Chapter XVI.Of putrid Fevers.Sect.236.Having treated of such feverish Distempers, as arise from an Inflammation of the Blood, I shall here treat of those produced by corrupt Humours, which stagnate in the Stomach, the Guts, or other Bowels of the lower Cavity, the Belly; or which have already passed from them into the Blood. These are called putrid Fevers, or sometimes bilious Fevers, when a certain Degeneracy or Corruption of the Bile seems chiefly to prevail in the Disease.§ 237. This Distemper frequently gives Notice of its Approach, several Days before its manifest Attack; by a great Dejection, a Heaviness of the Head; Pains of the Loins and Knees; aFoulness of the Mouth in the Morning; little Appetite; broken Slumber; and sometimes by an excessive Head-ach for many Days, without any other Symptom. After this, or these Disorders, a Shivering comes on, followed by a sharp and dry Heat: the Pulse, which was small and quick during the Shivering, is raised during the Heat, and is often very strong, though it is not attended with the same Hardness, as in the preceding Fever; except the putrid Fever be combined with an inflammatory one, which it sometimes is. During this Time, that is the Duration of the Heat, the Head-ach is commonly extremely violent; the Patient is almost constantly affected with Loathings, and sometimes even with Vomiting; with Thirst, disagreeable Risings, a Bitterness in the Mouth; and very little Urine. This Heat continues for many Hours, frequently the whole Night; it abates a little in the Morning, and the Pulse, though always feverish, is then something less so, while the Patient suffers less, though still greatly dejected.The Tongue is white and furred, the Teeth are foul, and the Breath smells very disagreeably. The Colour, Quantity and Consistence of the Urine, are very various and changeable. Some Patients are costive, others frequently have small Stools, without the least Relief accruing from them. The Skin is sometimes dry, and at other Times there is some sensible Perspiration, but without any Benefit attending it. The Fever augments every Day, and frequently at unexpectedirregular Periods. Besides thatgreatParoxysm or Increase, which is perceivable in all the Subjects of this Fever, some have also otherlessintervening ones.§ 238. When the Disease is left to itself, or injudiciously treated; or when it proves more powerful than the Remedies against it, which is by no Means seldom the Case, the Aggravations of it become longer, more frequent and irregular. There is scarcely an Interval of Ease. The Patient's Belly is swell'd out like a Foot-ball; aDeliriumor Raving comes on; he proves insensible of his own Evacuations, which come away involuntarily; he rejects Assistance, and keeps muttering continually, with a quick, small, irregular Pulse. Sometimes little Spots of a brown, or of a livid Colour appear on the Surface, but particularly about the Neck, Back and Breast. All the Discharges from his Body have a most fœtid Smell: convulsive Motions also supervene, especially in the Face; he lies down only on his Back, sinks down insensibly towards the Foot of the Bed, and picks about, as if catching Flies; his Pulse becomes so quick and so small, that it cannot be perceived without Difficulty, and cannot be counted. His Anguish seems inexpressible: his Sweats stream down from Agony: his Breast swells out as if distended by Fullness, and he dies miserably.§ 239. When this Distemper is less violent, or more judiciously treated, and the Medicines succeed well, it continues for some Days in the Statedescribed§ 237, without growing worse, though without abating. None of these Symptoms however appear, described§ 238; but, on the contrary, all the Symptoms become milder, the Paroxysms, or Aggravations, are shorter and less violent, the Head-ach more supportable; the Discharges by Stool are less frequent, but more at once, and attended with Relief to the Patient. The Quantity of Urine is very considerable, though it varies at different Times in Colour and Consistence, as before. The Patient soon begins to get a little Sleep, and grows more composed and easy. The Tongue disengages itself from its Filth and Furriness, and Health gradually, yet daily, advances.§ 240. This Fever seems to have no critical Time, either for its Termination in Recovery, or in Death. When it is very violent, or very badly conducted, it proves sometimes fatal on the ninth Day. Persons often die of it from the eighteenth to the twentieth; sometimes only about the fortieth; after having been alternately better and worse.When it happens but in a light Degree, it is sometimes cured within a few Days, after the earliest Evacuations. When it is of a very different Character, some Patients are not out of Danger before the End of six Weeks, and even still later. Nevertheless it is certain, that these Fevers, extended to this Length of Duration, often depend in a great Measure on the Manner of treating them; and that in general their Course must bedetermined, some time from the fourteenth to the thirtieth Day.§ 241. The Treatment of this Species of Fevers is comprized in the following Method and Medicines.1, The Patient must be put into aRegimen; and notwithstanding he is far from costive, and sometimes has even a small Purging, he should receive one Glyster daily. His common Drink should be Lemonade, (which is made of the Juice of Lemons, Sugar and Water) or the PtisanNº. 3. Instead of Juice of Lemons, Vinegar may be occasionally substituted, which, with Sugar and Water, makes an agreeable and very wholesome Drink in these Fevers.2, If there be an Inflammation also, which may be discovered by the Strength and the Hardness of the Pulse, and by the Temperament and Complexion of the Patient; if he is naturally robust, and has heated himself by any of the Causes described,§ 232, he should be bled once, and even a second Time, if necessary, some Hours after. I must observe however, that very frequently there is no such Inflammation, and that in such a Case, Bleeding would be hurtful.3, When the Patient has drank very plentifully for two Days of these Liquids, if his Mouth still continues in a very foul State, and he has violent Reachings to vomit, he must take the PowderNº. 34, dissolved in half a63Pot ofwarm Water, a64Glass of it being to be drank every half Quarter of an Hour. But as this Medicine vomits, it must not be taken, except we are certain the Patient is not under any Circumstance, which forbids the Use of a Vomit: all which Circumstances shall be particularly mentioned in the Chapter, respecting the Use of such Medicines, as are taken by way of Precaution, or Prevention. If the first Glasses excite a plentiful Vomiting, we must forbear giving another, and be content with obliging the Patient to drink a considerable Quantity of warm Water. But if the former Glasses do not occasion Vomiting, they must be repeated, as already directed until they do. Those who are afraid of taking this Medicine, which is usually called, the Emetic, may take that ofNº. 35, also drinking warm Water plentifully during its Operation; but the former is preferable, as more prevalent, in dangerous Cases. We must caution our Readers at the same Time, that wherever there is an Inflammation of any Part, neither of these Medicines must be given, which might prove a real Poison in such a Circumstance; and even if the Fever is extremely violent, though there should be no particular Inflammation, they should not be given.The Time of giving them is soon after the End of the Paroxysm, when the Fever is at the lowest. The MedicineNº. 34generally purges, after it ceasesto make the Patient vomit: ButNº. 35is seldom attended with the same Effect.When the Operation of the Vomit is entirely over, the Sick should return to the Use of the Ptisan; and great Care must be taken to prohibit them from the Use of Flesh Broth, under the Pretext of working off a Purging with it. The same Method is to be continued on the following Days as on the first; but as it is of Importance to keep the Body open, he should take every Morning some of the PtisanNº. 32. Such, as this would be too expensive for, may substitute, in the room of it, a fourth Part of the PowderNº. 34in five or six Glasses of Water, of which they are to take a Cup every two Hours, beginning early in the Morning. Nevertheless, if the Fever be very high,Nº. 32should be preferred to it.4, After the Operation of the Vomit, if the Fever still continue, if the Stools are remarkably fœtid, and if the Belly is tense and distended as it were, and the Quantity of Urine is small, a Spoonful of the PotionNº. 10should be given every two Hours, which checks the Putridity and abates the Fever. Should the Distemper become violent, and very pressing, it ought to be taken every Hour.5, Whenever, notwithstanding the giving all these Medicines as directed, the Fever continues obstinate; the Brain is manifestly disordered; there is a violent Head-ach, or very great Restlessness, two blistering PlaistersNº. 36must beapplied to the inside and fleshy Part of the Legs, and their Suppuration and Discharge should be continued as long as possible.6, If the Fever is extremely violent indeed, there is a Necessity absolutely to prohibit the Patient from receiving the least Nourishment.7, When it is thought improper, or unsafe, to give the Vomit, the Patient should take in the Morning, for two successive Days, three Doses of the PowderNº. 24, at the Interval of one Hour between each: This Medicine produces some bilious Stools, which greatly abate the Fever, and considerably lessen the Violence of all the other Symptoms of the Disease. This may be done with Success, when the excessive Height of the Fever prevents us from giving the Vomit: and we should limit ourselves to this Medicine, as often as we are uncertain, what ever the Circumstances of the Disease and the Patient will admit of the Vomiting; which may thus be dispensed with, in many Cases.8, When the Distemper has manifestly and considerably declined; the Paroxysms are more slight; and the Patient continues without any Fever for several Hours, the daily use of the purging opening Drinks should be discontinued. The common Ptisans however should be still made use of; and it will be proper to give every other Day two Doses of the PowderNº. 24, which sufficiently obviates every ill Consequence from this Disease.9, If the Fever has been clearly off for a long Part of the Day; if the Tongue appears in agood healthy State; if the Patient has been well purged; and yet one moderate Paroxysm of the Fever returns every Day, he should take four Doses of the PowderNº. 14between the End of one Return and the Beginning of the next, and continue this Repetition some Days. People who cannot easily procure this Medicine, may substitute, instead of it, the bitter DecoctionNº. 37. four Glasses of which may be taken at equal Intervals, between the two Paroxysms or Returns of the Fever.10, As the Organs of Digestion have been considerably weakened through the Course of this Fever, there is a Necessity for the Patient's conducting himself very prudently and regularly long after it, with Regard both to the Quantity and Quality of his Food. He should also use due Exercise as soon as his Strength will permit, without which he may be liable to fall into some chronical and languishing Disorder, productive of considerable Languor and Weakness.*
Chapter XVI.Of putrid Fevers.Sect.236.Having treated of such feverish Distempers, as arise from an Inflammation of the Blood, I shall here treat of those produced by corrupt Humours, which stagnate in the Stomach, the Guts, or other Bowels of the lower Cavity, the Belly; or which have already passed from them into the Blood. These are called putrid Fevers, or sometimes bilious Fevers, when a certain Degeneracy or Corruption of the Bile seems chiefly to prevail in the Disease.§ 237. This Distemper frequently gives Notice of its Approach, several Days before its manifest Attack; by a great Dejection, a Heaviness of the Head; Pains of the Loins and Knees; aFoulness of the Mouth in the Morning; little Appetite; broken Slumber; and sometimes by an excessive Head-ach for many Days, without any other Symptom. After this, or these Disorders, a Shivering comes on, followed by a sharp and dry Heat: the Pulse, which was small and quick during the Shivering, is raised during the Heat, and is often very strong, though it is not attended with the same Hardness, as in the preceding Fever; except the putrid Fever be combined with an inflammatory one, which it sometimes is. During this Time, that is the Duration of the Heat, the Head-ach is commonly extremely violent; the Patient is almost constantly affected with Loathings, and sometimes even with Vomiting; with Thirst, disagreeable Risings, a Bitterness in the Mouth; and very little Urine. This Heat continues for many Hours, frequently the whole Night; it abates a little in the Morning, and the Pulse, though always feverish, is then something less so, while the Patient suffers less, though still greatly dejected.The Tongue is white and furred, the Teeth are foul, and the Breath smells very disagreeably. The Colour, Quantity and Consistence of the Urine, are very various and changeable. Some Patients are costive, others frequently have small Stools, without the least Relief accruing from them. The Skin is sometimes dry, and at other Times there is some sensible Perspiration, but without any Benefit attending it. The Fever augments every Day, and frequently at unexpectedirregular Periods. Besides thatgreatParoxysm or Increase, which is perceivable in all the Subjects of this Fever, some have also otherlessintervening ones.§ 238. When the Disease is left to itself, or injudiciously treated; or when it proves more powerful than the Remedies against it, which is by no Means seldom the Case, the Aggravations of it become longer, more frequent and irregular. There is scarcely an Interval of Ease. The Patient's Belly is swell'd out like a Foot-ball; aDeliriumor Raving comes on; he proves insensible of his own Evacuations, which come away involuntarily; he rejects Assistance, and keeps muttering continually, with a quick, small, irregular Pulse. Sometimes little Spots of a brown, or of a livid Colour appear on the Surface, but particularly about the Neck, Back and Breast. All the Discharges from his Body have a most fœtid Smell: convulsive Motions also supervene, especially in the Face; he lies down only on his Back, sinks down insensibly towards the Foot of the Bed, and picks about, as if catching Flies; his Pulse becomes so quick and so small, that it cannot be perceived without Difficulty, and cannot be counted. His Anguish seems inexpressible: his Sweats stream down from Agony: his Breast swells out as if distended by Fullness, and he dies miserably.§ 239. When this Distemper is less violent, or more judiciously treated, and the Medicines succeed well, it continues for some Days in the Statedescribed§ 237, without growing worse, though without abating. None of these Symptoms however appear, described§ 238; but, on the contrary, all the Symptoms become milder, the Paroxysms, or Aggravations, are shorter and less violent, the Head-ach more supportable; the Discharges by Stool are less frequent, but more at once, and attended with Relief to the Patient. The Quantity of Urine is very considerable, though it varies at different Times in Colour and Consistence, as before. The Patient soon begins to get a little Sleep, and grows more composed and easy. The Tongue disengages itself from its Filth and Furriness, and Health gradually, yet daily, advances.§ 240. This Fever seems to have no critical Time, either for its Termination in Recovery, or in Death. When it is very violent, or very badly conducted, it proves sometimes fatal on the ninth Day. Persons often die of it from the eighteenth to the twentieth; sometimes only about the fortieth; after having been alternately better and worse.When it happens but in a light Degree, it is sometimes cured within a few Days, after the earliest Evacuations. When it is of a very different Character, some Patients are not out of Danger before the End of six Weeks, and even still later. Nevertheless it is certain, that these Fevers, extended to this Length of Duration, often depend in a great Measure on the Manner of treating them; and that in general their Course must bedetermined, some time from the fourteenth to the thirtieth Day.§ 241. The Treatment of this Species of Fevers is comprized in the following Method and Medicines.1, The Patient must be put into aRegimen; and notwithstanding he is far from costive, and sometimes has even a small Purging, he should receive one Glyster daily. His common Drink should be Lemonade, (which is made of the Juice of Lemons, Sugar and Water) or the PtisanNº. 3. Instead of Juice of Lemons, Vinegar may be occasionally substituted, which, with Sugar and Water, makes an agreeable and very wholesome Drink in these Fevers.2, If there be an Inflammation also, which may be discovered by the Strength and the Hardness of the Pulse, and by the Temperament and Complexion of the Patient; if he is naturally robust, and has heated himself by any of the Causes described,§ 232, he should be bled once, and even a second Time, if necessary, some Hours after. I must observe however, that very frequently there is no such Inflammation, and that in such a Case, Bleeding would be hurtful.3, When the Patient has drank very plentifully for two Days of these Liquids, if his Mouth still continues in a very foul State, and he has violent Reachings to vomit, he must take the PowderNº. 34, dissolved in half a63Pot ofwarm Water, a64Glass of it being to be drank every half Quarter of an Hour. But as this Medicine vomits, it must not be taken, except we are certain the Patient is not under any Circumstance, which forbids the Use of a Vomit: all which Circumstances shall be particularly mentioned in the Chapter, respecting the Use of such Medicines, as are taken by way of Precaution, or Prevention. If the first Glasses excite a plentiful Vomiting, we must forbear giving another, and be content with obliging the Patient to drink a considerable Quantity of warm Water. But if the former Glasses do not occasion Vomiting, they must be repeated, as already directed until they do. Those who are afraid of taking this Medicine, which is usually called, the Emetic, may take that ofNº. 35, also drinking warm Water plentifully during its Operation; but the former is preferable, as more prevalent, in dangerous Cases. We must caution our Readers at the same Time, that wherever there is an Inflammation of any Part, neither of these Medicines must be given, which might prove a real Poison in such a Circumstance; and even if the Fever is extremely violent, though there should be no particular Inflammation, they should not be given.The Time of giving them is soon after the End of the Paroxysm, when the Fever is at the lowest. The MedicineNº. 34generally purges, after it ceasesto make the Patient vomit: ButNº. 35is seldom attended with the same Effect.When the Operation of the Vomit is entirely over, the Sick should return to the Use of the Ptisan; and great Care must be taken to prohibit them from the Use of Flesh Broth, under the Pretext of working off a Purging with it. The same Method is to be continued on the following Days as on the first; but as it is of Importance to keep the Body open, he should take every Morning some of the PtisanNº. 32. Such, as this would be too expensive for, may substitute, in the room of it, a fourth Part of the PowderNº. 34in five or six Glasses of Water, of which they are to take a Cup every two Hours, beginning early in the Morning. Nevertheless, if the Fever be very high,Nº. 32should be preferred to it.4, After the Operation of the Vomit, if the Fever still continue, if the Stools are remarkably fœtid, and if the Belly is tense and distended as it were, and the Quantity of Urine is small, a Spoonful of the PotionNº. 10should be given every two Hours, which checks the Putridity and abates the Fever. Should the Distemper become violent, and very pressing, it ought to be taken every Hour.5, Whenever, notwithstanding the giving all these Medicines as directed, the Fever continues obstinate; the Brain is manifestly disordered; there is a violent Head-ach, or very great Restlessness, two blistering PlaistersNº. 36must beapplied to the inside and fleshy Part of the Legs, and their Suppuration and Discharge should be continued as long as possible.6, If the Fever is extremely violent indeed, there is a Necessity absolutely to prohibit the Patient from receiving the least Nourishment.7, When it is thought improper, or unsafe, to give the Vomit, the Patient should take in the Morning, for two successive Days, three Doses of the PowderNº. 24, at the Interval of one Hour between each: This Medicine produces some bilious Stools, which greatly abate the Fever, and considerably lessen the Violence of all the other Symptoms of the Disease. This may be done with Success, when the excessive Height of the Fever prevents us from giving the Vomit: and we should limit ourselves to this Medicine, as often as we are uncertain, what ever the Circumstances of the Disease and the Patient will admit of the Vomiting; which may thus be dispensed with, in many Cases.8, When the Distemper has manifestly and considerably declined; the Paroxysms are more slight; and the Patient continues without any Fever for several Hours, the daily use of the purging opening Drinks should be discontinued. The common Ptisans however should be still made use of; and it will be proper to give every other Day two Doses of the PowderNº. 24, which sufficiently obviates every ill Consequence from this Disease.9, If the Fever has been clearly off for a long Part of the Day; if the Tongue appears in agood healthy State; if the Patient has been well purged; and yet one moderate Paroxysm of the Fever returns every Day, he should take four Doses of the PowderNº. 14between the End of one Return and the Beginning of the next, and continue this Repetition some Days. People who cannot easily procure this Medicine, may substitute, instead of it, the bitter DecoctionNº. 37. four Glasses of which may be taken at equal Intervals, between the two Paroxysms or Returns of the Fever.10, As the Organs of Digestion have been considerably weakened through the Course of this Fever, there is a Necessity for the Patient's conducting himself very prudently and regularly long after it, with Regard both to the Quantity and Quality of his Food. He should also use due Exercise as soon as his Strength will permit, without which he may be liable to fall into some chronical and languishing Disorder, productive of considerable Languor and Weakness.*
Of putrid Fevers.
Sect.236.
Sect.236.
Having treated of such feverish Distempers, as arise from an Inflammation of the Blood, I shall here treat of those produced by corrupt Humours, which stagnate in the Stomach, the Guts, or other Bowels of the lower Cavity, the Belly; or which have already passed from them into the Blood. These are called putrid Fevers, or sometimes bilious Fevers, when a certain Degeneracy or Corruption of the Bile seems chiefly to prevail in the Disease.
§ 237. This Distemper frequently gives Notice of its Approach, several Days before its manifest Attack; by a great Dejection, a Heaviness of the Head; Pains of the Loins and Knees; aFoulness of the Mouth in the Morning; little Appetite; broken Slumber; and sometimes by an excessive Head-ach for many Days, without any other Symptom. After this, or these Disorders, a Shivering comes on, followed by a sharp and dry Heat: the Pulse, which was small and quick during the Shivering, is raised during the Heat, and is often very strong, though it is not attended with the same Hardness, as in the preceding Fever; except the putrid Fever be combined with an inflammatory one, which it sometimes is. During this Time, that is the Duration of the Heat, the Head-ach is commonly extremely violent; the Patient is almost constantly affected with Loathings, and sometimes even with Vomiting; with Thirst, disagreeable Risings, a Bitterness in the Mouth; and very little Urine. This Heat continues for many Hours, frequently the whole Night; it abates a little in the Morning, and the Pulse, though always feverish, is then something less so, while the Patient suffers less, though still greatly dejected.
The Tongue is white and furred, the Teeth are foul, and the Breath smells very disagreeably. The Colour, Quantity and Consistence of the Urine, are very various and changeable. Some Patients are costive, others frequently have small Stools, without the least Relief accruing from them. The Skin is sometimes dry, and at other Times there is some sensible Perspiration, but without any Benefit attending it. The Fever augments every Day, and frequently at unexpectedirregular Periods. Besides thatgreatParoxysm or Increase, which is perceivable in all the Subjects of this Fever, some have also otherlessintervening ones.
§ 238. When the Disease is left to itself, or injudiciously treated; or when it proves more powerful than the Remedies against it, which is by no Means seldom the Case, the Aggravations of it become longer, more frequent and irregular. There is scarcely an Interval of Ease. The Patient's Belly is swell'd out like a Foot-ball; aDeliriumor Raving comes on; he proves insensible of his own Evacuations, which come away involuntarily; he rejects Assistance, and keeps muttering continually, with a quick, small, irregular Pulse. Sometimes little Spots of a brown, or of a livid Colour appear on the Surface, but particularly about the Neck, Back and Breast. All the Discharges from his Body have a most fœtid Smell: convulsive Motions also supervene, especially in the Face; he lies down only on his Back, sinks down insensibly towards the Foot of the Bed, and picks about, as if catching Flies; his Pulse becomes so quick and so small, that it cannot be perceived without Difficulty, and cannot be counted. His Anguish seems inexpressible: his Sweats stream down from Agony: his Breast swells out as if distended by Fullness, and he dies miserably.
§ 239. When this Distemper is less violent, or more judiciously treated, and the Medicines succeed well, it continues for some Days in the Statedescribed§ 237, without growing worse, though without abating. None of these Symptoms however appear, described§ 238; but, on the contrary, all the Symptoms become milder, the Paroxysms, or Aggravations, are shorter and less violent, the Head-ach more supportable; the Discharges by Stool are less frequent, but more at once, and attended with Relief to the Patient. The Quantity of Urine is very considerable, though it varies at different Times in Colour and Consistence, as before. The Patient soon begins to get a little Sleep, and grows more composed and easy. The Tongue disengages itself from its Filth and Furriness, and Health gradually, yet daily, advances.
§ 240. This Fever seems to have no critical Time, either for its Termination in Recovery, or in Death. When it is very violent, or very badly conducted, it proves sometimes fatal on the ninth Day. Persons often die of it from the eighteenth to the twentieth; sometimes only about the fortieth; after having been alternately better and worse.
When it happens but in a light Degree, it is sometimes cured within a few Days, after the earliest Evacuations. When it is of a very different Character, some Patients are not out of Danger before the End of six Weeks, and even still later. Nevertheless it is certain, that these Fevers, extended to this Length of Duration, often depend in a great Measure on the Manner of treating them; and that in general their Course must bedetermined, some time from the fourteenth to the thirtieth Day.
§ 241. The Treatment of this Species of Fevers is comprized in the following Method and Medicines.
1, The Patient must be put into aRegimen; and notwithstanding he is far from costive, and sometimes has even a small Purging, he should receive one Glyster daily. His common Drink should be Lemonade, (which is made of the Juice of Lemons, Sugar and Water) or the PtisanNº. 3. Instead of Juice of Lemons, Vinegar may be occasionally substituted, which, with Sugar and Water, makes an agreeable and very wholesome Drink in these Fevers.
2, If there be an Inflammation also, which may be discovered by the Strength and the Hardness of the Pulse, and by the Temperament and Complexion of the Patient; if he is naturally robust, and has heated himself by any of the Causes described,§ 232, he should be bled once, and even a second Time, if necessary, some Hours after. I must observe however, that very frequently there is no such Inflammation, and that in such a Case, Bleeding would be hurtful.
3, When the Patient has drank very plentifully for two Days of these Liquids, if his Mouth still continues in a very foul State, and he has violent Reachings to vomit, he must take the PowderNº. 34, dissolved in half a63Pot ofwarm Water, a64Glass of it being to be drank every half Quarter of an Hour. But as this Medicine vomits, it must not be taken, except we are certain the Patient is not under any Circumstance, which forbids the Use of a Vomit: all which Circumstances shall be particularly mentioned in the Chapter, respecting the Use of such Medicines, as are taken by way of Precaution, or Prevention. If the first Glasses excite a plentiful Vomiting, we must forbear giving another, and be content with obliging the Patient to drink a considerable Quantity of warm Water. But if the former Glasses do not occasion Vomiting, they must be repeated, as already directed until they do. Those who are afraid of taking this Medicine, which is usually called, the Emetic, may take that ofNº. 35, also drinking warm Water plentifully during its Operation; but the former is preferable, as more prevalent, in dangerous Cases. We must caution our Readers at the same Time, that wherever there is an Inflammation of any Part, neither of these Medicines must be given, which might prove a real Poison in such a Circumstance; and even if the Fever is extremely violent, though there should be no particular Inflammation, they should not be given.
The Time of giving them is soon after the End of the Paroxysm, when the Fever is at the lowest. The MedicineNº. 34generally purges, after it ceasesto make the Patient vomit: ButNº. 35is seldom attended with the same Effect.
When the Operation of the Vomit is entirely over, the Sick should return to the Use of the Ptisan; and great Care must be taken to prohibit them from the Use of Flesh Broth, under the Pretext of working off a Purging with it. The same Method is to be continued on the following Days as on the first; but as it is of Importance to keep the Body open, he should take every Morning some of the PtisanNº. 32. Such, as this would be too expensive for, may substitute, in the room of it, a fourth Part of the PowderNº. 34in five or six Glasses of Water, of which they are to take a Cup every two Hours, beginning early in the Morning. Nevertheless, if the Fever be very high,Nº. 32should be preferred to it.
4, After the Operation of the Vomit, if the Fever still continue, if the Stools are remarkably fœtid, and if the Belly is tense and distended as it were, and the Quantity of Urine is small, a Spoonful of the PotionNº. 10should be given every two Hours, which checks the Putridity and abates the Fever. Should the Distemper become violent, and very pressing, it ought to be taken every Hour.
5, Whenever, notwithstanding the giving all these Medicines as directed, the Fever continues obstinate; the Brain is manifestly disordered; there is a violent Head-ach, or very great Restlessness, two blistering PlaistersNº. 36must beapplied to the inside and fleshy Part of the Legs, and their Suppuration and Discharge should be continued as long as possible.
6, If the Fever is extremely violent indeed, there is a Necessity absolutely to prohibit the Patient from receiving the least Nourishment.
7, When it is thought improper, or unsafe, to give the Vomit, the Patient should take in the Morning, for two successive Days, three Doses of the PowderNº. 24, at the Interval of one Hour between each: This Medicine produces some bilious Stools, which greatly abate the Fever, and considerably lessen the Violence of all the other Symptoms of the Disease. This may be done with Success, when the excessive Height of the Fever prevents us from giving the Vomit: and we should limit ourselves to this Medicine, as often as we are uncertain, what ever the Circumstances of the Disease and the Patient will admit of the Vomiting; which may thus be dispensed with, in many Cases.
8, When the Distemper has manifestly and considerably declined; the Paroxysms are more slight; and the Patient continues without any Fever for several Hours, the daily use of the purging opening Drinks should be discontinued. The common Ptisans however should be still made use of; and it will be proper to give every other Day two Doses of the PowderNº. 24, which sufficiently obviates every ill Consequence from this Disease.
9, If the Fever has been clearly off for a long Part of the Day; if the Tongue appears in agood healthy State; if the Patient has been well purged; and yet one moderate Paroxysm of the Fever returns every Day, he should take four Doses of the PowderNº. 14between the End of one Return and the Beginning of the next, and continue this Repetition some Days. People who cannot easily procure this Medicine, may substitute, instead of it, the bitter DecoctionNº. 37. four Glasses of which may be taken at equal Intervals, between the two Paroxysms or Returns of the Fever.
10, As the Organs of Digestion have been considerably weakened through the Course of this Fever, there is a Necessity for the Patient's conducting himself very prudently and regularly long after it, with Regard both to the Quantity and Quality of his Food. He should also use due Exercise as soon as his Strength will permit, without which he may be liable to fall into some chronical and languishing Disorder, productive of considerable Languor and Weakness.*