Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/287

T YP rily; and about the I4th, l/tli, or 2 1 St day, the scene is often closed with convulsions} though sometimes protraifted to a later period. Causes: — Contagion, or infec- tion, by contaft with diseased per- sons ; excessive evacuations of every kind 5 depression of mind j a studious life, attended with noc- turnal watching ; long subsistence on crude ami impure food ; putrid effluvia of poisons and hospitals, arising from corrupted substances, staa;nated waters, Sec. The event depends entirely on the greater or less violence of the symptoms, and the relative ten- dency to putrescence : hence, the following are deemed favourable signs : a gentle moisture over the body ; especially when succeeded by a moderate looseness j and the strength of the patient appears to be supported by the remedies ap- plied. On the other hand, deli- rium ; continual watchfulness ; sickness ; and convulsions ; cold or clammy sweat, emitting a ca- daverous odour ; all these are inr- auspicious omens, especially when the patient lies on his back with his knees drawn up, and the body gliding downward. If the spots, that generally appear about the 11th or I'^lth day, be of a dark and livid hue, great danger may then be apprehended. C?ire : — Abstinence from all ani- mal food, and an immediate re- moval from a contaminated at- mosphere to a clean, dry, and airy situation. If the alimentary canal be oppressed by crudities, eidier an emedc, or moderate laxative, according to circumstances, should be timely administered. Mild su- dorifics,in conjunction with tonics, »0. XV. — vol.. IV. fespeclatly the Peruviaif bark, and vegetable acids, conveyed in co- pious draughts of diluents, with thfe addition of wine, have gene- rally been found benehcial. If the head be much atfefted, blisters, applied to the neck, sometime* afford relief. Should the patient, about the 7th, 11th, or 14th dayi feel oppression, anxiety, and un-^ easiness, an eruption on the neck, chest, or back, may be suspeded j in wiiich case, gentle cordials will be proper. Colliquative sweats may be counterafted by the use of generous wine and bark. Whea the appetite returns, the patient should first subsist on thin, chicken and other broths ; weak jellies of sago, hartshorn, &c. Thus, slight attacks of this fever may often be removed. But, when it rises to a degree of malignity (such as is often experienced in hot climates, on account of the noxious exhala- tions during the night), it will be advisable to attend first to the ne- cessary evacuations ; after whlch> the bark, aether, and camphor, should be freely administered with red or Rhenish wines, fixed air, and other antiseptic remedies : if the feyes appear wild, and the speech be quick, blisters, or fomentations of vinegar and warm water, ought to be immediately applied to the feet. Cold bathing, hov^ever, has often been attended with more sa- lutarj' effefts. According to the late theory and praftice of Dr. Reich, the liberal use of the mi- neral acids, especially of the mu- riatic, or spirit of salt, has proved of the greatest service ; but, neither this powerful medicine, nor bath- ing or affusion with cold sea-water, can with safety be ventured upon, without medical advice; fornodis- S cas$