might  be  given  of  peribns  who  have  bmn 
rendered  lame  for  life  by  a  fall  from  their  nuitfe's 
arms,  which  (he,  through  fear,  concealed  till  the 
misfortune.was  pall  cure.  Every  parent  n^ha'^n^ 
trufta  a  nurfe  with  the  care  of  a  child,  ought  to 
give  her  the  ftri<5lefl:  charge  not  to  conceal  the  moSt 
trifling  diforder  or  misfortune  that  may  befal  it. 
.  We  can  fee  no  reafon  why  a  nurfe^  wl)odoofeak 
any  misfortune  which  happens  to  a  childr binder  her 
care,  till  it  lo^es  its  life  or  limbs,  ikould^  not  be 
.  punifhed. '  A  few  examples  of*  this  wouhlifa.vc  tha 
Itves  of  n>any  infants  s  but  as  there  is  little .pekioQ 
to  expeft'that  it  ever  v(\l\hcthcQ2Se,^9io^oul^ 
earneftly  recommend  it  to  alLpaocnts  mHookiqurt^ 
fully  afterthctr  children,  and  (K>t  to  troSt  fo.rd«« 
able  a  treafbte'Mtirely  in  thc-lvands  of  aa.Urdiiigk 
No  pei'fon  ought  to  imagine  thefe  things: bii* 
Worthy  of  hiSi  attention.  On  the  proper  4iianage- 
ment  of  children  depend  not  oxily  their  hetloUaod 

lifitfulnef^  in  Kfe,  but  likewife;  the  fafety3[n4'pn>^ 
iJ>erityof  th(f 'll^te  to  which  they  belong.:-  Erfftodiiiik 


•«  I 


.  i    .  I 


I 


*  Some  nurfes  are  To  extremely idetf,  that  rather  thas  take;  the 
tnipbJe  of  Meaning  a  child  frequently,  they  will  attetppt  to /lop 
lip  the  paflage :  and  there  are  not  wanting  inftance;  of  iqueamifh 
ji\aids  who  have  actually  been  known'  to  make  ufe  of  (jorks  for 
Hiis  pnrpofe.  What  have  not  mothers  to  fear,  •who)intruR>  their 
iUIdrea  to  the-care  of  giddy  girU  ?  i.j.. 

Q  nacy 


•     .        or    GHILnREN.  37 

tmsf  evei'  vill  pfovc  the  ruin  of  any  ftate  where  it 
prerftUis  aodj  when  its  foundations  are  hid  in  in4 
fancjr,  it  cun  never  afterwards  be  wholly  eradicated. 
Parents  who  love  their  offspring,  and.wifh  well  to 
tbetr  oouBtryj  ought  therefore,  in  the  management 
of  their  children,  to  avoid  every  thing  chat  may 
have  a  tendency  to  make  them  weak  or  effeminate, 
and  to  tak^  every  method  in  their  power  to  render 
tbetr  eoaftitotions  ftrong  and  hardy. 

«— ^  By  arts  like  thefe 
Laconia  nursM  of  old  her  hardy  Tons  ; 
And  Rome's  uoconquer'd  legions  urg'd  their  way, 
Uoburt^  thro'  every  toU  in  every  clime  *p 


CHAP.    II. 


•  » 


0^  fHB  LABORIOUS,    THE    SEDENTARY, 

AMD  nit  STUDIOUS. 

TpHAT  men  arc  expofcd  to  particular  difearcs 
froin  the.  occupations  which  they  follow,  is  a 
TaiEl;  well  known ;  but  to  remedy  this  evil  is  a  mat* 
tcr,  of  lome  difficulty.  Moft  pccJplc  are  under  the 
neccdty  of  fc^lowing  thofc  employments  to  which 
thw'  have  been  brcdj,  whether  tKcjr  be  favourable 
to  health  or  not,  Fqr  this  reafoo^  inftead  of  in- 
V£ighi|Bg^,  in  a  gcjpcral  way,  as  fome  authors  have 
dQoe.  againft  thoCl^.'oqcupations* which  are  hurtfu} 
tq1)(f|^th,  we  fh^ll  crid'cavour  to  point  out  the  cir- 
cumftances  in  capljior,thcm  from  which  the  danger 
chie^K^arifcSi  and  to  propofc  the  moll  rational  me^ 
thod^  of  pfcvcating  it. 

f  Armftrong* 

P  3  Chymiftsi 


an    0//Ae  LABORIOUS, /*#SEl)EHTART, 

Chymiffsj  faonders,  forgers^  g)afs-mak«M;  lAid 
ievcral  Other  mifts>  are  hurt  bf  the  tinwhdklbfne 
air  which  th^  ire  obliged  to  breathe.  ^Tbii  ahr  it: 
not  onljF  IcMmd  ^th  the  noxious  lezhalationsarifiag 
from  metalS  and  minerah,  bat  is  fo  charged  wk& 
phlogifton  as  to  be  rendered  unfit  for*ex|^andingf 
the  lungs  IbSciently,  and  tnfweting  the  otber^iM» 
portant  purpofes  of  refpiratioa.  Wiener  prooecvl 
afthmas,  coughsj  and  coiifuinptionM>f  ^tbe^ivngsj 
fo  incident  to  perfons  trho  follow  dwfe  emffloy-^ 

ments/'^    ^  '-  •  .  ..  r      ■•';;  :iuriih.^Z 

To  prevent  Aich  confe^uencesi  as  &r  lyifrfjlbhi 
the  places  where  thefe  l>cCdpatidrtrtfr^cninmdion} 
ougnt  to  be  conftrufted  In  fuch  a4Vailber<iA  t6f4d^ 
charge  the  fmoke  and  other  exhatatibnapimli  adUnit 
a  free  current  of  frefh  air.  Sudvartifts  'eughtntstor 
to  continue  too  long  at  work ;  and  when  ibcjr  giat 
over,  they  (hould  fuffer  themftlves  td  codl  gn^duaU]r> 
and  put  on  their  clothes  before  they  gointe  thoopeft 
iair.  They  ought  never  to  drink  large  i|uaatajesitf 
cold>  weak,  or  watery  liquors,  while  their  bodpea 
are  hot,  nor  to  indulge  iq  raw  fruits,  fallads^  ormjr 
thing  that  is  cold  on  the  ftomach.  i       154 

Miners,  and  all  who  work  under  ground^  ar^ 
likewife  hurt  by  unwholcfome  air.  The  air,  by  ks 
stagnation  in  deep  mines,  ^ot  only  lofes  its  proper 
fpring  and  other  Qualities  neceflary  for  refpiration, 
but  is  often  loaded  with  fuch  noxious  exhalations  a^ 
to  becpme  a  moft  deadly  poifon. 

The  two  kinds  of  air  which  prove  moft  dcftnicf- 
tlve  to  miners»  are  what  they  call  the  fr^dmp,  and 
the  cboki  daptf^  Iq  both  cafes  the  air  1>eoomes  a 
poifon,  by  its  being  loaded  with  phlogtftm.  T^iie 
danger  from  the  fonner  may  be  obviatra  bf  nuking' 
It  explode  before  it  accumulates  in  too  great  fiian* 
cities  (  and  the  latter  may  be  generally  carried  oflTby 
prompux^  a  free  circulation  of  air  in  the  mine.v 

Minera 


,t>{A**tftJf  STUDIOUS.  3% 

bjMifMKft' are  HOC  only  hurt  by  unwholefome  air^  but 
likeiirifiriif'  the  particles  of  metal  which  adhere  ta 
tiietr/ikin,  dothesj  &c.    Thefe  are  abfbrbed^  o^ 
igJidiiiip.iiito  the  body,  and  occafion  palfies,  verq« 
g|bes>  ^tod  other  nervous  aSe&ionst  which  ofcea 
fpotit  Hal4    Fallopius  obferves,   that  thofe  whq 
waricrkl'cniiies  of  mercury  fcldom  li?:eaboye  three 
toftmryears.-  Cxad»  and  fevcral  other  metalsj  arc 
Ulanufe;;«ery  pernicious  to  the  health* 
.yl^Gners  ought  never  to  go  to  work  fadings  nor  to 
continue  too  long  at  work.  Their  food  ought  to  be 
nrtilfMi|ng»  .»and  their  liquor  generous:   nothing 
fnorfecenainly  hurtt  them  than  living  too  low.  They 
Amild  by  idl  means  avoid  coftivenefs.    This  xjmj 
other  be  done  by  chewing  a  little  rhubarbj  or  taking 
aiufficieot  Quantity  of  falTad  oiU    Oil  not  only  opens 
the  body,  out  flieaths  and  defends  the  inteftines 
from  the  ill  ctPc&%  of  the  metals.    All  who  work 
b  mines  or  metals  ought  to  wafh  carefully,  and  to 
change  their  clothes  a»ibon  as  they  give  over  work- ' 
iog«    Nothing  would  tend  more  to  preferve  the 
{icalth  of  fucb  people  than  a  itrid,  and  alpioft  reli^ 
gious  regard  to  cleanlincfs. 
.^.Flombers,  painters,  gilders,  fmelters,  makers  of 
white  lead,  and  many  others  who  work  in  metals, 
are  Ikble  to  the  fame  difeafcs  ^s  miners,  and  ought 
10  obferve  the  fame  dircAion^ /or  avoiding  them. 
'  Tallow-chandlers,  boiler3;  of  oil,  and  all  who 
work  in  putrid  animal  fubftances,  gre  like  wife  liable 
toktStr  from  the unwholefome  fmeUs  or  effluvia  of 
thefe  bodiei»  Tbey  ought  to  pay  the  (^tty^  regard  to 
cleanlioefa  as  mineni ,  and  when  they  vare  affeSed 
with  Qau(ea#J(ickfiefs,oriodigeftjon,  we  wppld  ad vife 
tbeaafo  cake  a*  vomit  ot  4  gentW  f^urge*  ^ch  fu  br 
ftaiMea  ought  always  to  he  manufaAurod  aji  fpon  as 
pdflible^     When  long  kept,  they  not  onlv  become 
imwholeibme  to  thofe  who  manufafture  tnem,  but 
lUkewifc  CO  people.who  live  in  the  neighbourhood, 

D4  It 


4d    0/ /i&^  LABORIOUS,  tt#  SEDENTART, 

It  would  greadjr  exceed  the  limits  of  this  parr  of 
ourfubj«£t,  tbipecify  thedifeafes  peculiar  to  perfoni 
of  everf  occupation  i  i^e  ihall  therefore  conGder 
mankind  iinderche  general  claflesof  Lahmus^  Sc* 
deniary^  and  Studiaus. 

.  THE   LABORIOUS. 

Though  thofe  who  follow  laborious  employments' 
are  in  general  the  mod  healthy  of  mankind,  yet  the 
nature  of  their  occupations,  and  the  places  where 
f hey  are  carried  on,  expoie  them  more  particularly  to 
fome  difeafes.  Hufbandmen,  for  exaniplr,  arc  ex- 
pofed  to  all  the  viciflltudes  of  the  weather,,  which,  in 
this  country,  are  often  very  g^reat  and  fudden,'  and 
Occafioncok}s,cou^s,quinfies,  rheumatifms,  fevers, 
and  other  acute  diforders.  They  are  likewife  forced 
to  work  hard,  and  often  to  carry  burdens  above 
their  ftrength,  which,  by  overftraining  the  veflels» 
occafion  afthmas,  ruptures,  pleurifies,  &c. 

Thofe  who  labour  without  doors  are  often  af- 
fliAed  with  intermitting  fevers  or  agues,  occafioned 
by  the  frequent  viciflitudes  of  beat  and  cold,  poor 
living,  bad  water,  fitting  or  lying  on  the :  damp, 
ground,  evening  dews,  night  air,  &c.  to  which 
they  are  frequently  expofed. 

Such  as  bear  heavy  burdens,  as  porters,  labourer^ 
&c.  are  obliged  to  draw  in  the  air  with  niuch  greater 
force,  and  alfo  to  keep  their  lungs  diftended  with 
more  violence  than  is  neceffary  for  common  refpira« 
tion:  by  this  means  the  tender  vefiels  of  the  lungs 
are  overftretched,  and  often  burft,  infomuch  that'a 
fpitting  of  blood  or  fever  enfues.  Hippocrates  men- 
tions an  inftance  to  this  purpofe,  ofaman,who,  upon 
a  wager,  carried  an  afs;  but  was  foon  after  feized 
with  a  fever,  a  vomiting  of  blood,  and  a  rupture. 

Carrying  heavy  burdens  is  generally  the  effeft  of 
mere  lazinefs,  "which  prompts  people  to  do  ac  once 
what  fliould  be  done  at  twice.  Sometimes  it  proceeds 

froBi 


and  Ike  STUDIOUS.  4t 

from  vanity  or  emulation.  Hence  it  is,  tKat  the 
ftrongeft  men  are  moft  commonly  hurt  by  heavy  bur-« 
dens,  hard  labour,  or  feats  of  activity.  It  is  rare  to 
^od  one  who  boafts  of  his  (Irength  without  a  rupture, 
a  fpitting  of  blood,  or  fome  other  difeafe,  which  he 
reaps  as  the  fruit  of  his  folly.  One  would  imagine^ 
the  daily  inftances  we  have,  of  the  fatal  efFe£bs  otcar- 
/yiog  great  weights,  running,  wreftUng,  and  the  like» 
would  be Sufficient  to  prevent  fuch  pra£lices. 

There  are  indeed  fome  employments  which  necef- 
iarily  require  a  great  exertion  of  ftrength,  as  porters, 
Uackfouths,  carpenters,  &c.  None  ought  to  fo\^ 
low  tbefe  but  men  of  ftrong  body^  and  they  (hould 
never  exert  their  ftrength  to  the  utmoft,  nor  woH(  too 
long.  When  the  mufcles  are  violently  drained,  fre^v 
quent  reft  is  necefTary,  in  order  that  they  may  re- 
cover their  tone;  without  this,  the  ftrength  and 
conftitution  will  foon  be  worn  out,  and  a  premature 
old  age  be  induced. 

The  erifipelas,  or  St.  Anthony's  fire,  is  a  difeafe 
very  incident  to  the  laborious.  It  is  occaQoned  by 
whatever  gives  a  (udden  check  to  the  perfpiration,  as 
drinking  cold  water  when  the  body  is  warm,  wet 
feet,  keeping  on  wet  clothes,  fitting  or  lyi;igon  the 
dam^  ground,  &c.  It  is  impoftible.  for  thofe  who 
labour  without  doors  always  to  guard  againft  thefe 
inconveniences ;  but  it  is  known  from  experience, 
that  their  ill  confequences  might  often  be  prevented 
by  proper  care. 

The  iliac  pafTion,  thecholic,  and  other  complaints 
of  the  bowels,  are  often  occafioned  by  the  fame  caufes 
as  the  eriQpelas ;  but  they  may  likewife  proceed  from 
flatulent  and  indigeftible  food.  Labourers  generally 
cat  unferoicnted  bread,  made  of  peas,  beans,  rye, 
and  other  windy  ingredients.  They  alfo  devour  great 
quantities  of  unripe  fruits,  baked,  ftewed,  or  raw, 
with  various  kinds  of  roots  aqd  herbs^  upon  which 


)  ^^^r 


4i    Of  the  LABORlOU^i  A^^EDENxT  AR  Y, 

they  often  drink  four  milk^  ftale  fmall  beel^  ofi  thes 
like.  Such  a  mixture  Cannot  fail  to  fill  the  bowelt 
with  wind  J  and  occafion  difeafes  of  thofe  parts.  ' 

Inflammations^  whrtloes,  and  other  difeafes -of^ 
the  extremities,  are  likewife  common  among  thofe 
who  labour  without  doors,  Thefe  difeafes  are  oQsen 
attributed  to  venom,  or  fome  kind  of  poifofl;:.bue 
they  generally  proceed  either  from  fudden  lieat  a&er 
cold,  or  the  contrary.  When  labourers,  milk-maids^j 
&c.  come  from  the  field,  cold  or  wet,  they  riln  to 
the  fire,  and  often  plunge  their  hands  in  warm  w^teiy 
by  which  ijieans  the  blood  and  other  humours  in 
thofe  parts  are  fuddenly  expanded,  and,  the  veflfels 
not  ^yielding  fo  quickly,  a  ftrangulation  happens^ 
and  an  inflammation  or  mortificationiati(uesi 

When  fuch  perfons  come  hotiie  cold^  they  ou^ht 
to  keep  at  a  diftance  from  the  fire  ftr  Ome  time;  to 
•wafii  their  hands  in  cold  water,  and  to  rub  them  well 
with  a  dry  cloth.  It  fometimes  happens,  thatipeople 
are  fo  benumbed  with  cold,  as  to  be  quite  dejirived 
of  the  ufe  of  their  limbs.  In  this  cafe,  the  only  re* 
medy  is  to  rub  the  parts  affefted  with  fnow,  or, 
where  it  cannot  be  had,  with  cold  water.  If  they  be  ** 
held  near  the  fire,  or  plunged  into  warm  wateo  a 
mortification  will  generally  enfue. 

Labourers  in  the  hot  feafon  are  apt  to  lie  down 
and  fleep  in  the  fun.  This  practice  is  fo^dangerous, 
that  they  often  wake  in  a  burning  fever,  i Thefe  ar- 
dent fevers,  which  prove  fo  fatal  about  the  cn4  of 
fu^imer  and  beginning  of  autumn,  are  freqoeiitly 
occafioned  by  this  means.  When  labourers  leave  off 
work,  which  they  ougRt  always  to  do  during  the 
heat  of  the  day,  they  Ihould  go  home,  or,  at  leaft^ 
get  under  fome  cover,  where  they  may  repofe  thcnv* 
felves  in  fafety. 

Many  people  follow  their  employments  in.  the 
fields  from  n\orning  till  night,  without  eating  aajr 

things 


and  ibi  SrVDlOVS.  4$ 

thing.  This  cannot  fail  to  hurt  their  healths  How- 
ever homely  their  fare  be,  they  ought  to  have  it  at  * 
regular  times  s  and  the  harder  they  work,  the  more 
frequently  they  (h6uld  eat.  If  the  humours  be  .not 
fmiuentLy  repleniihed  with  frelh  nourilhm^entj  they 
ibooc  become  putrid,  and  produce  fevers  of  the  very 
worft  kind. 

^^Many  peafants  are  extremely  carelefs  with  refpedfc 
tO::what  they  eat  or  drink,  and  often,  through  n^ere 
iwjolence,  ufe  unwholefome  food,  when  they  might  ' 
for.the/ame  escpence  have  that  which  is  wholefome* 
In  (omc  parts  of  Britain,  the  peafants  are  too  care* 
left  eveiir  10  take  the  trouble  of  drefllng  their  own 
viAuals.  Sudi  people  would  live  upon  one  meal 
a-day  in-  indolence,  rather  than  labour,  though  it 
were  to  procure  them  the  greateft  affluence. 
^Fevers  of  a  tvery  bad  kind  are  often  occafioned 
amongiabourers  by  poor  living.  When  the  body  it 
not  fufficiently  nourifhed,  the  humqurs  become  vi« 
tiated^  and  the  folids  weak;  from  whence  the  moft 
iatal(  confequences  enfue.  Poor  living  is  likewifii 
productive  of  many  of  thofe  cutaneous  difeafcs  fo 
irequeBt  among  the  lower  clafs  of  people.  It  is  tt^ 
markable  that  cattle,  when  pinched  in  their  food, 
are  generally  affeded  with  difeafes  of  the  (kin,  which 
feldom  fail  to  difappear,  when  they  are  put  upon  a 
good  paflure.  This  ihews  how  much  a  good  ftatc 
of  the  humours  depends  upon  a  fullicient  quantity 
of  proper  nourifhment. 

Poverty  not  only  occafions,  but  aggravates,  many 
of  the  difeafcs  of  the  laborious.  F^w  of  them  have 
much  forefight;  and,  if  they  h^d,  it  is  feldom  in 
their  power. to  fave  any  thing.  They  are  glad  to 
make  a  ihift  to  live  from  day  to  days  ^nd,  when  any 
difeafe  overtakes  them,  they  arc  mifcrablc  indeedL 
Here  the  godlif^e 'virtue  of  charity  ought  always  to 
exert  itlelf.  To  relieve  the  induftrious  pqor  in  dif* 
Ifcfs,  is  fiirely  the  moQ:  exalted  a£t  ot  religion  and 

humanity. 


44    Of  the  LABORIOUS,  the  SEDENTARY, 

humanity.  They  alone,  who  are  witneOei  of  chofo 
fcenes  of  calamity,  can  form  a  notion  of  what  num«» 
bers  perifh  in  difeafesi  for  want  of  proper  aflfiftance^ 
and  even  for  want  of  the  neceiTarie^  of  life. 

Labourers  are  often  hurt  by  a  fooli(h  emulation^ 
which  prompts  them  to  vie  with  one  another,  till 
they  overheat  themfelves  to  fuch  a  degree  as  to  oct 
cafion  a  fever,  or  even  to  dropdown  dead.  Such  as 
wantonly  throw  away  their  lives  in  this  manner,  de-» 
ferve  to  be  looked  upon  in  no  better  light  than  feiP 
murderers. 

The  olBcc  of  a  Joldier^  in  time  of  war,  may  be 
ranked  among  the  laborious  employments.  Soldiers 
fuffer  many  hard  (hips  from  the  inclemency  of  feafons» 
long  marches,  bad  provifions,  hunger,  watching,  uq« 
wholefome  climatesj»  bad  water,  &c.  liiaefe  occaQoa 
fevers,  Suxes,  rheumatifms,  and  other  fatal  difeafes^ 
which  generally  do  greater  execution  than  the  fword^ 
efpecially  when  campaigns  are  continued  too  late  ia 
the  feafon.  A  few  weeks  of  cold  rainy  weath^  wil) 
often  prove  more  fatal  than  an  engagement. 

Thofe  who  have  the  command  of  armies  fhould 
take  care  that  their  foldiers  be  well  clothed  and  weU 
fed.  They  ought  alfo  to  finifh  their  campaigns  in 
due  feafon,  and  to  provide  their  men  with  dry  and 
well-aired  winter  quarters.  Thcfc  rules,  taking 
care,  at  the  fame  time,  to  keep  the  fick.at  a  proper 
distance  from  thofe  in  health,  would  tend  greatly  tQ 
prcfcrve  the  lives  of  the  foldiery  *. 

Sailor^ 

*  It  is  indeed  to  be  regretted,  that  foldiers  fuffer  not  lefs  from 
indolence  and  intemperance  in  time  of  peace,  than  from  hard- 
(hips  in  time  of  war.  If  men  are  idle  they  will  he  vicious.  It 
would  therefore  be  of  great  importance,  could  a  fcheme  be  formed 
for  rendering  the  military^  in  times  of  peace,  both  more  healthy 
and  more  ufeful.  Thefe  defirable  objeds  might,  in  oar  opinion^ 
be  obtained,  by  employing  them  for  fome  hours  everyday*  tnd 
advancing  their  pay  accordingly.  By  this  means,  idlenefs,  th# 
mother  of  vice,  might  be  prevented,  the  price  of  labour  lowered^ 
public  woik$*  as  harbours,  canals*  turnpike  roads,  &Ct  might  be 

made 


Md thi  srvitiovs.  45 

Sailors  may  tUb  be  numbered  among  the  lt6o« 
rioiis.  They  undergo  great  hard&ips  from  chaagt 
of  climate,  the  violence  of  weather,  hard  labour^ 
bad  provifions.  Sec.  Sailors  are. of  fo  grear  hnport- 
ance  both  to  the  trade  and  falety  of  this  kingdom, 
that  too  much  pains  can  never  be  bellowed  m  point* 
tag  out  eke  means  of  preiervtDg  their  lives. 

One  great  fource  of  the  difeafes  of  iea^ faring 
peo{Je  is  excefs.  When  they  get  on  fhore,.  after 
baring  been  long  at  iea,  without  regard  to  the  cU« 
mate^  or  their  own  conftitutions,  they  plunge  bead- 
long  imo  alL 'manner  of  riot,  and  often  perfid  till  a 
fever  puts  an  e(id  to  their  lives.  Thus  intemper« 
ance,  and  not  the  climate^  b  often  the  cauib  why  fo 
nuiny  of  our  brave  failora  die  on  foreign,  coafts. 
S«ch  people  ought  not  to  live  too  low;  but  they 
will  find  moderation  the  befl:  defence  agaanlt  feverSj 
and  many  other  maladies. 

Sailors,  when  on  duty,  cannot  avoid  fometimfs 
^letting  wet.  When  this  happen$,.they  (hould  change 
their  clothes  as  foon  as  they  are  relieved,  and  take 
every  method  to  reftorc  the  perfpiration..  They 
flioiild  not,  in  this  cafe,  make  too  free  with  fpirits 
or  other  ftrong  liquors,  but  fhould  rather  drinls 
them  diluted  with  warm  water,  and  go  immediately 
to  bed,  where  a  found  Qeep  and  a  gentle  fweat 
would  fet  aH  to  rights. 

But  the  health  of  failors  fufFers  mod  from  un* 
wholefome  food.    The  conftant  ufe  of  falted  pro« 

aude  withouihurtingnanufa^ures;  and foldjersmiglubtf  enabled 
to  marry,  and  bring  up  children.  A  fcheme  of  this  kind  ini|hc 
eafiiy  be  conducted,  (o  as  not  to  deprefs  the  martial  fpirit,  provided 
tkeoMn  were  only  to  work  four  or  fivehotirt  every  day^  and  always 
to  work  without  doors :  no  foldier  fhould  be  AiflFered  to  work  toa 
^gt  or  to  follow  any  fedentary  employment.  Sedentary  em- 
ployments render  men  weak  and  effeminate,  quite  unfit  for  the 
Wdlhips  oC  wa^:  whereas  working  for  a  few  hours  evety  i^y 
Witboot  doon»  would  inure  then)  to  the  wcatheri  brace  their 
aknct,  and  increafe  their  ih-eogtlTaad  courage. 

vifions 


ifi    Of  the  LABORIOUS,  the  SEDENTARY, 

Tifioni  vitiates  their  humours,  and  occafions  the 
IbufTy,  and  other  obftinate  maladies.  It  is  no  «dy 
matter  to  prevent  this  difeafe  in  long  voyages;  yec 
we  cannot  help  thinking,  that  much  mi^t^be  done 
towards  effeding  fo  defirable  an  end,  were  due  p^ins 
beftowed  for  that  purpofe.  For  example;  various 
roots,  greens,  and  fruits,  might  be  kept  a  long  tifkie 
at  fea,  as  onions,  potatoes,  cabbages,  lernons,X)ranges, 
tamarinds,  apples,  &c.  When  ^its  cannot  be  kept, 
the  juices  ot  them,  either  frtfli  or  fermented,  may* 
With  thefe  all  the  drink,  andkven  the  food  of  the 
ihip'a  company,  ought  to  ^  be  aieidulated  \n  Icmg 
▼oyagcs^.  -  *' 

^  Stale  bread  and  beer  likewife  contr ibute't^'vitlate 
the  humours.  Flour  will  keep  for  along  time  on 
board,  of  which  frefh  bread  might  fteqifeiYtly  l>e 
made.  Malt  too  might  be  kept,  and  infu(^d>wilh 
boilrnp  water  at  any  time.  This  liquor,  when  drswk 
even  m  form  of  wort,  is  very  wholefome^  'aird  is 
found  to  be  an  antidote  againft  the  fcur?yr  SrDall 
wines  and  cyder  might  kkewife  be  pkntii^jUy  laid 
in ;  and  Ihould  they  turn  four,  -they  woMd  ftill  be 
ufeful  as  vinegar.  Vinegar  is  a  great  antidote 
againft  difeafes,  and  Ihould  be  ufed  by  all  travellers, 
efpecially  at  fea.  It  may  either  be  mixed  with  the 
water  they  drink,  or  taken  in  their  food* 

Such  animals  as  can  be  kept  alive,  ought  likewiHf 
to  be  carried  on  board,  as  hens,  ducks,  pigs,'  tcp, 
Frefh  broths  made  of  portable  foup,  and  puddings 
made  of  peas,  or  other  vegetables,  ought  to  be 
ufed  plentifully.  Many  other  things  will  readilv 
6ccur  to  people  converfant  in  thefe  matters,  which 
would  tend  to  preferve  the  health  of  that  brave  and 
ufeful  fet  of  men  *. 

We 

*  Our  cenntryman,  the  celebrated  Captain  Cook,  has  (heim 
how  hit,  by  proper  care  and  attention^  the  difeafes  fernerly  fo  fi* 
tal  to  feamen  may  be  prevented.  In  a  voyage  of  three  yean  and 
•^hteca  days,  doxiog  which  he  was  expofed  to  every  climate,  from 

th« 


/ 


.    smi  tbi  STUDIOUS.       '\.     47 

Wc  liavc  rnfon  to  beiicve>  if  due  attention  were 
to  theldi^ts  air>  clothing,  and  above  all  thingsio 
;t]}e  cleanlinefe  of  fea-.faring  jseople^  they  would  be 
)(bt  mdftr  heal  thy.  iet  of  mei)  ll^'the  ^oiid ;  butwhea 
thefe  aj!C  ncgledcd^  the  very  rev^rfe  will  happen* 

The  bcft  ma^ic^l  antidote  that  we  can  recommend 
to  failMs.orfoldiers^  on  foreign  coafta,  efpeciallf 
.where  dampnefs  prevails^  is  the  Peruvian  back* 
This  will  often  prevent  fevers,  and  other  fatal  dif- 
^es.  About  a  drachm  of  it  may  be  chewed  every 
'days  or  if  this  (bould  prove  difagreeable,  an  ounce 
of-bsyrkj.  with  half  an  ounce  of  orange  peelj  and  two 
drachms  of  fnake-root  coarfely  powdered^  may  be 
iofuled  for  two  or  three  days  in  an  Englifli  quart  of 
jbrandy^  and  half  a  wine  glafs  of  it  taken  twice  or 
dirice  a-day^  when  the  ftomach  is  empty.  This  has 
jbeen  found  to  be  an  excellent  antidote  againll  fluxes^ 
^tfid,  intermitting,  and  other  fevers,  in  unhealthy 
idimates.  It  is  not  material  in  what  form  this  me- 
^dieioe  is  taken.  It  may  either  be  infufed  in  water^ 
'^e,.  or  fplrits,  as  recommended  above,  or  made 
«tfh|6.  an  dcduaryi^ith  fyrup  of  lemons^  orangesj  or 
•^ibbjike. 

ill  THE    SEDENTARY. 

Though  nothing  can  be  more  contrary  to  the 
Datucc  of  man  than  a  fedentary  life,  yet  this  clafs 
Cmipfthends  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  fpecics, 
AlmcJftihc,  whole  female  world,  and  in  manufaftur- 
\^^  eihiiifi-fes,  the  major  part  of  the  males,  may  be 
fcckdne3  ftdentary  *. 

Agricul*- 

mie  ^2*iiortli  tVtIie  71*  of  fouth  latitude,  of  one  hundred  and 
eighteen  men  cpmpofing  the  (hip's  company »  he  lofl  only  one, 

%^jo  died  of  vl phibijis pulmonalis.  The  principal  means  he  ofed 
were,  to  preferve  a  llrid  attention    to  cleanlinel's,  co  procure 

^.|b9Ddjijace^Ql[ -vegetables  and  frcQi  proviHons,  efpecially  gi>o<i 
^a'ter»  and  to  plow  hit  people  fufHcient  time  for  reil. 

%  ^he«pfpeUation  ^  fedentary  has  generally  been  giveq  only 
tsthe  ilttdiott^;  we  can  fee  noieafon,  however^  for  rellri^iog  ic 

19 


4S    Of  the  LABORIOUS,  tU  S^bfeNTARY, 

Agriculture,  the  firfl:  and  nrioft  healthful  of  all 
cmpk>yments,  is  now  followed  by  few  who  arc  abte 
to  carry  on  any^  other  bufinefs.  But  thofc  who  ima* 
gine  that  the  culture  of  the  earth  i^  not  fufficient  to 
enoploy  all  its  inhabitants,  are  greatljr  nniftaken* 
An  ancient  Roman,  we  are  told,  cbuk!  maintain 
his  family  from  the  pfodilce  of  one  acre  of  ground* 
So  might  a  modern  Briton,  if  he  would  be  con* 
tented  to  live  like  a  Roman.  This  (hews  what  an 
immenfe  increafe  of  inbafbitants  Britain  might  ad- 
mit of,  and  all  of  them  live  bjr  the  cakure  of  thft 
ground.  .    .  • 

Agficukure  is  the  great  fourcc  of  dorhcftic  riches* 
Where  it  is  neglefted^  whatever  wealth  may  be  im-^ 
ported  from  abroad,  poverty  and  mifery  Will  abound 
at  home.  Such  is,  and  ever  Will  be,  the  fiu£tu« 
ating  ftate  of  trade  and  manufa^ures,  that  thdu^ 
fands  of  people  may  be  in  full  employment  to-da7> 
and  in  beggary  to-mori^ow*  This  can  never  bap- 
*  pen  to  thofe  who  cultivate 'the  ground*.  They  can 
eat  the  fruit  of  their  labour,  and  can  always  by 
induftry  obtain,  at  leaft,  the  ne^ffTaries  of  life. 

Though  fcdcntary  employments  are  neceffary, 
yet  there  feems  to  be  no  reafon  why  any  perfon 
ibould  be  confined  for  life  to  thefe  alone.  Were 
fuch  employments  intermixed  wkh  the  more  aftive 
and  laborious,  they  would  never  do  hurt.  It  is 
conftant  confinement  that  ruins  the  health.  A 
man  will  not  be  hurt  by  fitting  five  or  fix  hours 
a-day$  but  if  he  is  obliged  to  fie  ten  or  twelve^  he 
will  foon  become  difeafed. 

But  it  is  not  want  of  exercife  alone  which  hurts 
fedentary  people;  they  likewife  fufFerfrom  thecon^ 
fined  air  which  they  breathe.    It  is  very  common 

to  tbem  alone.  Many  artificers  may,  with  as  mach  propriety^ 
be  denominated  fedentary  as  the  fludioas,  with  this  ptrticalar 
difadvantage,  that  they  are  often  obliged  to  fit  in  very  awkward 
poftures,  which  the  ftudious  need  not  do>  uolefs  they  pleafc. 


bni  the  STUUIOUS.  49 

k>  ftt*  Wn  6r  a  dozen  ta}  lors  *,  or  ftaymakers, .  for 
tzample,  (^rowd^d  into  one  fmall  apartment,  where 
thcfc  is  hardly  r6om  for  one  perfon  to  breathe 
freely.  In  this  fituation  they  generally  continue 
for  maiiy  hoOrs  at  a  time,  often  with  the  addition 
of  fuiidry  candtts,  which  tend  likewife  to  wade  the 
afr,  aiul  render  it  lefs  fit  for  refpiration.  Air  that 
\t  b^-eathed  repeatedly  becomes  unfit  for  expanding 
At  lungs.  This  is  one  caufe  of  the  phthifical 
C6ttghs,  and  other  Complaints  of  the  bread:,  fo  in- 
cident to  fedentafy  artificers. 

Even  the  pcrfpiration  from  a  great  number  of 
pek-folis  pent  up  together,  renders  the  air  unwhole- 
fbtn^.  The  danger  from  this  quarter  will  be 
greatly  increafed,  if  any  one  of  them  happens  to 
hwe  bad  lungs,  or  to  be  otherwife  difcafed. 
Tbofe  who  fit  near  him,  being  forced  to  breathe 
the  Amc  air,  can  hardly  fail  to  be  infeftcd.  It 
would  bt  a  rare  thing,  however,  to  find  a  dozen 
ti  ledentary  people  all  in  good  health.  The  dan- 
ger of  crowding  them  together  muft  therefore  be 
evident  to  every  ofce. 

Many  of  thofe  who  follow  fedentary  employ- 
rtentfe  are  conftahtly  in  a  bending  pofture,  as  llioe- 
midCers,  taylors,  cutlers,  &c.  Such  a  fituation  is 
tttremcly  hurtful.  A  bending  pofture  obftrufts 
all  the  vital  motions,  and  of  coiirfe  muft  deftroy 
the  health.  Accordingly  we  find  fuch  artificers 
gthcrally  complaining  of  indigeftions,  flatulencies, 
hcad-a:chs,  pains  of  the  breaft,  &c. 

*  A  perfon  df  obfWvafion  in  that  line  of  life  told  me,  that 
•oft  taylors  die  of  confumprtions  ;  which  he  attributed  chiefly  to 
the  anfavourable  poduyes  in  which  they  fit,  and  the  unwhole- 
femenefs  of  thofe  places  where  iheir  !)ufiners  is  carried  on.  If 
aiore  ttcention  was  not  paid  to  profit  than  to  the  prefer vation  of 
l^tfman  lives,  this  evil  might  be  eafily  remedied;  bat  while 
^tlUri  only  intnd>  their  own  interefl,  nothing  will  be  done  for 
tte  fdety  of  their  fervants. 

E  The 


JO  Of  the  LABpRIOUS,  tht  SEDENTARY, 

The  aliment  in  fedentary  people,  inftead  of  be- 
ing pulhcd  fprwards  by  an  ercft  pofture,  and  tfiS 
adlion  of  the  mufcles,  is  in  a  manner  confined 
in  the  bowelis.  Hence  indigcftions,  coftivenefs, 
wind,  and  other  hypochondriacal  afFe6l:ions,  tKc 
conftint  companions  of  the  fedentary.  Indeed 
none  of  the  excretions  can  be  duly  perforoii/dt 
where  excrcife  is  wanting  j  and  when  the  matter 
which  ought  to  be  difcharged  in  this  way  is  re- 
tained too  long  in  the  body,  it  muft  have  ba'd 
cfFe6tsi  as  it  is  again  taken  up  into  the  rnafs  of  hji- 
mours. 

A  bendirig  pofture  is  likewife  hurtful  fp  the 
lungs.  When  this  organ  is  comprcflcd,  the  air 
cannot'  have  'free  accels  into  all  its  p?rts,  fo  as  to 
expand  them  properly.  Hence  tubiercles,  ad^in 
fions,  St'c.  are  formed,  which  often  end  in  cbnfump- 
tlons.  Befides,  the  proper  aftion  of  the  lungs  Be^ 
ing  abfolutely  neceflary  for  making  good  bldtidl, 
when  that  organ  fails,  the  humours  fdbn  become 
lirtiverfally  dtpraved,  and  the  whole  cohttitution 
goes  to  wreck.  '^    ^ 

'  Sedfentary  artificers  are  not  only  hurt  by  prelture 
oil '  rli^  •  bowels,  but  alfo  on  the  inferlour  extreiijii- 
ties,  whith  obftrufts  the  circulation  in  thefc  parts^ 
and  tenders  them  weak  and  feeble.  Thus  tayldfS| 
Ihberrtdkef-s,  &c.  frequently  loffe  the  ufe  of,  tKefr 
legs'  altbgether;  befides,  iWt  blood  and  hiimoijH 
atci  by  ftagtlatloti,  vitiated,  and  thd  perfpi'ration  is 
obftrufted:  from  whence  proceed  the  fcab,  ulcerous 
fores,  foul  blotches,  and  other  cutaneous  difeaTes, 
lo  common  among  fedentary  artificers.  '  '. 

A  bad  figure  of  body  is  a  very  common  cbffft^- 
quence  of  clofe  application  to  fedentarjr  ernphoVi 
ments.  Thci  fpine,  for  example,  by  beihg  cdnn- 
nui2illy  bent,  puts  on  a  crooked  Ihape,  and  gene- 
rally remains  fo  ever  after.     But  a  bad  figure  of 

bod/ 


'       anj  ibe  ST VDiOU^.     '     '    ej. 

body  has  already  been  obferved  to  be  hurtful  tQ 
health,  as  the  vital  tunftions  are  thereby  impeded. 

A  fedentary  life  fcldom  fails  to  ocqaBon  an  uni-^ 
yerfal  relaxation  of  the  fc4ids..  This  13  the  greac 
iource  from  whence  moft  of  the  difeafes  of  feden^ 
tary  jpeople  flow.  The  fcrophula,  confumption, 
hyfterics,  and  nervous  difeafes,  now  fo  common, 
were  very  little  known  in  this  country  before  feden- 
tary  artificers  became  fo  numerous:  ,  and  they  are 
vc|ry  little  known  ftill  among  fuch  of  our  people  a^ 
follow  afltive  employments  without  doors,  though 
in  great  towns  at  leaft  two-thirds  of  the  inhi|bit4nt$ 
are  af8i6bed  with  them. 

It  is  very  difficult  to  remedy  thofe  evils,  becaufc 
TO^ny  who  have  been  accuftomed  to  a  fedentary 
fife*  like  ricketty  children,  lofe  all  inclination  for 
f^tcrcifej  we  ihall,  however,  throw  out  a  few 
hints  wVltf  refpeft  to  the  moft  likely  means  for  pre* 
fc'rvihg*  tjic  health  of  this  ufeful  fet  *of  people, 
which  fome  of  thicm^  we  hope^  will  bje  wife  enough 
to  take. 

Ic  has  been  already  obferved,  that  fedentary  ar- 
rificcrs  arc  often  hurt  by  their  bending  pofture. 
They  ought  therefore  to  ftand  or  fit  as  ereft  as  the 
natiir^  of  their  employments  will  permit.  They 
ihpuld  likewifc  change  th^ir  pofture  frequently, 
and  ihoul4  never  (it  too  long  at  a  time,  but  leave 
off  work,  and  walk,  ride,  run,  or  do  any  thing  thaf 
ff'iW  promote  the  vital  funftions. 

Sedentary  artificers  are  generally  allowed  too 
little  time  for  exercife;  yet^  fhort  as  it  is,  jhey  fcl* 
dpm  employ  it  properly.  A  journeyman  taylor  or 
weaver,  for  example,  inttead  of  walking  abfpad  for 
cxercife  and  freih  air,  at  h'ls  hours  of  Jeifure,  ehufe$ 
often  to  fpepd  them  in  a  public- houle,  ^r  in  play- 
ing at  fome  fedentary  game,  by  which  he  generally 
lo(e$  both  his  time  and  his  money ^ 

E  i  Th« 


52  Of  the  LABORIOUS,  the  SEDENTARY, 

The  awkward  pofturcs  in  which  many  fedentary 
artificers  work,  feeni  rather  to  be  the  cffeft  of  cuf- 
tom  than  neceffity.  For  example,  a  table  might 
furely  be  contrived  for  ten  or  a  dozen  taylors  to  fit 
round,  with  liberty  for  their  legs  either  to  hang 
down,  or  refi:  upon  a  foot-board,  as  they  fliould 
chufe.  A  place  might  likcwifc  be  cut  out  for  caci^ 
perfon,  in  luch  a  manner  that  he  might  fit  as  co^^ 
veniently  for  working  as  in  the  prcfcnt  mode  of  fit-^ 
ting  crofs-legged.  .      ^ 

All  fedentary  artificers  ougtt  to  pay  the  moft  rc^ 
ligious  regard  to  cleanlincfs.  Both  their  fiiua^ioxf 
and  occupations  render  this  highly  necefiary.  No*. 
thing  would  contribute  mqre  to  prefcrve  their 
health,  than  a  ftridt  attention  to  it^  and  fuch 
them  as  ncglcft  it,  not  only  run  the  hazard 
lofing  health,  but  of  becoming  a  nuifance  to  t^eic 
neighbours. 

Sedentary  people  ought  to  avoid  fooq  that  is 
windy,  or  bard  of  digefi;ion,  and  fhouid  pay  the 
ftriftcft  regard  to  fobriety.  A  perfon  who  works 
hard  without  doors  will  foon  throw  off*  a  debauch ;, 
but  one  who  fits  ha^  by  no  means  an  equal  chancer. 
Hence  it  often  happens,  ,that  fedentary  people  are 
feized  with  fevers  after  hard  drinking.  When  fuc^ 
perfons  feel  their  fpirits  low,  inftead  of  running  xjny 
the  tavern  for  relief,  they  fl^ould  ride,  or  walk  ia 
the  fields.  This  would  remove  the  complaint  more, 
cffeftually  than  fl:rong  liquor,  and  would  never  hurt 
the  conftitution. 

Inftead  of  multiplying  rules  for  preferving  the 
health  of  the  fedentary,  we  fliall  recommend  to  then* 
the  following  general  plan,  viz.  That  every  perfoa 
who  follows  a  fedentary  employment  ihould  culti^ 
vate  a  piece  of  ground  with  his  own  hands.  This 
he  might  dig,  plant,  fow,  and  weed  at  Icifure 
hours,  fo  as  to  make  it  both  an  exercife  and  amufe* 

mentj, 


and  the  STUDIOUS.  S3 

ment,  while  it  produced  many  of  the  neceflaries  of 
life.  After  working  an  hour  in  a  garden,  a  man 
will  return  with  more  keenncfs  to  his  employment 
within  doors>  than  if  he  had  been  all  the  while 
idle. 

Labouring  the  ground  is  every  way  conducive  to 
health.  It  not  only  gives  exercife  to  every  pare 
of  the'  body,  but  the  very  fmell  of  the  earth  and 
ffefli  herbs  revives  and  cheers  the  fpirits,  whilftthc 
perpetual  profpcdt  of  fomcthing  coming  to  matu- 
rity delights  and  entertains  the  mind.  We  are  fo 
formed  as  to  be  always  plealed  with  fomewhat  in 
profpeft,  however  diftant  or  however  trivial.  Hence 
the  happiriefs  that  mod  men  feel  in  planting,  fow- 
ing,  building,  &c.  Thefe  fecm  to  have  been  the 
chief  employments  of  the  more  early  ages :  and, 
when  kings  and  conquerors  cultivated  the  ground, 
there  is  reafon  to  believe  that  they  knew  as  well 
wherein  true  happincfs  confided  as  we  do. 

It  may  feem  romantic  to  recommend  gardening 
to  manufafturers  in  great  towns ;  but  obfcrvation 
proves  that  the  plan  is  very   pra6ticable.     In  the 
town  of  Sheffield,  in  Yorkfliire,   where  the  great 
iron   maaufa£ture  is  carried  on,  there  is  hardly  a 
journeyman  cutler  who  does  not  pofTefs  a  piece  of 
ground,  which   he  cultivates  as  a  garden.     This 
pradlice  has  many  falutary  effeds*     It  not  only  in* 
duces  ihrfe  people  to  take  exercife  without  doors, 
but  alfo  to  eat  many  greens,  roots,  &c.  of  their 
own  growth,  which  they  would  never  think  of  pur- 
chafing.     There  can  be  no  reafon  why  manufac- 
turers m  any  other  town  in  Great  Britain  (hould  not 
follow  the  fame  plan.     It  is  indeed  to  be  regretted, 
thst  in  fuch  a  place  as  London  a  plan  of  this  kind 
i»  not  pra<S:icablc ;  yet  even  there  fcdentary  artifi- 
cers may  find  opportunities  of  taking  air  and  ex« 
wcifcj  if  they  chufc  to  embrace  them. 

£  J  Mechanics 


|4  (5//^^  LABORIOUS,  /i^^  SEDENt Atty, 

Mechanics  are  too  much  inclined  to  crowd  iivtd 
^rcac  towns.  The  fituation  may  have  fome  advan- 
tages; but  it  has  likewife  many  difadvantages.  Ail 
mechanics  who  live  in  the  country  have  it  in  theif 
J)ower  to  cultivate  apiece  of  ground  j  which  indeed 
mod  of  them  do.  This  not  only  gives  them  ex^r- 
f;ife,  but  enables  them  to 'live  more  comfortably* 
$o  far  at  iea(l  4S  my  obfervation  extends,  mecha- 
nics who  live  in  the  country  are  far  more  happy 
than  thofe  in  great  towns.  They  enjoy  better 
health,  live  in  greater  affluence,  and  fcldom  fail  to 
Irear  a  healthy  and  numerous  offspring. 

In  a  word,  exercife  without  doors,  in  one  Hiape 
6r  another,  is  abfolutely  neceflary  to  health.  Thofe 
who  negledt  it,  though  they  may  for  a  while  drag 
out  life,  can  hardly  be  faid  to  enjoy  it.  Weak 
And  effeminate,  they  languifti  for  a  few  years,  and 
foon  drop  intq  an  untimely  grave. 

t  H  fe    S  T  U  D  1  O  U  S. 

tntcnfe  thinking  is  fo  deftrudtive  to  health,  that 
few  inftances  can  be  produced  of  ftudious  perfona 
Vfho  are  ftrong  and  healthy.  Hard  ftudy  always 
implies  a  fedentary  life;  and  when  intenfe  thinking 
is  joined  to  the  want  of  exercife,  the  confequences 
muft  be  bad.  Wc  have  frequently  known  even  a 
few  iVionths  of  clofe  application  to  ftudy  ruin  an 
excellent  conftitution^  by  inducing  a  train  of  ner- 
Vous  complaints  which  could  never  be  removed* 
Man  is  evidently  not  formed  for  continual  thought 
more  than  for  perpetual  adtion,  and  would  be  as 
foon  worn  out  by  the  one  as  by  the  other* 

So  great  is  the  power  of  the  mihd  over  the  body^ 
that^  by  its  influence5  the  whole  vital  motions  may 
be  accelerated  or  retarded,  to  almoft  any  degree* 
Thus  cheerfulnefs  and  mirth  quicken  the  circula* 
tiorti  and  promote  all  the  fecretions  i  whereas  fad« 

oefi 


'   •       and  the  STUDIOUS.  55 

nefs  anrf  profound  thought  never  fail  ro  retard 
them.  Hence  it  would  appear,  that  even  a  degree 
of  thoiightlcffnefs  is  •neceflary  to  heallh.  Indeed, 
th^  perpetual  thinker  feldom  enjoys  either  health 
or'fpirits;  while  the  perfon,  who  can  hardly  be 
fird  to  think  at  all,  generally  enjoys  both. 

Pfefjie'tual  thinkers,  as  they  are  called,  feldooi 
think  long.  In  a  few  years  they  generally  become 
6\iite  (tupid,  and  exhibit  a  melancholy  proof  how 
readily  the  greateft  bleflings  may  be  abufed. 
^f  hihid'ng,  like  every  thing  elfe,  when  carried  to 
extreme,  becomes  a  vice:  nor  can  any  thing  afford 
i  greater  proof  of  wifdom,  than  for  a  man  fre- 
Idueritly  and  feafonably  to  unbend  his  mind.  This 
tniy  generally  be  done  by  mixing  in  cheerful  com- 
pahy,  aftive  diverfions,  or  the  like. 

Indeed  of  attempting  to  inveftigate  the  nature 
of  that  connection  whic^h  fubfifts  between  the  mind 
and  body,  or  to  inquire  into  the  manner  in  which 
they  mutually  afFcft  each  other,  we  fliall  only  men- 
tion thofc  difeafes  to  which  the  learned  are  more 
peculiarly  liable,  and  endeavour  to  point  out  the 
means  of  avoiding  them. 

Studious  perfons  are  very  fubjeft  to  the  gout. 
This  painful  difeafc  in  a  great  meafure  proceeds 
from^  indigeftion,  and  an  obftrufted  perfpiration. 
It  is  impoffible  that  the  man  who  fits  from  morning 
till  night  Ihould  either  digeft  his  food,  or  have  any 
<rf  the  fecretions  in  due  quantity.  But  when  that 
•itlatter,  which  fhould  be  "thrown  off  by  the  (kin, 
is  retained  in  the  body,  and  the  humours  are  not 
duly  prepared,  difeafes  muft  cnfue. 
^  The  ftudious  are  likewife  very  liable  to  the  ftonc 
•ind  graveh  Exercife  greatly  promotes  both  the 
fccretion  and  difcharge  of  urine;  confequently  a 
fcdcntary  life  muft  have  the  contrary  effcft.  Any 
^e  may  be  fatisfied  of  this  by  obfcrving,  that  he 
paflcs  much  more  urine  by  day  than  in  the  night, 

£  4  and 


56  Of  the  LABORIOUS,  the  SEDENTARY, 

and  alfo  whe^  he  walks  or  rides,  than  when  bc 
fits. 

The  circulation  in  the  liver  being  flow,  obftruc- 
tions  in  that  organ  can  hardly  fail  to  be  the  confc- 
quence  of  inaftivity.  Hence  fcdentary  people  arc 
frequently  afflifted  with  fchirrous  livers.  But  the 
proper  fecretion  and  difcharge  of  the  bile  is  fo  nc- 
ceflTary  a  part  of  the  animal  ceconomy,  that  where, 
thefe  are  not  duly  performed,  the  health  muft  fpon 
be  impaired.  Jaundice,  iodigeftion,  lofs  of  appe-r 
tite,  and  a  wafting  of  the  whole  body,  feldpm  fail 
to  be  the  confequences  of  a  vitiated  ftate  of  the 
liver,  or  obftrudlions  of  the  bile. 

Few  difeafes  prove  more  fatal  to  the  ftudlous  than 
confumpcions  of  the  lungs.  It  has  already  been  ob- 
ferved,  that  this  organ  cannot  be  duly  expanded  in 
thofe  who  do  not  take  proper  exercife ;  and  v^h^rc 
that  is  the  cafe,  o.bftruclions  and  adhcfions  will  en- 
fue.  Not  only  want  of  exercife,  but  the  pofturc 
in  which  ftudious  perfons  generally  fit,  is  very 
hurtful  to  the  lungs.  Thofe  who  read  or  write 
much  are  ready  to  contraft  a  habit  of  bending  for- 
wards, and  often  prefs  with  their  breall  upon  a 
table  or  bench.  This  pofture  cannot  fail  tp  hurt 
the  lungs. 

The  funftions  of  the  heart  may  likcwifc  by  this 
means  be  injured.  I  remember  to  have  feen  a  man 
opened,  whofe  pericardium  adhered  to  the  breaiU 
bonc  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  obftrucl  the  motion  of 
the  hearty  and  occafion  his  death.  The  only  pro- 
bable caufe  that  could  be  affigned  for  this  fingular 
fymptom  was,  that  the  man,  whofe  bufinefs  was 
writing,  ufed  conftantly  to  fit  in  a  bending  pofture^, 
with  his  brcaft  prefling  upon  the  edge  of  a  flat 
table. 

No  perfon   can  enjoy  health  whp  does  not  p;ip- 
perly  digeft  his  food.     But  ir^tenfc  thinking    and 
in4(^ivity  never  fail  to  .weaken  the  powers  of  di- 
geft ion  ♦ 


and  tie  STUDIOUS.  57 

gcffion.  Hence  the  humours  become  crude  and 
vitiated,  the  folids  weak  and  relaxedj  and  the  whole 
conftitution  goes  to  rpin. 

LiOQg  and  incenfe  thinking  often  occafions 
grievous  head-achs,  which  bring  on  vertigoesj 
apoplexies,  p^ifies,  and  other  fatal  diforders.  The 
befl:  way  10  prevent  thefe  is,  never  to  lludy  too 
long  at  one  time,  and  to  keep  the  body  regular, 
either  by  proper  food,  or  taking  frequently  a  little 
of  fame  opening  medicine. 

Thofc  who  read  or  write  much  are  often  afflicted 
with  fore  eyes.  Studying  by  candle-light  is  pecu- 
liarly hurtful  to  the  fight.  This  ought  to  be  prac- 
tifed  as  feldom  as  podible.  When  it  is  unavoid* 
able,  the  eyes  (hould  be  (haded,  and  the  head 
fcould  not  be  held  too  low.  When  the  eyes  arc 
weak  or  painful,  they  fliould  b^  bathed  every  night 
and  morning  in  cold  water,  to  which  a  little  brandy 
may  be  added. 

It  has  already  been  obferved,  that  the  excrc- 
tpns  arc  very  dcfeftive  in  che  ftudious.  The  dropfy 
is  of^ea  occafioned  by  the  retention  of  thofe  hu- 
mours which  ought  to  be  carried  off  in  this  way. 
Any  perfoa  ipay  obfcrve,  that  fitting  makes  his 
legs  fweli,  and  that  this  goes  off  by  ^xercife; 
wficb  clearly  points  out  the  method  of  prevention. 

Fevers,  efpecially  of  the  nervous  kind,  are  often 
the  cffed  of  lludy.  Nothing  afFcds  the  nerves  fa 
much  as  intenfe  thought.  It  in  a  manner  unhinges 
the  whole  human  frame,  and  not  only  hurts  the 
vital  motions,  but  diforders  the  mind  itfdf.  Hence 
a  delirium,  melancholy,  and  even  madnefs,  are 
often  the  effcft  of  clofc  application  to  ftudy.  In 
fioe,  there  js  no  difeaCe  which  can  proceed  cither 
from  a  ba^d  ftate  of  the  humours,  a  dckd  of  the 
ufual  fccretions,  or  a  debility  of  the  nervous  fyftem, 
fh^cb,  may  ng^  be  induced  >y  iatenle  thinking. 

But 


<5«  0//i&tf  LABORIOUS, /i&^  SEDENTARY, 

.  Bui.diB'moft  affltdirtg  of  all  the  difeafcs  which 
MLxcin  the  'ftudious  is  •  the  hypochondriac.  Thisi 
difeafe^feldom  fails  to  be*  the  companion  of  deep 
thought*  It  may  rather  be  called  a  complication 
of  maladies  than  a  fingle  one.  To  what  a  wretched 
condition  .arc  the  beft  of  men  often  reduced  by  it ! 
Their  ftrcngth  and  appetite  fail;  a  perpetual  gloom 
bangs  iover  their  minds;  they  live  in  the  conftant 
dread  oftdeath,  and  are  connnually  in  fearchof  re- 
lief from  medicifie,  where,  alas!  it  is  not  to  be 
found*  .Thofe  who^  labour  under  this  diford^r, 
•though  they .  are  often  made  the  fubjeft  of  ridi- 
cule, juftly  claim  our  highcft  fympathy  and 
compaQxon. 

.Hardly  any. thing  can  be  more  prepofterous  than 
for  a  perfon  to  make  ftudy  his  fole  bufinefs.  A  tncrt 
fiuden£  is  feldom  an  ufeful  member  of  fociety.  He 
t^un  ncglcfts  the  moft  important  duties  of  life,  in 
order  to  purfue  ftudies  of  a  very  trifling  nature. 
Indeed  it  rarely  happens,  that  any  ufeful  inven- 
tion is  the  effeft  of  mere  Itudy.  The  farther  men 
dive  into  profound  refearches,  they  generally  de- 
viate the  more,  from  common  fcnfe,  and  too  often 
lofe  fight  of  it  altogether.  Profound  fpeculations, 
•inftead  of  makiag  men  wifer  or  better,  generally 
tender  them  abfolute  fceptics,  and  overwhelm  them 
with  deubt  and  uncertainty.  AH  that  is  neceflary 
for  man  to  know,  in  order  to  be  happy;  is  eafily 
obtained;  and  the  reil,  like  the  forbidden  fruit, 
fcrves  only  to  increafe  his  mifery. 

Studious  perfons,  in  order  to  relieve  their  minds, 
mtift  not  only  difcontinue  to  read  and  write,  but 
engage  in  fome  employment  or  diverfion,  that  will 
ib  far  occupy  the  thought  as  to  make  them  forget 
the  bufiincls  of  the  clofec.  A  folitary  ride  or  walk 
qte  fo  far  from  relaxing  the  mind,  that  they  rather 
encourage  .thought.   Nothing  can  divert  the  mi nd^, 

i,         •     .  ^     .     .  .     •  -><.  ...     when 


dnd  she  STUDIOUS.  f9 

^\\€n  it  gets  into  a  train  of  fcrious  thinking,  but 
attention  to  fubjefts  of  a  more  trivial  nature. 
Thcfe  prove  a  kind  of  play  to  the  mind,  and  con- 
fcqucntly  relieve  \t, 

Learned  men  often  contraft  a  contempt  for  what 
they  call  trifling  company.  They  are  aftiamed  to 
be  fecn  with  any  but  philofophers.  This  however 
is  no  proof  of  their  being  philofophers  themfclvcs* 
No  man  deferves  that  name  who  is  afhamed  to 
unbend  his  mind,  by  aflbciating  with  the  cheerful 
and  gay*  Even  the  focicty  of  children  will  relieve 
the  mind|  and  expel  the  gloom  which  application 
to  (ludy  is  too  apt  to  occafion. 

As  ftudtous  people  are  ncceffarily  much  within 

doors,    they   (hould  make   choice  of  a  large  and 

well-aired  place  for  fludy.     This  would  not  only 

prevent  the  bad  efFefts  which  attend  confined  air, 

but  would   cheer    the    fpirits^   and  have    a   nrK>ft 

happy  influence  both  on  the  body  and  mind.     It 

is  faid  of  Euripides  the  tragedian,  that  he  ufed 

to  retire  to  a  dark  cave  to  compofe  his  tragedies, 

and  of  Dcmofthenes  the  Grecian  orator,  that  he 

chofc  a  place  for  ftudy   where  nothing  could  be 

cither  heard  or  feen.     With  all  deference  to  fuch 

venerable    names,    we    cannot  help    condemning 

their  rafte.     A  man  may  furely  think  to  as  good 

purpofe  in  an  elegant  apartment  as  in  a  cave;   and 

may  have  as  happy    conceptions    where  the  alU 

cheering  rays  of  the  fun  render  the   air    wholes 

fome,  as  in  places  where  they  never  enter. 

Thofe  who  read  or  write  much  fhould  be  very 
attentive  to  their  poftqre.  They  ought  to  fit  and 
(^aod  by  turns,  always  keeping  as  nearly  in  an  eredfc 
pofturc  as  poflTible.  Thofe  who  diftate,  may  do  it 
walking.  It  has  an  excellent  efFe6t  frequently  t6 
jcad  or  fpeak  aloud.  This  not  only  exercifes  the 
Jungs,  but  almoft  the  whole  body.  Hence  ftudi- 
0U8  people  arc  greatly  benefited  by  delivering  dif- 

courfes 


€d  Of  the  LABORIOUS,  the  SEDENTARY, 

cour&$  in  public.  Public  fpcakcrs,  indeed,  fome- 
times  hurt  themfelvcs  by  ovcrafting  their  part  5  but 
this  is  their  own  fauk.  The  martyr  to  mere  voci- 
feration merits  not  our  fympathy. 

The  morning  has,  by  all  medical  writers,  been 
reckoned  the  bcft  time  for  ftgdy.-  It  \%  fo.  But  \i 
is  alfo  the  moft  proper  feafon  for  exercife,  while 
the  ftomach  is  erqpty,  and  the  fpirits  refrefticd  with 
fleep.  Studious  people  fhould  therefore  fometimcs 
ijpend  the  nK>rning  in  walking,  riding,  or  fome 
manly  diverfions  without  doors.  This  would 
make  thicm  return  to  (ludy  with  greater  alacrity, 
and  would  be  of  more  fervice  than  twice  the  tirhe 
after  their  fpirits  are  worn  out  with  fatigue.  It  is 
Aoc  fufiicient  to  take  diverfion  only  when  we  cart 
ihink  no  longer*  Every  (ludlous  perfon  fliould 
make  it  a  part  of  his  bufinefs,  and  fiiould  let  no- 
thing interrupt  his  hours  of  recreation  more  than 
thofe  of  ftudy. 

MuHc  has  a  very  happy  efFeft  in  relieving  the 
jfiWidi  when  fatigued  wicli  ftudy.  It  would  be  well 
if  every  ftudious  perfon  were  fo  far  acquainted 
with  that  fcience  as  to  amufe  himfelf  after  fevere 
thougiit,  by  playing  fuch  airs  as  have  a  tendency 
tp  raife  che  fpirits,  and  inspire  cheerfulnefs  and 
good  bunFK)ur. 

It  is  a  re|>roaeh  to  Learning,  *that  any  of  her 
votaries,  to  relieve  the  mind  after  ftudy,  fliould  be- 
take themfelves  to  the  ufe  of  ftrong  liquors.  This 
indeed  is  a  remedy ;  but  it  is  a  defperate  one,  and 
always  proves  deftru&ivc.  Would  fuch  perfons, 
when  their  fpirits  are  low;  get  on  horfeback,  and 
ride  ten  or  a  dozen  miles,  they  would  find  it  a  more 
effedlual  remedy  than  any  cordial  medicine  in  the 
apothecary's  (hop,  or  all  the  ftrong  liq^uors.  in  the 
world. 

V  The  following  is  my  plan,  and  I  cannot  recon^- 
ificod  a  boccer  to  others.     When  nr)y  mind  is  fa- 
tigued 


and  the  STUDIOUS.  6m 

tigued  witHfl;»dy:,  or  other  iiericHJs  bufinelsi  I  nh(lunt 
my  horfe^  and  ride  ten  or  twelve  miles  into  die 
country^  wliei'e  I  fpend  a  day>  and  fomieumes  two, 
with  a  cheerful  friend ;  after  which  I  never  &il  to 
return  to  town  with  new  vigour,  and  to.purfue  vciy 
fiudics  or  bufinefs  with  freib  alacrity. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  learned  nnen^ 
while  IB  heakh,  pay  fo  little  regard  to  thefe  things ! 
There  is  not  any  thing  more  conmnon  than  to  (ee  m 
mifcrable  objeft  over-run   with    nervous  difcafes, 
t^atbiogf.  walking,  riding,  and,  in  a  word,  doing, 
every  thing  for  health  after  it  is  gone;  yet,  if  any 
one  had   recommended  thcfc  things  to  him  by  way 
of  prevention,  the  advice  would,  in  all  probabi- 
lity, have  been  treated  with- contempt,  or,  at  leafl:, 
with  negled.     Such  is  the  weaknefs  and   folly  of 
mankind,  and  fuch  the  want  of  forefight,  even  ia 
thofc  who  aught  to  be  wifer  than  others  ! 
.  With  regard  to  the  diet  of  the  rtudious,  we  fee 
DO  reafon  why  they  ihould  al^ltain  from  any  kfnd  o^ 
food  that   is  wholefome,  provided  they  ufe  it  ia 
moderation.     They  ought,  however,  to  be  fparing 
in  the  ufc  of  every  thing  that  is  foyr,  windy,  ran- 
cid, or  hard  of  digeftlori.     Their  fuppers  fhoul<i 
always  be   light,  or  take«   foon   in  the   eveniog- 
Thcir  A-ink  may  be  water,  fine  malt  liquor,  not 
too  ftrong,    good  cydei;,  wine   and  watcr>   or,    if 
troubled  with  acidities,  water  mixed  with  a  little 
brandy,  rum,  or  any  other  genuine  fpirit. 

We  (hall  only  obferve,  with  regard  to  thofe  kinds 
of  cxercife  which  are  mod  proper  for  the  ftudious^ 
that  they  {hould  not  be  too  violent,  nor  ever  car- 
ried to  the  degree  of  exceflive  fatigue.  They 
ought  likewife  to  be  frequently  variied  fo  as  to  give 
^ftion  to  all  the  different  parts  of  the  body  -,  and 
fl}ould,  as  often  as  poffible,  be  taken  in  the  opeor 
an,    lo  general,  riding  on   horfeback>    walking^ 

I  working 


6^  OF    A  LIME  Nl*. 

wdrkteg  ih  a  gkrden,  tfr  playing  at  fomc  aftivc  dU 
verfior>S|  are  the  bcft* 

We  'U«6ukl  likcwife  recommend  the  ufc  of  the 
cold' bath  tb  tht  ftudious.  It  will,  in  fomc  mca- 
fure;  fupply  the  place  of  exercife,  and  fholild  not 
be  negleded  by  perfons  of  a  relaxed  habit,  efpc* 
ciaHy  in  the  warm  feafon. 

No  pcrfon  ought  either  to  take  violent  exercife/ 
or  to  ftudy  immediately  after  a  full  meal. 


■  ■  f 


CH'AP.    III. 

■     .       .  .  .  ^ 

OF    ALIMENT. 

rjNWHOLESOME  food,  and  irregularities  in 
^  diet,  occafion  many  difekfes.  Thdre  is  no 
doubt  but  the  whole  conftitution  of  body  may  be 
changed  by  diet  alone.  The  fluids  may  be  thereby 
attenuated  or  condenfed,  rendered  niild  or  acrimo*' 
nious,  coagulated  or  diluted,  toalmoftany  degree, 
^or  are  its  effcfts  upon  the  folids  kfs  conuderable. 
They  may  be  braced  or  relaxed,  have  their  fenfibi- 
Kty,  motions,  &c.  greatly  increafed  or  diminiflied, 
by  different  kinds  of  aliment.  A  very  fmall  atten- 
tion to  thcfe  things  will  be  fufEpient  to  (hew,  how 
much  the  prefcrvation  of  health  depends  upon  4 
proper  regimen  of  the  diet, 

Wor  1$  an  attention  to  diet  neceflfary  for  the  pre^^ 
fervatipn' of  health  only:  it  is  likewifejof  import-* 
ance  in  the  cure  of  difcafcs.  Every  intention  in 
the  cure  of  many  difeafes,  may  be  anfwcred  by  diet 
^lone.  Its  efFeft^,  indeed,  are  not  always  fo  cjuickr 
as  thofc  of  medicine,  but  they  are  generally  more 
lading:  befides,  it  is  neither  fo  difagreeable  to  the 
patient^  nor  fo  dangerous  ias  medicine,  and  is  aU 
ways  more  cafily  otwincd^ 


^ 

^^4.',--*^ 

;.i* 


OF/ AJ^IM^NTu-  ij 

Our  mccQ^on  here  is  t^ot  tQ  inc^uire  q^iHtit^)^|^  into 
the  nature  and  properties  of  the  var^pMS .  kinds  of 
ajiqneqt  in.  ufe  among  ma^kiodji/  hot  toibew  their 
e^edts  upon  the  difiereint  confticutions  of  the  human 
body  $  but  tp  mark  fome  of  the  moft  pernicipus  er^ 
rors  which  people  are  apt  to  fall  intp^  with  refpcdk 
both  to  the  quantity  and  qualities  of  t;heir  food> 
aq^l  ta.  point  put  their  influence  upon  health* 

It  is  not  indeed  an  eafy  matjier  to  afceruin  th^ 

cxaft  quantity  of  food  proper  for  every  age,  fex,  and 

cojiftitution :  but  a  fcrupulous  nicety  here  is  by  no 

mca'ns  neceflary.   .  The  beft  rule  is  to  avoid  all 

extremes.     Mankind  were  never  intended  to  weigh 

and  meafure   their  food.      Nature   teaches   every 

creature  when  it  has  enough;  and  the  calls  of  thirft 

and  hunger  are  fufficient  to  inform  them  when  more 

is  neceflary.  '    :  .  ^ 

'     Though  moderation  is  the  chief  rule  with  regarcj 

to  the  quantity,  yet  the  quality  of  food  merits  a  farr 

thtr  cohfideration.    There  are  ntany  ways  by  which 

provifions   may  be  rendered  unwholefome.      Bad 

icafons  may  either  prevent  the  ripening  of  grain, 

or  damage  it  afterwards.     Thcfe,   indeed,  arc  ads 

of  Providence,  and  we  muft  fubmit  to  them;  but 

Purely  no  punifliment  can  be  too  fevcre  for  thofe 

^hb  fuflfer  provifions  to^fpoil  by  hoarding  them,  on 

purpofe  to  raife  the  price,  or  who  promote  their  own 

^nteicff  by  adulterating  the  neceffaries  of  life  *^ 

Animal,  as  well  as  vegetable  food,  may  be  ren- 
dered unwholefome,  by  being  kept  too  long.  All 
anin[)al  fisbftances  have  a  conftant  tendency  to  putre- 
faftion;  and,  when,  that  has  proceeded  too  far,  they' 

*  The  poor,  indeed,  arc  generally  the  firft  whofuffer  by  unfound' 
P'ovifions;  but  the  lives  of  the  labouring  poor  are  of  great  im«i 
N'tajice  to  the  ftate :  beiides,  difeafes  occafioned  by  unwhoIe«>^ 
•owe  food  often  prove  infediooi,  by  which  means  they  reach  pc^-. 
P'c  in  every  ftation.  It  is  therefore  the  intercft  of  all  to  takif 
^<  Ihat  no  ipoilt  provifions  of  an^  kind  b^  expofcd  tp  ftlc.'-       i 


€4  OP    ALIItoEI^t. 

not  only  b«c6nr)e  offcrifive  to  the  fcrtfts,  btrt  hurtful 
to  he^-fc.  Difeafed  ^nifhsAs,  and  fuch  a*^  die  ofthenri- 
felves>  ought  MVet  to  be  eaten.  It  is  a:  common 
pra/dtice,  however,  in  feme  gracing  cotrttries,  foi 
fervants  a^nd  poor  people  to  ^at  fuch  ailimah  as  die 
of  any  difeafe,  or  ai*c  killed  by  accident.  Poverty, 
inde^di  n>iy  ct)lig^  people  to  do  this ;  but  they  had 
better  eat  a  fmaller  quantity  of  what  is  found  arid 
whol<dfome :  it  would  both  afford  a  better  nourifh- 
menty  and  be  attended  with  Icfs  danger. 

The  injunftions  given  to  the  Jews,  not  to  eat  ztif 
crcatoBtf  which  died  of  itfelf^  feem  to  have  a  ftritt 
ji;gai^  tb  health;  and  ought  to  be  obferved  by 
Ghtiftia^ns  as  weH  as  Jews.  Animals  never  die  of 
Chemfelves  without  fome  previous  difeafe ;  but  hoW 
a  difeafed  animal  fiiould  be  wholefome  food,  is  itir 
conceivable:  even  thofe  which  die  by  accident  nYutt 
be  hurtful,  as  their  bl6od  is  mi'xed  with  the  fleili^ 
and  loon  tuf ns  putrid. 

Anirftals  Which  feed  grofsly,  as  tame  ducks,  h6g^, 
&c.  are  neither  fo  eafily  digeftcd,  nOr  afford  fucb 
wholefome  rtourilhment  as  others.  No  animal  cart 
be  wholefome  which  does  not  take fufficientexercife. 
Mod  of  our  (lalled  cattle  are  crammed  with  groft 
foody  but  not  allowed  ex^rcife  nor  free  air;  by 
which  means  they  indeed  grow  fat,  but  their  juiced 
HOC  bieiiig  properly  prepared  or  affimilated,  remaitt 
crude^  and  occafion  indigeftions,  grofs  humflurs, 
artd  oppreffVon  of  the  fpirits,  in  thofe  whb'  feed 
upon  thtm. 

Animals  are  often  rendered  urt Wholefome  by  being 
oyer- heated.  Exceflive  heat  caufes  a  fever,  exalti 
the  animal  falts,  and  mixes  the  blood  fo  intimately 
with  the  flefh,  that  it  cannot  be  fcparated.  For  this 
reafon,  butchers  fhould  be  feverely  punilhed  who 
over-drive  their  cattle.  No  perfon  would  chufe  to 
cat  the  flefti  of  an  animal  which  had  died  in  a  high* 
fever i  yet  that  is  the  cafe  with  all  over-drove  cattle i 

and 


OF    ALIMENT.  65 

tnd  the  fever  is  often  raifcd  even  to  the  degfee  of 
madnefs. 

But  this  is  not  the  only  way  by  which  butchers 

render  meat  unwholefome.     The  abominable  cuf- 

torn  of  Ailing  the  cellular  membrane  of  animals  with 

air,  in  order  to  make  them  appear  fat,  is  every  day 

pradifed.     This  not  only  fpoils  the  meat,  and  ren* 

dcrs   it  unfit  for   keeping,    but  is  fuch    a  dirty 

trick,  that  the  very  idea  of  it  is  fufficient  to  dif- 

guft  a  perfon  of  any  delicacy  at  every  thing  which 

comes   from   the   Ihambles.      Who   can  bear  the 

thought  of  eating  meat  which  has  been  blown  up 

vith  air  from  the  lungs  of  a  dirty  fellow,  perhaps 

labouring  under  the  very  word  of  difeafes? 

Butchers  have  likewife  a  method  of  filling  the 
tcllular  membranes  of  animals  with  blood.  This 
makes  the  meat  feem  fatter,  and  likewife  weigh 
more,  but  is  notwithftanding  a  very  pernicious  cuf- 
toai,  as  it  both  renders  the  meat  unwholefome  and 
unfit  for  keeping.  I  fcldom  fee  a  piece  of  meat 
from  the  (hamblcs,  where  the  blood  is  not  diftufcd 
through  the  cellular  texture.  I  Ihall  not  fay  that 
this  is  always  the  effcft  of  defign  j  but  I  am  certain 
it  is  not  the  cafe  with  animals  that  are  killed  for 
domcftic  ufe,  and  properly  blooded.  Veal  feemsto 
he  moft  frequently  fpoilt  in  this  way.  Perhaps  that 
may  in  fome  meafure  be  owing  to  the  praftice  of 
carrying  calves  from  a  great  diftance  to  marker,  by 
^hich  means  their  tender  flefh  is  bruifed,  and  many 
of  their  veflcls  bur  ft. 

No  people  in  the  world  eat  fuch  quantities  of  ani- 
mal food  as  the  Englilli,  which  is  one  reafon  why 
they  are  fo  generally  tainted  with  the  fcurvy  and  its 
liumcrous  train  of  confcquences,  indigeftion,  low 
Spirits,  hypochdndriacifm,  &c.  Animal  food  was 
furdy  defigned  for  man,  and,  with  a  proper  mixture 
of  vegetables,  it  will  be  found  the  moft  wholcfome; 

F  but 


66  OFALlMfiNT. 

but  to^  gorge  beef^  muttoiij  pork,  filhy  and  fowlf 
twice  or  thrice  a  day,  is  certainly  too  much.  Al^ 
who  value  health  ought  to  be  contented  with  mak- 
ing one  meal  of  flefli  in  the  twenty- four  hours^  and 
this  ought  to  confift  of  one  kind  only. 

The  moft  obftinate  fcurvy  has  often  been  cured 
by  a  vegetable  diet;  nay,,  milk  alone  will  frequently 
do  more  in  that  difeafe  than  any  medicine.  Hence 
it  is  evident,  that  if  vegetables  and  milk  were  more 
ufed  in  diet,  we  fbould  have  lefs  fcurvy,  and  like- 
wife  fewer  putrid  and  inftammatory  fevers.  Fre(h 
vegetables>  indeed,  come  to  be  daily  more  ufed  in 
dietf  this  laudable  practice  we  hope  will  continue 
to  gain  ground. 

Our  aliment  ought  neither  to  be  too  moifl:  nor 
too  dry.  Moid  aliment  relaxes  the  folids,  and  ren- 
ders the  body  feeble.  Thus  we  fee  females,  wha 
live  much  on  tea  and  other  watery  diet,  generally 
bei:ome  weak,  and  unable  to  diged  folid  food^ 
hence  proceed  hyfterics,  and  all  their  dreadful  con- 
fequences.  On  the  other  hand,  food  that  is  toodry^^ 
renders  the  folids  in  a  manner  rigid,  and  the'hu* 
mours  vifcid,  which  difpo(es  the  body  to  inflamma- 
tory fevers,  fcurvies,  and  the  like. 

Much  has  been  faid  on  the  ill  effefts  of  tea  in  diet* 
They  are,  no  doubt,  numerous;  but  they  proceed 
father  from  the  imprudent  ufe  of  it,  than  from  any 
bad  qualities  in  the  tea  itfelf.  Tea  is  now  the  uni- 
verfal  breakfad  in  this  part  of  the  world;  but  the 
morning  is  furely  the  moft  improper  time  of  theda^f 
for  drinking  it.  Moft  delicate  perfons,  who,  by 
(he  bye,  are  the  greateft  tea*drinkers,  cannot  eac 
any  thing  in  the  morning.  If  fuch  perfons,  after 
falling  ten  or  twelve  hours,  drink  four  or  five  cups 
of  tea  without  eating  almoft  any  bread,  it  mud  hurt 
them.  Good  tea,  taken  in  moderate  quantity,  not 
too  Riongy  nor  too  hot,  nor  drank  upon  an  empty 

ftomacby 


dt^ALlMEMt.  67 

ftomachj  will  feldom  do  harm;  but  if  it  be  bad, 
which  is  often  the  cafe,  or  fubftirutcd  in  the  room 
of  folid  food,  it  mud  have  many  ill  effcfts. 

The  arts  of  cookery  render  many  things  unwhole* 
fome,  which  are  not  fo  in  their  own  nature.     By 
jumbling  together  a  number  of  different   ingre- 
dients, in  order  to  make  a  poignant  fauce  or  rich. 
foup,  the  compofition  proves  almoft  a  poifon.     All 
high  feafoningf  pickles,  &c.  are  only  incentives  to 
luxury,  and  never  fail  to  hurt  the  (lomach.  It  were 
well  for  mankind,  if  cookery,  as  an  art,  were  en- 
tirely prohibited.     Plain  roafting  or  boiling  is  all 
that  the  (lomach  requires.     Thefe  alone  arc  fuffi* 
cient  for  people  in  health,  and  the  tick  have  (till 
lefs  need  of  a  cook. 

The  liquid  part  of  our  aliment  likewife  claims  our 
attention.  Water  is  not  only  the  bafis  of  moft  li*. 
quors,  but  alfo  compofes  a  great  part  of  our  folid 
food.  Good  water  muft  therefore  be  of  the  greatcft 
importance  in  diet.  The  beft  water  is  that  which  is 
moft  pure,  and  free  from  any  mixture  of  foreign 
bodies.  Water  takes  up  parts  of  moft  bodies  with 
vrhich  it  comes  into  contadt;  by  this  means  it  is 
often  impregnated  with  metals  or  minerals  of  a 
hurtful  or  poifonous  nature.  Hence  the  inhabitants 
of  fome  hilly  countries  have  peculiar  difeafes,  which 
ittall  probability  proceed  from  the  water.  Thus 
the  people  who  live  near  the  Alps  in  Switzerland, 
^nd  the  inhabitants  of  the  Peak  of  Derby  in  Eng- 
land, have  large  tumours  or  wens  on  their  necks* 
'f his  difeafe  is  generally  imputed  to  the  fnow  water; 
but  there  is  more  reafon  to  believe  it  is  owing  to 
<hc  minerals  in  the  mountains  through  which  the 
haters  pafs. 

When  water  is  impregnated  with  foreign  bodies, 
It  generally  appears  by  its  weight,  colour,  tafte, 
f'HcIl,  heat,  or  fome  other  fenfible  quality.  ^  Our 
bufiacfs  therefore  is  to  chufc  fych  water,  for^com- 

F  2  mon 


68  OF    ALIMENT. 

ni0rt  ufe,  Is  is  lightcft,  and  without  any  particular 
colour,  taftc,  or  fmcll.  In  nnoft  places  of  Britain 
the  inhabitants  have  it  in  their  power  to  make  choice 
of  their  water;  and  few  things  would  contribute 
more  to  health  than  a  due  attention  to  this  article. 
But  niere  indolence  often  induces  people  to  make 
ufc  of  the  water  that  is  neareft  to  them,  without 
conlidering  its  qualities. 

Before  water  be  brought  into  great  towns,  the 
ftriftcft  attention  ought  to  be  paid  to  its  qualities,  as 
manydifeafes  may  be  occafioncd  or  aggravated  by  bad 
water;  and  when  once  it  has  been  procured  at  a 
great  expence,  people  are  unwilling  to  give  it  up. 

The  common  methods  of  rendering  water  clear  by 
filtration,  or  foft,  by  expofing  it  to*  the  fun  and  air^ 
&c.  are  fo  generally  known,  that  it  is  unneceflary  to 
fpend  time  in  explaining  them.  We  (hall  only,  irt 
general,  advifeall  to  avoid  waters  which  ftagnatelong 
m  fmall  lakes,  ponds,  or  the  like,  as  fuch  waters  of« 
ten  become  putrid,  by  the  corruption  of  animal  and 
vegetable  bodies  with  which  they  abound.  Even 
cattle  frequently  fufFer  by  drinking,  in  dry  feafons^ 
water  which  has  ftood  long  in  fmall  refervoirs,  with- 
out being  fupplied  by  fprings  or  frefhened  with 
ihowers.  AH  wells  ought  to  be  kept  clean,  and  to 
jbave  a  free  comnf^unication  with  the  air. 

•  As  fermented  liquors,  notwithftanding  they  have 
been  exclaimed  againft  by  many  writers,  ftill  continue 
to  be  the  common  drink  of  almoft  every  perfon  who 
can  afford  them;  we  (hall  rather  endeavour  to  aflift 
people  in  the  choice  of  thefe  liquors,  than  pretend  to 
condemn  what  cuftom  has  fo  firmly  eftablifhed.  It 
unot  the  moderate  ufc  of  found  fermented  liquors 
which  hurts  mankind  :  it  is  excefs,  and  ufing  fuch 
as  are  ill  prepared  orvitiated* 

Fermeniied  liquors,  which  are  too  ftrong,  hurt 
digeftion  j  and  the  body  is  fo  far  fi-om  being  (Irength- 
ened  oy  them^  that  it  is  weakened  and  relaxed. 

Many 


.1  ^ .»  ; 


OF  aliment; 

Mahy  imagine  that  hard  labour  could  li^t^be^p- 
ported  without  drinking  (Irong  liquors:  this  is  a 
very  erroneous  notion.  Men  who  never  tafte  ftrong 
liquors  arc  not  only  able  to  endure  more  fatigue, 
but  alfo  live  much  longer,  than  thofe  who  ufe  them 
daily.  But,  fuppoic  (Irong  liquors  did  enable  a  man 
to  do  more  work,  they  muft  neverthelefs  wafte  the 

?owers  of  life,  and  occaflon  premature  old  age« 
'hey  keep  up  a  conftant  fever,  which  exhaufts  the 
fpirits,  inflames  the  blood,  and  difpofes  the  body 
to  numberlcfs  difeafes. 

But  fermented  liquors  may  be  too  weak  as  well 
as  too  ftrong  i  when  that  is  the  cafe,  they  muft  ei- 
ther be  drank  new,  or  they  become  four  and  dead ; 
when  fuch  liquors  are  drank  new,  the  fermentation 
not  being  over,  they  generate  air  in  the  bowels,  and 
occafion   flatulencies ;  and,   when   kept  till  ftale, 
they  four  on  the  ftomach,  and  hurt  digeftion.    For 
this  reafon  all  malt-liquors,  cider,  &c.  ought  to 
be  of  fuch   ftrength  as  to  keep  till  they  be  ripe, 
and  then  they  (hould  be  ufcd.     When  fuch  liquors 
arc  kept  too  long,  though  they  ftiould  not  become 
four,  yet  they  generally  contradt  a  hardnefs,  which 
renders  them  unwholcfome. 

All  families,  who  can,  ought  to  prepare  their 
own  liquors.  Since  preparing  and  vending  of  li* 
quors  became  one  of^  the  moft  general  branches 
of  bufinefs,  every  method  has  been  tried  to  adul« 
teratc  them.  The  great  objeft  both  to  the  makers 
and  venders  of  liquor  is,  to  render  it  intoxicating. 
But  it  is  well  known  that  this  may  be  done  by 
other  ingredients  than  thofe  which  ought  to  be.ufed 
for  making  it  ftrong*  It  would  be  imprudent  even 
^0  name  thofe  things  which  are  daily  made  ufe  of 
to  render  liquors  heady.  Suffice  it  to  fay,  that  the 
Pfafticc  is  very  common,  and  that  all  the.  ingre- 
dients ufcd  for  this  purpofe  are  of  a  narcotic  or 
ft^pcfaftive  quality.   But  as  all  opiates  are  poifon- 

F  3  ous^ 


70  OF    ALIMENT, 

ous>  it  IS  cafy  to  fee  what  mud  be  the  confequenctf 
of  their  general  ufe.  Though  they  do  not  kill 
fuddcnly,  yet  they  hurt  the  nerves,  relax  and 
weaken  the  ftomach^  and  fpoil  the  digeftion. 

Were  fermented  liquors  faithfully  prepared,  kept 
to  a  proper  age,  and  ufed  in  moderation,  they 
would  prove  real  bleffings  to  mankind.  But,  while 
they  are  ill  prepared,  various  ways  ad  ulcerated  j 
and  taken  to  excefs,  they  muft  have  many  perni- 
cious effects. 

We  would  recommend  it  to  families,  not  only  to 
prepare  their  own  liquors,  but  likewife  their  bread. 
Bread  is  fo  neceffary  a  part  of  diet,  that  too  much 
care  cannot  be  bellowed  in  order  to  have  it  found 
and  wholcfome.  For  this  purpofe,  it  is  not  only 
Beceflary  that  it  be  made  of  good  grain,  but  like- 
wife  properly  prepared,  and  kept  free  from  all  un- 
wholefome  ingredients.  This,  however,  we  have 
reafon  to  believe  is  not  always  the  cafe  with  bread 
prepared  by  thofe  who  make  a  trade  of  vending  it. 
Their  objeft  is  rather  to  pleafe  the  eye,  than  to 
confult  the  health.  The  bed  bread  is  that  which 
is  neither  too  coarfe  nor  too  fine;  well  fermented 
and  made  of  wheat  flour,  Of  rather  of  wheat  and 
rye  mixed  together. 

To  fpecify  the  different  kinds  pf  aliment,  to  ex- 
plain their  nature  and  properties,  and  to  point  out 
their  efFefts  in  different  conftitutions,  would  far 
exceed  the  limits  of  our  defign.  Inftead  of  a  de- 
tail of  this  kind,  which  would  not  be  generally  un- 
derftood,  and  of  courfe  little  attended  to,  we 
iHaU  only  mention  the  following  eafy  rules  with  rc- 
fpeft  to  the  choice  of  aliment. 

Ptrfons,  whofe  folids  are  weak  and  relaxed^ 
pught  to  avoid  all  vifcid  food,  or  fuch  things  a$ 
arc  hard  of  di^eftion.  Their  diet,  however,  ought 
to  be  noiirifhing ;  and  they  fhould  take  fufficient 
cxercife  in  the  open  air. 

Such 


.^r- 


OF    ALIMENT.  71 

Such  as  abound  wich  blood  (hould  be  fparing  in 
the  ufe  of  every  thing  that  is  highly  nourifliing,  as 
fat  mcat^  rich  wines,  ftrong  ale,  and  fuch  like. 
Their  food  (hould  con  fid  moftly  of  bread  and  other 
vegetable  fubftancesi  and  their  drink  ought  to  be 
water,  whey,  or  fcnall  be<?r. 

Fat  people  (hould  not  ^eat  freely  of  oily  nou- 
ri(hing  diet.  They  ought  frequently  to  ufe  raddi(h^ 
garlic,  fpices,  or  fuch  things  as  are  heating  and 
promote  pcrfpiration  and  urine.  Their  drink  (hould 
be  water,  coffee,  tea,  or  the  like;  and  they  ought 
to  take  much  exercife  and  little  Deep. 

Thofe  who  are  too  lean  muft  follow  an  oppofice 
icourfc. 

Such  as  are  troubled  with  acidities,  or  who(c 
food  is  apt  to  four  on  the  (lomach,  fiiould  live 
much  on  animal  food;  and  thofe  who  are  afflifted 
with  hot  alkaline  eruftations,  ought  to  ufe  a  diet 
f:onfifting  chiefly  of  acid  vegetables. 

People  who  are  affcfted  with  the  gout,  low  fpirits^ 
hypochondriac  or  hyfteric  diforders,  ought  to  avoid 
all  flatulent  food,  every  thing  that  is  vifcid,  or  hard 
of  digeftion,  all  falted  or  fmoke-dried  provifions, 
and  whatever  is  auftere,  acid,  or  apt  to  four  on  the 
ftomach.  Their  food  fliould  be  light,  fpare,  cool, 
and  of  an  opening  mature. 

The  diet  ought  not  only  to  be  fuited  to  the  age 
and  conftitution,  but  alfo  to  the  manner  of  life:  a 
fcdentary  or  ftudious  perfon  (hould  live  more  fpa- 
ringly  than  one  who  labours  hard  without  doors. 
Many  kinds  of  food  will  nourifli  a  peafant  very 
well  which  would  be  almofl:  indigeftible  to  a  citi- 
zen ;  and  the  latter  will  live  upon  a  diet  on  which 
the  former  would  ftarve. 

Diet  ought  not  to  be  too  uniform.  The  conftant 
ufe  of  one  kind  of  food  might  bave  fomc  bad  ef- 
feds.  Nature  teaches  us  this,  by  the  great  variety 
of  aliment  which  (he  has  provided  for  man,  and 

F  4  likcwife 


72  OF    ALIMENT, 

likewife  by  giving  him  an  appetite  for  diflFcrcnt 
kinds  of  food. 

THofe  who  labour  under  any  particular  difeafe, 
ought  to  avoid  fuch  aliments  as  have  a  tendency 
to  incrcafe  it:  for  example^  a  gouty  perfon  fhould 
not  indulge  in  rich  wines,  ftrong  foups,  or  gravies, 
and  fhould  avoid  all  acids.  One  who  is  troubled 
with  the  gravel  ought  to  (hun  all  auftere  and 
adringent  aliments;  and  thofe  who  are  fcorbut^c 
fhould  be  fparing  in  the  ufe  of  falted  provifions^ 
&c. 

In  the  firft  period  of  life,  our  food  ought  to  he 
light,  but  nourifhing,  and  frequently  taken.  Food 
that  is  folid,  with  a  fufficient  degree  of  tena<;ity,  is 
moft  proper  for  the  (late  of  manhood.  The  diet 
fuited  to  the  laft  period  of  life,  when  nature  is 
upon  the  decline,  approaches  nearly  to  that  of  the 
firft.  It  (hould  be  lighter  and  more  fucculent  than 
that  of  vigorous  age,  and  likewife  more  frequently 
taken. 

It  is  not  only  neceiTary  for  health  that  our  diet  be 
wholefome,  but  alfo  that  it  be  taken  at  regular  pe- 
riods. Some  imagine  long  fafting  will  atone  for 
cxccfs;  but  this,  inftead  of  mending  the  matter, 
generally  makes  it  worfe.  When  the  ftomach  and 
inteftines  arc  over-diftended  with  food,  they  lofc 
their  proper  tone,  and,  by  long  fading,  they  be- 
come weak,  and  inflated  with  wiqd.  Thus,  either 
gluttony  or  fafting  deftroys  the  powers  of  digeftion. 

The  frequent  repetition  of  aliment  }§  not  only 
necefTary  for  repairing  the  continual  wafte  of  our 
bodies,  but  likewife  to  keep  the  fluids  found  and 
fwcet.  Our  humours,  even  in  the  moft  healthy 
ftate,  have  a  conftant  tendency  to  putrefaction, 
which  caa  only  be  prevented  by  freque-nt  fupplics 
of  frcfh  nouriftiment :  when  that  is  wanting  too 
long,  the  putrefadtion  often  proceeds  fo  far  as  to 
Qccafion  very  dangerous  fevers,     Frqm  hence  we 

may 


OF    ALIMENT.  73 

may  learn  the  neccflity  of  regular  meals.  No  per- 
fon  can  enjoy  a  good  ftate  of  healthy  whofe  vefTels 
are  either  frequently  overcharged,  or  the  hu- 
mours long  deprived  of  frelh  fupplies  of  chyle. 

Long  fafting  is  extremely  hurtful  to  young  peo- 
ple; it  not  only  vitiates  their  humours^  but  pre- 
vent$  their  growth.  Nor  is  it  Icfs  injurious  to  the 
aged.  Mod  perfons,  in  the  decline  of  life,  ace 
afflifted  with  wind :  this  complaint  is  not  only  in- 
creafed,  but  even  rendered  dangerous,  and  often 
fatal,  by  long  fafting.  Old  people,  when  their 
ftomachs  are  empty,  arc  frequently  feized  with  gid- 
dinefs,  head-achs,  and  faintnefs.  Thefe  com- 
plaints may  generally  be  removed  by  a  piece  of 
bread  and  a  glafs  of  wine,  or  taking  any  other 
folid  food ;  which  plainly  ppints  out  the  method 
of  preventing  them. 

It  is  more  than  probable,  that  many  of  the 
fudden  deaths,  which  happen  in  the  advanced  pe- 
riods of  life,  are  occafioncd  by  fafting  too  long, 
as  it  exhaufts  the  fpirits,  and  fills  the  bowels  with 
wind;  we  would  therefore  advife  people,  in  the 
decline  of  life,  never  to  allow  their  ftomachs  to  be 
too  long  empty.  Many  people  take  nothing  but 
a  few  cups  of  tea  and  a  little  bread,  from  nine 
o'clock  at  night  till  two  or  three  next  afternoon* 
Such  may  be  faid  to  faft  almoft  three-fourths  of 
their  time.  This  can  hardly  faiji  to  ruin  the  ap- 
petite, vitiate  the  humours,  and  fill  the  bowels 
with  wind;  all  which  might  be  prevented  by  a  fo- 
lid breakfaft:. 

It  is  a  very  common  praftice  to  eat  a  light  break- 
faft  and  a  heavy  fuppcr.  This  cuftom  ought  to  be 
rcvcrfed.  When  people  fup  late,  their  fupper 
ftiould  be  very  light ;  but  the  breakfaft  ought  al- 
ways to  be  folid.  If  any  one  eats  a  light  ujpper, 
goes  foQn  to  bed^  and  rifes  betimes  in  the  morn- 
ing. 


74  OF    ALIMENT. 

ing,  he  will  be  furc  to  find  an  appetite  for  his 
breakfafl:^  and  he  may  freely  indulge  it. 

The  ftrong  and  healthy  do  not  indeed  fufFer  fo 
much  from  fading  as  the  weak  and  delicate;  but 
they  run  great  hazard  from  its  oppofue,  viz.  re- 
pletion. Many  difeafes,  efpecially  fevers,  are  the 
cffeft  of  a  plethora,  or  too  great  fulnefs  of  the  vef- 
fels.  Strong  people,  in  high  health,  have  gene- 
rally a  great  quantity  of  blood  and  other  humours. 
When  thefc  are  fuddenly  increafed,  by  an  over- 
charge of  rich  and  nouriibing  diet,  the  veffcls  be- 
come too  much  diftended,  and  obftruftions  and 
inflammations  enfue.  Hence  fo  many  people  arc 
feized  with  inflammatory  and  eruptive  fevers  after 
a  feafl:  or  debauch. 

All  great  and  fudden  changes  in  diet  are  dan- 
gerous. What  the  ftomach  has  been  long  ac- 
cuftomed  to  digeft,  though  lefs  wholefome,  will 
agree  better  with  if  than  food  of  a  more  falutary 
nature  which  it  has  not  been  ufed  to.  When  there- 
fore a  change  becomes  neccflfary,  it  ought  always  to 
be  made  gradually  j  a  fudden  tranfition  from  a  poor 
and  low,  to  a  rich  and  luxurious  diet,  or  the  con- 
trary, might  fo  difturb  the  functions  of  the  body 
as  to  endanger  health,  or  even  to  occafion  death 
itfelf. 

When  we  recommend  regularity  in  diet,  we  would 
not  be  undcrftood  as  condemning  every  fmall  de- 
viation from  it.  It  is  next  to  impoflible  for  people 
at  all  times  to  avoid  fome  degree  of  excefs,  and 
living  too  much  by  rule  might  make  even  the 
fnn^lefl:  deviation  dangerous.  It  may  therefore  be 
prudent  to  vary  a  little,  fometimes  taking  more, 
loovetimes  lefs,  than  the  ufual  quantity  of  meat  and 
drink,  provided  always  that  a  due  regard  be  had  to 
moder^ioa.' 


It'   ■  ■  r    ^-^ 


[    75    ] 


CHAP.    IV. 

OF    AIR. 

TTNWHOLESOME  air  is  a  very  common  caufc 
^  of  difcafcs.  Few  are  aware  of  the  danger 
ari(ing  from  it.  People  generally  pay  fome  atten- 
tion to  what  they  eat  and  drink,  but  feldom  regard 
what  goes  into  the  lungs,  though  the  latter  proves 
often  more  fuddenly  fatal  than  the  former. 

Air,  as  well  as  water,  takes  up  parts  of  moft 
bodies  with  which  it  comes  into  contaA,  and  is 
often  fo  replenifhed  with  thofe  of  a  noxious  qua- 
lity,  as  to  occafion  immediate  death.  But  fuch 
violent  effedts  feldom  happen,  as  people  are  gene- 
rally on  their  guard  againft  them.  The  lefs  per- 
ceptible influences  of  bad  air  prove  more  gene- 
rally hurtful  to  mankind  i  we  Aiall  therefore  en- 
deavour to  point  out  fome  of  thefe,  and  to  (hew 
from  whence  the  danger  chiefly  arifes. 

Air  may  became  noxious  many  ways.  Whatever 
greatly  alters  its  degree  of  heat,  cold,  moifturc, 
&c«  renders  it  unwholefome:  for  example,  that 
which  is  too  hot  difllpates  the  watry  parts  of  the 
falood,  exalts  the  bile,  and  renders  the  whole  hu- 
mours adUft  and  thick.  Hence  proceed  bilious  and 
inflanvmatory  fevers,  cholera  morbus,  &c.  Very 
cold  air  obftrufts  the  perfpiration,  conftringes  the 
folids,  and  condenfcs  the  fluids.  It  occaflons  rheu- 
matifms,  coughs,  and  catarrhs,  with  other  difeafes 
of  the  throat  and  breafl:.  Air  that  is  too  moiflrde^ 
llroys  the  elafticity  or  fpring  of  the  folids,  induces 
phlegmatic  or  lax  conftitutions,  and  difpofes  the 
body  to  agues,  or  intermitting  fevers,  dropfies,  &c. 
Wherever  great  numbers  of  people  are  crowded 
into  one  place^  if  the  air  has  not  a  free  circulation, 

12  it 


76  OF    AIR. 

it  foon  becomes  unwholcfomc.  Hence  it  is  that 
delicate  pcrfons  are  fo  ap^  to  turn  fick  or  faint  in 
crowded  churches,  aflemblies,  or  any  place  where 
the  air  is  injured  by  breathing,  fires,  candles,  or 
the  like. 

In  great  cities  fo  many  things  tend  to  contami- 
nate the  air,  that  it  is  no  wonder  it  proves  fo  fa* 
tal  to  the  inhabitants.  The  air  in  cities  is  not  only 
breathed  repeatedly  over,  but  is  likewife  loaded 
with  fulphur,  fmokc,  and  other  exhalations,  be- 
fides  the  vapours  continually  arifing  from  innume- 
rable putrid  fubftances,  as  dunghills,  flaughter- 
houfes,  &c.  All  poITible  care  (hould  be  taken  to 
keep  the  ftreets  of  large  towns  open  and  wide,  that 
the  air  may  have  a  free  current  through  them. 
They  ought  likewife  to  be  kept  very  clean.  No- 
ticing tends  more  to  pollute  and  contaminate  the 
air  of  a  city  than  dirty  ftreets, 

It  is  very  common  in  this  country  to  have 
church-yards  in  the  middle  of  populous  cities^ 
Whether  this  be  the  efFcft  of  ancient  fuperftition, 
or  owing  to  the  increafe  of  fuch  towns,  is  a  matter 
of  no  confequence.  Whatever  gave  rife  to  the 
cuftorn,  it  is  a  bad  one.  It  is  habit  alone  which 
reconciles  us  to  thcfe  things;  by -means  of  which 
the  rhoft  ridiculous,  nay  pernicious  cuftoms,  often 
become  facred.  Certain  it  is,  that  thoufands  of 
putrid  carcaftes,  fo  near  the  furface  of  the  earth,  in 
a  place  where  the  air  is  confined,  \rannot  fail  to 
taint  it ;  and  that  fuch  air,  when  breathed  into  the 
Jungs,  muft  occafion  difeafcs  *• 

[Burying  within  churches  is  a  pradlice  (till  more 
^citable.     The  air  in  churches  is  feldom  good, 

^■*  la  moft  eadcrn  countries  it  was  cuAomary  to  bury  the  dead 
^t  fome  diflance  from  any  town.  As  this  pra6lice  obtaioed  amonfir 
tiit  jews,  the  Greeks,  and  alfo  the  Romans,  it  is  ftrange  that  the 
^^eflern  p^rtsof  Europe  fkould  oot  have  foUov^ed  their  example 
.k  I  qaiSom  fo  tn<ly  laudable* 

and 


OF    AIR.  77 

ftnd  the  effluvia  from  putrid  carcafles  mull  render  it 
ftill  worfc.  Churches  are  commonly  old  buildings 
with  arched  roofs.  They  are  feldom  open  above 
once  a  week,  are  never  ventilated  by  fires  nor  open 
windows,  and  rarely  kept  clean.  This  occafions 
that  damp,  mufty,  unwholefome  fmcll  which  one 
feels  upon  entering  a  church,  and  renders  it  a  very 
unTafe  place  for  the  weak  and  valetudinary.  Thefe 
inconveniences  might,  in  a  great  meafure,  be  ob- 
riatedi  by  prohibiting  all  perfons  from  burying 
within  churches,  by  keeping  them  clean,  and  per- 
mitting a  ftrcam  of  frefh  air  to  pafs  frequently 
through  them,  by  opening  oppofite  doors  and  win- 
dows. 

Wherever  air  ftagnates  long,  it  becomes  un- 
wholefome. Hence  the  unhappy  perfons  confined 
in  jails  not  only  contraft  malignant  fevers  them- 
fclvcsi  but  often  communicate  them  to  others. 
Nor  ahc  many  df  the  hole^i  for  we  cannot  call  them 
houfcs,  poffeflcd  by  the  poor  in  great  towns,  much 
better  than  iails.  Thefe  low  dirty  habitations  are 
the  very  lurking-places  of  bad  air  and  contagious^ 
difcafes.  Such  as  live  in  them  feldom  enjoy  good 
health  -,  and  their  children  commonly  die  young. 
In  the  choice  of  a  houfe,  thofe  who  have  it  in  their 
power  ought  always  to  pay  the  grcateft  attention 
to  open  free  air. 

The  various  methods  which  luxury  has  invented 
to  make  houfes  clofe  and  warm,  contribute  not  a 
little  to  render  them  unwholefome.  No  houfe  cam 
he  wholefome  unlefs  the  air  has  a  (rcc  paflagc 
through  it.  For  which  reafon  houfes  ought  daily 
to  be  ventilated,  by  opening  oppofite  windows,  and 
admitting  a  current  of  frefti  air  into  every  room, 
^cds,  inftead  of  being  made  up  as  foon  as  people 
nfc  out  of  them,  ought  to  be  turned  down,  and 
^xpofcd  to  the  frefh  air  from  the  open  windows 
through   the  day.     This  would  expel  any noxiGus 

vapour, 
9 


78  OF    AIR. 

vapour,  and  could  not  fail  to  promote  the  liealtti 
of  the  inhabitants. 

In  hofpitals,  jails,  fhipsi  &c.  where  that  cannot 
be  conveniently  done,  ventilators  ihould  be  ufed* 
The  method  of  expelling  foul,  and  introducing 
frefh  air,  hy  means  of  ventilators,  is  a  mofl:  falu- 
tary  invention,  and  is  indeed  the  moil  ufeful  of 
all  our  modern  medical  improvements.  It  is  ca« 
pable  of  univerfal  application,  and  is  fraught  with 
numerous  advantages,  both  to  thofe  in  health  and 
Gcknefs.  In  all  places,  where  numbers  of  people 
are  crowded  together,  ventilation  becomes  abfo-. 
lutely  neceffary. 

Air  which  ftagnates  in  mines,  wells,  cellars.  Sec. 
is  extremely  noxious.  That  kind  of  air  is  to  be 
avoided  as  the  mod  deadly  poifon.  It  often  kilU 
almofl:  as  quickly  as  lightning.  For  this  reafon, 
people  fhould  be  very  cautious  in  opening  cellars 
that  have  been  long  ihut,  or  going  down  into 
deep  wells  or  pits,  efpecially  if  they  have  been 
kept  clofe  covered*. 

Many  people  who  have  fplendid  houfes,  chufe 
to  fleep  in  fmall  apartments.  This  condu£l  is  very 
imprudent.  A  bed-chamber  ought  always  to  be 
well  aired ;  as  it  is  generally  occupied  in  the  night 
only,  when  all  doors  and  windows  are  (hut.  If  a 
fire  be  kept  in  it,  the  danger  from  a  fmall  room 
becomes  ftill  greater.  Numbers  have  been  ftifled 
when  afleep  by  a  fire  in  a  fmall  apartment,  which 
is  always  hurtful. 

Thofe  who  are  obliged,  on  account  of  buGnefs, 
to  fpend  the  day  in  clofe  towns,  ought,  if  poifible, 
to  Oeep  in  the  country.    Breathing  free  air  in  the 

*  We  have  daily  accountiof  perTont  who  lofe  their  lives  by 
going  down  into  deep  wells  and  other  placet  where  the  air  ftag- 
nates; all  thefe  accidents  might  be  prevented  by  only  letting 
down  a  lighted  candle  before  theoiy  and  ftopping  when  they  per- 
ceive it  go  out ;  yet  ihia  precauiioo,  fipple  as  it  is,  is  feldom  ufed. 

night 


*■ .    I 


OF    AIR.  79 

night  win,  in  fomc  mcafure,  make  up  for  the  want 
of  it  through  the  day.  This  practice  would  have 
a  greater  cfFcft  in  prefcrving  the  health  of  citizens 
than  is  commonly  imagined. 

Delicate  pcrfons  ought,  as  much  as  pofllble,  to 
avoid  the  air  of  great  towns.  It  is  peculiarly  hurt- 
ful to  the  afthmatic  and  confumptivc.  Such  per- 
fons  (hould  avoid  cities  as  they  would  the  plague. 
The  hypochondriac  are  likewife  much  hurt  by  it. 
I  have  often  feen  perfons  lb  much  afflided  with  this 
malady  while  in  town,  that  it  fcemed  impoffible 
for  them  to  live,  who,  upon  being  removed  to  the 
country,  were  immediately  relieved.  The  fame 
obfervation  holds  with  regard  to  nervous  and  hy- 
fteric  women.  Many  people,  indeed,  have  it  not 
in  their  power  to  change  their  fituation  in  qucftof 
better  air.  All  we  can  fay  to  fuch  perfons  is,  that 
they  (hould  go  as  often  abroad  into  thr  open  air 
as  they  can,  that  they  fhould  admit  frcfti  air  fre- 
quently into  their  houfes,  and  take  care  to  keep 
them  very  clean. 

It  was  neceffary  in  former  times,  for  fafety,  to 
furround  cities,  colleges,  and  even  fmgle  houfcs, 
with  high  walls.  Thefe,  by  obftrufting  the  free 
current  of  air,  never  fail  to  render  fuch  places 
damp  and  unwholefome.  As  fuch  walls  arc  now, 
in  moft  parts  of  this  country,  become  ufelefs,  they 
ought  to  be  pulled  down,  and  every  method  taken 
to  admit  a  free  paflage  to  the  air.  Proper  attention 
to  Air  and  Cleanliness  would  tend  more  to  pre- 
ferve  the  health  of  mankind,  than  all  the  endeavours 
of  the  faculty. 

Surrounding  houfes  too  clofely  with  planting,  or 
thick  woods,  likewife  tends  to  render  the  air  un- 
wholefome. Wood  not  only  obftrufts  the  free  cur- 
rent of  the  air,  but  fends  forth  great  quantities  of 
moift  exhalations,  which  render  it  conftantly  damp. 
Wood  is  very  agreeable  at  a  proper  dittancc  from  a 

houfe. 


8o  OF    AIR. 

houfe,  but  (hould  never  be  planted  tod  near  it^  tfpc^ 
cially  in  a  Sac  country.  Many  of  the  gentlemen's 
feats  in  England  are  rendered  very  unwholefome  from 
the  great  quantity  of  wood  which  furrounds  them. 

Houfes  fituated  in  low  mar(hy  countries^  or  near 
large  lakes  of  (lagnating  water^  are  likewife  un- 
wholefome. Waters  which  ftagnate  not  only  render 
the  air  damp^  but  load  it  with  putrid  exhalations^ 
which  produce  the  mod  dangerous  and  fatal  difeafes. 
Thofe  who  are  obliged  to  inhabit  marfliy  countries, 
ought  to  make  choice  of  the  dryeft  fituations  ihcj 
can  find,  to  live  gcneroufly,  and  to  pay  the  ftri<5left 
regard  to  cleanlinefs. 

If  frefh  air  be  neceflary  for  thofe  in  health,  it  is 
ftill  more  fo  for  the  fick,  who  often  lofe  their  lives 
for  want  of  it.  The  notion  that  fick  people  muft  be 
kept  very  hot,  is  fo  common,  that  one  can  hardly 
enter  the  chamber  wKere  a  patient  lies,  without 
being  ready  to  faint,  by  reafon  of  the  hotfufFocat- 
ing  fmell.  How  this  muft  afFeft  the  fick  any  one 
may  judge.  No  medicine  is  fo  beneficial  to  the  fick 
as  frefti  air.  It  is  the  moft  reviving  of  all  cordials, 
if  it  be  adminiftered  with  prudence.  We  are  not, 
however,,  to  throw  open  doors  and  windows  at  ran- 
dom upon  the  fick.  Frefli  air  .is  to  be  let  into  the 
chamber  gradually,  and,  if  poflTible,  by  opening 
the  windows  of  fome  other  apartment. 

The  air  of  a  fick  perfon's  chamber  may  be  greatly 
frefliened,  and  the  patient  much  revived,  by  fprink- 
ling  the  floor,  bed,  &c.  frequently  with  vinegar, 
juice  of  lemon,  or  any  other  ftrong  vegetable  acid. 

In  places  where  numbers  of  fick  arc  crowded  into 
the  fame  houfe,  or,  which  is  often  the  cafe,  into  the. 
fame  apartment,  the  frequent  admiflion  of  frefli  air 
becomes  ablolutcly  neceflary.  Infirmaries,  hofpi- 
tals,  &c.  arc  often  rendered  fo  noxious,  for  want  of 
proper  ventilation,  that  the  fick  run  more  hazard 
irom  them  than  from  the  difcafc.  This  is  particu- 
larly 


bF    EXERCISE;  8t 

Itriy  the  cafe  when  putrid  fevers^  dyfenterlesi  and 
other  infeftiotis  difeafes  prevail. 

Phyficians^  furgeonSi  ^^d  othi^rs  who  attend  ho- 
fpitalsj  ought>  for  their  own  fafety^  to  take  care  thac 
they  be  properly  ventilated;  Such  perfond  as, are 
obliged  to  fpend  mod  of  their  time  amongft  the  fick^ 
run  great  hazard  df  being  themfelves  infe£ted  when 
the  air  is  bad.  All  hofpitalsj  arid  places  of  recep* 
tion  for  the  fick,  ought  to  have  an  open  fitiialtion^  at 
ibme  diftance  from  any  great  town ^  and  fuch  patients 
as  labour  under  any  infe£tious  difeafe  ought  never  to 
be  fufFcrcd  to  come  near  the  reft  *• 


ma^ 


G  H  A  p.     V* 

OF    EXERCISE. 

XlANY  people  look  upon  the  fteceffity  man  is 
'*'  under  of  earning  his  bread  by  labour,  as  a 
curfe.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  evident  from  the 
ftnifture  of  the  body,  that  exercifc  is  not  lefs  necef- 
fary  than  food  for  the  prefcrvation  of  health:  thofii 
^hom  poverty  obliges  to  labour  for  daily  bread,  are 
not  only  the  moft  healthy,  but  generally  the  moft 
l^appy  part  of  mankind.  Induftry  Icldom  fails  to  place 
filch  above  want,  and  activity  fcrvcs  them  inftead  of 
phyfic.  This  is  peculiarly  the  cafe  with  thofc  who 
'i>^c  by  the  culture  of  the  ground.  The  great  in- 
crcafc  of  inhabitants  ininfant  colonics,  and  the  longe- 
vity of  fuch  as  follow  agriculture  every  where,  evi- 
dently prove  it  to  be  the  moft  healthful  as  well  as 
Ihc  molt  ufeful  employment. 

*  A  year  feldom  paflei  that  We  do  not  bear  of  Tome  hdrpital 
P^yfician  or  forgeon  having  loft  his  iife  by  an  hofpftal  fever 
^^ght  from  his  patieots.  For  this  they  have  thctsfelyea  alone 
t<^  blame.  Tbeir  patients  are  either  in  an  improper  ficuaiion,  or 
^^  are  too  carelefs  with  regard  to  their  own  cooduvl. 

G  The 


If  OF    EXERCISE. 

The  love  of  adivity  (hews  itfclf  very  early  in  rotm 
So  ftrong  is  this  principle,  that  a  healthy  youth  can* 
not  be  reftrained  from  cxcrcifc,  even  by  the  fear  of 
punilhment.  Our  love  of  motion  is  furely  a  ftrong 
proof  of  its  utility.  Nature  implants  no  difpofition 
HI  vain.  It  feems  to  be  a  catholic  law  throughout 
the  whole  animal  creation,  that  no  creature,  without 
cxercife,  0iould  enjoy  health,  or  be  able  to  find  fub- 
fiftence.  Every  creature,  except  man,  takes  as  much 
of  it  as  is  neceflary.  He  alone,  and  fuch  animals  as 
are  under  his  direftlon,  deviate  from  this  original 
law,  and  they  fuffer  accordingly. 

Inaftivity  never  fails  to  induce  an  univerfal  re- 
laxation of  the  folids,  which  difpofes  the  body  to 
innumerable  difeafes.  When  the  folids  are  relaxed, 
neither  the  digeftion,  nor  any  of  the  fecretions,  can 
be  duly  performed.  In  this  cafe,  the  worft  confe« 
quences  muft  enfue*  How  can  perfons  who  loll 
all  day  in  eafy  chairs,  and  deep  all  night  on  beds  of 
down,  fail  to  be  relaxed  ?  Nor  do  fuch  greatly  mend 
the  matter,  who  never  ftir  abroad  but  in  a  coach, 
(cdan,  or  fuch  like.  Thefe  elegant  pieces  of  luxur/ 
are  become  fo  common,  that  the  inhabitants  of  great 
towns  feem  to  be  in  fome  danger  of  lofing  the  u(e 
of  their  limbs  altogether.  It  is  now  below  any  one 
to  walk,  who  can  afford  to  be  carried.  How  ridi-* 
eulous  would  it  feem,  to  a  perfon  unacquainted  with 
tnodern  luxury,  to  behold  the  young  and  healthy 
fwinging  along  on  the  fhoulders  of  their  fellow-crea« 
tures !  or  to  fee  a  fat  carcafe,  over-run  with  difeafes 
occafioned  by  inaAivity,  dragged  through  the  ftreets 
by  half  a  dozen  horfes  *  I 

*  It  it  not  neceffity»  but  fa{hion»  which  makes  the  ofe  of  car- 
riages fo  common.  There  are  many  people  who  have  not  exer* 
cife  enough  to  keep  their  humoars  from  ftagnation,  who  yet  dare 
not  venture  to  make  avifit  to  their  next  neighbours,  but  in  a  coack 
or  fedan«  left  they  fhould  be  looked  dowa  upon.  Strange,  that 
men  ihould  be  foch  fools  as  to  be  laughed  out  of  the  ofe  of  their 
Kmbs,  or  to  throw  away  their  health,  in  order  to  gratify  a  piece 
of  vanity,  or  to  comply  with  a  ridicalois  fafhion ! 

Glandular 


OF    EXERCISE.  8J 

Glandular  obftruf^ions,  now  fo  common,  ge« 
ncrally  proceed  from  inadivicy.  Thefe  are  the  moft 
obftinate  of  maladies.  So  long  as  the  liver,  kid* 
nies^  and  other  slands,  duly  perform  their  func^ 
tions,  health  is  Feldom  impaired;  but,  when  they 
fail,  nothing  can  reftore  it.  Exercife  is  almoft  the 
only  cure  we  know  for  glandular  obftrudlions;  in- 
deed, it  does  not  always  fucceed  as  a  remedy;  but 
there  is  reafon  to  believe  that  it  would  feldom  fail 
to  prevent  thefe  complaints,  were  it  ufed  in  due 
time.  One  thing  is  certain,  that,  amongft  thofe 
who  take  fufficient  exercife,  glandular  difeafes  are 
very  little  known ;  whereas  the  indolent  and  inadive 
arc  feldom  free  from  them. 

Weak  nerves  are  the  conftant  companions  of  in« 
aftivicy.  Nothing  but  exercife  and  open  air  can 
brace  and  ftrengthen  the  nerves,  or  prevent  the  end- 
lefs  train  of  difeafes  which  proceed  from  ^  relaxed 
ftate  of  thefe  organs.  We  feldom  hear  the  aflive  or 
laborious  complain  of  nervous  difeafes;  thefe  are 
referved  for  the  fons  of  eafe  and  affluence.  Many 
have  been  completely  cured  of  thefe  diforders  by 
being  reduced,  from  a  lYate  of  opulence,  to  labour 
for  their  daily  bread.  This  plainly  points  out  the 
fources  from  whence  nervous  difeafes  Aow,  and  the 
means  by  which  they  may  be  prevented. 

It  is  abfolutely  impoffible  to  enjoy  healthy  where 
the perfpiration  is  not  duly  carried  on;  but  that  can 
never  be  the  cafe  where  exercife  is  negle6ted.  Whea 
the  matter  which  ought  to  be  thrown  oflTby  perfpira- 
tion  is  retained  in  the  body^  it  vitiates  the  humours^ 
and  occafions  the  gout,  fevers,  rheumatifm^  &c. 
Exercife  alone  would  prevent  many  of  thoie  difeafes 
which  cannot  be  cured,  and  would  remove  others 
where  medicine  proves  ineffeAual. 

A  late  author*,  in  his  excellent  treatife  on  healthy 
lays^  that  the  weak  and  valetudinary  ought  to  make 

•  Cheyoe. 

G  2  cxtrcUe 


84  OFEXERCISE. 

cxcrcifc  a  part  of  their  religion.  We  would  recom- 
mend this,  not  only  to  the  weak  and  valetudinary, 
but  to  all  whofe  bufinefs  does  not  oblige  them  to 
take  fufEcicnt  exercife,  as  fedentary  artificers*, 
ihop-keeperSy  ftudious  perfons,  &c.  Such  ought 
to  ufe  exercife  as  regularly  as  they  take  food.  This 
might  generally  be  done  without  any  interruption  to 
bufinefs  or  real  lofs  of  time. 

No  piece  of  indolence  hurts  the  health  more  than 
the  mpdern  cuftom  of  lying  a-bed  too  long  in  a 
morning.  This  is  the  general  practice  in  great  towns. 
The  inhabitants  of  cities  feldom  rife  before  eight  or 
nine  o'clock;  but  the  morning  is  undoubtedly  the 
beft  time  for  exercife,  while  the  ftomach  is  empty, 
and  the  body  refrelhed  with  fleep.  Befides,  the 
morning  air  braces  and  ftrengthens  the  nerves,  and, 
in  fome  meafure,  anfwers  the  purpofe  of  a  cold 
bath.  Let  any  one  who  has  been  accufi:omed  to 
liea-bed  till  eight  or  nine  o'clock,  rife  by  fix  or 
feven,  fpend  a  couple  of  hours  in  walking,  riding, 
or  any  adive  diverfion  without  doors,  and  he  will 
find  his  fpirits  cheerful  and  ferene  through  the  day, 
his  appetite  keen,  and  his  body  braced  andfirength« 
ened.     Cufiom  foon  renders  early  rifing  agreeable, 

*  Sedentary  occupations  ought  chiefly  to  be  followed  by  wo. 
men.  They  bear  confinement  much  better  than  men,  and  are 
fitter  for  every  kind  of  bufinefs  which  does  not  require  much 
Arength.  It  is  ridiculous  enough  to  fee  a  ludy  fellow  making 
pins,  needles,  or  watch-wheels^  while  many  of  the  laborious  pares 
of  hufbandry  are  carried  on  by  the  other  fex.  The  fadl  is,  we 
want  men  for  laborious  employments,  while  one  half  of  the  other 
fex  are  rendered  nfelefs  for  want  of  occupations  fuited  to  their 
/Irength,  &;c.  Were  girls  bred  to  mechanical  employments,  we 
•ihould  not  fee  fuch  numbers  of  them  prollitute  themfelves  for 
bread,  nor  find  fuch  a  want  of  men  for  the  important  purpofes  of 
navigation,  agriculture.  Sec.  An  eminent  filk  manufaflurer  told 
xne,  that  he  found  women  anfwer  better  for  that  bufinefs,  than 
jnen ;  and  that  he  had  lately  taken  a  great  many  girls  appren- 
tices as  filk-weavers.  I  hope  his  example  will  be  followed  by 
nany  others. 

and 


'.•51 


OF    EXERCISE.  85- 

and  nothing  contributes  more  to  the  prefervation  of 
health. 

The  inadive  are  continually  complaining  of  pains, 
of  the  (lomach,  flatulencies^  indigeftions,  &c.  Thefe 
complaints,  which  pave  the  way  to  many  others,  arc 
not  to  be  removed  by  medicines.  They  can  only 
be  cured  by  a  vigorous  courfe  of  cxercife,  to  which 
indeed  they  fcldom  fail  to  yield. 

Exercife,  if  poflible,  ought  always  to  be  taken 
m  the  open  air.  When  that  cannot  be  done,  vari- 
ous methods  may  be  contrived  for  exercifing  the 
body  within  doors,  as  the  dumb  bell,  dancing, 
fencing,  &c.  It  is  not  neccflfary  to  adhere  ftriftly 
to  any  particular  kind  of  exercife.  The  beft  way 
is  to  take  them  by  turns,  ^nd  to  ufe  that  longefl: 
which  is  mod  fuitable  to  the  ftrength  and  confti« 
tution^  Thofe  kinds  of  exercife  which  give  adioa 
to  moft  of  the  bodily  organs,  are  always  to  be  pre- 
ferred, as  walking,  running,  riding,  digging,  fwim- 
ming,  and  fuch  like. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  aflive  and  manly 
diverfions  are  now  fo  little  pra£tifed.  Diverflons 
make  people  take  more  exercife  than  they  other- 
wife  would  do,  and  are  of  the  greateft  fervice  to 
fuch  as  are  not  under  the  neceflity  of  labouring 
for  their  bread.  As  adivediverfions  lofe  ground^ 
ihofe  of  a  fedentary  kind  fcem  to  prevail.  Seden- 
tary diverfions  are  of  no  other  ufe  but  to  confumc 
tinte.  Inftead  of  relieving  the  mind,  they  often 
require  more  thought  than  either  ftudy  or  buHnefs. 
Every  thing  that  induces  people  to  flt  ftill,  unlefs 
it  be  fome  neccffary  employment,  ought  to  be 
avoided. 

The  diverfions  which  afford  the  beft  exercife 
are,  hunting,  (hooting,  playing  at  cricket,  hand- 
ball, golflf  *,  &c,     Thefe  exercife  the  limbs,  pro- 

mote 

*  Golff*  IS  a  diveriion  very  common  in  North  Britain.  It  it 
well  calculated  for  exercifing  the  body,  and  may  always  be  taken 

G   3  in 


86  OF    EXERCISE. 

mote  perfpiration,  and  the  other  fccrctions.  They 
likewifc  ftrengthcn  the  lungs,  and  give  firmnefs 
and  agility  to  the  whole  body. 

Such  as  can,  ought  to  fpcnd  two  or  three  hours 
a-day  on  horfeback;  thofc  who  cannot  ride,  (hould 
employ  the  fame  time  in  walking.  Exercifc  (hould 
never  be  continued  too  long.  Over- fatigue  pre- 
vents the  benefit  of  exercife,  and  inftead  of  ftrength- 
ening  the  body  tends  to  weaken  it. 

Every  man  fhould  lay  himfelf  under  fome  fore 
of  ncccffity  to  take  exercifc.  Indolence,  like  other 
vices  when  indulged,  gains  ground,  and  at  length 
becomes  agreeable.  Hence  many  who  were  fond 
df  exercifc  in  the  early  |>art  of  life,  become  quite 
ivcrfe  from  it  afterwards.  This  is  the  cafe  of 
mod  hypochondriac  and  gouty  people,  which  ren- 
ders their  difeafes  in  a  great  meafure  incurable. 

In  fome  countries  laws  have  been  made,  obliging 
every  man,  of  whatever  rank,  to  learn  fome  me* 
chanical  employment.  Whether  fuch  laws  were 
defigned  for  the  prefervation  of  health,  or  the  en- 
couragement of  manufafture,  is  a  queftion  of  no 
irtiportancc.  Certain  it  is,  that  if  gentlemen  were 
frequently  to  amufe  and  exercife  themfelvcs  in  this 
Way,  it  might  have  ^any  good  cfFcdls.  They 
would  at  lead  derive  as  much  honour  from  a  few 
mafterly  fpecimens  of  their  own  workmanfhip,  as 
from  the  charafter  of  having  ruined  moft  of  their 
companions  by  gaming  or  drinking.  Befides^  rfien 
of  leifure,  by  applying  themfelvcs  to  the  mecha- 
nical arts,  might  improve  them,  to  the  great  bene- 
fit of  focicty. 

Indolence  not  only  occafions  difeafes,  and  rcn* 
ders  men  ufelefs  to  focicty,  but  promotes  all  man- 
ner of  vice.     To  fay  a  man  is  idle,  is  little  better 

than  calling  him  vicious*     The  mind,  if  not  cn^ 

# 

in  fuch  moderation 9  as  neither  to  over-heat  nor  fatigue.  It  hat 
greatly  the  preference  over  cricket».  tennis,  or  any  of  chofe  games 
which  cannot  be  played  without  violence. 

7  gaged 


OF  SLEEP  AND   CLOTHING.       f? 

gaged  in  fome  ufeful  purfuit^  is  conftantly  in  queft 
of  ideal  pleafurcs,  or  imprefled  with  the  appre*- 
benGon  of  fome  irnasinary  evil.  From  thefe 
fources  proceed  mod  or  the  miferies  of  mankindi 
Certainly  man  was  never  intended  to  be  idle.  In* 
activity  fruftrates  the  very  defign  of  his  creation; 
whereas  an  adive  life  is  the  bed  guardian  of  vir*- 
tue^  and  the  greateft  prefofvative  of  health* 


CHAP.     VI. 

OF   SLEEP   AND   CLOTHING. 

O  L  E  E  P,  as  well  as  diet,  ought  to  be  duly  rc- 
^  gulated.  Too  little  fleep  weakens  the  nerves, 
cxhaufts  the  fpirits,  and  occafions  difeafes ;  and  too 
much  renders  the  mind  dull,  the  body  grofs,  and 
difpofes  to  apoplexies,  lethargies,  and  other  com« 
plaints  of  a  fimilar  nature.  A  medium  ought 
therefore  to  be  obferved;  but  this  is  not  eafy  to 
fix.  Children  require  more  fleep  than  grown  per- 
fons,  the  laborious  than  the  idle,  and  fuch  as  eat 
and  drink  freely,  than  thofe  who  live  abftemioufly. 
Befides,  the  real  quantity  of  fleep  cannot  be  mea<» 
fured  by  time;  as  one  perfon  will  be  more  re- 
frelhed  by  five  or  fix  hours  fleep,  than  another  by 
eight  or  ten. 

Children  may  always  be  allowed  to  take  as  much 
fleep  as  they  pleafe ;  but,  for  adults,  fix  or  feven 
hours  is  certainly  fufiicient,  and  no  one  ought  to 
exceed  eight.  Thofe  who  lie  a-bed  more  than  eight 
hours  may  flumber,  but  they  can  hardly  be  faid  to 
fleep;  fuch  generally  tofs  and  dream  away  the 
fore-part  of  the  night,  fink  to  reft  towards  morn- 
ing, and  dofe  till  noon.  The  beft  way  to  make 
fleep  found  and  refreftiing  is  to  rife  betimes.  The 
cuftom  of  lying  a-bed  for  nine  or  ten  hours,  not 

G  4  vnly 


8S      OF  SLEEP  AND    CLOTHING. 

only  makes  the  fleep  lefs  refre(hing,  but  relaxes 
the  folids,  and  greatly  weakens  the  confticucion. 

Nature  points  out  night  as  the  proper  feafon  for 
deep.  Nothing  more  certainly  deftroys  the  con- 
fiitutibn  than  night- watching.  It  is  great  pity  that 
a  praftice  fo  deftruftive  to  health  (hould  be  fo 
much  in  ^fliion.  How  quickly  the  want  of  reft 
in  due  feafon  will  blaft  the  moft  blooming  com- 
plexion, or  ruin  the  b^ft  cqnftitution,  is  evident 
from  the  ghaftly  countenances  of  thofd  who,  as 
the  phrafe  i§,  tgrn  day  into  night,  and  night 
into  day. 

To  make  fleep  refrelhing,  the  following  things 
are  rcquifite:  Firft,  to  take  fufficient  excrcife  in 
the  open  air  j  to  ^void  ftrong  tea  or  coffee  j  next, 
^o  eat  a  light  fupper;  and  laftly,  to  lie  do^n  wiiH 
a  mind  as  chejeflTul  and  ferene  as  poflible. 

It  is  certain  that  too  much  exercife  will  pre- 
vent fleep,  as  well  as  too  little.  Wc  feldprn  how* 
ever  hear  the  aftive  and  laborious  complain  of  reft- 
lefs  nights.  It  is  the  indqlent  and  flothful  whp 
generally  have  thefe  complaipts.  Is  it  any  wonder 
^hat  a  bed  of  down  ftiould  not  be  refrcfhing  to  a 
perfon  who  fit^  all  day  in  an  cafy  chair  ?  A  great 
part  of  the  pleafurc  of  life  confifts  in  alternate  reft 
and  motion  i  but  they  who  neglcA  the  latter  can 
never  relifh  the  former.  The  labourer  enjoys  more 
true  luxury  in  plain  food  and  found  fleep,  than  is 
to  be  found  in  fumptuous  tables  and  downy  pillows, 
where  exercife  is  wanting. 

That  light  fuppers  caufe  found  fleep,  is  true  even 
to  a  proverb.  Many  pcffons,  if  they  exceed  the 
Jeaft  at  that  meal,  are  fure  to  have  uneafy  nights  j 
and,  if  they  fall  afleep^  the  load  and  pppreflloa 
pn  their  ftomach  and  fpirits  pccafion  frightful 
dreams*  broken  and  difturbed  repofc,  the  night- 
mare, &c.  Were  the  fame  perfons  to  go  to  bed 
with  a  light  fupper,  or  fit  up  till  that  mwl  was 


OP   SLEEP  AND    CLOTHING.       89 

pretty  well  digcfted,  they  would  enjoy  found  (leep, 
^d  rife  rcfrclhed  and  cheerful.  There  are  indeed 
fofne  people  who  cannot  fleep  unlcfs  they  have  eat 
fome  folia  food  at  night,  but  this  does  not  imply 
the  ncceffity  of  a  heavy  fupper ;  befides,  thefe  arc 
generally  perfons  who  have  accuftomed  thcmfelves 
CO  this  method,  and  who  do  not  take  a  fufficienc 
quantity  of  folid  food  and  exercife. 

Nothing  more  certainly  difturbs  our  repofe  than 
anxiety.  When  the  mind  is  not  at  eafe,  one  feldoin 
enjoys  found  fleep.  That  greateft  of  human  blelT- 
ings  flies  the  wretched,  and  vifits  the  happy,  the 
cheerful,  and  the  gay.  This  is  a  fufEcicnt  reafon 
why  every  man  fliould  endeavour  to  be  as  eafy  in 
his  mind  as  pofljble  when  he  goes  to  reft.  Many, 
by  indulging  grief  and  anxious  thonghr,  have  ba- 
niflied  found  fleep  fo  long,  that  they  could  never 
afterwards  enjoy  it. 

Sleep,  when  taken  in  the  fore-part  of  the  night, 
is  generally  reckoned  moft  refrcfliing.  Whether 
this  be  the  efFcfl:  of  habit  or  not,  is  hard  to  fay ; 
but  as  moft  people  are  accuftomed  to  go  early  to 
bed  when  young,  it  may  be  prefumed  that  fleep, 
at  this  feafon,  will  prove  moft  rcfreftiing  to  them 
ever  after.  Whether  the  fore-part  of  the  night  be 
beft  for  fleep  or  not,  furcly  the  fore-part  of  the 
day  is  fitteft  both  for  bufinefs  and  amufcment.  I 
hardly  ever  knew  an  early  rifcr  who  did  not  enjoy 
a  good  ftate  of  health  *. 

Of  Clothivg. 

The  clothing  ought  to  be  foited  to  the  climate. 
f[)uftom  has  no  doubt  a  very  great  influence  in  this 

*  Men  of  every  occupation^  and  in  tvtty  fituation  of  iife* 
have  lived  to  a  good  old  age  j  nay  fome  have  enjoyed  this  blefl- 
JDg  whofe  plan  of  living  was  by  no  means  regular :  but  it  con- 
fias  with  obfcrvation,  that  all  very  old  men  have  been  early 
rifers.  This  is  the  only  circumftance  attending  longevity,  to 
iyhic|i  I  never  knew  an  exception. 

article; 


CO      QF   SLEEP  AND   CLOTHING. 

article  I  but  no  cuftom  can  ever  change  the  no* 
ture  of  things  fo  far^  as  to  render  the  fame  clothiiig 
fit  for  an  inhabitant  of  Nova  Zembla  and  the  illand 
of  Jamaica.  It  is  not  indeed  neceflary  to  oblerve 
an  exaft  proportion  betwixt  the  quantity  of  clothes 
we  wear,  and  the  degree  of  latitude  which  we  in* 
habit;  but,  at  the  fanne  time,  proper  attention 
ought  to  be  paid  to  it^  as  well  as  to  the  open* 
nefs  of  the  country,  the  frequency  and  violence 
of  ftorms,  &c. 

In  youth,  while  the  blood  is  hot  and  the  per- 
fpiration  free,  it  is  lefs  ncceffary  to  cover  the  body 
with  a  great  quantity  of  clothes ;  but,  in  the  de- 
cline of  life,  when  the  (kin  becomes  rigid  and  the 
humours  more  cool,  the  clothing  (hould  be  in- 
creafed.  Many  difeafes  in  the  latter  period  of  life 
proceed  from  a  defeat  of  pcrfpiration :  thefe  may, 
in  fome  meafure,  be  prevented  by  a  fuitable  addition 
to  the  clothing,  or  by  wearing  fuch  as  are  better 
calculated  for  promoting  the  difcharge  from  the 
flcin,  as  clothes  mgde  of  cotton,   flannel,  &c. 

The  clothing  ought  likewife  to  be  fuited  to  the 
feafon  of  the  year.  Clothing  may  be  warm  enough 
for  fummer,  which  is  by  no  means  fufEcient  for 
winter.  The  greatcft  caution,  however,  is  necelTary 
in   making  thefe  changes.     We  ought  neither  to 

fmt  off  our  winter  clothes  too  foon,  nor  to  wear  our 
iimmer  ones  too  long.  In  this  country,  the  winter 
often  fets  in  very  early  with  great  rigour,  and  we  have 
frequently  cold  weather  even  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  fummer  months.  It  would  likewife 
be  prudent  not  to  make  the  change  all  at  once,  but 
to  do  it  gradually;  and  indeed  the  changes  of  ap-* 
parel  in  this  climate  ought  to  be  very  inconfider- 
able,  efpecially  among  thofe  who  have  paiTed  the 
meridian  of  life*. 

Clothes 

*  That  coUs  iiJimon  tbanplaguis,  is  an  old  obfervation  ;  asd, 
with  regard  to  this  country,  it  holds  ftridly  true.    Every  perfon 

of 


OF  SLEEP  AND   CLOTHING.       91 

Clothes  ofren  become  hurtful  by  their  being 
made  fubfervient  to  the  purpofes  of  pride  or  va- 
nity. Mankind  in  all  ages  feem  to  have  confidered 
clothes  in  this  view;  accordingly  their  fafliion  and 
figure  have  been  continually  varying,  with  very 
little  regard  either  to  healthy  the  climate^  or  con« 
veniency :  a  farthingale,  for  example^  may  be  very 
necelTary  in  hot  fouthern  climates,  but  furcly  no- 
thing can  be  more  ridiculous  in  the  cold  regions  of 
the  north. 

Even  the  human  Ibape  is  often  attempted  to  be 
mended  by  drefs,  and  chofe  who  know  no  better 
believe  that  mankind  would  be  monfters  without 
its  afliftance.  All  attempts  of  this  nature  are 
highly  pernicious.  The  moft  deft rudtive  of  them 
in  this  country  is  that  of  fqueezing  the  (lomach 
and  bowels  into  as  narrow  a  compafs  as  poflible,  to 
procure,  what  is  falfely  called,  a  fine  (hape.  By 
this  praftice  the  a£tion.  of  the  llomach  and  bowels, 
the  motion  of  the  heart  and  lungs,  and  almofl:  all 
the  vital  fundions»  are  obftru&ed.  Hence  pro- 
ceed indigeftions,  fyncopes,  or  fainting  fits,  coughs, 
confumptions  of  the  lungs,  and  other  complaints 
fo  common  among  females. 

The  feet  likewife  often  fuffer  by  prcflure.  How 
a  fmall  foot  ctrmc  to  be  reckoned  genteel,  I  will 
not  pretend  to  fay;  but  certain  it  is,  that  this  no- 
tion has  made  many  perfons  lame.  Almoft  nine- 
tenths  of  mankind  are  troubled  with  corns;  adif- 
eafe  that  is  feldom  or  never  occafioned  but  by  ftrait 
ihoes.  Corns  are  not  only  very  troublefome,  but 
by  rendering  people   unable  to  walk,  they  may 

of  difcernmeDt,  however,  wtU  perceive,  that  mod  of  the  colds 
which  prove  fo  deftnidive  to  the  inhabicaatt  of  Briuin  are  owing 
to  their  imprudence  in  changing  clothes.  A  few  warm  days  in 
March  or  April  induce  them  to  throw  off  their  winter  gar- 
ments, without  confidering  that  our  moil  penetrating  colds  ge- 
nerally  happen  in  May. 

likewife 


92       OF  SLEEP   AND   CLOTHING. 

lik^wife  be  confidcrcd  as  the  remote  caufe  of  other 
difeafes*. 

The  fize  and  figure  of  the  (hoe  ought  certainly 
to  be  adapted  to  the  foot.  In  children  the  feet  are 
as  well  (haped  as  the  hands,  and  the  motion  of  the 
toes  as  free  and  eafy  as  that  of  the  fingers  j  yet 
few  perfons  in  the  advanced  periods  of  life  are  able 
to  make  any  ufe  of  their  toes.  They  are  generally, 
by  narrow  Ihoes,  fqueezcd  all  of  a  heap,  and  often 
laid  over  one  another  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  be 
rendered  altogether  incapable  of  motion.  Nor  is 
the  high  heel  lefs  hurtful  than  the  narrow  toe.  A 
lady  may  feem  taller  for  walking  on  her  tiptoes, 
but  (he  will  never  walk  well  in  this  manner.  It 
drains  her  joints,  diftorts  her  limbs,  makes  her 
ftoop,  and  utterly  deftroys  all  her  eafe  and  grace* 
fulneis  of  motion :  it  is  entirely  owing  to  (hoes 
with  high  heels  and  narrow  toes,  that  not  one  fc^ 
male  in  ten  can  be  faid  to  walk  well. 

In  fixing  on  the  clothes,  due  care  (hould  be  taken 
to  avoid  all  tight  bandages.  Garters,  buckles,  Src. 
when  drawn  too  tight,  not  only  prevent  the  free 
motion  and  ufe  of  the  parts  about  which  they  arc 
bound,  but  likewife  obftruft  the  circulation  of  the 
blood,  which  prevents  the  equal  nourifhment  and 
growth  of  thefe  parts,  and  occafions  various  dif- 
eafes. Tight  bandages  about  the  neck,  as  (locks, 
cravats,  necklaces,  &c.  are  extremely  dangerous. 
They  obdruft  the  blood  in  its  courfe  from  the 
brain,  by  which  means  headachs,  vertigos,  apo- 
plexies, and  other  fatal  dile^fes  arc  often  occa- 
fioned. 

*  We  often  fee  perfons,  who  are  rendered  quite  lame  by  the 
nails  cf  their  toes  having  grown  into  the  fie(h,  and  frequently 
hear  of  mortifications  proceeding  from  this  caufe  ^11  thefe, 
and  many  other  inconveniencies  attending  the  feet,  mufl  be  imt- 
puied  fo\c]y  to  the  uie  of  ftibn  and  (Irait  ihoes. 

The 


OF   SLEEP   AND   CLOTHING.       93 

The  perfcdion  of  drefs  is  to  be  cafy  and  clean. 
Nothing  can  be  more  ridiculous,  than  for  any  one 
to  make  himftrlf  a  flave  to  fine  clothes.  Such  a 
one,  and  many  fuch  there  are,  would  rather  remain 
as  fixt  as  a  ftatue  from  morning  till  night,  than  dif* 
compofc  a  fingle  hair  or  alter  the  pofition  of  a  pin. 
Were  we  to  recommend  any  particular  pattern  for 
drefs,  it  would  be  that  which  is  worn  by  the  peo- 
ple called  Quakers.  They  are  always  neat,  clean^ 
and  often  elegant,  without  any  thing  fuperfluous. 
What  others  lay  out  upon  tawdry  laces,  ruffles,  and 
ribands,  they  beftow  upon  fupcrior  cleanlinefs. 
Finery  is  only  the  affe^ation  of  drefs,  and  very 
often  covers  a  great  deal  of  dirt. 

We  (hall  only  add,  with  regard  to  clothing,  that 
it  ought  not  only  to  be  fuitcd  to  the  climate,  the 
fcafon  of  the  year,  and  the  period  of  life;  but  like- 
wife  to  the  temperature  and  conftitution.  Robufl: 
pcrfons  are  able  to  endure  cither  cold  or  heat  better 
than  the  delicate;  confequently  may  be  lefs  atten- 
tive to  their  clothing.  But  the  precife  quantity  of 
clothes  neceflary  for  any  perfon  cannot  be  deter- 
mined by  reafoning.  It  is  entirely  a  matter  of  ex- 
perience, and  every  man  is  the  bed  judge  for  him- 
fclf  what  quantity  of  clothes  is  neceflary  to  keep 
him  warm  *. 

•  The  celebrated  Bocrhaave  ufed  to  fay,  that  no  body  fuffcred 
by  cold  fave  fools  and  beggars ;  the  latter  not  being  able  to  pro- 
cure clothes,  and  the  former  not  having  fenfe  to  wear  them.  Be 
this  as  it  may,  I  can  with  the  ftrideft  truth  declare,  that  in  many 
cafes  where  the  powers  of  medicine  had  been  tried  in  vain,  I 
have  cured  the  patient  by  recommending  thick  fhoes,  a  flannel 
waiftcoat  and  drawers,  a  pair  of  under  (lockings,  or  a  flannel 
petticoat^  to  be  worn  during  the  cold  feafon  at  lealt. 


[    94    ] 


CHAP.    VII. 

OF    INTEMPERANCE. 

A  MODERN  author  •  obfcrves,  that  tem- 
^^  perance  and  cxcrcifc  arc  the  two  bcft  phy- 
ficians  in  the  world.  He  might  have  added»  that 
if  thefe  were  duly  regarded^  there  would  be  little 
occarion  for  any  other.  Temperance  may  juftly 
be  called  the  parent  of  health;  yet  numbers  of 
mankind  ad  as  if  they  thought  difeafes  and  death 
too  (low  in  their  progrefs^  and  by  intemperance 
and  debauch  feem  as  it  were  to  folicit  their  ap- 
proach. 

The  danger  of  intemperance  appears  from  the 
very  conftrufbion  of.  the  human  body.  Health 
depends  on  that  ftate  of  the  folids  and  fluids 
which  fits  them  for  the  due  performance  of  the 
vital  fundions  i  and,  while  thefe  go  regularly  on, 
we  are  found  and  well;  but  whatever  dillurbs 
them  neceflarily  impairs  health.  Intemperance 
never  fails  to  diforder  the  whole  animal^  ccco- 
nomy;  it  hurts  the  digeftion,  relaxes  the  nerves, 
renders,  the  different  fecretions  irregular,  vitiates 
the  humours,  and  occafions  numberlefs  difeafes. 

The  analogy  between  the  nourifhment  of  plants 
and  animals  affords  a  ftriking  proof  of  the  danger  of 
intemperance.  Moiilure  and  manure  greatly  pro* 
mote  vegetation;  yet  an  over-quantity  of  either  will 
entirely  deftroy  it.  The  bcft  things  becomes  hurt- 
ful, nay  deftruAive,  when  carried  to  excefs.  Hence 
we  learn,  that  the  higheft  degree  of  human  wifdom 
cbnfifts  in  regulating  our  appetites  and  paifioos  fo  as 
to  avoid  all  extremes.     It  is  that  chiefly  which  en- 

*  Roofleau.  ^ 

titles 


OF    INTEMPERANCE.  95 

titks  us  to  the  charaftcr  of  rational  beings.  The 
flave  of  appetite  will  ever  be  the  difgrace  of  humaii 
nature. 

The  Author  of  Nature  hath  endued  us  with  vari- 
ous paffions,  for  the  propagation  of  the  fpecies^  the 
prefervation  of  the  individual,  &c.  Intemperance 
IS  the  abufe  of  thefe  pafllons;  and  moderation  confifts 
in  the  proper  regulation  of  them.  Men,  not  con- 
tented wirii  fatisfying  the  fimple  calls  of  Nature, 
create  artificial  wants,  and  are  perpetually  in  fearchof 
ibmething  that  may  gratify  them;  but  imaginary 
wants  never  can  be  gratified.  Nature  is  content 
with  little;  but  luxury  knows  no  bounds.  Hence 
the  epicure,  the  drunkard,  and  the  debauchee,  fel* 
dom  ftop  in  their  career,  till  their  money  or  their 
conftitution  fails:  then  indeed  they  generally  fee 
their  error  when  too  late. 

It  is  impoflible  to  lay  down  fixt  rules  with  re- 
gard to  diet,  on  account  of  the  different  conftitu- 
tions  of  mankind.  The  mod  ignorant  perfon,  how- 
ever, certainly  knows  what  is  meant  by  excefs;  and 
it  is  in  the  power  of  every  man,  if  he  choofes,  to 
avoid  it. 

The  great  rule  of  diet  is  to  ftudy  fimplicity.  Na- 
turc  delights  in  the  mod  plain  and  fimple  food,  and 
every  animal,  except  man,  follows  her  dictates. 
Man  alone  riots  at  large,  and  ranfacks  the  whole 
creation  in  queft  of  luxuries,  to  his  own  deftruftion. 
An  elegant  writer*  of  the  laft  age  fpeaks  thus  of  in- 
temperance in  diet :  **  For  my  part,  when  I  behold 
a  fafliionable  table  fet  out  in  all  its  magnificence, 
I  fancy  that  I  fee  gouts  and  dropfies,  fevers  and 
lethargies,  with  other  innumerable  difiiempers, 
"  lying  in  ambufcade  among  the  difhes." 

Nor  is  intemperance  in  other  things  Icfs  deftruc- 
tive  than  ifi  diet.  How  quickly  does  the  immode- 
rate purfuit  of  carnal  pleafures,  or  the  abufe  of  in- 

*  Addifon. 

toxicating 


<c 

ffC 
€€ 


9^.         Of   IK^T-EM  RE R A  hf C fe 

tojticariog  liquors,  ruiirthe  bed  conftitutfon !  In Jced 
t^jcfe  vices  gcncraHy.go  hand  in  hand.     Hence  it  is  ' 
t|at  iKjs  fo  often  Behold  the  votaries  of  BaCchus  arid 
V<nii&>  even  bcfdrc  they> have  arrived  at  ^heprimtf^ 
of  life,  worn  out  with  difeafcs,  and  hafting  with  fwift  ' 
pace  to  an  untimely  graven    Did  men  refleft  on  tht 
p^jofgl  difeafes,  and   premature  deaths^  which  are' 
djijly  occafioned  by  intemperance/  it  would  be  fuf- 
figknJB?*o  ^ake  them  (brink  back  with  horror  froni ' 
the  indulgence  even  of  their  darling  pleafures. 

lotecoperance  does  not  hurt  its  votaries  alone  i 
tbe  innocent,  too  often  feel  the  direful  cfFedts  of  it^ 
How  ai^ny  wretched  orphans  are  to  be  fecn  embra- 
cing dwnghills,  whofe  parents^  regardlefs  oif  the  fir- 
tqrej^ipcot  ia  ri9t  and  debauch  what  might  have 
fervecico  bring. Op  their  offspring  in  a  decent  maa* 
ner?  How  often  do  we  bohoJd  the  miferablc  mother^ 
wttlvher  belplefs  infants^  pining  in  want,  while  the 
cruel  father  is  indulging  hisinfatiate  appetites? 

JFarnHtps^areDOt  only  reduced  to  mifery,  but  even 
exyrpjited,  by  intemperance.  Nothing  tends  fa 
rryJch  to.  prey  en  t  propagation,  and  to  fhorten  the 
lives  of  obildren,.  as  the  intemperance  of  parents* 
The. poor  man  who  labours  all  day,  and  at  night ' 
lies  down  cpntented  with  his  humble  fare,  can  boaft 
a^nuii^proiia  offspringj  while  his  pampered  lord, 
fu;ik'  invcafe  and  luxury,  often  languimes  without 
ar^{}oir/to  his  an>ple  fortunes.  Even  ilates  and  em*' 
piii^  {i^ljhe- influence  of  Intemperance,  and  rife  of 
faijfl|isitf  pfW-^ils.       -  .    . 

Inftead  of  mentioning  the  different  kinds  of  in-* 
te|:)peraixce,  and  pointing  out  their  influence  upon 
hq|it'b,-\ye.  Ihall  only^  by  way  of  example,  n()akc  a 
fcjf-ob^rv^trpns-  OP  one  particular  fpecies  of  that 
vi^^^viz.  the  abufe  of  intoxicating  liquors. 

^very  a^fl  pf  intoxication  puts  Nature  to  the^x* 
pen<:e<if  a  fevcj*,jn  order  to  difcharge  the  poifonout 
draught.    When  this  is  repeated  almoft  every  day,  it 

is 


OF   INTEMPERANCE.  97 

iscafy  to  forcfcc  the  conlVqu^nccs.  That  conftitu« 
tion  mud  be  ftrong  indeed,  which  is  able  long^to 
hold  out  under  a  daily  fever !  but  fevers  occaQoned 
by  drinking  do  not  always  go  off  in  a  day;  they 
frequently  end  in  an  inflammation  of  the  breaft^ 
liver,  or  brain,  and  produce  fatal  effeAs. 

Though  the  drunkard  (hould  not  fall  by  an  acute 
difeafe,  he  feldom  efcapes  thofe  of  a  chronic  kind, 
locoxicacing  liquors,  when  ufed  to  exccfs»  weaken 
the  bowels  and  fpoil  the  dtgcftion ;  they  deftroy  the 
power  of  the  nerves,  and  occafion  paralytic  and  con-» 
vulGve  diforders;  they  likewife  heat  and  inflame 
the  blood,  deftroy  its  balfamic  quality,  render  ic 
VDfic  for  circulation,  and  the  nourilhment  of  the 
body.  Hence  obftrudiohs,  atrophies^  dropfic^ 
and  confumpttons  of  the  lungs.  Thefe  are  the  com- 
mon ways  in  which  drunkards  make  their  exit. 
Difeafes  of  this  kind,  when  brought  on  by  hard 
drinking,  feldom  admit  of  a  cure. 

Many  people  injure  their  health  by  drinking,  who 
feldom  get  drunk.  The  continual  habit  of  foakinff, 
as  it  is  called,  though  its  effects  be  not  fo  violent,  is 
not  Icfs  pernicious.  When  the  veflcls  are  kept  con- 
ftantly  full  and  upon  the  ftretch,  the  different  digef-^ 
tions  can  neither  be  duly  performed,  nor  the  hu- 
mours properly  prepared.  Hence  moft  people  of 
this  charafter  are  aflfli€ted  with  the  gout,  the  grave], 
ulcerous  fores  in  the  legs,  &c.  If  thefe  diforders  69 
i)ot  appear,  they  are  feized  with  low  fpirits^  hypo*  ^ 
chondriacal  affeftions,  and  other  fymptoms  of  ill* 
digeftion. 

Confumptions  are  now  fo  common,  that  it  if 
thought  one-tenth  of  the  inhabitants  of  great  towot 
die  of  that  difeafe.  Hard  drinking  is  no  doubt  one 
^the  caufes  to  which  we  muft  impute  the  increa(b 
^  coafumptions.  The  great  quantities  of  vifcid 
°ult  liquor  drank  by -the  common  people  of  Eng* 

H  land» 


t 


oS  O?    INTEMPERANCE. 

land)  cannot  fail  to  render  the  blood  fizy  dnd  unfit 
f^r  circulatioji;   from  whence  proceed  obftrudiqnsy 
\S  inBanriaiationSjOf  the  lyngs.  There  arc  few  great 
e-iTrinlcers  whoafe  not  phthifical :  nor  is  that  to  l^c 
wondered  at,  confidering  the  glutinous  a'nd  almoQ: 
ihdlgeftible  nature  of  ftrong  ale. 
.  Thofc  who  drink  ardent  Ipirits  or  ftrong  wine3  run 
ftill  greater  hazard;  thefe  liquors  heat  and  inflame 
t]ic.lHOod*  and  tear  tlie  tender  vcffels  oiF  the  lungs  to 
pieces  i  yet  fo  great  is  the  confumption  of  them  in 
this  country,  that  one  would  almoft  be  induced  U> 
think  the  inhabitants  lived  upon  them  *. 
"  The  habit  of  drinkiqg  proceeds  frequently  from: 
misfortunes  in  life.     The  miferablc  ^y  \o  it  for  tf- 
lief.   It  affords  th^na  indeed  a  temporary  eafe.    Buity 
alas!*  this  folace  is  fhort-^iyedj  and  yfhej^  it  i$over> 
theTpirits  link  as  much  below  their  ufual  tone  a$ 
they  hacj  tjefore  b^een  ra-ifed  above  it.    Hence  a  re- 
p*etitionof  thedofe  becomes  ncccflary^  and  every  frelh 
4ofe   makes-  lyay  for   another,    till  the  unhappy 
wretch  becomes  a  flave  to  the  bottlf ,  and  at  length 
falls  a  facri6ce  to  what  at  firft  perhaps  was  taken 
only  as  a  miedicine.     No  man  is.fo  deje£ted  as  the 
d/unkafd  when  his  debauch  is  gone  off.     l:lence  it 
is,  that  tl/ofe  who  have  the  greatefl  flow  of  fpiriti 
wtiile  tl;ie  glafs  circulates  freely,  are  of  all  others  the 
rnoft  ipcUncholy  when  fober,  and  often  put  an  end 
tpjtheif  own  miferabie  exiftencc  in  a  fk  of  fpken  or 
in*  humour. 

•  f :  Wc  may  form  Tome  notion  of  the  rramenfe  (|aairtity  of  ardent 
fpirits  confumed  in  C^reac  Britain  from  this  circumdai^qc,  that  ib. 
the  cit^  of  £dinburgh  and  its  enxirons,  b/efides  the  ^cat  quan- 
tftjr  of  foreign  fpirits  duly  entered,  and  the  ffill  greater  qaantity 
iK4iich  ii  Cuppdki  to  be  fmoggied/it  is  computed  that'kbove  two 
thpufaiid  private:  dills  are-  conilalntly  employed  in  preparicg  » 
p^fo^ous  jiquor  called  Mo/aJ/is.  The  common  people^  have  got 
I'ififhiierftlly  into  the  habit  of  drinking  this  bafp  fpirit,.  that 
wlien  a  porttr  or  labourer  is  fccn  re^liBg  along  the  ftrecti,  they 
fay>  hC-h^^  mUffcd.  :    ;    '      *. 

.;.     .  Drunkcnnefs 


fcT*.. 


OF    INTEMt>ERANCE.  99 

Drunkcnnefs  not  only  proves  dcftruftive  to  health, 
but  likewifc  to  the  faculties  of  the  mind.  It  is 
ftrange  that  creatures  who  value  themfclves  on  ac- 
count of  a  fupcrior  degree  of  reafon  to  that  of  brutes, 
Ihouid  take  pleafure  in  finking  fo  far  below  them. 
Were  fuch  as  voluntarily  deprive  themfclves  of  the 
ufc  of  reafon,  to  continue  ever  after  in  that  condi- 
tion, it  would  feem  butajuft  punilhment.  Though 
this  be  not  the  confequence  of  one  aft  of  intoxica- 
tion, it  feldom  fails  to  fucceed  a  courfe  of  it.  .By  % 
habitof  drinking,  the  greateft  genius  is  often  reduced 
to  a  mere  idiot  *. 

intoxication  is  peculiarly  hurtful  to  young  p^r- 
fons.  It  heats  their  blood,  impairs  their  ftrcti^tlil 
and  obftrufts  their  growths  befides,  the  frequdntuie 
of  ftrong  liquors  in  the  early  part  of  life  deftroys  aWy 
benefit  that  might .  aVife  from  them  afterwards^ 
Thofc  who  rhake  a  praftice  of  drinking  generbus 
liquors  when  young,  cannot  expeft  to  reap  any 
benefit  from  them  as  a  dordial  in  the  decline  err 
life.  .      . 

Drunkcnnefs  is  not  only  in  itfelf  a  tnoft  aooml- 
oable  vice,  but  is  an  inducement  to  many  others. 
There  is  hardly  any  crime  fo  horrid  that  the  di-unli^- 
ard  will  not  perpetrate  for  the  love  of  liqxioK  Wie 
have  known  mothers  fell  their  children's  clothe^j  tlie 

*  It  is  amazing  that  our  improvements  in  arts,  learning,  and 
politenefs,  have  not  put  the  barbarous  cuflon  of  drinking  to  fy«^ 
cefs  out  of  fafhion.     It  is  indeed  lefs  common  in  South<  Britaio. 
than  it  was  formerlv;  but  it  dill  prevails  very  much  iri  the  Norths 
where  this  relic  ot  barbarity  is  milUken  for  hofpicality.     There 
ao  man  is  fuppofed  to  entertain  hii  guells  well,  who  does  tioc 
make  cheoi  drank.     Forcing  people  to  drink,  is  cerfainjy  (he 
greateft  piece  of  rudencfs  that  any  man  can  be  guilty  of.     Man* 
fioersv  complaifance,  or  mere  good >naturey  may  induce  a  in4in>(0 
take  his  glafs,  if  urgc;d  to  it,  at  a  time  when  he  might  as  well 
take  poiibii.     The  cuflom  of  driukiog  to  excels  has  long  be^a 
oot  of  fafbion  in  France;  and,  as  it  begins  tq  Icfe  ground  among. 
the  politer  parci^the  E'nglifh,  vic  hope  it  will  loou  be  bauiracd 
from  every  part  of  .ihis  iflaDd. 

I   H  H  9  food 


160  OF    CLEANLINESS. 

food  that  they  (hould  have  eat^  and  afterwards  evefl 
the  infants  themfelvesj  in  order  to  purchafe  the  ac-« 
curfed  draught* 


CHAP.     VIII. 

OF    CLEANLINESS. 

hpHE  want  of  cleanlinefs  is  a  fault  which  adnnrks 
^  of  no  exdufe.  Where  Hix,^'  can  be  had  for 
nothing,  It  is  furcly  in  the  power  6f  evtry  perfon  to 
be  clean.  The  continual  difchslrge  from  oiir  bodi^ 
b^  perfpiration',  rchders  frequent  change  of  apparel 
nteeflary.  Changing  apparel  greatly  promotes  the 
iecretion  from  the  fkin^  fo  necefTary  for  heahh. 
When  tJiat  matter  which  ought  to  be  carried  oflF  by 
perfpirationj  Is  either  retained  in  the  body^  or  re-» 
Ibrbed  from  dirty  clothes,  it  muft  occafion  difeafes. 
Difeafes  of  the  (kin  are  chiefly  owing  to  want  of 
cleanlinefs  *.  They  niay  indeed  be  caught  by  in- 
fefbion^  6r  brought  on  by  poor  livi'ng,  unWhole- 
foine  food,  &c.  but  they  will  feldom  continue  Idnj 
where  cleanlinefs  prevails.  To  the  fame  caufe  mui 
we  impute  the  varidus  kinds  of  vermin  which  in*- 
feft  the  human  body,  houfes^  &c.  Thefe  may 
afways  be  banifhed  by  cleanlinefs  alone,  and  where- 
ever  they  abound,  we  have  reafon  to  believe  it  is 
iieglefted. 

*  xXht  common  caufe  of  putrid  and  malignant  fevers 
is  the'want  of  cleanlinefs.  Thefe  fevers  commonly 
begin'  '^ong  the  inhabitants  of  clofe  dirty  hbufes^ 

-  9  Mx.  Pot,,  ill'  h\t  fiirgical  obferrations^  mentions  a  difeafd 
whi^h  i)e  calls  the  thiinnev-fwecpers  cancer*  as  it  is  almoft  pecu* 
liar  to  tbiap  nnhappy  fet  of  people.  This  he  attribotes  to  nrgleft 
drcleanlTnefs/ and  with  great  jtiiHce.  lam  convinced,  if  that 
part  of*  the-  bod jr  which  is  the  feat  of  this  crael  difeafe  was  kept 
clean  by.  frequent  wafhing»  it  would  never  happea. 

'.'•^4'  ^  7  who 


.jrt^. 


OF   CLEANLINESS"  loi 

who  breathe  uiiwholcfome  air,  take  little  exercife, 
and  wear  dirty  clothes.  There  the  infc£tion  is  gene- 
rally hatched,  which  often  fpreads  far  and  wide,  to 
the  deftruftion  of  many.  Hence  cleanlinefs  may  hft 
confidered  as  an  obje^  of  public  attentio  n.  Itia 
not  fufficient  that  I  be  clean  rnyfelf^  while  the  want 
of  it  in  my  neighbour  afFefts  my  health  as  well  as  his 
own.  If  dirty  people  cannot  be  removed  as  a  com* 
mon  nuifance,  they  ought  at  lead  to  be  avoided  as 
infectious.:  All  who  regard  their  health  (hould  keep 
ac  a  4iftdnce  even  from  their  habitations.  T 

III  |>]a<;es  where  great  numbers  of  people  are  coU 
le£tfd>  cleanlinefs  becomes  of  the  utmoft  import- 
ance* It  is  well  known  that  infectious  difeafes  are 
eommuoicated  by  uinted  air.  Every  thing,  there- 
fore>  which  tepds  to  pollute  the  air,  or  ipread  the 
iiifedion^  ought  with  the  utmoft  care  to  be  guarded 
againil.  For  this  reafon,  in  great  towns,  no  filchj 
of  any  kind,  fhould  be  permitted  to  lie  upon  the 
ftreets.  Nothing  is  more  apt  to  convey  infeAioa 
than  the  excrements  of  the  difeafed. 

In  many  great  towns  the  ftreets  are  little  better 
than  dunghills,  being  frequently  covered  with  afhes^ 
dung,  and  naftinefs  of  every  kind.  Even  flaughter-* 
houfes,  or  killing  fhanibies,  are  often  to  be  feen  in 
the  very  centre  of  great  towns.  The  putrid  blood, 
excrements,  &c.  with  which  thefe  places  arc  gene- 
rally covered,  cannot  fail  to  taint  the  air,  and  ren- 
der it  unwholefome.  How  eafily  might  this  be 
prevented  by  adtive  magiftrates,  who  have  it  always 
ia  their  power  to  make  proper  laws  relative  to 
things  of  this  nature,  and  to  enforce  the  obfervance 
of  them ! 

We  are  forry  to  fay,  that  the  importance  of  gene- 
ral cleanlinefs  does  not  feem  to  be  Sufficiently  under- 
fiood  by  the  magiftrates  of  moft  great  towns  in 
Britain  $  though  health,  plcafure,  and  delicacy,  all 
Cpnfpire  to  recommend  an  attention  to  it.   Nothing 

H  3  can 


lox  OF    CLEAHLINESS. 

can  be  more  agreeable  to  the  fenfes,  more  to  the, 
honour  of  the  inhabitants,  or  more  conducive  to 
their  health,  than  a  clean  town;  nor  can  any  thini 
ijnpfefs  a  ftranger  with  a  more  difrcfpeftful  idea  o] 
any  people  than  its  oppofite.    Whatever  pretenGp^jS. 
people  may  make  to  learning,  politenefs,  or  civiliz- 
ation, we  will  venture  to  affirm^   that  while  they 
negleft  cleanlinefs,  they  are  in  a  ftate  of  barbarity  *• 

The  peafants  in  moft  countries  feem  to  hold  clean- 
linefs in  a  fort  of  contempt.  Were  it  not  for  the  open. 
fituation  of  their  houfes,  they  would  often  feel  the 
bad  effefts  of  this  difpofition.  One  feldom  fees  a 
farm-houfe  without  ^dunghill  before  the  door,  and 
frequently  the  cattle  and  their  matters  lodge  under 
the  fame  roof.  Peafants  are  likewifc  extremely  carc- 
Icfs  with  refpeft  to  change  of  apparel,  keeping  their 
houfes,  &c.  clean.  This  is  merely  the  effeft  of  in- 
dolence and  a  dirty  difpofition.  Habit  may  indeed 
render  it  Icfs  difagreeable  to  them,  but  no  habit  can. 
ever  make  it  falutary  to  wear  dirty  clothes  or 
breathe  unwholefome  air. 

As  many  articles  of  diet  come  through  the  hands 
of  peafants,  every  method  fliould  be  taken  toencou* 
rage  and  promote  habits  of  cleanlinefs  among  them. 
This,  for  example,  might  be  done  by  giving  a  fmall 

Eremium  to  the  perfon  who  brings  the  cleaned  and 
eft  article  of  any  kind  to  market,  as  butter,  cheefe, 
&c.  and  by  punifhing   feverely  thofc  who  bring  it 

•  In  Ancient  Rome  the  grcatell  men  did  not  think  cleanlineft 
an  objedl  unworthy  of  their  attention.  Pliny  fays,  the  Cloaca^  or 
common  fewers  for  the  conveyance  of  filth  and  naflinefs  from  the 
city,  were  the  greaied  of  all  the  public  works ;  and  beftows 
higher  encomiums  upon  Tarquiniu;,  Agrippa,  and  others  who 
made  and  improved  them^  than  on  thofe  who  atchieved  the 
greatefl  conque(!s. 

Hew  truly  great  does  the  emperor  Trajan  appear,  when' 
giving  diredions  to  Pliny  his  proconful,  concerning  the  making 
of  a  common  fewer  for  the  health  and  convenience  of  a  con- 
quered city  ? 

dirty/ 


>w>* 


dirty.  The  fame  method  Ihould  be  tHkeii  with 
l)utchers,  bakersj  brewers,  and  all  who  are  em- 
ployed in  preparing  the  hcceffaries  of  life. 

In  camps  the  ftrifteft  regard  (hould  be  paid  to 

cleanlinefs.  By  negligence  in  this  matter,  infectious 

difeafes  ar*e  often  fpread  amongft  a  whole  army  ,*  an4 

frequently  moredie  ofthcfe  than  by  the  fword.  The 

Jews  during  their  encampments  in  the  wildcrnefi', 

received  particular  inftruftions  with  refpeft  to  clean- 

lihefs  *.     The  rules  enjoined  them  ought  to  be  ob- 

lerved  by  all  in  the  like  (ituation.  Indeed  thewholb 

iyftem  of  laws  delivered  to  that  people  has  a  manifcft 

•tendency  to  promote  cleanlinefs.     Whoever  conr 

fiders  the  nature  of  their  climate,  the  difeafes  to 

which  they  were  liable,  and  their  dirty  difpoficion, 

Hwill  fee  the  propriety  of  fuch  laws. 

It  is  remarkable  that,  in  mod  eaftern  countries^ 
cleanlinefs   makes  a  great  part  of  their  religion. 
The  Mahometan,  as  well  as  the  JewiA  religion^ 
-enjoins  various  bathings,  wafhings,  and  purifications^ 
^o  doubt  thefe  might  be  defigned  to  reprefcnc  in- 
^¥ard  purity  J  bjut  they  were  at  the  fame  time  caU 
rulated  for  the  prefervation  of  health.     However 
^himfical  thefe  wafliings  may  appear  to  feme,  few 
things  would  tend  more  to  prevent  difeafes  than  a 
-proper  attention  to  many  of  them^.     Were  every 
perfon,   for  example^  after  vifiting  the  fick,  hand- 
ling a  dead  body,  or  touching  any  thing  that  might 
convey  inicftion,  to  wa(h  before  he  went  into  com- 
pany, or  fat  down  to  meat,  he  would  run  lefs  hazard 
either  of  catching  the  infeflion  himfelf,  or  of  com* 
municating  it  to  others. 

Frequent  wafhing  not  only  removes  the  filth  and 
fordes  which  adhere  to  the  ikin,  but  likewife  pro- 

*  Thou  (halt  have  a  place  alfo  without  the  camp,  whither  thou 
ihilt  go  forth  abroad ;  and  thou  (halt  have  a  paddle  upon  thy   ^ 
weapon  :  and  it  (hall  be  when  thou  (halt  eafe  thyfelf  abroai,  thou 
(hale  dig  therewith,  and  ihalt  turn  back,  a^^  cover  chat  which 
Cometh  from  thee,  &c.  Deuter.  chap,  xxiii.  ver.  12,  13. 

H  4  motes 


104  OP    CLEANLINESS. 

motes  the  perfpiration,  braces  the  body,  and 
livens  the  fpirits.  How  rcfrcfliedj  how  cheerful^ 
and  agreeable  does  one  feel  on  being  (haved»  waflied^ 
and  (hifted;  efpecially  when  thefe  offices  have  been 
neglefted  longer  than  ufual ! 

The  eaftern  cuftom  of  wafhing  the  feet,  though 
]efs  neceffary  in  this  country^  is  neverthelefs  a  very 
agreeablepieceofcleanlinefs,  and  contributes  greatly 
to  the  prefervation  of  health.  The  fweat  and  dire 
with  whii  h  thefe  parts  are  frequently  covered^  can- 
not fail  to  obftruft  the  perfpiration.  This  pieceof 
cleanlinefs  would  often  prevent  colds  and  fevers. 
Were  people  careful  to  bathe  their  feet  and  legs  in 
lukewarm  water  at  night,  after  being  expofed  to 
cold  or  wet  through  the  day,  they  would  feldom 
experience  the  ill  effeds  which  often  proceed  from 
thefe  caufes.  .it 

A  proper  attention  to  cleanlinefs  is  no  where  more 
neceffary  than  on  (hi,  board.  If  epidemical  diftem- 
pers  break  out  there,  no  one  can  be  fafe.  The  beft 
way  to  prevent  them,  is  to  take  care  that  the  whole 
company  be  cleanly  in  their  cloches,  bedding,  &c. 
When  infectious  difeafes  do  break  out,  cleanlinefs 
is  the  moil  likely  means  to  prevent  their  fpreading: 
it  is  likewife  neceffary  to  prevent  their  returning 
afterwards,  or  being  conveyed  to  other  places.  For 
this  purpofe,  the  clothes,  bedding,  &c.  of  the  lick 
ought  to  be  carefully  wafhed,  and  fumigated  with 
brimdone.  Infection  will  lodge  a  long  time  in 
dirty  clothes,  and  afterwards  break  out  in  the  moft 
terrible  manner. 

In  places  where  great  numbers  of  fick  people  arc 
collected  together,  cleanlinefs  ought  to  be  mod  re- 
ligioufly  obferved.  The  very  fmell  in  fuch  places 
is  often  fufHcienc  to  make  one  fick.  It  is  eafy  to 
imagine  what  effedt  that  is  likely  to  have  upon  the 
difeafed.  In  an  hofpital  or  infirmary,  where  clean- 
linefs is  neglc^ed,  a  perfon  in  perfect  health  has  a 

greater 


OF-^CtEANLtNE^S. 

greater  chance  to  become  ficky  chui  a  fick  perfim 
Las  (o  get  well,      -i       .    .  '...,•  ^  -^ 

Few  things  are  mori  unaccountable  than  that 
negle&)  or  rather  dread  of  cleanlinefs,  which  appears 
among  thofe  who  have  the  care  of  the  Tick;  they 
think  ic  almoft  criminal  to  fuffer  any  thing  that  is 
clean  to  come  near  a  perfon  in  a  fever,- for.  exam^, 
and  would  rather  allow  him  to  wallow  ia*  all  manner 
of  filthy  than  change  the  lead  bit  of  his  linen^*  -If 
cleaQiincf«>  beneceilary  for  perfons  in  health,  k^is 
certaiqljr  ikiore  fo  for  the  lick.  Many  difeafci  may 
be^cored hy  deanlinefs-  alone ;  moft  of  them  might 
bcimiDgated  by  ici  and,  where  it  is  negle^ed,  the 
digbcei^'.idiforders .  ai!e  pftenfchanged  into  the  moft 
Q)digrtakit«  The  faqtie  mtftaken:care  wlrich  prompted 
peopie  to  prevent  the  rleaft:admiflS!Oorbffccffa  ahi<to 
^he  ficky  feems  to  have  induced  them  tcb'keep  them 

^irtyt     Both  thcfe  deftrofbive  .prejudice8^'W4lU  we 

«opci  be  foon  entirely  cradkattd^^   ^u.i?  '>r!j'    • 

deanlinefs  is-  certainly  agceeabloto  ourHattirjr. 

^Ve  cannot  help  approving  it  in  others^  ^even  though 

^^eihpuldnotpraftife  itourfelves^  Icfooner  attracts 

^^r  regard  than.evea  finery  itfelf,  and  often  gains 

^fteemiffherc  that  fail^...  Ic  is  an  ornament  to^  the 

'^agheft  as  well  as  the  Jowefb  ilation,  and^caiinoc -be 

^ifpenfcd:wiih  in.  cither.     Few  vir cues, arcdof  more 

^<nportance  CD  focietyi^han  general  clcanl/ne^.     It 

^^ughtta.bc  carefully «coltivaccd  every  where;  .butdn 

^x^puloi^iicities  itiihould/be  almoft^  revered  V 


1 1 


^  As  it  is  impoflible  to  be  thoroughly  clean  without^  AifHcicnt 

quantity  of  water,  we  would  earnedly  rtcommend  it  to  the  magi- 

Crater  of  great  toWns  t6  fc/^  pa^ticufarly  attentive  to  tbis  article. 

Moft  gfetttowns  in  Britaiii  are  rofituated  atxo.^^e  eaUlyfupplied 

^th  yfitffi  and  Choie.  perfoos  who  will  not  malLe  a  pr6per  ule  of 

K,  after  it  is  brought  to  their  hand,  certai(\ly  deferve  to  be  fe- 

merely  paniihed.    The  ftreeis  ofgreat  towns,  where  water  can  be 

had,  ought  to  be  wafhecl  every  tJay'.     This  is  the  only  efFrAual 

fsetbodfor  keeping  them  thoroughly  clean  ;  and,  uponUialj  «v« 

lie  Derftta4e4  ^^  wiU  be  fnuftd^.t^  chc^ipclt^  •      « 


C   ««   ] 


C  H  A  P.     IX- 

OF    INFECTION. 

TL/fANY  difcafcs  arc  irifedious.  Every  p^tfbti 
^^  ought  therefore,  as  far  as  He  can,  to  avoid  all 
communication  with  the  difeafed.     The  commoti 

?ra€t)ce  of  viGtthg  the  fick,  though  often  well  meant^ 
as  many  ill  confequences.  Far  bt  ic  frbin  us  cd 
difcourage  any  a£t  of  charity  or  benevolence,  cfpfc- 
cially  towards  thofe  in  diftrds;  but  we  ca^niot  help 
blaming  fuch  as  endanger' their  own  or  their  neigh- 
bours lives  by  a  miilaken  friend(bip  or  an  impel** 
tinent  curiofuy. 

The  houfes  of  the  fick,  efpecially  in  the  countryj 
are  generally  crowded  from  nrorning  till  night 
with  idle  vifuers.  It  is  cuftomary,  in  fuch  places, 
for  fervants  and  young  people  to  wait  upon  the  fick 
by  turnsi  and  even  to  fit  up  with  them  all  night. 
Ir  would  be  a  miracle  indeed  (hould  fuch  always 
efcaf>c.  Experience  teaches  us  the  danger  of  thist 
condu£V.  Teople  often  catch  fevers  in  this  way; 
^nd  communicate  them  to  others,  till*  at  length  they 
become  epidemic. 

It  would  be  thought  highly  improper,  for  one 
who  had  not  had  the  fmallpox,  to  wait  upon  a  pa« 
lient  in  that  difeafc)  yet  many  other  fevers  are  aU 
nloft  as  infeftious  as  the  fmall-pox,  and  not  lefs 
fatal.  Some  imaging  that  fevers  prove  more  fatal 
in  villages  than  in  great  towns,  for  want  of  proper 
medical  afliftancc.  This  may  fometimes  be  the 
cafe ;  but  we  are  inclined  to  think  it  oftener  pro- 
ceeds from  the  caufe  above  mentioned. 

Were  a  plan  to  be  laid  down  for  communicating 
infeftion,  it  could  not  be  done  more  effedlually 
than  by  the  common  method  of  vifiting  the  fick. 

Such 


OF    INFECTION.  lo; 

Such  vi(itors  not  only  endanger  thennrclves  and 
iheir  connexions,  but  likcwifc  hurt  the  fick,  fiy 
crowding  the  houfc,  they  render  the  air  unwholc* 
fome,  and  by  their  private  whifpers  and  difmal 
countenances  diftufb  the  imagination  of  the  pa- 
tient, and  deprefs  his  fpirits.  rerfons  who  are  ill^i 
cfpecially  in  fevers,  ought  to  be  kept  as  quiet  as 
polfible.  The  fight  of  ft  range  faces,  and  every 
iVing  that  dift;urbs  the  mind,  hurts  them. 

The  common  prafkice  in  country-places  of  in- 
viting great  numbers  of  people  to  funerals,  an4 
crowding  them  into  the  fame  apartment  where  the 
corpfe  lies,  «  another -way  of  fpreading  infeftion. 
The   infection   does  not   always  die  with  the  pa- 
tic;it.     Every  thing  that  comes  into  contaft  with 
hi?  body  while  alive,  receives  the  contagion,   and 
fome  of  them,  as  clothes,   blankets,  &c,  will  re- 
tain it  for  a  long  time.     Perfons  who  die  of  in- 
fcSious  difordcrs  ought  not  to  lie  long  unburied; 
and  people  (bould  keep  as  much  a$  poftlble  at  a 
diftance  from  them. 

It  would  tendrgreatly  to  prevent  the  fpreading  of 

infcftious  difcafcs,  if  thofe  in  health  were  kept  at 

«  proper  diftance  from  the   fick."    The  Jcwifh  Lc- 

giflator,  among  many   other  wife  inftitutions  for 

Prefcrving  health,  has  been  peculiarly  attentive  to 

fhc  means  of  preventing  infedtion,.  or  defilement  2l% 

'(  is  called,  either  from  a  difeafed  perfon  or  a  dead 

^Hkiy.     In  many  cafes  the  difeafed  were  to  be  fepa- 

''^tcd  from  thofe  in  health ;  and  it  was  deemed  a 

^rime  even  to  approach  their    habitations.     If  a 

Perion  only  touched  a  difeafed  or  dead  body,  he 

^as  appointed  to  wafti  hinnfelf  in  water,  and  to 

Itcep  for  fome  time  at  a  diftance  from  fociety. 

Infectious  difeafes  are  often  communicated  by 
clothes.  It  is  extremely  dangerous  to  wear  apparel 
which  has  been  worn  by  the  deceafed,  unlefs  it  has 
been  well  walhed  and  fumigated,  as  infeftion  may 

lodge 
8 


to8  OF    INFECTION. 

lodge  a  long  .time  in  it,  and  afterwards  produce 
very  tragical  eiFefts.  This  (hews  the  danger  of 
buying  at  random  the  clothes  which  have  been 
worn  by  other  people. 

tnfed-ious  diforders  are  frequently  imported. 
Commerce,  together  with  the  riches  of  foreign 
climesj  brings  us  alfo  their  difeafes.  Thefe  do 
often,  more  ^  than  counterbalance  all  the  advantages 
of  that  trade  by  means  of  which  they  are  intro- 
duced. It  is  to  be  regrccced,  that  fo  little  care  is 
cqmmonly  bcdowcd,  cither  to  prevent  the  intro- 
duction or  fpreading  of  infeftious  maladies.  Soaie 
attention  indeed  is  generally  paid  to  the  plague  j 
but  othjcr  difeafes  pafs  unregarded  *. 

Infe<^Ion  is  often  fpread  through  cities,  by  jailsj 
hptpitals,  &c.  Thefe  are  frequently  fituated  in  the 
very  middle  of  populovrs  towns  j  and  when  infcc-. 
tipus  difeafes  break  out  in  them,  it  is  impolfible 
fbr  the  inhabitants  to  efcape.  Did  magiftrates  pay 
any  regard  to  the  health  of  the  people,  this  evil 
raightSe  eafily  remedied. 

rlytany  are  the  caufcs  which  tend  to  diflfufe  infec- 
tipn^  through  populous  cities.  The  whole  atmo- 
fphcxc,o(  a  large  town  is  one  contaminated  mafs^ 
^j^6uh<^'}ng ,  mih   various  kinds  of  infeftion^  and 


'^^  ^tff  th.e  tenth  part  of  the  care  taken  to  prevent  the  im- 
pb^Viintfd  '6f  AiftkftSf  that  there  is  to  prevent  Tmuggling,  it  wonld 
be  attended  with  many  happy  confequences.  This  might  eafily 
brdoBrb;^  Appointing  a  phyfician  at  every  conHderable  fea-port, 
to  infpedl  the  ihip's  company,  pafTengers,  Sec.  before  they  caine 
afbpret  .l^^  if  ^y  fever  or  other  infedious  diforder  prevailed^ 
to  prdl^ vth^  Jhip.  to  perform  a  ihort  quarantine,  and  to  fend  the 
fi§b  l<l)(f^^;^QOpi^^^  ^^  proper  place  to  be  cured.  He  might 
litc;pwi(4i:,oc^(Alt  the  clothes,  bedding,  &c.  which  had  been 
^(i^.'hf  thp.:^k  4unng  the  voyage,  to  be  either  deftroyed,  or 
thoro!igb:l^  cleanfe4  by  fumigation,  &c.  before  any  of  it  were 
{ei^,i  9S^r4t»  A  feheme  of  this  kind,  if  properly  condn£led» 
wpvM'itfcyeiit  many  fevers,  and  other  infedious  difeafes,  from 
iHFlii^  hrQogKt^by  fai^ors  into  fea-j>Qr(  (own9«  and  by  this  mefn^ 
diittred  ^1  over  the  country. 

muft 


OF    IftTFECTIO^.  ^qa 

ttiuft  be  pernicious  to  health.  The  beft  advice, 
that  we  can  give  to  fuch  as  are  obliged  to  live  in 
targe  cities  is,  to  chufe  an  open  (ituation ;  td  avoid' 
narrow,  dirty,  crowded  ftreets ;  to  keep  theif  owa 
houfes  and  offices  clean ;  and  to  be  as  much  ahrdad 
in  the  open  air  as  their  time  will  permit. 

It  would  tend  greatly  to  prevent  the  fpreadlrtg  of 
infeflious  difeafes,  were  proper  nurfcs  every  whdrt 
employed  to  take  care  of  the  fick.  .  This  might 
often  fave  a  family,  or  even  a  whole  town,  frodt 
being  inftfted  by  one  perfon.  We  do  not  mearl 
that  people  (hould  abandon  thtir  friends  or  rela- 
tions in  diftrefs,  but  only  to  put  them  on  their 
guard  againft  being  too  much  in  Companv  with 
thofe  who  are  afilided  with  difeafes  of  an  infeftious 
nature. 

*  'Suth  as  wait  upon  the  fick  in  iilfe6lious  difeafes 
run  very  great  hazard.     They  (hould  fluff  their 
nbfcs  with  tobacco,  or  fome  other  ftrong  fmeUing"' 
herb,  as  rue,  tanfy,  or  the  like.     They  ought  like-* 
wife  to  keep  the  patient  very  clesin,  tofprinkle  the 
room  where  he  lies  with  vinegar,  or  other  ftrpog 
^cids,  frequently  to  admit  a  ftream  of  frclh  air  fhto 
it|  and  to  avoid  the  fmell  of  his  breath  as  mtich  aW 
they  can.     They  ought  never  to  go  into  company 
without  having  changed  their  clothes  arid  walhed 
their  hands  ;  otherwife>  if  the  difeafc  be  infeftious, 
they  will  in  all  probability   carry   the  iFPntagiQ^. 
^Jong  with  them*.  ,..,...-■ 

Howewr. 

*  There  is  reafen  to  believe  that  Infedlion  it  often  conveyed 
^om  one  place  to  toocher  by  the  careleflbefs  of  the  facalty  tbem* ' 
^ftt.  Many  phyficians  affect  a  fantliar  way  of  fitting  apoti  the  ' 
Patient's  bcdfide»  and  holding  his  arm  for  a  coniiderable  time.-  If* 
tke  patient  has  the  fmall-po):,  or  any  other  infcfUoiis  di(ea/e» 
tWre  is  no  doabt  bat  the  doctor's  bands,  clothes,  &c.  will  cwryf 
^y  fome  of  the  infcdlion ;  and,  if  he  goes  diredly  to  vtAt  an- • 
other  patient  without  waihin'g  his  hands^  changing  his  clofbe5»>- 
or  bring  expofed  to  the  open  air^  whick  is  not  ieldgn  the  c^f^i' 


iio  OF    INFECTioW. 

However  trifling  it  may  appear  to  inconfiderate 
perfons,  wc  will  venture  to  affirm,  that  a  due  at- 
tention to  thofc  things  which  tend  to  difTufc  infec- 
tion would  be  of  great  importance  in  preventing 
difeafes.  As  mod  difeafes  are  in  fomc  degree  in- 
fc<5tious,  no  one  (hbuld  continue  long  with  the  fick, 
except  the  neceflary  attendants.  I  mean  not, 
however,  by  this  caution,  to  deter  thofc  whofe 
duty  or  office  leads  them  to  wait  upon  the  fick, 
froni  fiich  a  laudable  and  neceflary  employment* 

Many  things  arc  in  the  power  of  the  magiftrate 
vhich  would  tend  to  prevent  the  fpreading  otinfec- 
tion  I  as  the  promoting  of  public  cleanlinefs ;  re- 
moving jails,  hofpitals,  burying  grounds,  and  other 
places  where  infcftion  may  be  generated,  at  a  pro* 
per  diftancc  from  great  towns*;  widening  the* 
itreets ;  pulling  down  ufelefs  walls,  and  taking  all 
methods  to  promote  a  free  circulation  of  air  through 
dvery  part  of  the  town,  &c.  Public  hofpitals,  or 
proper  places  of  reception  for  the  fick,  provided 
they  were  kept  clean,  well  ventilated,  and  placed 
in  an  open  (ituation,  would  likewife  tend  to  pre- 
vent the  fpreading  of  infeftion.  Such  places  of 
reception  would  prevent  the  poor,  when  uck,  from 
being  vifited  by  their  idle  or  officious  neighbour^. 
'they  would  likewife  render  it  unneceflary  for  fick' 
lervants  to  be  kept  in  their  matters  houfcs.  Mailers 
had  better  pay  for  having  their  fervants  taken  care 
of  in  an  hofpital,  than  run  the  hazard  of  having  an^ 
infedious  difeafc  diflfufed  among  a  numerous  fa- 

is  It  any  wonder  that  he  (hoald  carry  the  difeafe  along  with  him  t 
Phy(rcians  not  only  endanger  others,  but  alio  theoafeivei,  by  this 
practice;  And  indeed  thty  fometimes  fuff^  for  their  wjinc  of 
care. 

*  *  The  ancients  wonld  not  fuffer  even  the  templet  of  thetr* 
gbds/  where  the  fick  rcfofttdf  to  be  built  within  the  walh  of« 
thy, 

•    •  ■    . 

mily. 


OF   THE  I'^SSIONS.         iir 

Riily.  Sick  fervants  and  poor  people,  ^hen  placed 
in  liofpicals,  are  not  only  lefs  apt  to  difFufe  infec^ 
tion  among  their  neighbours,  but  have  likewifc  the 
advantage  of  being  well  attended. 

We  are  nor,  however,  to  learn  that  hofpitals,  in- 
ftead  of  preventing .  ipf^ftion,    may    become   the 
means  of  diffufing  it.     When  they  arc  placed  in 
the  ixiiddle  of  great  towns;  when  numbers  of  pa- 
tients are  crowded  together  into  fmall  apartments; 
when  there  is  a  conftant  communication  kept  up  be- 
tween th^  citizens   and   the   patients;    and  when 
cleanlinefs  and  ventilation  are  neglefted,  they  be- 
come nefts  for  hatching  difeafcs,  and  every  one  who 
goes  into  them  not  only  runs  a  rifle  of  receiving  in- 
fcftion  himfelf,  but  Irkcwife  of  communicating  ii 
to  others.     This  however  is  not  the  fault  of  the 
hofpitals,  but  of  thofc  who  have  the  management  « 
of  them.     It  were  to  be  wiflied,  that   they  were 
both  more  numerous,  and  upon  a  more  rcfpc6l:ablc 
footing,  as  that  would  induce  people   to  go  into 
them  with  lefs  relu^ftance.     This  is  the  more  to  be 
dcfiredj  becaufe  moft  of  the  putrid  fevers  and  other 
infeftious  diforders  break  out  among  the  poor,  and 
are   by    them    communicated   to   the   better  fort. 
Were  proper  attention  paid  to  the  firft  appvcarancea 
of  fuch  diforders,  and  the  patients  early  conveyed 
to  an  hofpital,  we  fhould  feldom  fee  a  putrid  fever, 
which  is  almoft  as  infcftious  as  the  plague,  become 
Epidemic. 


i*^ 


CHAP.    X. 
OF    THE    PASSIONS. 

hpHE  pafTions  havi  great  influence  both  in  the* 
*  caufe  and  cure  of  difeafes.  How  the  mind  af-* 
fe&s  the  body>  will  in  all  probability  ever  remain' 

a  fccrer. 


iia         OF  THE  PASSIOKS. 

a  fecret.  It  is  fufficient  for  us  to  knowj  that  there 
is  eftabliflicd  a  reciprocal  influence  between  the 
mental  and  corporeal  parts,  and  that  whatever  in** 
jures  the  one  diforders  the  other. 

Of  Anger. 

The  paffion  oi  anger  ruffles  the  mind,  diftorts  the 
countenance,  hurries  on  the  circulation  of  the 
blood,  and  diforders  the  whole  vital  and  animal 
funftions.  It  often  occafions  fevers,  and  other 
acute  difeafes )  and  fometimes  even  fudden  death. 
This  paffion  is  peculiarly  hurtful  to  the  delicate^ 
and  thofe  of  weak  nerves.  ^  I  have  known  fuch 
perfons  frequently  lofe  their  lives  by  a  violent  fit 
of  anger,  and  would  advife  them  to  guard  againft 
the  excefs  of  this  pafflon  with  the  utmoft  care. 

It  is  not  indeed  always  in  our  power  to  prevent 
being  angry;  but  we  may  furely  avoid  harbouring 
refentment  in  our  breaft.  R^fentment  preys  upon 
the  mind,  and  occafions  the  moft  obftinate  chro« 
nical  diforders,  which  gradually  wafte  the  confti* 
tution.  Nothing  (hews  true  greatnefs  of  mind  more 
than  to  forgive  injuries;  it  promotes  the  peace  of 
fociety,  and  greatly  conduces  to  our  own  eafe^ 
health,  and  felicity. 

Such  as  value  health  (hould  avoid  violent  gufts 
of  anger,  as  they  would  the  moft  deadly  poifon. 
Neither  ought  they  to  indulge  refentment,  but  to 
endeavour  at  all  times  to  keep  their  minds  calm 
snd  ferene.  Nothing  tends  fo  much  to  the  health 
of  the  body  as  a  conftant  tranquillity  of  mind. 

Of  Fear. 

The  influence  o^  fear,  both  in  occafioning  and 
aggravating  difeafts,  is  very  great.  No  man 
^ght  to  be  blamed  for  a  decent  concern  about 
life;  but  too  great  a  dcfire  to  prefcrve  it  is  often 

the 


-■^'v 


>    » 


OF  THE   PASSIONS.  113 

tSc  caufe  of  lofing  it.  Fear  and  anxiety,  by  de- 
prcfling  the  fpirits,  not  only  difpofe  us  to  difeafes, 
but  often  render  thofe  difeafes  fatal  which  an  un- 
daunted mind  would  overcome. 

Sudden  fear  has  generally  violent  efFefts.     Epi- 
leptic fits,  and  other  convulfive  diforders,  are  often 
otcafioned  by  it.     Hence  the  danger  of  that  prac- 
tice, fo  common  among  young  people,  of  fright- 
ening one   another.     Many  have  loft  their  lives, 
and  others  have  been  rendered  mifcrable,  by  fro- 
lics of  this  kind.     It  is  dangerous  to  tamper  with 
the  human    pafTions.      The   mind  may  eafily  be 
thrown  into  fuch  diforder  as  never  again  to  adt 
with  regularity^ 

But  the  gradual  efFeds  of  fear  prove  moft  hurt- 
ful. The  conftant  dread  of  fome  future  evil,  by 
dwelling  upon  the  mind,  often  occafions  the  very 
evil  itfelf.  Hence  it  comes  to  pafs,  that  fo  many 
die  of  thofe  very  difeafes  of  which  they  long  had 
a  dread,  or  which  had  been  impreffed  on  their 
ftiinds  by  fome  accident,  or  foolifh  prediftion. 
This,  for  example,  is  often  the  cafe  with  women 
in  childbed.  Many  of  thofe  who  die  in  that  fitua- 
tion  arc  impreffed  with  the  notion  of  their  death  a 
'ong  time  before  it  happens;  and  there  is  reafon 
^believe  that  this  imprcffion  is  often  the  caufe 
of  it. 

The  methods  taken  to  imprefs  the  minds   of 
^omen  with  the  apprehenfions  of  the  great  pain  and  - 
P^rilof  child-birth,  are  very  hurtful.     Few  women^' 
die  in  labour,  though  many  lofe  their  lives  after  it;  '■*- 
^hich  may  be  thus  accounted  for.     A  woman  after 
delivery,  finding  herfcif  weak  and  exhaufted,  im- 
"^ediately   apprehends  (he  is  in  danger  j  but  this 
f^ar  feldom  fails  to  obftrucl  the  neceffary  cvacua- ,» 
^^ons.  upon  which  her  recovery   depends     Thuj  -• 
^^^  wx  often  fall  a  facrifice  to  their  own  imagi-'-^ 

I  nations^ 


114  OF    THE    PASSIONS. 

nations,  when  there  would  be  no  danger,  did  they 
apprehend  none. 

It  feldom  happens  that  two  or  three  women  in  a 
great  town  die  in  child-bed,  but  their  death  is 
followed  by  many  others.  Every  woman  of  their 
acquaintance  who  is  with  child  dreads  the  fame 
fate,  and  the  dileafe  becomes  epidemical  by  the 
mere  force  of  imagination.  This  fhould  induce 
pregnant  women  to  defpife  fear,  and  by  all  means 
to  avoid  thofe  tattling  goffips  who  are  continually 
buzzing  in  their  ears  the  misfortunes  of  others. 
Every  thing  that  may  in  the  leaft  alarm  a  preg- 
nant or  child- bed  woman,  ought  with  the  greateft 
care  to  be  guarded  againil. 

Many  women  have  loft  their  lives  in  child- bed 
by  the  old  fuperftitious  cuftom,  ftill  kept  up  in  moft 
parts  of  Britain,  of  tolling  the  parifh  bell  for  every 
pcrfon  who  dies.  People  who  think  themfelves  la 
danger  are  very  inquifitive;  and  if  they  come  to 
know  that  the  bell  tolls  for  one  who  died  in  the  fame 
fituation  with  thcmlelves,  what  muft  be  the  confe- 
qucnce  ?  Ac  any  rate  they  are  apt  to  fuppofe  that  * 
this  is  the  cafe,  and  it  will  often  be  found  a  very 
difficult  matter  to  perfuadc  them  of  the  contrary. 

But  this  cuftom  is  not  pernicious  to  child-bed 
women  only.  It  is  hurtful  in  many  other  cafes'. 
When  low  fevers,  in  which  it  is  difficult  to  fupporc 
the  patient's  fpirits,  prevail,  what  muft  bethecfFeft 
of  a  funeral  peal  founding  five  or  fix  times  a  day 
in  his  ears  ?  No  doubt  his  imagination  will  fuggeft 
that  others  died  of  the  fame  difeafe  under  which  he 
labours.  This  apprchenfion  will  have  a  greater 
tendency  to  deprefs  his  fpirits,  than  all  the  cor- 
dials of  which  medicine  can  boaft  will  have  to 
raifc  them. 

If  this  ufelefs  piece  of  ceremony  cannot  be  abo- 
lifhcd,  we  ought  to   keep  the  fitk  as  much  from 

heiring 


*.r»w>.^  ... 


OF    THE    PASSIONS,  115 

hearing  it  as  poflible,  and  from  every  other  thing 
that  may  tend  to  alarm  them.  So  far  however  is 
this  from  being  generally  attended  to,  that  rhany 
make  it  their  bufinefs  to  vifit  the  fick,  on  purpofe 
to  whifper  difmal  (lories  in  their  ears.  Sxich  may 
pafsforfympathizing  friends,  but  they  ought  rather 
io  be  confidered  as  enemies.  All  who  wilh  well  to 
the  fick  ought  to  keep  fuch  perfons  at  the  greateft 
Alliance  from  them. 

A  cuftom  has  long  prevailed  among  phyficians, 
of  prognofticating,  as  they  call  it,  the  patient's 
fate,  or  foretelling  the  iffue  of  the  difeafe.  Va- 
nity no  doubt  introduced  this  praAice,  and  (lill 
fupports  it,  in  fpite  of  common  fenfc  and  the  fafcty 
Oi  mankind.  I  have  known  a  phyfician  barbarous 
tnoughto  boaft,  that  he  pronounced  more yi»/^;/f^j 
than  all  his  Majefty's  judges.  *\Vould  to  God  that 
fuch  fentences  were  not  often  equally  fatal !  It 
xnty  indeed  be  alleged,  that  the  do£tor  does  not 
declare  his  opinion  before  the  patient.  So  much 
the  worfe.  A  fcnfible  patient  had  better  hear  what 
the  dodor  fa/s,  than  learn  it  from  the  difconfolatc 
looks,  the  watery  eyes,  and  the  broken  whifpers 
of  thofe  about  him.  It  feldom  happens,  when  the 
doftor  gives  an  unfavourable  opinion,  that  it  can 
J>c  concealed  from  the  patient.  The  very  embar- 
'affmcnt  which  the  friends  and  attendants  (hew  in 
difguifing  what  he  has  faid,  is  generally  fufficient 
todifcover  the  truth. 

Kind  Heaven  has,  for  the  wifeft  ends,  concealed 
ffom  mortals  their  fate ;  and  we  do  not  fee  what 
^ht  any  man  has  to  announce  the  death  of  an- 
other, efpecially  if  fuch  a  declaration  has  a  chance 
^  kill  him.  Mankind  *are  indeed  very  fond  of 
prying  into  future  events,  and  feldom  fail  to  fo- 
"Citthe  phyfician  for  his  opinion.  A  doubtful  an- 
'^cr,  however,  or  one  that  may  tend  rather  to 
encourage  the  hopes  of  the  fick,  is  furcly  the  mod 

I  2  fafe. 


ii6  OF    THE    PASSIONS. 

fafc.  This  conduft  could  neither  hurt  the  pa- 
tient nor  the  phyfician.  Nothing  tends  more  to 
dcftroy  the  credit  of  phyfic  than  thofc  bold  prog- 
nofticators,  who,  by  the  bye,  are  generally  the 
mod  ignorant  of  the  faculty.  The  miftakcs  which 
daily  happen  in  this  way  are  fo  many  (landing 
proofs  of  human  vanity,  and  the  weaknefs  of 
fcience. 

We  readily  admit,  that  there  are  cafes  where 
the  phyfician  ought  to  give  intimation  of  the  pa- 
tient's danger  tofome  of  his  near  connexions;  though 
even  this  ought  always  to  be  done  with  the  greateit 
caution  :  but  it  never  can  be  neceffary  in  any  cafe 
that  the  whole  town  and  country  fhould  know, 
immediately  after  the  doftor  has  made  his  firft  vifir, 
thai  be  has  no  hopes  of  his  patient's  recovery.  Pcrfons 
whofe  impertinent  curiofity  leads  them  to  queftion 
the  phyfician  with  regard  to  the  face  of  his  pa- 
tient, certainly  deferve  no  other  than  an  evafive 
anfwer. 

The  vanity  of  foretelling  the  fate  of  the  fick  is 
not  peculiar  to  the  faculty.  Others  follow  their 
example,  and  thofc  who  think  themfclvcs  wifer 
Aan  their  neighbours  often  do  much  hurt  in  this 
way.  Humanity  furely  calls  upon  every  one  to 
comfort  the  fick,  and  not  to  add  to  thpir  affliftion 
by  alarming  their  fears.  A  friend,  or  even  a  phy- 
fician, may  often  do  more  good  by  a  mild  and 
fympathizing  behaviour  'than  by  medicine,  and 
Ihould  never  negled  to  adminifter  that  greatcft  of 
all  cordials,  Hope. 

Of  Grief 

Grief  is  the  mod  deftruftive  of  all  the  pafllons. 
Its  effects  are  permanent,  and  when  it  finks  deep 
into  the  mind,  it  generally  proves  fatal.  Anger 
and  fear,  being  of  a  more  violent  nature,  feldom 
laft  long  i  but  grief  often  changes  into  a  fixed  mc- 

lo  lancholy. 


OF    THE    PASSIONS.  117 

lancholy,  which  preys  upon  the  fpirits,  and  waftes 
the  confticution.  This  paflion  ought  not  to  be  in- 
dulged. It  may  generally  be  conquered  at  the 
beginning;  but  when  it  has  gained  (Irength^  all 
attennpts  to  remove  it  are  vain. 

No  perfon  can  prevent  misfortunes  in  life;  but 
it  (hews  true  greatnefs  of  mind  to  bear  them  with 
ferenity.  Many  perfons  make  a  merit  of  indulging 
grief,  and  when  misfortunes  happen,  they  obfti- 
nately  refufe  all  confolation,  till  the  mind,  over-* 
whelmed  with  melancholy,  finks  under  the  load. 
Such  condu£t:  is  not  only  deftruftive  to  health, 
but  inconfiftent  with  realbn,  religion,  and  com- 
ir.on  fenfe. 

Change  of  ideas    is   as  neceflfary   for   health  as 

change   of  pofturc.     When   the  mind  dwells  long 

^pon  one  fubjeft,  efpecially  of  a  difagreeable  na- 

^"rc,  it  hurts  the   whole  funftions  of  the  body, 

t'cncc  grief  indulged   fpoils  the  digeftion  and  de- 

^''oys  the  appetite;    by  which  means  the   fpirits 

^'"c  deprefled,  the  nerves  relaxed,  the  bowels  in- 

^^ted  with  wind,  and  the  humours,    for  want  of 

'^^fh  fupplies  of  chyle,  vitiated.     Thus  many   an    ^ 

^^ccllent  conftitution  has  been  ruined  by  a  family 

'Misfortune,  or  any  thing  that  occafions  excelfivc 
grief. 

.  It  is  utterly  impoITible,  that  any  perfon  of  a  de- 
J^fted  mind  (hould  enjoy  health.  Life  may  indeed 
'^e  dragged  out  for  a  few  years :  but  whoever 
^ould  live  to  a  good  old  age,  muft  be  good-hu- 
niourcd  and  cheerful.  This  indeed  is  not  alto- 
gether in  our  own  power ;  yet  our  temper  of  mind, 
as  well  as  our  aftions,  depend  greatly  upon  our- 
fclves.  We  can  either  aflbciate  with  cheerful  or 
melancholy  companions,  mingle  in  the  amufements 
and  offices  of  life,  or  lit  ftill  and  brood  over  our  ca- 
lamities  as  we  choofe.      Thefc,    and  many  fuch 

I  3  things, 


ii8         OF   THE   PASSIONS. 

things,  are  certainly  in  our  power,   and  from  thefc. 
the  mind  generally  takes  its  caft. 

The  variety  of  fcenes  which  prefent  themfelvcs 
to  the  fenfes,  were  certainly  dcfigned  to  prevent 
our  attention  from  being  too  long  fixed  upon  any. 
one  objedt.  Nature  abounds  with  variety,  and 
the  mind,  unlefs  fixed  down  by  habit,  delights  in 
contemplating  new  objefts.  This  at  once  points 
out  the  method  of  relieving  the  mind  in  diftrefs. 
Turn  the  attention  frequently  to  new  objcdls.  Ex- 
amine them  for  fome  time.  When  the  mind  be- 
gins to  recoil,  fhifc  the  fcene.  By  this  mean?  a 
conftant  fucccifion  of  new  ideas  may  be  kept  up, 
till  the  difagreeable  ones  entirely  dlfappear.  Thus 
travelling,  the  ftudy  of  any  art  or  fcience,  read- 
ing or  writing  on  fuch  fubjedls  as  deeply  engage  the 
attention,  will  fooner  expel  grief  than  the  moft. 
fprightly  amufements. 

It  has  already  been  obferved,  that  the  body  can-- 
not  be  healthy  unlefs  it  be  exercifed;  neither  can 
the  mind.  Indolence  nourifties  grief.  When  the 
mind  has  nothing  elfe  to  think  of  but  calamities, 
no  wonder  that  it  dwells  there.  Few  people  who 
purfue  bufinefs  with  attention  are  hurt  by  grief. 
Inftcad  therefore  of  abftradling  ourfclves  from  the 
world  or  bufinefs,  when  misfortunes  happen,  we 
ought  to  engage  in  it  with  more  than  ufual  atten- 
tion, to  difcharge  with  double  diligence  the  func- 
tions of  our  ftation,  and  to  mix  with  friends  of  a 
cheerful  and  focial  temper. 

Innocent  amufements  are  by  no  means  to  be  ne- 
glected. Thefe,  by  leading  the  mind  infenfibly  to 
the  contemplation  of  agreeable  objefts,  helptodif- 
pel  the  gloom  which  misfortunes  caft  over  it.  They 
make  time  feem  lefs  tedious,  and  have  many  other 
happy  cfFcds. 

Some  perfons,  when  overwhelmed  with  grief,  be- 
take themfelves  to  drinking.    This  is  making  the 

cure 


OF   THE    PASSIONS.  119 

cure  worfc  than  the  difcafe.     It  fcldom  fails  to  end 
in  the  ruin  of  fortune,  charadler^  and  conftitution. 

Of  Love. 

Love  is  perhaps  the  ftrongeft  of  all  the  pafTions; 
atlcaft,  when  it  becomes  violenr,  it  is  Icfs  fubjedt 
to  the  control  either  of  the  undcrftanding  of  will, 
than  any  of  the  reft.  Fear,  anger,  and  feveral 
other  paiHons,  are  necefTiry  for  the  prefervation  of 
the  individual,  but  love  is  neceffary  for  the  coo- 
tinuation  of  the  fpecies  itfelf:  it  was  therefore  pro-» 
per  that  this  paflion  fhould  be  deeply  rooted  in  the 
human  breaft. 

Though  love  be  a  ftrong  paflion,  it  is  feldom  fo 
rapid  in  its  progrefs  as  feveral  of  the  others.  Few 
pcrfons  fall  defpcratcly  in  love  all  at  once.  Wc 
would  therefore  advife  every  one,  before  he  tam- 
pers with  this  paflion,  to  confider  well  the  proba- 
bility of  his  being  able  to  obtain  the  objeft  of  his 
love.  When  that  is  not  likely,  he  Ihould  avoid  every 
occafion  of  increafing  it.  He  ought  immediately 
to  fly  the  company  of  the  beloved  objt- ft ;  to  apply 
fiis  mind  attentively  to  bufinefs  or  lludy;  to  take 
every  kind  of  amufement  j  and  above  all,  to  en- 
deavour, if  pofllble,  to  find  another  objeft  whicK 
n)ay  engage  his  afl^eftions,  and  which  it  may  be  in 
liis  power  to  obtain. 

There  is  no  paflion  with  which  people  are  fo 
feady  to  tamper  as  love,  although  none  is  more 
dangerous.  Some  men  make  love  for  amufement, 
others  from  mere  vanity,  or  on-purpofe  to  Ihcw 
their  confequence  with  the  fair.  This  is  perhaps  the 
greaccft  piece  of  cruelty  which  any  one  can  be 
guilty  of.  What  wc  eagerly  wi(h  for  we  ealily  cre- 
dit. Hence  the  too  credulous  fair  are  often  be- 
trayed into  a  fituation  which  is  truly  deplorable, 
before  they  arc  able  todifcovcr  that  the  pretended 

I  4  lovcT 


I20  OF    THE    PASSIONS. 

lover  was  only  in  jeft.  But  there  is  no  jelling  with 
this  paflion.  When  love  is  got  to  a  certain  height, 
it  admits  of  no  other  cure  but  the  poffeffion  of 
its  objeft,  which  in  this  cafe  ought  always  if  pof- 
fible  to  be  obtained  *• 

Of  Religious  Melancholy. 

Many  perfons  of  a  religious  turn  of  mind  be- 
have as  if  they  thought  it  a  crime  to  be  cheerful. 
They  imagine  the  whole  of  religion  confifts  in 
certain  mortifications,  or  denying  themfelves  the 
fmalleft  indulgence,  even  of  the  moil  innocent 
amufements,  A  perpetual  gloom  hangs  over  their 
countenances,  while  the  deeped  melancholy  preys 
upon  their  minds.  At  length  the  faired  profpefta 
vanifh,  every  thing  puts  on  a  difmal  appearance, 
and  thofe  very  objefts  which  ought  to  give  delight; 
afford  nothing  but  difgud.  Life  itfelf  becomes  a 
burden,  and  the  unhappy  wretch,  pcrfuaded  that 
no  evil  can  equal  what  he  feels,  often  puts  an  end 
to  his  own  miferable  exidence, 

It  is  great  pity  that  ever  religion  (hould  be  fo 
far  perverted,  as  to  become  the  caufe  of  thofe  /ery 
evils  which  it  was  defigned  to  cure.  Nothing  can 
be  better  calculated  than  ^rue  Religion^  to  raife  and 
fupport  the  mind  of  its  votaries  under  every  afflic- 
tion that  can  befal  them.  It  teaches  them,  that 
even  the  fufferings  of  this  life  are  preparatory   to 

•  The  condudi  of  parents  with  regard  to  the  difpofal  of  their 
children  in  marriage  is  often  very  hlamabje.  An  advantageous 
match  is  the  conflant  aim  of  parents ;  while  their  children  ofteo 
fuffer  a  real  martyrdom  betwixt  their  inclinations  and  duty.  The 
firft  thing  which  parents  ought  to  confult  in  difpofing  their  chiU 
dren  in  marriage>  is  certainly  their  inclinations.  Were  due  re- 
gard always  paid  to  thefe,  there  would  be  fewer  unhappy 
couples,  and  parents  would  not  have  To  often  caufe  to  repenc 
the  feverity  of  their  condud,  after  a  ruined  conftitutpn,  a  loit 
charadier^  or  a  dillradted  mind,  has  fhewn  them  their  miilake. 

the 


Of  the  COMMON  EVACUATIONS.     121 

the  happincfs  of  the  next;  and  that  all  who  perfifl: 
in  a  courfe  of  virtue  (hall  at  length  arrive  at  com- 
plete felicity. 

Pcrfons  whofe  bufinefs  it  is  to  recommend  reli- 
gion to  others,  (hould  bewaVe  of  dwelling  too 
much  on  gloomy  fubjefts.  That  peace  and  tran- 
.quillity  of  mind,  which  true  religion  is  calculated 
to  infpire,  is  a  more  powerful  argument  in  its  fa- 
vour than  all  the  terrors  that  can  be  uttered. 
Terror  may  indeed  deter  men  from  outward  afts  of 
wickedncfs,  but  can  never  infpire  them  with  that 
love  of  God,  and  real  goodnefs  of  heart,  in  which 
alone  true  religion  confifts. 
To  conclude;    the  beft  way  to   counteraft   the 

violence  of  any  paffion,  is  to  keep  the  mind  clofcly 

engaged  in  fomc  ufcful  purfuit. 


CHAP.    XI. 

OF   THE   COMMON   EVACUATIONS. 

^^HE    principal  evacuations   from    the   human 

^    body   are  thofe    by  Jlocl^   urine^  and  injcnfihle 

T^erfpiration.     None  of  tlici'c  can  be  long  obltrudtcd 

^^ithout  impairing  the  health.     When  that  which 

^ughc  to  be  thrown  out  of  the  body  is  too  long 

detained,  it  not  only  occafions  zplethorayov  too  greac 

fulnefs  of  the  veflels,  but  acquires  qualities  wiiich 

5ire   hurtful   to  the  health,    as  acrimony,    putrcf- 

cence,  &c. 

Of  the  Evacuation  hy  Stool. 

Few  things  conduce  more  to  health  than  keep- 
ing the  body  regular.  When  the/i^r^j  lie  too  long 
in  the  bowels^  they  vitiate  the  humours;  and  when 

ihcv 


122   Of  the  COMMON  EVACUATIONS. 

they  are  too  foon  difchargcd,  the  body  is  not  fufE- 
ciently  nourilhed.  A  medium  is  therefore  to  be 
defired,  which  can  only  be  obtainjcd  by  regularity 
in  diet,  fleep,  and  exercife.  Whenever  the  body 
is  not  regular,  there  is  rcafon  to  fufpeft  a  fault  in 
one  or  other  of  thefe. 

Perfons  who  eat  and  drink  at  irregular  hours, 
and  who  eat  various  kinds  of  food,  and  drink  of 
feveral  different  liquors  at  every  meal,  have  no 
reafon  to  expeft  either  that  their  digeftion  will  be 
good,  or  their  difcharges  regular.  Irregularity  in 
eating  and  drinking  difturbs  every  part  of  the  ani- 
mal otconomy,  and  never  fails  to  occafion  difeafes. 
Either  toa  much  or  too  little  food  will  have  this 
cffeft.  The  former  indeed  generally  occafions 
loofenefs,  and  the  latter  coftivenefs  \  but  both  have 
a  tendency  to  hurt  the  health. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  afcertain  the  exaft  num- 
ber of  ftools  which  may  ht  confident  with  health, 
as  thefe  differ  in  the  different  periods  of  life,  in 
different  conftitutions,  and  even  in  the  fame  con- 
ftitution  under  a  different  regimen  of  diet,  exercife, 
&c.  It  is  however  generally  allowed,  that  one 
ftoOl  a-day  is  fufficient  for  an  adult,  and  that  Icfs 
is  hurtful.  But  this,  like  moft  general  rules,  ad- 
mits of  many  exceptions.  I  have  known  perfons 
in  perfcdl  health  who  did  not  go  to  ftool  above 
once  a-week.  Such  a  degree  of  coftivenefs  how- 
ever is  not  {dS^\  though  the  perfon  who  labours 
under  it  may  for  fome  time  enjoy  tolerable  health, 
yet  at  length  it  may  occafion  difeafes. 

One  method  of  procuring  a  flool  every  day  is  to 
rife  betimes,  and  go  abroad  in  the  open  air.  Not 
only  the  poilure  in  bed  is  unfavourable  to  regular 
ftools,  but  aUb  tlie  warmth.  This,  by  promoting 
the  perfpiration,  Itrffens  all  the  other  difcharges. 

The  method  recommended  for  this  purpofc  by 
Mr.  Locke  is  likewifc  very  proper,  viz^    to  Jolicit 

nature^ 


Of  the  COMMON  EVACUATIONS.    123 

nature^  by  going  regularly  to  ftool  every  morning 
whether  one  has  a  call  or  not.  Habits  of  this  kind 
may  be  acquired,  which  will  in  time  become  na- 
tural. 

Pcrfons  who  have  frequent  recourfe  to  medicines 
for  preventing  codivencfs  feldom  fail  to  ruin  their 
conftitution.  Purging  medicines  frequently  re- 
peated weaken  the  bowels,  hurt  the  digeftion,  and 
every  dofe  makes  way  for  another,  till  at  length 
they  become  as  neceflary  as  daily  bread.  Thofc 
who  are  troubled  with  coftivenefs  ought  rather,  if 
pofTible,  to  remove  it  by  diet  than  drugs.  They 
fhould  likewife  go  thinly  clothed,  and  avoid  every 
thing  of  an  aftringent  or  of  an  heating  nature. 
The  diet  and  other  regimen  neceffary  in  this  cafe 
will  be  found  under  the  article  Cojiivenejs^  where 
this  ftate  of  the  bowels  is  treated  as  a  difeafe. 

Such  perfons  as  are  troubled  with  a  habitual 
loofenefs  ought  likewife  tp  fuit  their  diet  to  the  na- 
ture of  their  complaint.  They  fhould  ufe  food 
which  braces  and  ftrengthcns  the  bowels,  and  which 
is  rather  of  an  aftringent  quality,  as  wheat- bread 
made  of  the  fined  flour,  checfe,  eggs,  riec  boiled 
in  milk,  &c.  Their  drink  (hould  be  red  port, 
claret,  brandy  and  water  in  which  toafted  bread 
has  been  boiled,  and  fuch  like. 

As  a  habitual  loofenefs  is  often  owing  to  an  ob- 
ftrufted  perfpiration,  perfons  affeftcd  with  it  ought 
to  Icecp  their  feet  warm,  to  wear  Hannel  next  their 
fkin,  and  i^c  every  other  method  to  promote  the 
perfpiration.  Further  direftions  with  regard  to  the 
treatment  of  this  complaint  will  be  found  under  the 
article  Loofenejs^ 

Of  Urine. 

So  many  things  tend  to  change  both  the  quantity 
and  appearances  of  the  urine,  that  it  is  very  difficult 
to  lay  down  any  determined  rules  for  judging  of 

either. 


124      Of  the  COMMON  EVACUATIONS. 

cither*.  Dr.  Chcyne  fays,  the  urine  ought  to  be 
equal  to  three-fourths  of  the  liquid  part  of  our  ali* 
ment.  But  fuppofe  any  one  were  to  take  the  trouble 
of  meafiiring  both,  he  would  find  that  every  thing 
which  altered  the  degree  of  perfpiration,  would  alter 
this  proportion,  and  likewifc  that  different  kinds  of 
aliment  would  afford  very  different  quantities  of 
urine.  Though  for  thefe,  and  other  reafons,  no  rule 
can  be  given  for  judging  of  the  precife  quantity  of 
urine  which  ought  to  be  difcharged,  yet  a  perfon  of 
common  fcnfe  will  fcldom  be  at  a  lofs  to  know  when 
it  is  in  either  extreme. 

As  a  free  difcharge  of  urine  not  only  prevents  but 
aftually  cures  many  difcafes,  it  ought  by  all  means 
to  be  promoted  ;  and  every  thing  that  may  obftrufl: 
it  fhould  be  carefully  avoided.  Both  the  fecretion 
and  difcharge  of  urine  are  leffened  by  a  fedentary 
life,  fleeping  on  beds  that  are  too  fofc  and  warm, 
food  of  a  dry  and  heating  qijality,  liquors  which  arc 
aftringent  and  heating,  as  red  port,  claret,  and  fuch 
like.  Thofe  who  have  reafon  to  fufpeft  that  their 
urine  is  in  too  fmall  quantity,  or  who  have  any 

*  It  has  long  been  an  obfervaiion  anaong  phyficians,  that  the 
sppraranccsof  the  urine  are  very  uncertain,  and  very  little  to  be 
depended  on.  N(*  one  will  be  furprifed  at  this  who  coniiders  how 
many  ways  it  may  be  afi'edled,  and  confequenily  have  its  appear- 
and: .altered.  'I  he  paiHons,  the  (late  of  the  atmoi'phere,  thequan* 
t'ty  and  quality  cf  the  food,  the  excrcilc,  the  clothing,  the  (late 
y\  ihi!  other  evacuations,  and  numbcrlefsother  cauffs,  are  Aifficient 
toinducca  changcciiher  in  the  quaniityora^  pearanceofthearine. 
Any  one  who  attends  to  this,  will  be  afloniQicd  at  the  impudence 
of  thofc  daring  quacks,  who  pretend  to  find  out  difcafes,  and  pre- 
fcribe  to  patients  from  the  bare  infpcdlion  of  their  urine.  Thefe 
i.'TipcU'wrs,  howtver,  are  vn-y  common  ail  over  Britain,  and  by  the 
aniazing  credulity  of  the  populace,  many  cf  ihem  amafs  coniider- 
r»ble  fortunes.  Ofall  the  medical  prejudices  which  prevail  in 
ttsis  country,  that  in  favour  of  urin^  doiton  is  the  llrongeih  The 
co:imicn  people  h<ive  ilili  an  unlio^iied  faith  in  their  (kill,  al- 
though it  n as  bet- n  dt-monlhated  that  nooneof  them  is  able  todif- 
tinguiili  the  urine  ai  a  horfe^  or  any  other  animal,  from  that  of  a 
ii.an. 

fymptotns 


Of  the  COMMON  EVACUATIONS.       125 

fymptoms  of  the  gravel,  ought  not  only  to  avoid 
thcfc  things,  but  whatever  cUe  they  find  has  a  ten- 
dency to  leflcn  the  quantity  of  their  urine. 

When  the  urine  is  too  long  retained,  it  is  not  only 
rcforbed,  or  taken  up  again  into  the  mafs  of  fluids, 
butby  ftagnating  in  the  bladder  it  becomes  thicker, 
the  more  watery  parts  flying  off  firft,  and  the  more 
grofs  and  earthy  remaining  behind.  By  the  conftanc 
tendency  which  thefe  have  to  concrete,  the  formation 
of  (tones  and  gravel  in  the  bladder  is  promoted. 
Hence  it  comes  to  pafs,  that  indolent  and  fedentarjr 
people  are  much  more  liable  to  thefe  difeafcs,  than 
perfons  of  a  more  aftive  life. 

Many  perfons  have  loft  their  lives,  and  others 
have  brought  on  very  tedious,  and  even  incurable 
difordcrs,  by  retaining  their  urine  too  long,  from  a 
falfe  delicacy.  When  the  bladder  has  been  over- 
diftended,  it  often  lofes  its  power  of  adlion  altogether, 
or  becomes  paralytic,  by, which  means  it  is  rendered 
unable  either  to  retain  the  urine,  or  expel  it  properly. 
The  calls  of  Nature  ought  never  to  be  poftponed. 
Delicacy  is  doubtlcfs  a  virtue;  but  that  can  nevec 
be  reckoned  true  delicacy,  which  induces  any  one 
to  ri(k  his  health  or  hazard  his  life. 

But  the  urine  may  be  in  too  great  as  well  as  too 
foiall  a  quantity.  This  may  be  occafioned  by  drink- 
ing large  quantities  of  weak  watery  liquors,  by  the 
cxceflive  ufe  of  alkaline  falts,  or  any  thing  that  ftimu- 
lates  the  kidnies,  dilutes  the  blood,  bcc.  This 
difordcrvery  foon  weakens  the  body,  and  induces  a 
confumption.  It  is  difficult  to  cure,  but  may  be 
mitigated  by  Itrengthening  diet  and  aftringent  me- 
dicines, fuch  as  arc  recommended  under  the 
article  Diabetes,  or  exceffivc  difchargc  of  urine. 

0/  the  Perfpiration. 

Infenfiblc  perfpiration  is  generally  reckoned  the 
grcateft  of  all  the  difchargcs  from  the  human  body. 

It 


126      Of  the  COMMON  EVACUATIONS. 

It  is  of  fo  great  importance  to  health,  that  few  dif- 
cafes  attack  us  while  it  goes  properly  on;  but  when 
it  is  obftrudted,  the  whole  frame  is  foon  difor- 
dered.  This  difcharge  however,  being  lefs  percepti- 
ble than  any  of  the  relt,  is  confequently  lefs  attended 
to.  Hence  it  is,  that  acute  fevers,  rheumatifirs, 
agues,  &c,  often  proceed  from  obftrufted  perfpiracion 
before  we  are  aware  of  its  having  taken  place. 

On  examining  patients,  we  find  mod  of  them  im- 
pute their  difcafes  either  to  violent  colds  which 
they  had  caught,  or  to  flight  ones  which  had  been 
neglefted.  For  this  reafon,  inftead  of  a  critical  in- 
quiry into  the  nature  of  the  perfpiration,  its  differ- 
ence in  different  feafons,  climates,  conftitutions,  &c. 
wc  (hall  endeavour  to  point  out  the  caufes  which 
moft  commonly  obftruft  it,  and  to  fliew  how  far 
they  may  be  either  avoided,  or  have  their  influence 
counterafted  by  timely  care.  The  want  of  a  due 
attention  to  thefe,  colts  Britain  annually  fome  thou- 
fands  of  ufcful  lives. 

Changes  in  the  Atmofphere. 

One  of  the  mod  common  caufes  of  obftrufted  pcr- 
Ipiration,  or  catching  cold,  in  this  country,  is  the 
changeablenefs  of  the  weather,  or  ftate  of  the  atmo- 
fphere. There  is  no  place  where  fuch  changes  hap- 
pen more  frequently  than  in  Great  Britain.  With 
us  the  degrees  of  heat  and  cold  are  not  only  y^x'f 
different  in  the  different  feafons  of  the  year,  but  of- 
ten change  almoft  from  one  extreme  to  another  in 
a  few  days,  and  fometimes  even  in  the  courfe  of  one 
day.  That  fuch  changes  mull  affc6l  the  ftate  of  the 
perfpiration  is  obvious  to  every  one*. 

The 

*  I  never  knew  a  more  remarkable  inflance  of  che  ancertainty 
of  the  weaiher  in  this  country,  than  happened  while  I  was 
writing  thefe  notes.  This  morning,  Augutt  14,  17B3,  the  ther- 
moxieier  ia  the  fhade  was  down  at  l]fcy*thrce  degrees,  and  a  very 

few 


0//i&^  COMMON  EVACUATIONS.       127 

The  bed  method  of  fortifying  the  body  againft 
the  changes  of  the  weather,  is  to  be  abroad  every 
day.  Thofe  who  keep  mod  within  doors  are  mofl: 
liable  to  catch  cold.  Such  perfons  generally  ren- 
der thcmfelves  fo  delicate  as  to  feel  even  the  flighteft 
changes  in  the  atmofphere,  and  by  their  pains, 
coughs,  and  oppreflions  of  the  breaft,  &c.  they  be- 
come a  kind  of  living  barometers. 

IFet  Clothes. 

Wet  clothes  not  only  by  their  coldnefs  obftru6t 
the  perfpiration,  but  their  moifture,  by  being  ab- 
forbed,  or  taken  up  into  the  body,  greatly  incrcafes 
the  danger.  The  mod  robufl:  conftitution  is  not 
proof  againft  the  danger  arifing  from  wet  clothes; 
they  daily  occafion  fevers,  rheumatifms,  and  other 
fatal  diforders,  even  in  the  young  and  healthy. 

It  is  impoflible  for  people  who  go  frequently 
abroad  to  avoid  fometimes  being  wet.  But  the 
danger  might  generally  be  leffened,  if  not  wholly 
prevented,  by  changing  their  clothes  foon;  when 
this  cannot  be  done,  they  fliould  keep  in  motion 
till  they  be  dry.  So  far  arc  many  from  taking  this 
precaution,  that  they  often  fit  or  lie  down  in.  the 
fields  with  their  clothes  wet,  and  frequently  flecp 
even  whole  nights  in  this  condition.  The  frequent 
inftances  which  we  have  of  the  fatal  efFefts  of  this 
conduct,  ought  certainly  to'  deter  others  from  being 
guilty  of  it. 

jy'et  Feet. 

Even  wet  feet  often  occafion  fatal  difeafes.  The 
colic,  inflammations  of  the  breaft  and  of  the  bowels, 
the  iliac  pafTion,  cholera  morbus ^  &:c.  are  often  occa- 

few  days  ago  it  flood  above  eighty.  No  one  who  reflects  on  fuch 
great  and  iudden  changes  in  the  atHnofphere  will  be  farprifed 
to  find  colds,  coughs>  rheums,  with  other  a^edtions  of  the  breaft 
and  bowels,  io  common  in  this  country. 

I  fioned 


laS      0//i&^  COMMON  EVACUATIOTilS. 

fioned  by  wet  feet.  Habit  will,  no  doubt,  rcndcf 
this  lefs  dangerous  ;  but  it  ought,  as  far  as  poffible, 
to  be  avoided.  The  delicate,  and  thofc  who  arc 
not  accuftonicd  to  have  their  clothes  or  feet  "WCt, 
fliould  be  peculiarly  crreful  in  this  refpcdt. 

Night  Air. 

The  perfpiration  is  often  obftrufted  by  night 
air;  even  in  fummer,  this  ought  to  be  avoided. 
The  dews  which  fall  plentifully  after  the  hotteft 
day,  make  the  night  more  dangerous  than  when  the 
weather  is  cool.  Hence,  in  warm  countries,  the 
evening  dews  are  more  hurtful  than  where  the  cli- 
mate is  more  temperate. 

It  is  very  agreeable  after  a  warm  day  to  be  abroad 
in  the  cool  evening;  but  this  is  a  pleafure  to  be 
avoided  by  all  who  value  their  health.  The  effe£ts 
of  evening  dews  are  gradual  indeed,  and  almoft  im- 
perceptible ;  but  they  are  not  the  lefs  to  be  dreaded : 
we  would  therefore  advife  travellers,  labourers,  and 
all  who  are  much  heated  by  day,  carefully  to  avoid 
them.  When  the  perfpiration  has  been  great,  thefc 
become  dangerous  in  proportion.  By  not  attending 
to  this,  in  fiat  marfliy  countries,  where  the  exhala- 
tions and  dews  are  copious,  labourers  are  often 
feized  with  intermitting  fevers,  quinfeys,  and  other 
dangerous  difcafes. 

Damp  Beds. 

Beds  become  damp,  either  from  their  not  being 
i:fcd,  Handing  in  damp  houfcs,  or  in  rooms  without 
iire.  Nothing  is  more  to  be  dreaded  by  travellers 
than  damp  be-ds,  which  are  very  common. in  all 
places  where  fuel  is  fcarce.  When  a  traveller,  cold 
and  wet,  arrives  at  an  inn,  he  may  by  means  of  a 
good  fire,  warm  diluting  iiquor,  and  a  dry  bed, 
havcthe  perlpiration  reftorcdj  but  if  he  be-putintp 
a  culd  room,  and  laid  on  a  .damp  bed^  it  will  be 

more 


Of  At  COMMON  EVACUATIONS,      1 29 

more  obftrufbed,  and  the  worft  confequences  will 
eofue.  Travellers  (hould  avoid  inns  which  arc 
noted  for  dannp  beds,  as  they  would  a  houfe  infcdted 
with  the  plague^  as  no  nnan^  however  robuft^  is  proof 
againft  the  danger  arifing  from  them. 

fiut  inns  are  not  the  only  places  where  damp  beds 
are  to  be  met  with.  Beds  kept  in  private  families 
for  the  reception  of  flrangers  are  often  equally  dan- 
serous.  All  kinds  of  linen  and  bedding,  when  not 
frequently  ufed,  become  damp.  How  then  is  it 
poffiblc  that  beds^  which  are  not  fleptin  above  two 
or  three  times  a  year,  (hould  be  fafe  ?  Nothing  is 
more  common  than  to  hear  people  complain  of  hav- 
ing caught  cold  by  changing  their  bed.  The  rea* 
fon  is  obvious:  were  they  careful  never  to  deep  in 
a  bed  but  what  was  frequently  ufed,  they  would 
feldom  find  any  ill  confequences  from  a  change. 

Nothing  is  more  to  be  dreaded  by  a  delicate  pcr- 
fon  when  on  a  viGt,  than  being  laid  in  a  bed  which 
IS  kept  on  purpofe  for  flrangers.  That  ill-judged 
piece  of  complaifance  becomes  a  real  injury.  All 
the  bad  confequences  from  this  quarter  might  eafily 
be  prevented  in  private  families,  by  caufing  their 
fervants  to  fleep  in  the  fpare  beds,  and  refign  them 
to  ftrangers  when  they  come.  In  inns  where  the 
beds  are  ufed  almod  every  night,  nothing  elfe  is 
neceflary  than  to  keep  the  rooms  well  feafoned  by 
frequent  fires,  and  the  linen  dry. 

That  baneful  cuflom  faid  to  be  praftifed  in  many 
inns,  of  damping  (heets,  and  prefTing  them  in  order 
to  fave  wafhing,  and  afterwards  laying  them  on  the 
beds,  ousht,  when  difcovered,  to  be  punifbedwith 
the  utmott  fevcrity.  It  is  really  a  fpccies  of  mur- 
der, and  will  often  prove  as  fatal  as-poifon  orgun- 
Ihot.  Indeed  no  linen,  efpecially  if  it  has  been 
waflied  in  winter,  ought  to  be  ufed  till  it  has  been 
cxpofed  for  fome  time  to  the  fire ;  nor  is  this  ope* 
ration  lefs  oeceflary  for  linen  wafhed  in  fummer, 

K  provided 


I30      Of  the  COMMON  EVACtJATIONS. 

provided  it  has  lain  by  for  any  length  of  time.  Thii 
caution  is  the  more  needful,  as  gentlemen  are  often 
4jxceedingly  attentive  to  what  they  eat  or  drink  at 
an  inn,  yet  pay  no  regard  to  a  circumftance  of  mtich 
more  importance  *• 

Damp  Houfes. 

Damp  houfes  frequently  produc^e  the  like  ill  con- 
iequencesv  for  this  reafon  thofe  who  build  fhould  bt 
careful  to  chufe  a  dry  fituation.  A  houfe  which 
Aands  on  a  damp  marlhy  foil  or  deep  clay,  will  n6» 
ver  be  thoroughly  dry.  All  houfes,  unlefs  whtfc 
the  ground  is  exceeding  dry,  (hoyld  have  the 
firft  floor  a  Kttle  raifed.  Servants  and  others,  who 
are  obliged  to  live  in  cellars  and  funk  ftories,  fel* 
dom  continue  long  in  health:  mafters  ought  furely 
to  pay  fome  regard  to  the  health  of  their  fervantSj 
as  well  as  to  their  own. 

Nothing  is  more  common  than  for  people,  mertly 
to  avoid  fome  trifling  inconveniency,  to  hazard  their 
lives,  by  inhabiting  a  houfe  almoft  as  foon  as  the 
mafons,  plafl:erers,  &c.  have  done  with  it :  fuch 
houfes  are  not  only  dangerous  from  their  dampnefs, 
but  likewife  from  the  fmell  of  lirAe,  paint,  fcc. 
The  arthmas,  confumptions,  and  other  difeafes  of 
the  lungs,  fo  incident  to  people  who  work  in  thcfc 
articles,  are  fufiicient  proofs  of  their  being  un- 
wholefome. 

Rooms  are  often  rendered  damp  by  an  unfeafon- 

able  piece  of  cleanlinefs;    I  mean  the  pernicious 

.cuftom  of  wafhing  them  immediately  before  com- 

.{>any  is  put  into  them.     Mofl:  people  catch  cold,  if 

■ 

*  If  a  perfoo  fufpedlfi  that  his  bed  is  damp,  the  fiovple  precaa- 
ytioii  of  talcing;  pff'the  Iheecs  and  lying  in  the  blankets,  with  ail» 
\^^l  1X^6(1  of  hit,  clothes  on,  will  prevent  all  the  danger.  I  have 
J^pradired^luf  iox  many  years,  and  never  have  been  hurt  by  damp 
^jbeds*  tA^ogh.  np  QonjlitiKion,  without  care,  is  proof  agaiaft  their 
^  l^abefai  influence. 

'•-,.-;  3  they 


■He 


0/ /iiif  COMMON  EVACUATIONS.      I3t 

tlwy  fit  but  a  very  fliort  time  in  a  room  that  has 
been  lately  wa(hed;  the  delicate  ought  carefully  to 
avoid  fuch  a  fituaticni  and  even  the  robuft  are  not 
always  proof  againft  its  influence  *• 

Sudden  Tranfitions  from  Heat  to  Cold. 

The  perfpiration  is  frequently  obftrufted  by  sad- 
den TRANSITIONS  from  heat  to  cold.  Colds  arc 
feldom  caught,  unlefs  when  people  have  been  too 
fnuch  heated.  Heat  rariHes  the  blood,  quickens 
the  circulation,  and  increafes  the  perfpiration  ;  but 
when  thefe  are  fuddenly  checked,  the  confcquences 
mud  be  bad.  It  is  indeed  impofTible  for  labourers 
not  to  be  too  hot  uponfomeoccaHons ;  but  it  is  gene- 
rally in  their  power  to  let  tbcmfelves  cool  gradually, 
to  put  on  their  clothes  when  they  leave  off  work,  to 
make  choice  of  a  dry  place  to  reft  themfelvcs  in, 
and  to  avoid  fleeping  in  the  open  fields.  Thefe  eafy 
rules,  ifobferved,  would  often  prevent  fevers  and 
other  fatal  diforders. 

It  is  very  common  for  people,  when  hot,  to 
drink  freely  of  cold  water,  or  Imall  liquors.  This 
conduct  is  extremely  dangerous.  Thirft  indeed  ig 
hard  to  bear,  and  the  inclmation  to  gratify  that  ap- 
petite frequently  gets  the  better  of  reafon,  and 
makes  us  do  what  our  judgment  difapproves.  Every 
peafant,  however,  knows,  if  his  horfe  be  permitted 
to  drink  his  bellyful  of  cold  water  after  violent  exer- 
cifc,  and  be  immediately  put  into  the  flable,  or 
fuflfered  to  remain  at  reft,  that  it  will  kill  him. 
This  they  take  the  utmoft  care  to  prevent.  It  were 
well  if  they  were  equally  attentive  to  their  own 
fafety. 

♦  People  imagine  if  a  ^ood  fire  is  made  in  k  room  after  it  has 
been  wadied,  that  there  is  oo  danger  from  fitting  in  it ;  bat  ther 
Diuft  give  me  l^ave  to  fay  that  this  increafes  the  danger.  The 
evapoiatioo  excited  by  the  fire  generatei  cold,  and  renders  the 
damp  more  a^ive. 

Ka  Thirft 


132      0//i^^  COMMON  EVACUATIONS, 

Third  may  be  quenched  many  ways  without  fwal- 
lowing  large  quantities  of  cold  liquor.     The  fields 
afford  variety  of  acid  fruits  and  plants,  the  very 
chewing  of  which  would  abate  third.     Wa^er  kepCi 
in  the  mouth  for  fome  time,  and  fpit  out  again,  if. 
frequently  repeated,  will  have  the  fame  effcft.     If 
a  bit  of  bread  be  eaten  along  with  a  few  mouthfuls  of 
water,  it  will  both  quench  thirft  more  effedually, 
and  make  the  danger  lefs.     When  a  perfon  is  ex-* 
tremely  hot,  a  mouthful  of  brandy,  or  other  fpirits, 
if  it  can  be  obtained,  ought  to  be  preferred  to  any 
thing  elfe.-    But  if  any  one  has  been  fo  foolifh,  w|ien, 
hot,  as  to  drink  freely  of  cold  liquor,   he  ough(. 
to  continue  his  exercife  at  lead  till  what  he  drank 
be  thoroughly  warmed  upon  his  domach. 

It  would  be  tedious  to  enumerate  all  the  bad 
efFefts  which  flow  from  drinking  cold  liquors  when 
the  body  is  hot.  Sometimes  this  has  occafioned 
immediate  death.  Hoarfenefs,  quinfeys,  and  fe* 
vers  of  various  kinds,  are  its  common  confequences^ 
Neither  is  it  fafc  when  warm  to  eat  freely  of  raw 
fruits,  fallad^  or  the  like.  Thefe  indeed  have  not 
fo  fudden  an  efFeft  on  the  body  as  cold  liquors* 
but  they  are  notwithdanding  dangerous,  and  ought 
to  be  avoided. 

Sitting  in  a  warm  room,  and  drinking  hot  liquors 
till  the  pores  are  quite  open,  and  immediately  going 
into  the  cold  air,  is  extremely  dangerous.  Colds, 
coughs,  and  inflammations  of  the  bread,  are  the 
ufual  effeds  of  this  condu6t :  yet  nothing  is  more 
common  than  for  people,  after  they  have  drank 
warm  liquors  for  Icveral  hours,  to  walk  or  ride  a 
number  of  miles  in  the  colded  night,  or  to  ramble 
about  in  the  drcets  *. 

People 

*  The  tap-rooms  in  London  and  other  great  towns,  whert^ 
fuch  numbers  of  people  fpend  their  evenings,  are  hiehly  peroi*' 
cious.     The  breatb  of  a  number  of  people  crowded  into  a  lo«if 

apartment 


s. 


O/zi^  COMMON  EVACUATIONS.      133 

People  are  very  apt,  when  a  room  is  hot,  to  throw 
open  a  window,  and  to  fit  near  it.  This  is  a  mod 
dangerous  praftice.  Any  perfon  had  better  fit 
without  doors  than  in  fuch  a  fituation,  as  the  cur- 
rent of  air  is  diredted  againft  one  particular  part 
of  the  body.  Inflammatory  fevers  and  confump- 
tions  have  often  been  occafioned  by  fitting  or  (land- 
ing thinly  clothed  near  an  open  window.  Nor  is 
flecping  with  open  windows  Icfs  to  be  dreaded. 
That  ought  never  to  be  done,  even^in  the  hottcft 
feafon,  unfefs  the  window  is  at  a  di (lance.  I  have 
known  mechanics  frequently  contraft  fatal  difcafes, 
by  working  ftript  at  an  open  window,  and  would 
advife  all  of  them  to  beware  of  fuch  a  praftice. 

Few  things  cxpofc  people  more  to  catch  cold  than 
keeping  their  own  houfes  too  warm;  fuch  pcrfons 
may  be  faid  to  live  in  a  fort  of  hot- houfes ;  ihey  can 
hardly  ftir  abroad  to  vifit  a  neighbour,  but  at  the 
hazard  of  their  lives.  Were  there  no  other  reafon 
for  keeping  houfes  moderately  cool,  that  alone  is 
fufficient :  but  no houfe  that  is  too  hot  can  be  whole- 
fome;  heat  deftroys  the  fpring  and  clafticity  of  the 
air,  and  renders  it  lefs  fit  for  expanding  the  lungs, 
and  the  other  purpofes  of  rcfpiration.  Hence  it  is, 
that  confumptions  and  other  difcafes  of  the  lungs 
prove  fo  fatal  to  people  who  work  in  forges,  glafs- 
houfes,  and  the  like. 

Some  arc  even  fo  fool-hardy,  as  to  plung;;  thrm- 
fclves  when  hoc  in  cold  water.  Not  only  fevers,  but 
madncfs  itfclf,  has  frequently  been  the  cfFeft  of  this 
condu£t.  Indeed  it  looks  too  like  the  adlion  of  a 
madman  to  defcrve  a  ferious  confideraticn. 

Therefult  of  all  thefe  obfervations  is,  that  every 
one  ought  to  avoid,  with  the  utmoll  attention,  all' 

•poftmeDtv  with  the  addition  of  fires,  candles,  the  fmnke  of  ro- 
bacco.  and  the  fumes  of  hot  liquor,  &c.  m  j(l  not  onJy  render  ic 
horcfyl  to  coBtinue  in  fuch  places,  but  dangerous  co  go  out  of 
thcsB  iftto  a  cold  and  chilly  atmofphere. 

K  3  fudclen 


134   Of  the  COMMON  EVACUATIONS. 

fudden  tranGtions  from  heat  to  cold,  and  to  keep 
the  body  in  as  uniform  a  temperature  as  poflible; 
or,  where  that  cannot  be  done,  to  take  care  to  let 
it  cool  gradually. 

People  may  imagine  that  too  {lri6b  an  attention 
to  thefe  things  would  tend  to  render  them  deli- 
cate. So  far  however  is  this  from  being  my  de- 
fign,  that  the  v^^ry  firft  rule  propofed  for  prevent- 
ing colds,  is  to  harden  the  body,  by  enuring  it 
daily  to  the  open  air. 

I  (hall  put  an  end  to  what  relates  to  this  part  of 
my  fubjeft,  by  giving  an  abftradt  of  the  juftly  ce- 
lebrated advice  of  Cclfus,  with  refpedl  to  the  |)rc- 
fervation  of  health.  **  A  man,"  fays  he,  "  j^ho 
*^  is  blcfled  with  good  health,  Ihould  confine  him- 
felf  to  no  particular  rules,  cither  with  rcfpeft  to 
regimen  or  medicine.  He  ought  frequently  to 
diverfify  his  manner  of  living;  to  be  fome times 
in  town,  fometimes  in  the  country;  to  hunt, 
riil,  indulge  himfclf  in  reft,  but  more  fre- 
**  quently  to  ufe  exercife.  He  ought  to  rcfufc 
^*  no  kind  of  food  that  is  commonly  ufed,  but 
*'  fometimes  to  eat  more  and  fometimes  lefs; 
**  ibmetimes  to  make  one  at  an  entertainment,  and 
**  fometimes  to  forbear  it;  to  make  rather  two 
meals  a-day  than  one,  and  always  to  eat  heartily, 
provided  he  can  digeft  it.  He  ought  neither 
too  eagerly  to  purfue,  nor  too  fcrupuloufly  to 
avoid,  intcrcourfc  with  the  fair  fex:  pleasures 
of  this  kind,  rarely  indulged,  render  the  body 
alert  and  aftive ;  but,  when  too  frequently  re- 
•*  peated,  weak  and  languid.  He  (hould  be  care* 
*^  tul  in  time  of  health  not  to  deftroy,  by  excefles 
•*  of  any  kind,  that  vigour  of  conftitution  which 
^^  ihould  fupport  him  under  fickncfst" 


<c 

(C 
€( 
(C 


€i 
iC 
€C 
€€ 
t€ 


P 


X    »35    ] 


PART     11. 


OF    DISEASES; 


CHAP    XII. 

OP  THE  KNOWLEDGE  AND  CURE  OF  DISEASES. 

THE  knowledge  of  difeafes  docs  not  depend 
fo  much  upon  fcientiBc  principles  as  many 
imagine.  It  is  chiefly  the  refult  of  experience 
and  obfervation.  By  attending  the  fick,  and  care* 
fully  obferving  the  various  occurreiices  in  cliiVdrcs, 
a  great  degree  of  accuracy  may  be  acquired,  both 
in  diftinguifliing  their  fymptoms,  and  in  tlje  ap- 
plication of  medicines.  Hence  fenfible  nurfes^ 
and  other  perfons  who  wait  upon  the  fick,  often 
difcover  a  difeafe  fooner  than  thofe  who  have 
been  bred  to  phyfic.  We  do  not  however  mean 
to  inOnuate  that  a  medical  education  is  of  no  ufe: 
it  is  doubtlefs  of  the  greatefl:  importance ;  out  ic 
never  can  fupply  the  place  of  obfervaiion  and 
ciperience. 

Every  difeafe  may  be  confidered  as  an  aflcm- 
blage  of  fymptoms,  and  mud  be  diftinguifhed  by 
thofe.  which  are  mod  obvious  and  permanent.  In- 
ftead  therefore  of  giving  a  claflical  arrangement 
of  difeafes,  according  to  the  fyficmatic  method,  it 
will  be  more  fuitablc,  in  a  performance  of  this 
nature,  to  give  a  full  and  accurate  delcription  of 
each  particular  difeafe  as  it  occurs;  anxl,  where 
any  of  the  fymptoms  of  one  difeafe  have  a  near 
refemblance  to  thofe  of  another,  to  take  notice  of 
that  circumftanccj  and  at  the  fame  time  to  point 

K  4  out 


136       OF    THE    KNOWLEDGE 

out  the  peculiar  or  charafteriftic  fymptoms  by 
which  it  may  be  diftinguifhed.  By  a  due  atten- 
tion to  thefe,  the  invcftigation  of  difcafes  will  be 
found  to  be  a  lefs  difficult  matter  than  moft  people 
would  at  firft  be  ready  to  ioiagine. 

A  proper  attention  to  the  patient's  age,  fex,  tem- 
per of  mind,  conftitution,  and  manner  of  life,  will 
iikewife  greatly  aflift,  both  in  the  inveftigation 
and  treatment  of  difeafes. 

*In  childhood  the  fibres  are  lax  and  foft,  the 
herves  extremely  irritable,  and  the  fluids  thin ; 
whereas  in  old  age  the  fibres  are  rigid,  the  nerves 
become  almoft  infenfible,  and  many  of  the  veflels 
imperviable.  Thefe  and  other  peculiarities  render 
the  difeafes  of  the  young  and  aged  very  different, 
and  of  courfe  they  mud  require  a  different  method 
,  of  treatment.  >f 

Females  are  liable  to  many  difeafes  which  do 
]*not  afflict  the  other  fex:  befides,  the  neryous 
fyftem  being  more  irritable  in  them  than  in  men, 
tneir  difeafes  require  to  be  treated  with  greater 
'd^ution.  They  are  lefs  able  to  bear  large  eva- 
cuations; and  all  (limulating  medicines  ought  to 
be  adminiftered  to  them  with  a  fparing  hand* 

Particular  conftitutions  not  only  difpofc  perfbns 

to  peculiar  difeafes,  but  Iikewife  render  it  neceflary 

to  treat  thefe  difeafes  in  a  peculiar  manner^      A 

'  ifldicate  perfon,  for  example,  with  weak  nerves, 

'Who  lives  moftly  within  doors,  mud  not  b^  treated, 

'  V^der  any  difeafe,  precifely  in  the  famfe  mft^ner  as 

^  one  who  is  hardy  and  robuft,  and  who  is  much  ex« 

jpofed  to  the  open  air. 

The  temper  of  mind  ought  to  be  carefully  At- 

^tjbnded  to  in  difeafes.     Fear,  anxiety,  and  a  fretful 

'*'icmpcr,  both  occafion  and  aggravate  difeafes.     In 

^  Vain  do^  we  apply  medicines  to  the  body  to  re- 

niiove   maladies   which   proceed    from   the   mind. 

'^AVhen  it  is  affefted,  the  bcft  n\edicine  i;^  to  footh 

the 


■■  -       ■  ■ 


1 


AND  CURE    OF    DISEASES.     137 

the  paSions,  to  divert  the  mind  from  anxious 
thought^  and  to  keep  the  patient  as  eafy  and  cheer- 
ful as  pofllble. 

Attention  ought  likewife  to  be  paid  to  the  cli* 
mate,  or  place  where  the  patient  lives,  the  air  he 
breathes,  his  diet,  &c.  Such  as  live  in  low  marflijr 
fituations  are  fubjeft  to  many  difeafes  which  are 
unknown  to  the  inhabitants  of  high  countries. 
Thofe  who  breathe  the  impure  air  of  cities,  hare 
many  maladies  to  which  the  more  happy  rufticsare 
entire  ftrangcrs.  Perfons  who  feed  grofsly,  and 
indulge  in  llrong  liquors,  are  liable  to  difeafes 
which  do  not  affect  the  temperate  and  abftemi- 

OUJSj    &c. 

Ic  has  already  been  obferved,  that  the  different 
occupations  and  fituations  in  life  difpofe  men  to 
peculiar  difeafes.  It  is  therefore  neccffary  to  in- 
quire into  the  patient's  occupation,  manner  of  life, 
icCs  This  will  not  only  aHill  us  in  finding  out  the 
difeafe,  but  will  likewife  dirc6l  us  in  the  treatment 
of  it.  It  would  be  very  imprudent  to  treat  the  la- 
borious and  the  fcdentary  precifely  in  the  fame 
manner,  even  fuppofing  them  to  labour  under  the 
fame  difeafe. 

It  will  likewife  be  proper  to  inquire,  whether 
the  difeafe  be  conftitutional  or  accidental  i  whether 
it  has  been  of  long  or  (hort  duration;  whether  it 
proceeds  from  any  great  and  fudden  alteration  in 
the  diet,  manner  of  life,  &c.  The  ftatc  of  the 
patient's  body,  and  of  the  other  evacuations,  ought 
alfo  to  be  inquired  into;  and  likewife  whether  he 
can  with  cafe  perform  all  the  viral  and  animal  func- 
tions, as  breathing,  digeilion,  &c. 

Laftly,  it  will  be  proper  to  inquire  what  difeafes 
the  patient  has  formerly  been  liable  to,  and  what 
medicines  were  mod  beneficial  to,  him;  if  he  has  a 
ftrong  averfion  to  any  particular  drug,  &c« 

At 


138       OF    THE    KNOWLEDGE 

:  As  many  of  the  indications  of  cure  may  be  an- 
fwered  by  diet  alone,  it  is  always  the  firft  thing  to 
be  attended  to  in  the  treatn^nt  of  difeafe's.  Thofe 
who  know  no  better,  innagine  that  every  thing 
which  goes  by  the  nanne  of  a  medicine  pofleflcs 
fome  wonderful  power  or  fecret  charm,  and  think, 
if  the  patient  fwallows  enough  of  drugs,  that  he 
muft  do  well.  This  miftake  has  many  ill  confe-» 
quences ;  it  makes  people  truft  to  drugs,  and  ne- 
gleft  their  own  endeavours;  befides,  it  difcourages 
all  attempts  to  relieve  the  fick  where  medicines 
cannot  be  obtained. 

Medicines  are  no  doubt  ufeful  in  their  place, 
and,  when  adminiftered  with  prudence,  they  may 
do  much  good ;  but  when  they  are  put  in  place  of 
every  thing  elfe,  or  adminiftered  at  random,  which 
is  not  fcldom  the.  cafe,  they  muft  do  mifchief. 
We  would  therefore  wifh  to  call  the  attention  of 
inankind  from  the  purfuit  of  fecret  medicines,  to 
fuch  things  as  they  are  acquainted  with.  The  pro- 
per regulation  of  thefc  may  often  do  much  good, 
and  there  is  little  danger  of  their  ever  doing  hurt. 
■  Every  difeafe  weakens  the  digeftive  powers.  The 
diet  ought  therefore,  in  all  difeafes,  to  be  light 
and  of  eafy  digeftion.  It  would  be  as  prudent  for 
a  perfon  with  a  broken  leg  to  attempt  to  walk,  as 
for  one  in  a  fever  to  eat  the  fame  kind  of  food, 
and  in  the  fame  quantity,  as  when  he  was  in  per- 
fect health.  Even  abftinence  alone  will  often  cure 
a  fever,  efpeciajly  when  it  has  been  occafioned  by 
excefs  in  eating  or  drinking. 

In  all  fevers  attended  with  inflammation,  as  pleu- 
rifies,  peripneumonies,  &c.  thin  gruels,  wheys, 
watery  infufions  of  mucilaginous  plants,  roots,  &c. 
are  not  only  proper  for  the  patient's  food,  but 
chcy  arc  likewifc  the  beft  medicines  which  can  be 
adminiftered. 

In 


AND    CURE    OF    DISEASES.     139 

In  fevers  of  a  flow,  nervous,  or  putrid  kind, 
where  there  are  no  fymptoms  of  inflamnnation,  and 
where  the  patient  mud  be  fupported  with  cordials, 
that  intention  can  always  be  nnore  eflfeftually  an- 
fwered  by  nourifhing  diet  and  generous  wines,  than 
by  any  medicines  yet  known. 

Nor  is  a  proper  attention  to  diet  of  lefs  import- 
ance in  chronic  than  in  acute  difeafes.  Perfons  af« 
flifted  with  low  fpirits,  wind,  weak  nerves,  and 
other  hypochondriacal  affefbions,  generally  find 
more  benefit  from  the  ufe  of  folid  food  and  ge- 
nerous liquors,  than  from  all  the  cordial  and  car* 
minative  medicines  which  can  be  adminiftered  to 
them. 

The  fcurvy,  that  mod  obftinatc  malady,  will 
fooner  yield  to  a  proper  vegetable  diet,  than  to  all 
the  boafted  antifcorbutic  remedies  of  the  fhops. 

In  confumptions,  when  the  humours  are  vitiated, 
and  the  ftomach  ib  much  weakened  as  to  be  unable 
to  digeft  the  folid  fibres  of  animals,  or  even  to  afli- 
milate  the  juices  of  vegetables,  a  diet  confiding 
chiefly  of  milk  will  not  only  fupport  the  patient, 
but  will  often  cure  the  difeafe  after  every  other  me- 
dicrne  has  failed. 

Nor  is  an  attention  to  other  things  of  lefs  im* 
portance  than  to  diet.  1  he  ftrange  infatuation 
which  has  long  induced  people  to  fliut  up  the  fick 
from  all  communication  with  the  external  air,  has 
done  great  mifchief.  Not  01. ly  in  fevers,  but  in 
many  other  difeafes,  the  patient  will  receive  more 
benefit  from  having  the  frefn  air  prudently  admit-^ 
ted  into  his  chamber,  than  from  all  the  medicines 
which  can  be  given  him. 

Exercife  may  likewife  in  many  cafes  be  confl- 
dercd  as  a  medicine.  Sailing,  or  riding  on  horfc- 
back,  for  example,  will  be  of  more  fervice  in  the 
cure  of  confumptions,  glandular  obftruftions,  &c, 
than  any  medicine  yet  known*     In  difeafes  which 

proceed 


t^o        OF  FEVERS  IN  GENERAL, 

proceed  from  a  relaxed  ftate  of  the  folids,  the  cold 
bath,  and  other  parts  of  the  gymnaftic  regimeiT, 
will  be  found  equally  beneficial. 

Few  things  are  of  greater  importance  in  the  cure 
of  difeafes  than  cleanlincfs.  When  a  patient  rs 
foffcred  to  lie  in  dirty  clothes,  whatever  perfpires 
from  his  body  is  again  reforbed,  or  taken  up  into 
ir,  which  fcrves  to  nourifti  the  difcafe  and  increafe 
the  danger.  Many  difeafes  may  be  cured  by  clean* 
linefs  alone  5  mod  of  them  may  be  mitigated  by  it, 
and  in  all  of  them  it  is  highly  neceflary  both  for 
tlic  patient  and  thofe  who  attend  him. 

Many  other  obfervations,  were  it  neceflary,  might 
be  adduced  to  prove  the  importance  of  a  proper  re- 
gimen in  difeafes.  Regimen  will  often  cure  dif- 
cafes  without  medicine,  but  medicine  will  fcldom 
fuccced  where  a  proper  regimen  is  neglefted.  For 
this  reafon,  in  the  treatment  of  difeafes,  we  have 
always  given  the  firft  place  to  regimen.  Thofe 
who  are  ignorant  of  medicine  may  confine  them- 
fclves  to  it  only.  For  others,  who  have  more 
knowledge,  we  have  recommended  fome  of  the 
moft  fimple  but  approved  forms  of  medicine  in 
every  difeafe.  Thefe  however  are  never  to  be  ad- 
mioiftered  but  by  people  of  better  undcrftanding; 
nor  even  by  them  without  the  grearcft  precaution. 


J    *,  _     ■  - 

:  C  H  A  P.    XIII. 


.  I.  \ 


•  i 


OF    FEVERS    IN    GENERAL. 


jV^S^Sh^bi^C  than  one  half  of  mankind  is  fafid  to 
-^•'^pVfVflf^Bf  feVirrs;' it  ii;t>f  importance  to  be  ac-' 
qliirfn^cf  ^^i^  ¥heir-;cSnfe.      The   moft  general' - 
cittfes  of  "ftViVs^^  iiVi  'htfeffhn,  errors  in  diety  un^-^  • 

wbolejomi 


OF  FEV£RS  IN  GENERAU        141 

iboUfome  air,  viaUnt  emotions  of  the  mind,  txce/s  or 
yiippreffion  of  ujaal  evacuations,  external  or  internal 
injuries,  and  extreme  degrees  of  heat  or  eold.  Aa*^ 
mod  of  thcfc  have  already  been  treated  of  at  coo- 
Uderable  length,  and  their  eifeAs  (hewn,  w.e  fliall 
.not  now  refume  the  conlideration  of  tbem»  but 
^hall  only  recommend  it  to  all|  as  they  would  wiik'' 
Vo  avoid  fevers  and  other  fatal  difeafes,  to  pay  the 
rnnoft  pundtual  attention  to  thefe  articles. 

Fevers  arc  not  only  the  moft  frequent  of  all  dif-.. 
^aies,  but  they  are  likewife  the  moft  complex.     In- 
€he  moft  fimple  fpecies  of  fever  there  is  always  « * 
combination  of  fcveral  different  fymptoms.     The 
diftinguiftiing  fymptoms  of  fever  are,  increa/ed beaty 
frequency  of  pulfe,  lofs  of  appetite,  general  debility^ 
pain  in  the  bead,  and  a  difficulty  in  performing  fome 
of  the  vital  or  animal  funSions.     The  other  fymp-  . 
toms  ufually  attendant  on  fevers  are,  naufea,  thirft^ 
anxiety,  delirium,  wearinefs,  wafting  of  the  flelbj  . 
want  of  fleep,  or  the  fleep  difturbed  and  not  rc^. 
frelhing.  . 

When  the  fever  comes  on  gradually,  the  patient 
generally  complains  firft  of  languor  or  liftleiTnefsi 
(orenefs  of  the  flefli,  or  the  bones,  as  the  country 
people  exprefs  it,  hcavinefs  of  the  head,  lofs  of  ap-r 
petite,  ficknefs,  with  clamminefs  of  the  mouth; 
after  fome  time  come  on  excefilve  heat,  violent 
thirft,  reftleffnefs,  &c. 

When  the  fever  attacks  fuddenly,  it  always  be- 
gins with  an  uneafy  fenfation  of  exceflive  cold,  ac* 
companied  with  debility  and  lofs  of  appetite;  fre- 
quently the  cold  is  attended  with  fhivering,  op^ 
predion  about  the  heart,  and  ficknefs  at  ftomach, 
or  vomiting. 

Fevers  are  divided  into  continual,  remitting,  in^ 

tcrmitting^  and  fuch  as  are  attended  with  cutanciu 

ous  eruption  or  topical  inflammation,  as  the  fmall* 

pox^  cryQpelas,  &:c.    By  a  continual  fever  is  mea/n( . 

10  chat 


142       OF  FEVERS   IN   GENERAL. 

that  which  never  leaves  the  patient  during  the 
whole  courfe  of  the  difeafe^  or  which  fhews  no  re- 
markable increafe  or  abateoient  in  the  fymptoms. 
This  kind  of  fever  is  likewife  divided  into  acute^ 
flow,  and  malignant.  The  fever  is  called  acute 
when  its  progrefs  is  quick,  and  the  fympcoms  vio- 
lent;  but  when  thefe  are  more  gentle,  it  is  gene- 
rally denominated  ^(?«;.  When  livid  or  petechial 
fpots  fhew  a  putrid  ftate  of  the  humours,  the  fever 
is  called  malignant y  putrid,  or  petechial. 

A  remitting  fever  differs  from  a  continual  only 
in  degree.  It  has  frequent  increafes  and  decreafes, 
or  exacerbations  and  remiffions,  but  never  wholly 
leaves  the  patient  during  the  courfe  of  the  difeafe. 
Intermitting  fevers  or  agues  are  thofe  which,  du- 
ring the  tixne  that  the  patient  may  be  faid  to  be  ill, 
have  evident  intervals  or  remiffions  of  the  fymp- 
toms. 

As  a  fever  is  only  an  effortof  Nature  to  freehcr- 
fclf  from  an  offending  caufe,  it  is  the  bufinefs  of 
of  thofe  who  have  the  care  of  the  fick  to  obfervc 
with  diligence  which  way  Nature  points,  and  to 
endeavour  to  affift  her  operations.  Our  bodies  arc 
fo  framed,  as  to  have  a  conftant  tendency  to  expel 
or  throw  off  whatever  is  injurious  to  health.  This 
is  generally  done  by  urine,  fweat,  ftool,  expefto- 
ration,  vomit,  or  fome  other  evacuation. 

There  is  reafon  to  believe,  if  the  efforts  of 
Nature,  at  the  beginning  of  a  fever,  were  duly  at- 
tended to  and  promoted,  it  would  feldom  conti- 
nue longi  but  when  her  attempts  are  either  ne- 
glefted  or  counteracted,  it  is  no  wonder  if  the 
difealc  proves  fatal.  There  are  daily  inftanccs 
of  pcrfons  \vho,  after  catching  cold,  have  all  the 
fymptoms  of  a  beginning  fever  i  but  by  keeping 
warm,  drinking  diluting  liquors,  bathing  their 
ft?et  in  warm  water,  &c.  the  fymptoms  in  a  few 
hours   difappear^    and    the  danger   is  prevented. 

When 


-«ft 


•  fi 


OF   FEVERS   IN    GENEI?:AL.        143. 

When  fevers  of  a  putrid  kind  threaten,  the  bcft 
method  of  obviating  their  cfFefts  is  by  repeated 
vomits. 

Our  dcfign  is  not  to  enter  into  a  critical  inquiry 
into  the  nature  and  immediate  caufcs  of  fevers, 
but  to  mark  their  mod  obvious  fyn.ptoms,  and  to 
point  out  the  proper  treatment  of  the  patient  with 
refpeft  to  his  diet,  drink,  air,  &c.  in  the  difrcrcnc 
ftagesof  the  difeafe.  In  thcfc  articles  the  inclina- 
tions of  the  patient  will  in  a  great  meafure  dired: 
our  conduct. 

Almoft  every  perfon  in  a  fever  complains  of  great 
third,  and  calls  out  for  drink,  el'pecially  of  a  cool- 
ing nature.  This  at  once  points  out  the  ulc  of 
water,  and  other  cooling  liquors.  What  is  fo  likely 
to  abate  the  heat,  attenuate  the  humours,  remove 
fpafms  and  obftruftions,  promote  perfpiration,  in- 
creafc  the  quantity  of  urine,  and  in  fhort  produce 
every  falutary  effeft  in  an  ardent  or  inflammatory 
fever,  as  drinking  plentifully  of  water,  thin  gruel, 
or  any  other  weak  liquor,  of  which  water  is  the 
baGs  ?  The  necefiity  of  diluting  liquors  is  pointed 
out  by  the  dry  tongue,  the  parched  fl<in,  and  the 
burning  heat,  as  well  as  by  the  unquenchable  thirft 
of  the  patient. 

Many  cooling  liquors,  which  are  extremely  grate- 
ful to  patients  in  a  fever,  may  be  prepared  from 
fruits,  as  decoftions  of  tamarinds,  apple- tea,  orange- 
vrhey ,  and  the  like.  Mucilaginous  liquors  might 
tbb  be  prepared  from  marfhmallcjw  roots,  linfecd, 
lime^-trec  buds,  and  other  mild  vegetables.  Thefe 
liqubrs,  efpecially  when  acidulated,  are  highly 
agreeable  to  the  patient,  and  ilaotitd  never  be  de>- 
nicd  him* 

•  At  the  beginning -or  a  fever  the  patient  gene- 
rally complains  of  great  lafiitude  or  wearinefs,  and 
has  no  inclination  to  move.v  This  evidenriy  (hrws 
the  propriety  of  kceping^him  eafy^  and  if  poillbte 

in 


144        OF  FEVERS  IN  GENERAL. 

io  bed.  Lying  in  bed  relaxes  the  fpafms,  abates 
the  violence  of  the  circulation,  and  gives  Nature 
an  opportunity  of  exerting  all  her  force  to  over- 
come the  difeafe.  The  bed  alone  would  often  re- 
move a  fever  at  the  beginning;  but  when  the  pa- 
tient druggies  with  the  difeafe,  inftead  of  driving 
it  off,  he  only  fixes  it  the  deeper,  and  renders  ic 
more  dangerous.  This  obfervation  is  too  often  veri- 
fied in  travellers,  who  happen  when  on  a  journey 
to  be  feized  with  a  fever.  Their  anxiety  to  get 
home  induces  them  to  travel  with  the  fever  upon 
them,  which  condudt  fcldom  fails  to  render  it 
fatal. 

In  fevers  the  mind  as  well  as  the  body  (hould  be 
kept  eafy.  Company  is  feldom  agreeable  to  the 
fick.  Indeed  every  thing  that  dillurbs  the  imagi- 
nation increafes  the  difeafe ;  for  which  reafon  every 
perfon  in  a  fever  ought  to  be  kept  perfeftly  quiet, 
and  neither  allowed  to  fee  nor  hear  any  thing  that 
may  in  the  lead  affed  or  difcompofe  his  mind. 

Though  the  patient  in  a  fever  has  the  greateft 
inclination  for  drink,  yet  he  feldom  has  any  appe- 
tite for  folid  food ;  hence  the  impropriety  of  urging 
him  to  take  vidtuals  is  evident.  Much  folid  food 
in  a  fever  is  every  way  hurtful.  It  opprefles  nz^  ^ 
lure,  and,  inftead  of  nouriftiing  the  patient,  ferves  ^ 
only  to  feed  the  difeafe.  What  food  the  patient 
takes  fhould  be  in  fmall  quantity,  light,  and  of 
cafy  digeftion.  It  ought  to  be  chiefly  of  the  ve- 
getable kind,  as  panada,  roafted  apples,  gruelsj 
and  fuch  like. 

Poor  people,  when  any  of  their  family  are  taken 
illi  run  dircfltly  to  their  rich  neighbours  for  cor- 
dials, and  pour  wine,  fpirits,  &c.  into  the  patient* 
who  perhaps  never  had  been  accuftomed  to  tafte 
fuch  liquors  when  in  health.  If  there  be  any  de- 
gree of  fever,  this  conduft  muft  increafe  it,  and  if 
there  be  non^,  this  is  the  ready  way  to  raife  one, 

Stuffing 


*.  ■■  ■••■-  ■ 


OF  FEVERS  iN   GENERAL*       145 

Stuffing  the  patient  with  fweetmeats  and  other  de- 
licacies is  likewife  very  pernicious.  Thefe  are  al- 
ways harder  to  digeft  than  common  food^  and  can- 
not fail  to  hurt  the  ftomach. 

Nothing  is  more  defired  by  a  patient  in  a  fever 
than  frefh  air.  It  not  only  removes  his  anxiety, 
but  cools  the  bloody  revives  the  fpirits,  and  proves 
every  way  beneficial.  Many  patients  are  in  a  man- 
ner ftifled  CO  death  in  fevers  for  want  of  frefli  airi* 
yd  fuch  is  the  unaccountable  infatuation  of  moft 
people,  that  the  moment  they  think  a  perfon  in  a 
fever,  they  imagine  he  fhould  be  kept  in  a  clofe 
chamber,  into  which  not  one  particle  of  frcfli  air 
nnjufl:  be  admitted.  Inftead  of  this,  there  ought  to 
b^  a  conftant  ftream  of  frefh  air  into  a  fick  perfon's 
chamber,  fo  as  to  keep  it  moderately  cool.  In- 
deed its  degree  of  warmth  ought  never  to  be  greater 
than  is  agreeable  to  one  in  perfect  health. 

Nothing  fpoils  the  air  of  a  fick  perfon's  chamber, 
or  hurts  the  patient  more,  than  a  number  of  people 
breathing  in  it.  When  the  blood  is  inflamed,  or 
the  humours  in  a  putrid  (late,  air  that  has  been 
breathed  repeatedly  will  greatly  increafethedifeafc. 
Such  air  not  only  lofcs  its  fpring,  and  becomes  un- 
fit for  the  purpofe  of  rcfpiration,  but  acquires  a 
noxious  quality,  which  renders  it  in  a  manner  poi- 
fonous  to  the  fick.  ** 

In  fevers,  when  the  patient's  fpirits  are  low  andr 
depreffed,  he  is  not  only  to  be  fupported  with  cor- 
dials, but  every  method  Ihould  be  taken  to  cheer" 
and  comfort  his  mind.  Many,  from  a  millaken' 
zeal,  when  they  think  a  perfon  in  danger,  inftead 
of  folacing  his  mind  with  the  hopes  and  confola- 
tioDS  of  religion,  fright  him  with  the  Views  of  hejl 
and  damnation.  It  would  be  unfuitlble  here  "^tO 
dwell  uf)on  the  impropriety  and  dangerous  confe- 
quenccs  of  this  conduct  ^  it  often  hurts  the  body^  *' 

-       L  •    ■     •     and 


^      o^  ^   ,    to  ba^*^**^  ^  ^.  of  * 

f«'^^*  ^aiot^  nature .    ^^^,  ^,dv.      ,-  vng,  ^*  ,Vvere 


IS 


an 


»\«»^*  "^ptoceeA*  U^^^ou^^'^^-.  xL  to  ^»^/otbct 

tV\\s  n°v!,4    batbes  i      ^atcv-6;  f-x^otw  ^a"    .     ^v- 
\\es  "^n,^  v's  i»^^^^    or   \^e  ^'}^  ut  bed,  ^f  %ch 


OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS.      147 

ture,  and  often  point  out  what  may  be  of  real  ufe. 
Patients  are  not  indeed  to  be  indulged  in  every 
thing  that  the  fickly  appetite  may  crave;  but  it  is 
generally  right  to  let  them  have  a  little  of  what  they 
eagerly  defire,  though  it  may  not  fecm  altogether 
proper.  What  the  patient  longs  for,  his  ftomach 
will  generally  digeft ;  and  fuch  things  have  fome« 
times  a  very  happy  effeft. 

When  a  patient  is  recovering  from  a  fever,  great 
care  is  neceflary  to  prevent  a  relapfe.  Many  per- 
fons,  by  too  foon  imagining  themfelves  well,  have 
loft  their  lives,  or  contrafted  other  difeafes  of  an 
obflinate  nature.  As  the  body  after  a  fever  is 
weak  and  delicate,  it  is  necefTary  to  guard  againft 
catching  cold«  Moderate  exercife  in  the  open  air 
will  be  of  ufe,  but  great  fatigue  is  by  all  means  to 
be  avoided  s  agreeable  company  will  alfo  have  a 
good  efie£t.  The  diet  muft  be  light,  but  nou*> 
rifhing.  It  (hould  be  taken  frequently,  but  in 
fmall  quantities.  It  is  dangerous  at  fuch  a  time  to 
eat  as  much  as  the  ftomach  may  crave. 


»t^^mmmmt»mmtmmJ^mmimm^mmmmmm,m^mmm^i^^mt^m0»t»m^^.mmt^*^mmtm 


CHAP.    XIV. 

OF    INTERMITTING    FEVERS,    OR 

AGUES. 

INTERMITTING  fevers  afford  the  beft  oppor- 
"■•  tunity  both  of  obferving  the  nature  of  a  fever, 
and  alfo  the  cffe'fts  of  medicine.  No  pcrfon  caa 
be  at  a  lofs  to  diftinguifti  an  intermitting  fever  from 
any  other,  and  the  proper  medicine  for  ic  is  now 
almoft  untverfally  known. 

L  »  The 


148      OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS: 

The  feveral  kinds  of  iptermitting  fevers  take  their 
flames  from  the  period  in  which  the  fit  returns,  as 
quotidian,   tertian,  quartan,   &C4 

CAUSES. Agues   are  occafioned  by  eflflu* 

via  from  putrid  ftagnating  water.  This  is  cvi- 
dent  from  their  abounding  in  rainy  feafons,  and 
being  mod  frequent  in  countries  where  the  foil  is 
marihy,  as  in  Holland,  the  Fens  of  Cambridge- 
shire, .  the  Hundreds  of  fcffex,  &c.  This  difeafe 
may  alfo  be  occafioned  by  eating  too  much  ftone 
fruit,  by  a  poor  watery  diet,  damp  houfes,  evening 
dews,  lying  upon  the  damp  ground,  watching,  fa- 
tigue, deprcffing  paflions,  and  the  like.  When 
the  inhabitants  of  a  high  country  remove  to  a  low 
one,  they  are  generally  feized  with  intermitting 
feversj  and  to  fuch  the  difeafe  is  moft  apt  to  prove 
iatal.  In  a  word>  whatever  relaxes  the  folids,  di- 
fniniflies  the  perfpiration,  or  obftrufts  the  circula- 
tion in  the  capillary  or  fmall  velTels,  difpofes  the 
hody  to  agues. 

SYMPTOMS.— -An  intermitting  fever  ge- 
nerally begins  with  a  pain  of  the  head  and  loins, 
wearincfs  of  the  limbs,  coldnefs  of  the  extremities, 
Tlretching,  yawning,  with  fometimes  great  ficknefs 
and  vomitings  to  which  fucceed  Ihivering  and 
violent  (baking.  Afterwards  the  flcin  becomes 
moid,  and  a  profufe  fwcat  breaks  our,  which  ge- 
nerally terminates  the  fit  orparoxyfm.  Sodnetimes 
Indeed  the  difeafe  comes  on  fuddenly,  <when  the 
perfon  thinks  himfelf  in  perfeft  health;  but  it  is 
more  commonly  preceded  by  liftleffnefs,  lofs  of 
appetite,  and  the  fymptoms  mentioned  above. 

REGIMEN. While  the   fit  continues,   the 

"patient  ought  to  drink  freely  of  water- gruel,  orangc- 
whey,  weak  camomile  tea ;  or,  if  his  fpirits  be  low, 
fmall  wine-whey,  (harpened  with  the  juice  of 
lemon.  All  his  drink  ihould  be  warm>  as  that 
'  s  •  '     -  will 


OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS.      149 

^ill  aflift  in  bringing  on  the   fweat^   and  confe-^ 
qucntly  (horten  the  paroxyfm  *. 

Between  the  paroxyfms  the  patient  nnuft  be  fup- 
ported  with  food  that  is  nourifhing,  but  light  and 
eafy  of  digeftion,  as  veal  or  chicken  broths^  f^go» 
gruel  with  a  little  wine^  light  puddings,  and  fuch 
like.  His  drink  may  be  fmall  negus,  acidulated 
with  the  juice  of  lemons  or  oranges,  and  fometimes 
a  little  weak  punch.  He  may  likewife  drink  infu-* 
lioDS  of  bitter  herbs,  as  camomile,  wormwood,  or 
water-trefoil,  and  may  now  and  then  take  a  glafs  of 
fmall  wine,  in  which  gentian  root,  centaury,  or 
fome  other  bitter,  has  been  infufed. 

As  the  chief  intentions  of  cure  in  an  ague  are  to 
brace  the  folids,  and  promote  perfpiration,  the  pa- 
tient ought  to  take  as  much  exercife  between  the 
fits  as  he  can  bear.  If  he  be  able  to  go  abroad, 
riding  on  horfeback,  or  in  a  carriage,  will  be  of 
great  fervice.  But  if  he  cannot  bear  that  kind  of 
exercife,  he  ought  to  take  fuch  as  his  (Irength  will 
permit.  Nothing  tends  more  to  prolong  an  inter- 
mitting fever,  than  indulging  a  lazy  indolent  dif- 
pofition. 

Intermitting  fevers,  under  a  proper  regimen,  will 
often  go  off"  without  medicine  j  and  when  the  dif- 
cafc  is  mild,  in  an  open  dry  country,  there  is  fel- 
dom  any  danger  from  allowing  it  to  take  its  courfe ; 
but  when  the  patient's  ftrength  feems  to  decline, 
or  the  paroxyfms  are  fo  violent  that  his  life  is  in 
danger,  medicine  ought  immediately  to  be  admi- 
nistered. This  however  (hould  never  be  done 
till  the  difeafe  be  properly  formed,  that  is  to  fay, 

*  Dr.  Lind  fays,  that  twenty  or  twenty-five  drops  of  laadanum 
pat  into  a  cup  of  the  patient's  drink,  and  given  about  half  aa 
hour  after  the  commencement  of  the  hot  fit,  promotes  the  fweat, 
ibortens  the  fit,  relieves  the  head,  and  tends  greatly  to  remove  the 
difeafe. 

L  3  till 


I50     OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS. 

till  the  patient  has  had  feveral  fits  of  fhaking  and 
fweating. 

MEDICINfi. The   firft   thing  to  be   done 

in  the  cure  of  an  intermitting  fever,  is  to  clcanfe 
the  ftonriach  and  bowels.  This  not  only  renders 
the  application  of  other  medicines  more  fafe,  buc 
likewife  more  efficacious.  In  this  difeafe,  the  fto- 
mach  is  generally  loaded  with  cold  vifcid  phlegm, 
and  frequently  great  quantities  of  bile  are  dif- 
charged  by  vomit;  which  plainly  points  out  the 
neceflity  of  fuch  evacuations.  Vomits  are  there- 
fore to  be  adminiftered  before  the  patient  takes 
any  other  medicine.  A  dofe  of  ipecacuanha  will 
generally  anlwer  this  purpofc  very  well.  A  fcruple 
or  half  a  dram  of  the  powder  will  be  fufficient  for 
an  adult,  and  for  a  younger  perfon  the  dofe  muft 
be  lefs  in  proportion.  After  the  vomit  begins  to 
operate,  the  patient  ought  to  drink  plentifully  of 
weak  camomile- tea.  The  vomit  Ihould  be  taken 
two  or  three  hours  before  the  return  of  the  fit,  and 
may  be  repeated  at  the  diftance  of  two  or  three 
days.  Vomits  not  only  cleanfe  the  ftomach,  but 
increafe  the  perfpiration,  and  all  the  other  fecrc- 
tions,  which  render  them  of  fuch  importance,  that 
they  often  cure  intermitting  fevers  without  the 
affiftance  of  any  other  medicine. 

Purging  medicines  are  likewife  ufeful  and  often 
neceflary  in  intermitting  fevers.  A  fmart  purge 
has  been  known  to  cure  an  obftinate  agufe,  after 
the  Peruvian  bark  and  other  medicines  had  been 
ufed  in  vain.  Vomits  however  are  more  fuitable 
in  this  difeafe,  and  render  purging  lefs  neceflary; 
but  if  the  patient  be  afraid  to  take  a  vomit,  he 
ought  in  this  cafe  to  cleanfe  the  bowels  by  a  dofe 
or  two  of  Glauber's  fait,  jalap,  or  rhubarb. 

Bleeding  may  fometimcs  be  proper  at  the  begin- 

,ning  6f  an  intermitting  fever,  when  exceflive  heat, 

7  a  de-^ 


OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS.       151 

%  delirium,  &c,  give  rcafon  to  fufpeft  an  inflam- 
mation ;  but  as  the  blood  is  feldom  in  an  inilam* 
matory  ftate  in  intermitting  fevers,  this  operation 
is  rarely  neceffary.  When  frequently  repeated,  ic 
tends  -to  prolong  the  difeafe. 

After  proper  evacuations,  the  patient  may  fafcly 
ufe  the  Peruvian  bark,  which  may  be  taken  in  any 
way  that  is  moft  agreeable  to  him.  No  prepa- 
ration of  the  bark  feems  to  anfwer  better  than  the 
moft  fimple  form  in  which  it  can  be  given,  viz.  in 
powder. 

Two  ounces  of  the  beft  Peruvian  bark,  finely 
powdered,  may  be  divided  into  twenty-four  dofes. 
Thcfc  may  either  be  made  into  boluflfes  as  they 
are  ufed,  with  a  little  fyrup  of  lemon,  or  mixed 
in  a  glafs  of  red  wine,  a  cup  of  camomile-tea, 
wat^r- gruel,  or  any  other  drink  that  is  more  agree- 
able to  the  patient*. 

In  an  ague  which  returns  every  day,  one  of  the 
above  dofes  may  be  taken  every  two  hours  during 
the  interval  of  the  fits.  By  this  method  the  pa- 
tient will  be  able  co  take  five  or  fix  dofes  between 
each  paroxyfm.  In  a  tertian  or  third-day  ague  ic 
will  be  fufficient  to  take  a  dofe  every  third  hour  du- 
ring the  interval,  and  in  a  quartan  every  fourth. 
If  the  patient  cannot  take  fo  large  a  dofe  of  the 
bark,  he  may  divide  each  of  the  powders  into  two 
parts,  and  take  one  every  hour,  &c.  For  a  young 
pcrfon  a  fmailer  quantity  of  this  medicine  will  be 
(ufHcienc,  and  the  dofe  muft  be  adapted  to  the  age, 
conftitution,  and  violence  of  the  fymptoms  j". 

The 

•  It  has  lately  been  obfcrvcd,  that  the  red  bark  Is  more  power- 
fal  than  that  which  has  for  feme  time  been  in  common  ufe.  Its 
faperior  efficacy  Teems  to  arifc  from  its  being  of  a  more  perfed 
growth  than  the  quillbark,  and  confequently  more  fully  impieg- 
Dated  with  the  medical  properties  of  the  plant. 

f  In  intermitting  fevers  of  an  obAinate  nature,  I  have  found 
U  Acccflfry  to  throw  in  the  bark  much  fader.     Indeed  the  be- 

h  4.  ne6t3 


i5jr     OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS. 

The  above  quantity  of  bark  will  frequently  euro 
^n  ague ;  the  patient,  however,  ought  not  to  leave 
off  talcing  the  medicine  as  foon  as  the  paroxyfms 
are  flopped,  but  fhould  continue  to  ufe  it  till  there 
is  reafon  to  believe  the  difeafe  is  entirely  overcome. 
Moft  of  the  failures  in  the  cure  of  this  difeafe  are 
owing  to  patients  not  continuing  to  ufe  the  medi- 
cine long  enough.  They  are  generally  direfted  to 
take  it  till  the  fits  are  flopped,  then  to  leave  it  off, 
and  begin  again  at  fome  diftance  of  time;  by 
which  means  the  difeafe  gathers  ftrcngth,  and  often 
returns  with  as  much  violence  as  before.  A  re- 
lapfe  may  always  be  prevented  by  the  patient's  con- 
tinuing to  take  fmall  dofes  of  the  medicine  for  fome 
time  after  the  fymptoms  difappear.  This  is  both 
the  moft  fafe  and  effeftual  method  of  cure. 

An  ounce  of  gentian  root,  calamus  aromaticus^ 
arid  orange-peel,  of  each  half  an  ounce,  with  three 
or  four  handfuls  of  camomile-flowers,  and  an  hand* 
ful  of  coriander-feed,  all  bruifcd  together  in  a  mor- 
tar, may  be  ufed  in  form  of  infufion  or  tea.  About 
half  an  handful  of  thefe  ingredients  may  be  put  into 
a  tea-pot,  and  an  Englifh  pint  of  boiling  water 
poured  on  them.  A  cup  of  this  infufion  drank  three 
or  four  times  a  day  will  greatly  promote  the  cure. 
Such  patients  as  cannot  drink  the  watery  infufion, 
may  put  two  handfuls  of  the  fame  ingredients  into  a 
bottle  of  white  wine,  and  take  a  glafs  of  it  twice  or 
thrice  a  day.  If  patients  drink  freely  of  the  above^ 
or  any  other  proper  infufion  pf  bitters,  a  fmaller 

cefics  aridng  from  this  medicine  depend  chiefly  upon  a  large 
quantity  of  it  being  ad minidercd  in  a  (hort  time.  Several  ounces 
of  bark  given  in  a  few  days  will  do  more  than  as  many  pounds 
taken  in  the  courfe  of  fome  weeks.  When  this  medicine  is  in- 
lended  either  to  flop  a  mortification,  or  cure  an  obflinate  ague, 
it  ought  to  be  thrown  in  as  fait  as  the  (lomach  can  poflibly  bear 
It.  Inattention  to  this  circamflance  has  hurt  the  reputation  of 
^ne  of  the  bed  medicines  of  which  we  are  in  pofTefCon. 

Quantity 


OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS.      153 

Suantity  of  bark  than  is  generally  ufed^  will  be  fuf- 
cient  to  cure  an  ague  *. 

Thofe  who  cannot  Iwallow  the  bark  in  fubftance, 
may  take  ic  in  decodion  or  infufion.  An  ounce  of 
bark  in  powder  may  be  infufed  in  a  bottle  of  white 
wine  for  four  or  five  days,  frequently  (baking  the 
bottle,  afterwards  let  the  powder  fubfide,  and  pour 
off  the  clear  liquor.  A  wine  glafs  may  be  drank 
three  or  four  times  a  day,  or  oftencr,  as  there  is 
occafion.  If  a  decoftion  be  more  agreeable,  an 
ounce  of  the  bark,  and  two  drams  of  fnake-root 
bruifedj  with  an  equal  quantity  of  fait  of  worm- 
wood, may  be  boiled  in  a  quart  of  water,  into  an 
Englifh  pint.  To  the  drained  liquor  may  be  added 
an  equal  quantity  of  red  wine,  and  a  glafs  of  ic 
taken  frequently. 

In  obflinate  agues,  the  bark  will  be  found  much 
more  efficacious  when  affifted  by  brandy,  or  other 
warm  cordials,  than  taken  alone.  This  I  have  had 
frequently  occafion  to  obfervc  in  a  country  where 
intermittent  fevers  were  endemical.  The  bark  feU 
dom  fucceeded  unlcfs  affifted  by  fnake-root,  ginger^ 
canella  alba,  or  fome  other  warm  aromatic.  When 
the  fits  are  very  frequent  and  violent,  in  which  cafe 
the  fever  often  approaches  towards  an  inflammatory 
nature,  it  will  be  fafer  to  keep  out  the  aromatict, 
and  to  add  fait  of  tartar  in  their  ftead.  But  in  an 
obftinate  tertian  or  quartan,  in  the  end  of  autumi} 

*  There  is  reafon  to  believe,  that  fundry  ofogr  own  plants  or 
barks,  which  are  very  bitter  and  aftringenc,  would  fucceed  in  the 
cure  of  intermittent  fevers,  efpecially  when  aflifted  by  aromatics. 
fiot  as  the  Peruvian  bark  has  been  long  approved  in  the  cure  of 
this  dtfeafe,  and  is  now  to  be  obtained  at  a  very  reafonable  rate* 
it  is  of  Jefs  importance  to  iearch  after  new  medicines.  We  cannot 
however  omit  taking  notice,  that  the  Peru?ian  bark  is  very  often 
adulterated,  and  that  it  requires  confiderable  fkill  to  diftinguifli 
between  the  genuine  and  the  falfe.  Thia  ought  CO  make  people 
V^ry  caatioas  of  whom  they  parchafe  it. 

or 


154      OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS. 

ar  beginning  of  wintex,  warm  and  cordial  medicine^ 
3re  abfolutely  neceflary  *. 

.  As  autumnal  and  winter  agues  generally  prove 
much  more  obdinate  than  thofe  which  attack  the 
patient  in  Tpring  or  fummer,  it  will  be  neceflary  to 
continue  the  ufe  of  meditines  longer  in  the  former 
than  in  the  latter.  A  perfon  who  is  feized  with  an 
intermitting  fever  in  the  beginning  of  winter,  oughc 
frequently,  if  the  feafon  proves  rainy,  to  take  a 
liale  medicine,  although  the  difeafe  may  feem  to 
be  cured,  to  prevent  a  relapfe,  till  the  return  of  the 
«;arm  feafon.  He  ought  likewife  -to  take  care  not 
CO  be  much  abroad  in  wet  weather,  efpecially  in 
cold  eafterly  winds. 

When  agues  are  not  properly  cured,  they  often 
degenerate  into  obdinate  chronical  difeafes,  as  the 
dropfy,  jaundice,  &c.  For  this  reafon  all  pofliblc 
care  (hould  be  taken  to  have  them  radically  cured, 
bcibre  the  conftitution  has. been  too  much  weakened. 
;.  fThough  nothing  is  more  rational  than  the  method 
of  Creating  intermitting  fevers,  yet,  by  fome  ftrange 
infatuation,  more  charms  and  whimfical  remedies 
^rc  daily  ufed  for  removing  this  than  any  other 
difeafe.  There  is  hardly  an  old  woman  who  is  not 
uir  pofleflion  of  a  noftrum  for  (lopping  an  ague; 
fmd  it  is  amazing  with  what  readinefs  their  preten* 
ijons  are  believed,  Thofe  in  diftrefs  eagerly  grafp 
gjC^any  thing  that  promifes  fudden  relief;  but  the 
ihoxteil  way  is  not  always  the  beft  in  the  treatment 
of  difeafes.  The  only  method  to  obtain  a  fafe  and 
lading  cure,  is  gradually  to  aflift  Nature  in  re- 
moving the  caufe  of  the  diforder. 

^  In  obftinate  agues,  when  the  patient  is  old,  the  habit  phleg- 
mttic,  the  feafon  rainy,  the  fituation  damp,  or  the  like,  it  will  be 
neceilkry  to  mix  with  two  ounces  of  the  bark,  half  an  ounce  of 
Virginian  fnake-root,  and  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  ginger,  or 
fome  other  warm  aromatic;  but  when  the  fymptoms  are  of  an 
inflammatory  nature,  half  an  ounce  of  fait  of  wormwood  or  fait 
^f  tartar  may  be  added  to  the  above  quantity  of  bark. 

Some 


OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS.      ij^ 

Some  indeed  try  bold,  or  rather  fool»hardy  expc* 
rimcnts  to  cure  agues,  as  drinking  great  quantities 
of  ftrong  liquors,  jumping  into  a  river,  &c.  Thefc 
may  fometimes  have  the  defired  effcft,  but  muft 
always  be  attended  with  danger.  When  there  is 
any  degree  of  inflammation,  or  the  lead  tendency  ta 
it,  fuch  experiments  may  prove  fatal.  The  only 
patient  whom  I  remember  to  have  loft  in  an  inter- 
mittent fever,  evidently  killed  himfelf  by  drinking 
ftrong  liquor,  which  fome  perfon  had  perfuaded  him 
would  prove  an  infallible  remedy. 

Many  dirty  things  are  extolled  for  the  cure  of 
intermitting  fevers,  as  fpiders,  cobwebs,  fnuffings 
of  candles,  &c.  Though  thefe  may  fometimes  fuc- 
ceed,  yet  their  very  naftinefs  is  fuflicient  to  fet  them 
afide,  cfpecially  when  cleanly  medicines  will  anfwer 
the  purpofe  better.  The  only  medicine  that  can 
be  depended  upon,  for  thoroughly  curing  an  inter- 
mittent fever,  is  the  Peruvian  bark.  It  may  always 
be  ufed  with  fafety :  and  I  can  honeftly  declare,  that 
in  all  my  praftice  I  never  knew  it  fail,  when  com* 
bined  with  the  medicines  mentioned  above,  and 
duly  perfifted  in. 

Where  agues  are  endemical,  even  children  are 
often  afflifted  with  that  difcafe.  Such  patients  arc 
very  difficult  to  cure,  as  they  can  feldom  be  prevailed 
upon  to  take  the  bark,  or  any  other  difagrceablc 
medicine.  One  method  of  rendering  this  medicine 
more  palatable,  is  to  make  it  into  a  mixture  with 
diftilled  waters  and  fyrup,  and  afterwards  to  give  it 
an  agreeable  ftiarpnefs  with  the  elixir  or  fpirit  of 
vitriol.  This  both  improves  the  medicine,  and  takes 
off  the  naufeous  tafte.  In  cafes  where  the  bark  can- 
not be  adminiftered,  the  fa/ine  mixture  m^y  be  given 
with  advantage  to  children*. 

Wirle-whey  is  a  very  proper  drink  for  a  child  in 
gn  a2ue  -,  to  half  an  Engliih  pint  of  which  may  be 

♦  Sec  Appendix,  Saline  mixture. 

put 


15^      OF  INTERMITTING  FEVERS. 

put »  cca-fpoonful  of  the  fpiric  of  harrfhorn.  Exer* 
q\{c  is  likewife  of  confiderable  fervicej  and  when 
the  difcafe  proves  obftinate,  the  child  ought,  if 
pofiible,  to  be  removed  to  a  warm  dry  air.  The 
fy>od  ought  to  be  nourifhing,  and  fometimes  a  little 
generous  wine  fhould  be  allowed. 

Tochildrenj  and  fuch  as  cannot  fwallow  the  bark, 
or  when  the  ftomach  will  not  bear  it^  it  may  be  given 
by  clyfter.  Half  an  ounce  of  the  extraft  of  bark^ 
4iflblved  in  four  ounces  of  warm  water,  with  the 
addition  of  half  an  ounce  of  fweet  oil,  and  fix  or 
tight  drops  of  laudanum,  is  the  form  recommended 
t>y  Dr.  Lind  for  an  adult,  and  this  to  be  repeated 
every  fourth  hour,  or  oftener,  as  the  occafion  (hall 
require.  For  children  the  quantity  of  extract  and 
laudanum  mud  be  proportionally  IcfTened.  Children 
have  been  cured  of  agues  by  making  them  wear  a 
waidcoat  with  powdered  bark  quilted  between  the 
iblds  of  it;  by  bathing  them  frequently  in  a  drong 
decoftion  of  the  bark,  and  by  rubbing  the  fpine 
with  drong  fpirits,  or  with  a  mixture  of  equal  parts 
of  laudanum  and  the  faponaceous  liniment. 

We  have  been  the  more  full  upon  this  difeafe, 
becaufc  it  is  very  common,  and  becaufe  few  patients 
in  an  ague  apply  to  phyficiansunlefs  in  extremities. 
There  arc,  however,  many  cafes  in  which  the  dif- 
eafeis  very  irregular,  being  complicated  with  other 
difeafes,  or  attended  with  fymptoms  which  are  both 
very  dangerous  and  very  difficult  to  underdand. 
All  ihefe  we  hav^e  purpofely  paflcd  over,  as  they 
wouidonlybewilder  the  generality  of  readers.  When 
the  difcafe  is  very  irregular,  or  the  fymptoms  dan- 
gerous, the  patient  ought  immediately  to  apply  to 
a  phylician,  and  dridly  to  follow  his  advice. 

To  prevent  agues,  people  mud  endeavour  to  avoid 
their  caufcs.  Thefe  have  been  already  pointed  out 
in  the  beginning  of  this  fectionj  we  Ihall  therefor; 
only  add  one  preventive  medicine,  which  may  be 

of 


i*. 


Of  an  ACUTE  CONTINUAL  FEVER.     1 57 

of  ufe  to  fuch  as  arc  obliged  to  live  in  low  tnarfhy 
countries,  or  who  are  liable  to  frequent  attacks  of 
this  dtfeafe. 

Take  an  ounce  of  the  bed  Peruvian  bark  ;  Vir- 
ginian fnake-root,  and  orange-peel,  of  each  half  an 
ounce;  bruife  them  all  together,  and  infufe  for  five 
or  fix  days  in  a  bottle  of  brandy,  Holland  gin,  or 
any  good  fpirit;  afterwards  pour  off  the  clear  liquor^ 
and  take  a  wine  glafs  of  ic  twice  or  thrice  a  day. 
This  indeed  is  reconnmending  a  dram  ;  but  the  bit- 
ter ingredients  in  a  great  meafurc  take  off  the  ill 
cfFefts  of  the  fpirit.  Thofe  who  do  not  chufe  it  in 
brandy,  may  infufe  it  in  wine;  and  fuch  as  can  bring 
themfelves  to  chew  the  bark,  will  find  that  method 
fuccecd  very  well.  Gentian  root,  or  calamus  aro- 
maticus,  may  alfo  be  chewed  by  turns  for  the  fame 
purpofe.  All  bitters  feem  to  be  antidotes  to  agues, 
tfpecially  thofe  that  arc  warm  and  aftringent. 


CHAP.     XV. 

OF  AN  ACUTE  CONTINUAL  FEVER. 

nrHIS  fever  is  denominated  acute,  ardent,  or 
■*•  inflammatory.  Ic  moll  commonly  attacks  the 
young,  or  perfoas  about  the  prime  or  vigour  of  life, 
cfpecially  fuch  as  live  high,  abound  with  blood,  and 
whofe  fibres  are  ftrong  and  elaltic.  It  feizes  people 
at  all  feafons  of  the  year;  but  is  mod  frequent  in 
the  fpring  and  beginning  of  fummer. 

CAUSES. — An  ardent  fever  may  be  occafioned 
by  any  thing  that  overheats  the  body,  or  produces 
plethora,  as  violent  exercife,  flteping  in  the  fun, 
drinking  ftrong  liquors,  eating  fpiceries,  a  full  diet, 
with  little  exercife,  &c.  It  may  likewifc  be  occa- 
fioncd  by  whatever  obftrufts  the  pcrfpiration,  as 
5  lying 


158    Of  an  ACUTE  CONTINUAL  FEVER.  ^ 

lying  on  the  damp  grcuind,  drinking  cold  liquor 
when  the  body  is  hot,  night-watching,  or  the  like* 

SYMPTOMS.— A  rigour  or  chillnefs  generally 
ufliers  in  this  fever,  which  is  foon  fucceeded  by  great 
heat,  a  frequent  and  full  pulfe,  pain  of  the  head^ 
dry  fkin,  rednefs  of  the  eyes,  a  florid  countenance, 
pains  in  the  back,  loins,  &c.  To  thefe  fucceed  dif- 
ficulty of  breathing,  ficknefs,  with  an  inclination 
to  vomit.  The  patient  complains  of  great  third, 
has  no  appetite  for  folid  food,  is  reftlefs,  and  his 
tongue  generally  appears  black  and  rough. 

A  delirium,  exccffive  reftlcffnefs,  great  oppreflion 
of  the  breaft,  with  laborious  refpiration,  darting 
of  the  tendons,  hiccup,  cold  clammy  fweats,  and 
an  involuntary  difcharge  of  urine,  are  very  danger-* 
ous  fymptoms. 

As  this  difeafe  is  always  attended  with  danger, 
the  beft  medical  afliftance  ought  to  be  procured  as 
foon  as  poflTible.  A  phyfician  may  be  of  ufe  at  the 
beginning,  but  his  (kill  is  often  of  no  avail  after** 
'  wards.  Nothing  can  be  more  unaccountable  than 
the  conduft  of  thofe  who  have  it  in  their  power,  at 
the  beginning  of  a  fever,  to  procure  the  beft  medi* 
cal  affiftance,  yet  put  it  off  till  things  come  to  an 
extremity.  When  the  difeafe,  by  delay  or  wrong 
treatment,  has  become  incurable,  and  has  exhaufted 
the  ftrength  of  the  patient,  it  is  in  vain  to  hope  for 
relief  from  medicine.  Phyficians  may  indeed  affift 
Nature  j  but  their  attempts  muft  ever  prove  fruit- 
lefs^  when  (he  is  no  longer  able  to  co-operate  with 
their  endeavours. 

REGIMEN. — From  the  fymptoms  of  this  dif- 
eafe, it  is  evident,  that  the  blood  and  other  humours 
require  to  be  diluted ;  that  the  perfpiration,  urine, 
faliva,  and  all  the  other  fecretions,  are  in  too  fmall 
quantity  ;  that  the  ve(rels  are  rigid,  and  the  beat  of 
the  whole  body  too  great :  all  thefe  clearly  point 
out  the  necefliity  of  a  regimen  calculated  to  dilute 

the 


OfM  ACUTE  CONTINUAL  FEVER.     15^ 

the  blood,  correft  the  acrimony  of  the  humours, 
allay  the  cxceflive  heat,  remove  the  fpafmodic  ftric- 
turc  of  the  vcffels,  and  promote  the  fecretions. 

Thefe  important  purpofcs  may  be  greatly  pro- 
moted by  drinking  plentifully  of  diluting  liquors  j 
as  water-gruel,  or  oatmeaUtca,  clear  whey,  barley- 
water,  balm-tea,  applc-tea,^  &c»  Thefe  may  be 
iharpened  with  juice  of  orange,  jelly  of  currants> 
rafpberries,  and  fuch  like:  orange-whey  is  likewifc 
an  excellent  cooling  drink.  It  is  made  by  boiling 
among  milk  and  water  a  bitter  orange  fliced,  till 
the  curd  feparates.  If  no  orange  can  be  had,  a  le- 
mon, a  little'cream  of  tartar,  or  a  few  fpoonfuls  of 
vinegar,  will  have  the  fame  eftcft.  Two  or  three 
fpoonfuls  of  white  wine  may  occafionally  be  added 
to  the  liquor  when  boiling. 

If  the  patient  be  coftive,  an  ounce  of  tamarinds, 
with  two  ounces  of  floned  raifms  of  the  fun,  and  a 
couple  of  figs,  may  be  boiled  in  three  Engliih  pints 
of  water  to  a  quart.  This  makes  a  very  pleafant 
^rink,  and  may  be  ufed  at  difcretion.  The  commoa 
pc£toral  dccoftion  is  likewifc  a  very  proper  drink  in 
this  difeafe.  A  tea-cupful  of  it  may  be  taken  every 
-two  hours,  or  oftcner,  if  the  patient's  heat  and  thirft 
be  very  great  *. 

The  above  liquids  muft  all  be  drank  a  little  warm* 
They  may  be  ufed  in  fmaller  quantities  at  the  begin- 
ning of  a  fever,  but  more  freely  afterwards,  in  order 
to  affift  in  carrying  off  the  difeafe  by  prompting  the 
different  excretions.  We  have  mentioned  a  variety 
of  drinks,  that  the  patient  may  have  it  in  his  power 
to  chufe  thofe  which  are  mod  agreeable ;  and  that, 
when  tired  of  one,  he  may  have  recourfc  to  another. 

The  patient's  diet  muft  be  very  fpare  and  light. 
All  forts  of  QeQi-nneats,  and  even  chicken-broths, 
are  to  be  avoided.    He  may  be  allowed  groat-gruel, 

*  See  Appendix,  Pe&oral  ^ec93icn* 

panado^ 


t6o    0/an  ACUTE  CONTINUAL  FEVER. 

panado^  or  light  bread  boiled  in  water;  to  which 
may  be  added  a  few  grains  of  connnrion  fait,  and  a 
•  little  fugar,  which  will  render  it  more  palatable. 
He  may  eat  roafted  apples  with  a  little  fugar,  toafted 
bread  with  jelly  of  currants,  boiled  prunes,  &c. 

It  will  greatly  relieve  the  patient,  efpecially  in 
an  hot  feafon,  to  have  frefli  air  frequently  let  into 
his  chamber.  This,  however,  muft  always  be 
done  in  fuch  a  manner  as  not  to  endanger  his  catch*- 
ing  cold. 

It  is  top  common  in  fevers  to  load  the  patient 
with  bed  clothes,  under  the  pretence  of  making  him 
fweat,  or  defending  him  from  the  cold.  This  cuf-  ' 
tom  has  many  ill  eflrefts.  It  increafes  the  heat  of 
the  body,  fatigues  the  patient,  and  retards,  inftead 
of  promoting,  the  perfpiration. 

Sitting  upright  in  bed,  if  the  patient  is  able  to 
.bear  it,  will  often  have  a  good  effed.  It  relieves 
the  head,  by  retarding  the  motion  of  the  blood  to 
the  brain.  But  this  pofture  ought  never  to  be  con- 
tinued too  long :  and  if  the  patient  is  inclined  to 
fweat,  it  will  be  more  fafe  to  let  him  lie,  only  raif- 
ing  his  head  a  little  with  pillows. 

Sprinkling  the  chamber  with  vinegar,  juice  of 
lemon,  or  vinegar  and  rofe  water,  with  a  little  nitre 
diflblved  in  it,  will  greatly  refrelh  the  patient. 
This  ought  to  be  done  frequently,  efpecially  if  the 
weather  is  hot. 

The  patient's  mouth  Ihould  be  often  wa(hcd  with 
a  mixture  of  water  and  honey,  to  which  a  little  vi- 
negar may  be  added ;  or  with  a  decoftion  of  figs 
in  barley-water.  His  feet  and  hands  ought  like- 
wife  frequently  to  be  bathed  in  lukewarm  waters 
efpecially  if  the  head  is  affected. 

The  patient  (hould  be  kept  as  quiet  and  eafy  as 
poilible.  Company,  noife,  and  every  thing  that 
difturbs  the  mind,  is  hurtful.  Even  too  much 
lights  or  any  thing  that  affefts  the  fenfes,  ought 

to 


0/ w  ACUTE  CONTINUAL  FEVER.  i6i 

to  be  avoided.  His  attendants  (hould  be  as  few  aa 
puSlhltry  and  they  ought  not  to  be  too  often  changed. 
His  inclinations  oimht  rather  to  be  foothed  than 
cootradidted ;  even  tiic  promife  of  what  he  craves 
will  often  fatisfy  him  as  much  as  its  reality. 

MEDICINE. In    this  and  all  othtr  fevers, 

attended  with  a  hard,  full,  quick  puife,  bleeding 

is  of  the  greateft  importance.  This  operation  oughc 

always  to  be  performed  as  foon  as  the  fymptoms  of  an 

inflammatory  fever  appear.   The  quantity  of  blood 

to  be  taken  away,  however,  muft  be  in  proportion 

to  the  ftrength  of  the  patient  and.  the  violence  of 

the  difeafc.     If  after   the   firft    bleeding  the  fever 

ihoujd  rife,  and   the  pulfe  become  more  frequent 

aod  hard,  there  will  be  a  neccffity  for  repeating  it 

a  fccond,  and  perhaps   a  third,  or  even  a  fourth 

tinoc,  which  may  be  done  at  the  diflance  of  twelve, 

eighteen,  or  twenty- four  hours  from  each  other,  as 

the  fymptoms  require.     If  the  pulfc  continues  fofr, 

and  the   patient  is    tolerably    eafy  after   the   firft 

bleeding,  it  ought  not  to  be  repeated. 

If  the  heat  and  fever  bje  very  great,  forty  or 
fifty  drops  of  the  dulcified  or  fweet  fpirit  of  nitre 
^^y  be  made  into  a  draughty  with  an  ounce  of  rofe<* 
^ater,  two  ounces  of  common  water,  and  half  an 
OUQcc  of  fimplc  fyrup,  or  a  bit  of  loaf-fugar.  This 
^^MglW  oiay  be  given  to  the  patient  every  three  or 
four  hours  while  the  fever  is  violent;  afterwards 
9ficc  in  five  or  fix  hours  will  be  fufficient. 

U  the  patient  be  aifli(5led  with  reaching,  or  an  in- 
^nation  to   vomit,  it  will  be   right  to  aflift  Na* 
^^rc's  attempts,  by  giving   him  weak   camoniiJc^ 
^^^,  or  lukewai:m  water  to  drink. 

If  the  body  i?  hound,  a  ciyfter  of  milk  and 
^atcr  with  a  little  f^lt,  and  a  fpoonful  of  fwccx 
^il  or  frelh  buitcr  in  it,  ought  daily  to  be  admir 
*^iftered.  Should  this  not  have  the  defired  cfFeft,  a 
^a-ipoonful  of  raagnefia  alba,  or  cream  of  tartar, 

M  may 


l62  Of  an  ACUTE  CONTINUAL  FEVER. 

may  be  frequently  put  into  his  drink.  He  may 
likewife  eat  tamarinds^  boiled  prunes,  roafted 
apples,  and  the  like. 

If  about  the  tenth,  eleventh,  or  twelfth  day,  the 
pulfe  becomes  more  foft,  the  tongue  moifter,  |ind 
the  urine  begins  to  let  fall  a  reddifli  fettlement, 
there  is  reafon  to  e'xpcft  a  favourable  iffue  to  the 
difeafe.  But  if,  inftcad  of  thefe  fymptoms,  the  pa- 
tient's fpirits  grow  languid,  his  pulfe  finks,  and  his 
breathing  becomes  difficult;  with  a  ftupor,  trem- 
bling of  the  nerves,  ftarting  of  the  tendons,  &c. 
there  is  reafon  to  fear  that  the  confequences  will  be 
fatal.  In  this  cafe  bliftering  plafters  muft  be  ap- 
plied to  the  head,  ancles,  infide  of  the  legs  or 
thighs,  as  there  may  be  occafion ;  poultices  of 
wheat- bread,  muftard,  and  vinegar,  may  likewife 
be  applied  to  the  foles  of  the  feet,  and  the  patient 
muft  be  fupported  with  cordials,  as  ftrong  wine- 
whey,  negus,  fago-gruel  with  wine  in  it,  and  fuch 
like. 

A  proper  regimen  is  not  only  neceflary  during 
the  fever,  but  likewife  after  the  patient  begins  to 
recover.  By  neglefting  this,  many  relapfc,  or  fall 
into  other  difeafes,  and  continue  valetudinary  for 
life.  Though  the  body  is  weak  after  a  fever,  yet 
the  diet  for  feme  time  ought  to  be  rather  cleanf- 
ing  than  of  too  nourilhing  a  nature.  Too  much 
food,  drink,  exercife,  company,  &c.  are  carefully 
to  be  avoided.  The  mind  ought  likewife  to  be 
kept  eafy,  and  the  patient  (hould  not  attempt  to 
purfue  ftudy,  or  any  bufinefs  that  requires  intend 
thinking. 

If  the  digeftion  is  bad,  or  the  patient  is  feized 
at  times  with  feverilh  heats^  an  infufion  of  Peruvian 
bark  in  cold  water  will  be  of  ufe.  It  will  ftrengthen 
the  ftomach,  and  help  to  fubdue  the  remains  of  the 
fever. 

6  When 


■■^<. 


OF    THE.  PLEURISY.         163 

When  the  patient's  ftrength  is  pretty  well  reco- 
vered, he  ought  to  take  fome  gentle  laxative.  An 
ounce  of  tamarinds  and  a  dram  of  fena  may  be 
boiled  for  a  few  minutes  in  an  Englifti  pint  of  water, 
and  an  ounce  of  ixanna  diflblved  in  the  decoftion^ 
afterwards  it  may  be  (Irainedj  and  a  tea-cupful 
drank  every  hour  till  it  operates.  This  dofc  may 
be  repeated  twice  or  thrice,  five  or  fix  days  inter- 
vening betwixt  each  dofe. 

Thofc  who  follow  laborious  employments  ought 
not  to  return  too  foon  to  their  labour  after  a  fever, 
but  fhould  keep  eafy  till  their  ftrength  and  fpirita 
are  fufficicntly  recruited. 

CHAP.    XVI. 

OF    THE    PLEURISY. 

•TTHE  true  pleurify  is  an  inflammation  of  that 
^  membrane  called  the  pleura^  which  lines  the 
infide  of  the  breaft.  It  is  diftinguifhed  into  the 
moift  and  dry.  In  the  former  the  patient  fpits 
freely;  in  the  latter,  little  or  none  at  all.  There 
is  likcwife  a  fpecies  of  this  difcafe,  which  is  called 
the/purious  or  bajiard pleurify ^  in  which  the  pain  is 
more  external,  and  chiefly  aflTefts  the  mufcles  be- 
tween the  ribs.  The  pleurify  prevails  among  la- 
bouring people,  efpecially  fuch  as  work  without 
doors^  and  are  of  a  fanguine  conftitution.  It  is 
moft  frequent  in  the  fpring  feafon. 

CAUSES.-^ The  pleurify  may  be  occafioned 

by  whatever  obftrufts  the  perfpiration ;  as  cold 
northerly  winds;  drinking  cold  liquors  when  the 
body  is  hot;  fleeping  without  doors  on  the  damp 
ground i   wet  clothes;    plunging   the    body    into 

M  a  €ol4 


i64        OF    THE    PLEURISY. 

cold  water,  or  expofing  it  to  the  cold  air,  when 
covered  with  fweat,  &c.  It  may  likewife  be  oc^ 
cafioned  by  drinking  ftrong  liquors;  by  the  ftop* 
page  of  ufual  evacuations;  as  old  ulcers,  ifiues^ 
fwettting  of  the  feet  or  hands,  ^c.  the  fudden 
ftriking  in  of  any  eruption,  as  the  itch,  the  meafles, 
br  the  frnall-pox.  Thofe  who  have  been  accuftomed 
to  Weed  at  a  certain  feafon  of  the  year  are  apt,  if 
they  negled  it,  to  be  feized  with  a  plcurify.  Keep^ 
ing  the  body  too  warm  by  means  of  fire,  clothes, 
•&C.  renders  it  more  liable  to  this  difcafe.  A 
pleurify  may  likewife  be  occafioned  by  violent 
exercife,  as  running,  wreftling,  leaping,  or  by 
fupporting  gr^at  weight,  blows  on  the  breaft.  See. 
A  bad  conformation  of  the  body  renders  perfons 
more  liable  to  this  difeafe,  as  a  narrow  cheft,-  a 
ftraitnefs  of  the  arteries  of  the  pleura,   &c. 

SYMPTOMS. This,    like  moft    other    fe- 

vers,  generally  begins  with  chillncfs  and  fhivering, 
which  are  followed  by  heat,  thirft,  and  reftleffnefs. 
To  thefe  fucceeds  a  violent  pricking  pain  in  one  of 
the  fides  among  the  ribs.  Sometimes  the  .pain  ex- 
tends towards  the  back- bone,  fometimes  towards 
the  forepart  of  the  breaft,  and  at  other  times  to- 
wards thc'fhoulder  blades.  The  pain  is  generally 
moft  violent  when  the  patient  draws  in  his  breath. 

The  pulfc  in  this  difeafe  is  commonly  quick 
and  hard,  the  urine  high- coloured;  and  if  blood 
be  let,  it  \s  covered  with  a  tough  cruft,  or  buffy 
coat.  The  patient's  fpittle  is  at  fii»ft  thin,  but 
afterwards  it  becomes  groffcr,  and  is  often  ftreaked 
with  blood. 

REGIMEN. Nature  generally    endeavours 

to  carry  off  this  difeafe  by  a  critical  difcharge  of 
blood  from  fome  part  of  the  body,  by  -expeflo^ 
ration,  fwear,  loofe  ftools,  thick  urine,  or  the  like. 
We  ought  therefore  to  fecond  her  intentions  -by 
.  leflcning  the  force  of  the  circulation,  relaxing  the 

v(^ffels. 


OF    THE    PLEURISY.         165 

veflels,  diluting  the  humours^  and  promoting  ex-* 
peAoration. 

For  thcfe  purpofcs  the  diet,  as  in  the  former  dif- 
eafe,  ought  to  be  cool,  (lender,  and  diluting.  Tb^ 
patient  muft  avoid  all  food  that  is  vifcid,  hard  of 
digeftion,  or  that  affords  much  nourifiiment;  ai 
flclh,  butter,  checfe,  eggs,  milk,  and  alfo  every 
thing  that  is  of  a  heating  nature.  His  drink  may 
be  whey,  or  an  infufion  of  peroral  and  balfamic 
vegetables  *. 

Barley-water,  with  a  little  honey  or  jeHy  of  cur- 
rants   mixed   with    it,   is   likewife  a  very  proper 
drink  in  this  difeafe.     It  is  rnade  by   boiling   an 
ounce   of  pearl-barley    in   three   Englifli  pints  of 
water  to  two,  which   mult  afterwards  be  (trained. 
The   decoftion   of  figs,    raiftns,    barley,    recom- 
mended in  the  preceding  difeafe,  is  here  likewife 
very  proper.     Thefe  and  other  diluting  liquors  arc 
not  to  be  drank  in  large  quantitijcs  at  a  time,   but 
the  patient  ought  to  keep  continually  Tipping  them^ 
fo    as   to   render   his    mouth    and   throat    always 
inoi(t.     All  his  food  and  drink  (hould  be  taken  a 
little  warm. 

The  patient  (hould  be  kept  quiet,  cool,  and 
every  way  eafy,  as  direded  under  the  foregoing 
difeafe.  His  feet  and  hands  ought  daily  to  be 
'  bathed  in  lukewarm  water;  and  he  may  fometimes 
fit  up  in  bed  for  a  (hort  fpace,  in  order  to  relieve 
his  head. 

MEDICINE.— —Almoit  every  perfon  knows, 
when  a  fever  is  attended  with  a  violent  pain  of  the 
fide,  and  a  quick  hard  pulfe,  that  bleeding  is  ne- 
cc(rary.  When  thefe  fymptoms  come  on,  the  fooner 
this  operation  Is  performed  the  better;  and  the 
quantity  at  fir(t  mu(t  be  pretty  large,  provided  the 
patient  is  able  to  bear  it.     A  large  quaatity  of 

•  8«c  Appendix,  PiSoralinfufan. 

M  3  blood 


t66        OF    THE    PLEURISY. 

blood  let  at  once,  in  the  beginning  of  a  pleurlfy, 
has  a  much  better  cfFcft  than  repeated  fmall  bleed- 
ings. A  man  may  lofe  twelve  or  fourteen  ounces 
of  blood  as  foon  as  it  is  certainly  known  that  he  is 
feized  with  a  pleurify.  For  a  younger  perfon,  or 
one  of  a  delicate  conftitution^  the  quantity  muft 
be  lefs. 

If,  after  the  firft  bleeding,  the  ditch,  with  the 
other  violent  fymptoms,  (hould  ftill  continue,  it 
will  be  neceflary,  at  the  diftancc  of  twelve  or 
eighteen  hours,  to  let  eight  or  nine  ounces  more. 
If  the  fymptoms  do  not  then  abate,  and  the  blood 
fhews  a  ftrong  bufFy  coat,  a  third,  or  even  a  fourth 
bleeding  may  be  requifitc.  If  the  pain  of  the  fide 
abates,  the  pulfe  becomes  fofter,  or  the  patient  be* 
gins  to  fpit  freely,  bleeding  ought  not  to  be  re- 
peated. This  operation  is  feldom  neceffary  after 
the  tjiird  or  fourth  day  of  the  fever,  and  ought 
not  then  to  be  performed,  unlefs  in  the  moft  ur* 
gent  circumftanccs. 

The  blood  may  be  many  ways  attenuated  with- 
out bleeding.  There  are  likewife  many  things  that 
may  be  done  to  eafc  the  pain  of  the  fide  without 
this  operation,  as  fomenting,  bliftering,  &c.  Fo- 
mentations may  be  made  by  boiling  a  handful  of 
the  flowers  of  elder,  camomile,  and  common  mal- 
lows, or  any  other  foft  vegetables,  in  a  proper 
•quantity  of  water.  The  herbs  may  be  either  put 
into  a  flannel  bag,  and  applied  warm  to  the  fide, 
or  flannels  may  be  dipped  in  the  deco6tion,  after- 
wards wrung  out,  and  applied  to  the  part  afFeftcd, 
with  as  much  warmth  as  the  patient  can  eafily  bear. 
As  the  clothes  grow  cool,  they  mufl:  be  changed, 
and  great  care  taken  that  the  patient  do  not  cat(;h 
cold.  A  bladder  may  be  filled  with  warm  milk  and 
water^  and  applied  to  the  fide,  if  the  above  me- 
thod of  fomenting  be  found  inconvenient.  Fo- 
mentations not  only  eafe  the  pain,  but  relax  the 

veficls. 


OF    THE    PLEURISY.         167 

vcflcls,  and  prevent  the  ftagnation  of  the  blood 
and  other  humours.  The  fide  may  likewife  be  fre- 
quently rubbed  with  a  little  of  the  volatile  lini- 


ment *, 


Topical  bleeding  has  often  a  very  good  effedt  in 
this  difeafe.  It  may  either  be  performed  by  ap- 
plying a  number  of  leeches  to  the  part  affedtcd,  or 
by  cupping,  which  is  both  a  more  certain  and  ex- 
peditious method  than  the  other. 

Leaves  of  various  plants  might  likewife  be  ap- 
plied to  the  patient's  fide  with  advantage.  I  have 
often  feen  great  benefit  from  young  cabbage-leaves 
applied  warm  to  the  fide  in  a  pleurify.  Thcfe  not 
only  relax  the  parts,  but  likewife  draw  oflT  a  little 
moifture,  and  may  prevent  the  neccfllty  of  bliftcr- 
ing-plafters  i  which  however,  when  other  things 
fail^  muft  be  applied. 

If  the  ftitch  continues  after  repeated  bleedings, 
foaientations,  &c.  a  bliftering-plafter  muft  be  ap- 
plied over  the  part  affefted,  and  fufl^trred  to  remain 
for  two  days.  This  not  only  procures  a  difchargc 
from  the  fide,  but  takes  off  the  fpafm,  and  by 
that  means  affifts  in  removing  the  caufe  of  the 
difeafe.  To  prevent  a  ftrangury  when  the  blifter- 
ing-plafter is  on,  the  patient  may  drink  freely  of 
the  Arabic  emulfionf, 

If  the  patient  is  coftive,  a  clyfter  of  thin  water- 
gruel,  or  of  barley-water,  in  which  a  hanJful  of 
mallows,  or  any  other  emollient  vegetable  has  been 
boiled,  may  be  daily  adminiftered.  This  will  noc 
only  empty  the  bowels,  but  have  the  cffedl  of  a 
warm  fomentation  applied  to  the  inferior  vifcera, 
which  will  help  to  make  a  derivation  from  the 
breaft. 

The  expeftoration  or  fpitting  may  be  promoted 
by  (harp,  oily,  and  mucilaginous  medicines.     For 

*  See  Appendix,  Volatile  liniment • 
f  See  Appendix,  Arabic  emuljion, 

M  4  this 


i68        OF    THE    PLEURISY. 

this  purpofe  an  ounce  of  the  oxymel,  or  th^  vinegar 
of  fquills,  may  be  added  to  fnc  ounces  of  the  pec- 
toral deco&ion,  and  two  table-fpoonfulsof  it  taken 
every  two  hours. 

Should  the  fquill  difagree  with  the  (lomach,  the 
oily  ennulfion  may  be  adminiftered*;  or,  in  place 
of  it,  two  ounces  of  the  oil  of  fweet  almonds,  or  oil 
of  olives,  and  two  ounces  of  the  fyrup  of  violets, 
may  be  mixed  with  as  much  fugar-candy  powdered, 
as  will  make  an  eleftuary  of  the  confiftence  of  ho- 
ney. The  patient  may  take  a  tea-fpoonful  of  this 
frequently,  when  the  cough  is  troublefome.  Should 
oily  medicines  prove  naufeous,  which  is  fometimes 
the  cafe,  two  table  fpoonfulsof  the  folution  of  gum 
ammoniac  in  barley-water  may  be  given  three  or 
four  times  a  day  f. 

If  the  patient  di^es  not  peifpire,  but  has  a  burn- 
ing heat  upon  his  fkn,  and  paflVs  very  little  water, 
fome  fmall  dofes  ot  purified  nitre  and  camphire 
will  be  of  ufe.  Two  drams  of  the  former  may  be 
rubbed  with  five  or  fix  grains  of  the  latter  in  a  mor- 
tar, and  the  whole  divided  into  fix  dofes,  one  of 
which  may  be  taken  every  five  or  fix  hours,  in  a 
little  of  the  patient's  ordinary  drink- 

We  (hall  only  mention  one  medicine  more,  which 
fome  reckon  almoft  a  fpecific  in  the  pleurify,  vix. 
the  decoftion  of  the  feneka  rattle-fnake  root*. 
After  bleeding  and  other  evacuations  have  been 
premifed,  the  patient  may  take  two,  three,  or 
four  lable-fpoonfuls  of  this  decoftion,  according 
as  his  ftomach  will  bear  it,  three  or  four  times 
a-day.  If  it  fhould  occafion  vomiting,  two  or 
three  ounces  of  fimple  cinnamon-water  may  be 
mixed  with  the  quantity  of  decoftion  here  dire&ed, 
pr  it  may  be  taken  in  fmaller  dofes.     As  this  mc- 

*  See  Appendix,  Oily  imulfi$n. 

f  See  Appendix,  Solutidtt  of  gum  ammoniac 

J  Sec  Appendix,  Decodion  tif/entka  root. 

dicioe 


OF    THE    PLEURISY.         169 

dicine  promotes  pcrfpiration  and  urine,  and  like- 
wife  keeps  the  body  eafy,  it  may  be  of  fome  fer- 
vice  in  a  pleurify,  or  any  other  inflammation  of  the 
bread. 

No  one  will  imagine  that  thefc  medicines  are  all 
to  be  ufed  at  the  fame  time.  We  have  mentioned 
different  things,  on  purpofe  that  people  may  have 
it  in  their  power  to  chufc;  and  likewife,  that  when 
one  cannot  be  obtained,  they  may  make  ufe  of  an- 
other. Different  medicines  are  no  doubt  neceffary 
in  the  different  periods  of  a  diforder;  and  where 
one  fails  of  fuccefs,  or  difagrecs  with  the  patient, 
it  will  be  proper  to  try  another. 

What  is  called  the  crifis,  or  height  of  the  (ever, 
is  fometimes  attended  with  very  alarming  fymp- 
toms,  as  difficulty  of  breathing,  an  irregular  pulle, 
convulfive  motions,  &c.  Theie  are  apt  to  frighten, 
^hc  attendanxs,  and  induce  them  to  do  improper 
things,  as  bleeding  the  patient,  giving  him  ftrong 
fiimujating  medicines,  or  the  like.  But  they  arc 
only  the  llruggl'es  of  Nature  to  overcome  the  dif- 
eafe,  in  which  (he  ought  to  be  affifted  by  plenty  of 
diluting  drink,  which  is  then  peculiarly  neccflary. 
If  the  patient's  ftrength  however  be  much  ex-  ' 
haufted  by  the  difcafe,  it  will  be  neceffary  at  this 
time  to  fupport  him  with  frequent  fmall  draughts 
of  wine-whey,  negus,  or  the  like. 

When  the  pain  and  fever  arc  gone,  it  will  be 
proper,  after  the  patient  has  recovered  fufficient 
ftrength,  to  give  him  fome  gentle  purges,  as  thofe 
dircfted  towards  the  end  of  the  acute  continual  fe- 
ver. He  ought  likewife  to  ufe  a  light  diet,  of  caff 
digeilion,  and  his  drink  (hould  be  butter-milk^ 
whey,  and  other  things  of  a  cleanfing  nature. 

Of  the  BASTARD  PLEURISY. 

That  fpccies  of  pleurify  which  is  called  the  hajlari 
otjpurious,  generally  goes  off  by  keeping  warm  for 

a  few 


lyo  OF  THE  PLEURISY. 

a  fewdayS)  drinking  plenty  of  diluting  liquors^  and 
obferving  a  cooling  regimen. 

It  is  known  by.  a  dry  cough,  a  quick  pulfe,  and 
a  difficulty  of  lying  on  the  affected  fide,  which  laft 
does  not  always  happen  in  the  true  pleurify.  Some- 
times indeed  this  difeafe  proves  obftinate^  and 
requires  bleeding,  with  tupping,  and  fcarifications 
of  the  part  affcfted.  Thefe,  together  with  the  ufc 
of  nitrous  and  other  cooling  medicines^  feldom  fail 
to  effcdt  a  cure. 

Of  the   PARAPH  RENITIS. 

The  parapbrenitis^  or  inflammation  of  the  dia- 
phragm, is  fo  nearly  connefted  with  the  pleurify, 
and  refembles  it  fo  much  in  the  manner  of  treat- 
ment, that  ic  is  fcarce  necelTary  to  confider  it  as  a 
feperate  difeafe. 

'  It  is  attended  with  a  very  acute  fever,,  and  an 
extreme  pain  in  the  part  affefted,  which  is  generally 
augmented  by  coughing,  fneezing,  drawing  in  the 
breath,  taking  food,  going  to  ftool,  making  water, 
&c.  Hence  the  patient  breathes  quick,  and  draws 
in  his  bowels  to  prevent  the  motion  of  the  dia- 
phragm ^  is  reftlefs,  anxious,  has  a  dry  cough^  a 
hiccup,  and  often  a  delirium.  A  convulfivc  laugh, 
or  rather  a  kind  of  involuntary  grin,  is  no  uncom- 
mon fymptom  of  this  difeafe. 

Every  method  muft  be  taken  to  prevent  a  fuppu- 
ration,  as  it  is  impoffible  to  fave  the  patient's  life 
when  this  happens.  The  regimen  and  medicine  are 
in  all  refpcdls  the  fame  as  in  the  pleurify.  We  (hall 
only  add,  that  in  this  difeafe  emollient  clyfters  are 
peculiarly  ufcful,  as  they  relax  the  bowels,  and 
by  that  means  make  a  derivation  from  the  part 
aflfeftcd. 


^•. 


[    >7i    ] 


CHAP.    XVII. 

OF  A  PERIPNEUMONY,  OR  INFLAMMA- 
TION OF  THE  LUNGS. 

A  S  this  difeafe  affefls  an  organ  which  is  abfolutely 
•""  ncceffary  to  life,  it  muft  always  be  attended 
with  danger.  Perfons  who  abound  with  thick  blood, 
whofc  fibres  are  tenfe  and  rigid,  who  feed  upon  grofs 
aliment,  and  drink  (Irong  vifcid  liquors,  are  moft' 
liable  to  a  peripneumony.  It  is  generally  fatal  to 
thofe  who  have  a  flat  bread,  or  narrow  cheft,  and 
to  fuch  as  are  afflided  with  an  afthma,  efpecially  in  the 
decline  of  life*  Sometimes  the  inflammation  reaches 
to  one  lobe  of  the  lungs  only,  at  other  times  the 
whole  of  the  organ  is  affcdled;  in  which  cafe  the 
difeafe  can  hardly  fail  to  prove  fatal. 

When  the  difeafe  proceeds  from  a  vifcid  picuicous 
matter  obftru£ting  the  veflels  of  the  lungs,  it  is 
called  z  Jpurious  or  bajiard  peripneumony.  When  it 
arifes  from  a  thin  acrid  defluxion  on  the  lungs,  it  is 
denominated  a  catarrhal  peripneumony j  &c. 

CAUSES. An  inflammation  of  the  lungs  is' 

ibmetimes  a  primary  difeafe,  and  fometimes  it  is  the 
confequence  of  other  difeafes,  as  a  quinfey,  a  pleu- 
rify,  &c.  It  proceeds  from  the  fame  caufes  as  the 
pleurify,  wz.  an  obftrudted  perfpiration  from  cold, 
wet  clothes,  &c.  or  from  an  increafed  circulation  of 
the  blood  by  violent  exercife,  the  ufe  of  fpiceries, 
ardent  fpirits,  and  fuch  like.  The  pleurify  and 
peripneumony  are  often  complicated  ;  in  which  cafe 
the  difeafe  is  called  a  pleuro-feripneumony . 

SYMPTOMS. Moft  of  the  fymptoms  of  a 

pleurify  likewifeattendan  inflammation  of  the  lungs; 
only  in  the  latter  the  pulfe  is  more  foft>  and  the  pain 

lefs 


172        OF  A  PERIPNEUMONY. 

Icfs  acute ;  but  the  difficulty  of  breathing,  and  op- 
preffion  of  the  brcaft,  are  generally  greater. 

REGIMEN. — —As  the  regimen  and  medicine 
are  in  all  rcfpefts  the  fame  in  the  true  peripneumony 
fts  in  the  pleurify,  we  (hall  nor  here  repeat  them,  but 
refer  the  reader  to  the  treatment  of  that  difeafe.  It 
ipay  not  however  be  improper  to  add,  that  the  ali- 
ment ought  to  be  more  (lender  and  thin  in  this  than 
in  any  other  inflammatory  difeafe.  The  learned  Dr. 
Arbuthnot  aflfcrts,  that  even  common  whey  is  fuf- 
ficient  to  fupport  the  patient,  and  that  decoAions 
of  barley,  and  infufions  of  fennel  roots  in  warm  wa- 
ter with  milk,  arc  the  moft  proper  both  for  drink 
and  nouriftiment.  He likewife  recommends  the  fleam 
of  warm  water  taken  in  by  the  breath,  which  fervcs 
as  a  kind  of  internal  fomentation,  and  helps  to  at- 
tenuate the  impafted  humours.  If  the  patient  has 
loofe  ftools,  but  is  not  weakened  by  them,  they  are 
not  to  be  flopped,  but  ratlVer  promoted  by  the  ufe 
of  emollient  clyfters. 

It  has  already  been  obfervcd,  that  thc/purious  or 
^/j^/?r//peripneumony  is  occafioned  by  a  vifcid  pitui- 
tous  matter  obftrufting  the  ve(rels  of  the  lungs.  It 
.commonly  attacks  the  old,  infirm,  and  phlegmatic, 
in  winter  or  wet  feafons. 

The  patient  at  the  beginning  is  cold  and  hot  by 
turisis,  has  a  fmall  quick  pulfe,  feels  a  fcnfc  of 
weight  upon  his  breatt,  breathes  with  diffi^ty,  and 
fometimes  complains  of  a  pain  and  giddinefs  of  his 
head.  His  urine  is  ufually  pale,  and  his  colour 
very  Jittle  changed. 

The  diet  in  this,  as  well  as  in  the  true  peripneu- 
mony,  muft  be  very  (lender,  as  weak  broths, 
fharpened  with  the  juice  of  orange  or  lemon,  and 
fuch  like.  His  drink  may  be  thin  water- gruel 
fweetened  with  honey,  or  a  decoftion  of  the  roots  of 
fennel,  liquorice,  and  quick  grafs.  An  ounce  of 
each  of  thefe  may  be  boiled  in  three  Englifh  pints 

of 


« 


OF  A  PERIPNEUMONY.        173 

of  water  to  a  quart,  and  Ifaarpentd  with  a  liccle  cur*» 
nntjcUfj  or  (he  like. 

Bleeding  and  purging  are  gc/ierally  proper  at  thf 
beginning  of  this  difeafe;  but  if  the  patient's  fpittlc 
is  pretty  thick,  or  well  concoftcd,  neither  of  theiia 
arc  necefliiry.  It  will  be  fufficient  to  affift  the 
expeftoration  by  fon>c  of  the  fliarp  medicines  re- 
connmended  for  that  purpofe  in  the  pleurify,  as  the 
folution  of  gum-anannoniac  with  oxymel  of  fquills, 
&c.  Bliftering  plafters  have  generally  a  good  effcdt, 
and  ought  to  be  applied  pretty  early. 

If  the  patient  does  not  fpir,  he  mud  be  bled  ac- 
cording as  his  ftrengch  will  permit,  and  have  a 
gentle  purge  adminiftered.  Afterwards  his  body 
may  be  kept  open  by  clyfters,  and  theexpcftoration 
ju-omoted,  by  taking  every  four  hours  two  table- 
fpoonfuls  of  the  foJution  mentioned  above. 

WJien  an  inflammation  of  the  bread  does  not 
yield  to  Jbl ceding,  bliftering,  and  other  evacuatipos^ 
it  commonly  ends  in  a  fuppuration,  which  is  morp 
or  lefs  dangerous,  according  to  the  part  where  it  i^ 
iltuated.  When  this  h^pcn^s  in  the  pleura,  it 
fometimes  breaks  outwardly,  and  the  macter  i^  dif- 
charged  by  the  wound. 

When  the  fuppuration  happens  within  the  fub- 
(lance  or  body  of  the  lungs,  the  matter  may  bfi 
difcharged  by  expeftoracion  j  but  if  the  matter  floats 
in  fihc  cavity  of  the  breaft,  between  the  pleura  anjft 
the  luog3,  it  can  only  be  difcharged  by  an  mcifion 
made  betwixt  the  ribs. 

If  the  patient's  ftrength  does  not  return  af^r  the 
.inflammation  is  to  all  appearance  removed;  if  his 
j>uirc  continjues  quick  though  foft^  his  breathiug 
.difEcult  and  ppprcOfed;  if  he  has  cold  fl^iverings  i|t 
timesi,  his  checkjs  fluflied,  his  lips  dryi  and  if  hp 
complains  ofthirft,  and  want  of  appetite,  there  is 
rcafbn  to  fear  a  fuppuration,  and  that  a  phthifls  or 

3  confumption 


174        PF    CONSUMPTIONS. 

confumption  of  the  lungs  will  enfue.  Wc  (hall 
therefore  next  proceed  to  conOder  the  proper  treat-* 
ment  of  that  difeafe. 


C  H  A  P.    XVIII. 
OF    CONSUMPTIONS. 

A  CONSUMPTION  is  a  wafting  or  decay  of 
•*^  the  whole  body  from  an  ulocr,  tubercles,  or 
concretions  of  the  lungs,  an  empyema,  a  nervous 
atrophy,  or  a  cachexy. 

Dr.  Arbuthnot  obferves,  that  in  his  time  con- 
fumptions  made  up  above  one-tenth  part  of  the 
bills  of  mortality  in  and  about  London.  There  is 
reafon  to  believe  they  have  rather  increafed  fincei 
and  we  know  from  experience,  that  they  are  not 
lefs  fatal  in  fome  other  towns  of  England  than  ia 
London. 

Young  perfons,  betwixt  the  age  of  fifteen  and 
thirty,  of  a  (lender  make,  long  neck,  high  fhoulders> 
and  flat  breafts,  are  moft  liable  to  this  difeafe. 

Confumprions  prevail  more  in  England  than  in 
any  other  part  of  the  world,  owing  perhaps  to  the 
great  ufe  of  animal  food  and  malt  liquors,  the  ge^ 
neral  application  to  fedentary  employments,  and  the 
great  quantity  of  pit-coal  which  is  there  burnt;  to 
which  we  may  add  the  perpetual  changes  in  the 
atmofphere,  or  variablcnefs  of  the  weather. 

CAUSES. It  has  already  been  obferved,  that 

an  inflammation  of  the  breaft  often  ends  in  an  im* 
pofthume:  confequently  whatever  difpofes  people 
to  this  difeafe,  muft  likewife  be  conlidered  as  a 
caufe  of  confumptions. 

Other 


OF    CONSUMPTIONS.         175 

Other  diTcafes,  by  vitiating  the  habit,  may  like- 
wife  occaiion  confumptions  j  as  the  fcurvy,  the 
Icrophula,  or  king's  evil,  the  venereal  difcafe,  the 
afthma,  fmall-pox,  meafles,  &c. 

As  this  difeafe  is  fcldom  cured,  we  (hall  endea- 
vour the  more  particularly  to  point  out  its  caufes, 
in  order  that  people  may  be  enabled  to  avoid  it* 
Thcfe  are : 

Confined  or  unwholefome  air.     When  this 

fluid  is  impregnated  with  the  fumes  of  metals  or 
minerals,  it  proves  extremely  hurtful  to  the  lungs, 
and  often  corrodes  the  tender  vefiels  of  that  necef- 
fary  organ. 

Violent  paflions,  exertions,  orafFeftionsof  the 

mind;  as  grief,  difappointmcnt,  anxiety,  or  clofc 
application  to  the  ftudy  of  abftrufe  arts  or  fciences.' 

Great  evacuations ;  as  fweating,  diarrhoeas, 

diabetes,  exccflive  vencry,  the  fluor  albus,  an  over- 
difcharge  of  the  mcnftrual  flux,  giving  fuck  too 
long,  &c. 

The  fuddcn  (loppage  of  cuftomary  evacu- 
ations; as  the  bleeding  piles,  fweating  of  the  feet, 
bleeding  at  the  nofe,  the  menfes,  ilTucs,  ulcers,  or 
eruptions  of  any  kipd. 

Injuries  done  to  the  lungs,  calculi,  &c.     I 

lately  faw  the  fymptoms  of  a  phthifis  occafioned  by 
a  fmall  bone  flicking  in  the  bronchi.  It  was  after- 
wards vomited  along  with  a  confidcrable  quantity  of 
jpurulent  matter,  and  the  patient,  by  a  proper  regi- 
men, and  the  ufe  of  the  Peruvian  bark,  recovered, 

Making  a  fudden  tranfuion  from  a  hot  to  a 

very  cold  climate,  change  of  apparel,  or  whatever 
greatly  IcfTens  the  perfpiration, 

Frequent  and  exceffive  debaucheries.     Late 

watching,  and  drinking  flrong  liquors,  which  gene- 
rally go  together,  can  hardly  fail  to  deflroy  the 
lungs.  Hence  the  bon  companion  generally  falls  a 
facri6ce  to  this  difeafe. 

Jn- 


176         OF    CONSUMPTIONS. 

^— rrlnfcdion.  Confumptions  are  likcwife  caught 
by  fleeping  with  the  difcalcdi  for  which  reafon  this 
ihould  be  carefully  avoided.  Ic  cannot  be  of  great 
benefit  to  the  fick,  and  ri^uft  hurt  thofc  in  health. 

. Occup^xions  in  life.     Thofc  artificers  who 

fit  much,  and  arc  cgpftantly  leaning  forward,  or. 
preffing  upon  the  ftomach  and  -  bread,  as  cutlers, 
taylors,  fhoe-makcrs,  fcamftreflTes,  &c.  often  die 
of  conlumptions.  They  likewife  prove  fatal  to 
Ci?gers,  an4  all  who  have  occafipn  tp  make  frequent 
and  viuknc  exertions  of  the  lungs. 

1  .  Cold.  More  confunnptive  patients  date  the 
ibeginning  of  their  diforders  from  wet  feet,  damp 
beds,  nigh^  air,  wet  clothes,  or  catching  cold  after 
ite  body  had  been  heated,  than  from  all  other  caufes. 
^  Sharp,  ffiline,  and  aromatic  aliment,  which  heat 
jy>d  inflame  thic  bloodj  arc  likewife  frequently  the 
caufe  pf  confumptions. 

We  fliall  only  add,  that  this  difeafe  is  often  owing 
to  ah  hereditary  taint,  or  a  fcrophulous  habit  i  io 
which  cafe  ic  is  generally  incurable. 

SYMPTOMS..^— This  difeafe  generally  begins 
wjth  a  dry  cough,  which  often  continues  for  fooMP 
months.  If  a  difpofition  to  vomit  afrer  eating  be 
excited  by  it,  there  is  ftill  greater  reafon  to  fear  an 
approaching  confumption.  The  patient  complains 
of  a  more  than  ufual  degree  of  heat,  a  pain  and 
opprcflion  of  the  bread,  efpecially  after  motion  j  his 
fpittle  is  of  a  faltifh  tafte,  and  fometimes  mixed  wiUji 
blood.  He  is  apt  to  be  fad ;  his  appetite  is  bad^ 
and  his'  third  great.  There  is  generally  a  quick, 
fpft,  fmall  pulfej  though  fometimes  the  pulfc  13 
pretty  full,  and  rather  hard.  Thefe  are  the  com- 
4npp  fymptoms  of  a  beginning  confumption. 

Afterwards  ttse  patient  begins  to  fp^t  a  grcenifh, 
white,  or  bloody  matter.  His  body  is  extenuate^ 
by  the  heftic  fever,  and  colliquative  fwe^ts,  which 
mutually  fucceed  one  another,  viz»  thje  qne  towards 

night. 


ot  Consumptions.       tjj 

highr,  and  the  other  in  the  morning.  A  loofenefs, 
and  an  cxccflive  discharge  of  urine,  are  often  trou- 
blefome  fynnptoms  at  this  time,  and  greatly  weaken 
the  patient.  There  is  a  burning  heat  in  the  pal«ns 
of  the  hands,  and  the  face  generally  flufhes  after 
eating;  the  fingers  become  remarkably  fmall,  the 
nails  are  bent  inwards,  and  the  hairs  fall  off. 

At  laft  the  fwclling  of  the  feet  and  legs,  the  total 
*lofsof  ftrength,  the  finking  of  the  eyesj  the  dif- 
ficulty of  fwallowing,  and  the  coldnefs  of  the  ex- 
tremities^  (hew  the  immediate  approach  of  death, 
which  however  the  patient  fcldom  believes  to  be  fo 
near.  Such  is  the  ufual  progrefs  of  this  fatal  difeafe, 
whichj  if  not  early  checked,  commonly  fets  all  me- 
dicine at  defiance. 

REGIMEN. On  the  firft   appearance  of  a 

confumption,  if  the  patient  lives  in  a  large  town,  or 
any  place  where  the  air  is  confined,  he  ought  im- 
mediately to  quit  it,  and  to  make  choice  of  a  fitu- 
ation  in  the  country,  where  the  air  is  pure  and  free. 
Here  he  muft  not  remain  inaftive,  but  take  every 
day  as  much  exercife  as  he  can  bear. 

The  beft  method  of  taking  exercife  is  to  ride  on 
horfeback,  as  this  gives  the  body  a  great  deal  of 
motion  without  much  fatigue.  Such  as  cannot  bear 
this  kind  of  exercife,  muft  make  ufe  of  a  carriage* 
A  long  journey,  as  it  amufes  the  mind  by  a  conti- 
nual change  of  objefts,  is  greatly  preferable  to  riding 
the  fame  ground  over  and  over.  Care  however  muft 
be  taken  to  avoid  catching  cold  from  wet  clothes, 
damp  beds,  or  the  like.  The  patient  ought  always  to 
finifh  his  ride  in  the  morning,  or  at  lealt  before  din- 
ner; otherwifc  it  will  oftener  do  harm  than  good. 

It  is  pity  thofe  who  attend  the  fick  ieldom  re- 
commend riding  in  this  difeafe,  till  the  patient  ia 
cither  unable  to  bear  it,  or  themalaayhas  become  in- 
curable. Patients  are  likewife  apt  to  tritie  with  every 
thing  that  is  in  thtir  own  power.     They  cannot  fee 

N  .  how 


178         OF    CONSUMPTIONS. 

how  one  of*  the  common  aftions  of  lifeftiould  prove 
a  remedy  in  an  obftinate  difcafe,  and  therefore  they 
rejeft  it,  while  they  greedily  hunt  after  relief  from 
medicine,  merely  becaufe  they  do  not  undcrftartd  it. 

Thofe  who  have  ftrength  and  courage  to  under- 
take a  pretty  long  voyage,  may  expeft  great  ad- 
vantage from  it.  This,  to  my  knowledge,  has 
frequently  cured  a  confumption  after  the  patient 
was,  to  all  appearance,  far  advanced  in  that  difeafe, 
and  where  medicine  had  proved  inefFcftual.  Hence 
it  is  reafonable  to  conclude,  that  if  a  voyage  were 
undertaken  in  due  time,  it  would  feldom  fail  to 
perform  a  cure  *• 

Such  as  try  this  method  of  cure  ought  to  carry  as 
much  frefh  provifions  along  with  them  as  will  fervc 
for  the  whole  time  they  are  at  fea.  As  milk  is  not 
eafily  obtained  in. this  fituation,  they  ought  to  live 
upon  fruits,  and  the  broth  of  chickens,  or  other  young 
animals  which  can  be  kept  alive  on  board.  Itisfcarce 
neccflary  to  add,  that  fuch  voyages  fliould  be  under- 
taken, if  pofllble,  in  the  mildell  fcafon,  and  that 
they  ought  to  be  towards  a  warmer  climate  f. 

Thofe  who  have  not  courage  for  a  long  voyage 
may  travel  into  a  more  fouthcrn  climate,  as  the 
fourh  of  France,  Spain,  or  Portugal  j  and  if  they 
find  the  air  of  thefe  countries  agree  with  them,  they 
(hould  continue  there,  at  lea(l  till  their  health  be 
confirmed. 

♦  Two  things  chiefly  operate  to  prevent  the  benefits  which 
would  arife  from  failing.  The  one  is,  that  phyficiaos  feldom 
order  it  till  the  difeafe  h  too  far  advanced ;  and  the  other  is,  t&aC 
they  feldom  order  a  voyage  ot  a  fufTicient  length.  A  patient  roa/ 
receive  no  benefit  by  croiiing  the  chann^rl,  who,  (hould  kecrols 
the  Atlantic,  might  be  completely  cured.  Indeed  we  have  rea- 
foD  to  believe,  that  a  voyage  of  this  kind,  if  taken  id  due  time, 
would  feldom  fail  to  cure  a  confunopiion. 

f  Though  I  do  not  remember  to  have  feen  one  inilance  of  a 

fenuine  confumption  of  the  lungs  cured  by  medicine,  yet  I  have 
nown   a  Wefl-lndia  voyage  w«rk  woaders   in  that  dreadful 
diforder. 

Next 


.-Sir  >.;■!> 


'.*•■■. 


OF    CONSUMPTIONS.  179 

^Tcxt  to  proper  air  and  cxcrcifc,  we  would  re- 
commend a  due  attention  to  diet.  The  patient 
Ihould  eat  nothing  that  is  either  heating  or  hard  of 
digeftion,  and  his  drink  mud  be  of  a  foft  and  cool- 
ing nature.  All  the  diet  ought  to  be  calculated  to 
leflcn  the  acrimony  of  the  humours,  and  to  nourifh 
and  fupport  the  patient.  For  this  purpofe  he  muft 
keep  chiefly  to  the  ufc  of  vegetables  and  milk.  Milk 
alone  is  of  more  value  in  this  difeafe  than  the  whole 
materia  medica. 

Afles  milk  is  commonly  reckoned  preferable  to 
any  other;  but  it  cannot  always  be  obtained;  be- 
lides,  it  is  generally  taken  in  a  very  fmall  quantity ; 
whereas,  to  produce  any  cffcfts,  it  ought  to  make  a 
confiderable  part  of  the  patient's  diet.  It  is  hardly 
to  be  expefted,  that  a  gill  or  two  of  aflcs  milk,  drank 
in  the  fpace  of  twenty-four  hours,  (hould  be  able  to 
produce  any  confiderable  change  in  the  humours  of 
an  adult;  and  when  people  do  not  perceive  its  efFefts 
fbon,  they  lofe  hope,  and  fo  leave  it  off.  Hence  it 
happens  that  this  medicine,  however  valuable,  very 
fddom  performs  a  cure.  The  reafon  is  obvious;  ic 
IS  commonly  ufed  too  late,  is  taken  in  too  fmall 
quantities,  and  is  not  duly  perfifted  in. 

I  have  known  very  extraordinary  effefts  from  aflTes 
milk  in  obftinate  coughs,  which  threatened  a  con- 
fumption  of  the  lungs  ;  and  do  verily  believe,  if  ufed 
at  this  period,  that  it  would  fcldom  fail;  but  if  it  be 
delayed  till  an  ulcer  is  formed,  which  is  generally 
the  cafe,  how  can  it  be  expeftcd  to  fuccccd  ? 

Afles  milk  ought  to  be  drank,  ifpoflible,  in  its 
natural  warmth,  and,  by  a  grown  perfon,  in  the 
quantity  of  half  an  Englilh  pint  at  a  time.  Inftead 
of  taking  this  quantity  night  and  morning  only,  the 
patient  ought  to  take  it  four  times,  or  at  leaft  thrice  . 
a-day,  and  to  etlt  a  little  light  bread  along  with  ir^ 
fo  as  to  make  it  a  kind  of  meal. 

N2  If 


i8o         OF    CONSUMPTIONS. 

If  the  milk  fhould  happen  to  purge,  it  may  be 
mixed  with  old  conferve  of  rofes.  When  that  can- 
not be  obtained,  the  powder  of  erabs  claws  may  be 
ufed  in  its  (lead.  Affcs  milk  is  ufually  ordered  to 
be  drank  >yarm  in  bed;  but  as  it  generally  throws 
the  patient  in  a  fweat  when  taken  in  this  way,  it 
^ould  perhaps  be  better  to  give  it  af:er  he  rifes. . 

Some  extraordinary  cures  in  confumptive  cafes 
have  been  performed  by  women's  milk.  Could  this 
be  obtained  in  fufficient  quantity,  we  would  recom- 
iftend  it  in  preference  to  any  other.  It  is  better  if 
the  patient  can  fuck  it  from  the  bread,  than  to 
drink  it  afterwards.  I  knew  a  man  who  was  reduced 
to  fuch  a  degree  of  weaknefs  in  a  confumption,  as 
not  to  be  able  to  turn  himfelf  in  bed.  His  wife  was 
at  that  time  giving  fuck,  and  the  child  happening 
to  die,  he  fucked  her  breads,  not  with  a  view  to 
reap  any  advantage  from  the  milk,  but  to  make  her 
cafy.  Finding  himfelf  however  greatly  benefited  by 
it,  he  continued  to  fuck  her  till  he  became  perfectly- 
well,  and  is  at  prcfent  a  ftrong  and  healthy  man. 

Some  prefer  butter-mi)k  to  any  other,  and  it  is 
indeed  a  very  valuable  medicine,  if  the  ftomach 
be  able  to  bear  it.  It  does  not  agree  with  every 
pcrfon  at  firft;  and  is  therefore  often  laid  afide 
without  a  fufficient  trial.  It  fhould  at  firft  be  taken 
fparingly,  and  the  quantity  gradually  increafed, 
until  it  comes  to  be  almod  the  fole  food.  I  never 
knew  it  fuccced  unlefs  where  the  patient  almoft 
lived  upon   it. 

Cows  milk  is  moft  readily  obtained  of  any,  and 
though'  it  be  not  fo  eafily  digefted  as  that  of  affcs 
or  mares,  it  may  be  rendered  lighter  by  adding  to 
it  an  equal  quantity  of  barley-water,  or  allowing  ie 
to  (land  for  fome  hours,  and  afterwards  taking  oflF 
the  cream.  If  it  fhould  notwithftanding  prove 
heavy  on  the  ftomachj  a  fmall  quantity  of  brandy 

or 


OF    CONSUMPTIONS.         18.1 

or  rum,  with  a  little  fugar,  may  be  added,  which 
will  render  it  both  more  light  and  nourifhing. 

It  is   not  to  be  wondered,  that  milk  fhoiild  for 
fome  time  difagree  with  a  ftomach  that  has  not 
been  accuftomed  to  digeft  any  thing  but  flefli  and  ^ 
ftrong  liquors,  which  is  the  cafe  with  many  of  thofe 
who  fall  into  confumptions.     We  do  not  however 
advifc  thofe  who  have  been  accuftomed  to  animal  * 
food  and  ftrong  liquors,  to  leave  them  off  all  at  once. 
This  might  be  dangerous.     It  will  be  neceflary  for 
fuch  to  eat  a  little  once  a-day  of  the  flefti  of  fome 
young  animal,  or  rather  to  ufe  the  broth  made  of^ 
chickens,  veal,  lamb,  or  fuch  like.     They  ought 
likcwife  to  drink  a  little  wine  made  into  negus,  or 
diluted  with  twice  or  thrice  its  quantity  of  water, 
and  to  make  it  gradually  weaker  till  they  can  leave 
it  ofx  altogether. 

Thefe  muft  be  ufed  only  as  preparatives  to  a  diet 
conHfting  chiefly  of  milk  and  vegetables,  which  the 
fooner  the  patient  can  be  brought  to  bear,  the  better. 
Rice  and  milk,  or  barley  and  milk,  boiled  with  a 
little  fugar,  is  very  proper  food.  Ripe  fruits  roafted, 
baked,  or  boiled,  are  likewife  proper,  as  goofc  or 
currant  berry  tarts,  apples  roafted,  or  boiled  in 
milk,  &c.  The  jellies,  confervtrs,  and  prcferves, 
&c.  of  ripe  fubacid  fruits,  ought  to  be  eaten  plenti- 
fully, as  the  jelly  'of  currants,  conferve  of  rofes, 
preferved  plums,  cherries,  &c. 

Wholefome  air,  proper  exercife,  and  a  diet  con- 
Gfting  chiefly  of  thefe  and  other  vegetables,  with 
milk,  is  the  only  courfe  that  can  be  depended  on  in 
a  beginning  confumption.  If  the  patient  has  ftrength 
and  fufficient  refolution  to  perfift  in  this  courfe,  he 
will  feldom  be  difappointcd  of  a  cure." 

In  a  populous  town  in  England*,  where  coo- 
fumptions  arc  very  common,  I  have  frequently  fcea 

♦  Sheffield. 

N  3  con- 


i82         of    CONSUMPTIONS. 

confumptivc  patients,  who  had  been  fent  to  thc 
country  with  orders  to  ride,  and  live  upon  milk  and 
vejgctables,  return  in  a  few  months  quite  plump^ 
and  free  from  any  complaint.  This  indeed  was  not 
always  the  cafe,  efpecially  when  the  difeafc  was  he- 
reditary, or  far  advanced ;  but  it  was  the  only  me- 
thod in  which  fuccefs  was  to  be  expected:  where  it 
failed,  I  never  knew  medicine  fucceed. 

If  the  parit'nt's  ftrength  and  fpirits  flag,  he  mufl: 
be  fupported  by  ftrong  broths,  jellies,  and  fuch 
like.  Some  recommend  flicll-fifh  in  this  diforder, 
and  with  fome  reafon,  as  they  are  nourifliing  and 
reftorative*.  All  the  food  and  drink  ought  how- 
ever to  be  taken  in  fmall  quantities,  left  an  over- 
charge of  fre(h  chyle  fhould  ppprefs  the  lungs, 
and  too  much  accelerate  the  circulation  of  the 
blood. 

The  patient's  mind  ought  to  be  kept  as  eafy  and 
cheerful  as  poflfible.  Confumptions  are  often  occa- 
fioned,  and  always  aggravated,  by  a  melancholy 
caft  of  mind ;  for  which  reafon  mufic,  cheerful 
company,  and  every  thing' that  infpires  mirth,  arc 
highly  beneficial.  The  patient  ought  feldom  to  be 
left  alone,  as  broodin^^  over  his  calamities  is  fure  to 
render  them  worfe. 

MEDICINE. Though  the  cure  of  this  dif- 

cafe  depends  chiefly  upon  regimen  and  the  patient's 
own  endeavours,  yet  we  (hall  mention  a  few  things 
yhich  may  be  of  fervice  in  relieving  fome  of  the 
more  violent  fymptoms. 

In  the  fi&ft  ftage  of  a  confumption,  the  cough 
ma^y  fometimes  be  appeafed  by  bleeding;  and  the 
expeftoration  may  be  promoted  by  the  following 
medicines.      Take  frefh   fquills,  gum-ammoniac, 

•  1  have  often  known  perfons  of  a  confumptivc  habit,  where 
the  fymptoms  were  not  violent,  reap  great  benefit  from  the  ufe 
of  oyilers.  They  generally  ate  them  raw,  and  draok  the  juice 
along  with  them. 

and 


OF    CONSUMPTIONS.         lij 

and  powdered  cardamum  feeds,  of  each  a  quarter 
of  an  ounce;  beat  thcAi  together  in  a  mortar,  and 
if  the  mafs  proves  too  hard  for  pills,  a  little  of 
any  kind  of  fyrup  may  be  acidcd  to  it.  This  may 
be  formed  into  pills  of  a  moderate  fize,  and  four  or 
five  of  them  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day,  according 
as  the  patient's  ftomach  will  bear  them. 

The  lac  amfncmacum,  or  milk  of  gum  ammoniac, 
as  it  is  called,  is  likewife  a  proper  medicine  in  this 
ftage  of  the  difcafe.  It  may  be  ufed  as  directed  in 
the  pleurify. 

A  mixture  made  of  equal  parts  of  lemon-juice, 
fine  honey,  and  fyrup  of  poppies,  may  likewifc  be 
ufed.  Four  ounces  of  each  of  thefe  may  be  fim- 
mered  together  in  a  fauce-pan,  over  a  gentle  fire, 
and  a  table-fpoonful  of  it  taken  at  any  time  when 
the  cough  is  troublefome. 

It  is  common  in  this  ftage  of  the  difeafe  to  load 
the  patient's  ftomach  with  oily  and  balfamic  medi- 
cines. Thefe,  inftead  of  removing  the  caufc  of  the 
difeafe,  tend  rather  to  increafe  it,  by  heating  the 
blood,  while  they  pall  the  appetite,  relax  the  folids, 
and  prove  every  way  hurtful  to  the  patient.  What- 
ever is  ufed  for  removing  the  cough,  befides  riding 
and  other  proper  regimen,  ought  to  be  medicines 
of  a  tharp  and  cleanfing  nature;  as  oxymel,  fyrup 
of  lemon,  &c. 

Acids  feem  to  have  peculiarly  good  efFefts  in  this 
difeafe;  they  both  tend  to  quench  the  patient's  thirft 
and  to  cool  the  blood.  The  vegetable  acids,  as 
apples,  oranges,  lemons,  &c.  appear  to  be  the 
moft  proper.  I  have  known  patients  fuck  the 
juice  of  feveral  lemons  every  day  with  manifeft  ad- 
Vantage,  and  would  for  this  reafon  recommend 
acid  vegetables  to  be  taken  in  as  great  quantity  as 
the  ftomach  will  bear  them. 

For  the  patient's  drink,  we  would  rpcommend 
infpfions  of  thp  bitter  plants,  as  ground-ivy,  the 

N  4  Icflcr 


i84         OF    CONSUMPTIONS. 

Icflcr  centaury,  camomile  flowers,  or  water-trefoiff 
Thefc  infufions  may  be  drank  at  pleafure.  They 
ilrengthcn  the  llomach,  promote  digcftion,  rcfiify 
the  blood,  and  at  the  fame  time  anfwer  all  the  pur- 
pofes  of  dilution,  and  quench  thirft  much  better 
than  things  that  are  lufcious  or  fweet,.  But  if  the 
patient  fpits  blood,  he  ought  to  ufe,  for  his  ordi- 
nary drink^  infufions  or  decodions  of  the  vulnerary 
roots,  plants,  &c.  * 

There  are  many  other  mucilaginous  plants  and 
feeds,  of  a  healing'and  agglutinating  nature,  from 
which  decotflions  or  infufions  may  be  prepared 
Yfith  the  fame  intention ;  as  the  orches,  the  quince- 
feed,  coltsfoot,  linfeed,  farfaparilla,  &c.  It  is  not 
ncceflary  to  mention  the  different  ways  in  which 
thefe  may  be  prepared.  Simple  infufion  or  boiling 
is  all  that  is  neceflary,  and  the  dofe  may  be  at  dif- 
cretion. 

The  conferve  of  rofes  is  here  peculiarly  proper. 
It  may  either  be  put  into  the  decoftion  above  pre- 
fcribed,  or  eaten  by  itfelf.  No  benefit  is  to  be  ex- 
pcfted  from  trifling  dofcs  of  this  medicine.  I 
never  knew  it  of  any  fcrvice,  unlefs  where  three 
or  four  ounces  at  leaft  were  ufcd  daily  for  a  confi- 
derable  time.  In  this  way  I  have  feen  it  produce 
very  happy  eflTcfts,  and  would  recommend  it  where* 
ever  there  is  a  difcharge  of  blood  from  the  lungs. 

When  the  fpitting  up  of  grofs  matter,  opprefl[jon 
of  the  breaft:,  and  the  hcftic  fymptoms,  flicwthatan 
impofthume  is  formed  in  the  lungs,  we  would  re- 
commend the  Peruvian  bark,  that  being  the  only 
drug  which  has  any  chance  to  countcradl  the  ge- 
neral tendency  which  the  humours  then  have  to 
putrefaftion. 

An  ounce  of  the  bark  in  powder  may  be  divided 
into  eighteen  or  twenty  dorcs,  of  which  one  may  be 

•  Sec  Appendix,  Vulnerary  deco3if)n. 

taken 


m 


'»j- 


OF    CONSUMPTIONS.         185 

taken  every  three  hours  through  the  day,  in  a  little 
fyriip,  or  a  cup  of  horehound  tea. 

If  the  bark  (hould  happen  to  purge,  it  may  be 
made  into  an  clcftuary,  with  the  confcrve  of  rofes, 
thus:  Take  old  confcrve  of  rofes  a  quarter  of  a 
pound,  Peruvian  bark  in  powder  an  ounce,  fyrup 
of  orange  or  lemon,  as  much  as  will  make  it  of 
the  confiftcnce  of  honey.  This  quantity  will  ferve 
the  patient  four  or  five  days,  and  may  be  repeated 
as  there  is  occafion. 

Such  as  cannot  take  the  bark  in  fubftance,  may 
infufe  it  in  cold  water.  This  feems  to  be  the  beft 
menftruum  for  extrafting  the  virtues  of  that  drug. 
Half  an  ounce  of  bark  in  powder  may  be  infufed 
for  twenty-four  hours  in  half  an  Englifli  pint  of 
vrater.  Afterwards  let  it  be  pafled  through  a  fine 
ilrainer,  and  an  ordinary  tea-cupful  of  it  taken  three 
or  four  times  a-day. 

We  would  not  recommend  the  bark  while  there 
are  any  fymptoms  of  an  inflammation  of  the  bread; 
but  when  it  is  certainly  known  that  matter  is  col- 
lefted  there,  it  is  one  of.the  beft  medicines  which 
can  be  ufed.  Few  patients  indeed  have  refolution 
enough  to  give  the  bark  a  fair  trial  at  this  period  of 
the  difeafe,  otherwife  we  have  reafon  to  believe 
that  fome  benefit  might  be  reaped  from  it. 

When  it  is  evident  that  there  is  an  impofthume 
in  the  breaft,  and  the  matter  can  neither  be  fpit  up 
nor  carried  off  by  abforption,  the  patient  muft  en- 
deavour to  make  it  break  inwardly,  by  drawing  in 
the  fteams  of  warm  water  or  vinegar  with  his 
breath,  coughing,  laughing,  or  bawling  aloud^ 
&c.  When  it  happens  to  burft  within  the  lungs, 
the  rriatter  may  be  discharged  by  the  mouth. 
Sometimes  indeed  the  burfting  of  the  vomica  oc- 
Cafions  immediate  death,  by  fuffocating  the  patient. 
Whep  the  quantity  of  matter  is  greats  and  the  pa» 

tient'ji 


i86         OF    CONSUMPTIONS. 

tient*8  ftrengch  exhaufted,  this  is  commonly  the 
cafe.  Ac  any  race  che  pacient  is  ready  co  fall  into 
a  fwoon,  and  (hould  have  volatile  falts  or  fpirits 
held  to  his  nofe. 

If  the  matter  difcharged  be  thick,  and  the  cough 
and  breaching  become  eader,  there  may  be  fome 
hope^  of  a  cure.  The  diet  at  this  time  ought  to  be 
light,  but  reflorative,  as  chicken-broths,  fago- 
gruel,  rice-milk,  &c.  the  drink,  butter-milk,  or 
whey,  fwcetcncd  wich  honey.  This  is  likewife  a 
proper  time  for  ufing  the  Peruvian  bark,  which  may 
be  taken  as  directed  above. 

If  che  vomica  or  impofthume  fliould  difcharge 
itfclf  into  the  cavity  of  the  brcaft,  betwixt  the 
pleura  and  the  lungs,  there  is  no  way  of  getcing 
the  maccer  out  but  by  an  incifion,  as  has  already 
been  obferved.  As  this  operation  mud  always  be 
performed  by  a  furgcon,  ic  is  not  ncccflary  here  to 
dcfcribe  it.  We  fhall  only  add,  that  it  is  not  fo 
dreadful  as  people  are  apt  to  imagine,  and  that  it 
is  the  only  chance  the  pacient  in  this  cafe  has  for 
his  life. 

A  NERVOUS  CONSUMPTION,  is  a  wafting 
or  decay  of  the  whole  body,  without  any  confidcr- 
able  degree  of  fever,  cough,  or  difficulty  of  breach- 
ing. It  is  accendcd  wich  indigeftion,  weaknefs,  and 
wane  of  appccice,  &c. 

Thofe  who  are  of  a  fretful  temper,  who  indulge 
in  fpirituous  liquors,  or  who  breathe  an  un whole- 
fome  air,  are  moft  liable  to  this  difeafe. 

We  would  chiefly  recommend,  for  the  cure  of  a 
nervous  confumpcion,  a  light  and  nourishing  diet, 
^plenty  of  exercife  in  a  free  open  air,  and  the  ufe  of 
fuch  bicters  as  brace  and  ftrengthen  ^he  ftomach ; 
as  che  Peruvian  bark,  gentian  root,  camomile,  hore- 
hound,  &c.  Thefe  may  be  infufcd  in  water  or 
winCj  and  a  glafs  of  it  drank  frequendy. 


OF    CONSUMPTFONS.         187 

It  will  greatly  aflift  the  digcftion,  and  promote 
the  cure  of  this  difcafc,  to  take  twice  a- day  twenty 
or  thirty  drops  of  the  elixir  of  vitriol  in  a  glafs  of 
wine  or  water.  The  chalybeate  wine  is  likewife  an 
excellent  medicine  in  this  cafe.  It  ftrengthcns  the 
folids,  and  powerfully  aflifts  Nature  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  good  blood  *. 

Agreeable  amufements,  cheerful  company,   and 
riding   about,  are  however  preferable  to  all  medi- 
cines in  this  difeafe.     For  which  reafon,  when  the 
patient  can  afford  it,  we  would  recommend  a  long 
journey  of  plcafure,  as  the  mod  likely  means  to 
^<:ltore  his  health. 

What  is  called  a  Jympomatic  conjiimption  cannot 
pc  cured  without  firft  removing  the  difeafe  by  which 
^^  is  occafiongj.  Thus,  when  a  confumption  pro- 
^^^ds  from  the  fcrophula  or  king's  evil,  from  the 
^'^virvy,  the  afthma,  the  venereal  difeafe,  &c.  a  due 
?^^ention  muft  be  paid  to  the  malady  from  whence 
^^  srifcs,  and  the  regimen  and  medicine  diredled  ac- 
rdingly. 

When  excejjive  evacuations  of  any  kifid  occafion 
confumption,  they  muft.  not  only  be  reftrained, 
Vjt  the  patient's  ftrcngth  muft  be  reftored  by  gentle 
/^ercife,  nourifliing  diet,  and  generous  cordials, 
^^^oung  and  delicate  mothers  often  fall  into  con- 
^Aimptions,  by  giving  fuck  too  long.  As  foon  as 
^Viey  perceive  their  ftrengch  and  appetite  begin  to 
*5iil,  they  ought  immediately  to  wean  the  child,  or 
J^rovide  another  nurfe,  otherwifc  they  cannot  ex- 
^cdt  a  cure. 

fiefore  we  quit  this  fubjeft,  ^c  would  earneftly 

Recommend    it   to  all,  as  they  wi(h  to  avoid  con- 

fumptions,  to  take  as  much  exercife  without  doors 

;as  tTiey  can,  to  avoid  unwholefome  air,  and  to  ftudy 

Ibbriety.     Confumptions  owe  their  prefent  increafe 

*  See  ^ppendi^j  Chaljbtati  fj^iai, 

not 


i83       OF    THE    NERVOUS    FEVER.. 

not  a  little  to  the  fafliion  of  fitting  up  late,  eating 
hot  fuppcrs,  and  fpending  every  evening  over  a 
bowl  of  hot  punch  or  other  ftrong  liquors/  Thefe 
liquors,  when  too  freely  ufed,  not  only  hurt  the  di- 
geftion,  and  fpoil  the  appetite,  but  heat  and  in- 
flame the  blood,  and  fet  the  whole  conditution  on 
fire. 


■"•^ 


CHAP.     XIX. 
OF  THE  SLOW  OR  NERVOUS  FEVER. 

NERVOUS  fevers  have  incrc^cd  greatly  of 
•  late  years  in  this  idand,  owing  doubtlefs  to 
our  diflFerent  manner  of  living,  and  the  incrcafc  of 
fcdentary  employments;  as  they  commonly  attack 
perfons  of  a  weak  relaxed  habit,  whp  negle£b  cxer- 
cife,  eat  little  folid  food,  ftudy  hard,  or  indulge  ia 
fpirituous  liquors. 

CAUSES. Nervous  fevers  may  be  occafioned 

by  whatever  depreffes  the  fpirits,  or  impoverifhcs 
the  blood ;  as  grief,  fear,  anxiety,  want  of  flecp, 
intenfe  thought,  living  on  poor  watery  diet,  unripe 
fruits,  cucuml?ers,  melons,  mufhrooms,  &c.  They 
may  likewife  be  occafioned  by  damp,  confined,  or 
unwholefome  air.  Hence  they  are  very 'Common 
in  rainy  feafons,  and  prove  mod  fatal  to  thofe  who 
Jive  in  dirty  low  houfes,  crowded  ftrects,  hofpitals, 
jails,  or  fuch-like  places. 

Perfons  whofe  conftitutions  have  been  broken  by 
cxceflive  venery,  frequent  falivations,  too  free  an 
ufc  of  purgative  medicines,  or  any  other  cxceffive 
evacuations,  are  mod  lialjle  to  this  difeafe. 

Keeping  on  wet  clothes,  lying  on  the  damp 
ground,  exceflivc  fatigue,  and  whatever  obftru^s 

the 


OF  THE  NERVOUS '  FEVER.       189 

the  perfpiration,  or  caufcs  a  fpafmodic  ftrifture  of 
the  folids^  may  likcwifc  occafion  nervous  fevers. 
We  fhall  only  add,  frequent  and  great  irregula- 
rities in  diet.  Too  great  abftinence,  as  well  as 
excefs,  is  hurtful.  Nothing  tends  fo  much  to  pre- 
fcrvc  the  body  in  a  found  ftate  as  a  regular  diet  j 
nor  can  any  thing  contribute  more  to  occafion  fe- 
vers of  the  word  kind  than  its  oppofite. 

SYMPTOMS. Low   fpirits,  want  of  appc* 

tite,  weaknefs,  wearinefs  after  motion,  watchful- 
Jiefs,  deep  fighing,  and  dejeftion  of  mind,  are  ge- 
nerally the  forerunners  of  this  difeafe.  Thefe  arc 
fucceeded  by  a  quick  low  pulfe,  a  dry  tongue  with- 
out any  confiderable  third,  chillnefs  and  flulhing  in 
turns,  &c. 

After  fome  time  the  patient  complains  of  a  gid- 
dinefs  and  pain  of  the  head,  ha^  a  naufea,  with 
Teachings  and  vomitings  the  pulfe  is  quick,  and 
fometimes  intermitting  ^  the  urine  pale,  refem- 
bling  dead  fmall-beer,  and  the  breathing  is  diffi- 
cult, with  oppreflion  of  the  bread,  and  flight  alien- 
ations of  mind. 

If  towards  the  ninth,  tenth,  or  twelfth  day,  the 
tongue  becomes  more  moid,  with  a  plentiful  fpit- 
ting,  a  gentle  purging,  or  a  moidure  upon  the 
-Ikin;  or  if  a  fuppuration  happens  in  one  or  both 
cars,  or  large  pulhiles  break  out  about  the  lips 
and  nofe,  there  is  reafon  to  hope  for  a  favourable 
crifis. 

But  if  there  is  an  cxcefiive  loofencfs,  or  wafting 
fweats,  with  frequent  fainting  fits^  if  the  tongue, 
when  put  our,  trembles  exceffivcly,  and  the  extre- 
mities feel  cold,  with  a  fluttering  or  flow  creeping 
pulfe  J  if  there  is  a  darting  of  the  tendons,  an  al- 
mod  total  lofs  of  fight  and  hearing,  and  an  invo- 
luntary difcharge  by  dool  and  urine,  there  is 
great  reafon  to  fear  that  death  is  approaching. 
.   .  RE- 


I90      OF  THE  NERVOUS  FEVER. 

REGIMEN. It  is  very  neceflary  in  this  dif- 

eafc  to  keep  the  patient  cool  and  quiet.  The  leaft 
motion  will  fatigue  him,  and  will  be  apt  to  oc- 
cafion  wearinefs^  and  even  faintings.  His  mind 
ought  not  only  to  be  kept  eafy,  but  Toothed  and 
comforted  with  the  hoptrs  of  a  fpeedy  recovery. 
Nothing  ii  more  hurtful  in  low  fevers  of  this  kind 
than  prcfenting  to  the  patient's  imagination  gloomy 
or  frightful  ideas.  Thefe  of  themfelves  often  oc- 
cafion  nervous  fevers,  and  it  is  not  to  be  doubted 
but  they  will  likewife  aggravate  them. 

The  patient  mufl:  not  be  kept  too  low.  His 
ftrength  and  fpirits  ought  to  be  Supported  by  nou- 
lifhing  die:  and  generous  cordials.  For  this  pur* 
pofe  his  gruel,  panado,  or  whatever  food  he  takeSj 
mud  be  mixed  with  wine  according  as  the  fymp- 
toms  may  require.  Pretty  ftrong  wine-whey,  or 
fmall  negus,  fharpened  with  the  juice  of  orange  or 
lemon,  will  be  proper  for  his  ordinary  drink.  Mufv 
tard-whey  is  likewife  a  very  proper  drink  in  this 
fever,  and  may  be  rendered  an  excellent  cordial 
medicine  by  the  addition  of  a  proper  quantity  of 
white-wine*. 

Wine  in  this  difeafe,  if  it  could  be  obtained 
genuine,  is  almoft  the  only  medicine  that  would  be 
neceflary.  Good  wine  poficfles  all  the  virtues  of 
the  cordial  medicines,  while  it  is  free  from  many 
of  their  bad  qualities.  I  fay  good  wine ;  for  how- 
ever common  this  article  of  luxury  is  now  become, 
it  is  rarely  to  be  obtained  genuine,  efpecially  by  the 
poor,  who  are  obliged  to  purchafe  it  in  fmall  quan* 

cities. 

I  have  often  feen  patients  in  low  nervous  fevers 
where  the  pulfe  could  hardly  be  felt,  with  a  con- 
fiant  delirium,  coldnefs  of  the  extremities,  and  al* 

*  See  Appendix,  Muftard-^btj* 

mod 


OF,  THE  NERVOUS  FEVER.       19^ 

moft  every  other  mortal  fymptom,  recover  by  ufing 
in  whey,  gruci,  and  negus,  a  bottle  or  two  of 
llrong  wine  every  day.  Good  old  found  claret  i^ 
the  bcft,  and  may  be  made  into  negus,  or  given  by 
iifclf,  as  circumftances  require. 

In  a  word,  the  great  aim  in  this  difcafe  is  to 
fupport  the  patient's  ftrength,  by  giving  him  fre- 
quently fmall  quantities  of  the  above,  or  other 
drinks  of  a  warm  and  cordial  nature.  He  is  not 
however  ro  be  over-heated  either  with  liquor  or 
clothes  ;  and  his  food  ought  to  be  light,  and  given 
in  fmall  quantities. 

MEDICINE. — ^Where  a  naufea,  load,  and 
ficknefs  at  ftomach,  prevail  at  the  beginning  of  the 
fever,  it  will  be  neceflary  to  give  the  patient  a  gentle 
vomit.  Fifteen  or  twenty  grains  of  ipecacuanha 
in  fine  powder,  or  a  few  fpoonfuls  of  the  vomiting 
julep  *,  will  generally  anfwer  this  purpofe  very  well. 
This  may  be  repeated  any  time  before  the  third  or 
fourth  day,  if  the  above  fymptoms  continue.  Vo- 
mits not  only  clean  the  ftomach,  but,  by  the  ge- 
neral ftiock  which  they  give,  promote  the  perfpi- 
ration,  and  have  many  other  excellent  efFcfts  in 
flow  fevers,  where  there  are  no  figns  of  inflamma- 
tion, and  nature  wants  roufing. 

Such  as  dare  not  venture  upon  a  vomit,  may 
clean  the  bowels  by  a  fmall  dofe  of  Turkey  rhu- 
barb, or  an  infuQon  of  fenna  and  manna. 

In  all  fevers,  the  great  point  is  to  regulate  ths 
fymptoms,  fo  as  to  prevent  them  from  going  to  ci- 
ther extreme.  Thus,  in  fevers  of  the  inflamma- 
tory kind,  where  the  force  of  the  circulation  is 
too  great,  or  the  blood  denfe,  and  the  fibres  too 
rigid,  bleeding  and  ether  evacuations  are  neceflary. 
But  in  nervous  fevers,  where  nature  flags,  where 
the  blood  is  vapid  and  poor,  and  the  folids  relaxed, 

•  See  Appendix,  Vomiting  Julef. 

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OF  THE  NfeRVODS  FEVER.        t^^ 

a  fpoonftil  of  common  falt^  if  the  above  does  noO 
Operate. 

Should  a  violent  loofcnefs  come  on,  it  may  bd 
checked  by  fmall  quantities  of  Venice  treacle,  oi* 
giving  the  patient  for  his  ordinary  drink  the  white 
decoftion^. 

A  miliary  eruption  fometimes  breaks  out  about 
the  ninth  or  tenth  day.  As  eruptions  are  often  cri- 
tical, great  care  (hould  be  taken  not  to  retard  Na-^ 
ture's  operation  in  this  particular.  The  eruption 
ought  neither  to  be  checked  by  bleeding  nor  othei* 
evacuations,  nor  pulhed  out  by  a  hot  regimen ;  but 
the  patient  Ihould  be  fupported  by  gentle  cordials^ 
as  wifie-whey,  fmall  negus,  fago-gruel  with  a  little 
vfine  Id  it,  and  fuch  like.  He  ought  not  to  be 
kept  too  warm;  yet  a  kindly  breathing  fweat  OiQuld 
by  no  means  be  checked. 

Though  bliftering  and  the  ufe  of  cordial  liquor^ 
are  the  chief  things  to  be  depended  on  in  this  kind 
of  fever;  yet,  for  thofe  who  may  chufe  to  ufe 
them,  we  (hall  mention  one  or  two  of  the  forms 
of  medicine  which  are  commonly  prefcribed  in  itf. 

In  defperate  cafes,  where  the  hiccup  and  darting. 
of  the  tendons  have  already  come  on,  we  have 
fometimes  feen  extraordinary  effedis  from  large 
dofes  of  mufk  frequently  repeated.  Mufk  is  doubc- 
lefs  an  antifpafmodic,  and  may  be  given  to  th^ 
quantity  of  a  fcruple  three  or  four  times  a*day,  of 

♦  Sec  Appendix*  fTJbiie  Decoahn. 

f  When  the  patient  is  low,  ten  grains  6(  Vifginian  fnaice-' 
root»  and  the  fame  quantity  of  contrayerva-root,  with  five  grains 
ot  RoiBan  caftor,  all  in  fine  powder,  may  be  made  into  a  bolus 
with  A  little  of  the  cordial  confe^on  or  fyrup  of  faifron.  One  of 
thefe  may  be  taken  tytty  four  or  five  houri. 

The  following  powder  may  be  ufed  with  the  fame  intention  i 
Take  wild  Valenan-root  in  powder  one  fcruple,  faffron  and  caftof 
«ach  four  grains.  Mix  thefe  by  rubbing  them  together  in  a  mor« 
taf,  and  give  one  in  a  cap  of  wine-whey  three  or  four  cimei 
a^day. 

O  oftcncr 


i9«     OF  THE  NERVOUS  FEVER. 

oftencr  if  oecdTary.  Sometimes  it  may  be  prt^r 
CO  add  CO  the  muik  a  few  grains  of  camphire,  and 
fait  of  hartfhorn,  as  thefe  tend  to  promote  perfpi-* 
r;atioD  and  the  difcharge  of  urine.  Thus  fifteen 
grains  of  mulk,  with  three  grains  of  camphire^  and 
fix  grains  of  fait  of  hartihorn^  may  be  made  into 
a  bolus  with  a  little  fyrup,  and  given  as  above* 

If  the  fever  fliould  happen  to  intermit,  which  ic 
frequently  does  cowards  the  decline,  or  if  che  pai« 
cienc's  ftrength  fhould  be  wafted  with  colliquative 
fweats,  &c.  it  will  be  necefiary  to  give  him  thcPc-* 
ruvian  bark.  Half  a  drachm>  or  a  whole  drachm^ 
if  the  ftomach  will  bear  it>  of  the  bark  in  fioe 
powder,  may  be  given  four  or  five  times  a»day  iti  a 
jlafs  of  red  port  or  claret.  Should  th^  bark  in 
iubftance  not  fit  eafy  on  the  ftomach,  aa  ouDoe  of 
it  in  powder  may  be  infufcd  in  a  bottle  of  Liibon 
or  Rhenifh  wine  for  two  or  chree  days,  afterwards 
it  may  be  ftrained9  and  a  glafs  of  it  taken  fre^f 
quently  *• 

Some  give  the  bark  in  cRIs  and  other  fevers, 
where  there  are  no  fymptoms  of  infianunation^  with-* 
out  any  regard  to  the  remiflion  or  intermiilion  of 
the  fever.  How  far  fiiture  obfervations  may  tedd 
to  eftablifti  this  practice,  we  will  not  pretend  to 
fay;  but  we  have  rpafon  to  believe  that  the  bark  is 
a  very  univerfal  febrifuge,  and  that  it  may  be  ad-^ 
miniilered  with  advantage  in  moft  fevers  where 
bleeding  is  not  neccflary,  or  where  there  arc  ao 
fymptoms  of  topical,  infiammation.y 

^  The  bark  may  likewiie  be  yery  properly  admiaifiered,  wUmg 
with  other  cordials,  in  *hc  follOMring  manaer  :  Take  an  ouoce  of 
Peravian  bark,  orange-peel  half  an  ounce,  VirgiRiiio  fnake-ioipt 
tvi^  drachmsy  fafTron  one  drachm.  Let  all  of  them  be  powdered, 
and  infufed  in  an  Bngliih  Dint  of  the  bed  brandy  for  three  Of 
/our  days.  Afterwards  the  fiouor  may  be  ftrained^  and  two  tea* 
.lik>onfa!8  of  it  given  three  or  four  times  a-day  in  a  glift  of  fiaalt 
wine  or  negus. 

12 


t    t95    1 


CHAP.    XX. 

OF  THE  MALIGNANT,  PUTRID,  OR 

SPOTTED  FEVER. 

^HIS  may  be  called  the  feftilential fever  of  Eu- 
*  rope,  as  in  many  of  its  fym'ptoms  it  bears  a 
great  refemblance  to  that  dreadful  difeafe  the  plague. 
Peribtis  of  a  lax  habit,  a,  melancholy  difpofition^ 
and  chofe  whofe  vigour  has  been  wafted  by  long 
fafting,  watching,  hard  labour,  excefllve  vcncry, 
fireqiient  falivacions,  &c.  are  moft  liable  to  it. 

CAUSES.— —This  fever  is  occafioned  by  foul 
air,  from  a  number  of  people  being  confined  in  a 
narrow  prtace,  not  properly  ventilated;  from  putrid 
ainimai  and  vegetable  effluvia,  &c.  Hence  it  pre- 
vails in  camps,  jails,  hofpitals,  and  infirmaries, 
^fpecially  where  fuch  places  are  too  much  crowded, 
and  cieanlinefs  is  neglefted. 

A  clofe  conftitution  of  the  air,  with  long  rainy 
or  foggy  w.eather,  likewife  occafions  putrid  fevers.    ^ 
They  often  fucceed  great  inundations  in  low  and 
marfliy  countries,  efpecially  when  thefe  arc  pre- 
ceded or  followed  by  a  hot  and  fuhry  feafon. 

Living  too  much  uppn  animal  food,  without  a 
proper  mixture  of  vegetables,  or  eating  6fh  or  Hefh 
that  has  been  kept  too  long,  are  likewife  apt  to  oc- 
cafion  this  kind  of  fever.  Hence  failors  on  long 
voyages,  and  the  inhabitants  of  befieged  cities,  arc 
very  often  vifited  with  putrid  fevers. 

Corn  that  has  been  greatly  damaged  by  rainy  fea- 
fons,  or  long  keeping,  and  water  which  has  be^ 
come  putrid  byftagnation,  &c.  may  likewife  occa- 
fion  this  fever. 

O  2  Dead 


6  ^^, cafes  t»^«^^^^  occ»ft*»%?cvaA*  ^^Jftved- 


cott* 


^crt  %   atnooS 


■^atvi 


atbc 
c\ea 


tvWnefe 


ent*» 


fevct  ;^!  fijft 


iveTa»'J_'JiV,  «'^^^°?,^    tV^a^ 


\he  V" 


bcinS  'Li^Y  de< 


•'  *'c;^"'!„ttv^r<;S"^l^^  *^"- 


\o\os » 


b^i 


too\i' 


PUTRID    OR    SPOTTED   FEVER.  197 

appears  black  and  chaped ;  and  his  teeth  are  co- 
vered .with  a  black  cruft.  He  fometimes  paflea 
worms  both  upwards  and  downwards,  is  affefted 
with  tremors  or  (baking,  and  often  becomes  deU« 
riou$. 

If  blood  is  letj  il  appears  diflfolved,  or  with  a 
very  fmall  degree  of  cohefion,  and  foon  becomes 
putrid;  the  (lools  fmell  extremely  foetid,  and  are 
fometimes  of  a  greenifti,  black,  or  reddifti  caft. 
Spots  of  a  pale  purple,  dun,  or  black  colour,  often 
appear  upon  the  fkin^  and  fometimes  there  are  vio- 
lent haemorrhages,  or  difcharges  of  blood  from  the 
mouth,  eyes,  nofe,  &c. 

Putrid  fevers  may  be  diftinguifhed  from  the  in- 
flammatory, by  the  fmallnefs  of  the  pulfe,  the  great 
de)edion  of  mind,  the  dilTolved  ftate  of  the  blood, 
the  petechias,  or  purple  fpots,  and  the  putrid  fmell 
of  the  excrements.  They  may  likewifc  be  diftin- 
guifhed  from  the  low  or  nervous  fever  by  the  heat 
and  third  being  greater,  the  urine  of  a  higher  co- 
lour, and  the  lofs  of  (Irength,  dejeftion  of  mindj 
and  all  the  other  fymptoms,  more  violent. 

It  fometimes  happens,  however,  that  the  inflam- 
matory, nervous,  and  putrid  fymptoms  are  fo 
blended  together,  as  to  render  it  very  difficult  to 
determine  to  which  clafs  the  fever  belongs.  In  this 
cafe  the  gr eateft  caution  and  ikill  are  requifite.  At- 
tention muft  be  paid  to  thofe  fymptoms  which  are 
mod  prevalent,  and  both  the  regimen  and  medi- 
cines adapted  to  them. 

Inflammatory  and  nervous  fevers  may  be  con- 
verted into  malignant  and  putrid,  by  too  hot  a 
regimen  or  improper  medicines. 

The  duration  of  putrid  fevers  is  extremely  un- 
certain ;  fometimes  they  terminate  between  the  fe- 
veoth  and  fourteenth  day,  and  at  other  times  they 
i^rc  prolonged  for  five  or  fix  weeks.    Their  du^ 

O  3  ration 


i^  PUTRID  OR  SPOTTED  FEVER. 

ration  depends  greatly  upon  the  conftitution  of  the 
patient,  and  the  manner  of  treating  the  difeafe. 

The  mod  favourable  fymptoms  are,  a  gentle  loofe- 
n(^  afcer  the  fourth  or  £fth  day,  with  a  warm  mild 
fweat.  Thefe,  when  continued  for  a  confiderablc 
time,  often  carry  off  the  fever,  and  (hould  never  be 
imprudently  (lopped.  Small  miliary  puftules  ap- 
pearing between  the  petechia:  or  purple  fpots  are 
likewife  favourable,  as  alfo  hot  fcabby  eruptions 
about  the  mouth  and  nofe.  It  is  a  good  (ign  when 
the  pulfe  rifes  upon  the  ufe  of  wine,  or  other  cor- 
dials, and  the  nervous  fymptoms  abate;  deafnefs 
coming  on  towards  the  decline  of  the  fever,  is 
likewife  often  a  favourable  fymptom*^  as  arc 
abfcelTes  in  the  groin  or  parotid  glands. 

Among  the  unfavourable  fymptoms  may  be 
reckoned  an  excefllve  loofenefs,  with  a  hard  fwelled 
bellyi  large  black  or  livid  blotches  breaking  out 
upon  the  fkinj  apthae  in  the  mouth;  cold  <:lammy 
fweatsi  blindnefs;  change  of  the  voice;  a  wild 
(taring  of  the  eyes;  difficulty  of  fwallowing;  in- 
ability to  put  out  the  tongue ;  and  a  conftant  in- 
clination to  uncover  the  breaft.  When  the  fweac 
and  faliva  are  tinged  with  blood,  and  the  ur^ne  i$ 
black,  or  depoQts  a  black  footy  fedimcnt,  the  pa- 
tient is  in  great  danger.  Starting  of  the  tendons, 
and  fpptid,  ichorous,  involuntary  ftools,  attended 
with  coldnefs  of  the  extremities,  are  generally  the 
forerunners  of  death. 

REGIMEN. -In  the  trc^^tment  pf  this  dif- 
eafe we  ought,  to  endeavour  as  far  as  poflible  to 
counterad  the  putrid  tendency  of  the  humours;  to 
fupport  the  patient's  (bength  aqd  fpirits ;  and  to 
affift  Nature  in  expelling  the  caufe  of  the  difeale, 

^  Deafnefs  is  not  always  a  favoorable  fymptom  in  this  difeafe* 
Perhaps  it  is  only  fo  when  occafioned  by  abfceifes  formed  witluil 
the  ears«  «  ^ 


PUTRID  OR  SPOTTED  FEVER.   199 

by  gently  promoting  perfpiracion  and  the  other  eva-  ' 
cuations. 

It  has  been  obferved,  that  putrid  fevers  are  often 
pccafioned  by  unwholefome  air,  and  df  courfe  they 
muft  be  aggravated  by  it.  Care  Ihould  therefore 
be  taken  to  prevent  the  air  from  ftagnating  in  the 
patient's  chamber^  to  keep  it  cool,  and  renew  it 
frequently,  by  opening  the  doors  or  windows  of 
feme  adjacent  apartment.  The  breatb  and  peripi<» 
ration  of  perfons  in  perfeft  health  foon  render  the 
air  of  a  fmall  apartment  noxious  1  but  this  will 
fooner  happen  from  the  perfpiration  and  breath  of 
a  perfon  whofe  whole  mafs  of  humours  are  in  a 
putrid  Hate. 

Befides  the  frequent  admifllon  of  frelh  air,  we 
"would  recommend  the  ufc  of  vinegar,  verjuice. 
Juice  of  lemon,  Seville  orange,  or  any  kind  of  ve* 
^table  acid   that  can   be  moft  readily  obtained. 
Thefe  ought  frequently  to  be  fprinkled  upon  the 
^oor,  the  bed,  and  every  part  ot  the  room.    They 
may  alfo  be  evaporated  with  a  hot  iron,  or  by  boil- 
ing, &c.     The  frelh  (kins  of  lemons  or  oranges 
ought  likewife  to  be  laid  in  different  parts  of  the 
room,  and  they  Ihould  be  frequently  held  to  the 
patient's  nofe.    The  ufe  of  acids  in  this  manner 
would  not  only  prove  very  refrelhing  to  the  patient, 
but  would  likewife  tend  to  prevent  the  infedion 
from    fpreading  among  thole  who  attend  him* 
Strong  fcented   herbs,    as  rue,    tanfy^   rofcmary, 
wormwood,  &c.  may  likewife  be  laid  in  different 
parts  of  the  houfe,  and  fmelled  to  by  thofe  who  go 
near  the  patient. 

The  patient  mufl:  not  only  be  kept  cool,  but 
likewife  quiet  and  eafy.  The  lead  noife  will  affeft 
his  head,  and  the  fmallcft  fatigue  will  be  apt  to 
make  him  faint. 

Few  things  are  of  greater  importance  in  this  di(^ 
tafe  than  acids,  which  ought  to  be  mixed  with  all 

O  4  .the 


aoD  PUTRID   OR   SPOTTED   FEVER. 

the  patient's  food  as  well  as  drink.  Orange,  lemort^ 
or  vinegar  .whey,  are  all  very  proper,  and  maybe 
drank  by  turns,  according  to  the  patient's  inclina- 
tion. They  may  be  rendered  cordial  by  the  addi- 
tion of  wine  in  fuch  quantity  as  the  patient's  ftrength 
feems  to  require.  When  he  is  very  low,  he  may 
drink  negus,  with  only  one  half  water,  and  (harp- 
€ned  with  the  juice  of  orange  or  lemon.  In  fome 
cafes  a  glafs  of  clear  wine  may  now  and  then  be  al- 
lowed. The  mod  proper  wme  is  Rhenifh  j  but  if 
the  body  be  open,  red  port  or  claret  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred. 

When  the  body  is  bound,  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the 
cream  of  tartar  may  be  put  into  a  cup  of  the  pa- 
tient's drink,  as  th^rc  is  occafion  -,  or  he  may  drink 
a  decodion  of  tamarinds,  which  will  both  quench 
his  thirft,   and  promote  a  difcharge  by  ftool. 

If  camomile-tea  will  fit  upon  his  ftomach,  it  i$ 
a  very  proper  drink  in  this  difeafc.  It  may  be  (harp-  ' 
cned  by  adding  to  every  cup  of  the  tea  ten  or  fif-. 
teen  drops  of  the  elixir  of  vitriol. 

The  food  muft  be  light,  as  panado  or  groat  gruel, 
to  which  a  little  wine  may  be  added,  if  the  patient 
be  weak  and  low ;  and  they  ought  all  to  be  (harp- 
cned  with  the  juice  of  orange,  the  jelly  of  currants, 
ior  the  like.  The  patient  ought  likewife  to  eat  freely 
of  ripe  fruits,  as  roafted  apples,  currant  or  goofe- 
berry  tarts,  preferved  cherries,  or  plums,  &c.      > 

Taking  a  little  food  or  drink  frequently,  not  only 
fupports  the  fpirits,  but  counterafts  the  putrid  ten- 
dency of  the  humours ;  for  which  reafon  the  patient 
ought  frequently  to  be  fipping  fmall  quantities  of 
fo^e  of  the  acid  liquors  mentioned  above,  or  any 
that  may  be  more  agreeable  to  his  palate,  or  inqrc 
readijy  iobtained. 

If  he  is  delirious,  his  feet  and  hands  ought  to  be 
frequently  fomented  with  a  ftrong  infufion  of  camo- 
j[nile  flowers.     This^  or  an  infufion  of  the  bark,  to 

fuch 


iPtFTRlD   Ok   SPOTTED   FEVER,   aot 

fuch  as  can  afford  it,  cannot  fail  to  have  a  good 
trffedt.  Fomentations  of  this  kind  not  orjy  relieve 
the  head,  by  relaxing  the  veffels  in  the  extremities, 
but  as  their  contents  are  abforbcd,  and  taken  into 
the  fyftem,  they  may  afiift  in  preventing  the  pu- 
trefccncy  of  the  humours. 

MEDICINE. If  a  vomit  be  given  at  the  ' 

beginning  of  this  fever,  it  will  hardly  fail  to  have 
a  good  effedtj  but  if  the  fever  has  gone  on  for 
fomc  days,  and  the  fymptoms  are  violent,  vomits 
are  not  quite  fo  fafe.  The  body  however  is  always 
to  be  kept  gently  open  by  clyfters,  or  mild  la:^ative 
medicines. 

Bleeding  is  feldom  neccffary  in  putrid  fevers.     If 
there  be  figns  of  an  inflammation,  it  may  fometimes 
be  permitted  at  the  firft  onfct;  but  the  repetition  of 
it  generally  proves  hurtful. 

Bliftering  platters  are  never  to  be  ufed  unlefs  in 
■^hc  greateft  extremities.     If  the  petechias  or  fpots 
"fiiould  fuddenly  difappear,  the  patient*s  pulfe  fink 
*:remarkably,  and  a  delirium,  with  other  bad  fymp- 
toms, come  on,  bliftering  may  be  permitted.     In 
this  cafe  the  bliftering  plafters  are  to  be  applied  to 
the  he^d,  and  infide  of  the  legs  or  thighs.     But  as 
they  are  fometimes  apt  to  occafion  a  gangrene,  we 
•would  rather  recommend  warm  cataplalms  or  poul- 
tices of  muftard  and  vinegar  to  be  applied  to  the 
feet,  having  rccoprfe  to  blifters  only  in. the  utmoft 
extremities. 

It  is  common  in  the  beginning  of  this  fever  to 
give  the  emetic  tartar  in  fmall  dojcs,  repeated  every 
'Second  or  third  hour,  till  it  fhall  either  vomit,  purge, 
or  throw  the  patient  into  a  fweat.  This  pra6ncc 
is  very  proper,  provided  it  be  not  pufhed  fo  far  als 
•to  weaken  the  patient. 

A  very  ridiculous  notion  bas  4ong  prevailed,  of 
expelling  the  poifonous  matter  of  malignant  dif- 
cai'es   by  trifling  doles  of  cordial  or  alexipharmic 

medi- 


^-rtyn  FEVER. 
T,Tn:RlD  OR  SPOTTED  ^^^ 

medicines,      l^     ^^  cordial  cow     .  ^  ^^^ble  re- 
^ontraycrva-too^;^,^  been  cxtoUed  ^  believe   tbat 
tbridaic,  &<=•  ;/^,  rcafon  V^o/^^^^ere  cordials  ate 

iSve  fcen  ^«».^';-res  wbere  ^'^'^^P^r^er  this  pf 

%r\tenS^^^^^^^ 

'^"fe   Vt" uft  not  only  be  &  ^^^  i, 

?°W  ^rme^  K  A  of  adminifte"«5  ^  pov»der 
<^"Su^heft  method  oi  a  ^  of  .»t '»  P"  j^r, 

-  fnfe  it  iJ»  *^"^»  .      u,  hark  ra^^  ^ 


IC 


PUTRID  OR  SPOTTED  FEVER.    203 

If  the  patient  be  troubled  with  vomiting,  a  dranti 
of  the  fait  of  wormwood,  difiblved  in  an  ounce  and 
half  of  frefh  lemon-juicej  and  made  into  a  draught 
^  with  an  ounce  of  (imple  cinnamon  water,  and  a  bit 
of  fugar,  may  be  given^  and  repeated  as  often  as  it 
is  necelTary. 

If  fwellings  of  the  glands  appear,  their  fuppurjC* 
tion  is  to  be  promoted  by  the  application  of  poul- 
tices, ripening  cataplafms,  &c.  And  as  fpon  as  there 
is  any  appearance  of  matter  in  them,  they  ought  to 
be  laid  open,  and  the  poultices  continued. 

I  have  known  large  ulcerous  fores  break  out  in 
various  parts  of  the  body,  in  the  decline  of  this 
fever,  of  a  livid  gangrenous  appearance,  and  a  mod 
putrid  cadaverous  fmell.  Thefe  gradually  healed, 
and  the  patient  recovered,  by  the  plentiful  ufe  of 
Peruvian  bark  an^  wine,  iharpened  with  the  fpirits 
C)f  vitriol. 

For  preventing  putrid  fevers  we  would  recom* 

mend  a  ftrifi:  regard  to  cleanlinefs ;  a  dry  fituation; 

Sufficient  cxercife  in  the  open  air;  wholefome  food, 

mnd  a  moderate  ufe  of  generous  liquors.     Infedtion 

vugbt  above  all  things  to  be  avoided.     No  confti* 

^ution  is  proof  againfl:  it.     I  have  known  perfons 

•  ^ized  with  a  putrid  fever,  by  only  making  a  fingle 

Tifit  to  a  patient  in  it;    others  have  caught  it  by 

lodging  for  one  night  in  a  town  where  it  prevailed; 

and  fome  by  attending  the  funerals  of  fuch  as  died 

of  it  ♦, 

*  The  late  Sir  John  Pnngle  exprelTed  s  concern  left  thefe 
caotioDs  (bould  prevenc  people  from  attending  their  friends  or 
relationi  when  ami^d  with  putrid  fevers.  I  told  him  I  meaat 
6nly  to  difcoarage  unneceflkry  attendance*  and  mentioned  a 
number  of  inftances  where  putrid  fevers  had  proved  fatal  to 
perfons,  who  were  rather  hurtful  than  beneficial  to  the  lick. 
Tbis  fagacions  pbyiician  agreed  with  me»  in  thinking  that  a  good 
doctor  and  a  careful  nurfe  were  the  only  neceffary  attendants; 
and  that  all  others  not  only  endangered  themfelves,  but  gene* 
rally,  by  their  folidtade  and  ill-diredled  care,  hurt  the  fick. 

When 


$04    PUTRID  OR  SPOTTED  FEVER, 

When  a  putrid  fever  feizcs  any  perfon  in  a  family, 
the  greateft  attention  is  neceffary  to  prevent  the  dif- 
cafe  from  fpreading.  The  fick  ought  to  be  placed 
in  a  large  apartment,  as  remote  from  the  reft  of  the 
family  as  pofflbte;  he  ought  likewife  to  be  kept  ex- 
tremely clean,  and  (hould  have  frcfh  air  fiequentty 
let  into  his  chamber;  whatever  comes  from  him 

• 

jhould  be  immediately  removed,  his  linen  (hould 
be  frequently  changed,  and  thofe  m  health  ought 
to  avoid  all  unneceflary  communication  with  him. 

Any  one  who  is  apprehenfive  of  having  caught 
the  infection,  ought  immediately  to  take  a  vomit^ 
and  to  work  it  off  by  drinking  plentifully  of  camo« 
mile  tea.  This  may  be  repeated  in  a  day  or  two, 
if  the  apprehenfions  flill  continue,  or  any  unfavour^ 
able  fymptoms  appear. 

The  perfon  ought  likewife  to  take  an  infufjon  of 
the  bark  and  camomile  flowers  for  his  ordinary  drink  i 
and  before  he  goes  to  bed,  he  may  drink  an  Englifh 
pint  of  pretty  ftrong  negus,  or  a  few  glaffes  of  gene- 
rous wine.  I  have  been  frequently  obliged  to  follow 
this  courfe,  when  malignant  fevers  prevailed,  and 
have  likewife  recommended  it  to  others  with  cou- 
itant  fuccefs. 

People  generally  fly  to  bleeding  and  purging  as 
antidotes  againft  infedtion  j  but  thcfe  are  fo  far  from 
fecuring  them,  that  they  often,  by  debilitating  tho 
body,  increafc  the  danger. 

Thofe  who  wait  upon  the  fick  in  putrid  fevers^ 
ought  always  to  have  a  piece  of  fpunge  or  a  hand* 
fhcrchiefdipt  in  vinegar,,  or  juice  of  lemon,  to  fmcU 
to  while  near  the  patient.  They  ought  likewife  tQ 
wa(h  their  hands,  and,  if  poflible,  to  change  thcif 
clothes,  before  they  go  into  company. 


CHAP.     XXI. 

OF    THE    MILIARY    FEVER. 

^HIS  fever  takes  its  name  from  the  fmaH  puftulef 
"*  or  bladders  which  appear  on  the  (kin,  refem^ 
bling,  in  (hape  and  fize,  the  feeds  of  millet.  The 
puftules  are  either  red  or  white,  and  fomctimes' 
both  are  mixed  together. 

The  whole  body  is  fometimes  covered  with  puf* 
tules;  but  they  are  generally  more  numerous. where 
the  fweat  is  mod  abundant,  as  on  the  breaft,  the 
back,  &c.  A  gentle  fweat,  or  moifture  on  the  lkin> 
greatly  promotes  the  eruption ;  but,  when  the  (kin 
is  dry,  the  eruption  is  both  more  painful  and  dan-^ 
gcrous* 

Sometimes  this  is  a  primary  difeafe;  but  it  ii 
much  oftener  only  a  fymptom  of  fome  other  malady, 
9s  the  fmall-pox,  meafles,  ardent,  putrid,  or  nerv- 
ous fever,  &c.  In  all  thefe  cafes  it  is  generally  the 
•ffeft  of  too  hot  a  regimen  or  medicines* 

The  miliary  fever  chiefly  attacks  the  idle  and  the 
phlegmatic,  or  perfons  of  a  relaxed  habit.  The 
-young  and  the  aged  are  more  liable  to  it  than  thofe 
in  the  vigour  and  prime  of  life.  It  is  likewife  more 
incident  to  women  than  men,  efpecially  the  delicate 
and  the  indolent,  who,  neglefting  exercife,  keep 
continually  within  doors,  and  live  upon  weak  watery 
diet.  Such  females  are  extremely  liable  to  be  feized 
with  this  difeafe  in  childbed,  and  often  lofe  their 
lives  by  it. 

CAUSES.— -The  miliary  fever  is  fometinrie^ 
occafioned  by  violent  pa(rions  or  affeftions  of  the 
mindi  as  excefllve  grief,  anxiety,  thoughtfulncfs, 
&c.  It  may  likewife  be  occafioned  by  exccflive 
Watchingi  great  evacuations,   a  weak  watery  diet^ 

rainy 

7 


2o6        OF  THE  MIUARY  FEVER. 

rainy  fcafons,  eating  Coo  freely  of  cold,  crude^  tin^ 
ripe  fruits,  as  plumsj  cherries,  cucumbersj  melons^ 
&c.  Impure  waters,  or  provifions  which  have  been 
fpoiled  by  rainy  feafons,  long  keeping,  &c.  may 
likewife  caufe  miliary  fevers.  They  may  alfo  be 
occaGoned  by  the  ftoppage  of  any  cuftomary  eva- 
cuation, as  ifTues,  fetons,  ulcers,  the  bleeding  piles 
in  men,  or  the  menftrual  flux  in  women,  &c. 

This  difeafe  in  childbed -women  isfometimes  th^ 
effeft  of  great  coftivenefs  during  pregnancy;  it  may 
likewife  be  occafioned  by  their  excef&veufe  of  green 
trafh,  and  other  unwholefome  things,  in  which 
pregnant  women  are  too  apt  to  indulge.  But  its 
moO:  general  caufe  is  indolence.  Such  women  as 
lead  a  fedentary  life,  efpecially  during  pregnancy, 
and  at  the  fame  time  live  grofsly,  can  hardly  efcape 
this  difeafe  in  childbed.  Hence  it  proves  extremely 
fatal  to  women  of  fafhion,  and  likewife  to  thofe 
women  in  manufafkuring  towns,  whoj  in  order  to 
ullift  their  huibands,  fit  clofe  within  doors  for  almoft 
the  whole  of  their  time.  But  among  women  who 
are  aftive  and  laborious,  who  live  in  the  country, 
and  take  fufHcient  exercife  without  doors,  this  dif- 
eafe is  very  little  known. 

SYMPTOMS. When  this  is  a  primary  dif- 
eafe, it  makes  its  attack,  like  molt  other  eruptive 
fevers,  with  a  flight  fliivering,  which  is  fucceeded 
by  heat,  lofs  of  (trength,  faintiflinefs,  flghingj  a 
low  quick  pulfe,  difficulty  of  breathing,  with  great 
anxiety  and  opprefllon  of  the  bread.  The  patient 
is  reftlefs,  and  fometimes  delirious;  the  tongue 
appears  white,  and  the  hands  {hake,'with  often  a 
burning  heat  in  the  palms;  and  in  childbed-women 
the  milk  generally  goes  away,  and  the  other  dif- 
charges  (top. 

The  patient  feels  an  itching  or  pricking  pain  un- 
der the  (kin,  after  which  innumerable  fmall  puftules 
of  a  red  or  white  colour  begin  to  appear.    Upon 

this 


OF  THE  MILIARY  FEVER.        aaj 

dinthe  fymptoms  generally  abate,  the  pulfe  becomes 
more  full  and  foft,  the  Ikin  grows  moifter,  and  the 
ffKat^  as  the  difcafe  advances,  begins  to  have  a  pe- 
culiar fcstid  foielU  the  great  load  on  the  breaft,  and 
(^rcffiou  of  the  fpirits,  generally  go  o(f«  and  the 
cuftomary  evacuations  gradually  return.  About 
the  fixth  or  feventh  day  from  the  eruption,  the  puf- 
tttles  begin  to  dry  and  fall  off,  which  occalions  a 
very  difagreeable  itching  in  the  fkin. 

It  is  impoffible  to  afcertain  the  exa£k  time  when 
the  puftules  will  either  appear  or  go  off.  They  ge« 
Hcraily  come  out  on  the  third  or  fourth  day,  whea 
the  eruption  is  critical  $  but,  when  fymptomaticalj 
they  tnay  appear  at  any  time  of  the  difeafe. 

Sometimes  the  puftules  appear  and  vantib  by  turns^ 
When  that  is  the  cafe,  there  is  always  danger;  bM 
when  they  go  in  all  of  a  fudden,  and  do  not  appear 
again,  the  danger  is  very  great. 

la  child  bed- women  the  puftules  are  commonly  at 
ftrft  filled  with  clear  water,  afterwards  they  grow 
ydlowiib.  Sometimes  they  are  interfperfed  with 
pniftules  of  a  red  colour.  When  thefe  only  appear 
Zhc  difeafe  goes  by  the  name  of  a  rafif. 

REGIMEN. — '—In  all  eruptive  fevers,  of  what- 
ever kind,  the  chief  point  is  to  prevent  the  fudden 
diiappearing  of  the  puftules,  and  to  promote  their 
maturation.     For  this  purpofe  the  patient  muft  be 
Icept  in  fuch  a  temperature,  as  neither  to  pufti  out 
^bc  eruption  too  faft,  nor  to  caufe  it  to  retreat  pre- 
inaturely.     The  diet  and  drink  otight  therefore  to 
be  in  a  moderate  degree  nourifliing  and  cordial ;  but 
neither  ftrong  nor  heating.    The  patient's  chamber 
ought  neither  to  be  kept  too  hot  nor  cold;  and  he 
fiiould  not  be  too  much  covered  with  clothes.  Abova 
alU  the  niind  is  to  be  kept  eafy  and  cheerful.     No-^ 
thing  fo  certainly  makes  an  eruption  go  in  as  iear^ 
Drtha  apprehenfion  of  danger. 

The 


ft68        OP  TH£  MILIAft?  FEVER. 

The  food  mud  be  weak  chicken-brotb  with  brdtf «■ 
panadoi  fago,  or  groat-gruel^  &c.  to'a  gill  of  whicfaa 
may  be  added  a  fpoonful  or  two  of  wine^  as  the 
patient's  (Irength  requires,  wich  a  few  grains  of  falc 
and  a  little  fugar.  Good  apples  roafted  or  boiledi^ 
with  other  ripe  fruits  of  an  opening  cooling  naturCj^ 
may  be  eaten* 

The  drink  may  be  fuited  to  the  ftate  of  the  pa— 
tient's  ftrength  and  fpirits.  If  thefe  be  pretty  high« 
the  drink  ought  to  be  weak;  as  water-gruel^  balm<«« 
tea,  or  the  decoAion  mentioned  below  *. 

When  the  patient's  fpirits  arc  low,  and  the  erup-* 
tion  does  not  rife  fufficiently,  his  drink  mud  be  s 
little  more  generous;  as  wine- whey,  or  fmall  negus^ 
iharpened  with  the  juice  of  orange  or  lemon,  and 
made  ftronger  or  weaker  as  circumftances  may  re« 
quire. 

Sometimes  the  miliary  fever  approaches  towards  4 
putrid  nature,  in  which  cafe  the  patient's  ftrength. 
muft  be  fupported  with  generous  cordiaIs>  joined 
with  acids;  and,  if^the  degree  of  putrefcence  be 
great,  the  Peruvian  bark  muft  be  adminiftercd« 
If  the  head  be  much  affedted,  the  body  muft  be 
kept  open  by  emollient  clyfters  f . 

MEDI- 

*  Take  two  ounces  of  the  (havings  of  hartfhorn,  and  the  fane 
quantity  of  farfaparillay  boil  them  in  two  Englifh  quarts  of  water. 
To  the  ftrained  decodlion  add  a  little  white  fugar,  and  let  tlie 
patient  take  it  for  his  ordinary  drink. 

f  In  the  commercium  littrarium  for  the  year  17359  we  have  the 
biilory  of  an  epidemical  miliary  fever,  which  raged  at  Strafburgh 
in  the  months  of  November,  December,  and  January;  fronl 
which  we  learn  the  neceflity  of  a  temperate  regimen  in  this  na« 
lady,  and  likewife  that  phyficians  are  not  always  the  firft  who 
difcover  the  proper  treatment  of  difeafes.  **  This  itser  made 
terrible  havock  even  among  men  of  robuft  conftitutions,  and  all 
medicine  proved  in  vain.  They  were  feized  in  an  inllant  with 
fhivering,  yawning,  ftretching,  and  pains  in  the  back,  focceedcd 
by  a  moft  intenfe  heat ;  at  the  fame  time  there  was  a  great  left 
^f  (Irength  and  appetite.    On  the  feventh  or  ninth  day  the  miliary 

cniptioM 


^s^: 


OF  THE  MILIARY  FEVER.        209 

MEDICINE.— If  the  food  and  drink  be  pro- 
perly regulated,  there  will  be  little  occafion  for  me- 
dicine in  thisdifeafe.  Should  the  eruption  however 
not  rife,  or  the  fpirits  flag,  it  will  not  only  be  necef- 
fary  to  fupport  the  patient  with  cordials,  but  like- 
wife  to  apply  bliftermg  pi  afters.  The  moft  proper 
cordial,  in  this  cafe,  is  good  wine,  which  may  either 
be  taken  in  the  patient's  food  or  drink;  and  if  there 
"be  figns  of  putrefcence,  the  bark  and  acids  may  be 
tnixed  with  wine,  as  direftcd  in  the  putrid  fcven 

Some  recommend  blifterinej  through  the  whole 
courfe  of  this  difeafe;  and  where  Nature  flags,  and 
the  eruption  comes  and  goes,  it  may  be  ncceffary 
to  keep  up  a  ftimulus,  by  a  continual  fucceffion  6f 
fmall  bliftering  plafters;  but  we  would  not  recom- 
mend above  one  at  a  time.  If  however  the  pulfe 
Ihould  (ink  remarkably,  the  puftules  fall  in,  and 
the  head  be  afFefted,  it  will  be  neccflTarjr  to  apply 
fcveral  bliftering  plafters  to  the  moft  fcnfible  parts, 
as  the  infide  of  the  legs  and  thighs,  &c. 

Bleeding  h  feldom  neceflary  in  this  difeafe,  and 
fometimes  it  does  much  hurt,  as  it  weakens  the  pa- 
tient, and  depreflcs  his  fpirits.  It  is  therefore  never 
to  be  attempted  unlefs  by  the  adviceof  aphyfician* 
We  mention  this,  becaufe  it  has  been  cuftomary.to 
treat  this  difeafe  in  childbed-women  by  plentiful 
bleeding,  and  other  evacuations,  as  if  it  were  highly 
inflammatory.     But  this  practice  is  generally  very 

eruptions  appeared,  or  fpots  like  flea-bices,  with  great  anxiety, 
a  delirium,  reftlefTners,  and  toffing  in  bed.  Bleeding  was  fatal. 
While  matters  werfe  in  tliis  unhappy  fituation,  a  midwife,  of  her 
own  accoi;^,  gave  to  a  patient,  in  the  height  of  the  difeafe,  a 
clyfter  of  rain-water  and  butter  without  fah,  and  for  his  ordinary 
drink  a  quart  of  Tpring  water,  half  a  pint  of  generous  wine,  the 
joice  of  aiemon,  and  fix  ounces  of  the  whitefl  fugar,  gently  boiled 
till  a  fcum  arofe,  and  this  with  great  fuccefs;  for  the  belly  was 
foon  loofened,  the  grievous  fymptoms  vanifhed,  and  the  patienc 
was  reftored  to  bis  fenfes,  and  fnatched  from  the  jaws  of  death." 
This  pradice  waa  imitaCed  by  others  with  the  like  happy  effecls. 

P  uiifafe. 


210     OF  |THE  REMITTING  FEVER. 

tinfafe.  Patients  in  this  fituation  bear  evacuations 
very  ilK  And  indeed  the  difeafe  feems  often  to  be 
more  of  a  putrid  than  of  an  inflammatory  nature* 

Though  this  fever  is  often  occafiohed  in  child- 
bed-women by  too  hot  a  regimen,  yet  it  would  be 
dangerous  to  leave  that  off  all  of  a  fudden,  and  have 
recourfe  to  a  very  cool  regimen,  and  large  evacua- 
tions. We  have  reafon  to  believe,  that  fupporting 
the  patient's  fpirits,  and  promoting  the  natural  eva- 
cuations, is  here  much  iafer  than  to  have  recourfe 
to  artiBcial  ones,  as  thefe,  by  finking  the  fpirits^ 
feldom  fail  to  increafe  the  danger. 

If  the  difeafe  proves  tedious,  or  the  recovery  flow, 
we  would  recommend  the  Peruvian  bark,  which  may 
either  be  taken  in  fubftance,  or  infufed  in  wine  or 
water,  as  the  patient  inclines. 

The  miliary  fever,  like  other  eruptive  difeafes, 
requires  .gentle  purging,  which  fhould  not  be  ne- 
gledled,  as  foon  as  the  fever  is  gone  off,  and  the 
patient's  ftrength  will  permit. 

To  prevent  this  difeafe,  a  pure  dry  air,  fufHcient 
exerciie,  and  wholefome  food,  are  neceflary.  Preg- 
nant women  fhould  guard  againft  coftivenefs,  and 
take  daily  as  much  exercife  as  they  can  bear,  avoid- 
ing all  green  trafhy  fruits,  and  other  unwholefbn>e 
things;  and  when  in  childbed,  they  ought  ftridly 
to  obferve  a  cool  regimen. 


Mi 


CHAP.    XXII. 

OF  THE  REMITTING  FEVER. 

'T'HIS  fever  takes  its  name  from  a  remiffion  of 

-^   the  fymptoms,  which  happens  fometimes  fooner, 

and  fometimes  later,  but  generally  before  the  eighth 

day.    The  remiflion  is  commonly  preceaed  by  a 


OF  THE  REMITTING  FfeVtft.     211 

|;entle  fweat^  after  which  the  patient  feems  gre^tly^ 
irelieved^  but  in  a  few  hours  the  fever  returns.  Thel^ 
r^miflipns  return  at  very  irregular  periods,  and  are 
fometimes  of  longer,  fometimes  of  Ihorter  duration; 
the  nearer  however  that  the  fever  approaches  to  a 
regulalr  intermittent,  the  danger  is  the  lefs. 

CAUSES. Remitting  fevers  prevail  in  low 

marlhy  countries  abounding  with  wood  andftagnat- 
ing  waters  but  they  prove  mod  fatal  in  places  where 
great  heat  and  moifture  are  combined,  as  in  fonnie 
parts  of  Africa,  the  province  of  Bengal  in  the  Eafl: 
Indies,  &c.  where  remitting  fevers  are  generally  of 
a  putrid  kind,  and  prove  very  fatal.  They  are  moft 
frequent  in  clofe  calm  weather^  efpecially  after 
^zitiy  feafons,  great  inundations,  or  the  like.  No 
age,  fex,  or  conftitution,  is  exempted  from  the  at- 
^ck  of  this  fever;  but  it  chiefly  ieizes  perfons  of  a 
Telaxed  habit,  who  live  in  low  dirty  habitations^ 
breathe  an  impure  (lagnating  air,  take  little  exercife^ 
and  ufe  unwholefome  diet. 

SYMPTOMS. The  firft  fymptoms  of  this 

fever  are  generally  yawning,  (Iretching,  pain,  and 
giddinefs  in  the  head,  with  alternate  Bts  of  heat 
and  cold.  Sometimes  the  patient  is  aflrfted  with  a 
delirium  at  the  very  firft  attack.  There  is  a  pain, 
and  fometimes  a  fwelling,  about  the  region  of  the 
ftomach,  the  tongue  is  white,  the  eyes  and  fkin  fre- 
quently appear  yellow,  and  the  patient  is  often 
afflifted  with  bilious  vomitings.  The  pulfe  is  fome- 
times a  little  hard,  but  feldom  full,  and  the  bloody 
when  let,  rarely  (hews  any  figns  of  inflammation. 
Some  patients  are  exceedingly  coftive,  and  others 
are  affliAed  with  a  very  troublefome  loofenefs. 

It  is  impoOTible  to  defcribe  all  the  fymptoms  of 
this  difeafe,  as  they  vary  according  to  the  lituation, 
the  feafon  of  the  year,  and  the  conftitution  of  the 
patient.  They  may  likcwife  be  greatly  changed  by 
the  method  of  treatment,  and  by  many  other  cir- 

P  a  cumftances 


212     OF  THE  REMITTING  FEVER. 

cumftances  too  tedious  to  mention.  Somet 
the  bilious  fymptoms  predominate^  fometimci 
nervousj  and  at  other  times  the  putrid.  Noi; 
at  all  uncommon  to  find  a  fucceffion  of  each  oft 
or  even  a  complication  of  them  at  the  fame  tim 
the  fame  per fon. 

REGIMEN. The  regimen  muft  be  ada 

-to  the  prevailing  fymptoms.  When  there  arc 
iigns  of  inflammation,  the  diet  mufl:  be  flender^ 
the  drink  weak  and  diluting.  But  when  nervoi 
putrid  fymptoms  occur,  it  will  be  neceffary  to 
port  the  patient  with  food  and  liquors  of  a  i 
•generous  nature,  fuch  as  are  recommended  in 
immediately  preceding  fevers.  We  muft  how 
be  yery  cautious  in  the  ufe  of  things  of  a  hea 
quality,  as  this  fei^r  is  frequency  changed  in 
continual  by  an  hot  regimen,  and  improper  rr 
cincs. 

Whatever  the  fymptoms  are,  the  patient  ougl 
,bc:kept  cool,  quiet,  and  clean.  His  apartmcr 
poffible,  Ihould  be  large^  and  frequently  ventil 
by  letting  in  frelh  air  at  the  doors  or  windows, 
^pught  likewife  to  besprinkled  with  vinegar,  juit 
lemon,  or  the  like,  flis  linen,  bed-clothes, 
ihould  be  frequently  changed,  and  all  his  excrem 
immediately  removed.  Though  thefe  things  I 
|)een  recommended  before,  we  think  it  neceiTar 
repeat  them  here,  as  they  are  of  more  impbrtanc 
the  fick  than  praditioners  are  apt  to  imagine  *. 

ME 

*  The  ingenious  Dr.  Lind,  of  Edinburgh,  in  his  inaugon 
fenation  concerning  the  putrid  remitting  itMtt  of  Bengt] 
the  following  obfervation :  '*  Jndufia,  lodices,  ac  ilragula,  fs 
funt  mutanda,  ac  aeri  exponenda ;  fceces  fordefque  quam  pri 
removends;  oportet  etiam  at  loca  quibtis  aegri  decumbun 
falttbria,  et  aceto  confperfa ;  denique  ot  a?gri5  cura  quanta  mi 
profpiciacur.  Compertum  ego  babeo»  medicnm  haec  i 
obrervanteniy  quique  ea  exe^ui  poteft,  muhoraagis  aegris  p 
turum,  quam  medicujn  periuorcm  hifce  commodis  deAitDtm 


^i^: 


OF  THE  REMITTING  FEVER.     213 

MEDiCINE. In  order  to  cure  this  fever,  we 

mull  endeavour  to  bring  it  to  a  regular  intern^iffion. 
This  intention  may  be  promoted  by  bleeding,  if 
there  be  any  (igns  of  inflammation;  but  when  that 
is  not  the  cafe^  bleeding  ought  by  no  means  to  be 
attempted,  as  it  will  weaken  the  patient  and  pro- 
long the  difeafe.  A  vomit  however  will  feldom  be 
improper,  and  is  generally  of  great  fervice.  Twenty 
or  thirty  grains  of  ipecacuanha  will  anfwer  this  pur- 
pofe  very  well ;  but,  where  it  can  be  obtained,  wc 
would  rather  recommend  a  grain  or  two  of  tartar 
€metic,  with  five  or  Qx  grains  of  ipecacuanha,  to  be 
made  into  a  draught,  and  given  for  a  vomit.  This 
may  be  repeated  once  or  twice  at  proper  intervals, 
if  the  ficknefs  or  naufea  continues. 

The  body  ought  to  be  kept  open  either  by  clyfters 
or  gentle  laxatives,  as  weak  infufions  of  fenna  and 
manna,  fmall  dofes  of  the  lenitive  eleftuary,  cream 
of  tartar,  tamarinds,  ftewcd  prunes,  or  the  like; 
but  all  ftrong  or  dradic  purgatives  are  to  be  care- 
fully avoided. 

By  this  courfe  the  fever  in  a  few  days  may  gene- 
rally be  brought  to  a  pretty  regular  or  diftind  inter- 
miflion,  in  which  cafe  the  Peruvian  bark  may  be 
adminiftered,  and  it  will  feldom  fail  to  perfc6t  the 
cure.  It  is  needlefs  here  to  repeat  the  methods  of 
giving  the  bark,  as  we  have  already  had  occafion 
frequently  to  mention  them. 

The  moft  likely  way  to  avoid  this  fever  is  to  ufe 
a  wholefome  and  nourifliing  diet,  to  pay  the  moft 
fcrupulous  attention  to  cleanlinefs,  to  keep  the  body 

"  The  patient's  fhirt,  bcd-clothes,  and  bedding,  ought  frc 
quently  to  be  changed,  and  expofed  to  the  air,  and  all  his  excre- 
ments immediately  removed;  the  bed-chamber  fhould  bewail 
ventilated,  and  frequently  fprinkled  with  vinegar;  in  ihort,  every 
attention  ihoold  be  paid  to  the  patient.  I  can  afHrm,  that  a  phy- 
fician  who  puts  thefe  in  pradice  will  much  oftener  fucceed  th^n 
one  who  is  even  more  fkMfal,  but  has  not  opportunity  of  uling 
thtk  means.'' 

P  3  warm. 


ai4       OF    THE    SMALL-POX. 

waraij  to  take  fufEcient  exercife, .  and  in  hotcount-* 
tries  to  avoid  damp  fituations,  night  air,  evening 
dews>  and  the  like.  In  countries  where  ic  is  ende- 
mical,  the  bed  preventive  medicine  which  we  can 
recommend,  is  the  Peruvian  bark,  which  may  ei- 
ther be  chewed,  or  infufed  in  brandy  or  wine,  &c. 
Some  recommend  fmoking  tobacco  as  very  benefi- 
cial in  marfhy  countries,  both  for  the  prevention  of 
this  and  intermitting  fevers. 


■I      I  .S,.    '.-'-■''■■  '  I    Mi       I   ■  II  Ji        .    ■■    ■    '    -J  '  ^       I  ^    H  I 

CHAP.    XXIIL 
OF    THE    SMALL-POX. 

THIS  difeafe,  which  originally  came  from 
Arabia,  is  now  become  fo  general,  that  vtrj 
few  efcape  it  at  one  time  of  life  or  another.  It  is  ^ 
moft  contagious  malady ;  and  has  for  many  years 
proved  the  fcourge  of  Europe, 

The  fmall-pox  generally  appear  towards  the 
fpring.  They  arc  very  frequent  in  fummer,  Icfs  fo 
in  autumn,  and  leaft  of  all  in  winter.  Children  are 
mott  liable  to  this  difeafe ;  and  thofe  whofe  food  is 
unwholefome,  who  want  proper  exercife,  and 
abound  with  grofs  humours^  run  the  greateft  ha* 
zard  from  it. 

The  difeafe  is  diftinguilhed  into  the  diftinft  and 
confluent  kind;  the  latter  of  which  is  always  at- 
tended with  danger.  There  are  likewife  other 
diftinftions  of  the  fmall-pox ;  sis  the  cryftalline^  the 
bloody,  &c. 

CAUSES. The  fmall-pox  is  commonly  caught 

by  infeftion.  Since  the  difeafe  was  firft  brought 
into  Europe,  the  infeAion  has  never  been  wholly 
^xtinguifhed^  nor  have  any  proper  incthodsj  as  far 


Mi 


OF    THE    SMALL'.POX.    '  215 

as  I  know,  been  taken  for  chacpurpofe;  (6  that 
now  it  has  b(;come  in  a  manner  confticutional. 
Children  who  have  over:  heated  chemfelves  by  run- 
ning, wreftling,  &c.  or  adults  after  a  debauch^ 
are  moft  apt  to  be  feized  with  the  fmall-pox, 

SYMPTOMS, This  difeafe  is  fo  generally 

known,  that  a  minute  defcription  of  it  is  unne- 
ctflary.  Children  commonly  look  a  little  dull, 
feem  liftlefs  and  drowfy  for  a  few  days  before  the 
more  violent  fymptoms  of  the  fmall-pox  appear. 
They  are  likewife  more  inclined  to  drink  than  ufual, 
have  little  appetite  for  folid  food,  complain  of 
wearinefs,  and,  upon  taking  exercife,  are  apt  to 
fweat.  Thefe  are  fucccedcd  by  flight  fits  of  cold 
and  heat  in  turns,  which,  as  the  time  of  the  erup- 
tion approaches,  become  more  violent,  and  are  ac- 
companied with  pains  of  the  head  and  loins,  vo- 
miting, &c.  The  pulfe  is  quick,  with  a  great 
heat  of  the  (kin,  and  reftleflhefs.  When  the  pa- 
tient drops  afleep,  he  wakes  in  a  kind  of  horror, 
with  a  fudden  ftart,  which  is  a  very  common  fymp- 
tom  of  the  approaching  eruption ;  as  are  alfo  con- 
vulfion-fits  in  very  young  children. 

About  the  third  or  fourth  day  from  the  time  of 
fickeningf  the  fm all  pox  generally  begin  to  appear; 
fometimes  indeed  they  appear  fooner,  but  that  is  no 
favourable  fymptom.  At  firft  they  very  nearly  re- 
femble  flea-bites,  and  are  fooneft  difcoveredon  the 
face,  arms,  and  breaft. 

The  moft  favourable  fymptoms  are  a  flow  erup- 
tion, and  an  abatement  of  the  fever  as  foon  as  the 
puftules  appear.  In  a  mild  diftinft  kind  of  fmall- 
pox  the  puftules  feldom  appear  before  the  fourth 
day  from  the  time  of  fickening,  and  they  generally 
keep  coming  out  gradually  for  fcveral  days  after. 
Puftules  which  are  diftinft,  with  a  florid  red  bafls, 
and  which  fill  with  thick  purulent  matter^  firft  of  a 

P  4  whitiftij 


ai6       OF    THE   SMALL-POX^ 

vrhicrfh,  and  afterwards  of  a  yellowifh  colour^  are 
the  beft. 

A  livid  brown  colour  of  the  puftules  is  an  un- 
favourable fymptom;  as  alfo  when  they  are  foFiall 
and  flat,  with  black  fpecks  in  the  middle.  Puftules 
which  contain  a  thin  watery  ichor  are  very  bad,    A 
great  number  of  pox  on  the  face  is  always  attended 
with  danger.     It  is  likewife  a  very  bad  fign  when 
they  run  into  one  another. 
.  It  is  a  moft  unfavourable  fymptom  when  petechias^ 
or  purple,  brown,  or  black  fpots  are  interfperfcd 
among  the  puftules.     Thefc  are  figns  of  a  putrid 
diifolution  of  the  blood,  and  fhew  the  danger  to 
be  very   great.      Bloody  ftools   or  urine,  with  a 
fwelled  belly,  are  bad  fymptoms;  as  is  alfo  a  con* 
tinual  ftrangury.     Pale  urine  and  a  violent  throb* 
bing  of  the  arteries  of  the  neck  are  figns  of  an  ap- 
proaching delirium,  or  of  convulfion-fits.     When 
the  face  does  not  fwell,  or  falls  before  the  pox  come 
to  maturity,  it  is  very  unfavourable.     If  the  face 
begins  to  tall  about  the  eleventh  or  twelfth  day,  and 
at  the  fame  time  the  hands  and  feet  begin  to  fwell^ 
the  patient  generally  does  well ;  but  when  thefe  do 
not  fucceed  to  each  other,  there  is  reafon  to  appre- 
hend danger.     When  the  tongue  is  covered  with  a 
brown  cruft,  it  is  an  unfavourable  fymptom.    Cold 
fhivering  Bts  coming  on  at  the  height  of  the  dif* 
cafe  are  likewife  unfavourable.     Grinding  of  the 
teeth,  when  it  proceeds  from  an  afTedtion  of  the 
nervous  fyftem,  is  a   bad  fign;  but  fometimes  it 
is    occalioned   by   worms,   or  a  difordcred    fto- 
mach. 

REGIMEN. Whett  the  firft  fymptomsof  the 

fmall-pox  appear,  people  are  ready  to  be  alarmed^ 
and  often  fly  to  the  ufe  of  medicine^  to  the  great 
danger  of  the  patient's  life.  I  have  known  chil- 
dren, to  appeafe  the  anxiety  of  their  parents,  bled^ 

bliftcredj 


OF    THE    SMALL. POX.       m; 

bliftered,  and  ptjrgcd,  during  the  fever  which  pre- 
ceded the  eruption  of  the  final  1- pox,  to  fuch  a  de- 
gree, that  Nature  was  not  only  difturbed  in  her 
operation,  but*  rendered  unable  to  fupport  the 
puftules  after  they  were  out ;  fo  that  the  patient, 
exhaufted  by  mere  evacuations,  funk  under  the 
difeafe. 

When  convulfions  appear,  they  give  a  dreadful 
alarm.  Immediately  fome  noftrum  is  applied,  as 
if  this  were  a  primary  difeafe;  whereas  it  is  only  a 
fymptom,  and  far  from  being  an  unfavourable  one, 
of  the  approaching  eruption.  As  the  fits  generally 
go  off  before  the  adtual  appearance  of  the  fmall- 
poiT,  it  is  attributed  to  the  medicine,  which  by 
this  means  acquires  a  reputation  without  any 
merit*. 

All  that  is,  generally  fpeaking,  neceflary  during 
the  eruptive  fever,  is  to  keep  the  patient  cool  and 
cafy,  allowing  him  to  drink  freely  of  fome  weak 
diluting  liquors;  as  baJm-tea,  barley-water,  clear 
whey,  gruels,  &c.  He  (hould  not  be  confined  to 
bed,  but  (hould  fit  up  as  much  as  he  is  able,  and 
Ihould  have  his  feet  and  legs  frequently  bathed  in 
lukewarm  water.  His  food  ought  to  be  very  light; 
and  he  ihould  be  as  little  didurbed  with  company 
as  poflible. 

Much  mifchief  is  done  at  this  period  by  confining, 
the  patient  too  foon  to  his  bed,  and  plying  him  with 
warm  cordials  br  fudorifilc  medicines.  Every  thing 
that  heats  and  inflames  the  blood  increafes  the  fe- 
vrr,  and  pufhes  out  the  pufl:ules  prematurely.  This 

-  •  Con vulfion- fits  are  no  doubt  very  alarming,  but  their  efFedt 
are  ofcen  falutary.  They  feem  to  be  one  of  the  means  made  ufe 
of  by  Nature  for  breaking  the  force  of  a  fever.  I  have  always 
obferved  the  fever  abated,  and  fometimes  quite  removed,  after 
one  or  more  convulfion-fits.  This  readily  accounts  for  convul- 
fiom  being  a  favourable  fymptom  io  the  fever  which  precedes  the 
eruption  of  the  fmalUpox,  as  every  thing  that  mitigates  this 
fever  leflens  the  eruption. 

IO  has 


2i8       OF    THE    SMALL.POX. 

has  numbcrlcfs  ill  effcfts.  It  not  only  incrcafes  the 
nunnbcr  of  puftulcs,  but  likcwife  tends  to  make 
them  run  into  one  another;  and  when  they  have 
been  pu(hed  out  with  too  great  violence,  they  ge- 
nerally fall  in  before  they  come  to  maturity. 

The  good  women,  as  foon  as  they  fee  the  fmalU 
pox  begin  to  appear,  commonly  ply  their  tender 
charge  with  cordials,  fafFron,  and  marigold-teas, 
wine,  punch,  and  even  brandy  itfelf.  All  thcfe 
are  given  with  a  view,  as  they  term  it,  to  throw  out 
the  eruption  from  the  heart.  This,  like  moft  other 
popular  miftakes,  is  the  abufc  of  a  very  juft  ob- 
icrvation,  that  when  there  is  a  moijture  on  thejkin^ 
the  fox  rife  better  ^  and  the  patient  is  eafier^  than  when 
it  continues  dry  and f  arched.  But  that  is  no  reafon 
for  forcing  the  patient  into  a  fweat.  Sweating 
never  relieves  unlefs  where  it  comes  fpontaneoufly, 
or  is  the  eiFeft  of  drinking  weak  diluting  liquors. 

Children  are  often  fo  peevifli,  that  they  will  not 
lie  a-bed  without  a  nurfe  conftantly  by  them.  In* 
dulging  them  in  this,  we  have  reafon  to  bcfieve, 
has  many  bad  e(Fe6ls  both  upon  the  nurfe  and  child. 
Even  the  natural  heat  of  the  nurfe  cannot  fail  to 
augment  the  fever  of  the  child  \  but  if  (he  too 
proves  feverifh,  which  is  often  the  cafe,  the  danger 
muft  be  increafed*. 

Laying  fcveral  children  who  have  the  fmall-pox 
in  the  fame  bed  has  many  ill  confequences.  They 
ought  if  poflible  never  to  be  in  the  fame  chamber, 
as  the  perfpiration,  the  heat,  the  fmell,  &c.  all 
tend  to  augment  the  fever,  and  to  heighten  the 

*  I  have  known  a  narfe,  who  had  the  fm  all -pox  before,  (b  io- 
feded  by  lying  conftantly  a-bed  with  a  child  in  a  bad  kind  of 
fmall-poxt  that  (he  had  not  only  a  great  number  of  puftales 
which  broke  out  all  over  her  body,  but  afterwards  a  malignant 
fever,  which  terminated  in  a  number  of  impofthumes  or  DoiIs» 
and  from  which  the  narrowly  efcaped  with  her  life.  We  men* 
tion  this  to  put  others  upon  their  guard  againft  the  danger  of  thia 
virulent  infe^on, 

difeafc* 


V*    •      «    * 


OF    THE    SMALL-POX.       219 

difeafe.  It  is  common  among  the  poor  co  fee  two 
or  three  children  lying  in  the  fame  bed,  with  fuch 
a  load  of  puftules  that  even  their  ikins  (lick  to- 
gether. One  can  hardly  view  a  fcene  of  this  kind 
without  being  fickened  by  the  fight.  But  how 
muft  the  effluvia  afFeft  the  poor  patients,  many  of 
whom  perifli  by  this  ufage  *. 

A  very  dirty  cuftom  prevails  among  the  lower 
clafs  of  people,  of  allowing  children  in  the  fmalU 
pox  to  keep  on  the  fame  linen  during  the  whole  pe- 
riod of  that  loathfome  difeafe.  This  is  done  left 
they  fhould  catch  cold;  but  it  has  many  ill  confe- 
quences.  The  linen  becomes  hard  by  the  moifture 
which  it  abforbs,  and  frets  the  tender  fldn.  It 
likewife  occafions  a  bad  fmcU,  which  is  very  perni- 
cious both  to  the  patient  and  thofe  about  him ;  be* 
fides,  the  filth  and  fordes  which  adhere  to  the  linen 
being  reforbed,  or  taken  up  again  into  the  body, 
greatly  augment  the  difeafe. 

A  patient  Ihould  not  be  fuffered  to  be  dirty  in 
an  internal  difeafe,  far  lefs  in  the  fmall-pox.  Cu- 
taneous diforders  are  often  occafioned  by  naftinefs 
alone,  and  are  always  increafed  by  it.  Were  the 
patient's  linen  to  be  changed  every  day,  it  would 
greatly  refrcfh  him.  Care  indeed  is  to  be  taken 
that  the  linen  be  thoroughly  dry.  It  ought  like- 
wife  to  be  put  on  when  the  patient  is  moft 
cool. 

*  This  obfervation  Is  likewife  applicable  to  hofpitals,  work- 
hoofes,  let,  where  numbers  of  childreh  happen  to  have  the  fmall- 
pox  at  the  fame  time.  1  have  feen  above  forty  children  cooped 
qp  in  one  apartment  all  the  while  they  had  this  difeafe,  without 
^ny  of  them  being  admitted  to  breathe  the  frefh  air.  No  one 
can  be  at  a  lofs  to  Tee  the  impropriety  of  fuch  condud.  Itoa^hc 
to  be  a  rule,  not  only  in  hofpicals  for  the  fmall-pox,  but  like- 
wife  for  other  difeafes,.  that  no  patient  ihould  be  within  fight  or 
hearing  of  another.  This  is  a  matter  to  which  too  little  regard 
is  paid.  In  moil  hofpitals  and  infirmaries,  the  fick,  the  dying» 
$»d4  the  dead,  are  ofien  to  be  feen  in  the  fame  apartAent. 

So 


220       OF- THE   SMALL-POX. 

Softrong  is  the  vulgar  prejudice  in  this  country^ 
notwithftanding  all  that  has  been  faid  againft  the 
hot  regimen  in  the  fmall-pox,  that  nunibers  ftill 
fall  a  facrifice  to  that  error.  I  have  fcen  poor 
women  travelling  in  the  depth  of  winter,  and  car- 
rying their  children  along  with  them  in  the  fmall- 
pox,  and  have  frequently  obfervcd  others  begging 
by  the  way-fide,  with  infants  in  their  arms  covered 
with  the  pvftulesi  yet  I  could  never  learn  that  one 
of  thefe  children  died  by  this  fort  of  treatment. 
This  is  certainly  a  fufficient  proof  of  the  fafety  at 
leaftj  of  expofing  patients  in  the  fmall-pox  to  the 
open  air.  There  can  be  no  reafon  however  for  ex- 
pofing them  to  public  view,  ft  is  now  very  com- 
mon in  the  environs  of  great  towns  to  meet  patients 
in  the  fmall-pox  on  the  public  walks.  This  prac- 
tice, however  well  it  may  fuic  the  purpofes  of 
boafting  inoculators>  is  dangerous  to  the  citizens, 
and  contrary  to  the  laws  ot  humanity  and  found 
policy. 

The  food  in  this  difcafe  ought  to  be  very  light, 
and  of  a  cooling  nature,  as  panado,  or  bread 
boiled  with  equal  quantities  ot  milk  and  water, 
good  apples  roafted  or  boiled  with  milk,  and  fweet- 
cncd  with  a  little  fugar,  or  fuch  like. 

The  drink  may  be  equal  parts  of  milk  and  water, 
clear  fweet  whey,  barley-water,  or  thin  gruel,  &c. 
After  the  pox  are  full,  butter-milk,  being  of  an 
opening  and  clcanfing  nature,  is  a  very  proper 
drink. 

MEDICINE. This  difeafe  is  generally  di- 

i^ided  into  four  different  periods,  viz.  the  fever 
which  precedes  the  eruption,  the  eruption  itfclf,  the 
fuppuration,  or  maturation  of  the  puilules,  and  the 
fecondary  fever. 

It  has  already  been  obferved,  that  little  more  is 
necefiary  during  the  primary  fever  than  to  keep  the 
patient  cool  and  quiet,  allowing  him  to  drink  di- 
luting 


OF   THE   SMALL-POX.       221 

luting  liquors,  and  bathing  his  feet  frequently  in 
warm  water.  Though  this  be  generally  the  faftft 
courfe  that  can  be  taken  with  infants,  yet  adults  of 
a  (Irong  conftitution  and  plethoric  habit  fometimes 
require  bleeding.  When  a  full  pulfc,  a  dry  Ikin, 
and  other  fymptoms  qf  inflammation  render  this 
operation  neccflary,  it  ought  to  be  performed;  'but, 
uniefs  thefe  fymptoms  are  urgent,  it  is  fafer  to  let  k 
aloncj  if  the  body  is  bound,  emollierit  dyfter&.majr 
be  thrown  in. 

If  there  is  a  great  naufca  or  inclination  to  vOfllit, 
weak  camomile-tea  or  lukewarm  water  may  be 
drank,  in  order  to  clean  the  ftomach.  Atthebe- 
ginning  of  a  fever,  Nature  generally  ittempts  a 
djfcharge,  either  upwards  or  downwards,  Which,  if 
promoted  by  gentle  means,  would  tend  greatly  to 
abate  the  violence  of  thcdileafe. 

Though  every  method  is  to  be  taken  during  the  ■ 
primary  fever,  by  a  cool  regimen,  &c.  t6  preveric 
too  great  an  eruption ;  yet  after  the  puftules  'have 
made  their  appearance,  our  bufinefs  is'to  (Jromoie 
the  fuppuration,  by  diluting  drink,  light  food,  and, 
.if  Nature  feems  to  flag,  by  generous  cordials. 
When  a  low,  creeping  pulfc,  faintilhncfs,  and  great 
lofs  of  ftrength,  render  cordials  neceffiry,  we  would 
recommend  good  wine,  wliii-h  may  be  made  into 
negus,  with  an  equal  quantity  of  water,  and  ftiarp- 
ened  with  the  juice  of  or-mge,  the  jelly  of  cur- 
rants, or  the  like.  Wine-whcj*,  iharpened  as 
above,  is  likewife  a  proper  drink  in  this  cafe; 
great  care  however  mult  be  taken  not  to  over- 
heat the  patient  by  any  of  thefc  things.  This, 
inftead  of  promo«ng,  would  retard  the  erup- 
tion. 

The  riflng  of  the  fmall-pox  is  often  previnftd 

by  the  violence  of  the  fcverj  in  thisYafc  (fie  cool 

regimen  is  ftriflly  to  be  obfervcd.     The  paflcm's 

chamber  muft  not  only  be  kept  cool,  btlcBe  ought 

like  wife 


aza      OF   tl^E   SMALL-POX. 

lil^ewife  frequently  to  be  taken  out  of  bed>  and  to 
be  lightly  covered  with  clothes  while  in  it. 

flxceinve  reftleflfnefs  often  prevents  the  rifiiig 
and  filling  of  the  fmalUj^ox.  When  this  happens, 
gentle  opiates  are  neceflary.  Thefe  however  ought 
always  to  be  adminiftered  with  a  fparing  hand.  To 
an  infant,  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the  fyrup  of  poppies 
itiay  be  given  every  five  or  (ix  hours  till  it  has  the 
deHred  efFeft.  An  adult  will  require  a  table-fpoon* 
ful  in  order  to  anfwer  the  fame  purpofe. 

If  the  patient  be  troubled  with  a  ftrangury,  or 
fuppreffion  of  urine,  which  often  happens  in  the 
fmall-pox,  he  ihould  be  frequently  taken  out  of 
bed,  and,  if  he  be  able,  ihould  walk  acrofs  the 
room  with  his  feet  bare.  When  he  cannot  do  this, 
he  may  be  frequently  fet  on  his  knees  in  bed,  and 
ihould  endeavour  to  pafs  his  urine  as  often  as.  he 
can.  When  thefe  do  not  fucceed,  a  tca-fpoouful  of 
the  fweet  fpirits  of  nitre  may  be  occafionally  mixed 
with  his  drink.  Nothing  more  certainly  relieves 
the  patient,  or  is  more  beneficial  in  the  fmall-pox, 
than  a  plentiful  difcharge  of  urine. 

If  the  mouth  be  foul,  and  the  tongue  dry  and 
chapped,  it  ought  to  be  frequently  wafhed,  and  the 
throat  gargled  with  water  and  honey,  fharpencd 
with  a  little  vinegar  or  currant  jelly. 

During  the  rifing  of  the  fmall-pox,  it  frequently 
happens  that  the  patient  is  eight  or  ten  days  with* 
out  a  flooL  This  not  only  tends  to  heat  and  in- 
flame the  blood,  but  the  faeces,  by  lodging  fo  long 
in  the  body,  become  acrid,  and  even  putrid ;  from 
-whence  bad  confcqucoces  mull  enfue.  It  will 
therefore  be  proper,  when  the  body  is  bound,  to 
throw  in  an  emollient  clyfter  every  fecond  or  third 
day,  through  the  whole  courfe  of  the  difeafe.  This 
will  greatly  cool  and  relieve  the  patient. 

When  petechias,  or  purple,  black,  or  livid  fpota 

appear  among  the  fmall-pox,  the  Peruvian  bark 

13  muft 


OF    THE    SMALL.POX.       zaj 

muft  immediately  be  adminiftered  in  as  large  dofes 
as  the  patient's  ftomach  can  bear.  For  a  child^  two 
drachms  of  the  bark  in  powder  may  be  mixed  in 
three  ounces  of  common  water,  one  ounce  of  fimple 
cinnamon-water,  and  two  ounces  of  the  fyrup  6£ 
orange  or  lemon.  This  may  be  fharpencd  with  the 
fpirits  of  vitriol,  and  a  table-fpoonful  of  it  given 
every  hour.  If  it  be  given  to  an  adult  in  the  fame 
form,  he  may  take  at  leaft  three  or  four  fpoonfuls 
every  hour.  This  medicine  ought  not  to  be  trifled 
with,  but  mud  be  adminiftered  as  frequently  as 
the  ftomach  can  bear  it ;  in  which  cafe  it  will  often 
produce  very  happy  effcfts.  I  have  frequently  feen 
the  petechias  difappear,  and  the  fmall-pox,  which 
had  a  very  threatening  afpe£b,  rife  and  fill  with 
laudable  matter^  by  the  ufe  of  the  bark  and 
acids. 

The  patient's  drink  ought  likewife  in  this  cafe 
to  be  generous,  as  wine  or  flrong  negus  acidulated 
with  fpirits  of  vitriol,  vinegar,  the  juice  of  lemon, 
jelly  of  currants,  or  fuch  like.  His  food  mult 
confift  of  apples  roafted  or  boiled,  preferred 
cherries,  plums,  and  other  fruits  of  an  acid 
nature. 

The  bark  and  acids  are  not  only  neceflTary  when 
the  petechiae  or  putrid  fymptoms  appear,  but  like* 
wife  in  the  lymphatic  or  cryftalline  fmall-pox, 
where  the  matter  is  thin,  and  not  duly  prepared. 
The  Peruvian  bark  feems  to  poflefs  a  fingular 
power  of  aflifting  Nature  in  preparing  laudable 
pus,  or  what  is  called  good  matter;  confequentjy 
it  mud  be  beneficial  both  in  this  and  other  difeafes, 
where  the  crifis  depends  on  a  fuppuration.  I  have 
often  obferved  where  the  fmall-pox  were  flat,  and 
the  matter  contained  in  them  quite  clear  and  tranf- 
parent,  and  where  at  firft  they  had  the  appearance 
of  running  into  one  another,  that  the  Peruvian  bark, 
acidulated  as  abovCj  change^  the  colour  and  con-* 

fillence 


^14      OF    THE    SMALL.POX. 

fiftencc  of  the  linfatter,  and  produced  the  moft  happy 
effcfts. 

When  the  eruption  fubfides  fuddenly,  or,  as  the 
good  women  term  it,  when  the  fnfiati-pox^rM^/A, 
before  they  have  arrived  at  maturity,  the  danger  is 
very  great.  In  this  cafe  bliftering-plafters  rauft  be 
immediately  applied  to  the  wrifts  and  ancleSj  aikl 
the  patient's  fpirits  fupported  with  cordials. 

Sometimes  bleeding  has  a  furprifing  eflfeA  in 
raiGng  the  puftules  after  they  have  fubfided ;  but 
it  requires  Ikill  to  know  when  this  is  proper,  or  to 
what  length  the  patient  can  bear  it.  Sharp  cata- 
plafms  however  may  be  applied  to  the  feet  and 
hands,  as  they  tend  to  promote  the  fwelling  of 
thcfc  parts,  and  by  that  means  to  draw  the  hu- 
mours towards  the  extremities. 

The  moft  dangerous  period  of  this  difeafe  is 
what  we  call  the  fecondary  fcvtr.  This  genwalJy 
comes  on  when  the  fmall-pox  begin  to  blaiiken,  6r 
turn  on  the  face;  and  moll  of  thofc  who  die  of  the 
fipall-pox  are  carried  oflF  by  this  fever. 

Nature  generally  attempts,  at  the  turn  of  the 
fmall-pox,  to  relieve  the  patient  by  loofc  ftools. 
Her  endeavours  this  way  are  by  no  means  to  be 
counteracted,  but  promoted,  and  the  patient  at  the 
fame  time  fupported  by  food  and  drink  of  a  noU- 
xilhing  and  cordial  nature. 

If,  at  the  approach  of  the  fecondary  fever,  the 
pulfe  be  very  quick,  hard,  and  ftrong,  the  heat 
intenfe,  and  the  breathing  laborious,  with  other 
fymptoms  of  an  inflammation  of  the  breaft,  the 
patient  muft  immediately  be  bled.  The  quantity  of 
blood  to  be  let  muft  be  regulated  by  the  patient's 
ftrength,  age,  and  the  urgency  of  the  fymp- 
toms. 

But,  in  the  fecondary  fever,  if  the  patient  be 
faintifb,  the  puftules  become  fuddenly  pale,  and 
if  there  be  great  coldncfs  of  the  extremities,  blifter- 

ing 


me^."^ 


OF    TH^    Sllf ALL-POX.        225 

iri^  jilafters  mufl  be  applied,  and  the  patient  mul^ 
Be  fupportcd  with  generous  cordials.  Wine  and 
ivch  Iprrirs  have  fomcrimes  been  given  in  fuch  cafci 
with  arriaanng  fuccefs, 

As.thcfccohdary  fever  is  in  great  mearurc,  if  not 
Wholly,  owing  to  the  abforptiori  of  the  matter,  \i 
Woul^  ftem  highly  confonant  to  reafon,  that  thd 
pdttulcs,  as  foon  as  they  come  to  maturity,  (hoivldt 
be  opened.  This  is  everyday  praftiftd  in  other 
phlegmons  which  tend  to  fuppuration ;  and  therd 
fiems  to  be  no  caufe  why  it  fhoul^d  be  lefs  proper 
here.  On  the  contrary,  we  have  reafon  to  believe, 
that  by  this  means  the  fecondary  fever  might  always^ 
be  leifened,  and  often  wholly  prevented. 

The  puftulcs  (hould  be  opened  when  they  begin 
to'  turn  of  a  yellow  colour.  Very  little  art  is  ne- 
ccflary  for  this  opei-ation.  They  may  either  be 
opened  with  a  lancet  or  a  needle,  and  the  matter 
abibrbed  by  a  little  dry  lint.  As  the  puftules  are 
generally  firft  ripe  on  the  face,  it  will  be  proper  to 
b^gin  with  opening  thcfe,  and  the  others  in  courfej 
as  thcV  become  ripe.  The  puftules  generally  fill 
again,  a  fecond  or  even  a  third  time;  for  which' 
CM^fe  the  operation  muft  be  repeated,  or  rather 
continued  as  long  as  there  is  any  confiderabie  ap- 
pearance of  matter  in  the  puftules. 

We  have  reafori  to  believe  that  this  operation, 
rational  aS  it  is,  has  been  neglected  from  a  piecp^ 
of  miftaken  tendernefs  in  parents.  They  believe 
that  it  muft  give  great  pain  to  the  poor  child;  ahdr 
therefore  would  rather  fee  it  die  than  have  it  thus 
tortured.  This  notion  however  is  entirely  without 
foundation.  I  have  frequently  opened  the  puftuleV 
when  the  patient  did  not  fee  me,  without  his  be- 
ing in  the  leaft  fenfible  of  it;  but  fuppofc  it  were 
attended  with  a  little  pain,  that  is  nothing  in  coni- 
parifon  to  the  advantages  which  arife  from  it. 

Q^  Opening 


126       OF    THE    SMALL-POX. 

Opening  the  puftulrs  not  only  prevents  the  re- 
forption  of  the  matter  into  the  bloody  but  likewife 
takes  off  the  tenfion  of  the  (kin,  and  by  that 
means  greatly  relieves  the  patient.  Ic  likewife 
tends  to  prevent  the  pitting,  which  is  a  matter  of 
no  fmall  importance.  Acrid  matter,  by  lodging 
long  in  the  puftules,  cannot  fail  to  corrode  the 
tender  (kin ;  by  which  many  a  handfome  face  be- 
comes  fo  deformed  as  hardly  to  bear  a  refemblance 
to  the  human  figure*. 

It  is  generally  neceflary,  after  the  fmall-pox  are 
gone  off,  to  purge  the  patient.  If  however  the 
body  has  been  open  through  the  whole  courfe  of 
the  difeafe,  or  it  butter-milk  and  other  things  of 
an  opening  nature  have  been  drank  freely  after 
the  height  of  the  fmall-pox,  purging  becomes 
Jefs  neceffary;  but  it  ought  never  wholly  to  be 
negleded. 

For  veiy  young  children,  an  infufion  of  fenna 
and  prunes,  with  a  little  rhubarb,  may  be  fwect- 
ened  with  coarfe  fugar,  and  given  in  fmall  quanti- 
ties till  it  operates.  Thofe  who  are  farther  advanced 
muft  take  medicines  of  a  fliarpcr  nature.  For  ex- 
ample, a  child  of  five  or  fix  years  of  age  may  take 
eight  or  ten  grains  of  fine  rhubarb  in  powder  over 
night,  and  the  fame  quantity  of  jalap  in  powder 
next  morning.  This  may  be  wrought  off  with 
frefli  broth  or  water- gruel,  and  may  be  repeated 
three  or  four  times,  five  or  fix  days  intervening  be- 
tween each  dofe.     For  children  further  advanced, 

♦  Though  this  operaiion  can  never  do  harm,  yet  it  is  only  nc« 
c^'Oary  uhen  the  puicnc  has  a  great  load  of  fmall-poXy  or  when 
the  matier  which  they  contain  is  of  fo  thin  and  acrid  a  nature, 
that  there  is  reafon  to  apprehend  bad  confequences  from  itt  be- 
ing too  quickly  reforbed,  or  taken  up  »gain  into  the  mafs  of 
cirtulkting  humouri. 

and' 


OF    THE    SMALL.POX.       217 

and  adults,  the  dofc  muft  be  increafed  in  propor- 
tion to  the  age  and  conftitution  *. 

When  impofthumcs  happen  after  the  fmall-pox, 
which  is  not  fcldom  the  cafe,  they  n^uft  be  brought 
to  fuppuration  as  foon  as  poflible,  by  nncans  of  ripen- 
ing poultices ;  and  when  they  have  been  opened,  or 
have  broke  of  their  own  accord,  the  patient  muft 
be  purged.  The  Peruvian  bark  and  a  milk  diet 
will  likewife  be  ufeful  in  this  cafe. 

When  a  cough,  a  difficulty  of  breathing,  or  other 
fymptoms  of  a  confumption,  fucceed  to  the  fmall- 
pox,  the  patient  muft  be  ftnt  to  a  place  where  chc 
air  is  good,  and  put  upon  a  courfc  of  afles  milk, 
with  fuch  exercife  as  he  can  bear.  For  further  di- 
reftions    in    this   cafe,    fee    the    article    Ccn/umf-- 

OF     INOCULATION. 

Though  no  difeafe,  after  it  is  formed,  baffles  the 
fK>wcrs  of  medicine  more  efFeftually  than  the  fmall- 
pox,  yet  more  may  be  done  before- hand  to  render 
this  difeafe  favourable  than  any  one  we  know,  as 
almoft  all  the  danger  from  it  may  be  prevented  by 
inoculation.  This  falutary  invention  has  been 
known  in  Europe  above  half  a  century  ;  but^  like 
moft  other  ufeful  difcoveries,  it  has  till  of  late 
made  but  flow  progrefs.  It  muft  however  be  ac- 
knowlcdged;  to  the  honour  of  this  country,  that 
inoculation  has  met  with  a  more  favourable  recep- 
tion here,  than  among  any  of  our  neighbours.  It 
is  ftill  however  far  from  being  general,  which  we 
have  reafon  to  fear  will  be  the  cafe,  as  long  as  the 
practice  continues  in  the  hands  of  the  faculty. 

*  I  have  of  late  been  accuftomed,  after  the  fmall-pox,  to 
give  one,  two,  three,  foufy  or  five  grains  of  calomel,  according 
to  the  age  of  the  patient,  over  night,  and  to  work  it  offnexc^ 
morning  with  a  fuitablc  dofc  of  jalap, 

Q^a  No 


aa8         OF  THE  SMALL-POX. 

No  difcQv.ery  can  be  of  general  utility,  while  the 
prafiice  of  it  is  kept  in  the  hands  of  a  few.  Had 
t\kc  inoculation  of  the  fmall-pox  been  introdticed  as 
a.  falhion,  and  not  as  a  medical  difcovery^  or  had  it 
been  pra£tifed  by  the  fame  kind  of  operators  here,  as^ 
it  is  in  thofe  countries  from  whence  we  learned  it,  it 
had  long  ago  been  univerfal.  The  fears,  the  ica-» 
Ipufies,  the  prejudices,  and  the  oppoGte  intere^lbs  of 
the  faculty,  are,  and  ever  will  be,  the  moli  effeAual 
djbilacles  to  the  progrefs  of  any  falutary  difcovery. 
Hence  it  is  that  the  praftice  of  inoculation  never  be- 
came in  any  meafure  general,  even  in  England, 
tjll  taken,  up  by  men  not  bred  to  phyfic.  Thefe 
have  not  only  rendered  the  pradlice  more  extcnfive, 
bjDt  likewifc  more  fafc,  and  by  adding  under  lefs  re- 
ftraint  than  the  regular  praftitioners,  have  taught 
them  that  the  patient's  greatell  danger  arofe,  not 
from  the  want  of  care,  but  from  the  excefs  of  it. 

They  know  very  little  of  the  matter,  who  impute 
the  fucce.fs  of  modern  inoculators  to  any  fuperior 
Ikill,  either  in  preparing  the  patient  or  communicat- 
ing the  difeafe.  Some  of  them  indeed,  from  a  fordid 
defire  of  engrofling  the  whole  praftice  to  themfelves, 
pretend  to  have  extraordinary  fecrets  or  hoftrums  for 
preparing  perfons  for  inoculation,  which  never  fail 
of  lucceis.  But  this  is  only  a  pretence  calculated  to 
blind  the  ignorant  and  inattentive.  Common  fenfc 
and  prudence  alone  are  fufficient  both  in  the  choice 
of  the  fubjeft  and  management  of  the  operation. 
Whoever  is  poflefled  of  thefe  may  perform  this 
office  for  his  children  whenever  he  finds  it  conve- 
nient, provided  they  be  in  a  good  (late  of  health. 

This  fentiment  is  not  the  refult  of  theory,  but  of 
obfervation.  Though  few  phyficians  have  had  more 
opportunities  of  trying  inoculation  in  all  its  different 
forms,  fo  little  appears  to  me  to  depend  on  thofe> 
generally  .reckoned  important  circumilances,  of  pre* 
paring  the  body,  communicating  the  infeftion  by 

8  this 


OF  THE  SMALL.POX.         229 

this  or  the  other  method,  &c.  that  for  fcveral  years 
paft  I  have  perfuaded  the  parents  or  nurfcs  to  per- 
form the  whole  themfelves,  and  have  found  that 
method  followed  with  equal  fuccefs,  while  it  is  free 
from  nrrany  inconveniences  that  attend  the  other*. 

The  fmall-pox  may  be  communicated  in  a  great 
variety  of  ways  with  nearly  the  fame  degree  of  fafety 
and  fuccefs.  In  Turkey,  from  whence  we  learned 
the  praftice,  the  women  communicate  the  difeafe  to 
children,  by  opening  a  bit  of  the  fkin  with  a  needle, 
and  putting  into  the  wound  a  little  matter  takeh 
from  a  ripe  puftule.  On  the  coaft  of  Barbary  they 
pafs  a  thread  wet  with  the  matter  through  the  fkirt 
between  the  thumb  and  fore-finger;  and  in  fome  of 
the  dates  of  Barbary,  inoculation  is  performed  by 
rubbing  in  the  variolous  matter  between  the  thumb 
and  fore-finger,  or  on  other  parts  of  the  body. 
The  praftice  of  communicating  the  fmallpox,  by 
rubbing  the  variolous  matter  upon  the  Ikin,  has 
been  long  known  in  many  parts  of  Afia  and  Europe, 
as  well  as  in  Barbary,  and  has  generally  gone  by  the 
n^mc  o(  buying  theJmall-pox\ 

*  A  critical  (ituatlon,  too  often  to  be  met  with,  fird  put  mt 
upon  trying  this  meihod.  A  gentlemnn  who  had  loll  all  W\% 
children  except  one  Ton  by  the  natural  ImalUpqx,  was  determined 
to  have  him  inoculated.  He  told  me  his  intention,  and  defired  I 
would  perfuade  the  mother  and  grandmother,  &c.  of  its  prb'^ 
priety.  But  that  was  impo/fible.  "I'hcy  were  not  to  be  per- 
fuaded^ and  either  could  not  get  the  better  of  their  fears,  or 
were  determined  againll  convidion.  It  was  always  a  point  with 
me,  not  to  perform  the  operation  without  the  con  fen  t  of  the 
parties  concerned.  I  therefore  advifed  the  father,  after  giving 
his  fon  a  dofe  or  two  of  rhubarb,  to  go  to  a  patient  who^had  the 
fmall-pox  of  a  good  kind,  to  open  two  or  three  of  the  pullules, 
taking  up  the  matter  with  a  little  cotton,  and  a&  foon  as  became 
home  to  take  his  fon  apart,  and  give  his  arm  a  (light  fcratch  with 
a  pin,  afterwards  to  rub  the  place  well  with  the  cotton,  and  take 
no  farther  notice  of  it.  AH  this  he  punctually  performed  ;  and 
at  the  ufual  period  the  fmall-pox  made  their  appearance,  which 
were  of  an  exceeding  good  kind,  and  fo  mild  as  not  to  confine 
the  boy  an  hour  to  his  bed.  None  of  the  other  relations  knew 
bat  the  difeafe  had  come  in  the  natural  way,  till  the  bo/  was 
well. 


430        OF  THE  SMALL-POX* 

The  prefcnt  method  of  inoculating  in  Britain  is  tp 
make  two  or  turee  flanting  incifions  in  the  arm,  fo 
fuperficial  as  not  to  pierce  quite  through  the  fkin, 
with  a  lancet  wet  with  frelh  matter  taken  from  a  ripe 
puftule ;  afterwards  the  wounds  are  clofed  up,  and 
left  without  any  drefling.  Some  make  ufe  of  a  lan- 
cet covered  with  the  dry  matter  j  but  this  is  lefs  cer- 
tain, and  ought  never  to  be  ufed  unkfs  where  frefh 
matter  cannot  be  obtained:  when  this  is  the  cafe, 
the  matter  ought  to  be  moiftcned  by  holding  the 
lancet  for  fome  time  in  the  (team  of  warm  water*. 

Indeed,  if  frefh  matter  be  applied  long  enough 
to  the  fkin,  there  is  no  occafion  for  any  wound  at 
all.  Let  a  bit  of  thread,  about  half  an  inch  long, 
wet  with  the  matter,  be  immediately  applied  to  the 
arm,  midway  between  the  fhoulder  and  the  elbow, 
and  covered  with  a  piece  of  the  common  flicking 
plader,  and  kept  on  for  eight  or  ten  days.  Thi% 
will  feldoiT)  fail  to  communicate  the  difeafe.  We 
mention  this  method,  becaufc  many  people  arc 
afraid  of  a  wound  i  and  doubtlefs  the  more  eafily  the 
operat'.on  can  be  performed,  it  has  the  greater 
chance  to  become  general.  Some  people  imagine, 
that  the  difcharge  from  a  wound  IcfTens  the  erup- 
tion i  but  there  is  no  great  ftrefs  to  be  laid  upon  this 
nption  ;  befides,  deep  wounds  often  ulcerate,  and 
become  troublclomc. 

We  do  not  find  that  inoculation  is  atall  confidered 
as  a  medical  operation  in  chofe  countries  from  whence 
v/e  learned  it.  In  Turkey  it  is  performed  by  the 
women,  and  in  the  Eaft  Indies  by  the  Brachmins  or 
pricfts/  In  this  country  the'  cultom  is  ftill  in  its 
infancy;  we  make  no  doubt,  however,  but  it  will 

*  Mr.  Tronchin  communicates  this  difeafe  by  a  little  bit  of 
thread  dipt  in  the  matter,  which  he  covers  with  a  fmall  bliilering- 
plai>er.  This  method  may  no  doubt  be  ufed  with  advantage  la 
thofe  cafes  where  the  patient  is  very  much  alarmed  at  the  fight  of 
^Q/  putting  ioitrument. 

foon 


OF  THE  SMALL.POX,         iji 

foon  become  fo  familiar,  that  parents  will  think  no 
more  of  inoculating  their  children,  than  at  prefent 
they  do  of  giving  them  a  purge. 

No  fct  of  men  have  it  fo  much  in  their  power  to 
render  the  praftice  of  inoculation  general  as  the 
clergy,  the  greateft  oppoficion  to  it  ftill  arifingfrom 
feme  fcruples  of  confcience,  which  they  alone  can 
remove.  I  would  recommend  it  to  them  not  only 
to  endeavour  to  remove  the  religious  objeftions 
which  weak  minds  may  have  to  this  falutary  praftice, 
but  to  enioin  it  as  a  duty,  and  to  point  out  the  dan- 
ger of  neglefting  to  make  ufe  of  a  mean  which  Pro- 
vidence has  put  in  our  power  for  faving  the  lives  of 
our  offspring.  Surely  fuch  parents  as  wilfully  neg- 
left  the  means  of  faving  their  children's  lives,  are 
as  guilty  as  thofe  who  put  them  to  death.  I  widi 
this  matter  were  duly  weighed.  No  one  is  more 
.ready  to  make  allowance  for  human  weaknefs  and 
religious  prejudices,  yet  I  cannot  help  recommend- 
ing it,  in  the  warmed  manner,  to  parents,  to  con- 
fider  how  great  an  injury  they  do  their  children,  by 
neglefting  to  give  them  this  difeafe  in  the  early 
period  of  life. 

The  numerous  advantages  arifing  from  the  inocu- 
lation of  the  fmall-pox  have  been  pretty  fully 
pointed  out  by  the  learned  Dr.  M'Kenzie,  in  his 
Hiftory  of  Health*.     To  thofe  mentioned  by  the 

Do(5tor 

♦  *' Many  and  great,"  fays  tSis  humane  aathor,  **  are  the  dingers 
attending  the  natural  infei^ion,  from  all  which  the  inoculation  is 
quite  fecure.  The  natural  infedlion  may  invade  weak  or  dillem- 
pered  bodies,  by  no  means  difpoled  for  its  kindly  reception.  It 
may  attack  them  at  a  feafon  of  the  year  either  violently  hotorin- 
tcnfely  cold.  It  may  be  communicated  from  a  fort  of  fmall-pox 
impregnated  with  the  utmofl  virulence.  It  may  lay  hold  upon 
people  unexpededly,  when  a  dangerous  fort  is  imprudently  im- 
ported into  a  maritime  phce.  It  may  furprife  us  foon  after 
e;fcefl'es  committcJ  in  luxury,  intemperance,  orlewdnels.  It  may 
likewife  feize  on  the  innocent  aff^r  indifpeofable  watchings,  hard 

0^4  labour. 


32         OF  THE  SMALL-POX. 

poAor  we  fiball  only  add,  that  fuch  as  have  not  had 
the  fmall-pox  in  the  early  period  of  iife^  are  noc 
only  rendered  unhappy,  but  likewife  in  a  grpac 
rncafure  u^ifit  for  futiaining  many  of  the  mod  ufc- 
fuj  and  important  offices.  Few  people  would  chufe 
even  to  hire  a  fervanr  who  had  not  had  the  fmall- 
pox,  far  Icfs  to  purchafc  a  flave  who  had  the  chance 
of  dying  of  this  difeafe.  How  could  a  phyfician  or 
a  furgeon,  who  had  never  had  the  fmall-pox  himfelfj 
attend  others  under  that  malady  ?  How  deplorah^e 
is  the  fituation  of  females,  who  arrive  at  mature  age 
withoujt  having  had  the  fmall-pox !  A  woman  with 
child  feldom  furvives  this  difeafe:  and  if  an  infant 
happen  to  be  feized  with  the  fmall-pox  upon  the 

labour,  or  necelTary  journies.  And  is  it  a  trivial  advantage,  that  * 
all  thi^fe  unhappy  CTfcumnances  can  be  prevented  by  inoculation? 
By  inoculation  numbers  are  faved  from  deformity  as  well  at  from 
death.  In  the  natural  fmall-pox,  how  often  are  the  fined  features, 
and  the  mod  beautiful  complexions,  miferahly  disfigured  ?  Whertaa 
inocuUtioR  rarely  leaves  any  ugly  marks  or  fears,  even  where  the 
namber  of  pullules  on  the  face  has  been  vtry  confiderable,' and 
thefymptoms  by  no  means  favourable.  And  many  other  grievous 
complaints,  that  are  frequently  fubfequent  to  the  natural  fort» 
feldom  follow  the  artificial.  Does  not  inoculation  alfo  prevent 
thofe  inexpreiT.hle  terrors  that  perpetually  harafs  perfons  who  ne- 
ver had  this  difeafe,  infomuch  that  when  the  fmall-pox  is  epide- 
inical,  entire  villages  are  depopulated^  markets  ruined,  and  the 
face  of  didrefs  fpread  over  the  whole  country?  From  this  terror 
itarifes,  thatjudice  is  frequently  podponed,  or  difcouraged,  a|t 
fedions  or  aflizes  where  the  fmall-pox  rages.  WitneiTes  and 
juries  dare  not  appear ;  and  by  reafon  of  the  necedary  abfence  of 
ibme  gentlemen,  our  honourable  and  ufeful  judges  are  not  at- 
tended with  that  reverence  and  fplendour  due  to  their  office  and 
merit.  Does  not  inoculation,  in  like  manner,  prevent  our  brave 
faiiors  from  being  feized  with  this  didemper  on  diipboard,  where 
they  mud  quickly  fpread  the  infedUon  among  fuch  of  the  crew 
who  never  had  it  before,  and  where  they  have  fcarce  any  chance 
to  efcape,  being,  half  difled  with  the  clofcnefs  of  their  cabins* 
and  but  vtry  indiffirrently  nurfed?  Ladly,  with  regard  to  the 
foldiery,  the  mtferies  attending  thefe  poor  creatures,  when  at* 
tacked  by  the  fmall-pox  on  a  march,  are  inconceivable,  without 
attendance,  without  lodgings,  without  any  accommodation :  fo 
thatonp  of  three  commonly  peridies.'' 

mother's 


OF  THE  SMALL-POX.        233 

mother's  breaft^  who  has  not  had  the  difeafe  herfelfj 
the  fcene  muft  be  diftreflTing !  If  (he  continue  to 
fuckle  the  child,  it  is  at  the  peril  of  her  own  lifei 
and  if  fixe  wean  it,  in  all  probability  it  will  perifb. 
How  often  is  the  aflfeftionate  mother  forced  to  leave 
her  houfe,  and  abandon  her  children,  at  the  very 
time  wl^en  her  care  is  moft  necefTary  i  Yet  ibould 
parental  affedion  get  the  better  pf  her  fears,  the 
coofequences  would  often  prove  fatal*  I  have 
known  the  tender  mother  and  her  fucking  infant 
laid  in  the  fame  grave^  both  untimely  victims  to 
this  dreadful  malady.  But  thefe  are  fcenes  tod 
(hocking  even  to  mention.  Let  parents  who  run 
away  with  their  children  to  avoid  the  fmall-pox,  or 
who  refufe  to  inoculate  them  in  infancy,  confider  to 
what  deplorable  Htuations  they  may  be  reduced  by 
this  miftaken  tendernefs ! 

As  the  fmall-pox  is  now  become  an  epidemical 
difeafe  in  moft  parts  of  the  known  world,  no  other 
choice  remains  but  to  render  the  malady  as  mild  ad 
poflTible.  This  is  the  only  manner  of  extirpatioa 
now  left  in  our  power;  and  though  it  may  feem 
paradoxical,  the  artificial  method  of  communicate, 
ing  the  difeafe,  could  it  be  rendered  univcria]^ 
^vould  amount  to  nearly  the  lame  thing  as  rooting' 
i(  out.  It  is  a  matter  of  fmaU  consequence,  whether 
a  difeafe  be  entirely  extirpated,  or  rendered  fomild 
as  neither  to  deftroy  life  nor  hurt  the  conflitution ; 
but  that  this  may  be  done  by  inoculation,  docs  not. 
now  admit  of  a  doubt.  The  numbers  who  die  un- 
der inoculation  hardly  deferve  to  be  named^  In.  the 
natural  way,  one  in  four  or  five  generally  dues;  but 
by  inoculation  not  one  of  a  thoufand.  Nay,  fomc 
can  boafl  of  having  inoculated  ten  thoufand  without 
the  lofs  of  a  fingle  patient. 

I  have  often  wilhed  to  fee  fome  plan  eftablilbcd 
for  rendering  this  falutary  pradice  univerfaL;  bii€ 
am  afraid  I  IhalL  never  be  fo  happy.     The  dtffi^ 

culties 


fij4       OP    THE    SMALL. POX, 

culncs  indeed  arc  many;  yet  the  thing  is  by  no 
means  imprafticable.  The  aim  is  great;  no  lefs 
than  faving  the  livcs^  of  one-fourth  part  of  man- 
kind. What  oCight  not  to  be  attempted  in  order 
to  accomplifh  fo  defirable  an  end  ? 

The  firll  ftep  towards  rendering  the  praftice  uni- 
verfal,  muft  be  to  remove  the  religious  prejudices 
againft  it.  This,  as  already  obfcrved,  can  only  be 
done  by  the  clergy.  They  muft  not  only  recom- 
mend it  as  a  duty  to  others,  but  likewife  praftife 
it  on  their  own  children.  Example  will  ever  have 
more  influence  than  precept. 

The  next  thing  requifite  is  to  put  it  in  the  power 
of  all.  For  this  purpofe  v(e  would  recommend  it  to 
the  Faculty  to  inoculate  the  children  of  the  poor 
gratis.  It  is  hard  that  fo  ufeful  a  part  of  mankind 
ihould  by  their  poverty  be  excluded  from  fuch  a 
benetit. 

Should  this  fai]>  it  is  furely  in  the  power  of  any 
State  to  render  the  pradtice  general,  at  leaft  as  far 
as  their  dominion  extends.  We  do  not  mean  that  it 
ought  to  be  enforced  by  a  law.  The  beft  way  to 
promote  it  would  be  to  employ  a  fufficient  number 
of  operators  at  the  public  expence  to  inoculate  the 
children  of  the  poor.  This  would  only  be  nc- 
cefiary  till  the  praftice  became  general;  afterwards 
cruftom,  the  ftrongcft  of  all  laws,  would  oblige 
every  individual  to  inoculate  his  children  to  pre- 
vent refleftions. 

It  may  be  objefted  to  this  fcheme,  that  the  poor 
would  refufe  to  employ  the  inoculators :  this  diffi- 
culty is  eaflly  removed.  A  fmall  premium  to  en- 
able mothers  to  attend  their  children  while  under 
the  difeafe,  would  be  a  fufficient  inducement;  be- 
fides,  the  fuccefs  attending  the  operation  would  foon 
banifh  all  objections  to  it.  Even  confiderations  of 
profit  would  induce  the  poor  to  embrace  this  plan. 
They  often  bring  up  their  children  to  the  age  of  ten 

or 


m--^. 


OF    THE    SMALL-POX.       235 

or  twelve,  and  when  they  come  to  be  ufeful,  they 
are  fnatched  away  by  this  malady,  to  the  great  lo(s 
of  their  parents,  and  detriment  of  the  public. 

The  Britifti  legiflature  has  of  late  years  fhewn 
great  attention  to  the  prcfcrvation  of  infant  livcs^ 
by  fupporting  the  foundling  hofpital,  &c.  But  we 
will  venture  to  fay,  if  one- tenth  part  of  the  fums 
laid  out  in  fupporting  that  inftitution,  had  been 
bellowed  towards  promoting  the  praftice  of  inocu- 
lation of  the  fmalUpox  among  the  poor,  that  not 
only  more  ufeful  lives  had  been  faved,  but  the 
praftice  ere  now  rendered  quite  univerfal  in  this 
ifland.  It  is  not  to  be  imagined  what  effcdt  ex- 
ample and  a  little  money  will  have  upon  the  poor; 
yet,  if  left  to  themfelves,  they  would  go  on  for 
ever  in  the  old  way,  without  thinking  of  any  im- 
provement.  We  only  mean  this  as  a  hint  to  the 
humane  and  public- fpirited.  Should  fuch  a  fchemc 
be  approved,  a  proper  plan  might  eafily  be  laid 
down  for  the  execution  of  it. 

But  as  public  plans  are  very  difficult  to  bring 
about,  and  often,  by  the  felfifh  views  and  mifcon- 
du6k  of  thofe  intruded  with  the  execuiion  of  them, 
fail  of  anfwcring  the  noble  purpofes  for  which  they 
Were  defigned ;  we  (hall  therefore  point  out  fomc 
Other  method  by  which  the  benefits  of  inoculation 
niay  be  extended  to  the  poor. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  inoculators  will  daily  be- 
come more  numerous.  We  would  therefore  have 
every  parifh  in  Britain  to  allow  one  of  them  a  fmall 
annual  falary  for  inoculating  all  the  children  of  the 
parifti  at  a  proper  age.  This  might  be  done  at  a 
Very  trifling  expence,  and  it  would  enable  every 
one  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  this  falutary  inven- 
tion. 

Two  things  chiefly  operate  to  prevent  the  pro- 
grefs  of  inoculation.  The  one  is  a  wifti  to  put  the 
^vil  day  as  far  off  as  polfible.     This  is  a  principle 

in 


!ij6        OF    THE    SMALL-«>03t. 

in  our  nature;  and  as  inoculation  fdfrtns  raiiher  fO 
i)C  anticipating  «  futore  evil,  it  is  no  'wonuer  mati- 
kind  are  fo  averfe  to  it.  But  this  objeftioti  is  fuffi- 
ciently  anfwcred  by  the  fucctfs.  Who  in  his  fenfes 
would  not  prefer  a  leflTer  evil  to-day  to  a  greiatck* 
to-morrow,  provided  they  were  equally  certain? 

The  other  obftacle  is  the  fear  of  refleftiohs. 
This  has  very  great  weight  with  the  bulk  of  man- 
kind. Should  the  child  die,  they  think  the  World 
would  blame  them.  This  they  cannot  bear!  Here 
lies  the  difficulty;  and  till  that  be  removed,  inocu- 
lation will  make  but  fmall  progrefs.  Nothing 
however  can  remove  it  but  cuftom.  Make  the 
praftice  faftiionable,  and  all  objeftions  will  foon 
vanifh.  It  is  fafhion  alone  that  has  led  the  mulci* 
tudc  fince  the  beginning  of  the  world,  and  will 
lead  them  to  the  end.  We  muft  therefore  call  upon 
the  more  enlightened  part  of  mankind  to  fet  a  pat- 
tern to  the  reft.  Their  example,  though  it  may  for 
fome  time  meet  with  oppofuion,  will  at  length 
prevail. 

I  am  aware  of  an  objeftion  to  this  pra6tice  fronfi 
the  expence  with  which  it  may  be  attended  :  this 
is  eafily  obviated.  We  do  not  mean  that  every 
parilh  ought  to  employ  a  Sutton  or  a  Dimfdale  as 
inoculaiors.  Thefe  have  by  their  fucccfs  ali'eady 
recommended  themfelvcs  to  crowned  heads,  and 
are  beyond  the  vulgar  reach  ;  but  have  not  others 
an  equal  chance  to  fucceed  ?  They  certainly  have. 
Let  them  make  the  fame  trial,  and  the  difficulties 
will  feon  vanifli.  There  is  not  a  parifh,  and  hardly 
a  village  in  Britain,  deftitute  of  fome  perfon  who 
can  bleed.  But  this  is  a  far  more  difficult  ope- 
ration, and  requires  both  more  fkill  and  dexterity 
than  inoculation. 

The  perfons  to  whom  we  would  chiefly  recom- 
mctid  the  performance  of  this  operation  are  the 
clergy.  Moft  of  them  know  fomething  of  medi- 
cine. 


OF  THiE  SMALL-FOX.  237. 
cine,  Atmoit  ^U  of  thenn  bleed,  and  can  ord«e  a 
purge,  which  are  ajl  tlie-  qualificacioiis.  neceffwjr 
fof  [he  pca^iceof  inoculation.  The  priefts  among 
the  lefs  enlighcened  Indians  perform  this  office,  and 
why  fhould  a  Chriftian  tew;ht;r  think  bimlclf  abeve 
it  ?  Surely  the  bodies  of  mea^  is-  well  as  their 
fouls,  merit  a,  part  of  the  pflftotV  carej  at  loaft 
the  greateft  Teacher  who  e*«r  appeared  among  mea 
feems  to  have,  thought  fot 

Should  all  other  methods  fail,  we  would  recom- 
mend it  to  parents. to  pjorformMhe  opcraEbn  them-r' 
felves.  Let  them  take  any  method  of  commuoi-; 
eating  the  difeafe  they  pleafe ;  provid«d  tlie  fubo. 
jeft-s  be  healthy,  and  of  a,  proper  agff»  they  will' 
feldom  fail  to  fucceed.  to. their  wilh*  I  have  knowat 
many  inflances  even  of  mothprs  performing  th© 
operation,  aod-  never  fo  much  as  heard  of  one  b^d 
confcquencfc  A  planter  in  one  of  the  Weft  Indtai 
iQand)  i&  faid  to  have-  inoculated,  with  his  own) 
hand,  in  one  year,  three  hundred  of  his  flaves^,! 
who,  notwJthftanding  the  warmth  of  the  climate, 
aad  othcF  unfavourable  circumAances,  all  did  wtlK. 
.  Common  mechanics  have'  often,  to  my  know>- 
ledge,  performed  the,  opcration-with  as  good  fuo- 
ccfs  as  phyficians.  We  do  not  however  mean  to; 
^ifcourage  thofe  who  have  itin  their  power,  from- 
employing  people  of  fkilt  to  inociilaLe  their  chiU 
^rent  and  att«nd  them  while- under  ths  difeafe^ 
hm  only  to  (hew,  that  where  fuch  cannot-  be  had, 
«hc  operation' oughi  not  upon  thac  account  tobft 
■xieglcdted. 

Inft«ad  of  multiplying  arguments  to  recommend: 
vhis  pradice,  I  fhalljuCb  beg  leave  to  mention  thei 
*ncthod  which  I  took,  with  my  own  fon,  thco.aor, 
^)nly  child.  After  giving  him  two  gentle  purges, 
1  ordered  the  nurfe  to  take  a  bit  of  thread  which 
iiad  been,  previoully  wet  .with  frcfh  mattur  front  a^ 
^ock,  and  to  lay  it  upon  his  arm,  covering.it  wiili; 

a  piece 


sjS       OF    THE    SMALL-POX. 

a  piece  of  fticking-pUfter.  This  remained  on  fm  or 
fevcn  days,  .till  it  was  rubbed  ofF  by  accident.  Ac 
the  ufual  time  the  fmall  pox  made  their  appear- 
ance, and  were  exceedingly  favourable.  Surely  this, 
which  is  all  that  is  generally  necelTary,  may  be  done 
without  any  Ikilt  in  medicine. 

We  have  been  the  more  full  upon  this  fubjcft  be- 
caufe  the  bencBtsof  inoculation  cannot  be  extended 
to  fociciy  by  any  other  means  than  making  the 
praflice  general.  While  it  is  confined  to  a  few,  it 
mud  prove  hurtful  to  the  whole.  By  means  of  il 
the  contagion  is  fpread,  and  is  communicated  to 
many  who  might  othcrwife  never  have  had  the  dif- 
eafe.  Accordingly  it  is  found  that  more  die  of  the 
fmflfll-pox  now  than  before  inoculation  was  intro- 
duced; and  this  important  difcovery,  by  which 
'  alone  more  lives  might  be  faved  than  by  all  the  en- 
deavours of  the  Faculty,  is  in  a  great  meafure  loft 
by  its  benefits  not  being  extended  to  the  whole 
community  *. 

I'he  fpring  and  autumn  have  been  ufually 
reckoned  the  molt  proper  feafons  for  inoculation, 
on  account  of  the  weather  being  then  moft  tem- 
perate j  but  it  ought  to  be  confidered  that  thcfe  arc 
generally  the  moft  unhealthy  feafons  of  the  whole 
year.  Undoubtedly  the  beft  preparation  for  the 
difeafe  is  a  previous  good  ftate  of  health.  I  have 
always  obferved  ihat  children  in  particular  are  more 
fickly  towards  the  end  of  fpring  and  autumn  than 
at  any  other  time  of  the. year.  On  this  account,  as 
well  as  for  the  advantage  of  cool  air,  I  would  pro- 
pofe  winter  as  the  moft  proper  feafon  for  inocu- 
lation J  though,  on  every  other  confideraiion,  the 
fpring  would  feem  to  be  preferable. 

*  B?  *  well-laid  plan  for  e^itCDding  inoculation,  norf  lives 
ntgtit  be  faved  at  a  fmall  expcnce,  than  are  at  prefenc  prefervrd 
by  all  the  hofpitali  in  EDgland,  which  colt  the  poblic  facb  W 
Uiuing  ftHDi 

The 


OF   THE   SMALL-POX.        ajp 

.  The  mod  proper  age  for  inoculation  is  between 
three  and  five.  Many  approve  of  inoculating  on 
the  breads  and  where  no  circumftances  forbid  this 
practice,  I  have  no  objedion  to  it.  Children^ 
however^  are.  more  liable  to  convulQons  at  this 
time  than  afterwards  i  befides^  the  anxiety  of  the 
mother  or  nurfe,  (hould  the  child  be  in  danger^* 
would  not  fail  to  heighten  it  by  fpoiling  the  milK» 

Children  who  have  conditutional  difeafes  niuft 
neverthelefs  be  inoculated.  It  will  often  mend 
the  habit  of  body  j  but  ought  to  be  performed  «c 
a  time  when  they  are  mod  healthy.  Accidental 
difeafes  Ihould  always  be  removed  before  inocu^ 
lation. 

It  is  generally  thought  neceflTiry  to  regulate  the 
diet  for  fomc  time  before  the  dilVafe  be  commu- 
nicated. In  children,  however,  great  alceratioa 
in  diet  is  fcldom  nccefl^ary,  their  food  being  com- 
monly of  the  moft  fimplc  and  wholefomc  kind,  as 
milk,  water-pap,  weak  broths,  bread,  light  pud- 
ding, mild  roots,  and  whi:c  meats. 

But  children  who  have  been  accuflomed  to  a 
hotter  diet,  who  are  of  a  grufs  habit,  or  abound- 
with  bad  humours,  ought  to  be  put  upon  a  fparc 
diet  before  they  are  inoculated.  Their  food  Ihould 
be  of  a  light  cooling  nature,  and  their  drink  whey, 
butter-milk,  and  fuch  like. 

We  would  recommend  no  other  medicinal  pre- 
paration but  two  or  three  mild  purges,  which  ought 
to  be  fuited  to  the  age  and  Ilrength  of  the  patient. 
The  fuccefs  of  inoculators  docs  not  depend  on  the 
preparation  of  their  patients,  but  on  their  manage* 
mcnt  of  them  while  under  the  difeafe.  Their  con- 
ilant  care  is  to  keep  them  cool,  and  their  bodies 
gently  open,  by  which  means  the  fever  is  kept 
low,  and  the  eruption  greatly  leflened.  The  dan- 
ger is  fcldom  great  when  the  puftules  are  few]  and 
their  number  is  generally  in  proportion  to  the  fever 

3  which 


040  OF    TWE    MEASLES. 

which  precedes  and  attends  the  cfri:^(:|tion«  Hdnce 
the  chief  fecret  of  inoculation  condft^  in  regaining 
tht  criiptivc  fever,  which  genafally  may  be  kept 
fvfikiently  low  by  the  methods  meirtioned  above* 
*  The  regimen  during  the  difeafe  h  in  all  rcfpftdts 
the  fame  as  under  the  natural  fmall-pox.  The  pa* 
xknt  muft  be  kept  cool,  his  diet  fhotild  be  lights 
and  hrs  drink  weak  and  diluting,  &c«  Should  any 
hfsidi  fymptoms*  appear,  which  is  feldortri  the  cafe, 
they  moft  be  treated  in  the  fame  way  as  dircfted  in 
the-  natural  fmall-pox;  Purging  is  not  lefs  ne« 
cefiary  after  the  fmall-pox  by  inoculation  than  in 
the  naturalway>  and  ought  by  no*  means  to  be  ne- 
gleftcd. 


G  H  A  P.    XXIV. 

OF    THE    MEASLES, 

^Tp*  H  E  meades  appeared  in  Europe  about  the  famfe 
•*'  time  with  the  frriall-pox,  and  have  a  great 
afflttity  to  that  difeafe.  They  both  came  from  the 
fanne  quarter  of  the  worldi  afe  both  infc&ious, 
and  feldom  attack  the  fame  perfon  more  than  once* 
The  meafles  are  moft  common  in  the  fpringfealbn, 
afnd'  generally  difappear  in  fummct.  The  difeafe 
itfelf,  when  properly  managed,  feldonfi  proves. fatal; 
but  its  confequcnccS  are  often  vefy  troublcfottie. 

CAUSE. This  difeafe,    like  the  fmalUpox; 

proceeds  from  ihfcftion,  and  is  more  or  lefs  dan- 
gerous according  to  the  conftitution  of  the  pa* 
tient,  the  fcafon  of  the  year,  the  climate,  &t. 

SYMPTOMS. The  meadcfs,  lik^  other- ft-' 

vers,  are  preceded  by  alternate  fiw  of  hekr  and 
coW,  with  ficknefti    and'  loft  of  appetite.'    The 

tongue 


OF   THE  MEASLES.  441 

Mngue  is  white,  but  generally  moift.  There  is  a 
ihort  cough,  a  hcavintrfs  of  the  head  and  eyes* 
drpwfinefs,  and  a  running  at  the  nofe.  Some- 
times indeed  the  cough  does  not  come  before  the 
eruption  has  appeared.  '  There  is  an  inflammation 
and  heat  in  the  eyes,  accompanied  with  adefluxlon 
of  (harp  rheum,  and  great  acutenefs  of  fenfation, 
id  that  they  cannot  bear  the  light  without  pain. 
The  eye-lids  frequently  fwcll  fo  as  to  occafion 
blindnefs.  The  patient  generally  complains  of  bit 
lliroati  and  a  vomiting  or  loofenefs  often  precede* 
the  eruption.  The  ftools  in  children  are  commonly 
grecnirfij  they  complain  of  an  itching  of  the  fltin^ 
and  are  remarkably  peevifh.'  Bleeding  at  the  nofe 
is  common,  both  before  and  in  the  progrcfs  of  die 
difcafe. 

About  the  fourth  day,  fmall  fpots,  refembling 
flea-bites,  appear,  Brit  upon  the  face,  then  upoa 
the  breaft,  and  afterwards  on  the  extremities:  thefe 
may  be  diftinguilhed  from  the  fmall-pox  by  their 
fcarcely  riling  above  the  (kin.  The  'fever,  coughy 
and  difficulty  of  breathing,  inflead  of  being  re-f 
moved  by  the  eruption  as  in  the  fmall-pox,  are 
rather  increafed;  but  the  vomiting  generally  ceafes. 

About  the  fixth  or  fcventh  day  from  the  time  of 
nckcning,  the  mealies  begin  to  turn  pale  oq  tbe 
face,  and  afterwards  upon  the  bodyi  fo  that  by  the 
ninth  day  they  entirely  difappear.  The  fever,  how- 
ever, and  difficulty  of  breathing,  often  (x>nttnue» 
cfpccially  if  the  patient  has  been  kept  upon  too  hot 
a  regimen.  Petechia:,  or  purple  fpots,  may  like- 
wife  be  occafioned  U^  this  error. 

A  violent  ioofcnefs  fometimes  fucceeds  the 
meaOcsi  in  which  cafe  the  patient's  life  is  in  im- 
minent danger. 

Such  as  die  of  the  meadcs  generally  expire  about 

the  ninth  day  from  the  irivanon>  agd  are  commonly 

R  carried 


«4l  OF    THE    MEASLES/ 

carried  off  by  a  peripneumony,  or  inflammation  of 
die  lungs. 

The  mod  favourable  fymptoms  are,  a  moderate 
loofenefs>  a  moift  ikin>  and  a  plentiful  difcharge  of 
urine. 

-  When  the  eruption  fudHenly  falls  in>  and  the 
patient  is  feized  with  adelirium,  he  is  in  the  greateO: 
danger.  If  tlie  meafles  turn  too  foon  of  a  pale  co- 
loor>  it  is  an  unfavourable  fymptom>  as  are  alfo 
great  weaknefs/  vomiting,  reftlefihefs,  and  difficulty 
of  fwallowing.  Purfrfe  or  black  fpots  appearing 
among  the  meafles  are  very  unfavourable.  When 
a  continual  cough^  with  hoarfenefs,  fucceeds  the 
di(eafe,  there  is  reafon  to  fufpeA  an  approaching 
confumptioo  of  the  lungs. 

Our  bufinefs  jn  this  difeafe  is  to  aflfift  Nature,  by 
proper  cordials^  in  throwing  out  the  eruption>  if 
her  efforts  be  too  languid ;  but  when  they  are  too 
violent  they  muft  be  reftrained  by  evacuations,  and 
cool  diluting  liquors^  &c.  We  ought  likewife  to 
endeavour  to  appeafe  the  mod  urgent  fymptoifnsy 
as  the  cough,  reftleffnefs^  and  difficulty  of  breath* 
ing. 

REGIMEN.— The  cool  regimen  is  neceffary 
here  as  well  as  in  the  fmail-pox.  The  food  too  muft 
be  light,  and  the  drink  diluting.  Acids  however 
do  not  anfwer  fo  well  in  the  meafles  as  in  the 
fmall-pox,  as  they  tend  to  exafperate  the  coughs 
Small  beer  likewife,  thpugh  a  good  drink  in  thcf 
fmall-pox,  is  here  improper.  ^  The  moft  fuitable 
liquors  are  decodtions  of  liquorice  with  marfli* 
mallow  roots  and  farfaparilla,  infufions  of  linfeed; 
or  of  the  flowers  of  elder,  balm-tea,  clarified  whey, 
barley-wateri  and  fuch  like.  Thefe,  if  the  pa-^ 
tient  be  coftive,  may  be  fwcetened  with  honey;  or, 
if  chat  fliould  difagree  with  the  flomach,  a  little 
msmw  mzy  occafionally  be  added  to  them. 

;  MEDI- 


OF   THE   MEASLES'.  043 

MEDICINE.— ^The  meaOes  being  an  mflam^ 
macory  difcafc,  without  any  critical  difcharge  of 
matter,  as  in  th£  fmalUpox,  bleeding  is  comoibnly 
necclTary,  cfpccially  when  the  fever  runs  high,  with 
difficulty  of  breathing,  and  great  oppreffion  of  tho 
breaft.  But  if  the  difeafc  be  of  a  n^ild  kind,  bleed-* 
ing  may  be  onnitted  *. 

Bathing  the  feet  and  legs  frequently  in  lukrwarra 
water  both  tends  to  abnte  the  violence  of  the  fever^ 
and  to  promote  the  eruption. 

The  patient  is  often  greatly  relieved  by  vomfc^ 
ing.  When  there  is  a  tendency  thiis  w^y, -it  ought 
to  be  promoted  by  drinking  lukewarm  water,  or 
weak  canKMTiilc-tieai 

When  the  cough  is  very  troublefome,  with  dry- 
nefs  of  the  throat,  and  difficulty  of  breathing,  the 
patient  may  hold  his  head  Over  the  fleam  of  warrtt 
water,  and  draw  the  fteam  into  bis  longs. 

He  may  likcwife  lick  a  little  fperma-<:eti  and 
fugar-candy  pounded  together ;  or  take  now  an<4 
then  a  fpoonful  of  the  oil  of  Iwect  almonds,  with 
fugar-candy  diffolv^d  in  it.  Thcfc  wfll  foften  th» 
throat,  and  relieve  the  tickling  cough. 

If  at  the  turn  of  the  difeafc  the  feVer  affumes 
new  vigour,  and  there  appears  grtat  danger  06 
fufFocarion,  the  patient  muft  be  bfed  according  to^' 
his  ftrcngth,  and-  bliftering-plaftcrs  applied,  with* 
a  view  to  pi^vcnt  the  load  from  being  thrown  on 
the  lungs,  where  if  an  inflammatio/i  (hould  fix  it- 
felf,  the  patient's  life  will  be  in  imminent  danger. 

In  cafe  th.e  meafles  (hould  fuddenly  difappear,  it 
will  be  neceffary  to  purfuc  the  fame  method  which' 
we  have  recommended  when  the  fmall- pox  recede. 
The  patient  muft  be  fupportcdwith  wine  and  cor- 
dials.     Bliftcring-plafters  muft  be  applied  to  the 

*  I  do  not  kno^r  any  difeafc  wiierein  bleeding  it  more  neceA* 
fary  than  in  the  ineaflesj  efpecially  when  the  teverruns  high: 
in  this  cafe  I  have  always  found  it  relieve  the  patient. 

R  2  legs 


244         OF    THE    MEASL.es. 

legs  and  arms»  and  the  body  rubbed  all  over  with 
warm  flannels.  Warm  poultices  may  likewiie  be 
applied  to  the  feet  and  palnns  of  the  hands. 

When  purple  or  black  fppts  appear,  the  patfent's 
drink  (hould  be  fiiarpened  with  fpirits  of  vitriol; 
and  if  the  putrid  fymptoais  increafe,.  the  Peruvian 
bark  nnuft  be  adminiftered  ia  the  fame  manner  as 
direded  in  the  fmall-pox. 

Opiates  are  fometimes  necefTary*  but  ihould 
never  be  given  except  in  cafes  of  extreme  reftlelF- 
itefs>  a  vidl'ent  loofenels,  or  when  the  cough  is  very 
troublefome.  For  children,  the  fyrup  of  poppiel 
is  fuflicient.  A  tea-fpoonful  or  two  may  be  occa^ 
lionally  given,  according  to  the  patient's  age^  oc 
the  violence  of  the  fymptoms. 

After  the  meafles  are  gone  ofiT,.  the  patient  ougha 
to  be  purged*  This  may  be  conduced  in  the  fame 
manner  as  dire£^  in-  the  fmall-pox- 

If  a  violent  loofenefe  fucceeds^  the  meafles,  ic 
may  be  checked  by  taking  for  fome  days  a  gentle 
dofe  of  rhubarb  in  the  morning,  and  an  opiate  over 
night ;^  but  if  thefe  do  not  remove  it,,  bleeding  will 
feldom  fail  to-  have  that  efFc£b. 

Patients  recavering  after  the  meafles  fhould  be 
oareful  what  they  eat  or  drink.  Their  food  for 
fome  time  ought  to-  be  light,  and  in  fmall  quanti- 
ties^ and  their  drink  diluting,  and  rather  of  an 
opening  nature,  as  butter-milk,,  whey,  and  fucb 
like.  They  ought  alfo  to  beware  of  expoflng 
thedifelves  too  foon  to  the  cold  air,  left  a  fuffb* 
eating  catarrhy  an  afthma,.  or  a  confumption  of  the 
lungs^  ihould  enfue» 

Should  a  cough,  with  difficulty  of  breathmg,.  and 
other  fymptoms  of  a  confumption,  remain  after  the 
meafles,  fmall  quantities  of  blood  may  be  fre- 
quently let  at  proper  intervals,  as  the  patient's 
ilrrngth  and  conftitution  will  permit.  He  ought  like- 
wife  to  drink  afles  milk^  to  renaove  to  a  free  air,  if 

ia 


OF  THE   SCARLET  FEVfeR.       ^45 

ill  «  large  tawn^  and  to  ride  daily  on  horfeback. 
He  mud  keep  clofe  to  a  diet  confiding  of  milk  and 
vegetables  4  and  laftly,  if  thcfe  do  not  fucccedj  let 
him  remo)^  to  a  warmer  climate  ^« 

OF   THE    SCARLET    FEVER. 

The  fcarlet  fever  is  fo  called  from  the  colour  of 
the  patient's  (km,  which  appears  as  if  it  were  tinged 
wrth  ftd  <wii>e.  It  happens  at  any  feaibn  of  the 
y^ar^  but  is  mod  common  towards  the  end  of 
fummer  j  at  which  time  it  often  feizes  whole  fami^ 
lies :  children  and  young  perfons  are  mod  fubjeft 
to  it.. 

It  begins  like  other  fevers,  with  coldnefs  and  (hi- 
vcring,  without  any  violent  ficknefs.  Afterwards 
the  (kin  is  covered  with  red  fpots,  which.are  broader^ 
more  Sorid,  and  lefs  uniform  than  the  meafles. 
They  continue  two  or  three  days,  and  then  difap- 
|)eari  after  which  the  cuticle^  or  fcarf-ikin,  falls 
Off. 

*  Attempts  have  been  made  to  communicate  diemeafles^  at 
Well  as  th(*  fmaU-pox,  by  inoculation,  and  we  make  no  doubt 
but  in  time  the  practice  may  fucceed.  .  Dr.  Home  of  Edinburgh 
fays,  be  communicated  the  difeafe  by  the  blood.     Others  hav« 
tried  this  method,  and  have  not  found  it  fucceed.     Some  think 
the  difeafe  would  be  more  certainly  communicated  by  rubbing 
the  (kin  of  a  patient  who  has  the  meafles  with  cotton,  and  after- 
wards applying  the  cotton  to  a  wound,  as  in  the  fmalUpox; 
White  others  recommend  a  bit  of  flannel  which  had  been  applied 
to  the  patient's  (kin,  all  the  time  of  the  difeafe,  to  be  afterward^ 
laid  opon  the  arm  or  leg  of  the  perfon  to  whom  the  infe^ton  la 
to  be  communicated.    There  is  no  doubt  but  this  difeafe,  as  well 
^s  the  fmaH-pox,  jnay  be  communicated  various  ways  ;  the  moil 
probable,  however,  is  either  from  cotton  robbed  upon  the  ikin* 
^s   mentioned  above,  or  by  introducing  a  little  of  the  iharp  hu* 
»nour  Which  diftils  from  the  eyes  of  the  patient  into  the  blood. 
It  is  agreed  on  all  hands,  that  fuch  patients  as  have  been  inocu- 
Jated  had  the  difeafe  very.miJdly.;  we  therefore  wi(h  the  prac- 
tice were  more  general  as  the  meadcs  have  of  late  become  very 

R  3  There 


ft46      OF   THE   SCARLET   FEVER. 

There  is  fcldom  any  occafion  for  medicine  in 
this  difeafe.  The  patient  ought  however  to  keep 
within  doors,  to  abftain  from  fieih,  ftrong  liquors, 
and  cordials,  and  to  drink  freely  of  cool  diluting 
liquors.  If  the  fever  runs  high,  the  body  mutf  be 
kept  gently  open  by  emollient  clyfters,  or  fmall 
dofcs  of  nitre  and  rhubarb.  A  fcruple  of  the  former, 
with  five  grains  of  the  latter,  may  be  taken  thrice 
a-day,  or  oftcner,  if  neccflary. 

Children  and  young  perfons  are  fometimes  feized 
at  the  beginning  of  this  difeafe  Ivith  a  kind  of 
ftupor  and  epileptic  fits.  In  this  cafe  the  feet  and 
legs  Ihould  be  bathed  in  warm  water,  a  large  blif- 
tering-plafter  applied  to  the  neck,  and  a  dole  of 
the  fyrup  of  poppies  given  every  night  till  the  pa- 


tient recovers  * 


The  fcarlct  fever,  however,  is  not  always  of  fo 
mild  a  nature.  It  is  fometimes  attended  with  pu- 
trid or  malignant  fymptoms,  in  which  cafe  it  is  al- 
ways dangerous^  In  the  malignant  fcarlet  fever 
the  patient  is  not  only  affcfted  with  coldnefs  and 
ihivering,  but  with  languor,  fickncfs,  and  great 
oppreffion  ;  to  thefe  fucceed  exceffive  heat,  naufea 
and  vomiting,  with  a  forenefs  of  the  throat  j  the 
pulfe  is  extremely  quick,  but  fmall  and  depreffed; 
the  breathing  frequent  and  laborious;  the  Ikin  hot, 
but  not  quite  dry;  the  tongue  moift,  and  covered 
with  a  whitifh  mucus;  the  tonfils  inflamed  and  ul- 
cerated. When  the  eruption  appears,  it  brings  no 
relief:  on  the  contrary,  the  fymptoms  generally 
grow  worfe,  and  frefh  ones  come  on,  as  purging, 
delirium,  &c. 

When  this  difeafe  is  miftaken  for  a  fimple  in- 
flammation, and  treated  with  repeated  bleedings, 
.purging  and  cooling  medicines,  it  generally  proves 
fatal.  The  only  medicines  that  can  be  depended 
on  in  this  cafe  are  cordials  and  antifeptics,  as  the 

*  Sydenham. 

Peruvian 


W4 


OF   THE-  BILIOUS   FEVER.       ^47 

^Peruvian  barkj  winCj  fnake-root,  and  the  like. 
The  treatment  muft  be  in  general  fimilar  to  that  c^ 
the  putrid  fever^  or  of  the  malignant  ulcerous  fore 
throat*. 

« 

1     OF    THE    BILIOUS    FEVER. 

.  When  a  continual^  remitting,  or  intermitting  rea- 
ver is  accompanied  with  a  frequent  or  copious  evaw 
cuation  of  bile^  either  by  vomit  or  (tool^  the  fever 
is  denominated  bilious.  In  Britain  the  bilious  fe- 
ver generally  makes  its  appearance  about  the  en4 
of  fummer,  and  ceafcs  towards  the  approach  of 
winter.  It  is  mod  frequent  and  fatal  in  warm 
^ountries^  efpecially  where  the  foil  is  mariby,  and 
when  great  rains  are  fucceeded  by  fuUry  heai;^ 
Perfons  who  work  withput  doors^  lie  in  camps,  or 
who  are  expo  fed  to  the  night  air^  are  mod  liable  to 
this  kind  of  fever.  * 

If  there  are  fymptoms  of  inflamnriation  at  th^ 
beginning  of  this  teveri  it  will  be  neceflary  tQ 
bleed,  and  to  put  the  patient  upon  the  cool  di^ 
luting  regimen  recommended  in  the  inflarnmatory 
fever.  The  faline  draught  may  likewife  be  fre- 
quently adminiftered,  and  the  patient's  body  kept 
cpcn  by  clyfters  or  mild  purgatives.  But  if  the 
fever  ihould  remit  or  intermit,  bleeding  will  feldom 
Be  neceflary.  In  this  caft  a  votnit  may  be  admi- 
niftered,  and,  if  the  body  be  bound,  a  gentle  purge  j 
after  which  the  Peruvian  bark  will  generally  com- 
plete  the  cure. 

^  •  In  the  year  1774,.  during  winter^  a  yery  bad  Tpeciei  t>f  tbia 
fever  prevailed  in  EdinburgK.  It  raged,  chiefly  among  yoQ^g 
people.  The  eruption  was  general fy  accompanied  with  a  quia* 
fey,  and  the  inflamDatory  fymptoms  were  fojblended  with  othera 
of  a  putrid  nature,  as  to  render  the  treatment  of  the  difeafe  very 
difficult.  Many  of  rbe  patients,  towards  the  decline  of  the  fever* 
were  afHi^led  with  large  fwellings  of  the  fubmaxillary  glands,  and 
«ot  a  few  had  a  fuppuration  hi  one  or  both  ears. 

R  4  In 


848         OF   THE   ERYSIPELAS, 

•  In  cafe  of  a  violent  loofenefs,  the  patient  muft 
be  fupporced  with  chicken  broth,  jellies  of  hartf- 
horn,  and  the  likej  and  he  may  ufe  the  white  de^ 
coHion  for  his  ordinary  drink*.  If  a  bloody  flux 
0iould  accompany  this  fever,  it  muft  be  treated  in 
ihe  manner  recommended  under  the  article  Dyfen^ 

Hry. 

-.When  there  is  a  burning  heat,  and  the  patient 
4oes  not  fweat,  that  evacuation  may  be  promoted 
by  giving  him,  three  or  four  times  a  day,  a  table- 
i^oonful  of  Mindererus's  fpirit")"  mixed  in  a  cup  of 
his  ordinary  drink. 

/  If  the  bilious  fever  be  attended  with  the  nervous, 
malignant,  or  putrid  fymptoms,  which  is  fome- 
times  the  cafe,  the  patient  mud  be  treated  in  the 
£ime  manner  as  directed  under  thefe  difeafcs. 

After  this  fever,  proper  care  is  neceflfary  to  pre- 
vent a  relapfe.  For  this  purpofe  the  patient,  efpe- 
cially  towards  the,  end  of  autumn,  ought  to  conti* 
Bue  the  uftof  the  Peruvian  bark  for  forhe  time  after 
he  is  well.  He  fhould  likewife  abftain  from  all 
tralhy  fruits^  new  liquors,  and  every  kind  of  flatvilent 
aliment. 


^T" 


CHAP.    XXV. 

OF    THE    ERYSIPELAS,    or    St. 
ANTHONY'S    FIRE. 

npHIS  djfeafe,  which  in  fbme  parts  of  Britain  is 

^    called  the  roje^  attacks  perfons  at  any  period  of 

life,  but  is  niod  common  between  the  age  of  thirty 

•  3^e  Appendix,  Wl^iti  Dece^ien. 
f  See  Appendix,  Sfirit  of  Mindererus. 

^  and 


OR   St.    ANTHONY'S  FIRE.       249 

tnd  forty.  Perfons  of  a  fanguine  or  plethoric  habit 
arc  moft  liable  to  it.  It  often  attacks  young  pcopl<r,* 
and  pregnant  wonnen ;  and  fuch  as  have  once  been 
afflifted  with  it  are  very  liable  to  have  it  again. 
Sometimes  it  is  a  primary  difeafe^  and  at  other  times 
only  a  fymptom  of  fome  other  malady.  Every  part 
of  the  body  is  liable  to  be  attacked  by  an  erylipel^^ 
but  it  moft  frequently  feizes  the  legs  or  face,  efpc- 
cially  the  latter.  It  is  moft  common  in  autumn,  of 
when  hot  weather  is  fucceeded  by  cold  and  wet. 

CAUSES. The  eryfipelas  may  be  occaHoned 

by  violent  paflTions  oraffcftions  of  the  mind;  as  feari 
anger,  &c.  When  the  body  has  been  heated  to  a 
great  degree,  and  is  immediately  expofed  to  tti^ 
cold  air,  lb  that  the  perfpiration  is  fuddenly  checked^ 
an  eryfipelas  will  often  enfue*.  It  may  alfo  be 
occafioned  by  drinking  to  excefs,  by  continuing  too 
long  in  a  warm  bath,  or  by  any  thing  that  over-, 
hears  the  blood.  If  any  of  the  natural  evacuation^ 
be  obftrufled,  or  in  too  irnall  quantity,  it  may  caufe 
ant  eryfipelas.  The  fanneeffeft  will  follow  from  the 
iioppage  of  artificial  evacuations;  as  iiTues,  fetons; 
or  the  lik^. 

SYMPTOMS. The  eryfipelas  attacks  with 

fhivering,  ihirft,  lofs  of  ftrength,  pain  in  the  head 
iand  back,  heat,  reitlelfnefs,  and  a  quick  pulfe;  to 
which  may  be  added  vomiting,  and  fometimcs  a 
delirium.  On  the  fecond,  third,  or  fourth  day,  the 
part  fwells,  becomes  red,  and  fmall  puftules  appear) 
at  which  time  the  fever  generally  abates. 

*  The  country  people  in  many  parts  of  Britain  call  this  difeafe 
a  Blaji,  and  imagine  it  proceeds  from  ioui  air,  or  ill  wfad,  a4 
they  term  it.  The  truth  it,  they  often  he  dotvB  to  retl  them, 
when  warm  and  fatigued,  upon  the  damp  ground,  wh^re  they 
fall  aileep,  and  lie  fo  long  as  to  catch  cold,  which  occafions  the 
eryfipelas.  This  difeafe  may  indeed  proceed  from  other  caufea* 
but  we  may  venture  to  hy^  that  nine  times  out  of  ten  it  is  occa* 
fioned  by  cold  caught  lifter  the  body  has  been  greatly  heated  or 
fatigued. 

When 


aso'      .(3f  THE  :ERYSIPELAS, 

:"Whcn  the  erylipelas  feizes  the  foot,  the  parts 
9on(iguous  fwell)  the  (kin  (hines;  and,  if  the  pain 
t>e  violent,  it  will  afcend  to  the  leg,  and  will  not 
be^r  to  be  touched . 

/  When* it  attacks. the  face,  it  fwells,  appears  red, 
find  the  (kin  is  covered  with  fmall  puftules  filled 
Y^ith  clear  water.  One  or  both  eyes  are  generally 
clofcd  with  the  fwelling;  and  there  is  a  difficulty  of 
bre^tlring.  If  the  mouth  and  noftrils  be  very  dry, 
and  the  patient  drowfy,  there  is  re4ron  to  fufpedfc  an 
inflammation  of  the  brain. 

If  the  eryfipelas  aflfe6ts  the  breaft,  it  fwells  and 
becomes  exceedingly  hard,  with  great  pain,  and  is 
apt  to  fuppurate.  There  is  a  violent  pain  in  the 
arm-pit  on  the  fide  affefted,  where  an  abfcefs  is 
often  formed. 

If  in  a  day  or  two*the  fwelling  fubfides,  the  heat 
and  pain  abate,  the  colour  of  the  part  turns  yellow, 
'  and  the  cuticle  breaks  and  falls  oflF  in  fcales,  the 
danger  is  over. 

When  the  eryfipelas  is  large,  deep,  and  afFe&s  a 
yery  fenfible  part  of  the  body,  the  danger  is  great* 
If  the  red  colour  changes  into  a  livid  or  black,  it 
will  end  in  a  morciBcacion.  Sometimes  the  inflam- 
mation cannot  be  difcufled,  but  comes  to  a  fuppu* 
ratipn;  in  which  cafe  fiftplas,  a  gangrene^  or 
mortification,  often  enfue. 

Such  as  die  of  this  difeafe  are  convmonly  carried 
pfF  by  the  fever,  which  is  attended  with  difficulty  of 
breaching,  ^nd  fometimes  with  a  delirium  and  great 
drowfinefs.  They  generally  die  about  the  fcventh 
or  eighth  day. 

REGIMEN. In  the  eryfipelas   the  patient 

muft  neither  be  kept  too  hot  nor  too  cold,  as  either 
of  thefe  extremes  will  tend  to  make  it  retreat,  which 
is  always  lo  be  gu;irded  againft.  When  the  difeafe 
is  mild,  it  will  be  fufficient  to  keep  the  patient  within 

doors^ 


-  ^'^'i 


^<h 


OR   St.   ANTHjONTs  Ij^IRE^       o^x 

4oors»  without  confiniog  him  to  his  bed,  and  to 
promote  the  perfpiration  by  diluting  liquors,  {ic. 

The  diet  ought  to  be  flender,  and  of  a  moderately 
cooling  and.  moiftening  quaiky,  ^s  grovH-^ruel^ 
panado,  chicken  or  barley-broth,  with  cooling 
herbs  and  fruits,  Sec.  avoiding  flefh,  fifti,  flrong 
drink,  fpices,  pickles,  and  all  other  things  that 
ipay  heat  and  inflame  the  blood;  the  drink  may  be 
barley-water,  an  infufion  of  elder  flowers,  cpmmoa 
whey,  and  fuch  like. 

But  if  the  pulfe  be  low,  and  the  fpirits  fur)k,  the 
patient  mufl:  be  fupported  with  negus,  and  other 
things  of  a  cordial  nature.  His  food  may  be  fago 
gruel  with  a  little  wine,  and  nourifliing  broths  taken 
in  fmall  quantities,  and  often  repeated.  Great  care 
however  muft  be  taken  not  to  overheat  him. 

MEDICINE. In  this  difeafe  much  mifchief 

is  often  done  by  medicine,  efpecially  by  external 
applications.     People,  when  they  {t:c  an  inflamma- 
tion,   immediately  think  that  fomething  ought  to 
be  applied  to  it.     This  indeed  is  neceflTary  in  large 
phlegmons;    but  in  an  eryfipclas  the  fafcr  courfe  is 
to  apply  nothing.   Almoft  all  ointments,  falves,  and 
plafters,  being  of  a  greafy  nature,  tend  rather  to  ob- 
ftr'ufb  and  repd,  than  promote  any  difcharge  from 
the  pare.     At  the  beginning  of  this  difeafe  it  is 
neither  fd(c  to  promote  a  fuppuration,   nor  to  repel 
the  matter  too  quickly.     The  cryfipelas  in*  many 
refpcfts  refembles  the  gout,    and  is  to  be  treated 
Avith  the  greateft  caution.     Fine  wool,  or  very  foft 
flannel,  are  the  fafeft  applications  to  the  parr.  Thefc 
riot  only  defend*  it  from  the  external  air,  but  like- 
wife  promote  the  perfpiration,  which  has  a  great 
tendency  to  carry  off^  the  difeafe.     In  Scotland  the 
common  people  generally  apply  a  mealy  cloth  to  the 
parts  aflVfted,  which  is  far  from  being  improper. 

It  is  common  to  bleed  in  the  eryfipelas;  but  this 

likewife  requires  caution.     If  however  thp  fever  be 

lo  high. 


-•    » 


«Sa        OF  THE  ERTSIPELAS, 

high,  the  pulfe  hard  and  ftfong,  and  the  patient 
▼igofous,  it  will  be  proper  to  bleed  -,  but  the  quan^ 
titymuft  be  regulated  by  thefe  circumftances,  and 
the  operation  repeated  as  the  fymptoms  may  require* 
If  the  patient  has  been  accuftomed  to  (Irong  liquors, 
and  the  difeafe  attacks  his  head,  bleeding  is  abfo- 
1    lutely  neceffary. 

.  Bathing  the  feet  and  legs  frequently  in  lukewarm 
nvater,'  when  the  difeafe  attacks  the  face  or  brain, 
has  an  excellent  effect.  It  tends  to  make  a  deriva-* 
tion  from  the  head,  and  feldom  fails  to  relieve  the 
patient.  When  bathing  proves  inefFeftual,  poul- 
tices, or  (harp  finapifms,  may  be  applied  to  the 
fole*  of  the  feet,  for  the  fame  purpofe. 

In  cafes  where  bleeding  is  requifite,  it  is  likewife 
neceffary  to  keep  the  body  open.  This  may  be  ef- 
fcfted  by  emollient  clyfters,  or  fmall  dofes  of  nitre 
and  rhubarb.  Some  indeed  recommend  very  large 
dofes  of  nitre  in  the  eryfipelas;  but  nitre  feldom  fRs 
cafy  on  the  (lomach  when  taken  in  large  dofes.  If 
is  however  one  of  the  bcft  medicines  when  the  fever 
and  inflanimation  run  high.  Half  a  drachm  of  it, 
with  four  or  five  grains  of  rhubarb,  may  be  taken 
in  the  patient's  ordinary  drink,  four  times  a-day.  • 

When  the  eryfipelas  leaves  the  extremities,  and 
feizes  the  head  foas  tooccafion  a  delirium  or  (lupor^ 
it  is  abfolutely  neceffary  to  open  the  body.  If  clyfters 
and  mild  purgatives  fail  to  have  this  effeft,  ftronger 
ones  muft  be  given.  Bliftering  platters  muft  like- 
wife  be  applied  to  the  neck,  or  behind  the  ears,  and 
ih^rp  cataplafms  laid  to  the  foles  of  the  feet. 

When  the  inflammation  cannot  be  difcufled,  and 
the  part -has  a  tendency  to  ulcerate,  it  will  then  be 
proper  to  promote  fuppuration,  which  may  be  done 
by  the  application  of  ripemng  poultices  with  fafFron, 
ivarm  fomentations,  and  fuch  like. 

When  the  black,  livid,  or  blue  colour  of  the  part 
(htvfs  a  tendency  to  mortification^    the  Peruvian 

bark 

12 


■W.-^r 


OR   St.   ANTHONY'S  FIRE.       253 

bark  mud  be  adminiftered.  Ic  may  be  taken  aloog^ 
with  acids,  as  recommended  in  the  fmall-pox,  or 
in  any  other  foi^  more  agreeable  to  the  patient,, 
It  muft  not  however  be  trifled  with,  as  the  pacienc*4 
life  is  at  (lake.  A  drachm  may  be  given  ev<ry  Vti 
hours,  if  the  fymptoms  be  threatening^  and  cloths 
dipped  in  warm  camphorated  fpirits  ot  wine,  or  the 
tin&ure  of  myrrh  and  aloesj  may  be  applied  tio  the 
part,  and  frequently  renewed.  It  may  iikewife  be 
proper  in  this  cafe  to  apply. poultices  of  therbark^ 
€>r  to  foment  the  part  affe&ed  witli  a  (trong  decoc^ 
lion  of  it.  , 

In  what  is  commonly  qallcd  thtjcorhutic  eijfipelas^ 
which  continues  for  a  confiderable  time,  it  will  only 
be  neceflary  to  give  gentle  laxatives,  and  fuch  things 
as  purify  the  blood  and  promote  the  perfpiration. 
Thus,  after  the  inflammation  has  been  checked  by 
opening  medicines,  the  decodion  of  woods  *  may 
be  drank,  after  which  a  courfe  of  bittern  will  be 
proper. 

Such  as  are  liable  to  frequent  attacks  of  the  ery« 
Tipelas  ought  carefully  to  guard  againft  all  violent 
palfions ;  to  abfl:ain  from  ftrong  liquors,  and  all  fat^ 
yifcid,  and  highly  nourifliing  food.  They  Ihould 
iikewife  take  fufiicient  exercife^  carefully  avoiding 
the  extremes  of  heat  or  cold.  Their  food  ftiould 
confifl:  chiefly  of  milk,  and  fuch  fruits,  herbs,  and 
roots,  as  are  of  a  cooling  quality;  and  their  drink 
ought  to  be  fmall-becr,  whey,  butter-milk,  and 
fuch  like.  They  Ihould  never  fuflfer  themfclvcs  to 
be  long  coftive.  If  that  cannot  be  prevented  by 
fuitable  diet,  it  will  be  proper  to  take  frequently  a 
gentle  dofe  of  rhubarb,  cream  of  tartar,  the  lenitive 
electuary,  or  fome  other  mild  purgative. 

*  Sec  Appendix,  'DtcoShnofWo^iu 


C  254  .3 


CHAP.    XXVI. 

OF   THE    PHRENITISi    or    INFLAM* 
MATION    OF    THE    BRAIN. 

t 

Hi* HIS*  is  fomctimcs  a  t^rimary  difeafc,  hutoftcncr 
'  ^  artly  a  fymptom-of  forhe  other  malady;  as  the 
iAffammacory^  eruptive,  or  fpotted  fever,  &c.  It 
is  very  common  however  as  a  primary  difeafc  in 
warm  climates,  and  is  moft  incident  to  perfons  about 
the  prime  or  vigour  of  life.  The  paffionate,  the 
ftudious,  and  thofc  whofe  nervous  fyftem  is  irritable 
'  in  a  high  degree,  are  moft  liable  to  it. 

CAUSES. ^This  difeafeis often  occafioned  by 

nighr-watching,  cfpccially  when  joined  with  hard 
ftudy  :  it  may  lilcewife  proceed  from  hard  drinking; 
anger,  grief,  or  anxiety.  It  is  often  occafioned  by 
the  (loppage  of  ufual  evacuations;  as  the  bleeding 
J>iles  in  men,  the  cuftohiary  difcharges  of  women, 
&c.  Such  as  imprudently  expofe  themfelves  to  th* 
heat  of  thefun,  efpccially  by  fleeping  without  doors 
in  a  hot  feafon  with  their  heads  uncovered,  are  often 
fuddenly  fcized  with  an  inffamniation  of  the  brain, 
fo  as  to  awake  quite  delirious.  When  repellents 
arc  imprudently  ufcd  in  an  eryfipelas,  an  inflamma-i 
tion  of  the  brain  is  fomerimes  the  confequcnce.  It 
may  likcwife  be  occafibned  by  external  injuries,  a^ 
blows  or  bruifes  upon  the  head,  &c. 

SYMPTOMS. The  fymptortis  which  ufually 

precede  a  true  inflammation  of  the  brain  are  pain  of 
the  head,  rednefs  of  the  eyes,  a  violent  flulhing  of 
the  face,  difturbed  flcep,  or  a  total  want  of  it,  great 
dryncfs  of  the  fkin,  coftivencfs,  a  retention  of  urine, 
a  fmall  dropping  of  blood  from  the  nofe,  finging  of 
the  ears,  and  extreme  fenfibility  of  the  nervous 
Jyftcm. 

When 


*      OF  THE  PHRElSriTIS,  &c:      255 

When  the  inflammation  is  formed,  the  fjrmptoms' 
in  general  arc  fimilar  to  thofc  of  the  inflammatory 
fever.  The  pulfc  indeed  Is  often  weak,  irregular, 
and  trembling ;  but  fometimes  it  is  hard  and  con- 
trailed.  When  the  brain  itfelf  is  inflamed,  the 
pulfe  is  always  foft  and  lowj  but  when  the  ipflam-' 
rtiation  only  affefts  the  integuments  of  the  brain, 
viz.  the  dura  and  pi  a  mater,  it  is  hard.  :A  He- 
markable  quicknefs  of  hearing  is  a  commoti  fymp* 
torn  of  this  difeafe ;  but  that  feldom  contimics 
long.  Another  ufual  fymptom  is  a  great  throbbin]g^ 
or  pulfation  in  the  arteries  of  the  neck  and  tempies,| 
Though  the  tongue  is  often  black  and  dry,  yet  the 
patient  feldom  complains  of  thirft,  and  even  re-" 
fufcs  drink.  The  mind  chiefly  runs  upon  fuch  ob-- 
jcfts  as  have  before  made  a  deep  impreflion  on  it; 
and  fometimes,  from  a  fullen  filcnce,  the  patient 
becomes  all  of  a  fudden  quite  outrageous.  -  ' 

A  conllant  trembling  and  darting  of  the  ^en-*' 
dons  is  an  unfavourable  fymptom,  as  are  alfo  a 
fuppreffion  of  urine ;  a  total  want  of  fleep  i  a  con'X 
ftant  fpictihg;  a  grinding  of  the  teeth,  which  laflf 
may  be  confidercd  as  a  kind  of  convulfion.  When 
a  phrenitis  fucceeds  an  inflammation  of  the  lungs, 
ot  the  inteftines,  or  of  the  throat,  &c.  it  is  owing; 
to  a  tranflation  of  the  difeafe  from  thefe  parts  to 
the  brain,  and  generally  proves  fatal.  This  (hewa* 
the  neceflity  of  proper  evacuations,  and  the  danger 
of  repellents  in  all  inflammatory  difeafes. 
.  The  favourable  fymptoms  are,  a  free  per(pfra- 
tion>  a  copious  difchargc  of  blood  from  the  nofe,' 
the  bleeding  piles,  a  plentiful  difcharge  of  urine 
which  lets  fall  a  copious  fediment.  Somethnes  xhd 
difeafe  is  carried  off  by  a  loofenefs,  and  in  womenr 
by  an  exceflive  flow  of  the  menfes. 

As  this  difeafe  often  proves  fatal  in  a  few  days,^ 
krequirea  the  moft  fpccdy  applications..  When  it 
is  prolonged,  or  improperly  treated,  it  fometimes 

ends 


256       OF   THE   PHRENITIS,  dK 

ends  in  madnefs^  or  a  kind  of  ftupidity  which  con* 
tinues  for  life. 

In  the  cure,  two  things  are  chiefly  to  be  attended 
to,  viz.  to  Icflfen  the  quantity  of  blood  in  the 
brain,  and  to  retard  the  circulation  towards  the 
head. 

REGIMEN. The  patient  ought  to  be  kept 

very  quiet.  Coirpany,  noife,  and  cvtry  thing  that 
%flfe£ks  the  fenfes^  or  difturbs  the  imagination,  in«\ 
creafes  the  difcafe.  Even  too  much  light  is  hurt*- 
ful :  for  which  rcafon  the  patient's  chamber  ought 
to  be  a  little  darkened,  and  he  Ihould  neither  be 
kept  too  hot  nor  cold.  It  is  not  however  neceflarjr 
to  exclude  the  company  of  an  agreeable  friend,  as 
this  has  a  tendency  to  footh  and  quiet  the  mind. 
Neither  ought  the  patient  to  be  kept  too  much  in 
the  dark,  lelt  it  (hould  occafion  a  gloomy  melan- 
choly, which  is  too  often  the  confequeoce  of  this 
difeafe. 

The  patient  mud,  as  far  as  poflible,  be  foothed 
and  humoured  in  every  thing.  Contradiction  will 
ruffle  his  mind,  and  increafe  his  malady.  Even 
when  he  calls  for  things  which  are  not  to  be  ob^ 
tained,  or  which  might  prove  hurtful,  he  is  not  to 
be  pofitively  denied  them,  but  rather  put  off  with 
the  promife  of  having  them  as  foon  as  they  can  be;- 
obtained,  or  by  fome  other  excufe.  A  little  of 
any  thing  that  the  mind  is  fet  upon,  though  no^ 
quite  proper,  will  hurt  the  patient  lefs  than  a  po« 
fitive  refufal.  In  a  word,  whatever  he  was  fond  of, 
or  ufed  to  be  delighted  with  when  in  health,  may 
here  be  tried,  as  pleafing  (lories,  foft  muHc,  or 
iTvhatever  has  a  tendency  to  footh  the  paflions  and 
compofe  the  mind.  Boerhaave  propofes  feveral 
mechanical  experiments  for  this  purpofei  as  the 
foft  noife  of  water  didilling  by  drops  into  a  bafon, 
and  the  patient  trying  to  reckon  them,  &c.  Any 
voiform  found,  if  low  and  continued,  has  a  tend- 
ency 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BRAIN.  I57 

tncy'to  procure  flccp,  and  confequcntly  may  be 
of  fcrvicc. 

The  aliment  ought  to  be  lights  confifting  chiefly 
of  farinaceous  fubftances;  as  panado^  and  water- 
gruel  (harpened  with  jelly  of  currants,  or.juice  of 
lemons^  ripe  fruits  roafted  or  boiled,  jellies,  pre- 
fcrves,  &c.  The  drink  fmall,  diluting,  and  cooU 
ing;  as  whey,  barley-water,  or  dccodions  of  bar* 
ley  and  tamarinds,  which  latter  not  only  render  the 
liquor  more  palatable,  but  likewifemore  beneBciali 
as  they  are  of  an  opening  nature. 

MEDICINE. In   an    ihflammation    of   the 

braioy  nothing  more  certainly  relieves  the  patient 
than  a  free  difcharge  of  blood  from  the  nofe. 
When  this  comes  of  its  own  accord,  it  is  by  no 
means  to  be  flopped,  but  rather  promoted,  by  ap- 
plying cloths  dipped  in  warm  water  to  the  part* 
When  bleeding  at  the  nofe  does  not  happen  fponta- 
neoufly,  it  may  be  provoked,  by  putting  a  ftraw^ 
or  any  other  (harp  body,  up  the  noftrih 

Bleeding  in  the  temporal  arteries  greatly  relieves 
the  head  :  but  as  this  operation  cannot  always  be 
performed,  we  would  recommend  in  its  ftead  bleed- 
ing in  the  jugular  veins.  When  the  patient's  pulfe 
and  fpirits  are  fo  low,  that  he  cannot  bear  bletding 
with  the  lancet,  leeches  may  be  applied  to  the  tem- 
ples,  Thefe  not  only  draw  off  the  blood  mort 
gradually,  but  by  being  applied  nearer  to  the  part 
affefted,  generally  give  more  immediate  relief. 

A  difcharge  of  blood  from  the  hasmorrhoidal 
veins  is  likewife  of  great  fcrvice,  and  ought  by  all 
rneans  to  be  promoted.  If  the  patient  has  been 
fubjeft  to  the  bleeding  piles,  and  that  difcharge 
has  been  flopped,  every  method  muft  be  tried  to 
t-cfl:orc  it  J  as  the  application  of  leeches  to  the  parts, 
Hcting  over  the  fleams  of  warm  water,  fliarp  cly- 
flersy  or  fup.poflcories  made  of  honey,  aloes,  and 

S  If 


a<8      OF  THE  OPHTHALMIA,  oil 

If  the  ioAammatioD  of  the  brain  be  occafipacjd 
by  the  ftoppageof  evacuations  either  oatural  or  ar- 
tificial, as  the  menfesj  iflue$i  fetons,  or  fuch  Uke» 
.all  means  mud  be  ufed  to  reftore  thenY  as  fooo  'as 
poflible^  or  to  fubftitute  others  in  their  fteacL./  ^ 

The  patient's  body  muft  be  kept  open  by.ftimu*- 
lacing  clyfters  or  fmart  purges  $  and  fmall  qutnti- 
*ties  of  nitre  ought  frequently  to  be  mixed  witb.^s 
drink.  Two  or  three  drachms,  or  more,  if^tbc 
cafe  be  dangerous,  may  be  ufed  in  the  ^acc  of 
twenty*four  hours. 

The  head  fliould  be  (haved  and  frequently  rub- 
bed with  vinegar  and  rofe- water.  Ck>ths  dipped  in 
this  mixture  may  likewife  be  applied  to  the  temples. 
The  feet  ought  frequently  to  be  bathed  in  luke- 
warm water,  and  foft  poultices  of  bread  and  milk 
may  be  kept  conftantly  applied  to  them. 

If  the  difeafe  proves  obftinate,  and  does  not  yield 
to  thefe  medicines,  it  will  be  neceffary  to  apply  a 
bliftering-plafter  to  the  whole  head. 


CHAP.    XXVII. 

OF    THE    OPHTHALMIA,    or    INFLAM- 
MATION OF  THE  EYES. 

•T^HIS  difeafe  may  be  occafioned  by  external 
^  injuries;  as  blows^  burns,  bruifea,  and  the 
like.  It  may  likewife  proceed  from  duft,  quick- 
lime, or  other  fubftances,  getting  into  the  eyes.  It 
is  often  caufed  by  the  ftoppage  of  cuftomary  t»Mr 
cuations;  as  the  healing  ot  old  fores,  drying  up  of 
iflues,  the  fupprelBng  of  gentle  morning  fmcuiyivr 
of  the  fweating  of  the  ^et,  dec.  JLoag  espc^re 
to  the  night  air,  efpecially  in  cold  noriberly  wkida^ 
'        ■  '  -  '/  oi\ 


'.-•>' 


INFtAMN^Atidl^  Olf^THE  EYES.   2^9 

Ht  wHatcver  faddcnljr  checks  the  pcrfpiratioo,  cfpc- 
cia)fy  after  the  bodv  has  been  much  heated,  is  very 
apt  to  caufe  an  innammation  of  the  eyes.  View- 
ing ino^dt  other  white  foodies  for  a  long  time,  6r 
lookiiijg  ftedfaftly  at  the  fan,  a  clear  fire,  or  any 
bKght  objeft,  will  likcwifc  occafion  thii  malady. 
A  faddth  trandtion  from  darknefs  to  very  brigHc 
lijght  <«riH  often  have  the  fame  cfFcft. 
'  NTotfeing  more  certainly  occafions  an  inflamma- 
Hoh  bf  the  eyes  than  night-watcliing,  cfpeciatl'y 
reading  or  writing  by  candle-light.  Drinking  fpf- 
rituous  liquors,  and  extcfs  of  venery,  are  likewife 
'irery  hurtful  to  the  eyes.  The  acrid  fumes  of  mc- 
tdls^  and  of  fcveral  kinds  of  fuel,  are  alfo  perni- 
cious.' Sometimes  an  inflammation  of  the  eyes 
Tirocecds  from  a  venereal  taint,  and  often  from  a 
fcrophulous  or  gouty  habit.  It  may  likewife  be  oc- 
cafibn^d  by  hairs  in  the  eye-lids  turning  inwards, 
and  httftifig  the  eyes.  Sometimes  the  difeafe  is 
epidemic,  efpeciaily  after  wet  fcafons  j  and  I  have 
frequently  known  it  prove  infeftious,  particularly 
toihofc  who  lived  in  the  fame  houfe  with  the  pa« 
tient.  It  may  be  occafioned  by  moift  air,  or  living 
in.low  damp  houfes,  cfpccially  in  perfons  who  are 
not  accuftomed  to  fuch  fituations.  In  children  ic 
often  proceeds  from  imprudently  drying  up  of  fcab- 
bed  heads,  a  running  behind  the  ears,  or  any  other 
difchargc  of  that  kind.  Inflammations  of  the  eyes 
often  fucceed  the  fmall-pox  or  meafles,  efpccially 
in  children  of  a  fcrophulous  habit. 

SYMPTOMS. Aninflammation  of  the  eyes 

is  attended  with  acute  pain,  hear,  redncfs,  and 
fwelling.  The  patient  is  not  aWc  to  bear  the  light, 
'Mid  fometimcs  he  feels  a  pricking  pain,  as  if  his 
'eyes  were  pierced  ^ith  a  thorn.  Sometimes  he 
fAiagfnes  his  eyei  are  full  of  mores,  or  thinks  he 
"^s  Bies  daiidng  before  him.  The  eyes  are  filled 
^#ith  a  fcald^  rheunrf,  which  rulhes  forth  in  great 

S3  quantities^ 


a6o      CF  THE  OPHTHALMIA,  ok 

quantities,  whenever  the  patient  attempts  to  look 
up.  Tlie  pulfc  is  generally  quick  and  hard,  with 
fonrie  degree  of  fever.  When  the  difcafe  is  violent, 
the  neighbouring  parts  fwcU,  and  there  is  a  throb- 
bing or  pulfation  in  the  temporal  arteries,  &c. 

A  flight  inflammation  of  the  eyes,  efpecially 
from  an  external  caufe,  is  eaflly  cured  j  but  when 
the  difcafe  is  violent,  and  continues  long,  it  often 
leaves  fpecks  upon  the  eyes,  or  dimnefs  of  fight, 
and  fomecimes  total  blindnefs. 

If  the  patient  be  feizcd  with  a  loofenefs,  it  has 
a  good  efFcdlj  and  when  the  inflammation  pafles 
from  one  eye  to  another,  as  it  were  by  infcftion,  it 
is  no  unfavourable  fymptom.  But  when  the  dif- 
cafe is  accompanied  with  a  violerit  pain  of  the 
head,  and  continues  long,  the  patient  is  in  danger 
of  lofing  his  fight. 

REGIMEN. Thedidt,  unlefs  in  fcrophulous 

cafes,  can  hardly  be  too  fpare,  efpecially  at  the  be- 
ginning. The  patient  muft  abfl:ain  from  every 
thing  of  a  heating  nature.  His  food  fliould  con- 
fift  chiefly  of  mild  vegetables,  weak  broths,  and 
gruels.  His  drink  may  be  barley-water,  balm- 
tea,  common  whey,  and  fuch  like. 

The  patient's  chamber  muft  be  darkened,  or  his 
eyes  fliaded  by  a  cover,  fo  as  to  exclude  the  light, 
but  not  to  prefs  upon  the  eyes.  He  ftiould  not 
look  at  a  candle,  the  fire,  or  any  luminous  objcft; 
and  ought  to  avoid  all  fmoke,  as  the  fumes  of  to- 
bacco, or  any  thing  that  may  caufe  coughing, 
fneezing,  or  vomiting.  He  (hould  be  kept  quiet, 
avoiding  all  violent  efforts,  cither  of  body  or  mind, 
and  encouraging  fleep  as  much  as  pofliblc. 

MEDICINE. This  is  one  of  thofe  difcafes 

wherein  great  hurt  is  often  done  by  external  appli- 
cations. Almofl:  every  perfon  pretends  to  be  pof- 
fcfled  of  a  remedy  for  the  cure  of  fore  eyes.  Thefe 
remedies  generally  confill  of  eye-waters  and  oint* 

ments. 


#J 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  EYES.  261 

mcnts,  with  other  external  applications,  which  do 
mifchicf  twenty  times  for  once  they  do  good.  Peo- 
ple ought  therefore  to  be  very  cautious  how  they 
ufc  fuch  things,  as  even  the  preffure  upon  the  eyes 
often  increafes  the  malady. 

Bleeding,  in  a  violent  inflammation  of  the  eyes, 
is  always  necefTary.  This  Ihould  be  performed  a$ 
near  the  part  affcfted  as  poflible.  An  adult  m^y 
lofe  ten  or  twelve  ounces  of  blood  from  the  jugular 
vein,  and  the  operation  may  be  repeated  according. 
to  the  urgency  of  the  fymptoms.  If  it  fhould  not 
be  convenient  to  bleed  in  the  neck,  the. fame  quan- 
tity may  be  let  from  the  arm,  or  aoy  other  part  of 
the  body. 

Leeches  are  often  applied  to  the  temples,  or  un- 
der the  eyes,  with  good  efFeft.  The  wounds  muft, 
be  fufFered  to  bleed  for  fome  hours,  and  if  rhc 
bleeding  ftop  foon,  it  may  be  promoted  by  the  ap- 
plication of  cloths  dipt  in  warm  water.  In  obfti- 
nate  cafes,  it  will  be  ncceflary  to  repeat  this  ope- 
ration fcveral  times. 

Opening  and  diluting  medicines  are  by  no  means 
to  be  negledted.  The  patient  may  take  a  fmall 
dofc  of  Glauber's  falts,  and  cream  of  tartar,  every 
fecond  or  third  day,  or  a  decoftion  of  tamarinds 
with  fenna.  If  thele  be  not  agreeable,  gentle 
dofes  of  rhubarb  and  nitre,  a  little  of  the  lenitive 
eledtuary,  or  any  other  mild  purgative,  will  anfwer* 
the  fame  end.  The  patient  at  the  fame  time  muft 
drink  freely  of  water-gruel,,  tea,  whey,  or  any 
other  weak  diluting  liquor.  He  ought  likewife' 
to  take,  at  bed-time,  a  large  draught  of  very 
weak  wine  whey,  in  order  to  promote  perfpiration. 
His  feet  and  legs  muft  frequently  be  bathed  in 
lukewarm  water,  and  his  head  fhaved  twice  or 
thrice  a-week,  and  afterwards  walhed  in  cold  water. 
This  has  often  a  remarkably  good  efFed,     ^ 

S3  If 


%&%    :  OF  THE  OPHTaALMLA/  di^     • 

T'lf  ihe  indammacion  does  dot  yield  to  i)ie(e9rji<* 
Citations,  bliiienng-plafters  muft  be  applied  to  the 
tirmplcs,  behind  the  ears,  or 'Upon  the-neck,  and 
keptc  open  (or  fome  time  by  the  mild  bliftiirtngi* 
dincment.  I  have  feldom  known  thdey ;=.!('  long, 
enough  kept  open,  fail  to  remove  the.  moft'.obfti- 
mte  inflammation  of  the  eyes^  but  for  >  this  j^r- 
pofe.  itvis;of(cn  neceflary  to  continue  the  difcbarge 
1m  federal  weeks.  « 

,  When  : the. difeafe  has  been  of  long  (landings  I 
hayc  (ctio.'very  cxcraopdinary  efFeds  from  a  CetoD 
in  the  neck,  or  between  the  ihoulders,  efpecfally 
ihe  Jatter*.  It  ihocdd.fae  put  upwards  and  down- 
wards,  or  in  the  dircftion  of  the  fpine,  and  in  the 
mkidlc  between  the  flioulder-blades.  ic  may  be  • 
drefied  twice  a-day  with  yellow  baHUcon*  I  have 
known  paucrnts»  who  had  been  blind  for  a  confi* 
derable  time,  recover  fight  by  means  of  a  ieton 
placed  as  above.  When  the  feton  is  put  acrofs  the 
neck,*  it  foon  wears  out,  and  is  both  more  painful 
and'  troubjelome  than  between  the  fhoulders.^  be* 
fides,  it  JeavTs  a  difagreeable  mark,  and  does  not 
cbfcharge  fo  (retly. 

o.^When  the  heat  ^nd  pain  of  cheeyes  are  very  grcat| 
alpoultU:e  o^  bread  and  milk,  foftcned  with  fweet 
oil  or  frefh  butter,  may  be  applied  to  them,  at  lead 
aiinight  i  and  tlKy.may  be  bathed  with  I-ukewarm 
roiilk  and  water  in  the  morning. 
.).If  the  patient  cannot  fleep,  which  is  fomerimes 
fhe  cafe,  .he  may  take  twenty  or  thirty  drops  of  lauf 
daiBum,.  or  two  fpoonfuls  of  the  fyrup  of  poppies, 
•ver  night,  more  or  lefs  according  cx>  his  age,  Oi 
tibe  violence  of  the  fymptoms. 

After  the  infisammation  is  gone  off,  if  the  eyes 
dill  remain  weak  and  tender,  they  may  be  bathed 
every  night  and  morning  with  cold  water  and  a 
little  brandy,  fix  parts  of  theformer  to  one  of  the 

latter. 


.^E^..?? 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THEEYES.  ofri 

hUMr/  A  method  fliould  be  contrived  by  which 
the  eye  call  be  quite  immerfed  in  the  brandy  and 
i9$f»r,  where  it  (hould  be  kept  for  fome  time*  X 
have  generally  found  thi9>  or  cold  water  and  viqe^ 
gatv  aa  good  a  ftrengthcnn' of  the  eyes  as  any  ol 
Uitrmoft  celebrated  cc41yriums.  ^ 

'When  an  inflammation  of  the  eyes  proceeds  from 
a  fcrophulous  habit,  it  generally  proves  very  obfti«^ 
nate^  In  this  cafe  the  patient's  diet  moft  not  be  ttm 
low>  and  he  may  be  allowed  to  drink  fmaH  ne^s^ 
or  now  and  then  a  glafs  of  wine.  The  moft  proper 
medicine  is  the  Peruvian  bark,  which  may  either 
be  given  in  fubftance,  or  prepared  in  the  following 
manner : 

Take  an  ounce  of  the  bark  in  powder,  with  two 
drachms  of  Winter's  bark,  and  boil  them  in  an 
Englifh  qus^t  uf  water  to  a  pint;  when  it  has  boiled 
nearly  long  enough,  add  half  an  ounce  of  liquo* 
rice-root  diced.  Let  the  liquor  be  ftrained.  Two, 
three>  or  foui"  table-fpoonfuls,  according  to  the 
age  of  the  patient,  may  be  taken  three  or  four 
times  a 'day.  It  is  impoilible  to  fay  how  Ions  thi^ 
medicine  fbould  be  continued,  as  the  cure  is  KK>ner 
performed  in  fome  than  inothers;  but  in  general 
It  requires  a  conBderable  time  to  produce  any  laft*^ 
ing  rffedls.  i.: 

Dr.  Ghcyne  fays,  '  That  ^thiops  mineral  never 
fails  in  obftinate  inflammations  of  the  eyes,  eien 
fcrophulous  ones,  if  given  in  a  fufficient  dofe,  ind 
duly  perfifted  in.'  There  is  no  doubt  but  this  and 
other  preparations  of  mercury  may  be  of  (rngvliit 
fcrvice  in  ophthalmias  of  long  continuance,  but 
they  ought  always  to  be  adminiftered  with  tlia 
greateft  caution,  or,  by  perfons  of  (kill  in  phy« 
fie.  '  ' 

It  will  be  proper  frequently  to  look  into  the  eyes) 
to  fee  if  any  baira  be  turnod  inwardsi  or  preffing 

S  4  upon 


a64  ;  O/  /itf  QUINSEY,   cr    . 

upon  thcfh  *,  Thcfc  ought. tp  be  rempved  by  pjuck-> 
ing.  them  out  with  a:pair  of  fmall  pin^qr^. 

Thofc  who  arc  liable  ta  frequent  returns  of  this 
di^eafej  ought  conftantly  to  have  an  ifTqe  in  one  or 
both  arms.  Bleeding  or  purging  in  the  fpring  and 
autumn,  will  be  very  beneficial  to  fuch  perfons, 
They  ought  likewife  to  live  with  the  greateft  regu- 
larity, avoiding  flrong  liquor,  and  everything  of  a 
heating  quality.  Above  all,  let  them  aypid  the 
pigbt-^ir  and  late  (tudiesf. 


CHAP.     XXVIII. 

QF  THE  QUINSEY,   or  INFLAMMA- 
TION  OF  THE   THROAT. 

^HIS  difcafe  is  very  common  in  Britain,  and  is 
.  frequently  attended  with  great  danger.  It 
prevails  in  the  winter  and  fpring,  and  is  moft  fatal 
to  young  pt^ople  of  a  fanguine  temperament. 

CAUSES. ^In  general  it  proceeds  from  the 

fanfie  caufes  as  other  inflammatory  diforders,  viz.  an 
obidrufted  perfpiration,  or  whatever  heats  or  inflames 
the  blood.  An  inflammation  of  the  throat  is  often 
pccafioned  by  omitting  fome  part  of  the  covering 
\ifually  worn  about  the  neck,  by  drinking  cold  li- 
quor when  the  body  is  warm,  by  riding  or  walking 
againft  a*  cold  northerly  wind,  or  any  thing  that 

♦  Any  foreign  body  lodged  in  the  eye  may  be  expcditioufly 
removed  by  paffing  a  fmall  hair  pencil  between  the  eye-lid  and 
the  ball  of  the  ey^.  In  fome  places,  the  peafants  do  this  very 
cffeflually,  by  ufing  their  tongue  in  the  fame  manner. 

f  As  rood  people  are  fond  of  ufing  eye-waters  and  ointments 
in  this  and  other  difeafes  of  the  eyes,  we  have  inferted  fome  of 
the  moft  approved  forms  of  thefe  medicines  lo,  the  Appendix. 
S^c  AppcQdiXf  Eje-ivaur  and  fji/alvf. 

greatly 


IFIrAMMATION  0/  the  THROAT,    afie 

y  cools  the  throat,  and  parts  adjacent.  It 
ikcwifc  proceed  from  the  negleft  of  bleeding, 
ngi  or  any  cuftpmary  evacuation, 
ging,  fpeaking  loud  and  long,  or  whatever 
5  the  throat,  may  likewife  caufc  an  inflamnia- 
>f  that  organ.    I  have  often  known  the  quinfey 

fatal  to  jovial  companions,  who,  after  fitting 
in  a  warm  room,  drinking  hot  liqaors,  and 
igwith  vehemence,  were  fo  imprudent  as  to 
road  in  the  cold  night-air.  Sitting  with  wet 
or  keeping  on  wet  clothes,  are  very  apt  to 
on  this  malady.  It  is  likewife  frequently 
loned  by  continuing  long  in  a  moift  place, 
y  near  an  open  window,  flecping  in  a  damp 
fitting  in  a  room  that  has  been  newly  plaftered, 

I  know  people  who  never  fail  to  have  a  fore 
t  if  they  fit  even  but  a  (hort  time  in  a  room 
las  been  lately  wafhed. 

:rid  or  irritating  food  may  likewife  inflame  the 
t,  and  occafion  a  quinfey.  It  may  alfo  pro- 
from  bones,  pins,  or  other  (harp  fubftances 
ng  in  the  throat,  or  from  the  cauftic  fumes  of 
Is  or  minerals,  asarfenic,  antimony,  &c,  taken 
'  the  breath.  This  difeafe  is  fomctimes  epi- 
c  and  infectious. 

fMPrOMS. The    inflammation    of    the 

X  is  evident  from  infpedtion,  the  parts  appearing 
ndfwelled;  bcfides,  the  patient  complains  of 
in  fwallowing.  His  pulfe  is  quick  and  hard, 
other  fymptoms  of  a  fever.  If  blood  be  let,  it 
nerally  covered  with  a  tough  coat  of  a  whitifli 
ir,  and  the  patient  fpits  a  tough  phlegm.  As 
vvelling  and  inflammation  increafe,  the  breath- 
md  fwallowing  become  more  diflicult ;  the  pain 
ts  the  ears }  the  eyes  generally  appear  red  i  and 
ace  fwells.  The  patient  is  often  obliged  to  keep 
elfin  an  ered  pollure,  being  in  danger  of  fuflTo- 
>n  'j  there  is  ^  conftant  nauf^^a^  or  inclination  to 

vomit. 


I    1 


t66       1.   qrff»  QJDTJHSBTMf    • 

▼pmiCy  tnitimi  dtinky  inftead  of  pafliog  into  the 
$tKQflch,  iiJDfcen  returned  by  the  nofe^^  Thepadent 
^  fometimcsitarveci  at  Iftft/  merely  f^om  an  jiCabiUiy 
|QrC#aUplv;any  kind  of>foo(f. 
.)7Whcrjthe^breath!ng  is  iaborious^  with  ftraitfie&  of 
tfre  brcafti  and  anxiety,  the  danger.is  great.  Though 
ibfipairn!  io  fwaHowing  be  very  great,  yet  white  the 
patient  breathes  eafy,  there  is  not  fo  much  dangerJ 
Ancxiernal  fwelling  is  no  unfavourable  fymptom ; 
km  ifkt  iuddenly  falls,  and  the  difeafe  aflPedts  the 
bnrafti'  the  dailger  is  very  great.  When  a  quxnfey 
i^vihe  ounfequefice  .of  fome  other  difeafe,  which  has 
aiheady  weakened  the  paticiKi  his  fituation  is  danw 
gcrous*  A  frothing  at  the  mouth,  with  a  fwelied 
umgue,  a  pale,  ghaflrly -countenance,  and  coldneis 
of  the  extremities,  arc  fatal  fymptoms. 

.REGIMEN.- — The  regimen  in  this  difeafe  is' 
in  all  refpeds  the  (ame  as  in  the  pleurify,  or  peri«- 
pneumony.     The  food  muft  be  light,  and  in  iinaU 
quantity,  and  thedrink plentiful,  weak,  andtlUtRingy 
mixed  with  acids.  ..... 

It  is  highly  neceiTary  that  the  patient  be  kepteafy 
and  quiet.  Violent  aflfe6tions  of  the  mindv  dr.greal 
efforts  of  the  body,  may  prove  fatal.  He^ihould 
DOt  even  attempt  to  fpeak  but  in  a  low  voice.  S6ch 
t  degree  of  warmth  as ;  to  « promote  a  cofiftmit, 
gentle  fweat^  is  proper.'  When  the  patient  is  it» 
1^,  hi^  head  ought  to  b^.raifed  a  kicile-  higher  than 
tifual.  '- 

^  Ic  is  peculiarly  neceffary  thait  the  neck  4>e  kept 
warm;*  for  which  purpofe  feveral  folds  of  foft  flannel 
nnsy  be  wrapc  round  it.  That  alone  wiU  often 
imx^9rt  a  ftight  complaint  of  the  throtat,  efpeciaHy 
jf -uppiied  in  due  time^  We  cannor  here  omit  ob» 
^nring  the  propriety  of  a-  cuftom  which  prevails 
among  the  pealancs  of  this  cooAfiry.  ^  Whea  they 
feel  any  uneaQnefs  of  thethroaty  they- w^iip  a» (locking 
about  it  al'I  night.  So  pBhE^iaal  i^&biafeff£edy»t  that  in 

many 


INFLAMMATIOK'c//^  THROAT.  167 
miny  places  U  paflfes  for  a  chtrm,  and  the  ftocking 
is  applied  wiib  particiilar  cncmonies:  the  cullomv 
however,  ts  undoubtedly  a  good  onfi  and  ihould 
never  be  neglefted.  When  the  throat  hai  beeir 
thus  wrapt  up  all  night,  it  muft  not  be  expofed  to 
the  cold  air  through  the  day,  but  a  handkerchief  or 
a  piece  of  flannel  kept  about  ic  till  the  inflammatiofif 
be  removed.  ' 

The  jelly  of  black  currants  is  a  medicine  verjr 
much  in  cfieein  for  complaints  of  the  throat ;  and 
indeed  it  is  of  fome  ufe.  It  ftiould  be  ainwtt  con* 
Qantly  kept  in  the  mouth,  and  fwallowed  dofrn 
leifurely.  It  may  likewife  be  mixed  in  the  patient'f 
drink,  or  taken  any  other  way.  When  it  cannot  ■ 
beohaaincd,  the  jelly  of  red  currants,  ur  of  mul- 
berries, may  be  ufcd  in  its  ftead. 

Gargles  for  the  throat  are  very  beneficrat.  They 
may  be  made  of  fage-tea,  wi(h  a  little  vinegar  and 
l)oney,'or  by  adding  to  half  an  Englifh  pint  of  the 
pe£^oral  decodion  two  or  three  fpoonfuls  of  honey, 
and  the  fame  quantity  of  currani-jelly.  This  nf>ay 
bt  ofed  three  or  four  times  a>day  ;  and  if  the  patient 
be  troubled  with  tough  vifcid  phlegm,  the  gargle 
may  be  rendered  more  fliarp  and  cleanflng,  ay 
addmg  to  it  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the  fpiric  of  /al 
ammoMiat.  Some  recommend  gargles  made  of  a 
decodion  of  the  leaves  or  bark  of  the  black  curranr* 
bufbi  but  where  the  jelly  can  be  had,  ibele  aiv 
unneceflary. 

There  is  no  difeafe  wherein  the  benefit  of  bathing 
tht  feet  and  legs  in  lukewarm  water  is  more  appa^ 
rent;  that  pra£Hce  ought  therefore  never  to  be 
a^le&ed.  If  people  were  careful  to'  keep  warm,  to 
wrap  up  their  throats  with  flannel,  to  bathe  their  feee 
'aod  legs  in  warm  water,  and  10  ufe  a  fpare  diet, 
with  diluting  liquors,  at  the  beginning  of  this  dif- 
eafe, it  would  feldom  proceed  to  a  great  height,  or 
be  attended  with  any  dango'  1  but  when  thefe  pr^ 
cautiooi 


a68  Of  the   Q^UINSEY,   or     - 

cautions  arf  negle£):ed>  and  the  difcafe  bcconres 
violent,  more  powerful  medicines  are  neceflfary. 

MEDICINE. An  inflammation  of  the  throac 

being  a  mod  acute  and  dangerous  diftemper,  which 
focnetinfies  takes  off  the  patient  very  fuddenly,  it 
will  be  proper,  as  foon  as  the  fymptoms  appear^ 
to  bleed  in  the  arm,  or  rather  in  the  jugular  vein, 
and  to  repeat  the  operation  if  circumltances  re- 
q^re. 

The  body  (hould  likewifc  be  kept  gently  op>en« 
This  may  either  be  done  by  giving  the  patient  for 
his  ordinary  drink  a  decodtion  of  Bgs  and  tamarinds^ 
or  fmall  dofes  of  rhubarb  and  nitre,  as  recommended 
in  the  eryfipelas.  Thefe  may  be  increafed  accord- 
ing to  the  age  of  the  patient,  and  repeated  till  they' 
have  the  defired  efFeft. 

I  have  often  known  very  good  effcfts  from  a  bit 
oi  Jal  frunely  or  purified  nitre,  held  in  the  mouth, 
and  f)vallowed  down  as  it  melted.  This  promotes 
the  difcharge  oijaliva^  by  which  means  it  anfwers 
the  end  of  a  gargle,  while  at  the  fame  time  it 
abates  the  fever,  by  promoting  the  difcharge  of 
urine,  &c. 

The  throat  ought  likewife  to  be  rubbed  twice  or 
thrice  a-day  with  a  little  of  the  volatile  liniment. 
This  fcldom  fails  to  produce  fome  good,  effects. 
At  the  fame  time  the  neck  ought  to  be  carefully 
covered  with  wool  or  flannel,  to  prevent  the  cold 
from  penetrating  the  (kin,  as  this  application  ren- 
ders it  very  tender.  Many  other  external  applica- 
tions are  recommended  in  this  difeafe,  as  a  fwallow's 
neft,  poultices  made  of  the  fungus  called  Jew's  ears, 
album  Grsecum,  &c.  But  as  we  do  not  look  upon 
any  of  thefe  to  be  preferable  to  a  common  ,poultice 
of  bread  and  milk,  we  (hall  take  no  farther  notice 
of  them. 

•  Some  recommend  the  gum  guaiacum  as  a  fpecific 
in  this  difeafe.     Haifa  dram  of  the  g^im  in  powder 

5  nray 


INFLAMMATION  ^//i^  THROAT.    169 

may  be  made  into  an  ekftuary  with  the  rob  of  elder* 
berriesj  or  the  jelljr  of  currants  for  a  dofe^  and 
repeated  occafionally  *. 

Bliftering  upon  the  neck  or  behind  the  ears -iit 
violent  inflammations  of  the  throat  is  very  benefit 
cial ;  and  in  bad  cafes  it  will  be  necefiary  to  lay?  • 
bliftering-plafter  quite  acrofs  the  throaty  fo  a&  to 
reach  from  ear  to  ear.  Afcer  the  pi  afters  are  taken 
ofF,  the  parts  ought  to  be  kept  running  by  the  ap« 
plication  of  ifTue  ointment^  till  the  inflammation  is 
gone;  otherwife,  upon  their  drying  up^  the  patient 
will  be  in  danger  of  a  relapfe. 

When  the  patient  has  been  treated  as  above,  a 
fuppuration  fcldom  happens.  This  however  is 
fometimes  the  cafe,  in  fpite  of  all  endeavours  to 
prevent  it.  When  the  inflammation  and  fwelling 
continue,  and  it  is  evident  that  a  fuppuration  will 
tnfue,  it  ought  to  be  promoted  by  drawing  the  fteam 
of  warm  water  into  the  throat  through  a  tunnel,  or 
the  like.  Soft  poultices  ought  likewife  to  be  ap-> 
plied  outwardly,  and  the  patient  may  keep  a  roafted 
fig  conftantly  in  his  mouth. 

It  fometimes  happens,  before  the  tumour  breaks, 
that  the  fwelling  is  (o  great,  as  entirely  to  prevent 
any  thing  from  getting  down  into  the  ftomach.  In 
this  cafe  the  patient  muft  inevitably  perilh,  unlefs 
he  can  be  fuppprtcd  in  fome  other  way*  This  can 
only  be  done  by  nourifhing  clyftcrs  of  broth,  or 
gruel  with  milk,  &c.  Patients  have  often  been 
lupported  by  thefe  for  feveral  days,  till  the  tumour 
iias  broke ;  and  afterwards  they  have  recovered. 

Not  only  the  fwallowing,  but  the  breathing,  is 
often  prevented  by  the  tumour.     In  this  cafe  no-p 
thing  can  fave  the  patient's  life,  but  opening  the- 
trachea  or  wind- pipe.     As  that  has  been  often  done 
with  fucccfs,  no  perlbn,  in  fuch  defperate  circum- 

*  Dr*  Home. 

fiances^ 


«7«>  Of  tU   QUINSEY. 

fttncesi  oiight  to  hcGtate  a  moment  about  the  ope* 
ration  i  but  as  it  can  only  be  performed  by  a  iur«> 
*geon»  it  is  not  xieceflary  here  to  give  any  direc- 
tions about  it. 

When  a  difficulty  of  fwallowing  is  not  attended 
vith  an  acute  pain  or  inflammation,  it  is  geneli'ifty 
owing  to  an  obftru£lion  of  the  glands  about  the 
chroat,  and  only  requires  that  the  part  be  kept 
warm,  and  the  throat  frequently  gargled  with  Ibme- 
thiog  that  may  gently  (limulate  the  glands,  as  a 
dccoftion  of  figs  with  vinegar  and  honey ;  to  which 
may  be  added  a  little  muftard,  or  a  fmall  quantity 
of  fpirits.  But  this  gargle  is  never  to  be  ufed  where 
there  are  figns  of  an  inflammation.  This  fpecies 
Idf  angina  has  various  names  among  the  common 
people,  as  iht  pop  of  the  throat,  the  falling  down 
of  the  almonds  of  the  ears,  &c.  Accordingly,  to  re* 
move  it,  they  lift  the  patient  up  by  the  hair  of  the 
bead,  and  thruft  their  fingers  under  his  jaws,  &c. 
all  which  prafticcs  arc  at  beft  ufelefs,  and  often 
hurtful. 

Thofe  who  are  fubje£t  to  inflammations  of  the 
throat,  id  order  to  avoid  that  difeafe,  ought  to  live 
temperate.  Such  as  do  not  chufe  to  obferve  this 
rule,  mud  have  frequent  recourfe  to  purging  and 
other  evacuations,  to  difcharge  the  fupcrfluous  hu* 
mours.  They  ought  likewife  to  beware  of  catching 
cold,  and  fhould  abftain  from  aliment  and  medi- 
cines of  an  aflringeot  or  Simulating  nature* 

Violent  extrcife,  by  increafing  the  motion  and 
force  of  the  blood,  is  apt  to  occafion  an  inflamma- 
tion, of  the  throat,  efpecially  if  cold  liquor  be 
dr^nk  immediately  after  it,  or  the  body  fuffered 
fiiddcnly  to  cooL  Thofe  who  would  avoid  this 
difeafe  ought  therefore,  after  fpeaking  aloud,  fing* 
iiig^  running,  drinking  warm  liquor^  or  doing  any 
thing  that  may  ftrain  the  throat,  or  increafe  the  cir- 
culation of  the  blood  towards  it>  to  take  care  to 

cool 


Of  the  MALIQNAN^  QUINSEY,  Sfr.  vjlL 

CQo)- graduallyi  andCQ  wr^p  ibmc  adduiooul  i^{)- 
.vering^  iiboMC  their  necks.  %  ^ 

I  have  oCcen,  kciown  perfons  who  had  bcicn  (ufa^ 
je£t  CO  fore  throats,  entirely  freed  from  thac  <mi^ 
4>j0iiAt  -by  i9nly  wearing  a  riband,  or  a  bit  of  damieH 
p^nftantly  about  their  necks,  or  by  wearing  ^hkjcior 
^oes»  a  flannel  waiilcoat,  or  the  like.  TJiefe  '«Mqr 
&^9i  trifling,  but  they  have  great  t^%Qi.  TlUm^ 
4ai}ger  indeed  in  leaving  them  oflf  after  petAfM 
ji^ye  been  accuflx>med  to  them^  butfAsit^ly.  th^iijl*- 
CQoveniency  of  ufing  fuch  things  for  tife^-is ' fioC'Ai 
he  compared  with  the  daftger  which  i^My  .^liciii 
xhe  0eglei5t  of  them.,  Oo 

Sometimes,  after  ap  i/if}ammatk>n,  the  glan^^^ 
thf:  throat  continue  fw<^Ued,v  and  become  hard  a«il 
callous.  This  coQiplaint  is  not  -ea&ly  renoofveiS^ 
and  is  often  .rendered  dangerous  by  the  too  fror 
quent  application  of  ftrong  Simulating  and  Itypuc 
medicines.  The  beft  method  is  to  keep  it  waciti» 
and  to  gargle  it  twice  a-day  with  a  ^ccod:ion  iif 
figs  fliarpened  a  little  with  the  elixir  or  fpirtc  .of 
vitriol.  '  •  '- 

OF  THE  MALIGNANT  QJJINSEYi 
OR  PUTRID,  ULCEROUS  SORE 
THROAT.  .    V         h 

I  •      ! 

This  Und  of  quinfey  is  but  little  kdtown  in  ibe 
northern  parts  of  Britain,  though,  for  fome  time 
paft,  it  has  been  fatal  in  the  mpioe  fouthem  conn* 
ties.  Children  are  more  liable  to  ic  than  adultsj 
females  than  males,  aod  the  delicate  than  thofe  yAm 
are  hardy  and  robufl.  It  prevails  chiefly  in  autumii^ 
and  is  mod  frequent  after  a  long  courfe  of  dacnpoc 
fultry  weather. 

CAUS£S.-*-^Thia  is  evidendy  a  contagious 
diftemper,  and  isgenerallf  communicated  by  itifeo- 
\ion.    Whole  famili^«>  ^^ad  .erco  ratirt  viUagev 

3  often 


•%  -  ^ 


47^  Of  the  MALIGNANT  QUINSEY,  or 

often  receive  the  infeftion  from  one  pcrfon.  This 
ought  to  put  people  upon  their  guard  againfl  going 
near  fuch  patients  as  labour  under  the  diforderj  as 
by  that  means  they  endanger  not  only  their  own 
lives,  but  likewife  thofe  cf  their  friends  and  con- 
nexions. Whatever  tends  to  produce  putrid  or 
malignant  fevers,  may  likewife  occafion  the  putrid 
ulcerous  fore  throat,  as  unwholefome  air,  damaged 
provifions,  negleft  of  cleanlinefs,  &c.' 

SYMPTOMS. It  begins  with  alternate  fits 

of  fhivering  and  heat.  The  pulfe  is  quick,  but 
low  and  unequal,  and  generally  continues  fo  through 
the  whole  courfe  of  the  difeafe.  The  patient  com- 
plains greatly  of  weaknefs  and  opprcffion  of  the 
breaft;  his  fpirits  are  low,  and  he  is  apt  to  faint 
away  when  fet  uprights  he  is  troubled  with  a  nau- 
fea,  and  often  with  a  vomiting  or  purging*  The, 
two  latter  are  mod  common  in  children.  The  eyes 
appear  red  and  watery,  and  the  face  fwells.  The 
urine  is  at  firft  pale  and  crude;  bur,  as  the  difeafe 
advances,  it  turns  more  of  a  yellowidi  colour.  The 
tongue  is  white,  and  generally  moift,  which  diftin- 
guilhes  this  from  an  inflammatory  difeafe.  Upon 
looking  into  the  throat  it  appears  fwclled,  and  of 
a  florid  red  colour.  Pale  or  afli-coloured  fpots, 
however,  are  here  and  there  intcrfperfed,  and  fome- 
times  one  broad  patch  or  fpot,  of  an  irregular 
figure,  and  pale  white  colour,  furrqunded  with  florid 
red,  only  appears.  Thefe  whitifli  fpots  or  floughs 
cover  fo  many  ulcers. 

t  An  efflorefcence,  or  eruption  upon  the  neck, 
arms,  breaft,  and  fingers,  about  the  fecond  or  third 
day,  is  a  common  fymptom  of  this  difeafe.  When 
it  appears,  the  purging  and  vomiting  generally 
ceafe. 

>  There  is  often  a  flight  degree  of  delirium,  and 
the  face  frequently  appears  bloated,  and  the  infide 
pf  the  noftrils  red  and  inflamed.     The  patient  com^ 

plaii^ 


PUTRID,  ULCEROUS  SORE  THROAT.  273 

plains  of  a  difagreeable  putrid  fmell^  and  his 
t>reach  is  very  ofFcnfivc, 

The  putrid,  ulcerous  fore  throat  may  be  diftin* 
j;ailhed  from  the  infliimmatory  by  the  vomiting  and 
lobienefs  with  which  it  is  generally  ulhered  in  s  the 
fotil  tilcers  in  the  throat  covered  with  a  white  or 
livid  coat;  and  by  the  excedive  weaknefs  of  the 
patient ;  with  other  fymptoms  of  a  putrid  fever. 

Unfavourable  fymptoms  are,  an  obftinate  purg- 
ing, extreme  weaknefs,  dimnefs  of  the  Hght,  a  livid 
or  black  colour  of  the  fpots,  and  frequent  fbiver- 
ingSy  with  a  weak,  fluttering pulfe.  If  the  erup- 
tion upon  the  (kin  fuddenly  diiappears,  or  becomes 
of  a  livid  colour,  with  a  difcharge  of  blood  from 
the  nofe  or  mouth,  the  danger  is  very  great. 

If  a  gentle  fweat  break  out  about  the  third  or 
fourth  day,  and  continue  with  a  flow,  firm,  and 
equal  pulfe;  if  the  floughs  cad  off  in  a  kindly 
manner,  and  appear  clean  and  florid  at  the  bot- 
tom; and  if  the  breathing  is  foft  and  free,  with  a 
lively  colour  of  the  eyes,  there  is  reafon  to  hope 
for  a  falutary  crifis. 

REGIMEN. The  patient  muft  be  kept  quiet, 

and  for  the  moft  part  in  bed,  as  he  will  be  apt  to 
faint  when  taken  out  of  it.  His  food  muft  be  nou- 
rifliing  and  reftorative;  as  fago-gruel  with  red  wine, 
jellies,  ftrong  broths,  &c.  His  drink  ought  to  be 
gebefous,  and  of  an  antifeptic  quality ;  as  red-wine 
negus,  white-wine  whey,  and  fuch  like. 

MEDICINE.— The  medicine  in  this  kind  of 
quinfey  is  entirely  different  from  that  which  is  pro- 
per in  the  inflammatory.  All  evacuations,  as  bleed- 
ing, purging,  &c.  which  weaken  the  patient,  mufl: 
be  avoided.  Cooling  medicines,  as  nitre  and  cream 
of  tartar,  are  likewife  hurtful.  Strengthening  cor- 
dials alone  can  be  ufed  with  fafety ;  and  thefe 
ought  never  to  be  neglc6bed. 

T  If 


a74  Ofihi  MALIGNANT  QUINSEY,  or 

If  at  the  beginning  there  is  a  great  naufea^  or 
inclination  to  vomit,  the  patient  mud:  drink  an  in- 
fufion  of  green  tea,  camomile  flowers,  or  carduus 
henediSius^  in  order  to  cleanfe  the  (lomach*  If  thefe 
are  not  fuiHcicnt,  he  may  take  a  few  grains  of  the 
powder  of  ipecacuanha,  or  any  other  gentle  vo« 
mit. 

If  the  difeafe  is  mild,  the  throat  may  be  gargled 
with  an  infufion  of  fage  and  rofe  leaves,  to  a  gill  of 
which  may  be  added  a  fpoonful  or  two  of  honey, 
and  as  much  vinegar  as  will  make  it  agreeably  acid; 
but  when  the  fymptomii  are  urgent,  the  floughs 
large  and  thick,  and  the  breath  very  ofTcnfive,  the 
.following  gargle  may  be  ufed : 

To  fix  or  feven  ounces  of  the  peroral  decoftion, 
when  boiling,  add  half  an  ounce  of  contrayerva- 
root ;  let  it  boil  for  fome  time,  and  afterwards 
drain  the  liquor  9  to  which  add  two  ounces  of  white- 
wine  vinegar,  an  ounce  of  fine  honey,  and  an 
•  ounce  of  the  tindbure  of  myrrh.  This  ought  not 
only  to  be  ufed  as  a  gargle,  but  a  little  of  it  ihould 
frequently  be  injcfted  with  a  fyringe  to  clean  the 
throat,  before  the  patient  takes  any  meat  or  drink. 
This  method  is  peculiarly  neceflary  for  children, 
who  cannot  ufe  a  gargle. 

It  will  be  of  great  benefit  iff  he  patient  fre- 
quently receives  into  his  mouth,  through  an  in- 
verted funnel,  the  fteams  of  warm  vinegar,  myrrh, 
and  honey. 

But  when  the  putrid  fymptoms  run  high,  and  the 
difeafe  is  attended  with  danger,  the  only  ii^dicine 
that  can  be  depended  upon  is  the  Peruvian  bark. 
It  may  be  taken  in  fubftance,  if  the  patient's  fto« 
jnach.  will  bear  it.  If  not,  an  ounce  of  bark 
grofsly  powdered,  with  two  drachms  of  Virginian 
inake-root,  may  be  boiled  in  an  Engliftipint  and  a 
half  of  water  to  half  a  pint;  to  which  a  tea-fpoon* 
2  ful 


■^-^ 


PUTRID  ULCEROUS  SORE  THROAT.  275 

ful  of  the  elixir  of  vitriol  may  be  added,  and  an 
ordinary  tea-cupful  of  it  taken  every  three  or  four 
hours.  Biiftering-plafters  are  very  beneBcial  in  this 
difeafe,  efpecially  when  the  patient's  pulfe  and  fpi- 
rits  are  low.  They  may  be  applied  to  the  throaty 
behind  the  earSj  or  upon  the  back  part  of  the 
neck. 

Should  the  vomiting  prove  troublefome,  it  will 
be  proper  to  give  the  patient  two  table-fpoonfuls 
of  the  faline  julep  every  hour.  Tea  made  of  miric 
and  a  little  cinnamon  will  be  very  proper  for  his 
ordinary  drink,  efpecially  if  an  equal  quantity  tff 
red-wine  be  mixed  with  it. 

In  cafe  of  a  violent  loofenefs,  the  fize  of  a  nun^ 
meg  of  diafcordiumy  or  the  japonic  cohfeftion,  nMf 
be  taken  two  or  three  tifnes  a-day^  or  oftener  if 
neceflary. 

If  a  difcharge  of  blood  from  the  nofe  happ^tns^ 
the  fteams  of  warm  vinegar  may  be  received  up  thfc 
noftrils  frequently;  and  the  drink  mud  be  fharp^ 
ened  with  fpirits  of  vitriol,  or  tindlureof  rofes. 

In  cafe  of  a  ftrangury,  the  belly  muft  be  fo^ 
fnented  with  warm  water,  and  emollient  clyfters 
given  three  or  four  times  a-day. 

After  the  violence  of  the  difeafe  is  over,  the  bodf 
fhould  dill  be  kept  open  with  mild  purgatives  \  as 
manna,  fenna,  rhubarb,  or  the  like. 

If  great  weaknefs  and  dcjeftion  of  fpirits,  of 
night-fweats,  with  other  fymptoms  of  a  confump- 
tion,  (hould  enfue,  we  would  advifc  the  patient 
to  continue  the  ufe  of  the  Peruvian  bark,  with  the 
elixir  of  vitriolj  and  to  take  frequently  a  glafs  of 
generous  wine.  Thefe,  together  with  a  milk-diet, 
and  riding  on  horfeback,  are  the  moft  likely  meani 
for  recovering  his  ftrength* 

T  a 


t     27«     J 


I 


C  H  A  ?•    XXIX. 
OF   COLDS    AND    COUGHS. 

T  has  already  been  obferved,  that  colds  are  the 
efFeft  of  an  obftruAed  perfpiration ;  the  com- 
mon caufes  of  which  we  have  likewife  endeavoured 
to,  point  out|  and  (hail  not  here  repeat  them.  Nei- 
ther (hail  we  fpend  time  in  enumerating  all  the  va- 
rious fymptoms  of  colds^  as  they  are  pretty  gene- 
j^lly  known.  It  may  not  however  be  amiis  to 
obferve^  that  almoft  every  cold  is  a  kind  of  fever, 
which  only  differs  in  degree  from  fome*of  thofe 
that  have  already  been  treated  of. 

No  age,  fex,  or  conftitution,  is  exempted  from 
this  difeafe  s  neither  is  it  in  the  power  of  any  me* 
dicine  or  regimen  to  prevent  it.  The  inhabitants 
of  every  climate  are  liable  to  catch  cold,  nor  can 
even  the  greateft  circumibe&ion  defend  them  at  all 
times  from  its  attacks.  Indeed,  if  the  human  body 
could  be  kept  conftantly  in  an  uniform  degree  of 
warmth,  fuch  a  thing  as  catching  cold  would  be 
impoflible:  but  as  that  cannot  be  effeded  by  any 
means,  the  perfpiration  muft  be  liable  to  many 
changes.  Such  changes,  however,  when  fmall,  dc 
not  affed  the  healthy  but,  when  great,  they  muf 
prove  hurtful. 

When  oppreflion  of  the  bread,  a  duffing  of  tl 
nofe,  unufual  wearinefs,  pain  of  the  head,  &c.  gi* 
ground  to  believe  that  the  perfpiration  is  obftrudc 
or,  in  other  words,  that  the  perfon  has  caught  co 
he  ought  immediately 'to  leflfcn  his  diet,  at  leafl: 
ufual  quantity  of  his  folid  food,  and  to  abftain  fi 
all  ftrong  liquors.     Inftead  of  fleih,  fifh,  ef 

n 


•^*^,  •■ 


OF   COLDS   AND   COUGHS.     277 

milk^  and  other  nourifhing  diet,  he  may  eat  light 
bread-puddingy  veal  or  chicken  broth,  panado> 
gruels,  and  fuch  like.  His  drink  may  be  water- 
gruel  fweetened  with  a  little  honey;  an  infufioD  of 
balm^  or  linfeed  fharpened  with  the  juice  of  orange 
or  lemon ;  a  decodtion  of  barley  and  liquorice^ 
with  tamarinds,  or  any  other  cool^  diluting^  acid 
liquor.  f 

Above  all,  his  fupper  fhould  he  light;  as  fmall 
poflct,  or  water-gruel  fweetened  with  honey,  and  t 
little  toatled  bread  in  it.  If  honey  (hould  difagree 
with  the  ftomach,  the  gruel  may  be  fweetened  witli 
treacle  dr  coarfe  fugar,  and  fharpened  with  the 
jelly  of  currants.  Thofe  who  have  been  accuf** 
tomed  to  generous  liquors  may  take  wine-whey 
inftead  of  gruel,  which  may  be  fweetened  as  above.  * 

The  patient  ought  to  lie  longer  than  ufual  a-bed, 
and  to  encourage  a  gentle  fweat,  which  is  eafily 
brought  on  towards  mornings  by  drinking  tea,  01:^ 
any  kind  of  warm  diluting  liquOr.  I  have  ofteik 
known  this  praftice  carry  off  a  cold  in  one  day^* 
which  in  all  probability,  had  it  been  i^egledled^ 
would  have  coft  the  patient  his  life,  or  have  con- 
fined him  for  fome  months.  Would  people  facri^' 
fice  a  little  time  to  eafe  and  warmth,  and  praftti<^ 
a  moderate  degree  of  abftinence  when  the  firft 
fymptoms  of  a  cold  appear,  we  have  reafon  to  be* 
lieve^  that  mod  of  the  bad  efFe£bs  which  flow  from 
an  obftruded  perfpiration  might  be  prevented. 
But,  after  the  difeafe  has  gathered  ftrength  by  de- 
lay, all  attempts  to  remove  it  often  prove  vain.  A 
pleurify,  a  peripneumony,  or  a*  fatal  confumption 
of  the  lungs,  are  the  common  effefts  of  colds  which 
have  either  been  totally  neglected  or  treated  impro- 
perly. 

Many  attempt  to  cure  a  cold,  by  getting  drunk. 
But  this,  to  fay  no  worfe  of  it,  is  a  very  hazardous 
experiment.    No'doubt  it  may  fometimes  fucceed, 

T3  by 


>78    OF   COLDS   AND   COUGHS. 

by  fuddenly  reftoring  the  perfpiracion ;  but  when 
there  is  any  degree  of  inflammation,  which  is  fre-^ 
quently  the  cafe,  ftrong  liquors,  inftead  of  remov- 
ing the  malady,  will  increafe  it.  By  this  means  a 
common  cold  may  be  converted  into  an  inflam- 
iBatory  fever. 

When  thofe  who  labour  for  their  daily  bread 
have  the  misfortune  to  catch  cold,  they  cannot 
afford  to  lofe  a  day  or  two,  in  order  to  keep  them- 
felves  warm,  and  take  a  little  medicine;  by  which 
means  the  diforder  is  often  fo  aggravated  as  to  con- 
fine them  for  a  long  time,  or  even  to  render  them 
ever  after  unable  to  fuftain  hard  labour.  But  even 
fuch  of  the  labouring  poor  as  can  afford  to  take 
care  of  themfclves,  are  often  too  hardy  to  do  it; 
they  affedt  to  defpife  colds,  and  as  long  as  they  can 
crawl  about,  fcorn  to  be  confinecj  by  what  they 
call  a  common  cold.  Hence  it  is,  that  colds  deftroy 
fuch  numbers  of  mankind.  Like  an  enemy  defpifed, 
they  gather  ftrength  from  delay,  till  at  length  they 
become  invincible.  We  often  fee  this  verified  in 
travellers,  who,  rather  than  lofe  a  day  in  the  profc- 
cution  of  their  bufinefs,  throw  away  their  lives  by 
purfuing  their  journey,  even  in  the  fevercfl:  wea- 
ther, with  this  difeafe  upon  them. 

.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  colds  may  be  too 
much  indulged.  When  a  perfon,  for  every  flight 
cold,  (huts  himfelf  up  in  a  warm  room,  and  drinks 
great  quantities  of  warm  liquor,  it  may  occafion 
fuch  a  general  relaxation  of  the  folids  as  will  not  be 
eafily  removed.  It  will  therefore  be  proper,  when 
the  difeafe  will  permit,  and  the  weather  is  mild^  to 
join  to  the  regimen  mentioned  above  gentle  exer- 
cife;  as  walking,  riding  on  horfcback,  or  in  a  car- 
riage, &c.  An  obftinate  cold,  which  no  medicine 
can  remove,  will  yield  to  gentle  exercife  and  a  pro- 
per regimen  of  the  diet. 

Bathing 


miM 


OF  COLDS   AND   COUGHS.     279 

Bathing  the  feet  and  legs  in  warm  water  has  a 
great  tendency  to  rcftore  the  pcrfpiratlon.  But  care 
muft  be  taken  that  the  water  be  not  too  warm, 
otherwife  it  will  do  hurt.  It  (hould  never  be  much 
warmer  than  the  blood,  and  the  patient  (hould  go 
immediately  to  bed  after  ufing  it.  Bathing  the  feet 
in  warm  water,  lying  in  bed,  and  drinking  warm 
water-gruel,  or  other  weak  liquors,  will  fooncr 
take  off  a  fpafm,  and  reftore  the  perfpiration,  than 
all  the  hot  fudorific  medicines  in  the  world.  This 
is  all  that  is  neceffary  for  removing  a  common  cold ; 
and  if  this  courfe  be  taken  at  the  beginning,  it 
will  feldom  faiU 

But  when  the  fymptoms  do  not  yield  to  abftU 
nence,  warmth,  and  diluting  liquors,  there  is  rea- 
fon  to  fear  the  approach  of  fome  other  difeafe,  as 
an  inflammation  of  the  breaft,  an  ardent  fever,  or 
the  like.  If  the  pulfe  therefore  be  hard  and  fre« 
quent,  tjic  flcin  hot  and  dry,  and  the  patient  com- 
plains of  his  head  or  breaft,  it  will  be  neceffary  to 
bleed,  and  to  give  the  cooling  powders  recom- 
mended in  the  fcarlet  fever  every  three  or  four 
hoursj  till  they  give  a  ftool. 

It  will  likewife  be  proper  to  put  a  bliftering- 
plafter  on  the  back,  to  give  two  table- fpoonfuls  of 
the  faline  mixture  every  two  hours,  and  in  fliort  to 
treat  the  patient  in  all  refpefts  as  for  a  flight  fever. 
I  have  often  feen  this  courfe,  when  obferved  at  the 
beginning,  remove  the  complaint  in  two  or  three 
days,  when  the  patient  had  all  the  fymptoms  of  an 
approaching  ardent  fever,  or  an  inflammation  of 
the  breaft. 

The  chief  fecret  of  preventing  colds  lies  in  avoid- 
ing, as  far  as  poffible,  all  extremes  cither  of  heat 
or  cold,  and  in  taking  care,  when  the  body  is 
heated,  to  let  it  cool  gradually.  Thefe  and  other 
circumftances  relating  to  this  important  fubjeft, 

T  4  arc 


aSo        OF   A   COMMON   GOl/GH. 

are  fo  fully  treated  of  under  the  article  OhfiruEled 
Perjpiratitm^  that  it  is  needlefs  here  to  refume  the 
confideration  of  them. 

OF   A   COMMON   COUGH. 

A  cough  is  generally  the  efre6t  of  a  cold^  which 
has  either  been  improperly  treated,  or  entirely  ne- 
•glefted.  When  it  proves  obftinate^  there  is  aU 
^ays  reafon  to  fear  the  confequences,  as  this  (hews 
a  weak  ftate  of  the  lungs^  and  is  often  the  forerun- 
ner of  a  confumption. 

If  the  cough  be  violent,  and  the  patient  young 
and  ftrong,  with  a  hard  quick  pulfe,  bleeding  will 
be  prpper ;  but  in  weak  and  relaxed  habits^  bleed* 
ing  rather  prolongs  the  difeafe.  When  the  patient 
fpits  freely,  bleeding  is  unnecefTary,  and  fome* 
times  hurtful,  as  it  tends  to  leiTen  that  difcharge. 

When  the  cough  is  not  attended  with  any  degree 
of  fever,  and  the  fpittle  is  vifcid  and  tough,  (harp 
pedtoral  medicines  are  to  be  adminiftered;  as  gum 
ammoniac,  fquilis,  &c.  Two  table- fpoonfuls  otthe 
folution  of  gum  ammoniac  may  be  taken  three  or 
four  times  a-day,  more  or  lefs,  according  to  the  age 
and  conftitution  of  the  patient.  Squills  may  be 
given  various  ways:  two  ounces  of  the  vinegar,  the 
oxymel,  or  the  fyrup,  may  be  mixed  with  the  fame 
quantity  of  fimple  cinnamon-water,  to  which  may 
be  added  an  ounce  of  common  water  and  an  ounce 
of  balfamic  fyrup.  Two  table-fpoonfuls  of  this 
mixture  may  be  taken  three  or  four  times  a-day. 

A  fyrup  made  of  equal  parts  of  lemon-juice, 
.honey,  and  fugar-candy,  is  likewife  very  proper  in 
this  kind  of  cough.  A  table- fpoonful  of  it  may  be 
taken  at  plcafure. 

But  when  the  deBuxion  is  fharp  and  thi^ij^  thefe 
medicines  rather  do  hurt.   In  this  cafe  gentle  opiates^ 

oils. 


OF  A  COMMON  COUGH.      ai8 

oilsj  and  mucilages^  arc  more  proper*  A  cup  of  an 
infufion  of  wild  pop{^y  leaves,  and  marfli-mallow 
roots,  or  the  flowers  of  col*s-foot,  may  be  taken 
frequently ;  or  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the  paregoric  elixir 
may  be  put  into  the  patient's  drink  twice  a*day« 
Fuller's  Spanifh  infufion  is  alfo  a  very  proper  medi- 
cine in  this  cafe,  and  may  be  taken  in  the  quantity 
of  a  tea-cupful  three  or  four  times  aday*. 

When  a  cough  is  occaQoned  by  acrid  humours 
tickling  the  throat  and  fauces y  the  patient  fhould 
keep  fome  foft  peroral  lozenges  almoft  conftantiy 
in  his  mouth;  as  the  Pontefradt  liquorice  cakes, 
barley- fugar,  the  common  balfamic  lozenges,  Spa- 
nifti  juice,  &c,  Thefe  blunt  the  acrimony  of  the 
humours,  and  by  taking  oIF  their  ftimulating  quality, 
help  to  appeafe  the  cough  f. 

In  obftinate  coughs,  proceeding  from  a  flux  of 
humours  upon  the^lvjngs,  it  will  often  be  neceflfary, 
befides  expeftorating  medicines,  to  have  recourfe  to 
iflues,  fetons,  or  fome  other  drain.  In  this  cafe  I 
have  often  obferved  the  mod  happy  efl^cds  from  a 
Burgundy-pitch  plafter  applied  between  the  fhouU 
ders.  I  have  ordered  this  Ample  remedy  in  the  moft 
obftinate  coughs,  in  a  great  number  of  cafes,  and 
in  many  different  conftitutions,  without  ever  know-* 
ing  it  fail  to  give  relief,  unlefs  where  there  were 
evident  figns  oran  ulcer  in  the  lungs. 

About  the  bulk  of  a  nutmeg  of  Burgundy-piifh 
may  be  fpread  thin  upon  apiece  of  foft  leather,  about 

•  Sec  Appendix,    Spanijb  Infufion, 

f  In  a  former  edition  of  this  book  I  recommended,  for  an  ob- 
ftinate tickling  cough,  an  oily  emulfion,  made  with  the  parego- 
ric elixir  of  the  Edinburgh  Difpenfatory,  indead  of  the  common 
alkaline  fpirit.  I  have  fince  been  told  by  feveral  praAitioners, 
that  they  found  it  to  be  an  excellent  medicine  in  this  diforder, 
and  every  way  deferving  of  the  charader  which  I  had  given  it. 
Where  this  elixir  is  not  kept,  its  place  may  be  fupplicd  by  adding 
to  the  common  oily  emulfion,  an  adequate  proportion  of  the 
Thebaic  tindure^  or  liquid  laudanum. 

I  the 


i»2      OF   A    COMMON   COUGH. 

the  fize  of  the  hand,  and  laid  between  the  ftioulder- 
hlades.  It  may  be  taken  off  and  wiped  every  three 
or  four  days,  and  oughc  to  be  renewed  once  a  fort- 
night or  three  weeks.  This  is  indeed  a  cheap  and 
fimple  medicine,  and  confequently  apt  to  be  defpif- 
cdj  but  we  will  venture  to  affirm,  that  the  whole 
materia  medica  does  not  afford  an  application  more 
efficacious  in  almoft  every  kind  of  cough.  It  has 
not  indeed  always  an  immediate  efleft;  but,  if  kept 
on  for  fome  time,  ic  will  fucceed  where  moft  other 
medicines  fail. 

The  only  inconveniency  attending  this  plafter  is 
the  itching  which  it  occafionsj  but  furcly  this  may 
be  difpenfed  with,  confidcring  the  advantage  which 
the  patient  may  expeft  to  reap  from  the  application; 
befidcs,  when  the  itching  becomes  very  uneafy, 
the  plafter  may  be  taken  off,  and  the  part  rubbed 
with  a  dry  cloth,  or  wafhed  with  a  little  warm  milk 
and  water.  Some  caution  indeed  is  necelTary  in  dif- 
continuing  the  ufe  of  fuch  a  plafter;  this  however 
may  be  fafely  done  by  making  it  fmaller  by  de- 
grees, and  at  length  quitting  it  altogether  in  a  warm 
feafon  *. 

But  coughs  proceed  from  many  other  caufes  bc- 
fides  defluxions  upon  the  lungs.  In  thefe  cafes  the 
cure  is  not  to  be  attempted  by  peroral  medicines. 
Thus,  in  a  cough  proceeding  from  a  foulnefs  and 
debility  of  the  ftomach,  fyrups,  oils,  mucilages,' 
^  and  all  kinds  of  balfamic  medicines  do  hurt.  The 
ftomach  cough  may  be  known  from  one  that  is  owing 
to  a  fault  in  the  lungs  by  this,  that  in  the  latter 
the  patient  coughs  whenever  he  infpires,  or  draws 

*  Some  complain  that  the  pitch  plafter  adheres  too  faft,  while 
others  fiod  difficulty  in  keeping  it  on.  This  proceeds  from 
the  different  kinds  of  pitch  made  ufe  of,  and  likewise  from 
the  manner  of  making  it.  I  generally  find  ic  anfwer  bed  when 
mixed  with"^  little  bees- wax,  and  fpread  as  cool  as  poffible. 
The  clear,  hard,  tranfparent  pitch  anfwers  the  porpofe  bcft. 

ia 


OF   A   COMMON  COUGH.      283 

in  his  breath  fully  -,  but  in  the  former  that  does  not 
happen. 

The  cure  of  this  cough  depends  chiefly  upon 
cleanfing  and  ftrengthening  the  ftomach ;  for  which 
purpofc  gentle  vomits  and  bitter  purgatives  are  moft 
proper.  Thus,  after  a  vomit  or  two,  the  facred 
tinfture,  as  it  is  called,  may  be  taken  for  a  confider- 
able  time  in  the  dofe  of  one  or  two  table-fpoonfuls 
twice  a-day,  or  as  often  as  it  is  found  neceflary,  to 
keep  the  body  gently  open.  People  may  make  this 
tincture  themfelves,  by  infufing  an  ounce  of  hiera 
ficra"^  in  an  Englifli  pint  of  white  wine,  letting  it 
Hand  a  few  days,  and  then  draining  it. 

In  coughs  which  proceed  from  a  debility  of  the 
ftomach,  the  Peruvian  bark  is  likewife  of  confider- 
able  fervice.     It  may  either  be  chewed,  taken  in' 
powder,  or  made  into  a  tinfture  along  with  other 
ftomachic  bitters. 

j4  nervous  cough  can  only  be  removed  by  change 
of  air  and  proper  exercife ;  to  which  may  be  added 
the  ufe  of  gentle  opiates.  Inftead  of  the  fapona^ 
ceous  pill,  the  paregoric  elixir,  &c.  which  are  only 
opium  difguifed,  ten,  fifteen,  twenty,  or  twenty- 
five  drops  of  liquid  laudanum,  more  or  lefs,  as  cir« 
cumftances  require,  may  be  taken  at  bed-time,  or 
when  the  cough  is  mofl  troublefome.  Immerfing 
the  feet  and  hands  in  warm  water  will  often  appeafe 
the  violence  of  a  nervous  cough. 

When  a  cough  is  only  the  fymptom  of  fomc  other 
malady,  it  is  in  vain  to  attempt  to  remove  it  with* 
out  firft  curing  the  difeafe  from  which  it  proceeds. 
Thus  when  a  cough  is  occafioned  by  teetbingy  keep- 
ing the  body  open,  fcarifying  the  gums,  or  whatever 
facilitates  the  cutting  of^the  teeth,  likewife  appeafes 
the  cough.  In  like  manner,  when  worms  occafion 
a  cough,  fuch  medicines  as  remove  theiib  vermin 

*  Sf  c  Appendix,  Hma  Fivra. 

wiU 


284      OF  THE  HOOPING-COUGH, 

will  generally  cure  the  cough  ^  as  bitter  purgatives, 
oily  clyfters,  and  fuch  like. 

Women,  during  the  lafl:  months  of  pregnancy, 
are  often  greatly  afflicted  with  a  cough,  which  is 
generally  relieved  by  bleeding,  and  keeping  the 
body  gently  open.  They  ought  to  avoid  all  flatu- 
lent food,  and  to  wear  a  loofe  eafy  drefs. 

A  cough  is  not  only  a  fymptom,  but  is  often  like-* 
wife  the  fore-runner  of  difeafes.  Thus,  the  gout  is 
frequently  ufliered  in  by  a  very  troublefome  cough, 
which  afFeds  the  patient  for  fonne  days  before  the 
coming  on  of  the  fit.  This  cough  is  generally  re- 
moved by  a  paroxyfm  of  the  gout,  which  (hould 
therefore  be  promoted,  by  keeping  the  extremities 
warm,  drinking  warm  liauors,  and  bathing  the 
feet  and  legs  frequently  in  lukewarm  water. 

OF    THE    HOOPING-COUGH,    or 

CHIN-COUGH. 

This  cough  feldom  afFefts  adults,  but  proves  often 
fatal  tQ  children.  Such  children  as  live  upon  thin 
watery  diet,  who  breathe  unwholefome  air,  and  have 
too  little  exercife,  are  molt  liable  to  this  difeafe> 
and  generally  fuffer  moft  from  it. 

The  chin-cough  is  fo  well  known,  even  to  nurfes, 
that  a  defcription  of  it  is  unneceflary.  Whatever 
hui^ts  the  dtgeftion,  obftrufts  the  perfpiration,  or 
reiiuces  the  folids,  difpofes  to  this  difeafe :  confe- 
qucntly  its  xure  muft  depend  upon  cleanfing  and 
ftrengthening  the  ftomach,  bracing  the  folids,  and 
at  the  fame  time  promoting  perfpiration  and  the 
different  fecrctions. 

».  The  diet  muft  be  light,  andof  eafy  digeftion;  for 
children,  good  bread  made  into  pap  or  pudding, 
chicken-broth,  with  other  light  fpoon- meats,  are 
proper  J  but  thofe  who  are  farther  advanced  may  be 
allowed  fago- gruel,  and  if  the  fever  be  not  high,  a 

little 


OR    CHIN-COUGH.  a«5 

little  boiled  chicken,  or  other  white  meats.  The 
drink  rhay  be  hyffop,  or  penny-royal  tea,  fweetened 
with  honey  or  fugar-candy,  fmall  wine-whey  j  or, 
if  the  patient  be  weak,  he  may  fometimes  be  allowed 
a  little  negus. 

One  of  the  moft  efFcftual  remedies  in  the  chin- 
cough  is  change  of  air.  This  often  removes  the 
malady,  even  when  the  change  feems  to  be  from  a 
purer  to  a  lefs  wholefome  air.  This  may  in  fooie 
meafure  depend  on  the  patient's  being  removed 
from  the  place  where  the  infedtion  prevaih.  Moft 
of  the  difeafes  of  children  are  infeftious;  nor  is  it 
at  all  uncommon  to  find  the  chin-cough  prevailing 
in  one  town  or  village,  when  another,  at  a  very 
fmall  diftance,  is  quite  free  from  it.  But  whatever 
be  the  caufe,  we  are  fure  of  the  fa6t.  No  time 
ought  therefore  to  be  loft  in  removing  the  patient 
at  fome  diftance  from  the  place  where  he  caught 
the  difeafe,  and,  if  poilible,  into  a  more  pure  and 


warm  air*, 


When  the  difeafe  proves  violent,  and  the  patient 
is  in  danger  of  being  fuffocated  by  the  cough,  he 
ought  to  be  bled,  efpecially  if  there  be  a  fever  with 
a  hard  full  pulfe.  But  as  the  chief  intention  of 
bleeding  is  to  prevent  an  inflammation  of  the  lungs, 
and  to  render  it  more  fafe  to  give  vomits,  it  will  fel- 
dom  be  necefiary  to  repeat  the  operation;  yet  if 
there  are  fymptoms  of  an  inflammation  of  the  lungs, 
a  fecond  or  even  a  third  bleeding  may  be  requifite. 

It  is  generally  reckoned  a  fovourable  fymptoni 
when  a  fit  of  coughing  makes  the  patient  vomit. 
This  cleanfes  the  ftomach,  and  greatly  relieves  the 

*  Some  think  the  air  oaght  not  to  be  changed  till  the  difeaft 
is  on  the  decline;  but  there  feems  to  be  no  fufficient  reafon  for 
this  opinion,  as  patients  have  been  known  to  reap  benefit  from  a 
change  of  air  at  all  periods  of  the  difeafe.  It  is  not  fofficient  to 
take  the  patient  oat  daily  in  a  carriage.  This  feldom  anfwert 
any  good  purpQfe }  but  often  does  hurt,  by  gi?ing  him  cold. 

cough. 


ft86     OF   THE   HOOPING-COUGH, 

OQUgh.  It  will  therefore  be  proper  to  promote  this 
difcharge^  either  by  fmall  dofes  of  ipecacuanha,  or 
the  Tomiting  julep  recommended  in  the  Appen- 
dix ♦. 

It  is  very  difficult  to  make  children  drink  after  a 
▼omit.  I  have  often  feen  them  happily  deceivedj 
b?  infufing  a  fcruple  or  half  a  drachm  of  the  powder 
ot  ipecacuanha  in  a  tea-pot>  with  half  an  Englifh 
pint  of  boiling  water*  If  this  be  difguifed  with  a 
few  drops  of  milk  and  a  little  fugar,  they  wiil  ima- 
gine it  tea,  and  drink  it  very  greedily.  A  itnall 
tea-cupful  of  this  may  be  given  every  quarter  of 
an  hour,  or  rather  every  ten  minutes^  till  it  ope- 
rates. When  the  child  begins  to  puke,  there  will 
be  no  occafion  for  drinking  any  more,  as  the  water 
already  on  the  ftomach  will  be  fufficient. 

Vomits  not  only  cleanfe  the  ftomach,  which  in 
this  difeafe  is  generally  loaded  with  vifcid  phlegm, 
but  they  likewife  promote  the  perfpiration  and  ether 
fccretions,  and  ought  therefore  to  be  repeated  ac- 
cording to  the  obftinacy  of  the  difeafe.  They 
jihould  not  however  be  ftrong  $  gentle  vomits  fre- 
quently repeated  are  both  lefs  dangerous,  and  more 
beneficial  than  ftrong  ones. 

The  body  ought  to  be  kept  gently  open.  The 
beft  medicines  for  this  purpofe  are  rhubarb  and  its 
preparations,  as  the  fyrup,  tindure,  &c.  Of  tbe(e 
a  tea-fpoonfui  ar  two  may  be  given  to  an  infant  twice 
or  thrice  a-day,  as  there  is  occafion.  To  fuch  as 
«re  farther  advanced,  the  dofe  muft  be  prc^r- 
tionally  increafed,  and  repeated  till  it  has  the  de^ 
fired  efied.  Thofe  who  cannot  be  brought  to  take 
the  bitter  tinfture,  may  have  an  infufion  of  fenna 
and  prunes,  fweetened  with  manna,  coarfe  fugar, 
or  honey  i  or  a  few  grains  of  rhubarb  mixed  with 
a  tea-fpoonful  or  two  of  fyrup,  or  currant  jelly, 

*  See  Appendoc,  Fmiting  7^^* 

fa 


OR   CHIN-COUGH.  ftf; 

fo  as  to  difguife  the  tafte.  Mofl:  children  are  food 
of  fyrups  and  jellies,  and  feldom  refufe  cvco  a 
difagrecable  medicine  when  mixed  with  them. 

Many  people  believe  that  oily,  pe£fcoral,  and 
balfamic  medicines  poflefs.  wonderful  virtues  for  the 
cure  of  the  chin-cough,  and  accordingly  exhibit 
them  plentifully  to  patients  of  every  age  and  con-^ 
ftitution,  without  confidering  that  every  thing  of 
this  nature  mud  load  the  ilomach,  hurt  the  di- 
geftiori,  and  of  courfe  aggravate  the  diforder  *. 

The  millepedesy  or  woodlicc,  arc  greatly  reconv* 
mended  for  the  cure  of  a  chin-cough.  Thofe 
who  chufe  to  make  ufe  of  thefe  infefts,  may  infufe 
two  ounces  of  them  bruifed  in  an  Englifh  pint  of 
fmall  white-wine  for  one  night.  Afterwards  the 
liquor  may  be  drained  through  a  cloth,  and  a  table-* 
fpoonful  of  it  given  to  the  patient  three  or  four 
times  a-day. 

Opiates  are  fometimes  neceflary  to  allay  the  vio- 
lence of  the  cough.  For  this  purpofe  a  little  of  the 
fyrup  of  poppies,  or  five,  fix,  or  feven  drops  of 
laudanum,  according  to  the  age  of  the  patient,  may 
be  taken  in  a  cup  of  hyffop  or  penny-royal-tea,  and 
repeated  occafionally  f. 

The  garlic  ointment  is  a  well-known  remedy  in 
North-Britain  for  the  chin-cough.  It  is  made  by 
beating  in  a  mortar  garlic  with  an  equal  quantity 
of  hogs  lard.     With  this  the  foles  of  the  feet  m^y 

*  Dr.  DuPLANiL  fays,  he  has  feen  many  good  efFefls  from 
the  kerxnes  mineral  in  this  complaint,  the  cough  being  fre* 
quently  alleviated  even  by  the  fivfi  dofe.  The  dofe  for  a  child  of 
one  year  old,  is  a  quarter  of  a  grain  diflblved  in  a  cap  of  anf 
liquid,  repeated  two  or  three  times  a-day.  For  a  child  of  two 
years  the  dofe  is  half  a  grain ;  and  the  quantity  mufl  be  thusip<» 
creafed  in  proportion  to  the  age  of  the  patient. 

t  Some  recommend  the  extract  of  hemlock  as  an  extraordi* 
nary  remedy  in  the  hooping-cough ;  but  fo  far  as  I  have  beea 
able  to  obferve,  it  is  no  way  fuperior  to  opium,  which,  when  pro- 
perly adminiAered,  will  often  relieve  fome  of  the  mod  trouole- 
ibme  fymptoms  of  this  diforder. 

be 


388  OF  THE  HOOPING-COUGH,  &c. 

be  rubbed  twice  or  thrice  a- day;  but  the  beft  me- 
thod is  to  fpread  it  upon  a  rag,  and  apply  it  in  the 
form  of  plafter.  It  Ihould  be  renewed  every  nighc 
and  morning  at  leaft^  as  the  garlic  foon  lofes  its 
virtue.  This  is  an  exceeding  good  medicine  both 
in  the  chin-cough,  and  in  moft  other  coughs  of  an 
obftinate  nature.  It  ought  not  however  to  be  ufcd 
nrhen  the  patient  is  very  hot  or  fevcrifh,  left  it 
ihould  increafe  thefe  fymptoms. 

The  feet  ftiould  be  bathed  once  every  two  or 
three  days  in  lukevi^arm  water;  and  a  Burgundy- 
pitch  plafter  kept  conftantly  between  the  (houlders. 
But  when  the  difeafc  proves  very  violent,  it  will 
be  neceflary,  inftead  of  it,  to  apply  a  bliftering- 
plafter,  and  to  keep  the  part  open  for  fomc  time 
with  iflue-ointmcnt. 

When  the  difeafc  is  prolonged,  and  the  patient 
is  free  from  a  fever,  the  Peruvian  bark,  and  other 
bitters,  are  the  moft  proper  medicines.  The  bark 
may  either  be  taken  in  fubftance,  or  in  a  decodtion 
orinfufion,  as  is  moft  agreeable.  For  a  child,  ten, 
fifteen,  or  twenty  grains,  according  to  the  age  of 
the  patient,  may  be  given  three  or  four  times  a-day. 
For  an  adult,  half  a  drachm  or  two  fcruples  will 
be  proper.  Some  give  the  extradt  of  the  bark  with 
cantharides;  but  to  manage  this  requires  a  con- 
fiderable  attention.  It  is  more  fafe  to  give  a  few 
grains  of  caftor  along  with  the  bark.  A  child  of 
fix  or  feven  years  of  age  may  take  feven  or  eight 
grains  of  caftor,  with  fifteen  grains  of  powdered 
bark,  for  a  dofe.  This  may  be  made  into  a  mix- 
ture with  two  or  three  ounces  of  any  fimple  diftilled 
water,  and  a  little  fyrup,  and  taken  three  or  four 
times  a- day. 


mM 


i    a89    1 


CHAP.    XXX. 

INFLAMMATION    OF    THE    STOMACH, 
AND    OTHER    VISCERA. 


A  LL  inflammations  of  the  bowels  aredangerous^ 
'^^  and  require  the  moft  fpeedy  afliftance;  as  they 
frequently  end  in  a  fuppuration,  and  fometimes  in 
a  mortification^  which  is  certain  death. 

CAUSES,— -An  inflammation  of  the  (lomach 
may  proceed  from  any  of  the  caufes  which  produce 
an  inflammatory  fever;  as  cold  liquor  drank  while 
the  body  is  warm,  obftruftcd  perfpiration,  or  the 
fudden  ftriking  in  of  any  eruption.  It  may  like- 
wife  proceed  from  the  acrimony  of  the  bile,  or  from 
acrid  and  (limulating  fubftances  taken  into  the  fto- 
mach ;  as  ftrong  vomits  or  purges,  corrofive  poifons, 
and  fuch  like.  When  the  gout  has  been  repelled 
from  the  extremities,  either  by  cold  or  improper 
applications,  it  often  occaflons  an  inflammation  of 
the  ftomach.  Hard  or  indigefl:ible  fubftances  taken 
into  the  ftomach,  as  bones,  the  ftones  of  fruit,  &c, 
may  likevyife  have  that  eff^eft, 

SYMPTOMS, It  is  attended  with  a  fixed 

pain  and  burning  heat  in  the  ftomach ;  great  reft- 
leflhefs  and  anxieiy ;  a  fmall,  quick,  and  hard  pulfe;- 
vomiting,  or,  at  Icaft,  a  naufea  and  ficknefsj  ex- 
ceflive  thirftj  coldncfs  of  the  extremities;  diffi- 
culty of  breathing ;  cold  clammy  fweats ;  and 
fometimes  convullions  and  fainting  fits.  The  fto- 
mach is  fwelled,  and  often  feels  hard  to  the  touch; 
One  of  the  moft  certain  figns  of  this  difeafe  is  the 
fenfe  of  pain^  which  the  patient  feels  upon  taking 

U  any 


♦ 


490  INFLAMMATION  of  the  STOMACH,  kc 

any  kind  of  food  or  drink,  cfpccially  if  it  be  cither 
too  hot  or  too  cold. 

When  the  patient  vomits  every  thing  he  cats  or 
drinks,  is  extremely  rcftlefs,  has  a  hiccup,  with  an 
intermitting  puUe,  and  frequent  fainting  fits,  the 
danger  is  very  great. 

REGIMEN. All  acrimonious,  heating,  and 

irritating  food  and  drink  are  carefully  to  be  avoided. 
T*he  weaknefs  of  the  patient  may  deceive  the  by- 
ftanders,  and  induce  them  to  give  him  wines,  fpi- 
rits^  or  other  cordials  i  but  thele  never  fail  to  in- 
creafe  the  difeafe,  and  often  occafion  fudden  death. 
The  inclination  to  vomit  may  likewife  impofe  on 
the  attendants,  and  make  them  think  a  vomit  nc- 
ccfiarys  but  that  too  is  almoft  certain  death. 

The  food  mud  be  light,  thin,  cool,  and  eafy  of 
digeftion.  It  mud  be  given  in  fmall  quantities^ 
and  fhould  neither  be  quite  cold  nor  too  hot.  Thin 
gnicl  made  of  barley  or  oatmeal,  light  toafted 
bread  diiTolvcd  in  boiling  water,  or  very  weak 
chicken  broth,  arc  the  moft  proper.  The  drink 
ihould  be  clear  whey,  barley-water,  water  in  which 
toafted  bread  has  been  boiled,  or  deco£tions  of 
emollient  vegetables;  as  liquorice  and  marih-maU 
low  roots,  farfaparilla,  &c. 

MEDICINE- Bleeding  in  this  difeafcis  ab- 

folutely  neccfTary,  and  is  almoft  the  only  thing  that 
can  be  depended  on.  When  the  difeafc  proves 
obftinate,  it  will  often  be  proper  to  repeat  this  ope- 
ration feveral  times,  nor  muft  the  low  ftate  of  the 
pulfe  deter  us  from  doing  fo.  The  pulfe  indeed 
generally  rifes  upon  bleeding,  and  as  long  as  that 
is  the  cafe,  the  operation  is  fafe. 
.  Frequent  fomentations  with  lukewarm  water,  or 
a  decoAion  of  emollient  vegetables,  are  likewife 
beneficial.  Flannel  cloths  dipped  in  thefc  muft  be 
applied  to  the  region  of  the  ftomach,  and  removed 
as  they  grow  cooK    They  mult  neither  be  applied 

coo 


^■^ 


mFLAMMATiON  oftb$  INTESTINES,  agt 

too  warm,  nor  be  fuffcred  to  continue  till  they  bc- 
conne  quice  cold,  as  either  of  thefe  extremities 
would  aggravate  the  difeafe. 

The  feet  and  legs  ought  likewifc  to  be  fre- 
quently bathed  in  lukewarm  water,  and  warm  bricks 
or  poultices  may  be  applied  to  the  foles  of  the  feet. 
The  warm  bath,  if  it  can  be  conveniently  ufcd> 
will  be  of  great  fervice. 

In  this,  and  all  other  inflammations  of  the  bowels, 
an  epifp;illic«  or  bliftering-plafter,  applied  over  the 

rart  aBfeded,  is  one  of  the  belt  remedies  I  know» 
have  often  ufed  it,  and  do  not  recolleft  one  in* 
ftance  wherein  it  did  not  give  relief  to  the  ps« 
tienc« 

The  only  internal  medicines  which  we  (hall  ven- 
ture to  recommend  in  this  difeafe,  are  mild  clyfters. 
Thefe  may  be  made  of  warm  water,  or  thin  water- 
gruel)  and  if  the  patient  is  coftive,  a  little  fweec 
oil,  honey,  or  manna,  may  be  added.  Clyderi 
anfwer  the  purpofe  of  an  internal  fomentation, 
while  they  keep  t-he  body  open,  and  at  the  fame 
time  nourifh  the  patient,  who  is  often  in  this  dif- 
eafe unable  to  retain  any  food  upon  his  (lomsch. 
For  thefe  reafons  they  mud  not  be  neglefted,  as 
the  patient's  life  may  depend  on  them. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  INTESTINES.. 

This  is  one  of  the  mod  painful  and  dangerous 
difeafes  that  mankind  is  liable  to.  Ic  generally 
proceeds  from  the  fame  caufes  as  the  inflammation 
of  the  ftomachs  to  which  may  be  added  coftivc* 
nefs,  worms,  eating  unripe  fruits,  or  great  qu»ri-r 
titles  of  nuts,  drinking  hard  windy  malt  liquors, 
as  ftale  bottled  beer  or  ale,  ibur  wine,  cyder,  &c. 
It  may  likewifc  be  occafioned  by  a  rupture,  by, 
fcirrhous  tumours  of  the  inteftines,  or  by  their op-» 
polite  fides  growing  together. 

U  2  The 


agi  INFLAMMATION  <?//;&tf  INTESTINES, 

The  inflammation  of  the  inteftincs  is  dcnomi-' 
nated  Iliac pajfton,  Enteritis,  fcff.  according  to  the 
name  of  the  parts  afFeftcd.  The  treatment  how- 
ever is  nearly  the  fame  whatever  part  of  the  inref- 
tinal  canal  be  the  feat  of  the  difeafe;  we  Ihall  there- 
fore omit  thcfe  diftinftions,  left  they  (hould  per- 
plex the  reader. 

The  Jymptoms  here  are  nearly  the  fame  as  in  the 
foregoing  difeafe;  only  the  pain,  if  poffible,  is 
nnore  acute,  and  is  fituated  lower.  The  vomiting 
is  likewife  more  violent,  and  fometimes  even  the 
excrements,  together  with  the  clyfters  and  fuppofi- 
tories,  are  difcharged  by  the  mouth.  Th^  patient 
is  continually  belching  up  wind,  and  has  often  an 
bbftruftion  of  his  urine. 

While  the  pain  (hifts,  and  the  vomiting  only* 
returns  at  certain  intervals,  and  while  the  clyfters 
pafs  downwards,  there  is  ground  to  hope;  but  when 
the  clyfters  2Lnd  faces  are  vomited,  and  the  patient 
is  exceeding  weak,  with  a  low  fluttering  pulfe,  a 
pale  countenance,  and  a  difagreeable  or  ftinking 
breath,  there  is  great  'reafon  to  fear  that  the  confe- 
quences  will  prove  fatal.  Clammy  fweats,  blaclc 
foetid  ftools,  with  a  fmall  intermitting  pulfe,  and  a 
total  ceflfation  of  pain;  are  figns  of  a  mortiflcation 
already  begun,  and  of  approaching  death. 

REGIMEN.— ^ The  regimen  in  this  difeafe  is 
in  general  the  fame  as  in  an  inflammation  of  the 
ftomach.  The  patient  muft  be  kept  quiet,  avoid- 
ing cold,  and  all  violent  pafllons  of  the  mind. 
His  food  ought  to  be  very  light,  and  given  in  fmall 
quantities;  his  drink  weak  and  diluti'ng;  as  clear 
whty,  barley-water,  and  fuch  like. 

MEDICINE. Bleeding   in   this,  as  well  as 

in  the  inflammation  of  the  ftomach,  is  of  the  greateft 
importance.  It  fliould  be  performed  as  foon  as  the 
fymptoms  appear^  and  muft  be  repeated  according 

to 


INFLAMMATION  efthe  INTESTINES.  293 

to  the  ftrength  of  the  pacientj  and  the  violence  of 
the  difeafe. 

A  bliftering  plaftcr  is  here  likewife  to  be  applied 
immediately  over  the  part  where  the  mod  violent 
pain  is.  This  not  only  relieves,  the  pain  of  the 
bowels,  but  even  clyftcrs  and  purgative  medicines^ 
which  before  had  no  effeft,  will  operate  when  the 
bliftcr  begins  to  rife. 

Fomentations  and  laxative  .clyfters  are  by  no 
means  to  be  omitted.  The  patient's  feet  and  legs 
fhould  frequently  be  bathed  in  warm  water ;  and 
cloths  dipped  in  it  applied  to  his  belly.  Bladders 
filled  with  warm  water  may  likewife  be  applied  to 
jhe  region  of  the  navel,  and  warm  bricks,  or  bottles 
filled  with  warm  water^  to  the  folcs  of  the  feet. 
The  clyfters  may  be  made  of  barley-water  or  thin 
gruel  with  fait,  and  foftened  with  fweet  oil  or  frefti 
butter.  Thefe  may  be  adminiftered  every  two  or 
three  hours,  or  ofcener,  if  the  patient  continues 
coftive. 

If  the  difeafe  does  not  yield  to  clyfters  and  fo* 
mentations,  recourfe  muft  be  had  to  pretty  ftrong 
purgatives  \  but  as  thefe,  by  irritating  the  bowels, 
often  increafe  their  contra6tion,  and  by  that  means 
fruftrate  their  own  intention,  it  will  be/neceffary 
to  join  them  with  opiates,  which,  by  allaying  the 
pain,  ar\d  relaxing  the  fpafmodic  contra£tions  of 
the  guts,  greatly  aftift  the  operation  of  purgatives 
in  this  cafe. 

What  anfwers  the  purpofe  of  opening  the  body 
very  well,  is  a  folution  of  the  bitter  purging  falts. 
Two  ounces  of  thefe  may  be  diflblved  in  an  Eng- 
lifli  pint  of  war.m  water,  or  thin  gruel,  and  a  teacup- 
ful  of  it  taken  every  half  hour  till  it  operates.  Ac 
the  fame. time  fifteen,  twenty,  or  twenty-five  drops 
of  laudanum  may  be  given  in  a  glafs  of  pepper- 
mint or  fimple  cinnamon-water,  to  appeafe  the  ir- 
ritation^ and  prevent  the  vomitings  &c. 

U  3  Acidi 


594  INFLAMMATION  ^//A^  INTESTINES, 

Acids  have  often  a  very  happy  efFeft  jn  (laying 
the  vomiting,  and  appeafing  the  other  violent  fymp- 
toms  of  this  difeafe.  It  will  therefore  be  of  ufe  to 
iharpen  the  patient's  drink  with  creann  of  tartar^ 
juice  of  lenion;  or,  when  thefe  cannot  be  ob« 
tained,  with  vinegar. 

But  it  often  happens  that  no  liquid  whatever  will 
(lay  on  the  (lomach.  In  this  cafe  the  patient  nnu(l 
take  purging  pills.  I  have  generally  found  the 
following  anfwer  very  well :  Take  jalap  in  powder, 
and  Mitriolated  tartar,  of  each  half  a  drachm^  opium 
one  grain,  Caftile  foap  as  much  as  will  make  the 
mafs  fit  for  pills.  Thefe  muft  be  taken  at  one 
ddfe,  and  if  they  do  not  operate  in  a  few  hourSj 
the  dofe  may  be  repeated. 

l£  a  ftool  cannot  be  procured  by  any  of  the  above 
means,  it  will  be  necefiary  to  immerfe  the  patient 
in  warm  water  up  to  the  breaft.  I  have  often  feen 
this  fucceed  when  other  means  had  been  tried  in 
vain.  The  patient  mud  continue  in  the  water  as 
long  as  he  can  eafily  bear  it  without  fainting,  and 
if  one  immerfion  has  not  the  defired  eflfcd,  it  may 
be  repeated  as  foon  as  the  patient's  ftrength  and 
ipirits  are  recruited.  It  is  more  fafe  for  him  to  go 
frequently  into  the  bath,  than  to  continue  too  long 
lat  a  time  -,  and  it  is  often  neceflfary  to  repeat  it  fe- 
jveral  times  before  it  has  the  defired  efFeit. 

•It  has  fometimes  happened,  after  all  other  means 
of  procuring  a  (lool  had  been  tried  to  no  purpofe, 
that  this  was  brought  about  by  immerfing  the  pa- 
tient's lower  extremities  in  cold  water,  or  making 
hitn  walk  upon  a  wet  pavement,  and  dalhing  his 
kgs  and  thighs  with  the  cold  water.  This  methodj^ 
when  others  fail,  at  lead  merits  a  trial.  It  is  in- 
•deed  attended  with  fomt  danger^  but  a  doubtful 
temedy  is  better  than  none. 

I^  defperate  cafes  it  is  common  to  give  quickfil- 
yer«    This  may  be  given  to  the  '(quantity  of  feveral 

7  pyncesi 


OF   THE   COLIC.  ,   n^s 

ounces,  or  even  a  pound,  but  fliould  not  exceed 
that*.  When  there  is  rcafon  to  fufpefb  a  mortifi- 
cation of  the  guts,  this  medicine  ought  not  to  be 
tried.  In  that  cale  ic  cannot  cure  the  patient,  and 
will  only  haften  his  death.  But  when  the  obftruc- 
tion  is  occafioned  by  any  caufe  that  can  be  removed 
by  force,  quickfilver  is  not  only  a  proper  medi- 
cine, but  the  bed  that  can  be  adminiftered,  as  it 
is  the  fitted  body  we  know  for  making  its  way 
through  the  intedinal  canai. 

If  the  difeafe  proceed  from  a  rupture,  the  pati^M 
mud  be  laid  with  his  head  very  low,  and  the  in- 
tedincs  returned  by  gentle  prcffure  with  the  hand. 
If  this,  with  fomentations  and  clyders,  fliould  not 
fucceed,  recourfe  mud  be  had  to  a  furgical  ope- 
ration,  which  may  give  the  patient  relief. 

Such  as  would  avoid  this  excruciating  and  dan- 
gerous diiHafe,  mufti  take  care  never  to  be  too  long 
without  a  dool.  ^ome  who  have  died  of  it  have 
had  fcveral  pounds  of  hard  dry  farces  taken  out  of 
their  guts.  They  (hould  likewife  beware  of  eating 
too  freely  of  four  or  unripe  fruits,  or  drinking 
dale  windy  liquors,  &c.  I  have  known  it  brought 
on  by  living  too  much  on  baked  fruits,  which  are 
feldom  good.  It  likewife  proceeds  frequently  from 
cold  caught  by  wee  clothes,  &c.  but  efpecially  from 
wet  feet. 

OF    tHE    COLIC. 

The  colic  has  a  great  refemblance  to  the  two  pre-* 
ceding  difeafes,  both  in  its  fymptpms  and  method 
of  cure.     It  is  generally  atteaded  with  codiveoefs 

*  When  qaick^ver  is  given  io  too  large  qftantities,  it  defeats 
Its  own  intention^  as  it  pulls  down  the  bottom  of  the  ftomaclit 
which  prevents  ic  getting  over  the  Pylorus.  In  this  cafe  the  pa* 
tient  (hould  be  hung  up  by  the  heels,  in  order  chat  the  quicknl- 
ver  may  be  difcharged  by  hU  mooth.   . 

U  4  and 


^(^6  OF  THE    COLIC. 

aod  acute  pain  of  the  bowels ;  and  requires  di- 
luting diet,  evacuations,  fonficntations,  &c. 

Colics  are  varioufly  denominated  according  to 
their  caufes,  as  xhc  flatulent ^  the  bilious,  the  byfteric^ 
the  nervous,  &c.  As  each  of  thefe  requires  a  par- 
ticular method  of  treatment,  we  (hall  point  out 
their  mod  general  fymptoms,  and  the  means  to  be 
vfcd  for  their  relief. 

The  flatulent,  or  wind- colic,  is  generally  occa- 
fioned  by  an  indifcrccc  ufe  of  unripe  fruits,  meats 
of  hard  digeftion,  windy  vegetables,  fermenting 
liquors,  and  fuch  like.  It  may  likewifc  proceed 
from  an  obftrudled  perfpiration,  or  catching  cold. 
Delicate  people,  whofe  digeftive  powers  are  weak, 
are  moil  liable  to  this  kind  of  colic«   . 

The  flatulent  colic  may  either  afFeft  the  (lomach 
or  inteftines.  It  is  attended  with  a  painful  (Iretch- 
ing  pf  the  affected  part.  The  patitnt  feels  a 
rumbling  in  his  guts,  and  is  generally  relieved  by 
a  difcharge  of  wind,  either  upwafrds  or  downwards. 
The  pain  is  feldom  confined  to  any  particular  part, 
as  the  vapour  wanders  from  one  divifion  ot  the 
bowels  to  another  till  it  finds  a  vent. 

When  the  difeafe  proceeds  from  windy  liquor, 
green  fruit,  four  herbs,  or  the  like,  the  beft  medi- 
cine on  the  firft  appearance  of  the  fymptoms  is  a 
dram  of  brandy,  gin,  or  any  good  fpirits.  The 
patient  Ihould  likewife  fit  with  his  feet  upon  a  warm 
hearth-flonc,  or  apply  warm  bricks  to  themj  and 
warm  cloths  may  be  applied  to  his  (lomach  and 
bowels. 

This  is  the  only  colic  wherein  ardent  fpirits,  fpi- 
ceries,  or  any  thing  of  a  hot  nature,  may  be  ven- 
tured upon.  Nor  indeed  are  they  to  be  ufed  here 
unlefs  at  the  very  beginning,  before  any  fymptoms 
of  inflammation  appear.  We  have  reafon  to  be- 
lieve, that  a  colic  occafioned  by  wind  or  flatulent 
food  might  always  be  cured  by  fpirits  and  warm  li- 
quors. 


OF    THE    COLIC.  297 

quors,  if  they  were  taken  immediately  upon  per- 
ceiving the  firft  uncafmefs;  but  when  the  pain  has 
continued  for  a  confiderable  time,  and  there  isrea* 
fon  to  fear  an  inflammation  of  the  bowels  is  al- 
ready begun,  all  hot  things  are  to  be  avoided  as 
poifon,  and  the  patient  is  to  be  treated  in  the  fame 
manner  as  for  the  inflammation  of  the  inteftines. 
.  Several  kinds  of  food,  as  honey,  eggs,  &c.  oc* 
caflon  colics  in  fome  particular  conllitutions,  I 
have  generally  found  the  bcft:  method  of  cure  for 
thefc  was  to  drink  plentifully  of  fmall  diluting  li- 
quors, as  water-gruel,  fmall  poflfetj  water  with 
toafted  bread  foaked  in  it,  &c. 

Colics  which  proceed  from  exccfs  and  indi- 
geftion  generally  cure  themfelvcs,  by  occafloning 
vomiting  or  purging.  Thefe  difcharges  are  by  no 
means  to  be  flopped,  but  promoted  by  drinking 
plentifully  of  warm  water,  or  weak  poflTet.  When 
their  violence  is  over,  the  patient  may  take  a  dofc 
of  rhubarb,  or  any  other  gentle  purge,  .to  carry  off 
the  dregs  of  his  debauch. 

Colics  which  are  occafioned  by  wet  feet,  or  catch- 
ing cold,  may  generally  be  removed  at  the  begin- 
ning, by  bathing  the  feet  and  legs  in  warm  water, 
and  drinking  fuch  warm  diluting  liquors  as  will 
promote  the  perfpiration,  as  weak  wine-whey,  or 
water-gruel,  with  a  fmall  quantity  of  fpirics  in 
it. 

Thofe  flatulent  colics,  which  prevail  fo  much 
among  country  people,  might  generally  be  pre- 
vented were  they  careful  to  change  their  clothes 
when  they  get  wet.  They  ought  likewifc  to  take  a 
dram,  or  to  drink  fome  warm  liquor  after  eating 
any  kind  of  green  trafh.  We  do  not  mean  to 
recommend  the  pradtice  of  dram-drinking,  but  in 
this  cafe  ardent  fpirits  prove  a  real  medicine,  and 
indeed  the  befl  that  can  be  adminiftered.  A  glafs 
of  good  pepper-mint  water  will  have  nearly  the 

fame 


498  OF    THE    COLIC. 

fame  efFeA  as  a  glafs  of  brandy^  and  in  fome  cafes  is 
rather  to  be  preferred. 

The  bilious  colic  is  attended  with  very  acute  pains 
about  the  region  of  the  navel.  The  patient  com- 
plains of  great  third,  and  is  generally  coftive.  He 
?romit^  a  hot,  bitter,  yellow-coloured  bile,  which 
being  difcharged,  feems  to  afford  fome  relief,  but  i& 
quickly  followed  by  the  fame  violent  pain  as  before. 
As  the  diflemper  advances,  the  propeiffity  to  vomit 
fometimes  increafes  fo  as  to  become  almoft  conti- 
nual, and  the  proper  motion  of  the  inteftines  is  fb 
far  perverted,  that  there  are  all  the  fymptoms  of 
an  impending  iliac  paSion. 

If  the  patient  be  young  and  ftrong,  and  the  pulfe 
full  and  frequent,  it  will  be  proper  to  bleed,  after 
^hkh  clyfters  may  be  adminiltered.  Clear  whey  or 
{[Tuely  iharpened  with  the  juice  of  lemon,  or  cream 
f>{  tartar,  muft  be  drank  freely.  Small  chicken- 
broth,  with  a  little  manna  diifolved  in  it,  or  a  fligbc 
decoftion  of  tamarinds,  are  likewife  very  proper^ 
or  any  other  thin,  acid,  opening  liquor. 

Befides  bleeding  and  plentiful  dilution,  it  will  be 
neccflfary  to  foment  the  belly  with'  cloths  dipped  in 
m»m  water,  and  if  this  Ihould  not  fucceed,  the 
'patient  mud  be  immerfed  up  to  the  bread  in  warm 
^ater. 

In  the  bilious  colic  the  vomiting  is  often  very 
difficult  to  redrain.  When  this  happens,  the  patient 
-may  drink  a  decodtion  of  toaded  bread,  or  an  infu- 
-fion  of  garden-mint  in  boiling  water.  Should  thefe 
not  have  the  de&red  effeft,  the  faline  draught,  with 
a  few  drops  of  laudanum  in  it,  may  be  given,  and 
j^peated  according  to  the  urgency  of  the  fymptonos. 
A  fmall  quantity  of  Venice  treacle  nlay  be  fpread  in 
Torm  of  a  cataplafm,  and  applied  to  the  pit  of  the 
fiomach.  Clyders,  with  a  proper  quantity  of  Venice 
4reac4e  or  liquid  laudanum  in  them^  may  likewife 
'l>e  frequently  adminidered. 

Such 


6F    THE    COLIC.  ^99 

Such  as  are  liable  to  frequent  returns  of  the  bi<> 
lious  colic  {hould  ufe  flcfli  fparingly,  and  live  ohiefljr 
upon  a  light  vegetable  diet.  They  Should  Irkeivriffe 
cake  frequently  a  dofe  of  cream  of  tartar  with  taouu- 
rinds,  or  any  other  cool  acid  purge. 

The  byjieric  colic  bears  a^reat  refemblancecothe 
bilious.  It  is  attended  with  acute  pains  about  xfac 
region  of  the  ftomach,  vomiting,  &c.  But  what 
the  patient  vomits  in  this  cafe  is  commonly  4i£  a 
greenifti  colour.  There  is  a  great  finking  of  the 
fpirits,  with  dejection  of  mind  and  difficulty  of 
breathing,  which  are  the  chara^keriilic  fymptomsof 
this  diforder;  Sometimes  it  is  accompanied  with 
the  jaundice,  but  this  generally  goes  off  of  its  owa 
accord  in  a  few  days. 

In  this  colic  all  evacuations,  :as  bleeding,  porg«- 
ing,  vomiting,  &c.  do  hurt.  Every  thing  that 
weakens  the  patient,  or  finks  the  fpirits,  is  to  be 
avoided.  If  however  the  vomiting  Ihouid  prove 
violent,  lukewarm  water,  or  ftnall  poflet,  may  be 
drank  to  cleanfe  the  ftomach.  Afterwards  the  pa- 
tient may  take  fifteen,  twenty,  or  twenty^fivc  drops 
of  liquid  laudanum  in  a  glafs  of  cinnamon  water. 
This  may  be  repeated  every  ten  or  twelve  hours  till 
the  fymptoms  abate. 

The  patient  may  likewife  take  four  or  five  of  the 
foetkl  pills  every  fist  hours,  and  drink  a  cup  of  pen-* 
ny-royal  tea"  after  them.  If  afafcetida  fiiould  prove 
difagreeable,  which  is  fometioies  the  cafe,  a  tea* 
fpoonful  of  the  tinftureof  caftor  in  a  cup  of  penny- 
royal tea,  or  thirty  or  forty  drops  of  the  bauam  of 
Peru  dropped  upon  a  bit  of  loaf-fugar,  may  be 
taken  in  its  ftcad.  The  anti-hyfteric  plaftcr  may 
alfo  be  ufed,  which  has  often  a  good  efied*. 

The  nervous  colic  prevails  among  miners,  fmeU 
(prsoflead,  plumbers,  the  manufadturers  of  white 

•  Sec  Appendix,  Anti-bjftme  fiaficr. 

lead. 


300  OF    THE    COLIC. 

lead,  &c.  Ic  is  very  common  in  the  cyder  coun<r 
ties  of  England,  and  is  fuppofed  to  be  occafioned 
by  the  leaden  veflels  ufpd  in  preparing  that  liquor. 
It  is  likewifc  a  frequent  difeafe  in  the  Weft  Indies, 
where  it  is  termed  the  dry  belly-ache. 

No  difeafe  of  the  bowels  is  attended  with  more 
excruciating  pain  than  this.  Nor  is  it  foon  at  an 
end.  I  have  known  it  continue  eight  or  ten  days 
with  very  little  intermiifion,  the  body  all  the  while 
continuing  bound  in  fpite  of  medicinCj  yet  at  length 
yield,  and  the  patient  recover  *.  It  generally  how- 
ever  leaves  the  patient  weak,  and  often  ends  in  a 
palfy. 

The  general  treatment  of  this  difeafe  is  fo  nearly 
the  fame  with  that  of  the  iliac  pafTion,  or  inflam- 
mation of  the  guts,  that  we  fhall  not  infift  upon  it. 
The  body  is  to  be  opened  by  mild  purgatives  given 
in  fmall  dofes>  and  frequently  repeated,  and  their 
operation  muft  be  affifted  by  foft  oily  clyfters,  fo- 
jnentations,  &c.  The  caftor  oil  is  reckoned  pecu- 
liarly proper  in  this  difeafe.  It  may  both  be  mixed 
with  the  clyfters  and  given  by  the  mouth. 

The  Barbadoes  tar  is  faid  to  be  an  efficacious 
medicine  in  this  complaint.  It  may  be  taken  to  the 
quantity  of  two  drachms  three  times  a  day,  or 
oftner  if  the  ftomach  will  bear  it.  This  tar,  mixed 
with  an  equal  quantity  of  ftrong  rum,  is  likewifc 
proper  for  rubbing  the  fpinc,  in  cafe  ^ny  tingling, 
or  other  fymptoms  of  a  palfy,  are  felt.  When  the 
tar  cannot  be  obtained,  thre  back  may  be  rubbed 
with  ftrong  fpirits,  or  a  little  oil  of  nutmegs  or  of 
rofemary. 

*  As  the  fmoke  of  tobacco  thrown  into  the  bowels  will  ofcen 
procure  a  ilool  when  all  other  means  have  failed,  an  apparatus 
for  this  purpofe  ought  to  be  kept  by  every  fnrgeon.  It  may  be 
parchafed  at  a  fmall  expence,  and  will  be  of  fervice  in  feveral 
other  cafesy  as  the  recovery  of  drowned  perfons.  Sec. 

If 


M^.^ 


INFLAMMATION  of  the  KIDKEYS.    301 

If  the  patient  remains  weak  ^nd  languid  after 
this  difeafe,  he  muft  take  excrcife  on  horfeback, 
and  ufe  an  infufion  of  the  Peruvian  bark  in  wine. 
When  the  difeafe  ends  in  a  palfy,  the  Bath-waters 
are  found  to  be  extremely  proper. 

To  avoid  this  kind  of  colic,  people  muft  fhun  all 
four  fruits,  "acids,  and  auftere  liquors,  &c.  Thofe 
who  work  in  lead  ought  never  to  go  to  their  bufi- 
nefs  fafting,  and  their  food  fhould  be  oily  or  fat. 
They  may  take  a  glafs  of  fallad  oil,  with  a  little 
brandy  or  rum  every  morning,  but  (hould  never 
take  fpirits  alone.  Liquid  aliment  is  beft  for  theni;' 
as  fat  broths,  &c.  but  low  living  is  bad.  Thcjr 
Ihould  frequently  go  a  little  out  of  the  tainted  air ; 
and  (hould  never  fuffer  themfelves  to  be  coftive.  In 
the  Weft  Indies,  and  on  the  coaft  of  Guinea,  it  has 
been  found  of  great  ufe,  for  preventing  this  colic> 
to  wear  a  piece  of  flannel  round  the  waift,  and  to 
drink  an  infufion  of  ginger  by  way  of  tea. 

Sundry  other  kinds  of  this  difeafe  might  bemen<-' 
tioned,  but  too  many  diftinflions  would  tend  only 
to  perplex  the  reader.  Thofe  already  mentioned  arc 
the  moft  material,  and  (hould  indeed  be  attended  to^ 
as  their  treatment  is  very  different.  But  even  pcr- 
fons  who  are  not  in  a  condition  to  diftinguifh  verjr 
accurately  in  thefe  matters,  may  neverthclcfs  be  of 
great  fcrvice  to  patients  in  colics  of  every  kind,  by 
only  obferving  the  following  general  rules,  viz.  To 
bathe  the  feet  and  legs  in  warm  water;  to  apply 
bladders  filled  with  warm  water,  or  cloths  dipped 
in  it,  to  the  ftomach  and  bowels;  to  make  the 
patient  drink  freely  of  diluting  mucilaginous  li- 
quors >  and  to  give  him  an  emollient  clyftcr  every 
two  or  three  hours.  Should  thefe  not  fucceed,  the 
patient  ought  to  be  immerfed  in  warm  water. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  KIDNEYS. 

CAUSES. This  difeafe  may  proceed   frond 

any  of  chofe  caufes  which  produce  an  inflammatory 

6  fever. 


301  INFLAMMATION  *//*^  KIDKeYSI. 

fever.  It  may  likewife  be  occafioned  by  wounds  at 
bruifes  of  the  kidneys ;  fmall  (tones  or  gravel  lodg- 
ing within  theoi^  by  ftrong  diuretic  medicines;  a» 
ffMrits  of  turpentine^  tin£ture  of  cantharides,  &:c« 
Violent  motion,  as  hard  riding  or  walking,  efpe- 
cially  in  hot  weather,  or  whatever  drives  the  blood 
too  forcibly  into  the  kidney $»  may  occadon  this 
malady.  It  may  likewife  proceed  from  lying  too 
foft,  too  much  on  the  back,  involuntary  contrac* 
tions»  or  fpafrhs,  in  the  urinary  veflels,  &c. 

SYMPTOMS.— —There  is  a  fharp  pain  about 
the  region  of  the  kidneys,  with  fome  degree  of  fc- 
.ver,  and  a  ftupor  or  dull  pain  in  the  thigh  of  the 
afFe&ed  fide.  The  urine  is  at  firft  clear,  and  after- 
wards of  a  reddilh  colour ;  but  in  the  word  kind  of 
thedifeafe  it  generally  continues  pale,  ispaiTed  with 
difficulty,  and  commonly  in  fmall  quantities  at  a 
time*  The  patient  feels  great  uneafinefs  when  he 
endeavours  to  walk  or  fit  upright.  He  lies  with 
moft  eafe  on  the  affedted  fide,  and  has  generally  a 
naufea  or  vomiting,  refembling  that  which  happens 
in  the  colic. 

This  difeafe  however  may  be  dillinguiihed  from 
the  colic  by  the  pain  being  feated  farther  back,  and 
by  the  difficulty  of  paffing  urine  with  which  it  is 
eonftantly  attended. 

REGIMEN.— Every  thing  of  a  heating  or 
ftimulating  nature  is  to  be  avoided.  The  food  muft 
be  thin  and  light;  as  panado,  fmall  broths,  with 
mild  vegetables,  and  the  like.  Emollient  and  thin 
liquors  muft  be  plentifully  drank;  as  clear  whey,  or 
balm^tea  fweetened  with  honey,  decodions  of 
marih-mallow  roots,  with  barley  and  liquorice, 
&c.  The  patient,  notwithftanding  the  vomiting, 
mud  eonftantly  keep  fipping  fmall  quantities  of 
thefe  or  other  diluting  liquors.  Nothing  fo  fafcly 
and  certainly  abates  the  inflammation,  and  expels 
the  obftru&ing  caufe>  as  copious  dilution.     The 

.     patieac 


/ 


INFLAMMATION  of  the  KIDNEYS.    303 

patient  muft  be  kept  cafy,  quiet,  and  free  from 
cold,  as  long  as  any  fymptoms  of  inflammation  re- 
main. 

MEDICINE. Bleeding  is  generally  necef- 

fary,  cfpcciaUy  at  the  beginning.  Ten  or  twelve 
ounces  may  be  let  from  the  arm  or  foot  with  a  lan- 
cet, and  if  the  pain  and  inflammation  continue^,  the 
operation  may  be  repeated  in  twenty-four  hours,  ef- 
pecially  if  the  patient  be  of  a  full  habit.  Leecht^ 
may  likcwife  be  applied  to  the  haemorrholdal  veins, 
as  a  difcharge  from  thefe  will  greatly  relieve  the  pa- 
tient. 

Cloths  dipped  in  warm  water,  or  bladders  BUed 
with  it,  muft  be  applied  as  near  as  pofllible  to  the 
part  affcfted,  and  renewed  as  they  grow  cool.  If 
the  bladders  be  filled  with  a  deco6lion  of  mallows 
and  camomile  flowers,  to  which  a  little  faflron  i» 
added,  and  pnixed  with  about  a  third  part  of  new 
milk,  it  will  be  ftill  more  beneficial. 

Emollient  clyfters  ought  frequently  to  be  admi« 
niftered;  and  if  thefe  do  not  open  the  body,  a  litde 
fait  and  honey  or  manna  may  be  added  to  them. 

The  fame  courfe  is  to  be  followed  where  gravel  or 
ftone  is  lodged  in  the  kidney,  but  when  the  gravel' 
or  ftone  is  feparated  from  the  kidney,  and  lodges  in 
the  Ureter*,  it  will  be  proper,  befides  the  fomenta- 
tions, to  rub  the  fmall  of  the  back  with  fweet  oil, 
and  to  give  gentle  diuretics;  as  juniper-water  fweet- 
ened  with  the  fyrup  of  marfh-mallows:  a  tea- 
fpoonful  of  the  fweet  fpirits  of  nitre,  with  a  few 
drops  of  laudanum,  may  now  and  then  be  put  in  a 
cup  of  the  patient's  drink.  He  ought  likewife  to 
take  exercifc  on  horfcback,  or  in  a  carriage,  if  he 
be  able  to  bear  it. 

*  The  Ureters  are  two  long  and  fmall  canals,  one  on  each  fide» 
which  carry  the  urine  from  the  bafon  of  the  kidneys  to  the  blad- 
der. They  are  fometimes  obflrudled  by  fmall  (lones  or  gratel 
falling  down  from  the  kidney s«  and  lodging  in  chem. 

When 


304  INFLAMMATION^/ /i^^  BLADDER. 

When  the  difcafe  is  protracted  beyond  the  feventh 
or  eighth  day^  and  the  patient  complains  of  a  (lupor 
and  heavinefs  of  the  part,  has  frequent  returns  of 
chillnefsj  Ihivcring,  &c.^  there  is  reafon  to  fufped: 
that  matter  is  forming  in  the  kidney^  and  that  an 
abfcefs  will  enfue. 

When  matter  in  the  urine  (hews  that  an  ulcer  is 
already  formed  in  the  kidney,  the  patient  mud  be 
careful  toabftain  from  all  acrid,  four,  and  falted  pro- 
yifions;  and  to  live  chiefly  upon  mild  mucilaginous 
herbs  and  fruits,  together  with  the  broth  of  young 
animals,  made  with  barley,  and  common  pot-herbs, 
&c.  His  drink  may  be  whey,  and  butter-milk 
that  is  not  four.  The  latter  is  by  fome  reckoned  - 
a  fpecific  remedy  in  ulcers  of  the  kidneys.  To  an- 
fwcr  this  charafter,  however,  it  muft  be  drank  for  a 
confiderable  time.  Chalybeate  waters  have  like- 
wife  been  found  beneficial  in  this  difeafe.  This 
medicine  is  eafily  obtained,  as  it  is  found  in  every 
part  of  Great  Britain.  It  muft  likewife  be  ufcd  for 
a  confiderable  time,  in  order  to  produce  any  falu« 
tary  efFcdts. 

Thofe  who  are  liable  to  frequent  returns  of  inflam- 
mation, or  obftru£lions  of  the  kidneys,  muft  abftain 
from  wines,  efpecially  fuch  as  abound  with  tartar; 
and  their  food  ought  to  be  light,  and  of  eafy  digef- 
tion.  They  fliould  ufe  moderate  exercifc,  and 
ihould  not  lie  too  hot,  nor  too  much  on  their  back. 

INFLAMMATION   OF  THE  BLADDER. 

The  inflammation  of  the  bladder  proceeds,  in  a 
great  meafure,  from  the  fame  caufes  as  that  of  the 
kidneys.  It  is  known  by  an  acute  pain  towards 
the  bottom  of  the  belly,  and  difficulty  of  pafling 
urine,  with  fome  degree  of  fever,  a  conftant  in- 
clination to  go  to  ftool,  and  a  perpetual  defirc  to 
make  water. 

This 


■^^\^ 


INFLAMMATION  cf  the  UVER.     305 

This  difcafc  mud  be  treated  on  the  fame  princi* 
pies  as  the  one  injmediately  preceding.  The  diet 
muft  be  light  and  thin,  and  the  drink  of  a  cooling 
nature.  Bleeding  is  very  proper  at  the  beginning, 
and  in  robuft  conftitutions  it  will  often  be  neceflary 
to  repeat  it.  The  lower  part  of  the  belly  fhould  be 
fomented  with  warm  water,  or  a  dccodlion  of  mild 
vegetables;  and  emollient  clyfters  ought  frequently 
to  be  adminiftered,  &c. 

The  patient  fliould  abftain  from  every  thing  that 
is  of  a  hot,  acrid,  and  ftimulating  quality,  and 
fhould  live  entirely  upon  fmall  broths,  gruels,  or 
mild  vegetables. 

A  ftoppagc  of  urine  may  proceed  from  other 
caufes  befides  an  inflammation  of  the  bladder;  as  a 
fwelling  of  the  hcemorrhoidal  veins,  hard  fifces 
lodged  in  the  return;  a  Hone  in  the  bladder;  excre- 
fcences  in  the  urinary  paffages,  a  palfy  of  the  blad- 
der, hyfteric  afFeftions,  &c.  Each  of  thefe  requires 
a  particular  treatment,  which  does  not  fall  under 
our  prcfent  confideration.  We  (hall  only  bbfcrve, 
that  in  all  of  them  mild  and  gentle  applications  are 
the  fafeft,  as  ftrong  diuretic  medicines,  or  things 
of  an  irritating  nature,  generally  increafe  the*dan- 
ger.  I  have  known  fome  perfons  kill  themfelves 
by  introducing  probes  into  the  urinary  paffages,  to 
remove,  as  they  thought,  fomewhat  that  obftruded 
the  difcharge  of  urine,  and  others  bring  on  a  violent 
inflammation  of  the  bladder,  by  ufing  llrong  diure- 
tics, as  oil  of  turpentine,  &c.  for  that  purpufc. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  LIVER. 

The  liver  is  lefs  fubjed  to  inflammation  than  moft 
of  the  other  vifcera,  as  in  it  the  circulation  is  QoW'^ 
er;  but  when  an  inflammation  does  happen,  it  is 
with  difficulty  removed,  and  often  ends  in  a  fup- 
puration  or  fcirrhus. 

X  CAUSES. 


*»t 


■j. 


3o6     INFLAMMATION  of  the  LIVEFt. 

CAUSES. ^Betides  the  common  caufes  of  in-* 

flammation,  we  may  here  reckon  the  following,  vi%4 
cxceflive  fatnefs,  a  fchirrus  of  the  liver  itfclf,  vio- 
lent fhocks  from  ftrong  vomits  when  the  liver  was 
before  unfound,  an  aduft  or  atrabiliarian  ftate  of 
the  blood,  any  thing  that  fuddenly  cools  the  liver 
after  it  has  been  greatly  heated,  ftones  obftrufting 
the  courfe  of  the  bile,  drinking  ftrong  wines  and 
fpirituous  liquors,  ufing  hot  fpicy  aliment,  obfti- 
jiate  hypochondriacal  affedlions,  &c. 

SYMPTOMS. This  difeafe  is  known  by  a 

painful  tcnfion  of  the  right  fide  under  the  falfe  ribs, 
attended  with  fome  degree  of  fever,  a  fcnfe  of 
weight,  or  fulnefs  of  the  part,  difficulty  of  breath- 
ing, loathing  of  food,  great  thirft,  with  a  pale  or 
yellowifli  colour  of  the  (kin  and  eyes. 

Ihtjymptoms  here  are  various,  according  to  the 
degree  of  inflammation,  and  likewife  according  to 
the  particular  part  of  the  liver  wherie  the  inflamma- 
tion happens.  Sometimes  the  pain  is  fo  incohfider- 
able,  that  an  inflammation  is  not  fo  much  as  fuf- 
pefted ;  but  when  it  happens  in  the  upper  or  convex 
part  of  the  liver,  the  pain  is  more  acute,  the  pulfe 
quicker,  and  the  patient  is  often  troubled  with  a 
dry  cough,  a  hiccup,  and  a  pain  extending  to  the 
ihoulder,  with  difficulty  of  lying  on  the  left  fide,  &c* 

This  difeafe  may  be  diftinguiflied  from  the  plcu- 
rify  by  the  pain  being  lefs  violent,  feated  under  the 
falfe  ribs,  the  pulfe  not  fo  hard,  and  by  the  diffi- 
culty of  lying  on  the  left  fide.  It  may  be  diftin- 
guiflied from  the  hyfteric  and  hypochondriac  difor- 
ders  by  the  degree  of  fever  with  which  it  is  always 
attended. 

This  difeafe,  if  properly  treated,  is  feldom  mor- 
tal. A  conftant  hiccuping,  violent  fever,  and  ex- 
ccfjive  thirft,  are  bad  fymptoms.  If  it  ends  in  a 
fuppuration,  and  the  matter  cannot  be  difcharged 
outwardly,  the  danger  is  great.    When  the  fcirrhus 

of 


INFLAMMATION  of  the  LIVER.     ^307 

bf»thc  liver  enfues^  the  patient,  if  he  obferves  a 
proper  regimen,  may  neverthelefs  live  a'number  of 
years  tolerably  eafyj  but  if  he  indulge  in  animal 
food  and  ftrong  liquors,  or  take  medicines  of  an 
acrid  or  irritating  nature,  the  fcirrhus  will  be  con- 
Verted  into  a  cancer,  which  muft  infallibly  prove 
fatal. 

REGIMEN. The  fame  regimen  is  to  be  ob* 

ferved  in  this  as  in  other  inflammatory  diforders. 
All  hot  things  arc  to  be  carefully  avoided,  and  cool 
diluting  liquors,  as  whey,  barley  water,  &c.  drank 
freely.  The  food  muft  be  light  and  thin,  and  the 
body,  as  well  as  the  mind^  kept  eafy  and  quiet. 

MEDICINE. Bleeding  is  proper  at  the  be* 

ginning  of  this  difeafe,  and  it  will  often  be  neceflary^ 
even  though  the  pulfe  (hould  not  feel  hard,  to  repeat 
it.  All  violent  purgatives  are  to  be  avoided;  the 
body  however  muft  be  kept  gently  open.  A  decoc- 
tion of  tamarinds,  with  a  little  honey  or  manna, 
will  anfwer  this  purpofe  very  well.  The  fide  afFeft- 
cd  muft  be  fomented  in  the  manner  direfted  in  the 
foregoing  difeafes.  Mild  laxative  clyfters  fhould 
be  frequently  adminiftered;  and,  if  the  pain  ftiould 
notwithftanding  continue  violent,  a  bliftering  plaf- 
ter  may  be  applied  over  the  part  affrdted. 

Medicines  which  promote  the  fecfetion  of  urine 
have  a  very  good  efFcft  here.  For  this  purpofe  half 
a  drachm  of  purified  nitre,  or  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the 
fwect  fpirits  of  nitre,  may  be  taken  in  a  cup  of 
the  patient's  drink  three  or  four  times  a-day. 

When  there  is  an  inclination  to  fweat,  it  ought 
to  be  promoted,  but  not  by  warm  fudorifics.  The 
only  thing  to  be  ufed  for  that  purpofe  is  plenty  of 
diluting  liquors  drank  about  the  warmth  of  the  hu- 
man blood.  Indeed  the  patient  in  this  cafe,,  as  well 
as  in  all  other  topical  inflammations,  ought  to  drink 
nothing  that  is  colder  than  the  blood. 

Xa  If 


3o8     INFLAMMATION  of  the  LIVER. 

If  the  ftools  (hould  be  loofe,  and  even  ftreakcd 
with  blood,  no  means  muft  be  ufed  to  ftop  them; 
tmlefs  they  be  fo  frequent  as  to  weaken  the  patient. 
Loofe  ftools  often  prove  critical,  and  carry  off  the 
difeafe. 

If  an  abfcefs  or  impofthume  is  formed  in  the  liver, 
all  methods  (hould  be  tried  to  make  it  break  and 
difcharge  itfclf  outwardly,  as  fomentations,  the  ap- 
plication of  poultices,  ripening  cataplafms,  &c. 
Sometimes  indeed  the  matter  of  an  abfcefs  comes 
away  in  the  urine,  and  fometimes  it  is  difcharged 
by  ftool,  but  thefe  are  efforts  of  Nature  which  no 
means  can  promote.  When  the  abfcefs  burfts  into 
the  cavity  of  the  abdomen  at  large,  death  mufl:  enfue; 
nor  will  the  event  be  more  favourable  when  the  ab- 
fcefs is  opened  by  an  incifion,  unlefs  in  cafes  where 
the  liver  adheres  to  tht  peritotiieuin^  fo  as  to  form  a 
bag  for  the  matter,  and  prevent  it  from  falling  into 
the  cavity  of  the  abdomen  i  in  which  cafe  opening 
the  abfcefs  by  a  fufficiently  large  incifion  will  pro- 
bably fave  the  patient's  life*. 

If  the  diforder,  in  fpite  of  all  endeavours  to  the 
contrary,  (hould  end  in  a  fcirrhus,  the  patient  muft 
be  careful  to  regulate  his  diet,  &c.  in  fuch  a  manner 
as  not  to  aggravate  the  difeafe.  He  muft  not  in- 
dulge in  flefh,  fifh,  ftrong  liquors,  or  any  highly 
feafoned  or  faltcd  provifions;  but  (hould,  for  the 
moft  part,  live  on  mild  vegetables,  as  fruits  and 
roots;  taking  gentle  exercife,  and  drinking  whey, 
barley-water,  or  butter-milk.  If  he  takes  any  thing 
ftronger,  it  (hould  be  fine  mild  ale,  which  is  lels 
heating  than  wines  or  fpirits. 

Wc  (hall  take  no  notice  of  inflammations  of  the 
other  vifcera.  They  muft  in  general  be  treated  upon 
the   fame  principles  as  thofe  already  mentioned. 

*  I  knew  a  gentleman  who  has  had  feveral  abfcefies  of  the 
liver  opened^  and  is  noiv  a  ftrong  and  healthy  nuan,  though  above 
eight/ yeart  of  age. 

The 


\ 


Of  the  CHOLERA  MORBUS,  6?r.     3Q9 

The  chief  rule  with  rcfpcft  to  all  of  them,  is  to  Ice 
blood,  to  avoid  every  thing  that  is  ftrong,  or  of  a 
heating  nature,  to  apply  warm  fomentations  to  the 
part  afFefted,  and  to  caufe  the  patient  to  drink  4 
fufiicicnt  quantity  of  warm  diluting  liquors. 


CHAP.    XXXL 

OF  THE  CHOLERA  MORBUS,  AND  OTHER 

EXCESSIVE  DISCHARGES  FROM  THE 

STOMACH  AND  BOWELS. 

'TP  HE  cholera  morbus  is  a  violent  purging  and  vo- 
"*•  miting,  attended  with  gripes,  ficknefs,  and  a 
conftant  defire  to  go  to  ftool.  It  comes  on  fud- 
denfy,  and  is  mod  common  in  autumn.  There  is 
hardly  any  difeafe  that  kills  more  quickly  than 
this,  when  proper  means  are  not  ufed  in  due  time 
for  removing  it. 

CAUSES. It  is  occafioned  by  a  redundancy 

and  putrid  acrimony  of  the  bile ;  cold ;  food  thac 
eafily  turn^  rancid  or  four  on  the  ftomach  ;  as  but- 
ter,  bacon,  fweet-mears,  cucumbers,  melons,  cher- 
ries, and  other  cold  fruits*.  It'is  fometimes  thfc 
effeft  of  ftrong  acrid  purges  or  vomits,  or  of  poi- 
fonous  fubftances  taken  into  the  ftomach.  It  may 
likewifc  proceed  from  violent  paflTions  or  affcftions 
of  the  mind;  as  fear,  anger,  &c. 

SYMPTOMS. It  is  generally  preceded  by  a 

cardial^ia^  or  heart-burn,  four  belchings,  and  fla- 
tulencies, with  pain  of  the  ftomach  and  intcftinesi^ 
To  thcfc  fucceed  exccffive  vomiting,  and  purging 

*  I  have  been  twice  brought  to  the  gates  of  death  by  this  dif- 
cafe,  and  both  times  it  was  occafioned  by  eating  rancid  bacon. 

X3  of 


310    Oy  the  CHOLERA  MORBUS,  6?^. 

of  green,  yellow,  or  blackifh  coloured  bile,  with  ^ 
diftenfion  of  theftomach,  and  violent  griping  pains. 
There  is  likewife  a  great  thirft,  with  a  very  quick 
unequal  pulfe,  and  often  a  fixed  acute  pain  about 
the  region  of  the  navel.  As  the  difeafe  advances, 
the  pulfe  often  Gnks  fo  low  as  to  become  quite  im- 
perceptible, the  extremities  grow  cold,  or  cramped* 
and  are  often  covered  with  a  clammy  fweat,  the 
urine  is  obftrufted,  and  there  is  a  palpitation  of  the 
heart.  Violent  hiccuping,  fainting,  and  convul- 
jQonSy  are  the  (igns  of  approaching  death. 

MEDICINE. At  the  beginning  of  this  dif* 

cafe  the  efforts  of  Nature  to  expel  the  offending 
caufe  fhould  be  affifted,  by  promoting  the  purging 
and  vomiting.  For  this  purpofc  the  patient  mutt 
drink  freely  of  diluting  liquors;  as  whey,  butter- 
milk, warm  water,  thin  water-gruel,  fmall  poffct, 
or,  what  is  perhaps  preferable  to  any  of  them,  very 
weak  chicken  broth.  This  (hould  not  only  be 
drank  plentifully  to  promote  the  vomiting,  but  a 
clyfter  of  it  given  every  hour  in  order  to  promote 
the  purging. 

After  thcfe  evacuations  have  been  continued  for 
fome  time,  a  decoAion  of  toatted  oat-bread  may 
be  drank  to  ftop  the  vomiting.  The  bread  (hould 
be  toatted  till  it  is  of  a  brown  colour,  and  after- 
wards boiled  in  fpring-water.  If  oat-bread  cannot 
be  had,  wheat- bread,  or  oat-meal  well  toatted, 
may  be  ufed  iti  its  ftead.  If  this  does  not  put  a  ftop 
to  the  vomiting,  two  table-fpoonfuls  of  the  faline 
julep,  with  ten  drops  of  laudanum,  may  be  taken 
every  hour  till  it  ceafes. 

The  vomiting  and  purging  however  oyght  never 
to  be  ftopped  too  foon.  As  long  as  thefe  dif- 
charges  do  not  weaken  the  patient,  they  are  falu- 
tary,  and  may  be  allowed  to  go  on,  or  rather  ought 
to  be  promoted.  But  when  the  patient  is  weak- 
ened by  the  evacuations,  which  may  be  known 

fromi 


Of  the  CHOLERA  MORBUS,  ^c.    311 

from  the  finking  of  his  pulfe,  &c.  rccourfc  muft 
imnncdiately  be  had  to  opiates^  as  recommended 
above ;  to  which  may  be  added  ftrong  wines,  with 
fpirituous  cinnamon-waters,  and  other  generous 
cordials.  Warm  negus,  or  ftrong  wine-whey,  will 
likewife  be  neceflary  to  fupport  the  patient's  fpirits, . 
and  promote  the  perfpiration.  His  legs  fhould  be 
bathed  in  warm  water,  and  afterwards  rubbed  with 
flannel  cloths,  or  wrapped  in  warm  blankets,  and 
warm  bricks  applied  to  the  foles  of  his  feet.  Flan-r 
nels  wrung  out  of  warm  fpirituous  fomentations 
fhould  likewife  be  applied  to  the  region  of  the  fto- 
mach. 

When  the  violence  of  the  difeafe  is  over,  to  prcr. 
vent  a  relapfe,  it  will  be  neceffary  for  fome  timer 
to  continue  the  ufe  of  fmall  dofes  of  laudanum. 
Ten  or  twelve  drops  may  be  taken  in  a  glafs  of 
wine,  at  leaft  twice  a  day,  for  eight  or  ten  days. 
The  patient's  food  ought  to  be  nourifhing,  but 
taken  in  fmall  quantities,  and  he  fhould  ufe  mo- 
derate  exercife.  As  the  ftomach  and  inteflines  arc 
generally  much  weakened,  an  infufion  of  the  bark, 
or  other  bitters,  in  fmall  wine,  fharpened  with,  the 
elixir  of  vitriol,  may  be  drank  for  fome  time. 

Though  phyficians  are  feldom  called  in  due  time 
in  this  difeafe,  they  .ought  not  to  defpair  of  re- 
lieving the  patient  even  in  the  moft  defperate  cir- 
cumflances.  Of  this  I  lately  faw  a  very  ftriking 
proof  in  an  old  man  and  his  fon,  who  had  been 
both  feized  with  it  about  the  middle  of  the  night. 
J  did'  not  fee  them  till  next  morning,  when  they 
had  much  more  the  appearance  of  dead  than  of 
living  men.  No  pulfe  could  be  feltj  the  extremi- 
ties were  cold  ^nd  rigid ;  the  countenance  was 
ghaflly,  and  the  ftrength  almoft  quite  exhaufted. 
Yet  from  this  deplorable  condition  they  were  both 
recovered  by  the  ufe  of  opiates  and  cordial  medi- 
(:ines. 

?^4 


[    3^^    ] 


OF  A  DIARRHOEA,  OR  LOOSENESS. 

A  loofencfs,  in  many  cafes,  is  not  to  be  confi- 
fidered  as  a  difcafe,  but  rather  as  a  falutary  eva- 
cuation. It  ought  therefore  never  to  be  (lopped, 
unlefs  when  it  continues  too  long,  or  evidently 
weakens  the  patient,  •  As  this  however  fonnetimes 
happens,  we  Ihall  point  out  the  molt  common 
caufes  of  a  loofencfs,  with  the  proper  method  of 
treatment. 

When  a  loofcnefs  is  occafioned  by  catching  cold, 
or  an  obftruftcd  pcrfpiration,  the  patient  ought  to 
keep  warm,  to  drink  freely  of  weak  diluting  li- 
quors, to  bathe  his  feet  and  legs  frequently  in  luke- 
warm water,  to  wear  flannel  next  his  (kin,  and  to 
take  every  other  method  to  reftore  the  pcrfpira- 
tion. 

In  a  loofenefs  which  proceeds  from  excefs  or  re- 
pletion, a  vomit  is  the  proper  medicine.  Vomits 
not  only  cleanfe  the  ftomach,  but  promote  all  the 
fccretions,  v/hich  renders  them  of  great  import- 
ance in  carrying  o(F  a  debauch.  Half  a  drachm 
of  ipecacuanha  in  powder  will  anfwer  this  purpofe 
very  well.  A  day  or  two  after  the  vomit,  the 
fame  quantity  of  rhubarb  may  be  taken,  and  re- 
peated two  or  three  times,  if  the  loofenefs  conti- 
nues. The  patient  ought  to  live  upon  light  vege- 
table food  of  eafy  digeftion,  and  to  drink  whey, 
thin  gruel,  or  barley-water. 

A  loofenefs,  occafioned  by  the  obftrufVion  of  any 
cuftomary  evacuation,  generally  requires  bleeding. 
If  that  docs  not  fucceed,  other  evacuations  may  be 
fubflituted  in  the  room  pf  thofe  which  are  ob- 
ftrufted.  At  the  fame  time,  every  method  is  to  be 
taken  to  reftore  the  ufual  difcharges,  as  not  only 
I  the 


0/  a  DIARRHOEA,  (?r  LOOSENESS^  313 

the  cure  of  the  difeafc,  but  the  patient's  life,  may 
depend  on  this. 

A  periodical  loofenefs  ought  never  to  be  (lopped. 
It  is  always  an  effort  of  Nature  to  carry  off  lome 
offending  matter,  which,  if  retained  in  the  body, 
might  have  fatal  effcfts.  Children  are  very  liable 
to  this  kind  of  loofenefs,  efpecially  while  teething. 
It  is  however  fo  far  from  being  hurtful  to  them, 
that  fuch  children  generally  get  th/ir  teeth  with 
lead  trouble.  If  thefe  loofe  ilools  (hould  at  any 
time  prove  four  or  griping,  a  tea-fpoonful  of  mag- 
nefia  alba,  with  four  or  five  grains  of  rhubarb,  may 
be  given  to  the  child  in  a  little  panado,  or  any  other 
food.  This,  if  repeated  three  or  four  times,  wil^ 
generally  corredt  the  acidity,  and  carry  off  the 
griping  (tools. 

A  dlarrhce^,  or  loofenefs,  which  proceeds  from 
violent  paTions  or  affcdions  of  the  mind,  muft  b^ 
treated  with  the  greattft  caution.  Vomits  in  this 
cafe  are  highly  improper.  Nor  are  purges  fafe, 
unlefs  they  be  very  mild,  and  given  in  Imail  quan- 
tities. Opiates,  and  other  antifpafmodic  medicines, 
are  moll  proper.  Ten  or  twelve  drops  of  liquid 
laudanum  may  be  taken  in  a  cup  of  valerian  or 
penny-royal  tea  every  eight  or  ten  hours,  till  the 
fymptoms  abate.  Eafe,  cheerfulnefs,  and  tranquil- 
lity of  mind,  are  here  of  the  greatcft  import- 
ance. 

When  a  loofenefs  proceeds  from  acrid  or  poifon- 
ous  fubftances  taken  into  the  (lomach,  the  patienf 
muft  drink  large  quantities  of  diluting  liquors, 
with  oil  or  fat  broths,  to  promote  vomiting  and 
purging.  Afterwards,  if  there  be  reafon  to  fuf- 
pedt  that  the  bowels  are  inflamed,  bleeding  will  ,be 
ncceffary.  Small  dofes  of  laudanum  may  likewifc 
be  taken  to  remove  their  irritation. 

When  the  gout,  repelled  from  the  extremities, 
pccafions  a  loofenefs,  it  ought  to  be  promoted  by 

gentle^ 


^14  Of  a  DIARRHOEA,  or  LOOSENESS. 

gentle  dofes  of  rhubarb,  or  other  mild  purgatives. 
The  gouty  matter  is  likewife  to  be  folicited  towards 
the  extremities  by  warm  fomentations,  cacaplafmsj 
&c.  The  pcrfpiration  ought  at  the  fame  time  to 
be  promoted  by  warm  diluting  liquors ;  as  wine- 
whey,  with  fpirits  of  hartfhorn,  or  a  few  drops  of 
liquid  laudanum,  in  it. 

When  a  loofenefs  proceeds  from  worms,  which 
may  be  known  from  the  flimincfs  of  the  flools, 
mixed  with  pieces  of  decayed  worms,  &c.  medi- 
cines mqft  be  given  to  kill  and  carry  off  thcfc  ver- 
min, as  the  powder  of  tin  with  purges  of  rhubarb 
and  calomel.  Afterwards  lime-water,  either  alone, 
or  with  a  fmall  quantity  of  rhubarb  infufed,  will 
be  proper  to  ftrengthen  the  bowels,  and  prevent 
the  new  generation  of  worms. 

A  loofenefs  is  often  occafioned  by  drinking  bad 
w^ter.  When  this  is  the  cafe,  the  difeafe  gene- 
rally proves  epidemical.  When  there  is  reafon  to 
believe  that  this  or  any  other  difeafe  proceeds  from 
the  ufe  of  unwholefome  water,  it  ought  immedi- 
ately to  be  changed,  or,  if  that  cannot  be  done,  it 
may  be  corredtcd  by  mixing  wich  it  quick- limeJ^ 
chalk,  or  the  like. 

In  people  whofe  ftomachs  are  weak,  violent  ex- 
crcife  immediately  after  eating  will  occafion  a  loofe- 
nefs. Though  the  cure  of  this  is  obvious,  yet  it 
will  be  proper,  befides  avoiding  violent  exercife, 
to  ufe  fuch  medicines  as  tend  to  brace  and  ftrength- 
en the  ftomach,  as  infufions  of  the  bark,  with  other 
bitter  and  aftringent  ingredients,  in  white-wine. 
Such  perfons  ought  likewife  to  take  frequently  a 
glafs  or  two  of  old  red  port,  or  good  claret. 

From  whatever  caufe  a  loofenefs  procecfds,  when 
it  is  found  neceflary  to  check  it,  the  diet  ought  to 
confifl:  of  rice  boiled  with  milk,  and  flavoured  with 
cinnamon;  rice-jelly;  fago,  with  red  port;  and 
the  lighter  forts  of  flelh-meat  roafted.    The  drink 

may 


OF    VOMITING.  315 

ftiay  be  thin  water-gruel,  rice-water,  or  weak  broth 
made  from  lean  veal,  or  with  a  fheep*s  head,  as  be- 
ing more  gelatinous  than  mutton,  beef,  or  chicken- 
broth. 

Perfons  who,  from  a  peculiar  weaknefs,  or  too 
great  an  irritability  of  the  bowels,  are  liable  tQ 
frequent  returns  of  this  difeafe,  fliould  live  tem- 
perately, avoiding  crude  fummer  fruits,  all  un^ 
wholefome  food,  and  meats  of  hard  digeftion.  They 
ought  likewife  to  beware  of  cold,  moiftulre,  or 
whatever  may  obftruft  the  perfpiration,  and  fhould 
wear  flannel  next  their  Ikin.  All  violent  paflions, 
as  fear,  anger,  &c.  are  likewife  carefully  to  be 
guarded  againft. 

OF    VOMITING. 

Vomiting  may  proceed  from  various  caufes ;  aai 
excefs  in  eating  and  drinking;  foulnefs  of  the  fto-^ 
mach;  the  acrimony  of  the  aliments;  a  tranflation 
of  the  morbific  matter  of  ulcers,  of  the  gout,  the 
cryfipelas,  or  other  difcafes,  to  the  ftomach.  It 
may  likewife  proceed  from  a  loofcnefs  having  been 
too  fuddenly  flopped  j  from  the  ftoppage  of  any 
cuftomary  evacuation,  as  the  bleeding  piles,  the 
menfesy  &c.  from  a  weaknefs  of  the  ftomach,  the 
colic,  the  iliac  pafllon,  a  rupture,  a  fit  of  the  gra- 
vel, worms;  or  from  any  kind  of  poifon  taken  into 
the  ftomach.  It  is  an  ufual  fymptom  of  injuries 
done  to  the  brain;  as  contufions,  compreflions,  &c. 
It  is  likewife  a  fymptom  of  wounds  or  inflamma- 
tions of  the  diaphragm,  intcftines,  fpleen,  liver, 
kidneys,  &c. 

Vomiting  may  be  occafioned  by  unufual  mo- 
tions ;  as  failing,  being  drawn  backwards  in  a  cart 
or  coach,  &c.  It  may  likewife  be  excited  by  vio- 
lent paflions,  or  by  the  idea  of  naufeous  or  difagree- 
able  objedts,  especially  of  fuch  things  as  have  for- 
merly 


^i6  OF    VOMITING. 

mcrly  produced  vomiting.  Sometimes  it  proceeds 
from  a  regurgitation  of  the  bile  into  the  ftomach : 
in  this  cafe,  what  the  patient  vomits  is  generally 
of  a  yellow  or  greenifh  colour,  and  has  a  bitter 
tafte.  Perfons  who  are  fubjeft  to  nervous  affec- 
tions are  often  fuddenly  feized  with  violent  fits  of 
vomiting.  Laftly,  vomiting  is  a  common  fymp- 
tom  of  pregnancy.  In  this  cafe  it  gt-nerally  conies 
on  about  two  weeks  after  the  (loppage  of  the 
menjes^  and  continues  during  the  firll  three  or  four 
iponths. 

When  vomiting  proceeds  from  a  foul  ftomach  or 
indigeftion,  it  is  not  to  be  confidercd  as  adifeafe, 
but  as  the  cure  of  a  difeafe.  It  ought  therefore  to 
be  promoted  by  drinking  lukewarm  water,  or  thin 
gruel.  If  this  does  not  put  a  ftop  to  the  vomiting, 
a  dofc  of  ipecacuanha  may  be  taken,  and  worked 
off  with  weak  camomile- tea. 

When  the  retroccffion  of  the  gout,  or  the  ob- 
ftruftion  of  cuftomary  evacuations,  occafion  vo- 
miting, all  means  muft  be  ufed  to  reftore  thefe  dif- 
charges;  or,  if  that  cannot  be  effedttd,  their  place 
muft  be  fupplied  by  others,  as  bleeding,  purging, 
bathing  the  extremities  in  warm  water,  opening 
iifues,  fetons,  perpetual  blifters,  &c. 

When  vomiting  is  the  effedt  of  pregnancy,  it 
may  generally  be  mitigated  by  bleeding,  and  keep- 
ing the  body  gently  open.  The  bleeding  however 
ought  to  be  in  fmall  quantities  at  a  time,  and  the 
purgatives  (hould  be  of  the  mildeft  kind,  as  figs, 
ftewed  prunes,  manna,  or  fenna.  Pregnant  wo- 
men are  moft  apt  to  vomit  in  the  morning,  imme- 
diately after  getting  out  of  bed,  which  is  owing 
partly  to  the  change  of  pofture,  but  more  to  the 
cmptinefs  of  the  ftomach.      It  may  generally   be 

{>re vented  by  taking  a  di(h  of  coffee,  tea,  or  fomc 
ight  breakfaft  in  bed.  Pregnant  women  who  are  af- 
fiiAed  with  vomiting  ought  to  be  kept  eafy  both  in 

body 


fr-Si-ij 


OF    VOMITING.  517 

body  and  mind.  They  (hould  neither  allow  their 
ftonnachs  to  be  quite  empty,  nor  (hould  ^ey  cat 
much  at  once.  Cold  water  is  a  very  proper  drink 
in  this  cafe;  if  the  ftomach  be  weak,  a  little  brandy 
may  be  added  to  it.  If  the  fpirits  are  low,  and 
the  perfon  apt  to  faint,  a  fpoonful  of  cinnamon- 
water,  with  a  little  marmalade  of  quinces  or  oranges, 
may  be  taken. 

If  vomiting  proceeds  from  weaknefs  of  the  fto- 
mach, bitters  will  be  of  fcrvice.  Peruvian  bark 
infufed  in  wine  or  brandy,  with  as  much  rhubarb  as 
will  keep  the  body  gently  open,  is  an  excellent  me- 
dicine in  this  cafe.  The  elixir  of  vitriol  is  alfo  a 
good  medicine.  It  may  be  taken  in  the  dole  of 
fifteen  or  twenty  drops,  twice  or  thrice  a  day,  in  a 
glafs  of  wine  or  water.  Habitual  vomitings  are 
fometimes  alleviated  by  making  oyftcrs  a  principal 
part  of  diet. 

A  vomiting,  which  proceeds  from  acidities  in  the 
ftomach,  is  relieved  by  alkaline  purges.  The  belt 
medicine  of  this  kind  is  the  magncfia  alba,  a  tea- 
fpoonful  of  which  may  be  taken  in  a  difti  of  tea  or 
a  little  milk,  three  or  four  times  a  day,  or  oftncr 
if  neceffary,  to  keep  the  body  open. 

When  vomiting  proceeds  from  violent  paftions, 
or  afFedlions  of  the  mind,  all  evacuants  muft  be 
carefully  avoided,  efpecially  vomits.  Thefc  are 
exceedingly  dangerous.  The  patient  in  this  cafe 
ought  to  be  kept  perfeftly  eafy  and  quiet,  to  have 
the  mind  foothcd,  and  to  take  fomc  gentle  cordial^ 
as  negus,  or  a  little  brandy  and  water,  to  which  ^ 
few  drops  of  laudanum  may  occafionally  be 
added. 

When  vomiting  proceeds  from  fpafmocTic  affec- 
tions of  the  ftomach,  mufk,  caftor,  and  other 
antifpafmodic  medicines,  are  of  ufe.  Warm  and 
aromatic  plafters  have  likewife  a  good  effeft.  The 
ftomach'plafter  of  the  Liondon  or  Edinburgh  dif- 

pcnfatory 


3i8  OF   VOMITING; 

penfatory  may  be  applied  to  the  pit  of  the  ftomach^ 
or  a  plaftcr  of  iberiaca,  which  will  anfwcr  rather 
better.  Aromatic  medicines  may  likewife  be  taken 
inwardly^  lis  cinnamon  or  mint-tea^  wine  with 
fpiceries  boiled  in  it,  &c.  The  region  of  the  fto- 
inach  may  be  rubbed  with  aether,  or,  if  that  can- 
not be  had,  with  ftrong  brandy,  or  other  fpirits. 
The  belly  fliould  be  fomented  with  warm  water^ 
or  the  patient  immerfed  up  to  the  bread  in  a  warm 
bath. 

I  have  always  found  the  faline  draughts  taken  in 
the  aft  of  efFervefccnce,  of  fingular  ufe  in  (lopping 
a  vomiting,  from  whatever  caufe  it  proceeded^ 
Thefe  may  be  prepared  by  diflblving  a  drachm  of 
the  fait  of  tartar  in  an  ounce  and  half  of  frefh  le- 
mon juice,  and  adding  to  it  an  ounce  of  pepper- 
mint-water, the  fame  quantity  of  fimple  cinnamon- 
Water,  and  a  little  white  fugar.  This  draught 
tnuft  be  fwallowed  before  the  efFervefccnce  is  quite 
over,  and  may  be  repeated  every  two  hours,  or 
oftner,  if  the  vomiting  be  violent.  A  violent  ^ 
vomiting  has  fometimes  been  (topped  by  cupping 
on  the  region  of  the  ftomach  after  all  other  means 
bad  failed. 

As  the  leaft  motion  will  often  bring  on  the  vo- 
miting again,  even  after  it  has  been  ftopped,  the 
patient  muft  avoid  all  manner  of  adtion.  The  diet 
rouft  be  fo  regulated  as  to  fit  eafy  upon  the  ftomach, 
and  nothing  (hould  be  taken  that  is  hard  of  di« 
geftion.  We  do  not  however  mean  that  the  pa- 
tient (hould  live  entirely  upon  (lops.  Solid  food, 
in  this  cafe,  often  fits  eafier  on  the  ftomach  than 
liquids. 


HJ  ' 


t    3^9    1 


CHAP.    XXXII. 

OF  THE  DIABETES,    AND   OTHElt 
DISORDERS   OF  THE  KIDNEYS 

AND  BLADDER. 

^T^  H  E  diabetes  is  a  frequent  and  cxcefllvc  dif* 
-■'  charge  of  urine.  It  is  fcldom  to  be  niet  with 
among  young  people;  but  often  attacks  perfons  in 
the  decline  of  life,  efpecially  thofc  who  follow  thd 
more  violent  employments,  or  have  been  hard 
drinkers  in  their  youth. 

CAUSES. A  diabetes  is  often  the  confe- 

quence  of  acute  difeafes,  as  fevers,  fluxes,  &c* 
where  the  patient  has  fuffered  by  excefllve  evacua- 
tions ;  it  may  alfo  be  occafioned  by  great  fatigue, 
as  riding  long  journies  upon  a  hard-trotting  horfe, 
(Carrying  heavy  burdens,  running,  &:c.  It  Biay  be 
brought  on  by  hard  drinking,  or  the'ufc  of  ftrong 
ftimulating  diuretic  medicines,  as  tindure  of  can- 
tharides,  (pirits  of  turpentine,  and  fuch  like.  It 
is  often  the  cffedt  of  drinking  too  great  quantities 
of  mineral  waters.  Many  imagine  that  thefe  will 
do  them  no  fervice  unlefs  they  be  drank  in  great 
quantities,  by  which  miftake  it  often  happens  that 
they  occafion  worfc  difeafes  than  thofe  they  wero 
intended  to  cure.  In  a  word,  this  difeafe  may  ci- 
ther proceed  from  too  great  a  laxity  of  the  organs 
which  fccrete  the  urine,  from  fomething  that  ftimu- 
lates  the  kidneys  too  much,  or  from  a  thin  diflblved 
Hate  of  the  blood,  which  makes  too  great  a  quan- 
tity of  it  run  off  by  the  urinary  paffages. 

SYMPTOMS. In  a  diabetes,  the  urine  ge- 
nerally exceeds  in  quantity  all  the  liquid  food  which 

9  the 


320        OF    A    DIABETES,    &fr. 

the  patient  takes.  It  is  thin  and  pale,  of  a  fwcec- 
i(h  tafte,  and  an  agreeable  fmell.  The  patient  has 
a  continual  third,  with  fome  degree  of  fever;  his 
mouth  is  dry,  and  he  fpits  frequently  a  frothy 
-^ittle.  The  ftrength  fails,  the  appetite  decays, 
and  the  flefh  waftes  away  till  the  patient  is  reduced 
to  fkin  and  bone.  There  is  a  heat  of  the  bowels ; 
and  frequently  the  loins,  tefticles^  and  feet  arc 
fwelled. 

This  difeafe  may  generally  be  cured  at  the  be- 
ginning; but  after  it  has  continued  long,  the  cure 
becomes  very  difficult.  In  drunkards,  and  very 
bid  people,  a  perfedt  cure  is  not  to  be  expefted. 

REGIMEN. Every  thing  that  ftimulates  the 

tirinary  paffages,  or  tends  to  relax  the  habit,  mufl: 
be  avoided.  For  this  reafon  the  patient  fhould  live 
chiefly  on  folid  food.  His  third  may  be  quenched 
with  acids;  as  forrel,  juice  of  lemon,  or  vinegar. 
The  mucilaginous  vegetables,  z^  rice,  fago,  and 
falop,  with  milk,  are  the  mod  proper  food.  Of 
animal  fubdances,  ftiell-fi(h  are  to  be  preferred ; 
as  oyders,  crabs,  &c. 

The  drink  may  be  Bridol-water.  When  that 
cannot  be  obtained,  lime-water,  in  which  a  due 
proportion  of  oak-bark  has  been  macerated,  may 
be  ufed.  The  white  decoftion*,  with  ifinglafsdif- 
folved  in  it,  is  likewife  a  very  proper  drink. 

The  patient  ought  daily  to  take  excrcife,  but  it 
fhould  be  fo  gentle  as  not  to  fatigue  him.  He 
(houM  lie  upon  a  hard  bed  or  matrafs.  Nothing 
hurts  the  kidneys  more  than  lying  too  foft.  A. 
warm  dry  air,  the  ufe  of  the  flefli-brufli,  and  every 
thing  that  promotes  perfpiration,  is  of  fcrvice.  For 
this  reafon  the  patient  ought  to  wear  flannel  next 
his  (kin.  A  large  drengthcning  plader  may  be  ap- 
plied to  the  back;  or,  what  will  anfwer  better,  a 
great  part  of  the  body  may  be  wrapt  in  plader, 

•  Sec  AppcLdix,  White  Dec$£iion. 

MEDI- 


.rt' 


m 


OF   A   DIABETES,   6Pr.        321 

MEDICINE.— Gi^ftfcle  purges,  if  the  patient 
be  not  too  much  weakened  by  the  diftafe,  have  a 
good  effeft.  They  may  confift  of  rhubarb,  with 
cardailium  feeds,  or  any  Other  fpiceries,  infufed  in 
Mrine,  and  may  be  taken  in  fuch  quantity  as  to  keep^ 
the  body  gently  open. 

Tht  paticftt  miift  next  have  recourfe  to  aftrin- 
gents  and  corroborants.  Half  a  drachm  of  powdci* 
made  of  equal  parts  bf  allum  ahd  the  infpiflated 
juice  commonly  called  Terra  Japonica^  may  be 
taken  four  times  a-d ay,  or  oftner,  if  the  ftomach 
^lll  bear  it.  The  allum  muft  firll  be  rtielred  in  a 
crucible;  afterwards  they  niay  both  be  poUnded 
together.  Along  with  every  dofe  of  this  powder 
the  patient  may  take  a  tea-cupful  of  the  tinfture  of 
rofes*. 

If  the  patient^s  ftoitiach  canhot  bear  the  aliutn  in 
fubftance,  whey  may  be  made  of  it,  and  taken  in 
the  dofe  of  a  tea-cupful  three  or  four  times  a-day« 
The  allum-whey  ii  prepared  by  boiling  tvi^o  Eng* 
liJh  quarts  of  milk  over  a  flow  fire,  with  three 
drachms  of  allum,  till  the  curd  feparates. 

Opiates  are  of  fcrvice  in  this  difcafe^  even  though 
the  patient  refts  well.  They  take  off  fpafni  and 
irritation,  and  at  the  fame  time  leflcn  the  force  of 
the  circulation.  Ten  or  twelve  drops  of  liquid 
laudanum  may  be  taken  in  a  cup  of  the  patient's 
drink  three  or  four  times  a-day. 

The  bed  corroborants  which  we  know,  are  the 
Peruvian  bark  and  wine.  A  drachm  of  bark  may 
be  taken  in  a  glafs  of  red  port  or  claret  three  times 
a-day.  The  medicine  will  be  both  more  efficaci* 
ous  and  lefs  difagreeable,  if  fifteen  or  twenty  drops 
of  the  acid  elixir  of  vitriol  be  added  to  each  dole. 
Such  as  cannot  take  the  bark  in  fubftance  may  ufe 
the  decoftion,  nwxcd  with  an  equal  qtiantity  of  red 
wine^  and  (harpened  as  above. 

♦  Sec  Appendix,  TinHun  of  Rofts. 

y  There 


322  OF  A  SUPPRESSION  OF  URINE. 

.  There  is  a  difeafe  incident  to  labouring  people  in 
the  decline  of  life,  called  an  INCONTI^ 
NENCT  of  urine.  But  this  is  very  different 
from  a  diabetes,  as  the  water  paffes  off  involun- 
tarily by  drops,  and  does  not  exceed  the  ufual 
quantity.  This  difeafe  is  rather  troublefonie  than 
dangerous.  It  is  owing  to  a  relaxation  qf  the 
fphinfter  of  the  bladder,  and  is  often  the  effedl  of 
a  palfy.  Sometimes  it  proceeds  from  hurts,  or 
injuries  occafioned  by  blows,  bruifes,  preternatural 
labours,  &c.  Sometimes  it  is  the  effed  of  a  fe- 
ver. It  may  likewife  be  occafioned  by  a  long  ufc 
of  ftrong  diuretics,  or  of  ftimulating  medicines  in- 
jefted  into  the  bladder. 

This  difeafe  may  be  mitigated  by  the  ufe  of 
aftringent  and  corroborating  medicines,  futh  as 
have  been  mentioned  above  j  but  we  do  not  re- 
member ever  to  have  feen  it  cured. 

In  an  incontinency  of  urine,  from  whatever  caufe, 
a  piece  of  fponge  ought  to  be  worn,  or  a  bladder 
applied  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  prevent  the  urine 
from  galling  and  excoriating  the  parts. 


OF  A  SUPPRESSION  OF  URINE. 

It  has  already  been  obferved,  that  a  fuppreflion 
of  urine  may  proceed  from  various  caufes;  as  an  in- 
'  flammation  of  the  kidneys,  or  bladder ;  fmall  ftones 
or  gravel  lodging  in  the  urinary  paffages^  hard 
faeces  lying  in  the  reEluniy  pregnancy,  a  fpafm  or 
contraftion  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  clotted  blood 
in  the  bladder  itfclf,  a  fwclling  of  the  haemorrhoi- 
dal  veins,  idc. 

Some  of  thefe  cafes  require  the  catheter,  both  to 
remove  the  obftrufting  matter,  and  to  draw  off  the 
urine;  but  as  this  inftrument  can  only  be  managed 
with  fafety   by  perfons  (killed  in  furgery,  we  fhall 

fav 


OF  A  SUPPRESSION  OF  URINE.   323 

fay  nothing  further  of  its  ufc.  A  bougee  may  be 
ufcd  by  any  cautious  hand,  and  will  often  fucceed 
better  than  the  catheter. 

We  would  chiefly  recomnnend,  in  all  obftruftions 
of  urine,  fomentations  and  cvacuants.  Bleeding, 
as  far  as  the  patient's  ftrength  will  permit,  is  neccf* 
fary,  efpecially  where  there  are  fymptoms  of  topi-? 
cal  inflammation.  Bleeding  in  this  cafe  not  only 
abates  the  fever,  by  lefTening  the  force  of  the  cir- 
culation, but^  by  relaxing  the  folids,  it  takes  oflT 
the  fpafm  or  ftrifture  upon-the  veflTels  'which  occa- 
fioned  the  obftruftion. 

After  bleeding,  fomentations  muft  be  ufed, 
Thefe  may  either  confift  of  warm  water  alone,  or  of 
decodtions  of  mild  vegetables;  as  mallows,  camo- 
mile-flowers, &c.  Cloths  dipped  in  thefe  may  ci- 
ther be  applied  to  the  part  aflFccled,  or  a  large  blad- 
der filled  with  the  dccoftion  may  be  kept  conti- 
nually upon  it.  Some  put  the  herbs  themfclves 
into  a  flannel-bag,  and  apply  them  to  the  part, 
which  is  far  from  being  a  bad  method.  Thefe 
continue  longer  warm  than  cloths  dipped  in  the  de- 
coftion,  and  at  the  fame  time  keep  the  part  equally 
moilt. 

In  all  obftru6tions  of  urine,  the  body  ought  to 
be  kept  open.  This  is  not  however  to  be  attempted 
by  ftrong  purgatives,  but  by  emollient  clyfters,  or 
gentle  infufions  of  fenna  and  manna.  Clyfters  in 
this  cafe  not  only  open  the  body,  but  anl'wer  the 
purpofe  of  an  internal  fomentation,  and  greatly  af- 
Rtt^  in  removing  the  fpafms  of  the  bladder  and  parts 
adjacent. 

The  food  mufl:  be  light,  and  taken  in  fmall  quan- 
tities. The  drink  may  be  weak  broth,  or  decoc- 
tions and  infufions  of  mucilaginous  vegetables,  as 
marfli-mallow  roots,  lime-tree  buds,  &c.  A  tea- 
fpoonful  of  the  fweet  fpirits  of  nitre,  or  a  drachm 
of  Caftile  foap,  may  be  frequently  putnnto  thepa- 
y  2  tient's 


^14  OP  THE  GRAVEL  AND  STONE. 

tient's  drink ;  and^  If  there  be  no  inflammation^  he 
may  drink  fmall  gin-punch. 

Perfons  fubjcft  to  a  fuppreflion  of  urine  ought 
to  lite  very  temperate.  Their  diet  fhould  be  light, 
ami  their  liquor  diluting.  They  fhould  avoid  all 
acids  and  auftere  wines,  (hould  take  fufRcicnt  ex- 
ercifc,  lie  hard;  and  avoid  ftudy  and  fcdentary  oc- 
cupations. 

OF  THE  GRAVEL  AND  STONE. 

When  fmall  ftones  arc  lodged  in  the  kidneys,  or 
difcharged  along  with  the  urine,  the  patient  is  faid 
to  be  afflifted  with  the  gravel.  If  one  of  thefe 
ftones  happens  to  make  a  lodgment  in  the  bladder 
for  fome  time,  it  accumulates  frefli  matter,  and  at 
length  becomes  too  large  to  pafs  off  with  the  urine. 
In  this  cafe  the  patient  is  faid  to  have  the  ftone. 

CAUSES. — -The  ftone  and  gravel  may  be 
bccafioned  by  high  living ;  the  ufe  of  ftrong  aftrin* 
gent  wines ;  a  fedentary  life ;  lying  too  hot,  fofr, 
or  too  much  on  the  back ;  the  conftant  ufe  of  wa- 
ter impregnated  with  earthy  or  ftony  particles ;  ali- 
ments of  an  aftringent  or  windy  nature,  &c.  It 
may  likewife  proceed  from  an  hereditary  difpofition. 
Perfons  in  the  decline  of  life,  and  thofe  who  have 
been  jnuch  afEiftcd  with  the  gout  or  rheumatifm, 
are  mod  liable  to  it. 

SYMPTOMS. Small  ftones  or  gravel  in  the 

kidneys  occafion  pain  in  the  loins ;  ficknefs  5  vo- 
miting; and  fometimes  bloody  urine.  When  the 
ftone  defcends  into  the  ureter ^  and  is  too  large  to 
pafs  along  with  eafe,  all  the  above  fymptoms  arc 
increafed  ;  the  pain  extends  towards  the  bladder  j 
the  thigh  and  leg  of  the  afFefted  ftde  are  benumbed ; 
the  tefticles  are  drawn  upwards^  and  the  urine  is 
obftrufted. 

A  ftone 


OF  THE  GRAVEL  AND  STONE.    325 

A  {tone  in  the  bladder  is  known  fronn  a  pain^  at 
the  time,  as  well  as  before  and  after  making  water; 
from  the  urine  coming  away  by  drops,  or  flopping 
fuddenly  when  it  was  running  in  a  full  ftream;  by  a 
violent  pain  in  the  neck  of  the  bladder  upon  mo- 
tion, efpecially  on  horfeback,  or  in  a  carriage  on 
a  rough  road ;  from  a  white,  thick,  copious,  ftink- 
ing,  mucous  fediment  in  the  urine  j  from  an  itch- 
ing in  the  top  of  the  penis -,  from  bloody  ufine; 
from  an  inclination  to  go  to  ftool  during  the  dif- 
charge  of  urine  ;  from  the  patient's  pafTing  his  urine 
more  cafily  when  lying  than  in  an  ercft  pofture ; 
from  a  kind  of  convulfive  motion  occafioned  by 
the  (harp  pain  in  difcharging  the  lafl  drops  of  the 
urine  i  and  laftly,  from  founding  or  fearching  with 
the  catheter. 

REGIMEN. Pei:fons  affliaed  with  the  gra- 
vel or  ftone  fhould  avoid  aliments  of  a  windy  or 
heating  nature,  as  fait  meats,  four  fruits,  &c. 
Their  diet  ought  chiefly  to  confift  of  fuch  things 
as  tend  to  promote  the  fecretion  of  urine,  and  to 
keep  the  body  open.  Artichokes,  afparagus,  fpin- 
nage,  lettuce,  parfley,  fuccory,  purflane,  turnips, 
potatoes,  carrots,  and  radiflics,  may  be  fafcly  eaten. 
Onions,  leeks,  and  cellery  are,  in  this  cafe,  rec- 
koned medicinal.  The  mofl  proper  drinks  ^re 
whey,  butter-milk,  milk  and  water,  barley-water j 
dccoftions  or  infufions  of  the  roots  of  marlh- mal- 
lows, parfley,  liquorice,  or  of  other  mild  mucila- 
ginous vegetables,  as  linfeed,  lime-tree  buds  or 
leaves,  &c.  If  the  patient  has  been  accullomed 
to  generous  liquors,  he  may  drink  fmall  gin- 
punch. 

Gentle  exercife  is  proper ;  but  violent  motion  is 
apt  to  occafion  bloody  urine.  We  would  therefore 
advife  that  it  fliould  be  taken  in  moderation.  Per- 
fons  affUfted  with  gravel  often  pafs  a  great  number 
of  ftones  after  riding  on  horfeback,  or  in   a  car- 

Y  3  riage; 


3i6    OF  THE  GRAVEL  AND  STONE. 

riage ;  but  thofc  who  have  a  (lone  in  the  bladder 
are  feldom  able  to  bear  thefe  kinds  of  exercife. 
Where  there  is  a  hereditary  tendency  to  this  difeafe, 
a  fedentary  life  ought  never  to  be  indulged.  Were 
people  careful,  upon  the  firft  fymptoms  of  gravel, 
to  obfcrve  a  proper  regimen  of  diet,  and  to  take 
fufficient  exercifc,  it  might  often  be  carried  off,  or 
at  lead  prevented  from  increafing;  but  if  the  fame 
courfe  which  occafioned  the  difeafe  is  perfifted  in, 
it  muft  be  aggravated. 

MEDICINE. In  what  is  called  a  fit  of  the 

gravel,  which  is  commonly  occafioned  by  a  ftone 
flicking  in  the  ureter  or  ibme  part  of  the  urinary 
paflages,  the  patient  muft  be  bled,  warm  fomenta- 
tions (hould  likewife  be  applied  to  the  part  affefted, 
emollient  clyfters  adrriiniftered,  and  diluting  mu- 
cilaginous liquors  drank,  &c.  The  treatment  of 
this  cafe  has  been  fully  pointed  out  under  the  ar- 
ticles, inflammation  of  the  kidneys  and  bladdery  to 
which  we  refer. 

;  Dr.  Whyte  advifes  patients  who  are  fubjeft  to 
frequent  fits  of  gravel  in  the  kidneys,  but  have  no 
ftone  in  the  bladder,  to  drink  every  morning,  two 
or  three  hours  before  breakfafl,  an  EngliQi  pint  of 
oyfter  or  cockle-ftiell  lime-water.  The  Doftor 
very  juftly  obferves,  that  though  this  quantity 
might  be  too  fmall  to  have  any  fenfible  effcrft  in 
diflolving  a  ftone  in  the  bladder,  yet  it  may  very 
probably  prevent  its  growth. 

When  a  ftone  is  formed  in  the  bladder,  the  Doc- 
tor recommends  Alicant  foap,  and  oyfter  or  cockle- 
fhell  lime-water*,  to  be  taken  in  the  following 
manner:  The  patient  muft  fwallow  every  day,  in 
any  form  that  is  leaft  difagreeable,  an  ounce  of  the 
internal  part  of  Alicant  foap,  and  drink  three  or 
four  Englifti  pints  of  oyfter  or  cockle-ftiell  lime- 

^  See  Appendix',  Lime-ivatcr, 

water. 


OF  THE  GRAVEL  AND  STONE,     327 

water.  The  foap  is  to  be  divided  into  three  dofcs ; 
the  largeft  to  be  taken  fading  in  the  morning  early; 
the  I'econd  at  noon;  and  the  third  at  fcven  in  the 
evening;  drinking  above  each  dofc  ^  large  draught' 
of  the  lime-water;  the  remainder  of  which  he  may 
take  any  time  betwixt  dinner  and  fupjDcr,  inftead 
of  other  liquors. 

The  patient  Ihould  begin  with  a  firjaller  quan- 
tity of  the  lime-water  and  foap  than  that  mentioned 
above;  at  firft  an  Englilh  pint  of  the  former,  and 
three  drachms  of  the  latter,  may  be  taken  daily. 
This  quantity,  however,  he  may  increafe  by  de- 
grees, and  ought  to  perfevere  in  the  ufe  of  thefe 
medicines,  efpecially  if  he  finds  any  abaceinent  of 
his  complaints,  for  feveral  months;  nay,  if  the. 
Hone  be  very  large,  for  years,  !t  may  likewife  be 
proper  for  the  patient,  if  he  be  feverely  pained,  not 
only  to  begin  with  the  foap  and  lime-water  in  i'mall 
quantities,  but  to  take  the  fecond  or  third  lime- 
water  inftead  of  the  firft".  However,  after  he  has 
been  for  fome  tiine  accuftomed  to  thefe  medicines, 
he  may  not  only  take  the  firft  water,  but,  if  he 
finds  he  can  ealily  bear  it,  heighten  its  diilolving 
power  ftill  more  by  pouring  it  a  fecond  time  on 
frefh  calcined  fliells. 

The  cauftic  alkali,  or  foap-lees,  is  the  medicine 
chiefly  in  vogue  at  prelent  for  the  ftone.  It  is  of  a 
very  acrid  nature,  and  ought  therefore  to  be  given 
in  Ibmc  gelatinous  or  mucilaginouf,  liquor;  as  veal- 
broth,  new  milk,  linfeed-tea,  a  folution  of  gum- 
arabic,  or*a  decoftion  of  marfli-mallow  roots.  The 
patient  rnuft  begin  with  fnvall  dofes  of  the  lees,  as 
thirty  or  forty  drops,  and  increafe  by  degrees,  as 
f:ir  as  the  ftoaiach  can  bear  it  *. 

*  The  caiinic  ?.!ka!i  may  be  prep;:rc»f^  by  mixing  two  parts  cf 
quicklime  with'one  of  poraihes,  and  ijd'cnv)^  them  to  Hand  cill 
the  lixiviuni  be  formed,  which  mull  be  carefully  fihrated  before 
i:  be  ufeJ.  If  the  folution  does  not  happen  readily,  a  fmall 
quantity  of  water  may  be  added  to  the  mixture. 

Y  4  Thougli 


3^8     INVOLUNTARY  DISCHARGES 

Though  the  foap-lees  and  lime-water  are  the 
ipoft  powerful  medicines  which  have  Iiitherco  been 
ciifcoyered  for  the  ftone;  yet  there  are  fome  ihingt 
of  a  a)ofe  fimple  nature,  which  in  certain  cafes  are 
found  to  be  beneficial,  and  therefore  deferve  a  triaK 
An  infufion  of  the  feeds  of  daucus/ylvejlris^  or  wild 
carrot,  fweetened  with  honey,  has  been  found  to 
give  confiderable  eafe  in  cafes  where  the  ftomach 
could  not  bear  any  thing  of  an  acrid  nature.  A 
decoflion  of  raw  coffee-berries  taken  morning  and 
evening,  to  the  quantity  of  eight  or  ten  ounces, 
with  ten  drops  of  fweet  fpirit  of  nitre,  has  likewife 
""  been  found  very  efficacious  in  bringing  away  large 
quantities  of  earthy  matter  in  flakes.  Honey  f^ 
likewife  found  to  be  of  confiderable  fervice,  and 
may  be  taken  in  gruel,  or  in  any  other  form  that  is 
more  agreeable. 

The  only  other  medicine  which  we  fliall  mention 
is  xhcuva  urfi.  It  has  been  greatly  extolled  of  lat^ 
both  for  the  gravel  and  ftone.  It  feems  however 
tp  be  in  all  refpcfts  inferior  lo  the  foap  and  lime- 
water;  but  it  is  lefs  difagreeable,  and  has  fre- 
quently, to  my  knowledge,  relieved  gravelly  com^ 
plaints.  It  is  generally  taken  in  powder  from  half 
a  drachm  to  a  whole  drachm,  two  or  three  times 
a-day.  It  may  however  be  taken  to  the  quantity 
of  feven  or  eight  drachms  a-day,  with  great  fafcty 
and  good  efFedt. 


CHAP.    XXXIII. 

OF     INVOLUNTARY     DISCHARGES 

OF   BLOOD. 

CPONTANEOUS  or  involuntary  difcharges  of 
.       blood,  often' happen  from  various  parts  of  the 
body,     Thefc  however  arc  fo  far  from  being  al- 
ways 


O  F    B  L  O  O  D.  329 

ways  dangerous,  tla^t  they  prove  often  falutary. 
WJUen  fuch  difchVg^s  ar^  critical,  which  is  fre- 
quently the  cafe  '^n  fevers,  they  ought  not  to  be 
flopped.  Nor  indeed  is  it  proper  at  any  time  tf^ 
flop  thenn,  unlefs  they  be  fo  great  as  to  endanger 
the  patient's  life.  Moft  people,  afraid  of  the  fm^Jl- 
eft  difcharge  of  blood  from  any  part  of  the  body, 
fly  immediately  to  the  ufe  qf  ftyptic  and  ^ftringeqjc 
medicines,  by  which  means  ai^  inflammatioA  of 
the  brain,  or  fome  other  fat^l  difeafe,  is  occafioncd^ 
which,  had  the  difcharge  been  allowed  to  go  qpj 
might  have  been  prevented. 

Periodical  difch^rge^  of  blopd,  from  whatever 
part  of  the  body  they  proceed,  muft  not  be  ftop- 
ped.  They  are  always  the  eflfgrts  of  Nature  to  rcr 
lieve  herfelf ;  and  fatal  dife^fes  have  often  beien  thjc^ 
confequcnce  of  obftrufting  them.  It  may  indeed 
be  fometimes  neccfTary  to  check  the  violence  qf  fuch 
difcharges ;  but  even  this  requires  the  greated  cau* 
tion.  Inftances  might  bp  given  where  the  (lopping 
of  a  fmall  periodical  flux  of  blood,  from  oneof  th^ 
fingers,  has  proved  fatal. 

In  the  earjy  period  of  life,  bleeding  a(  the  nefc 
is  very  common.  Thofe  who  are  farther  advanced 
in  years  are  more  liable  to  hsemoptpe,  or  difcharge 
of  blood  from  the  lungs.  After  the  middle  period 
of  life,  haemorrhoidal  fluxes  are  mofl:  common ; 
and  in  the  decline  of  life,  difcharges  of  blood  frooi 
the  urinary  paffages. 

Involuntary  fluxes  of  blood  nfiay  proceed  from 
very  different,  and  often  from  quite  Oppofite  caufes. 
Sometimes  they  are  owing  to  a  particular  conftruc« 
tion  of  the  body,  as  a  fanguine  temperament,  a 
laxity  of  the  vcffels,  a  plethoric  habit,  &c.  At 
other  times  they  proceed  from  a  determination  of 
the  blood  towards  one  particular  part,  as  the  head, 
the  ha^morrhoidal  veins,  &c.  They  may  likewife 
proceed  from  an  inflammatory  difpofition  of  the 
S  bloody 


330  INVOLUNTARY  DISCHARGES,  ^c. 

blood,  in  which  Cafe  there  is  generally  fome  degree 
of  fever:  this  likewife  happens  when  the  flux  is  qc- 
cafioned  by  an  obftrufted  perfpiration,  or  "a  ftric- 
*turc  upon  the  flcin,  the  bowels,  or  any  particular 
part  of  the  fyftenn. 

But  a  diflblved  ftate  or  the  blood  will  likewife 
occafion  haemorrhages.  Thus,  in  putrid  fevers, 
the  dyfentery,  the  fcurvy,  the  malignant  fmall-pox, 
&c.  there  are  often  very  great  difcharges  of  blood 
from  different  parts  of  the  body.  They  may  like- 
wife  be  brought  on  by  too  liberal  an  ufe  of  medi- 
cines which  tend  to  diflblve  the  blood,  as  cantha- 
rides,  the  volatile  alkaline  falcs,  '&c.  Food  of  an 
acrid  or  irritating  quality  may  likewife  occafion 
haemorrhages  i  as  alfo  ftrong  purges  and  vomits,  or 
any  thing  that  greatly  ftimujates  the  bowels. 

Violent  paflions  or  agitations  of  the  mind  will 
likewife  have  this  efFeft.  Thefc  often  caufc  bleed- 
ing at  thenofe,  and  I  have  known  them  fometimes 
occafion  an  haemorrhage  in  the  brain.  Violent  ef^ 
fores  of  the  body,  by  overftraining  or  hurting  the 
veffels,  may  have  the  fame  effed,  efpccially  when 
the  body  is  long  kept  in  an  unnatural  pofturc,  as 
hanging  the  head  very  low,  &c. 

The  cure  of  an  haemorrhage  muft  be  adapted  to 
its  caufe.  When  it  proceeds  from  too  much  blood, 
or  a  tendency  to  inflammation,  bleeding,  with  gentle 
purges,  and  other  evacuations,  will  be  nectflary. 
It  will  likewife  be  proper  for  the  patient  in  this 
cafe, to  live  chiefly  upon  a  vegetable  diet,  to  avoid 
all  ftrong  liquors,  and  food  that  is  of  an  acrid,  hot, 
or  ftimulating  quality.  The  body  fliould  be  kept 
cool,  and  the  mind  eafy. 

When  an  haemorrhage  is  owing  to  a  putrid  or 
diflfolved  fl:ate  of  the  blood,  the  patient  ought  to 
live  chiefly  upon  acid  fruits  with  milk,  and  vege- 
tables of  a  nourifliing  nature,  as  fago,  falop,  ccc. 
His  drink  may  be  wine  diluted  wuh  water,  and 

fharpened 


OF  BLEEDING  AT  THE  NOSE.   331 

Iharpened  with  the  juice  of  lemon,  vinegar,  or 
fpirits  of  vitriol.  The  beft  medicine  in  this  cafe 
is  the  Peruvian  bark,  which  may  be  taken  accord- 
ing to  the  urgency  of  the  fymptoms. 

When  a  flux  of  blood  is  the  efFedt  of  acrid  food, 
or  of  ftrong  ftimulating  medicines,  the  cure  is    to- 
be  effefted   by    foft  and  mucilaginous  diet.     The 
patient  may  likewife  take  frequently  about  the  bulk 
of  a   nutmes  of  Locatelli*s  balfam,  or  the  fame' 
quantity  of  Iperma-ceti. 

When  an  obftrufted  perfpiration,  or  a  ftriftiirc 
upon  any  part  of  the  fyftem,  is  the  caufe  of  an 
haicnorrharie,  it  may  be  removed  by  drinking  warm 
diluting  liquors,  lying  a-bcd,  bathing  the  extre- 
mities in  warm  water,  &c. 

OF   BLEEDING   AT    THE   NOSE. 

Bleeding  at  the  nofe  is  commonly  preceded  by 
fome  degree  of  quicknefs  of  the  pulfe,  flulhing  in 
the  face,  pulfation  of  the  tenhporal  arteries,  hcavi- 
nefs  in  the  head,  dimnefs  of  the  fight,  heat  and 
itching  of  the  noftrils,  &c. 

To  pcrlbns  who  abound  with  blood  this  difcharge 
is  very  faliuary.  It  often  cures  a  vertigo,  the  head- 
ach,  a  phrci^zy,  and  even  an  epilepfy.  In  fevers, 
where  there  is  a  great  determination  of  blood  to- 
wards the  head,  it  is  of  the  utmoft  fervice.  It  is 
likewife  beneficial  in  inflammations  of  the  liver  and 
fpleen,  and  often  in  the  gout  and  rheumatifm.  In 
all  difeafes  where  bleeding  is  neceflfary,  a  fponta* 
neous  difcharpe  of  blood  from  the  nofe  is  of  much 
more  fervice  than  the  fame  quantity  let  with  a 
lancet. 

In  a  difcharge  of  blood  from  the  nofe,  the  great 
point  is  to  determine  whether  it  ought  to  be  flopped 
or  not.  Ir  is  a  common  pradlice  to  flop  the  bleed- 
ing, withcut  tonfidering  whether  it  be  a  difeafc,  or 

6  the 


j^^     OF  8LEEDING  AT  THE  NOSE. 

tjgie  curcpf  a  difc^fee  Thi$  coadudl  proceeds  from 
ffiir ;  bgc  it  h4(  often  bad^  and  fomecimes  faul 
coofeqwepcrs. 

When  a  difchjirgc  of  blood  from  the  nofe  hap- 
pcfjs  in  an  inflammatory  difeafe,  there  is  always 
rieafon  to  believe  that  it  may  prove  falutary ;  and 
thierefore  it  (hould  be  fuffered  to  go  on>  at  ieaft  as' 
lOf>g'^$  ^he  patient  is  not  weakened  by  it. 

Wh<o  i^  happens  to  pcrfons  in  perfeft  health, 
who  arc  full  of  blood,  it  ought  not  to  be  fudJenly 
ftppppd,  efpccially  if  the  fymptoms  of  plethora, 
m^entioncd  above,  have  preceded  it.  In  this  cafe 
)C  caonpc  be  flopped  without  rifking  the  patient^ 
life. 

In  fine,  whenever  bleeding  at  the  nofe  relieve^ 
any  bad  fymptom,  and  does  not  proceed  fo  far  as 
to  endanger  the  patient's  life,  it  ought  not  to  be 
Itopped.  But  when  it  returns  frequently,  or  con- 
tiniie^  till  the  pulfe  becomes  low,  the  extremities 
brgin  to  grow  cold,  the  lips  pale,  or  the  patient 
cpmplaio$  of  being  fick  or  faint,  it  mud  immC'* 
dlftfely  be  ftoppcd. 

For  this  purpofe  the  patient  (hould  be  fet  nearly 
upright,  with  his  head  reclining  a  little,  and  his 
Ifgs  immerfed  in  water  about  the  warmth  of  new 
piiik.  His  hands  ought  likewife  to  be  put  in  luke- 
warm water,  and  his  garters  may  be  tied  a  little 
tighter  th^n  ufual.  Ligatures  may  be  applied  to 
the  s^rms,  about  the  place  where  they  are  ufually 
made  for  bleeding,  and  with  nearly  the  fame  de- 
grec  of  tightnefs.  Thefe  muft  be  gradually  flack* 
eacd  as  the  blood  begins  to  (top,  and  removed  en- 
tirely as  foon  as  it  gives  over. 

Sometimes  dry  lint  put  up  the  noftrils  will  flop 
the  bleeding.  When  this  does  not  fucceed,  doflils 
h(  lint  dipped  in  flrong  fpirits  of  wine,  may  be 
put  up  the  noftrils,  or  if  that  cannpt  be  had,  they 
may  be  dipped  in  brandy.     Blue  vitriol  diOblved 

in- 


OF  BLEEDING  At  THE  KOSfi.  33:^ 

in  water  may  likcwifc  be  ufed  for  this  pUr{](ti[fe^  or 
a  tent  dipped  in  the  white  of  an  egg  well  beat  up, 
may  be  rolled  in  a  powder  iHade  of  equal  plfTts  of 
white  fugar,  burnt  allum,  and  white  vitriol^  and 
put  up  the  noftril  from  whcric^  tht  blood  iflTues. 

Internal  medicines  can  hardly  be  of  ufe  here,  as 
they  have  ftldom  time  to  Operate,  It  may  not 
however  be  amifs  to  ^ive  the  patient  half  in  6uhe6 
of  Glauber's  fait,  and  the  fame  quantity  of  mahrfa, 
diffolved  in  four  or  five  ounces  of  b&rltryw\^ater. 
This  may  be  taken  at  a  draught,  aiid  fedeatcd,  if  it 
does  not  operate,  in  a  few  hours.  Ten  or  tWt^Wfc 
grains  of  nitre  may  be  taken  in  a  glafs  of  cofld  wa^ 
ter  and  vinegar  every  hour,  or  oftner,  if  the  ftb* 
mach  will  bear  it.  If  a  ftronrgef  medicine  be  ne- 
ceffary,  a  tea- cupful  of  the  tinfturc  of  rofesf,  With 
twenty  or  thirty  drops  of  the  w^ak  fpirit  of  vitHol, 
may  be  taken  every  hour.  When  thefe  things 
cannot  be  had,  the  patient  may  drink  water,  ^ith 
a  little  common  fait  in  it,  or  equal  part»  of  water 
and  vinegar. 

If  the  genitals  be  immerfcd  for  fomfe  time  in 
cold  water,  it  will  generally  flop  a  bleeding  at  the 
nofe.     I  have  not  known  this  fail. 

Sometimes,  when  the  bleeding  is  (topped  Out- 
wardly, it  continues  inwardly.  This  is  very  trouble- 
fome,  and  requires  particular  attention,  as  the  pa- 
tient is  apt  to  be  fufFocated  with  the  blood,  efpe- 
cially  if  he  falls  afleep,  which  he  is  very  ready  to 
do  after  lofing  a  great  quantity  of  blood. 

When  the  patient  is  in  danger  of  fufFocition  ' 
from  the  blood  getting  into  his  thrdar,  thepaflfagrs 
may  be  flopped  by  drawing  threads  up  the  noflrils, 
and  bringing  them  out  at  the  mouth,  then  fatten- 
ing pieces  of  fpunge,  or  fmall  rolls  of  linen  cloth . 
to  their  extremities;  afterwards  drawinc  them  back, 
aqd  tying  them  on  the  outfide  with  a  fufficicnt  de- 
gree of  tight nefs. 

After 


334     BLEEDING   AND   BLIND   PILES. 

After  the  bleeding  is  (lopped,  the  patient  ought 
to  be  kept  as  eafy  and  quiet  as  pofTible.  He  (hpuld 
not  pick  his  nofe,  nor  take  away  the  tents  or  clot- 
ted blood,  till  they  fall  off  of  their  own  accord, 
and  fhould  not  lie  with  his  head  low. 

Thofe  who  are  affedted  with  frequent  bleeding  at 
th?  nofe  ought  to  bathe  their  feet  often  in  warm 
water,  and  to  keep  them  warm  and  dry.  They 
ought  to  wear  nothing  tight  about  their  necks,  to 
keep  their  body  as  much  in  an  ereft  pofture  as  pof- 
fible,  and  never  to  view  any  obje<5t  obliquely.  If 
they  have  too  much  blood,  a  vegetable  diet,  with 
now  and  then  a  cooling  purge,  is  the  Ufcd  way  to 
leflen  it. 

But  when  the  difeafe  proceeds  from  a  thin  dif- 
folved  ftate  of  the  blood,  the  diet  Ihould  be  rich 
and  nourifhing;  as  ftrong  broths  and  jellies,  fago- 
grucl  with  wine  and  fugar,  &c.  Infufions  of  the 
Peruvian  bark  in  wine  ought  likewifc  to  be  taken 

and  perlifted  in  for  a  confiderable  time. 

>  • 

OF  THE  BLEEDING  AND   BLIND 

PILES. 

A  difcharge  of  blood  from  the  hasmorrhoidal 
vcflcls  is  called  the  bleeding  piles.  When  the  veflcls 
only  fwell,  and  difcharge  no  blood,  but  are  ex- 
ceeding painful,  the  difeafe  is  called  the  blind  piles. 

Perfons  of  a  loofe  fpungy  fibre,  of  a  bulky  fize, 
who  live  high,  and  lead  a  fedentary  inadive  life, 
are  moft  fubjedl:  to  this  difeafe.  It  is  often  owing 
to  a  hereditary  difpofition.  Where  this  is  the  cafe, 
it  attacks  'perfons  more  early  in  life  than  when  it 
is  accidental.  Men  are  more  liable  to  it  than  wo- 
men, cfpeeially  thofe  of  a  fanguine,  plethoric,  or  a 
fcorbutic  habit,  or  of  a  melancholy  difpofition. 

*The  piles  may  be  occafioned  by  an  exccfs  of 
blood,  by  ftrong  aloctic  purges,  high- feafoned  food, 

drinking 


I  ,.^. 


BLEEDING  AND  BLIND  PILES.    335 

drinking  great  quantities  of  fweet  wines,  the  nc- 
gleft  of  bleeding,  or  other  cuftomary  evacuations, 
much  riding,  great  coftivenefs,  or  any  thing  that 
occafions  hard  or  difficult  flools.  Anger,'  grief,  or 
other  violent  paffionsj  will  likewife  occafion  the 
piles.  I  have  often  known  thenn  brought  on  by 
fitting  on  the  damp  ground.  A  pair  of  thin  breeches 
will  excite  the  diford^r  in  a  pcrfon  who  is  fubjeftto 
it,  and  fometimes  even  in  thofe  who  never  had  it 
before.  Pregnant  women  are  often  afflidted  with 
the  piles. 

A  flux  of  blood  from  the  anus  is  not  always  to 
be  treated  as  a  difeafe.  It  is  even  more  falutary 
than  bleeding  at  the  nofe,  and  often  prevents  or 
carries  off^  difeafes.  It  is  peculiarly  beneficial  in 
the^'gout,  rheumatifm,  afthma,  and  hypochondriacal 
complaints,  and  often  proves  critical  in  colics,  and 
inflammatory  fevers. 

In  the  management  of  the  patient,  regard  muft 
be  had  to  his  habit  of  body,  his  age,  ftrength,  and 
manner  of  living.  A  diicharge  which  might  be 
cxceflive  and  prove  hurtful  to  one,  may  be  very 
moderate,  and  even  falutary  to  another.  That  only' 
is  to  be  efteemed  dangerous  which  continues  too 
long,  and  is  in  fuch  quantity  as  to  wafl:e  the  pa- 
tient's ftrength,  hurt  the  digcftion,  nutrition,  and 
other  funftions  nccefl*arv  to  life. 

When  this  is  the  cafe,  the  difcharge  mufl:  be 
checked  by  a  proper  regimen,  and  aftringent  me- 
dicines. The  DIET  muft  be  cool  but  nOurifliing, 
confifting  chiefly  of  bread,  milk,  cooling  vege- 
tables and  broths.  The  drink  may  be  chalybeate  ' 
water,  orange-whey,  decodlions  or  infufions  of  the 
aftringent  and  mucilaginous  plants,  as  the  tormen- 
til  root,  biftort,  the  marfnm.;llow- roots,  &c.         , 

Old  conlerve  of  red  roles  is  a  very  good  medi- 
cine in  this  cafe.  It  may  be  mixed  with  new  milk, 
and  taken   in  the  quantity  of  ^n  ounce  three  or 

four 


556  BLEEDING  AND  BLIND   PILES. 

four  tim^s  a-day.  This  medicine  is  in  lib  great 
repute,  owing  to  it^  bfcing  fcldorrt  taken  in  fuch 
quantity  as  to  produce  any  tiffcfts;  but  when  takea 
sts  hercf  direfted,  and  duly  perfifted  in,  I .  hai^e 
knowh  it  pbrfbrm  rcry  extraordinary  cures  in  vio- 
lent haemorrhages,  cfpecially  v^hen  affifted  by  the 
tinfture  of  rofcs ;  a  tea-ciipful  of  which  may  bt 
taken  about  an  hour  afctr  every  dofe  of  the  cort- 
ftrve. 

The  Peruvian  bai-k  is  likcwifc  proper  in  this 
cafe,  both  as  a  ftrcngthcner  and  aftringcnt.  Half 
^  drachm  of  it  may  bfe  takenin  a  glafs  of  red- wine, 
Iharpened  with  a  few  dt-ops  of  the  elixir  of  Vitribl, 
tferCc  ot*  four  times  a-day. 

.The  bletdihg  p\\t%  are  fometimes  periodical, 
and  retiihi  regularly  once  a-month,  or  once  in  thhec 
weeks.  In  this  cafe  they  are  always  to  be  confi- 
dered  as  a  falutary  difcharge,  and  by  no  means  to 
bfc  ftopjied.  Some  havt  entirely  ruined  their  health 
by  flopping  a  periodical  difcharge  of  blood  from 
the  h^mbrrhoida!  Veins. 

In  the  l^lind  piles  bleeding  is  generally  of  ufe. 
The  diet  muft  be  light  and  thin,  and  the  drink 
Cbol  and  diluting.  It  it  likewife  neceflary  that 
the  body  be  kept  gently  open.  This  may  be 
done  by  fmall  dofes  of  the  flowers  of  brimftonfc 
and  cream  of  tartar.  Thcfe  may  be  mixed  in  equal 
quantities,  and  a  tea-fpoonful  taken  two  or  three 
times  a-day,  or  ofrner  if  neceflary.  Or  an  ounce 
of  the  flowers  of  brimftone  and  half  an  ounce  of 
purified  nitre  may  be  mixed  with  three  or  four 
ounces  of  the  lenitive  eledluary,  and  a  tea-fpoonful 
of  it  taken  three  or  four  times  a-day. 

Emollient  clyftcrs  are  here  likewife  beneficial; 
but  there  is  fometimes  fuch  an  aftridlion  of  the 
Mffus,  that  they  cannot  be  thrown  up.  In  this  cafe 
I  have  known  a  vomit  have  a  very  good  efFedt. 

When 


SPITTING  OP  BtiOOD;        337 

• '  When  the  piles  are  exceeding  painfol  and  fwelledf, 
but  difcharge  nothing,  tbe'|9adent  mud  (it  over  the 
(teams  of  warm  water.  He  may,  likewife  appty  a 
linen  cloth  dipped  in  warm  fpirits  of  wine  tcJ'tHfc 
part,  or  poultices  made  of  bread  *  and  iViilk,  oM)f 
leeks  fried  with  butter.  If  thefe  do  not  produW*4 
difcharge,  and  the  piles  appear  krge,  leeches  nVvft 
be  applied  as  near  them  as  poflible,  Ofy  if  they  will 
fix  upon  the  piles  themfelves,  fo  much'  t6e  better. 
When  leeches  will  not  fix,  the  piles  may  be  opened 
with  a  lancet.  The  operation  is  very  t^fyi  andUs 
attended  with  no  danger.  h: 

Various  ointments,  and  other  external  applica^ 
tions,  are  recommended  in  the  piles;  but  I  do  iicfc 
remember  to  have  feen  any  efFefts  from  thefe  worth 
mentioning.  Their  principal  ufe  is  to  keep  the 
part  moift,  which  may  be  done  as  well  by  a  (oft 
poultice,  or  an  cnwllient  cataplafm.  When  th<^ 
pain  however  is  very  great,  a  liniment  made  of 
two  ounces  of  emollient  ointment,  and  half  aii 
ounce  of  liquid  laudanum,  beat  up  with  the  yolk: 
of  an  egg,  may  be  applied. 

SPITTING   OF    BLOOD. 

We  mean  here  to  treat  of  that  difcharge  of  blood 
from  the  lungs  only  which  is  called  an  h^emopfoe,  or 
/pitting  of  blood.  Perfons  of  a  flendcr  make,  and  a 
lax  fibre,  who  have  long  necks  and  ftraic  breads,' 
are  moft  liable  to  ihis  difeafe.  It  is  moft  common 
in  the  fpring,  and  generally  attacks  people  before 
they  arrive  at  the  prime  or  middle  period  of  life. 
It  is  a  common  obfervation,  that  thofe  who  have 
been  fubjeft  to  bleeding  at  the  nofe  when  young, 
are  afterwards  moft  liable  to  an  haemoptoe. 

CAUSES. An  haemoptoe  may  proceed  from 

cxccfs  of  blood,  from  a  peculiar  wcakncfs  of  the* 

Z  lungs. 


^3«        SLITTING    OF  BLOOIX 

lungSj  or  a  bad  conformation  of  the  bread.  It  is 
9^cen  occafioned  by  exceffivc  drinkingj  ninniag$ 
l$rrefUing,  fingiing,  orfpeaking  aloud.  ^  Such  .as 
tiayc  weak  lu«gs  OMght  to  avoid  all  violent  e^qifiv 
tions  ef  th^t  organ^^  as  they  value  life*  pThey 
jbould  likewifc  guard  againft  violent  pafllons,  ;i(i(r 
ccfllve  drinking,  and  every  thing  that  occ;^n$rii^ 
l^pid  circulation  of  the  blood.  *     i?<  ;ii 

2T.Thifi  difeafe  may  likewife  proceed  from  wound^ 
O^.tbe  lungs.  Thefe  may  either  be  received  frpK^ 
Wtboiiti  or  they  may  be  occafioned  by  hard  bpdvC!^ 
getting  into  the  wind-pipe,  and  fo  falling,  d^^^ 
Vppp  the  lungs,  and  hurting  that  tender  Ofgaa*^ 
The  obftru6tion  of  any  cuftomary  evacuation  pf^jf 
Qiq^afion  a  fpitting  of  blood  i  as  negled  of  bleeding 
or  purging  at  the  ufual  feafons,  the  ftoppage  of.  chic; 
bjkeding  piles  in  men,  or  {l>e  menfes  in  womeiv  ^9r 
I(  may  likewife  proceed  from  4  polypus,  fcirrhi^uf 
concretions,  or  any  thing  that  obftruds  the  circur^ 
lation  of  the  blood  in  the  lungs.  It  is  oficn  theef*- 
lipift  of  a  long  and  violent  cough  ;  in  which  cafe  it  i& 
generally  the  forerunner  of  a  confumption.  A.  via^ 
lent  degree  of  cold  fuddenly  applied  to  the  external 
parts  of  the  body  will  occafion  an  hsemoptoe...  It 
inay  like^wife  be  occafioned  by  breathing  air  w^ich 
ki.^o  much  rariBed  to  be  able  properly. to  expand 
t^  lui>gs.  This  is  often. the  cafe  with  thofe  who 
yrork  in  hot  places,  as  furnaces,  glai's-houfcs>  or 
^|ie  like.  It  is  likewife  faid  to  happen  to  fuch  as 
^fcend.  to ,  the  top  of  very  high  mountains^  as  the 
Peak  of  TenerifF,  &c. 

-Spitting of  blood  is  not  always  to  be  conddered 
a§  a  .primary  difeafe.  It  is  often  only  a  fymptom^ 
^d  in  fon^  difeafes  not  an  unfavourable  one.  This* 
iS  the  cafe  in  pleurilies^  peripneumonies,  and  iuA-» 
^ry  other  fevers.  In  a  droj>fy,  fcurvy,  or  confump- 
{ion,  it  is  a  bad  fymptpmj.^nd  (hews  that  the  lung^ 
are  ulcerated.  ^ 

SYMP- 


SPIT-rmG  OP  BLOOD.         33^ 

SYMPTOMS.^ Spitting  of  blood  is  generally 

preceded  by  a  fcnfe  of  Xreight,  ahd  Oppreffiotf'^ 
the  breaft,  a  dry  tickling  cough,  hdarfeneft,  and  t 
dliSculty  of  breathing.  Sometirtfies  it  ii  tifticred  4li 
Itflth  (hivering,  <ioldncfs  of  the  extremities, 'coftiv^- 
ntfs,  greelt  ^^fTitude^  gatuUnce,  pain  ^f  the  back 
and  laihsi  &c.  As  thefe  (heW  a  general  (IriftUto 
upon  the  veflcls,  and  a  tendency  of  the  blodd*  to 
inflammation,  they  are  contimohly  thfe  fo^erunrteri* 
of  a  very  copious  difcharge.  The  above  fjMtiptomtf 
do' not  attend  a  difcharge  of  blood  from"  thfc  gilim 
brfiiuces,  by  which  nieans  thefe  may  *  always  bit} 
diftinguifhed  from  an  hae^optoe.  Sometimes  rhtt 
bfood  that  is  fpit  up  i4  thin,  and  of  a  Borid  rede<^ 
lour;  and  at  other  times  it  is  thick,  and  of  i,  dafk 
or  blackifh  colour;  nothing  however  can  be  infcr^Ji 
red  from  this  circunriftance,  but  that  the  blood  hit 
lain  a  longer  or  fhorter  time  in  the  bread  before  it 
was  difcharged. 

Spitting  of  blood,  in  a  ^rong  healthy  perfortj 
of  a  found  conftitution,  is  not  very  dangerous ;  but 
when  it  attacks  the  tender  and  delicate,  or  perfons 
of  a  weak  lax  fibre,  it  is  with  difficulty  removed*' 
When  it  proceeds  from  a  fcirrhus  orpoly|3us  of 
the  lungs,  it  is  bad.  The  danger  is  greater  when 
the  difcharge  proceeds  from  the  rupture'bf  a  large 
Veflcl  than  of  a  fmall  one.  When  thfe  exffavafaticcl 
blood  is  not  fpit  up,  but  lodges  in  the  breaft,  it 
cbrrupts,  and  greatly  increafes  the  danger.  Wheii 
the  blood  proceeds  from  an  ulcer  in^tfic  lungs,  it 
is  generally  fatal.  *  '* 

REGIMEN. -The  patient  ought  to  bfe  kept 

cool  and  eafy.  Every  thing  that  heats  the  body  or 
quickens  the  circulation,  increafes  the  danger* 
The  mind  ought  likewife  to  be  foothed,  and  every 
occafion  of  exciting  the  pafiions  avoided.  Tire 
diet  Ihould  be  foft,  cooling,  and  (lender;  as  rice 

Z  a  boiled 


340         SPITTING  OF   BLOOD. 

« 

boiled  with  milk^  fmall  broths^  barley -gruels,  pa- 
nacfo>  &c.  The  diet^  in  this  cafe,  can  fcarce  be 
too  low.  Even  water-gruel  is  fufficient  to  fupport 
the  patient  for  fome  days.  All  ilrong  liquors  muft 
be  avoided.  The  patient  may  drink  milk  and  .wa- 
ter, b;^rley-water,  whey,  butter-milk,  and  fuch 
Ip^e.  Every  thing  however  (hbuld  be  drank  cold, 
aad  in  fmall  quantities  at  a  time.  He  Ibould  ob- 
lerve  the  ftridefl:  filence,  or  at  leaft  fpeak  >yith  a 
very  low  voice. 

'  MEDICINE. This,  like  the  other  involuntary 

4ifcharges  of  blood,  ought,  not  to  be  fuddenly  (top- 
ped by  aftringent  mfedicines.  More.mifchicf  is  often 
cfoae  by  thefe  than  if  it  were  fuflferedto  go  on.  Tt 
may  however  proceed  fo  far  as  to  weaken  the  pa- 
tient, and  even  endanger  hisTife ;  in  which  cafe  pro- 
per means  muft  be  ukd  for  reftraining  it. 

.  The  body  fhould  be  kept  gently  open  by  laxa- 
tive diet;  as  roafted  apples,  ftcwed  prunes,  and. 
fui^h  like.  If  thefe  fhoul4  not  have  the  defircd 
efFed,  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the  lenitive  eleftuary  may 
be  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day,  as  is  found  ncceflary. 
If  the  bleeding  proves  violent,  ligatures  may  be  ap- 
plied to  the  extremities,  as  diredted  for  a  bleeding 
at  the  nof<;. 

..If  the  patient  be  hot  or  feverifli,  bleeding  and 
fm^U  dofes  of  nitre  will  be  of  ufe;  a  fcruple  or 
half  a  drachm  of  nitre  may  be  taken  in  a  cup  of 
hjs  ordinary  drink  twice  or  thrice  a-day.  His  drink 
rnay  likewife  be  fharpened  with  acids,  as  juice  of 
lemon,  or  a  few  drops  of  the  fpirit  of  vitriol ; 
or  he-  may  take  frequently  a  cup  of  the  tindure  of 
rofes. 

Bathing  the  feet  and  legs  in  lukewarm  water  has 
lilcewife  a  very  good  efFeft  in  this  difeafc.  Opi- 
ates too  are  fometimes  beneficial;  but  thefe  mufl: 
bt  adminiftcrcd  with  caution.  Ten  or  twelve  drops 

.  of 


VONllTING"  Ot^  BliOOb.        J4f. 

<lf  laudanum  may  be  given  in  a  cup  of  barley- wa« 
tcr  twice  a-day,  and  continued  for  fome  time,  pro^ 
vided  they  be  found  beneBcial.  ' 

The  conferve  of  rofcs  is  likewife  a  very  good 
medicine  in  this  cafe,  provided  it  be  taken  in  fufH^ 
<:ient  quantity,  and  long  enough  perfifted  in.  ■  4f 
mi^y  bef  taken  to  the  quantity-  of  three  or  (Sof 
ounces  a-day;  and,  if  the  patient  be  troubled  witR 
a  cough,  it  (hould  be  made  into  an  eleftuary  with 
balfamic  fyrup,  and  a  little  of  the  fyrup  of  pop^ 
pies.  :  ; 

If  ftronger  aftringents  be  neceffary,  fifteen,  oi^ 
twenty  drops  of  the  elixir  of  vitriol  may  be  givett 
in  a  glafs  of  water  three  or  four  times  a-day. 

Thofe  who  are  fubjeft  to  frequent  returns  of  this 
difeafe  fliould  avoid  all  -excefs.  Their  diet  (hould 
be  light  and  cool,  confiding  chiefly  of  milk  and 
vegetables.  Above  all,  let  them*  beware  of  Vi- 
gorous efforts  of  the  body,  and  violent  agitation) 
of  the  mind.  .  t 

VOMITING  OF  BLOOD.  ^^ 


This  is  not  fo  common  as  the  other  difchargSs 
of  blood  which  have  already  been  mentioned  ;  but 
it  is  very  dangerous,  and  requires  particular  atten- 
tion. 

Vbmiting  of  Blood  is  generally  preceded  by  pain 
of  the  ftomach,  fickncfs,  artd  naufcai  and 'is  act 
companied* with'jgreat  anxiety,' and' frecjucnt  faiiitf. 
ingfits.  ^'■'      '   '      *  ^''  .  '    •     . 

This  difeafe  is  fometimes  periodical;  in  which 
cafe  it  is  lefg.dang^ro^is.  Ic^of^nprpcecds  from 
an  obftrudion  of  the  m'ehfes  in  women ;  and  fome- 
times from  the  flopping  of  the  hasmorrhoidal  flux 
in  men.  It  W^  be  occafioned  by  any  thing  that 
greatly  flinriulates  or  wounds  the  flomach,  as  ftrong; 
vomits  or  inirges',"'dai(f'p6ifoiHV"'fhaTp  or  hard  fub- 

Z  3  fiances 


344  OF  BLOODY  URINE. 

fiances '  taken  into  the  ftomach^  ^c.  It  is  oftM 
the  effedi:  of  obftruftions  in  the  liver,  the  fplecn, 
or  fome  of  the  other  vifcera.  It  may  likewifepro-* 
'^ed  from  external  violence,  as  blows  or  bruifes^ 
br  from  any  of  the  caufes  which  produce  inflamitUH- 
tion.  In^hyfteric  women,  vomiting  of  blood  is  % 
vei^  common,  but  by  no  means  a  dangerous  fy mp'«> 
ttito. 

'" '*A'^at  part  qf  the  danger  in  this  difeafe  a?Ue$ 

frohn  the  extravafated  blood  lodging  in  the  bowclsj 

-fiiHdf' becoming  putrid,  by  which  means  a  dyfencery 

•<>p putrid  fever  m^y  be  occafioned*     The  beft  way 

*w  'preiventing  this,   is   to  keep  the   body  gently 

^open,  by  frequently  exhibiting  emollient  clyfters. 

Pufgcs  muft  not  be  given  till  the  difcharge  is  ftopt, 

btherwife  they  willirritajte  the  ftomach,   and  in^ 

cr^afe  the  difbrder.     All  the  food  and  drink  muft 

be  of  a  mild  tooling  nature,  and  taken  in  fmall 

quantities.     Even  drinking  cold  water  has  fome- 

times  proved  a  remedy,  but  it  will  fuccecd  better 

when    fharpened  with  the  weak  fpirirs  of  vitriol. 

VThen  there  are  figns  of  an  inflammation,  bleeding 

^ntay"  be  ncceflaryj  but  the  patient's  weaknefs  will 

fHdom  permit  it.     Opiates  may  be  of  ufe;    but 

Vhey  muft  be  given  in   very  fmall  dofes,  as  four 

dr  five  drops  of  liquid  laudanum  twice  or.  thrice 

*:aay. 

•  'After  the  difcliarge  is  over,  as  the  patient  is  ger 
finally  troubled   with   gripes,  occafioned  by  tfa^ 

-\|i6rimooy  of  the   blood  lodgcxl  iti  the  inteftipesj^ 

gentle  purges  will  be  neceifary. 

•  '>*•.■■■»'  .  ,    .    .      .  ^        •.  .  •  ■ 

OF  BLOODY  URINE. 

-If     ■  ■ 

■ 

^     This  is  a  difcharge  of  blood  from  the  veflels  of 

the  kidneys  or  bladder,'  occafioned  by  their  being 

•  either  enlarged,  broken^  or  eroded.    It  is  more  or 


OF  BLOODY  tJRtNR  34^ 

lefsidangA-ous  according  tx)  the  different  circuin^ 
iftances  which  attend  it, 

«/^hefi  pure  Uood  is  voided  fuddenly  without  in* 
terrvpcion  and  without  pain,  it  proceeds  from  cluip 
ludncy^i  but  if  the  blood  be  in  Imall  quantityi  c^ 
a  dark  colour,  and  emitted  with  heat  and  pain  abQpit 
die  boiMm  of  the  belly^  it  proceeds  from  the  hU/^ 
der.  When  bloody  urine  is  eocafioned  by  a  rp|Lig)i 
^oae  defcending  from  the  kidneys  to  the  bladder^ 
which  wounds  the  urettrs^  tt  is  attended  withifi 
Iharp  pain  in  the  back^  and  difficulty  of  making 
water.  If  the  coats  of  the  bladder  are  hurt  hy^jL 
ilone^  and  the  bloody  vrine  follows,  it  is  attend!^ 
with  the  moft  acute  paio«  and  a  previous  (toppagp 
of  urine. 

Bloody  urine  may  likewife  be  occalioned  by  fallg, 
blowSy  the  lifting  or  carrying  of  heavy  burdem* 
iiard  riding,  or  any  violent  motion.  It  may  alfo 
proceed  from  ulcers  of  the  bladder>  from  a  fiope 
lodged  in  the  kidneys,  or  from  violent  purges  %x . 
ibarp  diuretic  medicines>  efpecialJy  cantharides.  . 

filoody  urine  is  always  attended  with  ibmeife- 

gree  of  danger :  but  it  as  peculiarly  fo  when  -n^ijixffd 

■  with  purulent  matter,  as  this  fhews  an  ulcer  fooiv* 

.  where  in  the  urinary  paflages.     Sometimes  this  dif- 

'  charge  proceeds  from  excefs  of  blo^«.in  .whijcK 

eafe  it  \&  rather  to  be  confidered  as  a  fakitary  era* 

cuation  than  a*  dirfeafe*    If  the  difc^arge  however 

be  vdry  great,  it  may  wafte  the  patient*s  ftrengt|i^ 

and'^^afton  aa  iU.  habit  of  body^  adropfyj  oi^m 

consumption.  ^-     m--  ,  ., 

The  treatment  of  this  diforder  muft  be  varied  ac- 
cording to  the  different  caufes  from  itrhich  it  pni« 
ceeds.         -    '    -  ,  .  ''     ^  ■  • 

When  it  is  owing  to  a  ftone  in  the  bladder^  the 
rure  depends  upon  an  operation  ^  a  defcripti09  i)f 
which  wquld  be  foreign  to  our  purpofc. 


344  C^F  BLOODY   URINE. 

)  ji  it  be  attended  with  a  plethora^  and  fymptoms 
of  inflammation,  bleeding  will  be  neceflary.  Thq. 
body  muit  likewi^fe  be  kept  open  by  emollient  clyf- 
l;5*rs,.or  cooling  purgative  medicines;  as  cream  of 
t^tar,  rhubarbj  manna,  or  fmall  dofes  of  lenitive 
deflLUary.        .        . 

^Whcp  bjoody  yrine.  proceeds  from  a  diffolvecj 
flate  of  rthe  bloody  it  is  commonly  the  fymptom  of 
iUoie  maligtiant  dir^afe;,  as  the  fmall-pox,  a  putrid 
fevpr>  or  the  like.  In  this  cafe  the  patient's  life- 
dejpepds  on  the  liberal  ufe  of- the  Peruvian  bark 
aAdf  ^cids^  as  has  already  been  fhewn. 
i  .^i:^en  there  is  reafon  to  fufpeft  an  ulcer  ip  the 
kidneys  prbladder,^  the. patient's  diet  mud  becool^ 
aiitf  his  drink  of  a  foft,  healing,  balfamic  quality, 
as  i^o^ipns  of  marfb-cnallow  roots  with  liquorice, 
iQlutiot^,  of  gum-arabic,  &;c.  Three  ounces  of 
ip^:jfh-mallpw  roots^  anfi  half^n  ounce  of  liquorice, 
n^^  bOj  boiled  in  two  Engliih  quscrts  of  water  to 
QM  i  two  ounces  of  gum-arabic,  and  half  an  ounce 
of  purij[ied  nitre,  may  be  difTolyed  in  the  drained 
1  iqqor J.. and ^.  tea-cupful  of  it  (i^en  four  or  five 
tfoicsa-day.    . 

. .^hc  .early -ufe  of  aftringqnts  in  this  difeafe  ha^- 
qfcep  bad  confequences.  When  the  flux  is  flop- 
Mj;J,too,  foQo,  the  grumous  blood,  by  being  <:on- 
fiag4  U  the  veflels,  may  produce  inflammations,, 
ajyl^f&j  and  ulcers.  If  however  the  cafe  be  urgent, 
or;fhe  patient  feems  to-fuflf<gr  from  the  lofs  of  blood]^ 
gejje  aftf;inggn;s  may^.bfl.jOftCQflary.  lo  this  cafe 
the  patient  m^y  take  three  or  four  ounces  of  lime*. 
w^ei;,.;with..h4f  an  ounce  of  the  tinAqrc  of  Peiru-! 
YW^^ark,  -tijrfc  tfmes  j^-day,      . :  •    . 


C    345    ] 


OF  THE  DYSENTERY,  OR  BLOODY  FLUX* 

This  difeafc. prevails  in  the  fpring  and  autumn. 
It  is  moft  common  in  marfhy  countries,  where,  after 
hot  and  dry  fummers,  it  is  apt  to  become  epidemic^ 
Ferfons  are  moft  liable  to  it  who  are  much  expofed 
to  the  night-air,  or  who  live  in  places  where  the 
air  is  conBned  and  unwholefome.  Hence  it  often 
proves  fatal  in  camps,  on  ihipboard,  in  jails,  hofpU 
tals,  and  fuch  like  places. 

CAUSES.— —The  dyfentery  may  be  occafioned 
by  any  thing  that  obftruds  the  perfpiration,  or  reii^ 
ders  the  humours  putrid ;  as  damp  beds,  wet  clothei; 
unwholefome  diet,  air,  &c.  But  it  is  moft  fre^ 
quently  communicated  by  infe£tion.  This  ought 
to  make  people  extremely  cautious  in  going  near 
fuch  perfons  as  labour  under  the  difeafe.  Even  the 
fmell  of  the  patient's  excrements  has  been  known 
to  communicate  the  infection. 

SYMPTOMS. It  is  known  by  a  flux  of  the 

belly,  attended  with  violent  pain  of  the  bowels,  a 
conftant  inclination  to  go  to  ftool,  and  generally 
more  or  lefs  blood  in  the  ftools;  It  begins,  like 
other  fevers,  with  chillncfs,  lofe  of  flrength,  *:! 
quick  pulfe,  great  thirft,  and  an  inclination  to  vo^ 
mit.  The  ftools  are  at  firft  greafy  and  frothy,  af4 
terwards  they  are  ftreaked' with  blood,  and  at  laft 
have  frequently,  the  appearance  of  pure  blood,  mixed 
with  fmall  filaments  rcfembling  bits  of  (kin.  Worm^ 
are  fometimes  pafied  both  upwards  and  downwards 
through  the  ^whole  courfe  of  the  difeafe.  When 
the  patient  goes  to  ftool,  he  feels  a  bearing  down, 
^s  if  the  whole  bowels  were  falling  out,  and  fome- 
times a  part  of  the  inteftine  is  aftually  protruded^ 
which  proves  exceeding  troub^efome,  efpecially  in 

'  children* 


546        OF  THE  DT^ENTERT, 

cfhlldrcn.     Flatulency  is  like  wife  a  troublefome 
fymptom,  efpecially  towards  the  end  of  the  dif- 

This  difcafe  may  be  diftinguifhcd  from  a  diar- 
rhcate  or  Ibofenefs,  by  the  acute  paih  of  the  bowels, 
kiidtbc  blood  which  generally  appears  in  €he  ftoob. 
It  may  be  diftinguifhed  from  the  cholera  morbus ^y 
itjf not  bemg  attended  with  fuck  violenc  and.fre- 
ijuent  fits  of  vomiting,  &c, 

^  ^ Whtiii  thfc*dyfentery  attacks  the  old,  the  dclicEte, 
4tf ^fitffefa  ias  have  been  wafted  by  the  gout^  the  fcur- 
yyi'br  Other  lingering  tlifeafes,  it  generally  proves 
fktel.'  .Vomiting  and  hiccuping  are  bad  figns,  as 
they  ihew  an  inSammation  of  the  ftomach.  When 
the  ftools  are  green,<*  black,  or  have  an  exceeding 
tfiiagiieeable  cadaverous  fmell^  the  danger-is'  v^y 
great,  as  it  (hows  the  difeafe  to  be  of  the  potritf 
kind.  It  is  an  unfavourable  fymptom  t^hen  ciy(lei% 
Aite  imn^ediately  returned;  but  ftill  more  ioi  when 
liie  paflage  is  fo  obftinately  (hut,  that  theycalnmk 
be  injefted.  •  A  feeble  pulfe,  coldnefs  of  the  extfcJL- 
inities,  with  difficulty  of  fwallowing,  and  comrdt- 
fions>  Are  figas  of  approaching  death. 
^'  REGIMEN.-*— Nothing  is  of  more  importance 
in  this  tdiie^fe  than  cleanlinefs.  k  *  contribMfs 
greatly  t4  the  recovery  of  the  patient,  and  lio  lels 
iW'the'fiifety  of  fuch  as  attend  him.  In  all  contif- 
^16^'  difeafes  the  danger  is  increafed,  and  the  in- 
WftfdA  ft^ciid,  by  the  neglect  of 'cleanlineTsfs  but 
in  fio  one  more  than  this.  Every  thing'^about  the 
patiefti  (houtd  be  frequently  changed.  The  excre- 
/ncjfits  fhoul4  never,  be  fuffered  to  continue  jn^bis 
'ftUmber^  but, removed  immediately,  aod  buried^ 
iifider.  grou&did  A.  coaftaac  ftrcam  of  freih  air 
fliould  be  admitted  into  the  chamber  $  and  ic  ought 
frt^uently  to  be  fprinkied -with  vipe^arj  juice  of 
icwon,  ,pr;fpmeojlwrll^^^  ;  .u  ..    \. 


OR  BLOODY  FLUX.  347 

.  The  patient  muft  not  be  difcouraged^  but  his  fpi^** 
rits  kept  up  in  hopes  of  a  cure.  Nothing  teo4t 
niore  to  render  any  putrid  difeafe  mortal,  than  th9 
fears  and  apprehennons  of  the  fick.  All  difeales* 
pf  this  nature  have  a  tendency  to  fink  and  depr/eft 
j^e^  fpirits,  and  when  that  is  increafed  by  fears  an4 
(parens  from  thofe  whom  the  patient  believes  f# 
i»e  perfons  of  ikillj  it  cannot  fail  to  have  the  word: 
cffedls.  ..^ 

A  flannel  waiftcoat  worn  next  the  ikin  has  often 
4  very  good  effeft  in  the  dyfentery.  This  promotes 
(he  perfpiratioo  without  over-heating  the  body« 
Great, caution  however  is  neceflary  in  leaving  it  off^ 
I  have  often  known  a  dyfentery  brought  on  by  iqoT 
prudently  throwing  off  a  flannel  waidcoat  before 
the  feafon  was  fufEciently  warm.  For  whatever 
purpofe  this  piece  of  drefs  is  worn,  it  fhould  ney^r 
be  left  off  but  in  a  warm  feafon. 
vin  this  difeafe  the  greatefl  attention  muf(  be  paifl 
tO;  the  patient's  diet.  Flelh,  fi^,  and  every  thipg 
that  has  a  tendency  to  turn  putrid  or  rancid  on  the 
ftomach,  mufl  be  abftained  from.  Apples  boiled 
in  milkj  water-pap,  and  plain  light  pudding,  wich 
broth  made  of  the  gelatinous  parts  of  animaUj  tpay 
conftitute  the  principal  part  of  the , patient's  foovd. 
Gelatinous  broth  not  onlyanfwers  the  pvrfoft'Of 
food^  but  likewife  of  medicine.  I  have  oftent  kfiQi^ 
dyfentcries,  which  were  not  of  a  putri^r  ni^mc^ 
cured  by  it  after  pom^us  medicines  h^  fHiO^M^ 
incfFe£kual  *.  ,       •    • 


■1  /.I 


I*  .f  -til  >it* 

^  The  manner  of  making  this  broth  is^  to  take  a  mee p*s  liesi 
and  feet  wiflT  the  flcin  apon  thein,  and  to  l>urn  the  wodi  o^widi 
a  hot  iron ;  aftcrwardt  to  boil  ch^m  till  the  broth  is  qoiceiajeHy. 
A  little  cinnamon  or  mice  siay  be  fddedt  to  give  the  ^th  t^ta 
agreeable  E^yoiir«  and  the  patient  may  ,take.  a  little  of  it  vfaripi 
with  toalled  breads  three  or  ^odr  tames  a  day.  A  clyner-ofic 
may  likewife  hp  given  twice  a-3a^.  Such  as  cannot'ofe  th^  bfiMi^ 
'inade  ia  this  way,  may  have  the  hea4  and  feet  ikilined ;  hut  we* 

have 


J48         OF  THE  DYSENTERV, 

"  Another  kind  of  food  ytry  proper  in  the  dyfen- 
ttry^  which  may  be  ufed  by  fuch  as  cannot  take  thie 
broth  mentioned  above^  is  made  by  boiling  a  few 
handfuls  of  fine  flour>  tied  in  a  cloth,  for  (ix  or  fe* 
ven  hours,  till  it  becomes  as  hard  as  ftarch.  Two 
or  three  table-fpoonfuts  of  this  may  be  grated 
down,  and  boiled  in  fuch  a  quantity  of  new  milk 
and  water  as  to  be  of  the  thicknefs  of  pap.  This 
may  be  fweetened  to  the  patient's  tafte,  and  taken 
for  his  ordinary  food  *. 

In  a  putrid  dyfentery  the  patient  may  be  allowed 
to  cat  freely  of  moft  kinds  of  good  ripe  fruit;  as 
apples,  grapes,  goofeberries,  currant- berries,  draw- 
berries^  &c.  Thefe  may  either  be  eaten  raw  or 
boiled,  with  or  without  milk,  as  the  patient  chufes. 
The  prejudice  againft  fruit  in  this  difeafe  is  fo  great, 
that  many  believe  it  to  be  the  common  caufc  of 
dyfentcries.  This  however  is  an  egregious  miftake. 
Both  reafon  and  experience  ihew,  that  good  fruit 
is  one  of  the  beft  medicines,  both  for  the  preven- 

have  reafon  to  believe  that  this  harts  the  medicine.  It  is  not  our 
iKiiinefs  here  to  reafon  upon  the  nature  and  qualities  of  medicine^ 
otherwife,  this  might  be  (hewn  to  pofTefs  virtaes  tstry  way  fuited 
tbthe  cure  of  a  dyfentery  which  does  not  proceed  from  a  putrid 
Hate  of  the  htmours.  One  thing  we  know,  which  is  preferable 
to  all  reafoniog.  that  whole  families  have  often  been  cured  by  it^ 
after  they  had  ufed  many  other  medicines  in  vain.  It  will,  how* 
rver^  be  proper  that  the^  patient  take  a  vomit,  and  a  dofe  or 
tuo  of  rhubarb,  before  he  begins  to  ufe  the  broth.  It  will  like- 
wi(e*'be  neceilory  to  coatiaoe  the  ufe  of  it  for  a  confiderable  time^ 
and  to  make  it  the  principal  food. 

*  The  4earned  and  humane  Dr.  Rutherford,  late  profe/Tor  of 
medicine  in  the  nniveriity  of  Edinbnrgh,  ufed  to  mention  this  food 
in  his  public  ledivr^il  with  great  encomiums.  He  diredled  it  to 
be  made  by  tying  a  pound  or  two  of  the  finefc  flour,  as  tight  as 
poflibie»  in  a  linen  rag,  afterwards  to  dip  it  frequently  in  water, 
and  ro  dridge.the'  out/Ide  with  flour,  till  a  cake  or  crufl  was 
formed  around  it>  Which  prevents  the  water  from  foaking  into  it 
whi)e  boiling.  It  is  then  to  b^  boiled  till'  jt  becomes  a  hard  drf 
mafii,  as  direded  a[bove.  Thisji  when  mixed  With  milk  and  wa- 
ter, will. not  pnly  ^tifw^i;.  t^^^purpple  of  fcio?/  biiY  may  Hkewife  * 
x^  ^iven  in  ciyiters. 

tioq 


OR  BLOODY  Ft-UX^  549 

tion  and  cure  of  the  dyfcntery.  Good  fruit  is  in 
every  refpeft  calculated  to  counteract  that  tendency 
to  putrefaction,  from,  whence  the  mofl;  dangerous 
kind  of  dyfentery  proceeds.  The  patient  in  fuch  a 
cafe  ought  therefore  to  be  alldwed  toi^at  as  much, 
fruit  as  he  pleafes,  provided  it  be  i;ipe*. 

The  mofl:  proper  drink  in  this  diforder  is  whey. 
The  dyfentery  has  often  been  <:ured  by  the  ufc  of 
clear  whey  alone.  It  may  be  taken  both,  for  drink 
and  in  form  of  clyfter.  When  whey  cannot  be 
had,  barley-water  fharpened  with  cream  of  tartar 
may  be  drank,  or  a  decoCtion  of  barley  and  tama- 
rinds ;  two  ounces  of  the  fornier  and  one  of  .the 
latter  may  be  boiled  in  two  fingtift  quarts  of  wa- 
ter  to  one.  Warm  water,  water-gruel,  or  water 
wherein  hot  iron  has  been  frequently,  quenched,  are 
all  very  proper,  and  may  be  drank  in  tiirns.  Ca<« 
momile-tea,  if  the  ftomach  will  bear  it,  is  an  ex- 
ceeding proper  drink.  It  both  ftrengthens  thcfto*- 
mach,  and  by  its  antifeptic  quality  .tends  to  pre- 
vent a  mortification  of  the  bowels. 

MEDICINE.— At  the  beginning  of  this  dif. 
cafe  it  is  always  necefTary  to  cleanfc  the  firfl:  paf- 
fages.  For  this  purpofe  a  vomit  of  ipecacuanha 
mult  be  given,   and  wrought  off  with  weak  camo- 

•  • 

*  I  lately  faw  a  young  man  who  had  been  feized  with  a  dyfen- 
tery in  North  America.  Many  things  had  been  tried  therefor  his 
relief,  but  to  no  purpofe.  At  length,  tired  out  with  difappoint- 
ments  from  medicine,  and  reduced  to  fkin  and  bone,  he  came  over 
to  Britain,  rather  with  a  view  to  die  among  his  relations,  than  with* 
any  hopes  of  a  cure.  After  taking  fundry  medicines  here  with 
no  better  fuccefs  than  abroad,  I  advifed  him  to  leave  off  the  ufe 
of  drugs,  and  to  truft  entirely  to  a  diet  of  milk  and  fruits,  with 
gentle  exercife.  Strawberries  was  the  only  fruit  he  could  procure 
at  that  feafon.  Thefe  he  ate  with  jniik  twice,  and  fometiinttt 
thrice  a-day.  The  confequence  was,  that  in  a  fhort  time  his  (lools 
were  reduced  from  upwards  of  twenty  in  a  day,  to  three  or  foiir, 
and  fometimcs  not  ib  many.  He  ufed  the  other  fruits  as  xhcf^ 
came  in,  and  was  in  a  few  weeks  fo  well  as  to  leave  that  part  of 
the  country  wherc.I  was,  with  a  view  to  return  to  America. 

7  '  mile- 


3^>        OF  THE  DYSENTERY, 

mile-ttfa.  Strong  vomits  areTeldom  rrttefl&ry  herc^ 
A  fcf  uple,  or  at  mofl:  half  a  dMchm  of  ipecac(hlnh9| 
IS  generally  fufficient  for  an  adult,  and '  fomctithH 
a  very  few  grains  will  fuffice.  The  day  after  the 
vomit,  half  a  drachm,  or  two  fcruples  of' rhubarb; 
muft  be  taken ;  or,  what  will  anfwer  (he  ptirpiftk 
rather  better,  an  ounce  or  an  ounce  and  a  half  HE 
Epfom  falts.  This  dofc  may  be  repeated  t^ry 
other  day  for  two  or  three  times.  Afterwards 
fimall  dofes  of  ipecacuanha  may  be  taken  for  fdme 
time.  Two  or  three  grains  of  the  powder  may'htt 
inixed  in  a  table- fpoonful  of  the  fyrup'  of  poppid^^ 
and  taken  three  times  a-day.  -  ^ 

Thefc  evacuations,  and  the  regimen  prcTcribfe^ 
above,  will  often  be  fufficient  to  effeft  a  curcl; 
Should  it  however  happen  otherwife,  the  follow* 
Hig  aftringent  medicines  may  be  ufed. 

A  clyfter  of  (larch  or  fat  mutton-broth,  vnthi 
thirty  or  forty  drops  of  liquid  laudanum  in  it,  niay* 
be  adminiftered  twice  a-day.  At  the  fame  time  itk 
ounce  of  gum-arabic,  and  half  an  ounce  of  gutfif* 
tragacanth,  may  be  difTolved  in  an  Englifli  pint  of 
barley-water,  over  a  flow  fire,  and  a  table-fpoohfdf 
of  it  taken  every  hour.  -    r.  / 

If  thcfe  have  not  the  defired  effeft,  the  patierif 
tnay-take,  four  times  a-day,  about  the  bulk  ofa  rfut- 
meg  of  the  Jafonic  confeSHm^  drinking  afref  it'jt 
tea-cupful  of  the  decoftion  of  logwood*.        •;    ' ' 

Prrfons  who  have  been  cured  of  this  difeafe  ate' 
wry  liable  to  fuffer  a  rehpfc;  to  prevent  which, 
great  circumfpeftion  with  refpecl  to  diet  is  neccf-s' 
lary.  The  patient  muft  abftain  from  all  fcrmettted' 
liquors,  except  now  and  then  a  glafsof  good  Wiiitti 
but  he  muft  drink  no  kind  of  malt-liquor.  "  ^e' 
Ihould  likewife  abftain  from  animal  food,  asfifh'and 

fleih,  and  live  principally- on  milk  and  vegetables* ' 

«     ^.«     .    i.  inxi 

•  Set  Appeodix;  J)§ccai90  of  Logwrnf^       •  r?  ^  :• 

GeoAe 


OR  BLOOl>y  FI«.VXi  3^1 

^Gentle  cxcrcife  and  ^^ol^ocnr  air  are  likewHe  of 
itD|x>rtance.  The  patient  (hould  go  to  the  counti^ 
as  foon  as  his  (Ircngth  will  permit/ and  fliould  take 
cxercife  daily,  on  hoifeback,  or  in  a  carriage.  He 
'may  likcwife  ufe  bittejs  infufed  in  wine^r  brandjr^ 
and  may  drink  twice  a-day  a  gili  pf  lime* Water 
mixed  with  an  equal  quantity  of  new  miUc,  r  * 

When  dyfentcrics  prevail,  we  would  recommend 
a  (IriA  attention  to  cleanlinefs,  a  fpa^euic^ofieni* 
mal  food,  and  the  free  ufe  of  found  ripe  fruits,  ami 
ether  vegetables.  The  night  air  is  to  ^  carefuiJi^ 
avoided,  and  all  communication  ivitb  the  ficka 
Bad  fmells  are  likewife  to  hp  (hunped,  efpeciallf. 
fbofe  which  arife  from  putrid  animal  fubftances. 
The  necefiaries  where  the  fick'  go  are  carefully  tm 
be. avoided.  .:   •    --    -^ 

When  the  firft  fymptpms  of  the  dyfencery  ap* 
pear,  the  patient  ought  immediately  to  take  a  vo« 
Oiit,  to  go  to  bed,  and  drink  plentifully  of  weak; 
warm  liquor^  to  promote  a  fweat.  This,  wiib  ai 
dofc  OF  two  of  rhubarb  at  the  beginning,  would, 
often  carry  off*  the  difeafe.  In  cetintries  where 
dyfenteries  prjcvail,  we  would  advife  fuch  as  aret 
liable  to  them,  to  take  either  a  vomit  or  a  purgc^ 
every  fpring  or  autumn,  as  a  preventative* 

.  There  are  fundry  other  fluxes  of  the^elly^-as  the- 
UENTERY  and  CCELIAC  PASSION,  which,, 
though  left  dangerous  than  the  dyfentery,  yet  merit, 
confiderauon*  Thefc  difeafes  generally  proceed 
from  a  relaxed  ftate  of  the  (tomach  and  inteftines^* 
which  is  fometimes  fo-  greatj  that  the  food  pa^e^. 
through  them  without  dmoft  any  fenfible  aletranan?: 
and  the  patient  diesoKrely  from  the  waniof  ooW 
rifl)nr>ent.  .  r^ 

When  thcJientery  or  cceliac  pafSonfucctedsto! 
a  dyfentery,  r he  cafe  i§  bad*    They  are  always  dami 
gerous  in  old  age,  efpecially  when  the  conftitution 
has  been  brgken  by  wceJOif  or /aicute  difeafes.   If  the 

ftools. 


551  OF  THE.  HEAD-ACH. 

ftools  be  verf  frequent^  and  quite  crude^  the  third 
greats  with  little  urine^  the  mouth  ulcerated,  and 
the  face  marked  with  fpots  of  different  colours, 
the  danger  is  very  great. 

The  treatment  of  the  patient  is  in  general  the 
fame  as  in  the  dyfentery.  In  all  obftinace  fluxes  of 
the  belly,  the  cure  muft  be  attempted,  by  firft 
cleanfing  the  ftomach  and  bowels  with  gentle  vo* 
mits  and  purges;  afterwards  fuch  a  diet  as  has  a 
tendency  to  heal  and  ftrengthcn  the  bowels,  with 
opiates  and  aftringent  medicines,  will  generally 
perfect  the  cure. 

Tht  fame  obfervation  holds  with  refped  to  a 
TENESMUS,  or  frequent  dcfire  of  going  to  (tool, 
f  his  difeafe  refembles  the  dyfentery  foinuch,  both 
in  its  fymptoms  and  method  of  cure,  that  we  think 
it  needlefs  to  infift  upon  it. 


C  H  A  P,    XXXIV. 
OF  THE   HEAD.ACH. 

■ 

ACHES  and  pains  proceed  from  very  diflTerent 

""■  caufes,  and  may  affeft  any  part  of  the  bodyi 

but  we  Ihall  point  out  thofe  only  which  occur  mofl: 

frequently,  and  are  attended  with  the  greateft  dan« 

gcr.  i 

When  the  head-ach  is  flight,  and  aflfefts  a  par- 
ticular part  of  the  head  only,  it  is  called  cephalalgia  ; 
when  the  whole  head  is  afie6ted,  cephaUa-,  and  when 
on  one  fide  only,  bemicrania.  A  fixed  pain  in  the 
forehead,  which  may  be  covered  with  the  end  of 
the  thumb,  is  called  the  clavis  hyfiericus. 

There  are  alfo  other  diftindions.  Sometimes  the 
pain  is  internal^  fometimes  external  i  fometimes  ic 

is 


Ot  THE  HEAD-ACH/  3^3 

IS  an  original  difcafe,  and  at  other  times  only  fymp- 
tomatic.  When  the  head-ach  proceeds  from  a  ho6 
bilious  habit,  ,the  pain  is  very  acute  and  throbbing, 
with  a  confiderable  heat  of  the  part  affedted.  When' 
from  a  cold  phlegmatic  habit,  the  patient  com- 
plains of  a  dull  heavy  pain,  and  has  a  Icnfc  of  cold- 
ncfs  in  the  part.  This  kind  of  head-ach  is  fomc* 
times  attended  with  a  degree  of  ftupidity  or  folly. . 

Whatever  obftrufts  the  free  circulation  of  the 
blood  through  the  velfcls  of  the  head,  may  occafion 
a  head-ach.  In  perfons  of  a  full  habit,  who  abound 
with  blood,  or  other  humours,  the  head-ach  often 
proceeds  from  the  fuppreifion  of  cuftomary  evacua- 
tions; as  bleeding  atthenofe,  fweating  of  the  feet, 
&c.  It  may  likewifc  proceed  from  any  caufe  that 
determines  a  great  flux  of  blood  towards  the  head; 
as  coldnefii  of  the  extremities,  or  hanging  dowry 
the  head  for  a  long  time.  Whatever  prevents  the 
return  of  the  blood  from  the  head  will  likewifc  oc- 
cafion a  head-ach;  as  looking  long  obliquely  ac 
any  objeft,  wearing  any  thing  tight  about  the  neck, 
or  the  like. 

When  a  head-ach  proceeds  from  the  ftoppage  of 
a  running  at  the  nofe,  there  is  a  heavy,  obtufe^ 
prefllng  pain  in  the  fore-part  of  the  head,  in  which 
there  feems  to  be  fuch  a  weight,  that  the  patient 
can  fcarce  hold  it  up.  When  it  is  occafioned  by 
the  cauftic  matter  of  the  venereal  difcafe,  it  gene- 
rally affedts  the  (kull,  and  often  produces  a  caries 
of  the  bones* 

Sometimes  the  head-ach  proceeds  from  the  re- 
pulfion  or  retroceflfion  of  the  gout,  the  eryfipelas, 
the  fmall-pox,  meafles,  itch,  or  other  eruptive  dif- 
cafes.  What  is  called  a  herfiicrania  generally  pro- 
ceeds from  crudities  or  indigeftion.  Inanition,  or 
cmptinefs,  will  alfo  occafion  head-achs.  I  have 
often  ken  inftances  of  this  in  nurfes  who  gave  fuck 

A  a  too 


354  OF  THE  HEAD-ACH. 

too  long,  or  who  did  not  take  a  fufficient  quantity 
of  folid  food. 

There  is  likcwifc  a  moft  violent,  fixed^  coh- 
ftant^  and  almofl:  intolerable  head-ach,  which  oc« 
ctiions  great  debility  both  of  body  and  mind,  pre- 
vents flecp,  dcftroys  the  appetite,  caufcs  a  vertigo, 
dimnefs  of  fight,  a  noife  in  the  cars,  convulfions^ 
epileptic  fits,  and  fomctimcs  vomiting,  coftivenefs, 
coldnefs  of  the  extremities,  &c. 

The  hcad-ach  is  often  fymptomatic  in  continuaF 
•nd  intermitting  fevers,  efpecially  quartans*  Ic 
is  likewife  a  very  common  fymptom  in  hyftcric  and 
hypochondriac  complaints. 

When  a  head-ach  attends  an  acute  fever,  with 
pale  urine,  it  is  an  unfavourable  fymptom.  In  ex- 
cefllve  headachs,  coldnefs  of  the  extremities  is  a 
bad  fign. 

When  the  difeafe  continues  long,  and  is  very  vio- 
lent, it  often  terminates  in  blindnefs,  an  apoplexy^ 
deafnefs,  a  vertigo,  the  palfy,  epilepfy,  &c. 

In  this  difeafe  the  cool  regimen  in  general  is  to 
be  obferved.  The  diet  ought  to  confift  of  fuch 
emollient  fubftances  as  will  correft  the  acrimony 
of  the  humours,  and  keep  the  body  open ;  as  apples 
boiled  in  milk,  fpinage,  turnips,  and  fuch  like. 
The  drink  ought  to  be  dilating ;  as  barley- water, 
infufions  of  mild  mucilaginous  vegetables,  decoc- 
tions of  the  fudorific  woods,  &c.  The  feet  and 
legs  ought  to  be  kept  warm,  and  frequently  bathed 
in  lukewarm  water;  the  head  (hould  be  fliavcd^ 
and  bathed  with  water  and  vinegar.  The  patient 
ought  as  much  as  poffible  to  keep  in  an  ere£t  pof- 
ture,  and  not  to  lie  with  his  head  too  low. 

When  the  head-ach  is  owing  to  excefs  of  blood» 
or  an  hot  bilious  conllitution,  bleeding  is  necef- 
fary.  The  patient  may  be  bled  iti  the  jugular  vein, 
and  the  operation  repeated  if  there   be  occafion. 

Clipping 


.../f-f 


OF   THE  HEAD-ACHi  35^ 

Cupping  alfo,  or  the  application  of  leeches  to  the 
temples,  and  behind  the  ears,  will  be  of  fervicc. 
Afterwards  a  bliftering-plafter  nnay  be  applied  ta 
the  neck,  behind  the  ears,  or  to  any  part  of  the  head 
that  is  moft  afFcfted.  In  fonie  cafes  it  will  be  prp- 
per  io  blifter  the  whole  head.  In  perfons  of  a 
grofs  habit,  iflucs  or  perpetual  blifters  will  be  of 
fervice.  The  body  ought  likewifc  to  be  kept  opca 
by  gentle  laxatives. 

But  when  the  head-ach  proceeds  from  a  copioua 
vitiated  /erum  ftagnating  in  the  membranes,  either 
within  or  without  the  fkull,  with  a  dull,  heavy,  con- 
tinual pain,  which  will  neither  yieW  to  bleeding 
nor  gentle  laxatives,  then  more  powerrtlf  puirgachrc^ 
^re  ncccffary,  as  pills  made  of  aloes,  refi'n  of  jalap, 
or  the  like.  It  will  alfo  be  neccffary  in  thiscaffeto 
blifter  the  whole  head,  and  to  keep  the  back  part 
of  the  neck  open  for  a  confiderablc  time  by  a  perpe- 
tual blifter. 

When  the  head-ach  is  occafioned  by  the  ftop- 
page  of  a  running  at  the  nofe,  the  patient  fhould 
frequently  fmell  to  a  bottle  of  volatile  falts ;  he 
rnay  likewifc  take  fnufF,  or  any  thing  that  will  irri- 
tate the  nofe,  fo  as  to  promote  a  difcharge  from  it  1 
a>  the  herb  maftich,  ground-ivy,  &c. 

A  hemicraniay  efpecially  a  periodical  one,  is  gene* 
rally  owing  to  a  foulnefs  of  the  ftomach,  for  which 
-gentle  vomits  muft  be  adminiftered,  as  alfo 
purges  of  rhubarb.  After  the  bowels  have  been 
fufficiently  cleared,  chalybeate  waters,  and  fuch 
bitters  as  ftrengthen  the  ftomach,. will  be  necef- 
fary. 

When  the  head-ach  arifes  from  a  vitiated  ftatc 
of  the  humours,  as  in  the  fcurvy  and  venereal 
difeafe,  the  patient,  after  proper  evacuations,  muft 
drink  freely  of  the  dccoftion  of  woods,  or  the 
decodion    of  farfaparilla,  with  raifins  and  liquo- 

A  a  2  rice. 


35S  OF   THEHEAD-ACri. 

rice*.  Thcfc  promote  pcrfpiration,  fweeten  the 
humours,  and,  if*  duly  perfiftcd  in,  will  produce 
very  happy  efFcfts.  When  a  colleftion  of  matter 
is  felt  under  the  fkin,  it  muft  be  difcharged  by 
an  incifion,  bthcrwifc  it  will  render  the  bone  ca- 
rious. 

When  the  head-ach  is  fo  intolerable  as  to  endan- 
ger tht.patient's  life,  or  is  attended  with  continual 
watching,  delirium,  &c.  recourfc  muft  be  had  to 
opiates.  Thefe,  after  proper  evacuations  by  clyf- 
tcrs  or  mild  purgatives,  may  be  applied  both  ex- 
ternally and  internally.  The  affcfted  part  may  be 
rubbed  with  Bate's  anodyne  balfam,  or  a  cloth  dip- 
ped in  it  may  be  applied  to  the  part.  The  patient 
may,  at  the  fame  time,  take  twenty  drops  of  lau- 
danum, in  a  cup  of  valerian  or  penny-royal  tea, 
twice  or  thrice  a  day.  This  is  only  to  be  done  in 
cafe  of  extreme  pain.  Proper  evacuacions  ought 
always  to  accompany  and  follow  the  ufe  of  opiates"}". 

When  the  patient  cannot  bear  the  lofs  of  blood, 
his  feet  ought  frequently  to  be  bathed  in  lukewarni 
water,  and  well  rubbed  with  a  coarfe  cloth.  Cata-' 
plafms  with  muftard  or  horferadilh  ought  likewife  to 
be  applied  to  them.  This  courfe  is  peculiarly  nc- 
ccflary  when  the  pain  proceeds  from  a  gouty  hu- 
mour aftctfting  the  head. 

When  the  head-ach  is  occafioncd  by  great  heat, 
hard  labour,  or  violent  cxercifeof  any  kind,  it  may 
be  allayed  by  cooling  medicines 5  as  the  faliiic 
draughts  with  nitre,  and  the  like. 

A  little  of  Ward's  eflence,  dropt  into  the  palm 
of    the  hand,  and   applied   to    the  forehead,    will 

« 

*  See  AppcnciiA,  Deco^hn  cf  Sar/aparilla. 

f  When  the  pain  is  vt^ry  violent,  and  does  not  yield  to  fmtU 
doiies  of  iaudnnum,  the  quantity  may  be  increafed.  I  have 
fcnown  a  paticot  in  extreme  pain  take  three  hundred  drops  in 
twenty-four  hours;  but  fuch  doles  ought  only  ca  be  admiili* 
dered  by  a  pcrfon  of  fiiilL 

fomecimcs 


m-^ 


OF  THE  TOOTH-ACH.        357 

fbmetimes  remove  a  violent  hod  ach;  and  fo  will 
setl)er,  vfhcn  applied  in  the  fame  manner.  .  • 

OF  THE  TOOTH-ACH. 

This  difeafe  is  fo  well  known,  that  it  needs  no 
defcription.  It  has  great  affinity  with  the  rhcuma- 
tifiTj,  and  often  fucceeds  pains  of  the  Ihoulders  and 
other  parts  of  the  body. 

It  may  proceed  from  obftruftcd  perfpiration,  or 
any  of  the  other  cavjfes  of  inflammation.  1  have 
often  known  the  tooth-ach  occafioned  by  negledting 
fome  part  of  the  ufual  coverings  of  the  headj  bf 
fitting  with  the  head  bare  near  an  open  window-,'ot 
^xppfing  it  any  how  to  a  draught  of  cold  air  Food 
or  drink  taken  either  too  hoc  or. too  cold  is  very 
hurtful  to  the  teeth.  Great  quantities  of  fogar,,or 
other  fweet-meaos,  arc  likewife  hurtful.  Nothing 
is  more  deftrudive  to  the  teeth  than  cracking  nuts, 
or  chewing  any  kind  of  hard  fubilances.  Picking 
the  teeth  with  pins,  needles,  or  any  thing  that  may 
hurt  the  enamel  with  which  they  are  covered,  docs 
great  mifchief,  as  the  tooth  is  fure  to  be  fpoilcd 
whenever  the  air  gets  into  it.  Brecvling  women 
are  very  fubjeft  to  the  tooth-ach,  efpecialiy  during 
the  firft  three  or  four  months  of  prcj^riancy.  The 
tooth-ach  often  proceeds  from  fcurbutic  humours 
afFefting  the  gums.  In  this  cafe  the  teeth  arc  fomc- 
times  wafted,  and  fall  out  without  any  confKlcrable 
degree  of  pain.  The  more  immediate  caufc  of  the 
tooth-ach  is  a  rotten  or  carious  tooth. 

In  order  to  relieve  the  tooth-ach,  wc  muft  firft 
endeavour  to  Icflen  the  Qux  of  hui^ours  to  the  part 
^fFefted.  This  may  be  done  by  jv/ild  [)urgatives, 
fcarifying  the  gums,  or  applying  Kfrchc3  to  them, 
and  bathing  the  feet  freqi-^nLly  with  warm  water. 
The  perfpiration  ought  likt  viic  to  i)e  promoted,  by 
drinking  freely  of  weak  wmc-whcy,  or  other  di- 

A  a  3  luting 


35^'       OF  T.HE  TOOTHACH. 

luting  liquors^  with  {rnall  dofes  of  nitre.  Vomits 
too  have  often  an  exceeding  good  tffcGt  in  the 
tOQth-ach.  It  is  feldom  fafe  to  adminifter  opiates^ 
or  any  kind  of  heating  medicines,  or  even  to  draw 
a  tooth,  till  proper  evacuations  have  been  premifed  j 
avKi  thefe  alone  will  often  effeA  the  cure. 
'  If  this  fails,  and  the  pain  and  inflammation  ftill 
jncreafe,  a  fuppuration  may  be  expeAed,  to  pro- 
mote which  a  toafted  fig  Ihould  be  held  between 
the  gum  and  the  cheek  i  bags  filled  with  boiled  ca- 
momile-flowers, flowers  of  elder,  or  the  like,  may 
be  applied  near  i^he  part  aflfefted,  with  as  great  a 
degree  of  warmth  as  the  patient  can  bear,  and  re- 
newed as  they  grow  cool :  the  patient  may  likewife 
receive  the  fteams  of  warm  water  into  his  mouth, 
through  an  inverted  funnel,  or  by  holding  his  head 
over  the  mouth  of  a  porringer  filled  ^ith  warm  wa- 
ter, &c^ 

Such  things  as  promote  the  difcharge  of  faliva, 
or  caufe  the  patient  to  fpit,  are  generally  of  fervice. 
For  this  purpofe,  bitter,  hot,  or  pungent  vege- 
tables may  be  chewed ;  as  gentian,  calamus  aro- 
maticus,  or  pcllitory  of  Spain.  Allen  recommends 
the  root  of  yellow  water  flower-de-luce  in  this  cafe. 
This  root  may  either  be  rubbed  upon  the  tooth,  ojr 
a  little  of  it  chewed.  Brookes  fays  he  hardly  ovcf 
knew  it  fail  to  cafe  the  tooth-ach.  It  ought  ho'W- 
cver  to  be  ufed  with  caution. 

Many  other  hcrbs,s  roots,  and  feeds,  are  recom- 
mended for  cubing  the  tooth-ach;  as  the  leaves  or 
roots  of  millcfoil  or  yarrow  chewed,  tobacco 
fmoked  or  chewed,  ftaves-acre,  or  the  feeds  of 
muftard  chewed,  &c.  Thefe  bitter,  hot,  and  pun- 
gent things,  by  occafioning  a  greater  flow  of/dlPva, 
fecqufntly  give  eafc  in  the. tooth-ach.  .    , 

'^Opiates  often  relieve  the  tooth-ach,  JFor  ihifl 
purpofe  a  little  cotton  wet  with  laudanum  may  be 
held   between  the  teeth;  or  a  piece  of  "flicking- 

plafter. 


OF  THE   TOOTH-ACH.        359 

plafter,  about  the  bignefs  of  a  {billing,  with  a  bit 
of  opium  in  the  middle  of  it,  of  a  Gzc  not  to 
prevent  the  ftlcking  of  the  other,  may  be  laid  6a 
the  temporal  artery, -where  the  pulfation  is  moft 
fenfible.  De  la  Motte  affirms,  that  there  are  few 
cafes  wherein  this  will  not  give  relief.  If  there 'bo 
a  hollow  tooth,  a  fmall  pill  made  of  equal  parts  of 
camphire  and  opium,  put  into  the  hollow,  is  often 
beneficial.  When  this  cannot  be  had,  the  hollow 
tooth  may  be  filled  with  gum  maftich,  wax,  lead, 
or  any  fubftance  that  will  itick  in  it,  and  keep  out 
the  external  air. 

Few  applications  give  more  relief  in  the  tooth-ach 
than  bliftering-plafters.  Thefc  may  be  applied  be*» 
tween  the  (boulders ;  but  they  have  the  beft  tStOt 
when  put  behind  the  ears,  and  made  fo  large  as  to 
cover  a  great  part  of  the  lower  jaw. 

After  all,  when  a  tooth  is  carious,  it  is  often  im« 
poffible  to  remove  the  pain  without  extradling  it  j 
and,  as  a  fpoilt  tooth  never  becomes  found  again^ 
it  is  prudent  to  draw  it  foon,  left  it  fliould  affe£( 
the  reft.  Tooth-drawing,  like  bleeding,  is  vtrjr 
much  pra(5lifed  by  mechanics,  as  well  as  perfons  of 
the  medical  profeffion.  The  operation  howevct 
is  not  without  danger,  and  ought  always  to  be  per- 
formed with  care.  A  perfon  unacquainted  with  the 
ftrufture  of  the  parts  will  be  in  danger  of  hurting 
the  jaw-bone,  or  of  drawing  a  found  tooth  inftead 
of  a  rotten  one  *. 

When  the  tooth-ach  returns  periodically,  and  the 
pain  chiefly  affeds  the  gums,  it  may  be  cured  'hy 
the  bark. 

Some  pretend  to  have  found  great  benefit  in  the 
tooth-ach,  from   the   application    of   an   artifi<iil4 

*  This  may  always  be  prcrentcd  by  the  operator  ftrikiog  upon 
the  teeth  with  any  piece  of  metal,  at  this  never  ^ils  (o  excite  thitt 
pain  ia  the  carious  tooth.  .  >    ,  .s 

A  a  4  magnet 


:i6o  OF  THE  EAR-ACH. 

magnet  to  the  ^fFcftcd  tooth.  We  Ihall  not  attempt 
rd- account  for  its  mode  of  operation;  but,  if  it  be 
ibi)nd  to  anfwcr,  though  only  in  particular  cafes, 
ir Certainly  dcfcrves  a  trial,  as  it  is  attended  with 
nd'cxpcnce,  and  cannot  do  any  harm.  Elc<5tricity 
his  likewife  been  recommended,  and  particular 
inftrumenrs  have  been  invented  for  fending  a  (hock 
through  the  afFcftcd  tooth. 

Perjons'who  have  returns  of  the  tooth-ach  at 
ci^rtain  feafons,  as  fpring  and  autumn,  might  often 
J>Vcvcnt  it  by  taking  a  purge  at  thefe  times. 

*  Keeping  the  teeth  clean  has  no  doubt  a  tendency 
tiii'prevent  the  tooth-ach.  The  beft  method  of 
doing  this  is  to  wafti  them  daily  with  fait  and  wa-r 
tcri^  a  deco£tion  of  the  bark,  or  with  cold  water 
alofne.  All  brufliing  and  fcraping  of  the  teeth  is 
dangerous,  and,  unlcfs  it  be  performed  with  great 
care,  does  mifchief. 

OF  THE   EAR.ACH. 

This  diforder  chiefly  afFefts  the  membrane  which 
lines  the  inner  cavity  of  the  ear  called  the  meatus 
au'ditoritis.  It  is  often  fo  violent  as  to  occafion 
•great  rellleffhefs,  anxiety,  and  even  delirium.  Some- 
tirties  epileptic  fits,  and  other  convulfive  difor- 
ders,  have  been  brought  on  by  extreme  pain  in 
l\it  ear. 

The  ear-ach  may  proceed  from  any  of  the  caufes 
which  produce  inflammation.  It  often  proceeds 
ffom  a  fudden  fuppreffion  of  perfpiration,  or  from 
the  head  being  expofed  to  cold  when  cov.ered  with 
fweat.  It  may .  alfo  be  occafioned  by  worms,  or 
^ther  infefts  getting  into  the  ear,  or  being  bred 
thtrrej  or  from  any  hard  body  {licking  in  the  car, 
•Sometimes  it  proceeds  from  the  tranflation  of  mor- 
ferfic  nnatter  to  the  ear.  This  often  happens  in  the 
^eclirifc  of  malignant   fevers,   and  occafions'  deaf- 

•pefsj 


OF   THE  EAR-ACH.       '     361 

ncfs,  *  which    is   generally  reckoned  a   favourable 
fymptom. 

When  the  ear-ach  proceeds  from  infefts,  or  any 
hard  body  (licking  in  the  ear,  every  method  muft 
be  taken  to  remove  them  as  foon-aspoffible.  •  The 
membranes  may  be  relaxed  by  dropping  into  the 
ear  oil  of  fweet  almonds,  or  olive  oil.  Afterwards 
the  patient  fhould  be  made  to  fneeze,  by  taking 
fQuff,  or  fomc  ftrong  fternutatory.  If  this  (hoj^ld 
nbt  force  out  the  body,  it  muft  be  extrafted  by 
art.  I  have  ken  infefts,  which  had  got  into  the 
car,  come  out  of  their  own  accprd  upon  pouring 
in  oil,  which  is  a  thing  they  cannot  bear. 

When  the  pain  of  the  ear  proceeds  from  inflam- 
mation, jt  muft  be  treated  like  other  topical  inflanti-' 
mations,  by  a  cooling  regimen,  and  opening  medi- 
cines.- Bleeding  at  the  beginning,  either  in  the 
arm  or  jugular  vein,  or  cupping  in  the  neck,  will 
be  proper.  The  car  may  likewife  be  fomented 
with  fteams  of  warm  water;  or  flannel  bags  filled 
with  boiled  mallows  and  camomile  flowers  may  be 
applied  to  it  warm;  or  bladders  filled  with  warm 
milk  and  water.  An  exceeding  good  method  of 
fomenting  the  ear  is  10  apply  it  clofe  to  the  moujth 
of  a  jug  filled  with  warm  water,  or  a  ftrong  decoc^ 
tion  of  camomile-flowers. 

Th^  patient's  feet  ftiould  be  frequently  bathed  in 
lukewarm  water,  and  he  ought  to  take  fmaHdofcs 
of  nitre  and  rhubarb,  vit.  a  fcruple  of  the  former, 
and  ten  grains  of  the  latter,  three  times  a-day.  His 
drink  may  be  whey,  or  decoftion  of  barley  and  li* 
quorice  with  figs  or  raifins.  The  parts  behind  the 
car  ought  frequently,  to  be  rubbed  with  campho- 
rated oil,  or  a  little  of  the  volatile  liniment. 

When  the  inflammation  cannot  be  difcuflfcd,  a 
poultice  of  bread  and  milk,  orroafted  onions,  may 
be  applied  to  the  car,  and  frequently  renewcdi-  ^''* 

.  .,  ^  the 


3$^     PAIN  OF  THE  STOMACH,  ^c. 

the;  abfcefs  breaks,  or  can  be  opened.  Afterwards 
the  humours  may  be  diverted  from  the  part  by 
gcotle  laxatives,  blifters,  or  ifTues;  but  the  dif- 
chatrge  muft  not  be  fuddenly  dried  up  by  any  ex- 
ternal application » 


.  *    PAIN  OF  THE  STOMACH,  (dc. 

..This  may  proceed  from  various  caufes;  as  indt- 
gcftionj  wind;  the  acrimony  of  the  bile;  (harp, 
acrid,  .or  poifonous  fubftances  taken  into  the  fto- 
mach,  &c.  It  may  likewife  be  occafioned  by 
¥{{)fni>s;  the  ftoppage  of  cuftomary  evacuations;  a 
tranflation  of  gouty  matter  to  the  ftomach,  the 
bowels,  Sec, 

Women  in  the  decline  of  life  are  very  liable  to 
pains  of  the  ftomach  and  bowels,  efpecially  fuch  as 
are  afflifted  with  hyfteric  complaints.  It  is  like* 
wife  very  common  to  hypochondriac  men  of  a 
fedentary  and  luxurious  life.  In  fuch  perfons  it 
often  proves  fo  extremely  obftinate  as  to  baffle  all 
the  powers  of  medicine. 

.^  When  the  pain  of  the  ftomach  is  moft  violent 
j^ter  eating,  there  is  reafon  to  fufpeft  that  it  pro- 
ceeds from  fome  fault  either  in  the  digeftion  or  the 
food.  In  this  cafe  the  patient  ought  to  change  his 
(diet,  till  he  finds  what  kind  of  food  agrees  belt  with 
hfh  ftpmach,  and  fliould  continue  chiefly  to  ufc  it. 
^i.^  change  of  diet  does  not  remove  the  complaint, 
^ne  patient  may  take  a  gende  vomit,  and  afterr 
jfrarids  a  dofe  or  two  of  rhubarb.  He  ought  likc- 
w/ifc  to  take  an  infufion  of  camomile  flowers,  or 
fome  other  ftomachic  bitter,  cither  in  wine  or  water,. 
1  have  often  known  exercife  remove  this  com- 
pisiinc,  efpecially  failing,  or  a  lomg  journey  ^n 
Aorfeback,  or  in  ^a  carriage. 

I  ■    -  .   •         When 


PAIN  OF  THE  STOMACH,  ^e.      36^ 

When  a  pain  of  the  ftomach  proceeds  fronn  fla- 
tulency, the  patient  is  conftantly  belching  up  wind, 
and  feels  an  uneafy  diftention  of  the  ftomach  after 
meals.  This  is  a  moft  deplorable"  difeafc,  and  is 
leldom  thoroughly  cured.  In  general,  the  patient 
ougjit  to  avoid  all  windy  diet,  and  every  thing 
that  fours  on  the  ftomach,  as  greens,  roots,  &c. 
This  rule  however  admits  of  fomc  exceptiofhs, 
Tiiere  are  many  inftances  of  perfons  very  much 
troubled  with  wind,  who  hav6  received  great  be- 
nefit from  eating  parched  peafe,  though  that  grailA 
is  generally  fuppofed  to  be  of  a  windy  nature*.  ' ' 

This  complaint  may  likewife  be  greatly  relieved 
by  labour,  efpecially  digging,  'reaping,  mdwing, 
or  any  kind  of  aftive  employment  by  which  the 
bowels  are  alternately  comprefled  and  dilated.  THe 
moft  obftinate  cafe  of  this  kind  I  ever  met  with  was 
in  a  perfon  of  a  fedentary  occupation,  whom  I  ad* 
vifed,  after  he  had  tried  every  kind  of  medicine  Jh 
vain,  to  turn  gardener;  which  he  did,  and  has  evcif 
fince  enjoyed  good  health. 

When  a  pain  of  the  ftomach  is  occafioned  by 
the  fwallowing  of  acrid  or  poifonous  fubftanceSj 
they  muft  be  difcharged  by  vomit;  this  may  be 
excited  by  butter,  oils,  or  other  foft  things,  which 
iheath  and  defend  the  ftomach  from  the  acrimony 
of  its  contents. 

When  pain  of  the  ftomach  proceeds  from  a  trafiT- 
lation  of  gouty  matter,  warm  cordials  are  ncceffarj^ 
as  generous  wines,  French  brandy,  &c.  Son^ 
have  drank  a  whole  bottle  of  brandy  or  rum,  ih 
this  cafe,  in  a  few  hours,  without  being  in  the  leaft 
intoxicated,  or  even  feeling  the  ftomach  warfneti 

by  it.     It  is  impoffible  to  afcertain  the  quantities 

• 

♦  Thefc  arc  prepared  by  deeping  or  fosking  peafein  vtrttieit 
and  afterwards  drying  them  in  a  poi  or  kiln  till  they  be  quite 
bard.     They  may  be  ufed  at  phafure. 

neccf*- 


364      PAIN  OF  THE  STOMACH,  ^c. 

nrccflary  upon  thefe  occafions.  '  This  muft  be 
left  to  the  feelings  and  difcretion  of  the  patient. 
The  fafer  way  however  is,  not  to  go  too  fan 
When  there  is  an  inclination  to  vomit,  it  may  be 
promoted  by  drinking  an  infufion  of  camomile 
flowers,  or  carduus  benediSfus. 

If  a  pain  of  the  ftooiach  proceed  from  the  flop* 
page  of  cuftomary  evacuations,  bleeding  will  be 
Ae^eflary,  efpecially  in  fanguine  and  very  full  habits: 
Jcwill  likewife  be  of  ufe  to  keep  the  body  gently 
open' by  mild  purgatives;  as  rhubarb  or  fenna,  &c. 
When  this  difeal'e  afFefts  women,  in  the  decline  of 
life,  after  the  ftoppage  of  the  menfes^  making  an 
iffue  in  the  leg  or  arm  will  be  of  peculiar  fervice. 

When  the  difeafe  is  occafioncd  by  worms,  they 
mud  iDe  del^royed,  or  expelled  by  fuch  means  as 
are  recommended  in  the  following  feflion. 

When  the  ftomach  ;s  greatly  relaxed  and  the  di- 
gcilion  bad,  which  often  occafion  flatulencies,  the 
elixir  of  vitriol  will  be  of  Angular  fervice.  Fifteen 
or  twenty  drops  of  it  may  be  taken  in  a  glufs  of 
wine  or  water  twice  or  thrice  a-day. 

Perfons  afflidted  with  flatulency  are  generally  un- 
happy unlefs  they  be  taking  fome  purgative  medir 
cines;  thefe,  though  they  may  give  immediate  eafe, 
tend  to  weaken  and  relax  the  Itomach  and  bowels, 
and  confequently  increafe  the  diforder.  Their  beft 
method  is  to  mix  purgatives  and  flomachics  to- 
gether. Equal  parts  of  Peruvian  bark  and  rhu- 
barb maj  be  infufed  in  brandy  or  wine,  and  taken 
in  fuch'  quantity  as  to  keep  the  body  gently  opeq. 


[    o6S    1 


.'ij 


I  •    i 


CHAP.    XXXV.    - 

I 

OF       WORMS.  I 

0 
\      ■     •■ 

■       ■       J  .» 

^T?  H  E  S  E  arc  chiefly  of  three  kinds,  viz.  :the 
-*•  t^eniay  or  tape-worm;  the /^r^/,  or  round  aact' 
long  worm ;  and  the  afcaridesj  or  round  aad  (hort 
worm.  There  are  many  other  kinds  of.  worma- 
found  in  the  human  body  ;  but  as  they, proceed,  ii» 
a  great  meafure,  from  fimiiar  caufcs,  have  nearly 
the  fame  fymptoms,  and  require  almofl:  thc:  fanncj 
method  of  treatment  as  thcle  already  mentioned^ 
we  (hall  not  fpcnd  time  in  enumerating  them. 

The  tape-worm  is  white,  very  long,  and  full  oi 
joints.  It  is  generally  bred  either  in  the  ftomach 
or  fmall  inteftines.  The  round  and  long  worm  is 
likcwife  bred  in  the  fmall  guts,  and  fometimes  in  the 
ftomach.  The  round  and  (hort  worms  commonly 
lodge- in  the  re£lum^  or  what  is  called  the  end  gut, 
and  occafion  a  dilagreeable  itching  about  the  feat.* 

The  long  round  worms  occafion  fqucamiihncfs, 
vomiting,  a  difagreeable  breath,  gripes,  loofenef&» 
fwelling  of  the  belly,  fwoonings,  loathing  of  food j 
and  at  other  times  a  voracious  appetite,  a  dry  coughs 
convulfions,  epileptic  fits,  and  fometimes  a  priva* 
tion  of  Ipecch.  Thefc  worms  have  been  known 
to  perforate  the  intellines,  and  get  into  the  cavitj^ 
of  the  belly.  The  efFcds  pf  the  tape* worm  aie 
nearly  the  fame  with  thofe  of  the  long  and  rounds 
but  rather  more  violent. 

Andry  fays,  the  following  fymptoms  particularly 
attend  th^Joliumy  which  is  a  fpecies  of  the  tape- 
worm, viz.  fwoonings,  privation  of  fpeech,  and  a 
voracious  appetite.  The  r^nd  worms  called  ^a- 
ridesy  befidcs  an  itching  oii\\^  anus ,  caufe  fwoonings^ 
and  tenefmus,  or  an  inclinaiion  to  go  to  Ilool. 

CAUSES. 


366  O  F    W  O  R  M  S. 

CAUSES.—-— Worms  may  proceed  from  various 
caufes ;  but  they  are  feldom  found  except  in  weak 
'and  relaxed  ftomachs,  where  the  digeflion  is  bad. 
Sedentary  perfons  are  more  liable  to  them  than  the 
aftive  and  laborious.     Thofe  who  eat  great  quan- 
tities of  unripe  fruit,  or  who  live  much  on  raw 
herbs  and  roots,  are  generally  fubje^  to  worms* 
There  fcems  to  be  a  hereditary  difpofuion  in  fome 
•  l^rfbns  to  this  difcafe.     I  have  often  feen  all  the 
4)hildren  of  a  &mily  fubje(5t  to  worms  of  a  particular 
-  ktnd«  wThcy  feem  likewife  frequently  to  be  owing 
to  the  nurfe.  -  Children  of  the  fame  family,  nurfed 
byi  one  woqian,    have  often   worms,    wiien   thofc 
nurfrd  by  another  have  none. 

SYMPTOMS. The  common  fymptoms  of 

'Worms  are,  palencfs  of  the  countenance,  and  at 
other  times,  an  univerfal  flufhingof  the  face;  itch- 
ing of  the  nofe;  this  however  is  doubtful,  as  chil- 
dren pick  their  nofes  in  all  difeafess  darting,  and 
grinding  of  the  teeth  in  (tcepj  fwelling  of  the 
upper  lip;  the  appetite  fometimes  bad,  at  other, 
times  quite  voracious;  loofenefs;  a  four  or  ftink- 
iilg  breath;  a  hard  fwelled  belly  ;  great  third;  the 
urine  firothf,  and  fometimes  of  a  whitiih  colour; 
griping,  or  colic  pains;  an  involuntary  difcharge 
'  of'/alivay  efpecially  when  afleep;  fre<)uent  pains  of 
the  fidir,  with  a  dry  cough,  and  unequal  pulfe; 
palpitations  of  the  heart;  fwoonings;  drowfinefs; 
Cbtd  fweats ;  palfy ;  epileptic  fics,  with  many  other 
.  unaccountable  nervous  fymptoms,  which  were  for* 
merly  attributed  to  witchcraft,  or  the  influence  of 
evil  fpirits.  Small  bodies  in  the  excrements  refem- 
bling  melon  or  cucumber  feeds  are  fymptoms  of 
the  tape- worm. 

I  lately  faw  fome  very  furprifing  effcdts  of  worms 
in  a  girl  about  five  years  of  age,  who  ufed  to  lie  for 
whole  hours  as  if  dead.  She  at  lafl  expired,  and, 
upon  opening  her  body,  a  number  of  the  teres^  or 
.  t  long 


'Sf'li 


OF    WORMS.  367 

long  round  worms,  were  found  in  her  guts^.  .which 
were  confiderably  inflanncd  -,  and  whac  an^tomlfks 
call  an  i/iius  Jujceptio^  or  invdlving  of  one  part.tof 
the  guc  within  another,  had  taken  place  in  no  \ti% 
than  four  different  parts  of  the  inteftioal  canal  *«.v 

MEDICINE. Though  numberlefs  n>edictncs 

are  extolled  for  expelling  and  killing  worms  fj  .ycc 
no  difeafe  more  frequently  baffles  the  phyficiarf's 
ikill.  In  general,  the  moCk  proper  medicifi>e$)ipr 
their  exptilfion  are  ilrong  purgatives ;  and  to  pne* 
venc  their  breeding,*  ftomachic  bitcerflj  twith  ikiw 
and  then  a  glafs  of  good  wine.  ,    t  , 

The  bed  purge  for  an  adult  is  jalap  and  oalomtL 
Five  and  twenty  or  thirty  grains  of  the  fornncr  wkh 
fix  or  feven  of  the  latter,  mixed  in  fyrup,  may  be 
taken  early  in  the  morning,  for  a  dofe.  It  will. be 
proper  that  the  patient  keep  the  houfe  all  day,  and 
drink  nothing  cold.  The  dofe  may  be  repeated 
once  or  twice  a  week,  for  a  fortnight  or  three 
weeks*  On  the  intermediate  days  the  patient  may 
take  a  drachm  of  the  powder  of  tin,  twice  or  thrice 
a-day,  mixed  with  fyrup,  honey,  or  treacle. 

Thofe  who  do  not  chufe  to  take  calomel  may 
make  ufe  of  the  bitter  purgatives ;  as  aloes,  hiera 
picra,  tindure  of  fenna,  and  rhubarb,  &c. 

Oily  medicines  are  fometimes  found  beneficial 
for  expelling  worms.     An  ounce  of  fallad  oil  and 

*  That  worms  ex>Il  in  the  haman  body  there  can  be^no  doubt; 
and  that  they  mu(l  fometimes  be  confidered  as  a  difeafe,  is 
eqaally  certain  :  bot  this  is  not  the  ca(e  fo  often  as  people  ima* 
gine.  The  idea  that  worms  occafion  many  difeafes,  gtvev-att 
opportunity  to  the  profeffed  worm-dodlors  of  ifnpofing  00  Jtbc 
credulity  of  mankind,  and  doing  much  mifchief.  They  ^nd 
worms  in  every  cafe,  and  liberally  throw  in  their  zntidotes, 
which  generally  coniift  of  firong,  draflic  purges  r  1  )lav«  l&aioiwii 
^  thefe  given  in  delicate  conftitucions  to  the  deftru6liofi  pf  tfie  pa« 
tient,  where  there  was  not  the  lead  fy mptom  of  worps. 

f  A  medical  writer  of  the  prefent  age  has  enumerated  op- 
wards  of  fifty  Britiih  plants,  all  celebrated  for  kiHing  ahd  ex- 
pelling worm«, 

a  table-- 


368  O  F    W  0  R  M  §. 

a  table- fpocK) fill  of  common  fait  may  be  taken  in  i 
glafs  of  red  port  wine  thrice  a-day,  or  oftner,  if 
the  ftomach  will  bear  it.  But  the  more  common 
form  of  ufing  oil  is  in  clyftcrs.  Oily  clyfters, 
fwectened  with  fugar  or  honey,  are  very  efficacious 
in  bringing  away  the  fhort  round  worms  called 
afcarideSy  and  likewife  the  teres. 

The  Harrowffatc  water  is  an  excellent  medicine 
for  expelling  worms,  elpecially  the  afcarides.  As 
this  water  is  impregnated  with  fulplnir,  we  may 
hence  infer,  that  fulphiir  alone  mud  be  a  good 
medicine  in  this  cafe;  which  is  found  to  be  a  fafti 
Many  practitioners  give  Hour  of  fulphur  in  very 
large  dofes,  and  with  great  fucccfs.  It  Ihould  be 
niade  into  an  eleftuiiry  with  honey  or  treacle,  and 
taken  in  fuch  quantity  as  to  purge  tiie  patient. 

Where  Harroweate  water  cannot  be  obtained, 
fea-water  may  be  ufed,  which  is  ftir  from  beino;  at 
contemptible  medicine  in  this  Ctifc.  If  fc'a- water 
cannot  be  had,  common  faltdifiblved  in  water  may 
be  drank.  I  have  often  fcon  this  ul-rd  by  country 
nurfes  with  vcrv  good  effeft.  Some  flour  of  fuU 
phur  may  be  taken  over  night,  and  the  falt-water 
in  the  morning. 

But  worms,  though  expelled,  will  f/on  breed 
again,  if  the  ftomach  remains  wenk  and  relaxed  j  ' 
to  prevent  which,  we  woukl  reco:^"5;r/s.*nd  the  Peru- 
vian bark.  Haifa  drachm  of  bark  in  powder  may 
be  tak^n  in  a  glafs  of  red  port  wine  three  or  four 
times  a-day,  after  the  above  medicines  have  been 
ufed.  Lime-water  is  likev/iTe  good  for  tliis  piir-  * 
pofe,  or  a  table- fpoonful  of  the  chrtlybeare  wine 
taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day.  Infufionb  or  decocr 
tionsof  bitter  herbs  may  likewile  be  dr.ink;  as  the^ 
infuHon  of  tanfy,  water  trefoil,  camomile  flbvVerS, 
tops  of  wormwood,  the  leflTcr  centaury,  &c. 

For  a  child  of  foijr  or  five  years  old,  fix  grains* 
of  rhubarb,  five  of  jalap,  and  tv/o  of  calOn*itly  rtiaj' 
'     '  5  be 


O  F    W  O  R  M  S^  369 

be  mixed  in  a  fpoonful  of  fyrup  or  honey,  and 
given  in  the  morning.  The  child  fhould  keep  the 
houfc  all  day,  and  take  nothing  cold.  This  dofc 
may  be  repeated  twice  a- week  for  three  or  four 
weeks.  On  the  intermediate  days  the  child  may 
take  a  fcruple  of  powdered  tin  and  ten  grains  of 
sechiops  mineral  in  a  fpoonful  of  treacle  twice  a-dajF. 
This  dofe  muft  be  increafed  or  diminifhed  accord- 
ing to  the  age  of  the  patient. 

BifTet  fays,  the  great  baftard  black  hellebore,  or 
lear's  /oof,  is  a  mod  powerful  vermifuge  for  the 
long  round  worms.  He  orders  the  decoftion  of 
about  a  drachm  of  the  green  leaves,  or  about  fif» 
teen  grains  of  the  dried  leaves  in  powder  for  a  dofe 
to  a  child  between  four  and  feven  years  of  age* 
This  dofe  is  to  be  repeated  two  or  three  times* 
He  adds,  that  the  green  leaves  made  into  a  (yrup 
with  coarfe  fugar  is  almoft  the  only  medicine  he 
has  ufed  for  round  worms  for  three  years  pafl:. 
Before  preding  out  the  juice,  he  moiilens  the  bruif-« 
ed  leaves  with  vinegar,  which  correfts  the  medi- 
cine. The  dofe  is  a  tea-fpoonful  at  bed-time,  and 
one  or  two  next  morning. 

I  have  frequently  known  thofc  big  bellies,  which 
in  children  are  commonly  reckoned  a  fign  of  worms> 
quite  removed  by  giving  them  white  foap  in  their 
pottage,  or  other  food.  Tanfy,  garlic,  and  rue^ 
are  all  good  againft  worms,  and  may  be  ufed  vari-* 
ous  ways.  We  might  here  mention  many  other 
plants,  both  for  external  and  internal  ufe,  as  the 
cabbage*bark,  &c.  but  think  the  powder  of  tin 
with  isethiops  mineral,  and  the  purges  of  rhubarb 
and  calomel,  are  more  to  be  depended  on. 

Ball's  purging  vermifuge  powder  is  a  very  pow« 
erful  medicine.  It  is  m^e  of  equal  parts  otrhu* 
barb,  fcammony,  and  calomel,  with  as  much  dou* 
ble  refined  fugar  as  is  equal  to  the  weight  of  all  the 
other  ingredients.    Tbcfe  muft  be  well  mixed  to- 

B  b  gether^ 


370         OF   -THE    JAUNDICE, 
gcther,  and  reduced  to  a  fine  powder.     The  dofc 
for  a  child  is  from  ten  grains  to  twenty,  once  or 
twice  a-week.     An  adult  may  take  a  drachm  for 
a  dofe  *. 

Parents  who  would  prcftrve  their  children  from 
worms  ought  to  allow  thtm  plenty  of  exercife  in  the 
open  air;  to  take  care  that  their  food  bewholefome 
and  fulGcicntly  fulid ;  and,  as  far  as  pollible^  to 
prevent  their  eating  raw  herbs,  roots,  or  green 
trafhy  fruits.  It  will  not  be  amifs  to  allow  a  child 
who  is  fubjetfl  to  worms,  a  glafs  of  red  wine  after 
meals;  as  every  thing  that  braces  and  Arenglheos 
the  ftomach  is  good  both  fur  preventing  and  ex- 
pelling thcfe  vermin  f. 


CHAP.     XXXVI. 
OF    THE    JAUNDICE. 

rp  HIS  difeafe  is  firft  obfervable  in  the  white  of 
■*■  ilie  eye,  which  appears  yellow.  Afterwards 
the  whole  (kin  puts  on  a  yellow  appearance.  The 
urine  too  is  of  a  faffron  hue,  and  dies  a  white  clotti 

'  A  powdsT  far  the  tapC'Worm  reretnbling  this,  was  ipfg 
kept  a  Tccrec  on  the  CoDlinenc  -,  it  wu  lately  purcbafed  by  utt 
French  king,  and  will  be  fouDd  under  the  anide /'Mv^r'ift 
the  Appendix.  -i 

f  We  think  itneceJTary  here  to  warn  people  of  their  Anger 
whobuy  calcet,  powders,  and  other  worm  medicines,,  at  randoiB 
from  quack!,  and  give  them  to  their  children  withoat  'profier 
care.  The  principal  ingreJii;nts  in  Dioft  of  thcfe  medicinlMfi 
mercury,  which  is  never  to  be  trifled  with.  I  t^tel7''ft«p  i 
Stocking  inftance  of  the  daii^er  of  this  condnS..  ^  ^ifl  wb« 
had  taken  a  dofe  of  worm  powder,  boughtof  a  travelling  quijBk> 
went  out,  and  perhaps  was  fo  im['n^udctit  as  to  drink  cold  Winter 
dnrine  iti  operation.  She  immediately  fwelled,  and  ditsSb 
the  followiiig  day,  witli  all  the  fymptoois  of  having  beoi'^l- 
Ibned,  ,  ,,, 

"of 


OF    THE    JAUNDICE.        371 

of  the  fame  colour.  There  is  likewifc  a  fpecics  of 
this  dileafe  called  the  Black  Jaundice. 

CAUSES.— —The  immediate  caufe  of  the  jaun- 
dice is  an  obilru6Vion  of  the  bile.  The  remote  or 
occafional  caufcs  are,  the  bites  of  poifonous  ani- 
mals, as  the  viper,  mad  dog,  &c.  the  bilious  or 
hyfteric  colic;  violent  paflions,  as  grief,  anger,  &c. 
Strong  purges  or  vomits  will  likewife  occafion  the 
jaundice.  Sometimes  it  proceeds  from  obftinate 
agues,  or  from  that  difeafe  being  prematurely  ftop- 
ped  by  attringent  medicines.  In  infants  it  is  often 
occafioned  by  the  meconium  not  being  fufficiently 
purged  ofF.  Pregnant  women  are  very  fub- 
jeft  to  it.  It  is  likewife  a  fymptom  in  feveral 
kinds  of  fever.  Catching  cold,  or  the  ftoppage  of 
cuftomary  evacuations,  as  the  menjes^  the  bleeding 
piles,  iflTues,  &c.  will  occafion  the  jaundice. 

SYMPTOMS. The  patient  at  firft  com- 
plains of  exceffive  wearinefs,  and  has  great  aver- 
fion  to  every  kind  of  motion.  His  (kin  is  dry,  and 
he  generally  fceb  a  kind  of  itching  or  pricking 
pain  over  the  whole  body.  The  ftools  are  of  a 
whitifh  or  clay  colour,  and  the  urine,  as  was  ob- 
ferved  above,  is  yellow.  The  breathing  is  diffi- 
cult, and  the  patient  complains  of  an  unufual  load 
or  oppreffion  on  his  bread.  There  is  a  heat  in  the 
noftrils,  a  bitter  tarte  in  the  mouth,  loathing  of 
food,  Ccknefs  at  the  ftomach,  vomiting,  flatulen- 
cy, and  other  fymptoms  of  indigeftion. 

If  the  patient  be  young,  and  the  difeafe  compli- 
cated with  no  other  malady,  it  is  feldom  dangerous  1 
but  in  old  people,  where  it  continues  long,  returns 
frequently,  or  is  complicated  with  the  dropfy  or 
hypochondriac  fymptoms,  it  generally  proves  fatal. 
The  black  jaundice  is  more  dangerous  than  the 
yellow. 

REGIMEN. The  diet  (hould  be  cool,  light, 

and  diluting,  confiding  chiefly  of  ripe  fruits  and 

B  b  2  mild 


374  OF  .THE  JAUNDICE, 
ittild  vegetables  j  as  apples  boiled  or  roafted,  llcweil 
prunes^  prelerved  plums,  boiled  fpinage,  &c.  Veal 
or  chicken- broth,  with  light  bread,  arc  likewife 
very  proper.  Many  have  been  cured  by  living  al- 
moft  wholly  for  feme  days  on  raw  eggs.  The 
drink  Ihould  be  butter-milk,  whey  fweetcned  with 
honey,  or  decoiflions  of  cool  opening  vegetables; 
or  niarfli- mallow  roots,  with  liquorice,  &c. 

The  patient  fhould  take  as  much  exercife  as  he 
can  bear,  either  on  horfeback,  or  in  a  carriage » 
walking,  running,  and  even  jumping,  are  likewife 
proper,  provided  he  can  bear  them  without  pain, 
and  there  be  no  fymptonns  of  inflammation.  Pa- 
tients have  been  often  cured  of  this  dileafc  by  a  long 
journey,  after  medicines  had  proved  ineffeftual. 

Amufcmcnis  arc  likewife  of  great  ufe  in  the  jaun- 
dice. The  difeafc  is  often  occafioned  by  a  fcdcn- 
tary  life,  joined  to  a  dull  melancholy  difpolition. 
"Whatever  therefore  tends  to  promote  the  circula- 
tion, and  to  cheer  the  fpirits,  miift  have  a  good 
effcft;  as  dancing,  laughing,  finging,  &c. 

MEDICINE. If  the  patient  be  young,  of  a 

full  fanguine  habit,  and  complains  of  pain  in  the 
right  fide  about  the  region  of  the  liver,  bleeding 
will  be  nccefiary.  After  this  a  vomit  muft  "be  ad- 
ininiftered,  and  if  the  difeafe  proves  obftinate,  it 
may  be  repeated  once  or  twice.  No  medicines 
are  more  beneficial  in  the  jaundice  than  vomitJ, 
efpecially  where  it  is  not  attended  with  ihflanima- 
tion."  Half  a  drachm  of  ipecacuanha  in  powder 
.  will  be  a  fufficient  dofe  for  an  adult.  It  may  be 
■wrought  off  with  weak  camomile-tea,  or  lukewarm 
water.  The  body  muft  likewife  be  kept  open  by 
taking  a  fufficient  quantity  of  Caftile  foap,  oi*'  the 
pills  for  the  jaundice  recommended  in  the  Ap- 
pendix. '     . , 

,     Fomehtiiig  the  parts  about  the  region  of  the  fto- 
'ifiach  aiid  iiver,  and  rubbing  tbcm  with  a  warm 

hand 


OF    THE    JAUNDICE.         373 

hand  or  flefti  brufh,  arc  likcwife  beneficial ;  but  it 
is  ftill  more  fo  for  the  patient  to  fit  in  a  bath  of 
warm  water  up  to  the  breaft.  He  ought  to  do  this 
frequently,  and  (hould  continue  in  it  as  long  as  his 
ftrength  will  permit. 

Many  dirty  things  are  recommended  for  the  cure 
of  the  jaundice;  as  lice,  millepedes,  &c.  Butthefe 
do  more  harm  than  good,  as  people  truft  to  them, 
and  negleft  more  valuable  medicines;  befides, 
they  are  feldom  taken  in  fufficient  quantity  to  pro- 
duce any  eflFefts.  People  always  cxpeft  that  fuch 
things  Ihould  aft  as  charms,  and  cdnfequently  fel- 
dom perfift  in  the  ufe  of  them.  Vomits,  purges, 
fomentations,  and  exercife,  will  feldom  fail  to  cure 
the  jaundice  when  it  is  a  fimple  difeafe;  and  whea 
complicated  with  the  dropfy,  a  fcirrhous  liver,  ot- 
other  chronic  complaints,  it  is  hardly  to  be  cured 
by  any  means. 

Numbcrlefs  Britifh  herbs  are  extolled  for  the 
cure  of  this  difeafe.  The  author  of  the  Medicina 
Britannica  mentions  near  a  hundred,  all  famous  for 
curing  the  jaundice.  Thc^aft  is,  the  difeafe  often 
goes  oflT  of  its  own  accord ;  in  which  cafe  the  lad 
medicine  is  always  faid  to  have  performed  the  cure. 
1  have  fometunes  however  feen  confiderable  benefit, 
in  a  very  obftinate  jaundice,  from  a  decoftion  of 
hempfecd.  Four  ounces  of  the  feed  may  be  boiled 
in  two  Englidi  quarts  of  ale,  and  fweetened  with 
coarfe  fugar.  The  dofc  is  half  an  Englifh  pint 
every  morning.  It  may  be  continued  for  eight  or 
nine  days. 

I    have    likewife    known  Harrowgate   fulphur- 
water  cure  a  jaundice  of  very  long  ftanding.     It 
.fhould  be  ufed  for  fome  weeks,  and  the  patient 
mufl:  both  drink  and  bathe. 

The  foluble  tartar  is  a  very  proper  medicine  in 
the  jaundice.  A  drachm  of  it  may  be  taken  every 
night  and  morning  in  a  cup  of  tea  or  water-gruel. 

B  b  3  If 


374  OF    THE    DROPSY. 

Jf  it  does  not  open  the  body,  the  dofe  may  be  in* 
creafed.  A  very  obflinate  jaundice  has  been  cure4 
by  fwallowing  raw  eggs. 
■  Perfons  fubjeft  to  the  jaundice  ought  to  take  aa 
much  exercife  as  poOibie,  and  to  avoid  all  heating 
ttnd  aftringcnt  aliments. 


CHAP.    XXXVII. 
OF    THE    DROPSY. 

fir  H  E  dropfy  is  a  preternatural  fwelUng  of  the 
whole  body,  or  feme  part  of  it,  occalioned  by 
it  Collection  of  watery  humour.  It  is  diftingui/hed 
by  different  names,  according  to  the  pdtt  affeded, 
as  the  anajarca,  or  a  coHcition  of  water  under  the 
flcin  i  the  cfdtcs,  or  a  colleSion  of  water  in  the 
belly  J  the  hydrops  peSf en's,  or  dropfy  of  the  brcaftj 
the  bydrscephalusj  or  dfbpfy  of  the  brain,  &c. 

CAUSES. The  dropfy  is  often  owing  to  an 

hereditary  difpoHtion,  It  may  likewife  proceed 
from  drinking  ardent  fpirits,  or  other  firong  H- 
guars.  It  is  true  almoft  to  a  proverb,  that  great 
drinkers  die  of  a  dropfy.  The  want  of  exercife  is 
.alfo  a  very  common  caufe  of  the  dropfy.  Hence 
it  is  julHy  reckoned  among  the  difeafes  of  the  fc- 
^entary.  It  often  proceeds  from  excelTive  evacua- 
tions, as  frequent  and  copious  bleedings,  ftrong 
purges  often  repeated,  frequent  falivaiions,  &c. 
The  ludden  ftop'page  of  cullomary  or  neoeffary 
jcvacuations,  as  the  menjes,  the  hemorrhoids,  fluxes 
of  the  belly,  &c.  may  likewife  caufe  a  dropfy.  ■■■■ 

I  have  known  the  dropfy  occafioned  by  drinking 
large  quantities  of  cold,  weak,  watery  liquor,  wheq 
^e  body  was  healed  by  violent  exercife.    A  low, 

^amp, 


OF    THE    DROPSY.  375 

damp,  or  marfliy  fituation  is  likcwifc  a  frequent 
caufc  of  ir.  Hence  it  is  a  common  difcafc  '\a 
moift,  flat,  fenny  countries.  It  may  alfo  be 
brought  on  by  a  long  ufe  of  poor  watery  diet,  or 
of  vifcous  aliment  that  is  hard  of  digeftion.  It  is 
often  the  efFeft  of  other  difeafes,  as  the  jaundice,  a 
fcirrhus  of  the  liver,  a  violent  ague  of  long  con- 
tinuance, a'  diarrhoea,  a  dyfcntery,  an  empyema, 
or  a  confumption  of  the  lungs.  In  Ihort,  what- 
ever obftrudls  the  perfpiration,*  or  prevents  the 
blood  from  being  duly  prepared,  may  occafion  a 
dropfy. 

SYMPTOMS. The  ana/area  generally  be- 

gins  with  a  fwelling  of  the  feet  and  ancles  towards 
night,  which  for  fomc  time  difappears  in  xbe 
morning.  In  the  evening  the  parts,  if  prefltd 
with  the  finger,  will  pit.  The  fwcliing  gradually 
afcends,  and  occupies  the  trunk  of  the  body^  the 
arms,  and  the  head.  Afterwards  the  breafthing 
becomes  difficult,  the  urine  is  in  fmall  quantity, 
and  the  ihirft  great;  the  body  is  bound,  and  the 
perfpiration  is  greatly  obftruded.  To  thefe  fuc- 
cced  torpor,  heavinefs,  a  flow  wafting  fever,  and 
a  troublefome  cough.  This  laft  is  generally  a  fatal 
fymptom,  as  it  fliews  that  the  lungs  are  afFefted. 

In  an  afciteSj  befides  the  above  fymptoms,  there 
IS  a  fwelling  of  the  belly,  and  often  a  flu6hiation, 
trhich  may  be  perceived  by  ftriking  the  belly  on 
one  fide,  and  laying  the  palm  of  the  hand  on  the 
oppofite.  This  may  be  diftinguiflicd  from  a  tym^ 
fany  by  the  weight  of  the  fwelling,  as  well  as  by 
the  fluftuation.  When  the  anajarca  and  ajcites  arc 
combined,  the  cafe  is  very  dangerous.  Even  a 
wfimple  ajcites  feldom  admits  of  a  radical  cure.  Al- 
molt  all  that  can  be  done  is,  to  let  off  the  water 
by  tapping,  which  feldom  aflford$  more  than  a 
temporary  relief, 

B  b  4  When 


3l6  OF  THE    DROPSr, 

When  the  i^Htafe  comes  fuddenly  on^  and^tfte 
pactcnt  ifl  young  and  ftrong>  there  is  reafon  how- 
ever to  hope  for  a  cure,  efpecially  if  medicine  .be 
given  early.  But:  if  the  patieac  be  old»  has  led.^ 
irregular  or  a  fedentary  life,  or  if  th'eroibe  reafon 
to  fufpc£t  that  the  liver,  lungs,  or  any  of  the  vil^ 
cera  are  unfound,  there  is  great  ground  to  fear  that 
doe  confequenges  will  prove  fatal. 
■j  .REGIMEN.— The  patient  muft  abfttin,  as 
much  as  podible,  from  all  drink,  efpecially  weak 
and  watery  liquors,  and  muft  quench  bis  ihirftwich 
muftard-whey,  or  acids,  as  juice  of  lemons,  oranges^ 
forrch  or  fuch  like.  His  aliment  ought  to  /bfe  dry, 
tofi  a  ftimulating  and  '  diuretic,  quality,  as  toaftcd 
bread,  the  ikih  of  birds,  or  other  wild  anamals 
wroafted;  .pungent  and  aromatic  vegetables^  ^  gar^ 
lie,  muftard,  onions,  crefftrs,  horfe-radifli,  rocam^ 
,bole,  /halot,  &c.  He  may  alfo  eat  fea-bifcuic  dipt 
in  wine  or  a  little  brandy.  This  is  not  only  nou- 
xifhing,  but  tends  to  quench  tbirft.  r.  Some  have 
.been  aftually  cured  of  a  dropfy  by  a  total  iabfti- 
nence  from  all  liquids,  and  living  entirely  upon 
fuch  things  as  are  mentioned  above.  If  the  pa- 
tient mult  have  drink,  the  Spa-water,  or  Rhcniih 
wine,  with  diuretic  n^edicines  infufed  in  it^  are  tbe 
beft. 

s    Exicrcife  is  of  the  gfeatcfl:  importance  in  a  dropfy. 

Jfthe^,  patient  be  able  to  walk,  dig,  orthe  lik^,  he 

ought;   to  continue  thefe   e^ercifcs   as  long  as  he 

-cap.     If  he  is  not  able  to  walk  or  labour,  he  muft 

.ride  on  horfeback,  or  in  a  carriage,  and  the  isiore 

.violent,  the  motioafomuch  the  better,  provided  he 

<>  can  bear.  ic.  >  His  bed  ought  to  be  hard,  and^  the 

air  of  his  apartments  warm  and  dry.     if  he  liws 

in  a daiDp  country,  he  ought  to,  be  reniov^  intq  a 

<i4'y<Qn^.iandi)if,  podlble,  into  a  warmer  climate. 

In  a  word,  every  methiod  (hould  be  taken   to  jiro- 

mote  the  perfpiration^  and  to  brace  the  folids.  For 

this 


OP    THE    DROPSY.  ^77 

this  purpofc  it  will  Itkewiie  be  proper  tomb  the 
patient's  body,  two  or  three  times,  a  day,  Yrith  (|i 
hard  cjoch,  or  the  flefh-brufh;  and  he  ought  con^ 
ftanrly  to  wear  flannel  next  his  fkim  : 

MEDICINE.— *^If  the  patient  be  young,  his 
conftitacion  good,  and  the  difeafe  has  come  on  fui^ 
denly,  it  may  generally  be  removed  by  ftrong  vop^* 
mits,  brifk  purges,  and  fuch  medicines  as  promoce 
a  difcharge  by  fweat  and  urine.  For  an  adult,- half 
a  drachm  of  ipecacuanha  in  powder,  and.  half  an 
ounce  of  oxymel  of  fquills^  wili  be  ^  propter  vo- 
inic.  This  may  be  repeated  as  often  as  is  found 
neceffary,  three  or  four  days  intervening  betwech 
the  dofes.  The  patient  muft  not  drink  wnudh  after 
taking  the  vomit,  otherwife  he  deftroys  its  eEhfSk. 
A  cup  or  two  of  camomile* tea  will  be  fqf&aienc  to 
work  it  off. 

Between  each  vomit,  on  one  of  the  intermediate 
days,  the  patient  may  take  the  following  purge:  Ja- 
.'lap  in  powder  half  a  drachm^  cream  of  tartar  two 
drachms,  calomel  fix  grains.  Thefe  may  be  made 
into  a  bolus  with  a  little  fyrup  of  pale  rofes,  and 
taken  early  in  the  morning.  The  lefs  the  patient 
driitks  after  it  the  better.  If  he  be  much  griped, 
he  may  take  now  and  then  a  cup  of  chicken- 
broth. 

The  patient  may  likewife  take  every  night  at 
bed-time  the  following  bolus:  To  four  or  five^grains 
of  camphor  add  one  grain  of  opium>  and  as  much 
fyrup  of  orange-peel  as  is  fufficient  to  make  them 
into  a  bolus.  This  will  generally  promote  a  gentle 
fweat,  which  (hould  be  encouraged  by  drinking 
now  and  then  a  fmall  cup  of  wine-whey^  with  a 
tea-fpoohful  of  the  fpirits  of  hartlhorn  in  it.  ^A 
tea-cupful  of  the  following  diuretic  infufion  may 
likewife  be  taken  every  four  or  five  hours  through 
the  day: 

Take 


378  OF    THE    DROPSY. 

Take  juniper  berries,  muftard-fced,  and  horft- 
radifli,  of  each  half  an  ounce,  alhes  of  broom  half  a 
pound  J  infufe  them  in  a  quart  of  Rhenilh  wine  or 
ftrong  ale  for  a  few  days,  and  afterwards  drain  off 
the  liquor.  Such  as  cannot  take  this  infufion,  may 
Dfe  the  decoftion  of  feneka-root,  which  is  both 
diuretic  and  fudorific.  I  have  known  an  obftinate 
anajarca  cured  by  an  infufion  of  the  alhes  of  broom 
in  wine. 

The  above  courfe  will  often  cure  an  incidental 
droply,  if  the  conlVitution  be  good;  but  when  the 
difcafe  proceeds  from  a  bad  habit,  or  an  unfound 
Hate  of  the  vifcera,  ftrong  purges  and  vomits  arc 
not  to  be  ventured  upon.  In  this  cafe,  the  fafer 
courfe  is  to  palliate  the  fymptoms  by  the  ufe  of 
fuch  medicines  as  promote  the  fecretions,  and  to 
fupport  the  patient's  ftrcngth  by  warm  and  nou- 
rilhing  cordials. 

The  fecretion  of  urine  may  be  greatly  promoted 
by  nitre.  Brookes  fays,  he  knew  a  young  woitiah 
^ho  was  cured  of  a  dropfy  by  taking  a  drachm 'Of 
nitre  every  morning  in  a  draught  of  ale,  afcef  fbe 
had  been  given  over  as  incurable.  The  powdef'Of 
fquilis  is  likcwife  a  good  diuretic.  Six  or  rtght 
grains  of  it,  with  a  fcruple  of  nitre,  may  b<J  gitr^h 
twice  a-day  in  a  glafs  of  ftrong  cinnamon-w<atcr. 
'Ball  fays,  a  large  fpoonful  of  unbruifed  mirilard- 
fccd  tiken  every  night  and  morning,  and  drinking 
half  an  Englifh  pint  of  the  decoftion -of  the  tops 
of  green  broom  after  it,  has  performed  a  cure 
after  other  powerful  medicines  had  proved  iflfrf-^ 
feftual. 

'I  have  fometimes  ^ttn  good  efFefts  from  cream 
of  tartar  in  this  difeafe.  It  promotes  the  difchatgi^s 
by  ftool  and  urine,  and  will  at  ieaft  palliate^  it  ic 
does  not  perform  a  cure.  The  patient  may  begin 
by  taking  an  ounce  every  fecond  or  third  day^  and 

may 


OF    THE    DROPSY.  379 

may  Increafe  the  quantity  to  two  or  even  to  three 
ouncesj  if  the  (lomach  will  bear  it.  This  quantity 
is  not  however  to  be  taken  at  once,  but  divided 
into  three  or  four  dofes. 

To  promote  perfpiration,  the  patient  may  ufe  the 
d£CO<flion  of  fcntka-root,  as  dire^ed  above ;  or  he 
may  take  two  table- fpoonfuls  of  Mindererus*s  fpi* 
rit  in  a  cup  of  wine-whey  three  or  four  time  a-day. 
To  promote  a  difcharge  of  urine,  the  following 
infufion  of  the  London  hofpitals  will  likewife  be 
beneficial : 

Take  of  zedoary-root  two  drachms  j  dried  fquills, 
rhubarb,  and  juniper- berries  bruifed,  of  each  a 
drachm;  cinnamon  in  powder,  three  drachms j 
fait  of  wormwood,  a  drachm  and  a  half;  infufe  in 
^n  Engliih  pint  and  a  half  of  old  hock-wine,  and 
when  fit  for  ufe,  filter  the  liquor.  A  wine-glafs 
of  it  may  be  taken  three  or  four  times  a-day. 

In  the  anajarca  it  is  ufual  to  fcarify  the  feet  and 
legs.  By  this  means  the  water  is  often  difchargcd ; 
but  the  operator  mud  be  cautious  not  to  make  the 
lAcifions  too  deep;  they  ought  barely  to  pierce 
throu(;h  the  (kin,  and  efpecial  care  mult  be  taken» 
by  fpirituous  fomentations  and  proper  digeftives, 
to  prevent  a  gangrene. 

In  an  qfcitesy  when  the  difcafe  does  not  evidently 
and  fpecdily  give  way  to  purgative  and  diuretic 
medicines,  the  water  ought  to  be  let  off  by  tap- 
ping. This  is  a  very  fimple  and  fafe  operation, 
and  would  often  fucceed,  if  it  were  performed  in 
due  time ;  but  if  it  be  delayed  till  the  humour^ 
are  vitiated,  or  the  bowels  fpoiled,  by  long  foaking 
in  water,  it  can  hardly  be  expe(5ted  that  any  per*, 
rnanent  relief  will  be  procured  *. 

After 

*  The  very  name  of  an  operation  is  dreadful  to  moft  people^ 
and  they  wifli  to  try  every  thing  before  they  have  recoorfc  to  ic. 
This  ib  the  rcafon  why  tapping  fo  feldom  fuccecds  to  our  wifh.  I 

have 


38o  OF    THE    GOUT. 

After  the  evacuation  of  the  water,  the  patient  ia 
to  be  put  on  a  courfe  of  ftrcngthening  medicines  i 
as  the  Peruvian  bark;  the  elixir  of  vitriol ;  warm 
aromatics,  with  a  due  proportion  of  rhubarb,  in- 
fufed  in  wine,  and  fuch  like.  His  diet  ought  to 
be  dry  and  nourifhing,  fuch  as  is  recommended  in 
■the  beginning  of  the  Chapter;  and  he  Ihould  C4k« 
as  much  exercife  as  he  can  bear  without  fatigue. 
He  fhould  wear  flannel  next  his  Ikinj  and  make 
daily  ufe  of  the  flelh-brulh. 


CHAP.     XXXVIII.  !.^ 

OF     THE     GOUT. 

'T'HERE  is  no  difeafe  which  Ihews  the  iniper- 
■  ■*■  feflion  of  medicine,  or  fets  the  advantages'of 
temperance  and  exercife  in  a  ftronger  lighc^  thin 
the  gout.  Excefs  and  idlenefs  are  the  true  fourcit 
from  whence  it  originally  fprung,  and  all  vriw 
would  avoid  it  muft  be  aBive  and  temperals.    ■ 

Though  idlenefs  and  intennpcrance  are  the  prin> 
cipal  caufes  of  the  gout,  yet  many  other 'things 
may  contribute  to  bring  on  the  diforcter  Jrt  chbfe 
who  are  not,  and  to  induce  a  paroxyfm  itl  ihitSt 
who  are  fubjcft  to  it ;  as  intenfe  ttudy  j  too  free  ak 
ufe  of  acidulated  liquors  ;  night-watching  ;  gfltf 
Oruneafincfs  of  mindj  an  obftruftlon  or  defcft  of 
any  of  the  cuftomary  difcharges,  as  the  Wf^j 
fwcating  of  the  feet,  perlpiration,  8cc. 

Ilfvehad  >  patirnt  who  was  regularly  tapped  oace  ■  montk  for 
ie.yeral  yetn,  and  who  uCed  to  ea[  her  dinner  ai  well  kfur  (be 
ApcTii'tioii  at  if  nothing  Had  happened.  She  Jied  at  IsA.  ndrcr 
ilmi'Ouc  bf  age  than  by  cbe  dileafe. 

SYMP- 


•v*^^ 


OF    THE    GOUT.  jSt 

SYMPTOMS. A  fit  of  the  gout  is  generally 

preceded  by  indigeftion,  drowfinefs,  belching  of 
wind,  a  (light  head-ach,  flcknefs,  and  fonriecimes 
vomiting.  The  patient  complains  of  weannefs  and 
dejeAion  of  fpirits,  and  has  often  a  pain  in  the 
limbs,  with  a  fenfation  as  if  wind  or  cold  water 
were  pafling  down  the  thigh.  The  appetite  is  often 
remarkably  keen  a  day  or  two  before  the  fit,  and 
there  is  a  flight  pain  in  pafling  urine,  and  fome- 
times  an  involuntary  fhedding  of  tears.  Sometimes 
thefe  fymptoms  are  much  more  violent,  efpccially 
upon  the  near  approach  of  the  fit ;  and  fome  ob- 
ferve,  that  as  is  the  fever  which  ufliers  in  the  gout,  (a 
will  the  fit  be;  if  the  fever  be  (hort  and  (harp,  the 
fit  will  be  fo  likewife ;  if  it  be  feeble,  long,  and 
lingering,  the  fit  will  be  fuch  alfo.  But  this  ob- 
fervation  can  only  hold  with  refpeft  to  very  regular 
fits  of  the  gout. 

The  regular  gout  generally  makes  its  attack  in 
the  fpriog,  or  beginning  of  winter,  in  the  follow* 
iog  manner :  About  two  or  three  in  the  mornings 
the  patient  is  feized  with  a  pain  in  his  great  toe, 
fometimes  in  the  heel,  and  at  other  times  in  the 
ancle  or  calf  of  the  leg.  This  pain  is  accompa-- 
nied  with  a  fenfation  as  if  cold  water  were  poured 
tipon  the  part,  which  is  fucceeded  by  a  (hivering^ 
with  fome  degree  of  fever.  Afterwards  the  pain 
increafes,  and  fixing  among  the  fmall  bones  of  die 
foot,  the  patient  feels  all  the  different  kinds  of  tor«- 
ture,  as  if  the  part  were  flretched,  burnt,  fqueezed, 
gnawed,  or  corn  in  pieces,  &c.  The  part  at  length 
becomes  fo  exquificely  fenfible,  that  the  patient 
cannot  bear  to  have  it  touched,  or  even  fuffer  any 
perfon  to  walk  acrofs  the  room. 

The  patient  is  generally  in  exquifite  torture  for 
twenty-four  hours,  from  the  time  of  the  coming  on 
of  the  fit:  he  then  becomes  cafieri  the  part  begins 

to 


3^2  OF    THE    GOUT. 

to  fwell,  appears  red,  and  is  covered  with  a  little 
xnoifturek  Towards  morning  he  drops  aQeep,  and 
generally  falls  into  a  gentle  breathing  fweat.  This 
terminates  the  firft  paroxyfm,  a  number  of  which 
conftitutes  a  fit  of  the  gout ;  which  is  longer  or 
fhorter  according  to  the  patient's  age,  ftrength,  the 
feafon  of  the  year,  and  the  difpofition  of  the  body 
to  this  difeafe,    > 

The  patient  is  always  worfe  towards  night,  and 
cafier  in  the  morning.  The  paroxyfms  however 
generally  grow  milder  every  day,  till  at  length  the 
difeafe  is  carried  off  by  pcrfpiration,  urine,  and 
the  other  evacuations.  In  fomc  patients  this  hap- 
pens in  a  few  days;  in  others,  it  requires  weeks, 
and  in  fome,  months,  to  finilh  the  fit.  Thofc 
whom  age  and  frequent  firs  of  the  gout  have 
groatly  debilitated,  feldom  get  free  from  it  before 
the  approach  of  fummer,  and  fometimes  not  till 
it  be  pretty  far  advanced. 

REGIMEN. As  there  are  no  medicines  yet 

known  that  will  cure  the  gout,  we  (hall  confine  our 
obfervations  chiefly  to  regimen,  both  in  and  out  of 
th€  fit. 

In  the  fit,  if  the  patient  be  young  and  ftrong, 
his  diet  ought  to  be  thin  and  cooling,  and  his  drink 
of  a  diluting  nature  ;  but  where  the  cotiftitution  is 
weak,  and  the  patient  has  been  accuftomed  to  live 
high,  ^this  is  not  a  proper  time  to  retrench,  la 
this  cafe  he  muft  keep  nearly  to  his  ufual  diet,  and 
inould  take  frequently  a  cup  of  flrong  negus,  or  a 
glafs  of  generous  wine.  Wine-whey  is  a  very 
proper  drink  in  this  cafe,  as  it  promotes  the  pcr- 
fpiration without  greatly  heating  the  patient.  It 
will  anfwer  this  purpofe  better  if  a  tea-fpoonful 
of /al  volatile  oleojum^  or  fpirits  of  hartfhorn,  be 
put  into  a  cup  of  it  twice  a-day.  It  will  likewifc 
be  proper  to  give  at  bed-time  a  tea-fpoonful  ofthc 

7  volatile 


O  F    T  H  E    G  O  U  T.  383 

voUtilc  tinfture^f  guaiacum  in  a  large  draught  of 
warm  wine-whey.  This  will  greatly  promote  per- 
fpiration  through  the  night. 

As  the  mod  fafe  and  efEcacious  method  of  dif- 
charging  the  gouty  matter  is  by  perfpiration,  this 
ought  to  be  kept  up  by  all  means,  cfpecially  in  the 
affcfted  part.  For  this  purpofe  the  kg  and  foot 
Ihould  be  wrapt  in  foft  flannel,  fur,  or  wool.  The 
laft  is  moll  readily  obtained,  and  fcems  to  anfwer 
the  purpofe  better  than  any  thing  elfe.  The  peo- 
ple of  Lancafhire  look  upon  wool  as  a  kind  of 
Ipecific  in  the  gout.  They  w*rap  a  great  quantity 
of  it  about  the  leg  and  foot  afFefted,  and  cover  it 
with  a  (kin  of  foft  dreffed  leather.  This  they  fufFer 
to  continue  for  eight  or  ten  days,  and  fomctimes 
for  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks,  or  longer,  if  the  pain 
does  not  ccafe.  I  never  knew  any  external  appli- 
cation  anfwer  fo  well  in  the  gout.  I  have  often 
feen  it  applied  when  the  fwclling  and  inflammation 
were  very  great,  with  violent  pain,  and  have  found 
all  thcfe  fymptoms  relieved  by  it  in  a  few  days% 
The  wool  which  they  ufe  is  generally  greafcd,  and 
carded  or  combed.  They  chufe  the  fofteft  which 
can  be  had,  and  feldom  or  never  remove  it  till  the 
fit  be  entirely  gone  off* 

The  patienjt  ought  likewife  to  be  kept  quiet  and 
<;afy  during  the  fit.  Every  thing  that  atfedts  the 
mind  didurbs  the  paroxyfm,  and  tends  to  throw  the 
gout  upon  the  nobler  parts.  All  external  applica- 
tions that  repel  the  matter  are  to  be  avoided  as 
death.  They  do  not  cure  the  difeafe,  but  remove 
it  from  a  fafer  to  a  more  dangerous  part  oi  the 
body,  where  it  often  proves  fatal.  A  fit  of  the 
gout  is  to  be  confidered  as  Nature's  method  of  re«^ 
ipoving  fomcthing  that  might  prove  defl:ru6livc  tp 
the  body,  and  all  that  we  can  do,  with  fafetyj  is.  to 
promote  her  intentions,  and  to  aflTift  her  in  expelling 
the  enemy  in  her  own  way.  Evacuations  by  bleed- 
ing, 


SH  OF    THE    GOUT. 

ing,  (tool,  &c.  ate  likewife  to  be  ufed  i*i[h  ctftr^ 
tion  }  they  do  not  remove  the  caufe  of  the  dilealc^ 
and  fometimes  by  weakening  the  patient  prolong 
the  fit:  but,  where  the  conftitution  is  able  to  bear 
it>  it  will  be  of  ufe  to  keep  the  body  gently  open 
by  diet,  or  very  mild  laxative  medicines. 

Many  things  will  indeed  (horten  a  Bt  of  the  gouc^ 
and  fome  wilt  drive  it  off  altogether;  btic  nothmg 
has  yet  been  found  which  will  do  this  with  fafety  to 
the  patient.  In  pain  we  eagerly  grafp  at  any  thing 
that  pronfiifes  immediate  eale,  and  even  hazard  life 
itfcli  fora  temporary  relief.  This  is  the  true  rea- 
fon  why  fo  many  infallible  remedies  have  been 
propofed  for  the  gout,  and  why  fuch  numbers  have 
loft  their  lives  by  the  ufe  of  them.  It  would  be 
as  prudent  to  (lop  the  fmall-pox  from  riling,  and 
to  drive  them  into  the  blood,  as  to  attempt  to  re- 
pel the  gouty  matter  after  it  has  been  thrown  upon 
the  extremities.  The  latter  is  as  much  an  effort 
of  Nature  to  free  hcrfcif  from  an  offending  caufe 
as  the  former,  and  ought  equally  to  be  pro- 
moted. 

When  the  patn  however  is  very  great,  and  the 
patient  is  rcftlefs,  thirty  or  forty  drops  of  lauda- 
num, more  or  lefs,  according  to  the  violence  of  th& 
fymptoms,  may  be  taken  at  bed-time.  This  will 
eafe  the  patn,  procure  reft,  promote  perfpiratton> 
and  fofward  the  crifis  of  the  difeafe. 

After  the  fit  is  over,  the  patitnt  ought  to  take  z 
gentle  dofe  or  two  of  the  bitter  tindture  of  rha- 
bathy  or  Ibme  other  warm  ttoinachic  purge.  He 
fhould  alfo  drink  a  weak  infuCun  of  ftomachic  bit- 
ters in  fmall  wine  or  ate,  as  the  Peruvian  bark^ 
with  cinnamon,  Virginian  fnake-root,  and  orange- 
peel.  The  diet  at  this  time  Ihould  be  light,  but 
nouriOiing,  and  gentle  exercife  ought  to  be  takeo 
on  horfeback,  or  in  a  carriage. 

8  Out 


OF    THE    GOUT.  585 

Out  of  the  fit,  it  is  in  the  patient's  power  to  do 
many  things  towards  prcrenting  a  return  of  the  dif- 
Ordei>  or  rendering  the  fir^  if  ic  (hould  recurni  lefs 
fevere.  This  however  is  not  to  be  attempted  by 
medicine.  I  have  frequently  known  the  gout  kept 
off  for  feveral  years  by  the  Peruvian  bark  and  other 
aftringent  medicines;  but  in  all  the  cafes  where  I  had 
occafion  to  fee  this  tried^  the  perfons  died  fud« 
denly,  and,  to  all  appearance^  for  want  of  a  re- 
gular fit  of  the  gout.  Oj[ie  would  be  ^pt^  from 
hence,  to  conclude^  that  a  fit  of  the  gout>  to  fome 
conftitutions,  in  the  decline  of  lifcj  is  rather  falu- 
tary  than  hurtful. 

Though  it  may  be  dangerous  to  ftop  a  fit  of  the 
gout  by  medicine,  yet  if  the  conftitution  can  be 
fo  changed  by  diet  and  exercife,  as  to  lelTen  or  to* 
tally  prevent  its  return,  there  certainly  can  be  no 
danger  in  following  fuch  a  courfe.  It  is  well  known 
that  the  whole  habit  may  be  fo  altered  by  a  proper 
regimen,  as  quite  to  eradicate  this  difeafe^  and 
thofe  only  who  have  fufficient  refojution  to  perfift 
in  fuch  a  courfe  have  reafon  to  expeft  a  cure, 

-  The  courfe  which  we  would  recommend  for  pre^^ 
venting  the  gout,  is  as  follows:  In  the  firft  place^ 
univerfal  temperance.  In  the  next  plzcc/ufficienf  exer^ 
ci/e*.  By  this  we  do  not  mean  fauntering  about  in 
an  indolent  manner,  but  labour,  fweat,  and  toil. 
Thefe  only  can  render  the  humours  wholefome,  and 
keep  them  fo.  Going  early  to  bed,  and  rifmg  be* 
times,  sire  alfo  of  great  importance*  Ic  is  likewife 
proper  to  avoid  night  ft^udies,  and  all  intenie 
thought.     The  fupper  fhould  be  light,  and  takca 

*  Some  make  a  fecret  of  curing  the  goat  by  mnfiular  ixtrcift. 
This  fecret,  however,  is  as  old  as  Celfus,  who  'ilroDgly  rtcom-> 
mends  that  mode  of  core ;  and  whoever  will  fubmic  to  ft,  in  tftet 
fullell  extent,  ihay  expcA  to  reap  felid  and  permanent  advaa* 
tages. 

C  c  early* 


j86  O  F    T  H  E    G  O  U  T. 

early.  All  ftrong  liquors,  cfpecially  generous 
wines  and  four  punch,  are  to  be  avoided. 

We  would  likewifc  recommend  fome  dofa  of 
magnefta  alba  and  rhubarb  to  be  laken  every  fpring 
and  autumn ;  and  afccrwarjs  a  courfe  offtomachic 
bitters,  as  tanftry  or  water-trefoil  tea,  an  infufton 
of  gentian  and  camomile  flowers,  or  a  decodlion 
of  burdock  root,  &c.  Any  of  tbefr,  or  an  infu- 
fion  of  any  wholefome  bitter  that  is  more  agree- 
able to  tlte  patient,  may  be  drank  for  two  or  three 
weeks  in  March  and  OiSober  twice  a-day.  An 
iflfuc  or  perpetual  blitler  has  a  great  tendency  to 
prevent  the  gout.  If  thel'e  were  more  generally 
ufed  in  the  decline  of  life,  they  would  not  only 
©fcen  prevent  the  gout,  but  alfo  other  chronic  ma- 
ladies. Such  as  can  aflford  to  go  to  Bath,  will  Bnd 
great  benefit  from  bathing  and  drinking  the  wa- 
ter. It  both  promotes  digellion,  and  invigorates 
the  habit. 

Though  there  is  little  room  for  medicine  during 
a  regular  fit  of  the  gour,  yet  when  it  leaves  the  ex- 
tremities, arid  falls  on  fome  of  the  internal  parts, 
proper  applications  to  recal  and  fix  it  become  ab- 
loiuicly  ncccffary.  When  the  gout  affcfts  the  head, 
the  pain  of  the  joints  ceafcs,  and  the  fwelling  dil- 
appeanc,  while  cither  fevere  head-ach,  drowfinefs* 
trembling,  giddinefs,  convulfions,  or  delirium  come 
on.  When  it  fcizes  the  lungs,  great  opprelBon, 
>vith  cough  and  difficulty  of  breathing,  enfue.  If 
■it  attacks  the  Oomach,  extreme  ficknels,  vomiting, 
anxiety,  pain  in  the  epigatlric  region,  and  total 
,lofs-of  ftrcngth,  will  fuccced. 

When  the  gout  attacks  the  head  or  lungs,  every 

■-ihethod  muft  be  taken  to  fix  it  in  the  feet.      They 

mull  be  frequently  bathed  in  warm  water,  and  acrid 

cataplafms  applied  to  the  foles.     Bliftcring-plafters 

ought  likewifc  to  be  applied  to  the  ancles  or  calves 

of 


'ij 


Of    TrtE    GOUT*  387 

Df  the  legs.  Bleeding  in  the  feet  or  ancles  is  alfo 
neceflary,  and  warm  ftomachic  purges.  The  pa- 
tient ought  to  keep  in  bed  for  the  moft  part,  If 
.there  be  any  figns  of  inflammation,  and  (hould  be 
very  careful  not  to  catch  cold. 

If  it  attacks  the  ftomach  with  a  fcnfe  of  cold,  the 
moft  warm  cordials  are  ntccflaryj  as  ftrong  wine 
boiled  up  with  cinnamon  or  other  fpiccs ;  cinna- 
mon-water; pepperinint-water;  and  even  brandy 
or  rum.  The  patient  (hould  keep  his  bed,  and 
endeavour  to  promote  a  fweat  by  drinking  w^rni  li- 
quors ;  and  if  he  fhould  be  troubled  with  a  naiifea, 
or  inclination  to  vomit,  he  may  drink  camomile- 
tea,  or  any  thing  that  will  make  him  vomic 
freely. 

When  the  gout  attacks  the  kidneys,  and  imi* 
tates  gravel-pains,  the  patieht  ought  to  drink  freely 
of  a  decodlion  of  marlh-mallows,  and  to  have  the 
parts  fooiented  with  warm  watef.  An  emollient 
clyfter  ought  likewife  to  be  given,  and  afterwards 
an  opiate.  If  the  pain  be  very  violent,  twenty  or 
thirty  drops  of  laudanum  may  be  taken  in  a  cup  of 
the  decodion. 

Perfons  who  have  had  the  gout  (hould  be  very 
attentive  to  any  complaints  that  may  happen  to 
them  about  the  time  when  they  have  reafon  to  ex- 
pert a  return  of  tke  fit.  The  gout  imitates  many 
oihct  diforders,  and  by  being  miftaken  for  them, 
and  treated  improperly,  is  often  diverted  from 
its  regular  courfe,  to  the  great  danger  of  the  pa- 
tient's life. 

Thofe  who  never  had  the  gout,  but  who,  from 
their  conftitution  or  manner  of  living,  have  reafon 
to  expeft  it,  ought  likewife  to  be  very  circum- 
fpeft  with  regard  to  its  firft  approach.  If  the  dif- 
cafe,  by  wrong  conduft  or  improper  medicines,  be 
diverted  from  its  proper  courfe,  the  mifcrablc  pa- 

C  c  2  ticnc 


388  OF  -THE  RHEUMATISM. 

tienc  has  a  chance  to  be  ever  after  tormented  vith 
head-achsj  coughs,  pains  of  the  (lomach  andb- 
ceftinesi  and  to  fall  at  lad  a  vi6lini  to  its  attack 
Upon  fonne  of  the  more  noble  parts. 

OF    THE    RHEUMATISM. 

This  difeafe  has  often  a  refemblancc  to  the  goat. 
It  generally  attacks  the  joints  with  exquiGte  paioi 
and  is  fometimes  attended  with  inflammation  and 
fwelling.  It  is  mod  common  in  the  fpring,  and 
towards  the  end  of  autumn.  It  is  ufually  diftin- 
^uiflied  into  acute  and  chronic  ^  or  the  rheumatifai 
with  and  without  a  fever. 

CAUSES. The  caufes  of  a  rheumatifm  arc 

frequently  the  fame  as  thofe  of  an  inflammatory  fc- 
ver^  viz.  an  obftrufbed  perfpiration,  the  imfnodc- 
rate  ufe  of  ftrong  liquors,  and  the  like.  Sudden 
changes  of  the  weather,  and  all  quick  tranfitions 
from  heat  to  cold,  are  very  apt  to  occafion  the  rhea- 
matifm.  The  mod  extraordinary  cafe  of  a  rheu- 
matifm that  I  ever  faw,  where  almoft  every  Joint 
of  the  body  was  diftorted,  was  a  man  who  uledlo 
work  one  part  of  the  day  by  the  Are,  and  the  other 
part  of  it  in  the  water.  Very  obftinate  rheunit* 
tifms  have  likewife  been  brought  on  by  perfons  not 
accuftomed  to  it,  allowing  their  feet  to  continue 
long  wet.  The  fame  eflfefts  are  often  produced  by 
wet  clothes,  damp  beds,  fitting  or  lying  on  the 
damp  ground,  travelling  in  the  night,  &c« 

The  rheumatifm  may  likewife  be  occafioned  by 
cxceflive  evacuations,  or  the  ftoppage  of  cuftomanr 
difcharges.  It  is  often  the  efFeft  of  chronic  dil- 
f  afes,  which  vitiate  the  humours ;  as  the  fcurvy, 
the  lues  venerea^  obftinate  autumnal  agues,  &c. 

The  rheumatifm  prevails  in  cold,  damp,  marlhy 

countries.    It  is  molt  common  among  the  poorer 

If  fan 


.OF  THE  RHEUMATISM.         389 

ibrc  of  peafantSj  who  are  ill  clothed^  live  in  low 
damp  houfes,  and  eat  coarfe  unwholefome  food, 
which  contains  but  little  nouriflimentj  and  is  not 
eafily  digefted. 

SYMPTOMS.— -*^The  acute  rheumatifm  com- 
monly begins  with  wearinefs,  (hiveringj  a  quick 
pulfe,  reftleflhefs,  thirfty  and  other  fymptoms  of 
feven  Afterwards  the  patient  complains  of  flying 
pains»  which  are  increafed  b^  the  leaft  motion'. 
Thefe  at  length  fix  in  the  joints,  which  are  often 
affefted  with  fwelling  and  inflammation.  If  blood 
be  let  in  this  difeafe,  it  has  generally  the  fame  ap- 
pearance as  in  the  pleurify. 

In  this  kind  of  rheumatifm  the  treatment  of  the 
patient  is  nearly  the  fame  as  in  an  acute  or  inflam- 
matory fever.  If  he  be  young  and  ftrong,  bleeding 
is  neceflary,  which  may  be  repeated  according  to 
the  exigencies  of  the  cafe.  The  body  ought  like- 
wife  to  be  kept  open  by  emollient  clyftcrs,  or  cool 
opening  liquors  i  as  decoftions  of  tamarinds,  cream 
of  tartar  whey,  fenna  tea,  and  the  like.  The  diet 
Ihould  be  light,  and  in  fmall  quantity,  confifting 
chiefly  of  roafted  apples,  groat- gruel,  or  weak 
chicken  broth.  After  the  feverifli  fymptoms  have 
abated,  if  the  pain  dill  continues,  the  patient  muft 
keep  his  bed,  and  take  fuch  things  as  promote  per- 
fpiration;  as  wine-whey,  vi'xxhfpiritus  Minder ^iy&cCm 
He  may  likewife  take,  for  a  few  nights,  at  bed- 
time, in  a  cup  of  wine- whey,  a  drachm  of  the  cream 
of  tart^r^  and  half  a  drachm  of  gum  guaiacum  in 
powder. 

Warm  bathing,  after  proper  evacuations,  has 
often  an  exceeding  good  cffeft.  The  patient  may 
either  bc^  put  into  4  bath  of  warm  water,  or  have 
cloths  wrung  out  of  it  applied  to  the  parts  aflfefted. 
Great  care  niqft  be  tak^i^  that  he  do  not  catch  cold 
After  bathing. 

C  c  3  The 


590  OF  THE  RHEUMATISM. 

The  chronic  rheumatifin  is  fcldom  attended  with 
any  confiderable  degree  of  fever,  and  is  generally 
confined  to  fome  particular  part  of  the  body,  as  the 
(boulders,  the  back,  or  the  loins.  There  is  feldom 
any  inflammation  or  fwclling  in  this  cafe.  Perfon^ 
in  the  decline  of  life  arc  moft  fubjeft  to  the  chronic 
rheumatifm.  In  fuch  patients  it  often  proves  ex- 
tremely obftinate,  and  fometimes  incurable. 

In  this  kind  of  rheumatifm  the  regimen  fhould 
be  nearly  the  fame  as  in  the  acute.  Cool  and  di- 
luting diet,  confiding  chiefly  of  vegetable  fub- 
ftances,  as  ftewed  prunes,  coddled  apples,  currants 
or  goofcberrics  boiled  in  milk,  i.  mpfl:  proper. 
Arbuthnot  fiys,  **  If  there  be  a  fpecific  in  aliment 
for  the  rheumatifrp,  it  is  certainly  whey  \*  and 
adds,  *^  That  he  knew  a  perfon  fubjeft  to  this  dif-  , 
cafe,  who  could  never  be  cured  bv  any  other  me- 
thod but  a  diet  of  whey  and  bread  "  He  likewifc 
fays,  *•  That  cream  of  tartar  in  water  gruel,  taken 
'forfeveral  dayr.,  will  eafe  rheumatic  pains  confider- 
ably."  This  I  have  often  experienced,  but  found 
it  always  more  efficacious  when  joined  wi^h  gum 
guaiacum,  as  already  directed.  In  this  cafe  the 
patient  may  take  the  dofe  formerly  mentioned 
twice  4-day,  an^  likcwife  a  tca-fpoonful  of  the  vo^ 
latilc  tincture  of  gum  guaiacum,  at  bed -time,  in 
wine-whey. 

This  courfe  may  be  continued  for  a  week,  or 
longer,  if  the  cafe  proves  obltinace,  and  the  pa- 
tient's flren^th  will  permit.  It  ought  then  to  be 
omitted  for  a  few  days,  and  repeated  agiin.  At 
the  fame  time  leeches  or  a  bliltering-plafter  may 
be  applied  to  the  part  afircled.  What  1  have  ge- 
nerally found  anfwtr  better  th4n  either  of  thefe,  in 
obftinate  fi>{ed  rheumatic  pains,  is  tht  warm  p/a- 
Jfer*.     I  have   likewifc  known  a  plailer  of  Bur- 

♦  See  Appendix^  ff^arm  Plafter* 

gundy 


OF  THE  RHEUMATISM.         391 

g«ndy  pitch  worn  for  fomc  time  on  the  part 
aficdVed  give  great  relief  in  rheumatic  pains.  My 
ingenious  friend,  Dr.  Alexander  of  Edinburgh, 
fays,  he  has  frequently  cured  vcrv  obftinate  rheu-  ' 
matic  pains  by  rubbing  the  part  affefted  with  tinc- 
ture of  cantharidcs.  When  the  common  lindurc 
did  not  fucceed,  he  ufed  it  of  a  double  or  treble 
ftrengch.  Cupping  upon  the  part  afFefted  is  like- 
wife  often  very  beneficial,  and  is  greatly  preferable 
to  the  application  of  leeches. 

Though  this  difeafe  may  not  feem  to  yield  to 
medicines  for  fome  time,  yet  they  ought  (lill  to  be 
pcrrfillcd  in.  Fcrfons  who  are  fubjeft  to  frequent 
returns  of  the  rheumatifm,  will  often  find  their  ac- 
count in  ufing  medicines,  whether  they  be  imme- 
diately afftded  with  the  difeafe  or  not.  The  chro- 
nic rheumatifm  is  fimilar  to  the  gout  in  this  refpeft^ 
that  the  moft  proper  time  for  ufing  medicines  to 
extirpate  it,  is  when  the  patient  is  moft  free  from 
the  diforder. 

To  thofe  who  can  afford  the  expence,  I  would  • 
recommend  the  warm  baths  of  Buxton  or  Matlock 
in  Derbyfhire.  Thele  have  ofcen,  to  my  know- 
ledge, cured  very  obllinate  rheumatifms,  and  are 
always  fafe  either  in  or  out  of  the  fir.  When  the 
rheumatifm  is  com;.licated  with  fcorbutic  com- 
plaints,  which  is  not  feldom  the  cafe,  the  Harrow- 
gate  waters,  and  thofe  of  Mofi^ar,  are  proper. 
They  (hould  both  be  drank  and  ufed  as  a  warm 
bath. 

There  are  feveral  of  our  own  domeftic  plants 
which  may  be  ufed  with  advantage  in  the  rheu- 
matifm. One  of  the  bell  is  the  ^Wxiftviiiftard,  A 
table- fpoonful  of  the  feed  of  this  plane  may  be 
taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day,  in  a  glafs  of  water  or 
fmall  wine.  The  water-trefoil  is  likewife  of  great 
ufe  in  this  complaint.  It  may  be  infufed  in  wine 
or  ale,  or  drank  in  form  of  tea.     The  ground  ivy, 

C  c  4  camomile. 


392        OF  THE  RHEUMATISM- 

camomile^  and  feveral  other  bitters,  are  al(b  bene-* 
ficialj  and  may  be  ufcd  in  the  fame  manner.  No 
benefit  however  is  to  be  expected  from  thefe,  un« 
lefs  they  be  taken  for  a  confiderablc  time.  ExceU 
lent  medicines  are  often  defpifed  in  this  difeafe»  be* 
caufe  they  do  not  perform  an  immediate  cures 
whereas  nothing  would  be  more  certain  than  their 
cflFeft,  were  they  duly  perfifted  in.  Want  of  per- 
feyerance  in  the  ufe  of  medicines  is  one  reafon  why 
chronic  difeafes  are  fo  feldom  cured. 

Cold  bathingi  efpecially  in  faltwater,  often  cures 
the  rheumatifm.  We  would  alfo  recommend  riding 
on  horfebackj  and  wearing  flannel  next  the  (kin. 
Iflues  are  likewife  very  proper,  efpecially  in  chro- 
nic cafes.  If  the  pain  afie£ls  the  Ihoulders,  an  ifluo 
may  be  made  in  the  arm ;  but  if  it  affedts  the  loins, 
hfhould  be  put  in  the  leg  or  thigh. 

Perfons  afflided  with  the  fcurvy  are  very  fubje^ 
to  rheumatic  complaints.  The  beft  medicines  in 
this  cafe  are  bitters  and  mild  purgatives.  Thefo 
may  either  be  taken  feparately  or  together>  as  the 
patient  inclines.  An  ounce  of  Peruvian  barki  ^uid 
half  an  ounce  of  rhubarb  in  powder^  may  be  in* 
fufed  in  a  bottle  of  wine ;  and  one,  two,  or  three 
wine  glaiTes  of  it  taken  daily,  as  0iall  be  found  ne* 
ceflary  for  keeping  the  body  gently  open.  In  cafes 
where  the  bark  itfelf  proves  fufficiently  purgative^ 
the  rhubarb  may  be  omitted. 

Such  as  are  fubje£fc  to  frequent  attacks  of  the 
rheumatifm  ought  to  make  choice  of  a  dry,  warm 
fituation,  to  avoid  the  night-air,  wet  clothes,  and 
wet  feet,  as  much  as  poflfible.  Their  clothing; 
Ihould  be  warm,  and  they  fhould  wear  flannel 
next  their  fkin,  and  make  frequent  ufe  pf  the  6e(U^ 
brufli* 


[    393   1 


C  H  A  P,    XXXIX. 
OF    THE    SCURVY. 

^  HIS  difeafe  prevaiU  chiefly  in  cold  northern 
'*'  countfiesi  efpecially  in  low  damp  (ituarions, 
near  large  marfbes^  or  great  quantities  of  ftagnating 
water.  Sedentary  people,  of  a  dull  melancholy 
difpofition,  are  moft  fubjedt  to  it.  It  proves  often 
fatal  to  Tailors  on  long  voyages,  particularly  in  (hips 
that  are  not  properly  ventilated,  have  many  people 
on  board,  or  where  cleanlinefs  is  negleded. 

It  is  not  neceflary  to  mention  the  different  fpecies 
)nto  which  this  difeafe  has  been  divided,  as  they 
differ  from  one  another  chiefly  in  degree.  What  is 
called  the  landjcurvy^  however,  is  ieldom  attended 
with  thofe  highly  putrid  fymptoms  which  appear  in 
patients  who  have  been  long  at  fea,  and  which,  we 
prefume,  are  rather  owing  to  confined  air,  want  of 
cxercife,  and  the  unwholefome  food  eaten  by  failors 
on  long  voyages,  than  to  any  fpeciflc  diflference  in 
the  difeafe. 

CAUSES.— The  fcurvy  is  occafioned  by  cold 
moid  air;  by  the  long  ufe  of  falted  or  fmoke-dried 
proviflons,  or  any  kind  of  food  that  is  hard  of  di« 
geftion,  and  affords  little  nourifhment.  It  may 
alfo  proceed  from  the  fuppreffion  of  cuftomary  eva- 
cuations ;  as  the  men/es^  the  hemorrhoidal  flux,  &c. 
Jt  is  fometimes  owing  to  a  hereditary  taint,  in 
which  cafe  a  very  fmall  caufe  will  excite  the  latent 
diforder.  Grief,  fear,  and  other  deprefling  paflTions, 
have  a  great  tendency  both  to  excite  and  aggravate 
this  difeafe.  The  fame  obfcrvation  holds  with  re- 
gard to  negledt  of  cleanlinefs;  bad  clothing;  the 
want  of  proper  exercife;  confined  air;  unwhole- 
fome 


394  OF    THE    SCL'RVY. 

fomc  food;  or  any  difeafc  which  greatly  weaken* 

the  body,  or  vitiates  the  humours. 

SYMPTOMS. This  difeafc  may  be  known 

hy  unufual  -wearincfs,  heavinefs,  and  difficulty  of 
breathing,  efpccially  after  motion;  rottennefs  of 
the  gums,  which  are  apt  to  bleed  on  the  flightcft 
touch;  a  (linking  breath  ;  frequent  bleeding  at  the 
no(e;  crackling  of  the  joints;  difficulty  of  walk- 
ing; fometimcs  a  fwcliing  and  fometimes  a  falling 
away  of  the  legs,  on  which  there  arc  livid,  yellow, 
or  violet-coloured  fpotsj  the  face  is  generally  of  a 
pale  or  leaden  colour.  As  the  difeafe  advances, 
tfthcr  fymptoms  come  on;  as  rottenncfs  of  the 
teeth,  hemorrhages,  or  difcharges  of  blood  from 
different  parts  of  the  body,  foul  obfliinate  ukers, 
pains  in  various  parts,  efpccialiy  about  the  breaft, 
dry  fcaly  eruptions  all  over  the  body,  &c.  At  laft 
a  wafting  or  heftic  fever  comes  on,  and  the  mifer- 
able  patient  is  ofien  carried  off  by  a  dyfentery,  a 
diarrhoea,  a  dropfy,  the  palfy,  fainting  fits,  or  a 
mortification  of  fome  of  the  bowels. 

CURE. Wc  know  no  way  of  curing  this  dif- 

cafe  but  by  purfuing  a  plan  diredly  oppofite  to  that 
which  brings  it  on.  It  proceeds  from  a  vitiated 
ftate  of  the  humuurs,  occafioned  by  errors  in 
diet,  air,  or  excrcifc;  and  this  cannot  be  removed 
but  by  a  proper  attention  to  tiiefe  important  ar- 
ticles. 

If  the  patient  has  been  obliged  to  breatlie  a  cold, 
damp,  or  confined  air,  he  Jhoukl  be  removed,  as 
foon  as  poffible,  to  a  dry,  open,  and  moderately 
warm  one.  If  there  is  rcjfixi  to  believe  that  thtt 
difeafe  proceeds  from  a  fedeniary  liU",  ar  dcprefling 
paflions,  as  grief,  fear,  &c.  tiic  p^ne.u  muit  take 
daily  as  much  exercife  in  the  open  air  as  he  can 
bear,  and  his  mind  fhould  be  diverted  by  cheerful 
company  and  other  amufeinencs.     Nothing  has  a 

i^rcatcr 


OF    THE    SCURVY.  3ffi 

greater  tendency  cither  to  prevent  or  remove  this 
difeafe,  than  conftant  cheerfulncfs  and  good  hu- 
mour. But  this,  alas!  is  feldom  the  lot  of  perfons 
afflifted  with  the  fcurvy;  they  are  generally  furly, 
peevifh,  and  morofe. 

When  the  fcurvy  has  been  brought  on  by  a  long 
tife  of  faked  provifions,  the  proper  medicine  is  a 
diet  confiding  chiefly  of  frefh  vegetables;  as 
orange:-,  apples,  lemons,  limes^  tamarinds,  water- 
creflt'S,  fcurvy-grafs,  brook-lime,  &c.  The  ufc 
of  thcfe,  with  milk,  pot-herbs,  new  bread,  and 
frefh  beer  or  cyder,  will  fcldom  fail  to  remove  a 
fcurvy  of  this  kind,  if  taken  before  it  be  too  far 
advanced ;  but  to  have  this  effedt,  they  mud  be 
pcrfifted  in  for  a  confiderable  time.  When  frefli 
vegetables  cannot  be  obtained,  pickled  orpreferved 
ones  may  be  ufed  j  and  where  thefe  are  wanting, 
rccourfe  muft  be  had  to  the  chymical  acids.  All 
the  patient's  food  and  drink  fhould  in  this  cafe  be 
Iharpened  wich  cream  of  tartar,  elixir  of  vitriol, 
yinegar,  or  the  fpirit  of  fea-falt. 

Thcfc  things  however  will  more  certainly  pre- 
vent than  cure  the  fcurvy ;  for  which  reafon  fea- 
faring  people,  efpe^ially  on  long  voyages,  ought  to 
lay  in  plenty  of  them.  Cabbages,  onions,  goofe- 
berries,  and  many  other  vegetables,  may  be  kept 
a  long  time  by  pickling,  prefervingj  &cc.  and  when 
thefe  fail,  the  chymical  acids,  recommended  above, 
which  will  keep  for  any  length  of  time,  may  be 
ufed.  We  have  reafon  to  believe,  if  fhips  were 
well  ventilated,  had  good  ftorc  of  fruits,  greens, 
cyder,  &c.  laid  in,  and  if  proper  regard  were  paid 
to  cleanlinefs  and  warmth,  that  failors  would  be 
the  mod  healthy  people  in  the  world,  and  would 
feldom  fufFcr  either  from  the  fcurvy  or  putrid  fevers, 
which  are  fo  fatal  to  that  ufeful  fct  of  men  j  but  it 
is  too  much  the  temper  of  fuch  people  to  defpifc 
all  precaution  s  they  m\\  not  think  of  any  calamity 

till 


3^6  OF   THE    SCURVY. 

till  it  overtakes  thenij  when  it  is  too  late  to  ward 
o£F  the  blow. 

It  muft  indeed  be  owned,  that  many  of  them  have 
it  not  in  their  power  to  make  the  provifion  we  are 
Jpeaking  of;  but  in  this  cafe  it  is  the  duty  of  their 
<;fnployers  to  make  it  for  them ;  and  no  man  ought 
to  engage  in  a  long  voyage  without  having  thefc  ar- 
ttcles  fecured. 

I  have  often  feen  very  extraordinary  cffcfl:s  in 
the  land-fcurvy  from  a  milk  diet.  This  prepa- 
ration of  Nature  is  a  mixture  of  animal  and  vege- 
table  properties,  which  of  all  others  is  the  moft  fit 
for  reftoring  a  decayed  conftitution,  and  removing 
that  particular  acrimony  of  the  humours,  which 
feems  to  conftitute  the  very  effence  of  the  fcurvy, 
and  many  other  difeafes.  But  people  defpifc  this 
^holefome  and  nouriihing  food,  becaufe  it  is  cheap^ 
and  devour  with  greedinefs,  flefh,  and  fermented 
liquors,  while  milk    is  only  deemed  fit  .for  their 

bogs. 

The  mofl  proper  drink  in  the  fcurvy  is  whey  or 
butFter-milk.  When  thefe  cannot  be  had,  found 
cyder,  perry,  or  fpruce-beer,  may  be  ufed.  Wore 
has  likewife  been  found  to  be  a  proper  drink  in  the 
fcurvy,  and  may  be  ufed  at  fea,  as  malt  will  keep 
during  the  longed  voyage.  A  decodtion  of  the 
tops  of  the  fpruce  fir  is  likewife  proper.  It  may 
be  drank  in  the  quantity  of  an  Englifh  pint  twice 
a-day.  Tar-water  may  be  ufed  for  the  fame  pur- 
pofe,  or  decb£tions  of  any  of  the  mild  mucilagi- 
POU8  vegetables;  as  farfaparilla,  marfh-mallow 
toots,  &c.  Infufions  of  the  bitter  plants,  as  ground-  , 
ivy,  the  lefTer  centaury,  marfh-trcfoil,  &c.  arc 
likewife  beneficial.  I  have  feen  the  peafants  in 
lomc  parts  of  Britain  exprefs  the  juice  of  the  laft- 
iTJCntioned  plant,  and  drink  it  with  good  efFeft  in 
thofe  foul  Icorbutic  eruptions  with  which  they  arc 
often  troubled  in  the  Ipring  ieafon, 

Harrow- 


OF   THE   SC'URVr.  39^ 

Harrowgate-water  is  certainly  an  excellent  medi« 
cine  in  the  land-fcurvy.  I  have  often  fcen  patients 
vfho  had  been  reduced  to  the  moll  deplorable  con- 
dition by  this  difeafC)  greatly  relieved  by  drinking 
the  fulphur- water,  and  bathing  in  it.  The  chaly* 
beate-water  may  alfo  be  ufed  with  advantage,  efpe- 
cially  with  a  view  to  brace  the  ftomach  after  drink^^ 
ing  the  fulphur-water,  which,  tliough  it  fharpens 
the  appetite,  never  fails  to  weaken  the  powers  of 
digeftion. 

A  flight  degree  of  fcurvy  may  be  carried  off  By 
frequently  fucking  a  lictle  of  the  juice  of  a  bister 
orange,  or  a  lemon.  When  the  difeafe  afFedts  the 
gums  only,  this  praftice,  if  continued  for  fome 
tinrie,  will  generally  carry  it  off.  We  would  how<- 
ever  recommend  the  bitter  orange  as  greatly  pre-  , 
ferable  to  lemon ;  it  feems  to  be  as  good  a  medi- 
cine, and  is  not  near  fo  hurtful  to  the  ftomach. 
Perhaps  our  own  forrel  may  be  little  inferior  to  ei- 
ther of  them.  ' 

All  kinds  of  fallad  are  good  in  the  fcurvy,  and 
ought  to  be  eaten  very  plentifully,  as  fpinage,  let* 
tuce,  parfley,  celery,  endive,  radifli,  dandelion,  &c. 
It  is  amazing  to  fee  how  foon  frefli  vegetables  in  the 
fpring  cure  the  brute  animals  of  any  fcab  or  foul- 
nefs  which  is  upon  their  (kins.  It  is  reafonable  to 
fiippofe  that  their  efFe£ts  would  be  as  great  upon  the 
human  fpecies,  were  they  ufed  in  proper  quantity 
for  a  fufficient  length  of  time. 

I  have  fometimes  feen  good  efFefbs  in  fcorbutic 
complaints  of  very  long  ftanding,  from  the  ufe  Of 
a  decoflion  of  the  roots  of  water-dock.  It  is  ufually 
made  by  boiling  a  pound  of  the  frefli  root  in  fix 
Englifti  pints  of  water,  till  about  one-third  of  it  be 
confumed.  The  dofe  is  from  half  a  pint  to  a  whole 
pint  of  the  decodlion  every  day.  But  in  all  the 
cafes  where  I  have  feen  it  prove  beneficial,  it  was 
made  much  ftronger>  and  drank  in  larger  quanti- 
ties. 


398        OF    THE    SCROPHULA, 

tics.  The  fafcft  way,  however,  is  for  the  patient  to 
begin  with  fmall  dofes,  and  incrcafe.thcm  both  in 
ftrength  and  quantity  as  he  finds  his  ftonriach  will 
bear  it.  It  muft  be  ufcd  for  a  confiderablc  time. 
I  have  known  fome  take  it  for  many  months,  and 
have  been  told  of  others  who  had  ufed  it  for  feveral 
ycar%j  before  they  were  fenfiblc  of  any  benefit,  but 
who  nevcrthelefs'  were  cured  by  it  at  length. 

The  leprofy,  which  was  fo  common  in  this  coun- 
try long  ago,  feems  to  have  been  near  a- kin  to  the 
fcurvy.  Perhaps  its  appearing  fo  fcldom  now, 
may  be  owing  to  the  inhabitants  of  Britain  eating 
more  vegetable  food  than  formerly,  living  more 
upon  tea,  and  other  diluting  diet,  ufing  lefs  falted 
meat,  being  more  cleanly,  better  lodged  and 
clothed,  &c. — For  the  cure  of  this  difeafe  we  would 
recommend  the  fame  courfe  of  diet  and  medicine 
as  in  the  fcurvy. 

OF  THE  SCROPHULA,  OR  KING'S  £VIL. 

This  difeafe  chiefly  affefts  the  glands,  efpecially 
thofe  of  the  neck.  Children  and  young  perfons  of 
a  fedentary  life  are  very  fubjeft  to  it.  It  is  one  of 
thofe  difeafes  which  may  be  removed  by  proper  re- 
gimen, but  feldom  yields  to  medicine.  The  inha- 
bitants of  cold,  damp,  marlhy  countries  arc  moft 
liable  to  the  fcrophula. 

CAUSES. This   difeafe  may  proceed  from 

a  hereditary  taint,  from  a  fcrophulous  nurfe,  &c. 
Children  who  have  the  misfortune  to  be  born  of 
lickly  parents,  whofe  conftitutions  have  been  greatly 
injured  by  the  pox,  or  other  chronic  difeafes,  arc 
apt  to  be  affefted  with  the  fcrophula.  It  may  like- 
wife  proceed  from  fuch  difeafes  as  weaken  the  ha- 
bit or  vitiate  the  humours,  as  the  fi-liall-pox, 
mcafles,  &c.  External  injuries,  as  blows,  bruifes, 
and  the  like,  fometimes  produce  fcrophulous  uU 

1 2  CCrs  ; 


OR    KING'S    EVIL.  J99 

ccfs;  but  we  have  reafon  to  believe,  when  this 
happens,  that  there  has  been  a  predifpofition  ki 
the  habit  to  this  difeafe.  In  (hort,  whatever  tends 
to  vitiate  the  hunnours  or  relax  the  folids,  paves 
the  way  to  the  fcrophula;  as  the  want  of  proper 
exercife,  too  much  heat  or  cold,  confined  air,  un- 
wholefome  food,  bad  water,  the  long  ufc  of  poor, 
weak,  watery  aliments,  the  negled  of  cleanlinefs, 
&c.  Nothing  tends  jnore  to  induce  this  difeafe  in 
children  than  allowing  them  to  continue  long 
wet*. 

SYMPTOMS. At  firft  fmall  knots  appear 

under  the  chin  or  behind  the  ears,  which  graduall/ 
increafc  in  number  and  fize,  till  they  form  one  large 
hard  tumour.  This  often  continues  for  a  Ipng 
lime  without  breaking,  and  when  it  does  break, 
it  only  difcharges  a  thin/^ww,  or  watery  humour. 
Other  parts  of  the  body  are  likewife  liable  to  its 
attack,  as  the  arm-pits,  groins,  feet,  hands,  eyes, 
breads,  &c.  Nor  are  the  internal  parts  exempt 
from  it.  It  often  affefts  the  lungs,  liver,  or  fplecn; 
and  I  have  frequently  fe^n  the  glands  of  the  my* 
fernery  greatly  enlarged  by  it. 

Thole  obftinate  ulcers  which  break  out  upon  the 
feet  and  hands  with  Iweliing,  and  little  or  no  red- 
nets,  are  of  the  fcropliulous  kind.  They  feldom 
difcharge  gcod  mattrr,  and  are  exceedingly  difficult 
to  cure.  The  ivhite  fix;^llings  of  the  joints  fecm 
likewife  to  be  of  this  kind.  They  are  with  diSi- 
culty  brought  to  a  fuppuration,  and  when  opened 
they  only  dilcharge  a  thin  ichor.  There  is  not-a 
more  general  fyinptom  of  the  fcrophula  than  a 
TwcJling  of  the  upper  lip  and  nofe, 

*  The  fcrophula,  as  well  as  the  rickets^  is  found  \6  prevail  in 
1  Tge  nunufa^uring  lowns,  where  people  live  grofs,  and  lead 
i'cUentary  lives. 

REGI- 


406       6^  TttE    SCROPHULA, 

REGIMEN. As  this  difeafc  proceeds,  mi 

ttrtfat  mCafilrc,  from  relaxation,  the  diet  ought  to 
be"generous  and  nourifhing,  but  at  the  fame  tiiiie 

light  and  of  eafy  digeftionj  as  well -fermented 
bread,  made  of  found  grain,  the  fielh'and  broth  of 
^oudg  animals,  wich  nbw  and  then  a  glafs  of  geae- 
rous  wine,  or  good  ale.  The  air  ought  to  be  opcn^ 
dry,  and  not  too  cold,  atid  the  patient  Ihould  take 
'ta  much  exercife  as  he  cab  bear.  This  is  of  the  ut- 
'(ttbft  impbrtanCe.  Children  who  have  fufficient 
exercife  are  fcldom  troubled  with  the  fcrophula, 

_^  MEDICINE.—^ — The  vulgar  are  remarfcablf 
"cftduldus  with  regard  to  the  cure  of  the  fcrophulSf 
insny  of  them  believing  in  the  virtue  of  the  royal 
'touch,  that  of  the  feventh  fon,  &c.  The  truth  is, 
we  know  but  little  cither  of  t1ie  nature  or  ciJrc  of 
this  difeafe,  and  where  reafon  or  medicines  fail, 
■ftiperftition  always  comes  in  their  place.  Hence 
it  is,  that  in  difeafes  which  are  the  mod  difficult  to 
underftand,  wc  gcnerally'hear  of  the  greateftnum- 
ber  of  mir'aculous  cures  being  performed.  Here, 
however,  the  deception  is  eafily  accounted  for.  The 
fcrophula,  at  a  certain  period  of  life,  often  cures 
of  itfclf ;  and,  if  the  patient  happens  to  be  touched 
about  this  time,  the  cure  is  imputed  to  the  touch, 
and  not  to  Nature,  who  is  really  the  phyfician.  In 
the  fame  way  the  infigniBcant  nofl'rums  of  quacks 
and  old  women  often  gain  applaufe  when  they  de- 
ferve  none. 

There  is  nothing  more  pernicious  than  the  cuftom 
of  plying  children  in  the  fcrophula  with  ftrong  pur- 
gative medicines.  People  imagine  it  proceeds  from 
humours  which  muft  be  purged  off,  without  con- 
fidering  that  thcfe  purgatives  increafe  the  debility 
.and  aggravate  the  difeafe.  It  has  indeed  been 
'found,  'that  keeping  the  body  gently  open  for  fome 
tithe,  efpecially  with  fea-water,  has  a  good  effeftj 
~  but 


■■•*^, 


OR   KING'S   EVIL.  40t 

but  this  (hould  only  be  given  in  grofs  habits^  and 
in  fuch  quantity  as  to  procure  one,  or  at  moft  two 
ftools  every  day. 

Bathing  in  the  fait  water  has  likewife  a  very 
good  efFcdt,  efpecially  in  the  warm  feafon*  I 
have  often  known  a  courfe  of  bathing  in  fait  water, 
and  drinking  it  in  fuch  quantities  as  to  keep  the 
body  gently  open,  cure  a  fcrophula>  after  many 
other  medicines  had  been  tried  in  vain.  When 
fait  water  cannot  be  obtained,  the  patierit  may  be 
bathed  in  frclh  water,  and  his  body  kept  open  by 
fmall  quantities  of  fait  and  water,  or  fame  other 
mild  purgative. 

Next  to  cold  bathing,  and  drinking  the  falt- 
water,  we  would  recommend  the  Peruvian  bark. 
The  cold  bath  may  be  ufed  in  fummer,  and  the 
bark  in  winter.  To  an  adult  half  a  drachm  of 
the  bark  in  powder  may. be  given  in  a  glafs  of  red 
wine  four  or  five  times  a-day.  Children,  and  fuch 
as  cannot  take  it  in  fubftance,  may  ufe  the  decoc- 
tion made  in  the  following  manner: 

Boil  an  ounce  of  Peruvian  bark  and  a  drachm  of 
Winter's  bark,  both  grofsly  powdered,  in  an  Eng- 
lifh  quart  of  water  to  a  pint:  towards  the  end  half 
an  ounce  of  diced  liquoricc-root,  and  a  handful  df 
raifins  may  be  added,  which  will  both  render  the 
decoAion  lefs  difagreeable,  and  make  it  take  up 
more  of  the  bark.  The  liquor  muft  be  ftrained, 
and  two,  three,  or  four  table-fpoonfuls,  accord- 
ing to  the  age  of  the  patient,  given  three  times 
a-day. 

The  Moffat  and  Harrowgate  waters,  efpecfally 
the  latter,  are  likewife  v^ry  proper  medicines  in 
the  fcrophula.  They  ought  not  however  to  be  drank 
in  large  quantities,  but  (hould  be  taken  fo  as  to 
keep  the  body  gently  open,  and  muft  be  ufed  for 
a  confiderable  time. 

D  d  The 


401    OF   THE  SCROPHULA,  ^t. 

The  hemlock  may  fometimes  be  ufed  with  ad- 
vantage in  the  fcrophula.  Sonne  lay  it  down  as  a 
general  rule,  that  the  fea-water  is  moft  proper  be- 
fore there  are  any  fiippuraiion  or  fymptoms  of 
tabes-,  the  Peruvian  bark,  when  there  are  running 
fores,  and  a  degree  of  hc^ic  fever  i  and  the  hetn- 
lock  in  old  inveterate  cafes,  approaching  to  the 
fcirrhous  or  cancerous  ftate.  Either  the  cxiraft  or 
the  frelh  juice  of  this  plant  may  be  ufed.  The 
dbfe  mud  be  fmall  at  Brft,  and  increaled  gradually 
a»far  as  the  ftomach  is  able  to  beai  it. 

External  applications  are  of  little  ufc.  Before 
the  tumour  breaks,  nothing  ought  to  be  applied  to 
it,  unlefs  a  piece  of  flannel,  or  fomething  to  keep 
it  warm.  After  it  breaks,  the  fore  may  be  dreJTed 
with  fome  dlgeftive  ointment.  What  I  have  aU 
ways  found  to  anfwer  bed',  was  the  yellow  balilicoo 
mixed  with  about  a  fixth  or  eighth  part  of  its 
weight  of  red  precipitate  of  mercury.  The  fore 
may  be  drcfled  with  this  twice  a-dayj  and  if  it  be 
very  fungous,  and  does  not  digcft  well,  a  largar 
proportion  of  the  precipitate  may  be  added. 

Medicines  which  mitigate  this  difeafe,  though 
they  do  not  cure  it,  are  not  to  be  depifed.  if  the 
patient  can  be  kept  tllive  by'  any  means  till  he  ar- 
rives at  the  age  of  puberty,  he  has  a  great  chance 
to  get  well ;  but  if  he  does  not  recover  at  thJt 
time,  in  all  probability  he  never  will. 

There  is  no  malady  which  parents  are  fo  ape  ta 
communicate  to  their  offspring  as  the  fcrophula, 
for  which  rcafon  people  ought  to  beware  of  mar* 
rying  into  families  affcded  with  this  difeafe. 

For  the  means  of  preventing  the  fcrophula,  we 
TTiuft  refer  the  reader  to  the  oWcrvacions  on  tnn-fing» 
« the  beginning  of  the  book,  '  "> 


eJV; 


I  403  1      ■       •  --f 


. .     <  1     ■  -     . 


OF    THE    ITCH* 

Though  this  difcafc  is  commonly  communicated 
by  infedtion,  yet  it  feldom  prevails  wjjiere  due  re- 
gard is  paid  to  cieanlincfs,  freih  air,  and  whole^^; 
fome  diet.  It  generally  appears  in  form  of  fmall 
watery  pu(lules>  firft  about  the  wrifts,  or  between 
tfhe  Bngers;  afterwards  it  afiedts  the  arms^^legaj 
thighs,  &c.  Thefe  puftules  are  attended  with  m 
intolerable  itching,  efpecially  when  the  patient  is 
warm  a- bed,  or  fits  by  the  fire*  Sometimes  indeed 
the  fkin  is  covered  with  large  blotches  or  fcabsj 
and  at  other  times  with  a  white  fcurf>  or  fcaly  erup^ 
tion.  This  laft  is  called  the  dry  itchj  and  i&' the 
moflt  difficult  to  cure« 

The  itch  is  feldom  a  dangerous  difeafe,  unlefs 
when  it  is  rendered  fo  by  negleA,  or  improper 
treatment.  If  it  be  fufFered  to  continue  too  loog, 
il  may  vitiate  the  whole  mafs  of  humoursi  and,  if 
it  be  fuddenly  drove  in,  without  proper  evacua* 
tions,  it  may  occafion  fevers,  inflammations  of  the 
vifcera,  or  other  internal  diforders. 

The  bcft  medicine  yet  known  for  the  itch  ia 
fulphur,  which  ought  to  be  ufed  both  externally 
and  internally.  The  parts  mod  affe6ted  may  be 
rubbed  with  an  ointment  made  of  the  flowers  of 
fulphur,  two  ounces;  crude  fal  ammoniac  finely 
powdered  two  drachms;  hog's  lard,. or  butter,  four 
ounces^  If  a  fcruplc  or  half  a  drachm  of  the  ef- 
fence  of  lemon  be  added,  it  will  entirely  take  away 
the  difagreeablc  fmell.  About  the  bulk  of  a  nut- 
rncg  of  this  may  be  rubbed  upon  the  extremities  at 
bed- time  twice  or  thrice  a- week.  It  is  feldom  nc- 
ceflary  to  rub  the  whole  body;  but  when  it  is,  It 
ought  not  to  be  done  all  at  once,  but  by  turns^  as 

Dd  2  iP 


J 


404  OF    THE    ITCH. 

ic  is  dangerous  to  Hop  too  many  pores  at  the  fame 
time. 

Before  the  patient  begins  to  ufc  the  ointment>  he 
ought,  if  he  be  of  a  full  habit,  to  bleed  or  taka 
a  purge  or  two.  It  will  likewife  be  proper,  during 
the  ufe  of  k,  to  take  every  night  and  morning  as 
much  of  the  flower  of  brimftone  and  cream  of  tar* 
t^r,  in  a  little  treacle  or  new  milk,  as  will  keep 
the  body  gently  open.  He  fhould  beware  of  catch- 
ing cold,  ihould  wear  more  clothes  than  ufual^  and 
take  every  thing  warm.  The  fame  clothes,  the 
linen  excepted,  ought  to  be  worn  all  thetioieof 
tjfing  the  ointment;  and  fuch  clothes  as  have 
been  worn  while  the  patient  was  under  the  dif- 
\!afe,  are  not  to  be  ufed  again,  unlefs  they*  have 
been  fumigated  with  brimftone,  and  thoroughly 
cleaned,  otherwife  they  will  communicate  the  infec- 
tion anew*. 

I  never  knew  brimftone,  when  ufed  as  directed 
above,  fail  to  cure  the  itch ;  and  I  have  reafon  to 
believe,  that,  if  duly  pcrlifted  in,  it  never  will 
fail;  but  if  it  be  only  ufed  once  or  twice,  and  clcan- 
lincfsTiegleAed,  it  is  no  wonder  if  the  diibrder  re- 
turns. The  quantity  of  ointment  mentioned  above 
will  generally  be  fufficient  for  the  cure  of  one  pcr- 
fODi  but,  if  any  fymptoms  of  the  difeafe  ihould  ap- 
pear again,  the  medicine  may  be  repeated.  It  is 
both  more  fafe  and  efficacious  when  perfifted  in  for 
a  coDnderable  time,  than  when  a  large  quantity  is 
applied  at  once.     As  moft  people  diflike  the  fmell 

'  *  Snr  John  Pringlc  obfcrvci  that,  thoug:h  this  difeafe  mwj 
ii^m  triBmg^  there  i«  no  one  in  the  army  chat  is  more  trouble- 
i^me  to  cure^  as  the  infedion  often  lurks  in  clothes,  &c.  and 
bnraks  out  a  fecond,  or  even  a  third  time.  The  fame  iuconVt- 
niency  occurs  in  private  families,  unlefs  particnltr  regard  is 
pgtt)  ID  the  chapigiog  or  cleaning  of  thair  clotheay  wkkb  kU  ia 
kjf  no  Aicani  4a  eafy  opeiaiioii* 


OF   THE    ITCH.  405 

of  fulphur,  they  may  ufe  in  its  place  the  powder 
of  white  hellebore  root  made  up  into  an  ointmentj 
•in  the  fame  manner,  which  will  feldom  fall  to  cure 
the  itch. 

People  ought  to  be  extremely  cautious  left  they 
take  other  eruptions  for  the  itch;  as  the  ftoppage  of 
thefe  may  be  attended  with  fatal  confequences. 
Many  of  the  eruptive  diforders  to  which  children 
are  liable,  have  a  near  refemblance  to  this  difeafe; 
and  I  have  often  known  infants  killed  by  being  rub-* 
bed  with  greafy  ointments  that  made  thefe  erup- 
tions ftrike  fuddenly  in,  which  Nature  had  thrown 
out  to  prefcrve  the  patient's  life,  or  prevent  fome 
oth^  malady. 

Much  mifchief  is  likewife  done  by  the  ufe  of 

« 

mercury  in  this  difcafc.  Some  perfons  are  fo  fool- 
hardy as  to  wafti  the  parts  affedted  with  a  ftrong  fo^ 
lution  of  the  corrofive  fublimate.  Others  ufe  the 
mercurial  ointment,  without  taking  the  leaft  care 
cither  to  avoid  cold,  keep  the  body  open,  or  ob- 
ferve  a  proper  regimen.  The  confequences  of  fuch 
conduA  may  be  eafily  gueffed.  I  have  known 
even  the  mercurial  girdles  produce  bad  cfFefts,  and 
would  advife  every  perfon,  as  he  values  his  health, 
to  beware  how  he  ufes  them.  Mercury  ought  ne- 
ver to  be  ufed  as  a  n>edicine  without  the  greatell 
care.  Ignorant  people  look  upon  thefe  girdles  as 
a  kind  of  charm,  without  confidcring  that  the  mer- 
cury enters  the  body.  v- 

It  is  not  to  be  told  what  mifchief  is  done  by  ufing 
mercurial  ointment  for  curing  the  itch  and  killing 
vermin  ;  yet  it  is  unneceffary  for  either :  the  former 
may  be  always  more  certainly  cured  by  fulphur, 
and  the  latter  will  never  be  found  where  due  re- 
gard is  paid  to  cleanlinefs. 

Thofe  who  would  avoid  this  deteftable  difeafe 
ought    to    beware    of    infefted    perfons,    to    ufe 

D  d  3  fvholefomc 


46fi  OP  THE   ASTHMA. 

ti^blerome  food,   and  to  ftudy  univerfal  cleahlU 
ncfs*^ 


i<  ■> 


•mmm 


*       ■< 


ii 


CHAP.    XL. 

■     -  < 

OF  THE  Asthma. 

;t  *  ■ 

•  (■         . 

fT  H  E  afthma  is  a  difeafc  of  the  lungs,  which 

*  '  fcldonn  admits  of  a  cure.  Perfons  in  the  de- 
ciihc  of  life  are  rrioft  liable  to  it.  It  is  diftinguilhed 
into  the  moift  and  dry,  or  humoural  and  nervous. 
The  former  is  attended  with  expeftoration  orTpit- 
tiog;  but  in  the  latter  the  patient  feldom  fpits, 
lihl^fs  fohie times  a  little  tough  phlegm  by  the  mere 
fpfcc  of  coughing. 

CAUSES. The  afthma  is  fometimes  bci-ed}- 

tiYy.  It  may  likewife  proceed  from  a  bad  fo^mi^ 
tion  of  the  bread;  the  fumes  of  metals  or  minerals 
tfaken  into  the  lungs;  violent  exercife,  efpechUf 
running ;  the  obftru6lion  of  cuftomary  evacuations^ 
as  the  mcnfes,  haemorrhoids,  &c.  the  fudden  ^e- 
troccffion  of  the  gout,  or  ftriking  in  of  eruptions, 
ai  the  fmall-pox,  meafles,  &c.  violent  piflibns  of 
the  mind,  as  fuddcn  fear  or  furprife.  Jn  a  wdird, 
jfhli  difeafe  may  proceed  from  any  caufethat  eiflicr 
jinpedes  the  circulation  of  ^he  blood  through  the 

' '  ♦  The  itch  is  now  by  clcanlinefs  banifhed  from  every  geirte^ 
hpAly  in  BriilMi.  It  ftilf  however  prevails  among  che^|K)b»er 
finrt  of  peaAnts  in  i)COtland,  and  amoog  the  maaofadlttfer^jiv 
EgjgJaod,  Thefe  are  oot  only  fufficieot  to  keep  ckp  fee^f.Qf  ti|^ 
oiieaie  aHv^  but  to  fpread  the  infe£tion  among  others.  It' we^ 
t6'WviaSnied  tliat  fome  effe^ual  method  could  be  devifetl'ftrre^ 
tIrpAtiitg  ie-ttit^jiether.  "Several  eoiuii try  clergymen  b^bnnrfl 
|P«t»^h»t  by.  getting  fiich  as  were  infeded  cured*  atd  An^f^lvirt^ 
^mmendiQg  s^i.  attj^ntioo  to  cjeanlliiers.  they  have  banlihedrtK^ 
HcK'  eptvely  but  of  their  jpariihes.     Why  might  not  oth^a  go 

"^  ■  '•  lungs. 


:r<., 


OF   THE   ASTHMA.  407 

longs,  or  prevents  their  being  dulj, expanded  by 
the  air. 

SYMPTOMS. An   afthma   is  known  by  a 

quick  laborious  breathing,  which  is  generally  per- 
formed with  a  kind  of  wheezing  noife.  Sometimes 
the  difficulty  of  breathing  is  fo  great,  that  the  pa- 
tient is  obliged  to  keep  in  an  ereft  pofturc,  other- 
wife  he  is  in  danger  of  being  fufFocated.  A  fit  or 
paroxyfm  of  the  afthma  generally  happens  after  a 
perfon  has  been  expo  fed  to  cold  eafterly  winds,  Qjr 
has  been  abroad  in  thick  foggy  weather,  or  has  g(it 
wet,  or  continued  long  in  a  damp  plaee  under 
ground,  or  has  taken  fome  food  which  the  ftoma9h 
could  not  digeft,  as  paftries,  toafted  cheefe,  or  tb^ 
Jike. 

The  paroxyfm  is  commonly  ufhercd  in  wiih  lift-^ 
leflhefs,  want  of  fleep,  hoarfenefs,  a  cough,  belch^ 
ing  of  wind,  a  fenfe  of  heavinefs  about  the  breaft, 
and  difficulty  of  breathing.  To  thefe  fucceed  heat^ 
fever,  pain  of  the  head^  ficknefs  ^nd  naufea,  great. 
oppreiTion  of  the  breaft,  palpitation  pf  theheartj^  a 
weak  and  fometimes  intermitting  pulfe,  an  invo- 
luntary Bow  of  tears,  bilious  vomitings,  &c.  All 
the  fymptoms  grow  worfc  towards  nighty  the  pa- 
tient is  eafier  when  up  than  in  bed,  and  is  very  der 
firous  of  cool  air. 

REGIMEN. The  food  ought  to  be  light,  an4 

of  eafy  digeftion.  Boiled  meats  are  to  be  preferred 
to  roaftecC  and  the  flefh  of  young  animals  to  that  of 
old.  All  windy  food,  and  whatever  is  apt  tofwicll 
in  the  ftomach,  is  to  be  avoided.  Light  puddings» 
white  broths,  and  ripe  fruits  baked,  boiled,  or 
roafted,  are  proper.  Strong  liquors  of  all  kinds> 
efpecially  malt.liquor^  are  hurtful.  The  patieoc 
ihould  eat  a  very  light  fupper,  or  rathernooe  ac 
all,  and  fhould  never  fuflfer  himfelf  to  be  Jong 
coftive.  His  clothing  (hould  be  warm,  ttpcthllf 
in  the  winter-feafon.     As  all  diforders  of  th^  breaft 

D  d  4  are 


4^03  OF.  THE   ASTHMa. 

mych  re]ievc4i  by  keeping  the  feet  warm,  sind  pro* 
mpting  the  perfpiration,  a  flannel  (hire  or  waiftcoar, 
and  tbifck  ihotf^  will  be  of  lingular  fervice. 

•  Buc  noching  is  of  io  great  importance  in  the 
^hrx^a  as  pure  and  nrK)deracely  warm  air.  Afth-* 
ii^^cic  people  can  feldom  bear  either  the  clofe  beav^ 
air  of  a  large  town^  or  the  (harp^  keen  atoiofphere 
qf  a  bleak  hilly  country  i  a  medium  therefore  be-* 
(ween  thefe  is  to  be  chofen.  The  air  near  a  large 
€pwn  is  often  better  than  at  a  diilance,  provided 
ft^c  pactient  be  removed  fo  far  as  not  to  be  affeded 
l)y  the  fmoke.  Some  afthmatic  patients  indeed 
l^eatheeafier  in  town  than  in  the  country  i  but  this 
if  fjddoip  the  cafe^  efpecially  in  towns  where  much 
coajl  is  burnt.  Althmatic  perfons  who  are  obliged 
ta  be  in  town  all  day>  ought  at  lead  to  deep  out  of 
it.  Even  this  will  often  prove  of  great  fervicc* 
Tl^fe  who  Can  afford  it  ought  to  travel  into  a 
warmer  climate.  Many  afthmanc  perfons  who  can* 
npt  live  in  Britain^  enjoy  very  good  health  in  the 
fouth  of  France,  Portugal,  Spain,  or  Italy. 

Exercife  is  likewife  of  very  great  importance  io 
the  afthma,  as  it  promotes  the  digeftion,  prepara-* 
tiQii  of  the  blood,  &^c.  The  blood  of  aflhmatic 
perfons  is  feldom  duly  prepared,  owing  to  the  pro- 
per adtion  of  the  lungs  being  impeded.  For  this 
fc^pn  fuch  p(;ople  ought  daily  to  take  as  much  ex^ 
erciie,  either  on  foot,  horfeback,  or  in  a  carriage,^ 
asjhcy  can  bear. 

..MEDICINE. Almoft  all  that  can  be  done 

by  medicine  in  this  difeafe,  is  to  relieve  the  patient 
when  fcized  with  a  violent  fie.  This  indeed  re- 
quires the  greateft  expedition,  'as  the  difeafe  ofteq 
proves  fuddcnly  fatal.  In  the  paroxyfm  or  fit,  the 
pody  is  generally  bound ;  a  purging  clyfter,  with, 
a  foiution  of  afafcetida,  ought  therefore  to.  be  ad-* 
iTiiDiflered,  and  if  there  be  occafion,  it  may  be  rc^ 
p^^ted  two  or  three  tirpc^.    Ihe  patient's  feet  and 

Jegs 


OF    THE    ASTHMA.  409 

legs  ought  to  b^  immerfed  in  warm  water,  and  af* 
tcrwards  rubbed  with  a  warm  hand,  or  dry  cloth« 
Bleeding,    unlefs  extreme    weaknefs    or    old  age 
Ihould  forbid  it,    is  highly  proper.     If  there  be  a 
violent  fpafm  about  the  bread  or  ftomach,    warm 
fomentations,  or  bladders  Blled  with  warm  milk  and 
water,   may   be   applied  to  the  part  affefted,  arid 
warm  cataplafms  to  the  foles  of  the  feet.     The  pa!^^ 
ticnt  muft  drink  freely  of  diluting  liquors,  and  majr' 
take  a  rea-fpoonful  of  the  tindure  of  caftor  and  <)f 
faffron  mixed  together,  in  a  cup  of  valerian^tciV 
twice  or  thrice  a-day.    Sometimes  a  vomit  has  *] 
very  good  efFeft,   and  fnatches   the  patient,   as  rf 
were,  from  the  jaws  of  death.     This  however  will 
be  more  fafc  after  other  evacuations  have  been  pre- 
mifed.     A  very  ftrong  infufion  of  roafted  coffee  h 
faid  to  give  eafe  in  an  afthmatic  paroxyfm. 

In  the  moid  afthma,  fuch  things  as  promote  ex- 
pedoration  or  fpitcing  ought  to  be  ufed;  as  the  fy-"" 
rup  of  fquills,  gum  ammoniac,  and  fuch  like.  A 
common  fpoonful  of  the  fyrup,  or  oxymcl  of  fquills, 
mixed  with  an  equal  quantity  of  cinnamon-water, 
may  be  taken  three  or  four  times  through  the  day, 
and  four  or  five  pills,  made  of  equal  parts  of  aHt* 
foetida  and  gum-ammoniac,  at  bed-time*. 

For  the  convulfivc  or  nervous  afthma,  antifpaf-- 
modics  and  bracers  are  the  moft  proper  medicinesi' 
The^ticiit  may  take  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the  parego- 
ric: elixir  twice  a-day.  The  Peruvian  bark  is  fome- 
times  found  to  be  of  ufc  in  this  cafe.  It  may  be 
taken  in  fubftance,  or  infuled  in  wine.     In  fhorti' 


\'' 


*  After  copious  cvacuatioM,  large  dofes  of  sther  have  been 
found  \try  e^cacious  in  removing  a  fit  of  the  a  ft  km  a.  1  bavt 
likewife  known  the  following  niixture  produce  very  happy  effe^s: ' 
To  four  or  five  ounces  of  the  folution  of  gum -ammoniac  add  two 
oonces  of  (impte  cinnamon -water,  the  fame  ^aantity  of  balfattiic 
fympy  and  half  an  ounce  of  the  paregoric  elixir.  Of  tUs  tMrO 
$^ie«ipooafuh  may  be  taken  every  three  hourt • 

every 


4IO        OF   THE    APOPLEXY. 

every  thing  that  braces  the  nerves,  or  takes  off 
fpafm,  may  be  of  ufe  in  a  nervous  afthma.  It  is 
CMcen  relieved  by  the  ufe  of  afles  milk  ;  I  have  like- 
wife  known  cow&  milk  drank  warm  in  the  morning 
have  a  very  good  elfed  in  this  cafe. 

In  every  fpecies  of  afthma,,  fetons  and  iffues  have 
m.good  effect;  they  may  cither  be  fct  in  the  back  or 
fide,  and  fhould  never  be  allowed  to  dry  up.  We 
iball  here,  once  for  all,  obferve,  that  not  only  in 
the  afthma,  but  in  moft  chropic  difeafes,  iflfuesare 
extremely  proper.  They  are  both  a  fafe  and  effi* 
g$m:]ou8  remedy ;  and  though  they  do  not  always 
cure  the  difeafe,  yet  they  will  often  prolong  the  pa« 
tiieot'a  life. 


r 


CHAP.    XLI. 

OF   THE    APOPLEXY, 

•T^  HE  apoplexy  is  a  fudden  lofs  of  (tnCt  and^mo,** 
''^  tion,  wherein  the  patient  is  to  all  appe:aranc9 
deadi  the  heart  and  lungs  however  ftill  continue  C)Q 
n^QYC^  Though  this  difeafe  proves  often  facal^.yet 
it  may  fometimes  be  removed  by  proper  care.  It 
chiefly  attacks  fedentary  pcrfons  of  a  grofs  habjt^ 
who  ufe.  a  rich  and  plentiful  diet,  and  .indulge;,  jfii 
flrong  liquors.  People  in  the  decline  of  life,  ixt; 
inoft  fubjeft  to  the  apoplexy.  It  prevails  moft  in 
winter,  efjpecially  in  rainy  feafons,  and  very  Id w 
ftates  of  the  barometer. 

CAUSES.-r-Thc  immediate  caufe  of  ah  apj^;: 
pleixy  is  a  compreffion  of  the  brain,  occafioaed  by 
•ft  cxcefs  of  blood,  or  a  colleclion  of  watery*  liua* 
nours/   The  former  is  called  a /nif^V,  ahc}  tliS 

latter 


tft. 


OF    THE   A  POP  LEX  t:         4Yt 

latter  ^/erous  apoplexy.     It  may  be  occiRtintd  by 
any  thing  that  increafes  the  circulatioi>  towardisl  thii' 
brain,  or  prevems  the  return  of  the  blood  frbhi  tlie 
head;  as  intenfe  ftudy  5  ▼iolenr  paffions * ;  viewitt^ 
objedts   for  a  long  time  obliquely;  wearing  any' 
thing  too  tight  about  the  neck;  a  rich  and%xuri- 
ous  dieti  fuppneffion  of  urine;  foflFering  tlie  body^ 
to  cool  fuddcnly  after  having  been  greatly  heated  j- 
continuing  long  in  a  warm  or  a  cold  btthi  the  exi 
ceffivcufc  of  fpiceries,  or  high^feafoned  fobd^'CX-i^* 
ccfs  of  vencry ;   the  fudden  ftriking  in  6f  atify  trtij[y«^ 
tion  f  foffcring  iffues,  feiions,  &c.  fuddenly  wdry' 
ffpl^or  the  (boppage  of  any  cuftomary  evacuitiort  f 
a  mercurial  falivation  pufhcd  too  far,  or  Yudderiiy^' 
checked  by  cold;  wounds  or  bruifes  on  the  head; 
long  expofurc  to  cxceflivc  cold  5  poifonous  exhala- 
tions, &c» 

SYMPTOMS,    and  method  of  cure. The 

ufual  forerunners  of  an  apoplexy  arc  giddinefs,  pain 
and  fwimming  of  the  head  ;  lofs  of  memory;  drow- 
finefs;  noifc  in  the  ears;  the  Dight'^mare;^  a  fpon* 
taneous  flux  of  tears,  and  laborious  refpiration. 
When  perfons  of  an  apopleftic  make  obfervc  thgf^ 
fymptoms,  they  have  reafon  to  fear theapproach 4f 
a  fit*,  arid  Ihould  endeavour  tb  prcVent  it  by  bleed* 
Ittgi  a  flender  diet,  and  opening  medicines. 
'  In  difc  fanguihe  apoplexy,  if  the  patient  does  not 
die  fuddcnly,  the  countenance  appears  florid,  the 
fae^is  fweHed  or  puffed  up,  and  the  blood- vdTels, 
efpccially  about  the  neck  and  temples,  ate  turgid  ^ 
tht  pulfe  beats  ftrqng;  the  eyes  are  promidentand 

,v^  I  knew  a.  womafi  who  In  a  violent  fit  ^f  anger 'was  fti\B6d 
with  a  fanguine  apoplexy.  She  at  firft  compltlncd  of  gietf  n^ 
pa^in,  asifila^gtri  bad  betn  tbrufi  through  ber  hfad^,ZA  ihe^x* 
pr^fT^d  it.  Aherwa^s  ihe  became  comatofe,  her  pul(e  funk  very 
loUr,  arid  was  exceeding  flow»  By  bleeding;  blifbrin^,  iind.dthW 
eYfM:uacioo8,  ihe  was  Rept  alive  for  about  a  forcaight.  Wbta 
faer  head  was  opened,  t  large  quantity  of  cxSJ?avai^ted  bjp^d  w^ 
found  in  the  left  ventricle  of  the  brain. 

fixed. 


4T2         OF    THE    APOPLEXY. 

fixed,  and  the  breathing  is  difficult,  and  performed 
with  a  fnorting  noife.  The  excrements  and  urine 
are  often  voided  fpontaneoufly,  and  the  patient  is 
fometimes  feized  with  vomiting. 

In  this  fpecies  of  apoplexy  every  method  muft  be 
taken  to  kllen  the  force  of  the  circulation  towards 
the  head.  The  patient  fliould  be  kept  perfcftly 
cafy  and  cool.  His  head  (hould  be  raifed  pretty 
lligh,  and  his  feet  fuflPered  to  hang  down.  His 
clothes  ought  to  be  loofened,  cfpecially  about  the 
neck,  and  frefh  air  admitted  into  his  chamber. 
His  garters  fhould  be  tied  pretty  tight,  by  which 
means  the  motion  of  the  blood  from  the  lower  en^ 
tremities  will  be  retarded.  As  foon  as  the  patient 
is  placed  in  a  proper  pofture,  he  fhould  be  bled 
freely  in  the  neck  or  arm,  and,  if  there  be  occafion, 
the  operation  may  be  repeated  in  two  or  three  hours. 
A  laxative  clyfter,  with  plenty  of  fweet  oil,  pr  frefh 
butter,  and  a  fpoonful  or  two  of  common  fait  in 
it,  may  be  adminiftercd  every  two  hours ;  and  blif- 
tering- pi  afters  applied  between  the  fhoulders,  and 
to-the  calves  of  the  legs. 

As  foon  as  the  fymptoms  are  a  little  abated,  and 
the  patient  is  able  to  fwj^Uow,  he  ought  to  drink 
freely  of  fome  diluting  opening  liquor,  as  a  decoc- 
tion of  tamarinds  and  liquorice,  cream-tartar-whey, 
or  common  whey  with  cream  of  tartar  dilTolved  in 
i(.  Or  he  may  take  any  cooling  purge,  as  Glau- 
ber*8  falts,  manna  diflblved  in  an  infufion  of  ienna, 
pr  the  like.  All  fpirits  and  other  ftrong  liquors  are 
to  be  avoided.  Even  volatile  falts  held  to  the 
nofe  do  mifchief.  Vomits>  for  the  fame  reafon, 
ought  not  to  be  given,  nor  any  thing  that  may  in- 
Creife  the  motion  of  the  blood  to\Vards  the  head. 

Jn  the  ferous  apoplexy,  the  fymptoms  are  nearly 
the  fanne,  only  thepulfc  is  not  fo  Itrong,  the  coun- 
tenance is  lefs  florid,  and  the  breathing  lefs  difiicult. 
Bleeding  is  not  fo  neceffary  here  as  in  the  former 

cafe* 


OF    THE    APOPLEXY.        413 

cafe.  It  may  however  generally  be  performed  once 
with  fafety  and  advantage,  but  fhould  not  be  re- 
peated. The  patient  Ihould  be  placed  in  the  fame 
pofture  as  direfted  above,  and  Ihould  have  blifter- 
ing-plafters  applied,  and  receive  opening  clyfters  in 
the  fame  manner.  Purges  here  are  likewife  neccf- 
fary,  and  the  patient  may  drink  ftrong  balm-tea. 
If  he  be  inclined  to  fweat,  it  ought  to  be  promoted 
by  drinking  fmall  wine-whey,  or  an  infufion  of  car- 
duus  benediftus.  A  plentiful  fweat  kept  up  for  a 
confiderable  time  has  often  carried  off  a  feroQs 
apoplexy. 

When  apoplcAic  fymptoms  proceed  from  opianUi 
or  other  narcotic  fubftanccs  taken  into  theftomadi, 
vomits  are  neceffary.  The  patient  is  generally  re- 
lieved as  foon  as  he  has  difcharged  the  poifoil  in 
this  way.  H 

Perfons  of  an  apopledic  make,  or  thofc  who 
have  been  attacked  by  it,  ought  to  ufe  a  very  fpare 
and  flender  diet,  avoiding  all  ftrong  liquors,  fpice« 
ries,  and  high-feafoned  food.  They  ought  likewife 
to  guard  againft  all  violent  paflions,  and  to  avoid 
the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold.  The  head  ihould 
be  (haved,  and  daily  wafhed  with  cold  water*  The 
feet  ought  to  be  kept  warm,  and  never  fafFercd  CD 
continue  long  wet.  The  body  muft  be  kept  open 
cither  by  food  or  medicine,  and  a  little  blood  mdy 
be  let  every  fpring  and  fall.  Exercifcfhould  by  fio 
means  be  neglefted;  but  it  ought  to  be  takenf  in 
moderation.  Nothing  has  a  more  happy  efFeft  in 
preventing  an  apoplexy  than  perpetual  iffues  or  fe- 
tons  J  great  care  however  muft  be  taken  not  to  fuftiir 
them  to  dry  up,  without  opening  others  in  their 
ftead.  Apople&ic  perfons  ought  never  to  go  to  reft 
with  a  full  ftomach,  or  to  lie  with  their  heads  low, 
or  wear  any  thing  too  tight  about  their  neckf,  ^* 

5 


:.'■ 


[414    ] 


■■-i. 


CHAP,    XLU, 


QT  COSTIVENESS,    AND    OTHER 
AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  STOMACH 
.  -^  AND   BOWELS. 

^%7 E  do  not  here  mean  to  treat  of  thofe  aftrifc* 
^^  tions  of  the  bowels  which  are  the  fymptortfy 
of  difcafes,  as  of  the  colic,  the  iliac  pafflon,  -&€. 
but  only  to  cake  notice  of  that  infrequeticy  of  ftotfli 
which-  ibmerimes  haf^ens,  and  which  in  fonr^ 
panicular  conftitutiong  may  occafion  difeafes, '  '' 
"'  Coftivenefs  may  proceed  from  drinking  r69ghf 
lied  wines,  or  other  aftringent  liquors  i  too  much) 
cxercifc,  efpeciaily  on  horfeback.  It  may  IJke^^ 
wife  proceed  from  a  long  ufe  of  cold  irifipid 
food»  which  does  not  fufficiently  ftinilulate  tW 
inteftines.  Sometimes  it  is  owing  to  the  bile  hc^ 
defcending  to  the  inteftines,  as  in  the jaundicej  and 
at  other  limes  it  proceeds  from  difeafcsofthe  firfij 
teftines  thcmfelves,  as  a  palfy,  fpafms,  torp6r,  t\i^ 
mours,  a  cold  dry  ftatc  6f  the  inteftines,  &e»^-  ^  ^• 
Exceffive  coftivenefs  is  apt  to  occafion  painsr  of 
the  head,  vomiting,  colics,  and  other  co^pSaiiit^ 
df  the  bowels.  It  is  peculiarly  hurtful  to  hypo^ 
ch<>ndriac  and  hyfteric  perfons,  as  it  generatfes  v>ii=kl 
afkl  other  grievous  fymptoms.  Some  people  hb#r' 
ever  can  bear  coftivenefs  to  a  great  degree.  I  know 
perfons  who  enjoy  pretty  good  health,  yet  do  i^oc 
go  to  ftool  above  once  a-week,  and  others  not'  abov^ 
once  a-forCDight.  Indeed  I  have  heard  of  fome  wfaa 
do  not  go  above  once  a- month.  .  .f.u 

-  Perfons  who  are  generally  cottive  fhould  live  updiV 
aotpifteaing  and  laxative  diet,  as  roaftcd  or  bpilcd 
apples^  pears>  ftewed  pruaes,  raifias,  gruels  with 

12  currants. 


i->':     r.^. 

:^;>-^ 


tn. 


OF    COSTIVENESS,    6fr.       41^ 

currants,  butter,  honey,  fugar,  and  fuch  like. 
Broths  with  fpinagc,  leeks,  and  other  foft  pot- 
herbs, arc  likewifc  proper.  Rye-bread,  or  thac 
which  is  oiadc  of  a  mixture  of  wheat  and  rye  toge« 
ther,  ought  to  be  eaten.  No  perfon  troubled  with 
codiveneis  (hould  eat  white  bread  alone,  efpetiatljr 
that  which  is  made  of  fine  flour.  The  bell  bread 
for  keeping  the  body  foluble  is  what  in  fome  parts 
of  England  they  call  meflin.  It  is  made  of  a  mix- 
ture of  wheat  and  rye,  and  is  very  agreeable  ^^(^ 
thofe  who  are  accullomed  to  it.  ''  * 

Codivenefs  is  increafed  by  keeping  the  body  tOQ 
warm,  and  by  every  thing  that  promotes  the  pecrf 
fpiration ;  as  wearing  flannel,  lying  too  long  a-b^ 
&c.  Intenfe  thought,  and  a  fcdentary  life,  are,  lik^r 
wife  hurtful.  All  the  fecretions  and  excretions  are 
promoted  by  moderate  exercife  without  doors,  and 
by  A  gay,  cheerful,  fprightly  temper  of  mind* 

The  drink  (hould  be  of  an  opening  quality.  AH 
ardent  fpirits,  auftere  and  aftringent  winesi  as  port^ 
claret,  &c»  ought  to  be  avoided.  Malt-liquor 
that  is  flne,  and  of  a  moderate  (Irengtb,  is  very  pro* 
per.  Butter-milk,  whey,  and  other  watery  liquors, 
are  likewife  proper,  and  may  be  drank  in  turns,  as 
the  patient's  inclination  direfts. 

Thofe  who  are  troubled  with  coftivencfs,  ought, 
if  pofllble,  to  remedy  it  by  diet,  as  the  cooflani. 
ufe  of  medicines  for  that  purpofe  is  attended  with 
many  inconveniencies,  and  often  with  bad  confe- 
quenc('s*«     I  never  knew  any  one  get  into  a  h^ 

bii 

*  The  learned  Dr.  Arbuthnot  advifes  thofe  «iho  are  troubled* 
With  coflivenefs  to  ufe  aDimal  oils,  as  frefii  butter,  cr^am,  tatrA 
row,  fac  brochsy  efpecially  thofe  made  of  the  inter kiai  parti  of 
animals,  as  the  liver,  heart,  midrib,  tec.  He  likewife  recomii 
ii|ead5  the  expreiTed  oils  of  mild  vegetables,  as  .olives,,  altnoodf^ 
paftaches,  and  the  fruits  themfelves;  all  oily  and  mild  fruits,  as 
figs ;  decotlions  of  mealy  vegetables ;  thefe  lubricate  the  Siue(^ 
tinej;  ibme  iaponaceoas  fubftancea  which  ftiopuUite  gently,  4» 

hoaejTi, 


416  WANT, OF  APPETITE: 
bit  of  taking  medicine  for  keeping  the  body  open, 
who  could  ieave  it  off.  In  time  the  cuAom  be- 
comes necefiary,  and  generally  ends  in  a  total  re- 
lawtiofl  of  the  bowels,  indigeftion,  tofs  of  appetite, 
waftingof  the  ftrength,  and  death. 

When  the  body  cannot  be  kept  open  without 
medicine,  we  would  recommend  gentle  dofes  of 
rhubarb  to  be  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-week.  This 
is  not  near  fo  injurious  to  the  ftomach  as  «loe>,  ja- 
lep,  or  the  other  draflic  purgatives  fo  much  in  ule. 
tafulions  of  fenna  and  manna  may  likcwife  be 
taken,  or  half  an  ounce  of  folubte  tartar  diflblved 
in  water-gruel.  About  the  fize  of  a  nutmeg  of 
lenitive  electuary  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day  gene- 
i^ly  «nfwer«  the  purpofe  very  well. 

WANT    OF    APPETITE. 

This  may  proceed  from  a  foul  ftomach ;  iadi- 
ceftion  i  the  want  of  free  air  and  exercife ;  grief  j 
feari  anxiety}  or  any-of  the  deprefling  paflJonSi 
exceffive  heat ;  the  ufe  of  ftrong  broths,  fat.  meats, 
or  any  thing  that  palls  the  appetitCi  or  is  hard  of 
digcftion }  the  immoderate  ule  of  ftrong  liquors^ 
tea,  tobacco,  opium,  &c. 

hottrf,  liy4niiicl,  or  boilei  faottcy  iitd  water,  MrefncA  fii*- 
gafi  Sec, 

'The  DoAor  obfcri'M,  that  fuch  lenitive  Aibftance*  are  wrfoflii 
tat  peribai  of  dry  itrabilariao  conltiiution),  who  arc  fubjc^  to 
atbie&ttt  of  the  belly,  ind  the  pilei,  (itd  will  operste  nA'eJf' 
Itnnger  inedicinal  fubllaticc*  arc  rometimci  ioelfedital ;  bgt  tHal'* 
fiich  lenitive  diet  hurtt  tbofe  whofeboweU  are  weak  agdhft'  Uk* 
Kkewifil  obferveg,  that  alt  watery  fubflances  are  leoitiva,  wdi# 
that  eves  conatm  water,  whey,  four  milk,  and  batter  nilk'' 
i«>tfth«t«iUt>— That  new  milk,  efpecially  afle*  ■nilk','siw^* 
lale«  jjail  Bore  whao  it  tbura  on  the  ftomach  |  and  ibsl  Ut^i 
iuraecl  fuar  will  purnlttongly  ;— That  aoft  gandaa  fr«if|  nOI 
Jikewilc  lajAtive'i'and'tE'ic  lomc  of  ibem,  •■  grapn,  will  throw 
feck  ai  taka  them  iinnoderaiely  into  a  cholera  oio^i,  or  »• 
Mr^le  diurhvH. 

The 


WANT    OF    APPETITE-       4^7 

The  patient  ought,  if  poffible,  to  make  choice 
of  an  open  dry  air;  to  take  cxcrcife  daily  on  horfe- 
back  or-  in  a  carriage;  to  rife  betimes;  and  to 
avoid  all  intcnfe  thought.  He  Ihould  ufe  a  diet  of 
cafy  digeftion;  and  ihould  avoid  cxccffivc  heat 
and  great  fatigue. 

If  want  of  appetite  proceeds  from  errors  in  diet, 
or  any  other  part  of  the  patient's  regimen,  it  ought 
to  be  changed.  If  naufea  and  reachings  (hew  that 
the  ftomach  is  loaded  with  crudities,  a  vomit  will 
be  of  fervice.  After  this  a  gentle  purge  or  two  of 
rhubarb,  or  of  any  of  the  bitter  purging  falts,  may 
be  taken.  The  patient  ought  next  to  ufe  fome  of 
the  ftomachic  bitters  infufed  in  wine.  Though 
gentle  evacuations  be  neccffary,  yet  ftrong  purges 
and  vomits  are  to  be  avoided,  as  they  weaken  the 
llomach,  and  hurt  digeftion. 

Elixir  of  vitriol  is  an  excellent  medicine  in 
mod  cafes  of  indigeftion,  weaknefs  of  the  do* 
mach,  or  want  of  appetite.  From  twenty  to  thirty 
drops  of  it  may  be  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day  in 
a  glafs  of  wine  or  water.  It  may  likewife  be  mixed 
with  the  tincture  of  the  bark,  one  drachm  of  the 
former  to  an  ounce  of  the  latter,  and  two  tea- 
fpoonfuls  of  it  taken  in  wine  or  water,  as  above- 

The  chalybeate  waiers,  if  drank  in  moderation, 
are  generally  of  confiderable  fervice  in  this  cafe. 
The  fait  water  has  likewife  good  efFefts;  but  it 
moft  not  be  ufed  too  freely.  The  waters  of  Har* 
*owgate,  Scarborough,  MofFat,  and  inoft  other  Spis 
^  Britain,  may  be  ufed  with  advantage.  We  would 
advife  all  who  are  afflidled  with  indigeftion  and 
want  of  appetite,  to  repair  to  thefc  places  of  public 
rendezvous.  The  very  change  of  air,  and  the 
cheerful  company,  will  be  of  fervice ;  not  to  nicn- 
tioa  tke  exercife,  diifipatioDi  amufementSj  &c- 


Ec 


[     418     3 


OF  THE   HEART-BURN. 

tVhat  is  commonly  called  the  heart-burtty  is  not 
a  difeafc  of  that  organ,  but  an  uneafy  fenfation  of 
heat  or  acrimony  about  the  pit  of  the  ftomach, 
^hich  is  fometimes  attended  with  anxiety,  naufca, 
and  vomiting. 

It  may  proceed  from  debility  of  the  ftomach,  in- 
digeftion,  bile,  the  abounding  of  an  acid  in  ihefto- 
mach,  &c.  Perfons  who  are  liable  to  this  com- 
plaint ought  to  avoid  ftale  liquors,  acids,  windy 
6r  greafy  aliments,  and  (hould  never  ufe  violent 
cxercife  loon  after  a  plentiful  meal.  I  know  many 
perfons  who  never  fail  to  have  the  heart- burn  if 
they  ridefoon  after  dinner,  provided  they  have  drank 
ale,  wine,  or  any  fermented  liquor;  but  are  never 
troubled  with  it  when  they  have  drank  rum  or  bran- 
dy and  water  without  any  fugar  or  acid. 

When  the  heart- burn  proceeds  from  debility 
of  the  ftomach,  or  indigeftion,  the  patient  ought  to 
take  a  dofe  or  two  of  rhubarb;  afterwards  he  may 
ufe  infufions  of  the  Peruvian  bark,  or  any  other  of 
•the  ftomachic  bitters,  in  wine  or  brandy.  Exer- 
cifc  in  the  open  air  will  likewife  be  of  ufe,  and 
every  thing  that  promotes  digeftion. 

When  bilious  humours  occafion  the  heart-burn, 
a  tca-fpoonful  of  the  fweet  fpirit  of  nitre  in  a  glafs 
of  water,  or  a  cup  of  tea,  will  generally  give  cafe. 
If  it  proceeds  from  the  ufe  of  greafy  aliments,  a 
dram  of  brandy  or  rum  may  be  taken. 

If  acidity  or  fournefs  of  the  ftomach  occafions 
the  heart-burn,  abforbents  arc  the  proper  medi- 
cines. In  this-  cafe  an  ounce  of  powdered  chalk, 
half  an  ounce  of  fine  fugar,  and  a  quarter  of  an 
ounce  of  gum-arabic,  may  be  mixed  in  an  Englifh 
quart  of  water,  and  a  tea*cupful  of  it  taken  as 

ofcen 


^*. 


OF    THE    HEART-BURN.     419 

ofcen  as  is  neceflary.  Such  as  do  not  chufe  chalk 
may  rake  a  tca-fpoonful  of  prepared  oyfter-lhells, 
or  of  the  powder  called  crabs-eyeSj  in  a  glals  of 
cinnamon  or  peppermint-water.  But  the  fafefl:  and 
bed  abforbent  is  inagnejia  alba.  This  not  only  afts 
as  an  abforbent,  but  likewife  as  a  purgative;  where- 
as chalk,  and  other  abforbents  of  that  kind,  are 
apt  to  lie  in  the  inteflines,  and  occafion  obftruc- 
tions.  This  powder  is  not  difagrceable,  and  may 
be  taken  in  a  cup  of  tea,  or  a  glafs  of  mint  water. 
A  large  tea-fpoonful  is  the  ufual  dofe;  but  it  mai/ 
be  taken  in  a  much  greater  quantity  when  there  is 
occafion.  Thefe  things  arc  now  generally  made 
up  into  lozenges  for  the  conveniency  of  being  car- 
ried in  the  pocket,  and  taken  at  plcafure. 

If  v/ind  be  the  caufe  of  this  complaint,  the 
moll  proper  medicines  are  thofe  called  carmina- 
tives; as  annifeeds,  juniper-berries,  ginger,  ca- 
neilu  alba,  cardamom  feeds,  &c,  Thefe  may  ci- 
ther be  chewed,  or  infufed  in  wine,  brandy,  or 
other  fpirits.  One  of  the  fafeft  medicines  of  this 
kind  is  the  tinfture  made  by  infufing  an  ounce  of 
rhubarb,  and  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  the  lefTcr 
caYdamom  feeds,  in  an  Englifh  pint  of  brandy. 
After  this  has  digefted  for  two  or  three  days, 
it- ought  to  be  drained,  and  four  ounces  of  white 
fugar-candy  added  to  it.  It  muft  (land  to  di- 
gell  a  fecond  time  till  the  fugar  be  diflblved.  A 
tablc-fpoonful  of  it  may  be  taken  occafionally 
for  a  dofe. 

I  have  frequently  known  the  heart-burn  cured,' 
particularly  in  pregnant  womcnj  by  chewing  grcca 
tea. 


Ec  » 


[    4^0    ] 


CHAP.    XLIIL 

OF  NERVOUS   DISEASES. 

Y\  F  all  difcafes  incident  to  mankind,  thofc  of 
^^  the  nervous  kind  are  the  moft  complicated  and 
difficult  to  cure.  A  volume  would  not  be  fufficient 
to  point  out  their  various  appearances.  They  imi- 
tate almoft  every  difcafej  and  are  feldom  alike  in 
two  different  perfons,  or  even  in  the  fame  perfon  at 
different  times.  Proteus-like,  they  are  continually 
changing  (hape ;  and  upon  every  frefh  attack,  the 
patitnt  thinks  he  feels  fymptoms  which  he  never 
experienced  before.  Nor  do  they  only  afFeft  the 
body ;  the  mind  likewife  fufFers,  and  is  often  there- 
by rendered  extremely  weak  and  peevifh.  The 
low  fpirits,  timoroufncfs,  melancholy,  and  ficklc- 
nefs  of  temper,  which  generally  attend  nervous 
diforders,  induce  many  to  believe  that  they  arc 
entirely  difeales  of  the  mind;  but  this  change  of 
temper  is  rather  a  confequence,  than  the  caufe  of 
nervous  difcafes. 

CAUSES. Every  thing  that  tends  to  relax  or 

weaken  the  body,  difpofes  it  to  nervous  difeafes^  as 
indolence,  excelTive  venery,  drinking  too  much 
tea,  or  other  weak  watery  liquors  warm,  frequent 
bleeding,  purging,  vomiting,  &c.  Whatever  hurts 
the  digeftion,  or  prevents  the  proper  afTimilation 
of  the  food,  has  likewife  this  effetk;  as  long  faft- 
ing,  excefs  in  eating  or  drinking,  the  ufe  of  windy, 
crude,  or  unwholefonie  aliments,  an  unfavourable 
po(ture  of  the  body,  &c. 

Nervous  diforders  often  proceed  from  intenie  ap* 
pKciation  to  ftudy.  Indeed  few  fludious  perfons 
are  entirely  free  from 'them.    Nor  is  this  at  ajl  to 

be 


^-*-C.  rJ 


OF   NERVOUS   DISEASES.      421 

bt  wondered  at;  intenfe  thinking  not  only  preys 
upon  the  fpirits,  but  prevents  the  pcrfon  from 
taking  proper  exercife,  by  which  means  the  di- 
geftion  is  innpaired,  the  nourifliment  prevented, 
the  folids  relaxfd,  and  the  whole  mafs  of  humours 
vitiared.  Grief  and  difappointment  likewifc  pro- 
duce the  fame  efFedls.  I  have  known  more  ner- 
vous patients,  who  dated  the  commencement  of 
thrir  diforders  from  the  lofs  of  a  hufband,  a  fah 
vourite  child,  or  from  fome  difappointment  in  lifc^ 
than  from  any  other  caufe.  In  a  word,  whatever 
weakens  the  body,  or  deprefles  the  fpirits,  may  pc- 
cafiorj  nervous  diforders,  as  unwholefome  air,  want 
of  fleep,  great  farip^ue,  difagreeable  apprehenfions, 
anxiety,  vexation,  &c. 

SYMPTOMS. WefTiall  only  mention  fome 

of  the  mod  general  fymptomsof  thefe  diforders,  as 
it  would  be  both  an  ulclefs  and  an  endlcfs  tafk  to 
enumerate  the  whole.  They  generally  begin  witfi 
windy  inflations  or  diftentions  of  the  ftomach  and 
intcftinesj  the  appetite  and  digcftion  are  ufually 
bad;  yet  fometimes  there  is  an  uncommon  craving 
for  food,  and  a  quick  digeftion.  The  food  often 
turns  four  on  the  ilomach ;  and  the  patient  is 
troubled  with  vomiting  of  clear  water,  tough 
phlegm^  or  a  blackifh-coloured  liquor  rcfcmbling 
the  grounds  of  coffee.  Excruciating  pains  are 
often  felt  about  the  navel,  attended  with  a  runv 
b^ing  or  murmuring  noife  in  the  bowels.  The 
body  is  fometimes  loofe,  but  more  commonly 
bound,  which  occafions  a  retention  of  wind  and 
great  uneafinefs. 

The  urine  is  fometimes  in  fmall  quantity,  at 
other  times  very  copious  and  quite  clear.  There; 
is  a  great  ftraitnefs  of  the  breafl,  with  difficulty  of 
breathing;  violent  palpitations  of  the  heart;  fud- 
jden  flufhirigs  of  heat  in  various  parts  of  the  body; 
at  other  times  a  fenf^.  of  cold^  as  if  w^o:r  were 

E  c  3  .  poiircd 


4M      OF  NERVOUS   DISEASES. 

poured  on  them;  flying  pains  in  the  arms  and 
limbs;  pains  in  the  back  and  belly,  refcmbling 
thofe  occafioned  by  gravel ;  the  pulfe  very  variable, 
fometimes  uncommonly  flow,  and  at  other  times 
very  quick;  yawning,  the-  hiccup,  frequent  figh- 
ing,  and  a  fcnfe  of  fufFocation,  as  if  from  a  ball 
or  lump  in  the  throat;  alternate  fits  of  crying  and 
convulfive  laughing;  the  fleep  is  unfound  and  fcU 
dom  refrefhing;  and  the  patient  is  often  troubled 
with  the  night-marc. 

As  the  difcafe  increafes,  the  patient  is  molefted 
with  head-achs,'  cramps,  and  fixed  pains  in  various 
parts  of  the  body  ;  the  eyes  are  clouded,  and  often 
aiFefted  with  pain  and  dryntrfs ;  there  is  a  noife  in 
the  ears,  and  ofcen  a  dulnefs  of  hearing;  in  fhorr, 
the  whole  animal  functions  are  im*paired.  The  mind 
is  difturbcd  on  the  mod  trivial  occafions,  and  is 
hurried  into  the  moft  perverfe  commotions,  inquie- 
tudes, terror,  fadnefs,  anger,  diffidence,  &c.  The 
patient  is  apt  to  entertain  wild  imaginations  and 
extravagant  fancies;  the  memory  becomes  weak, 
and  the  judgment  fails. 

Nothinc;  is  more  charafteriftic  of  this  difeafe  than 
a  conftant  dread  of  death.  This  renders  thofe  un- 
happy perfons  who  labour  under  it  peevifh,  fickle, 
impatient,  and  ape  to  run  from  one  phyfician  to 
another;  which  is  one  reafon  why  they  feldom  reap 
any  benefit  from  medicine,  as  they  have  not  fuffi- 
cicnt  refoiution  to  perfift  in  any  one  courfc  till  it 
has  time  to  produce  its  proper  efFcdts.  They  arc 
l-ikewife  apt  to  imagine  that  they  labour  under  dif- 
cafes  from  which  they  are  quite  free;  and  are  very 
angry  if  any  one  attempts  to  fct  them  right,  or 
laugh  them  out  of  their  ridiculous  notions. 

REGIMEN. Perfons  afflifted  with  nervous 

difeafcrs  ought   never    to   faft   long.      Their  food 

•fliould   be  folid  and    nourifhing,  but  of  cafy  di- 

gcftion.     Fat  meats  and  heavy  fauces  arc  hurtful. 

All 


OF  NERVOUS   DISEASES.      423 

All  excefs  ihould  be  carefully  avoided.  They  ought 
never  to  eat  more  at  a  time  than  they  can  eafily 
digcft ;  but  if  they  feel  themfelves  weak  and  fainc 
between  meals,  they  ought  to  eat  a  bit  of  bread, 
and  drink  a  glafs  of  wine.  Heavy  fuppers  are  to 
be  avoided.  Though  wine  in  excefs  enfeebles  the 
body,  and  impairs  the  faculties  of  the  mind,  yet 
taken  in  moderation,  it  ftrengthens  the  ftomach, 
and  promotes  digeftion.  Wine  and  water  is  a  very 
proper  drink  at  meals ;  but  if  wine  fours  on  the 
ftomach,  or  the  patient  is  much  troubled  with  wind, 
brandy  and  water  will  anfwcr  better.  Every  thing 
that  is  windy  or  hard  of  digeftion  muft:  be  avoided. 
All  weak  and  warm  liquors  are  hurtful,  as  tea, 
coffee^  punch,  &c.  People  may  find  a  temporary 
relief  in  the  ufe  of  thefe,  but  they  always  increafc 
the  malady,  as  they  weaken  the  ftomach  and  hurt 
digeftion.  Above  all  things,  drams  are  to  be 
avoided.  Whatever  immediate  eafe  the  patient 
may  feel  from  the  ufe  of  ardent  fpirits,  they  arc 
fure  to  aggravate  the  malady,  and  prove  certain 
poifons  at  laft.  Thefe  cautions  are  the  more  ne- 
ccffary,  as  moft  nervous  people  are  peculiarly  fond 
of  tea  and  ardent  fpirits ;  to  the  ufe  of  which  many 
of  them  fall  victims. 

Exercife  in  nervous  diforders  is  fuperior  to  all 
medicines.  Riding  on  horfeback  is  generally  efteem- 
cd  the  beft,  as  it  gives  motion  to  the  whole  body, 
without  fatiguing  it.  I  have  known  fome  patients 
however,  v/ith  whom  walking  agreed  better,  and 
others  who  were  moft  benefited  by  riding  in  a  car- 
riage. Every  one  ought  to  ufe  that  .which  he  finds 
moft  beneficial.  Long  fea-voyages  have  an  excel- 
lent cfFed  }  and  to  thofe  who  have  fufficient  refo- 
lution,  we  would  by  all  means  recommend  this 
courfe.  Even  change  of  place,  and  the  fight  of 
new  objefts,  by  diverting  the  mind,  have  a  great 
tendency  to   remove  thefe  complaints*     For  this 

£1  e  4  reafon 


424      OF   NERVOUS    DISEASES, 
reafon  a  long  journey,  or  a  voyage,  is  of  much 
more    advantai^e  than  riding  fhon  journeys  near 
home. 

A  coot  and  dry  air  is  proper,  as  it  braces  and 
invigorates  the  whole  body.  Few  things  tend 
more  to  relax  and, enervate  than  hot  air,  efpe- 
cially  that  which  is  rendered  fo  by  great  fires,  or 
itoves  in  fmall  apartmeius.  But  when  the  ftomach 
or  bowels  are  weak,  the  body  ought  to  be  well 
guarded  agalnft  coIJ,  efpi-ciiilly  in  winter,  by  wear- 
ing a  thin  flannel  wailUoat  next  the  fkin.  This 
will  keep  up  an  equal  perfpiriiion,  and  defend  the 
alimentary  canal  from  many  iinprclTions  to  which 
it  would  otherwife  be  fubjcil,  upon  every  fudden 
change  from  warm  to  cold  weather.  Rubbing  the 
body  frequently  with  a  flefli-brulh,  or  a  coarfe  linen 
cloth,  is  likewife  beneficial,  as  it  proinotes  the  cir- 
culation, pcrlpiration,  &c.  Fcrfons  who  have 
weak  nerves  ought  to  rife  early,  and  t;ike  exercifc 
before  breaktall,  as  lying  coo  long  a  bed  cannot 
fail  to  relax  the  folids.  They  ou^ht  likewife  to  be 
diverted,  and  to  be  kept  as  eafy  and  cheerful  as 
polTible.  There  is  not  any  thing  which  hurts  the 
nervous  fyftem,  or  weakens  the  digeftive  powers, 
more  than  fear,  grief,  or  anxiety. 

MEDICINES.- -Though  nervous  difeafes  are 

fcldom  radically  cured,  yet  their  fymptoms  may 
fomctinics  be  alleviated,  and  the  patient's  life  ren- 
dered at  leaft  more  comfortable  by  proper  medi- 
cines. 

When  the  patient  is  coftive,  he  ought  to  take 
a  little  rhubarb,  or  fomc  other  mild  purgative,  and 
(hould  never  fuiFer  his  body  to  be  long  bound.  All 
ftrong  and  violent  purgatives  are  however  to  be 
avoided,  as  aloes,  jalap,  &c.  1  have  generally 
fcen  an  infuHon  of  fcnna  and  rhubarb  in  brandjr 
anfwer  very  well.  This  may  be  made  of  an^ 
ftrengtli,  and  lak^n  in  fuch  quantity  as  the  patient 

finds 


OT  NERVOUS   DISEASES.      4^^ 

finds  neceflary.  When  digeftion  is  bad,  or  the  fto- 
mach  relaxed  and  weak,  the  following  infufion  of 
Peruvian  bark  and  other  bitters  may  be  ufed  witK 
advantage : 

Take  of  Peruvian  bark  an  ounce,  gentian-root, 
orange-peel,  and  coriander-feed^  of  each  half  ar\ 
ounce;  let  thefe  ingredients  be  all  bruifed  in  ^ 
mortar,  and  infufed  in  a  bottle  of  brandy  or  whif- 
key,  for  the  fpace  of  five  or  fix  days.  A  table- 
fpoonful  of  the  drained  liquor  may  be  taken  in- 
half  a  glafs  of  water,  an  hour  before  breakfaft|» 
dinner,  and  fupper. 

Few  things  tend  more  to  ftrengthen  the  nervous 
fyftem  than  cold  bathing.  This  praftice,  if  duly 
perfifted  in,  will  produce  very  extraordinary  effedbs;^ 
but  when  the  liver  or  other  vijcera  are  obllrudeij^' 
or  otherwife  unfound,  the  cold  bath  is  improper^ 
It  is  therefore  to  be  ufed  with  very  great  caution^, 
The  mod  proper  feafons  for  it  are  fummer  and  au- 
tumn. It  will  be  fufficient,  efpecially  for  perfons 
of  a  fpare  habit,  to  go  into  the  cold  bath  three 
or  four  times  a- week.  If  the  patient  be  weakened 
by  it,  or  feels  chilly  for  a  long  time  after  coming 
out,  it  is  improper. 

In  patients  affliftcd  with  wind,  I  have  always 
obferved  the  greateft  benefit  from  the  elixir  of  vi- 
triol. It  may  be  taken  in  the  quantity  of  fifteen, 
twenty,  or  thirty  drops,  twice  or  thrice  a-day  in  a 
glafs  of  water.  This  both  expels  wind,  ftrcngth- 
ens  the  ftomach,  and  promotes  digeftion. 

Opiates  are  generally  extolled  in  thefe  maladies; 
but  as  they  only  palliate  the  fymptoms,  and  gencf^ 
rally  afterwards  increafe  the  difcafe,  we  would  adr 
vife  people  to  be  extremely  fparing  in  the  ufe  olf 
them,  left  habit  render  them  at  laft-abfolutely  ne- 
ceflary. 

It  would  be  an  eafy  matter  to  enumerate  many;^ 
medicines  which  have  been  extolled  for  relieving 

nervous 


426  OF    MELANCHOLY. 

nervous  diforders  ;  but  whoever  wifiies  for  a  tho- 
rough cure  muft  expcft  it  from  regimen  alone  j  wc 
fliall  therefore  omit  mentioning  more  medicines, 
and  again  recommend  the  flrideft  attention  to  diet, 
Aia,  EXERCISE,  and  amusements. 


OF    MELANCHOLY. 

Melancholy  is  that  ftatc  of  alienation  or  weak- 
nefs  of  mind  which  renders  people  incapable  of 
enjoying  tHe  pleafures,  or  performing  the  duties  of 
life.  It  is  a  degree  of  infanicy,  and  often  termi- 
nates in  ablbliite  madnefs. 

.  C  A  USES. It  may  proceed  from  an  hereditary 

difpofition  j  intenfe  thinking,  efpecially  where  the 
mind  is  long  occupied  about  one  objeft;  violent 
paflTions  or  affcflions  of  the  mind,  as  love,  fear, 
joy,  grief,  over-weening  pride,  and  fuch.  like.  It 
may  alfo  be  occafioned  by  excelTive  venery  ;  narco- 
tic or  ftupefaftive  poifonsi  a  fcdentary  life;  foli- 
tudc;  the  fuppreflion  of  cuftomary  evacuations; 
acute  fevers,  or  other  difeafes.  Violent  anger  will 
change  melancholy  into  madnefs ;  and  excelUve 
cold,  efpecially  of  the  lower  extremities,  will  force 
the  blood  into  the  brain,  and  produce  all  the  fymp* 
toms  of  madnefs.  It  may  Hkewife  proceed  from 
the  ufe  of  aliment  that  is  hard  of  digeftion,  or 
which  cannot  be  eafily  adlmilated}  from  a  callous 
ftaie  of  the  integuments  of  the  brain,  or  a  dryneft 
of  the  brain  itfcif.  To  all  which  we  may  add 
gloomy  or  miftakcn  notions  of  religion. 

SYMPTOMS. When  perfons    begin  to  be 

melancholy,  they  are  timorous  j  watchful ;  fond  of 
folttudei  fretful;  fickle;  captious  and  inquiOtivc; 
folicitous  about  trifles;  fometimes  niggardly,  and 
at  other  times  prodigal.  The  body  is  generally 
bound}  the  urine  thin,  and  in  fmall  quantity ;  the 
Itomach, 


r 


OF    MELANCHOLY.  427 

{lomach  and  bowels  inflated  with  wind ;  the  com- 
plexion pale  J  the  pulfc  flow  and  weak.  The  func- 
tions of  the  mind  are  alfo  greatly  perverted,  in  fo 
much  that  the  patient  often  imagines  himfclf  dead, 
or  changed  into  fome  other  animal.  Some  have 
imagined  their  bodies  were  made  of  glafs,  or  other 
brittle  fubftanccs,  and  were  afraid  to  move,  left  they 
ftiould  be  broken  to  pieces.  The  unhappy  pa- 
tient, in  this  cafe,  unlefs  carefully  watched,  is  apt 
to  put  an  end  to  his  own  miferable  life. 

When  the  difeafe  is  owing  to  an  obftruflion  of 
cuftomary  evacuations,  or  any  bodily  diforder,  it 
is  eafier  cured  than  when  it  proceeds  from  afFeftions 
of  the  mind,  or  an  hereditary  taint.  A  difcharge 
of  blood  from  the  nofe,  loofcnefs,  fcabby  erup- 
tions, the  bleeding  piles,  or  the  menjes^  fome- 
times  carrv  off  this  dileafe, 

REGIMEN. The  diet  fhould  confift  chiefly 

of  vegetables  of  a  cooling  and  opening  quality. 
Animal  food,  efpecially  falted  or  fmoke-dried  fifti 
or  flcfii,  ought  to  be  avoided.  All  kinds  of  fliell- 
fifli  arc  bad.  Aliments  prepared  with  onions,  gar- 
lic, or  any  thing  that  generates  thick  blood,  arc 
likewife  improper.  All  kind  of  fruits  that  arc 
wholefome  may  be  eaten  with  advantage.  Boerhaavc 
gives  an  inttance  of  a  patient  who,  by  a  long  ufc 
of  whey,  water,  and  garden-fruit,  recovered,  after 
having  evacuated  a  great  quantity  of  black-co- 
loured matter. 

Strong  liquors  of  every  kind  ought  to  be  avoid- 
ed as  poifon.  The  moft  proper  drink  is  water, 
whey,  or  very  fmall  beer.  Tea  and  coffee  are  im- 
proper. If  honey  agrees  with  the  patient,  it  may 
be  eaten  freely,  or  his  drink  may  be  fweetened  with 
it.  Infufions  of  balm-leaves,  penny-royal,  the 
roots  of  wild  valerian,  or  the  flowers  of  the  lime- 
tree,  may  be  drank  freely,  cither  by  themfelves,  or 
fweetened  v/ith  honevj  as  the  patient  fliall  chufe. 

•       The 


428  OF   MELANCHOLY. 

The  patient  ought  to  take  as  much  exercifc  in  the 
«pen  air  as  he  can  bear.  This  helps  to  diflblve  the 
yifcid  humours,  it  removes  obftruftions,  promotes 
the  perfpiration,  and  all  the  other  fccretions.  Every 
kind  of  madnefs  is  attended  with  a  diminiihed  per- 
fpiration) all  means  ought  therefore  to  be  u fed  to 
promote  that  ncccffary  and  falutary  difcharge.  No- 
thing can  have  a  more  direft  tendency  to  increafc 
the  difeafe  thin  conlining  the  patient  to  a  clofe 
apartment.  Were  he  forced  to  ride  or  walk  a  cer- 
tain number  of  miles  every  day,  it  would  tend  * 
greatly  to  alleviate  his  diforder  ;  but  it  would  have 
ftili  a  better  effefl:,  if  he  were  obliged  to  labour  a 
piece  of  ground.  By  digging,  hoeing,  planting, 
lowing,  &c.  both  the  body  and  mind  would  be 
exercifed.  A  long  journey,  or  a  voyage,  cfpecially 
towards  a  warmer  climate,  with  agreeable  compa- 
nions, has  ofren  very  happy  efFefts.  A  plan  of  this 
kind,  with  a  ftrift  attention  to  diet,  is  a  much  more 
rational  method  of  cure,  than  confining  the  patient 
within  doors  and  plying  him  with  medicint-s. 

MEDICINE.- — -In  the  cure  of  this  difeafe 
particular  attention  muft  be  paid  to  the  mind. 
When  the  patient  is  in  a  low  (late,  his  mind  ought 
to  be  foothed  and  diverted  with  variety  of  amufc- 
mcnts,  as  entertaining  ftories,  paftimes,  mufic, 
&c.  This  feems  to  have  been  the  method  of 
curing  melancholy  among  the  Jews,  as  we  learn 
from  the  ftory  of  King  Saul ;  and  indeed  it  is  a  very 
rational  one.  Nothing  can  remove  difeafes  of  tte 
piind  fo  effedually  as  applications  to  the  mimj  i%r 
iclf,  the  moft  efficacious  of  which  is  mufic.  "J^iic 
patient's  company  ought  likewife  to  confiftof  fuflh 
perfoas  as  arc  agreeable  to  him.  People  in  tlus 
ilate  are  apt  to  conceive  unaccountable  averfioq^ 
againft  particular  pcrfonsi  and  the  very  fight  oF 
fuch  pcrfons  is  fufficient  to  diftraft  their  minds,  and 
^on  them  into  the  utmoft  perturbatioa. 

When. 


OF  MELANCHOLt.  41^ 

When  the  patient  is  high,  evacuations  are  necef- 
fary.  In  this  cafe  he  mud  be  bled,  and  have  his 
body  kept  open  by  purging  medicines,  as  manna, 
rhubarb,  cream  of  tartar,  or  the  foluble  tartar.  I 
have  feen  the  laft  have  very  happy  efFefts.  It  may 
be  taken  in  the  dofe  of  half  an  ounce,  diflblved  in 
water-gruel,  every  day,  for  fundry  weeks,  or  even 
for  months,  if  neccffary.  More  or  lefs  may  be 
given  according  as  it  operates.  Vomits  have  like- 
wife  a  good  effcft ;  but  they  muft  be  pretty  ftrong, 
otherwife  they  will  not  operate. 

Whatever  increafes  the  evacuation  of  urine  or 
promotes  pcrfpiration,  has  a  tendency  to  remove 
this  difeafe.  Both  thefe  fecrctions  may  be  pro* 
moted  by  the  ufe  of  nitre  and  vinegar.  Half  a  ■ 
drachm  of  purified  nitre  may  bcgiven  three  or  four 
times  a-day  in  any  manner  that  is  mod  agreeable  to 
the  patient ;  and  an  ounce  and  a  half  of  diftilled 
vinegar  may  be  daily  mixed  with  his  drink.  Dr. 
Locker  feems  to  think  vinegar  the  bed  medicine 
that  can  be  given  in  this  difeafe. 

Camphire  and  mulk  have  likewife  been  ufed  in 
this  cafe  with  advantage.  Ten  or  twelve  grains  of 
camphire  may  be  rubbed  in  a  mortar  with  half  a 
drachm  of  nitre,  and  taken  twice  a-day,  or  oftner, 
if  the  ftomach  will  bear  it.  If  it  will  not  fit  upon 
the  ilomach  in  this  form,  it  may  be  made  into  pills 
with  gum  afafoctida  and  Rufllan  caftor,  and  taken 
in  the  quantity  above  direfted.  If  mufk  is  to  be 
adminiftered,  a  fcruple  or  twenty-five  grains  of  it 
may  be  made  into  a  bolus  with  a  little  honey  or 
common  fyrup,  and  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day. 
We  do  not  mean  that  all  thefe  medicines  fhould  be 
adminiftered  at  oncei  but  whichever  of  them  is 
given,  muft  be  duly  perfifted  inj  and  where  one 
fails  another  may  be  tried. 

As 


430  OF   THE   PALSY. 

As  It  is  very  difBciilt  to  induce  p^itients  in  this 
drfeafe  to  take  medicines,  wc  fhall  mention  a  few 
AUtward  applications,  wliich  fometimes  do  good} 
the  principal  of  thcfe  arc  itTues,  Tetuns,  and  warm 
-bathing.  Illties  may  be  made  in  any  part  of  the 
.body,  but  ihey  generally  have  the  bell  elFc£t  near 
the  fpine.  The  difcharge  from  thefe  may  be  greatly 
promoted  by  dreffing  them  with  the  mild  blifler- 
-ing  ointment,  and  keeping  what  are  commonly 
caUed  the  orrice  peafe  in  them.  The  moft  proper 
place  for  a  feton  is  between  the  (houlder-bladcsj 
and  it  ought  to  be  placed  upwards  and  downwards, 
or  in  the  dircftion  of  the  fpinc. 


OF    THE    PALSY. 

The  palfy  is  a  lofs  or  diminution  ol  i'cnfe  or  mo- 
tion, or  of  both,  in  one  or  iuorc  p  irts  of  the  body. 
Of  ail  the  affections  called  nervous,  this  is  the  muil 
fuddcniy  fatal,  k  is  more  or  Icfs  dangerous,  ac- 
cording to  the  importance  of  the  pare  affcded.  A 
palfy  of  the  heart,  lungs,  or  any  p?.rt  ncccflary  to 
life,  is  mortal.  When  it  affects  tlie  ftonnach,  the 
jnteftines,  or  the  bladder,  it  is  highly  dangerous. 
If  the  face  be  afftfted,  the  cafe  is  bad,  as  it  fliews 
that  the  difcafe  proceeds  from  the  brain.  When 
the  part  aifefted  feels  cold,  is  infenfible,  or  walles 
av?ay,  or  when  the  judgment  and  memory  begin  lo 
fail,  there  is  fmall  hope  of  a  cure. 

CAUSES.  —  The  immediate  caufe  of  palfy  is 
any  thing  that  prevents  the  regular  exertion  of  the 
nervous  power  upon  any  particular  mufcle  or  part 
of  the  body.  The  occafional  and  predilpohng  caufcs 
are  various,  as  drunkennefs;  wounds  of  the  brain, 
or  fpinal  marrow  j  prcffurc  upon  the  brain  or 
nerves »  very  cold  or  damp  airj  the  fupprtflion  of 
14  cuftomary 


!-••»! 


OF   THE   PALSY.  4jt 

cuftomary  evacuations;  fudden  fear;  want  of  ex- 
ercife ;  or  whatever  greatly  relaxes  the  fyftem,  as 
drinking  much  tea*,  or  coffee,  &c.  The  palfy 
may  likcwiTe  proceed  from  wounds  of  the  nerves 
themfclves,  from  the  poifonous  fumes  of  metals  or 
minerals,  as  mercury,  lead,  arfenic. 

In  young  perfons  of  a  full  habit,  the  palfy  muft 
be  treated  in  the  fame  manner  as  the  fanguine  apo- 
plexy. The  patient  muft  be  bled,  bliftered,  and 
have  his  body  opened  by  (harp  clyfters  or  purga- 
tive medicines.  But,  in  old  age,  or  when  the  dif- 
eafc  proceeds  from  relaxation  or  debility,  which  is 
generally  the  cafe,  a  quite  contrary  courfe  muft  be 
purfucd.  The  diet  muft  be  warm  and  invigorating, 
feafoned  with  fpicy  and  aromatic  vegetables,  as 
muftard,  horfe-radifti,  &c.  The  drink  may  be 
generous  wine,  muftard,  whey,  or  brandy  and  wa^ 
ler.  Friftion  with  the  flefti-brufli,  or  a  warm  hand, 
is  extremely  proper,  cfpecially  on  the  parts  af- 
fected. Bliftering  pi  afters  may  likewife  be  applied 
to  the  afFedled  parts  with  advantage.  When  this 
cannot  be  done,  they  may  be  rubbed  with  the  vo- 
latile liniment,  or  the  nerve  ointment  of  the  Edin- 
burgh difpenfatory.  One  of  the  beft  external  ap- 
plications is  eleftricity.  The  fliocks,  or  rather  vi- 
brations, Ihould  be  received  on  the  part  affcfted  j 
and  they  ought  daily  to  be  repeated  for  fevcral 
weeks.  . 

Vomits  are  very  beneficial  in  this  kind  of  palfy, 
and  ought  frequently  to  be  adminiftcrcd.    Cephalic 

*  Many  people  imagine,  that  tea  has  no  tendency  to  hurt  the 
nerves,  and  that  drinking  the  fame  quantity  of  warm  water 
would  be  equally  pernicious.  This  ho%vever  feems  to  be  a  mif- 
take.  Many  perfons  drink  three  or  fuurcups  of  warm  milk  an4 
water  daily,  without  feeling  any  bad  confequences ;  yet  the  fame 
quantity  of  tea  will  m^ike  their  hands  ihake  for  twenty-four 
hcurs.  1  hat  tea  affcds  the  nerves,  is  liUewifc  evident  from  its 
preventing  fleep,  occafioning  giddincfs,  dimncfs  of  the  fighr, 
iicknefs,  uq, 

fnufi; 


432  OF  THE   EPILEPSY, 

fauff,  or  any  thing  that  makes  the  patient  fneezej 
is  likewife  of  ufe.  Some  pretend  to  have  found 
great  benefit  from  rubbing  the  parts  affetftcd  with 
nettles ;  but  this  does  not  Ictm  to  be  any  way  pre- 
ferable to  bliftering.  If  the  tongue  is  affeded,  the 
patient  may  gargle  his  mouth  frequently  with 
brandy  and  muftard  j  or  he  may  hold  a  bit  of  fu- 
gar  in  his  mouth  wet  with  the  palfy-drops  or  com- 
pound fpirits  of  lavender.  The  wild  valerian- 
root  is  a  very  proper  medicine  in  this  cafe.  It  may 
either  be  taken  in  an  infufion  with  fiige-leaves,  or 
half  a  drachm  of  it  in  powder  may  be  given  in  a 
glafs  of  wine  three  times  a-day.  If  the  patient 
cannot  ufe  the  valerian,  he  may  take  oi  Jal  volatile 
oleo/um,  compound  fpirits  of  lavender,  and  tinc- 
ture of  caftor,  each  half  an  ounce ;  mix  thefe  to* 
gtther,  and  take  forty  or  fifty  drops  in  a  glafs  of 
wine  three  or  four  times  a-day.  A  table- fpoonful 
of  muftard-feed  taken  frequently  is  z  very  good 
medicine.  The  patient  ought  likewife  to  chew  cin- 
namon-bark, ginger,  or  other  warm  fpiceries. 

Excrcifc  is  of  the  utmoft  importance  in  thepalfyj 
but  the  patient  mult  beware  of  cold,  damp,  and  moift 
air.  He  ought  to  wear  flannel  next  his  fkin  ;  and, 
if  pofllblc,  fhould  remove  into  a  warmer  climate. 

OF   THE  EPILEPSY,  or   FALLING' 

SICKNESS. 

The  epilepfy  is  a  fudden  deprivation  of  alt  the 
fenfes,  wherein  the  patient  falls  fuddenly  dowi)| 
and  is  affeded  with  violent  convulfive  motions. 
Children,  elpecially  thofe  who  are  delicately  brought 
up,  are  moft  fubjeift  to  it.  It  more  frequently  at- 
tacks men  than  women,  and  is  very  difficult  to  cure. 
When  the  epilepfy  attacks  children,  there  is  reafoa 
to  hope  it  may  go  off  about  the  time  a£  puberty. 

Whta 


OR  FALLING    SiCKNfiSS.     43J 

"When  it  attacks  any  perfon  after  twenty  years  of 
age,  the  cure  is  difficult  5  but  when  after  forty,  a 
cure  is  hardly  to  be  expected.  If  the  fie  continues 
Only  for  a  fliort  fpace,  and  returns  fcldom,  there 
is  reafon  to  hope  i  but  if  it  continues  long  and  re« 
'turns  frequently,  ihc  profpeft  is  bad.  It  is  a  Very 
unfavourable  fymptom  when  the  patient  is  fmcd 
with  the  fits  in  his  deep. 

CAUSES. The  epilepf^  is  fomctimes  here** 

ditary.  It  may  likewife  proceed  ff^pm  blows,  bfuifes^ 
or  wounds  on  the  head  ;  a  colle6tioa  of  water,  blciod^ 
or  ferous  humoUrs  in  the  brain:  a  polypus;  tu« 
mours  or  concretions  within  the  (kull ;  exceflive 
drinking;  intenfeftudy;  excefs  of  vencryi  wormsn 
teething!  fupprefllon  of  cuftomary  evacuati^^ns; 
too  great  emptinefs  or  repletion;  violent  padions 
or  affeftions  of  the  mind,  as  fear,  joy,  &c.|  hyfte- 
J-ic  aflfe(fl:ions ;  contagion  received^ioto  the  body, 
as  the  infection  of  the  fmall-pox,  mcafles,  &c. 

SYMPTOMS. An  epilt-ptic  fit  is  generally 

preceded  by  un^fual  Wearinefs;  pain  of.  the  head; 
dulnefs}  giddin^fs;  noife  in  the  ears;  dimnefs  of 
light;  palpitation  of  the  heart;  difturbed  fleepi 
difficult  breathing;  the  bowels  are  inflated  wicli 
wind;  the  urine  is  in  great  quantity,  but  thin;  the 
complexion  is  pale;  the  extremities  are  cold;  and 
the  patient  often  feels,  as  it  were,  a  ftream  of  cold 
air  afcending  towards  his  head. 

In  the  fit^  the  patient  generally  makes  an  unufual 
noife;  his  thumbs  are  drawn  in  towards  the  palms 
of  the  hands  1  his  eyes  are  diitorted  ;  he  darts,  and 
foams  at  the  mouth ;  his  extremities  are  bene  or 
t^ifted  varipus  ways;  he  often  difchargfs  his  fce^-^ 
urine,  and  faeces  involuntarily ;  and  is  quite  d^fti-  . 
tote  of  all  fenfe  and  reafon.  After  the  ^t  is  over^ 
his  fenfes  gradually  retu^n^  and  he  complainil  of  a. 
kind  of  ftupor,  wearinefs,  acid  jpain  of  bis  head;^ 

Ft.  but 

•   I      Jk. 


43+         04  THE  EPILEPSY, 

but  has  no  remembrance  of  what  happened  to  hiiji 
.^^"iig'tlift.fit.  ,,...■ 

_^  The  fits  are  (ometimcs  excited  by  violent  aff«c- 
tio^S';6f"  the  mind,  a  debauch  of  liquor,  cxqetRvfi 
Jicat,  cold,  or  the  like. 

^^  This  difeafe,  from  the  difficulty  of.invcftigsting 
,ifscft^fe3,  and  its  ftrange  fymptomsj  was  forfner^ 
attributed  to  the  wrath  of  the  gods,  or  the  ageQ.<^ 
of  evil  fpirits.  In  modern  times  it  has  often,,  by 
rf^if.y,»*lRa?,,  been  imputed. to  witchcraft  or  faff)na- 
3yoa...,rt  depends  liowever  as  much  upon  natural 
^iijejs  as  (any  other  malady;  and  grits' cur^  rnajr 
.pft*n  Jfiti.  offered  by  pejfifting  in  thp  ufe  ?>f  pr^g^r 

, , ,  ^ifei  1 1)p;N.-T-— Epi lep tic  patientfi ,  pu^)ii,^  if 
fffSfibje,  l^jkeathe'  a  pure  and  free  air.  Their  ^kc 
Jfioufci  be  light  but  nourilhing.  Theyoiight.to 
dr.inlfc  notliing  ftrong,  to  avoid  fwine's  flefh,  ,wa- 
.ter  fowl,  ajid  likewife  all  windy  and  oily  vege- 
wUfs,  as  cabbage,  nuts,  &c.  Th«y  oUgfit  to 
jfcVp  themftlves  cheerful,  carefully  guard ineagai rift 
all  viulcnt  palijons,  as  anger,  fear,  cxccmvcjoy, 
and  the  Uke.  _       .'  .    ,-.  . 

I  E:tcrcife  is  likewife  of  great  ufe ;  but  the  patlgot 
.piuft  be  careful  to  avpid  all  extremes  either  dfhe^t 
.prcpld,  z\\  dangerous  fituaiions,  as  (landing  upon 
precipices,  riding,  deep  waters,  and  fuch  like^  _'  .."" 

.^  .ME^DICINE. The  intentions  of'  cure  fniift 

"vary  according  to  the  caufe  of  the  difeafe.  If  the 
.paiicntbe  qfafanguine  temperament,  and.tliwp 'be 
.jusi&tn  to  fear  an  obftruflion  in  the  brain,  blcediog 
.^afldofhtr  evacuations  will  be  neceffary.  Whin"'tKe 
'(Jjjf^eLis  pccafiuned  by  the  ftoppage  of  cuftohiV'iy 
cvacua'iidns,  thcfe,  if  pollible,  muft  be  rcftofcdjiif 
,jbis  5:,annQt  be.done:,  others  may  be  fubftitutea'in 
tfi'e'ir  place.'"  Ifiues'or  ftions  in  this  cafe  have  'dfccn_a 
very  good  cffcd.  When  there  is  reafoa  to  beileVe 
,,■•-.  .      .  that 


I 


OR   FALLING   SICKN'ESS.     4,fj 

-  that  the  difeafe  proceeds  from  worms,  prpper  tnie- 
dicines  muft  be  ufed  tp  kill,  or  carry  off  thtfc  vcS 
min.  When  the  difeafe  proceeds  from  teething, 
the  body  fhould  be  kept  open  by  emollient  clyftcrs, 
the  feet  frequently  bathed  in  warm  water,  and,  if 
the  fits  prove  obftinate,  a  bliftering-plafter  may  be 
out  betwixt  thc'fhoulders.  The  fame  method  xitQ 
>e  followed,  when  epileptic  fits  precede  the  crifr. 
tion  of  the  fmall-pox,  or  meades,  &c.      * 

When  the  difeafe  is  hereditary,  or  prtfCcji^ds  frorh 
a  wrong  formation  of  the  brain,  a  ciinr  is  riot  td  be 
cxpeftcd.  When  it  is  owing  to  a  debility,  or  too 
great  an  irritability  of  the  nervous  fyftem,  ftich 
medicines  as  tend  to  brace  and  ftfengthcn  the  nerVes 
may  be  ufed,  as  the  Peruvian  bark,  and  fteel ;  or 
the  dnti- epileptic  elcftuaries,  recommended  by  FoU 
ler  and  Mead*. 

The  flowers  of  zinc  have  of  late  been  highly  ex- 
tolled for  the  cure  of  the  epilepfy.  Though  this 
medicine  will  not  be  found  to  anfwer  the  expe£ta« 
tiohs  which  have  been  raifed  concerning  it,  yet  in 
obftinate  epileptic  cafes  it  defervcs  a  trial.  The 
dofe  is  from  one  to  three  or  four  grains,  which  may 
be  taken  either  in  pills  or  a  bolus,  as  the  patient 
inclines.  The  beft  method  is  to  begin  with  a  fingle 
grain  four  or  fivfe  times  ^  day,  and  gradually  to 
ancreafe  the  dole  as  far  as  the  patient  can  bear  it. 
1  have  known  this  medicine,  when  duly  perfifted 
Iti^  prove  beneficial. 

^lu^k  has  fomerimes  been  found  to  fucceed  in 
the  epilepfy.  Ten  or  twelve  grains  of  it,  with  the 
fanic  quantity  of  faftitious  cinnabar,  may  be  made 
"ujp  into  a  bolus,  and  taken  every  night  and  morn- 

Sometimes  the  epilepfy  has  been  cured  by  elec- 
tricity. 


V        • 


♦  See  Appendix,  EUQuaryfcr  the  E/iltlJy, 

F  f  2  Convulfion 


43fi  OF   THE   HICCUP. 

Coivvuinon-Bta  proceed  from  the  fame  cavfes^ 
Mci  iBuft  be  treated  in  the  fame  manner  as  the  epf« 
Icpfy* 

There  is  one  particular  fpecies  of  convulfion-fits 
i^hicheommonly  goes  by  the  name  of  S^.  Vitus^s 
dance,  wherein  the  patient  is  agitated  with  ftrange 
ffiocion&and  gefticulations,  which  by  the  eommoi> 
people  are  generally  believed  to  be  the  efFeAs  of 
witchcraft.  This  difcafe  may  be  cured  by  repeated 
bleedings  and  purges ;  and  afterwards  ufing  the 
medicines  prefer i bed  above  for  the  cpitepfy,  viz. 
the  Peruvian  bark  and  fnake-root,  &c.  Chaly* 
.  beate  waters -are  found  to  be  beneficial  in  this  cafe. 
The  cold  bath  is  llkewife  of  Angular  fervice,  and 
OTight  never  to  be  negleded  wh«Q  the  patient  can 
bear  it. 

OF  THE   HICCUP. 

The  hiccup  is  a  fpafmodic  or  convulffve  afiec-r 
tion  of  the  *ftomach  and  midriff,  arifing  from  anjr 
caufe  that  irritates  their  nervous  fibres. 

It  may  proceed  from  excefs  in  eating  or  drink* 
ing;  from  a  hurt  of  the  ftomach  ;  poifons  >  inflam* 
mations  or  fcirrhous  tumours  of  the  ftomach,  in— 
teftines^  bladder,  midriff,  or  the  reft  of  the  vi/cera^ 
In  gangrenes^*  acute  and  malignant  fevers,  a  hic- 
cup is  often  the  forerunner  of  death. 

When  the  hiccup  proceeds  from  the  ufe  of  all- 
ment  that  is  Baculent,  or  hard  of  digeftion,  a  draught 
of  generous  wine,,  or  a  dram  of  any  fpirituous  li- 
quor, will  generally  remove  it.  If  poifon  be  the 
caufe^  plenty  of  milk  and  oil  mud  be  drank,  as  has 
been  formerly  recommended.  When  it  proceeds- 
from  an  infiammation  of  the  ftomach,  &:c.  it  is-' 
very  dangerous.  In  this  cafe  the  cooling  regimea 
ought  to  be  ftriftly  obferved.  The  patient  muft' 
be  bled,  and  take  freq^uently  a  few  drops  of  the 

fweec 


v-fl 


OF  THE   HICCUP.  451 

fweet  fpifirs  of  oitre  in  a  cup  of  wiac*wHey^  His 
fiomach  &ould  likewifc  be  fomented  wich  clochf 
dipped  in  warm  water,  or  have  bladders  filled  wich 
warm  milk  and   water  applied  to  it. 

When  the  hiccup  proceeds  from  a  gangrene  or 
mortification  I  the  Peruvian  bark>  with  other  anti- 
ieptics,  are  the  only  medicines  which  have  a  chance 
to  fucceed.  When  it  is  a  primary  diieafej  and  pr^ 
ceeds  from  a  foul  ftomach^  loaded  either  with  a  pir 
tuicous  or  a  bilious  humour,  a  gentle  vomit  ao4 
purgCj  if  the  patient  be  able  to  bear  them^  will  be 
4i(  fervice.  If  it  arifes  from  flatulencies,  the  car- 
i^tnative  mediciaes  direded  for  the  heart-burn 
muft  be  ufed. 

Whcn;the  hiccup  {troves  jveryobftinatej  rifcourfe 
muft  be  had  to  the  mod  powerful  aromatic  and  an* 
tifpafmodic  medicines.  The  principal  of  thefe  is 
mufk;  Qfceen  or  twenty  grains  of  which  may  be 
made  into  a  bolus,  and  repeated  occafionally.  Opi* 
ates  s^c  likewife  of  fervice;  but  they  miift'be  oiied 
,witl;i  caution.  A  bit  of  fugar  dipped  in  compound 
fpirits  of  lavender,  or  the  volatile  aromatic  tinc- 
ture^ may  be  taken  frequently^  External  applica- 
tions are  fometimes  alfo  beneficial ;  as  the  ftomach 
plaller,  oracataplafm  of  the  Venice  treacle  of  the 
Edinburgh  or  L»ondoa  difpenfatory,  applied  to  the: 
region  of  th«  ftomach. 

I  lately  attended  a  patient  who  had  alaM>8:  a  coa-^ 
ftant  hiccup  for  above  nine  weeks.  It  waa  £re« 
qtfenUy  ftbpped  by  the  nfe  of  muflc,  opium,  wine, 
and  other  cordial  and  antifpafaiodic  medicines^  but, 
alw^ays  returned.  Nothing  however  gave  ihc  pa- 
tient {b  much  eafe  as  brifk  fmall-beer.  &f  ^I'ink- 
ing  .fteely  of  this,  the  hiccup  was  often  kept  o£F: 
fc>r  feveral  days,  which  was  more  than  conic};  be 
done  by  the  moft  powerful  medicines.  Xbf  pa- 
tient was  at  length  feized  with  a  vomiting  of  bmdj 
which  foon  put  an  end  to  bis  life.     Upon  opening 

F  f  3  the 


4^.     CRAlstP  OF  THE  STOMACH. 

the  bodyj  a  lirgc  fcirrhous  tumour  was  found  nta.^ 

die  pylorus  or  right  oriBce  of  the  ftomach. 

CRAMP   OF   THE  STOMACH. 

This  difcafc  often  fcizes  people  fuddenly,  i«  very 
dangerous,  and  requires  immediate  affiftance.  It 
is  moft  incident  to  perfons  in  the  decline  of  life^ 
efpccially  the  nerrous,  gouty,  hyfteriCj  and  hypo- 
chondriac. 

If  the  patient  has  any  inclination  to  voniit,  he 
ought  to  take  Tome  draughts  of  warm  vater,  or 
weak  camomile- tea,  to  cleanfe  his  ftomach.  After 
this,  if  he  has  been  coftire,  a  laxative  clyflormay 
be  given.  He  ought  then  co  takclaudanum.  'The 
beft  way  of  adminiftering  it  is  in  a  clyRer.  'Sixty 
or  feventy  drops  of  liquid  laudanum  mfly  be  givea 
^  in  a  clyfier  of  warm  water.  This  is  much  more 
certain  than  laudanum  given  by  the  mouth, -whtcdi 
is  often  vomited,  and  in  fome  cafes  tncreafes  the 
pain  and  fpafms  in  the  ftomach. 

If  the  pain  and  cramps  return  with  great  violence, 
after  the  efFefts  of  the  anodyne  clyfter  are  over,  an- 
-other,  with  an  equal  or  a  larger  quantity  of  opium, 
may  be  given  i  and  every  four  or  five  hours  a  bo- 
lus, with  ten  or  twelve  grains  of  mufk,  and  half  a 
liraclim  of  the  Venice  treacle. 
;  -la  the  mean  time,  the  Itomach  ought  to  be  fo< 
-memed  with  cloths  dipped  in  warm  water,  orbtid- 
ders  filled  with  warm  milk  and  water,  (hoald  be 
oonftantly  applied  to  it.  I  have  often  fq^  thefe 
-pioduce  the  moll  happy  effeds.  The  anodyne 
«aUiim  may  alfo  be  rubbed  on  the  part  affi^adi 
:  and  an  antihyfieric,  plafter  worn  upon  it  for  fooK 
ume  iSki  the  cramps  are  rennoved,  to  prevent  tlrtnr 
leiurn.  •  * 


OP  THE  Nl(BHTtM*?IfE.  ^     439 

In  very  violent  aod  hfting  painsof  the  ftbmftcH' 
fome  blood  t>agbt  t6  be  let>  uoleis^cfaeweakneft  oF 
the  patient  forbids  it.  When  the  pain  or  cramps 
proceed  from  a  fuppreflion  of  the  menjes^  bleeding 
is  of  ufc.  If  they  be  bwing  to  the  gcwjti  itcourfc 
fhuft  be  had  to  fpirits,  or  fome  of  the  warm  cor- 
dial waters,  BHftering* pi  afters  ought  likewift  in 
this  cafe  tt^  be  applied  to  the  ancles.  I  have  oftcd 
feen  violent  cramps  and  pains  of  thi^  ftomach  re* 
moved  by  covering  it  witlj^a  large  plaftcr  of  VenicJe 
treacle.  '     '- 

OF   TH^   NIGHTMARE.  - 


V  In^this  difcafe  the  patient,  in  time  of  flee|i,  im^* 

ffides  he  feels  an  uncommon  opprefllon  or  wcigiifc 

i^bout  his  breaft  or  (lomach,  which  he; can  by! no 

means  (hake  ofF.     He  groans,  and  fometimes  caries 

t>iit,  though  oftner  he  attempts  to  fpeak  in  vaia. 

'Sometimes   he  imagines  himfclf  engaged  with  an 

.rnemy,  and  in  danger  of  being  killed,  attempts  to 

run  away,  but  finds  he  cannot.     Sometimeshefaw- 

cies  himlelf  in  a  houfe  that  is  on  fire,  or;  that  He  is 

in  danger  of  being  drowned  in  a  riverJ     He  oftfcn 

thinks  he  is  falling  over  a  precipice,  and  the  dread  ' 

of  being  dafhed  to  pieces  fuddenly  awakes  him*  * 

Thisdiforder  has  been  fuppofed  to  proceed  frorti 

too  much  blood  ;  from  a  ftagnatioh  oi  blood  ia  dw 

brain,  lungs,  S^c.     But  it  is  rather  a  nervous  af- 

fe&ion,  and  arifes  chiefly  from  indigeftion.  Htncc 

we  find  that  perfons  of  weak  nerves,  who  lead  a  (b- 

dentary  life,  and  live  full,  are  moft  commortly  af- 

flifted  with  the  night- mare.     Nothing  tends  more 

to  produce  it  than  heavy  fuppers,  efpecially  when 

eaten  late,  or  the  patient  goes  to  bed  loon   after. 

Wind  is  likewifc  a  very  frequent  caufo  of  this  dif- 

eafej  for  which  reafon  thofe  who  are  ^afB idled  with 

it  ought  to  avoid  all  flatulent  food.    Deep  thought, 

F  f  4  anxiety. 


440  OF   SWOONINGS. 

aiixiety,  qr  any  thing  thuopprelTcs  the  mind,  ought 
aJ£>ito  be  avoided, 

\  Asperfons  afflicted  with  the  nigbt-mare  grne- 
^ally  moan,  or  make  fome  noifc  in  the  fit,  they 
-  ^uid  be  waked,  or  fpoken  to  by  fuch  as  hear 
them,  as  the  uncafincfs  generally  goes  oiF  as  toon 
i^S  the  paiienc  is  awake.  Dr.  Whytt  fays,  he  ge- 
nerally found  a  dram  of  brandy,  taken  at  l&cd-time, 
prevcijt  this  difeafe.  That  however  is  a  bad  cuf- 
ftHT),  and  in  time  lofes  its  cfTc^.  We  would  rather 
have  the  patient  depend  upon  the  ufcof  food  of  eaf^ 
digcftion,  cheerfulnefs,  exercife  through  the  day, 
and  a  light  fupper  taken  early,  than  to  accuftocn 
himfclf  to  drams.  A  glafs  of  peppermint -water 
.will  often  promote  digcftion  as  much  as  a  glafs  of 
|)randy,  and  is  much  fafcr.  After  a  perfon  of  weak 
digeftion,  however,  has  eaten  flatulfiit  food,  a  drain 
ipay  be  ncceffary ;  in  this  cafe  we  would  rccommcod 
)C  as  the  moll  proper  medicine. 

Peifons  who  are  young,  and  full  of  blood,  if 
troubled  with  the  night-mare,  ought  to  take  a  purge 
frcqueotly,  and  ufc  a  fpare  diet. 


OF    SWOONINGS. 

People  of  weak  nerves  or  delicate  conftitoiionk 
are  liable  to  fwoonings  or  fainiing  fits.  Ihcfe  in- 
deed are  feldom  dangerous  when  duly  attended  toi 
but  when  wholly  negledted,  or  improperly  treated, 
they  often  prove  hurtful,  and  fomciiines  fatal. 

The  general  caufcs  of  fwoouings  are,  fudden  tran- 
fition  from  cold  to  heat  i  breathing  air  that  is  dc- 
privad  of  -its  proper  fpring  or  elalticity  i  great  fa- 
tigue j  exccflive  wcaknefsi  lofs  of  blood;  long 
fading*;  fear,  grief,  and  other  violent  paiHons  or 
affections  of  the  mind. 

It  is  well  known,  chat  perfoos  who  have  been 
long  expofed  to  cold,  often  faint  or  fall  into  a 

fwfKID. 


OF   SWOONINGS.  441  . 

fwoon,  upon  coming  into  the  houfe,  efpeciaU^  if 
tticy  drink  hot  liquor,  or  fit-ncar  a  large  fire.  This 
might  eafily  be  preveoted  by  people  taking  care  noc 
to  go  into  a  warnfi  room  immediately  after  ihiey 
have  been  expofed  to  the  cold  air,  to  approach  ch« 
fire  gradually,  and  not  to  eat  or  drink  any  thing 
hoi,  till  the  body  has  been  gradually  brought  into 
a  warm  temperature. 

When  any  one,  in  confequence  of  neglcAing 
thefe  precautions,  falls  into  a  fwoon,  he  ought  tm- 
mediately  to  be  removed  to  a  cooler  apartment,  to 
have  ligauires  applied  above  his  knees  and  elbows, 
and  to  have  his  hands  and  face  fprinkled  with  vine- 
gar or  cold  water.  He  (bould  likewife  be  made  10 
fmell  to  vinegar,  and  ihould  have  a  fpoonful  or  two 
of  water,  if  he  can  fwallow,  with  about  a  third 
part  of  vinegar^  mixed  with  it,  poured  into '  hii 
jnouth.  If  thefc  ihould  not  remove  the  complaint, 
ft  will  be  necclTary  to  bleed  the  patient,  and  after- 
wards  to  give  him  a  clyfter. 

As  air  that  is  breathed  frequently  lofes  its  elafti- 
fity  or  fpring,  it  is  no  wpndcr  if  perfons  who  re- 
fpire  in  it  often  fall  into  a  fwoon  or  fainting  fit. 
They  are  in  this  cafe  deprived  of  the  very  principle 
.of  life.  Hence  tt  is  that  fainting  Bts  are  fo  fre- 
quent in  all  crowded  aflemblies,  efpecially  in  hot 
fcafons.  Such  fits  however  mud  be  con6dered  as 
a  kind  of  temporary  death;  and,  to  the  weak  and 
delicate,  they  fomctimes  prove  fatal.  T^ey  oughf 
therefore  with  the  utmofl  care  to  be  guarded  againlC 
The  method  of  doing  this  is  obvious.  Let  aflTem* 
biy'rooms,  and  all  other  places  of  public  refort, 
be  large  and  well  ventilated  i  and  let  the  weak  and 
delicate  avoid  fuch  places,  particularly  in  warm 
feafons. 

A  perfon  who  faints,  in  fuch  a  fituation,  ought 

immediately  to  be  carried  into  the  open  air;  hi$ 

temple»  Ihould  be  xubbed  w^di  .ftropg  vinegar  or 

brandy. 


44*  'i'^rcSF^^WltDONINGS. 
feritDd)r>oin)l>  Wlvtile Tpirits  or  fairs  h«Id  to  hU  ntff^^ 
Htt>fliould  bd-lilid  upon 'ti is  back  with  his  head 
IdH  awAttj^  a  Htllt  wine,  ■  er  fdme  other  f  oi"- 
#ati7 »i<- ftiOTi  as.  h«-U  ablr>i<l>  fwallow  it,  pdurtrd 
^NfftJufimoutli.  If  tlie-fi^rrun  has  beta  fubjeft 
fOiii|(lcnc-fic«,  caftor  OF^kafcetida  lhou)d  be  ap- 
plied to-ithc  hofci'-or-burn^fealhers,  hom.  Or  lea- 
ther, Sec 

When  fainting  fitsjjroceed  from  mere  wcaknefa 
M^haufKoni  whicti  is-often  the-cafeafter  great  fa- 
tigue, long  fafting,  lofs  of  blood,  or  the  like^  the 
^t«m  muftibe^fbpported  with  gencroo*  cordials, 
iHijd4ier^:wines,  fpirituous  Hquorit,  &c.  TtVefts 
hoanever  muft^  given  at  Arft  in  very  flnall  quMf^ 
onts^  isuidiiticrcUfed^raduatly  as  the  patient  i«  AH 
tmbear. litem;  He  otJght  to  be  allowed  to  Iwi^itt 
IliUahd  eafy  upon  his  back,  «itb  his  head  tdW> 
«hd  flioold  have  frelh  air  admitted  into  his  chanm 
bcr. '  His  food  Ihould  confift  of  nouHfhing  broths, 
iago-grue)  with  wine,  new  milk,  and  other  things 
or  alight  and  cordial  nature.  Thefe  thtngsaretd 
be  given  out  of  the  fit-  All  that  can  be  done  1ft 
tbefic  is,  to  let  him  fmctl  to  a  bottle  of  Htrngary* 
water,  fau  4e  luce,  or  fptrics  of  hart  (horn,-  and  CA 
mb  his  temples  wvth  warm  brandy,  or  to  tay'fe 
Ootnprefs  dipped  in  it  to  the  pit  of  the  ftomatit)."  ' 

In  fainting  fits  that  proceed  fi^m  fear,  grief,  ■«■ 
mht?  violent  pafTions  or  afFcAions  of  the  mind,'  the 
bapcnt  m«(^  be  very  cautioiifly  managed.  Ht  llnSuM 
befuf&red  to  remain  at  reft,  and  onty  m^e-Vi 
fmell  to  fomc  vinegar.  After  he  is  come  toUirt!- 
Icdf'he  may  drink  freely  of  warm  lemonade,  or'Ualm 
tca>  with  fome  orange  or  lemon-pee)  in  it.-  Il'ttM 
Itkewife.  be  proper,  if  the  fiinttng  fits  have  berti 
long  and  fevere,  to  clean  the  bowels  by  thrbwTf?£ 
^ri,  id  eftiolljlent.  clyftcr.  .*  _^ 

'^^'.Ic  is  >QMntnon  in  fainting  fits,  from  whacevo- 
caufe  tbey  proceed,  to  bleed  the  patientv  Titk* 
ir-    '-    ■  piaak<( 


OF  FLATUtEN<:iES,'  OR:  WIND.   441 

pra&ice  may  be  v<ry  proper  inJftrong  ^fomtti^m 
full  habit ;  but  in  thole  who  are  weak  and  delicatti 
or  fubjed  to  nervous  diforders,  it  is  dangerous*  Tl^ 
proper  method  with  fvch  people  isy  to  expoic  thcoi 
to  the  free  air^  and  to  mfe  cordial  and  ftimuJiatia^ 
medicines.,  as  volatile  fairs,  Hungary «water^  fpirict 
of  lavender,  tindureof  cador,  and  the  like«     uiq 


1  r 


OF   FLATULENCIES,  OR  WINDac 


■      i\T 


All  nervous  patients,  without  exception,  are  afr 
Aided  with  wind  or  flatulencies  in  the  ftomach  and 
bt^wels,  which  arife  chiefly  fron)  the  want  of  tone 
orvigourin  thefe  organs.  Crude  flatulent  dioientj 
as  green  peas,  .  beans,  :colewor(s,i  cabbages,  and 
A»ch  like,^may  increafe  tbisrcomplaint.;  but  ilrong 
and  healthy  people  are  feldom  troubled  ivUh  winc^ 
unkfs  they  either  overload  their  ftonnachs^  or  drink 
liquors,  that  arc  in  a  fermentingilace,  and  confer 
quenily  full  of  claftic  air.  W^iile  therefore  the 
enatter  of  flatulence  proceeds  from  our  aliments^ 
the  caufe  which  makes  air  feparate  from  them  in 
fuch  quantity  as  to  occafton-  complaints^  ts  almoft 
always  a  fault  of  the  bowels  chemfelves,  which  are 
too  weak  either  to  prevent  the  produftion  of  elaftic 
air,  or  to  expel  it  after  it  is. produced. 

To  relieve  this  complaint,  fuch  medicines  ought 
to  be  ufed  as  have  a  tendency  to  expel  wmd,  and 
by-ftrengthening  the  alimentaryi  canal,  to  prevent 
ils  being  produced  there*.  .  i. 

The  lift  of  medicines  for. expelling  iiwod  is  verf 
BupfKroua }  they  often  however  diiappoinr^  itbe  ca^ 

a  Many  nervous  people  find  great  benefit. ^om  bating  9  dry 
bifcuic,  efpecially  when  the  (iomach  U  empty,  ^,{|lo,Qk  uppn  i\n$ 
as  one  of  the  belY  carminative  medicines;  and  woiitd  fecommen^ 
ic  in  all  comt>lahlts  of  the  Bdktiaeii,  anfiog  frtih  Haiuliffcc^ !». 

^ig^ion,  &c.  ■ -^       3:    ij.-:;;v?     .         ■•    i«^i-!    'pd/    ".n*^^ 

*  •  peflations 


«U   Of  FLATULENCIES,  OR  WIND. 

?ei&ations  of  bocb  che  phyQcian  and  his  patient, 
'ko  moll  celebrated  among  che  clafs  of  carmtna- 
4i¥CS  -are  juniper  berries;  the  roots  of  ginger  and 
acdoary  j  the  feeds  of  anile,  caraway,  and  corian> 
^er  i  gonn  afafoetida  and  .opium;  che  warm  watcri, 
tin&UTcs,  knd  fpirits,  as  che  aromatic  water,  the 
^oAuM  of  .woodi'oQt,  the  .volatile  aron:iatic  ipirit, 
aether,  &c. 

Drt  Whytt  fays,  he  found  no  medicines  more 
efficacious  in  expejling  wind  than  xiher  and  Jau- 
danum.  He  generally  gave  che  laudanum  in  amix- 
t^tt  with  peppermint-water  and  tincture  of  caAor, 
or  fweet  ipirits  of  nitre.  Sometimes,  In  place  of 
t|us*  he  <£ave  opium  in  pills  with  afafceiida.  He' 
jCwfervQs  that  the  good  eflccLs  of  opiates  are  equ«Hf 
coolptcuous,  whether  the  Eatulence  be  contained 
ijtk  the  Itomach  or  inteftines;  whereas  chofc  warm 
ptedicineSf  commonly  called  earmitia/ives,  do  noE 
ofcen  give  immediate  relief,  except  when  the  wiodl 
is  in  the  ftomach, 

With  regard  to  lether,  the  Doftor  fays,  he  hu 
pfteo  feen  very  good  effeds  from  it  in  Batulenc  cwnr 
plaints,  where  other  medicines  failed.  The  dofeii 
fi  tea-fpoonful  mixed  with  two  table-fpoonfuls  of 
water*.  In  gouty  cafes  he  obferves,  that  mther,  n 
gUis  of  French  brandy,  or  of  the  aromatic  waUTk. 
or  ginger,  either  taken  in  fubflance  or  tnfufed  ia 
boiliBg  water,  are  among  the  bcQ:  medicines  f»r 
iCKpelliiig  wind,  ;,. 

When  the  cafe  of  flatulent  patients  is  fitch  u 
makes  it  improper  to  givethem^warmmediciBCsift*.. 
-Wardly,  the  Dortor  recommends  external  applfca- . 
tUUis,  which  are  fomecimes  of  advantage.  £qifgl 
pmrts  of  the  anti-hyfteric  and  ftomach  plafter  mft/. 

■  ThoDgli  the  patient  may  begin  with  thii  quantity.  v~m|(^~ 
iIk  tpceSvj  to  iacreafe  the  dofe  gradually  a*  ihe  ftoniaick.«([ 
.hiar-it. .  jGtWii  nowgivcp  ia  coaGderatil/ ^mter  doM  w** 
itjruia  pr.  Whjpu'g  time.  .  ..t   .t.   ' 

.     .  ■ :  be 


OF  FLATULENCIES,  OR  WiND.    444 

be  fpread  upon  a  piece  of  foft  leather,  of  ftKrh  fiz^ 
as  to  cover  the  greater  part  of  the  belly.  Thib 
Ihould  be  kept  on  for  a  confiderable  time,  pro\rideci 
the  patient  be  able  to  bear  it;  if  it  fh'ould  givs 
great  uncafinefs,  it  may  be  taken  off^  and  the  fol^ 
lowing  liniment  ufed  in-  its  ftead  :  "    '^ 

Take  of  Bates's  anodyne  balfam  anounrce;  of 
the  expreffed  oil  of  mace  half  an  ounce;  oil  of 
mint  two  drachms.  Let  thefe  ingredients  be  mrxed 
together,  and  about  a  table- fpoonful  well  rubbetl 
on  the  parts  at  bed-time.  •  ^ 

For  ftrengthening  the  ftomach  and  bowels,  aivit 
confequently  for  leffening  the  produAiotf  of  flatu^^ 
lence,  the  Doftor  recommends  the  Perovian  bark^' 
bitters,  chalybeates,  and  exercife.  In  flatulent- 
cafes,  he  thinks  fome  nutmeg  or  ginger  (hould  be* 
added  to  the  tinflure  of  the  bark  and  bitters,  and^ 
that  the  aromatic  powder  (hould  be  joined  with  the 
filings  of  iron. 

When  windy  complaints  are  attended  with  cof- 
tivenefs,  which  is  often  the  cafe,  few  things  will  be 
found  to  anfw^r  better  than  four  or  five  of  the  fol- 
lowing pills  taken  every  night  at  bed-time: 

Take  of  afafcetida  two  drachms;  fuccotrine  aloes, 
fait  of  iron,  and  powdered    ginger,    of*  each   one^ 
drachm;  as  much  of  the  elixir proprietatis  as  willr 
be  fufficient  to  form  them  into  pills. 

On  the  other  band,  when  the  body  is  too  open, - 
twelve  or  fifteen  grains  of  rhubarb,  with  half  a-- 
drachm  or  two  fcruples  of  the  Japonic  confcdbion, 
given  every  other  evening,  will  have  very  good 

In.  thofe  flatulei^t  complaints   which  come  on 
about   the  time  the  menjis   ceafe,  repeated   fmall^ 
bleedings  often  give  more  relief  than   any   oth^r 
j:e.rnedy. 

With  regard  to  diet,  the  Doftor  obfervcs, .  that..^ 
tea,  and  likcwifc  all  flatulent  aliments,  arc  to  be' 

12  avoided  > 


>46     ' ■''b'^  tow  SPIRIt'S.     ' 

itfoided/  and  rfiat  for  drink,  water  with  a  litlTe 
bi'andy  op  ru'rti  is  not  only  preferable  to  mall  liquor," 
but  iti  moft  cafes  alfo  to  wine. 

As  Br."'Whytt  has  paid  grtat  attention  to'thia 
fiibjefti  and  as  his  fentimems  upon  it  in  a  gr^t 
mcafure  agree  with  mine,  I  have  rfcken  the  liberty 
to  adopt  them  j  arid  fhall  only  add  t6  his  obferva- 
tions,  that  exercife  is  in  my  opinion  fupcrior  to  all 
Vnedttlne,  both  for  preventing  the  prodiiflion  and 
likeiiSItfdr  expelling  of  flatulencies.  Thefe  effcffj, 
hiWevcr,  are  not  to  be  expefted  from  faun'tc'riiig 
'ibcdt'/'bi-  lolling  in  a  carriage;  but  from  labtyOr, 
oi^fuch'aftivi;  airtufemerits  as  give  cxcrcife  to  every 
partof  fb'c  body. 
Vrh.r  :■■■■. 

"'"'"  ■  OF    LOW    SPIRITS. 

All  who  have  weak  nerves  are  fubjed^  to  low  fpi- 
rits  in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree.  Generous  diet^  the 
cold  bath,  excrcife,  and  amufementSi  are  the  nioft 
likely  meins  to  remove  this  complaint.  Il.'h 
greatly  Increafcd  by  folitude  and  indulging  gloomy 
jdeas  i  but  may  often  be  relieved  by  cheerful  com- 
pany  and  fprightly  amufements. 

When  low  fpirJts  are  owing  to  a  weak  relaxed 
ftate  of  the  ftomach  and  bowels,  an  infufion  of  the 
Peruvian  bark  with  cinnamon  or  nutmeg  wUl  tx 
proper.  Steel  joined  with  aromatics  maylikcwi/c 
in  this  cafe  be  ufed  with  advantage  j  but  riding 
and  a  proper  diet,  are  mod  to  be  depended  on, 
■  When  they  arife  from  a  foulncfs  of  the  ftomadb 
and  intedines,  Or  obftru£tion  in  the  hypochohdri)w 
vifcera,  aloeiic  purges  will  be  proper.  I  hivt 
fometimes  known  the  Harrowgate  fulphur-waccf  {if 
fcrvice  in  this  cafe.  ^., 

When  low  fplrits  proceed  from  a  fuppreffidaif 

tbe  menftrual  or  of  the  hemorrhoidal  flux,  th^ 

cVaca^tions  may  cither  be  reftored,  or  fome  others 

fubftituted 


t 


OF  HYSTERIC  A^Fl^GTIiQNS.  44.7 
fubftitutcd  ip  their  place*  u  i0iies,  ictons,  -or  tl^e 
like.  Dr.  Whytc  obfervcs,  that  nottiing  has  fu,ch 
fuddcn  good  elfefts  in  this  cafe  as  bleeaing.  .  .  ; 

When  low  fpirits  have  been  broughcon,by  long- 
continued  grief,  anxiety,  or  other  diftrefs  ofjn^d, 
agreeable  company,  variety  of  amufcmcnts*  an^ 
change  of  place,  efpccUUy  travelling  into  forciga 
countries,  will  afford  ijic  moft  certain  relief.     ',,  . 

Pcrfons  affliftcd  with,  low  fpirU*  ftp^ild  avjwi  aU 
kinds  of  exccfs,  crpccially  afy.cfitjy  s^nij  iiiiong  lif- 
tiuors.  The  moderate  gfc  of  wine  and  othcflirp^ 
lliquors  is  by  no  means  hurtful;  b.u£  wtiet^. tafic^jp 
exccfs  they  weaken  tl^e  ftomach» .  vijiiie  the  .Kj^ 
oiours,  and  deprefs  the  fpirits.  Tll.i?  ,,9»u(^Qf^^B 
the  more  neccftary,  as  the  unfortunate  and  melatr- 
choly  often  fly  to  ftrong  liquors  for  relief,  by  which 
means  they  never  fail  to  precipitate  their  own  dc- 
ftruftion.  I . ;, 

OF    HYSTERIC    AFFECTIONS/ 

'  Xhefc  likewifc  belong  to  the  numer.oqs,.tribc"of 
'nervous  difeafes,  which  may  be  juftly  rcckpned.rfie 
rieproach  of  medicine.  Women  of  a  delicate  Ija- 
tif,  whole' ftomach  and  inteftincs  are  rela*?d,  and 
whofe  nervous  fyftem  is  extremely  fenfiWc,, arc  naoft 
fobjeCE  to  hyftcric  complaints.  In  fuqh  perfons  * 
tiyfteric  fir,  as  It  is  called,  may  be  brought  on  by 
Sn  irrttaiiftn  of  the  nerves  of  the  Itonrijjh  or  intCf- 
tirife^,  by  wind,  acrid  humour,  or  th<;Jikg,..  A  fud- 
^n  fupprcfiion  of  the  ./nen/es  often  gives  rife  tp 
hyftcnc  fits.  They  may  likewifc  be  excised  by 
viblent  paflions  or  affections  of  the  mind,  »s  fear, 
grief,  anger,  or  great  difappointments. 
^  ■  SometiiTirs  the  hyftcric  fit  rcfenibles.  a  fwoQQ  br 
ifainting  fit,  during  which  the  patient  l^fs,  as-,io.  4 
.flcep,.  only  the  breathing  is  fo  low  ^s  fcarcc  tp,  be 
perceived.  At  other  times,' the  patifnt.w  j.^e^ed 
,  with  catchings  and  fttongcqnvgllioos..,  Xhefompr 
"  "  torns 
9 


448  6P  tttSTUktC  AFFECTlOKSf. 
toms  which  precrdehyfteric  fits  arc  likcwife  vari-» 
ous  in  difftrrent  perfons.  Sometimes  the  fits  come 
on  with  coldnefs  of  the  extremities,  yawning  and 
ftretching,  lownefs  of  fpirits,  opprcfTion  and  anxi- 
ety. At  other  times  the  approach  of  the  fie  is 
foretold  by  a  feeling,  as  if  there  were  a  ball  at  the 
lower  part  of  the  belly,  which  gradually  rifes  to- 
wards the  fiom3ch>  where  it  occa(ions  inflation, 
ficknefs,  and  fometimes  vomiting ;  afterwards  it 
rifes  into  the  gullet,  and  occafions  a  degree  of  fuf- 
Ibcation,  to  which  quick  breathing,  palpitation  of 
the  heart,  giddinefs  of  the  head,  dimnefs  of  the 
fight,  lofs  of  hearing,  with  convutfive  motions  of 
the  extremities  and  other  parts  of  the  body»  fuc- 
cecd.  The  hyfteric  paroxyfm  is  often  idtroducrtl 
by  an  immoderate  fie  of  laughter,  and  fometimes 
it  goes  off  by  crying.  Indeed  there  is  not  mucli 
difference  between  the  laughing  and  crying  of  an 
highly  hyfteric  lady. 

Our  aim  in  the  treatment  of  this  difeafe  mufl  be 
to  fhorten  the  fit  or  paroxyfm  when  prefent,  and  to 
prevent  its  return.  The  longer  the  fits  continue, 
and  the  more  frequently  they  return,  the  difeafe  be- 
comes the  more  obftinate.  Their  llrength  is  in- 
creafed  by  habit,  and  they  induce  fo  great  a  relaxa-*' 
tion  of  the  fyftem,  that  it  is  with  difficulty  re- 
moved. 

It  is  cuftomary,  during  the  hyfteric  fit  or  pa- 
roxyfm, to  bleed  the  patient.  In  ftrong  perfons  of' 
a  plethoric  habit,  and  where  the  pulfe  is  full,  this 
may  be  proper;  but  in  weak  and  delicate  conftitu- 
tions,  or  where  the  difeafe  has  been  of  long  fbind-' 
ing,  or  artfes  from  inanition,  it  is  not  fafe.  The 
belt  courfe  in  fuch  cafes  is  to  roufe  the  patient  by 
ftrong  fmells,  -as  burnt  feathers,  afafoetida,  or  fpi- 
rits  of  hartfhorn,  held  to  the  nofe.  Hot  brides 
rpay  alfo  be  applied  to  the  foles  of  the  feet,  and  the' 
legs,  arms,  and  belly  may  be  ftrongly  rubbed  with 
a  warm 


OF  HYSTERIC   AFFECTIONS.     449 

a  warm  cloth.  But  the  bed  application  h  to  put 
the  feet  and  legs  into  warm  water.  This  is  pecu- 
liarly proper  when  the  fits  precede  the  flow  of  the 
menfes.  In  cafe  of  coftivenefs,  a  laxative  clyftcf 
with  afafoetida  will  be  proper ;  and  as  foon  as  the 
patient  can  fwallow,  two  table-fpoonfuls  of  a  fo- 
lution  of  afafoetida,  or  of  fome  cordial  julep,  may 
be  given*. 

The  radical  cure  of  this  diforder  will  be  bcft  at* 
tempted  at  a  time  when  the  patient  is  moil  free 
from  the  fits.  It  will  be  greatly  promoted  by  a 
proper  attention  to  diet.  A  milk  and  vegetable 
diet,  when  duly  perfifled  in,  will  often  perform  a 
cure.  If  however  the  patient  has  been  accuftomci 
to  a  more  generous  diet,  it  wil(  not  be  fafe  to  leave 
it  oflf  all  at  once,  but  by  degrees.  The  moft  pro-' 
per  drink  is  water  with  a  fmall  quantity  of  fpirits. 
A  cool  dry  air  is  the  bcft:.  Cold  bathing  and  every 
thing  that  braces  the  nerves,  and  invigorates  the 
fyftem,  is  beneficial;  but  lying  too  long  in  bed, 
or  whatever  relaxes  the  body,  is  hurtful.  It  is  of 
the  greateft  importance  to  have  the  mind  kept  con- 
ftantly  eafy  and  cheerful,  and,  if  poffiblr,  to  have 
it  always  engaged  in  fome  agreeable  and  interefting 
purfuit. 

The  proper  medicines  are  thole  which  ftrengthen 
the  alimentary  canal  and  the  whole  nervous  fyftem, 
as  the  preparations  of  iron,  the  Peruvian  bark,  and 
other  bitters.     Twenty  drops  of  the  elixir  of  vi- 

*  When  hyfterie  fits  are  occafioned  by  fy mpathy,  they  may  be 
cured  by  exciting  an  oppofite  paffion.  This  is  faid  to  have  been 
the  cafe  of  a  whole  fchooi  of  young  ladies  in  Holland,  who  were 
all  cured  by  being  told,  that  the  firfl  who  was  feized  Ihould  be 
burnt  to  death.  But  this  method  of  cure,  to  my  knowledge,  will 
not  always  fucceed.  I  would  therefore  advife,  that  young  ladies 
who  are  fubjedt  to  hyfteric  fits  (hould  not  be  Tent  lo  boarding 
fchools,  as  the  difeafe  may  be  caught  by  imitation.  I  have 
known  madnefs  itfelf  brought  on  by  fympachy. 

G  g  triol, 


450     OF  HYSTERIC   AFFECTIONS. 

triol,  in  a  cup  of  the  infufion  cf  the  bark,  may 
be  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day.  The  bark  and 
iron  may  likewife  be  taken  in  fubftance,  provided 
the  ftomach  can  bear  them ;  but  they  are  generally 
given  in  too  fmall  dofcs  to  have  any  cffe^.  The 
chalybeate  vT^ters  generally  prove  beneficial  in  this 
diforder. 

If  the  ftomach  is  loaded  with  phlegm,  vomits 
will  be  of  ufe;  but  they  (hould  not  be  too  ftrohg, 
nor  frequently  repeated,  as  they  tend  to  relax  and 
weaken  the  ftomach.  Jf  there  be  a  tendency  to 
coftivcncfs,  it  muft  be  removed  cither  by  diet,  or 
by  taking  an  opening  pill  as  often  as  it  fhall  be 
found  necefiary. 

To  leffcn  the  irritability  of  the  fyftem,  antifpaf- 
modic  medicines  will  be  of  ufe.  The  beft  antifpaf- 
modic  medicines  are  mulk,  opium,  and  caftor. 
When  opium  difagrees  with  the  ftomach,  it  may  ei- 
ther be  applied  externally,  or  given  in  clyfters.  It 
is  often  luccefsful  in  removing  thofe  periodical 
head-achs  to  which  hyfteric  and  hypochondriac  pa- 
tients are  fubjeS:.  Caftor  has  in  lome  cafes  been 
found  to  procure  fleep  where  opium  failed  ;  for 
which  reafon  Dr.  Why tt  advifes,  that  they  ihould  be 
joined  together.  He  likewife  recommends  the  anti- 
hyfteric  plafter  to  be  applied  to  the  abdomen  *• 

H)fteric  women  are  often  afili£^ed  with  cramps 
in  various  parts  of  the  body,  which  are  moft  apt 
to  feize  them  in  bed,  or  when  afleep^  The  moft 
efHcacious  medicines  in  this  cafe  are  opium,  blif- 
tering-plafters,  and  warm  bathing  or  fomentations. 
When  the  cramp  or  fpafm  is  very  violent,  opium  is 

*  Though  antifpafmodics  and  anodynes  are  DniverfallyrecoiB* 
mended  in  this  difeafe,  yet  all  the^extraordinary  cures  that  1  ever 
knew  in  hyfteric  cafes,  were  performed  by  n^eans  of  tonic  aad 
corroboraiing  medicines. 

the 


m:. 


OF  HYPOCHONDRIAC  AFFJECTIONS.  451 

the  remedy  mod:  to  be  depended  on.  In  milder 
cafes^  imiiierfing  the  feet  and  legs  in  warmwatef, 
or  applying  a  bliftering-plafter  to  the  part  affe£ted> 
will  often  be  fufticient  to  remove  the  complaint.  In 
patients  whofe  nerves  are  uncommonly  delicate  and 
fenfiblcj  it  will  be  better  to  onxit  the  bliftering* 
plafter,  and  to  attempt  the  cure  by  opiates^  mulk^ 
camphire^  and  the  warm  bath. 

Cramps  are  often  prevented  or  cured  by  compref* 
fion.  Thus  cramps  in  the  legs  are  prevented,  and 
fometimes  removed,  by  tight  bandages ;  and  when 
convulfions  arife  from  a  flatulent  diftention  of  the 
inteftinesy  or  from  fpafms  beginning  in  them,  they 
may  be  often  lefTened  or  cured  by  making  a  pretty 
Ilrong  compredion  upon  the  abdomen  by  means  of  a 
broad  belt.  A  roll  of  brimftone  held  in  the  hand 
is  frequently  ufcd  as  a  remedy  for  cramps.  Though 
this  feems  to  owe  its  eflTeft  chiefly  to  imagination  ; 
yet,  as  it  fometimes  fucceeds,  it  merits  a  trial*. 
When  fpafms  or  convulfive  motions  arife  from 
(harp  humours  in  the  ftomach  and  inteftines,  no 
lading  relief  can  be  procured  till  thefe  are  either 
correfted  or  expelled.  The  Peruvian  bark  has 
fometimes  cured  periodic  convulfions  after  other 
medicines  had  failed. 


OF  HYPOCHONDRIAC  AFFECTIONS. 

This  difeafe  generally  attacks  the  indolent,  the 
luxurious,  the  unfortunate,  and  the  fludious.  It 
becomes  daily  more  common  in  this  country,  owing, 
no  doubt,  to  the  incrcafe  of  luxury  and  fcdenrary 
employments.  It  has  fo  near  a  r'efemblance  to  the 
immediately  preceding,  that  many  authors  confider 

♦  Some  perfons  afHiflcd  with  cramps  pretend  to  reap  great 
benefit  from  fmal]  bundlea  of  rofemary  tied  all  Dighc  about  tJbeir 
feei,  ancles^  and  knees. 

G  g  a  them 


^$2  OF  HYPOCHONDRIAC  AFFECTIONS. 

■  theiB  as  the  fame  difeafe,  and  treat  them  accord- 
ingly. They  require  however  a  very  different  re- 
gimea;  and  the  fymptoms  of  the  latter,  though 
)ef$  violent,  are  more  permanent  than  thofe  of  the 
former. 

Men  of  a  melancholy  temperament,  whofe  minds 
are  capable  of  great  atcention^  and  whofe  paBloas 
iTC  not  eaflly  moved,  are,  In  the  advanced  periods 
of  life,  molt  liable  to  this  difeafe.  It  is  ufuallf 
brought  on  by  long  and  ferious  attention  to  ab> 
ftrufe  fubje£ts,  grief,  the  fupprcflion  of  cuftomaiy 
evacuations,  excefs  of  venery,  the  repulfion  of  cu- 
taneous eruptions,  long-continued  evacuations,  ob- 
ftruftions  in  Tome  of  the  vifcera,  as  the  liver,  fpleen, 
&c. 

Hypochondriac  perfons  ought  never  to  fall  long, 
and  their  food  Ihould  be  folid  and  nourilhing.  All 
acefcent  and  windy  vegetables  are  to  be  avoided. 
FleOi  meats  agree  belt  with  them,  and  their  drink 
Ihould  be  old  claret,  or  good  madeira.  Should 
thefe  difagree  with  the  (tomach,  water  with  a  little 
brandy  or  rum  in  it  may  be  drank. 

Cheerfutnefs  and  ferenity  of  mind  are  by  all 
means  to  be  cultivated.  Exercife  of  every  kind 
is  ufcful.  The  cold  bath  is  likewife  beneficial  { 
and^  where  it  docs  not  agree  with  the  patient,  fric- 
tions with  the  flc(h-bru(h  or  a  coarfe  cloth  may  be 
tried.  If  the  patient  has  it  in  his  power,  he  ought 
to  travel  either  by  fea  or  land.  A  voyage  or  a  long 
journey,  efpecially  towards  a  warmer  climate*  wiU 
be  of  more  fervice  than  any  medicine. 

The  general  inientions  of  cure,  in  this  difeafe, 
are  to  ftrengthen  the  alimentary  canal,  and  to  pro- 
mote ihe  fccrctions.  Thefe  intentions  will  be  beft 
anfwered  by  the  different  preparations  of  iron  and 
the  Peruvian  bark,  which,  after  proper  evacua- 
tions, may  be  taken  in  the  fame  manner  as  directed 
in  the  preceding  dil'cafc. 


OF  HYPOCHONDRIAC  AFFECTIONS.  45J 

If  the  patient  be  coftive,  it  will  be  ncceflfary  to 
make  ufe  of  fome  gentle  opening  medicine,  as 
pills  compofed  of  equal  parts  of  aloes,  rhubarb^ 
and  afafoecida,  with  as  much  of  the  elixir  propric- 
tatis  as  is  necefTary  to  form  the  ingredients  into 
pills.  Two,  three,  or  four  of  thefe  may  be  taken 
as  often  as  it  (hall  be  found  needful,  to  keep  this 
body  gently  open.  Such  as  cannot  bear  the  afa- 
fcetida  may  fubftitute  Spani(h  fbap  in  its  place. 

Though  a  cheerful  glafs  may, have  good  efFefts 
in  this  difeafe,  yet  all  manner  of  excefs  is  hurtful. 
Intenfe  ftudy,  and  every  thing  that  dcpreffcs  the 
Ipirits,  are  likewife  pernicious. 

Though  the  general  fymptoms  and  treatment  of 
nervous  diforders  were  pointed  out  in  the  begin- 
ning of  this  chapter ;  yet,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
unhappy  perfons  afflifted  with  thofe  obftinatc  and 
complicated  maladies,  I  have  treated  feveral  of 
their  capital  fymptoms  under  diftinft  or  feparate 
heads.  Thefe  however  are  not  to  be  confidered  as 
different  difeafes,  but  as  various  modifications  of 
the  fame  difeafe.  They  all  arife  from  the  fame  ge- 
neral caufes,  and  require  nearly  the  fame  method 
of  treatment.  There  are  many  other  fymptoms 
that  merit  particular  attention,  which  the  nature  of 
my  plan  will  not  permit  me  to  treat  of  at  full 
length.  I  fhall  therefore  omit  them  altogether, 
and  conclude  this  chapter  with  a  few  general  re- 
marks on  the  mod  obvious  means  of  preventing  or 
avoiding  nervous  diforders. 

In  all  perfons  affliAed  with  nervous  diforders, 
there  is  a  great  delicacy  and  fenfibility  of  the  whole 
nervous  fyftem,  and  an  uncommon  degree  of  weak- 
ncfs  of  the  organs  of  digeftion.  Thefe  may  be 
either  natural  or  acquired.  When  owing  to  a  de- 
fcdt  in  the  conftitution,  they  are  hardly  to  be  re- 
moved; but  may  be  mitigated  by  proper  care* 
When  induced  by  difeafes,  as  long  or  repeated  fe- 

G  g  3  vers. 


454  OF  HYPOCHONDRIAC  AFFECTIONS, 
vers,  profufe  hemorrhages,  or  the  iike,  they  prove 
alfo  very  obftinate,  and  will  yield  only  to  a  couric 
of  regimen  calculated  to  rcftorc  and  invigorate 
the  habit- 
,  But  nervous  aflfeftions  arife  more  frequently  from 
caufes,  which  it  i)  in  a  great  meafure  in  our  own 
power  to  avoid,  than  from  difeafes,  or  ^n  orieinal 
fault  in  the  conflitution,  &c.  Excedive  grief,  in- 
tenfe  ftudy,  improper  diet,  and  negleft  of  exer-. 
cife,  arc  (he  great  fources  of  this  exce()Gve  clafs  of 
difeafes. 

It  has  been  already  obferved,  that  grief  indulged 
deftroys  the  appetite  and  digeftion,  deprefles  the 
fpirits,  and  induces  an  univerfal  relaxation  and  de- 
bility of  the  whole  fyftem.  Inftances  of  this  art; 
daily  to  be  feen.  The  lofs  of  a  near  relation,  or 
any  other  misfortune  in  life,  is  often  fufHcient  to 
occafion  the  moft  complicated  feries  of  nervous 
fymptoms.  Such  misfortunes  indeed  are  not  to  be 
avoided,  but  furely  their  effcfts,  by  a  vigorous  and 

Iiroper  exertion  of  the  mind,  might  be  rendered 
cfs  hurtful.  For  dircfbions  in  this  matter  we  miift 
refer  the  reader  to  the  article  Grief,  in  the  chap- 
ter on  the  paQions. 

The  efFcfls  of  intenfe  ftudy  are  pretty  fimilar  tq 
thofe  occafioned  by  grief.  It  preys  upon  the  ani- 
mal fpirits,  and  dcftroys  the  appetite  and  digeftioo. 
To  prevent  thcfe  efiFeits,  ftudious  perfons  ought, 
according  to  the  Poet,  to  toy  with  their  bboks*. 
They  ftibuld  never  ftudy  too  long  at  a  timej  nor 
attend  long  to  one  particular  fubjed,  efpecially  if 
it  be  of  a  fcrious  nature.  They  ought  likewife  to 
be  attentive  to  their  pofture,  and  Ihould  taUe  care 
frequently  to  unbend  their  minds  by  muGc,  diver- 
ftons,  or  going  iito  agreeable  company. 

*  Aimftrongon  Health. 

With 


:.^r>  ■: 


OF  HYPOCHONDRIAC  AFFECTIONS.  455 

With  regard  to  diet,  I  fhall  only  obfcrve,  that 
nervous  difeafes  may  be  induced  either  by  excefs  or 
inanition.  Both  of  thefe  extremes  hurt  digeftion^ 
and  vitiate  the  humours.  When  Nature  is  op- 
prefTed  with  frefli  loads  of  food,  before  (he  has  had 
time  to  digeft  and  affimilate  the  former  meal,  her 
powers  ^re  weakened,  and  the  veffcls  are  filled 
with  crude  humours.  On  the  other  hand,  when 
the  food  is  not  fu/ficiently  nouri(hing,  or  is  taken 
too  feldom,  the  bowels  are  inSated  with  wind,  and 
the  humours,  for  want  of  regular  frefti  fupplics  of 
wholefome  chyle,  are  vitiated.  Thefe  extremes 
arc  therefore  with  equal  care  to  be  avoided.  They 
both  tend  to  induce  a  relaxation,  and  debility  of 
the  nervous  fyftem,  with  all  its  dreadful  train  of 
confequences. 

But  the  mod  general  caufe  of  nervous  difordera 
is  indolence.  The  adlive  and  laborious  are  feldom 
troubled  with  them.  They  are  referved  for  the 
children  of  eafe  and  affluence,  who  generally  feel 
their  keeneft  force.  All  we  (hall  fay  to  fuch  per- 
fons  is,  that  the  means  of  prevention  and  cure  are 
both  in  their  own  power.  If  the  conftitution  of 
human  nature  be  fuch,  tbat  man  mud  either  la- 
bour or  fufFer  difeafes,  furely  no  individual  has  any 
right  to  expcft  an  exemption  from  the  general 
rule. 

Thofe  however  who  are  willing  to  take  exercife, 
but  whofe  occupations  confine  them  to  the  houfe, 
and  perhaps  to  an  unfavourable  pofturc,  really  de- 
ferve  our  pity.  We  have  in  a  former  part  of  the 
book  endeavoured  to  lay  down  rules  for  their  con- 
duft;  and  (hall  only  add,  that  where  thefe  cannot 
be  complied  with,  their  place  may,  in  fome  mea- 
fure,  be  fupplied  by  the  ufe  of  bracing  and  ftrength- 
cning  medicines,  as  the  Pcrvian  bark,  with  other 
bitters  ;  the  preparations  of  fteel  j  the  elixir  of  vi- 
triol, &c. 

Gg  4 


E  456   ] 


CHAP.    XLIV. 

DISORDERS  OF  THE   SENSES. 

\KT  E  do  not  mean  to  treat  of  the  nature  of  our 
^^  fcnfations,  or  to  give  a  minute  defcription  of 
the  various  organs  by  which  they  arc  performed  j 
but  to  point  out  fome  of  the  difeafes  to  which  thefe 
organs  are  mod  liable,  and  to  fhew  how  they  may 
be  prevented  or  remedied  • 

OFTHEEYE, 

No  organ  of  the  body  is  fubjedt  to  more  difeafes 
than  the  Eye  j  nor  is  there  any  one  of  which  the 
difeafes  are  more  difficult  to  cure.  Though  more 
Ignorant  perfons  pretend  to  cure  thefe  than  any 
other  clafs  of  difeafes ;  yet  a  very  fuperficial  ac- 
quaintance with  the  ftrufture  of  the  eye,  and  the 
nature  of  vifion,  will  be  fufficient  to  convince  any 
one  of  the  danger  of  trufting  to  them.  Thefe  dif- 
eafes often  exceed  the  Ikill  of  the  moft  learned 
phyfician  ;  hence  wc  may  eafily  infer  the  danger 
of  trufting  them  to  ignorant  quacks,  who,  without 
all  perad venture,  put  out  more  eyes  than  they  cure. 
But,  though  the  difeafes  of  the  eye  can  feldom  be 
cured,  they  might  often,  by  due  care,  be  pre- 
vented ;  and,  even  where  the  fight  is  totally  loft, 
many  things  might  be  done,  which  are  generally 
neglefled,  to  render  the  unhappy  perfon  both  nriore 
ufcful  to  himfclf  and  to  fociety  *• 

The 

*  It  is  pity  thofe  who  have  the  misfortone  to  be  born  blind, 
or  who  lofe  their  fight  when  young,  (hould  be  fuiFered  to  remiio 
30  ignoraaccj  or  10  beg.     This  is  both  cruelty  and  want  of  eco- 

nomy. 


OF  THE  EYE.  457 

The  eyes  are  hurt  by  viewing  bright  or  luminous 
objects;  keeping  the  head  too  long  in  a  hanging 
pofturci  violent  head-achs^  excelCve  venery  j  the 
long  ufe  of  biiccrs  i  the  effluvia  from  acrid  or  vo- 
latile fubftances;  various  difeafes;  as  the  fmalU 
pox,  meafles,  Sec.  but,  above  all,  from  nighc- 
watching,  and  candle-light  ftudies.  l^ng  falling 
is  likewife  hurtful  to  the  eyes,  and  frequent  heats 
and  colds  are  no  lefs  pernicious.  The  eyes  are 
often  hurt  by  the  ftoppage  of  cuftomary  evacua- 
tions I  as  morning  fweats ;  fweating  of  the  feet ;  the 
menfes  in  women  ;  and  the  bleeding  piles  in  men. 
All  kinds  of  excefs  are  likewife  hurcful  to  the  ftghc, 
particularly  the  immoderate  ufe  of  ardent  fpirits 
sod  other  ftrong  liquors. 

In  all  difeales  of  the  eyes,  efpecially  thofe  at- 
tended with  inflammation^  the  cool  regimen  oughc  , 
to  be  obferved.  The  patient  muft  abftain  from  all 
fpirituous  liquors.  The  fmoke  of  tobacco,  fmoky 
rooms,  the  vapours  of  onions  and  garlic,  and  all 
vivid  lights  and  glaring  colours,  are  carefully  to 
be  avoided.  The  dritik  may  be  water,  whey,  or 
fmall  beer  -,  and  the  aliment  muft  be  light  and  of 
eafy  digeftion. 

For  preventing  diforders  of  the  eyes,  ilTues  and 
fetons  are  of  prime  ufe.  Every  perfon,  whofe  eyes 
?re  tender,  ought  to  have  one  or  more  of  chefe  in 
fonne  part  of  the  body.  It  will  likewife  be  of  ufe 
to  ke^  the  body  gently  open,  and  either  to  bleed 

jttuay.  Therearemanyeinploymenu  of  which  blind  perTon?  are 
very  capable,  ai  knitting,  carding,  ruroing  a  wheel,  teaching 
langoagei,  tic.  Nor  arc  inftancei  wanting  ofperroni  who  hava 
arrived  at  the  highelt  pitch  of  learning,  without  having  the  leaft 
idea  of  light.  Witnef*  the  late  famuui  Nicholas  Sandcrfon  of 
Cambridge,  and  my  worthy  friend  Dr.  Thomai  Blacklock  oF 
Edtoburgb.  The  former  wai  one  of  the  tirjl  mathematician)  of 
his  age,  and  the  latter,  befidei  being  a  good  poet  and  philofo- 
pher,  ii  mailer  of  all  the  learned  languages,  and  a  very  conii- 
ijerablc  idef)t  ia  the  libcrjJ  arts. 

or 


45«  OF   THE   EYE. 

or  purge  every  fpring  and  fall.  All  excels  and 
nighc  ftudies  are  to  be  avoided.  Such  as  do  not 
chufe  a  feton  or  an  iflue,  will  And  beneBt  from 
wearing  a  fmall  Burgundy- pitch  plafter  between 
their  Ihoulders. 

A  gtttta  /erena,  or  amaurefiSt  is  an  abolition  of 
the  fight  without  any  apparent  caufe  or  fault  in  the 
eyes.  V/hen  it  is  owing  to  a  decay  or  wafting  of 
the  optic  nerve,  it  does  not  admit  of  a  cure;  but 
when  it  proceeds  from  a  compreffion  of  the  nerves 
by  'redundant  humours,  thefe  may  in  fome  mea- 
fure  be  drained  oiT,  and  the  patient  relieved.  For 
this  purpofe,  the  body  muft  be  kept  open  with  the 
laxative  mercurial  pills.  If  the  patient  be  young 
and  of  a  fanguine  habit,  he  may  be  bled.     Cup- 

Eing,  with  fcarifications  on  the  back  part  of  the 
eadt  will  likewife  be  of  ufe.  A  running  at  the 
nofe  may  be  promoted  by  volatile  falts,  flimulating 
powders,  &c.  But  the  moft  likely  means  for  re- 
lieving the  patient  arc  iiTues  or  bliders  kept  open 
for  a  long  time  on  the  back  part  of  the  head,  be- 
hind the  ears,  or  on  the  neck,  I  have  known  thefi: 
reftore  fight,  even  after  it  had  been  for  a  confider'< 
able  time  loft. 

Should  thefe  fail,  recourfe  muft  be  had  to  a  mer- 
curial falivation  ;  or  what  will  perhaps  anfwer  the 
{)urpore  better,  twelve  grains  of  the  corrolive  fub- 
imate  of  mercury  may  be  diflblved  in  an  Englifh 
pint  and  a  half  of  brandy,  and  a  table-fpoonful  of 
it  taken  twice  a-day,  drinking  half  a  pint  of  the 
decuiftion  of  farfaparilla  after  it. 

A  cataraEt  is  an  obftruction  of  the  pupil,  by  the 
interpofition  of  fome  opaque  fubftance  which  either 
diminifhcs  or  totally  extinguifties  the  Hght.  It  is 
generally  an  opacity  of  the  cryftalline  humour.  In 
arecent  or  beginning  cataract,  the  fame  medicines 
are  to  be  ufcdas  in  the  gutta  ferenai  and  they  will 
fometimes  fucceed.    But  when  this  does  not  hap- 


i^- 


iS^i. 


OF   THE   EYE.  459 

pen,  and  the  catarad  becomes  firnn,  it  muft  be 
couched,  or  rather  extradted.  I  have  refolvcd  a 
recent cataraft  by  giving  the  patient  frequent  purges 
with  calomel,  keeping  a  poultice  of  frelh  hemlock 
conftantly  upon  the  eye,  and  a  perpetual  blifter  on 
the  neck. 

The  myopia^  ox  Jhort-ftghudnejsy  and  iht  frejbyopia^ 
or  J^^ing  only  at  too  great  a  diftance^  are  diforders 
which  depend  on  the  original  ftrudure  or  figure  of 
the  eye,  therefore  admit  of  no  cure.  The  incon- 
venicncies  arifing  from  them  may  however  be,  in 
fomc  meafure,  remedied  by  the  help  of  proper 
glaflcs.  The  former  requires  the  aid  of  a  concave^ 
and  the  latter  of  a  convex  glafs. 

AJirabiftnuSy  ov Jquinting^  depends  upon  an  irre- 
gular contradtion  of  the  mufcles  of  the  eye  from  a 
fpafm,  palfy,  epilcpfy,  or  an  ill  habit.  Children 
often  contra6t  this  diforder  by  having  their  eyes 
unequally  expofed  to  the  light.  They  may  like- 
wife  acquire  it  by  imitation  from  a  fquinting  nurfc 
or  play-fellow,  &c.  As  this  diforder  can  hardly 
be  cured,  parents  ought  to  be  careful  to  prevent 
it.  Almoft  the  only  thing  which  can  be  done  for 
k  is,  to  contrive  a  maflc  for  the  child  to  wear, 
which  will  only  permit  him  to  fee  in  a  flraight  di- 
rcftion. 

Spots  or /pecks  on  the  eyes  are  generally  the  effc£t 
of  inflammation,  and  often  appear  after  the  fmalU. 
pox,  the  meafles,  or  violent  ophthalmias.  They  arc: 
very  difficult  to  cure,  and  often  occafion  total* 
blindnefs.  It  the  fpecks  are  foft  and  thin,  theyi 
may  fometimes  be  taken  off  by  gentle  cauftics  and 
difcutients  ;  as  vitriol,  the  juice  of  celandine,  &Ci. 
^hen  thefe  do  not  fucceed,  a  furgical  operation:' 
may  be  tried:  the  fuccefs  of  this  however' isLatp, 
^ays  very  doubtful.  -•   m  a 

The  blood  /hot  eye  may  be  occafioned  by  ailroke, 
a  fall,  retching,  vomiting,  violent  coughing,  &c. 

13  1  have 


46o  OF   THE   EAR. 

I  have  frequently  known  it  happen  to  children  in 
the  hooping'Coueh.  It  appears  at  firfl  like  a  bit  of 
fcarletj  and  is  afterwards  of  a  livid  or  blackifh  co- 
lour. This  difordcr  generally  goes  off  without 
medicine.  Should  it  prove  obftinate,  the  patient 
may  be  bled^  and  have  his  eyes  fomented  with  a 
decoftion  of  comphry  roots  and  elder  flowers.  A 
foft  poultice  may  be  applied  to  the  eyes;  and  tbd 
body  fliould  be  kept  open  by  gentle  purgatives. 

The  watery,  or  weeping  eye,  is  generally  occa- 
fioned  by  a  relaxation  or  weaknefs  of  the  glandular 
parts  of  that  organ.  Thefe  may  be  braced-  and 
ftrengthened  by  bathing  the  eye  with  brandy  and 
water,  Hungary-water,  rofe-water  with  white  vi- 
triol diflfolved  in  it,  &c.  Medicines  which  make 
a  revulfion  are  likewifc  proper  i  as  mild  purga- 
tives, perpetual  blifters  on  the  neck,  bathing  the 
feet  frequently  in  lukewarm  water,  &c. 

When  this  difeafe  proceeds  from  an  obftrudion 
of  the  lachrymal  du£b,  or  natural  pafTage  of  the 
tears,  it  is  called  zfijlula  lachrymalis,  and  can  only 
be  cured  by  a  furgical  operation. 


OF   THE   EAR. 

The  funftions  of  the  Ear  may  be  injured  by 
wounds,  ulcers,  or  any  thing  that  hurts  its  fabric. 
The  hearing  may  likewife  be  hurt  by  exceflive  noife; 
violent  colds  in  the  head;  fevers,  hard  wax,  or 
other  fubftances  flicking  in  the  cavity  of  the  cari 
too  great  a  degree  of  moiflure  or  drynefs  of  the  ear. 
Deafnefs  is  very  often  the  effcft  of  old  age,  and  is 
incident  to  mofl  people  in  the  decline  of  life. 
Sometimes  it  is  owing  to  an  original  fault  in  the 
ftrufture  or  formation  of  the  ear  itfclf.  When  this 
is  the  cafe,  it  admits  of  no  cures  and  the  unhappy 

pcrfon 


OF  THE  EAR.  461 

pcrfon  not  only  continues  deaf,  but  generally  like- 
wife  dumb,  for  life*. 

When  dcafnefs  is  ttie  effect  of  wounds  or  ulcers 
of  the  ears,  or  of  old  age,  it  is  not  eafily  removed. 
When  it  proceeds  from  cold  of  the  head,  the  patient 
muft  be  careful  to  keep  his  head  warm,  efpecially 
in  the  night;  he  fbould  Itkewife  take  fome  gentle 
purges,  and  keep  his  feet  warm,  and  bathe  them 
frequently  in  lukewarm  water  at  bedTtimc.  When 
deafnefs  is  the  effeft  of  a  fever,  it  generally  goes 
off  after  the  patient  recovers.  If  it  proceeds  froin 
dry  wax  fticking  in  the  ears,  it  may  be  foftencd 
by  dropping  oil  into  them ;  afterwards  they  mult 
be  fyringed  with  warm  milk  and  water. 

*  Though  thofe  who  have  the  misronuDe  to  be  bora  deaf  are 
g/tnenUy  lulfered  to  cootinue  dumb,  and  confequently  are  in  ■ 
great  oieafure  loll  to  fociety,  yet  nothing  ii  more  certain  rhin  that 
fuck  perfoni  mi/  be  taught  not  only  to  read  and  write,  but  alfo  to 
rpeak.  and  to  underftand  whatothers  fay  to  them.  Teaching  the 
flumb  to  fpeak  will  appear  paradoxical  Co  thofe  who  do  not  con- 
fider  that  the  formation  of  rounds  is  merely  mechanical,  and  may 
be  taught  without  the  affiftance  of  the  ear,  Tkti  it  not  only  ca- 
pable gf  demonllration,  but  is  aflually  reduced  to  praAice  by  the 
ingenioua  Mr.  Thomas  Braidwood  of  Edinburgh.  This  gentle- 
man hit,  by  the  mere  force  of  genius  and  application,  brought 
the  teaching  of  dumb  perfons  to  fuch  a  degree  of  perfe^ion,  that 
hit  fcholan  are  generally  more  forward  in  their  education  than 
thofe  of  the  fame  age  who  enjoy  all  their  faculties.  They  not 
only  read  and  write  with-che  utmoll  readinefs,  but  likew'iCtjfiai, 
and  are  capable  of  holding  converfation  with  any  perfcn  in  the 
light.  What  a  pity  any  of  the  human  fpecies  fliould  remain  in  a 
flate  of  idiotifm,  who  arc  capable  of  being  rendered  at  ufeful  ami 
intelligent  at  others !  We  n en t ion  this  not  only  from  humaniiy 
to  thofe  who  have  the  misfortune  to  be  born  deaf,  but  alfo  ia 
jalUce  to  Mr.  Braidwood,  whofe  fuccefs  hat  far  exceeded  all 
former  attempts  this  way  ;  and  indeed  it  exceeds  imagination  ic- 
felf  fo  far,  that  no  pcrfon  who  has  not  feen  and  examined  hii 
pupils,  can  believe  what  they  are  capable  of. —As  this  gentle- 
man, however  willing,  ii  only  able  to  teach  a  few,  and  at  the 
far  greater  pan  of  ihofe  who  are  born  deaf  cannot  afford  to  at- 
tend him,  it  would  be  an  a&  of  great  humanity,  ai  welt  as  of 
public  utility,  to  eicH  an  academy  for  their  bcnciit. 


46a  OF   THE   EAR. 

If  deafnefs  proceeds  from  drynefs  of  the  cart, 
vrhich  may  be  known  by  looking  into  them,  half 
an  ounce  of  the  oil  of  fweet  almonds,  and  the 
fame  quantity  of  liquid  apodeldoch,  or  tinfture  of 
afafoetida,  may  be  mixed  together,  and  a  few  drops 
of  it  put  into  the  ear  every  night  at  bed- time, 
flopping  them  afterwards  with  a  little  wool  or  cot« 
ton.  Some,  inftead  of  oil,  put  a  fmall  (lice  of  the 
fat  of  bacon  into  each  ear,  which  is  faid  to  anfwer 
the  purpofe  very  well.  When  the  ears  abound  with 
moifture,  it  may  be  drained  oflp  by  an  iflTue  or  fe- 
ton,  which  fhould  be  made  as  near  the  affeded 
parts  as  poflible. 

Some,  for  the  cure  of  deafnefs,  recommend  the 
gall  of  an  eel  mixed  with  fpirit  of  wine,  to  be 
dropped  into  the  ear ;  others,  equal  parts  of  Hun- 
gary-water and  fpirit  of  lavender.  Etmuller  ex- 
tols amber  and  muflc;  and  Brookes  fays,  he  has 
often  known  hardnefs  of  hearing  cured  by  putting 
a  grain  or  two  of  muflc  into  the  ear  with  cotton- 
wool. But  thefe  and  other  applications  muft  be 
varied  according  to  the  caufe  of  the  diforder*. 

Though  fuch  applications  may  fometimes  be  of 
fervicc,  yet  they  much  oftner  fail,  and  frequently 
they  do  hurt.  Neither  the  eyes  nor  ears  ought  to 
be  tampered  with ;  they  are  tender  organs,  and  re- 
quire a  very  delicate  touch.  For  this  reafon,  what 
we  would  chiefly  recommend  in  deafnefs,  is,  to  keep 
the  head  warm.  From  whatever  caufe  the  diforder 
'proceeds,  this  is  always  proper;  and  I  have  known 
more  benefit  from  it  alone,  in  the  moft  obftinatc 


V  t 


'•  ^  A  gentleman,  on  whole  veridty  I  ctn  depend,  told  me,  that 
fafm  niing  many  things  to  no  purpofe  for  an  obfttiuue  deafnefs. 
l||ff  waf  acj^advifed  toputa  few  drops  of  his  own  oiine  warm 
>^into  his  e;ars  every  night  and  morning,  from  which  he  received 
gVeic  hthtftt.  It  is  probable  that  a  fblntion  of  /al  amt$9Mi4Ut  in 
water,  would  produce  the  fame  cfTc^. 

cafes 


'><- 


OF  THE  TASTE  AND  SMELL.     463 

cafes  of  deafncfsj  than  from  all  the  medicines  I 
ever  ufed. 

OF  THE  TASTE  AND  SMELL. 

Though  thefe  fenfes  are  not  of  fo  great  import- 
ance to  noan  in  a  ftate  of  fociety,  as  the  fight  and 
hearing;  yet^  as  the  lofs  of  them  is  attended  with 
fomc  inconvcniency,  they  deferve  our  notice.  They 
are  feldom  to  be  reftored  when  loft  j  which  ous:hc 
to  make  us  very  attentive  to  their  prefervation^  by 
carefully  avoiding  whatever  may  in  the  leaft  prove 
injurious  to  them.  As  there  is  a  very  great  affinity 
between  the  organs  of  tafting  and  fmelling,  what- 
ever hurts  the  one  generally  affeds  the  other. 

Luxury  js  highly  injurious  to  thefe  organs. 
When  the  nofe  and  palate  are  frequently  Simu- 
lated by  fragrant  and  poignant  difhes^  they  foon 
lofe  the  power  of  diftinguiihing  taftes  and  odours 
with  any  degree  of  nicety.  Mao^  in  a  ftate  of 
nature,  may  perhaps  have  thefe  faculties  as  acutd 
as  any  other  animal. 

The  fenfe  of  fmelling  may  be  diminilhed  or  de« 
ftroyed  by  difeafes;  as,  the  moifture,  drynefs,  in- 
flammation or  fuppuration  of  that  membrane  which 
lines  the  infide  of  the  nofe,  comnwnly  called  the 
olfaftory  membrane ;  the  compreffion  of  the  nerves 
which  fupply  chis  membrane,  or  fome  fault  in  the 
brain  itfclf  at  their  origin.  A  dcfcA,  or  too  great 
a  degree  of  folidity,  of  the  fmall  fpungy  bones  of 
the  upper  jaw,  the  caverns  of  the  forehead,  &c. 
may  likewife  impair  the  fenfe  of  fmelling.  It  may 
alfo  be  injured  by  a  colledtion  of  foetid  matter  in 
thofe  caverns,  which  keeps  conftantly  CKhaling 
from  them.  Few  things  are  more  hurtful  to  the 
fenfe  of  fmelling  than  taking  grdat  quantities  of 
fnuff. 

When 


464    OF  THE  TASTE  AND  SMELL. 

When  the  nofe  abounds  with  moifture,  after 
gentle  evacuations^  fuch  things  as  tend  to  take  off 
irritation,  and  coagulate  the  thin  (harp  ferum^  tnay 
be  applied  i  as  the  oil  of  anife  mizod  with  fine 
flour;  camphire  diffolved  in  oil  of  almonds^  &c. 
The  vapours  of  aoiber,  frankincenfe,  gum-oiafticy 
and  benjamin>  niay  likewife  be  receiveci  iota  the 
nofe  and  mouth. 

For  moiftening  the  mucus  when  it  is  too  drjr, 
{qV[\c  recommend  fnufF  made  of  the  leaves  of  mar- 
joram,  mixed  with  the  oil  of  amber,  maijoram 
and  anifeed  $  or  a  llernutatory  of  calcined  white 
vitriol  i  twelve  grains  of  which  may  be  mixed  with 
two  ounces  of  manoram-water,  and  filtrated.  The 
fleam  or  vapour  ot  vinegar  upon  hot  iron  received 
up  the  noftrils  is  likewife  of  ufe  for  foftening  the 
mucus,  opening,  obftruftions,  &c. 

If  there  is  an  ulcei*  in  the  nofe,  it  ought  to  be 
drefled  with  fome  emollient  ointment,  to  which,  if^ 
the  pain  be  very  great,  a  little  laudanum  may  be 
added.  If  it  be  a  venereal  ulcer,  it  is  not  to  be 
cured  without  mercury.  In  that  cafe,  the  folutioa 
of  the  corroHve  fublimate  in  brandy  may  be  taken, 
as  direded  in  the  gutta  ferena.  The  ulcer  ought 
likewife  to  be  wafhed  with  it ;  and  the  fumes  of  cin- 
nabar may  be  received  up  the  noftrils. 

If  there  be  reafon  to  fufpcft  that  the  nerves 
which  fupply  the  organs  of  fmelling  are  inert,  or 
want  (limulating,  volatile  falts,  ftrong  fnufFs,  and 
other  things  which  occafion  fneczing,  may  be  ap- 
plied to  the  nofe.  The  forehead  may  likewife  be 
anointed  with  balfam  of  Peru,  to  which  may  be 
added  a  little  of  the  oil  of  amber. 

The  (afie  may  be  diminilhed  by  crufts,  filth, 
mucus,  aphthse,  pellicles,  warts,  &c.  covering  the 
tongue:  it  may  be  depraved  by  a  fault  of  the  (aliva, 
which,  being  difchargcd  into  the  mouth,  gives  the 

7  fame 


OF   THE   TOUCH.  465 

fame  fenfation  as  if  the  food  which  the  perfon  takes 
had  really  a  bad  taftej  or  it  may  be  entirely  de* 
ftroyed  by  injuries  done  to  the  nerves  of  the  tongue 
and  palate.  Few  things  prove  mo>c  hurtful  either 
to  the  fenfe  of  tailing  or  foielling  than  obftinate 
colds,  efpecially  thofe  which  affeft  the  head. 

When  the  tafte  is  diminilhed  by  filth,  mucus> 
&€.  the  tongue  ought  to  be  fcraped  and  frequently 
wafhed  with  a  mixture  of  water,  vinegar,  and  ho- 
ney, or  fome  other  detergent.  When  the  faliva  is 
vitiated,  which  feldom  happens  unlefs  in  fevers  or 
other  difeafes,  the  curing' of  the  diforder  is  the 
cure  of  this  fymptom.  To  relieve  it  however  in  the 
mean  time,  the  following  things  may  be  of  ufe ; 
if  there  be  a  bitter  tafte,  it  may  be  taken  away  by 
vomits,  purges,  and  other  things  which  evacuate 
bile.  What  is  called  a  nidorous  tafte,  arifing  froai 
putrid  humours,  is  correded  by  the  juice  of  ci- 
trons, oranges,  and  other  acids.  A  lalt  tdfte  is 
cured  by  plentiful  dilution  with  watery  liqiiors.  An 
acid  tafte  is  deftroyed  by  abforbents,  and  alkaline 
falts,  as  powder  of  oyftcr-ftiells,  fait  of  worm- 
wood, &c. 

When  the  fenfibility  of  the  nerves  which  fup- 
ply  the  organs  of  tafte  is  diminiflicd,  the  chew- 
ing of  horfe-radifh,  or  other  ftimulating  fubftances, 
will  help  to  recover  it. 


O  F   T  II  E   T  O  U  C  H. 

The  fenfe  of  touching  may  be  hurt  by  any  thing    , 
that  obftrufts  the  nervous  influence,  or  prevcnts-ita 
being  regularly  conveyed  to  the  organs  ot  toucb-  .^ 
ing;  as  preffure,  extreme  cold,  &c.     It  may  like*    , 
wife  be  hurt  by  too  great  a  degree  of  fenlibility, ;., 
when  the  nerve  ia  not  fufficfently  covered  by  the 

H  h  cuticle 


.466    OF  A  SCIRRHUS  AND  CANCER. 

cuticle  or  IcarF-flcin,  or  where  there  is  too  grc^t  a 
tenHon  of  it,  or  it  is  too  delicate.  Whatever  dif- 
orders  the  funftions  of  the  brain  and  nerves,  liurts 

*■    ■  ■  . 

the  fenfe  of  touching.  Hence  it  appears  to  pro- 
ceed from  the  fame  general  caufes  as  palfy'  and 
apoplexy,  and  requires  nearly  the  fame  rnechod  of 

^  trcatmenif. 

In  a  Jiupor^  or  defeft  of  touching^  wo jch ' iarifcs 

.'from  an  obftrucflion  of  the  cutaneous  nervcfe;"jthc 
patient  mufl:  firft  be  purged-,  afterwards  fii'ch'mc- 
<licines  ^s  excite  the  adtion  of  the  nervcs>  'or  ftn 
miilatc  the  fyftem,  may  be  ufed.  For  this  piir- 
pofe,  the  fpirit  of  bartfhorn,  fal  volatile  gleofumj 
horfe-radifh,  ^c.  may  be  taken  inwardly;  the  dif- 

;  ordered  parts,  at  the  fame  time,  may  be  frequently 
rubbed  with  frefli  nettles  or  fpirit  oijal  amminiai. 
Bliftering- pi  afters  and  (inapifms  applied  to  the  parts 
will  likcwife  be  of  ufe,  as  alfo  warm  bathings  cfpe- 
cially  in  the  natural  hot  baths. 


i' 


CHAP.    XLV. 
OF  A  SCIRRHUS  AND  CANCER. 


A 


SCIRRHUS  IS  a  hard  indolent  tumpur  feated 
in  fome  of  the  glands  j  as  the  breafts,  the  arm- 
pits, &c.     If  the  tumour  becomes  large,  unequal, 
of  a  livid,  blackifli,  or  leaden  colour,  and  is  at- 
tended with  violent  pain,  it  gets  the  name  of  an 
cccull  cancer.     When   the  fkin  is   broken,   and  a 
J^iies  or  ichorous  matter  of  art  abominably  foetid 
"  fmell  is  difcharged  from  the  fore,  it  is  CatRed  an 
open  or  ulcerated  cancer.     Perfons  after  the  age  of 
.Ifurfy-ifiye,  particularly  women,  and  thofe  wholead 


.!-J    .     y. 


M 


OF  A  SCIRRHUS  AND  CANCER-    467 

an  indolent  fedcntary  life,  are  mod  fubjedl  to  this 
difeafe. 

CAUSES. This  difcafe  is   often  owing  to 

fupprcflVd  evacuations;  hence  it  proves  fo  fre- 
qiicnrly  fatal  to  womep  of  a  grofs  habit,  particu** 
hrly  old  maids  and  \yidows,  about  the  time  when 
the  menftrual  flux  ceafcs.  It  may  likewife  be  pc- 
c^ioaeJ  by  exccfTive  fear,  grief,  anger,  religiouji 
melaacjioly,  or  any  of  the  deprcfllng  paflions. 
Hence  the  unfortunate,  the  choleric,  and  thofc 
perfons,who  devote  thcmfelves  to  a  religious  life 
in  convents  or  monafteries,  are  often  afflided  with 
it.  It  may  alfo  be  occafioned  by  the  long-conti- 
nued ufe  of  food  that  is  too  hard  of  digeltion,  or 
of  an  acrid  nature;  by  barrennefs;  celibacy;  in- 
dolence; cold;  blows;  friflionj  prelTure;  or  the 
like.  Women  often  fufFer  from  the  laft  of  thefe 
by  means  of  their  (lays,  which  fqueeze  and  com- 
picfs  their  bread  fo  as  to  occafion  great  mifchief. 
Sometimes  the  difcafe  is  owing  to  an  hereditary 
difpofuion. 

SYMPTOMS. This    diforder    feems   often 

very  trifling  at  the  beginning.  A  hard  tumour 
about  the  fize  of  a  hazle-nuc,  or  perhaps  fmallcr, 
is  generally  the  firft  fymptom.  This  will  often 
continue  for  a  long  time  without  feeming  to  in- 
creafc,  or  giving  the  parienc  great  uneafincfs;  but 
if  the  conlhtution  be  hurt,  or  the  tumour  irritated 
by  preflTure,  or  improper  treatment  of  any  kiod,  ic 
begins  to  extend  itfelf  towards  the  neighbouring 
parts,  by  pufliing  out  a  kind  of  roots  or  lirribs. 
It  then  gees  the  name  of  cancer^  from  a  fancied 
rcfemblance  between  tiiefe  limbs  and  the  claws  of 
a  crab.  The  colour  of  the  fi<in  begins  to  chiangc, 
which  is  firfl:  red,  afterwards  purple,  then  bluilh, 
livid,  and  at  lalt  black.  The  patient  complains 
of  heat,  v^ith  a  burning,  gnawing,  fliooting  pain. 
The  tumour  is  very  hard,  rough,  and  unequal,  with 

H  h  2  a  pro- 


468    OF  A  SCIRRHUS  AND  CANCER. 

a  protuberance^  or  rifing^  in  the  middle ;  its  fizse 
increafes  daily^  and  the  neighbouring  veins  become 
thick,  knotty,  and  of  a  blackifli  colour. 

The  (kin  at  length  gives  way,  and  a  thin  fiiarp 
Ichor  begins  to  dow,  which  corrodes  the  neighbour- 
ing parts  till  it  forms  a  large  unfightty  ulcer.  More 
Occult  cancers  arife,  and  communicate  -with  tl>c 
neighbouring  glands.  The  pain  and  (lench  be- 
come intolerable ;  the  appetite  fails ;  the  ilrength 
is  e^haufted  by  a  continual  hed:ic  ftvtr ;  at  iafl:/  a 
violent  haemorrhage,  or  difcharge  of  blo(]d,  from 
fome  part  of  the  body,  with  fainiings,  or  convul- 
fion  Bts,  generally  put  an  end  to  the  miferable  pa- 
tient's life. 

REGIMEN. The  diet  ought  to  be  light,  but 

nourifhing.  All  (Irong  liquors,  and  high-feafoned 
or  fal::.  \:i  -j  .  i:;  .::i:.,  ■  :t^  *^o  be  avoided.  The  patient 
may  take  as  much  exerciiC  us  he  can  eafily  bear; 
and  ihould  ufe  every  method  to  divert  thought, 
and  amufe  his  fancy.  All  kinds  of  external  injury 
are  carefully  to  be  guarded  againll,  particularly  of 
the  afFefted  part,  which  ought  to  be  defended  from 
all  preflurCy  and  even  from  the  external  air,  by  co- 
vering it  with  fur  or  foft  flannel. 

MEDICINE. This  is  one  of  thofc  difeafes 

for  which  no  certain  remedy  is  yet  known.  Its 
progrcfs  however  may  fomctimes  be  retanled,  and 
fome  of  its  niofc  dirngreeablc  fymptoms  mitigated, 
by  proper  applications.  One  misfortune  attending 
th«  dii'eafc  is,  that  the  unhappy  patient  often  con- 
ccah  it  too  long.  Were  proper  means  iifcd  in  due 
time,  a.  cancer  might  often  be  cured ;  but  after  the 
diforder  hus  arrived  at  a  certain  he  ighty  it  generally 
fees  all  medicine  at  defiance.  ^. 

When  a  Scirrhous  tumour  is  firfl:  dif(X>vcrcd,  the 
patient  ought  toobfervc  a  proper  repimcn>  and  to 
take  twice  or  thrice  a-week  a  dofc  of  the  tsottmon 
purging  mercurial  pill.     Some  blood  may  alfo  be 

let, 

20 


OF  A  SCIRRHUS  AND  CANCER.    469; 

lee,  and  the  part  alFcded  may  be  grnrly  rubbed 
twice  3-day  witK  a  little  of  the  mercurial  uinimenr, 
and  kept  warm  with  fur  or  flannel.  The  food  muft 
be  light,  and  an  Knglifh  pint  of  the  decodion  of 
woods  or  farfaparilla  may  be  drank  daily.  I  have 
fometimcs  difcufled  hard  tumours,  which  had  the 
appearance  of  beginning  cancers^  by  a  courfe  o£ 
this  kind. 

Should  the  tumour  however  not  yield  to  thi» 
treatment,  but,  on  the  coatrary,  become  larger  and 
harder,  it  will  be  proper  to  extirpate  ii,  either  by- 
the  knife  or  cauttic.  Indeed,  whenever  this  can 
be  done  with  fafety,  the  fooner  it  is  done  the  bet- 
ter. It  can  anfwer  no  purpofe  to  extirpate  acancer 
after  the  conftiiuiion  is  ruined,  or  the  whole  mafs 
of  humours  cortupted  by  it.  This  however  is  the 
common  way,  which  makes  the  operation  lo  icidom 
fucceed.  i-'ew  people  will  fubmit  to  the  extirpa- 
tion till  death  ftares  them  in  the  face;  whereas,  if 
it  were  done  early,  the  patient's  life  would  .-not  be 
endangered  by  the  operation,  and4f*oUhl  gene* 
rally  prove  a  radical  cure. 

Wtien  the  cancer  is  fo  fituated  that  it  catinot  be 
cutoff,  or  if  thepalient  will  not  fuhrnil  to  the 
operation,  fuch  medicines  as  will  mi>lgate  or  re- 
lieve the  mod  urgent  fymptoms  may  be  ufed.  Dr. 
Home  fays,  that  half  a  grain  of  the  corrofive  fub- 
limate  of  mercury,  dilTolved  in  a  proper  quantity 
of  brandy,  and  taken  night  and  morning,  will  oftea 
be  of  fervice  in  cancers  of  the  face  and  nufc.  He 
likewife  recommends  an  infudon  o(  the /oiunum,  or 
oighr-ftiide,  in  cancers  of  the  breads. 

But  tha  medicine  moll  in  repute  at  prefent  fiir 
this  difeafe  is  hemlock.  Dr.  Stork,  phyfician  at 
Vienna,  lias  «f  late  recommended  the  extradt  of  this 
plant'  as  )tery  efficacious  in  cancers  of  every  kind.. 
The  Do^or  fays,  he  has  given  fome  hundred 
weight!  of  it  without  ever  hurting  any  body,  and 

■i'-  H  h  J  often 


47*   OP  A  SCIRRHUS  AND  CANCER. 

one'n  with  manifeft  advantage.  He  advifes  tfie  pa- 
tient however  to  begin  with  very  fmall  dofes^  as 
two  or  three  grains,  and  to  increafe  the  dofe  gra- 
cJiially  till  fbme  good  efFcdt  be  perceived,  and  thf fe 
|o  reft  without  further  increafe.  From  two  or  three 
grains  at  firfV,  the  Dodtor  fays  he  has  increafed  the 
dofc  to  two,  three,  or  four  drachnns  a-day,  and 
ifinds  that  fuch  dofes  may  be  continued  fof  Icvetal 
weeks  without  any  bad  confequences. 

The  regimen  which  the  Doftor  recommends  du- 
ring the  ufe  of  the  medicine,  is  to  avoid  farinace- 
ous fubftances  not  fermented,  and  too  acrid  aronla- 
ti'cs.  He  fays,  good  wine  will  not  be  hurtful  to 
thofc  who  are  accuftomed  to  it,  nor  a  moderate  ufe 
of  acids ;  and  adds,  that  the  patient  fliould  live  in 
a  pure  free  air,  and  keep  his  mind  as  quiet  and 
cheerful  as  pofTible. 

The  Doctor  does  not  pretend  to  fix  the  time  in 
which  a  cancer  may  be  rcfolv^ed  by  the  ufe  of  hem- 
lock, but  fays  he  has  given  it  for  above  two  years 
in  large  dofes  without  any  apparent  benefit;  never- 
thelels  the  patient  has  been  cured  by  perGfting  in 
the  ufe  of  it  for  half  a  year  longer.  This  is  at 
lead  encouragement  to  give  it  a  fair  trial.  Though 
we  are  far  from  thinking  the  hemlock  merits  thofc 
extravagant  encomiums  which  the  Doftor  has  be- 
ftowcd  upon  it,  yet,  in  a  difcafe  which  has  fo  long 
baffled  the  boaftcd  powers  of  •medicine,  we  think  it 
ought  always  to  be  tried. 

The  powder  of  hemlock  is  by  fome  preferred  to 

the  cxtraft.  They  are  both  made  of  the  frefti  leaves, 

^and  may  be  ufed  nearly  in  the  fame  manner.     Dr. 

^  Nicholfon  of  Berwick  fays,  he  gradually  increafed 

the  dofeJ  of  the  powder  from  a  few  grains  lo  half  a 

drachm,  and  gave  near  four  drachms  of  it  in  the 

•day  with  remarkably  good  effefts.     The  hemlock 

tnay  alfo  be  ufed  externally  either  as  a  poultice  or 

'.  fomentation.     The  fore  may  likewifc  be  kept  clean 

by 


OF  A  SCIRRHUS  AND  CANCER-    471 

by  injcding  daily  a  ftroflg  decoftion  of  the  tojps 
and  leaves  into  it. 

Few  things  contribute  more  to  the  healing  of 
foul  fordid  ulcers  of  any  kind  than  keeping  theni 
thoroughly  clean.  This  ought  never  to  be  ne- 
glefted.  The  bed  application  for  this  purpofe 
feems  to  be  the  carrot  poultice.  The  root  of  the 
commoa  carrot  may  be  grated,  and  moidened  with 
as  much  water  as  will  bring  it  to  the  confidence  of 
a  poultice  or.  cataplafm.  This  mud  be  applied  to 
the  fore,  and  renewed  twice  a-day.  It  generally 
cleans  the  fore,  eafes  the  pain,  and  takes  away  the 
difagreeable  fmcU,  which  are  obje<Ss  of  no  fmatl 
importance  in  fuch  a  dreadful  diforder  *. 

Wort,  or  an  infufion  of  malt,  has  been  recom- 
mended not  only  as  a  proper  drink,  but  as  a  power- 
ful medicine  in  this  difcafe.  I-c  mud  be  frequently 
made  frefti,  and  the  patient  may  take  it  at})lcafure. 
Two,  three,  or  even  four  Englidi  pints  of  it  may 
be  drank  every  day  for  a  confiderable  time.  No 
benefit  can  be  expedled  from  any  medicine  in  this 
difcafe,  unlefs  it  be  perfided  in  for  a  long  time. 
Jt  is  of  too  obdinare  a  nature  to  be  foon  removed; 
and,  when  it  admits  of  a  cure  at  all,  it  mud  be 
brought  about  by  inducing  an  almod  total  change 
of  the  habit,  which  mud  always  be  a  work  of  time. 
Setons  or  iflues  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  cancer 
have  fome times  good  effcdts  f . 

When 

*  London  Medical  EfTays. 

f  In  a  cancer  which  had  fet  all  medicines,  and  cvej^  AirMpr, 
at  defiance,  I  lately  faw  remarkable  efFtrds  fron^  an  o1>ftiTiatc 
perfeverance  in  a  courfe  of  antifepcics.  I  ordered  tKe^d€«p 
ulcers  to  be  walhed  to  the  bottom  by  means  of  a  fyfinge,  twice 
or  thrice  a-day,  either  with  an  infufion  of  (he  bark,  or  a  de- 
coflion  of  carrot,  and  chat  the  patient  fhould  take/ four  or  five 
times  a-day,  a  glafs  of  good  wine,  with  half  a  drachm  of  the 
beft  powdered  bark  in  it.  The  fores,  after  being  walhed^  were 
likewife  fprinkled  wi^h  the  fame  powder.  When  (he  patient 
began  this  courfe^  her  deathr  was  daily  expelled.     She  coa(in^ed 

H  h  4  is 


47^4  OF   POISONS. 

When  all  other  medicines  fail,  recourfe  muft'be 
hftd  to  opiumj  as  a  kind  of  iblace.  This  will. not 
indeed'  cgre  the  difcale,  but  it  will  eafc  the  pa* 
Item's  ag&ny,  and  render  life  more  tolerable  while 
it:£ootinues. 

^  To  avoid  ihi^  dreadful  dtforder,  people  ought  ta 
ufc  .wliolrfoine  food  i  lo  take  fufficieni  excrcife  ia 
the  open  air^  to  be  as  eafy  and  cheerful  as  pofliblc; 
a^d  carefully  to  guard  againfl  all  blows,  bruifes, 
UM  every  kind  of  preffure  upon  the  breaits  or  otl)cr 
gUnduUi-  parrs  *. 


CHAP.    XLVI. 

OF     POISONS." 

P  V  E  R  Y  pcrfon  ought,  in  fome  nicafure»  to  be 
■*-'  acquainted  with  tlie  nature  and  cure  of  poifons. 
They  are  generally  taken  unawares,  and  their  cf- 
fedb  are  often  fo  fudden  and  violefjt,  as  not  to  ad- 
ri^lt  of  delay,  or  allow  time  to  ^procure  the  affift- 
ance  of  phylicians.  '  Happily  indeed  no  great  de- 
gree of  medical  knowledge  is  here  neceffary ;  the 
remedies  for  mod  poifons  being  generally  at  hand, 
or  cafily  obtained,  and  nothing  but  common  pru- 
dence needful  in  thcapplication  of  them. 

ii  for  a^cve  two  y*ars,  wiih  manifell  ad»irtigf  [  but  bring  ,tt>l<l 
l\y  an  eoiincnt  fjrgeijn,  itiat  thr  biirk  v/ou'.a  not  cure  a  cfencrr, 
^r.d  ibsi  ihe  fL-r's  ou^ht  lo:  in  bf.  v/^ded,  (he  dircooiinued  [be 
^rafllce,  and  dicU  in  a  Tew  vuetk?.  This  courie  wa«  not  intended 
Id  cure  Hie  cjnctr,  but  lo  prolong  the  patieni't  life,  which  it 
Bviiienily  diii  ifmnft  lo  k  t.irjc]e. 

*  M  htmlukk  i»  the  principal  medicine  recnmnrniied  in  tliit 
4ifi'afw,  we  *OD!d'hjyc  given  fome  dirciftioru,. 'or  the  g»therin{ 
yfid  preparing  cr  that  plant ;  bat  as  tii  difTerent  preparations  are 
now  krpi  ill  the  fhnpj,  we  think  it  mcch  faier  for  pct>plc  10  gA 
tlwiB  itiC'c;  ^•i[h  proper  dircfliocj  for  ulir.g  theoi. 

Th« 


OF    POrSONS.  47J 

The  vulgar  notion,  that  every  poifon  is  cured  l)jr^ 
fome  countcr-poiron,  as  a  fpeciBc,  has  done  much' 
hurt.  People  believe  they  can  do  nothing  for  the 
patient,  unJefs  th-y  know  the  particular  antidote'ro' 
tliat  kind  of  poium  which  he  has  takri.  WhereaS 
the  cure  of  atl  poifons  taken  into  the  ilomach, 
without  excrption,  depends  chiefly  on  difcharging 
them  as  foon  as  pofiiblc. 

There  is  no  cafe  wherein  the  indications  of  cUti^ 
are  more  obvious.  Poifon  is  feldom  long  in  tfjtf 
ftomacii  before  it  occafions  ficknefi,  with  an  incHS 
naiipn  to  vomit.  Thisihcws  plainly  what  ought  to 
be  done.  Indeed  common  fcnfe  dictates  to  every 
one,  that,  if  any  thing  has  been  taken  into  the 
ftomach  which  endangers  life,  it  ought  immediately 
lo  be  difciiarged.  Were  this  duly  regarded,  the 
danger  arifiiig  from  poifons  might  generally  be 
avoided.  The  method  of  prevention  is  obvious, 
and  the  means  are  in  the  hands  of  every  one. 

We  Ihall  not  take  up  the  reader's  time  with  il 
detail  of  the  ridiculous  notions  which  have  prev,.ile^ 
among  ignorant  people  in  different  ages  with  fc-; 
gard  to  poifons;  neither  (hall  we  mcntloti  the 
boafted  antidotes,  which  have  been  rccommriided 
either  for  preventing  or  obviating  their  cfFcdls ;  bu? 
Ihall  content  ourfeTvcs  with  pointing  our  the  po^- 
funs  moft  common  in  this  country,  and  the  mcaoi 
of  avoiding  their  dangerous  confequences. 

Poilbns  either  belong  to  the  mineral,  the  vege- 
table, or  the  animal  kingdom. 

Mineral    poifons  are  commonly  of  an  acrid  or 
corrofive  quality  ;  as  arfenic,  cobalt,   tlic  cori^aQv,?  j 
fublimate  of  mercury,  6cc.  .    .  ,,i 

Thole  of  [he  vegetable  kind  are  generaHj"  of^-t 
narcotic  or  rtupefactive  quality;  as  poppy,  hemp 
lock,  henbane^  berries  of  the  deadly  nigiu-Iliadie^ 

ft^c,  .      ■     ■      1-  '  .  ...I 

Potfomnii 


474  OF    POISONS. 

Foifonous  animals  communicate  their  inferior) 
cither  by  the  bite  or  fling.  This  poifon  is  very 
different  from  the  former,  and  only  produces  its 
cffet^s  when  received  into  the  body  by  a  wound. 

-    MINERAL  POISONS. Arfenic  is  themoft 

tommon'  of  this-clafs;  and,  as  the  whole  of  them 
«re  pretty  fimilar  both  in  their  effects  and  ine.tbod 
of  cure,  what  is  faid  with  rcfpefl  to  it  will  be 
Applii.  '^'•^  to  every  other  fpccies  of  corroGvc 
poifon. 

When  a  perfon  has  taken  arfenic,  he  Toon  per- 
ceives a  burning  heat,  and  a  violent  pricking  pain 
in  his  ftomach  and  bowels,  with  an  intolerable 
'^irfl;,  and  an  inclination  to  vomit.  The  tongue 
and  throat  feel  rough  and  dry ;  and,  if  proper 
means  be  not  foon  adminiHered,  the  patient  is 
feized  with  great  anxiety,  hiccupinjr,  faintings,  and 
coldnefs  of  the  extremities.  To  thcle  fuccecd  black 
vomits,  foeiid  ftools,  with  a  mortiHcation  of  the 
ftomach  and  inteltines,  which  are  the  immediate 
forerunners  of  death. 

On  the  firft  appearance  of  thefe  fymptoms  the 
patient  Hiould  drink  large  quantities  of  new  milk 
and  fallad-oil  till  he  vomits;  or  he  may  drink 
warm  water  mixed  with  oil.  Fat  broths  are  like- 
wife  proper,  provided  they  can  be  got  ready  in 
time.  Where  no  oil  is  to  be  had,  frelb  butter  may 
be  melted  and  mixed  with  the  milk  or  water. 
Thefe  things  are  to  be  drank  as  long  as  the  incli- 
nation to  vomit  continues.  Some  have  drank  eight 
Or  tenEngliAi  quarts  before  the  vomiting  ceafed; 
'  and  it  is  never  fafe  to  leave  off  drinking  while  one 
particle  of  the  poifon  remains  in  the  ftomach. 

'Thefe  oily  or  fat  fubftances  not  only  provoke 
Totlniting,  but  likewife  blunt  the  acrimony  of  the 
tmifon,  and  prevent  its  wounding  the  bowels  %  but 
if  they  Qiould  not  make  the  perfon  vomit,  half  a 
"  drachm 


^. 


OF    POISONS.  47J 

drachm  or  two  fcruples  of  ihc  powder  of  ipecacu- 
anha muft  be  given,  or  a  few  Ipoonfuls  of  cheoxy<P 
mel  or  vinegar  of  fquills  may  be  mixed  with  the 
water  which  he  drinks.  Vomiting  may  liki^wifcbc 
excited  by  tickling  the  infide  of  the  throat  with  a 
feather.  Should  thefe  methods  liowcver  fail,  half 
a  drachm  of  white  vitriol,  or  five  or  fix  grains  of 
emeiic  tartar,  muft:  be  adminiftered.  ^ 

If  tormenting  pains  are  fclc  in  the  lower  belly^ 
and  there  is  reafon  to  fear  that  the  poifon  has  gi^f, 
down  to  the  inteltincs,  clyfters  of  milk  and  oil  muft 
be  very  frequently  thrown  up;  and  the  patient  muft 
drink  emollient  decoftions  of  barley,  oatmeal^ 
marfli-mallows,  and  fuch  like.  He  mull  likcwifc 
take  an  infufion  of  fenna  and  manna,  a  folutionof 
Glauber's  fairs,  or  fome  other  purgative. 

After  the  poilon  has  been  evncuared,  the  patient 
ought,  for  fome  time,  to  live  upon  fuch  things  as 
are  of  a  healing  and  cooling  quality;  to  abilain 
from  flefli  and  all  ftrong  liquurs,  and  to  live  upon 
milk,  broth,  gruel,  light  puddings,  and  other 
fpoon  meats  of  eafy  digeftion.  His  drink  fhould 
be  barley-water,  linfecd-rea,  or  infufions  of  any  of 
the  mild  mucilaginous  vegetables. 

VEGETABLE  POISONS,  befides  heat  and 
pain  of  the  ftomach,  commonly  occafion  fome  de- 
gree of  giddinefs,  and  often  a  kind  of  flupidity  or 
folly.  Perfons  who  have  taken  thcJe  poifons  moft 
be  treated  in  the  fame  manner  as  for  the  mineral  or 
corrofive. 

Though  the  vegetable  poifons,  when  allowed  to 
remain  in  the  ftomach,  often  prove  fatal ;  yet  the 
danger  is  generally  over  as  foon  as  they  are  dif* 
charged.  Not  being  of  fuch  a  cauftic  or  corrofive 
nature,  they  arc  lefs  apt  to  wound  or  inflame  the 
bowels  than  mineral  fubftances:  no  time,  however, 
ought  to  be  loft  in  having  them  dilcharged. 

Opium, 


^76  OF    POISONS. 

Opium,  being  frequently  taken  by  milUke,  me- 
rits particular  attention.  It  is  ufcd  as  a  medicine 
both  in  a  folid  and  liquid  form,  which  tatter  com- 
monly goes  by  the  name  of  laudanum.  It  is  in- 
deed a  valuable  medicine  when  taken  in  proper 
quantity;  but  as  an  over-dofc  proves  a  ftrong  pot- 
ion, we  Ihall  point  out  i:s  common  effects, together 
with  the  method  of  cure. 

An  over-dofc  of  opium  generally  occaGons  great 
drpwfmefs,  with  ftupor  and  other  apoplc£tic  fymp- 
toms.  Sometimes  the  perfon  has  fu  great  an  incli- 
nation to  deep,  that  it  is  almofl:  iinpofiible  to  keep 
him  awake.  Every  method  mull  however  be  tried 
for  this  purpofe.  He  ftiould  be  tofied,  Ihakcd,  and 
moved  about.  Sharp  blifttring-plafters  fliould  be 
applied  to  his  legs  or  arms,  and  llimulaiing  medi- 
cines, as  faUs  of  harilhorn,  &cc.  held  under  his 
nofe.  It  will  alfo  be  proper  to  let  blood.  At  the 
fame  time  every  method  muft  be  taken  to  make 
him  difcharge  the  poilbn.  This  may  be  done  in 
the  manner  directed  above,  viz.  by  the  ufe  of 
ftrong  vomits,  drinking  plenty  of  warm  water  with 
oiI,.fitc, 

"Mead,  befidcs  vomits,  in  this  cafe,  recommends 
acid  medicines  with  lixivial  falts.  He  fays,  that  he 
has  often  given  fait  of  wormwood  mixed  with  juice 
of  lemon  in  repeated  dofes  with  great  fuccefs. 

H  the  body  (hould  remain  weak  and  languid  af- 
tef  the  poilun  has  been  difchargcd,  nouriihing  diet 
and  cordials  will  be  proper;  but  when  there  is 
reafon  to  fear  that  the  ftomach  or  bowels  are  in- 
flamed, the  greateft  circumfpc£lion  is  nccefiary  both 
with  regard  to  food  aod  medicine. 


[    477    ] 

OF    THE    BITES    OF    POISONOUS 

ANIMALS. 

We  fhall  begin  with  the  bite  of  a  mad  dog,  *9  it 
is  both  the  mod  common  and  dangerous  animal- 
poifon  in  this  country. 

The  creatures  naturally  liable  to  contraft  this  dif- 
eafc  are,  as  far  as  we  yet  know;  all  of  the  dog  krrtd, 
'viz.  foxes,  dogs,  and  wolves.  Hence  it  is  called 
the  ralies  canina^  or  dog  madnef\  Of  the  laft  we 
have  none  in  this  ifland ;  and  it  fo  feldom  happens 
that  any  perfon  is  bit  by  the  firflr,  that  they  Icarcc 
dcfervc  to  be  taken  notice  of.  If  fuch  a  thin^; 
Ihould  happen,  the  method  of  treatment  is  precife- 
ly  the  fame  as  for  the  bire  of  a  mad  dog. 

The  fymptoms  of  madncfs  in  a  dog  arc  as  fol- 
low: At  firft  he  looks  dull,  (hews  an  averfion  to 
food  and  company :  he  does'not  bark  as  ufual,  but 
fccms  to  murmur,  is  peevidi,  and  apt  to  bire  (Iran* 
gers:  his  ears  and  tail  droop  more  than  ufual,  and 
he  appears  drowfy  :  afterwards  he  begins  to  loll  out 
his  tongue,  and  froth  at  the  mouth,  his  eyes  feem- 
ing  heavy  and  watery :  he  now,  if  not  confihed, 
takes  off,  runs  panting  along  with  a  kind  of  dejefted 
air,  and  endeavours  to  bite  every  one  he  meets. 
Other  dogs  are  faid  to  fly  from  him.  Some  think 
this  a  certain  fign  of  madnefs,  fuppofmg  that 
they  know  him  by  the  fmeli ;  but  it  is  not  to  be  de- 
pended on.  If  he  efcapes  being  killed,  he  feldom 
runs  above  two  or  three  days,  till  he  dies  cxhaufted 
with  heat,  hunger,  and  faMPue. 

This  difcafe  is  molt  frequent  after  long  dry,  hot 
feafonsj  and  fuch  dogs  ns  live  upun  puirivl  (linkirsg 
carrion,  without  having  enough  of  frclh  watcrj  are 
molt  liable  to  it. 

\Vi.c:i 


473    BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS. 

When  any  pcrfon  has  been  bit  by  a  dog,   the 

flri£tefl:  inquiry  ought  to  be  made,  whether  the  aot- 

.  mat  was  rfcally   mad.     Many   difagreeable  conJe- 

;  <)uences  arife  from  negkfling  to  afcertnin  this  ppinr. 

Some  people  have  lived  in  continual  anxtecy  for 

-  many  years^  becaufe  they  had   been  bit  by  4  dog 

which   they   beircved  to  be  mad  t  but,  as.lje  had 

;  been  killed  on  the  fpot,  it  was  impoffible  to  af^^r- 

.,  tain,  the  fa<rt.     Thifi  Oiould   induce  us,  in^eia^  of 

.  -Itilling  a  doii!  the  moment  he  has  bit  any  perfoii,,io 

do  all  in  Qur  power  to  keep  him  alive,  a;t  Icaft  till 

we  can  be  certain  whether  he  be  mad  or  not. 

Many  circumftances  ^ay  contribute  to  make 
people  imagine  a  dog  mad.  He  lotcs  his  mafter, 
runs  aboui:  in  queft  of  him,  i^  let  upon  by  other 
dogs,  and  p[.-rlia|js  by  men.  I'he  cnrature,  thus 
frightened,  brat,  aotl  abuled,  looks  wild,  and  lolls 
out  his  lungue  as  he  runs  along.  Immediately  a 
crowd  is  after  hint  -,  while  lu-,  finding  himfclf 
clofely  purfued,  and  taking  every  one  he  meets  for 
an  enemy,  naturally  attempts  to  biie  him  in  felf- 
defcnce.  He  Uion  gets  knocked  on  the  head,  and 
it  pafies  currently  that  he  was  mad,  as  ic  is  then 
impodible  to  prove  the  contrary. 

This  being  the  true  hittory  of,  by  far,  the  greater 
part  of  thofe  dogs  which  pais  for  mad,  is  it  any 
wonder  that  numberlefs  whimftcal  medicines  have 
been  extolled  fur  preventing  the  effefts  of  their 
bite?  This  readily  accounts  for  the  great  variety  of 
infallible  remedies  for  the  bite  of  a  mad  dog,  which 
are  to  be  met  with  in  almoit  every  family.  Though 
not  one  in  a  thoufand  has  any  claim  to  merit,  yet 
ihey  are  all  I'upponed  by  numberlefs  vouchers. 
Hfi  wonder  that  imaginary  difeal'es  Ihould  bf  cured 
by  HijagJnary  remedies.  In  this  way,  credulous 
-people  tirlt  impul'e  upon  themfelves,  and  theo, de- 
ceive others.  The  Unie  iiKdidnc  which,  wa^  fup- 
■  :  ,   ■ .  pojed 


BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS.   479 

pofcd  to  prevent  the  cfFefts  of  the  bite,  when  the 
dog  was  not  mad,  is  reconrtnoended  to  a  perfoa 
who  has  had  the  misfortune  to  be  bit  by  a  dog  that 
was  really  mad.  He  takes  it,  trufts  to  it,  and  is 
undone. 

To  thefe  miftakes  we  muft  impute  the  frequent 
ill  fuccefs  of  the  medicines  ufed  for  preventing  the 
effedls  of  the  bite  of  a  mad  dog.  It  is  not  owing 
fo  much  to  a  defeat  in  medicine,  as  to  wrong  ap- 
plications. I  am  perfuaded,  if  proper  mediciiies 
were  adminiftered  immediately  after  the  bite  is  re- 
ceived, and  continued  for  a  fufficient  length  of 
time,  we  (hould  not  lofe  one  in  a  thoufand  of 
thoie  who  have  the  misfortune  to  be  bit  by  a  n>ad 
dog. 

This  poifon  is  generally  communicated  by  a 
wound,  which  neverthelefs  heals  as  foon  as  a  com- 
mon wound  :  but  afterwards  it  begins  to  feel  pain- 
ful, and  as  the  pain  fpreads  towards  the  neigh- 
bouring parts,  the  perfon  becomes  heavy  and  lill- 
lefs.  His  fleep  is  unquiet  with  frightful  dreams; 
he  fighs,  looks  dull,  and  loves  folitude.  Thefe 
are  the  forerunners,  or  rather  the  firft  fymptoms  of 
that  dreadful  difeafe  occafioned  by  the  bite  of  a 
mad  dog.  But  as  we  do  not  propofe  to  treat  fully 
of  the  difeafe  itfelf,  but  to  point  out  the  method 
of  preventing  it,  we  (hall  not  take  up  time  in 
(hewing  its  progrefs  from  the  firfl:  invafion  to  its 
commonly  fatal  end. 

The  common  notion,  that  this  poifon  may  lie'  in 
the  body  for  many  years,  and  afterwards  prove  fa- 
tal, is  both  hurtful  and  ridiculous.  It  mull  ren- 
der fuch  perfons  as  have  had  the  misfortune  t6  be 
bit  very  unhappy,  and  can  have  no  good  eflfcfts. 
If  the  perfon  takes  proper  medicines  for  forty  days 
after  the  time  of  his  being  bit,  and  feck  no  Symp- 
toms of  the  difeafcj  there  is  reafon  td  l)<elitfvc  him 
cut  of  danger. 

The 


48o   BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS. 

The  medicinrs  recommended  for  preventing  the 
cfie£ts  of  the  bite  of  a  mad  dog,  arc  chiefly  fuch 
as  promote  the  different  fecrciions,  and  antifpaf- 
modics. 

Dr,  Mead  recommends  a  preventive  medicine^ 
which  be  fays  he  never  knew  fail,  though  in  the 
fp^ce  of  thirty  years  he  had  ufed  it  a  thoufaod 
times. 

The  Doftor's  prefcription  is  as  follows: 

"  Take  alh-coloured  ground  Hver-wort,  cleaned, 
dried,  and  powdered,  half  an  ounce;  of  black 
pepper  powdered,  a  quarter  of  an  ounce.  Mix 
thele  well  together,  and  divide  the  powder  into 
four  dofesj  one  of  which  muft  be  taken  every 
morning  fading,  for  four  mornings  fucceffively,  in 
half  an  Englilh  pint  of  cows  milk  warm. 

"  After  thefe  four  dofcs  are  taken,  the  patiertt 
mpll  go  into  the  cold  bath,  or  a  cold  fpring  or 
river,  every  morning  fading,  for  a  month  ;  he  mull 
be  dipped  all  over,  but  not  day  in  (with  his  head 
above  water)  longer  than  half  a  minute,  if  the  wa- 
ter be  very  cold.  After  this  he  mud  go  in  three 
times  a-wcek  for  a  fortnight  longer. 

"  The  perfon  mud  be  bled  before  he  begins  ta 
ufe  the  medicine*." 

We  diall  next  mention  the  famous  Eaft  India 
jpecilic,  as  it  is  called.  This  medicine  is  compofed 
of  cinnabar  and  mulk.  It  is  edeemed  a  great  an- 
tifpafmodic ;  and,  by  many,  extolled  as  an  in- 
fallible remedy  for  preventing  the  effefls  of  the  bite 
of  a  mad  dog. 

*  Though  «^  give  thi*  pnrcription  on  the  credit  of  Dr.  Meid, 
yet  wc  would  cot  advife  any  perlon,  who  has  ceaiott  to  briieve 
tbat  h«  h»  been  bit  by  a  Jog  which  wai  really  mad,  to  emit  lo 
ii  ftlonc.  Mead  wai  an  able  phyriciaa,  bnc  he  feems  to  have 
been  no  great  philofopher,  and  wu  rometinei  Uie  dope  of  bit 
•WB  Gicdulicf. 

"Take 


BITES  nV  POISONOUS  ANIMALS.'^  4«t 

*'  Take  nacive  and  faditious  cinnabar,  of  ea^h 
twenty-four  grains^  mu(k  fixteen  grains.  Let  thefe 
be  niade  into  a  tine  powder,  and  taken  in  a  giafs 
of  arrack  or  brandy." 

This  Tingle  dofe  is  faid  to  Secure  the  perJbn  fot 
thirty  days,  at  the  end  of  which  it  mull  be  repeated  i 
but  if  he  has  any  fyniptoms  of  the  difeafe>  it  muft 
be  repeated  in  three  hours. 

The  following  is  likewife  reckoned  a  good  an-* 
tifpafmodic  medicine  i 

"  Take  of  Virginian  fdakc-root  in  powder,  half 
a  drachm,  gum  afafcecida  twelve  grains,  gum  cam^ 
phire  feven  grains ;  make  thefe  into  a  bolus  with  a 
little  fyrup  of  faffron." 

Camphire  may  alfo  be  given  in  the  following 
manner : 

."  Take  purified  nitre  half  an  ounce,  Virginian 
fnake-root  in  powder  two  drachms,  camphire  one 
drachm;  rub  them  together  in  a  mortar,  and  di- 
vide the  whole  into  ten  dofes/' 

Mercury  is  likewife  recommended  as  of  great 
efficacy,  both  in  the  prevention  and  cure  of  thig 
kind  of  madnefs.  When  ufed  as  a  preventive,  ic 
will  be  fufficient  to  rub  daily  a  drachm  of  the  Oint- 
ment into  the  parts  about  the  wound. 

Vinegar  is  likewife  of  confiderablc  fcrvice,  and 
(hould  be  taken  freely,  either  in  the  patient's  food 
Or  drink. 

Thefe  are  the  principal  medicines  recommended 
for  preventing  the  effcdts  of  the  bite  of  a  mad  dog. 
We  would  not  however  advife  people  to  trufl:  to 
any  one  of  them ;  but  from  a  proper  combination 
of  their  different  powers,  there  is  the  greateft  rea- 
fon  to  hope  for  fuccefs. 

The  great  error  in  the  ufe  of  thefe  medicines' 
lies  in  not  taking  them  for  a  fuilicienc  length  of 
time.  They  are  ufed  more  like  charms,  than  me-- 
dicincs  intended   to  produce   any   change    in    the 

I  i  body. 


48i    BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS, 
body.     To  this,  and  not  to  the  infufficiency  of  the 
medicines,  wc  muft:  impute  their  frequent  want  of 
fuccefs. 

Dr.  Mead  fays,  that  the  virtue  of  his  medicine 
confids  in  promoting  urine.  But  how  a  polfon 
fhould  be  expelled  by  urine,  with  only  three  or 
four  dofes  of  any  medicine,  however  powerful,  it  is 
not  eafy  to  conceive.  More  time  is  certainly  ne* 
ceffary,  even  though  the  medicine  were  more 
powerful  than  that  which  the  Doftor  prefcribes. 

The  Ealt-India  fpccific  is  ftill  more  cxccption- 
abtc  on  this  account. 

As  thefc  and  mod  other  medicines,  taken  fmgly, 
have  frequently  been  found  to  fail,  we  fhall  recom- 
mend the  following  courfc : 

If  a  perfon  be  bit  in  a  flclhy  part,  where  there  il 
no  hazard  of  hurting  any  large  blood-velfel,  the 
parts  adjacent  to  the  wound  may  be  cut  away.  But 
if  [his  be  not  done  foon  after  the  bite  has  been  re* 
ceived,  it  will  be  better  to  omit  it. 

The  wound  may  be  walhed  with  fait  and  water, 
or  a  pickle  made  of  vinegar  and  fall,  and  after- 
wards dreffed  twice  a-day  with  yellow  bafilicoo 
mixed  with  the  red  precipitate  of  mercury. 

The  patient  Ihould  begin  to  ufe  either  Dr.  Mead's 
medicine,  or  fume  of  the  others  mentioned  above. 
If  he  takes  Mead's  intdicine,  he  may  ufe  it  as  the 
Doftor  direds  for  four  days  fucccITively.  Let  him 
then  omit  it  for  two  or  thice  days,  and  again  repeat 
the  lame  number  of  dofes  as  before. 

During  this  courfe,  he  mull  rub  into  the  parts 
about  the  wound,  daily,  one  drachm  of  the  merf 
curial  ointment.  This  may  be  done  for  ten  of 
twelve  days  at  leaft. 

When   this   courfe  is  over,  he  may  take  a  purge 
or  two,  and  wait  a  few  days  till  the  effeil  of  the 
mercury  be  gone  off.     He  muft  then  begin  to  ufe 
the  cold  bath,  into  which  he  may  go  every  morn- 
ing 


•  J. 


BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS.    483 

ing  for  five  or  fix  weeks.  If  he  (hould  feel  cold 
and  chilly  for  a  long  time  after  coming  out  of  the 
cold  bath,  it  will  be  better  to  ufe  a  tepid  one,  or 
to  have  the  water  a  little  warmed. 

In  the  mean  time,  we  would  advife  him  not  to 
leave  off  all  internal  medicines,  but  to  take  either 
one  of  the  bolufes  of  fnake-root,  afafoetida,  and 
camphire;  or  one  of  the  powders  of  ni;re,  cam- 
phire,  and  fnake-root,  twice  a-day.  Thcfc  may  be 
ufed  during  the  whole  time  he  is  bathing. 

During  the  ui'c  of  the  mercurial  ointment,  the 
patient  muft  keep  withindoors,  and  take  nothing 
cold. 

A  proper  regimen  muft  be  obferved  throughout 
the  whole  courfe..  The  patient  fhould  abftain  from 
flefh,  and  all  faked  and  high-feafoned  provifions. 
He  muft  avoid  ftrong  liquors,  and  live  moftly  upon 
a  light  and  rather  fpare  diet.  His  mind  fliould  be 
kept  as  eafy  and  cheerful  as  poifible,  and  all  ex- 
ceflive  heat  and  violent  paOions  avoided  with  the 
utmoft  care. 

I  have  never  feen  this  courfe  of  medicine,  with 
proper  regimen,  fail  to  prevent  the  hydrophobia, 
and  cannot  help  again  obferving,  that  the  want  of 
fuccefs  muft  generally  be  owing  cither  to  the  appli- 
cation of  improper  medicines,  or  not  ufing  proper 
ones  for  a  fufficient  length  of  time. 

Mankind  arc  extremely  fond  of  every  thing  that 
promifes  a  fudden  or  miraculous  cure.  By  truft- 
ing  to  thefc  they  often  lofe  their  lives,  when  a  re- 
gular courfe  of  medicine  would  have  rendered 
them  abfolutely  fafc.  This  holds  remarkably  ia 
the  prefent  cafe.  Numbers  of  people,  for  example, 
believe  if  they  or  their  cattle  be  once  dipped  in  the 
fea,  it  is  fufficient ;  as  if  the  fair  water  were  a  charm 
againft  the  efFeds  of  the  bite.  This,  and  fuch  like 
whims,   have  proved  fatal  to  many. 

I  i  2  It 


484   BITES  OF  POISONOUS  AfJiMALS, 

It  is  a  common  notion,  if  a  pcrfon  be  bit  by  i 
dog  which  is  not  mad,  that,  if  he  (hould  go  mad 
afterwards,  the  pcrfon  would  be  affected  with  the 
diforder  at  the  fame  time ;  but  this  notion  is  too  ri- 
diculous to  deferve  a  ferious  confideration.  It  is  3 
good  rule,  however,  to  avoid  dogs  as  mtjch  as 
potlible,  as  the  difeafe  is  often  upon  them  for  fome 
time  before  its  violent  fymptoms  appear.  The  hy- 
drophobia has  been  occafioned  by  the  bite  of  a  dog 
which  (hewed  no  other  fymptoms  of  the  dileafe  but 
liftlcfTncfs  and  a  fullen  difpofition. 

Though  we  do  not  mean  to  treat  fully  of  the  care 
of  the  hydrophobia,  yet  we  are  far  from  reckoning 
it  incurable.  The  notion  that  this  difeafe  couldbot 
be  cured,  has  been  produclive  of  the  moft  horrid 
confequences.  It  was  ufual  either  to  abandon  the 
unhappy  perfons,  as  foon  as  they  were  fcized  with 
the  difeafe,  to  their  fate,  to  bleed  them  to  death,  or 
to  fuffocate  them  between  mairaffes  or  feather-beds, 
&c.  This  conduft  certainly  dcferved  the  fevereft 
punifhment !  Wc  hope,  for  the  honour  of  human 
nature,  it  will  never  again  be  heard  of. 

I  have  never  had  an  opportunity  <rf  treating 
this  difeafe,  and  therefore  can  fay  nothing  of  it  from 
my  own  experience  i  but  the  learntd  Dr.  Tiflbt  fays, 
it  may  be  cured  in  the  following  manner : 

1.  The  patient  muft  be  bled  to  »  confiderable 
quantity  ;  and  this  may  be  repeated  twice,  or 
thrice,  or  even  a  fourth  time,  if  circumftanccs 
require  it. 

2.  The  patient  ftiouM  be  put,  if  poffible,  into 
a  warm  bath ;  and  this  fhould  be  ufed  twice  a^day. 

3.  He  Ihould  every  day  receive  two,  or  even  three 
emollient  clyrters. 

4..  The  wound,  and  the  parts  adjoining  to  it, 
Ihould  be  rubbed  with  [he  mercurial  ointment  twh* 
a- day. 

S.Tbe 


I'h. 


i-^: 


BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS.    485 

5.  The  whole  limb  which  contains  the  wound 
fliould  be  rubbed  with  oil,  and  be  wrapped  up  in 
an  oily  flannel. 

6.  Every  three  hours  a  dofe  of  Cob's  powder 
fliould  be  taken  in  a  cup  of  the  infufion  of  lime- 
tree  and  elder- flowers.  This  powder  is  made,  by 
rubbing  together  in  a  mortar,  to  a  very  fine  pow- 
der, of  native  and  factitious  cinnabar,  each  twenty- 
four  grains;  of  mulk,  fixtecn  grains  *. 

7.  The  following  bolus  is  to  be  given  every 
night,  and  to  be  repeated  in  the  morning,  if  the 
-pfitient  is  not  eafy,  washing  it  down  with  the  infu- 
lion  mentioned  above :  Take  one  drachm  of  Virgi- 
nian fnake-root  in  powder;  of  camphire  and  afa- 
foetida,  ten  grains  each;  of-  opium,  one  grain; 
and,  with  a  fufficient  quantity  X)f  confcrve,  or  rob 
of  elder,  make  a  bolus. 

8.  If  there  be  a  great  naufea  at  the  (lomach, 
with  a  bitternefs  in  the  mouth,  thirty-live  or  forty 
grains  of  ipecacuanha,  in  powder,  may  be  taken 
for  a  vomit. 

9.  The  patient's  food,  if  he  takes  any,  mud  be 
light;  as  panado,  foups  made  of  farinaceous  or 
mealy  vegetables,  &c. 

10.  if  the  patient  fliould  long  continue  weak, 
and  fubjeft  to  terrors,  he  may  take  half  a  drachm 
of  the  Peruvian  bark  thrice  a-day. 

The  next  poifonous  animal  which  we  fliall  men- 
tion is  the  VIPER,  The  greafe  of  this  animal 
rubbed  into  the  wound  is  faid  to  cure  the  bite. 
Though  that  is  all  the  viper-catchers  generally  do 

*  The  Orrafkirk  medicine,  as  it  is  called,  feems  to  me  to  con- 
fid  chieHy  of  cinnabar.     Though  it  is  faid  to  be  infallibU,  as  a 
frevencive;  y^c  1  would   not  advife  any  one  to  truil  to  it  alone, 
ndeed  it  is  ordered  to  be  taken  in  a  manner  which  gives  it  more 
the  appearance  of  a  charni  th^n  of  a  medicine.     Surely  if  a  me- 
dicine is  to  produce  any  change  in  the  body,  ic  mull  be  taken  for 
'f^me  coaTi^iCrable  time,  and  in  fufficient  quantity. 

I  i  3  when 


V 


486  BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS. 
whea  bir,  we  Ihould.noc  think  it  lufficicnt  for  the 
bite  of  an  enraged  viper,  k  would  I'urcly  be  more 
fafe  tO"  have  the  wound  well  fucked  *,  and  after- 
wards rubbed  with  warm  falad-oil.  A  puuhice  of 
bread  and  milk,  Ibriened  with  falad-oil,  (hould 
likewife  be  applied  co  the  wound;  and  the  pjtient 
ought  to  drink  freely  ot  vinegar-whey,  or  waicr- 
grucl  with  vinegar  in  it,  to  make  him  fweac.  Vi- 
negar is  oneof  ihc  beil  medicines  which  can  be  ufed 
in  any  kind  of  poifun,  and  ought  tu  be  taken 
very  liberally.  If  the  piiieni  he  fick,  he  may 
take  a  vomit.  This  cuurfc  will  be  fuiBcient  to 
cure  the  bite  of  any  of  the  poifonous  animals  of  this 
country. 

:  With  regard  to  poifonous  infcits,  as  the  bee,  the 
wafp,  the  hornet,  &c.  their  flings  are  fcldom  at- 
tended with  danger,  unltfs  when  a  pcrfon  happens 
to  be  ftung  by  a  great  number  of  them  at  the  fame 
timej  in  which  cafe  fomeihing  Ihould  be  done  to 
abate  the  inflammation  and  Iwelling.  Some,  for 
this  purpofe,  apply  honey,  oihers  lay  pounded 
parlley  to  the  part,  A  mixture  of  vinegar  and 
Venice  treacle  is  likewife  recommended  i  but  I 
have  always  found  rubbing  the  part  with  warm  fa- 
lad-oil fucceed  very  well.  Indeed,  when  the  ftings 
are  fo  numerous  as  to  endanger  the  patient's  life, 
which  is  fomedmes  the  cafe,  he  mull  not  only  have 
oily  poultices  applied  to  the  pare,  but  ihould  like- 

*  The  priflice  of  fucking  out  puifons  is  very  ancient ;  and  ib- 
deed  noihing  can  he  ni^rc  ralional.  Where  the  bile  cannot  be 
cut  out,  this  is  lilt  moll  likely  way  for  extrafling  the  poifoo. 
There  can  be  no  dans^er  fn  performing  this  office,  ai  the  poifon 
does  no  haim  unlels  it  be  taken  inro  ihe  body  by  a  wounJ.  The 
pCiCua  who  fuiks  ihe  wound  ought  however  to  waih  bis  mouch 
■l'reqi;ern)y  iviih  faladoil,  which  will  fecure  him  from  even  the 
lealt  inconveniency.  The_  P'}/!i  in  Africa,  and  ihe  Marfi  \u 
Italy,  were  f^mtd  for  curir'g  tne  bites  of  poifonous  animalt  bj 
ru<.king  the  wound  ;  and  w^are  told,  that  the  lodtins  in  Nonk 
Afflctica  praftife  the"  fame  at  this  day. 

wife 


BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS.'  487 
vafc  be  bled,  and  take  fome  cooling  medicines,  as 
nitre,  or  cream  of  tartar,  and  fhould  drink  plenti- 
fully of  diluting  liquors. 

It  is  the  happinefs  of  this  iHand  to  have  very  few 
poifonoos  animals,  and  thofe  which  we  have  are  by 
no  means  of  the  mod  virulent  kind.  Nine-tenths 
of  the  cfFeifts  attributed  co  poilbn  or  venom  in  this 
country,  arc  really  other  difeafcs,  and  proceed 
from  quite  different  caufes. 

We  cannot  however  make  the  fame  obfervation 
with  regard  to  poifonous  vegetables.  Thefe  abound 
every  wherCi  and  prove  often  fatal  to  the  ignorant 
and  unwary.  This  indeed  is  rhiefly  owing  tocarc- 
IciTnefs.  Children  ought  early  to  be  cautioned 
againft  eating  any  kind  of  fruit,  roots,  or  berries, 
which  they  do  not  know,  and  all  poifonous  plants 
to  which  they  can  huve  acccfs,  ought,  as  far  as 
poflible,  to  be  dcftroyed.  This  would  not  be  fo 
difficult  a  talk  as  fome  people  imagine. 

Poifonous  planes  have  no  doubt  their  ufe,  and 
they  ought  to  be  propagated  in  proper  places  j  bur, 
as  they  prove  often  dtftru<5tivetu  cattle,  they  fliould 
be  rooted  out  of  all  pafture-grounds.  They  ought 
likcwife,  for  the  fafciy  of  the  human  fpecies,  to  be 
dcflroyed  in  the  neighbourhood  of  all  towns  and 
villages;  which,  by  the  bye,  are  the  places  where 
they  moft  commonly  abound.  I  have  fecn  the  poi- 
fonous hemlock,  henbane,  wolfsbane,  and  deadly 
night-Ihade,  all  growing  within  the  environs  of  a 
fmail  town,  where,  though  fevcral  perfons,  within 
the  memory  of  thofe  living  in  it,  had  loft  their 
lives  by  one  or  other  of  thefe  plants;  yec  no  me- 
thod, that  I  could  hear  of,  had  ever  been  taken  to 
root  them  out;  though  this  might  be  done  at  a 
very  trifling  expence. 

■  Seldom  a  year  paiTes  but  we  have  accounts  of  fe- 

veral  perfons    poifoned    by    eating  hcmluck-roots 

I  i  4  inftead 


'488  BITES  OF  POISONOUS  ANIMALS, 
inftead  of  parfnips,  or  fomc  kinds  of  fungus  which 
they  had  gathered  (or  mulbrooms,  Thefc  examples 
ought  to  put  people  upon  their  guard  with  refpeft 
to  the  former,  and  to  put  the  Litter  entirely  out  of 
ufe.  Muftirooms  may  be  a  delicate  difh,  but  they 
arc  a  dangerous  one,  as  they  arc  generally  gathered 
by  pcrfoob  who  do  not  know  one  kind  of  fungm 
from  another,  and  take  every  thing  for  a  muih- 
roonu'which  has  that  appearance. 

We  might  here  mention  many  other  plants  and 
animals  of  a  poifonous  nature  which  are  found  in 
iforeign  countries ;  but,  as  our  ubfervations  are 
chiefly  intended  for  this  idand,  we  Ihall  pafs  thefe 
over.  It  may  not  however  be  amifs  to  obferve, 
for  the  benefit  of  fuch  of  our  countrymen  as  go  to 
America,  that  an  effeftudl  remedy  is  now  faid  to  be 
found  for  the  bite  of  the  rattle-fnake. — The  pre- 
fcription  is  as  follows  :  Take  of  the  roots  of  plan- 
tain and  horehound,  in  fummer,  roots  and  branches 
together,  a  fufficient  quantity;  bruife  them  in  a 
mortar,  and  fqueeze  out  the  juice,  of  which  give, 
as  foon  as  pollible,  one  brge  fpoonful  j  if  the  pa- 
tient be  fwelled,  you  mult  force  it  down  his  throat. 
This  generally  will  cure;  but,  if  he  finds  no  relief 
in  an  hour  after,  you  may  give  another  fpoonful, 
which  never  fails. — If  the  roots  are  dried,  they 
muft  be  moiftened  with  a  little  water.  To  the 
wound  may  be  applied  a  leaf  of  good  tobacco 
moiftened  with  rum. 

We  give  this  upon  the  faith  of  Dr.  Brookes, 
who  fays  it  was  the  invention  of  a  negro  i  for  the 
difcovery  of  which  he  had  his  freedom  purrhafed, 
and  a  hundred  pounds  per  ammm  fettled  upon  hini 
during  life,  by  the  General  Affembly  of  Caro^ 
Jina. 

It  is  poffiblc  there  may  be  in  nature  fpecific  reme- 
dies for  every  kind  of  poifon  ;  but  as  we  have  very 

Httk 


L-  .*  i 


s.  >v 


OF  THE  VENEREAL  DISEASE.    4^9 

little  faith  in  any  of  thole  which  have  yet  been  pre- 
tended to  be  difcovercd,  we  (hail  beg  leave  again 
to  recommend  the  moft  ftrifl:  attention  to  the  foU 
lowing  rules,  viz.  That  when  any  poifonous  fub- 
ftance  has  been  taken  into  the  ftomach,  it  ought,  a^ 
foon  as  poflfible,  to  be  difcharged  by  vomits,  clyf- 
ters,  and  purges;  and,  when  poifon  ha$"been  re*- 
ceived  into  the  body  by  a  wound,  that  it  be  ex«^ 
pelled  by  medicines  which  promote  the  different 
lecretions,  efpecially  thofe  of  fweat,  urine,  and  in- 
fenfible  perfpiration  ;  to  which  may  be  joined  an- 
tifpafmodics^  or  fuch  medicines  as  take  oflTtenfion 
and  irritation  ;  the  chief  of  which  arc  opium^  muflc^ 
|Camphirc,  and  afafcetida. 


1 


CHAP,     XLVIL 

OF    THE   VENEREAL  DISEASE. 

N  the  firft  edition  of  this  book  the  venereal  dif*- 
cafe  was  omitted.  The  reafons  however  whicl]^ 
at  that  time  induced  me  to  leave  it  out,  have  upon 
more  mature  confideration  vaniflied.  Bad  confe- 
quences,  no  doubt,  may  arife  from  ignorant  per- 
fons  tampering  with  medicine  in  this  diforder;  but 
the  danger  from  that  quarter  feems  to  be  more  than 
balanced  by  the  great  and  folid  advantages,  which 
muft  arife  to  the  patient  from  an  early  knowledge 
of  his  cafe^  and  an  attention  to  a  plan  of  regimen, 
which,  if  it  does  not  cure  the  difeafe,  will  be  furc 
to  render  it  more  mild,  and  lefs  hurtful  to^the  con- 
ftitution. 

It  is  peculiarly  unfortunate  for  the  unhappy  per-^ 

fons  who  contradt   this  difeafe,  that  it  lies  under  a 

fort  of  difgragct     Thjs  renders  difguife  neccflary, 

5  and 


49©  OF  THE  VENEREAL  DISEASE, 
and  makes  the  patient  cither  conceal  his  diforder 
aliogecher,  or  apply  to  chore  who  promife  a  luddcn 
and  Iccrec  core;  but  who  in  fad  onl/  remove  the 
fymptoms  for  a  time,  while  they  fix  the  difcafe 
deeper  in  the  habit.  By  this  means  a  (light  infec- 
tion, which  might  have  been  eafiiy  removed,  is 
often  converted  into  an  obftinatc,  and  fometimcs 
incurable  malady. 

■  Another  unfavourable  circumftancc  attending 
this  difcafe  is,  ihar  it  aflumes  a  variety  of  different 
fliapcs,  and  may  with  more  propriety  be  called  an 
affcmblage  of  difeafes,  than  a  fingleone.  No  two 
difcafes  can  require  a  more  different  method  of 
treatment  than  this  docs  in  its  different  ftages. 
Hence  the  fully  and  danger  of  trufting  to  any  par- 
ticular noftrum  for  the  cure  of  it.  Such  noftrums 
are  however  generally  adminiftered  in  the  fame  man- 
ner to  all  who  apply  for  them,  without  the  Icaft 
regard  to  the  ilate  of  the  dileafe,  the  conftitution 
of  the  patient,  the  degree  of  infeiftion,  and  a  thou- 
fand  other  circumltances  of  the  utmoft  import- 
ance. 

Though  the  venereal  difeafe  is  generally  the  fruit 
of  unlawful  embraces,  yet  it  may  be  communicated 
to  the  innocent  as  well  as  the  guilty.  Infant^, 
nurfes,  midwivcs,  and  married  women  whofc  huf- 
bands  lead  diifolute  lives,  are  often  aff'cftcd  with 
it,  and  frequenily  lofe  their  lives  by  not  being 
aware  of  tluir  cUnger  in  due  time.  The  unhappy 
condition  of  fuch  ptrrfuns  will  certainly  plead  our 
cxcufe,  if  any  excufe  be  necelTary,  for  endeavour- 
ing to  point  out  tlie  I'ymptoms  and  cure  of  this  too 
common  difeaie. 

To  enumerate  all  its  different  fymptoms,  how- 
ever, and  to  trace  the  difeafe  minutely  through  its 
various  ftages,  would  require  a  much  larger  fpacc 
than  falls  tu  this  part  of  my  fubjtft ;  I  fhall  there- 
fore confine    my    obfervations    chicHy  to  circutn- 

Qanccs 


■^IK^^J 


OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHCEA.  491 

ftancrs  of  importance,  omitting  fuch  as  are  either 
trifling,  or  which  occur  but  fcldom.  I  (hall  like- 
wife  pafs  over  the  hiftory  of  the  difeafe,  with  the 
different  methods  of  treatment  which  it  has  under- 
gone fince  it  was  firft  introduced  into  Europe,  and 
many  other  circumftances  of  a  fimilar  nature;  all 
of  which,  though  they  might  tend  to  amufc  the 
reader,  yet  could  afford  him  little  or  no  ufeful 
knowledge. 


OF  THE   VIRULENT   GONORRHCEA. 

The  virulent  gonorrhoea  is  an  involuntary  dif- 
charge  of  infectious  matter  from  the  parts  of  ge- 
neration in  either  fex.  It  generally  makes  its  ap- 
pearance within  eight  or  ten  days  after  the  infec- 
tion has  been  received  :  fometimes  indeed  it  ap- 
pears in  two  or  three  days,  and  at  other  times  not 
before  the  end  of  four  or  five  weeks.  Previous  to 
the  difcharge,  the  patient  feels  an  itching  with  a 
fmall  degree  of  pain  in  the  genitals.  Afterwards 
'  a  thin  glary  matter  begins  to  diftil  from  the  uri- 
nary paifage,  which  ftains  the  linen,  and  occafions 
a  fmall  degree  of  titillation,  particularly  in  the 
time  of  making  water;  this  gradually  increafing, 
arifes  at  length  to  a  degree  of  heat  and  pain,  which 
are  chiefly  peccived  about  the  extremity  of  the 
urinary  pafTage,  where  a  (light  degree  of  rednefs 
and  inflammation  likewife  begin  to  appear. 

As  the  diforder  advances,  the  pain,  heat  of 
urine,  and  running,  increafe,  while  freOi  fymp- 
toms  daily  enfue.  In  men  the  eredlions  become 
painful  and  involuntary,  and  are  more  frequent 
and  lafting  than  when  natural.  This  fymptom  is 
moft  troublefome  when  the  patient  is  warm  in 
\)€ii.  The  pain  which  was  at  firlt  only  perceived 
jowards  the  extremity,  now  begins  to  reach  :*11 
I  up 


492  OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHCEA. 
up  the  urinary  paflage,  and  is  moft  intenfe  juft 
,  after  (he  patienc  has  done  making  water,  'i  he  run- 
ning gradually  recedes  from  the  colour  of  feed, 
grows  yellow,  and  at  length  puts  on  the  appear- 
ance of  matter. 

Wheti  the  diforder  has  arrived  at  hs  height,  all 
the  fympioms  arc  more  intenfe;  the  hca:  of  urine 
is  fo  great,  that  tlie  patient  dreads  the  making  wa- 
ter; and  though  he  feels  a  conftan:  iiiciinaiion  this 
way,  yet  it  is  rendered  with  die  greatcl"!  difficulty, 
and  often  only  by  drops:  the  involuntary  eretSions 
now  become  extremely  painful  and  frequent ;  there 
is  alfo  a  pain,  heat,  and  fcnfe  of  fulnels  about  the 
feat,  and  the  running  is  plentiful  and  Iharp,  of  a 
brown,  grcenifl],  and  fomctimes  of  a  bloody  co- 
Jour. 

By  a  proper  treatment  the  violence  of  the  fymp- 
toms  gradually  abates;  the  heat  of  urine  goes  off; 
the  involuntary  and  painful  ereftions,  and  the  heac 
and  pain  about  the  feat,  become  eafier ;  the  run- 
ning alfo  gradually  decreafes,  grows  whiter  and 
thicker,  till  at  lad  it  entirely  difappears. 

By  attending  to  thefc  fymptoms,  the  gonorrhoea 
may  be  generally  diftinguilhcd  from  any  other  dif- 
eafe.  There  are  however  fome  few  difordtrs  for 
which  il  may  be  iniftaken,  as  an  ulcer  in  the  kid- 
nies  or  bladder,  the  fiuor  albus  or  whites  in  women, 
&c.  But  in  the  former  of  thefe,  the  matter  comes 
away  only  with  the  urine,  or  when  the  Iphincler  of 
the  bladder  is  open;  whereas  in  a  gonorrhoea,  the 
difcharge  is  conltant.  The  latter  is  more  difficult 
to  diftinguilh,  and  muft  be  known  chiefly  from 
its  effe£ts,  as  pain,  communicating  the  infection, 
&c. 

REGIMEN. When   a  pcrfon  has  reafon  to 

fufpefl:  that  he  has  caught  the  venereal  infeclion, 

Ke  ought  moft  ftriftly  to  obferve  a  cooling  regimen, 

M>  avoid  every  tbing  of  %  heating  nature,  as  wines, 

J'pirituous 


OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHOEA.  4^3 

fpirituous  liquors,  rich  fauces,  fpiccd,  faltcd^  high- 
feafoned  and  fmoke-dricd  provifions,  &c.  as  atfo 
all  aromatic  and  Itimulating  vegetabies>  as  onions, 
garlic,  (bailor,  nutmeg,  muftard,  cinnamon,  maeo, 
ginger,  and  fuch  like.  His  food  ought  chiefly  to 
confift  of  mild  vegetables,  milk,  broths,  light 
puddings,  panado,  gruels,  &c.  His  drink  may 
be  barley-water,  milk  and  water,  decodions  of 
marfti-mallows  and  liquorice,  linfeed-tca,  or  cletf 
whey.  Of  thcfe  he  ought  to  drink  plentifully*. 
Violent  excrcife  of  all  kinds,  efpecially  riding  oa 
horfeback,  and  venereal  pleafures,  are  to  be  avoid- 
ed. The  pitient  muft  beware  of  cold,  and  whea 
the  inflammation  is  violent,  he  ought  to  keep  his 
bed.  ^ 

MEDICINE. A  virulent  gonorrhoea  cannot 

always  be  cured  fpeedily  and  effcilually  at  the  fame 
time.  The  patient  ought  therefore  not  to  expeft, 
nor  the  phyfician  to  promife  it.  It  will  often  con-* 
tinuc  for  two  or  three  weeks,  and  fometimes  for 
five  or  fix,  even  where  the  treatment  has  been  very 
proper. 

Sometimes  indeed  a  flight  infedion  may  be  car* 
ried  off  in  a  few  days,  by  bathing  the  parts  in  warm 
milk  and  water,  and  injedVing  frequently  up  the 
urethra  a  little  fwect  oil  or  linfecd-tea  about  the 
warmth  of  new  milk.  Should  thefe  not  fucceed  in 
carrying  off  the  infeftion,  they  will  at  lead  have 
a  tendency  to  leflfen  its  virulence. 

To  effect  a  cure,  however,  aftringcnt  jnjeftions 
will  generally  be  found  neceflTary.  Thefe  may  be 
various  ways  prepared,  but  I  think  thofe  made 
with  tlie  wliire  vitriol  are  both  molt  fafe  and  effica- 
cious. They  can  be  made  (tronger  or  weaker  as 
circumltances  may  require;  but  it  is  beft  to  begin 
with  the  more  gentle,  and  increafe  their  pow^r  if 
neceflTary.  I  generally  order  a  drachm  of  whit-* 
vitriol  to  be  diflblved  in  eightiPr  nio^-ouo.ces  of 

common 


494  OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHCEA. 

common  or  rofe-water,  and  an  ordinary  fyringe  full 
of  it  to'  be  thrown  up  three  or  four  times  a-day. 
If  this  quantity  does  not  perform  a  cure,  it  may 
be  repeated,  and  the  dofe  increafcd  *. 

Whether  injeftioni  be  ul'cd  or  not,  cooling 
purges  are  always  proper  in  the  gonorrhoei.  They 
ought  not  however  to  be  of  the  ftrong  or  drafltc 
kind.  Whatever  raifcs  a  violent  connmotion  in  the 
body  increafcs  the  danger,  and  tends  to  drive  the 
difeafe  deeper  into  the  habit.  Procuring  two  or 
three  flools  every  fccond  or  third  day  for  the  firft 
fortnight,  and  the  lame  number  every  fourth  or 
fifth  day  for  the  fccond,  will  generally  be  fufficient 
to  remove  the  inflammatory  fymptoms,  to  diminilh 
the  running,  and  to  change  the  colour  and  confjft- 
ftenceof  the  matter,  whrcli  gradually  becomes  more 
white  and  ropy  as  the  virulence  abates  f. 

When 

*  Although  it  is  now  very  tommon  to  cure  the  gonorrhcea  bjr 
allriDgeni  injefliont,  ihcre  are  ftill  many  pratlinoneri  who  do 
not  approve  this  mode  of  prai!lice.  1  can  hi^ivevrr,  from  much 
»p«nence,  affert,  that  it  is  both  the  inoft  eafy,  elegant,  and  ef. 
ficiciou)  nrethod  of  cure  ;  and  that  any  bad  conrcquences  arijing 
fromic  mufl  be  owing  lo  ihe  ignorance  or  mifcocdudi  of  the  prac- 
titioner himCeir,  a-nd  not  lu  ihe  remedy.  Many,  for  exaoipic, 
ofe  ilrong  preparations  of  Itsi,  all  of  whicK  are  dangerous  when 
applied  to  the  internal  fjrfaics  of  the  body  ;  others  ufc  efchira- 
tics,  w'liich  inRame  and  injure  the  parts,  I  have  known  a  go- 
norrhcea afiually  cured  by  an  injeftion  msdc  of  green-tea,  and 
would  always  recommend  genile  methods  where  they  will  fuc- 

f  ]t  the  patient  can  fw^llow  a  folution  of  falls  and  manoa,  he 
may  lake  fix  drachms,  or,  if  hisconfliiution  requires  it,  an  onncc 
of  the  former,  witn  half  an  ounce  of  the  hiier.  Thefc  may  be 
dilTolved  in  an  Englilh  pint  of  boiling  water,  whey,  or  tfain  wk- 
ter-gruel,   and  taken  early  in  the  morning. 

If  an  tnfufion  of  fennaand  tamitiods  be  more  Agreeable,  two 
drachms  of  the  former,  and  an  ounce  of  the  latter,  may  be  in* 
fu  fed  all  night  in  an  Englilh  pint  of  boiling  water.  The  in - 
fufion  m^y  be  llrained  next  morniiig,  and  half  an  ounce  of  Glav* 
ber's  falls  dilFolvcd  in  it.  A  lea-cupful  of  (his  infufion  may  be 
taken  tvcry  half  hour  till  it  operates. 

ShODlJ 


'i^^'i 


OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHOEA.  495 

When  the  inflammatory  fymptoms  r,un  high, 
bleeding  is  always  neceiTary  at  the  beginning.  This 
operation,  as  in  other  topical  inflammations,  muft 
be  repeated  according  to  the  ftrength  and  conftitu- 
tion  of  the  patient,  and  the  vehemence  and  urgency 
of  the  fymptoms. 

Medicines  which  promote  the  fecretion  of  urine^ 
are  likewife  proper  in  this  ftage  of  the  difordcr. 
For  this  purpofe,  an  ounce  of  nitre  and  two  ounces 
of  gum-arabic,  pounded  together,  may  be  divided 
into  twenty-four  dofes,  one  of  which  may  be  taken 
frequently  in  a  cup  of  the  patient's  drink.  If  thcfc 
ihould  make  him  pafs  his  urine  ib  often  as  to  be- 
come troublefome  to  him,  he  may  either  take  them 
lefs  frequently,  or  leave  out  the  nitre  altogether, 
and  take  equal  parts  of  gum-arabic  and  cream  of 
tartar.  Thefe  may  be  pounded  together,  and  a 
tea-fpQonful  taken  in  a  cup  of  the  patient's  drink 
four  or  five  times  a-day.  I  have  generally  found 
this  anfwer  extreniely  well  both  as  a  diuretic,  and 
for  keeping  the  body  gently  open. 

When  the  pain  and  inflammation  are  feared  high 
towards  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  it  will  be  proper 
frequently  to  throw  up  an  emollient  clyfl:er,  which, 
befides  the  benefit  of  procuring  ftools,  will  fervc  as 
a  fomentation  to  the  inflamed  parts* 

Shoald  the  patient  prefer  an  eledluary,  the  following  will  he 
found  coanfv¥er  very  well.  Take  of  the  lenitive  ele£laary  four 
ounces,  cream  of  tartar  two  ounces,  jalap  in  powder  two  drachois, 
rhubarb  one  drachm,  and  as  much  of  the  lyrup  of  pale  rofes  as 
will  krvc  to  make  up  the  whole  into  a  foft  eleduary.  Two  or 
three  tea-fpoonfulsof  this  may  be  taken  over-night,  and  aboac 
the  fame  quantity  next  morning,  every  day  that  the  pacienc 
cbufes  to  take  a  purge. 

The  doies  of  the  above  medicines  may  be  incrcafed  ordimt-i 
Didied  according  as  the  patient  finds  it  necefl*.iry.  We  have  or« 
dercd  the  (alts  to  be  di/Tulved  in  a  large  quantity  of  water^  be-, 
caufe  it  renders  their  operation  more  mild. 

Soft 


4^$  OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHOEA, 

Soft  poultices,  when  they  ^an  convenicnily  be 
^plied  lo  the  parts,  are  of  great  fervice.  Vhey 
may  he  made  of  the  flour  of  linfced,  or  of  wheat- 
bread  and  initlc,  foftened  with  frelh  butter  or  fweec 
cit.  When  poultices  cannot  be  conveniently  ufedj 
cloths  wrung  out  of  warnn  water,  or  bladders  filled 
with  warm  milk  and  water,  may  be  applied.  I 
have  often  known  the  molt  excruciating  pains,  du> 
jing  the  inflammatory  ilace  of  the  gonorrhcea,  re> 
lieved  by  one  or  other  of  thefe  applications. 

Few  things  tend  more  to  keep  off  inflammation 
in  the  fpermatic  veffels,  than  a  proper  trufs  for  the 
fcrotum.  It  ought  to  be  fo  contrived  as  tofupport 
the  tefticles,  and  ihould  be  worn  from  the  firft 
appearance  of  the  difeafe  till  it  has  eeafed  fomc 
weeks. 

The  above  treatment  will  fomctimes  remove  the 
gonorrhcea  fo  quickly,  that  the  pcrfon  will  be  in 
doubt  whether  he  really  laboured  under  that  difealc. 
This,  however,  is  too  favourable  a  turn  to  be 
often  expefted.  It  more  frequently  happensj  that 
we  are  able  only  to  procure  an  abatement  or  remif- 
fion  of  the  inflammatory  fymptoms,  fo  far  aa  to 
make  it  fafe  to  have  recourfe  to  the  great  antidote 
mercury. 

Many  peop1e>  on  the  Brft  appearance  of  a  gonor- 
rhcea, fly  to  the  ufe  of  mercury.  This  is  a  bad 
plan.  Mercury  is  often  not  at  all  necefTary  in  a 
gonorrhceai  and  when  taken  too  early,  it  does  mif- 
chief.  It  may  be  neccflary  to  complete  the  cure, 
but  can  never  be  proper  at  the  commencement  tk 

it. 

When  bleeding,  purging,  fomentations,  and  the 
Other  tbipgs  recommended  above,  have  eafed  the 
paiD,  foficned  the  putfe,  relieved  the  heat  of  urinet 
and  rendered  the  involuntary  creations  Icfs  frequent^ 
(he  patient  may  begin  to  ufc  mercury  in  any  form 
that  is  leaft  difagrceable  to  him. 

If 


OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHCEA.  497 

If  lift  takes  the  common  mercurial  pill,  two  at 
night  and  one  in  the  morning  will  be  a  fufHcient 
dofe  at  firft.  Should  they  affed  the  mouth  too 
much,  the  dofe  muft  be  Icffcned ;  if  not  at  all,  it 
may  be  gradually  incrcafed  to  five  or  fix  pilis  in  the 
day.  If  calomel  be  thought  preferable,  two  or 
three  grains  of  it,  formed  into  a  bolus  with  a  liijtle 
of  the  conlerve  of  hips,  may  be  taken  at  bed-time, 
and  the  dofe  gradually  increafed  to  eight  or  ten 
grains.  One  of  the  moft  common  preparations 
of  mercury  now  in  ufc.  is  the  corrofive  fubllmate. 
This  may  be  taken  in  the  manner  afterwards  re- 
commended under  the  confirmed  lues  or  pox.  I 
have  always  found  it  one  of  the  mofl  fafe  and  effi- 
cacious medicines  when  properly  ufed. 

The  above  medicines  may  either  be  taken  every 
day  or  every  other  day,  as  the  patient  is  able  to 
bear  them.  They  ought  never  to  be  taken  in  fuch 
quantity  as  to  raife  a  falivation,  unlefs  in  a  very 
flighc  degree.  The  difcafe  may  be  more  fafely,  and 
as  certainly,  cured  without  a  falivation  as  with  it. 
"When  the  mercury  runs  off  by  the  mouth,  it  is  not 
fo  fuccefsful  in  carrying  off  the  difeafe,  as  when  ic 
continues  longer  ia  the  body,  and  is  difcharged 
gradually. 

Should  the  patient  be  purged  or  griped  in  the 
night  by  the  mercury,  he  muft  take  an  infuGon  of 
fenna,  or  fome  other  purgative,  and  drink  freely  of 
vater-gruel  to  prevent  bloody  ftools,  which  arc  very 
apt  CO  happen  fhould  the  patient  catch  cold,  or 
if  the  mercury  has  not  been  duly  prepared.  When 
the  bowels  are  weak,  and  the  mercury  is  apt  to 
gripe  or  purge,  ihele  difagrceable  confequcnccs 
may  be  prevented  by  taking,  with  the  above  pills 
or  bolus,  half  a  drachm  or  two  fcruptes  of  diaf^ 
cordium,  or  of  the  Japonic  confeftron. 

To  prevent  the  difagrceablecit-cumftahce  of  the 

mercury's  affecting  the  mouth- too'much,  or  bring- 

K,  k  ing 


498  OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHCEA. 
ingon  a  falivntion,  i:  may  be  combined  with  pur- 
gatives. With  this  view  the  laxative  mercurial 
pill  has  been  contrived,  the  ufuai  dofe  of  which  is 
half  a  drachm,  or  three  pills,  night  and  morning, 
to  be  repeated  every  other  day;  but  the  fafcr  way 
is  for  the  patient  to  begin  with  two,  or  even  witd 
one  pill,  gradually  increafin(T  the  dofc. 

To  fiich  perlbns  as  c:in  neither  fwallow  a  bolus 
nor  a  pill,  mercury  may  be  given  in  a  liquid  form, 
as  it  can  be  fufpcndcd  even  in  a  watery  vehicle,  by 
.means  of  gum-arabic;  whith  not  only  ferves  this 
purpole,  but  lilicwile  prevents  the  mercury  from 
aiFedting  the  mouth,  and  renders  it  in  many  rcfpcfts 
a  better  medicine  '. 

It  happens  very  fortunately  for  thofe  who  cannot 
be  brought  to  t.i!;e  mercury  inwardly,  and  likewife 
for  perlons  whofe  bowels  are  too  tender  to  bear  It, 
that  an  external  application  of  it  will  anfwer  equally 
well,  and  in  fomc  refpcifts  better.  It  mult  be  ac- 
knowledged, that  mercury,  taken  inwardly  for  any 
length  ot  time,  greatly  weakens  and  difordcrs  the 
bowels;  for  which  reafun,  when  a  plentiful  ufe  of 
it  becomes  neceiT^ry,  we  would  prefer  rubbing  to 
the  mercurial  pills.  The  cciiunon  mercurial  or 
blue  ointment  will  anfwer  very  well.  Of  that 
which  is  made  by  rubbing  together  equal  quanti- 
ties of  hog's-lard  and  qiiickfilver,  about  a  drachm 
may  be  ulcd  at  a  time.  The  bell  time  for  rub- 
bing it  on  is  at  night,  and  the  moft  proper  place 

•  Tsl;e  quiekfilver  one  dr.iehin,  fjum-arabic  rrduced  to  a 
aluc'bge  two  c'ricbms;  let  the  quicklilver  be  rubbed  with  ihe 
jnucilage,  in  a  mirble  mortar,  until  the  globules  of  mercury  ett- 
lirely  fli'^Pl'ear:  afterwards  add  gradually,  ftill  continuing  the 
tfiiuraiion,  hilf  an  ou[:ce  of  balfamic  iyrup,  and  eight  ounm 
of  fimple  cinnamon- W.I ler.'  Two  tMe-ij^oor.Mi  of  |hii  folu* 
lion  may  be  taken  night  and  mornir.g.  Some  reckon  thU_it|« 
beft  farm  in  which  quicklilvcr  caa  be  exhibiied  for  die  cwc  of 
■  gonorrhcsa. 

tbe 


OF  THE  VIRULENT  GONORRHCEA.  499 

the  inner  fide  of  the  thighs.  The  patient  Ihould 
ftand  before  the  fire  when  he  rubs,  and  (hould  wear 
flannel  drawers  next  his  Ikin  ac  the  time  he  is  uftng 
the  ointment.  If  ointment  of  a  weaker  or  ftronger 
kind  be  iifed,  the  quantity  muft  be  incrcafed  or 
dimlniflied  in  proportion. 

If,  during  the  ufe  of  the  ointment,  the  inflam- 
mation of  the  genital  parts,  together  with  the  heaC 
and  feverifhncfs,  fliould  return,  or  if  the  mouth 
fhould  grow  fore,  the  gums  tender,  and  the  breatK 
become  ofl^enlive,  a  dofe  or  two  of  Glauber's  fahs, 
or  fome  other  cooling  purge,  may  be  taken,  and 
the  rubbing  intermitted  for  a  few  days.  As  foon, 
however,  as  the  figns  of  fpitting  arc  gone  ofl^,  if 
the  virulency  be  not  quite  corrc»Sed,  the  ointment 
muft  be  repeated,  but  in  fmaller  quantities,  and  at 
longer  intervals  than  before.  Wliatever  way  mer- 
cury is  adminiftered,  its  ufe  muft  be  pcrfiiled  in 
as  long  as  any  virulency  is  fufpe<5led  to  remain. 

During  this,  which  may  be  called  the  fecond 
ftage  of  the  diforder,  though  fo  &.r'\&  a  regimcji 
is  not  neceflary  as  in  the  firft  or  inflammatory 
ftate,  yet  intemperance  of  every  kind  muft  be 
•voided.  The  food  muft  be  light,  plain,  and  of 
eafy  digeftion  i  and  the  grcatcft  indulgence  that 
may  be  allowed  with  refpeft  to  drink  is,  a  little 
wine  diluted  with  a  fufficient  quantity  of  water. 
Spirituous  liquors  are  to  be  avoided  in  every  ftiape. 
I  have  often  known  the  inflammacory  fymptoms  re- 
newed and  heightened,  the  running  incrcafed,  and 
the  cure  rendered  extremely  difficult  and  tedious, 
by  one  fit  of  cxcefTive  drinking. 

When  the  above  treatment  has  removed  the 
heat  of  urine,  and  forenefs  of  the  genital  parts; 
when  the  quantity  of  running  is  conlidcrably  Icff- 
ened,  without  any  pain  or  fwclling  in  the  groin  or 
tefticle  fupervening;  when  the  patient  is  free  from 
involuntary  eredions;  and  laftly,  when  the  ,run- 
K  k  2  nina 


500  OFGLEETS. 

ning  becomes  pale,  whitifh,  thick,  void  ef  HA 
fmcll,  and  tenacious  or  ropy;  when  all  or  moftof 
thefe  fymptoms  appear,  the  gonorrhoea  is  arrived 
at  its  lad  ftage,  and  we  may  gradually  proceed  to 
treat  it  as  a  gleet  with  aftringent  and  aggluti- 
nating medicines. 


OF     GLEETS. 

<A  gonorrhoea  frequently  repeated,  or  impft> 
perly  treated,  often  ends  in  a  gleet,  which  may 
either  proceed  from  relaxation,  or  from  fomc  re- 
mains of  the  difeafe.  It  is  however  of  the  greateft 
importance  in  the  cure  of  the  gleet,  to  know  from 
which  of  thefe  caufes  it  proceeds.  When  the  dif- 
charge  proves  very  obftinate,  and  receives  little  or 
no  check  from  aftringent  remedies,  there  is  ground 
to  fufped  that  it  is  owing  to  the  latter;  but  if  the 
drain  is  inconftant,  and  is  chiefly  obfervable  whea 
the  patient  is  ftimulated  by  lafcivious  ideas,  or 
upon  ftraining  to  go  to  ftooJ,  we  may  reafonabiy 
conclude  that  it  is  chiefly  owing  to  the  former. 

In  the  cure  of  a  gleet  proceeding  from  relaxa- 
tion, the  principal  defign  is  to  brace,  and  reftorc 
a  proper  degree  of  tenfion  to  the  debilitated  and 
relaxed  veiTcls.  For  this  purpofe,  befides  the  me- 
dicines recommended  in  the  gonorrhoea,  the  pa- 
tient may  have  recourfe  to  ftronger  and  more  power- 
ful aftringents,  as  the  Peruvian  bark*,  alum^  vi- 

*  The  Peruvian  bark  may  be  combined  with  other  aftringentiy 
and  prepared  in  the  following  manner: 

Tatce  of  Peruvian  bark  bruiled  fix  drachms,  of  frefh  gtHs 
bruircd  cuo  drachms;  boll  them  in  a  pound  and  a  half  of  water 
to  a  pouii  J :  to  the  drained  liquor  add  three  ounces  of  the  fioiple 
tLi)f\ure  of  the  bark.  A  fmall  tea-cupful  of  this  may  be  takes 
three  times  a-day,  adJing  to  each  cup  £fccea  or  twctttj  drops  of 
the  acid  elixir  of  vitriol. 

triol. 


■h: 


OF    GLEETS,  501 

triol^  gallsj  tormentil,  biftort^  balau(lines>  tio6lure 
of  gum  kino^  &c.  The'  injections  may  be  ren- 
dered more  affringent  by  the  addition  of  a  few 
grains  of  alum^  or  increaflng  the  quantity  of  vitriol 
as  far  as  the  parts  are  able  to  bear  it. 

The  laft  remedy  which  we  fhall  mention  in  this 
cafe  is  the  cold  bath^  than  which  there  is  not  per-> 
haps  a  more  powerful  bracer  in  the  whole  compafs 
of  medicine.  It  ought  never  to  be  omitted  in  this 
fpecies  of  gleet,  unlefs  there  be  fomething  in  the 
conftitution  of  the  patient  which  renders  the  ufeof 
it  unfafe.  The  chief  objeftions  to  the  ufe  of  the 
cold  bath  are,  a  full  habit,  and  an  unfound  ftate 
of  the  vifccra.  The  danger  from  the  former  may 
always  be  Icffcned,  if  not  removed,  by  purging 
and  bleeding;  but  the  latter  is  an  infurmountablc 
obftacle,  as  the  preflTure  of  the  water,  and  the  fud** 
den  contraftion  of  the  external  vcffels,  by  throw- 
ing the  blood  with  too  much  force  upon  the  inter- 
nal parts,  are  apt  to  occafion  ruptures  of  the  vef« 
fels,  or  a  flux  of  humours  upon  the  difeafed  or* 
gans.  But  where  no  objedtion  of  this  kind  pre- 
vails, the  patient  ought  to  plunge  over  head  in 
water  every  morning  fading,  for  three  or  four  weeks 
together.  He  ftiould  not  however  ftay  long  in  the 
water,  and  (hould  take  care  to  have  his  fkin  dried  as 
foon  as  he  comes  out. 

The  regimen  proper  in  this  cafe  is  the  fame  as 
was  mentioned  in  the  laft  ftage  of  the  gonorrhoea  t 
the  diet  muft  be  drying  and  aftringent,  and  the 
drink  Spa,  Pyrmont,  or  Briftol  waters,  with  which 
a  little  claret  or  red  wine  may  fometimes  be  mixed. 
Any  perfon  may  now  afford  to  drink  thefe  waters, 
as  they  can  be  every  where  prepared  at  almoft  no 
expence,  by  a  mixture  of  common  chalk  and  oil 
of  vitriol. 

When  the  gleet  does  not  in  the  fmalleft  degree 
yield  to  thefe  medicines,  there  is  reafon  to  fufpeft 

K  k  3  that 


502  OF    GLEETS. 

that  it  proceeds  from  ulcers.  In  this  cafe  recourfc 
mud  be  had  to  mercury,  and  ftich  medicines  as 
tend  to  correfl:  any  predominant  acrimony  with 
which  the  juices  may  be  affcftcd,  as  the  decoftion 
of  China,  farfaparilla,  faffafras,  or  the  like. 

Mr.  Fordyce  fays,  he  has  fecn  many  obflinatc 
gleets  of  two,  three,  or  four  years  (landing,  effec- 
tually cured  by  a  mercurial  inunftion,  when  almoft 
every  other  medicine  has  been  tried  in  vain.  Dr. 
Chapman  feemS  to  be  of  the  fame  opinion ;  but 
fays,  he  has  always  found  the  mercury  I'uccced  beft 
in  this  cafe  when  joined  with  terebinchinace  and 
Other  aggliuinating  medicines.  For  which  reafon 
theDudor  ncommends  pills  made  of  calomel  and 
Venice  turpentine*;  and  dcfires  that  their  ufe  may 
be  acompanicd  wi.ch  a  decoiftion  of  guaiacum  or 
farfaparilhi. 

The  laft  kind  of  remedy  which  we  (hall  mention 
for  the  cure  of  ulcers  in  the  urinary  palTage,  are 
the  fLippiirating  candles  or  bougies:  as  thefe  are 
irepared  various  ways,  and  are  generally  to  be 
loughr  ready  m-ide,  it  is  nccdlefs  to  fpend  time  in 
enumerating  the  different  ingredients  of  which  they 
■re  compofcd,  or  teaching  the  manner  of  preparing 
them.  Before  a  bougie  be  introduced  into  the 
urethra,  however,  it  (liould  be  fmearcd  all  over 
with  fwcct  oil,  to  prevent  it  from  (limulating  km 
fuddenly;  it  may  be  fuffcred  to  continue  in  from 
one  to  fcven  or  eight  hours,  according  as  the  pa- 
tient can  bear  it.  Ob(Vinate  ulcers  are  not  only 
often  healed,    but  tumours  and  cxcrefcenccs  in  the 

•  Take  Venice  inrpe-tine,  boiled  to  a  fufficient  degree  of 
hatdnefs,  half  an  ounce,  calomrt  half  a  drachm.  Let  ihefe  be 
mixi^d  ^nd  formed  in  o  lixty  pills,  of  which  five  or  fix  may  be 
tokm  nieht  and  morning.  If,  during  the  ufeof  thefe  pillj,  lbs 
ntouih  fb'^uld  grow  fore,  or  the  breath  become  oSenGvc,  ibey 
niifi  be  difcootiaued  till  thefe  fynptoais  difappear. 

winvj 


I 


OF  THE  SWELLED  TESTICLE.     503 

urinary  paffages  taken  away,  and  an  obftruclion  of- 
urine  removed  by  means  of  bougici 


:s. 


OF  THE  SWELLED  TESTICLE. 

The  fwelled  tefticle  may  either  proceed  from 
infeftion  lately  contradled,  or  from  the  venereal 
poifon  lurking  in  the  blood  :  the  latter  indeed  is 
not  very  common,  but  the  former  frequently  hap- 
pens both  in  the  firft  and  fecond  ftagcs  of  a  gonor- 
rhoea; particularly  when  the  running  is  unlcafon- 
ably  checked,  by  cold,  hard  drinking,  ftrong  draf- 
tic  purges,  violent  exercife,  the  too  early  ufe  of 
aftringent  medicines,  or  the  like. 

In  the  inflammatory  ftage  bleeding  is  neceflary, 
which  mud  be  repeated  according  to  the  urgency 
of  the  fymptoms*.  The  food  muft  be  light,  and 
the  drink  diluting,  High-fcafoned  food,  flcfh^ 
wines,  and  every  thing  of  a  heating  nature,  are  to 
be  avoided.  Fomentations  arc  of  fingular  fervice. 
Poultices  of  bread  and  milk,  foftened  with  frefh 
butter  or  oil,  are  likewife  very  proper,  and  ought 
conftantly  to  be  applied  when  the  patient  is  in  bed: 
when  he  is  up,  the  tefticle  fliould  be  kept  warm, 
and  fupported  by  a  bag  or  trufs,  which  may  eafily 
be  contrived  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  prevent  the 
weight  of  the  telticlc  from  having  any  effect. 

If  it  fhould  be  founci  impracticable  to  clear  the 
tefticle  by  the  cooling  regimen  now  pointed  out, 
and  extended  according  to  circumftances,  it  will  be 
neceflary  to  lead  the  patient  throutih  fuch  a  com- 
plete antivenereal  courle  as  ftiall  enlure  hsm  jgainfl: 
any  future  uneafinefs.  For  this  purpole,  befides 
rubbing  the  mercurial  ointment  on  the  part,  if  free 

♦  I  have  been  accuftomed  for  fome  time  paft  to  apply  leeches 
to  vn flamed  teilicJeM,  which  'pradiice  has  always  been  followed 
with  the  moil  happy  effedts. 

Kk  4  from 


504  O  F    B  U  B  O  E  S. 

from  pain,  or  on  the  thighs,  as  dircftcd  in  the  go- 
norrhoea, the  patient  muft  be  confined  to  bed,  if 
neceffary,  for  five  or  fix  weeks,  fufpending  the  tef- 
ticle  all  the  while  with  a  bag  or  trufs,  and  plying 
him  inwardly  with  ftrong  deco6tions  of  farfa- 
parilla. 

When  thefe  means  do  not  fucceed,  and  there  is 
reafon  to  fufpeft  a  fcrophulous  or  cancerous  habit, 
ciiher  of  which  may  fupport  a  fcirrhous  induration, 
after  the  venereal  poifon  is  corredted,  the  parts 
Ihould  be  fomented  daily  with  a  decoftion  of  hem- 
lock, the  bruifed  leaves  of  which  may  likcwifc  be 
added  to  rhe  poultice,  and  the  extraft  at  the  fame 
time  taken  inwardly  *.  This  pradtice  is  ftrongly 
recommended  by  Dn  Stork  in  fcirrhous  and  can- 
cerous cafes ;  and  Mr.  Fordyce  affures  us,  that  by 
this  method  he  has  cured  difeafed  tefticles  of  two 
or  three  years  (landing,  even  when  ulcerated,  and 
when  the  fcirrhus  had  begun  to  be  affe£ted  vitl]^ 
pricking  and  lancing  pains. 

OF    BUBOES. 

Venereal  buboes  are  hard  tumours  feated  in  the 
groin,  occafioned  by  the  venereal  poifon  lodged  ia 
this  part.  They  are  of  two  kinds;  viz*  fuch  as 
proceed  from  a  recent  infedion,  and  fuch  as  ac- 
company a  confirmed  lues. 

The  cure  of  recent  buboes,  that  is,  fuch  as  ap- 

♦^pear  foon  after  impure  coition,  may  be  firft  at-? 

.  tempted  by  difperftorix  and,  if  that  (hould  not  fuc- 
ceed, by  Jiippuration.  To  promote  the  difperfion 
of  a  bubo,  the  fame  regimen  muft  beobfervcd  as 
was  directed  in  the  firft  ftage  of  a  gonorrhoea.  The 
patient  muft  likewife  be  bled,  and  take  fome  cool« 

*'  The  extraft  of  hemlock  may  be  made  into  pills,  ai^d  takea 
in  the  maaner  direAed  under  the  article  Cancer. 

3  ing 


m^^ 


O  F    B  U  B  O  E  S.  505 

ing  purges,  as  the  decoftion  of  tamarinds  and  fen^-^ 
na,  Glauber's  falts,  and  the  like.  If,  by  this  courfe, 
the  fwelling  and  other  inflammatory  fymptoms 
abate,  we  may  fafely  proceed  to  the  ufe  of  mer- 
cury, which  muft  be  continued  till  the  venereal  vi- 
rus is  quite  fubdued  *. 

But  if  the  bubo  (hould,  from  the  beginning,  be 
attended  with  great  heat,  pain,  and  pulfation,  it 
will  be  proper  to  promote  its  fuppuration.  For 
this  purpofe  the  patient  may  be  allowed  to  ufe  his 
ordinary  diet,  and  to  take  now  and  then  a  glafs  of 
wine.  Emollient  cataplafms,  confifting  of  bread 
and  milk  foftened  with  oil  or  fre(h  butter,  may  be 
applied  to  the  part;  and,  in  cold  conftitutions, 
where  the  tumour  advances  flowly,  white-lily-roots 
boiled,  or  fliced  onions  raw,  and  a  fufficient  quan- 
tity of  yellow  bafilicon,  may  be  added  to  the  poul- 
tice. 

When  the  tumour  is  ripe,  which  may  be  known 
by  its  conical  figure,  the  foftnefs  of  the  fkin,  and  a 
fluctuation  of  matter  plainly  to  be  felt  under  the 
finger,  it  may  be  opened  either  by  cauftic  or  a  lan<« 
cet,  and  afterwards  drefled  with  digeftive  ointment* 

It  fometimes  however  happens,  that  buboes  can 
neither,  be  difperfed  nor  brought  to  a  fuppuration, 
but  remain  hard,  indolent  tumours.  In  this  cafe 
the  indurated  glands  mufl:  be  confumed  by  cauftic  ; 
if  they  ftiould  become, fcirrhous,  they  muft  be  dif- 
folved  by  the  application  of  hemlock,  both  exter- 
nally and  internally,  as  direAed  in  the  fcirrhous 
tefticle. 

*  For  the  difperfion  of  a  bnbo«  a  n  amber  of  leeches  applied 
to  the  pare  affe^ed  will  be  ibuad  equally  efficacioas  as  in  the  iii- 
Ifaqied  teftlcle. 


t  506  ] 


OF    CHANCRES. 

Chancres  are  fuperficial,  callous,  eating  ulcers  j 
which  may  happen  cltiier  wicli  or  withouc  a  gonor- 
rhoen.  They  are  commonly  leaced  about  the 
glans,  and  make  their  appejrance  in  the  following 
manner  :  Firft  a  liitlc  red  pimple  ariles,  whicli  Toon 
becomes  pointed  at  top,  and  is  filled  v  ■  ':  a  »■■  hitifti 
matter  inclining  to  ytllow.  Tliia  piinple  is  hot, 
and  itches  generally  before  it  breaks;  afterwards  it 
degenerates  into  an  obftinriie  ulcer,  (he  bottom  of 
which  is  ufually  covered  with  a  v!(cid  mutus,  and 
whofe  edges  gradiialiy  become  hard  and  callous. 
Sometimes  the  firft  eppearanrc  rclcmblcs  a  fimple 
excoriation  of  the  cuticle;  which  however,  if  ihc 
Caufe  be  venereal,  f.;on  becomes  a  true  chancre, 

A  chancre  is  lometimes  a  prim;iry  affciflioii,  but 
it  is  much  ofmcr  fynipiomatic,  and  is  the  mark  of 
a  confirmed  lues.  Primary  chancres  difcovcr  chem* 
felvcs  foon  afrcr  impure  coition,  and  are  generally 
featcd  in  parts  covered  with  a  thin  cuticle,  as  the 
Jips,  the  nipples  of  women,  the  gians perns  o£  iiKn^ 
&c*. 

When  a  chancre  appears  foon  after  impure  coi- 
tion, its  treatment  is  nearly  fimilar  to  that  of  the 
virulent  gonorrlicej.  The  p  itlent  muft  obferve  the 
cooling  regimen,  lofe  a  Uttle  blood,  and  take  Ibme 
gentle  doles  of  falts   and  manna.     The  parts  af- 

•  When  venereal  ulcers  are  feated  in  the  lips,  the  iDfeflton 
may  be  communieateJ  by  kUHng.  I  have  feen  very  obftinaie  ve- 
nereal ukers  in  the  lips,  which  I  had  all  the  reafon  in  ihe  world 
to  believe  were  communicated  in  ihi*  manner. 

Nurfes  ought  to  beware  of  fuckllng  infeiled  children,  or  hav- 
ing their  bieafts  drawn  by  perfnnt  tainted  with  the  venereal  dif- 
eafe.  This  cauiioD  is  peculiarly  necelTary  for  uurfea  who  rc£de 
ID  the  neighbourhood  of  great  towni. 

I  feaed 


■p^'% 


OF     CHANCRES,  507 

fe6ted  ought  frequently  to  be  bathed,  or  rather 
foakecl,  in  warm  milk  and  water,  and,  if  the  in- 
flain  I  ation  be  grrat,  an  emollient  poultice  or  ca- 
taplafm  may  be  a,>plied  to  them.  This  courfe  will, 
in  n\i)ll  calcs,  be  lufRcient  to  abate  the  inflam^ 
mation,  and  prepare  the  patient  for  the  ufe  of  mer- 
cury. 

Symptomatic  chancres  are  commonly  accompa* 
nied  with  ulct-rs  in  the  throat,  nofturnal  pains, 
fcurfy  eruptions  about  the  roots  of  the  hair,  and 
other  fymptoms  of  a  confirmed  lues.  Though  they 
may  be  fcated  in  any  of  the  parts  mentioned  above, 
they  commonly  appear  upon  the  private  parts,  or 
the  infide  of  the  thigh.  They  are  alfo  lefs  painful, 
but  frequently  much  larger  and  harder  than  pri- 
mary chancres.  As  their  cure  muft  depend  upon 
that  of  the  pox,  of  which  they  are  only  a  fymp- 
tom,  we  fliall  take  no  further  notice  of  them,  till 
we  come  to  treat  6f  a  confirmed  lues*. 

Thuls  we  have  related  moftof  the  fymptoms  which 
accompany  or  fucceed  a  virulent  gonorrhcea,  and 
have  alio  given  a  fhort  view  of  their  proper  treat- 
ment; there  are,  however,  feveral  others  which 
fometimes  attend  this  difeafe,  as  a  ftravgury  or 
obftruflion  of  urine,  2LphymofiSy  paraphymoftsy  &c. 

A  ftrangury  may  be  occafioned  either  by  a  fpaf- 
modic  conftriftion,  or  an  inflammation  of  the  ure- 
thra and  parts  aboiM:  the  neck  of  the  bladder.  la 
the  former  cafe,  the  patient  begins  to  void  his  urine 
with  tolerable  eafe ;  but,  as  (oon  as  it  touches  the 
galled  or  inflamed  urethra,  a  fudden  conftndtion 
takes  place,  and  the  urine  is  voided  by  fpurrs,  and 
fometimes  by  drops  only.     When  the  ftrangury  is 

•  I  have  found  it  anfvver  extremely  well  to  fprinklc  chancres 
twice  a-(i^ty  with  calomel.  1  his  will  often  perform  a  cure  with- 
out any  other  application  whatever.  If  the  chancres  arc^opon  the 
glanSf  they  may  be  wa(hed  with  milk  and  water^  a  little  warro^ 
and  afierward'd  the  calomel  may  be  applied  as  above. 

owing 


508  OF     CHANCRES- 

owing  to  an  inflammation  about  the  neck  of  the 
bladoer,  there  is  a  conftant  heat  and  uneafiners  of 
the  part,  a  perpetual  dcfire  to  muke  water,  while 
the  patient  can  only  render  a  few  drops,  and  a 
troublcfome  tene/mus,  or  conllant  inclination  to  go 
to  fiool. 

When  the  ftrangury  is  owing  to  fpafm,  fuch  me- 
dicines as  tend  to  dilute  and  blunt  the  falts  of  the 
urine  will  be  proper.  For  this  purpofe,  belidcs 
the  common  diluting  liquors,  foft  and  cooling 
emulfions,  fwcctencd  with  the  fyrup  of  poppies, 
may  be  ufed.  Should  thefe  not  have  the  defired 
cSe£t,  bleeding,  and  emollient  fomentations^  will 
be  neccflary. 

When  the  complaint  is  evidently  owing  to  an 
inflammation  about  the  neck  of  (he  bladder,  bleed* 
ing  muft  be  more  liberally  performed,  and  re- 
peated according  to  the  urgency  of  the  fymptoms. 
After  bleeding,  if  the  ftrangury  ftill  continues,  foft 
clyfters,  with  a  proper  quantity  of  laudanum  in 
them,  may  be  adminiftcred,  and  emollient  foment- 
ations applied  to  the  region  of  the  bladder.  At 
the  fame  time,  the  patient  may  take  every  four 
hours  a/  tea-cupful  of  barley-water,  to  an  Engliih 
pint  of  which  fix  ounces  of  the  fyrup  of  marfh- 
mallows,  four  ounces  of  the  oil  of  fweet  almonds, 
and  half  an  ounce  of  nitre,  may  be  added.  If  thefe 
remedies  (hould  not  relieve  the  complaint,  and  4 
total  fuppredion  of  urine  (hould  come  on,  bleeding 
muft:  be  repeated,  and  the  patient  fet  in  a  warm 
bath  up  to  the  middle.  It  will  be  proper  in  this 
cafe  to  difcontinue  the  diuretics,  and  to  draw  off 
the  water  with  a  c&theter ;  but  as  the  patient  is  fel- 
dom  able  to  bear  its  being  introduced,  we  would 
rather  recommend  the  ufe  of  mild  bougies.  Thefe 
often  lubricate  the  palTage,  and  greatly  facilitate 
the  difcharge  of  unnc.  Wheoevcr  they  begin  to 
ftHnulatQ 


OF  C  H  A  N  C  U  fi  g.  509 
fi'imulate  or  give  any  unedtinefs,  they  may  be  with- 
drawn. 

The  fbymofjs  13  fuch  a  conftriftion  of  the  prepuce 
Over  the  glans,  as  hinders  it  from  being  drawn 
backwards ;  the  parapbymofis ,  on  the  contrary,  is 
fuch  a  conftridtioti  of  the  prepuce  behind  the  glans, 
as  hinders  it  from  being  brought  forward. 

The  treatment  of  thefc  fymptoms  is  fo  nearly  the 
fame  with  that  of  the  virulent  gonorrhoaa,  that  we 
have  no  occafion  to  enlarge  upon  it.  In  general, 
bleeding,  purging,  poultices,  and  emollient  fo- 
mentations are  fufficient.  Should  thefe,  however, 
fail  of  removing  the  ftrlfture,  and  the  parts  be 
threatened  with  a  mortification,  twenty  or  thirty 
grains  of  ipecacuanha,  and  one  grain  of  emetic 
tartar,  may  be  given  for  a  vomit,  and  may  be 
worked  off  with  warm  water  or  thin  gruet. 

It  fometimes  happens,  thar,  in  fpite  of  all  en- 
deavours to  the  contrary,  the  inflammation  goes  on, 
and  fymptoms  of  a  beginning  mortification  appear. 
"When  this  is  the  cafe,  the  prepuce  mud  be  fcari- 
fied  with  a  lancet,  and,  if  necelTary,  divided,  in 
order  to  prevent  a  ftrangulation,  and  fet  the  im- 
prifoned  glans  at  liberty.  We  thai  1  not  defcribe 
the  manner  of  performing  this  operation,  as  it 
ought  always  to  be  done  by  a  furgeon.  When  a 
mortification  has  actually  taken  place,  ic  will  be 
neceffary,  befides  performing  the  above  operations, 
to  foment  the  parts  frequently  with  cloths  wrung 
out  of  a  flrong  decoftion  of  camomile- flowers  and 
bark,  and  to  give  the  patient  a  drachm  of  the  bark 
in  powder  every  two  or  three  hours. 

With. regard  to  the priapi/m,  cbordee,  and  othdr 
diftortions  of  the  perns,  their  treatment  is  no  wzf 
different  from  that  of  the  gonorrhoea.  When  they 
prove  very  troublefome,  the  patient  may  takeaf^w 
drops  of  laudanum  at  night,  efpccially  ftfter  tKe 
operation  of  a  purgative  through  the  day. 


t  510  ] 


OF   A    CONFIRMED   LUES. 

We  have  hitherto  treated  of  thofe  afFcftions  in 
vhich  the  venereal  poU'on  is  fuppofed  to  be  confined 
chiefly  to  the  particular  part  by  which  it  was  re- 
ceived, and  {h.ill  next  talie  a  view  of  (he  lues  in  its 
confirmed  Hate;  that  is,  when  the  poifun  is  aftually 
received  into  the  bluud,  and,  cijculating  with  it 
through  every  part  of  the  body,  mixes  with  the 
feveral  fccretions,  and  renders  the  whole  habit 
tainted. 

The  fymptotns  of  a  confirmed  lues  are,  buboes 
in  the  groin,  pains  of  the  head  at.d  joints,  which 
arc  peculiarly  trouhlcfoL-nc  in  the  night,  or  when 
the  patient  is  warm  in  bed;  fcabs  and  fcurfs  in  va- 
rious parts  of  the  body,  efpccially  on  the  head,  of 
a  yellowifh  colour,  relembling  a  honey- comb;  cor- 
roding ulcers  in  various  parts  of  the  body,  which 
generally  begin  about  the  throat,  from  whence  they 
creep  gradually,  by  the  palatfe,  towards  the  carti- 
lage of  the  nofe,  which  they  dcftroy ;  excrefccnces 
or  exodofes  arife  in  the  middle  of  the  bones,  and 
their  fpongy  ends  become  brittle,  and  break  upon 
the  leatt  accident;  at  other  times  they  are  fofr,  and 
bend  like  wax;  the  conglobate  glands  become  hard 
and  callous,  and  form,  in  the  neck,  arnipits,  groin, 
and  mefentery,  hard  moveable  tumours,  like  the 
king's  evil  j  tumours  of  different  kinds  are  like- 
vife  formed  in  the  lymphatic  veffels,  tendons,  liga- 
ments, and  nerves,  as  the  gummala,  ganglia,  nodet, 
topbs,  Sec.  i  the  eyes  arc  afftSed  with  itching,  pain, 
rednefs,  and  fometimes  with  total  blindnefs,  and 
the  ears  with  a  finging  noife,  pain,  and  deafncfs, 
whilft  their  internal  fubflaoce  is  exulcerated  and 
rendered  cariousj  at  length  all  the  animal,  vital, 

and 


OF  A  CONFIRMED  LUES.        511 

«nd  natural  fimftions  are  depraved;  the  face  be- 
comes pale  and  livid  j  the  body  emaciated  and  un- 
fit for  iiiociun,  and  the  miferable  patient  falls  into 
an  atrophy  or  wafting  confumpiion. 

Women  have  fymptoms  peculiar  to  the  fcx;  as 
cancers  of  the  brealt;  a  fuppn^Ifion  or  overflowing 
of  the  menfesj  the  whites;  hyftcric  afFcilions;  an 
inflammation,  abfcefs,  fcirrhus,  gangrene,  canceri 
or  ulcer  of  the  wombj  they  are  grnerally  either 
barren  or  fubjeft  to  abortion;  or,  if  they  bring 
children  into  the  world,  they  have  an  univcrfal  ery- 
fipelas,  are  half  rotten,  and  covered  with  ulcers. 

Such  is  the  catalogue  of  fympcoms  attending  this 
dreadful  difcafc  in  its  confirmed  ftate.  Indeed  they 
arc  ftldoni  all  to  be  met  with  in  the  fame  perfon, 
or  at  the  fan^c  time;  fo  many  of  them,  however, 
are  generally  prefcnt  as  are  fufficicnt  to  alarm  the 
patient ;  and  if  he  has  reafon  Co  fufpeft  the  infe£lion 
is  lurking  in  his  body,  he  ought  immediately  to 
fee  about  the  expulfion  of  ir,  otherwifc  the  moft 
tragical  confequences  will  enfuc. 

The  only  certain  remedy  hitherto  known  in  Eu- 
rope, for  the  cure  of  this  difeafe,  is  mercury,  which 
may  be  ufcd  in  a  great  variety  of  forms,  with  nearly 
the  fame  fucccfs.  Some  time  ago  it  was  reckoned 
impoflible  to  cure  a  confirmed  lues  without  a  fali- 
vation.  This  method  is  now  however  pretty  ge- 
nerally laid  afide,  and  mercury  is  found  to  be  as 
efficacious,  or  rather  more  fo,  in  expelling  the  ve- 
nereal poifon,  when  adminiftered  in  fuch  a  manner 
as  not  to  run  off  by  the  falivary  glands. 

Though  many  arc  of  opinion,  that  the  mercu- 
rial ointment  is  as  efficacious  as  any  other  prepa- 
ration of  that  mineral;  yet  experience  has  taughc 
me  10  think  otherwife.  1  have  often  feen  the  moft 
obftinatfe  venereal  cafes,  where  great  quantities  of 
mercurial  ointment  had  been  ufed  in  vain,  yield  to 
the  faline  preparations  of  mercury.    Nor  am  I  fin- 

gular 


Jta  OF  A  CONFIRMED  LUES. 
guUr  in  this  opinion.  My  Ingenious  friend,  Mr* 
CIare>  an  eminent  furgeon  of  this  city>  alTurcs  mc, 
that  for  fome  time  pall  he  has  employed,  in  vene- 
real, cafes,  a  faline  preparation  of  mercury  with 
nioft  happy  fuccefs.  This  preparation,  rubbed  with 
a  fufiicient  quantity  of  any  mild  powder,  he  applies, 
in  fmall  portionSj  to  the  tongucj  where,  with  a 
gentle  degree  of  friftion,  it  is  immediately  afa- 
forbed,  and  produces  its  full  eficd  upon  the.  fyf-- 
lem,  without  doing  the  lead  injury  to  the  lldniacli' 
or  bowels;  a  matter  of  the  greattft  iinportante  in 
the  application  of  this  molt  active  and  powerful 
remedy. 

It  is  impolTible  to  afcertain  either  the  exaA  quan* 
tity  of  medicines  that  muft  be  taken,  or  the  time 
they  ought  to  be  continued,  in  order  to  perform  a 
cure.  Thefe  will  ever  vary  according  to  the  con- 
ftitution  of  the  patient,  the  feafon  of  the  year,  the 
degree  of  infeiftion,  the  time  it  has  lodged  in  the 
body,  &c.  But  though  it  is  difficult,  as  Aftruc  ob- 
fcrves,  to  determine  2  priori,  what  quantity  of  mer- 
cury will,  in  the  whole,  be  neccHary  tQ  cure  this 
diftcmper  complctelyj  yet  it  may  be  judged  of  i 
pojieriori,  from  the  abatement  and  ceafing  of  the 
Jympcoms.  The  fame  author  adds,  that  com- 
monly- not  lefs  than  two  ounces  of  the  ftrong  mer- 
curial ointment  is  fufticient,  and  not  more  than 
three  or  fpur  ounces  neceflary. 

The  only  chemical  preparation  of  mercury  which 
w.e  Ihall  take  notice  of,  is  the  currufive  fub>- 
limate.  This  was  fome  time  ago  brought  into  u^ 
for  the  venereal  difeafe,  in  Germany,  by  the  illuf- 
trious  Baron  Van  Swieren  ;  and  was  foon  after  in- 
troduced into  Britain  by  the  learned  Sir  John, 
Fringle,  at  chat  time  phyfictanto  the  army.  Tlie 
method  of  giving  it  is  as  follows:  One  grain  of 
corrofive  fublimate  is  dilTolved  in  two  ounces  tlf 
French  brandy  or  male  fpiriisj  and  of  this  folutioo. 


OF  A   CONFIRMED  LUES.        jij 

an  ordinary  table- fpoonful,  or  the  quantity  of  half 
an  ounce,  is  to  be  taken  twice  a-day,  and  to  be 
continued  as  long  as  any  fymptoms  of  the  diforder 
remain.  .  To  ihofe  whofc  ftomach  cannot  bear  the 
folution,  the  fublimate  may  be  given  in  form  of 
pill*. 

Several  roots,  woods,  and  barks,  have  been  re- 
commended for  curing  the  venerea)  difeafe;  buc 
none  of  them  have  been  found,  upon  experience, 
to  anfwer  the  high  encomiums  which  had  been  be- 
ftowed  upon  them.  Though  no  one  of  thcfe  is  to 
be  depended  upon  alone,  yet,  when  joined  with 
mercury,  fome  of  them  are  found  to  be  very  bene- 
ficial in  promoting  a  cure.  One  of  the  belt  we 
know  yet  is  farfaparilla,  which  may  be  prepared 
and  taken  according  to  the  directions  In  the  Ap- 
pendix f . 

The  mezereon-root  is  likewifc  found  .to  be  a 
powerful  afliltant  to  the  fublimate,  or  any  other 
mercurial.  It  may  either  be  ufed  along  with  the 
farfaparilla,  as  direfted  in  the  Appendix,  or  by  it- 
fclf.  Thofe  who  cliufe  to  ufc  the  mezereon  by 
icfelf,  may  boil  an  ounce  of  the  frefh  bark,  taken 
from  the  root,  in  twelve  Englifh  pints  of  water  to 
eight,  adding  towards  the  end  an  ounce  of  li- 
quorice. The  dofe  of  this  is  the  fame  as  of  the 
deco^ion  of  farfaparilla. 

We  have  been  told  that  the  natives  of  America 
cure  the  venereal  difeafe,  in  every  rtage,  by  a  de- 

•  The  fublimate  may  be  gi^en  in  Jillilled  water,  or  any  other 
liquor  ihac  (h£  paiicnc  chules.  I  commonly  order  ten  grains  lo 
be  difwlved  in  an  oaacc  of  the  fpirit  of  wine,  for  the  convenicocy 
of  carriage,  and  let  the  patient  lake  twenty  or  thirty  dropi  of  ic 
night  and  morning  in  half  j  gldf.  of  brandy  or  other  fpiriu.  Mr. 
Debraw,  an  ingenious  chymift  of  this  place,  informs  me,  that 
he  prepares  a  fait  of  mercury  much  more  mild  and  gentle  ia  itt 
operation  than  the  fublimate,  liioogh  equally  e;ricacious. 

t  Sec  Appendix,  Dtctd.  »/  Sar/apariila. 

L.  I  coflion 


514        OF  A  CONFIRMED  LUES. 

co6lion  of  the  root  of  a.  plant  called  the  Lobelil. 
It  is  ufcd  either  frefli  or  dried;  but  we  have  no 
cerisrin  accounts  with  regard  to  the  proportion. 
Sometimes  they  mix  other  roots  with  it,  as  thofe  of 
■the  ranunculus,  the  ceanothus,  &c.r  bot  whether 
thefe  are  defigned  todifguifc  or  aflift  ic,  is  doubt- 
ful. The  patient  takes  a  large  draught  of  the  de- 
coftion  early  in  the  morning,  and  continues  to  ufc 
■  it  for  his  ordinary  drink  through  the  day  *. 

Many  other  roots  and  woods  might  be  mentioMd 
which  have  been  extolled  for  curing  the  vcnereU 
difeafe,  as  the  china-roor,  the  roots  of  foap>wor^ 
burdock,  &c.  as  alfo  the  wood  of  guaiacum  aiJd 
faflafras  ;  but  as  none  of  thefe  have  been  found  lo 
poffefs  virtues  fuperior  to  thofe  already  niencioned, 
'  we  Ihall,  for  the  fake  of  brevity,  pafs  them  ovet, 
and  Ihall  conclude  our  obfervations  on  this  difeafe 
with  a  few  general  remarks  concerning  the  proper 
management  of  the  patient,  and  the  nature  of  ihe 
jnfeAion. 

*  Though  we  are  Dill  very  much  in  the  dark  witliregirdtg 
the  method  of  curing  thi>  dirfare  aniong  the  natives  of  Amcria. 
yet  it  ii  gcner&lly  affirmed,  that  they  do  cure  it  with  fpecd,  Uitcj, 
and  fuccefs,  and  chat  without  the  Irad  kaowledge  of  mercnrr- 
Hence  it  becomei  an  objefl  of  conliderable  iraportaiice  to  diT- 
cover   their   method  of  cure.      This  might  furcly  be  done  bf 

'  making  trials  of  the  varioui  pUnii  which  are  fouDd  in  tbolc 
f*iu,  and  particularly  of  fuch  a*  the  nacivet  are  known  to  nukt 
nfeof.     All   people  in  a  rude  lUtc  take  their  medicine*  chicAf 

■  from  the  vegetable  kingdom,  and  are  often  poCeBed  oFvaltiUt 
fecrets  with  regard  to  the  virtuei  of  plants,  of  which  tnon<i* 

:  Jighcened  naiions  are  ignorant.  Indeed  we  make  no  doubt  b«C 
fome  plants  or  oar  own  growth,  were  proper  paini  taken  to  iH- 
covrr  ibem,  woulil  be  found  aa  efficacious  in  curing  the  veneml 
dKe'afe  ai  thofe  of  America.     It  mult  however  be  remeBbcM^r 

*:  that  wliM  will  cure  the  venereal  difeafe  in  one  coontrj,  willHt 

:  Blwayi  be  found  to  have  e^ual  fucccfa  in  aaoiher. 


.'  J 


[    5ii    1 


GENERAL    OBSERVATlOliS. 

The  conditioQ  of  the  patient  ought  always  to 
be   confiderecj   previous   to  hi$  entering   -vpon   a 
courfe   of  mercury   in    any  form^   .  It ,  Would  lac 
equally. ralh  and  dangerous  to  adminljd^r  m^i^cury 
to  a  perfon  labouring  under  any  violi^nt  acute  dif- 
-eafe,  as  a  putrid  fever,  pleurifya  peripffii^upign.y,  or 
;^helike.     It  would  likewife  be  cjangerous  ia  iomc 
chronic  cafes  j  as  a  flow  hedtic  fever,  pr  the  lafl: 
:  ftagO:  of  a  confuaiption.      Sometimes^    however, 
.thefe  difeafes  proceed  from  a^confirncicd  lues;  in 
ijwhith  cafe  it  will  be  neceflary  to^givc  mercury.  In 
^tCiironic  difeafes  of  a  lefs  dangerous  nature,  as  the 
^Tlfthnha)  the  gravel,  and  fuch  like,  mercury,  if  ne- 
^t^ffary,  may  be  fafely  adminiftered.      1(  the  pa- 
tient's (Irength  has  been  greatly  exhaufted  by  fick- 
nefs,  labour,    abftincnce,  or  any  other  caufe,  the 
ufe  of  mercury  mull  be  poftponed,  till   by  time, 
reft,  and  a  nourifliing  diet,  it  can  be  fuiBciently 
i'eftorcd, 

Merpury  ought  not  to  be  adminiftered  to  women 
during  the  menftrual  fiux,  or  when  the  period  is 
^ear  at  hand.  Neither  fhould  it  be  given  in  the 
laft  ftagc  of  pregnancy.  If,  however,  the  woman 
be  not  near  the  time  of  her  delivery,  and  circum- 
.  ftanccs  render  it  necelTary,  mercury  rnay  be  given, 
but  in  fmalier  dofes,  and  at  greater  intervaUjhan 
tifual :  with  thefe  pretautidns,  both  the  mbthrr  and 
child  may  be  cured  at  the  fame  timej  if  not>  the 
.  diforder  will  at  leaft  be  kept  from  growing  wprfe, 
till  the  woman  be  brought  to  bed,  and-  fuffici^qtly 
recovered,  when  a  more  efFeftual  method  may  be 
purfued,  which,  if  fhe  fuckles  her  child,  will  in 
all  probability  be  fufficient  for  the  cure  of  both. 

L  1  2  Mercury 


5i6         OF   A    CONFIRMED   LUES. 

Mercury  ought  always  to  be  adniiniftcred  to  in- 
fants with  the  grcatcft  caution.  Their  tender  con- 
dition unfics  them  for  fupporting  a  falivation,  and 
makes  it  necttTary  to  adminifter  even  the  mildeft 
preparations  of  mercury  to  them  with  a  fparing 
hand.  A  iimilar  conduft  is  recommended  in  the 
treatment  of  old  perfons,  who  have  the  misfortune 
to  labour  under  a  confirmed  lues.  No  doubt  the 
in6rmicies  of  age  muft  render  people  lefs  able  to 
undergo  the  fatigues  of  a  falivation  ;  but  this,  as 
was  formerly  obfcrved,  is  never  neccfTary;  beHdes, 
wc  have  generally  found,  that  mercury  had  much 
Jefs  c0e£t  upon  very  old  perfons  than  on  thofc  who 
were  younger. 

Hylleric  and  hypochondriac  perfons,  and  fucli 
as  arc  fubjeft  to  an  Iiabicual  diarrhcea  or  dyfentery, 
or  to  frequent  nnd  vioknt  attacks  of  the  epilcpfv, 
or  who  are  aflliflcd  with  the  Icrophula,  or  the  fcur- 
vy,  ought  to  be  cautious  in  the  ofc  of  mercury. 
"Where  any  one  of  thcle  diforders  prevails,  it  ought 
either,  if  pofi'iblc,  to  be  cured,  or  at  Icaft  palliated, 
before  the  patient  enters  upon  a  courfc  of  mercury. 
"When  tliis  cannot  be  done,  the  mercury  muft  be 
adminiQercd  in  fmallcr  dofesj  and  at  longer  inter- 
vals than  ufual. 

The  molt  proper  fcafons  for  entering  upon  a 
courfe  of  mercuiy,  nre  the  fpring  and  autumn, 
when  the  air  is  of  a  moderate  warmth.  If  the  cir- 
cuir.Itances  of  the  cafe,  however,  will  not  admitof 
delaV')  we  muft  not  defer  the  cure  on  account  of  the 
fcafcn,  but  muft  adminifter  the  mercury;  taking 
care  at  the  fame  time  to  keep  the  patient's  cham- 
ber warmer  or  cooler,  according  as  the  fcafon  of 
the  year  requires. 

The  next  thing  to  be  confidered  is  'the  prepa* 
■raiioD  necefiaiy  to  be  obferved  before  wc  proceed 
to  fldiflinifler  a  cour.^e  of  mercury.     Some  liy  gre« 

ftreft 


OF   A   CONFIRMED   LUES.        517 

ftrefs  upon  this  circumftance,  obferving,  that  by 
previoufly  relaxing  the  veffels,  and  corrcfting  any 
diforder  which  may  happen  to  prevail  in  the  blood, 
not  only  the  mercury  will  be  difpofed  to  aft  more 
kindly,  but.  many  other  inconvenieneies  will  be 
prevented. 

We  have  already  recommended  bleeding  and 
gentle  purges,  previous  to  the  adminiftration  of 
mercury,  and  (hall  only  now  add,  that  thcfe  are  al- 
ways to  be  repeated  according  to  the  age^  ftrength, 
conftitution,  and  other  circumftances  of  the  pa- 
tient. Afterwards,  if  it  can  be  conveniently  done, 
the  patient  ought  to  bathe  once  or  twice  a-day,  for 
a  few  days,  in  lukewarm  water*  His  diet  in  the 
mean  time  muft  be  light,  moift,  and  cooling. 
Wine,  and  all  heating  liquors,  alfo  violent  bodily 
cxercife,  and  all  great  exertions  of  the  mind,  arc 
carefully  to  be  avoided. 

A  proper  regimen  is  likewifc  to  be  obferved  by 
fuch  as  are  under  a  courfe  of  mercury.  Inatten- 
tion to  this  not  only  endangers  the  patient's  life, 
but  often  alfo  difappoints  him  of  a  cure.  A  much 
fmaller  quantity  of  mercury  will  be  fufficient  for 
the  cure  of  a  pcrfon  who  lives  low,  keeps  warm, 
and  avoids  all  manner  of  excefs,  than  of  one  who 
cannot  endure  to  put  the  fmalleft  reltraint  upon  his 
appetites:  indeed  it  but  rarely  happens  that  fuch 
are  thoroughly  cured. 

There  is  hardly  any  thing  of  more  importance, 
either  for  preventing  or  removing  venereal  infec- 
tion than  cleanlinefs.  By  an  early  attention  to 
this,  the  infeftion  might  often  be  prevented  from 
entering  the  body;  and,  where  it  has  already  ta- 
ken place,  its  effcfts  may  be  greatly  mitigated. 
The  moment  any  perfon  has  reafon  to  fufpeft  that 
he  has  received  the  infedlion,  he  ought  to  wafh  the 
parts  with  water  and  fpirits,  fweet  oil,  or  milk  and 
water  j  a  fmall  quantity  of  the  laft  may  likewifebe 

L  i  3  injcdtc4 


518  OF  A  CONFIRMED  LUES, 
injedcd  up  the  urethra,  if  it  can  be  convcoiently 
done.  Whether  this  difeafe  at  firll  took  its  rile 
from  dirtineis  is  hard  to  fay ;  but  wherever  that 
prevails,  the  infection  is  found  in  its  greatcft  de- 
gree of  viruleace,  which  gives  ground  to  believe 
that  a  Arid  attention  to  cleanlinefs  would  go  far  to- 
wards cJEtirpaiing  it  altogether  *. 

When  the  venereal  difeafe  has  been  neglcfted,  or 
improperly  treated,  it  often  becomes  a  difor.der  of 
the  habit.  In  this  cafe  the  cure  muft  be  anciiipted 
by  rcftorativcs,  as  a  milk  diet,  the  decodion  of 
farfaparilla,  and  fuch  lilce,  to  which  mercury  may 
be  occaQooally. added.  It  is  a  common  pra&icein 
North  Britaiato  fend  fuch  patients  to  drink  goat- 
whey.    This  is  a  very  proper  plan,  provided  the 

*  1  have  not  only  ofwD  htn  a  recent  Infeflion  carried  of  in  t 
few  dayi  by  means  of  clean  line  f;,  viz.  bathing,  fbmenraiioni,  in- 
jeClion!,  &c.  but  have  likewifc  fcur.J  it  of  the  grcatefl  advantage 
in  the  more  advanced  (laget  of  the  difeafr.  Ol  dm  I  bad  lately  i 
very  remarkabit  inllance.  in  a  man  whofe  penis  was  alnnil 
whoUy  confiinied  by  veDCreal  ukeF»:  the  matter  bad  been  al- 
lowed to  continue  on  the  forei,  ikiihout  any  care  having  been 
taken  to  clean  ihtm,  till,  notwiihUanding  the  ufe  of  mettBrj 
and  other  medicines,  it  had  produced  the  eSeHa  above  men- 
tioned.    I   ordered  warm  milk  and  water  to  be  injefled  three  ot 

.  foat  tjmei  a-day  into  all  the  finuous  ulcers,  in  order  to  wsfli  ciiit 
the  matter;  afici  which  they  weie  Auifed  with  dry  lint  toabbit 
the  freCi  m  alter  as  it  wsj  gene  rated .  The  patient  at  the  faine 
time  tor;!:  every  day  half  a  grain  cf  the  corroUve  Atbttmatcaf 

'  hiercnry,  dilToUed  in  an  ounce  of  brandy,  eTit!  drank  an  EngliSi 
quart  of  the  decoflion  of  farfaparilla.  By  this  treatment,  in  about 

,.  ftx  week},  he  wat  perfedly  currd;  And,  what  wat  very  fcmirt' 
able,  hpart  of  the  penis  was  aQually  rrgencrated. 

-  -  Doflor  Gilhrift  has  given  an  ac^oont  of  a  fpedes  of  the  /«« 
ittnttta  which  prevails  in  the  welt  nf  Scotland,  to  which  the  oa- 
■  tivti  eive  the  name  of  SiUini  -at  Si-whs.  The  Doctor  obftrvH, 
that  tne  Ipreading  ofihii  dileafe  is  chiefly  owing  to  m  TUglefi  cf 
cleanlinefs.and  feems  to  think,  that  by  d^e  attcBuon  to  thit 

' '   tiiriBt,  it  might  be  extirpated'    .T^  trcatoient  of  this  difeafe  ii 

'- •'fimilar  to  that  of  a  conlirmed  l,uci  or  pcx.  The  ja-uji,  a  dtleile 
Which  i*  now  very  cotanion  both  in  Amerit:a  nul^i^  Weftfodi* 
Iflaad),  may  alio  be  Cured  iatfie  fonta-nafincr.   i  .-      -:  - 

infeftioD 


OF.  A   CONFIRMED  LUES.        cio 

infcftion  has  been  totally  eradicated  befofc-hand'i 
but  when  that  is  not  the  cafe,  and  the  pauent.tl'u(^ 
to  the  whey  for  finilhing  his  cure,  he  will  often -bg 
difappointed.  I  have  frequently  known  the  djA 
c^fc  return  with  all  its  virulence  after  a  courfe  p^ 
goat- whey,  even  when  that  courfe  had  been  thought 
quite  fufficient  for  completing  the  cure.       -^ 

One  of  the  moft  unfortunate  circumftances  at* 
tending  patients  in  this  difeale,  is  the  nccefllfy.'ttiey 
are  often  laid  under  of  being  foon  wcH.  Tbh  |nr 
duces  them  to  take  medicine  too  faft,  dnd  toleav^ac 
off  too  foon.  A  few  grains  more  of  medicine,  ar 
a  few  days  longer  confinement,  would  often  be 
fufficient  to  perfcdt  the  curej  whereas^  by  negleA 
of  thefe,  a  fmall  degree  of  virulence  is  ftill  Igft 
in  the  humours,  which  gradually  vitiates,  and  .at 
length  contaminates  the  whole  mafs.  To  avoid 
this,  we  would  advife,  that  the  patient  fhould  ne- 
ver leave  off  taking  medicine  immediately  upon 
the  difappearing  of  the  fymptoms,  but  continue  it 
for  fome  time  after,  gradually  leffening  the  quan- 
tity, till  there  is  fufficient  ground  to  believe  chat 
the  difeafe  is  entirely  eradicated. 

It  is  not  only  difficult,  but  abfolutely  impoffible, 
to  afcertain  the  exa6t  degree  of  virulence  that  may 
attend  the  difeafe  5  for  which  reafon  it  will  always 
be  a  much  fafer  rule  to  continue  the  ufe  of  medi- 
cine too  long,  than  to  leave  it  off  too  foon.  This 
fcems  to  be  the  leading  maxim  of  a  modern  prac- 
titioner of  fome  note  for  the  venereal  difeafe,  who 
always  orders  his  patient  to  perform  a  quarantine 
of  at  leaft  forty  days,  durine  which  time  he  takes 
forty  bottles  of,  I  fuppofe,  a  ftrong  decoftion  of 
farfaparilla,  or  fome  other  anti-venereal  fimple. 
Whoever  takes  this  method,  and  adds  a  fufficient 
quantity  of  corrofivie  fublimatCj  or  fome  other 
adive  preparation  of  mercury  to  the  decoftion^  V\rill 
feldom  fail  to  cure  a  confirmed  liies^ 

LI4      "•  ■''•"-   It 


5ip        CWFi  A  CONFIRMED  LUERf 

.  Icj$  pec^iarly  unfortunate  for  the  cure  o£  thi9 

difeafc,  that  not  one  in  ten  of  thofe  who  contraft 
it^^  aris  citlKr  able  or  willing  to  fubmit  to  a  proper 
pl^  .of.  regio"ien.  The  patient  is  willing  tottjcs 
nji^dkine;  but  he  muQ:  follow  his  bufinefs^  and^io 
prieyen^Jurpipons,  mud  eat  and  drink  like  xb^  reft 
of,  the :  family.  .  This  is  the  true  fource  of  nincr 
tp.Dths  of  all  the  mifchicf  arifing  from  the  ycJicpt 
real  difeafc.  I  never  knew  the  cure  attended  wkk 
any  great  difficulty  or  danger  where  the  patient 
luridly  follo>yed  the  phyfician's  advice:  butivotr 
luaie  would  not  be  fufncient  to  point  out  tbedrwd- 
fyl  confequences.  which  proceed  from  an  oppofitc 
condu<5):.  Scirrhous  tediclcs,  ulcerous  fore  threats 
inadnefs,  confumpcions,  carious  bones,  and  a  rot- 
ten progeny,  are  a  few  of  the  bleflings  derived  from 
this  fpurce. 

There  is  a  fpecies  of  falfe  reafoning,  with  regard 
to  this  difcafe,  which  proves    fatal    to  many.    A 
perfon   of  a  found    conllitution   contrafts    a  flight 
degree   of  the    diforder.      He   gets  well   without 
taking   any   great  care,  or  ufing  much   medicine, 
and  hence  concludes  that  this   will  always  be  the 
cafe.     The  next   time  the  difeafe  occurs,  though 
ten  times  more  virulent,  he  purfucs  the  fame  courlc, 
and  his   conftitution   is  ruined.     Indeed,  the  dif- 
ferent degrees  of  virulence  in  the  fmall-pox  are  not 
greater  than  in  this  difeafe,  though,  as  the  learned 
Sydenham  obferves,  in  fome  cafes  the  moft  fkilful 
phyficians  cannot  cure,  and  in  others,  the  moll  ig- 
norant old  woman  cannot  kill  the  patient  in  that 
iiforder.     Though  a  good  conftitution  is  always  in 
'aypur  of  the  patient,  yet  too  great  ftrefs  may  be 
laid  upon  it.     It  dots  not  appear  from  obfervatiooj 
that  th^  moft  robuft  conftitution  is  able  to  over- 
coirie  ttVc' vifulcnctr  of  the  venereal  contagionj  after 
it  has  got  into  the  habit,     la  thU  xafc  a  proper 


mSEASES   QF'WOMEK:       ^4:* 

a>urfe  of  medicine  is  always  indifperrfkWy  neocf- 
fary. 

Although  it  IS  impoflible,  on  account  of'  the 
different  degrees  of  virulence,  &c,  to  lay  db^ti 
fixed  and  certain  rules  for  the  cure  of  this  difeafe; 
yet  the  following  general  plan  will  always  bfe  found 
fyfty  and  often  luccefsful,  viz.  to  bleed  and  admf^ 
nifter  gentle  purges  with  diuretics  during  the  in- 
flammatory (late;  and  as  foon  as  the  fyniptoms  of 
inflammation  are  abated,  to  adminifter  mercury,  in 
any  form  that  may  be  moft  agreeable  to  the  patient. 
The  fame  medicine,  afllfted  bv  the  decoftion  of 
farfaparilla,  and  a  proper  regimen,  will  not  only 
fccure  the  conftitution  againft  the  further  progrefs 
of'  a  confirmed  poXj  but  will  generally  perform  a 
cpmplete  cure. 


CHAP.     XLVIII. 

DISEASES    OF    WOMEN. 

^17'OMEN,  in  all  civilized  nations,  have  the 
"  ^  management  of  domeftic  affairs,  arid  it  is  very 
proper  they  Ihould,  as  Ngiture  has  made  them  lefs 
fit  for  the  more  aftivc  and  laborious  employments; 
This  indulgence,  however,  is  generally  carried  too 
far;  and  females,  inftead  of  being  benefited  by  it^ 
are  greatly  injured,  from  the  want  of  excrcife  and 
free  air.  To  be  fatisfied  of  this,  one  need  only 
compare  the  frefh  and  ruddy  looks  of  a  millc-maid 
with  the  pale  complexion  of  thofe  females  whof? 
whole  time  is  fpent  "within  doors.  Though  Na- 
ture has  made  an  evident  diftinftiori  between  the 
male  and  female  T^^ith  regard  to  bodily  ftrength  and 
vigour,  yet  Ihe  certainly  never  meant,  either  that 

the 


511  OF  THE  MENSTRUAL  DISCHARGE, 
the  one  fhould  be  always  without,  or  the  other  al- 
ways within  doors. 

:  The'  confinement  of  females,  befidcs  hurting 
their  figure  and  complexion,  relaxes  their  foUds> 
weakens  their  minds,  and  diforders  all  the  func- 
tions of  the  body.  Hence  proceed  obtlru£lions, 
indigeftion,  fiatulence,  abortions,  and  -  ibe  wbolp 
train  of  nervous  diforders.  Thefc  noC'Only  \iQftt 
women  for  being  mothers  and  nurfcs,  but. often 
render  them  whimfical  and  ridiculous.  A  ibund 
mind  depends  fo  much  upon  a  healthy  body,  thftC 
where  the  buer  is  wanting,  the  former  is  rarely  to 
iKt  found. 

I  have  always  obferved,  that  women  who.  were 
ehiefly  employed  without  doors,  in  the  different 
branches  of  hulbandry,  gardening,  and  the  likf, 
were  almod  as  hardy  as  their  hulbands,  and  that 
their  children  were  likewife  ftrong  and  healthy. 
But  as  the  bad  etfefls  of  confinement  and  inaffciviiy 
upon  both  fexes  have  been  already  Ihcwn,  we  Ihall 
proceed  to  point  oiit  thofe  circumftanccs  in.  the 
ftripdure  and  defign  of  females,  which  lubjefl  them 
to  peculiar  difealcs;  the  chief  of  which  are,  their 
monlbly  evacuations,  pregnancy,  and  cbild-bearing. 
Thefe  indeed  cannot  properly  be  called  difeafesi 
but  from  the  delicacy  of  the  fcx,  and  their  being 
.often  improperly  managed  in  fuch  fituations,  they 
become  the  fource  of  numerous  calamities. 


OF  THE  MENSTRUAL  DISCHARGE. 

Females  generally  b^in  to  menftruate  about  the 
.age  of  fifteen,  and  leave  it  off  aboot  fifty,  which 
renders  thefc  two  periods  the  moft.criti^aluf  their 
-  Hves.  About  the  iirft  appearance  of  this  difcharge,  - 
the  conftitution  undergoes  a  '  very  bonliderable 
change,  generally  indeed  for  the  better,  though 
22  fomctimes 


OF  THE  MENSTRUAL  DlSCMAKOfc  5^1 

fometlmcs  for  the  worfe;  The  grcateft  cdtc  ia  noiwr 
ncceflary,  as  the  future  health  and  hdppiricfs/of  the 
female  depends  in  a  grdat  meafure  upon  her  d6n<« 
duft  at  this  period*.  >    n,    .:       .,;t 

If  a  girl  about  this  thne  of  life  be  confintd.to 
the  houfe^  kept  conftantly  fitting,- dnd'ndiihcr^jd^ 
lowed  to  romp  aboutj  nor  employed  in  any  ^ftiyie 
bufincfs,  which  gitcs  excrcife  to  the  whoilc  feodji, 
fhe  becomes  weak,  relaxed,  and  puny;  her  blood 
not  being  duly  prepared^  (he  looks  pale  and  wanr; 
hei*  health,  fpirits,  and  vigour  declijie,  and  ftjc 
finks  into  a  yaletudioarian  for  life.  Such  is  the 
fate  of  numbers  of  thofe  unhappy  females,  ivho, 
cither  from  too  much  indulgence,  or  their  bwn 
Harrow  circumftanccs,  are^iat.  this  critical  periddj 
denied  the  bencBtof  ej^ifrcrfe  and  frteair. 

A  lazy  indolent  dirpofitron  proves  Hkcwife  very 
hurtful  to  girls  at  this  period.  One  fcldOm  meets 
with  complaints  from  obftruclions  amongft  the 
more  aftive  and  induftrious  pare  of  the  fex;  where* 
as  the  indolent  and  lazy  are  fcldom  free  from  them. 
Thefe  are  in  a  manner  eaten  up  by  the  chlorofiSy  or 
green- ficknefs,  and  other  difeafcs  of  this  nature. 
We  would  therefore  recommend  it  to  all  who  wiih 
to  efcapc  thefe  calamities,  to  avoid  indolence  a?nd 
inaftivity,  as  their  greatefl;  enemies,  and  to  be ^^ 
much  abroad  in  the  open  air  as  poffible. 

*  It  is  the  duty  of  mothers,  and  thofe  who  are  intrufled  wjth 
the  education  of  girls,  to  inltrud  them  early*in  the  conduct  ana 
ixiiinagement  of  thcmfelves  ^\  this  critical  peppd  of  their  lives. 
Falfe  modefty,  inattention,  and  ignorance  iJf  \^MtM»  be^e^cial  ojr 
hurtful  at  this  time,  are  rhe  fources  of  many  difeafes  and  misfor- 
](unes  in  lifff  which  a  few  fen&b^e  lefibo^  from^i^n.  ^xpfi}i<*nced 
jyiatron  might  have  prevented.  Nor  is  care  lefs  nece^ary  in  the 
fubfequent  returns  of  this  di(chargc.  Taltirlg '  1  tn proper  iifod, 
violent  afFtdlioosof  the^  mind,  or  carchinif  cotd  iic  ^his  pfcriorf;  is 
often  fufiicietit  to  roin  the  beahh,.  Qr  cp/emdt^r  (A^  femaji^  ^ver 


after  iacgpable  of .proc/eauon.  ..       .    ,    , 


Anot|icr 


$24-  OF  THE  MENSTRUAL  DISCHARGE, 

Another  thing  which  proves  very  hurtful  to  girls 
about  this  period  of  }ife>  is  unwholefomc  food. 
Fond  of  all  manner  of  tra0i,  they  often  indulge 
in  it,  till  their  whole  humours  are  quite  vitiated* 
Hence  enfue  indigeftions,  want  of  appetite,  and  a 
numerous  train  of  evils.  If  the  fluids  be  jiot  duly 
prepared^  it  is  utterly  impofllble  that  the  fecretioni 
fliould  go  properly  on.  Accordingly  we  find,  that 
fuch  girls  as  lead  an  indolent  life,  and  eat  great 
quantifies  of  trafh,  are  not  only  fubje£fc  to  obftruc- 
tions  of  the  men/es,  but  likewife  to  glandular  ob« 
ftrudions ;  as  the  fcrophula  or  king's  evil,  &c. 

A  dull  difpofition  is  alfo  very  hurtful  to  girls  at 
this  period.  It  is  a  rare  thing  to  fee  a  fprighdy 
girl  who  docs  not  enjoy  good  health,  while  the 
grave,  moping,  melancholy  creature,  proves  the 
very  prey  of  vapours  and  hyfterics.  Youth  is  the 
feafon  for  mirth  and  checrfulnefs.  Let  it  therefore 
be  indulged.  It  is  an  abfolutc  duty.  To  lay  in  a 
ftock  of  health  in  time  of  youth,  is  as  neceflary  a 
piece  of  prudence  as  to  make  provifion  ag^inft  the 
decays  of  old  age.  While  therefore  wife  Nature 
prompts  the  happy  youth  to  join  in  fprightly  amufc- 
ments,  let  not  the  fevere  dictates  of  hoary  age  for- 
bid the  ufeful  impulfe,  nor  damp,  with  ferious 
;loom,  the  feafon  deftined  to  mirth  and  innocent 
fcftivity. 

Another  thing  very  hurtful  to  females  about  this 
period  of  life  is  ftrait  clothes.  They  are  fond  of  a 
fine  fliape,  and  foolifhly  imagine  that  this  can  be 
acquired  by  lacing  themfelves  tight.  Hence,  by 
fqueezing  the  ftomach  and  bowels,  they  hurt  the 
digedion,  and  occafion  many  incurable  maladies. 
This  error  is  not  indeed  fo  common  as  it  has  been ; 
but,  as  fafliions  change,  it  may  come  about  again: 
wethcreforc  think  it  not  improper  to  mention  it,  I 
know  many  females  who,  to  this  day,  feel  the  dire* 

ful 


OF  THE  MENSTRUAL  DISCHARGE.  525 

fill  effects  of  that  wretched  cuftom  which  prevailed 
Ibme  years  ago,  of  fqucezing  every  girl  into  as 
fmall  a  fize  in  the  middle  as  poiTible.  Human  in^ 
vention  could  not  poflibly  have  dcvifed  a  praftice 
mdrc  deftruftivc  to  health.  '  * 

After  a  female  has  arrived  at  that  period  of  life 
when  the  menjes  ufually  begin  to  flow,  and  they  dq 
not  appear,  but,  on  the  contrary,  her  health  and 
fpirics  begin  to  decline,  we  would  advifc,  inftead 
of  ihutting  the  poor  girl  up  in  the  houfc,  and 
dofing  her  with  fteel,  afafoetida,  and  other  nau«« 
ffous  drugs,  to  place  her  in  a  (ituation  where  flife 
can  enjoy  the  benefit  of  free  air  and  agreeable 
company.  There  let  her  eat  wholefome  food,  takb 
fufficicnt  exercife,  and  amufc  herfelf  in  the  moft 
agreeable  manner;  and.  we  have  little  reafon  to 
fear,  but  Nature,  thus  affiftcd,  will  do  her  proper 
work.  Indeed  (he  feldom  fails,  unlefs  where  the 
fault  is  on  our  fide. 

This  difcharge  in  the  beginning  is  feldom  fo  in« 
ftantaneous  as  to  furprife  females  unawares.  It  is 
generally  preceded  by  fymptoms  which  foretel  its 
approach;  as  a  fenfe  of  heat,  weight,  and  dull 
pain  in  the  loins;  diftenfion  and  hardnefs  of  the 
breads ;  head-ach;  lofs  of  appetite;  laflitude;  pale- 
nefs  of  the  countenance;  and  fometimes  a  flight 
degree  of  fever.  When  thcfe  fymptoms  appear 
about  the  age  at  which  the  menftrual  flux  ufually 
begins,  every  thing  fliould  be  carefully  avoided 
which  may  obftruft  that  neceflfary  and  falutary  cva^- 
cuation ;  and  all  means  ufed  to  promote  it ;  as  fit^ 
ting  frequently  over  the  (learns  of  warm  watery 
drinking  warm  diluting  liquors,  &c. 

After  the  menjes  have  once  begun  to  flow,  thfc 
greatell  care  fliould  be  taken  ro  avoid  every  thing 
that  mny  tend  to  obftru<ft  them.  Females  ought 
to  be  exceeding  cautious  of  what  they  eat  or  drink 
dt  the  time  they   are  out  of  order.     Kvery  thing 

14  that 


i26  OF  THE  MENSTRUAL  DISCHAKGE. 
that  is  cold,  or  apt  to  four  on  the  ftomach,  ought 
so  be  avoided;  as  fruit,  butcer-milk,  md  fuch 
like.  Filh,  and  all  kinds  of  food  that  u-e  hard  of 
digeftion,  are  alfo  to  be  avoided.  As  it  b  impoT- 
ifiblc  to  mention  every  thing  that  may  difagrcc 
with -indivtdualt  at  this  time,  ^c  would  recom- 
'mcnd  it  to  every  female  to  be  very  attentive  to 
What  difagrees  with  herielf,  and  carefully  toxvoid 
'h;.- 

,'  .-Gold  is. extremely  hurtful  at  this  particular  pe- 
tiod.  More  of  the  fex  date  their  difordrrs  from 
'Co>dE>  caught  while  they  are  out  of  order,  than 
frbrh  all  other  caufes.  This  ought  furdy  to-put 
them  upon  their  guard,  and  to  make  them  very 
circomfpeft  in  their  condu^  at  fuch  times.  A  de- 
gree of  cold  that  will  not  in  the  Icatl  hurt  them  at 
another  time,  will  at  this  period  be  fufficienc  ea- 
tirely  to  ruin  their  health  and  conftitution. 

The  greateft  attention  ought  likcwife  to  be  paid 
to  the  mind,  which  Ihould  be  kept  as  eafy  and 
cheerful  as  poHible.  Every  part  of  the  animal  eco- 
nomy is  influenced  by  the  pafTions,  but  none  more 
■fo  than  this.  Anger,  fear,  grief,  and  other  affec- 
tions of  the  mind,  often  occafion  obftruftions  of 
,the  mcnftrual  flux,  which  prove  abfoluiely  incu- 
rable. 

'■  From  whatever  caufe  this  flux  is  obftrufted,  cx- 
-cept  in  the  ftate  of  pregnancy,  proper  means  fliouJd 
■beuicd  to  reftore  it.  For  this  purpofe  we  would 
lecommcnd  fufficieni  exercife,  in  a  dry,  open,  and 
^rather  bool  air  y  wholefome  diet,  and,  if  the  body 
''be  weak-  ttitdlanguid,  geasrous  liquorsi  alfo  cheer- 
ful company,  .a>iid  all  manner  of  amufemcnts.  If 
''theft  fiil,  recourfe  muft  be  had  to  medicine*. 
*■*'  'When  obftruftioos  proceed  from  a  wefth:relsicd 
I'ltatc  of->tW'roltds,  fuch  mrdicineB.oa.  tend,^topED- 
~W6rc-digeftion,  to  brace  the  folids,,  and'^%(B$  the 
il^dy:  In^  preparing  good  blood,  oughttobc/vfedv 

The 


^4 


(5E  THE  MENSTRUAL  DISCHARGIE;  Sil 

The  principal  of  thefe  are  iron  and  the  Peruvhn 
bark,  with  other  >  bitter  and  aftringent  medicines^ 
Filings  of  iron  may  be  infufed  in  wine  br  ale>  twt> 
or  three  ounces  to  an  Englifh  quarts  and  ^fceric 
has  flood  for  two  or  three  weeks  it  may  be  filter^d^ 
and  about  half  a  wine  glafs  of  it  taken  twice  a-day.: 
or  prepared  fteel  may  be  taken  in^tbedofe  of  half 
a  drachm,'  mixed  with  a  little  honey  or  treacle, 
three  or  four  times  a  day.  The  bark  and  other 
bitters  may  cither  be  taken  in  fubftance  or  infufion, 
as  is  mod  agreeable  to  the  patient. 

When  obftruftions  proceed  from  a  vifcid  ftate  of 
the  blood ;  or  for  women  of  a  grofs  or  full  habk, 
evacuations,  and  fuch  medicines  as  attenuate  the 
humours,  are  neceflary.  The  patient  in  this  cafe 
ought  to  be  bled,  to  bathe  her  feet  frequently  in 
warm  water,  to  take  now  and  then  a  cooling  purge^ 
and  to  live  upon  a  fpare  thin  diet.  Her  drink 
fhould  be  whey,  water,  or  fmall  beer,  and  (he 
ought  to  take  fufBcient  exercife.  A  tea-fpoonful 
of  the  tinAure  of  black  hellebore  may  alfo  be 
taken  twice  a-day  in  a  cup  of  warm  water. 

When  obftruftions  proceed  from  afFcftions  of 
the  mind,  as  grief,  fear,  anger,  &c.  every  me- 
thod fhould  be  taken  to  amufe  and  divert  the  pa- 
tient. And  that  (he  may  the  more  readily  forget 
the  caufe  of  her  afHiftion,  fhe  ought,  if  pofTiblCj 
to  be  removed  from  the  place  where  it  happened. 
A  change  of  place,  by  prcftnting  the  mind  withia 
variety  of  new  objedls,  has  often  a  very  happy, in- 
fluence in  relieving  it  from  the  dcepeft  diftrefs.  A 
foothing,  kind,  and  affable  behaviour  to  females  in 
this  fituation  is  alfo  of  the  lad  importance. 

An  obftruftion  of  the  pten/es  is  often  the  eflEc<5t  of 
other  maladies.  When  this  is  the  cafe,  inftead  of 
giving  medicines  to  forc€  that  difcharge,  which 
might  be  dangerous^  we  ought  by  all  means  to  ep- 
deavour  to  reltore  the  patient's  health  and  ftreng^. 

*    When 


528  OF  THE  MENSTRUAL  DISCHARGE. 

When  that  is  cfftfted,    the  other   will   returo  of 
courfe. 

But  the  menftrual  (lux  may  be  too  great  as.  well 
as  too  fmall.  When  this  happens,  the  patient  be- 
comes weak,  the  colour  palt,  the  appentc  and  di- 
gellion  are  bad,  and  cedematous  fwcllings  of  the 
feCC,  dropfies,  and  confumptions  often  cnfuc.  This 
frequently  happens  to  women  about  the.  age  of 
forty-five  or  filty,  and  is  very  diffitulc  to  cutc^  It 
may  proceed  from  a  fcdcniary  life  j  afull  di^t, 
confiding  chiefly  of  falted,  high  feafoned,  or  ac(i^ 
food;  the  ufc  of  fpirituous  liquors;  exccrfflvc  fif 
tiguej  relaxationi  a  diHulved  iVatc  of  the  bl^odj 
violent  paflions  of  the  mind,  &r. 

The  treatment  of  this  dircufe  muft  be  varied  ac- 
cording to  its  caufe.  When  i:  is  uccafiuncd  by 
any  error  in  the  patient's  r(,f>imen,  an  oppo^te 
courfe  to  that  which  induced  the  dikirtlcr  muil  be 
piirfued,  and  fiich  medicines  taken  as  have  a  tend- 
ency ro  rellrain  the  fiiix,  and  couincraft  the  morbid 
affections  of  the  fyllem  from  whence  i:  proceeds. 

To  retrain  the  Hux,  the  patient  fbould  be  kept 
quiet  and  caly  botii  in  body  and  mind.  If  it  be 
very  violent,  fiic  ought  to  lie  in  bed  viiih  her  head 
low;  to  live  upon  a  cool  and  fltndcr  dietj  as  veal  or 
chicken  broths  with  bread;  and  to  drink  dccoftioRi 
of  nettle-roots,  or  ti;c  greater  conifrcy.  If  thefc 
be  not  fufficicnt  to  ttop  the  fiux,  lUongcr  aftrin- 
gents  may  be  uftd,  as  Japan  earth,  alluin,  elixir 
of  vitriol,  the  Peruvian  bark,  &c  *. 

*  T1.V0  ^rachmi  of  allnm  and  one  of  Japan  nnh  mtj  be 
pountfciJ  (ogetbrr.  nad  dividrd  into  eight  or  niae  doks,  one  of 
which  may  be  wk-n  ihrte  limej  ■-day. 

Perrons  ivhofe  ituinach>  cannot  bear  th;  allum,  miy  take  twA 
Ubie-fpounfuls  of  the  timflurc  of  rofei  tlirec  or  four  limei  a-diy, 
to-each  dr.fe  of  which  ira  rfrtips  of  laudanum  may  be  added. 

Jf  theft  Otou'd  fail,  Iialf  a  drachm  of  ihe  Peravian  bark,  it 
powdc,  with  len  dropi  of  the  elixir  of  viirioli  may  be  uku* 
ID  a  gtafi  of  red  wine,  tour  times  a-day. 

The 


OF  THE  MENSTRUAL  DISCHARGE.  539 

The  uterine  flux  may  offend  in  quality  as  well  as 
in  quantity.  What  is  ufuatly  called  thefluor.altus, 
or  whites,  is  a  very  common  difeafe,  and  proves 
extremely  hurtful  to  delicate  women.  This  ilif- 
charge,  however*  is  noc  always  white,  |}uc^fome- 
times  pale,  yellow,  green,  or  of  a  blackilh  colouri 
fometimes  it  is  fharp  and  corrolive,  fometimes  foul 
and  foetid,  &c.  It  is  attended  with  a  pale  com- 
plexion, pain  in  the  back,  lofs  of  appetite,  fwelling 
of  the  feet,  and  other  figns  of  debility.  It  gene- 
rally proceeds  from  a  relaxed  [late  of  the  body, 
arirmg  from  indolence,  the  exceOive'  ufc  of  tea, 
cofTcc,  or  other  weak  and  watery  diet. 

To  remove  this  diffafc,  the  patient  muft  take  as 
much  excrcife  as  fhe  can  bear  without  fatigue.  Her 
food  fhould  be  lulid  and  nourilhing,  but  of  eafjr 
dtgedicn  ;  and  her  drink  rather  generous,  as  red 
port  or  claret,  mixed  with  Pyrmont,  Briftol,  or 
lime-water.  Tea  and  coffee  are  to  be  avoidcrd.  X 
have  often  known  ftrong  broths  have  an  exceeding 
good  effcdt;  and  fometimes  a  milk  diet  alone  wilt 
perform  a  cure.  The  patent  ought  not  to  lie  too 
long  a  bed.  When  medicine  is  nccelTary,  we  know 
none  preferable  to  the  Peruvian  bark,  which  in  this 
cafe  ought  always  to  be  taken  in  fubftance.  In 
warm  weather,  the  cold  bath  will  be  of  confider- 
able  fcrvice. 

That  period  of  life  at  which  the  mn/es  ceafe  to 
flow,  is  likcwife  very  critical  to  the  fcx.  The. 
Itoppage  of  -  any  cultomary  evacuation,  however  ' 
fn-.all,  is  fuSicicnt  to  diforder  the  whole  frame,  ami 
often  to  deftroy  life  icfclf.  Hence  ic  comes  to  pafs,' 
that  fo  many  women  cither  fall  into  chronic  diibr- 
dcrs,  or  die  about  this  ttmc.  Such  of  them,  how- 
ever, as  furvive  It,  without  contrai^lng  any  chronic 
difeafe,  often  become  more  healthy  and  hardy  thaa 
they  were  before,  and  enjoy  flrength  and  vigour  ' 
to  A  very  great  age. 

Mm  If 


S30  OF    PREGNANCY. 

If  the  wen/es  ceafe  all  of  a  fudden^  in  w>mea 
of  a  full  habit,  they  ought  to  abate  fomewhac  of 
their  ufual  quantity  of  food,  efpecially  of  the  more 
nouridiing  kind,  as  flefh,  egg^,  &c.  They  ought 
likewife  to  take  fufficient  exercife,  and  to  keep  the 
body  open.  This  may  be  done  by  taking,  once  or 
twice  a-wcek,  a  little  rhubarb,  or  an  infufion  of 
hiera  picra  in  wine  or  brandy. 

It  often  happens  that  women  of  a  grofs  habit,  at 
this  period  of  life,  have  ulcerous  fores  break  out 
about  their  ancles,  or  in  other  parts  of  the  body. 
Such  ulcers  ought  to  be  confidcred  as  critical,  and 
ihould  cither  be  fufFered  to  continue  open,  or  have 
artificial  drains  fubftituted  in  their  (lead.  Women 
who  will  have  fuch  fores  dried  up,  are  often  ibon 
^fter  carried  off  by  acute  difeafes,  or  fall  into  thofe 
6(  a  chronic  nature. 


OF    PREGNANCY. 

Though  pregnancy  is  not  a  difeafe,  yet  thatftate 
is  often  attended  with  a  variety  of  complaints  which 
merit  attention,  and  which  fometimes  require  the 
afliftance  of  medicine.  Some  women  indeed  art 
more  healthy  during  their  pregnancy  than  at  any 
other  times  but  this  is  by  no  means  the  gener^ 
cafe:  moft  of  them  ireeJ  in  /orrozv,  and  arefrc- 
qiiently  indifpofcd  during  the  whole  time  of  preg- 
nancy. Few  fatal  difeafes,  however,  happen  du- 
ring that  period}  and  hardly  any^  except  abortion, 
.that  can  be  called  dangerous.  Wc  (ball  therefore 
pay  particular  attention  to  it,  as  it  proves  gene- 
rally  fatal  to  the  child,  and  fonaetimes  fo  to  the 
mother. 

'  Pregnant  women  are  often  afflidkcd  with  the 
iieart- burn.  The  method  of  treating  this  complaint 
has  been  already  pointed  out.    They  arc  likcwifei 

10 


OF  PRE'GNAWCY.^  53f. 

in  the  tnore  eztlj  pttiodi  bf  pregnancy,  often  ha- 
raffed  With  fieknefs  arid  vomiting,  prpecially  in  the 
morning.  The  method  tff  relieving  thefe  coth* 
pUints  has  alfo  bten  Yhewn.  Both  the  hesKt-^cK 
and  tooth-ach  are  very  troublefome  fymptoms  of  • 
pregnancy.  Th«  forfntr  may  generally  be  removed  ■' 
by  keipirtg  tb*  body  gently  open,  by  tht  t»re  of 
prunes,  figs,  roafted  apples,  and  fuch  like.'  WlWti 
ihe  pain  is  tny  violent,  bleeding  'ttiiy  be  rteciif- 
faty.  -Fop  the  treatment  of  the  latter,  *e  moft  re- 
fer (o  that  article.  Several  other  complnints  inci- 
dent to  pregnant  women  might  be  mentiohed,  as 
a  cough  and  difficulty  of  breathing,  fo^preflion  iirt& 
incontinency  of  urinCj  &c.  j  but'  as  all  of  thefe 
have  been  taken  notice  bf  before,  it  is  ntcdlefstS 
rqjeat  them. 

Every  pregnant  woman  is  more  ot  fefs  trf  dahgef 
of  abortion.  This  fhould  be  guarded  agaii^H:  -with' 
the  greatcfl  care,  as  it  not  only  weakens  the  con- 
ftitution,  but  renders  the  woman  liable  to  the 
fame  misfortune  afterwards*.  Abortion  may*  hapJ 
pen  at  any  period  of  pregnancy,  but  it  is  mofl: 
common  in  the  fccond  or  third  tiionih.  Some- 
times, however,  it  happens  in  the  fotirth  br  fifth. 
If  it  happens  within  the  firft  month,  it  is  ufually 
called  a  falfc  conception  i  if  after  the  feventh 
mbnth,  tHc'  child  may  often  bt  kept  alive  by 
proper  care. 

The  common  caufes  of  abortion  are,'  the  death  of 
the  child;  weaknefs  or  relaxation  of  the  mother^ 
great  evacuations!  violent  exercifei  rdifing  great 

*  Ewry  inoilier  who -pr^cnrei  aa  abortioa  doct  it  ■(  thb  hi- 
zard  of  her  life ;  yet  there  ire  ooc  )|  few  who  ran  this  tiik.  merely 
lo'prrvfnt  ihe  irouble  of  beiriag  ind  bringing  up  children.  It 
it  furely  a  moll  unnatural  crime,  ind  cannot,  even  in  the. molt 
abandoaed,  be  rivwei  witboii  homn;  but  in  the  dnent  iha- 
tron,  it  is  JJill  aoM  ^^f^doaable.— Thofe  wreichei  who  daily 
advcrtife  ch^irsQiftapcejfo  women,  jo  thi*  bufineb,  defcrve,  la 
Ayojitnlbn,  tbc' BoltTevelfe  of  all  buman  punifhiHenti. 
'■  M  m  a  weights} 


jj2  OF    PREGNANCY. 

veigbtSs  reaching  coo  high;  jumping,  orftcpping 
from  an  eminence i  voinitings  coughing  (cprlvul- 
fion  Hts;  ftrokes  on  the  belly;  falls;  fevers.;  dif- 
sgreeable  fmells;  excefs  of  blood;  indolcootf; 
high  living;  or  the  contrary;  violent  pafiionsor 
al^flions  of  the  mind>  as  fear,  grief,  &c. 

The  (igns  of  approaching  abortion  are,  pain  in 
the  lo^ns,  or  about  the  bottom  of  the  belly ;  a  dull 
: heavy  pain  in  the  infide  of  the  thighs;  a  flight  de- 
gree of  coldnefsy  or  (hivering;  ficknefs,  palpita* 
tron  of  the  heart;  the  breafts  become  flat  and  (bfc; 
the  belly  falls;  and  there  is  a  dikharge  of  blood 
or  watery  humours  from  the\womb» 

To  prevent  abortion^  we  ivould  advife  wonnen 
-t>f  &  weak  or  relaxed  habit  to  ufe  folid  food,  avoid- 
ing great  quantities  of  tea,  and  other  weak  aod 
watery  liquors;  to  rife  early  and  go  foon  to  bed; 
CO  (hun  damp  houfes;  to  take  frequent  exercife  ia 
the  open  air,  hut  to  avoid  fatigue;  and  never  to 
go  abroad  in  damp  foggy  weather,  if  they  caa 
inun  it. 

Women  of  a  full  habit  ought  to  ufe  a  fpare 
diet,  avoiding  flrong  liquors,  and  every  thing  chat 
may  tend  to  heat  the  body,  or  increafe  the  quan* 
tity  of  blood.  Their  ditrt  (hould  be  of  an  open- 
ing  nature,  confiding  principally  of  vegetaJt;>le  fub- 
fiances.  Every  woman  with  child  ought  to  be 
kept  cheerful  and  eafy  in  her  mind.  Her  appe- 
tites, even  though  depraved,  ought  to  be  indulged 
as  far  as  prudence  will  permit. 

When  any  Hgns  of  abortion  appear,  the  woman 
ought  to  be  laid  in  bed  on  a  matrafs,  with  her 
head  low.  She  (hould  be  kept  quiet,  and  her 
^  mind  foothed  and  comforted.  She  ought  not  to 
'  be  kept  too  hoc,  nor  to  take  any  thing  of  a  heat* 
ing  nature.  Her  food  fbould  confift  of  broths, 
rice  and  milk,  jellies,  gruels  made  of  oae-meal, 
and  the  like,  all  of  which  ought  to  be  takea  cold. 

9  ■       ,  If 


dF    CHTLD-BIRTH.  $33 

If  ihe  be  able  to  beark,  Hie  (hould  lofc  at  leaft 
half  a  pound  of  blood  from  the  arm.  Her  drink 
ought  to  be  barley-water  fharpencd  with  juice  of 
lemon ;  or  (he  may  take  halt  a  drachm  pf  pow- 
dered nitre,  in  a  cup  of  water-gruel,  every  five  or 
fix  hours.  If  itii^  woman  bp  feized  with  a  violent 
loofenefs,  fhe  ought  to  drink  the  decodron  of  cal- 
cined hartfliorn  prepared.  If  ihe  bi  afFedted  with 
vomiting,  let  her  take  frequently  two  table-fpoon* 
fuls  of  the  faline  mixture.  In  ^general,  opiates 
are  of  fervice^  but  they  Ihould  always  be  given 
with  caution. 

Sanguine  robuft  women,  who  are  liable  to  mif- 
carry  at  a  certain  time  of  pregnancy,  ought  always 
to  be  bled  a  few  days  before  that  period  arrives. 
By  this  mean$,  and  obferving  the  regimen  above 
prefcribed,  they  might  often  efcape  that  misfor- 
tune. 

Though  we  recommend  due  care  for  preventing 
abortion,  we  would  not  be  undcrftood  as  reftrain* 
ing  pregnant  women  from  their  ufual  exercifes. 
This  would  generally  operate  the  quite  contrary 
way.  Want  of  exercife  not  only  relaxes  the  body, 
but  induces  a  plethora,  or  too  great  a  fulnefs  of 
the  veficls,  which  are  the  two  principal  cau(es  of 
abortion.  There  are,  however,  fome  women  of  fo 
delicate  a  texture,  that  it  is  neceffary  for  them  to 
avoid  almoft  every  kind  of  exercife  during  the 
whole  period  of  pregnancy. 


OF    CHILD-BIRTH. 

Matry  difeafes  proceed  from  the  want  of  due  care 
in  child-bed; 'tand  the  more  hardy  part  of  the  fet 
are  mod  apt  tcralefpife  the  necefiary  precautions  in 
this  (late.  ^  Thisnis  peculiarly  the  cafe  with  young 
wives.     Theyidiisky  when  Uie  labour- pains  are 

M  m  3  cnded^ 


534  OF    CHILD-BIRTH. 

ended,  the  danger  is  over  -,  but  in  truth  k  tBty 
only  then  be  faid  to  be  begun.  Nature,  if  left  to  . 
Jif  rfclf,  will  feldom  fail  to  expel  thtfatus-,  but  pro- 
per care  and  management  are  certainly  necciTarj 
fur  the  recovery  of  the  mother.  No  doubt  mit 
chief  may  be  done  by  too  much  as  well  as  by  166 
little. care,  jjence  females  who  have  the  grcatcft 
number  of  attendants  in  child- bed  generally  recor 
y<r  worft.  But  this  is  not  peculiar  to  the  ftfttedf 
child-bed.  Exceflive  care  always  defeats  its  own  inr 
jLeation,  and  is  generally  more  daqgerous  than  none 
at  all  ♦. 

.  During  adual  labour,  nothing  of  a  heating  na* 
ture  ought  to  be  given.  The  woman  may  now 
^d  then  take  a  little  panado,  and  her  drink  ought 
(9.  be  toad  and  water,  or  thiq  groat  gruei.  Spirits, 
wines,  cordial-waters,  and  other  things  which  arc 
given  with  a  view  to  ftrengthcn  the  mother,  and 
promote  the  birth,  for  the  moft  part  tend  only  to 
incrcafe  the  fever,  inflame  the  womb,  and  retard 
the  labour.  Befides,  they  endanger  the  woman 
afterwards,    as    they  often   occafion    violeoc    and 

*  Thoogb  the  management  of  women  in  child-brd  hat  been 
praf^ifed  as  an  employment  fince  the  earlieft  accoants  of  time; 
yet  it  is  ilill  in  moft  countries  on  a  very  bad  footing.  Few  Wo- 
men ihink  of  following  rhis  employment  till  they  .ire  reduced  to 
the  nec^£lty  of  doing  ic  for  bread.  Hence  not  one  in  a  hondred 
of  them  hAve  any  education,  or  proper  knowledge  of  their  ba* 
iinefs.  It  is  true,  that  Nature,  if  left  to  herfelf,  will  generally 
expel  ihc/a^tus;  but  it  is  e(|ually  true,,  that  mod  womeo  ia 
child-bed  require  to  be  managed  with  ikill  and  attention^  and 
that  they  are  often  hurt  by  the  fuperftitious  prejadices  of  igno- 
rant and  cfHcious  midwives.  The  mifchief  done  in  this  way  is 
much  greater  than  is  generally  imagined  ;  mod  of  which  might 
be  prevented  by  allowing  no  women  to  pradife  midwifery  but 
foch  as  are  properly  qualified.  Were  due  attention  paid  to  this* 
K  would  not  only  be  the  means  of  faving  many  lives,  .bat  woald 
prevent  the  neceflity  of  employing  men  in  this  indelicate  and 
cifagrecable  branch  of  mediciocj  which  is*  on  many  accoiintt, 
nioie  proper  for  the  other  feju 

8  mortal 


OF    CHILD-BIRTH.  535 

marcal  haemorrhages,   or  difpofe  her   to   eru}>iivc 
and.pther  fevers, 

When  the  labour  proves  tedious  and  difficulty  to 
preyent  inflammations,  it  will  be  proper  to  bleed. 
An  emollient  clyftcr  ought  likcwife  frequently  to 
be  adrainiftered;  and  the  patient  Ihbuld  fit  over  the 
fleams  of  warm  water.  The  paffagc  ought  to  be 
gently  rubbed  with  a  little  foft  pomatum  or  frefh 
buttcjr>  and  cloths  wrung  out  of  warm  water  ap- 
plied over  the  belly.  If  nature  feems  to  fink,  and. 
che  woman  is  greatly  exhauded  with  fatigue,  a 
draught  of  generous  wine,  or  fome  other  cordial, 
mzM  be  given,  but  not  otherwife.  Thefe  direc- 
tions are  fufficient  in  natural  labours;  and  in  all 
preternatural  cafes,  a  fkilful  furgcon,  orman-midr 
wife,  ought  to  be  called  a3  foon  as  poflible. 

After  delivery,  the  woman  ought  tp  be  kept  a^ 
.quiet  and  eafy  as  poflible  *.  Her  food  (hould  be 
light  and  thin,  as  gruel,  panado,  &c^  and  her 
drink  weak  and  diluting.  To  this  rule,  however, 
there  are  many  exceptions.  I  have  known  feveral 
women,  whofe  fpirits  could  not  be  fupported  in 
, child-bed  without  folid  food  and  generous  liquors.; 
to  fucb>  a  glafs  of  wine  and  a  bit  of  chicken  mult 
be  allowed. 

Sometimes  an  exceflive  haemorrhage  or  flooding 
happens  after  delivery.  In  this  cafe  che  patieiH: 
ihould  be  laid  with  her  bead  low,  kept  cool,  an^ 
be  in  all  refpe£ls  treated  as  for  an  excelTive  flux  of 
the  menfes.  If  the  flooding  proves  violent,  linen 
cloths,  which  have  been  wrung  out  of  a  mixture  of 

*  We  cannot  help  taking  notice  of  that  ridiculous  cuftoqfi 
which  ftill  prevails  in  fotne  parts  of  the  country^  of  co!fe6tin£  a 
number  of  women  together  upon  fuch  occafions.  Thefe,  m* 
ftead  of  being  ufefui,  fcrve  only  to  crowd  the  boufe,  and  okv 
ilrud  the  neceiTary  attendants.  Befides,  they  hurt  the  patient 
with  their  noife ;  and  often,  by  their  untimely  and  impercineot 
advice,  do  much  mifchief. 

M  m  4  equal 


5Ji6  OF    CHILD-BIRTH. 

«qual  parti   of  vinegar  ami  water,    or  red  wine, 

il)i>uld  be  applied  (u  the   belly,  the  loins,  and  the 

thighs:  thct'e  mtilt  be  changed  as  they  grow  dry; 

and  may  be  dilcontinued  as  toon  as  the  flooding 

abuts*. 

■  If  there  be  yiolent  piins  after  delivery,  the  pi- 
tJcnt  ought  -iQ  drink  plentifully  of  warm  diluting 
liqUorSf-as  groat-rgruel,  or  tea  with  a  little  fafTron 
in  it;  and  to  cake  fmall  broths,  with  cacraway- 
jiiedi,-' or  a  .bit  of  orange-peel  in  them  ;  an  ounce 
<>f  thci  oil  -of  fwect  -aimonds  may  likewife  be  fre» 
^tiently  taken  in  acup  uf  any  of  the  above  liquors; 
and  if  the  patient  be  rcltlcfs,  a  fpoonful  of  thr  fy- 
rup  of  poppies  may  now  and  tlien  be  mixed  with  a 
cup  of  her  drink.  Jf  (he  be  hot  or  fevcrifii,  one 
of  the  following  powders  may  be  taken  in  a  cup  of 
her  ufual  drink  every  five  or  fix  hours  f. 

An  inBammation  of  the  womb  is  a  daogeroui 
and  not  unfrequent  dil'eafe  after  delivery.  It  is 
known  by  pains  in  the  lower  part  of  the  belly, 
which  are  greatly  increafed  upon  touching;  by  the 
tenfion  or  lightnefa  of  the  pans  j  great  weaknefs: 
change  of  countenance;' a  contlant  fever,  with  a 
THtak  and  hird  puUe;  a  (light  delirium  or  raving} 
fomctimes  inceflint  vomiting;  a  hiccup;  a  dif- 
charge  of  reddilh,  (linking,  (harp  water  from  the 
Wombi  an  inclination  to  go  frequently  ccftool;  a 
heat,  and  Ibmctiines  total  fuppreOion  of  urine. ' 

*  In  ■  violeat  flooding  arter  delivery,  I.  bav«  fecn  wrj  good 
cfTeit*  from  ilie  fulk>wint|  niixture:  Taice.of  penity-jp/al  wkct, 
jmple  cinnamoD-wa^er,  and  fyrup  of  pofipie*.  tith  twoouDcef, 
tSxit  of  VHriol  a  dricKtrt  ^'Mii:,'  and  taWiwro  table  •fpboa  full 
.^cry-two  kovra,' ornfioei. 'tCiOectflliry. 

'  :.  f  -^li.^^  bf  £mIu  cUivt^arcparn!  half  an  oupti^i.  pvn^cl  nitn 
'twodr^chins,  falTron  powcerEJ  Ka'f  ■  drachnij  rub  ihem  togC" 
'titer  tit  a'moiar,  and  divide  rhe  Whole  into  fighl  or  nine  dorM, 
"■'i^Wiiro  t^'t>atimt1i'1oM-fprtwd,  or'trcNJUW  wuh  hyftfrint 
.f^nplaintt/.fhBov"^:  to  take  ^VquRiilyiwWve  orfiftatkdrop* 
„oi.ihe  unQ^c  of  ai^f^ccud*  in  a  cup  of  f  eany-royil  tea. 

i     !•.  Thii 


OF    CHILD-BIRTH.  J57. 

-Ttris  inuft  be  ireacfd  like  other  inflimmatorf 
dWordcrS}  by  bleeding  and  plentiful' dtlgtton.  The 
drink  may  be  thin  gruel  dr  barley-water;  in  a  cufi 
of  which  half  s  drachm  of  nitre  may  be  diflblved* 
and  taken  three  or  fuur  times  a-day.  Clyftrrt  of 
warm  milk  and  water  mull  be  frequent!)^  bdmini- 
ftrred;  and  the  belly  ihould  be  fomented  by  clbtti'g 
wrung,  o^t  of  warm  water,  or  by  ajipiyingf  blad- 
der* filkd  with  warm  mitkandwittr  10  it. 
'  A  Vvifipreflion  of  the  lacbia,  or  ufual'difchfrgn 
after  dclirery,  and  the  milk-fever,  mfift  be  treited 
nearly  in  the  fame  manner  as  an  inAammation  ofthf 
womb.  In  BJl  thcftrcafci,  the  fafeft  conrfe  fs  plen- 
tiful dilution,' gentle  evacoationi,  and  fomenta- 
tions of  the  parts  affeded.  Ih  the  milk-fever,  thk 
breafts  may  be  embrocated  with  a  little  warm  lin- 
feed-oil,  or  the  leaves  of  red  cabbage  may  be  ap^ 
.plied  to  them.  The  child  Ihould  be'often  put  to 
the  breaft,  or  it  fhou|d  be  drawn  by  fome  other 

perfon.  

•  Nothing  would  tead  more  to  prevent  ttiemiltc^ 
fever  than  putting  the  child  early  co  the  breaft. 
The  cuftom  of  not  allowing  children  lo  fuefe  for 
the  Aril  two  or  three  days,-  ts  contrary 'to  Naton 
and  common  fenfc,  and  is  very  hurtful  both  to  tlib 
'mother  and  child.  ■-■'■'■ 

•■  Exery  mother  who  has  milk  in  her  brekflvougtit 
either  to  fuckle  her  own  child,  or  Fo  have  -h^r 
breads  frequently  drawn,  at  leaft  for  the  firft  month. 
This  would  prevent  mliny  of  the  dtft*(t:j  "^wfiich 
prove  fatal  to  women  in  child-bed.  '  /  [  ' ;, ' 

When  an  InBammation  hajniens  in  the  breaft,  ai" 
tended  with  rednefa,  hardnelt^  and  other  fymptoms 
of  fuppuratioo,  the-  fafcfl  appHcation  ii  a  poultice 
of  bread  and  mitk,  foftened  with  oil  or  frefli  but* 
ter.  This  may  be  renewed  twicv  a-day,  till  the 
tumour  be  either  difcuffed  or  brought  to  fuppuri* 
lion.  The  ofc  of  repellents,  to  this  cafe,  is  very 
dangerous) 


^  ~l 


.538  OF    CMILD.BIRTH. 

.dangerous  j  tlxcy  often  occafion  fevers,  and  fomc* 
times  cancers;  whereas  a'fuppuration  is  fel.dom  ac* 
tended  with  any  danger,  and  has  often  the  moft  fa- 
Ipury  effects. 

When  the  nipples  are  fretted  or  chapt,  they 
may  be  anointed  with  a  mixture  of  oil  and  bccs- 
yt^Xj  ©r  a  little  powdered  gum-arabic  may  be 
fprinlded  on  them.  I  have  fcen  Hungary  water 
applied  to  the  nipples  have  a  very  good  effed. 
Should  the  complaint  prove  obflinate,  a  cooling 
purge  may  be  given,  which  generally  removes 
ir. 

The  miliary  fever  is  a  difeafe  incident  to  women 
in  child-bed;  but  as  it  has  been  treated  of  already, 
.we  ihall  take  no  further  notice  of  it.  The  cele- 
brated Hoftman  obfervrs,  That  this  fever  of  child* 
bed  women  might  generally  be  prevented,  if  they, 
during  their  pregnancy,  were  regular  in  their  diet, 
ufed  moderate  exercife,  took  now  and  then  a  gentle 
laxative  of  manna,  rhubarb,  or  cream  of  tartar; 
Bot  forgetting  to  bleed  in  the  fivEt  n\anth3,  and 
•void  all  (harp  air.  When  the  labour  is  coining 
•on,.. it  is  not  to  be  haft^aed  with  forcing  medicines, 
which  inflame  t^e  blgod  aod  .humours,  or  put 
theim  into  unnatural  commotions.  Care  ihoqld  be 
taken,  after  the  birth,  that  the  natural  excretions 

f proceed  regularly;  and  if  the  pulfe  be  quick,  a 
ittie  nitrous  powder,  or  fome  other  cooling  medi* 
irises,  ihould  be  adnviniftered. 

The  moft  fatal  diforder  confequent  upor^deli* 
very  is  the  fuerperalg  or  child-bed  fever.  It  gene- 
rally makes  it  attack  upon  the  fecond  or  third  day 
after  delivery.  Spo^etimes  indeed  it  cpaies  on 
fooner,  and  at  other  times,  though  rarely^  it  docs 
not  appear  before  the  fifth  or  fixth  day. 

It  begins,  like  nfU)ft  other  fevers,  with  a  cold  Of 

(hivering  fiCi  which  is  fucceeded  by   refUcfibeff, 

•  pain  of  the  head,  great  ficknefV  atilomachj  andbn 

lious 


OF    CHILD-BIRTH,  539 

lious  vomiting.  The  pulfe  is  gener2|lly  quick>.  tile 
tongMe  dry,  and  there  is  a  remarkable  depreflidn  of 
fpirits  and  lofs  of  ftrenjgth.  A  great  pain  is  ufualty 
felt  in  the  back,  hips,  and  region  of  the  wombv  t 
fudden  change  in  the  quantity  or  quality  of  tht  loibia 
alfo  cakes  place;  and  the  patient  is  frequently 
troubled  with  ztene/mus^  or  conftant  inclination  fp 
go  to  (tool.  The  urine,  which  is  very  high-^eo* 
loured,  is  difcharged  in  fmall  quantity,  and  geiie- 
rally  with  pain.  The  belly  fometimes  fweks  t4>  m, 
confiderable  bulk,  and  becomes  fufceptible  ofpatft 
from  the  flighted  touch.  When  the  tever  h^s  coA^* 
tinued  for  a  few  d^ysj  the  fymptorns  of  ihflamma^ 
tion  ufually  fubfide,  and  the  difeafe  acquires  n 
more  putrid  form.  At  this  period,  ifnocfooner^ 
a  bilious  or  putrid  loofenefs^  of  an  obftinate  and. 
dangerous  nature,  comes  on,  and  accompanies  the 
difeafe  through  all  its  future  progrefs. 

There  is  not  any  difeafe  that  requires  to  be  treat- 
ed with  more'  flcill  and  attention  than  this  1  confe- 
qucncly  the  bed  afiiftance  ought  always,  to  be  ob^ 
tained  as  foon  as  poQible.  In  women  of  plethoric 
conftitutions,  bleeding  will -generally  be  proper  at 
the  beginning;  it  ought  however  to  be  ufea  wicH 
caution,  and  not  to  be  repeated  unlefs  where  the 
figns  of  inflammation  rife  high  i  in  which  cafe  it 
will  alfo  be  neceflary  to  apply  a  bliftering-pUfter 
to  the  region  of  the  womb. 

During  the  rigour,  or  cold  (it,  ptopef  meam 
ihould  be  ufcd  to  abahe  its  violence,  aM  ftoi^tch  its 
duration.  For  this  purpofe  the  patient  thFay  drink 
freely  of  warm  diluting  liquors,  sind,  if  low,  may 
take  now  and  then  a  cup  of  wine- whey  j  v^arni  ap- 
plications to  the  extremities,  as  heated  -bricks> 
bottles  or  bladders  filled  with  warm  w^tef,  tnd 
fuch  like,  may  alfo  be  ufed  with  advantage. 

Emollient  clyfters  of  milk   and   water,    or  b£ 
chicken  water^  ought  to  be  frequently  adminidered 

through 


540  OF    CHILD-BIRTH. 

throwgh  ihc  courfc  of  the  difeafe.  Thefe  prove 
bf  ntficial  by  promoting  a  difcharge  from  the  in- 
tellmcSi  and  alfo  by  acting  as  a  kindly  fomenca- 
tk>n  to  the  womb  and  parts  adjacent.  Great  care 
liowever  is  requifite  tn  giving  thenij  on  account  of 
the  tendernefs  of  the  parts  in  the  pelvis  at  this 
time. 

To  evacuate  the  offending  bile  from  the  (lomach, 
>  vomit  is  generally  given.  But  as  this  is  apt  to 
irrcreafe  the  irritability  of  the  ftomach,  already  too 
great,  it  will  be  faferto  omit  it,  and  to  give  in  its 
ftead  a  gentle  laxative,  which  wiH  both  tend  to 
cool  the  body,  and  to  procure  a  free  difcharge  of 
«he  bile  *    _ 

The  medrcinc  which  I  have  always  found  tofuci 
eced  beft  in  this  difri^re  is  the  faline  draught.  Thir, 
if  frequently  repeated,  will  often  put  a  (^op  to  the 
Tomiiing,  and  at  the  fame  time  leflcn  the  violence 
of  the  fever.  If  it  runs  off  by  ftool,  or  if  the  pa- 
tient be  reftlefs,  a  few  drop*  of  laudanum,  orfbfne 
lyrupof  poppies,    may  occaBonally  be  added. 

Ir  the  ftools  Ihould  prove  fo  frequent  as  to 
weaken  and  exhauft  the  patient,  a  ftarch  clyfter,  with 
thirty  or  forty  drops  of  laudanum  in  it,  may  be  ad- 
mlnifterrd  as occaHon  fliall  require;  and  the  drink 
may  be  rice-water,  in  every  Englifli  pint  of  which 
half  an.  ounce  of  gum-arabic  has  been  dtlFotved. 
Should  thefe  fail,  recourfe  muft  be  had  to  Colum- 
bo-root,  or  fome  other  ftrong  aftringent. 

Though  in  generat  the  food  ought  to  be  Hght, 
and  the  drink  diluting,  yet  when  the  difeafe  has 
been   long  protracted,  and  the  patient  is  greatly 

*  MidwivM  oaght  to  be  very  caadmi  in  adrainillrring  voiritt 
or  purge*  to  womea  in  child-bcd.  1  hiv«  knawo  a  wotnan.  wh> 
wai  recuvering  extremely  well,  ihrown  into  [he  moll  tnmiBeBl 
danger,  by  >  flrong  purge  whicb  wu  given  her  bjr  ^a  offioaiit 

fpcoc 


Q.F   CHIUD-BIRTH.  541 

(pent  by  evacuations,  it  will  be  necelTary  to  Aip- 
port  her  wkh  nouFiihing  diet  aod  generous  cor* 
dials.- 

.  It  was  obfervcd  that  this  fever,  after  concijiuing 
for  foinexime,  often  acquires. a  putrid  form..  la 
tiiis  cafe  the  Peruvian  bark  mud  be  given,. eitJicr 
by  itfclf,  orjoiocd  with  cordials,  as  circumftanccs 
may  require. ,  ^  the  bark  in  fubftance  will  be 
apt  to  pura;e,  it  may  .be  given  in  decoction  or  in- 
fiifioo,  mixed  with  ihc  tinfture  of  rofes,  or  -otber 
gentle  aftringentsi  or,  a  fcruple  of  the  extraiEl  of 
bark  with  hiilf  An  ounce,  of  fpJrituous  cion^moa- 
water,  two  ounces  of  common  water,  and  ten  drops 
of  laudanum,  may    be   made  into  a  draughit,  and 

fiven  every  fecund,  third,  or  fourth  b.ourj  m  (hall 
,  e  found  neceffary. 

When  the  (lomach  will  not  bear  any  kind  of 
oourifbment,  the  patient  may  be  fupported  fcn- 
^me  time  by  clylters  of  bccf-iea,  ur.chickea- 
water. 

To  avoid  this  fever,  every  woman  in  child-bed 
ought  to  be  kept  pcrfcdly  eafy  ;  her  food  Ibould 
be  light  aod  fimple,  and  her  bed-chamber  cool, 
and  properly  ventilated.  There  is  not  any  thing 
ftiore  hurtful  to  a  woman  in  this  fituation  thanbe- 
ing  kept  too  warm.  She  ought  not  to  have  her 
body  bound  too  tight,  nor  to  rife  too  luon  from 
bed,  after  delivery  -,  catching  cold  is  alfo  to  be 
avoided  ;  and  a  proper  attention  Qiould  be  paid  to 
cteanlincfs,  ■.  .  .  .  ..    ■ 

To  prevent  the  milk-fever,  the  breaflrs  oiig^t  10 
be  frequently  drawn t  and  if  they  are  filled  prev\- 
ous  to  the  onfct.of  a  fever,  they  ftiouKi,  upon  iti 
6r(t  appearance,  be  drawn,  to  prevent  the- milk! 
from  becoming  acrid,  and  its  being  abforbed'irt 
this  ftate.  Collivenefs  is  likewife  to  be  avoided. 
This  will  be  bcft  efFcftcd  by  the  nfe  of  mild  ciyfttrs 
and  a  laxative. diet.  -•  -         -i 


54^  OF   BAUREK'KESS; 

We  ftljill  ^rondudc  our  obrcrvbd6ri^  oh  cMld^btfi 
wdmcn  by  recommending  it  to  them,  abbve  ^U 
things,  to  beware  of  cold.  Poor  wonrien,  wh6fii  ' 
cii*€\iW)ftancc9  oblige  them  lo  qiiit  their  b^A  tooTf 
foon^'ofceti  coritraA  diftafes  from  cold,  of  ^hifeh\' 
thiy  n«V4?r  recdvcK  It  is  pity  the  (^oor&ri  nW  ■ 
beiwfrtftkencaftt  of  inthisfitbiition.  "^ 

Bdt  th«  better  fort  of  wonhen  run  the -gredtcflT^ 
h«»^'frdm  too  moth  heat.  They  afc  gchc^allf 
kept  in  a  fore  of  a  bagnio  for  the  firft  eight  d^  Vih 
day*,  islrtd  then  dreffcd  out  to  fee  company.  The 
danger  of  this  condudk  muft  be  obvious  to  every 
onei.  ■'■       ■  ..•'.-  •.;..' 

The  fuperftitioiis  cuftom  of  obliging  wbn^n  to 
keep  the  houfe  till  they  go  to  church,  is  likewife  a 
very  common  caufc  of  catching  cold.  All  churches 
are  dftmp,  and  mod  of  them  cold;  confequently 
.they  are  the  very  worft  places  to  which  a  woman 
can  go  to  make  her  firft  vifit,  after  having  been 
confined  in  a  warm  room  fpr  a  month. 

OF    BARRENNESS^ 

Barrennefs  may  be  very  properly  reckoned 
annong  the  difeafes  of  females,  as  few  married  wo<^ 
men  who  have  not  children  enjoy  a  good  ftateof 
health.  It  may  proceed  from  various  caufes^  as 
high  living,  grief,  relaxation,  &:c.  but  it  is  chiefly 
owing  to  an  obftrudtion  or  irregularity  of  the  men* 
ftruid  flux. 

It  is  very  certain  that  high  living  vitiates  the 
humours,,  and  prevents  fecundity.  We  feldoni 
find  a.:barren  woman  among  the  labouring  pdor^ 
while  nothing  is  more  common  among  the' rich  and 
aflluent.  The  inhabitants  pf  every  country  ire  pr&« 
lific  in  proportfon  to  their  poverty ;  and  it  Woulcf 
be  an  cafy  matter  to  adduce  many  iafl;ances  of  wo- 
men. 


OF   BARRENNESS,  543 

men,  who,  by  being  reduced  to  live  entirely  upon 
a  milk  and  vegetable  diet,  have  conceived  and 
brought  forth  children,  though  they  never  had 
any  before.  Would  therich  ufe  the  fame  fort  of 
food  and  ejtfrcife  as  the  -better  fort  of  pe*fants, 
they  would  fetdom  have  caufe  to  envy  their  poor 
ValTals  and  dependants  the  btefllng  of  a  numerous 
snii  healthy  bfFspring,  while  they  pine  in  forro* 
for  the  want  of  even  a  fingle  heir  to  their  cxtenfit^ 
domains. 

Affluence  begets  indolence,  which  not  only  vi- 
tiates the  hilmours,  but  induces  a  general  relaxa- 
tion of  the  folids;  a  flate  highly  unfavourable  to 
procreation.  To  remove  this,  we ■  would  recottt-' 
mend  the  following  courfe :  Firft,  fuffioicnt  exer-' 
cife  in  the  open  airj  fecondly,  a  diet  confiftirtg' 
chieHy  of  milk  and  vegetables  •  ;  thirdly,  the  ufc 
of  aftringent  medicines^  as  flee],  allum,  dri^n's 
blood,  elixir  of  vitriol,  the  Spaw  or  Tunbridgw 
Waters,  Peruvian  bark,  &;c, ;  and  Uftlyi  above  all, 
the  cold  bath. 

Barrenncfs  is  often  the  confequence  of  grief» 
fudden  fear,  anxiety,  or  any  of  the  paflions  which' 
tend  to  obftroft  the  menftrual  flox.  Wden  (Mr* 
rennefa  is' ful^jeflcd  to  proceed  from  afFe£H<Mis  of 
the  mind,  the  perfon  ought  to  be  kept  aseafy  and 
cheerful  as  poflible  i  all  difagreeable  objects  are  to 
be  avoided,  and  every  method  taken  to  apfiufe  and  - 
entertain  the  fancy. 

*  Dr.  Chcyne  averi,  thar  w&nt  of  chililren  ia  ofcner  the  faslt>  ' 
of  the  male  than  of  ihe  remale,  and  llrongly  recommend*  i  mitk 
and  vegetible  diet  (O  the  former  ai  well  as  [he  latter ;    uidiog, 
thathii  friend  Dr.  Tiylor,  whom  he  calls  the  Milk-doOor*/ 
Croydon,  i>aA  bronghi  fandry  opulent  families  in  hit  ncigbboar--  * 
hood,  «.ho  had  conunued  fome  yean  after  marrn^c  without  pro-.  - 
geny,  to  have  feveral  fine  children,  by  keepinj;  both  pareou,  fofi 
m  confiderable  tine,  to  a  milk  and  vegetable  diet.  i 


[     54+     } 

CHAP.     XUX. 
DISEASES    OF    CHILDREN. 

1L.TISERABL.E  indeed  is  the  lot  of  man  in  the 

■^'•*-ftatc  of  infancy  !  He  conies  into  the  world 
more  helptcfs  than  any  other  animal,  and  ftands 
much  longer  in  need  of  the  protection  and  care  of 
bis  parents  t  but  alas!  this  care  is  not  always  be- 
flowed  upon  him ;  and  when  it  is>  he  often  luficrs 
as  much  from  imprupcr  management  as  he  would 
have  done  from  neglcdt.  Hence  the  officious  care 
of  parents*  'nurfes,  and  midwives,  becomes  one 
of  the  molt  fruitful  fourcea  of  the  difordcrs  of  in- 
fants *. 
It  muft  tie  obvious  to  every  attentive  perfon* 
>  that  the  firft  difcafes  of  infants  arifc  chiefly  from 
their  bowels.  Nor  is  this  in  the  leaft  to  be  won- 
dered at,  as  they  are  in  a  manner  poifoned  with 
indigcftible  drugs  and  improper  diet  asfoon  as  they 
come  into  the  world.  Every  thing  that  the  fto- 
mach  cannot  digeft  may  be  confidered  as  a  poifonj 
and  unlefs  it  can 'be  thrown  up,  or  voided  by 
fiool>  it  mult  occafion  ficknefs,  gripes,  fpafmodic 

*  Of  the  officiong  aod  ill-judged  care  of  midwires,  we  flialt 
aijdoce  only  one  inftance,  viz.  the  commoa  praflice  of  untiring 
infaats  by  fijueeziog  their  breads,  to  draw  off  tbamilk,  aj  tbty 
cal)  it.  Though  a  Imall  quaniicy  of  moillure  ii  generally  fbond 
ib  the  breatts  of  infanii,  yet,  u  tbey  are  certaioty  not  inteDiM 
n  give  luck,  this  ought  never  to  be  drawn  off.  I  have  Teen  thu 
cruel  oper;iiion  bring  on  hardnrfs,  inAaniinatioa,  and  foppara- 
lioDof  ibe  l.reatbi  but  never  icoew  aoy  ill  con(e<)ue«cM  fronill 
being  omided.  Wbeo  tbe  breaUt  are  hard,  ibeoaly  applicatioa 
that  we  wobM  rscommend  ts  a  left  poultice,  or  a  linle  ef  tb« 
diachylon  plalier,  fpread  thin  upon  a  bit  of  loft  leather,  about 
the  fizc  of  half  a  crown,  and  applied  over  each  nipple.  Theft 
Bay  be  fuSered  to  continue  till  the  hardnefi  oifappura^ 

aScAioiil 


DISEASES  OF  CHILDREN.        54J 

affeflions  of  the  bowels,  or  what  the  good  wo- 
men call  inward  (its,  and  at  laft  convulflons  and 
dtrach. 

As  thcfc;  fymptoms  evidently  arife  from  fome- 
what  that  irritates  the  intcftines,  doubtlefs  the  pro- 
per method  of  cure  inuft  be  to  expel  ic  as  foon  as 
pofliblc.  The  moft  fafe  and  efFeftual  method  of 
doing  this  is  by  gentle  vomits.  Five  or  fix  grains 
6f  the  powder  of  ipecacuanha  may  be  mixed  in 
two  tablc-fpoonfuls  of  water,  and  fwcetened  with 
a  little  fogar.  A  tea-fpoonful  of  this  may  be  given 
to  tlie  infant  every  quarter  of  an  hour  till  it  ope- 
rates;  or,  What  will  more  certainly  anfwer  the  pur- 
pole,  a  grain  of  emetic  tartar  may  be  diflblved  in 
three  ounces  of  water,  fwcetened  with  a  little  I'yrup, 
and  given  as  above.  Thofe  who  are  not  fond  of 
ufing  the  emetic  tartar,  may  give  fix  or  fcven  drops 
of  the  antimonial  wine,  in  a  tea-fpoonful  of  water 
or  thin  gruel.  Small  dofes  of  the  ipecacuanha  will 
be  found  more  gentle  than  any  of  the  above,  and 
ought  to  be  preferred. 

Thefe  medicines  will  not  only  cleanfe  the  fto- 
mach,  but  will  generally  likewife  open  the  body. 
Should  this  however  not  happen,  and  if  the  child 
be  coftlve,  fome  gentle  purge  will  be  neceflary ; 
fjr  this  purpofe,  fome  pianna  and  pulpof  callia 
may  be  dilTolvcd  in  boiling  water,  and  given  in 
fmall  quantities  till  it  operates;  or,  what  will  an- 
fwer  rather  better,  a  few  grains  oiniagne/ta  alia  may 
be  mixed  in  any  kind  of  food  that  is  given  to  the 
child,  and  continued  tilt  it  has  the  dcftred  effed. 
If  thefe  medicines  be  properly  adminiftered,  and  the 
child's  belly  and  limbs  frequently  rubbed  with  a 
warm  hand  before  the  fire,  they  will  leldom  fail  to 
relieve  thofe  affcftions  of  the  llomach  and  bowels 
fiom  which  infants  fuiTcr  fo  much. 

Thcfc  gcncsal  diicftions  include  moil:  of  what 

can  be  done  for  relieving  the  internal  diforders  of 

^  n  infants. 


546  OF  THE  MECONIUM, 
infants.  They  will  likewife  go  a  confidcrable  way 
in  alleviating  thofe  which  appear  externally,  as  the 
ralh,  gum,  ot  fellon,  &c.  Thefe,  as  was  formerly 
obferved,  are  principally  owing  to  too  hoc  a  regi- 
men, and  confequently  will  be  moll  commonly  re- 
lieved by  gentle  evacuations.  Indeed,  evacuations 
of  one  kind  or  other  conftitute  a  principal  part  of 
the  medicine  of  infants,  and  will  feldom,  iiadmi- 
niflered  with  prudence,  in  any  of  their  difeafes,  fail 
to  give  relief. 


OF    THE    MECONIUM. 

The  llomach  and  bowels  of  a  new-born  in£uTt 
are  BUed  with  a  blackifli- coloured  matter  of  the 
confidence  of  fyrup,  commonly  called  the  meco- 
nium. This  is  generally  paiTed  ibon  after  the  birth, 
by  the  mere  effort  of  Nature  i  in  which  cafe  it  is 
not  necelTary  to  give  the  infant  any  kind  of  medi- 
cine. But  if  it  Ihould  be  retained,  or  not  fufficicnt- 
ly  carried  oH*,  a  little  cnanna  or  magnefia  alka  may 
be  given,  as  mentioned  above}  or,  if  thefe  Ihould 
not  be  at  hand,  a  common  fpoonful  of  whey,  fweet- 
cned  with  a  little  honey,  or  raw  fugar,  will  anfwer 
the  purpofe. 

,  The  moft  proper  medicine  for  expelling  the  mt- 
emium  is  the  mother's  milk,  which  is  always  at  fiift 
of  a  purgative  quality.  Were  children  allowed  to 
iuck  as  foon  as  they  Ifaew  an  inclination  for  the 
breaft,  they  would  feldom  have  occaTion  for  medi- 
cines to  dtfcharge  the  meconium ;  but  even  where 
this  is  not  allowed,  they  ought  never  to  have 
daubs  of  fyrup,  oils,  and  other  tndlgeftiblc  ftufi^ 
crammed  down  their  throats. 


[    f47    } 


THE   APHTHA   OJl  THRUSH. 

The  aphttiie^re  litttc  Tvhhini  iilcers  sffeftingthe 
whole  infide  of  the  mguth,  tongue,  throat,  and 
ftomach  of  infants.  Sptnetimw  they  reach  through 
the  whole  inieftinal  c^n^lj  in  which  cafe  they  are 
very  dangcrQU9>  and  oftea  put  an  end  to  the  in- 
fant's life. 

If  the  aphthje  are  of  a  pale  colour,  pellucid,  few 
in  nunnber,  foft,  fuperBcial,  ^nd  fall  eafily  off,  they 
9re  not  dangcrousj  but  if  opake,  yellow,  brown, 
black>  thick,  or  running  togeOierj  they  OMght  to  be. 
.dreaded. 

It  is  generally  thought  that  the  aphtha  owe  their 
origin  to  acid  humours ;  we  have  reafon  however  to 
believe,  they  are  more  frequently  owing  to  too  hot 
a  regimen  both  of  the  niothcr  arid  child.     It  is  a' 
rare  thing  to  find  a  child  who  is  not  dofed  with  ' 
wine,  punch,  cinnamon-waters,  or  fome  other  hoc 
and  inSaniing  liquors,  almoft  as  foon  as  it  is  born. 
It  is  well  known  that  thefe  will  occafion  inflammi-- 
lory  diforders  even  in  adults ;.  is  it  any  wonder  thert 
that  they  Ihould  heat  and  inBame  the  tender  bodies 
of  infants,  and  fet  as  it  were  the  whole  copftitu^-' 
tion  on  a  blaze? 

The  moft  proper  niedicines  for  the  aphtha;  are 
vomits,  fuch  as  have  been  already  recommended, 
flnd  gentle  laxatives.    Five  grains  of  rhotj^rb  sno  " 
half  a  drachm  of  magvefia  alia  may  be  rubbed'to-  ■ 
gether,  and  divided  into  fix  dofes,  one  of  which 
ipay  be  given  to  the  infant  every  four  or  five  hours 
.till  they  operate.     Thefe  powders  may  either  be-' 
given  in  the  child's  food,  or  a  little  of  the  fytup  ' 
of  pale  rofes,  and  may  be  repeated  as  often  as  is 
found  neceHary  to  keep  the  body  open.  It  is  com- 
N  n  a  mora 


i48  OF    ACIDITIES, 

mon  in  this  cafe  to  adminifter  calomel ;  but  as  tliat 
medicine  fometimes  occafions  gripes,  it  9Ught  al- 
ways to  be  given  to  infants  with  caution. 

Many  things  have  ^cen  recomDiendedf^f. gar- 
gling the  mouch  and  throat  in  this  difeafe ^  ^  but  it  is 
not  eafy  to  apply  chcfe  in  very  young  infants;  ve 
would  therefore  recommend  it  to  the  nurfe.tbTub 
the  child's  mouth  frequently  with  a  little  bqrai^.uid 
honey  ;  or  with  the  following  mixture  :  Take  fine 
^. honey  an  ounce,  borax  a  drachm,  burnt  alum  half 
a  drachm,  rofe- water  two  drachms;  mix  them  to- 
gether. A  very  proper  application  in  this  cafe,  ii 
a  folution  oi  ten  or  twelve  grains  of  white'vitriol  ia 
eight  ounces  of  barley-water.  Thefe  may  be  ap- 
jilied  with  the  Bnger,  or  by  means  of  a  bit  of  Ibfc 
irag  tied  to  the  end  of  a  probe. 

O^    ACIDITIES. 

The  food  of  children  being  for  the  moll  part  of 
an  acefcene  nature,  it  readily  turns  four  upoi}  the 
flomach,  cfpecially  if  the  body  be  any  way  (U\^' 
dered.  Hence  moft  difeafes  of  childrt;n  afe.j|c- 
;  Companied  with  evident  figns  bf  acidity,  as/green 
fiools,  gripes,  2cc.  Thefe  appearances  have.,  in- 
duced many  to  believe,  that  all  the  difeafci  oTtjtlil- 
dren  were  owing  to  an  acid  abounding  Id  cSe^o* 
tnach  and  bowels;  but  whoever  confid^s'the piat- 
ccr  attencivcLy,  will  find  that  thefe  fympcoms.of 
acidity  are  oftner  the  effe£t.  than  the  caufp  of  .their 
.difeafes. 

Nature  evidently  intended,  that  the,  fqp^  bf.^il- 
dren  fliould  be  acefcent ;  and  unlefs  fhe  )fod.]  be 
difordered,  or  the  digcftion  hurt,  f'fom  fQii)5  oih« 
faufe,  we  will  venture  to  fay,  that  tne  acefcent 
ijualiEy  of  their  food  is  feldom  injurious  to  than. 
11-  Acidit/, 


OF    ACIDITIES.,  549 

^Acidity,  however,  is  often  a  fynrtptomof  diforders. 

in  children,  and,  as  it  is  fometimes  a  troubIcfon>c 

one,  we   flial!  point  out  the  method  of  relieving 

it. 

■Wliert  gfrcfcrt  ftoots,  gripes,  purgings,  four  fmells, 
&c.  (hew  that  the  bowels  abound  with  an  acid,  the 
child'  fliould  have  a  little  fmall  broth,  with  light 
,  white  bread  in  it;  and  fhould  have  fullicient  exer* 
'  cife'in'order  to  promote  the  digeftion.    It  has  been 
,  cuftortiary  in  this  cafe  to  give  the  pearl-julep,  chalk, 
'  crabs  eyes,  and  other  tcftaceous  powders.     Thefc 
indeed,   by   their  abforbent  quality,  may  correft 
'  the  acidity;  but  they  are  attended  with  this  incon- 
venience, that  they  are  apt  to  lodge  in  the  bowels, 
and   occafipn  coftivencfs,  which  may  prove  very 
'  hurtful  to  the  infant.     For  thb  reafon  they  (hould. 
never  be  given  unle'fs  mixed  with  purgative  mcdti' 
cines  ;  as  rhubarb,  manna,  or  fuch  like. 

The  beft  medicine,  which  we  know,  in  all  cafes 

of  acidity,  is  that  fine  infipid  powder  called  mag- 

nefia  alba.     It  purges,  and  at  the  fame  time  cor- 

'  reds  the  acidity  :  by  which  means  it  not  only  re- 

"■^  moves   the  difeafe,  but  carries  ofF  its  caufe.     It 

tnay  be  given  in  any  kind  of  food,  or  in  a  mixture, 

"  Ss  recdmmcnded  in  the  Appendix*.'  '' 

'     '  When'an  infant  is  troubled  with  gripes,  it  ought 

jiot  ac  firfl  .to  be  dofed  with  brandy,- fpieeries,  and 

'  dther  hot  things,  bur  fhould  hsve  its  body  opened 

With  an  "fmolHcnt  clyfter,  or  the  medicine  men- 

,  txMied  abqvei  and  at  the  fame  time  a  little  brandy 

'-maybe  rubbed  on  its  belly  with  a  warm  hsnd^e- 

'  Yore  the  lire'.     I  have  feldom  Teen  this  fail  »>  flafe 

,  the  gripes  of  infants.     If  it  fhould  happen,  how- 

'  ei^erj,  not  tflifucceed,  a  little'brandy  or  other  fpi- 

''fitS  may  be  rtiixed  with  thrice  the  quantity  of  warm 

'^'WittfCj'iind  'd  tea-fpoonfol  of  it  given  frequently  tiU 

■  ''.   ■ -'  J     .  '      ij-  "  : 

•■'■,,■       •  <ii  See  ApP'iStxV  taxttiiv* aijarhiMt  J^xlufi, 

''•■•''  N  n  3  the 


5io    GALLIWG  AKD  EXCORIATION, 
the  infAtic  b»  eifler.    SottietimM  a  litde  ptppcrb 
miiit-wftter  will  anfwer  this  purpofe  rery  weU. 

GALLING  AND  £XCORIATION. 

TheTe  are  v*ry  troublefome  to  t:hildrtn.  They 
hippen  chiefly  about  the  gi-oiit  and  ^ri-inkln  of  the 
ileck,  under  the  arms,  behind  the  cuk,  and  is 
other  p&rts  that  are  moifteiied  bjr  tht  fiircit  or 
Urine. 

As  there  comphints  are^  in  a  great  me&fuHe,  ««• 
ing  to  want  oF  cleanlitiefs,  the  mod  effeftual  itieani 
•f  preventing  them  are,  to  wa(h  the  pittfc  fre* 
quently  with  cold  water,  to  change  thelirtefi  ofteiij 
And,  in  a  word,  to  keep  the  child  in  all  rtlpefts 
thoroughly  clean.  Wheh  this  is  not  fufficitfnt,  the 
excoriated  parts  may  be  fprirtklcd  with  abferbCnt 
6r  drying  powders;  as  burAt  hartfhornj  tutty, 
chalk,  crabs  claws  prepared,  and  the  like.  WhCfl 
the  parts  affcftcd  are  very  fore,  and  tend  to  a  real 
ulceration,  it  will  be  proper  to  add  a  little  ft»gar  »f 
lead  to  the  powders ;  or  to  anoint  the  place  witfi 
the  camphorated  ointment.  If  the  p»-t»  be  Wafiied 
with  fpring-water,  in  «hich  a  little  white  vitt-iol 
has  been  diffolved,  it  will  dry  and  heat  them  very 
powerfully.  Oneofthebeft  applications  f«-  this 
^urpofe,  is  to  diflfolve  fome  fuller's  earth  In  a  fuffi<- 
cient  quantity  of  hot  Water  j  and  fkftel-  it  hn  StMi 
kill  it  is  cold,  to  rub  it  gently  upctt  the  galled  putl 
Once  or  twice  4  day. 

STOPPAGE   OF   THE'NOSK. 

.  ThenQftrils  bfinfahts  areoAen  {^^d'^pimh 

a  groft  .  mmuit  which   prcvcnia  «bcir  hwukiQg 

■■  fitely, 


STOPPAGE  OF  THE  NOSE.  551 
freely,  and  Hkewife  renders  it  difficult  for  them  to 
fuck  or  fwallow. 

Some  in  this  cafe  order,  after  a  fuitable  purge, 
two  or  three  grains  of  white  vitriol  diffolvcd  in  half 
an  ounce  of  marjoram-water,  and  filtered,  to  be  ap- 
plied now  and  then  to  the  noftrils  with  a  linen  rag. 
Wcdclius  fays.  If  two  grains  of  whitt  vitriol,  and 
the  fame  quantity  of  f/a/m«m,  be  diflblved  in  half 
an  ounce  of  marjoram-water,  and  applied  to  the 
nofe,  as  above  dtreded,  that  it  brings  away  the  tnu- 
cus  without  fncczing. 

In  obftinate  cafes  thefe  things  may  be  tried ;  but 
1  have  never  found  any  thing  necetfary,  befides  rub- 
bing the  nofe  at  bed-time  with  a  little  fwect  oil,  or 
fre£  butter.  This  refolves  the  filth,  and  renders 
the  breathing  more  free  *. 

OF    VOMITING. 

From  the  delicate  ftate  of  children,  and  the  great 
fenfibitity  of  their  organs,  a  vomiting  or  loofenefs 
may  be  induced  by  any  thing  that  irritates  the 
nerves  of  the  ftomach  or  inteftinei.  Hence  thcfe 
diforders  are  much  more  common  in  childhood 
than  in  the  more  advanced  periods  of  life.  They 
are  fcldom  however  dangerous,  and  ought  never 
to  be  confidered  as  difeales,  unlefs  when  they  are 
violent,  or  continue  fo  long  as  to  exhauft  the 
ftrength  of  the  patient. 

Vomiting  may  be  excited  by  an  over-quantity  of 
food ;  by  food  that  is  of  fuch  a  nature  as  to  irritate 
the  nerves  of  the  ftomach  too  much  j  or  by  the  fen- 
fibility  of  the  nerves  being  fo  much  jncreafed  as  to 

*  Some  nurfet  rcinove  thii  complaint  by  fiKking  the  child *■ 
nofe.  This  ii  by  do  mnm  i  cleanly  operation ;  hut  when 
Burles  have  the  refolutioo  to  do  it,  I  am  w  from  difcouragiDS' 
the  praftice. 

N  n  4  render 


552  OF    A    looseness; 

irender  them  unable  to  bear  the  ftimulus  ofcven  t)l9 
tnildeil  element.  -  -     -      - 

■  When  vomiting  is  occafioned  by  tocrmuch^oodi 
it  ought  to  be  promoted,  as  the  cure  will  depend 
upon  cleanfing  the  ftomach.  Xhis  tiisiy  be  =<fcnc 
either  by  a  few  grains  of  ipecacuanha^  or  a:i;i^2ik 
folution  of  emetic  tartar,  as  mentioned'  t>efitrr; 
When  it  is  owing  to  food  of  an  acrid  or  irritating 
quality,  the  diet  ought  to  be  changed,  and  atimetc 
of  a  milder  nature  fubftitutcd  in  its  Itead.  .  »  -r 
When  vomiting  proceeds  from  an  increaf^d  de- 
gree of  fenfibility,  or  too  great  an  irritability  of 
the  nerves  of  the  llomach,  luch  medicin«ts  as  have 
a  tendency  to  brace  and  ttrengthen  that  organ,  and 
to  abate  its  fenfibility,  muft  be  ufed.  The  firfk:of 
chefe  intentions  may  be  anfwcrcd  by  a  flight  infu- 
fion  of  the  Peruvian  bark,  with  the  addition  of  a 
little  rhubarb  and  orange-peel  j  and  the  fecond  by 
the  faline  draughts,  to  which  a  few  drops  of  liquid 
laudanum  may  be  occafionally  added. 

'  In  obllinate  vomitings  the  operation  of  internal 
medicines  may  be  aflilted  by  aromatic  fonienu^ 
tions  made  with  wine,  applied  warm  to  the  pit  of 
the  ftomach;  or  the  ufe  of  the  ftomach-plaftcr, 
^ith  the  addition  of  a  litde  ^beriaca. 


OF    A    LOOSENESS* 

A  loofenefs  may  generally   be  reckoned  falutary 

when  the  ftools  are  four,  flimy,  green,  or  curdled. 
'It  h  not  the  difcharge,  but  the  production' -of  fuch 

ftools,  which  ought  to  be  remedied.  Evenf  where 
'the  purging  is  thin  and  watery,  it  ought-  not  to  be 
•'thecked  too  fuddenly,  as  it  often  proves  critical, 

efpecially  when  the  child  has  caught  cold ^' Oi^ an 
^i-i^Kuptibn  oh  the  (kin  has  difappeared.  '  Sonf^eti^Ms 

an  evacuation  of  this  kind  fuiiteedsa^'hunnd  ftatc 
^--  of 


OP.  .'Al  L<>06.E NE S{S.;  jj| 
1>C)U)f/»tmorph«r;e>-  in;_wjjkh  caf.;  it  m^,^J|^,pri)|*i^ 
of  advantage,  by-carrying  off  a  quantity.^^'^WfX 
humou6Sj'rwhichciw«ridr9ihcrwil'c  tend  to  ridi»»^hc 

babir>;,  H.^  -.■:.,  ■    ■..;;  .,         -  ^  i,  .;,-.    j, 

.  -  iU  the  principal  Intcatipn  of  the  cure  of  a  \qq^ 
neb' is..co  evacuate  the  offending  rnattcr,  it  i&  qiii^ 
ttMBary  t<>  give  the  patient  a  gentle  vomit  pf  ipqf 
cacuan^Ei,  an^  aftecWttd;  to  exhibit  Jmajl  and  frj^ 
quenC  doles  of  rhubarb  i  interpofmg  abforbcnt  iDCr 
di{:ines>  to  mitigate  the  acrinnony  of  the  htlRiQUfg. 
-The  heil  pyrgej  however,  in  this,c3f^,i8,««^(r?*f# 
W^.;  Ic,  is  at  the,  fatne  time  abforbent  atlfi  l^^lf- 
■live,  and  operMes,>vwhoyc,fix?jtinggripes., .  ,  jrj, 
.  The.  anrimoni4  ,wine>;  which.  4fts  b<j.ihi.3&;%p 
icmeiic  and  purgc^  isW^.anflWelient  medifiitie,^ii 
this  cafe:  By  being  diJ.yted  with  water,  .il.tn^jf.Jt^ 
J  proportioned  w  the  wesikfftiCftnftiiueioB  i-.  ai?d,,nctt 
^eing.  difagreealjle  JCo.,the.  p^Latc,  it  may  .beijifft- 
pe^Dcd  as  oftea  #5f  eepiii'on;  rcquirep,:  :J^»iep  wve 
dofe  >vill  frequently  Riitigate  the  difeafe,,  4ad^;p»^ 
,the  way  for  the  ufe  pf  abforbencs.  M,  hdwejver, 
the  patient's  ftrength  will  permit^  ^hc  niei^icinp 
ought  to  be  repeated  every  fi)t  or  eight  ,jipurt,  .j^ijl 
theHools  begin  to  affume  a  more  natgral  a$>pei^;- 
ancej  afterwards  a  longer  fpace  pip^  be.aU,ow«d.(o 
intervene  between  the  dofes.  When  it  is  necefiary 
to  repeat  the  medicine  frequently,  the  dofe  ought 
always  to  be  a.l)ttle  incre^cd*  M  itsxfiicacy  is  ge* 
nerally  diminifhed  by  ufe. 

'  ,  Sprp^i  upon  the  Brjft  appicar^iice  of  ,a  Joji^ffnefs, 
fly  immediately  to  the  ufe  of  abforbei>t.iiTfd|iF'%'^' 
and  aljtringients..  If  thefc  be  adtniniftcr^flr;  tj^ fp^e 
.the  offending  ^urnours  arc  dif4;hargedj  fttougt^^^e 
.difeafe  may>..appear,tQ  be  mitigated/or ^Jiffi^ii)^, 
it  foon  aftervitrds  .breaksforch  with  gre»tenyi?'^S^> 
pnd  often  pi;ov«,f*tal.  After  propc.r,,ev.^uat4on8, 
jiow^vcr,  thcfe  aie4ic.ines  mayibeadinifliflorcd  wijji 
,;9tfnri4tr4blcat};ft4nWge..  .  ■         :   <(.■■  n-^  n..:::'A  ,i,.. 

Should 


554  OF    ERUPTIONS. 

Should  any  gripings  or  rcftleflncfs  remtio  afcer 
the  ftomach  and  bowels  have  been  cleanfed^  a  tea* 
fpoonful  of  the  /ynip  of  poppies  may  be  giTcn  in 
a  little  fimple  cinnamon- water,  three  or  four  cimei 
arday  till  thefe  fynlpcoais  have  ceafed* 

OF    ERUPTIONS. 

Children,  while  on  the  breaft,  are  feldom  free 
from  eruptions  of  6ne  kind  or  other.  Thefe,  how* 
ever,  are  not  often  dangerous,  and  ought  never  to 
be  dried  up  but  with  the  greateft  caution.  Thtj 
Itnd  to  free  the  bodies  of  infants  from  hurtful  hu« 
mourSj  which>  if  retained^  might  produce  fiital 
diforders. 

The  eruptions  of  children  are  fhiefly  owing  to 
improper  food  and  negledt  of  cleanlinefs.  If  a 
child  be  duffed  at  all  hours  with  food  that  its  fto- 
IDach  is  not  able  to  digeft,  fuch  food,  not  being 
properly  affimilated,  inftead  of  nourifhing  the  body, 
fills  it  with  grofs  humours.  Thefe  muft  either 
break  out  in  form  of  eruptions  upon  the  (kin,  or 
remain  in  the  body,  and  occafiori  A^vers  and  other 
Miternal  diforders.  That  negleA  of  cleanlinefs  is  a 
v^  geheral  caufe  of  eruptive  diforders,  muft  be 
obvious  to  every  one.  The  children  of  the  poor, 
and  of  all  who  defpife  cleanlinefs,  are  almoft  con- 
fiantly  found  to  fwarm  with  vermin,  ami  are 
generally  covered  with  the  fcab^  itch,  and  other 
eruptions. 

When  eruptions  are  the  effeft  of  improper  food, 
or  want  of  cleanlinefs,  a  proper  attention  to  thefe 
alone  will  generally  be  fufficient  to  renrave  them. 
If  this  (hould  not  be  the  cafe,  fome  drying  medi- 
cines will  be  neceflary.  When  they  are  applied^ 
the  body  ought  at  the  fame  time  to  be  kept  open, 
and  cold  is  carefully  to  be  avoide^t    We  kpow  no 

medicine 


OF    iERlJPTlONl  S5i 

medicine  thftc  i&  rtiore  fsfc  fot  dryiltg  dp  ciltahtous 
eruptions  than  rulphur>  provided  it  be  prudenUy 
vfed.  A  little  of  the  flour  of  fulphui-  taAy  be  mttA 
«ith  frelh  butter,  oili  or  hog's  lird,  and  thfcpita 
ifPtfled  frequently  touched  with  it. 

The  moft  obftinate  of  all  tht  eruptions  ihcidcht 
to  children  are,  the  tinea  capitis,  or  fcabbcd  hecLd> 
and  chilblains.  The  fcabbed  head  is  often  exceed* 
ing  difHcult  to  cure,  and  fometimes  indeed  the 
Cure  proves  *orfe  than  the  difeafc.  I  have  fre- 
quently known  children  feited  with  internal  difofb 
ders,  of  which  they  died  fobn  after  their  ftabbed 
head&  had  been  healed  by  the  application  of  drying 
medicines*.  The  cure  ought  always  firft  to  beat'* 
tempted  by  keeping  the  head  viry  clean,  cutting 
off  the  hair,  combing  and  bruftiing  away  the  fcabi^ 
&c.  If  this  is  not  fufficient,  let  the  hfead  bt 
Ihaved  once  3-week,  waftied  daily  with  foap  fuda» 
and  gently  anointed  with  a  liniment  made  of  trdlh 
oil  eight  ounces,  red  precipitate^  in  fine  powder, 
one  drachm.  And  if  there  be  proud  flcfh,  it  (houlA 
be  touched  with  a  bit  of  blue  vitriol,  fprinkle4 
With  a  littlfc  burnt  ftllum.     While  thefe  thingfe  drfc 

*  f  Tdthe  ti^fe  ago  fa*  ft  vtrj  striking  inftihct  bf  th6  daneer  Of 
fublUtutiog  drying  ntedicinti  in  the  place  of  dbalioci*  *ai 
ttholefome  food,  in  tbe  Foundling  Hofpiut  at  Aclcnrortli,  wberf 
the  children  were  grievouQy  afiliaed  with  fcabbed  heads  dbl 
oAir  cutaDeou)  difonjdi.  Upoti  ioquhy  it  wxi  fband,  tKK 
'tery  Kitle  atreotioa  wia  |>i{d  eifhertd  the  propHmy  Or  fbundncA 
of  thtir  prorifiooE,  ind  that  deanllnefs  wa*  cotBlly  neglaficdf^ 
aceordingly  it  was  advifed  that  they  lliould  have  more  vhol^foins 
food,  and  be  kept  thoronghly  clean.  This  advice,  boftr<M^ 
wai  not  Foirowed.  It  waj  tob  troublefome  to  the  fthrtoUl  Oa- 
perintendafcte,  ke.  The  bBGDcfi  Mi  lo  be  done  by  medkiMq 
which  was .  acGotdingly  attempted,  but  had  nearly  proved  fatlU 
to  the  whole  houfe.  Feveri  and  other  internal  diforderi  imiii*- 
diai'ely  appeared,  and  at  length  a  putrid  dyfentery,  which  proved 
fo  infeAious,  that  it  carried  oif  a  great  many  of  the  children, 
and  fpread  orer  a  confiderablc  part  of'  ilie  neighbouritig 
couatfyt 

doin^ 


Si6  OF    ERUPTIONS. 

doing,  the  patient  mud  be  confined  to  a  regular 

light  diet,  the  body  (hould  be  kept  gently  open  ^ 

and  cold,  as  far  as  ppffibk,  ought  to  be  avoided. 

To  prevent  any  bad  confcqucnccs  from  (lopping  this 

.'difcharge,  it  will  be  proper,  cfpeciaUy  ift  children 

of  a  grofs  habir^  to  make  an  iflue  in  the  ncok^pr 

iinn>  which  may  be  kept  open  till  the  patient  be- 

cbm^i  more  (lrong^  and  th^  conftitufion  be  fomp- 

>'ivhat  mended,  ..j  , 

t)  i :  Chilblaios  commonly  -  attack   children  Ja  cold 

vweather.  They  are  generally  occafiooed  by  theifciet 

,\iftr  bands  being  kept  long  wet  or  cold,- and  alter- 

liwards  fuddeiily  heated.     When  children  are  cold, 

inftead  of  taking  exercife  to  warm  themf^lyea gra- 

'.•duallyi  they  run  to  ihe^fire.  This  occaGipnis^iailud- 

jden  rarefaftioD  of  the  humours,  and  ^n  infari^ion 

;'of  the  vcffelsi  which   being  often   repented^  t^e 

yeflels  are  at  lalt  ovqr-diftended,  and   forced. to 

?;give  way. 

;    To  prevent  it,  violent  cold  and  fudden  heatimuft 

/4»t>  equally  avoided.     Wben  the  parts  begin  taiook 

v|-ed  and  fwell,  the  patient  ought  to  be  purgcd,«and 

..  to   have  the  affeded  parts  frequently  rubbed  ^ith 

muftard  and  brandy,  or  fomething  of  a  warming.na- 

Liure.     They  ought  likewifc  to  be  covered  with  flan- 

.fiel,  and  kept  warm  and  dry.     Some  applf.^^^nm 

bathes,  bet  ween  cloths  to  the  fwelled  p^rps,  ^  ^wjUch 

1  frequently  help  to  reduce  them^     Wh^n,fi^i«rc  i^  a 

j^brei  it  oiuft  be  drcfied  with  Turner -s  j^fifaffl,  fhc 

ointment  of  tutty,   the  plafter  of >  cerua^,qr4ocne 

•other  drying  ointment.     Thefe  fores  aren indeed 

uttroublefome,  but  feldom  dangerous^,  Trhey-,ge* 

rti^raUy  heal  as  foon  as  the  warm  weather  fccf^jtOf. 


'  ■.  I ' 


I  ■ 


:);'] 


-N  7  *■  .  ■ 


•  Id 


«  *  -  - 


yjt-i 


.  w 


.   •  '    '      C    557    }■        ^■' 

':.•■■■.  J       .-..   « ^  '     ;  ■  .        ..       I       ,  ,  f  f . .  » 

■Li.  .       ^     .  .  •         \ 

•  . '.     •  ■         N  .J  ,        .  •.  I  ;•     •  .  '.  •  • :   . 

OF    THE    CRO  UP. 

Cbvldrtrt  arc  often  feizcd  very  fuddenly  with  this 
difcaffj-Mrhioh,  if  not  quickly  relieved,  proves  mdr- 
ral.i  It  is  known  by  various  namel  in  di&renc 
parr^  of  Britain.  On  the  eaft  coaft  of 'Scotland  it 
is  called  the  croup.  On  the  weft  they  call  it  the 
check  or  fluffing.  In  fortic  parts  of  England,  -where 
•r  have  cWerved  it,  the  good  womeh  call  ht  ibe 
riftvg  of  the  lights.  It  fcems  co  be  a  fpecics  of  4tfibma^ 
attended  wiih  very  acute  and  violent  catarrhal 
-fynnpconns;  *    » 

This  dtfeafe  generaHy  prevails  in  cold  and  n^et 
feafons.  It  ii  molleommon  upon  the  fea-coaft, 
and  in  low  marfhy  o^untrieis.  Children  of  a  gfofs 
and  lax  habit  are  moft  liable  to  it.  I  have  fonie- 
times  known  it  hereditary.  It  generally  attaeks 
children  in  the  nighty  -  after  having  been  much  ex- 
pofcd  to  damp  cold  eafterly  winds  through  the  day. 
Damp  hdufes,  wet  feet,  thin  (hoes,  wet  clothes^Dr 
any  thing  that  obftrufts  the  perfpiration^  nnay  oc- 
cafion  the  croup. 

It  IS  attended  with  a  frequent  pulfe,  quick  and 
laborious  breathing,  which  is  performed  with  a  pc- 
coltar  kind  of  croaking  noife,  that  may  be  heard 
at  a  c6rtfiderablc  dillance.  The  voice  is  iharpund 
ihrill,  and  the  faqe  is  generally  much  flulhed,  though 
fometimes  it  is  of  a  livid  colour. 
*^  When  a  child  is  feized  with  the  above  fymp- 
toms,  his  feet  fhould  immediately  be  put  Ifttd  wann 
water.  He  ought  likewife  to  be  bled*,  and^to 
have  a  laxative  clyfter  adminiftered  as  foon  as  pof- 
fible.     He  (hould   be   made  to  breathe  over  the 

"  In  this  difcafe  bleeding  is  rot  always  proper;  but  ia  fcry 

fail  hiibits  it  mult  ceruinly  be  of  ul'e. 

(teams 


cc8  OF    THE    CHOUP. 

fleams  of  warm  water  and  vinegar;  or  an  emol- 
lient decoftion,  and  emollient  caraplafms  or  fo- 
mentation^ may  ht  applied  round  his  neck.  If  the 
fymptoms  do  not  abate,  a  bliftering  plafter  mud  be 
applif d  round  the  i^eckj  qr  between  the  (houlder^; 
and  the  child  may  take  frequently  a  table-fpoonful 
of  the  following  julep:  Take  penny-royal  water 
three  ounces,  fyrup  of  althea  and  balfamic  fyrupj 
each  one  ounce,  mix  them  together. 

Afafoetida  is  found  to  have  a  good  effe6t  in  this 
cafe.  It  may  be  both  given  in  form  of  clyfter, 
and  taken  by  the  mouth.  Two  drachms  of  afa- 
foetida may  be  diflfolved  in  one  ounce  of  Minde- 
rerus's  fpirit,  and  three  ounces  of  penny-royal  wa- 
ter. A  table- fpoonful  of  this  mixture  may  be 
given  every  hour,  or  ofcner,  if  the  patient's  fto- 
mach  be  able  to  bear  it.  If  the  child  cannot  be 
brought  to  take  this  medicine,  two  drachms  of  the 
afafoetida  may  be  difiblved  in  a  common  clyfter, 
and  adminiftered  every  fix  or  eight  hours,  till  the 
violence  of  the  difeafe  abates  *. 

To  prevent  a  return  of  the  diforder,  all  thofe 
things  which  occafion  it  muft  be  carefully  avoided; 

*  I  was  lately  favoured  with  a  letter  from  Dr.  William  Torn- 
boll  in  London,  a  phyfician  of  great  experience,  and  who>  from 
kit  former  fituation  on  the  north-eaft  coaft  of  England,  had  many 
opportunities  of  obferving  the  fymptoms  and  progrefs  of  this 
dangerous  difeafe.  I  am  lorry  the  letter  came  too  late  to  be  in- 
(erced  at  length;  but  as  the  Dodor's  fentiments  difier  very  little 
from  my  own,  this  misfortune  is  the  lefs  to  be  regretted.  The 
Do^or  indeed  obferves,  that  he  never  found  bliftering  of  any 
fervife^  bat  recommends  cataplafms  of  garlic,  camphor*  and 
Venice  treacle,  to  be  applied  both  to  the  throat  and  foles  of  tho 
feet.  Helikewife  recommends  bolufes  of  camphor,  caftor,  va* 
lerian  root,  fajt  of  hartfhorn,  and  mufk,  adapted  to  the  age, 
ftrength,  &c.  of  the  patient:  after  which  he  advifcs  two  fpoon* 
fuls  of  the  following  deco^on  :— Take  of  garlic  a«d  djftilloi 
vinegar  each  an  ounce,  hyfop-water  eight  ounces;  beat  up  thd^ 
ingredients  together,  graidually  mixing  the  water,  and  adding 
three  ounces  of  honey.  Let  the  whole  be  fimmered  over  a  geatlf 
fire,  and  afterwards  (traiaed  for  nfe. 

as 


OF    TEETHING.  jjg 

u  wet  feet,  cold,  damp,  eafterly  winds,  &c.  CbiU 
dren  who  have  had  frequent  returns  of  this  difcafc, 
or  whofe  conftttutions  fcem  to  dMpofc  them  to  it, 
ought  to  have  their  diet  properly  regulated ;  alt 
food  that  is  vifcid  or  hard  of  digeftioiii  and  all 
crude,  raw,  tralhy  fruits,  are  to  be  avoided.  Thejr 
ought  likewife  to  have  a  drain  conftantly  kept  open 
in  fome  part  of  their  body,  by  means  of  a  feton  or 
i0ue.  I  have  fometimes  known  a  Bureundy-pitch 
plafter,  worn  continually  between  the  moulders  for 
reveral  years,  have  a  very  happy  c9eA  in  prevent- 
iiig  the  return  of  this  dreadful  diforder. 


OF    TEETHING, 

Dr.  Arbuthnot  obferycs,  that  above  a  tenth  pare 
of  infants  die  in  teething,  by  fymptoms  proceed- 
ing from  the  irritation  of  the  tender  nervous  parts  of 
the  jaws,  occafioning  inflammations,  fevers,  con- 
vulflons,  gangrenes,  &c.  Thefe  fymptoms  are  in 
a  great  meafure  owing  to  the  grcat*delicacy  and 
exquifite  fenfibilicy  of  the  fiervous  fyflem  at  this 
time  of  life,  which  is  too  often  increafcd  by  an  ef- 
feminate education.  Hence  it  comes  to  pala,  that 
children  who  are  delicately  brought  up,  always 
fuffer  molt  in  teething,  and  often  fall  by  convul- 
fivediforders. 

About  the  fixth  or  fevcnth  month  the  teeth  ge- 
nerally begin  to  make  their  appearance:  Arft,  the 
inci/oreSf  or  fore-teeth;  next,  the  eanini,  or  dog- 
teeth} and,  laftly,  the  molarts,  or  grinders.  About 
the  feventh  year,  there  comes  a  new  fet;  ^nd  about 
the  twentieth,  the  two  inner  grinders,  called  deK/es 
/apientU,  the  teeth  of  wifdom. 

Children,  about  the  time  of  cutting  their  teeth, 
flaver  much,  and  have  generally  a  loolenefs.  When 
the  teething  is  difficult,  cfpccially  when  the  dog- 
teeth 
29 


5^0  OF    TEETHIN^G. 

teeth  begin  to  make  their  way  through  the  gum^ 
the  child  has  ilartings  in  his  fleep,  tumours  of  the 
gums,  watchings,  gripes,  green  ftools,  the  thruibi 
lever,  difficult  breathing,  and  convulfions. 

Difficult  teething  requires  nearly  the  fame  treat- 
ment as  an  inflammatory  difeafe.  If  the  body  be 
bound,  it  muft  be  opened  cither  by  emollient  clyf- 
ters  or  gcndc  purgativts;  as  manna,  magnefia  alhM^ 
rhubarb,  fcnna,  or  the  like.  The  food  (hould  be 
light,  and  in  fmall  quantity;  the  drink  plentifulj 
but  weak  and  diluting,  as  infufions  of  balm^  or 
of  the  lime-tree  flowers  ;  to  which  about  a  third  or 
fourth  pare  of  milk  may  be  added. 

If  the  fever  be  high,  bleeding  will  be  neceflaryi 
but  this  in  very  young  (Children  ought  always  to  be 
fparingly  performed.  It  is  an  evacuation  >vhich 
they  bear  the  worft  of  any.  Purging,  vomiting, 
or  Iweating,  agree  much  better  with  them,  artd  art 
generally  more  beneficial.  Harris,  however,  ob- 
ferves,  that,  when  an  inflammation  appears,  the 
phyfician  will  labour  in  vain,  if  the  cure  be  not  be* 
gun  with  applying  a  leech  under  each  ear.  If  the 
child  be  feized  with  convulfion-fits,  a  bliftering- 
plalter  may  be  applied  between  the  fhoulders,  or 
one  behind  each  ear. 

Sydenham  fays,  that  in  fevers  occafioncd  by 
teething,  he  never  found  any  remedy  fo  cflTcdlual 
as  two,  three,  or  four  drops  of  fpirits  of  hartfhorn 
in  a  fpoonf  ul  of  fimple  water,  or  other  convenient 
vehicle,  given  every  four  hours.  The  number  of 
dofes  may  be  four,  live,  or  fix.  I  have  often  prc- 
fcribcd  this  medicine  with  fjccefs,  but  always  found 
a  larger  dofe  necciTary.  It  may  be  given  from  five 
drops  to  fifteen  or  twenty,  according  to  the  age 
of  the  child,  and,  when  collivenefs  doeg  not  for- 
bid it,  three  or  four  drops  of  laudanum  may  be 
added  to  each  dofct 

In 


OFT  E  E  THING.  561 

In  Scotland,  it  is  very  common,  when  children 
arc  cutting  their  tecih,  to  put  a  fmall  Burguncly- 
pitch  plafter  between  their  iljouklers.  This  general!/ 
cafes  the  tickling  cough  which  attends  teething,  and 
is  by  QO  means  an  ui'clers  application.  When  the 
teeth  are  cut,  with  difficulty,  it  ought  to  be  kept 
on  during  the.whole  time  pf  teething.  It  may  be 
enlarged  as  oce^on  requires,  and  ought  .to  be  re- 
newed, ac  lea(t  qpce  a  fortnight. 

Several  thi^gsiiave  been  recommended  for  rut}- 
bing  the  g4n]s,.jis  .oils,  mucilages,  &c.;  butfroqi' 
thefc  much  is  not  to  be  expeftcd.  If  anything  of 
this  kind  is  to  be  ufcd,  we  would  recommend  a 
little  fine  hp^noy,  which  may  be  rubbed  on  withtbe 
finger  thiec  or  ^^ui  .times  a-day.  Children  are  ge- 
nerally at  this  ^iii^e^aifpofcd  to  chew  whatever  .they 
get  into  their  h^nds.  For  this  rcafon  they  ouglit 
never  to  be  without  fomcwhat  that  will  yield  a  little 
to  the  prelliiie  of  tbek  gums,  as  a  cruft  of  brcadi 
a  wax-candle,  a  .bit  of  liquoricc-root,  or  fu<^h 
like.  ,  .'  '  '.      ' 

\y.ith  regard  to  cutting  the  gums,  we  have  fel- 
dom  kfiown  it  of  any,great  ben«;fit.  In  obltinate' 
cafes,  hQwever,  it  ought  to  be  tried.  It  may  be 
performed  hy  the  finger-nail,  the  edge  of  a  fix- 
penny  piece  that  is  worn  ,lhip,  or  any  {harp  body 
which  c;^  be  with  fafety  introduced  into  the  mouth  j 
b.ut  chp  lancet,  in  a  ikilful  hand,  is  certainly  the 
qiott,  proper. 

In  order  to  render  the  teething  lefsdilficulr,  pji- 
reius  .ought  to  take  care  that  their  children's  food 
be  light  and  wholefome,  and  that  their  nerves  be 
braced  by  fufficient  exercife  without  doorsj  the  ufe 
0.F  the  cold  bath,  &c.  Were  thefe  things  duly  r,c- 
gardcd,  they  would  have  a  much  better  cfFcfitthan 
t£etbing  necklates,  or  other  nonfenfical  amulets  worn  ' 
/or  that  purpofe. 

O  o 


t  5S2  1 


OF    THE    RICKETS. 

This  difcafe  generally  attacks  children  betwee^H 
the  age  of  nine  months  and  two  years.  It  appeared 
firft  in  England  about  the  time  when  manufaftures 
began  to  Bouriih,  and  dill  prevails  moll  in  towns 
where  the  inhabitants  follow  fedentary  ennploy* 
ments,  by  which  means  they  negleft  cither  to  take 
proper  exercife  themfclves,  or  to  give  it  to  their 
children. 

CAUSES. — »— One  caufe  of  the  rickets  is  dif- 
eafed  parents.  Mothers  of  a  weak  relaxed  habit, 
who  ncgleft  exercife,  and  live  upon  weak  watery 
diet^  can  neither  be  expefted  to  bring  forth  ftrong 
and  healthy  children.  Or  to  be  able  to  nurfe  them, 
after  they  are  brought  forth.  Accordingly  we  find, 
that  the  children  of  fudi  women  generally  die  of 
the  rickets,  the  fcrophula,  confumptions^  or  fuch 
like  difeafes.  Children  begotten  by  men  in  the 
decline  of  life,  who  are  fub^edi:  to  the  gout^  the 
gravel,  or  other  chronic  difeafes,  or  who  have  been 
often  affefted  with  the  venereal  difcafe  in  their 
youth,  are  likewife  very  liable  to  the  rickefts. 

Any  diforder  that  weakens  the  conftitmioo,  or 
relaxes  the  habit  of  children,  as  the  fimall-pox, 
meafles,  teething,  the  hooping-cough,  &c.  dif- 
pofes  them  to  this  difcafe.  It  may  likewife  be  0^- 
cafioned  by  improper  diet,  as  food  that  is  eitber 
too  weak  and  watery,  or  {o  vifcid  that  che  fto- 
mach  cannot  digeft  it.  ' 

Bad  nurfing  is  the  chief  caufe  of  this  difeaft. 

When  the  nurfe  is  eitber  difeafed,'or  hasnotenougb 

of  milk  to  nouriih  the  child,  it  cannot  thrive.   But 

children  fuflfer  oftner  by  Want  of  care  ih  norfes  diao 

'  want  of  food.    Allowing  an  infant  to  lie  or  fit  too 

much, 


OF    THE    RICKETS.  s^S 

much,  or  not  keeping  it  thoroughly  clean  in  its 
clothes,  has  the  moft  pernicious  cffefts. 

The  want 'of  free  .air  is  likcwife  very  hurtful  to 
children  in  this  refpcih  When  a  nurfe  lives  in  a 
clofe  fmall  houfe,  where  the  air  is  damp  and  con- 
fined, and  is  too  indolent  to  carry  her  child  abroad 
into  the  open  air,  it  will  hardly  efcape  this  difeafe. 
A  healthy  child  0iould  always  be  in  motion,  un- 
lefs  when  aOeept  if  it  be  fufFered  to  lie,  or  fit, 
initead  of  being  to0cd  and  dandled  about,  it  will 
not  thrive. 

SYMPTOMS. At  the  beginning  of  this  dif- 
eafe the  child's  flefh  grows  foft  and  Babby  -,  its 
ftrength  is' diminifhcd  )  it  lofes  its  wonted  cheer-^ 
fulnels,  Looks-  Qu>re  grJive  and  compofed  than  is 
natural  for  its  age,  and  does  nocchufe  to  be  moved. 
The  head  and  belly  become  too  large  in  propor- 
tion to  the  other  parts  j  the  face  appears  full,  and 
the  complexion  florid.  Afterwards  the  bones  be- 
gin to  be  afTcded,  efpecially  in  the  more  foft  and 
fpungy  parts.  Hence  the  wri(ts  and  ancles  become 
thicker  than  ufual  j  the  fpine  or  back  bone  puts  on 
en  unnatural  fbapci  the  breaft  is  Ukewife  often  de- 
farmed  i  and  the  bones  of  the  arms  and  legs  grow 
crooked. '  AH  thcfe  fympcoms  vary  according  to 
the  violence  of  the  difeafe.  The  pulfe  is  generally 
quick)  but  feeble  i  the  appetite  and  digeftion  for 
iifte  mofi  part  bad-,  the  teeth  fromeOowly  and  with 
diBiculiy,  and  they  often  rot  and  fall  out  after- 
wards. Ricketty  children  generally  have  great 
adutenefs  of  mind,  and  an  underftan'ding  above 
their  years.  Whether  this  is  owing  to  their  being 
more  in  the  comparty  of  adults  than  other  children, 
Br  to  the  preternatural  enlargement  of  the  brain,,  is 
oOt  material.  < 

.  REGIMEN.— —A«  this  difeafe   is  always    at- 
tended wttfi  evident  figns  of  weaknefs  and  relaxa- 
tionj  our  chief  aim  in  the  cure  mutt  be  to  brace 
O  o  a  and 


564       6f  the  rickets. 

and  ftrengthen  the  fotids,  and  to  promoce  digcf* 
tion  ftnd  the  due  preparation  of  the  fluids.  Thefe 
important  ends  will  be  beft  anfwcrcd  by  whotefome 
nourifhing  diet^  fuited  to  the  age  and  ftrengihof 
the  patient,  open  dry  air,  and  fufficienc  cxcrcife. 
If  the  child  has  a  bad  nurfe,  who  cither  neglcds 
her  duty,  or  does  not  underftand  it,  Ihe  Ibould  be 
changed.  If  the  feafon  be  cold,  the  child  ought 
to  be  kept  warm ;  and  when  the  weather  is  hot, 
it  ought  to  be  kept  cool  i  as  fweating  is  apt  to 
weaken  it ;  and  too  great  a  degree  of  cold  has  tbe 
fame  elFe^.  The  limbs  Ihould  be  rubbed  fre- 
quently with  a  warm  hand,  and  the  child  kept  as 
cheerful  .as  poflible. 

The  diet  ought  to  be  dry  and  nourifhing,  ai 
good  bread,  roadcd  flcfh,  Sic.  Bifcuic  is  gene- 
rally reckoned  the  beft  bread ;  and  pigeons,  pul- 
lets, veal,  rabbits,  or  mutton  roafted  or  minced, 
are  the  mod  proper  flclh.  If  the  child  be  tod 
•young  for  flcfti-meats,  he  may  have  rice,  millet, 
.or  pearl-barley  boiled  with  raifms,  to  which  may 
be  added  a  little  wine  and  fpice.  His  drink  maf 
be  good  clarer,  mixed  with  an  equal  quantity  of 
water.  Thofe  who  cannot  afford  claret,  may  gi»e 
the  child  now  and  then  a  wine>glafs  of  mild  ale, 
or  good  porter. 

MEDICINE.^— Medicines  are  here  of  little 
avail.  The  difeafe  may  often  be  cured  by  the 
nurfe,  but  feldom  by  the  phyfician.  In  children 
of  a  grol's  habit,  gentle  vomits  and  repeated  purges 
of  rhubarb  may  fometimes  be  of  ufe,  but  they  will 
feldom  carry  oS  Uie  difeafe  j  that  muft  depend 
chiefly  upun  fuch  things  as  brace  and  ftrengthen  the 
fyftem :  for  which  purpofe,  befides  the  regimen 
mentioned  above,  we  would  recommend  the  cold 
bath,  efpecially  in  the  warm  feafon.  It  muft  how* 
ever  be  ufcd  with  prudence,  as  fonne  rickctty  cbil* 
dren  cannot  bear  it.    The  beft  tim*  Gar  ufing  the 

cold 


OF    CONVUl^SIONS.  -      565 

cold  bach  is  in  the  morning,  and  the  child  ftiould 
be  well  rubbed  with  a  d^y  cloth  immediately  after  he 
comes  out  of  it.  If  the  child  fhould  be  weakened 
by  the  cold  bath,  it  muft  be  difcontinued. 

Sometimes  iffues  have  been  found  beneficial  in 
this  difeafe.  They  are  peculiarly  neceflary  for  chil- 
dren who  abound  with  grofs  humours.  An  infufion 
of  the  Peruvian  bark  in  wine  or  ale  would  be  of 
fervice,  were  it  poflible  to  bring  children  to  take 
it.  We  might  here  mention  many  other  medicines 
which  have  been  recommended  for  the  rickets;  but 
as  there  is  far  more  danger  in  trufting  to  thefe  than  - 
in  neglcfling  them  altogether,  we  chufc  rather  to 
pafs  them  over,  and  to  recommend  a  proper  regi* 
men  as  the  thing  chieByto  be  depended  on. 

OF     CONVULSIONS. 

Though  more  children  are  faid  to  dieof  convul- 
fions'than  of  any  other  difeafe,  yet  they  are  for  the 
moft  part  only  a  fymptom  of  fome  other  malady. 
Whatever  greatly  irrita[cs  or  Simulates  the  nerves, 
may  occ^fion  convulfions.  Hence  infants  whofe 
nerves  are  eafily  affected,  are  often  thrown  into 
convulfions  by  any  thing  that  irritates  the  alimen- 
tary canal i  likewife  by  teething;  ftraic  clothes j 
the  approach  of  the  fmall>pox,  meafles,  or  other 
eruptive  difeafcs. 

When  convulfions  proceed  from  an  irritation  of 
the  ftomach  or  bowels,  whatever  clears  them  of 
their  acrid  contents,  or  renders  thefe  mild  and  in- 
offenfive,  will  generally  perform  a  cure :  where- 
fore, if  the  child  be  coftive,  the  beft  way  will  be 
to  begin  with  a  dyfter,  and  afterwards  to  give  a 
gentle  vomit,  which  may  be  repeated  occafionally, 
gfid  the  body  in  the  mean  time  kept  open  by  gently 
O  o  3  dofcs 


566  OF    CONVULSIONS. 

dofes  ot magnefta  alba^  or  fmall  quantities  of  rhu- 
barb mixed  with  the  powder  of  crabs  claws. 

Convulfions  which  precede  the  fcruption  of  the 
fiTlall-pox  or  mcades  generally  go  off  upon  thcfc 
making  their  appearance.  The  principal  danger 
in  this  cafe  arifcs  from  the  fears  and  apprehenfions 
of  thofe  who  have  the  care  of  the  patient.  Con- 
vulfions are  very  alarming,  and  fomething  muftbc 
done  to  appeafc  the  affrighted  parents,  nurfes,  &c. 
Hence  the  unhappy  infant  often  undergoes  bleed- 
ing, bliftcring,  and  feveral  other  operations,  to  the 
great  danger  of  its  life,  when  a  little  time,  bathing 
the  feet  in  warm  water,  and  throwing  in  a  mild 
clyfter,  would  have  fet  all  to  rights. 

When  convulfion-fits  arife  from  the  cutting  of 
teeth,  befides  gentle  evacuations,  we  would  recom- 
mend bliftering,  and  the  ufe  of  antifpafmodic  me- 
dicines, as  the  tinfture  of  foot,  afafcetida,  or  caftor. 
A  few  drops  of  any  of  thefe  may  be  mixed  in  a  cup 
of  white-wine  whey,  and  given  occafionally^  . 

When  convulfions  proceed  from  any  external 
caufe,  as  the  preffure  occafioned  by  ftrait  clothe^ 
or  bandages,  &c.  thefe  ought  immediately  to  be 
removed;  though  in  this  cafe  taking  away  the 
caufe  will  not  always  remove  the  effcd,  yet  it 
ought  to  be  done.  It  is  not  likely  that  the  patient 
will  recover,  as  long  as  the  caufe  which  firft  ga?c 
rife  to  the  diforder  continues  to  aft. 

'  When  a  child  is  fcized  with  convulfions  without 
having  any  complaint  in  the  bowels,  or  fymptoms 
of  teething;  or  any  rafti  or  other  difcharge  which 
has  been  fuddenly  dried  up;  we  have  reafon  tocQO- 
(:lude  that  it  is  a  primary  difeafe,  and  proceeds  im- 
mediately from  the  brain.  Cafes  of  thns  kind, 
however,  happen  but  feldom,  which  is*  vriy  for- 
tunate, as  little  can  be  done  to  relieve  the  unhappy 
patient.    When  a  difeafe  proceeds  from  aa  ongi- 


OF  WATER  IN  THE  HEAD.  5^7 
nal  fault  in  the  formation  or  ftrufture  of  the  braia 
itfclf,  we  cannot  expe£t  that  it  fhould  yield  to  me- 
dicine. But  as  this  is  not  always  the  caufe^  even 
of  convullions  which  proceed  immediately  from 
the  braini  fome  attempts  fliouM  be  made  to  re- 
move them.  The  chief  intention  to  be  purfued 
for  this  purpole,  is  to  make  fome  derivation  from 
the  head,  by  blifteringj  purging,  and  the  like. 
Should  ihefe  fail,  ilTues  or  fctons  may  be  put  in 
che  ncck^  or  between  the  Iboulders. 

OF  WATER   IN  THE  HEAD. 

Though  water  in  the  head,  or  a  dropfy  of  the 
brain,  may  affeA  adults  as  well  as  children,  yet,  as 
the  latter  arc  more  peculiarly  liable  to  it,  we 
thought  it  would  be  moH;  proper  to  place  it  among 
the  difeafes  of  infants. 

CAUSES.— —A  dropfy  of  the  brain  may  pro- 
ceed from  injuries  done  to  the  brain  itfelf  by  falls, 
blows,  or  the  likei  it  may  likewife  proceed  from 
an  original  laxity  or  wcaknefs  of  the  brain  ;  from 
fcirrhous  tumours  or  excrefcences  within  the  flcull; 
a  thin  watery  ftate  of  the  blood}  a  diminifhed 
fecretion  of  urine  j  and,  laftly,  from  tedious  and 
lingering  difeafeS|  which  wafte  and  confume  the 
patient. 

SYMPTOMS This  difeafe  has  at  firft  the 

appearance  of  a  flow  fever ;  the  patient  complains 
of  a  pain  in  the  crown  of  his  head,  or  over  his  eyesi 
he  Ihuns  the  lighti  is  fick,  andfometimcs  vomiisi 
his  puH'e  is  irregular  and  generally  low  :  though  he 
feems  heavy  and  dull,  yet  he  docs  not  fleep:  he  is 
fomctimes  delirious,  and  frequently  fees  objcfts 
double;  towards  the  end  of  this  commonly  fatal 
difeafe^  the  pulfe  becomes  more  frequeDt,  the  pu- 
O  o  4  pili 


563     OF   WATER   IN   THE   HEAD. 

fills  are  generally  dilated,  the  checks  flufhcd,  the 
patient  becomes  comatofe,  and  convulfions  cn- 
fUe.  ^ 

MEDICINE.-— No  medicine  has  hitherto  been 
found  fufficient  to  carry  off  a  dropfy  of  the  brain. 
It  is  laudable,  however,  to  make  fpme  attempts, 
as  tirhc  or  chance  may  bring  many  things  to  light, 
of  which  at  prcfent  we  have  no  idea.  The  medi- 
cines generally  ufed  are,  purges  of  rhubarb  or  ja- 
lap with  calomel,  aftd  bliftering-plafters  applied  to 
the  neck  or  back  part  of  the  head.  To  which  we 
would  beg  leave  to  add  diuretics,  or  medicines 
which  promote  the  fecretion  of  urine,  fuch  as  arc 
recommended  in  the  common  dropfy.  A  difchargc 
from  the  nofe  ought  likewife  to  b^  promoted  by 
Caufing  the  patient  to  fnufF  the  powder  of  afarifm, 
white  hellebore,  or  the  like. 

Some  praftitioners  have  of  late  pretended  to  cure 
this  difeafe  by  the  ufe  of  mercury.  I  have  not 
been  fo  happy  as  to  fee  any  inftaftces  of  a  cure  being 
performed  in  a  confirmed  dropfy  of  the  brain;  but 
in  fo  defperate  a  malady  every  thing  defer ves  a  trial*. 

♦  One  reafon  why  this  diffenfe  is  kl66m  or  ntver  ciurdk  may 
be,  that  it  is  rddom  known  rill  too  far  advanced  to  Admit  gf  a 
remedy.  Did  parents  watch^thc  firil/yniptotes,  a<nd  call  a  phy. 
iician  in  due  time»  I  am  inclfned  to  think  that  fomethiDg  oiight 
be  done.  But  chefe  fympto'ms  are  not^et  ioffidendy^nomi, 
and  are  often  miftaken  even  by  phyficians  themfelves.  Of  ihu 
I  lately  faw,  a  ihiking  inftance  in  a-pacieot  a^uended  by  an  emi- 
nent practitioner  of  this  city,  who  had  all  aloi^g  miiUkea  the 
oiieafe  for  teething. 


i  569  ] 


• 


CHAP.     L. 
OFSURGERy, 

^T^O  dcfcjribc  all  the  operations  of  furgery,  and 
-••  ,  to  -point  out  the  different  difeafes  in  which 
thefe  operations  arc  ncceffary,  would  extend  this 
article  far  beyond  the  linDits  fet  to  it :  we  nnuft 
therefore  confine  our  obfervations  to  fuch  cafes  a$ 
moft  generally  occur,  and  in  which  proper  aflfift- 
ance  is  cither  not  aflced,  or  not  always  to  be  ob* 
tained. 

Though  an  acquaintance  with  the  ftrufture  of 
the  human  body  is  indifpenfably  neceffary  to  qua«p 
lify  a  man  for  being  an  expert  furgeon;  yet  many 
things  may  be  done  to  fave  the  lives  oif  their  fellow- 
men  in  emergencies  by  thofe  who  are  no  adepts  iii 
anatomy.  It  is  amazing  with  what  facility  the 
peafants  daily  perform  operations  upon  brute  ani- 
mals^ which  are  not  of  a  lefs  difficult  nature  thaa 
many  of  thofe  performed  on  the  human  fpcckss 
yet  they  feldomfail  of  fuccefs. 
"  Indeed  every  man  is  in  fome»meafure  a  furgedn 
whether  he  will  or  not.  He  feels  an  inclination  to 
affift  his  fellow-men  in  diftrefs,  and  accidents  hap- 
pen every  hour  which  give  occaflon  to  cxerciffc  this 
feeling.  The  feclingis  of  the  heart,  however,  when 
not  direfted  by  the  judgment,  are  apt  to  mi  dead* 
Thus  one,  by  a  rafh  attempt  to  fave  his  friendj^ 
may  fomctimcs  dcftroy  him  j  while  another,  for 
fear  of  doing  amifs.  Hands  ftill  and  fees  his  bofom- 
fjiend  expire  without  fo  much  as  attempting  to  rie- 
lieve  hfm,  even  when  the  means  are  in  his  power. 
As  every  good  man  would  wilh  tofteer  a  courfe 
jJiffcrcnx  from  cither  of  thefe,  it 'will  no  doubt  bic 

agreeable 


570  OF    BLEEDING. 

agreeable  to  him  to  know  what  ought  to  be  done 
upon  fuch  emergencies. 

OF    BLEEDING. 

No  operation  of  furgery  is  fo  frequently  necef- 
fary  as  bleeding ;  it  ought  therefore  to  be  very  ge- 
nerally underftood.  But  though  pradtifed  by  mid- 
wives,  gardeners,  blackfmiths,  &c.  we  have  rea- 
ibn  to  believe  that  very  few  know  when  it  is  proper. 
Even  phyficians  themfelves  have  been  fo  much  the 
dupes  of  theory  in  this  article,  as  to  renderit  the 
fubje£):  of  ridicule.  It  is  however  an  operation  of 
great  importance,  and  muft,  when  feafonably  and 
properly  performed,  be  of  fingular  fervice  to  chofc 
in  diftrefs. 

Bleeding  is  proper  at  the  beginning  of  all  in- 
flammatory fevers,  as  pleuriHes,  peripneumonies, 
&c.  It  is  likewife  proper  in  all  topical  inflamma- 
tions, as  thofe  of  the  intei^ines,  womb^  bladder, 
ilomach,  kidnies^  throat,  eyes,  &c.  as  alfo  in  the 
afthma,  fciatic  pains^  coughs,  head-achs,  rheu- 
matifms,  the  apoplexy,  epilepfy,  and  bloody  flux. 
After  falls,  blows^  bruifes,  or  any  violent  hurt  re- 
ceived  either  externally  or  internally,  bleeding  is 
neceflary.  It  is  likewife  neceflary  for  perfons  who 
have  had  the  misfortune  to  be  ftrangled,  drowned, 
fuffbcated  with  foul  air,  the  fumes  of  metalj  or  the 
like.  In  a  word,  whenever  the  vital  motions  have 
l)eeo  fuddeply  ftopt  from  any  caufe  whatever,  except 
in  fwoonings  occafioned  by  mere^  weaknefs  or  hyi- 
teric  ^ffedions,  it  is  proper  to  open  a  vein.  But 
in  all  diforders  proceeding  from  a  relaxation  of 
the  folids,  and  an  impoveri(hed  ftate  of  the  blood, 
as  dropfie^a  c^^ogbymies^  &c.  bleeding  is  im- 
proper. 

l^eeding 


OF    BLEEDING.  57^ 

Bleeding  for  topical  inBammations  ought'  always 
to  be  performed  as  near  the  part  afieded  as  paf- 
iible.  When  this  can  be  done  with  a  lancet,  it  is 
to  be  preferred  to  any  other  method;  but  where  3t 
vein  cannot-  be  found,  rccourfe  muft  be  had  to 
leeches  or  cupping. 

The  quantity  of  blood  to  be  let  nnuftalways  be 
regulated  by  the  ftrength,  age,  cofifticution,  man- 
ner of  lifei  and  other  circumftanccs  relating  to  the 
patient.  It  would  be  ridiculous  10  fuppofe  that  a 
child  .could  bear  to  lofe  as  much  blood  as  a  grown 
perfon,  or  that  a  delicate  lady  fhould  be  bled  to 
the  fame  eKteot  as  a  robuft  man. 

From  whatever  part  of  the  body  blood  is  to  be 
let,  a  bandage  muft  be  applied  between  that  pwt 
and  the  heart,  As.ic  is  often  neceflary^  in  order  to 
raife  the  vein,  to  make  the  bandage  pretty  tight,  ic 
will  be  proper  in  fuch  cafes*  as  foon  as  the  blood 
begins  to  flow,  to  Aackcti  it  a  little.  The  bandage 
ought  to  be.  applied  at  leaft  an  inch,  or  an  inch 
and  half  from  the  place  witere  the  wound  is  dn- 
tended  to  be  made.  v         ~^ 

Perfoot  bot  Ikilled  in  anatomy  ought  iinret  jo 
bteed  ta  a  rein  that  lies  over  an  artery  or  a  teaden, 
if  they  caa  avoid  it.  The  fprmer  may:  ea(ily/^be 
known  from  its  pulfation  or  beating,  and  the  latter 
from  its  feeliag  hard  of  tight  like  a  whipcord  under 
the'Bnger,  .  ,1  • ,, 

■■■  Ic^waa  fprmerly  a  rale,' even  among  tfaofe  wtio 
had  the  chaPader  of  being  regular  pra^tioners,  ^o 
bleed  their  patients  io  certain  dife^ei.ciU  tiiey 
fainted.  Surely  a  more  ridiculous  rule  could  dot 
-  be  ptopo&d*  One  perfon  will  faint  -aOithe  wory 
fight  of  a'lapccCj  while  another  will  iofealmofVithe 
whtde  'blood- of  his:body  before  he  faints; ' ;SmwDn- 
ingdepend»<nore  iipon-the,ftaieof  t|ic  tnind^an 
of  the  body  i  befidcs,  it  may  often  be  occafioqcd 


fjz  OF    BLEEDING. 

or  prevented  by  the  manner  in  which  the  operation 
is  performed. 

Children  are  generally  bled  with  leeches.  This, 
though  fometimes  neceffary,  is  a  very  troublefomc 
and  uncertain  pra£tice.  It  is  impoflible  to  know 
what  quantity  of  blood  is  taken  away  by  leeches  s 
befidcs,  th6  bleeding  i&  often  very  difficult  to  ftop, 
and  the  wounds  are  not  eafily  healed.  Would  thofe 
who  pradife  bleeding  take  a  little  more  pains, 
and  accuftom  themfclves  to  bleed  children,  they 
would  not  find  it  fuch  a  difficult  operation  as  they 
innagine. 

Certain  hurtful  prejudices  with  regard  to  bleed- 
ing ftilt  prevail  among  the  country  people.     They 
talk,    for   infltance,    of   head-veins,    heart-veins, 
breaft- veins,  &c.  and  believe  that  bleeding  in  thefe 
will  certainly  cure  all  difeafes  of  the  parts  from 
whence  they  arc  fuppofed  to  come,  without  confi- 
dcring  that  all .  the  blpod-veffels   arifc   from  the 
heart,  and  return  to  it  ag^in  i  for  which  reafon,  un- 
lefs  in  topical  inflammations,  it  IigniBes  very  litde 
from  what  part  of  the  body  blood  is  taken.     But 
this,  though  a  fooliffi   prejudice,    is  not  near  fo 
hurtful  as  the  vulgar  notion  that  th.e  firft  bleeding 
will  perform  wonders.     This   belief  makes  them 
often  poftpone  the  operation  when  neceiTary,  in  or- 
der to  referve  it  for  fooi.e  more  important  occafion, 
and,  when  they  think  themfelves  in  extreme  dan- 
ger, they  fly  to  it  for  relief,  whether  it  be  proper 
or  not.     Bleeding  at  certain  dated  periods  or  fca« 
ions  has  likewife  bad  eScAs. 

It  is  likewife  a  comavon  notion  that  bleeding  in 
the  feet  draws  the  humours  downwards,  and  con- 
fequently  cures  difeafes  of  the  head  and  .other  fa- 
perior  parts :  but  we  have  already  obfervcd  that, 
m  all  topical  affe£bionSi  the  .blood  ought  to  be 
drawn  as  near  the  part  as  poffible.  'Wh^n  it  is 
peceflary,  however,  to  bleed  in  the  foot  or  hand, 


0/ INFLAMMATIONS  ^;;^  ABSCESSES.  573 

as  the  veins  art  fnriaU,  and  the  bleeding  is  apt  to 
flop  too  foon,  the  part  ought  to  be  imiYicrfcd  in 
warm  water,  and  kept  there  till  a  fufficient  quan- 
tity of  blood  be  let. 

We  (hall  not  fpcnd  time  in  defcribiftg  the  man- 
ner of  performing  this  operation  :  that  will  be  bet- 
ter learned  by  example  than  precept.  Twenty  pages 
of  defcription  would  not  convey  fo  juft  art  idea  of 
the  operation  as  feeing  it  once  performed  by  fein  ex- 
pert hand.  Neither  is  it  hecdflary  to  point^Out  th^ 
difFerent  parts  of  the  body  from  whence  blodd  hiay 
be  let,  as  the  arm,  foot,  foreheid,  temples,  neck, 
&c.  *rhefe  will  readily  occur'to  every  intelligent 
perfon,  and  the  foregoing  obfervations  will  be  fu^ 
ficient  for  determming  which  of  thcni  is  rtioft  proi* 
per  upon  any  particular  bdcafioh.  In  'ftH  'caftt 
where  the  intention  h  only  *ta  leffen  the'gerierAl 
mafs  of  blo'od,  the  arm  is  the  mbftTbnWibdi^uSi 
part  of  the  b6dy  in  which  the  ojJeratioh  ctobfe-^dr- 
formed.  • 


.  t . 


OF  INFLAMMATIONS  AND  ABSCESSES. 

From  whatever  caufe  an  inflammation  protteds, 
it  muft  terminate,  cither  by  difperfion,  fuppuratibn, 
or  gangrene.  Though  it  is  impoffible  to  foferel 
with  certainty  in  which  of  thefc  ways  any  piarticular 
inflammation  will  terminate,  yet  a  probable  cort- 
jefture  may  be  formed  with  regard  to  the  eVent, 
from  a  knowledge  of  the  patient's  age  and  confVi- 
tution.  Inflammations  happening  in  a  flight  de- 
gree upon  colds,  and  without-  any  previous  indif- 
poficion,  will  mofl:  probably  be  difperfed;  thofc 
which  follow  clofe  upon  a  fever,  or  happen  to  peN 
fons  of  a  grofs  habit  of  body,  will  generally  fup* 
puratc  i  and  thofc  which  attack  very  old  people,  or 

perfons 


5,74  0/ INFLAMMATIONS  «»i  ABSCESSES. 

perfons  of  a  dropfical  habit,   will  have  a  Strtkig 
tendency  to  gangrene. 

.  If  the  inflamaiation  be  flight,  and  the  conftku* 
tion  found,  the  difperfion  ought  always  to  be  ac*- 
tempted.^  This  will  be  beft prooioted  by  aileoder 
diluting  diet,  plentiful  bleeding,  and'  repeated 
purges.  The  part  itfelf  muft  be  fomented,  andjj  if 
the  fkin  be  very  tenfe,  it  may  be  embrooati^ 
with  a  mixture  of  three- fourths  of  fweet  oil,  and 
one*- fourth  of  vinegar,  and  afterwards  covered  with 
1  piece  of  wax- plafter. 

If,  notwithftanding  thefe  applications,  the  fyaip« 
•tomatic  fever  increafes,  and  the  tumour  becomes 
larger,  with  violent  pain  and  pulfation,  it  will  be 
proper  t6  promote  the  fuppuration.  :  The  beft'  ap- 
plication for  this  purpofe  is  a  foft  poultice^  which 
may  be  I'enewed  twice  a^day.  If  the  fuppuratioQ 
proceeds  but  flowly,  a  raw  onion  but  (mail  or 
bruifed  may  be  fpread  upon  the  poultice.  When 
the  abfcefs  is  ripe  or  fit  for  opening,  which  may 
eafily  be  known  from  the  thinnefs  of  the  fkin  in 
the  mod  prominent  part  of  it,  a  fluftuation  of  mat** 
ter  which  may  be  felt  under  the  finger,  and,  gene- 
rally fpcaking,  an  abatement  of  the  pain,  it  may 
be  opened  either  with  a  lancet  or  by  means  of 
cauftic. 

The  laft  way  in  which  an  inflammation  tertni- 
tiates,  is  in  a  gangrene  or  mortification,  the  ap^ 
proach  of  which  may  be  known  by  the  foUowing 
Symptoms :  The  infiammacion  lofes  its  nedne^, 
and. becomes  dufkifh  or  livid  ;  the  tenfion  of  ^ the 
ikin  goes  off,  and  it  feels  flabby^  Jitde  bladder 
iiUed.with  ichor  of  different  colours  fpread  all  over 
itf-^  the  tumour  fubfides,  and  from  a  dufkiih  ooou- 
plexion  becomes  bl^ick;  a  quick  Jow,  pulfe^  mth 
xx>ld  clammy  fwe^ts>  are  the  immediaoe  rforerua- 
aers.  of.  death.  ..  '      .i..:.*:^.-^? 

When 


OF     WOUNDS.  575 

When  thefe  fymptoms  firft  appear,  the  pare 
ought  to  be  drefled  with  London  treacle,  or  a 
Cataplafm  made  of  lixivium'and  bran.  Should  the 
fymptoms  become  worfe,  the  part  muft  be  fcari- 
fied,  and  afterwards  dre0ed  with  bafiUcum  foftened 
with  oil  of  turpentine.  Ail  the  drelUngs  muft  be 
applied  warm.  With  regard  ro  internal  medicinej, 
the  patient  mud  be  fupporccd  with  generous  cor- 
dials, and  the  Peruvian  bark  exhibited  in  as  large 
dofes  as  the  ftomach  will  bear  it.  If  the  mortified 
parts  fhould  feparate,  the  wound  will  becfune  a 
common  ulcer,  and  muft  be  created  accordingly. 

This  article  includes  the- treatment  of  all  thofe 
difeafes,  which,  in  different  parts  of  the  couritrf, 
go  by  the  names  of  ^iles,  impofibumes,  wkkleej, 
&c.  They  are  all  abfceffcs,  in  confequeaoe  of  14 
previous .  ioHammation,  which,  if  poQible,  ought 
to  be  difcufled  i  but  when  this  cannot  be  done > 
the  Aippuration  fhould  be  promoted,  andithnmat* 
ter  difcharged  by  an  incifion,  if  neceffary  t  after- 
wards the  fore  may  be  drefied  with  yellow  baftli*- 
cum,  or  feme  other  digeftive  ointment. 


.OF     WOUNDS. 

No  part  of  medicine  has  been  more  mtftaken 
than  the  treatment  or  cure  of  wounds.  Mankind 
in  general  believe  that  certain  herbs,  ointments^ 
and  piafters  arc  pofTefTed  of  wonderful  healing 
powers,  and  imagine  that  no  wound  can  be  cured 
without  the  application  of  them.  It  is  however  a 
faft,  that  no  external  application  whatever  contri- 
butes towards  the  cure  of  a  wound,  any  other  way 
than  by  keeping  the  parts  foft,  clean,  and  defend- 
ing them  from  the  external  air,  which  may  be  as 
effectually  done  by  dry  lint,  as  by  themoft  pomp- 
7  ous 


576  OF     WOUNDS. 

ous  applications,  while  it  is  exempt  from  many  of 
the  bad  confequences  attending  them. 

The  fame  obfervation  holds  with  refpeft  to  in- 
ternal applications.  Thefc  only  promote  the  cure 
of  wounds  as  far  as  they  tend  lo  prevent  a  fever,  or 
to  remove  any  caufe  that  might  obftruct  or  impede 
the  operations  of  Nature.  It  is  Nature  alone  that 
^ures  wounds.  All  that  Art  can  do  is  co  remove 
obfl:acles>  and  to  put  the  parts  in  fuch  a  condition 
as  is  the  moQ:  favourable  to  Nature's  efforts. 

With  this  fimple  view  we  (hall  confider  the  treat- 
ment of  wounds,  and  endeavour  to  point  out 
fuch  fteps  as  ought  ^o  be  taken  to  facilitate  their 
cure. 

The  firft  thing  to  be  done  when  a.perfon  has  re- 
ceived a  wound,  is  to  examine,  whether  any  foreign 
body  be  lodged  in  it,  as  wood.  Hone,  iron,  lead, 
glafs,  dirt,  bits  of  cloth,  or  the  like.  Thefc,  if 
poflible,  ought  to  be  extraded,  and  the  wound 
cleaned,  before  any  dreOings  be  applied.  When 
that  cannot  be  effefted  with  fafety,  on  account  of 
the  patient's  weaknefs,  or  lofs  of  .blood,  they  mull 
be  fuffered  to  remain  in  the  wound,  and  afterwards 
cxtrafted  when  he  is  more  able  to  bear  it. 

When  a  wound  penetrates  into  any  of  the  ca- 
vities of  the  body,  as  the  breaft,  the  bowels,  &c. 
or  where  any  confiderable  blood-vcflel  is  cut,  x 
ikilful  furgeon  ought  immediately  to  be  calledi 
othcrwife  the  patient  may  lofe  his  life.  But  fomc- 
times  the  difcharge  of  blood  is  fo  great,  that  if  it 
be  not  rtopt,  the  patient  may  die  even  before  a 
furgeon,  though  at  no  great  dillance,  can  arrive. 
In  this  cafe,  fomething  muft  be  done  by  thofe  who 
are  prcfcnt.  If  the  wound  be  in  any  of  the  lin)bs, 
the  bleeding  may  generally  be  ftopt  by  applying! 
tight  ligature  or  bandage  round  the  member  a  litdc 
above  the  wound.     The  beft  method  of  doing  this 

3  .  " 


OF     WOUNDS.  577 

Is  to  ^Ut  a  ftrong  broad  garter  round  the  part^  buc 
To  flack  as  caGly  to  admit  a  fmaU  piece  of  fiick  to 
be  put  uhder  it,  wbich  mull:  be  twilled,  in  the 
fame  manner  as  a  countryman  does  a  cart-rope  to 
iecure  his  loading,  till  the  bleeding  ftops.  'When- 
ever this  is  the  cafe,  be  muft  take  care  to  twifl;  ic 
no  longer,  as  ftraining  it  too  much  might  occaGoa 
an  inflammation  of  the  parts>  and  endanger  a  gan- 
grene. 

In  parts  where  this  bandage  cannot  be  applied, 
various  other  methods  may  bp  tried  to  Hop-  the 
bleeding,  as  the  application  of  (lyptics,  aftringents^ 
&c.  Cloths  dipped  in  a  folution  of  blue  vitriol  in 
water,  or  the  ftyptic  water  of  the  Difpcnfatorics, 
may  be  applied  to  the  wound.  When  thefe  can- 
not' be  obtained,  ftrong  fpirics  of  wine  may  be 
ufed.  Some  recommend  the  agaric*  of  the  oak 
as  preferable  to  any  of  the  other  ftypticsj  and  in- 
deed it  deferves  conGderable  encomiums.  It  is 
caBty  obtained,  and  ought  to  be  kept  in  every  fa- 
mily, in  cafe  of  accidents.  'A  piece  of  it  muft 
be  laid  upon  the  wound,  and  covered  with  a  good 

•  Dr.  Ttflbt,  in  hi»  Mvut  Id  ibt  PnpU.  givei  ihp  following 
direflions  for  gaiheriDg,  preparing,  and  applying  ihe  agaric— 
"  Gather  in  automo,"  fays  he,  "  while  the  line  weather  U(li,  ihft 
■gacic  of  the  oalc,  which  is  a  kind  of  fungm  or  eierercenee  if- 
fuing  from  the  wood  of  that  tree.  It  coofilTs  at  firft  of  four  parti, 
which' prefent  themfelves  fuccelliTely :  i.  The  ootward  riod  or 
Ikin,  which  may  he  thrown  away.  2.  The  part  immediately 
under  ibis  rind,  which  is  the  bell  of  all.  This  is  10  be  beat  wdl 
with  a  hammer,  (ill  it  becomes  fuftand  very  pliable.  This  is 
ihe  only  preparation  it  requires,  and  ■'  flice  of  it  of  a  proper  fizv 
is  to  be  applied  dirt  AJy  over  the  burlting  open  blood- veilclj,  Jt 
conflringc*  and  brings  them  clofe  together,  Hops  the  bleeding, 
and  generally  falls  off  at  the  end  of  two  days,  3.  The  third 
part  adhering  to  the  fecond  may  ferve  to  flop  the  bleeding  from 
the  fmaller  veffels ;  and  the  fourth  and  laft  part  may  be  reduced 
to  powder  at  conducing  to  the  famepurpofe.  — Where  the  agaric 
caoaot  be  had,  fpongc  may  be  ufed  in  ii«  flead.  It  muft  be  ap- 
plied in  the  fame  naiiner,  and  has  nearly  the  fame  eftefis. 

V  p  deal 


578  OF     WOUNDS. 

deal  of  lint,  above  which  a  bandage  maybeap* 
plied  fo  tight  as  to  keep  it  firn^ly  on. 

Though^pirits^  tindbures,  and  hot  balfams  nuf 
be  ufed,  in  order  to  ftop  the  bleeding  when  it  is 
exceflive,  they  are  improper  at  other  times.  They 
do  not  promote  but  retard  the  cure,  and  oftef 
change  a  fimple  wound  into  an  ulcer.  People  ima- 
gine, becaufe  hot  balfams  congeal  the  bloodj  and 
feem,  as  it  were,  to  folder  up  the  wound,  that  they 
therefore  heal  it;  but  this  is  only  a  deception. 
They  may  indeed  ftop  the  flowing  blood,  by  flar- 
ing the  mouths  of  the  veffcls ;  but,  by  rcndcriog 
the  parts  callous,  they  obftruft  the  cure. 

In  flight  wounds,  which  do  not  penetrate  much 
deeper  than  the  flcin,  the  bed  application  is  a  bit 
of  the  common  black  flicking- plafter.  This  keeps 
the  fides  of  thewound  together,  and  prevents  the 
air  from  hurting  itj  which  is  all  that  is  ncctttuj. 
When  a  wound  penetrates  deep,  it  is  not  fafe  fio 
keep  its  lips  quite  clofe :  this  keeps  in  the  mittff^ 
and  is  apt  to  make  the  wound  fefter.  In  cbi$  cafe 
the  bed  way  is  to  fill  the  wound  with  fofc  lint,  com- 
monly called  caddis.  It  however  mud  not  be  ftuff- 
cd  in  too  hard,  otherwife  it  will  do  hurt.  The 
caddis  may  be  covered  with  a  cloth  dipped  inoilj 
or  fpread  with  the  common  wax  plafter*;  and  the 
whole  muft  be  kept  on  by  a  proper  bandage* 

We  fliall  not  fpend  time  in  defcribingthedifier- 
ent  bandages  that  may  be  proper  for  wounds  in 
different  parts  of  the  body ;  common  fcnfe  iriD 
generally  fugged  the  mod  commodious  method  of 
applying  a  bandage;  befldes,  defcriptions  of  this 
kind  are  not  eaflly  underftood  or  remembered. 

The  flrd  drefling  ought  to  continue  on  for  at 
lead  two  days ;  after  which  it  nuy  be  removed, 
and  frefli  lint  applied  as  before.     If  any  part  of 

•  See  Appendix,  Wax  ilafter^ 

the 


OF     WOUNDS.  5^j 

the  firft  drclTing  fticks  fo  clofe  as  not  to  be  re- 
moved with  cafe  or  fafcty  to  the  patient,  li  may  be 
allowed  to  continue,  and  frcfh  lint  dipped  in  fwcec 
oi)  laid  over  it.  This  will  foften  it,  fo  as  to  ma^e 
it  come  off  eafily  at  next  drefling.     Afterwards  the 

'  wound  majr  be  dreffcrd  twice  a-day  in  the  fame  man- 
ner till  it  be  quite  healed.  Thofe  who  are  fond  of 
falves  or  ointments,  may,  after  the  wound  is  be- 

•  come  very  fuperficial,  drefs  it  with  the  yellow  ha- 
Jil'uum* k  and  if  fungous,  or  what  is  called  ^rtfsi/ 
fiejhy  fliould  rife  in  the  wound,  it  may  be  checked, 
by  mixing  with  the  ointment  a  little  burnt  alum  or 
red  precipitate  of  mercury. 

When  a  wound  is  greatly  inflamed,  the  moll  pro- 
per application  is  a  poultice  of  bread  and  milk, 
fbftcned  with  a  little  fweet  oil  or  frelh  butter. 
This  muft  be  applied  inftcad  of  a  plafter,  and 
fhould  be  changed  twice  a>day. 

If  the  wound  be  large,  and  there  is  reafon  to 
fear  an  inflammation,  the  patient  fliould  be  kept  oa 
a  very  low  diet.  He  muft  abfl:ain  from  ftclh, 
ftrong  liquors,  and  every  thing  that  is  of  a  heating 
nature.  If  he  be  of  a  full  habit,  and  has  loft  but 
little  blood  from  the  wound,  he  mufl  be  bled;  and, 
if  the  fymptoms  be  urgent,  the  operation  may  be 
repeated.  But  when  the  patient  has  been  greatly 
weakened  by  lofs  of  blood  fiom  the  wound,  it  will 
be  dangerous  to  bleed  him,  even  though  a  fever 

'fliould  enfuc.  Nature  ftiould  never  be  too  farex- 
hauflcd.  It  is  always  more  fafe  to  allow  her  to 
ftruggle  with  the  difcafe  in  her  own  way,  than  to 
fink  the  patient's  ftrcngch  by  excelTive  evacua- 
tions. 

Wounded  perfons  ought  to  be  kept  pcrfcftly 
quiet  and  eafy.  Every  thing  that  ruffles  the  mind 
or  moves  the  paflions>  as  love,  anger,  fear,  cxcefljve 

*  See  Appeodix,  Yillvm  itffilicum. 

P  p  2  joy. 


5So  O  F      B  U  R  N  S. 

joy,  &c.  are  very  hurtful.  They  ought  above  aJI 
things  to  abftain  from  venery.  The  body  fliould 
be  kept  gently  open,  either  by  laxative  clyfters,  or 
by  a  cool  vegetable  diet,  as  roafted  apples,  ftewcd 
prunes,  boiled  fpinage,  and  fuch  like. 


OF      BURNS. 

In  night  burns  which  do  not  break  the  ikin,  it  it 
cuftomary  to  hold  the  part  near  the  fire  for  a  com- 
petent time,  to  rub  it  with  f^t,  or  to  lay  a  com- 
prcfs  upon  it  dipped  in  fpirits  of  wine  or  brandy. 
But  when  the  burn  has  penetrated  fo  deep  as  to 
blifter  or  break  the  Ikin,  it  muft  be  drelTcd  with 
fome  of  the  liniment  for  burns  mentioned  in  the 
Appendix,  or  with  the  emollient  and  gently  drying 
ointment,  commonly  called  Turner's  cerate*.  Thij 
may  be  mixed  with  an  equal  quantity  of  frefli  olive 
oil,  and  fprcad  upon  a  f'oft  rag,  and  applied  to  the 
part  affefted.  When  this  ointment  cannot  be  had, 
an  egg  may  be  beat  up  with  about  an  equal  quan- 
tity of  the  fweetcft  falad  oil.  This  will  fcrve  veiy 
well  till  a  proper  ointment  can  be  prepared.  When 
the  burning  is  very  deep,  after  the  firft  two  or  three 
days,  it  (hould  be  drelTed  with  equal  parts  of  yel- 
low ba/ilicum  and  Turner's  cerate  mixed  together. 

When  the  burn  is  violent,  or  has  occafioned  a 
high  degree  of  inflammation,  and  there  is  rcafon  to 
fear  a  gangrene  or  mortification,  the  fame  means 
muft  be  ufcd  to  prevent  it  as  are  reconnmetidcd  ia 
other  violent  inflammations.  The  patient,  in  this 
cafe,  muft  live  low,  and  drink  freely  of  weak  di- 
luting liquors.  He  muft  likewifc  be  bled,  and 
have  his  body  kept  upen.  But  if  the  burnt  pans 
Hiould  become  livid  or  black,  with  ocher  fyoip- 

*  Sec  Appendix,  Tmrnir'tttrau, 


O  F     B  U  R  N  S.  581 

toms  of  moi'tification,  ic  will  be  neceflary  to  bathe 
them  frequently  with  warm  camphorated  fpirits  of 
wine,  tindture  of  myrrh,  or  other  antifcptics,  mixed 
with  a  decoiftion  of  the  bark.  In  this  cafe  the  bark 
mult  Ukewife  be  taken  internally,  and  the  patient's 
diet  muft  be  more  generous. 

As  example  teaches  better  than  precept,  I  (hall 
relate  the  treatment  of  the  moft  dreadful  cafe  of 
this  kind  that  has  occurred  in  my  practice.  A 
middle-aged  man,  of  a  good  conftitution,  fell  into 
a  large  veflel  full  of  boiling  water,  and  miferably 
fcalded  about  one  half  of  his  body.  As  his  clothes 
were  on,  the  burning  in  fome  parts  was  very  deep 
before  they  could  be  got  off.  For' the  firfl:  two 
days  the  fcalded  parts  had  been  frequently  anointed 
with  a  mixture  of  lime-water  and  oil,  which  is  3 
very  proper  application  for  recent  burnings.  On 
the  third  day,  when  I  firft  faw  him,  his  fever  was 
high,  and  his  body  cofiive,  for  which  he  was  bled, 
and  had  an  emollient  clyster  adminiftered.  Poul- 
tices of  bread  and  milk,  foftened  with  frefti  but- 
ter, were  likewife  applied  to  the  affected  parts,  to 
abate  the  heat  and  inflammation.  His  fever  ftiU 
continuing  high,  he  was  bled  a  fecond  time,  was 
kept  ftridtly  on  the  cooling  regimen,  took  the  fa- 
line  mixture  with  fmall  doies  of  nitre,  and  had  arr 
emollient  clyfter  adminiftercd  once  a-day.  When 
the  infiammation  began  to  abate,  the  parts  were 
dreiled  with  adigcHive  compofcd  of  brown  cerate  and 
yellow  bafilicum.  Where  any  black  fpots  appear- 
ed, they  were  (lightly  fcarificd,  and  touched  with 
the  tinfture  of  myrrh;  and,  to  prevent  their  fpread- 
ing^  the  Peruvian  bark  was  adminiltered.  By  this 
courfe,  the  man  was  fo  well  ia  three  weeks  as  to  be 
able  to  attend  his  bufinefs. 


Pp3 


[    58^    ] 


OF    BRUISES. 

Bruifcs  are  generally  produftive  of  worfc  cbnfe* 
qucnces  than  wounds.  The  danger  from  them 
docs  not  appear  immediately,  by  which  means  it 
often  happens  that  they  are  negleftcd.  It  is  necd- 
Icfs  to  give  any  definition  of  a  difejfc  fo  univerfall^ 
known ;  we  111  all  therefore  proceed  to  point  out 
the  method  of  treating  it. 

In  flight  bruifes  it  will  be  fufficient  to  bathe  the 
part  with  warm  vinegar,  to  which  a  little  brandy 
Or  rum  may  occafionally  be  added,  and  to  keep 
cloths  wet  with  this  mixture  conftantly  applied  to 
it.  This  is  more  proper  than  rubbing  it  with 
brandy,  fpirits  of  wine,  or  other  ardent  fpirits, 
Ivhich  are  commonly  ufed  in  fuch  cafes. 

In  fome  parts  of  the  country  the  peafants  apply  to 
a  recent  bruife  a  cataplafm  of  frelh  cow-dung.  I 
Jiave  often  feen  this  cataplafm  applied  to  violent 
Contufions  occafioned  by  blows^  falls>  bruifes,  and 
fuch  like,  and  never  knew  it  fail  to  have  a  good 

When  a  bruife  is  very  violent,  the  patient  ought 
immediately  to  be  bled,  and  put  upon  a  proper  re- 
gimen. His  food  fliould  be  light  and  cool,  and  hii 
drink  weak,  and  of  an  opening  nature;  as  whey 
fvveetened  with  honey,  decoftiorts  of  tamarinds,  bar- 
ley, cream- tartar- whey,  and  fuch  like.  The  bruifcd 
part  muft  be  bathed  with  vinegar  and  water,  as  di- 
re<ned  above ;  and  a  poultice  made  by  boiling  crumb 
of  bread,  elder- flowers,  and  camomile- flowers,  in 
equal  quantities  of  vinegar  and  water,  applied  to 
it.  This  poultice  is  peculiarly  proper  when  a 
wound  is  joined  to  the  bruife.  It  may  be  renewed 
two  or  three  timc^  a-day. 

As 


OF     ULCERS.  583 

As  the  ftrufturc  of  the  vcflcls  is  totally  deftroycd 
by  a  violent  bruife,  there  often  enfues  a  great  lofs  of 
fubftance,  which  produces  an  ulcerous  fore  very 
difficult  to  cure.  If  the  bone  be  affededj  the  fore 
will  not  heal  before  an  exfoliation  takes  place;  that 
is,  before  the  difcafcd  part  of  the  bone  feparatcs, 
and  comes  out  through  the  wound.  This  is  often 
a  very  flow  operation,  and  may  even  require  fcve- 
ral  years  to  be  completed.  Hence  it  happens,  that; 
thefe  fores  are  frequently  miftakcn  for  the  king's 
evil,  and  treated  as  fuch,  though  in  fafb  they  pro- 
ceed folel)f  from  the  injury  v^hich  the  folid  parts 
received  from  the  blow. 

Patients  in  this  fituation  are  peftered  with  dif- 
ferent advices.  Every  one  who  lees  them  propofes 
a  new  remedy,  till  the  fore  is  fo  much  irritated  with 
various  and  oppoHte  applications,  that  it  is  often 
at  length  rendered  abfolutely  incurable.  ^  The  beft 
method  of  managing  fuch  fores  is,  to  take  care 
that  the  patient's  conftitution  does  not  fufFer  by 
confinement,  or  improper  medicine,  and  to  apply 
nothing  to  them  but  fome  fimple  ointment  fpread 
upon  foft  lint,  over  which  a  poultice  of  bread  and 
milk,  with  boiled  camomile-flowers,  or  the  like, 
may  be  put,  to  nourifli  the  part,  and  keep  it  foft 
and  warm*  Nature,  thus  aflrifte<l,  will  generally 
in  time  operate  a  cure,  by  throwing  oflF  the  difi- 
eafed  parts  of  the  bone,  after  which  the  fore  fool) 
}ieals. 


OF     ULCERS. 

Ulcers  may  be  the  confequence  of  wounds, 
bruifes,  or  impofthumes  improperly  treated ;  they 
may  likewiie  proceed  from  an  ill  ftate  of  the  hu- 
mours, or  what  may  be  called  a  bad  habit  of 
body, 

P  p  4  ^       In 


584  O  F     U  L  C  E  R  S. 

In  the  latter  cafe,  they  ought  not  to  be  baftily 
dried  up,  othcrwifc  it  may  prove  fatal  to  the  pa- 
tient. Ulcers  happen  moft  commonly  in  the  de- 
cline of  life;  and  perfons  who  negleft  cxcrcifc, 
and  live  grofsly,  are  moft  liable  to  thenru  They 
might  often  be  prevented  by  retrenching  (bme  part 
of  the  folid  food,  or  by  opening  artificial  drains^  as 
iffucs,  fecons,  or  the  like. 

An  ulcer  may  be  diftinguiihed  from  a  wound  by 
its  difcharging  a  thin  watery  humour,  which  is 
often  fo  acrid  as  to  inflame  and  corrode  the  ikinj 
by  the  hardnefs  and  perpendicular  (itdlition  of  in 
fides  or  edges,  by  the  time  of  its  duration,  &c. 

It  requires  confiderable  (kill  to  be  able,  to  judge 
whether  or  not  an  ulcer  ought  to  be  dried  up.  In 
general,  all  ulcers  which  proceed  from  a  bad  ha- 
bit of  body,  fhould  be  fuflfered  to  continue-  open, 
at  lead  till  the  conftitution  has  been  fo  far  changed 
by  proper  regimen,  or  the  ufe  of  medicine,  that 
they  kern  dilpofed  to  heal  of  their  own  accord. 
Ulcers  which  are  the  effeft  of  malignant  fevers,  or 
other  acute  difcafes,  may  generally  be  healed  with 
fafety  after  the  health  has  been  reftored  for  feme 
time.  The  cure  ought  not  however  to  be  attempt- 
ed -  too  foon,  nor  at  any  time  without  the  ufe  of 
purging  medicines  and  a  proper  regimen.  When 
wounds  or  bruifes  have,  by  wrong  treatment^  de- 
generated into  ulcers,  if  the  conftitution  be  good, 
they  may  generally  be  healed  with  fafety.  When 
ulcers  either  accompany  chronical  difeafes^  or 
come  in  their  flead,  they  muft  be  cautioufly  healed. 
If  an  ulcer  conduces  to  the  patient's  healthy  from 
.whatever  caufe  it  proceeds,  it  ought  not  to  be 
|i^aledi  but  if,  on  the  contrary,  it  waRes  the 
ilrength,  and  confumes  the  patient  by  a  flow  fcvcfi 
.,){;  j(|iou|d  Ipe  healed  as  foon  as  poffible. 


OF     ULCERS.  585 

We  would  earneftly  recommend  a  ftrifl:  attention 
to  thcfc  parciculars,  to  all  who  iiave  the  misfortune 
to  labour  under  this  diforder,  particularly  pcrfons 
in  the -decline  of  life  j  as  we  hane  frt-quently  knowa 
people  throw  away  their  lives  by  the  want  of  it, 
while  they  were  extolling  and  generouny  reward- 
ing thofe  whom  they  ought  10  have  looked  upon  as 
their  executioners. 

The  moft  proper  regimen  for  promoting  the  cure 
of  ulcers,  is  to  avoid  all  fpices,  faired  and  high- 
fcafoned  food,  all  ftrong  liquors,  and  to  lefTen  the 
ufual  quantity  of  flelh  meat.  The  body  ought  to 
be  kept  genrly  open  by  a  diet  confifting  chiefly  of 
cooling  laxative  vegetables,  and  by  drinking  but- 
ter-milk, whey  fweetened  with  honey,  or  the  like. 
The  patient  ought  to  be  kept  cheerful,  and  fhould 
take  as  much  exercife  as  he  can  eafily  bear. 

When  the  bottom  and  fides  of  an  ulcer  feera 
hard  and  callous,  they  may  be  fprinkled  twice 
a-day  with  a  little  red  precipitate  of  mercury, 
and  afterwards  drelTed  with  the  yellow  baftlieum 
ointment.  Sometimes  it  will  be  nccefiary  to  have 
jhe  edges  of  the  ulcer  fcarificd  with  the  lancet. 

Ljme-waier  ha$  frequently  been  known  to  have 
very  happy  efFcfts  in  the  cure  of  obftinate  ulcers. 
It  may  b^  ufed  it;  t]ie  fame  manner  as  direi5ted  for 
the  (lone  and  gravel. 

My  late  learned  and  ingenious  friend,  Dr.  Whytt, 
ftrong]  y  recommends  the  ufe  of  i  he  fol  ut  ion  of  cor- 
fofive  fublimate  of  mercury  in  brandy,  for  the  cure 
pf  obftinate  ill-conditioned  ulcers.  I  have  fre- 
quently found  this  medicine,  when  given  accord- 
ing to  the  Doftor's  direflions,  prove  very  fucccflT- 
ful.  The  dofe  is  a  table- fpoonful  night  and  morn- 
ing; at  the  fame  time  walhing  the  fore  twice  or 
thrice  a-day  with  it.  In  a  letier  which  I  had  from 
the  Doflor  a  little  before  his  death,  he  informed 
piCj    '*  That  he  obffrved  waftiing  the  fore  thrice 


586  OF    DISLOCATIONS. 

a-day  with  the  folution  of  a  triple  ftrength  was  rtry 
beneficial  *." 

A  fiftulous  ulcer  can  feldom  be  cured  without 
an  operation.  It  ?\iuft  either  be  laid  open  fo  as  to 
have  its  callous  parts  deftroyed  by  fome  corrofive 
application,  or  they  muft  be  entirely  cut  away  by 
the  knife :  but  as  this  operation  requires  the  hand 
of  an  expert  furgeon,  there  is  no  occaGon  to  de- 
fcribe  it.  Ulcers  about  the  anus  are  moft  apt  to 
become  fiftulous,  and  are  very  difficult  to  cure. 
Some  indeed  pretend  to  have  found  Ward's Firtula 
pafte  very  fuccefsful  in  this  complaint.  It  is  not  a 
dangerous  medicine,  and  being  eafily  procured,  it 
may  deferve  a  trial;  but  as  thefe  ulcers  generally 
proceed  from  an  ill  habit  of  body,  they  will  fel- 
dom yield  to  any  thing  except  a  long  courfe  of  re* 
gimen,  aififted  by  medicines,  which  are  calculated 
to  correal  that  particular  habit,  and  to  induce  an 
almoft  total  change  in  the  conftitution* 


CHAP.    LI. 

OF   DISLOCATIONS. 

TTI7 H E  N  a  bone  is  moved  out  of  its  place  or 
^  ^  articulation,  fo  as  to  impede  its  proper  func- 
tions, it  is  faid  to  be  luxated  or  dijlocaied.  As  this 
often  happens  to  perfons  in  (ituations  where  no  me* 
dical  ailiftance  can-  be  obtained,  by  which  means 
limbs,  and  even  lives,  are  frequently  loll,  welhall 
endeavour  to  point  out  the  method  of  reducing 

*  In  ulcers  of  the  lower  limbi  great  benefit  is  often  r^cmtd 
from  tight  rollers^  or  wearing  a  lactd  ftocking»  as  tbii  preveaiB 
ifie  flax  of  hamours  to  ike  fores,  aad  difpote  them  to  keal. 

Ac 


OF   DISLOCATIONS.  58^ 

the  moft  common  luxations,  and  thofe  which  re- 
quire immediate  afliftancc.  Any  perfon  of  com- 
mon fenfc  and  refolutipn,  who  is  pcefcnt  when  a 
diflocation  happens,  may  often  be  of  more  fcrvice 
fo  the  patient,  than  the  moft  expert  furgeon  can 
after  the  fwclling  and  inflammation  have  come  on. 
When  thefe  are  prefent,  it  is  difficult  to  know  the 
Hate  of  the  joint,  and  dangerous  to  attempt  a  re- 
du£Viont  and  by  waiting  till  they  are  gone  off,  the 
mufcles  become  fo  relaxed,  and  the  cavity  tilled 
up,  that  the  bone  can  never  afterwards  be  retained 
in  its  place. 

A  recent  diflocation  may  generally  be  reduced 
by  extenfion  atone,  which  muft  always  be  greater 
or  lefs  according  to  the  ftrength  .of  the  mufcles 
which  move  the  joint,  the  age,  robuftnefs,  and 
other  circumftances  of  the  patient.  When  the 
bone  has  been  out  of  its  place  for  any  conGderable 
time,  and  a  fwclling  or  inflammation  has  come  on, 
it  will  be  ncceffary  to  bleed  the  patient,  and,  after 
fomcntirtg  the  part,  to  apply  foft  poultices  with 
vinegar  to  it  for  fome  time  before  the  redud:ion  is 
attempted. 

All  that  is  necefl*ary  after  the  redutftion,  is  to 
apply  cloths  dipt  in  vinegar  or  camphorated  fpirits 
of  wine  to  the  part,  and  to  keep  it  perfectly  eafy. 
Many  bad  confcqucnces  proceed  from  the  ncglefl: 
of  this  rule.  A  diflocation  fcldom  happens  with>- 
out  the  tendons  and  ligaments  of  the  joint  being 
ftrctched  and  fometimes  torn.  When  thcfe  arc 
kept  eafy  till  they  recover  their  ftrength  and  tone, 
.ail  goes  on  very  well  j  but  if  the  injury  be  increafed 
by  too  frequent  an  exertion  of  the  parts,  no  won- 
der if  they  be  found  weak  and  difcafcd  ever 
ftfter. 


[     588     3 


DISLOCATION  OF   THE  JAW. 

The  lower  jaw  may  be  luxated  by  yawning, 
blows>  falls,  chewing  hard  fubftances,  or  the  like; 
It  is  eafily  known  from  the  patient*s  being  un- 
able to  ihut  his  mouth,  or  to  eat  any  thing,  as 
the  teeth  of  the  under  jaw  do  not  correfpond  with 
thofc  of  the  upper;  befides,  the  chin  either  hangs 
down,  or  is  thrown  toward  one  fide,  and  the  pa- 
tient is  neither  able  to  fpeak  di(lin£tly,  nor  to  fwal- 
low  without  confiderable  difficulty. 

The  ufual  method  of  reducing  a  didocated  jaw, 
3s  to  fet  the  patient  upon  a  low  ftool,  fo  as  an  af- 
liftant  may  hold  the  head  firm  by  prefllng  it  againft 
his  bread.  The  operator  is  then  to  thruft  his  two 
thumbs,  being  firft  wrapped  up  with  linen  cloths 
that  they  may  not  flip,  as  far  back  into  the  pa- 
tient's niouth  as  he  can,  while  his  fingers  are  ap- 
plied to  the  jaw  externally.  After  he  has  got  firm 
hold  of  the  jaw,  he  is  to  prefs  it  ftrongly  down- 
wards and  backwards,  by  which  means  the  clapfcd 
heads  of  the  jaw  may  be  eafily  pufhed  into  their 
former  cavities. 

The  peafants  in  fome  parts  of  the  country  have 
a  peculiar  way  of  performing  this  operation.  One 
of  them  puts  a  handkerchief  under  the  patient's 
chin,  then  turning  his  back  to  that  of  the  patient, 
pulls  him  up  by  the  chin  fo  as  to  fufpend  him  from 
the  ground.  This  method  often  fucceeds,  but  we 
think  it  a  dangerous  one,  and  therefore  recommen4 
the  former. 


.■^^« 


[  589  1 


DISLOCATION    OF    THE    NECK, 

The  neck  may  be  diflocatcd  by  falls,  violent 
blows,  or  the  like.  In  this  cafe,  if  the  patient  re- 
ceives no  affiftance,  he  foon  dies,  which  makes 
people  imagine  the  neck  was  broken  :  it  is,  how- 
ever, for  the  mod  pare  only  partiaHy  diflocated, 
and  may  be  reduced  by  almoft  any  perfon  who  has 
refolution  enough  to  attempt  it.  A  complete  dif- 
location  of  the  neck  is  inftantaneous  death. 

When  thc^neck  is  diflocated,  the  patient  is  im- 
mediately deprived  of  all  fenfe  and   motion ;   his* 
neck  fwells,  his  countenance  appears  bloated ;  his 
chin  lies  upon  his  bread,  and  his  face  is  generally 
turned  towards  one  fide. 

To  reduce  this  diflocation)  the  unhappy  perfon 
ihould  immediately  be  laid  upon  his  back  on  the 
ground,  and  the  operator  muft  place  himfelf  behind 
him  fo  as  to  be  able  to  lay  hold  of  his  head  with 
both  hands,  while  he  makes  a  refltlance  by  placing 
his  knees  againft  the  patient's  Ihoulders.  In  this 
pofturc  he  muft  pull  the  head  with  confiderablc 
force,  gently  twitting  it  at  the  fame  time,  if  the 
face  be  turned  to  one  fide,  till  he  perceives  that 
the  joint  is  replaced,  which  may  be  known  from 
the  noife  which  the  bones  generally  make  when  go- 
ing in,  the  patient's  beginning  to  breathe,  and  the 
head  continuing  in  its  natural  pofture. 

This  is  one  of  thofc  operations  which  it  is  more 
cafy  to  perform  than  defcribe.  I  have  known  in- 
ftances  of  its  being  happily  performed  even  by 
women,  and  often  by  men  of  no  medical  educa- 
tion. After  the  neck  is  reduced,  the  patient  ought 
to  be  bled,  and  Ihould  be  fufFered  to  reft  for  fomc 
days,  till  the  parts  recover  their  proper  tone. 


[    590  '] 


DISLOCATION   OF  THfi   RIBS. 

As  the  Articulation  of  the  ribs  with  the  back^ 
bone  is  very  ftrong,  they  are  not  oft^n  diQocated« 
It  does  however  fometimes  happen,  which  is  a  fuf- 
ficienc  reaTon  for  our  taking  notice  of  it.  When 
a  rib  is  diflocfated  either  upwards  or  downwards,  in 
order  to  replace  it,  the  patient  ihould  be  laid  upon 
his  belly  on  a  table,  and  the  operator  nrmft  en- 
deavour to  pulh  the  head  of  the  bone  into  its  pro- 
per place.  Should  this  method  not  fuccced,  the 
arnm  of  the  difordered  fide  may  be  fufpended  over 
a  gate  or  ladder,  and,  while  the  ribs  are  thus 
ftreiched  afunder,  the  heads  of  fiidi  as  arcf  outof 
place  may  be  thruft  into  their  former  iituation^ 

Thofc  diflocations  wherein  the  heads  of  the  ribs 
are  forced  inwards,  are  both  more  dangerous  and 
the  moft  difficult  to  reduce,  as  neither  the  hand 
nor  any  inftrument  can  be  applied  internally  to  di- 
rect the  luxated  heads  of  the  ribs*  Almoft  the 
only  thing  that  can  be  done  is,  to  lay  the  patient 
upon  his  belly  over  a  ca(k,  or  fome  gibbous  body, 
and  to  move  the  fore-part  of  the  rib  inward  to- 
wards the  back,  fometimes  (haking  it;  by  this 
means  the  heads  of  the  luxated  ribs  may  flip  into 
their  former  place. 


I  DISLOCATION  OF  THE  SHOULDER. 

The  humerus  or  upper  bone  of  the  arm  may  be 
diflocated  in  various  diredtions:  it  happens  how- 
ever moft  frequently  downwards,  but  very  feldom 
direftly  upwards.  From  the  nature  of  its  articu-* 
lacion,  as  well  as  from  its  expofure  to  external  in- 
juries, 

3 


DISLOCATION  OF  THE  ELBOW.    591 

Juries,  this  bone  is  the  nwd  fubje^  to  diHocation 
of  my  in  ihe  body.  A  diQocation  of  the  humerus 
may  be  known  by  a  deprefiion  or  cavity  on  the  top 
of  the  fiioulder,  and  an  inability  to  move  the  arm. 
When  the  dillocation  is  downward  or  forward,  tho 
arm  is  elongated,  and  a  ball  or  lump  is  perceived 
under  the  arm-pit;  but  when  it  is  backward,  there 
appears  a  protuberance  behind  the  fhouldec,  and 
the  arm  is  thrown  forwards  toward  the  brcaft. 

The  ufual  method  of  reducing  diflocations  of 
the  Ihoulder  is  to  feat  the  patient  upon  a  low  Itoo}, 
and  to  caufe  an  alTillant  to  hold  his  body  fo  that  ic 
may  not  give  way  to  the  extenfion,  while  another 
lays  hold  of  the  arm  a  little  above  the  elbow,  and 
gradually  extends  it.  The  operator  then  puts  a 
napkin  under  the  patient's  arm,  and  caufes  it  to 
be  tied  behind  his  own  neck :  by  this,  while  a  fuf-  > 
ficient  extenfion  is  made,  he  lifts  up  the  head  of 
the  bone,  and  with  his  han^s  direi^s  it  into  its 
proper  place.  There  are  various  machines  invented 
for  facilitating  this  operation,  but  the  hand  of  an 
expert  furgeon  is  always  more  fafe.  In  young  and 
delicate  patients,  I  have  generally  found  it  a  very, 
cafy  matter  to  reduce  the  Ihoulder,  by  extending 
the  arm  with  one  hand,  and  thrufting  in  the  head 
of  the  bone  with  the  other.  In  making  the  exten* 
fion,  the  arm  ought  always  to  be  a  little  bene. 


DISLOCATION  OF  THE  ELBOW. 

The  bones  of  the  fore-arm  may  be  diflocatcd  in 
any  direftion.  When  this  is  the  cafe,  a  protu- 
berance may  be  obferved  on  that  fide  of  the  arm 
cowards  which  the  bone  is  pufhed,  from  which, 
and  the  patient's  inability  to  bend  his  arm,  a  dido- 
cation  of  this  joint  may  caGly  be  katiwn. 

Two 


591   DISLOCATION  OF  THE  THIGH. 

Two  aflfiftants  are  generally  necelfary  for  redtf^ 
cing  a  riiQocacion  of  the  elbow;  one  of  them  mutt 
lay  hold  of  the  arm  above,  and  the  other  below. 
the  joint,  and  make  a  pretty  (Irong  extenfion^  while 
the  operator  returns  the  bones  into  their  proper 
place.  Afterwards  the  arm  mud  be  bent^  and  fuf- 
pended  for  feme  time  with  a  fling  about  the  neck;   • 

Luxations  of  the  wrift  and  lingers  are  to  be  re« 
duced  in  the  fame  manner  as  thofe  of  the  elbow; 
viz.  by  making  an  extenfion  in  different  dire£kions, 
and  thrufting  the  head  of  the  bone  into  its  place. 


DISLOCATION  OF  THE  THIGH. 

When  the  thigh-bone,  is-  diflocated  forward  and 
downward,  the  knee  and  foot  are  turned  out,  and 
the  leg  is  longer  than  the  other ;  but  when  k  ii 
difplaced  backward,  jt  is  ufually  puflied  upward  at 
the  fame  time,  by  which  means  the  limb  is  fhort* 
ened,  and  the  foot  is  turned  inwards. 

When  the  thigh-bone  is  difplaced  forward  and 
downward,  the  patient,    in   order  to  have  it  re* ' 
duced,  mud  be  laid  upon  his  back,  and  made  faft 
by  bandages,  or  held  by  afliftants,  while  by  others 
an  extenfion  is  made  by  means  of  flings  fixed  about  i 
the  bottom  of  the  thigh  a  little  above  the  knee* 
While  the  extenfion  is  made,  the  operator  muft 
pufli  the   head  of  the  bone  outward,  till  it  gets 
into  the  focket.     If  the  diflocation  be  outward,  the  - 
patient  muft  be  laid  upon  his  face,  and,  during  the 
extenfion,  the  head  of  the  bone  muft  be  puihed  in* 
ward. 

Diflocations  of  the  kn^es,  ancics,  and  toss,  ait* 
reduced  much  in  the  fame  manner  as  thofe  of  the 
upper  extremities,  viz.  by  making  an  extenfion  in  '' 
oppofite  diredionsj  while  the  operator  replaces  the  - 
7  bpACSt 


Ot  BROKEN  BONES.  Vtf.  ^93 
boties.  In  many  cafes,  bowevcr*  the  extenfion 
alone  is  fuffictenr,  and  the  bone  will  flip  into  hi 
place  merdy  by  pulling  the  limb  with  fufficieiu 
force,  it  is  Boi  hereby  meant,  that  force  alone  is 
fuificieat  for  the  redu^ion  of  diflocatioas.  Skill 
and  addrcfs  will  ofcea  fucceed  better  than  force.  I 
have  known  a  dillocation  of  the  thigh  reduced  by 
one  man,  afur  all  the  force  that  could  be  ufed  by 
fix  had  proved  ineffe^hial. 


CHAP.    LII. 

OF   BROKEN   BONES,  &t, 

'TTHERE  ii,  in  moft  country  villMes,  lam« 
*''  perfon  who  pretends  to  the  art  of  reducing 
'  fraAurcs.  Though  in  general  fuch  perfons  are  very 
ignorant,  y«t  fome  of  them  are  very  fuccefsfuli 
which  evidently  proves,  that  a  iinall  degree  of 
learning,  with  a  fufficient  fhare  of  common  icnfe 
and  a  n>eohanical  head,  will  enable  a  man  to  be 
ufeful  in  this  way.  We  would,  however,  advife 
people  never  to  employ  fuch  operators,  when  m 
expert  and  flcilful  furg«>n  can  be  had;  but  when 
that  is  impradicable,  they  muft  be  employed :  we 
Aiall  therefore  recommend  the  following  hints  to 
their  coRfidefation : 

When  a  Jargc  bone  is  broken,  the  patient's  dirt 
ought  in  all  rerpe£ts  to  be  the  fame  as  in  an  inQam- 
matory  fever.  He  fhould  likewife  be  kept  quiet  ■ 
and  cool,  and  his  body  open  by  emollient  dyuersi 
or,  if  thcfe  cannot  be  conveniently  adminiftcFed, 
by  food  that  is  of  an  opening  quality  t  as  ftewed 
prunes,  apples  boiled  in  milk,  boiled  fpinage,  and 
the  like.  It  ought  however  to  be  here  reaurked, 
(i.q  that 


J94  OP  BROKEN  BONES,  G?r. 
that  pcrfons  who  have  been  accuftomed  to  lirt 
high,  are  not  all  of  a  fudden  to  be  reduced  to 2 
very  low  diet.  This  nrjight  have  fatal  cffcos. 
There  is  often  a  nectffity  for  indulging  even  bad 
habits,  in  fome  mcafure,  where  the  nature  of  the 
difeafc  might  require  a  different  treatment. 

It  will  generally  be  neccffary  to  bleed  the  patient 
immediately  after  a  frafture,  efpecially  if  be  be 
young,  of  a  full  habit,  or  has  at  the  fame  time  re- 
ceived any  bruife  or  contufion.  This  operation 
Ihould  not  only  be  performed  foon  after  the  acci- 
dent happen?,  but  if  the  patient  be  very  feverifli,it 
may  be  repeated  next  day.  When  fcveral  of  the 
ribs  are  broken,  bleeding  is  peculiarly  neceffary. 

If  any  of  the  large  bones  which  fupport  the  bodf 
are  broken,  the  patient  muft  keep  his  bed  for  fcve- 
ral weeks.  It  is  by  no  means  neceffary,  however, 
that  he  fliould  lie  all  that  time,  as  is  cuftomarr, 
upon  his  back.  This  fituation  finks  the  fpirits, 
galls  and  frets  the  patient's  (kin,  and  rend-jrs  him 
very  uneafy.  After  the  fecond  week  he  may  be 
gently  raifed  up,  and  may  fit  feveral  hours,  fup- 
ported  by  a  bed-chair,  or  the  like,  which  will 
greatly  relieve  him.  Great  care,  however,  muft 
be  taken  in  raifing  him  up,  and  laying  him  down, 
that  he  make  no  exiytions  himfelf,  othcrwife  the 
aftion  of  the  mulcles  may  pull  the  bone  out  of 
its  place  *. 

*  Various  pieces  of  mftcMncry  have  been  contrived  for  coon- 
teraciing  ihe  fjrce  of  tiie  niulcic*,  and  retninin^  the  fragm"ii 
n(  broken  bones;  but  as  dci'criptions  of  cheie  without  drawin]^ 
would  be  of  liLcle  ui'e,  1  lh;ill  refer  the  reader  to  a  che«p  and 
ufeful  perfcrm.iiJLe  on  the  nature  and  cun  of  fraSiures^  lately  pbb- 
liflied  by  my  in*;jcnicus  fncnd  Mr.  Aitkcn,  fiirgeon  io  Edio- 
burph;  wherein  that  geiitUman  has  not  only  given  an  tccoait 
of  the  machines  recommended  in  .fradures  by  former  authors 
but  has  likevviie  added  i'&veral  improvemcots  of  his  owb>  wbick 
are  peculiarly  jlcful  in  compound  fraftures,  and  in  cnfcs  where 
patients  wiih  broken  bones  are  obliged  to  be  cran/portcd  firoai 
one  place  to  another. 

It 


OF  BROKEN  BONES,  6?r.      595 

It  is  of  great  importance  to  keep  the  patient 
dry  and  clean  while  in  this  ficuation.  By  neglefb* 
ing  this,  he  is  ofien  fo  galled  and  excoriated,  that 
he  is  forced  to  keep  fhifting  places  for  cafe.  I 
have  known  a  fractured  thigh-bone,  after  it  had 
been  kept  ftraight  for  above  a  fortnight,  difplaced 
by  this  means,  and  continue  bent  for  life,  in  fpite 
of  all  that  could  be  done. 

It  has  been  cuftomary  when  a  bone  was  broken, 
to  keep  the  limb  for  five  or  fix  weeks  continually 
upon  the  (Iretch.  But  this  is  a  bad  pofture.  It 
is  both  uneafy  to  the  patient,  and  unfavourable  to 
the  cure.  Xhe  bed  ficuation  is  to  keep  the  limb  a 
little  bent.  This  is  the  pofture  into  which  every 
animal  puts  its  limbs  when  it  goes  to  reft,  and  in 
which  fcwfft:  mufcles  are  upon  the  ftretch.  It  is 
cafily  cfFcfted,  by  either  laying  the  patient  upon 
his  fide,  or  making  the  bed  fo  as  to  favour  thispo- 
fition  of  the  limb. 

Bone-fetters  ought  carefully  to  examine,  whether 
the  bone  be  not  fliattered  or  broken  into  feveral 
pieces.  In  this  cafe  it  will  fometimes  be  necef- 
.  fary  to  have  the  limb  immediately  taken  off,  other- 
wife  a  gangrene  or  mortification  may  enfue.  The 
horror  which  attends  the  very  idea  of  an  amputa- 
tion often  occafions  its  being  delayed  in  fuch  cafes 
till  too  late.  I  have  known  this  principle  operate 
fo  ftrongly,  that  a  limb,  where  the  bones  were 
Oiattered  into  more  than  twenty  pieces,  was  not 
amputated  before  the  third  day  after  the  accident, 
■when  the  gangrene  had  proceeded  fo  far  as  to  ren- 
der the  operation  ufelcfs. 

When  a  fradlurc  is  accompanied  with  a  wound, 
it  muft  be  dreflfed  in  all  refpefts  as  a  commoa 
wound. 

All  that  art  can  do  towards  the  cure  of  a  bro- 
ken bone,  is  to  lay  it  perfedlly  ftraight,  and  to 
keep  it  quite  eafy.     All  tight  bandages  do  hurt. 

Qjq  2  They 


..-   T-- 


596      OF   BROKEN   BONES,    ^c. 

They  had  much  better  be  wanting  altogether.  A 
great  many  of  the  bad  confequenccs  which  fuccccd 
to  fra6lurcd  bones  arc  owing  to  tight  bandages. 
This  is  one  of  the  ways  in  which  the  cxcefs  of  art, 
or  rather  the  abufe  of  it,  does  more  mifchicf  than 
would  be  occafioned  by  the  want  of  it.  Some  of 
the  mod  fudden  cureii  of  broken  bones  which  were 
ever  known,  happened  where  no  bandages  were 
applied  at  all.  Some  method  however  muft  be 
taken  to  keep  the  member  {beady;  but  this  may 
be  done  many  ways  without  bracing  it  with  a  tight 
bandage. 

Tl;e  bed  method  of  retention  is  by  two  or  more 
fplints  made  of  leather  or  paftcboard.  Th^fe,  if 
inoiilened  before  they  be  applied,  foon  aflumc  the 
(hape  of  the  included  menrtber,  and  are  fufficient, 
by  the  aflillance  of  a  very  flight  bandage,  for'^all 
the  purpofes  of  retention.  The  bandage  which 
we  would  recommend  is  that  made  with  twelve  or 
eighteen  tails.  It  is  much  eafier  applied  and  taken 
off  than  rollers,  and  anfwers  all  the  purpofes  of 
retention  equally  well.  The  fplints  fhould  alwajrs 
be  as  long  as  the  limb,  with  holes  cut  for  the  ancles 
when  the  frav^ture  is  in  the  leg. 

In  fraftures  of  the  ribs,  where  a  bandage  cannot 
be  properly  ufed,  an  adhcfivc  plafter  may  be  ap- 
plied over  the  parr.  The  patient  in  this  cafe  oug|nt 
to  keep  himfelf  quite  eafy,  avoiding  every  thiig 
that  may  occafion  fneezing,  laughing,  coughing, 
or  the  like.  He  ou^ht  to  keep  his  body  in  i 
ftraight  pofture,  and  mould  take  care  that  his  (to- 
miich  be  confrantly  dillcnded,  by  taking  frequent- 
ly fome  light  food,  and  drinking  finccly  of  weak 
watery  liquors. 

The  mod  proper  external  applicatioii  for  a  frac- 
ture is  GsjcratCy  or  a  mixture  of  vinrgar  ahd  wa- 
ler.  The  bandages  fbould  be  Wet  with  this  at 
rvery  drefling. 


* 


I     597     3 


OF      STRAINS. 

Strains  are  often  attended  with  worfe  confe- 
qucntcs  than  broken  bones.  The  rcifiin  is  obvi- 
011  i  i  they  are  generally  negle£ted.  When  a  bone 
is  broken,  the  patient  is  obliged  to  keep  the  mem- 
ber cafy,  bccaufe  he  cannot  make  ufc  of  it;  but 
when  a  joint  is  only  (trained,  the  perfon,  finding 
he  Ciin  ftill  make  a  (hift  to  move  it,  is  forry  to  lofe 
his  tinne  for  fo  trifling  an  ailment.  In  this  way  he 
deceives  hinnfelf,  and  converts  into  an  incurable 
malady  what  rrright  have  been  removed  by  only 
keepioj;   the  part  cafy  for  a  few  days. 

Country  people  generally  iinmerfe  a  ftrained  limb 
in  did  water.  This  is  very  proper,  provided  it 
be  done  immediately,  and  not  kept  in  too  long. 
But  the  cuftom  of  keeping  the  part  inimerfed  in 
cold  water  for  a  long  time  is  certainly  dangerous. 
It  relaxes  inrtead  of  bracing  the  part,  and  is  more 
likely  to  produce  a  difeafe  than  remove  one. 

Wrapping  a  garter,  or  fome  other  bandage, 
pretty  tight  about  the  drained  parr,  is  likcwife  of 
ufe.  It  helps  to  rcftorc  the  proper  tone  of  the  vel- 
fels,  and  prevents  the  action  of  the  parts  from  in- 
creafing  the  difeafe.  It  ihould  not  howci-cr  be  ap- 
plied tou  tight.  I  have  frequently  kriown  bleed- 
ing near  the  atFefted  part  have  a  very  good  effcfi : 
but  what  wc  would  recommend  above  all  is  e^ife. 
It  is  more  to  be  depended  on  than  any  medicine, 
and  feldom  fails  to  remove  thecompUini  *, 

•  A  great  many  exterrsl  ■pplJcitions  are  rfcommendi-d  fur 
Jlr»ins,  Iboie  of  wliich  do  good,  and  others  hurt.  'I'he  folloiving 
are  futh  is  m«y  be  ofcd  *iih  the  grcnell  Tifcty,  viz.  pouliicrs 
made  cf  ftale  beer  or  vinegar  and  oaimcal,  camphorated  ipirils 
ff  wine,  Mindereru.'s  fplrit.  voUtile  linim-ni,  votnile  arom;-. 
tic  fpirit  diluted  with  a  double  quantity  of  water,  and  ihe  com- 
tnao  fomencatioo,  with  the  ni^diiion  of  brandy  or  ffirit  of  wiae. 


[    598    ] 


OF    RUPTURES. 

Children  and  very  old  people  arc  mod  liable  to 
this  difcafc.  In  the  former  it  is  generally  occa- 
fioned  byexceflive  crying,  coughing,  vomiting,  or 
the  like.  In  the  latter,  it  is  commonly  the  effcd 
of  blows  or  violent  exertions  of  the  ftrength,  as 
leaping,  carrying  great  weights,  &c.  In  both,  a 
relaxed  habit,  indolence,  and  an  oily  or  very  moift 
diet,  difpofe  the  body  to  this  difeafe. 

A  rupture  fometimes  proves  fatal  before  it  is 
difcovered.  Whenever  (icknefs,  vomiting,  and 
obftinate  coftivenefs  give  reafon  to  fufpeft  an  ob- 
ftruftion  of  the  bowels,  all  thofe  places  where  rup- 
tures ufually  happen  ought  carefully  to  be  exa- 
mined. The  protrufion  of  a  very  fmall  part  of  the 
gut  will  occafion  all  thefe  fymptoms ;  and,  if  not 
returned  in  due  time,  will  prove  mortal. 

On  the  firft  appearance  of  a  rupture  in  an  infant, 
it  ought  to  be  laid  upon  its  back,  with  its  head  very 
low.  While  in  this  pofture,  if  the  gut  does  not 
return  of  itfelf,  it  may  eafily  be  put  up  by  gentle 
preffure.  After  it  is  returned,  a  piece  of  fticking- 
plafter  may  be  applied  over  the  part,  and  a  proper 
trufs  or  bandage  muft  be  conftantly  worn  for  a  con- 
fiJerable  time.  The  method  of  making  and  ap- 
plying thefe  rupture-bandages  for  children  is  pretty 
well  known.  The  child  muft,  as  far  as  poflible, 
be  kept  from  crying,  and  from  all  violent  exertioos, 
till  the  rupture  is  quite  healed. 

In  adults,  when  the  gut  has  been  forced  down 
with  great  violence,  or  happens  from  any  caufe  to 
be  inflamed,  there  is  often  great  difficulty  in  re- 
turning  it,  and  fometimes  the  thing  is  quite  irti- 

prafticabte 


O  F    R  U  P  T  U  R  E  S.  599 

practicable  without  an  operation  ^  a  defcriptton  of 
which  is  foreign  to  our  purpofe.  As  I  have  been 
fortunate  enough,  however,  always  to  fuccced  in 
my  attempts  to  return  the  gut,  without  having  re- 
courfc  to  any  other  means  than  what  are  in  the 
power  of  every  man,  I  ihall  briefly  mentioa  the 
method  which  I  generally  purfoc. 

After  the  patient  has  been  bled,  he  muft  be  laid 
upon  his  back,  with  his  head  very  low,  and  his 
breech  raifed  high  with  pillows.  In  this  fuuaiion 
Bannel-cloths  wrung  out  of  a  dccoAion  of  mal- 
lows and  camomile- flowers,  or,  if  thefe  are  not  at 
hand,  of  warm  water,  muft  be  applied  for  a  con- 
fidcrable  time.  A  clyfter  made  of  this  decodion> 
with  a  large  fpoonful  of  butcer  and  a  little  fait, 
may  be  afterwards  thrown  up.  If  thefe  fhould  not 
prove  fiiccefsful,  recourfe  muft  be  had  to  preflTure. 
If  the  tumour  be  very  hard,  confiderable  force  will 
be  neccflary ;  but  it  is  not  force  alone  which  fuc- 
cccds  here.  The  operator,  at  the  tame  time  that 
he  makes  a  preffure  with  the  palms  of  his  hand, 
muft  with  his  fingers  artfully  conduft  the  gut  in  by 
the  fame  aperture  through  which  it  came  out.  The 
manner  of  doing  this  can  be  much  eafier  conceived 
than  defcribed.  Should  theie  endeavours  prove  in- 
effeftual,  clyftcrs  of  the  fmoke  of  tobacco  ma^  be 
tried.  Thefe  have  been  often  known  to  fucceed 
where  every  other  method  failed. 

There  is  reafon  to  believe  that,  by  perfifting  in 
the  ufe  of  thefe,  and  fuch  other  means  as  the  cir- 
cumftances  of  the  cafe  may  fuggcft,  moft  hernias 
might  be  reduced  without  an  operation.  Cutting 
for  the  bemia  is  a  nice  and  difficult  matter.  I  would 
therefore  advifc  furgeons  to  try  every  method  of 
returning  the  gut  before  they  have  recourfc  to  the 
knife.  I  have  once  and  again  fucceeded  by  perfc- 
Yf  ring  in  my  endeavours,  after  eminent  furgeons  had 
Qjq  4  declared 


6oo  OF    CASlfALTIES. 

declared  the  reduAion  of  the  gut  impra&jcablc 
without  an  operation  *. 

An  adult/  after  the  gut  has  been  returnedi  muft 
wear  a  ftecl  bandage.  It  is  needlels  to  dcfcribe 
this,  as  it  ma^  always  be  had  ready-made  from  tb« 
artifts.  Such  bandages  are  generally  uneafy  to  the 
wearer  for  fome  time,  but  by  cuftom  they  become 
quite  eafy.  No  perfon  who  has  had  a  rupiutt 
after  be  arrived  at  man's  eftate  fliould  ever  bt 
without  one  of  thefe  bandages. 

Perfons  who  have  a  rupture  ought  carefully  ta 
avoid  all  violent  exercife,  carrying  great  weights, 
leaping,  running,  and  thelike.  They  Ihould  tike* 
wi^  avoid  windy  aliment  and  llrong  liquors;  ud 
Oiould  carefully  guard  againft  catching  cold. 


CHAP,-  Lin, 
OF    CASUALTIES. 

TT  is  certain  that  life,  when  to  all  appearance 

*  loft,  may  often,  by  due  care,  be  rcftorcd.  Ac- 
cidents frequently  prove  fatal,  merely  becaufepro- 
]xr  means  are  not  ufed  to  counteraA  their  efieds, 

*  I  would  here  beg  leave  to  recommentl  it  to  every  ivjiffi- 
tioncr,  when  hit  patieot  comphitni  af  pain  in  tfae  btUf  wukolv 
Slnau  caftivenefii  to  eximiae  ibe  groini  utd  every  place  «k«a 

•  raptMremay  happen,  in  order  thai  it  may  be  ianneJiate);  i^ 
4liced.  B/  De^leAiDg  chu,  many  perilh  who  weie  hoc  ftfpeSei 
to  have  1)a4  ropturei  till  afr^  they  were  dead. '  I  have  kaowa 
thh  happen  vKrc  half  a  4otxa  at  the  ^cnlr^  wcrt  ta  juoad. 


if« 


O  F    C  A  S  U  A  L  T  I  E  S.  6oi 

No  perlbn  ought  to  be  looked  upon  as  killed  by 
&ay  accident,  unlefs  where  the  ftrudure  of  the 
heart,  brain,  or  fome  orga,n  neceflary  to  life,  is 
evidently  deftroyed.  The  adion  of  thefe  organs 
may  be  lb  far  impaired  as  even  to  be  for  fome  time 
imperceptible,  when  life  is  by  no  means  gone.  la 
this  cafe,  however,  if  the  fluids  be  fuflTcred  to  grow 
cold,  it  will  be  impoflible  to  put  them  again  in 
motion,  even  though  the  folids  fliould  recover  their 
power  of  a&ing.  Thus,'  when  the  motion  of  the 
lungs  has  been  ftopt  by  unwholcfume  vapour,  the 
adion  of  the  heart  by  a  ftroke  on  the  breaft,  or  the 
funftiona  of  the  brain  by  a  blow  on  the  head,  if 
the  pcrfon  be  fuffered  to  grow  cold,  he  will  in  all 
probability  continue  fo;  but,  if  the  body  be  kept 
warm,  as  foon  as  the  injured  part  has  recovered  its 
power  of  acting,  the  fluids  will  again  begin  to 
move,  and  all  the  vital  fun^ions  will  be  reftored' 

It  is  a  horrid  cuftom  immediately  to  conlign 
over  to  death  every  perfon  who  has  the  misfortune, 
by  a  fall,  a  blow,  or  the  like,  to  be  deprived  of 
the  appearance  of  life.  The  unhappy  perfon,  in-  * 
Acad  of  being  carried  into  a  warm  houfe,  and  laid 
by  the  Are,  or  put  to  a  warm  bed,  is  generally  Iiur> 
ried  away  to  church,  or  a  barn,  or  fome  other  cold 
damp  houfe,  where,  after  a  fruitlefs  attempt  has 
been  made  to  bleed  him,  perhaps  by  one  who 
knew  nothing  of  the  matter,  he  is  given  over  for 
dead,  and  no  further  notice  taken  of  him.  This 
condu£t  fecms  to  be  the  refult  of  ignorance,  fup- 
ported  by  an  ancient  fuperftitious  notion,  which 
forbids  the  body  of  any  perfon  kilted  by  accident 
to  be  laid  in  an  houfe  that  is  inhabited.  What  the 
ground  of  this  fuperdition  may  be,  we  fhall  not 
pretend  to  inquire  i  but  furely  the  conduct  founded 
upon  it  is  contrary  to  all  the  principles  of  reafon^ 
feymanity,  and  common  fenfc. 

JQ  When 


6o2    SUBSTANCES  STOPT  BETWEEN 

When  a  perTon  Teems  to  be  fuddenly  deprived  of 
life,  our  firft  bufinefs  is  to  inquire  into  the  caufe. 
We  ought  carefully  to  obfervc  whether  any  fub- 
llance  be  lodged  in  the  windpipe  or  gullet;  and,  if 
that  is  the  cafe,  attempts  muft  be  made  to  remove 
it.  When  unwholefome  air  is  the  caufe,  the  pa- 
tient ought  immediately  to  be  r,emoved  out  of  it. 
}f  the  circulation  be  fuddenly  ftopped,  from  any 
caufe  whatever,  except  mere  weakncfs,  the  patient 
fliould  be  bled.  If  the  blood  does  not  flow,  he 
may  be  immerfed  in  warm  water,  or  rubbed  with 
ivarm  cloths,  &c.  to'  promote  the  circulation. 
When  the  caufe  cannot  be  fuddenly  removed,  our 
great  aim  muft  be  to  keep  up  the  vital  warmth,  by 
rubbing  the  patient  with  hot  cloths,  or  fait,  and 
covering  his  body  with  warm  fand,  afhes,  or  the 
like. 

I  (hould  now  proceed  to  treat  more  fully  of  thofc 
accidents,  which,  without  immediate  afliftance, 
would  often  prove  fatal,  and  to  point  out  themoft 
likely  means  for  relieving  the  unhappy  fufFcrcrss 
but  as  I  have  been  happily  anticipated  in  this  part 
of  my  fubjeft  by  the  learned  and  humane  Dr. 
Tiflbt,  1  (hall  content  myfelf  with  felefting  fuch 
of  his  obfervations  as  feem  to  be  the  moft  import^ 
ant,  and  adding  fuch  of  my  own  as  hayc  ocouxcd 
in  the  courfc  of  praftice.  xi^^^ 


OF  SUBSTANCES  STOPT  BETWEEN 
MOUTH  AND  STOMACH. 

Though  accidents  of  this  kind  are  very  com- 
mon, and  extremely  dangerous,  yet  they  arc  gene- 
rally the  cfFcft  of  careleflhefs.  Children  (hould  be 
taught  to  chew  their  food  well,  and  to  put  nothing 
intQ  their  mouths  which  it  would  be  dangerous  for 

them 


:^^fi. 


THE  MOUTH  AND  STOMACH.   603 

them  to  fwallow.  But  children  arc  not  the  only 
perfons  guilty  of  this  piece  of  impudence.  I 
know  many  adults  who  put  pins^  nails^  and  6ther 
fharp- pointed  fubftances  in  their  mouths  upon  every 
occafion,  and  fomc  who  even  fleep  with  the  former 
thtre  all  night.  This  conduft  is  excec^dingly  inju- 
dicious, as  a  fit  of  coughing,  or  twenty  other  ac- 
cidents, may  force  over  the  fubftancc  before  the 
perfon  is  aware*. 

When  any  •  fubftancc  is  detained  in  the  gullet, 
there  are  two  ways  of  removing  it,  viz.  either  by 
extrafting  it,  or  puftiing  it  down.  The  fafcft  and 
moft  certain  way  is  to  extraft  it;  but  this  is  not 
always  the  eaficft;  it  may  therefore  be  more  eli- 
gible fometimes  to  thruft  it  down,  efpecially  when 
the  obftruAing  body  is  of  fuch  a  nature,  that  there 
is  no  danger  from  its  reception  into  the  ftomach. 
The  fubftances  which  may  bepuflieddown  without 
danger  are,  all  common  nourifhing  ones,  as  bread^ 
flefti,  fruits,  and  the  like.  All  indigcftible  bodies, 
as  cork,  wood,  bones,  pieces  of  metal,  and  fuch 
like,  ought  if  poffible  to  be  extracted,  efpecially  if 
thefe  bodies  be  (harp  pointed,  as  pins,  needles, 
fifli  bones,  bits  of  glafs,  &c. 

When  fuch  fubftances  have  not  pafled  in  too 
deep,  we  Ihould  endeavour  to  extraft  them  with 
our  fingers,  which  method  often  fucceeds.  When 
they  are  lower,  we  muft  make  ufe  of  nippers,  or  a 
fmall  pair  of  forceps,  fuch  as  furgeons  ufe.  But 
this  attempt  to  extraft  rarely  fucceeds,  if  the  fub- 
ftancc be  of  a  flexible  nature,  and  has  defcendcd  far 
into  the  gullet. 

If  the  fingers  and  nippers  fail,  or  cannot  be  duly 
applied,  crotchets,  a  kind  of  hooks,  muft  be  cm- 

*  A  woman  in  one  of  the  hofpitals  of  this  city  lately  dif- 
charged  a  great  number  of  pins,  wh.ch  (he  had  fwallowed  in  the 
couriftf  of  her  buiiaefs,  through  an  uker  in  her  ilde. 

ployed. 


i 


P5. 


^04  SUBSTANCES  STOPT  BETWEEN 

ployed.  Thcfc  may  be  made  at  once,  by  bending 
9  piece  of  pretty  ftrong  iron  wire  at  one  end.  It 
mud:  be  introduced  in  the  flat  way ;  and  for  the 
better  conducing  it,  there  fhould  likewife  be  a 
curve  or  bending  at  the  end  it  is  held  by,  to  ferve 
as  a  kind  of  handle  to  it ;  which  has  this  further 
ufe,  that  it  may  be  fecured  by  a  firing  tied  to  it, 
a  circumftance  not  to  be  omitted  in  any  inftrument 
employed  on  fuch  occaOonsi  to  avoid  fuch  ill  acci- 
dents as  have  fometimes  enfued  from  thefe  ioftru- 
fments  flipping  out  of  the  operator's  hand.  After 
the  crotchet  has  pafied  below  the  fubftance  that  ob- 
ftruds  the  paffage,  it  is  drawn  up  again,  and 
hooks  up  the  body  along  with  it.  The  crotchet  is 
alfo  very  convenient,  when  a  fubftance  fomewhac 
flexible,  as  a  pin  or  fi(h-bone,  fticks  acrofs  the  gul- 
let, the  hook,  in  fuch  cafes,  feizing  them  about 
their  middle  part,  crooks  and  thus  difengagcs 
themi  or,  if  they  are  very  brittle  fubftanccs,  ferves 
to  break  them. 

When  the  obftruding  bodies  are  fmall,  and  only 
flop  up  a  part  of  the  palTage,  and  which  may  either 
eauly  elude  the  hook,  or  (Iraiten  it  by  their  refift- 
ance,  a  kind  of  rings,  made  either  of  wire,  wool| 
or  filk,  may  be  ufed.  A  piece  of  fine  wire  of  a 
proper  length  may  be  bent  into  a  circle,  about  the 
miadle,  of  about  an  inch  diameter,  and  the  long 
unbent  fides  brought  parallel,  and  near  each  other: 
thefe  are  to  be  held  in  the  hand,  and  the  circular 
part  or  ring  introduced  into  the  gullet,  in  order  to 
be  conduded  about  the  obftruding  body,  and  (b 
to  extrad  it.  More  flexible  rings  may  be  made 
of  wool,  thread,  filk,  or  fmall  pack-thread,  which 
may  be  waxed  for  their  greater  ftrength  and  confid- 
ence. One  of  thefe  is  to  be  tied  faft  to  a  handle  of 
iron  wire,  whale- bone,  or  any  kind  gf  flexible 
wood,  and  by  this  means  introduced,  ia  order  to 
furround  the  obftrudiDg  fubftance^  aod  Co  draw  it 


THE  MOUtH  AND  SToMaCH.    6oj 

out.  Sevewi  of  theft  rings  paffed  through  orHt 
another  may  be  ufed,  the  more  certainly  to  lay  hold 
of  the  obftrufting  body,  which  may  be  involrcd 
by  one,  if  another  ftiould  mifs  it.  Thefe  ringt 
have  one  advantage,  which  is,  that  wheti  the  fub. 
ftance  to  be  extraifted  is  once  laid  hold  of,  it  may  - 
then,  by  turning  the  handle,  be  retained  foftlongly 
in  the  ring  thus  twifted,  as  ro  be  mD«d  every 
way,  which  tnull  in  many  cafes  be  a  cDnfidefabltt 
advantage. 

Anottier  material  employed  on  thefe  unhappy 
oecafions  is  the  fponge.  Its  property  of  fwclling 
confiderably  on  being  wet  is  the  principal  founda-- 
tton  of  its  oftrfulnefs  here.  If  any  fubftance  is 
ftopt  in  the  gullet,  but  without  filling  up  the 
whole  paflag*,  a  bit  of  fponge  may  be  introductd 
into  that  part  which  is  untlopt,  and  beyond  the 
fubftance.  The  fponge  foon  dilates,  and  growi 
larger  in  this  moid  ficuation  ;  and  indeed  the  en* 
largement  of  it  may  be  forwarded  by  making  the 
patient  fwallow  a  few  drops  of  water.  Afterward* 
it  is  to  be  drawn  back  by  the  handle  to  which  it  is 
fattened  {  and  as  it  is  now  too  large  to  returrt 
through  the  fmall  cavity  by  which  it  was  conveyed 
in,  it  draws  out  the  obftru£ting  body  along  with 
it. 

The  compreflibiUty  of  fponge  is  another  found- 
ation of  its  ufefulnefs  in  fuch  cafes.  A  pretty  large 
piece  of  ffwnge  may  be  comprelTed  or  fqueezed 
into  a  fmall  fize,  by  winding  a  ftring  of  tape  clofcly 
about  it,  which  may  be  eafily  unwound,  and 
withdrawn,  after  the  fponge  has  been  introduced. 
A  bit  of  fponge  may  likewife  be  compreflcd  by  ft 
piece  of  whale-bone  fpllt  at  one  end  -,  but  this  can 
■  hardly  be  introduced  in  fuch  a  manner  as  nut  to. 
hurt  the  patient. 

I  have  often  known  pins  and  other  fharp  bodies, 

which  had  ftuck  in  the   throat,  brought  up  by 

caufing 


6o6    SUBSTANCES  STOPT  BETWEEN 

cauHng  the  pcrfon  to  fwallow  a  bit  of  tough  meat 
tied  to  a  thread,  and  drawing  ic  quickly  up  again. 
This  is  fafer  than  fwallowing  fponge,  and  iivili 
often  anfwer  the  purpofe  equally  well. 

When  all  thel'e  methods  prove  unfuccefsful, 
there  remains  one  more,  which  is,  to  make  the 
patient  vomit :  but  this  can  fcarccly  be  of  any  fcr- 
vice,  unlefs  when  fuch  obftrudting  bodies  arc 
fimply  engaged  in,  and  not  hooked  or  (luck  into 
the  fides  of  the  gullet,  as  in  this  cafe  vomiting 
might  fometimes  occafion  further  mifchief.  If 
the  patient  can  fwallow,  vomiting  may  be  excited 
by  taking  half  a  drachm  or  two  fcruples  of  ipeca- 
*cuanha  in  powder  made  into  a  draught.  If  he  is 
not  able  to  fwallow,  an  attempt  may  be  made  to 
excite  vomUing,  by  tickling  his  throat  with  a  fea- 
ther; and,  if  that  ihould  not  fuccccd,  a  cl viler  of 
tobacco  may  be  adminiftercd.  Ic  is  made  by  boil- 
ing an  ounce  of  tobacco  in  a  fufficient  quantity  of 
water :  this  has  often  been  found  to  fucceed,  when 
other  attempts  to  excite  vomiting  had  failed. 

When  the  obd rutting  body  is  of  fuch  a  nature 
that  it  may  with  fafcty  be  pufhed  downwards,  this 
may  be  attempted  by  means  of  a  wax-candle  oiled, 
and  a  little  heated,  fo  as  to  make  it  flexible;  or  a 
piece  of  whale-bone,  wire,  or  flexible  wood,  with 
a  fponge  fattened  to  one  end. 

bhould  it  be  impoflible  to  extraft  even  thofc  bo» 
dies  which  it  is  dangerous  to  admit  into  the  fto- 
mach,  we  muft  then  prefer  the  Icaft  of  two  evils, 
and  rather  run  the  hazard  of  pulhing  them  down 
than  fufirr  the  patient  to  perifli  in  a  few  minutes; 
and  we  ought  to  fcruple  this  refolution  the  le£i^  m 
a  great  many  inftances  have  happened^  where  the 
fwallowing  of  fuch  hurtful  and  indigeftible  fubr 
ftances  has  been  followed  by  no  difordcr. 

Whenever  it  is  manifeft  that  all  endeavours  ei- 
ther to  extradt  or  pufh  down  the  fubftance  nwft 
•^  prove 


THp  MOUTH  AND  STOMACH.  607 
prove  incfFc£Vvial,  they  fliould  be  difcontinucd  j 
becaufe  the  inflammarion  occafioned  by  perfifting 
in  them  might  be  as  dangerous  as  the  obftruftion 
itfelf.  Some  have  died  in  confeqiitncc  of  the  in- 
flammation, even  after  the  body  which  caufed  the 
obftrLiction  had  been  entirely  removed. 

Vt^hile  the  means  recommended  above  are  malting 
ufe  of,  the  patient  fhould  often  fwallow,  or,  if  he 
cannot,  lie  (boiild  frequently  receive  by  JnjeflioQ 
through  a  crooked  tube  or  pipe  that  may  reach 
down  to  the  gullet,  fome  emollient  liquor,  as  warm 
"milk  and  water,  barley-water,  or  a  decoftion  of 
mallows.  Injtdlions  of  this  kind  not  only  foften 
and  footh  the  irritated  pans,  bur,  when  thrown  in 
with  force,  are  often  more  fucccfsful  in  loofening 
the  obfl:rudion  than  all  attempts  with  inftru- 
menrs. 

When,  after  all  our  endeavours,  we  are  obliged 
to  leave  the  obllrufting  body  in  the  part,  the  pa- 
tient muft  be  treated  as  if  he  had  an  inflammatory 
difeafe.  He  Oiould  be  bled,  kept  upon  a  low 
diet,  and  have  his  whole  neck  furrounjjed  with 
emollient  p>oultices.  The  like  treatment  inuft 
alfo  be  ufed,  if  there  be  any  reafon  to  furpedt  an 
inflammation  of  the  paflagcsj  though  the  obftrudt- 
ing  body  be  removed. 

A  proper  degree  of  agitation  has  fometimes  loof- 
ened  the  inhering  body  more  effeftually  than  inllru- 
mcnts.  Thus,  a  blow  on  the  back  has  often  forced 
up  a  fubftance  which  ftuck  in  the  gullet;  but  this 
is  ftiil  more  proper  and  cfiicacious  when  the  fub- 
ftance gets  into  the  wind-pipe.  In  this  cafe,  vo- 
miting and  fneezing  arc  likewife  to  be  excited. 
Pins,  which  ftuck  in  the  gullet,  have  been  fre- 
quently difchargcd  by  riding  on  horfcback,  or  in 
a  carriage. 

When  any  indjgeftible  fubftance  has  been  forced 

down  into  the  ftamach,  the  patient  ftiould  ufc  a  very 

1  mild 


6oS  OF  DROWNED  PERSONS, 
mild  and  fmooth  Jier,  conDfting  chiefly  of  /raits 
and  farinaceous  fubftanccs,  as  puddingt^  pottage* 
and  ioups.  He  Ihould  avoid  all  heating  and  ir- 
ritating things,  as  wine,  punch,  pepper,  and  fucli 
like;  and  his  drink  (hould  be  milk  and  water, 
barley-water,   or  whey. 

When  tlie  gullet  is  fo  ftrongly  and  fully  dofcd, 
that  the  fijiienc  can  receive  no  food  by  the  mouth, 
he  miifl:  be  nourillicd  by  clyfters  of  foup,  jelly,  a^d 
the  like. 

When  the  patient  is  in  danger  of  being  imme^ 
diately  rufforated,  and  all  hope  of  freeing  the  paf- 
fagc  is  vaniflied,  lb  that  death  fcems  at  hand,  ifre- 
fpiration  be  not  reftoredj  the  operation  of  hrai- 
chumj,  or  opening  of  the  vind-pipe,  nauft  be  di- 
rc£tly  perfoniied.  As  this  operation  is  neither  dif- 
ficult to  an  ex[>eri  furgeon,  nor  very  painful  to  the 
patient,  and  is  often  the  only  method  which  cu 
be  uken  to  preferve  life  in  thefc  emergencies,  we 
thought  proper  to  nnention  it,  though  it  Ihaalil 
only  be  attempted  by  perfons  tkilled  in  furgcry . 

OF   DROWNED   PERSONS. 

When  a  perfon  has  remained  above  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  under  water,  there  can  be  no  conGderable 
hopes  of  his  recovery.  But  as  feveral  ctrcum- 
ftances  may  happen  to  hare  continued  life,  io  fudi 
an  unfortunate  licuation,  beyond  the  ordinary  Rnn, 
we  Ihould  never  too  foon  refign  the  unhappy  ob> 
jzSc  to  his  fate,  but  try  every  method  for  hit  tt- 
lief,  as  there  are  many  well  attefted  proo5of  dK 
recovery  of  perfons  to  life  and  health  wfao  ha^j 
been  taken  out  of  the  water  appsvently  dead*  viA- 
who  ren^aincd  a  confidcrable  ume  witbow  tiM-, 
biting  any  (igns  of  life. 


OF  DROWNED  PERSON^  ^ 

"the  firft  thing  to  be  done,  after  the  body  is  ta- 
ken out  of  the  waicr.  Is  to  convey  it  as  foon  a« 
pofflble  to  fome  convenient  place  where  the  necef- 
fary  operations  for  its  recovery  may  be  performed* 
In  doing  this,  care  niuft  be  taken  not  to  bniife  or 
injure  the  body  by  carrying  it  in  any  unnatural, 
porture  with  the  head  downwards,  or  the  like.  If 
an  adult  body,  it  ought  to  be  laid  on  a  bed,  or  on 
fimw,  with  the  head  a  little  raifed,  and  carried  oil 
a  cart  or  on  men's  iKoulders,  and  kept  in  as  na* 
fural  and  eafy  a  pofltion  as  pofEble.  A  fmall  body 
may  be  carried  in  the  arms. 

In  attempting  to  recover  perfons  apparently 
drowned,  the  principal  intention  to  be  purfued  isy 
to  rejlore  the  natural  warmth,  upon  which  all  the 
vital  functions  depend;  and  to  excite  thefc  func- 
tions by  the  application  of  ftimulants,  not  only  to" 
the  fkin,    but  likewife  to  the    lungs,    intcftincs^ 

Though  cold  was  by  no  means  the  caufe  of  thrf" 
perfon's  death,  yet  it  will  prove  an  effeftual  ob- 
ftacle  to  his  recovery.     For  this  reafon,  after  ftrip- 

Sing  him  of  his  wet  clothes,  his  body  mud  bd 
rongly  rubbed  for  a  conlidcrable  time  with  coarfc 
lioen  cloths,  as  warm  as  they  can  be  made;  and, 
as  foon  as  a  well-heated  bed  can  be  got  ready,  he 
may  be  laid  in  ii,  and  the  rubbiftg  fliould  be  con> 
tihued.  Warm  cloths  ought  likcwife  to  be  fre- 
quently applied  to  the  ftomach  and  bowels,  and 
hot  bricks,  or  bottles  of  warm  water,  to  the  folca 
of  his  feet,  and  to  the  palms  of  his  hands. 

Strong  volatile  fpirits  fhould  be  frequently  ap- 
plied to  the  nofci  and  the  fpine  of  the  back  and 
pit  of  the  ftomach  may  be  rubbed  with  warm 
brandy  or  fpirit  of  wine.  -  The  temples  ought  al- 
ways to-be  ctiafed  with  volatile  fpiri;si  and  ftimu- 
}ati[}g  powders,  as  that  of  tobacco  or  maijoramy 
imty  be  blown  up  the  noftrils. 

R  r  To 


«io         OF  DROWNED  PERSONS. 

To  renew  the  breathing,  a  ftrong  perfon  may 
blow  his  owi*  breath  into  the  patient's  mctith  with 
all  the  force  he  can,  holding  his  noftrils  ac  the 
fame  time.  When  it  can  be  perceived  by  the 
fifing  of  the  cheft  or  lielly  that  the  lungs  are 'filled 
with  air,  the  perfon  ought  to  defift  from  blowing, 
and  (hould  prefs  the  breafl:  and  belly  fo  as  to  ei- 
pcl  the  air  again;  and  this  operation  may  be  re- 
peated for  fume  time,  alternately  infiating  and  dc- 
prelTing  the  lungs  fo  as  to  imitate  natural  refpira- 
tion. 

If  the  lungs  cannot  be  inflated  in  this  manner, 
ic  may  be  aticmpttd  by  blowing  through  one  of 
the  nodrils,  and  at  the  fame  time  keeping  theothe^ 
clofe.  Dr.  Monro  for  this  purpofc  recommends  i 
wooden  pipe  fitted  at  one  end  for  filling  the  noftril, 
and  at  the  other  for  being  blown  into  by  a  perfon's 
mouth,  or  for  receiving  the  pipe  of  a  pair  of  bel- 
lows, to  be  cm^'luyed  lor  the  fame  purpofc,  if  ne- 
ceffary. 

When  air  cannot  be  forced  into  the  cheft  by  the 
mouth  or  nofe,  it  may  be  necefTary  to  make  aa 
opening  in:o  the  wind-pipe  for  this  purpofc.  Itii 
needlcfs,  however,  to  fpend  time  in  defcribingihi* 
operation,  as  it  Ihuuld  not  be  attempted  uolcfs  bf 
perfons  fkiiicd  in  furgery. 

To  ftimiilate  the  inteltines,  the  fume  of  tobacco 
may  be  thrown  up  in  form  of  clyftcr.  There  aic 
various  pieces  of  apparatus  contrived  for  this  pur- 
pofc, which  may  be  ufed  when  at  hand  ;  but  where 
thefe  cannot  be  obtained,  the  bufmefs  may  be  dooc 
by  a  common  tobacco-pipe.  The  bowl  of  the 
pipe  muft  be  filled  with  tobacco  well  kindled,  and, 
after  the  fmull  tube  has  been  introduced  into  tbc 
fundament,  the  fmoke  may  be  forced  up  by  blDw-* 
ing  through  a  piece  of  paper  full  of  holct  wrap- 
ped round  the  mouth  of  the  pipe>  or  br  blowiag 
through  an  cQipty  pipe,  the  mouh  of  wbkh  it 
appUed 


OK  DftOWNED  PERSONS.  6tt 
applied  rfofe  ro  that  of  the  other.  This  may 
alfo  be  done  in  the  following  maniter:  A  (rom- 
mon  ciyftcr-pipe  with  a  bag  mounted  upon  ir  maf 
be  introduced  into  the  fundamenr,  and  the  mouth 
of  the  bag  may  be  applied  round  the  fmall  end  of 
a  tobacco-pipe,  in  the  bowl  of  «hich  tobacco  is  ro 
be  kindled,  and  the  fmoke  blown  up  as  diro(5ked 
above.  Should  it  be  found  imprafti cable  to  throw 
vp  the  finoke  of  tobacco,  clyfters  of  w^rm  warer, 
with  the  addition  of  a  little  fait  and  fome  wine  or 
fpirits,  may  be  frequently  adminiftcred.  This  may 
be  done  by  a  common  clyftcr-bag  and  pipej  bur, 
as  it  ought  to  be  thrown  well  up,  a  pretty  large 
fyringe  will  anfwer  the  purpofe  better. 

While  thcfe  things  arc  doing,  fome  of  rhe  at- 
tendants oughr  to  be  preparing  a  warm  bath,  into 
which  the  perfon  Ihould  be  put,  if  the  above  en- 
deavours prove  ineffeiftual.  Where  there  are  no 
convenicncies  for  ufing  the  warm  bath,  the  bod^ 
may  be  covered  with  warm  fait,  fand,  afhes,  grains^ 
or  fuch  like.  Tiflbt  mentions  an  inftance  of  a  girl 
who  was  reflored  to  life,  after  the  had  been  taken 
ouc  of  the  water,  fwelled,  bloated,  and  to  all  ap- 
pearance dead,  by  laying  her  naked  body  upon  hoB 
alhes,  covering  her  with  others  equally  hut,  put- 
ting a  bonnet  round  her  head,  and  a  itocking  round 
her  neck  ftutFed  with  the  fame,  and  heaping  co- 
.  Terings  over  all.  After  (he  had  remained  half  an 
^ur  in  this  lituation,  her  poiie  returned,  ihe  re- 
covered fpcech,  and  cried  out,  I  freeze,  I  freeze  i 
a  little  cherry^brandy  was  given  her,  and  (he  re- 
mained buried  as  it  were  under  the  afhes  for  eight 
hours ;  afterwards  (he  was  taken  out,  without  any 
ovher  complaint  except  ttiAt  of  lafTittide  or  weari- 
nefs,  which  went  off  in  a  few  days.  The  DoAor 
mentions  likewife'  an  iaftaace  of  a  man  who  was 
rcftored  to  life,  after  he  had  remained  fut  hours 
timkp  watery  by  the  lieai  of  &  diui^uU.    .. 

R  r  a  Till 


6ii^        OF  DROWNED  PERSONS.     ' 

Till  the  patient  (hews  fomc  figrts  of  life,  ^nd  i$ 
able  to  fwallow,  it  would  be  ufelefs  and  even  dan* 
gerous  to  pour  liquors  into  his  nnouth.  Hh  lips, 
however,  and  tongue,  may  be  frequently  Wet  with  a 
feather  dipt  in  warm  brandy  or  other  ftrong  fptrirs; 
and,  as  foon  as  he  has  recovered  the  power  of  fwal- 
lowiog,  a  little  warm  wine,  or  fomc  other  cordial, 
ought  every  now  and  then  to  be  ado^inillcted. 

Some  recommend  a  vomit  after  the  patient  i»a 
little  re-animated  ;  but  if  he  can  be  made  to  puko 
without  the  ficlcening  draught,  it  will  be  more  fA: 
this  may  generally  be  done  by  tickling  the  throat 
and  fauces  with  an  oiled  feather,  or  fomc  other  foft 
fubftance,  which  will  not  injure  the  parts.  Tif- 
fot  in  this  cafe  recommends  the  oxymel  of  fquilis, 
a  tablc-fpoonful  of  which,  diluted  with  water,  mav 
be  given  every  quarter  of  an  hour,  till  the  patiem 
has  taken  five  or  fix  dofes.  Where  that  nnedicine 
is  not  at  hand,  a  ftrong  infufion  of  fage,  camo- 
mile-flowers, or  car  duns  benedUlus^  fwectcned  ^ith 
honey,  or  fome  warm  water,  with  the  addition  of 
a  little  fait,  may,  he  fays,  fupply  its  place.  The 
Dodlor  does  not  intend  that  any  of  thcfc  things 
fhould  be  given  in  fuch  quantity  as  to  occafion  vo- 
miting. He  thinks  emetics  in  this  ntuacion  are 
not  expedient. 

We  are  by  no  means  to  difcontinue  ,our  afliftancc 
as  foon  as  the  patients  difcover  fome  tokens  of 
life,  fince  they  fometimcs  expire  after  thefe  firft 
appearances  of  recovering.  The  warm  and'  ftimn- 
lating  applications  are  ftill  to  be  continued,  and 
fmall  quantities  of  fome  cordial  liquor  ought  firev 
quently  to  be  adminiftered.  Laftly,  though  the 
perfon  (hould  be  manifeftly  re-animated,  that 
fpmetimes  remain  an  oppreOion,  a  cough,  and  fe* 
verifhnefs,  which  effedlually  conftitute  a  dtfeafc; 
In  this  cafe  it  will  be  neceflary  to  bleed  the  paoeat 
in  the  arm,  and  to  caufe  him  to  drink  plencifiilly 


OF  I^OXIOWS   VAPOURS.     613 

of  barlcy-watcr,  elder  flower-tea,  or  any  other  fofc 
pe&oral  iofufions. 

Such   perfons  as  have  the  misfortune  to  be  de- 
prived of  the  appearances  of  life^  by  a  fall^  a  blow^ 
fufTocacion,.  or  the  like,   muft  be  treated  nearly  in 
the  fame  manner  as  thofc  who  have  been  for  feme 
time  under  wattrr.     I  once  attended  a  patient  who 
was   fo  dunned   by   a  fall  from  a  horfe,   that   for 
above  fi)c  hours  he  fcarcely  exhibited  any  figns  of 
life;  yet  this  man,  by  being  bled,  and  proper  me- 
thods taken  to  keep  up  the  vital  warmth,  recover- 
ed,  and   in  a  few  days  was  perfedlly  well.      Dr. 
Alexander  gives   an  inftancc  to  the  fame  purpofe, 
in  the  Edinburgh  Phyfical  and  Literary  Eflays,  of 
a  man  who  was  to  all  appearance  killed  by  a  blow 
on  the  breaft,  but  recovered  upon  being  immerfed 
for  fomc  time  in  warm  water.     Thefc,  and  other 
inttanccs  of  a  fimilar  nature,  which  might  be  ad- 
duced,  amount  to  a  full  proof  of  this  faft,  that 
many    of  thofe  unhappy   perfons    who    lofc  their 
lives  by  falls,   blows,  and  other  accidents,  mighr 
be  faved  ly   the  ufe  of  proper  means  duly  perftfted 
in. 


OF    NOXIOUS   VAPOURS. 

Air  may  be  many  ways  rendered  noxious,  or  even 
dcftruftive  to  animals.  This  may  either  happen 
from  its  vivifying  principle  being  deftroyed,  or 
from  fubtle  exhalations  with  which  it  is  impreg- 
nated. Thus  air  that  has  paflTed  through  burning 
fuel  is  neither  capable  of  fupporting  fire  nor  th? 
\\l^  of  animals.  Hence  the  danger  of  flceping  in 
clofe  chambers  with  charcoal  fires.  Some  indeed 
fuppofe  the  danger  here  proceeds  from  the  fulphu- 
reous  oil  coiKained  in  the  charcdalj  which  is  let  ac 
liberty  and  dilTufed  all  over  the  chamber;  while 

R  r  3  others 


6i4    OF   NOXIOUS  ^VAPOURS. 

others  imagine  ic  is  owing  to  the  air  of  the  room 
being  charged  with  phlogifton.  Be  this  as  it  may, 
it  is  a  ficuacion  carefully  to  be  avoided.  Indeed,  ic 
is  dangerous  to  deep  in  a  fmall  apartment  witht 
fire  of  any  kind.  I  lately  faw  four  perfons  who 
had  been  fuffocated  by  fleeping  in  an  apartment 
where  a  fmall  fire  of  coal  had  been  left  burning. 

1  he  vapour  which  exhales  from  wine,  cyder, 
beer,  or  other  liquors,  in  the  ftate  of  fermenta- 
tion, contains  fomething  poifonous,  which  kills  in 
the  fame  manner  as  the  vapour  of  coal.  Hence 
there  is  always  danger  in  going  into  cellars  where  a 
large  quantity  of  thefe  liquors  is  in  a  ftate  of  fer- 
mentation, efpecially  if  they  have  been  clofc  (hut 
up  for  fomc  time.  There  have  been  many  in- 
Oances  of  perfons  (Iruck  dead  on  entering  fucb 
places,  and  of  others  who  have  with  difficulty 
c  leaped. 

When  fubterraneous  caves,  that  have  been  very 
Jong  (hut,  are  opened,  or  when  deep  wells  arc 
cleaned,  which  have  not  been  emptied  for  feveral 
years,  the  vapours  arifing  from  them  produce  the 
fame  efFeds  as  thofe  mentioned  above.  For  this 
reafon,  no  perfon  ought  to  venture  into  a  well,  pit, 
cellar,  or  any  place  that  is  damp,  and  has  been 
long  (hut  up,  till  the  air  has  been  fufliciently  pu- 
rified, by  burning  gunpowder  in  it.  It  is  eafy  to 
know,  as  has  been  obferved  in  a  former  part  of 
|;his  work,  when  the  air  of  fuch  places  is  unwbole- 
fome,  by  letting  down  a  lighted  candle^  throw- 
ing in  burning  fuel,  or  the  like.  If  thefe  conti- 
nue to  burn,  people  may  fafely  venture  in ;  but 
where  they  are  fuddenly  extinguifhed,  no  one  ought 
to  enter  till  the  air  has  been  firft  purified  bf 
fire. 

The  oflFenfive  (link  of  lamps  and  of  candles, 
f^fpecially  when-|heir  (lames  are  extingaiflied^  ope- 
late  like  other  vapours,  though  with  Icia  viodeoce, 

and 


OF  NOXIOUS   VAPOURS.    615 

and  lefs  fuddenly.  There  have  however  been  in- 
ftances  of  people  killed  by  the  fumes  of  lamps. 
which  had  been  cxtinguiflied  in  a  clofc  chamber, 
and  perfons  of  weak  delicate  breads  generally  find 
.  thcmlelves  quickly  oppreffed  in  apartments  illumi- 
nated with  itiany  candies. 

Such    as   are  fenfible   of   their  danger  in  thefe 
fituations,  and  retreat  feafonably  from  it,  are  ge- 
nerally relieved   as  foon  as  they  get  into  the  open 
^ir,  or,  if  they   have  any  remaining  iineafincfs,  a 
lixtlc  water  aiKl  vinegar,  or  lemonade,  drank  hot, 
affords  them  relief.     But  when  they  aje  fo  far  poi- 
foned,  as  to  have  loft  their  feeling  and  underftand- 
ing,  t.he  following  means  muft  be  uied  for  their  re- 
covery :  * 
The  patient  fliould   be  expofed  to  a  very  pure, 
frefhi,  and  open  air  5  and  volatile  f^lts,  or  other  fti- 
mulating  fubftances,  held  to  his  nofe.     He  fhould 
next  be  bled  in  the  arm,  or  if  that  does  not  fuc- 
^ceed,  in  the  neck.     His  legs  ought  to  be  put  into 
warm  water,  and  well  rubbed.     As  foon  as  he  can 
fwallow,  fome  lemonade,  or   water  and   vinegar, 
with  the  addition  of  a  little  nicre,  may  be  given 
him. 

Nor  are  fharp  clyfters  by  any  means  to  be  ne- 
gledtcd  i  thefe  may  be  made,  by  adding  to  the 
common  clyfter,  fyrup  of  buckthorn  and  tinfture 
,of  fcnna,  of  each  two  ounces  i  or,  in  their  ftead, 
half  an  ounce  of  Venice  turpentine  diffolvcd  in 
the  yolk  of  an  egg.  Should  thefe  things  not  be 
%t  b-and,i  two  or  three  large  fpoonfuls  of  commoa 
fait  may  be  put  into  the  clyfter.  The  fame  nneans, 
if  neccflary,  which  were  recommended  in  the  former 
pare  of  this  chapter,  may  be  ufed  to  reftore  the 
circulation,  warmth,  &c. 

Mr.  Toflach,  furgeon  at  Alloa,  relates  the  cafe 
of  a  man  fuffocated  by  the  fteam  of  burning  coa]« 
ivhom  he  recovered  by  blowing  bis  breath  into  the 

R  r  4  patient's 


(^i&   EffBECTS  OF  EXTREME  iCOIiDj 

patient's  mouth,  bleeding  htm  in  the  ^artn^'  and 
c^ufmg  him  to  be  well  rubbed  and  •  toflfed  about. 
And  Dr.  Frewen,  of  Suflfex,  mentions  the  ca(c  of 
a  young  man  who  was  ftupiBed  by  the  fmoke  of 
fiea-coal,  buc  was  recovered  by  being  plunged  ioio 
/cold  water,  and  afterwards  laid  in  «  warm  brd« 

The  practice  of  plunging  perfons  fuffocated  by 
noxious  vapours  in  cold  water,  would  fccm  to  be 
•fupported  by  the  comnnon  experiment  of  itiffb- 
(Cating  dogs  in  the  grotto  del  cant,  and  afterwards 
recovering  them^  by  throwing  them  into  the  neigh- 
jspjuring  lake. 

EFFECTS   OF   EXTREME   COLD. 

When  cold  is  extremely  fevcrc,  and  a  peribn  is 
fxpofed  to  it  for  a  long  time,  it  proves  mortal,  in 
confequence  of  its  (lopping  the  circiiiarion  in  the 
extremities,  and  forcing  too  great  a  proportion  of 
blood  towards  the  brain ;  fo  that  the  patient  dies 
of  a  kind  of  apoplexy,  preceded  by  great  fleepi- 
nefs.  The  traveller,  in  this  fituation,  who  finds 
himfelf  begin  to  grow  drowfy,  (hould  redoubleliis 
efforts  to  extricate  himfclf  from  the  imminentdin- 
ger  h^  is  expoied  to.  This  fleep,  which  he  might 
confider  as  fome  alleviation  of  his  fuSerings, 
would^  if  indulged,  prove  his  laft. 

Such  violent  effcdls  of  cold  are  happtiy  not  very 
common  in  this  country;  it  frequently  happens, 
however,  that  the  hands  or  feet  of  travellers  alpe  fo 
yenumbed  or  frozen,  as  to  be  in  danger  of  a  mor- 
tification, if  proper  means  are  not  ufcd  to  prevent 
/}t.  The  chief  danger  in  this  fituation  arifesfrom 
.  fhe  fudden  application  of  heat.  It  is  very  c6nn« 
moi^  when  the  hands  or  feet  are  pinched  wirh  cdd| 
(o  hold  them  to  the  fire;  yet  reafon  and  obfefta- 
fion  (hew  that  this  is  a  mofl:  dangerous  and  impru* 
^ept  prad:ice.  »....*,.    ,  *;,. 

pvery 


EffHECT9  rOF:  EXTREME  OdtL8>?  S^ 
rEvcrypeofant  knows,  if  frozen  Jtititt  {ea\%'iit 
rootS'Of  atiy  kind,  be  brought  near  the  fire,  Ofpat 
into  warm  wartr,  they  will  be  deftroycd,  by  ttk- 
ttnnc&, 'or  a  kind  of  mortification;  tittd  that  tht 
only  wayio  rotorer  them,  is  to  immerte  thetn  f* 
fomctime  in  very  oc^d  *ater.  The  fameobftPrt- 
lion  holds  with  regard  to  animals  in  this  cdndi- 
iloR.    ' 

When  the  hands  or  feel  are  greatly  benumbed 
with  cold»' they  ought  cither  to  be  itnmeifed  in 
cold  wateri  or  rubbed  with  fnow,  til)  they  recover 
their  natural  warmth  and  fcnfibility:  after  which 
the  pcrfon  may  be  removed  into- an  apartment  a 
little  warmer,  and  may  iirink  Come  cups-  tt(  tea, 
or  an  infufion  of  elder  flowers  fweetencd  with  ho- 
neyv  Every  -perfoo  mufl  hawe  obferved,  wh(^rt  his  , 
hands  were  even  but  Oightly  affefted  with  coMf 
that  the  beft  way  to  warm  them  was  by  wafhlilg 
them  in  cold  water,  and  continuing  to  rub  thttn 
Well  for  fomc  time.  ■  -  ''^ 

When  a  perfon  has  been  fo  long  expcfed  to  'the 
cold,  that  all  appearances  of  life  are  gOne,  it' will 
be  oecefiary  to  rub  him  all  over  with  I'now  or  cold 
water)  or,  what  will  anfwer  better,  if  it  can  be 
obtained,  to  immerfe  him  in  a  bath  of  the  VM*/ 
coldeft  water.  There  is  the  greateft  encourage- 
ment to  perfift  in  the  ufc  of  thefe  means,'  as  we 
..  are  aO'ured  that  perfons  who  had  remained  in  the 
fnow,  or  had  been  expofed  to  the  freezing  air  du-* 
ring  Bve  or  fix  fuccelTive  days,  and  who  had  dif- 
^vcred  no  marks  of  life  for  feveral  hours,  have'fle- 
•  vcpthelcfs  been  revived.  '    • 

I  have  always  thought,  chat  the  whitloes,  kibes> 
chilblains,  and  other  inflammations  of  the  extre- 
mities, which  are  fo  common  among  the  peafants 
in  the  cold  feafon,  were  chiefly  occafioned  by  their 
fudden  tranfitions  from  cold  to  heat.  After  they 
^aye  been  expofed  to  an  extreme  degree  of  cold, 

they 


6i8    EFFECTS  OF  EXTREME  HEAT, 

they  immediately  apply  their  hands  and  feet  to  the 
fire,  or,  if  they  have  occafion,  plunge  them  uuo 
warm  water,  by  which  means,  if  4  morc;fivA:ijr. 
does  not  happen^  an  inBammation  feidoui  tui^:^  .^o 
cnfue.  Moll  of  the  ill  conftquenccs  fmm  -.  6 
quarter  mi^ht  be  eafily  avoided,  by  only  oblcrv.i.g 
tne  precautions  mentioned  above. 

EFFECTS  OF  EXTREME  HEAT. 

The  cffefts  of  extreme  heat,  though  oot  fo  com- 
mon in  this  country,    are  no  Icfs  fatal,    and  muu 
iDore  fudden  than  thofc  of  cold.     In  hot  coi.nLn<rs 
jpeople  frequently   drop  down  dead   in  the  lirecis, 
fjthauftcd  with  heat  a;id  faiigue.     In  this   cafe,  if 
any  warm  cordial  can  be  poured  into  the   rnouth  it 
Dught  to  be  done.     If  this  cannot  be  effe6lcd,  they 
may  be  thrown  up  in  form  of  a  clyfter.      Volati? 
fpirits,  and   other  things  of  a  ftiiirulating  naruie, 
inay  be  applied  to  the  Ikin,   which  fhould  be  well 
lubbed   with    coarfe  cloths,  whipped  with  nettles, 
or  other  ftimulating  things.     Some  of  the    ancient 
phyficians  are  faid  to   have  reftored  to  life  pcrfoos 
?pp^rcntly  dead,  by  beating  them  with  rods. 


—r 


CHAP.    LIV. 

OF  FAINTTNG  FITS,  AND  XDTHER  CASES 

WHICH  REQUIRE  IMMEDIATE 

ASSISTANCE. 

QTRONG  and  healthy  perfons,  who  abound 
'l'  with  blood,  are  often  i'cized  wjtl)  fudden  faint- 
ing &cs»'  after  viu.l,cnt  excrcilCy  drinkliig  -freely  of 

warm 


„'fi 


OF  FAINTING  FITS,  ^c.  €19 

warmer  fipong  liquors,  expoA^re  to  great  heat,  10- 
tenfe  application  to  ftudy,  pr  the  like. 

In  fuch  cafes  the  pariem  (hould  be  made  to  fmell 
to  feme  vinegar.  His  temples,  forehead,  aqd 
wrifts  ought  at  the  fame  time  to  be  bathed  with  vi- 
negar mixed  with  an  equal  quantity  of  warm  wa- 
ter; and  two  or  three  fpoonfuls  of  vinegar,  with 
four  or  five  times  as  much  water,  may,  if  he  can 
fwallow,  be  poured  into  his  moufh. 

If  the  faintiog  proves  obftin^itp,  or  degenerates 
into  9L/yncopey  that  is,  an  abolition  of  feeling  and 
underftanding,  the  patient  muft  be  \>\ti.  After 
the  bleeding,  a  clylter  will  be  proper,  and  then 
he  (hould  be  kept  eafy  and  quiet,  only  giving  him 
every  half  hour  a  cup  or  two  of  an  infufion  of 
any  mild  vegetable,  with  the  additipn  pf  a  little 
fugar  and  vinegar* 

y  When  fwQonings,  which  arife  from  this  caufV, 
occur  frequently  in  the  fame  pcrfon,  he  fliould,  in 
order  to  efcape  them,  confine  hinnfelf  to  a  light 
diet,  confiding  chiefly  of  bread,  fr.uits,  and  other 
vegetables.  His  drink  ought  to  be  water  or  fmall 
beer,  and  he  fbould  fle^p  but  moderately,  and 
take  much  exercife. 

But  fainting  Bts  proceed  much  oftner  from  a 
defeft  than  aa  excefs  of  blood.  Hence  they  are 
very  ready  to  happen  after  great  evacuations  of  any 
kind,  obfUnate  watching,  want  of  appetite,  or 
fuch  like.  In  thefe  an  almoft  diredtly  oppofue 
courfe  to  that  mentioned  above  mutl  be  purlued. 

The  patient  ihould  be  Jaid  in  bed,  with  his  head 
I0W4  and  being  covered,  (houkl  have  his  legs, 
thighs,  arms,  and  his  whole  body  rubbed  (IroQgly 
with  hot  flannels.  Hungary  water,  volatile  falts, 
or  ftrong  fo^Uing  herh^,  a$  rue,  mint,  or  rofe- 
mary,  may  be  held  to  his  nofe.  His  moiith  may 
be  wet  with  a  little  rum  or  brandy ;  and,  if  he 
can  fwailpWj  fome  hoc  wine,  tnixed  with  fugar  and 

cinnamon^ 


620FAINTING  FITS,  6?r.  WHICH  REQUIRE 

cinnamon,  which  is  an  excellent  cordial;  may  be 
poured  into  his  mouth..  A  cd^prefs  of  ftatmerdipc 
in  hot  wine  or  brandy  muft  be  applied -co  tht  pk  of 
bis  ftom&ch,  and  warm  bricks,  or  bdxtles^  filial 
with  hot  water,  laidw  the  feet.  ' 

As  foon  as  the  patient  is  recovered  a  little,  be 
fhould  take  fome  ftrong  foiip  or  broth;  or  a  little 
bread  or  bifcuit  foaked  in  hot-fpiced  wine.  To 
prevent  the  return  of  the  fits,  he  ought  to  take 
often,  but  in  fmall  quantities,  fome  light  'yec 
ftrengthening  nourifhment,  as  panado  made  with 
foup  inftead  of  water,  new  laid  eggs  lightly  poach- 
ed, chocolate,  light  roaft  meats,  jellies^  ^nd  fucb 
like. 

Thofe  fainting  firs,  which  are  theeffcft  of  bleed* 
ing,  or  of  the  violent  operation  of  purges,  belong 
to  this  clafs.  Such  as  happen  after  artificial  bleed- 
ing are  feldom  dangerous,  generally  terminating 
as  foon  as  the  patient  is  laid  upon  the  bed ;  in- 
deed perfons  fubjeft  to  this  kind  (hould  always  be 
bled  lying,  in  order  to  prevent  it.  Should  the 
fainting  however  continue  longer  than  ufual,  vola- 
tile fpirits  may  be  held  to  the  nofe,  and  rubbed  on 
the  temples,  &c. 

When  fainting  is  the  efFefl:  of  too  ftrongor  acrid 
purges  or  vomits,  the  patient  muft  be  treated  in 
all  refpeds  as  if  he  had  taken  poifon.  He  (hould 
be  made  to  drink  plentifully  of  milk,  warm  wa- 
ter, and  oil,  barley-water,  or  fuch  like;  emollient 
clyfters  will  likewife  be  proper,  and  the  patient's 
ftrength  (hould  afterwards  be  recruited,  by  giving 
him  generous  cordials,  and  anodyne  medicines. 

Paintings  are  often  occafjoned  by  indigeftioa* 
This  may  either  proceed  from  the  quantity  or 
quality  of  the  food.  When  the  former  of  thefe 
is  the  caufe,  the  cure  will  be  bed  performed  by  vo- 
miting, which  may  be  promoted  by  caufing  the  pa- 
ciecit  to  drink  a  weak  infufion  of  camomile* Bowers, 

cardans 


* 


IMMEDIATE  ASSISTANCB.  6a» 
tarduus  htnediStuSi  or  the  like.  When  [bedifor- 
der  proceeds  from  the  nature  of  the  food»  the  p«* 
ticDt,  as  in  the  cafe  of  weaknefa,  muft  -be  revived 
by  ftrong  fmelUi  &c.  tfter  which  he  fliould  i»e 
made  to  fwaltow  a  Urge  quantity  of  light  warm 
fluid}  which'  may-  ferve  .tadrown^  as  itiwere,;the 
offending  mattCF,  to  foftcn  it5:acriiiiony,.  and  ei- 
ther to  effeift  a  difcharge  of  ic  by  vomttin^  .or 
force  it  down  into  the  inteftines. 

Even  difagreedble  fmclis:  will  fometimcs  jpecs' 
flQD  fwoontngs,  cfpecially  in  people  of  weak  ncnved 
When  this  liappcns,  the  patient  ihould  b&icarnieil 
into  th«  open  air,  have  ftiotulating  ihirigs-.hdd  to 
his  nofe,  and  ihofe  fubftances  which  are  difagreC'* 
able  to  him; ought  .immfidiately  to  be  ir«nadved. 
But  we  hav«  already  >iaIqcn".iK»iice  of  fwoontngs 
which  arifefrom  nfrvous-dirorderSt-andlhalLrthere'- 
fore  fay  npmprC'Upon  ih*fihead-  ■  -.i 

Fainting  >6[|i  often  . happen  ia  the-prcgrefs  of 
difcafes^  Inthc'bpgioning  of  putrid  dtiindosltlK^ 
generally  denote  an  opprclTioa  at  doi^eith,  or  i 
mafs  of  corrupted  hutnours>  and  thjcy  ceafe'after 
evacuatioBs:oiUier  by  vbinii  .or  ftool.  -.Wihentbey 
occur  at  the  beginning  of  malignant  fevers^  they 
indicate  great  danger.  Jn  each  of  tfacfc  cafes,, 
vinegar  uled  boih-extCEnally  and  iaternally  ia  tba 
bfft  remedy  during  the  paroxyfm,  and  plenty  of 
lemon-juice  and  water  after  it..  SwooningSiiwhich 
happen  in  difeafcs  accom^nied  with. great  evi»* 
cuations,  mu(t  be  treated  likethofe  which  arc  ow- 
ing to  weaknefs,  and  the  evacuations  ought  Jo  be 
reltrained.  When  they  happen  towards  ehe  CfidioC 
a  violent  fit  of  an  intermitting  feva-,  or.atctfaat 
of  each  exacerbation  of  a.  continual  fcveil»..ihe>paf- 
tient  muft  be  fupported  by  fmall  draughts  of;iuia0 
and  water.  .    ....  ■^ 

Delicate  and  hyfteric  women  are  veryliftbleto 
fwooning  or  faiotiog  fits  >ft«r  delivery:    Thefc 

might 


C( 
€€ 


62^         OF  FAINTING  HTS,  6?r. 

might  be  often  prevented  by  generous  cordials,  ind 
the  adnr.ifllon  of  frefh  air.  When  they  are  occt<- 
fioned  by  exceflivc  Booding,  ic  ought  by  all  metni 
CO  be  rcftrained.  They  are  generally  the  effeftof 
mere  weakness  or  exhauftion.  Dr.  Engleman  re- 
lates the  cafe  of  a  woman  ''  in  childbed,  who, 
after  being  happily  delivered,  fuddenly  fainted, 
and  lay  upwards  of  a  quarter  o(  an  hour  appt- 
rently  dead.  A  phyfician  was  fent  for;  her  own 
maid,  iil  the  mean  while,  being  out  of  patience 
'^  at  his  delay,  attempted  to  adift  her  herfeif,  and 
•*  extending  herfeif  upon  her  miftrefs,  applied  her 
*^  mouth  to  her*s,  blew  in  as  much  breath  as  (be 
^*  poiTibly  could,  and  in  a  very  (hort  time  the  cx- 
^*  haufted  woman  awaked  as  out  of  a  profoond 
••  flcepi  when  proper  things  being  given  her,  (be 
"  foon  recovered. 

The  maid  bein^  alked  how  (he  came  to  think 
of  this  expedient,  faid  (he  had  feen  it  praftifed 
at  Altenburgh,  by  midwives,  upon  children 
with  the  happieft  cffeft." 
We  mention  this  cafe  chiefly  that  other  mid-- 
wives  may  be  induced  to  follow  fo  laudable  an  ex* 
ample.  Many  children  are  born  without  any  figns 
of  life,  and  others  expire  foon  after  the  birth,  who 
might,  without  all  doubt,  by  proper  care,  be  re- 
ftored  to  life. 

From  whatever  caufe  fainting  fits  proceed,  fircfli 
air  is  always  of  the  greateft  importance  to  the  pt« 
tient.  By  not  attending  to  this  circumftance,  pec* 
pie  often  kill  their  friends  while  they  are  endea- 
vouring to  fave  them.  Alarmed  at  the  patient'f 
fituacion,  they  call  in  a  crowd  of  people  to  his  af- 
fiAance,  or  perhaps  to  witnefs  his  exit,  whoft? 
breathing  exhaufts  the  air,  and  increaies  the  Ait* 
ger.  There  is  not  the  Icaft  doubt  but  this  prac<^ 
tice,  which  is  very  commdn  among  the  )^wer  (brt 
of  people,  often  proves  fatvl^  ni^^wkWf  t«  the  de- 

licate. 


C€ 


OF    INTOXICATION.        62^ 

licatf^  and  fuch  p^rfons  as  fall  ir>to  fainting  fitk 
from  mere  cxhauftion,  or  the  violence  of  feme  dif* 
eafe.  No  more  perfons  ought  ever  to  be  admitted 
into  the  room  where  a  patient  lies  in  a  fwoon  thaa 
are  abfolutely  neceflary  fur  his  a(fi(lance>  and  die 
windows  of  the  apartment  (hould  always  be  opened^ 
at  lead  as  far  as  to  admit  a  ftream  of  frelfa  ain 

Perfons  fubjcd  to  frequent  fwooning^,  or  faint- 
ing HtSi  ihguld  negled  no  means  to  remove  the 
caufe  of  them,  as  their  confequences  are  always 
injurious  to  the  conftitution.  Every  fainting  fit 
leaves  the  perfon  in  dtjedion  and  weaknefsf  the 
fecretions  are  thereby  fufpended,  the  humours  dif- 
pofed  to  ftagnacion,  coagulations  and  abftru<%kMi» 
are  formed,  and>  if  the  motion  of  the  blood  be  to- 
catly  intercepted,  or  very  confiderably  checked^  p^* 
lyfu/es  are  fometimes  formed  in  the  heart  or  larger 
veifeis.  The  only  kind  of  fwoonings  not  to  be 
dr-eaded  are  thofe  which  fometimes  mark  ihc/  crifis 
in  fevers ;  yet  even  thefe  ought^  as  foon  as  poiQbky 
to  be  removed. 


OF    INTOXICATION. 

The  efFeds  of  intoxication  are  often  fatal.  Na» 
kind  of  poifon  kills  more  certainly  than  an  over« 
dofcof  ardent  fpirits.  Sometimes,  by  deftroying  the 
nervous  energy,  they  put  an  end  to  life  at  once ;  but; 
in  general  their  efFcfts  are  more  flow,  and  in  manf 
refpefts  fimilar  to  thofe  of  opium.  Other  kinds 
of  imoxicating  liquors  may  prove  fatal  when  taken 
to  excefs,  as  .well  as  ardent  fpirits  1  bUt  they  may: 
generally  be  dilcharged  by  vomiting,  which  ought 
always  to  be  excited  when  the  ftomach  is  over-* 
charged  with  liquor. 

More  of  thole  unhappy  perfons,  who  die  iotoxt- 

catcd^  lofe  their  lives  from  an  inabiliiy  to  con(^u£^ 

10  them- 


624         OF    INTOXICATION^ 

thcmfclvcs  than  from  the  deftruftivc  quality  of  the 
liquor.  Unable  to  walk,  they  tumble  down,  and 
lie  in  fome  awkward  pofturc,  which  obftrudts  the 
circulation  or  breathing,  and  often  continue  in  this 
fituation  till  they  die.  No  drunk  perfon  ihouldbe 
left  by  himfcif,  till  his  clothes  have  been  loofened, 
and  his  body  laid  in  fuch  a  pollure  as  is  mod  fa- 
vourable for  continuing  the  vital  motions,  dif- 
chargifug  the  contents  of  the  ftomach,  &c.  The 
beft  poRure  for  difcharging  the  contents  of  the 
ftomach  is  to  lay  the  perfon  upon  his  belly;  when 
afleep  he  may  be  laid  on  his  fide,  with  his  head  a 
little  raifed,  and  particular  care  mud  be  taken  that 
his  neck  be  no  way  bent,  tmded,  or  have  any  thing 
too  tight  about  it. 

The  cxceffivc  degree  of  third  occaHoned  hf 
drinking  ftrong  liquors,  often  induces  people  to 
quench  it  by  taking  what  is  hurtful.  I  have  known 
fatal  confequences  even  from  drinking  freely  of 
milk  after  a  debauch  of  wine  or  four  punch  :  thefe 
acid  liquors,  together  with  the  heat  of  the  do- 
mach,  having  coagulated  the  milk  in  fuch  a  man- 
ner that  it  could  never  be  digeded.  The  fafcft 
drink  after  a  debauch  is  water  with  a  toad,  tea, 
infufions  of  balm,  fage,  barley-water,  and  fuch 
like.  If  the  perfon  wants  to  vomit,  he  may  driok 
a  weak  infufion  of  camomile-dowers,  or  lukewarm 
water  and  oil ;  but  in  this  condition  vomiting  may 
generally  be  excited  by  only  tickling  the  throat 
with  the  finger  or  a  feather. 

Indead  of  giving  a  detail  of  all  the  different 
fymptoms  of  intoxication  which  indicate  danger, 
and  propofing  a  general  plan  of  treatment  for  per- 
ions  in  this  fituation,  I  fhall  briefly  relate  the  hif* 
lory  of  a  cafe  which  lately  fell  under  my  ownob- 
fervation,  wherein  mod  of  thofe  fymptoms  ufuallf 
leckoned  dangerous  concurred^  and  where  die  treat- 
ment was  fuccefj&fuL 

A  young 


Of   INTOXICATION.         615 

A  young  man,  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  had, 
for  a  hire,  drank  ten  glafles  of  ftrong  brandy.  He 
foonafter  fell  faftadeep,  and  continued  in  that  fitu^ 
arion  for  nc=ar  twelve  hours,  till  at  length  his  uncafy 
manner  of -breathing,  the  coldncfs  of  the  cxtrerfii- 
%\e$,  -and  other  threatening  fynnptonns,  alarmed  his 
friends,  and  made  them  fend  for  me.  I  found  him 
(till  deeping;  his  countenance  ghaftly,  and*his  fkiii 
covered  ^ith  a  cold  clammy  fweat.  Alpi^oft  thQ 
only  figns  of  life  rfcmaining  were,  a  deep  libori^ 
oai  breathings  and  a  cdnvulfive  motion  or  ag)ta« 
tion  of  his  bowels. 

V  r tried  to  roufe  him,  but  in  vain,  by  pinchiHgi 
ftaking,  applying  volatile  fpirits,  and  orh^ir  fti^ 
mulating  things  to  his  nofe,  &c.  A  few  ounces 
of  blood -were  likewife  taken  from  his  amrt,  and  a 
mixture  of  vinegar  and  water  was  poured  into  his 
mouth;  but,  as  he  could ' not  fwallow,  very  llctlt 
of  this  got  into  the  ftomach.  None  of  thefc  things 
having  the  leaft  effeft,  and  the  danger  feeming  t6 
increafe,  I  ordered  his  legs  to  be  put  into  warm 
water,  and  a  (harp  clyiler  to  be  immediately  admi- 
riiftered.  This  gave  him  a  ftool,  and  was.the-  firfl: 
thing  that  relieved'  him.  It  was  afterwards  re- 
peated with  the  fame  happy  effeft,  and  fecmcd  to 
be  the  chief  caufc  of  his  recovery*     He  then  be-* 

m 

gan  to  ihew  fome  figns  of  life,  took  drink  when  it 
was- offered  him,  and  came  gradually  ta  his  fcnfes'. 
He  continued,  however,  for  fcveral  days  weak  antt 
feverifh,  and  complained  much  of  a  forenefs  -irf 
his  bowelsj  which  gradually  went  off,  by  meantrof 
a  flender  diet,  and  cool  mucilaginous  liquors. 

This  young  man  would  probably  have  been  fuf-*- 
fcred  to  die,  without  any  affiilance  being  called-,-' 
had  not  a  neighbour,  a  few  days  before,  who  had 
been  advifed  to  drink  a  bottle  of  fpirits  to  curehi(i\ 
of  an  aguej  expired  under  very  fimilar  circum*' 
ftanccs. 

S  f 


[    626    3 


OF  SUFFOCATIOI^  AND   STRANGLING. 

Thefe  lYity  fometimes  proceed  from  an  infar&ioo 
of  the  lungs,  produced  by  vifcid  clammy  humours, 
or  a  fpafmodic  affedtion  of  the  nerves  of  that  or- 
gan. Perfons  who  feed  grofsly,  and  abound  io 
rich  blood,  are  very  liable  to  fuffbcacing  fits  from 
the  former  of  thtfe  caufes.  Such  ougbc^  as  fooo 
as  they  are  attacked,  to  be  bled,  to  receive  an  emol- 
lient clyfter,  and  to  take  frequently  a  cup  of  di- 
luting liquor  with  a  little  nitre  in  it.  They  (hoold 
Hkewife  receive  the  fleams  of  hot  vinegar  into  their 
lungs  by  breathing. 

Nervous  and  aQhmatic  perfons  are  moft  fubjeft 
to  fpafmodic  affections  of  the  lungs.  In  this  cafe 
the  patient's  legs  fhould  be  immerfed  in  warm  wt« 
ter,  and  the  fteams  of  vinegar  applied  as  above. 
Warm  diluting  liquors  ihould  likewife  be  drank; 
to  a  cup  of  which  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the  paregoric 
elixir  may  occafionally  be  added.  Burnt  paper, 
feathers,  or  leather,  may  be  held  to  the  patient's 
nofe,  and  fre(h  air  (hould  be  freely  admitted  co 
him. 

Infants  are  often  fuffbcated  by  the  carelefnefs  or 
inattention  of  their  nurfes  *•  An  infant  when  io 
bed  fliould  always  be  laid  fo,  that  it  cannot  tumble 
down  with  its  head  under  the  bed-clothes  {  sad 
when  in  a  cradle,  its  face  ought  never  to  be  co* 
vered.     A  fmall  degree  of  attention  to  theie  two 

*  Thefe  accidents  are  not  always  the  effect  of  carelefacia.  I 
have  known  an  infant  over-laid  by  its  mother  bang  feand  is 
the  night  with  an  h>fteric  fit.  This  ooght  to  ferve  as  a  caaiios 
againft  employing  hyfteric  women  as  nnms ;  and  flumld  Kkevift 
teach  fnch  women  never  to  lay  an  infast  ia  the  Umm  bad  with 
thcmfelfcsy  bnt  in  a  fmaU  adjacent  oat. 

fimpk 


SUFFOCATING  AND  STRANGLING.  627 

fimple  rules  would  fave  the  lives  of  mati^  infants, 
and  prevent  others  from  being  rendered  weak  and 
fickly  all  their  days  by  the'injuries  dOne  10  their 
lungs. 

Inftead  of  laying  down  a  plan  for  the  tecovery 
of  infants  who  are  fuffbcatedi  or  overlaid,  as  it  i» 
^med  by  their  nurfes,  I  fhall  give  the  hiflory  oC 
a  cafe  related  by  Monfieur  Jasm,  of  the  Royal 
College  of  Surgery  at  Paris,  as  it  was  attended 
with  fuccefs,  and  contains  almoU  every  thing  thac 
can  be  done  on  fuch  occafions.  '' 

A  nurfe  having  had  the  misfortune  to  over-lay  a 
child,  he  was  called  in,  and  found  the  infant  with- 
out any  ligns  of  life;  no  pulfation  in  the  arteries, 
no  refpiration,  the  face  livid,  the  eyes  open,  dull, 
and  tarnifhedy  the  nofe  full  of  fnivel,  the  tnouth 
gaping,  in  Ihort  it  was  almoft  cold.  Whilft  fome 
linen  cloths  and  a  parcel  of  alhes  were  warm- 
ing, he  had  the  boy  unfwathed,  and  laid  hini 
in  a  warm  bed,  and  on  the  right  lide.  He  then 
was  rubbed  all  over  with  fine  linen,  for  fear  of  fret- 
ting his  lender  and  delicate  ikin.  As  fooh  as  the 
afhes  had  received  their  due  degree  of  heat,  Mr. 
Janin  buried  him  in  them,  except  the  face,  placed 
him  on  the  fide  oppofitc  to  that  on  which  he  had 
been  at  firft  laid,  and  covered  him  with  a  blanker. 
He  had  a  bottle  of ««  ie  luce  in  his  pocket,  which 
he  prefented  to  his  nofe  from  time  to  time ;  and  be- 
tween whiles  fome  puffs  of  tobacco  were  blown  up 
hit  noOrils:  to  thefe  fucceeded  the  blowing  into  his 
mouth,  and  fqueezing  tight  his  nole.  Animal  heat 
began  thus  to  be  excited  gradually  %  the  pulfations 
of  the  temporal  artery  were  foon  felt,  the  breathing 
^came  more  frequent  and  free,  and  the  eyes  clofed 
and  opened  alternately.  At  length  the  child  fetched 
ibfnc  cries  exprefHve  of  his  want  of  the  breail', 
which  being  applied  to  his  mouth,  he  catched  at 
ic  with  avidity,  and/ucked  as  if  nothing  had  hap- 
S  f  3  pened 


628  SUFFOCATING  AND  STRANGLING. 

pened  to  him.  Though  the  pulfations  of  the  ar- 
teries were  by  this  time  very  well  re-cftabli(hcd, 
and  it  was  hoc  weather,  yet  Mr.  Janin  thought  it 
advifablc  to  leave  his  little  patient  three  quarters  of 
an  hour  longer  under  the  alhes.  He  was  afterwards 
taken  out>  cleaned  and  dreflfed  as  ufual ;  to  which 
a  gentle  fleep  fuccccdcd,  and  he  continued  pcr- 
frdtly  well. 

Mr.  Janin  mentions  likcwife  an  example  of  a 
young  man  who  had  hanged  himfclf  through 
defpair,  to  whom  he  adminiftered  help  as  cfFcftually 
as  in  the  preceding  cafe. 

Mr.  Glover,  furgeon  in  Dodlors  Commons, 
London,  relates  the  cafe  of  a  perfon  who  was  rc- 
llored  to  life  after  twenty- nine  minutes  hanging, 
and  continued  in  good  health  for  many  years 
afcer. 

The  principal  means  ufed  to  reftorc  this  man  to 
life  were,  opening  the  temporal  artery  and  the  ex- 
ternal jugular;  rubbing  the  back,  mouth,  and 
neck,  with  a  quantity  of  volatile  fpirits  and  oilj 
adminillering  the  tobacco  clyfter  by  means  of 
lighted  pipes,  and  ftrong  frictions  of  the  legs  and 
arms.  This  courfe  had  been  continued  for  about 
four  hours,  when  an  incifion  was  made  into  the 
wind  pipf,  and  air  blown  ftrongly  through  a  ca- 
nula  into  the  lungs.  About  twenty  minutes  after 
this,  the  blood  at  the  artery  began  to  run  down  the 
face,  and  a  ll(?w  pulfe  was  jull  perceptible  at  the 
v/rilt.  The  tri<^iions  were  continued  for  Ibme  time 
longer;  his  pulte  became  more  frequent,  and  his 
mouth  and  nofe  being  irritated  with  fpiric  of  fii 
ammoniac,  he  opened  his  eyes.  Warm  cordials 
were  then  adminiltered  to  him,  and  in  two  days  be 
was  fo  well  as  to  be  able  to  walk  eight  miles* 

Thefe  cafes  are  fufHcient  to  ihcw  whac  may  be 
done  for  the  recovery  of  thofe  unhappy  per(bns  who 
fcrangle  themfclves  in  a  fit  of  defpair* 


[  629  ] 

OF  PERSONS  WHO  EXPIRE  IN  CONVUL- 
SION FITS. 

Convulfion  fits  often  conftiture  the  lafl:  fcene  of 
acute  or  chronic  diforders.  Whtr n  this  is  the  cafe, 
there  can  remain  but  fmall  hopes  of  the  patient's 
recovery  after  expiring  in  a  fit  But  wh-  n  a  per- 
fon,  who  appears  to  be  in  perfecl  health,  is  fud- 
denly  fcized  with  a  convulfion  fit,  and  feerns  to 
expire,  fome  attempts  ought  always  to  be  made  to 
retlore  him  to  life.  Infants  are  moft  liable  to  con- 
vulfions^  and  are  often  carried  off  very  fuddenly 
by  one  or  more  fits  about  the  time  of  teething. 
There  are  many  well-authenticated  accounts  of  in- 
fants having  been  reftored  to  life,  after  they  had 
to  all  appearance  expired  in  convulfions;  but  we 
fhall  only  relate  the  following  inftance  mentioned 
by  Dr.  Johnfon  in  his  pamphlet  on  the  pralficabi'- 
lity  of  recovering  ferjons  viftbly  dead. 

In  the  parifti  of  St.  Clemens  in  Colchejiery  a  child 
of  fix  months  old,  lying  upon  its  mother's  lap, 
having  had  the  bread,  was  feized  with  a  ftrong 
convulfion  fit,  which  laftcd  fo  long,  and  ended 
with  fo  total  a  privation  of  motion  in  the  body, 
lungs,  and  pulfe,  that  it  was  deemed  abfolutely 
dead.  It  was  accordingly  dripped,  laid  out,  the 
pafling-bell  ordered  to  be  tolled,  and  a  coffin  to 
be  made;  but  a  neighbouring  gentlewoman  whp 
ufed  to  admire  the  child,  hearing  of  its  fuddea 
death,  hadened  to  the  houfe,  and  upon  examining 
the  child  found  it  not  cold,  its  joints  limber,  and 
fancied  that  a  glafs  die  held  to  its  mouth  and  nofe 
was  a  little  damped  with  the  breath ;  upon  which 
fhe  took  the  child  in  her  lap,  fat  down  before  the 
fire,  rubbed  it,  and  kept  it  in  gentle  agitation*  In 
a  quarter  of  an  hour   die  felt  the  heart  begin  to 

Sfj    .  beat 


630     PERSONS    WHO    EXPIRE 

beat  faintly ;  fhe  then  put  a  little  of  the  mother's. 
milk  into  its  mouth,  continued  to  rub  its  palms 
^nd  foles,  found  the  child  begin  to  move,  and  the 
milk  was  fwallowed  ;  and  in  another  quarter  of  an 
hour  (he  had  the  fatisfaftion  of  reftoring  to  its  dif- 
confolate  mother  the  babe  quite  recovered,  eager 
to  lay  hold  of  the  bread,  and  able  to  fuck  again. 
The  child  throve,  had  no  more  fits,  is  grown  up, 
and  at  prefent  alive. 

Thelc  means,  which  are  certainly  in  the  power 
of  every  perfon,  were  fufiicient  to  reftore  to  life  aQ 
infant  to  all  appearance  dead,  and  who,  in  all  pro* 
bability,  but  for  the  ufc  of  thefc  fimple  endea- 
vours, would  have  remained  fo.  •  There  arc  how^ 
ever  many  other  things  which  might  be  done  in 
cafe  the  above  fliould  not  fucceed,  as  rubbing  the 
body  with  ftrong  fpirits,  covering  it  with  warn) 
^(hes  or  fait,  blowing  air  into  the  lungs,  throwing 
up  warm  ftimulating  clyftcrs,  of  the  faioke  of  to* 
bacco,  into  the  inteftines,  and  fuch  like. 

When  children  are  dead  born,  or  expire  foqn 
afrer  the  birth,  the  fame  mc^ans  ought  to  be  ufed  for 
iheir  recovery,  ^s  if  they  h^d  expired  in  circum-^ 
(lances  fimilar  co  thofc  mentioned  above. 

Thefc  direftions  may  liktjwifc  be  extended  W 
adult$,  attention  being  always  paid  to  the  age  and 
other  circumftunces  of  the  patient. 

The  foregoing  cafes  and  obfervation^  aflford  fqf- 
ficient  proof  of  the  fuccefs  which  may  attend  tha 
endeavours  of  perfons  totally  ignorant  of  medicine, 
in  affifting  thofe  who  ^re  fuddcnly  deprivec}  of  life 
by  any  accident  or  difeafe.  Many  fa£ts  of  a  fimi-> 
lar  nature  might  be  adduced,  were  it  neceflfary} 
but  thefe,  it  is  hoped,  will  bo  fufficienc  to  call  up 
the  attention  of  the  public,  and  to  excite  the  bu« 
mane  and  benevolent  to  exert  their  utmoft  endear 
yours  for  ;he  prefervatjon  gf  chejr  fellow-nneo. 


'*v<.     •• 


IN    CONVULSION   FITS.      63% 

Ths/ociityfor  tbi  reco*Oefy  of  drowned  perfons^  in- 
(licuced  at  Amftcrdam  in  the  year  1767,  had  the 
TatisfaAion  to  find  that  not  fewer  than  150  perfoni 
in  the  fpace  of  four  years  had  been  faved  by  the 
means  pointed  out  by  them^  many  of  whom  owed 
their  prefervation  tt>  peafants  and  people  of  no  me« 
dical  knowledge.  But  the  means  ufed  with  fo  much 
efficacy  in  recovering  drowned  perfona  are,  with 
equal  fuccefs,  applicable  to  a  number  of  cafes 
where  the  powers  of  life  fecm  in  reality  to  be  only 
fufpendedy  and  to  remain  capable  of  renewing  all 
their  fun&ions>  on  being  put  into  motion  again. 
It  is  (hocking  to  reflect,  thai  for  want  of  this  con* 
fideration  many  perfons  have  been  committed  to 
the  gravC)  in  whom  the  principles  of  life  mighi 
have  been  revived. 

The  cafes  wherein  fuch  endeavours  are  mod  likely 
to  be  attended  with  fuccefs,  are  all  thofe  called 
fudden  deaths  from  an  invifible  caufe^  as  apo- 
plexies,  hyfterics,  faintings,  and  many  other  dif«  * 
orders  wherein  perfons  in  a  nv>ment  (ink  down  and 
expire.  The  various  cafuaUies  in  which  they  may 
be  tried  are^  fu(focations,  from  the  fulphureous 
damps  of  mines^  coal-pit^>  &c.i  the  unwholefome 
air  of  long  unopened  wells  or  caverns ;  the  noxious 
vapours  arifing  from  fermenting  liquors ;  the  fteams 
of  burning  charcoal;  fulphureous  mineral  acids; 
arfenical  effluvia,  &c. 

The  various  accidents  of  drowning,  (Irangling, 
and  apparent  deaths,  by  blows,  falls,  hunger,  cold, 
&c.  likewife  furnifh  opportunities  of  trying  fuch 
endeavours.  Thofe  perhaps  who  to  appearance  are 
killed  by  lightning,  or  by  any  violent  agitation  of 
the  paflTions,  as  fear,  joy,  furprife,  and  fuch  like, 
might  alfo  be  frequently  recovered  by  the  ufe  of 
proper  means,  as  blowing  flrongly  into  their 
lungs,  &c. 

S  f  4  The 


632      PERSONS  WHO  EXPIRE,   &c. 

The  means  to  be  ufed  for  the  recovery  of  per^ 
fons  (uddenly  deprived  of  life  are  nearly  the  fame 
in  all  cafes ;  they  are  pra£ticable  by  every  one  who 
happens  to  be  prefent  at  the  accident,  and  require 
no  great  expence,  and  lefs  (kill.  The  great  ainn  is 
to  reftore  the  warmth  and  vital  motions.  This 
may  in  general  be  attempted  by  means  of  heat, 
frictions,  bleeding,  blowing  air  into  the  lungs,  ad- 
miniftering  clyfters  and  generous  cordials.  Thcfc 
mud  be  varied  according  to  circumllances.  Com- 
mon fenfe,  and  the  (ituation  of  the  patient,  will 
fuggeft  the  proper  manner  of  conducting  them. 
Above  all  we  would  recommend  per/everance. 
People  ought  never  to  defpair  on  account  of  dif- 
couraging  circumftances,  or  to  leave  off  their  en- 
deavours as  long  as  there  is  the  lead  hope  of  fuc- 
cefs.  Where  much  good  and  no  hurt  can  be  done, 
no  one  ought  to  grudge  his  labour. 

It  were  greatly  to  be  wifhed,  that  an  inftitutioo, 
fimilar  to  that  of  Amfterdam,  was  eftabliflied, 
upon  a  more  extenfive  plan,  in  Great  Britain ;  an4 
that  a  reward  was  allowed  to  every  one  who  (hould 
be  inftrumental  in  reftoring  to  life  a  perfon  fecm- 
ingly  dead*.  Men  will  do  much  for  fame,  but 
ftill  more  for  money.  Should  no  profit,  however, 
be  annexed  to  thole  benevolent  offices,   the  heart- 

*  The  Author  is  happy  to  obferve,  that,  (ince  the  firft  pobli- 
cation  of  this  worlc^  feveral  focieties  have  been  inftituced  in  fifi- 
tain  with  the  fame  benevolent  intention  as  that  of  Amflerdaaii 
and  that  their  endeavours  have  proved  no  lefs  fuccefsful.  He  is 
likewife  happy  to  obferve,  that  premiums  have  been  awarded 
t.^  thoie  who  have  been  active  in  their  endeavours  to  reftore  to 
]ife  per  fons  who  had  been  drowned »  or  fuddenly  deprived  of  life 
by  any  accident.  How  much  is  this  fuperior  to  the  fuperftiuoai 
inAitution,  which  allows  any  man  a  premium  who  brings  a  dead 
perfon  out  of  the  water,  fo  chat  he  may  receive  Chriftian  bariaU 
but  allows  nothing  to  the  perfon  who  brings  him  out  alive,  or 
who  recovers  him  after  he  has  beta  to  all  appearance  dead, 

fcl( 


ON  COCD  bathing,  &c.  633 
felt  pleafurc  which  a  good  man  muft  enjoy,  on  re- 
flecting that  he  has  been  the  happy  inftrumtrnt  of 
faving  one  of  his  fellow-creatures  from  an  untime- 
ly  grave,  is  itfelf  a  fufficient  reward. 


C  H  A  P.     LV. 

CAUTIONS    CONCERNING    COLD 

BATHING,    AND    DRINKING 

THE   MINERAL   WATERS. 

A  S  it  is  now  falhionable  for  perfons  of  all  ranks 
^*-  to  plunge  into  the  fea,  and  drink  the  mineral 
waters,  I  was  defirous  of  rendering  this  work  ftiU 
more  extenfively  tifcful,  by  the  addition  of  fome 
practical  remarks  on  thefe  a^ive  and  ufeful  medi* 
cines.  Finding  it  impofTiblc  to  bring  thefe  ob- 
fervations  within  fo  narrow  a  compats  as  not  to 
fwcll  the  book,  already  too  large,  into  an  enor- 
mous fizc,  I  refolved  to  confine  myfelf  to  a  few 
hints  or  cautions  J  which  may  be  of  fcrvicc  to  per- 
fons who  bathe,  or  drink  the  mineral  waters,  with- 
out being  able  to  put  themfelvcs  under  the  care  of 
a  phyfician. 

No  part  of  the  praftice  of  medicine  is  of  grcattr 
importance,  or  merits  more  the  attention  of  the 
phyfician,  as  many  lives  arc  loft,  and  numbers 
ruin  their  health,  by  cold  bathing,  and  an  impru- 
dent ufe  of  the  mineral  waters.  On  fonne  future 
occafion  I  may  probably  refumc  this  fubjedb,  as  I 
know  not  any  work  that  contains  a  fufEcient  num- 
ber of  practical  obfervations  to  regulate  the  pa- 
tient's conduA  in  the  ufe  of  thcfc  adivc  and  im- 
portant medicines. 
^  10  We 


634        ON   COLD  BATHING,  AND 

We  have  indeed  many  books  on  the  ipincra) 
waters,  and  fomc  of  them  are  written  with  much 
ingenuitj'i  but  they  are  chie6y  empktycd  in  afccr- 
taining  the  contents  of  the  waters  by  chymical  ana- 
lyfis.  This  no  doubt  has  its  ufe,  but  it  is  by  no 
means  of  fuch  importance  as  fome  may  imagine. 
A  man  may  know  the  chymical  analylis  of  alf  the 
articles  in  the  materia  taeJUa,  without  being  able 
properly  to  apply  any  one  of  them  in  the  cure  of 
difeafcs.  One  page  of  praflical  obfervaiions  is 
worth  a  whole  volume  of  chymical  analysis.  But 
where  are  fuch  obfervations  to  be  met  with  ?  Few 
phyficians  are  in  a  Qtuation  to  make  thenn>  and 
fewer  (till  are  qualified  fur  fuch  a  taflc.  It  caa 
only  be  accomplilhed  by  practitioners  whorelideat 
the  fountains,  and  who,  poflefling  minds  fuperior 
to  local  prejudices,  are  capable  of  diilinguifliing 
difcafes  with  accuracy,  and  of  forming  s  found 
judgment  refpc£ting  the  genuine  cffe^s  of  rnedi* 
cines. 

Without  a  proper  difcrimination  with  regard  to 
the  difeafe  and  the  coiiAitutiofi  of  the  patient,  the 
moft  powerful  medicine  is  more  likely  to  do  hann 
than  good.  Every  one  knows  that  the  fame  phy- 
fician  who,  bv  cold  bathing,  cured  Auguftus,  bjr 
an  imprudent  ufe  of  the  fame  medicine  killed  hit 
heir.  This  induced  the  Roman  fenate  to  make 
laws  for  regulating  the  baths,  and  preveating  the 
numerous  evils  which  arofc  from  an  imprudent  and 
promifcuous  ufe  of  thofe  elegant  and  faftionable 
pieces  of  luxury.  But  as  no  fuch  laws  exift  in  this 
country,  every  one  dees  that  which  is  right  im  hit 
own  eytSf  and  of  courfe  many  muft  do  wroog. 

People  are  apt  to  imagine  that  the  fimplc  de- 
ment of  water  can  do  no  hurt,  and  that  they  may 
plunge  into  it  at  any  time  with  impunity.  Intbii, 
however,  they  arc  much  miltaken.  I  have  knowD 
apoplexies  occafioncd  by  going  into  the  cold  bath, 

fever* 


.■^^"tMV. 


DRINKING  MINERAL  WATERS.   635 

fevers  excited  by  ftaying  coo  long  in  \t,  and  other 
maladies  fo  much  aggravated  by  its  continued  ufe, 
that  they  could  never  be  wholly  eradicated.  Nor 
are  examples  wanting,  either  in  ancient  or  modern 
times,  or  the  baneful  confequences  which  have 
arifen  alfo  from  an  injudicious  application  of  the 
warm  bath  ;  but  as  warm  baths  are  not  fo  common 
in  this  country,  ^nd  are  feldom  ufed  but  under 
the  direflion  of  a  phyfician,  I  (hall  not  enlarge  oa 
that  part  of  the  fubjeft. 

Immerfion  in  cold  water  is  a  cuftom  which  lays 
claim  to  the  moft  remote  antiquity :  indeed  it  muft 
have  been  coeval  with  man  himfelf.  The  neceffity 
of  water  for  the  purpofcs  of  cleanlinefs,  and  the 
plealure  arifing  from  its  application  to  the  body  in 
hot  countries,  muft  very  early  have  recommended 
it  to  the  human  fpecies.  Even  the  example  of 
other  animals  was  fufficient  to  give  the  hint  to 
man.  By  inftin£l  many  of  them  are  led  to  apply 
cold  water  in  this  manner  1  and  fome,  when  dc«* 
prived  of  its  ufe,  have  been  known  to  langui(b> 
and  even  to  die.  But  whether  the  pradice  of  cold 
bathing  arofe  from  neceflScy,  rcafoning,  or  imita« 
tion,  is  an  inquiry  of  no  importance ;  our  bufinefs 
is  to  point  out  the  advantages  which  may  be  de^ 
rived  from  it,  and  to  guard  people  againft  an  im« 
proper  ufe  of  it. 

The  cold  bath  recommends  itfclf  in  a  variety  of 
cafes,  and  is  peculiarly  beneficial  to  the  inhabit-^ 
ants  of  populous  cities,  who  indulge  in  idlenefsj 
and  lead  fcdcntary  lives.  In  perfonsof  this  defcrip- 
tion  the  a£lion  of  the  folids  is  always  too  weak, « 
which  induces  a  languid  circulation,  a  crude  indi-* 
gefted  mafs  of  humours,  and  obftruAions  in  the 
capillary  veiOfcls  and  glandular  fyftem.  Cold  wa- 
ter, from  its  gravity  as  well  as  its  tonic  p6wer,  is 
well  calculated  either  to  obviate  or  remove  thefc 
fy mptoins.     It  accelerates  the  motion  of  the  bloody 

promotes 


€36        ON  COLP  BATHING,  AND 

promotes  the  different  fecretions,  and  gives  per- 
manent vigour  to  the  fotids.  But  all  thefe  im- 
portant purpofes  will  be  more  elTcntially  anfwered 
by  the  application  of  /aJt  water.  This  ought  not 
only  to  be  preferred  on  account  of  its  fuperior 
gravity,  but  likcwife  for  its  greater  power  of  fti- 
mulacing  the  (kin,  which  promotes  the  pcrfpira- 
tion,  and  prevents  the  patient  from  catching 
|x>ld. 

It  is  neceflary,  however,  to  obferve,  that  cold 
bafhing  is  more  likely  to  prevent,  than  to  remove 
obftrudtions  of  the  glandular  or  lymphatic  fyftem. 
Indeed,  when  thefe  have  arrived  at  a  certain  pitch, 
they  are  not  to  be  removed  by  any  means.      In  this 
cafe  the  cold  bath   will  only  aggravate  the  fymp- 
toms,  and  hurry  the  unhappy  patient  into  an  un- 
tin^ly   grave.     It  is   therefore  of  the  utmofl  im- 
portance, previous  to  the  patient's  entering  upon 
ihc  ufe  of  the  cold  bath,  to  determine  whether  or 
not  he  labours  under  any  obftinate  obilrudlions  of 
the  lungs  or  other  vi/ceray  and  where  this  is  the 
cafe,    cold    bathing   ought  ftridly    to    be   prohi- 
bited *. 

In  what  is  called  a  plethoric  ftate,  or  too  great 
a  fulnefs  of  the  body,  it  is  likewife  dangerous  to 
vfc  the  cold  bath,  without  due  preparation.  In 
this  cafe  there  is  great  danger  of  burfting  a  blood* 
vcfTel,  or  occafioning  an  inflammation  of  the  brain, 
Or  fume  of  the  vijcera.     This  precayition"  is   the 

^  The  lace  celebrated  Dr.  Smollet  has  indeed  faid^  thitif  be 
were  perfuaded  he  had  an  ulcer  in  the  lungs,  be  would  jump 
into  ihc  cold  bath:  but  here  the  Doctor  evi  Jen  tly  flicws  more 
courage  than  difcretion  ;  and  that  he  was  more  a  man  of  wit 
than  a  pKyfician,  every  one  will  allow.  A  neivou:  afthmj,  orat 
atrophy,  may  be  miliaken  tor  a  pulmonary  confumpcion  ;  yet,  in 
the  iwu/urmer,  :hc  cold  bath  proves  often  beneficial,  though  I 
never  knew  it  To  in  the  latter.  Indeed,  all  the  phthiflcal  pa- 
tients I  ever  faw>  who  had  tried  the  cold  bat^>  were  evidenrl/ 
buii  by  it^ 

niore 


DRINKING  MINERAL  WATERS.    63^ 

more  ncceflary  to  citizens,  as  moft  of  them  lire 
fuU,  and  are  of  a  grofs  habit.  Yet,  what  is  very 
remarkable,  thefc  people  refort  in  crowds  everjr 
feafon  to  the  fca-fide,  and  plunge  .in  the  water* 
without  the  leaft  confideration.  No  doubt  they 
often  efcape  with  impunity,  but  does  this  give  a 
fanftion  to  the  praftice  ?  Perfoni  of  this  defcrip- 
tion  ought  by  no  means  to  bathe,  unlefs  the  body 
has  been  prcvioufly  prepared  by  fuitable  cvacua- 
tions« 

Another  clafs  of  patients,  who  ftand  peculiarly 
in  need  of  the  bracing  qualities  of  cold  water,  is 
the  nervous.  This  includes  a  great  number  of  the 
male,  and  almoft  all  the  female  inhabitants  of 
great  cities.  Yet  even  thofe  perfons  ought  to  be 
cautious  in  ufing  the  cold  bath.  Nervous  people 
have  often  weak  bowels,  and  may,  as  well  as  others, 
be  fubjcdh  to  congeftions  and  obftruftions  of  the 
vi/cerai  and  in  this  cafe  they  will  not  be  able  to 
bear  the  efFeds  of  the  cold  water.  For  them  there- 
fore, and  indeed  for  all  delicate  people,  the  bed: 
plan  would  be  to  accuftom  themfelves  to  it  by  the 
moft  pleafing  and  gentle  degrees.  They  ought  19 
begin  with  the  temperate  bath,  and  gradually  ufe 
it  cooler,  till  at  length  the  coldcft  proves  quite 
agreeable.  .  Nature  revolts  againft  all  great  tran- 
fjcions;  and  thofe  who  do  violence  to  her  diftates, 
have  often  caufe  to  repent  of  their  temerity. 

Wherever  cold  bathing  is  pra<ftifed,  there  ou«>ht 
likcwifc  to  be  tepid  baths  for  the  purpofe  mentioned 
above.  Indeed  it  is  tho  praftice  of  fome  countries 
to  throw  cold  water  over  the  patient  as  foon  as  he 
comes  out  of  the  warm  bath;  but  though  this  may 
not  injure  a  TlufTian  peafant,  we  dare  not  rccom* 
mend  it  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  country.  The 
ancient  Greeks  and  Romans,  we  are  told,  when 
covered  with  fweat  and  duft,  ufed  to  plunge  into 
rivers,     without    receiving    the    fmallcft    injury. 

Though 


638       ON  COLD  BATHING,   AND 

Though  they  might  often  efcapc  danger /rom  cbfs 
imprudent  conduft^  yet  it  was  certainly  contrary 
to  found  reafon,  1  have  known  many  robuft  men 
throw  away  their  lives  by  fuch  an  attempt.  We 
would  not  however  advife  patients  to  go  into  the 
cold  water  when  the  body  is  chilly  1  as  much  ex- 
crcife,  at  lead,  ought  to  be  taken,  as  may  excite  a 
gentle  glow  all  over  the  body,  but  by  no  means  fo 
as  to  overheat  it. 

To  young  people,  and  particularly  to  childreoi 
cold  bathing  is  of  the  laft  importance.  Their  lax 
fibres  render  its  tonic  powers  peculiarly  proper. 
It  promotes  their  growth,  increafes  their  ftrength*, 
and  prevents  a  variety  of  difeafes  incident  to  child- 
hood.  Were  infants  early  accuftomed  to  the  cold 
bath,  it  would  feldom  difagrre  with  them ;  and  we 
ihould  fee  fewer  initances  of  the  fcrofula,  rickets, 
and  other  difeafes,  which  prove  fatal  to  many,  and 
make  others  miferable  for  life.  Somerimes.  id- 
deed,  thefe  diforders  render  infants  incapable  of 
bearing  the  (hock  of  cold  watery  but  this  is  ojiving 
to  their  not  having  been  early  and  regularly  ac- 
cuftomed  to  it.  It  is  however  neceffary  here  to 
caution  young  men  againft  too  frequent  bathing; 
as  I  have  known  many  fatal  confequenccs  refuit 
from  the  daily  pra£tice  of  plunging  into  rivers, 
and  continuing  there  too  long. 

The  mod  proper  time  of  the  day  for  ufing  the 
cold  bath  is  no  doubt  the  morning,  or  at  leaft  be- 
fore  dinner  J  and  the  beft  mode,  that  of  quick  im- 
merfion.     As  cold  bathing  hasaconftant  tendency 

*  The  celebrated  Galen  fays,  that  immerfion  n  cold  water  it 
fit  only  for  the  youog  of  lions  and  bears ;  and  re^mmeBdi  warm 
bathings  as  conduave  to  the  growth  and  drength  of  infanis. 
How  egregfoufly  do  the  gretreft  men  err  whenever  they  lofe  fight 
of  hSi%9  and  fubftitute  reafoakig  in  phyfic  in  j^ace  of  obfcrva* 
tioQ  and  experience  t        * 


to 


DRINKING   MINERAL  WATERS.   639 

to  propel  the  blood  and  other  humours  towards  the 
head,  it  ought  to  be  a  rule  always  to  wet  that  part 
as  foon  as  poflible.  By  due  attention  to  this  cir-^ 
cuniftance>  there  is  rcafon  to  believe,  that  vio* 
lent  head-achs,  and  other  complaints,  which  fre- 
quently proceed  from  cold  bathing,  might  be  often 
prevented. 

The  cold  bath,  when  too  long  continued  in,  noc 
only  occafions  an  excefllve  Sux  of  humours  towards 
the  head,  but  chills  the  blood,  cramps  the  mufcles, 
relaxes  the  nerves,  and  wholly  defeats  the  inten- 
tion of  bathing.  Hence,  by  not  adverting  to  this 
circumdance,  expert  fwimmers  are  often  injured^ 
and  fometimes  even  lofe  their  lives.  AH  the  be- 
neficial purpofes  of  cold  bathing  are  anfwered  by 
one  immerfion  at  a  time;  and  the  patient  ought 
to  be  rubbed  dry  the  moment  he  comes  out  of 
the  water,  and  ihould  continue  to  take  exercife 
for  fomc  time  after. 

When  cold  bathing  occafions  chilnefs,  lofs  of 
appetite,  liftleiTnefs,  pain  of  the  bread  or  bowels,  a 
proftration  of  ftrength,  or  violent  head-achs,  ic 
ought  to  be  difcontinued. 

Though  thefe  hints  are  by  no  means  intended 
to  point  out  all  the  cafes  where  cold  bathing  ma/ 
be  hurtful,  nor  to  itluftrate  its  extenfive  utility 
as  a  medicine;  yet  ic  is  hoped  they  may  fcrve  to 
guard  people  againft  fome  of  thofe  errors  into 
which  from  mere  inattention  they  are  apt  to  fall, 
and  thereby  not  only  endanger  their  own  lives,  but 
bring  an  excellent  medicine  into  difrepute. 


Of  drinking  the  Mineral  Waters. 

The  internal  ufe  of  water,  as  a  medicine,  is  no 

lefs  an  objedt  of  the  phyfician's  attention  than  the 

external.  Pure  elementary  water  is  indeed  the  molt 

I  inoffcnfive 


640       ON   COLD  BATHING,   AND 

inoflrenfive  of  all  liquors^  and  conilicutes  a  print;- 
pal  part  of  the  food  of  every  animal.  But  this 
clement  is  often  impregnated  with  fubftanccs  of  a 
very  a£tive  and  penetrating  nature ;  and  of  fuch  an 
infidious  quality,  that,  while  they  promote  certain 
fecretions,  and  even  alleviate  fome  difagreeable 
fymptoms,  they  weaken  the  powers  of  life,  under- 
mine the  conftitution,  and  lay  the  foundation  of 
worfe  difeafes  than  thofe  which  they  were  employed 
to  remove.  Of  this  every  pradtitioner  muft  have 
fcen  inftances;  and  phyficians  of  eminence  have 
more  than  once  declared  that  they  have  known  more 
difeafes  occafioned  than  removed  by  the  ufe  of  mi* 
neral  waters.  This  doubtlefs  has  proceeded  from 
the  abufe  of  thefe  powerful  medicines,  which  evinces 
the  neceffity  of  uGng  them  with  caution. 

By  examining  the  contents  of  the  mineral  wa- 
ters which  are  mod  ufed  in  this  country,  we  (hall 
be  enabled  to  form  an  idea  of  the  danger  which 
may  arifc  from  an  improper  application  of  them 
either  externally  or  internally,  though  it  is  to  the 
latter  of  thefe  that  the  prelent  obfervacions  are 
chiefly  confined. 

The  waters  mod  in  ufe  for  medical  purpofes  in 
Britain,  are  thofe  impregnated  with  falts,  futphur, 
iron,  and  mephitic  air,  either  feparately,  or  vari- 
oufly  combined.  Of  thefe  the  moft  powerful  is 
the  faline  fulphureous  water  of  Harrowgate,  of 
which  I  have  had  more  occafion  to  obferve  the 
pernicious  confequences,  when  improperly  ufed, 
than  of  any  other.  To  this  therefore  the  follow- 
ing remarks  will  more  immediately  relate,  though 
they  will  be  found  applicable  to  all  the  purging 
waters  in  the  kingdom  which  are  ftroog  enough  co 
merit  attention*". 

The 

*  The  greateft  clafs  of  mineral  waters  in  this  country  is  the 
chalybeate.    In  mai^v  parts  of  Britain  thefe  are  to  be  round  id 

almoA 


DRINKING  MINERAL  WATERS.  641 
The  errors  which  To  often  defeat  the  intention  at 
drinking  the  purgative  mineral  waters^  and  which 
fo  frequently  prove  injurious  to  the  patient,  pro- 
ceed from  the  manner  of  ufing  them,  the  quantity 
taken,  the  regimen  purfucd,  or  uGng  them  in  cafes 
where  iticy  arejiot  proper. 

A  very  hurtful  prejudice  ftill  prevails  in  this 
country,  that  ^11  difeafes  muft  be  cured  by  medi- 
cines taken  into  the  flomach,  and  that  the  more 
violently  thefe  medicines  operate,  they  are  the 
more  likely  to  have  the  defired  efFcft.  This  opi- 
nion has  proved  fatal  to  thoufands,  and  will,  in  all 
probability,  deflroy  many  more  before  it  can  be' 
wholly  eradicated.  Purging  is  often  ufeful  in  acute 
dileales,  and  in  chronical  cafes  may  pave  the  way 
for  the  operation  of  other  medicines  1  but  it  will 
feldom  perform  a  cure;  and  by  exhaufting  the 
ftrength  of  the  patient,  will  often  leave  him  in  a 
worfe  condition  than  it  found  him.  That  this  is 
frequently  the  cafe  with  regard  to  the  more  a£live 
mineral  waters,  every  perfon  converfant  in  thefe 
matters  will  readily  allow. 

Strong  ftlmulants  applied  to  the  ftomach  and 
bowels  ror  a  length  of  time,  muft  tend  to  weaken 
and  deftroy  their  energy;  and  what  llimtilants  are 
more  a£live  than  fait  and  fulphur,  efpecially  when 
thefe  fubftances  are  intimately  combined,  and  car- 
ried through  the  fydem  by   the  penetrating  me- 

almoft  every  field ;  bat  thofe  chiefly  in  ule,  for  medical  BorpoTes, 
are  the  puiging  chalybeate$,  ai  the  waten  of  ScirDorongh, 
CheltcnhiOi.  Thorp  Areb,  Nevil  Holt,  &c.  Of  thoft  whicbdo 
not  purge,  ihe«iiers  of  Tuobridge  ftand  in  the  faigbeft  repute. 
Tbe  faline  purging  water),  as  [hofe  of  Aflor,  Epfom.  KiU 
bum,  ice.  are  atfo  in  very  general  efleem ;  but  the  fountaioi 
moft  freqaeuted  by  the  Cick  in  this  country,  are  thofe  to  which 
the  mineral]  impait  a  certain  degree  of  heat,  aa  B^th,  BriJlo), 
Buxton,  &c. 

T  c  dium 


64^       ON   COLD  BATHING,  AND 

dium  of  water  ?  Thofe  bowels  muft  be  ftrong  m« 
deed,  which  can  withftand  the  daily  operation  of 
fuch  a&ive  principles  for  months  together,  and  not 
be  injured.  This  however  is  the  plan  purfued  bj 
moft  of  thofe  who  dripk  the  purging  mineral  wa- 
ters, and  whofe  circumftances  will  permit  chem  to 
continue  long  enough  at  thofe  falhionable  places 
of  refort. 

Many  people  imagine  that  every  thing  depends 
on  the  quantity  of  water  taken,  and  that  the  more 
they  drink  they  will  the  fooner  get  well.  This  is 
an  egregious  error;  for,  while  the  unhappy  pa- 
tient thinks  he  is  by  this  means  eradicating  his 
diforder,  he  is  often  in  fa6l  undermining  thepowen 
of  life,  and  ruining  his  conftitution.  Indeed  no* 
thing  can  do  this  fo  efftrftually  as  weakening  the 
powers  of  digeftion  by  the  improper  application  d 
ftrong  ftimulantSr  The  very  cffence  or  health  de- 
pends  on  the  digeftive  organs  performing  their  due 
funftions,  and  the  moft  tedious  maladies  are  all 
connefted  with  indigcftion. 

Drinking  the  water  in  too  great  quantity,  dok 
only  injures  the  bowels  and  occafions  indigeftioni 
but  generally  defeats  the  intention  for  which  it  is 
taken.  The  difeafes  for  the  cure  of  which  minerii 
waters  are  chiefly  celebrated,  are  moftly  of  tbe 
chronic  kind^  and  it  is  well  known  that  fuchdif-* 
eafes  can  only  be  cured  by  the  flow  operation  of 
alteratives,  or  fuch  medicines  as  aft  by  inducing « 
gradual  change  in  the  habit.  This  requires  length 
of  time,  and  never  can  be  effefted  by  medicines 
which  run  off  by  (tool,  and  operate  chiefly  on  the 
firft  paflfages. 

Thofe  who  wi(h  for  the  cure  of  any  obftinate 
malady  from  the  mineral  waters,  ought  to  take 
them  in  fuch  a  manner  as  hardly  to  produce  any 
efFeft  whatever  on  the  bowels*     With  tliis  view  a 

half* 


bfiLti^Kl^G  MlNEilAL  WAt£tlS.  ^43 

half-pint  giafs  may  he  drank  at  bed-^ime  *j  and  the 
rame  quantity  fn  hour  before  breakfaft,  dinner^ 
ftnd  fupper.  The  do(e^  howerer^  muft  vary  ac-» 
cording  to  circutnftaiices^  Even  the  quantity  men« 
tioned  above  will  purge  fome  perfbnSj  while  others 
^ill  drink  twice  as  much  without  being  in  the  leaft 
moved  by  it.  its  operation  on  the  bowels  is  the 
only  (landard  for  ufing  the  water  as  an  alterative^ 
No  more  oueht  to  be  taken  than  barely  to  move 
tHe  body ;  nor  is  it  always  neceflary  to  carry  it  this 
Icngthj  provided  the  water  goes  off  by  the  other 
emun^oriesi  and  does  not  occafion  a  chilnefs^  of 
flatulency  in  the  ftomach  or  bowels.  When  the 
Water  is  intended  to  purge>  the  quantity  mentioned 
above  may  be  all  taken  before  breakfaft. 

J  would  not  only  caution  patients  who  drink  the 
purging  mineral  waters  over  night  to  avoid  heavy 
4uppersj  but  alio  frpm  eating  heavy  meals  at  any 
time.  The  ftimulus  of  water,  impregnated  with 
falts,  feems  to  create  a  falfe  appetite.  I  have  feeit 
a  delicate  perfon,  after  drinking  the  HarroWgatc 
iwaters  of  a  morning,  eat  a  breakfaft  fufficienc  to 
have  ferved  two  ploughmen,  devour  a  plentiful 
dinner  of  flefh  and  fifh,  and,  to  crown  all,  eat  fuch 
a  fupper  as  might  have  fatisfied  a  hungry  porter. 
All  this  indeed  the  ftomach  feemed  to  crave ;  but 
this  craving  had  better  remain  not  quite  fatisfied^ 
than  that  the  ftomach  (hould  be  loaded  with  whac 
exceeds  its  powers.  To  ftarve  patients  was  never 
my  plan ;  but  I  am  clearly  of  opinion,  that,  in  the 

*  When  I  fpeak  of  drinking  a  glafs  of  the  water  over-nxghe^ 
'  j  n^oft  beg  leave  to  caution  thofe  who  follow  this  plan  againU 
eating  heavy  Tappers.  The  late  Dr.  Daulcry  of  York,  who  was 
the  &ik  that  brought  the  Harrowgate  waters  into  repute,  uied 
to  advife  hu  patients  to  drink  a  glafs  before  they  went  to  bed  ; 
the  ooniieqaence  of  which  was^  that  having  eat  a  fleih  fupper, 
fwd  the  water  operating  in  the  night,  they  were  often  tormented 
With  gripesj  and  obliged  to  call  for  medical  aiiiflance. 

T  t  a  ^k 


644       ON  COLD   BATHING,  AND 

ufc  of  alt  the  purging  mineral  waters,  a  light  and 
rather  diluting  diet  is  the  moft  proper;  and  that  no 
perfon  during  fuch  a  courfe  ought  to  eat  to  the  full 
extent  to  what  his  appetite  craves* 

To   promote  the  operation  of  nnineral  waters, 
and  to  carry  them  through  the  fyftem,  exercife  is 
indifpenfably  neceflfary.    This  may  be  taken  in  any 
manner  that  is  moft  agreeable  to  the  patient;  but 
he  ought  never  to  carry  it  to  excefs.     The  bcft 
kinds  of  exercife  are  thofe  connefted  with   amufe- 
ment.     Every  thing  that  tends  to  exhilarate  the 
fpirits,  not  only  promotes  the  operation  of  the  wa- 
ters^ but  a(fls  as  a  medicine.     All  who  refortto 
the  mineral  waters  ought  therefore  to  leave  every 
care   behind,  to  mix  with  the  company,  and  to 
make  themfelves  as  cheerful  and  happy  as  poffible. 
From  this  condu£b,  aflifted  by  the  free  and  whole- 
fome  air  of  thofe  fafhionable  places  of  refort,  and 
alfo  the  regular  and  early  hours  which  are  ufually 
kept,  the  patient  often  receives  more  benefit  than 
from  ufing  the  waters. 

But  the  greateft  errors  in  drinking  the  purging 
mineral  waters  arife  from  their  being  ufed  in  cafes 
where  they  are  abfolutely  improper,  and  adverfeto 
the  nature  of  the  difeafe.  When  people  hear  of  a 
wonderful  cure  having  been  performed  by  fome 
mineral  water,  they  immediately  conclude  that  it 
will  cure  every  thing,  and  accordingly  fwallow  it 
down,  when  they  might  as  well  take  poifbn.  Pa- 
tients ought  to  be  well  informed,  before  they  be? 
gin  to  drink  the  more  aftive  kinds  of  mineral  wa- 
ters, of  the  propriety  of  the  courfe,  and  (hoold 
never  perfift  in  ufing  them  when  they  arc  found  to 
aggravate  the  difordcr. 

In  all  cafes  where  purging  is  indicated,  thefalinc 
mineral  waters  will  be  found  to  fulfil  this  intentioQ 
better  than  any  other  medicine*  Their  operation,  if 

•  taked 


DRINKING.  MINERAL  WATERS,  fi+i 

ta]ten  in  proper  quaiitityi  is  generally  mil3 ;  and 
diey  are  neither  found  to  irritate  the  nerves,  nor 
debilitate  the  patient  (o  much  as  the  other  purga- 
tives, 

As  a  purgative,  thefe  waters  arechiefljr  recom- 
mended in  difeafes  of  the  firft  paffagcs,  accompa- 
nied with,  or  proceeding  from,  inactivity  of  the 
i^omach  and  bowels,  acidity,  indtgeftion,  vitiated 
bite,  worms,  putrid  fordes,  the  piles,  and  jaun-. 
dice.  la  molt  cafes  of  this  kind  they  are  the  bcft 
mcdicinea  that  can  be  adminiftered.  But  when 
ufed  with  this  view,  ii  is  fuSicient  to  take  them 
twice,  or  at  mo(t  three  times  a-week,  fo  as  to 
muve  the  body  three  or  four  times  i  and  it  will  be 
proper  to  continue  this  courfe  for  fome  weeks. 

But  the  operation  of  the  more  active  mineral  wa-- 
ters  is  not  confined  to  the  bowels.  They  often 
promote  the  difchargeof  urine,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  tncreafe  thepcrfpiration..  This  flicws  that 
they  are  capable  of  penetrating  into  every  part  of 
the  body,  and  of,  Simulating  the  whole  fyftem. 
Hence  arifes  their  efficacy  in  removing  the  liioll 
obftinate  of  all  diforders,  obftrulfions  of  ibe  glandu- 
lar and  Ijmpbatic  Jjfiem.  Under  this  clafs  is  com- 
prehended the  fcrofula  or  King's  evil,  indolent  tu- 
mours, obftruftions  of  the  liver,  fpleen,  kidnies, 
and  mefcntcric  glapds.  When  thefe  great  pur-, 
pofes  are  to  be  effected,  the  waters  mud  be  ufed  in. 
the  gradual  manner  mentioned  above,  and  perfifted 
in  for  a  length  of  time.  It  will  be  proper  however. 
now  and  then  to  difcuntinue  their  ufc  for  a  few  days.. 
The  next  great  clafs  of  difeafes  where  mineral 
waters  are  found  to  be  beneficial,  are  thofe  of  the 
fkin,  as  the  itch,  fcab,  tetters,  ringworms,  fcaty 
eruption^,  leprofies,  blotches,  foul  ulcers,  &c. 
Though  thefe  may  feem  fuperficial,  yet  they  are 
often  the  molt  obftinate  which  the  phyfician  has  to 
encounter,  and  not  unfrequently  let  his  (kill  ai 
T  t  3  defiance: 


646       ON  COLD  BATttfNO;  ^. 

defiance:  but  they  will  fontietinties  yield  to  the  ap^ 
plication  of  mineral  waters  for  a  fufficfent  length 
of  tirpe^  and  in  rnofl:  cafes  of  this  kind  thefe  wa« 
ters  deferve  a  trial.  The  faline  fulphureous  wa- 
ters^ fuch  as  thofe  of  Moffat  in  Scotland^  and  Har« 
rowgate  in  England^  are  the  rripft  likely  to  fucceed 
in  difeafes  of  the  (kin  s  but  for  th'^s  pui^pofe  it  will 
be  neceffary  not  only  to  drink  the  waters^  biit  like- 
wife  to  ufe  them  externally. 

To  enumerate  more  particularly  the  qualities  of 
the  different  mineral  waters,  to  fpecify  thofe  dif- 
eafes m  which  they  are  refpeftivcly  indicated,  and 
to  point  out  their  proper  modes  of  applicatioiii 
would  be  an  ufeful,  and  by  no  nr)eans  a  difagree-* 
able  employment  j  but  as  the  limits  prefcribed  ta 
thefe  remarks  will  n6t  allow  me  to  treat  the 
fobjeft  at  more  length,  I  (fiall  conckide  by  ob- 
ferving,  that  whenever  the  mineral  waters  ire 
found  to  exhauft  the  ftrengthj  deprefs  the  fpirits, 
take  away  the  appetite,  excitt  fevers,  diflehd  th? 
bowels,  or  occalion  i  cough^  they  ought  (o  be  dif 
continued. 

%#  Tkefe  ComUma  hiviofr  beeo  prfaited  awcf  (qM  iep«rttef| 
{of  die  accommodatioo  of  tbofe  who  bad  po/ckafed  the  former 
editions  of  this  book,  has  induced  fome  perfont  10  coofidef 
them  as  a  complete  Treadfe  on  iea- bathing  and  drinking  the  mi- 
neral waters ;  whertai  the  amhor's  io\t  intetitioii  was  to  funiift 
|i  U^  general  hints  to  perfons  ^hb  fraqoent  thofe  faihionibhf 
places  of  reforty  without  potting  themfelves  imder  the  care  of  a 
phyfician.  As  he  looks  upon  t)|is  fubjed  however  to  be  of  tlM 
greatefl  importance  to  the  fick,  he  pledges  ^umfelfto  treat  iia( 
inpre  length  on  a  future  pecafion.  '        ' 


*  ( 


APPENDIX: 


COHTAIKINO 


A  Lift  of  Simples  and  of  fuch  Medicinal  Pre* 
parations  as  ought  to  be  kept  in  Readlnefs 
for  private  Prance; 

The  Method  c^  preparing  and  compounding 
fuch  Medicines  as  are  recommended  in  the 
former  Part  of  the  Book,  with  the  Addition 
of  fereral  others  of  a  fimilar  Nature  : 

Remarks  on  the  Dofes,  Ufes,  and  Manner  erf 
applying  the  different  Preparations. 


iHttUeamtntBrtim  variitat  ignsrantia  fSa  tft. 


Bacok. 

/ 


Tt4 


[  ««  ] 


INTRODUCTION. 


TGnokance  and  fuperftition  have  attributed  extraonlinuy 
-^  medical  virtues  to  almoft  every  produSion  of  nature. 
That  fuch  virtues  were  often  imaginary,  time  and  expe- 
rience have  fufficiently  fliewn.  Phyiicians,  however,  from 
a  veneration  for  antiquity,  ftill  retain  in  their  lifts  of  medi- 
cine many  things  which  owe  their  reputation  entirely  to  the 
fuperftition  and  credulity  of  our  anceflon. 

The  inftrumenis  of  medicine  will  always  be  multiplied,  in 
proportion  to  men's  ignorance  of  the  nature  and  caufe  of 
fjifeafcs :  when  thefe  are  fufficiently  underflood,  the  method 
of  cure  will  be  fimple  and  obvious. 

Ignorance  of  the  real  nature  and  permanent  properties  of 
thofc  fubfiances  employed  in  the  cure  of  difcaies,  is  another 
reafon  why  they  have  been  fo  greatly  multiplied.  Phyficians 
thought  they  could  etFe£^  by  a  number  of  ingredients,  what 
could  not  be  done  by  any  one  of  them.  Htncc  aiofe  thofa 
amazing  farragos  which  have  To  long  difgraced  the  medical 
art,  and  which  were  eftecmed  powerful  in  proportioa  to  the 
number  of  fimplcs^at  entered  their  compofltion. 

The  great  variety  of  forms  into  which  almoft  every  at*  ' 
tide  of  medicine  has  been  manufactured,  aft'ords  another 
proof  of  the  imperfection  of  the  medical  art.  A.drugwhich  - 
is  perhaps  moft  efficacious  in  the  fimplell  form  in  which  it 
can  be  adminiftered,  has  been  nevertbelefs  lervcd  up  in  fo 
many  different  fbbpcs,  that  one  would  be  induced  to  think 
the  whole  art  of  phyfic  lay  in  exhibiting  medicine  under  at 
many  different  modes  as  pollible. 

Ditferent  forms  of  medicine,  no  doubt,  have  their  ufej 
but  they  ought  never  to  be  wantonly  increafed.  They  ais 
by  no  means  fo  neceftary  as  is  generally  imagined.  A  few 
grains  of  powdered  rhubarb,  jalap,  or  ipecacuanha,  will 
aflually  perform  all  that  can  be  done  by  the  different  prepa- 
rations of  [hefe  roots,  and  may  alfo  be  exhibited  in  as  fafe 
and  agreeable  a  manner.  The  fame  obfervation  holds  with 
regard  to  the  Peruvian  bark,  and  many  other  fimples  <^ 
Tirhich  the  preparations  arc  very  numerous. 

5  Multi. 


«js  APPEND.IX. 

Multiplying  the  in|redicnts  of  a  medicine,  not  only 
renders  it  more  expeniive,  but  alio  Icfs  certain,  both  in  its 
dofaand  operation.  Nor  is  this  all.  The  compound,  when 
Iccpt,  is  dpt  to  fpoi),  or  acquire  qualities  of  a  jifferent  na. 
ture.  When  a  medicine  is  rendered  more  fafc,  elficaciouE,  or 
agreeable,  by  the  addition  of  another,  they  ought,  no  doubt^ 
to  be  joined ;  ih  all  other  caftfi,  thit^  are  bfcttcr  kept  afand^, 
"The  combination  of  medicines  embarratfe*  tbc  f^yficiarT, 
and  retards  the  progrcfs  oF  medical  knowledge.  It  h  impof- 
fible  to  afccrtvin  the  precife  eSe&  of  any  one  medicine,  19 
long  as  it  is  coipUncd  irith  d^Urs,  either  of  x  fianiar  or  dif- 
£D>ilar  liaturc. 

In  the  exhibition  of  medicine,  regard  CbooM  not  only  bd 
tad  to  fimjiKcity!,  bat  ItkcwrTe  to  elegance.  PatieAts  Mdom 
^eap  nnich  bemftc  froni  tilings  that  are  highly  dilagreeaUe 
to  their  fanfes.  To  twfle  or  fndl  like  a  drug,  is  bccomei 
proverb  ;  and  to  fay  truth,-  rirere  is  too  much  ground'  for  iv 
Indeed  no  art  can  take  mray  the  difagreeable  txfte  and  la- 
Tonr  of  fome dru^,  wKbout  entirely  dcftroying  their  effi- 
cacy :  it  h  pbfflbte,  howbver^  to  render  many  medtcrnesM 
difguftful,  and  others  even  agreeable ;  Mii  objctft  higUy  dr< 
lerving  ike  attention  of  d  who  adminiflir  medicine. 

The  defignof  the  following  pages  is,  to  exhibit  fifcfe  tM 
of  drugs  and  medicines  as  may  be  nec^ry  for  prrme  prac- 
tice. They  are  conGderably  more  nua>erous  indeed  tbu 
thofe  recortmnchded  in  the  former  part  of  the  3ook,  but  in 
ftill  greatly  Within  the  number  contained  in  ttie  mOft  n^ 
-  formed  difpinfatoTies.  The  fame  medicine  is  feldom  exhti 
bited  under  different  forms  ;.  and  where  different  medicintt 
■nfwer  nearly  the  fame  imentton^  thete  it  commonfy  m 
snore  than  one  of  chenj  retained.  Muldptying  forms  of 
medicine  for  the  fame  intention'  tends  rather  to  bewiMtr 
than  aJBA  the  young  prai!^itioiter,  and  tHe  exptrrienced  pfayfr- 
cian  cart  never  ht  at  a  lofs  to  vary  hi?  preft)ri|itiMH  as  occa- 
fioir  requires. 

The  chemical  and  oriter  difficult  preparationr  ire  for  tbe 
moH  part  omitted.  All  of  them  that  are  ufed  by.  any  piinte 
prajtitfoner  are  not  worth  prepariAg.  He  wiH  buy  (bat 
much  cheaper  than  he  can  makeihem.  Great  care  hmRrer 
is  nccefiary  to  obtain  them  genuine,  Tbey  are  frften  adid- 
ferated,  and  ought  never  to  be  potchafcd  uitleft  frotA  peribi* 
01  known  veracity.    Such  of  thenn  as  are  M  conteoB  <A 


INTRODUCTION.  6}t 

jrwinfcrted  in  the  lift  of  drugs  and  medicines.  Their  proper 
dofes,  and  manner  of  application,  are  mentioned  in  the  pxz(^ 
tical  part  of  the  Book,  wherever  they  zrt  prefcribed. 

Such  articles  of  medicine  as  are  to  be  found  in  the  houfe  ' 
ot  garden  of  almoft  every  peafant,  as  barley,  eggs,  onions, 
'  ^c.  are  likewife,  for  the  moft  part,  omitted.  It  is  needlefs 
to  fwell  a  lift  of  medicines  with  fuch  things  ats  can  be  ob-* 
fained  whenever  they  are  wanted,  and  which  fpoit  by  belfig' 
icept. 

The  preparations  made  and  fold  by  diftillers  and  confec-r 
tioners  are  alfo  generally  left  out.  Thefe  people,  by  operate* 
ing  upon  a  larger  plan,  generally  make  things  better,  white' 
it  is  in  their  power  to  afford  them  much  cheaper,  than, they 
can  be  prepared  by  any  private  hand.  ' 

The  quantity  ordered  of  every  medicine  is  as  fmall  as  could 
well  be  prepared,  both  to  preirend  iinneceflafy  expehce,  ihd 
that  the  medicine  might  not  fpoil  by  keeping.  Almoft  every 
medicine  fufFers  by  being  kept,  and  fhould  be*  ufed'as  footi 
^ter  it  has  been  prepared  as  poflible.  Even  fimple  drugs 
are  apt  to  fpoil,  and  fhouTd  therefore  be  laid  in  in  fmatt 
fjuantities  j  they  either  rot,  ki'e  co'nfUmed  by  infedls,  or  ^v'a- 
porate  fo  as  to  lofe  their  peculiaf  ^afte  or  flavour,  and  ofteii' 
pecome  quite  in(t^i<i'c*nt. 

*  In  the  preparation  of  medicinesi  I  have  generally  follow^d^ 
the  moft  improved  tfifperif^tories  j  but  have  taken  the  Kbcfty 
to  differ  from  thdm  whdTevcr  my  ovirn  obfervations,  or  thofe' 
of  other  praAical  Writers,  6n  S^hoft  judgment  I  could  de^ 
pend,  fuggefted  an  M^rovcfmeiU. 

In  feveral  compof^ffon^,  the  ingredient  on  v^hich  the  ef- 
ficacy of  the  itiedicine' principally  depends  is  increafed,  i/^hiW 
the  auxiliaries,  which  are  generally  ordered  iii  fuch  triflirig* 
quantities  as  to  he  of  no  importance,  are  left  out,  or  onl^* 
fuch  of  them  retained  as  are  neceflTary  to  give  the  medidri6* 
a  proper  confiftehce,'or  the  like. 

The  colouring  ingre'di6hts  are  Kkewrfe  for  the  moft  pari? 
omitted.  They  increafe  the  bulk  and  price  of  the  medicine; 
without  adding  arty  thing  to  its  value.  It  would  be  well  if 
they  were  never  ufed  at  all.  MeJicines  are  often  adulteratcdf 
for  the  fake  of  a  colour.  Acrid  and  even  poifonous  fub- 
ftances  are,  for  this  purpofe,  fometimes  introduced  intothofq 
medicines  which  ought  to  be  moft  bland  and  emollient,^ 
Pintmcnt  of  eWef,  for  example,  is  dftcn  mixed  with  virde-' 
1 1  grifc 


652  A  P  PEN  D  I  X. 

grife  to  give  it  a  fine  green  colour,  which  entirely  fruftrates 
the  intention  of  that  mild  ointment.  Tbofe  who  wi(h  to 
obtain  genuine  medicines  ihould  pay  no  regard  to  their  co- 
lour. 

Some  regard  is  likewife  paid  to  expence.  Such  ingre- 
dients as  greatly  increafe  the  price  of  any  compofition,  with- 
out adding  coniiderably  to  its  virtue,  are  generally  either 
omitted,  or  fomewhat  lefs  expenfive  fubftituted  in  their  place. 
Medicines  are  by  no  means  powerful  in  proportion  to  their 
price/  The  chpapeft  are  often  the  beft  j  bcfides,  they  are 
the  leaf!:  apt  to  be  adulterated,  and  ar::  always  mod  readilj 
obtained. 

With  regard  to  the  method  of  compounding  medicines, 
I  have  generally  followed  that  which  feemed  to  be  the  moft 
fiinple  and  natural,  mentioning  the  different  fteps  of  the  pro- 
cefs  in  the  fame  order  in  which  they  ought  to  be  taken, 
ivithout  paying  an  implicit  regard  to  the  method  of  odier 
difpenfatories. 

For  many  of  the  remarks  concerning  the  preparation, 
&c.  of  medicines,  I  have  been  obliged  to  the  author  of  die 
New  Difpenfatory.  The  other  pbfervatiops  are  either  fudi 
as  have  occurred  to  myfelf  >n  practice,  or  have  been  fuggefted 
in  the  courfe  of  reading,  by  authors  whofc  names  J  am  not 
nble  ildin&ly  to  recoUei^. 

I  have  followed  the  alphabetical  order,  both  with  regard 
to  the  fimples  and  preparations.  A  more  fcienttfic  method 
would  have  been  agreeable  to  fome  perfons,  but  lefs  ufefiil 
to  the  generality  of  readers.  The  different  dafles  of  me* 
dicine  have  no  great  dependance  upon  one  another;  and, 
yrhere  they  have,  it  is  hard  to  fay  which  (hould  ftand  firft  or 
lad  ;  no  doubt  the  fimple  preparations  ought  to  precede  the 
inoie  compound.  But  all  the  advantages  arifing  from  this 
method  of  arrangement  do  not  appear  equal  to  that  Angle 
one,  of  being  able,  on  the  firft  openings  of  the  book,  to  find 
out  any  article,  which,  by  the  alphabetical  ord^r,  is  rendered 
'  quite  eafy. 

The  dofe  of  every  medicine  is  mentioned  whenever  it  ap- 
peared necellary.  When  this  is  omitted  it  is  to  be  under- 
Aood  that  the  medicine  m^y  be  ufed  at  difcretion.  The  dofe 
mentioned  is  always  for  an  adult,  unlefs  when  the  contrary 
is  exprefled.  It  is  not  an  eafy  matter  to  proportion  the  dofes  . 
o{  medicine  exadly  to  the  different  ages,  conftitutians,  &c, 

of 


INTRODUCTION.  «J3 

of  patienK  ;  but,  happily  for  mankind,  ntadieinaticiU  exa&' 
ncfs  here  is  bj  no  means  neccflary. 

Several  attempts  have  been  made  toafcertain  the  propor- 
tional dofes  for  the  different  agej  and  conftitutioni. of  pa-' 
ticnts ;  but,  after  ajl  tfiat  can  be  faid  \ipon  this  fubjed,  a 
great  deal  mufl  be  left  to  the  judgment  and  fkill  of  the  per- 
fon  who  admininers  the  medicine.  The  following  general 
proportions  may  be  obferved ;  but  they  are  by  no  means  in- 
tended for  exsH  rules.  A  patient  between  twenty  and  four- 
teen may  take  two  thirds  of  the  dofe  ordered  for  an  adulcj 
from  fourteen  to  nine,  one-half}  from  nine  to  fix,  one- 
third  ;  from  fix  to  four,  one-fourth  j  from  four  to  two, 
one-{ixih ;  from  two  to  one,  a  tenth  ;  and  below  one,  a 
twelfth. 

Difpeflfatories  are  ufually  written  in  the  Latin  language. 
Even  authors  who  write  in  Englini,  generally  give  their 
prefcriptions  in  Latin  ;  and  fome  of  them  fliew  fe  great  an 
attachment  to  that  language,  as  UtR  Iq  write  their  rteipa  in 
it,  and  afterwards  tranflate  them;  while  others,  to  com- 
promife  the  matter,  write  the  one  half  in  Latin  and  the  other 
in  EngtiOi.  What  peculiar  charm  a  medical  prcfcrlpiion, 
when  written  in  Latin,  may  have,  I  Ihatl  not  pretend  to  fay ; 
but  have  ventured  to  make  ufe  of  the  plaineft  Englifb  L 
could,  and  hope  my  prefcriptions  will  fuccecd  no  worfe  fori 

N.  B.  The  Apothecary's  weights,  and  (he  Englifli  wfne 
meafures,  are  ufed  throughout  the  whole  book,  the  different 
denominations  of  which  will  appear  from  the  following 
'I'ablc : 

A  pound  contains  twelve  ounces. 

An  ounce     -     -    eight  drachms. 

A  drachm     -     -    three  fcruples. 

A  fcruple     -    -     twenty  grains. 

A  gallon  contains  eight  pints. 
A  pint     -    -    -     Sixteen  ounces. 
An  ounce    -     -     eight  drachms. 

A  fpoonful  is  the  meafu; e  of  half  an  ounce. 


Antimony,  crude  ■              caffia 

. ciDDabar  of  -^ Cura 

~i  .           fulphur  of  ■'  '   ■-  fig), 

Balfam  of  Capi»i w  Preat 

.  of  Peru  m^, jiDia 

■  '           of  Tola  "  .  ■  ■-  junip 

Saik>  caicarilla  r            duioi 

-  T  cimiwinaii  —, tamai 

* Mezenon  Gum*,  atoei 

. Periiviaa  — : amin< 

VPiDte^S,  orcirtella  alba     .  arabit 

Borax  ■              afafce 

Calaiaine  iione,  levigated  ciinp] 

Caftor,  Ruffian  ■    ■  —  galba: 

Caullic,  conmon  -    .■    -  gamb 

— ■           lanir  —  ■         guaiac 

Eutli,  Fuller*!  -             kiao 

-  ■     ■  J»p*n  myrrl 

»— —  ArmeDiaa  bole  .              opian 

-■-        French  ditto  HartlhorD,  ca] 

Eztrads  of  gentian  Qu^ 

-, .  ofguaiacum  Herb),  leffer  c 

— .           of  hellebore,  blacb      ■  P^PP^ 

'■■ —  of  hemlock  ■            ^earo 

. of  jalap  _  -       .      penny 

— .              of  liqaorice  — ..  -—  farin 

of  Peruvian  bark  i            trefoil 

-'■      '     -_  of  poppies  ■             ova  ni 

. of  wormwood  — -  wormi 

Floweri  of  catnotnile  Lead,  Litbiig 

^-      -■  colt')  foot  ——  white 


Ll§T  OF  ^IMPI^S,  itc. 


Ui 


Manna 

Mercury,  erode 
calcinated 

■  i£thiop's  fliinef|l 
■  ■>  calomel 

. cprroHye  fublioif^t^ 

■  red  precipitate 
'■  whke  diuo 

MuOc 

Oil,  eiTential,  of  ai)Db.fr 

■  of  anife 

I  of  cinnamon 

■  of  juniper 

■  of  lemon-peel 

of  peppermint 


•^-  exprefled,  of  almonds 

"  of  linieed 

Oil  of  olives,  or  Florence  oil 

. of  palms 

—  of  turpentine 

Orange-peel 

Oyiler  (hells  prepared 

Poppy-heads 

Refins,  benzoin 

flowers  of 

■  Burgundy  pitch 
*  dragon's  blood 
m  frankincenfe 

■  liquid  ftorax 

■  white,  or  rofin 

■  fcammony 
Roots,  birthwort 

calamus  aromaticus 

con  tray  erva 

garlic 

gentian 

ginger 

hellebore,  black,  white 

jalap 

ipecacuanha 

lily,  white 

liquorice 

marlhmallgw 

mezerion 

rhubarb 


Roots,  farf^pai^^ 

feneka 

fquills 

tormen^i) 

tnrjtneric 

Virginian  b^^ 

wild  v^lfiKW 

cedoary 
Saffron 
Sal  ammoo^Ci  ^mil^ 

— •  voL^ile 

Salt,  Epfom 

of  Glauber 

of  hartfhorn 

nitre,  purified,  or  pntnel 

Polychreft 

Rochel 
— —  of  tartar 
Seeds,  anife 
— —  carraway 

cardamom 

coriander 

cnmmia 

muflard^ 
— ~  fweet  fennel 

wild  carrot 

Senna 
Spanifh  flies 
Sperma  ceti 

Spirits,  xtherea!,  orather 

■  of  hartfhorn 

■  of  lavender,  coropottid 
•  "  of  nitre 

■  ditto  dulcified 

■  offal  ammoniac 

■  ■  of  fea  falc 

'  of  vinegar 

■■  of  vitriol 
'  of  wine  retflified    . 

■  volatile  aromatic 
Steel,  filings  of 

-  ruft  of,  prepared 

foluble  fait  of 

Sulphur  vivum 

■■        *  balfam  of 

Solphtif 


VerSegTifc 


[    657     3  * 

MEDICINAL  PREPARATI6NS.  ' 

BALSAMS. 

THE  fubiedoFthisrc£tionisnotthe  natural  balTams,  but 
certain  compofittons,  which,  rrom  their  being  fuppofcd 
to  polTers  bairamic  qualities,  generally  go  by  that  name. 

This  clafs  of  medicines  was  formerly  very  numerous,  and 
held  in  gieat  efleem  :  modern  pra^ice,  however,  has  juftly 
reduced  it  to  a  very  narrow  compafs. 
Anodyne  Bal/am, 

Talcc  of  while  Spanilh  foap,  one  ounce  ;  opium,  unpre- 
pared, two  drachms }  redlificd  fpirit  of  wine,  nine  ounces. 
Digeft  them  together  in  a  gentle  heat  for  three  days  ;  theft 
drain  ofF  the  liquor,  and  add  to  it  three  drachms  of  camphor. 

This  balfam,  as  its  title  exprcUcs,  is  intended  to  cafe  pain. 
It  is  of  fervice  in  violent  IVrains  and  rheumatic  complaints, 
when  not  attended  with  inflammation.  It  muft  be  rubbed 
with  a  warm  hand  on  the  part  aSe^d ;  or  a  linen  rag 
moiftened  with  it  may  be  applied  to  the  part,  and  renewea 
cveryahird  or  fourth  hour,  till  the  pain  abates.  If  the  opium 
it  left  out,  this  will  be  the  faponadeut  balfam. 

Locatelli's  Baljam. 

Talcc  of  olive  oil,  one  pint;  Strafburg  turpentine  and 
yellow  wax,  of  each  half  a  pound  }  red  faunders,  lix  drachms. 
Melt  the  wax  with  fome  part  of  the  oil  over  a  gentle  fire  ; 
theq  adding  the  remaining  part  of  the  oil  and  the  turpentine; 
afterwards  mix  in  the  faLmders,  previouHy  reduced  to  a  pow- 
der, and  keep  them  flirring  together  till  the  balfam  is  cold. 

This  balfam  is  recommended  in  erofions  of  the  intellines, 
the  dyfentery,  haemorrhages,  internal  broifes,  and  in  fome 
complaints  of  the  breall.  Outwardly  it  is  ufed  for  healing 
Sttid  clcanHng  wounds  and  ulcers.  The  dofe,  when  taken 
internally,  is  from  two  fcruples  to  two  drachms. 

7he  vulnerary  Balfam. 
.  Take  of  benzoin,  powdered,    three  ounces  ;    balfam  of 
Pery,  two  ounces;  hcpatir  aloes,  in  powder,  half  an  ounce; 
mflilied  fpirit  of  wine,  two  pints.     Digeft  them  in  a  gentle 
heat  for  three  days,  and  then  ftrain  the  balfam. 

This  balfam,  or  rather  lin£luic,  is  applied  externally  to 

bca]  recent  wounds  ahd  bruifcs.    It  is  likcfrife  employed  in- 

U  u  tcmsllf 


658  APPENDIX. 

ternally  to  remove  coughs,  afthmas,  and  other  complaints  of 
the  breaft.  It  is  faid  to  eafe  the  colic,  cicanfe  the  kidnleSi 
and  to  heal  internal  ulcers,  &c. 

The  dofe  is  from  tweaty  to  fixty  drops. 

This,  though  a  medicine  of  fome  value,  does  not  defcnre 
the  extravagant  encomiums  which  have  been  beftowed  on 
jt.  It  has  been  celebrated  under  the  different  names  of  7fc 
Commander* s  Balfam^  Perjian  Balfam^  Baljam  ofBerne^  Wsiit 
Balfam^  Friar's  Balfamy  J(fuit  s  DropSj  Tur/rngton's  Drgpt^ 
&c. 

BOLUSES. 

A  S  bolufes  are  intended  for  immediate  ufe,  voIa:i!e  ial» 
*^  and  other  ingredients  improper  for  being  kept,  arc  ad- 
rnitted  into  their  compofition.  They  are  gmeraUv  coin- 
pofed  of  powders,  with  a  proper  quantity  of  fyrup,  cw^ 
ferve,  or  mucilage.  The  lighter  powders  are  comtnonly  madb 
up  with  fyrup,  and  the  more  ponderous,  as  mercury,  &c 
with  confervc  j  but  thofe  of  the  lighter  kind  would  be  more 
conveniently  made  up  with  mucilage,  as  it  increafes  dieir 
bulk  lefs  than  the  other  additions,  and  likewife  occafions  d)C 
medicine  to  pafs  down  more  eafily. 

jifiringeni  Bolus. 

Take  of  alum,  in  powder,  fifteen  grains  ;  gum  kino,fi^ 
grains ;  (yrup,  a  fufHcient  quantity  to  make  a  bolus. 

In  an  exceflive  flow  of  the  menjhy  and  other  violent  dif- 
charges  of  blood,  proceeding  from  relaxation,  this  bolus  may 
be  given  every  four  or  Ave  hours,  till  the  difcharge  abates. 

Diaphoretic  Bolus. 

Take  of  gum  guaiacum,  in  powder,  ten  grains;  flovof 
of  fulphur  and  cream  of  tartar,  of  each  one  fcrupte;  finpfe 
fyrup,  a  ftrfScient  quantity. 

In  rheumatic  complaints,  and  diforders  of  the  (kin,  ihii 
bolus  may  be  taken  twice  a  day.  It  will  alio  be  of  fervict 
in  the  inflammatory  quinfey^ 

Mercurial  Bolus. 

Take  of  calomel,  fix  grains  ;  conferre  of  rofet^  half  A 
drachm.     Make  a  bolus. 

Where  mercury  is  neceflary,  this  bohis  may  be  feikca 
twice  or  thrice  a  week.  It  may  be  taken  overiiighc;  mAt 
it  does  T\ot  oy^t^\Jt^  9.^c^  ^tK^of  \aisip  wUl  be  pitopei  veU 
day  vo  cwt^  ^^^  ^^^ 


CATAPLASKtS  AND  SINAWSMS.    659 

Solas  of  Rhubarb  and  Mercury, 
Take  of  the  beft  rhubarb,  in  powder,  from  a  fcruple  to 
,  half  a  drachm  ;  of  calomel,  from  four  to  fix  jjrains ;  fimpic 
fyrup,  a  fufficient  quantity  to  make  a  bolus. 

This  is  a  proper  purge  in  hypochondriac  conftitutfotts  \ 
but  its  principal  intention  is  to  expel  worms;  Where  & 
Aronger  purge  isneceflaryi  jalap  may  be  ufed  Inftead  6f  the 
riiubatb. 

Peroral  Bolus. 
Take  of  fpcrma  ceti,   a  fcruple ;   gum  ammoniac,  ten 
grains ;  fait  of  hartOiorn,  fi^c  grains  }  fimplc  fyrup,  as  much 
BS  will  make  them  into  a  bolus. 

This  bolus  is  given  in  colds  and  coughs  of  long  llandingt 
afthmas,  and  beginning  confumptions  of  the  lungs.  It  is 
generally  proper  to  bleed  the  patient  before  he  begins  to 
life  it. 

Purging  Bolus. 
Take  of  jalap  in  powder,  a  fcruple  {  cream  of  tartar,  two 
-  fcruples.     Let  them  be  rubbed  together,  and  formed  into  a 
bolus,  rwith  fimple  fyrup. 

Where  a  mild  purge  is  wanted,  this  will  anfwer  the  pur-, 
pofe  very  well.  If  a  flronger  dofe  is  neceltary,  the  jalap 
nay  be  increafed  to  half  a  drachm  or  upwards. 

CATAPLASMS  AND  SINAPISMS. 
J^Ataplasms  poflefs  fcT*  or  no  virtues  filpdHor  to  a 
^-^  poultice,  which  may  be  fo  made,  as,  in  molt  cafes,  to  . 
fupply  their  place.  They  are  chiefly  intended  either  to  a£t  as 
difcutients,  or  to  promote  fuppuration^  and  as  they  may  be 
of  fervice  in  Tome  cafes,  we  Qiall  give  a  fpecimen  of  each 
kind. 

Di/cHtient  Catapla/m, 

Take  of  barley-meal,  fix  ounces;  freQi  hemlock  leaves 

bniifed,  two  ounces ;  vinegar,  a  fufficient  quantity.     Boil 

Ac  meal  and  hemlock  in  the  vinegar  for  a  little,  and  then  add 

two  drachms  of  the  fugar  Jif  lead. 

Ripenmg  Catapla/m. 

Take  of  white  lily  root,  four  ounces  ;   fat  figs  and  ^aw 

ooioQS,  bruifed,  of  each  one  o«uice  y  yellow  bafilicum  oint^ 

lienr,  two  ounces}  gum  galbaoum,  bidfan  euocej  Untecd' 

U  u  1  ineal. 


luunu  any  appiicaiion  more  proper  tor  i 
poultice  of  bread  and  milk,  with  a  (u 
either  boiled  or  raw  onion  in  it,  and  foftei 
butter. 

Sinafifms. 

Sinapifms  are  employed  to  recal  the  bl 
weak  part,  as  in  the  pairy  and  atrc^hy. 
ferrice  in  dcep-reated  pains,  as  the  IciatK 
gout  feizcs  the  head  or  the  flomach,  the 
\  feet  to  bring  the  difordcr  to  thcfc  parts, 
applied  to  the  patient's  foles  in  the  low  fli 
fhould  not  be  fuffered  to  lie  on,  however, 
blillers,  but  till  the  parts  become  red,  i 
when  prcfled  with  the  finger. 
■  The  fmapifm  is  only  a  poultice  made 
of  milk,  and  rendered  warm  and  Oimuhit 
ofmuftardj  horfe-radtfb,  or  garlrc. 

The  common  (inapifm  is  made  by  tal 
and  mLiftud-recd  in  powder,of  each  equi 
vinegar,  as  much  as  is  rufficient,  and  n 
make  a  poultice. 

When  flnapifms  of  a  more  (ttmulating 
a  little  bruiled  garlic  may  be  added  to  th 

CLYSTER 

THIS  clafs  of  medicines  is  of  more 
generally  imagined.  Clyllers  fervt 
cuate  the  contents  of  the  belly,  but  alfa 
live  medicines  into  the  fyftem.  Opium 
h<-»(1mit.i(terr.1  in  rhis  wav  whrn  it  will 


CLYSTERS.  66i 

A  fimple  clyfter  can  rddom  do  hurt,  and  there  are  many 
caTes  w.hcre  it  may  do  much  good.  A  clyRer  even  of  warm 
water,  by  ferving  as  a  fomentation  to  the  parts,  may  be  of 
confideraMc  fervicc  in  inflammations  of  the  bladder,  and  the 
\owci  inteftines,  &c. 

Some  fubAances,  as  the  fmoke  of  tobacco,  may  be  thrown 
into  the  bowels  in  this  way,  which  cannot  by  any  other 
means  whatever.  This  may  be  eafily  efFefled  by  means  of  a 
pair  of  hand-bellows,  with  an  apparatus  fitted  to  them  for 
dlat  purpofe. 

Nor  is  the  ufe  ofclyders  confined  to  medicines.    Aliihent 
may  alfo  be  conveyed  in  this  way,     Perfons  unable  to  fwal- 
low,    have  been,   for  a  confiderable   time,    fupported   by 
clyflcrs. 
p.  Emollient  Chfier. 

Take  of  linfced  tea  and  new  milk,  each  fix  ounces.  Mix 
them. 

If  fifty  or  fixty  drops  of  laudanum  be  added  to  this,  it  will    . 
fiipply  the  place  of  the  Anodynt  Cly/iir. 

iMxative  Clyjler. 
,    Take  Of  milk  and  water,  each  Hk  ounces  ;  fweet  oil  or 
A-elh  butter;  and  brown  fugar,  of  each  two  ounces.     Mix 
*em. 

If  an  ounce  of  Glauber's  fait,  or  two  table-fpoonfuls  of 
coounon  fait,  be  added  to  this,  it  will  be  the  Purging  Clyfitr. 

Carminative  Chjicr. 

Take  of  camomile  flowers,  an  ounce;  anife-feeds,  half  an 
•once.      Boil  in  a  pint  and  a  half  of  water  to  one  pint. 

In  hyfteric  and  hypochondriac  complaints  this  may  be  ad- 
tninillered  inflead  of  the  Fcetid  Cl^tTj  the  fmcll  of  which  is 
fo  difagreeabte  to  moll  patients. 

Oily  Clyfter. 
.     To  four  ounces  of  the  infufion  of  camomile  flowers,  add 
an  equal  quantity  of  Florence  oil. 

This  clyller  is  beneficial  in  bringing  nfi*  (he  fmall  worms 
lodged  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  alimentary  canal.     When 
eiven  to  children  the  quantity  muH  be  proportiouably  lef- 
wned. 
*  .  '  U  u  3  SiarA 


ee^.         .     APPENDIX. 

Starch  Clyfter. 

Take  jelly  of  ftarch,  four  ounces  ;  linfeed  oil,  half  an 
ounce.  Liquify  the  jelly  over  a  gentle  fire,  and  then  mix  in 
the  oil. 

In  the  dyfentery  or  bloody  flux,  this  clyfter  may  be  admi- 
niftered  after  every  loofe  ftool,  to  heal  the  ulcerated  inteftiocs 
and  blunt  the  Hiarpnefs  of  corroding  humours.  Forty  or 
fifty  drops  of  laudanum  may  be  occafionally  added  ;  in  which 
cafe,  it  will  generally  fupply  the  place  of  the  AftrinitA 
Clyjicr. 

Turpentine  Clyfter. 

Take  of  common  decoftion,  ten  ounces  ;  Venice  turpep* 
tine,  di/Tolved  widi  the  yolk  of  an  egg,  half  an  ouncej  flo* 
rence  oil,  one  ounce.     Mix  them. 

This  diuretic  clyder  is  proper  in  obftru£iions  of  the  uri- 
nary pn/Tages,  and  in  cholicky  complaints,  proceeding  b^ 
gravel. 

Vinegar  Clyfter. 

This  clyflcr  is  made  by  mixing  three  ounces  of  vinegar 
with  five  of  water-gruel. 

It  anfwers  all  the  purpofes  of  a  common  clyfter,  with  the 
peculiar  advantage  of  being  proper  either  in  inflammatory  or 
putrid  diforders,  cfpecially  in  the  latter* 

c:?^  We  think  it  unncceflary  to  give  more  examples  of  this 
clafs  of  medicines,  as  ingredient^  adapted  to  any  particubr 
intention  may  be  occafionally  added  to  one  or  other  of  the 
above  forms. 

COLLYRIA,  or  EYE-WATERS. 

ipYE-WATERS  have  been  multiplied  without  nuroberi 
■^  almoft  every  perfon  pretending  to  be  poflefled  of  fo»c 
fecrct  preparation  for  the  cure  of  fore  eyes.  I  have  examio* 
cd  many  of  them,  and  find  that  they  are  pretty^  much  ilii^t 
the  bafis  of  mod  of  them  being  either  alum,  vitriol,  or  lead 
Their  effects  evidently  are,  to  brace  and  reftore  the  tone  of 
the  parts ;  hence  they  are  principally  of  fervice  in  flight  io- 
flamnK^tions,  and  in  that  relaxed  ftate  of  the  parts  which  is 
induced  by  obftinate  ones. 

Camphor  is  commonly  iidded  to  thefe  compofitions;  hst 
as  it  feldom  incorporates  properly  with  the  water,  it  caiTte 
of  little  ufe.  Boles,  and  other  earthy  fubftanccs,  is  they  do 
Xiot  diflblve  in  water,  arc  likewifp  unfit  Ictf  dfis  purpofe. ' 


^.'*il 


CONFECTIONS.  66j 

Colly r turn  of  Alum. 

Take  of  alum,  haj/  a  drachro  ;  agitate  it  well  together 
with  the  white  of  que  egg*        ' 

This  is  the  Collyriuiii  of  Riverius.  It  is  ufed  in  inflame 
mation  of  the  eyes,  to  allay  heat,  and  reftrain  the  flux  of 
hunDours.  It  muft  be  fpread  upon  linen,  and  applied  to  the 
eyes ;  but  Ibould  not  be  kept  on  above  three  or  four  houcs  ac 
d  time. 

Vitriolic  Cc41yrium. 

Take  of  white  vitriol,  half  a  drachm;  rofc- water,  fix 
ounces.  Diflblve  the  vitriol  in  the  water,  and  filter  the 
Uquor. 

This,  though  fimple;  is  perhaps  equal  in  virtue  to  tnoft  of 
the  celebrated  collyria.  It  is  an  ufeful  application  in  weak, 
watery,  and  inflamed  eyes.  Though  the  (lighter  inflamma- 
tions will  generally  yidd  to  it,  yet  in  tbofe  of  a  more  obfti- 
nate  nature  the  afEftance  of  bleeding  and  blidering  will  oftea 
be  necefFary. 

When  a  ftrong  aftringent  is  judged  proper,  a  double  or' 
triple  quantity  of  the  vitriol  may  be  ufed.     I  have  feen  a  fo« 
lution  oi  four  times  the  Arength  of  the  above  ufed  with  mani* 
kH  advantage. 

Collyriutn  of  Lead. 

Take  fugar  of  lead,  and  crude  fal  ammoniac,  of  each  four 
grains,     Diflblve  them  in  eight  ounces  of  common  water. 

Forty  or  fifty  drops  of  laudanum  may  be  occafionally 
added  to  this<:ol!yrium. 

Thofe  who  chufe  may  fubftitute  inftead  of  this  the  colly- 
rium  of  lead  recommended  by  Goulard  j  which  is  niade  by 
putting  twenty-five  drops  of  his  E^trait  of  Lead  to  eight 
ounces  of  water,  and  adding  a  tea- fpoonful  of  brandy. 

Indeed,  common  water  and  brandy,  without  ai?y  other  ad- 
dition, will  in  many  cafes  anfwer  very  well  as  a  coUyrium. 
An  ounce  of  the  latter  may  be  added  to  five  or  fix  ounces  of 
the  former  \  and  the  eyes,  if  weak,  bathed  with  it  night  and 
morning. 

CONFECTIONS, 

/^Onfections  containing  above  fixty  ingredients  are  fl ill 
^^  to  be  found  in  fome  of  the  moft  reformed  difpenfatories. 
As  moft  of  their  intentions,  however,  may  be  more  cer- 
tainly, and  as  efie£lually  anfwered  by  a  few  glafl^  of  wine 

U  u  4  Of 


664  APPENDIX. 

at  graihs  of  opium,  we  (hall  pafs  over  this  clafs  of  medicim 

Ttry  (lightly. 

Japonic  Confeltion. 

Take  of  Japan  earth,  three  ounces ;  tor  men  til  root^  nut« 
meg,  olibanum,  of  each  tvfo  ounces ;  opium  didblved  in  a 
fufficient  quantity  of  Lifbon  wine,  a  drachm  and  a  half  j 
iimple  fyrup  and  conferve  of  rofes,  oPeach  fourteen  ounces. 
Mix  and  make  them  into  an  cleAuary. 
•    This  fupplics  the  place  of  the  Diafcordium. 

The  dofe  of  this  eleduary  is  from  a  fcruple  to  ^  drachni* 

CONSERVES    AND    PRESERVES. 

EVERY  Apothecary's  (hop  was  formerly  fo  full  of  thefc 
preparations,  that  it  might  have  pafled  for  a  confedioD* 
cr*s  warehoufe.  They  pofiefs  very  few  medicinal  propertie^ 
and  may  rather  be  clafled  among  fweetmeats  than  medicines. 
They  are  fometimcs,  however,  of  ufe,  for  reducing  into 
boluies  or  pillsTfome  of  the  more  ponderous  powders,  as  the 
.preparations  of  iron,  mercury,  and  tin. 

Conferves  are  compofitions  of  fre(h  vegetables  and  fugir, 
beaten  together  into  an  uniform  mafs.  In  making  tbde 
preparations,  the  leaves  of  vegetables  muft  be  freed  from 
their  (talks,  the  flowers  from  their  cups,  and  the  yellow 
.part  of  orange-peel  taken  off  with  a  rafp.  They  are  then  to 
be  pounded  in  a  marble  qiortar,  with  a  wooden  peftle,  ioro 
a  fmooth  mafs  ;  after  which,  thrice  their  weight  of  fine  fu- 
gar  is  commonly  addpd  by  degrees,  and  the  beating  continued 
till  they  are  uniformly  mixed  j  but  the  conferve  will  be  bcttej 
if  only  twice  its  weight  of  fUgar  be  added^ 

Thofe  who  prepare  large  quantities  of  conferve  generally 
reduce  the  vegetables  to  a  pulp  by  the  means  of  a  mill,  ai4 

•  afterwards  beat  them  up  with  the  fugar. 

Conjirve  of  Red  Ro/es. 

Take  a  pound  of  red  rofc  buds,  cleared  of  their  beds ; 

•  beat  them  wcil   in   a  mortar,  and,  adding  bff  degrees  two 
,  pounds  of  double- refined  fugar,  in  powder,  make  a  coq« 

Icrve, 

.  After  the  fame  manner  arc  prepared  the  conferves  of 
orange-peel,  rofemary  flowers,  fea- wormwood,  of  the  leaves 
of  wovicl-forrel,  fe^f. 

The  conlervc  of  rofes  is  .one  of  the  moft  agreeable  aoi 
Vifeful  preparations  belon^inj^  (o  this  clafs.      J^  4racbai  or 


D  EX  OCT  rO  N^  S.  $«f . 

two  of  k,  diflblved  in  warm  milk,  fs  ordered  to  be  giv^n  t% 

a  gentle  rcftringent  in  weaknefs  of  the  ftomach,  and  like* 
wife  in  phthifical  coughs,v  and  fpitting  of  blood.     To  have 
any  cgufiderable  eSedts,  however,  it  mult  be  taken  in  larger    , 
quantities* 

Conjerve  of  Sloes. 

This  may  be  made  by  boiling  the  floes  gently  in  water, 
being  careful  to  take  them  out  before  they  burft ;  afterw^r^ 
expreding  the  juice,  and  beating  it  up  with  three  times  its 
weight  of  fine  fugar. 

In  relaxations  of  the  uvula  and  glands  of  the  throat,  tbit" 
makes  an  excellent  gargle,  and  may  be  ufed  at  difcrction. 
. .  Preferves  are  made  by  fieeping  or  boiling  frefh  vegetables' 
firfl  in  water,  and  afterwards  in  fvrup,  or  a  Solution  offugar. 
The  (ubjedl  is  cither  preierved  moift  in  the  fyrup,  or  takejl 
out  and  dried,  that  the  fuga^:  may  candy  upon  it.     The  laft 
is  the  mod  ufual  method. 

Candied  Orange  Peel. 

Soak  Seville  orange- j>eel  in  feyeral  waters,  till  it  lofes  its 
b^tternefs  ;  then  boil  it  in  a  rolution  of  double-refined  fugar 
in  water,  till  it  becomes  tender  and  tranfparent. 

Candied  lemon-peel  is  prepared  in  the  fame  manner. 

It  is  needlcfs  to  add  more  of  thefe   preparations,  as  tncy' 
belong  rather  to  the  art  of  the  confcdlioner  than  that  of  the 
apothecary. 

DECOCTIONS. 

"fXrATER  readily  extra6ls  the  gummy  and  faline  parts 
^^  of  vegetables  J  and  though  iis  adion  is  chiefly  con- 
fined to  thefe,  yet  the  refmous  and  oily  being  intimately 
blended  with  the  gummy  and  faline,  are  in  great  part 
t^iken  up  along  with  them.  Hence  watery  decocttions  and 
infufions  of  vegetables,  conftltute  a  large,  and  n')t  unufcful, 
clafs  of  medicines.  Although  moft  vegetables  yield  their 
virtues  to  water,  as  well  by  infufion  as  decodion,  yet  the 
latter  is  often  neceifary,  as  it  f'avcs  time,  and  does  in  a  fdw 
minutes  what  the  other  would  require  houis,  and  fometimes 
d^ys,  to  efFed. 

l^he  medicines  of  this  clafs  are  all  intended  for  immediate 
ufe. 

De CO 51  ion  of  Althaa. 

Take  of  the  roots  of  marlh-mallows,  moderately  dried, 
three  ounces  j  raifms  of  the  fun,  one  ounce  j  water,  three 
pints. 

i^  Boil 


666  APPENDIX. 

Boil  tho  ingredients  in  the  water  till  one  third  of  It  is  €(m^ 
fumed  ;  afterwards  drain  the  deco£iion  and  let  it  ftand  for 
f4»nietime  to  fettle.  If  the  roots  Jac  thoroughly  dried,  they 
maft  be  boiled  till  one  half  the  water  be  confuoied. 

In  coughs,  and  (har[wdeflu(3ions  upon  the  lungs,  this 
decodtion  may  be  ufed  for  ordinary  drink. 

^be  Ccmmon  DecoSicju 

Take  of  camomile  flowers,  one  ounce ;  elder  flowers,  and 
fweet  fennel  feeds,  of  each  half  an  ounce ;.  water,  two  quarts, 
^it  them  for  a  little,  and  then  (train  the  deco£tion. 

A  medicine  equally  good  may  be  prepared  by  infufing  the 
ingredients  for  fome  hours  in  boiling  water. 

Thisdecodlion  is  chiefly  intended  as  the^bafis  of  clyders, 
to  which  other  ingredients  may  be  occafionally  added.  It 
will  likcwife  ferve  as  a  commor^fomentation,  fpirit  of  wint 
or  other  things  being  added  in  fuch  quantity  asi  the  cafe  may 
require* 

Decclfien  cf  Logwood. 

Boil  three  ounces  of  the  (havings,  or  chips,  of  logwood, 
in  four  pints  of  water,  till  one  half  the  liquor  is  wafted. 
Two  or  three  ounces  of  Ample  cinnamon-wacer  may  be 
added  to  this  decodiion. 

In  fluxes  of  the  belly,  where  the  (Irongcr  aftringents  are 
improper,  a  tcacupful  of  this  decodiion  may  be  taken  with 
advantage  three  or  four  times  a*day. 

DecoSiicn  of  the  Bark, 

Boil  an  ounce  of  the  Peruvian  bark,  grofsly  powdered, 
in  a  pint  and  a  half  of  water  to  one  pint ;  then  (train  the  de* 
coition.  If  a  tea-fpoonful  of  the  weak  fpirit  of  vitriol  be 
added  to  this  medicine,  it  will  render  it  both  more  agreeable 
^d  efficacious. 

Compound  DecoSion  of  the  Bark. 

Take  of  Peruvian  bark  and  VirginianTnake-root,  grofsly 
powdered,  each  three  drachms.  Boil  them  in  a  pint  dl 
water  to  one  half.  To  the  ftrained  liquor  add  an  ounce  and 
^  half  of  aromatic  water. 

Sir  John  Pringk  recommends  this  as  a  proper  medicine  to- 
wards the  decline  of  malignant  fevers,  when  the  pulfe  is  low^ 
the  voice  weak,  an^  the  head  aflFe£ied  with  a  ftupor  iMitwith 
little  delirium. 

The  dofe  is  four  fpoonfuls  every  fourth  or  fii^th  hour* 

8  Di($ffi§m 


*^^fkJ 


DEC  O  C  T  I  D  N  S.  6$^ 

D£co£fion  of  Sarfaparilla . 

^  Take  of  frefh  f^rfaparilla  root,  diced  and  bruif^d,  two 
ounces ;  ihayings  of  guaiacum  woyd,  one  ounce.  Boil  over 
a  flow  fire,  in  three  quarts  of  wat-^r,  to  one;  adding  towards 
the  en4)  half  an  ounce  of  faiTafras  wood,  and  three  drachms 
<^f  liquorice.     Stjrain  the  decodilion. 

This  may  either  be  employed  as  an  affiftaot  to  a  courfe  of 
mercurial  alteratives,  or  taken  after  the  mercury  has  been 
ufed  for  fome  time.  I^  fir^ngtbens  the  ftomach,  and  re-» 
ftores  flefh  and  vigour  to  habits  emaciated  by  the  venereal 
difeafe.  It  may  alfo  be  taken  in  the  rhcumatifm,  atKl  cuta- 
neous diforders  proceeding  from  foulnds  of  the  blood  and 
^ices.  For  all  thefe  intentions  it  is  greatly  preferable  td  the 
DecoSion  of  Woods, 

This  deco(9ion  may  be  taken,  from  a  pint  arnl  a  half  to 
two  quarts  in  the  day. 

The  following  deco£^ion  is  faid  to  be  fimilar  to  that  uM 
by  Kennedy^  in  the  cure  of  the  venereal  difeafe,  and  may  fup- 
ply  the  place  of  the  Lifbon  diet  drink  : 

Take  of  farfaparilla,  three  ounces ;  liquorice  and  meze- 
rion  root,  of  qach  half  ^n  ounce  ;  (havings  of  guaiacum  an4 
fafTafras  wood,of  each  one  ounce ;  crude  antimony,  powderod^ 
an  ounce  and  a  half.  Infufe  thefe  ingredients  in  eight  pints 
pf  boiling  water  for  twenty-four  hours,  then  boil  them  till 
one-half  of  the  water  is*  confumed ;  afterwards  drain  the 
decodlion. 

This  deco£lion  may  be  ufed  in  the  fame  manner  as  the 
preceding. 

DecoSlion  of  Seneka. 

Take  of  feneka  rattle-fnake  root,  one  ouiKe ;  water>  a 
pint  and  a  half.     Boil  to  one  pint,  and  ftrain. 

This  decoftion  is  recommended  in  the  pleurify,  dropfy, 
rheumatifm,  and  fome  obftinate  diforders  of  the  fkin.  The 
dofc  is  two  ounces,  three  or  four  times  a-day,  or  oftner^  if 
the  ftomach  will  bear  it. 

fFbile  DecoSlion. 

Take  of  the  pureft  chalk,  in  powder,  two  ounces ;  gum 
arabic,  half  an  ounce ;  water,  three  pints.  Boil  to  one 
guart,  and  flrain  the  decodion. 

This  is  a  proper  drink  in  acute  difeafes,  attended  with,  or 
Inclining  to,  a  loofenefs,  and  where  acidities  abound  in  the 

ftomach 


668  APPENDIX. 

ftomach  or  bowels.  It  is  peculiarly  proper  for  children  when 
afflicted  with  fournefs  of  the  ilomach,  and  for  p«rfons  who 
are  fubjed  to  the  heartburn.  It  may  be  fv^^^'ecened  with  fugar, 
as  it  is  ufed,  and  two  or  three  ounces  of  fimple  cinnamoo-* 
water  added  to  it. 

An  ounce  of  powdered  chalk,  mixed  with  two  pints  of 
water,  will  occafionally  fupply  the  place  of  this  decodion^- 
and  aifo  of  the  challc  julep. 

DRAUGHTS. 

'T^HIS  is  a  proper  form  for  exhibiting  fuch  medicines  zt 
-^  are  intended  to  operate  immediately,  and  ^Krhich  do  not 
need  to  be  frequently  repeated  ;  as  purges,  vomits,  and  a 
few  others  which  are  to  be  taken  at  one  dofc.  Where  a 
medicine  requires  to  be  ufed  for  any  length  of  time,  it  Is 
better  to  make  up  a  larger  quantity  of  it  at  once,  whick 
faves'both  trouble  and  expence. 

If 

Anodyne  Draught. 

Take  of  liquid  laudanum,  twenty-five  drops  ;  fimple  cin* 
tiamon-water,  an  ounce  ^  common  fyrup,  two  drachms. 
Mix  them. 

In  exceffive  pain,  where  bleeding  is  not  neceilary,  and  in 
great  reftleflhefs,  this  compofmg  draught  may  be  taken  an4 
repeated  occafionally. 

Diuretic  Draught. 

Take  of  the  diuretic  falf,  two  fcruples  ;  fyrup  of  poppies, 
two  drachms;  fimp^e  cinnamon** water  and  common  water, 
of  each  an  ounce. 

This  draught  is  of  fervice  in  an  obftru<9ion  or  deficiency 
of  urine. 

Purging  Draughts. 

Take  of  manna,  an  ounce ;  folublc  tartar,  or  Rochel 
ialt,  /rom  three  to  four  drachms.  Diflblve  in  three  ounces 
of  boiling  water  ;  to  which  add  Jamaica  pepper-watcr,  half 
an  ounce. 

,'»  As  manna  fometimcs  will  not  fit  upon  the  ftomacb,*an 

^  ounce  or  ten  drachms  of  the  bitter  purging  falts,  diflblv^  ia 

foor  ounces  of  water,  may  be  taken  inflead  of  the  above. 

.  Thofe  who  i;anxK)iK  take  Talcs  may  ufe  the   fblfewing 

draught ; 

\M'  u  »^  -    Talpc 


ELECTUARIES.  669 

Take  of  jalap  in  powder,  a  fcruple ;  common  water  ait 
ounce  ;  aromatic  tind^ure,  iix  drachms.  Rub  the  ja!np 
with  twice  its  weight  of  fugar,  and  add  to  it  the  other  in* 
gredients. 

Sweating  Draught. 

Take  fpirit  of  Mindercrus,  two  ounces  ;  fait  of  hartfliornt 
five  grains  ;  fimplc  cinnamon-water,  and  fyrup  of  poppies, 
of  each  half  an  ounce.     M^ke  them  into  a  draught. 

In  recent  colds  and  rheumatic  complaints,  this  draught 
is  of  fcrvice.  To  promote  its  elFedts,  however,  the  patient 
ought  to  drink  freely  of  warm  water-gruel,  or^of  fomeoth^ 
weak  diluting  liquor. 

Vomiting  Draughts. 

Take  of  ipecacuanha,  in  powder,  a  fcruple  ;  water,  an 
ounce  ;  fimplc  fyrup,  a  drachm.     Mix  them. 

Perfons  who  require  a  ftrongcr  vomit  may  add  to  the  above 
half  a  grain,  or  a  grain,  of  emetic  tartar. 

Thofe  who  do  not  chufc  the  povi^der,  may  take  ten 
drachms  of  the  ipecacuanha  wine;  or  half  an  ounce  of  the 
wine,  and  an  equal  quantity  of  the  fyrup  of  fquills. 

ELECTUARIES. 

T^Lectu ARIES  arc  generally  compofed  of  the  lighter 
^^  powders,  mixed  with  fyrup,  honey,  conferve,  or  mu- 
cilage, into  fuch  a  conUftcnce  that  the  powders  may  neither 
feparate  by  keeping,  nor  the  mafs,  prove  too  (lifFfor  fwallow- 
ing.  They  receive  chiefly  the  milder  alterative  medicines. 
and  fuch  as  are  not  ungrateful  to  the  palate. 

Aftringenc  electuaries,  and  fuch  as  have  pulps  of  fruit  in 
them,i(hould  be  prepared  only  in  fmall  quantities;  as  aftrin- 
gcnt  medicines  lofe  their  virtues  by  beihg  kept  in  this  form, 
and  the  pulps  of  fruits  are  apt  to  ferrnent. 

For  the  extraclion  of  pulps  it  wiJl  be  necefiary  to  boil  un- 
ripe fruits,  and  ri]>e  ones  if  they  arc  dried,  -n  a  fmall  quan^* 
tity  of  water  till  they  become  foft.  The  pulp  is  then  to  be 
prefTcd  out  through  a  ftrong  hair  (\ii\Qy  or  ibin  cloth,  and 
afterwards  boiled  to  a  due  confiftence,  \n  an  earthen  veflcL 
over  a  gentle  fire,  taking  care  to  prevent  the  matter  from 
burning  by  contiiuially  ftirring  it.  The  pulps  of  fruits  that 
are  both  ripe  and  frelh  may  be  preCed  out  without  any  pre- 
vious boiling. 

Linitivi 


670  APPENDIX. 

Lenitive  EleSiuary. 

Take  of  fenhaj  in  fine  powder,  eight  Ofiiices;  cbriand^ 
feed,  alfo  in  powder,  four  ounces;  pulp  of  tamarinds  and 
of  French  prunes,  each  a  pound.  Mix  the  pulps  and  pow- 
ders together,  and  with  a  fufficient  quantity  of  iimple  fyrtip, 
r^uce  the  whole  into  an  eleduary. 

A  tea-fpoonful  of  this  ele£iuary,  taken  two  or  three  timet 
a-day,  generally  proves  an  agreeable  laxative.  It  likewife 
ierves  as  a  convenient  vehicle  for  exhibiting  more  a^?e  me- 
dicines, as  jalaps,  fcammony,  and  fuch  like 

This  may  fupply  the  place  of  the  elediuary  of  Caffia. 

Ele£fuary  for  the  Dyfentery. 

Take  of  the  Japonic  confedtion,  two  ounces ;  LocatdIi*$ 
'  bulfam,  one  oUnce ;  rhubarb  in  powder,  half  an  ounce  j 
lyrupof  marflimallows,  enough  topiakfean  ele£)uafy. 

It  is  often  dangerous  in  dyfentcries  to  give  opiates  and 
-eflringcnts,  without  interpofing  purgatives.  The  purgative 
is  here  joined  with  thcfe  ingredients,  which  renders  this  a 
very  fafe  and  ufeful  medicine  for  the  purpofes  exprefled  in  the 
title. 

About  the  bulk  of  a  nutmeg  fliould  be  taken  twice  or 
thrice  a-day,  as  the  fymptoms  and  conftitution  may  require. 

EleSluary  for  the  Epile^fy* 
Take  of  Peruvian  bark,  in  powder,  an  ounce;  of  pow- 
dered tin,  and-wild  valerian  root,  each  half  an  ounce;  fimpte 
fyrup,  enough  to  make  an  eleftuary* 

Dr.  Mead  direds  a  drachm  of  an  eledluary  (imilar  to  this 
to  be  taken  evening  and  morning,  in  the  cpilepfy,  for  the 
fpace  of  three  months.  It  will  be  proper,  however,  to  dif- 
continue  the  ufe  of  it  for  a  few  days  every  now  and  then.  I 
have  added  the  powdered  tin,  becaufe  the  epiiepfy  often  pro* 
ceeds  from  worms. 

EliSfuary  for  the  Gonorrhoea^ 
Take  of  lenitive  elefituary,  three  ounces;  jalap  and  rhu* 

barb>  in  powder,  of  each  two  drachms;  nitre,  half  an  ounce  t 

ihnpie  fyriip,  enough  to  make  an  elefluary. 

During  the  inflammation  and  tenfion  of  the  urinary  paf* 

figes,  which  accompany  a  virulent  gonorrhoBii,  this  cooling 

laxative  may  be  ufed  with  advanuge. 


k.  •» 


.-'Va'* 


ELECTUARIES.  ^71' 

The  dofe  is  a  drachm,  or  about  the  bulk  of  a  nutmeg, 
two  or  three  times  a-day ;  more  or  lefs,  as  may  be  neceflary 
to  keep  the  body  gently  open. 

An  e!e<3uary  made  of  cream  of  tartar  and  fimple  fyrup 
will  occafionally  fupply  the  place  of  this. 

After  the  inflammation  is  gone  off,  the  following  eleduary 
ttiay  be  ufed  : 

Take  of  lenitive  elcSuary,  two  ounces ;  balf^m  of  capirf, 
one  ounce ;  gum  guaiacum  and  rhubarb,  in  powder,  of  eack 
two  drachms;  fimpIe  fyrup,  enough  to  make  an  ele£luary« 
The  dofe  is  the  fame  as  of  the  preceding. 

EleHuary  of  the  Bark. 

Take  of  Peruvian  bark,  in  powder,  three  ounces  ;  cafca* 
rilla,  half  an  ounce ;  fyrup  of  ginger,  enough  to  make  ail 
elcftuary. 

In  the  cure  of  obftinate  intermitting  fevers,  the  bark  is 
af&fted  by  the  cafcarilla.  In  he£)ic  habits,  however,  it  will 
be  better  to  leave  out  the  cafcarilla,  and  put  three  drachms  of 
crude  fal  ammoniac  in  its  flead. 

Ele£luary  for  the  Piles. 

Take  flowers  of  fulphur,  one  ounce ;  cream  of  taitar^ 
half  an  ounce ;  treacle,  a  fufEcient  quantity  to  form  an  elec- 
tuary. 

A  tea-fpoonful  of  this  may  be  taken  three  or  four  ttmen 
a-day. 

EleEluary  for  the  Palfy. 

Take  of  powdered  muftard-feed,  and  conferve  of  rofet^ 
each  an  ounce ;  fyrup  of  ginger,  enough  to  make  an  elec* 
tuary. 

A  tea-fpoonful  of  this  may  be  taken  three  or  four  tiniei  jt 
a-day. 

EleSuary  for  the  Rheumati/m.  '  "^ 

Take  of  conferve  of  rofes,  two  ounces  ;  cinnabar  of  ait'J  " 
tlmony,  levigated,  an  ounce  and  a  half;  gum  guaiacum,  in 
powder,  an  ounce ;  fyrup  of  ginger,  a  fufficient  quantity  ta 
make  an  eledtuary.  ; 

In  obftinate  rheumatifms,  which  are  not  accompanied  witK,.* 
a  fever,  a  tea-fpoonful  of  this  ele(Suary  may  be  taken  twi^ 
a-day  with  coiiliderable  advantage,  .^v 

-EMU  Li^-' 


672  APPENDIX^. 

EMULSIONS. 

EMULSIONS,  befiJe  their  ufe  as  medicines,  arc  alio  proU 
per  vehicles  for  certain  fubilances,  which  could  not 
otherwife  be  conveniently  taken  in  a  h'quid  form.  Thin 
camphor,  triturated  with  almonds,  readily  unites  with  water' 
into  an  emulfion.  Pure  oils,  balfams,  refins,  and  other 
iimilar  fubdances,  are  likewife  rendered  mifcible  with  water 
by  the  intervention  of  mucilages. 

Ccmnion  Emulfion. 

Take  of  fwect  almonds,  an  ounce;  bitter  almonds,  a 
drachm  ;  water,  two  pint*^. 

Let  the  almonds  be  blanched,  and  beat  up  in  a  marble 
mortar  \  adding  the  water  by  little  and  little,  fo  as  to  mikt 
an  emulfion  :  a^tcrwa^d^;  let  it  be  drained.  '    '  A 

Arabic  Emulfion.  ,  i 

This  is  made  in  the  fame  manner  as  the  above,  a'ddinglo 
the  almonds,  while  beating,  two  ounces  and  a  '\Mf  oF  the 
mucilage  of  gum  arable. 

Where  foft  cooling  liquors  are  oeceflary,  thefe  emuUions 
;r\av  be  ufed  as  ordinary  drink. 

Camphorfited  Emulficn.    '        " 

Takis  of  camphor,  half  ^  drachm  ^  fweet  almondSy^  half    . 
a  dozen;    white  fugar,  h^lf  an  ounce;   mint  water,  eigbjc    , 
ounces.     Grind  the  camphor  and  almonds  weU  tqgetticr  jn 
a  ftone  mortar,  and  add  by  degrees  the  mint  water  ^.tbca. 
ftrain  the  liquor,  and  diflblve  in  it  the  fugar. 

In  fevers,  and  other  diforders  which  require  the  ufe  of 
camphor,  a  table- fpoonful  of  this  emulfion  may  be  taken 
every  two  or  three  hours. 

Emulficn  of  Gum  Ammoniac. 

Take  of  gum  ammoniac,  two  drachms;    water,   eight     | 
ounces.     Grind  the  gum  wiih  vhe  water  poured  upon  it  by 
little  and  little,  till  it  is  difTulved. 

1  his  cmuHion  is  ufed  for  attenuating  tough,  vifcid  phlegm^   ' 
'and   promoiing  ex pedi oration.     \f\  obftinate   ccHiebS,  two 
ounces  of  the  fyrup  of  poppies  may  be  added  to  it,     Tbe  * 
dole  is  two  table-ii^oonfuls  three  or  four  times  a-day. 


OOf 


i  I 


fi.X  T  R  A  C  T  S.  673.^ 

Oily  EmuIJion. 

Take  of  foft  water,  fix  ounces ;  volatile  aromatic  fplrif, 
tWo  drachms  J  Florence  oil,  an  ounce  ;  (hake  them  well  to^ 
gether,  and  add,  of  Ample  fyrup,  half  an  ounce. 

In  recent  colds  and  coughs,  this  emulfion  is  generally  of 
fervice ;  but  if  the  cough  proves  obftinate,  it  will  fucceed 
better  when  made  with  the  paregoric  elixir  of  the  Edinburgh 
Difpenfatory,  inftead  of  the  volatile  aromatic  fpirit.  A  table*  ' 
fpoonful  of  it  may  be  taken  every  two  or  three  hours. 

EXTRACTS. 

pXtRACTS  are  prepared  by  boiling  the  fubjed  in  water, 
"  and  evaporating  the  ftrained  decodion  to  a  due  con-» 
fiftence.  By  this  procefs  fomc  of  the  more  aflive  parts  of 
plants  are  freed  from  the  ufelefs,  indiflbluble  earthy  matter, 
which  makes  the  larger  (hare  of  their  bulk.  Water,  how* 
ever,  is  not  the  only  menftruum  ufed  in  the  preparation  of 
extracts  \  fometimes  it  is  joined  with  fpirits^  and  at  other 
times  rc^ified  fpirit  alone  is  employed  for  that  purpofe* 

£xtra£h  are  prepared  from  a  variety  of  different  drugs,  as 
the  bark,  gentian,  jalap,  Uc.  i  but  as  they  require  a  trou- 
blefome  and  tedious  operation,  it  will  be  more  convenient 
for  a  private  praAitioner  to  purchafe  what  he  needs  of  them 
from  a  profeflcd  druggiif,  than  to  prepare  them  himfelf. 
Such  of  them  as  are  generally  ufed  are  inferted  in  our  lift 
of  fuch  drugs  and  medicrnes  as  are  to  be  kept  for  private 
pra<^ce. 

FOMENTATIONS. 

pOMENTATiONS  are  generally  intended  either  to  eafe 
^  pain,  by  taking  oiF  tenfion  and  fpafm  |  or  to  brace  and 
re  (lore  the  tone  and  vigour  of  thofe  parts  to  which  tKey  arc 
applied.  The  firft  of  thefe  intentions  may  generally  be  an-- 
fwereH  by  warm  water,  and  the  fecond  by  cold.  Certain 
fubftances,  however,  are  ufuaily  added  to  water,  with  a  view 
to  heighten  its  cffcfls,  as  anod)nes,  aromatics,  aftringcnts, 
ice.  We  fliall  therefore  fubjora  a  hw  of  thfr  rnoft  ufeful 
medicated  fomentation?,  that  people  may  have  it  in  their 
power  to  make  ufe  of  them  if  tiiey  chufe. 

■X  X  Anadyru 


^74  APPENDIX. 

Anodyne  Fomentation. 

Take  of  white  poppy-heads,  two  ounces  ;  elder  flovtrs, 
half  an  ounce;  water,  three  pints.  Bc'I  till  one  pirit  ii 
evaporated,  and  drain  out  the  liquor. 

This  fomentation,  as  its  tide  exprefles,  is  ufed  for  rclinr- 
ing  acute  pain. 

Aromatic  Fomentation. 

Take  of  Jamaica  pepper,  half  an  ounce  ;  red  wine,  a 
pint.     Boil  them  for  a  little,  and  then  ftratn  the  liquor. 

This  is  intended,  not  only  as  a  topical  application  for  ex* 
ternal  complaints,  but  alfo  for  relieving  the  internal  pzrts. 
Pains  of  the  bowels,  which  accompany  dyfenteries  and  diar* 
rhceas,  flatulent  colics,  uneafinefs  of  the  ftomach,  and  reach* 
ings  to  vomtt,are  frequently  abated  by  fomenting  the  abdo- 
men and  region  of  the  flomach  with  the  warm  liquor. 

Common  Fomentation. 

Take  tops  of  wormwood  and  camomile  flowers,  dried,  of 
each  two  ounces ;  water,  two  quarts.  After  a  flight  boil- 
ingt  pour  off  the  liquor. 

Brandy  or  fpirit  of  wine  may  be  added  to  this  fomeotaDoo, 
in  fuch  quantity  as  the  particular  circumftances  of  ttkcuie 
(hall  require  ;  but  thefe  are  not  always  neceflary. 

Emollient  Fomentation. 
This  is  the  fame  as  the  common  decoilion. 

Strengthening  Fcmentaticn. 

Take  of  oak  baik,  one  ounce;  granate  pee!,  half  as 
ounce;  alum,  two  drachms;  fmich's  forge  water,  three  pInSi 
Boil  the  water  with  the  bark  and  peel  to  the  confumptivr.(tf 
one>third;  then  Hrain  the  remaining  decoftion,  and  d:l:oive 
it  in  alum. 

This  altringent  liquor  is  employed  as  an  external  fomeoti- 
tion  to  weak  parts  ;  it  may  ulfo  be  ufed  internally. 

GARGLES. 

TlOwEVER  trIHi:ig  this  clals  of  medicines  may  appor, 
-^^  they  aic  by  iio  means  without  their  ufc.  They  Jcidofl 
indeed  cure  difcafeF,  but  they  often  alleviate  very  difagreeaUi 
fymptoms  ;  as  parchednefs  of  the  mouth,  fu'ulnefs  of  dM 
tongue  and  fauccs,  &c.  they  are  peculiarly  uichil  in  femi 

id 


G  A  R  G  L  E  S.  675 

and  fore  throats.  In  the  latter,  a  gargle  will  fometimes  re- 
move the  diforder  ;  and  in  the  former,  few  things  are  more 
refrefliing  or  agreeable  to  the  patient,  than  to  have  his  mouth 
frequently  wafced  with  fome  foft  detergent  gargle. 

One  advantage  of  thefe  medicines  is,  that  they  are  eafily 
prepared.  A  little  barley-water  and  honey  may  be  had  any 
where ;  and  if  to  thefe  be  added  as  much  vinegar  as  will  give 
them  an  agreeable  (harpnefs,  they  will  make  a  very  uleful 
gargle  for  foftening  and  cleaning  the  mouth. 

Gargles  have  the  beft  effcH  when  injeded  with  a  fyringe. 

Attenuating  GargU. 

Take  of  water,  fix  ounces;  honey,  one  ounce;  nitre,  a 
drachm  and  a  half.     Mix  them. 

This  cooling  gargle  may  be  ufed  either  in  the  inflamma- 
lory  quinfey,  or  in  fevers,  for  cleaning  the  tongue  and 
fauces. 

Common  Gargle. 

Take  of  rofe- water,  fix  ounces  ;  fyrup  of  clove  July- 
flowers,  half  an  ounce  ;  fpirit  of  vitriol,  a  fufficient  quan* 
fity  to  give  it  an  agreeable  (harpnefs.     Mix  them. 

This  gargle,  befides  cleanfing  the  tongue  and  fauces,  a£b 
as  a  gentle  repellent,  and  will  fometimes  remove  a  flight 
quinfey. 

Detergent  Gargle. 

Take  of  the  emollient  gargle,  a  pint;  tindure  of  myrrh, 
an  ounce  ;  honey,  two  ounces.     Mix  them. 

When  exulcerations  require  to  be  cleanfed,  or  the  excre- 
tion of  tough  vifcid  faliva  promoted,  this  gargle  will  be  of 
fervice. 

Emollient  Gargle. 

Take  an  ounce  of  marfhmallov/  roots,  and  two  or  three 
figs  ;  boil  them  in  a  quart  of  water  till  near  one  half  of  it  be 
confumed  ;  then'ftrain  out  the  liquor. 

If  an  ounce  of  honey,  and  half  an  ounce  of  fpirit  of  fal- 
^mmoniac,  be  added  to  the  above,  it  will  then  be  an  ex- 
ceeding good  attenuating  gargle. 

This  gargle  is  beneficial  in  fevers,  where  the  tongue  and 
fiuces  are  rough  aiid  parched,  to  foften  thefe  parts,  and  pro- 
inote  the  difcharge  of  faliva. 

The  learned  and  accurate  Sir  John  Pringle  obfervcs,  that 
in  the  inflammatory  quinfey,  or  ftrangulativn  of  thq  fauces. 

Ax  2  liiilc 


676  APPENDIX. 

little  benefit  arifes  from  the  common  gargles  ;  that  fuch  as 
are  of  an  acid  nature  do  more  barm  than  good,  by  oootraS- 
ing  the  emundtories  of  the  faliva  and  mucus,  and  thickening 
thofe  humours  j  that  a  deco<3ion  of  figs  in  milk  and  water 
has  a  contrary  tScQ^  efpecially  if  fome  faUammoniac  be 
added ;  by  which  the  faliva  is  made  thinner,  and  the  glaodt 
brought  to  ffcrete  more  freely  }  a  circumftance  always  coo* 
ducive  to  the  cure. 

INFUSIONS. 

\7£getables  yield  nearly  the  fame  properties  to  water 
^  by  infufion  as  by  deco^iion ;  and  though  they  may  re- 
quire a  longer  time  to  give  out  their  virtues  in  this  wiy»  yec 
it  has  fevcMl  advantages  over  the  other;  fi nee  boiling fi 
found  to  diffipate  the  finer  parts  of  many  bitter  and  aromaK 
fubftances,  without  more  fully  extraQing  their  medidail 
principles. 

The  author  of  the  New  Difpenfatory  obferves,  that  era 
from  thofe  vegetables  which  are  weak  in  virtue,  rich  info- 
fions  may  be  obtained,  by  returning  the  liquor  upon  bA 
quantities  of  the  fubje^,  the  water  loading  itfclf  more  ml 
more  with  the  adlive  parts  ;  and  that  thefe  loaded  infufioos 
are  applicable  to  valuable  purpofes  in  medicine,  as  they  coo- 
tain  in  a  fmali  compafs  the  finer,  more  fubtile,  and  aSive 
principles  of  vegetables,  in  a  form  readily  mifcible  witiiihe 
fluids  of  the  human  body. 

BU/er  Infufion. 

Take  tops  of  the  Icffer  centaury  and  camomile  flowers,  01 
each  half  an  ounce  ;  yellow  rind  of  lemon  and  orange  pee!, 
carefully  freed  from  the  inner  white  part,  of  each  iw« 
drachms.  Cut  them  in  fmall  pieces,  and  infuTe  them  in  i 
quart  of  boilinij;  water. 

For  iiidigellion,  wcaknefs  of  the  (lomach,  or  want  of  ap- 
prtite,  a  tea-cupful  of  this  infufion  may  be  taken  twice  of 
thrice  a  day. 

Infufion  of  the  hark. 

To  an  ounce  of  the  bark,  in  powder,  add  four  or  S« 
table-fpnonfuis  of  brandy,  and  a  pint  of  boilijig  water.  Lci 
them  infufe  for  two  or  three  day?. 

This  is  one  of  the  beft  preparaiii5ns  of  the/bark  for  weak 
ftomachs.     In  difordcrs  whcft  the  corroborating  virtues  of 

'    ■■'.'.    '■•      0       ■■  that 


INFUSIONS.  677 

that  medidne  arc  required,  a^tea-cupfutcf  itmay  be  taken 
two  or  jchcee  times  a-day^  :  . 

Infufion  of  Cardtitu. 

Iofk(fe.iMl!Ounce.of  the^dricsd  leaves. of carduus bentdiflus, 
or  h)e(Ied.jth)UUe,  in  a  pint  of  common  water,  for^ fix  hours, 
without. heat ;  then  filterjthe  liquor  through  paper*  .:■ 

This  light  infufion  may  be  given,  with  great ;benefit,  in 
weaknefs  of  the  Aomach,  where  the  common  bitters  do  not 
agree.  It  may  be  ^^avoured  at  pieaiiire  with  cinnamon,  or 
other  aromatic  materials. 

^,;  "  'Infufion  Qf  Linjecd.     .... 

r,  Tak^^:^infeedf.:two  fpoonfuls;  Jiquorice  root,  fliccJ, 
half  an  oUH<;e  j  boUing  water,  three  pints.  Let  them  (land 
{0  ii^fMri^  by, the  fire  for  fome  kours,  ^nd  thei)  ftrain  oflf  the 
liquorr  ,;  ^ 

If  an  ounce  of  the  leaves  of  colt's-foot  be  added  to  thcfe 

ingredients,  it  will  then  be  the  peSior^l  infufion.     Both  thcfe 

are  emollient  mucilaginous  liquors^  and  may  be  taken  with 

advantage  as  ordinary  drink  in  difficulty  of  making  water; 

.^d  in  coughs  and  other  complaints  of  the  breaft. 

Infufion  of  Ro/es. 

Take  of  red  rofes,  dried,  half  an  ounce ;  boiling  water, 
a  quart ;  vitrtolic  acid,  commonly  called  oil  of  vitriol,  half 
-  a  drachm  \  loaf  fugar,  an  ounce. 

Infufe  the  rofes  in  the  water  for  four  hours,  in  an  unglazed 
earthen  veflel ;  afterwards  pour  in  the  acid,  and  having 
ftrained  the  liquor,  add  to  it  the  fugar.  , 

In  an  exceflive  flow  of  the  menfiSj  vomiting  of  blood,  and 
other  haemorrhages,  a  tea-cupful  of  this  gently  aftringent 
infufion  may  be  taken  every  three  or  four  hours.  It  likewife 
makes  an  exceeding  good  gargle. 

As  the  quantity  of  rofes  u^d  here  can  have  little  or  no 
efFe£},  an  equally  valuable  .  medicine  may  be  prepared  by 
mixing  the  acid  and  water  without  infufion. 

Infufion  of  tamarinds  and  Senna. 
Take  of  tamarinds,  one  ounce ;  fenna,  and  cryftals  ojf 
tartar,  each  two  drachms.  Let  thefe  ingredients  be  infufed 
four  or  five  hours  in  a  pint  of  boiling  water  \  afterwards  let 
the  liquor  be  drained,  and  an  ounce  or  two  of  the  aromatic 
tlh&ure  added  to  it.  Perfons  who  are  eafily  purged  may  leave 
out  either  the  tamarinds  or  the  cryftals  of  tartar. 

X  X  3  This 


678  APPENDIX. 

This  is  an  agreeable  cooling  purge.  A  tea*cupful  may 
be  given  every  half  hour  till  it  operates. 

This  fupplies  the  place  of  the  dico^iom  of  tamarinds  ad 
fenna. 

Spanijh  Infujion. 

Take  of  Spanifli  juice,  cut  into  fmall  pieces,  an  ounce; 
fait  of  tartar,  three  drachms.  Infufe  in  a  quart  of  boiling 
water  for  a  night.  To  the  drained  liquor  add  an  ounce  ud 
a  half  of  the  fyrup  of  poppies. 

In  recent  colds,  coughs,  and  obftrudipns  of  the  breaS,  i 
tea-cupful  of  this  infullon  may  be  taken  with  advantage  dm 
or  four  times  a-day. 

Infufton  for  the  Paljy. 

Take  of  horfe-radifh  root  ihaved,  muftard  feed  hviM^ 
each  four  ounces ;  outer  rind  of  orange-peel,  one  ouocr. 
Infufe  them  in  two  quarts  of  boiling  water,  in  a  cloferefld, 
for  twenty-four  hours. 

In  paralytic  complaints,  a  tea-cupful  of  this  warm  flimo- 
lating  medicine  may  be  taken  three  or  four  times  a^day.  It 
excites  the  adion  of  the  folids,  proves  diuretic,  and,  if  die 
patient  be  kept  warm,  promotes  perfpiration. 

If  two  or  three  ounces  of  the  dried  leaves  of  marfh-trcCMl 
be  ufed  inilead  of  the  muAard,  it  will  make  the  ofitifarlniii 
infufton. 

JULEPS. 

THE  l>aris  of  juleps  is  generally  common  water,  or  feme 
fimple  diftilied  water,  with  one-third  or  one-fourth  its 
quantity  of  didillcd  fpirituous  water,  and  as  much  fugar  or 
fyrup  as  is  fufficient  to  render  the  mixture  agreeable.  Thii 
is  (harpened  with  vegetable  or  mineral  acids,  or  impregnaied 
with  other  medicines  fuitable  to  the  intention. 

Camphorated  Julep. 

Take  of  camphor,  one  drachm  ;  gum  arable,  half  la 
ounce;  double- refined  fugar,  an  ounce;  vinegar,  a  pint 
Grind  the  camphor  with  a  few  drops  of  reAified  fpiritof 
wine  till  it  grows  foft ;  ihefl  add  the  gum,  previoafly  iv- 
ducef?  to  a  mucilage  with  equal  its  quantity  of  water,  and 
rub  them  together  till  they  are  perfedly  united.  To  tidf 
m  xturc  add.  by  little  and  little,  the  vinegar  with  the  fbgar 
Uiirolved  in  ir,  itill  continuing  thp  trituration.    * 

b 


JULEPS.  679 

In  hyfterical  and  other  complaints  where  camphor  is  pro-t 
per,  this  julep  may  be  taken  in  the  dofe  of  a  fpoonful  or  two 
as  often  as  the  flomach  will  bear  it. 

Cordial  Julep. 

Take  of  fimple  cinnamon-water,  four  ounces  ;  Jamaica 
pepper- water,  two  ounces;  volatile  aromatic  fpirit,  and  com- 
pound fpirit  of  lavender,  of  each  two  drachms ;  fyrup  of 
orange-peel,  an  ounce.     Mix  them. 

This  is  given  in  the  dofe  of  two  fpoonfuls  three  or  four 
times  a-day,  in  diforders  accompanied  with  great  weaknefs 
and  depreffion  of  fpirits. 

Expell orating  Julep. 

Take  of  the  emulfion  of  gum  ammoniac,  fix  ounces; 
fyrup  of  fquills,  two  ounces.     Mix  them. 

In  coughs,  afthmas,  and  obftrudlions  of  the  breaft,  two 
table-fpoonfuls  of  this  julep  may  be  taken  every  three  or  four 
hours. 

Mujk  Julep. 

Rub  half  a  drachm  of  mufk  well  together  with  half  an. 
ounce  of  fugar,  and  add  to  it,  gradually,  of  fimple  cinna- 
mon atrd  pepper-mint  water,  each  two  ounces ;  of  the  vola- 
tile aromatic  fpirit,  two  drachms. 

In  the  low  ftate  of  nervous  fevers,  hiccuping,  convulfions, 
and  other  fpafmodic  affections,  two  table-fpoonfuls  of  this 
julep  may  be  taken  every  two  or  three  hours. 

Saline  Julep. 

.  Diflblve  two  drachms  of  fait  of  tartar  in  three  ounces  of 
fre{h  lemon-juice,  {trained  \  when  the  effervefcence  is  Aver, 
add,  of  mint-water,  and  common  water,  each  two  ounces; 
of  fimple  fyrup,  one  ounce. 

This  removes  ficknefs  at  the  ftomach,  relieves  vomiting, 
promotes  perfpiration,  and  may  be  of  fome  fervice  in  fevers, 
efpecially  of  the  inflammatory  kind. 

Vomiting  Julep. 

Difiblve  four  grains  of  ei^etic  tartar  in  eight  ounces  of 
water,  and  add  to  it  half  an  ounce  of  the  fyrup  of  clove 
July-flowers. 

In  the  beginning  of  fevers,  where  there  is  no  topical  in- 
flammation, this  julep  may  be  given  in  the  dofe  of  one  table- 

X  X  4  fpoonful 


680  APPENDIX. 

fpponful  every  quarter  of  an  hour  till  it  operates*  .  Afltrtne- 
iiial  vomits  (erve  not  only  to  evacuate  the  contend  of  the 
ftomach,  but  likewife  to  promote  the  difii:renc  cxcrctloos. 
Hence  they  are  found  in  fevers  to  have  nearly  the  fame  cf- 
feds  as  Dr.  Jameses  Pcwder, 

MIXTURES. 

A  Mixture  differs  from  a  julep  in  this  refpeA^  that  te 
receives  into  its  compofiiion  not  only  falts,  extraAs, 
'apd  other  fubftanccs  dilTjIuble  in  water^  but  alfo  eartiis, 
powders,  and  fuch  fubflanccs  as  cannot  be  di/Iblved.  A 
mixture  is  feldom  cither  an  clt;;nnt  or  agreeable  medicine. 
It  is  nevcrthelcfs  ncccflary.  Many  perfons  can  take  a  mil- 
ture,  who  arc  not  able  to  fwallow  a  bolus  or  an  ele£iu2ry : 
befides,  there  are  medicines  which  a6l  better  in  this  than  ia 
a|>y  other  form. 

jljiringent  Mixture. 

Take  fimplc  cinnamon- water  and  common  water,  of  each 
three  ounces  ;  fpirituous  cinnamon-water,  an  ounce  aad  a 
half;  Japonic  confeflion,  half  an  ounce.     Mix  them. 

In  dyfentcrics  which  are  not  of  long  ftanding,  after  die 
necciiary  cvacuatipns,  a  (poonful  or  two  of  this  mhcture  otff 
be  taken  every  four  hours,  intcrpofing  every  fecoud  or  tbirf 
day  a  dofe  of  rhubarb. 

Diuretic  Mixture. 

Take  of  mint-water,  five  ounces  ;  vmcgar  of  fqiiills  fix 
drachms  ;  fwcet  fpirit  of  nitre,  half  an  ounce  j  (yrup  of  gin- 
ger, an  ounce  and  a  half.     Mix  them. 

Inobftruclions  of  the  urinary  paflages,  two  fpoonfulsof 
thi$. mixture  may  be  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day» 

Laxative  Ahjarbent  Mixture. 

"  Rub  one  drachm  of  magneP.a  alba  in  a  mortar  with  ten  or 
t'.vclvc  grains  of  the  heft  I'urkey  rliubarb,  and  add  to  them 
three  ounces  of  common  water  j  fimplc  cinnamon -water, 
and  f^rop  of  fugar,  of  each  one  ounce. 

As  moiHJfeales  of  infants  are  accompanied  with  acidhies, 

lliis  n>t}{turc  may  cither  be  given  with  a  view  to  corfcA  thele^ 

or  to  open  the  budy.     A  table-fpoonful  may  be  taken  for  a 

■  fiofe,   and  repeated  three  time^  :a-day.     To  a  very  vouAg 

cUM  half  a  fooonful  will  be  fufficient,      •    ' '      ; 

Whea 


MI  XT  UR-E  S,  6gi 

-  When  the  mixture  is  intended  to  purge,*  the  dofe  may 
either  be  ihcreafed,  or  the  quantity  of  rhubarb  doubled. 

This  is  one  of  the  moft  generally  uieful  medicines  for 
cbil4ftii  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 

Saline  Mixture. 

Diflblve  a  drachm  of  the  fak  of  tartar  in  four  ounces  oF 
boiling  water ;  and,  when  cpld,  drop  into  it  fpirit  of  vitriol 
till  the  effervefcence  ceafes;  ^en  add,  of  peppermint- water, 
two  ounces.  Ample  fyrup,  one  ounce. 

Where  frefli  lemons  cannot  be  4iad,  this  mixture  may  ot:<* 
irafionally  fupply  the  place  of  the  faline  julep. 

S^uiU  Mixture. 

Ttko  of  fimple  cinnamon-water,  five  ounces;  vinegar  of 
fquills,  one  ounce ;  fyrup  of  m^rflimallows,  an  ounce  and 
a  half^     Mix  them« 

This  mixture,  by  promoting  expe£loration,  and  the  fecre-p 
tion  of  urine,  proves  ferviceable  in  afthmatic  and  dropfical 
habits.     A  table-fpoonful  of  it  may  be  taken  frequently. 

OINTMENTS,  UNIMENTS,  and  CERATES, 

"^^Otwithstanpinq  the  es^travag^nt  eqcomiunis  which. 
*^^  have  been  beftowed  on  different  preparations  of  this 
kind,  with  regard  to  their  efficacy  in  the  cure  of  wounds, 
ibres,  &c.  it  is  beyond  a  doubt,  that  the  moft  proper  applica- 
tion to  B  green  wound  is  dry  lint.  But  though-  ointments 
do  not  heal  wounds  and  forest-yet  they  ferve  to  defend  them 
ffom  the  external  air,  and  to  retain  fuch  fubfiances  as  may  be 
neceflary  for  drjripg,  deterging,  deftroying  proud  flpfb,  ami 
(uch  li);e.  Fpr  thefe  purpofes,  however,  it  will  be  fuffident 
tp  infert  onlv  a  hw  of  the  moft  fimple  forips*  ^  ingredients 
qI  a  more  adive  nature  can  occafionaliy  be  added  (Q  tb^mt 

Tellov)  BqfiUcum  Ointment. 

Take  of  yellow  wax,  white  refin,  and  frankincenfe,  each 
a  quarter  of  a  pound  ;  milt  them  together  over  a  gentle  fire ; 
then  add,  of  hogs'  lard  prepared,  one  pound.  Strain  the 
ointment  while  warm. 

This  ointment  is  employed  for  deanfihg  and  healing 
wounds  and  ulcers* 

Ointmmt 


6«»  APPENDIX. 

■ 

Ointment  of  Calamine. 

Take  of  olive  oil,  a  pint  and  a  half;  White  i/^ax;  and  cah- 
mine  ftone,  levigated,  of  each  half  a  poundi  "Let  the  cala- 
mine ftone,  reduced  into  a  fine  powder,  be  rubbed  with  fome 
part  of  the  oil,  and  afterwards  added  to  the  rell  of  the  oil  and 
wax,  previoufly  melted  together,  continually  ftirring  them 
till  quite  cold. 

This  ointment,  which  is  commonly  known  by  the  name 
o( Turner* s  CeraU^  is  an  exceeding  good  application  in  burnt 
and  excoriations,  from  whatever  caufe. 

Emollient  Ointment. 

Take  of  palm  oil,  two  pounds ;  olive  oil,  a  pint  and  a 
half;  yellow  wax,  half  a  pound  ;  Venice  turpentine,  a  quar- 
ter of  a  pound.  Melt  the  wax  in  the  oils  over  a  gentle  fire; 
then  mix  in  the  turpentine,  and  ftfain  the  ointment. 

This  fupplies  the  place  of  Jlthaa  Ointment.  It  may  be 
'tifed  for  anointing  inflamed  parts,  &c. 

Eye  Ointments. 

Take  of  hogs*  lard  prepared,  four  ounces  ;  white  wax, 
two  drachms ;  tutty  prepared,  one  ounce ;  melt  the  wax  with 
the  lard  over  a  gentle  fire,  and  then  fprinkle  in  the  tutty, 
continually  ftirring  them  till  theojntment  is  cold. 

This  ointment  will  be  more  efficacious,  and  of  a  better 
confiflem^,  if  two  or  three  drachms  of  camphor  be  rubbed 
up  with  a  little  oil,  ^nd  intimately  mixed  with  it. 

Another. 

Take  of  camphor,  and  calamine  (tone  levigated,  each  fix 
drachms ;  verdegrife,  well  prepared,  two  drachma;  hogs'  lard^ 
and  mutton  luet  prepared,  of  each  two  ounces.  Rub  the 
camphor  well  with  the  powder;  afterwards  mix  in  the  lard 
and  fuct,  continuing  the  triturc  till  they  be  perffcfHy  united. 

I'his  ointment  has  been  long  in  efteem  for  difeafes  of  the 
eyes.  It  ought,  howeve)',  to  be  ufed  with  caution,  when 
the  eyes  arc  much  inflamed^  or  very  tender, 

IJfue  Ointment. 

Mix  half  an  ounce  of  Spanifh  flies,  finely  powdered^  in 
fix  ounces  of  yeliow  bafilicum  ointment.    • 

This  oiiument  is  chiefly  intended  for  dreffing  bJifters,  in 
order  to  keep  them  open  during  pieafuce, 

OiHimna 


O  I  K  tr  M  E  N't'S,  &?r.  Ǥj 

•  >  » 

Ointment  of  Lead. 

Take  of  olive  oil,  half  a  pint ;  white  wax,  (wo  ounces, 
fugar  of  lead,  three  drachms.  Let  the  fugar  of  lead,  re^ 
duced  into  a  fine  powder,  be  rubbed  up  with  fome  part  of  th« 
oil,  and  afterwards  added  to  the  other  ingredi^ts,  prevt- 
oufly  melted  together,  continually  ftirring  them  till  quite 
cold. 

This  cooling  and  gently  aftringent  ointment  may  be  ufed 
in  all  cafes  where  the  intentioa  is  to  dry  and  ikin  over  the 
part,  as  in  fcalding,  &c. 

Mercurial  Ointment. 

Take  of  quickfilver,  two  ounces  i  hogs'  lard,  three  ounces  ; 
mutton  fuet,  one  ounce.  Rub  the  quicldilver  with  an  ounce 
of  the  hogs'  lard  in  a  warm  mortar,  till  the  globules  be  per* 
fedlly  extinguifhed  ;  then  rub  it  up  with  the  reft  of  the  lard' 
and  fuet,  previoufly  melted  together. 

The  principal  intention  of  this  ointment  is  to  convey  >ner« 
cury  into  the  body  by  being  rubbed  upon  the  (kid* 

Ointment  of  Sulphur. 

Take  of  hogs*  lard  prepared,  foiir'ounces;  flowers  of  ful- 
phur,an  ounce  and  a  half;  crude  fal  ammoniac,  two  drachms^ 
eflence  of  lemon,  ten  or  twelve  drops.  Make  them  into  an 
ointment. 

This  ointment,  rubbed  upon  the  parts  affe£led,  will  gene* 
rally  cure  the  itch.  It  is  both  the  fafeft  and  beft  application 
for  that  purpofe,  and,  when  made  in  this  way,  has  no  dif* 
agreeable  fmell. 

White  Ointment. 

Take  of  olive  oil,  one  pint  ^  white  wax  and  fpermacett^ 
of  each  three  ounces.  Melt  them  with  a  gentle  hear,  and 
keep  them  conftantly  and  brifkly  ftirring  together,  till  quiM 
cold. 

If  two  drachms  of  camphor,  previoufly  rubbed  with  a 
fmall  quantity  of  oil,  be  added  to  the  above,  it  will  make  the 
JVhiti  camphorated  Ointment. 

Liniment  for  Burns. 

Take  equal  pahs  of  Florence  oil,  or  of  frefli  drsTwn  linfeed 
oil,  and  lime-water ;  fbake  them  well  together  in  a  wide 
mouthed  bottle,  To  as  to  form  a  liniment. 

I  This 


6ft4  APPENDIX. 

r  This  »  found  to  be  an  exceeding  proper  appHcition  for 
recent  fcalds  or  burns.  It  may  either  be  fpread  upon  a  cloth, 
or,  Jthfi' pallid .i»ffi^Vd  may  be  anointed  with  it  twice  or  thrice 

.^i:;fT.JT  iJVbiie  Liniment. 

r^Pbis-A'Mkde^fh  the  fame  manner  as  the  white  ointmenf, 
two* thirds  of  the  wax  being  left  out. 

This  liniment  may  be  apjplied  in  cafes  of  excoriation, 
where,  on  account  of  tbe  largeneft  of  the  furface^  the  ciot- 
menls  with  lead  or  calamine  might  be  improper* 

Liniment  for  the  Piles. 

Take  of  emollient  ointment,  two  ounces  ;  liquid  lauda- 
num, half  an  ounce.     Mix  thefe  ingredients  with  the  yolk 

of  an  egg,  and  work  them  well  together. 

Volatile  Liniment. 

Tafccof  Florence  oil,  an  ounce;  fpirit  of  hart&orn^  half 
an  ounce.     Shake  them  together. 

This  liniment,  made  with  equal  parts  of  the  fpirit  and  oil, 
will  be  more  efficacious,  where  the  patient's  (kin  is  able  to 
bear  it. 

'Sir  John  Pringle  obferves,  that  in  the  inflammatory 
quinfey,  a  piece  of  flannel  moiflened  with  this  liniment 
and  applied  to  the  throat,  to  be  renewed  every  four  or  five 
hours,  is  one  of  the  moft  efficacious  remedies  ;  and  that  it 
ieldom  fails,  after  bleeding,  either  to  lefiea  or  carry  off  the 
complaint.  The  truth  of  this  obfervation  I  have  often  ex*- 
pericnced. 

Camphorated  Oil. 

Rub  an  ounce  of  camphor,  with  two  ounces  of  Florence 
oil)  in  a  mortar,  till  the  caihphor  be  entirely  diflblved. 

This  antifpafmodic  liniment  may  be  ufed  in  obftinate  rbeu» 
matifms,  and  in  feme  other  cafes  accompanied  with  extreiDQ 
pain  and  tenfion  of  the  parts. 

PILLS. 

A /TEdicines  which  operate  in  a  fmall  dole,  and  whole 
-*"^*  diipgreeable  tafte,  or  fmell,  makes  it  neceflary  that 
they  fh^'Uld  be  concealed  from  the  palate,  are  moft  comno- 
dioufly  exhibited  in  this  form.  No  medictoey  bowpver,  that 
is  intended  to  operate  quickly,  ought  to  be  made  into  pillsi 

as 


PILLS...  6ii 

Mtbeji-oftenlie  for»nnfidersblctiaieontheflMnieb1iefere 
they  are  dil&lved,  fo  as  to  produce  any  effe&. 

Asllie  ingndicnts  which  entertbe  compolMion  sfpilli  kn 
generally  Co  contrived,  tbat  one  pill  of  an  ordinary  fize^iM^ 
contain  about  five  grain*  of  the  compoundi  in  mentioning 
the  dore  we  fball  only  fpedly  the  nmnber,,flC.-piUi  |D,fa« 
ukcn  ;  as  one,  two,  tfarce»  He..  .      ;  .  .'. 

Compefing  Pill.      .^^.  ,....„,     '.„,.,. 

Take  of  purified  opium,  ten  grains;  Caftile-foapi,  half'a 
drachm.  Beat  them  together,  and  form  the  whole  into 
twenty  pills.  ■-.     ■         ■ 

When  a  quieting  draught  will  not  Jit  u^MntfatflhMftach, 
one,  tw9,  or  three  of  there  pilla  may  be  taluo, 'is  occaTion 
requires. 

Fwtid  Pill. 

Take  of  afafcetida,  half  an  ounce]  limple  fy^up^  aamnch 
as  is  neteflary  to  form  it  into  piWs.  ,  ■ 

In  hyfleric  complaints,  four  pr  five  pitis,  of  jtn  oninary 
fizc,  may  be  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-day.  They,  may,  like- 
wife  be  of  fervice  to  perfons  affli^ed  with  the  afthma. 

When  jt  is  necefTary  to  keep  the  body  open,  a  pr«^r 
quantity  of  rhubarb,  aloes,  or  jalap,  may  qccahonally  be 
added  to  the  abbVc  mafs.^ 

■  ■  \     Hemlock  Pill. 

■  Talw'any  quantity  of  the  extTaa  of  hemlock,  and  adding 
to  it  a'&out  a  Jif[li  part  its  weight  of  the  powder  of  the  dried 
leaves,  form  it  into  pilU  of  tbc  ordinary  iize. 

The  exirat^  of  hemlock  may  be  taken  from  one  grain  to 
feveral  drachms  in  the  day.  The  bed  meihod,  hpw<:ver,  of 
ufing  thefe  pillr,  is  to  begin  with  one  or  (wo,  and  lO  incnraie 
the  dofe  gradually,  as  far  as  the  pMient  can  heai*  them,  wuit- 
out  any  remarkable  degree  of  ftupor  or  gijdii'ici't. 

Mercurial  Pill. 
Take  of  purified  quickfilvcr  and  honey,  each  half  an 
ounce.  Rub  tbem  together  in  a  mortar,  tilt  the  globufef  df 
merwury  arc  pcrfeaiy  excinguifhed  i  then  add,  of  Caftni 
ib3p^t.wp.dra.cluTis,  powderj^d  Jiquofjce,  or  crumb  ofl>t-eatfy 
a  fufficie^j/iv^uty  tAcivathe  mab  a  proper  cenriflcncefor 


686  APPENDIX. 

Wheri  ftronger  mercurial  pills  are  wanted,  the  quantity  of 
quickftlver  may  be  doubled. 

The  dofe  of  thefe  pills  is  different,  according  to  the  inten« 
tion  with  which  they  are  given*  As  an  alterant,  two  or 
three  may  be  taken  daily.  To  raife  a  falivation  four  or  five 
ymil  be  neceflary. 

Equal  parts  of  the  above  pill  and  powdered  rhubarb  made 
into  a  mafs,  with  a  fufficient  quantity  of  fioiple  fyrup,  will 
make  a  Mercurial  purging  Pill. 

Mercurial  Jublimate  PilL 

Diflblve  fifteen  grains  of  the  corrofive  fublimate  of  mer- 
cury in  two  drachms  of  the  faturated  folution  of  crude  bX 
ammoniac,  and  make  it  into  a  pade,  in  a  glafs  mortar,  with 
a  fufficient  quantity  of  the  crumb  of  bread.  This  mafs  maft 
be  formed  into  one  hundred  and  twenty  pills* 

This  pill,  which  is  the  moft  agreeable  form  of  exhibiting 
the  fublimate,  has  been  found  efficacious,  not  only  in  curing 
the  venereal  difeafo,  but  alfo  in  killing  and  expelling  wcrm^ 
after  other  powerful  medicines  had  failed  *• 

For  the  venereal  difeafe,  four  of  thefe  pills  may  be  takea 
twice  a- day,  as  an  alterant  three,  and  for  worms  two. 

Plummers  PilL 

Take  of  calomel,  or  fweet  mercury,  and' precipitated  fd- 
phur  of  antimony,  each  three  drachms  ;  extratSl  of  liquorice, 
Vpo  drachms.  Rub  the  fulphur  and  mercury  well  to- 
gether ;  afterwards  add  the  extract,  and,  with  a  fufficient 
quantity  of  the  mucilage  of  gum  arabic,  make  them  into 
pills. 

This  pill  has  been  found  a  powerful,,  yet  (afe,  alterative 
in  obftinate  cutaneous  diforders  ;  and  has  completed  a  cure 
after  falivation  had  failed.  In  venereal  cafes  it  has  likewife 
produced  excellent  effeds.  Two  or  three  pills  of  an  ordi- 
nary fize  may  be  taken  night  and  morning,  the  patient 
keeping  moderately  warm,  and  drinking  after  each  dofe  a 
draught  of  decodtion  of  the  woods,  or  of  farfiiparilla. 


•  See  a  paper  on  this  fabjefb  in  the  Edinburgh  Phyfical  and 
Literary  Eflayt,  by  the  ingenious  Dr.  John  Gardener. 

Pwrgiwg 


FILLS.  687 

Purging  Pills. 

Take  of  fuccotorine  aloes^  and.  Qailile  foap,  each  two 
drachms ;  of  fimple  fyrup,  a  fufficient  quantity  to  make  them 
into  piUs. 

Four  or  five  of  thefe  pills  will  generally  prove  a  fufficient 
purge.  For  keeping  the  body  gently  open,  one  may  be  takea 
night  and  morning.  They  arc  reckoned  both  dcobftruent 
and  fiomachic,  and  will  be  found  to  anfwer  all  the  purpofes 
of  Dr.  Anderfon's  pills,  the-  principal  ingredient  of  which 
is  aloes. 

Where  aloetic  purges  are  improper,  the  following  pit)^ 
may  be  ufcd : 

Take  extrad  of  jalap,  and  vitriolated  tartar^  of  each  tv^o 
drachms }  fyrup  of  ginger,  as  much  as  will  make  them  of  4 
proper  confidence  for  pilk. 

Thefe  pills  may  be  taken  in  the  fame  quantity  as  the  abovc# 

Pill  for  the  Jaundice. 

Take  of  Caftile  foap,  fuccotorine  aloes,  and  rhubarb,  of 
each  one  drachm.  Make  them  into  pills  with  a  fufficient 
quantity  of  fyrup  or  mucilage. 

Theie  pills»  as  their  title  cxprelTes,  are  chiefly  intended 
for  the  jaundice,  whiqh,  with  tne  affiftance  of  proper  dicr^ 
they  will  often  cure.  Five  or  fix  of  them  may  be  taken 
twice  a-day^  more  or  lefs,  as  is  neceflary  to  keep  the  body 
open.  It  will  be  proger,  however,  during  their  ufe,  to 
interpofe  now  and  then  a  vomit  of  ipecacuanha  or  tartar 
emetic. 

Stomachic  Pill. 

Tak&extraf^  of  gentian,  two  drachms;  powdered  rhu* 
tarb  and  vitriolated  tartar,  of  each  one  drachm  ;  oil  of  mint, 
thirty  drops  ;  fimple  fyrup,  a  fufficient  quantity. 

Three  or  four  of  thefe  pills  may  be  taken  twice  a-day,  for 
invigorating  the  flomach,  and  keeping  the  body  gently  open* 

Squill  Pills. 

Take  powder  of  dried  fquills,  a  drachm  and  a  half;  gum 
ammoniac,  and  cardamom  feeds,  in  powder,  of  each  three 
drachms ;  fimple  fyrup,  a  fufficient  quantity. 

In  dropfical  and  afihmatic  complaints,  two  or  three  of 
thefe  pills  may  be  taken  twice  a«day,  or  ofcncr,  if  the  fto- 
mach  will  bear  them. 

Strength^ 


68i  A  P  t»  £  N  0  I  X* 

• 

Sirengtbening  Pill. 

Take  foft  extract  of  the  bark,  and  fait  of  fteel,  each  t 
drachm.     Make  into  pills. 

In  diforders  arifing  from  exceffive  debility^  or  relaxation 
of  the  (blids^  as  the  cblorofis^  or  grcien  fickheft,  two  of  thefe 
pilb  maj  be  taken  three  times  a-day. 

PLASTERS. 

pLASTERS  ought  to  be  of  a  different  confidence,  accord- 
^  hig  to  the  purpo(es  for  which  they  are  intended.  Such 
as  are  to  be  applied  to  the  breads  or  ftomach  ought  to  beibft 
and  yi6l<}ing ;  while  thofc  defigned  for  the  limbs  fliould  be 
firm  arid  adhefiVe. 

It  has  been  fuppofed,  that  plafters  might  be  Impregtiaied 
with  the  virtue^  of  different  vegetables,  by  boiling  the  re- 
cent vegetable  with  the  oil  employed  for  the  compoQtioo  of 
the  plafier ;  but  this  treatment  does  not  communicate  to  the 
oils  any  valuable  qualities. 

The  calces  of  lead  boiled  with  oils  unite  with  them,  iiitt) 
a  plafter  of  a  proper  confidence,  which  make  the  bafis  of 
(everal  other  pladers.  In  boiling  thefe  compofitioni,  a 
quantity  of  hot  water  mud  be  added  from  time  to  time  to 
prevent  the  plader  from  burning  or  growing  black*  This, 
however,  Ihould  be  done  with  care,  led  it  caufe  the  matter 
to  explode. 

Common  Plafter. 

Take  of  common  olive  oil,  fix  pints ;  litharge  reduced  to 
a  fine  powder,  two  pounds  and  a  half.  Boil  the  lithajge 
and  oil  together  over  a  gentle  fire,  continually  ftirring  tbemt 
and  keeping  always  about  half  a  gallon  of  water  in  the  vcC 
fel :  after  they  have  boiled  about  three  hours,  a  little  of  the 
plader  may  be  taken  out  and  put  into  cold  water,  to  try  if 
it  be  of  a  proper  confidence :  when  that  is  the  cafe,  the 
whole  may  be  fuiFered  to  cool,  and  the  water  well  preifed 
out  of  it  with  the  hands. 

This  plader  is  generally  applied  in  flight  wounds  and  ex- 
coriations of  the  (kin.  It  keeps  the  part  foft  and  warm,  and 
defends  it  from  the  air,  which  is  all  that  is  neceflary  infuch 
caf%^.  Its  principal  ufe,  however,  is  to  ferve  as  a  bafis  for 
other  plnders. 

Mhifivc 


P  L  A  S  T  E  R  5.  C^i' 

Adbe/ive  Plafier.  * 

Take  of  comnxon  plafter,  half  a  pound ;  of  %kxgifi^ 
pitch,  a  quarter  of  a  pound.     Melt  them  togeHrer/     '"'"  -'*• 

This  plailer  is  pri(KipalIy  ufed  for  keeping  on  other 
dreffings.  *  -     -  ♦*••     '^'  ^ 

Anodyne  Pta/kTi 


.5  ^ ,:  •••:  V : 


* «« s 


Melt  an  ounc^  of  adh^five  pjafter)  and.  when  it  is  cool^ 
Sng,  mix  with  it  a  drachm  of  powdered  opaim^  and  the  fame 
quantity  of  camphor,  previoufly.rubbed  up  .wUh  a  littlfi^^ih  .^ 

This  plaft^r  pi^ally  gives  cAfeM  ^^tt,e^I^^i.,/lfeej:;al(f  H 

Slijtering  Flafter.  ••  ■'  ••^. .    -  ;  '•  -  -'-^ 

T#kf  of  Veoice  turftentine,  fix  ounces;.  ye|foj^!^x^]^a' ' 
ounces  i^-Spaniih  flies  in  fine  powder,  three  dunces:  fjqwi\  ,j^ 
der^  m^ftard,  one  ounces     Melt  xbe  wax,  apd  while  j;t  is  . .  ^ 
waroi,  add  to  it  the  turpentine,  takicg  ovre  not  '(o  evaporate    ., 
it  by  too  much  heat.     After  the  turpentine  and  wax  are  fuf- 
ficientlyJaGorporated,  fprinkle  in  the  powders,  continually 
fiinripg  Ibi9  mafs  till  it  |be  ^^Id^     . 

Though  this  pbfter  is  ^ade  io..«  variety  of  jw^ays^  ,91^  fdr 
dom  meets  with  it  of  a  prpper  jpoaGft^aQe^ .  When.cpm- 
poundcd  with  oU$  and  other  greafy  fubjtlfipces,^  its  ^Se£b  ai:^ 
hluiued,  and  it  is  npt  tp/un }  wbiJie  pit^b  and  reiin  rendcf  if 
too  hard  and  very  inconvenient. 

When  the  bliitering  pl^fter  is  not  s^t  h^d,  its  place  may 
be  fupplied  by  mixing  with  any  foft  ointment  a  fufficient 
quantity  of  powdered  flies  {  or  by  forming  them  into  a  pafte 
with  flour  and  vinegar* 

Gum  PlaM^ 

Take  of  the  common  pl^lfter,  four  pounds  j  gum  amqiKV' 
niac  and  galbanum,  ftrained,  of  each  half  a  pound.     Melt    *  ^ 
them  together,  and  add,  of  Venice  turpentine,  fix  ounces. 

This  plafter  is  ufed  as  a  digeftive,  and  iikewife  for  difi- 
cuiEng  indolent  tumours. 

Mercurial  Plafter^ 

Take  of  common  plafter,  one  pound ;  of  gum  ammoniac, 
ftrained,  half  a  pound.  Melt  them  together,  and,  when 
Cooling,  add  eight  ounces  of  quick-filver,  previoufly  cxtin* 
guilbcd  by  triture,  with  three  ounces  of  bogs*  lard. 

Y  y  This 


$^  A  P  P  ft  ND  I  X. 

This  plafier  is  recommended  in  pains  of  the  limbs  arifin^ 
from  a  venereal  caufe.  Indurations  of  the  glands,  and  other 
violent  tumours,  are  likewife  found  fometim^s  to  yieM  to  iL 

Stomach  Plafter. 

Take  of  gum  plafter,  half  a  pound  ;  camphorated  oil,  aa 
ounce  and  a  half;  black  pepper,  or  capficum,  vrhere  it  can 
be  had,  one  ounce.  Melt  the  plafler^  and  mix  with  it  t!ie 
oil ;  then  fprinkle  in  the  pepper^  previoufly  reduced  to  a  fine 
powder. 

An  ounce  or  two  of  this  plader,  fpread  upon  foft  leather, 
and  applied  to  the  region  of  the  ftomach,  will  be  of  ferrict 
in  flatulencies  arifing  from  hyileric  and  hypochondriac  affec- 
tions. A  little  df  the  exprcfled  oil  of  mace,  or  a  few  drops 
of  the  eflential  oil  of  mint,  may  be  rubbed  upon  it  before  it 
is  applied. 

This  may  fupply  the  place  of  the  Jntihj/leric  Plafler. 

fTarm  Plafter. 

Take  of  gum  plafter,  one  ounce;  bliftering  plafter,  twt 
drachms.     Melt  them  together  over  a  gentle  fire. 

This  plafter  is  ufeful  in  tl>e  fciatica  and  other  fixed  piins 
of  the  rheumatic  kind  :  it  ought,  however,  to  be  worn  for 
feme  time,  and  to  be  renewed,  at  leaft,  once  a-week.  If 
this  is  found  to  bliftcr  the  part,  which  is  fometimes  the  cafe, 
it  muft  be  made  with  a  fmaller  proportion  of  the  bliftcring 
plafter* 

fFax  Plafler. 

Take  of  yellow  wax,  one  \yowt\i  ;  white  refin,  blf  a 
pound  ;  n.utton  fuct,  three  quarters  of  a  pound.  Melttbem 
together. 

This  is  generally  ufed  inftcad  of  the  Melilot  Plafitr.  It 
is  a  proper  application  after  blifters,  and  in  other  cafcs 
where  a  gentle  digeftive  is  neceflary. 

POWDERS. 

THIS  is  one  of  the  moft  fimple  forms  in  wbidi  medirioe 
can  be  adminiflered.  Many  medicinal  fubftances,  Jwv* 
ever,  cannot  be  reduced  into  powder,  and  others  are  too  dif" 
agreeable  to  be  taken  in  this  form« 

Tkt 


POWDER  Si  691 

The  lighWr  powders  may  be  mixed  in  any  agf-ceable  thin 
liquor,  as  tea  or  water-gruel.  The  more  ponderous  will  rc^ 
l)uire  a  more  confident  vehicle,  as  fyrup,  conferve,  jelly,  or 
honey. 

Gums,  and  other  fubftances  which  are  difficult  to  powder^ 
fliould  be  pounded  along  With  tbedfier  ohes)  but  thofe  which 
are  too  dry,  efpecially  aromatics,  ought  to  be  fprinkled  during 
their  pulverizatiop  with  a  few  drops  of  any  proper  waters 

Aromatic  powders  are  to  be  prepared  only  in  fmaU  quan- 
tities at  a  time,  and  kept  in  glafs  veflels  clofbly  flopped.  In^* 
deed,  no  powders  ought  to  be  ^xpofed  to  the  air  or  kept 
too  long,  otherwife  their  virtues  will  be  in  great  meafure 
deflroyed. 

Aftringent  •  Powder. 

Take  of  aluiti  and  Japan  earth,  each  two  dt-aehms*  l^ound 
them  together,  and  divide  the  whole  into  ten  or  twelve 
dofes.  / 

In  an  immoderate  flow  of  the  fnen/eSy  and  other  haemor-» 
rhages,  one  of  thefe  powders  may  be  taken  every  hdiir,  or 
every  half-hour,  if  the  difcharge  be  violent. 

Powder  of  Bolei 

Take  of  bole  armenie,  or  French  bote,  ttvo  ounces  ;  ciri<^ 
namon,  one  ounce;  tormentil  root  and  gum  arabic,  of  each 
fix  drachms  ;  long  pepper,  one  drachm*  Let  all  theft  in- 
gredients be  reduced  into  a  powder. 

This  warm,  glutinous  aftringent  powder,  is  given  in 
fluxes,  and  other  diforders  where  medicines  of  that  clafs  are 
neceflkry^  in  the  dofe  of  a  fcruple,  or  half  a  drachm. 

If  a  drachm  of  of)ium  be  added,  it  will  make  the  Patvder  tff 
Boli  with  Opium^  which  is  a  medicine  of  confiderable  efficacy. 
It  may  be  taken  in  the  fame  quantity  as  the  former,  but  not 
above  twice  or  thrice  a-day. 

Carminative  Powder^ 

Take  of  coriander^feed^  half  an  ounce  }  ginger^  on^ 
drachm;  nutmegs,  half  a  drachm;  fine  fugar^  a  drachm 
and  a  half*     Reduce  them  into  powder  for  twelve  dofes. 

This  powder  is  employed  for  expelling  flatulencies  arifin^ 
from  indigeflion,  particularly  thofe  to  which  hyfteric  and 
hypochondriac  perfons  are  fo  liable.  It  may  likewife  be 
given  in  fmall  quai^tities  to  children  la  their  food,  when 
troubled  with  gripes.  ^ 

Yjr  a  DiuritU 


6g^  APPENDIX. 

Diuretic  Powder. 

Take  of  gum  arabic^  four  ounces  ;  purified  nitre,  o&c 
ounce.  Pound  them  together,  and  divide  the  whole  i»to 
twenty-four  doTes. 

During  the  firft  ftage  of  the  venereal  difcaOr,  one  of  the& 
cooling  powders  may  be  taken  three  times  a-duy,  with  cqqp 
fiderable  advantage. 

Aromatic  Opening  Powder. 

Take  of  the  beft  Turkey  rhubarb,  cinnamon,  and  fint 
fugar,  each  two  drachms.  Let  the  ingredients  be  pouodd, 
and  afterwards  mixed  well  together. 

Where  flatulency  is  accompanied  with  coflivcncfs,  atn- 
fpoonful  of  this  powder  may  be  taken  once  or  twice  a-JaV| 
according  to  circumftances. 

Saline  Laxative  Powder, 

Take  of  foluble  tartar,  and  cream  of  tartar,  each  oce 
drachm  ;  purified  nitre,  half  a  drachm.  Make  them  intot 
powder. 

In  fevers,  and  other  inflammatory  diforders,  where  \i  if 
neccflary  to  keep  the  body  gently  open,  one  of  thefe  cool- 
ing laxative  powders  may  be  taken  in  a  little  gruel,  and  re- 
peated occafionally. 

Steel  Powder. 

Take  fxlingt  of  fteel,  and  loaf-fugar,  of  each  two  ounces) 
ginger,  two  drachms.     Pound  theni  together. 

In  obfirudlions  of  the  menfes^  and  other  cafes  where  fled 
'4s  proper,  a  tea-fpoonful  of  this  powder -may  be  taken  tvice 
a-^day,  and  waihed  down  with  a  little  wine  or  water. 

Sudorific  Powder. 

Take  purified  nitre  aod  vitriolated  tartar,  of  each  half  in 
ounce  ;  opium  and  ipecacuanha,  of  each  one  drachm.  Mil 
the  ingredients,  and  reduce  them  to  a  fine  powder. 

This  is  generally  known  by  the  name  of  i>#«rrVP#BM(rt 
It  is  a  poviierful  fudorific.  In  obftinate  rlieumatifsis,  aod 
'other  cafes  where  it  is  necefiary  to  eaKito  a  copious  fweat^ 
this  powder  may  be  adminifler^  in  the  dofe  of  a  feniple  « 
half  a  drachm.  Some  patients  will  require  two  fcrupleft.  It 
ought  to  be  accompanied  wiUi  dw  pkatiful  life  of  fent 
warm  diluting  liquor. 


POWDERS.  69J 

U^orm-  Pcrwders. 

Take  of  tm  reduced  into  a  fine  powder,  an  ounce ;  ^thJop's 
rnineral,  two  drachms.  Mix  them  well  together,  and  divide 
the  whole  into  fix  dofes. 

One  of  thefe  powders  may  be  taken  in  a  little  fyrup,  ho- 
ney, or  treacle,  twice  a-day.  After  they  have  been  all  ufed 
the  following  anthelmintic  purge  may  be  proper. 

Purging  JVcrm-potider. 

Take  of  powdered  rhubarb,  a  fcruple ;  fcammony  and 
calomel,  of  each  five  grains.  Rubxthem  together  in  a  mor-* 
tar  for  one  dofe. 

For  children  the  above  dofes  muft  be  leflened  according  to 
their  age. 

If  the  powder  of  tin  be  given  alone,  its  dofe  may  be  con« 
liderably  increafed.  The  late  Dr.  Alfton  gave  it  to  the 
amount  of  two  ounces  in  three  days,  and  fays,  when  thus 
aidminiftered,  that  it  proved  an  egregious  anthelmintic.  Hd 
purged  his  patients  both  before  they  took  the  powder  and 
afterwards. 

Powder  for  the  Tape- worm,  " 

Early  in  the  morning  the  patient  is  to  take  in  any  liquid, 
two  or  three  drachms,  according  to  his  age  and  conftitu* 
tion,  of  the  root  of  the  male  fern  reduced  into  a  fine 
powder.  About  two  hours  afterwards,  he  is  to  take  of 
ralomel  and  refin  of  fcammony,  each  ten  grains ;  gunt 
gamboge,  iix  grains.  Thefe  ingredients  muft  be  finely 
powdered  and  given  in  a  little  fyrup,  honey,  treacle,  or 
any  thing  that  is  mod  agreeable  to  the  patient.  He  is  then 
to  walk  gently  about,  now  and  then  drinking  a  diOi  of 
weak  green  tea,  tiii  the  worm  is  paiTed.  If  the  powder  of 
the  fifrn  produces  naufea,  or  ficknefs,  it  may  be  removed  by 
racking  the  juice  of  an  orange  or  lemon. 

This  medicine,  which  had  been  long  kept  a  fecret  abroad 
for  the  cure  of  the  tapeTWorm,  was  fome  time  ago  purchafed 
by  the  French  King,  and  made  public  for  the  benefit  of  man- 
kind.  Not  having  had  an  opportunity  of  trying  it,  I  can 
fay  nothing  from  experience  concerning  its  efficacy.  It  feems, 
however^  from  its  ingredients,  to  be  an  a^Stiye  medicine,  and 
ought  to  be  taken  with  care.  The  dofe  here  prefcribed  is 
Sufficient  for  the  ftrongeft  patient ;  it  muft»  therefore,  be  ro« 
duced  according  to  she  age  and  conftitulion. 

V  y  2  *  .       SYRUPS, 


(594  APPENDIX- 

SYRUPS. 

CYrups  were  fome  time  ago  looked  upon  as  medicines  of 
^  confiderable  value.  They  arc  at  prefent,  however,  rt* 
garded  chiefly  as  vehicles  for  medicines  of  greater  efficacy, 
and  are  ufed  for  fweetening  draughts,  juleps,  or  mixtures; 
and  for  reducing  the  lighter  powders  into  bolufes,  pills,  anJ 
eled^uaries.  As  all  thefe  purpofes  may  be  anfwcred  by  the 
fimple  fyrup  alone,  there  is  little  occafipn  for  any  other; 
efpecially  as  they  are  feldom  found  but  in  a  ftatc  of  ferment* 
^tion  ;  and  as  the  dofe  of  any  medicine  given  in  this  form 
is  very  uncertain.  Perfons  who  ferve  the  public  muft  keep 
whatever  their  cuftomcrs  call  for;  but  to  the  private  prac- 
titioner nine-tenths  of  the  fyrups  ufually  jcept  ip  tbeihopi 
^jfc  unneceffary. 

Simple  Syrup 

Is  made  by  dilTolving  in  water,  either  with  or  witioot 
)ieat,  about  double  its  weight  of  fine  fugar. 

If  twenty- five  drops  of  laudanum  be  added  to  an  ounce 
of  the  fimple  fyrup,  it  will  fupply  the  place  of  diacodiuo, 
or  the  fyrup  of  poppies,  and  wiU  be  found  a  more  fafe  aod 
certain  medicine. 

The  lubricating  virtues  of  the  fyrup  of  marfb mallows  msy 
likewife  be  fupplied,  by  adding  to  the  common  fyrupa  fufi- 
(cient  quantity  of  mucilage  of  gum  arabic. 

Thofe  who  chufe  to  preferve  the  juice  of  lemons  in  form 
of  fyrup,  may  diflblve  in  it,  by  the  heat  of  a  warm  bath, 
nearly  double  its  weight  of  fine  fugar.  The  juice  ought  to 
be  previoufly  flrained,  and  fuiFered  to  ftand  tuJ  it  fettles. 

The  fyrup  of  ginger  is  fometimes  of  ufe  as  a  warm  vehtck 
for  giving  medicines  to  perfpns  afflided  with  flatulencv.  It 
may  be  made  by  infufing  tyro  ounces  of  bruifed  ginger  la  tw« 
pints  of  boiling  water  for  twenty-four  hoars.  Afar  tbe 
liquor  has  been  flrained,  and  has  ftood  to  fettle  for  feme  tioei 
it  may  be  poured  off,  gnd  a  little  more  than  double  its  weight 
pf  fine  powdered  fugar  djfTolvcd  in  it, 

TINCTURES,    ELIXIRS,  ^c. 

REcTiFCFD  fpirit  is  the  dire£l  menftruum  of  the  refinl 
and  eflential  oils  of  vegetables^  and  totallv  extrafis  tbefe 
fiflive  principles  from  fundry  ful^ftances,  wfaico  Tidd  tb^tfll 
l^ater,  either  not  at  alL  or  only  in  part, 

\  ft 


T  I  N  C  T  U  R  E  S,  6?r.  69^ 

It  diflblves  likewife  thofe  parts  of  animal  fubftances  in 
which  their  peculiar  fmells  and  taftcs  refide.  Hence  the 
tindures  prepared  with  redlified  fpirits  form  an  ufeful  and 
elegant  clafs  of  medicines,  poflcfTing  many  of  the  moft  cf- 
fential  virtues  of  fimples,  without  being  clogged  with  their 
inert  or  ufelefs  parts. 

Water,  however,  being  the  proper  menftruum  of  the 
gummy,  faline,  and  faccharine  parts  of  medicinal  fubftances^ 
it  will  be  neceflary,  in  the  preparation  of  fcveral  tin<£lures, 
to  make  ufe  of  a  weak  fpirit,  or  a  compofition  of  rediiied 
ipirit  and  water. 

jiromatic  Tiftilure. 

Infufe  two  ounces  of  Jamaica  pepper  in  two  pints  of 
brandy,  without  heat,  for  a  few  days  -,  then  ftrain  ofF  the 
tin£lure. 

This  fimple  tinflure  will  fufficiently  anfwer  all  the  Inten- 
tions of  the  more  coftly  preparations  of  this  kind.  It  is 
rather  too  hot  to  be  taken  by  itfelf  j  but  is  very  proper  for 
mixing  with  fuch  medicines  as  might  otherwife  prove  too 
CPld  for  the  ftomach. 

Compound  ^inSlure  of  the  Bark. 

Take  of  Peruvian  bark,  two  ounces  ;  Seville  ofange-peel 
and  cinnamon,  of  each  half  an  ounce.  Let  the  bark  be 
powdered,  and  the  other  ingredients  bruifed  ;  then  infufe 
the  whole  in  a  pint  and  a  half  of  brandy,  for  five-or  fix  days^ 
in  a  clofe  veflel ;  afterwards  ftrain  off  the  tindlure. 

This  tin£ture  iiS  not  only  beneficial  in  intermitting  fevers, 
but  alfo  in  the  flow,  nervous,  and  putrid  kinds,  ^fpecially 
towards  their  decline. 

The  dofe  is  from'One  drachm  to  three  or  four,  every  fifth 
or  fixth  hour.  It  may  be  given  in  any  fuitable  liquor,  and 
occafionally  (barpencd  with  a  few  drops  of  the  fpirit  of 
vitriol. 

Fola4iU  Fatid  Tinaure. 

Infufe  two  ounces  of  afafcetida  in  one  pint  of  volatile 
^TomzixQ  fpirit,  for  efght  days,  in  a  clofe  bottle,  frequently 
ihaking  it ;  then  ftrain  the  tinflure. 

This  medicine  is  beneficial  in  hyfteric  diforders,  efpecially 
lyhen  attended  with  lownefs  of  fpirits,  and  faintings.  A 
tpa-fpoonful  of  it  may  be  taken  in  a  glafs  of  wine,  or  a  cup 
©f  penny -royal  tea, 

y  y  4  VBhiiU 


696  APPENDIX. 

Volatile  TinSure  of  Gum  Guaiaeum. 

Take  of  gum  guaiacum,  four  ounces  ;  volatile  aromatie 
fpirit,  a  pint.  Infufe  without  heat,  in  a  veflcl  well  flopped, 
for  a  few  days  ;  then  ftrain  off  the  tindure  •• 

In  rheumatic  complaints,  a  tea-fpoonful  of  this  tindure 
fhay  be  taken  in  a  cup  of  the  infuiion  of  water-trefoil,  twice 
•r  thrioe  a-day. 

^w3ure  cf  Black  Hellebore. 

Infufe  two  ounces  of  the  roots  of  black  hellebore,  bniiMi 
in  a  pint  of  proof  fpirit,  for  feven  or  eight  days  ;  then  filtrr 
the  tinflure  through  paper.  A  fcruple  of  cochineal  maybe 
infufed  along  with  the  roots,  to  give  the  tin£lure  a  colour. 

In  obftrudions  of  the  menfeSy  a  tea-fpoonful  of  this  cinc« 
ture  may  be  taken  in  a  cup  of  camomile  or  peBny*royaI  tea 
twice  a-day. 

JJlringenl  T'inSlure. 

Digeft  two  ounces  of  gum  kino,  in  a  pint  and  a  half  of 
brandy,  for  eight  days  ;  afterwards  ftrain  it  for  ufe. 

This  tindure,  though  not  generally  known,  is  a  good 
aflringent  medicine.  With  this  view,  an  ounce,  or  more, 
of  it  may  be  taken  three  or  four  times  a-day. 

TihSlure  of  Myrrb  and  Aloes. 

Take  of  gum  myrrh,  an  ounce  and  a  half;  hepatic  aloes, 
dne  ounce.  Let  them  be  reduced  to  a  powder,  and  infufed 
in  two  pints  of  re6lified  fpirits,  for  fix  days,  in  a  gende 
beat ;  then  ftrain  the  tinAure. 

This  is-  principally  ufed  by  furgedni  for  cleandng  foul 
ulcers,  and  reftraining  the  progrefs  of  gangrenes*  It  is  alfo^ 
by  fome,  recommended  as  a  proper  application  to  greea 
wounds.  ^ 

Tinilure  of  Opium j  or  Liquid  Laudanum. 

Take  of  crude  opium,  two  ounces  ;  fpkituous  aromatic 
water,  and  mountain  wine,  of  each  ten  ounces.  Diflblve 
the  opium,  diced,  in  the  wine,  with  a  gende  heat,  fre- 
quently ftirring  it;  afterwards  add  the  fpirit,  and  ftrain  off 
t^e  tinifiure. 

^  *  A  very  good  dn&ure  of  ga^uacom,  for  domeSic  nle,  mif 
b!e  made  by  infufmg  two  or  three  oonces  of  the  jjamln  a  bcttfe  « 
rum  or  brandy. 

At 


T  I  N  C  T  U  R  £  S;  6?r.  (J97 

A«  twenty-five  drops  of  this  tindure  contain  about  a  grain 
of  opium,  the  common  dofe.  may  be  from  twenty  to  thirty 
drops. 

Sacred  Tinffurey  or  TinSture  of  Hiera  Picra. 

Take  of  fuccotorine  aloes  in  powder,  one  ounce  ;  VirgU 
nian  fnake-root  and  ginger,  of  each  two  drachms,  Infufil 
in  a  pint  of  mountain  wine,  and  half  a  pint  of  brandy,  for 
a  week,  frequently  fhaking  the  bottle,  then  flrain  ofF  the' 
tindure. 

This  is  a  fafe  and  ufeful  purge  for  perfons  of  a  languid  and 
phlegmatic  habit;  but  is  thought  to  have  better  effeds, 
taken  in  fmall  dofes  as  a  laxative. 

The  dofe,  as  a  purge,  is  from  one  to  two  ounces. 

Compound  TinSture  of  Sanna. 

Take  of  fenna,  one  ounce ;  jalap,  coriander  feeds,  and 
cream  of  tartar,  of  each  half  an  ounce,  Infufe  them  in  a 
pint  and  a  half  of  French  brandy  for  a  week ;  then  ftrain 
the  tincSlure,  and  add  to  it  four  ounces  of  fine  fugar. 

This  is  an  agreeable  purge,  and  anfwers  all  the  purpofes 
of  the  Elixir  faluits,  and  of  Da^*s  Elixir. 

The  dofe  is  from  one  to  two  or  three  ounces. 

Tirtffure  of  Spanijh  Flies. 

Take  of  Spanifh  flies,  reduced  to  a  fine  powder,  two 
ounces  ;  fpirit  of  wine,  one  pint.  Infufe  for  two  or  three 
days ;  then  flrain  ofF  the  tindure. 

This  is  intended  as  an  acrid  ftimulant  for  external  ufe. 
Parts  aftedled  with  the  palfy  or  chronic  rheumatifm  may  be 
frequently  rubbed  with  it. 

TinSfure  of  the  Balfatn  of  Tolu. 

Take  of  the  balfam  of  Tolu,  an  ounce  and  a  half;  rec- 
tified fpirit  of  wine,  a  pint.  Infufe  in  a  gentle  heat  until 
the  balfam  is  diflblved  ;  then  flrain  the  tindure. 

This  tindure  poflefTes  all  the  virtues  of  the  balfam.  In 
coughs,  and  other  complaints  of  the  bread,  a  tea-fpoonful 
er  two  of  it  ma^  be  taken  in  a  bit  of  loaf-fugar.  But  the 
befl  way  of  uiing  it  is  in  fyrup.  An  ounce  of  the  tindure, 
properly  mi:K:ed  with  two  pounds  of  fimple  fyrup,  will  make 

what  is  commonly  called  the  Balfamic  Syrup. 

TinSiur0 


6^  APPENDIX.- 

^inSlure  of  Rhubarb. ' 

Take  of  rhubarb,  two  ounces  and  a  half;"  Icfler  cardi. 
n^om  feed#9  ^^'^  ^"  ounce  \  brandy,  two  pints.  Digeft  for 
a  week,  aftd  (train  the  tlnfiure.  *  •. 

.  Thofe  who  chufe  to  have  a  vinoi>s  tin£)ure  of  rhubarb 
iDay  infufe  the  above  ingredients  in  a  bottle  of  Lilbon  wine^ 
a<}di|)g  to  it  about  two  ounces  of  proof  fpirits. 

If  half  an  ounce  of  gentian  root,  and  a  drachm  of  Virgin 
nian  fnakc-root  be  added  to  the  above  ingredients,  it  will 
make  the  bitter  ttndure  of  rhubarb. 

All  thefe  tinctures  are  defigncd  as  ftomachics  and  corro« 
borants  as  well  as  purgatives.;  In  weaknefs  of  the  fiomach, 
indigedion,  laxity  pf  the.  inteftines,  fluxes,  cholicky  and  ftfch 
like  complaints,  they  are  frequently  of  great  fervice.  The 
dofe  is  from  half  a  fpoonful  to  three  or  four  fpoonfuls  or 
more,  according  to  the  circumftanccs  of  the  patient,  and 
the  purpofes  it  is  intended  to  anfwer^ 

Paregoric  Elixir. 

Take  of  flowers  of  benzoin,  half  an  ounce;  opium,  two 
drachms.  Infufe  in  one  pound  of  the  volatile  aromatic 
fpirit,  for  four  or  five  days,  frequently  (baking  thebottkj 
alterwards  ftrain  the  elixir. 

This  is  an  agreeable  and  fafe  way  of  adminiilering  opium. 
It  eafes  pain,  allays  tickling  coughs,  relieves  difficult  breath* 
ing,  and  is  ufeful  in  many  diforders  of  children,  particularly 
the  hooping  cough. 

Th8  dof^  to  an  adult  is  from  fifty  to  a  hundred  drops. 

Sacred  Elixir^ 

l^ake  of  rhubarb  cut  fmall,    ten  drachms  ;    fuecotorine 
'  aloes,  in  powder,  fix  drachms  ;  lefler  cardamoai  feeds,  half 

in  ounce ;  French  brandy,  two  pints.      Infufe  for  two  or 

thrse  days,  and  then  (Irain  the  elixir, 
^  *  This  u/'eful  ftomachic  purge  may  be  taken  from  one  ounqi 
*^i6  an  ounce  and  a  half. 

Stomachic  Elixir. 

Take  of  gentian  root,  two  ounces  ^  Cttrafiao  oranges, 
v4(ne  ounce;  Virginian  fnake^^root,  half  an  ounce.  Let  the 
.'ingredients  be  bruifed,  and  infufed  for.  three  or  |bor  days  \n 
r  two  (Ui\s  ot  ^  x^u^^i  Wxv&^\^\^%r9Ltd8  ftxatn  out  cbeelixir. 


VINEGARS.  6ss 

This  is  ;^n  elegant  ftomachic  bitter.     In  flatulencies^  in* 
digeftion,  want  of  appetite,  and  Aich  like  complaints,  a  fmall  - 
glafs  of  it  may  be  taken  twice  a-day.     It  likewife  relieves 
the  gout  in  the  ftomach,  when  taken  in  a  large  dofe. 

j4cid  Elixir  of  Vitriol. 

Take  of  the  aromatic  tin£lure,  one  pint ;  oil  of  vitriol^ 
three  ounces..  Mix  them  gradually,  and  after  the  faeces 
have  fubfided,  filter  the  elixir  through  paper,  in  a  glafs 
funnel. 

This  is  one  of  the  beft  medicines  which  I  know  for  hyfte^ 
ric  and  hypochondriac  patients,  affii£led  with  flatulencies 
arifing  from  relaxation  or  debility  of  the  ftomach  and  inu 
teftines.  It  will  fucceed  where  the  moft  celebrated  ftoma-^ 
chic  bitters  have  no  effcft.  The  dofe  is  from  ten  to  forty 
drops,  in  a  glafs  of  wine  or  water,  or  a  cup  of  any  bitter 
infufion,  twice  or  thrice  a-day.  It  fliould  be  taken  when 
(be  ftomach  is  moft  empty. 

Camphorated  Spirit  of  Wine. 

Diflblve  an  ounce  of  camphor  in  a  pint  of  reSified 
fpirits. 

This  folution  is  chiefly  employed  as  an  embrocation  iti 
bruifes,  palfies,  the  chronic  rheumatifm^  and  for  preventing 
gangrenes. 

The  above  quantity  of  camphor,  diflblved  in  half  a  pound 
of  the  volatile  aromatic  fpirit,  makes  IVard*s  EJfence. 

Spirit  of  Minder erus. 

Take  of  volatile  fal  ammoniac,  any  quantity.  Pour  oa  It 
gradually  diftilled  vinegar,  till  the  eiFervefcence  ceafes. 

This  medicine  is  ufeful  in  promoting  a  difcharge  both  bjr 
the  flcin  and  urinary  palTages,     It  is  alfo  a  good  external  z^ 
plication  in  drains  and  bruifes. 
^     When  intended  to  raife  a  fweat,  half  an  ounce  of  it  in  %. 
f:up  of  warm  gruel  may  be  given  to  the  patient  in  be4  every 
\kO\XK  till  it  has  the  defired  effedt^ 

VINEGARS. 

XZIkegar  is  an  acid  produced  from  vinous  liquors  hf 

^   a  fecond  fermentation.     It  is  an  ufeful  medicine  both 

If)  in^ammator^  and  putrid  difordcrs^    lu  e^e^  are,  to 

cool 


joo  APPENDIX. 

cool  the  blood,  quench  thirft,  counteract  a  tendency  to  pu* 
trcfac^ion,  and  allay  inordinate  motions  cJf  the  fy^cm.  It 
likewife  promotes  the  natural  fecretions,  and  in  fome  cafes 
excites- a  copious  fWcat,*  where  the  warm  mcdfcines,  called 
alexipharmic,  tend  rather  to  prevent  that  falutary  evacuation. 

Weaknefs,  fairitings,  vomitings,  and  other  hyftcric  af- 
/eAtons,  are  often  relieved  by  vinegar  applied  to  the  ncuth 
and  nofe,  or  received  into  the  flomach.  It  is  of  excellent 
life  alfo  in  correding  mamy  poifonous  fubftaiices,  when  taken 
into  the  ftomach  ;  and  in  promoting  their  expulfion,  by  the 
difFcrent  emtm<£lories,  when  received  into  the  blood. 

Vinegar  is  not  only  an  ufeful  medicine^  but  ferves  likf- 
wife  to  extra<9,  in  tolerable  perfe6(ion»  the  virtues  of  feveral 
other  medicinal  fubftances,  Moft  of  the  odoriferous  flowers 
impart  to  it  their  fragrance,  together  with  a  beautiful  purpli/k 
or  red  coloun  It  alfo  affifts  or  coincides  with  the  iiiten« 
tion  of  fquills,  garlic,  gum  ammoniac,  and  feverai  other 
valuable  medicines. 

Thefe  efFe(3s,  however,  are  not  to  be  expedled  from  every 
thing  that  is  ibid  under  the  name  of  vinegar,  but  from  fuch 
as  is  found  and  well  prepared. 

The  beft  vinegars  are  thofe  prepared  from  French  wines. 

It  is  neceflary  for  fome  parpofes  that  the  vinegar  be  difliU 
led  ;  but  as  this  operation  requires  a  particular  chemical  a{K 
Jnratus,  we  fhall  not  infert  it. 

Vinegar  of  LUbargt. 

Take  of  litharge,  half  a  pound  ;  ftrong  vin^fr,  two 
jipts.  Infufe  them  together  in  a  moderate  heat  for  three 
days,  frequently  fhaking  the  veflel ;  then  filter  the  liquor 
for  ufe. 

.  This  medicine  is  little  ufcd,  from  a  general  notion  of  its 
Icing  dangerous.  There  is  reafon,  however,  to  believe,  that 
the  preparations  of  lead  with  vinegar  arc  pofleflcd  of  fome 
valuable  properties,  and  ftat  they  may  be  ufcd  in  many  cafes 
with  fafety  and  fuccefs. 

A  preparation  of  a  fimilar  nature  with  the  above  has  of 

late  been  extolled  by  Goulard,  a  French  furgeon,  as  a  fafe 

and  extenfively  ufeful  medidne,  utrhich  he  calls  the  Extras 

^&oUtmy  and  orders  to  be  made  in  the  foiloiping manner: 

. .  Take  of  litharge,  one  pound  ;  vrnq^r  made  of  French 

urint^  tV(ro  ^\tvx%«    Y>3X>^tni  \5i^gsdMK  iuotti «  ^bsod  earthen 


WATERS  BY  INFUSION,  6fr.     j<yt 

l^ipkiQ)  2nd^U%  theoi  boil,  or  raxber  ^n^oicrv  for  an  hour, 
or  an  hour  and  a  quarter,  taking  care  (o  ,ftir  ti^em  aU  tbn 
while  with  a  wooden  ffKMtula.  After  (he  w^ole  h«s  jftood  to 
tirrtle,  pour  off  the  liquor  yi^ich  is  gpoa  the  top  into  bpcckp 
for  vUe. 

With  this  extrad  Goulard  makes  hU  v^ff^minef^l  t^^ 
//r  *,  which  he  recommends  in  a  great  variety  of  external 
diforders,  as  in^o|cn4tions,^ur£)(S^,  JkMifcs,  fprains,  ulcers, 

&c.  ....... 

He  likcwff©  prepares  with  it  a  Tipmbef  of  other  forms  jof 
medicine,  as  priuftices,  plaftcrs,  ofhtincnts,  poWder5,  (fcj 

Vintgar  of  Rojes^ .  : 

Take  of  red  rofes,  half  a  pound;  ftrong  vinegar:~W$liFa 
gallon.  Infufc  in  a  clofe  vefly  for  fei^cral  weeks,' In  a 
gentle  heat ;  and  then  ftrain  ofF  the  liquor. 

This  is  principally  ufed  as  an  embrocation  for  head*acbs, 

i&C. 

Vinegar  of  Squills.  .  ,  -  . 

Take  of  dried  fquills,  two  ounces  ;  diftilled  vinegar,  two 
pints.  Infufe  for  ten  days  or  a  fortnight  in  a  gentle  degree 
of  heat,  afterwards  ftrain  off  the  liquor,  and  add  to  ix  about 
a  twelfth  pait  its  quantity  of  proof  fpirits. 

This  medicine  has  good  effeils  in  diforders  of  the  brcaft, 
occafioned  by  a  load  of  vifcid  phlegm.  It  is  alfo  of  ufc  ia 
hydropic  cafes  for  promoting  a  difcharge  of  urine. 

The  dofe  is  from  two  drachms  to  two  ounces,  according  to 
the  intention  for  which  it  is  given.  When  intended  to  aft 
as  a  vomit,  the  dofe  ought  to  be  large.  In  other  cafes,  it 
muft  not  o^ly  beexhrbitcd  in  fm all  doles,  but  alfo  mixed  with 
cinnamoa-wa^^r,  or  fome  other  agreeable  aromatic  liqtior^ 
to  prevent  the  oapfea  it  might  otherwife  o^afion* 

§ 

WATERS    BY    I  NFUSIO  N,  Csfr'      ' 

Lime^lVaier. 

yjOUR  two  gallons  of  water  gradually  upon  a  pound'of 
^  frefli  burnt  quicklime;  and  when  the  ebullition  ceafes, 
fiir  them  well  together ;  then  futfcr  the  whole  to  ftand  at 
.reft,  tbat  the  lime  may  fettle,  a^d  afierwards  &lt^r  tb«  U« 
quor  tfaroi^ii  paper,  which  is  io  be  Jcept  in  vciikls  cldtljr 

*  See  Colljrium  of  Ltad. 

the 


702  APPENDIX. 

The  lime-water  from  calcined  03rfter-(hells9  ii  prepared 
in  the  fame  manner. 

Lime-water  is  principally  ufed  for  the  gravel  ;  in  which 
cafe,  from  a  pint  to  two  or  more  of  it  may  be  drunk  daOy. 
Externally  it  is  ufed  for  wafhing  foul  ulcers,  and  removin; 
the.  itch)  and  other  difcafes  of  the  (kin. 

Compound  Ume-fFater. 

Take  (havings  of  guaiacum  wood,  half  a  pound  ;  liqao- 
rice  root,  one  ounce ;  (kflafras  bark,  half  an  ounce;  cori« 
ander  feeds,  three  drachms ;  (imple  lime-water,  fix  pints. 

Infufe  without  heat  for  two  days,  and  then  ftrain  off  the 
liquor. 

In  the  fame  manner  may  lime*water  be  impregnated  widi 

the  virtues  of  other  vegetable  fubftances«  Such  impregnatfoa 

not  only  renders  the  water  more  agreeable  to  the  palate,  but 

'tffo  a  more  efficacious  medicine,  efpecially  i|i  cutaneous  dif- 

•rders,  and  foulnefs  of  the  blood  and  juices. 

It  may  be  taken  in  the  fame  quantity  as  the  firople  water. 

Sublimate  Water. 

Diffblve  eight  grains  of  the  corroilve  fubllmate  in  a  pint  of 
cinnamon*water« 

If  a  ftronger  folution  is  wanted,  a  double  or  triple  quantity 
of  fublimate  may  be  ufed. 

The  principal  intention  of  this  is  to  clean(e  foul  ulcos, 
and  confume  proud  fle(h. 

Styftic  Water. 

,  Take  of  blue  vitriol  and  alum,  each  an  ounce  and  a  half; 
water,  one  pint.  Boil  them  until  the  falts  are  dtflblved, 
then  filter  the  liquor,  and  add  to  it. a  drachm  of  the  fi^xk 
vitriol. 

This  water  is  ufed  for  (lopping  a  bleeding  at  the  nofe,  and 
other  haemorrhages ;  for  which  purpofc  cloths  or  doffils  dipt 
in  it  muft  be  applied  to  the  part. 

Tar  Water. 

Pour  a  gallon  of  water  on  two  pounds  of  Norway  taf^ 
and  ftir  thitm  ftrongly  together  with  a  woodlen  rod :  after 
they  have  fiood  to  fettle  for  two  days,  pour  off  the  water  fsr 
uie.  •  .        ^ 

Theu(b 


SIMPLE  DISTlLLiED  WATERS.     7GJ 

•'Though  tar-water  falls  greatly  (hort  of  the  charaflcr 
tirhich  has  been  given  of  it,  yet  it  poflefles  fome  medicinal 
virtues.  It  fenfibly  raifes  thcpulfe,  increafes  the  fecretions, 
and  fometimes  opens  the  body,  or  occafions^  vomiting. 

A  pint  of  it  may  be  drank  daily,  or  more,  if  the  ftomach 
tzn  bear  it.  It  is  generally  ordered  to  be  taken  on  an  empty 
ftomach,  viz.  four  ounces  morning  and  evening,  and  the 
fame  quantity  about  two  hours  after  breakfaft  and  dinner. 

■  SIMPLE  DISTILLED  WATERS. 

A  Great  number  of  diftilled  waters  were  formerly  kept 
^*  in  the  fhops,  and  are  ftill  retained  in  fome  Difpenfa- 
tories.  But  we  confider  xhem  chiefly  in  the  light  of  grateful 
diluents,  fuitablc  vehicles  for  medicines  of  greater  efficacy^ 
or  fot  rendering  difguftful  ones  more  agreeable  to  the  palate 
and  ftomach.  We  Ihall  therefore  infert  only  a  few  of  thofe 
which  are  beft  adapted  to  thefe  intentions. 

The  management  of  a  ftill  being  now  generally  under* 
ftood,  it  is  needlefs  to  fpend  time  in  giving  diredions  for  that 
purpofe. 

(Cinnamon  JVater. 

Steep  one  pound  of  cinnamon  bark,  bruifcd,  in  a  gallon 
and  a  half  of  water,  and  one  pint  of  brandy,  for  two  days  ^ 
and  then  diftil  oflF  one  gallon. 

This  is  an  agreeable  aromatic  water,  pofleflintr  in  a  high 
degree  the  fragrance  and  cordial  virtues  of  the  fpicc. 

Fennyrcyal  Water. 

Take  of  pennyroyal  leaves,  dried,  a  pound  and  a  half; 
water,  from  a  gallon  and  a  half  to  two  gallons.  Draw  off 
by.diftillaiion  one  gallon. 

This  water  poflcfles,  in  a  confiderable  degree,  the  fmell, 
tafte,  and  virtues  of  the  plant.  It  is  given  in  mixtures  and 
juleps  to  hyfteric  patients. 

An  infufion  of  the  herb  in  boiling  water  anfwers  nearly 
the  fame  purpofes.  ".         . 

Peppermint  Water. 

This  is  made  in  the  fame  manner  as  the  preceding. 

Spearmint  Water. 

This  may  alfo  be  prepared  in  the  fame  way  as  the  penny* 
joyal  water. 


704 


A  P  t^  E  N  P  I  X, 


Both  thefe  arc  \4eful  ftomachic  waters,  and  Will  (oQie 
times  relieve  vooiitijigv  efpecially  when  it  proceeds  from  in 
digeftion,  or  cold  viicid  phlegm.  I'hey  are  likewife  ufefi 
in  fome  colicky  complaints,  the  gout  in  the  fiomach,  iu 
particMJarly  the  peppermint  water. 

An  infufign  of  the  frefli  plant  is  frequeatly  found  to  faav 
the  fiime  efFeds  as  the  diftilled  water. 

Ro/e  JVater. 

Take  of  rofes  frefii  gathered,  fix  pounds;  water,  twc 
gallon^.     Diftil  ofFone  gallon. 

This  water  is  principally  valued  on  account  of  its  fine 
favour. 

Jamaica  Pepper  Water. 

Take  of  Jamaica  pepper,  half  a  pound  |  water^  a  gatfoQ 
and  a  half.     Diftil  off  one  gallon. 

This  is  a  vtry  elegant  diftilled  water,  and  may  in  moft 
^afes  fupply  the  place  of  the  more  cofily  fpice  waters. 

SPIRITUOUS  DISTILLED  WATERS. 

Spirituous  Cinnamon  Water. 

^T^AKE  of  cinnamon  bark,  one  pound;  proof  fpirit,  ani 
-*'   common  water,  of  each  oqc  gallon.   Steep  the  cinnaoMi 
in  the  liquor  for  two  days ;  then  diftil  off  one  gallon. 

Spirituous  Jamaica  Pepper  Water. 

Take  of  Jamaica  pepper,  half  a  pound ;  proof  fpirit,  three 
gallons ;  water,  two  gallons.     Diftil  off  three  gallons. 

This  is  a  fufficiently  agreeable  cordial,  and  may  fupply  dn 
pl^ce  of  the  Aromatic  Water. 

WHEYS. 
Alum  Whey. 

|)OIL  two  drachms  of  powdered  alum  in  a  pint  «|f  milk  til 
^  it  is  curdled  ;  then  ilrain  out  the  whey. 

This  whey  is  beneficial  in  an  immoderate  fipwof  t|ie.«w^f 
and  in  a  diabeteiy  or  exceftiv^  difcharge  of  urine. 

The  dofe  is  two,  three,,  or  four  ounces,  according  as  die 
flomach  will  bear  it,  three  timet  a-day«  If  it  fliOBkl  occa« 
iion  vomiting,  it  may  be  diluted. 

Mujleri 


WINES. 


?oS 


Mujiard  Wh^. 

Take  milk  and  water,  of  each  a  pint;  bruifcd  muflard-i 
feed,  an  ounce  and  a  half.  Boil  them  togciber  till  the  curd 
is  perfe^ly  leparated  j  afterwards  ftrain  the  whey  through  a 
cloth. 

I'his  is  the  mofl  elegant,  and  by  no  means  the  leall  efH- 
cacious  methnd  of  exhibiting  muf^ard.  It  warms  and  invi- 
gorates the  habjt,  and  promotes,  the  different  fecretions. 
Hence,  in  the  low  ftate  of  nervous  fevers,  it  wit!  often  fup- 
plv  the  place  of  wine.  It  is  alfo  of  ufe  in  the  chronic  rheu- 
matilm,  pdlfy,  dropfy,  &c.  The  addition  of  a  little  fugar 
will  render  it  more  agreeable. 

The  dole  is  an  ordinary  tea-cupful  four  or  fiv«  times  a-day. 

Scorbutic  Wbiy. 

Thic  whey  is  made  by  boiling  half  a  pint  of  the  fcorbutie 
juices  in  a  quart  of  cow  s  milk.  More  benefit,  however,  is 
to  be  expe^ed  from  eating  the  plants,  thA  from  their  ex- 
prefled  juices. 

The  fcorbutie  plants  are,  bitter  oranges,  brooklime,  gar- 
den fcurvy-grafs,  and  water- crefles. 

A  number  of  other  wheys  ma)  be  prepared  nearly  in  the 
fame  manner,  as  orange  whey,  cream  of  tartar  whey,  &c. 
Thefe  are  cooling  pleafant  drinks  in  fevers,  and  may  be  ren- 
dered cordial,  when  necelTary,  by  the  addition  of  wine. 

WINES, 

'X'HE  cfFefls  of  wine  are,  to  raife  the  pulfe,  promote  per- 
-'-  fpiration,  warm  the  habit,  and  exhilarate  the  fpirits. 
The  red  wines,  befides  thcfe  etFeiSls,  have  an  aftringcnt  qua- 
lity, by  which  they  (Irengthen  the  tone  of  the  flomach  and 
inteftines,  and  by  this  means  prove  ferviceable  in  reftraining 
immoderate  fecretlons. 

The  thin  {harp  wines  have  a  different  tendency.  They 
pafs  off  freely  by  the  different  emundlories,  and  gently  open 
the  body.  The  cffefls  of  the  full-bodied  wines  arc,  however, 
much  more  durable  than  thofe  of  the  thinner. 

All  fweet  wines  contain  a  glutinous  fubftance,  and  do  not 
pafs  off  freely.  Hence  they  will  heat  the  boJy  more  than  an 
equal  quantity  of  any  other  wine,  though  it  fliould  contain 
fully  as  much  fpirit. 

Z  a  From 


7o6  APPENDIX. 

From  the  obvious  qualities  of  wine^  it  mud  appear  to  be  art 
excellent  cordial  medicine.  Indeed,  to  fay  the  truth,  it  is 
vrorth  all  the  reft  put  together. 

But  to  anfwer  this  charadler  it  muft  be  found  and  good. 
No  benefit  is  to  be  expeded  from  the  common  trafii  that  is 
often  fold  by  the  name  of  wine,  without  poflefling  one  drop 
of  the  juice  of  the  grape.  Perhaps  no  medicine. is  more 
rarely  obtained  genuine  than  wine. 

Wine  is  not  only  ufed  as  a  medicine,  but  is  alfo  eroplojed 
as  a  menjiruum  for  extra£ling  the  virtues  of  other  mcdiciiol 
fubftances ;  for  which  it  is  not  ill  adapted,  being  a  compound 
of  water,  inflammable  fpirit,  and  acid ;  by  which  means  it  is 
enabled  to  adl  upon  vegetable  and  animal  fubftances,  and  alio 
to  didblve  fome  bodies  of  the  metallic  kind,  fo  as  to  impreg- 
nate  itfelf  with  their  virtues,  as  fteel,  antimony,  &c. 

Anthelmintic  Wine. 

Take  of  rhubarb,  half  an  ounce  ;  worm- feed,  anouoce. 
Bruife  them,  adll  infufe  without  heat  in  two  pints  of  red 
port  wine  for  a  few  days,  then  ftrain  ofFthe  wine. 

As  the  ftomachs  of  perfons  afflided  with  worms  are  always 
debilitated,  red  wine  alone  will  often  prove  ferviceable:  it 
murt,  however,  have  flill  better  effedts  when  joined  widi 
bitter  and  purgative  ingredients,  as  in  the  above  form. 

A  glafs  of  this  wine  may  be  taken  twice  or  thrice  a-daj. 

Antimonial  Wine. 

Take  glafs  of  antimony,  reduced  to  a  fine  powder,  half  an 
ounce;  Lifbon  wine,  eight  ounces.  Digeft,  without  heat, 
for  three  or  four  days,  now  and  then  (baking  the  bottle;  af- 
terwards filter  the  wine  through  paper. 

The  dofe  of  this  wine  varies  according  to  the  intention. 
As  an  alterative  and  diaphoretic,  it  may  be  taken  from  ten 
to  fifty  or  fixty  drops.  In  a  larger  dofe  it  generally  proves 
cathartic,  or  excites  vomiting. 

Bitter  Wine. 

Take  of  gentian  root,  yellow  rind  of  leraon-peel,  frcA, 
each  one  ounce  ;  long  pepper,  two  drachms  j  mountain 
wine,  two  pints.  Infufe  without  heat  for  a  week,  and  ftnin 
out  the  wine  for  ufe. 

In  complaints  arifing  from  weaknefs  of  the  ftomacb,  or 
\v\d'\^cft\on^  a  glafs  of  this  wine  may  be  uketi  an  hoor  bdbrc 


WINES.  707 

.  Ipecacuanha  Wine. 

Take  of  ipecacuanha,  in  powder,  one  ounce ;  mountain 
Wine,  a  pint.  Infufe  for  three  or  four  days  \  then  filter  the 
tin<Elure. 

This  is  a  fafe  vomit,  and  anfveers  extremely  well  for  fuch 
perfons  as  caiinpt  fwallow  the  powder,  or  whofe  ftomachs  are 
too  irritable  to  bear  it. 

The  dofe  is  from  one  ounce  to  an  ounce  and  a  half. 

Chalybeate  or  Steel  Wine. 

Take  filings  of  iron,  two  ounces  \  cinnamon  and  rnace^ 
of  each  two  drachms;  Rhenifh  wine,  two  pints.  Infufe  for 
three  or  four  weeks,  frequently  fhaking  the  bottle  \  then 
pafs  the  wine  through  a  filter. 

In  obftrudions  of  the  menfesy  this  preparation  of  iron 
may  be  taken,  in  the  dofe  of  half  a  wine-glafs  twice  or  thrice 
ft- day. 

The  medicine  would  probably  be  as  good  if  made  with 
Lifbon  wine,  iharpened  with  half  an  ounce  of  the  cream  of 
tartar,  or  a  fmall  quantity  of  the  vitriolic  acid. 

Stomach  Wine. 

Take  of  Peruvian  bark,  grofsly  powdered,  an  ounce ; 
cardamom  feeds,  and  orange  peel,  bruifed^  of  each  two 
drachms.  Infufe  in  a  bottle  of  white  port  or  Lifbon  wine 
for  five  or  fix  days ;  then  flrain  ofF  the  wine. 

This  wine  is  not  only  of  fervice  in  debility  of  the  flomach 
and  inteftines,  but  may  alfo  be  taken  as  a  preventive,  by 
perfons  liable  to  the  intermittent  fever,  or  who  refide  in 
places  where  this  difeafe  prevails.  It  will  be  of  ufe  likewife 
to  thofe  who  recover  (lowly  after  fevers  of  any  kind,  as  it 
af£fls  digeftion,  and  helps  to  reflore  the  tone  and  vigour  of 
the  fyflem. 

A  glafs  of  it  may  be  taken  two  or  three  times  a»day« 


2^2  1 


[    708     ] 


GLOSSARY. 


A  LTHOUGH  terms  of  art  have  been  feduloufly  avoided 
•^^  in  the  compofition  of  this  treatife,  it  is  impoffible  en- 
tirely to  banifli  technical  phrafes  when  writing  on  medidnc, 
a  fcience  that  has  been  Icfs  generally  attended  to  by  man- 
kind, and  continues  therefore  to  be  more  infe&ed  witb  the 
jargon  of  the  fchools,  than  perhaps  any  other.  Several  per* 
fons  having  exprefTed  their  opinion  that  a  Gloflary  would 
make  this  work  more  generally  intelligible,  the  following 
concife  explanation  of  the  few  terms  of  art  that  occur,  kas 
been  added  in  compliance  with  their  fentiments,  and  to  ful£l 
the  original  intention  of  this  treatife,  by  rendering  it  intelli*» 
gible  and  ufeful  to  all  ranks  and  clafles  of  mankind. 


A. 

Abdomen.     The  belly. 

Ahforhenti.  Veflcls  that  convey  the  nourifhment  from  the 
inteftines,  and  the  fecreted  fluids  from  the  various  cavi« 
ties  into  the  mafs  of  blood. 

Acrimony,     Corrofive  {harpnefs. 

Acute,  A  difeafe,  the  fymptoms  of  which  are  violent,  and 
tend  to  a  fpeedy  termination^  is  called  acute. 

Adult.     Of  mature  age. 

Adujl,     Dry,  warm. 

Antifpafmodic,     Whatever  tends  to  prevent  or  remove  fpafm. 

Aphtha.     Small  whitifh  ulcers  appearing  in  the  mouth. 

AflriSfion,     A  tightening,  or  leflening. 

Atrabilarian,  An  epithet  commonly  applied  to  people  of  a 
certain  temperament,  marked  by  a  dark  complexioo, 
black  hair,  fpare  habit,  &c.  which  the  ancients  fuppofed 
to  arife  from  the  atra  bilisy  or  the  black  bile. 


A     GLOSSARY.  709 


BUe,  er  Gall.  A  fluid  which  is  fecreted  by  the  liver  into  the 
gall-bladder,  and  from  thence  pafles  into  the  inteftines^ 
in  order  to  promote  digeftion. 

C. 

Cacachymie.     An  unhealthy  ftaie  of  the  body. 

Caries.     A  rottennefs  of  a  bone. 

ChjU.     A  milky  fluid  feparated  from  the  aliment  in  the  in- 

teftines,  and  conveyed  by  the  abforbents  into  the  blood 

to  fupply  the  waflc  of  the  animal  body. 
Chronic.     A  difeafe  whofe  progrefs  is  flow,  in  oppolltion  to 

Circulation.  The  motion  of  the  blood,  which  is  driven  by 
the  heart  through  the  arteries,  and  returns  by  the  veins. 

Comatoft.      Sleepy, 

CsngUbaU  Gland.     A  (imple  gland, 

Conglomerait.     A  compound  gland. 

Contap'on.     Infedious  matter. 

Cutis.     The  fliin. 

Cutaneous.     Of  or  belonging  to  the  (kin. 

Crifis.  A  certain  period  in  the  progrefs  of  a  difeafe,  from 
whence  a  decided  alteration  cither  for  the  better  or  the 
worfe  takes  place. 

Critical.     Decifive  or  important. 

Critical  Days.  The  fourth,  fifth,  feventh,  ninth,  eleventh, 
thirteenth,  fourteenth,  feventeenth,  and  twenty-firft, 
are  by  fame  authors  denomimited  critical  days,  becaufe 
febrile  complaints  have  been  obferved  to  take  a  decifive 
change  at  thefe  periods. 

D. 
Debility.     Weaknefs. 

Delirium.     A  temporary  diforder  of  the  mental  faculties. 
Diaphragm.     A  membrane  feparating  the  cavity  of  the  cheft 

from  that  of  the  belly. 
Diuretic.     A  medicine  that  promotes  the  fecretion  of  urine. 
Drajlic.     Is  applied  to  fuch  purgative  medicines  as  are  vic> 

lent  or  harlh  in  their  operation. 

E. 
Empyema.     A  colle^ion  of  purulent  matter  in  the  cavity  of 
the  bread. 

Z  z  3  Endemic, 


7IO  A     GLOSSARY. 

Endemie.     A  difeafe  peculiar  to  a  certain  dtftrid  of  country. 
Epidemic.     A  difeafe  generally  infedious, 
Sxaarbation.     The  increafe  of  any  difeafe. 

F. 

Faeces.     Excrements. 

Foetid.     Emittine  an  offenfive  fmell. 

Fatui.     The  Child  before  birth,  or  when  born  before  tbf 

proper  period,  is  thus  termed. 
Flatulent.     Producing  wind. 
Fungus.     Proud  fle(h. 

G, 

Gangrene.     Mortification. 

«»j/w<7  a.  I  y^ijgfg^i  cxcrcfcences, 
Ganglia.     \  ' 

Gymna/lic.     Exercife  taken  with  a  view  to  prefcrvc  or  rc^ 

ftore  health. — The  ancient  phyficians  reckoned  this  ai^ 

important  branch  of  medicine, 

H. 

He^ic  Fever.     A  flow  confuming  fever,  generally  attending 

a  bad  habit  of  body,  or  fome  incurable  and  deep  rooted 

difeafe. 
Hemorrhoids.     The  piles. 
Hamorrhage.     Difcharge  of  blood. 
Hypochondriacifm.     Low  fpirits. 
Hypochondriac  vifcera.     The  liver,   fpleen,  &c.    fo  termed 

from  their  ntuation  in  the  hypochondria  or  upper  lod 

lateral  parts  of  the  belly. 

L 

Ichor.     Thin  bad  matter. 
Impojlhume.     A  collection  of  purulent  matter. 
Jnffammation*     A  furcharge  of  blood,  and  an  increafrd  adio^ 
of  the  veflcls,  in  any  particular  part  of  fbe  body. 

L, 

Ligature.     Bandage. 
Lixivium.     Ley. 

M. 

Miliarf  Eruption.     Eruption  of  finall    puftiilct  rdefliUiog 


A      GLOSSARY.  711 

Morhific.     Caufing  diTeafe,  or  difeafed. 
Mucus*     1  he  matter  difcharged  from  the  nofe,  lungs,  &c. 
Myfintcry.     A  double  membrane  which  conneds  the  intef- 
tines  to  the  back  bone. 

N. 
Nervous,     Irritable. 
Naujea.     An  inclination  to  vomit. 

f7odes.     Enlargements  of  the  bones  produced  by  the  venereal 
difeafe. 

P. 

PeSforaL     Medicines  adapted  to  cure  di.ieafes  of  the  breail. 
Pelvis.     The  bones  fituated  at  the  lower  part  of  the  trunk  ; 

thus  named  from  their  refembling  in  fome  meafure  a 

bafon. 
Peritonaeum.     A  membrane  lining  the  cavity  of  the  belly  and 

covering  the  intedines. 
Pericardium.     Membrane  containing  the  heart* 
Perfpiration.     1  he  matter  difcharged  from  the  pores  of  the 

fkm  in  form  of  vapour  or  fweat. 
Phlogijicn.     Is  here  ufed  to  fignify  fomewhiat  rendering  the 

air  unfit  fcr  the  purpofes  of  refpiration* 
Phlegmatic.     Watery,  relaxed. 
Plethoric.     Rtplete  with  blood. 
Polypus.     A  d ilea  fed  cxcrefcence,  or  a  fubftance  formed  of 

coagulable  lymph,  frequently  found  in  the  large  blood 

vcfiels. 
Pus.     Matter  contained  in  a  boil; 

R. 

Regimen.     Regulation  of  diet. 

Re£lum.     The  ftraight  gut,   in  which  the  foeces  are  con- 
tained. 
Refpiration.     The  afl  of  breathing. 

S. 

Saliva.     The  fluid  fecreted  by  the  glands  of  the  mouth. 
Sanies.     A  thin  bad  matter,  difcharged  from  an  ill  condi- 
tioned fore. 
Schirrhous.     A  ftate  of  difeafcd  hardnefs. 
Slough.     A  part  feparated  and  thrown  off  by  fuppuration. 
Spajm.     A  difeafed  contraction. 
$^ine.     The  back  bone. 

Zz  4  Styptic* 


gencruiy  rncconca  lour,  viz.  ids  unguincg 
the  tnelaacholict  and  the  i^Iegmatic. 


Vertigo.     Giddinefs. 

Vlctr.     An  ill  conditioned  fore. 

Ureltrs.     Two  long  and  fmall  canals  which  con 

from  the  kidneys  to  the  bladder. 
Urtibra.    The  canal  which  conveys  the  urii 

Madder. 


I     N     D     E     X. 


A. 

jiBLUTIONSy  Jcwilh  and  Mahometan,  well  calculated  for  ibe 

■^  prefervation  of  health,   103. 

Abortion^  caules  and  fymptotns  of,  531.  Means  of  prevention, 
532.      Proper  treatment  in  the  cafe  of,  ibid, 

Abfcejfes^  how  to  be  treated,  308.  573. 

jiccidents*     See  Ca/uahiei, 

Acids,  of  peculiar  i'ervice  in  confumptions,  183.  In  putrid  fe» 
vers,   199.     Not  fuitable  to  the  meaflei,  242. 

Acidities  in  the  bowels  of  iofants>  the  origin^ of,  548.  Method 
of  cure,  549. 

Ackijucriht  foundling  hofpltal  at,  caufe  of  the  children  there  be- 
ing fHifted  with  fcabbed  heads,  and  fatal  confequences  of 
their  ill  treatment,  555,  note> 

Addi/on,  his  remark  on  the  luxury  of  the  table,  9^. 

^iher,  very  ferviceable  in  removing  fits  of  the  allhma,  409.  It 
excellent  for  flatulencies,  444. 

JEtbiops  mineral,  ftrongly  recommended  by  Dr.  Cheyne  in  in* 
fiammations  of  the  eyes,  263. 

Africans^  their  treatment  of  children,  11,  nott. 

Agaric  of  the  oak,  its  merit  as  a  llyptic,  577.  Method  of  gather- 
ing, preparing,  and  applying  it,  ibid,  note. 

j^^/V»//»rr,  a  healthful,  conftant,  and  profiuble  employment,  48. 
is  too  much  negleded  in  favour  of  manufadtures,  ibid.  Gar- 
dening the  moil  wholefomeamnfement  for  fedentary  perfons,  53. 

Aguey  a  fpeciesof  fever  no  perfon  can  miftake,  and  the  proper  me- 
dicine for,  generally  known,  147.  Caufesof,  148.  Synoptoms, 
ibid.  Regimen  for,  ibid.  Under  a  proper  regimen  will  often 
go  off,  without  medicine,  150.  Medical  treatment  of,  151. 
Often  degenerates  into  obftinate  chronical  difeafes,  if  not  ra- 
'dically  cured,  154.  Peruvian  bark  the  only  medicine  to  be  re- 
lied on  in,  155..  Children  how  to  be  treated  in,  ibid.  Pre- 
ventive medicine  for  thofe  who  live  in  marihy  countries,  156. 

^ir,  confined,  poifonous  to  children,  30.  A  free  open  air  will 
fometimes  core  the  moft  obfUnate  diforders  in  children,  33.  Oc- 
cupations which  injure  the  health  by  nnwholefome  air«  37. 40. 


"INDEX- 

The  qualities  of>  a£l  more  fenfibly  on  the  body,  than  is  gene- 
rally imagined,  75.  Thefeveral  noxious  quaJicics  of,  fpeciiied, 
ibiJ,  In  large  cities,  polluted  by  various  circumltances,  76. 
The  air  in  churches,  how  rendered  un^  holefome,  ibid.  Houfes 
ought  to  be  vrntilated  daily,  78.  The  danger  attending  fmall 
apartments,  ibid.  Perfons  whofc  bu/lnefs  confines  them  to  town 
ought  to  deep  in  the  country,  ibid.  High  walls  obftruft  the  free 
current  cfair,  79.  Trees  fhould  not  be  planted  too  near  to 
houfes,  ibid,  Frclh  air  peculiarly  nece^ary  for  the  fick,  80.  The 
lick  in  hofpitals  in  more  danger  from  the  wane  of  frefh  air»  thao 
from  their  diforders,  ibid,  Wholefomenefs  of  the  morning  air, 
84.  The  changeablenefs  of,  one  great  caufe  of  catching  cold, 
126.  Thofe  who  keep  mod  within  doors,  the  moll  fcntbltof 
thefe  changes,  127.  Of  the  night,  to  be  carefully  guarded 
againft,  128.  Frefh  air  often  of  more  cfHcacy  in  dileaies  than 
medicine,  139.  Itb  importance  in  fever?,  145.  160.  States  of, 
liable  to  produce  putrid  fcers,  199.  Mufi  be  kept  coolaad 
frefh  in  fick  chambers  under  this  cilorder,  199.  Cbangeof,ODe 
of  the  mcft  efFcdual  remedies  for  the  hooping-cough,  i8j.  The 
qualities  of,  a  material  confideration  forafthiratic  patients,  40$* 
The  various  ways  by  which  it  may  be  rendered  noxious,  614. 
Confined^  how  to  try,  and  pnrify,  ibid.  Method  of  recoverii^ 
perfons  poifoned  by  foul  air,  615.  Frefh,  of  the  greateft  ia- 
portancein  fainting  £t5,  622. 
Jitken^  Mr.  his  treatife  on  the  nature  and  core  of  fraAores,  re- 
commended, 594,  note, 
AUali^  cauilic,  recommended  in  the  flone,  327.     How  to  prepare 

it,  ibid.  fiQtc* 
Aliment  is  capable  of  changing  the  whole  conflitotion  of  the  body, 
62.  Will  in  many  cafes  anfwer  ^^tx^  intention  in  the  cere  of 
difeafes,  ibid.  The  calls  of  hunger  and  thirfl,  fufncient  for  re- 
gulating the  duequanciiy  of,  63.  The  quality  of,  how  injared, 
ibid,  A  due  mixture  of  vegetables  necefl'iry  with  our  aoiBil 
food,  6;;.  To  what  the  bad  effects  of  tea  are  priDcipalljr  owiagj 
65.  Water,  good  and  bad,  diflingulfhed,  66.  Inqoiryioto 
the  qualities  of  fermented  liquors,  with  inflro6Uons  four  ihedae 
making  cf  them,  69.  The  qualities  of  good  bread,  and  wbf 
adulterated  by  bakers,  70.  General  rules  forthecbotce  of  food, 
ibid.  Ought  not  to  be  tco  uniform^  71.  Meals  ooght  to  Ik 
taken  at  regular  times,  72.  Long  fafling  injaricot  iMh  toold 
and  young,  73.  Breakfafls  and  fuppers,  ibid.  Changet  of  diet 
ought  to  be  gradually  made,  74. 
Amaurojis,     See  Guttaferena, 

American  Indians,  their  method  of  coring  thefenerealdifealey  ^xy 
Amufements^   fedentary,    improper  for  fedentary   perlbas»    5K 

Ought  always  to  be  of  an  adtve  kind,  85. 
Anafarca,     See  Dropjy, 
Anger ,  v\o\tTvx.  ^\^  ^^ , \tv\tjx\ti^^ v»  tHe  con (littttiOD^  lis*    Tria* 


INDEX. 

4ntmal  food,  caolioni  in  giving  it  to  children,  1 8.  ^  Animalt  that 
die  of  thcmfelvcs,  unfit  for  food,  63.  Overdriven  cattle  ren- 
dered anwholefome,  64.  The  artifices  of  butchers  evpofed* 
65.     Too  great  a  quantity  of,  generates  the  fcurvy,  ibid, 

4nimals2iTi6.  plants,  the  analogy  in  the  nouriihnient  of,  ftated,  94. 

^nibony*^  fire,  St,     See  Eryfiptltu. 

4pbtha,     See  Tbrujb. 

/ifo^lexy^  who  moll  liable  to  this  diforder,  410.  Caufes,  ihiJ. 
Symptoms  and  method  of  cure,  41 1.  Cautions  to  perfons  of 
an  apopledtic  make,  413. 

Apotbecaries  weights,  a  table  of,  653.  ' 

AppartL     See  Clothing, 

Jppetiti,  want  of,  caufes  and  remedies  for,  417. 

/Irbutbnot,  Dr.  his  advice  in  the  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  172. 
His  advice  for  perfons  troubled  with  coftivencfs,  415,  note. 

Arfenic^  the  efFefts  of,  on  the  ftomach,  474,  Medical  treat- 
ment when  the  fymptoms  appear,  ibid. 

Arts,     Sec  ManufaBures, 

A/cites,     Sec  Drop/y, 

Ajffes  milk,  why  it  fcldom  docs  any  good,  179.  Inftro^ons  for 
taking  it,  ibid,  ^ 

AJibma,  the  different  kinds  of  this  diforder  diftinguiflied,  with  its 
caufes,  406.  Symptoms,  407.  Regimen, /^/V.  Medical  treat- 
ment, 408.     Remedies  proper  in  the  moift  aflbma,  409. 

^Ono/phere,     See  Air, 

B. 

palVs  purging  verraifoge  powder,  preparation  of,  369» 

Bal/ams^  how  to  prepare.  Anodyne  balfam,  657,  Locatelli's 
balfam,  ibid.     Vulnerary  balfam,  ibid, 

JBandagts,  tight,  prodyce  moflof  thebad  confequences  attending 
fractured  bones,  595. 

Sark,  Peruvian,  the  beft  antidote  for  failors  again fl  diforders  on  a 
foreign  coaft,  47.  How  to  be  admin Iftered  in  the  ague,  151. 
DiflinAion  between  the  red  bark  and  quill  bark,  ibid,  nott,  A 
deco£lion  or  infuiion  of,  may  be  taken  by  thofe  who  cannot 
fwallow  it  in  fubftance,  153.  Is  often  adulterated,  ibid,  note. 
Is  the  only, medicine  to  be  depended  on  in  agues,  jc^.  How 
it  may  be  rendered  more  palatable, /^/V;  May  be  adminiilered 
by  clyfter,  156.  Cold  water  the  bed  menflruum  for  extraAing 
the  virtues  of  this  drug,  1S5.  How  to  be  adminiftered  in  the 
putrid  itvtr^  202  ;  and  in  the  eryfipelas,  252.  In  an  inflam- 
mation of  the  eyes,  263.  Its  efficacy  in  a  malignant  quinfey, 
274.  In  the  hooping-cough,  288.  A  good  medicine  in  vo- 
miting, when  it  proceeds  from  weaknefs  of  the  ftomach,  317. 
Its  efiicacy  in  a  diabetes,  and  hbw  to  take  it,  321.  Is  good 
againll  the  piles,  336  ;  and  worms,  36S.  Its  ufe  dangerous 
ior  preventing  a  fit  of  the  goet,  385.  A  good  remedy  in  the 
Jjl^ing's  evil,  401 ;  and  in  the  f tor  albuj,  529, 

Barley 


INDEX. 

Barley  W2ter>  how  madcy   165. 

Barnnnfji  in  women^  the  general  caufes  af,  542.    .  Coarfeof  re 

lief,  543.     Dr.  Cbeyne's  obfervacions  on,  ibid.  note. 
Bath  waters,  good  in  the  gout,  386. 

Bathy  cold,  the  good  eifeds  of,  on  children,  29.  Recommende 
to  the  fludious,  62.  Is  peculiarly  excellent  for  (Lrengcheniii 
the  nervous  fyfleni,  425.  Therefore  (hould  never  be  omxttei 
in  gleets,  501.  Is  good  for  rickety  children,  564.  Cautioc 
concerning  the  improper  ufe  of,  in  adults,  633  —  639. 
Bath^  warm,  of  great  iervice  in  an  inflammation  ct  rhe  flomach,  zoi 
Bathings  a  religious  duty  under  the  Judaic  and.  Mahometan  lawt 

103.     Is  conducive  to  health,  104. 
^^/irj  foot,  recommended  as  a  powerful  remedy  again  (I  worms,  369. 
Beds,  inHead  of  being  made  up  again  as  foon  as  perfons  rife  frco 
them,  ought  to  be  turned  down  and  expofed  to  the  air,  77.   Bad 
effeds  of  too  great  indulgence  in  bed,  84.     Damp,  the  daoger 
of,  128.     Soft,  are  injurious  to  the  kidneys,   320.  324. 
Betrj  the  ill  confequences  of  making  it  too  weak,  69.     Perni- 
cious artifices  of  the  dealers  in,  ibid, 
^f///,pari(h,the  tolling  them  for  ihedead,a  dangerous  cuHom,!]!. 
Biles,   57c. 

Bilious  colic,  fy mptoms  and  treatment  of,  298. 
Bilious  it\tT.     See  Fever. 
Bite  of  Si  mad  dog.     See  Dog,       ''     '    . 

Bitters,  warm  and  aflringent,  antidotes  to  ague.%    i  j;  i.     Arc  fc:- 
viceable  in  vomiting  when  it  proceeds  from  weaknefs  in  the 
ftomach,  317. 
Bladder,  inflammation  of,  its  general  caufes^  305.     Medical 

treatment  of,  iHd. 
Bladdir,  flone  in.     See  Stone. 
Blaft^     See  Eryjipelas, 

Bleeding t  cautions  for  the  operation  of,  in  fevers,  1 46.  In  the  Mgfi% 
150.    Its  importance  in  the  acute  continual  fever,  161.    In  the 
pleurify,  166.  When  neceflary  in  an  inflammation  of  the  lungs, 
173.    Caution  againd.  in  a  nervous  it^/tT,  192.     In  the  putrid 
fever,  201.    In  the  miliary  fever,  209.    When  neceflary  io  the 
fmall-pox,  221.   When  ufeful  in  the  meafles,  243.    When  ne- 
ceiTary  in  the  bilious  fever,  247.     Under  what  circumflances 
proper  in  the  eryfipelas,  251.     Mode  of,  proper  in  an  inOam- 
mation  of  the  brain,  257.    Ts  always  neceiiaryin  an  infiimma- 
tion  of  the  eyts,  261.  When  proper,  and  improper,  in  a  cough, 
aSo.    When  proper  in  the  hooping-cough,  285.    Is  almoft  the 
only  thing  to  be  depended  on  in  an  inflammation  of  the  llomacb, 
290.     And  in  an  inflammation  of  the  inteftines,  292.     Is  ne- 
cefTary  in  an  inflammation  of  the  kidneys*  303.     lu  ufe  in  a 
fupprefCon  of  urine,  323.    Is  proper  in  an  ailhma,  409.   Is  dan- 
gerous in  fainting  fits,  without  due  caution,  44a.  Cautions  pro- 
per in  the  puerperal  hytr,  539.    Is  an  operaudn  generally  pcr- 
ibrmed  by  perfons  who  do  not  aaderftand  when  it  b  proper*  570. 

Iq 


I     N     D     E      X. 

tn  wbu  cafei  it  ongfat  to  be  had  recouHe  to,  iitd.  The  qain. 
tity  taken  away,  how  to  be  regulated,  571.  General  rule*  for 
the  operation,  ibiJ.  Objeflkins  to  bleedine  by  leechei,  572. 
Prevailing  prejudice  relating  to  bleeding,  iiid.  The  arm  the 
ttioft  Gommodioat  part  10  take  blood  from,   57]. 

SittJing  at  the  nofe,  fpontanroag,  ii  of  more  fervice,  where  bleed- 
ing it  necc^ary,  thin  the  operation  with  the  lancet,  311. 
Ought  not  to  be  flopped  without  due  cOQfideratioa.j^W.  How 
to  (lop  it  when  neceilary,  332.  Cautions  to  prevent  freqneat 
fcturDjof,   354. 

fiiW  perfoD!,  when  born  To,  might  be  educated  toemployment* 
fuited  to  their  capacity,  4;6,  nati, 

^/^<r/,  peculiarly  advanugeooa  in  ihe  nervous  fever,  192.  When 
only  to  be  applied  in  the  putrid  fever,  zoi.  When  proper  in 
the  miliary  fever,  109.  Seldom  fail  to  remove  the  moft  obSJ- 
nate  inflammation  ol  the  eyes,  z6i.  A  good  remedy  in  the 
quinfey,  269.  Proper  for  a  violent  hooping  cough,  z88.  Is 
one  of  the  Mil  remedlra  for  an  inflammation  of  the  Homach, 
291,     Are  efficacious  in  the  tooth-ach,  3^9. 

SicBd,  involnntary  difchargei  of,  often  falutary,  and  ought  not 
to  be  ralhly  flopped,  329.  The  feveral  kinds  of  thefe  dif- 
charges,  with  their  ufual  caufu,  ibiJ.    Methods  of  cure,  330. 

Shod,  fpitting  of,  who  mofl  fubjcQ  to,  and  at  what  feafons,  337. 
Its  caufcs  ihid.  Symptom],  339.  Proper  regimen  in,  ibid. 
Medical  treatment,  340.   Cauiionsforperfonsfubjeil  toit,  3  +  1. 

Biacd,  vomiting  of,  its  caufes  and  fymptoms,  34I.  Medical 
treatment,   341. 

Blood-^oirye,   how  to  cure,  450. 

SiaeJj-Rax.     See  Dyfinitrj. 

BteTbawve,  hi&  obfervatiQii  on  drefi,  93,  ««//.  His  mechanical 
expedients  to  relieve  an  inflammation  of  the  brain,  156.  --.\ 

Balujti,  general  rules  for  the  preparing  of,  658.  The  altriogent 
bolus,  ibid.  Diaphoretic  botus,  i^V.  Mercarial  bolus,  I'^iV. 
Bolus  of  rhubarb  and  mercary,  659.  Rdoral  bolus,  ibid. 
Purging  bolus,  ihid. 

Santi,  the  exfoliation  of,  a  very  flow  operation,  583.  Bone:, 
broken,  often  (uccefifully  undertaken  by  ignoraa;  operator!, 
51,  J.  Regimen  to  be  adopted  after  the  accident,  C94,  Hints 
of  conduct  if  (he  patientii  cnnfitied  to  his  bed,  ibid.  Clean- 
linefs  to  be  regarded  during  this  confinement,  995.  'The  limb 
IIOI  to  b^kepc  continually  on  the  Aretch,  ibid.  C:iution>  to 
be  obferved  in  fetting  a  bone,  ibid.  Tight  bandages  con- 
demned, 596.  How  to  keep  the  limb  fteady  b/  an  eafy  me- 
thod, ibid.     Fraftures  of  the  ribs,  iiid. 

Bmuili,  inflammation  of.     Si:e  Sitmaeb. 

B»ji,  the  military  exercife  proper  for  them,  j6. 

Braidntioed,  Mr.  his  fkillin  teaching  (he dumb  tofpeak,  461,  M'r. 

Brain,  inflammation  of,  who  molt  liable  to  it,  with  its  caufes 

«od  ijrmf  loms,  354.   Regimen,  156.  Medical  trcatmeni.  z;7. 

X  Brtad, 


1      N     D      B      X. 

Muad,  proper  food  for  children,  as  fooa  as  they  can  cktw  if,  i«« 

Acruft  of,  tbe  bcft  gum.(\ick>  ihiJ,  The  beft  ncxUt  of  pre- 
paring  it  in  food  for  cbildren,  i8.  Gook},  tbe  qualities  of, 
and  for  what  purpoie  adohcrated  by  the  bakers,  70.  1  oa/lcd, 
a  decoAion  of,  good  to  check  the  ? oioitiag  in  a  iMtrm  mtr- 
busy  310. 

Brimft§ni*     See  Sulpbmr. 

JBroti,  gelatinous,  recommended  in  the  dyfenfry,  how  to  make, 

347- 
Brui/es,  why  of  worfe  confequence  than^  wounds,  ^82.    Proper 

treatment  of,  ibiJ,     The  exfoliation  of  injured  bones  a  rerr 

flow  operation,  5SV  How  to  cure  fores  occafioned  by,  rW. 
Buhois,   two  kinds  of,    diftinguiflied,  with   their  proper  trtit- 

ment,  (^04. 
BairdenSt  heavy,  injurious  to  the  lungs,  40* 
BurgmHify  pitch,  a  plafter  of,  between  the  fhonlders,  an  excelleat 

remedy  in  a  cough,  281.     In  a  hooping-cough,  a88.     Aoi 

for  children  in   teething,  560. 
Burials,  the  dangers  Attending  their  being  allowed  in  the  midi 

of  populous  towns,  76. 
BurnSf  flight,  how  to  cure,  580.     Treatment  of,  when  violent, 

ibid.     Extraordinary  cafe  of,  581.     Liniment  for,  680. 
BmtcbirSf  their  profeflional  artifices  explained,  and  condemned,  6;. 
Bjitter  ought  to  be  very  fparingly  given  to  childreo,  21. 

C. 

Cabbage  leaves,  topical  application  of,  in  a  plcarify,  i6j. 

Camphor t  why  of  little  ufe  in  eye- waters,  663. 

Camphorated  oW^  preparation  of,  684. 

Camphorated  fpirit  of  wine,  699. 

Camp*,,  the  greateft  neceffity  of^confulting  cleanlinefs  in,  103. 

CanceTf  its  different  Hages  defcribed,  with  the  prododrg  ca«ibf 
466.  Symptoms,  467.  Regimen,  and  medical  treataenr, 
468.  Dr.  Storck's  method  of  creating  this  difbrder,  469. 
Cautions  for  avoiding  it,  472. 

Cancer  fcroti,  a  diforderpeculiar  tochimney-fwcepers,  owing  to 

want  of  cleanlinefs,  ico,  n§t§. 
Carriages f  the  indnlgence  of,  a  facriiice  of  health  to  vanity,  81. 
Carroty  wild,  recommended  in  the  Hone,  328. 
Carrot  poultice  for  cancers,  hew  to  prepare,  471. 
Cmfualties^  which  apparently  put  an  end  to  life^  aeceilarj  €fi« 

tions  refpeding,  600.  608.  613.  631* 
.  fnbftances  Itoppediin  the  g«llet»  602. 

■  I  drowning,  609. 

>■  —  noxious  vapours^  613. 

■  extremity  of  cold,  61 6* 
extreme  heat,  618. 


Coioplajms,  their  general  intentios,  659.     Prepmmioa  of  fit 
dilctttttftc  catapl^,  ibid.    Ripeabg  caia^ate^  sM. 

IL  CsUrtS, 


INDEX. 

CateraB,  the  diforder  and  il)  proper  treitmcDt  dcfcrtbed,  4;S. 

CaiiU,  ftiUred,  are  unwholefcime  food,  6^.     Over-driven,  art 

killed  in  a  high  fever,  ibid.     The  artifices  of  butcheri  ex> 

£(ed,  6;. 
ri,  long  fhut,  ought  to  be  cantSoully  opened,  7S.     Aod 
funic  floriea  of  houfes,   unhralihy  to  live  in,   i]0.     OfKquori 
in  a  Hate  of  fernienticioD,  dangerous  to  enter,  614.     How  to 
purify  the  air  in,  ibid. 

Ctl/ni,  hi)  rules  for  the  prefervation  of  health,   134. 

Cbaucrii,  defcribcd,  ;o6.  Primary,  how  to  treat,  ibiJ.  Symp- 
(omatic,  507.  _ 

Chartaai  &Te,  the  danger  of  fleeping  in  thcfumeof,  dtj. 

Charifj,  the  proper  exercife  of,  43. 

CbtjHt,  Dr.  hisperfuafive  to  the  ufe  of  exercife,  8j.  Hiijndg- 
jnent  of  the  due  quantity  of  urine,  not  to  tw  relied  on,  114. 
Strongly  recpinmcndi^thiops  mineral  in  inflammatioBaofthe 
eyes,   163.     Hisobfervations  onbarretincfs,   {43,  aof*, 

Cbilblaini,  caufe  of,  ;;6.     How  to  cure,  ibid. 

Child  Ud  women,  how  to  be  treated  under  a  miliary  fever,  no. 

Chili-bid  fever.     See  Frvcr. 

Child  birth,  the  feafon  of,  requires  due  t:are  after  the  labour  pain* 
are  over,  533,  Medical  advice  to  women  in  labour,  J34.  JII 
effe£)«of  colledinganumberof  wometion  fuch  occafions,  53;, 
MMt.  How  to  guard  igainft  the  miliary  fever,  538.  Symptoroa 
of  the  puerperal  fever,  ibid.  Proper  treatment  of  this  fever, 
510.     General  cautioni  for  women  at  thi)  feafon,  54  r,  '541. 

Chitdren,  their  difeafes  generally  acute,  and  delay  dangerous,  6. 
Theirdiforderslefscomplicated,  and  eafier  cured,  thanthofeof 
adulta,  ibid.  Are  often  theheirjofihedifesfesof  [heir  parents, 
7,  Thofe  born  of  difeafed  parents,  require  peculiar  care  ia 
the  nurfing,  3.  Arc  often  Itilled  or  deformed  by  injudiciona 
clothing,  ibid.  How  treated  in  Africa,  11,  n»c.  Theafual 
canfes  of  deformity  in,  explained,  ibid.  Their  clothes  ought 
(O  be  faftened  on  with  (Iringj,  13,  General  rule  for  clothing 
them,  14.  Cleanlinefs  an  important  article  in  their  drefs, 
ibid.  The  millc  of  the  mother  the  molt  natural  food  for,  ic. 
Abfurdity  of  giving  them  drugs  as  their  lirA  food,  16.  The 
beft  method  of  expelling  the  mttenium,  ibid.  How  they  ought 
to  be  weaned  from  the  bieaft,  17.  A  cruft  of  bread  the  beS 
gum-ftick  for  them,  ibid.  How  10  prepare  bread  in  their 
food,  iS.  Cautions  as  to  giving  them  animal  food,  itid. 
Cautions  as  to  the  quantity  of  their  food,  ibid.  Errors  in  the 
(jualiiy  of  their  food  more  frequent  than  in  the  quaniitv,  ig. 
The  food  of  ad  nits  improper  for  children,  ibid.  Sirting  li- 
<]uorsexpofe  them  to  inRammatory  diforders,  ibid.  Ill  efefla 
of  unripe  fruit,  20.  Butter,  zi.  Honey,  a.  wholefome  arti- 
cle of  food  for  them,  ibid.  The  importance  of  exercife  to 
promote  their  growth  and  ftrcngih,  ihid.  Rules  for  their  ex. 
crcife,  aa.  l*overty  of  parents  occafiona  their  nrgleA  of  chil- 
dren. 


INDEX. 

dren,  23.  The  ntilicy  of  exercife  demonftrated  from  tbeoi'- 
^anical  flrufture  of  children ,  24.  Philofophicai  argnmetts 
ihewing  the  necefiity  of  exercife,  ibid  Ought  not  (o  be  lent 
to  fchool  too  foon,  25.  Nor  be  put  too  foon  to  labour,  2%^ 
DanciDe.  an  excellent  exercife  for  them,  29.  The  cold  bach, 
ibid.  Want  of  v^holefome  air  deftrudlive  to  children,  30.  To 
wrap  thtm  up  clofe  in  cradles,  pernicious,  32.  Are  treated 
like  plants  in  a  hot-houfe,  ibid.  The  afual  faulty  cundo&of 
mirfes  pointed  out,  34.  Are  cramnsed  with  cordiab  by  in- 
dolent nurfes,  35.  Eruptions  ignorantly  treated  by  nnrics, 
thid.  Loofe  Houls,  the  proper  treatment  of,  ibid.  Every 
method  ought  to  be  taken  to  make  them  ftrong  and  hardy,  37, 
Indications  of  the  fmall -pox  in,  214. 
CbincoMgh.  See  Cough, 
CboUra  morbus,  the  diforder  defined,  with  its  caufes  and  fymp- 

toms,  309.     Medical  treatment,  310. 
Churches^  the  fevcral  circumftances  that  render  the  air  io,  ob« 

wholrfome,  76. 
Ciurcbing  of 'women  after  lying-in,  a  dangerous  caftom,  542. 
Church- yards ^  the  bad  confequeocet  of  having  them  in  Iai]ge 

towns,  'j^}. 
Cities^  lar;;e,  the  air  in,  contaminated  by  various  means,  76.  The 
bad  effe^s  of  burying  the  dead  in,  ibid.     Houfes  ought  to  be 
ventilated  daily,  77.     Thedaneer  attending  fmall  apartments, 
78.    All  who  can  ought  to  fleep  in  the  country,  Hid,    Diferdcrs 
that  large  towns  are  peculiarly  hurtful  to,  79.     Cleanlineft 
not  fufficiently  attended  to  in,  loi.     Should  be  fupplied  with 
plenty  of  water,  105,  molt.     The  beil  means  tp  guard  agaicft 
infeiHion  in,   109. 
Cian^  Mr.  his  method  of  applying  faline  preparations  of  neicsry 

in  venereal  cafes,  512. 
CUanlinefs,  an  important  article  of  attention  in  the  ^tt{%  of  chil- 
dren, 14;  and  to  i'edentary  artiAs,  52.  Finery  in  dreis  oAea 
covers  dirt,  93.  Is  neceflary  to  health,  1 00.  Diforderi  origi* 
nating  from  the  want  of,  ibid.  Is  not  fufficiently  attended  to  ia 
large  towns>  101.  Nor  by  country  peafants,  102.  Great  atten- 
tion paid  to,  by  the  ancient  Romans,  ibid.  m^u.  Neceifity  of 
confulciPg  cleanlineffr  in  camps,  103.  Was  the  principal  objcd 
of  the  whole  fyftem  of  che  Jewiih  laws,  ///</.  Is  a  great  part  of 
the  religion  of  the  Eaflern  countries,  ibid.  Bathing  and  waih« 
ing  grratiy  conducive  to  health,  104.  Cleanlinefs  peculiarly 
nrceHary  on  board  of  fliips,  ibid,  and  to  the  lick,  ibid.  Gene- 
ral remarks  on,  10^.  Many  difordcrs  may  be  cured  by  clean- 
liflcfs  alone,  140.  The  want  of,  a  very  general  canfe  of  pvtrid 
fevers,  196.  Is  a  great  prefervative  againll  venereal  infedioa, 
517  ;  and  againft  galling  in  infants,  550. 
Cltrgj^  exhorted  to  remove  popular  prejudices  againll  ioocala- 
tioD,  231.  Might  do  great  good  by  undertaking  the  pradioe 
of  it  them&lvesi  136. 


Clothings  t^c  only  natural  ufc  of,  9.  That  ofcIiiliJren,  has  he- 
come  a  fecret  art,  10,  Ought  to  be  faftcned  on  infants  with 
firings  inftcad  of  pins,  13.  Pernicious  con fequcnccs  of  ftays,  14. 
Importance  of  cleanlinefs  to  children,  idr^.  The  due  cjuantity 
of,  di6^atcd  by  the  climate,  94.  Should  be  increafed  in  the  de- 
cline of  life,  /^/V.  and  adapted  to  the  feafons,  //^/V.  Is  often 
hurtful  by  beihg  made  fubfervient  to  the  purpofes  of  vanity, 
91.  pernicious  confecjuences  of  attempting  to  mend  the  fh.ipe 
by  drefs,  i^;V.  Stays,  i6iJ.  Shoes,  iifid.  Garters,  buckles, 
and  other  bandagejj,  92.  The  perfedion  of,  to  be  eafy  and 
clean,  93.  General  remarks  on,  iifiJ,  Wet,  the  danger  of, 
and  how  to  guard  againft  it,   127. 

Clyflers,.2L  proper  form  of,  for  an  inflammation  of  the  flomach, 
291.  And  for  an  inflammation  of  the  intcftlncs,  293.  Of  to- 
bacco fmokej  its  efficacy  in  procuring  a  llool,  300,  nctf.  Of 
chicken  broth  falutary  in  the  cholera  morbus,  310.  Their 
ufe  in  a  fuppreflion  of  urine,  323.  t)ught  to  be  frequently  ad- 
miniftered  in  the  puerperal  fever,  539.  Of  tobacco,  to  excite  a 
vomit,  606.  Of  tobacco  fumes,  to  ilimulate  the  intcftines,  610. 
The  general  intention  of,  660.  Preparation  of  the  emollient 
clvftcr,  661.  Laxative  clyfter,  ibid.  Carminative  clyftcr, /W. 
Oily  clyfter,  ibid.  Starch  clyfter,  662.  Turpentine  clyfter, 
ibid.     Vinegar  clyfter,  ibid, 

Caliac  fajpon^  proper  treatment  for,  351. 

Ccffee  berries  recota mended  in  the  ftone,  328. 

Cold,  extreme,  its  eflrdls  on  the  human  frame,  616.  The  fuddea 
application  of  heat  dangerous  in  fuch  cafes,  ibid»  Kcw  to  re- 
cover frozen  or  benumbed  limbs,  617. 

Cold  Bath.     Stt  Bath. 

Colds,  frequentlyoccafionedbyimprudentchangesof  clothe?  at  the 
firft  approaches  of  fummer,  90,  note.  Various  ca'ifes  of,  fpeci- 
f5ed,  126.  Their  general  caufes,  276.  Proper  regimen 
on  the  fymptoms  of,  appearing,  ibid.  Dano;cr  of  neg- 
ledling  the  diforder,  278.  The  chief  fecret  for  avoiding, 
280. 

Colic,  diflVrent  fpccics  of,  296.  Medical  treatment  of,  according 
to  their  fpccies  and  caufes,  297.  Bilious  colic,  298.  Hyfteric 
colic,  299.  Nervous  c<5lic,  ibid.  Cautions  neceff^ry  to  guard 
againft  the  nervous  colic,  300.  General  advice  in  colics, 
301, 

Collyria.     See  Eye  nvaters. 

Commerce  oheii  iftii^ons  infe^ious  diforders,  107.  Means  fug- 
gefted  to  guard  againft  this  danger,  108,  note. 

ConfeSions  often  very  needlefsly  compounded,  663.  Prepara- 
tion of  the  Japonic  confeflioD,  664. 

Confervet  and  pre/er*ves,  general  remarks  on,  and  their  compcfi- 
tion,  664.  Of  red  rofes,  ibid.  Of  floe?,  665.  Candied 
orange-peel,  ibid, 

Ccnftitution,  good  or  bad,  the  foundation  of)  generally  laid  dur- 
ing iofancy,  I.  Con- 

3  A 


N      D      E      X. 


Con/umptions,  the  increafe  of  this  Hiforder  may  be  attribu 
hard  drinking,  97.  Who  moil  liable  to,  and  its  caufes^ 
Symptoms,  176.  Regimen,  177*  Riding,  i6td.  Mat 
nefit  to  be  expected  from  going  a  long  voyage,  178.  T 
ling,  Uid,  Diet,  179.  Great  efficacy  of  milk  in,  i6id, 
dical  treatment,  182. 
^  —  Nervous,  defined,  and  the  persons   mofl  liab 

186.     Proper  treatment  of,  i^/V. 
— Symptomatic,  the  treatment  of,  mnft  be  dire€ 

the  producing  caufe,  187. 
Con'vulfions^  why  new-born  infants  are  (o  liable   to,  12. 

preceding  the  eruption  in  the  fmall-pox  favourable  fym^ 

217.     The  general  caufes  of,  565.     Proper  treatment  of] 

Extraordin  .ry  recovery  of  an  infant  feemingly  killed  by, 

Farther  inilrudions  in  like  cafes,  630. 
Ooi, 'Captain,  the  circumnavigator,  his  means  of  preferriii 

health  of  his  men,  46,  note. 
Cookery t  the  arts  of,  render  many  things  onwholefeme,  th 

not  naturally  fo,  67. 
Cordials^  ought  not  to  be  given  to  infants,  16.    Are  the  coi 

refuge  of  nurfes  v^ho  negled  their  duty  to  children,  35. 

often  fatal  in  an  inflammation  of  theilomach,  290.  When 

in  the  colic,  297.     Ought  not  to  be  given  to  a  pregnan 

man  during  labour,  534. 
Corn^  damaged,  will  produce  the  putrid  fever,   195. 
Corns  in  the  ft-et  are  occafioned  by  rearing  tight  ihoes,  91 
Cortix,     See  Bark. 
Cofti'veneji^  a  frequent  recourfe  to  medicines  for  the  preventic 

injurious  to  the  conftitution,  122.    Is  rather  to  beremov 

diet  than  by  drugs,  123.     Its  general  caufet,  and  ill  ci 

414.     Regimen, /^/V.   Remedies  for,  416. 
Ceughf  the  proper  remedies  for,  22o.     A  plafter  of  Berg 

pitch  laid  between  the  (houldcrsan  excelleni  remedy  for, 

The  Aoroach  cough,  and  cough  of  the.  langs,  diftingai 

282.     Treatment  for  the  nervous  cough,  283. 
Cough,  hooping,  who  moft  liable  to,  with  its  difpofing  o 

284.     Remedies,  2S5.     Is  infcAious, /iiV.    Vomits,  tbci 

and  how  to  adminiller  them  to  children,  a86.     Garlic 

ment  a  good  remedy  for,  287. 
Cough,  phthiiical,  incident  to  fedentary  ardficers»   fiom 

breathing  confined  air,  49. 
Cradles,  on  many  accounts  hurtful  to  children^  3a. 
Cramp,  proper  remedies  for,  4c  i. 
Cramp  of  theffomacb,  who  moil  fttbjcd  to,  438.     Medical  I 

ment  of,  iiid,  ^ 

Crotchets,  how  to  ufe  for  extraAing  labfbuiccs  detiUMd  11 

gullet,  603. 
Croup  in  children,  defcribed*  557.     Its  fyaipUMM  and  p 

treatment,  ibid^ 
Cjder,  the  ill  confequcnces  of  making  it  too  wtak,  69* 

Dm 


INDEX. 

D. 

Dunaug^  an  excellent  kind  of  exercliefor  young  perfons,  29. 

Dtmcus  fyl<vejtru»     See  Cmrr^i, 

Duifnejs,  when  a  £eivourable  fymptoin  in  the  putrid  fever,  1989 
nQt€.     Methods  of  cure,  according  to  its  caufes,  461. 

Dtuth^  the  et idences  of,  fouBecifnes  fallacious,  and  ought  not  to 
be  too  foon  credited,  601.  608.  612.  631.  The  means  to  be 
uied  for  th«  recovery  of  perfont  from,  nearly  the  fame  in  all 
cafes,  632. 

Decc^iiMj^  geB«ral  remarks  oh,  66^.  Preparation  of  the  deco^lioa 
of  ahhqea,  ihid.  Common  decoction,  666.  Of  logwood* 
ihid.  Of  bark,  ihU.  Compound  decodion  of  bark,  ihiJ. 
Of  farfaparilla,  667.    Of  feneka, /^V/.    White  decoAton, /^/V« 

Def§rmity^  often  occafioned  by  the  injadicious  manner  of  dreillng 
children,  9.  Is  feldom  found  among  ikvage  nations,  lo. 
The  ufual  caufes  of,  explained,  ibU. 

Dtws,  night,  dangerous  to  health,  128. 

DiMiats,  who  moft  liable  to  this  diibrder,  519.  Its  caufes  and 
fymptoms,  iM,  Regimen,  and  medical  treatment,  320. 
Diftinguilhed  from  incontinency  of  urine,  322. 

DiarrSat4i*     See  Lt/utt/tn 

Ditt,  will  often  anfwer  all  the  indications  of  cure  in  difeafes,  1 33. 
Illuflrations,  139.     ^tt  Mmeni. 

Oigefiion^  the  powers  of,  equdly  impaired  by  repletion  or  in.ini- 
tion,  72. 

Di/eaftt,  hereditary,  cautions  to  perfons  afflided  with,  8.  Pecu- 
liar iiiibrders  attending  particular  occupations,  38.  Many  of 
them  infedious,  106.  Thekoowledge  of,  depends  more  upoa 
experience  andobfervation  than  upon  (cientihcal  principles,  135. 
Are  to  be  diliingut(hed  by  the  moft  obvious  and  permanent 
fymptoms,  ibidn  The  differences  of  fex,  age,  and  conftitution, 
to  be  coofid^red,  136.  Of  the  mind,  to  be  dillinguidied  from 
thofe  of  the  body./^fV.  Climate,  fitnation,  and  occupation,  to 
be  attended  to,  137.  Other  collateral  circumftances,  ibid* 
Many  indications  of  cure,  to  be  anfwered  by  diet  alont,  138. 
Cures  often  efFedled  by  ixt^  air,  by  exercise,  or  by  deanlinefs, 
139.  Nervouft  difeafes,  of  a  complicated  nature,  and  difficult 
to  cure,  420- 

Dfjlfcmtims,  fhoold  be  reduced  before  the  fwelling  and  inflamma- 
tion come  on,  and  how,  587.  Of  the  jaw,  588.  Of  line 
neck,  589.  Of  the  ribs,  590.  Of  the  Oioulder,  iW.  Of  the 
elbow,  591.  Of  the  thigh,  592.  Of  the  koeet,  ancles,  a0l 
toes,  ibid, 

Diurtiic  infufionfir  tbi  dr^pjy,  how  to  prepare,  377,  378. 

Dogf  fymptoms  of  madnefs  in,  477.  Ought  to  be  carefully  pre- 
fcrved  afier  biting  any  perfon,  to  afcertain  whether  be  it  mad 
or  not,  478.    Is  often  reputed  mad  w^fa  he  is  not  fo,  ibid. 

3  A  2  Symptoma 


INDEX. 

Symj^toms  of  the  bite  of  a  mad  dog,  479.  The  poifon  cannoi 
lie  many  years  dormant  in  the  body,  as  is  fuppofed,  ibid,  Dr 
Mead's  receipt'for  the  bite,  4S0.  The  famous  Eafl  Indian  fpc- 
cific  for,  ibid.  Other  recipes,  481.  Vinegar  of  confidcrab!< 
fervice  in  this  diforder,  ibid.  Medical  courfe  of  treatment  re- 
commended, j^/V/.  Rej>imcn,  481.  Dipping  in  the  fea  noi 
to  be  relied  on,  483.  Dr.  Ti/Tot's  medical  coarfe  for  the  core 
of  the  hydrophobia,  484.  Remarks  on  the  Ormfkirk  medi< 
cine,  485,  note. 
Do/es  of  medicines,  the  relative  proportions  of,  for  dilFerent  aget, 

653- 
Drams  oug\it  to  be  avoided  by  perfons  afRidted  with  nenroas  dif- 

ordcrs,  423. 

Draughty  is  the  ptoper  form  for  fuch  medicines  as  are  intended  for 
immediate  operation,  668.  How  to  prepare  the  anodyce 
draught,  ibid.  Diuretic  draught,  ibid.  Purging  dranght, 
ibid.     Sweating  draught,  669.     Vomiting  draught,  ibid. 

Dre/s.     See  Clothing, 

Drinking,  perfons  who  are  feldom  intoxicated  may  neverthelris 
injure  their  confutations  by,  97.  The  habit  of  drinking  fre- 
quently originates  from  misfortunes,  98.  Frequently  deftrcn 
the  powers  of  the  mind,  99.  Perfons  often  forced  to  it  by 
miflaken  hofpitality,  i^/V.  note.     Leads  toother  vices,  ibid. 

Dropfy^  the  feveral  diilindtions  of,  with  its  caufes,  374.  Sytnp- 
toms,  375.  Regimen,  376.  Medical  treatment,  377.  Tap- 
ping, a  fafe  and  flmple  operation,  379. 

Dropfy  of  the  brain.     See  Water  in  the  head. 

Dro-ijjned perfons^  ought  not  to  be  rafhiy  given  op  for  dead,  6o8. 
Proper  trials  for  the  recovery  of,  ibid.  Endeavours  ought  not 
to  be  fufpended  upon  the  ^r(l  returns  of  life,  612.  Succefiof 
the  Amiierdam  focieiy  for  the  recovery  of,  631. 

Drunkcnncfs.     See  Intoxication. 

Dumb  perfons  may  be  taught  to  read,  write,  and  difconrfe,  461, 
note.  • 

Dyfenterjt  where  and  when  mod  prevalent,  345.  Its  caufes  tod 
fymptoins, /^;</.  Regimen,  346.  Fruit,  one  of  the  beft  remedies 
ioTy  348.  Proper  drink  for«  349.  Medical  treatment,  ibid. 
Camions  to  prevent  a  relapfe,  350. 

E. 

Ear,  xh?.  feveral  ipjiiries  it  is  liable  to,  460.     Deafnefs,  medical 

trcati:!cnt  of,  a: cording  to  its  caufes,  461.     Ought  not  robe 

tam^^ered  uiih,  <f  62. 
£ar-at.h^  its  CuUleji,  and  proper  treatment  lor,  360.     How  ta 

drive  inkers  out  of,  ilid. 
Education  cf  children,  ihould  be  begun  at  home  by  the  paiesU, 

2<;,  note,      i  hat  c}f  girls  hurtful  10  their  conflitatioo,  %'j* 
Efiu'via,  putrid,  will  occafion  the  fpottcd  fcver^  19c. 
tu^iiicity  beneficial  in  the  palfyj43i« 

Ek^Msnih 


INDEX. 

Zitnuanes,  general  rules  for  making,  669.  Preparation  of  leni- 
tive electuary,  670.  Electuary  for  the  dyfentery,  ihiii.  For 
the  cpilepfy,  ilnJ.  For  the  gonorrhoea,  ibid.  Of  the  bark, 
671.  For  il>c  piles,  ibid.  For  the  p»lfy,  ibid.  For  the 
rheumatifm,  ibid. 

Elixir,  paregoric,  how  to  prepare,  69$.  Sacred  elixir,  ibid. 
Stomachic  elixir,  ibid,     Atid  elixir  of  vitr  ol,  699. 

Emulfionsy  their  ufps,  672.  Preparation  of  the  couimon  emulfion, 
ibid,  Arabic  emulfion,  ibid.  C.'ainphfTated  emuliion,  ibid. 
Emuificn  of  gum  ammoniac,  ibid.     Oily  emulfion,  673. 

Engleman,  Dr.  his  account  of  the  Germiti  method  of  recovering 
perfons  from  fainting  liis,  622. 

Entrails.     See  Intejlinis, 

EpiUpfyt  the  diforder  defined,  432.  Its  caufes  and  fymptoms, 
433.     Due  regimen,  434.     Medical  treatment,  ibid. 

Eruptions  in  children  often  free  them  from  bad  humours,  but  are 
miilaken  and  iil  treated  by  nurfe.,  35.  Ought  never  to  be 
Hopped  without  proper  advice,  36.  In  fevers,  how  to  be 
treated,  153.  201.  20".  2og.  In  the  fmall-pox,  217.  221.  la 
children,  the  caufes  of,  ^51.     How  to  cure,   554. 

Eryjtpelas,  a  diforder  incident  to  the  laborious,  41.  lis  caufes  ex- 
plained, and  who  mod  fubj  d  to  it,  249.  Jts  fymptoms,  ibid. 
Kegimcn,  250.  Medical  treatment,  253.  The  fcorhuric  cry- 
iipelns,  253.  Inftruclions  for  thoie  who  are  fubj;;^t  to  this 
di (order,  ibid. 

E*vacuations  of  the  human  body,  the  principal,  fpecificd,  121. 
By  llool,  ibid.     Urine,  123.     Perfpiratioo,  125. 

Exerci/ct  the  importance  of,  to  promote  the  growth  and  ftrength 
of  children,  21.  All  youn^  animals  exert  their  organs  of 
motion  as  focn  as  they  arc  able,  22.  The  utility  of,  proved 
from  anatomical  confideratiuns,  24.  And  from  philofophical 
deductions,  ibid.  Military  exercife  recommended  forboyy,  z6. 
Benefits  of  dancing,  29.  Is  better  for  fedentary  perfons  under 
lownefs  of  fpirits  than  the  tavern,  52.  Gardening  the  be(t 
exercife  for  the  fedentary,  ^3.  Violent,  ought  not  to  be 
taken  immediately  after  a  full  meal,  61.  Is  as  nccefTary  as  food 
for  the  prefervation  of  health,  81.  Our  love  of  adlivity,  an 
evidence  of  '\u  utility,  82.  Indolence  relaxes  the  folids,  ibid. 
The  indulgence  of  carriages  as  abfurd  as  pernicious,  ibid.  Js 
almoft  the  only  cure  for  glandular  obllrudlions,  83.  Will  pre- 
vent and  remove  thofedilordcrs  that  medicine  cannot  cure,  ibid. 
Is  the  bell  cure  for  complaints  in  the  (lomach,  84.  How  to  be 
taken  within  doors,  when  not  to  be  done  in  the  open  air,  8;. 
Active  fports  better  than  liedentcry  amufements,  ibid.  The 
golf,  a  better  exercife  than  cricket,  ibid,  note,  Exercife  fhould 
not  be  extended  to  fatigue,  86  Is  as  neceffary  for  the  mind 
as  for  the  body,  1 18.  Is  often  of  more  eEicacy  than  any  me- 
dicine whatever^  139.  The  bed  mode  of  taking  it  in  a  con- 
(umptioD,  1 77.    Is  of  the  grcateft  importance  ia  a  dropfy,  376, 

j  A  3  JVlufculari 


N 


E 


Mufcul^r,  fur  rhe  goal,  jS;. 

408.     Js  Tuperior  10  all  medii 

And  in  ihf  piiKy,  431.     li  proper  forpfegnsnt  iw>m?n,  ui 

they  are  of  a  very  delicate  textuie,  533.     Want  cf,  the 

ca&on  of  rickets  in  children,  ;6j. 

Exira^j,  general  rules  for  making;  bat  are  more  coo  re  oic 
purchafed  ready  made,  673. 

Eyti,  tnflainmDC'on  of,  in  grnerat'caufFs,  z;S.  Sympinmi,  : 
Medical  treatment,  ;5o.  How  to  be  treated  when  it  prot 
from  a  fcrophuloui  habit,  26}.  Advice  to  thoi'c  wlio  are 
)tf\  to  this  compbiat,  £64.  Are  fubjeft  to  many  difi 
which  arc  difficult  10  cure,  4;^.  The  means  by  which 
are  frequently  injured,  4^7.  Getieral  meani  of  prevcni 
ibiii.     The  fcveral  diforjers  of,  with  thetr  medical  ireuui 

Eyt-ivalen,  general  remarks  on,  and  iheir  principal  iatenti 
661.  Cnllvrium  of  alum,  663.  Vitriolic  coltjriam, 
Collyriumof  lead,  ibid. 


Faintiag/rt,  how  to  cure,  441.  618.  Cautions  to  perfoDi 
jeft  to  them,  615. 

T«ilinSfi'kntfi.     See  EfiUpfy. 

Fafiag,  long,  injurious  to  iliofe  who  labour  hard,  43,  I s  1 
ful  botS  10  (ilJ  and  young.  73, 

Felberi,  culpably  inaiteni've  to  the  management  of  iheir  i 
dren,  5.  their  irregular  litei  often  injure  the  confbiutic 
their  children,  7. 

Fear,  the  inflijence  of,  very  great,  in  oecafioning  and  ij 
vaiinj;  difc.uer,  112.     Iti  various  operations,  iij. 

Ftet,  injured  bv  wearing  tight  ftioej,  91,  The  waffling  el 
agreeable  ariide  of  cieanlinefs,  104.  Wee,  the  danger  of. 
Bathing  them  in  warm  water,  :t  good  remedy  in  ■  cold, 
And  in  the  hooping-ciiugh,   l8!i. 

FermentalUa,  the  vapour  of  liquors  in  a  ftate  of,  noxious,  61 

Fn'irj,oi*  bad  kind,  often  occafioned  among  labourers  by 
living,  ^j.  Frequently  attack  fedencary  perloiis  after 
drinking,  52.  Nervous,  often  theConfecfDcnceof  intenfe  It 
57.  Putrid  and  malignant,  flften  occafiooed  by  vrart  ofclei 
tid's,  100.  The  moft  grnerilcanresor,  enumeratrd,  140- 
(liRtn^uiftiing  fytnpiom)  of,  14 1.  Thefevera>  fpeciesof, 
I.  an  effort  of  nature,  which  ought  to  be  aiBlled,  141.  ] 
this  is  10  be  dnne,  143.  Cordials  and  fweetmeati  inprope 
144.  rrelh  .lir  of  great  importance  in,  14;.  The  mindol 
pauent  ought  not  to  be  alarmed  with  religioai  lerron,  . 
L'atitions  as  10  bleeding  and  Jweating  in.  146.  LoDgiagi, 
calls  cf  nature,  and  deferve  atUBtioD,  iM.  Cautiu 
prevcni  a  relapfe,  147, 

Fi 


INDEX. 

Fevir,  acute  continual,  who  mod  liable  to»  157.     Caufes,  ihhi. 

Symptoms,  158.     Regimen,  ibiJ,     Medical   treatment,   i6i. 

Symptoms  favourable  and  unfavourable,   ibid.     Regimen  to 

be  obfervcd  during  recovery,  162. 
Frver^  bilious,   general  time  of  its  appearance,  247.     Proper 

treatment  of,  according  to  its  fymptoms,    248. 
Fe^ver^  intermitting.     Sec  Ague. 
Fever^  miliary,  from  what  the  name  derived,  and  its  general 

appearances,  205.     Who  mod  liable  to  it, /^/V.     Caufcs,  ibid. 

Symptoms,  206.     Regimen,  207.     Account  of  a  miliary  fever 

at   Strafburg,   208,  note.      Proper   medical   treatment,    200. 

Cautions  for  avoiding  this  diforder,  210.   How  to  prevent,  in 

childbed  women,  538. 
Fn/fTf  milk,  how  occafioned,  537.     How  to  prevent,  541. 
Fever,  nervous,  why  more  common  now  than  formerly,  and  who 

moft  liable  to  it,  188.     Its  caufes,  ibid.     Symptoms  and  pro- 

per  regimen,  189.     Medical  treatment,  191. 
Fever,  puerperal,  or  childbed,  the  time  of  its  attack,  and  fymp- 
toms, 538.     Medical  treatment  of,  539.     Cautions  for  the 

prevention  of  this  fever,  541. 
Fe*uer,  putrid,  is  of  a  peftilential  nature,  and  who  mod. liable  to 

11,195.     Its  general  caufes, /^/V.    Symptoms  of,  196.    Other 

fevers  may  be  converted  to  this,  by  improper  treament,  197. 

Favourable  and  unfavourable  fymptoms  of,  ibid.    Regimen, 

19^.     Medical  treatment,  201.     Cautions  for  the  prevention- 

of  this  diibrder,  203. 
/Vi/^r,  remitting,  derivation  of  its  name,  210.     Its  caufes  and 

fymptoms,  21 1.     Proper  regimen,  212.     Medical  treatmenti 

213.     Cautions  for  avoiding  this  fever,  ibid, 
Fevir,  fcarlet,  why  fo  named,  and  its  ufual  feafon  of  attack,  24c. 

Proper  treatment  of,  246.     Is  fomecimes  attended  with  putrid 

and  malignant  fymptoms,  ibid.     Medicines  adapted  to  this 

ftage  of  the  malady,  ibid,     Hiilory  of  a  fever  of  this  kind  at 

Edinburgh,  247,  fiote. 
Fever,  fccondary,  in  the  fmall-pok,  [Sroper  treatment  of,  224. 
Flatultnciet  in  the  Aomach,  remedies  againft,  363.     The  feveral 

cauTtf^s  of,  443.     Medical  treatment  of,  444. 
F/ituIent  colic,  its  caufes,  and  feat  of  the  diforder,  296.     Re- 
medies for,  ibid, 
Flonver-de-luce,  the  yellow  water,  the  root  of,  recommended  for 

the  tooth-ach,  358. 
Fluor-albus  defcribed,  with  its  proper  treatment,  529. 
FementarioMs,  how  to  make  and  apply,  673.     General  intentions 

of,  ibid.    Anodyne  fomentation,  674.    Aromatic  fomentation, 

ibid.     Common  fomentation,  ibid.     Emollient  fomentation^ 

ibid.     Strengthening  fomentation,  675. 
Food,     See  Aliment, 
F'orgivene/s  of  injuria,  ought  to  be  pradlifed  from  a  regard  to 

our  own  health,   112. 
Fradures*     ^tt  Bones ^  broken. 

3  A  4  Frozen 


I      N      D      E       X. 

Frtzen  limBs,  how  to  recover,  617. 

Fruit,  unripe,  very  hurtful,  to  children,  20.  One  of  the  beft 
xncvlicines,  both  for  the  preveDCioD  and  cure  of  a  dyfeDtery, 

348-, 
Funerals^  the  great  number  of  vilitors  attending  them,  dacgerosi 

to  their  healih,  loj. 

G. 

Galling,  in  infants,  the  caofe  and  cure  of,  550. 

Gangrene^  proper  treatment  of,  574. 

Gardening,  a  wholcfome  amaferoent  for  /edentary  prrfbns,  55. 

Gargles  for  the  threat ,  how  to  make,  267.  270.  274.  General 
intentions  of,  675.  Method  of  making  the  attenuating  gargie, 
Hid,  Common  i^arglc,  ihid,  Deterfjent  ^'f^T^X^,  ibid,  Emti- 
licnt  gargle,  ibid.  For  the  mouth  cf  infants  in  the  thraib, 
:;48. 

Garlic  ciHiment,  a  North  Britt(h  remedy  for  the  hooping-ccogii, 
how  to  apply  it,  287. 

Generals  of  armies^  how  they  ought  to  confult  the  heaJth  of  tie 
men  they  command,  44. 

Gilders.     Sec  Miners. 

Ginger,  fy rup  of,  how  to  prepare,  762. 

Girls,  the  common  mode  of  education  prejudicial  to  their  ccc£i« 
tution,  27.     Means  of  reftifying  it  recommended,  ibid. 

Gleet,  how  occafioned,  and  its  fymptoms,  500,  Method  of  cure, 
ibid.  Regimen,  501.  Obftinatc  gleets  cured  by  mercoriaJ 
inun£lioRs,  502.     How  to  apply  bougies,  ibi//. 

Closer,  Mr.  his  courfe  of  treatment  for  the  recovery  of  a  haogcd 
man,  628. 

Ccnorrhaea,  virulent,  the  nature  of,  and  Its  fymptoms,  491.  Re- 
gimen, 492.  Medical  treatment,  493.  is  often  cured  by 
aftringent  injeftions,  ibid.  Cooling  purges  always  proper ii, 
494.  Mercury  feldom  neccffary  in  a  gonorrhcea,  496.  How 
to  adminillcr  it  when  needful,  497. 

Goulard,  M.  preparation  of  his  celebrated  extract  of  Saturn,  -^cc. 
Hii  var:oiis  aj^^plications  of  it,  ibid. 

Couty  the  general  caufes  of,  55.  How  to  treat  a  loofenefsa- 
cafioncd  by  repelling  it  from  the  extremities,  313.  The  foorces 
of  thi^  difcrccr,  and  its  fymptoms,  3S0,  381.  Regimen  for. 
382.  Wool  ihe  bell  extcraal  application  in,  383.  Why  there 
sltz  fo  many  noflrums  for,  384.  Proper  medicines  after  the 
fir,  ibid.  Proper  reginien  in  ^he  intervals  between  fits  to  keep. 
cfF  their  rct'jrn,  3S5.  How  to  remove  it  from  the  nobler  parts 
to  the  extremities,  3S6.  General  cautions  to  preveat  danger 
by  miflaking  it  for  other  diforders,  387. 

Greivii,  how  formed  in  the  bladder,  125.  How  diftiogoiibed 
from  the  ilnne,  324.  Caufes  and  fymptoms,  iSsd^  Regimeiia 
325. .   Medical  treatment,  326. 

Qt ccn-pdne/s  originates  iu  indclencc,  52 j. 


INDEX. 

Grief y  its  efFe^ls  permanent,  and  often  fatal,  1 16.  Danger  of 
the  mind  dwelling  long  upon  one  lubjecl,  efpecially  if  of  a 
difagreeable  nature,  1 17.  The  mind  requires  exercife  as  well 
as  the  body,  1 18.  innocent  amufements  not  to  be  negledled^ 
i^/V.     Is  produdlive  of  nervous  difeafes,  421. 

Gripes  in  infants^  proper  treatment  of,  549. 

Guaiacumy  gum,  a  good  remedy  for  the  quinfey,  268 ;  and 
rheumatilm,  390. 

Gullet,  how  to  remove  fuhdances  detained  in,  603.  Cautions  for 
the  ufe  of  crotchets  with  this  intention,  ibid.  Other  mecha- 
nical expedients,  604.  Treatment  if  the  obflrutliun  cannot 
be  removed,  607. 

Gums  of  children^  applications  to»  during  teething,  and  how  to 
cut  ihem,  561. 

Gutta  ferena,  proper  treatment  of,  458. 

H. 

Hamoptot,  fpitting  of  blood.     See  Blood. 

Hemorrhages.     See  Blood. 

Harronugate  water,  an  excellent  medicine  for  expelling  worms, 
368.     And  lor  the  jaundice,  373.     fn  the  fcurvy,  391. 

ffeadach,  the  fpecies  of,  diftinguiflied,  352.  Caulcs  of,  353. 
Regimen,  354.     Medical  treatment,  355. 

Health  of  the  people  in  general,  a  proper  objed  of  attention  for  the 
magiitrates,  xi.  Ought  to  be  attended  to  in  matrimonial  con- 
tracts, 8.  Is  often  laboured  for  after  it  is  deAroyed,  61. 
Rules  given  by  Celfus  for  the  prefcrvation  of,  134. 

Heart  hum,  the  nature  of  this  diforder,  with  its  caufes,  and  re- 
medies for,  418. 

Heat,  extreme,  hoA^  to  recover  perfons  overcome  by,  618. 

Hemlock^  a  good  remedy  in  the  King's  evil,  402.  Is  recom- 
mended by  Dr.  Storck  for  the  cure  of  cancers,  469. 

iJempfeed,  a  decoClion  of,  good  in  the  jaundice,  and  now  to  pre- 
pare it,  373. 

Hiccup,  its  caufes,  and  method  of  treatment,  436. 

Huffman  f  his  rules  for  guarding  child -bed  women  again  ft  the 
miliary  fever,   538. 

Honey,  a  wholtiome  article  of  food  for  children,  21.  Is  recom- 
mended in  the  ilone,  328. 

Hooping  cough.     See  Cough. 

Hofpitals,  itie  want  of  ireOi  air  in,  more  dangerous  to  the  pa- 
tients than  their  diforders,  81.  Cieanlinefs  peculiarly  ne« 
ceflary  in,  105.  Often  fpread  infection  by  being  iituaied  la 
the  middle  of  populous  towns,  108.  How  they  might  be  ren- 
dered proper  receptacles  for  the  fick,  no.  Particularly  ia 
infedlious  diforders,  111.  The  fick  in,  ought  not  to  be 
crowded  together,  219,  note. 

Horfe-radijb,  the  chewing  of,  will  reftore  feniibilicy  to  the  organs 
cf  tafte  when  injured,  465. 

Honfet^ 
5 


INDEX. 

H§u/es^  ioftcad  of  contrivances  to  make  them  clofeind  warm, 
ought  to  be  regularly  ventilated,  78.  In  marfhy  iituacioos  uo- 
wholefome,  80.  Osght  to  be  built  in  a  dry  fitdattcn,  130. 
Danger  of  inhabiting  new-built  houfes  before  thoroughly  dry, 
ihid.  Are  often  rendered  damp  by  onfeaibiuiblc  c)canltDc£$, 
ihid.     Are  dangerous  when  kept  tooclofe  and  hot,    133. 

Jiufiandmen^  the  peculiar  diforders  tbey  are  expofed  to,  from 
the  vicifTrwudes  of  the  weather,  40. 

HhxhafM^  Dr.  rccommeDds  the  fiudy  of  the  dietetic  part  of  me- 
dicine, xiii. 

Ht/ircctrhalus,     S.*C  Drop/y, 

Hydrophobia^  Dr.  Tiflbt^  method  of  curing;  484. 

Hydrops  pe^oris.     See  Droffy. 

Hjpccbondriac  afcdion$^  frequently  produced  by  iotenfe  iludy,  ^F. 
Their  caufes,  and  who  noft  fubjed  to  tbem,  452.  The 
general  intentions  of  cure,  ibid^     Keginoen,  454. 

Byfterics^  a  difordrr  produced  by  the  habitual  ufc  of  tea,  66. 
General  caufes  of,  447.  Symptoms,  44S.  Proper  trcataciit 
of,  ibid.     Regimen,  ^\(),     Medicines  adapted  to^  450. 

Hyfitric  hlic,  fympiomt  and  treatment  of,  299. 

J* 

Jails t  why  malignant  ftvtri  are  t)ften  generated   id  them,  77. 

Often  fprcad  infedioo  by  being  fituated  in  the  middle  of  po- 
pulous towns,  108.     Ought  to  be  removed,  no. 

Janin,  M.  his  relation  of  the  recovery  of  an  overlaid  iafut, 
627.     And  of  a  man  who  had  banged  himfelf,  6z8. 

Jaundicit  the  ilKFerent  Uages  of  its  appearance,  with  the  caufes 
cf  this  diforder,  370,  37 1.  Symptoms  and  r^imen,  371. 
Medical  treatment,  572. 

Je/uit's  Bark,     See  Bark. 

'Jrivst  the  whole  fyftem  of  their  laws  tending  to  promote  deta- 
Jinefs,   103.  107. 

IJiac  pajtofi,  a  particular  kind  of  inflammation  of  the  iateftiaea» 
292. 

ImpGfthume  in  tbehreaft,  in  confomptions,  how  to  make  it  break 
inwardly,  when  not  to  be  difchaiged  by  other  means,  185. 
Importhumcs  after  the  fmall-pox,  proper  treatment  of,  227. 

Imeontittency  of  urine,  diftinguifhed  from  a  diabetes^  322.  Expe- 
dient for  relief,  ibid. 

Indigtjiiony  is  one  confequence  of  intenie  ftody,  56.  Gencial 
caufes,  and  remedies  for,  416. 

Indolenct,  its  bad  effefbon  the  conllitation,  82.  Occafiont  glan- 
duiar  obflru£lions,  8j.  Ill  confequencet  of  too  much  indsi- 
gence  in  bed,  84.  Is  the  parent  of  vice,  86.  Is  the  gcaeril 
caufeofmoft  nervous,  diforders,  459. 

Infancy^  the  foundation  of  a  good  or  bad  conftitation,  generally 
laid  in  this  tcafon  of  life,   i. 

Jn/anfs.  ivearly  ore  half  of  thofe  bora  in  Great  Britain  die  andcr 
twelve  years  of  age,  1.    Peiifh  mefily  bj  an»  «•    Osghtaot 

to 


INDEX. 

to  be  fuckled  hj  delicate  womeTi,  3.    Importance  of  their  be* 

^  ing  nurfed  by  their  mothers,  4.  Often  lofe  their  lives,  or  be- 
come deformed,  by  errors  in  clothing  them,  9.  How  the  art 
of  bandaging  them  became  the  province  of  the  midwife,  10.  ^ 
How  treated  in  Africa,  1 1 ,  mo/e*  Phitofophical  obfervations  oq 
their  organical  Aru^ore,  and  on  the  caofes  of  deformity,  Hid, 
Why  they  fo  frequently  die  of  convulfions,  12.  Wbyexpofed 
to  fevers,  13.  And  colds,  14.  Roles  for  their  Jrefs,  /^/V. 
Their  food,  15.  Reflections  on  the  many  evils  they  are  ex- 
pofed  to,  944.  Why  their  fird  diforders  are  in  their  boweh, 
/^V.  Hc-w  to  cleanfc  their  bowels,  545!  The  meconium,  546. 
Thrufh,  547.  Acidities,  548.  Gripes,  549  Galling  and  exco- 
riations, 550.  Stoppage  of  the  nofe,  /^/^.  Vomiting,  551. 
LoofenefK,  5^2.  Eruptions,  553.  Scabbed  heads,  <^^« 
Chilblains,  556.  The  croup,  557.  Teething,  559.  Rickets^ 
562.  Convulfions,  565.  Water  in  the  head,  567.  How  to 
recover  infants  feemingly  dead,  622,  Ought  never  to  fleep  in 
the  fame  bed  with  thcjr  mothers  or  nurfes,  626,  ne/e.  Cafe  of 
the  recovery  of  an  overlaid  infant,  627.  Cafe  of  an  infanc 
fecmingly  killed  by  a  Arong  convulfion  &t,  and  recovered, 
629.     See  ChiUren. 

Infe^ioTiy  the  danger  of,  incurred  by  injudicious  or  unneceflary 
attendance  on  the  fick,  ic6.  And  on  funerals,  107.  Is  often' 
communicated -by  clothes,  ibid,  \%  frequently  imported,  ir«8. 
Is  fpread  by  hofpitals  and  jails  being  fituated  in  the  middle  of 
populous  towns,  ibid.  How  to  prevent  inflexion  in  fick  cham- 
bers, 109.  Phyficians  liable  to  fpread  inftrdion,  ibid.  note. 
In  what  refpedts  the  fpreading  of  infection  might  be  checked 
by  the  magillrate,  no.  Bleeding  and  purging  incrcafe  the 
danger  of,  by  debilitating  the  body,  204.  Smnll-pox,  214* 
Of  the  fmall-pox  may  be  received  again,  218,  note. 

Inflammations y  how  the  laborious  part  of  mankind  expofe  tbcm* 
felves  to,  42.     Proper  treatment  of,  574. 

Inflammation  of  the  bladder.     See  Bladder, 

■        of  the  brain.     See  Brain, 

of  the  eyes.     Sec  Eyes, 

of  the  intf  (lines.     See  Inteftines, 

of  the  kidneys.     See  KidmySm 

of  the  liver.  See  Li'ver, 

of  the  lungs.     See  Perifneumony, 

■  of  the  ftomaeh.     See  St^maeb. 

^  of  the  throat.     Sec  ^infy, 

■        —  of  the  womb.     See  Womb* 

In/af»cns,  advantages  of,  over  decodions,  C^jS.  How  to  obtain 
rich  infufions  from  weak  vegetables,  ibid.  Preparation  of  the 
bitter  infufion,  ibid,  Infufion  of  the  bark,  ibid,  Infuiioo  of 
carduus,  677.  Of  linfeed,  i^/V.  Of  ro(€$,  ibid.  Of  tamarinds, 
and  fenna,  ibid,    Spanifli  infufion,  678.    For  the  palfy,  ibid. 

Inns,  the  great  danger  of  fnecting  with  damp  beds  in  them,  laS, 
The  (heecs  in,  how  treated  to  fave  waihing,  129. 

iMocu/aticM 


INDEX. 

Jneculaticn  of  the  fmail-pox,  more  favoarably  received  here  than 
in  neighbouring  countries.  227.  Cannot  prove  of  general 
/  utility  while  kept  in  the  hands  of  a  few,  228.  No  mylleryin 
the  proccl's,  i6iJ,  May  fafely  be  performed  by  parents  01 
nurfes,  229.  Various  methods  of  doing  it,  i^/V.  The  clergy 
exhorted  to  remove  the  prrjudices  againfl  the  operaiioo,  231. 
Arguments  cited  from  Dr.  Mackenzie  in  favour  of  inoculation, 
ibiJ.  note.  Ought  to  be  rendered  univcrfal,  233.  Means  oJ 
extending  the  praftict  of,  254.  Two  obiUcIes  to  the  progrclJ 
of,  flatcd,  235.  Might  be  performed  by  clergymen,  or  by 
parents  themlelves,  236.  The  proper  feafons  and  age  f^r 
performing  it,  239.  Will  often  mend  the  habit  of  body, 
ibiJ,     NccefTary  preparation  and  regimen  for,  /^/V. 

Infers y  when  they  creep  into  the  car,  how  to  force  them 
out,  361.  Poifonousy  the  ^ites  of>  how  to  be  treated, 
4S6. 

InUmf  trance^  one  great  caufe  of  the  difeafes  of  feamen,  45.    The 
danger  of,  argued  from  the  conHrudion  of  the  human  body, 
94.     The  analogy  in  the  nourilhment  of  planes  and  animal, 
ibid.     Is  the  abul'e  of  natural  palfions,  ibid.     In  diet,  95.     is 
liquor  and  carnal  pleaiures,  ibid.     The  bad  confequences  o', 
involve  whole  families,  96.     EfFodls  of  drunkenneis  on  the 
coollitution,  ibid.     Perfons  who  fcldom  get  drunk,    may  ne- 
vrrchelefs  injure  their  conilitutions  by  drink,  97.      The  habit 
of  drinking  frequently  acquired  under  misfortunes,  98.     Is  pe- 
culiarly hurtful  to  young  perfons,  90,     Leads  to  all  other 
vices,  ibid. 

Jntermitting  ftver.      See  jfgue, 

Jnteftincsi  luiiammation  of,  general  caufes  from  whence  it  pro- 
ceeds, 291.  The  lymptoms,  regimen,  and  medical  ueatmeLt, 
292.     Cautions  to  guard  againlt  it,  295. 

intoxication  produces  a  fever,  96.  Fatal  confequences  of  a  daily 
repetition  of  this  vice,  ibid,  Perfons  who  feldom  get  drunk, 
may  neverthelefs  injure  their  conflitution  by  drinking,  ibid. 
Getting  drunk,  a  hazardous  remedy  for  a  cold^  ^77-  Often 
produces  fatal  efFedls,  623.  Proper  cautions  for  treating  per- 
fons in  liquor,  624.  The  fafeft  drink  after  a  debauch,  ibid. 
Rfmari<abie  cafe,  625. 

Jobn/on,  Dr.  extraordinary  recovery  of  an  infant  feemingly  kl]le4 
by  a  flrong  convulfion  fit,  related  by,  629. 

Jfues^  how  to  make  them  take  the  bell  efFed,  430. 

Ttcb,  the  nature  and  fymptoms  of  this  difeafe  defcribed,  403* 
Sulphur,  the  be(t  remedy  againft,  ibid.  Great  danger  of  the 
injudicious  ufe  of  mercurial  preparations  for,  405,  Cleanlxndi 
the  bed  prefervative  9gainft,  406,  note, 

Jultps^  the  form  of,  explained,  67S.  Preparation  of  the  cam- 
phorated julep,  ibid.  Cordial  julep,  670,  ExpeAorating 
julep,  ibid,  Mufk  julep,  ibid.  Saline  jufcp^  ibid.  Voiiu> 
ipg  julep,  ibiJ. 


INDEX. 

K. 

Ktrmes  mineral,  recommended  by  Dr.  Duplanil  for  the  hooping 

cough,  287,  note. 
Kidneys^  inflammation  of,  its  general   caufcs,  301.     Its  fymp- 

loms   and    proper  regimen,  302.     Medical   treatment,    305. 

Where  it  proceeds  from  the  ftone  and  gravel,  ibid,     Caudont 

for  thofe  fubjeft  to  this  difordcr,  ibid.     See  Gravel. 
Ring's  EviL     See  Scropkula, 

L. 

Laborious  employments,  the  peculiar  difordc^s  incident  to,  4a. 
The  folly  of  men  emulating  each  other  in  trials  of  ilrength,  41 . 
Difadvantages  attending  their  diet,  ibid.  How  they  expofe 
themfelves  to  inflammations,  42.  Danger  of  fleeping  in  the 
fun,  ibid.  Long  fafling  hurtful  to  them,  ibid.  Injuries 
arifing  from  poor  living,  43.  Many  of  the  difeafes  of  ianour- 
ers,  not  only  occafioned,  but  aggravated,  by  poverty,  ibid. 

Labour  fhould  not  be  impofed  too  early  on  children,  28. 

Zr/7^0»r  in  child-bed,  medical  advice  for,  534.  Inconveniences 
of  colle^ing  a  number  of  women  at,  535,  note. 

Laudanum,  its  eflicacy  in  fits  of  an  ague,  149,  note.  How  to  be 
adminiftercd  in  a  cholera  morbus,  311.  In  a  loofenefs,  313, 
In  a  diabetes,  321.  When  proper  for  the  head-ach,  356.  How 
to  apply,  for  the  tooth-ach,  3^8.  Will  eafe  pain  in  the  gout, 
384.  How  to  adminiiler  for  the  cramp  in  the  ilomach,  438. 
Is  good  for  flatulences,  444.  Efl^edtsof  an  over-dofe  of,  470. 
Medical  treatment  in  this  cafe,  476.1 

Leading- ft  rings,  injurious  to  young  children,  23. 

Leaches,  may  be  fuccefsfully  applied  to  inflamed  teflicles,  ^05. 
note.  And  to  difperfe  buboes,  505,  note.  Arc  proper  to  apply 
to  children  where  inflammations  appear  in  teething,  560,  Ob- 
jedliens  to  bleeding  with  them,  572. 

Lemons,     See  Oranges. 

Leprofy,  why  lefs  frequent  in  this  country  now  than  formerly, 
398.     Requires  the  fame  treatment  as  the  fcurvy,  ibid. 

Lientery,  proper  treatment  for,  351. 

Life  may  frequently  be  rcllored,  when  the  appearances  of  it  are 
fufpended  by  fudden  cafualties,  601.  608.  613.  631. 

lAghtning,  pcrfons  appaiently  killed  by,  might  pofllbly  be  re- 
covered by  the  ufe  of  proper  means,  6^1. 

Lime-water  recommended  to  prevent  gravel  in  the  kidneys  from 
degenerating  to  the  ftone  in  the  bladder,  326.  Is  a  good  re- 
medy for  worms,  3O8.  Happy  eff^edls  of,  in  the  cure  of  ob- 
llinate  ulcers,  5S5. 

Lind,  Dr.  his  prefcription  to  abate  fits  of  an  ague,  149,  note. 
His  due^ions  for  the  treatment  of  patients  under  putrid  re- 
mitting fevers,  212,  note. 

Liniment  for  hums,  preparation  of,  6>?3.  White  liniment,  6S4« 
For  the  piles,  ibid.     Volatile  liniment^  ibid, 

Lffi/6rsp 


I      N   .  D      E      X. 

Liquorst  (Irong,  er^pofe  chifdren  to  inflammatoiy  disorders,  19* 
Fermented,  the  qualities  of,  exarotned»  68.  The  bad  coftfc' 
quences  of  making  them  too  weak,  69.  Why  all  families  oaghc 
to  prepare  their  o  IV  n  liquors,  ibid.  Cold,  the  danger  of  d/iik* 
ing,  when  a  perfon  is  iioc,  131. 

Li'uer,  fcirrhous,  produced  by  fedentary  em  ploy  aieots,c6. 

Li'ver,  inflammacion  of,  its  cau(es  and  fymptooif ,  306.  Regimen 
and  medical  treatment,  307.  Abfceft  in,  hotv  to  be  treaoed, 
308.    Cautions  in  the  event  of  a  fchirrhut  being  formed,  ihid. 

Lobeliat  an  American  plant  ufed  by  the  natives  in  the  venereal 
difcafe,  ^4. 

Lochia^  a  fuppreflion  of,  how  to  be  treated,   537, 

LcM^r/rgs,  in  difeafes,  are  the  calls  of  natare,  atad  often  point 
out  what  may  be  of  real  ufe,  146* 

Ltfimfs,  habitual,  general  diredioas  for  per ^as  fubjedt  to,  122. 
Its  general  caul'es,  312.  A  periodical  looiencfs  ooght  never  to 
be  topped,  313.  Medical  treatment  of,  accordiog  to  its  va- 
rious caufes,  ibid,  Mfans  of  checking  it  when  neceCary,  314. 
In  children,  proper  treatment  of,  ^52. 

Love^  why  perhaps  th^  ilrongeft  of  all  tbepaffions,  119.  \\  oot 
rapid  in  its  progrefs,  and  may  therefore  be  guarded  agaiaftac 
its  commencement,  ibid.  To  pretend  to  it  for  aooleaeDt, 
cruelty  to  the  ob}<^£l,  ibid,  Childreo  often  real  martyrs  be- 
tween inclination  and  duty,  120,  tuit. 

Lues^  confirmed,  fymptoms  of,  510.  Mcrcnry  the  only  certain 
remedy  known  in  Europe  for  this  difeaie,  511.  Saline  prepa- 
rations of  mercury  more  efficacious  than  the  ointment,  512. 
How  to  adroiniller  corrofive  fublimate,  iind.  American  ac- 
thod  of  curing  this  dileafe,  513. 

Lungs i  injared  by  ariiUs  working  in  bendiogpoAnreSy  50.    Sta- 

dious  perfons  liable  to  coofumptions  of,  56. 
Luxury f  highly  injurious  to  the  organs  of  taile  and  liDell»  463. 

M. 

Mackenxie^  Dr.  his  argoments  in  Aifoar  of  inoenlating  in  the 
fmall-pox,  231,  ncte, 

Mad'dog.     S^  Deg, 

Magmjiaalba^  a  remedy  for  the  heart-barn,  419,  la  the  beft 
medicine  in  all  cafes  of  acidity,  549. 

Magnets^  artificial,  their  repated  virtue  in  the  cooth-ach,  359. 

Malt  liquors,  hurtful  in  theafthma,  407.     See  ^mt. 

Man^  why  inferkir  to  brutes  in  the  management  of  his  yo«ng»  !• 
Was  never  intended  to  be  idle,  87. 

Manufa^uresy  (he  growth  of,  produced  the  rickets  in  children,  tl. 
More  favourable  to  riches  than  to  health,  a8.  Some,  injaiioas 
to  health  by  confining  artifts  in  unwholefeme  «r,  37.  Caatioos 
to  the  workmen.  38.  Compared  with  agricolcltre,  48.  Are 
>njurk>us  to  health  from  artilbbein| crowded  angttWr,  4^  Aid 
from  their  working  in  confined  polnitfj  UnJ.  Cnntiontnftsivd 
6  .  m 


INDEX. 

to  feJentary  itrtlib,  50.    Sedeotary  arts' bctier  Aiitcd  to  fvenca 
than  CO  men,  83*  motg, 

MatrimoMy  ought  not  to  be  contrmfled  without  a  due  attcation  to 
health  and  form,  8. 

Miod,  Dr.  his  famous  recipe  for  the  bite  ofamaddog.  43b« 
His  charader  as  a^yfician,  ihid.  n§te. 

Meals  ought  to  b^  taken  at  regular  timei»  72.  Reafons  for  chit 
uniformity,  iM, 

Miafia^  have  great  affinity  with  the  faiall-poxt  240.  Cauie  and 
lymptoms,  ibid.  Proper  regimen  and  medicine,  £42,  24}. 
Inoculation  of,  might  prove  very  falutary,  245,  nau. 

Mecbanict  Q^^t  to  employ  their  leifure  hours  in  gardeniog^  54. 

Meconium^  the  bell  mode  of  expelling  it^  16.  546. 

Mcdicim^  the  origin  of  the  art  of,  xii.  The  operation  of,  doubt- 
ful at  bed,  xiv.  Is  made  a  myftery  of,  by  its  profclibrs,  xxi. 
The  (ludy  of,  negleded  by  gentlemen,  xxii.  This  ignorance 
lays  men  open  to  pretenders,  xxiii.  Ought  to  be  generally  no- 
derilood,  xxiv.  A  dilFufion  of  the  knowledge  of,  would  de- 
ftroy  quackery,  xxvii.  Objeftious  to  the  cultivation  of  me- 
dical knowledge  anfwered,  xxviti.  The  theory  of»  can  never 
fupply  the  want  of  experience  and  obfervaiion,  1 3c. 

j)i>^/Wir^/havefflorevirtue  attributed  to  them  than  they  oeferve,  138. 
Ought  not  to  be  adminil^ered  by  (heignorant^  nor  without cau. 
tion,  140.  Want  of  perfeveraoce  in  the  ufe  of,  one  reifon  wh^r 
chronic  difeaies  9^it  io  feldom  cured,  3g2.  Many  retained* 
which  owe  their  reputation  to  credulity,  649.  Are  multiplied 
and  compounded  in  proportion  to  ignorance  of  the  caufesand. 
nat4ireof  difeafes,  ihid.  Dt  fad  vantages  of  compounded  medi- 
cines, ihid.  Are  often  adulterated  for  the  fake  of  colour^  ihidm 
The  relative  proportions  of  dofes  of^  for  different  ages,  652.  K 
lift  of  fuch  medical  preparations  as  ought  to  be  kept  for  private 
pradice,  654. 

Mtlancbdjt  religious,  its  effeds,  120.  Leads  to  fuicide,  ihii.' 
Defined,  with  its  caufes,  426.  Symptoms  and  regimeii,  426, 
427.     Medicinal  treatment,  428. 

Af/ff^r«/z/difcharge  in  women,  the  commencement  and  decline  of, 
the  moft  critical  periods  of  their  lives,  522.  Confinement  ia« 
jurious  to  growing  young  women^  ^23;  and  tight  lacirigfera 
fine  fliape,  524.  Symptoms  of  the  firft  appearance  of  this  dif- 
charge,  525.  Objedls  of  attention  in  regimen  at  this  tiaie,  ibid. 
Ought  to  be  reilored  whenever  unnaturally  obilru^ed,  and 
how,  526.  When  an  obftrudion  proceeds  from  anotntr  msla^ 
dy,  the  hi^  caufe  is  (o  be  removed,  527.  I'reatment  under  a 
redundancy  of  the  difcharge,  528.  Regimeo#and  meaicine 
proper  at  the  final  decline  of  the  meofes,  529. 

Mtreury^  may  be  given  in  defperate  caiies  of  an  in  flam  nation  of  the 
intcitines,  294.  Cautions  for  adminiHering  it,  ihid.  note.  Gmt 
caution  neceffary  in  ofing  mercurial  preparations  for  the  itch, 
405.  U  feldom  aeceiTary  in  a  gonorrhoBi,  496.  How  toud'* 
tninifterit  when  needful  in  thatdiforder,  497.   boluuou  oimcf 

cury. 


1      N      D      E      3^. 

cury^how  to  make,  4.989  note.  Is  the  only  certain  remedy  known 
in  Europe  for  the  cure  of  a  confirnied  lues,  511.  Sa!inc  pre* 
parations  of,  more  efficacious  than  the  mercurinl  oinrmenr, 
ibid.  How  CO  adminidercorrofive  fublimace  in  venerea!  cafes, 
512.  Ncccflary  cautions  in  the  ufc  of  mercury,  515.  Proper 
feafons  for  entering  on  a  courfc  of,  516.  Preparations  for, 
ibid.     Regimen  under  a  courfeof,  517. 

Mezereon  root,  a  powerful  afTidant  in  venereal  cafes,   513. 

Midixjifry^  ought  not  to  be  allowed  to  be  praftifed  by  any  woman 
not  properly  qualified,  534,  nou, 

Midivi^ves^  hillorical  view  of  the  profeffion,  9.  How  they  hr- 
came  intruHed  with  the  care  of  bandaging  infants,  wi:h  th?  ill 
efFerts  of  their  attempts  at  dexterlcy  in  this  office,  10.  fn- 
ilances  of  their  rartinefs  and  officious  ignorance,  540,  nzis, 
544,  note. 

"Miliary  fever.     See  Fe*ver, 

Military  exercifc  recommended  for  boys  to  pradlife,   26. 

Milkf  ihatof  the  mother,  the  moll  natural  food  for  an  infant,  15. 
Cows  milk,  better  unboiled  than  boiled,  iS.  Is  a  good  ami- 
dote  againrt  the  fcurvy,  66.  Of  more  value  in  confumpricns 
than  the  whole il//j//r/<i  Medica^  179.  Its  great  efficacy  in  the 
fcurvy,  396*  A  milk  diet  proper  both  for  men  and  womcc, 
in  cafes  of  barren nefs,  543. 

Milk  fever.     See  Fenjer, 

Millipedes^  how  to  adminifter  for  the  hooping-cough,    287. 

Mi/id,  difeafes  of,  to  be  diilinguiflied  from  thofe  of  the  bcuy, 
136.      See  PaJ/ions. 

Miners f  expofed  to  injuries  from  unwholefome  air,  and  mineral 
particles,  38.     Cautions  to,  30. 

Mineral  waters,  the  danger  of  drinking  them  in  ton  ];:rge  quan- 
tities, 319.  Are  of  considerable  fervice  in  weaknelfes  of  the 
flomach,  417,  Cautions  concerning  the  drinking  Oj,  639—646. 

Mixtures,  gener?»l  remarks  on  this  form  of  medicines,  (i)0.  Com- 
potition  of  the  aflringcnt  mixture,  ibid.  Diuretic  mixture,  ibid, 
J^axative  abforbent  mixture,  i^/V.  isaline  mixture,  681.  Squill 
mixture,  ibid. 

Molajfesy  an  intoxicating  fpirit  much  ufed  by  the  common  people 
at  Edinburgh,  91. 

Mathers,  prepollerous,  when  they  think  it  below  them  Co  nurfc 
their  own  children,  2.  Under  what  circumftances  ihey  may 
be  really  unfit  to  perform  this  tafk,  ibid.  Importance  of  their 
fuchling  their  own  children,  3,  note.  Delicate  mothers  pro- 
duce unhealthy  (liort-Iived  childien,  7.  Their  milk,  the  beft 
food  for  cliildren,  1^.  Ought  to  give  their  children  proper 
cxcrcife,  23;    and  air,  31.  ,  , 

Mouth,  cautions  againil  putting  pins  or  other  dangerous  articles 
into,  603. 

Mujcular  exercifc  a  cure  for  the  gout,  385. 

Mujhrocms,  a  dangerous  article  of  food,  as  Other  fn^fes  are 
often  gathered  inltcad  of  thcfli>  4Stft 


INDEX. 

JJifSr,  tbe  per  Form  anceof>  reoommeBded  as  a  proper  amaremeht 

for  ftodious  perfons,  60. 
Mufiy  extraordinary  efFeds  prodaced  by,  under  particular  cir- 

cumftances,  in  the  nervous  fever^  193.    Is  a  good  remedy  ia 

theepUepry9  435.    And  for  the  hiccup,  437.    Deafnefs  cured 

by^  462. 
Muftairil,  white^  a  good  remedy  in  the  rheumatirniy  391. 

N. 

Natural  hiflory»  the  fludy  of,  neceilary  to  the  improvement  of 
agriculture,  xx. 

Nervous  difeafes,  the  mod  complicated  and  difficult  to  cure  of  all 
others,  420.  General  caufes  of,  ihid.  Symptoms  of,  421.  Re- 
gimen, 422.  Medicinal  treatment,  424.  A  cure  only  to  be 
expeded  from  regimen,  426.  The  feveral  fymptoms  of,  though 
differently  named,  all  modifications  of  the  fame  difeafe,  453. 

Nirvous  colic,  its  caufes  and  fymptoms,  299.  Medical  treatment 
of,  300. 

Nerveus  fever.     See  Fiver. 

Night-Mare^  its  caufes  and  Yymptoms  defcribed,  439^  Proper 
treatment  of,  440. 

Nigbt-Jhadtf  an  infofton  of,  recommended  in  a  dancer,  469. 

Nitrty  purified,  its  good  effeds  in  a  quinfey,'268.  Ts  an  effica- 
cious remedy  for  the  dropfy,.  378.  Promotes  urine  and  per** 
fpiration,  429. 

N9fe^  ulcer  in,  how  to  cure,  464^  Stoppage  of,  in  children^ 
how  to  cure,  5^1.     See  Bleeding  at, 

Nur/es,  their  fuperditious  prejudices  in  bathing  of  children,  30. 
The  only  certain  evidence  of  a  good  one,  33.  Their  ufual  faults 
pointed  out,  34.  Adminiiler  cordials  to  remedy  their  negled 
of  duty  toward  children,  39.  Their  miftaken  treatment  of 
eruptions,  ibid.  And  loofe  (tools,  ihid.  Are  apt  to  conceal  the 
diforders  of  children  that  arife  fro;n  their  own  negligence,  36. 
Ought  to  be  puniftied  for  the  misfortunes  they  thus  occafion» 
ibid.  Seniible,  often  able  to  difcover  difeafes  fooner  than  per* 
fons  bred  to  phyfic,  135.  Are  liable  to  catch  the  fmall-pox 
again  from  thofe  they  nurfe  in  that  diforder,  218,  note. 

Nur/ery  ought  CO  be  the  largeft  and  beft  aired  room  in  a  houfe,  31. 

O. 

Oil,  an  antidote  to  the  injuries  arifing  from  working  in  mines  or 
metals,  39.  Sallad  oil,  the  bed  application  to  the  biie  of  a  wafp 
or  bee,  486.     Camphorated,  how  to  prepare,  684. 

Oils,  eflential,  of  vegetables,  the  proper  menftruum  for,  694. 

Ointment  for  the  itch,  403.  Ufe  of  ointmetits  when  applied  to 
wounds  and  fores,  68 1.  Preparation,  of  yellow  bafilicum,  ibid. 
Emollient  ointment,  682.  Eye  ointments,  ibid.  IfTue  oint- 
ment, ibid.  Ointment  of  lead,  68t.  Mercurial  ointment,  ibid. 
Ointment  of  fulphur,  ibid.  White  ointment^  ibid.  See  Li- 
niment. 

Ophthalmia^    Set  Eje, 

3  B  Otiat€t^ 


index; 

Ofiatis^  efficacious  in  a  cl^kra  Murimt,  311.     In  a  diabetes,  3  20. 

When  proper  for  che  head-ach,  556.     Recommeoded  for  the 

tooth-ach,  iM.    Are  delufive  remedicf  in  nervoua  difeafes, 

4*25.     See  Laudanum. 
Orangt  and  lemon  peel,  how  to  candy,  665.     How  to  preicrvc 

orange  and  lemon  juice  in  the  form  of  fyrop,  694. 
Ormjkirk  medicine  for  the  bite  of  a  mad  dog,  remarks  on»  485, 

note, 
Oxycrate,  the  mo(l  proper  external  application  10  a  fradlore,  596. 
Oj/Jtersoi  great  fervice  in  confumptions,  i%z,  not§. 

P. 

Painters,     Sec  Miners, 

Pai/y,  the  nature  of  this  diforder  explained,  with  ica  cau&s,  430. 
Medical  treatment,  43 1 . 

Parapbnnitis,  its  fymptoms  and  treatment,  170. 

Panuts^  their  interelled  views  in  the  difpofal  of  their  children  19  . 
marriage,  often  a  fource  of  bitter  repentance,   120,  moti.    See 
Fathers^  and  Mothers, 

Pajponst  inumperance  the  abufe  of,  94.  Have  great  infloeoce 
both  in  the  caufeand  cure  of  difeafes,  in.  Aoger,  112.  Fear, 
ibiil.  Grief,  116.  Love,  119.  Religious  melancholy,  120. 
The  beft  method  of  counteracting  the  violence  of  any  of  die 
paflions,  ibid, 

Peast  parched,  good  in  cafes  of  flatulency,  363. 

Peruvian  bark.     See  Bark. 

Penis,  ulcerated,  cured,  and  partly  regenerated,  by  a  carefbl 
attention  Xfi  deanlinefs,  518,  note. 

Peripneumonjt  who  mofl  fubjed  to,  171.  Its  caufes,  (ymptonu, 
and  proper  regimen,  ibid,  172. 

Perfpiration^  inlenfible,  the  obdruAion  of,  difbrdera  the  whole 
frame,  126.  The  various  caufes  of  its  being  checked,  ihii* 
Changes  in  the  atmofphere,  ibid.  Wet  clothes,  127.  Wet  fleet, 
ibid.  Night  air,  128.  Damp  beds,  i^V.  Damp  houfes,  130. 
Sudden  tranfitions  from  heat  to  cold,  131. 

Philo/ophy,  advanuges  refulting  from  the  ilody  of,  xxiii. 

Pbrenitis,     See  6rain, 

Phymojis  defcribed,  and  how  to  treat,  509. 

Phyficians^xW  cOnfequenccs  of  their  inattention  to  the  management 
of  children,  5.  Are  liable  to  (jpread  infedion,  109,  »«/#.  Their 
cuflom  of  prognofticating  the  fate  of  their  patienu,  a  bad  prac- 
tice, 115.  Arefeldom  called  in,  until  medicine  can  give  nore- 
licf,  158.  The  faculty  oppofe  every  falntary  difcovery,  328. 

Pickles^  provocatives  injurious  to  the  fiomach,  67. 

/'//cv,  bleeding  and  blind,  the  diftinAion  between,  334.  Who 
moil  fubjefl  to  the  diforder,  ibid.  General  caafes,  ibid.  Me- 
dical treatment  of,  3  ^  5 .  Pe/iodical  di(charges  of,  ooght  not  to 
be  flopped,  336.  Proper  treatment  of  the  blind  piles,  ibiL 
External  ointments  of  little  ufe,  337. 
Pills,  purging,  proper  form  of,  for  an  inflammatiDB  of  dit  ia- 
sellines,  294.  The  general  iotention  of  ihia  dafiof  aediciBcs, 

684. 


I     K     D     E     X. 

684.  Preparation  of  the  compofing  pill,  ^^<;»  Pcetid  pill,  iliJ» 
Hemlock  pill^  iM.  Mercurial  pill,  sM.  Mercurial  lublimate 
pills,  686.  Plummer's  pill,  ilii.  Purging  pill,  687.  Pill  for 
the  jaundice,  iiid.  Sqaill  pills,  /^/V.  Strengthening  pills,  688. 
PtHs  oaght  never  to  be  ufed  in  the  dreflingof  child^-en,  13.  Swal- 
lowed, difcharged  from  an  ulcer  in  the  fide,  603,  note, 

Flafiersy  the  general  intentions  of,  and  their  ufual  baiis,  688.  Pre- 
paration of  the  common  plafter,  ibid.  Adheiive  plailer,  489* 
Anodyne  pUfter,  ibid.  Bliftering  plailer,  ibid.  Gum  plafter, 
ibid.  Mercurial  plailer,  ibid.  Stomach  plader,  690.  Warm 
plailer,  ibid.     Wax  plader,  ibid, 

Pleurijy^  the  nature  of  the  diforder  explained,  with  its  cau(ef» 
163.  Symptoms,  164.  Reei men,  i^iV.  Medical  treatment, 
165.  A  decodion  of  feneka  reckoned  a  fpecific  in,  i68. 
Bailard  pleurify,  169. 

Plumbtrs.     See  Mirnrs. 

Poi/ons,  the  nature  and  cure  of,  a  general  concern,  and  eafily  ac<% 
quired,  472.  Mineral  poifons,  473.  Vegetable  poifons,  475* 
Bites  of  poifbnous  animals,  477.  Bite  of  a  mad  dog,  479* 
Bite  of  a  viper,  485.  The  pradlice  of  fucking  the  poifon  out 
of  wounds  recommended,  486,  note,  Poifonous  plants  ought 
to  be  dedroyed  in  the  neighbourhood  of  towns,  487.  Negro 
remedy  to  cure  the  bite  of  a  rattlefnake,  488.  General  rulea 
for  fecurity  againil  poifons,  489. 

Poor  living,  the  dangers  of,  \%. 

Porters  fubjefl  to  diforders  of  the  lungs,  40. 

Pofturest  confined,  injurious  to  the  health  of  fedentary  arttds,  50* 

Poverty y  occafions  parents  to  negleft  giving  their  children  proper 
exercife,  23.  Deftroys  parental  afFeflion,  24,  note.  Not  only 
occafions,  but  aggravates,  many  of  the  difeafes  of  labourers, 
43.  The  poor  great  fufferers  by  the  fale  of  bad  provifions,  63. 
And  by  bad  air  in  large  cities,  ']']. 

Poultices  proper  for  inHamed  wounds,  579. 

Po^wders,  general  inftrudions  for  making  and  adminiftering,  69T» 
Adringent  powder,  preparation  and  dofes  of,  692.  Powder  of 
bole,  ibid.  Carminative  powder,  ibid.  Diuretic  powder,  693. 
Aromatic  purging  powder,  ibid.  Saline  laxative  powder,  ibid. 
Steel  powder,  ibid.  Sudorific  powder,  ibid.  Worm  powder, 
694.  Purging  worm  powder,  ibid.  Powder  for  the  cape- 
worm,  ibid. 

Poxj  fmall,  who  mofl  liable  to,  and  at  what  feafons,  214.  Its 
caufes  and  fymptoms,  ibid,  215.  Favourable  and  unfavourable 
fymptoms  in,  215,  216.  Regimen,  216.  How  the  patient 
9ught  to  be  treated  during  the  eruptive  fever,  217.  Children 
in  this  diforder  ought  not  to  lie  together  in  the  fame  bed, 2 19* 
Should  be  allowed  clean  linen,  ibid.  Patients  under  this  dif- 
order ought  not  to  appear  in  public  view,  220.  Medical 
treatment,  ibid.  The  fecondary  ftv^r,  224.  When  and  how 
to  open  the  puilules,  225.     Of  inoculation,  227. 

Pregnancjt  how  (o  treat  V9fflitinff  when  the  cffc^  of,  316.    Rulea 

3  B  a  of 


f    N    D    E    x: 

of  condofl  for  women  under  the  difbrders  incident  to,  536. 
Caafes'and  fymptoms  of  abortion,  532.  How  to  guard  againft 
abortion,  iiid.  Treatment  in  cafes  of  abortion,  i^<V.  Child- 
birth. 533. 

Fre/criffioHj,  medical,  patients  expofed  to  danger  by  their  being 
written  in  Latin,  xxvi. 

Fro^ifionsy  unfoond,  the  fale  of,  a  public  injury,  63. 

Fuer feral  fever.     Sec  Fe<ver. 

F urges y  the  frequent  taking  of  them  renders  the  habitual  ufe  of 
them  necefTary,  123.  Their  ejSicacy  in  agues,  150.  Proper 
form  of,  for  an  inflammation  of  the  inteftines,  293.  Cooling 
purees  always  proper  in  a  gonorrhoea,  494..  Midwives  too  ram 
m  the  giving  of  purges,  540,  note.  Form  of  a  gentle  purge  for 
infants  difordcrcd  in  the  bowels,  545.     For  the  thru(h,  547. 

Fuftules  in  the  fmali-pox,  favourable  and  unfavourable  appear- 
ances of,  215,  216.  The  fuppuration  of,  to  be  promoted, 
221.     When  and  how  to  open,  225. 

Futrid  fever.     Sec  Fever, 

CL 

Sluacks  put  out  more  eyes  than  they  cure,  456* 

^ackery^  how  to  deftroy,  xxv. 

^^uakers^  their  mode  of  drefling  recommended,  g%, 

^iftfeyt  a  common  and  dangerous  diforder,  andftowhom  rooft 

fatal,  264.    Its  caufes,  x^/V.    Symptoms,  265.    Regimen,  266. 

Medical  applications,  263.    How  to  promote  fuppuration,  269. 

How  to  nourifh  the  patient  when  he  cannot  iwallow,  270* 

Advice  to  perfons  fubjeft  to  this  diforder,  ihiel. 
m  ,  malignant,  who  moft  fubjcfl  to,  and  its  caufes,  271. 

Its  fymptoms,  272.     Regimen  and  medical  treatment,  273. 

R. 

Rattle/nake,  Negro  remedy  for  the  cure  of  its  bite,  48?. 
Regimen  ought  to  co-operate  with  medicine  to  accompli/h  the 

cure  of  dileafes,  xiii.     Will  oflcn  cure  difeafes  without  medi* 

cine,  140*     See  Aliment, 
Religion y   true,    calculated   to  fupport    the  mind   onder  every 

afflidion,  120.     The  inflradions  in,  ought  not  to  dwell  too 

much  on  gloomy  fubjeds,  121. 
Remitting  fever.     See  Fever. 
Repletion 9  impairs  the  digeftive  power,  72..  Difeafes  occalioned 

by,  74.     How  to  treat  a  loofcnefs  produced  by,  312. 
Re/entment,  the  indulgence  of,  injurious  to  the  conftitntioOy  II2« 
ReJtnSf  and  e/Tential  oils,  the  proper  menftruum  for,  695* 
Re/piration^  how  to  reilore  in  a  drowned  perfon,  609, 
Rbeumati/m,  acute  and   chronic,  diftinguiflied,    388.      Caafei, 

ibiJ,    Symptoms,  389.     Medical  treatment,  iML    CaatkMS 
^    to  perfons  lobjed  to  this  diforder,  390. 
Rickets,  the  appearance  of,  in  Britain,  dated  from  the  growth  bf 

manufadures  and  fedentary  employments,  23.     The  csofesof, 

562.  S^tn^voms^  ^6^.  Regimen;  aMmtdi«aitit«CBear,tM 

RJhrh 


INDEX. 

RMerSf  pernieioQS  tendency  of  applying  them  roand  tlie  bodies 

of  infants,  12. 
Romans^  ancienx»  their  great  attention  to  the  cleanlinefs  of  their 

towns,   loz,  n9ti. 
Jt^iSi  conferve  of,  its  great  virtue  agaioft  hapmorrhages,  336. 

Rofemarj^  the  external  application  of»  a  popular  remedy  for  tlie 
crainpy  4^1,  note* 

Ruftura,  are  chiefly  incident  to  children  and  very  old  perfbns» 
508.  The  caufes  refpcaivcljr,  ihid.  Method  of  treatment, 
ibiil.  Cutting  ihould  be  avoided  if  poffible,  599.  Cautioiis 
for  perfons  afflicted  with  a  rapture,  600.  Often  pl-ove  fatal 
before  difcovered,  ibid,  mote* 

Rutherford^  Dr.  his  preparation  for  the  care  of  a  dyfentery,  347* 
note. 

S.  • 

Sailorst  their  health  injured  by*  change  of  climate,  hard  weather, 
and  bad  proviiions,  45.  Many  of  their  difeafes  fpringfrom 
intemperance,  ibid.  Ought  to  guard  againd  wet  clothes, 
ibid.  How  the  ill  efFc^s  of  fait  provifions  might  be<orrefted, 
ibid.  Peruvian  baric  the  bed  antidote  to  failors  on  a  foreign 
coad,  47.     Cleanlioefs  greatly  conducive  to  their  health,  105. 

Sal  prunella y  its  good  efleds  in  a  quinfey,  268. 

^d[//«/ draughts,  of  good  ufe  for  flopping  a  vomiting,  318.^  Pre- 
paration of,  for  this  purpofe,  ibid.  Peculiarly  good  in  the 
puerperal  fever,  540. 

Sali*vatioH  not  neceflary  in  the  cure  of  the  venereal  difeafe,  511* 

Sar/aparilla,  a  powerful  affiitant  in  venereal  cafes,  513. 

Scabbed  head  in  children,  difficult  to  cure,  555.  Medical  treat- 
ment, ibid. 

Scarlet  fever.     See  Fever. 

School^  fending  children  there  too  young,  its  bad  coniequencef, 
25.  Ought  to  be  feated  in  a  dry  air,  and  not  to  be  too  much 
crowded,  33. 

Scirrbus  in  the  liver,  proper  regimen  in  the  cafe  of,  308.  Sec 
Cancer, 

Scrophula,  nature  of  this  difeafe,  and  its  caufes,  398.  Symp- 
toms, and  regimen,  399.     Medical  treatment,  400. 

Scurvy,  why  prevalent  among  the  Englifh,  65.  Where  mod 
prevalent,  and  the  two  diilin^ions  of,  393.  Caufes  of,  ibid. 
Symptoms  and  cure,  394.  Inftruflions  to  fea-faring  men,  395. 
Extraordinary  efFeds  of  milk,  396.     Proper  liquors,  ibid. 

Sedentary  life,  includes  the  greater  part  of  the  human  fpccies,  47* 
Few  perfons  follow  agriculture  who  are  capable  of  other  buQ- 
nefs,  48.  Sedentary  and  adtive  employments  ought  to  be 
intermixed,  for  the  fake  of  health,  ibid,  Artids  fiifFer  from 
unwholcfome  air,  by  being  crowded  together,  ibid.  The 
poflures  artills  are  confined  to,  injurious  to  health,  ±g.  Dif- 
orders  produced  by,  ibid.  Cautions  oflered  to  the  ledentary, 
^o.  Sedentary  am ufcments  improper  for  fedentary  perfons,  51. 

3  B  3  IIvdlU^ 


INDEX. 

Hintt  relating  to  improper  food,  52.     Exerciie  a  furer  relief 

for  low  fpirits  than  drinking,  iBiii.  Gardeniog  a  wholefome 
amufement  for  the  fcdcntaryy  iSiJ.  Diibrders  occafioned  bj  in- 
tenfe  ftudy,  55.  Dietetical  advice  to  the  fedentary,  7 1 .  Seden- 
tary occupations  better  adapted  to  women  than  mco,  83,  m/r. 

Sea  water,  a  good  remedy  in  the  King's  evil,  400. 

S^m/iSf  diibrdcrsoft  456. 

Sftcttf  fometimet  hat  extraordinary  effe^ls  in  an  inHammation  of 
the  eyes,  262.  Is  of  fervice  for  preventing  apoplexies,  41  j. 
The  bed  method  of  making  it,  430. 

Sh0ej,  tight,  the  bad  confequences  refuhing  from,  91.  The 
high  heels  of  women's  ihoes,  92. 

Sihbins,  a  venerea]  diforder  fo  termed  in  the  well  of  Scotland, 
how  to  cure,  518,  nott. 

Sick,  the  mutua]  danger  incurred  by  onnecefTary  vificors  to,  106. 
Perfons  in  health  to  be  kept  at  a  didance  from  the  fick,  107. 
Prop^  nUrfes  ought  to  be  employed  about  them,  109.  la- 
fbttfUons  for  avoiding  infedlion,  i^/V/.  Phylicians  too  un- 
guarded in  their  vifits  to  them,  iSiJ.  note.  Tolling  of  belli 
for  the  dead  very  dangerous  to,  1 14.  Their  fears  ought  doc 
to  be  alarmed,  116. 

Si^ht  injured  by  (ludying  by  candle-light,  57. 

Simples,  a  lift  of  thofe  proper,  to  be  kept  for  private  pra^ice,  6C4. 
.Shafi/ms,  the  general  intentions  of,  66q.  Diredions  fbrmakio|; 
of,  iifiJ* 

Sleep,  the  due  proportion  of,  not  eafy  to  fix,  87.  How  to  make 
it  refreihing,  88.  Complaints  of  the  want  of,  chiefly  made 
by  the  indolent,  f^/V.  Heavy  fuppers  caufe  uneafy  nights, 
iitd^  Anxiety  defirudive  of  fleep,  89.  I'hat  in  the  fore-part 
of  the  night  moft  refrelhing,  ibid.  Early  rifers  the  loogcli 
livers,  90,  note. 

Sleeping  in  the  fun,  the  danger  of,  42. 

Small 'pox*     See  Pox, 

Smell,  injuries  to  which  the  fenfe  of,  is  liable,  with  the  remedies 
applicable  to,  463. 

Soap,  Alicant,  recommended  in  the  (lone,  327.  Soap  lees,  how 
to  take,  /^/V. 

Solanum,     See  l^ightjkade. 

Soldiers,  expofed  to  many  diforders  from  the  hardfhips  they  un- 
dergo, 44.  Ought  to  be  employed  in  moderate  labour  ia 
times  of  peacfs,  44,  nt^te* 

Spine,  often  bent  by  artifls  working  in  unfavourable  poihires,  50. 

Spirit,  rediiied,  the  direct  inenilruum  for  refins  and  e£kottal 
oils  of  vegetables,  695.  Of  wine,  camphorated^,  how  to  pre- 
pare, 699.     Spirit  of  Mindererus,  ibid. 

Spirits,  lowpefs  of,  the  general  forerunner  of  a  nervoos  lever, 
189.  The  proper  remedies  for,  446*  Cantiooa  coperibns 
under  this  complaint,  447. 

Spirituous  liquors,  when  good  in  the  colic,  196.  And  for  gouty 
pompiaints  in  thefiopiach,  365.  Should  he  avoided  by  all  per- 


INDEX. 

fons  afflidled  with  nervous  diforders,  423.    The  afe  of^  ofien 
fatal,  623. 

Spitting  of  blood.     See  Blood. 

Sponge^  may  be  afed  to  fupply  the  want  of  agaric  as  a  (lyptic,  577, 
note.  Its  afe  in  extra^ling  fubllances  flopped  in.  the  gullet, 
605. 

Sports,  adive,  far  more  wholefome  than  fedentary  amufement5, 
8g.     Golf,  a  better  exercife  than  cricket,  ibid,  note. 

Spots  in  the  eye,  how  to  treat,  4^9. 

Squintings  how  to  corred  the  habit  of,  4^0. 

^/oy/,  a  ridiculous  and  pernicious  article  of  female  drefs,  14.  91. 
The  wearing  of,  tends  to  produce  cancers  in  the  breads,  467. 

Sternutatories,  preparations  of,  recommended  for  refloring  loll 
fmell,  464. 

Sticking  plafter  is  the  bed  application  for  flight  wounds,  578, 

Stomach,  exercife  the  bell  cure  for  diforders  of,  84.  Inflamma- 
tion of,  a  diforder  that  calls  for  fpeedy  afliflance,  289.  Its 
caafes,  ibid.  Symptoms,  ibid.  Regimen,  290.  Medical 
treatment,  ibid.  Pain  in,  its  caufes,  362.  Remedies  for, 
363.     Inflrudions  for  perfons  fubjed  to,  364. 

Stone,  the  formation  of,  in  the  bjadder,  explained,  124.  This 
diforder  how  dillinguiflied  from  the  gravel,  324.  Caufes  and 
fymptoms,  ibid.  Regimen,  325.  Medical  treatment,  326. 
Alicant  foap  and  lime-water,  how  to  take  for  this  diforder,  327. 
The  uva  urfi,  a  remedy  in  prefent  requeil  for,  328. 

Stool,  loofe,  the  benefit  of,  tochildren,  35.  Proper  treatment  of, 
when  exceflive,  36.  The  difcharge  by,  cannot  be  regular,  if 
the  mode  of  living  be  irregular,  121.  One  in  a  day  generally 
fufiicient  for  an  adult,  122.  How  to  produce  a  regularity  of, 
ibid.  Frequent  recourfe  to  medicines  for  codivenefs,  injurious 
to  theconflitution,   123. 

Storck,  Dr.  his  method  of  treating  cancers,  469, 

Strabi/mus.     See  Squinting. 

Strains t  proper  method  of  treating,  597.  The  fafefl  external  ap- 
plications, ibid.  note. 

Strangury,  from  a  blillcring  plafler,  how  to  guard  againft,  167. 
In  the  fmall-pox,  how  to  relieve,  222.  From  a  venereal  caafe, 
defcribed,  with  its  proper  treatment,  507. 

Strangulation,  courfe  of  treatment  for  the  recovery  of  perfons 
from,  628. 

Strajburgh,  fuccefsfal  treatment  of  a  miliary  fever  there,  208,  note. 

Strength,  the  folly  of  trials  of,  from  emulation,  40.  44. 

Study^  intenfe,  injurious  to  health,.  54.  The  diforders occafioned 
by,  55.  Charader  of  a  mere  fludent,  58.  Hints  of  advice  to 
fludious  perfons,  59.  Danger  of  their  having  recourfe  to  cor- 
dials, 60.  Health  often  negleded  while  in  pcfTcflioh,  and 
laboured  for  after  it  u  dellroyed,  61.  No  perfon  ought  to  (ludy 
immediately  after  a  full  meal,  62.  Dietetical  advice  to  the 
fludious,  71.     The  general  eflTedls  of,  on  the  conflitution,  420. 

Sublimate,  coirofive,  how  to  adminifter  in  venereal  cafes,  512. 


INDEX. 

SuffbcatioMt  by  the  fumes  of  cbarcoal«  liable  to  happen  in  doTe 
chambersy  613.  General  caafes  of  foffbcadop,  6z6,  Over- 
laying of  infants,  627. 

Su^ar,  an  improper  article  i)l  the  food  of  children*   i8. 

Sulphur y  a  good  remedy  for  expelling  worms*  368.  And  for  the 
itch,  403. 

Sufftrty  ought  not  to deftroy  the  appetite  for  brcakfafi«  73.   Heavy 

'     fuppers  lure  to  occafion  uneafy  nights,  8S. 

Surgery^  many  of  the  operations  of,  fucceAfully  performed  by 
perlbns  unfkilled  in  anatomy,  569.  Humanity  induces  every 
one  more  or  lefs  to  be  a  furgeon,  ihid, 

SiveattHgj  generally  excited  in  an  improper  manner.  In  fevers, 
146.  J  60. 

Swoenlngs,  the  feveral  caufes  of,  defcribed,  424.  Proper  treat- 
ment of  this  diforder,  425.  618.  Cautions  to  pcrfom  fobjed 
to  them,  622. 

Sj^enham,  Dr.  his  method  of  treating  fevers  in  children  from 
teething,  560. 

Sjmptoms,  dileafes  better  diftinguifhed  by,  than  by  the  fyllematical 
arrangement  of,  139.  The  differences  of  fex,  age>  and  coolH- 
tution,  to  be  confidered,  136.  Difeafes  of  the  mind  to  be 
diAinguifhed  from  thofeof  the  body,  137. 

Syncope,  proper  treatment  in,  619. 

Sjrupsf  the  general  intention  of,  69^.  How  to  make  Ample 
fyrup,  and  to  modify  it  for  particular  purpofes*  iiid. 

T. 

Toiitusy  his  remark  on  the  degeneracy  of  the  Roman  ladies,  4, 

note, 
Tallonv-cbaudlirs,  and  others  working  on  putrid  animal  fubllasces, 

cautions  to,  39. 
tapping  for  the  dropfy,  a  fafe  and  Ample  operation,  379. 
TVr,  barbadoes,  its  efficacy  in  the  nervous  colic,  300. 
Tartar,  foluble,  a  good  remedy  for  the  jaundice,  373.     Cream 

of,  a  good  remedy  in  a  dropfy,  378.     And  rheomatifm,  390. 
TajU^  how  torcflore  the  fenfeof,  when  injured,  465. 
Taylors,  areexpofed  to  injuries  from  breathing  confined  air,  49. 

Are  fubjcfl  to  confumptions,  ihid,  ss/r.     Often  lofe  the  ofe  of 

their  legs,  50.     Hiii(3  of  inllru^Uon  offered  to  them  in  regard 

to  their  health,  51. 
TVtf,  the  cuflomary  ufe  of,  injurious  to  female  conftitutions,  7. 

Deilroys  their  digeflive  powers,  and  produces  hyfterics,  66. 

The  bad  qualities  of,  principally  owing  to  imprudencein  the  ufe 

of  it,  ibid.     Green,  chewing  of,  a  remedy  for  the  heart-bani, 

419.     Has  a  powerful  effect  upon   the  nerves,  43 1»  m/#«    Is 

bad  for  perfons  troubled  with  flatulences,  445. 
Teethings  the  diiQi^tis  attending,  559.    Regimen,  and  medical 

treatment  in,  560.     Applications  co  thegui^Cji  and  how  to  cut 

them,  561. 
Temper anu,  the  parent  of  health,  04. 


INDEX* 

TefthUs,  fwelled,  the  caafe  of>  503.     Regimen  and  medicine  in,. 

ihid.    Treatment  under  a  cancerous  or  fcrophulous  habit,  (04. 

Tbirft,  how  it  may  be  quenched  when  a  perfon  is  hoc*  without 

danger,   132. 
Thought^  intenfe,  dedraflive  of  health,  54. 
Thrujb  in  infants,  the  diforder  and  its  canfes  defcribed,  ^47.  Me- 
dical treatment  of,  ihid. 
Tin^ures  and  elixirs,  the  proper  medicines  to  exhibit  in  the  form 
of,  696.     Preparations  of  the  aromatic  tinflure,  ibid.     Com- 
pound tin6)!ure  of  the  bark,  ibid.  Volatile  foetid  tincture,  ibid» 
Volatile  tindure  of  gum  guaiacum,  697.     Tinfture  of  black 
hellebore,  ibid,     Aftringent  tin^ure,  ibid,    Tinflure  of  myrrh 
and  aloes,  ibid,   Tiodlure  of  opium,  or  liquid  laudanum,  ibid» 
Tindture  of  hiera  picra,  698.     Compound  tindture  of  fenna, 
ibid.    Tindlure  of  Spanifti  flies,  ibid,     Tindture  of  the  balfaoi 
of  Tolu,  ibid.     Tincture  of  rhubarb,  699. 
Tijfot,  Dr.  charaAer   of  his  A'vis  au  Peufi/e,  xW,     His  medical 
courfe  for  the  cure  of  the  hydrophobia,  484.  His  diredlions  for 
gathering,  preparing,   and  applying  agaric  of  the  oak  as  a 
^yptic,  577,  nofi.    In  (lances  from«  of  the  recovery  of  drowned 
perfons,  61 1. 
Tobacco,  a  clyfter  of  a  decodlion  of,  ufeful  to  excite  a  vomit,  6o6. 
A  clyfter  of  the  fumes  of,  will  flimulate  the  inteiUnesy  anct 
produce  a  flool,  300.  610. 
Toes,  the  free  motion  of,  deflroyed  by  wearing  tight  (hoes,  92. 
Tooth  acb,  the  general  caufes  of,  3C7.      Medical  treatment  of 
ibid.     When  recourfe  mud  be  had  to  extraction,  359.    Direc- 
tions for  cleaning  the  teeth,  360. 
Touch,  injuries  to  which  the  fenie  of,  is  liable,  with  the  remedies 

applicable  to,  465. 
Towns,  great,  the  air  of,  dcilruftive  to  the  children  of  the  poor, 
30.  Children  bred  in  the  country  ought  not  to  be  fent  too  early 
into  towns,  32.  Cleanlinefs  not  fufHciently  attended  to  in, 
10 1.  Ought  to  be  fupplied  with  plenty  of  water  for  walhing 
the  fh-eets,  105,  note.  The  belt  means  to  guard  againfl  infec- 
tion in,  109. 
Trades,  fome  injurious  to  health  by  making  artifts  breathe  un- 

wholefome  air,  37.  49. 
Tranjitions,   fudden,  from  heat  to  cold,  the  ill  effedls  of,  to  the 

conditution,   131. 
Travellers,  the  ufe  of  vinegar  recommended  to,  46.     Ought  to  be 
very  cajrful  not  to  fleep  in  damp  beds,  128.  Fevers  why  often 
fatal  to,  144. 
Trees  ihould  not  be  planted  too  near  to  houfes,  79. 
Trefoil  water,  a  good  remedy  in  the  rheumatifm,  591. 
Tumours,  proper  treatment  of,  574. 
Turnbull,  Dr.  bis  method  of  treating  the  croup  in  children,  558* 

note. 
Turaer*!  cerate,  prepantbn  of,  682. 

I  V^tfQur 


INDEX. 

V. 

/^4!i/i!tfr  of  fermenting  liquors^  noxious  nature  of,  613. 

Fegetahles^  whoiefome  corredions  of  the  bad  qoallties  of  aolffij 
foody  65.     Their  extraordinary  tSz6L%  in  the  fcurvy,  397. 

Venereal  diftafe^  why  omitted  in  the  firft  edition  of  this  work,  4S9. 
Unfavourable  circumftances  attending  this  diforder,  490.  Tbr 
virulent  gonorrhoea,  491.  Gleets,  500.  Swelled  tedides,  505. 
Buboes,  504.  Chancres,  509.  Strangnry,  507.  Pbymofis, 
509.  A  confirmed  lues,  510.  American  method  of  caricg 
this  diieafe,  513.  General  obiervations,  515*  Cleanliaefs  a 
great  prefervative  againft,  517.  The  ufe  of  medicines  oorfai 
not  to  be  hallily  dropped,  519.  Is  often  100  much  dilit- 
garded,  520. 

Ventilators^  the  moft  afefulof  all  modern  medical  improvements,  7?. 

Vertigo  QixtTi  produced  by  intenfe  (ludy,  57. 

Vintgar^  a  great  antidote  againft  difeafes,  and  ought  to  be  oied 
by  all  travellers,  56.  Should  be  fprinkled  in  iick  chambcn, 
109.  160.  199.  Is  of  confiderable  fervice  in  the  bice  of  a  mad 
dog,  481  ;  and  in  any  kind  of  poifon,  486.  Its  medical  pro- 
perties, 700.  Is  of  ufe  to  extrad  the  virtues  of  feveral  ndi- 
cinal  fubdances,  ibid.  How  to  prepare  vinegar  of  litharge, 
ibid.    Vinegar  of  rofes,  701.     Vinegar  of  fquills,  ibid, 

Viper^  the  bite  of,  the  fufHciency  of  the  greafe  for  the  cure  of, 
doubted,  486.     Method  of  treatment  recommended, /^V. 

Vitrioly  elixir  of,  an  excellent  medicine  in  weakneflea  of  the 
flomach,  417.     And  for  windy  complaints,  425. 

Vitus,  St.  his  dance,  method  of  cure,  436. 

Ulcers,  proper  treatment  of,  according  to  their  different  nature:, 
583.  Lime  water  a  good  remedy,  585.  Dr.  Whytt's  metiioA 
of  treating  them,  ibid,     Fidulous  nlcers,  586.  • 

Vomits,  their  ufe  in  agues,  i  co  ;  and  in  the  nervous  fever,  191* 
Caution  for  adminiflering  in  the  putrid  hvtr,  201 .  Ought  by 
no  means  to  be  adminiflered  in  an  inflammation  of  the  fiomach, 
290.  Are  ufeful  in  cafes  of  repletion,  312.  Are  powerful  re- 
medies in  the  jaundice,  372.  Are  the  firft  objed  to  bepuifoed 
when  poifon  has  been  received  into  the  flomach,  473.  Their 
ufe  in  the  hoopipg-coagh,  and  how  to  adminifter  them  to 
children,  286.  Mid  wives  too  rafli  in  the  n(e  of,  540,  wete. 
Form  of  a  gentle  one  for  infants  diibrdered  in  the  bowels,  545. 

Vomiting,  the  feveral  caufes  of,  315.  Medical  treatment  of,  316. 
Saline  draught  for  Hopping  of,  317.  Caufes  of,  in  chil<irc8» 
5p.     How  to  be  treated,  552.     Of  blood  :  SeeBU§d. 

Voyage,  a  long  one  fr/tquently  cures  a  confumption,  178.  Voy- 
ages have  an  excelleut  effed  on  peifons  afl!i£led  with  nervoaa 
dil^irders,  423. 
Ureters t  and  their  ufe,  defcribed,  303,  nottm 
Urine,  the  appearances  and  quantity  of,  too  i^DCeitain  to  (brmaay 
determined  judgment  from,  123.  Dr.  Cheyne'a  judgment  as  to 
the  due  quantity  uf^  not  to  be  relied  oo^  124.    The  fecretion 


INDEX, 

and  difcharge  of»  how  obftruded,  ibid.  Bad  conieqaences  of 
retaining  it  too  long,  125.  Too  great  a  quantity  of,  tends  to 
a  confumption,  ihid.  Stoppage  of,  its  general  caufes,  305. 
Caution  as  to  the  treatment  of,  iiid.  iDiabetes,  319.  In- 
con  tinency  of.  322.  Suppreffion  of,  medical  treatment  in, 
ihid.  Cautions  to  perfons  fubjefl:  to  this  diforder,  324^ 
Bloody,  caufes  of,  ibid.  Medical  treatment  of,  344.  Aa 
obftinate  deafnefs  cured  by  warm  urine,  462,  note. 

Urine  dolors,  their  impudence,  and  great  fuccefs  from  the  crc- 
dality  of  the  populace,  124,  ncu. 

U*va  urfi,  a  remedy  in  prefent  requefl  for  the  ftone,  328. 

W. 

fTallsj  high,  nnwholefome^  by  obftrufUng  the  frtt  current  of 
air,  79. 

fVard*s  eflence,  preparation  of,  699.  His  fiftula  pafte,  a  po- 
pular remedy  that  may  deferve  tfial,  586. 

IVars  ocQ2S\on  putrid  fevers,  by  tainting  the  air  with  the  effluvia 
of  dead  carcafes,   196. 

IVa/ps,  hornets,  or  bees,  how  the  bite  of,  ought  to  be  treated,  486. 

Water i  frequently  unwholefome  by  mineral  impregnations,  67. 
Cautions  for  the  choice  of,  68.  Cold,  the  danger  of  drink- 
ing when  a  perfon  is  hot,  131. 

Water  in  the  head,  is  a  diforder  chiefly  incident  to  child ren» 

567.  Its  caufes,  fymptoms,  and  proper  treatment,  ibid.  The 
nature  of  the  diforder  feldom  (lifcovered  in  due  time  for  cure^ 

568,  note. 

Waters  by  infufion,  how  to  prepare:'  Lime  water,  701.  Com* 
pound  lime  water,  702.  Sublimate  water,  ibid.  Styptic 
water,  ibid.     Tar  water,  ibid. 

Waters^  fimple  diftilled,  their  medical  ufes,  703.  Preparation 
of  cinnamon  water,  ibid.  Pennyroyal  water,  ibid.  Pepper- 
mint water,  ibid.  Spearmint  water,  ibid.  Kofe  water,  704, 
Jamaica  pepper  water,  ibid. 

Waters,  fpirituousdiftilled,  how  to  prepare:  Spirituous  cinnamon 
water,  704.     Spirituous  Jamaica  pepper  water,  ibid. 

Watery  eye,  how  to  cure,  460. 

Weaning  of  children  from  the  bread,  the  proper  mode  of,  17,  i8* 

Weather^  dates  of,  which  produce  the  putrid  fever,  195. 

Wells,  caution  to  perfons  going  down  into  them,  77,  note.  Deep» 
ought  not  to  be  entered  until  the  air  in,  ispun6ed,  614. 

Whey,  an  excellent  drink  in  a  dyfentery,  349;  and  in  the 
rheumatifm,  390.  Orange  whey,  how  to  make,  159.  Alum 
whey,  321 .  704.   Muftard  whey,  705.     Scorbutic  whey,  ibid. 

Wbitlo'W,   57c. 

Wbyttf  Dr.  his  remedies  for  flatulences,  444. 

Wind.    Sec  Flatulences, 

Windoojus,  the  danger  of  throwing  them  open  on  account  of  heatj 
and  fitting  near  them,  133. 

Wine,  good,  almoft  the  only  medicine  neccflary  in  a  nervous 
fever,  190. 

Winet^ 


I     N     0     B     X. 

iFines^  Ac  medical  properties  of,  705.  Their  a(e  in  txinSCing 
the  virtues  of  medicinal  fubftances,  706.  Preparation  of  an- 
thelminthic  wine,  ihU.  Antimonial  wine,  ihid.  Bitter  wine, 
ibiJ,  Ipecacuanha  wine,  707.  Chalybeate  or  fleel  wine,  ibid. 
Stomachic  wine,  ihid. 

Womb,  inflammation  of^  its  fymptoms,  536.     Medical  treatment 

®^»  537- 
Women,  errors  in  their  education  pointed  out,  4.     Why  fubjedl  to 

hyfterics,  66.     Are  better  adapted  to  follow  fedentary  occupa- 
tions than  men,  83,  nott.    In  child-bed,  often  die  from  their 
apprehenfions  of  death,  113.    Their  diforders  rendered  epide- 
mical by  the  force  of  imagination,  1 14.     Every  thing  that  can 
alarm  them  to  be  carefuMy  guarded  agaiDfl,i//V.  Evil  tendencyof 
tolling  bells  for  the  dead,  ibid.     How  expofed  to  a  miliary  hvtx 
during  pregnancy,  205.     Their  conftitutions  injured  by  living 
too  much  within  doors,  521.     Thofe  who  work  in  the  open  sir, 
almoft  as  hardy  as  men,  922.     Adviceio,  with  reference  to  the 
mcnftrual  difcbarge, /^/V.    At  the  commencement,  523.    Flter 
albiu,  with  its  proper  treatment,  defcribed,  529.     Advice  to, 
at  the  ceafine  of  the  menfes,  530.    Rules  of  condu^  during 
pregnancy, /^/^.  Caofes  and  fymptoms  of  abortion,  531.  How 
to  guard  againfl  abortion,  ^32.    Treatment  in  cafes  of  a  bortioo, 
ibid.     InftruAions  at  the  time  of  child-birth,   533.     Caufeof 
the  milk  fever,  537.     ilow  to  guard  againft  the  miliary  fever, 
C38.     The  puerpeial  fever,  ibid.     General  cautjons  for  womea 
in  child-bed,  542.     Cau fes  of  barren nefs,  ibid. 

Woo/f  the  bed  external  application  in  the  gout»  383. 

Woribou/es  poifonous  to  infants,  30. 

Worms,  how  to  treat  a  loofenefs  produced  by,  314.  Three  prio« 
cipal  kinds  of,  diftinguiflied,  365.  Symptoms  of,  ibid.  Caufcs, 
366.  Medical  treatment  for,  367.  Remedy  for  children,  368. 
General  cautions  for  preferving  children  from  them,  370. 
Danger  of  taking  quacic  medicines  for  them,  ibid,  note, 

Wert,  recommended  for  the  fcurvy,  and  proper  to  drink  at  fei« 
396.     Is  a  powerful  remedy  in  cancerous  cafes,  471. 

Wounds,  ^rc  not  cured  by  external  applications,  575.  Are  cored 
by  nature,  576.  Proper  courfe  of  treatment,  ibid.  How  to 
flop  the  bleeding,  ibid.  Caution  againfl  improper  ftyptics,  977. 
Method  of  dreffing  them,  578.  Poultices  for  inflamed  wounds, 
579.     Regimen  in,  ibid. 

Writing,  hintsof  advice  to  thofe  who  are  much  employed  10, 56. 59. 

y. 

Taivs,  general  hint  for  the  cure  of,  518,  note. 

2'caftg  animals,  all  exert  their  organs  of  tnotioB  as  foon  as  they 

are  able,  22. 

Z. 

Zinc,  the  flowers  of,  a  popular  remedy  for  the  epilepfy,  4; 

THE     END, 


u 


L