288 A Treatise on 
In hot Temperaments it is hurtful, fays Rolfincius , 
and in hot Difeafes, unlels it be mixed with Acids, 
as Tamarinds, (s>c. for otherwife it is converted into 
Bile, and fupplies as it were Fuel to the hot and 
dry Cacochymy. Rondeletius and Duretus fuppofe 
it to be dangerous for Perfons abounding with Bile. 
Indeed, a Medicine of this Kind ought not to be 
given to fuch, unlefs there be a Neceffity of purg- 
ing *, but then no Purge can be more fafe than this, 
if it be properly qualified with Acids, {viz.) with 
Tamarinds, Cream of Tartar, and Lemon- Juice, or 
with purified Nitre, &V. 
Mefue fays it operates (lowly, and therefore directs 
it to be mixed with other Purgatives ; which the 
modern Phyficians have obferved, who prefcribe it 
with Caffia, Sena, Rhubarb, &c. It has alfo this 
Inconvenience, that it eafily ferments, or, as Hoffman 
fpeaks, contains fomething flatulent : Wherefore he 
advifes to give it in Deco&ion. The Boiling how- 
ever, as Rolfincius cautions, ought to be gentle, left 
by an Evaporation of the lighter Parts its Efficacy 
be deftroyed. Some likewife objedt that it diflolves 
the Humours, and only evacuates Serum, and that 
it occafions Drinefs and Thirft •, for which Reafons 
many Pradlitioners have entertained no very favour- 
able Opinion of it. 
But if we examine cathartick Medicines over 
fcrupuloufiy, we ffiall find no one without its In- 
conveniences, fince they all feem, as Galen teftifies, 
to be fomewhat contrary to Nature and this is 
more particularly to be underftood of Hydragogues, 
which exert their Adticn not only by vellicating the 
Membranes of the Inteftines, but alfo efpecially by 
fermenting and difiolving the Blood and Lymph. 
However, fince Purgatives, and fometimes even 
Hydragogues, are neceffiary. Manna ought to be 
preferred to others j, becaufe it is an efficacious Me- 
3 dicine. 
