REGIMEN.——The regimen must be adapted to the prevailing symptoms. When there are any signs of inflammation, the diet must be slender, and the drink weak and diluting. But when nervous or putrid symptoms occur, it will be necessary to support the patient with food and liquors of a more generous nature, such as are recommended in the immediately preceding fevers. We must however be very cautious in the use of things of a heating quality, as this fever is frequently changed into a continual by an hot regimen, and improper medicines.
Whatever the symptoms are, the patient ought to be kept cool, quiet, and clean. His apartment, if possible, should be large, and frequently ventilated by letting in fresh air at the doors or windows. It ought likewise to be sprinkled with vinegar, juice of lemon, or the like. His linen, bed-clothes, &c. should be frequently changed, and all his excrements immediately removed. Though these things have been recommended before, we think it necessary to repeat them here, as they are of more importance to the sick than practitioners are apt to imagine[[87]].
MEDICINE.——In order to cure this fever, we must endeavour to bring it to a regular intermission. This intention may be promoted by bleeding, if there be any signs of inflammation; but when that is not the case, bleeding ought by no means to be attempted, as it will weaken the patient and prolong the disease. A vomit however will seldom be improper, and is generally of great service. Twenty or thirty grains of ipecacuanha will answer this purpose very well; but, where it can be obtained, we would rather recommend a grain or two of tartar emetic, with five or six grains of ipecacuanha, to be made into a draught, and given for a vomit. This may be repeated once or twice at proper intervals, if the sickness or nausea continues.
The body ought to be kept open either by clysters or gentle laxatives, as weak infusions of senna and manna, small doses of the lenitive electuary, cream of tartar, tamarinds, stewed prunes, or the like; but all strong or drastic purgatives are to be carefully avoided.
By this course the fever in a few days may generally be brought to a pretty regular or distinct intermission, in which case the Peruvian bark may be administered, and it will seldom fail to perfect the cure. It is needless here to repeat the methods of giving the bark, as we have already had occasion frequently to mention them.
The most likely way to avoid this fever is to use a wholesome and nourishing diet, to pay the most scrupulous attention to cleanliness, to keep the body warm, to take sufficient exercise, and in hot countries to avoid damp situations, night air, evening dews, and the like. In countries where it is endemical, the best preventive medicine which we can recommend, is the Peruvian bark, which may either be chewed, or infused in brandy or wine, &c. Some recommend smoking tobacco as very beneficial in marshy countries, both for the prevention of this and intermitting fevers.
CHAP. XXIII.
OF THE SMALL-POX.
This disease, which originally came from Arabia, is now become so general, that very few escape it at one time of life or another. It is a most contagious malady; and has for many years proved the scourge of Europe.
The small-pox generally appear towards the spring. They are very frequent in summer, less so in autumn, and least of all in winter. Children are most liable to this disease; and those whose food is unwholesome, who want proper exercise, and abound with gross humours, run the greatest hazard from it.
The disease is distinguished into the distinct and confluent kind; the latter of which is always attended with danger. There are likewise other distinctions of the small-pox; as the crystalline, the bloody, &c.