622 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 16Q3-4, 



periodically, sometimes at one time, sometimes at another, according to the 

 urgency of the pain. When replaced in his favourite position, in which he 

 could mitigate his pain by pressing his abdomen against the bedstead, he 

 appeared for the time quite composed. In this manner the patient went on for 

 about 3 weeks, never lying down in bed, and having scarcely any sleep all that 

 time. He had no vomiting ; his pulse was strong and equal; his tongue white, 

 but moisi; the blood which had been drawn was like that of pleuritic patients; 

 the urine of a natural appearance. Before Dr. Pitt saw him, which was after the 

 first week, he had been blooded once; one clyster had been administered: one 

 dose of a purgative had been given, and plenty of laudanum ; but all to no purpose. 

 Dr. Pitt ordered the blood-letting to be repeated in large quantities, and a pur- 

 gative medicine the next day ; after the operation of which the patient was able 

 to walk upright. The pains and convulsions returning again, the doctor pre- 

 scribed a strong cathartic of resin of jalap, and mercurius dulcis, with a 

 draught of syrup of buckthorn; which, however, produced no effect. The dose 

 of the jalap and mercury was therefore increased, and the syrup of buckthorn 

 (in the quantity of 3 or 4 ounces) was repeated every other day. By this 

 method the bowels were at length acted upon, and the pains and convulsions 

 abated. Whey was ordered to be drunk ad libitum. The bowels being suffici- 

 ently evacuated, laudanum was given. Thus after 8 or 10 repetitions of the 

 purgative medicines, the pains and convulsions entirely ceased ; and the cure 

 was completed by the exhibition of some nervous remedies (nervina medica- 

 menta). 



On the Bird the Cuntur, of Peru, and on the Coffee-shrub. By Ham Shane, 



M.D. S.R.S. N°208,'p. 6l. 



The size and strength ascribed to the cuntur,* or condor, of Peru, have 

 caused many to doubt of its existence. Capt. John Strong, commander of a 

 ship which went into the South Seas, through the Straits of Magellan, gave me 

 this account of it, together with a wing or quill feather of the bird : that on 

 the coast of Chili they had met with this bird in about 33° S. latitude, not far 

 from Mocha, an island in the South Seas ; that his men were much amazed 

 at its size, and that it measured 1 6 feet from one wing to the other extended. 

 The feather he gave me is Q, feet 4 inches long, the quill part is 5^ inches long, 

 1-1. inch about in the largest part; it weighed 3 drams 171 grains, and was of a 



* Vultur Gryphns. V. maxiraus, caruncula vertical! longitudine capitis, gula nuda. Linn. Syst: 

 Nat. p. 121. See Miueum Levereanum, vol. 1. p 1. t. 1. and vol. 2. p. I. t. 1. 



