on the infide of the ancles or great toes, taking care to fupport the strength as the water drains off, and at the fame time, to guard against a mortification of the scari fied parts, by giving Bark and Nitre.

Since this disease generally arifes from a ftoppage of the pores; the most rational method of attempting its cure will be by fweating in flannels; not by means of drinking hot liquors, but the exhibition of Antimony joined with Opium, as at No. 58. One of these powders may be given twice or thrice a-week going to bed, fo as gently to raise sweat, which may be fupported by a spoonful or two of the julep, No. 59.

In due time, as the patient grows cool, her skin should be rubbed with hot flannels, and afterwards dry linen may be put on. During the intervals, the body should be ftrengthened by Peruvian Bark with Elixir of Vitriol, Steel and Exercife; and if the internal parts are found, the Cold Bath will be the most likely remedy to prevent a relapse.

A

A DROPSY OF THE WOMB may arife from any cause which clofes its orifice, joined to a preternatural fecretion of that fluid which moistens its internal furface. If the patient is arrived at years of maturity, the Periodical Discharge will also be retained, and occafion a gradual swelling of the belly, creating a fufpicion of Pregnancy, with which this malady is fometimes complicated.

The water is often contained in small bladders connected with each other, like a bunch of grapes, which have one common stalk adhering to the womb. These may proceed from fragments of the afterburden retained after delivery, or such injuries as deftroy the natural office of the

womb.

The parts fubfervient to the womb, viz. the Ovaria and thofe Tubes or fmall canals proceeding from it, are alfo fometimes the feat of an encysted Dropfy, from which the included water cannot be emptied, as when contained in the belly.

That

That Dropfy which is confined to the cavity of the womb, may be cured by the introduction of fuch a Canula or proper tube as will keep its orifice dilated, and allow the contained water to efcape. The fecretion of urine fhould at the fame time be promoted, and all poffible means used to prevent a relapse. A mild, aftringent injection may therefore be used twice a-day, to strengthen the weakened veffels; and the belly fhould be bound with a flannel fwathe moderately tight. The patient may also take an infufion of Peruvian Bark, with Bitters, or Elixir of Vitriol, and ufe moderate exercise as her ftrength will permit.

CORPULENCY implies fuch a preternatural enlargement of the body, as renders it of an enormous fize. It is fometimes hereditary, or may be acquired by excess in diet, and want of fufficient exercise to affift the vital powers in carrying on the natural discharges; hence from this difproportion between the supplies, and excretions of the

body

body, a load of juices will be, accumulated which renders women corpulent, clogs the movements of life, and fhortens its natural period.

The best means to remedy this inconvenience are chiefly in the patient's own power, especially where Corpulency is not hereditary. She fhould take lefs Food, and ufe more Exercise; the body fhould be kept conftantly laxative, and the fecretions of

may

Perfpiration and Urine promoted; the first be effectually answered by frequent Exercife; the last by repeated dofes of Vinegar of Squills, in the quantity of half an ounce or more as the ftomach will allow.

VEGETABLES should constitute the principal part of her diet, among which Acid Fruits are proper. Fat, animal food is pernicious; she should avoid cold, moist air, and refide as much as poffible in high fituations, where it is dry and pure.

CHAP. IV.

SECTION XIII.

Difeafes of the Skin, and Glands; or cancerous Swellings of the Face, Neck, and Breafts.

ISEASES of the Skin particularly those

DISE

of the Face, being not a little diftreffing to women, it is requifite to confider their nature and treatment, together with fuch Glandular Disorders as frequently

arife from fimilar caufes. I do not how ever mean to present the Female Reader with Cofmetics or beautifying washes, but rather to caution her against their indifcriminate and improper use.

Breakings out on the Skin, were imputed by the ancients to a hot temperament of

the