Another complaint, which may be complicated with the venereal disease, and during the existence of which particular caution is necessary in the use of mercury, is hæmoptoe. That habit of body which particularly disposes to hæmoptoe is well known, and, even where the disease has never existed, can be detected by obvious marks. Many patients, after having been once attacked with hæmoptoe, are seemingly cured, and have every appearance of being restored to perfect health. Both these situations may be considered as, in a great measure, the same: In either, hæmoptoe will be induced from very trifling causes. Among others, the use of mercury has frequently been observed to have this effect. In all such cases, then, it is necessary that mercury should be used in small doses, and introduced slowly into the system. Notwithstanding every precaution, it sometimes will happen, that hæmoptoe will arise from the use of mercury. When this is the case, it is necessary not only to abstain from the use of the medicine, but to have recourse to those means which are found to be most effectual in the cure of so dangerous a symptom. For this purpose, bleeding, refrigerants, and astringents, must be employed, as the circumstances of the patient direct. While the hæmoptoe continues, the use of mercury is not to be attempted. And although, by these means, it should happen to be removed, this medicine, unless in cases where the venereal symptoms are very urgent, is not to be ventured upon for some time, even in the most gentle forms. We have now pointed out the principal circumstances claiming attention in the employment of mercurials, which depend either on the nature of the medicine itself, or on the condition of the patient in whom it is employed. It now only remains, then, to offer some observations with regard to the necessary regimen. What is to be said on this subject will respect either diet, temperature, or exercise; each of which may be considered in order. It has been alledged, that mercury operates in the cure of _lues venerea_ by acting as an antidote to the virus which produces the disease. If this is the case, it is difficult to see how any particular diet can have the least tendency to promote its operation. In adapting the diet to the medicine, then, the principal thing to be attended to, in this case, is, to order such a one as will most readily counteract those accidents which the medicine is apt to induce. The accidents chiefly to be guarded against, from the use of mercury, are those arising from its stimulant power. In diet, therefore, it is in the first place requisite, that every thing stimulant should be avoided. And then, if it can be done, such substances are to be employed as, when taken into the system, have a tendency to counteract a stimulus.