THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 43 



only one we ever mall have an opportunity of making) of 

 a medicine which may fave multitudes hereafter from a dif- 

 eafc fo much worfe than death. 



It was foon feen, by the conftant adminiftration of ma- 

 ny ordinary dofes, that nothing was to be expected from 

 violent or dangerous ones ; as not the fmalleil degree 

 of amendment ever appeared, either outwardly or in- 

 wardly, to the fenfation of the patient. Mercury had no 

 better effect. Tar-water alfo was tried ; and if there was 

 any thing that produced any feeming advantage, it was 

 whey made of cow's milk, of which he was exceflively fond, 

 and which the king ordered him to be furniilied with at 

 my defire, in any quantity he pleafed, during the experi- 

 ment. 



The troubles of the times prevented further attention. Dr 

 Storke's cicuta, in feveral inftances, made a perfect cure of the 

 hanzeers improperly opened, though, in feveral other cafes, 

 without any apparent caufe, it totally mifcarried. I iearce 

 ever obferved mercury fucceed in any complaint. 



It is not for me to attempt to explain what are the caufes 

 of thefe diftempers. Thofe whole iludies lead them to fuch 

 inveftigations will do well to attach themfelves, for firfl 

 principles, to the difference of climate, and the abui'es 

 that obtain under them ; after this, to particular circum- 

 flances in the neceiTaries of life, -to which nature has 

 fubjected the people of thefe countries. Under the firft, 

 we may rank a feafon of fix months rains, fuccceded, 

 without interval, by a cloudlefs Iky and vertical fun ; and 

 cold nights which as immediately follow thefe fcorching 



F 2 days. 



