Dr. Pringle thinks it may be likewise proper to acquaint the Society with another circumstance in Lord Walpole’s case, which he had both from Dr. Shaw and Mr. Graham, _viz._ that after using the soap and lime-water for some time, his Lordship was freed from a very obstinate dry and scurfy eruption, which had resisted several other medicines. But as there were no marks of a putrid scurvy (that species expressly alluded to towards the end of Dr. Whytt’s letter) the Society will easily understand, how the lithontriptic medicines may be prejudicial to one troubled with the true putrid scurvy (such as is most incident to sailors) and yet not be improper for those, that are subject to the scurfy eruptions, which are commonly, tho’ erroneously, called scorbutic. Pall-Mall, 20 April, 1757. XXVII. _An Account of the Virtues of Soap in dissolving the Stone, in the Case of the Rev. Mr._ Matthew Simson. _Communicated by_ John Pringle, _M.D. F.R.S._ _To the Rev._ Tho. Birch, _D.D. F.R.S._ [Read April 28, 1757.] SIR, A Few days ago I received from Dr. Austin, physician at Edinburgh, the case of the Rev. Mr. Simson, drawn up by himself, in the form of a letter to Dr. Austin; and which you may remember was alluded to by Dr. Whytt, in the paper read at the last meeting of the Society. As I am at liberty to communicate this account to others, I thought it would not be unacceptable to the gentlemen of the Society, to have another well-attested instance laid before them of the virtues of soap in dissolving the stone, or, at least, in removing all those painful symptoms, which usually accompany that distemper. To the patient’s own narration I have subjoined an extract from Dr. Austin’s letter to me, containing the sequel of the case from the date of Mr. Simson’s letter to his death; with an account of the state of his bladder, as it appeared to Dr. Austin upon dissection. I am, SIR, Your most obedient humble Servant, John Pringle. Pall-Mall, 27 April, 1757. _A Letter from the Rev. Mr._ Simson, _Minister at_ Pencaitland, _to Dr._ Adam Austin, _Physician in_ Edinburgh. [Read April 28, 1757.] Dear Sir, ACcording to your desire, I send you the history of my case; which is as follows: I was of an healthy constitution till the year 1730, when I was seized with a frequent inclination to make water, without any previous pain in the kidneys or ureters. This symptom continued till the year 1733, without giving me much uneasiness. In June 1733, as I was riding from Edinburgh to my own house at Pencaitland, I was seized with a great difficulty and pain in making water, which went off when I got home. In the month of July, having again got on horseback, I was seized with the same complaint, but more violent; for then some drops of blood came away. From this time, if I rode eight or ten miles, I passed some blood, but without pain.