Let this be the constant drink, which in a short time will revive the already tainted habit. Onions, horse-raddish, and mustard, &c. such as will keep on board, should plentifully be made use of, and the pills No. [X]. should be taken every twenty-four hours, at a time when going to rest.
This method will soon bring the patient to health again, particularly if in the first stage; but when it is come to the second degree, or in a state of rapid decay, more effectual and immediate means must be taken.
Here then I shall present the method, which by experience I know to be efficacious.
No. XLIX
Take a large tub, (a butt sawed in two) in which place a stool, or something to sit on; Then let the patient be stript naked and seated in the tub; pour into the bottom of the vessel about one gallon of good vinegar; put a blanket all over the patient, and the tub, so that the whole is covered like a hut. Then heat a large poker; which put into the vinegar in order to rise a steam; which continue for about a quarter, or half an hour, or longer, according to the circumstances.
If the patient is very scorbutic, it should be repeated three times a day, or even oftener, for the effect of this steam-bath is so powerful, that I have with pleasure seen the patient when not able to crawl to the tub; he has been so revived by the operation, as to come out of his own accord quite refreshed.
In the mean time the elixir of iron as is described No. [XXVIII]. should be taken; the mouth often washed with vinegar, lemon juice, or rather with the elixir of the iron, and sugar, should be both plentifully used in the drink, and with the victuals.
Salt provisions should be avoided as much as possible, or else previously well deprived of its salt.
By this method the scurvy may not only be prevented at sea, but even cured in the most inveterate degree.
If however there is an opportunity for the patient to come on shore, it will greatly facilitate his cure; though he should reap no other benefit than the exhalations of the earth in the warmth of the day: and I have with astonishment seen patients devour vegetables in large quantities, and mended surprizingly, even in a few hours; so powerful an antidote is the vegetable effluvia to an animal putrescency.