The Sickness of the Stomach, occasioned by a large Dose of Opium, brings me to consider the Power of Stimulants in the first Passages. As soon as the Stomach becomes sensible of the Vellication therefrom, a nervous Fluid is derived to the Part, and the Pectoral Muscles called into Action; this Struggle in the first Passages being excited, yet so discretionally as to avoid an Inflammation, puts the Party into a gentle Sweat, by which, if promoted by Warmth and Diluents, Nature will breathe off the Virus. Thus we may account for the Operations of alterative Medicines; these consisting in a Stimulus, excited to such a Degree, as is just sufficient to bring the nervous Coats of the Stomach and Muscles into Action, and corresponds with that brought on by Exercise. _Vide_ Dr. _Willis. Phar. Ration. de Sudatione._ Pag. 117. A Diaphoresis is introduced and promoted by the Consent of the arterial Fluid, which may be practiced to a greater or less Degree, according to the Proportion of the Stimulus; thus are the profuse Sweats brought on by Opium, according to the Quantity used, as likewise by the different Preparations of Mercury and Antimony, and in fact, every other mineral or vegetable Production, that may prove a Stimulative in the Primæ Viæ. To return to the Cure of the milder Effects of this Poison; the Patient, during Vomiting, probably will be excited to Stool, by the Help of the Oxymel of Squills first taken; if not, give a Sufficiency, according to the Strength of the Subject, of Powder of Jalap, corrected with some few Grains of the Aromatic Species, to procure Stools; but not to any Excess, nor before some of the nervous cordial Medicines have been taken, lest the necessary Sweats should be interrupted, and an immediate Relaxation introduced. Jalap, as a Purge, is to be preferred, it being more certain in Effect, and a Root loaded with a Resin, that may carry down with itself any mucous Part of the Opium, which may adhere to the Coats of the Stomach after Vomiting; for this Reason, both _Wedelius_ and _Jones_ recommend aloetic Purges. Opium interrupts, for the most Part, the present Action of purging Medicines, wherefore they should be given in encreased Doses, to produce the desired Effect.