190 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. 
The Medical Reports,, which the Author lately published, relative 
to the Effects of Tobacco, in the Cure of Dropsies and Dysuries, 
having been favourably received by the Public; and the general 
diuretic Property of that Medicine, confirmed by furthur Experi¬ 
ence; he is encouraged to pursue the same Plan, with Regard to 
another powerful Article of the Materia Medica. 
Arsenic is a Mineral which has long been reputed one of the 
most violent Poisons hitherto known; and accordingly has been 
reprobated in the strongest Terms by almost every medical Writer, 
that has ever deigned to notice it; and yet there is a good Reason 
to believe it (p. Ill) bids fair to hold a Place, among the best and 
most valuable Medicines ; and to rank with peruvian Bark in the 
Cure of Agues, remitting Fevers, and periodic Headachs. 
Efficacious Medicines are certainly of the utmost Importance in 
Practice, the Investigation of which, has been frequently recom¬ 
mended by many celebrated Philosophers and Physicians, w T ho 
have done Honour to Science amongst the Ancients; and by some 
Authors of the highest Reputation amongst the Moderns, particu¬ 
larly Bacon, Boyle, Baglivi, and Boerhaave. The present Materia 
Medica, however, notwithstanding the many Volumes that have been 
written upon the Subject, makes but a very humble Appearance 
with Regard to Medicines of real Efficiency and Importance; and 
therefore, if by an experimental Enquiry, another efficacious Medi¬ 
cine is likely to be added to the Number of the few valuable Ones 
already established, it is to be hoped, that such an Attempt will 
not be deemed unworthy of Attention. 
(p. IV.) Perhaps by some it may be alleged, that the Ague is a 
very common and insignificant Disease, because frequently cured 
both by Art and Nature, and that consequently there is no Occa¬ 
sion for the Investigation of a new Medicine on that Account. 
But certainly it is a Disease of much Importance; for whenever 
it continues long, Coldness, Paleness, and Debility are its constant 
Concomitants, and evince it to be the fertile Parent of Cachexy; 
and when it occurs in old Age, or in Constitutions broken down 
by Intemperance, or some previous Disease, how often do we find 
it accelerate the Accession of Jaundice, Consumption, Dropsy, or 
some other Mischief of fatal Consequence. 
(p. V.) Fatal however as the Disease has been in its Conse¬ 
quences, it is well known to practitioners that there are many Cases 
wherein not only the minor Remedies have proved ineffectual, but 
