138 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



ing. Cold bathing also may answer the purpose, and be safely 

 employed, if it appear to be powerful in stimulating the system, 

 and be not applied when the extremities are threatened with 

 any pain. 



For supporting the tone of the system in general, when 

 threatened with atonic gout, some animal food ought to be em- 

 ployed, and the more acescent vegetables ought to be avoided. 

 In the same case, some wine also may be necessary ; but it 

 should be in moderate quantity, and of the least acescent kinds ; 

 and, if every kind of wine shall be found to increase the aci- 

 dity of the stomach, ardent spirits and water must be em- 

 ployed. 



DLXXVII. For strengthening the stomach, bitters and the 

 Peruvian bark may be employed ; but care must be taken that 

 they be not constantly employed for any great length of time. 

 (Compare DLVII.) " Upon many occasions bitters and the 

 bark have been extremely useful in supporting the tone of the 

 stomach ; but, by frequent practice, I have reason to conclude 

 that the same atony was thus finally brought on as effectually 

 as by the more formal use of these remedies ; I constantly 

 therefore enjoin my patients and friends, never to use bitters or 

 barks for more than a fortnight at once ; and if the symptoms are 

 relieved sooner, not to return to their use till after a considerable 

 interval ; and to confine their use to a particular season of the 

 year, when the patient knows that his gout is more liable to 

 come on, and when he begins to feel some of the atonic symp- 

 toms." 



The most effectual medicine for strengthening the stomach 

 is iron, which may be employed under various preparations ; 

 but, to me, the best appears to be the rust in fine powder, which 

 may be given in very large doses. " I have had no opportu- 

 nity of observing whether chalybeates may not likewise hurt the 

 tone of the stomach in time ; but there is less danger of the 

 patient so readily running into excess in their use, and we are 

 certain of their immediate good effects upon many occasions, 

 from experience." 



For supporting the tone of the stomach, aromatics may be 

 employed ; but should be used with caution, as the frequent and 



