VOL. XIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 31 



II. Traclatus de Salts Cathartici amari in Aquis Ebshamensibus et hujusmodi 

 aliis contenti Naturd et Usu. ^ut. Nehemia Grew, M. D. Ulriusque Reg. 

 Soc. Soc. Loud. 12mo. N° 21 6, p. 76. 



This book is divided into 2 parts. The former, on the nature of the purging 

 waters, and of its purging salt. The latter, of their use. The former has 6 

 chapters. The 1st shows how these waters came to be commonly known and 

 used. The 2d the nature of the waters. The 3d the nature of the purging 

 salt of these waters. Where, among many other experiments, it is observed, 

 that its crystals, when permitted to shoot at a due distance, are most of them 

 rectangular prisms with 4 parallelogram planes. By which, and divers other 

 properties, it is distinguished from all other salts. The 4th shows the difference 

 between this salt and alum : and that the waters are falsely supposed by many 

 to be aluminous. As also between this and common salt; although some quan- 

 tity of common salt be contained in all the purging waters. The 5th demon- 

 strates the difference of this salt, both from nitre, and from the salt of lime ; 

 notwithstanding it has been taken for a calcareous nitre. The 6th contains 

 some further observation on this bitter purging salt,* grounded chiefly on the 

 foregoing experiments. 



The latter part has 7 chapters. The 1 st shows the use of the waters, and of 

 their purging salt in general. The 2d shows the ways of using the salt; whereof 

 one of the best is to take it dissolved in its own purging water, raw, or first a 

 little boiled : whereby the said water will work, both in a far less quantity, and 

 more kindly and effectually. The 3d, 4th, 5th, and 6lh show in what diseases 

 this medicine is to be used. The last chapter mentions the diseases wherein it 

 is improper and hurtful. 



^ Relation of one Hannah Taylor, a very extraordinary Child of about 6 Years 

 of ^ge, who in Face, &c. toas as large as a full grown JVoman ; and of ivhat 

 appeared on the Dissection of her Body : by Dr. Henry Sampson, F. of the 

 Coll. of Physicians. N° 217, p. 80. 



Hannah Taylor was born in Crutched Friars, June 12, l682. She was, till 

 3 years old, very sickly, lean, and not able to go alone; but about Bartholomew- 

 tide, l685, she began to grow strong and fat, which increased till the time of 

 her death : she was also a very forward child of understanding, had her pubes 



* This bitter purging salt consists of vitriolic or sulphuric acid and magnesia ; being the sulphate 

 of magnesia of tfie French nomenclature, and the magnesia vitriolata of Bergman and the London 

 Pharmacopoeia. 



