LETTER LXXXVI. ON THE MALIGNANT ULCEROUS SORE THROAT. " σε και τὰ 'αυτός, ή δε φάρυγξ και η γλωσσα, ευθύς αιματώδη THUCYD. and inwardly the pharyngx, and the tongue were foon bloody." SIR, YOU have frequently hinted, that tho' according YOU to the words of Lucretius, the malignant ulcerous fore throat was a leading fymptom in the peftilence at Athens; you think Thucydides gives no fanction to the opinion:-read the above, and judge for yourself. Thucydides was no physician, nor philofopher, but merely defcribes as an hiftorian. Those bloody and fanious appearances in the throat, as there was no rupture of the vessels, give reason, I think, to conclude, that ulceration must foon take place, tho' the hiftorian does not particularly mention it: thefe ulcers, therefore, tho' not mentioned, are clearly implied. Aretaus is, I believe, the firft author who describes the malignant ulcerous fore throat with any degree of accuracy; and it is rather doubtful in what age he lived: I believe, however, it was in or foon after the reign of Nero. This incomparable author is likewife the first who makes a clear diftinction between muscles, tendons, and nerves and the latter, I think, he derives from the OV, or the occiput. On a re-perusal of Thucidides's much admired description of the peftilence at Athens; I find, that among other articles omitted by Lucretius, he remarks, that the year in which the pest invaded that city, was in other refpects very *healthy; and that the few other maladies that did prevail, foon turned to the reigning one. And likewise, that as long as the disease was at the height, the bodies of the difeased did not waste, but refifted the tormenting symptoms beyond expectation. He likewife adds, (a circumftance omitted by most other Hiftorians) that the fame peftilence extended as far as the territories of the King: by which he muft mean the large monarchy of Perfia. Yours, &c. The original word is 'avuorov, derived from a, no, and vegos,` disease, viz. difeafelefs, or exempt from malady. P. S. I think fo lightly of my own hafty compofitions, in comparison of the more approved writings of others, that I have hitherto neglected to answer your kind inquiries, refpecting my two poetical attempts, the one fatyric, and the other dramatic. You fay, fatire is my forte; I believe it is every one's, it being much easier to cenfure than to praise. My chef d'œuvre of that kind, The Devonshire Diaboliad, or, Satan's Tour into the Weft, has never yet appeared in print, and I believe never will. You fay, I have therein immortalized a fet of weft-country fcoundrels; I reply-any attempt that way is now unneceffary; as the hero, and fome of the first perfonages, are so far advanced towards immortality that they have ceased to be mortal. *The tragedy of Arviragus is not yet finished. This hiftorical drama, fince the first edition of these letters, hás been printed (and after some corrections) was twice performed at the Exeter theatre, first by defire of the military, and secondly by order of the high sheriff for the county of Devon. Though the author has not interest enough to bring it forward at either of the London Theatres Royal. EXETER, 24th April, 1798. SUBSCRIBERS. X 3 SUBSCRIBER S. THE KING. PRINCE OF WALES, DUKE OF YORK. RIGHT Rev. Lord Bishop of Exeter Bishop of Salisbury Marquifs of Lanfdown Earl of Mount Edgecumbe Earl Guildford Earl Lifburne Lord Clifford Lord Walfingham Lord Rolle Sir James Norcliffe Innes, Bart. Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, Bart. Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde, Bart. M. P. John John Baring, Efq. M. P. Paul Orchard, Efq. M. P. M. Bloxham, Efq. London Hon. Mrs. Damer Mrs. Robinson Mifs Seward, Litchfield Mifs Simonds, Blandford Jerningham, Efq. Dr. Griffith Taylor, Oculift to his Majesty H. Harrington, M. D. Bath Hugh Downman, M. D. Exeter Daniel, M. D. Exeter Bartholomew Parr, M. D. Exeter Fordyce, M. D. Effex-ftreet, Strand John Sheldon, Efq. F. R. S. and Profeffor of Anatomy to the Royal Academy Cruickshank, Reader in Anatomy Harwood, Anatomical Profeffor, Cambridge Rev. J. Bannifter Rev. |