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may be renewed twice a-day, till the tumor be either discussed or broughtto suppuration. The use of repellants in this case is very dangerousthey often occasion fevers, and sometimes cancers; whereas a suppura-tion is seldom attended with any danger, and has often the most salutaryeffects.
When the nipples are fretted or chapt, they may be anointed with amixture of oil and bees-wax, or a little powdered gum-arabic may Lesprinkled on them. I have seen Hungary water applied to the nippleshave a very good effect. Should the complaint prove obstinate, a cool-ing purge may be given, which generally removes it.
The miliary fever is a disease incident to women in child-bed; but asit has been treated of already, we shall take no further notice of it. Thecelebrated Hoffman observes, That this fever of child-bed women mightgenerally be prevented, if they, during pregnancy, were regular in theirdiet, used moderate exercise, took now and then a gentle laxative ofmanna, rhubarb, or cream of tartar ; not forgetting to bleed in the firstmonths, and avoid all sharp air. When the labour is coming on it is notto be hastened with forcing medicines, which inflame the blood andhumours, or put them into unnatural commotions. Care should betaken, after the birth, that the natural excretions proceed regularly;and if the pulse be quick, a little nitrous powder, or some other coolingmedicines, should be administered.
The most fatal disorder consequent upon delivery is the puerperal orchild-bed fever. It generally makes its attack upon the second or thirdday after delivery. Sometimes indeed it comes on sooner, and at othertimes, though rarely, it does not appear before the fifth or sixth day.
It begins, like most other fevers, with a cold or shivering fit, which»s succeeded by restlessness, pain of the head, great sickness at thettotnach, and bilious vomiting. The pulse is generally quick, the tonguedry, and there is a remarkable depression of spirits and loss of strength.A great pain is usually felt in the back, hips, and region of the womb ;i sudden change in the quantity or quality of the lochia also takesplace; and the patient is frequently troubled with a tenesmus, orconstant inclination to go to stool. The urine, which is very highcoloured, is discharged in small quantity, and generally with pain. Th<belly sometimes swells to a considerable buik, and becomes susceptibleof pain from the slightest touch. When the fever has continued for afew days, the symptoms of inflammation usually subside, and the dis-ease acquires a more putrid form. At this period, if not sooner, a bili-ous or putrid looseness, of an obstinate and dangerous nature, conies on,and accompanies the disease through all its future progress.
There is not any disease that requires to be treated with more skilland attention than this; consequently the best assistance ought alwaysto be obtained as soon as possible. In women of a plethoric constitu-tion, bleeding will generally be proper at the beginning; it ought how-ever to be used with caution, and not to be repeated unless where thesigns of inflaimnation rise high ; in which case it will also be necessaryto apply a blistering plaster to the region of the womb.
During the rigour, or cold fit, proper means should be used to abateits violence and shorten its duration. For this purpose th i patient maydrink freely of warm diluting liquors, and, if low may ake now ami
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