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Opinions on the Virtues and ^lalily of the Englijh Rhu- 

 barbs y in Letters from different Medical Gentlemen. 



LETTER I. 

 [From J. C. Lettsom, F. R. S. and S. A.] 

 Sir, 



THE roots of rheum palmatum fent to me from Bath 

 I carefully examined: in colour and grain they re- 

 fembled the bell Turkey rhubarb in the ihops, with the 

 fame grittinefs and tafte in chewing; but with the diffe- 

 rence of being more mucilaginous, probably owing to tlie 

 circumftances of age and degree of drynefs. In thefe re- 

 fpefts, however, I could not clearly difcover any difference 

 in the two fpecimens. They were carefully dried and 

 powdered, with a view to afcertain their medicinal qualities 

 from experiment. 



By the occafional ufe of Turkey rhubarb, I had pretty 

 well acquired the knowledge of its operation on myfelf, in 

 a dofe of ten grains, which affords one evacuation. I took 

 ten grains of the fpecimen marked No. I. and fo far as I 

 could judge, the effect was precifely what I might expefl 

 from the fame quantity of Turkey rhubarb.' 



About a week afterwards, I purpofed to take the fame 

 dofe of the fpecimen marked No. II, but fome circumftances 

 of immediate attention having occurred, I did not execute 

 my attention. On that night, however, I fuffered an un- 

 ufual degree of pain of the abdomen, without knowing any 

 caufe for fuch an event, having enjoyed for many preceding 

 months, as well as fmce, the moft uninterrupted health. 



I mention 



