324 ON THE USE OF VEGETABLE ACIDS, &C. 



gentle purge, to carry off' part of the offending matter by 

 stool. But the action of these, however mild, often increas- 

 ed the prostration of strength, and rendered the stools sooner 

 bloody. Nor was opium of any real use. A tea made of Si- 

 marouba, and given to some, had a very salutary effect, whilst, 

 if given to others, it would by no means lie on their stomachs. 



From a consideration of the antiseptic quality of both the sal 

 marin, and of the vegetable acid, I was induced to make trial of 

 their effects, united in the manner above mentioned. It act- 

 ed like a charm, and I find that, from the use of it, the 

 frequency of stools, gripes and tenesmus, have soon worn off. 

 The stools gradually become of a natural consistence and 

 quantity; the spirits, strength and appetite returned, and the 

 patient has been restored to perfect health in a very few days. 



When the dysentery was of long standing, starch clysters, 

 with a small portion of opium, abated the tenesmus. 



This medicine was equally serviceable in diarrhoeas. 



Diabetes. — -As I had succeeded so well in the cure of dysen- 

 teries, I was determined to try its effects in the diabetes : seve- 

 ral opportunities soon offered ; but as these cases were accom- 

 panied with other complaints, especially with fevers of the re- 

 mitting kind, it will be proper first to speak of 



The Remittent Fever. 



This, by far the most common fever within the tropics, is 

 the least understood, and consequently, for the most part, 

 badly treated. Strangers who walk much, or work hard in 

 the heat of the sun, are more subject to it than seasoned Euro- 

 peans or natives of the country. 



Dr Cleghokn's description of this fever is accurate and 

 just — his method of cure simple and easy. Every physician 

 who would wish to practise with success, should be well ac- 



