604 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



mon experience ; and all of them may be employed as diuretic 

 medicines except the volatile alkali, which cannot be introduced 

 in the quantity necessary to have much effect on the kidneys. 



" The acids, in their concentrated state, cannot be admitted ; 

 but by being largely diluted with water, or watery liquors, they 

 can be admitted in considerable quantity : and in this diluted 

 state they sometimes prove powerful diuretics. The fossil acids, 

 however, can hardly be admitted in such quantity as to pro- 

 duce any considerable discharge of urine ; but the vegetable 

 acid, in its various forms, can be taken in more largely, and 

 prove very useful, particularly by rendering watery liquors more 

 agreeable as drinks, and by conveying these more certainly to 

 the kidneys, as explained above. 



" The neutral salts, whether formed of acids and alkalines, 

 or of acids and earths, are all of them diuretics in so far as they 

 reach the kidneys ; but many of them are at the same time 

 laxative cathartics, and their operating by this quality com- 

 monly prevents their diuretic effects. These therefore can only 

 be obtained by the exhibition of neutrals, when they are given 

 in such small doses as cannot act upon the intestines, and when 

 these doses are repeated at certain intervals only ; but even in 

 this way I could hardly ever render the diuretic effects of neu- 

 trals, even those of nitre, considerable. 



u There is however a neutral salt that is judged to be more 

 certainly diuretic than any other, and has therefore been en- 

 titled Sal Diureticus (Acetas Potassae.). It is very possible that 

 this salt may be more active in the kidneys than some others, 

 and I think I have sometimes observed it to be so ; but with res- 

 pect to it in general, I must declare, that, though trying the ex- 

 hibition of it in various ways, I could never render its diu- 

 retic effects remarkable, or fit to be depended upon, when a large 

 discharge of urine was required. 



" The crystals of tartar promote the secretion of urine some- 

 times very copiously. I have, however, been frequently disap- 

 pointed of their diuretic effects ; and it is proper to be remarked 

 by practitioners, that they do not readily take their course to 

 the kidneys, unless they are accompanied by a quantity of wa- 

 ter, or watery fluids, thrown in at the same time ; and therefore, 



