36 
‘The Natural Hiftory of the Book II. 
terminates in a Leucophlematia, or Dropfy ; to which Difeafes People 
in thefe Parts of the World are exceedingly difpofed. : 
But as a Diarrhoea is fometimes truly critical, and contributes a great 
deal towards the Cure of other Diftempers, fuch a Diarrhoea ae by no 
means to be ftopped, fo long as the Strength of the Patient can fupport 
“him under it. 
The Matter of a Diarrhoea in thefe Parts is frequently fo fharp and cor- 
rofive, as not only to carry off the mucous Subftance of the Inteftines, 
but alfo in a few Days to abrade and tear away their villous Coat, and 
excoriate the Mouths of the Blood-veffels. The ftimulating Matter ftill 
remaining, the Flux is continued ; and, the Orifices of the Blood-veffels 
being opened at the fame time, the Flux muft unavoidably become a 
Bloody one. : 
Likewife fultry Weather, and hot {pirituous Liquors, as well as acrid 
pungent Food, are capable of producing a Diarrhoea 5 and as they greatly 
rarefy the Blood, this Rarefaction, fuperadded to the Loofenefs, gives us 
a fatisfa&tory Idea of their being the Caufe of a Dyfentery. 
This is confirmed, by obferving how much this Difeafe rages among 
the White Servants, as well as Negroes, in our Plantations ; which fort of 
People are much addiéted to debauch in Spirits, and Punch made exceed- 
ingly ftrong with new Rum, very acid with the Juice of Limes, fermented 
with coarfe Sugar. 
The almoft unanimous Confent of Phyficians, as well as Proofs drawn 
from Praétice, have fo fully demonftrated the Benefit received from 
Blood-letting, that it is fufficient only to mention it, to remind Pradti- 
tioners of the Neceflity there is not to omit it in the Beginning of a 
Dyfentery. 
The Indian Root, or (4) Ipecacuanha, hath juftly eftablifhed its Repu- 
tation in the Cure of this Diftemper, both in thofe Parts of the World 
from whence it was originally brought, where Fluxes are { 5) endemic 
and in all other Places where it hath been ufed on thofe Occafions. ; 
But perhaps the Reafon why it is found to be fuperior to the reft of 
the Emetic Tribe, was not at all confidered before the learned and judi- 
cious Dr. Freind (6) gave us an Infight into that Matter, unlefs we except 
one Paffage in Pi/o (7). P 
If the Ipecacuanha does not only exert its emetic Faculty, but like 
wife paffeth through the Bowels in fuch manner as to promote a Stool or 
two, 
(4) Si quando evacuationibus locus, radicem vomitivam Ipecacuanha, exquifiti 
‘ceteris remediis preeferre conducit. Pipe, P1300 8 Sse imany ‘nats eee 
(5) Affectus dyfentericas nimirum his terris eft familiaris, ita ut perpetu i i 
Pip ibid. > Perpetuo nobis fporadica, & popularis, 
(6) Radix Ipecacuanha preter vim vomitoriam, quam obtinet, uberrimum fudo i 
n a : ‘ 1 rem € ae 
hoc, quantum ego conjectura affequi poffum, pracipue confiftit egregia illa in duenteicniare pee Atq; in 
quam fibi pre aliis vomendi inftramentis vendicat. Freind Comment. de Feb, p- 40. ectibus virtus, 
(7) Ad radicem Ipecacuanha confugiendum, tanquam ad facram ancoram, qua nullum 
tutius, tum in hoc, tum in plerifq; aliis, cum vel fine fanguine, fluxibus compefcendis 
vit remedium. Quippe, Preterquam quod tuto & efficaciter tenaciffimos quofq; humores 
fepiflime autem per vomitum ejiciat, & a parte affecta derivet, vim quog; aftri&ivam poft 
preftantius gut 
natura excogita- 
per ipfam alvum, 
fe reliquit. Pi, 
