INTERMITTENT FEVERS, &c.

Ill

his strength will permit. Nothing tends more to prolong an in-termitting fever, than indulging a lazy indolent disposition.

Intermitting fevers, under a proper regimen, will frequently gooff without medicine : and when the disease is mild, in an opendry country, there is seldom any danger from allowing it to takeits course ; but when the patient's strength seems to decline, or theparoxysms are so violent that his life is in danger, medicine oughtimmediately to be administered. This, however, should never bedone till the disease be properly formed, that is to say, till the pa-tient has had several fits of shaking and sweating.

Medical treatment. —1. This consists during the cold stage,in endeavouring to bring on the hot, by means of artificial warmth ;putting the feet in warm water ; giving mild diluent liquids ; dia-phoretic cordials ;* opiates, <fcc.

2. During the hot stage, to promote perspiration, by means ofcordial diaphoretics, with the means recommended in the coldstage.

The principal object, therefore, in the treatment of intermittents,is to put a period to the stage which is present, by hastening thatwhich naturally succeeds it.

The first thing to be done in the cure of an intermitting fever,is to cleanse the stomach and bowels. This not only renders theapplication of other medicines more safe, but likewise more effica-cious. In this disease the stomacJi is generally loaded with cohlviscid phlegm, (sordes,) and frequently great quantities of bile aredischarged by vomit ; which plainly points out the necessity ofsuch evacuations. Emetics are, therefore, to be administered be-fore the patient takes any other medicine, which may be adminis-tered just before the accession of the cold fit. A dose of ipecacu-anha will generally answer this purpose very well. A scruple orhalf a drachm of the powder will be sufficient for an adult,t andfor a younger person the dose must be less in proportion. Afterit begins to operate, the patient ought to drink plentifully of weakcamomile-tea ; and it may be repeated at the distance of two orthree days. Emetics not only cleanse the stomach, but increasethe perspiration, and all the other secretions, which render them of

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* Take Spirits of Nitric iEther,

2 drachms.Camphor mixture, 4 ounces.

Liquor of acctated Ammonia,

1 ounce.Syrup of Roses, 3 drachms.

Mix : and take two table-spoonsful everyfifteen minutes.

t Take Powder of Ipecacuanha,

15 grains.Tartarised Antimony, 1 grain.Make an Emetic powder.orPowder of Ipecacuanha,

15 grains.Tartarized Antimony, 1 grain.Spearmuch water,. 1¿ ounce.

Syrup of Saffron, 1 ounee.

Make an Emetic draught.

Take Peruvian Bark, 1 ounce.

Divide into twelve equal parts, of whichtake one every hour, or every secondor third hour, in a small cupful of new-milk, during the absence of the fever.orTake Peruvian Bark, 1 ounce.

Compound Cinnamon powder,

¿ drachm.Mix, and divide into twelve equal parta

orTake Peruvian Bark, 1 ounce.

Confection of Opium, 1 drachm.Mix, and divide into twelve equal parts

orTake Peruvian Bark, 1 ounce.

Powdered Rhubarb, 2 scruples.Mis, and divide in twelve equal parts jto be taken as above.