VOL. XXXI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS 4*53 



subjects, and persons labouring under the jaundice and various other chronic 

 disorders, either entirely escape infection, or if they take the plague, they 

 have it favourably. On the contrary, it is particularly fatal to persons of a 

 •florid complexion and robust constitution. 



Fumigations produced from juniper berries,* pitch, and sulphur, are useful, 

 if they are continued day and night, so as to penetrate the whole house from 

 top to bottom. Smelling to vinegar is thought to be of some service ; it is very 

 useful to anoint the nostrils with oil of amber. A moderate indulgence in 

 wine, with cheerfulness and a good diet, are among the best preservatives. 

 Bleeding is deemed improper, especially when resorted to late. In many in- 

 stances it was found impossible to close the orifice made by the lancet, so as to 

 stop the efflux of blood; and from the scarifications made in the operation of 

 cupping, the blood has been observed to flow profusely for several hours, that 

 is, even unto death. Gentle emetics do no good, and strong vomits do a great 

 deal of harm. Purgatives are fatal. Sweating and alexipharmics are the only 

 means of relief. The theriaca Veneta is very generally prescribed in this city. 

 The lapis bezoar, although genuine, is of very little use. The Jews give acids, 

 the Armenians and Greeks wine and brandy, the Christians rigidly abstain from 

 animal food, including flesh-broths, for many days; nor is this diet despised 

 by the Turks. Many, in whom a small tubercle, without any lividness, has 

 made its appearance, by abstaining from animal food, have been able to walk 

 about, like persons in health, for a week ; but afterwards on taking to animal 

 food again, have very soon died. Crude opium and all preparations of opium 

 are useful, not only with a preservative but likewise with a curative intention. 

 The most esteemed remedy among the Turkish grandees is the oleum naphthae 

 or pale-coloured petroleum (petroleum albicans) taken in the quantity of two 

 drachms in any vehicle ad libitum. It agrees in its properties with camphor. 

 A certain practitioner is said to have cured many by bleeding them on the first 

 day of the disorder, even unto deliquium, and afterwards giving them a draught 

 of the strongest vinegar, with a drachm of dragon's blood, and a drachm of 

 Armenian bole dissolved therein. How bleeding produces its effects 1 leave to 

 the consideration of others; but it is certainly a very excellent remedy .-J- It is 

 useful to rub the skin with bruised garlick, on the breast and back nearest the 



* The fumes produced from juniper berries, and other odoriferous substances, would seem to be 

 useless, if not hurtful, on such occasions ; hence certain acid vapours, and particularly those which 

 are disengaged either from common salt or from nitre, in the manner described by Guyton Morveau, 

 and Dr. Carmichael Smyth, are now universally employed in their stead. 



+ The author here speaks of bleeding on the. first day of the attack, for he has before said that late 

 bleeding is improper. The observations made by European physicians, attached to the forces sent 

 out to Egypt, are not in favour of bleeding even in the beginning of this disorder. 



