AND INSENSIBLE PERSPIRATION. 309 



an enunciation of them unnecessary. The daily 

 consumption of food was 93 J ounces, and the 

 perspiration one half of that quantity. 



I may now be allowed perhaps to subjoin one 

 day's experience of the effect that taking a large 

 dose of carbonate of potash (Salt of Tartar) has 

 upon the secretions. This was suggested by a 

 similar experiment made by Dr. Alexander, and 

 published by him in a small volume of medical 

 essays. His results I do not at present recollect j 

 but my notes at the time imply that I expected 

 the alkali to act as a diuretic. My experiment 

 was made on a fine day at the end of March 

 after the two weeks series; the thermometer 

 ranged from 40® to 60°. In the morning I had 

 a bason of tea prepared for breakfast, with tlie 

 usual quantity of sugar and cream; into this I 

 infused four drams avoird. (100 grains) of dry 

 carbonate of potash ; after it was dissolved I 

 proceeded to my repast as usual, apprehending 

 the diluted alkali would be so far qualified in 

 its taste by the sugar, as to be rendered tolerably 

 palatable, but in this I was mistaken ; the nausea 

 was imbearable ; and I was obliged to drink it 

 off as fast as I could, and then eat my toast to 

 an additional cup in the ordinary way. This 

 done, I felt nothing amiss; took a moderate 

 walk and returned. On sitting down I perceived 



