NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
             Washington
Founded 1836
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
             Public Health Service 
 
/  -
 
A
   SERIOUS ADDRESS,

                ON THE

    DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF NEGLECTING

  COMMON COUGHS  AND COLDS,

        WITH AMPLE DIRECTIONS FOR

      THE PREVENTION AND CURE

                  0F\


CONSUMPTIONS.

           TO WHICH ARE ADDED

            OBSERVATIONS

                ON THE

  HOOPING COUGH AND ASTHMA.


          BY THOMAS HAYES,
    Member of the Corporation of Simeons, London, &c


« The slightest Catarrhal Defluction, or Cough, ought not
 " to be neglected, if it does not go off in a few days."
                       DR. FOTHERGILL.

 'I     "  I  '      I  l|„. ,l     i.  g=g=g=ggg
            WALPOLE, JV. H.
               PRINTED FOR
    W. FESSENDE.N JJVD G. IV. NICHOLS.

                 180*.
f&SVl 
 
                  preface.


      J.T is  unnecessary  to  inform the Public, that
great numbers of persons of both sexes are afflicted eve-
ry -winter with most dreadful  colds, coughs,  and con-
sumptive complaints, in this great metropolis,  and in
every large town in this kingdom, from  the neglecting
of slight colds in their early state.  But common as this
case is, the truth of which most  men acknowledge, is
it not strange that it should not be striking enough bo
enforce a stricter attention  to it than is paid in common ?
For its consequences are not less  (to speak within com-
pass), than an annual loss of twenty thousand persons
in the island of Great Britain ; beside the numbers who
suffer long and painful illnesses,  from rheumatisms,
pleurisies, quinsies, &c. arising from the same neglect,
though they afterwards recover.
   Physicians, from the earliest date, have cautioned the
public against letting  colds gain  ground upon them ;
but as few read their writings, except those who make
physic their profession, and as the world often suspects
that what comes from them must be interestingto them-
selves only, I do not wonder that this caution is  not re-
garded. 
PREFACE.
   I  have, however, some hopes that the object of  the
present trifle will be attended to in the course of  time,
and the more especially when  it shall appear  to have
been undertaken from the very opposite to interested
motives !  For were the following hints strictly pursued,
the author would have very little business,  and  half his
brethren of ,the Faculty  must ihen be obliged to seek
some other means of earning a livelihood.
   Since the last edition of this pamphlet,  I have  seen
some extracts from a book on the disease called a Cold*
(written  by  Mr. Chandler, F.  R.  S.)  in  the  Gentle-
man's Magazines for November and December, 1761.
The work I have not been able to   procure, but  front
those parts which I have seen, I consider it to be a very
sensible work, but too full of technical terms to  be un-
derstood by any but medical men.
   Two very sensible writers, Tissot and Buchan,  have
addressed themselves to the public  in general,  on the
subject of medicine ; and many excellent directions they
have given respecting the management of colds, and oth-
er diseases; but on this  subject, they have not entered'
so fully as the disorders require ; and  in others,  they
have not confined themselves within such  limits,  as to
be of use without injury.  Hence this little  tract  may
not,  perhaps, be without its use,  as a companion  to their
celebrated works ; forbeyond a common cold, or a slight'
fever, persons  are not competent to direct  for them-
selves.  It requires  an arrangement, and  comparison,

  *  A worthy Lady did Tne the honor to send me this valuable
work, and I regret not having seen it before, as it is replete with
knowledge,  on the subject, and worthy the attention of Medical
Readers. 
PREFACE.
of  the several constitutions, and  symptoms, together
with a number of other minutire, which are not to be ac-
quired but by experience,  and a knowledge  of the ani-
mal economy ;  and with which very few but medical
men are acquainted.                     $
   The worki just now alluded to,  are more calculated
to inform young practitioners in medicine, and  men of
letters,  than the people in general,  who have not an op-
portunity to study the leading  characters which  distin-
guish one disease from another ; for this is often atten-
ded with difficulty ; and mistakes are sometimes matie,
even  by men eminent in  the profession.   It  is well
known, that physicians never prescribe for themselves.
The embarrassment of mind, and a number of ambigu-
ous symptoms, that attend the sick, must forever render
it impracticable for him to be a competent judge of  his
own disease ; and the several changes and  complica-
tions to which it is liable, serve still to increase the dif-
ficulty.   How then, shall the  many  ignorant persons,
to whom the abovementioned books are left open, where-
in many very  potent medicines are recommended, be
thought equal to the task  of prescribing,  either  for
themselves, or for their neighbors ; whom they  cease
not on all occasions, from  urging  to take Dr. James'
Powder, or some other favourite medicine, let the com-
plaint be ever so different  from what they  conceive ?
Certainly the application of such powerful  medicines,
require  the most judicious medical ability and experi-
ence.
  Now to such as have a propensity to prescribe for the
                  A 2 
PREFACE.
sick,  without being very well acquainted with the nature
of the disease, and the full powers of the medicines they
apply, (except upon emergency, and where other advice
is not readily to  be had)  I  do most  earnestly  recom-
mend that they read the sixth commandment, and reflect,
that by administering powerful drugs much  ha?ard is
run, and many melancholy  disasters  happen.   The in-
tention may be good, but will that excuse or palliate the
baneful effects which too often arise  from officious per-
sons tampering with so important a concern as a neigh-
bour's life ?  The number of errors  which are  almost
daily committed  this way, none  but  medical  men  can
know or conceive.
  The intention of the present sheets, is to convince tho
public of the danger of depending too much upon that
fatal expectation, of colds going off spontaneously ; of
trifling with little complaints, and of trusting to such
means as are not likely to remove them.
  If a cold comes  on with  any violence,  apply the
means here recommcuded  for three-or four days; if
the patient does not grow materially worse,  or  the
complaint abate  in that time, send for  the best assist-
ance in your power.  If you are not  able  to send for a
physician, let it be an apothecary of a humane and ten-
der disposition ;  and one, who studies rather to remove
the complaint, than to load you with a number of vials.
A man of the above principles, will  not  unnecessarily
load you with nauseous drugs, nor will he add to the
calamities of the  poor tradesman, by extravagant char-
ges, which is too often the rapacious  practice of  too 
                     PREFACE.                   Vli
many in the profession.  To this it will be said, ought
not every man to live by his business ?  I fairly admit
it, and most certainly expect to do so  myself.  To the
Sharks of the profession I allude, and  not  to the  hon-
est, candid, humane practitioner,  who feels for others'
ills, and others' circumstances.
   I have given two long quotations to confirm and illus-
trate my own  opinions.  I should not have made them
so long, had the persons for whom this work is design-
ed, a medical library to consult.  They  are too valua-
ble not to be generally known.
   To the  Reviewers I  am highly  obliged.    They
have  seen my intention,   and  spoken more  favoura*
bly of this work than  I thought it deserved, consider-
ing the  many inaccuracies it contains.   From  their
recommendation  many  have been sold, and, what will
be a greater  pleasure  to  them to hear, is, that from
many  correspondents I am  informed, some good has
been derived,  and some evil prevented.
   It is also highly flattering to me, that it has met with
the approbation of many  eminent Physicians ;  and I
hope the design will in some sort apologize for the de-
ficiencies.   If it should be found of the least utility to the
public, I have my reward.
   After what has  been advanced in the former part
cf the Preface,  it may seem strange that I should at-
tempt to prescribe beyond a common cold..  My reasons
for it are,
   First, Because many persons  have  desired me  to
make the additions which are heremadet 
 Vlll                  PREFACB.
   Secondly,  I  have taken  great care to advise such
 things only as cannot do  injury, used with the precau-
 tions  here directed.
   Thirdly, I have been more minute in some very es-
 sential means of recovery, than medical men's time, in
 much practice will permit them to say ,• and I  expect
 more  attention from addressing myself to the understan-
 ding than from a mere injunction.
   Fourthly, I have taken more pains to  shew what is
injurious than what is beneficial ; at the same time hop-
ing that no person will depend upon my book only, for
the cure of so dangerous  a disease; but I rather offer
these  additional reasons to warn  the  reader of the dan-
 gers which attend neglected Coughs  and Colds, and to
induce those who have unhappily got  bad ones, to ap-
ply a  simple,  rational and approved method of cure, in
preference to the thoughtless, imprudent means  gener-
 ally pursued.
   With respect to the additions which are now made,
 the following  are my  reasons.
   First, I have been informed by those who very well
 know, that I  ought to have given some directions rela-
 tive to Consumptions arising from spitting of blood.
   Secondly,  Many persons afflicted  with Asthmatic
 Coughs, seemed disappointed that nothing was said on
 that head.
   Thirdly, The Hooping Cough has been rife this sum-
 mer,  all over Great Britain, and still continues to rage ;
 and as many  children and young  persons become con-
 sumptive from the violence of that  cruel  disease, and 
PREFCB.                    IX
many from mismanagement iji the dietetic part, I have
here touched upon it.
  The author has much  occasion for indulgence from
his critical readers.  As his professional avocations will
not permit him to attend much to correctness^ writing,
they  must overlook many imperfections.   He hopes
that the object of the present work will fully clear him
of any other vanity, than that of desiring to be useful to
his fellow creatures. 
 
                   A
           SERIOUS ADDRESS,
                 ON THE
        DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES
                   or
               NEGLECTING
COMMON COUGHS AND COLDS, €fe


iV COLD arises from the effect of cold or
moist air, applied to the surface of the body
and lungs, from going too thinly clad, or ex-
posing the body to cold air, after having been
heated by exercise; or, when the pores are
opened, from drinking warm liquors, &c.
   Some persons  will bear  every  possible
change without much injury ;  whilst others
cannot take the least liberty with themselves
without suffering most severely.   Therefore,
every man should knew enough of his own
constitution, to regulate himself, as indeed, fee
in this respect, may, if he will but give him-
self the trouble  to think; and from hence,
whatever experience has taught him is impro-
per, or disagrees with him, he should most
carefully avoid. - 
 12       ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
   Almost every body knows the  symptoms,*'J
 of a cold, or what are the common sensations
 or effects of what is called the having a cold,  ■
 but as these begin on some, more violent than  \
 on others, I shall mark the  common symp-  ,
 toms as they generally arise.                 ,
  A cold then, is a sense of chilliness on the v
 skin, attended with a lassitude or  weariness,  •
 and slight shiverings at times, with a degree
 of head-ache and flying pains in the small of
 the back and limbs* a stuffing of the nose, fre- >;
■quent sneezing, and running of a clear limpid ■
 water from the  eyes and the nose, with or j
 without a dry, tickling cough, or hoarseness.
 Sometimes the sneezing, stuffing of the nose,  !
 or cough, give the first intelligence of its ap-  .
 proach, and sometimes it is preceded by some
 of the other symptoms.  These, as they are • J
 found to come on with more or less violence,  j
 permit  the  patient to  continue in his usual
 employment or pleasure, until they get so far  ".
 increased, or have laid such hold on the con-
 stitution as to oblige him to desist, unless na- *
 ture, by some  happy effort,  restore the ob-
 structed vessels to their proper offices,  and
 cause the several fluids to be circulated thro* 
        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.       13
the proper tubes.  If the patient is not reliev-
ed this way, fever, rheumatism, inflammation
of the lungs, or some other disease must ensue.
   As coughs are  the most common effects of
cold, and so generally disregarded, and as
these arc its  most insidious attendants, and
capable of bringing on the most serious com-
plaints, one cannot too strongly enforce a pro-
per  sense of  the danger that attends them.
Inflammation  in  the lungs is excited, or in-
creased by the perpetual action which is giv-
en to the chest by coughing ; and great inju-
ry is done to the fine membrane, which lines,
 or covers the passage to the lungs,  and the
 whole cavity  of  the chest,  as well as to the
 lungs themselves, from the same cause. The
 least inflammation happening to the pleura, or
 lungs, it is very much to be feared, may pave
 the road to consumption and death ; and I am
 of opinion, that three parts of the consump-
 tions which happen, arise from those com-
 monly  neglected trifling colds,  (as  they are
 but too commonly called) causing inflamma-
 tion, &c»
   It is not unusual for a patient to tell you,
 that he ails nothing, except having a cough;
                    B 
 14        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
 when in fact, his pulse is full, quick and hard j
 his tongue coated with a thick, white  fur;
 and he makes thick, muddy water, or such as
 is very high coloured;  fce has cold chills run-
 ning down his back, soreness in his chest, and
 on the muscles  of the  belly,  besides other
 symptoms of fever.  But he will insist he has
 not the least fever, and that the cough is the
 cause of all these symptoms, if he happens to
 be informed of them ;  but it sometimes hap-
 pens, that all these are disregarded, till he is
 obliged to take to his bed; for he  persuades
 himself he cannot be  feverish,  because he
 feels himself cold; and to remove which cold-
 ness, he continues to drink warm cordials, or
hot spicy drinks ; and because he has no ap-
 petite, he  cats rich, relishing  things, as he
 thinks, to give him one, and to keep him from ;
 being starved; all of which have a full  ten-
 dency to  encourage, or create  inflammation, ' *
 and would be the direct means to employ for
 that purpose, to an enemy, were one so dis-
 posed.
   By these improper things, a trifling cold, in
 the first instance, is increased, and a fever and
 inflammation are caused j  and especially if the 
        ON COUCHS AND COLDS.        IS
 person be full of blood, and accustomed to live
 what is called well.  The many varieties of   ♦
 the symptoms, and the danger attending them,
 depend greatly upon the age, strength, and
 constitution of the patient,  and the manner
 in which he has lived; for a person who has
 been accustomed "to eat hearty suppers  of
 gross animal food, and drink strong, viscid
 liquors, may be cut off in the course of a few
 days; while a thin,  spare, or more  delicate
 person will linger many  months,  in conse-
 quence of having fewer materials in the habit
 for violent inflammation.  The late Sir John
 Pringle, a distinguished ornament of his pro-
 fession, says—" Diseases, arising from cold,
.are all of the inflammatory kind, viz.  coughs,
 pleurisies, peripneumonies, rheumatic painsr
 and the  like, together with consumptions,
 which, in the army, are almost always owing
 to neglected colds."—There is no doubt that
 it is not only so in London and Westminster,
 but throughout the whole kingdom.  In con-
 firmation of which, permit me to lay before
 my readers, part of a valuable paper, written
 by  the  late Dr.  Fothergill, upon this  sub-
 ject. 
16        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
  " The most trifling cold or cough, says he,
if it continues, may either advance gradually,
till it ends  in immediate mischief, or  may
leave such impressions as may subject the pa-
tient to frequent returns; a cough, therefore,
in children,  or  young persons, or in persons
of a certain make,  at any time of life, ought
speedily to be cured."
  The way  in which colds do injury to the
lungs and other parts, and lay a foundation for
future mischief, is, by the action of cold  up-
on the very fine vessels, which occasion ob-
structions, and a small degree of inflammation,
but not violent enough, at present, to be very
observable ;  but such a degree of tenderness
is left on the parts affected, as pften establishes
an habitual cough, which  is rendered more
troublesome and dangerous by every  additi- \
onal cold ; and which, sooner or later, causes
the death of the patient, unless that care be
taken, which we wish to  point out, as ne-
cessary to prevent it.   It is observed by Dr*
Fothergill, that a cough, in persons of a cer-
tain make,  should speedily be cured, and for '
this reason; such as are tall and thin, with
long necks,  flat chests,  and with shoulders 
        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.        17
sticking out like wings, and otherwise of a de-
licate texture, are the most common victims
to consumptions, and are what he means by a
certain make / and, for the generality,  those
who are said to be born of consumptive pa-
rents, or those who often, indeed, die of what is
termed  hereditary consumption, m&stly  an-
swer this description, and are  of that certain
make just now alluded to, and which is found
to run through whole families. To such per-
sons I cannot but recommend the greatest
care, as, colds, on them, commit the greatest
ravages,  and .they are always susceptible of
•the smallest impression.   It requires  I very
well know, more persuasion than I am mas-
ter of, to  lessen this common, but fatal inat-
tention ; but, lest  I  should be suspected of
having represented danger in too high a de-
gree, and of having given an opinion not well
founded, the continuation of  that excellent
paper of Dr. Fothergill'i, wherein he so feel-
ingly expresses  the distressing  situation to
which neglect subjects the human frame, is
here inserted ; and I hope that any who may
read it, will bear it  strong enough in  their
                   a2 
18        ON COUGHS AND COLDS-
minds, to make them carefully avoid evetff i r!
tendency to such neglect.
  " I know,  gentlemen.* (says Dr. Fothe*-
gill) that you,. (addressing himself to a society
of physicians) as well as myself often  have
occasion  to look  back at the fatal neglect,
committed both by the sick  themselves,  as
well as those who ought to have  had then-
future health  more at heart.  With  what ease
would many of the most incurable  consump-
tive cases have been prevented; or cured,  at
their first commencement? A person, whose j
emaciated figure strikes one with horror, his
forehead covered  with  drops of sweaty hi|>
cheeks painted with livid crimson, his eyes
sunk, all the  little fat which-raised them  in
their  orbits,  and  every'where else,  being
wasted;  his  pulse quick and tremulous, his
nails bending over the ends  of his fingers; ^
the palms of his  hands as dry, as they are
painfully hot  to the touch ;  his breath offen-
sive quick,  and laborious;  his-cough inces- ^
sant,  scarce  allowing him time to tell ypu,
that some months ago, he got a cold, but per-

     * See Medical Observations and Inquiries, vol. vr. 
        •OW COUGHS AND COLDS.        19
 haps he knew not how he got it; < he neglect-
 ed it for this very reason, and neglected every
 means of assistance, till the mischief was be-
 come ihcurable, and scarcely left a hope of
 palliation.  , You see  multitudes of such ob-r
 jccts daily, and. see them with a mixture of
 anger  and compassion Jfor their neglect and
 their sufferings.  Excuse me for trespassing
 in this manner on your time and your human-
 ity.   Though it is not in your power to  pre-
 vent all thtse sacrifices to ignorance and  inat-
 tention, yet, if the faculty combine in prompt-
 ing their fellow-citizens to necessary care, and
 prompt them  to suffer no slight beginnings
 to pass unregarded, however they may be
 acting against their own  interest,  they  will
 have the satisfaction of contributing  to the
 preservation of many a  useful life; for  per-
 haps, among those who perish by consump-
 tions, there are many who, in respect  to the
 excellencies both of body and mind, have gi-
 ven  indications  of becoming  conspicuous
 ornaments of humanity."
  Can there be a more affecting picture  of a
common and distressing scene { and shall  one
see the same want of care continue to prevail 
 20       «N COLDS AND COUGHS.
 after such a pathetic and feeling exhortation ?
 Yet I Vety much fear, from the numbers who
 have applied to me  in  the last stage of the
 disease, without having been enjoined to fol-
 low any particular or proper regimen, that
 the fault does not always lie with  the  sick
 only.   Since the first edition of this work, I
 have seen  no less than ten persons in the last
 stage of consumption, who had  never been
 bled, blistered, or directed to follow any regi-
 men, yet had been swallowing gieasy emul-
 sions and opiates to appease the cough, and
 nothing to remove the original cause of it.
   Now that I have attempted to paint out the
 dangerous  cansequeneesof hegiectingcoughs
 and colds, I shall next advise a plain and sim-
 ple method of cure, which is in every one's
 power  to make use of.  If they begin  very
 violent, or continue long, trust not too  much
 to your own conjectures, but seek the best -
 advice  you can.   If you" are poor, there are
 numbers of hospitals dispensaries, &c. in the
 metropolis, always ready to give the  best di-
rections ; and  if in better circumstances, it
will be found a folly to put it off. 
        OH COUGHS AND COLDS.         21
  As some of my readers, may wish to know
how cold air proves injurious to the constitu-
tion, and as it may furnish an additional cau-
tion for them to  avoid exposing themselves
more than is necessary, particularly those per-
sons who have tender lungs, I shall give the
manner as  plain as I can.
  The human body  is furnished with innu-
merable minute  vessels, which  open  their
mouths, or beginnings, on the external part
of the skin, all over the frame ; and these com-
municate with every part of the body inter-
nally ; these vessels are what are called the
pores;  they carry a moisture out of the con-
stitution, called insensible perspiration, and
the sweat,  which is  sensible; the insensible
perspiration is constantly and invisibly exha-
ling from every constitution in health in very
large  quantities, even to the amount of seve-
ral  pounds, every twelve hours, in adult per-
sons.   The lungs are furnislied with a very
large  quantity of it, which may be seen if you
breathe on  a looking glass, or when in a chaise
with the glasses drawn up ;  it is thrown out
of the mouth and nostrils at every respira-
tion ;  every part of the chaise is equally moist 
22         ON  COUGHS AND COLDS.
at the same time, though  the glasses only
point it out.
  *Cold and damp air has the peculiar pro-  ||
perty of  causing  a  spasm, or  some other
means of acting upon the vessels, or nerves,
surrounding them, so as  to close  up their
mouths, and prevent the natural and necessary
discharge of perspiration, sometimes over the
Whole body, and sometimes but in parts; and
wherever this  happens, the evil  is presently
felt by the patient.   If it is only in one parti-
cular place, it  is termed local, and does not
always affect the health;  but if it happens  in
a larger degree,  the  health becomes injured
from sympathy  or consent of parts, if not
from general disorder. If much of the insen-
sible perspiration is thrown into the habit,  or
in other words,  if much of  the skin is ob-
structed, so as not to have a proper circula-
tion, cold chills,  and a sense of cold water be-
ing poured down the back and loins, are pre-
sently, felt; pain  in  the limbs,  slight head-

 ;  * Dr.Blane in a valuable work just published on the'discase*
of seamen,  says, «'that moisture is pernicious both in itselr, and
as an instrument of ^putrefaction. All the complaints, called colds,
are more ow ing to wet than cold j and moisture may be the means
ofpttdecflg,; or ;at least of exciting dangerous fevers, when they
would not otherwise appear." 
          ON COUGHS AND COLDS.       23
ache, and  a kind of  lassitude, or weariness
Gomes on, and is succeeded by fever more or
less.
  As the lungs and the passage to them  are
most exposed to cold, moist, or noxious air,
they the most frequently receive the first  im-
pression;  then the cough is the harbii  *cr of
the effect.   Inflammation either arises from
the spasm on the part, in the first instance, or
from the degree of agitation which is given
to the chest, by the act of coughing. One re-
markable effect happens of confined perspira-
tion arising from  colds in the eyes, nose and
throat  of the serum or lymph, which is dis-
charged, of contracting  such a  degree of
sharpness and  acrimony,* as to  scald   the
parts  it comes in contact with ; it is  this
which irritates the upper part of the wind-
pipe,  and  causes  the perpetual  coughing j
and,  perhaps,  it is this kind of irritability,

  • It has been advanced by a very ingenious author. Dr. Keid,
that the juices do not acquire any acrimonious qualities in consump-
tive complaints.  But the above is too common a fact to be dis-
puted  If they contract it in one case, why not in another ? for
the catarrhal deduction undoubtedly by some means gets a hot,
Sharp, caustic, or acrimonious quality.  It is not my intention 40
enter minutely into these things at present but to point out the
dangers arising from the effects   The Doctor's book deserves the
attention of every medical reader.   See Dr. Reid, on Phthisis
Puhnonalis. 
24        on coughs and colds.
whkh may be the internal cause of fevers- in
general.   And  from hence it appears,  why
colds  sometimes  are easily  cured,  having
more or less of  this acrimony and why they
become so dangerous, sometimes, from tri--'
fling neglect, or after having indulged in heat-'<
ing spiritous liquors, &c. and from hence the^
absurdity of the adage of ^feeding a cold"
whatever justice there may be in  ** starving
& fever," clearly appears.
THE  CURE OF COUCHS AN^D COLDS, &C.  <%
   X'N curing colds, three things are essen-'
tially  necessary ;  to open the obstructed!
pores ;  to discharge  any irritating matter''
out of the constitution ; and to observe such^
a kind of diet, as shall consist of a mild and*
innocent nature,  and such as is calculated to
prevent fever and inflammation,  and at the
same time be conducive to recovery. 
        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.        25
  As soon as  a cold or cough is found to
come upon a person,  he  should immediately
lessen the  quantity of his food ;  it  should
consist of supping*,  moderately  warm,  es-
pecially at night; such as small broths, wa-
ter gruel, and the like ; the solids should be
rice,  sago, light puddings, fruits and veget-
ables ; the drinks  should be barley-water,
small beer, apple  water,  linseed-tea, toast
and water, or any other  cooling liquid, that
is free from irritable, or heating qualities.
  A friend of the author, as soon as he finds
a cold come upon him (and he is very mnch
exposed to the inclemency of the weather,
from the nature of his business) confines him-
self entirely to this  kind  of plan, particularly
to water gruel sweetened with honey, which
never fails to carry  it off in a few days.  He
never is  kept close  to his house, but by at-
tending to it early,  prevents mischief, which
would otherwise ensue.  And the most sim-
ple fevers, as well as  colds, might be remov-
ed by such early attention and prudent care.
  Perhaps it will be asked, is a man with ev-
ery trifling cold or cough, to lay himself up,
and keep his house  or bed ? If so, he may be
                     C 
 26       ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
 always nursing and codling  himself,  neglect
 his business,  and other important concerns, j
 To which I  reply, there  is a medium to be
 observed in  every thing; the time for con->|
 fincment to  the house, must always depends
 upon the violence of the disease; neither is
 it  always  necessary to be confined at home  '
 for a cold.   But suppose I really thought so,
no prudent man, when he comes to consider,]
 seriously, that he stakes his health, and per-
haps his life, to a day or two's confinement at
home, or retrenching himself from rich food, J
wine, or heating things,  will think much of
the penalty to prevent it; for the enjoyment j
of health  is the most  important  concern of
human life; riches, honor,  and power,  are :
burthens without it ;  therefore every prur*
dent means of obtaining it, is an indisputabl
duty  implanted  in  our nature,  and nothing^]
more contributes to that end, than attendingi
early to slight colds, in order that they mayi
not prove the source of greater mischief.
  If, on approaching the cold air, it causes a
 violent Coughing, it is necessary to keep in a
 warm room till the tenderness  of the lungs
 is gone off;  otherwise, except in the  case of 
        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.        27
fever, it is not requisite to be kept  to  the
house, but attend  to  the diet,  warm sup-
pings at night, &c. which I  shall mention
more fully presently.
  Fever and  colds  become heightened by
continuing to eat animal  food,  rich sauces,
and drinking of wines and spirits, which  are
designed to support animal strength, and fur-
nish the body with activity and fire, for exer-
cise, pleasure, or business, which at this time,
instead  of being wholesome and  friendly to
the -constitution, become its enemy, and nou-
rish  fever and inflammation. For this reason,
the all-wise creator has deprived us of appe-
tite in fevers, and rendered food loathsome to
the sight; the cooling fruits and vegetables,
and  preparations of them, possess more nou-
rishing properties than is commonly believed.
These were the physic of the primitive phy-
sicians ; and many  of  the  moderns, who are
the greatest ornaments to this country, per-
form numerous cures by a judicious adoption
of them.  Boiled turnips, roasted apples, as-
paragus,  salsafy,  scorzenera,  lettuces, colli-
flowers, brocoli,  &c. possess many sapona-
ceous,  cooling, and anti-febrile principles, 
 28         ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
 which correct the blood  and juices, dissolve
 obstructions, and will do* more  in eradica^
 ting the scurvy, and other foulnesses of blo(
 of that  nature, than  all the  Norton's  drops,
 Frankfort pills, mercurials,  antimonials, &c|
 in the nation ; and they are perfectly innocent
 which is more than I am able to say of thosl
 medicines before-menticned.
   The above kinds of nourishment, together'
 with a plentiful dilution of soft drinks, involve
 the floating acrimony, lessen  the  spasmodic
 affection  and  tend  to promote  perspiration.;
 Small wine, or lemon, or vinegar whey, ama-
 zingly contribute to this end.   If they are
made too strong  of wine, or spirits of  harts-
horn, &c.  they heat and stimulate,  and have
 a very contrary effect to what was intended;
the patient becomes hot, and restless, instead
 .f having a moist skin and a  refreshing and
balmy sleep.
  • At some funne period, I propose to offer to the world some
observations on many efficacious simples of this kingdom; tor
while we are traversing from pole to pole, in search of new medi-
caments, we are neglecting many valuable ones at home.  Such a
work no doubt will be very useful to the public; but I hope some
more able pen will take the hint, and supersede me in so necessary
an inquiry; ig the mean time, whatever future experience or study
may throw in m/ way, to that end, shall be given with candour
and truth. 
        ON  COUGHS AND COLDS.        29
  Bathing the  feet in luke-warm  water, or
bran and water, a little hotter than milk just
taken from the cow, going to bed, is  an ex-
cellent simple mode of producing  a regular
circulation,  and gentle perspiration.  Great
caution is necessary here, not to get fresh
cold ; the feet should be carefully and speedily
wiped dry, and afterwards wrapped up  in a
warm, dry flannel, and the patient go immedi-
ately  into a  warm bed.   If the water be too
hot, it proves a great stimulus, and does in-
jury ; and if cold, can do no good.   It is no
uncommon  thing  for persons who drink
gruel, and  other warm liquids, to promote
perspiration, that they take them before they
undress, by  which means, if it happens to be
cold weather, they get fresh cold in undress-
ing ;  for the warm  drinks make them often
break out into a sweat, which becomes check-
ed before the patient gets into bed.  I would
therefore  advise  them to be taken after the
patient is in bed, and then for him to lie dov/n
immediately, and to keep still and  quiet for
some time, and no doubt but the expectation
will be gratified.
                   c 2 
 SO          ON COUGHS AND  C0LDS.
   If the patient has a cold, attended with stuf-
 fing of the  nose, a cough, and hoarseness, or
 either of them, very bad, let him receive the
 steam or vapour of a large pan of warm water,
 wherein a few camomile flowers,«or elder, or
 rosemary,  have  been  boiled;  this  steam
 should come in contact with the  whole head ;
 and face, and be continued for  a full quarter
 of an  hour,  or more,  and should  be kept hot
 by fresh supplies of hot water being put into e
 the  pan;  the head should be covered with a •
 flannel, or some  other warm clothing, to pre-
 vent cold air coming at the same time,* and,
 after this process is over,  the  same  care is
 necessary to keep the perspiration from being .
checked; the patient should breathe through
a handkerchief, that the cold air may be first. I
warmed, before it gets to the lungs;  if the
   * If the patient sits up in the bed, and places a pan w hich will  ,,
hold two or three quarts of water immediately under and before his ^
face, letting it rest on his lap, and a piece of flannel not too thick,
being put over the head and face, and pan of water, this will keep
thejBteam round the neck, head, and face; and at the same t:me
will admit sufficient a irfor respiration.
   Where it is cor.veniet t, as it is in London, &c. and a cold ha-
ving come on sudden and violent, may be removed in twenty-four
hours, by the patient's being sufficiently cupped between the shoul-
ders, and afterw ards bathed antl sweated,  by drinking fvc-sly of   '
some simple diluting liquid, and taking a cooling purge.  But the
desired success depends much  upon the  very early application of
the above means. The bathing the feet and steaming the hea<?
a sort of succedaneum nr the general bathing. 
          Oif COUGHS AND COLDS.        31
complaint is only about the head  and threat,
and no cough attends,  a little vinegar added
to the other ingredients may be of use.   The
bathing of the feet does  neither preclude the
warm drinks, or this remedy being made use
ofi
   If the cough is the most troublesome com-
plaint, beside the means just mentioned, the
patient must be  perpetually taking soft, mu-
cilaginous drinks, prepared by the boiling of
quince seeds in water,  and sweetened with
honey or  sugar-candy, to the palate ; or lin-
seed tea; a decoction of barley, figs, raisins,
&c.  A tea-spoonful of  paregoric elixir,*
or syrup of white poppies, in half  a  pint of
either of them, may be taken by spoonfuls,
which will sheath the passage to the lungs,
and quiet the cough.   Currant jelly,   and
some of the soft marmalades,  contribute to
the same end.  Rob of elder, is a most excel-
lent medicine for this purpose ;  and is ap-
erient,  sudorific, and  cooling ;  it  isprefer-

  * Wherever paregoric elixir is recommended, I would wish it to
be understood, that where there is much heat, and opiates are
thought proper,  the preference should be given to the syrup
of white poppies, or a  few drops of laudanum; as the elixir is
prepared with spirits of wine, and may be too heating. 
i      32       ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
      able to spermaceti, and oily medicines in gen-
      eral.  But as oils and spermaceti have some-
      times their use, I would recommend them
      not to be  taken in such large quantities,  as
      is too commonly  done,  because  they are
      apt to turn rancid upon the stomach.   When  j
      they are thought proper, the following smooth
      emulsion is deemed excellent.
        Take of barley water, six ounces by meas-
      ure,  white sugar, and powder of gum arabic, *■■
      of each three drams ; incorporate  the sugar
      and gum arabic together in a  mortar,  with a
      small quantity  of the  water, and gradually  •*
      mix  one ounce of fresh and sweet oils of al-
      monds,  linseed or of olives, and then  by lit-
      tle at a time, add the rest of the water, and  )
      it will be a soft white emulsion.
        After the same  manner a dram  or two  of
      spermaceti maybe dissolved with double the  1
?      quantity of mucilage of gum arabic,* and a  -\
      little sugar, with six  ounces of  barley water
      or pure water, and a smooth emulsion will be  *
     'prepared.   The spermaceti should be free
      from rancidity, and  when the  emulsion  is
                                                 0
       • Mucilage of gum arabic is prepared by dissolving one ounce
      of the guin in three ounces cr warm water. 
         ON COUGHS  AND COLDS.       53
 made, it should not  be kept above twenty
 four hours, as it is apt to get sour, or to fer-
 ment.
   It is not uncommon for a physician to for-
 bid all kinds of animal food, broth, and wines,
 lest his patient should be heated by them ;
 when perhaps in his prescription may be found
 strong cordial water, and the spermaceti dis-
 solved with the greatest part of the yolk of
 an cggy which every one knows is not acting
 with consistency.
   If opiates are proper,  half an ounce of sy-
 rup of white poppies, or from  ten to thirty
 drops of laudanum may  be put into either of
 these emulsions, and a  spoonful  taken now
 and then, according to  the urgency of the
 cough, which will be  spoken more of when I
 come to treat on opiates.
   The following emulsion may be prepared
 of white poppy-seeds or blanched sweet al-
monds  which will not only  sheath the pas-
sage to the lungs, but be nutritious and cool-
ing, and very good in fevers of the inflamma-
tory kind.
   Take of almonds blanched fresh  and sound,
or of  white poppy-seeds,  two ounces, beat 
34       ON  COUGHS AND  COLDS-
them in a marble mortar with the same quan-
tity of sugar, till they are  smooth, adding a  ,.
small quantity of water to facilitate tllht pur-
pose ; a quart of Bristol, or pure water, or   ,
barley water, may be added to these ingredi-   '
ents and strain it through a muslin rag or fine   '
sieve, and then it is fit for use ; if it is requir-  ij
ed to be more mucilaginous,' an ounce of gum
arabic may be dissolved in it.  Half a pint of
it taken a little warm now and then wonderful-
ly sheathes the sharp mucus, and dilutes the
acrimonious juioes in the first passages.
  I have already spoken of one species of in-
halation, viz. the vapour from a pan of water
and camomile flowers, but to answer a differ-
ent purpose than what I am going to advise
another for.   The great Boerhaave,  Baron
Van Swieten, and the late  Sir John Pringle,
very strongly recommended  the receiving of
warm vapours  to  the lungs, in coughs and
complaints of that organ  ;  my experience,
if of any weight after such authorities, con-
firms their utility.  Mr. Mudge, a very in-'
genious surgeon at Plymouth, has lately pub-
lished a book, describing  a  machine  which
conveys the vapour very commodiqusly to th? 
        ON  COUGHS AND COLDS.       35
lungs, which he calls an inhaler,  wherein he
declares that the use of a tea-spoonful of par-
egoric  elixir,  taken at bed time in some
warm liquid, and the use of the  warm va-
pour of simple  water through his machine,
will  cure a catarrhous cough in a night's
time.  The public are much indebted to Mr.
Mudge  for his ingenious invention,  but ma-
ny of the poorer sort of people cannot afford'
to pay half a guinea for it, a  price certainly
extravagant for so simple a machine.  I could
wish the poor to receive the advantages  of
health,  equally with the rich, and the means
of obtaining it, when they unhappily want iu
   Those who cannot afford to buy the inhaler
may make use of a large coffee pot, half filled ^
with warm water,  or by receiving the steam
through a funnel, by inverting the broad part
over a  vessel of hot water,  and  apply the
mouth to the small end ; this will be a good
succedaneum where an inhaler isnot to be had.
   Every cough, whether moist or dry, atten-
ded with,  or without inflammation, receives
benefit from the use of the  inhaler : as also
pleurisies,  sore throats, asthmas, and  every
 affection of the chest,  except in spitting of
 blood.   Mr. Mudge recommends the vapour 
36       ON  COUGHS AND  COLDS.
of warm water only : but I believe that ma-
ny different herbs, boiled in water, would fur-
nish certain useful virtues in particular cases.
Indeed Sir John  Pringle  says, in his disea-
ses of the army,  that Dr. Huck Saunders  (a
name as respectable as any who practise phy-
sic) had found great benefit from the addition
of a little  vinegar, where tough  phlegm a-
bounded.
  Nothing can more strongly recommend th-.?
act of inhalation, than the following quotation
from the very eminent Dr. Huxham, and as
it confirms my mode of treatment, I beg leave
to give it at large.
  "But nothing more  effectually promotes
expectoration, (by attenuating and resolving
the impacted matter) than drinking freely and   j
frequently of cooUng, relaxing and  gently   ^
saponaceous liquors ;  such as thin whey, the   )
barley ptisan, with liquorice, figs, &c.  the
decoction, or rather infusion,  of the pectoral
herbs, as  ground ivy, maiden hair, colt's foot,
hyssop, &c   these should be gently acidula-   "'
ted with juice of lemon,  or Seville-oranges ;
if any more  detergent in the above drinks is
wanted, honey  may be added, an admirable 
        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.        37
natural cordial soap, thrown almost out of the
modern materia  medica,  I know not why, or
how, for where  it gripes or purges one,  it
agrees with a thousand, and even' its griping
or purging quality may  be easily corrected
by  boiling.   Hippocrates used oxymel and
mulsum in such cases, and advised against
drinking mere water, in  pulmonic cases, as
neither good for the cough, nor  to promote
expectoration ; any or all of tkese things by
turns drank warm, answer the above intention
exceedingly well, if taken  in frequent, but
small quantities, sipping  them as it were per-
petually ;  for by this means much of the re-
laxing and resolving vapour is also drawn into
the lungs, and much of them absorbed by their
imbibing vessels, so that the relaxing and di-
luting is thus carried on in a double manner,
-and of course very effectually.   Very large
draughts should not be taken at once, for they
overcharge the stomach,  produce indigestion
and flatulence, and force up the midriff too
much, which greatly embarrasses the respira-
tion; therefore Hippocrates advises to drink
in those diseases, out of  a cup with a narrow
mouth, probably that both the liquor and va-
pour  might be  preserved warm  longer, and
                     D 
38        ON  CO JGHS AI\D COLDS.
that  less might be drank at a time, and also
that the steam might be more copiously car-
ried  into the mouth and  nose.  Many kinds
of drink he advises for this purpose, but par-   *
ticularly recommends barley water, honey and
water, oxymel, and vinegar and water."
  From hence  it appears, that  warm vapour
is of signal benefit; I would not recommend
any other in simple coughs or colds, than the
vapour from water in which have been boiled
camomile, or elder flowers, in ilk and water,
marsh mallows, tea,  or some  such simple
things.   There is  a  liquid, called Steam's   j
aether, which I think a great deal too irritat-
ing for lungs in any  degree inflamed.  For
the great intention of inhaling, is to relax the   ;
rigid or irritable membrane that lines the tra-   j
chea, or passage to the lungs;  to sheath the
parts that are excoriated by the sharp mucus,
or to lessen the sharpness of that mucus, and
cause it to be  more easily spit away.
   The cold air should be carefully prevented
from coming to the lungs after having inha-
led ;  it is better done in bed than up, for this
reason, and also,  because it generally pro-
motes perspiration. 
         ON COUGHS AND COLDS.        39
  _If a cold be at all severe,  nothing can so
 soon contribute to  lessen that severity, and
 prevent a fever, as gentle purging.  I prefer
 the mild,  simple things, to such as are more
 active and violent,  for it  is not the very great
 number of motions that are procured, that
 give the expected relief, as the stronger pur-
 ges hurry through the bowels, and do not car-
 ry  the irritating causes out of the body ; nor
 do they tend to cool the blood and juices, and
 thereby prevent both fever and inflammation,
 which  is  the material  object a  prescriber
 should have in view.  Manna and Glauber's
 salt, cream of tartar, tamarinds, rhubarb, and,
 sal polychrest,  lenitive  electuary, or indeed
 any other  gentle, cooling means, which the
 patient has been  accustomed to use, will be
 right to have  continued.  The following mix-
 ture is  very well calculated for this end, and
 will*agrce with  most constitutions.
  Take of Epsom, Glauber, or Rochelle salt,
 once ounce ; boiling water, or simple pepper-
mint water, four ounces ; tincture of rhubarb
or  of senna,  one  ounce and a half, mixed.*

  * When there is much heat <n- fever, the tinctures, Lcing made
 of spirit, must be omitted, and a dram of s:.r na" leaves  infused )n
:he liquids, to mak: the 'med:v;r? mr- a-tiv.. i,1' -«■ ••r;ta»'y. 
40        ON  COUGHS AND COLDS*
Half, or a third of the whole may be taken in
the morning, and repeated once in two hours
till a motion or two be procured.  An ounce
of manna may be added to it,  ii^ the patient
pleases.  Asa  person hard to purge, can take
the whole of the  above mixture, it  must be
properly proportioned to such  as are  more
easily moved.
  Such as cannot take a liquid,  may use the .
following pills, and dilute with barley-water,
warm tea, or water gruel.
  Take of rhubarb in fine powder, and sal
polychrest,  of each one scruple; calx of anti.
mony  unwashed, ten  grains;  of  syrup of
buck-thorn a sufficient quantity to make eight  '
pills, four of which may be taken  at  night,
and the rest in the morning, if no  effect be
produced before; if these should not  be found
quick enough for any particular constitution,  ,
a few grains of extract of jalap may be added.
  For those who  are used to take an electuary,
cream of tartar and lenitiye electuary, mixed
together, will often answer the purpose.  A
tea-spoonful taken night and morning, so as to
procure two motions a day, is very sufficient. -
  After the body has been sufficiently opened,
(or indeed before, if the symptoms are press- 
        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.        41
ing) that is, if there be much fever, pains in
the limbs, head, or back, the cough hard and
troublesome, or there be any darting pains in
the chest, or under the breast-bone, or if the
muscles of the belly be made sore by the per-
petual coughing, bleeding is absolutely  ne-
cessary ; for those pains denote inflammation
having seized  some part;  and as nothing
stops the progress of inflammation so  much
as bleeding,  from six to ten ounces of blood
may be taken away immediately ; a few oun-
ces taken away now, may prevent the repeti-
tion of the operation very many times ;  if this
period be missed, and  the inflammation suf-
fered to go on for the want of it, you will per
petually iiear of danger arising from bleeding,
of producing agues, or that it is not -right to
bleed in cold weather,  or  some other  simple
reason given why the operation should not be
performed.   Wherever there is a tendency to
inflammation, and  particularly  in the lungs,
none  that are in thei*  senses will hesitate to
take blood aw^y.  Suppose you have weak
nerves, or be gouty, or low, the loss of a few
ounces of blood will do no great harm, but
the omission may.  The quantity must be
proportioned  to the  necessity,  age, and
                    D  2 
AJ        ON COUGHS  AND  COLDS.
strength of the patieut, and to the manrfer in
which he has been used to live ; for one would
not bleed a delicate person,  who lives reguw
Iarly, in the same quantity as one who lives
freely, and is more robust.
  The great.fault is, that bleeding/like other   >
means  neglected too long before it be per-
formed, loses much of its power.  For when
mischief has taken place, the disease will have   .
its regular course, and twenty repetitions will
not have such salutary effects, or be so able to
reduce the inflammatory state of the blood, as
one timely one, would in the beginning.  A
few ounces of blood, in coughs, may general-
ly with safety be lost but a repetition requires
able advice to direct properly.
   After a proper regimen has been observed,  .
the body been opened, and  a  few ounces of
blood taken away, it the cold should not have
been attended to in time, or not get any bet-
ter, with the above-mentioned treatment, an-
timonials, given  in  mild doses, very much
contribute to relax the skin, open  the pores,
and remove fever and inflammation; and in-
deed it requires all those, very often, to re-
move  bad colds. 
          ON COUGHS AND COLDS.       43
   In administering antimonials,  I  am not
prejudiced in favour of any particular prepa-
ration, whether antimonial wine,kermes min-
eral,  emetic tartar, or  Dr. James' powder ;
I think indeed  that all the virtues of antimo-
ny,  may be received from emetic  tartar,  or
kermes mineral, the former in doses of a quar-
ter of a grain, to half a grain,  given once in
three, four, or six hours, in any vehicle ; and
the  latter  from one  to  three grains in the
same distance of time,  as they may be found
to operate.  A nausea,  or  sickness  being
produced and succ-eded by sweat, or a few
gentle motions, or both,  is  the  operation I
would wish, but not with violence ;  for per-
sons often  increase their colds by being obli-
ged to get out of bed frequently,  when in a
profuse perspiration, from the violence of the
amimonial.  Indeed when there is much bile
in the first passages, it serves  to increase that
violence.   The opening of the body with my
mild purge, previous to the administering an-
timony, prevents this taking place.
   In twelve hours,  fever, and cold will often
be carried  off by a prudent use of antimoni-
ai§.; but bleeding and purging should precede
their use.  If Dr.  James' powder be prefer;- 
44        ON COUCHS AND COLDS.         <■
red, from three to five  grains, may be given «
every three,  four, or  six hours, as was be-
fore advised.   The patient does not reap ben-
efit from *being  ruffled, and  persons full of
blood, and those  that are  weakly, receive
much injury from it.  Thousands have fallen
a sacrifice to its indiscriminate use.   The ''-1
more  mild and regalar it operates,  the better
and safer ; that is, by gentle sickness, sweat-  ;j
ing, urine,  or stool,  or altogether moder-
ately.
  One caution is necessary to be observed
by those who give James' powder, according
to the directions in the packets, or papers,
which are sold, always to weigh  the quantity   ;
with nicety  which they mean to give, and
never to trust to what their paper states it  to
contain.   They profess to put into each pa-
per, twenty grains and  a fraction, but the au-
thor has weighed them often, and found some
to contain twenty nine grains in each single
paper, and in others, fourteen grains only ;
and any candid person may easily judge of
the mischief  that may  be  done  by seven or
eight  grains,  given to weakly persons,  when
five  were only intended ;  and what delay,
and of course injury, must accrue  toothers, 
        ON  COUGHS  AND  COLDS.       45
in giving and depending, upon the operation
of five grains,  v/hen  three, or three grains
and a quarter,  had only been taken.  It is a
medicine of great power,  and great virtue,
given properly  ; but  in these  uncertain do-
ses,  and when  not properly adapted  to each
particular ease  and constitution, is capable of
proving highly mischievous.   The  public
have a right to  exactness from the proprie.
tors of the powder, considering how well they
are paid for it; but above all, when it is con-
sidered that the health and lives of his majes-
ty's subjects are at stake.
   If  the  body and skin should be very hot
and,  feverish, five or six grains  of nitre, in
barley water, or the almond emulsion,  will
lessen the heat and not interfere with the anti-
monials, when taken between the hours of ta-
king the antimony.
   The following mixture is one  of the best
general medicines to cure fevers in most con-
stitutions that can perhaps be prescribed, and
possesses no quality likely to do harm, a cir-
cumstance which the author would wish a pre-
scriber to have  always in view.
   Take of the fresh juice of lemons, three oun-
ces ; salt of wormwood, two drams; emet- 
46       ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
ic tartar, one grain ;  simple spearmint water,
five ounces ;  sugar as much as may be  pal-
atable.  The whole of this mixture will make
four doses for an adult  person,  and may be
taken at the distance of four, five, or six
hours between each dose ; younger persons
may take two spoonfuls at the same distances
of time,  as may be found necessary; but I
would advise people  not to trust to this, or to.
any general medicine too long, for fear some
symptom, attending particular cases  and con-
stitutions,  should indicate some other mode
of treatment, and which none but the expe-
rienced can distinguish or discover.
   Dr. Buchan has very strongly recommend-
ed a plaister of Burgundy pitch, to be applied
to the back  for an obstinate cough;  I  have
known it of  service,  but a blister is often as
little troublesome and more speedily beneficial.
Where a blister is objected to use the other»
but depend  not  on externals only,  of any
kind.
   Opiates  are  often given in troublesome
coughs, and no doubt are essentially necessa-
ry to  abate the the violence  of them,  and to
procure rest, for the continual action of the
chest and lungs, and muscles,  surrounding 
        ON  COUGHS AND  COLDS.       47
them, which is occasioned by the pain and
agitation of coughing :   but as  opiates  in-
crease the heat of the body, they should not
be given before bleeding and purging,  or
where there is much fever, but by the hand
of a master. Dr Fothergill held this opinion.
   After the  heat and fever are abated, and
there is a free expectoration, and the cough
still very urgent, a  tea-spoonful of syrup of
white poppies,  or five drops of liquid lauda-
num, may betaken at going to bed, in a tea-
cup of any of the beforementioned emulsions,
or mucilaginous drinks :  if this should not be
sufficient, a larger quantity may be taken to
answer the purpose ; but make the addition
with caution.
   Very obstinate hoarsenesses,  when unat-
tended with fever, I have  known cured in  a
day, by taking a  tea-cup full now and then,
of a strong decoction of horse-radish ; where
there is a fever,  it might be too heating and
likely to increase it.
   Farther  with medicine I mean not to go,
nor even quite so far,   if violent symptoms
come on, without calling in good advice, as  I
have all along intimated.   But  as so-many
people  have a propensity  to Quackery,  I 
48      ON  COUGHS AND COLDS.
would wish them to do it with as little mis-
chief as possible,  and  as  near the regular
practice as may be, and for this reason, there
are held out to them: safe, and mild remedies,
with  cautious rules for administering them,
and I doubt not but if they are given properly,
they will have the desired end.
   I  think  it  my duty, after having given
some directions how to remove colds, and
prevent them from becoming dangerous  to
offer  a few remarks,  whereby colds may  be
prevented, and constitutions, subject to catch
them,  rendered less liable to do so, to make
the weakly to become strong, and the strong
more vigorous.
   In a variable climate like  ours, much will
dependupon regularity in living, and the mode-;
of dressing agreeably to the- season  of the
year,  and severity of  the weather.  In Eng-
land we are very neglectful in this particular,
but a  great deal depends upon custom begun
early in life, and regularly continued.   Very
weakly constitutions may be  very much im-
proved, and strengthened, by training them
gradually to bear the vicissitudes  of  this
changeable atmosphere, and make them be-
come what is  called hardy.  But I have  seen 
        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.        49
this very often carried too far; the vigour of
the body as well as the mind, in some consti-
tutions, maybe very largely increased, whilst
in others, if you press it beyond a certain pitch,
you injure both.  Parents who have these ob-
jects in view, would do well to consider the
natural strength of body and mind, and to bend
/the bough,  very  gradually;  otherwise  they
will often break it in the attempt.  So it is in
persons that are ill, or recovering  from  sick-
ness.   When the body is in good health, it
may be made by degrees, to bear almost ev-
ery change without inconvenience; but whilst
disease, or its effects, remain, the most trifling
innovation in diet, clothing, &c. is not with-
out danger.
   I am informed by a gentleman who has tra-
velled much,  and often been in China, that
the changes from heat to cold, and from cold
to heat, are more regularly progressive there,
than in any other country  he  had  seen or
heard of;  and that the natives as carefully at-
tend to putting on, or pulling off their clothes,
as the  cold is  found to increase  or diminish,
v^'th the most religious observance. By these
attentions they preserve themselves from  fe.
vers, &c.   But in England, all orders of men
                     E 
50        ON COUCHS AND COLDS.
are inattentive to the changes of the weather,
though they may see fevers, and many dang-
erous complaints daily arise from  the neglect  1
of it.   What a pity it is that Britons, so fa-
med for philosophy and the arts, should be as
careless in general, in the most valuable of all
arts, that of preserving heahh, as if they were  |
not acquainted with either.
  Nothing  perhaps  contributes  more  to
strengthen the  constitution, and  render  the
body less liable to catch cold, than bathing in
the cold bath, or in the sea.  Yet this should
never be used whilst the patient has a cough  .,
or cold upon him ; but if it is begun inrelax-
ed or weakly constitutions, or such as are cal-
led nervous, colds and their  consequences,
will be prevented.   It may be  used twice or  %
thrice a week.
   I .have often observed that  children  and
others have been sent to the sea for the sake
of bathing ini the salt-water, when it has been
attended with much inconvenience in other
respects;  the sea air has some  advantages in
some particular  complaints, but  in general,
every advantage of sea-water, may be derived ■*,
from pure water, just pumped or drawn from  %
a well into a large vessel; or those who have 
        OX COUGHS AND  COLDS.        51
an opinion of salt, may put a pound or two of
bay salt into the water; this will make a large
tub equal in  saltness to  sea-water.  Those
Who dip children for the rickets, or any other
weakness, particularly  in  summer, should
cnangc the water three times a week, and not
let it. receive the heat of the sun ; and the ad-
dition of the salt in summer, will have some
advantage in  snaking it colder, and therefore
more strengthening.
  The advantages derived from washing chil-
dren in  cold v.ater every morning, cannot be
too often enforced on the attention of parent^
It strengthens their tender limbs, and keeps
them from the rickets, and the habit of taking
cold.  Children cannot be too soon inured to
bear ail kinds cf weather.
  Warm clothing now demands my most se-
rious recommendation, and the reader's most
serious  observance, as it is of the utmost con-
sequence, to prevent catching cold ; for a va-
riety of changes frequently happen, in one day,
and often in the apace of a few hcurs, in this
uncertain climate. The keenness of the north
and north-east winds, and the many ways and
situations in which the human body becomes
necessarily exposed, render it propers fly to 
 52         ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
 clothes  sufficiently warm,  to prevent their
 baneful effects.   Wre  see what  destruction
 they make on the tender  herbage,  and  even
 upon hardy vegetables, designed by natureto
 defy their  piercing  powers.  And,  as  Dr.
 Akenside, in  the  Pleasures of Imagination,
 observes—
        They sourly check the progress of the year.
   As vegetable life is destroy<id by cold, so is
 the life of man very frequently, by its produ-
 cing fevers, rheumatisms, &c. but it very of-
 ten happens  from his own  neglect of doing
 what is right, in time to prevent it.  Moisture
 is  also very  injurious to the  human  body.;
 cold and moisture joined together, are  more
 powerfully bad than either of them separately.
 Therefore, whoever is subject to  catch cold,
 or  have  winter coughs, or asthmas,  sore
 throats, rheumatisms, &c. will find their in-
 terest in seeking the friendly aid of a flannel*

   * Having received !onr\e very sensible and friendly letters from
 anonymous correspondents, particularly two from I. B.  who,
 among other observations, desires me to re-consider the propriety
 of wearing a flannel waistcoat next to the skin, and refers me to a
very good writer, Dr. Langrish, who, with some others, have con-
sidered it improper for valetudinarians.
   In answer to which, I beg leave to say, that I very well know,
that the wearing of flannel next to the skin, has been objected to
by several ingenious physicians, and there is reason to believe that
it does relax the skin in some degree.and must be left off very cau-
tiously indeed, not to prove hurtful; some persons may be injured 
ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
S3
waistcoat worn next to tue skin,  and  put  on
before the cold weather  sets in   and  ateo iu
warm  stockings and  shoes; for the consent
between the feet and  the  lungs,  throat and
bowels is  very  great  and many a fit  of the
cholic, &C. may be prevented by attending to
this little matter.
   It may not be  improper  to remark, that
those who for the generality, are most expo-
sed to cold air, are  the  least subject to  get
cold, and will be found to enjoy the best state
of health.  But  such persons as  have  tender
lungs, cannot bear  much exposure to cold in
the winter of this climate.   As there cannot
be any certain rules laid down for the preser-
vation of the health and life of man;  the sav-
age  of the  woods, and the  citizen  of the
by that relaxation, but how far the perspiration may be rendered
pernicious by being kept round the body by the flannel, or how f.u
it may prove mischievous by being re-absorbed into the con'stitn
tion, 1 am not able to say. The theory I must own seems to tejl
against me,  but the experience on my own person, and that of ma,
ny others, speaks much in. its favour.         ,.          ,
   I have for some years past been very tender, and much of a va-
letudinarian, particularly before I put on a flannel waistcoat next
my skin. I think, I owe my continuance of health to  it, and am
more robust, and  less liable to catch cold during qur severest win-
ters since t used it. I know that flannel, like all other things, can-
not be applied to every person with equal propriety  But those af-
flicted with  winter coughs, or in gouty, rheumatic, andahstmatic
constitutions, it is nqt only useful, but absolutely necessary—for
even admitting that it does in some degree relax, its advantages
greatly outweigh the disadvantages, by resisting the power of cold,
which is always  unfriendly to  such  constitutions. These wto
R 2 
51        ON   COUGHS  AND  COLDS.

world,  being both liable  to  diseases, there-
fore what most agrees or most offends,  is not
only the duty but the interest of every man to
study,  as the  knowledge of it is within the
reach of every man to obtain.   If any are very
chilly,  or much pinched by the cold, when in
good health,  it will  be right to put on clothes
sufficient to remove that inconvenience.   If
any  can bear  the cold,  and vicissitudes of
winter with thinner  clothing,  and enjoy  good
health,  there can be no reason for  them to al-
ter any mode   which  agrees  with them ;  so
that every man must judge for himself.   Peo-
o!>jec> 11 fl'anvkl, may wear calico instead of it ; those who object
to both of them may wear a thin leathern waistcoat over the shirt,
as is the ct.s.om in Spaini this isnot so porous as flannel, and de-
fends thebxly from the peni-> rating powers of the cold winds.
  1 am a.vave that the more the body is inured to cola, t'.ie stron-
ger it will be, and the mote it will resist the piercing effects of
cold,  and that nothing enables the body to do so, equal to cold ba-
thing ; but it is by no means proper for all persons, neither can it
always be conveniently had if it~were proper.  Dr. Langrish in
page 265, condemns :he common practice of wearing B .nnel iu>xt
to the skin, but whoeverwill read the whole of his book, and see
what r.u nerous evils arise from the effects of  cold, w ill think with
nic, that it makes some apology for its use.   Dr. Rush; * Physi-
cian general to the A meiicau army, says, "that those officers and
soldiers, who wore flannelwaistccats next to their skins, not only
escaped-colds,  but d) stnterits, and other contagjou3 disorders;
whilethifcethat wore none, were soon hurried off, 1)y diseasesso
commonly fatal in camps."
  I am not tenacious of any opinion 1 may have  formed,  and am
always ready topay the  greatest deference to that of others ; but
w hen ex perience has so repeatedly confirmed to me the facts I mean
to establish, I hope to be excused, if 1 do not implicitly give up «iy
own.

* See memoirs of the Manchester Sccietjr. 
         ON  COUGHS AND  COLDS.       55
 pie in health have powers which resist many
 evils of climate, &c. butwhen once the body
 has been weakened by previous illness, it re-
 quires much caution,  and much time tore-
 gain  to those powers,  efficacy and strength,
 equal to  what they had before.
   So it is with  that useful body of  subjects
 the labourers in agriculture, and in other ro-
 bust  employments, in the  open air ; habit
 begun from infancy so far steels their nerves,
 as to resist almost always the effects of heat
 and cold ;  but  they very often fall victims to
 their own incaution, though they  know that
 it is bad for them, as by drinking cold drinks,
 and lying ©n the cold grass,  or standing still,
 when they are in a sweat,  or much heated by
 violent exercise.   If this,  were frequently
 spoken of  from the pulpit, or by gentlemen,
 and farmers to  their several  labouring men,
 it is  not improbable but  it would be better
 observed, than if left to their own discretion.
  The sitting in rooms  after they have been
just washed, as is  too often  the case of the
 lover orders of people, is the cause of much
 mischief.   The living  in damp  stone kitch-
 Ji3 is also the destructi on of many hundreds
 ii servants yearly. 
56        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.
  The letting wet clothes dry upon the back
has caused many a grievous rheumatism, cob  !
ic, and ague,  which might have been avoid-
ed.   Many young workmen, such as masons,
plaisterers, carpenters, paperhangers, paint-
ers  &c.  are cut off in. their prime from the
ill effects of cold damp houses, wet walls, &c. '
1 have often known persons get very severe
colds, by sitting in cold damp churches dur-  /
ing the time of service, and others have been  1
equally hurt by having sat in  a best  draw-
ing-room, which was appropriated to receive
company and used only now and then ;  a fire  '"■
has perhaps been lighted a quarter of an hour ,
before the  company  met, which  draws out
the damp of the furniture into  the room, but
does not dissipate  it.  The persons sitting
still all the time, are in no situation to  resist
the bad effects*
  Beds not having been lain in for some time
 contract a damp particularly  hurtful to ma-
ay ; ill-dried Knen is also another mighty evil,
and those who have the health or happiness of
 others at all  at heart, would do  well  to be
 careful of the above particulars.
   No body of  men enjoy better health than
 coachmen and  chairmen,  who go through 
         ON COUGHS AND COLDS.       57
every vicissitude of  weather, and I attribute
it to their going so  warmly clothed as they
do.  Their health would be still more perma-
nent, if they had not a bad custom of drink-
ing warm purl, and other warm drinks, and
immediately  after going  into the cold air;
whereas a glass of any spirits or a pint of cold
strong beer, fortifies the  body against  cold
much more,  because the warm drinks open
the pores,  and the cold ones do not.
  I am sorry to see so many absurd fashions
invented for my fair country-women, fraught
with so much danger to their  health,  and of
course to their beauty.   If they are to wear
great hoops,  short stays,  and  petticoats up
to their knees, they require warm  flannel
drawers, and  warm  under coverings to keep
them from the influence of cold.  It is a mat-
ter of some surprise, that delicate as they real-
ly are,  more mischief does not accrue from
such modes of dressing.   In a morning they
are wrapped up, with close warm gowns, and
the face, neck, and chest,  carefully guarded
from cold by a warm cap and handkerchief;
and in the evening, are seen half naked in the
play house, or in a cold coach.   Or. perhaps,
after sitting  in a warm room, heated with 
58       ON  COUGHS  AND  COLDS.
large fires,  a number of candles, and full  of
people for three hours together, -then, all on
a sudden, they walk through a cold airy gal-
lery, and winding stairs, with currents of wind
blowing up ; and afterwards  are driven a mile
or two in a cold coach, through pinching frost,
or a damp midnight air.
  Our young men are equally careless in con-
ducting themselves  in the same respects,  as
well as in their  clothing:  one minute they
are in a hot crouded play-house, and the next
exposed to the cold piercing eddies, and great
currents of air that are felt round its avenues,
the larger streets, and St, Paul's; and so in-
discreet is pride, that  you seldom see them
in a great coat when they are dressed for the
evening, although they have been wearing it
almost the whole day before.
  Our young citizens are very regardless of
this circumstance ;  one part of the day they
are in a close warm  compting-house,  and in
the evening  you see  them with thin light
clothes, with the  breast open and perhaps un-
der a course  of  mercury.    Mercury  is bad
for the body when troubled with  a cold, and
it is also dangerous  to be exposed to wet and
cold during  the  time of using it.   I could 
        OM  COUGHS AND  COLDS.       59
wish the morals  of the people were  such
as not to require its so frequent exhibition ;
but as I cannot be expected to reform the age,
it is my duty  to recommend such means as
will prevent its doing mischief, where  its
specific virtues are required.
   I  observe many of our public offices'are
kept remarkably warm with fires and that the
clerks belonging to them are very subject to
consumptions, asthmas, and other complaints
of the chest  ; partly as I apprehend from their
sedentary way of life, and the certain position
of the body for hours together when writing :
and partly  from  the sudden and unguarded
manner of exposing themselves to the cold
when they  leave  their  employments.  The
mouth and nostrils should be guarded with a
handkerchief, for some time after they go out,
as  well  as  having a great coat on,  for the
cold air does mischief this way very often.
   Too warm clothing relaxes and debilitates
the body, and promotes too plentiful perspira-
tion ; a medium is therefore to be observed,
but a want of that which is proper, is attended
with more serious mischief than too warm a
clothing, if  it be not imprudently thrown by
suddenly. 
60        ON COUGHS AND COLDS.'
  Children,  that are subject to gripes, con-
vulsions, coughs,  &c.  should always  wear
warm stockings;  these, and many  of  their
complaints, arise from their limbs being chil-
led, by the severe cold of our winters, and
their legs and feet not being covered at all.
A pernicious custom!
   To conclude, if every person who  finds
himself afflicted with a cold, would take the  ,
trouble to read this pamphlet with attention,
so as to understand its contents well, and not
cursorily to catch one part, without attending  \
to the other; and  afterwards carefully to ap-  !
ply the means  here recommended, I flatter".,
myself, without presumption, that the com-
plaint would soon be removed, and the pa-
tient, instead of languishing many months of
a consumption, inconsequence of having neg-
lected  this  care, would  enjoy good health,  i
and vigour.  Were this  to be attended to in
general, it would  soon put an end to the dis-
 putes of the learned, whether our births, or
 our burials, exceed each other;  by the great
 numbers of subjects it would save to the state,
 and  shew  foreigners, that consumptions are
 rarely, if ever  contagious in England, and by
 no means so common as they are in Spain, 
         ON C0SGHS AND COLDS.        61
Portugal,  and Italy.   The great contagion
here is,  carelessness  of colds in  their origin,
which I  hope to see lessened every day.  It is
my most anxious wish, that if I have the plea-
sure to hear, that but one parent saved his darm
ling son,  or one son en affectionate and tender
parent, through these directions, I shall have a
rich reward;  and it will confirm me in an old
favourite motto,  that *' No life is so pleasing
to Godt as that which is useful to man.''7
                      F 

" J.
u ^^; 
gftgB-5-gg. P    ---lit- MB      was-------*#7*
 SUCCESSFUL  DIRECTIONS,
           HOW TO
   PREVENT  AND CUltE
CONSUMPTIONS.
-------------For want of timely care,
M illions have died of medicable wound.'..
             DR. ARMSTRONG.
 1 HERE is no disease which robs the worM
of so many useful members of society as con-
sumptions •  >   merchant, the mechanic, and
the scholar,  alikw become victims  to its fatal
influence; for not only  men  of the greatest
talents, but women, of the fairest  forms and
liveliest sensibility, who might have become
shining ornaments to the nation, and patterns
of domestic happiness, are untimely snatched
away by this cruel distemper.
  Consumptions have always been common
in this country, and I very much fear, they
are found rather to" increase than diminish, 
 64          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
 and probably from some of the following cau-
 ses.  Our youth are not so robust and strong
 as they used to be, owing to the present modes
 of  living and other bad  habits.   We have
 many more  persons employed in  sedentary
 trades than used to be, in  .large towns and in
 many businesses, which furnish the  surround-
 ing air with unwholesome materials, which
 are drawn in with the  breath, and  injure tTic
 lungs;  many are  also engaged in employ-
 ments which require an almost constant bend-
 '                                          *y
 ing of the body forwards ;  and others to press
 upon the chest, and so cause additional labour
 in respiration; and consequently to the circu-
 lation of the blood.
   Pleasure and dissipation, are  also sought  j
 after by all ranks of people; the  numerous
 places of public  amusements, are  so many   '
 seed-beds, and nurseries for colds.   In sum-
 mer as  well  as in winter, the  same danger
 prevails;  owing to persons  not considering
 with sufficient attention the nature of our cli
 mate.  At Vauxhall,  and other  nocturnal
 amusements, what numbers may be seen at
midnight-as thinly clothed, as they were in
the middle of a hot day ; the hotter the day,   \
the larger quantity of dew  naturally falls, and  j 
           ON CONSUMPTIONS.          65
sometimes the  whole  atmosphere  is loaded
with  watery vapour  and a brisk east,  or
north-east wind, blowing at the same time;
the pores being opened by the heat of the
day  more readily become suddenly closed, a
check of respiration takes place, the lungs
at the same time imbiue the damp and cold
air, and a foundation is often thus laid for fu-
ture serious mischief.
       But while the chilling dews descend,
       Let nothing tempt you to the cold embrace
       Of humid skies.
                       DR. ARMSTRONG.
   Our boys, particularly in the metropolis
'and other larg^ places, have too early, and
too frequent a knowledge of the other  sex,
 which lessens the growth  and strength of
their constitutions.  Nor does the mischief
stop here, for a certain  disorder is too often
the consequence  of such pursuits ; and the
means necessary for its cure often debilitates
the body, breaks down the crasis of the blood,
weakens the elastic fibres, and  renders the
body more liable to receive, and less able to
resist the sudden changes, which they are
 perpetually exposing themselves to.
   There  is also a practice, too common in
 large schools, and  some times in  private life,
 which has very bad effects ei t;.e constitu- 
66          ON  CONSUMPTIONS.
tion, which is Onanism.  Parents and  guar-
dians,  and those who have  the charge  of
youth about the time of puberty,  cannot be
too watchful to prevent it, or depict it  in too
hateful colours, in order to keep it from grow-
ing into a habit, and therefore become, like
all other habits,  difficult to remove.
   There is also  a pernicious custom of my
fair country women, to consume great quan-
tities of cosmetics to beautify the skin, and to
remove  pimples from  the face,  &c.   These
are all prepared  with  white  lead,  and other
deleterious poisons; for they not  only repel
thz humours, but communicate their poison-'
our qualities to  the lungs, and other tender
parts of their constitutions. Dr.  Huck  Saun-
ders told me, that  two young ladies, sisters,
died one after the other very quickly cf con-
sumptions, and  the latter confessed to him,
that she was sensible it was  in  consequence
of a white lead wash, which they had used to
whiten their skins.
   To  these  occasional causes  many  more
might be added; but as it is not my design
to write a regular rnd complete treatise  0:1
Consumptions,  I shall content  myself with
just stating the general appearances and ef- 
           ON CONSUMPTIONS.         67
fects of the disease, and such means as I have
observed to be beneficial,  or detrimental to
those who have had the disorder.
   The generality of consumptions,  as I have
before observed,  arc brought on by the neg-
lecting of colds in their early state, cr by some
other cause, which might have been as time-
ly removed, had it been attended to ;  in this
I include^such, persons as are said to be born
of consumptive parents, or in  whose family
some have died of this disease.   For altho'
I admit that many diseases  are hereditary ;
and that  very distressing  cases frequently
happen,  where this proves fatal to several, in
one, and the same family ;  yet I cannot but
think, that  many of them  might have been
prevented,  by attending to the rules stated in
this,  and the former part of this work.
  In the beginning of these sheets I have ex-
pressed myself as strongly as I was able, of
the numerous evils which arise from the want
of care ;  but I have my fears, lest it  should
happen in this case, as it happens in general,
that advice gives no new powers of resistance.
Yet I cannot again forbear warning such per-
sons as have coughs or other disorders in the
lungs, to avoid if possible the fate of a young 
68          ON  CONSUMPTIONS.
lady  in  my  neighborhood   the  beauty of
whose person could only be equalled by the
goodness of her heart,  and  amiable  endow-
ments of mind !  a case which  will not now
admit of relief,  although  it  most probably
would have done so,  had she taken the prop-
er care  in time,   or had the  disease been
thought serious  when it was remediable.  It
worked  like a worm in  the bud,  to the  un-
speakable distress of one of the best parents,
and other lamenting friends.*
   It is perhaps worthy of remark,  that most
of our youth, of both sexes, who  shew very
extraordinary marks of genius early,  are
generally of very  weak  and delicate constitu-
tions.   Their natural eagerness to improve,
and to excel, is  equally pleasing to them-
selves,  their  parents and their friends.   In
this case,  the very numerous, and arduous
studies, and other necessary qualifications for

  • And alas ! she and several others are since numbered with the
dead, who might now have been conspicuous ornarrents to human
nature, and a blessing to  their friends and acquaintance.  And
wha* a heartfelt satisfaction would it have been  to the Author of
this work,  had any of these precautions been seen and observed by
any one of these amiable young persons  But all the trouble and
anxiety which he has had in sending this work to the wor/d  is
more than re-paid, by having  been the means of snatching-, as it
were, an amiable lady from the grave, who was in this predica-
ment, to the great comfort of a deserving and tender husband, anal
the unknown benefit which a mother is to a young family. 
           ON  CONSUMPTIONS.          69
 the completion of the character  of a bright
 genius, become too mighty for them to un-
 dergo with safety to  their health.  Nature,
 at this time of life, has many important offices
 to perform, which are impeded by too great
 exertions  of  any kind ;  the solids become
 weakened, instead of accumulating strength •
 the smaller vessels are  unfit for their several
 functions, for the want of that principle which
 nature employs  in  giving firmness, power,
 and exertion to the  constitution,  when it  is
 weak from any cause, and particularly in such
 persons as cut-grow  thtfir  strength.   The
 whole  frame  insensibly becomes diseased,
 and is sometimes in  the greatest danger, be-
 fore the patient, or the friends, suspect that
 medical assistance is  necessary ;  and happy
 is it,  when that assistance can reach the real
 cause, or do any permanent good.  There-
 fore, ye parents  ! who have children of this
 description, consider that shining abilities will
 make  their own way, and  will not be ob-
 scured by time,  that the fruit will be ripe in
 due season, that bodily strength is necessary
 to great exertions of the mind, and that ma-
 ny of the choicest plants, and most beautiful
flowers?- require the minutest, as well as the 
 70         Oy CONSUMPTIONS.
 most diligent care to bring them to mature
 strength and beauty, and when arrived to that
 certain pitch, will bear many a nipping frost,
 and piercing cold, without injury, which but  ,
 a little before  would have  deprived them of
 existence.   The above  cases  often end  in
 consumption ;  therefore great judgment  is
 necessary to distinguish the  true cause, and
 to apply proper remedies.  And whoever is
 thus circumstanced, I cannot but  urge them
 to guard against so distressing a situation  in
 time.
   The most frequent causes which occasion -
 consumptions,  are  the small  pox,  measles,  i
 and several other species of eruptions repelled  *
 upon the lungs ; customary evacuations hav-  i
 ing been stopped suddenly t such as issues,
 sweaty feet, the menses, &c. colds neglected,
 ill cured inflammation,  spasmodic  asthmas,
scrofulous affections, tubercles, a  spitting  of
 blood from the lungs, a malformation of the
bones of the chest, tight stays, and other cau-
 ses which impede the free action of respira-
tion.  Absorption of matter from an abscess,
 women giving suck  beyond their strength,
 or when emaciated by other profuse  natural
drains, the materials of several manufacturers 
            ON CONSUMPTIONS.         71
 being drawn into the lungs in the act of res-
 piration, such as barbers,  mealmen,  glass
 grinders, stone cutters,  &c. &c. all tend to
 the same destructive end.
    If the consumption arise from violent colds,
 the symptoms may be gradually traced from
 the beginning ; but, if from any of the above
 mentioned causes, it requires discernment to
 discover what its cause may be,  that it may
 have its correspondent cure, as may be seen
 by the following case, though arising from an-
 other cause.  A lady,  without any previous
 known cause, or  apparent  neglect, seemed
•  becoming consumptive, very able physicians
 had been frequently consulted,  and every ra-
 1 tional means were used for her cure but with-
 out effect.  One day I asked her, if she had
 any objection to an issue ?  she answered no,
 that she had had one all her life, till within a
 few months, when she was desired to dry it
 up, but now she began to recollect, she had
 never been well  since.   An issue was instant-
 ly made, and she very soon  after got well,
  and still continues so ; this is four years ago.
   Persons who are mostsubject tobecome con-
  sumptive,   are of a delicate make, fair com-
  plexion and  florid countenance,  soft skin, 
72          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
long necks, narrow chests,* prominent shoul-
ders,  and  hips sticking out like wings,  with
hollow temples, thick upper lips, and teeth
of a milky  whiteness.   Many  of the above
description have constitutionally weak lungs,
and the glands of the neck, lungs and bowels,
are often obstructed, but these do not al-
ways produce mischief, till colds or tome oth-
er cause, excites inflammation, which ends
in suppuration, hectic fevers, ulcers and con-
sumption.
  Sometimes, where tubercles are the imme-
diate cause, and have been made tender, from
too great  exercise, breathing  bad air in hot
crouded rooms, improper food, colds, &c. the
beginnings are hardly perceivable, the cough
not being very frequent at first, generally dry,
or unaccompanied with much expectoration,
and that, mostly of a light frothy mucus, mixed
with air,  and mostly in  the morning, and ex-
citing vomiting ; the patient feels an uneasi-
ness about the chest, or a  sense of pain on ly-
ing down,  on one or both sides, or under the
breast bone ; the breathing is also oppressed
with the least quickened motion, and partic-
ularly so m hot rooms, or  in moist weather ;
his spirits are very irregular, being sometimes 
©N CONSUMPTIONS.   ^       73
very lively  or very sad, without any known
reason; a red flush will appear upon one, or
both cheeks, especially after meals,  with  a
dryness and heat in the palms of the hands;
a particular quickness in speaking may be ob-
served, as well as an unnatural peevishness,
which gains upon them, though before of the
sweetest dispositions; all, or most  of these
symptoms, may be seen by a careful observ-
er, many months before the patient thinks of
complaining, or will acknowledge that he is
ill;  and then the cough perhaps may be found
to grow more troublesome, and all he ails is
attributed to it, and »o appease which, the fa-
mily apothecary is sent for, and is desired to
administer  some  soft balsamic; but  if  he
talks of bleeding or  regimen, which now is
absolutely necessary, he -is supposed to have
 some private views of his own to answer, or
the patient replies, that he is not bad enough
to submit to that yet; when indeed, this is
 the very time that medicine can be of real
 service.  By a little care and attention, the
 urgency of the cougli becomes abated, the
 soreness of the chest is also lessened, and be-
 ing tired of medicines, and constraint or con-
 finement, the patient thinks the rest will wear
                     G 
74           ON CONSUMPTIONS.
off;  thus, half cured, he  immediately flics to
the same round of dissipation, or exposure to
colds, or other means which first brought it
on, which does not  fail to aggravate the dis-
ease, till it ends in consumption.
  It is remarked by a very ingenious writer,*
that it  is very common for  young ladies  at
boarding-schools to cc.^.ract colds, which the
governess from a good intention, neglects  to
inform  the parents of, for fear  of alarming
them, while they are loaded with oily medicines
or  other palliating  sweets, till danger comes
on, and no means taken to remove the cause
of the disorder.  If this be true,  which I am
not inclined to dispute,  I would recommend
to their notice, the example of a school-mas-
ter,  my next door neighbour, who, when a
child's  complaints do  not immediately give
way to  proper evacuations, (which, however,
most children's complaints do) sends for  an
eminent physician.  This mode is seldom ob.
jected to by the parents,  as it is  not only the
most safe for both  master and scholar, but
very often  the cheapest;  at least the parents
are not  so  apt to suspect that medicines pre-
scribed  by a physcian can be unnecessary.
                 * Dr. Reid. 
          ON CONSUMPTIONS.           75
  After having given a description of this dis-
ease, I hope my readers will excuse my fre-
quent repetition of advice relative to taking
care in time; it is from a conviction that it
cannot be too often repeated or enforced ; for
I would rather  that a critic should say,  I had
used such a sentence too often, than one per-
son should receive any injury for the want of
attending to  it; and if this be a  blemish to
the work, I hope it will be observed by every
reader.
  I shall not say much with respect to medi-
cine here, for the reasons before given ; the
principal things which I  shall advise, will be
more to regulate the conduct of patients, by
app-ving to their reason,  matters  within their
comprehension, and such minutiae as  physi-
cians have  not always  time to direct, but
Viich in my opinion, are essentially  neces-
sary.
  In the beginning of Consumptions,  bleed-
ing is a principal  remedy, and  in  almost all
constitutions,  absolutely necessary,  which
must be repeated often,  in  small quantities,
according to the urgency of the disease, and
the strength of the patient. 
76
ON CONSUMPTIONS.
  If pain in the side, or under the breast bone,
striking straight to the back bone, oppression
in breathing, or the cough be  remarkably
troublesome, or the expectoration  streaked
with blood, no medicine can be so useful as
bleeding.   Three or four ounces of blood
may be safely taken  from very weakly per-
sons in the above cases; for these symptoms
indicate  inflammation; which will do mere
mischief, than the temporary  inconvenience,
which  mav  arise from  the weakness  from
bleeding.  Those who  are not very  weak,
may be bled once in three, four, or ten days,
if the  pains, or  other pressing evils remain.
By these means, the root of the  disease is
struck  at, and its progress  stopped.
  At the same  time that  bleeding is - neces-
sary, the body must be kept open with cool-
ing neutral salts, such as sal polychrest, cream
of tartar, soluble tartar,  &c. or the following
powder taken three  or four times a day, in
thin barley water, or any other simple vehicle,
will  answer  that purpose, and contribute to
abate feverish heat, and inflammation.
  Take  of sal  polychrest, sugar, and com-
pound  powder of gum tragacanth,  of  each a
scruple, mix one for a dose.  This may be 
          ON CONSUMPTIONS.          77
increased or ah'finished in proportion to the
effects, or a  t-a-cuo  full of the follow,.,g
pleasant ap02L.ii, may be taken three or four
times a day, for the above  purposes.
  Take cf cream of tartar and purified nitre,
of each two drams, pearl barley half an ounce,
honey two ounces.  Boil  these gradually  in
three pints of water  till  half is  consumed,
then  strain off the  clear  for use; liquorice
root may be added at  pleasure ; or where the
honey does not agree, it may be omitted.
  If the body be too  much  opened by the
above named medicines,the following draught
may be used to abate  the fever, or inflamma-
tion,  and  should be taken two or  three times
a day, or oftener, if needful.
  Take of sugar, prepared chalk,  and powder
of gum arabic, of each half a dram, nitre pu-
rified, fifteen grains,  pure water, or  simple
mint-water, two ounces.
  If  the nitre should be found to occasion
gripes, or prove too cold for the  stomach, it
may be lessened to four or five grains.  The
saline mixture,*  with or  without the emetic
tartar, may  be  taken for the like case, as in
some constitutions it  agrees best; a dram of
                 • See page 45.
                   O 2 
73          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
prepared chalk may be added to the mixture,
and the emetic tartar omitted, where too ma-
ny motions abcund.
  The inhaler should be used frequently with
the same cautions as directed in the first part;
this will lubricate the inflamed lungs,  lessen
the cough, and cause the mucus to  be spit
away with more ease and safety.
  Blisters are most safe, efficacious things in
all complaints of the chest;  it  is net perhaps
so much from the quantity of discharge which
they draw away, as from a particular effect
they have of inviting the inflammation from
within outwardly, as is found in cases of sore
throats, &c.  I therefore advise small ones to
be  applied from time to  time,  to different
parts of the chest, where the pain is, or upon
the back, pit of the  stomach, or sides ;  when
one has been on the part affected a day or two,
let it be healed, and in a day or,two after, ap-
ply another to some other part, if wanted —
This is less painful,  and  more efficacious,
than what is called a perpetual blister, for with
that there are  fresh flies applied,  and more
{rouble in genera].
  Issues between the  shoulders, or between
thf  ri,bs,  in many  desperate cases,"  I have 
          9N CONSUMPTIONS.          7§
known of singular advantage.   Mr. Mudge,
and others, lay a great stress upon them;  I
have myself a good opinion of their use, and
therefore recommend them.
  As many vc.y potent  medicines might be
prescribed, and  perhaps  applied improperly,
I shall forbear mentioning any  more, except
for  violent  coughs, lest  I should  myself be
gqiltv of what- I condemn in others ;  I shall
therefore  mention  a  few simple medicines,
which will do no injury, and yet contain con-
siderable virtue, in allaying fever in the lungs,
and be at the same time  lightly nutritious.
  For this purpose. I recommend  decoctions
pr infusions of liquorice root, figs and raisins,
marsh mallows, dandelion, colts foat,comfrey,
eringo, or mullen roots, or either, sliced, and
boiled in water, until pretty much  impregna-
ted with the virtues of the plant;  an ouice
or  two to a  quart of water, and  boiled to a
pint,  will be of sufficient strength ; such as
are very glutinous, as comfrey, less of the
root will be sufficient; these sweetened with
honey,  are  most excellent pectorals.   After
fever has gone off, and the patient  weak, or in
such  a state as bark may be thought  ^dvise-
able, for the bitter pectoral herbs will gener- 
80          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
ally be  found  more beneficial than bark, ae
they do not bind the chest. For this purpose,
I recommend infusions of horehound ground
ivy lungwort, maiden-hair, elecampane, wild
succory? oak lungs, &c. The juice of icmons,
Or oranges, or any other vegetable acid,  may
be put in great plenty, in any of the drinks,
if they  agree; they cool,  and abate  fever,
strengthen the stomach,  and check night
sweats, and in  general are to be preferred to
mineral acids.
   Where there is much feverish heat the pa-
tient has alternate fits of heat and cold, and is
sometimes worse one  day than  another, not
unlike to an ague; this often leads the patient
to ask for the bark, and the doctor to consent
to its exhibition, but it is rarely of real ad-
vantage ;  and  often produces mischief in this
disease, although it is the boasted specific in
the former.
   Honey, for almost all disorders of the breast
and lungs, is a most admirable remedy. Doc-.
tors Huxham, Arbuthnot, and  many other
great men, have very justly extolled it;  and
as it does not .agree with all constitutions, I
apprehend that clarifying it would make it do
so; indeed,  some care  is necessary to  pro. 
          ON CONSUMPTIONS.           81
cure it genuine, as it is a very common, base
practice for dealers in it, to adulterate it, and
in this case no one knows what they eat.  It
may be used in common drinks, in medicine,
and on bread, instead of butter.
  Aathe cough is a very troublesome symp-
tom, during the progress of consumptive dis-
orders, it may not be amiss to give a few di-
rections, in addition to those I have already,
to keep the violence of it from doing more
mischief, while the means just recited, or such
as I shall have occasion to mention, are re-
moving the cause of the disorder.  The pec-
toral infusions and decoctions, above advised,
will generally answer the end very well, but
as there are many cases which  they will not
cure, I shall give a  prescription for a good
expectorant mixture to appease the cough,
and procure rest, and if any thing more ano-
dyne is wanted, one  or two of the expectora-
ting pills may be applied for that purpose.
  Take of mucilage  of quince seeds, six oun-
ces, oxymel of squills half an ounce, ipecacu-
anha wine one dram, liquid laudanum ten
drops, mixed. If the ipecacuhana or the oxy-
mel of squills  occasion sickness,  the whote,
Or part may be omitted.  Of which mixture, 
82          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
a dessert spoonful may be taken now and theu
to help the cough, and to sheath the passage
to the stomach ; it should be swallowed gra-
dually, and will thereby be more efficacious.
This may be called tlv healing expectorating
mixture.   And the  following,  anodyne ex-
pectorating pills.
  Take of laudanum, conserve of roses, of
each five grains, dried squills in powder, ipe-
cacuanha in powder, of each four grains. With
any syrup, make these up with care into ten
pills,  one or two of which may  be taken at
night going to bed, when necessaiy.  One
caution is very necessary whenever opiates
are given, to take care that they do not make
the patient costive, which they generally  do ;
the squills and ipecacuanha may probably
prevent  it; but  if they do not,  iase some of
the opening medicines already advised.
 When  the  lungs  are  loaded  with tough
phlegm, and unattended with pains in the side,
or under the chest, cr other symptoms of in-
flammation, from five to ten grains of ipeca-
cuanha, may be given once or twice in a week,
in a dish of tea, in the morning in bed, the
patient should  lie down after it.   In half an
hour, more or less, it will cause a gentle cf- 
            ON CONSUMPTIONS.          83
  fort to retch, and another dish or two of tea
  may be drunk, and it will come off easy.  I
  do not mean this as a regular puke, but only
  as a means to loosen the tough phlegm in the
  lungs, and by the little exertion of puking, to
  bring it away  more expeditiously, and indeed
  more safe  and pleasant, than by much cough-
  ing.
     The most difficult task, I am now going to
  impose,  which is a rigid adherence to a parti-
  cular  regimen,  without which the  choicest
  medicines lose  their proper effects, and the
  best advice  is thrown away.  The disease
  cannot be  -ured by medicine, without the di-
  et corresponds; and of the two, I would say,
  rather neglect your medicine than your food,
  for one improper meal may do more mischief
ft than any physic can be able to remove  in a
4 week.
     In almost every case of consumption of the
f lungs, where recovery is much to be expect-
  ed, (some few exceptions to the contrary be-
  ing allowed) flesh meats,  and every  prepara-ft
  tion of  tliem, must be forbidden.   Fish, as
 f partaking in some degree of the same nature,
  is also improper.  Calves feet jellies, nourish-
  ing soups, and  such things  as are considered 
84          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
 by good housewives, and people in general,
 as necessary to recruit the strength of the sick,
 are much too rich, stimulating, and heating, to
 digest properly.  In their place, a diet con-
 sisting of fruits, vegetables, milk, and farina-
 ceous substances, must be substituted. These
 w?;l be quite sufficient to support the powers
 of life, while the nature of the food will fur,
 nish a mild, soft  nutriment to the body, free
 from  irritating qualities, to aggravate the dis-
 ease ; the simplicity of which in time changes
 the whole mass of  blood and juices,  from a /;
 hot inflammatory state, to that of a pure heal-
 ing kind, which  renders the solids less sus-
 ceptible of feverish  heat.                    '
   For when the lungs, or the membranes j
 leading to, or surrounding them, are become
 inflamed from colds, or  any other cause, the
 blood, which is prepared from eating any of i
 the above-mentioned  heating things,  isofa^
 very stimulating  nature,  and produces that
 kinfl-of effect, as  urine does when applied to 4
>the eyes, or salt water to a wound.  Irritation ]i
 causes spasm, and by its effects, the blood is
 hurried through the  lungs faster than it ought
 to be, and is not properly strained and puri-
 fied, and mixed with air, (which is the natural 
             ON CONSUMPTIONS.          8$
  office of the lungs to perform) this makes the
  pulse beat almost as quick again as it does in
  health, and creates a disturbance in the whole
■  frame ;  the fever is thus kept up, and the
  constitution worn out, by the constant action,
  and re-action of the  vessels, in attempting to
  remove it.
    There is so much observance necessarv in
  this  matter, that even very mild  food may
  produce bad chyle, and therefore an irritating
  property to the blood, animal  fibres, nerves,
  or whatever else conveys the active principle
  of life or disease.  I will not dispute with ca-
•  sutsts, which of them does it;  be it sufficient
  that in my opinion, a very hearty meal taken
  of rice, or any other food equally innocent,
  may,  by distending  the stomach, lessen the
  free action of the heart, and  lungs, and by
?•• overloading  the powers of digestion, and  by
1  .filling the intestines with more chyle than can
  be properly prepared, may produce all the
  mischief we want to avoid.
    Therefore, for the above reasons,T recom-
v,mend, that consumptive persons should take
  only a little food at a time, but repeat it the
  oftener; they should not be so .careful  to at-
  tend to regular meals, but study more what 
86           ON CONSUMPTIONS.
will  remove the cause  of the disease, than
please the palate.   An ingenious person may
make, or prepare,  an almost endless variety
of dishes, from the vast  tribe of fruits, vege-
tables, &c. to satisfy* the desires of a reasona-
ble  being, without meat.  Potatoes may be
boiled, baked, roasted, and prepared in a va-
riety of ways —rice, sago, millet, salep, tapi-
oca, pearl  barley, &x. will make a numerous
tribe of pleasing  repasts.   Sallads, and ripe
fruit;  marmalades and preserves; jellies and
preparations of them ; w7ith  good, light, well
baked bread, will furnish most delicious ban-  ,
quets in their turn.   But of all the  most ge- ^
nerally  useful and  acceptable  foods, milk 3
claims the preference, and will admit ofabun-':
dance of means to make it palatable and use-  j
ful.   Runnet whey, in consumptive cases, as.
well  as  in many others, is beyond all praiseJ3
in my opinion ; the living entirely upon run-J
net whey and a little white  bread, and bakedj
apples,* for about six weeks,  restored to
health fthe author of this,  from a state the
most  dangerous;  and he truly  may say he:

  * Dr. Bay nan." says, that apples and milk saved his ltfe twice ';
 in a most deplorable and  confirmed phthisis.  He gives  many
 examples of the like kind.  See Floyer, on cold bathing., 
              ON  CONSUMPTIONS.          87
    was starved into life.   A quart or three pints
    or more, should be drank daily.
      Permit me here to remark, that much mis-
    chief is done by a common custom of weakly
?":   persons going to drink the milk from the cow,
    (as it is generally termed) it is in general too
1J   rich for the stomach, and is apt to form into
    an hard, indigestible curd, and especially when
    rum is mixed with it.  A very common, but
'    a very pernicious custom.   Dr.  Fotkergill
J."'.  took great  pains to abolish this very danger-
  •  ous practice. In general, milk is best for con-
    sumptive persons, and other valetudinarians,
;    after it has been  skimmed,  or  the grosser
    parts separated by cream of tartar, oranges,
    lemons, sorrel, raisins, or some other grate-
    ful acid. Butter-milk, asses', goats', or mares'
    milk, may be taken in  their natural state, be-
    ing much lighter than  that of cows.   When
    milk occasions gripes,  or is apt to run off by
    purging; it may be corrected by mixing  one
    half,  or a third of simple lirne water with it,
    or with the same quantity of the following
    drink.
      Take of calcined hartshorn prepared, gum
    arabic conserve of roses, pearl bark}-, of each
    one ounce.  Boil these  in a quart of water till 
  '•3          PN CONSUMPTIONS.
     i
  it i:-- reduced to a pint and an half.  This is a
 '%ht, astringent, nutritious  drink, and will
  sheath the bowels, and absorb any acid which
  may arise from, the milk, or  other causes.-—.
  Some physicians have held opinions, that milk
  would be more salutary, were the cattle to be
  fed on particular herbs;  but in mine, this pur- 4
 pose will be better answered,  by making a
 strong infusion of the herbs you want, and ?
 mixing milk with it, as you will then certain-
 ly know  the  exact  proportion  of the  herbs
 which you receive;  otherwise not.
   Turnips baked in equal parts of milk and
 water, and the juice afterwards  strained, and
 sweetened with sugar candy, and drank of-
 ten, is-vf:ry useful for coughs, as well as nou-
 rishment.
   The following is. a most  excellent  food,, ■
 which may be made and taken at pleasure;
 it may receive a variety of flavours from rose
 water, orgeat, orange flower water, &c.
   Take of rice, pearl barley, sago, and of can-
died eringo root, of each one ounce, boil thesev
in three quarts of water, till half is consumed, .*:
and towards the end put  in a quart  of milk,
then let the whole boil a little, and strain it-
for use ;  or those who choose, may eat it as 
ON CONSUMPTIONS.            89
   it is ;  those who are my weakly had better
   strain it; it will beas light as asses' milk, and
   more nourishing, and not so liable to cause a
   purging, A quarter of a pint should be taken
   three or four times a day, a little warm.
      Lettuces,  savoys, colliflowers, artichokes,
   peas, beans,  turnips, scorzenera  salsafy as-
   paragus, &c.  &c.  may  be  freely indulged
   in, and cooked in a variety of ways  It is ve-
   ry observable, that the  history of medicine
   furnish us  with a number of cases of persons
   having recovered,  after both  physicians and
   friends had given them up to die. These per-
   sons  have  been  restored by living entirely
(t  upon cucumbers, grapes, melons water-cres-
   ses milk and bread, or some  one of  them.*
   There maybe  a few cases of consumption or
   consumption of a particular kind, where more
k  generous nourishment must be allowed, but

     * I am surprised to find Dr Simmons recommend animal food
   in consumptive  cases.  Dr  Red, a defender of vegetable dier,
   gives too great latitude in allowing seme animal foods, and several
   species offish in hectic fever arising from consumption-  1 have
   been teamed into an admission of animal food,  but alwa* s saw by
   the event, the impropriety  of it, the heat and restlessness were
   increased, and  the feverish paroxy sm lasted  longer, than when
   other food was taken. It is often aiowed. 1 very well know, un-
   der 'he idea, that a consump-ion is but seldom cursd, and that it is
   right to indulge  the patients the litde time tbxy liave > y live. Such
   reasoning, our limited knowledge of the causes a ,.i even's uf dis-
   Vas. ■■., and the uncertain state of the internal organs of the patient,
   absolutely fib ids.
                         H 2 
90          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
these are rare.   But so long  as appetite is
more consulted than health, and so long as
medical men continue to indulge it, rather
than displease  their patients, consumptions
will commonly  prove fatal.    An indulgent
physician, in these cases, is like a mild judge '•
to a desperate  criminal, who injures society
by mistaken lenity.
   The  drinks  should be runnet whey,  the >\
common emulsion, Bristol water, Seltzer wa-
ter, or any light, pure, cooling  drinks,  they
may be acidulated with oranges, lemons, ap- i
pies, currants, tamarinds, or other fruits : or
sweetMied with honey, capillaire orgeat &c.
But wines, beer,  ales, and all  spirituous or
fermented  liquors,  should be considered as
improper ;  they promote fever and inflamma-  '
tion, excite coughing and increase the dis-
ease.   Coffee,  or tea, cocoa, &c. may be
drunk,  provided they  be not taken too hot,
or in too large.a quantity at a time,  and with
one third of skimmed milk mixed with them,  t
Butter, cheese,  and cream are too rich,  irri-
tating and gross to  be allowed with proprV
ety. 
             ON CONSUMPTIONS.          91
     u  I have  frequently,  (says Sir William
   Fordyce*)  seen the necessity of  quitting
   London air, to temper heat, and compose the
••  hurry of the circulation where the hectic fe-
   ver had been continued for five or six weeks
   in despite of the best medicated regimen ;  and
   ofiener than once,  I have  known the patient
   return to town in twenty four hours as free
' "  from both as if neither had formerly existed.
   I have likewise seen the most stubborn infi-
f   dels on  this subject reduced to the necessity
   of submittingto a diet of whey, milk porridge,
,   water.gruel,   fruits  or  farinaceous  foods,
   when,  in compensation  for a  penance which
 .  they thought so dreadful, they received back
   their spirits, their lungs, and their constitu-
   tions  ;  and  I have  known  many, who had
   been given over by their anxious friends on
   account of hectic complaints, recovered by so
   severe a regimen, as only tended to complete
r  the triumph of their physicians."
     Next to proper food, drinks and medicines,
   pure  air is of ihe greatest  importance to the
; ♦ recovery of  consumptive  persons;  and  we
   are well assured that  it is not sufficiently at-
• See Sir William Fordyce, on the hectic fever, 
92          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
tended to by the faculty, or wc should not see j
so many persons in the last stage of the disor-
der,  before they are sent out of London, and
other large towns.
  It is not unfrequeht for persons of a slender
delicate make,  with thin  skins, and of deli-:»
cate system of blood vessels, to be subject to.' \
lose blood from the lungs, or what is called i
spitting of blood.   This &t all times is an j
alarming circumstance, because it may prove*■'}
instantly fatal,  or end. in consumption.       «
  In women it  is not so  universally danger* \
ous. as in men, for many reasons which na-
ture takes in-providing against particular ex-
igences in their constitutions.  It is of mo-
ment to know,  whedier the blood comes from &
the lungs, the  stomach, or the passages to ^
them.   I have  seen some of the faculty puz- '.*.
zled to distinguish which ;  therefore, it is  al- *
ways right immediately  to call in the best
assistance.   What  I shall say  on  this head "
is chiefly by way  of prevention, after the first *
alarm is over.   Had I not seen many persons '
fall very quickly into consumptions, for the
wantof having used such precautions, I should
have thought  this part  totally unnecessary.
It is the duty of the medical attendants seri- 
            °-* CONSUMPTIONS.           5>\3
 ously to impress this on  the minds of their
 patients ;  but it is too often neglected ;  if di-
 rections are given, it is too often in a desulto-
 ry way, and when the doctor is gone the pa-
 tient thinks no more of them.
   I have  .been told  by some of the faculty,
 that it was for  fear of alarming their patients,
 and making them low, that they had  not en-
' forced the regimen, &c. more strongly ; but
 they should have considered  that fear is one
k of our best  instruments  to produce observ-
 ance, for all are not to be governed by reason.
:• It is too true that eight  persons  out of ten
jr'who  spit blood, die  consumptive,  in the
 course of two or three years ; and I believe
 many of them for the want of being attentive
 t o such necessary rules.
   The medical  means to be taken in spittings
 of blood, are frequent small bleedings,  so as
 to prevent a fialness in the vessels, as well as
 to act by revulsion as it is called, that the rup-
 tured parts may  never be too much pressed
 with  blood,  and that they may completely
 heal, and become strong, that others may not
 happen.
   The cooling neutral salts, as sal polychrest,
 nitre, and elixir of vitriol, tincture of roses, 
94          ON CONSUMPTI0vS'
&c. are to be liberaliser-,  so as to keep
the body open, to empty the  vessels,  and to
allay all preternatural heat in the constitution.  •?
The following electuary Dr. Huck  Saunders  4
recommended to me as the best general med-  '
icine he had found for  this purpose.          ,*
  Take of conserve  of  roses three ounces,^!
spermaceti  powdered fine,   nitre  purified, J
and finely powdered, of each  six drams, sy- J
rup of marsh mallows, a sufficient quantity^
to form an  electuary, of which the  patient ^
should take the quantity of  a large nutmeg,?;
three or four times a day, and to drink freely *
of barley water afterwards.   If   the  nitre
should be found too  cold for  any delicate j
bowels, the quantity  may be lessened.   If
there be a cough, and it should prove very '■
 troublesome at night, from two tea spoonfuls,
to one table spoonful  of  the  syrup of white •
 poppies, may be taken at bed  time  to quiet-
 it.   But let me again  take notice  that the t
 greatest caution is highly necessary, in exhib- i
 king any medicine, capable of much good,  or ,
 much harm.
   What is  most in the patient's own power
 and discretion,  is the regulation of his diet,:
 exercise, and  passions of  the mind, and  as 
            ON CONSUMPTIONS.          §5
  the intention of these cautions are to prevent
  mischief after the bleeding is stopped, as well
  as while it  is on,  he will shew his wisdom
  most, who most observes them ; for it is ne-
  cessary to do it for a considerable time after,
  and to return warily,  and gradually, to his
»  usual habits of living.
     It often happens that the patient thinks him-
  self too  soon well,  a week  or two after the
  bleeding is  stopped : his spirits feel good,
  his strength and appetite do  not fail him, and
  he thinks it  a work  of supererogation, to re-
  strain himself from, doing whatever offers it-
  self in his business  or pleasure ; yet  in gen-
  eral if he is examined closely at this time, he
x will be found to have an internal  sense  of
  tightness across the chest, a sort of obstruc-
  tion and tenderness in the lungs in fetching
*  a deep inspiration, and rather short breathed
*  ongoing up hill, but these are so slight as
 ' not to draw  his attention except he  is asked
  about them, and even  if he had discovered
  them, they are all attributed  to  weakness :
  and a little good living is thought will bring     ,
  all  about again  soon.  Thus he will go on
  till the bleeding is  brought on again, or till   j£ •„
  the ruptured vessels become inflamed, or an 
 $$          CN CONSUMPTION'S.
 ulcer succeeds, and death finishes the dread-
 ful scene.  A gentleman  applied to me very
 lately, after having spit blood, for which some
 good woman had recommended him to take
 Friar's balsam,  to heal  the vessels; which
 had nearly done more mischief in a few days,
 than my art could repair in as  many weeks.
 Let me again advise good women from thus,
 innocently, as it is thought, destroying their
 neighbours.
   The diet should be very sparingly  used,
 that is, a little at a time,  and of a mild, cool-
 ing nature. It should consist of milk, butter-
 milk, fruit, vegetables, and farinaceous  sub-
 stances.   Skimmed  milk,  water,  lemonade,
 and many other simple, grateful liquids might
 be converted into ice, and have  Wonderful ef-
 fects  in allaying heat in the lungs, and be a
 powerful  means to stop bleeding from them,
 and the stomach.
  The drinks should be  runnet whey, toast*
 and wrater, or pure water, made grateful with
 any sort of fruit, or preparations from them.
 Wine, spirits, or beer, or any other ferment-
 ed liquors, are so many poisons, from their
natural qualities and effects,  in  heating and
 stimulating the system of blcod vessels. 
             ON CONSUMPTIONS.           97
     The exercise should be very  gentle, and
  not long continued, so as to produce heat or
  fatigue.
     Any violent passions  of the mind should
  be more  than ordinarily watched; gusts of
  passion should be  particularly restrained —
  Venery is also highly pernicious.
     A man who is thus  unhappily circumstan-
). ced, must call forth his own reason; for he
"  may hurt himself a thousand different ways
k-  which cannot be here enumerated.
■     The patient should lie moderately cool in
:'  bed, and should carefully  avoid extremes of
•   heat and cold,  particularly the play-houses,
I  heated rooms, or  where much company re-
 /  sorts.  Dancing, speaking loud, singing, or
 f, blowing wind instruments, are also bad.
i;i'   The air which they breathe should be pure
;   and soft, and not open to the east, or north-
l;  east, nor in a bottom, but of a sufficient ven-
i-;<  tilation.  The air of large towns is particular-
 il( ly irritating in this state of the complaint, as
   as well as ia all others of a consumptive ten-
 7  tlency.
      An  almost universal evil prevails, of the
   faculty keeping patients  with diseased lungs,
   too long in large populous towns in bad air ;
I'                        i 
98          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
and when they can do no more for them, send
them into the country, to try at last, what
ought to have been done at the first. The air
of large towns is very bad for consumptive
complaints, and the places where patients are
sent to, near  London, I fear have not all the
advantages which might be wished.   Isling-
ton is  too populous, and too near London to
be eligible. Brompton has the like disadvan- '
tages, only it is more south.   The villages in
the vicinity  of the  river, and those  in  the
midst of, or near to large  nurseries,  abound
with bad air,  arising from putrid vegetables,
or stagnant waters.   It is unpleasant to think
that the convenience of being near to the best
London medical advice, should  thus oblige
the sick to want so necessary a means of re-
covery, as pure arr, which is of more real im-
portance than all their other medicines ;  and
the situation must be suited  to the nature of
the disease and the time of year, as it would
be  absurd to send  a very weakly person in
the middle of winter, to the summit of Hamp-
stead or Highgate-hills. There are situations
to the  south  and south-west  of these places,
which are sheltered  from {he colder winds,
and enjoy the advantages of pure air and suffi- 
            ON CONSUMPTIONS.            09
tient ventilation.  But I have known persons
recover in winter  at  Hampstead,  who  have
tried other places in vain.   The faculty have
in general, a mistaken idea of the air of this
neighbourhood, 'saying it  is too sharp.  In-
deed so it is/on the  summit in winter; but
where there is a hill, there is a dale, and the
hill must  naturally defend  the dale from cold.
   The  following  compliment was  paid to
Hampstead very  deservedly,  by  Dr.  John
Armstrong, who knew it well,  in his elegant
 poem on  the Art of Preserving Health.
                       But if the busy town
        Attract thee still to toil for power or gold,
        Sweetly thou may'st thy vacant hours possess,
        In Hampstead,  courted by  the western wind.
   Much might be  said  on the variety of si-
 tuations which  would be injurious or saluta-
 tary to  consumptive persons; but would take
 more  time than  I can  here admit;  such  a
 work, executed with ability  and candour  in
 my opinion,  would be a valuable acquisition
 to the public.*

   • Patients  seem to depend more upon medicines, than they  do
 upon a well regulated diet, and breathing a pure, soft air ; which
 in this disease are the most essential things.
   Ourc.imate being very variable, physicians recommend voyages
 to l.al. and other places, but it is seldom pursued till it is too late
 Th.->e who can aTord .lie evpence of i:, should goeaily, if they
 expect any pertiiauen; benefit, 
 100          ON CONSUMPTIONS.
   The  next thing which I  have  to recom-
 mend,   is a  proper regulation  of exercise.
 There  is nothing more injurious to consump-
 tive persons, than riding on horse-back at im-
 proper times, or in an improper degree ;  for,
 although it stands recommended by the high-
 est authorities,  both ancient  and modern, yet
 it has not been  sufficiently limited, to prove
 of benefit, without very frequently being in-
jurious.   If there be fever, spitting of blood,
 violent  coughs, attended with pains in  the
 chest or side,  or a very quick pulse, much
 exercise of any kind is improper.  But where
 these do not prevail, gentle  riding, increased
by  degrees, as  the constitution can bear, by
 giving  a general  and  equal  exercise to  the
 whole frame, proves salutary and  agreeable,
 if taken properly.   For the times  of riding,
require  attention to direct judiciously;  the

  The dephlogisticated or vital air, as recommended by my very
 worthy, and learned friend. Dr. A. Fothergill, of Bath, deserves
 here peculiar attention. "As this air, (says he) is found to be
greatly superior to the best common air, and may be procured by a
simple apparatus, at a moderate ex pence, either for the purpose of
breathing, or impregnating the patient's chamber; invalids might
be supplied with it at their own houses, withoufrelinquishing the
endearments of socicl  connexions,  and without being obliged to
seek it solitary and unknown, in a distant climate."t
  f For further particulars on  this interesting subject,  see his
Hints on Animation, and for correcting contaminated air, in two
letters to Dr. Hawes, pages IT, 31, and 7i- 
          ON  CONSUMPTIONS.         101
season of the year, temperature of the cli-
mate, and the  situation, must be all well con-
sidered.
  The common custom in the country, of or-
dering consumptive persons  to follow  the
plough, is like other means, capable of bene-
fit and injury, according as it is used.  Some
physicians have held opinions,  that a peculiar
virtue arose out of the fresh turned ground,
very salutary  for diseased  lungs, but appear
to have been ignorant  that it was merely fix-
ed air.   This of  late has been recommended
to be iahaled by some  eminent practitioners,
yet it must oe acknowledged,  that dephlogis-
ticated air is evidently much better adapted,
and more likely to prove beneficial, particu-
ly in diseases of the lungs ; but  for a weakly
person, with a fever upon him,  to walk over
the land as fast as it is  ploughed, (and in gen-
eral this is supposed to be necessary) is more
apt to increase the fever, and injure  the pa-
tient, than to assist him ;  for  the  same  rea-
sons, that riding at improper times, and in an
improper manner, proves mischievous.
   The benefit of the cooling particles which
may chance to be drawn from  the earth by the
 power of the sun, or absorbed by the body of
                    x 2 
|     102         OX  CONSUMPTIONS.
•    the patient, will be better obtained by walk-
     ing,  or  riding gently through the  furrows
     some little time after, than by being heated
     and fatigued, directly  walking by the horses.
       To ride very early in  the morning, before
     the sun has warmed the air, and dispersed the
     dew, or fog, is very  injurious, and likely to
     increase the cough ;  or  if the patient be re-
     covering, may bring  on a return of the com-
     plaint.   It is equally improper, to ride in the
     middle of a hot day, or to be exposed to the.
     intense heat of the sun ;  or to be out late in
i     the evening, when the dews are  falling, for
     the lungs are susceptible of the "cast impro-
     priety in these respects, and those who know
     the hazard, will do well not to venture.  The
     riding  in a coach or chariot, sailing in a boat,
     or any  other easy exercise in the open air, is
     preferable to walking, or any other that oc-
\     easions much fatigue.
        Coasting voyages, as well for the exercise,
     as for the benefit of  dephlogisticated air du-
     ring the summer months, may be  had re-
|     course to, with great advantage.
\        The minds of consumptive persons should
     fee kept as tranquil as possible, as gveat anxi-
     ety after business, pleasure, or study, or any 
           ON CONSUMPTIONS.         103
 other thing,  which has a  tendency to ruffle
 the nerves or disorder the frame is bad ; but
 such light things as will amuse the mind, and
 pass  the time away cheerfully, will contribute
 to the cure.   I must again say,  that anger or
 any violent passion proves extremely  injuri-
 ous  to  consumptive  persons.    Dancing,
 shouting, reading, or talking loud, singing,
 or blowing wind instruments, or any means
 which call for  much exertion of the lungs, is
 improper.  The patient should keep the bo-
 dy  in as easy and upright posture as possible,
 therefore should be  careful to avoid  leaning
 on the chest: and to let the blood have a free,
 equal circulation by refraining  from tight
 garters, tight stays, &c.   It frequently hap-
 pens  that friends and relations out of humani-
 ty and affection, attend upon consumptive and
 other sick persons ;  and either  sleep witlj
 them in the same bed, or are constantly about
 their  persons, and imbibe the effluvia, which
 necessarily  escapes from their  lungs,  and
 their  bodies,  and  especially  if  they sweat
 much ; this contaminates the surrounding air,
and when there is not a  sufficient ventilation,
must be drawn into the lungs, both by the pa-
tient and the  attendants.  Let me  therefore 
104         ON CC**SUMP1I0NS.
entreat such to  attend to  the  proper ventila-
tion of the room,  and for the  attendant to go
several times a day into the free air.   Those
who have tender lungs, or are of a delicate
make, should be  very cautious not to sleep
with the sick and if possible not in the same
room ;  for it  is the bad qualiiy of  the air
which irritates their tender lungs, and so gives
rise to a cough  &c.  and  not  specific  conta-
gion, wnich is thought by foreigners, and as-
serted by some of our own countrymen.  The
frequent  changing the   linen and  blankets
about a sick person, has many advantages,
and for a patient to remove from  one room
to another,  (where it be convenient,) greatly
contributes to a cure.   It is bad for a patient
to lie in bed long in a morning,  especially
when they have profuse sweats, for it relaxes
the body, and weakens them much, and the
skin absorbs the  fetid sweats, which  nature
had just cast out of the  constitution  as un«
wholesome, which adds to the disease.
  The patient should sleep on a matrass, and
not have too many clothes on the bed,  and as
the sweats come on to lessen them.   1 have
known the sick better from getting  up when
►he sweats began to come on.   The early go* 
ON CONSUMPTIONS.          105
ing  to  bed,  and early rising is highly neces-
sary.
   It would be much happier if patients could
be brought to consider  how much  a speedy
and permanent recovery  depends upon the
observance of such apparently trifling circum-
stances, and how little a matter deranges the
frame of  a valetudinarian !  which,  by being
neglected time after time, it becomes very
difficult to establish  a fund of good health
again ;  nor can I better conclude than by the
following lines from that excellent poem just
quoted.

  ____________________While the vital fire
  Burns feebly, heap not the green fuel on;
  But prudently foment the wand'ring spark
  With what the soonest feels its kindred touch:
  Be frugal even of that, a little give
  At first; that kindled, add a little more ;
  'Till, by deliberate nourishing, the flame
  Revived, with all its wonted vigour glows. 
\ 
          OBSERVATIONS
                  ON THE
      HOOPING  COUGH.


 X HE  Hooping Cough is a disease which
very few escape.  It is contagious, and com-
municated by  the breath.  There is some-
thing in the air, or in the bodies  of persons,
which disposes them more at one time than
at another to receive the infection.  This year
it has been  very rife around my neighbour-
hood, and every where else, as far as my inqui-
ries have extended; even as far as Scotland.
  In some patients it was mild, in others, so
severe, as to threaten consumption.  I  have
seen some mischief arise  fron\ the want of
timely care,  and  have given here the result
of my observations and success, which I hope
will prove of some utility; the means are not
new to medical men, but may be so to those,
for whom I write.
  Women, and nurses frequently attempt to
cure this disease, and sometimes  in the mild- 
108      ON THE HOOPING COUCH,
er stages of it, with success; but as practition
ers do not always discriminate between the
original disease,  and the effects  arising from
the violence of it, no wonder that the women
should fail; and by mistake do mischief.
  The complaint is certainly spasmodic when
in a simple state ; but it is often complicated
with a fever and inflammation of the chest
and lungs, which require a different mode of
treatment.   Hence, bleeding, emetics, the
bark, hemlock, cupmoss, woodlice,  and ma-
ny other medicines applied with judgment,
succeed in some cases,  and do injury  when
ignorantly, and promiscuously given in oth-
ers.
  Puking, with small doses of emetic tartar,
from time  to time,  is recommended by the
late Dr. Fothergill, and others : and this is
a very general practice ; but a practice may
be too general,  and now and then  do  harm.
The extract of hemlock has been highly spo-
ken of  by Dr. Butter ; but my experience
leads me to have no dependence  upon  it,
though it may be good in some cases.   Bark
and castor for the same reasons, cannot be
called specifics in this disease. 
        ON THE HOOPING COU.GH.      105
  As I have had some hundreds  of  children
and grown persons under my care, this sum-
mer (rich and poor) in the hooping Cough,
and have not lost one  by it ; I shall give my
general mode of treatment, as far as particu-
lar cases will admit it to be so called.
  The time which the complaint  takes, com-
ing on, and going off,  is various ; sometimes
six weeks and less,  and sometimes a much
longer period ;  as  the sick are liable to re-
lapse from colds and other causes.
  I begin, by giving a couple of purges,  with
sal polychrest' and rhubarb, and  if worms be
suspected, I  add a grain  of calomel to  each
dose.  For a child of two years old,  the fol-
lowing will generally be a proper dose.
   Take  of   sal polychrest, fifteen grains  ;
rhubarb  in powder,  seven grains ;  calomel
prepared one grain.   Mix.
   Younger   children   may  take magnesia,
manna, &c.  with half a grain of calomel,  if it
be necessary.  In all complaints in  children,
cleansing the  bowel? greatly  forwards the
cure.
   After two or three purges have been given,
 I puke them twice or thrice in a week, or
 oftcner  if need be,  especially  if children ;
                     K 
110      ON THE HOOPING CpUGH.
grown persons do not bear puking so  often,
nor so well as children.
  The following is a pleasant, and efficacious
mixture to puke children with.
  Take of emetic tartar,  four  grains ; pure
water, four ounces ; sugar, two drams.  Mix.
From one to two, or three tea spoonfuls, may
be given to a child of a year old,  early in the
morning, or about noon,  and repeat it every
quarter  of an  hour,  till it puke freely.  It
would do good to give them some tea or wa-
ter  to drink  before the medicine is given, as
they will not drink when they  are sick ; and
they will puke easier  for it.   By this means
the glands of the throat, stomach, and parts
adjacent, will be emptied and cleansed.
  When the fits of coughing are very violent,
and  disturb their rest,  from  half a drop of
Laudanum, to three or four  ; or a tea spoon-
ful of syrup of white poppies,  may be given
to  appease it, either in water  or  in  other
drinks, or in some of the following mixture.
  Take of syrup of red poppies,  oil of sweet
almonds, of each six drams,  antimonial wine,
one dram, of oil of amber, ten drops.   Mix.
A tea spoonful of this, and one drop of lauda-
num, may be given to a child of a year old, at 
        ON THiE HOOFING COUGH.       HI
bed time ;  to older children rather more, so
as to produce the desired effect. A tea spoon-
ful without the opiate may be giventhreeor four
times in aday. This is a simple balsamic medi-
cine,  and a good  antispasmodic, and  allevi-
ates the little fever which  comes on towards
evening.   It will  be  right to begin always,
with  a small quantity of the opiate, lest it
should not agree with some constitutions.
   If  the fever be constant,  and the  patient
hot,  and  thirsty,  encouraging him to drink
freely of saline mixture,* without the emet-
 ic tartar ; or four drops  of antimoniai wine,
 and ten of sweet spirit of nitre taken in any
 liquid, three or four times a day,  have good
 effects in reducing the fever.
    When the breathing  is very difficult, and
 the violence of the cough occasion a blackness
 in the face, and neck, with symptoms of suf-
 focation, it is necessary  to take aw vy a little
 blood, either from the arm, or the application
  3f leeches to the temples.   I have known an
  xmceor two of blood from the nose, give a
  critical turn to the disease.  The blood  be-
  ing detailed in the lungs and the great vessels
                   See page 45. 
112     ON THE HOOPING |OUCH.
leading to the head,  when the breathing is
long suspended by coughing, makes it neces-
sary to bleed, in proportion to the  age. and
strength of the patient, and to repeat it, if the
difficulty be  not removed.
   A blister in the above situation, applied to
thepit of the stomach, or if that  be objected
to, between the shoulders, from time to time,
will do service.   A plaister of equal parts of
mithridate, and oil of mace,  will also  contri-
bute to appease the violence  of it, if applied
to the pit of the stomach, when  there is no
blister there.
   All the above means, and many others are
necessary sometimes, to lessen the force of the
disorder, and prevent its proving  immediate-
ly fatal.
   Others I shall now speak of, to strengthen
the constitution, and make it bear up against,
and resist the destructive effects, which the
fever, and other violence of the disease may
produce, that a consumption,  or  some other
evil may not be the consequence.
   As I think I have seen good effects from
effluvias;  I have often  contrived that the sick
should be surrounded with the odours of as-
safetida, garlic,  oil  of  amber, or camphor, 
         ON THE HOOPING COUCH.      113
 either by  causing some one of them to be
 worn in a bag, or by dissolving them in some
 kind of spirit, as rum, &c. and rubbed down
 the back,  and about  the chest  twice a day.
 But I  give the preference  to two drams  of
 camphor dissolved in an ounce of oil of sweet
 ♦almonds, for the above purpose.
    This method  I  continue  for  about a fort-
 night or three weeks, more or less, as the ca-
 ses require ; and  if the cough continue, and
 there be no material fever, I endeaver to  give
 the bark in as large  doses as I can.   Chil-
 dren will sometimes take it in milk, or  trea-
 cle ;  half  a dram, three times  a day,  for a
 .child  of two years old, will soon cure the dis-
 ease in this stage of it; from five to ten grains
 of saffron, or castor joined with it, will  help
 the effects of the bark.
    Where  it cannot be given  by the mouth, a
 strong  decoction  of  the  bark,  with  half  a
 dram of assafetida, dissolved in it, and given
 by wav of clyster, will often succeed.   I have
 known a cure  by quilting three or four  oun-
 ces of the  powder of bark between  two pie-
 ces of old linen, and worn round the body
 night and day,  for a time.   In some e.ises,
 bark  boiled in  milk,  and  used as a  bath,

t 
      114      ON THE HOOPING COUGH.
      where we have been anxious for its peculiar
      virtues has proved  beneficial.   For children
      at the breast the nurses may take  the bark,
      and some virtue will be conveyed   that way.
      Adult persons are soon relieved by large do-
      ses of bark, when  the inflammatory symp-
      toms are gone.  Castor and opiates, may bf
      occasionally conjoined.
        Cupmoss, is a common remedy in  the hands
     ,o£ old women, and  does service very often ;
      its virtues are pretty similar to the bark, only
      weaker.
        Woodlice infused in wine,  I have known
      of service, but the juice of them, when bruis-
      ed and  is much better  without wine : wine
      in any large quantities being not good for chil-
     dren.
        Musk  is a pleasanter remedy than any I
      have  yet mentioned, end  perhaps  not at all
      inferior to any as an antispasmodic.   Where
      there is much convulsion  with the cough,
[      from  ten grains to a scruple, or half a dram
      ground with sugar,  should be given three, or
      four times a day, if you expect real  benefit
1      from it.   Given in  large doses it is a power-
      ful drug ; but its dearness  makes  it not be
      lied  so often, or in  such large doses as -it 
ought, and only those of good fortunes can
afford to pay for it.
  I hardly know how to separate what may be
necessary to all, from that which might be
only useful to some particular persons. Some
fond mother may receive a hint from some of
these medicines, and  suggest the exhibition
of them to her  medical attendant;  or it may
teach her how to go hand in hand with him,
and not to let a favourite  nurse mislead her,
to do improper things.
   But I trust no person can  do  mischief by
following what I advise provided they have a
previous  knowledge of the state of the dis-
ease, and without which, whatever the givers
of any medicine may think, they may depend
upon it. that it  is highly sinful, as well as dan-
gerous.   The intention in these  cases justi-
fies the deed but very seldom.
   The diet of such as have "the disease unat-
tended by inflammation, should consist  of
milk-porridge, weak  broth,  fruits, rice, &c.
and in some cases animal food, fish, &c. may
be allowed ; but where the fever or cough is
very violent, and continues any length of time,
animal food should not be permitted ;  but the
diet in every respect should be as strictly ma- 
116      ON THE HOOPING COUGH.
naged, as is directed in consumptions; for
there is great danger of producing one.
  All the bad cases which  I have seen, have
had the same symptoms as those have who
are consumptive from other cause, only that
they whoop in  their coughing ,•  and this
whoop often remains from weakness of par-
ticular organs, or from the power of habit on
those parts, after the infection is gone; and
they have all been cured by the  same means
that I have directed for consumptions.
  Pure air is of the greatest importance in the
cure of the hooping cough. It is necessary in
all its stages ; but absolutely so, wh^re it is
very bad, and has laid great hold on the con-
stitution, » I have sometimes thought, that
changing the air from place to place, has pro-
ved of advantage ; but in general, where the
diet and other  things are conducted  right,
they have done  very well  in my neighbour-
hood.  The soil is chiefly gravel  and sand,
mixed with a gcod loam, and free from stag-
nant waters, and corrupting vegetables, and
near enough to town to  have all its conveni-
encies, yet out of the influence of the smoke
arising from it. 
        • N THE HOOPING COUGH.      117
  The air of large towns, and populous pla-
ces, always aggravates  '..t hooping cough,
and however proper it may be for the sick to
stay in them, till the very dangerous part is
over; it is really necessary for the patient to
go somewhere into the country afterwards, to
remove the effects of the disease, and prevent
a relapse, or a consumption,  which too often
succeeds this tedious,  and  frequently fatal
complaint. 

 
            OBSERVATIONS
                    Oil THE
               ASTHMA.

   A
  1 *■ STHMA, like the gout, is rarely cured.
  It may be ranked as one of those diseases
  which bring an opprobrium on the art of me-
  dicine. But while mankind are lamenting the
  inefficacy of physic, they forget how much the
'  cause, as well as the cure of the disease, de-
.  pcnds upon themselves.
     When  we  look round on those who are
  troubled with asthma, we find that many of
  them have been either great'eaters or drinkers,
  or both ;  and tho' there nrny be many excep-
  tions, it is not less true, that grossness of liv-
  ing is too often found to produce it. Numbers
  have  it hereditarily ;  many from effluvia ari-
  simr from materials made use cf in trades and
  l.iaiiufactures, and from various other causes.
     Neglect of colds  is  a frequent cause of
  asthma  But from whatever cause it may ori-
  ginate, it is rarely attended  to, till necessity 
120         ON THE ASTHMA.
obliges the sick to apply for relief; and  of,
ten, from the lateness of  the application, in
vain. For, from  a neglected cold, only for a
little while,  the lungs may  receive such an
impression as can never be removed; and an
ahstma, or consumption,  may be  the conse-
quence.
   There are several species -of asthma, some
are dry and  spasmodic,  attended  with  great
difficulty in  breathing, and the sick has the
sensation of being suffocated; this kind is
not  always  accompanied with a  cough, but
often with a train  of nervous symptoms.—
Others are of the humid kind, as they  are
called, being attended with  a constant expec-
toration of phlegm, together with  difficulty of
breathing, cough, and sense of suffocation.,
   In all cases of Asthma, the  blood is impe-
ded in its circulation through the lungs, either
by spasm, phlegm, or other offending matter,
acting upon the sensible parts.
   Where there is a sense of suffocation, much
difficulty in breathing, great heat in the chest,
a full pulse, and flushings in the face; bleec-
ing must be the first remedy.   The quantity
taken away must depend upon the violence
 of the symptoms. It is said by some writers, 
            ON THE ASTHMA.         121
that  we must not bleed  in the  spasmodic
asthma; but if the above symptoms come on,
bleeding is a superior remedy to any I know.
In the above distressing state,  if  something
be not done soon to move the springs of life,
this disease will soon prove fatal.   Bleeding i
is  therefore proper, except  some evident
weakness forbid it.   But to repeat it, will re-
quire much consideration.
   After bleeding, unload the  lungs of the
phlegm, or whatever else may obstruct them ;
this  should be done by  emetics,  which by
stimulating the stomach, agitate the surroun-
ding parts, and empty them of the offending
matter.
   A blister shculd be put on the  pit of the
stomach, or between the shoulders, to rouse
the smaller vessels, and draw off, or prevent
inflammation.   Oxymel of squills, mjlk of
ammoniacum, and volatile alkaline salts, &c.
contribute  to  take of spasm, and encourage
expectoration.
   In many cases opiates are proper, but like
the above medicines, must be administered
by judges.  Great attention should be paid
that the body be kept open;  and  if not so, a
clyster of a pint of water  gruel, two ounces
                    I. 
122         ON THE ASTHMA.
of honey or sugar, and a spoonful of common
salt and sweet oil mav be used.   Those who
ere accustomed to be costive, should have oc-
casional recourse to some of the  opening re-
medies, recommended, where I  treat of the
cure of colds.   There  is creat consent be-
tween the bowels and the lungs ;  if the bow-
els be loaded, the luncrs always suffer.
  Persons  subject  to  have  fits  of  asthma,
should never be without something by the
bed-side, to appease the  violence of it,  as it
frequently happens in the night.  Sometimes
penny-royal water, or rue water  distilled, or
made into tea,  and  strongly impregnated With
the virtue of the plants, do service.   A tea-
spoonful of sal  volatile, or hartshorn in water,
will relieve .sometimes.  A  cup of mustard
whey may also succeed.
  From the experience which I  have had of
the following  medicine, I would advise  no
asthmatic person to be  without it by the side
of their bed.  It will relieve the urgency of
thq symptoms, till  other advice can be had.
  Take of gum ammoniacum, gum sagape-
num, and assafetida, of each a dram, dissolve
them in seven  ounces of water, orpenny-rov-
al water, by beating them in a marble  mor- 
             ON THE  ASTHMA.         123
tar ;  then add of oxymel of squills, one ounce,
antimonial wine, two  drams, elixir parcgori-
cum, three drams, mixed.  From two to four
table spoonfuls of this mixture, may be taken
every two, four, or- six hciirs, according as
the complaint is more or less severe.
   To enumerate all the varieties of asthma,
with the particular treatment necessary for
 each, would carry me beyond my present de-
 sign.   The following medicine will relieve in
 many cases, but may not suit in all.   For in
 violent fits of asthma, medical aid is necessa-
 ry, and the proficients in the art, are now and
 then, obliged to change the method of cure in
 the course of a few hours. Therefore, persons
 not of the faculty, should not attempt to ad-
 minister medicine, except on an emergency,
 where other advice is not to be had.  Neither
 will any person receive much good perhaps,
 by  taking medicines of his own prescribing.
    Many persons who have  habitual asthma,
..and are accustomed  to expectorate a great
 deal of phlegnl, feel no great inconvenience,
 except it become checked by the  effects  of
 cold and moisture, the fumes of metals, &c.
    A cold easterly wind,damp air, wet feet,&c.
  will in the course of a few hours, cause such a 
124         ON THE ASTHMA.
stoppage of the usual expectoration, or  such .
a degree of spasm as to reduce  the  patient
even in that time to a state of danger,  in this
case, put the feet into warm  water, with the
precautions  before directed, let  the  patient
have a simple clyster, give warm drinks, such
as wine whey,  (or  vinegar whey,  except
where the gout is in the habit) or water gruel
sweetened with honey.   Put the  patient into
a warm  bed, and try to produce  a perspira-
tion.
  Bleeding perhaps may be necessary, as well
as other means ; but judges must adopt them.
A little  of the asthmatic mixture may be gi-
ven here with advantage.
  Some persons, during the winter season,
are very much troubled with difficult breath-
ing, and are not well, except they discharge a
good  deal of phlegm, night and morning, or
perhaps during the whole day.  Such persons
will find relief from the  following pills.
  Take  of gum ammoniacum, gum sagape- .
num, balsam of tolu, flowers of  benzoin, of
each one dram, dried squills  in powder, pow-
dered ginger, and Venetian eoap, of each half
a dram, with a sufficient quantity of syrup of
balsam,  make fifty pills ; two, three, or four 
            QI\'  THE ASTHMA.         125
of which may be taken at bed-time, or night
and morning, when necessary.
   Frequent vomiting with small doses of ipe-
cacuanha,  is recommended by Dr. Akenside,
and other  eminent physicians, for asthmatic
persons.   It is a practice I have pursued with
advantage.  From three, to five grains of ipe-
cacuanha  powder,  may be given two; three,
or four times a week, to empty the glands of
the phlegm, and of whatever els« may impede
the breathing.  '
   Dr.  Cheyne was  very fond  of iEthiop's
mineral, as well for the sulphur it contains, as
the quicksilver; both of which he strongly
recommended in asthma.  Dr.  Dover de-
serves the thanks of society, for the prescrip-
tion of his sweating  powder; and some at-
tention  for his advising  the use of quicksil
ver, in the cure  of asthma.  He has publish-
ed the cases of many respectable persons, in
his Physician's Last  Legacy, wherein quick-
silver proved  remarkably useful   And al-
though it  may not be so generally efficacious
as he  wished the  world to think, there is
abundant  reason to  believe, that  it may be
^ivrn to asthmatic persons very often, with
advantage.
                    12 
126         OX 1 HE ASTHMA.
  Many patients have taken it with  success
within my own knowledge, when all  other
means had been tried in vain,
  In asthmas of the humid kind, and where
the common means do not give  the  desired
relief, I would advise a  trial of an ounce of  -'
quicksilver every morning, for  some continu-  i
anee.                                       j
  I know not how it cures,  but I am conten-
ted with  my ignerance, if it will produce the  )
expected relief.  Dr. Dover-hurt the medir
cine,  by ordering it without sufficient limi-   ;
tation.  And  many persons are  too apt to   '
think, that if a medicine will not  cure every  ,]
thing, that it is good for  nothing.   A  medi-
cine of much power or of much virtue, will  i
never submit  to fashion  or caprice,  nor be  -•'
always successful by  promiscuous applica-
tion,
  To relieve asthma, and to prevent frequent
returns of the  fits, requires a consideration of  1
the several causes which have influence on the
patient's constitution.   It is proper to know -J
how far other diseases may contribute to pro- ''j
duce it.   The  frequent complications of gout, -"
scurvy, rheumatism, dropsy, §x. make it ne-  •; 
            ON THE ASTHMA.         127
cessary  to attend to this, if  we would adapt
a judicious method of cure.
  How often has asthma, and  many  other
chronic complaints, originating from suppres-
sed scurvy, gout and other latent evils in the
constitution, been relieved by medicines giv-
en for those complaints !
  The causes of diseases are sometimes very
obscure.  No physician has  yet been able to
say, in what manner many diseases are caused
in  the  human body ; or what the nature of
those qualitirs are which produce them ; nor
is it always known  how a  simple medicine
can work  the  wonderful benefit  which one
sees sometimes arising from it.
  Let not the  valetudinarian be  dis mayed,
though his complaints do   not give way so
soon as he might wish, or  expect;  nature
may have  many valuable stores yet untried,
which may be called forth by cautious exper-
iment.  Let him chuse a prudent, careful, and
attentive man for his medical guide, live strict-
ly temperate himself,  and time, and patience
together,  with  other means, may remove ma-
riv stubborn chronic disorders.
  " In asthmatic cases,  the advantages which
 may be derived from simples, are very great, 
 1^8         ON THE ASTHMA.
decoctions,  or infusions of  the  following
plants,  according  as they are more or less
powerful, or the disease more  or less violent,
may be applied.   They are all in a degree
bitter, aromatic, and stimulating; some more
than others.
   They have a tendency to brace the  stom-
ach, correct viscid juices, to rouse the remo-
ter vessels to action, and some  other powers
over the human frame,  in  particular com-
plaints,  which  are  inexplicable.   Where
there is much fever, they are seldom proper ;
but in weakness of habit; in laxity of fibres,
and in cold phlegmatic constitutions, they are
very useful.   These  are  horehound, Paul's
betony,  carduus   benedictus,  elecampane,
ground-ivy, garlic,  wake-robin,  buck-bean,
mustard, soapwort,  wild camomile,  iris,  and
many others.  These are not new, but not so
often used as they should be ; they only want
to be adapted  to each particular case.  Gar-
lic infused in any spirit, or in water,  in moist
asthmas, and dropsical  complaints  will give
great relief.   Dr.  Lind  says, it  is  the best
preservative against the  efflcts of co!d  and
moisture in northern climates ; and  I think
it would be an excellent preventative against 
            ON THE  ASTHMA.     _   129
the ague, and other complaints in many of our
marshy and fenny countries,  and  the poor
may have it in plenty, on account of its cheap-
ness.
  The asthmatic patient  will receive much
benefit from some artificial drain.  A large is-
sue between the shoulders, or on one or both
thighs would be useful or  at least mitigating.
  Half an ounce of mustard seed just bruis-
ed, and taken in a glass of water, in the morn-
ing early for the  humid kind of asthma, is
very often beneficial.
  From a tea  spoonful, to three or more of
gether, may be taken in a  pint of barley wa-
ter,  for very obstinate  spasmodic asthma
twice a day, with much benefit.  Begin with
a small quantity first, and dilute it largely.
   The juice of millepedes, or woodlice, have
been celebrated for obstructions of the lungs,
and not without reason.   It is a safe and ea-
sy  remedy, but it requires to be taken in
large doses, and for some time*, as do most
other things in th-Ls disease, to produce any
permanent effect.
   Four large  apoonfols of the juice should
be taken twice, or thrice a day; which is pre-
pared by bruising the woodlice alive in a mor- 
 i  ■
130         ON THE ASTHMA.
tar, and then strain the juice through a mus-
lin rag.
  The diet of asthmatic persona should al-
ways be of light and easy digesiion, and nu-
tritious.   The tender animal foods,  fish, &c.
may be taken where there is no £c\er.  But
pork, bacon, salted meats, and the like, should
be avoided.  People are not aware how much
these clod, and fill the constitution with coarse
juices, and how much additional labour the
stomach, and- the lungs, are obliged to under-
go, after a hearty meal  of this sort of food-.
An asthmatic person should never  eat what
one would call a hearty meal, or a belly full,
for the above reasons; by  greatly distending
the stomach, the-lungs  become  more confin-
ed, and  receive  injury.   They had better
eat four  times  a day,  than indailge  one full
meal.
   New baked bread, rich pye  crust, boiled
flpur puddings, hot rolls and butter, buttered
toast,,  muffins, &c. all  tend to disorder the
stomach, produce bad juices, which produce
phlegm,  and stimulate  the lungs,   I cannot
enter minutely into all improper foods ; but
any person may see my  idea plain enough, and 
             ON THE ASTHMA.         131
icfrain from things that are of  a doubtful na-
ture.                               __
  Many persons refrain from taking milk, be-
cause they suppose that it  turns  to phlegm ;
this is a vulgar error.   Milk is an excellent
nutriment  where it will agree.   It is lighter,
and better, skimmed,  than when just taken
                                          -a
from the cow :  for  when there  is acid in die
stomach, the thick  parts of the  milk are apt to
curdle,  and cause uneasiness.  A  little  lime
water, or prepared  oyster shell powder, will
correct  the ascescent qualities  of  the  milk
wliere it is used to gripe ; if put into the  milk
when it is taken.   Asses', goats', and mares'
milk, are excellent in complaints of the lungs,
where  milk is necessary  ;  being  cooling,
light, and nutritious ;  they should be taken
in larger quantities than is conimonly order-
ed.
   Tea  to many constitutions  is very injuri-
ous,  especially to such as have weak nerves.
Where it agrees,  or is particularly grateful
and desired, it should not be  drank too hat,
and should consist of one half or a third of
milk.
   To coffee, there are also objections in  some
 constitutions ; but in asthma arising from af- 
132         ON THE ASTHMA.
fections of the  nerves, coffee made strong
will relieve a fit. It was usual for Dr. James,
to order four ounces of coffee to be boiled in
a pint, or a pint and a half of water, and a cup
of it to be drank every half hour, or oftener,
till the spasm abated.
  Milk chocolate, or milk coffee, which is not
made  too strong of the  coffee, or too thick
with chocolate, may be taken in common, as
breakfast or supper; milk porridge, leek por-
ridge,  &c. are  very  proper.  Dry  toasted
bread, with honey, or some preserve, or mar-
malade of fruit, &c- may  be eaten with the
tea, chocolate, &c. where tea, or any of the
above things do not agree, some of the aro-
matic herbs may be used as such, viz. the
outer  rind  of  orange  peel cut fine, or the
leaves of the  orange  used as tea,  are very
grateful and wholesome, as*are the flowers of
rosemary, lavender, and the leaves of mint,
balm, and sage, &c.
  What I am  now going to advise,  I do not
expect will be followed by many of my coun-
trymen. The custom of drinking such quan-
tities  of  beer;  wines, and spiritous liquors,
they are so habituated to, that it will be hard
for them to conquer their desires;  but  it is 
                ON THE ASTHMA."         133
   the act of a wise man, " of two evils to choose
   the least;" pain is an evil, and too great in-
;   dulgence in them producetl/pain; therefore
   a. wise man would refrain from drinking too
   much of them. Persons troubled with asthma,
   should drink toast and water, or runnetwhey.
   They are the most wholesome  dilutents  in
   nature.  Many serious complaints are produ-
,   ced by the poisonous qualities in fermented
   liquors, which are erroneously attributed  to
;   other things.  Those who cannot  refrain from
|   the habit of drinking them,  should take care
}   that their liquors be genuine,  and sufficiently
,   aged.
     Nothing will be more conducive to health,
   or to prevent fits of the asthma,  than proper
i   clothing; particularly, keeping the feet warm
f  and dry.   It is not uncommon  for persons
   who are fond of gardens, to stand still on the
}.  cold, wet ground; and afterwards to let their
   wet shoes and  stockings dry on their feet;
   and perhaps their clothes, if  they happen to
;   be only a little wet; this sort of  negligence,
   has destroyed its thousands of men, and mil-
 ,  lions  of women.
     Those who are  subject to asthma, gout,
 :  &c. &c. should wear  warm stockings, and
\                     M 
134         ON THE ASTHMA,
cork shoes, as a means of prevention. A Hani
nel waistcoat •worn next to the skin in wintet
is also proper.
  That ornament to his country, the honour-
able Mr. Robert Boyle, preserved his life;ma-
ny years, by regulating the thickness of his
clothes, by the degree- of cold pointed out by
the thermometer.  Every person cannot, and
perhaps ought not to do this; but the  weak
and tender  valetudinarian would find his  ac-
count  in it, and many are untimely snatch-
ed  away from a neglect of  such necessary
and practicable cautions.
  High and elevated situations arc found best
to agree with  asthmatic persons ; especially
such places as  are not  near  to marshes, or
stagnant waters, or frequented by much rain
or fog.  A fine, thin, pure air, expands the
lungs, while  thick,  moist   air,  oppresses
them, and adds to the disorder.
  But there are some persons that bear the
air of towns, better than that which is  more
pure ;  these, however, arc not many.
  Those situations are best which face the
south, and  south- west, and are defended from
the north, and north-east winds. Some parti-
cular warm, defended places on the sea-coast, 
 i             ON THE ASTHMA^         13£
 ^ and iit some of the interior counties,  agree
 [  with asthmatics very welh
     The west side of Hampstead, is also very
 *  salutary for asthmatic persons ; indeed asth-
 ';■ fnatic patients do very well any where  in this
 J* neighbourhood, except on the very summit
   of the hill in very  cold weather.  Many other
   places may be as  good, but my  experience
   does not enable me to point them out.
 ?    With respect to exercise, where the asth-
 <  ma is unaccompanied by  fever or  inflamma-
 l  tion, the more a   patient  is able  to take so
   much  the  better ; particularly if it  be on
f  horseback.
;    Exercise promotes a regular,  and  equal
   circulation of the  blood, and promotes all tfye"
!  animal functions.
17    Chronic complaints in general require this.
   Where horse exercise  cannot be borne,  the
   dumb bell, a chamber horse,  or a daily  use
1  of the flesh brush is really necessary.  Sed-
   entary persons should attend to this, as many
   of their complaints arise from inaction.
     It is to be lamented that very studious men,
   and many of the  greatest  scholars, and best
   writers,  are  very negligent in this respect.
   The*' would be able to do themselves,  and 
136         QN THE ASTHMA.
the world more service,  did  they pay more
attention  to it.  They  would prolong, their
lives, have  better  health, and consequently
more enjoyment.   And I  shall consider it as
one of the happiest  circumstances of my life,
should this paper fall into the way of one thus
situated, and become the means of serving
either him, his relations, or the public.
F I  K I S. 
 
 
M«XH.st.








  t-J.