49^ Dr. Percival on the Effe^s ofFamme\ ^€'i. 



ing a bullet in their mouths. A more innocent 

 mean might be devifed ; but the efficacy of this' 

 evinces, that the falivary glands are for a while, 

 capable of furnifhifig a fubftiiute for drink. When 

 a fcarcity of v/ater occurs at fea, Dr. Franklin has 

 advifedj that the mariners fhould bathe themfelves- 

 in tubs of faltwater: For, in purfuing the 

 amufement of fvvimming, he obferved that, how- 

 ever thirfty he was before immerfion, he never 

 conrinued fo afterwards ; and that, though he 

 foaked himfelf feveral hours in the day, and" 

 feveral days fueeefilvely,in ralt-water,he perceived 

 not, in eonfequence of it, the leaft tafte of faltnefs 

 in his mouth. He alfo further fuggefts, that the 

 fame good effeft might perhaps be derived from 

 dipping the failor's apparel in the fea ; and ex- 

 prtiTes a confidence that no danger of catching' 

 cold would enfue. 



To prevent the calamity of famine at fea, it has 

 been propofed, that the powder of Salep fhould* 

 conrtitute part of the provifions of every fhip's 

 company. t This powder, and portable foup,. 

 dilVolvcd in boiling water, form a rich thick 

 ielly ; and an ounce of each of thefe articles fur- 

 niflies one day's fubfiftence to a healthy full grown 

 man. Indeed, from the experiments which I haver 

 made on Salep, I have reafon to believe the fup- 

 pofition well founded, that it contains more nutri- 

 tious matter, in proportion to its bulk, than any 



f LInd on the Difeafes of Hot Climates. 



QthcF 



