Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health

by S. A. D. Tissot

§ 213. But if the Fever should be strong, the Pulse hard, and the Pain of the Head and Loins should be violent, he must, 1. immediately lose Blood from the Arm; receive a Glyster two Hours after; and, if the Fever continues, the Bleeding must be repeated. I have directed a Repetition of it even to the fourth Time, within the two first Days, to young People under the Age of eighteen; and it is more especially necessary in such Persons as, with a hard and full Pulse, are also affected with a heavy Drowsiness and a Delirium, or Raving.

2. As long as the Fever continues violently, two, three, and even four Glysters should be given in the 24 Hours; and the Legs should be bathed twice.

3. The Patient is to be taken out of Bed, and supported in a Chair as long as he can tolerably bear it.

4. The Air of his Chamber should frequently be renewed, and if it be too hot, which it often is in Summer, in Order to refresh it, and the Patient, the Means must be employed which are directed [§ 36].

5. He is to be restrained to the Ptisans [Nº. 2] or [4]; and if that does not sufficiently moderate the Fever, he should take every Hour, or every two Hours, according to the Urgency of the Case, a Spoonful of the Mixture [Nº. 10]; mixed with a Cup of Ptisan. After the Eruption, the Fever being then abated, there is less Occasion for Medicine; and should it even entirely disappear, the Patient may be regulated, as directed, [§ 212].

§ 214. When, after a Calm, a Remission or Intermission of some Days, the Process of Suppuration revives the Fever, we ought first, and especially, to keep the [⁵⁴] Body very open. For this Purpose, a an Ounce of Catholicon should be added to the Glysters; or they might be simply made of Whey, with Honey, Oil and Salt. b Give the Patient three times every Morning, at the Interval of two Hours between each, three Glasses of the Ptisan [Nº. 32]. c Purge him after two Days, with the Potion [Nº. 23], but on that Day he must not take the Ptisan [Nº. 32].

2. He must, if the Distemper be very violent, take a double Dose of the Mixture [Nº. 10].

3. The Patient should be taken out of Bed, and kept up in a Room well aired Day and Night, until the Fever has abated. Many Persons will probably be surprized at this Advice; nevertheless it is that which I have often experienced to be the most efficacious, and without which the others are ineffectual. They will say, how shall the Patient sleep at this Rate? To which it may be answered, Sleep is not necessary, nay, it is hurtful in this State and Stage of the Disease. Besides, he is really unable to sleep: the continual Salivation prevents it, and it is very necessary to keep up the Salivation; which is facilitated by often injecting warm Water and Honey into his Throat. It is also of considerable Service to throw some up his Nostrils, and often thus to cleanse the Scabs which form within them. A due Regard to these Circumstances not only contributes to lessen the Patient's Uneasiness, but very effectually also to his Cure.

4. If the Face and Neck are greatly swelled, emollient Cataplasms are to be applied to the Soles of the Feet; and if these should have very little Effect, Sinapisms should be applied. These are a kind of Plaister or Application composed of Yeast, Mustard-flower, and some Vinegar. They sometimes occasion sharp and almost burning Pain, but in Proportion to the Sharpness and Increase of these Pains, the Head and Neck are remarkably relieved.

§ 215. The Eyelids are puffed up and swelled when the Disease runs high, so as to conceal the Eyes, which are closed up fast for several Days. Nothing further should be attempted, with Respect to this Circumstance, but the frequent moistening of them with a little warm Milk and Water. The Precautions which some take to stroke them with Saffron, a gold Ducat, or Rose-water are equally childish and insignificant. What chiefly conduces to prevent the Redness or Inflammation of the Eyes after the Disease, and in general all its other bad Consequences, is to be content for a considerable Time, with a very moderate Quantity of Food, and particularly to abstain from Flesh and Wine. In the very bad Small Pocks, and in little Children, the Eyes are closed up from the Beginning of the Eruption.