Page:Harveian Oration for MDCCCXXXVIII; being a tribute of respect for the memory of the late James Hamilton, Sen. M.D (IA b30377353).pdf/12

12 malignity. In the summer of 1779, a visitation of this kind excited alarm,—the fever having originated in an hospital of sick prisoners of war in Edinburgh Castle. In the summer and autumn of 1781, a still more formidable epidemic of typhus gravior, commencing in some ships of war and merchantmen from Jamaica, proved fatal to a great number of the inhabitants of Edinburgh and Leith. Dr Hamilton having charge of many of these patients, began, in conformity with the usual practice, to administer mild remedies in the form of small doses of antimony, &c., and finding them ineffectual, had recourse to preparations of a more active nature. The change was succeeded by a favourable result; and he observed that the antimonials which he employed had a good effect only when they acted as laxatives. He then was induced to try other purgative medicines, and found them generally efficacious in relieving the oppression of the stomach, mitigating thirst and other febrile symptoms, and so far from aggravating the debilitating effects of fever, actually restoring firmness to the pulse. He did not omit to employ the remedies which other indications seemed to require; but the more he extended his experience, the more was he satisfied that the cathartics which he employ-