OF CONSUMPTIONS.

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effect to the beneficial operation of the medicine, and to prevent aconfirmed consumption, is carefully to preserve the feet from chill;to avoid an exposure to sudden and partial variations of the atmos-phere; to observe moderation in the indulgence of the appetite andpassions; au equable warmth is as much as possible to be preserved;and all irritation, either corporeal or mental, carefully to be avoided.

Ten drops of the tincture of foxglove (see the Appendix) maygenerally be given in the first instance to an adult, which may berepeated, with a very gradual increase, to fifteen drops, two or threetimes in the course of thejday, till the pulse be considerably reduced,or the irritability of the patient be in a great measure subdued.

As every hint that has a tendency to restrain the ravages of thisformidable foe to the human race cannot fail to be acceptable to ourreaders, we must not conclude this subject without informing them,that Dr. Rush, professor of physic in the University of Pennsylvania,mentioned a few years ago, that he had succeeded in curing somecases of phthisis pulmonalis by the use of mercury, so as to excite asalivation. By a late communication from this gentleman, it appearsthat he continues to experience a great degree of success from theemployment of this remedy, which, in the early stages of consumption,he looks upon as almost certain; while it has occasionally succeededeven in those cases that were far advanced: in the latter however, hefinds it difficult to excite salivation.

A NERVOUS CONSUMPTION is a wasting or decay of thewhole body without any considerable degree of fever, cough, or diffi-culty of breathing. It is attended with indigestion, general debility,wasting of the body, and want of appetite.

Those who are of a fretful temper, who indulge in spiritous liquors,or who breathe an unwholesome air, are most liable to this disease.

We would chiefly recommend for the cure of a nervous consump-tion a light and nourishing diet, plenty of exercise in a free open air,and the use of such bitters as brace and strengthen the stomach; asthe Peruvian bark, gentian root, camomile, horehound, &c. Thesemay be infused in water or wine, and a glass of it drank frequently.

It will greatly assist the digestion, and promote the cure of thisdisease, to take twice a day twenty or thirty drops of the elixir of vi-triol in a glass of wine or water. The wine of iron (chalybeate wine)is likewise an excellent medicine in this case. It strengthens the so-lids, and powerfully assists Nature in the preparation of good blood.

Agreeable amusements, cheerful company, and riding about, arehowever preferable to all medicines in this disease. For which reason,when the patient can afford it, we would recommend a long journeyof pleasure as the most likely means to restore his health.

What is called a symptomatic consumption cannot be cured" with-out first removing the disease by which it was occasioned. Thus,when a consumption proceeds from the scrophula or king's evil, fromthe scurvy, the asthma, the venereal disease, &c. a due attention mustbe paid to the malady from whence it arises, and the regimien andmedicine directed accordingly.

When excessive evacuations of any kind occasion a consumption,

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