56 On the Medical Properties 



the disease, and twice or thrice that sensation pro- 

 duced a discharge from the stomach. The last time 

 but one, that this occurred (which was about twenty- 

 four hours after I had taken the rhubarb), I broke out 

 into a cold sweat, and had nearly fainted. The ab- 

 dominal complaint was operating at the same time. 

 These effects of this disease (I know not what to 

 term it), and the continuance of the diarrhoea, dur- 

 ing the night, left me very languid. I think, how- 

 ever, that none of the symptoms were attended with 

 any fever, from the beginning. I felt my disposition 

 to sleep nearly the same as usual ; and two nights, 

 if my recollection serves me, I perspired pretty 

 freelv. From the commencement of my complaint, 

 I ate very little animal food, except once, when a 

 sickness at stomach, and vomiting, were the conse- 

 quences. 



In this state of my indisposition, I met with a 

 neighbouring gentleman, who recommended to me 

 the use of Bitters, made by infusing the dried flowers 

 and the top-leaves of the plant called St. John's-Wort, 

 in brandv, and exposing it to the sun five or six days, 

 to digest. I immediately procured some of these 

 bitters, from another friend, and took a small wine- 

 glass full. This very soon produced a very grateful 

 warmth in the stomach and bowels. Towards the 

 close *of the day, I repeated the dose, but in some- 

 what smaller quantity, and on three succeeding mor- 

 nings, I continued it. 



