terate
Cases, the Sulphur was given internally at the same Time that the
Patient rubbed with the Ointment.

It is generally believed (though denied by some) that Sulphur, taken
internally, enters the Blood; and its Steams are thrown off by the
perspiratory Vessels, and assists more effectually to destroy the
Insects and their Ovula, which give Rise to the Itch; but whether this
Effect be true or not, I found it to answer another very good Purpose;
which was to keep the Belly rather loose, while the Patient used the
Unction; and by this Way it carried off those Humours, which ought to
have passed off by the Skin; and for that Reason, when it had not that
Effect, we joined some Lenitive Electuary to it.

There is one Thing to be observed with regard to sulphureous Unctions,
which is, that we ought not to use them too soon with People
recovering out of Fevers, or other Disorders which bring them low;
otherwise there will be Danger of bringing on a Relapse, which I have
often observed to happen in military Hospitals, where the Itch has
appeared as the Patients were recovering from Fevers and other
Disorders, and the Unctions were used too soon: But whether these
Relapses were owing to the sulphureous Unction's stopping up the Pores
of the Skin, and obstructing a free Perspiration, or to the Patient's
being more apt to take Cold while they used the Sulphur Ointment, than
at any other Time, is what I cannot determine; but to me it seems most
probable, that these Unctions rather obstruct the Perspiration; and
that when they are used too soon with People recovering from Fevers,
especially those of the putrid Kind, they prevent those Particles
from passing off by the Skin, which it was necessary should be
evacuated, in order to free the Body from the Seeds of the Fever, or
other Disorders the Patients laboured under. But however this be,
Experience has shewn, that we ought not to attempt the Cure of the
Itch, in Patients so circumstanced, till their Strength be in a great
Measure re-established, otherwise there will be Danger of a Relapse;
and likewise, that Patients using Sulphur externally, ought to be
particularly on their Guard against Cold.

This Observation of Peoples being so apt to relapse after Fevers by
the too early Use of sulphureous Unction, is a strong Proof of the
Usefulness of keeping the Body open during the Time of Rubbing and of
Purging the Patient afterwards; as by these Means we may carry off by
the Bowe