442 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



roots only. The herbs were to be put in a bag, and 

 hung up in the vessel after the drink was wrought. I 

 have not begun this method yet, the weather falling out 

 so very sharp. 



My wife and girls give you their most humble services. 



I am, Sir, 



Yours entirely, 



JOHN RAY. 



To his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



Black Notley, May 7, 1704. 



SIR, Since you were so kind as to desire to know the 

 success of the method of physic I have lately entered 

 upon, I ought to have given you satisfaction before now, 

 and you may justly think me very much to blame that I 

 have not; but when I shall have acquainted you with 

 my condition during this time, I hope you will excuse 

 me. At first I began with a tincture of steel in wine, 

 and the diet-drink prescribed me by Sir Tho. Millington ; 

 after which, within a few days, I took a dose of rhubarb, 

 which, though sufficient for any ordinary man, yet wrought 

 not upon me till the afternoon, nor then to any purpose, 

 but the day after I took it, sufficiently. After a few days 

 more I took another dose of rhubarb, quickened with 

 some grains of scammony, which wrought with me not 

 only the day I took it, but four or five days after, yet 

 moderately and without disturbance. This interrupted 



