SECONDLY, I observe that as this _Cause_ is nothing else than an _Acid Humour_, abounding in the _Stomach_, and coagulating the _imbib’d Nourishment_ of the INFANT, (as is evident from all the given _Diagnosticks_) so the proper _Method of Cure_, depends entirely upon obtunding that _Acidity_, dissolving those _Coagulations_, and eliminating the _peccant Matter_. But more particularly, HAVING always a great and due regard to the _natural Debility_, and _tender Constitution_ of the _Young_ PATIENT, the _Acid_ ought first to be prepared by prudent means, and then to be carried off by proper _Medicines_. I say _prepared_ by prudent Means, because _this_ is no indifferent Matter; For if we should take the same Method with these tender _Creatures_ in this _Case_, that we do with more _adult Persons_ we would certainly _miscarry_ in our Attempts; or if we should attempt this Preparation, by _Alexipharmacks_, _Cordials_, (improperly so call’d) _Causticks_, or _Sudorificks_; these Things being most prejudicial to the Nature of _young_ ONES, would rather promote the _Crudity_, than the _Concoction_ of the HUMOURS. THEREFORE the ingenious Doctrine of the Excellent Doctor HARRIS, must certainly take place here, namely[194],that _the most temperate Things most securely absorb the prevailing Acidity, and that the more Simple and Gentle the Remedies are, the more Safe and Certain the Cure is._ HENCE the simple _Testaceous Medicines_ mentioned by him, are not to be paralleled in the present _Case_; since they effectually mitigate all _Ebullitions_, and gradually become the most safe and powerful _Anodines_: Insomuch, that they, in a word, as certainly asswage all the _Pains_, _Gripes_, _Disquiets_, _Watchings_, &c. of CHILDREN; as _Narcoticks_, or _Opiats_, do allay those of older People. THE Body being then alter’d by these means, and the _Humours_ duly prepared, they are to be forthwith ejected, or timely purged off, even from the _youngest_ INFANTS, as well as from those of riper Years: The _Doses_ and _Quantities_ of all sorts, being discreetly adapted to the _Age_ and _Strength_ of the CHILD, under what _Form_ soever they may be given. UPON this Head, I might indeed pretend to expatiate, but because, whatever _I_, or any _other ingenuous Person_, understanding the Matter in Hand, may attempt to offer, will only terminate in, and be consentaneous to, what my last quoted _Author_ has plainly laid down, and concisely comprehended in a few _emphatick Words_; I shall here also, for Brevity’s-sake, set Bounds to my _Progress_. And thus, in short, having at large, and in every particular Respect, faithfully discharged my _Duty_, both as _Physician_ and MIDWIFE, to the CHILD as well as to the MOTHER; I now take leave of both the _one_ and the _other_, and in the next place, come briefly to touch upon the _Reverse Cases_. [Illustration] [Illustration] SECT. VII. [Illustration]