If the body is bound, a clyster of milk and water with a little salt, and a spoonful of sweet oil or fresh butter in it, ought daily to be administered. Should this not have the desired effect, a tea-spoonful of magnesia alba, or cream of tartar, may be frequently put into his drink. He may likewise eat tamarinds, boiled prunes, roasted apples, and the like.
If about the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth day, the pulse becomes more soft, the tongue moister, and the urine begins to let fall a reddish settlement, there is reason to expect a favourable issue to the disease. But if, instead of these symptoms, the patient’s spirits grow languid, his pulse sinks, and his breathing becomes difficult; with a stupor, trembling of the nerves, starting of the tendons, &c. there is reason to fear that the consequences will be fatal. In this case blistering plasters must be applied to the head, ancles, inside of the legs or thighs, as there may be occasion; poultices of wheat-bread, mustard, and vinegar, may likewise be applied to the soles of the feet, and the patient must be supported with cordials, as strong wine-whey, negus, sago-gruel with wine in it, and such like.
A proper regimen is not only necessary during the fever, but likewise after the patient begins to recover. By neglecting this, many relapse, or fall into other diseases, and continue valetudinary for life. Though the body is weak after a fever, yet the diet for some time ought to be rather light than of too nourishing a nature. Too much food, drink, exercise, company, &c. are carefully to be avoided. The mind ought likewise to be kept easy, and the patient should not attempt to pursue study, or any business that requires intense thinking.
If the digestion is bad, or the patient is seized at times with feverish heats, an infusion of Peruvian bark in cold water will be of use. It will strengthen the stomach, and help to subdue the remains of the fever.
When the patient’s strength is pretty well recovered, he ought to take some gentle laxative. An ounce of tamarinds and a dram of sena may be boiled for a few minutes in an English pint of water, and an ounce of manna dissolved in the decoction; afterwards it may be strained, and a tea-cupful drank every hour till it operates. This dose may be repeated twice or thrice, five or six days intervening between each dose.
Those who follow laborious employments ought not to return too soon to their labour after a fever, but should keep easy till their strength and spirits are sufficiently recruited.
CHAP. XVI.
OF THE PLEURISY.
The true pleurisy is an inflammation of that membrane called the pleura, which lines the inside of the breast. It is distinguished into the moist and dry. In the former the patient spits freely; in the latter, little or none at all. There is likewise a species of this disease, which is called the spurious or bastard pleurisy, in which the pain is more external, and chiefly affects the muscles between the ribs. The pleurisy prevails among labouring people, especially such as work without doors, and are of a sanguine constitution. It is most frequent in the spring season.
CAUSES.——The pleurisy may be occasioned by whatever obstructs the perspiration; as cold northerly winds; drinking cold liquors when the body is hot; sleeping without doors on the damp ground; wet clothes; plunging the body into cold water, or exposing it to the cold air, when covered with sweat, &c. It may likewise be occasioned by drinking strong liquors; by the stoppage of usual evacuations; as old ulcers, issues, sweating of the feet or hands, &c. the sudden striking in of any eruption, as the itch, the measles, or the small-pox. Those who have been accustomed to bleed at a certain season of the year are apt, if they neglect it, to be seized with a pleurisy. Keeping the body too warm by means of fire, clothes, &c. renders it more liable to this disease. A pleurisy may likewise be occasioned by violent exercise, as running, wrestling, leaping, or by supporting great weight, blows on the breast, &c. A bad conformation of the body renders persons more liable to this disease, as a narrow chest, a straitness of the arteries of the pleura, &c.
SYMPTOMS.—This, like most other fevers, generally begins with chillness and shivering, which are followed by heat, thirst, and restlessness. To these succeeds a violent pricking pain in one of the sides among the ribs. Sometimes the pain extends towards the back bone, sometimes towards the fore-part of the breast, and at other times towards the shoulder blades. The pain is generally most violent when the patient draws his breath.