_Take honey, or sugar dissolved to syrup, two ounces; lemon
juice, half an ounce; or elixir of vitriol, two drachmes; sweet
oil, one ounce; mix them into a linctus._
Take of this, every half hour, but half a tea spoonful; and swallow it
gradually, so that it may as it slides by, do some service to the
larynx; and keeping the body all the time in a gentle perspiration. This
method is superior to all your nonsensical pectorals, which have nothing
but quackery for their foundation; for whatever you may take for the
cough, it cannot possibly have any other effect on the part, till the
real cause is removed, than barely to touch the larynx; for all goes to
the stomach, and undergoes the same chance as your victuals. Therefore
strike at the root of the evil; namely, to promote perspiration; and all
the rest of the complaints will vanish, in consequence of this principal
intention.
_Of the Pleurisy, and Peripneumony._
The _pleurisy_ is an inflammation of the lining of the inside of the
pectoral cavity and lungs; and the _peripneumony_ an inflammation of the
lungs themselves.
These two principal kinds of inflammation have given birth to the names
of many other inflammations contiguous to those parts, which I hope to
be excused from entering into, as it is of very little signification to
the proper treatment of those disorders; for I have often known the most
skilful practitioner, to be mistaken of these disorders in his
diagnostics, and yet been successful in his cure. The signs of this
inflammatory disease, is an acute fixt pain in the breast; on whatever
side the disorder is in, with a difficulty of breathing, and frequently
attended with a small short dry cough, which however stings the patient
like so many daggers. A constant fever attends with all its symptoms;
which adds greatly to the patient’s misery.
On the immediate signs of these symptoms, bleeding must be had recourse
to; and if the inflammation is great, and the pain pungent, it must be
repeated; though with skilful management. Bleeding may be repeated after
the first twenty-four hours; yet in general it is needless, and
sometimes dangerous; for my own part, I never approved of it; nor have I
seen any necessity for it. Perspiration however should be promoted.
If the pain is violent, let the patient use the following medicine.