112 ON THE POISON 



roots have been difcovered, and other vegetable re- 

 mei:ies, which Teem in general to unite the two qua- 

 lities of warmth and bitternefs, and it is very probable 

 that by roulmg the vital fun£lions, they may be of 

 fo;ne ufe in affifling nature, to refill the deadening 

 operation of the poifon. 



The volatile alkali is the remedy moft commonly 

 employed by phyficlans, both in this country and in 

 Europe ; but the belief which formerly prevailed, that 

 it polTciTed fome fpecific power, which correfted the 

 poifon, feems to be new very generally relinquiflied* ; 

 and it is now acknowledged to have no other a61:ion 

 than that afcribed to it by Mr. Williams, of ftimu- 

 lating the heart and vafcular fyltem to a more vigo- 

 rous exertion. 



The calces, or as they are more properly called, 

 the oxyds of fome metals, as arfenic, mercury, and 

 iilver, have been made ufe of, the efficacy of which as 

 remedies in this difeafe, merit a more attentive con- 

 iideration. 



Arsenic has long been employed by the natives of 

 this country, lince it furms the principal ingredient in 

 w-hcit is called tlie Tanjore y>'u\- The little experience 

 -collected by Europeans, dots not enable us to form any very 

 exact judgment refpefting it. The remedy iifelf pro- 

 duces very violent effects ; and if ufcd with any freedom, 

 -might occaiion death. It is therefore difficult to dif- 

 tinguiib the effeClis of the remedy from the fymptoms 



jfants, of curing animals bitten by fnakes, he conjefturcs, may be llie 

 iiinr.e. Thtxr-. ft'ems to be much obfcuriry among authors in their 

 jitccitnts of ihis plant, which fufficiently jufiiiies the conje(fture of Sir 

 "\\'ii.LiAM JoNFs. It is named by different writers, Rametnl, 

 Kcigha'wuUiy Ekti'iuerya, Caju-ular, I took fome pains to enquire, 

 among the natives, for this root. A fpecimen was brought me, by' a 

 fnake do:lor, which correfpondcd to th.s dcicription, given of it by 

 K-i^MPrtR. He named it ISnghaiKiolli : he faid when a perfon was 

 bit by the Cobra de C apello, the piece of it was rubbed upon the eye- 

 iils, lips, and tongue, that it produced ficknefs and vomiting, but 

 had no eticift upon thofe who were not bitien. I chewed fome of it, 

 il was bittcx and aromatic. 



» uif.aikk Refearches, Vol. II. 



of 



