650 A DISSERTATION ON THE EPlDExMIC CHOLERA. 
For if we view the indication for cure rightly, ‘‘it is the return 
of the digestive and chylopoietic functions” that can alone en¬ 
sure the safety of the patient. 
And, in the course of our perusing later writers on this epi¬ 
demic, both French and English, it was singular to observe, how 
frequently they relieved partially, and even at times wholly cured, 
their patients, by stimulants opportunely exhibited ; yet from 
their feeble manner of doing it, and in doubting and want of 
faith in what they were doing, instead of persevering, they often 
left them, in pursuing other measures, miserably to perish; not 
following up the treatment with the suitable auxiliaries in aid of 
the remedy : and what was most unfortunate, they afterwards 
drew conclusions unfavourable to the practice, and forbad their 
use as prejudicial and injurious, trusting afterwards often to the 
frail aid of mercurials, opium, bleeding, saline slops, venous in¬ 
jections, and other worse propositions. 
At other times, again, were these strong stimuli applied naked, 
if I may be allowed the term, and with nothing given along with 
them, to qualify and aid their operation, and therefore with in¬ 
jurious effects ; for pure brandy in itself, and alone, is certainly 
no digester of food, quite the contrary; but where it acts well it 
is aided by combining with the mass of matter already in the 
stomach, or with fluids given along with it: it then does so, bv 
calling forth the powers of the stomach to throw out its juices 
and to perform those actions which are necessary to the digestive 
function; but where it was so circumstanced as not to produce 
these effects, it would be likely to do harm and be mischievous ; 
or when not supported by the aid of warm demulcent fluids, or 
aided in every other way that could remove the operation of the 
paralyzing cause, it would get into discredit also. The placing the 
contents of the stomach favourably, in order to digestion, and the 
whole system also, should first, we humbly apprehend, obtain our 
care and attention, and then the stimuli administered will generally 
have the desired result; one measure co-operating with another, 
encouraging and aiding their effects by frictions and mechanical 
measures, not applied to the legs on account of the cramps, but 
to the abdomen itself and stomach, the seat of the mischief. 
Diluting also the spirit, and facilitating its digestion by easily 
digestible things given along with it, and aiding it, if there be occa¬ 
sion, by warm spices and other stimuli; encouraging also, by tepid 
measures, all the organs concerned, and even the extremities of 
the body, all which circumstances are required in veiy bad cases. 
Milder cases will yield to very simple measures, such as friction, 
and warmth even alone, applied to the region of the stomach. 
But if the case be only partially relieved, and these aids are 
