[103]. The country people in many parts of Britain call this disease a blast, and imagine it proceeds from foul air, or ill wind, as they term it. The truth is, they often lie down to rest them, when warm and fatigued, upon the damp ground, where they fall asleep, and lie so long as to catch cold, which occasions the erysipelas. This disease may indeed proceed from other causes, but we may venture to say, that nine times out of ten it is occasioned by cold caught after the body has been greatly heated or fatigued.
[104]. See Appendix, Decoction of Woods.
[105]. Any foreign body lodged in the eye may be expeditiously removed by passing a small hair pencil between the eye-lid and the ball of the eye. In some places, the peasants do this very effectually, by using their tongue in the same manner.
[106]. As most people are fond of using eye-waters and ointments in this and other diseases of the eyes, we have inserted some of the most approved forms of these medicines in the Appendix. See Appendix, Eye-water and Eye-salve.
[107]. Dr. Home.
[108]. See Appendix, Spanish Infusion.
[109]. In a former edition of this book I recommended, for an obstinate tickling cough, an oily emulsion, made with the paregoric elixir of the Edinburgh Dispensatory, instead of the common alkaline spirit. I have since been told by several practitioners, that they found it to be an excellent medicine in this disorder, and every way deserving of the character which I had given it. Where this elixir is not kept, its place may be supplied by adding to the common oily emulsion, an adequate proportion of the Thebaic tincture, or liquid laudanum.
[110]. Some complain that the pitch plaster adheres too fast, while others find difficulty in keeping it on. This proceeds from the different kinds of pitch made use of, and likewise from the manner of making it. I generally find it answer best when mixed with a little beeswax, and spread as cool as possible. The clear, hard, transparent pitch answers the purpose best.
[111]. See Appendix, Hiera Picra.
[112]. Some think the air ought not to be changed till the disease is on the decline; but there seems to be no sufficient reason for this opinion, as patients have been known to reap benefit from a change of air at all periods of the disease. It is not sufficient to take the patient out daily in a carriage. This seldom answers any good purpose; but often does hurt, by giving him cold.