ation is, that we cannot expect any
prosperous Event from either of these Evacuations, unless they are very
copious: there being no Prospect of surmounting so violent a Malignity
without bolder Methods than must be taken in ordinary Cases.

AS for _Bleeding_, by some Accounts from _France_, I have been informed,
that some of the Physicians there have carried this Practice so far, as
upon the first Day of the Distemper to begin with bleeding about twelve
Ounces, and then to take away four or five Ounces every two Hours after.
They pretend to extraordinary Success from this Method, with the
Assistance only of cooling _Ptisanes_, and such like Drinks, which they
give plentifully at the same Time. Such profuse Bleeding as this may
perhaps not suit with our Constitutions so well as with theirs; for in
common Cases they use this Practice much more freely than we: Yet we
must draw Blood with a more liberal Hand than in any other Case, if we
expect Success from it. I shall excuse myself from defining exactly how
large a Quantity of Blood is requisite to be drawn, for want of
particular Experience: but I think fit to give this Admonition, that, in
so desperate a Case as this, it is more prudent to run some hazard of
exceeding, than to let the Patient perish for want of due Evacuation.

AS for _Sweating_, which is the other Method proposed, it ought, no
doubt, to be continued without Intermission full twenty-four Hours, as
Dr. _Sydenham_ advises. He is so particular in his Directions about it,
that I need say little. I shall only add, that _Theriaca_, and the like
solid Medicines, being offensive to the Stomach, are not the most proper
_Sudorifics_. I should rather commend an Infusion in boiling Water of
_Virginia Snake-Root_, or, in want of this, of some other warm
_Aromatic_, with the Addition of about a fourth Part of _Aqua
Theriacalis_, and a proper Quantity of Syrup of Lemons to sweeten it.
From which, in Illnesses of the same kind with the _Goal Fever_, which
approaches the nearest to the _Pestilence_, I have seen very good
Effects.

WHETHER either of these Methods, of _Bleeding_, or of _Sweating_, will
answer the Purpose intended by them, must be left to a larger Experience
to determine; and the Trial ought by no means to be neglected,
especially in those Cases, which promise but little Success from the
natural Course of the Disease.

_FINIS._

[Illustration]

Footnotes:

[1] See the Dedication.

[2] _Vide