 it about under his
nose; nor was this effect to be wondered at, when we consider that this
substance abounds with the self-same volatile salts that are so greedily smelled
to by the most delicate invalids, after they have been extracted and sublimed by
the chemists. - By this time the company began to hold their noses; but the
doctor, without taking the least notice of this signal, proceeded to shew, that
many fetid substances were not only agreeable but salutary; such as assafetida,
and other medicinal gums, resins, roots, and vegetables, over and above burnt
feathers, tan-pits, candle-snuffs, etc. In short, he used many learned arguments
to persuade his audience out of their senses; and from stench made a transition
to filth, which he affirmed was also a mistaken idea, in as much as objects so
called, were no other than certain modifications of matter, consisting of the
same principles that enter into the composition of all created essences,
whatever they may be: that in the filthiest production of nature, a philosopher
considered nothing but the earth, water, salt, and air of which it was
compounded; that, for his own part, he had no more objection to drinking the
dirtiest ditch water, than he had to a glass of water from the Hot Well,
provided he was assured there was nothing poisonous in the concrete. Then
addressing himself to my uncle, »Sir, (said he) you seem to be of a dropsical
habit, and probably will soon have a confirmed ascites: if I should be present
when you are tapped, I will give you a convincing proof of what I assert, by
drinking without hesitation the water that comes out of your abdomen.« - The
ladies made wry faces at this declaration, and my uncle, changing colour, told
him he did not desire any such proof of his philosophy: »But I should be glad to
know (said he) what makes you think I am of a dropsical habit?« »Sir, I beg
pardon, (replied the doctor) I perceive your ankles are swelled, and you seem to
have the facies leucophlegmatica. Perhaps, indeed, your disorder may be
oedematous or gouty, or it may be the lues venerea: If you have any reason to
flatter yourself it is this last, sir, I will undertake to cure you with three
small pills, even if the disease should have attained its utmost inveteracy.
Sir, it is an arcanum which I have discovered, and prepared with infinite
labour. - Sir, I have lately cured a
