Book IL. Yland of BARBADOS, 27 
two, which often happens, it will be fufficient that Night to give the 
Patient aBolus made with Rhubarb and Diafcordium ; but if the Phyfician 
obferves no fuch Effeét from the Vomit, then he generally gives “half a 
Dram of Rhubarb in any convenient Vehicle, in order to carry off any 
Remains of the ftimulating Matter which may adhere to the Guts; for 
many are the Occafions which confirm the ill Confequences of giving 
aftringent Medicines in the Infancy of this Difeafe, when the Flux of 
Blood hath not been immoderate. 
After the Bowels have been prepared in this manner, the Phyficians 
have recourfe to Balfamics, Agglutinants, Aftringents, and Opiates, which 
mutt be contrived in proportion to the Neceflity of the Patient, the Vio- 
lence of the Flux, and the Length of its Duration. 
If the Sick be much debilitated by the Continuance of the Diftemper, 
and the great Effufion of Blood, a Cordial Draught is generally allowed 
him to fupport and invigorate the languid Spirits, fuch as Claret, or 
Madera Wine, burnt with Spices, or {trong Cinnamon-Water, diluted 
with the white Decoion. 
The Food in this Cafe muft be cooling, mucilaginous, and aftringent. 
Panada, made with Cafada Bread, is with very good Reafon commended 
by Pio, who advifeth it not only as a cooling healing Diet, but asan ufe- 
ful Ingredient in the Compofition of Clyfters. He 
The fame Author recommends the Jelly of white and red Guavas, 
Granadilla, Hog-plumb, &’c. as proper Nourifhment. Thefe are men- 
tioned, becaufe they are always at hand in Barbados. 
Unripe Plantains and Bananaes, roafted, are alfo proper for thefe Pa- 
tients ; but, above all, a Milk Diet. 
This Hland is likewife fubje& to a very malignant Fever (though I anemeloy. 
believe in common with other Countries between the Tropics) now called 
the Yellow Fever. 
Dr. Warren, in his ingenious Treatife upon this Diftemper, concludes 
it to be a Species of the Plague, and that the Infection was unhappily 
brought to Martinico in Bales of Goods from Mar/eilles in the Year 1721. 
though others, who have refided much longer in the Ifland, are of a 
different Opinion, efpecially Dr. Gamble, who remembers that it was 
very fatal here in the Year 1691. and that it was then called the New 
Diftemper, and afterwards Kendal’s Fever, the Peftilential Fever, and 
the Bilious Fever. 
The fame Symptoms did not always appear in all Patients, nor alike 
in every Year when it vifited us. 
It is moft commonly rife and fatal in May, June, Fuly, and Auguft ; 
and then moftly among Strangers, though a great many of the Inhabit- 
ants, in the Year 1696, died of it, and a great many at different Periods 
fince, 
Laga The 
