The tonics most generally beneficial are the metallic. Of these the most useful, or rather the most used, are the iron and mercury. We have said, that perhaps, with the exception of lead, all the metallic bodies were tonics, but that the two, just mentioned, seemed to give a more decided activity to the circulation, and that the former even occasioned inflammatory action. Iron, or rather, as it is styled inaccurately, steel, is the foundation of the more common boasted panaceas for this complaint, and is often highly useful. Every form has been in turn extolled, and each has perhaps succeeded. We know not that art has contrived a better preparation than the scales found around the anvil, in a blacksmith's shop, or the green

Vitriol; and whatever iron can effect will be found to result from these remedies. The chalybeate mineral waters are also frequently used with success. Zinc has been occasionally employed, but we believe no other metal in the later periods, since the cordial and diaphoretic powers of gold and silver have been distrusted. Perhaps arsenic might succeed; but the long time required for the continuance of remedies for this complaint will suggest the most suspicious caution respecting this metal. Cold bathing has been sometimes employed for this purpose, but not so frequently as it might, and probably would have been, were not cold considered among the causes which retard menstruation. We have, however, often found it an useful remedy.

The chalybeate mineral waters have been, us usual, rendered more effectual by exercise, change of scene, cheerful society, and pleasing objects; for all assist greatly in producing the change in the constitution which facilitates the discharge. Indeed, every thing which establishes the general health, and gives vigour to the constitution, contributes to the same salutary object.

The stimulants employed to give energy and activity to the circulation must be those which act steadily and with moderation, so as not to exhaust the excitability they are designed to support. The chief of these is warmth, rather of climate than the artificial warmth of fires, though these are sometimes of use when combined with exercise; and the patients in an hospital, who soonest receive relief, are those employed in the kitchen. In other forms, heat has been employed as in warm bathing, particularly in the waters at Bath; and more partially in the semicupium and pedilu-vium; but this remedy is, in general, better adapted to cases of suppression. The exciting passions, as joy, particularly from an object attained, exercise of every kind, warm generous food, with the moderate use of wine, frequent friction, particularly of the lower extremities, electricity generally employed by sitting on the stool, and perhaps Galvanic shocks, may be useful. Breathing oxygen, air seems not to have been employed; yet, as increasing the activity of the circulation, and giving the blood a more florid colour, it promises success.

The internal stimulating remedies are various. Of these he most useful are emetics, on the principles already explained in that article. The ammonia; the animal oil of Dippel; the petroleum; the balsam of Peru; guaiacum, and the more irritating cathartics, are employed.

The cathartics, however, most advantageous, are those which act on the rectum, and topically stimulate the organs adjoining the uterus. The.chief of these is the aloes; and, as costiveness is among the symptoms, so it is best relieved by this medicine: in fact, aloes has a great share in all the secret remedies. Cantharides, as stimulating the bladder of urine; turpentine, as affecting, in the same way, the kidnies, and perhaps the urinary organs through their whole track; and black hellebore, which strongly irritates the whole of the intestinal canal, are useful remedies of the same kind. Shocks of electricity, passed through the pelvis, are said to have succeeded; and cupping glasses have been applied to the sides and the thighs, to invite a larger proportion of the circulating fluids to these parts. The effects of the rubia tinctorum we do not know: it is enough to mention, in any part of this article, that it has been recommended.

We mentioned, among the exciting passions, the attainment of any object; and if this be the object of love, the effects are stronger; and matrimony is generally supposed to be an effectual cure. Yet this disease checks every warmer passion; and, except in peculiar circumstances, the chlorotic girl scarcely looks forward to the wedded state as an object of desire.

In our description of the symptoms, we remarked, that the uterine vessels yielded apparently from debility; and there are many circumstances which concur in proving that some degree of spasm in the weak chlorotic state prevents the discharge. The subject of spasm, as connected with debility, has been sufficiently considered under the articles Convulsiones and

Febris, q. v.; and, though the connection be admitted, yet the one is by no means a necessary consequence of the other. There are, however, several medicines recommended in the emansio mensium, which must chiefly act in this way; among the rest, sitting over the steams of warm water is considered as highly useful. We shall find this remedy particularly so in suppressions, where spasm is more decidedly obvious. The fetid gums are of this kind; and other fetids, as rue, savine, castor, musk, and ambergris, have been recommended. Camphor, which is highly useful. where spasm is certainly the cause, has been recommended in the chlorotic state, and perhaps the myrrh, with some other narcotic bitters, will be chiefly useful as antispasmodics.

Though these are the usual symptoms of that variety of deficient menses, attended with debility, and usually styled the chlorotic state, yet, in some instances, there are considerable fulness and pain, returning at irregular intervals, with vicarious discharges of blood from other organs. As such cases are, however, more common from suppression, or difficult menstruation, we shall speak of the proper remedies under these heads.