226 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



that in internal use I never saw them have any sensible effect ; 

 and I doubt also of their external use. But in cases of general 

 flaccidity, as it is frequently marked under the title of cachexy ; 

 and in all cases of evacuations from laxity, whether sanguine or 

 serous, they are likely to be the most effectual remedies. In all 

 cases of active hsemorrhagy they must be hurtful ; and in cases 

 of haemorrhagy from external violence, I would judge them to 

 be useless, if not hurtful." 



The preparations of lead are certainly more so, but are other- 

 wise of so pernicious a quality, that they should not be em- 

 ployed except in cases of the utmost danger. The Tinctura 

 Saturnina, or Antiphthisica, as it has been called, appears to be 

 of little efficacy ; but whether from the small portion of lead 

 which it contains, or from the state in which the lead is in it, I 

 am uncertain. 



The fossil astringent that appears to me the most powerful, 

 and at the same time the most safe, is alum. " It is not only 

 an astringent, but it is a very powerful sedative, without at the 

 same time possessing any of the poisonous property of the pre- 

 parations of lead : it is therefore, I imagine, of all the astrin- 

 gents, the one on which we may chiefly depend." 



DCCXCIX. External astringents, when they can be ap- 

 plied, are more effectual than the internal. The choice of these 

 is left to the surgeons. 



DCCC. The most powerful of all astringents appears to me 

 to be cold, which may be employed, either by applying cold 

 water to the surface of the body, or by throwing it into the in- 

 ternal parts. 



" Some late writers say, that haemorrhagy may be effectually 

 cured by throwing in cold water : I readily admit that it is 

 powerful : but I think that, in affections of those parts of the 

 system to which the cold can in any measure be applied, its 

 external application is of much more importance. The power 

 of cold is a matter of some nicety, and it is difficult to separate 

 its stimulant and its sedative effects. It is capable of proving 

 a stimulant by its transient application, or as connected with 

 certain circumstances of the body ; but the continued applica- 

 tion of cold weakens the moving powers of the circulatory sys- 

 tem, and, supposing it to be suddenly astringent, and in hazard 

 of suppressing the hcemorrhagy sooner than the Stahlians would 



