i738 [LIT 
reputed effects of the medicines it embraces, entire- 
ly out of your studies. I now proceed to a consid- 
eration of antilithics, which in their prophylactic 
effects are an useful set of remedies—first remark- 
ing that the class of lithontriptics has been no- 
ticed at all, purely that I might endeavour to re- 
move erroneous impressions you might imbibe 
concerning it, from the works of Materia Medica 
which may fall in your hands. ‘ 
Pea 25 ay — ee “dies! 
ANTILITHICS. 
These are prophylactics. They are such med- 
icinal and dietetic agents, as tend to correct a pre- 
disposition to form calculus, thus preventing lithic 
concretions. It is supposed they exert a still 
more extended effect, in arresting further accre- 
sion to calculus already formed. by subduing the 
diatheses which begun and increased it. It is 
possible, that these medicines and regimen, may 
avert the deposition of calculous materials suspend- 
ed in the urine, where a nucleus has not been al- 
ready formed: but the facile increase of calculus, 
when that nucleus unfortunately has been estab- 
lished, seems to render it very questionable wheth- 
er the calculous taint in the digestive system can 
he so entirely obliterated, as to cause the urine to 
pass over and remain for some time in contact with 
the surface of the existing concretion, as to leave 
it without obeying its strong affinities for its ho- 
mogeaous materials, by depositing some augment- 
ing particles, There appears to mea wide dif- 
ference between allowing antilithic remedies and 
dieta prophylactic power, when calculus shall not 
have commenced by even a minute nucleus, and 
