Note 70 — the Translator's PREFACE.

(1, 2) I have seen several Cases in very marshy maritime Countries, with little good drinking Water, and far South of Swisserland, where intermitting Fevers, with Agues at different Intervals, are annually endemic, very popular, and often so obstinate as to return repeatedly, whenever the weekly precautionary Doses of the Bark have been omitted (through the Patient's nauseating the frequent Swallowing of it) so that the Disease has sometimes been extended beyond the Term of a full Year, and even far into a second, including the temporary Removals of it by the Bark. Nevertheless, in some such obstinate Intermittents, and particularly Quartans there, wherein the Bark alone has had but a short and imperfect Effect, I have known the following Composition, after a good Vomit, attended with speedy and final Success, viz. Take of fresh Sassafras Bark, of Virginia Snake-root, of Roch-Allom, of Nutmeg, of diaphoretic Antimony, and of Salt of Wormwood of each one Drachm. To these well rubbed together into fine Powder, add the Weight of the whole, of the best and freshest Bark; then drop in three Drops of the chemical Oil of Mint, and with Syrup of Cloves make it into the Consistence of an Electuary or Bolus, for 12 Doses for a grown Person, to be taken at the Distance of three or four Hours from each other, while the Patient is awake, according to the longer or shorter Intermission of the Fever. I have also known, particularly in obstinate autumnal Agues there, an Infusion of two Ounces of the best Bark in fine Powder, or two Ounces and a half in gross Powder, in a Quart of the best Brandy, for three or four Days (a small Wine Glass to be taken by grown Persons at the Distance of from four to six Hours) effectually and speedily terminate such intermittent Agues, as had given but little Way to the Bark in Substance. This was certainly more suitable for those who were not of a light delicate Habit and Temperament, and who had not been remarkable for their Abstinence from strong Liquors: the inebriating Force of the Brandy being remarkably lessened, by the Addition and long Infusion of the Bark. These Facts which I saw, are the less to be wondered at, as in such inveterate, but perfectly clear and distinct Intermittents, both the State of the Fluids and Solids seem very opposite to their State in an acutely inflammatory Disease. K.