Dr, Perchal on the EffeBs ofFaminei &c. 497 



large a quantity. During the time of war, the 



imprefredfailorsfrequentlybringonthefe maladies, 



that they may be admitted into the hofpitals, and 



relcafed from fervitude. It would be an eafy 



and fafe experiment to afcertain the efficacy, and 



to adjufl: the ingredients of the Indian compofition 



which I have mentioned. And I am inclined 



to believe, that the trial would be, in fome degree, 



fuccefsful, becaufe I have repeatedly experienced, 



in the courfe of my profeffional pradice, that 



fmoking tobacco gives relief, in thofe habitual 



pains of the ftomach, which appear to arife from 



the irritation of the gaflric fecretions. The like 



effecSl is fometimes produced by increaling the 



flow of faliva, and fwallowing what is thus dif- 



charged.| And I have elfewhere related the cafe 



of a Gentleman, who ufed to mafticate, many 



hours daily, a piece of lead, which, being neither 



hard, friable, nor offenfive to the palate, fuit- 



ed his purpofe, as he thought, better than any 



other fubflance. He continued the cuftom many 



years, deriving great eafe from it, and fuffering no 



fenfible injury from the poifonous quality of the 



metal. On mentioning this fadl to a navy fur- 



geon, he acquainted me, that the failors, when in 



hot climates, are wont to mitigate thirft, by roll- 



f A lady, in this neighbourhood, was relieved of a 

 chronic pain in the ftomach, by chewing amara ^ulcis, 

 after vaiious other remedies had failed: And I have feea 

 good efred> from the calamus aromaticus, ufed ^in the fame 

 way. 



Vol. II. K k iog 



