(seq. 175)

166

Materia Medica

Tonics

parts of the body, we cannot in any other way accout for its
sudden operation in the cure of intermittants it has been advanced
and with some degree of probability, that it cures fever by exciting
a new action in the stomach system. I proceed to speak now
particularly of its use in fevers, hence a question has generally
arisen, at what time or period of the disease will it be proper to
administer the bark. Dr Booerhave's maxim was not to
administer it untill the disease had lasted some time, Cum morbis
jam aliqua tempora duravit, but this rule is not always correct
for it is sometimes disagreeable to employ it at the
commencement of fevers. I have known some cases prove fatal the second
paroxysm which might perhaps been prevented by the use of
the bark, this absurd delay originated among the Egyptians
who supposed a certain fermentation must take place before any
remidy could be given, and it was a law among them never
to give medicine untill the third day after the attack. Dr
Sydenhams opinion that a morbid matter must be evacuated has
never been prooved and is by no means probable. In tertians it
should be given after the first paroxysm. Dr Lind found it of
great use when administered in a fever. In the year 1765