[ '*}.] 
Vf. A Letter from John Huxham, M. 2)* to 
2 )r. Mortimer, a5Vc. R. S. concerning Polypi 
taken out of the Hearts of fever a l Sailors 
juft arrived at Plymouth from the Weft- 
indies. 
SIR, 
Read May 10. y Have taken the Liberty to fend you 
' 7+1 ‘ JL the following Account, which, I 
think, contains fomething very remarkable. If you 
think it worthy the Notice of the Royal Society, 
I beg you will lay it before them. 
During the exceeding dry, cold Weather in Fe- 
bruary and March laft, feveral of the Men brought 
Home in the ‘Deptford and Dunkirk Men of War 
from the Weft- Indies, were feized with flrort, im- 
portunate, afthmatic Coughs, without any Expecto- 
ration violent and almoft continual Palpitation of 
the Heart, with a perpetual intermitting, trembling, 
fluttering Pulfe, and a conftant Anxiety, Pain and 
Sinking of the Heart, as they expreffed it. — -They 
breathed with exceffive Difficulty, and could fcarce 
lie down in Bed without Suffocation. Their Heads, 
as it were, funk between their Shoulders, and they 
had very dead, heavy Countenances. Some had 
Pains of the Side, though very little apparent Fever. 
Upwards of Twenty Perfohs were in a very fhort 
Time carried off towards the End of March in this 
Manner, notwithftanding the mod proper and dili- 
gent Care, by Bleeding, Vomiting, Blifteriug, Atte- 
nuates, Diluents, &c, 
R Upon 
i 
