Does the Child void Worms, upwards or downwards?
Is his Belly large, swelled, or hard?
Is his Sleep quiet, or otherwise?
§ 590. Besides these general Questions, common in all the Diseases of the different Sexes and Ages, the Person consulting must also answer to those, which have a close and direct Relation to the Disease, at that very Time affecting the Sick.
For Example, in the Quinsey, the Condition of the Throat must be exactly inquired into. In Diseases of the Breast, an Account must be given of the Patient's Pains; of his Cough; of the Oppression, and of his Breathing, and Expectoration. I shall not enter upon a more particular Detail; common Sense will sufficiently extend this Plan or Specimen to other Diseases; and though these Questions may seem numerous, it will always be easy to write down their Answers in as little Room, as the Questions take up here. It were even to be wished that Persons of every Rank, who occasionally write for medical Advice and Directions, would observe such a Plan or Succession, in the Body of their Letters. By this Means they would frequently procure the most satisfactory Answers; and save themselves the Trouble of writing second Letters, to give a necessary Explanation of the first.
The Success of Remedies depends, in a very great Measure, on a very exact Knowledge of the Disease; and that Knowledge on the precise Information of it, which is laid before the Physician.
FINIS.
TABLE
Of the Prescriptions and Medicines, referred to in the foregoing Treatise: Which, with the Notes beneath them, are to be read before the taking, or Application, of any of the said Medicines.