We certainly know, that Lixivial and Alkali Salts will disunite and dissolve resinous Bodies, but not so expeditiously as these Cases must require; nor are we ignorant, that such Salts are greatly corrosive; as we experience in the Composition of Cauteries; must they not therefore further encrease the Abrasion of the Vessels? We have read likewise, and indeed Experience confirms, that lixivial Bodies augment the Power of Volatiles; in that Sense, what can be expected from their Use, but Expansion, and an Encrease of the corrosive Power? Should we not rather endeavour to check the Activity of those Principles, by clogging and weakening their Powers, and to strengthen the fibrous Coats of the Stomach, against the repeated Attacks of such an active Enemy?
As the Author before us, has been very minute and prolix upon this Subject, it may be necessary to examine his Principles, relative to the Cure, somewhat further. The first Thing he judges most proper, and to be given with all possible Speed, is Salt of Tartar one Scruple, in a Spoonful or two of Brandy, or some other hot cordial Spirit, if Spirit of Wine be too hot. Herein we find, lest the Corrosiveness of the fixt Salt should not prove sufficient, if given separately, their Powers are to be united; and thus to be repeated even to every two Minutes. There is something whimsical in his directing the Person to be placed in the very same Position as he was when he took the Opium, that the Spirit, or rather combined Solvent, should fall immediately upon the Resin, and thus instantaneously, as he expresses himself, dissolve and disengage it from the Coats of the Stomach.
Why a fixed Salt is to be given in a spirituous Body, I cannot comprehend; the Salt being, in such a Liquid, indissoluble, and certainly more corrosive. I fear too, that if it should immediately dissolve the Resin (which is a very improbable Supposition) it would only encrease the Corrosiveness and Expansion of the Poison, whereby the Stimulus would become excessive, and would inflame and contract the Orifices of the Stomach so powerfully, as to prevent the Benefit that might arise from Vomiting, and so throw the Party into an immediate Convulsion; for this same Reason, I think his subsequent Direction, to take the Alkali Salt and Spirit after every Vomiting, lest it should return from the Stomach without any Effect, very unnecessary; for the Inflammation of the Oesophagus and Larynx would undoubtedly prevent such a Kind of Remedy being administered very often.