660 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



tion of the parts below. Upon this account, opium is often of 

 great benefit in jaundice ; and the benefit resulting from its use, 

 proves sufficiently the truth of the theory upon which the using 

 of it has been founded. 



" In cases of jaundice, I have found a biliary stone, in pass- 

 ing the biliary ducts, give such an irritation as to produce a 

 considerable degree of inflammatory state in the system ; and 

 though I have found it necessary for moderating this, to employ 

 blood-letting, yet, as I considered the passage of the stone to be 

 chiefly interrupted by a spasmodic constriction of the ducts, I 

 have employed opium for taking off this with great advan- 

 tage. M.M. 



MDCCCXXIX. It were much to be wished, that a solvent 

 of biliary concretions, which might be applied to them in the 

 gall-bladder or biliary ducts, was discovered ; but none such, so 

 far as I know, has yet been found ; and the employment of soap 

 in this disease, I consider as a frivolous attempt. Dr. White 

 of York has found a solvent of biliary concretions when these 

 are out of the body ; but there is not the least probability that 

 it could reach them while lodged within. 



