OBSERVATlONS 
ON 
FEVERS; 
WITH AN 
ATTEMPT to PROVE, 
THAT THE 
DANGEROUS SYMPTOMS and FATAL EFFECTS, 
produced by those Diseases, generally happen through 
a Deficiency in the Materia Medica: 
AND 
PROPOSITIONS 
For PREVENTING THOSE 
SYMPTOMS and EFFECTS, 
By a safe, easy and immediate Cure. 
By R. WHITE. 
“ Nature by Chymistry lays open the principles and 
compounding Parts of the Vegetable, Animal and Mi- 
neral Substances,—to preserve Health and prolong Life.” 
Pitt's Description of Chymistry. 
LONDON: 
Printed for John Wilkie, N° 71, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 
Price One Shilling. 



To the Right Honorable and Honorable, 
His Majesty’s Military Officers. 
My Lords and Honorable Gentlemen, 
THOUGH the following Treatise
is destitute of the Beauty and 
Elegance, necessary to render Writings on 
serious Subjects pleasing; yet as it offers 
Means for the Preservation of that use- 
ful and necessary Part of his Majesty’s 
Servants over whom you preside, I hum- 
bly hope the Importance of the Subject 
will secure me from incurring your Cen- 
sure or Displeasure, for recommending 
my imperfect Labours to the Acceptance
A2 of

DEDICATION.
of your honorable and respectable Body. 
My only Motive for so doing, pro- 
ceeded from the following Reflections: 
Viz. 
That it is not without great Pains, 
Fatigue and Trouble, to you, and Ex- 
pence to the Nation, that those brave 
Men over whom you preside, are so far 
initiated in the Military Art, as to be 
ready to follow their honorable Com- 
manders, to face and brave the greatest 
Dangers, when called forth for the De- 
fence and Protection of the British Em- 
pire; and therefore, that it is not only a 
great national Loss, but also much to be 
regreted, that in Times of the greatest 
Necessity, when every Exertion of Power 
is needful, such great Numbers of them 
should be cut off by Camp Fevers, or 
thereby confined and prevented from 
following

DEDICATION.
following their noble Leaders to Victory 
and Glory; and, as I am certain many 
of those Losses and Inconveniences would 
be prevented, should the Means offered 
in the following Sheets be adopted, I 
therefore thought they could not be 
placed under a more secure or honor- 
able Asylum, than your Protection. 
But, My Lords and Gentlemen, as 
the many important Objects, which must 
necessarily engage your Time and Atten- 
tion, may prevent your having an Op- 
portunity of entering into a minute Ex- 
amination of the several Relations 
of Facts, and occasional Remarks, 
which were requisite to be introduced 
in the following Sheets, for the Pur- 
pose of establishing my Propositions, 
I shall beg Leave to state in the most 
concise Manner possible, my Reasons for 
believing that the Means proposed would 
prevent

DEDICATION.
prevent many of the Losses and Incon-
veniencies just mentioned; which are, 
that from a strict Examination and At- 
tention to what is said by those who 
have written on Camp Fevers, it is plain, 
that their Appearances, Symptoms and 
Effects, are nearly the same as those 
which attend the various epidemic, ver- 
nal and autumnal Fevers, which too 
frequently make great Havock in this 
Nation; from which this plain and ob- 
vious Conclusion may be drawn, that, 
as the Camp Fevers have the same Ap- 
pearance, Symptoms and Effects, as those 
which often happen in this Nation, the 
Means which prevent and remove the 
bad Effects of the one, would do the 
same in the other: and therefore, if the 
strongest Testimonies the human Mind is 
capable of receiving, are to be depended 
upon; viz, a great Variety of Proofs, 
obtained from a careful Examination of 
Facts

DEDICATION.
Facts, and diligent Enquiries into the 
promiscuous Cure of Fevers, for a Series 
of near Twenty Years; I humbly pre- 
sume, I may, without Fear of deviating 
from strict and solemn Truth, aver, that 
had those Means, which are treated of 
in the following Sheets, been known 
and made use of in those Camp Fevers, 
which are said to have carried off a great 
Number of those who were seized, a 
much greater Proportion would have 
been preserved; and many of those who 
were rendered useless for several Weeks, 
would have been enabled to do their 
Duty in the same Number of Days: and 
that, should those Means be adopted 
and made use of for the Future, great 
Numbers of his Majesty’s brave veteran 
Soldiers would be annually preserved. 
As the Subject is of great Consequence 
and Importance, I hope I shall be ex-
cused,

DEDICATION. 
cused, if, before I conclude, I mention 
one or two more Advantages, which 
would accrue from those Methods being 
pursued; which are, that when Men are 
seized by Fevers while on their March, 
by these Means they would often be 
enabled to pursue it, when, otherwise, 
they must be left behind; and again, 
when they have the Misfortune to be 
wounded, and might recover, if not car- 
ried off by Fevers; they would find, that, 
by the Means proposed, those Fevers 
would often be so mitigated and kept 
under, as to preserve many Lives, and 
often prevent much Fatigue and Trou- 
ble to the Surgeons of the Armies, by 
accelerating the Cure. 
Having thus, in the plainest and most
concise Manner in my Power, pointed 
out some of the Advantages which would 
accrue from the Means proposed in the fol- 
lowing


DEDICATION. 
lowing Pages being applied; submitting 
to the judicious Consideration of the 
different Members of your honorable and 
respectable Body, what are the natural 
and most useful Conclusions deducible 
from the Premisses. 
I am, with the highest Respect, 
My Lords and Gentlemen, 
Your most Obedient, 
Humble Servant, 
R. White.
New Bond-Street, 
January, 1777. 
B



INTRODUCTION. 
AS the following Sheets contain Propositi- 
ons contrary to established Customs and 
commonly-received Opinions, which are well 
known to impress the Mind with a Dis-belief 
of whatever is contrary to such Customs and 
Opinions; as well as forcibly militate against 
the Introduction of new Discoveries and useful 
Inventions; I therefore hope to be excused, if 
I intreat the Reader not to form his Conclusions 
respecting the said Propositions, before he hath 
seriously weighed their great Importance, and 
attentively investigated the Subject to which 
they relate. I likewise hope I may be per- 
mitted to form this Introduction on the same 
Plan with that of the Treatise, to which it is 
prefixed; and, instead of pointing out the Ex- 
cellences of the Performance, assure my Read- 
ers, that it contains neither Purity of Diction, 
Elegance of Sentiment, nor strict Adherence to 
Grammar; that it is void of all the Beauties and 
Graces which render the Works of learned and 
elegant Writers pleasing and agreeable; and 
that the only Hope I entertain of its being ac- 
ceptable to the Public, is, that it hath Truth for 
Foundation, important Propositions for its Sub- 
ject, and the Preservation of Man for its End. 
B2 Therefore

INTRODUCTION. 
Therefore, though neither the Subject nor 
the Style may be so pleasing and agreeable as 
those which are to be found in many other Writ- 
ings, it is not less worthy of the Reader’s un- 
biassed Attention; as he may thereby be con- 
ducted to the Knowledge of the most safe, 
certain and effectual Means, whereby he may 
best preserve himself, his Family and Friends, 
from those long and tedious Confinements, Tor- 
ments and premature Deaths, which are fre- 
quently brought on by Fevers, those continual 
Scourges of Mankind. 
But, left by such a Proposition the Reader 
should be led to draw wrong Conclusions, and 
suppose he is going to be perswaded to lay out 
his Money in the Purchase of some empirical 
Medicine, I must take the Liberty to inform 
him, I am not, either directly or remotely, con- 
cerned in the Sale of any Medicine whatever. 
And, as the first Proposition which comes 
under Consideration in the following Work, is, 
that there are no Means or Remedies publickly 
known, which can, with any reasonable Degree 
of Certainty, be relied upon for the Cure of 
Fevers (lest by such a Proposition I should be 
understood to cast a Reflection, either on the 
Practice of Physic, or the Practitioners thereof;) 
I

INTRODUCTION. 
I must beg Leave to anticipate the Reader's 
Conclusion on that Head, by declaring, that 
nothing is farther from my Intentions: and, I 
flatter myself, every candid and unbiassed Reader 
will perceive, that the whole Bent of what is 
mentioned on that Head, is only meant to prove, 
that the Materia Medica is very barren and 
deficient of Medicines, so far as respects the 
Cure of Fevers; and that it is therefore very 
requisite to enquire for those which are more 
safe, certain and effectual for that Purpose. 
And if, in the Discussion of a Subject, on 
which many thousand Lives depend, I have, 
either accidentally or through Necessity, in Order 
more fully to illustrate the Subject, been led to 
mention some Things I would gladly have left 
unnoticed, I hope no Physician will be offended, 
or take it amiss; at least, I am sure no good and 
humane Physician will be displeased: for, as 
those are Guardians of Life and Health, and 
have their Minds impressed with Sentiments of 
universal Benevolence and a sincere Desire to 
do all Things in their Power, which tend to im- 
prove and advance the Healing Art to a nearer 
Degree of Perfection, I will not entertain the 
least Apprehension; but shall be secure from 
their


INTRODUCTION. 
their Displeasure for any Thing I have asserted 
in the Prosecution of so useful and laudable a 
Design: but, on the Contrary, hope to be fa- 
voured with their Countenance and Support; 
flattering myself, that they will assist my honest 
and well-meant Endeavours to make such an 
Addition to the divine Science of Healing, as to 
prevent Fevers being any longer the Reproach 
of Medicine. 
With the strictest Integrity I can declare, that 
this has been the great Object of my Wishes for 
near twenty Years; being fully perswaded, that 
had my first Efforts * for that Purpose been 
crowned with Success, many distressing Scenes 
of Sorrow and Affliction would have been annu- 
ally prevented, as well as useful Members of 
the Community preserved. 
No other Consideration than my Certainty of 
these important Truths, hath induced, me to an 
Attempt of engaging the Attention of the Public 
to so imperfect a Work, which I begun and fi- 
nished with a Consciousness of being greatly 
unequal to the Conduct of so interesting a Busi- 
ness;
* In the Year 1760, &c. See the following Treatise. 

INTRODUCTION. 
ness; and sincerely wish it had been undertaken 
by those whose Power and Abilities were more 
adequate to its great Importance. But, since it 
hath happened that a Cause of so great Conse- 
quence to the Public, as well as Individuals, 
hath been intrusted to the Management of an 
Advocate, so weak and unexperienced, I will 
support it to the utmost of my Abilities, and use 
my best Endeavours, by the Aid of Truth, to 
bring it to a happy Issue; and thereby prevent 
a Discovery, which hath for may Ages been 
sought after with great Earnestness and anxious 
Solicitude, remaining any longer useless to So- 
ciety. 
But, should this my last Effort to make this 
valuable Deposit, committed to my Care, sub- 
servient to the Purposes for which it was intended 
by the all-wise Donor, fail of Success, I shall
return to that quiet Situation, from whence I 
was drawn by the above-mentioned Considera- 
tion, and Solicitations of those who have long 
been intimately acquainted how greatly the Pub- 
lic are interested therein: conscious of having 
spared neither Time, Trouble nor Expence, in 
the Pursuits of Discoveries, from whence very 
singular Benefits may be derived to my Native 
Country. 




(1)
OBSERVATIONS 
ON 
FEVERS, &c.
AS the Incident, which first induced me to 
enter into an Enquiry concerning the In- 
sufficiency of the Materia Medica, so 
far as respects the Cure of Fevers, is 
taken Notice of in another Part of this Treatise, I 
shall not mention it here; but only observe, that the 
longer and more minutely I scrutinized that important 
Subject, the more Reason I had to be convinced, 
that the first Proposition to be examined in the fol- 
lowing Treatise, is true; viz. That there are no 
Means or Medicines publickly known, or in com- 
mon Practice, which can, with any reasonable De- 
gree of Certainty, be depended upon for the Cure 
of those fatal Diseases. 
C Before

(2)
Before I proceed to the Discussion of this interest- 
ing Subject, I shall point out some, among the many, 
Miseries and Afflictions, which Persons of all De- 
nominations are liable to suffer, by the malignant 
Effects of those continual Scourges of the human 
Race, which, according to the Computation of se- 
veral ingenious Writers, destroy a third Part of Man- 
kind; and sometimes rage with such Violence in 
different Parts of this Nation, as to spare neither
Age, Sex nor Condition; but cause a common De- 
valuation of almost whole Parishes. 
Some of the Symptoms attending the first Stage 
of a Fever, are described to be Languor, Weariness, 
Weakness, Insensibility, the Extremities Cold and 
Trembling, Pains in the Back, Anxiety, Oppression 
and Swelling about the Præcordia, with Rigors and 
Horrors, Flatulency, Loss of Appetite, Nausea and 
Vomitings. And, except the Symptoms of the first
Stage destroy the Patient, they are followed by 
the second. 
But I should think myself wanting in Duty to the- 
Cause I have undertaken, should I pass over this im- 
portant Part without making some Observations upon 
it, and endeavour to confine the Reader’s Attention 
to what so nearly concerns himself, his Family and 
his social Connections; I would therefore particularly 
recommend to his Consideration, how great must be 
the Sufferings of such Persons who are conducted 
through


(3)
through all the Symptoms of the first Stage, and 
when they survive those, are exposed to the Torments 
attending the second; which are described to be 
Rigors and Horrors, Heat arising from the Præ- 
cordia, and diffused from thence over the whole 
Body, irregular Flushings, a strong, full obstructed 
Pulse, or a very quick small one, great Pains in the 
Head and Joints, Stupor, Delirium, universal Sore- 
ness, Redness, arising in different Parts irregularly, 
Sweating in the Head and Breast, or over the whole 
Body, partial Secretions, Petechiæ, Death; and to 
this affecting Catalogue may be added, that of de- 
stroying the most exalted Enjoyments of human Fe- 
licity, by the untimely Separation of the best and 
dearest Friends. 
Since such is the unhappy Situation to which Per- 
sons of every Age, Sex and Condition, are liable to 
be reduced by Fevers, and it is quite uncertain how 
soon those who ate well to Day, may be brought to 
the most wretched Situation thereby; though the In- 
vestigation of the Subject may not be so amusing and 
agreeable as many others, yet there can be none that 
is more important, or has a greater Claim to the 
Attention of all Persons, as it is intended to com- 
municate the most safe, certain and effectual Means 
for their Relief and Preservation. 
But, it may perhaps be said, how, or by what 
Means, is such Information to be obtained? The 
C2 Answer


(4)
Answer is obvious: By following the Dictates of 
Reason, and abiding by plain Demonstrations and 
Matters of Fact; for from thence alone can any cer- 
tain and satisfactory Knowledge be obtained for 
that Purpose. If it were possible to examine the 
many Thousand Volumes which have been written 
by ancient and modern Authors, respecting the Cure 
of Fevers, all the Information which could be obtained 
for the Time and Trouble, would be, that ‘ after 
‘ a Contest has been carried on by the most eminent 
‘ Physical Writers and Practitioners for many Cen- 
‘ turies, concerning the good Effects of Bleeding, 
‘ Blistering, Purging, &c. the Question still remains 
‘ as uncertain and undetermined as ever; one Party 
‘ declaring them to be useful, safe and necessary; 
‘ while the other as positively assert them to be 
‘ hazardous, mischievous and destructive.’ Nor are 
their Opinions more unanimous concerning Boles, 
testaceous Powders, Confections and other Prepara- 
tions; some affirming them to be beneficial, whilst 
others pronounce them pernicious and deleterious. 
If this then is a true and genuine State of this in- 
teresting Affair, as I believe no one will deny, it 
must remain with the Reader to determine, whether 
be will trust the Life of himself and his dearest Friends 
to Means and Medicines so confessedly acknowledged 
to be very precarious, if not hurtful; or he would 
rather pursue his Enquiries, in hopes of obtaining the 
Knowledge of those which are more safe, certain 
and


(5)
and effectual: and, should he choose the latter, I will 
take upon me to say, his Hopes will not be in vain. 
But, as such Truths are much better demonstrated 
by Facts, than by a Thousand metaphysical Argu- 
ments, I shall attempt an Illustration thereof by such 
Incidents as often fall within the Reach of common 
Observation. But, before I proceed, I cannot for- 
bear observing, that it is not without Reluctance I 
invite my Readers to such unpleasing Reflections; 
because, to those who are particularly sensible to the 
endearing Affections of Nature, and have had the 
Misfortune to experience the Truth of what will be 
said, it may bring back the Remembrance of former 
Afflictions; nevertheless, as I hope to conduct them 
to the knowledge of the Means to prevent the 
Frequency of the like Misfortunes for the Future, 
I flatter myself those Motives will plead my Excuse, 
and induce them to contiune their Disquisitions in a 
Matter, wherein not only the Community at large, 
but their Posterity, are particularly concerned. 
There are, I believe, very few Persons, whose 
Connections are so limited, but, if they take a Re- 
trospect of what hath happened in their own Families, 
and those of their Relations, Friends and Acquaint- 
ance, within the Compass of a few Years; that may 
not remember to have known or heard of Persons 
being taken slightly ill of feverish Disorders, which 
they were told (and believed) not to portend any 
Danger,

(6)
Danger, or indicate the least bad Consequences; 
which, nevertheless, advanced by Degrees, and, 
notwithstanding the joint Advice of the most skilful 
Physicians, with all the Means and Medicines they 
could procure, continued to increase; and, after 
having regularly proceeded from one Stage to an- 
other, terminated in Death. 
But, as general Assertions ought not to be admitted 
before they have been demonstrated by the clearest 
Evidence the State of the Case will admit, and, as 
it may happen that some Readers may not recollect 
any Circumstances similar to those above-mentioned; 
I will, with all the Exactness in my Power, relate 
several, which, among many others, fell within my 
own Observation, in the Course of a few Years. 
A Gentleman of the Army married a young Lady, 
with whom he lived very happily for some Years; 
and in that Time had several Children. It happened 
the Lady was taken with a severish Complaint, 
which, it was said, would easily be removed; but 
it proved otherwise, for the Fever gradually in- 
creased; and, notwithstanding all the Assistance that 
could be procured, in the Space of fourteen Days, 
put a Period to her Life, to the great Affliction of 
her Husband. However, his Loss was in some 
Measure repaired by his eldest Daughter, who, 
though very young, had so great a Share of Pru- 
dence, as to be capable of taking Care of his family
Affairs:

(7)
Affairs. But this Gleam of Happiness was soon in- 
terrupted; for the same inflexible Intruder, without 
the least Respect to the Youth, or the extraordinary 
Qualities of the young Person, at first slightly at- 
tacked her; and, notwithstanding all possible Assist- 
ance was employed, in about twelve or fourteen 
Days, put a Period to her Life; leaving an incon- 
solable Father to lament her untimely Fate. 
But this additional Grief was not of long Duration; 
for the same inexorable Foe, who had so lately 
snatched from his Arms an affectionate Wife and a. 
dutiful Daughter, soon afterwards attacked him; nor 
was all the Assistance which could be procured, suf- 
ficient to preserve him: for he was cut off in the 
Prime of Life, to the inexpressible Affliction of the 
remaining Part of his Family*. 
If
* In these Instances, what is remarked in the Introduction to 
this Treatise, respecting the Prevalency of established Customs and 
commonly-received Opinions militating against the Reception of 
new Discoveries and useful Inventions, was particularly exempli- 
fied. For an Acquaintance of mine, who was very intimate in 
this afflicted Family, strongly sollicited them to make Use of the 
Chymical Febrifuge; being, as she said, fully perswaded that it 
would save the Lady's Life. But she was answered, that “ her 
“ Life was of two much Value to be trusted to such Medicines.” 
And yet, such was the Prevalency of Custom, that, with some 
little Variation, the same Means and Medicines which were ap- 
plied with such ill Success for the Preservation of the Mother, 
were


(8)
If then such accumulated Distresses are frequently 
produced by Fevers in their ordinary Course, what 
are the unhappy Situations of those who happen to 
be situated where Fevers rage with such Violence, as 
to spare neither Age, Sex nor Condition! Surely it 
is not less necessary and prudent to be provided with 
proper Antidotes against the poisonous Effects of these 
common Enemies of Mankind, than with Locks, 
Bolts and Bars, for Security against the Attacks of 
Murderers, Thieves and Robbers. And, if those 
who are of this Opinion will be pleased to pursue 
their Enquiries, with an Attention proportionable to 
the Importance of the Subject, they may be fully 
convinced, that it is not only possible to prepare such 
an Antidote; but also to prepare a sufficient Quantity 
to supply the British Fleets and Armies, in Time of 
Need†; as well as the Inhabitants of those Villages, 
and remote Parts of the Nation; which are some- 
times
were made Use of for the Daughter, in nearly the same Circum- 
stances; and attended with the like Consequences. Nevertheless, 
rather than deviate from those Rules, and take the Advice of a 
Friend, the Father trusted his own Life to the same Means he had 
so lately experienced to be ineffectual for the Recovery of his 
Wife and Daughter, 
† Long chymical Processes, great Heat, and constant Attend- 
ance, are necessary for making the first Principal, whereby the 
Febrifuge is obtained: but when that is once effected, new Ad- 
ditions will succeed, by Projection; and a constant Supply be 
made, to answer the salutary Purposes above-mentioned. 

(9)
times almost depopulated, for Want of being possessed 
of such a timely Help. But, before I proceed to 
discuss what relates to this last Proposition, I must 
return from this Digression, to where I was observing, 
that ‘ there are few People, if they take a cursory 
‘ View of what has happened to their own Families,
‘ and those of their Relations and Friends, but would 
‘ have Cause to remember some such Accidents and 
‘ Misfortunes, as those I have just related.’ From 
which it may reasonably be inferred, that what I 
mentioned, respecting the Materia Medica, is true. 
For to what other Cause can it be assigned, that 
those Fevers, so slight in their beginning, should so 
often become formidable, dangerous and fatal, not- 
withstanding all that can be prescribed by the most 
able and experienced in the Medical Art? 
It cannot, with any Propriety of Reason, be sup- 
posed, that those Gentlemen, who, to a long Series 
of Study and Application, have joined Experience 
and Observation, can be deficient in the Knowledge 
of Diseases, or unacquainted with the Virtues and 
Properties of all the medicinal Preparations publickly 
known. It must, therefore, proceed from this; that 
‘ the Materia Medica is deficient in Remedies for 
‘ the Cure of Fevers:’ of which the Reader will be 
more fully convinced, by an exact and careful Ex- 
amination of what is left upon Record by a very 
learned and able Physician. 
D The

(10)
The learned Dr. Friend (the respectable Author 
alluded to) who, at the same Time that he was in- 
troducing Purging in Fevers, as a Method generally 
to be adopted, and as an Axiom in the Practice of 
Physic, in two Epistles inscribed to Dr. Mead, re- 
lates several Cases, in which he gives an Account of 
the different Methods and principal Medicines made 
Use of in each Case. And, as I think the first is 
very remarkable and Interesting, I shall transcribe 
so much of it, as hath Respect to the important Sub- 
ject I am treating of: and then attempt to make some 
seasonable. Remarks; from which, and by a Com- 
parison of Facts, I humbly presume, the Reader’s 
Reflections will lead him to such Deductions and 
Conclusions, as will make him anxious for the In- 
troduction of Means and Remedies, that are more 
easy, safe and effectual. 
“ A Person of Quality (says the learned Author) 
“ in the Prime of his Age and Strength, was seized 
“ with the Small Pox, February 3d; which, in their 
“ Eruption, occasioned an exquisite Pain in the 
“ Back. The Physicians, who were first consulted, 
“ ordered a Vein to be opened, and a Vomit to be 
“ given. February 6th the whole Body, as well as
“ the Face, was spread over with an infinite Num- 
“ ber of Pustules, small, deprelTed and confluent; 
“ resembling, on the Cheeks, a Sort of Pellicle; 
“ in other Parts, after the first Impulse in coming 
“ out, they rose very slowly. He used a thin and 
“ temperate


(11)
“ temperate Diet. The chief Part of his Medicine 
“ was Confect. Fracastorii, dissolved in Aq. Lactis. 
“ The Spitting proceeded pretty happily for three 
“ Days; afterwards it totally ceased: which to me 
“ foreboded very great Danger, though to others it 
“ may seem otherwise, who imagine, that the Flux 
“ of Spitting in the Small-Pox, proceeds from I do 
“ not know what Malignity of Nature. Indeed, 
“ however malignant it may be, it seems almost ne- 
“ cessary in this Distemper, when it is of the con- 
“ fluent Kind. 
“ Feb. 9, The Pustules about the Chin were al- 
“ most black, and those which had run together up- 
“ on the Cheeks, resembled in smoothness Parch- 
“ ment or Ice. The Fauces being over-run with 
“ them were full of Pain, the Face was moderately 
“ swelled; in the Evening; an Ounce of Oxymel 
“ Scilliticum was exhibited to provoke Vomiting.
“ Feb. 10, He fancied himself something refresh- 
“ ed, the Face was more swelled, though still more 
“ depressed than the Nature of the Disease required; 
“ the Spitting returned; but after ten Hours wholly 
“ ceased. A little before nine a Vesicatory was ap-
“ plied to the Neck. 
“ Feb. 11, The Hands a little swelled; but left 
“ any Thing more dreadful should happen at this 
“ dangerous Time (for it was now the ninth Day of 
D2 the

(12)
“ the Disease) it was agreed to apply Blisters to the 
“ Arms in the Evening; nor indeed was it done too 
“ soon; for there began to be both a Subsultus Ten- 
“ dinum and a Convulsion of the Lips. He was ex- 
“ tremely restless all this Night, for the Fever burnt 
“ vehemently, a Delirium ensued, with a Tremor 
“ of the whole Body. 
“ Feb. 12, In the Morning he was not capable of 
“ either speaking or swallowing; therefore all Hopes 
“ of his Recovery were in a Manner lost. How- 
“ ever, a Clyster was injected, which worked very 
“ well in the Afternoon, when the Blister had hap- 
“ pily succeeded to our Wishes, he came intirely to 
“ himself. 
“ Feb. 13 and 14, The Fever continued; cardiac 
“ and diaphoretic Medicines had been given with- 
“ out Success. 
“ Feb. 15, Again a new violent Subsultus Tendi- 
“ num: The Delirium returned at short Intervals, 
“ for neither was the Fever quite gone off, nor had 
“ we received any Advantage from the Mode of 
“ Cure instituted.”
[A long Dissertation respecting the Usefulness of Purg- 
ing in Fevers, is here introduced, which I shall omit as 
foreign to the present Purpose: after which it is added]
“ They 


(13)
“ They contended for cephalic Medicines, which 
“ are reckoned proper to remove a Delirium and 
“ Tremors of the Nerves: which Method of Cure, 
“ however well it might succeed, might cut off some 
“ Branches of the Disease, but could not wholly 
“ eradicate it: for however the Symptoms might be 
“ abated, the Fever which was the Cause of the Dis- 
“ ease still remained, nevertheless we prescribed 
“ Spirit. Cranii Humani & Sal. Armon. volat. 
“ Feb. 17, In the Morning his Fever and Con- 
“ vulsions raged more violently.”
I have thus fairly transcribed, as nearly as can be 
gathered from the Relator's Account, all the Medi- 
cines that could be thought of by so experienced a 
Physician as Dr. Friend, in Consultation with several
others, for the Relief and Preservation of a Noble- 
man, afflicted with a most violent Disease. As this 
Nobleman then was very nearly interested in the 
Power and Efficacy of the Medicines which the Ma- 
teria Medica furnished for his Relief and Preservation, 
so are Persons of every Degree, who may hereafter 
have the Misfortune to be seized with any dangerous 
Fever, equally concerned (for Fevers, when not ac- 
companied with the Small-Pox, are frequently as fatal 
and destructive as those that are;) it may therefore be 
presumed every Reader will think an exact Investi- 
gation into the Virtues and Qualities of those Medi- 
cines, on which he risques his own Life and those 
of

(14)
of his most valuable Friends, not unworthy of serious 
Attention. 
I will therefore regularly proceed to make Remarks 
and draw the plainest Inferences and Conclusions, 
which it is in my Power to deduce, from a careful 
and candid Examination of what was done, in Or- 
der to remove this afflicted Nobleman's Fever; 
which on the 13th Day of the Disease is acknow- 
ledged to be the Cause thereof; and shew, that 
whatever Effects the Medicines proposed might 
have in cutting off other Branches of the Disease, 
they could have none, in Respect of subduing the 
Fever. 
In the first Account of Feb. 3, when it is said a 
Vein had been opened and a Vomit given, no Men- 
tion is made of any other Medicine, till the 6th; 
when it is observed, the chief Part of his Medicine 
was Confect. Fracastorii, dissolved in Aqua Lactis: 
from this to the 9th nothing is mentioned; wherefore 
it must be concluded, the same Medicines were conti- 
nued till the Evening of that Day, when an Ounce of 
Oxymel Scilliticum was exhibited to provoke Vomit- 
ing. And, as we are now arrived at the seventh 
Evening since the Beginning of a very alarming Di- 
sease, though no Mention hath been made of a Fever 
(which is the principal Thing I am particularly to 
take Notice of) it may be naturally concluded, as 
well from the Nature of the Disease, as from what 
will

(15)
will very soon appear, the Fever had been violent 
the greatest Part, if not all the Time. For which 
Reason, an Enquiry into the Means and Medicines, 
used to regulate it and keep it in due Bounds, may 
not be unnecessary; more especially, as it may na- 
turally be supposed, so eminent a Physician as Dr. 
Friend would order the very best the Materia Medica 
could supply*. Yet we do not find any Medicine 
had been given, which could in Reason be supposed
to 
* As I humbly presume what is said in the Introduction to this 
Treatise, will secure me from the least Suspicion of aiming any 
Reflections on the present Practitioners in the Healing Art, so I 
flatter myself it will do the same in Respect to the Gentlemen who 
attended the much afflicted Nobleman, whose Case we are examin- 
ing. And I must particularly observe, that I would not be under- 
stood to insinuate, that the Febrifuge (of which an historical Ac- 
count is subjoined at the End of this Treatise) would have preserved 
his Life : as it is only known to unerring Wisdom, whether it was 
or was not in the Power of Medicine to do it. All I would be un- 
derstood to mean, is, that the Materia Medica does not afford any 
Medicine, which, in dangerous Fevers, can be of any material Ser- 
vice. Nor would I be thought to represent the Chymical Febrifuge 
as infallible in those Diseases; but freely acknowledge, that, in the 
Course of twenty Years, I have known one Instance ‡ in which it 
failed of producing its usual Effects; of which a more ample Ac- 
count will be given hereafter. But this I will venture to say, that a 
few Spoonfuls of it would have done more towards subduing and re- 
moving that Fever, (which is acknowledged to be the Cause of the 
Disease) than all the Medicines that appear to have been admi- 
nistered for that Purpose. 
‡ Vide Case XXIII. 


(16)
to have sufficient Power and Efficacy to mitigate and 
calm the exorbitant Motions of the Spirits, or pre- 
vent the noxious and deleterious Principles, generally 
very exuberant in malignant Diseases, from assimulat- 
ing the Blood, and then attacking the Heart and all 
the vital Parts. This cannot be an unnecessary In- 
quiry in this Place; because, as I have before ob- 
served, as the Life of that afflicted Nobleman was 
then interested, so is that of every Person, who shall 
hereafter be so unhappy as to be seized by any vio- 
lent Fever. 
It appears, that, on or before the 3d of Feb. a 
Vein had been opened, and a Vomit given; and on 
the 6th, that the chief Part of his Medicine was 
Confect. Fracastorii dissolved in Aqua Lactis. And, 
as it could not be expected that this Medicine could 
be of any material Service, or have much Tendency 
towards producing any such Effects as those I have 
mentioned, (which in all dangerous Fevers is of the 
Utmost Consequence:) and as nothing of that Sort has 
appeared from an Examination of what past during 
the first seven Days; I will proceed, with the utmost 
Care, to see if any of that Tendency is discoverable 
hereafter. On the 9th of Feb. it is said an Ounce of 
Oxymel Scilliticum was exhibited, to provoke Vomit- 
ing; and on the 10th a Vesicatory was applied to the 
Neck : but it doth not yet appear, that any generous 
Medicine had been thought of, which is something 
to be regretted; because the 11th of Feb. was ex- 
pected


(17)
pected to be a very dangerous Crisis; as appears 
from the Relator's Account, who thus states the Case. 
“ The Hands a little swelled; but lest any Thing 
“ more dreadful should happen at this dangerous 
“ Time, (for it was now the ninth Day) it was 
“ agreed to apply Blisters to the Arms in the Even- 
“ ing; nor indeed was it done too soon; for there 
“ began to be both a Subsultus Tendinum and a 
“ Convulsion of the Lips: he was very restless all 
“ Night, for the Fever burnt violently; and there 
“ came on a Delirium and a Tremor of the whole 
“ Body.”
In this affecting Account of the ninth Day of the 
Disease, when a Fever is said to have burnt violently 
it might have been hoped, that, out of the numerous 
Classes which compose the Materia Medica, some 
powerful Remedies would have been selected, to 
calm, refresh and support the Spirits and remaining 
Strength of this greatly afflicted Patient. And if the 
Reader is as much affected as I am, I am sure he will 
be very sollicitous to hear of some effectual Remedy 
in these dangerous Extremities: I will therefore pro- 
ceed, with as much Brevity as the Nature of this in- 
teresting Disquisition will admit, to satisfy his En- 
quiry. On the 11th in the Evening the Fever burnt 
violently (no Mention of any Medicine being given) 
and the 12th in the Morning he was not capable of 
either speaking or swallowing: however a Clyster
E was

(18)
was injected, which worked very well: but no Ac- 
count of any other Remedies till the 13th and 14th 
of Feb. which are put together; when the first Ac- 
count is, that the Fever continually remained, and 
that cardiac and diaphoretic Medicines had been 
given, without any Success. But as I know of no 
Medicines in the Class of Cardiacs, which could be 
expected to be of much Service in this Case; and as 
no Mention is made what particular Medicines they 
were; I shall go on without any Remarks, to the 
Conclusion of the important 15th of Feb. where I 
must beg the Reader's Attention, and appeal to his 
own judgment, if my first Proposition, concerning, 
the Inefficacy of Medicines publickly known and 
in common Practice for the Cure of Fevers, be not
fully established. 
The 15th of Feb, some Difference of Opinion ap- 
pears to have prevailed amongst the Gentlemen in 
Consultation; the Conclusion of which is thus stated: 
They contended for cephalic Medicines, which are 
reckoned proper to remove a Delirium and Tremor 
of the Nerves; which Method of Cure, however 
well it might succeed, might cut off some Branches 
of the Disease, but could not wholly eradicate it: for 
however the other Symptoms might be abated, the 
Fever, which was the Cause of the Disease, still re- 
mained. Nevertheless “ we prescribed Spir. Cranii 
“ Humani & Sal. Armon. volat. and Feb. the 17th 
“ in the Morning his Fever and Convulsions raged
“ more 

(19)
“ more violently.” Could any Thing less be ex- 
pected! Alas! how deficient was the Materia Me- 
dica, when, in the last Extremity, Physicians had 
Recourse to Spiritus Cranii Humani! 
Was it so very barren, so fruitless, that so able, 
respectable and learned a Physician as Dr. Friend, 
in Consultation with several others, could find no- 
thing better in the whole Pharmacopeia, or more 
likely to relieve their afflicted Patient! And will 
then the Gentlemen of the English College of Phy- 
sicians, many of whom far exceed Dr. Friend, both 
in Respect to Learning, physical Abilities, and o- 
ther Praise-worthy Qualities: Will they any longer 
suffer that Life and Health (of which they have 
taken upon themselves to be Guardians) to be risqued 
on such a precarious Foundation? Forbid it Huma- 
nity, and inspire them with Resolution to emanci- 
pate themselves from a servile Attachment to obso- 
lete Rules and Modes, those perpetual Bars to phy- 
sical Improvement! Let them imitate the Example 
of those their worthy and learned Predecessors; who 
not many Years ago, having examined all the Medi- 
cines made use of in Practice for the Cure of Fevers,
ranged them in different Classes and specified their 
Manner of Operation, compared them to the Com- 
bustables with which the Prophet Daniel destroyed 
the Babylonish Dragon; and, after giving a friendly 
Caution to the People, not to suffer themselves to be 
deluded, gave a lively Description of Chymistry: 
E2 from


(20)
from whose inexhaustible Springs, Remedies pure, 
mild and friendly to Nature may be drawn, and on 
which alone a Dependence may be placed, in Cases 
of such Distress. 
As therefore, I humbly presume the Reader is 
fully satisfied that my Propositions, concerning the In- 
sufficiency of all the Medicines publickly known for 
the Cure of Fevers, is fully established; I shall close 
this Account, by informing those who may be de- 
sirous to know the Fate of the afflicted Nobleman, 
that, after having, by an astonishing Strength of 
Constitution, maintained a Conflict against an in- 
exorable Enemy for twenty-four Days, he died, uni- 
versally lamented. 
Leaving him therefore to sleep in Peace, I shall 
invite my Readers to engage in the Pursuit of pure, 
mild, and incorruptible Remedies, for the Purpose 
of preserving themselves and Friends from the dan- 
gerous Assaults of Fevers. And as Chymistry, from 
whence alone these pure, mild, and salubrious Re- 
medies can be drawn, is described by a late worthy 
Censor of the College of Physicians, I will take the 
Liberty to transcribe it; hoping the Reader will not 
think his Time and Attention ill bestowed in the 
Contemplation of an Object, from which he may 
derive such singular Benefits. 
‘ 'Tis

(21)
‘ 'Tis to Chymistry we owe the late Discoveries, 
‘ and to Experience, from her Advice the most com- 
‘ pleat and most certain Knowledge concerning the 
‘ sure Effects of the more simple Medicines. Nature 
‘ lays open by her the Principles and compounding 
‘ Parts of all the vegetable, the animal and mineral 
‘ Substances; as she does by Anatomy the Figures, 
‘ the Places and the Uses of all the Organs of animal 
‘ Bodies. 
‘ She has, being practised by Gentlemen of Hon- 
‘ our and Physicians of Integrity, exposed the impu- 
‘ dent Presumption and fraudulent Exactions of all 
‘ the chymical Impostors. Hardened by the Heat 
‘ of their Furnaces, she glories in her Separation of 
‘ the Spirits from mineral Salts, and the other from 
‘ Animals; and in her admirable Preparation of the 
‘ Metals; but she confesses, that the animal Alkalis 
‘ are destroyed by her, when converted into useless 
‘ Magistaries and Precipitates; and that the Earths 
‘ when calcin'd, are corrupted by her Fires, that the 
‘ Vegetables, in her Extracts, leave behind the grosser 
‘ and more earthly Parts; the Spirits the more ac- 
‘ tive, being forced to fly away by her Tortures.—
‘ She owns that all her fix'd Salts are of the same 
‘ kind, being robbed of all their specificating Vir- 
‘ tues; and that her Oils are all an exalted and 
‘ closely united Sulphur and embodied Fire, which re- 
‘ tains only the hardly distinguishable Marks of their 
‘ native Power, evident to almost every Sense in the 
‘ aromatic

(22)
‘ aromatic Plants. But she values herself by the Ser- 
‘ vice she offers to preserve Health and prolong Life 
‘ by her Tinctures, which being made by the va- 
‘ rious Liquors and Menstruums of natural Water and 
‘ Wine, the Spirits (acid, volatile and vinous) can 
‘ imbibe and extract all those wonderful Mixtures, 
‘ which Nature has lodged in all the Plants. She 
‘ commends and applauds the Infusions and Decocti- 
‘ ons (the Galenical Tinctures;) which she imitates 
‘ and improves to the greater Purposes of the Cure of 
‘ Diseases. 
‘ She takes Care not to lose the most æthereal or 
‘ finest Spirits, by the exact Closure of her Vessels; 
‘ while she rends by the Heat of her Fires, the most
‘ compact and stubborn Contextures of the Ingredi- 
‘ ents. She employs every Liquor in her Service: 
‘ the soft Waters of the Spring, or simple Milk-Water; 
‘ the generous Juices of all the Grapes, the Vinegar, 
‘ and the penetrating acid; volatile or oily Spirits, 
‘ drawn from her three Kingdoms; the vegetable, 
‘ animal and mineral. To these all the Vegetables, 
‘ the Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, all the Gums and Bal- 
‘ sams; and the Minerals prepared, freely commu- 
‘ nicate all their Virtues, cephalic and cordial, and 
‘ those which raise or compose the Spirits, and all 
‘ the Alterers of the Blood, in their various and dif- 
‘ ferent Manners. She prepares them to pass through 
‘ the Stomach into the Blood, and by it into the 
‘ Nerves. The Stomach is instantly heated or cooled,
‘ cleansed


(23)
‘ cleansed of its viscous Phlegm, or actuated with the 
‘ Supply of the digestive temperate acid; and made 
‘ able, by the Corroboratives, to contract itself, and 
‘ force out of her Glands her own Dissolvent. 
‘ They likewise convey the purging Qualities of 
‘ Rhubarb, Sena, Aloes, Jallop, &c. through the 
‘ Stomach unmolested into the Bowels. They deliver 
‘ to the Blood, by the lacteal Vessels, the healing 
‘ Balsams of the Plants, by which the Blood is made 
‘ florid, more firm, consistent and uniform. They 
‘ send, with their rapid Circulation, their Balms to 
‘ the Lungs and Kidneys; their penetrative Parts to 
‘ the Spleen and Liver. The Brain as soon receives 
‘ the spicey aromatic Spirits of the Flowers and Seeds, 
‘ and by them fortifies and increases its Spirits. 
‘ They go forward to the Nerves, disperse the Ob- 
‘ structions there; and enter into all the Fibres of 
‘ Sense and Motion. The Liquor does not alter or 
‘ vitiate the specific Contexture of any one Simple. 
‘ The incomprehensible Varieties are preserved entire 
‘ and undisturbed by them. The Stomach receives 
‘ from one the bitter and spicey, from another the 
‘ bitter and balsamic, the bitter and acrid from a 
‘ third, and the bitter and cooling from a fourth.
‘ The severish Blood is refreshed by one with a wa- 
‘ tery Acid: Now with a watery Jelly, then with a 
‘ watery and temporating Sweetness. It has the 
‘ Power of separating its Impurities, supported by 
‘ the astringent Parts of one, and the more rough and 
‘ cementing


(24)
‘ cementing of another. The Spirits are increased 
‘ by those of one Class, moved and irritated by those 
‘ of another, restrained and governed by a third. 
‘ These (adds the learned Censor) were the In- 
‘ struments of the successful Practice of Physic, when 
‘ it had a just Regard to the Welfare of the Patient. 
‘ They are now thought to give Trouble in the Pre- 
‘ paration, to effect the Cure in smaller Quanti- 
‘ ties, and prevent the great Design of the projected 
‘ Profit.’ 
Having given the Reader an Opportunity of ex- 
amining a Picture, in which not only the outward 
Features, but also the different Qualities, Properties, 
Operations and Effects of the Original are delineated; 
if he will now be pleased to pursue his Enquiries, 
and attend to the various Relations of Facts 
and Occurrences, which will occasionally be in- 
troduced in the following Pages, he will clearly 
perceive, that it is from Chymistry alone, those mild, 
pure and incorruptible Remedies are to be obtained, 
which can, with any Degree of Certainty, be de- 
pended upon for the Cure of Fevers. For an intro- 
ductory Proof of this, the following real and genuine 
Matter of Fact is related. 
A young Lady, of about fourteen Years of Age, 
was seized with a feverish Complaint, accompanied 
with Pains in her Stomach and other Parts: where-
upon

(25)
upon the Gentlemen, who usually attended the Fa- 
mily, were sent for. What Methods were used for 
her Recovery I do not know; but, doubtless, they 
were such as were thought most likely to effect it.—
However, it unfortunately happened, that all the 
Medicines which could be thought of had no good 
Effect; for, instead of receiving any Relief, she con- 
tinued to grow worse: and after some Time, it was 
thought proper to remove her into the Country.—
What Methods were pursued there, is not material; 
as my only Reason for mentioning this Case, is for a 
further Confirmation of what I have so often taken 
Notice of before, respecting the Inefficacy of Me- 
dicines for the Cure of Fevers; and likewise, to prove 
the Reasonableness of instituting others better calculat- 
ed for that Purpose. Wherefore I shall not detain the 
Inquirer with a Detail of all that happened during a 
tedious Illness, but content myself with the following 
Circumstances. After the Patient had been some 
Time in the Country, she was very desirous to re-
turn to Town; but had so dangerous a Fever, that 
she could not be removed, unless that could in some 
Measure be allayed, which the usual Remedies 
could not effect. It happened, that a Relation of 
the young Lady's went to see her, and, hearing 
that the Fever could by no Means be abated, told 
her Mother that he knew of a Febrifuge; and appre- 
hended, if it could be obtained, it would so far sub-
due it, as to enable her Daughter to bear the Fatigues 
of the Journey. The Mother, though very unwilling
F to

(26)
to give any Medicines which were not ordered by 
the Physicians, having received the Information 
from a very respectable Friend, in whom she placed 
great Confidence, desired he would endeavour to 
procure it as soon as possible. In Compliance with 
her Request, he came to me, and desired I would let 
him have some of the Febrifuge, for a Relation of 
his, who had a very bad Fever. I said, there was 
no Doubt but the young Lady was attended by some 
Gentleman of the Faculty; and if so, I would gladly 
be excused from complying with his Request. Which 
Reply induced the Gentleman to give me the Ac- 
count related above; and to add, that, as all other 
possible Means had been used in vain, and as the 
Febrifuge was perfectly mild and safe, the other 
Medicines should be omitted for some Time, and 
that should be given. Being prevailed upon by these 
Arguments, I let him have a small Quantity, with- 
which he hasted away. But, in the mean Time, the 
Gentlemen who attended the Patient had been there,
and ordered the Medicines to be continued; which 
caused a Doubt in her Friends how to act; it being 
then Evening, the Fever very bad and accompanied 
with a violent Diarrhœa: and therefore thinking her in 
great Danger, they determined to omit the other 
Medicines, and give the Febrifuge. Whereupon, 
two or three Tea-spoonfuls were given, and a little 
Time after repeated; when the sick Person began to 
be more composed, and the Fever somewhat abated. 
The Febrifuge being repeated again, she became  
still


(27)
still more easy and tranquil; and (to use the Words 
of the Relator) had more Ease and composed Sleep 
that Night, than she had experienced for a consider- 
able Time: so that, when the Gentlemen came the 
next Day to visit her, they were agreeably surprized 
to find their Patient so much better, and that the 
Medicines had produced the desired Effect. 
But this agreeable Scene was soon changed through 
on odd Event. The Nurse, instead of putting all 
the other Medicines away, as she had been ordered, 
had left one of the Bottles in the Room, which one 
of the Gentlemen happened to see; and, being quite 
unacquainted with what had been done, asked why 
that had not been given? and ordered it to be taken 
immediately: which neither the Patient nor the 
Nurse had Presence of Mind to excuse, or Resolution 
to refuse; and with Reluctance complied with the 
Order. But this Event was unfortunate; for in 
a short Time not only the Fever, but also the Diarr- 
hœa, which had almost ceased, returned; and both 
became so very bad in the Evening, as to cause Ap- 
prehensions of immediate Danger. In this Situation 
of Things, what remained to be done? no Physici- 
ans were at Hand to advise with: therefore, in this 
Emergency, it was resolved, once more to put by 
the Medicines which had been sent in, and to make 
Use of the Febrifuge. How often it was then given 
I cannot say; but (according to the Account I had 
from the Relator) such were the happy Effects it 
F2 produced,


(28)
produced, that some Time after it was given, the 
Patient began to be much easier, the Fever and the 
diarrhœa abated, and the Patient slept pretty com- 
posedly the latter Part of the Night. The following 
Day she was so much better, that when her Physicians 
visited her in the Afternoon, they said, she might 
safely be removed to Town the next Day; which 
was done accordingly: where I shall leave her, hav- 
ing had no other Concern in this Transaction, than 
as above related. I have introduced it in this Place, 
as a Specimen of the Proofs to be inserted at the End 
of this Treatise. And if the Reader will be pleased 
to examine them with the Care and unbiassed Atten- 
tion, suitable to a Subject in which himself and dear- 
est Friends are nearly concerned, I doubt not but 
his judicious Reflections will lead him to be thankful 
to Divine Providence, that, by the Help of Chy- 
mistry, a Febrifuge hath been obtained, mild, plea- 
sant and friendly to Nature, as Breast-milk; and 
which, without giving the least Ruffle to the most 
delicate and weak Constitution, or Disturbance to 
the Stomach, gently flows to correct and expel the 
noxious Principles, which, in Fevers, mix with the 
Blood, attack the Heart, disturb the Spirits, and 
bring on those alarming Symptoms, which too fre- 
quently extinguish the Lamp of Life.
But, as this mild and powerful Remedy, which 
produced those salutary Effects, is not to be bought, 
it may naturally be said, where is the Use of being 
informed

(29)
informed that a Febrifuge is discovered, by which 
the destructive Effects of Fevers are prevented; 
when, at the same Time, we are told it cannot be 
purchased at any Price? In Order, therefore, to 
remove all Grounds of Censure, for attempting to 
engage the Attention either of the Public or of pri- 
vate Persons, to a Subject, from which no immediate 
Advantage can be derived to either, the Author 
hopes the following Narrative, concerning the Dis- 
covery in Question, will be accepted as a sufficient 
Excuse. 
Something more than twenty Years ago, I had an 
only Son taken with an inflammatory Fever, which 
resisted all the Means and Medicines which could be 
procured. In Consequence of which he died. This 
brought me to reflect how uncertain and inadequate 
to the Cure of Fevers all the known Means and 
Medicines applied for that Purpose, were: And at 
the same Time to think, that doubtless from among 
the hidden Treasures of Nature, Remedies might be 
procured more powerful, certain and effectual for 
the Cure of those destructive Diseases; and having 
communicated those Thoughts to my late Brother, 
(of whose chymical Abilities there are many stand- 
ing Monuments *, not only in Great Britain and 
Ireland,
* It is to him and his indefatigable Researches in Chymistry, 
that this Nation is indebted for that Acid Liquor, being made in 
sufficient





(30)
Ireland, but also in other Countries,) he likewise 
was of the same Opinion. 
But in the Discussion of so important a Subject, a 
very material Objection presented itself. For as 
there are many Sorts or Denominations of Fevers, 
and as it is a commonly received Maxim, that 
a Remedy which will cure one Fever may do Harm 
in another; if that Opinion was founded in Truth, 
it would be in vain to attempt finding out a general 
Febrifuge. I answer: Though there are said to be 
many different Denominations of Fevers, their spe- 
cific Differences are seldom distinguishable at first.—
On the contrary, their various Symptoms of Malig- 
nity, Putridity, &c. &c. generally come on by De- 
grees, and consequently, if opposed in proper Time by 
Remedies adapted to refill Putrefaction, and defend 
the Heart and other vital Parts from their malignant 
Attacks, by gently insinuating themselves to their 
Relief, without weakening the Constitution, or dis- 
turbing the Stomach, Fevers would seldom appear 
under so many different and alarming Forms.
Being
sufficient Quantity to bring the Manufactory of Printed Linens 
and Cottons, to its present perfect and flourishing State; as well 
as those great Variety of beautiful Colours in our Staple Manu- 
factory of Broad Cloth, which could not have been effected with- 
out it. He also made other useful Discoveries, which I shall for- 
bear to mention. 

(31)
Being by these Reflections led to think, that such a
Febrifuge might be made, the next Thing to be con- 
sidered, was, from what Principles and by what Me- 
thods it might be accomplished: And after many 
chymical Experiments and tedious Processes, through 
the Favour of Providence, this mild, innocent and 
powerful Febrifuge was obtained. 
My Brother being then engaged in several other 
chymical Processes, had not Time or Opportuny to 
make proper Trials; I therefore employed myself 
with great Assiduity and Circumspection in attending 
to the various vernal, autumnal and other Fevers for 
several Years, in order to find out, as near as possi- 
ble, how far it could be relied upon; and to observe 
its principal Effects; which on all Occasions, were
such as served to convince me, that by a timely and 
proper Use of this powerful Remedy, Fevers might 
generally be prevented from producing any alarm- 
ing Symptoms or fatal Consequences. 
I therefore thought it a Duty incumbent upon me, 
to make it as generally useful to Society as it might be 
in my Power. For this Purpose, as long ago as the 
Year 1760, I made Application to that great and 
worthy Encourager of Arts and useful Discoveries, 
the then Duke of Argyll; but his Grace unfortunate- 
ly died soon afterwards, before any Thing material 
was determined. The Loss of so great and good a 
Support, did not however prevent me from taking 
every

(32)
every Opportunity which offered, of gaining further 
Confirmation of its powerful Effects. And finding 
them far exceed my utmost Expectations, I thought 
that by distributing it in the Villages and remote 
Parts of the Nation, where Fevers frequently carry off 
the most useful of the Inhabitants, it would annually 
preserve many valuable Members of the Community.
These Thoughts induced me in 1762, to offer Pro- 
posals for that Purpose to several Members of both 
Houses of Parliament. Before they were all deliver- 
ed, I perceived that my Zeal for having it made thus 
useful, had caused me to commit a very great Error, 
and that so long as it remained in private Hands, 
the Quantity which could be made, so far from ans- 
wering any such Purpose, would not supply the 
Wants of those, who were become acquainted with 
its Virtues, and were continually solliciting for it.—
I therefore retained the Remainder of the Proposals, 
and declined all further Thoughts on that Head.—
But being still desirous to have it made as extensively 
useful as possible, my Reflections led me to con- 
clude, that should the Materia Medica be enriched 
by the Addition of so valuable an Acquisition, it 
would thereby become the Means of preserving many 
Families from Misery and Distress, by preventing 
the premature Death of those, who were their prin- 
cipal Support. 
Prompted by these Considerations, I made Ap- 
plication to several Physicians; but though some of 
those

(33)
those Gentlemen seemed to believe it a Matter worthy 
of Attention, their Situations were such as rendered 
it impracticable for them to promote it. I then per- 
ceived it would be very difficult to obtain such ne- 
cessary Assistance, as would insure Success. And, 
having for a long Time taken a great Deal of Pains, 
as well as been at considerable Expences in my Pur- 
suits and Enquiries to obtain perfect Information, as 
to the Virtues, Properties and Effects of the Febrifuge, 
and thereby exhausted the greatest Part of the first 
Principle, by which alone it is to be obtained, the 
Preparation whereof is extremely tedious, I deter- 
mined to preserve the small Remainder, and a suffi- 
cient Quantity of the Febrifuge, for the Use of my 
Family; and not make any more, or give myself 
any further Trouble about it. 
Not long after I had formed these Resolutions, 
several Persons (who had experienced its happy 
Effects in their respective Families and those of 
their Friends) strongly intreated me to make more, 
and reproached me with being guilty of a Breach 
of Humanity, for declining to make it, when 
at the same Time no other Persons were instructed 
therein. However, though I could not comply with 
their Request, yet having, in that Interval, seen and 
heard of many distressing Scenes of Sorrow produced 
by Fevers, which I was fully perswaded might have 
been prevented, had the Chymical Febrifuge been 
added to the Materia Medica, I resolved to make 
G Application


(34)
Application to other Gentlemen of the Faculty, who 
I flattered myself would be induced, by their Hu- 
manity and Regard to the Preservation of Mankind, 
to enter into a serious Investigation of a Subject which 
so immediately related to their Profession. But I still 
found myself mistaken; for, in Conversation with
some of them, (of whose benevolent Dispositions I 
had formed, and still entertain the highest Opinion) 
I was told, in a very candid and genteel Manner, 
they had a very great Esteem for the Authors of use- 
ful Discoveries; but, in Respect to such Propositions, 
they could not be of any Service, as the College 
never meddled with or accepted them. 
In discoursing with another on the same Subject, 
after I had, with the greatest Ingenuousness and 
Truth, assured him of the safe and mild, yet power- 
ful Effects of the Febrifuge, I intimated a Desire of 
having an Opportunity of proving the Truths of 
what I had asserted, by relieving Persons afflicted 
with Fevers in some of the Hospitals; and, at the 
same Time, represented to him that it might be done
without any Risque or Possibility of Danger, the 
Properties of the Febrifuge being such as never to
ruffle or disturb the most delicate Constitution. How- 
ever, instead of receiving a favorable Reply to what 
I thought a very reasonable Request, I was answered 
by that too rigid Abettor of collegiate Rules and 
Maxims, that, should any Physician give Consent 
for such a Trial to be made, he would move to have 
him

(35)
him expelled the College. With due Deference to 
that Gentleman's physical Abilities and other respect- 
able Qualities, I must beg Leave to think, it would 
be more conducive to the general Happiness of Man- 
kind, and a more likely Method to promote Im- 
provements in the Art of Healing, if all the Mem- 
bers of that divine Science, instead of zealously vin- 
dicating and adhering to particular Privileges, Rules 
and Maxims, obtained, made and adopted, at a 
Time when liberal Arts and Notions were almost hid 
under the Clouds of Superstition and Ignorance, 
would use their Endeavors to discover or encourage 
Discoveries of Remedies, more effectual for the Cure 
of Fevers, than any yet publickly known. For, 
(whatever Improvements have of late been made in 
Respect to the Cure of other Diseases) I appeal to 
themselves and daily Experience, if, from the first 
Institution of the College to this Time, any Medi- 
cines have been introduced into public Practice, 
which can, with any reasonable Degree of Certainty, 
be relied upon for the Cure of those fatal Diseases, I 
have so often had Occasion to mention in the forego- 
ing Pages. Nor indeed can any such Introduction 
take Place, as long as Gentlemen of the most distin- 
guished Abilities and Learning (and, in other Res- 
pects, possessed of every social Virtue) will suffer 
such Endowments and amiable Qualities to be 
tracted within the narrow Limits prescribed by such
Rules and Maxims. If Physicians will neither use 
their own Endeavors to make Discoveries of new 
G2 Remedies,


(36)
Remedies, nor suffer the Admission, of those made 
by the Study, Labour and Expence of others, they 
who are honest and humane amongst them, may con- 
tinue to lament the Precariousness of their Art, so 
far as respects tEe Cure of Fevers; Parents bewail 
the Loss of beloved Sons and Daughters; and Child- 
ren be rendered distressed and wretched Orphans, by 
the malignant Effects of those destructive Diseases. 
It has been mentioned in some of the foregoing 
Pages, that when, by a Variety of Proofs, I was 
certain of being possessed of a Discovery, in which 
Society was essentially interested, I thought it a Duty 
incumbent upon me, to use every justifiable Means 
in my Power to prevent it remaining useless; I hope 
therefore no particular Gentleman of the Faculty will 
be offended with me for relating those Matters of 
Fact, which are necessary to shew what were the 
Means made Use of for that Purpose. And, (in Re- 
gard to my general Observations respecting the Rules 
of the College) if, through Mistake or Mis-inform- 
ation, I have said any Thing that is not literally true, 
I flatter myself I shall be excused by that learned 
and respectable Body; as what I have been led to 
advance, proceeded from no other Motive than a full 
Conviction, that, should all good Physicians resolve 
to disclaim and reject such Rules, Orders and 
Maxims, as tend to discourage and prevent useful 
Improvements being made and admitted into the Art 
of Healing, and use their best Endeavors to bring 
that

(37)
that noble Science to its greatest Degree of Perfect- 
ion, the Cure of Fevers would soon be brought to 
equal Certainty with the Solution of Problems in the 
Mathematicks; or, at least, their destructive Effects 
would be prevented with the same Ease, as a Mor- 
tification from a Puncture or slight Incision. 
But, as this last Proposition is of that Sort, which, 
as I before observed, is apt to impress the Mind with 
a Disbelief of whatever is contrary to established 
Rules and commonly-received Opinions, left by be-
ing thought new, it should have that Effect on some 
Readers, I am glad to have an Opportunity of in- 
forming them it is not so; and that several very 
learned physical Writers and experienced Physicians, 
coincide therewith. One has given it as his Opinion, 
that it was possible to form an Hypothesis in the 
Practice of Physic, equally certain, in many Res- 
pects, with those of Geometricians. Another learn- 
ed Graduate of the College hath observed, that Na- 
ture is plain, simple and direct in all her Ways; her 
Procedure regular and geometrical. A third (after hav- 
ing travelled many Years, and declared, that he had 
obtained more Knowledge by his Observations and Ex- 
perience in the Cure of Fevers, than from all the Books 
he had read) proceeds to make many judicious and sea- 
sonable Observations respecting them; and on the 
Means and Medicines generally made Use of for that 
Purpose: which he affirmed are much oftner hurtful 
than salutary; concluding, that, though it may seem 
a

(38)
a Paradox to some, he will venture to lay it down as 
a self-evident Principle, there are very few Fevers, 
except in pestilential Cases, “ but may be cured by 
the first Intention, without waiting for the tedious 
Expectancy of (at the best) a very doubtful Crisis.” 
A fourth, in his Inquiries respecting those Diseases, 
remarks, that all Fevers prove fatal if the morbific 
Matter be not separated from the Blood by its inter- 
nal Motion; and that the Medicines generally made 
Use of, instead of assisting the Blood to produce that 
necessary Operation, frequently prevent it; and often 
render slight Fevers incurable. 
To these Opinions, which bear Testimony of the 
Truth of my Propositions, I might add many others; 
but suppose it unnecessary. 
Lest any Readers should surmise, that the Operati- 
ons and Effects I have ascribed to the Chymical Fe- 
brifuge are not literally true, I must beg Leave to in- 
form them, (and I hope I shall be credited) that, 
however unable I may be to prove, explain and 
inforce my Propositions in that clear, solid and ample 
Manner their great Importance demands; yet, ex- 
clusive of the Esteem and Veneration justly due to 
Probity and Honesty, my Deference and Respect to 
the Public would have restrained me from presuming 
to lay them before that discerning and aweful Tri- 
bunal, were they not founded on certain and undeni- 
able Proofs. 
During

(39)
During a Period of near twenty Years, I have had 
such Opportunities to be certain, that the Chymical 
Febrifuge hath constantly produced the Effects I have 
described, that I shall venture to fix it as an Axiom, 
it will ever produce the same; and on that Prin- 
ciple I shall submit it to the judicious Determination 
of the Reader, whether it is more eligible to risque 
his Health and that of his Friends, on Means allow- 
ed by all to be precarious, (and, by many, to be 
dangerous;) or to inquire for those, which, by re- 
peated Trials, have been found perfectly safe and 
efficacious. If he chooses the latter, by pursuing 
his Inquiries he will very soon have the Satisfaction 
to know for a Certainty, that, by the Help of Chy- 
mistry, aFebrifuge hath been discovered, which is as 
mild, pleasant and friendly to Nature as Breast-milk. 
This will plainly appear, if the Reader will be pleased 
to examine the subsequent historical Narrative of 
Cures, by which he will perceive how and by what 
Modes of Action the Chymical Febrifuge produces, 
such immediate and happy Effects. 
However, as I am aware that when any Matters of 
this Sort are under Consideration, the human Mind 
(either from its own active Monitor, or from the insidi- 
ous Insinuations of others) is apt to imbibe Suspicions 
that the Facts are not fairly and truly stated, I must 
once more beg Leave to make my Appeal to the 
Candour of the Reader; and desire he will believe 
me, when I declare, that, in the following historical 
Narrative

(40)
Narrative of Cures, I have not made Use of any 
Amplifications, with a View to impress his Mind 
with a Belief, that the Chymical Febrifuge possesses 
more or greater Qualities than it really does: and 
likewise, that, in any future Disquisition, no Consi- 
deration shall induce me to deviate from that strict 
and genuine Truth, which ought always to actuate 
the Mind of those, who offer Propositions, on which 
the Lives of Thousands depend. 
CASE

(41)
CASE I. 
A Young Person had a feverish Complaint for up- 
wards of two Years, which brought her very 
low; and in June 1759, she was taken with a severe 
inflammatory Fever. I saw her in that Situation, 
when she asked me to give her some of the Febrifuge, 
which I accordingly did: and, by taking it at pro- 
per Intervals, she got entirely quit of the Fever; and 
afterwards enjoyed a much better State of Health, 
than she had done for many Years before. 
CASE II. 
A Person near Soho-Square was taken ill of an in- 
flammatory Fever, which resisted every Method 
made Use of for her Relief; on which a Person (who 
had been very kind to her in this unhappy Situation, 
and often experienced the happy Success attending 
the Use of the Chymical Febrifuge) intreated me to 
send some for the Preservation of the sick Person: 
H but,

(42)
but, being informed she was attended by a Gentle- 
man of the Profession, I desired to be excused: how- 
ever, her benevolent Friend strongly sollicited for 
her, and said that several young Children would be 
left destitute if she died. I at length was prevailed 
on to go and see her, and found her in a deplorable 
Situation; her Skin being dry and ruff, as when 
scorched by Fire, with a very irregular and tremulous 
Pulse. She told me (with a faultering Voice) she 
could not be thrown into a Perspiration, though 
Means had been used to that Intent for several Days; 
and intreated me to let her have what her Bene- 
factress had so strongly recommended for her Relief. 
I could not resist her Intreaties, her Life seemed in 
such imminent Danger. I therefore gave her a small
Quantity, of which she immediately took three 
Tea-spoonfuls in a Cup of Balm Tea, and repeated 
it again in a very little Time; by which, as she in- 
formed me afterwards, the Perspiration came on: 
and, repeating the Febrifuge five or fix Times more 
(at proper Intervals) her Fever went off. She then 
began to recover and take Nourishment; and, in 
a few Days, was perfectly well. 
CASE III. 
A Gentlewoman much advanced in Years was ill 
of a Fever, attended with great Pains in her Side 
and under her Breast; which nearly prevented her 
drawing Breath. I happened at that Time to call
on

(43)
on a Lodger at her House, when her Daughter told 
me, her Mother was dangerously ill of a Fever. I 
went into her Room, and asked if she would like to 
take the Chymical Febrifuge; which she willingly 
agreed to, and took about three Tea-spoonfuls in a 
Cup of Balm Tea: and, as I thought her in great 
Danger, I staid with her about ten Minutes; when 
her Pains seemed somewhat to abate. The Febrifuge 
was then repeated; and soon after she began to per- 
spire, her Pain greatly diminished, and she seemed 
much inclined to Rest. I then desired she might be 
kept quiet; and presently after she went to sleep *,
and slept composedly for several Hours: when, a- 
waking, she found herself pretty easy, and much 
refreshed. The Remedy being repeated, she soon 
after rested again. And, by continuing the Use of 
H2 the
* It having frequently happened, that Persons who were ex- 
tremely ill of Fevers, became composed and went to sleep, soon 
after having taken the Febrifuge; hath caused some Persons to in- 
sinuate, that there is Opium in the Composition: I therefore think 
it necessary to inform the Reader, it doth not contain the least Par- 
ticle of that or any other narcotic Drug. Nevertheless, a very 
natural Reason may be assigned for so happy an Effect being pro- 
duced thereby. For, when the Spirits of a sick Person are either 
depressed or too much by uneasy Sensations or continual 
Pains, the Properties of this Remedy are such as gently and 
quickly to relieve the Heart and other vital Parts, remove those 
Pains and uneasy Sensations; and consequently Ease, Sleep and 
Health, will naturally succeed. 

(44)
the Febrifuge (at proper Intervals) in three or four
Days was perfectly restored to Health. 
CASE IV. 
One Morning I happened to call to enquire for a 
Person, at a House, where I saw a Child lying on 
its Mother's Lap extremely ill of a Fever. Her 
Pulse and Heart beat in such a Manner, as seemed 
to indicate immediate Death. I told the Mother if 
she would send to my House for some of the Febri- 
fuge, it might, perhaps, save the Child's Life, but 
she then declined it; however, towards Evening she 
sent for it. I gave a small Quantity, and a Tea- 
spoon-ful was given immediately, and the same 
Quantity ten Minutes after; which being done, and 
the child put to bed, it soon went into a fine Sleep, 
and according to the Mother's own voluntary Rela- 
tion, slept several Hours; and when she awoke, the 
Heart-beating had ceased, the Fever greatly dimi- 
nished, and in two Days the child was quite well.
CASE V. 
In the Year 1759, A Person of a plethorick Ha- 
bit, who had long studied and practised Pharmacy, 
being at my House upon Business, was taken with 
an unusual Sickness, followed by violent Pains in the 
Stomach, Head and Limbs; which continuing some 
Hours, was then accompanied with great Shiverings, 
and

(45)
and dangerous Symptoms of an inflammatory Fever, 
which increasing very rapidly, became so alarming, 
as to make him apprehensive of fatal Consequences; 
seeing him in this Situation, I desired he would think 
of something for his own Relief; he replied, I am 
so excessive ill, and my Fever so violent, that I am 
at a loss what to do. I desired he would not be a- 
fraid or cast down, that if he could not think of any 
Thing to cure himself, and would choose to take the 
chymical Febrifuge he had so often sneer'd at, I 
doubted not but he would soon be well; he then 
willingly accepted the Offer. I gave him two 
Tea-spoon-fuls in a Cup of Water; he continued 
exceeding hot and florid, and in half an hour I re- 
peated the Remedy, and soon after that, a third 
Time; when the Pain in his Head and Stomach be- 
gan to abate, and continued so to do for about an 
Hour, when the Febrifuge was again repeated. He 
then went to sleep for some Time, when awaking, 
found himself much refreshed and easier; and by 
continuing the Febrifuge at longer Intervals, was the 
next Day so well recovered, as to be able to go a- 
bout his Business; and being asked what he now 
thought concerning the Virtues of the chymical Fe- 
brifuge, he gave for Answer, I know I was extreme- 
ly ill, my Fever violent and dangerous, and that I 
was surprizingly cured, though I expected not to re- 
cover. 
This


(46)
This Gentleman was not only a Proficient in 
Pharmacy, but also a great Defender of its Rights, 
which he very zealously maintained; and yet, 
when he found himself attacked by a Fever, though 
he was a compleat Judge of the Pharmacopeia, it 
would not afford any Thing he could rely upon, 
but was obliged to be cured by what he had often 
ranged in the class of quack Medicines; a Term 
which those Gentlemen prefix to all Medicines that 
are not to be found in their Alcoran. However, 
he afterwards proved himself a true Penitent for this 
his Apostacy, and manifested in the most forcible 
Manner, his great Prepossession in Favor of esta- 
blished Customs; for though he had once found him- 
self (as he then acknowledged) almost miraculously 
cured of a violent and dangerous Fever, and had 
himself by the same Means preserved the Life of an- 
other, yet he soon embraced his former Sentiments: 
For being some Years after taken in nearly the same 
Manner as before-mentioned, he would not now re- 
cede from his Opinion, but suffered the Fever to en- 
crease and put a Period to his Life, rather than ap- 
ply for the Febrifuge which he before owned had 
preserved it. 
CASE VI. 
Some Time after, a Servant to a Merchant in 
the City was taken ill; and, a Fever coming on, 
he was attended by his Master's Apothecary; but 
growing

(47)
growing worse for a considerable Time, it was ap- 
prehended he would not recover; the Person menti- 
oned (in the proceeding Case) being acquainted in 
the Family, procured a small Phial of the Chymical 
Febrifuge, which, having been given to the sick Per- 
son, he was in a few Days restored to perfect Health. 
CASE VII. 
A Person in the prime of his Life, of a florid 
Complexion, and replete Habit, was ill of a Cold, at- 
tended with a Fever, which continued to increase 
for several Days; I went to enquire how he did one 
Evening; and found him so ill, that, when I enter- 
ed the Room, I was greatly surprized, by hearing 
him say with a faultering Voice, “ Lord have Mer- 
cy upon me, I cannot live.” I asked where lay his 
chief Complaint; he answered, as well as he could, 
“ I am so oppressed at my Heart, I cannot draw my 
Breath, it is impossible for me to live, except I have 
immediate Relief;” and asked me if I could not give 
him something to ease him: I told him, as a Gentle- 
man of the Profession had him under his Care, he 
must excuse me giving him any Thing; he replied, 
“ it is very hard I must be lost through your standing 
upon such Punctilios; If you can give any Thing to 
ease me, I beg you will.” Moved by his Entreaties 
and the Pain and Danger he was in, I mixed two or 
three Tea-spoon-fuls of the Febrifuge in a Cup of 
Water, which he immediately drank; I staid by 
him

(48)
him about ten Minutes, and then gave him the same 
Quantity; soon after his Pains began to abate, and 
in about a quarter of an Hour more, were so much 
diminished he could lie down, which he was not able 
to do before. He then went into a composed Sleep 
for several Hours, and when he awoke, had the same 
Quantity of the Remedy repeated; then slept again, 
and was the next Day so much recovered, as to be 
able to get up and go down Stairs, and in a few Days 
after was perfectly well. 
CASES VIII, IX, and X. 
A Gentlewoman had a long and tedious Fever, 
for the Cure of which many Remedies had been 
made Use of without Success; when an Acquaint- 
ance advised her to make use of the chymical Fe- 
brifuge; which having done, she was in a short Time 
restored to Health; this easy and unexpected Cure, 
gave her so high an Opinion of its salubrious Virtues, 
that she always kept it by her, to make use of in 
her Family. It happened sometime after, that her 
Husband being returning from a Journey, was taken 
ill of a Fever, and with great Difficulty arrived at 
his House in Town; his Wife being greatly alarmed, 
earnestly sollicited him to take the Febrifuge, which 
he at first refused, but was with much Persuasion at 
length prevailed upon. What Quantity was given, 
and how often repeated I cannot say; but it had its 
usual Effect, so that in a few Days, he was thereby 
restored to perfect Health.
After

(49)
After some Time, a Servant Maid of the above 
Gentleman's was taken suddenly ill of a violent Fe- 
ver, of which her Mistress being informed, ordered 
her immediately to be put to Bed and the Febrifuge 
administered; which being done, she was so speedi- 
ly recovered, as the next Day to be able to go about 
her Business. These extraordinary Cures gave the 
Gentleman (who with such Reluctancy was prevailed 
upon to take the Febrifuge) so high an Opinion 
thereof, that he ever afterwards would have it in his 
Possession as long as it could be procured; which af- 
forded him Opportunities of relieving many Persons, 
both in his own Family and those of his Friends. 
CASE XI.
The Son of a Shopkeeper was taken with a Fever, 
which continuing for some Time became very high, 
and seemed to indicate imminent Danger. The 
Mother was persuaded to apply for some of the chy- 
mical Febrifuge, which having obtained and given 
to him, three Times within the Space of an Hour, he 
soon became, easy and composed; and by repeating 
the Remedy at proper Intervals, he was restored to 
perfect Health. 
The Mother, pleased and agreeably surprized to 
have met with a Remedy, by which a violent 
Fever was so easily removed and Health restored, 
desired to have some of the Febrifuge to keep by her; 
I which


(50)
which she always applied to when any of her Fami- 
ly had Symptoms of a Fever, and always found it 
answer and often exceed her Expectations. It hap- 
pened some Years after her first making Use of it,
that a dangerous epidemic Fever greatly prevailed 
in London; insomuch, that in some Houses, whole 
Families caught it, and many died; and as several 
of her Family had Symptoms of it, she immediately 
gave the Febrifuge; which had such happy Effects, 
that neither herself, nor any one in her House who 
could be prevailed on to take it, were either confined 
to their Rooms or kept their Beds; but a young 
Man in the Family of a florid and plethoric Habit, 
being seized with the Fever, and refusing to take 
the Febrifuge, it increased, and soon became violent 
and dangerous. He then took Dr. James's Powders 
several Times, but without the desired Effect; for 
the Disease continued, and there remained very 
little Hopes of his Recovery. The Person who first
advised his taking the chymicai Febrifuge, seeing 
him in that dangerous Situation, desired he would 
then take it, and not throw away his Life; which he 
at last agreed to. Three Tea-spoonfuls were given
to him, with Orders to repeat it in ten Minutes; but 
the first Dose had such a quick and surprising Effect, 
that he immediately became easy and wanted to rest; 
the Remedy being given him a second Time, he 
fell into a fine Sleep: and hath often since declared, 
that the Change from great Pain and Depression, to 
Ease and Comfort was so sudden and unexpected,
that 

(51)
that he never passed a Night with so much Satisfac- 
tion in his Life: And continuing the Use of the 
Febrifuge at Intervals for three or four Days, he 
was perfectly restored to Health. 
What I have mentioned in the foregoing Case re- 
specting Dr. James's Powders, is not done with a 
View to depreciate their Virtues, but as facts spon- 
taneously related by the sick Person, and those who 
were Eye Witnesses of the whole Affair. As those 
Powders are almost the only Medicine publickly 
known, which are relied on for the Cure of Fevers. 
And yet many thousands of all Ranks and Conditi- 
ons, are annually destroyed by these destructive 
Diseases, or thrown into Consumptions and other 
lingering Complaints thereby: it must naturally fol- 
low, that the Discovery of a Febrifuge, more safe, 
certain and effectual, and better adapted to all Con- 
stitutions and Denominations of Fevers, is earnestly 
to be wished for. And though a due Attention to 
real Facts, fairly and truly related in the Account 
of the foregoing and following Cures, may suffi- 
ciently convince every candid and unprejudiced 
Reader, that such a Remedy is in Reality disco- 
vered; nevertheless, in a Matter of so great Concern, 
it is presumed some Remarks will not be disagree-
able, in order to set the Powders and the chymical 
Febrifuge in a proper Point of View; by which the 
Reader may have an Opportunity of judging, which 
of the two is the safest, and in all Cases most to be 
I2 depended

(52)
depended upon. It would be invidious to say the 
Powders have not much Merit, and that many great 
Cures have not been done thereby: But it is like- 
wise a well known Truth, that there are many Cir- 
cumstances attending Fevers, in which they cannot 
be taken without the utmost Danger of producing fa- 
tal Consequences; and a variety of Constitutions to 
which they cannot be given with any Degree of 
Safety; and consequently Persons under such Cir- 
cumstances can receive no Benefit from them, when 
attacked by Fevers. Whereas the chymical Febri- 
fuge is so particularly mild and friendly to Nature, 
that it may with safety be given to Persons of the 
most delicate Constitutions; as it has no violent Oper- 
ations, but removes the Disease by gently slowing to 
the Relief of the vital Parts, thereby mitigating 
Pain, reviving depressed Nature, and restoring it to 
Health. These are no hyperbolical Assertions; but 
if Facts and Proofs related with all possible Candour, 
are to be depended upon, a true and genuine State 
of the Case submitted to the Consideration of the 
Public. 
CASES XII, XIII, and XIV. 
A Gentlewoman of a weak and delicate Con- 
stitution, was so very subject to inflammatory Fevers, 
that generally from any Cold, or over Fatigue, a 
violent one was brought on, and that so frequent- 
ly, as several Times in the Year to confine her 
to

(53)
to her Bed and Room for many Weeks. I once 
happened to be with her, when it was apprehended 
a Fever was coming on, as she felt the Symptoms 
which generally preceeded. Having, accidental- 
ly, some of the Febrifuge with me, I perswaded 
her to take two Tea-spoonfuls in a Cup of Tea, 
and to repeat it at Bed-time. My Advice was 
complied with, the bad Symptoms vanished, and the 
next Day the Lady found herself as well as usual.—
This having passed over in so easy a Manner, no 
further Notice was taken on either Side. In the 
Course of some Months, the same Symptoms ap- 
peared again, and a Gentleman of the Profession, 
who used to attend her, was sent for; but could by 
no Means prevent a dangerous Fever coming on; 
by which she was confined to her Bed for a con- 
siderable Time: however, in the Course of a Month 
or six Weeks, she got as well as usual. Some Time 
after, she had a like Return, and narrowly escaped 
with Life; remaining in a very weakly State for 
several Months. It happened, that a Neice of the 
same Person took cold and was seized with a dan- 
gerous sore Throat, attended with a very high 
Fever: her Mother advised her to take the 
Chymical Febrifuge; on which Application was 
made to me, to go and see her. I found the 
Fever very high, and the Throat ulcerated. Two 
or three Tea-spoonfuls of the Febrifuge were imme- 
diately given, and her Throat gargled therewith; 
which was repeated several Times that Day, and in 
the

(54)
the Night: the next Day the Fever was pretty well 
abated, and the Throat much better. This Method 
being continued, the young Lady got well in about 
four Days, without further Trouble; which a- 
greeably surprised her Mother. Some Days 
after I called, when she desired me to go up to 
her Sister, (the Lady above-mentioned) who 
was then very ill. I went up, and found the Fever 
very high; was told it began in the same Manner it 
used to do: and, they desiring to have some of the 
Febrifuge, I left them about two Ounces, with 
Directions to give it as usual: which (by the B1ess- 
ing of God) had its accustomed Success; insomuch, 
that instead of keeping her Bed for a Month or six 
Weeks, as usual, the Fever was presently subdued; 
and, in six or eight Days, she was perfectly re- 
covered. 
Being thus easily and happily freed from so dan- 
gerous a Companion, the Febrifuge was kept by 
her, to be in Readiness if it should return; which it 
did some Months after, on her having caught cold. 
The Remedy was then given and repeated, with its 
usual Success; so that, in a few Days, she was res- 
tored to Health. Her Sister (observing that such con- 
stant and speedy Relief was obtained by the Use of 
the Febrifuge) desired she would take it, at proper 
Intervals, for some Time; in Order, if possible, to 
strengthen her Constitution: which succeeded so 
well, that, for several Years last past, she has had 
no


(55)
no Return of her Fever; and can take a great deal 
more Exercise, than she had been able to do for 
many Years before. 
CASE XV. 
A Person, in the Service of the East India Com- 
pany, was seized with a Fever on Board one of their 
Ships; on being brought Home he grew much worse, 
I happened to call at his House on some Business, and 
his Sister told me, her Brother was very ill; and 
desired I would go up Stairs and see him. She per- 
swaded him totake the Chymical Febrifuge; but he 
declined it, having had the Promise of an infallible 
Remedy. I took my Leave, and wished him Success. 
But the Medicine had not the desired Effect; for tho'
the Disease was thereby put off for some Days, it then 
returned again with more Violence; when the same 
and many other Medicines were tried in vain, for 
the Disease became more and more dangerous and 
obstinate. I called when I went that Way, and was 
told the Fever sometimes remitted, sometimes inter- 
mitted, and at other Times was continual. He was 
attended by an eminent physician : but every Means 
and Medicine proved ineffectual. Upon this it was
thought adviseable to administer Dr. James's Powders, 
which were also given without Success: for, the Dis- 
ease grew so bad, as frequently to deprive him of 
his Reason, for twelve or fifteen Hours at a Time. 
Being thus, by the Length and Violence of this ob-
stinate

(56)
stinate Malady, emaciated, and almost without any 
Hopes of Recovery; it was thought proper to apply 
to me for the Febrifuge. I found him in such a weak 
and deplorable Situation, as to be doubtful of 
any Remedy succeeding: but, being intreated 
by his Friends, I agreed to let him have mine; to 
which the Almighty was pleased to grant such par- 
ticular Efficacy, that when I called to see him the 
next Day, at the Time he used to be raving in his 
Bed, I found him (to my great Surprize) sitting 
composed and easy in his Chair. And the Febrifuge 
being continued at proper Intervals, he began to re- 
cover very fast; and, taking proper Nourishment, 
in about three Weeks regained his former State of 
Health. 
It is presumed it will not in this Place be thought 
improper, to offer some Remarks, in Order to 
shew, with how much more Ease and Safety Fe- 
vers are cured by the Chymical Febrifuge, than 
by any Means or Remedies puplickly known.—
Whoever has been so unhappy as to go through the 
different Stages of a violent and continued Fever, 
preserving his Senses, so far as to remember all the 
dissagreeable and painful Circumstances attending 
thereon, would be apt to shudder at a bare Recital 
thereof; whereas when this mild and powerful Fe- 
brifuge is given in the beginning of Fevers, they 
are generally cured directly, without any, further 
Trouble or Loss of Time, than lying, a little while 
in

(57)
in Bed, and drinking a few Spoonfuls of a pleasant 
balsamic Remedy; which expels the febrile Matter, 
protects and comforts the Heart, recruits the Strength, 
and restores Health. 
This Proposition cannot, it is presumed, be thought 
contrary to Reason or Truth, by Persons, who, with 
Minds free from Prejudice, Prepossession, or private 
Interest, attentively read and observe, what is truly 
and candidly related in the before-mentioned Cases, 
as well as all the unfavourable Circumstances attend- 
ing the Fever lastmentioned; which, after having gone 
through such a Variety of Stages, resisted every 
Means and Medicine that could be thought of for 
several Months; and by its Violence and long Con- 
tinuance, reduced the sick Person to the last Extremi- 
ty; who, after all this, was restored to Health, by 
taking the Febrifuge for little more than a Week. 
May it not be concluded from those Considerations, 
that had he taken it two or three Times when he was 
first seized, it would have prevented his undergo- 
ing so much Pain and Danger, or giving so much 
Trouble, Sorrow and Anxiety to his Friends! And 
that were it in publick Use, many affecting and sor- 
rowful Scenes would be prevented, and many useful 
Members of the Community preserved! 
CASE XVI. 
A young Infant was taken ill with an inflammato- 
K ry


(58)
ry Fever, which having continued for some Time,
an Acquaintance of the Father and Mother advised 
them to give it the Chymical Febrifuge; which
having obtained, they gave it to the Child immedi- 
ately, and repeated it again soon after. The Infant 
was exceedingly hot the fore Part of the Night, when 
the Remedy was again repeated; and towards Morn- 
ing the Fever subsided, when the Child rested well. 
The next Morning the Febrifuge was repeated, and 
the Child was restored to perfect Health. The Fa- 
ther and Mother, pleased at having found such an 
easy and safe Remedy, carefully kept what remained; 
and in a few Days after, another of their Children 
was taken in the same Manner as the former. Per- 
ceiving the Fever coming on very fast, the Febri- 
fuge was given with the usual Success; which in-, 
duced the Father and Mother (who had a numerous 
Family of Children) to apply for the Febrifuge to 
keep by them, and had many Opportunities of ex- 
periencing its good and powerful Effects for many 
Years. 
CASE XVII. 
A Person in the Country, having Mowers at work, 
went into the Field, and out of a Frolick took a 
Scythe from one of them, and mowed against the 
Rest


(59)
Rest for a considerable Time. Being fat and lusty, 
and the Weather exceedingly hot, he was very much 
heated, and in that Condition went to his House and 
indiscreetly drank a large Draught of cold small Beer. 
He soon after found himself very ill, but concealed 
it from his Family; and in Hopes he should soon be 
better, took his Horse and rode about a Mile from 
Home when he found himself so ill, and his Head 
so very bad he could not sit on his Horse: he alighted, 
and with much Difficulty was got home, where he 
was taken with great Shiverings, and Pains in his 
Stomach, Head and other Parts. A Person happened 
to be there, who seldom travelled without the Febri- 
fuge in her Pocket; who seeing the Family in great 
Consternation, enquired what was the Reason, and 
being informed by the sick Person's Wife, desired 
her not to be so greatly alarmed or terrified; for, 
says she, “ I have something with me, which, with 
the Blessing of God, will soon restore your Husband 
to Health.” The sick Person being put to Bed, and 
a proper Quantity of the Febrifuge given and re- 
peated soon after, the Pain in his Head, Stomach 
and Limbs, began gradually to diminish, neverthe- 
less he was restless the beginning of the Night; but 
the Remedy being repeated at proper Intervals, he 
afterwards fell into an easy Sleep, and slept for several 
Hours; and in the Morning found himself so much 
better, as to be able to get up: but the Attack of 
the Fever had been so violent, as to render him very 
weak, therefore the Febrifuge was given to him two 
K2 or

(60)
or three Times that Day, and the next Morning he 
found himself perfectly recovered. 
CASE XVIII. 
A Child about 14 Months old, having a long and 
obstinate Fever, a Person who had often seen and heard 
of many Persons having been cured of Fevers by the 
Chymical Febrifuge, advised the Mother to apply to 
me, who desired I would go and see the Child. I 
found it lying on the Nurse's Lap in a high Fever, 
with Symptoms of being convulsed in it's Bowels, 
and very little Hopes of its Recovery: nevertheless, 
the Mother desired to have the Febrifuge, which 
was immediately given, and soon after repeated; but 
in this Case it happened differently from what I had 
heard of or seen in any others; for in all the fore- 
going, and many others not mentioned, by a few 
Repetitions of the Febrifuge, the Disorders were soon 
overcome, and Health restored in a few Days; but 
in this Instance, the Disease had taken such deep 
Root, that, though the Patient was an Infant, more 
of the Febrifuge was made use of, than in any three 
of the proceeding Cases; for, instead of immediate 
Relief being obtained, it was four Days before it 
could be determined that the Child would recover,
and near three Weeks before it was perfectly well.
CASE

(61)
CASE XIX. 
An eminent Tradesman was taken ill with great 
Pains in his Head and Limbs, accompanied some 
Times with Shiverings, at other Times with burning 
Heat, which continued alternately for several Hours. 
About nine in the Evening he found himself in a 
high Fever, his Pulse exceedingly high, and his 
Head affected with Symptoms which seemed to in- 
dicate a Delirium. He took three Tea-spoonfuls of 
the Febrifuge, and was to have the same Quantity
given in half an Hour; but the Person who attend- 
ed him neglected to give it, nevertheless he fell 
asleep, and slept composedly for upwards of two Hours;
and when he awaked, was much better, was very 
easy and composed the Remainder of the Night; 
and the next Morning got up and went into his 
Shop: I called between nine and ten, and was sur- 
prized to find him up, but more so to hear he had 
been out of his Room, and omitted repeating the 
Remedy; for though his Fever was much abated, it 
was far from being cured. He was advised to go 
to Bed again, but excused himself on Account of 
urgent Business; however, by taking the Remedy 
three or four Times in the Course of the Day, he 
continued pretty well till about Eight in the Evening; 
when, by being fatigued and exposed to the open Air, 
his Fever was brought on again: he then went to Bed, 
and took a proper Quantity of the Remedy, and soon 
after fell into a fine Sleep; slept till two, when 
awaking,



(62)
awaking, the Febrifuge was repeated, which caused 
him to pass the Remainder of the Night pretty easy; 
about nine in the Morning he was so much reliev- 
ed as to be able to get up, and repeating the Febri- 
fuge that Day at proper Intervals, was the next 
Morning so perfectly recovered, that he said, “ I 
am now as well as ever I was in my Life”. 
CASE XX. 
The Wife of a Citizen was very ill of a Fever af- 
ter a Lying-in, which resisted all the Means made Use 
of for her Relief. Her Husband having heard of sin- 
gular Cures having been performed by the Chymical 
Febrifuge, applied to me to have some for her Relief, 
I gave him a small Phial, some of which was given as 
soon as he got Home, and repeated at proper Inter- 
vals; which had so happy and speedy an Effect, that
in three or four Days, she was restored to perfect 
Health. 
This speedy and unexpected Cure, gave the Gen- 
tleman so high an Opinion of the Febrifuge, that 
he desired to have some to keep by him for the Use
of himself and Family; who for several Years fre- 
quently experienced its happy Effects, and when- 
ever he went a Journey took it along with him: and 
happening to be at Portsmouth, he met with a Lon- 
don Trader of his Acquaintance who was seized with 
an inflammatory Fever, for which the former was 
greatly

(63)
greatly concerned, knowing him to have a Wife and 
a large Family of Children; and thinking him in
great Danger, gave him the Febrifuge. How often 
it was repeated I do not know, but it had its usual 
Success, insomuch that the next Day he found him- 
self so well, as to be able to go about his Business. 
CASE XXI.
A young Person of about ten or twelve Years of 
Age was taken ill of a Cold, followed by a high 
Fever, and accompanied with great Pain in the Head 
and Limbs. Her Mother, who had for several 
Years experienced the salutary Effects of the Febri- 
fuge, gave her a small Quantity; and by repeating 
it at proper Intervals, the Fever was intirely remov- 
ed; but on the third Day the Measles began to ap- 
pear, and continued coming out without being at- 
tended with any Fever, though the Eruption was so 
great as nearly to resemble the Small Pox; the Re- 
medy was continued for a Day or two, and the young 
Lady got well. 
N. B. Several other Instances have happened, where 
the Efficacy of this mild and powerful Remedy 
hath been happily experienced both in the Small Pox 
and Measles, but as a Relation thereof would too
greatly enlarge this Account of Cures, they shall 
therefore be omitted. 
CASE

(64)
CASE XXII.
A Schoolmaster's Daughter about nine Years of 
Age, was taken ill of a Cold and sore Throat, which 
continued to grow worse till the next Day. A dan- 
gerous Fever then came on. Her Father and Mother 
having heard of the great Efficacy of the Chymical 
Febrifuge, applied to me for some, and also entreat- 
ed me to go and see the Child. I went and found 
her excessively ill, her Throat very bad, and the Fe- 
ver so violent that her Skin had more the Appearance 
of a glowing Fire, than its natural Colour; and was 
very full of livid Spots. I persuaded them to send for 
a Physician, as I apprehended the Throat would be 
very much ulcerated; which in Effect proved so.—
But the Father (with Tears in his Eyes) said he had 
heard so great a Character of the Febrifuge, that he 
would rather trust to that, and desired I would let him 
have it; for otherwise he feared he should lose his 
Child. Overcome by his Intreaties, I gave a proper 
Quantity; directing it to be frequently repeated. I 
went to see her some Hours afterwards, and found 
her Fever rather abated; but her Throat so bad, as 
almost to prevent her swallowing. The Remedy was 
repeated several Times in the Night, and the next 
Morning the Fever was much diminished; but her 
Throat still continued very bad. Many Persuasions 
were made Use of in Order to incite her to gargle it, 
but she could not be prevailed on to do it; nor would 
she take any Thing besides the Febrifuge, which she 
strove

(65)
strove to swallow greedily, as if by Instinct. The 
third Day the Fever was much abated, but the 
Throat no better; on which some Drops of the Re- 
medy was applied to it, and soon after the Ulcer 
broke, discharging a great Quantity of corrupt 
Matter. The Febrifuge was continued the next 
Day, in Order to prevent a Return of the Fever, 
and to cleanse and heal the Throat. The young 
Person then began to take Nourishment, and, in a 
few Days, was perfectly recovered. 
[ Having related the before-mentioned Cures, 
which (as well as many others) were performed by 
the Chymical Febrifuge, with a continued Series of 
Success, I should think myself wanting in that inge- 
nuous Sincerity, which ought to be observed in Mat- 
ters of such Moment, if I omitted mentioning where 
it failed. And having, in the Course of twenty 
Years, met with one Instance of that Sort, I shall 
insert it with all the Exactness in my power.] 
CASE XXIII. 
A Person of a florid Complexion was seized with 
an inflammatory Fever, when several Medicines 
were given to remove it, but it continued to grow
worse for several Days;  whereupon he was advised 
by an Acquaintance to take the chymical Febrifuge; 
which being procured was given, and several Times 
repeated: but the Fever continuing, the next Day I 
L was


(66)
was requested to go and see him. His Pulse was full 
and strong, but very regular; and I supposed the 
Disease would soon be removed, as it seemed to be 
of a much milder Sort than many of those which had 
been subdued by the Febrifuge, with the greatest 
Ease. However, in this Instance (for the first Time) 
I found myself mistaken: for, after it had been ap- 
plied several Days, the Disease continued nearly the 
same; when some of his Relations came to see him, 
who advised to send for a Physician; which being 
done, the Patient was ordered to be removed into 
the Country; where, after the Gentleman had at- 
tended him some Time, he recovered. 
CASE XXIV. 
A Gentlewoman, about forty, of a very corpulent 
Habit, was seized with so violent a Fever, that in 
ten or twelve Hours it brought on a Delirium, so as 
to prevent her knowing her own Sister; who, find- 
ing her in such a dangerous Situation, and having 
often experienced the good Effects of the Febrifuge 
in her own Family, hastened to me, desiring to have 
some for her Sister; whom she represented to be in the 
above dangerous Situation. I said, as her Sifter was 
attended by Physicians, I must beg to be excused; as 
it might counteract what the Gentlemen had ordered. 
But she said, though her Sister had been visited by 
Physicians, they found her in such a Situation as not 
to think it proper to order her any Medicines; and 
that,

(67)
that, if I would let her have the Febrifuge, she 
would attend and give it herself; and when the Gen- 
tlemen should think proper to order any Thing, she 
would then leave off giving that: and said it was very 
hard her Sister's Life should be lost, when Relief 
might be had, These Sollicitations, accompanied 
with Tears, induced me to let her have the Febri- 
fuge, with which she hasted away, gave a proper 
Quantity, and repeated it several Times; how often 
I cannot say, but, as near as I can learn from Infor- 
mation, about the Quantity of an Ounce was given; 
when the Fever abated, the Delirium ceased, and 
the Patient recovered her Reason. 
CASE XXV. 
A Person of a weakly Constitution (whose Family 
had often experienced the good Effects of the Febri- 
fuge) was, by catching cold and over Fatigue, thrown 
into a violent Fever, which seemed to portend imme- 
diate Danger. One of her Friends made Application to 
me, and earnestly desired to have some of the Medicine. 
Now this happening after I had declined to make it, 
I desired to be excused: but by his Importunity, and 
representing the unhappy Situation her Children were 
likely to be reduced to, I at length consented to go 
and see her. I found her in such a Situation, as 
gave but small Hopes of her Recovery: nevertheless 
the Febrifuge was given, repeated in ten Minutes, 
and again at the End of fifteen; with Directions 
L2


(68)
be repeated afterwards at longer Intervals, as Occa-
sion should require. Which, by the Blessing of God,
had its usual happy Success: so that, in a few Days, 
she was able to look after her Business, being per- 
fectly recovered. 
OBSERVATION.
In a long Course of Years since the first Discovery of 
the Febrifuge, I have had many Occasions to experience 
its beneficial Effects in my own Family, none whereof 
has been mentioned; but as some of them were attended 
with particular Circumstances, I shall insert two of 
them, and the Reader may be assured they are candidly 
and truly stated. 
CASE XXVI. 
In the Year 1766, a Daughter of mine about 14 
Years of Age, being with an Acquaintance in the 
City one Tuesday Morning, found herself indisposed, 
and continued so till Thursday, when she was taken 
with a severe Fit of Coughing, which with very little 
Intermission, continued for near half an Hour; but 
being of an active Disposition, when it was over, 
(though far from well) she took no further No-
tice of it at that Time; and the next Morning got 
up as usual, when the Measles were coming out very 
thick upon her Face; which not being aware of, she 
washed her Face with cold Water, and then went 
down Stairs; when a Person perceiving her Face full 
of

(69)
of Spots, and not knowing what they were, indis- 
creetly advised her to wash it well with Vinegar *, 
which it was said would take them away ; and indeed 
in that it succeeded too well, for it repelled the 
Measles and they disappeared, which prevented the 
necessary Care being taken; and she continued to go 
about as usual till Saturday Night, when a violent 
Fever came on; aud advanced with such amazing 
Rapidity, as in a very short Time to bring on a Deliri- 
um. Her Head and Face were swelled to nearly twice 
their natural Size. In this Dilemma another Acquaint- 
ance (who fortunately lived very near, and always 
kept the Febrifuge for Emergencies in her own Fa- 
mily) was sent for, and three Tea-spoonfuls thereof 
given immediately, and repeated pretty plentifully 
at proper Intervals; in a few Hours her Reason re- 
turned, by Degrees both the Fever and Swelling 
went off; and in six or seven Days she recovered 
her Health and Strength. 
CASE XXVII. 
It happened several Years afterwards my said 
Daughter caught Cold, and walking out in the Even- 
ing when a great Dew was upon the Ground increas- 
ed
* I chose to mention this Case and Circumstance, as it may be 
a Caution to others not to be guilty of the like Inadvertency, who
may not be so happy as to have such speedy Helps at Hand. 


(70)
ed it: she grew more and more indisposed, and a- 
bout the third or fourth Day an inflammatory Fever 
came on, uncommonly severe; attended with such 
exquisite Pains in the Head, that it was with great 
Difficulty she could be got up Stairs. I happened 
to be out at the Time, but came home soon after, 
and being informed of her Situation, went up to her 
Room and found the Symptoms of a Delirium; she had 
just taken three Tea-spoonfuls of the Febrifuge, I 
then repeated it, and again in half an Hour; the 
Pain in her Head continued excessive till about nine 
in the Evening, when that and the Fever began to 
abate; the Febrifuge was then repeated, a plentiful 
Perspiration came on about eleven, and she fell into 
a fine composed Sleep; slept till Day-light the next 
Morning, when the Fever and Pain in the Head 
were nearly gone, and in three or four Days she 
was quite recovered. 
In this Instance I had an Opportunity mi- 
nutely to observe, not only the powerful Effects of 
the Chymical Febrifuge, but also to perceive how 
very soon these Diseases make Impressions upon the 
most healthy and strong Constitutions; for though 
the Fever and Pain in the Head were gone, the next 
Day she found herself extremely weak; it need not 
therefore be wondered, that so many, young, healthy 
and robust People, should be emaciated and carried 
off by those Diseases, when suffered to make their 
Ravages for a great number of Days, which they 
frequently

(71)
frequently do: for though this Fever from its first
Appearance to its total Extinction, was but of 24 
Hours Duration, it had so far weakened a Person in
the Prime of Life, as fearce to leave her sufficient 
Strength to walk down Stairs; however, in about 
three Days, she was able to take the same Exercise 
as before. I had very soon after Opportunities of 
experiencing the same happy Effects of this Re- 
medy in other Instances nearly similar; but shall 
omit inserting them, supposing those I have thus 
fairly and candidly Rated, sufficient Evidence to 
establish the Truth of my Proposition, concerning 
the Superiority * of the Chymical Febrifuge above 
all the Medicines publickly known for the Cure 
of Fevers, and also to prove that Providence has 
given to this Nation a long-wished for Discovery, 
by which these fatal Diseases are generally cured 
in the Beginning; without waiting for a doubtful 
Crisis, or having Recourse to Blisters, and other 
troublesome Expedients.
It 
* It is not uncommon for Persons after they are thought to be 
recovered from Fevers, to have some of the febrile Matter re- 
main in the Constitution, and afterwards fall on the Lungs and 
cause a Consumption; or the Legs, or other Parts; causing the 
Patient to drag on an uncomfortable Life: whereas, in all the 
Instances I have known by Observation or strict Enquiry, I have 
not found one Person that was cured by the Chymical Febrifuge, 
to whom any Thing of that sort hath happened. 

(72)
It must now be left to the judicious Consideration 
of my Countrymen, whether they will accept of this 
Discovery, and be delivered from these destruc- 
tive Diseases; or trust their Lives and those of their 
Friends, to Modes and Medicines, which have 
been found ineffectual. 
FINIS. 

I Think it necessary to add a Supplement-
ary Note; because I find, that when I 
wrote the proceeding Treatise, I had formed a 
wrong Conclusion, by considering Facts well 
attested as a proper Basis for the Support of my 
Propositions. I am told, that none of the Cures 
I have related, though ever so striking and in- 
teresting, can be admitted as Evidence in phy- 
sical Enquiries. 
I have produced the Case of a Gentlewoman, 
taken so extremely ill of a Fever, as in a very 
few Hours to be deprived of Reason, though 
attended by two or three Physicians, who de- 
clared her to be in great Danger; and yet by 
taking a small Quantity of the Febrifuge, with- 
out bleeding, blistering, or any other painful 
Operation, was restored to her Reason in three 
or four Hours, and to Health in a few Days. 
Case xxiv. 
I have related the Case of a Lady, who was 
reduced to a very languishing State, by the fre- 
quent Returns of an inflammatory Fever, which 
the Gentlemen of the Faculty could not prevent,
confining


(2)
confining her to her Bed and Room, a Month or 
six Weeks 2 or 3 Times a Year, yet was cured of 
one of those Fevers by the Febrifuge, in a few 
Days, and by continuing to take it for a short 
Time, had her lost Health, Spirits and Strength 
restored, and is now, with many others, a liv- 
ing Monument of the admirable Efficacy of the 
Medicine. (P. 52, 53 & 54.) 
It will appear, I think, the EfFect of the 
most unreasonable Prejudice to assert, that no 
Inference can be drawn in favor of the Medi- 
cine, from these and the like uncontro- 
vertable Facts. To me, and I believe to 
all the unprejudiced Part of Mankind, they car- 
ry the Force of Demonstration.—Because Phy- 
sicians are unacquainted with Medicines, which 
can be depended on in the Cure of Fevers, 
should they persuade themselves and the Pub- 
lic, that no such can be discovered?—This 
would in fact, be supposing our Knowledge in 
physical Cases to be advanced to the utmost 
Perfection, and that no new Discoveries re- 
mained for the Investigatlon of future Ages; a 
Notion too confined and unphilosophical, to 
require any Refutation!
I have 


(3)
I have affirmed, and I wish to convince the 
World by a Collection of Cases fairly stated, 
that a new Discovery has been made, and con- 
firmed by the Experince of twenty Years. 
If any one should Question the Authenticity 
of these Facts, and the Efficacy of the Medi- 
cine I wish to recommend, I can only say, that 
I am very willing to submit it to a fair and im- 
partial Examination; and shall be happy to at- 
tend any one for that Purpose, who can lay a- 
side Prejudice and Prepossession; desiring no 
other Reward, but the Satisfaction resulting from 
a Consciousness of having contributed my As- 
sistance to relieve my Fellow-creatures in Dis- 
tress. 
I am sensible, that in this Publication I have 
opposed the Opinion of a very learned and re- 
spectable Body, by thus insinuating, that the 
Medicine here described is superior to common 
Prescriptions; but I repose myself on their Can- 
dour. Being animated and encouraged by the 
noblest of all human Motives, a sincere Regard 
for the Welfare of Mankind.
To

(4)
To those who explode the Idea of a new Dis- 
covery, I answer in the Words of SENECA:—
Veniet Tempus, quo ista, quæ nunc latent, in lucens 
dies extrahat, & longioris Ævi diligentia. 
Nat. Quest. Lib. vii. C. 25.