does heat relieve it apparently. Nor do I account for our oyls curing it by this kind of operation. Thus I apprehend the cure is performed.
Right reason will inform us, the surest method of finding out a cure for distempers, is carefully to observe nature's steps, and discover, if we can, what method she takes for her own relief. To oppose her directly, is generally dangerous, but to assist her, safe and necessary. If then our foregoing theory be right, these oyls seem well calculated for this purpose. They are of a very warm, volatile, penetrating nature, and as much as we can conceive, in substance and use, like the oyly mucilage of the joints, of nature's own providing. From Hippocrates we at first; observed, that the human body is very pervious. These oyls then actually insinuate themselves to the part, and supply the use of the natural, by extinguishing this fiery drop, which gives the onset of the distemper. And probably nature imbibes and attracts them greedily, for her relief. We may consider that the drop which begins the prelude, is like that drop which is the poison of the viper, of a mad dog, the pus of the small pox with which they inoculate, or other deleterious substance; which being of a genius immensely fermentative, rages far and near, and draws by
contagion
