( 387 ) 
a Cure of the Loofenefs , no Succefs can reafonably be 
expected from the Specific k, jar lefis have we any 
Hopes , when Ipecacuanha is given for the Cure of a 
Loofenejs that fubfljs on an Inflammation of the 
lower Belly \ or when Jharp and fix'd Pains give 
us a Suspicion that the Dyfentery has a cancerous 
Ulcer for its ■ Caufie. 
As there is no Difficulty that is peculiar to a Dy- 
fentery ■, and is not common with the Dangers of a 
Diarrhoea, the Terrour of Blood not excepted, it 
muft be acknowledged that any Fomit as well as Ipe- 
cacuanha^ is a proper Cure againft Indigeftions and 
Crudities in the Stomach, as Hippocrates anciently 
obferved, and has been believed by all Phyficians fince 
his Time : So that there is nothing in the French Spe- 
cifick that is not in Salt of Vitriol • which we find 
held its Reputation, in curing Dyfenteries , longer than 
Ipecacuanha is like to do. 
It is more wonderful that this Way of Curing a 
Loofenefs by Ipecacuanhas as not fooner determined. 
Nothing befides the lazy Talk of a Specifick, that ex- 
cludes all Re tfoning and Refledion, could have made 
Men eafy under fo grofs Ignorance. The very In- 
stance given us by the late excellent Dr. Tournefort, 
in the Cafe of his Tutor Petrus Sylvanus, is a fuffi- 
cient Proof that Ipecacuanha is no Charm of a Spe- 
cifick, but that it cures by its Evacuating : For, when 
the Weaknefs of Sylvanus made them cautious in ad- 
miniftring the Specifick, the Difeafe held its Ground 
againft the Charm, and its Adorers, ’till Defpair drove 
the Phyfician upon larger Dofes, the laft Refort of the 
Vanquifhed, and they produced Evacuations by Fomit 
and Stool, and thereby his Health in one Night 
It 
