THE European Phyſicians give an Account of a Diſeaſe ſimilar to the Dry-Gripes, calling it Cholic • Pictonum, becauſe moſt frequent at Poictiers. They are both attended with exceſſive griping Pains in the Pit of the Stomach and Bowels, which are much diſtended with Wind; violent and frequent Reachings to vomit, ſometimes bringing up ſmall Quantities of bilious Matter; at other times there is a Senſation, as if the Bowels were drawn together by Ropes; great Coſtiveneſs, and frequently a continual Inclination to go to Stool without voiding any Thing.

The Ducts which open into the Inteſtines, and excern a Mucus to moiſten and lubricate them, are obſtructed and glewed up with a Viſcoſity not eaſily reſolvable; and through the whole Courſe of the Diſtemper, the Faeces are extremely dry and hard, in ſmall Lumps like Bullets. The Inteſtines are drawn up towards the Back with almoſt continual convulſive Twitches. The Pains are frequently ſo ſharp, that the Patient will fall on the Floor, and cry out violently in the greateſt Agony.

The Alcaline Acrimony impacted on the Stomach and Inteſtines, is ſo great in many Caſes, as to communicate its malign Influence to the whole nervous Syſtem, cauſing violent Convulſions, which are very dangerous Symptoms; tho' I have known many recover after having a Number of them. But if the exceſſive Pain continues any conſiderable Time, the Periſtaltic Motion of the Inteſtines becomes inverted, and the Iliac Paſſion enſues.

This ſore Malady uſually degenerates into the Palſy, and a Deprivation of all Sort of Motion in the Hands and Feet.—Doctor Willis conjectured, that the Tranſition of a Cholic to a Palſy, was a Sign that the Morbific Matter was tranſmitted not by the Arteries, but the Nerves, and that its Seat was not in the Coats of the Inteſtines, but the nervous Plexus of the Meſentery; which is very ſenſible, and obnoxious to an Afflux of Humours of the nervous Kind. But this Remark of Dr. Willis can only relate to the Hyſteric Cholic, which ſometimes counterfeits the Bilious; being accompanied with a Pain about the Scrobiculum Cordis, the Region of the Stomach, and a little lower, which is followed with a Vomiting of Humours of a green or yellow Colour, and a great Sinking of the Spirits; after a Day or two the Pain goes off, but upon the ſlighteſt Commotion or Perturbation of the Mind, it ſoon returns again. In this Caſe, neither Cathartics nor Clyſters have any Place, as they exaſperate the Diſtemper; ſo that this Diſeaſe ſeems to proceed rather from the Diſorder of the Spirits, than the Fault of the Humours. Phyſicians, therefore, ought above all things to be cautious, that they miſtake not the Diagnoſtic, by imagining that the Symptoms which attend Hyſteric Women, do ariſe from ſuch Diſtempers as they frequently counterfeit.

The remote Cauſe is ſuppoſed to be an obſtructed Perſpiration, by being too much expoſed to a moiſt Night Air, and cold raw Winds; hard Drinking, eſpecially Drams or ſtrong Punch; and Want of a good Digeſtion, which renders the Chyle crude and viſcid; but the proximate Cauſe is an acrimonious Bile.

It is, indeed, the Opinion of ſeveral ingenious and worthy modern Authors, that this Diſtemper is cauſed by taking large Quantities of Lime-juice; but I muſt beg Leave to differ from their Sentiments in this Caſe: For ſeeing the Humours which vellicate and fret the Coats of the Stomach and Inteſtines are intirely alcaline, Acids muſt be (and Experience confirms it) the moſt effectual Remedies. Thus the Negroes, in ſome Parts of the Weſt-Indies, eaſe their exceſſive Pains in the Dry-Gripes by eating Limes, or drinking the Juice. It has likewiſe been obſerved, that ſince the People of America have drank Punch with more Water (which moiſtens the Faeces, and dilutes the acrid Salts of the Bile) and made of old Spirit (which has leſs of the hot fiery Particles than when new from the Still) yet with much more Lime-juice than formerly, the Dry-Gripes is not near ſo common as before this Cuſtom prevailed.

In all Kinds of Diſeaſes it is abſolutely neceſſary to know the Cauſe; for otherwiſe to attempt a Cure, is like a blind Man ſhooting at a Mark; the Remedies in one Caſe being directly oppoſite and deſtructive in another. Thus if a Fever, proceeding from a hot, inflammatory, alcaline Cauſe, be treated with a hot Regimen, and not with an acid cooling One, the Patient muſt inevitably periſh; but, on the contrary, if Acidity is the Cauſe (as it commonly is in Children) the alcaline Method is to be preferred. As therefore a Phyſician, not carefully regarding the Symptoms and the Cauſe of a Fever, may prove the Deſtruction of the Patient; ſo in all Cholics the Symptoms and the Cauſe are to be principally regarded; and for want of a nice and exact Attendance thereto, a too general Method of Cure very ſeldom meets with Succeſs in either Caſe.

But before I enter upon the Cure of the Dry-Gripes, Humanity obliges me to obſerve, that the Perſons who are moſt liable to it are generally lean, and much emaciated, by their exceſſive Perſpiration in the Weſt-Indies; and conſequently the aqueous Parts of the Blood being thus evaporated, the ſaline Particles muſt neceſſarily become exceeding acrid. The Method, therefore, to prevent this Malady in ſuch Conſtitutions, is obvious, viz. To abſtain, in the Weſt-Indies, and in Summer on the Continent, from Drams and ſtrong Punch; ſalted and high ſeaſoned Meats; immoderate Exerciſe, which raiſes Sweat; and profuſe Venery: To riſe early in a Mornings; to take Chocolate for Breakfaſt and Supper; make frequent uſe of Broths and boiled Meats, emollient and acid Herbs and Fruits; dilute plentifully with tepid, ſmall, and ſubacid Liquors; and when coſtive, to take a ſmall ſaponaceous Purge, ſo as to procure one Stool a Day.

The following Method I have found, by many Years Experience, ſucceſsful in the Dry-Gripes, and were it more generally practiſed, I believe the Lives and Limbs of great Numbers might be ſaved.

To mitigate the Violence of the Pains, and prevent Vomiting, I order,

Opii, Grana una vel duo, ſive Laudan. liquid. Sydenham. Guttas triginta, quadraginta, vel quinquaginta, et repetend. pro re nata, in majori vel minori Doſi, donec Aeger ſe ſenſit in ſtatu tolerabili.

If the Vomiting be ſo bad that the Stomach can hardly retain any Thing, the following Powders ſcarce ever fail of ſucceeding:

R. Tartari Vitriolati, Grana decem; Olei Cinnamomi Guttam unam. M. F. Pulvis ſumendus in Hauſtu Theae Menthae omni (vel ſecunda quaque) Hora.

The Vomiting being ſtopped, I have Recourſe to the following Preſcription, till three or four Stools are obtained:

R. Cremoris Tartari Grana triginta; Olei Caryophyllorum Guttam unam. M. F. Pulvis ſumendus in Hauſtu T▪heae Menthae (vel Decocti avenacei) omni Hora.

As an obſtinate Coſtiveneſs, and moſt violent Pain of the Bowels, are perpetual Symptoms in this Diſeaſe, Opiates are to be adminiſtered through its whole Courſe at proper Intervals. When, therefore, the Pain is very exceſſive, I give Opiates even at the ſame time with the purging Powders, that the Pain may be rendered tolerable, that a Relaxation of the Inteſtines may thence follow, and that their Periſtaltic Motion may become conſtant and regular, and be neither interrupted nor perverted.

Every Pain acts as a Stimulus, or rather, a Stimulus excites a Senſe of Pain: But every Stimulus provokes the Fibres to Contractions, and, if violent, throws them into Spaſms. When, therefore, a Cholic Pain is very vehement, the Inteſtines are in ſome Places affected with Convulſions, and are as if bound hard with a Swathe; inſomuch, that unleſs the Pain is lulled aſleep, neither the Faeces nor Wind can be tranſmitted downwards: It is for this Reaſon, that every violent Cholic Pain is almoſt always attended with a great Coſtiveneſs. It is, therefore, very rational to add Anodynes to Purges in very vehement Cholics; nor is this any new Practice, ſeeing the moſt experienced Riverius, in Capite de Dolore Cholico, preſcribed Aloes Drachmam unam, Scammonei Grana ſex; to which he added two Grains of Opium, and in one of his Obſervations even five Grains.

This Courſe, ſteadily purſued, gives ſometimes three or four Stools in Twenty-four Hours; but if no ſuch End is obtained, as it often happens (eſpecially if the Diſtemper is of long Standing) I order the Abdomen to be cheriſhed with an emollient Fomentation, and that more particularly when the Belly is very tenſe and hard, or exceſſively contracted by a Spaſm: For the Fomentation penetrating the Integuments of the Abdomen, ſoftens and relaxes the too tenſe and rigid Fibres. I have often experienced the good Effects of the following Fomentation:

R. Florum Chamaemeli Manipulos tres; Radicis Althaeae, Seminum Lini et Faenugraeci, ana Uncias tres; Capitum Papaveris albi Uncias quatuor. Cum Aquae et Lactis recentis, ana Q. S. Vaſe decoque clauſo.

But I am apt to believe, that far better Effects might be expected, if the Patient made uſe of a Semicupium prepared from the ſame Ingredients. Every One who has obſerved the very happy Effects of an emollient Bath in Nephritic Pains, will very readily agree to what I ſay.—I have, indeed, frequently ſeen the moſt cruel Nephritic Paroxyſm ſuddenly vaniſh by the Uſe of a Bath only, when neither plentiful Bleeding, nor Opiates given freely, gave the leaſt Relief: Nay, I have learned, by many Experiments, that nothing conduces ſo much to eaſe the Pain, and ſend the Stone down the Ureters, as a warm and emollient Bath.

I am likewiſe of Opinion, that it would very much conduce to a ſpeedy and perfect Cure, if the Patient, through the whole Courſe of the Diſtemper, made frequent uſe of oleaginous Mixtures, which would not only lubricate and relax the Inteſtines, but alſo, by ſheathing the lixivial Salts of the Bile, prevent their Points from acting with ſo much Force and Energy upon the Stomach and Inteſtines. For in this Diſtemper, the Secretion of the acrid Salts of the Bile, in the Hepatic Glands, ſeems to be in an over Proportion to the oily Parts.

Where there is no Vomiting, and the Pain not very acute, the Powders of Crem. Tartar may, after giving one Opiate, be uſed as directed, without any Delay. The Effects of which, after ſome Time, will be a ſenſible Perception of the Pain falling gradually downwards, from the Pit of the Stomach towards the Rectum. When, therefore, the Pain is ſettled in the lower Parts of the Abdomen, you may, in caſe the Patient is uneaſy for want of a Stool, preſcribe the following Purge.

R. Cremoris Tartari Drachmam unam; Radicis Jalapii Grana ſex; Olei Caryophyllorum Guttam unam. M. f. Pulvis ſumendus in Hauſtu Decocti avenacei ſecunda (vel tertia) quaque Hora.

If this does not, in ſix or ſeven Hours, procure a Stool, I order an oleaginous and emollient Clyſter; which not only lubricates the Inteſtines, but alſo ſoftens the indurated Faeces.

When the hardened Excrements are carried downwards, the Patient begins to break Wind backwards, which is ſometimes exceeding offenſive. In the firſt three or four Stools, the Faeces are often very faetid, and abounding with a ropy viſcid Subſtance, reſembling membranous Filaments.

It is a neceſſary Caution not to be too haſty in gaining a Paſſage thro' the Body; for if larger Quantities of the ſame Medicines, or others more ſtimulating, ſhould be given, you will be often foil'd in your Expectations, and make good a common Saying, The more Haſte, the worſe Speed: For ſharp ſtimulating Purges and Clyſters have very bad Effects on the Nerves in this Diſeaſe, and endanger a Deprivation of Motion in the Patient's Limbs.

Tho' the Patient generally recovers upon procuring a free Paſſage through the Inteteſtines, by the prudent Uſe of the already mentioned Medicines; yet it is neceſſary to keep the Body ſtill temperately open for a Week, or more, by the laſt preſcribed Purge; to which may be added Calomel. Grana ſex: For otherwiſe the Patient becomes very coſtive, and the exceſſive Pains return, by the acrid Humours perpetually flowing into the Inteſtines.—But if notwithſtanding all this the Pains ſhould return, which perhaps may be owing to a greater Degree of Viſcidity in the Fluids, I have known a Dram of the Tartar. Solubil. taken every three Hours to perfect the Cure; and when that failed, the following has generally ſucceeded:

R. Aquilae albae Grana ſex; Conſervae Roſarum rubrarum Q. S. ut fiat Bolus omni Mane et Veſperi ſumendus donec Ptyaliſmus excitetur leniſſimus.

The Calomel, by its Gravity, and the acid adhering to the metalline Part, attenuates the Fluids, and forcing open the ſecretory and excretory Paſſages, anſwers the Intention in ſuch obſtinate Caſes.

When Convulſions happen, ſtrong Stimulants are to be avoided; but Anodynes generally relieve, with the Method already deſcribed.

In this Diſtemper the poor Patient being deſirous of a Moment's Eaſe, even at any Rate, has too commonly a Recourſe to Drams, and other ſpirituous Liquors. But tho' a Moment's Eaſe may, by ſuch Means, be obtained, yet the Diſeaſe is more ſtrongly rivetted, the Pains return with double Force, and all the Symptoms are vaſtly aggravated.

The proper Drinks in this Diſtemper are, Water-Gruel, Barley-Water, and ſuch others as are of the demulcent Kind; which dilute, obtund and diſſolve, the acrimonious Salts of the Blood.

Till the Stomach and Inteſtines have perfectly recovered their proper Tone, the Patient is very liable to a Relapſe, either by taking Cold, drinking too freely of ſpirituous Liquors, or not keeping ſtrictly to Aliments which are light and eaſy of Digeſtion: To ſtrengthen, therefore, the Stomach and Bowels after the Patient's Recovery, I order the following Medicines:

R. Elixir proprietatis Guttas ſexaginta, ter de Die ſumendas in quovis Vehiculo.

Vel,

R. Corticis Peruviani Uncias duas; Radicis Serpentariae Virginianae, Florum Chamaemeli, ana ſeſquidrachmam; Radicis Gentianae, Corticis Aurantiorum, ana Drachmas tres; Radicis Rhei Drachmas duas. Infundantur cum Vini Maderenſis Libris quatuor. Capiat AEger Uncias duas ter de Die.

Vel,

R. Saponis Veneti ſemiunciam, Extracti Gentianae, Chalybis cum Sulphure praeparati, ana Drachmas duas; Pulveris Radicis ſerpentariae Virginianae, Aloes, ana Drachmam unam; Syrupi Zinziberis, Q. S. ut fiant Pilulae mediocres. Capiat tres omni Mane et Veſperi.

To compleat the Cure, let the Patient, as ſoon as able, uſe conſtant and moderate Exerciſe on Horſeback, than which there is not a better Thing to ſtrengthen the Viſcera and Inteſtines; for the Fibres of the Meſentery and Inteſtines having been with the long Pains much weakened and relaxed, are by this Means brought to recover their proper Tone, and reaſſume their former Oſcillations, ſo as to ſhake off and expel the morbific Impurities: For riding on Horſeback, by the very frequent Jogging of the Body, gently ſhakes the whole Abdomen; and, therefore, by a continual Preſſure and Agitation, it throws off whatever adheres to the Inteſtines, overcomes any Lentor remaining in the ſmall Veſſels, and very much promotes the Circulation of the Blood thro' the Meſenteric Veſſels, and little Branches of the Vena Porta, where the circulating Fluids move the ſloweſt. Hence this Exerciſe, by its almoſt continual jolting of the Body, diſſolves the Blood, concreted partly by the Force of the Diſeaſe, and partly by its ſluggiſh Motion in thoſe Parts; opens the Obſtructions formed in the Hepatic, Pancreatic, Meſenteric, and Inteſtinal Glands; and greatly contributes to the Action of the Spleen, which is aſſiſting to that of the Liver. Laſtly, as it is evident, from many Experiments, that Perſpiration is very much increaſed by Riding, it is of vaſt Advantage not only in this, but in almoſt every Chronical Diſeaſe, by driving the noxious Humours from the Center to the Circumference, and expelling them through the Ducts of the Milliary Glands. Riding only, has indeed reſtored many, on whom the moſt operoſe Medicines have not had the leaſt good Effect. Let then the Patient enjoy Health by Riding, and daily acquire Strength by this noble Exerciſe.—The Uſe of the Fleſh-Bruſh, and other Frictions, are likewiſe neceſſary, eſpecially about the Joints and Limbs, which will promote a briſker Circulation of the Fluids in thoſe Parts. In fine, every Thing is to be uſed which will increaſe the Elaſticity of the Fibres, attenuate the Fluids, and promote a good Digeſtion.

If this Diſeaſe is complicated with any other, the Judgment of the Phyſician may then vary the Method, according to the different Circumſtances of the Caſe. Thus when the Dry-Gripes is only the Symptom of a ſpurious, intermitting Fever, the Peruvian Bark, prudently adminiſtered, is then the only proper Remedy: For the ſpurious Intermittents create a great Variety of direful Symptoms, their true Characteriſticks being diſguiſed under the Appearance of ſome other Diſtemper; as enormous Vomitings, griping Looſeneſſes, Cholera Morbus, Cholics, pricking Pains in the Side like a Pleuriſy, Ophthalmies, Apoplexies, Pains on one Side of the Head, or Hemicranies univerſal or particular, Spaſms or Cramps, Nephritic Pains, &c. alſo Pains like thoſe of Women in Labour.

The Bark is certainly a moſt noble Remedy in many Caſes; and notwithſtanding ſome ingenious Gentlemen have pointed out a Way to anſwer all its Uſes by other Remedies, endued (as they ſay) with as good, if not better, Properties; yet I believe, every Practitioner, who has had a thorough Experience of its Efficacy in many Diſeaſes, will readily acknowledge, that nothing has hitherto been diſcovered equal to it: And that late Diſcovery, in the Philoſophical Tranſactions, of its moſt admirable Effect in Mortifications, may be ſufficient to convince ſuch Sceptics, that their darling Hypotheſes not agreeing with Facts, are but Cobweb Schemes, calculated rather to amuſe, than to eſtabliſh a ſolid and laſting Practice.

All Hypotheſes, unleſs they agree with Facts, are deluſive and vain; and I believe it will be readily granted, that had the Writers of this and former Ages confined themſelves more to practical Obſervations, ſome Diſeaſes, now the Opprobria Medicorum, would have been better underſtood, and perhaps as eaſily cured as an intermitting Fever by the Bark judiciouſly adminiſtered.

What I have ſaid is not to derogate from the Theory of Phyſick, which is founded on Facts and proper Obſervations; and by which every particular Diſtemper, with all its Symptoms and Accidents, may be accounted for; becauſe it is impoſſible for any Man to judge from ſuch and ſuch Symptoms, what the Method of Cure ought to be in this or that Diſeaſe, unleſs he has an Idea of the Cauſes and Manner of their Production. A true Phyſician, therefore, goes always warily to Work, and proceeds upon a juſt and ſolid Foundation; for he firſt gets a Knowledge of the Seat and Cauſe of a Diſorder, and at theſe he levels his Preſcription. If the Caſe proves obſtinate, he augments the Force of his Medicines, and varies them as Circumſtances alter, without acknowledging an End to his Art, where the Diſeaſe is curable: For he has always ſome promiſing Remedy in Reſerve, and can, from Rules of Analogy, directly attempt the Removal of Diſeaſes unſeen before. A Perſon, on the contrary, who is ignorant of the Animal OEconomy, and the many other Requiſites in Phyſic, is puzzled and confounded at every Accident which turns up, and a new Caſe throws him quite out of his Biaſs; for having but few Remedies to truſt to, he directs them at all Adventures, without purſuing any formed Deſign, or without regarding the Seat, the Cauſe, or Stage of the Diſeaſe, and the Circumſtances of the Patient. If happily his Medicines ſucceed, it is well; but if they fail, he is at the Extent of his Cord, he has done his utmoſt, and your Caſe is deſperate: But thrice happy is the Patient, if he eſcapes without having either his Conſtitution or Life deſtroyed, through the Pretender's Ignorance and Raſhneſs.

I ſhall now after this Digreſſion give a few Caſes of Perſons who have been under my Care, to illuſtrate the foregoing Method of curing the Dry-Gripes.

CASE I.

A young Man, of eighteen or nineteen Years of Age, having been ſeized with the Dry-Gripes, was treated in the uſual 〈◊〉 with ſtrong ſtimulating Purges and ••• ſters, for about a Week before I was called to his Aſſiſtance; but inſtead of relieving him, they had ſtrongly aggravated all the Symptoms. At my coming he had a racking Pain in his Stomach and Bowels, and ſuch frequent Strainings to vomit, as to caſt up every Thing he took. His Pains were ſometimes ſo exceeding ſharp, that two or three Perſons could ſcarcely keep him in Bed; and after every ſuch ſharp Fit, he could not ſee for near a Quarter of an Hour. As, therefore, Opiates could not be kept in his Stomach, I ordered him to take the already mentioned Powder of vitriolated Tartar every Hour in Mint-Tea, which always ſuppreſſes the Vomiting, where Anodynes fail.

After taking three Doſes his Stomach became ſo well ſettled, as to take the following Draught.

R. Aquae Menthae Uncias duas; Laudani liquidi Sydenhammi Guttas quadraginta. M. f. Hauſtus.

About an Hour afterwards I preſcribed the Powders of Cream of Tartar; and at the ſame time ordered his Abdomen to be well fomented with the Fomentation.

After uſing the Fomentation, and taking ſeveral Doſes of the Powders, the Pains fell down into the lower Parts of the Abdomen; I, therefore, ordered him to take the purging Powder with Jalap every two Hours in any Vehicle.

But after taking three of thoſe Powders, he became ſo impatient for Want of a Stool, that I ordered the following Clyſter:

R. Decocti communis pro Clyſtere, Uncias duodecim; Electuarii lenitivi, Drachmas ſex; Tartari ſolubilis Drachmas tres; Olei Cham ••• elini, Syrupi Roſarum pallidarum, ana ſ • ſquiunciam, Olei Baccarum Junipe •• •• illatitii Grana decem. M. • . Enema.

This operating three of four times, brought away a large Quantity of Excrements.

To keep him tolerably eaſy the Anodynes were repeated three of four times every Twenty-four Hours, tho' in ſmaller Doſes.

To keep his Body temperately open, the laſt Powders were continued five or ſix Days. At length, by the Aſſiſtance of the Elixir Proprietatis, and the bitter Infuſion, he was perfectly recovered.

CASE II.

An old Man, near Seventy, was ſeized with this Diſtemper about a Month before I was ſent for: He had no Vomiting, and his Pains, tho' very ſharp, were not ſo acute as uſual.

I gave him, as ſoon as I came, Opii ſeſquigranum, and afterwards the Powders of Cream of Tartar. Next Morning I was ſent for very early, and found him in a Convulſion; but as it went off, I repeated the Opiate, and continued the Uſe of the Powders. In the Evening of the following Day, the Pains being removed to the lower Parts of the Abdomen, I ordered a Clyſter, and by obſerving the Method mentioned in the laſt Caſe, he got well in a few Days.

CASE III.

A Man, about Twenty Years of Age, was attacked by the Dry-Gripes above three Weeks before I ſaw him, and had taken (as I was informed) during that Time, near Twenty Purges and Clyſters. The Pains were exceſſively ſharp in the Pit of the Stomach, as well as in the Inteſtines; and he was frequently ſo convulſed, that two or three Perſons could ſcarcely keep him down. He was once ſo diſtracted with the Violence of the Pain, that he was with Difficulty prevented from throwing himſelf out of the Chamber Window.

I gave him Liquid. Laud. Syd. Guttas quinquaginta, which in a few Hours abated the Violence of his Pains. In ſhort, by purſuing the Method already laid down, he got the better of the Diſeaſe in about three Days Time. But his Stomach and Bowels were ſo very ſore afterwards, that he could hardly ſuffer any Thing to touch them. This indeed I have commonly obſerved, where the Pains have been very violent.

It is needleſs to recite any more Caſes, theſe being ſufficient to give a perfect Idea of the Modus Medendi to Practitioners.

I ſhall now, to ſhew the pernicious Conſequence of giving Quickſilver in this Diſtemper, relate the Caſe of a Perſon in one of the Hoſpitals in London.

A Man about forty Years old had the Dry-Gripes ſeveral Weeks, before he was taken into the Hoſpital. He had continual Reachings to vomit, and violent Pains in his Belly, which was prodigiouſly ſwelled and hard. The Phyſician attending the Hoſpital preſcribed very frequently Clyſters and Purges of Aq. Purgant. cum mana, et Sal. mirab. Glaub. and other Remedies. At laſt, when he found the Patient not in the leaſt relieved, but rather worſe, he ordered him to take Six Ounces of Quickſilver at a Time, which was repeated, till the Quantity amounted to 18 Ounces. This Method, however, was ſo far from recovering the Patient, that the Symptoms increaſing, he died after enduring the moſt racking Pains, for the ſpace of eight Weeks.

Having open'd his Body, the next Day after his Death, I found the Inteſtines very much diſtended with Wind, but little or no Excrements. In his Stomach, which was very much contracted and ſhrivel'd up, I found fourteen Ounces of the Quickſilver he had taken eight Days before, mixt with about half a Pint of viſcid Matter.

Hence we learn, how long Quickſilver may remain in the Stomach, eſpecially when the Fibres have loſt their proper Tone; ſince in this Caſe the contractile Power of of the Stomach muſt have been exerted with a prodigious Force, in order to have thrown ſuch a Weight from the Bottom of the Stomach over ſuch an Aſcent as the Pylorus.

As ſome Perſons have a great Opinion of the Uſe of crude Quickſilver in curing the Dry-Gripes, as well as many other Diſeaſes, I ſhall here, to ſhew how unphiloſophical ſuch Gentlemen are, give you Dr. Quincey's Reaſoning upon the Article of Quickſilver:—It is (ſays he) frequently talked of indeed, as good in ſome Affections of the Bowels; but there are very few Inſtances of its Uſe in ſuch Caſes. Nor can that at all appear reaſonable, which is commonly reported of its quick Paſſage through the Body; for the Arguments which the Favourers of ſuch Reports make uſe of, are quite againſt them; that is, its prodigious Weight: For when it firſt comes into the Stomach, it cannot but fall to the Bottom; which is ſo much below the Pylorus, that a vaſt Force muſt be required to throw it over into the Inteſtines; and when it comes there, by their manifold Convolutions, it very frequently muſt aſcend, and particularly while it paſſes the Colon: So that it is hardly conceivable, how a Body of ſo great a Weight can be lifted over ſo many Aſcents, as it neceſſarily comes at, between the OEſophagus and the Rectum.

If Dr. Quincey's Reaſons are convincing, how much ſtronger muſt be the Objection againſt the Uſe of Quickſilver, in Caſes where the Stomach and Bowels are relaxed and weakened; the Fibres being then certainly leſs capable of exerting their contractile Force to raiſe any Weight; which is certainly the Caſe, when a Perſon has laboured under ſuch a violent Diſtemper as the Dry-Gripes for a conſiderable Time.

I have ſeen in England two Inſtances of the Succeſs attending the Method here laid down for the Dry-Gripes in the Cholica Pictonum, ariſing from the Fumes of White-lead; which gives me Reaſon to hope, that by a farther Trial of it in Europe, it would be found as beneficial in the latter Diſtemper, as it is in the former.

We frequently obſerve Perſons in the Dry-Gripes to loſe the Uſe of their Limbs (the Ancles and Wriſts becoming exceeding weak, and the Balls of their Thumbs ſinking) either by the Acrimony of the Humours, or the Uſe of ſtrong Stimulants; by which means the fine nervous Syſtem being wounded and debilitated, the Equilibrium between the Solids and Fluids is deſtroyed.—In ſuch a relaxed State of the Solids, the Blood muſt neceſſarily become viſcid; for the Fibres having loſt their elaſtic Force, the Circulation of the Fluids is diminiſhed, and conſequently they run into preternatural Coheſions. The giving, therefore, a greater Degree of Fluidity to the Blood, and a proper Tenſity or Springineſs to the Fibres, is abſolutely neceſſary, to make all the regular Secretions and Excretions; for otherwiſe ſome Parts of the Body will want a ſuitable Supply of nutritious Juices, while others are overloaded with a viſcous Fluid.

All Perſons of weak, relaxed Nerves, ſhould avoid a moiſt and foggy Air, which would neceſſarily render their Fibres ſtill more lax and flaccidThe Effects produced in the human Body by a heavy or light Atmoſphere, and according as it is affected by Cold, Heat, Moiſture, or Dryneſs, were fully and clearly explained in the Philoſophical Lectures exhibited by Dr. Spencer in Philadelphia laſt Summer; which, as I am informed, will be ſpeedily publiſhed.; but let them reſide in a cold, clear Air, which will give a greater Degree of Tenſity and Elaſticity to the Solids. In ſuch Caſes, the Air of ſome Parts of North-America is far preferable to that of England, which is much moiſter, and more foggy than the former. On this Account it is, that Chronical Diſtempers are more frequent and obſtinate in England than in North-America.—But when they are in a cold Climate, they ought not to tarry too long in the cold Air, for fear of chilling their Blood; and it would be of Service to ſuch Perſons to wear the following Plaiſter on their Ancles and Wriſts during the cold Weather:

R. Emplaſtri Oxycrocei, Galbani, ana Unciam unam; Opii, Camphorae, ana Drachmas duas. M. f. Emplaſtrum.

The Opium and Camphor, by the Subtilty of their Parts, are very penetrating and attenuating; and conſequently will be the Means of preventing a Lodgment of viſcid Juices on the Joynts; but the Plaiſter ought to be renewed every Eighth or Tenth Day. The Linimentum Paralyticum, which is well known in England, ought likewiſe to be well rubbed in, down the Back, and on the Limbs, twice a Day. It is a moſt excellent Compoſition, and and were its great Efficacy in theſe Caſes more generally known, it would be deſervedly eſteemed, as a moſt noble Topic in a relaxed State of the Nerves.

The Foods which they cat ſhould be nouriſhing, and eaſy of Digeſtion; for where the Fibres are weak, the Aliments ought to be ſuch as are eaſily converted into Animal Juices, and will give the leaſt Reſiſtance to the Action of the Solids; Viz. New-laid Eggs, Jellies, Chickens, Lamb, Viper-Broth, &c. All ſubacid Liquors are beſt, a • Rheniſh Wine, Madera Wine, in which Rattle-Snakes are infuſed; ſour and weak Punch, made with old Spirit, &c. But both Meats and Drinks are to be taken only in ſmall Quantities at a Time, tho' oftener than uſual; for hereby the Inconvenience of a diſordered Stomach will be avoided, and the Digeſtion rendered much lighter, and far eaſier. But, above all Things, let them take care to chew their Victuals thoroughly, with a ſufficient Quantity of light and well baked Bread; for, according to the Arabian Saying, He that does not take care to chew his Victuals thoroughly, hateth his own Soul. It is from the Neglect of this Duty, that frequently and Indigeſtion ariſes, which creates Crudities, and a vicious Chyle; which is the Forerunner of the Deſtruction of the whole Animal OEconomy.—The Stomach may be called the Kitchen of the Body, whoſe office is to digeſt and convert the Aliments into a laudable Chyle; the more, therefore, the Food is attenuated and divided by Maſtication, ſo much the eaſier it is for the Stomach to perform its Office. Temperance is, indeed, the greateſt Preſervative of Health; for it prevents all Superfluities, and neither overloading nor ſtraining the Veſſels, enables Nature to exert herſelf with the greateſt Force and Vigour. Cupping, Bleeding, Bliſtering, Purges, Clyſters, &c. are ſeldom of Uſe, but to the Slothful and Intemperate; and are, for the moſt part, only Expedients to make Luxury conſiſtent with Health. The Bodies of ſuch Perſons as indulge themſelves in all Sorts of Aliments, without regarding either the Quantity or Quality, become frequently full of crude and vicious Humours; which, inſenſibly increaſing, at laſt begin to putrify, and grow malignant. Upon violent Exerciſe, therefore, or the ſlighteſt Exceſs of either Heat or Cold, Moiſture or Dryneſs in the Air, or any little Inconvenience ariſing from the other Non-naturals, a Dangerous Inflammation often enſues, and vents itſelf in acute and mortal Diſeaſes: For no Perſuaſion can prevail with ſome Men to uſe purgative Evacuations to diſburden oppreſſed Nature at proper Seaſons, or before the Diſeaſe begins to gather Strength; flattering themſelves that all is well and ſafe within, as long as nothing appears outwardly, or is felt by them to the contrary. He, therefore, that is deſirous of preſerving his Senſes and rational Faculties in the greateſt Perfection, and of being able to act with a ſprightly Vigour and lively Apprehenſion, muſt beware of ſpurring Nature on beyond her Craving.

Laſtly, Let ſuch Valetudinarians uſe the Fleſh-Bruſh, moderate Exerciſe, without raiſing Sweat, and frequent polite and chearful Company. Muſic may likewiſe be of great Service in ſuch Caſes; for every Stroke of a muſical Inſtrument cauſes an Undulation of the Air, which giving ſome Degree of Concuſſion to the Fibres of the Body, without overſtraining them, produces a briſker Circulation of the Blood; and conſequently invigorates the Nerves, and leſſens the Viſcidity of the Fluids. The extraordinary and almoſt incredible Effects of Muſic in curing the Bite of the Tarantula, the World is no Stranger to. If theſe Advantages from Muſic were more particularly conſidered, it might perhaps be applied to very noble Purpoſes, and not (as ſome imagine) to enervate the Mind; for as a diſtempered Body is often the Cauſe of a diſordered Mind, it may, by acting on the Solids, be the Means of regulating our Paſſions, and bringing our Minds to a proper Degree of Calmneſs and Serenity. Thus Saul, who was without Doubt of a melancholy Diſpoſition, frequently ſoothed his troubled Mind, and raiſed his drooping Spirits, by the Force of David's Muſic.

I will now ſubjoin a few Forms of Medicines, which I generally make uſe of in a relaxed State of the Nerves, but more eſpecially in Autumn, when we are moſt ſubject to the Diſeaſes ariſing from a debilitated Fibre; for in that Seaſon of the Year, our Bodies being relaxed by the Heat of the Day, are more liable to the Miſchiefs of the ſudden Coldneſs of the Evenings, Nights and Mornings. Beſides, Sanctorius has obſerved, that from the Autumnal Equinox, to the Winter-Solſtice, our Perſpiration is, one Day with another, about one Pound leſs; and this Diminution is ſtill ſo much the more, as our Veſſels have been more relaxed by the Summer's Heat; for they then cannot with Force enough propel the contained Fluids, which conſequently muſt every Day contract a greater Degree of Lentor and Viſcidity.—It is, therefore, no Wonder, that many unwary Perſons are labouring under Diſeaſes in Autumn, ſeeing their Humours are then more than ordinary acrid, as well as their Perſpiration very much diminiſhed.

It is, therefore, evident, that the Prophylactic Method in that Seaſon of the Year, is to ſtrengthen the Fibres, and preſerve a proper Fluidity in the Blood; that the ordinary Perſpiration may be kept up in a proper, conſtant, and uniform Manner.—The following Medicines anſwer ſuch an Intention in this Climate, and act as Alterants; for every Thing which does not operate in the firſt, but fartheſt Paſſages, the Phyſicians commonly include under that general Appellation. I think, however, that a few gentle and proper Purges ought firſt to be taken, in order to evacuate the redundant acrid Bile, which kind Nature frequently endeavours to do, by Diarrhaeas, Choleras, or Dyſenteries.

R. Corticis Peruviani ſemiunciam; Camphorae Grana triginta; Olei Cinnamomi Guttas octo; Syrupi Zinziberis Q, S. ut fiat Electuarium. Capiat quantitatem Nucis Moſchatae omni Mane et Veſperi.

Vel,

R. Conſervae Abſinthii Romani, Corticis Peruviani, ana ſemiunciam; Chalybis Tartariſati Drachmas duas; Pulveris Zedoariae Drachmam unam; Galangae minoris Scrupula duo; Olei Cinnamomi Guttas octo; Syrupi Zinziberis Q. S. ut fiat Electuarium. Doſis eadem.

Or, if a liquid Form is more agreeable, two or three Spoonfuls of the following may be taken once or twice a Day.

R. Pulveris Corticis Peruviani Unciam unam, Radicis Rhei Drachmas duas; Baccarum Juniperi, Corticis Aurantiorum, ana Drachmas tres; Radicis Serpentariae Virginianae, acori veri, ana Drachmam unam, Cochinillarum Grana triginta. Macera per Triduum in Vini Maderenſis libris duabus▪ Cola.

Vel,

R. Pulveris Corticis Peruviani Unciam unam; Radicum Rhei et Acori veri, Cinnamomi, ana Drachmam unam; Corticis Aurantiorum Drachmas duas; Cochinillarum Grana triginta. Macera per Triduum in Vini Maderenſis Libris duabus. Dein Cola.

The Ingredients joined with the Bark in theſe Tinctures give an agreeable Warmth and Scent, which is very grateful to a Stomach weakened and palled by a Fever and Medicines. The ſaline and reſinous Parts of the Bark, being intimately united with the Liquor, are thus given with much greater Advantage, than can be by giving it in Subſtance: For when it is given in the fineſt Powders, which can poſſibly be obtained from the Mortar and Sieve, it is yet too coarſe for a weakened Conſtitution, and therefore frequently brings on a Diarrhaea by its Stimulus; but in Tincture or Decoction, it is too fine to give any Diſturbance in the firſt Paſſages, and not only paſſes, by the common Courſe of Circulation, much farther, but gives a more uniform and general Contraction to the debilitated and relaxed Fibres.