( 392 ) 
way for the perfpirable Matter to get off; 
but if the Humours are grofs, vifcid, or ad- 
here flrongly to the Sides of the Veffels, this, 
loofening and foftening the Skin and widen- 
ing its Veffels, will only caufe a greater Flow 
of thefe crude Humours to the Skin, where 
they will flick and flop the Mouths of the 
papillary Veffels ; which Obflrudlion will fiill 
be increafed from behind, till the Veffels are 
irritated to make a larger Difcharge ; but 
they being diflended beyond their natural 
Tone, and the obflrudled Matter, at the 
fame time, very vifcid and grofs, a Fever 
mufl and will enfue : and this I have known 
pftener than once to be the Cafe of thefe 
fool-hardy People, who to cure an obflinate 
chronic Ague have run into the cold Bath, 
and paid for their Folly with the Expence 
of their Life. But by going into the naturally 
warm or tepid Bath firft, thefe volatile Prin- 
ciples making their way into this cohefive 
glewy Matter, and diluting, attenuating, and 
preparing it for Motion, it is expelled, and 
the Body relieved, without any Danger or 
Detriment: Then the Veffels having beer* 
before diflended, they are hardly to be fup- 
pofed to receive their Force by a relaxing 
Method, as warm Bathing is ; but they are 
apt either to under-do it or over-do it, which 
is 
