ciLved ly IVtatUe Alkali. 127 



snake, or the sting of a spider, or any other venomous in- 

 sect, is a medical fact as well established as that the Peru- 

 vian bark will cure an intermittent t^cr. There are ex- 

 ceptions to all general rules, and probably more to the latter 

 than to the former. With the exception of a few extreme 

 cases in which tlie bite proves instantly mortal, either from 

 the unconmiou virulence of the poison, the peculiar nature 

 of the part to which it is applied, or the operation of iVar, 

 the volatile alkali may be depended on to afford a certain 

 and speedy cure. Of this we have authentic evidence in the 

 books referred to above, which slate cures performed in the 

 East Indies by means thereof, even in cases where the 

 poison had advanced so far that mechanical force was ne- 

 cessary to unlock the jaw before the medicine could be ia- 

 IrodiTced. 



Such persons as have no access to these authorities, or 

 are slow to believe the records of distant events, are re- 

 quested, for their further siUisfaction, to inform themselves 

 of the particulars of the cure before mentioned, as having 

 taken place on Cliarleston Neck since the commencement 

 of the present month. On inquiry, they will find that the 

 most alarming symptoms were removed in a few hours by 

 the unassisted operation of this single remedy. 



That volatile alkali should always succeed is not to be ex- 

 pected ; but in nine cases out of ten its failure,, on a pro- 

 per examination of every circimistance, wotild probably be 

 found to arise from oik- or more of the following circum- 

 stances : — either the iwedicine given as volatile alkali was 

 spurious, or inferior in its kind, or weakened by being fre- 

 quently opened, or Insecurely corked ; or that it had been 

 given in too small doses, or at too long intervals. Such 

 persons as design to give it a trial are requested to be mi- 

 nutely attentive to each of these particulars. 



As the hydrophobia following the bite of a mad dog ha3 

 resisted all the remedies hitherto used fur its cure, it is sub- 

 mitted to physicians whether, on principles of analogy, it 

 v\ ould not be well to try the elTeets of volatile alkali, rather 

 than resign a patient to his fate, or repeat the medicines 

 which on frequent trials have always been found unavailijiig? 

 A doubtful remedy is better than none. He who does not 

 do all in his power to save a life, especially one comuutted 

 to his care, is cuilly of a species of murder. 



I w ill be obliged bv information of the result of any ex- 

 periments that may be made in cousequence oi this com- 

 iimnication. David Kamsav. 



Charleston, 

 June 12. i!!o}. 



XVII. Loiter 



