434 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, taken from the Journal of the surgeon of the Ulossom. Ihe intoxicat- 
ing property of the ava root, the cutaneous eruption which succeeds its 
Feb. use, and the renovating effect it has upon the constitution, have been 
noticed ever since the discovery of the Society Islands. Mr. Collie 
observes that — “ a course of it is most beneficial in renovating constitu- 
tions which have been worn out by hard living, long residence in warm 
climates, without, however, affections of the liver, and by protracted 
chronic diseases ; more especially if the disorder be such as by the 
humoral pathologists would be attributed to an attenuated or acrid 
state of the blood.” He had an opportunity of seeing “a gentleman, a 
foreiffner, who had undergone a course of it to remove a cutaneous af- 
fection said to have been similar to St. Anthony's fire. It had affected 
at different times almost every part of the body, going from one place 
to another, but had been particularly obstinate in one leg. He took 
two doses a day of half a pint each, one before breakfast and one before 
dinner, by which his appetite was sharpened ; and by the time he had 
finished his meal a most pleasing state of half intoxication had come on, 
so that he was just able to go to his couch, where he enjoyed a sound 
and refreshing sleep. 
“ About the second or third week, the eyes became suffused with 
blood, and the cuticle around them began to scale, w'hen the whole 
surface of the body assumed the appearance above described. The 
first dose is continued for a week or so, according to the disease, and 
then gradually left off. The skin clears at the same time, and the 
whole system is highly benefited. 
“ I recommended the ava, and had an opportunity of seeing the 
first effects upon a man affected with chronic superficial ulceration, 
affecting the greater part of the toes, and the anterior part of the soles 
of the feet. The legs and feet were oedematous and swelled ; the pain 
was very distressing, preventing any sound repose, and not permitting 
him even to lie down or bring them up, so as to be near a line horizon- 
tal with the body. 'I'he ulcers were covered with a tough, viscid, dark- 
coloured discharge that adhered to the surface, and entirely concealed 
it. His frame was emaciated, pulse quick and irritable, appetite gone, 
tongue dry and reddish ; he had taken mercurial preparations at two 
previous periods, as he said, with considerable benefit ; but for want of 
