ADVICE TO INVALIDS.
Havingnow fully considered every form of syphilitic disease compatible with the design of this work, a few hints relative to the after-management of the patient when relieved from his complaint, to guard against a relapse, and to secure an entire restoration to sound health, may not detract from its utility. There are many patients who, on the disappearance of the more prominent symptoms of their complaint, lose no opportunity of rejoicing in their supposed recovery, and innocently commit sundry inapparent irregularities, that throw them back to their former state of suffering, which a little prudence and attention might have prevented. The more severe the disease has been, the slower, generally, is the recovery, and also less permanent in its result. The mere subsidence of pain, the healing of a wound, the disappearance of a cuticulareruption, or the suppression of a morbid secretion, are not in themselves sufficient indications of substantial recovery. The various physical and mental functions which, during illness, are always more or less involved, have yet to regain their tone. The digestive powers of the stomach are easily deranged, and require watchful management to secure the vantage gained. Equal care is essential, lest the intellectual organs be too prematurely called into active employment. Convalescence is often protracted to an almost indefinite period, frequently from the most trifling errors in diet. The stomach of a person reduced to a low state of debility through a severe inflammatory disorder, remains for a long time exceedingly sensitive, and fails not to evince displeasure when oppressed with indigestible, or too great a quantity of food. No cause predisposes the patient to a relapse, or retards his recovery, so much as inattention to diet. It is a popular error to suppose that the weakness consequent upon severe illness is only to be removed by rich and substantial food and wines, and other stimulating drinks. Such indiscretion often rekindles the disease, or predisposes the system to the supervention of some other complaint. The change from the sick-room to the parlor diet should be gradual and progressive. The milk and farinaceous meal may be varied by degrees to the milder forms and preparations of animal food. Solids should be given at first in small quantities; the diet should be rigidly adhered to, and in the change from low to full diet, the intermediate one should not be skipped over.
With regard to medicines, in no form of disease is it so important, as in venereal affections, that they should be continued for some time after the disappearance of symptoms. Many a relapse of gonorrhœa and secondary symptoms have occurred through the sudden abandonment of the means adopted for their cure.
Exercise forms another important part of management in convalescence; it should not be suddenly resumed, nor should fatigue by any means be incurred. Early retiring to bed, and early rising in the morning, tend considerably to promote and preserve health. Warm clothing is very essential and necessary for invalids.
The general signs of amendment are as follows: a reduced frequency of the pulse, which is always accelerated in acute diseases, the absence of thirst, a clean tongue, amoist skin, a good appetite, and refreshing sleep; and, lastly, all these are corroborated by an improvement in the looks. The improved aspect of the countenance has always been regarded as a sure criterion of returning health.