cures the syphilis, it does no service in scrofula, and very often rather aggravates the disease.

1753. For the cure of scrofula, we have not yet learned any practice that is certainly or even generally successful.

The remedy which seems to be the most successful, and which our practitioners especially trust to and employ, is the use of mineral waters; and indeed the washing out, by means of these, the lymphatic system, would seem to be a measure promising success: but in very many instances of the use of these waters, I have not been well satisfied that they had shortened the duration of the disease more than had often happened when no such remedy had been employed.

1754. With regard to the choice of the mineral waters most fit for the purpose, I cannot with any confidence give an opinion.

Almost all kinds of mineral waters, whether chalybeate, sulphureous, or saline, have been employed for the cure of scrofula, and seemingly with equal success and reputation: a circumstance which leads me to think, that, if they are ever successful, it is the elementary water that is the chief part of the remedy.

Of late, sea-water has been especially recommended and employed; but after numerous trials, I cannot yet discover its superior efficacy.

1755. The other remedies proposed by practical writers are very numerous: but, upon that very account, I apprehend they are little to be trusted: and as I cannot perceive any just reason for expecting success from them, I have very seldom employed them.

Of late, the Peruvian bark has been much recommended and as in scrofulous persons there are generally some marks of laxity and flaccidity, this tonic may possibly be of service: but in a great variety of trials, I have never seen it produce any immediate cure of the disease.

In several instances, the leaves of coltsfoot have appeared to me to be successful. I have used it frequently in a strong decoction, and even then with advantage; but have found more benefit from the expressed juice, when the plant could be had in somewhat of a succulent state, soon after its first appearance in the spring.

1756. I have also frequently employed the hemlock, and have sometimes found it useful in discussing obstinate swellings; but in this, it has also often disappointed me; and I have not at any time observed that it disposed scrofulous ulcers to heal.

I cannot conclude the subject of internal medicines without remarking, that I have never found either mercury or antimony, in any shape, of use in this disease: and when any degree of a feverish

state had come on, the use of mercury proved manifestly hurtful.

1757. In the progress of scrofula, several external medicines are requisite. Several applications have been used for discussing the tumours upon their first coming on; but hitherto my own practice, in these respects, has been attended with very little success. The solution of saccharum saturni has seemed to be useful; but it has more frequently failed; and I have had no better success with the spiritus Mindereri. Fomentations of every kind have been frequently found to do harm; and poultices seem only to hurry on a suppuration. I am doubtful if this last be ever practis ed with advantage; for scrofulous tumours sometimes spontaneously disappear, but never after any degree of inflammation has come upon them; and therefore poultices, which commonly induce inflammation, prevent that discussion of tumours, which might otherwise have happened.

Even when scrofulous tumours have advanced towards suppuration, I am unwilling to hasten the spontaneous opening, or to make it by the lancet; because I apprehend the scrofulous matter is liable to be rendered more acrid by communication with the air, and to become more eroding and spreading than when in its inclosed state.

1758. The management of scrofulous ulcers

has, so far as I know, been as little successful as that of the tumours. Escharotic preparations, of either mercury or copper, have been sometimes useful in bringing on a proper suppuration, and thereby disposing the ulcer to heal but they have seldom succeeded, and more commonly they have caused the ulcer to spread more. The escharotic

from which I have received most benefit is burnt alum; and a portion of that mixed with a mild ointment, has been as useful an application as any I have tried. The application, however, that I have found most serviceable and very universally admissible, is that of linen cloths wetted with cold water, and frequently changed when they are becoming dry, it being inconvenient to let them be glued to the sore. They are therefore to be changed frequently during the day; and a cloth spread with a mild ointment or plaster may be applied for the night. In this practice I have sometimes employed sea-water, but generally it proved too irritating; and neither that nor any mineral water has appeared to me to be of more service than common water.

1759. To conclude what I have to offer upon the cure of scrofula, I must observe, that cold bathing seems to have been of more benefit than any other remedy that I have had occasion to see employed.

CHAP. II.

OF SYPHILIS, OR THE VENEREAL DISEASE.

1760. AFTER practitioners have had so much experience in treating this disease, and after so many books have been published upon the subject, it does not seem necessary, or even proper, for me to attempt any full treatise concerning it; and I shall therefore confine myself to such general remarks, as may serve to illustrate some parts of the pathology or of the practice.

1761. It is sufficiently probable, that anciently, in certain parts of Asia, where the leprosy prevailed, and in Europe, after that disease had been introduced into it, a disease of the genitals, resembling that which now commonly arises from syphilis, had frequently appeared: but it is equally probable, that a new disease, and what we at present term Syphilis, was first brought into Europe about the end of the fifteenth century; and that the distemper now so frequently occurring, has been very entirely derived from that which was imported from America at the period mentioned.

1762. This disease, at least in its principal cir