HICCUP.

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The emaciation and apparent debility of the subjects of this dis-ease, and the unfounded alarms of their friends Jest these symp-toms should be increased by evacuations, are apt to shake the reso-lution of the practitioner, and prevent him from following out thispractice to a due extent. But the diminution of the involuntarymotions, the general appearance of returning health visible in thecountenance, and the regularity of the appetite for food, are thecircumstances that should regulate his conduct ; and their presenceought to encourage him to proceed notwithstanding the weaknessof the patient. The quantity of foeces discharged during the ad-ministration of these medicines is sometimes so enormous as toexceed belief; and this circumstance affords grounds to suppose,either that their retention, or the torpor and inactivity of the bow-els, is a chief source of this complaint. The evacuations from thebowels ought to be daily and attentively inspected, and the returnof their natural appearance and quantity will be found to indicateand keep pace with the renovation of health.

Dr. H. adds, " Since I have employed purgatives in chorea, Ihave been disappointed in effecting a cure in one case only." Tothis statement I can add, my testimony of the complete successof this mode of treatment in three instances in which I have madetrial of it.

When the complaint is subdued, the complete restoration ofhealth and vigour is best effected by the use of a light and nutri-tious diet, with moderate quantity of wine, due exercise in the openair, and bathing in the sea if convenient. A powder composed offive grains of the rust of iron, together with ten of rhubarb, andan equal quantity of fine sugar, may also be taken every morningfor some weeks with advantage.' A. P. B.

Some people, particularly pregnant women, are very subject tospasmodic contractions of the joints, coming on periodically, andattended with very violent pain ; for the removal of these, anodynefrictions appear to be the best remedy.

The Hiccup.

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The hiccup is a spasmodic or convulsive affection of the stom-ach and midriff, arising from any cause that irritates their nervousfibres.

It may proceed from excess in eating or drinking ; from a hurtin the stomach ; poisons; wind; inflammations or scirrhous tu-mours of the stomach, intestines, bladder, midriff, or the rest ofthe viscera. In gangrenes, acute and malignant fevers, a hiccupis often the forerunner of death.

When the hiccup proceeds from the use of aliment that is flatu-lent or hard of digestion, a draught of generous wine, or a dramof any spirituous liquor will generally remove it. If poison be thec.'iiise, plenty of oil and milk must be drank, as has been formerlyrecommended. When it proceeds from an inflammation of thestomach, &c. it is very dangerous. In this case the cooling regi-men ought to be strictly observed. The patient must be bled, andtake frequently a few drops of the sweet spirits of nitre in a cupof wine whey. His stomach should likewise be fomented with

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