In the Beginning of putrid Diseases, they also denote an Oppression at Stomach, or a Mass of corrupt Humours; and they cease as soon as an Evacuation supervenes, whether by Vomit or Stool.
When they occur at the Beginning of malignant Fevers, they declare the high Degree of their Malignancy, and the great Diminution of the Patient's natural Strength.
In each of these Cases Vinegar, used externally and internally, is the best Remedy during the Exacerbation or Height of the Paroxysm; and Plenty of Lemon Juice and Water after it.
§ 508. Swoonings which supervene in Diseases, accompanied with great Evacuations, are cured like those which are owing to Weakness; and Endeavours should be used to restrain or moderate the Evacuations.
§ 509. Those who have any inward Abscess or Imposthume are apt to swoon frequently. They may sometimes be revived a little by Vinegar, but they prove too frequently mortal.
§ 510. Many Persons have a slighter or a deeper Swooning, at the End of a violent Fit of an intermitting Fever, or at that of each Exacerbation of a continual Fever; this constantly shews the Fever has run very high, the Swooning having been the Consequence of that great Relaxation, which has succeeded to a very high Tension. A Spoonful or two of light white Wine, with an equal Quantity of Water, affords all the Succour proper in such a Case.
§ 511. Persons subject to frequent Swoonings, should neglect nothing that may enable them to remove them when known; since the Consequences of them are always detrimental, except in some Fevers, in which they seem to mark the Crisis.
Every swooning Fit leaves the Patient in Dejection and Weakness; the Secretions from the Blood are suspended; the Humours disposed to Stagnation; Grumosities, or Coagulations, and Obstructions are formed; and if the Motion of the Blood is totally intercepted, or considerably checked, Polypus's, and these often incurable, are formed in the Heart, or in the larger Vessels; the Consequences of which are dreadful, and sometimes give Rise to internal Aneurisms, which always prove mortal, after long Anxiety and Oppression.
Swoonings which attack old People, without any manifest Cause, always afford an unfavourable Prognostic.