Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/105

Rh Countess of Denbigh 40li." It appears, however, that Floyer had even greater reliance on the sovereign virtues of cold water, administered externally. He spared no pains to inculcate on sufferers from rheumatism, nervous disorders, and other maladies, the virtue of cold bathing, and maintained that the prevalence of consumption in this country dated only from the time when baptism by immersion had been discontinued. This remarkable feature in his medical practice brought Floyer into special favour with the Baptists, and their annalist, Crosby, cites repeatedly his "Enquiry into the right use of Baths," and his "Essay to restore the Dipping of Infants," in support of their dogma in regard to the proper administration of the rite. It must not be forgotten that Sir John had faith in the time-honoured practice of having recourse to the Royal Touch; by his advice, it is believed, Dr. Johnson, when an infant, was conveyed to London to benefit by the healing powers of Queen Anne. The identical golden angel suspended by a riband on the occasion by the Queen's hand is now preserved in the British Museum, and has been figured in this Journal, vol. x. p. 198. The belief in such inherent virtue was, however, general amongst the faculty, both in this country and in France. A learned prelate, in a careful examination of such miraculous gifts, quotes the testimony of the Sergeant-Surgeon to Queen Anne, affirming that the facts "cannot be denied without resisting evidence far from contemptible."