the blood, retaining its
essential qualities; for metals in general, except mercury, are
suspended in liquids in _solutis principiis_, or principles disengaged,
which are thus deprived of their metallic properties. Iron, entering
the body as a volatile vitriolic acid, cannot act by its specific
gravity as mercury does; it therefore acts _per accidens_, and not _per
se_. But admitting that waters, however impregnated with iron, are
efficacious in checking all diarrhoea and other profuse evacuations,
by closing the relaxed vessels, and incrassating the fluids, yet as
they prove sometimes so astringent as to stop the natural secretions,
the consequences are frequently cramps, dangerous convulsions, which
often end in fevers, inflammations, and mortifications, their
indiscriminate use should be most cautiously avoided. Chalybeates, thus
contracting the least pervious glands, should not be taken in acute
inflammations, or in any complaints that are attended with a quick and
strong pulse, a plethora, or extravasation of humours. They are equally
dangerous in all nervous contractions, or where the blood is got into
the arteriolae, or capillary vessels. Thus, instead of acting like the
sanative tea, which softens, smoothes, and unbends the two constringed
fibres, the vitriolic salts of this mineral water but more contract the
fibrillae, by operating like so many wedges, which ultimately tear,
rend, or divide the tender filaments. It must, however, be admitted
that mineral waters are very beneficial in cachexies, scurvies,
jaundice, hypochondriacal and hysterical affections. Having paid this
tribute to their virtues, it is evident that what is above stated
respecting their pernicious effects has been dictated by candour, and
with no illiberal disposition to deny their absolute virtues[3]. These
few remarks have only been made in order to warn the community against
a prevailing and indiscriminate use which might otherwise, in many
complaints, prove at least fatal to their health, if not to their
existence. And as the tea discovered by Dr. Solander possesses all the
virtues of the chalybeate, without its dangerous principles, it was an
immediate duty not only to warn but direct the Public in their adoption
of an aliment so essential to their health, and consequently temporal
happiness.

[3] _Waters drank at their source are efficacious in many
complaints that are not accompanied with inflammatory symptoms;
but i