220 TREATMENT OF 



the true cause which frequently renders inert the 

 treatment of taeniae, by those compounds and meth- 

 ods wliich are so highly commended in the publica- 

 tions of authors, i!lustrioui9 however, and which 

 have been spread through all the courts of Europe, 

 sometimes as infallible specifics, sometimes as mar- 

 vellous secrets. From this philosophical source, 

 we can comprehend how it is, that in many cases 

 of taenia, which have been almost without hope, 

 the desired success has been obtained by medicines 

 quite simple and common, such as garlic, ( I >5) the 

 seeds of cevadilla,(!»i6) muriate of amraonia,^137) 

 filings of iron,(t«i8) the oxides of mercury,f 139) 

 petroleum, (140) etc. It is, in fine, in this manner, 

 that we shall be able to determine the true value 

 of the different methods which have at various pe- 

 riods been adopted for the expulsion of taeniae from 

 the human body. 



1 shall mention such of these methods as have 

 been deemed most successful, in order to give a 

 general representation of the means that medicine 

 can employ in triumphing over an enemy so injuri- 

 ous to health, and sometimes so difficult to be driv- 

 en from his strong holds. 



§ CXL. But before we enter on the details of 

 the remedies, employed at different times, by dif- 

 ferent physicians, and with various success, I should 

 offer some practical precepts, with the view of reg- 

 ulating and favouring the discharge of the worm 

 from the patient under treatment. So soon as 

 a part of the taenia appears from the anus, it seems, 



