However in all these extremities, nothing can contradict the indication of bleeding, except extreme weakness, and debility of the system; which here is very rarely the case.—After bleeding, a large blister between the shoulders should immediately be applied, and treated as directed in the second lecture, page 75.—A draught like No. [XXX]. will also be of singular service, till the patient comes to; after which he will require such treatment as is directed under fevers; for that disorder will always attend the shock that the apoplexy gives to the animal system.
Of the Frenzy and Delirium.
When the root of the nerves are stimulated by acrimony, so as to heighten their sensibility, or set their regulated perception in confusion, the ideas become bewildered, and the sensations act at random. This is generally the case with patients in acute and malignant fevers; and this conception differs from dreaming in this respect, that the phantoms of the confused imagination may be somewhat guided by the objects around them; as they may be said to dream with their eyes open and full awake.
When the frenzy attends acute fevers, the blood is generally in a great confusion, and the pulse high and fluctuating. Yet bleeding should by all means be avoided, unless indeed the disorder has come on remarkably sudden. Blisters here are requisite; and in order to take off the stimulus of the nerves, give the patient the following draught.
No. XXXI
Take Fever Powder (L) one Scruple; Liquid Laudanum, (T) ten Drops; Spirit of Wine and Camphor (A) twenty Drops; Essential Oil of Peppermint (U), four Drops upon a lump of Sugar; Water half a Tea Cup full.
This draught may be taken every fourth or sixth hour; and now and then a grain of calomel may with great success be added to it. Cooling clysters in this case are also of singular service; for example:
No. XXXII
Take cold water, eight ounces; Nitre, or instead of this[[16]] Fever Powder (L) two drachms; spirits of Camphor (A) thirty drops, mix them.
[16]. The fever powder may be steept in a little water before hand, and the clear poured off, because nothing but the nitre here is useful.