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98 I cannot be fure that I have tried it in a fcrophulous cafe, though I have tried it fuccessfully in one that I fufpected to be fo. And I appre hend it would be very ferviceable in fuch diforders. For although Doctor: Gibbs in his treatife of the King's Evil derives that disease from a coagulating acid, which is also agreeable to the opinion of fome other physicians, and although tar-water contain an acid, yet as it is a foap (a), it refolves inftead of coagulating the juices of the body.

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99. For hysterical and hypochondriacal diforders fo frequent among us, it is commonly fuppofed that all acids are bad. But I will venture to except the acid foap of tar-water, having found, by my own experience and that of many others, that it raiseth the fpirits, and is an excellent antihyfteric, nor lefs innocent than potent, which cannot be faid of thofe others in common ufe, that often leave people worse than they found

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100. In a high degree of fcurvy a mercurial falivation is looked on by many as the only cure. Which, by the vehement fhock it gives the whole frame, and the fenfible fecretion it produceth, may be thought to be more adequate to fuch an effect. But the disorder occafioned by that violent process, it is to be feared, may never be got over. The immediate danger, the frequent bad effects, the extreme trouble and nice care attending fuch a courfe do very defervedly make people afraid of it. And though, the fenfible fecretion therein be fo great, yet in a longer tract of time the ufe of tar-water may produce as great

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a discharge of fcorbutic falts by urine fpiration, the effect of which laft, tho fenfible, may yet be greater than tha tion; efpecially if it be true, that in c infenfible perfpiration is to nutrition, fible excretions, as five to three.

101. Many hyfteric and fcorbutic ail ny taints contracted by themselves, from their ancestors, afflict the people in these islands, often rendering them whole, much more unhappy than thof verty and labour have ranked in the l life; which ailments might be fafely ren lieved by the fole use of tar-water; and which feem hardly worth living for b low spirits, restless nights, wafting pain ties, be rendered eafy and comfortable.

102. As the nerves are inftruments it follows that fpafms in the nerves all fymptoms, and therefore a diforder Vous fyftem fhall imitate all diftemper fion, in appearance, an asthma for infta rify, or a fit of the ftone. Now what for the nerves in general, is good aga fymptoms. But tar-water, as it ind eminent degree the virtues of warm g fins, is of great use for comforting and ing the nerves (a), curing twitches in fibres, cramps alfo, and numbness in th moving anxieties and promoting fleep, cafes I have known it very fuccefsful.

103. This fafe and cheap medicine cumftances and all conftitutions, ope curing without difturbing, raifing the out depreffing them, a circumftance

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repeated attention, especially in these climates, where ftrong liquors, fo fatally and fo frequently produce thofe very diftreffes they are defigned, to remedy; and, if I am not mifinformed, even among the ladies themselves, who are truly much to be pitied. Their condition of life makes them a prey to imaginary woes, which never fail to grow up in minds unexercifed and unemployed. To get rid of thefe, it is faid, there are who betake themfelves to diftilled fpirits. And it is not improbable they are led gradually to the ufe of thofe poifons by a certain complaifant pharmacy, too much ufed in the modern practice, palfy drops, poppy cordial, plague water, and fuch like, which being in truth nothing but drams disguised, yet coming from the apothecaries, are confidered only as medicines.

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104. The foul of man was fuppofed by many ancient fages, to be thrust into the human body as into a prifon, for punishment of paft offences. But the worst prison is the body of an indolent Epicure, whofe blood is inflamed by fermented li quors (a) and high fauces, or render'd putrid, sharp, and corrofive, by a ftagnation of the animal juices through floth and indolence; whofe membranes are irritated by pungent falts, whofe mind is agitated by painful ofcillations of the nervous (b) fyftem, and whofe nerves are mutually affected by the irregular paffions of his mind. This ferment in the animal economy darkens and confounds the intellect. It produceth vain 'terrours and vain conceits, and ftimulates the foul with mad defires, which, not being natural, nothing in na ture can fatisfy. No wonder, therefore, there are fo many fine perfons of both fexes, fhining them felves, and fhone on by fortune, who are inwardly miferable and fick of life.

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105. The hardness of ftubbed vul tions, renders them infenfible of a tho that fret and gall thofe delicate peop if their skin was peeled off, feel to the thing that touches them. The remed quifite and painful fenfibility is comm from fermented, perhaps from diftil which render many lives wretched, otherwife have been only ridiculous. nerves, and low fpirits of fuch poor crea be much relieved by the ufe of tar-v might prolong and cheer their lives. fore recommend to them the use of a only fafe and innocent, but giving heal as furely as other cordials deftroy them

106. I do verily think, there is no medicine whatsoever, fo effectual to re conftitution, and chear a dreary mind, to fubvert that gloomy empire of th which tyranifeth over the better fort called) of thefe free nations; and m in fpight of their liberty and property, ed flaves than even the fubjects of abf who breath clear air in a funny clim men of low degree often enjoy a tranqui tent, that no advantage of birth or equal. Such, indeed, was the cafe, v alone could afford to be debauched; b beggars became debauchees, the cafe

107. The public virtue and spirit o legislature, never fhewed itself more in any act, that in that for fup immoderate ufe of diftilled fpirits people, whofe ftrength and numbe the true wealth of a nation: though

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will, it is feared, prevail fo long as diftilled spirits of any kind are allowed, the character of Englishmen in general, being that of Brutus, Quicquid vult, valde vult. But why fhould fuch a canker be tolerated in the vitals of a ftate, under any pretence or in any shape whatsoever? Better by far, the whole prefent fet of diftillers were penfioners of the public, and their trade abolished by law; fince all the benefit thereof put together would not balance the hundredth part of its mischief..

108. To prove the deftructive effects of fuch fpirits with regard both to the humane fpecies and individuals, we need not go fo far as our colonies, or the favage natives of America. Plain proof may be had nearer home. For, albeit there is in every town or district throughout England, fome tough dram-driuker, fet up as the Devil's decoy, to draw in profelytes; yet the ruined health and morals, and the beggary of fuch numbers evidently fhew that we need no other enemy to compleat, our destruction, than this cheap luxury at the lower end of the ftate, and that a nation lighted up at both ends must foon be confumed.

109. It is much to be lamented that our Infulars, who act and think fo much for themfelves, fhould yet, from groffness of air and diet, grow stupid or doat fooner than other people, who, by virtue of elastic air, water-drinking, and light food, preferve their faculties to extreme old age; an advantage which may perhaps be approached, if not equalled, even in thefe regions, by tarwater, temperance, and early hours; the laft is a fure addition to life, not only in regard of time,, which, being taken from fleep, the image of death, is added to the waking hours, but alfo in regard of longevity and duration in the vulgar fenfe

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