[15] This Word, which must be of German, not of French Extraction, strictly signifies, _Drink for a Fall_, as we say _Pulvis ad Casum_, &c. Powder for a Fall, or a supposed inward Bruise. Dr. _Tissot_ informs me, it is otherwise called the vulnerary Herbs, or the Swiss Tea; and that it is an injudicious _Farrago_ or Medley of Herbs and Flowers, blended with Bitters, with stimulating, harsh and astringent Ingredients, being employed indiscriminately in all their Distempers by the Country People in _Swisserland_. _K._ Sec. 17. But I shall be told perhaps, that Diseases are often carried off by Sweat, and that we ought to be guided by Experience. To this I answer, it is very true, that Sweating cures some particular Disorders, as it were, at their very Onset, for Instance, those Stitches that are called spurious or false Pleurisies, some rheumatic Pains, and some Colds or Defluxions. But this only happens when the Disorders depend solely and simply on stopt or abated Perspiration, to which such Pain instantly succeeds; where immediately, before the Fever has thickened the Blood, and inflamed the Humours; and where before any internal Infarction, any Load, is formed, some warm Drinks are given, such as _Faltranc_ and Honey; which, by restoring Transpiration, remove the very Cause of the Disorder. Nevertheless, even in such a Case, great Care should be had not to raise too violent a Commotion in the Blood, which would rather restrain, than promote, Sweat, to effect which Elder-flowers are in my Opinion preferable to _Faltranc_. Sweating is also of Service in Diseases, when their Causes are extinguished, as it were, by plentiful Dilution: then indeed it relieves, by drawing off, with itself, some Part of the distempered Humours; after which their grosser Parts have passed off by Stool and by Urine: besides which, the Sweat has also served to carry off that extraordinary Quantity of Water, we were obliged to convey into the Blood, and which was become superfluous there. Under such Circumstances, and at such a Juncture, it is of the utmost Importance indeed, not to check the Sweat, whether by Choice, or for Want of Care. There might often be as much Danger in doing this, as there would have been in endeavouring to force a Sweat, immediately upon the Invasion of the Disorder; since the arresting of this Discharge, under the preceding Circumstances, might frequently occasion a more dangerous Distemper, by repelling the Humour on some inward vital Part. As much Care therefore should be taken not to check, imprudently, that Evacuation by the Skin, which naturally occurs towards the Conclusion of Diseases, as not to force it at their Beginning; the former being almost constantly beneficial, the latter as constantly pernicious. Besides, were it even necessary, it might be very dangerous to force it violently; since by heating the Patients greatly, a vehement