I wish, however, to be understood, that in speaking of the employment of calomel generally, I censure its abuse only. The proper use of it deserves our confidence and best regard; and I think that the French physician labours under great disadvantage in not having a just practical acquaintance with the virtues of this excellent medicine, which, as a remedy in various kinds of active disease, is without a rival. Chiefly on the principle of avoiding the frequent use of internal medicine, it is a custom universal among the French to assist the bowels by lavement; which, under circumstances of disease, is variously medicated, but otherwise consists merely of water or gruel. As an occasional remedy, this practice is most useful and important; and, in certain cases of great delicacy of constitution, it may be a very advisable substitute for aperient medicine, however regularly it may be required: but under ordinary circumstances, as a habit, it appears to me as objectionable in other respects as it is inconvenient. When the bowel becomes much accustomed to this artificial distension, it often fails to act without receiving such solicitation; and hence a mechanical necessity is established for this peculiar stimulus[5]. When the digestive powers of the stomach are unhealthy, and particularly when the functions of the duodenum and of the liver are also in error, as we usually see in established disorder of the chylopoetic viscera, the propagated influence which may take place from the lower bowel being stimulated to discharge its contents by means of the lavement, is insufficient to remedy the functional error existing so much higher up in the canal, and I have witnessed examples in which serious complaint in the liver has made insidious progress, from the circumstance of the patient having placed reliance on this palliative relief, and neglected the employment of an effective course of medicine. The application of leeches, with a view to derive blood from the vessels which communicate with those of the lower bowels, is a practice quite common in France, and seems a favourite measure, whatever viscus of the body may be affected. I have no doubt of the utility of this mode of obtaining blood, when the lower part of the intestinal canal is in a state of congestion; and, I may add, in many cases of irritation. A gentleman had been troubled with diarrhœa, which was often painful, for two or three months. It had resisted the usual treatment by medicine. By one application of leeches near the rectum he was cured. Nature often points out the propriety of relieving the overloaded circulation of the intestines, by the discharge of blood from the hemorrhoidal vessels, and when, therefore, the indications for such a mode of evacuation are presented, without any spontaneous relief having taken place, the use of leeches is important. Also in certain states of congestion of the uterine vessels, this method of local depletion will be attended with advantage.