An authentick narrative of the success of Tar-water, in curing a great number and variety of distempers, with remarks, and occasional papers relative to the subject / To which are subjoined, two letters from the author of Siris [George Berkeley]. Shewing the medicinal properties of tar-water, and the best manner of making it.

  • Thomas Prior
Date:
1746
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An authentick narrative of the success of Tar-water, in curing a great number and variety of distempers, with remarks, and occasional papers relative to the subject / To which are subjoined, two letters from the author of Siris [George Berkeley]. Shewing the medicinal properties of tar-water, and the best manner of making it. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    73. A Letter from Mr. Henry Par fans, Attorney* dated from William freely Dublin, July 26, 1744. ■ SIR, I lately read an Advertifement in Mr.. Faulkner’s Weekly Journal, defiring, that Perfons who had re¬ ceived Benefit from drinking Tar-water, would fend you an Account thereof, with the Nature of their feveral Diforders. As that Advertifement was chief¬ ly intended for the Benefit of Mankind, I think every one ought readily to comply therewith. I therefore fend you the following Account: I have been thefe twenty Years pad, and upwards, grievoufly afflicted with violent Pains and Swellings in my Limbs; and for want of my natural Reft, which they frequently prevented, I was reduced to a very great Weaknefs; and I had loft my Stomach' to that Degree, that I may fay, My Soul abhorred all manner of Meat, and 1 was even hard at Death's Door. I was reduced to that unhappy State, which the Bifhop of Cloyne, in his Treatife on Tar-water, callsEcedium Vitas, a Wearinefs of Life, that I could have bleft the Means that would have finifh’d my Days; and if any one was to have bought an Annu¬ ity on my Life, I am fare no one would have given fix Months Piirchafe for it. I am certain that every one, who has known me thefe twenty Years pad, can and will readily vouch the Truth hereof; and not above five Months ago, a Gentleman falling in¬ to a groundlefs Pafiion with me, for no other Rea- fon, but becaufe he was lofing a Game at Backgam¬ mon, declared to fome Gentlemen, who afterwards informed me thereof, that he would certainly have been the Death of me, but that he was well fatisfied I would foon dye by the Courfe of Nature. 74. I was alfo afflidfed with a violent fcorbutic Humour, which broke out to a great Degree in my Face ; and about the Beginning of May lad, on my 3 fir ft
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