1809.] 
composition, of producing a metal, may 
be a matter of some curiosity, and the 
idea may give a clue to experimentalists, 
that have more science and leisure, and 
may lead to curious results; it is pos- 
sible, that seeds of exotics, that have 
hitherto resisted the endeavours to raise 
them in earth, may yield to this method 
if carefully attended to. 
Whether, if the atmosplieric air was 
totally cut off by sealing the plant would 
vegetate, I have never tried, but do 1n- 
tend it. Your’s, &c. 
Cornhill, Feb. 1,1809. J. BROWELL. 
| 
ANSWERS 
TO THE CORRESPONDENT, WHO SIGNS, 
‘COMMON SENSE,” ON THE SUBJECT 
@F POPULAR REMEDIES. 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
PLIZABETH Miller, a poor women aged 
forty, and the mother of eight children, 
one of whom is now at the breast six months 
old, was attacked about twomonths previously 
to her taking the undermentioned medicine, 
with shortness of breath; she had also a bad 
appetite, and her legs and face were much 
swelled. She was attended by a skilful prac- 
titioner, and by him was pronounced to be in 
adropsy. Isaw her myself, and believed her 
to be so likewise. She took some medicines 
whichthe surgeon sent her, but so far from any 
amendmenttaking place, shegrew daily worse 
and worse. ‘Three days previously to her ta- 
king the undermentioned, the nurse who at- 
tended her, declared that she was afraid her 
legs would burst. She had left off the medi- 
cines which were sent her by the surgeon, 
about ten days, when she was prevailed upon, 
merely as an experiment, to 
Talze of bohea tea, five ounces; boiling wa- 
ter, onequart. Letthemstand together a quar-, 
ter of an hour, and then strain off the infusi- 
on: the whole of which is tobe drunk during 
the day. The leaves which are left, are all tu 
be eaten by the patient in the course of three 
days afterwards. 
These were the directions given to the pa- 
tient, and she complied with them. The con- 
sequence was, that in less than a week, the 
swelling of her legs and face subsided; the 
shortness of breath went off, and she has been 
able for more than a fortnight past, to attend 
her customary occupation, and all this with- 
out any observable increase in the secretions, 
- at least according tothe woman’s own account. 
The stomach seemed principally acted upon, 
as her appetite mended exceedingly fast. It 
may not be amiss to remark, that she has been 
subject to the piles for same years past, and 
from which she has suffered much pain; but 
during the dropsical state, she suffered no in- 
eonvealence from them whatever, They are 
Popular Remedies for Diseases. 
449 
now returned again, but by no means go troue 
blesome as they have been heretofore. 
To account for this extraordinary cure, by 
the bohea-tea, ig not perhaps very easy: at 
least if our medical writersbe taken for guides. 
It is well known, however, that tea possesses 
both the gallic acid, and the astringent prin- 
ciple, in a considerable degree, and a priori, 
there is nothing unreasonable in presuming 
that it mightbe a tonic, notwithstanding cus- 
tom and medical men have decided against it.» 
Lewis says, ** that it is in disorders and con- 
Stitutions where corroborants are mostservice- 
able, that the immoderate use of tea is pecu- 
liarly hurtful; in cold indolent habits, cach. 
exies, chloroses, dropsics, and debilities of the 
nervous system.” Mater. Med vol. ii. 423. 
The term, immoderate, is not here defined, and 
I think that there is great reason to believe, 
that the injurious effects of tea are, and al. 
ways have been, owing to the drinking of 
large quantities of hot water, rather than to 
the tea. 
The above cure was drawn up in January, 
1806, withanintentionofcommunicating it to 
a medical gentleman, in London, of great re< 
spectability, but a variety of other important | 
concerns pressing upon my attention, it has 
lain by in my desk till this time. Observing 
an invitation of your correspondent, Common 
Sense, to communicate what is known concern=- 
ing Popular Remedies for Diseases, 1 now send 
it. Before I conclude, itismy duty to state that 
the idea of exhibiting bohea tea, in the dropsi+ 
cal case above recited, originated in informa. 
tion derived from the Monthly Magazine, 
which I think appeared also in the newspa- 
pears. Thecase, I believe, was that of a wo- 
men at Farringdon, in Berkshire. I cannoc 
now, from memory, tefer to the volume. 
_ Huntshiil, Your’s &c. 
Fan. 20; 1809. J. JenninGs, 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
RECEIPT for the cure of the ruev- 
MATISM.* 
AKE halfan ounce of Turkey rhubarb, 
one ounce of gum guiacum, one ditto of 
nitre, one ditto of sulphur, one ditto of flour 
of mustard. The whole to be finely pulve- 
rized and well mixed. 
A tea spoonful to be taken in a glass of 
water, on going to rest, every other night, 
for three nigh:s, and afterwards if necessary, 
half a tea-spoonful every night. 
Considerable quantities of this medicine 
have lately been distributed with success 
among the poor, by ladies of quality in the 
neighbourhood of Brompton, 
* Receipts for all acute diseases must be 
uncertain, and the progress of the disease is 
uncertain. No notice is given in this, what are 
the symptoms relieved, or whether the disease 
must be chronic before the remedy will be 
efficacious. ; 
To 
