Sec. 101. Two Medicines greatly esteemed in this Disease among the Peasantry, and even extolled by some Physicians, are the Blood of a wild He Goat, and the [24] Soot in an Egg. I do not contest the Cure or Recovery of many Persons, who have taken these Remedies; notwithstanding it is not less true, that both of them, as well as the Egg in which the Soot is taken, are dangerous: For which Reason it is prudent, at least, never to make use of them; as there is great Probability, they may do a little Mischief; and a Certainty that they can do no Good. The _Genipi_, or [25] Wormwood of the Alps, has also acquired great Reputation in this Disease, and occasioned many Disputes between some very zealous Ecclesiastics, and a justly celebrated Physician. It seems not difficult however to ascertain the proper Use of it. This Plant is a powerful Bitter; it heats and excites Sweat: it seems clear, that, from such Consequences, it should never be employed in a Pleurisy, while the Vessels are full, the Pulse hard, the Fever high, and the Blood inflamed. In all such Circumstances it must aggravate the Disease; but towards the Conclusion of it, when the Vessels are considerably emptied, the Blood is diluted, and the Fever abated, it may then be recurred to; but with a constant Recollection that it is hot, and not to be employed without Reflection and Prudence. [26] [24] This, with great Probability, means that small black Substance often visible in a rotten Egg, which is undoubtedly of a violent, or even poisonous Quality. Dr. _Tissot_ terms it expressly--_la suie dans un Oeuf_. K. [25] Dr. _Lewis_, who has not taken Notice of this Species of Wormwood in his Improvement of _Quincy's_ Dispensatory, has mentioned it in his late _Materia Medica_. K. [26] This being a proper Place for directing the Seneka Rattle Snake Root, I shall observe, that the best Way of exhibiting it is in Decoction, by gradually simmering and boiling two Ounces of it in gross Powder, in two Pints and a half of Water, to a Pint and a quarter; and then giving three Spoonfuls of it to a grown Person, every six Hours. If the Stitch should continue, or return, after taking it, Bleeding, which should be premised to it, must be occasionally repeated; though it seldom proves necessary, after a few Doses of it. It greatly promotes Expectoration, keeps the Body gently open, and sometimes operates by Urine and by Sweat; very seldom proving at all emetic in Decoction. The Regimen of Drinks directed here in Pleurisies are to be given as usual. Dr. _Tennant_, the Introducer of this valuable Medicine, confided solely in it, in Bastard Peripneumonies, without Bleeding, Blistering, or any other Medicines. _K._ __Chapter VI.__ _Of the Diseases of the Throat._ __Sect.__ 102.