SY3IPTQMS OF FE\tíR.

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disturbs the imagination increases the disease : for which reasonevery person in a fever ought to be kept perfectly quiet, and neither allowed to see nor hear any thing that may in the least affector discompose his mind.

Though the patient in a fever has the greatest inclination fordrink, yet he seldom has any appetite for solid food : hence theimpropriety of urging him to take victuals is evident. Much solidfood in a fever is every way hurtful. It oppresses nature, and, in-stead of nourishing the patient, serves only to feed the disease-.What food the patient takes, should be in small quantity, light,and of easy digestion. It ought to be chiefly of the vegetablekind, as panada, roasted apples, gruels, and such like.

Nothing is more desired by a patient in a fever, than fresh air.It not only removes his anxiety, but cools the blood, revives thespirits, and proves every way beneficial. Many patients are in amanner stifled to death in fevers for want of fresh air ; yet such isthe unaccountable infatuation of most people, that the momentthey think a person in a fever, they imagine he should be kept ina close chamber, into which not one particle of fresh air must beadmitted. Instead of this, there ought to be a constant stream offresh air into a sick person's chamber, so as to keep it moderatelycool. Indeed, its degree of warmth ought never to be greater thanis agreeable to one in perfect health.

Nothing spoils the air of a sick person's chamber, or hurts thepatient more, than a number of people breathing in it. When theblood is inflamed, or the humours in a putrid state, air that hasbeen breathed repeatedly will greatly increase the disease. Suchair not only loses its spring, and becomes unfit for the purpose ofrespiration, but acquires a noxious quality, which renders it in amanner poisonous to the sick.

In fevers, when the patient's spirits are low and depressed, heis not only to be supported with cordials, but every method shouldbe taken to cheer and comfort his mind. Many, from a mistakenzeal, when they think a person in danger, instead of solacing hismind with the hopes and consolations of religion, frighten him withthe views of hell and damnation. It would be unsuitable here todwell upon the impropriety and dangerous consequences of thisconduct ; it often hurts the body, and there is reason to believeseldom benefits the soul.

Among common people, the very name of a fever generally sug-gests the necessity of bleeding. This notion seems to have takenits rise from most fevers in this country having been formerly ofan inflammatory nature ; but true inflammatory fevers are nowseldom to be met with. Sedentary occupations, and a differentmanner of living, have so changed the state of diseases in Britain,that there is now hardly one fever in ten where the lancet is ne-cessary. In most low, nervous, and putrid fevers, which are nowgo common, bleeding is really hurtful, as it weakens the patient,sinks his spirits, &c. We would recommend this general rule,never to bleed at the beginning of a fever, unless there be evidentsigns of inflammation. Bleeding is an excellent medicine when ne-cessary, but should never be wantonly performed.

It is likewise a common notion, that sweating is always necegr.