Sect. V.] Materia Medica, 7 



The introduction of FaclUious Airs into the ma- 

 teria medica may be considered as marking a splen- 

 did and very interesting period in its history. Some 

 facts on this subject were stated in a p^'eceding 

 section, to which it will only be added, that though 

 our knowledge of this important class of remedies 

 is yet in its infancy, there arc probal^ly few sources 

 from which more important aid to the physician 

 may be expected to be hereafter derived. 



The affusion of Water, cold and warm, on the 

 body, in fevers and other diseases, deserves to be 

 mentioned in this place as a new article in the ma- 

 teria medica, at least with respect to the principles 

 and manner of its application. The simplicity, 

 pleasantness, universal readiness of access, and un- 

 questionable efficacy of this remedy, will, it is to 

 be hoped, soon recommend it to general use. The 

 honour due to Dr. Currie, of Liverpool, for his en- 

 lightened experiments, and valuable publication oa 

 this subject, was before noticed. 



'The efficacy and uses of Peruvian Bark have 

 been better understood, within the last century, 

 than in any former period. Its free and successful 

 exhibition by modern physicians, in intermittent 

 fevers^ in scrofula , in cases o^ gangrene and mortifi^ 

 cation^ and in numerous, diseases of relaxation and 

 dehillty, is well known. To the exertions of sir 

 Hans Sloane and others, in introducing this medi- 

 cine into general use in Great Britain, much ho- 

 nour is due. 



The use of Mercurx) has also been greatly ex- 

 tended, and its effects more accurately observed, 

 during the century under review. The introduc- 

 tion of thi^ metal as a remedy in a multitude of 



