[ 868 ] 
vomiting, fometimes a ftool or two, and fometimej 
a univerfal kindly fweat. The kermes mineral was 
formerly given in fuch cafes with aftonifhing fuccefs, 
and operated much in the fame manner : however, 
I well know the elfence of antimony is much more 
fafe and certain ; though the powder had a fuprif- 
ing reputation in France and Germany, about thirty 
or forty years ago, and with juftice too, when pro- 
perly timed and dofed ; but the too precipitate and 
injudicious ufe of it loon brought it into difrepute. 
And this is generally the fate of all empirical medi- 
cines, which are cried up as good in all cafes, and at 
all times ; for, though they may be really good in 
themfelves, under a proper adminidration, yet the in- 
dilcriminate and imprudent ufe of them too often 
renders them poifons indead of antidotes; as hath, in 
truth, been the cafe with fome more modern arcana. 
To conclude, I do not pretend that the obfervations 
I have here laid down are altogether new; I allow that 
Far the greater part of them are commonly known, 
and as fuch I produce them, without particular quota- 
tions from particular authors, or fetting down pre- 
cedes at large, which may be eafily confulted in the 
common books of ehemidry ; knowing alfo that there 
•are feveral other ways of working, in the great way; 
much more commodious and cheap, by faving fait— 
petre, &c. But, if I midake not, I have, in fome 
meafure, given a - new light into the nature of fti- 
bium ; at lead have made it more obvious to the 
younger part of fuch, whofe bufinefs it is to pre- 
pare and exhibit antimonals, than they will readily 
- find in any one fingle treadle. And, as ftibiate me^ 
dicines are now fo much in vogue, this little pieie 
* • c may 
