VOL. XXXIII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 11? 



cathartic; since we are always easily able to check its force, if need be, with 

 an opiate, &c. 



How often do we find feverish, hectic heats proceed from a cacochymy 

 of the first passages, in children especially? In which case, a little rhubarb, 

 or a few gentle stomachic purgers, will do more to remove the feverish dis- 

 position, than a pound of the cortex. Indeed it is common enough to find 

 the bark, itself purge gently, on its first administration : and in some cases it 

 has the better efi^ect. Have not we seen some intermittents cured by one sea- 

 sonable vomit? And that not barely by the shock and agitation given to the 

 blood-vessels, genus nervosum, &c. and so acting as an attenuant; but by 

 throwing off the saburra from the stomach, which fed the feverish paroxysms: 

 and this is more particularly evident in the fever frequently following a surfeit. 

 Hence it is, that a small quantity of the bark sometimes does more after a 

 vomit, than a much greater could before it. Why therefore, when there is a 

 lodgment of putrid matter in the primae viae, which partly feeds the secondary 

 fever, should not we attempt to carry it off by either gentle vomiting or purg- 

 ing, as may be judged most convenient? 



It has been, and may be objected to this practice, that it tends to draw the 

 noxious humours from the circumference to the centre; but to this it has been 

 answered, that the purging is more especially pleaded for, when the incrustation 

 is begun, and the matter too thick to be absorbed. 



If nature, neither by her own efl^ort, nor the help of art, is capable of keep- 

 ing the morbific matter from falling on the more vital parts ; but, by an un- 

 fortunate translation of it, is likely to sink under its weight; as on a sudden 

 retrocession of the tumour of the face and hands; a premature suppression of 

 the salivation, or the like; does it not seem necessary to endeavour to carry off 

 the offending matter by some other outlet? As, in the present case, by the 

 guts, which are much more easily solicited to a discharge, than either the pores 

 of the skin, the urinary passages, or the salivary ducts. 



Indeed, when the salivation of course ceases, it seems necessary to promote 

 some other evacuations in its stead. At the same time, cardiac, or alexipharmic 

 medicines, are in nowise contraindicated by his method, if judged needful. 

 This way nature affects in children, to whom a gentle diarrhoea is commonly 

 of the greatest service, as proving a happy substitute to the salivation in older 

 persons. 



The following history will evince, how necessary it may be sometimes to 

 evacuate an offending acrimonious matter lodged in the guts, and that too, 

 even in the midst of the suppuration. About 3 months since, the Dr. had 

 under his care a person about 30, ill of the small-pox. It happened, that the 



