THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 43 
only one we ever fhall have an opportunity of making) of 
a-medicine which may fave multitudes hereafter from a dif- 
eafe fo much worfe than death. 
Tr was foon feen, by the conftant adminiftration of ma- 
Ay ordinary dofes, that nothing was to be expected from 
violent or dangerous ones; as not the fmalleft degree 
of amendment ever appeared, either outwardly or in- 
wardly, to the fenfation of the patient. Mercury had no 
better effe&. Tar-water alfo was tried ; and if there was 
any thing that produced any feeming advantage, it was 
whey made of cow’s milk, of which he was exceflively fond, 
and which the king ordered him to be furnifhed with at 
my defire, in any quantity he pleafed, during the experi- 
ment. - | 
~ Tue troubles of the times prevented further attention. Dr 
Storke’s cicuta, in feveral inftances, made a perfect cure of the 
_ hanzeers improperly opened, though, in feveral other cafes, 
without any apparent caufe, it totally mifcarried. I fcarce 
ever obferved mercury fucceed in any complaint. 
Ir is not for me to attempt to explain what are the caufes 
of thefe diftempers. Thofe whofe ftudies lead them to fuch 
inveftigations will do well to attach themfelves, for firit 
principles, to the difference of climate, and the abufes 
that obtain under them; after this, to particular circum- 
ftances in the neceffaries of life, to which nature has 
fubje&ted the people of thefe countries. Under the firtt, 
we may rank a feafon of fix months rains, fucceeded, 
- without interval, by a cloudlefs fky and vertical fun; and 
cold nights which as immediately follow thefe fcorching 
Piz days. 
