DISEASES CLASS II. 1. 5. 2, 



2. Syphilis. Venereal disease. The contagion shews itself 

 m ulcers on the part first inoculated as chancres; ulcers on the 

 tonsils succeed, with eruption on the skin, especially about the 

 roots of the hair; afterwards on other parts of the skin, terminat- 

 ing in dry scabs; and lastly, with pain and swelling of the bones. 



The corona veneris, or crown of Venus, consists of the erup- 

 tions at the roots of the hair, appearing most round the forehead; 

 which is occasioned by this part being more exposed to the air; 

 \vhich we observed at the beginning of this genus, either produces 

 or increases the virulence of contagious matter. But it is diffi- 

 cult to conceive, from this history, why the throat should be first 

 affected; as it cannot be supposed, that the disease is so often 

 taken by the saliva, like the small-pox, though this may some- 

 times occur; perhaps very often. The connexion between the 

 genitals in men and the throat, is treated of in Class IV. 1. 2. 7. 

 Hydrophobia. 



M. M. A quarter of a grain of corrosive sublimate of mer- 

 cury, taken thrice a day for five or six weeks, made into a pill 

 with bread crumbs, or dissolved in a spoonful of brandy and 

 water, is a very efficacious and almost certain cure. When it 

 does not succeed, it is owing either to the drug being bad, or to 

 its having precipitated from the brandy, or from its being spoiled 

 in the pill by long keeping. Opium contributes much to expe- 

 dite the cure, both of the simple gonorrhoea and of venereal ul- 

 cers, by increasing absorption both from the mucous membrane 

 and from the surface of ulcers. A quarter of a grain, or half a 

 grain, may be given with every dose of the sublimate. 



Nitrous acid has been lately strongly recommended, by Mr, 

 Scott, in venereal cases; from an idea that the oxygene, which 

 it consists of in part, is loosely combined, and may b separable 

 in the animal system; and that it may be the oxygene, only, which 

 exists loosely in mercurial calces or oxydes, that acts so success-* 

 fully, when mercurials are exhibited. Some successful exhibitions 

 of this acid in venereal cases are published; the dose is one drachm 

 and a half, or two drachms, of the strong nitric acid mixed in two 

 pounds of water, to be drunk daily at repeated intervals. Mr. 

 Scott has since used the nitrous acid much diluted with water 

 externally as a warm bath, either partially or generally, with 

 great success, at Bombay, in venereal cases. See Article II. 2. 

 4. and IV. 2. 7. 1. in the Materia Medica. 



It has been now used in this country with success by some, 

 and without success by others, and may perhaps assist the use of 

 mercurials as well as opium in the cure of venereal ulcers; but 

 should not yet be solely depended upon. 



