VOL. XLVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 207 



notion which they hold, that it is the over great quantity of blood, that kills; 

 for, besides that this false opinion is fatal to this patient in particular, it will still 

 be so to all future apoplectics, if the prejudice in favour of this theory be such 

 as to prevent seeking the true causes, and the real remedies of the apoplexy. 



XLI. Observations on the Effects of the Fitrum Antimonii Ceratum. By Mans. 

 Geoffrey, of the R. Acad, of Sciences, and F. R. S. Translated from the 

 French by Tho. Stack, M. D., F. R. S. p. 273. 



This medicine, the preparation of which was first published in the Edinburgh 

 Meilical Essays, is made by mixing an ounce of the glass of antimony in powder 

 with a drachm of yellow wax. This mixture is kept in an iron ladle over a slow 

 clear charcoal fire about half an hour, stirring it continually with an iron spatula, 

 till the wax is consumed, and ceases to emit fumes. Such is the process of the 

 preparation, published in the Edinburgh Essays. In the memoirs of the Royal 

 Academy of Sciences for the year 1745, M. G. gave the detail of this operation, 

 with some remarks on the changes, which wax may occasion in the glass of 

 antimony. 



Of all the preparations of glass of antimony this is doubtless the most perfect; 

 for it is infinitely superior to the chylista of Hartman. This chylista is nothing 

 more than a glass of antimony well pounded, and opened by acids, and then 

 digested in spirit of wine impregnated with mastic, which never can cover the 

 particles of this glass with coats of equal impenetrability with those formed by 

 wax bituminized by burning. This medicine succeeds equally in bloody fluxes, 

 diarrhoeas, simple loosenesses, quartan agues, even the most obstinate, and in 

 certain cases of the fluor albus. It must be given with caution, beginning with 

 a very small dose, as 1, 2, or 3 grains, especially when it has been levigated 

 again after its calcination; and thus it may be safely given to children, and even 

 to pregnant women. In giving it to robust persons, M. G. always began by a 

 small dose, as 4 or 5 grains, which he gradually increased to 18, according to 

 the effects produced by less considerable doses. It sometimes vomits or purges, 

 and sometimes cures (especially in robust constitutions) without producing any 

 visible effect. By gradually increasing the dose of this medicine, he had given 

 as far as 24 grains at a time, which had no other effect, but to procure 2 or 3 

 moderate stools the next day ; but in this case it would be imprudent to continue 

 its use without interruption ; because, as it passes slowly, the dose may possibly 

 unite with the first at the time, that it begins to operate; and these 2 doses thus 

 joined might cause a superpurgation, which is always to be dreaded. 



He would never have ventured to give this medicine to pregnant women if 

 chance had not convinced him, that it is not more dangerous for them than for 

 others, when given with caution. For, among several women, whom he cured 



