. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 513 



green urine could be drawn off at a time, and that notoftener than every lOth or 

 12th day; * for the only supply of liquid which the patienthadwas from the clysters. 

 On the 6th of April, 3 oz. of a clear, thin, blue urine were voided, but it was 

 never afterwards of this colour. On the 17th the urine again appeared greenish, 

 and was loaded with a large quantity of gravel. The pains afterwards returned 

 with excruciating violence (especially in the loins) so as to induce delirium, 

 followed by stupor, laughing, singing, fever, &c. With the intention of pro- 

 curing evacuations downwards, April 29th, 1 grains of mercurius vitae were 

 given, and on the 2d of May 3 grains more; but the consequence was 2 vo- 

 mitings, in which there came away 7 drachms of calculi. To overcome the 

 obstinate constipation, and also with a view of exciting a ptyalism, 4 oz. of 

 quicksilver were given on the 8th of May, and on the 10th 6 ounces more; 

 but it slipped through the intestinal canal without bringing any thing along with 

 it. In this state the patient continued, without taking any sustenance, until 

 the 16th of June, when it was determined to clear the intestines by a solution 

 of sal polychrestum in a large quantity of warm water. Accordingly 6 oz. of 

 this solution were administered every quarter of an hour, until 3 pints were 

 swallowed, the patient's mouth being held close after each exhibition, so as to 

 prevent the liquid from being vomited back. By this method an evacuation 

 downwards was effected, consisting of a large mass of excessively indurated 

 faeces, which distended the extremity of the rectum to such a degree as to ex- 

 cite an apprehension of bursting it. Thus what had been vainly attempted for 

 the space of 4 months by a great variety of medicines, was at last accomplished 

 by a simple solution of polychrest salt in common water.-j^ After this the deli- 

 rium abated, and the appetite returned. 



Up to Nov. there was. an evacuation by stool every 5th or 6th day with occa- 

 sional vomitings, so that calculi were now voided both upwards and downwards, 

 some of them so large as to weigh 2 drachms or more; and it will easily be 

 conceived that these rough and sharp- pointed stones could not come away with-- 

 out being accompanied with blood and the most excruciating pain. On the 5th 

 of Nov. the bowels again became constipated, and all things got worse. The 

 faeces came away by vomiting, and all hope of recovery vanished. In conse- 

 quence of the suppression of urine, on the 4th of Feb. of the present year 



* From the author's words it would appear,, tliat although the catheter was introduced eveiy 3d 

 day, yet an evacuation of urine did not take place each timej but when it did, (i. e, every 10th or 

 12th day) not more than 2 or 3 oz. came away at such times. 



, + The author's expression is, by water alone (una aqua omnia fontana solvit) ; but just before he 

 mentions the addition of polychrest salt} the proportion however of the salt to tlie water is not 

 stated. ; 



VOL. II. 3 U 



