Such are the grounds upon which is founded a denial of the existence of specific medicines--_i.e._ of remedies which are of particular or special use in one or more disorders. Is it reasonable to deny that Mercury is of particular use in Syphilis? that Iodide of Potassium exerts a special influence over secondary forms of the same malady? that Iodine and Potash are each peculiarly adapted to scrofulous cases? or that Colchicum will often stop a fit of the Gout when other medicines have failed to relieve it? If we cannot deny it, we must admit such actions to be in some degree specific. To adopt this term is to a certain extent to confess our ignorance, and for this reason many have objected to it; but this we cannot avoid. The word is, however, decidedly objectionable, when it is misapplied to express the idea of some particular medicine being the only one that can be used in a certain disorder. For this is an exaggeration of the truth that may lead to very serious error.
Before now proceeding to the proof of the minor propositions of Catalytics taken collectively, I must enumerate the chief remedies which I intend to include in the eight separate orders into which this division of blood-medicines has been divided.
_Ord. 1. Antiphlogistics._ Antimonials; Mercurials; Alkalies; Salines.
_Ord. 2. Antisyphilitics._ Mercurials; Preparations of Gold; Iodide of Potassium; Sarsaparilla (?). _Ord. 3. Antiscrofulitics._ Iodine; Bromine; Chlorine; Iodides and Bromides; Potash. _Ord. 4. Antiarthritics._ Colchicum; Nitro-hydrochloric Acid; Lemon-juice. _Ord. 5. Antiscorbutics._ Citric Acid; Lemon-juice; Fresh Vegetables; Salts of Potash (?). _Ord. 6. Antiperiodics._ Arsenious Acid; Arsenite of Potash; Alum; Chloride of Sodium. _Ord. 7. Anticonvulsives._ Preparations of Arsenic, Silver, Zinc, Lead, and Copper. _Ord. 8. Antisquamics._ Preparations of Arsenic; Sulphur; Pitch.
Under each head I have given the most important of those medicines which I conceive to act on the Catalytic principle. Other medicines may cure some of these disorders, or at least alleviate them; either by acting as Restoratives, as in the case of arthritic and of periodic disorders; or by influencing the nervous system, which plan may be effectual in some convulsive affections.