(seq. 491)

484

Materia Medica

Emetics

emetics, this Idea I do not believe to be correct, because this diaphoretic quality
is not common to all the emetics, but belongs only to Epecac. and the
preparations of antimony, and is not a property of squills. Dr Robinson
supposed that emetics produced a constriction of the extreme vessels, Mr
Hunter thought there was a sympathy between the stomach and the
testacles, he therefore gave emetics in Hernia Humeralis, Mr Monroe
informs us that that when a moderate emetic is taken the stomach
remains undisturbed for sometime, the antimonial emetics induce purging
and a full pulse, squill occasion a flow of urine, it has been supposed
the power of vomiting is given to the stomach to enable it to throw of [off]
noxious substances, the nausea produced by emetics is termed a
sensation of a peculiar kind, inducing vomiting, purging, and sweating.
I think we should always keep out of view the Vis Medicatrix Natura,
the Idea which Dr Booerhave entertained upon this subject
were verry correct, all emetics are not noxious is clearly evinced by
water being heated to a certain degree will produce vomiting, it has
been said it relaxes the stomach, this cannot be the reason since
four times the quantity of warm tea does not excite vomiting, there
is nothing noxious in the tickling of a feather.

Of the Use of Emetics
in Diseases, and first in fevers, their employment here previous to