(seq. 471)

464

Materia Medica

Sialagogues

from intermittant and remittant fevers, or from obstruction of the
viscera, but it should not be employ’d in those cases untill the
phlogistic diathesis of the system has been somewhat reduced. I think it
better suited to anasarca than ascites, it sometimes fails to do good
in dropsy which afterwards yields to the diuretic medicines, upon the
whole I am of opinion that mercury has done good in dropsy, but
it frequently has also been productive of evil, it promotes absorption.

Jaundice. I have but little to say when we consider the
cause and aspects of this disease we might suppose mercury to be usefull
and according it is said to be so by Dr Clark, Dr Saunders, and
Monroe. In Germany mercury has been employ’d to advantage, &
it has sometimes been preceded by Sal. Ammoniac as an emetic.

Epilepsy. It has been frequently used with a view to excite salivation
but I find few cases of cures recorded. Some physicians say
who have employ’d it, that it suspended the disease and moderated
the symptoms, even this is effecting a verry desirable end, but I think
that tonics generally answer better. I consider mercury best adapted
to those cases attended with plethora. Dr Hoffman gave the
preparations of mercury in this disease. Some epileptic patients have
been found with an effusion in the ventricles of the brain, mercury by