1 an illustration of the system In ulopted. A goldsmith of
2 middle age, a Catholic, came to me one day, asking for an
3 Aph’fodit>i<mm ; he confessed he had impaired his bodily
4 strength by improper indulgences, to such a degree that he
5 could not. perform his conjugal ditty; and he added, that he
6 was in a very distressing situation, for his nuptials were to be
7 celebrated on the following Sunday. I expressed my willing¬
8 ness to comply with his wishes, but finding probably the price
9 of my medicine too high, he left me, ami repaired to Pari re
10 Tomaso, hoping to get his medicine gratis. On Monday,
11 after the weliding, at the break of day, Father Tomaso entered
12 my room quite embarrassed, and asked me for mv advice, as the
13 goldsmith was constipated, and in great pain, in consequence
14 of the large doses of Cantharides which lie had administered
15 to him on the eve of his nuptials. Although somewhat moved
16 with compassion, I could not help laughing at this account,
17 and 1 desired to see the patient, whereupon he told inc that,
18 after having read mass, he would come and conduct me to
19 him. M\ lodgings being opposite the convent, lie very seen
20 returned, and we repaired to the residence of the newly-married
21 pair. It was one of the largest Christian houses in Damascus,
22 and the family of the goldsmith was one of the richest of
23 that country, In the large court-yard and in the saloon through
24 which I had to pass, 1 saw a great many handsome ladies,
25 and not being shy, they displayed their jewels and other
26 ornaments', because 1 was come with a priest, and eunscqentlv
27 appeared to be also a Christian, in spite of my Turkish costume.
28 In a corner of a large room, 1 found the uufortunate bride
29 groom cowering and lamenting over his pains; he had only one
30 servant with him. He told me he had take n only a third-pert of
31 tlu majoon (electuary) which Padre Tomaso had given him, but
32 that, instead of its producing the desired effect, he was tormented
33 with pains that were no longer supportable. I immediately gave
34 hima few pills (n compound of opium, camphor, ami ipecacuanha),
35 and also ordered him to take almond-milk, no! libitum , which did