INFLAMMATIONS. 101 



cessful : but both because the exhibition of it in large quanti- 

 ties is to most persons disagreeable, and because its resinous 

 parts, in which its virtue chiefly resides, are not well extracted by 

 water, the use of the decoction is very much laid aside, and 

 even the extracts which have been proposed to be made from it 

 are hardly in use. It is the resin that spontaneously flows from 

 it in the countries in which it is produced, that is now chiefly 

 employed in rheumatic and gouty cases. M. M. 



3. Volatile alkaline salts. 



4. These, or other medicines directed to procure sweat 

 (CLXIX.) " The chief is Dover's powder, the theory of which 

 we have given before, and explained also the proper conduct of 

 it. All to be added is, that we have found it the most effec- 

 tual remedy of chronic rheumatism ; but it requires a proper 

 administration. I believe so well of this remedy, that I im- 

 pute its failure in genuine rheumatism always to imperfect or 

 faulty administration. 



" Another remedy of the same kind is our Haustus diapho- 

 reticus ; and it is often of use in discussing the relics of this 

 disease, but not to be depended on for the cure : as both the 

 dose of the opiate is small, and not directed to sweating. Every 

 means of sweating without much stimulus, is a remedy here ; 

 and particularly, besides those already mentioned, cold and 

 warm bathing." 



And, lastly, calomel or other preparation of mercury, in 

 small doses, continued for some time. " I receive the effects of 

 mercury with diffidence, because I think there is no certainty 

 that mercury will act upon the blood-vessels as it does on the 

 excretories : and either in one way or in another, I expect no- 

 thing, but from its being taken in such quantity as to be dif- 

 fused over the whole system. If I were to trust to mercury, I 

 should employ corrosive sublimate ; but I have not, because I 

 knew a course of mercury for some weeks employed without 

 success. These are my doubts, supported by some observa- 

 tions ; but they are not sufficient to counterbalance the authority 

 of Dr. Fothergill." 



CCCCLXXVI. These (CCCCLXIII. CCCCLXIV.) are 

 the remedies successfully employed in the purely chronic rheuma- 

 tism ; and there are still others recommended : as bleeding, gen- 



