ALTERATIVES. 11*9 



particular — its administration is attended with the happiest 

 results. 



*^ If two grains of calomel^ and a third of a grain of opium, 

 be given (to a man) every six or eight hours, the effect is at 

 its maximum on the second or third day, whilst its excretory 

 or absorbent properties begin to manifest themselves on the 

 third or fourth day. According to this view of the case, 

 mercury, given in large doses, does harm on its first adminis- 

 tration, gradually increasing the symptoms until it reaches 

 its maximum excitement, when the same remedy alters its 

 efiPects, and causes absorption and excretion. This fact is 

 invariably seen either in ij^tis, inflammation of the lungs, 

 or peritonitis, when treated by this remedy ; and hence 

 arises the frequent necessity for bleeding before the adminis- 

 tration of the remedy, and the frequent, apparent, and even 

 real necessity for its repetition, either general or local, at the 

 maximum excitement. In practice, we should endeavour, as 

 far as circumstances will permit, to cheat the remedy of 

 this baneful eff'ect by introducing it very gently and carefully 

 into the system ; and we find that nearly every case will 

 yield to such a gradual administration of the remedy. In 

 some degree the excitement is governed by the nature of 

 the mercurial compound, the oxides appearing to act more 

 gently, and with less stimulation, than the chlorides, &c. 

 Whether the remedy is taken in by the stomach, the skin, 

 or by fumigation, it does not seem much to matter : though 

 by the former its efi'ects are much more easily controlled ; 

 for the absorption by the latter is uncertain in the amount. 

 Sometimes the combination of small quantities of antimony 

 with the mercury lessens the excitement. The evidence of 

 the period (of excitement) being at hand, are additional pain, 

 heat, and redness in the inflamed part, but more especially 

 by a large increase to the deposition of lymph, and a con- 

 siderable additional impairment of the function of the organ. 

 Moreover, the system is much disturbed ; the patient is 

 restless, sleepless, feverish, and generally in a most uncom- 

 fortable state. As the intensity of salivation and absorption 

 are directly proportionate tp the intensity of excitement, to 



