442 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY, 



roots only. The herbs were to be put in a bag, and 

 hung up in the vessel after the drink was wrought. I 

 have not begun this method yet, the weather falling out 

 so very sharp. 



My wife and girls give you their most humble services. 



I am, Sir, 



Yours entirely. 



John Ray. 



To his honoured friend, Dr. Haus Sloaue, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



Ml-. Ray to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



Black Notley, May 7, 170i. 



Sir, — Since you were so kind as to desire to know the 

 success of the method of physic I have lately entered 

 upon, I ought to have given you satisfaction before now, 

 and you may justly think me very much to blame that I 

 have not; but when I shall have acquainted you Avith 

 my condition during this time, I hope you will excuse 

 me. At first I began with a tinctm-e of steel in ^^dne, 

 and the diet-drink prescribed me by Sir Tho. Millington ; 

 after which, within a few days, I took a dose of rhubarb, 

 which, though sufficient for any ordinaiy man, yet wrought 

 not upon me till the afternoon, nor then to any purpose, 

 but the day after I took it, sufficiently. After a few days 

 more I took another dose of rhubarb, quickened with 

 some grains of scammony, which wi'ought with me not 

 only the day I took it, but four or five days after, yet 

 moderately and without disturbance. This interrupted 



