There is one particular species of convulsion-fits which commonly goes by the name of St. Vitus’s dance, wherein the patient is agitated with strange motions and gesticulations, which by the common people are generally believed to be the effects of witchcraft. This disease may be cured by repeated bleedings and purges; and afterwards using the medicines prescribed above for the epilepsy, _viz._ the Peruvian bark and snake-root, &c. Chalybeate waters are found to be beneficial in this case. The cold bath is likewise of singular service, and ought never to be neglected when the patient can bear it. OF THE HICCUP. The hiccup is a spasmodic or convulsive affection of the stomach and midriff, arising from any cause that irritates their nervous fibres. It may proceed from excess in eating or drinking; from a hurt of the stomach; poisons; inflammations or scirrhous tumours of the stomach, intestines, bladder, midriff, or the rest of the _viscera_. In gangrenes, acute and malignant fevers, a hiccup is often the forerunner of death. When the hiccup proceeds from the use of aliment that is flatulent, or hard of digestion, a draught of generous wine, or a dram of any spirituous liquor, will generally remove it. If poison be the cause, plenty of milk and oil must be drank, as has been formerly recommended. When it proceeds from an inflammation of the stomach, &c. it is very dangerous. In this case the cooling regimen ought to be strictly observed. The patient must be bled, and take frequently a few drops of the sweet spirits of nitre in a cup of wine-whey. His stomach should likewise be fomented with cloths dipped in warm water, or have bladders filled with warm milk and water applied to it. When the hiccup proceeds from a gangrene or mortification, the Peruvian bark, with other antiseptics, are the only medicines which have a chance to succeed. When it is a primary disease, and proceeds from a foul stomach, loaded either with a pituitous or a bilious humour, a gentle vomit and purge, if the patient be able to bear them, will be of service. If it arises from flatulencies, the carminative medicines directed for the heart-burn must be used. When the hiccup proves very obstinate, recourse must be had to the most powerful aromatic and antispasmodic medicines. The principal of these is musk; fifteen or twenty grains of which may be made into a bolus, and repeated occasionally. Opiates are likewise of service; but they must be used with caution. A bit of sugar dipped in compound spirits of lavender, or the volatile aromatic tincture, may be taken frequently. External applications are sometimes also beneficial; as the stomach plaster, or a cataplasm of the Venice treacle of the Edinburgh or London dispensatory, applied to the region of the stomach.