Note 84 — Chapter XXVI

The Use of Hemlock, which has been tried at Lyons, by all who have had cancerous Patients, having been given in very large Doses, has been attended with no Effect there, that merited the serious Attention of Practitioners. Many were careful to obtain the Extract from Vienna, and even to procure it from Dr. Storck himself. But now it appears to have had so little Success, as to become entirely neglected. E. L. Having exactly translated in this Place, and in the Table of Remedies, our learned Author's considerable Recommendation of the Extract of Hemlock in Cancers, we think it but fair, on the other Hand, to publish this Note of his Editor's against it; that the real Efficacy or Inefficacy of this Medicine may at length be ascertained, on the most extensive Evidence and Experience. As far as my own Opportunities and Reflections, and the Experience of many others, have instructed me on this Subject, it appears clear to myself, that though the Consequences of it have not been constantly unsuccessful with us, yet its Successes have come very short of its Failures. Nevertheless, as in all such Cancers, every other internal Medicine almost universally fails, we think with Dr. Tissot it should always be tried (from the meer Possibility of its succeeding in some particular Habit and Circumstances) at least till longer Experience shall finally determine against it. K.