711 a veni sm'vv Slumach Atfectinu. 297 



had never passed from the stomach. In the winter of 1814, 

 these distressing symptoms continued so long, and with such 

 violence, as greatly to injure his general health, and to produce 

 a considerable degree of emaciation, with a dry brown tongue, 

 and a slow, weak, intermitting pulse. At that time he was re- 

 stored, after some mercurial medicines, by the mistura ferri 

 composita ; but he was never long free from pain, although it 

 was much mitigated. At the beginning of the ensuing winter, 

 it returned Avith considerable violence, when the mistura ferri 

 was again resorted to with some temporary relief. Bark and 

 various other remedies have been given without benefit ; the 

 most immediate relief has always been obtained by large doses 

 of magnesia and chalk in cinnamon water. The dose of these 

 absorbents was taken in such quantities as to produce an uniform 

 white appearance in the faeculent discharge. Reflecting on the 

 cases which had been published, and in which the white oxide 

 of bismuth is so strongly recommended, I determined to have 

 recourse to it. Accordingly, about six weeks ago, he began 

 with five grains three times a day, mixed with some tra- 

 gacanth powder. Relief being obtained, the dose was in- 

 creased to eight, then ten, and lastly, to twelve grains, thrice 



a-day, with such decidedly good effects, that P. C called 



upon me yesterday, and said, he had been free from pain 

 and uneasiness for some time, although he had occasionally, by 

 way of experiment, indulged with impunity in such articles of 

 food as had formerly very much disagreed, and that he had 

 omitted taking the powders for four days, and no pain had re- 

 turned. The bowels had been generally regular, but it was 

 sometimes necessary to take a few grains of the compound 

 of extract colocynth. Thus, this venerable gentleman has for the 

 last three years enjoyed considerable comfort by the use of this 

 medicine, and this relief from pain he would, most probably, not 

 have experienced, but for the bismuth ; for, during the three 

 years which have elapsed since he first took it, the pain has at 

 times returned, but has been uniformly removed, by luiving 

 recourse to this mineral. Having experienced its good effects 

 ill this way, he has always had a packet of tlie white oxide by 



