The fourth Precaution, is the frequent Use of very clear Whey. This agreeable Remedy, which consists of the Juices of Herbs filtred through, and concocted, or as it were, sweetened by the Organs of a healthy Animal, answers every visible Indication (I am still speaking here of sound and hearty Children). It imparts a Flexibility, or Soupleness to the Vessels; it abates the Density, the heavy Consistence and Thickness of the Blood; which being augmented by the Action of the poisonous Cause of the Small-Pocks, would degenerate into a most dangerous inflammatory [59] Viscidity or Thickness. It removes all Obstructions in the Viscera, or Bowels of the lower Cavity, the Belly. It opens the Passages which strain off the Bile; sheaths, or blunts, its Sharpness, gives it a proper Fluidity, prevents its Putridity, and sweetens whatever excessive Acrimony may reside throughout the Mass of Humours. It likewise promotes Stools, Urine and Perspiration; and, in a Word, it communicates the most favourable Disposition to the Body, not to be too violently impressed and agitated by the Operation of an inflammatory Poison: And with Regard to such Children as I have mentioned, for those who are either sanguine or bilious, it is beyond all Contradiction, the most effectual preparatory Drink, and the most proper to make them amends for the Want of Inoculation.
I have already observed, that it may also be used to great Advantage, during the Course of the Disease: but I must also observe, that however salutary it is, in the Cases for which I have directed it, there are many others in which it would be hurtful. It would be extremely pernicious to order it to weak, languishing, scirrhous, pale Children, subject to Vomitings, Purgings, Acidities, and to all Diseases which prove their Bowels to be weak, their Humours to be sharp: so that People must be very cautious not to regard it as an universal and infallible Remedy, towards preparing for the Small-Pocks. Those to whom it is advised, may take a few Glasses every Morning, and even drink it daily, for their common Drink; they may also sup it with Bread for Breakfast, for Supper, and indeed at any Time.
If Country People will pursue these Directions, which are very easy to observe and to comprehend, whenever the Small-Pocks rages, I am persuaded it must lessen the Mortality attending it. Some will certainly experience the Benefit of them; such I mean as are very sensible and discreet, and strongly influenced by the truest Love of their Children. Others there are Alas! who are too stupid to discern the Advantage of them, and too unnatural to take any just Care of their Families.
Chapter XIV.
Of the Measles.
Sect. 221.
he Measles, to which the human Species are as generally liable, as to the Small-Pocks, is a Distemper considerably related to it; though, generally speaking, it is less fatal; notwithstanding which, it is not a little destructive in some Countries. In Swisserland we lose much fewer, immediately in the Disease, than from the Consequences of it.
It happens now and then that the Small-Pocks and the Measles rage at the same Time, and in the same Place; though I have more frequently observed, that each of them was epidemical in different Years. Sometimes it also happens that both these Diseases are combined at once in the same Person; and that one supervenes before the other has finished its Course, which makes the Case very perilous.