SECT. XII. 7. OF STIMULUS AND EXERTION. 105 



ufeful quantity of flimulus in fevers with debility- 

 may be afcertained. When wine or beer are exhi- 

 bited either alone or diluted with water, if the 

 pulfe becomes flower the ilimulus is of a proper 

 quantity ; and ihould be repeated every two or 

 three hours, or when the pulfe again becomes 

 quicker. 



In the chronical debility brought on by drink- 

 ing fpirituousor fermented liquors, there is another 

 golden rule by which I have fuccefsfully directed 

 the quantity of fpirit which they may fafely leflen, 

 for there is no other means by which they can re- 

 cover their health. It fliould be premifed, that 

 where the power of digeftion in thefe patients is 

 totally deftroyed, there is not much reafon to ex- 

 peel a return to healthful vigour. 



I have directed feveral of thefe patients to omit 

 one fourth part of the quantity of vinous fpirit 

 they have been lately accuftomed to, and if in a 

 fortnight their appetite increafes, they are advifed 

 to omit another fourth part ; but if they perceive 

 that their digeftion becomes impaired from the 

 want of this quantity of fpirituous potation, they 

 are advifed to continue as they are, and rather 

 bear the ills they have, than rifk the encounter of 

 greater. At the fame time flem-meat with or with- 

 out fpice is recommended, with Peruvian bark and 

 fteel in fmall quantities between their meals, and 

 half a grain of opium or a grain, with five or eight 

 grains of rhubarb at night.^ 



SECT. 



