Part 3

The Patient daily gathering strength, I was no longer apprehensive of any bad Effect from Bleeding, and accordingly had him bled. Suffumigations and Pultises were continued three Weeks more, and during the interval the Scale was reduced to Sixteen Inches.

I had him bled again, and afterwards electrified. The twelfth Day the Scale was reduced to Ten Inches.

By continuing Electrization, Laxatives and _Tacamahaca_ Plaister a Month longer, the Scale was further reduced One Inch and a Half.

Judging that Vision was almost restored to its pristine state, I advised him, for the bracing it, Lotions with cold Water alone. I must confess, however, that ever since the Left Eye has remained weak.

These are the Cures[28] performed by my Method. They indeed are not numerous, but are sufficient to prove the Attempt as safe as it is rational: And whenever this Method shall be employed with Judgment, I have no Doubt but it will be attended with the same Success. But even allowing there is still much Room for Improvement, was the Question put to me, _Why I offer it now to the Public?_ my Answer is plain--_Because the actual Practise of treating this Disease is evidently wrong._--Thus pursuing a wrong Plan, not only the Hopes of the Patient are frustrated, but his Case becomes desperate.

If one cannot always be the happy instrument of alleviating the Misery of the Unfortunate, it is, however, a sort of service tendered to them, to prevent their being made worse. On this Consideration I claim the indulgence of the Public.

FINIS

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Ninth edition, vol. xv. p. 526.

[2] _Academy_, September 23, 1882.

[3] Page 17 of reprint.

[4] _History of French Revolution_, vol. i. p. 216.

[5] Page 7 of reprint.

[6] Page 29 of reprint.

[7] _Academy_, _loc. cit._

[8] If this essay should meet with approbation, I shall offer to the public a new method of radically curing gonorrhœas in a short time.

[9] A proof of it is, that in this case the running is ever accompanied with a sensation of scalding, which is not felt in the other case.

[10] I use the mucilage of marshmallows instead of oil, for it does not oppose the healing of ulcers as oily substances do.

[11] Although the solution of sal ammoniac be a powerful dissolvent of callous substances, yet it does not injure sound parts.

[12] This unguentum is but little, if at all, known in England. The formula of its composition is to be found in the _Paris_ dispensatory.

[13] In _October 1769_.

[14] When the difficulty of making water, which generally attends gleets, comes from any other cause but an irritation of the urethra; the removing of it requires a particular method.

[15] Discretion is a part of the duty of a physician: But although ever so reluctant to see their names in public print, the gentlemen in question will not decline to appear in support of truth, if a private interview was desired by patients. I have their word for it.

[16] Nor is this to be wondered at, considering how few Oculists, if any, are acquainted with Optics; a Science, however, absolutely necessary to investigate the Causes of Defects in Vision. Nay, since curing the Diseases of the Eye became a peculiar Branch of the Medical Art, it is wholly left to Operators, who in general do not know the Functions of the several Parts which constitute the Organ of Seeing, but are even ignorant of its Structure.

[17] This Disease is more common than one would readily imagine, since it is a predominant Custom, both among Surgeons and Physicians, to prescribe Mercury in almost every Case. And I dare assert, that out of Ten Patients whom they give out as afflicted with a _Gutta Serena_, Seven are affected with an accidental _Presbytopia_.

[18] Such is the Reason why Mercury, when taken, does not excite a Salivation immediately.

[19] It is well known that not only Arteries, but Veins, are susceptible of Irritability.

[20] On this Membrane is the Image of Objects painted.

[21] As ocular Muscles are seldom swelled, or all equally so at the same Time, the taking of Mercurial Preparations neither does affect the Sight of every Individual, nor equally both Eyes of the same Individual.

[22] I confine myself to the Indication of general Remedies, without entering into Particulars: as to the judicious Physician, it is left to select such as most agree with the Patient’s Constitution.

[23] I confine myself to the Indication of general Remedies, without entering into Particulars: as to the judicious Physician, it is left to select such as most agree with the Patient’s Constitution.

[24] It is a material Point to know when Recourse to Electricity is to be had; for, if unseasonably employed, it only proves hurtful.

[25] As lasting Swelling, or Tension, is ever followed by a proportionate Relaxation, the ocular Muscles cannot suddenly recover their former Strength, so as to give the Eye a proper Figure to see clearly at various Distances.

[26] I have since experienced that fresh Water does better alone than mixed with Spirits.

[27] Drastic Purges produce momentaneous Dejections, and are all followed by Costiveness.

[28] The last _August_, being at _Edinburgh_, I (under the Eyes of the ingenious Mr. _Miller_, Oculist) treated an _American_ Gentleman afflicted with this Disease. During the few Weeks he was under my Care, the Scale of Vision was reduced more than one third Part. Affairs calling me back to _London_, I left him in the Hands of Mr. _Miller_, with proper Directions how to proceed in the Treatment. Since I have heard that the Patient could not continue at _Edinburgh_ long enough to perform his Cure.

End of Project Gutenberg's Reprint of Two Tracts, by Jean Paul Marat