652 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



cency, such as malt ; and by drinking a large quantity of pure 

 water. 



MDCCCIV. The cure of scurvy seems now to be very well 

 ascertained ; and when the necessary means can be obtained, 

 the disease is commonly removed very quickly. The chief 

 means is a food of fresh and succulent vegetables, and those al- 

 most of any kind that are at all esculent. Those most imme- 

 diately effectual are the acid fruits, and, as being of the same 

 nature, all sort of fermented liquor. 



MDCCCV. The plants named alkalescent, such as those of 

 the garlic tribe, and of the Tetradynamia, are also particularly 

 useful in the cure of this disease ; for notwithstanding their ap- 

 pellation, they in the first part of their fermentation undergo an 

 acescency, and seem to contain a great deal of acescent matter. 

 At the same time, they have generally in their composition an 

 acrid matter that readily passes by urine, probably by perspira- 

 tion ; and by promoting both excretions, are useful in the dis- 

 ease. It is probable, that some plants of the coniferous tribe, 

 such as the spruce fir, and others possessed of a diuretic power, 

 may likewise be of some use. 



MDCCCVI. It is sufficiently probable, that milk of every 

 kind, and particularly its productions, whey and butter-milk, may 

 prove a cure of this disease. 



MDCCCVII. It has been common in this disease to em- 

 ploy the fossil acids ; but there is reason to doubt if they be of 

 any service, and it is certain they are not effectual remedies. 

 They can hardly be thrown in, in such quantity as to be useful 

 antiseptics ; and as they do not seem to enter into the composi- 

 tion of the animal fluids, and probably pass off unchanged by 

 the excretions, so they can do little in changing the state of the 

 fluids. 



MDCCCVIII. The great debility which constantly attends 

 scurvy, has naturally led physicians to employ tonic and 

 strengthening medicines, particularly the Peruvian bark ; but 

 the efficacy of it seems to me very doubtful. It is surprising 

 how soon the use of a vegetable diet restores the strength of 

 scorbutic persons ; which seems to show that the preceding de- 

 bility had depended upon the state of the fluids ; and conse- 



