BOOK III. CHAP. Vr. 553 



their fiicccfs. I have known many olcj white perlbns in this ifland* 

 extremely fond of the refined fugar, eating It frequently in a morn- 

 ing, and with a (ingular gout, from a firm afliirance (eftablifhed by 

 long experience) of its mild, balfamic, and falubrious, operation. 



Some (fays Brookes) are great enemies to iiigar, and affirm, that 

 It produces I know not what bad effedts ; but, as thofe who have ufed 

 it very freely have never received any detriment from it, we may 

 conclude, thr.t it is intirely harmlefs. It does not produce conlump- 

 tions, as feme pretend, btcaufe an apothecary, who had that diftem- 

 per, almoft lived upon fugar of rofes, and was cured by it. Some 

 have affirmed, that it produces the fcurvy, and was the original caufe 

 of it ; whereas it is well known, that the fcurvy appeared long before 

 fugar was in ufe : befides, the pooreft people, who eat much lefs lligai- 

 than the rich, are moft afflicled with the fcurvy. This is likewife true 

 of common failors, who eat more fait provifions, and lefs fugar, than 

 their officers. Some affert, that it turns four upon the flomach, but 

 give us no argument to prove it. An acid may indeed be extraded 

 from fugar, and fo there may from all forts of corn, as well as wine ; 

 but then it muft be performed by art, and turned into an ardent fpirit 

 firft, by fermentation. Befides, fugar is a natural foap, and will 

 readily mix with any fort of liquor ; and therefore it is not probable 

 that it fliould turn four on the flomach \_y'\. The officinal compofi- 

 tions of fugar are allowed on all hands to be good in diforders of 

 the breaft ; and, mixed with oil of fweet almonds, it is good in 

 coughs, hoarfeneffes, and the like. Externally applied, it is a very 

 great vulnerary, efpecially when mixed with a little brandy, whole 

 ftyptic quality, joined to the balfamic virtues of the fugar, makes a 

 compofition, which will heal wounds, cleanfe ulcers, and prevent pu- 

 trefaBion. Doftor James concurs in the fame opinion. When duly 

 ufed (fays he) it is not fo offenfive to the blood as is vulgarly 



\\\ I am apt to fufpe(?V, that the other ingredients, fuch as rancid butter, and other greafe, un. 

 fermented flour, and crude fruits, i£c. with which fugar is generally combined by paftry-cooks and 

 confeAioners, may occafion fuch effefts, and deferve the whole blame, which has been wrongfully 

 afcribed to the fugar alone, from ignorance of its principles. This probably is the only whole- 

 fome ingredient belonging to fuch compofuions, and may prevent much of the bad confequencc* 

 they would otherwifc produce, efpecially in the weak ftomachs and bowels of children, who arc 

 the principal fufFerers. 



Vol. II. 4 B thought. 



