[ 473 ] 
particularly remembers that it never once purged 
him ; not even the firfb dofe, which had fb nearly 
poifoned him. He does not think that it increafed 
the fenfible perfpiration, but is convinced that it was 
diuretick ; and adds, that he thinks it occafioned, 
befides the increafed flow of urine, a copious fedi- 
ment in it, and which he believes was always want- 
ing before. 
This is the plain, narrative of the fact. He has 
allured me that no medicine or regimen, among the 
great variety that he has tried, ever had any fenfl- 
ble eif'ecf upon his diforder before ; and that nothing 
but the very early and fenfible relief he experienced 
from this juice, could have induced him to perfevere 
in its ufe, under fuch uneafy feelings, as it never 
failed to produce. Indeed, he makes nothing of 
the lighter effedts of the infuflon, from which, 
however, he thinks, he has likewife reaped no fmall 
benefit. 
This cafe, the nature and inveteracy of his dif- 
order, being well known among his neighbours, 
was much talked of, and raifed the curiofity of many 
people. When I firfl; heard of it, and was inform- 
ed of the fmallnefs of the dofe, and its virulent 
operation, I could fcarce doubt that the juice of 
fome other plant had been adminiftered inftead of 
that of the water parfnep, which we know to be a 
fafe and harmiefs vegetable ; medical writers having 
directed its juice to be drunk, even to the quantity of 
four ounces for a dofe : and as I know, the Oenanthe 
crocata , hemlock dropwort, to be exceedingly plen- 
tiful in this country, fo much, as to be more eaiily 
procured than the water parfnep itfelf ; I thought it 
Vei,, LXIL P p p probable 
