INTUMESCENTljE. 601 



doses they have in some measure appeared, we have seldom 

 found them considerable; and when to obtain these in a greater 

 degree, we have gone on increasing the doses, we have been 

 constantly restrained by the severe sickness at stomach, and 

 even vomiting, which they occasioned : so that we have not yet 

 learned the administration of this remedy so as to render it a 

 certain or convenient remedy in any cases of dropsy. 



" Balsamica et Resinosa. With respect to the balsamica, 

 as all of them have for their basis a turpentine, so it may be pre- 

 sumed that all the balsams may have the same diuretic quali- 

 ty which we find in the most simple turpentine. This we find 

 to be commonly determined to the kidneys, operating there 

 more or less as a diuretic; and therefore the general title 

 of Balsamica is properly enough inserted in our catalogue. 

 I must however observe with regard to them, that they cannot 

 possibly be introduced into the body in such quantity as to 

 operate powerfully in any diseases requiring a large discharge 

 of urine. 



" The diuretic substance afforded by turpentine, which has 

 been the most taken notice of, is the essential oil obtained by 

 a distillation with water. In attempting the cure of sciatica by 

 this oil, I have frequently observed its passing by the kidneys, 

 and promoting the secretion of urine ; but it can never be in- 

 troduced in such quantity as to be powerful in this way. 



" This observation applies to the Oleum juniperi, which has 

 been often employed as a diuretic ; and it will readily appear, 

 as this oil is drawn from the terebinthinate substance of the 

 juniper, it can hardly have more power than that drawn from 

 the turpentine itself. 



" The cantharides taken internally, whether in substance or 

 in solution, if in a certain quantity, may be considered as a 

 stimulant and heating substance; and I have had occasion to 

 know them, taken in large quantity as an aphrodisiac, to have 

 excited violent pains in the stomach, and a feverish state over 

 the whole body. 



" The cantharides however seem to act only in a concentrat- 

 ed state ; for taken in moderate quantity they are so much dif- 

 fused in the fluids, both in the alimentary canal and in the mass 

 of blood, that they seldom show any effects on the general sys- 



