598 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



" I cannot however quit this subject of the digitalis without 

 observing, that the speculation with regard to its operation, 

 which I have started above, may occasion the general account 

 of the operation of diuretics which I have given, to appear 

 less complete ; as, besides the increased quantity of water 

 in the mass of blood, or a stimulus particularly applied to the 

 kidneys, there may be a medicine which, by a general operation 

 on the system, may promote the secretion of urine. My can- 

 dour obliges me to mention this ; but I do not find myself at 

 present in a condition to prosecute the inquiry. 



" Scilla is a root which from the most ancient times has been 

 celebrated as a diuretic ; and, under a proper management, it 

 seldom fails to operate more or less as such. It has not how- 

 ever any specific power, as it seems to be universally stimulant 

 with respect to every sensible part or excretory to which it is 

 applied. It readily stimulates the stomach, and proves emetic, 

 as we observed above. When it is so managed as to pass the 

 stomach, it stimulates the intestines, and proves purgative ; and 

 when carried into the mass of blood, it is generally, and I be- 

 lieve justly, supposed to stimulate the mucous glands of the 

 lungs, and to prove an expectorant. 



" When it is thus so generally stimulant, we can readily un- 

 derstand why it should prove a diuretic ; and I would add, that 

 probably it has something in the nature of the acrimony it con- 

 tains, that suits it to be taken up by the serosity, and thereby 

 to pass readily by the kidneys, where its acrimony therefore in- 

 creases the secretion. 



" This actually happens, and has rendered it at all times not- 

 ed as a diuretic. 



" This effect, however, does not always happen ; because, if 

 it be thrown into the stomach in such quantity as to prove emetic 

 or purgative, it is thereby prevented from reaching the blood- 

 vessels and kidneys ; and therefore, to obtain its diuretic effects, 

 we must avoid its emetic and purgative operations, which may 

 commonly be done by giving the squills in small doses, to be 

 repeated after proper intervals only. And I have found, that 

 by accompanying the squills with an opiate, the emetic and pur- 

 gative operation of it may be avoided, and thereby it may be 

 carried more entirely to the kidneys. 



