ico Mr . Saunders’s Account of the 
of puberty. I do not believe this difeafe has ever been removed, 
though a mercuiial courfe feemed to check its progrefs, but 
did not prevent its advance after intermitting the ufe of mer- 
cury. An attention to the primary caufe will firft lead to a 
proper method of treating the difeafe ; a change of fituation 
for a fhort while, at that particular period when it appears^ 
might be the means of preventing it. 
The people of this happy climate are not exempt from the 
venereal difeafe, which feems to rage with unremitting fury in 
all climates, and proves the greateft fcourge to the human race. 
It has been long a matter of doubt, whether this difeafe has 
ever been cured by any other fpecific than mercury and its 
different preparations. In defence of the opinion of other 
fpecifics being in ufe, it has always been urged, that the. 
difeafe is frequent in many parts of the world, where it could 
not be fuppofed that they were, acquainted with quick- 
filver, and the proper method of preparing it as a medicine. 
I muft own, that I expedled to have been able to have added 
one other fpecific for this difeafe to our lift in the Materia 
medica, being informed that the difeafe was common, and 
their method of treating it fuccefsful ; nor could I allow my- 
felf to think they were acquainted with the method of pre- 
paring quickfilver, fo as to render it a iafe and efficacious me* 
dicine. In this, however, I was miftaken. 
The difeafe feems in this country to make a more rapid pro- 
grefs, and rage with more violence, than in any other. This is 
to be accounted for from the grofsnefs of their food and little 
attention to cleanlinefs. 
There is one preparation of mercury in common ufe with 
them, and made after the following manner, A portion of alum, 
nitre, vermillion, and quickfilver, are placed in the bottom of an 
earthen 
