C 578 ] 
which have nerves from the eighth pair, and from 
the intercojlals improperly fo called. 
Edinburgh, May 23d, 1757. 
Extract of a Letter fro?n Dr. Whytt, Profejfor of 
Medicine in the Univerfty of Edinburgh, and F. 
R. S. to Dr. Pringle, F. R. S. 
Edinburgh, 10 Nov. 1757. 
\\7 HAT you remark with regard to blifters be- 
** ing freely ufed by the phyficians at London, 
in the cafes mentioned in the paper I laft fent you, is 
very juft, and indeed what I knew; Dut altho’ their 
efficacy in fuch circumftances is now generally ac- 
knowleged both in England and Scotland, yet I do 
not remember that their remarkable quality in leflen- 
ing the quicknefs of the pulfe has been particularly 
attended to. This, therefore, I thought it might not 
■ be amifs to afcertftin by a few careful obfervations. 
I agree intirely with you, as to the ufe of blifters 
in fevers ; being of opinion, that when there is no 
particular part obftru&ed or inflamed, they are of 
little fervice, and fometimes hurtful, unlefs perhaps to- 
wards the end, when the pulfe begins to fink. Nay,, 
in fevers, where the fubftance of the brain is affedf- 
ed, and not its membranes, I have never found any 
fenfible benefit from blifters : and I always fufpedt 
the brain itfelf affedted, when a fever and delirium 
come on without any preceding head-ach, or rednefs 
in the tunica albuginea of the eyes. This kind of 
fever I have met with feveral times, and have ob- 
fervcd it to be generally fatal. 
LXXVI. 
