IMPETIGINES. 653 



quently, till the sound state of these can be restored, no tonic 

 remedy can have much effect ; but as the Peruvian bark has 

 little power in changing the state of the fluids, so it can have 

 little effect in scurvy. 



MDCCCIX. I shall conclude my observations upon the 

 medicines employed in scurvy, with remarking, that the use of 

 mercury is always manifestly hurtful. 



MDCCCX. After having observed that both the preven- 

 tion and cure of this disease are now very well known, it may 

 seem unnecessary to enter into much discussion concerning its 

 proximate cause : but as such discussions can hardly be avoided, 

 and as false opinions may in some measure corrupt the practice, 

 I shall venture to suggest here what appears to me most pro- 

 bable upon the subject. 



MDCCCXI. Notwithstanding what has been asserted by 

 some eminent persons, I trust to the concurring testimony of 

 the most part of the authors upon the subject, that in scurvy 

 the fluids suffer a considerable change. 



From these authors we learn, that in the blood drawn from 

 the veins of persons labouring under the scurvy, the crassa- 

 mentum is different both in colour and consistence from what 

 it is in healthy persons ; and that at the same time the serum is 

 commonly changed both in colour and taste. The excretions 

 also, in scorbutic persons, show a change in the state of the 

 fluids. The breath is fetid ; the urine is always high-coloured, 

 and more acrid than usual : and if that acrid exudation from 

 the feet, which Dr. Hulme takes notice of, happens especially 

 in scorbutic persons, it will be a remarkable proof to the same 

 purpose. But however this may be, there is evidence enough 

 that in scurvy the natural state of the fluids is considerably 

 changed. Further, I apprehend it may be confidently pre- 

 sumed from this, that the disease is brought on by a partic- 

 ular nourishment introduced into the body, and is as certainly 

 cured by the taking in of a different diet. In the latter case, 

 the diet used has no other evident operation, than that of giving 

 a particular state and condition to the fluids. 



MDCCCXII. Presuming, therefore, that the disease depends 

 upon a particular condition of the fluids of the body, the next 

 subject of inquiry is, What that condition may be ? 



