398 SUPPLEMENT 
opinion of M. de Beunie does not appear to be divested of all 
shade of doubt. It appears that this accident is more com- 
mon in cold and humid countries, than in dry and warm 
climates, and more prevalent in Flanders than elsewhere. We 
know of no example of it reported by travellers on the coasts 
of the Mediterranean. This may certainly be referrible to the 
mussel-banks of Flanders being more in relation with the 
asterie and their spawn, as being less deeply situated in the 
sea. It must also depend a little on the idiosyncrasy, or 
individual constitution, since, among many individuals who 
have eaten of the same dish of mussels, and pretty nearly in 
the same quantity, some experienced very serious effects, 
while others suffered no inconvenience whatever. The cura- 
tive means, however, are very simple. They consist in 
making the patient vomit, with the assistance of ipecacuanha, 
and then, after having recourse to a general bleeding, to make 
him drink plentifully of some refreshing diluent, and three 
ounces of vinegar, a little diluted with water, every hour. 
Vinegar appears to be essentially the antidote to this poison. 
Accordingly, all persons who have observed the effect, agree 
that raw mussels are more dangerous than cooked, but that 
they seldom cause any accidents, when, in either of those 
states, they are seasoned with vinegar alone, or vinegar mixed 
with pepper. 
The mussels being a source of nutriment to the human 
species, means have been sought to cause them to multiply, 
and impart to them some qualities which they do not possess 
habitually. 
The fishing of mussels presents no great difficulty. Women 
and children are usually employed in it, on the north coasts 
of France. An indifferent knife is sufficient for the purpose, 
and they gather the mussels, breaking the filaments of the 
byssus, which attach them to submerged bodies, or to one 
another. In places where the banks of mussels are open to 
