LITHONTRIPTICS (from λίθος, "a stone," and
τρίπτω, "to break"); an epithet for medicines that are
supposed to break the stone in the bladder. Though
the different stones that are generated in the human
bladder require different solvents when out of the body;
and though art hath not yet afforded a medicine
which, when injected into the bladder, will, without
injury thereto, dissolve the stone therein lodged; it
cannot thence be concluded, that there are no lithon-
triptic medicines. It may be here observed, that one
solvent affects one subject, but hath no effect on an-
other; so a solvent may yet be met with that will de-
stroy the stone, and not hurt the human body. The
water into which the boiled white of egg dissolves will
liquify myrrh, but may be put into the human eye
without causing any uneasiness.
Soap ley taken at first in small doses in broth that
is freed from all its fat, succeeds in most cases which
require an alkaline solvent. The patient may begin
with 20 drops, and gradually increase the dose as he
is able; and by repeating it three times a-day for six,
eight, or twelve months, the wished-for effects often
follow.