92 A VOYAGE TO Book YIÍ. 



patient, contrary to nature, inclines backward into an 



arch, and all tire ' ^no? become dislocated. However 

 terrible the pains resulting from hence may seem, they 

 are still increased by those of the other species of 

 convulsion?, when the violence is such that the pa- 

 tient usually loses all sensation, and falls into a 

 total inaction, not having breath io utter his com- 

 plaints. 



It is common at the beginning of this distemper 

 to be totally convulsed, so that every part of the pa- 

 tient is atfected, and, during the continuance, is, as 

 it were, deprived of ail sensation. Their return is 

 jnore frequent and lasting as the distemper increases, 

 till nature becomes entirely spent ; when the lethar- 

 gic fits succeed, and it is generally in one of these 

 tl at the patient breathes his, last. 



The usual method of treating this distemper is 

 by keeping both the bed and the chamber very 

 close, even with a fire in it, that the pores being 

 opened by the heat, the transpiration may he more 

 copious. Laxative clysters, are often injected to 

 mollify the contractions of ihe intestines, and other 

 internal parts. External applications are also ap- 

 plied to soften the parts, and open the ducts by 

 which nature may evacuate the morbid humour. For 

 the same intention and to check its progress, cor- 

 dials and diuretic draughts are prescribed ; and also 

 the bath ; but the latter or-ly at the beginning of the 

 first stage of the distemper ; for if it is found to 

 increase on the second day, bathing is no longer 

 ©rdered. 



Tfie women of Lima are subject to a distemper, 

 extremely painlid, very contagious, and almost in- 

 curable : namely, a cancer in the matrix, which even 

 at the beginning is attended with such excruciating 

 ))ains, that their lives are one continued series of 

 groans and complaints. . During its progress, they 

 discharge great quantities of morbid humours, be- 

 come 



