On a new Black Dije, 49 



ia restless night, slept towards morning ; awoke with head- 

 ache ; took his breakfast of coffee in bed; got up to dinner, 

 and was as well as ever the following day. 



Observations on this Case ly Dr. Thorntoji, 



1. Opium deprives the system of its oxygen ; that is, it 

 renders the fibres less attractive of that principle : and hence 

 oxygenated metals, presenting less affinity to the fibres of 

 the stomach, are not decomposed, and fail of counteract- 

 ing the fatal effects of opium. The vegetable acids easily 

 give out their oxygen; that is, the elective attraction is 

 greater here, and they, therefore, at once counteract the ef- 

 iects of laudanum. 



2. I have had two cases where this poison has been taken 

 into the stomach, and tried acids with the same marked 

 benefit ; and the bad effect of the laudanum was soon re- 

 moved, especially when the vital air has been inhaled. 



3. I am called by Dr. Rowley " vital air and gas mad ;" 

 but stand not alone, as Dr. Beddoes assures me, in a letter 

 last week received, « that he continues to order (he different 

 airs in various diseases, of which practice he entertains the 

 same favourable opinion as ever," — Dr. Rowley calls my re- 

 futation of his cases* personal scurrility and abuse :— can 

 any thing be more so than branding regular physicians with 

 the appellation of tnad/icss P 



I remain, sir, 

 Your obedient humble servant, 



Robert John Thornton'. 



X. On a new Black Di/e to le applied to all Kinds of Linens 

 and Stuffs. By Mr. Hermbstakdt, Berlin f. 



1 HE black colours which are commonly applied to linen 

 and cotton stuffs arc composed of iron and vinegar. Their 

 base is always nxide of iron, which is mi.xcd with decoctions 



• My new work, i"n answer to Dr. Rowley, is entitled Vaccina: VIr.dicia, 

 or A Vindication cf the Cow-pock. 



t From Udiiolh. Phijs. Ecvnomnjtu, an liv. no. 2. 



Vol. 2i. No. 93. Ft'h. 180C. D of 



