TWO PAPERS ON THE USE OF 0L: ASPHALTI IN ULCERS OF THE INTESTINES, LUNGS, and other VISCERA; TAKEN FROM THE Verhandelingen van de Maatschappye te Haarlem, By THOMAS HEALDE, M.D. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, and of the Royal Society—-Gresham Professor of Physic, and Physician of the London-Hospital. -η δε χgισις XAAENH Printed for M. Hingeston, Book-Seller, in the Strand, near Temple-Bar; and S. Bladon, in Pater-noster Row, [Price One Shilling.] Such Apothecaries as have not Leisure or Conveniency for preparing the OL: ASPHALTI, may be furnished with it, by WILLIAM BARTLETT, Chemist, in Lothbury. TO Dr. EDWARD BARRY, FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE of PHYSICIANS. SIR, THE Search after Specifics has been of late Years so frequent, the Success of those most recently receiv'd as such so in- adequate to the general Expectation, and after all, their real Merit so little determin’d; that it may justly be doubted, whether to ex- tend the Knowledge of a Remedy strongly re- commended, be to do most Good or Harm to Society. In deed, whilst a Medicine capable of curing a Disease whatever be it’s Cause, or howso- ever variously such Cause be modified in dif- ferent Constitutions, is not thought impos- sible to be found we need not wonder much at the Frequency of the Pursuit. For ii DEDICATION For, besides the Temptation of certain Fame and Emolument to the Inventor, no, previous Culture of the Intellect seems very necessary for the Application of such sort of Medicines;—no careful Attention to Symp- toms,—no laborious Study of the Observations of former Ages, or of different Nations. On the other hand, an Hippocratic Diligence in remarking the most minute Appearances of Diseases, altho' it may gradually produce a more accurate Distinction of Causes, the Knowledge thereby acquired be more solid proceeds slowly, and requires Labour without End: whilst Life is too short for an Indivi- dual to expect he can add much to what is al- ready known; and Acquisitions thus made pro- curing no fame nor profit to the Acquirer, he must be satisfied with the Consciousness of dis- charging his Duty, and the uncertain Hope of a little posthumous Praise from a very few. An Endeavour to multiply our Resources in Cases of Difficulty and Danger may ne- vertheless be useful: provided neither Ignor- ance nor Indolence presides at the Experi- ments; DEDICATION iii ments; provided too credulous an Expectation of the wonderful on the one Side, or Preju- dice on the other, renders not the Prescriber inattentive to those minute circumstances, which sometimes prevent, or insure Success. How often does even the Bark fail, in the cure of Intermittents? How seldom is the Failure justly attributed to the Medicine only? Whether or not we have been in too much Haste to make our practice simple, before we had sufficiently analyzed Diseases to deduce our Indications with sufficient Simplicity, and Justness, I presume not to decide. Certain it is, that too much has often been expect- ed from a simple Remedy: and it is no less certain, that very simple Diseases do not so often occur to the Judicious as to those who unable to see deeper than the Surface, suppose nothing can exist beyond their View. But however this be: in the following Ca- ses, tho’ related perhaps with too much Bre- vity, enough is said of the Ol: Asphalti to excite Curiosity: and the Case of a Patient unhap- iv DEDICATION unhappily affected with an internal Ulcera- tion (which I may probably hereafter detail,) having induc’d me to procure this Transla- tion, I have committed it to the Press, in Or- der that the Medicine may undergo a more severe and extensive Trial in England. Shou’d it, like some others lately introduced, not per- fectly answer our Wishes, yet from compar- ing a Variety of Trials, some farther Insighht into the Nature and Effects of internal Sap- puration may perhaps be deriv'd,--when the Evidence of Fact faithfully and accurately fated is laid before the Public. If the dangerous Nature of these Complaints in themselves be considerd,--how often they occasion, or are complicated with the most per- plexing Symptoms,--and how much is said in the 2d Paper to prevent Expectation from running wild; there may be Reason to hope this Medicine will not become popular: and that it will be employ’d only by Men of Science, who know when, and with what Combination of other Medicines to give it— Men who delight in Improvement, and who are DEDICATION v are accustom’d to observe with Accuracy. These Qualities, SIR, join'd to the Subject, naturally brought YOU to my Thoughts. For who has shewn more Attention to pulmonic Suppurations? Who has treated of them more judiciously? Excuse this feeble Tribute of Praise, dictated no less by the Justice, than the Respect of, SiR, your obliged and humble Servant THO: HEALDE. Fenchurch Buildings London. Dec. 18th, 1768. THE USE OF OL, ASPHALTI IN ULCERATIONS OF THE VISCERA. By M. HOFKENS de COURCELLES, TO cure an inveterate Ulceration of any of the principal Viscera. is not a Matter of the smallest Importan- ce, the common Practice being at- tended with little, or no Success. A Medicine hath, in all the Cases wherein I have tried it, succeeded perfectly. It is not the part of a good Citizen, to say nothing of a Physician, to keep in Reserve any thing which can res- cue a Fellow-creature from a Disease, much less from almost certain Death. This Medi- cine, Gentlemen, I shall lay before you, to- gether with a few Cases of which I had taken an Account. It 2 USE of OL: ASPHALTI It consist only of an Oil distill’d from the Asphaltum, or Bitumen Judaicum, and the Manner in which I have had it prepard is the following. R. Asphalti five Bitum: Judaic : tbj Salis decrepit tbss Arena pura tbjss Put these into a Retort, and distill with a strong fire. There comes over first a little Water, which you may throw away, taking off the Recipient, or let it remain with the Oil, to be separated afterwards with a Funnel. There comes next a black Oil, which is pre- cisely what I make use of. Continue to draw it off whilst it continues of a black, or deep brown colour. The Manner of using it, is, to give from ten to fourteen Drops in a Morning fasting, and the same quantity going to Bed. I have given fourteen Drops four times a Day at the medical hours, without any oppression or considerable disorder. Perhaps twice as much may be given. The Dose may be varied ac- cording to the Age, and Strength, the Nature, and IN ULCERS OF THE VISCERA 3 and Duration of the Disease. It is most con- veniently taken drop’d upon Sugar. Case the 1st. Cornelis Huisman, about 20 Years old, of a constitution tolerably good, had an Hectic Fever after the Small Pox accompanied with a discharge of Matter: for which, after having tried several Medicines a long Time in vain, he ask’d my Advice. I found his Fever con- tinual, increasing in the afternoon, with Sweats about Morning, and a foul Slough on the Tongue: his Urine fætid, of a deep brown Colour, and purulent: his Breathing difficult, a tickling Cough affecting him sometimes for hours together, and the Discharge from the Breast fætid and putrid Matter. The 7th of last July I gave him the Oil, ten Drops of which he took twice a Day. I heard noth- ing of him till the 26th, when he came to me with a joyful Countenance, free from Fever, his Appetite natural, and no remains of his Disorder but a crude expectoration at some Times, such as happens upon a Cold, and 4 USE of OL: ASPHALTI and which soon after vanish’d. During the Cure he avoided salted Meat, and evry thing heating. Case the 2d, Lena Berkhoud, 28 Years old, of a Sanguine Constitution, and Asthmatic from her Infancy, contracted a Pleurisy four Years ago, after an Affright at Amsterdam, which terminated in a Suppuration of the Lungs: and the disease in- creasing in spite of the Medicines employ’d, she this Year ask’d my Advice. On the least Motion she panted for Breath: she had a little Fever which was augmented after Eating, and expectorated a fætid Matter. The second of July she began the Drops: on the 15th she expectorated little, breath’d tolerably well, her Menses, which had long been missing re- appear’d, and before the end of the Month scarce any thing of her complaint was to be observ’d. The Regimen directed was, what is usual in such Cases, antiseptic, and of easy digestion: but after her recovery fire own’d she had not abstain’d from any-thing: having several ULCERS OF THE VISCERA, 5 several times eaten fry’d Bacon, and the like: which however blameable, shews not less the power of the Medicine. Case the 3d, Lena Bont, Aged about 30, from a fall down Stairs three Years ago, got a severe Bruize of the Loins, which was thought dan- gerous by the Surgeon attending. At length supposing herself cur’d, she came to Alkmaar from Amsterdam, in search of a Service. She had however some time after a continual Pain in the Loins, augmented on change of Wea- ther, till about half a Year ago, when she be- gan, after some violent motion, to discharge Matter by Urine, and shortly after to raise the same by Coughing and Vomiting. To no purpose were the Medicines advis’d, and in March this Year she apply’d to me for Assist- ance. I found her affected with an hectic Fe- ver, much oppress’d, and her Breathing short in the highest Degree, so that the Speech faul ter’d. She rais’d a large quantity of fætid Matter by Coughing, and discharg’d also the same by Urine, 6 USE of OL: ASPHALTI Urine, which was some times bloody, like that expectorated. The discharge of Matter was so great as sometimes to amount in one Night to more then a Quart: and all this without the least relief, but rather with an Aggrava- tion of the Symptoms. I gave her Emollients, Expectorants, gentle Diuretics &c without A- mendment. The Cortex also did nothing: so that I was constrain’d to use the Oil, which I had delay’d for fear it’s usual smell shoud incommode the Family, who, from a gene- rous compassion, were unwilling to dismiss the Patient from their service. She was or- der’d the Drops the begining of May, and her Strength daily increasing, the Fever de- clining, and her Appetite growing better, be- fore the end of July she had recoverd that Strength, which she had been losing for Three Years past, and at this Time holds her Place here without any complaint. Case the 4th, Ary Krans, an Inhabitant of the Sea-coast, 66 Years old, and of strong Fibres, is now using IN ULCERS OF THE VISCERA, 7 using the Medicine, and altho’ at this Day not quite cur’d, has nevertheless found great A- mendment. About a Year ago he fell upon the side of the Breast, and the 28 of July last ask’d my Advice. He had a full Coun- tenance, Fibres relax’d, a continual Fever which increas’d after Eating, a pain in the place struck by his fall, a Cough, and Expectoration fætid, purulent and bloody. I at the first di- rected him ten Drops twice a Day, and the 29th, of August found him in a better State, the Pain above mention’d gone, the Cough very little, the Expectoration without Blood, white, in small quantity, and the Breathing easy: but he was weak, and his Countenance full. I directed some Cordials with the Me- dicine. I might recite more Cases; but these are Examples sufficient, and I have declar’d be- fore that it has done Service to all upon whom I have try’d it. Alkmaar, September 5th, 1764. 8 USE of the OL: ASPHALTI in ULCERATIONS of the VISCERA. Paper the 2d, by the same. SINCE my former Communication con- cerning the Ol. Asphalti in the 8th vol. of your Transactions, I have remark'd that Some have approv’d of it, others have doubt- ed, and many neglected it. This would not have been a just Reason for my writing again on the same Subject, being very sensible that this Medicine could not in a short time gain the general Approbation: since other Me- dicines, however convincing their Efficacy, have requir’d half a Century to efface the Prejudices caus’d by Self-sufficiency, and A- version to new discoveries. Add to these. Trials often improperly made, from Ignor- ance of the Disease itself: a mucous discharge being IN ULCERS OF THE VISCERA, 9 being taken for Pus from ulcerated Lungs, and the Oil employ’d for it’s cure, even by Persons in some Reputation: of which in this short time I could produce many Examples. But I am oblig’d to enlarge a little upon the Subject, finding the Ulceration I spoke of taken in a more extended Sense than I ever design’d. If by the cure of an inveterate Ul- ceration I had mean’d a Cure, not of that Dis- ease only, but of all the Diseases of a Dif- ferent Nature attending it; I shou’d have de- parted from Truth, in saying, my Trials had succeeded in all Temperaments and Persons. Far from this: I have been forc’d to see many die since I knew this Medicine, not having been able to remove the preceding Disorder, which render’d the Cure impos- sible, and demanded Medicines of a very dif- ferent Class. I thought it self-evident, where the Cause of a Disease was understood which prevented the Cure, that such Cause ought first to be remov’d by remedies directed particularly thereto. I never suppos’d it necessary for ex- B ample 10 USE OF OL: ASPHALTI ample, where an Ulcer happens in the Blad- der from the Irritation of a Stone, to say, First remove the Stone, and then try to cure the Ulcer. Experience however shews, that this is not to be imprudently done. I shall here relate some Cases, merely to point, out the Reasons why a Cure is sometimes not obtain’d. Case the Ist. A certain Youth had for some years an A- crimony of the fluids, which gradually increas- ing, not only wasted him, but began to cor- rode the Vessels in different places: several Spots appear'd in the Legs, a Bleeding at the Nose sometimes came on, he was stiff, full of pain, and his Saliva acrid. At length the Acrimony corroded the Vessels of the Lungs, and a bloody Expectoration ensued, which soon terminated in an Ulceration. This having continued two or three years whilst the A- crimony remain’d uncorrected, was attempted in vain to be cur’d by the Ol: Asphalti. If Acrimony then and Corrosion of Vessels produce an Ulceration, ’tis easy to conclude that IN ULCERS OF THE VISCERA 11 that a Medicine appropriated to the latter, can’t possibly remove the Cause, which must con- tinue corroding as before. Now if it be so sharp as to corrode Fibres already full grown, will it not more easily destroy such as are forming, the very beginning Granula- tions of flesh, by which the Wound must be clos’d? To form good Matter the circulating fluids must be balsamic; a Condition directly opposite to such Acrimony. Thus, Surgeons constantly observe, that when Ulcers happen in the Legs or other parts, from degenerated Juices, they are not to be cur’d by the Reme- dies apply’d, however in other Respects ef- ficacious, before the Cacochymy or bad Habit is remov’d by other Remedies, or the corro- sion, in the place at least, prevented. These two contending Circumstances being observ’d by Galen, made him pronounce the Ulcer incurable without removing the Cause. He says, “those Ulcers of the Lungs only are “ incurable, which are caus'd by the Erosion of “ the vitiated juices: because of the great “ Length of Time necessary in order to correct B2 them 12 USE of OL: ASPHALTI “them. ” (*) We here see what that great Physician deems necessary e’re it be possible to cure such a Disease; and that far from first thinking of Remedies to heal the Ulceration, we ought first to amend the Juices. If more Authori- ty be necessary, let us instead of all others, produce that of the sagacious Bennet, who in his Theatrum Tabidorum says, “he does not “remember to have observ'd any one cur'd whose “Lungs were corroded, without having the “whole Mass of Blood sweeten’d, ” (†) Case (*) “ex iis vero qui Ulcus in Pulmone “habent, ii soli mihi insanabiles videntur, qui ex “Succi vitiosi Erosione illud habent: nam longo “arbitror tempore omnino opus esse ut Succi cor- “rigatur Vitium. ” Meth: Med: Lib V, cap. 14 Ed. Junt, (†) “Neminem quidem, cui Pulmo erosus “fuerit sine Sanguinis totius Edulcoratione cu- “ratum memini. ” Pag, 60. IN ULCERS OF THE VISCERA, 13 Case the 2d, A Child had some years since an Eruption on the Head, which being imprudently re- pell’d, caus’d a Corrosion and Ulcer of the Lungs, for which also the Oil was employ’d, and to no Purpose. Here it is no less easy to perceive, that this particular Sort of Acrimony, many different Species of which may affect the Body, ought to have been corrected as well as in the former Case. But we also know by many Examples, that Nature having once chosen the place of Expulsion, sometimes does not readily obey, till the Matter to be dis- charg’d is again brought back to the chosen place. Cou’d the Oil drive this Matter to the place where she had us’d before to dis- charge it? Case the 3d, A Person 28 years old, all whose Ancestors even to the 4th Generation died of Consumti- ons of the Lungs, had already some years born Marks of this Tendency imprinted strongly- Nature 14 USE OF OL: ASPHALTI Nature had sometimes reliev’d herself by a Bleeding at the Nose, which being once stop’d imprudently, a Bleeding from the Lungs succeeded, and soon after an Ulceration: of which a Cure having been unsuccessfully at- tempted by the Oil, it was thence conclud- ed, however weak the foundation, that it was not of Use in any Ulcer. But I ask any Judge of these Matters if the Oil cou’d be much depended on in such a Case? An hæreditary Infection had here preceded, and who knows not the Changes of fluids and solids which are found in some Angular Idiosyn- crasies? Who can ascertain what was in this Case the particular Conformation of Parts? What sort of Degeneration in the fluids or Solids? Could a Medicine calculated for the Ulcer, and which could be apply’d only by means of the circulating fluids, be of much Service in this particular unknown Change, and where perhaps the bell: that could be done was to palliate? Could the Ulcer be cur’d without having first remov’d the preceding Degeneration? If appears to me impossible. I IN ULCERS OF THE VISCERA, 15 I might relate more Instances of a similar Nature: but shall only say, that I have not found the Medicine serviceable, employ’d singly, except in such Ulcers as were the Con- sequence of Bruizes, Inflammations or Ab- scesses, in Bodies previously found. In Ulcers of the Bowels, however fætid, purulent, or Ichorous the Matter was, I have observ’d it to be the most powerful Remedy: and it has been so, altho’ an hectic Fever had been exci- ted by the Absorption of the Matter. I speak only as I have found: and desire that if People find the Oil, ev’ry thing being duely noted, do little Service to some, they will carefully examine if some Indisposition be not atten- dant, which retards the Cure, and let that be first remov’d by proper Medicines. I shall make farther Trials, and whenever it disap- points my Expectation, shall not fall to pub- lish the Case, the first Opportunity. Great care must be taken in the Choice of the Oil. I have had some counterfeit; some, from which the Water had not been separ- ated. An ounce of Phlegm is generally taken from 16 USE or OL: ASPHALTI. from tbi of Bitumen. A pitchy, reddish Sub- stance is driven over by a strong fire, which has less smell and which I have not try’d. A Bitumen is sold which when rubb’d with Salt yields no fætor. This also I have not try’d left it was adulterated. Thus much I thought in might be useful to say in Support of the Cure by the Ol: Asphalti, and shall here add the Case of a Patient labouring under both Ulceration and Acrimony. Case the 4th, Marytje Ganze, Wife of Dirk Dignum, 34 years old, and subject to rheumatic Pains, after a Cold four years ago had an unexpect- ed Flooding. Paying little Regard to the Complaint, and ignorant that she was Preg- nant, she continued her Work and miscarried. Her Cold increas’d, and her Cough was attended with a Pain betwixt the Shoulder blades, which remov’d thence to the right Side, where it fixed: so that it was very troublesome when she cough’d and she cou’d neither IN ULCERS OF THE VISCERA. 17 neither lie on that Side, nor bend herself. In this Condition, except a little Increase of Fever and Oppression, she continued two Years and an half; when one Day she was seiz’d with a Faintness and Anxiety, and rais'd a large Quantity of Matter, which seem’d to come from the very place in the right Side, where the Pain had fix’d some years before. According to all the Symptoms, a Vomica Pulmonis had broke. The sharpness of the Juices, apparent before this Disorder from the shooting Pains, salt Saliva, &c, ha- ving prevented the healing of this Absecss, it some time after became a putrid Ulcer. At this time, viz. January 1765, I was call’d in, and found her in the following State. Her Body was emaciated, extremely enfeebled, and full of Pain: her Visage pale, her Fever continual, and increasing towards four or five after Noon: her Pulse low and weak, the Ex- pectoration perfect Matter, sometimes watery with little granulous Substances, sometimes bloody and of a saline Taste. In these Cir- cum- 18 USE of OL: ASPHALTI cumstances scarce knowing what Method to pursue, I gave her the Ol: Asphalti, But ob- serving little Benefit from the Use of an Ounce, I gave her instead of it, Edulcorants, and ve- getable Pectorals of the mucilaginous kind: upon the constant Use of which the Pain abat- ed: the Breast remaining the same, except that the Cough was somewhat less. The Patient being supported by Alms, and the Physician of the Town, according to the Cust- om here, being changed quarterly, She in April sell under the Care of M. Van den Berg, who continued the Use of Edulcorants. In July she again came under my Direction: when observing the Acrimony pretty well sheath’d, altho’ neither Expectoration nor Fever were much alter’d, and that the Pa- tient was now confin’d to her Bed, I again gave her the Oil. She gain’d Ground: the Expectoration was uniform in Colour, white, purulent, and of similar Consistence. I repeat- ed the Medicine: but was soon after at a stand, when the Patient told me that as soon as IN ULCER OF THE VISCERA. 19 as she us’d it she rais’d pure Blood. I was surpriz’d a little: but more so when she add- ed, that this Oil had not so fætid a smell, nor the same Taste as the former: and upon ex- amining it in both Respects, I found it was not such as it ought to have been. I caus’d some genuine to be procur’d, and since the Use of it the right Side is become free, she can bend upon it and turn as formerly, the Fever is gone, her Strength is returning, tho’ slow- ly, and she already does her household Bu- siness. The Menses which were obstructed appear’d about a Month ago, and are now return’d at the due time. About a fortnight since she felt some Pain in her Side, shoot- ing into the Abdomen, and again upwards: which being found to arise from Worms, I gave her Medicines for their Expulsion, and the Pain ceas’d after the Discharge of a large Quantity of Ascarides. The Breast is well, and no Fever has appeard since last; August. I have caus’d from four to six Drops of the 20 USE OF OL: ASPHALTI, the Oil to be given twice a Day to two Children, who, during the Suppuration and beginning Desiccation of the Small Pox, la- bour’d under a very putrid Fever: and found, It ceas’d in one the next Day: in the other it was less the Day following, and the 3d Day quite gone. Whether this was to be ascrib’d to the Medicine, or to the natural Course of the Illness, I am unable to determine, not having made any more Trials. Alkmaar October 1st, 1765. FINIS. APPENDIX 21 EXTRACTS relative to the natural and chemical History of the Drug. Asphaltum. Bitumen Iudaicum Officin. Bitumen sub-friabile atrum. Linn. Syst. Nat. A Bituminous Substance, hard and fria- ble, of a purplish, shining black; taken from the Earth in some Countries, and often from the Sea, in a State of Softness, and gradually condensed to the usual Hardness. It is com- monly spurious, being made of Pitch and some Empyreumatic mineral Oil. Neufcha- tell furnishes the best. Internally taken it gives Relief in Colic Pains. Vogel Mat. Med. Ed. ult. P. 392. That is prefer’d which is brought from Judœa, and particularly from the Dead Sea, whence it’s Name. Buckner, Fund, Mat, Med. P. 133. It is not often among us to be met with, it’s place being supplied by different bitum- inous Substances: sometimes by the Caput mortuum remaining after the Distillation of Amber, and sometimes by common Pitch. C2 It's 22 APPENDIX It’s melting in the Fire only partially or not at all, and the Quantity of Ashes it leaves on burning, distinguish it from all these Sub- stances. Lewis on the Mat. Med. Neuman examin’d three Sorts: the black- ish brown native Bitumen, the best officinal Sort, of a blacker Colour, somewhat bright; and an inferior one, black and glossy like com- mon Pitch. The Native has no smell, is not acted up- on by Water, highly rectified Spirit of Wine, Oil Olive, nor the essential Oils of Aniseed or Turpentine. In the fire It grew red hot like Turf, and when cold fell into Powder. Held over the fire in a proper Vessel it did not melt, but crumbled as before, and emit- ted a Vapour which took Flame on the Ap- proach of a piece of lighted Paper. Four Ounces distill’d in a glass Retort yielded only three Drams of an Oil greatly resembling the Petrolea, but more Empyreumatic; and a little Phlegm. It was observable in the Distillation, that the bituminous or oily Mat- ter in separating from the earthy parts, vi- sibly APPENDIX 23 sibly melted, and then arose in invisible Va- pours: whereas in open Vessels there was no Appearance of Fusion; the Oil imme- diately exhaling in the Air. The Caput mor- tuum weigh’d three Ounces and an half: two of which were reduc’d by Calcination to one Ounce six Drams, and yielded on Elixation with Water, seven Grains of an alcaline Sub- stance, but not a pure alcaline Salt. The best Officinal Sort, ( viz. of the Bran- denburgh Shops) is of a disagreeable Smell like that of Garlic or Afa fœtida: soluble both in Oil Olive, and the distill’d Oils of Aniseed and Turpentine, and uniting in the fire with Pitch and Wax. A small Portion of it is taken up by rectified Spirit of Wine: about two Scruples of Spirituous Extract be- ing obtain’d from two Ounces. It swims un- touch’d on the Surface of distill’d Vinegar and spirit of Salt: to Spirit of Nitre it gives a yellowish Tinge, partly swims ou the Sur- face, and partly falls to the bottom: to Spirit of Vitriol it gives a deeper Tincture, and to- tally swims. It tinges alcaline Lixivsa yel- lowish; 24 APPENDIX lowish; sinking in the caustic, floating on the simple. Vinous Spirit of Sal ammoniac ex- tracts the deepest colour, the watery Spirit a very slight one: it sinks in the former, in the latter, part of it swims. Four Ounces yielded on Distillation two Ounces five Drams and one Scruple of Oil, and about two Scru- ples of Phlegm only: above an Ounce of Ca- put mortuum remaining. The Oil was thick- ish, of a dark brown Colour, with a strong Smell and Taste like those of Garlic; rising first in white, then in yellow, and at last in darker colour'd Vapours. As soon as the yel- low Fumes appear’d, the Matter in the Re- tort began to melt. Nothing saline could be extracted by hot Water from the Oil, or the calcined Caput mortuum, The inferior Pitch-like Asphaltum melted as easily as common Pitch. From four Oun- ces I obtain’d almost; three Ounces of a dark brown Oil: about half a Scruple of Phlegm, and the Residuum making up the 4th Ounce: scarce any thing saline being discoverable in the residuum by Calcination and Elixation with APPENDIX 25 with Water. Two Ounces being digested in rectified Spirit of Wine, the filtred Li- quor left on Distillation fifteen Grains of Ex- tract: the Spirit drawn over smelling of Gar- lic or Asa fætida. Upon digesting a Scruple in two Drams of rectified Spirit, no visible Solution being made, I added an hundred Drops of Oil of Savin : the Spirit there-upon appear’d considerably tinged. On digesting another Scruple of the Powder with one Dram of Oil of Savin, nearly all the As- phaltum was soon dissolv’d: on addiog rec- tified Spirit of Wine it was thrown down again, and the Spirit scarcely appeared to be tinged. From these Experiments it is evident, that the officinal Asphalta are very different from the native Bitumen. Those of other Countries seem no more genuine than ours: for we find in Du Hamel’s history of the French Academy of Sciences, that tbii of the french Asphaltum yielded fourteen Oun- ces of Oil: whilst the native Asphaltum yields not one fourth so much. Neumans works translated by Lewis. P. 243, and seq.