[ 203 ] 
cannot but be aware that it leads to certain and fatal 
difappointment. 
That remarkable change by which the canine fa- 
liva is transformed into a dangerous poifon, probably 
depends on fome flight decompofition or alteration 
in the arrangement of its conftituent parts, not more 
difficult of folution than fome other chemical pro- 
ceffes with which we are familiar. Mercury, a fluid 
deftitute of acrimony, by being combined with a 
certain portion of marine acid, is converted into cor- 
rofive fublimate, a virulent poifon; by an additional 
quantity of mercury into calomel, a miJd and inno- 
cent medicine. An alkali may be rendered perfeély 
mild, or highly cauftic, at pleafure, by merely adding 
or withdrawing its fixed air. The corrofive fubli- 
mate is prefently difarmed by an alkali, the viper’s 
poifon by oil. Is there not then fome reafon to hope, 
that the canine poifon may be counteratted by this, 
or perhaps fome other fimple, well-known fubftance, 
which, when once found out, we fhall blufh at our 
unaccountable indolence, or blindnefs, in not having 
difcovered fooner? 
The nature of the fymptoms denotes a high de- 
gree of morbid fenfibility in all the organs of fenfe, 
which renders the body ‘‘ tremblingly alive” to every 
impreffion. Hence the eye becomes impatient of 
Jight, the ear of found, and the touch of cold air 
feels intolerable.—Hence, alfo, a violent excitement 
of the nervous power in fome parts, a torpor in 
others, 
