132 On the Use of Fum iga t ions 



in my prescriptions, until I Found a remedy in the acetate of 

 lead. Two cases occurred in the hospital at the same time, 

 in which the salivation was alarming in degree as well as 

 duration. 



It had occurred to me that the saccharum saturni cured 

 haemorrhages and inflanniiations, by exciting the action of 

 contrticllon in the vessels. Now, as mercury produces a 

 contrary cflect, (For it really enlarges the vessels, as shown 

 by the ghuids oF the throat, &c.) it appeared to me that na- 

 ture intended the action oF one as much to counteract the 

 action oF the other in animals, as she did an acid to coun- 

 teract an alkali : but be the theory correct or not, I ad- 

 ministered the lead in doses oFtwo grains, Four times a day. 

 On the second day one oF the poor men asked me For more 

 oF the medicine he look the dav beFore. I gave it on the 

 necond dav, and it was discontinued on the third, For they 

 were both cured oF the salivation. To this, I will add, that 

 ihey washed their mouths wiih lead-water ; and that the first 

 time I ever Found a bad sym|)tom produced by the lead was 

 in one of" these cases. Violent belly-ache came on : this soon 

 wcntofT: and although the symptom mayoFtener occur with 

 others than it has with me, ( conceive it to be no objection 

 to its use; For, but Few would preFer a month's salivation to 

 a pain in the abdonien For a tew hours. 



You have now tlie whole account oF my use oF the sugar 

 oFlead. I hope others oF your correspondents will expe- 

 rience and coummnicate an account of its virtues. When 

 fair trials are made oF it, I Feel confident that there will be no 

 singularity in the high o|)inion qplertaiued oF it as an inter- 

 nal medicine. 



XIX. On the Use of Fitmigations in Army Hospitals: 

 In a Letter from M. Chamsbru, to M. Guyton*. 



IPosen, August 18, 1807. 

 AM clad to observe that every thing which concerns the 

 siicce!-s of the anti-contagious process, For which we are in- 

 debted to you, excites your solicitude, and I have now the 

 honour to communicate some direct observations on this 

 subject. 



It is sometimes difficult to prevail on mankind to adopt 

 improvements which have For iheir object tlie preservation 

 oF their health. I was more Fortunate in this respect, how- 

 tver, ii\ our army hospitals in Poland than in Austria. 



* From Amuiki dc Chirr.ie, tome Ixiv. p. Hi. 



I eoix- 



