VOL. XLIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 573 



bleeding or two, at first, was directly followed by a * vomit. M. le Cat had 

 seen this remedy produce a small flux of 5 or 6 stools a day, which, with the 

 addition of lemonade, was generally sufficient to effect a cure. But when this 

 success did not follow, the patient was bled first in the arm, then in the foot, 

 and every 2 or 3 days there was given some cassia, quickened by an emetic, and 

 dissolved in a decoction of tamarinds. They prescribed ptisans of strawberry- 

 leaves, adding some nitre; lemonades, clarified whey, pure water by itself, a 

 good many simple clysters ; draughts of the distilled water of borage and bugloss, 

 sweetened with syrup of lemons and water-lily. Many did well with a simple 

 julep of sugar and water, and a little wine. There were some, who, when they 

 were just sinking, were raised again by cordials of the warmest kind, such as 

 Venice treacle, given in large doses, and the preparation, called vinegar of the 4 

 thieves,-|* by spoonfuls, in broth. These medicines brought out a most plen- 

 tiful miliary eruption, by which they were cured. 



The manner of recovery from this disease deserves a place in the history of it. 

 There were but few, who recovered of it in the usual way, that is to say, who 

 only wanted the restoration of their strength, exhausted as well by sickness as 

 the medicines. Almost all of them, even those who had it in the first and se- 

 cond degree, still felt some remains of the symptoms of the disease. Such pa- 

 tients, as had any critical abscesses, were saved by this tribute only; but others, 

 who escaped the mortality of this dangerous poison, carried about with them for \ 



several months, and still feel, its terrible effects; for to the usual weakness of 

 convalescents were joined palpitations of the heart; a little of the painful lassi- 

 tude in the joints, which was a sign of the first attacks of the disease; a slight 

 pain in the head, but almost constant; an uncertain pulse; and, on the lessening 

 or cessation of these complaints, they were replaced by wandering pains in the 

 hypochondria, swimmings in the head, melancholy, and a remarkable disposi- 

 tion to fear, being the remains of what constituted one of the characteristics of 

 the disease. 



• It is called in the originalj I'emetique en lavage, which signifies an emetic well diluted with 

 water; the formula of which is, 4-gr. of emetic tartar, dissolved in a quart of water; the 4th part of 

 which is given at a time. After this has worked either by vomit or stool, another 4th is taken, and 

 so on, till the patient is supposed to have vomited or purged enough. — Orig. 



+ This is an infusion of several aromatic plants in vinegar. The reason of its being called vinaigre 

 des quatre voleurs, is this : 



When the plague raged at Marseilles, 4 rogues broke into the houses of the sick, and carried off 

 what they pleased, retiring to a secret place with iheir booty, and returned to the same business at 

 different times, till they had amassed great riches ; but were at last apprehended, and hanged. Being 

 asked, how they durst venture into the pestilential houses ? they said, they preserved themselves by 

 drinking a glass of their vinegar twice or thrice a day, sprinkling their handkerchiefs and clothes with 

 the same, and were not afraid. The French retain this name for it, though it is not in their dispen- 

 satories, and use it as a high cordial. — Orig. 



