The anti-mercurial advocates have, however, a salvo, and admit now and then, an exception to exist, that particular cases _do_ require a mercurial course, but then it should only be adopted in its mildest possible form, merely with a view to act on the general health, rather than for any specific property of its own. Again, there are books, which are very elaborate, and what is equally important, modern ones, written by talented men,[4] which still profess faith in the curative powers of mercury, and employ it as the chief agent in the cure of the venereal disease. Instead of administering it to the same extent as formerly—instead of attempting to produce salivation to the flow of quarts—they merely aim at producing an impression on the constitution; they are satisfied with a proof that their patient is under mercurial influence: this is ascertained by a coppery taste in the mouth, a slightly increased secretion of saliva, and the presence of the accompanying, but temporary depression. Now the question to be resolved is, which of the two methods is the correct one. The many forms of disease of the sexual structures satisfy me, that their treatment should be modified by circumstances; but I believe I am wise enough to know, and certainly old enough to have observed, that the severer forms of syphilis, and even the milder in some constitutions, require the aid of mercury for their cure; in fact, _will yield to no other plan of treatment_, thereby admitting the _specific virtues_ of the remedy. The principles, therefore, which I advocate in the treatment of syphilis, are precisely those I depend upon in gonorrhœa, or, to familiarize the analogy, in a fit of indigestion, or an attack of local or general inflammation. Where the health is disturbed, the first step is to attempt restoration. The fact is almost too familiar to every one to need repetition, that, as is the condition of the health, so is the resistance it is capable of opposing to disease. The next proceeding is, to attempt the subdual of the prevailing symptoms. Syphilis, whether in the form of chancre, bubo, or any of its secondary varieties, induces more or less fever, inflammation, and interruption to the important offices of digestion, and other vital processes, which consequently require the promptest attention. Equally various are the local indications of syphilis—the ulcers may be common, superficial, phagedenic, or sloughing, each requiring various treatment, as hereafter will be specified; but, above all, too much reliance can not be placed on the dietetic and physical regimen—two comprehensive significations, which are, after all, the Alpha and Omega of the Materia Medica. With this declaration, I pass on to the treatment in detail of the more frequent and, I may add, leading features of syphilis. _Treatment of Chancre._—_Preliminary remarks._—Chancres are of various kinds. The most remarkable are:—