2o6 On the Operation of Medicines. 



vitriolic acid, when adminiftered in large dofes. 

 It feems to acquire phlogifton in the animal 

 body, and to pafs off by the pores, as hepatic 

 air, or as volatilized fulphur. Even when given 

 to nurfes, it proves an effectual remedy for the 

 itch, both in them, and the children whom they 

 fuckle. Mercury, combined with fulphur into 

 an asthiops, has been generally regarded as inert. 

 But inftances have occurred in which, under 

 this form, though accurately prepared, it has 

 produced falivation ; an evident proof of a che- 

 mical change in the asthiops, by which the mer- 

 cury was reftored to its priftine powers. Indeed 

 the fame reafoningmay be applied to the fpecific 

 aflion of mercury on the falival glands, in what- 

 ever mode it be adminiftered*. A ptyalifm is 

 fometimes produced by antimony. Dr. James 

 affured my friend Sir George Baker, that he 

 knew fix inftances of it, occafioned by his fever 

 powder, although he had left mercury out of its 

 compofition long before they occurred. But the 



" the ftate of the unlucky fair one, whofe face, neck, and 

 *• arms were fuddenly defpoiled of all their beauties, and 

 " changed quite black." Vol. III. p. 365. 



* We have the concurrent teftimony of many au- 

 thors, that mercury has been found, rellored to its 

 original form, in the carious bones of their patients. Vid. 

 Joan. Farnel. cap. 7. Gabriel. Fallop. cap. 78. Joan 

 Languem, lib. I. epiil. 43. Alex. Petrom. cap. i. lib. VI. 

 &c. &c. 



patients. 



