70 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1736. 



with mercury, which he had reason to believe to be the most effectual pre- 

 servative against, and perhaps even a cure, for the hydrophobia. 



About Michaelmas, \734, Mr. Floyer complained that he was afraid of a 

 madness among his hounds ; for that morning one had run mad in the kennel, 

 and he was apprehensive that most of the rest were bitten by him : Dr. J. took 

 this opportunity of telling him that he had long believed that mercury would, 

 if tried, prove the best remedy against this infection; and that if the idea he 

 had formed of this poison was just, he was pretty sure the medicine would 

 answer, notwithstanding the difficulty there is of determining the effects of a 

 medicine a priori; and that it was at least worth while to try. Mr. Floyer 

 neglected this advice till the Feb. following. Mean time he tried the medicine 

 in Bates, commonly known by the name of the pewter-medicine ; as also every 

 thing else which was recommended to him by other sportsmen, but to no pur- 

 pose ;■ for some of his hounds ran mad almost every day after hunting. On 

 this he took his hounds to the sea, and had every one of them dipt in the salt- 

 water ; and at his return, he brought his pack to another gentleman's kennel, 

 6 miles distant from his own. But, notwithstanding this precaution, he lost 6 

 or 7 couple of his dogs in a fortnight's time. At length on further persuasion, 

 Mr. Floyer tried the experiment on 1 of his hounds that were both very far 

 gone. They refused food of all sorts, particularly fluids, slavered much, and 

 had all the symptoms of a hydrophobia to a great degree. That night he gave 

 12 grains of turpeth mmeral to each of the 3 dogs, which vomited and purged 

 them gently. Twenty-four hours after this, he gave to each 24 grs. and after 

 the same interval he gave 48 more to each. The dogs salivated considerably, 

 and soon after lapped warm milk. At the end of 24 hours more, he repeated 

 to one dog 24 grs. more, and omitted it to the other. The dog that took this 

 last dose, lay on the ground, salivated extremely, was in great agonies, and had 

 all the symptoms of a salivation raised too quick; but he got through it: the 

 other relapsed, and died. 



To all the rest of the pack he gave 7 grs. of the turpeth for the first dose, 

 the second 12, at 24 hours distance, which was repeated every other day 

 for some little time. The method was repeated at the 2 or 3 succeed- 

 ing fulls and changes of the moon. From this time he lost not another 



Dr. James died in 1776, aged 73. A spirited vindication of Dr. J.'s character from the c))arge 

 of empiricism, in consequence of the patent he obtained for his Fever Powder, has been written by 

 Dr. Heathcote. This is a subject respecting which there will always be a difference of opinion. 

 With regard to Dr. J.'s merits as an author, if he is not distinguished for much originality of 

 thought or conciseness of expression; yet he has shown himself to be a faithful and industriou* 

 collector of medical information down to bis own time; and it must be confessed that few have 

 surpassed him in point of erudition. 



