552 MALACCA HEDGEHOG. 



fects in fevers and various other disorders of a 

 malignant nature. 



In order to experience the effect of this wonder- 

 ful concrete, which is commonly about the size of 

 a small walnut, round, smooth, and of a reddish 

 brown colour, nothing more was necessary than 

 to infuse it for some minutes in a glass of wine, 

 water, or other liquor, which was by this method 

 impregnated with all its virtues, and administered 

 to the patient. The truth is, that, being a biliary 

 concretion, found in the gall-bladder, it is in- 

 tensely bitter, and being soluble in water, im- 

 pregnates the fluid with its bitterness and with 

 supposed aperient, stomachic, and alexipharmic 

 virtues. 



These concretions, which have now lost their 

 consequence, and are regarded merely as curious 

 specimens of the old materia medica, were once 

 so esteemed as to have been sold, when large and 

 perfect, for the sum of five hundred crowns. 



'io ; 



END OF VOLUME I. 



London: Printed by T. Davison, Lombard-itrtet. 



